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The Road Less Traveled: A Pathway Leading to Research at a Primarily Undergraduate Institution
Get PDFScholarly activities in primarily undergraduate institutions involve very different challenges from those in major research universities. In this essay, the author discusses how he initiated a research program involving undergraduates at Illinois State University following a number of missteps and false starts. Although undergraduate researchers have much to learn, and the levels of commitment vary considerably, they can nevertheless often make important contributions
Pesticide and Pathogen Exposure Causes Idiosyncratic Gene Expression Responses Across Four Diverse North American Bumble Bee Species
Get PDFBumble bee (Bombus Latreille) populations of certain species have declined precipitously in North America over several decades. Hypotheses for declines include exposure to the pathogen Nosema bombi and neonicotinoid pesticides. Importantly, populations of some bumble bee species remain stable despite their presumed exposure to these same stressors. We hypothesise that declining and stable species exhibit distinct responses to N. bombi and neonicotinoids, detectable as differential gene expression profiles. To test this, we exposed larvae of Bombus occidentalis (declining) and B. impatiens (stable) to N. bombi and to the neonicotinoid imidacloprid, plus a combination of both. RNA-seq analysis revealed almost no overlap between these species in gene expression responses to the individual stressors. There was more overlap of differentially expressed genes for the combined-stressor condition, but hundreds of genes still showed species-specific expression differences. To test whether the differential molecular responses could be associated with declining and stable species, we performed quantitative PCR on 20 selected genes, adding two additional species B. terricola (declining) and B. griseocollis (stable). These responses did not separate out by species decline status; each of the four species exhibit species-specific responses. Overall, these results highlight that generalising mechanisms and causes of decline across different species may be misleading, as diverse species respond molecularly in a species-specific manner to particular environmental stressors
Secondary Preservice Teachers’ Disciplinary Identity in Integrated STEM Collaboration
Get PDFIntegrated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations. To explore the nature of interdisciplinary collaborations, we investigated the disciplinary identity of 11 secondary preservice teachers (PSTs) enrolled in a semester-long secondary integrated STEM methods course. The pedagogical approach in the course aimed to provide secondary PSTs with the opportunity to experience interdisciplinary collaboration, where secondary PSTs from different disciplines collaborate on designing and implementing integrated STEM curricula. Through positioning theory, we analyzed the PSTs’ discussion during each team’s initial collaboration meeting. Findings indicate that PSTs take a strong disciplinary identity position in their discipline. Their identification in other disciplines varied and was negotiated throughout the meeting by shifting either positively or negatively. Findings could inform teacher preparation programs to articulate ways that would help preservice and in-service teachers to conduct successful collaborations across disciplines. Future research should investigate potential ways to disrupt negative disciplinary identity shifts, while encouraging positive ones
Deep Learning Drives Safety: Enhancing the Safety of Autonomous Vehicles with AI Pothole Detection
No full textIn a society at the forefront of technological change, autonomous vehicles (AVs) are emerging as a transformative mode of transportation. Despite their promise, they face significant challenges in perception, environment detection, and decision-making, particularly when detecting hazards like potholes. By leveraging advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), this research aims to address these limitations and enhance the safety of AVs and their passengers. The objective of this research is to develop a real-time pothole detection system using deep learning image-detection techniques. This system is designed to improve the reliability and accuracy of pothole detection, which remains challenging for AVs. Our current findings demonstrate the AI model\u27s ability to identify potholes with significant confidence, indicating the feasibility and value of this system. With the use of our AI detection model, we can improve the safety and trustworthiness of AVs, thereby accelerating their mainstream adoption as a reliable mode of transportation.https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/ior2025/1016/thumbnail.jp
Spore Sacs Undergo Sk-3-Based Spore Killing After Deletion of Neurospora crassa DNA Interval v382
No full textSpore killer-3 (Sk-3) is a genetic element transmitted to offspring through spore killing in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa. Sk-3 requires two genes for spore killing. These two genes are the poison gene, for killing, and the antidote gene, for resistance to killing. While the resistance gene has been identified, the killer gene has not. The goal of this study was to determine if a DNA interval, referred to as v382, contains the killer gene. Interval v382 was deleted from an N. crassa strain and the deletion strain was tested for spore killing. The spore-killing phenomenon in N. crassa allows genetic conflict, evolutionary biology, and environments pertaining to agriculture to be understood. Spore killing takes place within spore sacs, which can be dissected from fruiting bodies and imaged under a microscope. Spore sacs that have undergone spore killing contain four black, viable spores and four white spores, the latter of which are inviable. An image of spore sacs that were dissected from a v382 deletion strain is shown.https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/ior2025/1014/thumbnail.jp
The Golden Opportunity: Evaluating Golden Pennycress as a Sustainable Feed for Broilers
