Using inquiry-based learning to support the mathematical learning of students with SEBD

This paper, which draws on action research methodology, explores the use of inquirybased learning (IBL) in the teaching of mathematics to students with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD). The year-long study was conducted in a Form 3 secondary class that grouped 13 male students with SEBD in a Maltese secondary school. After first creating an IBL-friendly classroom environment in the initial months, the actual implementation of IBL pedagogy in class began in the second term and spread over a 15 week period. The data included teacher observations that were recorded in a reflective research journal, two sessions of in-depth interviews with students, student journal writing, samples of students’ work and student marks in the school-based halfyearly and annual mathematics examinations. The findings indicate that the use of IBL in the mathematics classroom can benefit students with SEBD in a number of ways. These include infusing a sense of enjoyment during lessons, improved student behaviour and motivation to learn, and facilitating the learning of mathematics which generally translated in higher achievement levels.peer-reviewe

The use of aspirin in pregnancy

For several years some obstetricians have discouraged pregnant women from taking aspirin as a simple analgesic (De Swiet and Fryers, 1990). This attitude was mainly due to the avilability of paracetamol (which is less likely to cause gastric irritation) as well as to studies based on patients taking large doses of aspirin which led to the idea that aspirin taken during pregnancy could lead to teratogenesis (Richards, 1969; Nelson and Forfar, 1971; Saxen, 1975; Zierler, 1985), prolonged gestation (CoIl ins and Turner, 1975; Lewis and Schulman, 1973) and labour(Collins and Turner, 1975; Lewis and Schulman, 1973), maternal and neonatal haemorrhage (Rumack et al 1981; Stuart et aI, 1982), premature closure of the ductus arteriosus (Arcilla et al 1969; Levin et aI, 1978) and effects on the pulmonary blood vessels (Levin et aI, 1978; Perkin et aI, 1980).peer-reviewe

Voices from the Margin: The learning experience of Mathematics by students who exhibit social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.

This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) explores the lived experience of students who present with Social Emotional Behavioural Difficulties (SEBD) during their Mathematics lesson at school. Hence, it attempts to give them a voice with regards to their learning experience in the subject. The aims of the research were to (i) explore how students presenting with SEBD experience learning in the Mathematics classroom; and (ii) suggest educational strategies and interventions that could help in offering students presenting with SEBD with a more engaging learning experience. The participants of this study were four students exhibiting with SEBD aged between 12 and 13 years old. The data was collected over a period of 12 weeks. The main data sources included recorded video diaries and semi-structured interviews. The main research findings indicate that the behaviour of students exhibiting with SEBD in the Mathematics classroom is linked to the curriculum, emotions, relationships, consequences and appraisals

Different Stationary Phase Selectivities and Morphologies for Intact Protein Separations

The central dogma of biology proposed that one gene encodes for one protein. We now know that this does not reflect reality. The human body has approximately 20,000 protein-encoding genes; each of these genes can encode more than one protein. Proteins expressed from a single gene can vary in terms of their post-translational modifications, which often regulate their function within the body. Understanding the proteins within our bodies is a key step in understanding the cause, and perhaps the solution, to disease. This is one of the application areas of proteomics, which is defined as the study of all proteins expressed within an organism at a given point in time. The human proteome is incredibly complex. The complexity of biological samples requires a combination of technologies to achieve high resolution and high sensitivity analysis. Despite the significant advances in mass spectrometry, separation techniques are still essential in this field. Liquid chromatography is an indispensable tool by which low-abundant proteins in complex samples can be enriched and separated. However, advances in chromatography are not as readily adapted in proteomics compared to advances in mass spectrometry. Biologists in this field still favour reversed-phase chromatography with fully porous particles. The purpose of this review is to highlight alternative selectivities and stationary phase morphologies that show potential for application in top-down proteomics; the study of intact proteins

