Perspectives on Case-based Multimedia Web Projects in Science

This article discusses the merits of case-based learning in an interactive online environment. Researchers used both qualitative and quantitative research over a 2-year period to examine the learning that occurred in a high school context when students were engaged in a case-based multimedia project. Part of the Case It! project, students played both the role of laboratory technician performing and presenting research as well as professionals using the information in their practice. Students were required to use three types of simulation software developed exclusively for the Case It! project. Results were measured using both pre- and post-tests, artifacts students created such as Web posters, records of Internet conferences, and interviews from both the students and the teacher involved in this project. Researches found the online format of the lesson fostered a higher level of questioning and problem solving skills, as well as extended explanations and discussions of ethics in science. Educational levels: Graduate or professional

Real-Time Imaging of K atoms on Graphite: Interactions and Diffusion

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at liquid helium temperature is used to image potassium adsorbed on graphite at low coverage (~0.02 monolayer). Single atoms appear as protrusions on STM topographs. A statistical analysis of the position of the atoms demonstrates repulsion between adsorbates, which is quantified by comparison with molecular dynamics simulations. This gives access to the dipole moment of a single adsorbate, found to be 10.5 Debye. Time lapse imaging shows that long range order is broken by thermally activated diffusion, with a 32 meV barrier to hopping between graphite lattice sites

Verksamhetsutveckling - en första introduktion av tre arbetsmodeller

Att lära av handlingar och konsekvenser är ett förhållningssätt för att långsiktigt utveckla verksamheter. Ett konkret sätt att lära av handlingar och konsekvenser är att undersöka alternativa mål/medelkombinationer. Det blir med ett sådant tillvägagångssätt viktigt att kombinera förutsättningar, process och resultat, att kombinera leverans och effekt och att kombinera problem och lösning. I artikeln behandlas de s k V-, X- och Y-modellerna, modeller som beskriver samband mellan mål och medel, mellan förutsättningar, process och resultat samt mellan problem och lösning. Dessa modeller kan alla användas som hjälpmedel för att söka alternativa mål/medelkombinationer. Att lära av handlingar och konsekvenser innebär att se varje situation – positiv som negativ – som en inlärningssituation. Den intressanta frågan är: ”Vad kan jag lära av denna situation”? Konsekvenserna av ett sådant förhållningssätt är att kunna stå starkare inför nya situationer.Verksamhetsutveckling; Handlingar; Konsekvenser; Mål/medel;

Studies of root competition in a poor pine forest by supply of labelled nitrogen and phosphorus

The phenomenon known as root competition in lichen pine forests has been studied by means of applying ammoniurn sulphate and potassium phosphate labelled with N15 and P32 respectively to a plot with a seed tree (Pinus sylvestris) in the centre. Under the tree there was a typical competition zone. Both Calluna vulgaris and Vaccinium vitis idaea proved to be at least as efficient absorbers of nutrients as the pine plants in the natural regeneration under the seed tree. In the vegetation inmediately outside the fertilized area only traces of the added nutrients could be found. An analysis of the root distribution revealed that the suppressed pine plants in the competition zone had their roots spread chiefly in the deeper layers while the roots system of the older tree dominated the upper layers where the supply of nutrients available to vegetation is largest. At a distance of 5-7 m from the tree, where its competition began to decrease, the small plants were found to have a considerably more superficial root system than what thye had nearer to the tree

On the threshold - evaluation of variability in effects of acupuncture in a gender perspective

Variable results of pain alleviation in response to acupuncture have been reported, complicating its interpretation. Sources of variability are probably multi-factorial, including the contribution of gender related effects. Gender related variation in perceived pain has been discussed frequently, but documented effects of acupuncture referring to gender are sparse. Furthermore, factors such as operationalisation of the outcome variable and the statistical method for evaluation could also be sources of variability. When pain is regarded as subjective, the produced data should be treated as ordinal. The rank-based method by Svensson, taking the non-metric qualities of the ordinal data into account as well as the variability at the group and the individual level, is therefore an alternative. The present commentary aims to (1) evaluate changes in electrical sensory thresholds and electrical pain thresholds after low frequency electro-acupuncture separately in healthy women and men; (2) introduce and exemplify the method by Svensson in a user-friendly approach. To analyze the systematic patterns of change in thresholds, indicating evidence of treatment on a group level, the relative position (RP) and relative concentration (RC), were measured. The variation related to the individual, the relative rank variation (RV) was also measured. The results were divergent between women (n = 23) and men (n = 22), i.e. unchanged sensory threshold after acupuncture at the group level in women while changed in men. The assessed pain threshold after acupuncture on the other hand was changed towards higher levels in women and unchanged in men. The individual variation was apparent in both women and men but larger in women. For statistical analysis of the variability for both group and individual related effects, the rank-based method by Svensson could be used. The present study indicates that evaluation of sensory and pain threshold response should be analysed separately in women and men

Incidental Recognition of Umbilical-Portal-Systemic Venous Shunt Diagnosed During BPP for Decreased Fetal Movement

Background: The prevalence of prenatally diagnosed umbilical-portal systemic venous shunts (UPSVS) is reportedly rare, ranging from 0.003-0.209% [1]. Disruption in the normal development of the fetal venous system can be caused by primary failure of a system or by secondary occlusion of an already transformed system [2]. While UPSVS’s are rare, the downstream effects are potentially fatal, including intrauterine growth restriction, high output cardiac failure, associated neonatal morbidity and mortality, and thus necessitate early detection with appropriate monitoring. Introduction: The patient was a 21-year-old G2P1001 who presented to the Maternal Fetal Medicine Ultrasound Genetics (MFMUG) clinic at 36w2d for a scheduled Biophysical Profile (BPP) as a follow up after a non-reactive NST in the office. During the encounter, the sonographer noted hypervascularity within the liver, abdominal circumference Discussion: This case demonstrates recognition of an UPSVS in an otherwise uncomplicated pregnancy with previously normal anatomy ultrasound at 20 weeks’ gestation. The role in ultrasonography and BPP for fetal wellbeing is a luxury to facilities with MFM specialists readily available. The patient described in this report had decreased fetal movement, a non-reactive NST in the office, and was referred to MFMUG for a formal BPP. Currently, there are approximately one MFM specialist per 14 OBGYNs, and one MFM per 2,277 births [3]. The states with the leading number of MFM specialists include California, New York, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania [3]. Identification of this UPSVS may not have been readily identified by the untrained eye, but growth ultrasounds and Biophysical Profiles are key skills of any obstetrician. This case report aims to raise awareness for identification of these abnormalities to help facilitate proper evaluation and management. References 1. Nagy, R.D., Iliescu, D.G. Prenatal Diagnosis and Outcome of Umbilical–Portal–Systemic Venous Shunts: Experience of a Tertiary Center and Proposal for a New Complex Type. Diagnostics (Basel). 2022, April; 12(4): 873. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9027129/#:~:text=A%20total%20of%20 31%20cases,examined%20from%202017%20to%202021. 2. Yagel, S., Kivilevitch, Z., Cohen, S.M., et al. The fetal venous system, Part II: ultrasound evaluation of the fetus with congenital venous system malformation or developing circulatory compromise. Ultrasound Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010; 36: 93-111. Februrary 5, 2010. DOI: 10.1002/uog.7622. 3. Lee, T.S., Steupert, M. Fact Sheet: The Growth of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Fetal Care Centers in the United States. Charlotte Lozier Institute. July 21, 2022. https://lozierinstitute.org/fact-sheet-the-growth-of-maternal-fetal-medicine-and-fetal- care-centers-in-the-united-states/ 4. Yagel, S., Kivilevitch, Z., Cohen, S.M., et al. Part I: normal embryology, anatomy, hemodynamics, ultrasound evaluation and Doppler investigation. Ultrasound Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010; 35: 741-750. March 4, 2010. DOI: 10.1002/uog.7618. 5. Achiron, R., Kivilevitch, Z. Fetal Umbilical-Portal-Systemic Venous Shunt: in-utero classification and clinical significance. Ultrasound Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2016; 47: 739-747. May 12, 2015. DOI: 10.1002/uog.1490