A theory of change for a technology-enhanced education system in Bangladesh

The first of a trilogy of Theories of Change (TOCs) that focuses on learners as the main beneficiaries of an increasingly technology-enhanced education system in Bangladesh. Initially created with stakeholders to support the monitoring and evaluation of programmes designed to offer distance learning during the 2020 Covid-19 school closures, the TOC describes how access to educational activities of different modalities (TV, Radio, Smartphone, online platforms etc.) should lead to improved educational outcomes for learners in Classes 1-12

A theory of change for teachers towards a technology-enhanced education system in Bangladesh

The second of a trilogy of Theories of Change (TOCs) that focuses on teachers as key agents of change in the development of an increasingly technology-enhanced education system in Bangladesh. The TOC was created following a period of desk research and in-country stakeholder workshops. It offers a theory for how teachers’ professional learning experiences will enable them to support learners in ways that take advantage of available technology. The TOC is a useful tool to support the design, implementation, and evaluation of all programmes and initiatives that are designed for teachers, and aim to improve educational outcomes for learners in Classes 1-12

Fate of Crude and Refined Oils in North Slope Soils

Prudhoe Bay crude oil and refined diesel fuel were applied to five topographically distinct tundra soils at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The penetration of hydrocarbons into the soil column depended on soil moisture and drainage characteristics. Biodegradation, shown by changes in the pristane to heptadecane and resolvable to total gas chromatographic area ratios, appeared to be greatly restricted in drier tundra soils during one year exposure. Some light hydrocarbons, C9-C10, were recovered from soils one year after spillages. Hydrocarbons were still present in soils at Fish Creek, Alaska, contaminated by refined oil spillages 28 years earlier, attesting to the persistence of hydrocarbons in North Slope soils

Aquilegia, Vol. 29 No. 3, May-July 2005: Newsletter of the Colorado Native Plant Society

https://epublications.regis.edu/aquilegia/1105/thumbnail.jp

Prevalence and Disability Outcome of Secondary Conditions Experienced by Adults with Disabilities Living in a Rural State: Validation of a Surveillance Instrument

Objectives. People with disabilities can lead healthy lives but may be at risk for secondary conditions. This study investigated prevalence rates and disability outcome of secondary conditions using the Secondary Conditions Surveillance Instrument (SCSI). The reliability and validity of the SCSI for measuring self-reported limitation due to secondary conditions was also investigated. Methods. Three-hundred-fifty-four handicapped parking permit holders and 22 non-disabled undergraduate students completed the SCSI. Eighteen people with spinal cords injuries completed the SCSI twice approximately 3 years apart. Results. Respondents reported experiencing an average of 14 secondary conditions during the past year with 73% experiencing more than 10 conditions during that time period. Prevalence rates rnged from 51 per 1000 to 785 per 1000 people for various conditions. The SCSI demonstrated reliability and validity. Conclusions. These results suggest a high prevalence rate of disability due to secondary conditions and support the reliability and validity of the SCSI. This instrument may be very useful for departments of public health working to prevent secondary coniditions. These results also suggest that an effective wellness program for people with a physical impairment could substantially reduce disability

A theory of change for parents and caregivers towards a technology-enhanced education system in Bangladesh

The third of a trilogy of Theories of Change (TOCs) that focuses on parents and caregivers as key agents of change in the development of an increasingly technology-enhanced education system in Bangladesh. The TOC was created following a period of desk research and in-country stakeholder workshops. It offers a theory for how parents’ and caregivers’ experiences in diverse programmes and initiatives will enable them to support children to improved educational outcomes, and take advantage of available technology. It offers a tool for programme designers, implementers, and evaluators to think critically about how their initiative(s) will impact parents and caregivers for the longer-term benefits of their children

3D Camouflage in an Ornithischian Dinosaur

SummaryCountershading was one of the first proposed mechanisms of camouflage [1, 2]. A dark dorsum and light ventrum counteract the gradient created by illumination from above, obliterating cues to 3D shape [3–6]. Because the optimal countershading varies strongly with light environment [7–9], pigmentation patterns give clues to an animal’s habitat. Indeed, comparative evidence from ungulates [9] shows that interspecific variation in countershading matches predictions: in open habitats, where direct overhead sunshine dominates, a sharp dark-light color transition high up the body is evident; in closed habitats (e.g., under forest canopy), diffuse illumination dominates and a smoother dorsoventral gradation is found. We can apply this approach to extinct animals in which the preservation of fossil melanin allows reconstruction of coloration [10–15]. Here we present a study of an exceptionally well-preserved specimen of Psittacosaurus sp. from the Chinese Jehol biota [16, 17]. This Psittacosaurus was countershaded [16] with a light underbelly and tail, whereas the chest was more pigmented. Other patterns resemble disruptive camouflage, whereas the chin and jugal bosses on the face appear dark. We projected the color patterns onto an anatomically accurate life-size model in order to assess their function experimentally. The patterns are compared to the predicted optimal countershading from the measured radiance patterns generated on an identical uniform gray model in direct versus diffuse illumination. These studies suggest that Psittacosaurus sp. inhabited a closed habitat such as a forest with a relatively dense canopy.Video Abstrac

Orbital-angular-momentum transfer to optically levitated microparticles in vacuum

We demonstrate the transfer of orbital angular momentum to an optically levitated microparticle in vacuum. The microparticle is placed within a Laguerre-Gaussian beam and orbits the annular beam profile with increasing angular velocity as the air drag coefficient is reduced. We explore the particle dynamics as a function of the topological charge of the levitating beam. Our results reveal that there is a fundamental limit to the orbital angular momentum that may be transferred to a trapped particle, dependent upon the beam parameters and inertial forces present.PostprintPeer reviewe

Prospectus, September 5, 1984

DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS VOICE POLITICAL SUPPORT: MONDALE CAMPAIGNS IN CHAMPAIGN-URBANA; PC Happenings; Space advocate is popular public speaker; Loudon speaks at Parkland; Gautlet thrown down again; Concert pianist to play Parkland; Philosophy Club begins; Champaign County provides many social service agencies; Student suicide-how do we fight it? Three out of four consider suicide; Marijuana use decreasing; Better advertising of aid needed; Tips for new students; Creative Corner...Especially for you!!; Witches\u27 Sabbath Road; Rain; Forgotten Pill; Rites of Passage; Spirit to Heaven; Silence; Doom Story-terror awaits; Advice from the Duodenum; Did You Know...; Fake mail to students...good enterprise; Volunteers are needed; Champaign-Urbana retains glimpses of yesteryear with charming older homes; Faculty Art 1984: A random sampling and mini-tour; An invitation to feel, understand, reflect and grow; Prospectus Man strikes again...; Prospecto! Champion of truth, justice and the Prospectus way; Classifieds; Boys are back; She bops her way to the top; Murphy strikes own path; The world says goodbye to a beloved actor; Carly\u27s still coming on strong; As campaign starts, educators give Reagan low marks; Key veterans in command of 1984 volleyball campaign; Fast Freddy Contest; Talented Freshmen Spear head woman\u27s cross countryhttps://spark.parkland.edu/prospectus_1984/1014/thumbnail.jp

The cost-effectiveness of a mechanical compression device in out of hospital cardiac arrest

AIM: To assess the cost-effectiveness of LUCAS-2, a mechanical device for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as compared to manual chest compressions in adults with non-traumatic, out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. METHODS: We analysed patient-level data from a large, pragmatic, multi-centre trial linked to administrative secondary care data from the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) to measure healthcare resource use, costs and outcomes in both arms. A within-trial analysis using quality adjusted life years derived from the EQ-5D-3L was conducted at 12-month follow-up and results were extrapolated to the lifetime horizon using a decision-analytic model. RESULTS: 4471 patients were enrolled in the trial (1652 assigned to the LUCAS-2 group, 2819 assigned to the control group). At 12 months, 89 (5%) patients survived in the LUCAS-2 group and 175 (6%) survived in the manual CPR group. In the vast majority of analyses conducted, both within-trial and by extrapolation of the results over a lifetime horizon, manual CPR dominates LUCAS-2. In other words, patients in the LUCAS-2 group had poorer health outcomes (i.e. lower QALYs) and incurred higher health and social care costs. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that the use of the mechanical chest compression device LUCAS-2 represents poor value for money when compared to standard manual chest compression in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest