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Teacher education and the teaching profession are adapting to innovative methods to ensure the professional longevity and effectiveness of those who become educators. This is particularly important because of the early, and sometimes abrupt, exit of beginning teachers from the profession. Clearly, to mitigate such early exodus from the profession, those responsible for teacher education must examine how they prepare student teachers and whether or not they are equipped to face the realities of the classroom when they enter the profession. This paper presents a modality that engages pre-professionals or student teachers in meaningful and productive field experiences that will improve student teachers' learning. The author presents an instructional model that can be applied to prepare student teachers for more effective field experiences that will improve their learning. (Contains 2 tables.)

Teacher educators need to remain current regarding the challenges that prospective teachers are going to face in their classrooms. One way to maintain this currency is for teacher educators periodically to spend some time in the K-12 classroom testing the theories they teach. This paper will discuss the benefits both teacher educators and prospective teachers will derive from engaging in such an activity. (Contains 1 footnote.)

Resistance to Yam mosaic virus (YMV), genus Potyvirus was studied in 10 populations of selected white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata). Plants of resistant genotypes: TDr 35, TDr 1621, TDr 93-1, TDr 93-32, TDr 95-107, TDr 93-23, and susceptible ones: TDr 87/00211, TDr 87/00571 and TDr 95-127 were screened for their reaction to the pathogen by symptom severity scoring scale of 1-5, and by quantifying virus multiplication by triple antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA). Controlled crosses were made among the genotypes within and between the groups according to reactions to the pathogen. The resultant F1 progenies were evaluated for the infection by disease symptom development and by TAS ELISA to detect a symptomless infection in an insect-proof screenhouse for the assessment of inheritance of resistance to YMV. A genetic analysis of the reactions of progenies derived from the D. rotundata genotypes to inoculation with YMV strongly suggests that resistance to the virus is a dominantly inherited trait. Segregation ratios obtained from the families indicate that at least two dominant genes are involved.

Abstract Background The rapid expansion in the availability of genome and DNA sequence information has opened up new possibilities for the development of methods for detecting free-living protozoa in environmental samples. The protozoan Blepharisma japonicum was used to investigate a rapid and simple detection system based on polymerase chain reaction amplification (PCR) from organisms immobilised on FTA paper. Results Using primers designed from the α-tubulin genes of Blepharisma, specific and sensitive detection to the equivalent of a single Blepharisma cell could be achieved. Similar detection levels were found using water samples, containing Blepharisma, which were dried onto Whatman FTA paper. Conclusion This system has potential as a sensitive convenient detection system for Blepharisma and could be applied to other protozoan organisms.

Despite impressive success in molecular physiological understanding of photosynthesis, and preliminary evidence on its potential for quantum shifts in agricultural productivity, the question remains of whether increased photosynthesis, without parallel fine-tuning of the associated processes, is enough. There is a distinct lack of formal socio-economic impact studies that address the critical questions of product profiling, cost–benefit analysis, environmental trade-offs, and technological and market forces in product acceptability. When a relatively well understood process gains enough traction for translational value, its broader scientific and technical gap assessment, in conjunction with its socio-economic impact assessment for success, should be a prerequisite. The successes in the upstream basic understanding of photosynthesis should be integrated with a gap analysis for downstream translational applications to impact the farmers' and customers' lifestyles and livelihoods. The purpose of this review is to assess how the laboratory, the field, and the societal demands from photosynthesis could generate a transformative product. Two crucial recommendations from the analysis of the state of knowledge and potential ways forward are (i) the formulation of integrative mega-projects, which span the multistakeholder spectrum, to ensure rapid success in harnessing the transformative power of photosynthesis; and (ii) stipulating spatiotemporal, labour, and economic criteria to stage-gate deliverables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Pneumothorax during pregnancy is uncommon. Recently ambulatory chest drainage has been advised to treat the pneumothorax and to cover the delivery period. This imposes restrictions on the mother with associated co-morbidity. The authors present a case of recurrent chest-tube resistant pneumothorax during pregnancy which had persisted for 4-weeks.To guide management of a patient referred in the third trimester of pregnancy the authors undertook a systematic review. This led to Definitive video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for bullectomy and pleurodesis which was successful without either peri-operative or peri-partum complications or recurrence of pneumothorax. Our review suggests that a VATS approach during pregnancy is both safe and effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The rapid expansion in the availability of genome and DNA sequence information has opened up new possibilities for the development of methods for detecting free-living protozoa in environmental samples. The protozoan Blepharisma japonicum was used to investigate a rapid and simple detection system based on polymerase chain reaction amplification (PCR) from organisms immobilised on FTA paper. Results: Using primers designed from the a-tubulin genes of Blepharisma, specific and sensitive detection to the equivalent of a single Blepharisma cell could be achieved. Similar detection levels were found using water samples, containing Blepharisma, which were dried onto Whatman FTA paper. Conclusion: This system has potential as a sensitive convenient detection system for Blepharisma and could be applied to other protozoan organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the fatty-acid-and retinol-binding (FAR) protein family of nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (Ce). Interference of the proteins with intercellular lipid signaling to manipulate the defense reactions of the host; Production of a characteristic shift in peak fluorescence emission of DAUDA; Analysis of Ce-FAR proteins by circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry.