Learning Effect in a Multilingual Web-Based Argumentative Writing Instruction Model, Called ECM, on Metacognition, Rhetorical Moves, and Self-Efficacy for Scientific Purposes

This research was developed within the framework of ED.INVEST (HUM356) Research Groups financed by the Junta de Andalucia (Spain), with the project "Multilingual Communication and Citizenship Technologies" and the project "Accessible scientific writing course in Moodle to be taught in Spanish, German, English, Italian, and Catalan", financed by the Department of Planning Quality and Evaluation at the University of Granada. Reference PID14-05/Code 14-05.The purpose of this study is to assess the learning effect of a multilingual web-based argumentative writing instruction model called the Ensayo Científico Multilingüe (ECM, Multilingual Scientific Essay) adapting the didactic model called Genre-based Writing Instruction (GBWI) in an experiment conducted over three months. For this purpose, a quasi-experimental research model was applied to 150 students in the experimental group and 150 in the control group, with two measurements, pre and post-test, for three dependent variables: (a) writing metacognition and its dimensions; (b) written argumentative self-efficacy; and (c) rhetorical moves and steps of an argumentative essay. The latter variable was measured by the content analysis method. Variables (a) and (b) were both measured with instruments validated in a population of 518 university students using structural equations. The findings demonstrate the positive effect of the ECM, which combines WBWI and GBWI in argumentative written learning in the students’ mother tongue in all variables measured, applying statistics such as the Shapiro–Wilk statistic, parametric contrast, and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. In relation to the findings, with respect to the evaluated variables, it was discovered, specifically, that the rhetorical steps in which the students showed a significant improvement were innovations, quotes/research, definitions of concepts, refutations, definitive reasons, and bibliographical references. Likewise, the rhetorical steps that did not present significant differences following the application of the ECM were discovered, and they were: reason summary, formulation of premise, and reasons for. Furthermore, it can be stated that for the ECM there was an increase, above all, in awareness of the following metacognitive dimensions: (a) writing selfregulation; (b) writing planning; and (c) writing revision, as well as argumentative self-efficacy. The novelties of this research with respect to the precedents reside in that it offers valid and concrete results on the effect of a multilingual web design integrated into a well-defined didactic model of argumentative writing on writing metacognition and its dimensions, argumentative structuring and its rhetorical steps, and argumentative self-efficacy. The related studies consider only some of these variables, but not all of them together or their complexity. These results have allowed us to establish specific didactic–technological proposals for improving the ECM that are transferable to didactic designs to guide written argumentation at higher academic levels using multilingual web technologies and integrating the metacognitive, behavioral, and motivational dimensions of writing.Junta de Andalucia European Commission HUM356Department of Planning Quality and Evaluation at the University of Granada PID14-05/Code 14-0

Preweaning Performance in F1 Katahdin x East Friesian Crossbred Lambs

Previous studies at Lincoln University indicated that the Katahdin sheep could perform well on pasture in a warm and humid climate and tolerate GIP. However, the preweaning performance of the crossbreed of Katahdin (Kt) and East Friesian (EF) in Missouri still needs to be characterized. So, this preliminary study aimed to evaluate the preweaning performance of lambs (1/2EF x 1/2Kt) from Katahdin ewes crossbred with East Friesian Ram. Forty-three lambs born in Spring 2022 from 27 of second lambing Katahdin ewes and one-year East Friesian ram were weighted and tagged at birth, after five days of colostrum, were weighed every two weeks until ten days before weaning at 90 days. Female lambs (24) and male lambs (19) were milked with their mothers and grazed in a pasture with cool-season grasses and legumes (62% Fescue, 25% Orchard, and 8% Ladino Clover, 5% Red Clover). There was no difference (p\u3e0.05) in the birth weight of lambs (8.6 lb in males and 7.94 in females). The daily weight gain differed (

New records and range expansion for Paspalum procurrens and P. volcanense in northwestern Argentina and southeastern Bolivia

Paspalum procurrens Quarin and P. volcanense Zuloaga, Morrone & Denham are two rare species of South Americangrasses inhabiting geographically restricted areas which are exposed to ecological degradation due to landscapetransformation and biodiversity losses. We present new records for these species, from the provinces of Jujuy, Salta,Tucumán and Catamarca (Argentina) and departments of Tarija, Chuquisaca, and Santa Cruz (Bolivia). New geographicdistribution maps and the biological relevance of these findings are discussed pinpointing the need for imperativeand assiduous botanical explorations in biodiversity hotspots sensible to the impact of human activities. Ploidylevels in these two species are studied.Fil: Glücksberg, Adriana. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Martínez, Eric Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste; ArgentinaFil: Honfi, Ana Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Posadas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Misiones; ArgentinaFil: Maldonado, Carla Carolina. Universidad Mayor de San Andrés; BoliviaFil: Hojsgaard, Diego Hernan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Instituto de Botánica del Nordeste; Argentina. Universität Göttingen; Alemani

Seasonal climate prediction of extreme precipitation events and frequency of rainy days in the South of Central America as a study case. A methodological proposal.

Se describe una propuesta metodológica en donde se ajustaron modelos estadísticos usando el Análisis de Correlación Canónica para la predicción climática estacional del acumulado de precipitación, los días con precipitación, los eventos extremos húmedos (percentil 80, P80) y los extremos secos (percentil 10, P10) en el sur de América Central (Nicaragua, Costa Rica y Panamá). El trimestre sobre el cuál se hizo la predicción fue agosto, setiembre y octubre (ASO), usando como campo predictor las temperaturas superficiales del mar (TSM) de los océanos circundantes al istmo, observadas durante los meses que preceden al trimestre, específicamente de abril a julio, para un esquema de predicción clásica, así como los meses simultáneos al trimestre ASO. Se encontró que la variabilidad de precipitación en la zona del sur de América Central, está fuertemente ligada a las anomalías de la temperatura de las aguas oceánicas adyacentes, notándose una fuerte influencia en la ocurrencia y magnitud de eventos extremos de precipitación durante ASO. Para efectos operacionales se encontró que con la TSM de junio o julio se puede obtener un buen esquema predictivo de las lluvias en el sur de América Central para dicho trimestre.Methodology for seasonal climate forecast of precipitation extreme events is developed tailoring prediction models with Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA). Accumulated monthly precipitation, frequency of rainy days, wet extremes (80th percentile, P80) and dry extremes (10th percentile, P10) are deemed as predictant variables. This analysis is focused in Southern Central America (Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama) and the forecasts are made for the quarter corresponding to August, September and October (ASO). Sea surface temperature (SST) from neighbor oceans to the isthmus are used as predictor field. SSTs from April to July are studied as classic prognosis schemes, whereas SSTs of the simultaneous months to ASO are regarded as perfect prognosis scheme. Results show that precipitation variability in Southern Central America is strongly linked with the variability of the oceans, which influences the frequency and magnitude of extreme event occurrences during ASO. Finally, such models can be used in operative forecast schemes, since those models adjusted using the temperatures of June or July show acceptable prediction skill values for the region during such a quarter.Universidad de Costa Rica/[805-A9-532]/UCR/Costa RicaUniversidad de Costa Rica/[805-A8-606]/UCR/Costa RicaUniversidad de Costa Rica/[805-A7-002]/UCR/Costa RicaUniversidad de Costa Rica/[808-A9-180]/UCR/Costa RicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas (CIGEFI)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR

Mutation Testing Applied to Validate SDL Specifications

Abstract. Mutation Testing is an error-based criterion that provides mechanisms to evaluate the quality of a test set and/or to generate test sets. This criterion, originally proposed to program testing, has also been applied to specification testing. In this paper, we propose the application of Mutation Testing for testing SDL specifications. We define a mutant operator set for SDL that intends to model errors related to the behavioral aspect of the processes, the communication among processes, the structure of the specification and some intrinsic characteristics of SDL. A testing strategy to apply the mutant operators to test SDL specifications is proposed. We illustrate our approach using the Alternating-Bit protocol

Revisión y comparación de escenarios de cambio climático para el Parque Nacional Isla del Coco, Costa Rica

