Uptake and distribution of lead in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

Six Nicotiana tabacum varieties were in vitro cultured and experimentally exposed to lead in order to estimate lead uptake and distribution in tobacco plantlets and to observe possible differences depending on variety. Fifty-day-old plantlets were exposed to four Pb rates ranging from 0 to 200 mg dm-3. No statistically significant effect of lead on dry matter weight was observed for any variety or plant part. Tissue lead concentration was determined on upper leaves, lower leaves, stems and roots. Lead accumulation in the plant positively correlated with lead exposure level. Lead concentration in the different plant parts decreased as follows: root, lower leaves, stem and upper leaves. All tobacco varieties showed similar behaviour with respect to lead treatment level and revealed the same distribution pattern of lead concentration in the different plant part. The highest values of tissue lead concentration were found in tobacco variety Pr61, while the lowest in G94-2

A Systematic Review of Argumentation Related to the Engineering-Designed World

Background Across academic disciplines, researchers have found that argumentation‐based pedagogies increase learners\u27 achievement and engagement. Engineering educational researchers and teachers of engineering may benefit from knowledge regarding how argumentation related to engineering has been practiced and studied. Purpose/Hypothesis Drawing from terms and concepts used in national standards for K‐12 education and accreditation requirements for undergraduate engineering education, this study was designed to identify how arguments and argumentation related to the engineering‐designed world were operationalized in relevant literature. Methodology Specified search terms and inclusion criteria were used to identify 117 empirical studies related to engineering argumentation and educational research. A qualitative content analysis was used to identify trends across these studies. Findings Overall, engineering‐related argumentation was associated with a variety of positive learner outcomes. Across many studies, arguments were operationalized in practice as statements regarding whether an existing technology should be adopted in a given context, usually with a limited number of supports (e.g., costs and ethics) provided for each claim. Relatively few studies mentioned empirical practices, such as tests. Most studies did not name the race/ethnicity of participants nor report engineering‐specific outcomes. Conclusions Engineering educators in K‐12 and undergraduate settings can create learning environments in which learners use a range of epistemic practices, including empirical practices, to support a range of claims. Researchers can study engineering‐specific outcomes while specifying relevant demographics of their research participants

Which 'culture'? A critical analysis of intercultural communication in engineering education

Background It is increasingly acknowledged that technical expertise is not sufficient for engineers today, given the complex intercultural global contexts in which they are required to work. This article, therefore, examines how the concept of culture is typically operationalized in engineering education and discusses possible reasons for this approach. Purpose/Hypothesis The specific research question explored here is “How is culture conceptualized in engineering education?” Design/Method To examine this previously unasked question, a mixed‐methods methodology was developed, one that uses both quantitative and qualitative tools. More specifically, a corpus‐assisted discourse analysis of relevant engineering education articles published in leading academic journals between 2000 and 2015 was combined with a close reading of each and a critical discussion of two representative articles. Results Our findings reveal that, first, intercultural communication has not received the attention it deserves, given the multidisciplinary, diverse, global nature of the engineering profession. Furthermore, when intercultural concerns are discussed, the predominant approach is essentialist, meaning that culture is regarded as given (rather than constructed), framed in terms of differences between nations and potentially offering a causal explanation for individual behavior. This approach has been criticized for reinforcing stereotypical thinking and offering simplistic answers to complex problems. Conclusions We conclude by exploring reasons for the relatively wide‐spread acceptance of the “culture‐as‐given” approach in engineering education, then by urging educators to adopt a “small culture” approach for constructing culture in engineering, and finally by suggesting alternative ways for developing intercultural communicative competence

Functional outcomes in symptomatic versus asymptomatic patients undergoing incisional hernia repair: Replacing one problem with another? A prospective cohort study in 1312 patients

Background: Incisional hernias can be associated with pain or discomfort. Surgical repair especially mesh reinforcement, may likewise induce pain. The primary objective was to assess the incidence of pain after hernia repair in patients with and without pre-operative pain or discomfort. The secondary objectives were to determine the preferred mesh type, mesh location and surgical technique in minimizing postoperative pain or discomfort. Materials and methods: A registry-based prospective cohort study was performed, including patients undergoing incisional hernia repair between September 2011 and May 2019. Patients with a minimum follow-up of 3–6 months were included. The incidence of hernia related pain and discomfort was recorded perioperatively. Results: A total of 1312 patients were included. Pre-operatively, 1091 (83%) patients reported pain or discomfort. After hernia repair, 961 (73%) patients did not report pain or discomfort (mean follow-up = 11.1 months). Of the pre-operative asymptomatic patients (n = 221), 44 (20%, moderate or severe pain: n = 14, 32%) reported pain or discomfort after mean follow-up of 10.5 months. Of those patients initially reporting pain or discomfort (n = 1091), 307 (28%, moderate or severe pain: n = 80, 26%) still reported pain or discomfort after a mean follow-up of 11.3 months postoperatively. Conclusion: In symptomatic incisional hernia patients, hernia related complaints may be resolved in the majority of cases undergoing surgical repair. In asymptomatic incisional hernia patients, pain or discomfort may be induced in a considerable number of patients due to surgical repair and one should be aware if this postoperative complication

Infant feeding and school attainment in five cohorts from low- and middle-income countries

Performance in intelligence tests tends to be higher among individuals breastfed as infants, but little is known about the association between breastfeeding and achieved schooling. We assessed the association of infant feeding with school achievement in five cohorts from low- and middle-income countries. Unlike high-income country settings where most previous studies come from, breastfeeding is not positively associated with socioeconomic position in our cohorts, thus reducing the likelihood of a spurious positive association.Methodology and Principal FindingsParticipants included 10,082 young adults from five birth cohorts (Brazil, India, Guatemala, the Philippines, and South Africa). The exposures variables were whether the subject was ever breastfed, total duration of breastfeeding, and age at introduction of complementary foods. We adjusted the estimates for age at follow up, sex, maternal age, smoking during pregnancy, birthweight and socioeconomic position at birth. The key outcome was the highest grade achieved at school. In unadjusted analyses, the association between ever breastfeeding and schooling was positive in Brazil, inverse in the Philippines, and null in South Africa; in adjusted analyses, these associations were attenuated. In Brazil, schooling was highest among individuals breastfed for 3–12 months whereas in the Philippines duration of breastfeeding was inversely associated with schooling; and null associations were observed in South Africa and Guatemala. These associations were attenuated in adjusted models. Late introduction of solid foods was associated with lower schooling achievement in Brazil and South Africa.ConclusionMeasures of breastfeeding are not consistently related to schooling achievement in contemporary cohorts of young adults in lower and middle-income countries.<br/

Enhancing Undergraduate Student's Understanding of Cultural Heritage Studies Through Digital Storytelling Software

The young generation that grew up after the 21st century is under the influence of digital data, smart gadgets, as well as tools that allow them to process information differently. To date, digital storytelling has been studied as a platform for communicating with students in developing information literacy and cultural understanding. Therefore, this study investigated whether DST can help students increase their knowledge of arts and cultural heritage and improve their engagement in developing technological and scientific skills. A purposive sample of 60 (Group 1 and Group 2) first-year students enrolled in an arts and heritage course at UMT were interviewed using qualitative research with seven (8) open-ended interview questions and the questionnaire was distributed via a Google form. Upon completion of the digital storytelling project, the data was collected and analysed. The results are organised as follows: i) Knowledge and improvement of the subject of arts and cultural heritage management ii) Building technical research skills iii) Affective responses to digital storytelling iv) Working in a group. Digital storytelling enhanced students' experiences, perceptions of cultural competence, and development of research and technical skills. Benefits included the use of creative thinking and ultimately producing a short video on a diversity topic of their choosing without identifying themselves as artists or filmmakers. able to create or enhance meaning through the use of additional tools