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This study evaluated the influence of temporal variation on the occurrence, fate, and transport of tylosin (TYL) and sulfamethazine (SMZ); antibiotics commonly used in swine production. Atrazine (ATZ) was used as a reference analyte to indicate the agricultural origin of the antibiotics. We also assessed the impact of season and hydrology on antibiotic concentrations. A reconnaissance study of the South Fork watershed of the Iowa River (SFIR), was conducted from 2013 to 2015. Tile drain effluent and surface water were monitored using polar organic integrative sampler (POCIS) technology. Approximately 169 animal feeding operations (AFOs) exist in SFIR, with 153 of them being swine facilities. All analytes were detected, and detection frequencies ranged from 69 to 100% showing the persistence in the watershed. Antibiotics were detected at a higher frequency using POCIS compared to grab samples. We observed statistically significant seasonal trends for SMZ and ATZ concentrations during growing and harvest seasons. Time weighted average (TWA) concentrations quantified from the POCIS were 1.87 ng L−1 (SMZ), 0.30 ng L−1 (TYL), and 754.2 ng L−1 (ATZ) in the watershed. SMZ and TYL concentrations were lower than the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for E. coli. All analytes were detected in tile drain effluent, confirming tile drainage as a pathway for antibiotic transport. Our results identify the episodic occurrence of antibiotics, and highlights the importance identifying seasonal fate and occurrence of these analytes.

In order to increase the number of students (U.S. citizens or permanent residents) receiving associate or baccalaureate degrees in established or emerging fields within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), the National Science Foundation (NSF) established the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP). The Student Enrollment and Engagement through Connections (SEEC) project is a collaboration between Iowa State University (ISU) and Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) funded by a STEP grant to increase the number of students graduating with a bachelor's degree in engineering at ISU and the number of students in pre-engineering study at DMACC. In this paper, we present the SEEC project goals, conceptual framework, specific project results, and best practices which identify key messages for others developing STEM partnerships. Of the many successful SEEC practices, this paper will focus on four which are foundational to success of CC transfers to engineering. These are: 1) collaboration between institutions, 2) creation of an engineering orientation course at the CC, 3) development of an engineering admissions partnership program, offered by the university for CC students, and 4) data collection and analysis for informed decision making. Program strategies include engaging community college (CC) transfer students while still at the CC, messaging for academic advisors, faculty, and students based upon CC student success data, and the sharing of results of several data briefs which summarize relevant results of a research study on student success. In addition to providing data analysis, the results determine distinctive strategies to increase the success of CC transfers in engineering. Highlights include the creation of a transfer-friendly environment, a community of practice through partnerships, greater awareness about engineering and engineering careers, student-faculty interaction related to educating

This study identified the barriers and motivational factors that influence nonsupervisory foodservice employees’ decisions to perform safe food handling behaviors. Responses to a bilingual questionnaire were received from 1,103 employees working in four types of retail foodservice. Respondents rated 8 of 16 listed barriers as important obstacles in keeping them from handling food safely, including “the work pace” (mean = 4.28 on a 5-point scale, where 1 = Not Important and 5 = Very Important) and “lack of good habits” (mean = 4.19). Using the same scale, respondents assessed importance of 27 listed items that encourage them to follow safe practices. Of the 27 items, 23 were rated at a mean of 4.0 or higher. The item rated highest was “Keeping customers safe from food-related diseases,” (mean of 4.91), and the item rated lowest (mean of 3.39) was “An unsupportive work group.” Results show employees know what behaviors are considered proper to ensure the safety of food; however, real barriers exist, such as time pressures and habits that are not compatible with safe food practices, suggesting that improved organization and routinization of safe food handling practices in a work culture that values food safety would reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

This study identified the barriers and motivational factors that influence nonsupervisory foodservice employees’ decisions to perform safe food handling behaviors. Responses to a bilingual questionnaire were received from 1,103 employees working in four types of retail foodservice. Respondents rated 8 of 16 listed barriers as important obstacles in keeping them from handling food safely, including “the work pace” (mean = 4.28 on a 5-point scale, where 1 = Not Important and 5 = Very Important) and “lack of good habits” (mean = 4.19). Using the same scale, respondents assessed importance of 27 listed items that encourage them to follow safe practices. Of the 27 items, 23 were rated at a mean of 4.0 or higher. The item rated highest was “Keeping customers safe from food-related diseases,” (mean of 4.91), and the item rated lowest (mean of 3.39) was “An unsupportive work group.” Results show employees know what behaviors are considered proper to ensure the safety of food; however, real barriers exist, such as time pressures and habits that are not compatible with safe food practices, suggesting that improved organization and routinization of safe food handling practices in a work culture that values food safety would reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

This study examined the measurement of depressive symptoms among American Indian adolescents as assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Youth Self Report (YSR), and the Tri-Ethnic Center’s for Prevention Research Depression Scale (TEDS). This analysis demonstrated that the TEDS had good internal consistency, demonstrated construct validity, and shared a commonality with the other two measures, but had limited predictive validity. The YSR had strong predictive validity but, like the CES-D, showed weakness in construct validity. Unexpectedly, the CES-D and YSR revealed enculturated youth were at risk of depressive symptoms. These findings do not generate unequivocal support for any one measure, but suggest that their strengths and potential shortcomings should be taken into account when assessing depressive symptoms among American Indian youth.

This study examined the measurement of depressive symptoms among American Indian adolescents as assessed by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Youth Self Report (YSR), and the Tri-Ethnic Center’s for Prevention Research Depression Scale (TEDS). This analysis demonstrated that the TEDS had good internal consistency, demonstrated construct validity, and shared a commonality with the other two measures, but had limited predictive validity. The YSR had strong predictive validity but, like the CES-D, showed weakness in construct validity. Unexpectedly, the CES-D and YSR revealed enculturated youth were at risk of depressive symptoms. These findings do not generate unequivocal support for any one measure, but suggest that their strengths and potential shortcomings should be taken into account when assessing depressive symptoms among American Indian youth.