Differentiated interdisciplinary science instruction in a fourth grade inclusion classroom

This action research project explored what would happen if interdisciplinary, differentiated instruction was used during a science unit on recycling in a fourth grade inclusion classroom of 20 students. The project also focused in particular on the progress of two throughout the project\u27s implementation. Four differentiated techniques were used throughout the unit. These included a tiered writing assignment, student choice based on interests, centers, and a RAFT, which was a summative assessment that allowed for student creativity based on their own interests and readiness. Using field notes, journal entries, student grades, and student surveys the data revealed a notable difference between previous science test grades and the project grades, with the science project grades being higher than the test grades. Students also revealed a greater interest in writing assignments when the writing assignment is based around science concepts. Student writing greatly improved, with students being more engaged in writing and writing more when the writing assigned was based on science concepts taught in class

Helena en la tragedia griega

En este trabajo nos proponemos profundizar en el tratamiento del personaje de Helena en la tragedia griega, concretamente en las obras de Esquilo, Sófocles y Eurípides. Helena directa o indirectamente aparece en las tragedias cuyo tema está relacionado con la Guerra de Troya, pero no siempre en el mismo sentido, pues unas veces se hace a Helena responsable de la guerra, otras veces se la disculpa. Destaca el amplio tratamiento que se observa en las tragedias de Eurípides, en las que es tratada de forma muy diferente, de manera especial es relevante su papel en Helena, donde se la exonera de toda responsabilidad, y en Troyanas, donde se exponen tanto argumentos en contra de la espartana como argumentos a favor.This article analyses the myth of Helen in Greek tragedy, particularly in Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides. Either directly or indirectly, Helen is always referred to in the tragedies related to Troy, yet the portrayal of the myth does not follow the same pattern as she is not always considered responsible for the war. As I shall contend, it is worthy of notice how Euripides exonerates Helen from all blame in the homonymous tragedy and the arguments for and against her exposed in Trojan Women

Application of feedback principles to marking proformas increases student efficacy, perceived utility of feedback, and likelihood of use

Pedagogical and psychological literature identifies numerous factors contributing to feedback effectiveness, including type, frequency, and specificity. Despite this wealth of research, feedback practice at universities is often reported as problematic or poor by students despite lecturers perceiving their feedback as useful. The present research employed a quantitative counterbalanced experimental design to compare the perceived utility of a pedagogically informed feedback proforma, designed to provide detailed, timely, and constructive feedback, to standard practice. Results suggest that the presentation of feedback is important to students; more functional and comprehensible feedback increases the likelihood of students using the feedback provided, and can reduce likely marking time per script without compromising perceived feedback quality. Further to this, post-submission feedback proformas increase students’ confidence in their ability to complete the assignment when provided alongside the assignment title. In summary, the research supports the application of principles of feedback in the provision of summative feedback to enhance students’ likelihood of use, perceived value of the feedback received, and confidence

Symmetry Breaking by Consecutive Amplification: Efficient Paths to Homochirality

To understand chiral symmetry breaking on the molecular level, we developed a method to efficiently investigate reaction kinetics of single molecules. The model systems include autocatalysis as well as a reaction cascade to gain further insight into the prebiotic origin of homochirality. The simulated reactions start with a substrate and only a single catalyst molecule, and the occurrence of symmetry breaking was examined for its degree of dependence on randomness. The results demonstrate that interlocking processes, which e.g., form catalysts, autocatalytic systems, or reaction cascades that build on each other and lead to a kinetic acceleration, can very well amplify a statistically occurring symmetry breaking. These results suggest a promising direction for the experimental implementation and identification of such processes, which could have led to a shift out of thermodynamic equilibrium in the emergence of life

Defensa de bienes comunes naturales y decolonialidad: caso Xochicuautla, México

El artículo se deriva de la investigación denominada Proyectos hegemónicos de desarrollo y alternativas de los sujetos colectivos. Un estudio de tres experiencias de la zona metropolitana del valle de Toluca. Clave de Registro: 3802/2014/CIA, a cargo de la Facultad de Ciencias Políticas y Sociales de la Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México.El presente artículo intenta comprender las dinámicas provenientes de movimientos sociales latinoamericanos relacionados con la defensa de bienes comunes naturales. Ello, a partir de dos enfoques: las epistemologías del Sur y la perspectiva del pensamiento crítico decolonial, para dar cuenta de las luchas y resistencias, así como de las propuestas que emergen desde colectivos sociales que ven amenazados sus territorios por la actual ofensiva capitalista. Para ello, retomamos el caso de la lucha en San Francisco Xochicuautla, Lerma, estado de México, al que consideramos un referente de los actuales movimientos sociales, en el contexto mexicano. De este modo, caracterizamos la lucha de la comunidad de Xochicuautla, para destacar cómo se articulan sus demandas, exigencias, alternativas, prácticas y discursos con otros movimientos más amplios que actúan en el territorio nacional, y cómo ello aporta a las construcciones teóricas latinoamericanas. En términos metodológicos, recurrimos al análisis documental extenso, la revisión y reflexión teórica, así como al trabajo de campo en la comunidad de Xochicuautla.SIEA-UAEMe

Chromium complexes for luminescence, solar cells, photoredox catalysis, upconversion, and phototriggered NO release

Some complexes of Cr(III) and Cr(0) have long been known to exhibit interesting photophysical and photochemical properties, but in the past few years important conceptual progress was made. This Perspective focuses on the recent developments of Cr(III) complexes as luminophores and dyes for solar cells, their application in photoredox catalysis, their use as sensitizers in upconversion processes, and their performance as photochemical nitric oxide sources. The example of a luminescent Cr(0) isocyanide complex illustrates the possibility of obtaining photoactive analogues of d6 metal complexes that are commonly made from precious metals such as Ru(II) or Ir(III). The studies highlighted herein illustrate the favorable excited-state properties of robust first-row transition metal complexes with broad application potential

Lead contamination in raptors in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Lead contamination is a widely recognised conservation problem for raptors worldwide. There are a number of studies in individual raptor species but those data have not been systematically evaluated to understand raptor-wide lead exposure and effects at a pan-European scale. To critically assess the extent of this problem, we performed a systematic review compiling all published data on lead in raptors (1983–2019) and, through a meta-analysis, determined if there was evidence for differences in exposure across feeding traits, geographical regions, between hunting and non-hunting periods, and changes over time. We also reviewed the impact of lead on raptors and the likely main source of exposure. We examined 114 studies that were unevenly distributed in terms of time of publication and the countries in which studies were performed. Peer-reviewed articles reported data for 39 raptor species but very few species were widely monitored across Europe. Obligate (vultures) and facultative scavengers (golden eagle, common buzzard and white-tailed sea eagle) accumulated the highest lead concentrations in tissues and generally were the species most at risk of lead poisoning. We found no evidence of a spatial or decadal trend in lead residues, but we demonstrated that high lead blood levels relate to hunting season. Exposure at levels associated with both subclinical and lethal effects is common and lead from rifle bullets and shot is often the likely source of exposure. Overall, our review illustrates the high incidence and ubiquity of lead contamination in raptors in Europe. However, we did not find studies that related exposure to quantitative impacts on European raptor populations nor detailed studies on the impact of mitigation measures. Such information is urgently needed and requires a more harmonised approach to quantifying lead contamination and effects in raptors across Europe

Síndrome de desmoralización como alternativa diagnóstica al estado de ánimo deprimido en pacientes paliativos

The emotional state of palliative patients is one of the main aims in their professional attention. Several authors have approach this matter using depression definitions as defined for the general population. There are also many expert professional opinions and research data pointing to the need for adequate research at the patient’s end of life situation. Perhaps one of the most interesting ideas is that one initia­lly expressed by Frank and developed by Kis­sanne et al., suggesting differentiation between depression and demoralization. Following this line of thought, demoralization would more accurately reflect the situation observed in these patients, allows a better differential diagnosis and promotes more tailored inter­ventions. Demoralization syndrome would be defined as the presence of discouragement, despair, helplessness, loss of meaning in life and feelings of failure. That approach leaves aside somatic symptoms of depression scores. This work exposes a critical view and being thought-provoking about current interventions in palliative care. a definición, las intervenciones psicológicas tendrían unos objetivos operativos distintos al tratamiento de depresión, obteniéndose resul­tados en el bienestar del paciente paliativo. En este trabajo se realiza un planteamiento crítico y se invita a reflexionar sobre las intervencio­nes psicológicas que actualmente se llevan a cabo en pacientes paliativos.El estado de ánimo de los pacientes palia­tivos es uno de los objetivos fundamentales en la atención profesional a los mismos. Distintos autores han estudiado dicho estado de ánimo tomando como base definiciones de la depre­sión tal como se entiende en la población gene­ral. Son muchas las voces y los datos de investi­gación que apuntan a la necesidad de adecuar la investigación a la situación del paciente en final de vida. Quizá una de las ideas más inte­resantes es la planteada por Frank y desarrolla­da por Kissanne y colaboradores, proponiendo la diferenciación entre depresión y desmorali­zación. Siguiendo esta línea de pensamiento, la desmoralización reflejaría mejor la situación observada en estos pacientes, permitiendo un mejor diagnóstico diferencial y promoviendo un afinamiento mayor en las intervenciones. El síndrome de desmoralización vendría defini­do como la presencia de desánimo, desaliento, desamparo, pérdida de sentido de la vida y fracaso, sin que los síntomas somáticos propios de la conceptualización de la depresión ten­gan un peso importante. Teniendo en cuenta esta definición, las intervenciones psicológicas tendrían unos objetivos operativos distintos al tratamiento de depresión, obteniéndose resul­tados en el bienestar del paciente paliativo. En este trabajo se realiza un planteamiento crítico y se invita a reflexionar sobre las intervencio­nes psicológicas que actualmente se llevan a cabo en pacientes paliativos