Academic Integrity Outreach: supporting high school students for success in higher education

This brief article highlights how the Library at the University of Calgary works with high schools to teach their students about academic integrity with a focus on building ethical research and writing skills in advance of students' transition to a post-secondary learning environments

Understanding Strawberry Plains Through Landscape Archaeology

Strawberry Plains is a site that is located in Marshall County, Mississippi and is comprised of Woodland, Chickasaw, antebellum, and postbellum components. The focus of this thesis was placed on the postbellum time period. The information presented here is intended to give a comprehensive view into the lives of the sharecroppers that resided and worked on Strawberry Plains during the early to mid-twentieth century and also understand the economic relationship between them and the landowner. Also of importance to this project was the placement of the houses and their dispersed pattern across the landscape and comparing this pattern to other postbellum sites. By using landscape archaeology and employing methods that consisted of archival research, the locating of additional structures, and conducting an architectural survey on the sharecropper houses, an inclusive understanding of the sharecroppers of Strawberry Plains was attained

Improving Students’ Confidence and Competence Using Critical Media Literacy Skills in a Secondary English Language Arts Class

This is a dissertation for a six-week action research study that investigated how self-regulated learning strategies can affect students’ perceived and demonstrated critical abilities in discussing informational media texts in the secondary ELA classroom. This dissertation examines topical research, gaps in the literature, and theoretical frameworks to justify the study. The qualitative action research study implemented a version of the Article of the Week program alongside self-regulated learning (SRL) and student-led discussion strategies to collect data on students’ self-reported levels and observed critical media literacy (CML) skills. The purpose of this study was to build upon existing research on SRL, critical media literacy, and student discussions; a key component of this research is that it includes students’ self-reported data on their perceived critical abilities. This study also sought to add scholarly research to the practice of Article of the Week. The findings are consistent with the existing literature on self-efficacy that states that repeated practice can increase self-efficacy levels. It also demonstrates the usefulness of implementing SRL strategies in the secondary ELA classroom

Phosphorus bioavailability from land-applied biosolids in south-western Australia

The annual production of biosolids in the Perth region during the period of this study was approximately 13,800 t dry solids (DS), being supplied by three major wastewater treatment plants. Of this, 70% was typically used as a low-grade fertiliser in agriculture, representing an annual land use area of around 1,600 ha when spread between 5 and 7 t DS/ha. Loading rates of biosolids are typically based on the nitrogen (N) requirements of the crop to be grown, referred to as the N Limiting Biosolids Application Rate (NLBAR). A consequence of using the NLBAR to calculate loading rates is that phosphorus (P) is typically in excess of plant requirement. The resultant high loading rates of P are considered in the guidelines developed for the agricultural use of biosolids in Western Australia, but lack research data specific to local conditions and soil types. Regulatory changes throughout Australia and globally to protect the environment from wastewater pollution have created a need for more accountable and balanced nutrient data. Experiments presented in this thesis were undertaken to ascertain: the percentage relative effectiveness (RE) of biosolids as a source of plant available P compared with inorganic P fertiliser; loading rates to best supply P for optimum crop growth; P loading rates of risk to the environment; and the forms of P in local biosolids. Therefore, both the agronomic and environmental viewpoints were considered. Anaerobically digested and dewatered biosolids produced from Beenyup Wastewater Treatment Plant, Perth with a mean total P content of 2.97% dry weight basis (db) were used in a series of glasshouse, field and laboratory experiments. The biosolids were sequentially fractionated to identify the forms of P present and likewise in soil samples after applying biosolids or monocalcium phosphate (MCP).The biosolid P was predominantly inorganic (92%), and hence the organic fraction (8%) available for mineralisation at all times would be extremely low. The most common forms of biosolid P were water-soluble P and exchangeable inorganic P (66%), followed by bicarbonate extractable P (19%) and the remaining P as inorganic forms associated with Fe, Al and Ca (14%). Following the application of biosolids to a lateritic soil, the Fe and Al soil fractions sorbed large amounts of P, not unlike the distribution of P following the addition of MCP. Further investigation would be required to trace the cycling of biosolid P in the various soil pools. The growth response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) to increasing rates of biosolids and comparable rates of inorganic P as MCP, to a maximum of 150 mg P/kg soil was examined in the glasshouse. The percentage relative effectiveness (RE) of biosolids was calculated using fitted curve coefficients from the Mitscherlich equation: y = a (1-b exp–cx) for dry matter (DM) production and P uptake. The initial effectiveness of biosolid P was comparable to that of MCP with the percentage RE of biosolids averaging 106% for DM production of wheat shoots and 118% for shoot P uptake at 33 days after sowing (DAS) over three consecutive crops. The percentage residual value (RV) declined at similar rates for DM production in MCP and biosolids, decreasing to about 33% relative to freshly applied MCP in the second crop and to approximately 16% in the third crop. The effectiveness of biosolid P was reduced significantly compared with inorganic P when applied to a field site 80 km east of Perth (520 mm annual rainfall). An infertile lateritic podsolic soil, consistent with the glasshouse experiment and representative of a soil type typically used for the agricultural application of biosolids in Western Australia was used.Increasing rates of biosolids and comparable rates of triple superphosphate (TSP), to a maximum of 145 kg P/ha were applied to determine a P response curve. The percentage RE was calculated for seasonal DM production, final grain yield and P uptake in wheat followed by lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.) rotation for the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons, respectively. In the first year of wheat, the RE for P uptake in biosolids compared with top-dressed TSP ranged from 33% to 55% over the season and by grain harvest was 67%. In the second year, and following incorporation with the disc plough at seeding, the RE for P uptake by lupins in biosolids averaged 79% over the growing season compared with top-dressed TSP, and by grain harvest the RE was 60%. The residual value (RV) of lupins at harvest in biosolids compared with freshly applied TSP was 47%. The non-uniform placement of biosolids (i.e. spatial heterogeneity) was primarily responsible for the decreased ability of plant roots to absorb P. The P was more effective where biosolids were finely dispersed throughout the soil, less so when roughly cultivated and least effective when placed on the soil surface without incorporation. The RE for grain harvest of wheat in the field decreased from 67% to 39% where biosolids were not incorporated (i.e. surface-applied). The RE could also be modified by factors such as soil moisture and N availability in the field, although it was possible to keep these variables constant in the glasshouse. Consequently, absolute values determined for the RE need to be treated judiciously. Calculations showed that typical loading rates of biosolids required to satisfy agronomic P requirements of wheat in Western Australia in the first season could vary from 0 to 8.1 t DS/ha, depending on soil factors such as the P Retention Index (PRI) and bicarbonate available P value.Loading rates of biosolids were inadequate for optimum P uptake by wheat at 5 t DS/ha (i.e. 145 kg P/ha) based on the NLBAR on high P sorbing soils with a low fertiliser history (i.e. PRI >15, Colwell bicarbonate extractable P 2 mm, and thus their was little relationship between soil bicarbonate extractable P and P uptake by plants in the field. The risk of P leaching in biosolids-amended soil was examined over a number of different soil types at comparable rates of P at 140 mg P/kg (as either biosolids or MCP) in a laboratory experiment. Given that biosolids are restricted on sites prone to water erosion, the study focussed on the movement of water-soluble P by leaching rather than by runoff of water-soluble P and particulate P. In general the percentage soluble reactive P recovered was lower in soils treated with biosolids than with MCP, as measured in leachate collected using a reverse soil leachate unit. This was particularly evident in acid washed sand with SRP measuring 14% for biosolids and 71% for MCP, respectively, although the differences were not as large in typical agricultural soils. Specific soil properties, such as the PRI, pH, organic carbon and reactive Fe content were negatively correlated to soluble reactive P in leachate and thus reduced the risk of P leaching in biosolids-amended soil.Conversely, the total P and bicarbonate extractable P status of the soils investigated were unreliable indicators as to the amount of P leached. On the basis of the experiments conducted, soils in Western Australia were categorised according to their ability to minimise P enrichment and provide P necessary for crop growth at loading rates determined by the NLBAR. Biosolids applied at the NLBAR to soils of PRI >2mL/g with reactive Fe >200 mg/kg were unlikely to necessitate P loading restrictions. Although specific to anaerobically digested biosolids cake applied to Western Australian soils, the results will be of relevance to any industry involved in the land application of biosolids, to prevent P contamination in water bodies and to make better use of P in crop production

