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ChemEscape: Educational battle box puzzle activities for engaging outreach and active learning in general chemistry
No full textEscape rooms are physical adventure games where players solve a series of puzzles and riddles. Using clues and hints participants focus on completing a series of tasks within a set time frame. Because participants of escape rooms interact with a variety of challenging problems in an experiential manner they are of interest as active learning tools. To engagingly accommodate a broad audience, however, the puzzles in traditional escape rooms have limited requirements for specialized participant skills or knowledge. In contrast, ChemEscape strives to both engage and have participants enhance and apply discipline specific skills and knowledge during puzzle solution. This is achieved by incorporating opportunities to learn about objectives and hands-on problem-solving skills typical of research-based experiences. Described herein are four hands-on general chemistry puzzles for use in the novel Battle Box design at the grade 4–12 level and first year general chemistry
Case report of a mare diagnosed with a metastatic mammary carcinoma after the excision of a recurrent intraocular neuroepithelial tumor
No full textA 24-year-old Irish Cob mare was presented with a peripheral iris mass, which was surgically resected and diagnosed as an undifferentiated neuroepithelial tumor. A few months later, a relapse occurred with histological features characterized by a more solid appearance and squamous differentiation. Subsequently, the mare was presented with rapidly spreading multiple subcutaneous masses and, at the onset of neurological signs, was humanely euthanized and subjected to a complete post mortem examination. The necropsy confirmed the presence of numerous widespread masses in the subcutaneous tissue, several internal organs, and mammary gland. Histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) examinations were performed on all masses, allowing the diagnosis of mammary carcinoma with several visceral and subcutaneous metastases. Considering the post mortem findings, the second intraocular mass was submitted to histological and IHC re-evaluation to differentiate it from an intraocular metastasis of the mammary carcinoma. The results of the histological and IHC analyses confirmed the diagnosis of neuroepithelial tumor relapse. This is the first case of a metastatic mammary carcinoma concurrent with a recurrent intraocular neuroepithelial tumor in a mare. This case was a challenge for both clinicians and pathologists involved and highlighted the importance of post mortem and IHC evaluations
Conquering Switzerland: the emergence of Angiostrongylus vasorum in foxes over three decades and its rapid regional increase in prevalence contrast with the stable occurrence of lungworms
No full textAngiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis and Capillaria aerophila are the most common lungworms of domestic and wild canids. We investigated the short- and long-term lungworm prevalence changes in the Swiss fox population with a focus on A. vasorum. Between 2012 and 2017, lungs and hearts of 533 foxes from north-eastern Switzerland were necropsied and blood samples tested for circulating A. vasorum antigen. Angiostrongylus vasorum prevalence increased steadily from 21.5% in 2012 to 81.8% in 2017. In contrast, C. aerophila and C. vulpis prevalences fluctuated between 41.8 and 74.7%, and 3.6 and 14.9%, respectively. Based on 3955 blood samples collected between 1986 and 2017 from three geographic areas and during four time periods, antigen seropositivity increased from 2.4 to 62.0%. In north-eastern Switzerland, seropositivity was initially low (1.9 and 1.7% in the first two time periods) but increased in the following two decades to 22.2 and 62.0%, respectively. Our findings depict the spectacular expansion of A. vasorum in the past three decades. Regionally, the prevalence in foxes increased 4-fold within 6 years in some regions. This underpins the important role of foxes as reservoir hosts, likely explaining the increasing number of cases of canine angiostrongylosis in Switzerland. Our findings are representative of central Europe and may help anticipating future developments in areas where A. vasorum is present but (still) infrequent
Characteristics of intrahousehold interdog aggression and dog and pair factors associated with a poor outcome
No full textApproximating solutions of fredholm integral equations via a general spline maximum entropy method
No full textIn this paper, we describe a general spline maximum entropy method for the approximation of solutions for solving Fredholm integral equations. The general spline maximum entropy method allows to extract piecewise linear, piecewise quadratic, piecewise cubic, piecewise quartic, piecewise quintic and other maximum entropy methods for solving Fredholm integral equations. We present numerical examples of piecewise linear, piecewise quadratic, piecewise cubic, piecewise quartic, piecewise quintic and other piecewise maximum entropy methods for solving Fredholm integral equations of second kind and first kind respectively. A proof of convergence for the piecewise spline maximum entropy method is also presented
Evaluation of influence of milk urea nitrogen on reproductive performance in smallholder dairy farms
No full textObjective
The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and reproductive performance in dairy cows in western Thailand.
