The Electronic Portfolio as Assessment Tool and More: The Drake University Model

The utilization of portfolios has become more common in academia in thelast two decades. However, their usage in the language classroom is stillrelatively rare. Electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) offer students andinstructors numerous advantages over traditional means of assessment,including a means by which progress can be tracked longitudinally. Thesecollections of artifacts can be used to demonstrate proficiency toprospective employers and graduate schools. The author provides onemodel that incorporates and utilizes current technologies as a basis forstudent-compiled electronic portfolios. In this model, students provideevidence of having met the linguistic and cultural objectives for eachlanguage course they take. Much of this evidence comes from in-depth,self-reflective writing, in addition to a number of artifacts selected by thestudents with direction from instructors. Detailed assessment rubrics areprovided for evaluating both the electronic portfolio and the assignmentsthat usually serve as the bases for the ePortfolio’s artifacts. Thiscomprehensive model represents one alternative to assessment through“seat-time” or number of credit hours earned in a given language

Human-macaque interactions: interface dynamics and attitudes to feeding at Angkor Wat, Cambodia

The long-tailed macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is common to many countries in Southeast Asia and increasingly shares its habitat with humans. However, co-existence between M. fascicularis and humans presents a number of challenges, particularly in tourist sites. The main aim of my research was to examine the dynamics of human-macaque interactions and investigate human perceptions towards them at Angkor Archaeological Park, north-western Cambodia. My aims and objectives were achieved through a mixed methods approach comprising observations of human-macaque interactions and semi-structured interviews with visitors and residents. Studies such as this are crucial to inform understanding of the dynamics involved in human-macaque interactions and make recommendations to safeguard both humans and macaques. At present, very limited management strategies have been put into place at the study site and there are health and safety concerns. Results suggest that the presence of human foods increased the likelihood of human-macaque interactions and encouraged opportunistic behaviour from macaques, which could lead to aggressive exchanges. Furthermore, although more interactions were initiated by humans, macaques were more likely to initiate an interaction if there was the opportunity to snatch food or other items from a human. Interviews showed that respondents felt generally positive towards the macaques, despite some wariness. Cultural factors appeared to make a considerable difference with regards to attitudes towards provisioning. This indicates that it is vital to take cultural viewpoints into consideration when implementing public education campaigns

Some potential precursor routes to aromatic polyesters via quinone methides

Poly(para-hydroxybenzoic acid) [pHBA] was discovered in the late 1950s and found to have chemical and mechanical properties which make it attractive for use as a high-performance polymer, potentially in engineering applications. However, the same properties make it difficult to fabricate into films or fibres. This thesis examines the philosophy of the precursor approach to intractable polymers as applied to the synthesis of aromatic polyesters generally and to pHBA specifically, by means of a review on the production of benzene derivatives by ring synthesis, and the polymerisation of 1,4-benzoquinone methides. Work undertaken includes the synthesis and characterisation of a precursor to 7,7-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone methide, endo-cis-6-dichloromethylenetricyclo[6.2.1.0(^2,7)]undeca-4,9-dien-3-one, and the assignments of the (^1)H and (^13)C NMR spectra of endo-cis-6,6-dimethoxytricyclo- [6.2.1.0(^2,7)]undeca-4,9-dien-3-one (a correction to the published assignment) and its intramolecular 2+2 photocycloaddition product, 8,8-dimethoxypentacyclo- [8.1.0(^1,5).0(^2,9).0(^4,7).0(^6,10)]undecan-3-one

Age Determination of Blood-Stained Fingerprints Using Visible Wavelength Reflectance Hyperspectral Imaging

The ability to establish the exact time a crime was committed is one of the fundamental aims of forensic science. The analysis of recovered evidence can provide information to assist in age determination, such as blood, which is one of the most commonly encountered types of biological evidence and the most common fingerprint contaminant. There are currently no accepted methods to establish the age of a blood-stained fingerprint, so progress in this area would be of considerable benefit for forensic investigations. A novel application of visible wavelength reflectance, hyperspectral imaging (HSI), is used for the detection and age determination of blood-stained fingerprints on white ceramic tiles. Both identification and age determination are based on the unique visible absorption spectrum of haemoglobin between 400 and 680 nm and the presence of the Soret peak at 415 nm. In this study, blood-stained fingerprints were aged over 30 days and analysed using HSI. False colour aging scales were produced from a 30-day scale and a 24 h scale, allowing for a clear visual method for age estimations for deposited blood-stained fingerprints. Nine blood-stained fingerprints of varying ages deposited on one white ceramic tile were easily distinguishable using the 30-day false colour scale

The non-contact detection and identification of blood stained fingerprints using visible wavelength hyperspectral imaging:Part II effectiveness on a range of substrates

