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Techniques for inserting critical thinking instruction into content while teaching specific subjects have been discussed in the educational literature pertaining to critical thinking and instruction. The purpose of this study was to determine if inserting a brief critical thinking lesson related to course content into a culinary arts laboratory course which provides a setting for career oriented active learning would lead to gains in critical thinking ability. The general structure of the methodology was adapted from work completed by Rose (1997). An experimental, pretest-posttest control group design was employed (Campbell & Stanley, 1963) to determine treatment effects on the variables identified. Participants were randomly selected and consisted of an experimental group of 14 students and a control group of 13 students. A culinary arts laboratory course was chosen for the stud y. The course operated nine consecutive six-hour days for a total of 54 hours of instruction. Experimental group participants received a 45-minute lesson on critical thinking during the second hour of the first class day, after the pretest was administered. Control group participants received normal instruction and did not receive the infused critical thinking lesson. At the end of the class during the 54th hour both groups completed the posttest. All participants' critical thinking skills were assessed using the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (Faciane, 1991), form A (pretest) and form B (post test). Multiple Analyses of Variance (repeated measures) were conducted on overall CCTST scores as well as scores on the subscale items of analysis, evaluation and inference to determine whether there were significant differences on the dependent variable (post-test CCTST B scores) according to the independent variable of method of instruction. An alpha level of p

Hydrilla verticillata (L.F.) Royle exhibits facultative C$\sb4$-like photosynthesis. A laboratory and field physiological study in north-central Florida was designed to investigate the spatial and seasonal patterns in photosynthetic physiology and environmental quality, the contribution of C$\sb4$-like photosynthesis to carbon gain, and the relationship between photosynthetic physiology and plant density in Hydrilla. Field observations demonstrated steep horizontal gradients in water chemistry across a Hydrilla population. Distinct mat and edge micro-habitats were identified. The mat habitat exhibited higher plant biomass, greater midday depletion of CO$\sb2$ and HCO$\sb3\sp-$ and supersaturation of dissolved O$\sb2$. The edge habitat exhibited lower biomass, no supersaturation of dissolved O$\sb2$ or depletion of CO$\sb2$ and HCO$\sb3\sp-$. Hydrilla C$\sb4$-like phenotypes were only observed in the mat. A reciprocal transplant experiment demonstrated that C$\sb4$-like mat plants exhibited 66% greater carbon gain than C$\sb3$ edge plants when measured in the mat habitat. Mat and edge plants performed equally well in the edge habitat. The mat habitat reduced carbon gain of both mat and edge plants over 80%. Mat plants exhibited a 60% greater photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency (PNUE) compared to edge plants when measured in the mat habitat. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that induction of C$\sb4$-like gas exchange characteristics in Hydrilla was associated with increased phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase activity. Increased carbon gain of C$\sb4$-like plants resulted from reduction in both photorespiration and dark respiration. Induction of C$\sb4$-like photosynthesis was associated with high plant density and reduced CO$\sb2$ concentration, and increased pH and dissolved O$\sb2$ concentration. These data demonstrated that facultative C$\sb4$-like photosynthesis enhanced carbon gain under sub-optimal growth conditions. The evolution of C$\sb4$-like photosynthesis in Hydrilla was potentially selected by stressful conditions in the mat habitat. Reduced quantum yield of mat plants compared to edge plants explained the facultative nature of C$\sb4$-like photosynthesis in Hydrilla. C$\sb4$-like photosynthesis enabled Hydrilla to maintain carbon gain during CO$\sb2$ depletion and partially explained its competitive success in freshwater systems in north-central Florida.

Pellet-group surveys, track-count surveys, and movements of collared elk (Cervus elaphus) were used to determine the effect of oil development activity on elk movements and distribution near the Pigeon River Country State Forest in northern Michigan. Seismic (pre-drilling exploration) activity and actual well drilling activity were investigated separately. Data from pellet-group and track surveys indicated no change in distribution that could be attributed to hydrocarbon activity. Data from elk equipped with color-coded and radio-telemetry collars indicated that seismic activity significantly increased ((alpha) = .005) elk movements within 1,000 m (1,093.6 yds.) of the disturbance. The mean daily distance moved by disturbed elk varied from 2.2 to 3.4 times greater than the mean daily distance moved by undisturbed elk. All increased movements took place the first day after the encounter with seismic activity and elk returned to normal movement patterns the day following the disturbance. The post-seismic movements did not usually place the elk more than 600 m (656.16 yds.) from the boundary of their previously determined activity range. Correlation analysis indicated there was no relationship between mean daily distance moved by an elk and the distance of that elk from oil well activity. Regardless of sex or age group, there was no significant difference in mean daily movements of elk within 600 m (656.16 yds.) of oil well activity and elk beyond 600 m (656.16 yds.) from oil well activity. The nature of the two hydrocarbon development activities seems to determine the response of the elk. The seismic activity is ever-moving, causing an alarm response from the elk. Oil well drilling activity is confined to the .81 ha (2 acre) well pad and access road and elk are not alarmed by this stationary activity. Implications of the increased movements resulting from the seismic activity and other hydrocarbon development considerations are discussed.

The purpose of this study was to determine if private/parochial schools were interested in participating in a voucher plan where all students are given a cash voucher to spend at the school of their choice. If they were willing to participate, the study identified the controls the schools were willing to tolerate and still participate. If they were opposed to a voucher plan from the outset, the study identified the reasons for their reluctance to participate.