Different Methods of Embodied Cognition in Pedagogy and its Effectiveness in Student Learning

The Mathematical Ideas Analysis hypothesizes that abstract mathematical reasoning is unconsciously organized and integrated with sensory-motor experience. Basic research testing movement, language, and perception during math problem solving supports this hypothesis. Applied research primarily measures students’ performance on math tests after they engage in analogous sensory-motor tasks, but findings show mixed results. Sensory-motor tasks are dependent on several moderators (e.g., instructional guidance, developmental stage) known to help students learn, and studies vary in how each moderator is implemented. There is little research on the effectiveness of sensory-motor tasks without these moderators. This study compares different approaches to working with an interactive application designed to emulate how people intrinsically solve algebraic equations. A total of 130 participants (84 females, 54 males) were drawn from a pool of Introductory Psychology students attending San Jose State University. Participants were placed in three different learning environments, and their performance was measured by comparing improvement between a pre-test and a post-test. We found no difference between participants who worked alone with the application, were instructed by the experimenter while using the application, or who instructed the experimenter on how to solve equations using the application. Further research is needed to examine how and whether analogous sensory-motor interfaces are a useful learning tool, and if so, what circumstances are ideal for sensory-motor interfaces to be used

The influence of continental sources of aerosols on the marine stratocumulus during FIRE IFO-1

The effects of aerosols on the microphysical characteristics of marine stratocumulus clouds can have a significant impact on climate processes through modification of cloud radiative properties. The effect of aerosols on clouds and the impact on climate processes have recently been discussed by several authors (Twomey et al., 1984; Coakley et al., 1987; Charlson et al., 1987). Of particular concern is the potential for observing variations of cloud characteristics that might be related to variations of available aerosols. The results of comparisons between aircraft-measured microphysical characteristics and satellite-detected radiative properties of marine stratocumulus clouds are presented. These results are extracted from Mineart (1988) and Durkee and Mineart (1989) where the analysis procedures and a full discussion of the observations are presented. Due to the space available, only a brief description of the results is presented. The satellite data used here are from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) collected at the Scripps Satellite Oceanography Facility. The AVHRR channel 1 (0.63 microns), channel 2 (0.86 microns), channel 3 (3.7 microns), and channel 4 (11 microns) data were used in the analysis. Cloud microphysical data were obtained by instruments on the NCAR Electra during cloud-penetrating missions in support of the field operations from 29 June to 19 July 1988

Marine stratocumulus cloud characteristics from multichannel satellite measurements

Understanding the effects of aerosols on the microphysical characteristics of marine stratocumulus clouds, and the resulting influence on cloud radiative properties, is a primary goal of FIRE. The potential for observing variations of cloud characteristics that might be related to variations of available aerosols is studied. Some results from theoretical estimates of cloud reflectance are presented. Also presented are the results of comparisons between aircraft measured microphysical characteristics and satellite detected radiative properties of marine stratocumulus clouds. These results are extracted from Mineart where the analysis procedures and a full discussion of the observations are presented. Only a brief description of the procedures and the composite results are presented

Perturbations of higher-dimensional spacetimes

We discuss linearized gravitational perturbations of higher dimensional spacetimes. For algebraically special spacetimes (e.g. Myers-Perry black holes), we show that there exist local gauge invariant quantities linear in the metric perturbation. These are the higher dimensional generalizations of the 4d Newman-Penrose scalars that (in an algebraically special vacuum spacetime) satisfy decoupled equations of motion. We show that decoupling occurs in more than four dimensions if, and only if, the spacetime admits a null geodesic congruence with vanishing expansion, rotation and shear. Decoupling of electromagnetic perturbations occurs under the same conditions. Although these conditions are not satisfied in black hole spacetimes, they are satisfied in the near-horizon geometry of an extreme black hole.Comment: 21 pages (v2:Minor corrections, accepted by CQG.

On the structure of the ergosurface of Pomeransky-Senkov black rings

We study the properties of the ergosurface of the Pomeransky-Senkov black rings, and show that it splits into an "inner"' and an "outer" region. As for the singular set, the topology of the "outer ergosurface" depends upon the value of parameters.Comment: 14 pages, 1 figur

Generalization of the Geroch-Held-Penrose formalism to higher dimensions

Geroch, Held and Penrose invented a formalism for studying spacetimes admitting one or two preferred null directions. This approach is very useful for studying algebraically special spacetimes and their perturbations. In the present paper, the formalism is generalized to higher-dimensional spacetimes. This new formalism leads to equations that are considerably simpler than those of the higher-dimensional Newman-Penrose formalism employed previously. The dynamics of p-form test fields is analyzed using the new formalism and some results concerning algebraically special p-form fields are proved.Comment: 24 page

Curriculum For Addressing Potential Linguistic Misconceptions Of Early Elementary Somali- Speaking Learners Of English

In this project, I examine common linguistic differences between Somali and English in an effort to answer my research question “How can I create a curriculum that explicitly addresses potential linguistic misconceptions of K-2 Somali learners of English?” This project consists of a document entitled “Somali/English Comparative Tool for ELD Teachers,” that points out common linguistic differences between Somali and English, and a corresponding curriculum that is created to be responsive to areas where students could potentially have challenges acquiring the grammatical form in English. Aspects of the Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theories of comparative and error analysis are used to examine linguistic differences between Somali and English, as well as help frame this project. This is done in an effort to improve a language teacher’s ability to analyze grammatical aspects of English and Somali, in conjunction with student language errors that could be arising out of interference between a learner’s L1 knowledge of Somali and L2 acquisition of English, also known as first language (L1) transfer. However, this by itself is insufficient. Once teachers are aware of the ways in which foundational L1 knowledge is impacting acquisition of the target language (TL), then shifts should be made to instruction in order to better address the linguistic needs of learners. Through this new knowledge of the ways Somali and English compare, the hope is that educators will able to provide more strategic input and intentional non-examples to address misconceptions that could occur as a result of L1 transfer

An Overview of Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Acute Myeloid Leukemia is a rare disease with an estimated 20,830 new cases in the U.S. in 2015.4 Although it is a rare disease it is crucial to understand the history, pathophysiology, and epidemiology of AML. Comprehending the steps behind treating AML is another crucial aspect in appreciating the care that must be put into AML and the patients that suffer from it. A comprehensive look into these two aspects of AML will give a better understanding for what causes AML, how it is treated, and what these patients experience. Through this comprehensive study the future of this field will also be considered