Infusing COVID-19 into an undergraduate parasitology research course

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global event that has impacted both how and what educators teach. An unexpected outcome of the pandemic was the ability to enhance student understanding of public health through discussion of the novel coronavirus. Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CURE) provide students with authentic research experiences in the framework of an undergraduate course. Here the reconfiguration of the Parasitology Research course as an online CURE is discussed. This course included curriculum focused not only on parasite diagnostics, but also how it relates to diagnosing COVID-19 with the aim of helping students become scientifically prepared citizens

An Interdependent Metabolic Patchwork in the Nested Symbiosis of Mealybugs

SummaryHighly reduced genomes of 144–416 kilobases have been described from nutrient-provisioning bacterial symbionts of several insect lineages [1–5]. Some host insects have formed stable associations with pairs of bacterial symbionts that live in specialized cells and provide them with essential nutrients; genomic data from these systems have revealed remarkable levels of metabolic complementarity between the symbiont pairs [3, 4, 6, 7]. The mealybug Planococcus citri (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) contains dual bacterial symbionts existing with an unprecedented organization: an unnamed gammaproteobacteria, for which we propose the name Candidatus Moranella endobia, lives inside the betaproteobacteria Candidatus Tremblaya princeps [8]. Here we describe the complete genomes and metabolic contributions of these unusual nested symbionts. We show that whereas there is little overlap in retained genes involved in nutrient production between symbionts, several essential amino acid pathways in the mealybug assemblage require a patchwork of interspersed gene products from Tremblaya, Moranella, and possibly P. citri. Furthermore, although Tremblaya has the smallest cellular genome yet described, it contains a genomic inversion present in both orientations in individual insects, starkly contrasting with the extreme structural stability typical of highly reduced bacterial genomes [4, 9, 10]

Becoming a Streamer: Using Qualitative Outcomes and Quantative Outputs to Impact Streaming Success

The purpose of this case study was to discover what it takes to become a successful streamer through the streaming platform Twitch. The measurement of streamer success i s the qualifications of becoming a Twitch Affiliate, meaning a streamer who has met the minimum requirements to be paid through the platform. The case study revealed what matters and what does not matter when it comes to increasing viewership on Twitch . Text messaging, social media, and email are helpful in gaining unique viewership and contributing to streamer success . Using external sources, such as guides and videos, can help gain skills in streaming and allow for more energy in other areas. Releasing information about upcoming streams Streaming issues and music do not l can help increase views for the upcoming stream. Streaming issues and music do not largely contribute to streamer success or failure. These results demonstrate the importance of data , and exercising patience with oneself to help using Crowd Creation fuel success on , tracking stream Twitch and other livestreaming platforms.Master of Arts in Digital Communicatio

Teacher leadership behaviors and proactive influence tactics in North Carolina public schools

This study examined teacher leadership behaviors and proactive influence tactics used among interactions of teachers in North Carolina schools. All teachers are now required to demonstrate leadership in the classroom, in the school, and in the teaching profession (North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards, 2008). Since teachers hold no formal authority over one another, teachers use a variety of influence tactics to lead peers. The conceptual framework for this study used a blend of Spillane, Halverson, and Diamond’s theory of distributed leadership, Yukl’s identification of 11 proactive influence tactics, teacher leadership behaviors aligned with the North Carolina Professional Teaching Standards, and North Carolina Standards for School Executives. This framework provided insight into how teachers lead when teachers are both leaders and followers. This study answered five research questions: 1. What leadership behaviors do teachers enact in formal and informal situations? 2. What behavioral influence tactics do teachers perceive are used on them? 3. What behavioral influence tactics do teachers use? 4. What patterns of influence among teachers are associated with teacher leadership behaviors in formal and informal situations? 5. How does principal support influence teacher leadership? This study used a correlational, cross-sectional research design. The sample consisted of classroom teachers in seven school districts across the state (N = 493). A Teacher Leadership Behavior Questionnaire was used to explore specific teacher leadership behaviors and the target and agent versions of Yukl’s Influence Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) were used to measure behavioral influence tactics used among teachers. Teacher leadership behaviors were categorized into six different groups based on situation: informal classroom, formal classroom, informal school, formal school, informal profession, and formal profession. Creating and maintaining a safe and supportive classroom environment had the highest percentage of high-frequency behavior. Conversely, few respondents said they very often develop policies or lead professional development outside of their school. The proactive influence tactic respondents reported being used most frequently on them as targets was facts and logic to make a persuasive case for a request or proposal. Proactive influence tactics that used pressure were reportedly used the least often on respondents. Demanding to carry out a request was the behavior with the lowest percentage of frequency. Similarly, as agents of influence, the most frequently used proactive influence tactic respondents reported using was facts and logic to make a persuasive case for a request or proposal. Very few respondents reported frequent use of pressure tactics or demanding a colleague carry out a request. There was a statistically significant association between pressure tactics and formal school and formal profession leadership. Agent non-pressure tactics and target 10 non-pressure tactics were both statistically significantly and positively associated with informal school, formal school, informal profession, and formal profession situations. Principal support was statistically significantly associated with teacher leadership. In all six situations of teacher leadership behavior, the means were higher when principal support was higher. Findings indicate it is incumbent upon the North Carolina State Board of Education, local school districts, principals, and teachers themselves, to develop leadership skills among teachers. In addition, if the use and acceptance of pressure tactics when leading in education increased, North Carolina public schools may experience an increase in the number of teachers leading in our schools and profession

