3,188 research outputs found
You understand that whole big situation they\u27re in : Interpretative phenomenological analysis of peer-assisted learning
Abstract Background Peer-assisted learning (PAL) increasingly features within medical school curricula. While there is evidence of its effectiveness, less is known about how it promotes learning. Cognitive and social congruence between peer-tutor and student have been described as important concepts underpinning teaching and learning in PAL. We employed interpretative phenomenological analysis for an in-depth exploration of how medical students experience PAL sessions. Methods We conducted the study at The University of Manchester within a near-peer scheme aimed at developing clinical skills within clinical clerkship students. We conducted individual interviews with three peer tutors and five students. We undertook interpretive phenomenological analysis of interview transcripts. We subsequently synthesised an account of the study participants’ lived experiences of PAL sessions from individual personal accounts to explore how medical students experience peer-assisted learning. This analysis was then used to complement and critique a priori educational theory regarding the mechanisms underlying PAL. Results Students experienced PAL sessions as a safe and egalitarian environment, which shaped the type and style of learning that took place. This was facilitated by close relationships with peer-tutors, with whom they shared a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. Peer-tutors felt able to understand their students’ wider sociocultural context, which was the most important factor underpinning both the PAL environment and tutor-student relationship. Participants contrasted this relative safety, camaraderie and shared purpose of PAL with teaching led by more senior tutors in clinical settings. Conclusions This study provides a rich description of the important factors that characterise medical students’ experiences of PAL sessions. Participants felt a strong sense of support in PAL sessions that took into account their wider sociocultural context. Multiple factors interplayed to create a learning environment and tutor-student relationship that existed in contrast to teaching led by more senior, clinical tutors. The insight generated via IPA complemented existing theory and raised new lines of enquiry to better understand how the peer relationship fosters learning in PAL at medical school. We make recommendations to use insights from PAL for faculty and curriculum development
Dynamic changes in outlet glaciers in northern Greenland from 1948 to 2015
The Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) is losing mass in response to recent climatic and oceanic warming. Since the mid-1990s, tidewater outlet glaciers across the ice sheet have thinned, retreated, and accelerated, but recent changes in northern Greenland have been comparatively understudied. Consequently, the dynamic response (i.e. changes in surface elevation and velocity) of these outlet glaciers to changes at their termini, particularly calving from floating ice tongues, is poorly constrained. Here we use satellite imagery and historical maps to produce an unprecedented 68-year record of terminus change across 18 major outlet glaciers and combine this with previously published surface elevation and velocity datasets. Overall, recent (1995–2015) retreat rates were higher than at any time in the previous 47 years (since 1948). Despite increased retreat rates from the 1990s, there was distinct variability in dynamic glacier behaviour depending on whether the terminus was grounded or floating. Grounded glaciers accelerated and thinned in response to retreat over the last 2 decades, while most glaciers terminating in ice tongues appeared dynamically insensitive to recent ice tongue retreat and/or total collapse. We also identify glacier geometry (e.g. fjord width, basal topography, and ice tongue confinement) as an important influence on the dynamic adjustment of glaciers to changes at their termini. Recent grounded outlet glacier retreat and ice tongue loss across northern Greenland suggest that the region is undergoing rapid change and could soon contribute substantially to sea level rise via the loss of grounded ice
No Evidence Supporting Flare Driven High-Frequency Global Oscillations
The underlying physics that generates the excitations in the global
low-frequency, < 5.3 mHz, solar acoustic power spectrum is a well known process
that is attributed to solar convection; However, a definitive explanation as to
what causes excitations in the high-frequency regime, > 5.3 mHz, has yet to be
found. Karoff and Kjeldsen (Astrophys. J. 678, 73-76, 2008) concluded that
there is a correlation between solar flares and the global high-frequency solar
acoustic waves. We have used the Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG)
helioseismic data in an attempt to verify Karoff and Kjeldsen (2008) results as
well as compare the post-flare acoustic power spectrum to the pre-flare
acoustic power spectrum for 31 solar flares. Among the 31 flares analyzed, we
observe that a decrease in acoustic power after the solar flare is just as
likely as an increase. Furthermore, while we do observe variations in acoustic
power that are most likely associated with the usual p-modes associated with
solar convection, these variations do not show any significant temporal
association with flares. We find no evidence that consistently supports flare
driven high-frequency waves.Comment: 20 pages, 9 figures, Accepted for publication in Solar Physic
Characterization of the S = 9 excited state in Fe8Br8 by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance
High Frequency electron paramagnetic resonance has been used to observe the
magnetic dipole, M = 1, transitions in the excited
state of the single molecule magnet FeBr. A Boltzmann analysis of the
measured intensities locates it at 24 2 K above the ground
state, while the line positions yield its magnetic parameters D = -0.27 K, E =
0.05 K, and B = -1.3 10 K. D is thus smaller by 8%
and E larger by 7% than for . The anisotropy barrier for is
estimated as 22 K,which is 25% smaller than that for (29 K). These
data also help assign the spin exchange constants(J's) and thus provide a basis
for improved electronic structure calculations of FeBr.Comment: 7 pages, Figs included in text, submitted to PR
Mass or Gravitationally Induced Neutrino Oscillations? -- A Comparison of \B Neutrino Flux Spectra in a Three--Generation Framework
Both gravitational and mass induced neutrino oscillation mechanisms provide
possible resolutions to the Solar Neutrino Problem. The distinguishing feature
between the two mechanisms is their dependence on the neutrino energy. We
investigate the implications of this by computing the \B neutrino spectrum as
determined from each mechanism using a realistic three--flavor evolution model.
We find that in the limit of small \tetau mixing angle, the differences are
significant enough to observe in future solar neutrino experiments.Comment: 14 pages, latex, epsf, 5 figures; to appear in Phys Lett
Daily ingestion of alginate reduces energy intake in free-living subjects
Sodium alginate is a seaweed-derived fibre that has previously been shown to moderate appetite in models of acute feeding. The mechanisms underlying this effect may include slowed gastric clearance and attenuated uptake from the small intestine. In order to assess whether alginate could be effective as a means of appetite control in free-living adults, 68 males and females (BMI range: 18.50-32.81 kgl M-2) completed this randomised, controlled two-way crossover intervention to compare the effects of 7 day daily ingestion of a strong-gelling sodium alginate formulation against a control. A sodium alginate with a high-guluronate content was chosen because, upon ingestion, it forms a strong gel in the presence of calcium ions. Daily preprandial ingestion of the sodium alginate formulation produced a significant 134.8 kcal (7%) reduction in mean daily energy intake. This reduced energy intake was underwritten by significant reductions in mean daily carbohydrate, sugar, fat, saturated fat and protein intakes. The absence of any significant interaction effects between the main effect of preload type and those of gender, BMI classification and/or timing of preload delivery indicates the efficacy of this treatment for individuals in different settings. These findings suggest a possible role for a strong-gelling sodium alginate formulation in the future management of overweight and obesity. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
- …