Profiles of reform in the teaching of calculus: A study of the implementation of materials developed by the Calculus Consortium Based at Harvard (CCH) Curriculum Project

The research question addressed in this study is: What profiles of interpretation and implementation of reform in the teaching of calculus emerge from data obtained from mathematics faculty members using Calculus Consortium Based at Harvard (CCH) Curriculum Project materials? Site liaisons from mathematics departments using CCH Curriculum Project materials in 117 academic institutions, consisting of 13 secondary schools, 30 two-year colleges, 19 doctoral and research universities, and 55 other colleges and universities, completed Initial and Site Liaison Surveys. Site liaisons and 266 other instructors from 117 academic institutions completed a Faculty Survey. Six clustering scales were developed from the survey instruments that incorporated goals for reform in calculus curriculum and instruction: CONCEPTS, an emphasis on students\u27 conceptual understanding of the central ideas of calculus; APPROACH, visual, numeric, and analytic approach to all topics and real-world experiences; TEACHING, use of alternative classroom teaching practices; ASSESSMENT, use of alternative student assessment methods; TECHNOLOGY, use of calculators and computers in calculus courses; and ACCESS, accessibility of calculus to students traditionally underrepresented in calculus. Cluster analysis, using data from the surveys, identified eight groups or clusters of academic institutions. The institutions within each cluster exhibited similar patterns of interpretation and implementation of reform on the six clustering scales. Thirteen validating scales, incorporating survey items not used in the cluster analysis, were used to validate cluster solution. The study provides in-depth descriptions of each cluster from the perspectives of the participants, using participant comments that relate to each of the scales. The different patterns of reform that are revealed in the cluster descriptions demonstrate that faculty members emphasize different aspects of reform that are meaningful and important to them in their contextual situation. The study is an effort to help the reader better understand reform in calculus curriculum and instruction and recognize the complexities faced by those engaged in the reform process

Investigation of an all-movable control surface at a mach number of 6.86 for possible flutter

Movable tail surface for aircraft control without flutter using X-15 scale model at hypersonic spee

Configurationally imprinted biomimetic polymers with specific recognition for oligopeptides

textThe over-expression of several peptides and proteins in the body often leads to catastrophic physiological conditions. Ultimately it would be beneficial to be able to reduce the circulation of these peptides. To achieve this, we created systems that use synthetic biomaterials to mimic natural biological recognition processes. These recognitive polymer systems can be fabricated with molecular architectures possessing specific chemical moieties that provide a framework for selective recognition of a target analyte in aqueous environments. We concentrate on a particular peptide, angiotensin II, which would benefit from a system such as this. This work reports on a novel recognitive system that recognizes and captures the undesirable analyte. To achieve destruction of the over-expressed peptide for further therapeutic effects, we have incorporated biodegradable components into the polymer backbone which create an acidic microenvironment, capable of destroying the peptide, upon hydrolytic cleavage at the ester bond. Imprinted polymer networks were prepared by UV-initiated, free radical polymerization reactions of acrylamide as the functional monomer, poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) as the crosslinking agent, and angiotensin II as the template molecule. To analyze the effectiveness of the imprinting process, recognitive/binding studies using angiotensin II and its derivative SVA angiotensin were conducted by HPLC. In order to optimize the repeated recognition (rebinding) of angiotensin II, the molar ratio of template to functional monomer was varied from 1:8, 1:16 to 1:32. The cross-linking ratio was also varied from 10% to 80%. The angiotensin II was then placed in various acid compositions and analyzed by mass spectroscopy in order to determine its integrity in the presence of an acidic microenvironment. The recognition studies showed that the networks imprinted for angiotensin II were more selective and recognized angiotensin II more effectively than the non-imprinted polymers and was more selective for angiotensin II than its derivative peptide SVA angiotensin. It can also be seen from studies that the peptide angiotensin II can be degraded in the presence of glycolic acid. The synergistic effect of the recognition, capturing and destruction of the peptide ultimately offers promise for novel drug delivery systems.Biomedical Engineerin

Indiana Center for Intercultural Communication – A Signature Center Initiative

poster abstractThe Indiana Center for Intercultural Communication (ICIC) is a university-based research and service organization created to enhance links between the city of Indianapolis, the state of Indiana, and cultures/nations throughout the world. The center is part of the Indiana University School of Liberal Arts in the Department of English at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI). ICIC conducts internationally-recognized research on language and intercultural communication; provides practical training in language and culture for specific purposes that is informed by its research; and applies its expertise to benefit the wider community. Research Current research is on health discourse/health literacy and intercultural rhetoric/discourse through quantitative and qualitative analyses in several areas, to identify factors and forms of interaction and communication, that impact medication adherence, risk comprehension, patient decision-making, and successful self-management of diseases. Training ICIC offers group training programs and individualized tutoring in language and intercultural communication to students, faculty, medical residents and postdoctoral researchers, as well as business professionals in the community. Students from around the world come to Indianapolis to participate in our specialized language training programs. ICIC also offers training to instructors of language and intercultural communication. Our goal is to provide training tailored to learners’ needs and learning situations

IS GROWING FOOD WASTING WATER? STORIES FROM A SURGE OF GROUNDWATER REGULATIONS IN CALIFORNIA

This long-form feature story examines how the nascence of California’s new era of groundwater regulation is playing out for the farmers, families and agencies who must adapt to a sweeping new law against the backdrop of climate change. California became the last state in the west to adopt a statewide management plan for the invaluable natural resource when it first embarked on a path toward groundwater sustainability in 2020. Known as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), the 20-year plan requires California’s most depleted groundwater basins to become sustainable by 2040. When SGMA matured in 2020, California’s next drought began the same year. Groundwater use represents about 40% of statewide water consumption during normal years and ascends to 60% during drought. While dry spells are a normal feature of California’s climate, drought cycles are becoming more frequent, longer and severe. The demand for groundwater increased over the years while recharge dwindled, creating a time where both the need for and strain upon groundwater has never been more poignant. The drought that began in 2020 has since hit record breaking levels of heat and dryness. Groundwater use in many parts of the state will be slashed over the next 20 years to preserve the resource for the future, as well as halt harmful consequences to drinking water, wildlife and the environment. The region that will feel these changes most is California’s Central Valley – a relatively small area that grows food for the entire world while also experiencing the state’s worst drought conditions. Just two years into the two decade journey toward sustainability, SGMA is already causing Valley residents who hold groundwater precious to worry about the future of their economy, land and livelihood. This story relays the hopes, fears and experiences of those who are feeling the impacts of SGMA and climate change. It is told through the lens of those who are working to steward groundwater sustainability into the best possible future for all stakeholders. The narrative explores the concerns the act both addresses and raises, possible equity issues arising from the act’s implementation and opportunities for solutions. It is a snapshot into the early days of California’s new era of groundwater regulation

The circular business framework for building, developing and steering businesses in the circular economy

The need for a transition towards a circular economy (CE) is evident, as the current economic model is based on the exploitation of far more resources than the planet can replenish sustainably. A significant part of this economic transition is the inception of new, CE-oriented startups and business activities. While business model frameworks (BMF), such as the Business Model Canvas (BMC), were at the center of discussions about structuring business ideas in the beginning of the millennium, the conversation must now shift towards circular BMFs (CBMF). This paper follows the Design Research Methodology (DRM) for an empirical approach to devising a novel CBMF, including expert interviews as well as a first application of the framework with a startup. Throughout this process, a new and innovative tool called Circular Business Framework (CBF) was created and tested based on CE principles

Økt ståtid med motiverte ansatte: Hva motiverer til lang ståtid på Kystvaktens fartøyer?

Å beholde personell er en økende prioritering for Forsvaret for å kunne styrke etatens evne til å løse oppdrag. For å sikre at Kystvakten er kapabel til å fortsette å løse sine oppdrag i fremtiden, er det et voksende behov for å beholde seilende personell for å beholde investert kunnskap og erfaring. For å kunne fremme nye tiltak som gir økt ståtid må man også identifisere hva som bidrar til dette. Denne oppgaven har forsøkt å i finne faktorer som gjør at personell med lang ståtid på Kystvaktens fartøyer velger å bli værende i fartøystjeneste. Oppgavens problemstilling er: Hva motiverer befal og offiserer til å bli værende i jobben på Kystvaktens fartøyer? Problemstillingen er besvart ved bruk av tre utvalgte teorier; selvbestemmelsesteorien, jobbkrav ressursmodellen og organisasjonsforpliktelse. Oppgaven har videre benyttet kvalitativ metode med bruk av intervju som datainnsamlingsmetode. Respondentgruppen som har deltatt i undersøkelsen består av seks personer med mer enn ti års tjeneste på Kystvaktens fartøy. Resultatene tyder på at faktorene kompetanseopplevelse, følelse av tilhørighet, Kystvaktens oppdrag, jobbsikkerhet, egen jobb og variasjon i egen jobb er det som bidrar mest til motiverte ansatte og dermed til økt ståtid og lavere turnover. Opplevelse av autonomi, lønn og muligheter for karriereutvikling er i noe grad identifisert som motivasjonsfaktorer. Videre funn viser at god balanse mellom hjem og jobb er viktig for å kunne stå lenge i fartøystjenste, og at dette kan være en faktor som vil kunne virke negativt dersom den ikke er god nok. Funn viser også at høy personellrotasjon og mangel på personell i besetningene hadde negativ påvirkning for motivasjonen hos respondentene. Følelse av organisasjonsforpliktelse ble funnet som en faktor som i noe grad kan bidra til at ansatte blir stående lenge i jobb