School starters’ early structure sense

Low and high achieving children’s competences regarding pattern and structure at the beginning of formal schooling are comparatively analyzed in order to evaluate the range of school starters’ early structure sense. The results suggest overall high pre-instructional competences which, however, differ strongly between the mathematical high and low achievers. Cognitive milestones for the development of a sound early structure sense are named

A study of the British animation industry’s approach to equality, diversity, and inclusion 2000-2020

The aim of this thesis is to investigate equality, diversity and inclusion in British preschool animation. This was examined through on-screen depictions and participation within the British Animation Industry. In order to do this, this thesis conducted a semiotic content analysis and a narrative, thematic qualitative content analysis. The programmes selected for analysis in this thesis are Peppa Pig (winner of the BAFTA Preschool Animation in 2005, 2011 and 2012), Charlie and Lola (BAFTA winners in 2007 and 2008), Timmy Time (winners in 2010 and 2013), Sarah & Duck (winner in 2014) and Numberblocks (winner in 2019). In addition, this thesis included JoJo and Gran Gran in its analysis, which was first broadcast in 2020, after the preschool BAFTA award was suspended. These programmes were all examined against the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010. These protected characteristics are sex, race, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religious belief, marriage and civil partnership, and finally, pregnancy and maternity. In addition, the names of creators, writers, directors and animators of these programmes were gathered using on-screen credits. This data was then compared to census data compiled by the UK Government to identify how the depictions of characters on-screen and participation within the industry compare with the British population. The data revealed that equality, diversity and inclusion do not exist on-screen when looking at the combined data from all programmes. The analysis revealed that representation across all protected characteristics was below the demographics of the British population and that several characteristics were not depicted at all on-screen. Male characters were over represented on-screen and within the animation industry. Additionally, the participation of women within the animation industry was low within the three roles identified as most likely to influence depictions on-screen, creator, writer and director

Positive and negative regulation of angiogenesis by soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-1

Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR)-1 exists in different forms, derived from alternative splicing of the same gene. In addition to the transmembrane form, endothelial cells produce a soluble VEGFR-1 (sVEGFR-1) isoform, whereas non-endothelial cells produce both sVEGFR-1 and a different soluble molecule, known as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt)1-14. By binding members of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family, the soluble forms reduce the amounts of VEGFs available for the interaction with their transmembrane receptors, thereby negatively regulating VEGFR-mediated signaling. In agreement with this activity, high levels of circulating sVEGFR-1 or sFlt1-14 are associated with different pathological conditions involving vascular dysfunction. Moreover, sVEGFR-1 and sFlt1-14 have an additional role in angiogenesis: they are deposited in the endothelial cell and pericyte extracellular matrix, and interact with cell membrane components. Interaction of sVEGFR-1 with α5β1 integrin on endothelial cell membranes regulates vessel growth, triggering a dynamic, pro-angiogenic phenotype. Interaction of sVEGFR-1/sFlt1-14 with cell membrane glycosphingolipids in lipid rafts controls kidney cell morphology and glomerular barrier functions. These cell-matrix contacts represent attractive novel targets for pharmacological intervention in addition to those addressing interactions between VEGFs and their receptors

The evolving maintenance of certification process: update on the financial status of the medical boards

Medical board organizations have accumulated large asset balances, in part due to the monetization of physician board recertification, as well as capital gains in positive investment conditions. Physicians across the country have raised concerns regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of existing recertification processes, to which the American Board of Medical Specialties and independent accreditation boards have responded with newly instituted changes. The present article analyzes the publicly available F990 tax forms of the medical boards in an effort to provide data to the ongoing debate. Although some boards have begun to mobilize assets in recent years, many continue to accumulate wealth. It remains to be seen whether the new recertification programs will bring about change or perpetuate organizational wealth

After-School Programs and Academic Impact: A Study of Chicago's After School Matters

What impact can after-school programs have on the educational achievement of high school students? A new study of Chicago's After School Matters (ASM) program -- which offers paid internships in the arts, technology, sports, and communications to teenagers in some of the city's most underserved schools -- finds a relationship between participating in after-school activities and higher class attendance, lower course failures and higher graduation rates.Even after taking into account student demographic characteristics and prior attendance records, students who participate in ASM miss fewer days of school than their classmates. Similarly, students who participated at the highest levels in the after-school program tended to fail fewer core academic courses (English, Math, Science, and Social Studies). Furthermore, over the course of their time in high school, students who were enrolled in ASM for three or more semesters and those who participated at the highest levels had higher rates of graduation and lower dropout rates than similar students who did not participate in the program.The findings in this report highlight the importance of further research into what leads students to participate in after-school programs and the factors that lead to higher engagement and retention once they are enrolled. A better understanding is crucial for improving enrollment in after-school programs such as ASM. Moreover, accounting for student factors that lead to a greater engagement in the program will lead to a clearer understanding of ASM's contribution to the positive outcomes -- independent of hard-to-observe student characteristics such as enthusiasm or dedication

The Economic Effects of a Russia-EU FTA

The paper examines the effects of Russia joining the WTO taking into account energy sector reform and the impact of a future Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the enlarged EU and Russia. The paper uses Computable General Equilibrium Modelling techniques for quantifying the different possible scenarios. The scenarios include a standard assessment of the removal of tariff barriers including agriculture, services and removal of non-tariffbarriers. The results suggest that a potential FTA would be beneficial for Russia only if it would incorporate not only reduction in industrial tariffs but also in agriculture and liberalisation in services

Rot, gelb, blau, rot, gelb, blau – und weiter?! Inhalte, Bedeutung und Unterrichtsideen für den Kompetenzbereich „Muster und Strukturen“

Dieser Artikel ist eine Zusammenfassung des Theorieteils eines Workshops am Lehrertag der GDM-Tagung. Ziel des Workshops war es, die anwesenden Lehrer für das Thema „Muster und Strukturen“ zu sensibilisieren

Preference Utilisation and Tariff Reduction in EU Imports from ACP Countries

Despite the long relationship between the EU and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries aimed at encouraging their exports while stimulating growth and investment, the ACP states still face difficulties in integrating into the world economy. This paper examines the non-least developed ACP countries preferential trade with the EU. The objective is to explain the determinants of preferential exports of ACP countries towards the EU and to assess the impact of preferences on trade volumes. We also investigate the existence of a threshold in the offered duty reduction under which traders have no incentives to ask for preferences