Design
All cows calving from November 2014 to April 2015 were included in the study, a total of 486 cows from 47 farms. Each cow had milk constituents and MUN tested monthly up to confirmed conception or until the 8th month after parturition. Each farm had a dietary assessment completed. Cox proportional hazard models with shared frailty were used to determine associations of conception rate.
Results
Cows became pregnant increasingly quickly over time, except during 100–150 days of lactation. A change in MUN from 12.5 to 13.5 mg/dL on the closet day to breeding was associated with a 5% decrease in conception. Milk protein was negatively associated with hazard of conception, whereas milk lactose and dietary protein:energy ratio had positive associations with conception rate. Breeding season was also significant; the highest conception rate was observed in cows inseminated during winter, whereas insemination during the humid rainy season resulted in the lowest conception rates. The farm random effect in the model was strongly significant.
Conclusion
Detrimental effects of higher MUN on rate of conception were identified. The rate of conception was positively associated with protein:energy ratio in the study. Therefore, good nutritional management leading to positive energy balance should benefit conception rates
Effects of Calliandra and Sesbania on daily milk production in dairy cows on commercial smallholder farms in Kenya
No full textThere is a growing interest in protein supplementation of dairy-cow diets using leguminous shrubs. The study objective was to ascertain the association between diet supplementation with Calliandra calothyrsus and Sesbania sesban and milk production in dairy cattle on commercial smallholder farms. This trial involved 235 cows from 80 smallholder dairy farms in Kenya randomly allocated to 4 intervention groups: (1) receiving Calliandra and Sesbania and nutritional advice; (2) receiving reproductive medicines and advice; (3) receiving both group 1 and 2 interventions; and (4) receiving neither intervention. Farm nutritional practices and management data were collected in a questionnaire, and subsequent physical examinations, mastitis tests, and milk production of cows on the farm were monitored approximately monthly for 16 months. Descriptive and univariable statistical analyses were conducted, and multivariable mixed-model regression was used for identification of factors associated () with daily milk production. The mean milk production was 6.39 liters/cow/day (SD = 3.5). Feeding Calliandra/Sesbania to cows was associated () with an increase in milk produced by at least 1 liter/cow/day with each kg fed. Other variables positively associated with ln daily milk production in the final model included feeding of Napier grass, amount of silage and dairy meal fed, body condition score, and appetite of the cow. Other variables negatively associated with ln daily milk production in the final model included amount of maize germ fed, days in milk, sudden feed changes, pregnancy, and subclinical mastitis. In conclusion, our field trial data suggest that use of Calliandra/Sesbania through agroforestry can improve milk production in commercial smallholder dairy farms in Kenya. Agroforestry land use systems can be adopted as a way for dairy farmers to cope with feed shortages and low crude protein in farm-available feeds for their cows
Perfluoroalkyl acids potentiate glutamate excitotoxicity in rat cerebellar granule neurons
No full textPerfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are persistent man-made chemicals, ubiquitous in nature and present in human samples. Although restrictions are being introduced, they are still used in industrial processes as well as in consumer products. PFAAs cross the blood-brain-barrier and have been observed to induce adverse neurobehavioural effects in humans and animals as well as adverse effects in neuronal in vitro studies. The sulfonated PFAA perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), has been shown to induce excitotoxicity via the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) in cultures of rat cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). In the present study the aim was to further characterise PFOS-induced toxicity (1–60 μM) in rat CGNs, by examining interactions between PFOS and elements of glutamatergic signalling and excitotoxicity. Effects of the carboxylated PFAA, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA, 