Artículo científico -- Universidad de Costa Rica. Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas, 2012Different climate change scenarios were revised and compared for Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica. They were generated using different tools (MAGICC/SCENGEN, PRECIS and SDSM) and for the 2080 (2070- 2099) time slice. Results shown in general a high dependence with the General Circulation Model, the downscaling technique and the socioeconomic scenario used. All scenarios presented an increase in mean and variance of the air surface temperature annual cycle. That result is also consistent with a future global warming scenario. Results for rainfall are different among each other. Most of the scenarios show an increase in the mean annual rainfall accumulation. However, it is not possible to establish a clear trend when annual variability is considered, mainly because almost all of the scenarios studied projected an increase in the annual rainfall accumulates. Citation: Maldonado, T.J. & E.J. Alfaro. 2012. Revisión y comparación de escenarios de Cambio Climático para el Parque Nacional Isla del Coco, Costa Rica.Se revisaron y compararon escenarios de cambio climáticos utilizando distintas técnicas (MAGICC/SCENGEN, PRECIS and SDSM) con el objetivo de evaluar posibles cambios de temperatura y precipitación en el Parque Nacional Isla del Coco, Costa Rica, para el horizonte temporal del 2080 (2070-2099). Los resultados reflejan una dependencia importante con el Modelo de Circulación General, el método de ajuste de escala y con el escenario socio-económico usado. Los escenarios obtenidos reflejan un aumento en la media y la varianza del ciclo anual de la temperatura superficial del aire, siendo consistentes con un calentamiento global futuro. Los resultados para la precipitación difieren entre sí. Se observó que la mayoría de los escenarios analizados proyectan aumentos en al acumulado medio del ciclo anual, sin embargo, al considerar su variabilidad, no fue posible establecer una tendencia clara hacia un aumento o una disminución, debido principalmente a que casi todos los escenarios estudiados proyectan un incremento en la variabilidad del acumulado anual de la precipitación.Consejo Nacional de Rectores, Costa RicaLos proyectos: Interacciones Océano- Atmósfera y la Biodiversidad Marina de la Isla del Coco, Costa Rica” (808-B0-654-UCR) financiado por CONARE y “Conocimiento y gestión de los ambientes marinos y coralinos del Área de Conservación Marina Isla del Coco” (808- A7-520, actual, 808-A7-401, anterior-UCR), financiado por el Fondo Francés para el Medio Ambiente Mundial y la Vicerrectoría de Investigación de la Universidad de Costa Rica. Los proyectos 808-A9-180, 808-A9-070, 805- A9-742, 805-A8-606, 805-A9-532 y 808-B0- 092, desarrolladas en el Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología y en el Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas, UCR.UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas (CIGEFI

Examination of WRF-ARW experiments using different planetary boundary layer parameterizations to study the rapid intensification and trajectory of Hurricane Otto 2016

Hurricane Otto (2016) was characterised by remarkable meteorological features of relevance for the scientific community and society. Scientifically, among the most important attributes of Otto is that it underwent a rapid intensification (RI) process. For society, this cyclone severely impacted Costa Rica and Nicaragua, leaving enormous economic losses and many fatalities. In this study, a set of three numerical simulations are performed to examine the skill of model estimations in reproducing RI and trajectory of Hurricane Otto by comparing the results of a global model to a regional model using three different planetary boundary layer parameterizations (PBL). The objective is to set the basis for future studies that analyse the physical reasons why a particular simulation (associated with a certain model setup) performs better than others in terms of reproducing RI and trajectory. We use the regional model Weather Research and Forecasting—Advanced Research WRF (WRF-ARW) with boundary and initial conditions provided by the Global Forecast System (GFS) analysis (horizontal resolution of 0.5 degrees). The PBL used are the Medium Range Forecast, the Mellor-Yamada-Janjic (MYJ), and the Yonsei University (YSU) parameterizations. The regional model is run in three static domains with horizontal grid spacing of 27, 9 and 3 km, the latter covering the spacial extent of Otto during the simulation period. WRF-ARW results improve the GFS forecast, in almost every aspect evaluated in this study, particularly, the simulated trajectories in WRF-ARW show a better representation of the cyclone path and movement compared to GFS. Even though the MYJ experiment was the only one that exhibited an abrupt 24-h change in the storm’s surface wind, close to the 25-knot threshold, the YSU scheme presented the fastest intensification, closest to reality. View Full-TextUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas (CIGEFI)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología (CIMAR)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Docencia::Ciencias Básicas::Facultad de Ciencias::Escuela de Físic

Towards a quality-controlled and accessible Pitzer model for seawater and related systems

We elaborate the need for a quality-controlled chemical speciation model for seawater and related natural waters, work which forms the major focus of SCOR Working Group 145. Model development is based on Pitzer equations for the seawater electrolyte and trace components. These equations can be used to calculate activities of dissolved ions and molecules and, in combination with thermodynamic equilibrium constants, chemical speciation. The major tasks to be addressed are ensuring internal consistency of the Pitzer model parameters (expressing the interactions between pairs and triplets of species, which ultimately determines the calculated activities), assessing uncertainties, and identifying important data gaps that should be addressed by new measurements. It is recognised that natural organic matter plays an important role in many aquatic ecosystems, and options for including this material in a Pitzer-based model are discussed. The process of model development begins with the core components which include the seawater electrolyte and the weak acids controlling pH. This core model can then be expanded by incorporating additional chemical components, changing the standard seawater composition and/or broadening the range of temperature and pressure, without compromising its validity. Seven important areas of application are identified: open ocean acidification; micro-nutrient biogeochemistry and geochemical tracers; micro-nutrient behaviour in laboratory studies; water quality in coastal and estuarine waters; cycling of nutrients and trace metals in pore waters; chemical equilibria in hydrothermal systems; brines and salt lakes