Computational science projects and the development of mathematical problem solving skills in secondary students

The computer has great potential as a tool for the teaching of Mathematics; Two tools that can be used to guide the use of the computer in a mathematics classroom are the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics\u27 Curriculum and Evaluation Standards and situated cognition theory. This dissertation will summarize recent research on four computer-based tools in the mathematics classroom: computer simulation, programming, spreadsheet and graphing software, and computer networks. The existing research in each of these areas will be related to the NCTM standards and situated cognition theory. In addition, high performance computing tools and computational science projects will be introduced and their potential use in the mathematics classroom will be illustrated;One specific area of mathematics in which computational science projects may be particularly useful is in the teaching of functions. These projects provide a rich environment for the investigation of a function from several different perspectives. This dissertation reports the results of two studies which investigated the use of computational science projects in developing students\u27 understanding of functions. The first study investigated the use of computational science projects in developing students\u27 skill with variables and their understanding of an iterative function. It was found that students improved in their understanding of an iterative function, and were able to transfer that understanding to a similar problem. High math ability students and males were more likely to show this improvement and make the transfer of knowledge than students lower in math ability and females respectively. Students did not improve in their ability to use variables to model a function. The second study observed a group of students as they completed a computational science project in order to develop an understanding of the process that group of students went through as they completed the project. As they worked on the project, students were observed using and applying many mathematical concepts related to functions. They did not, however, appear to develop a complete understanding of many of these concepts. It was determined that the students did not have the necessary supports to assist them in developing that understanding as they worked on the project

Senior housing in Scotland : a development and investment opportunity?

Funding Information: Under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001, local authorities are required to prepare and submit a Local Housing Strategy (LHS) which is supported by an assessment of housing need and demand and subject to consultation and engagement with communities. The government had set a target of 50,000 affordable homes to be built by March 2021. This need is now unlikely to be met as a consequence of COVID-19. Funding for these homes comes from the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. Local authorities use their 3-years Resource Planning Assumption (RPA) from the Scottish Government to prepare Strategic Housing Investment plans (SHIPs) for their areas. These plans are the key documents for identifying strategic housing projects to assist the achievement of the 50,000 homes target. Currently, it does not appear that there is any policy obligation to build a set amount of senior homes per annum. It is up to local authorities to define need based on the demographics of their area. Acknowledgements: The authors express their thanks to the Elderly Accommodation Counsel for their assistance throughout this project and to Caroline Laurenson for her help on technology advancements. Publisher Copyright: © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited. Copyright: Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Peer reviewedPostprin

The role of the state in encouraging the supply of senior housing : a looming welfare crisis?

Acknowledgement: The authors would like to express their thanks to all those who assisted with this research.Peer reviewedPostprin

d- and f -metal alkoxy-tethered N-heterocyclic carbene complexes

Chapter one is an introduction, outlining the structure and bonding of N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs). It then goes on to give examples of f -metal NHC complexes and describes any reactivity or catalytic activity. Chapter two describes the synthesis of the transition metal NHC complexes [Fe (LMes)2] 3 and [Co(LMes)2] 4 (LMes = OCMe2 CH2(1-C{NCH2CH2NMes})). The heterobimetallic complexes [(LMes)Fe(μ-LMes)U(μ-{N(SiMe3)Si(Me)2CH2})(N(Si Me3)2)2] 5 and [(LMes)Co(μ-LMes)U(μ-{N(SiMe3)Si(Me)2CH2})(N(SiMe3)2)2] 6 were prepared from the reaction between [({Me3Si}2N)2U(NSiMe3SiMe2CH2)] and 3 or 4, respectively. Complex 5 was also synthesised by the reaction between 3 and [U(N{SiMe3}2)2]. The diamagnetic analogue [(LMes)Zn(μ-LMes)Th(μ-{N(SiMe3)Si (Me)2CH2})(N(SiMe3)2)2] 9 was prepared from the reaction between [Zn(LMes)2] and [({SiMe3}2N)2Th(NSiMe3SiMe2CH2)]. The reactivity of 5 is discussed. When 5 was reacted with 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide, [({SiMe3}2N)2U{N(SiMe3)Si(Me2)C(CH2)N(2,6−Me−C6H3)}] 8 was isolated. The reaction with CO resulted in the formation of [({Me3Si}2N)2U{N(SiMe3) Si(Me2)C(CH2)CO}]. 5 showed no reactivity with azides, boranes or m-chloroperbenzoic acid and decomposed when exposed to H2, CO2 or KC8. The reaction between 6 and 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol formed the previously reported monometallic complex [({SiMe3}2N)2U(OC6H3tBu2)]. The serendipitous synthesis of the iron ate complex [Na(Fe{LMes}2)2]+ [Fe(ArO)3]– 10 (Ar = 2,6-tBu-C6H3) is also described. Chapter three describes the synthesis of the aryloxide complexes [HC(3-tBu-5-Me- C6H2OH)(3-tBu-5-Me-C6H2O)μ-(3-tBu-5-Me-C6H2O)Co(THF)]2 11 and [HC(3- tBu-5-Me-C6H2OH)(3-tBu-5-Me-C6H2O)μ-(3-tBu-5-Me-C6H2O)Zn(THF)n] 13. Treatment of 11 with pyridine N-oxide resulted in the formation of the pyridine-Noxide adduct [HC(3-tBu-5-Me-C6H2OH)(3-tBu-5-Me-C6H2O)μ-(3-tBu-5-Me-C6H2 O)Co(C5H5NO)]2 12. When 11 was treated with [({Me3Si}2N)2U(NSiMe3SiMe2C H2)], no reaction occured at room temperature but at 80◦C decomposition occured. When 11 was treated with [(NH4)2Ce(NO3)6] the protonated proligand HC(3-tBu- 5-Me-C6H2OH)3 reformed. The reactivity of 11 with [({Me3Si}2N)Ce(LiPr)2] is also discussed. Chapter three also discusses the preparation of the heterobimetallic complex [HC(3- tBu-5-Me-C6H2O)2-μ-(3-tBu-5-Me-C6H2O)KCo]2 14 and the salt-elimination chemistry of the complex. The preparation of [HC(3-tBu-5-Me-C6H2O)2-μ-(3-tBu-5- Me-C6H2O)KZn]2 15 is also outlined. Chapter four discusses the reactivity of [Ce(LiPr)3] (Li Pr =OCMe2CH2(1-C{NCHC HNiPr})) in C-H and N-H activation and as a catalyst for organic reactions. [Ce(LiPr)3] displayed no C-H activation chemistry with RC−−−CH (R = SiMe3, Ph, tBu), diphenyl acetone, indene or fluorene. [Ce(LiPr)3] also showed no N-H activation chemistry with pyrrole or indole, nor did it react with the lignin model compound PhOCH2Ph. When treated with an excess of benzyl chloride, [Ce(LiPr)3] underwent ligand decomposition to form the acylazolium chloride [(C6H5C(O))OCMe2CH2(1-C(C6H5C (O)){NCHCHNiPr})]Cl 18 and CeCl3. When [Ce(LiPr)3] was added to a mixture of benzaldehyde and benzyl chloride, as a coupling catalyst, the complex decomposed. [Ce(LiPr)4] was tested as a catalyst from the benzoin condensation and for the coupling of benzalehyde and benzyl chloride, however, it resulted in the decomposition of [Ce(LiPr)4]. Chapter four also outlines the catalytic activity of 3. The complex showed no reactivity as a hydrogenation catalyst towards alkenes, aldehydes or ketones but did display reactivity as a hydroboration catalyst for alkenes, aldehydes or ketones. Chapter five presents the conclusions for chapters two to four. The final chapter contains the experimental details from the previous chapters

Asymmetric synthesis of heterocyclic chloroamines and aziridines by enantioselective protonation of catalytically generated enamines

L.A.M. and J.W.B.F. thank EPSRC for postdoctoral funding (EP/S027165/1; EP/R025754/1). J.W.B.F. thanks the Leverhulme Trust for postdoctoral funding (RPG-2018-362). M.W.A. thanks the University of St Andrews for a PhD studentship.We report a method for the synthesis of chiral vicinal chloroamines via asymmetric protonation of catalytically generatedprochiral chloroenamines using chiral Brønsted acids. The processis highly enantioselective, with the origin of asymmetry and catalystsubstituent effects elucidated by DFT calculations. We show theutility of the method as an approach to the synthesis of a broadrange of heterocycle-substituted aziridines by treatment of thechloroamines with base in a one-pot process, as well as the utility ofthe process to allow access to vicinal diamines.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

770-5 Chamber Specific Regulation of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase Pump In Human Heart Failure

Alterations in the expression of Ca2+ channels have been described in failing human left ventricle, including down regulation of the ryanodine receptor (RyR)/Ca2+ release channel and the sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase pump (SERCA) which are involved in excitation-contraction coupling and relaxation (Cir Res 71: 18, 1992). We previously reported chamber specific regulation of the RyR during end-stage human heart failure (Clin Res 42(2):166A. 1994). We investigated whether SERCA is also regulated in the other cardiac chambers during human heart failure. Total RNA and protein homogenates were isolated from the left and right atria (LA, RA) and left and right ventricles (LV, RV) obtained prospectively from 32 cardiac transplant patients and 4 normal controls. Messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of SERCA were quantified using Northern and slot blot hybridizations with a 1.6kb rat cardiac SERCA cDNA probe and normalized to 28S ribosomal levels. Protein levels of SERCA were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays with monoclonal antibodies directed against dog cardiac SERCA. Northern analyses detected a single ≈4 kb mRNA in all regions. Compared to controls. SERCA mRNA expression in failing hearts was decreased in LV by 39% (p<0.005), unchanged in RV, and increased in LA by 255% (p<0.005) and in RA by 338% (p<0.025). Consistent with the mRNA data. immunodetectable levels of SERCA were also reduced in LV by 30% (p<0.05) and unchanged in RV; however, protein levels appeared unchanged or reduced in both atria in contrast to the mRNA. This is the first study reporting simultaneous measurements of SERCA mRNA and protein levels in the human heart. We conclude that chamber specific regulation of SERCA mRNA occurs during end-stage heart failure. corroborated by protein expression in the ventricles. Down regulations of SERCA may contribute to impaired relaxation and increased diastolic tone during heart failure

Mycobacterium ulcerans treatment - can antibiotic duration be reduced in selected patients?

Mycobacterium ulcerans (M. ulcerans) is a necrotizing skin infection endemic to the Bellarine Peninsula, Australia. Current treatment recommendations include 8 weeks of combination antibiotics, with adjuvant surgery if necessary. However, antibiotic toxicity often results in early treatment cessation and local experience suggests that shorter antibiotic courses may be effective with concurrent surgery. We report the outcomes of patients in the Barwon Health M. ulcerans cohort who received shorter courses of antibiotic therapy than 8 weeks