When is an Owl More Than an Owl? An Interaction Analysis of a Computer Science Co-design Conversation on Cultural Relevance

The learning sciences community is currently exploring new ways to enact productive and equitable co-design research-practice partnerships that are sensitive to all the concerns and needs of stakeholders. The paper contributes to that still-growing literature through an interaction analysis of a co-design discussion involving school district partners that unfolded about cultural relevance and sensitivity in relation to the use of a specific image in an elementary school coding lesson. The episode involved looking moment-by-moment at how district educators recognized and acknowledged that a specific design decision could be harmful for a minoritized population of students enrolled in the district. However, once a key change was made to be more culturally responsive and considerate, new and unexpected pedagogical challenges appeared. This case serves to illustrate some of the unexpected tensions that can appear in real-time when unanticipated questions about cultural relevance are foregrounded during lesson and materials co-design

Coumarin 153 Dynamics in Ethylammonium Nitrate: The Effects of Dilution with Methanol

Magic angle intensity decay and dynamic fluorescence anisotropy measurements were made on the binary solvent system composed of ethylammonium nitrate ([N2,0,0,0+][NO3−], EAN) + methanol (MeOH) across the complete EAN mole fraction range (xIL = 0–1) using the neutral dipolar solute coumarin 153 (C153) at 295 K. Stokes–Einstein–Debye (SED) hydrodynamic theory was used as a model framework to assess the C153 rotational reorientation dynamics. Departure from stick SED prediction was observed (in contrast to literature reports that used cationic or anionic dyes) and indicated a significant influence of domain nanoheterogeneity on probe dynamics. Steady-state spectroscopy indicated minimal changes in spectral peak and width with mole fraction, except at xIL = 0.3 where absorption widths decreased by ~170 cm−1, signaling that C153 sensed a change in solution heterogeneity. Magic angle intensity decays corroborated the steady-state observation and the excited-state lifetimes showed a marked change from xIL = 0.2–0.4 where EAN-EAN interactions became notably more significant. C153 average rotation times (⟨τrot⟩) showed significant solvent decoupling with increased EAN. The rotational data were fit to a power law dependence, ⟨τrot⟩ ∝ (ηT)p, where p = 0.82, demonstrating the presence of dynamic heterogeneity in the EAN/MeOH solutions. With increased EAN, rotation times showed that the heterogeneity became increasingly more significant since the rotation times systematically decreased away from the hydrodynamic stick limit

ZENK activation in the nidopallium of black-capped chickadees in response to both conspecific and heterospecific calls

Neuronal populations in the songbird nidopallium increase in activity the most to conspecific vocalizations relative to heterospecific songbird vocalizations or artificial stimuli such as tones. Here, we tested whether the difference in neural activity between conspecific and heterospecific vocalizations is due to acoustic differences or to the degree of phylogenetic relatedness of the species producing the vocalizations. To compare differences in neural responses of black-capped chickadees, Poecile atricapillus, to playback conditions we used a known marker for neural activity, ZENK, in the caudal medial nidopallium and caudomedial mesopallium. We used the acoustically complex ‘dee’ notes from chick-a-dee calls, and vocalizations from other heterospecific species similar in duration and spectral features. We tested the vocalizations from three heterospecific species (chestnut-backed chickadees, tufted titmice, and zebra finches), the vocalizations from conspecific individuals (black-capped chickadees), and reversed versions of the latter. There were no significant differences in the amount of expression between any of the groups except in the control condition, which resulted in significantly less neuronal activation. Our results suggest that, in certain cases, neuronal activity is not higher in response to conspecific than in response to heterospecific vocalizations for songbirds, but rather is sensitive to the acoustic features of the signal. Both acoustic features of the calls and the phylogenetic relationship between of the signaler and the receiver interact in the response of the nidopallium.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

Protocol for SYNchronising Exercises, Remedies in GaIt and Cognition at Home (SYNERGIC@Home): feasibility of a home-based double-blind randomised controlled trial to improve gait and cognition in individuals at risk for dementia

IntroductionPhysical exercise and cognitive training have the potential to enhance cognitive function and mobility in older adults at risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD), but little is known about the feasibility of delivering multidomain interventions in home settings of older adults at risk of ADRD. This study aims to assess the feasibility of home-based delivery of exercise and cognitive interventions, and to evaluate the relationship between participants' intervention preferences and their subsequent adherence. Secondary objectives include the effect of the interventions on ADRD risk factors, including frailty, mobility, sleep, diet and psychological health.Methods and analysisThe SYNchronising Exercises, Remedies in GaIt and Cognition at Home (SYNERGIC@Home) feasibility trial is a randomised control trial that follows a 2×2 factorial design, with a 16-week home-based intervention programme (3 sessions per week) of physical exercises and cognitive training. Participants will be randomised in blocks of four to one of the following four arms: (1) combined exercise (aerobic and resistance)+cognitive training (NEUROPEAK); (2) combined exercise+control cognitive training (web searching); (3) control exercise (balance and toning)+cognitive training; and (4) control exercise+control cognitive training. SYNERGIC@Home will be implemented through video conferencing. Baseline and post-intervention assessments at 4-month and 10-month follow-up will include measures of cognition, frailty, mobility, sleep, diet and psychological health. Primary feasibility outcome is adherence to the interventions. Primary analytic outcome is the relationship between pre-allocation preference for a given intervention and subsequent adherence to the allocated intervention. A series of secondary analytic outcomes examining the potential effect of the individual and combined interventions on cognitive, mobility and general well-being will be measured at baseline and follow-up.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was granted by the relevant research ethics boards. Findings of the study will be presented to stakeholders and published in peer-reviewed journals and at provincial, national and international conferences.Trial registration numberNCT04997681, Pre-results