STEMteach: Preparing the Next Generation of Mathematics and Science Teachers

With an increasing demand for individuals prepared in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), one university responded to this call by changing its teacher preparation program. Better-prepared mathematics and science teachers have the opportunity to engage and excite students, thereby preparing and promoting more of them to enter the STEM professions. The described program is a replication of the national UTeach model that recruits content majors in mathematics and science to explore the teaching profession during a first-semester course that includes an early field experience in the elementary grades. This field experience is designed to be engaging for both the teacher education candidates and the elementary students in an effort to demonstrate the joy of teaching and to retain the candidates in the program. The ultimate goal of the program is to increase the production of quality secondary mathematics and science teachers who can transfer their own deep understanding of their content to students so that these students will be career and college ready in the STEM disciplines

Search for transient ultralight dark matter signatures with networks of precision measurement devices using a Bayesian statistics method

We analyze the prospects of employing a distributed global network of precision measurement devices as a dark matter and exotic physics observatory. In particular, we consider the atomic clocks of the Global Positioning System (GPS), consisting of a constellation of 32 medium-Earth orbit satellites equipped with either Cs or Rb microwave clocks and a number of Earth-based receiver stations, some of which employ highly-stable H-maser atomic clocks. High-accuracy timing data is available for almost two decades. By analyzing the satellite and terrestrial atomic clock data, it is possible to search for transient signatures of exotic physics, such as "clumpy" dark matter and dark energy, effectively transforming the GPS constellation into a 50,000km aperture sensor array. Here we characterize the noise of the GPS satellite atomic clocks, describe the search method based on Bayesian statistics, and test the method using simulated clock data. We present the projected discovery reach using our method, and demonstrate that it can surpass the existing constrains by several order of magnitude for certain models. Our method is not limited in scope to GPS or atomic clock networks, and can also be applied to other networks of precision measurement devices.Comment: See also Supplementary Information located in ancillary file

Guideline update for the performance of fusion procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Part 16: Bone graft extenders and substitutes as an adjunct for lumbar fusion

pre-printIn an attempt to enhance the potential to achieve a solid arthrodesis and avoid the morbidity of harvesting autologous iliac crest bone (AICB) for a lumbar fusion, numerous alternatives have been investigated. The use of these fusion adjuncts has become routine despite a lack of convincing evidence demonstrating a benefit to justify added costs or potential harm. Potential alternatives to AICB include locally harvested autograft, calcium-phosphate salts, demineralized bone matrix (DBM), and the family of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). In particular, no option has created greater controversy than the BMPs. A significant increase in the number of publications, particularly with respect to the BMPs, has taken place since the release of the original guidelines. Both DBM and the calciumphosphate salts have demonstrated efficacy as a graft extender or as a substitute for AICB when combined with local autograft. The use of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) as a substitute for AICB, when performing an interbody lumbar fusion, is considered an option since similar outcomes have been observed; however, the potential for heterotopic bone formation is a concern. The use of rhBMP-2, when combined with calcium phosphates, as a substitute for AICB, or as an extender, when used with local autograft or AICB, is also considered an option as similar fusion rates and clinical outcomes have been observed. Surgeons electing to use BMPs should be aware of a growing body of literature demonstrating unique complications associated with the use of BMPs

Is it possible to increase the sustainability of arable and ruminant agriculture by reducing inputs?

Until recently, agricultural production was optimised almost exclusively for profit but now farming is under pressure to meet environmental targets. A method is presented and applied for optimising the sustainability of agricultural production systems in terms of both economics and the environment. Components of the agricultural production chain are analysed using environmental life-cycle assessment (LCA) and a financial value attributed to the resources consumed and burden imposed on the environment by agriculture, as well as to the products. The sum of the outputs is weighed against the inputs and the system considered sustainable if the value of the outputs exceeds those of the inputs. If this ratio is plotted against the sum of inputs for all levels of input, a diminishing returns curve should result and the optimum level of sustainability is located at the maximum of the curve. Data were taken from standard economic almanacs and from published LCA reports on the extent of consumption and environmental burdens resulting from farming in the UK. Land-use is valued using the concept of ecosystem services. Our analysis suggests that agricultural systems are sustainable at rates of production close to current levels practiced in the UK. Extensification of farming, which is thought to favour non-food ecosystem services, requires more land to produce the same amount of food. The loss of ecosystem services hitherto provided by natural land brought into production is greater than that which can be provided by land now under extensive farming. This loss of ecosystem service is large in comparison to the benefit of a reduction in emission of nutrients and pesticides. However, food production is essential, so the coupling of subsidies that represent a relatively large component of the economic output in EU farming, with measures to reduce pollution are well-aimed. Measures to ensure that as little extra land is brought into production as possible or that marginal land is allowed to revert to nature would seem to be equally well-aimed, even if this required more intensive use of productive areas. We conclude that current arable farming in the EU is sustainable with either realistic prices for products or some degree of subsidy and that productivity per unit area of land and greenhouse gas emission (subsuming primary energy consumption) are the most important pressures on the sustainability of farming

Gonadotropin Concentrations, Follicular Development, and Luteal Function in Pituitary Stalk-transfected Ewes Treated with Bovine Follicular Fluid

