Effects of Single-Gender and Coeducational Learning Environments on Middle School Mathematics Achievement

As a result of the increased number of schools failing to meet adequate yearly progress (AYP), school districts are searching for innovative ways to raise student achievement and meet the rigorous performance standards set by state governments. Using the theoretical framework provided by brain research and the theory of multiple intelligences, the purpose of this quantitative study was to compare 2 middle school classroom structures for differences in mathematics achievement among students. The study examined whether a significant difference existed in mathematics achievement scores on the state-mandated mathematics test for 2 groups (single gender classes versus coeducational classes) in 6 middle schools during a 3-year period. Mean scores from the Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS) performance statistics in mathematics were used to determine achievement levels of single-gender and coeducational instruction. Study results indicated a statistically significant difference in academic performance for students in single-gender mathematics classes compared with academic performance for students in coeducational mathematics classes. Further, girls outperformed boys. These findings led to a project consisting of implementing a professional learning community and a series of professional development sessions for Algebra I teachers. The results of this study may contribute to social change by identifying an academic program structure in which all students can be supported academically while providing teachers with ongoing opportunities to collaborate and build their capacities with the goal of improving student performance

The Kateretidae and Nitidulidae of the Maltese Archipelago (Coleoptera)

In the present work, a total of 3 Kateretidae and 26 Nitidulidae are recorded from the Maltese Islands. Of these, 14 Nitidulidae (Epuraea luteola, Epuraea ocularis, Carpophilus bifenestratus, Carpophilus marginellus, Carpophilus quadrisignatus, Carpophilus dimidiatus, Carpophilus nepos, Urophorus humeralis, Urophorus rubripennis, Nitidula carnaria, Omosita discoidea, Meligethes rotundicollis, Meligethes ruficornis, Cybocephalus rufifrons rufifrons) and 1 Kateretidae (Brachypterus curtulus) represents new records for the Maltese Islands. Of these both autochthonous and accidentally introduced but established species are present. The earlier citation of Cybocephalus politus may be due to a misidentification. Three further new records of Nitidulidae, Carpophilus opacus, Brachypeplus deyrollei and Brachypeplus rubidus were collected alive on logs originating from Tropical Africa and intended for the timber industry. So far, there were no local records of establishment of any of these three species. All species were assigned to four faunistic groups. These include introduced but non-established species, cosmopolitan species, species with confined distributions and species with small distribution ranges. The complete absence of other species whose host-plants are locally available and which have typical Mediterranean distribution was highlighted. From a zoogeographical perspective the species assemblages of Kateretidae and Nitidulidae of Malta show strong affinities with those present in Italy.peer-reviewe

The role of surgery in the treatment of older women with breast cancer

A significant proportion of women diagnosed with breast cancer are over the age of 70 years and there is evidence that these patients frequently do not receive standard treatments, including surgical procedures and adjuvant therapies, which would be routine practice in younger age groups. The factors underlying this may include the physiological effects of ageing, differences in the biology and stage of the tumour at presentation, patient co-morbidities and patient and clinician preferences. The interaction of all these factors needs to be considered when individualising treatment plans for patients. For some patients this will need to be undertaken in the context of an extended multidisciplinary team setting with additional input from geriatricians, in addition to surgeons and oncologists, in defining a treatment plan. Little is known about the preferences of older patients in their choice of surgical treatment for breast cancer and further research is required to increase the evidence base for the rational management of older women with breast cancer

Nietzsche and the Role of the Nouvelle Psychologie in the Construction of his Philosophy

Indexación: Revista UNABA partir de los años ochenta del siglo XIX, la filosofía nietzscheana revela una asimilación crítica de la psicología francesa. Particularmente significativas fueron las tesis de dos de los principales impulsores de la Nouvelle Psychologie, Hippolyte Taine y Théodule Ribot. En estas se inspira para desarrollar tópicos centrales de su filosofía: la multiplicidad dinámica de instintos e impulsos que conforman el yo, el “centro de gravedad” (das centrale Schwergewicht) del cuerpo, la voluntad de poder. Al mismo tiempo que realiza una aguda refutación de su positivismo.Since the 1880’, Nietzsche’s philosophy reveals a critical assimilation of the french psychology. Particularly relevant were the theories of two of the major pioneers of the Nouvelle Psychologie, Hippolyte Taine and Théodule Ribot. Nietzsche was inspired by them to develop some core subjects of his philosophy: the dynamic multiplicity of instincts and impulses which constitute the self, the “center of gravity” (das centrale Schwergewicht) of the body, the will to power. At the same time, he performs a sharp discussion of their positivism.http://revistahumanidades.unab.cl/numero-26-julio-diciembre-2012

Two new Lamiogethes Audisio & Cline from China (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae, Meligethinae)

Two new species of the genus Lamiogethes Audisio & Cline, 2009are described from China (Sichuan): L.forcipenissp. n.,and L.con-vexistrigosussp. n., based on a series of recently collected specimens. The new species are both likely morphologically related to L.po-tanini (Kirejtshuk, 1979) from Sichuan and to L. conjungens (Grouvelle, 1910) from Yunnan. These new species clearly differ from their related taxa by details of the body shape and color, and the distinct shape of the male and female genitalia. Both new species are likely associated as larvae with a member of the genus PhlomoidesMoench (Lamiaceae)

A new species of Meligethes Stephens from China and additional data on members of the M. chinensis species-complex (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae, Meligethinae)

Meligethes (Odontogethes) inexpectatus sp. n. is described from China, Sichuan Province. The new species is based on a female specimen previously incorrectly referred to as Meligethes scrobescens Chen, Lin, Huang & Yang, 2015, which was recently described from a series of male specimens collected in the same area. Both species belong to the taxonomically difficult species-group related to M. chinensis Kirejtshuk, 1979, including a dozen closely related species distributed throughout Nepal and SW and Central China. The true female of Meligethes scrobescens is also described, based on recently collected material from China (Hubei and Chongqing), including a series of male and female specimens. Diagnostic characters distinguishing the new species from all other known members of the M. chinensis species-group and species-complex are discussed, and their overall range distribution are depicted. Additional data on geographic distribution and larval ecology of some of the closely related species are also reported

Consideraciones epistemológicas sobre la Teoría de Sistemas Complejos: La propuesta de Rolando García

En el presente trabajo abordaremos la cuestión de los alcances de una definición de complejidad. Nos referimos en este caso a la viabilidad de formular una teoría general de la complejidad. Al respecto afrontamos el dilema planteado por Juan Carlos Moreno (Moreno, 2007:172), según el cual al considerar la complejidad, o bien se trata de un tipo de comprensión que amplía los alcances de planteamientos ontológicos y epistemológicos introducidos en intentos particulares de diversas disciplinas científicas por explicar y sistematizar los diferentes grados de complejidad que poseen los fenómenos específicos que estudian, pero que no tendría un estatuto propio; o bien, se trata de un nuevo tipo de pensamiento o de una nueva ciencia, pero que se encuentra apenas en desarrollo . Nuestro propósito es mostrar que se trata de un dilema aparente que puede disolverse afirmando a la vez la complejidad como un tipo de comprensión que reflexiona sobre los alcances de planteos ontológicos y epistemológicos dados en el desarrollo de modelos científicos particulares designados como complejos (la no linealidad, el emergentismo, la dinámica de los sistemas abiertos); y al mismo tiempo, puede constituirse en un nuevo tipo de pensamiento o teoría general que, basándose en estos diversos elementos, explique su aparición y los vincule sobre el fondo de una nueva fundamentación epistemológica . Creemos que la disolución del dilema es posible siempre y cuando esta perspectiva epistemológica asuma una redefinición de lo que se considera conocimiento