Description: This paper discusses research on acetylcholine-containing neuroepithelial cells in fish gills. Abstract: The neurochemical link between O2 chemoreceptors and afferent nerves that carry information about O2 levels to cardio-ventilatory centers in the brain has yet to be determined. This study examines the roles of two candidate neurotransmitters thought to be involved in O2 chemoreception, using channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Fish gills are the evolutionary progenitors of arterial arches (aortic and carotid) of mammals where O2 chemoreceptors are located. Neuroepithelial cells (NECs) containing serotonin (5-HT) and acetylcholine (Ach) were confirmed in the first gill arch using immunohistochemistry and laser confocal microscopy. 5-HT-containing NECs were aggregated around the efferent branchial artery, near tips of filaments and lamellae, ACh-containing NECs at the distal tips of filaments. Preliminary co-localization experiments indicate separate 5-HT and Ach-containing cells. This is the first demonstration of ACh-containing NECs and results of this study support pharmacological studies suggesting that ACh is the primary neurochemical involved in O2 chemoreception in vertebrates.

Description: This poster discusses research on how non-native, western speakers acquire languages involving Sino/Japanese characters. Specifically, it addresses how elements from instruction in the native language and culture may be modified to enhance mastery of the given language with regard to character use and literacy.

Description: This presentation discusses Action Research, the inquiry part of a Professional Development School (PDS) model that all UNT elementary education, pre-service teacher/student interns complete with mentor teachers during student teaching.

Description: This presentation discusses a research investigation into the treatment of mens rea in the quest to hold individuals accountable for genocide.

Description: This paper discusses the "Adopt-A-Molecule" project. Abstract: Adopt-A-Molecule was a 9-week long, two-part term project, undertaken by students enrolled in the first of the 2-semester sequence in organic chemistry (Fall 2009). This newly developed project was an attempt to increase students' interest in organic chemistry by giving them semester-long opportunities to actively explore a range of organic compounds and their varied applications in the real world. Several substances commonly found in food, medicines, personal care products, sports equipment, etc, were selected for this project. At the beginning of the semester, each student was assigned one of these substances, which they "adopted" for the term. During the first 5 weeks, prompted by a series of questions to guide their inquiry, students gathered, and reported weekly, information regarding various properties of their adopted molecule. Many of the questions paralleled the topics under discussion in class. The following week, each student created a "Molecule Profile" that included all the previously gathered information, along with the other interesting facts that they had uncovered. A sample profile was shown briefly in class, but no template was provided, and students were encouraged to use their creativity to build visually appealing profiles. The student-generated profiles were then ...