Finding a common story : synthesising findings from two research programs

In this research the authors tackled the issue of synthesising the findings of two independent research programs with common themes into a coherent analysis of teaching and learning across disciplines and school sectors. Through an ongoing dialogue and iterative exploration of emerging themes a synthesis generated new understandings of the use of narrative pedagogies in maths, science and technology, and the aesthetic nature of such learning experiences. This process demonstrates how a comparative lens enables a higher level of analysis of both research programs and generates broader narratives that can be applied to contexts beyond the original research foci

Comparative genomics of Shiga toxin encoding bacteriophages

Background Stx bacteriophages are responsible for driving the dissemination of Stx toxin genes (stx) across their bacterial host range. Lysogens carrying Stx phages can cause severe, lifethreatening disease and Stx toxin is an integral virulence factor. The Stx-bacteriophage vB_EcoP-24B, commonly referred to as 24B, is capable of multiply infecting a single bacterial host cell at a high frequency, with secondary infection increasing the rate at which subsequent bacteriophage infections can occur. This is biologically unusual, therefore determining the genomic content and context of 24B compared to other lambdoid Stx phages is important to understanding the factors controlling this phenomenon and determining whether they occur in other Stx phages. Results The genome of the Stx2 encoding phage, 24B was sequenced and annotated. The genomic organisation and general features are similar to other sequenced Stx bacteriophages induced from Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), however 24B possesses significant regions of heterogeneity, with implications for phage biology and behaviour. The 24B genome was compared to other sequenced Stx phages and the archetypal lambdoid phage, lambda, using the Circos genome comparison tool and a PCR-based multi-loci comparison system. Conclusions The data support the hypothesis that Stx phages are mosaic, and recombination events between the host, phages and their remnants within the same infected bacterial cell will continue to drive the evolution of Stx phage variants and the subsequent dissemination of shigatoxigenic potentia

An extended multiscale principle of virtual velocities approach for evolving microstructure

AbstractA hierarchical multiscale approach is presented for modeling microstructure evolution in heterogeneous materials. Preservation of momentum across each scale transition is incorporated through the application of the principle of virtual velocities at the fine scale giving rise to the appropriate continuum momentum balance equations at the coarse scale. In addition to satisfying momentum balance and invariance of momentum among scales, invariance of elastic free energy, stored free energy, and dissipation between two scales of observation is regarded as crucial to the physics of each scale transition. The preservation of this energy partitioning scheme is obtained through construction of constitutive relations within the framework of internal state variable theory. Internal state variables that are directly computed from the fine scale response are introduced to augment the state equations and describe the inelastic energy storage and dissipation within the fine scale. By virtue of a second gradient kinematic decomposition, the framework naturally gives rise to couple stresses

Pulsed laser deposition for growth of high quality epitaxial garnet films for low threshold waveguide lasers

Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) is a mature technique capable of producing extremely high quality epitaxial single crystalline films. We have grown Nd:doped garnet films of GGG (Gd The talk will summarise our progress using conventional (single beam) PLD in thin-film and waveguide growth, using both nanosecond and femtosecond lasers, and also introduce our new directions in tri-beam PLD (three targets, three lasers) for growth of some interesting, complex and perhaps impossible structures, such as Gaussian doping, internal voids and even helically doped structures

Do Public Transit Investments Promote Urban Economic Development? Evidence from Bogotá, Colombia

In this paper, the authors use a repeated cross-section labor market dataset to assess whether access to the TransMilenio Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Bogotá, Colombia, affects the incomes of those who live in station area neighborhoods. Results indicate that the opening of the system was associated with increased income for those living near – but not immediately adjacent to – trunk line stations. This relationship is strongest in the lower and middle-income range. Two possible explanations for this result are that existing residents earn higher wages, or higher income workers relocate to the neighborhood. While available data do not allow the authors to distinguish clearly between these two causes, evidence suggests that much of the effect is likely due to relocation. The results stand in contrast to prior work, which has largely suggested that improvements in public transit will tend to reduce wages in station areas

Smart Metering Early Learning Project: Synthesis Report

Smart electricity and gas meters with the offer of an in-home display are due to be rolled out to all households in Great Britain by the end of 2020. DECC commissioned this synthesis research as part of its work to support a successful smart metering implementation programme (the Programme), to offer an initial analysis of progress to date and to learn how householders can best be engaged in order to benefit from the roll-out, in particular by saving energy. This report summarises and analyses evidence from a range of sources, including three new DECC research projects into how GB householders engage with smart metering, GB and international evidence on smart metering and energy feedback, and evidence from public health behaviour change programmes

The Mental Health Impacts of COVID-19 on PK-12 Students: A Systematic Review of Emerging Literature

The mental health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on PK-12 youth is likely an urgent and enduring concern, yet research on this topic is still emerging. To synthesize current knowledge, the researchers conducted a systematic review of empirical studies exploring the mental health impacts of COVID-19. Five themes emerged across 104 included studies: (a) the pandemic proved widely disruptive to PK-12 youth; (b) there was a clear connection between the mental health of caregivers (e.g., parents) and children; (c) the pandemic broadly increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in PK-12 youth; (d) students were particularly affected on the basis of age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and previous mental health or disability diagnosis; and (e) youth demonstrated negative and positive coping strategies and even saw some positive mental health outcomes during the pandemic. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.; The mental health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on PK-12 youth is likely an urgent and enduring concern, yet research on this topic is still emerging. To synthesize current knowledge, the researchers conducted a systematic review of empirical studies exploring the mental health impacts of COVID-19. Five themes emerged across 104 included studies: (a) the pandemic proved widely disruptive to PK-12 youth; (b) there was a clear connection between the mental health of caregivers (e.g., parents) and children; (c) the pandemic broadly increased levels of stress, anxiety, and depression in PK-12 youth; (d) students were particularly affected on the basis of age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and previous mental health or disability diagnosis; and (e) youth demonstrated negative and positive coping strategies and even saw some positive mental health outcomes during the pandemic. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed