Research on Teaching and Learning Mathematics at the Tertiary Level:State-of-the-art and Looking Ahead

This topical survey focuses on research in tertiary mathematics education, a field that has experienced considerable growth over the last 10 years. Drawing on the most recent journal publication as well as the latest advances from recent high quality conference proceedings, our review culls out the following five emergent areas of interest: mathematics teaching at the tertiary level; the role of mathematics in other disciplines; textbooks, assessment and students’ studying practices; transition to the tertiary level; and theoretical-methodological advances. We conclude the survey with a discussion of some potential ways forward for future research in this new and rapidly developing domain of inquiry

Delays between the onset of symptoms and first rheumatology consultation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the UK: an observational study

Objective To investigate delays from symptom onset to rheumatology assessment for patients with a new onset of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or unclassified arthritis. Methods Newly presenting adults with either RA or unclassified arthritis were recruited from rheumatology clinics. Data on the length of time between symptom onset and first seeing a GP (patient delay), between first seeing a general practitioner (GP) and being referred to a rheumatologist (general practitioner delay) and being seen by a rheumatologist following referral (hospital delay) were captured. Results 822 patients participated (563 female, mean age 55 years). The median time between symptom onset and seeing a rheumatologist was 27.2 weeks (IQR 14.1–66 weeks); only 20% of patients were seen within the first 3 months following symptom onset. The median patient delay was 5.4 weeks (IQR 1.4–26.3 weeks). Patients who purchased over-the-counter medications or used ice/heat packs took longer to seek help than those who did not. In addition, those with a palindromic or an insidious symptom onset delayed for longer than those with a non-palindromic or acute onset. The median general practitioner delay was 6.9 weeks (IQR 2.3–20.3 weeks). Patients made a mean of 4 GP visits before being referred. The median hospital delay was 4.7 weeks (IQR 2.9–7.5 weeks). Conclusion This study identified delays at all levels in the pathway towards assessment by a rheumatologist. However, delays in primary care were particularly long. Patient delay was driven by the nature of symptom onset. Complex multi-faceted interventions to promote rapid help seeking and to facilitate prompt onward referral from primary care should be developed

Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity of Citrus Flavedo Extracts in Food Systems

The worldwide trend to avoid the use of synthetic antioxidants has motivated scientists to unveil and exploit new sources of natural antioxidants. In this study, the antioxidant potential of the flavedo extracts of two locally grown citrus fruits namely, Mandarin fizu and Pamplemousse kaopan, was investigated in mayonnaise prepared from unstripped soybean oil and in bulk unstripped soybean oil. The antioxidant activity of the mandarin extract at two concentrations (0.2% (m/m) and 0.4% (m/m)) was compared to 0.02% (m/m) BHT. Hydroperoxide formation was monitored during storage at 45oC by measuring peroxide value (PV) and conjugated diene value (CD). PV values showed that the mandarin extract was as effective as BHT (p>0.05) and more effective than Pamplemousse kaopan extract (p<0.05) in retarding lipid oxidation in mayonnaise during storage. After 12 days of storage, the CD values of the mayonnaise samples increased in the following order: mandarin extract < BHT < control < pamplemousse extract. Increasing the concentration of the flavedo extract of Mandarin fizu to 0.4% did not increase the effectiveness of the extract in controlling lipid autoxidation in mayonnaise (p>0.05). In unstripped soybean oil, mandarin extract at 0.4% (m/m) was found to be less effective than BHT but more effective than the extract at 0.2% (m/m) (p<0.05). A similar picture was noted for the conjugated diene data. The findings of this research point to the value of Mandarin fizu flavedo extracts as potential sources of natural food additives.Keywords: Flavedo, Mandarin, Pamplemousse, Mayonnaise, Soybean Oil, Peroxide Value, Conjugated Diene Value, Antioxidant

Crystal structure of bis(η2-ethylene)(η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)cobalt

The title compound, [Co(C10H15)(C2H4)2], was prepared by Na/Hg reduction of [Co2(C10H15)2(μ-Cl)2] in THF under an ethylene atmosphere and crystallized from pentane at 193 K. The Co—C(olefin) bonds have an average length of 2.022 (2) Å, while the Co—C(pentadienyl) bonds average 2.103 (19) Å. The olefin C=C bonds are 1.410 (1) Å. The dihedral angle between the planes defined by the cyclopentadienyl ligand and the two olefin ligands is 0.25 (12)°. In the crystal, molecules are linked into chains by C—H...π interactions

Antenatal presentation of hereditary lymphedema type I.

Fetal edema can present as limited subcutaneous edema, fluid accumulation in body cavities or hydrops fetalis. Hydrops fetalis is the end stage of a variety of fetal/maternal disorders and nonimmune etiology represents more than 3/4 of cases. Lymphatic dysplasia may account for a subset of patients with nonimmune and "idiopathic" hydrops fetalis, fetal chylous ascites or chylothorax. We present two unrelated patients with antenatal features of hereditary lymphedema syndrome, in whom Milroy disease was diagnosed after birth. At least, 20 genes have been identified to cause primary lymphedema, with sometimes antenatal features. Hereditary lymphedema syndrome should be considered in cases of nonimmune hydrops fetalis/fetal edema after ruling out the more common etiologies