No full textPennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a winter cover crop grown in the Midwest that has garnered attention for its potential in biofuel production. Oil pressed out of the pennycress seeds is used for biofuel, but the meal remains and is often thrown away. My research examines the incorporation of this meal into feedstuffs for livestock. Such use may benefit livestock and make biofuel production more sustainable. Golden pennycress meal is a novel feedstuff that has a similar protein profile to canola and could replace an expensive portion of poultry diets. My research is a pilot study evaluating performance and growth in broiler chickens that are fed diets containing golden pennycress meal with a flavor additive. Sixteen chickens were offered diets with varying levels of golden pennycress meal over the course of eight weeks. Framed by stalks of pennycress, my image depicts a handsome test subject hungrily eyeing a display of golden pennycress seeds.https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/ior2025/1007/thumbnail.jp
Effectiveness of an Informational Video for Establishing Students\u27 Basic Knowledge of Post-Stroke Aphasia
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate changes in knowledge of post-stroke aphasia among students who watched an informational video (Kennedy et al., 2012a) created for this study compared to students who read an informational text (National Aphasia Association, n.d.). Participants included 136 undergraduate and graduate students who completed a pre-test, watched an informational video or read an informational text, completed a post-test, and then completed a maintenance test approximately four weeks later. Results of a one-way mixed ANOVA showed a statistically significant main effect of time, no statistically significant main effect of group, and no statistically significant time-by-group interaction. Both groups demonstrated a substantial increase in knowledge of post-stroke aphasia from pre-test to post-test. These results suggest that the informational video and the informational text may be effective methods to teach students basic information about post-stroke aphasia
Case-Based Learning for Dysphagia Continuing Education: Participant Perceptions on Facilitators and Barriers
Get PDFCase-based learning (CBL) is a valuable approach to healthcare education, fostering deeper learning, clinical reasoning, and decision-making skills, especially in complex medical conditions such as dysphagia. For speech-language pathologists who manage dysphagia, a CBL approach provides interactive hands-on learning opportunities. We examined the benefits and challenges of a CBL approach to dysphagia continuing education using participant feedback. Twenty participants who attended the Alabama Dysphagia Collective Conference in September 2023 in Tuscaloosa, AL completed a Likert-style survey evaluating attitudes and opinions toward a CBL conference design. Participants also provided open-ended feedback on the facilitators, barriers, clinical practice implementation, new skills learned, perspective gained, and future recommendations for this style of learning, reflections which were then analyzed to identify recurring themes. Participants overwhelmingly supported a CBL format, with largely positive perceptions related to conference outcomes, expectations, relevancy, and value of topics presented. Specifically, participants reported facilitators of real-world relevancy of topics, collaboration and networking opportunities, conference format and facility environment, and quality of the speakers. Challenges reported included access to resources, challenges surrounding discussions due to varied clinical backgrounds, and duration of certain parts of the conference. Overall, participants appeared to value the CBL approach to dysphagia continuing education, suggesting that it allows for applicability of real-world topics and provides networking and collaboration opportunities. Future research could expand upon the exploratory nature and limited sample size of this study and examine the implications of both the facilitators and barriers reported
Digital Stratification: Comparing Digital Literacy Practices Among Aboriginal and Mainstream Children in Australian Homes
No full textThis qualitative study examines the home digital literacy practices of Aboriginal and Mainstream elementary-age children in Australia, highlighting how socio-economic and cultural factors influence these practices. This study integrates conceptural framework such as capital, digital capital, and social reproduction theory to analyze conversational interviews conducted with six children. Our findings reveal significant disparities in digital capital accumulation, primarily driven by socio-economic differences and varied access to digital resources. Mainstream students typically possess more digital capital, which allows them to navigate the digital landscape more effectively and perpetuate systemic inequalities. The enduring digital divide reinforces existing economic and social hierarchies, exacerbating social inequalities and further marginalizing disadvantaged groups. This research underscores the urgent need for educational curricula to integrate digital literacy and for pedagogical strategies that provide equitable digital learning opportunities, specifically tailored to the unique realities of both Aboriginal and Mainstream students
Redbird Buzz Episode 50: Sharon ShareAlike \u2794, M.F.A. \u2798, January 16, 2025
No full textAhead of Illinois State University’s LGBTQA+ reunion weekend, Wonsook Kim School of Art alum, drag queen, and entrepreneur Sharon ShareAlike ’94, M.F.A. ’98, joins Redbird Buzz.
ShareAlike and the ShareAlike family are headlining the closing event at the LGBTQA+ reunion weekend on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Illinois State. All are welcome to attend the events Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1, and registration for the reunion weekend is open through January 20.
In this episode, ShareAlike recounts how her interest in mold making, toy design, and art led her to drag performance and costume creation. ShareAlike\u27s success in drag performing, coupled with her talent and passion for art and creation, inspired her to start two businesses for the drag community, BoobsForQueens and Dragskins. Both companies have been featured in major media, including RuPaul\u27s Drag Race, The Ellen Degeneres Show, and the Oscar-nominated film A Star is Born.
Tune in to hear more from ShareAlike about her commitment to drag in Central Illinois, her journey from Illinois State to the stage, and how her chosen drag family creates a safe space for those in the LGBTQA+ community