Since the inception in 1990 of the Kentucky Education Reform Act, the Commonwealth of Kentucky has taken steps to improve middle-school student education, particularly in science. In this study, we evaluated the effects that these changes on middle school student performance, particular with respect to misconceptions about free fall and inertia. We collected data from approximately 750 seventh- and eighth-grade students from three middle schools in south-central Kentucky. We then surveyed the students, using a series of questions related to force and motion, after they had completed coursework at the relevant grade level. Overall, we found that students had a poor understanding of these topics. Seventh graders tended to perform better than their eighth grade counterparts, and male students tended to perform better than female students. We also conducted video interviews with a select number of students to evaluate their understanding of free fall and inertia. The video interviews showed the depth of misconceptions. We found that those students retained these misconceptions even after having completed the appropriate coursework.

Cumberland sandwort (Minuartia cumberlandensis) is a federally endangered species native to Kentucky and Tennessee. An in vitro propagation protocol was developed for producing plants for potential outplantings to increase numbers in the wild. Cryopreservation protocols were developed to preserve in vitro lines ex situ. Initial survival of shoot tips through liquid nitrogen exposure ranged from 62–94%, while survival after 10 years in LN ranged from 10–75%. An experimental outplanting of 63 in vitro-propagated plants was undertaken in a rockhouse habitat within the historic range of the species, After 6 years, 12 of the original plants were surviving, but the population had grown to over 200 plants. Survival varied within the rockhouse and appeared to be related to moisture and light variations at the different microhabitats within the site. These results demonstrate that in vitro propagation methods can be used to supplement other conservation efforts with M. cumberlandensis, by supplying plants for outplantings, if needed. In vitro propagated plants can also be used to study microhabitat requirements and to select locations to increase survival of outplanted individuals, without depleting the genetic diversity available for reintroductions.

We discuss the measurement of the coefficient of restitution (COR) and the acceleration of gravity g using video and sound analysis with both Tracker and Logger Pro 3 software. Measuring COR of a bouncing ball is a common activity in physics labs from high school to intro level college courses (e.g., measuring COR to obtain gravitational acceleration). A typical experiment involves measuring the heights of subsequent ball bounces, although its precision is sometimes of concern. An indirect measurement by analyzing the sound of collisions is also popular and provides higher precision. In our experiment, video and sound analyses are integrated to provide both direct and indirect measurements of COR for pedagogical purposes. COR values by video analysis produce more accurate determinations of the gravitational acceleration compared with the COR from sound analysis alone.

Oxidative stress is associated in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases such as various neurodegenerative disorders, ischemia, and cancer. The brain is susceptible to oxidative stress due to its high level of polyunsaturated fatty acids, increased rate of oxygen consumption, and elevated levels of free radicals. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) can react with biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids, which leads to oxidative damage, cellular dysfunction, and ultimately cell death. Down syndrome (DS), a genetic abnormality, is the most common form of mild to moderate mental retardation in newborn infants. DS patients have extensive deposition of Aβ(17-42) peptide that could contribute to their increased rate of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is consistent with current research. Because AD cannot be properly diagnosed until autopsy, development of a novel Down syndrome model using Aβ(17-42) could be beneficial in determining oxidative stress levels and their relationship to mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the earliest form of AD. This work will demonstrate the use of a novel Down Syndrome model and its correlation to oxidative stress. We have found a significant difference between oxidative stress levels in Aβ(17-42) treated synaptosomes and control synaptosomes. Using proteomics, we also identified several biomarkers including aldehyde dehydrogenase, aldolase, α-enolase, heat shock cognate 71, peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase, and ATP synthase α chain. Our present findings suggest the role of Aβ(17-42) as one of the contributing factors in mediating oxidative stress in the DS and AD brain that can lead to neurodegeneration. This novel DS model may have potential applications as a diagnostic tool to identify biomarkers that may contribute to AD.