Diversity in numbers: Connecting students to their world through quantitative skills

BACKGROUND Student underperformance on quantitative skills (QS, e.g. numeracy, statistics) is an enduring and increasing challenge in the tertiary education sector globally.  A review of science programs across 13 Australian universities suggests QS teaching is often focused on one 100-level units and between 1-3 units later in the degree (Matthews et al., 2012), providing little opportunity for vertical QS development. AIMS The Diversity in Numbers (DiN) project – Australian Council of Deans of Science (ACDS) funded – evaluates an alternative curricular model for numeracy skills development: scaffolded, course-wide implementation of digital numeracy modules with embedded interactive content and rich automated feedback to maximise learning. DESCRIPTION OF INTERVENTION Four pilot modules have been developed, each focusing on a core QS concept (e.g. statistical testing, unit conversions) and framed around a published article relevant to unit content, to expand student awareness of numbers as a tool to explore global diversity. This lens is central to the projects’ intention of addressing the ongoing lack of diversity among STEM graduates and within the STEM workforce. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Preliminary data will explore the impact of DiN modules on student engagement (through student feedback and Learning Management System analytics), numeracy anxiety (through pre- and post-module anxiety assessments) and learning (through performance on numeracy-related assessments). REFERENCES Matthews, K. E., Belward, S., Coady, C., Rylands, L., Simbag, V., Adams, P., Peleaz, N., Thompson, K., Parry, M., & Tariq, V. (2012). The state of quantitative skills in undergraduate science education: findings from an Australian study. Australian Government, Office for Learning and Teaching

Diversity in numbers – cultivating a growth mindset for numeracy development

Developing a solid foundation in quantitative skills (QS, e.g., numeracy, statistics) is essential for students’ academic success. More broadly, numeracy is a core language for understanding and developing critical thinking around current and future challenges in sustainability, artificial intelligence and climate change. However, Australian tertiary QS teaching is often limited to one 100-level unit and between 1-3 units later in the degree (Matthews et al., 2012). This provides little opportunity for vertical scaffolding of QS or even STEM students’ recognition of QS as an essential element of their learning, as QS development is not prioritised in their courses. The ACDS-funded Diversity in Numbers (DiN) project evaluates an alternative curricular model for numeracy skills development within the science curriculum: scaffolded, course-wide implementation of digital numeracy modules with embedded interactive content and rich automated feedback to maximise learning. Pilot modules have been developed, each focusing on a core QS concept (e.g., statistical testing, unit conversions). Modules are framed around a published article relevant to unit content, with the goal of broadening student awareness of how numbers can be used to explore global diversity. By promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity, where students can see themselves within the curriculum, we aim to foster a sense of belonging among our diverse undergraduate students, supporting the emergence of an increasingly diverse scientific community. Preliminary qualitative findings from student focus groups during semester two 2022 will be presented, considering the implications of DiN modules on student engagement and learning, numeracy anxiety and awareness of diversity. A major finding of this work was that most students in the focus group displayed a fixed mindset to QS, although we did see some variability depending on the context in which students received their school-level mathematics education. While most students could recognise a fixed mindset around maths, leading to anxiety or avoidance of QS, students educated outside the Australian education system were not constrained by this. From these findings, it seems that fostering a growth mindset around QS development is a crucial first step in engaging Australian students with university-level numeracy concepts. We propose that participating in scaffolded QS modules that sit outside the graded curriculum and offer formative feedback may support students to develop a growth mindset towards QS. REFERENCE Matthews, K. E., Belward, S., Coady, C., Rylands, L., Simbag, V., Adams, P., Peleaz, N., Thompson, K., Parry, M., & Tariq, V. (2012). The state of quantitative skills in undergraduate science education: findings from an Australian study. Australian Government, Office for Learning and Teaching

Advances in molecular biological research of Angelica sinensis

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels belongs to the Apiaceae family. The root of A. sinensis, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its antioxidant and immune regulation properties. The main active compounds in A. sinensis include organic acids, phthalides and coumarins, and their biosynthetic pathways are the focus of international attention. A. sinensis is prone to early flowering and bolting, which negatively impacts production for several reasons, including germplasm degradation and quality instability in artificial cultivation. The identification of top-geoherbalism of A. sinensis has also become the focus of recent research, as it would allow selection for breeds with excellent medicinal quality and remarkable curative effects. Advances in sequencing technology and bioinformatic methodologies have enabled extensive molecular and genetic studies in A. sinensis. In this review, we summarize the latest molecular research advances related to A. sinensis, including biosynthetic pathways and regulation of active compounds, and molecular underpinnings of early bolting and flowering and top-geoherbalism. We discuss limitations of the current research and propose prospective topics in need of further exploration

