Optical detection of gadolinium(iii) ions quantum dot aggregation

A rapid, sensitive and selective optical readout of the presence of gadolinium(iii) ions would have a wide range of applications for clinical and environmental monitoring. We demonstrate that water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) are induced to aggregate by Gd3+ ions in aqueous solution. By using a combination of photoluminescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to monitor quantum dot aggregation kinetics, we correlate the efficiency of the self-quenching process with the degree of aggregation across a broad range of conditions, including different sizes of QDs. We attribute the aggregation to metal binding to the QD's surface ligands and the quenching to intra-aggregate energy transfer between QDs. When the strategy was applied to additional trivalent ions, the aggregation rate varied according to the particular trivalent metal ion used, suggesting that the selectivity can be enhanced and controlled by appropriate design of the capping ligands and solution conditions

Sickle Cell Disease: A Story of Injustice and Neglect

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EXAMINING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INCREASE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ADVANCED ACADEMIC PATHWAYS IN THE COVID-ERA

To help inform implementation of a program designed to increase equitable access to academic pathways in the wake of COVID-19, an epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus, the researcher of this mixed-methods study examined the program experience of 17 districts and 11 change-based facilitators across two school years from 2019-2021. Program experience was measured in four ways: (a) implementation fidelity, (b) supports and barriers, (c) context, and (d) disposition of program participants and change-based facilitators. The program experience indicators were tested using Cronbach’s alpha to confirm internal consistency, demonstrating reliability (α = 0.708). Early research provides evidence that COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted traditionally marginalized people and is projected to exacerbate existing educational inequities, therefore, given the focus of the API program, future implementation is likely to be markedly different and it is reasonable to hypothesize that the current crises will influence educator concerns and subsequent student outcomes. Key elements of program participant experience included relationship with consultant, flexibility, and utility of program tools. Recommendations are made emphasizing the importance of (a) studying the change-based facilitator (i.e., consultant), (b) using learning theory to develop a standard program model, (c) creating systems for program differentiation to support diverse school characteristics, and (d) maintaining a focus on student outcomes despite the abnormality of current times

Effects of tides and seasons on the zooplankton of the Warri River, Niger Delta, Nigeria

A field study was conducted between July 2014 and February 2015 on the Warri River, Delta State, Nigeria, to determine the effects of seasonal variation and tidal regimes on the zooplankton community structure of the water body. Zooplankton samples were collected from five (5) stations to cover high and low tidal regimes during the wet and dry seasons. A total of 20 zooplankton samples were sorted and organisms identified. Statistical analysis was carried out to ascertain the effects of tidal regimes and seasonal variation on the zooplankton community. Zooplankton comprised 43 species and 2180 individuals/m3 of water sampled. Cyclopoida (71%) were dominant, followed by Calanoida (20%) and Harpacticoida (9%); Diplostraca and Rotifera were less than 1 % each. The density of Calanoida, Cyclopoida, Diplostraca and Rotifera was significantly higher (P<0.001, P<0.05) during the high tide than in the low tide and during the dry season than in the wet season. Harpacticoida was however significantly higher during the low tide. The Bray Curtis and Jaccard similarity indices revealed that zooplankton samples were affected by tidal and seasonal dynamics. In general, seasonal variation and tidal regimes influenced the zooplankton of the Warri River. Results are therefore more authentic and holistic when sampling in coastal tidal rivers takes into account, tidal and seasonal variations. It is therefore recommended that sampling for environmental baseline data acquisition in tidal rivers be carried out to cover high and low tidal regimes and also the dry and wet seasons.Keywords: baseline data, zooplankton, tides, seasons, dynamics, Warri Rive

EXAMINING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A PROGRAM DESIGNED TO INCREASE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO ADVANCED ACADEMIC PATHWAYS IN THE COVID-ERA

To help inform implementation of a program designed to increase equitable access to academic pathways in the wake of COVID-19, an epidemic caused by the novel coronavirus, the researcher of this mixed-methods study examined the program experience of 17 districts and 11 change-based facilitators across two school years from 2019-2021. Program experience was measured in four ways: (a) implementation fidelity, (b) supports and barriers, (c) context, and (d) disposition of program participants and change-based facilitators. The program experience indicators were tested using Cronbach’s alpha to confirm internal consistency, demonstrating reliability (α = 0.708). Early research provides evidence that COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted traditionally marginalized people and is projected to exacerbate existing educational inequities, therefore, given the focus of the API program, future implementation is likely to be markedly different and it is reasonable to hypothesize that the current crises will influence educator concerns and subsequent student outcomes. Key elements of program participant experience included relationship with consultant, flexibility, and utility of program tools. Recommendations are made emphasizing the importance of (a) studying the change-based facilitator (i.e., consultant), (b) using learning theory to develop a standard program model, (c) creating systems for program differentiation to support diverse school characteristics, and (d) maintaining a focus on student outcomes despite the abnormality of current times

Effects of seasonal variation and tidal regimes on macrobenthic invertebrates of the Warri River, Nigeria

An assessment of the effects of seasonal variation and tidal regimes on the distribution and density of macrobenthic invertebrates of the coastal Warri River, southern Nigeria was carried out from July 2014 to February 2015. Samples were collected from five longitudinal stations from headwater to mouth during high and low tidal regimes in the wet and dry seasons. A total of 50 taxa comprising 1664 individuals /m2 were collected. Macrobenthic invertebrates were significantly more abundant (P < 0.001) during the low tide than during the high tide and during the dry than in the wet season (P<0.001). In general, seasonal variation and tidal regimes siginificantly influenced macrobenthic community structure of the Warri River. Results are therefore more authentic and holistic when sampling in coastal tidal rivers takes into account, tidal and seasonal variations. It is therefore recommended that sampling for environmental baseline data acquisition in tidal rivers should be carried out to cover high and low tidal regimes and also the dry and wet seasons.Keywords: Macrobenthic invertebrates, tidal regimes, seasonal variation, taxa, densit