Faculty Members’ Experiences with the Implementation of Flipped Classroom Environments in Higher Education

Active learning is an instructional strategy that focuses on the active learning process by involving students with engaging materials and activities in the class which leads to higher order thinking and increases students’ performance. The flipped classroom is one of the latest models that allows more time in class for applying active learning strategies. This model focuses on providing a media lesson to the students that must be completed outside of the classroom and prior to the class after which the teacher demonstrates different activities related to the media lesson during class time. The purpose of this qualitative study was to describe flipped classroom implementation in higher education by three experienced faculty members. A case study was utilized, and data were collected in the form of online observations, in-class observations, individual interviews, and documents and artifacts. Utilization-focused evaluation was the framework for analyzing the collected data. The three faculty participants implemented the flipped classroom model differently, which resulted in dissimilar experiences

Biochemical and Molecular Knowledge about Developing Herbicide-Resistant Weeds

Herbicide resistance is the genetic capacity of a weed population to survive an herbicide treatment that, under normal use conditions, would effectively control the resistant weed population. Weeds have been evolving in conventional crop cultivars worldwide from selection pressure placed on them from repeated use of herbicides. In this chapter, we intend to explain the biochemical and molecular basis of herbicide resistance in weeds. On the other hand, herbicide resistance can be a useful tool so that weed scientists can use as important approach to control and manage weeds. There are several strategies for the production of HR crops by genetic engineering and the methods used in this process will be discussed in this chapter

ATR-FTIR and raman imaging to study permanent and primary teeth from different places and ages

Zähne sind aus folgenden Schichten aufgebaut: Zahnschmelz, Zahnbein (Dentin), Zahnmark (Pulpa) und Zahnzement (Cementum). Der Zahnschmelz besteht zu 95% aus Hydroxylapatit, einem kristallinen Mineral, dessen Hauptbestandteile Calcium und Phosphat sind. Das unter dem Schmelz liegende Zahnbein enthält nur zwei Drittel kristallines Mineral. Da der Rest aus einer eiweißhaltigen Matrix – überwiegend dem Strukturprotein Collagen Typ 1 – und Wasser besteht, ist Dentin weicher als der Zahnschmelz. Es ist wohlbekannt, dass Karies schneller in Milchzähnen von Kindern als Zähnen von Erwachsenen fortschreitet. Dies steht mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit mit dem unterschiedlichen Aufbau und Struktur im Zusammenhang, da Erwachsenenzähne mehr mineralisiert sind als Milchzähne. Diese unterschiedlichen Eigenschaften spielen insbesondere eine Rolle in der Zahnheilkunde wie der Behandlung von Karies in Milchzähnen. Infrarot- (IR-) und Raman-Spektroskopie sind nicht destruktive und markerfreie schwingungsspektroskopische Methoden, die chemische und molekulare Analysen von mineralisierten Geweben wie Knochen und Zähne ermöglichen. Aufgrund von verschiedenen physikalischen Auswahlregeln von IR- und Raman-Spektroskopie unterscheiden sich Bandenintensitäten und Bandenbreiten und verschiedene spektrale Merkmale werden für die gleichen Eigenschaften herangezogen. Das Mineral zu Matrix Verhältnis kann bestimmt werden aus der intensivsten Bande von Hydroxylapatit, die in IR-Spektren um 1010 cm-1 und in Raman-Spektren um 960 cm-1 zentriert ist, und der intensivsten Protein-Bande bei 1660 cm-1. Bandendekonvolution wird angewendet, um überlappende Unterbanden in IR-Spektren zu trennen. Intensitätsverhältnisse einer IR-Bande bei 1415 cm-1 und eine Unterbande bei 1030 cm-1 werden für das Carbonat zu Phosphat Verhältnis berechnet, IR-Unterbandenverhältnisse bei 1660 und 1690 cm-1 für die Collagenquervernetzung und IR-Unterbandenverhältnisse bei 1030 und 1020 cm-1 für die Kristallinität von Hydroxylapatit. Die Substitution von Hydroxylgruppen in Hydroxylapatit durch Carbonate ergibt A, A2 und B-Typ genannte Geometrien, die durch IR- Banden bei 878, 860 und 871 cm-1 repräsentiert werden. Intensitätsverhältnisse von Raman-Banden bei 1070 und 960 cm-1 werden für das Carbonat zu Phosphat Verhältnis berechnet, Raman-Unterbanden bei 1660 und 1690 cm-1 für die Collagenquervernetzung und der Halbwertsbreite der Raman-Bande bei 960 cm-1 für die Kristallinität von Hydroxylapatit. Die Mehrzahl der IR- und Raman-Untersuchungen im Zusammenhang mit Zähnen sind für die Dentin-Adhesiv-Composite Verbindung von Zahnersatz durchgeführt worden. Nur wenige IR- und Raman-Studien existieren bisher für Milchzähne und deren Vergleich mit Erwachsenenzähnen. Die Ziele der vorliegenden Arbeit sind deshalb, zum ersten Mal die oben genannten schwingungsspektroskopischen Parameter für die chemischen und molekularen Eigenschaften von Milch- und Erwachsenenzähnen zu bestimmen. Dabei werden sowohl IR- als auch Raman-Merkmale analysiert, um die spektralen Ergebnisse jeweils zu bestätigen. Schwingungsspektroskopische Images wurden aufgenommen, um die spektralen und lateralen Informationen zu kombinieren. Die Spektren jedes Image wurden gemittelt, um Variationen innerhalb einer Probe zu kompensieren. Während aktuelle Proben aus der Türkei und Deutschland präpariert wurden, sind ebenfalls archäologische Proben aus Jordanien analysiert worden. Systematische Abweichungen zwischen Dentin und Zahnschmelz verschiedener Herkunft und Alter werden diskutiert