Effect of Acute Exercise on Muscle and Liver Glucose Metabolism in T1DM Rodents

Individuals with Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) are at an increased risk for developing secondary complications which increases their risk of premature death. While the risk of secondary complications is reduced with intensive insulin treatment (IIT) and aerobic exercise (AE), both interventional strategies increase the risk of hypoglycemia. This study examined the effects of a 60-min bout of forced treadmill AE on hepatic and muscular blood glucose (BG) metabolism. Nineteen Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups: Sedentary Control Rats (SC; n=5), and Sedentary T1DM rats (DSC); T1DM rats were subcategorized into Diabetic Pre-Exercise (DPRE; n=14) and Diabetic Post-Exercise (DPOST; n=7). The study was conducted over twelve weeks and upon completion the DPOST group underwent a 60-min bout of AE. Immediately following the experimental protocol both liver and muscle tissue were analyzed to measure BG, hepatic and muscular glycogen, and several liver and muscular regulatory enzymes (G6Pase, PEPCK, AKT). The DPOST rats had significantly lower hepatic glycogen when compared to the SC group but there was no difference when compared to the DPRE rats. G6Pase protein content was greater in the DPOST when compared to the SC group. Phosphorylated AKT (P-AKT) was greater in DPOST rats when compared with both SC and DPRE groups. However, no significant differences were found in PEPCK protein content in response to diabetes and exercise. These findings suggest that during AE in T1DM rats both gluconeogenesis and both hepatic and muscle glycogen is underutilized leading to a reliance on circulating BG to meet the increased metabolic demands during exercise

A locally destructive, completely asymptomatic, C1-root schwannoma with base of skull invasion : a case report

Patients with C1 nerve root schwannomas usually present with signs relating to nerve root compression. However, asymptomatic presentations have never been reported. A healthy, 37-year-old female was referred in view of a slow-growing lump in the left posterosuperior aspect of the neck. The lump was asymptomatic and neurological examination was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a left C1 nerve root tumour, extending around the C1 vertebra and compressing the thecal sac. The tumour had invaded the basiocciput and was impinging on the left cerebellar hemispheric dura. Stereotactic biopsies of the lesion showed a spindle-cell tumour exhibiting an immunoprofile consistent with a schwannoma. The lesion was surgically excised by blunt dissection using a posterior midline approach. The case report adds to the diverse modes of presentation of C1 nerve root schwannomas, in that such lesions must be included in the differential diagnosis of asymptomatic posterior neck lumps.peer-reviewe

Magnetic assessment and modelling of the Aramis undulator beamline

Within the SwissFEL project at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the hard X-ray line (Aramis) has been equipped with short-period in-vacuum undulators, known as the U15 series. The undulator design has been developed within the institute itself, while the prototyping and the series production have been implemented through a close collaboration with a Swiss industrial partner, Max Daetwyler AG, and several subcontractors. The magnetic measurement system has been built at PSI, together with all the data analysis tools. The Hall probe has been designed for PSI by the Swiss company SENIS. In this paper the general concepts of both the mechanical and the magnetic properties of the U15 series of undulators are presented. A description of the magnetic measurement equipment is given and the results of the magnetic measurement campaign are reported. Lastly, the data reduction methods and the associated models are presented and their actual implementation in the control system is detailed.peer-reviewe

Compassion Fatigue and Mental Health Nursing: The final Taboo?

For Mental Health nurses, a core component of the Nurse-Patient relationship is compassion. Bearing witness however to patient suffering may lead to the manifestation of Compassion Fatigue; a decrease in compassionate and empathic responses due to prolonged contact with patient suffering and distress. Mental Health Nurses, particularly those who work in those areas where they are exposed to frequent crisis presentations, such as inpatients settings and crisis teams, are at risk of developing Compassion Fatigue and yet there remains a paucity of research into the impact upon those delivering mental health care in the UK. This paper highlights the importance of identifying Compassion Fatigue, advocates for open honest and supportive discussions without fear of reprimand, and argues that possible work-place causes should be effectively addressed by Nurse Leaders and organisations, not just for sake of the Mental Health Nurse and their employers but also to ensure positive patient outcomes