An Ipswichian Palaeo-shoreline in Holderness

Previous research has identified a possible palaeo-shoreline extending across the Holderness region of Yorkshire. A 3D modelling project has revealed the extent of this feature under the Quaternary sediments across the entire area. The model also reveals the general palaeo-landscape of the area. This poster illustrates the first full 3D visualisation of this buried shoreline and proposes further investigative work that could be undertake

The synthesis and characterisation of novel rhodium(III) heteroleptic complexes

It is the aim of the work that will be discussed in the following thesis to contribute to the field of Rh(III) polypyridyl chemistry. A series of heteroleptic Rh(III) polypyridyl complexes have been synthesised and characterised from the perspective of studying the effect of ligand variation and it was also hoped that it would be possible to develop dinuclear Ru(II)-Rh(III) complexes in which both the electron donor and the electron acceptor would be photoexcitable units. A series of complexes of the form [Rh(L)2(L’)]n+ where L = bpy or phen, L’ = a pyridine triazole / pyrazine triazole/ triazine or imidazo based ligand and n = 2 or 3 have been synthesised and characterised. Chapter 3 focuses upon the synthesis, purification and structural characterisation of the complexes incorporating pyridine triazole ligands whereas Chapter 5 details the synthesis and structural characterisation of the complexes incorporating pyrazine, triazine, imidazole and triazole based ligands. Whilst particular emphasis was placed on the synthesis and structural characterisation of these complexes, their photophysical and electrochemical properties were also studied and Chapters 4 and 6 detail the results of these studies. The complexes all contain ligands with different adonor and 7t-acceptor properties and their characterisation aims to determine if the variation of these ligand properties influences their photophysical and electrochemical properties. Their behaviour is compared with that of the tris homoleptic complexes [Rh(phen)3]3+ and [Rh(bpy)3 ]3+ and where possible with analogous Ru(II) complexes. Chapter 7 details the numerous synthetic approaches which were taken in attempts to synthesise Rh(III)/Ru(II) dinuclear complexes and also discusses the difficulties which were encountered. Chapter 8 aims to take the results discussed throughout the thesis into consideration and discusses the issues of coordination modes, protonation states and the photophysical and electrochemical properties of all of the complexes synthesised, with particular emphasis being placed upon their behaviour in relation to their ligand adonor and 71-acceptor strengths. Having analysed the results obtained, Chapter 8 also proposes avenues through which this research can progress

Quantifying senescence-mediated nutrient loss processes in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) biomass

The annual senescence that occurs in many perennial grass species is not a terminal event, and multiple internal processes are occurring as a plant enters winter or dry-season dormancy. When grown as bioenergy feedstocks, end-season nutrient conservation and loss processes taking place in perennial grasses are of interest to producers attempting to maximize yield while reducing residual nutrient content in the harvestable biomass. The residual nutrient content in these bioenergy feedstocks can reduce conversion efficiency, damage biorefinery equipment, and even cause pollution. In order to better understand nutrient cycling in perennial grasses as well as improve harvest management decisions for bioenergy feedstock producers, I quantified three nutrient loss processes in the model perennial grass species Panicum virgatum L.: 1) end-season nutrient resorption, 2) biomass nutrient leaching, and 3) mass loss due to overwinter leaf drop (litterfall). Over two autumn seasons in 2014 and 2015, I established a baseline of macronutrient reduction in senescing, undamaged in situ switchgrass plots and compared those baselines to plots exposed to heavy simulated rainfall in order to quantify potential foliar nutrient leaching. I found that leaf-level resorption may drive the bulk of phloem mobile nutrient (i.e., N, P, K) reduction from aboveground biomass during senescence, but phloem immobile nutrients (i.e., Ca) tend to remain behind in the standing biomass. From a practical point of view, foliar leaching was not observed to be a significant driver of nutrient loss during senescence. During the winter of 2015 – 2016, in situ switchgrass biomass samples were harvested monthly from undamaged stands. The harvested material was analyzed by aboveground morphological component (stem, leaf, panicle) for mass and macronutrient content to quantify nutrient losses and the passive process driving them. I observed that losses of non-leachable nutrients (i.e., N and Ca) were primarily due to overwinter leaf drop and losses of the more water-soluble nutrients (i.e., K and P) were primarily due to biomass leaching. These studies will improve knowledge of end-season nutrient cycling in perennial grasses and help inform management decisions for producers seeking to diversify their operations with switchgrass for bioenergy

Appreciation units in the teaching of geography in senior high school

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University This item was digitized by the Internet Archive

Mobile Learning and Cognition

The rise of mobile learning in schools during the past decade has led to promises about its power to extend and enhance student cognitive development – for example, by providing greater pedagogical opportunities for students (Mifsud, 2014). However, others claim that mobile devices are most often used to support traditional pedagogical approaches whereby students only passively consume content (Cochrane & Antonczak, 2014; Frohberg, Goth & Schwabe, 2009; Rushby, 2012). As schools invest resources in providing students with opportunities to use mobile devices as tools for learning, it is important to critically examine their use in practice

Research Trends in the Use of Mobile Learning in Mathematics

The use of mobile learning in education is growing at an exponential rate. To best understand how mobile learning is being used, it is crucial to gain a collective understanding of the research that has taken place. This research was a systematic review of 36 studies in mobile learning in mathematics from the year 2000 onward. Eight new findings emerged: (1) The primary purpose of most studies was to focus on evaluating mobile learning. (2) Case studies and experimental design were the main research methods. (3) Most studies report positive learning outcomes; (4) Mobile phones were the mobile device used most often. (5) Elementary school settings were the most common research context. (6) The majority of researchers did not identify a specific mathematical concept being studied. (7) The majority of the studies took place in formal educational contexts; and (8) research on mobile learning in mathematics is geographically diverse

Research Trends in the Use of Mobile Learning in Mathematics

The use of mobile learning in education is growing at an exponential rate. To best understand how mobile learning is being used, it is crucial to gain a collective understanding of the research that has taken place. This research was a systematic review of 36 studies in mobile learning in mathematics from the year 2000 onward. Eight new findings emerged: (1) The primary purpose of most studies was to focus on evaluating mobile learning. (2) Case studies and experimental design were the main research methods. (3) Most studies report positive learning outcomes; (4) Mobile phones were the mobile device used most often. (5) Elementary school settings were the most common research context. (6) The majority of researchers did not identify a specific mathematical concept being studied. (7) The majority of the studies took place in formal educational contexts; and (8) research on mobile learning in mathematics is geographically diverse

School Culture for the Mobile Digital Age

School culture is a nebulous blend of traditions, values, beliefs, and rituals built up over time. Recent mobile technologies are disrupting this culture in favor of learning that is personalized, on demand, ubiquitous knowledge. This paper provides a historical overview of the adoption of mobile technologies in school culture. An epistemological dissonance is uncovered regarding a slow rate of adoption and effective pedagogical practices. Finally, building from existing literature, a new framework is presented to elucidate a new school culture that involves students as curators of the web, creators of knowledge, and custodians of learning

Implementation of the 4th Joint Societies’ Task Force Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice. Evaluating implementation across 13 European countries. Main report

The Guidelines of the 4th Joint Societies Task Force on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Clinical Practice (4th JTF)* were issued in 2007, summarising and evaluating available evidence on reducing the incidence of atherosclerotic events arising from coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral arterial disease. The purpose of the guidelines is to assist physicians in selecting the best strategies for managing cardiovascular disease. They are an important agreed protocol across countries and professionals that have the ultimate aim of improving outcomes from the disease. The value of these guidelines depends on the extent to which they are used by physicians in daily practice. Introducing the guidelines, the 4th JTF authors stressed that ‘implementation programmes for new guidelines form an important component of the dissemination of knowledge’.1 Transferring guidelines from paper into practice has proven to be frustrating for the many who endeavour to standardise the management of cardiovascular disease across Europe. The EUROASPIRE I, II and III surveys, which audited the practice of preventive cardiology in patients with coronary heart disease over a decade, illustrated that patients were not being managed to the standards set by the ESC guidelines and that limited attention was given to prevention in patients with established heart disease. Evidence of the need for more effective lifestyle management was compelling: blood pressure management remained stubbornly unchanged, and lipid targets were not achieved in almost half of patients. Other studies report disappointing levels of guideline observance among physicians; they are often unaware of recommendations given in guidelines and, even when they are, many fail to consistently apply them in treating patients.2-3 Commonly cited barriers to guideline adherence among physicians include lack of time during consultations, financial constraints and lack of confidence in patients’ motivation to comply. Physicians also find that guideline documents are difficult to translate into practice. To address the gap between publication of guidelines and their use in practice, the ESC at a European level organises presentations at conferences for its member national societies and key opinion leaders. It works at a political level to promote the prevention agenda and to directly influence EU health policy, leading, for example, to the EU Commission endorsement of the European Heart Health Charter. However, such efforts must be paralleled by concerted strategies at a national level to realise implementation in the front line. The 4th JTF urged national societies to develop implementation programmes, starting with the translation of guidelines to the local language and their adaptation to the national context. It recommended that the guidelines issued by the 4th JTF be regarded as a framework from which national guidance ‘to suit local political, economic, social, and medical circumstances’ would be developed. The recalibration of the SCORE risk assessment charts to reflect mortality and risk factor distributions in individual countries as part of this adaptation was emphasised. The 4th JTF saw as vital the establishment a multidisciplinary alliance of experts from national professional organisations to oversee the adaptation and to drive implementation. It was necessary that alliances would have the support of national health authorities and work with other sectors such as the medical education and business communities to advance their aims. Other recommendations included: An information and education programme aimed at practising doctors that would include an audit of practices and feedback. The development of supplementary materials to the guidelines, specifically electronic versions for use in hand-held devices, such as PDAs, and of A4 sheet versions of risk algorithms and treatment recommendations. A population health approach addressing lifestyle risk factors in general. A public information campaign explaining the concept of multiple risk assessment and treatment and intervention thresholds, as well as describing how risk can be reduced

CPR 4 Schools Evaluation Study Report

CPR 4 Schools is an ambitious training programme developed by the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF) to equip post-primary school students with cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. In the 2008–09 school year, a pilot of the programme was rolled out to 27,000 Transition Year students. The programme is one element of the IHF’s strategy to improve survival rates from sudden cardiac arrest, which causes an estimated 5,000 deaths in Ireland every year. Most of these deaths occur at home. If there is a witness, it is most often a relative