The complexities of failing (Social Work) students - a workshop for practice educators of Social Work students held at the University of Lincoln on Thursday 27th November 2014

This workshop for practice educators teaching social work students whilst on placement explored issues relating to failing students. Reasons why students might experience difficulties whilst on placement, early identification of problems, barriers to making a fail decision and resolution of concerns were discussed. The session considered how to evidence and articulate concerns in relation to HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for Students and the appropriate PCF levels and how to develop appropriate intervention plans, using the University's concerns process or Fitness to Practise procedures where necessary

Extended-spectrum cephalosporin, carbapenem, and fluoroquinolone resistant gram-negative coliform bacteria present on equine environmental surfaces

CFAES Honors Research Scholarship and Small GrantOSU Honors Enrichment GrantOSU Undergraduate Research Scholar AwardSOLAR Foundation Research Fund Award2014 ASAS JAM undergraduate research poster competition, 3rd placeAntimicrobial resistant bacteria are a rapidly growing concern in human and veterinary medicine. The rising prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC beta-lactamase, carbapenemase (CRE), and flouroquinolone-resistant Enterobacteriaceae continually decreases the efficiency of vital antibiotics. Moreover, antibiotic resistant enteric bacteria can be transmitted between horses and people. Our objective was to evaluate the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria on human contact surfaces in equine environments. Environmental surfaces in 20 Ohio equine barns were sampled using two electro-static-cloths (Swiffer®), yielding a total of 200 samples. Samples were screened for AmpC, ESBL, CRE, and fluoroquinolone phenotypic resistance using selective media. To select for cephalosporinase phenotypes, samples were incubated at 37°C in nutrient broth with 2 μg/mL cefotaxime. This broth was aseptically inoculated to MacConkey Agar with 8 μg/mL cefoxitin, 4 μg/mL cefepime, and 1 μg/mL meropenem to detect AmpC, ESBL, and CRE phenotypes, respectively. Additionally, samples were incubated in nutrient broth containing 16 μg/mL naladixic acid and then inoculated to MacConkey agar with 16 μg/mL naladixic acid and 2 μg/mL ciprofloxacin to detect fluoroquinolone resistance phenotypes. Genotypes were confirmed using standard PCR techniques. Of the 200 sampled surfaces, 39 (19.5%), 17 (8.5%), 12 (6.0%), and 7 (3.5%) harbored cefoxitin, naladixic acid, cefepime, and ciprofloxacin resistant bacteria, respectively. Drains and wash stalls were most commonly contaminated at 18 (90.0%) of the 20 barns, followed by handles of mucking equipment at 12 (60.0%) barns. These results suggest that equine environmental surfaces are contaminated with antibiotic resistant bacteria that can potentially be transmitted between human and horse populations. Furthermore, detecting these bacteria on common human contact surfaces suggests that the environment can serve as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance genes. Identifying interventions to lower the prevalence of antibiotic resistant bacteria in equine environments will protect both animal and public health.A one-year embargo was granted for this item.Academic Major: Animal Science

The Influence of Connective Tissue in Meat Tenderness (A Histological and Comparative Study)

There are several means of determining the tenderness of meat. Recently, a great deal of effort has been focused on connective tissue, or collagen, as a measure of tenderness. These foci have included biochemical determination of collagen types, the ratios of soluble and insoluble collagen, changes of collagen with age, and abundance of collagen. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the abundance of collage as a means of differentiating levels of tenderness , using histology. Steaks taken from the bovine tenderloin, inside round, and bottom round (eye) were observed histologically using special stains for connective tissue. This method, compared with accepted methods of measuring tenderness, showed similar trends, but its use is limited

Genetic Toolkit for Assessment and Prediction of Population-Level Impacts of Bridge Construction on Birds

