204 research outputs found
The effectiveness of digital storytelling in the classrooms: a comprehensive study
In recent years the use of new technologies in educational systems has increased worldwide as digital cameras, personal computers, scanners, and easy-to-use software have become available to educators to harness the digital world. The impact of new technologies in educational contexts has been mostly positive as new technologies have given educators the opportunity to enhance their knowledge, skills, and therefore enhance the standard of education. Researchers have found that student engagement, achievement and motivation are enhanced through integration of such technologies. However, education systems still face many challenges: one of these challenges is how to enhance student engagement to provide better educational outcomes. It has become increasingly important to use innovative pedagogical models to engage learners. Digital storytelling is one of the innovative pedagogical approaches that can engage students in deep and meaningful learning. This research project aimed to create a constructivist learning environment with digital storytelling. The research investigated the pedagogical aspects of digital storytelling and the impact of digital storytelling on student learning when teachers and students use digital stories. A multi-site case study was conducted in one Australian school at primary and secondary levels. In selected classrooms, students and teachers had the opportunity to engage in innovative learning experiences based on digital storytelling. In order to enhance the reliability and validity of the research, multiple methods of data collection and analysis were used. Data was collected with qualitative and quantitative methods. An evaluation rubric was used to collect quantitative data, while interviews and observation were used to collect qualitative data. Data collection was guided by a mixed methods research design in order to evaluate if and how digital storytelling enhances teaching and learning outcomes. The findings from this study suggest that digital storytelling is a powerful tool to integrate instructional messages with learning activities to create more engaging and exciting learning environments. It is a meaningful approach for creating a constructivist learning environment based on novel principles of teaching and learning. Thus, this approach has the potential to enhance student engagement and provide better educational outcomes for learners
The MAGPI Survey: Drivers of kinematic asymmetries in the ionised gas of star-forming galaxies
Galaxy gas kinematics are sensitive to the physical processes that contribute
to a galaxy's evolution. It is expected that external processes will cause more
significant kinematic disturbances in the outer regions, while internal
processes will cause more disturbances for the inner regions. Using a subsample
of 47 galaxies () from the Middle Ages Galaxy Properties with
Integral Field Spectroscopy (MAGPI) survey, we conduct a study into the source
of kinematic disturbances by measuring the asymmetry present in the ionised gas
line-of-sight velocity maps at the (inner regions) and (outer
regions) elliptical annuli. By comparing the inner and outer kinematic
asymmetries, we aim to better understand what physical processes are driving
the asymmetries in galaxies. We find the local environment plays a role in
kinematic disturbance, in agreement with other integral field spectroscopy
studies of the local universe, with most asymmetric systems being in close
proximity to a more massive neighbour. We do not find evidence suggesting that
hosting an Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) contributes to asymmetry within the
inner regions, with some caveats due to emission line modelling. In contrast to
previous studies, we do not find evidence that processes leading to asymmetry
also enhance star formation in MAGPI galaxies. Finally, we find a weak
anti-correlation between stellar mass and asymmetry (ie. high stellar mass
galaxies are less asymmetric). We conclude by discussing possible sources
driving the asymmetry in the ionised gas, such as disturbances being present in
the colder gas phase (either molecular or atomic) prior to the gas being
ionised, and non-axisymmetric features (e.g., a bar) being present in the
galactic disk. Our results highlight the complex interplay between ionised gas
kinematic disturbances and physical processes involved in galaxy evolution.Comment: e.g., 20 pages, 19 figure
Antioxidant and Antitumor Activity of a Bioactive Polyphenolic Fraction Isolated from the Brewing Process
There is increasing interest in identifying natural bioactive compounds that can improve mitochondrial functionality and regulate apoptosis. The brewery industry generates wastewater that could yield a natural extract containing bioactive phenolic compounds. Polyphenols act as antioxidants and have been documented to protect the human body from degenerative diseases such as cardiovascular diseases or cancer. The main aims of our research were to determine the phenolic profile of a crude extract obtained (at pilot scale) from a brewery waste stream and to evaluate the biochemical activity of this extract on the mitochondrial function of a cancer cell line (SH-SY5Y). This work is a basic translational pilot study. The total phenolic content was determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu assay, which revealed that 2.30% of the extract consisted of phenolic compounds. The polyphenols, identified and quantified by reverse-phase-high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (RP-HPLC/MS), were mainly flavonoids. After cell culture, the tumoral cells treated with the polyphenolic extract showed enhanced mitochondrial oxidative function, which is likely related to a decrease in oxidative stress and an increase in mitochondrial biogenesis. This type of brewery waste stream, properly treated, may be a promising source of natural antioxidants to replace the synthetic antioxidants currently used in the food industry
Knowledge about preventive dentistry versus self-reported competence in providing preventive oral healthcare – a study among Nepalese dentists
Prediction and measurement of the size-dependent stability of fluorescence in diamond over the entire nanoscale
Fluorescent defects in non-cytotoxic diamond nanoparticles are candidates for
qubits in quantum computing, optical labels in biomedical imaging and sensors
in magnetometry. For each application these defects need to be optically and
thermodynamically stable, and included in individual particles at suitable
concentrations (singly or in large numbers). In this letter, we combine
