Graphic Organizers Used as a Supplement to Science Textbooks Relating to Retention of Scientific Facts in Fourth Graders

This research attempted to answer the question, do graphic organizers used as a supplement to science textbooks increase student retention of scientific facts in fourth grade? The researcher collected data from 56 fourth grade students in an urban school to find out whether the use of graphic organizers after reading sections of the science textbook improved retention of scientific facts in fourth graders. The researcher used baseline science test assessments, reading levels of students, tests and quizzes after the use of graphic organizers, along with teacher and students surveys and interviews in this study. These pieces of data were studied to find generalizations about student ability and retention after using the graphic organizers, student confidence and attitude when allowed to use graphic organizers, and perceptions of students and teachers about the usefulness of graphic organizers in the classroom

The Need for Laboratory Measurements and Ab Initio Studies to Aid Understanding of Exoplanetary Atmospheres

We are now on a clear trajectory for improvements in exoplanet observations that will revolutionize our ability to characterize their atmospheric structure, composition, and circulation, from gas giants to rocky planets. However, exoplanet atmospheric models capable of interpreting the upcoming observations are often limited by insufficiencies in the laboratory and theoretical data that serve as critical inputs to atmospheric physical and chemical tools. Here we provide an up-to-date and condensed description of areas where laboratory and/or ab initio investigations could fill critical gaps in our ability to model exoplanet atmospheric opacities, clouds, and chemistry, building off a larger 2016 white paper, and endorsed by the NAS Exoplanet Science Strategy report. Now is the ideal time for progress in these areas, but this progress requires better access to, understanding of, and training in the production of spectroscopic data as well as a better insight into chemical reaction kinetics both thermal and radiation-induced at a broad range of temperatures. Given that most published efforts have emphasized relatively Earth-like conditions, we can expect significant and enlightening discoveries as emphasis moves to the exotic atmospheres of exoplanets.Comment: Submitted as an Astro2020 Science White Pape

Unlocking the Climate Record Stored within Mars’ Polar Layered Deposits

In the icy beds of its polar layered deposits (PLD), Mars likely possesses a record of its recent climate history, analogous to terrestrial ice sheets that contain records of Earth's past climate. Both northern and southern PLDs store information on the climatic and atmospheric state during the deposition of each layer (WPs: Becerra et al.; Smith et al). Reading the climate record stored in these layers requires detailed measurements of layer composition, thickness, isotope variability, and near-surface atmospheric measurements. We identify four fundamental questions that must be answered in order to interpret this climate record and decipher the recent climatic history of Mars: 1. Fluxes: What are the present and past fluxes of volatiles, dust, and other materials into and out of the polar regions? 2. Forcings: How do orbital/axial forcing and exchange with other reservoirs affect those fluxes? 3. Layer Processes: What chemical and physical processes form and modify layers? 4. Record: What is the timespan, completeness, and temporal resolution of the climate history recorded in the PLD? In a peer reviewed report (1), we detailed a sequence of missions, instruments, and architecture needed to answer these questions. Here, we present the science drivers and a mission concept for a polar lander that would enable a future reading of the past few million years of the Martian climate record. The mission addresses as-yet-unachieved science goals of the current Decadal Survey and of MEPAG for obtaining a record of Mars climate and has parallel goals to the NEXSAG and ICE-SAG reports

Brain structure in childhood maltreatment-related PTSD across the lifespan: A systematic review

Numerous deleterious outcomes are associated with child maltreatment, and PTSD secondary to maltreatment is one of the most commonly cited diagnoses that may follow individuals throughout their lives. Recent neuroimaging research has observed significant structural abnormalities in individuals with maltreatment-related PTSD (m-PTSD) compared to maltreated individuals without PTSD and healthy controls. Therefore, the aims of this systematic review were to summarize the literature on brain structure in m-PTSD, identify methodological challenges and limitations, and provide directions for future research. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were followed to conduct a systematic search across three databases, and 18 studies were identified for inclusion, including 10 pediatric, 1 adolescent, and 7 adult studies. Across the studies, 19 primary brain structures were examined; 15 of the 18 studies identified a significant association between brain structure and m-PTSD. Although studies varied in the structures investigated, the most notable differences appeared in the corpus callosum, total cerebral volume, cerebellum, hippocampus, and amygdala, which appeared significantly smaller in m-PTSD participants. Future research concerning this topic may contribute to the understanding of this association by using longitudinal designs, controlling for psychiatric comorbidities and maltreatment severity, and ensuring that studies are adequately powered

Planting the TREE: A Faith-Based Program for Teen Dating Violence Prevention

In this case study, we describe Teen Relationship Education Empowerment (TREE), a faith-based prevention program to reduce teen dating violence (TDV). Faith communities have tremendous potential to address multilevel risk and protective factors for TDV. We first describe the program, which is a 2-session psychoeducational training for congregation members designed to encourage discussion and programming in their own faith communities on TDV prevention. We also outline lessons learned based on our experiences and the extant literature, including practical strategies for identifying and engaging potential church partners, as well as designing and delivering evidence-based, culturally resonant TDV education within faith communities. These strategies may help others who wish to contest the “holy hush” in churches around TDV and engage the larger community in important conversations about healthy, unhealthy, and abusive relationships. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed

Testing Abiotic Reduction of NAD Directly Mediated by Iron/Sulfur Minerals

Life emerged in a geochemical context, possibly in the midst of mineral substrates. However, it is not known to what extent minerals and dissolved inorganic ions could have facilitated the evolution of biochemical reactions. Herein, we have experimentally shown that iron sulfide minerals can act as electron transfer agents for the reduction of the ubiquitous biological protein cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) under anaerobic prebiotic conditions, observing the NAD/NADH redox transition by using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and H nuclear magnetic resonance. This reaction was mediated with iron sulfide minerals, which were likely abundant on early Earth in seafloor and hydrothermal settings; and the NAD/NADH redox reaction occurred in the absence of UV light, peptide ligand(s), or dissolved mediators. To better understand this reaction, thermodynamic modeling was also performed. The ability of an iron sulfide mineral to transfer electrons to a biochemical cofactor that is found in every living cell demonstrates how geologic materials could have played a direct role in the evolution of certain cofactor-driven metabolic pathways