Professional Development for Science Teachers on Integrating STEM: A Case Study

In the United States, the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) bring both commitment and challenges to science education in K-12 schools. New focus areas within the NGSS are engineering education and the integration of multiple disciplines as seen in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Providing professional development (PD) is necessary in order to assist K-12 teachers with the implementation of the NGSS in their classrooms (NGSS Lead States, 2013). This case study shares the results of a unique style of PD workshops provided for K-12 teachers on the NGSS and engineering design where participants were immersed in inquiry-based STEM activities with an earth and space science theme. Twenty-six teachers agreed to participate in the study. This qualitative research focused on self-reported data through surveys, interviews, focus groups, and observation of participants during the workshops. Findings from this case study revealed self-reported increases in teachers’ dispositions and self-efficacy regarding their implementation of the NGSS in an integrated STEM teaching context

Development of a STEM program for Teachers: A Collaboration between College of Education and College of Engineering

The School of Engineering and The School of Education currently collaborate on developing a new science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) curriculum for secondary science teachers. This interdisciplinary initiative is intended to improve the practices of STEM teachers, result in improved interest in STEM careers in K-12 schools, and develop a robust collaborative relationship between STEM departments and education departments. This initiative also plays an important role in the early development of a STEM program in the School of Education

GABRB3 mutations: a new and emerging cause of early infantile epileptic encephalopathy

The gamma-aminobutyric acid type A receptor β3 gene (GABRB3) encodes the β3-subunit of the gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA ) receptor, which mediates inhibitory signalling within the central nervous system. Recently, GABRB3 mutations have been identified in a few patients with infantile spasms and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. We report the clinical and electrographic features of a novel case of GABRB3-related early-onset epileptic encephalopathy. Our patient presented with neonatal hypotonia and feeding difficulties, then developed pharmacoresistant epileptic encephalopathy, characterized by multiple seizure types from 3 months of age. Electroencephalography demonstrated ictal generalized and interictal multifocal epileptiform abnormalities. Using a SureSelectXT custom multiple gene panel covering 48 early infantile epileptic encephalopathy/developmental delay genes, a novel de novo GABRB3 heterozygous missense mutation, c.860C>T (p.Thr287Ile), was identified and confirmed on Sanger sequencing. GABRB3 is an emerging cause of early-onset epilepsy. Novel genetic technologies, such as whole-exome/genome sequencing and multiple gene panels, will undoubtedly identify further cases, allowing more detailed electroclinical delineation of the GABRB3-related genotypic and phenotypic spectra

Rapid Ultrasound-Assisted Starch Extraction from Sago Pith Waste (SPW) for the Fabrication of Sustainable Bioplastic Film.

The present study was conducted to optimize the extraction yield of starch from sago (Metroxylon sagu) pith waste (SPW) with the assistance of ultrasound ensued by the transformation of extracted starch into a higher value-added bioplastic film. Sago starch with extraction yield of 71.4% was successfully obtained using the ultrasound-assisted extraction, with the following conditions: particle size <250 µm, solid loading of 10 wt.%, ultrasonic amplitude of 70% and duty cycle of 83% in 5 min. The rapid ultrasound approach was proven to be more effective than the conventional extraction with 60.9% extraction yield in 30 min. Ultrasound-extracted starch was found to exhibit higher starch purity than the control starch as indicated by the presence of lower protein and ash contents. The starch granules were found to have irregular and disrupted surfaces after ultrasonication. The disrupted starch granules reduced the particle size and increased the swelling power of starch which was beneficial in producing a film-forming solution. The ultrasound-extracted sago starch was subsequently used to prepare a bioplastic film via solution casting method. A brownish bioplastic film with tensile strength of 0.9 ± 0.1 MPa, Young's modulus of 22 ± 0.8 MPa, elongation at break of 13.6 ± 2.0% and water vapour permeability (WVP) of 1.11 ± 0.1 × 10-8 g m-1 s-1 Pa-1 was obtained, suggesting its feasibility as bioplastic material. These findings provide a means of utilization for SPW which is in line with the contemporary trend towards greener and sustainable products and processes

Cross-national study of communal attitudes toward individuals with intellectual disabilities in sub-Saharan Africa : Cameroon vs. Ghana

