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INTEGRATIVE APPROACH FOR EVALUATING THE EFFECTS OF LANDSCAPE FEATURES ON SNAKE MOVEMENT BEHAVIOR: CASE STUDY WITH TIMBER RATTLESNAKES (Crotalus horridus) AND ROADWAYS**
No full textHistorically, using radio telemetry to estimate the total extent of space used by individual snakes (i.e., home range size) has represented an important tool for inferring movement-based responses to prominent landscape features, such as roads. However, recent works have shown that traditional home range estimators carry significant limitations, and often hinder robust evaluation of spatial responses to specific landscape features. Furthermore, the estimate of an animal’s home range size alone largely ignores the equally important temporal dimension of animal movement, as individuals can alter the frequency and duration of movements independent of spatial shifts in home range sizes. In an effort to develop a method enabling a more comprehensive evaluation of the spatial and temporal movement snakes to landscape features, we are integrating emerging spatial analyses with tri-axial accelerometry in Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) from the lower Piedmont in central Georgia. Spatial data from radio telemetry will be used to calculate dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models (dBBMMs) for estimating and visualizing movement pathways of individual rattlesnakes. Accelerometers will simultaneously provide long-term and continuous activity budgets to quantify “real-time” movement patterns. By combining these methods, we hope to provide a widely applicable and improved methodological framework for investigating the interactions between snakes and landscape heterogeneity
Zebrafish (Danio rerio) Hoxb6: An Exploration into the Divergence of Genomic DNA Sequence and Gene Expression Across Teleost Fishes Post-Genome Duplication
Get PDFHoxb6 is an evolutionarily conserved developmental regulatory gene that functions, in part, to pattern several organs and organ systems within the embryonic trunk during vertebrate embryogenesis. The cis-regulatory circuitry mediating trunk expression in mouse (Mus musculus) may be conserved across gnathostome vertebrates, as several other species show similar trunk expression patterns, including chicken (Gallus gallus), dogfish shark (Scyliorhinus canicula), and several teleost fishes. A whole genome duplication event that occurred in the lineage leading to teleost fishes has generated at least two Hoxb6 genes, hoxb6a and b6b. Two teleost fishes of the superorder Acanthopterygii, Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), exhibit divergent Hoxb6 expression patterns from those of non-teleost vertebrates. This includes an anterior expansion of expression for both hoxb6a and b6b into pharyngeal arch 7, the posterior-most pharyngeal arch that, along with the other posterior pharyngeal arches, gives rise to the pharyngeal jaw apparatus in teleost fishes. While these patterns of expression are observed for both duplicate Hoxb6 genes in Acanthopterygians, it is uncertain whether this pharyngeal arch expression is shared with other teleost taxa. Here we present the expression patterns of hoxb6a and b6b in zebrafish (Danio rerio), a member of the Ostariophysi superorder. We show that, unlike the strict orthologs from medaka and tilapia, zebrafish hoxb6a is expressed in pharyngeal arches 5-7, whereas hoxb6b is not expressed in any of the pharyngeal arches. Further, we show through comparative genomic DNA sequence analyses that, although all teleost-specific sequences exhibit moderate conservation with the region functionally tested in mouse, zebrafish hoxb6a and b6b exhibit little to no conservation in sequence with their strict orthologs of medaka or tilapia outside of this region. Our data suggest that divergence in the cis-regulatory circuitry post-genome duplication has generated divergent hoxb6a and b6b expression patterns among teleost fishes
DIGITAL TEXTBOOK FOR SURVEY OF CHEMISTRY I & II**
No full textModern age students need knowledge in a different format, preferably on mobile electronic devices. A big obstacle for student success is skyrocketing textbook price. An open source free educational resource (OER) for the non-science major students who are taking college level Survey of Chemistry I & II Courses(CHEM 1151 & CHEM 1152) has been prepared and implemented in classroom in Fall\u2719 and spring’21. This project has been funded by ALG, TTG round# 12 & 17 in 2018 & 2020 respectively. This eBook features several simulations based learning activities tied to interactive questions and quizzes, videos. Concept is emphasized using PHET simulation, Molecular Workbench, Chemistry Solutions, Merlot, and free video sites. Teaching materials include chapter presentations, voice over narratives and test bank for instructors use. A separate website was created for teaching using the eBook https://chemistrylearningbydoing.org. More than 1000 students are currently the website as textbook. Currently, 14 instructors are using this eBook for their courses as standard textbook across the PC campus. CHEM 1151 eBook was completed by spring 2019 and