William P. Baker

Classroom Management for Successful Student Inquiry.

lassroom management is an important concern of every teacher. Experience, however, indicates that this is especially true when a teacher is using inquirybased activities (Jacobowitz 1997; Lawson 1995). Students focus on observations and cooperative group interactions (Lawson 1994; 1988). The teacher becomes a participant in the exploration rather than the focus of student attention. He or she moves from one group of students to another and must provide helpful suggestions or probing questions (Lawson, Abraham, and Renner 1989). To some this approach may appear to lead to a loss of order. In reality, however, good inquiry-based activities, when properly introduced, increase student interest and motivation, and that greatly reduces classroom control problems. Rather than a purveyor of information, the teacher is now a fellow investigator into interesting questions and phenomena (Lawson, Abraham, and Renner 1989). Student motivation shifts from an extrinsic desire for a good grade, which only some students view as possible or even desirable, to an intrinsic one of satisfying a curiosity about nature (Lawson 2000). Even so, in implementing the National Science Education Standards, we have found that many teachers encounter classroom management problems in inquiry teaching. In this article we will briefly describe some of these problems and suggest some ways to avoid them or reduce their severity. It is extremely important that a teacher develop techniques that allow the effective implementation of inquiry-based activities. Identifying Classroom Management Problems

Antimicrobial Activity of Natural Plant Extracts Against Five Bacterial Species

Abstract In vitro antibacterial activity of herbal products commonly used by the Mexican-American community was analyzed in this study. Traditional uses for these herbal products include general tonics and over-the-counter medications used to treat specific conditions or diseases. The present study examined the antibacterial activity of 74 herbal products using the disk diffusion method as part of the process of understanding the chemistry, toxicity and efficacy of these plant products. Ethanol extracts of the herbs were examined using a standard antimicrobial disk diffusion method. Extracts were tested against both Gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. This present pilot study data with herbal products from Phoenix resulted in 4 plants being active against Staphylococcus aureus and 1 active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa out of the 74 plants tested. These results served to validate our procedures and indicate the need for the present study. Implications of these results for bioactivity and drug discovery potential of herbal products are discussed. This study serves as basis for further research on these herbs.

What Variables Affect Solubility

Abstract This simple but effective laboratory exercise helps middle school students understand the concept of solubility through hands-on experience with a variety of liquids and solids. As they explore factors that affect solubility and saturation, students gain content mastery and an understanding of the inquiry process. The exercise also enables teachers to authentically assess student performance on several levels. The authors have discovered that students and teachers benefit from using such an interactive, hands-on approach.

How Are Volume and Mass Related

or several years we have been seeking a simple but meaningful way to teach the complex concept of F density using readily available resources. Currently thm are laboratory exercises that use liquids or prepared blocks of Werent materials (Korba 1997; Meraw 1996; Nesin and Barrow 1984; R i s k 19%; Wiecmrek 1995). In line with the National Science Education Standards (National Research Council 2000), it was our goal to design a middle school physical science lab that was fun and interesting and could be prepared quickly. We also wanted to promote understanding of inquiry and a personal awareness of the nature of science. We have found that the following, hands-on, floral foam activity effectively accomplishes these goals. In this activity, students use floral foam to explore the relationship between volume and mass. Students then compare calculations and use them to understand the concept of density. Floral foam is inexpensive, easy to obtain, and fun for students to work with. We allow 30 minutes for setup and 1 hour for the activity. You will also want to set aside 20 to 40 minutes for discussion and sharing of results.

Modeling Protein Domain Function

This simple but effective laboratory exercise helps students understand the concept of protein domain function. They use foam beads, Styrofoam craft balls, and pipe cleaners to explore how domains within protein active sites interact to form a functional protein. The activity allows students to gain content mastery and an understanding of the vital role of proteins within cells. The exercise also enables teachers to assess student performance on several levels.

In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Herbal Products Used in a Mexican-American Community

ABSTRACT In vitro antibacterial activity of herbal products commonly used by the Mexican-American community was analyzed in this study. Traditional uses for these herbal products include general tonics and over-the-counter medications used to treat specific conditions or diseases. The present study examined the antibacterial activity of 151 herbal products using the disk diffusion method as part of the process of understanding the chemistry, toxicity and efficacy of these plant products. Ethanol extracts of the herbs were examined using a standard antimicrobial disk diffusion method. Extracts were tested against both Gram positive (Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus luteus, and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria. Pilot study data with herbal products from Phoenix resulted in 4 plants being active against Staphylococcus aureus and 1 active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa of the 38 plants tested. These results served to validate our procedures and indicate the need for the present study. Implications of these results for bioactivity and drug discovery potential of herbal products are discussed. This study serves as basis for further research on these herbs.

Development of a Murine Cell Line Model for Chimeric Neurofilament Protein Aggregation

Abstract Neurofilament (NF) proteins play key structural and functional roles in healthy neuronal tissues. However, in neuro-degenerative diseases aggregates of NF proteins form and this aggregation process appears to play a mechanistic role in the disease process. Because neurofilaments are obligate heteropolymers, the ability of neurofilament proteins to form filaments may depend on their domain structure. Therefore, a series of chimeric neurofilament proteins were constructed and the ability of these chimeric proteins to form filaments was tested. All were expected to form filaments with vimentin. Surprisingly, several chimeric NF constructs were unable to form filaments with vimentin. Expression of these chimeric proteins not only disassembled the existing vimentin meshwork but formed aggregates instead. The composition of these aggregates was investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy. Based on the resulting colocalization data, we conclude that these aggregates are similar to those seen in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, we conclude that these cell lines are a valid model system for the study of the aggregation of NF proteins and the role of these aggregates in neurodegenerative disease processes.

QUANTIFICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SULFATE-REDUCING BACTERIA FROM GROUNDWATER FROM THE MOGOLLON RIM, ARIZONA

Abstract Naturally occurring sulfates are common contaminants of groundwater. Dissolved sulfates are used by sulfate reducing bacteria which release hydrogen sulfide. Sulfate reducing bacteria are common in anaerobic environments such as deep wells. This results in production of hydrogen sulfide, a corrosive gas. Monitoring and control of sulfate reducing bacteria may be used to control the formation of hydrogen sulfide. To this end, the present study examined the prevalence of sulfate-reducing bacteria from five groundwater sources on the Mogollon Rim in central Arizona. The five samples were negative by both assays. Results serve as a basis for future study of ground-water microbiology and sulfate-reducing geochemistry in the Mogollon Rim.

Prophylactic Megadose Vitamin E for Lambs with Heat Stress Syndrome

Abstract White Muscle Disease (WMD) is a well-recognized degenerative muscle disease found in neonatal lambs. Pathogenesis is by deficiency of selenium and/or vitamin E. Morbidity and mortality in young lambs is common in areas where selenium and/or vitamin E are deficient. Arizona is not known as a deficient area yet older lambs are diagnosed with WMD during the hot summer months. Lambs affected with WMD cannot be brought to market and are a major economic concern for Arizona producers. We propose that the extreme heat experienced in central Arizona creates an unusually high demand for vitamin E not seen elsewhere. We propose this condition be termed Heat Stress Syndrome. Little is known about the prevention of heat induced WMD or Heat Stress Syndrome. This study will review the records of a local producer to investigate the efficacy of prophylactic megadose vitamin E treatment of vitamin E in reducing Heat Stress Syndrome (HSS). Specifically, the question of whether prophylactic treatment with vitamin E reduces the incidence of HSS in older lambs will be addressed. Such therapy options would be a welcome addition to the veterinarians therapeutic portfolio and of economic interest throughout the region.

Differentiation of Post-Travel Fever in a 25 Year-Old Medical Student

Abstract We report an unusual case of post-travel fever, extreme headache, chills, nausea, vomiting, profuse diarrhea and clinical sepsis. The patient had been in excellent health prior to a month-long rotation in Samoa and American Samoa where he had direct patient contact. He also traveled to remote villages, frequently ate local food and swam in both fresh and saltwater. Symptoms developed 5 days post return and on day eight the patient was hospitalized and resuscitated with intravenous fluids. Antibiotics administered empirically included IV levofloxacin, IV metronidazole and IV vancomycin. His condition gradually improved with normalization of lab values. However AST and ALT levels remained elevated. Despite advances in diagnosis, post-travel fevers remain a challenging clinical problem. Lessons learned from this patients care will inform readers of current methods of diagnosis and treatment. Implications for travel to remote locales are discussed.