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Data for: Comparison of neutral argon R-matrix calculations with experimentally determined apparent cross sections, and the importance of time-dependent metastables in the modeling of low temperature argon plasmas
No full textNeutral argon is an important element in a wide range of low temperature plasma applications. Calculations are presented here for the electron-impact excitation cross sections and Maxwellian rate coefficients for neutral argon using the Breit-Pauli R-matrix with PseudoStates (BPRMPS) method. The theoretical cross-section results are compared with experimental apparent cross-section measurements and theoretical data. Spectral modeling using the theoretical data in a collisional-radiative model is performed and compared with observations from the ALEXIS plasma device at Auburn University for wavelengths ranging from 725 nm to 845 nm. The importance is shown of diagnosing the neutral Ar metastable behavior for the plasma before performing any spectral analysis. For the ALEXIS plasma, a time-dependent model, accounting for non-steady-state metastables, produces good agreement with the observed spectral intensities and shows an expected trend with plasma pressure
Advancing Computer Science Education for Pre-Service Teachers: A Case from Auburn University
Full text linkThis brief highlights the need to prepare pre-service teachers (PSTs) to effectively teach computer science (CS) at the K–6 level. In response to Alabama’s Computer Science Bill (Act 2019-389), Auburn University developed a CS education course for PSTs in early childhood, elementary, and special education programs. Survey data from nearly 200 PSTs show that while over 84% support the state policy, many initially lacked confidence in their CS knowledge and teaching ability. However, after completing the required course, PSTs reported significant gains in both knowledge and confidence, and a more positive perception of CS education. These findings emphasize the importance of integrating CS training into teacher preparation programs and the need for continued policy support to ensure all students benefit from early exposure to CS
Radiocarbon and guano accumulation rate data from Cave Springs Cave
No full textThis dataset contains radiocarbon and guano accumulation data from a core collected from Cave Springs Cave in Morgan County, Alabama. The radiocarbon samples were collected from the guano core and were used to calculated the accumulation rate data
‘Trailblazer’: The Life of Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon
Full text linkImagine the scene. It's the early summer of 1866. We're standing in the spacious entrance hall of Aubrey House, a Georgian mansion in Holland Park, west London, belonging to Clementia Taylor and her husband Peter. The Taylors are radical social reformers who host various clubs and support groups for the dispossessed..
Identification of transcriptome markers in blue catfish cryopreserved sperm to predict male reproductive performance for catfish aquaculture
No full textIn hybrid catfish aquaculture, hatch success varies significantly using cryopreserved sperm from different males, but current phenotypic assays only explain a fraction of observed variations. We profiled the sperm transcriptome of 30 blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) males, whose cryopreserved sperm yielded a hatch success from 14 to 63%. Transcriptome study through RNA sequencing identified 3,850 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between high-hatch-success (HHS) and low‑hatch‑success (LHS) groups (log2(fold change) > 2 and FDR < 0.05). More than 95% of these DEGs were retained in fresh sperm, demonstrating that intrinsic molecular differences, rather than cryopreservation, drive fertility variation. In LHS sperm, upregulation of mitophagy, autophagy, RNA degradation, and cilium‑assembly pathways was observed, consistent with cellular stress and motility deficiencies. Spearman correlation across all males identified 27 annotated DEGs strongly associated with hatch success, of which the positive marker trpm4a and negative markers kmt2b and zbtb33 were validated by qRT‑PCR (P < 0.05). A random‑forest regression model combining the six most informative transcriptomic markers with testosterone level and initial motility achieved high predictivity with ρ = 0.77 between predicted and observed hatch success (P < 0.001), outperforming models based on either data type alone. These findings establish a compact panel that can be implemented as a multiplex qPCR assay to guide broodstock selection, reduce gamete wastage, and enhance fry output. Our work continues to build the foundation to extend marker validation across hatcheries, explore causal mechanisms via functional genomics, and incorporate epigenetic features to further refine predictive accuracy. Ultimately, this framework will support profitable and sustainable catfish aquaculture operations