implemented in classroom in fall 2019. Currently, CHEM 1152 eBook is getting reviewed and expected to be implemented in spring\u2721. Both qualitative and quantitative analysis have been done with e-text. Students have been tested using nationally standardized ACS exam and positive feedback from the students is obtained through survey questionnaire. Students quiz and test performance increased by more than 14% and 21% for some classes, performance was comparable on ACS exam using the eBook compared to standard textbook. Comparison of final exam for CHEM 1152 course is yet to be determined at this moment. The future goal is to establish this supplementary textbook as standard textbook with all needed benefits of the regular textbook to assist students in reading and understanding the material to succeed in this course
Number 1, Program of the Annual Meeting
Get PDFThe annual meeting of the Georgia Academy of Science took place April 16–18, 2021, virtually. Presentations were provided by members of the Academy who represented the following sections: I. Biological Sciences, II. Chemistry, III. Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, IV. Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Engineering, & Technology, V. Biomedical Sciences, VI. Philosophy & History of Science, VII. Science Education, and VIII. Anthropology
PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON OVERWINTERING PATTERNS IN EASTERN BOX TURTLES (TERRAPENE CAROLINA) **
No full textIn ectothermic animals, environmental temperatures cause alterations in activity, cellular metabolism, and physiological processes. To compensate for nonoptimal temperatures and resource scarcity that often accompany seasonal patterns, some ectotherms undergo brumation, during which their metabolism is slowed to conserve energy needed for future emergence, growth, and reproduction. Globally, winter temperatures are becoming milder, with January 2020 being the hottest January on record, and January 2016 the second hottest. Warmer temperatures during brumation can increase mortality or decrease fitness in ectotherms by increasing metabolism during over-wintering, which can cause significant body mass loss. Mild temperatures may also interfere with physiological mechanisms that regulate emergence from over-wintering. Early emergence presents a risk to ectotherms as spring food sources may not be available, and they may be unable to burrow to safe depths to avoid sudden decreases in temperature that can occur in spring. Body mass losses compounded with early emergence could hinder reproduction which could affect population persistence. Turtles make up a large group of ecologically significant ectotherms since they contribute a wide variety of ecosystem services, including soil maintenance, ecosystem restoration, and seed disbursement. Despite their importance however, many turtle populations are experiencing declines and research on turtles is lacking, especially during overwintering periods. Since 2013, we have documented overwintering patterns and locations in a population of Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene carolina) in northeastern Georgia using radiotelemetry. In 2019, we added temperature data loggers (iButtons ®) that record environmental and individual turtle temperatures every 3 hours. We plan to observe emergence from brumation and its relationship with temperature in Eastern Box Turtles to increase our understanding of how temperature fluctuations could influence overwintering activities in ectotherms
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MIXTURES OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR WITH DEMETHYLATION INHIBITORS (DMI) AND QUINONE OUTSIDE INHIBITORS (QOI) ON THE MANAGEMENT OF RUST (PUCCINIA ARACHIDIS) OF PEANUT
No full textThe most common way to manage foliar diseases of peanut (Arachis hypogaea) in Georgia is by a pattern of protectant and/or synthetic fungicide applications. Within the last decade, these protectants and synthetic fungicides have in some cases become less effective in control of early leaf spot caused by the fungus Passalora arachidicola and late leaf spot caused by the fungus Nothopassalora personta in peanut. Studies have shown that mixing synthetic fungicides with elemental sulfur has greater control over the severity of late leaf spot in peanut, brown rot in peach caused by the fungus Monilinia fructicola, and powdery mildew in nectarines caused by the fungus Sphaerotheca pannosa. Could these mixtures be used to control the severity of other fungi, like rust in peanut caused by Puccinia arachidis? The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mixtures of elemental sulfur with demethylation inhibitors (DMI) and quinone outside inhibitors (QoI) on the management of rust of peanut. A field study was conducted in Tifton, Ga in 2020 with four replications of the following treatments: 1) nontreated control, 2) elemental sulfur, 3) DMI fungicide alone, 4) elemental sulfur mixed with a DMI fungicide, 5) QoI fungicide alone, and 6) elemental sulfur mixed with a QoI fungicide. Rust incidence was assessed between August 28th and October 16th on leaves of 10 lateral or central branches collected from each plot weekly. A 9-point scale rating system was used for rust severity. The QoI performed better than the DMI alone. Adding sulfur to each did not reduce disease incidence or severity. Unlike studies with other fungal pathogens, these results suggest that the addition of elemental sulfur to synthetic fungicide is likely not effective for rust management in peanut
TRENCH REPORT OF TEACHING INTRO ASTRO ONLINE 20 YEARS
No full textThis is a report on insights gained from teaching Introductory Astronomy Online asynchronously for non-science majors at a non-residential 2 year college with a diverse, metro-urban, non-traditional student population. These students are a good representation of the general population in experiencing complex and challenging life situations (family, work, technology access, finances) while furthering their own education. Historically, online classes have much lower retention rates than face-to-face classes. Online students\u27 success depends on many factors, such as the individual (preparedness, motivation, life circumstances), ability to interact with the teacher and classmates (email, discussion comments, assessment feedback), and quality of course content and structure (Learning Management System, course layout, type and format of learning objects). This is especially challenging for non-science majors in more quantitatively and technologically challenging courses like Online Introductory Astronomy Laboratories. Students face their STEM-phobia while isolated in space and time by technology. An examination of Common Course Assessment results in 2012 showed that online students who passed the course with grades of ABC had reached the same level of mastery as their face-to-face counterparts – pointing to the need to increase retention. Forming virtual study groups proved to be unfeasible due to online students\u27 drastically divergent life schedules as shown by a voluntary student availability survey. In 2016, a college wide early performance alert initiative provided another potential retention booster. Instructors contacted students about developing a plan for success a few weeks into the semester if they had not met certain criteria for a passing at that time. The effect of these early alerts on student retention and performance was measured with ABC/DWF percentages compared to their face-to-face equivalents before and after the intervention. Tentative results show that early alerts involving students\u27 class performance increase the retention of subsequently successful students in the online Intro Astronomy Lab sections
Erratum: A NON-LINEAR APPROXIMATE SOLUTION TO THE DAMPED PENDULUM DERIVED USING THE METHOD OF SUCCESSIVE APPROXIMATIONS [Georgia Journal of Science, Vol. 76, No. 2, Article 9]
Get PDFIn an earlier publication [Hill and Hasbun, 2018] considered an approximate solution to the damped pendulum, named the improved modified method of successive approximations (IMMSA), and compared it to an approximation from the work of [Johannessen, 2014]. Here, a correction is made to that comparison due to an error made in calculating Johannessen\u27s approximation
Dr Charles Henry Turner: A Pioneer in Animal Cognition and Intelligence
No full textCharles Henry Turner (1867-1923) was the first African-American to obtain graduate degrees from the University of Cincinnati (M.S., 1892) and the third from the University of Chicago (Ph.D., 1907). From about 1893 to 1905 Turner served as Chair of the Science department of Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia. However, in 1908, he assumed a teaching position at Sumner High School and remained there until 1922. In total, he published 70 papers on invertebrates (ants, cockroaches, honeybees, sand wasps and spiders), providing experimental proof that insects can hear, distinguish sound pitch, see color and patterns, and learn through trial and error. Turner is currently considered by many to be the father of the study of animal cognition and intelligence. We examine his family and social backgrounds, his research results, and his contributions to the achievement of racial and educational equality in St. Louis, Missouri
THE QUANTUM HYPOTHESES OF THE BOHR MODEL, A HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE*
No full textBohr’s model for a nuclear one-electron atom is obtained by integrating Planck’s constant into a classically derived expression describing the equilibrium of an electron orbiting in a stationary state orbital. While the status quo understanding is that Bohr did so by applying an ad hoc assumption that angular momentum was conserved, Bohr historically applied a variation of Plank’s theory in 1913 to derive his model. Bohr subsequently recognized angular momentum quantization as the essential hypothesis of his model, the Bohr Hypothesis. However, angular momentum quantization with respect to atomic structure predated the Bohr model, and its transition from outcome to basis occurred within the early quantum period. The relevant questions then to consider is why did Bohr derive his model via Planck’s theory, and why did angular momentum quantization replace Planck’s theory as a basis for deriving Bohr’s model