The effect of teaching approaches on achievement and satisfaction of field-dependent and field-independent learners in animal science.

A senior-level university swine management class of 42 students consisted of three laboratory sections (containing 22, 12, and 8 students). A counterbalanced design was used to evaluate three teaching approaches (field-dependent, field-independent, and combination); each weekly laboratory section received each teaching approach for 3 wk. All students were evaluated and categorized as field-dependent or field-independent learners before the study. All students were evaluated for achievement and satisfaction at the end of each laboratory period. Teaching approach x learning style x laboratory section was not significant for achievement or satisfaction. Teaching approach x laboratory section was significant for achievement (P = .01) and satisfaction (P = .01). Teaching approach x learning style was not significant for achievement (P = . 15) or satisfaction (P = .15). Field-independent learners scored 6% higher on achievement tests when taught with a field-dependent approach rather than a field-independent approach. Field-dependent learners scored 21.9% higher when taught with a combination approach rather than a field-dependent approach and 13.8% higher than when taught with a field-independent approach. Overall student satisfaction was positive (3.50 on a 5-point scale). Field-independent learners were most satisfied with a combination approach; however, field-dependent learners preferred a field-dependent approach. Teaching approach was significant (P = .03) for achievement with the combination approach and resulted in higher scores (8.7 to 9.7%). Teaching approach was not significant for satisfaction (P = .61). Overall, a combination of teaching methods, tailored to both field-dependent and field-independent students, was most effective. Matching instruction to student learning style is not necessary. The study represents an example of using animal science students and faculty in research to improve animal science instruction and heighten awareness of teaching methods.

Helminth parasites of northern spotted owls (Strix occidentalis caurina) from Oregon.

Helminth parasites are reported for the first time from northern spotted owls. Seventy-one percent of a sample of Strix occidentalis caurina from western Oregon was infected. Nematodes (Porrocaecum depressum, Capillaria falconis, Microtetrameres sp. and Synhimantus hamatus) were the most prevalent parasites although cestodes (Paruterina rauschi) and acanthocephalans (Centrorhynchus conspectus) were also represented. There was an association between components of this helminth fauna and the diet of spotted owls which is dominated by small rodents. The occurrence of P. rauschi rather than P. candelabraria in this geographic region and host-species may provide additional support for recognition of a parapatric distribution in the ranges of Paruterina spp. among strigiforms in the Nearctic.

[Some problems in the use of holography in medical-biological studies]. / Nekotorye voprosy primeneniia golografii v mediko-biologicheskikh issledovaniiakh

Various fields of the holographic methods application in medico-biological investigations are discussed. Special consideration is given to the methods of holographic interferometry, holographic microscopy, ultrasonic holography and to the technique of optic filtration of images. The paper sets forth brief characteristics of diverse holographic methods, technical possibilities of each one of them and a review of some practical work done in this field.

Post-processing of BLAST results using databases of clustered sequences.

MOTIVATION: When evaluating the results of a sequence similarity search, there are many situations where it can be useful to determine whether sequences appearing in the results share some distinguishing characteristic. Such dependencies between database entries are often not readily identifiable, but can yield important new insights into the biological function of a gene or protein. RESULTS: We have developed a program called CBLAST that sorts the results of a BLAST sequence similarity search according to sequence membership in user-defined 'clusters' of sequences. To demonstrate the utility of this application, we have constructed two cluster databases. The first describes clusters of nucleotide sequences representing the same gene, as documented in the UNIGENE database, and the second describes clusters of protein sequences which are members of the protein families documented in the PROSITE database. Cluster databases and the CBLAST post-processor provide an efficient mechanism for identifying and exploring relationships and dependencies between new sequences and database entries.

Periapical actinomycosis. An unusual case report.

An unusual case of actinomycosis in the oral cavity is reported. The strict anaerobic qualities of Actinomyces israelii make laboratory culturing and growing of this organism difficult. Accordingly, the diagnosis was based on the histopathologic report. Because of the atypical clinical presentation, i.e., lack of any discharging sinus tract on the skin surface, and the histopathologic reports, it was postulated that the actinomycosis was superimposed on an existing granulomatous tissue.

A progressive approach to the problem of foodborne infections.

Qualitative and quantitative bacteriological examinations of 100 samples of perishable foods from 39 retail stores were performed to determine the presence of bacterial contaminants and to explore the feasibility of establishing and utilizing microbiological standards in enforcement. Forty-six per cent of the samples had standard plate counts in excess of 100,000 per gram, 17 per cent showed coliform organisms in excess of 100 per gram, 20 per cent revealed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus and 2 per cent Clostridium perfringens. None of the shell fish samples grew Vibrio parahaemolyticus. The bacteriological findings are discussed in relation to pertinent variables and the use of microbiological standards for potentially hazardous foods is explored. All 450 retail food establishments in a selected area of Western Suffolk County (New York) were subjected to comprehensive study, using a scoring system developed by the Food and Drug Administration. Initial inspections revealed 32 per cent as having one or more major violations. Follow-up inspections were performed to insure compliance and most violations were corrected within four weeks. Six months later all establishments were reinspected. The scoring system was found to have limited value. Half the establishments with major violations on initial inspection had major violations six months later as compared to less than a quarter of those with no initial major violation.

Histologic identification of mast cells in human dental pulp.

Previous investigators who attempted to identify mast cells in the dental pulp have used demineralizing or tooth-splitting procedures to obtain their tissue samples. However, Eda and Langeland15 found that the fluorescence of mast cells is destroyed by acid demineralizing agents. On the other hand, tooth splitting may damage the pulp by crushing it with forceps, or cutting and heating it with burs, stones, or discs. In the present study, we used the extirpated pulps from teeth in which endodontic access openings were made by means of high-speed rotary instruments with water spray. Metachromatic staining methods failed to demonstrate mast cells in any of the non-inflamed pulp specimens. Two of the inflamed pulp specimens revealed numerous mast cells which appeared intact and well preserved with no evidence of degranulation. As to the distribution of the mast cells, there was no correlation with the number and types of other inflammatory cells observed. Although several cells present in the specimens examined were suggestive of mast cells, only those cells that revealed definitive metachromasia were included in this study.