Higher education disability professionals perceptions on transition processes for college freshmen with autism spectrum disorders

The purpose of this qualitative study was to analyze the perceptions of 14 higher education disability professions (HEDPs) from 4-year public universities in Michigan regarding the transition process for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from secondary to postsecondary institutions. A phenomenological analysis approach was used to analyze data. ASD is a lifelong disorder, and people with ASD who seek postsecondary education require individualized supports. Additionally, a growing number of students with ASD are attending college after high school, so universities need to be prepared for them. ASD students have unique communication, social, and behavioral characteristics and need accommodations to help them achieve academic success. The transition to college can be arduous for these students, and a failure to plan appropriately will nearly always lead to the first-semester failure. Virtual interviews were conducted with participants in which they responded to a 21- question survey instrument that was developed for this study. Five research questions examined retention, barriers, gaps, support services, and practices. Open-ended interviews provided key data, which I analyzed using a theoretical framework informed by transformative worldview inquiry, disability theory, organizational theory, and critical race theory. Nine themes and multiple subthemes emerged from this analysis. These themes identified key factors impacting the postsecondary transition process for students with ASD: parental involvement, accommodations, influencers of success, social and independent functioning, ASD issues, career employment, the transition from K-12 to postsecondary, faculty, and academic functioning. The appendices contain supportive materials to guide the potential implementation of this study for stakeholders: Transition from High School to College Overview Tool, Transition Tool for Students with Autism for College, Transition Tool for Parents, and Informal Inventory for Schools. These tools assist with understanding the key elements that support a successful transition to college for students with autism

THE REGULATION OF ROTAVIRUS–INFECTED HT29.F8 AND MA104 CELLS TREATED WITH ARACHIDIN 1 OR ARACHIDIN 3

Rotavirus (RV) infections cause severe life threatening diarrhea in young children and immunocompromised individuals. Several effective vaccines have been developed for young children but are not protective against all strains of RV, and there are no anti-RV therapeutics. Our laboratory has discovered a decrease in the number of infectious simian RV particles (SA114f) in human intestinal cell line, HT29.f8 cells with the addition of either of two stilbenoids, arachidin-1 (A1) or arachidin-3 (A3). This suggests effects on the host cell and RV replication. We examined the cellular effects of human RV strain (Wa) on a human intestinal cell line (HT29.f8) and an African green monkey kidney cell line (MA104) treated with/without either arachidin. Both cell lines demonstrated apoptotic characteristics that were modulated with the addition of either A1 or A3, and the size and population of the released virus particles were significantly altered. Likewise, the number of infectious virus particles released from the arachidin treated cells were significantly reduced. This data supports the RV therapeutic potential of A1 and A3

Sensory Replacement

Contains a report on a research project.Purchase Order DDL-B15

Visual Replacement Projects

Contains reports on two research projects

Visual Replacement Projects

Contains reports on two research projects

Container Color and Compost Substrate Affect Root Zone Temperature and Growth of “Green Giant” Arborvitae

Container-grown nursery crops are commonly exposed to root zone stress due to inadequate moisture and supraoptimal root zone temperature (RZT). Compost substrates can improve water and nutrient retention but plant responses can vary due to physical and chemical properties. Dark color containers absorb solar radiation through the container side wall leading to excessive heat buildup in the substrate, yet white containers can reduce RZT. Compost substrates and container color were examined for effects on RZT and growth of “Green Giant” arborvitae (Thuja standishii × plicata “Green Giant”). “Green Giant” arborvitae were transplanted into white or black containers (11.3 L) filled with a pine bark substrate (PB) or PB mixed with compost (C) at two different proportions [PB:C (9:1) and PB:C (7:3)]. White containers reduced maximum RZT by up to 7 °C and RZT remained above 38 °C for only 3% of the time compared to 21% of the time in black containers. Shoot growth increased over 50% in white containers compared to black containers. Compost increased substrate volumetric water content (VWC), increased shoot growth by up to 24%, and reduced total irrigation volume by up to 40%. Utilizing white containers for minimizing RZT and compost-amended substrates to maintain adequate VWC can improve root and shoot growth and overall crop quality while reducing nursery production inputs

Container Type and Substrate Affect Root Zone Temperature and Growth of ‘Green Giant’ Arborvitae

Root zone temperature (RZT) in nursery containers commonly exceeds ambient temperature during the growing season, negatively impacting crop growth and quality. Black nursery containers absorb radiant heat resulting in excessive RZT, yet other types of containers and different substrates can moderate RZT. We conducted studies in Tennessee and Alabama to evaluate the effects of container type and substrate on RZT and growth of ‘Green Giant’ arborvitae (Thuja standishii × plicata ‘Green Giant’). Trade gallon arborvitae were transplanted into black, white, or air pruning containers filled with pine bark (PB) or 4 PB: 1 peatmoss (v:v) (PB:PM). Plants grown in PB:PM were larger and had greater shoot and root biomass than plants grown in PB, likely due to increased volumetric water content. Plant growth response to container type varied by location, but white containers with PB:PM produced larger plants and greater biomass compared with the other container types. Root zone temperature was greatest in black containers and remained above 38 °C and 46 °C for 15% and 17% longer than white and air pruning containers, respectively. Utilizing light color containers in combination with substrates containing peatmoss can reduce RZT and increase substrate moisture content thus improving crop growth and quality

The Addition of Arachidin 1 or Arachidin 3 to Human Rotavirus-infected Cells Inhibits Viral Replication and Alters the Apoptotic Cell Death Pathway

Rotavirus (RV) infections are a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and children under the age of five. There are two vaccines available in the United States and one in India that can be administered early in childhood, however they only protect against specific strains1. From our previous work, both arachidin-1 (A1) and arachidin-3 (A3) from peanut (Arachis hypogaea) hairy root cultures significantly inhibit simian RV replication2,3,4. The purpose of this study was to determine if a human intestinal cell line, HT29.f8, infected with a human RV, Wa, was affected by A1 and A3. Cell viability assays were utilized to determine if A1 and A3 affect the HT29.f8 cells with/without RV infections. At eighteen hours post infection (hpi), supernatants from the RV-infected HT29.f8 cells with/without the arachidins were used in plaque forming assays to quantify and compare the amount of infectious RV particles that are produced during an infection. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to visualize cell ultrastructure and individual RV particles. Additionally, tunable resistive pulse sensing technology (TRPS) using the qNano system by IZON was employed to quantify and measure virus particle sizes, and display the size distribution of RV particles. Likewise, quantitative real time polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCR) were performed to determine if A1 and A3 regulated cell death pathways in the HT29.f8 cell line. This data will guide our future studies to determine the antiviral mechanism(s) of action of A1 and A3

Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Marigold Growth and Flowering

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the growth and flowering responses of greenhouse-grown French marigold (Tagetes patula L. ‘Janie Deep Orange’) to two non-composted broiler chicken litter-based organic fertilizers, 4-2-2 and 3-3-3, and one commonly used synthetic controlled-release fertilizer, 14-14-14. In both experiments, fertilizer 4-2-2 was applied at four rates of 1%, 2%, 4%, and 6% (by volume); 3-3-3 was applied at four rates of 1.34%, 2.67%, 5.34%, and 8.0% (by volume); and 14-14-14 was applied at rates of 0.99, 1.98, 3.96, and 5.94 kg·m−3. In general, substrate containing different rates and types of fertilizers had a pH within the recommended range of 5.0 to 6.5. Electrical conductivity (EC) was similar among substrates containing different rates of 14-14-14; however, EC increased with increasing fertilizer rate for substrates containing 4-2-2 and 3-3-3. Substrate EC within each treatment was generally higher earlier in the experiment. For the fertilizer rates used in these two experiments, increasing 14-14-14 fertilizer rate increased plant growth and flowering performance. However, low to intermediate rates of 4-2-2 and 3-3-3 in general produced the highest plant growth index, shoot dry weight, number of flowers per plant, total flower dry weight, and root rating. Plants grown at high rates of 4-2-2 and 3-3-3 showed symptoms associated with excessive fertilization. Plant tissue nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) concentrations increased linearly or quadratically with increasing fertilizer rates for all three fertilizers. In general, plants receiving 4-2-2 and 3-3-3 had higher concentrations of N, P, and K than plants receiving 14-14-14. Results from this study indicated that broiler litter-based 4-2-2 and 3-3-3 have the potential to be used as organic fertilizer sources for container production of marigolds in greenhouses. However, growers need to be cautious with the rate applied. Because different crops may respond differently to these natural fertilizers, it is important for growers to test any new fertilizers before incorporating them into their production practices

‘Ramata’: A New Dwarf Variegated Hedychium (Ornamental Ginger) Cultivar

Most Hedychium J. Koenig (Zingiberaceae) species have showy and fragrant flowers, which are used in leis and perfumery. Hedychium species are easy to grow and are mostly free of major diseases and pests. The essential oils of some species have been found to have insecticidal, antibacterial, and antifungal activities (Gopanraj et al., 2005; Jadhav et al., 2007; Medeiros et al., 2003). Hedychium plants prefer moist, fertile soil and are considered to be shade plants but will thrive in full sun if provided adequate moisture, and many species will grow and bloom throughout USDA zone 7 (Adams, 1999). Hedychium plants are suitable for landscape use, but their height (up to 2 m or more) generally limits their use as potted plants. Furthermore, Hedychium plants are well known for the diversity of their flower colors, but their green foliage is mostly uniform and lacks variegation. Only three variegated cultivars, Dr. Moy, Tahitian Flame, and Vanilla Ice, are commercially available. These three cultivars are related in that ‘Tahitian Flame’, a selection of Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc. (Canby, OR), occurred as a natural branch mutation of ‘Dr. Moy’ (Korlipara, 2009), and ‘Vanilla Ice’ is a sport of ‘Dr. Moy’ selected by Messenbrink’s Nursery of Nashville, NC. Developing new dwarf compact cultivars with novel foliar characteristics is a major objective of the Hedychium breeding program at the USDA-ARS Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory (TCSHL) in Poplarville, MS. Reported here is Hedychium muluense R.M. Smith ‘Ramata’, a compact, dwarf (≈71 cm) cultivar with variegated leaves (Fig. 1A). Both dwarfism and variegation are highly desired but rare traits in Hedychium. This is the first report of both of these traits in one Hedychium cultivar