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Protecting the Cosmos: Defining Celestial Bodies in the Outer Space Treaty
Get PDFLack of a clear definition of the term “celestial bodies” as used in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty risks exporting legal and political conflict into the cosmos. *This essay is updated from a previously published version and appears here by permission of the Journal of Space Law at Ole Miss
Beta-galactosidase activity in tissues of the plant parasite Cuscuta pentagona
No full textBeta-galactosidase (β-galactosidase) catalyzes the hydrolysis of a β-galactosidic bond, cleaving a galactose sugar from another organic moiety. β-galactosidase activities have been characterized in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, mediating both metabolic and developmental processes. In plants, β-galactosidase activities are associated with cell wall modification. We have examined the distribution of β-galactosidase activity in the parasitic flowering plant Cuscuta pentagona through histological activity staining using the artificial substrate X-gal (5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-β-D-galactopyranoside). Abundant activity staining was observed in germinating seeds and seedlings, with the sites of highest activity varying as seedlings develop; this staining was pH sensitive, with the greater staining occurring under lower pH conditions. Activity staining was also observed in flowers, especially in the anthers. As a parasite, C. pentagona makes a penetrative structure, the haustorium, through which it extracts resources from its host plant. β-galactosidase activity was observed in these haustorial tissues. The cut ends of stem tissue segments were also observed to stain, while sites away from the cut did not. Experiments in which X-gal staining was observed at sites away from X-gal exposure suggest that activity at the cut site is a response to wounding, and not due to differential penetration of the stain
Bold and shy zebrafish vary in their use of egocentric cues to navigate a T-maze
No full textAnimals navigate their environment using spatial cognitive mechanisms that rely on allocentric or egocentric cues. Allocentric cues are the external features of an environment, egocentric cues are based upon the body’s orientation. Though these cues are often interinvolved in spatial cognition, they involve distinct brain regions and contribute to learning and memory in distinct ways. Evidence suggests that individuals might vary in their reliance on allocentric or egocentric strategies based on their personality types. We investigated whether bold and shy zebrafish vary in their reliance on allocentric and egocentric cues to navigate a T-maze and find a shelter. Shy individuals are less pattern bound and more likely to be attentive to the environment while bold individuals are more likely to form patterns. We expected that bold fish would rely more heavily on egocentric cues, while shy fish would rely more on allocentric cues. This study gives novel insight into cognitive differences between individuals of different personality types that influence their interactions with the environment
Using common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) feces to isolate Escherichia coli
No full textUsing common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) feces to isolate Escherichia coli
Kaitlyn Oswalda,*, Grace Waltera,*, Andrew K. Huanga, Mayowa Abioduna,b, Jonathan B. Claytona,b,c,d,e
*Authors contributed equally
aDepartment of Biology, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha, NE, USA
bNebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
cDepartment of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
dDepartment of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
ePrimate Microbiome Project, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, USA
The mammalian gut microbiome is home to a diverse range of bacteria which collectively function as an organ capable of influencing the host organism’s metabolic outcomes. A prominent member of the gut microbiome in mammals is Escherichia coli (E. coli). E. coli is a gram-negative bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine. To gain access to the bacteria, fecal samples were collected from Common Marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) housed at the Callitrichid Research Center (CRC) located at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Following a six-day protocol, we recorded details regarding growth, viability, and presence/absence of contamination for all cultures. Choice of nutrient broth, selective agar, rpm speed of the shaking incubator, and glycerol concentrations were manipulated for this purpose. A specific and detailed procedure was followed on each day of the protocol, where 18-24 hours was allowed to pass between each phase. The samples were mixed in buffered peptone water facilitated by a shaking incubator at 37°C at 125 rpm. Four-quadrant streaking on MacConkey(MAC) agar was used to grow isolated colonies. After transferring the colonies onto Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar with four-quadrant streaking, allowing them to grow into isolated colonies once more, the samples are transferred and stored in culture media in a 10-15% glycerol concentration. This has consistently yielded viable E. coli cultures. Expansion of the E. coli strain library is currently ongoing. As of March 8, 2024, we have been able to isolate E. colifrom seven marmosets. We have a total of 146 unique E. coli isolates stored at -80°C in the laboratory. Once it is complete, we plan to utilize the strain library for a series of endeavors. We plan to organize a study focused on examine antibiotic resistance profiles of the marmoset derived E. coli
Assessing host associated microbiomes along upstream and downstream sections of the Elkhorn River
No full textAnthropogenic impacts on riverine ecosystems range from acute to drastic effects that stretch downstream from upstream focal points. The impacts on environmental microbiomes have been well researched, but very little is known about the impacts of associated host microbiomes in these same systems. This may have implications for management and restoration efforts to be put in place. This project seeks to study regional differences in the riverine microbiomes of the Nebraska Elkhorn River. The Elkhorn River runs through agricultural and urban areas from North-Central Nebraska Eastward into Douglas County, which connects to the Platte River and is at risk for chemical runoff and pollution throughout the river. As the river runs through these areas, we expect microbiomes to differ in response to environmental changes from pollution. We sampled host (bait fish, minnows, Families Cyprinidae and Leuciscidae) associated gut microbiomes in four different locations along the Elkhorn River, starting at the headwaters near Stuart, NE, and ending at the Elkhorn Shores Recreation Area just outside of the Omaha metropolitan area. Using DNA extraction techniques, Miseq 16S rRNA high throughput sequencing, and subsequent bioinformatic analyses, we seek to determine the degree of variation between host microbiomes as the river flows downstream
Marveling Religion: Critical Discourses, Religion, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Get PDFThis is a book review of Jennifer Baldwin and Daniel Hodge White, eds., Marveling Religion: Critical Discourses, Religion, and the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Ladham, MD: Lexington Books, 2022)
The Impact of Healthcare Interprofessional Education on Collaboration.
Get PDFInterprofessional relationships are important to the productivity of healthcare teams, especially as collaborative approaches become increasingly common in the healthcare setting. This paper focuses on the impacts of interprofessionalism and interprofessional education on healthcare teams collaborations. Drawing from a mixed-methods approach, data was gathered through an online survey and interviews conducted at the UNMC GOODLIFE Clinic, a student-run clinic. Findings reveal differences in perceptions between post-graduate professionals and students regarding the role and importance of interprofessionalism. While professionals demonstrate an understanding of IP collaboration, students express a need for more comprehensive IPE. Barriers to effective teamwork, such as professional hierarchies and inconsistent communication, are identified, alongside potential remedies including fostering mutual respect and understanding. These insights show the importance of integrating IPE initiatives into healthcare education and practice to create a collaborative healthcare workforce capable of delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. Future research directions include longitudinal studies tracking the effects of IPE on practice and exploring successful strategies for enhancing interprofessional collaboration
A Conceptual Understanding of Concepts in Organic Chemistry
Get PDFAs students continue to make the transfer into organic chemistry from general chemistry, they will have to adjust to the new type of thinking required so that they will not fall behind in understanding material and will have success in the course. For this research project, I explored which concepts taught in organic chemistry are the most difficult for students to grasp. I had two main goals for this project. The first one is the central idea that I focused on, which was to see which concepts that have been taught in Organic Chemistry 1 the students are most confident on and which ones they find to be the most difficult. Additionally, I explored their success rate in solving sample problems relating to each fundamental concept introduced throughout the course. By doing so, my hope is to use my results to give insight to organic chemistry professors on students’ areas of confidence and areas of struggle. This information could help organic chemistry instructors make instructional modifications and devote more time to problematic areas
Heritage Spanish-English Bilingual’s Intuitions on Inanimate Noun Subjecthood
No full textIn simple transitive sentences, much of the meaning can be derived from the lexical semantics of the content words. Syntactic cues, such as word order and verb agreement, are largely redundant and provide clarity in case of ambiguity or non-prototypical sentences. Mahowald and colleagues (2023) demonstrated this by presenting native English speakers with the lemma form of a verb and two nouns and asking participants to indicate which noun was the subject of the verb. Across the animacy pairings, they found native English speakers were able to accurately indicate the original subject 89%. They found inanimate-inanimate (IA-IA) noun pairings to be less reversible than the other animacy pairings, often causing violations in semantic plausibility. In our study, we seek to replicate the findings of Mahowald and colleagues (2023) in a bilingual population. We asked heritage Spanish-English participants (n=45) to indicate which noun belonged in the subject position and which noun belonged in the object position when presented with the lemma form of a verb and two IA nouns in both English and Spanish. Participants were significantly more likely to choose the original subject for both languages. However, there was not a significant difference in accuracy between the languages (English = 86.8%, Spanish = 86%). Additionally, we looked at what factors lead participants to be more accurate in choosing the original subject. Increases in English dominance as measured by the BLP, significantly decreased chances that participants would respond accurately on the English block. Larger English vocabulary size, as measured by the LexTALE, decreases accuracy on the Spanish block, but Spanish vocabulary size, via the LexTALE-ESP, increases accuracy. Overall, these results suggest that heritage bilinguals also have high levels of accuracy in choosing the subject of IA-IA sentences, similar to that of native English speakers in Mahowald et al. (2023), and do not have differing levels of accuracy between their languages. Heritage bilinguals are able to utilize their semantic knowledge when syntactic cues are unavailable and accurately assign subjecthood. Further analyses based on semantic reversibility, frequency, and demographic factors are forthcoming
Preparing Effective Heritage Language Educators: A Needs Analysis of Spanish Teachers
No full textAs the Hispanic population in the U.S. continues to grow, now comprising nearly 19% of the total population (Pew Research Center, 2023), Spanish teachers are increasingly responsible for incorporating HL (heritage language) research and practice into their curriculum design. However, few teacher preparation programs in the country are designed to prepare future HL educators, as most programs focus on second language acquisition and few offer courses on HL pedagogy. Thi study is a needs analysis assessment, which incorporates survey data obtained from 51 in-service teachers, alongside interviews conducted with a subset of teachers who had completed the aforementioned survey. These mixed-methods data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and a grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2014), while using a Latinx Critical Race Theory framework (Delgado Bernal, 2002). Data analysis of survey responses revealed a significant gap in HL pedagogy training, with minimal formal preparation undergone by teachers. While many reported participation in workshops and webinars, these avenues fell short in adequately equipping educators to meet the needs of HL students. In tandem with these findings, the analysis of interview data revealed a prevailing theme: teachers expressed a notable lack of confidence in addressing the needs of HL students stemming from minimal training. Additionally, the study identified several challenges encountered by teachers, including developing SHL students’ literacy skills, addressing varying levels of proficiency, and insufficient administrative support, among others. These challenges were attributed to both insufficient teacher training and systemic issues within educational systems, which often neglect the needs of Latinx students. Participants expressed that these challenges have a detrimental impact on their capacity to effectively support their HL students in achieving success. Thus, teachers explicitly advocate for the integration of HL-focused training in teacher preparation programs to address these challenges. The results of this study yield significant implications for the fields of language teacher development and HL education. Overall, this research underscores the urgent need for comprehensive HL pedagogy training for teachers to better support the diverse needs of HL students. By addressing these challenges and providing targeted professional development, educators can enhance the educational experiences and success of HL students.
Keywords: teacher development, heritage language pedagogy, applied linguistics, needs analysi