Satire and Synthesis: Parody and Satire of Victorian Education in the Works of Lewis Carroll

Education is an integral part of any society. Victorian England saw drastic reform in the method of childhood education, shifting from religious to secular forms of rote memorization. An analysis of the works of Lewis Carroll reveals significant instances of parody, pastiche, and satire on these styles of education and their corresponding reform. Unlike traditional satire, however, Lewis Carroll’s satire does not simply criticize these targets, but utilizes a strategy of synthesis to illustrate strengths and weaknesses of various conflicting educational ideologies and to suggest ways of adopting methods from all available options

A Possible Role of Ascorbate in Boron Deficient Radish (Raphanus sativa L. cv. Cherry Belle)

The most apparent symptom of boron deficiency in higher plants is a cessation of growth. Deficiency causes a reduction in ascorbate concentration and the absorption of nutrient ions. Addition of ascorbate temporarily relieves deficiency symptoms. In boron sufficient plants the addition of ascorbate to media causes an increased uptake of nutrients. In an attempt to discover if ascorbate addition to deficient plants causes increased ion uptake, radish plants were grown hydroponically in four different strengths of boron solution. A colorimetric assay for phosphorus was performed both before and after supplementation. Results, however, were inconclusive

A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) in Biology: Developing Systems Thinking through Field Experiences in Restoration Ecology

In this study, we posit that integrating design-based research (Scott et al., 2020) and nature-based learning (Jordan and Chawla, 2019) approaches in biology can lead to gains in holistic systemic thinking (Verhoeff et al., 2018), thinking like a scientist, and greater equity for historically unrepresented student groups. While such experiences can be achieved through participation in research apprenticeships and internships, course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) have a greater potential to impact a broader range of students. This paper invites not only the students to broaden their thinking to expand their horizons, but also faculty to broaden their design and implementation of science education. Similar to Wilson et al.’s (2020) approach of using modeling to help students build schemas for understanding and using core biology knowledge, we present a multi-week CURE in introductory biology for majors to develop systems-thinking and foundational research skills that lead to a significant learning experience for students

Radiative absorption enhancements by black carbon controlled by particle-to-particle heterogeneity in composition.

Black carbon (BC) absorbs solar radiation, leading to a strong but uncertain warming effect on climate. A key challenge in modeling and quantifying BC's radiative effect on climate is predicting enhancements in light absorption that result from internal mixing between BC and other aerosol components. Modeling and laboratory studies show that BC, when mixed with other aerosol components, absorbs more strongly than pure, uncoated BC; however, some ambient observations suggest more variable and weaker absorption enhancement. We show that the lower-than-expected enhancements in ambient measurements result from a combination of two factors. First, the often used spherical, concentric core-shell approximation generally overestimates the absorption by BC. Second, and more importantly, inadequate consideration of heterogeneity in particle-to-particle composition engenders substantial overestimation in absorption by the total particle population, with greater heterogeneity associated with larger model-measurement differences. We show that accounting for these two effects-variability in per-particle composition and deviations from the core-shell approximation-reconciles absorption enhancement predictions with laboratory and field observations and resolves the apparent discrepancy. Furthermore, our consistent model framework provides a path forward for improving predictions of BC's radiative effect on climate

Minute Pirate Bug and Big-Eyed Bug Populations in Pyramided Bt Sweet Corn Bordered by Native Perennial and Pasture Border Rows

Sweet corn is an important vegetable crop grown in Kentucky. The major sweet corn ear pests are European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis, and corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea. Ecological control measures have been introduced to manage these pests, reducing use of broad spectrum insecticides. Conservation biological control (CBC) is a component of these approaches. CBC manages pests in agroecosystems using habitat management to enhance populations of natural enemies that are already present in the system. Another important advancement is the cultivation of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) sweet corn resistant to the Lepidopteran corn ear pests. This study used CBC of corn ear pests using pyramided Bt-protected sweet corn. The research was conducted at the Kentucky State University Harold R. Benson Research and Demonstration farm in Franklin County, Kentucky, during the summers of 2021 and 2022. Sixteen plots were created by splitting each of the eight larger existing plots into 25 m × 10 m plots with an unplanted strip between them and 2 m wide native perennial or pasture border rows. Yellow sticky traps 15 cm × 15 cm were deployed and replaced weekly to trap beneficial insects. Results revealed that minute pirate bug populations were more abundant than big-eyed bug populations. Both species were slightly more abundant in pasture than native perennial habitats. Similarly, minute pirate bug populations were significantly larger in all four sweet corn habitats. Results will be discussed with respect to the Bt corn bordered by native perennial, Bt corn bordered by pasture, non Bt corn bordered by native perennial, and non Bt corn bordered by pasture border rows

Hot-dip-zinc-coating of prefabricated structural steel components

This JRC-Scientific and Technical Report gives information from pre-normative research for methods to prevent liquid metal assisted cracking of prefabricated structural components during zinc-coating in the liquid zinc melt, that may impair the structural safety of structures in which the components are built in. This information provides a platform upon which further European design and product specifications can be developed. It may in particular affect the further developments of EN 1993, EN 1090, EN ISO 1461 and EN ISO 14713. This report gives the state-of-the-art in understanding the mechanism of liquid metal assisted cracking in the zinc bath and methods and models that may be used to avoid it. It could be a basis to propose rules for the design of steel components intended to be hot-dip-zinc-coated in such a way that the design is consistent with execution rules for hot-dip-zinc-coating. The workability of the rules proposed for all metal works and steel works that are fabricated under EN 1090 and galvanized according to the rules in this report is demonstrated by worked examples.JRC.DG.G.5-European laboratory for structural assessmen