A Descriptive Case Study of Professional Development for Cooperating Teachers in a Clinically-Based Model of Student Teaching

The specific purpose of this study to is to discover what trainings and professional development are most beneficial to, and meet the needs of, clinical supervising teachers who work with first-year practicum student teachers and second-year resident student teachers within a clinical model of student teaching. The information from this study is relevant because it seeks to meet the mandatory requirements of Oregon Senate Bill 83 which states that cooperating teachers must be trained. However, specific training that is needed or required has not been clarified at the state level. Ten clinical supervising teachers participated in this study. They took part in focus groups, interviews, and documents in the form of exit tickets and peer reflective forms were collected from them. A literature-based checklist was used to determine areas of growth needed that were yet unidentified as needs by the participants. Findings of the study show that clinical supervising teachers are experts in pedagogy but need more training in adult learning theory. In examining the results, the researcher found that clinical supervising teachers need to understand the success criteria for practicum and resident teachers, and they require more training in mentoring strategies, co-teaching strategies, culturally responsive teaching, classroom management, and edTPA. Trainings to fill these gaps should include practical strategies that are targeted and delivered throughout the school year, matched to need, rather than providing one-size-fits-all information prior to the start of a clinical supervising teacher’s experience

Remote sensing applied to land-use studies in Wyoming

Impending development of Wyoming's vast fuel resources requires a quick and efficient method of land use inventory and evaluation. Preliminary evaluations of ERTS-1 imagery have shown that physiographic and land use inventory maps can be compiled by using a combination of visual and automated interpretation techniques. Test studies in the Powder River Basin showed that ERTS image interpretations can provide much of the needed physiographic and land use information. Water impoundments as small as one acre were detected and water bodies larger than five acres could be mapped and their acreage estimated. Flood plains and irrigated lands were successfully mapped, and some individual crops were identified and mapped. Coniferous and deciduous trees were mapped separately using color additive analysis on the ERTS multispectral imagery. Gross soil distinctions were made with the ERTS imagery, and were found to be closely related to the bedrock geology. Several broad unstable areas were identified. These were related to specific geologic and slope conditions and generally extended through large regions. Some new oil fields and all large open-cut coal mines were mapped. The most difficult task accomplished was that of mapping urban areas. Work in the urban areas provides a striking example of snow enhancement and the detail available from a snow enhanced image

Using Zebrafish to implement a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) to study Teratogenesis in Two Biology Laboratory Courses

poster abstractAbstract: Two related course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) were introduced into a freshman introductory biology and a sophomore level cell biology class. In fall 2013, first semester freshman students were introduced to scientific research in an introductory biology laboratory course. Students were mentored to develop and execute original research projects investigating embryonic nicotine and caffeine exposure effects on development, particularly on heart development and function, using zebrafish embryos. In spring 2014, sophomore level cell biology students extended these studies and analyzed the effects of nicotine and caffeine at precise times in gastrulation. The freshman research experience was repeated in fall 2014 where a new group of students expanded the earlier research to investigate effects of additional toxicants on development. Students designed new protocols, made measurements, documented data, presented results and generated novel, high quality preliminary data that will be further studied in successive semesters. Student researchers identified novel effects of nicotine exposure on gastrulation and heart morphogenesis. Student surveys showed the greatest gains in ability to (1) design experiments, (2) analyze data, and (3) make scientific presentations. This CURE approach generated excitement and engagement that translated into high student satisfaction and enhanced learning

Models for predicting fire ignition probability in graminoids from boreo-temperate moorland ecosystems

An increase in both the frequency and severity of wildfires in boreo–temperate ecosystems is predicted. Therefore, to develop efficient fire rating systems, the relationship between the fuel moisture content (FMC) of vegetation and ignition thresholds needs to be determined. We developed fire ignition probability models for three graminoid species collected in central England, but common in boreo–temperate ecosystems (Eriophorum angustifolium, E. vaginatum and Molinia caerulea). Specifically, we assessed through laboratory experiments (1) seasonal differences between early spring and late summer in fuel traits such as height, fuel load, fuel bulk density and dead fuel load proportion, and (2) the role of these fuel traits, environmental conditions and dead FMC in determining the probability of ignition. There were seasonal differences in fuel traits among species, with an increase in dead fuel load proportion after winter. The dead FMC was the only variable determining initial sustained ignitions. However, the seasonal differences in dead fuel were not sufficient to affect the FMC threshold at which graminoids start to ignite. Graminoids begin to ignite at high levels of dead FMC, and there are differences between species (from 36.1% to 48.1%). This work assists in improving fire ignition predictions in graminoid-dominated ecosystems by providing warnings based on critical moisture thresholds.</jats:p

Application of the ERTS system to the study of Wyoming resources with emphasis on the use of basic data products

Many potential users of ERTS data products and other aircraft and satellite imagery are limited to visual methods of analyses of these products. Illustrations are presented from Wyoming studies that have employed these standard data products for a variety of geologic and related studies. Possible economic applications of these studies are summarized. Studies include regional geologic mapping for updating and correcting existing maps and to supplement incomplete regional mapping; illustrations of the value of seasonal images in geologic mapping; specialized mapping of such features as sand dunes, playa lakes, lineaments, glacial features, regional facies changes, and their possible economic value; and multilevel sensing as an aid in mineral exploration. Examples of cooperative studies involving botanists, plant scientists, and geologists for the preparation of maps of surface resources that can be used by planners and for environmental impact studies are given

Using Amino Acid Derivatives to Inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm Formation on Cystic Fibrosis Bronchial Epithelia Cells

poster abstractCystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease caused by a mutation which inhibits the proper transport of sodium and chloride ions across epithelium. Improper ion transport results in the accumulation of thick mucus in critical organs such as the lungs, pancreas, liver, and intestines. The genetic mutation is incurable, but treating the symptoms can vastly increase life expectancy. CF patients are often afflicted with bacterial infections which colonize the excess mucus within the lungs. The most prevalent pathogen associated with CF lung infection is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a Gram-negative bacterium found in soil and water. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exists in two forms: planktonic (free-swimming) and sessile (immobile within a biofilm community). The planktonic form is about 1,000x more susceptible to antibiotics and immune cells than the sessile form. Biofilm communities of sessile bacteria are protected by an exopolysaccharide layer outside of the cell wall. Small molecules which inhibit biofilm formation or initiate biofilm disassembly can dramatically increase the effectiveness of drugs and the immune system. In order to identify novel biofilm-inhibitory molecules, we assessed the activity of a library of small molecules in biofilm assays. Active compounds were then screened for activity on living Cystic Fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Compounds which successfully inhibit biofilm formation without affecting the Cystic Fibrosis bronchial epithelium cells can potentially be a new drug for treating Cystic Fibrosis infections

Phosphonopeptides Revisited, in an Era of Increasing Antimicrobial Resistance

Given the increase in resistance to antibacterial agents, there is an urgent need for the development of new agents with novel modes of action. As an interim solution, it is also prudent to reinvestigate old or abandoned antibacterial compounds to assess their efficacy in the context of widespread resistance to conventional agents. In the 1970s, much work was performed on the development of peptide mimetics, exemplified by the phosphonopeptide, alafosfalin. We investigated the activity of alafosfalin, di-alanyl fosfalin and β-chloro-L-alanyl-β-chloro-L-alanine against 297 bacterial isolates, including carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) (n = 128), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (n = 37) and glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) (n = 43). The interaction of alafosfalin with meropenem was also examined against 20 isolates of CPE. The MIC50 and MIC90 of alafosfalin for CPE were 1 mg/L and 4 mg/L, respectively and alafosfalin acted synergistically when combined with meropenem against 16 of 20 isolates of CPE. Di-alanyl fosfalin showed potent activity against glycopeptide-resistant isolates of Enterococcus faecalis (MIC90; 0.5 mg/L) and Enterococcus faecium (MIC90; 2 mg/L). Alafosfalin was only moderately active against MRSA (MIC90; 8 mg/L), whereas β-chloro-L-alanyl-β-chloro-L-alanine was slightly more active (MIC90; 4 mg/L). This study shows that phosphonopeptides, including alafosfalin, may have a therapeutic role to play in an era of increasing antibacterial resistance

Prescribed moorland burning meets good practice guidelines: A monitoring case study using aerial photography in the Peak District, UK

AbstractUpland moors in the UK have been managed for centuries using rotational prescribed-burning, but in recent years there has been contentious debate over its continuing use due to varying effects on moorland ecosystem services. Prescribed-burning should only be carried out using good-practice codes, which include restrictions on the size, location and frequency of burns. Good burning practice is an indicator of management standards and habitat condition in moorland landscapes. However, there has been little attempt to assess management performance with respect to these restrictions. We investigated prescribed-burning on a case-study estate (Howden Moor) in the Peak District National Park from 1988 to 2009 using management maps and aerial photography. The annual area burned (0.9%) was far below recommendations (10%) and patches were in keeping with the target sizes specified (mean±se: 2370±70 m2). The risk of a large or escaped fire was very low, with less than 1% of fires greater than 15,000m2. However, only 28.9% of the total burnable area was burned, leaving the rest unmanaged and accumulating fuel. Future guidelines might recommend the application of prescribed-burning across the range of Calluna vulgaris growth phases, to reduce fuel load and promote biodiversity at the landscape scale. We show that vegetation mapping and aerial photography are an effective method for monitoring prescribed-burning practice on moorlands. The information derived from such monitoring studies should lead to greater confidence in the standard of prescribed-burning and adherence to good-practice guidelines and requirements imposed by statutory authorities