On The Origin Of The Mass-Metallicity Relation For GRB Host Galaxies

We investigate the nature of the mass-metallicity (M-Z) relation for long gamma-ray burst (LGRB) host galaxies. Recent studies suggest that the M-Z relation for local LGRB host galaxies may be systematically offset towards lower metallicities relative to the M-Z relation defined by the general star forming galaxy (SDSS) population. The nature of this offset is consistent with suggestions that low metallicity environments may be required to produce high mass progenitors, although the detection of several GRBs in high-mass, high-metallicity galaxies challenges the notion of a strict metallicity cut-off for host galaxies that are capable of producing GRBs. We show that the nature of this reported offset may be explained by a recently proposed anti-correlation between the star formation rate (SFR) and the metallicity of star forming galaxies. If low metallicity galaxies produce more stars than their equally massive, high-metallicity counterparts, then transient events that closely trace the SFR in a galaxy would be more likely to be found in these low metallicity, low mass galaxies. Therefore, the offset between the GRB and SDSS defined M-Z relations may be the result of the different methods used to select their respective galaxy populations, with GRBs being biased towards low metallicity, high SFR, galaxies. We predict that such an offset should not be expected of transient events that do not closely follow the star formation history of their host galaxies, such as short duration GRBs and SN Ia, but should be evident in core collapse SNe found through upcoming untargeted surveys.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, submitted to ApJ

Blurred Lines: Reconsidering the Roles of Teacher and Student in the Learning Process

The purpose of this study was to explore how a preservice music teacher constructed his own learning in a graduate-level independent study course with a music education faculty member as the facilitator. In this course, the student wanted to learn how to play the trumpet and improve his knowledge of jazz improvisation and style. Questions guiding this study included: How did the preservice music teacher direct his learning and construct knowledge in this course? How did the music education faculty member serve as a facilitator during this process? Data collection included journals, reflective sessions, and video recordings of classes. Data analysis involved coding with prompts from constructivist theory to assist with portraying the sequencing of teaching and learning during the semester. Findings suggest that allowing the preservice music teacher to construct his learning helped him reflect on what he had learned and plan for future teaching experiences. Recommendations include incorporating student input into coursework planning, and implementation for preservice music teachers provides opportunities for more in-depth learning of subject material. Integrating different musical styles into all coursework also helps prepare preservice music teachers for teaching a wide variety of musical styles

Serious games for health promotion in adolescents – A systematic scoping review

Digital gaming has broad appeal globally, with a reported 2.7 billion gamers worldwide. There is significant interest in using games to enhance learning, with ‘serious games’ being included in classrooms to engage adolescents’ learning across a range of domains. A systematic scoping review of serious games used for health promotion with adolescents was conducted to identify serious games, review the methods used to evaluate these games, and outline evidence available to support the efficacy of these games in improving knowledge, beliefs/attitudes and behaviours in the target groups. Player engagement/enjoyment was reported if assessed. A total of 21 studies were found to have met the inclusion criteria domains: ‘healthy lifestyle’ ‘sexual health’ and ‘substance use’. A heterogenous approach across studies to game design and development, duration of game play, use of a control group and measurement of outcome(s) was observed. Game efficacy was difficult to assess due to broad generalisations and lack of consistent evaluation methods. Several studies demonstrate serious games can be engaging and pedagogically effective as a learning device and behaviour-change agent. Several studies, however, had less rigorous evaluation and lacked longer-term follow up. The ability for developers to demonstrate positive short- and long-term impacts of serious games with high-quality evidence is essential to the ongoing acceptance and use of these serious games as part of the school curriculum

Mass. Memories Road Show

The Mass. Memories Road Show is an event-based public history project that digitizes family photos and stories shared by the people of Massachusetts. We work with local communities to organize free public events where residents are invited to bring family photos to be scanned and included in the archives at UMass Boston

Mass. Memories Road Show: Your Place in Massachusetts History

The Mass. Memories Road Show is an event-based public history project that digitizes family photographs and stories shared by the people of Massachusetts. We work with local communities to organize free public events where everyone is invited to bring photographs to be scanned and included in the archives at UMass Boston. To date, the Mass. Memories Road Show has digitized more than 5,000 photographs and stories from across the state, creating an educational resource of primary sources for future generations. Over time, we plan to visit each of the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts

Health system assessment for access to care after injury in low- or middle-income countries:A mixed methods study from Northern Malawi

Background: Injuries represent a vast and relatively neglected burden of disease affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While many health systems underperform in treating injured patients, most assessments have not considered the whole system. We integrated findings from 9 methods using a 3 delays approach (delays in seeking, reaching, or receiving care) to prioritise important trauma care health system barriers in Karonga, Northern Malawi, and exemplify a holistic health system assessment approach applicable in comparable settings.Methods and findings: To provide multiple perspectives on each conceptual delay and include data from community-based and facility-based sources, we used 9 methods to examine the injury care health system. The methods were (1) household survey; (2) verbal autopsy analysis; (3) community focus group discussions (FGDs); (4) community photovoice; (5) facility care-pathway process mapping and elucidation of barriers following injury; (6) facility healthcare worker survey; (7) facility assessment survey; (8) clinical vignettes for care process quality assessment of facility-based healthcare workers; and (9) geographic information system (GIS) analysis. Empirical data collection took place in Karonga, Northern Malawi, between July 2019 and February 2020. We used a convergent parallel study design concurrently conducting all data collection before subsequently integrating results for interpretation. For each delay, a matrix was created to juxtapose method-specific data relevant to each barrier identified as driving delays to injury care. Using a consensus approach, we graded the evidence from each method as to whether an identified barrier was important within the health system.We identified 26 barriers to access timely quality injury care evidenced by at least 3 of the 9 study methods. There were 10 barriers at delay 1, 6 at delay 2, and 10 at delay 3. We found that the barriers “cost,” “transport,” and “physical resources” had the most methods providing strong evidence they were important health system barriers within delays 1 (seeking care), 2 (reaching care), and 3 (receiving care), respectively. Facility process mapping provided evidence for the greatest number of barriers—25 of 26 within the integrated analysis. There were some barriers with notable divergent findings between the community- and facility-based methods, as well as among different community- and facility-based methods, which are discussed. The main limitation of our study is that the framework for grading evidence strength for important health system barriers across the 9 studies was done by author-derived consensus; other researchers might have created a different framework.Conclusions: By integrating 9 different methods, including qualitative, quantitative, community-, patient-, and healthcare worker-derived data sources, we gained a rich insight into the functioning of this health system’s ability to provide injury care. This approach allowed more holistic appraisal of this health system’s issues by establishing convergence of evidence across the diverse methods used that the barriers of cost, transport, and physical resources were the most important health system barriers driving delays to seeking, reaching, and receiving injury care, respectively. This offers direction and confidence, over and above that derived from single methodology studies, for prioritising barriers to address through health service development and policy

Search for 22Na in novae supported by a novel method for measuring femtosecond nuclear lifetimes

Classical novae are thermonuclear explosions in stellar binary systems, and important sources of 26Al and 22Na. While ¿ rays from the decay of the former radioisotope have been observed throughout the Galaxy, 22Na remains untraceable. Its half-life (2.6 yr) would allow the observation of its 1.275 MeV ¿-ray line from a cosmic source. However, the prediction of such an observation requires good knowledge of its nucleosynthesis. The 22Na(p,¿¿)23Mg reaction remains the only source of large uncertainty about the amount of 22Na ejected. Its rate is dominated by a single resonance on the short-lived state at 7785.0(7) keV in 23Mg. Here, we propose a combined analysis of particle-particle correlations and velocity-difference profiles to measure femtosecond nuclear lifetimes. The application of this method to the study of the 23Mg states, places strong limits on the amount of 22Na produced in novae and constrains its detectability with future space-borne observatories.Postprint (published version

Automated Analysis of the Auditory Brainstem Response Using Derivative Estimation Wavelets

In this paper, we describe an algorithm that automatically detects and labels peaks I - VII of the normal, suprathreshold auditory brainstem response (ABR). The algorithm proceeds in three stages, with the option of a fourth: ( 1) all candidate peaks and troughs in the ABR waveform are identified using zero crossings of the first derivative, ( 2) peaks I - VII are identified from these candidate peaks based on their latency and morphology, ( 3) if required, peaks II and IV are identified as points of inflection using zero crossings of the second derivative and ( 4) interpeak troughs are identified before peak latencies and amplitudes are measured. The performance of the algorithm was estimated on a set of 240 normal ABR waveforms recorded using a stimulus intensity of 90 dBnHL. When compared to an expert audiologist, the algorithm correctly identified the major ABR peaks ( I, III and V) in 96 - 98% of the waveforms and the minor ABR peaks ( II, IV, VI and VII) in 45 - 83% of waveforms. Whilst peak II was correctly identified in only 83% and peak IV in 77% of waveforms, it was shown that 5% of the peak II identifications and 31% of the peak IV identifications came as a direct result of allowing these peaks to be found as points of inflection. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel