Using Manipulatives in Mathematical Problem Solving: A Performance-Based Analysis

This article explores problem solving in elementary classrooms while focusing on how children use (perform tasks) manipulatives and/or tools in problem solving while working on mathematical tasks. Ways for teachers to assess children’s learning through performance-based tool (manipulative) use will also be examined and suggested. Current research reveals that teachers need to teach and assess children’s mathematical knowledge in ways that will allow them to show (perform) what they really understand. And, teachers must be able to see beyond obvious correct or incorrect answers into children’s thinking processes by testing with “tests that allow students the opportunity to show what they know” (Van de Walle, 2003, p. 73)

Alien Registration- Kelly, Catherine A. (Bath, Sagadahoc County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/9156/thumbnail.jp

First Record of \u3ci\u3eOchlerotatus Japonicus\u3c/i\u3e (Diptera: Culicidae) in St. Joseph County, Indiana

A single female specimen of Ochlerotatus japonicus (Theobald)(formerly Aedes japonicus), the Asian bush mosquito, was captured in St. Joseph County, IN on 29 July 2004. This is the first report of that species in northern Indiana. Additional specimens were subsequently collected, indicating probable establishment throughout the county

The experiences of women with polycystic ovary syndrome on a very low-calorie diet

The research was funded by an educational grant from LighterLife. Broom was the Medical Director for LighterLife at the time of the research. Johnson is the Head of Nutrition and Research at LighterLife. The authors report no other conflicts of interest in this work.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Forest edges benefit adults, but not seedlings, of the mistletoe Alepis flavida (Loranthaceae)

1   We tested the hypothesis that different life-history stages of the same plant species show different responses to forest edge and interior environments. We investigated the effects of forest edges on growth, survival and density of seedlings, juveniles and adults of an endemic New Zealand mistletoe, Alepis flavida , over a 5-year period. 2   Rates of establishment and growth were significantly higher for seedlings in forest interior than on forest edges but both juveniles and adults grew significantly faster on forest edges. 3   Mortality rates were greater for juveniles than for adults, but there was no significant difference between forest edge and interior. 4   Densities of seedlings and the larger size class of juvenile plants were significantly greater in the forest interior than on forest edges, whereas densities of the larger size class of adults were significantly greater on edges. 5   Changes in densities over 5 years showed that larger juveniles increased in density only in the forest interior, whereas larger adults increased in density only on forest edges. 6   Thus, seedlings of A. flavida have strong advantages in the forest interior, whereas juveniles and adults grow faster on forest edges. 7   This study emphasizes the need to examine multiple life-history stages in studies of edge effects. Journal of Ecology (2004) doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2745.2004.00961.xPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72224/1/j.1365-2745.2004.00961.x.pd

Bilateral enucleation alters gene expression and intraneocortical connections in the mouse

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Anatomically and functionally distinct sensory and motor neocortical areas form during mammalian development through a process called arealization. This process is believed to be reliant on both activity-dependent and activity-independent mechanisms. Although both mechanisms are thought to function concurrently during arealization, the nature of their interaction is not understood. To examine the potential interplay of extrinsic activity-dependent mechanisms, such as sensory input, and intrinsic activity-independent mechanisms, including gene expression in mouse neocortical development, we performed bilateral enucleations in newborn mice and conducted anatomical and molecular analyses 10 days later. In this study, by surgically removing the eyes of the newborn mouse, we examined whether early enucleation would impact normal gene expression and the development of basic anatomical features such as intraneocortical connections and cortical area boundaries in the first 10 days of life, before natural eye opening. We examined the acute effects of bilateral enucleation on the lateral geniculate nucleus of the thalamus and the neocortical somatosensory-visual area boundary through detailed analyses of intraneocortical connections and gene expression of six developmentally regulated genes at postnatal day 10.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results demonstrate short-term plasticity on postnatal day 10 resulting from the removal of the eyes at birth, with changes in nuclear size and gene expression within the lateral geniculate nucleus as well as a shift in intraneocortical connections and <it>ephrin A5 </it>expression at the somatosensory-visual boundary. In this report, we highlight the correlation between positional shifts in <it>ephrin A5 </it>expression and improper refinement of intraneocortical connections observed at the somatosensory-visual boundary in enucleates on postnatal day 10.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Bilateral enucleation induces a positional shift of both <it>ephrin A5 </it>expression and intraneocortical projections at the somatosensory-visual border in only 10 days. These changes occur prior to natural eye opening, suggesting a possible role of spontaneous retinal activity in area border formation within the neocortex. Through these analyses, we gain a deeper understanding of how extrinsic activity-dependent mechanisms, particularly input from sensory organs, are integrated with intrinsic activity-independent mechanisms to regulate neocortical arealization and plasticity.</p

The effect of powder re-use on the coalescence behaviour and isothermal crystallisation kinetics of polyamide 12 within powder bed fusion

Polymer powder bed fusion (PBF) is becoming increasingly popular for the fabrication of lightweight, high-performance parts, particularly for medical and aerospace applications. This study investigates the effect of powder re-use and material aging on the coalescence behaviour, melt flowability, and isothermal crystallisation kinetics of polyamide-12 (PA-12) powder. With increased powder re-use, a progressive reduction in melt flowability and material coalescence is observed; at 200 °C, the particle consolidation time increases from 15 s in virgin powder to 180 s in powder recovered from build 6. The observed changes in the behaviour of PA-12 were attributed to polycondensation and cross-linking; these aging phenomena also create structural defects, which hinder the rate and extent of primary crystallisation. At an isothermal crystallisation temperature of 165 °C, the crystallisation half-time increased from 12.78 min in virgin powder to 23.95 min in powder re-used across six build cycles. As a result, the commonly used Avrami model was found to be unsuitable for modelling the crystallisation behaviour of aged PA-12 powder, with the coefficient of determination (R2) reducing from &gt;0.995 for virgin powder to as low as 0.795 for reused powder. On the other hand, an alternative method, the Hay model, is able to successfully track full phase transformation within re-used powder (R2 &gt;0.99). These results highlight the importance of selecting the most appropriate model for analysing the crystallisation kinetics of PA-12 powder re-used across multiple build cycles. This understanding is crucial for obtaining the strong mechanical properties and dimensional precision required for the fabrication of functional, end-use parts within PBF

Mixed-Methods Systematic Review to Identify Facilitators and Barriers for Parents/Carers to Engage Pre-School Children in Community-Based Opportunities to Be Physically Active

Background: Low physical activity levels in young children is a major concern. For children aged 0–5 years, engagement with opportunities to be physically active are often driven by the adults responsible for the child’s care. This systematic review explores the barriers and facilitators to parents/caregivers engaging pre-school children in community-based opportunities for physical activity, within real-world settings, or as part of an intervention study. Methods: EBSCOhost Medline, CINHAL plus, EBSCOhost SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and ASSIA were systematically searched for quantitative and qualitative studies published in English between 2015 and 16 May 2022. Data extracted from 16 articles (485 parents/carers; four countries) were quality-assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool and coded and themed via thematic analysis. Results: Nine themes (eight core, one minor) were identified and conceptualised into a socio-ecological model, illustrating factors over four levels: Individual—beliefs and knowledge (and parental parameters); Interpersonal—social benefits, social network, and family dynamic; Community—organisational factors and affordability; and Built and Physical Environment—infrastructure. Discussion: The findings provide valuable insights for practitioners and policy makers who commission, design, and deliver community-based physical activity opportunities for pre-school children. Developing strategies and opportunities that seek to address the barriers identified, as well as build on the facilitators highlighted by parents, particularly factors related to infrastructure and affordability, are imperative for physical activity promotion in pre-school children. The perspectives of fathers, socioeconomic and geographical differences, and the importance parents place on physical activity promotion all need to be explored further

Early Contrast Enhancement: a novel Magnetic Resonance Imaging biomarker of pleural malignancy

Introduction: Pleural Malignancy (PM) is often occult on subjective radiological assessment. We sought to define a novel, semi-objective Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) biomarker of PM, targeted to increased tumour microvessel density (MVD) and applicable to minimal pleural thickening. Materials and methods: 60 consecutive patients with suspected PM underwent contrast-enhanced 3-T MRI then pleural biopsy. In 58/60, parietal pleura signal intensity (SI) was measured in multiple regions of interest (ROI) at multiple time-points, generating ROI SI/time curves and Mean SI gradient (MSIG: SI increment/time). The diagnostic performance of Early Contrast Enhancement (ECE; which was defined as a SI peak in at least one ROI at or before 4.5 min) was compared with subjective MRI and Computed Tomography (CT) morphology results. MSIG was correlated against tumour MVD (based on Factor VIII immunostain) in 31 patients with Mesothelioma. Results: 71% (41/58) patients had PM. Pleural thickening was &#60;10 mm in 49/58 (84%). ECE sensitivity was 83% (95% CI 61–94%), specificity 83% (95% CI 68–91%), positive predictive value 68% (95% CI 47–84%), negative predictive value 92% (78–97%). ECE performance was similar or superior to subjective CT and MRI. MSIG correlated with MVD (r = 0.4258, p = .02). Discussion: ECE is a semi-objective, perfusion-based biomarker of PM, measurable in minimal pleural thickening. Further studies are warranted

National Policy Response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: A Physical Activity Case Study of Wales

Background: Population level changes in physical activity (PA) may benefit from policy intervention. In response to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Wales introduced legislation to holistically improve health and well-being, including Public Service Boards (PSBs) to improve the translation of national policy into practice. Method: An audit of policies published by national and sub-national public bodies since 2015 was conducted. Content of the policies were extracted and synthesised to determine: (i) how many policies included a PA action; (ii) what the drivers of those policies were; (iii) the content of the PA actions; and (iv) how the PA actions aligned with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. Results: 16 national-level documents with a PA action have been published by 4/13 public bodies. The policies vary in terms of the clarity and specificity of the actions, the assignment of clear roles/responsibilities, and the setting of targets. Of the 19 sub-national PSBs well-being policies, 15 included PA actions. Conclusion: This audit provides a valuable example of how connections between national and sub-national policy can be achieved. The appointment of PSBs has supported the translation of policies into practice in Wales, and similar approaches could be utilised in other countries