Assessment of critical thinking skills in undergraduate animal science students and curriculum

The purpose of this thesis was to explore differences in critical thinking skills between freshmen and senior Animal Science Students at Iowa State University and determine where in the curriculum the critical thinking skills are being taught. This study encompassed 4 objectives: 1) compare freshmen and senior animal science students to the national critical thinking skill norms 2) determine if there’s a difference between freshmen and senior animal science students in critical thinking 3) determine if there’s a difference in critical thinking skills based upon selected demographics variables 4) map critical thinking skills instructional methods in core animal science courses. For objectives one, two, and three a group of freshmen (n=55) and seniors (n=60) in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University were randomly selected to participate in taking the Critical Thinking Assessment Test (CAT) during the fall 2016 semester. The results were analyzed for comparisons with national norm scores, between each group, and based upon specific demographics. For objective four, twelve of the core animal science courses were selected to be analyzed to determine where the critical thinking skills were being taught. Instructors of each course participated in a self-reporting interview to gather the information which skills were being taught and examples of each of the fifteen critical thinking skills described by the CAT Exam being implemented. From there, an analysis of how effective the methods were to teach critical thinking skills was conducted. For objective one the freshman group scored better than the national norm with a p\u3c 0.05, while the senior group scored less than the national norm p \u3c0.05. In objective two the senior group scored significantly higher than the freshmen group p\u3c0.05. Objective three results showed no significant difference within gender, however there was a difference between freshmen males and senior females. Objective four, there was no consistency in teaching critical thinking skills within the curriculum. Overall this study provides the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University a better understanding of the level of critical thinking skills for each grade level and where the skills are being taught within the curriculum

Deterministic Raman crosstalk effects in amplified wavelength division multiplexing transmission

We study the deterministic effects of Raman-induced crosstalk in amplified wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) optical fiber transmission lines. We show that the dynamics of pulse amplitudes in an N-channel transmission system is described by an N-dimensional predator-prey model. We find the equilibrium states with non-zero amplitudes and prove their stability by obtaining the Lyapunov function. The stability is independent of the exact details of the approximation for the Raman gain curve. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of cross phase modulation and Raman self and cross frequency shifts on the dynamics and establish the stability of the equilibrium state with respect to these perturbations. Our results provide a quantitative explanation for the robustness of differential-phase-shift-keyed WDM transmission against Raman crosstalk effects.Comment: 34 pages and 12 figures. Revised paper. Submitted to Optics Communication

Analysis of the Healthcare MERS-CoV Outbreak in King Abdulaziz Medical Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June–August 2015 Using a SEIR Ward Transmission Model

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is an emerging zoonotic coronavirus that has a tendency to cause significant healthcare outbreaks among patients with serious comorbidities. We analyzed hospital data from the MERS-CoV outbreak in King Abdulaziz Medical Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, June–August 2015 using the susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) ward transmission model. The SEIR compartmental model considers several areas within the hospital where transmission occurred. We use a system of ordinary differential equations that incorporates the following units: emergency department (ED), out-patient clinic, intensive care unit, and hospital wards, where each area has its own carrying capacity and distinguishes the transmission by three individuals in the hospital: patients, health care workers (HCW), or mobile health care workers. The emergency department, as parameterized has a large influence over the epidemic size for both patients and health care workers. Trend of the basic reproduction number (R0), which reached a maximum of 1.39 at the peak of the epidemic and declined to 0.92 towards the end, shows that until added hospital controls are introduced, the outbreak would continue with sustained transmission between wards. Transmission rates where highest in the ED, and mobile HCWs were responsible for large part of the outbreak

Effects of losartan, tempol, and their combination on renal nitric oxide synthases in the animal model of chronic kidney disease

Down-regulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and NO defi ciency in the kidneys have been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study we examined the effects of losartan, tempol, and combined treatment on three NOS isoforms expressions, kidney NO content and NOS correlation with renal function and structure in the early stage of adriamycin (ADR)-induced CKD in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Rats were divided into control group, and four other groups which were treated with ADR and received vehicle, losartan (L, angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker), tempol (T, redox-cycling nitroxide) or T + L treatment (by gavage) in a six-week study. Reduction of all NOS isoforms expressions were signifi cantly improved by losartan or tempol, and correlated with proteinuria amelioration. Combined treatment induced down-regulation of constitutive NOS isoforms, whilst inducible NOS was up-regulated and followed by increased nitrite content and a signifi cant decline in the glomerular fi ltration rate. Losartan or tempol prevented ADR-induced neoexpression of vimentin in the glomeruli and tubulointerstital areas, whereas de novo vimentin expression was still observed in the atrophic tubules and in the interstitial fi broblasts and myofi broblasts in combined treatment. It can be concluded that single treatments, contrary to combined, were effective in improving NO bioavailability and slowing down the progression of CKD

Cartel Contract from a Jurisprudential Perspective

This research deals with the study of the cartel contract from a fiqhi (Islamic jurisprudential, perspective. It aims to explore the Shari'ah rulings on the cartel contract, showing what is permissible and what is not. The research follows the inductive and deductive approaches. It reveals the following significant findings. Contracts are basically permissible so long as there is no evidence to the contrary. With respect to the cartel contract, it is subject to certain conditions: if it renders a particular needed good or service unavailable or restricted in the market, leading to high prices that harm the public, the contract becomes impermissible; compensation in cartel contracts is permissible, for it is in exchange for money justifying compensation. Regarding obligation in the cartel contract, it is conditional: if it involves something prohibited by Shari'ah, the obligation is invalid – in fact, it is not lawful to agree to it; if the deal is on something permissible, it is valid; if it involves a compensation, it is obligatory; if with no compensation, the contract is valid; if what is promised is included in expenses and commitment because of the contract, it is obligatory, but if not involved, the concerned party has the choice to sign or get out of the contract. Regarding a penalty clause in the cartel contract, it is basically permissible; if the involved companies or establishments cause harm to the public interest, the ruler can impose penalties to end monopoly. The research recommends that serious consideration be given to the study of modern contracts from the Islamic jurisprudential perspective

Assessment of needs from industry experts, producers, and consumers for a value-added beef Extension program

As the beef industry changes, Extension personnel are experiencing an increase of inquiries about alternative marketing and production for beef operations. The purpose of this dissertation research was to identify the needs to help create a new value-added beef Extension program. The objectives were to describe: (1) industry experts’ perceptions on beef producers’ challenges and competencies for a value-added Extension program; (2) beef producers’ perceptions of compatibility and complexity as well as their preferred Extension delivery methods; and (3) consumers’ perceptions for beef marketing and production. Results from objective one revealed that a new Extension program should include: (1) Business and Marketing; (2) Foundations of Value-added Production; (3) Foundations of Beef Production; and (4) Tools. The results from first objective enabled the construction of a new instrument to personalize a value-added beef Extension program, how to deliver the instrument and how to analyze the data. Results from the 3rd objective provided a description of the habits that beef consumers have in Iowa and what or why they purchase at certain locations. Overall, this dissertation research has provided information on the different aspects needed to create a new value-added beef Extension program

Assessment of critical thinking skills in undergraduate animal science students and curriculum

The purpose of this thesis was to explore differences in critical thinking skills between freshmen and senior Animal Science Students at Iowa State University and determine where in the curriculum the critical thinking skills are being taught. This study encompassed 4 objectives: 1) compare freshmen and senior animal science students to the national critical thinking skill norms 2) determine if there’s a difference between freshmen and senior animal science students in critical thinking 3) determine if there’s a difference in critical thinking skills based upon selected demographics variables 4) map critical thinking skills instructional methods in core animal science courses. For objectives one, two, and three a group of freshmen (n=55) and seniors (n=60) in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University were randomly selected to participate in taking the Critical Thinking Assessment Test (CAT) during the fall 2016 semester. The results were analyzed for comparisons with national norm scores, between each group, and based upon specific demographics. For objective four, twelve of the core animal science courses were selected to be analyzed to determine where the critical thinking skills were being taught. Instructors of each course participated in a self-reporting interview to gather the information which skills were being taught and examples of each of the fifteen critical thinking skills described by the CAT Exam being implemented. From there, an analysis of how effective the methods were to teach critical thinking skills was conducted. For objective one the freshman group scored better than the national norm with a p Overall this study provides the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University a better understanding of the level of critical thinking skills for each grade level and where the skills are being taught within the curriculum.</p

Assessment of needs from industry experts, producers, and consumers for a value-added beef Extension program

As the beef industry changes, Extension personnel are experiencing an increase of inquiries about alternative marketing and production for beef operations. The purpose of this dissertation research was to identify the needs to help create a new value-added beef Extension program. The objectives were to describe: (1) industry experts’ perceptions on beef producers’ challenges and competencies for a value-added Extension program; (2) beef producers’ perceptions of compatibility and complexity as well as their preferred Extension delivery methods; and (3) consumers’ perceptions for beef marketing and production. Results from objective one revealed that a new Extension program should include: (1) Business and Marketing; (2) Foundations of Value-added Production; (3) Foundations of Beef Production; and (4) Tools. The results from first objective enabled the construction of a new instrument to personalize a value-added beef Extension program, how to deliver the instrument and how to analyze the data. Results from the 3rd objective provided a description of the habits that beef consumers have in Iowa and what or why they purchase at certain locations. Overall, this dissertation research has provided information on the different aspects needed to create a new value-added beef Extension program.</p