300–500 μM) on the same endpoints were also examined. During experiments in immature cultures at days in vitro (DIV) 8, PFOS increased both the potency and efficacy of glutamate, whereas in mature cultures at DIV 14 only increased potency was observed. PFOA also increased potency at DIV 14. PFOS-enhanced glutamate toxicity was further antagonised by the competitive NMDA-R antagonist 3-((R)-2-Carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP) at DIV 8. At DIV 8, PFOS also induced glutamate release (9–13 fold increase vs DMSO control) after 1−3 and 24 h exposure, whereas for PFOA a large (80 fold) increase was observed, but only after 24 h. PFOS and PFOA both also increased alanine and decreased serine levels after 24 h exposure. In conclusion, our results indicate that PFOS at concentrations relevant in an occupational setting, may be inducing excitotoxicity, and potentiation of glutamate signalling, via an allosteric action on the NMDA-R or by actions on other elements regulating glutamate release or NMDA-R function. Our results further support our previous findings that PFOS and PFOA at equipotent concentrations induce toxicity via different mechanisms of action
A workshop for interprofessional trainees using the geriatrics 5Ms framework [online ahead of print]
No full textBACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
Interprofessional trainees need geriatrics training to prepare them to care for our aging population. Team‐based care will help them be ready to work in an Age‐Friendly Health System. The Geriatrics 5Ms provides a framework to engage learners in five main domains of caring for older adults from an interprofessional perspective: Mobility, Mind, Medications, Multicomplexity, and what Matters Most.
DESIGN
We created a half‐day workshop for interprofessional trainees using the Geriatric 5Ms framework to increase their preparedness in caring for older adults as part of an interprofessional team.
SETTING
The New England Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center.
PARTICIPANTS
A total of 66 trainees from 10 professions.
INTERVENTION
After introductory sessions on careers in aging, participants engaged in an interactive session to learn about the professions represented. They then formed interprofessional groups to discuss a patient case using the Geriatrics 5Ms framework with a modified jigsaw format.
MEASUREMENTS
Trainees were surveyed before and after the workshop on their attitudes toward careers in aging, understanding of skills and training paths of other professions, and familiarity with the Geriatrics 5Ms framework.
RESULTS
Overall, 97% of the trainees rated the workshop highly. Trainee ratings significantly increased in the areas of understanding of other professions, and familiarity and applicability of the Geriatrics 5Ms, particularly for nonphysicians.
CONCLUSION
A workshop for interprofessional trainees using the Geriatrics 5Ms framework increased the readiness of trainees to care for older adults as part of an interprofessional team. This workshop offers a promising model for needed interprofessional geriatrics education.VA Boston Healthcare Syste
Advancing Your Confidence as an Educator (ACE): An academic-VA partnership to enhance educator skills and improve attitudes about careers in aging [advanced online publication]
No full textPrevious research suggests some psychologists may not consider academic careers because of doubts about their teaching competency, and this is especially true for psychologists interested in aging (i.e., geropsychologists). To enhance competencies in the practice of education, we developed a webinar series, Advancing Your Confidence as an Educator, to bolster skills and attitudes toward teaching and improve attitudes about careers in aging. Seven hour-long webinars addressed key skills in developing and executing courses and professional presentations, and 2 panel sessions addressed attitudes toward teaching by featuring early- and later-career professionals discussing their paths to and satisfaction with jobs as educators. Attendance across the highly interactive sessions was robust (M = 50). Evaluation data suggest the webinar was effective in meeting educational needs. To promote sustainable impact, the webinars are archived and freely available online. Challenges in marketing and evaluation arose, but overall, this effort is one way of cultivating a more vigorous interest and self-confidence in teaching