Regulation of surfactant production by fetal type II pneumocytes and the characterization of fibroblast-pneumocyte factor

The fetal lung undergoes extensive physiological and biochemical maturation prior to birth in preparation for its postnatal function as an organ for gas exchange. Pulmonary surfactant, a substance that reduces surface tension and prevents alveolar collapse, is produced by type II pneumocytes within the lung. Reduced ability to produce surfactant leads to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. Synthesis of the phospholipid component of surfactant, phosphatidylcholine (PC), is stimulated by fibroblast-pneumocyte factor (FPF), a protein expressed by fibroblast cells within the fetal lung. Although its function is well known, the identity of this important protein has remained a mystery. Recent research has suggested that FPF may be neuregulin-1, a growth factor found in many tissues during development. Enhanced synthesis of PC (and therefore detection of FPF) is measured using a tissue culture-based method. Primary cultures of lung fibroblasts and type II pneumocytes are prepared, and fibroblast-conditioned medium (FCM) is exposed to the type II cells. Resultant PC synthesis is measured using radioisotope-labeled PC-precursor and a chloroform-based lipid extraction method. Initial results using this method were very inconsistent, so a study was undertaken to determine which parts of the method could be contributing to this inconsistency. Cell density of type II cultures (measured in mcg DNA.plate-1) was shown to have a significant effect on results. Treatment of fibroblasts with 100 nM dexamethasone and exposure of type II cultures to the resultant FCM caused a mean 9.17% increase in PC synthesis, but when only type II cultures with a cell density below 25 mcg DNA.plate-1 were analyzed, this value increased to 17.56%. Type II cultures with cell density above this threshold value showed a mean increase in synthesis of only 3.39%. The consistent application of [3H]-choline chloride also had a significant effect on results. Experiments utilizing phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate to stimulate fibroblasts were very inconsistent. The mean activity of the initial [3H]-choline chloride solution prepared for these experiments was found to be 2.04 mcg Ci.mL-1, compared to a mean of 4.79 mcgCi.mL-1 for all other experiments. Observations from this section of the study led to considerable revision of the method used to measure PC synthesis. Quadrupolar ion trap mass spectrometry (MS) was used to analyze FCM and determine if neuregulin-1 (NRG1) could be FPF. A mass spectrum was obtained for recombinant NRG1, with predominant ions of 1068, 1142 and 1246 m/z. All three of these ions were also detected in both control and dexamethasone-treated FCM. Partial fragmentation of 1068 m/z of NRG1 was achieved using MS2, and generated a base peak of 1047 m/z. This fragmentation was also observed in 1068 m/z from FCM. LC/MS was utilized to quantify NRG1 in FCM, using a standard curve generated using recombinant NRG1. Control FCM had a NRG1 concentration of 19.85 mcg.mL-1, while the concentration in dexamethasone treated FCM was 41.59 mcg.mL-1. FCM which had given no positive response to dexamethasone when tested using the indirect cultured cell system had a control NRG1 concentration of 20.85 mcg.mL-1, and a dexamethasone treated concentration of 22.84 mcg.mL-1. These values were not significantly different from the control value for FCM in those fibroblast cultures that had generated a positive response to dexamethasone. Results of this section of the study have provided strong evidence that NRG1 is a major component of FPF, and a review of the NRG1 signaling pathway further supports this conclusion. Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are functionally related to neuregulins and are known to be important in fetal development. The effect of IGF-II on synthesis of surfactant PC and its subsequent secretion from type II pneumocytes was studied. In terms of PC synthesis, IGF-II was tested at concentrations of 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8 mcM. The mean increase in synthesis was found to be 6.00, 6.15 and 6.91%, respectively. These values were not significantly different from control values. Secretion of PC was tested over the concentration range of 0.1 to 1.6 mcgM, with no significant effect observed. Possible inhibition by IGF-II was also studied, using the known stimulants of secretion, neuromedin C and isoproterenol. No significant effect on the enhanced level of secretion was observed when IGF-II was added with either secretagogue. Lack of an appropriate receptor and/or the possibility that cultured cells may not exactly mimic the situation in vivo are probably the reasons IGF-II has no effect on either synthesis or secretion