simulations, theory and experiment to provide the first comprehensive and
generic prediction of the size, temperature and nitrogen-concentration
dependent stability of optically active NV defects in nanodiamonds.Comment: Published in Nano Letters August 2009 24 pages, 6 figure
The MAGPI Survey -- science goals, design, observing strategy, early results and theoretical framework
© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the Astronomical Society of Australia. This is the accepted manuscript version of an article which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1017/pasa.2021.25We present an overview of the Middle Ages Galaxy Properties with Integral Field Spectroscopy (MAGPI) survey, a Large Program on ESO/VLT. MAGPI is designed to study the physical drivers of galaxy transformation at a lookback time of 3-4 Gyr, during which the dynamical, morphological, and chemical properties of galaxies are predicted to evolve significantly. The survey uses new medium-deep adaptive optics aided MUSE observations of fields selected from the GAMA survey, providing a wealth of publicly available ancillary multi-wavelength data. With these data, MAGPI will map the kinematic and chemical properties of stars and ionised gas for a sample of 60 massive (> 7 x 10^10 M_Sun) central galaxies at 0.25 < zPeer reviewe
Strong Interaction Physics at the Luminosity Frontier with 22 GeV Electrons at Jefferson Lab
This document presents the initial scientific case for upgrading the
Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab (JLab)
to 22 GeV. It is the result of a community effort, incorporating insights from
a series of workshops conducted between March 2022 and April 2023. With a track
record of over 25 years in delivering the world's most intense and precise
multi-GeV electron beams, CEBAF's potential for a higher energy upgrade
presents a unique opportunity for an innovative nuclear physics program, which
seamlessly integrates a rich historical background with a promising future. The
proposed physics program encompass a diverse range of investigations centered
around the nonperturbative dynamics inherent in hadron structure and the
exploration of strongly interacting systems. It builds upon the exceptional
capabilities of CEBAF in high-luminosity operations, the availability of
existing or planned Hall equipment, and recent advancements in accelerator
technology. The proposed program cover various scientific topics, including
Hadron Spectroscopy, Partonic Structure and Spin, Hadronization and Transverse
Momentum, Spatial Structure, Mechanical Properties, Form Factors and Emergent
Hadron Mass, Hadron-Quark Transition, and Nuclear Dynamics at Extreme
Conditions, as well as QCD Confinement and Fundamental Symmetries. Each topic
highlights the key measurements achievable at a 22 GeV CEBAF accelerator.
Furthermore, this document outlines the significant physics outcomes and unique
aspects of these programs that distinguish them from other existing or planned
facilities. In summary, this document provides an exciting rationale for the
energy upgrade of CEBAF to 22 GeV, outlining the transformative scientific
potential that lies within reach, and the remarkable opportunities it offers
for advancing our understanding of hadron physics and related fundamental
phenomena.Comment: Updates to the list of authors; Preprint number changed from theory
to experiment; Updates to sections 4 and 6, including additional figure
The importance of strigolactone transport regulation for symbiotic signaling and shoot branching
Effect of sitagliptin on cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes
BACKGROUND: Data are lacking on the long-term effect on cardiovascular events of adding sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, to usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind study, we assigned 14,671 patients to add either sitagliptin or placebo to their existing therapy. Open-label use of antihyperglycemic therapy was encouraged as required, aimed at reaching individually appropriate glycemic targets in all patients. To determine whether sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo, we used a relative risk of 1.3 as the marginal upper boundary. The primary cardiovascular outcome was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or hospitalization for unstable angina. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 3.0 years, there was a small difference in glycated hemoglobin levels (least-squares mean difference for sitagliptin vs. placebo, -0.29 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.32 to -0.27). Overall, the primary outcome occurred in 839 patients in the sitagliptin group (11.4%; 4.06 per 100 person-years) and 851 patients in the placebo group (11.6%; 4.17 per 100 person-years). Sitagliptin was noninferior to placebo for the primary composite cardiovascular outcome (hazard ratio, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.09; P<0.001). Rates of hospitalization for heart failure did not differ between the two groups (hazard ratio, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.20; P = 0.98). There were no significant between-group differences in rates of acute pancreatitis (P = 0.07) or pancreatic cancer (P = 0.32). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease, adding sitagliptin to usual care did not appear to increase the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, hospitalization for heart failure, or other adverse events
Recull de propostes per minimitzar l'impacte negatiu de gènere del sistema de teletreball a l'Ajuntament de Barcelona
Finançat amb el projecte "Impacto de GÉnero del TEletrabajo y rutinas de COnfinamiento: más allá de lo obvio" (Ref. SUPERACOVID19_2.2.IGETECO) i a través de l'Ajuntament de Barcelona pel Servei d'Estudi sobre propostes per minimitzar l'impacte negatiu de gènere del sistema de teletreball a l'Ajuntament de Barcelona (exp.20002682)El present document recull les propostes d'actuació contingues a l'estudi Propostes per minimitzar l'impacte negatiu de gènere del sistema de teletreball a l'Ajuntament de Barcelona realitzat pel Centre d'Estudis Sociològics sobre la Vida Quotidiana i el Treball (QUIT) de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. L'emergència sanitària provocada per la Covid19 i el necessari confinament de la població per combatre la pandèmia ha significat, des del punt de vista de l'organització del treball, un canvi molt important cap a l'impuls de formes de treball a distància. Però aquest impuls del teletreball ha estat una resposta fruit de l'emergència, lògica davant la situació viscuda i, com a tal, no ha pogut ser planificada amb el temps i els mitjans necessaris
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