Teaching and learning contemporary physics concepts online

For about 15 years Kansas State University has offered a course called Contemporary Physics which targets secondary education and other science majors. The course is strongly activity based, and the students work through a series of explorations and applications to build an understanding of energy conservation, the particle and wave nature of electrons, the wave function and other quantum physics concepts. In order to make this course more accessible to under-prepared physics teachers in Kansas we have adapted this course to an online format. We have made every effort to preserve the successful teaching and learning environment of the existing course in the online version by including computer-based and hands-on activities, interaction with fellow students and individual feedback. The first group of students has completed the online course and this poster will present some results of the evaluation on student learning and experiences using this delivery method. Additional information is available at http://www.phys.ksu.edu/perg/

Trauma, Bereavement and Loss : Key Learning and Messages from Research and Practice

Professionals, and wider society, are becoming increasingly aware of the prevalence of traumatic and adverse childhood experiences, and of the potentially enduring and detrimental impact of such experiences on emotional, psychological and physical health and wellbeing. As a result, there is increased policy and practice attention paid to identifying, understanding and addressing trauma and adversity among individuals. Importantly, this attention is not solely focused on trauma-specialist provision for individuals who are known to have experienced trauma, but also on ensuring that the entire workforce is trauma-informed, as outlined in the Transforming Psychological Trauma framework (NHS Education for Scotland, 2017)

Novel approaches to the development and assessment of an ovine model of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive, endocrine and metabolic disorder present in women of reproductive age. Despite the widespread prevalence and heritability of PCOS, the heterogeneous and polygenic traits have made the successful identification of candidate genes difficult. Animal models have been developed on the premise that early exposure to sex steroids can programme epigenetic changes that predispose the fetus to the adult features of PCOS. Past research has modelled ovarian dysfunction, endocrine abnormalities and metabolic perturbances in rodent, non-human primate and sheep PCOS models, through the enhanced neonatal or prenatal exposure to the male sex hormone, testosterone. The modelling of PCOS in a large domestic species such as the sheep is advantageous due to similar biological reproductive function as the human. In this regard the sheep has been extensively used to model PCOS by the treatment of pregnant ewes from early to midgestation with androgens such as testosterone propionate (TP). These experiments have demonstrated the fetal programming effects of androgens on offspring that go on to develop PCOS-like characteristics in adulthood. One of the caveats of assessing steroid effects in this way is the effect of the placenta in mediating the transfer of these hormones. TP is an aromatisable androgen and thus some of its effects in the fetus may be attributable to placental by-products such as estrogens. This thesis describes the development and assessment of a novel model of prenatal androgenisation. Two models were compared: the indirect maternal exposure to TP (the current model) and the direct fetal injection of TP. In directly treating the fetus this allowed control over the dose of TP administered and avoidance of secondary effects that androgens may exert in the mother that could be transferred to the fetus. For the maternal model, pregnant Scottish Greyface ewes were administered TP twice weekly from day (d)62-102 of a 147 day gestation. For the fetal model, fetuses were injected twice while the ewe was anaesthetised with graded doses of TP during the same period of treatment as the maternal model. The effects of prenatal androgenisation were assessed in the female fetus shortly after treatment and also in young adult sheep. Fetal ovarian and adrenal steroidogenic gene expression was monitored and found to be altered in response to elevated levels of sex steroids. At d90 the morphology of the developing ovary was not changed by prenatal androgens. In the adult a detailed ovarian and endocrine assessment was undertaken, by examination of ovarian morphology, hormone levels, ovulatory cycles, hypothalamic pituitary ovarian function and follicle steroidogenesis, during the first breeding season. In addition, the metabolic effects of prenatal androgens were monitored by measuring body fat, insulin and glucose homeostasis and liver function. Neither maternal nor fetal prenatal androgenisation during mid-gestation resulted in a perturbed hormonal milieu or polycystic ovaries in young adults. These treatments did however programme a clear ovarian phenotype demonstrated by the increased capacity of follicles to secrete androgens, independently of an abnormal endocrine environment and disordered folliculogenesis. Furthermore, animals that were exposed maternally to TP developed fatty liver and had increased insulin secretion in response to glucose load. A major outcome of this study was the finding that the fetally injected control animals were phenotypically different than the maternal control animals. In fact, some of the reproductive and metabolic features of maternal TP exposure were found in the fetal control group. This unexpected finding has raised the possibility that it is the fetal exposure to stress, that is secondary to elevated maternal androgens, rather than androgens per se that is responsible for at least some of the multitude of anomalies encountered in PCOS

Interactive lecturing using a classroom communication system

Large lecture classes are a dominant feature of many first year university courses. Is there a way to transform passive lectures into environments in which students are actively engaged in learning? Interactivity can be introduced into lectures through mini group quizzes, buzz sessions and a ‘show-of-hands’. Although these strategies are successful they are not very effective in informing students about what and how their classmates think. Current instructional technology based on information technology, enables instantaneous and unbiased feedback from students during a lecture. Such systems are called classroom communication systems (CCS). In this paper we discuss the implementation of such an interactive lecturing system. The effectiveness of the CCS is being evaluated by comparing the results of examination questions addressed by the CCS during the lecture course with those from examination questions that probe similar concepts but which have not been addressed by the CCS. The method by which this evaluation is being carried out is described

Inhibitor of Differentiation (Id) Genes Are Expressed in the Steroidogenic Cells of the Ovine Ovary and Are Differentially Regulated by Members of the Transforming Growth Factor-beta Family

Inhibitor of Differentiation (Id) proteins act during embryogenesis and development to repress gene transcription required for lineage commitment, whilst promoting cell growth. Growth factors belonging to the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of signaling molecules, notably the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and activin, can regulate Id expression in these tissues. Id expression and function in adult physiology is less well determined and we hypothesized a role for Id proteins in the adult mammalian ovary. Immunohistochemistry for Id1, Id2, Id3 and Id4 in the sheep ovary revealed consistent expression in granulosa and thecal cells of ovarian follicles throughout development. In atretic follicles Id proteins were selectively down-regulated in thecal cells (P<0.0001). Additionally Id1 was universally up-regulated in the cumulus cells adjacent to the oocyte. Immunohistochemistry for phospho (p)-smad 1/5/8 signalling components (stimulated by BMPs) showed a punctate pattern of expression whereas p-smad 2/3 (stimulated by activin) was ubiquitously expressed in follicles. Neither pathway however displayed differential staining in line with Id1 cumulus specific expression, suggesting a more complex relationship between Id1 expression and TGFβ signaling in these cells. Nevertheless, in vitro, stimulation of ovine granulosa cells with BMP6 or activin A led to a respective increase and decrease in Id1 (P<0.0001), Id2 (P<0.0001), Id3 (P<0.0001) and Id4 (P<0.05) transcripts and Id1 gene expression was further manipulated by the oocyte-secreted factors BMP15 and GDF9 (P<0.001). These data confirm that TGFβ signaling can regulate Id gene expression in the sheep ovarian follicle and suggest a functional role for the Id family in the mammalian ovary

The Pancreas Is Altered by In Utero Androgen Exposure: Implications for Clinical Conditions Such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Using an ovine model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), (pregnant ewes injected with testosterone propionate (TP) (100 mg twice weekly) from day (d)62 to d102 of d147 gestation (maternal injection – MI-TP)), we previously reported female offspring with normal glucose tolerance but hyperinsulinemia. We therefore examined insulin signalling and pancreatic morphology in these offspring using quantitative (Q) RT-PCR and western blotting. In addition the fetal pancreatic responses to MI-TP, and androgenic and estrogenic contributions to such responses (direct fetal injection (FI) of TP (20 mg) or diethylstilbestrol (DES) (20 mg) at d62 and d82 gestation) were assessed at d90 gestation. Fetal plasma was assayed for insulin, testosterone and estradiol, pancreatic tissue was cultured, and expression of key β-cell developmental genes was assessed by QRT-PCR. In female d62MI-TP offspring insulin signalling was unaltered but there was a pancreatic phenotype with increased numbers of β-cells (

Consequences of spinal pain: Do age and gender matter? A Danish cross-sectional population-based study of 34,902 individuals 20-71 years of age

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP) have been extensively studied, knowledge on mid back pain (MBP) is still lacking. Furthermore, pain from these three spinal areas is typically studied or reported separately and in depth understanding of pain from the entire spine and its consequences is still needed.</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>To describe self-reported consequences of pain in the three spinal regions in relation to age and gender.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This was a cross-sectional postal survey, comprising 34,902 twin individuals, representative of the general Danish adult population. The variables of interest in relation to consequences of spinal pain were: Care-seeking, reduced physical activity, sick-leave, change in work situation, and disability pension.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Almost two-thirds of individuals with spinal pain did not report any consequence. Generally, consequences due to LBP were more frequently reported than those due to NP or MBP. Regardless of area of complaint, care seeking and reduced physical activities were the most commonly reported consequences, followed by sick-leave, change of work, and disability pension. There was a small mid-life peak for care-seeking and a slow general increase in reduced activities with increasing age. Increasing age was not associated with a higher reporting of sick-leave but the duration of the sick-leave increased somewhat with age. Disability pension due to spinal pain was reported exceedingly rare before the age of 50. Typically, women slightly more often than men reported some kind of consequences due to spinal pain.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Most people reporting spinal pain manage without any serious consequences. Low back pain more commonly results in some kind of consequence when compared to NP and MBP. Few age-related trends in consequences were seen with a slight predominance of women reporting consequences.</p

Volume 10

Introduction Dr. Roger A. Byrne An Analysis of Media Framing in Cases of Violence Against Women by Taylor Hogg Writing in the Discipline of Nursing by Tiffany Carter Photography by Brandyn Johnson The Hidden Life of Beef Cattle: A Study of Cattle Welfare on Traditional Ranches and Industrial Farms by Haleigh James Bloodworth\u27s by Josh Baker and Tyler Cernak Prosimians: Little Bodies, Big Significance by Kirsten Bauer Skinformed by Allie Snavely Coopertition and Gracious Professionalism: The Effects of First Robotics Folklore and Culture on the Stem Community by Mary Zell Galen Tilt by Eric Powell And Thomas Wise The Millennial Generation and Protest Politics: How Social Media Affects Civic Engagement by Katie Kinsey Effects of Intergenerational Daycares: Parents\u27 Perception of Early Childhood Socialization with Elderly Populations by Beth Barbolla, Maeleigh Ferlet, Rebecca Morra Speech and Intelligence: Does My Use of AAE Label Me Incompetent? By Michala Day Stimulation of Dendritic Cells with Dimethylfumarate Leads to Cd-4 Th2 T-Cells Immune Responses in Multiple Sclerosis and Psoriasis by Alexandra Evangelista, Max Flores, Harley Hodges, and Clardene Jones The Hunt by Harrison Samaniego The Rise of Structural Individualism: Millennial Attitudes Towards Welfare and Poverty by Jamesha Watson A Rhetorical Analysis of Pope Francis\u27s Address to U.S. Congress on September 24, 2015: A Petition for the Revival of Community and Common Values by Abby Gargiulo Photomontage Poster by Heather Green Love You to Death: Repressed Desires in Poe\u27s The Black Cat by Haley Klepatzki Muhammad Ali by Juan Guevara No end to it, baby : Pynchon, Communication, and The Crying of Lot 49 by Dani Bondurant The Sun Has Set on Britain By Michael Joseph Link, Jr. The Handbettering Campaign by Pamela Dahl Ceremony Marks FDR\u27s Continuance as Leader as War Goes On: An Analysis Of FDR\u27s Fourth Inauguration and How It Reflected the Effect of the War in American Society by Maeve Losen How White Is for Witching and Get Out Challenge Western Xenophobia by Charlotte Murphe