Biological samples, such as blood, are regularly encountered at violent crime scenes and successful identification is critical for criminal investigations. Blood is one of the most commonly encountered fingerprint contaminants and current identification methods involve presumptive tests or wet chemical enhancement. These are destructive however; can affect subsequent DNA sampling; and do not confirm the presence of blood, meaning they are susceptible to false positives. A novel application of visible wavelength reflectance hyperspectral imaging (HSI) has been used for the non-contact, non-destructive detection and identification of blood stained fingerprints across a range of coloured substrates of varying porosities. The identification of blood was based on the Soret γ band absorption of haemoglobin between 400 nm and 500 nm. Ridge detail was successfully visualised to the third depletion across light coloured substrates and the stain detected to the tenth depletion on both porous and non-porous substrates. A higher resolution setup for blood stained fingerprints on black tiles, detected ridge detail to the third depletion and the stain to the tenth depletion, demonstrating considerable advancements from previous work. Diluted blood stains at 1500 and 1000 fold dilutions for wet and dry stains respectively were also detected on pig skin as a replica for human skin

Advanced auricular prosthesis development by 3D modelling and multi-material printing

We investigate the use of medical imaging, digital design and 3D printing technologies as a viable means of reproducing a person’s anatomy, with the intension of producing a working, patient specific prosthesis. This approach offers several advantages over traditional techniques, as data capture is non-intrusive, models can be made using quantitative methodologies, design iterations can be digitally stored for future reproduction, and additive manufacturing ensures no loss of quality when converting the digital model into a physical part. We also present a combined model segmentation with multi-material printing approach to increase the colour complexity of the final model. When combined with multi-material printing using elastic materials, our approach provides a comprehensive strategy to accurately realising mimic of both skin pigmentation and the tactile feel of human tissues. Ultimately, we believe our approach provides an innovative strategy for prosthesis production which could have considerable potential for implementation in a clinical setting

Antagonism of Innate Immunity by Paramyxovirus Accessory Proteins

Paramyxovirinae, a subfamily of Paramyxoviridae, are negative strand RNA viruses comprised of many important human and animal pathogens, which share a high degree of genetic and structural homology. The accessory proteins expressed from the P/V/C gene are major factors in the pathogenicity of the viruses, because of their ability to abrogate various facets of type I interferon (IFN) induction and signaling. Most of the paramyxoviruses exhibit a commonality in their ability to antagonize innate immunity by blocking IFN induction and the Jak/STAT pathway. However, the manner in which the accessory proteins inhibit the pathway differs among viruses. Similarly, there are variations in the capability of the viruses to counteract intracellular detectors (RNA helicases, mda-5 and RIG-I). Furthermore, a functional specificity in the antagonism of the IFN response has been reported, suggesting that specificity in the circumvention of innate immunity restricts viral host range. Available evidence indicates that paramyxoviruses employ specific strategies to antagonize the IFN response of their specific hosts, which is one of the major factors that determine viral pathogenicity and host range

A unique mRNA species for a regulatory subunit of cAMP-dependent protein kinase is specifically induced in haploid germ cells

AbstractCyclic AMP (cAMP) and its action by way of cAMP-dependent protein kinase is important for sperm motility. Previous studies on germ cells have demonstrated a selective decrease in the amount of type I cAMP-dependent protein kinase during spermatid development, and that type II was the major form present in elongating spermatids and in mature sperm. This would indicate activation of a gene in haploid germ cells, encoding a regulatory subunit of type II protein kinase. However, haploid expression of such a gene has so far not been shown. In the present study we demonstrate high-levelled expression of a unique mRNA species for a specific regulatory subunit of type II cAMP-dependent protein kinase at late stages of spermatogenesis, i.e. during spermatid elongation

The role of species composition in the emergence of alternate vegetation states in a temperate rainforest system

Context: Forest systems are dynamic and can alternate between alternative stable states in response to climate, disturbance and internal abiotic and biotic conditions. Switching between states depends on the crossing of critical thresholds and the establishment of feedbacks that drive (and maintain) changes in ecosystem functioning. The nature of these thresholds and the workings of these feedbacks have been well-researched, however, the factors that instigate movement toward and across a threshold remain poorly understood. Objectives: In this paper, we explore the role of species composition in initiating ecosystem state change in a temperate landscape mosaic of fire-prone and fire-sensitive vegetation systems.Methods: We construct two 12-kyr palaeocecological records from two proximal (230 m apart) sites in Tasmania, Australia, and apply the Alternative Stable States model as a framework to investigate ecosystem feedbacks and resilience threshold dynamics. Results: Our results indicate that, in this system, invasion by pyrogenic Eucalyptus species is a key factor in breaking down negative (stabilising) feedbacks that maintain pyrophobic sub-alpine rainforest.Conclusions: We conclude that the emergence of an alternative stable pyrogenic state in these relic rainforest systems depends on the extent of pyrophytic species within the system. These findings are critical for understanding resilience in forest ecosystems under future climate and land management changes and are relevant to fire-adapted cool-temperate ecosystems globally