Collective learning in schools described: building collective learning capacity

Processes of collective learning are expected to increase the professionalism of teachers and school leaders. Little is known about the processes of collective learning which take place in schools and about the way in which those processes may be improved. This paper describes a research into processes of collective learning at three primary schools. Processes of collective learning are described which took place in small teams in these schools. It is also pointed out which attempts can be made in order to reinforce these processes in the schools mentioned

Mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns discriminate C1- and C4-oxidised cello-oligosaccharides from their non-oxidised and reduced forms

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) are powerful enzymes that degrade recalcitrant polysaccharides, such as cellulose. However, the identification of LPMO-generated C1- and/or C4-oxidised oligosaccharides is far from straightforward. In particular, their fragmentation patterns have not been well established when using mass spectrometry. Hence, we studied the fragmentation behaviours of non-, C1- and C4-oxidised cello-oligosaccharides, including their sodium borodeuteride-reduced forms, by using hydrophilic interaction chromatography and negative ion mode collision induced dissociation - mass spectrometry. Non-oxidised cello-oligosaccharides showed predominantly C- and A-type cleavages. In comparison, C4-oxidised ones underwent B-/Y- and X-cleavage close to the oxidised non-reducing end, while closer to the reducing end C-/Z- and A-fragmentation predominated. C1-oxidised cello-oligosaccharides showed extensively A-cleavage. Reduced oligosaccharides showed predominant glycosidic bond cleavage, both B-/Y- and C-/Z-, close to the non-reducing end. Our findings provide signature mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns to unambiguously elucidate the catalytic behaviour and classification of LPMOs.</p

Back to the Drawing Board: A Descriptive Study on Potential Indicators of Giftedness in Human Figure Drawings of Children Aged 4 to 6 Years

This study described exceptional items in human figure drawings (HFDs) which have been discussed as possible expressions of intellectual giftedness. The aim was to serve as a first step in the development of a screener for HFDs that can be used as part of the identification process of gifted children. We examined the frequency of occurrence of 158 items in HFDs of 206 children aged 4 to 6 years (17 potentially gifted). Fine details and additions to the human figure turned out to be exceptional, especially in drawings of 4-year-olds. Several exceptional items were drawn more frequently or exclusively by potentially gifted children. Descriptively, exceptionality in drawings of potentially gifted children was most visible in HFDs of 4-year-olds, and tended to become less visible with age. Further research with larger samples is required to draw solid conclusions about HFDs of gifted children

Sexual and urinary functioning after rectal surgery: a prospective comparative study with a median follow-up of 8.5 years

The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare rectal resection (RR) with colonic resection on sexual, urinary and bowel function and quality of life in both short-term and long-term. Eighty-three patients who underwent RR were compared to 53 patients who underwent a colonic resection leaving the rectum in situ (RIS). A questionnaire assessing sexual, urinary and bowel functioning with a quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) was sent to all participants preoperatively, 3 and 12 months postoperatively and approximately 8 years after the onset of the study. Short-term dysfunction included diminished sexual activity in female RR patients at 3 months and significantly more erectile dysfunction in RR patients 1 year postoperatively. Long-term dysfunction included more frequent and more severe erectile dysfunction in RR patients compared to RIS patients. These short-term and long-term outcomes did not influence overall quality of life. The incidence of urinary dysfunction was comparable between both groups. Bowel functioning was significantly better in the RIS group compared to the RR group 3 months and 1 year postoperatively. Patients who underwent RR experienced up to 1 year postoperatively more sexual and bowel function problems than RIS patients. However, short-term and long-term dysfunction did not influence overall quality of life. Erectile dysfunction in male RR patients persisted in time, whereas other aspects of sexual, urinary and bowel function after RR and colonic resection are similar after a median follow-up of 8.5 year

Duplex DNA and BLM regulate gate opening by the human TopoIIIα-RMI1-RMI2 complex

Topoisomerase IIIα is a type 1A topoisomerase that forms a complex with RMI1 and RMI2 called TRR in human cells. TRR plays an essential role in resolving DNA replication and recombination intermediates, often alongside the helicase BLM. While the TRR catalytic cycle is known to involve a protein-mediated single-stranded (ss)DNA gate, the detailed mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we probe the catalytic steps of TRR using optical tweezers and fluorescence microscopy. We demonstrate that TRR forms an open gate in ssDNA of 8.5 ± 3.8 nm, and directly visualize binding of a second ssDNA or double-stranded (ds)DNA molecule to the open TRR-ssDNA gate, followed by catenation in each case. Strikingly, dsDNA binding increases the gate size (by ~16%), while BLM alters the mechanical flexibility of the gate. These findings reveal an unexpected plasticity of the TRR-ssDNA gate size and suggest that TRR-mediated transfer of dsDNA may be more relevant in vivo than previously believed

Better off at home? Effects of a nursing home admission on costs, hospitalizations and survival.

Aging-in-place policies substitute home care for nursing home admissions (NHA). They appear to be a win-win by keeping public spending in check and being in line with personal preferences, but have hitherto not been evaluated. We study the impact of NHA eligibility using Dutch administrative data and exploiting variation between randomly assigned assessors in their tendency to grant admission. The impact on mortality is zero, but with considerable effect heterogeneity. Moreover, aging-in-place policies come at the cost of increased curative care, especially hospital admissions, and do not reduce total healthcare spending, suggesting they may not be a win-win after all

Cell wall polysaccharides in black currants and bilberries-characterisation in berries, juice, and press cake

Abstract Cell wall polysaccharides from black currants and bilberries were characterised in three approaches. First, compositions of skin, pulp, and seeds show the distribution of polysaccharides over these tissues. A sequential extraction of cell wall material with different aqueous extractants informs about the extractability of the different polysaccharides, viz. pectins, hemicellulose, and cellulose. Finally, by isolation of cell wall polysaccharides from juice and press cakes obtained by the conventional juice manufacturing. The polysaccharide distribution was followed during juice processing. The main difference between bilberries and black currants is the dominant sugar residue in seeds: mannose for black currants and xylose for bilberries. Most of the hemicellulolytic sugars and cellulose can be found back in the press cake. The sugar composition of the press cake is similar to the composition of the residue after sequential extraction. Black currants contain more pectic sugars than bilberries. Consequently, a commercial enzyme used during processing releases more pectic material into the juice.