Fish Hosts and Culture of Mussel Species of Special Concern: Annual Report for 2000

This report describes results of the third year of a 3-year investigation of reproductive biology of freshwater mussels (unionoids). The first two years of this project focused on identification of hosts and on development of methods related to propagation of threatened species. In the third year of the grant we continued propagation efforts with Neosho muckets (Lampsilis rafinesqueana), and began propagation efforts with scaleshell (Leptodea leptodon). We also investigated the effects of chronic exposure to low oxygen on survival of juvenile Lampsilis. We plan to continue propagation of threatened species and investigations of the biology of juvenile mussels over the next three years, with continued support from U. S Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC

Propagation and Restoration of Mussel Species of Concern: Endangered Species Grant Interim Report

This report describes the first year of a 3-year project (E-1-42) to propagate and augment populations of mussel species of concern, including the federally endangered scaleshell (Leptodea leptodon) the federally endangered pink mucket (Lampsilis abrupta), and the federal candidate Neosho mucket (Lampsilis rafinesqueana). This project is a continuation of project E-1-35

Using grounded theory to understand how commuter students develop a sense of belonging

This study is concerned with the fact that commuter students persist at a lower rate than their residential peers. As colleges and universities seek to increase educational attainment rates, understanding why commuter students struggle with retention is important. Research shows sense of belonging can positively affect intention to persist. As such, the guiding research question for this study was as follows: How do commuter students develop a sense of belonging in their university? This research was conducted at a large, public, primarily nonresidential, doctoral university in the Midwestern United States. This study utilized constructivist grounded theory methodology to understand how commuter students make meaning of their experiences with belonging. Primary data were collected through interviews with commuter students and a document analysis of the archive of the National Clearinghouse for Commuter Programs was also performed. Interviews and documents were analyzed using the constant comparative method, and the resulting codes were categorized into central themes. These themes were used to develop a model of college student belonging. The study revealed that commuter students experienced belonging in a fluid state, continually adding to and detracting from an overall sense of belonging. Further, this study revealed that commuter students utilize certain strategies and behaviors in response to their sense of belonging and take action to re-engage in the campus environment. Lastly, the study showed that informal interactions with peers, faculty, and staff were shown to positively impact sense of belonging. The author also discusses implications for practice and recommendations for future research

Final Performance Report: Federal Aid Grant No. F15AP00923 (E-75-R-2) Propagation and Augmentation of the Ouachita Rock Pocketbook

This project was initiated to propagate larval Ouachita rock pocketbook (Arkansia wheeleri) for population restoration and augmentation in the Little River of Oklahoma and Arkansas. The project continued a previous project in 2013-15. During three field seasons a single female Arkansia wheeleri was obtained and metamorphosed using golden shiner (Notemigonus crysoleucas) as host fish, and also using the in vitro approach of placing glochidia into a nutritive liquid medium in lieu of the fish host (Barnhart 2015). Glochidia were obtained in January of 2018. In vitro metamorphosis was unsuccessful. Although 242 juveniles were recovered from fish hosts, these failed to thrive and survived no longer than 1 month. Failure was attributed to immaturity of the larvae. Although glochidia were removed from the female near the same date as in previous years, persistent egg membranes were present which are associated with immaturity. The main obstacle to captive propagation of A. wheeleri has been obtaining brooding females. Two females have been obtained in the past 4 field seasons (including the previous project). Other factors include low and inconsistent metamorphosis success on known host fish, and growout of early juveniles. Both of these latter factors may depend on timing of collecting and holding of females to ensure fully mature glochidia. Further efforts with this species may hinge on sequestering a population in the field either by caging or by pit-tagging for relocation of freeranging females. Sequestering would facilitate monitoring, collection of brood, and timely return of females to the field

Propagation and Culture of Mussel Species of Concern Annual Report for 2002

This report describes the second year of a 3-year project. The project objectives are to 1) augment existing populations and to establish new populations of mussel species of concern, 2) use molecular markers to permit genetic identification of the parentage and cohort of recovered juvenile mussels, and 3) test the susceptibility of juvenile mussels to predation by benthic invertebrates and to water quality factors such as low oxygen. The work is a cooperative effort among several agencies, including the Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Southwest Missouri State University. In 2002, this cooperative effort resulted in production and release of 208,550 juveniles of 5 mussel species, including 7,450 scaleshell (Leptodea leptodon), 4,600 snuffbox, (Epioblasma triquetra), 106,560 Neosho mucket, (Lampsilis rafinesqueana), 39,940 black sandshell (Ligumia recta) and 50,000 mucket, (Actinonaias ligamentina). We recaptured propagated mussels for the first time, demonstrating the survival of propagated juveniles in the field. We developed new equipment and methods for monitoring and quantifying the transformation of glochidia on hosts, and performed quantitative tests on each of the species we propagated, to determine transformation success and timing. Lost Valley Hatchery carried out propagation of two species, and added facilities that will permit an expanded role in mussel propagation next year. We completed studies of reproductive timing in Neosho muckets, flatworm predation on juvenile mussels, and continued ongoing studies of the effects of low oxygen on juveniles. We disseminated information on mussel propagation through publications, Internet websites, and presentations at meetings, including a 2-day workshop that we organized at the National Conservation Training Center, under the auspices of the Freshwater Mollusc Conservation Societ

Astronaut Rescue Air Pack (ARAP) and Emergency Egress Air Pack (EEAP)

Two designs for a lightweight, low profile, mobile rescue apparatus providing a 15-minute air supply and self-contained two-way communications assembly are described. Units are designed for astronaut use in hazardous environments

Culture and Restoration of Mussel Species of Concern: Final Report

This report describes the third and final year of a 3-year project (E-1-35) to propagate and augment populations of mussel species of concern, including the Neosho mucket (Lampsilis rafinesqueana, the pink mucket (Lampsilis abrupta), and the scaleshell (Leptodea leptodon). Work with these species is continuing under a new Section 6 grant (E-1-43, Propagation and Restoration of Special Concern Mussel Species)

Evaluating air traffic flow management in a collaborative decision-making environment

The collaborative decision-making (CDM) framework introduced into ground delay programs in the late 1990s is an integral component of FAA's traffic flow management (TFM) procedures. CDM allows FAA to act as a mediator when managing TFM programs, transferring as much decision making as possible to the individual airlines. Although this approach has been highly successful in practice, it creates a new question for the research community: How should proposed enhancements to TFM be evaluated in a CDM environment? A sequential evaluation procedure, developed in this paper, addresses this question. The procedure includes airline disruption responses and a quasi-compression operation, attempting to mimic the three-stage CDM process. To model airline disruption responses, an integer optimization model was developed to balance operational and passenger considerations in determining which flights to cancel, swap, or delay. The value of this procedure is demonstrated by analyzing an optimization-based TFM approach in the CDM environment

Teacher Education: Are we preparing teachers for the learning environments that exist in their schools?

The multi-year process of induction into the teaching profession provides and opportunity to nurture the growth of a newly minted professional. However, this may not be the case for all entrants into the profession. A look at the costs, benefits and the return on investment made by the novice professional is discussed in an overview, as well as the experiences of an individual professional in concert with a university mentor. The constraints and possibilities for the individuals and the profession are discussed as a result