1025 research outputs found
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Spider and Beetle Communities Across a Japanese Knotweed Dominated Riparian Buffer System
No full textInvasive species are known to affect diversity within riparian buffer systems. We collected wolf spiders and ground beetles using pitfall traps throughout two sites along a riparian buffer system during the fall of 2016. Additionally, Tigrosa helluo and Pterostitchus melanarius, the two most common species collected, were placed in containers with varying options; such as light levels, substrate types, or moisture levels reflecting those found in the field. Preliminary results suggest that diversity is highest at the transitional zones between the Knotweed community and the field and near-river environments located on either side because both spiders and beetles exist. They also suggest that, while light and moisture levels had little effect on habitat preference, both species preferred thatch over bare soil.The spiders and beetles collected in the fall were used for an in lab competitive experiment using odor ques of both species. The preliminary results suggest that the spiders and beetles prefer the side without the ques of the opposite species. Suggesting that there may be the presence of airborne enemy-avoidance
We\u27re Not Just Playing Around: A Workshop Focusing on Incorporating Play in the Early Childhood Classroom
No full textSince children learn naturally through play, it has a critical role in their early childhood development. Therefore, play should be a key component in any early childhood classroom. As advocates for the use of play in school, we have implemented it in various ways across five K-4 classrooms. Through the use of signals, transitions, technology, rewards and kinesthetic strategies, we embedded play at various points throughout the school day. Assessing the ways in which these strategies affected our teaching practices and classroom management, we reflect on the impact play has in a K-4 classroom and how our belief in utilizing it affects both our students and ourselves
A study of diatom communities in the upper main stem of the Susquehanna River during various late-summer discharge regimes, 2014-2016
No full textThe upper main stem of the Susquehanna River is formed by the confluence of the West (WBP) and North Branches (NBP); each chemically and physically distinctive. Characterization of the diatom communities requires samples taken from sites representative of both branches, which was done at an established transect straddling Byers Island near Shamokin Dam, PA. From 2014-2016 the upper main stem experienced low flow regimes in September but different regimes in August: high (2014), moderate (2015), and low (2016). Diatom biofilm samples were taken from stones from both sites and examined by scanning electron microscopy. Various indices showed little variation between the sites. We found the greatest species richness in the diatom communities during 2016, while years 2014 and 2015 were somewhat comparable. Despite similarities in community metrics, the Proportional Bray-Curtis similarity values between the three years was 62% for WBP, 32% for NBP, and 49% between WBP and NBP. Taxa richness was highest with low discharge, but there was no clear relationship with the other indices
Synthesis and Characterization of a Series of tris(3-phenylpyrazolyl)borato zinc(II) oxocyclohexadienolate Complexes Derived from in situ Oxidation of Parent Catecholate Complexes
No full textThe synthesis of three different (tris(3-phenylpyrazolyl)borato)Zn(oxocyclohexadienolate) complexes, TpPhZn(OCHD), was achieved through independent, one-pot reactions of Na[TpPh], Zn(BF4)2 xH2O, NaOH and either catechol, 4-t-butylcatechol or 3,5-di-t-butylcatechol in methanol. Ambient dioxygen was used to oxidize the catechol substituent to the semiquinonate radical anion in solution. The substitution pattern on the semiquinonate determined the fate of the radical anion in each case. The unsubstituted semiquinonate (SQ) produced a green [TpPhZn(OCHD)]2 dimer (1) through in situ, radical coupling of two TpPhZn(SQ) complexes. The 4-tert-butylsemiquinonate radical complex was unable to dimerize due to the bulky t-butyl substituent and decomposed via solvent interaction producing a red, dimethoxy substituted TpPhZn(OCHD-(OMe)2) complex (2). The 3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonate radical (3,5-DBSQ) is stabilized by the additional bulk of the second t-butyl substituent and was isolated, intact, as blue, TpPhZn(3,5-DBSQ) (3). All complexes were characterized by 1H-NMR spectroscopy, single crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy. Complexes 1 and 2 exhibited diamagnetic 1H-NMR spectrum consistent with radical decomposition while the spectrum of 3 was significantly broadened supporting the presence of the stabilized semiquinonate radical. Structural analysis of 1-3 revealed bidentate oxocyclohexadienolate ligand coordination to zinc within the pocket formed by the planar phenyl substituents on the TpPh ligand. Two different C-O bond lengths averaging 1.248(3) and 1.314(3) Å, across the series, is consistent with partial oxidation of the catechol starting material. The electrochemical properties of each complex were analyzed using cyclic voltammetry and 1-3 exhibited similar voltammograms in methylene chloride. The voltammogram of 1-3 contained a pseudo reversible one-electron reduction and an irreversible one-electron oxidation assigned to the redox activity of the oxocyclohexadienolate moiety. There were slight changes in the redox potentials across the three complexes consistent with the inductive effects of substitution on the oxocyclohexadienolate ligand
The Effects of Rainfall Intensity on Legacy Sediments in Middle Creek