Background: An intellectual disability (ID) is characterized by a deficit in the functional, cognitive, and adaptive skills required for independent living. Due to the low cognitive capabilities of individuals with IDs, they have become victims of marginalization, exclusion, and denial of their fundamental rights to basic necessities in societies around the world. While efforts are being made to improve service provision to and acceptance of individuals with disabilities, the extent of communal acceptance and recognition of these individuals as equal members of society remains underexplored in sub-Saharan African countries such as Cameroon and Ghana. Objective: As attitudes toward individuals with IDs are pivotal in shaping national policies, this cross-national study examined communal attitudes toward persons with IDs in Cameroon and Ghana. Method: The Community Living Attitude Scale for Intellectual Disabilities (CLAS-ID) was used to collect data from a total of 741 university students in the two countries. The validity of the scale was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis and principal component analysis. The association between the background variables and attitudes was examined using t-tests, analysis of variance, linear regression, and two-way factor analysis. Results: The results showed the validity of the CLAS-ID as a valid tool for measuring communal attitudes toward individuals with IDs in sub-Saharan Africa. The participants appeared ambivalent about attitude towards individuals with ID and other findings showed no association between attitudes and variables such as gender, relation, and contact with individuals with IDs. Conclusion: We discuss the need for innovative approaches aimed at changing attitudes toward individuals with IDs in sub-Saharan Africa as well as other study implications

Improving diagnosis and broadening the phenotypes in early-onset seizure and severe developmental delay disorders through gene panel analysis

BACKGROUND: We sought to investigate the diagnostic yield and mutation spectrum in previously reported genes for early-onset epilepsy and disorders of severe developmental delay. METHODS: In 400 patients with these disorders with no known underlying aetiology and no major structural brain anomaly, we analysed 46 genes using a combination of targeted sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform and targeted, exon-level microarray copy number analysis. RESULTS: We identified causative mutations in 71/400 patients (18%). The diagnostic rate was highest among those with seizure onset within the first two months of life (39%), although overall it was similar in those with and without seizures. The most frequently mutated gene was SCN2A (11 patients, 3%). Other recurrently mutated genes included CDKL5, KCNQ2, SCN8A (six patients each), FOXG1, MECP2, SCN1A, STXBP1 (five patients each), KCNT1, PCDH19, TCF4 (three patients each) and ATP1A3, PRRT2 and SLC9A6 (two patients each). Mutations in EHMT1, GABRB3, LGI1, MBD5, PIGA, UBE3A and ZEB2 were each found in single patients. We found mutations in a number of genes in patients where either the electroclinical features or dysmorphic phenotypes were atypical for the identified gene. In only 11 cases (15%) had the clinician sufficient certainty to specify the mutated gene as the likely cause before testing. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate the considerable utility of a gene panel approach in the diagnosis of patients with early-onset epilepsy and severe developmental delay disorders., They provide further insights into the phenotypic spectrum and genotype-phenotype correlations for a number of the causative genes and emphasise the value of exon-level copy number testing in their analysis

RARS2 mutations in a sibship with infantile spasms

Pontocerebellar hypoplasia is a group of heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by reduced volume of the brainstem and cerebellum. We report two male siblings who presented with early infantile clonic seizures, and then developed infantile spasms associated with prominent isolated cerebellar hypoplasia/atrophy on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Using whole exome sequencing techniques, both were found to be compound heterozygotes for one previously reported and one novel mutation in the gene encoding mitochondrial arginyl-tRNA synthetase 2 (RARS2). Mutations in this gene have been classically described in pontocerebellar hypoplasia type six (PCH6), a phenotype characterized by early (often intractable) seizures, profound developmental delay, and progressive pontocerebellar atrophy. The electroclinical spectrum of PCH6 is broad and includes a number of seizure types: myoclonic, generalized tonic-clonic, and focal clonic seizures. Our report expands the characterization of the PCH6 disease spectrum and presents infantile spasms as an associated electroclinical phenotype

