Transforming Student and Staff Experiences with Active Learning Tutorials in Advanced Chemistry Courses

In order to increase student engagement and provide more opportunities for students to develop their creativity in the context of three large advanced chemistry courses, we have introduced active learning designs in the courses’ tutorial sessions. The tutorial designs focused on collaborative learning, student-generated content and real-world industrial situations. The tutorial activities, carefully scaffolded, focussed on students generating their own problems from scratch, dealing with situations that mimic what might happen on an industrial design team, and writing a short question following the typical format of a final exam question. The tutorial sessions lasted one hour each, and were delivered during the time lapse of three weeks. Most of the students had none or very limited previous experience with active learning instruction. Despite this, students adapted immediately to the active learning format, displaying good collaborative learning skills and a higher level of engagement and attendance to the sessions with respect to traditional taught tutorials. In the post instruction surveys, students reported an increased positive experience, recognising that the sessions allowed them to apply their knowledge to new situations, and stimulated them to learn more on the topics while practising transferable skills in peer discussions. Lecturers who delivered the sessions with active learning for the first time, reported a positive transformation on their own teaching experience. This article discusses the details of the active learning design, the student perceptions and staff teaching experience, highlighting how active learning can be a positive transformative experience not only for the students but also for the academic staff

Teaching Robust Argumentation Informed by the Nature of Science to Support Social Justice. Experiences from Two Projects in Lower Secondary Schools in Norway

Under embargo until: 2022-09-09This chapter suggests a set of design principles for science curricula that will enable students to produce evidence-based arguments expressing views related to their own interests. It is based on the assumption that the ability to construct evidence-based arguments strengthens students’ ability to promote their own views in the interest of social justice. This is of special importance for students not enculturated into such argumentation through their upbringing. To promote one’s own views in a debate means to critique others’ arguments, and especially to ensure one’s own arguments are resistent to criticism. Insight into the nature of science includes insights in how to construct sound arguments based on facts and research results. The discussion of design principles is based on an analysis of two science projects in two lower secondary schools in Norway (Grade 8). In the first project, students produced scientific claims based on evidence from their own practical experiments. In the second project, the students developed and applied a method for estimating energy use and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The students used their findings to construct arguments related to local transport plans. The analysis focuses on challenges and successes in scaffolding students at different competence levels to successfully produce evidence-based arguments.acceptedVersio

