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This study explores the history of the Cemetery Project, a research-based initiative facilitated by Julia Reynolds Masterman Preparatory and Demonstration School (Masterman) teachers since 1990 at The Woodlands, both in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As understood here, the Cemetery Project has the potential to change the ways in which public history institutions like archives, libraries, and historical institutions engage with classrooms. Situated within the context and history of social science education reform and policy, the Cemetery Project shows the pertinence of primary sources use with the goal of teaching historical thinking in high school history educational contexts. / History

Zoos frequently deploy outreach programs, often called "Zoomobiles," to schools; these programs incorporate zoo resources, such as natural artifacts and live animals, in order to teach standardized content and in hopes of inspiring students to protect the environment. Educational research at zoos is relatively rare, and research on their outreach programs is non-existent. This leaves zoos vulnerable to criticisms as they have little to no evidence that their strategies support their missions, which target conservation outcomes. This study seeks to shed light on this gap by analyzing the impact that live animals have on offsite program participants' interests in animals and subsequent conservation outcomes. The theoretical lens is derived from the field of Conservation Psychology, which believes personal connections with nature serve as the motivational component to engagement with conservation efforts. Using pre, post, and delayed surveys combined with Zoomobile presentation observations, I analyzed the roles of sensory experiences in students' (N=197) development of animal interest and conservation behaviors. Results suggest that touching even one animal during presentations has a significant impact on conservation intents and sustainment of those intents. Although results on interest outcomes are conflicting, this study points to ways this kind of research can make significant contributions to zoo learning outcomes. Other significant variables, such as emotional predispositions and animal-related excitement, are discussed in light of future research directions. / Educational Leadership

The US Department of Energy has focused research efforts on developing switchgrass into a bioenergy feedstock, helping to offset the use of non-renewable fossil fuels and make the US more energy independent. Bacterial endophytes, which reside inside plant tissues, are proven to increase yield and stress resistance in a number of plants. The primary objective of this dissertation was to explore the use of endophytes to improve biomass yields of switchgrass on lands not suitable for food crops and better understand the underlying mechanisms of the plant-endophyte interaction. Integration of this research into K-12 STEM education to increase interest in plant sciences and create the next generation of scientists with the motivation to help solve the challenges facing society in the twenty first century was the objective of the outreach component of this project. Chapter one demonstrates the ability of Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN to colonize switchgrass and promote plant growth under in vitro (approximately 50% higher), and growth chamber and greenhouse (48.6% higher biomass yields) conditions. The objectives of Chapter two were to determine stand establishment in the field with different nutrient levels. PsJN bacterization positively benefited growth and development of switchgrass seedlings in the field with both low and high nutrient content. Highly significant (p<0.001) stimulation of root and shoot growth, lateral root formation and number of tillers was recorded on soil with low fertility. PsJN bacterization also enhanced biomass accumulation during the two seasons of growth on both poor (p<0.001) and rich (p<0.05) soil, indicating the potential for the use of PsJN in a low-input switchgrass feedstock production system. Chapter three outlines differences in gene expression patterns upon bacterization, between the responsive cv. Alamo, and a non-responsive cv. Cave-in-Rock. Using EST microarrays and quantitative PCR up- and down-regulated genes were identified in both cultivars. One of the key genes identified was a member of the tau class, glutathione S-transferase (GST). GST enzymes are known to be involved in plants responses to stress. Using overexpression and knockout/knockdown techniques we demonstrated that GST is likely involved in the bacterization induced early plant growth promotion in switchgrass. Chapter four describes the potential for the utilization of beneficial bacterial endophytes capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen in a free-living state in the development of low-input switchgrass feedstock production systems. Sphingomonas sp. strain NSL isolated from switchgrass tissue was able to grow on nitrogen free medium and stimulated growth of switchgrass cv. Alamo under nitrogen deficient conditions. The ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen was also moved to Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN via horizontal gene transfer from the legume nodulating Burkholderia phymatum. The transformed PsJN was able to fix nitrogen and promote plant growth under nitrogen limited conditions. At every step of the research described in this dissertation efforts were made to include its elements into K-12 education. Chapter five describes four case studies aiming at the enhancement of youth interest in plant sciences in the socieoeconomically depressed areas of Southside Virginia. / Ph. D.