Curated Conferences to Strengthen Equity Leadership Capacity: A Case Study of Aspiring School Leaders

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to determine whether a Curated Conference Learning Experience (CCLE) could stimulate new learning or deepen existing learning around leadership for equity by engaging four andragogical theories: critical theory and praxis, new learning, guided learning, and reflective learning within a community of practice. Faculty members selected sessions focused on equity, provided journal prompts, and conducted focus groups for 13 students enrolled in a Masters of School Administration program at national educational leadership conference. Findings indicate new and strengthened learning in the areas of (1) relationship building; (2) understanding identity and co-constructing leadership for equity; (3) roadblocks and realizations; (4) connection to previous coursework; and (5) increased commitment to equity work. Our conceptual framework can be applied across disciplines for more intentional, pedagogical designs for transformative student conference learning

\u3ci\u3eNurudea zhengii\u3c/i\u3e Ren, A New Species of the \u3ci\u3eRhus\u3c/i\u3e Gall Aphids (Aphididae: Eriosomatinae: Fordini) from Eastern China

A new Rhus gall aphid species Nurudea zhengii Ren, sp. nov. collected from the Mountain Qixing in Shangrao County, Jiangxi Province, China is described and illustrated from alate viviparous female. The new species differs from the other Nurudea species in the length and proportion of antennal segments, the structure of antennal secondary sensilla, and the flower-like shape of the galls that are formed on its primary host. Its primary host plant is Rhus hypoleuca, whereas other Nurudea species are on R. chinensis

The Geological Record and Phylogeny of Spider Wasps (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae): A Revision of Fossil Species and Their Phylogenetic Placement

Accurate fossil identification has become increasingly relevant with the widespread use of phylogenetic divergence time estimation methods, which rely on fossil data to determine clade hard-minimum ages. Here we revise, diagnose and illustrate known spider wasp (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae) fossil species and place them within the latest Pompilidae phylogenetic hypothesis. Ceropalites infelix Cockerell, from the Florissant Fossil Beds (Priabonian), is no longer recognized as Pompilidae, but as Aulacidae. Agenioideus saxigenus (Cockerell) comb. nov., Deuteragenia wettweri (Statz) comb. nov., Caputelus scudderi (Cockerell, 1906) comb. nov., Pepsinites avitula (Cockerell, 1941) comb. nov., Pepsinites contentus (Theobald, 1937) comb. nov., Pepsinites florissantensis (Cockerell, 1906) comb. nov., Pepsinites laminarum (Rohwer, 1909) comb. nov., Pepsinites scelerosus (Meunier, 1919) comb. nov., Pepsinites cockerellae(Rohwer, 1909) comb. nov., Pompilinites coquandi (Theobald, 1937) comb. nov., Pompilinites depressus (Statz, 1936) comb. nov., Pompilites incertus (Theobald, 1937) comb. nov.,Pompilites induratus (Heer, 1849) comb. nov., Pompilites fasciatus (Theobald, 1937) comb. nov., and Pompilites senex comb. nov. are new combinations. Twenty-three fossil species of spider wasps are now recognized in 13 genera. Four new genera are proposed: CaputelusWaichert & Pitts gen. nov., Pompilites Rodriguez gen. nov., Pompilinites Rodriguez & Waichert gen. nov., and Pepsinites Rodriguez & Waichert gen. nov., of which the three latter are collective-group names for fossils with taxonomic uncertainty. One species of fossil spider wasp is described: Deuteragenia catalunyia Rodriguez, Waichert & Pitts sp. nov., from the Bellver deposits in Catalonia, Spain. Five of the 23 known species can be used to determine hard-minimum age for calibrations of genera stem-groups (Agenioideus, Anoplius, Cryptocheilus, Deuteragenia, Priocnemis). The fossil belonging to the stem-group of the tribe Ageniellini (Chubutholites) is not recommended for calibration because of the high uncertainty in its age and taxonomy. The remaining taxa can be assigned to the lineage comprising Pompilinae + Pepsinae (12 species) or crown-group Pompilidae (four species)

First American records of Aphis Intybi (Hemiptera: Aphididae) with notes on two other related adventive species in Argentina

P.1154-1162Aphis intybi Koch is recorded for the first time in North and South America. Measurements for the identification of this species in comparison with Aphis craccivora Koch are given. Aphis cytisorum Hartig is recorded for the third time in Argentina. Data on morphological variation, geographical distribution, and host plants of these species in Argentina are provided. Their morphological identification is supported by comparison of DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (DNA barcode) and subunit 2.S