The effect of puerperal uterine disease on uterine involution in cows assessed by Doppler sonography of the uterine arteries

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of puerperal uterine disease on uterine blood flow using trans-rectal Doppler sonography. Lactating Holstein Friesian cows (n = 44) were divided into two groups based on whether they were healthy (UD−; n = 23) or had uterine disease (UD+; n = 21) defined as retained fetal membranes and/or metritis. General clinical examination, vaginoscopy, trans-rectal palpation, and trans-rectal B-Mode sonography were conducted on Days 8, 11, 18, 25 and then every 10 days until Day 65 after calving. Doppler sonography of the uterine arteries was conducted on Day 8, during diestrus after the second ovulation (Days 40–60 after calving) and during diestrus before breeding (Days 63–75 after calving). Cows with uterine disease had greater (P < 0.05) uterine size as assessed trans-rectally compared with cows of the UD group. Sonographic measurements on Day 11 after parturition revealed a greater (P < 0.05) horn diameter in cows of the UD+ than in the UD− group. Both uterine size and uterine horn diameter decreased more earlier following parturition (P < 0.05) in cows of the UD− group. Blood flow volume (BFV) was greater and pulsatility index was less on Day 8 after calving in cows of UD+ than UD− group (P < 0.05). In cows of the UD−, but not in those of the UD+ group, there was a further reduction in BFV subsequent to Day 45 after calving (P < 0.05). The results of this study show that uterine blood flow measures by trans-rectal Doppler sonography are affected by puerperal uterine disease

Forming a Community of Practice to Support Faculty in Implementing Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences

There is an urgent need to influence educational change in the methods by which science is taught. Numerous national agencies have called for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational reform with recommendations to address retention and increase diversity of students in STEM disciplines. One way to address these recommendations is by replacing the widespread traditional approach to foundational laboratory courses with course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs). As a creative alternative to one-on-one research mentorships, CUREs scale up the research experience to reach a greater number of students, many of whom would otherwise not be able to participate in research. Increasing the adoption of CUREs in foundational chemistry laboratory courses exposes a larger, more diverse population of STEM students to research experiences. The greatest impact of these experiences occurs in populations that are traditionally underrepresented in STEM disciplines, whose college experiences are enhanced by being a part of a diverse community. A Community of Practice brings together people with a common interest or goal. This chapter describes our steps to form a Community of Practice comprised of faculty from Primarily Undergraduate Institutions, community colleges, and high schools with the goal of providing a supportive framework that lowers barriers to CURE development and implementation for faculty in foundational chemistry laboratories