On the Banach lattice structure of L-w(1) of a vector measure on a delta-ring

We study some Banach lattice properties of the space L-w(1)(v) of weakly integrable functions with respect to a vector measure v defined on a delta-ring. Namely, we analyze order continuity, order density and Fatou type properties. We will see that the behavior of L-w(1)(v) differs from the case in which is defined on a sigma-algebra whenever does not satisfy certain local sigma-finiteness property.J. M. Calabuig and M. A. Juan were supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (project MTM2008-04594). O. Delgado was supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (project MTM2009-12740-C03-02). E. A. Sanchez Perez was supported by the Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad (project MTM2009-14483-C02-02).Calabuig Rodriguez, JM.; Delgado Garrido, O.; Juan Blanco, MA.; Sánchez Pérez, EA. (2014). On the Banach lattice structure of L-w(1) of a vector measure on a delta-ring. Collectanea Mathematica. 65(1):67-85. doi:10.1007/s13348-013-0081-8S6785651Brooks, J.K., Dinculeanu, N.: Strong additivity, absolute continuity and compactness in spaces of measures. J. Math. Anal. Appl. 45, 156–175 (1974)Calabuig, J.M., Delgado, O., Sánchez Pérez, E.A.: Factorizing operators on Banach function spaces through spaces of multiplication operators. J. Math. Anal. Appl. 364, 88–103 (2010)Calabuig, J.M., Juan, M.A., Sánchez Pérez, E.A.: Spaces of $$p$$ -integrable functions with respect to a vector measure defined on a $$\delta$$ -ring. Oper. Matrices 6, 241–262 (2012)Curbera, G.P.: El espacio de funciones integrables respecto de una medida vectorial. Ph. D. thesis, University of Sevilla, Sevilla (1992)Curbera, G.P.: Operators into $$L^1$$ of a vector measure and applications to Banach lattices. Math. Ann. 293, 317–330 (1992)Curbera, G.P., Ricker, W.J.: Banach lattices with the Fatou property and optimal domains of kernel operators. Indag. Math. (N.S.) 17, 187–204 (2006)G. P. Curbera and W. J. Ricker, Vector measures, integration and applications. In: Positivity (in Trends Math.), Birkhäuser, Basel, pp. 127–160 (2007)Curbera, G.P., Ricker, W.J.: The Fatou property in $$p$$ -convex Banach lattices. J. Math. Anal. Appl. 328, 287–294 (2007)Delgado, O.: $$L^1$$ -spaces of vector measures defined on $$\delta$$ -rings. Arch. Math. 84, 432–443 (2005)Delgado, O.: Optimal domains for kernel operators on $$[0,\infty )\times [0,\infty )$$ . Studia Math. 174, 131–145 (2006)Delgado, O., Soria, J.: Optimal domain for the Hardy operator. J. Funct. Anal. 244, 119–133 (2007)Delgado, O., Juan, M.A.: Representation of Banach lattices as $$L_w^1$$ spaces of a vector measure defined on a $$\delta$$ -ring. Bull. Belg. Math. Soc. Simon Stevin 19(2), 239–256 (2012)Diestel, J., Uhl, J.J.: Vector measures (Am. Math. Soc. surveys 15). American Mathematical Society, Providence (1997)Dinculeanu, N.: Vector measures, Hochschulbcher fr Mathematik, vol. 64. VEB Deutscher Verlag der Wissenschaften, Berlin (1966)Fernández, A., Mayoral, F., Naranjo, F., Sáez, C., Sánchez Pérez, E.A.: Spaces of $$p$$ -integrable functions with respect to a vector measure. Positivity 10, 1–16 (2006)Fremlin, D.H.: Measure theory, broad foundations, vol. 2. Torres Fremlin, Colchester (2001)Jiménez Fernández, E., Juan, M.A., Sánchez Pérez, E.A.: A Komlós theorem for abstract Banach lattices of measurable functions. J. Math. Anal. Appl. 383, 130–136 (2011)Lewis, D.R.: On integrability and summability in vector spaces. Ill. J. Math. 16, 294–307 (1972)Lindenstrauss, J., Tzafriri, L.: Classical Banach spaces II. Springer, Berlin (1979)Luxemburg, W.A.J., Zaanen, A.C.: Riesz spaces I. North-Holland, Amsterdam (1971)Masani, P.R., Niemi, H.: The integration theory of Banach space valued measures and the Tonelli-Fubini theorems. I. Scalar-valued measures on $$\delta$$ -rings. Adv. Math. 73, 204–241 (1989)Masani, P.R., Niemi, H.: The integration theory of Banach space valued measures and the Tonelli-Fubini theorems. II. Pettis integration. Adv. Math. 75, 121–167 (1989)Thomas, E.G.F.: Vector integration (unpublished) (2013)Turpin, Ph.: Intégration par rapport à une mesure à valeurs dans un espace vectoriel topologique non supposé localement convexe, Intègration vectorielle et multivoque, (Colloq., University Caen, Caen, 1975), experiment no. 8, Dèp. Math., UER Sci., University Caen, Caen (1975)Okada, S., Ricker, W.J., Sánchez Pérez, E.A.: Optimal domain and integral extension of operators acting in function spaces (Oper. Theory Adv. Appl.), vol. 180. Birkhäuser, Basel (2008)Zaanen, A.C.: Riesz spaces II. North-Holland, Amsterdam (1983

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of High Definition Cameras as Remote Monitoring Tools for Dolphin Ecology Studies.

Research involving marine mammals often requires costly field programs. This paper assessed whether the benefits of using cameras outweighs the implications of having personnel performing marine mammal detection in the field. The efficacy of video and still cameras to detect Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the Fremantle Harbour (Western Australia) was evaluated, with consideration on how environmental conditions affect detectability. The cameras were set on a tower in the Fremantle Port channel and videos were perused at 1.75 times the normal speed. Images from the cameras were used to estimate position of dolphins at the water’s surface. Dolphin detections ranged from 5.6 m to 463.3 m for the video camera, and from 10.8 m to 347.8 m for the still camera. Detection range showed to be satisfactory when compared to distances at which dolphins would be detected by field observers. The relative effect of environmental conditions on detectability was considered by fitting a Generalised Estimation Equations (GEEs) model with Beaufort, level of glare and their interactions as predictors and a temporal auto-correlation structure. The best fit model indicated level of glare had an effect, with more intense periods of glare corresponding to lower occurrences of observed dolphins. However this effect was not large (-0.264) and the parameter estimate was associated with a large standard error (0.113).The limited field of view was the main restraint in that cameras can be only applied to detections of animals observed rather than counts of individuals. However, the use of cameras was effective for long term monitoring of occurrence of dolphins, outweighing the costs and reducing the health and safety risks to field personal. This study showed that cameras could be effectively implemented onshore for research such as studying changes in habitat use in response to development and construction activities

Microbiological Implications of Periurban Agriculture and Water Reuse in Mexico City

BACKGROUND: Recycled treated or untreated wastewater represents an important health challenge in developing countries due to potential water related microbiological exposure. Our aim was to assess water quality and health implications in a Mexico City periurban agricultural area. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: A longitudinal study in the Xochimilco wetland area was conducted, and 42 sites were randomly selected from 211, including irrigation water canals and effluents of treatment plants. Sample collection took place during rainy and dry seasons (2000-2001). Microbiological parameters (total coliforms, fecal coliforms, streptococci/enterococci, and bacteria other than Vibrio grown on TCBS), Helicobacter pylori, and physicochemical parameters including trihalomethanes (THM) were determined. Fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci are appropriate indicators of human or animal fecal contamination. Fecal coliform counts surpass Mexican and World Health Organization irrigation water guidelines. Identified microorganisms associated with various pathologies in humans and domestic animals comprise Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Salmonella spp., Enterobacter spp., Enterococcus spp., and Pseudomonas spp; H. pylori was also present in the water. An environmental characteristic of the canal system showed high Total Organic Carbon content and relatively low dissolved oxygen concentration; residual chlorine as a disinfection control is not efficient, but THMs do not represent a problem. During the rainy season, temperature and conductivity were higher; in contrast, pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, and residual chlorine were lower. This is related with the continuous load of feces from human and animal sources, and to the aquatic systems, which vary seasonally and exhibit evidence of lower water quality in effluents from treatment plants. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: There is a need for improvement of wastewater treatment systems, as well as more efficient monitoring, regulation, and enforcement procedures for wastewater disposal into bodies of water

Predicting global invasion risks: a management tool to prevent future introductions

Predicting regions at risk from introductions of non-native species and the subsequent invasions is a fundamental aspect of horizon scanning activities that enable the development of more effective preventative actions and planning of management measures. The Asian cyprinid fish topmouth gudgeon Pseudorasbora parva has proved highly invasive across Europe since its introduction in the 1960s. In addition to direct negative impacts on native fish populations, P. parva has potential for further damage through transmission of an emergent infectious disease, known to cause mortality in other species. To quantify its invasion risk, in regions where it has yet to be introduced, we trained 900 ecological niche models and constructed an Ensemble Model predicting suitability, then integrated a proxy for introduction likelihood. This revealed high potential for P. parva to invade regions well beyond its current invasive range. These included areas in all modelled continents, with several hotspots of climatic suitability and risk of introduction. We believe that these methods are easily adapted for a variety of other invasive species and that such risk maps could be used by policy-makers and managers in hotspots to formulate increased surveillance and early-warning systems that aim to prevent introductions and subsequent invasions

HOUSE 1 Protostructure: Enhancement of Spatial Imagination and Craftsmanship Between the Digital and the Analogical

Conceived around the concept of protostructure, HOUSE 1 deploys a strategy to answer a daring but simple question: How could we design a house between almost 300 people? The unique pedagogical framework of ALICE, first year Architectural Design course, proposes the integration of a series of full scale physical wooden constructs, enacting collaborative thinking and drawing on collective spatial knowledge. The protostructure constitutes at once both a material and immaterial open source support for the individual and collective interventions by the students. Its material dimension as a physical construction is invested and complemented by the immateriality of the guiding scheme. In this article, we review the steps in the development of the theoretical model and physical implementation of HOUSE 1 and discuss its relevance with regards to the relation between analogical and digital modes of engagement, pedagogical frameworks and spatial cognitive strategies. This implementation of the protostructure shows its potential as a tool to approach wood design, through a combination of digital and analogical processes, enhancing the deployment of spatial cognitive strategies with the use of wood as a material through and with which to think about space

Assessment of quality of life in type II diabetic patients using the modified diabetes quality of life (MDQoL)-17 questionnaire

ABSTRACT Diabetic complications, comorbidities, and cost of treatment affect the quality of life (QoL) of an individual. The QoL assessment is considered an important measure of outcome in chronic disease management. The objective of our study was to assess the quality of life in Type II diabetes mellitus patients with and without complications using the modified diabetes quality of life (MDQoL)-17. A prospective descriptive study was conducted over 6 months, after taking ethical committee approval. As per the inclusion criteria from medicine wards of tertiary care hospital, 250 patients were selected. Demographic characteristics were documented in the data collection form and the patients were administered with the MDQoL questionnaire in different languages. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS version 20. Majority of the patients were male (64.4%). The average age of the study population was 60.34±12.04 years. Most of the patients had a diabetes history of more than 10 years and HbA1c > 8%. The average QoL score was 65.47±15.07. Majority of the diabetic patients had the QoL score between 70 and 50. Patients without complication had a better QoL. As the number of complications increased, there was a decrease in the QoL. The presence of comorbidity also decreased the QoL. There was a statistically significant correlation with various parameters such as age, duration of diabetes history, HbA1c, number of complications and type of complication verses QoL of diabetic patients (p<0.05). The overall QoL in diabetic patients is reduced. Thus, proper management and strict glycemic control is necessary to prevent progression and occurrence of complications to maintain a better QoL in diabetes patients

A PALB2 mutation associated with high risk of breast cancer

Introduction: As a group, women who carry germline mutations in partner and localizer of breast cancer 2 susceptibility protein (PALB2) are at increased risk of breast cancer. Little is known about by how much or whether risk differs by mutation or family history, owing to the paucity of studies of cases unselected for family history.Methods: We screened 1,403 case probands for PALB2 mutations in a population-based study of Australian women with invasive breast cancer stratified by age at onset. The age-specific risk of breast cancer was estimated from the cancer histories of first- and second-degree relatives of mutation-carrying probands using a modified segregation analysis that included a polygenic modifier and was conditioned on the carrier case proband. Further screening for PALB2 c.3113G > A (W1038X) was conducted for 779 families with multiple cases of breast cancer ascertained through family cancer clinics in Australia and New Zealand and 764 population-based controls.Results: We found five independent case probands in the population-based sample with the protein-truncating mutation PALB2 c.3113G > A (W1038X); 2 of 695 were diagnosed before age 40 years and 3 of 708 were diagnosed when between ages 40 and 59 years. Both of the two early-onset carrier case probands had very strong family histories of breast cancer. Further testing found that the mutation segregated with breast cancer in these families. No c.3113G > A (W1038X) carriers were found in 764 population-based unaffected controls. The hazard ratio was estimated to be 30.1 (95% confidence interval (CI), 7.5 to 120; P A mutation appears to be associated with substantial risks of breast cancer that are of clinical relevance. © 2010 Southey et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd