Iterating toward change: Improving student-centered teaching through the STEM faculty institute (STEMFI).

One of the primary reasons why students leave STEM majors is due to the poor quality of instruction. Teaching practices can be improved through professional development programs; however, several barriers exist. Creating lasting change by overcoming these barriers is the primary objective of the STEM Faculty Institute (STEMFI). STEMFI was designed according to the framework established by Ajzen's Theory of Planned Behavior. To evaluate its effectiveness, the Classroom Observation Protocol for Undergraduate STEM (COPUS) tool was used before and after an intensive year-long faculty development program and analyzed using copusprofiles.org, a tool that classifies each COPUS report into one of three instructional styles: didactic, interactive lecture, and student-centered. We report the success of our program in changing faculty teaching behaviors and we categorize them into types of reformers. Then, thematically coded post-participation interviews give us clues into the characteristics of each type of reformer. Our results demonstrate that faculty can significantly improve the student-centeredness of their teaching practices in a relatively short time. We also discuss the implications of faculty attitudes for future professional development efforts.

Injury to the tarsometatarsal joint complex during fixation of Lisfranc fracture dislocations: an anatomic study.

BACKGROUND: The cause of posttraumatic arthritis in Lisfranc injuries is argued in the literature. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the involved joint surface area increased with repositioning of the guidewire before screw placement. MATERIALS: Nine matched pairs of cadaveric feet were disarticulated at the tibiotalar joint. Under fluoroscopic guidance, cannulated screws were placed over guidewires after a single pass across the joint for right feet and two passes across the joint for left feet. Specimens were disarticulated through the midfoot, and the digital images of the joint surface were evaluated for joint surface area and the surface area of cartilaginous damage resulting from screw placement. RESULTS: Mean injury area for the first metatarsal (MT1) was 0.106 cm2 for one pass and 0.168 cm2 for two passes of the guidewire before screw advancement (p = 0.003) The mean injury area for the second metatarsal (MT2) was 0.123 and 0.178 cm2 for one and two passes, respectively (p = 0.018). Four of nine (44%) of the left foot specimens (2 passes of the guidewire) sustained fractures across the MT2 base and three of those specimens also revealed fractures on the middle cuneiform side of the joint (33%). CONCLUSION: Changing the placement of the guidewire across the midfoot significantly increased the joint surface affected by screw placement. Screws placed plantar to the midline of the joint increased the risk of fracture on both sides of the tarsometatarsal complex.

Assessment of risks of brodifacoum to non-target birds and mammals in New Zealand.

The risks to non-target birds and other wildlife from the use of vertebrate pesticides, including anticoagulant rodenticides, are determined to a significant extent by species' intrinsic susceptibility, and the toxicokinetics of the compounds used. Brodifacoum is highly toxic to birds and mammals. The acute toxicity of brodifacoum to birds in New Zealand varies from <1 mg/kg in pukeko (Porphyrio p. melanotus), the native swamp hen, to >20 mg/kg in the paradise shelduck (Tadorna variegata). Like other second-generation anticoagulants brodifacoum is strongly bound to vitamin K epoxide reductase and will persist, apparently for at least 6 months, in organs and tissue containing this enzyme, e.g., liver, kidney, and pancreas. The unique toxicokinetics of this class of compound exacerbates the risk of primary and secondary poisoning of non-target species. Vertebrate pest control programmes in New Zealand using bait containing brodifacoum have resulted in the primary and secondary poisoning and sub-lethal contamination of non-target species. These include native raptors, such as the Australasian harrier (Circus approximans) and morepork (Ninox novaeseelandiae), other native birds such as the pukeko, weka (Gallirallus australis), southern black-backed gull (Larus dominicanus), and kiwi (Apteryx spp.), and introduced mammals, including game animals. There are increasing numbers of reports worldwide of wildlife contamination and toxicosis after the use of second-generation anticoagulants. All pest control activities require careful risk-benefit assessment in view of their potential to cause adverse environmental impact. Monitoring of wildlife for pesticide residues will provide data that can be used to reduce the risk of anticoagulant bioaccumulation and mortality in non-target species.