Developing effective learners through a school/university partnership in curriculum making

An important point in the establishment of a new secondary school is the making of its curriculum'. In 2013, XP School, Doncaster, invited researchers from Sheffield Hallam University (joined in 2016 by Auckland University) to work with its teachers, involving school visits, sharing of curriculum plans and curriculum evaluation. This paper describes the research-informed outcomes of this school (trust)/university partnership process in two parts: first, the collective theorising that has taken place; and second, how the curriculum is being enacted by the school to develop effective learners and learning

Utjecaj datuma rođenja na vrijeme provedeno u igri tijekom međunarodnih rukometnih natjecanja s obzirom na igračku poziciju

While a relative age effect (RAE) has been reported in handball, such analyses do not consider the actual playing time during competitions, which may actually have more impact on matches performance in matches. The objective of the present study was to examine the RAE on playing time during international competitions with respect to playing positions. Team compositions (477 players) of the quarter finalists of the 2012 Olympic Games, 2013 World Championships, and 2014 European Championship were analyzed. Month and year of birth where collected in the starting list of each team for center, left and right backs, left and right wings, goalkeepers and pivots. Players were categorized into birth quartile (Q1 Jan–Mar; Q2 Apr–Jun; Q3 Jul–Sep; and Q4 Oct–Dec) and as odd/even year. Playing times were retrieved from official statistics. Data were analyzed for practical significance using magnitude-based inferences. We observed a strong selection bias towards players born earlier within a two-year selection period for all playing positions (Chi-square, p<.001). There was, however, an inconsistent effect of age (i.e. expected, reversed or a lack of) on actual playing time during competitions. In conclusion, the present study showed for the first time that, despite its large effect on players’ selection, players’ relative age had a limited and position-dependent effect on their actual playing time during top-level competitions. Present findings suggest that the reasons supporting the relative age effect with respect to team selection are at odds with the current utilization of players by coaches in the field.Iako je utjecaj relativne dobi igrača potvrđen u rukometu, takve analize ne uzimaju u obzir stvarno vrijeme provedeno u igri tijekom natjecanja, a što može snažnije utjecati na uspješnost tijekom utakmice. Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio utvrditi utjecaj relativne dobi igrača na vrijeme igranja tijekom međunarodnih natjecanja s obzirom na igračku poziciju. Analizirane su postave nacionalnih selekcija (477 igrača) koje su igrale četvrtinu finala na Olimpijskim igrama 2012. godine, Svjetskom prvenstvu 2013. te Europskom prvenstvu 2014. godine. Informacije o mjesecu i godini rođenja za srednje, lijeve i desne vanjske igrače, lijeva i desna krila, vratare i kružne napadače prikupljeni su iz službenih startnih popisa svake momčadi. Igrači su podijeljeni u kvartile definirane prema datumu rođenja (Q1 – siječanj do ožujak, Q2 – travanj do lipanj, Q3 – srpanj do rujan i Q4 – listopad do prosinac) te prema tomu jesu li rođeni u parnoj ili neparnoj godini. Vrijeme provedeno u igri za svakog igrača dobiveno je iz službenih statistika. Veličina učinka analizirana je u odnosu na minimalnu značajnu praktičnu vrijednost. Uočili smo snažnu selekcijsku pristranost prema igračima koji su rođeni ranije unutar dvogodišnjeg selekcijskog perioda za sve igračke pozicije (χ2, p<0,001). Ipak, utvrđen je i nekonzistentan utjecaj dobi (tj. očekivan, suprotan ili izostanak utjecaja) na stvarno vrijeme igranja tijekom natjecanja. Zaključno, ovo je istraživanje prvi put pokazalo da, usprkos velikom utjecaju na selekciju igrača, relativna dob igrača ima ograničen te o pozicijama ovisan utjecaj na stvarno vrijeme igranja igrača tijekom velikih natjecanja. Rezultati pokazuju da su razlozi za podržavanje utjecaja relativne dobi igrača u kontekstu selekcije igrača u ekipu u suprotnosti s trenerovim stvarnim korištenjem igrača

Oscillation Criteria for Third-Order Functional Differential Equations with Damping

This paper is a continuation of the recent study by Bohner et al [9] on oscillation properties of nonlinear third order functional differential equation under the assumption that the second order differential equation is nonoscillatory. We consider both the delayed and advanced case of the studied equation. The presented results correct and extend earlier ones. Several illustrative examples are included

A broken FEEC framework for electromagnetic problems on mapped multipatch domains

We present a framework for the structure-preserving approximation of partial differential equations on mapped multipatch domains, extending the classical theory of finite element exterior calculus (FEEC) to discrete de Rham sequences which are broken, i.e., fully discontinuous across the patch interfaces. Following the Conforming/Nonconforming Galerkin (CONGA) schemes developed in [http://dx.doi.org/10.1090/mcom/3079, arXiv:2109.02553, our approach is based on: (i) the identification of a conforming discrete de Rham sequence with stable commuting projection operators, (ii) the relaxation of the continuity constraints between patches, and (iii) the construction of conforming projections mapping back to the conforming subspaces, allowing to define discrete differentials on the broken sequence. This framework combines the advantages of conforming FEEC discretizations (e.g. commuting projections, discrete duality and Hodge-Helmholtz decompositions) with the data locality and implementation simplicity of interior penalty methods for discontinuous Galerkin discretizations. We apply it to several initial- and boundary-value problems, as well as eigenvalue problems arising in electromagnetics. In each case our formulations are shown to be well posed thanks to an appropriate stabilization of the jumps across the interfaces, and the solutions are extremely robust with respect to the stabilization parameter. Finally we describe a construction using tensor-product splines on mapped cartesian patches, and we detail the associated matrix operators. Our numerical experiments confirm the accuracy and stability of this discrete framework, and they allow us to verify that expected structure-preserving properties such as divergence or harmonic constraints are respected to floating-point accuracy

Sharp results for oscillation of second-order neutral delay differential equations

The aim of the present paper is to continue earlier works by the authors on the oscillation problem of second-order half-linear neutral delay differential equations. By revising the set method, we present new oscillation criteria which essentially improve a number of related ones from the literature. A couple of examples illustrate the value of the results obtained

Oscillation of Nonlinear Third-Order Difference Equations with Mixed Neutral Terms

In this paper, new oscillation results for nonlinear third-order difference equations with mixed neutral terms are established. Unlike previously used techniques, which often were based on Riccati transformation and involve limsup or liminf conditions for the oscillation, the main results are obtained by means of a new approach, which is based on a comparison technique. Our new results extend, simplify, and improve existing results in the literature. Two examples with specific values of parameters are offered

Reliable Broadcast over Cognitive Radio Networks: A Bipartite Graph-Based Algorithm

Cognitive radio (CR) is a promising technology that aims to enhance the spectrum utilisation by enabling unlicenced users to opportunistically use the vacant spectrum bands assigned to licenced users. Broadcasting is considered as a fundamental operation in wireless networks, as well as in cognitive radio networks (CRNs). The operation of most network protocols in the ad hoc network depends on broadcasting control information from neighbouring nodes. In traditional single-channel or multichannel ad hoc networks, due to uniform channel availability, broadcasting is easily implemented as nodes are tuned to a single common channel. On the contrary, broadcasting in CR ad hoc networks is both a challenging and complex task. The complexity emerges from the fact that different CR users might acquire different channels at different times. Consequently, this partitions the network into different clusters. In this chapter, the problem of broadcasting in ad hoc CR networks is presented, current solutions for the problem are discussed and an intelligent solution for broadcasting based on graph theory to connect different local topologies is developed

Effect of groundwater and sea weathering cycles on the strength of chalk rock from unstable coastal cliffs of NW France

International audienceThe aim of this paper is to evaluate the role of groundwater and sea weathering on the strength of the chalk rocks exposed on the coastline of the English Channel in Normandy, NW France. We present a study of the rock strength variations of three representative chalk units (Lewes Chalk, Seaford Chalk and Newhaven Chalk) exposed at various locations on the coastal chalk cliffs. The combination of UCS tests and SEM observations have been used (1) on dry natural chalk samples, (2) on chalk samples at various moisture contents, (3) on dry chalk samples submitted to a 10-day cycle of alternating wetting and drying by distilled water and by sea water. Dry chalk samples show low UCS strength (3.46-4 MPa) indicative of very weak rocks. When chalk samples are submitted to progressive water wetting, they present a decrease of UCS strength and Young's modulus of 40% to 50%. This behaviour begins at low values of water content within the chalk, i.e., for a degree of water saturation ranging between 10% and 17%. When chalk samples are submitted to an artificial weathering cycle with distilled water, a decrease in strength is observed, whereas the Young's modulus increases. SEM observations indicate the occurrence of microcracks and particle aggregates in the sample. When chalk samples are submitted to an artificial weathering with sea water, the decrease of UCS strength and Young's modulus achieves a minimum. SEM observations indicate salt crystals within the chalk. On the coastal cliffs of NW France, weathering processes depend both on chalk lithology, which show a range of sensitivity to weathering and on the location of the chalk in the coastal area. Processes allied to the degree of weathering (e.g., salt crystallisation or fresh water disaggregation) differ in the chalk massif, on the cliff face and on the shore platform

International ocean institute - kids : targeting awareness on the sea with the younger generations

The Internet revolution has led to the proliferation of accessible web-based educational resources. The International Ocean Institute (IOI), initiated through its operational center at the University of Malta, has funded the IOI-KIDS project, the institute’s flagship educational activity targeting awareness and knowledge- sharing about the sea with younger generations. The IOI was founded in 1972 and is an International NGO, with centers in 25 different countries and special consultative status within the United Nations. Some of the key missions of the IOI are to disseminate information, share and transfer knowledge and experience, and instill, within the younger generations, a greater interest in the sea. To further spread the legacy of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), IOI organizes the Pacem in Maribus (PIM) conferences. At the 32nd PIM conference in Malta in November 2007, the emerging Malta Declaration called for youth to help protect the marine environment, to move beyond the narrow circles of ocean professionals and stakeholders to broader audiences, whose knowledge and understanding are key to the support of sound ocean policy, and to change perceptions and heighten appreciation for the oceans and its importance to our lives and future, especially among the young (Drago 2008a).peer-reviewe