Two experiments, each arranged as a 2 x 2 factorial, were conducted in ewes to examine direct effects of bovine follicular fluid (bFF) on follicular development and luteal function and to further characterize follicular development and luteal function after pituitary stalk transection (SS). In Exp. 1, ewes were sham-operated or SS on d 6 of an estrous cycle and received 5 ml of saline or bFF three times daily on d 5 through 11 of the same cycle. In Exp. 2, all ewes were SS on d 6 of an estrous cycle and treated with saline or bFF three times daily on d 5 through 11 and with ovine FSH (60 micrograms; NIADDK-oFSH-16) or saline (1.2 ml) from d 7 to 11. In Exp. 2, ewes were ovariectomized on d 11 to assess effects of treatments on follicular development and luteal function. In both experiments, concentrations (ng/ml) of FSH on d 7 were suppressed (P less than or equal to .005) by bFF compared with saline (.50 +/- .17 vs 1.63 +/- .15) and remained suppressed (P less than or equal to .005) through d 11 (.46 +/- .12 vs 1.54 +/- .12). Replacement therapy (oFSH) restored concentrations of FSH. Concentrations of LH were not affected by bFF but were elevated (P less than or equal to .05) 1 d after SS (d 7; .88 +/- .09 vs .56 +/- .09) and remained elevated (P less than or equal to .05; 1.31 +/- .20 vs .65 +/- .11) from d 6 through 11. Concentrations of progesterone were unaffected by SS

Recurring Sacral Stress Fractures in the Male Distance Runner

Reccurring Sacral Stress Fractures in the Male Distance Runner Waugh TJ, Stoller GL, Brooks EK, Dailey SW: Miami University Oxford, Ohio Background: A twenty year old male collegiate distance runner (170 cm and 62 kg) complained of low back pain in March 2015. The patient reported right sided low back tightness that felt like a bad spasm traveling from the lower back down into the lower leg. History of this runner revealed a non-displaced stress fracture in the left sacral ala with a stress reaction on the right sacral ala in November 2013. In April 2014, the distance runner possessed yet another sacral stress fracture. In March 2015, an assessment was made that the patient presented an acute case of piriformis syndrome due to lack of athletic participation. As two weeks went by with no positive results through rehabilitation, worsening pain, and given the pre-existing conditions of the patient, the Team Physician ordered an MRI. Differential Diagnosis: It is possible that the runner could have had an acute disc herniation, muscle strain, degenerative disc disease, or spondylolisthesis. A vertebral compression fracture, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, lumbar facet arthropathy, and sciatica are all differential diagnoses that the clinicians in this case needed to be aware of. It is also important to assess the possibilities of a lumbosacral strain and a sacroiliac joint sprain. Treatment: The MRI report revealed a high grade stress reaction in the right sacral ala. A non-displaced stress fracture in the right superior portion of the left sacral ala was also discovered. The patient was told to rest without any exercise for four to six weeks. After the stress fracture was resolved, the athlete has been encouraged not to participate in any repeated load-bearing types of activities until the source of the problem has been identified. Uniqueness: There is an uncommon nature of sacral stress fractures in males. It is important to realize that individuals who are constantly participating in repeating load-bearing activities are more prone to sacral stress fractures. Sacral stress fractures normally present themselves in women who have the female athlete triad. Research has shown that the influence of energy balance and hormonal fluctuations are significant factors associated with injuries in amenorrheic female athletes. The testosterone levels in young men normally lead to healthy and strong bones. This case report is a prime example that has the potential to teach clinicians all over to always look at the big picture and keep in mind all of the possible differential diagnoses. Conclusions: Physician's have hypothesized that the calcium level in this patient is too high which is causing parathyroid levels to decrease, resulting in low bone density. Since calcium and the parathyroid hormone have an inverse relationship, moderation between the two is essential. However, if one is too high, the other is too low decreasing bone density. Another hypothesis is that low testosterone levels in the patient are causing low bone density. This rare case is far from over as there is numerous investigative work to still be done. Clinical Application: Correctly diagnosing a sacral stress fracture is very difficult due to the wide range of differential diagnoses that its symptoms can present. Clinicians should never rule out the possibility of a sacral stress fracture when clients present low back pain, diffuse buttocks pain, and a history of repetitive loading actively. Although the clinicians in this case did not originally think this injury was another sacral stress fracture, they never ruled out the possibility due to the patient's described pain and pre-existing conditions. The clinicians in this report considered all possible diagnoses before making an assessment. Further research still needs to be performed in order to provide the most effective treatment and outcomes for future patients. Word Count: 59

Assessing sampling designs for determining fertilizer practice from yield data

Many farmers sample their soil to measure the concentrations of plant nutrients, so as to decide how much fertilizer to apply. Now that fertilizer can be applied at variable rates farmers want to know whether maps of nutrient concentration made from grid samples or of field subdivisions (zones within their fields) are merited: do such maps lead to greater profit than would a single measurement on a bulked sample for each field when all costs are taken into account? We have examined the merits of grid-based and zone-based sampling strategies over single field-based averages using continuous spatial data on wheat yields at harvest in six fields in southern England and simulated concentrations of phosphorus (P) in the soil. We have taken into account current prices of wheat, P fertilizer and sampling and laboratory analysis. Variograms of yield provide guides for sampling. We show that where variograms have large variances and long effective ranges grid-sampling and mapping are feasible and have large probabilities of being cost-effective. Where effective ranges are short, sampling must be dense to reveal the spatial variation and be expensive, and variable-rate application of fertilizer is likely to be impracticable and almost certainly not cost-effective. We found zone-based sampling was less likely to be cost effective in a similar situation when the management zones were poorly correlated to P concentrations

Neuroanatomical Tracing of the Gut -- Brain Axis

This poster summarizes a variety of methods to further characterize the gut-brain axis by tracing motor and sensory nerves between the gut and brain and identifying cell bodies in the sensory ganglia. Determines the meth method to trace the sensory and motor nerves was through fluorescence and the best method to identify sensory neuron cell bodies was the Nissi stain