No full textAnalyses and comparison of suspended sediment loads with corresponding precipitation events in the Fall of 2016, were inconclusive due to erratic weather associated with an El Niño year. Low precipitation amounts, short duration storm events, and storms generally evaluated as low intensity events limited data collection and positive results. Overall, issues related to stream flow and an El Niño-like weather pattern resulted in a modified methodology and procedure in sample treatment. In this study, following the peak of storm events, 500 mL water samples were collected from several sites along the creek, including tributaries flowing into Middle Creek and downstream from a legacy sediment source. Filtered samples were oven dried, weighed and compared to unfiltered paper weights. Following several storm events with negative sediment loads, the amount of water collected was increased to nearly 4L, to yield positive results. Additionally, the filters were air dried. Positive suspended loads were obtained only after many trials and errors, however, the low amount of data collected is inconclusive.The original objectives in this study were to (1) determine if sediment transported along a small section of Middle Creek (Snyder County, PA) were from a legacy sediment source, (2) identify the intensity of storm (based on radar images) necessary to increase suspended sediment load, and (3) compare storm event duration, storm intensity, and the total sediment loads to determine if any relationships could be observed. Middle Creek flows through legacy sediments deposited between 1833-1992 from several generations of dams placed in the same location. Legacy sediments threaten lowland aquatic ecosystems, by transporting abundant organics, dissolved nutrients, and suspended sediments which may result in algal blooms and the burial of benthic communities. This study recommends future analyses of suspended sediment load from Middle Creek be conducted during intervals unaffected by El Niño, possibly during the summer months, when high energy thunderstorms pass through Central PA. Also, this study recommends X-ray analysis of the sediment from tributaries flowing into Middle Creek and the legacy sediment source
The Microtox Analysis of Toxicity Levels of Common Pharmaceutical Drugs after Photocatalytic Degradation through Ultraviolet Radiation
No full textThe toxicity levels of several common pharmaceutical drugs were tested with Microtox analysis. When excess pharmaceuticals are disposed, they often find their way into water systems, potentially polluting them. Such drugs include phenytoin, carbamazepine, atenolol, warfarin, metoprolol, albuterol sulfate, doxycycline hyclate, hydrochlorothiazide, and lisinopril. Results of photocatalytic studies show that after exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (with and without catalyst), the drugs degraded, no longer detectable by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Using Microtox analysis, the intensity of luminescence of saltwater bacteria was measured after the introduction of the UV treated and untreated drugs. Results indicate that all but doxycycline hyclate appear to be more toxic to the bioluminescent bacteria after UV radiation. It is hypothesized that radiation may degrade each molecule into smaller, more toxic components; however, the saltwater bacteria may not be comparable to a freshwater environment. More studies are being completed to further investigate the phenomenon
How Does Using Different Types of Positive Reinforcement Affect Teaching Practice
No full textThe focus of research is on the different types of reinforcement used in the classroom and the affects that they have both in negative and positive ways. Specifically, I focus in on positive reinforcement, reward systems, and negative reinforcement. My aim was to answer the question: How does using different types of reinforcement affect teaching practice? This question was chosen to help teachers who are struggling with students with poor behavior and to inform them of the results of using certain types of reinforcement. Findings reveal that using negative reinforcement was unproductive for my teaching practice and using positive reinforcement helped with managing behavior in my classroom. Implications are also discussed
First record of Physaloptera sp. in Eastern Coyotes (Canis latrans) from Pennsylvania, USA
No full textEastern Coyotes (Canis latrans) have rapidly expanded through the North-Eastern United States and are frequently seen not only in rural or uninhabited spaces, but also in urban areas. Consequently, interactions between Eastern Coyotes, humans, and domesticated animals are now common. This may pose a real threat to human health as numerous endoparasites that infect canids may have the potential to be hosted by humans. The stomachs of one hundred and ninety-three Eastern Coyotes, representing twenty-four counties, were collected from hunts between 2009 and 2012 in Pennsylvania, U.S.A. and examined for parasites. Sixty-one endoparasite individuals were found in Blair, Clearfield, Dauphin, Erie, Lehigh, Snyder, and Somerset counties. Specimens were relaxed and cleared using standard protocols and compared to a pictorial atlas for identification (University of Pennsylvania, Diagnosis of Veterinary Endoparasitic Infections Index). Identification confirms the presence of Physaloptera rara and Ackertia marmotae. This represents the first record of Physaloptera rara in Eastern Coyotes in Pennsylvania
Characterization of a Novel Thermophilic Aneruinibacillus
No full textBacterial samples, harvested from soils close to exhaust vents from a subsurface mine fire under Centralia, Pennsylvania, were isolated. The surface vents resulted from a 1962 exposed coal seam fire, which is presently consuming the remnants of abandoned tunnels and underground coal reservoirs. The resulting gases, at temperatures over 350 oC, vent through surface fissures yielding gases rich in elemental and salts of sulfur, nitrogen, and iron. Soil samples were collected near vents with temperatures ranging from 55 to 65 oC. A white, gram-negative filamentous mildly thermophilic heterotrophic bacterium grew well in R2A media at 50 oC. This sample was identified by 16S rDNA and was found to be of the Aneruinibacillus genus. Phylogenetic testing is being performed to find any closely related species. The relatives will be compared to this novel species for physiological and metabolic characterization. A tentatively proposed name for this discovered species is Aneurinibacillus centralius
Determinants of Anti-Immigrant Sentiments
Get PDFGiven the current refugee crisis’s from political unrest around the world there has been increasing opposition towards immigration in both rhetoric and policy changes. In order to address this phenomenon this paper builds off of several well researched theories including how economic security, educational attainment, threat to culture, and the availability of information play a role in developing ones view on immigrants. Using data collected from the European Social Survey (ESS) I test these theories in order to see which is the most statistically significant in determining ones opposition or favorability of immigrants. This paper attempts to progress the understanding of how anti-immigrant sentiments are fostered and provides insight as to how policy changes may help address this issue