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This study of 61 preschool children used an observational, longitudinal design to examine the degree to which social dominance relationships account for time-related change in rates of aggression and affiliation across a school year. Specific hypotheses reflected the view that, over time, behavioral function should change in accord with the stability of social dominance relationships, social norms, and on-going developmental processes. Results showed that change in rates of aggression was non-linear (i.e., increasing then decreasing over the year), that physical and verbal forms of aggression were associated with distinct longitudinal trajectories, and that these trajectories were related to rates of affiliation and visual regard. As predicted, social dominance accounted for significant variation in these patterns. Implications for theory, future research, and school practitioners are discussed.

Student performance in an introductory soils class, Principles and Practices of Soils, at Texas Tech University was evaluated for 15 semesters as a function of several high school and college variables on course success. The variables evaluated were SAT score, percentile rank in high school class, high school chemistry background, major, gender, and academic semester in which the class was taken. Two variables, semester the class was taken and high school chemistry, were not significantly related to the final grade achieved in the course. All other variables were significant. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that each participant's high school ranking and SAT score accounted for 19.4% of the variation. A one-unit decrease in percentile rank resulted in a 1.5 increase in final grade achieved, holding the other variables constant. Similarly, SAT score contributed statistically to the regression equation, but to a much lesser extent. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

University-school partnerships can be effective in recruiting undergraduate science majors to careers in education, enhancing the capacity of in-service teachers, and improving science literacy among school-age children. A partnership model that included extended elementary classroom teaching experiences for university students, professional development opportunities for teacher mentors, and multiple campus collaborators was described. Results showed that stakeholders benefited from their involvement in the partnership in numerous ways. The authors suggest that in developing partnership programs, collaborators need to be aware that involvement is often based on stakeholders' perceived and/or actual benefits. Some benefits in the model presented were partner specific; others were common among stakeholders. (Contains 1 note.)

J Jill Heatley,1 Jennifer Cary,2 Karen E Russell,3 Gary Voelker2 1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, 2Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences and Texas A&M Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections, Texas A&M University, 3Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, College Station, TX, USA Abstract: Jugular blood samples from 110 Passeriformes collected at several Texas locations were analyzed for multiple clinicopathologic parameters between April 2010 and August 2011. Electrolyte, blood gas, and select erythrocyte parameters were analyzed on site with a point of care analyzer, and gender, age, body condition score, location, and species were recorded. Many analytes exhibited a Gaussian distribution across species and are reported as a single range. Taxon affected electrolyte and red blood cell parameters, but not most blood gas or acid base variables. Migratory status affected select electrolytes but few blood gas variables. Red blood cell parameters were affected the most by variables of age, taxonomic group, and gender, but not migratory life history. We found significant changes in glucose and numerous acid base analytes in birds sampled from habitats with evolutionarily recent ecologic degradation. We advocate the use of these analytes, particularly venous blood gas values, as determined by a point of care analyzer, as reasonable biomarkers for determination of Passeriform population health, but also recommend that red blood cell parameters and electrolyte concentrations be controlled for age, species, and gender in future studies. Further, based on our investigation, venous blood gas values and acid base balance in Passeriformes can assess the health of an ecosystem. Keywords: avian, biochemistry, blood gas, electrolyte, hematology, Passerine

Seven fifth-graders developed concept maps depicting their knowledge of meat product development. Despite their rural background, they lacked understanding of agriculture concepts and had mixed knowledge of agricultural literacy benchmarks concerning food products. Their language did not reflect scientific terminology in the benchmarks. (Contains 29 references.)

Interviews with eight preservice elementary teachers regarding benchmarks related to agricultural technology for food and fiber showed that those from rural areas had more complex understanding of the trade-offs in technology use; urban residents were more concerned with ethical dilemmas. Pesticide pollution was most understood, genetic engineering of plants and animals least understood. (Contains 29 references.) (SK)

Interviews with six elementary/middle school teachers developing an agriculture curriculum in a charter school indicated that lack of training, organizational structure, time, materials, and facilities initially hampered development. A federal grant helped with process and time, but lack of curriculum development expertise and facilities, equipment, and support continued to hinder implementation. (Contains 27 references.) (SK)

Clinical interviews with eight preservice elementary teachers elicited their understanding of pest-related benchmarks. Those with out-of-school experience were better able to articulate their understanding. Many were unable to make connections between scientific, societal and technological concepts. (Contains 39 references.) (SK)

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) comprise seven distinct serotypes that inhibit the release of neurotransmitter across neuromuscular junctions, resulting in potentially fatal flaccid paralysis. BoNT serotype A (BoNT/A), which targets synaptosomal-associated protein of 25kDa (SNAP-25), is particularly long-lived within neurons and requires a longer time for recovery of neuromuscular function. There are currently no treatments available to counteract BoNT/A after it has entered the neuronal cytosol. In this study, we examined the ability of small molecule non-peptidic inhibitors (SMNPIs) to prevent SNAP-25 cleavage post-intoxication of neurons. The progressive cleavage of SNAP-25 observed over 5 h following 1 h BoNT/A intoxication was prevented by addition of SMNPIs. In contrast, anti-BoNT/A neutralizing antibodies that strongly inhibited SNAP-25 cleavage when added during intoxication were completely ineffective when added post-intoxication. Although Bafilomycin A1, which blocks entry of BoNT/A into the cytosol by preventing endosomal acidification, inhibited SNAP-25 cleavage post-intoxication, the degree of inhibition was significantly reduced versus addition both during and after intoxication. Post-intoxication application of SMNPIs, on the other hand, was nearly as effective as application both during and after intoxication. Taken together, the results indicate that competitive SMNPIs of BoNT/A light chain can be effective within neurons post-intoxication.

Clinical interviews with nine fifth graders revealed that experiences play a pivotal role in their understanding of pests. They lack well-developed schema and language to discuss pest management. A foundation of core biological concepts was necessary for understanding pests and pest management. (Conatains 34 references.) (SK)

Results of focus groups with 90 Michigan second- through eighth-grade teachers showed that they viewed the agri-food system from a nutrition and health perspective; nutrition education predominated. Production agriculture had little impact on the curriculum. They wanted a centralized resource for supplemental curriculum materials and support in using them. (SK)

Fertilizer use in California agriculture has been under recent scrutiny regarding its impacts on air, surface water and groundwater quality. In June 2007, we surveyed almond growers to assess their plant nutrition practices, identify opportunities for improvement, and target research and extension needs. The majority of respondents, particularly those with large almond acreages, used fertigation to apply nitrogen; applied nitrogen coincident with periods of maximal plant demand; and collected annual tissue samples for analysis. While the survey results suggested broad compliance with the best-available management practices and are likely to indicate good nutrient-use efficiency, they also suggested that growers are uncertain about current practices to monitor orchard nutrient status and would value additional information to enable greater precision in fertilization rates and timing.

Many students are experiencing disconnect from their large, seemingly impersonal high schools. This case study research explored a post-high school class cohort's perceptions of an academy environment. The study examined the nature of its connection to academic, behavioral and post-secondary effects by utilizing a treatment group of academy students and a comparison group of non-academy students. The study found that students within academies experienced a greater sense of high school community than non-academy students. Differences were also found in post-secondary endeavors including greater participation by academy students in college, the workforce and career/technical areas.