Teaching beyond the classroom walls: The pros and cons of cyber learning

ABSTRACT This article discussed some of the advantages and disadvantages of online learning. Although much has been written about the growing presence of online learning, this author's position is consideration must be given to the rewards and drawbacks of cyber learning. Reviews of both sides of the issues via in-depth literature reviews, personal conversations with individuals experienced in distance learning along with studies from universities guided the discussion of the article. Based upon the information discussed in this commentary, there are many valid concerns to be considered. Being aware of the both sides allows better preparation to embrace the new experiences that online learning has to offer (University of Illinois, 2007). Keywords: online learning, advantages and disadvantages of distance learning, student perceptions of online learning, instructor perceptions of online learnin

Structural and Electrical Properties of 2-D Transition Metal Oxides

2-dimensional materials have gained much popularity after the rise of graphene with its unique physical properties such as high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity, and high elasticity. There is an active search for 2D materials beyond graphene to improve performance in energy applications, sensors, and optoelectronic devices. Recently, transition metal dichalcogenides such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) are on the rise. However, MoS2 is well researched whereas molybdenum oxide (MoOx) has been studied less. Molybdenum oxide can be in various forms such as MoO, MoO2, and MoO3. MoO2 and MoO3 are the most stable, these films can be tuned for various properties. The focus of this study is to synthesize an ultra-thin film or 2D structure of MoO3 thin films on various substrates. The synthesis method is pulse laser deposition which allows fine-tune growth parameters to produce a thin film of MoO3. Through varying growth parameters including the deposition environment, energy density, and growth temperature. Characterizations include Raman Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, electrical measurements, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Photoluminescence and more. This work aims to provide material solutions for applications in various industries

Examining the relationship of textbooks and labs on student achievement in eighth grade science

One of the most important objectives of teachers, parents, school administrators, and students is to improve student scores on standardized tests, such as the State of Texas Assessment for Academic Readiness (STAAR) in eighth-grade science. This quasi-experimental study examined the science achievement scores between schools that used different textbooks and labs when delivering instruction. This study utilized a quantitative approach, using archival data and survey design. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and multiple regression were used to analyze the data while controlling STAAR eighth-grade reading scores to reveal significant differences between classes. The sample and population for this study were predominantly eighth-grade Hispanic students in South Texas. Analysis of covariance showed that classes that used labs with high hand-on experiences with greater direct student participation received higher science scores on state assessments. Additionally, reading scores were significantly related to science scores. Multiple regression findings indicated that textbooks and labs were significant predictors of student achievement on the STAAR eighth-grade science class result in South Texas for Spring 2015. The findings of this study may serve as a catalyst for improving student achievement in science through changes in textbook adoption and doing labs in science. The result suggests the need to research further to investigate other contributing factors of student achievement

A Comparison Of Mission Statements Of National Blue Ribbon Schools And Unacceptable Texas High Schools

This study was conducted to determine the themes present in the context of high schools, to determine any significant differences in themes for high and low performing high schools, and to determine if significant differences were present for the same sample of high schools based on school size. An analysis of the content of mission statements identified 31 dominant themes: Students, Providing, All, Community, Learning, Academics, Developing, Responsible, Education, Environment, Preparing, Productive, Success, Lifelong Learning, Individual, Citizen, Excellence, Skills, Society, Committed, Promotes, Achievement, Diversity, Knowledge, Nature, Challenge, Future, Partnership, Quality, Potential, and Safe. Significant differences were found between the group of high and low performing high schools for the themes of Academics, Excellence, Challenge, Learning, Nurture, and Lifelong Learning (p ? .05). Analysis of mission statements grouped by size yielded a significant difference for the theme of Knowledge for large size high schools as compared to small and medium size high schools

Parasitic Eyeworm (Oxyspirura Petrowi) in Northern Bobwhites from the Rolling Plains of Texas, 2007–2011

The eyeworm Oxyspirura petrowi is an indirect life cycle nematode that occurs under the nictitating membrane on the eye surface of certain bird species. Previous studies from western or northwestern regions of Texas reported O. petrowi from northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), scaled quail (Callipepla squamata), and Montezuma quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae). We examined 173 bobwhites from the Rolling Plains of Texas collected during the 2007–2008 (n 1⁄4 33), 2009–2010 (n 1⁄4 86), and 2010–2011 (n 1⁄4 54) hunting seasons, respectively. Overall, 99 (57%) bobwhites were infected with 596 individual O. petrowi; the mean (6 SD) eyeworm intensity was 6.0 6 6.4 (range 1⁄4 1–40) and mean abundance was 3.4 6 5.7. Thus, this eyeworm is a commonly occurring parasite of bobwhites in the Rolling Plains of Texas. Additional surveys are needed to learn more about the geographic distribution of O. petrowi and to assess the possible negative effects on individual bobwhites and their populations

Exploring the Relationships between South Texas Northern Bobwhite Populations and Cecal Worms via System Dynamics