Detecting HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) using neurocognitive assessment test in Uganda

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Epidemiology. August, 2017.Background: HIV associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND), are a well-established consequence of HIV infection yet there is a lack of normative data required for diagnosis in Sub-Saharan Africa. Screening tools such as the International HIV dementia scale (IHDS) that are routinely used in the Sub-Saharan African region have questionable validity. This study investigates the use of the neuropsychological test battery in the detection of HAND in the absence of normative data. Further, the construct validity of the IHDS in the detection of HAND in the Ugandan context is examined. Methods Secondary data from a longitudinal Mental Health study carried out in Uganda were analysed. Information from a total of 1121 patients who underwent neuropsychological assessment in the main study qualified for the present study. A descriptive analysis of the neuropsychological performance of the study participants was conducted. To assess the relationship between demographic factors and the neurocognitive test scores of the neuropsychological test battery, multiple linear regression models were fitted. To determine how well the neuropsychological test battery predicted the IHDS score, a receiver-operating curve (ROC) analysis was conducted. The construct validity of the IHDS in detecting HAND in the Ugandan population was then assessed using ROC analysis and published normative data. Results The total study population was 1,121 participants, with the majority being female (66.3%) while almost 62% had only primary school education. The mean age of the study participants was 35.0±9.3 years. Using the IHDS, 73.3% of the HIV infected patients were identified to be at risk of developing HIV associated dementia (HAD). Using the Frascati criteria and published normative data, only 9.1% of the HIV infected patients had HAND. Ageing, being female, having a lower socio-economic score and having lower levels of education were identified as predictors for poor neurocognitive performance. Poor performance in the neurocognitive measures to assess gross and fine motor function was directly proportional to poor performance in the IHDS (score ≥10 points). Better performance in the neurocognitive measures to assess verbal leaning/working memory and attention/working memory was directly proportional to poor performance in the IHDS (score ≥10 points). The neurocognitive tests discriminated modestly between patients at risk of developing HAD and those that were not at risk of developing HAD (sensitivity=64.62%; specificity=66.67%). At the recommended cut-off score of 10 points, the IHDS had poor ability to identify patients with HAND (sensitivity=34.54%) and a high ability to identify patients without HAND (specificity=90.74%). At a cut-off point of 7 points, the IHDS discriminated modestly between patients with HAND and those without (sensitivity=65.66%; specificity=58.52%). Conclusion The neuropsychological test battery used in the present study discriminated modestly among HIV patients at risk of developing HIV associated dementia and those that were not at risk of developing dementia. In the Ugandan population, the construct validity of the IHDS in the diagnosis of HAND was poor. Further work is required to produce an algorithm to detect HAND in the absence of normative data. This includes an inclusion of important clinical biomarkers, exploration of further demographic confounders as well strengthening of the HAND diagnostic criteria using the neuropsychological test battery.LG201