Achieving long-term conservation gains through the framework of conservation incentive programs requires an understanding of both the ecological and social components of these programs. Landowner program experiences and management decisions after program participation are important for long-term conservation, but these aspects of conservation programs are not well understood. To address this research gap related to conservation program participation, this thesis investigates Natural Resources Conservation Service programs that provide private landowners with financial and technical assistance to manage for young forest habitat in the eastern United States. We conducted a telephone survey to investigate private landowner experiences during and after participation in these NRCS conservation programs. Coordinating with biologists monitoring managed properties for birds, we assessed how in-person outreach and mailed monitoring results influenced landowners. Next, we evaluated how landowner motivations, resources, and cognitions were related to post-program young forest management intentions. Finally, we applied a coupled human and natural systems lens to investigate the linkage between wildlife outcomes, landowner perceptions, and continued young forest management. Our results demonstrate how in-person outreach can shape positive conservation experiences and increasing landowner trust in resource agencies. We also demonstrate the importance of both social and environmental factors for influencing landowner decision-making after conservation program participation. We detail the applications of this research for conservation agencies and professionals who work with private landowners. / Master of Science / The decline of young forest habitat and associated wildlife species is a major conservation issue in the eastern United States. Since 2011, Natural Resources Conservation Service conservation programs have provided hundreds of private landowners with financial and technical assistance to create and maintain young forest habitat. Landowner program experiences and management decisions after program participation are important for long-term conservation, but information is limited on these aspects of NRCS young forest programs. In response, we conducted a telephone survey to investigate private landowner experiences during and after participation in these conservation programs. Coordinating with biologists monitoring managed properties for birds, we assessed how in-person outreach and mailed monitoring results influenced landowners. Next, we evaluated how landowner motivations, resources, and cognitions were related to post-program young forest management intentions. Finally, we examined how landowners observed and interpreted wildlife outcomes of young forest management and how these perceptions were related to habitat management after program participation. Our results highlight the importance of in-person outreach for shaping positive conservation experiences and increasing landowner trust in resource agencies. We also demonstrate the importance of both social and environmental factors for influencing landowner decision-making after conservation program participation. We detail the applications of this research for conservation agencies and professionals who work with private landowners.

Yes / Bradford, like most British universities, carries out many school and college outreach events to accustom students to the idea of coming to university and to introduce them to the resources available here. Bradford’s student body includes many first generation students.

Introduktion Medicinsk vetenskap och sjukvårdens möjligheter att hjälpa utvecklas ständigt. Sjukvården idag kan i många fall ställa rätt diagnos och ge en effektiv behandling för att bota den som drabbats av ohälsa. Radiologiska undersökningar är ett viktigt hjälpmedel men innebär också risker i form av strålning samt felaktigt resursanvändande. Syfte Syftet med förbättringsarbetet var att skapa en bättre användning av radiologi och följsamhet till medicinska riktlinjer så att patienten får rätt undersökning utifrån sitt behov samt att resur-ser nyttjas mer optimalt. Målsättningen var att öka andelen berättigade undersökningar. Syftet med studien av förbättringsarbetet var att få en förståelse för vilka faktorer som påverkar remittentens val av radiologisk undersökning och därmed berättigandegraden vilka aktiviteter i förbättringsarbetet påverkar berättigandegraden och på vilket sätt Metod Interventioner i form av utbildning och mätningar användes för att höja berättigandegraden. Bedömning av berättigandegraden gjordes av en ST-läkare. En fallstudie med kvalitativ ansats genomfördes och fokusgruppintervju användes för att stu-dera förbättringsarbetet. Resultat Studien visar att berättigandegraden ökar något som ett resultat av de valda interventionerna. Utbildningen på plats gav också upplevda positiva effekter i form av bättre kunskap och lä-rande för deltagare. Analysen visade att osäkerhet som läkare upplever i sitt arbete med patienten kan härledas till kategorierna kunskap och krav. Diskussion/Slutsats Utbildning genomförd av radiologispecialist har visat sig vara framgångsrikt koncept. Mät-ningar som metod för lärande och förändring uppfattades istället som mätning för uppföljning. Förbättrad kunskap kring vilka faktorer som styr läkares val av undersökning har uppnåtts och områden för fortsatt förbättring har identifierats / Introduction Medical science and medical facilities and clinical possibilities to help patients evolve con-stantly. Healthcare today can often make the diagnosis and provide effective treatment to cure the victim of ill health. Radiological surveys are an important tool but also provide risks in the form of radiation, and improper use of resources. Purpose The purpose of the improvement work was to create a better use of radiology and adherence to medical guidelines so that the patient gets the right for increase based on their needs and resources will be used more optimally. The goal was to increase the proportion of eligible studies. The purpose of the study of the improvement was to gain an understanding of what factors affect physicians choice of radiological investigation and thereby provide entitlement degree which activities in the improvement process affects eligibility degree and in what way Method Interventions in the form of education and measurements used to improve eligibility rate. As-sessment of the eligibility rate was made by a resident physician. A case study with a qualitative approach was implemented and focus-group interviews were used to study the improvement process. Results Results indicates that the eligibility rate increased slightly as a result of the selected interven-tions. Education in place, however, gave perceived benefits in terms of improved knowledge and learning for participants. The analysis showed that the uncertainty that physicians experience in their work with pa-tients can be attributed to the categories of knowledge and requirements. Discussion / Conclusion Education conducted by a radiology specialist has is shown to be a successful concept. Meas-urements as a method of learning and change were perceived as measurement for monitoring. Improved knowledge about the determinants of physician choice of survey has been achieved and areas for further improvement are identified.

Bakgrund:I Sydafrika skiljer sig den orala hälsan mellan olika befolkningspopulationer och personer med funktionsnedsättning är en grupp som har en ökad risk för orala sjukdomar. Undermålig oral hygien är en orsak till plackbildning på tänder och dess omgivande vävnader vilket i sin tur kan leda till orala sjukdomar såsom karies, gingivit och parodontit. Syfte:Syftet med studien var att undersöka förekomsten av karies och plack hos personer med funktionsnedsättning på ett vårdhem i Ga-Rankuwa, Sydafrika. Metod:Studien var en kvantitativ tvärsnittsstudie baserad på utförda kliniska tandundersökningar av manifest karies och plack. Resultat:Populationen var 50 personer i åldrarna 18–46 år, av dessa hade 92 % karies. Antal karierade tänder var fler hos männen jämfört med kvinnorna (statistiskt signifikant). Gällande karies- och plackförekomst vid jämförelse mellan olika åldersgrupper fanns ingen statistisk signifikant skillnad. Ingen skillnad kunde ses mellan könen avseende plackförekomst. Medelvärdet för plackförekomsten var 1,8 vilket innebär att merparten hade plack som täckte mer än ⅓, men inte mer än ⅔. Slutsatser: Förekomsten av karies och plack är hög hos personer med funktionsnedsättning på vårdhemmet i Ga-Rankuwa. Vidare och mer omfattande studier hos en större population behövs för att öka kunskapen kring denna grupp och deras orala hälsa. / Background:The oral health differs in South Africa and people with disabilities are a group that have an increased risk of oral diseases. Deficient oral hygiene causes dental plaque which can lead to oral diseases such as caries, gingivitis and periodontitis. Aim:The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of caries and plaque in people with disabilities in a care facility in Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa. Method:The study was a quantitative cross-sectional study based on clinical dental examinations of manifest caries and plaque. Result:The participants was 50 persons (18–46 years), which had 92 % caries. The men had more caries than the women (statistic significant). When comparing different ages, there were no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of caries and plaque. The mean value of plaque was 1,8, meaning that the majority had more than ⅓of plaque on the tooth surface but not more than ⅔. No difference was found when comparing genders. Conclusion:The prevalence of caries and plaque is high among persons with disabilities in the care facility in Ga-Rankuwa. Further and more extensive studies in a larger population are needed to increase knowledge of this group and their oral health.