Data for Linking Phosphorus Dynamics with Hypereutrophic Conditions on the Millennial Scale: The Paleolimnology of Shallow and Subtropical Lake Wauberg, Florida, USA
No full textEutrophication of aquatic ecosystems results in the proliferation of harmful algal blooms (HABs), posing a global challenge to water quality and ecosystem services. Whereas eutrophication has been linked to nutrient additions of nitrogen and phosphorus in conjunction with human activities over the last few decades, much less understanding has developed on water quality trends when nutrient additions persist for centuries or even millennia. Here, we used paleolimnological techniques to reconstruct eutrophication and cyanobacteria dynamics in Lake Wauberg, FL, USA, a lake that has experienced millennial-scale nutrient additions from natural phosphate geology. We measured photosynthetic pigments, cyanotoxins, and nutrient concentrations on a sediment core spanning the last ~6,900 years of lake history. Our primary hypothesis is that the long-term total phosphorus (TP) additions caused constant cyanobacteria dominance throughout the entire history of the lake. Results show that long-term P deposition in Lake Wauberg existed within two different hydrological conditions. Focusing on the last 5 ka BP, which represent the period of constant lake conditions, photosynthetic pigments and cyanotoxins demonstrated a strong positive relationship with TP over other nutrients. By dividing TP inputs into three levels, primary producers positively increased with low and high TP inputs but showed no change under moderate levels. Under high (2.2-3 mg g⁻¹) and extreme (>3 mg g⁻¹) TP sedimentary concentrations over the last 0.3 ka BP, substantial increases in cyanobacteria abundance, rapid production of microcystins (MCs), and a possible shift to N-fixation occurred. These data show that chronic and additive TP inputs can produce asynchronous responses in the primary producer community and MC concentrations with substantial increases occurring at higher TP thresholds. Linking the historic ecological response to TP periods with current limnological conditions could provide new directions in forecasting and managing aquatic ecosystems that experience chronic TP inputs.PublishedYe
Supplementary Files: Apalachicola Redhorse Description
No full textA new species is being described for the Apalachicola Redhorse, which is found in the Apalachicola River basin of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia as well as Econfina Creek in Florida. The files include 1) mensural data for the species (there is also included a separate file with definitions of codes used in the main file), 2) measurements of skeletal characteristics, and 3) the model for determine interconnectedness of eastern Gulf of Mexico tributaries.In pressYe
Improving Student Literacy in Agriculture: An Approach Through AI Partnerships
Full text linkThis professional presentation titled “Improving Student Literacy in Agriculture: An Approach Through AI Partnerships” provides strategies for integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into agricultural education to enhance student literacy and critical thinking. Specific findings from previous research highlighted a “pedagogical adoption gap” among educators, where the primary challenge is not a lack of technical skill but a need for confidence in the methods and reasons for using AI in the classroom. The authors propose that agricultural educators’ diverse experiences with technology should be viewed as a strength. The authors recommended best practices, including practicing the “human in the loop”, teaching students to evaluate AI-generated content critically, and focusing on the learning process that occurs through thoughtful prompting
Research Brief: Impacts of Student-Weighted Funding
No full textStudent weighted funding is the most widely used means to ensure schools have enough money to provide for the differing needs of students. However, research suggests the benefits of student weighted funding go well beyond adequate resources for specific-needs students, offering significant improvements in (1) general education programming; (2) more targeted and efficient usage of tax dollars, and (3) long-term benefits including higher property values, improved business investments, and lower social costs. While there are considerable differences in how effective student weighted formulae are, they provide the capacity for a more efficient and calibrated use of tax dollars with community-wide benefits
Neural correlates of suppressed spatial learning in zebra finches exposed to methylmercury DATA
No full textThis dataset includes the neural total population, density, thresholding percentages (area covered) for neural data for birds that went through spatial memory trials. Bird information is also included