282 research outputs found
Investigating students seriousness during selected conceptual inventory surveys
Conceptual inventory surveys are routinely used in education research to
identify student learning needs and assess instructional practices. Students
might not fully engage with these instruments because of the low stakes
attached to them. This paper explores tests that can be used to estimate the
percentage of students in a population who might not have taken such surveys
seriously. These three seriousness tests are the pattern recognition test, the
easy questions test, and the uncommon answers test. These three tests are
applied to sets of students who were assessed either by the Force Concept
Inventory, the Conceptual Survey of Electricity and Magnetism, or the Brief
Electricity and Magnetism Assessment. The results of our investigation are
compared to computer simulated populations of random answers.Comment: 8 pages; submitted to Phys Rev PE
Spontaneous Chelation-Driven Reduction of the Neptunyl Cation in Aqueous Solution.
Octadentate hydroxypyridinone (HOPO) and catecholamide (CAM) siderophore analogues are known to be efficacious chelators of the actinide cations, and these ligands are also capable of facilitating both activation and reduction of actinyl species. Utilizing X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies, as well as cyclic voltammetry measurements, herein, we elucidate chelation-based mechanisms for driving reactivity and initiating redox processes in a family of neptunyl-HOPO and CAM complexes. Based on the selected chelator, the ability to control the oxidation state of neptunium and the speed of reduction and concurrent oxo group activation was demonstrated. Most notably, reduction kinetics for the NpV O2 +/ /NpIV redox couple upon chelation by the ligands 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) and 3,4,3-LI(CAM)2 (1,2-HOPO)2 was observed to be faster than ever reported, and in fact quicker than we could measure using either X-ray absorption spectroscopy or electrochemical techniques
Visualizing the Invisible: A Guide to Designing, Printing, and Incorporating Dynamic 3D Molecular Models to Teach Structure–Function Relationships
Understanding the intricate relationship between macromolecular structure and function represents a central goal of undergraduate biology education (1–3). In teaching complex three-dimensional (3D) concepts, instructors typically depend on static two-dimensional (2D) textbook images or computer-based visualization software, which can lead to unintended misconceptions (4–6). While chemical and molecular kits exist, these models cannot handle the size and detail of macromolecules. Consequently, students may graduate in the life sciences without understanding how structure underlies function or acquiring skills to translate between 2D and 3D molecular models (5, 7). Building on recent technological advances, 3D printing (3DP) potentiates an era in which students learn through direct interaction with dynamic 3D structural models. With 3DP, instructors have the opportunity to use tailor-made models of virtually any size molecule. For example, protein models can be designed to relate enzyme active site structures to kinetic activity. Furthermore, instructors can use diverse printing materials and accessories to demonstrate molecular properties, dynamics, and interactions (Fig. 1). In this article and supplemental guide, we present an example of how to incorporate a 3D model-based lesson on DNA supercoiling in an undergraduate biochemistry classroom and best practices for designing and printing 3D models
A New Distance to the Supernova Remnant DA 530 Based on HI Absorption of Polarized Emission
Supernova remnants (SNRs) are significant contributors of matter and energy
to the interstellar medium. Understanding the impact and the mechanism of this
contribution requires knowledge of the physical size, energy, and expansion
rate of individual SNRs, which can only come if reliable distances can be
obtained. We aim to determine the distance to the SNR DA 530 (G93.3+6.9), an
object of low surface brightness. To achieve this, we used the Dominion Radio
Astrophysical Observatory Synthesis Telescope and the National Radio Astronomy
Observatory Very Large Array to observe the absorption by intervening HI of the
polarized emission from DA 530. Significant absorption was detected at
velocities and -67 km/s (relative to the local standard of rest),
corresponding to distances of 4.4 and 8.3 kpc, respectively. Based on the radio
and X-ray characteristics of DA 530, we conclude that the minimum distance is
4.4 kpc. At this minimum distance, the diameter of the SNR is
34 pc, and the elevation above the Galactic plane is
537 pc. The km/s absorption likely occurs in gas whose
velocity is not determined by Galactic rotation. We present a new data
processing method for combining Stokes and observations of the emission
from an SNR into a single HI absorption spectrum, which avoids the difficulties
of the noise-bias subtraction required for the calculation of polarized
intensity. The polarized absorption technique can be applied to determine
distances to many more SNRs
Faraday Rotation of Extended Emission as a Probe of the Large-Scale Galactic Magnetic Field
The Galactic magnetic field is an integral constituent of the interstellar
medium (ISM), and knowledge of its structure is crucial to understanding
Galactic dynamics. The Rotation Measures (RM) of extragalactic (EG) sources
have been the basis of comprehensive Galactic magnetic field models. Polarised
extended emission (XE) is also seen along lines of sight through the Galactic
disk, and also displays the effects of Faraday rotation. Our aim is to
investigate and understand the relationship between EG and XE RMs near the
Galactic plane, and to determine how the XE RMs, a hitherto unused resource,
can be used as a probe of the large-scale Galactic magnetic field. We used
polarisation data from the Canadian Galactic Plane Survey (CGPS), observed near
1420 MHz with the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) Synthesis
Telescope. We calculated RMs from a linear fit to the polarisation angles as a
function of wavelength squared in four frequency channels, for both the EG
sources and the XE. Across the CGPS area, , the RMs of the XE closely track the RMs of the EG
sources, with XE RMs about half the value of EG-source RMs. The exceptions are
places where large local HII complexes heavily depolarise more distant
emission. We conclude that there is valuable information in the XE RM dataset.