Recent studies have highlighted alarming rates of declines in bird populations across the country. The State of California is home to over 650 resident and migrant avian species. Legislation for protecting these species has existed for over a century now, yet tools for identifying populations and understanding seasonal movement remain limited. Recently, genetic and genomic tools have provided a method for understanding population structure, allowing for more informed delineation of management units. The goal of this project was to create a genetic toolkit for identifying breeding populations and assigning individuals to those populations. Ultimately, such tools could be used to assess population-level impacts when there are conflicts with birds at infrastructure construction sites. As a test case, we sequenced entire genomes for 40 individual Anna’s hummingbirds (Calypte anna) from across the state. Based on this initial data, we found low levels of differentiation between sampled locations, suggesting that C. anna in California are not subdivided into different population units. However, there was a weak signal of geography suggesting there may be localized genetic differences in a small proportion of the genome. Follow-up work will focus on a broader sampling across the state of California to clarify any possible population subdivision or geographical patterns of differentiation.View the NCST Project Webpag

Whole child, whole teacher: leadership for flourishing primary schools

Whilst the notion of the whole child is well-established within early years and primary education, the related concept of the whole teacher is less well developed. However, it is important to progress understanding of the concept in light of high levels of teacher stress in performance-driven education systems. This paper details an empirical study with five primary schools in England which explored how leaders sustained a focus on the whole child within the context of a performance-driven education system. Specifically, it focuses on data which emerged from the study, identifying the concept of the whole teacher and its important relationship with the whole child and whole curriculum. The paper critiques current conceptions of the whole teacher and proposes a concept which has, at its centre, the recognition of who the teacher is as a person. Implications for leadership and teacher education are considered

Landscape genetics of a North American songbird, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)

Understanding landscape influences on the spatial distribution of genetic variation in species is necessary for their successful conservation and preservation. This study investigated both rangewide and fine-scale patterns of population genetic structure of a small resident passerine to North America, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). Microsatellite data revealed high levels of genetic differentiation across their geographical range, particularly in the west resulting from a combination of historical (e.g., glaciers) and contemporary (e.g., mountains) barriers. Cryptic genetic structure was also observed at smaller spatial scales. Populations in British Columbia are genetically isolated owing to its highly complex landscape, with gene flow restricted to low elevation valleys with sufficient forest cover. In southern Alberta, not only is gene flow restricted to riparian corridors but it is also influenced by natural/ anthropogenic breaks within these continuous linear features as well as ecological zonation, suggesting that chickadees are dependent on habitat quality for dispersal

Overcoming Barriers to Teaching Action-Based Environmental Education: A Multiple Case Study of Teachers in the Public School Classroom

As the human population increases, it becomes increasingly more important for society to understand the impact of humans on the environment. Preserving fixed resources by engaging in sustainable practices is necessary to ensure those resources are available for future generations. Since the early 1960s, policy makers and educators alike have sought to ensure that students graduate environmentally literate. Previous research has identified a multitude of barriers that limit classroom teacher’s ability to integrate environmental education into their curriculum. The purpose of this study was to investigate how teachers overcome those barriers that restrict the integration of action based environmental education into the public school classroom. This was a three case study of public high school teachers. Data were gathered for this qualitative study through observations, interviews, and the collection of documents. Constant comparative method was utilized to analyze data. The researcher conducted a within-case analysis for each case and a cross-case analysis as well. Through the use of coding, the researcher identified patterns and themes across cases. Barriers identified by participants included resources, time, and risk. The primary factors uncovered by this study, which potentially affect teacher efficacy, are personal and educational background, the availability of mentors, and support of outside agencies. The implications for policy makers and institutions of higher education that can be drawn from this study are that, through the course of teacher undergraduate and graduate education, teachers should be provided with field experiences in the area of environmental education. In addition to providing field experiences, finding ways to link teachers to outside environmentally focused agencies and mentors increases teacher efficacy by providing support and resources

An isoform of ZBP-89 predisposes the colon to colitis

Alternative splicing enables expression of functionally diverse protein isoforms. The structural and functional complexity of zinc-finger transcription factor ZBP-89 suggests that it may be among the class of alternatively spliced genes. We identified a human ZBP-89 splice isoform (ZBP-89(ΔN)), which lacks amino terminal residues 1–127 of the full-length protein (ZBP-89(FL)). ZBP-89(ΔN) mRNA was co-expressed with its ZBP-89(FL) cognate in gastrointestinal cell lines and tissues. Similarly, ZBP-89(ΔN) protein was expressed. To define its function in vivo, we generated ZBP-89(ΔN) knock-in mice by targeting exon 4 that encodes the amino terminus. Homozygous ZBP-89(ΔN) mice, expressing only ZBP-89(ΔN) protein, experienced growth delay, reduced viability and increased susceptibility to dextran sodium sulfate colitis. We conclude that ZBP-89(ΔN) antagonizes ZBP-89(FL) function and that over-expression of the truncated isoform disrupts gastrointestinal homeostasis

Influence of landscape features on the microgeographic genetic structure of a resident songbird

Sherpa Romeo yellow journal. Pre-print or post-print onlyVariation in landscape features influence individual dispersal and as a result can affect both gene flow and genetic variation within and between populations. The landscape of British Columbia, Canada, is already highly heterogeneous due to natural ecological and geological transitions, but disturbance from human mediated processes has further fragmented continuous habitat, particularly in the central plateau region. In this study, we evaluated the effects of landscape heterogeneity on the genetic structure of a common resident songbird, the black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). Previous work revealed significant population structuring in British Columbia which could not be explained by physical barriers, so our aim was to assess the pattern of genetic structure at a microgeographic scale and determine the effect of different landscape features on genetic differentiation. A total of 399 individuals from 15 populations were genotyped for fourteen microsatellite loci revealing significant population structuring in this species. Individual and population based analyses revealed as many as nine genetic clusters with isolation in the north, the central plateau and the south. Moreover, a mixed modelling approach that accounted for non-independence of pairwise distance values revealed a significant effect of land cover and elevation resistance on genetic differentiation. These results suggest that barriers in the landscape influence dispersal which has led to the unexpectedly high levels of population isolation. Our study demonstrates theimportance of incorporating additional landscape features when interpreting patterns of population differentiation. Despite taking a microgeographic approach, our results have opened up additional questions concerning the processes influencing dispersal and gene flow at the local scale.Ye

Phytoremediation Potentials and Effects of Lead on Growth of Pteris vittata L. and Pityrogramma calomelanos L. (Pteridaceae: Fern)

Phytoremediation, tolerance and bio-accumulation potentials of lead in the roots and shoots of Pteris vittata and Pityrogramma calomelanos were investigated to ascertain the effects of lead on thee species’ growth and development. Within the experiment, 5 kg of air dried and sieved soil was put inside six plastic pots labelled CT, A, B, C, D and E, each with different concentrations (0, 200, 400, 600, 800 and 1,000 ppm) of lead (II) trioxonitrate (v) salt. The shoots and roots of the plants were air dried, grounded and analysed for lead quantities using x-ray fluorescence before and after the treatments. One-month old healthy fernlets of each species were transplanted into each of the pots, in six replicates. Growth parameters such as leaflet area, number of leaflets and frond height were recorded weekly, for 12 weeks. Quantitative data were analysed for significant difference using analysis of variance for each of the plant species and means were evaluated with Duncan's multiple range test for frond height, leaflet number, leaflet area, roots and shoots biomass. Negative effects (decrease) on the growth parameters were observed in both species. Pteris vittata accumulated more lead in all the treatments, in both shoots and roots, compared with Pityrogramma calomelanos. The highest bio-accumulation factor in Pteris vittata shoot was 2.944 and 0.635 in Pityrogramma calomelanos.Transfer factor of Pteris vittata was 1.742, while for Pityrogramma calomelanos was 0.859 in all the treatments. It could be concluded that Pteris vittata is a better bio-accumulator, tolerated more lead and therefore could be used in remediating lead-contaminated soils, better than Pityrogramma calomelanos