James J. Kaput (1942–2005) imagineer and futurologist of mathematics education

Jim Kaput lived a full life in mathematics education and we have many reasons to be grateful to him, not only for his vision of the use of technology in mathematics, but also for his fundamental humanity. This paper considers the origins of his ‘big ideas’ as he lived through the most amazing innovations in technology that have changed our lives more in a generation than in many centuries before. His vision continues as is exemplified by the collected papers in this tribute to his life and work

The fundamental cycle of concept construction underlying various theoretical frameworks

In this paper, the development of mathematical concepts over time is considered. Particular reference is given to the shifting of attention from step-by-step procedures that are performed in time, to symbolism that can be manipulated as mental entities on paper and in the mind. The development is analysed using different theoretical perspectives, including the SOLO model and various theories of concept construction to reveal a fundamental cycle underlying the building of concepts that features widely in different ways of thinking that occurs throughout mathematical learning

Clonal hematopoiesis in cardiovascular disease and therapeutic implications.

Clonal hematopoiesis arises from somatic mutations that provide a fitness advantage to hematopoietic stem cells and the outgrowth of clones of blood cells. Clonal hematopoiesis commonly involves mutations in genes that are involved in epigenetic modifications, signaling and DNA damage repair. Clonal hematopoiesis has emerged as a major independent risk factor in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, thrombosis and heart failure. Studies in mouse models of clonal hematopoiesis have shown an increase in atherosclerosis, thrombosis and heart failure, involving increased myeloid cell inflammatory responses and inflammasome activation. Although increased inflammatory responses have emerged as a common underlying principle, some recent studies indicate mutation-specific effects. The discovery of the association of clonal hematopoiesis with cardiovascular disease and the recent demonstration of benefit of anti-inflammatory treatments in human cardiovascular disease converge to suggest that anti-inflammatory treatments should be directed to individuals with clonal hematopoiesis. Such treatments could target specific inflammasomes, common downstream mediators such as IL-1β and IL-6, or mutations linked to clonal hematopoiesis.A.T. and J.J.F. are supported by a grant from the Leducq Foundation (TNE-18CVD04). A.T. is supported by NIH grant 155431. We thank M. A. Zuriaga for assistance with figure design.S

Workshop Report: Scaling Up Climate Information Services for Farmers and Pastoralists in Tanzania through ICTs and Rural Radio

Under the auspices of this GFCS Adaptation Programme in Africa, the World Food Program (WFP) and the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) co-organized a two-day ICT and Radio Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop in Tanzania to define a nationally appropriate strategy for scaling up climate information services for farmers and pastoralists in Tanzania through ICTs and interactive rural radio. This national ICT and radio consultation workshop brought together 28 participants representing government MDAs, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN agencies, academic and research institutions, farmer based organizations, and telecom operators to brainstorm best options to streamline delivering tailored climate information to end users. The two-day workshop was held in Dar es Salaam on 27-28, April 2015. The workshop began with a brief overview of the objectives, methodology, and key recommendations from each study. This was followed by a summary of important findings, and then a question-and-answer session in which participants agreed with the key recommendations and overall findings. Participants were introduced to a draft information flow model that includes three important components: production, delivery and feedback. The plenary session gave participants room to share feedback from discussion groups. Final consensus was built on the role of each stakeholder and type of intervention needed on the ground in the short- and longer terms to enhance the delivery of climate information services for farmers and pastoralists in Tanzania. The model derived from this workshop gives a clear picture of the information flow needed to communicate agro-advisories and other climate information services at a large scale in the country. The model has three important components: the production side, delivery side, and feedback side. Particular stakeholders and technological interventions were identified for each of these components. Successful stories from India and Africa, that are relevant to the Tanzanian context, were presented to strengthen the discussions. These case studies prompted discussions on the financial sustainability of the business models, and triggered the idea to adopt similar innovations in Tanzania

The impact of perceptions and skills of teaching staff on the building of a dyslexia friendly school

This dissertation comprises a study of the perceptions and skills of teaching staff working with children with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) in an inclusive, mainstream setting. The aims of the dissertation are to review recent and relevant literature, to audit the knowledge and skills of staff in this area, to identify strengths and areas for development in teaching and learning for children with SpLD within this setting, to enhance self-confidence of teaching skills of staff in this school and to put in place criteria to enable subsequent application of the Dyslexia Friendly Schools Initiative Quality Mark. The initial approach within a mainstream primary school setting was to gather data from a comprehensive, anonymous questionnaire (qualitative/quantitative data) designed using a combination of open and closed questions. All teaching staff were invited to participate. Data from the questionnaire was triangulated by selecting key participants for classroom observation and interview: a teacher of some years' experience, a newly qualified teacher and a teaching assistant working with children with a range of additional needs. The research and findings demonstrate the paradigm shift in the perception and management of dyslexia in recent educational history and evidence the importance of training staff in building positive perceptions and developing and implementing dyslexia friendly teaching skills and learning strategies. This dissertation suggests that such teaching and learning strategies are also appropriate for all children within this setting