The use of additional information in problem-oriented learning environments

Self-directed learning with authentic and complex problems (problem-oriented learning) requires that learners observe their own learning and use additional information when it is appropriate – e.g. hypertextual information in computer-supported learning environments. Research results indicate that learners in problem-oriented learning environments often have difficulties using additional information adequately, and that they should be supported. Two studies with a computer-supported problem-oriented learning environment in the domain of medicine analyzed the effects of strategy instruction on the use of additional information and the quality of the problem representation. In study 1, an expert model was used for strategy instruction. Two groups were compared: one group with strategy modeling and one group without. Strategy modeling influenced the frequency of looked-up hypertextual information, but did not influence the quality of learners' problem representations. This could be explained by difficulties in applying the general hypertext information to the problem. In study 2, the additional information was presented in a more contextualized way as graphical representation of the case and its relevant concepts. Again, two groups were compared: one with a strategy instruction text and one without. Strategy instruction texts supported an adequate use of this graphical information by learners and had an effect on the quality of their problem representations. These findings are discussed with respect to the design of additional help systems in problem-oriented learning environments

Managing land use and land cover change in the biodiversity context with regard to efficiency, equality and ecological effectiveness

The introduction of conservation-friendly farming measures is an important tool for biodiversity conservation. Recently, a debate has started whether this money is spent effectively, i.e. whether it successfully contributes to conserve biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. Several types of criticism have been raised that are adequately responded by environmental policies leading to spatially and temporally heterogeneous habitats. However existing policies for species conservation are still designed to support one conservation measure only by paying an equal amount of compensation to all land-users carrying out the corresponding measure. Regarding ecological findings we firstly point out in which cases environmental policies have to be differentiated in space and time. Secondly, we analyse the necessary and sufficient conditions for transfer schemes to exist that are able to introduce a spatio-temporally heterogeneous land use and land cover type. Thirdly, we reveal that strategic considerations of land-owners limit efficiency and fairness considerations of the policy makers when determining the ecologically accurate payment scheme. However ' surprisingly ' if policy makers seek to minimise their budget required for implementing the desired policy goal, this at the same time guarantees that the individual profits of the land-owners (when performing with the desired policy goal) are as equal as feasible. --

A lesson for cancer research : placental microarray gene analysis in preeclampsia

Tumor progression and pregnancy share many common features, such as immune tolerance and invasion. The invasion of trophoblasts in the placenta into the uterine wall is essential for fetal development, and is thus precisely regulated. Its deregulation has been implicated in preeclampsia, a leading cause for maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Pathogenesis of preeclampsia remains to be defined. Microarray-based gene profiling has been widely used for identifying genes responsible for preeclampsia. In this review, we have summarized the recent data from the microarray studies with preeclamptic placentas. Despite the complex of gene signatures, suggestive of the heterogeneity of preeclampsia, these studies identified a number of differentially expressed genes associated with preeclampsia. Interestingly, most of them have been reported to be tightly involved in tumor progression. We have discussed these interesting genes and analyzed their potential molecular functions in preeclampsia, compared with their roles in malignancy development. Further investigations are warranted to explore the involvement in molecular network of each identified gene, which may provide not only novel strategies for prevention and therapy for preeclampsia but also a better understanding of cancer cells. The trophoblastic cells, with their capacity for proliferation and differentiation, apoptosis and survival, migration, angiogenesis and immune modulation by exploiting similar molecular pathways, make them a compelling model for cancer research

Empirical study of the influence of social groups in evacuation scenarios

The effects of social groups on pedestrian dynamics, especially in evacuation scenarios, have attracted some interest recently. However, due to the lack of reliable empirical data, most of the studies focussed on modelling aspects. It was shown that social groups can have a considerable effect, e.g. on evacuation times. In order to test the model predictions we have performed laboratory experiments of evacuations with different types and sizes of the social groups. The experiments have been performed with pupils of different ages. Parameters that have been considered are (1) group size, (2) strength of intra-group interactions, and (3) composition of the groups (young adults, children, and mixtures). For all the experiments high-quality trajectories for all participants have been obtained using the PeTrack software. This allows for a detailed analysis of the group effects. One surprising observation is a decrease of the evacuation time with increasing group size.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures, to be published in Traffic and Granular Flow '15 (Springer, 2016

1905 Taxes for Frank, Sr. and Cornelia LeCocq, August 21, 1906

Tax receipts for state and county property taxes for the year 1905, paid in 1906, by Frank, Sr. and Cornelia on their South Dakota properties.https://nwcommons.nwciowa.edu/franklecocqsr/1000/thumbnail.jp

Function of survivin in trophoblastic cells of the placenta

Background: Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide and its pathogenesis is not totally understood. As a member of the chromosomal passenger complex and an inhibitor of apoptosis, survivin is a well-characterized oncoprotein. Its roles in trophoblastic cells remain to be defined. Methods: The placental samples from 16 preeclampsia patients and 16 well-matched controls were included in this study. Real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis were carried out with placental tissues. Primary trophoblastic cells from term placentas were isolated for Western blot analysis. Cell proliferation, cell cycle analysis and immunofluorescence staining were performed in trophoblastic cell lines BeWo, JAR and HTR-8/SVneo. Results: The survivin gene is reduced but the protein amount is hardly changed in preeclamptic placentas, compared to control placentas. Upon stress, survivin in trophoblastic cells is phosphorylated on its residue serine 20 by protein kinase A and becomes stabilized, accompanied by increased heat shock protein 90. Depletion of survivin induces chromosome misalignment, abnormal centrosome integrity, and reduced localization and activity of Aurora B at the centromeres/kinetochores in trophoblastic metaphase cells. Conclusions: Our data indicate that survivin plays pivotal roles in cell survival and proliferation of trophoblastic cells. Further investigations are required to define the function of survivin in each cell type of the placenta in the context of proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, migration and invasion

Polnische Sicherheitspolitik : Warschaus Position zur ESVP : Eine gesellschaftstheoretische Annäherung

In Abgrenzung zur fragwürdigen Betrachtung Polens als „trojanischem Pferd“ der USA in Europa argumentiert diese Studie, dass die polnische Sicherheitspolitik nur verstanden werden kann, wenn die Sinnwelt der sicherheitspolitischen Akteure Polens als Ausgangspunkt gewählt wird. Zentral ist dafür in methodischer Hinsicht der Ansatz der verstehenden Soziologie von Max Weber. Als Schlüssel zum Verständnis der polnischen Sicherheitspolitik, wie etwa der Position Warschaus zur ESVP, wird gemeinhin die Wirkungsmacht des historischen Erbes angeführt. Erklärungsbedürftig bleibt bislang jedoch die Frage, wie sich die historischen Erfahrungen vormaliger Generationen in sicherheitspolitische Perzeptionen, Entscheidungen und Handlungen gegenwärtiger Akteure Polens umsetzen. Einer gesellschaftstheoretischen Annäherung an die Analyse von Sicherheitspolitik folgend, lassen sich unter Rückgriff auf das Konzept des sozialen Habitus die historisch bedingten, soziokulturell vermittelten Wahrnehmungs- und Bewertungsmuster der sicherheitspolitischen Elite Polens herausarbeiten. Inwiefern sich diese auf die Position Warschaus zur ESVP auswirken, bildet die zweite zentrale Frage dieses Beitrags. Die entsprechende Analyse umfasst sowohl die Aspekte, zu denen die sicherheitspolitische Elite Polens Stellung bezogen hat, als auch potenzielle Chancen, die von den Trägern des sicherheitspolitischen Habitus nicht erkannt bzw. in Habitus-konformer Weise uminterpretiert worden sind

Polnische Sicherheitspolitik : Warschaus Position zur ESVP : Eine gesellschaftstheoretische Annäherung

In Abgrenzung zur fragwürdigen Betrachtung Polens als „trojanischem Pferd“ der USA in Europa argumentiert diese Studie, dass die polnische Sicherheitspolitik nur verstanden werden kann, wenn die Sinnwelt der sicherheitspolitischen Akteure Polens als Ausgangspunkt gewählt wird. Zentral ist dafür in methodischer Hinsicht der Ansatz der verstehenden Soziologie von Max Weber. Als Schlüssel zum Verständnis der polnischen Sicherheitspolitik, wie etwa der Position Warschaus zur ESVP, wird gemeinhin die Wirkungsmacht des historischen Erbes angeführt. Erklärungsbedürftig bleibt bislang jedoch die Frage, wie sich die historischen Erfahrungen vormaliger Generationen in sicherheitspolitische Perzeptionen, Entscheidungen und Handlungen gegenwärtiger Akteure Polens umsetzen. Einer gesellschaftstheoretischen Annäherung an die Analyse von Sicherheitspolitik folgend, lassen sich unter Rückgriff auf das Konzept des sozialen Habitus die historisch bedingten, soziokulturell vermittelten Wahrnehmungs- und Bewertungsmuster der sicherheitspolitischen Elite Polens herausarbeiten. Inwiefern sich diese auf die Position Warschaus zur ESVP auswirken, bildet die zweite zentrale Frage dieses Beitrags. Die entsprechende Analyse umfasst sowohl die Aspekte, zu denen die sicherheitspolitische Elite Polens Stellung bezogen hat, als auch potenzielle Chancen, die von den Trägern des sicherheitspolitischen Habitus nicht erkannt bzw. in Habitus-konformer Weise uminterpretiert worden sind