Application of the Indigenous evaluation framework to a university certificate program for building cultural awareness in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

This paper presents a case example of the Indigenous Evaluation Framework as applied to a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education pilot program. Indigenous methodologies include knowledge and data that are inclusive of historically marginalized groups, are highly meaningful, valid, and useful for all. A paradigm shift from Western evaluation methodologies to Indigenous evaluation is necessary when evaluating STEM programs that are committed to increasing recruitment, retention, and graduation of students from historically marginalized groups.

Community Composition of Nitrite Reductase Gene Sequences in an Acid Mine Drainage Environment.

Denitrifying microbial communities play a central role in the nitrogen cycle, contribute to greenhouse gas production, and provide ecosystem services through the mitigation of nitrogen pollution. The impacts of human-induced acid mine drainage (AMD) and naturally occurring acid rock drainage (ARD), both characterized by low pH and high metal concentrations, on denitrifying microbial communities is not well understood. This study examined denitrifying microbes within sediments impacted by acidic and metal-rich AMD or ARD in the Iron Springs Mining District (10 sites across four regions over four time points) located in Southwest Colorado, USA.

Nitrifier Gene Abundance and Diversity in Sediments Impacted by Acid Mine Drainage.

Extremely acidic and metal-rich acid mine drainage (AMD) waters can have severe toxicological effects on aquatic ecosystems. AMD has been shown to completely halt nitrification, which plays an important role in transferring nitrogen to higher organisms and in mitigating nitrogen pollution. We evaluated the gene abundance and diversity of nitrifying microbes in AMD-impacted sediments: ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB).

Perturbation and restoration of the fathead minnow gut microbiome after low-level triclosan exposure.

Background: Triclosan is a widely used antimicrobial compound and emerging environmental contaminant. Although the role of the gut microbiome in health and disease is increasingly well established, the interaction between environmental contaminants and host microbiome is largely unexplored, with unknown consequences for host health. This study examined the effects of low, environmentally relevant levels of triclosan exposure on the fish gut microbiome.

Microbial desalination cells for improved performance in wastewater treatment, electricity production, and desalination.

The low conductivity and alkalinity in municipal wastewater significantly limit power production from microbial fuel cells (MFCs). This study integrated desalination with wastewater treatment and electricity production in a microbial desalination cell (MDC) by utilizing the mutual benefits among the above functions. When using wastewater as the sole substrate, the power output from the MDC (8.

Nutritional ecology of a parasitic wasp: food source affects gustatory response, metabolic utilization, and survivorship.

The success of biological control is partly mediated by the longevity and reproductive success of beneficial insects. Availability of nectar and honeydew can improve the nutrition of parasitic insects, and thereby increase their longevity and realized fecundity. The egg parasitoid, Anaphes iole, showed strong gustatory perception of trehalulose, a carbohydrate found in homopteran honeydew.

The shield-backed bug, Pachycoris stallii: description of immature stages, effect of maternal care on nymphs, and notes on life history.

The life history of the shield-backed bug, Pachycoris stallii Uhler (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae), immatures was studied on its host plant, Croton californicus Muell.-Arg. (Euphorbiaceae), in Baja California Sur, Mexico.

A mathematical model of Saccharomyces cerevisiae growth in response to cadmium toxicity.

Microbial growth can be described using models derived by differential equations, but available mathematical models have yet to adequately describe lag phase related cell growth or cell mortality in response to chemical toxicity. Lag phase cell behavior, however, dictates the onset of exponential growth and the number of actively growing cells available to initiate exponential growth, important factors in the success of remediation efforts. In this study, a five-parameter polynomial ratio (PR) model was used to characterize the growth, from lag through stationary phase, of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae in response to cadmium toxicity.

Differential responses of a mine tailings Pseudomonas isolate to cadmium and lead exposures.

We examined cadmium and lead resistance in Pseudomonas sp. S8A, an isolate obtained from mine tailings-contaminated soil. Resistant to soluble metal concentrations up to 200 mg l(-1) cadmium and 300 mg l(-1) lead, S8A produced both exopolymer and biosurfactant.

The role of cell bioaugmentation and gene bioaugmentation in the remediation of co-contaminated soils.

Soils co-contaminated with metals and organics present special problems for remediation. Metal contamination can delay or inhibit microbial degradation of organic pollutants such that for effective in situ biodegradation, bioaugmentation is necessary. We monitored the degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) or 3-chlorobenzoate (3-CB) in two different soils with and without cadmium (Cd) contamination.