Genetic variation of Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Chenopodium album L. (Amaranthaceae) suggests multiple independent introductions into Iran

Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Chenopodium album L. (Amaranthaceae) are weedy plants that cause severe ecological and economic damage. In this study, we collected DNA from three different countries and assessed genetic diversity using inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) markers. Our analysis shows both weed species have low genetic diversity within a population and high genetic diversity among populations, as well as a low value of gene flow among the populations. UPGMA clustering and principal coordinate analysis indicate four distinct groups for A. retroflexus L. and C. album L. exist. We detected significant isolation-by-distance for A. retroflexus L. and no significant correlation for C. album L. These conclusions are based data from 13 ISSR primers where the average percentage of polymorphism produced was 98.46 % for A. retroflexus L. and 74.81% for C. album L.. These data suggest that each population was independently introduced to the location from which it was sampled and these noxious weeds come armed with considerable genetic variability giving them the opportunity to manifest myriad traits that could be used to avoid management practices. Our results, albeit not definitive about this issue, do not support the native status of C. album L. in Iran

Evaluation of techniques to break seed dormancy in Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus)

If we understand factors that trigger seed dormancy release, then we can accurately predict whether the seed will remain dormant or germinate out of the seed bank. With regards to annual weed species, detailed understanding of what breaks seed dormancy is therefore critical for determining how many weed seeds will germinate into problematic weeds. To investigate the breaking of dormancy in weed seeds, we conducted an experiment with Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus). Dormant seeds were treated with cold stratification (4 °C for 30 days), application of gibberellic acid (at 500, 1000, 1500, and 2000 parts per million) or ultrasound (for 10, 20, 30, and 40 minutes), soaking in hot water (90 °C for 3, 5, 7 and 10 minutes) or 98% sulfuric acid (for 1, 2 and 3 minutes) to determine which treatment most effectively broke dormancy. The results showed that Redroot pigweed seed dormancy was effectively broken by cold stratification, gibberellic acid, or ultrasound. Short treatments with hot water had minimal effect while longer times or treatment with sulfuric acid eliminated seed germination. In addition to germination percentage, germination rate, plumule length, radicle length, seedling length, seedling dry weight, and seed vigor index were also measured; similarly application of gibberellic acid had the most significant effect on these parameters. The results of this study add to our understanding of what processes effectively or ineffectively break Redroot pigweed seed dormancy and promote growth

An aspect-oriented approach to relating security requirements and access control

Affecting multiple parts in software systems, security requirements often tangle with functional requirements. In order to separate crosscutting concerns and increase modularity, we propose to represent security requirements as aspects that can be woven into functional requirements. Using problem frames to model the functional requirements, weaving is achieved by composing the modules representing security aspects with the requirement models. Moreover, we provide guidance on how such security aspects are structured to implement a particular access control solution. As a result, such security aspects become reusable solution patterns to refine the structure of security-related problem

Evaluation of ultrasound technology to break seed dormancy of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album)

Although seed dormancy is advantageous for annual plants in the wild, unsynchronized germination in the laboratory leads to increased error in measurements. Therefore techniques to promote and synchronize germination are routinely used. Ultrasound is one of the newest methods for breaking dormancy in weed seeds. We have investigated whether ultrasonic waves can be used to break seed dormancy of common lambsquarters (Chenopodium album), a highly competitive annual weed that leads to significant reduction of yields of corn, soybeans, and sugar beets. Ultrasonic waves with frequency of 35kH were applied for 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 30 minutes using a completely randomized design. The results showed that the use of ultrasound waves generally enhanced the traits under investigation in the treated samples compared to the control sample. The maximum enhancement of germination percentage (180%), seedling dry weight (78%), and seedling vigor index I (271%) and II (392%) was seen in the common lambsquarters samples treated with ultrasound for 15 minutes and seedling length (40%) at 30 minutes compared to the control samples. Radical lengths were not statistically different from controls under any treatment and plumule length only increased marginally. These changes are reflected in seedling vigor index I and II measurements. For some of these traits, increasing the length of ultrasound treatment to 30 minutes had negative effects. These results demonstrate that ultrasound technology can be used as a quick, and efficient non-destructive method to break seed dormancy in common lambsquarters

Redroot pigweed (Amaranthus retroflexus L.) and lamb's quarters ‎‎(Chenopodium album L.) populations exhibit a high degree of ‎morphological and biochemical diversity

Amaranthus retroflexus L. and Chenopodium album L. are noxious weeds that have a cosmopolitan distribution. These species successfully invade and are adapted to a wide variety of diverse climates. In this paper we evaluated the morphology and biochemistry of 16 populations of A. retroflexus L. and 17 populations of C. album L.. Seeds from populations collected from Spain, France and Iran were grown together at the experimental field of the agriculture research of University of Mohaghegh Ardabili and a suite of morphological traits and biochemical traits were assessed. Among the populations of A. retroflexus L. and of C. album L. were observed significant differences for all the measured traits. The number of branches for A. retroflexus L. (12.22) and inflorescence length (14.34) for C. album L. were the two characteristics that exhibited the maximum coefficient of variation. Principal component analysis of these data identified four principal components for each species that explained 83.54 (A. retroflexus L.) and 88.98 (C. album L.) of the total variation. A dendrogram based on unweighted neighbor-joining method clustered all the A. retroflexus L. and C. album L. into two main clusters and four sub-clusters. Canonical correlation analysis was used to evaluate relationships between climate classification of origin and traits. Similarly, the measured characteristics did not group along Köppen climate classification. Both analyses support the conclusion that A. retroflexus L. and C. album L. exhibit high levels of diversity despite similar environmental histories. Both species also exhibit a high diversity of the measured biochemical compounds indicating they exhibit different metabolic profiles even when grown concurrently and sympatrically. Several of the biochemical constituents identified in our study could serve as effective indices for indirect selection of stresses resistance/tolerance of A. retroflexus L. and C. album L. The diversity of the morphological and biochemical traits observed among these populations illustrates how the unique selection pressures faced by each population can alter the biology of these plants. This understanding provides new insights to how these invasive plant species successfully colonize diverse ecosystems and suggests methods for their management under novel and changing environmental conditions