Community ecology historically focused on plants and free-living organisms; however, problems such as defining habitat boundaries and obtaining adequate sample sizes arise when evaluating such communities. The unique nature of host-helminth systems allows parasite community ecologists to avoid these problems when testing ecological hypotheses. Unlike free-living communities that have artificially constructed boundaries, parasite communities have well-defined unambiguous boundaries within host individuals. Due to the inherently complex and dynamic nature of ecological systems, traditional experimental methods often require expensive, long-term trials beyond investigators’ time and resource budgets. Conversely, a system dynamics approach facilitates learning about such systems via simulation of ecosystem processes integrated with historical data (both quantitative and qualitative). Relatively few studies focus on parasites in South Texas, USA, although research on avian host-parasite systems has shown that parasites can potentially regulate host populations. The northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus; hereafter, bobwhite) is a game species of ecological, economic, cultural, and recreational importance in Texas that has been experiencing a long-term, widespread decline. To holistically examine the bobwhite-helminth system in South Texas, we created a system dynamics model capturing the feedback relationships between a South Texas bobwhite population, a grasshopper (family Acrididae) population, and the corresponding cecal worm (Aulonocephalus pennula) populations on a hypothetical 1,000-acre ranch in South Texas. The model structure, constructed in Vensim® PLE 7.2 software (Ventana Systems, Inc.), integrates the hypothesized biotic and abiotic drivers (precipitation, parasite load, insect abundance, and quail density) unique to the host-helminth system over 7 years (2012–2019). Our specific objectives were to 1) develop a working baseline model to replicate the synergistic population dynamics among bobwhite, grasshopper, and cecal worm populations and then 2) test hypotheses about each population’s boom-and-bust cycles resulting from environmental stressors (e.g., drought). Applications of the model can provide landowners and natural resource managers with a better understanding of the complex dynamics occurring among bobwhite, grasshopper, and cecal worm populations in South Texas

Helminth Community Dynamics in Populations of Blue-Winged Teal (Anas discors) Using Two Distinct Migratory Corridors

The influence of spatially distinct host subpopulations on helminth community structure and pattern was examined in a migratory avian host species. Forty helminth species represented by 24,082 individuals were collected from 184 blue-winged teal (Anas discors; BWT) from 2 primary migratory corridors in Florida (eastern migratory corridor; EMC) and Louisiana and Texas (western migratory corridor; WMC). Mean species richness was greater in BWT from the WMC (x̅±SE = 10.2 ± 0.3 species) than the EMC (8.6 ± 0.2). The helminth community from the WMC had higher abundances of 6 common/intermediate species. Corridor helminth communities were similar in species composition but less similar when incorporating abundances of those species. Overlapping distributions of phylogenetically related host species that share generalist helminth species across ecologically similar habitats seem to mitigate the isolating mechanisms that are necessary for the distinct coevolutionary pathways to develop between adjacent corridors

Gene discovery, evolutionary affinity and molecular detection of Oxyspirura petrowi, an eye worm parasite of game birds

BACKGROUND: Oxyspirura petrowi appears to be emerging as a nematode parasite that could negatively impact Northern Bobwhite quail individuals and populations within Texas and other regions of the United States. Despite this eye worm's potential importance in the conservation of wild quail, little is known about the general biology and genome composition of O. petrowi. To fill the knowledge gap, we performed a small scale random genome sequence survey, sequenced its 18S rRNA and the intergenic region between the 18S and 28S rRNA genes, studied its phylogenetic affinity, and developed a PCR protocol for the detection of this eye worm. RESULTS: We have generated ~240 kb of genome sequence data derived from 348 clones by a random genome survey of an O. petrowi genomic library. The eye worm genome is AT-rich (i.e., 62.2% AT-content), and contains a high number of microsatellite sequences. The discovered genes encode a wide-range of proteins including hypothetical proteins, enzymes, nematode-specific proteins. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA sequences indicate that the Spiruroidea is paraphyletic, in which Oxyspirura and its closely related species are sisters to the filarial nematodes. We have also developed a PCR protocol based on the ITS2 sequence that allows sensitive and specific detection of eye worm DNA in feces. Using this newly developed protocol, we have determined that ~28% to 33% of the fecal samples collected from Northern Bobwhites and Scaled Quail in Texas in the spring of 2013 are O. petrowi positive. CONCLUSIONS: The O. petrowi genome is rich in microsatellite sequences that may be used in future genotyping and molecular fingerprinting analysis. This eye worm is evolutionarily close to the filarial nematodes, implying that therapeutic strategies for filariasis such as Loa loa would be referential in developing treatments for the Thelazoidea parasites. Our qPCR-based survey has confirmed that O. petrowi infection is of potential concern to quail managers in Texas

Helminth Communities of Owls (Strigiformes) Indicate Strong Biological and Ecological Differences from Birds of Prey (Accipitriformes and Falconiformes) in Southern Italy

We compared the helminth communities of 5 owl species from Calabria (Italy) and evaluated the effect of phylogenetic and ecological factors on community structure. Two host taxonomic scales were considered, i.e., owl species, and owls vs. birds of prey. The latter scale was dealt with by comparing the data here obtained with that of birds of prey from the same locality and with those published previously on owls and birds of prey from Galicia (Spain). A total of 19 helminth taxa were found in owls from Calabria. Statistical comparison showed only marginal differences between scops owls (Otus scops) and little owls (Athene noctua) and tawny owls (Strix aluco). It would indicate that all owl species are exposed to a common pool of 'owl generalist' helminth taxa, with quantitative differences being determined by differences in diet within a range of prey relatively narrow. In contrast, birds of prey from the same region exhibited strong differences because they feed on different and wider spectra of prey. In Calabria, owls can be separated as a whole from birds of prey with regard to the structure of their helminth communities while in Galicia helminths of owls represent a subset of those of birds of prey. This difference is related to the occurrence in Calabria, but not Galicia, of a pool of 'owl specialist' species. The wide geographical occurrence of these taxa suggest that local conditions may determine fundamental differences in the composition of local communities. Finally, in both Calabria and Galicia, helminth communities from owls were species-poor compared to those from sympatric birds of prey. However, birds of prey appear to share a greater pool of specific helmith taxa derived from cospeciation processes, and a greater potential exchange of parasites between them than with owls because of phylogenetic closeness