Mathematical Reasoning: Evaluation report and executive summary

The Mathematical Reasoning programme aims to improve the mathematical attainment of pupils in Year 2 by developing their understanding of the logical principles underlying maths. The programme was previously tested in an EEF-funded efficacy trial (Improving Numeracy and Literacy in Key Stage 1) which suggested that it had a positive impact. The efficacy trial examined the programme under developer-led conditions. This report describes a follow-up effectiveness trial which examined the impact of the programme under everyday conditions in a large number of schools and with less involvement from the original developer. Mathematical Reasoning lessons focus on developing pupils’ understanding of number and quantitative reasoning. They cover principles such as place value and the inverse relation between addition and subtraction. The programme consists of ten units delivered to pupils by their teachers as part of their usual mathematics lessons. It is designed to be taught over a 12- to 15-week period, with each unit taking approximately one hour. Learning is supported by online games, which can be used by pupils both at school and at home. The intervention was originally developed by a team at the University of Oxford, led by Professor Terezinha Nunes and Professor Peter Bryant. The National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics (NCETM) contributed to the development of the training model used in this trial and coordinated the delivery of the training through the network of Maths Hubs (partnerships of schools created to lead improvements to maths education). In this trial, the teacher training was delivered using a ‘train-the-trainers’ model through eight Maths Hubs. Each Maths Hub was asked to recruit two ‘Work Group Leads’. The University of Oxford programme developers trained these Work Group Leads who then trained the teachers in participating schools to deliver the programme. To prepare them to train the teachers, Work Group Leads received an initial day of training, used the materials in their own teaching, and then received a further two days’ training. Teachers delivering the programme then received one day of training from a Work Group Lead as well as a visit from the Work Group Lead during programme delivery. They were also able to seek additional support directly from the Work Group Lead or ask questions through an online Maths Hub community. The impact of the programme on maths attainment was evaluated using a randomised controlled trial involving 160 schools. Schools were randomly allocated either to receive Mathematical Reasoning or to be in the control group, the latter having the opportunity to take part in the programme in the following school year. A process evaluation used observations of training sessions, teacher interviews, lesson observations, and an online survey of treatment and control schools to examine implementation and the factors influencing impact. The trial began in August 2015 and analysis and reporting of the trial completed in December 2018. The project was co-funded by the Worshipful Company of Actuaries

The TB structural genomics consortium: providing a structural foundation for drug discovery

Structural genomics, the large-scale determination of protein structures, promises to provide a broad structural foundation for drug discovery. The tuberculosis (TB) Structural Genomics Consortium is devoted to encouraging, coordinating, and facilitating the determination of structures of proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and hopes to determine 400 TB protein structures over 5 years. The Consortium has determined structures of 28 proteins from TB to date. These protein structures are already providing a basis for drug discovery efforts

The TB structural genomics consortium: providing a structural foundation for drug discovery

Structural genomics, the large-scale determination of protein structures, promises to provide a broad structural foundation for drug discovery. The tuberculosis (TB) Structural Genomics Consortium is devoted to encouraging, coordinating, and facilitating the determination of structures of proteins from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and hopes to determine 400 TB protein structures over 5 years. The Consortium has determined structures of 28 proteins from TB to date. These protein structures are already providing a basis for drug discovery efforts

Fish Biology and Fisheries Ecology of the Salton Sea, California

Studies of the fisheries ecology and fish biology of the Salton Sea, California, were conducted in 1999 and 2000 using 50 m gill nets in river, nearshore, pelagic, and estuarine areas. Total lengths and weights were measured for all fish captured, and sub-samples were dissected for gonad weights and aging. Ten fish species were captured of which a hybrid tilapia ( Oreochromis mossambicus x O. urolepis hornorum) was dominant by number and weight. Nearshore and estuarine areas had highest catch rates (over 11 kg h(-1) net(-1) for tilapia). Rivers were richest in the number of species (6 of 10 species were exclusively riverine), but lowest in fish abundance. Orangemouth corvina (Cynoscion xanthulus), bairdiella (Bairdiella icistia), sargo (Anisotremus davidsoni), and tilapia grew faster, but had shorter life spans than conspecifics elsewhere and Salton Sea conspecifics of 50 years ago. Reproduction occurred mostly in the nearshore and estuarine areas. Onset of reproduction of bairdiella and sargo was in the spring and extended through the beginning of summer. Reproduction of orangemouth corvina started in the summer and of tilapia in the spring. Reproduction of orangemouth corvina and tilapia extended through the fall. Gender ratios of tilapia were skewed toward males in all areas, except the rivers, where females predominated. All four species aggregated along the nearshore and estuarine areas in the summer when dissolved oxygen in the pelagic area was limited. Any restoration alternative for the Salton Sea should consider areas close to shore as primary areas for fish reproduction and survival