Redesigning a large-enrollment introductory biology course

Using an action research model, biology faculty examined, implemented, and evaluated learner-centered instructional strategies to reach the goal of increasing the level of student achievement in the introductory biology course BIO 181: Unity of Life I, which was characterized by both high enrollments and a high DFW rate. Outcomes included the creation and implementation of an assessment tool for biology content knowledge and attitudes, development and implementation of a common syllabus, modification of the course to include learner-centered instructional strategies, and the collection and analysis of data to evaluate the success of the modifications. The redesigned course resulted in greater student success, as measured by grades (reduced %DFW and increased %AB) as well as by achievement in the course assessment tool. In addition, the redesigned course led to increased student satisfaction and greater consistency among different sections. These findings have important implications for both students and institutions, as the significantly lower DFW rate means that fewer students have to retake the course

High confident protein identification from ETD and ECD spectra with a new mass list preprocessor

Comunicaciones a congreso

Accelerating Monte Carlo power studies through parametric power estimation

Estimating the power for a non-linear mixed-effects model-based analysis is challenging due to the lack of a closed form analytic expression. Often, computationally intensive Monte Carlo studies need to be employed to evaluate the power of a planned experiment. This is especially time consuming if full power versus sample size curves are to be obtained. A novel parametric power estimation (PPE) algorithm utilizing the theoretical distribution of the alternative hypothesis is presented in this work. The PPE algorithm estimates the unknown non-centrality parameter in the theoretical distribution from a limited number of Monte Carlo simulation and estimations. The estimated parameter linearly scales with study size allowing a quick generation of the full power versus study size curve. A comparison of the PPE with the classical, purely Monte Carlo-based power estimation (MCPE) algorithm for five diverse pharmacometric models showed an excellent agreement between both algorithms, with a low bias of less than 1.2 % and higher precision for the PPE. The power extrapolated from a specific study size was in a very good agreement with power curves obtained with the MCPE algorithm. PPE represents a promising approach to accelerate the power calculation for non-linear mixed effect models

Pourquoi les politiques publiques sont-elles si peu suivies d’effets ?:Quelques interrogations

L’insertion des femmes sur le marché du travail a connu à la fois des avancées et des reculs. Si davantage de femmes accèdent à l’éducation supérieure et aux emplois qualifiés, d’autres sont touchées par la précarité et connaissent une dégradation de leurs conditions de travail et de vie. Face à ce constat ambivalent, on peut questionner la mise en œuvre et l’efficacité des politiques qui visent à promouvoir l’égalité entre les femmes et les hommes. Cet article a pour objectif de soulever quelques débats. Le plus souvent, les politiques publiques au sens large (y compris la protection sociale) sont définies en termes de compensation et de correction des inégalités et des discriminations. Mais elles ne concernent pas les causes effectives de l’extension du sous-emploi des femmes, qui relèvent du fonctionnement même du marché du travail. C’est donc la définition des politiques publiques qu’il faut interroger, en dépassant une vision binaire qui oppose d’une part un champ économique extérieur, d’autre part un champ social, juridique et culturel qui, seul, pourrait être l’objet d’inflexions. En réalité, le champ économique est aussi le produit des politiques publiques : la libre-concurrence et la prééminence du marché sont le résultat d’une action volontaire des États. Il faut donc réintégrer les politiques économiques dans le champ de la réflexion sur les moyens de combattre les discriminations à l’encontre des femmes.The integration of women into the labour market has gone through both upswings and downturns. In view of this ambivalent result, we can question the efficiency of public policies set up to overcome gender inequality and fight gender discrimination. Does a real will exist, and if so why is it so inefficient or so poorly implemented? What forms do individual and collective resistance take? Most of the time, public policies are defined in terms of compensation and correction. But they don’t deal with the actual causes of women’s underemployment resulting from labour market adjustments. It is therefore the definition of the public policies that we need to examine, going beyond a binary view that opposes economic issues, on the one hand, to social, juridical and cultural concerns on the other

Item response parameter estimation performance using Gaussian quadrature and Laplace

Item parameter estimation in pharmacometric item response theory (IRT) models is predominantly performed using the Laplace estimation algorithm as implemented in NONMEM. In psychometrics a wide range of different software tools, including several packages for the open-source software R for implementation of IRT are also available. Each have their own set of benefits and limitations and to date a systematic comparison of the primary estimation algorithms has not been evaluated. A simulation study evaluating varying number of hypothetical sample sizes and item scenarios at baseline was performed using both Laplace and Gauss-hermite quadrature (GHQ-EM). In scenarios with at least 20 items and more than 100 subjects, item parameters were estimated with good precision and were similar between estimation algorithms as demonstrated by several measures of bias and precision. The minimal differences observed for certain parameters or sample size scenarios were reduced when translating to the total score scale. The ease of use, speed of estimation and relative accuracy of the GHQ-EM method employed in mirt make it an appropriate alternative or supportive analytical approach to NONMEM for potential pharmacometrics IRT applications

Managing Bitterweed to Reduce Sheep Losses.

2 p

Managing Bitterweed to Reduce Sheep Losses.

2 p

Understanding and Manipulating Polyploidy in Garden Roses

Rose chromosome number ranges from 14 to 56 and understanding the dynamics of rose chromosome numbers can help improve the progress made in breeding programs and enhance the understanding of certain rose populations. An analysis of the pollen diameter of 126 roses in a breeding collection suggested that 49 were diploid, 67 were tetraploid, and 10 were hexaploid. An analysis of the pollen diameter combined with pollen appearance suggested that 39 were diploid, 39 were triploid and 48 were tetraploid. Chromosome counts determined that there were 44 diploids, 28 triploids, and 54 tetraploids. Thus pollen diameter was 86.3% accurate in identifying diploids and 74% accurate in identifying tetraploids. Pollen diameter and appearance was 77.2% accurate for diploids, 71.4% accurate for triploids and 66% accurate for tetraploids. A common occurrence among the triploids was the presence of irregular and shrunken pollen grains that were likely aneuploids leading to pollen abortion. However, some triploids showed very few shrunken pollen grains and consistent pollen sizes which could suggest that these individuals have better fertility relative to other triploids. Among diploid and tetraploid plants, the frequency of 2n pollen grain production was 9% and 1.8% respectively. A series of interploidy crosses indicated that there were small differences in set, seed yield and seed germination in crosses done between diploids or between tetraploids as compared to those done between either diploid or tetraploids and the triploid ‘Homerun’. The ploidy level of the seedlings of these crosses was followed and it was determined that the triploid plant produced viable n, 2n and 3n gametes. When the triploid plant ‘Homerun’ was crossed with tetraploid seed parents, there was a nearly even distribution of progeny resulting from fertilization with 1n and 2n pollen grains. When ‘Homerun’ was crossed with diploid seed parents, there were more progeny resulting from 2n gametes than n gametes. The progeny of these diploid x triploid crosses also exhibited reduced fertility as seen in the high percentages of shrunken pollen grains in these individuals

Managing Bitterweed to Reduce Sheep Losses.

2 p

Woolly Locoweed and Forage Response to Herbicides in West Texas.

12 p