Effectiveness of a Cloning and Sequencing Exercise on Student Learning with Subsequent Publication in the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank

With rapid advances in biotechnology and molecular biology, instructors are challenged to not only provide undergraduate students with hands-on experiences in these disciplines but also to engage them in the “real-world” scientific process. Two common topics covered in biotechnology or molecular biology courses are gene-cloning and bioinformatics, but to provide students with a continuous laboratory-based research experience in these techniques is difficult. To meet these challenges, we have partnered with Bio-Rad Laboratories in the development of the “Cloning and Sequencing Explorer Series,” which combines wet-lab experiences (e.g., DNA extraction, polymerase chain reaction, ligation, transformation, and restriction digestion) with bioinformatics analysis (e.g., evaluation of DNA sequence quality, sequence editing, Basic Local Alignment Search Tool searches, contig construction, intron identification, and six-frame translation) to produce a sequence publishable in the National Center for Biotechnology Information GenBank. This 6- to 8-wk project-based exercise focuses on a pivotal gene of glycolysis (glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase), in which students isolate, sequence, and characterize the gene from a plant species or cultivar not yet published in GenBank. Student achievement was evaluated using pre-, mid-, and final-test assessments, as well as with a survey to assess student perceptions. Student confidence with basic laboratory techniques and knowledge of bioinformatics tools were significantly increased upon completion of this hands-on exercise.     

The appropriateness of training exposures for match-play preparation in adolescent schoolboy and academy rugby union players

The aim of this study was to compare the physical and movement demands between training and match-play in schoolboy and academy adolescent rugby union (RU) players. Sixty-one adolescent male RU players (mean ± SD; age 17.0 ± 0.7 years) were recruited from four teams representing school and regional academy standards. Players were categorised into four groups based on playing standard and position: schoolboy forwards (n = 15), schoolboy backs (n = 15), academy forwards (n = 16) and academy backs (n = 15). Global positioning system and accelerometry measures were obtained from training and match-play to assess within-group differences between conditions. Maximum data were analysed from 79 match files across 8 matches (1.3 ± 0.5 matches per participant) and 152 training files across 15 training sessions (2.5 ± 0.5 training sessions per participant). Schoolboy forwards were underprepared for low-intensity activities experienced during match-play, with schoolboy backs underprepared for all movement demands. Academy forwards were exposed to similar physical demands in training to matches, with academy backs similar to or exceeding values for all measured variables. Schoolboy players were underprepared for many key, position-specific aspects of match-play, which could place them at greater risk of injury and hinder performance, unlike academy players who were better prepared.     

Nonverbal ability and hearing impaired

Research concerning the relationship of nonverbal ability measures recommended for hearing impaired (HI) students and learning potential is reviewed. Earlier studies indicate that nonverbal measures can be used to predict academic achievement, while the more recent studies urge caution or suggest questionable predictability when interpreting the data. Recommendations for interpreting and communicating the nonverbal ability results are included.     

University students’ perceptions of the Internet: an exploratory study

Focus group participants are more sophisticated in their perceptions and appreciation of both Internet resources and traditional library resources than was hypothesized. They do not, however, associate the Internet with the library and do not think of asking a librarian for help when using the Internet for research.     

EXPO-nential Success Redux,or, If You Plan It They Will Come

An important aspect of the lifecycle of electronic resources is disseminating the arrival of new resources on campus and reminding the campus of currently subscribed materials. A database page accessible by subject, topic or format, training sessions by vendors, either live or via the Web, information literacy presentations for one-shot classes or workshops for the entire campus are standard marketing strategies; however, even with clear and comprehensive presentations demonstrating awareness of the strengths and limitations of subscribed resources, if only a handful of the 15,000+ users show up, the program may appear to be an exercise in futility. Another route to disseminate this important information is the library expo or vendor fair. Vendors set up booths for three to five hours to meet with users. They provide booth giveaways and help with door prizes to attract students, faculty, and administrators to the fair. Users can spare a short time to browse the booths between classes and meetings to learn about new resources and ask questions about their old favorites. This article will provide insights in the planning, marketing, and assessment of the library expo held at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.     

Family relationships during infancy and later mother and father vocabulary use with young children

Very little previous research has considered the contributions of family relationships and interactions on the language input of mothers and fathers to their young children. This study examined the contributions of marital love and conflict, and broader family-level conflict, cohesion, and expressiveness to mother and father vocabulary in triadic interactions with their young children in 70 dual-earner families. It was found that after controlling for parent sensitivity and parent directive behavior, marital love and family conflict when children were 12 months of age were significant predictors of both father vocabulary and mother vocabulary to children at 24 months of age. In families with higher levels of marital love when children were 12 months of age, mothers and fathers used a more diverse vocabulary with their 24-month-old children. In families with lower levels of family conflict when children were 12 months of age, mothers and fathers used a more diverse vocabulary with their 24-month-old children.     

Dismissed! Avoidance of Students’ Spiritual and LGBT Identities in Public Schools

Abstract

Negotiation of identity development in adolescence has implications that affect overall well-being. Spirituality and sexuality are two salient aspects of identity that are challenging for adolescents, especially those who identify as LGBT. -Analysis of intersecting themes across two research inquiries indicated that school counselors and students avoided talking with each other about these -aspects of identity. Results suggested that avoidance was related to fear of perceived -repercussions, public school settings, and concern about value conflicts.