Gifted geeks: The emergence and development of computer technology talent

This study explored the development of computer technology talent (CTT) in the field of gifted education. Based on Feldman's (1994) co-incidence theory, the four time frames have crystallized at the end of the 21st century to produce conditions for CTT to emerge: (1) individual life span, (2) development of the field, (3) historical and cultural trends, and (4) evolutionary time. Within this framework the research question was asked: “What cognitive and affective qualities and life events mark the development of CTT?” Using qualitative study methods, interview data were collected from four different age groups and time periods: Historical (Sample 1), Snapshot (Sample 2), Longitudinal (Sample 3), and Contemporary (Sample 4). Gagné's (2003) Differentiated Model of Giftedness and Talent (DMGT) was used after the initial analysis to structure the data into the categories of natural abilities, intrapersonal catalysts, environmental catalysts, and talent activities. Findings were discussed in terms of developmental patterns and recurring trends between samples, reflected in their histories with computing, environmental support, and key educational experiences. Results provide evidence that CTT should be recognized as a distinct talent area within the gifted field. Suggestions for educational policy and practice are made for teachers and parents of children with CTT. Alternative assessments and resources need to be made available in schools to recognize this new way of thinking in the digital age

Viable Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis isolated from calf milk replacer

When advising farmers on how to control Johne's disease in an infected herd, one of the main recom- mendations is to avoid feeding waste milk to calves and instead feed calf milk replacer (CMR). This advice is based on the assumption that CMR is free of viable Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) cells, an assumption that has not previously been chal- lenged. We tested commercial CMR products (n = 83) obtained from dairy farms around the United States by the peptide-mediated magnetic separation (PMS)-phage assay, PMS followed by liquid culture (PMS-culture), and direct IS900 quantitative PCR (qPCR). Conven- tional microbiological analyses for total mesophilic bac- terial counts, coliforms, Salmonella, coagulase-negative staphylococci, streptococci, nonhemolytic Corynebacte- rium spp., and Bacillus spp. were also performed to assess the overall microbiological quality of the CMR. Twenty-six (31.3%) of the 83 CMR samples showed evidence of the presence of MAP. Seventeen (20.5%) tested positive for viable MAP by the PMS-phage as- say, with plaque counts ranging from 6 to 1,212 pfu/50 mL of reconstituted CMR (average 248.5 pfu/50 mL). Twelve (14.5%) CMR samples tested positive for vi- able MAP by PMS-culture; isolates from all 12 of these samples were subsequently confirmed by whole-genome sequencing to be different cattle strains of MAP. Seven (8.4%) CMR samples tested positive for MAP DNA by IS900 qPCR. Four CMR samples tested positive by both PMS-based tests and 5 CMR samples tested positive by IS900 qPCR plus one or other of the PMS- based tests, but only one CMR sample tested positive by all 3 MAP detection tests applied. All conventional microbiology results were within current standards for whole milk powders. A significant association existed between higher total bacterial counts and presence of viable MAP indicated by either of the PMS-based as- says. This represents the first published report of the isolation of viable MAP from CMR. Our findings raise concerns about the potential ability of MAP to survive manufacture of dried milk-based products