Flowering and Climate Change

Analysis of data from other studies of flowering and leafing phenology suggests that temperature and photoperiod can influence first-flowering date at up to nine developmental stages prior to flowering. On the assumption that not all species will be affected by environmental conditions at the same stages, it is predicted that there will be different groups of plants that can be expected to react in different ways to climate change. A provisional description is given of a group with ‘mediterranean-type’ phenology and extended flowering periods, which is expected to show extreme reaction of first-flowering date to climate change (warming winters). A second and related group is described without the extended flowering period

Munc13-3 mutation prevents critical period neuronal plasticity in visual cortex.

Through differential display PCR, Munc13-3 was identified as a gene whose relative expression in the visual cortex corresponds to critical period plasticity. Expression of the gene was low at the peak of the critical period and expression was high in the weeks near the end of the critical period. Expression of the gene also shifted during dark rearing, a process known to delay the time course of the critical period. Using electrophysiology and monocular deprivation (MD) in mice at different points within the critical period, it is possible to compare normal MD mice\u27s visual evoked potentials to Munc13-3 mutant MD mice\u27s visual evoked potentials to see what effect Muncl3-3 has on visual cortical plasticity. Visual evoked potentials from the eyes contralateral and ipsilateral to the recording electrode in the binocular region of the visual cortex were stimulated and recorded in normal wildtype mice, monocular deprived mice and monocular deprived Muncl3-3 mutants at ages 3.5 weeks and 9 weeks. At 3.5 weeks age the normal wildtype mice showed a large contralateral and smaller ipsilateral response, monocular deprived mice showed the same size ipsilateral (non-deprived eye) response, but a smaller contralateral (deprived eye) response. The monocular deprived Munc13-3 mutant mice showed the same as the normal mouse, large contralateral (deprived eye) response and small ipsilateral (non-deprived eye) response. At 9 weeks of age the normal mice showed the same pattern as the 3.5 week old mice, the monocular deprived mice showed an increased ipsilateral response but no change in contralateral response and the monocular deprived Munc13-3 mutants showed no difference in response compared to the normal mice. Monocular deprivation causes a decreased responsiveness from the contralateral eye in young mice, but causes an increased responsiveness from the ipsilateral eye in the adult mice. Munc13-3, a gene seen to be involved with short term synaptic plasticity and vesicle and neurotransmitter release, mutants do not have any change after monocular deprivation, so plasticity is lost. Munc13-3 gene is therefore involved in the regulation of visual cortical plasticity and is required, most likely in conjunction with other genes, to maintain plasticity in the visual cortex during the critical period

The importance of positive arts experiences and self-efficacy in pre-service primary teacher education

With the impending introduction of the Australian Curriculum in the arts, there is cause to reflect on primary pre-service teacher education courses, and how effectively they prepare graduates to facilitate the curriculum. Reflecting on pre-service teachers’ experiences in the arts, at both entry and graduation of their degree, may afford insight into improving arts instruction in Bachelor of Education. A two-year mixed methods study (2013-2014) was conducted with first and fourth-year Bachelor of Education primary students at a Western Australian university, to determine students’ arts experiences and their self-efficacy to teach the arts at graduation. This paper reports specifically on the first-year data collected, and suggests that pre-service teachers have limited experiences in the arts prior to completing the core units in their degree. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and some interview observations are presented to contextualise these findings. The research emphasised the role of self-efficacy in sustaining students’ personal and professional engagement with the arts

Changes in plasma alpha-1 acid glycoprotein following hemorrhagic trauma: Possible role in dose differences of ALM drug therapy in rat and pig resuscitation

Introduction: The binding of drugs to plasma proteins is an important consideration in drug development. We have reported that the dose of adenosine, lidocaine, and magnesium (ALM) fluid therapy for resuscitation from hemorrhagic shock is nearly 3-times higher for pigs than rats. Since lidocaine strongly binds to serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), the aim of the study was to investigate the effect of hemorrhagic shock on levels of AGP in rats and pigs. Materials and Methods: Healthy adult male Sprague–Dawley rats and female crossbred pigs (n = 33 each) underwent tail vein and peripheral ear vein blood sampling, respectively, to collect plasma for AGP measurements. Rats (n = 17) and pigs (n = 16) underwent surgical instrumentation and uncontrolled hemorrhage via liver resection, and were treated with 3% NaCl ± ALM IV bolus followed 60 min later by 4 h 0.9% NaCl ± ALM IV drip. Rats were monitored for 72 h with blood samples taken post-surgery, and at 5.25, 24, and 72 h. Pigs were monitored for 6 h with blood samples taken post-surgery, and at 60 min and 6 h. Plasma AGP was measured with rat- and pig-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Results: Baseline AGP levels in rats were 3.91 μg/mL and significantly 83-fold lower than in pigs (325 μg/mL). Surgical instrumentation was associated with ~10-fold increases in AGP in rats and a 21% fall in pigs. AGP levels remained elevated in rats after hemorrhage and resuscitation (28–29 μg/mL). In contrast, no significant differences in plasma AGP were found in ALM- or Saline-treated pigs over the monitoring period. Conclusions: We conclude that the trauma of surgery alone was associated with significant increases in AGP in rats, compared to a contrasting decrease in pigs. Higher levels of plasma AGP in pigs prior to hemorrhagic shock is consistent with the higher ALM doses required to resuscitate pigs compared with rats

Supporting positive school culture through interpersonal engagement: Phase two report: Hampton Senior High School December 2017

The Industry Collaboration Project, ‘Supporting Positive School Culture Through Interpersonal Engagement’ is a joint project between Edith Cowan University, Hampton Senior High School, Kinross College and Mindarie Senior College. The project aims to empower school leaders to co-create, implement and evaluate professional learning programs that promote enhanced staff relationships. Supporting school leaders to improve staff relationships is important because staff (both teaching and school support) are key stakeholders in children’s educational outcomes (Stringer, 2013). Ensuring school staff feel valued in their school community is also of ongoing importance, particularly as staff accountability and burnout rises in the teaching profession both within Australia and internationally (Gurd, 2013; Sterrett & Irizarry, 2015)..

Supporting positive school culture through interpersonal engagement: phase one report: Kinross College December 2015

The Industry Collaboration Project, ‘Supporting Positive School Culture Through Interpersonal Engagement’ is a joint project between Edith Cowan University, Hampton Senior High School, Kinross College and Mindarie Senior College. The project aims to empower school leaders to co-create, implement and evaluate professional learning programs that promote enhanced staff relationships. Supporting school leaders to improve staff relationships is important because staff (both teaching and school support) are key stakeholders in children’s educational outcomes (Stringer, 2013). Ensuring school staff feel valued in their school community is also of ongoing importance, particularly as staff accountability and burnout rises in the teaching profession both within Australia and internationally (Gurd, 2013; Sterrett & Irizarry, 2015). The project has two phases. Phase One included collecting and analysing baseline data across the three participant schools, as each school presents a different context, school community and organisational structure. This report outlines the findings from Phase One and the recommendations for the school based on these data

Supporting positive school culture through interpersonal engagement: phase one report: Mindarie Senior College April 2016

The Industry Collaboration Project, ‘Supporting Positive School Culture Through Interpersonal Engagement’ is a joint project between Edith Cowan University, Hampton Senior High School, Kinross College and Mindarie Senior College. The project aims to empower school leaders to co-create, implement and evaluate professional learning programs that promote enhanced staff relationships. Supporting school leaders to improve staff relationships is important because staff (both teaching and school support) are key stakeholders in children’s educational outcomes (Stringer, 2013). Ensuring school staff feel valued in their school community is also of ongoing importance, particularly as staff accountability and burnout rises in the teaching profession both within Australia and internationally (Gurd, 2013; Sterrett & Irizarry, 2015). The project has two phases. Phase One included collecting and analysing baseline data across the three participant schools, as each school presents a different context, school community and organisational structure. This report outlines the findings from Phase One and the recommendations for the school based on these data

MICROFINANCE INSTITUTIONS’ SUPPORT AND GROWTH OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

This paper investigates the relationship between microfinance institutions’ (MFIs’) support and growth of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Nimule, South Sudan. We use descriptive analysis, Pearson’s linear correlation coefficient (PLCC) analysis, and ordinary least square regression analysis to evaluate the responses obtained through questionnaires and interviews. The estimates of descriptive analysis show that majority of the respondents were females (53.7%); majority (33.7%) of the respondents had secondary education; and that the majority of respondents (46.3 %) have between 6-8 years experience. Results of the quantitative analysis using PLCC revealed that positive linear relationship exists between loan provision, savings account provision, managerial skills provision and growth of SMEs in Nimule, South Sudan. Similarly, results of the regression analysis indicate that loan provision, savings account provision, and managerial skills provision have positive and significant effect on SMEs growth in Nimule. These findings indicate, amongst others, that MFIs support contributes significantly to growth of SMEs in Nimule, South Sudan. The study recommends, among others, that MFIs should adopt Microfinance-group model as well as increase provision of non-financial services, such as managerial skills trainings, for SMEs.Keywords: microfinance institutions, SMEs growth, correlation, South Sudan

Genome-wide association studies in plants: the missing heritability is in the field

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been even more successful in plants than in humans. Mapping approaches can be extended to dissect adaptive genetic variation from structured background variation in an ecological context