The factor of 2 between the two types of RM values is close to that expected
from a Burn slab model of the ISM. This result indicates that, at least in the
outer Galaxy, the EG and XE sources are likely probing similar depths, and that
the Faraday rotating medium and the synchrotron emitting medium have similar
variation with galactocentric distance.Comment: Accepted to Galaxies, March 22, 201
The Role of Drag and Gravity on Dust Concentration in a Gravitationally Unstable Disc
We carry out three dimensional smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations to
study the role of gravitational and drag forces on the concentration of large
dust grains (St > 1) in the spiral arms of gravitationally unstable
protoplanetary discs, and the resulting implications for planet formation. We
find that both drag and gravity play an important role in the evolution of
large dust grains. If we include both, grains that would otherwise be partially
decoupled will become well coupled and trace the spirals. For the dust grains
most influenced by drag (with Stokes numbers near unity), the dust disc quickly
becomes gravitationally unstable and rapidly forms clumps with masses between
0.15 - 6 Earth masses. A large fraction of clumps are below the threshold where
runaway gas accretion can occur. However, if dust self-gravity is neglected,
the dust is unable to form clumps, despite still becoming trapped in the gas
spirals. When large dust grains are unable to feel either gas gravity or drag,
the dust is unable to trace the gas spirals. Hence, full physics is needed to
properly simulate dust in gravitationally unstable discs.
Dust trapping of large grains in spiral arms of discs stable to gas
fragmentation could explain planet formation in very young discs by a
population of planetesimals formed due to the combined roles of drag and
gravity in the earliest stages of a disc's evolution. Furthermore, it
highlights that gravitationally unstable discs are not just important for
forming gas giants quickly, it can also rapidly form Earth mass bodies.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. Updated reference
Visualizing the Invisible: A Guide to Designing, Printing, and Incorporating Dynamic 3D Molecular Models to Teach Structure–Function Relationships
Understanding the intricate relationship between macromolecular structure and function represents a central goal of undergraduate biology education (1–3). In teaching complex three-dimensional (3D) concepts, instructors typically depend on static two-dimensional (2D) textbook images or computer-based visualization software, which can lead to unintended misconceptions (4–6). While chemical and molecular kits exist, these models cannot handle the size and detail of macromolecules. Consequently, students may graduate in the life sciences without understanding how structure underlies function or acquiring skills to translate between 2D and 3D molecular models (5, 7)
Student Understanding of DNA Structure–Function Relationships Improves from Using 3D Learning Modules with Dynamic 3D Printed Models
Understanding the relationship between molecular structure and function represents an important goal of undergraduate life sciences. Although evidence suggests that handling physical models supports gains in student understanding of structure–function relationships, such models have not been widely implemented in biochemistry classrooms. Three-dimensional (3D) printing represents an emerging cost-effective means of producing molecular models to help students investigate structure–function concepts. We developed three interactive learning modules with dynamic 3D printed models to help biochemistry students visualize biomolecular structures and address particular misconceptions. These modules targeted specific learning objectives related to DNA and RNA structure, transcription factor-DNA interactions, and DNA supercoiling dynamics. We also designed accompanying assessments to gauge student learning. Students responded favorably to the modules and showed normalized learning gains of 49% with respect to their ability to understand and relate molecular structures to biochemical functions. By incorporating accurate 3D printed structures, these modules represent a novel advance in instructional design for biomolecular visualization. We provide instructors with the materials necessary to incorporate each module in the classroom, including instructions for acquiring and distributing the models, activities, and assessments.
9 supplemental files attached (below
Characteristics of Cocaine Users Presenting to an Emergency Department Chest Pain Observation Unit
Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73770/1/j.aem.2004.11.021.pd
Food Insecurity, Food Assistance, and Psychological Distress among University Students: Cross-Sectional Survey Western Australia, 2020
University students have been identified as a population sub-group vulnerable to food insecurity. This vulnerability increased in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to assess factors associated with food insecurity among university students and the differences between students with and without children. A cross-sectional survey of (n = 213) students attending one university in Western Australia measured food insecurity, psychological distress, and socio-demographic characteristics. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with food insecurity. Forty-eight percent of students who responded to the survey had experienced food insecurity in 2020. International students who were studying in Australia were nine times more likely to experience food insecurity than domestic students (AOR = 9.13; 95% CI = 2.32–35.97). International students with children were more likely to experience food insecurity than international students without children (p < 0.001) and domestic students with (p < 0.001) or without children (p < 0.001). For each unit increase in depression level, the likelihood of experiencing food insecurity increased (AOR = 1.62; 95% CI = 1.12–2.33). Findings show a higher prevalence of food insecurity among international university students and students with children during the COVID-19 pandemic and that food insecurity was associated with higher levels of psychological distress. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate the risk of food insecurity among Australian university students, particularly among international students, students with children, and those experiencing psychological distress
- …