Moulds infesting local and imported rice (Oryza spp.) in Cameroon: Poster

Loss in quality and quantities of rice during storage is an important issue to focus on. Moulds contaminating rice were investigated and their injuries on rice during storage were evaluated. Local and imported rice samples sold in markets and mills were stored for 3 months under laboratory conditions. The contaminated grains were counted and analyzed to characterize storage moulds. All rice samples evaluated were contaminated by moulds, right from sampling date. The quantity of mouldy grains varied from 1.1% for the rice sample from UNVDA to 4.2% rice brand ‘Main dans la Main’. The highest mould infestation in terms of quality and quantity, was recorded on imported rice samples of world rice and ‘Main dans la Main’ 22.3 and 25.3% respectively; meanwhile ‘Tox 3145 parboiled’, Uncle Benz and Neima presented 7.5, 8.9 and8.9% respectively. In general, imported rice samples contained the highest fungal load with a proportion of 65.9% compared to 34.3% for local samples. Among the 67 isolated strains, the genus Aspergillus dominated, followed by Penicillium, Mucor and Circinella with 13.4, 8.9, and 4.4% respectively. Therefore in Cameroon, some locally produced, but mostly some imported rice contain moulds from different genera, which damage rice at different proportions. It is urgent to develop methods to inhibit the growth of potential storage moulds and preserve the quality of rice consumed.Loss in quality and quantities of rice during storage is an important issue to focus on. Moulds contaminating rice were investigated and their injuries on rice during storage were evaluated. Local and imported rice samples sold in markets and mills were stored for 3 months under laboratory conditions. The contaminated grains were counted and analyzed to characterize storage moulds. All rice samples evaluated were contaminated by moulds, right from sampling date. The quantity of mouldy grains varied from 1.1% for the rice sample from UNVDA to 4.2% rice brand ‘Main dans la Main’. The highest mould infestation in terms of quality and quantity, was recorded on imported rice samples of world rice and ‘Main dans la Main’ 22.3 and 25.3% respectively; meanwhile ‘Tox 3145 parboiled’, Uncle Benz and Neima presented 7.5, 8.9 and8.9% respectively. In general, imported rice samples contained the highest fungal load with a proportion of 65.9% compared to 34.3% for local samples. Among the 67 isolated strains, the genus Aspergillus dominated, followed by Penicillium, Mucor and Circinella with 13.4, 8.9, and 4.4% respectively. Therefore in Cameroon, some locally produced, but mostly some imported rice contain moulds from different genera, which damage rice at different proportions. It is urgent to develop methods to inhibit the growth of potential storage moulds and preserve the quality of rice consumed

Hospital-based Surveillance Provides Insights Into the Etiology of Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in the Post-Vaccine Era

Background: Meningitis is endemic to regions of Cameroon outside the meningitis belt including the capital city, Yaoundé. Through surveillance, we studied the etiology and molecular epidemiology of pediatric bacterial meningitis in Yaoundé from 2010 to 2016. / Methods: Lumbar puncture was performed on 5958 suspected meningitis cases; 765 specimens were further tested by culture, latex agglutination, and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Serotyping/grouping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and/or whole genome sequencing were performed where applicable. / Results: The leading pathogens detected among the 126 confirmed cases were Streptococcus pneumoniae (93 [73.8%]), Haemophilus influenzae (18 [14.3%]), and Neisseria meningitidis (15 [11.9%]). We identified more vaccine serotypes (19 [61%]) than nonvaccine serotypes (12 [39%]); however, in the latter years non–pneumococcal conjugate vaccine serotypes were more common. Whole genome data on 29 S. pneumoniae isolates identified related strains (<30 single-nucleotide polymorphism difference). All but 1 of the genomes harbored a resistance genotype to at least 1 antibiotic, and vaccine serotypes harbored more resistance genes than nonvaccine serotypes (P < .05). Of 9 cases of H. influenzae, 8 were type b (Hib) and 1 was type f. However, the cases of Hib were either in unvaccinated individuals or children who had not yet received all 3 doses. We were unable to serogroup the N. meningitidis cases by PCR. / Conclusions: Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a leading cause of pediatric bacterial meningitis, and nonvaccine serotypes may play a bigger role in disease etiology in the postvaccine era. There is evidence of Hib disease among children in Cameroon, which warrants further investigation