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PurposeThere is a need for precollege learning designs that empower youth to be epistemic agents in contexts that intersect burgeoning areas of computing, big data and social media. The purpose of this study is to explore how “sandbox” or open-inquiry data science with social media supports learning. Design/methodology/approachThis paper offers vignettes from an illustrative youth study case that highlights the pedagogical prospects and obstacles tied to designing for open-ended inquiry with computational data science to access or “scrape” Twitter/X. The youth case showcases how social media can be taken up productively and in ways that facilitate epistemological agency, an approach where individuals actively shape understanding and knowledge-creation processes, highlighting the potentially transformative impact this approach might have in empowering learners to engage productively. FindingsThe authors identify three key affordances for learning that emerged from the illustrative case: (1) flexible opportunities for content-specific domain mastery, (2) situated inquiry that embodies next-generation science practices and (3) embedded computational skill development. The authors discuss these findings in relation to contemporary education needs to broaden participation in data science and computing. Originality/valueTo address challenges in current data science education associated with supporting sustained and productive engagement in computing-based data science, the authors leverage a “sandbox” approach – an original pedagogical framework to support open inquiry with precollege groups. The authors demonstrate how “big data” drawn from social media with high school-aged youth supports learning designs and outcomes by emphasizing learner interests and authentic practice. 

Free, ionic zinc (Zn2+) modulates neurotransmitter dynamics in the brain. However, the sub-s effects of transient concentration changes of Zn2+ on neurotransmitter release and uptake are not well understood. To address this lack of knowledge, we have combined the photolysis of the novel caged Zn2+ compound [Zn(DPAdeCageOMe)]+ with fast scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) at carbon fiber microelectrodes in live, whole brain preparations from zebrafish (Danio rerio). After treating the brain with [Zn(DPAdeCageOMe)]+, Zn2+ was released by application of light that was gated through a computer-controlled shutter synchronized with the FSCV measurements and delivered through a 1 mm fiber optic cable. We systematically optimized the photocage concentration and light application parameters, including the total duration and light-to-electrical stimulation delay time. While sub-s Zn2+ application with this method inhibited DA reuptake, assessed by the first-order rate constant (k) and half-life (t1/2), it had no effect on the electrically stimulated DA overflow ([DA]STIM). Increasing the photocage concentration and light duration progressively inhibited uptake, with maximal effects occurring at 100 μM and 800 ms, respectively. Furthermore, uptake was inhibited 200 ms after Zn2+ photorelease, but no measurable effect occurred after 800 ms. We expect that application of this method to the zebrafish whole brain and other preparations will help expand the current knowledge of how Zn2+ affects neurotransmitter release/uptake in select neurological disease states. 

Maternal PM_2.5exposures in informal settlements in Nairobi exceeded WHO air quality targets, with low-quality cooking fuel use identified as the most important non-ambient source. 

The zebrafish is a powerful model organism to study the mechanisms governing transition metal ions within whole brain tissue. Zinc is one of the most abundant metal ions in the brain, playing a critical pathophysiological role in neurodegenerative diseases. The homeostasis of free, ionic zinc (Zn2+) is a key intersection point in many of these diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. A Zn2+ imbalance can eventuate several disturbances that may lead to the development of neurodegenerative changes. Therefore, compact, reliable approaches that allow the optical detection of Zn2+ across the whole brain would contribute to our current understanding of the mechanisms that underlie neurological disease pathology. We developed an engineered fluorescence protein-based nanoprobe that can spatially and temporally resolve Zn2+ in living zebrafish brain tissue. The self-assembled engineered fluorescence protein on gold nanoparticles was shown to be confined to defined locations within the brain tissue, enabling site specific studies, compared to fluorescent protein-based molecular tools, which diffuse throughout the brain tissue. Two-photon excitation microscopy confirmed the physical and photometrical stability of these nanoprobes in living zebrafish (Danio rerio) brain tissue, while the addition of Zn2+ quenched the nanoprobe fluorescence. Combining orthogonal sensing methods with our engineered nanoprobes will enable the study of imbalances in homeostatic Zn2+ regulation. The proposed bionanoprobe system offers a versatile platform to couple metal ion specific linkers and contribute to the understanding of neurological diseases.