Untargeted Metabolomic Analysis of Rat Neuroblastoma Cells as a Model System to Study the Biochemical Effects of the Acute Administration of Methamphetamine

Methamphetamine is an illicit psychostimulant drug that is linked to a number of diseases of the nervous system. The downstream biochemical effects of its primary mechanisms are not well understood, and the objective of this study was to investigate whether untargeted metabolomic analysis of an in vitro model could generate data relevant to what is already known about this drug. Rat B50 neuroblastoma cells were treated with 1 mM methamphetamine for 48 h, and both intracellular and extracellular metabolites were profiled using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Principal component analysis of the data identified 35 metabolites that contributed most to the difference in metabolite profiles. Of these metabolites, the most notable changes were in amino acids, with significant increases observed in glutamate, aspartate and methionine, and decreases in phenylalanine and serine. The data demonstrated that glutamate release and, subsequently, excitotoxicity and oxidative stress were important in the response of the neuronal cell to methamphetamine. Following this, the cells appeared to engage amino acid-based mechanisms to reduce glutamate levels. The potential of untargeted metabolomic analysis has been highlighted, as it has generated biochemically relevant data and identified pathways significantly affected by methamphetamine. This combination of technologies has clear uses as a model for the study of neuronal toxicology

Ozone Efficiency on Two Coleopteran Insect Pests and Its Effect on Quality and Germination of Barley

Ozone (O3) is a potential fumigant to control pests in stored grain since it can safely and rapidly auto-decompose without leaving residues. In this study, the efficacy of O3 on all life stages of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) and Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) in barley and the physiological effects on barley and its quality were investigated. Complete control of all life stages of pests was obtained at 700 ppm for 1440 min of ozone exposure without negatively impacting the contents of soluble protein, moisture content, seed colour, hardness, and the weight of thousand barley seeds. The eggs and pupae of these two insects were the more tolerant stages than their larvae and adults. Prolonged exposure times (40 to 1440 min) and mortality assessment intervals (1, 2, and 7 days) increased O3 efficacy due to the reaction characteristics and delayed toxicity. Aging barley seeds appeared to be more sensitive to prolonged ozone duration than new seeds. A total of 20 and 40 min could promote germination rate, and longer O3 exposure (1440 min) was unfavourable for germination and seedling growth. Thus, it is imperative to select an optimal O3 exposure time to transfer ozone into quality contributors of final products and achieve the desired functional outcomes

Repetitive low intensity magnetic field stimulation in a neuronal cell line: a metabolomics study

Low intensity repetitive magnetic stimulation of neural tissue modulates neuronal excitability and has promising therapeutic potential in the treatment of neurological disorders. However, the underpinning cellular and biochemical mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the behavioural effects of low intensity repetitive magnetic stimulation (LI-rMS) at a cellular and biochemical level. We delivered LI-rMS (10 mT) at 1 Hz and 10 Hz to B50 rat neuroblastoma cells in vitro for 10 minutes and measured levels of selected metabolites immediately after stimulation. LI-rMS at both frequencies depleted selected tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle metabolites without affecting the main energy supplies. Furthermore, LI-rMS effects were frequency-specific with 1 Hz stimulation having stronger effects than 10 Hz. The observed depletion of metabolites suggested that higher spontaneous activity may have led to an increase in GABA release. Although the absence of organised neural circuits and other cellular contributors (e.g., excitatory neurons and glia) in the B50 cell line limits the degree to which our results can be extrapolated to the human brain, the changes we describe provide novel insights into how LI-rMS modulates neural tissue

Plasmagestuetzte Oberflaechenmodifizierung von Polypropen

The employment of polypropylene in clothing industry is restricted due to its low dye absorption. An increase in wettability of polypropylene fibers and a simultaneous increase of the interaction between dyes and fibres should be suitable procedure in order to increase the dye absorption. The author investigates the possibilities of plasma-assisted hydrophilization in order to improve the colouring properties. There is an increased water wettability of the surface of polypropylene in comparison to the untreated material with an increase in time of treatment in oxygen plasma, with an increase of the microwave input and with decreasing distance between probe material and microwave input. The degree of hydrophilization of polypropylene fibres treated by barriere discharge increases with increasing exposition time nearly being independent of the microwave performance. The oxygen supply does not influence the wettability during the plasma-assisted hydrophilization. The wettability of the surface of propylene foils decreases with increasing storage at atmosphere due to a reorientation of the plasma induced functional groups towards the interior of the foils. The wettability of plasma-assisted propylene foils in water nearly is unchanged. The functional groups are on the surface. With increasing duration of treatment in oxygen plasma and in barriere discharges, there is an increase of oxygen containing functional groups in the surface of polypropylene foils. XPS experiments at oxygen plasma treated polypropylene foils increases and then decreases with increasing duration of storage. This decrease is due to a reorientation of the oxygen containing groups from the surface into the bulk medium. With increasing duration of treatment, the surface roughness of the probe increases leading to a reduction of the contact angle with water and to an increase of the oxygen content in the surface. Beside the plasma induced insertion of oxygen containing groups, the author observes plasma induced etching processes resulting in degradation substances. The author also investigates the mount behavior of the dispersion colour Resolin Red FB and the mount behavior of the solution colours Sudan Blue II and Sudan Red B on polypropylene fibres treated by oxygen plasma and barriere discharge, respectively. The mount performance of all three colours on plasma treated fibres is greater in comparison to untreated materials. Polypropylene fibres treated by barriere discharge do not show this behavior due to the low degree of hydrophilization of the fibre surface. Sudan Blue II has the highest mount rate according to untreated and plasmatreated polypropylene fibres.SIGLEAvailable from: <a href=http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=966432460 target=NewWindow>http://deposit.ddb.de/cgi-bin/dokserv?idn=966432460</a> / FIZ - Fachinformationszzentrum Karlsruhe / TIB - Technische InformationsbibliothekDEGerman

The influence of blood removal on pacing during a 4-minute cycling time trial

Purpose: To examine the influence of manipulating aerobic contribution after whole-blood removal on pacing patterns, performance, and energy contribution during self-paced middle-distance cycling. Methods: Seven male cyclists (33 ± 8 y) completed an incremental cycling test followed 20 min later by a 4-min self-paced cycling time trial (4MMP) on 6 separate occasions over 42 d. The initial 2 sessions acted as familiarization and baseline testing, after which 470 mL of blood was removed, with the remaining sessions performed 24 h, 7 d, 21 d, and 42 d after blood removal. During all 4MMP trials, power output, oxygen uptake, and aerobic and anaerobic contribution to power were determined. Results: 4MMP average power output significantly decreased by 7% ± 6%, 6% ± 8%, and 4% ± 6% at 24 h, 7 d, and 21 d after blood removal, respectively. Compared with baseline, aerobic contribution during the 4MMP was significantly reduced by 5% ± 4%, 4% ± 5%, and 4% ± 10% at 24 h, 7 d, and 21 d, respectively. The rate of decline in power output on commencement of the 4MMP was significantly attenuated and was 76% ± 20%, 72% ± 24%, and 75% ± 35% lower than baseline at 24 h, 21 d, and 42 d, respectively. Conclusion: Removal of 470 mL of blood reduces aerobic energy contribution, alters pacing patterns, and decreases performance during self-paced cycling. These findings indicate the importance of aerobic energy distribution during self-paced middle-distance events

The Effect of Ozone Treatment on Metabolite Profile of Germinating Barley

Ozone is widely used to control pests in grain and impacts seed germination, a crucial stage in crop establishment which involves metabolic alterations. In this study, dormancy was overcome through after-ripening (AR) in dry barley seed storage of more than 4 weeks; alternatively, a 15-min ozone treatment could break the dormancy of barley immediately after harvest, with accelerated germination efficiency remaining around 96% until 4 weeks. Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and liquid absorption coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were utilized for metabolite profiling of 2-, 4- and 7-day germinating seeds. Metabolic changes during barley germination are reflected by time-dependent characteristics. Alcohols, fatty acids, and ketones were major contributors to time-driven changes during germination. In addition, greater fatty acids were released at the early germination stage when subjected to ozone treatment