How do the teachers in high school experience their relationship competence in the meeting with the students after completing further education in guidance, and how do the teachers think it may have influenced the students learning strategies?

Mastergradsoppgave i tilpasset opplæring, Høgskolen i Innlandet, 2019.Norsk: Formålet med denne masteroppgave er å finne ut om det på en videregående skole har endret lærernes relasjonskompetanse i møte med elevene etter endt videreutdanning i veiledning, og om det videre har påvirket elevenes læringsstrategier. Tidligere studier viser til at elevenes opplevelse av emosjonell og instrumentell støtte fra læreren er et viktig aspekt ved skoletilværelsen; det være seg motivasjon, benyttelse av læringsstrategier og hvilke læringsresultater de oppnår - uavhengig av kontekst og alder. Derimot viser også studier at elevenes opplevelse av støtte fra lærerne og følelse av tilhørighet til skolemiljøet synker i takt med alder. Denne studien ønsker å se nærmere om lærernes opplevelser av egen kompetanse i å gi emosjonell og instrumentell støtte er forbedret etter videreutdanning i veiledning. Oppgaven har følgende problemstilling: Hvordan opplever lærerne i videregående skole sin relasjonskompetanse i møtet med elevene etter endt videreutdanning i veiledning, og hvordan mener lærerne det kan ha påvirket elevenes læringsstrategier? Dette er en kvalitativ studie med en fenomenologisk- og hermeneutisk tilnærming i tolkningen av data. Det er gjennomført fire semistrukturerte intervjuer med lærere. Funnene er analysert i lys av relevant teori, tidligere empiriske studier og aktuelle styringsdokumenter. Videreutdanning i veiledning har gitt lærerne ny og relevant kunnskap og ferdigheter i ulike veiledningsmetoder knyttet til undervisningspraksis. Det gjelder både i faglige og sosiale sammenhenger i dialogen med elevene. Det har gitt lærerne kunnskaper og erfaringer i form av nyttige verktøy til metodisk i bruk, som har ført til at man lettere har kunnet lese av situasjonene i øyeblikket og handle der etter. Alle lærerne var tydelige på at de har blitt tryggere på seg selv i veiledningssammenhengen, hvilket har fremmet dialogen og styrket relasjonen til elevene. Samtlige lærere mente det har styrket egen metakognisjon. Dette har videre bidratt til at de også har gjort elever bevisst på sin egen metakognisjon. Dette arbeid har gitt en god effekt på elevers utvikling i refleksjon og selvregulering, som er viktige elementer i tilegnelse av læringsstrategier. Lærerne har fokusert på elevinvolvering i varierte undervisningsmetoder og vurderingsformer, som også har bidratt til elevers utvikling av læringsstrategier. Studien kan bidra med nyttige og betydelsesfulle faktorer som relasjonsarbeidet krever i den daglige dialogen mellom lærere og elever, samt for videre utvikling av elvenes læringsstrategier.English: The purpose of this study is to examine weather completed continuing education in guidance, has changed teachers in High Schools’ relational skills towards their student, and further if this has influenced their students learning strategies. Former studies point out that the students’ experience of emotional and instrumental support from their teachers are of high importance in the students schooling; related to motivation, use of learning strategies and achieved results – disregarding context or age. Studies also show that with increasing age, students experience less support from their teachers, and less affiliation towards the school environment. This study focuses on weather teachers in High School experience that their ability to give emotional and instrumental support has increased after continuing education in guidance. The thesis question for this study is: How do the teachers in high school experience their relationship competence in the meeting with the students after completing further education in guidance, and how do the teachers think it may have influenced the students learning strategies? This is a qualitative study, using a phenomenological and hermeneutic approach in analysing data. Four semi-structured interviews with teachers have been performed. Data has been analysed considering relevant theory, former empirical studies and current policy documents. Continuing education in guidance has given the teachers new and relevant knowledge and skills in different guidance methods in their instruction practice, regarding both professional and social context, in dialogue with students. The teachers have acquired knowledge and experience in shape of useful tools for methodical use, this has made it easier for them to read situations and act accordingly. All the teachers emphasized that they had become more secure in guidance situations, which had bettered the dialogue and enhanced their relation with their students. This had also enhanced the teachers’ metacognition and contributed so that the teachers have worked to make their students conscious of their own metacognition. This work has had good effect on the students in developing reflection and self-regulation skills, important elements in acquisition of learning strategies. This study may provide useful and important inputs regarding what working whit relation demands in daily dialogue between teachers and students, and for further development of students learning strategies

Energy management system of a microgrid with distributed generation

An Energy Management System (EMS) is required to control the flow of power and match generation with the load within a microgrid during grid-connected and islanded modes of operation. In grid-connected mode, a microgrid draws/supplies power from/to the main grid, depending on the generation and load requirements, and with suitable market policies to maximize the efficiency/cost etc. Likewise, it can separate itself from the main grid whenever a drastic power quality event (such as a fault occurs in the main grid) and continues to supply power to critical loads. An optimization algorithm is needed to minimise the cost of the energy drawn from the grid, generated within the grid and consumed by the loads. In this thesis, two optimization techniques namely Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Differential Evolution (DE) are used to optimize an EMS for a generic MG comprised of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant, Diesel generator, Natural gas-fired generator, Photovoltaic (PV) generator and Wind generator. The EMS is tested for both grid-connected and islanded modes of operation to demonstrate the effectiveness of the optimization algorithms. In grid connected mode, the comparison of the most optimal utilization of grid during on- and off-peak hours and achieve the lowest operational cost. Likewise, for islanded mode of operation the comparison between the utilization of the three generators to match the load demand and achieve the lowest operational cost

Further characterization of the GlyT-1 inhibitor Org25935 : anti-alcohol, neurobehavioral, and gene expression effects

The glycine transporter-1 inhibitor Org25935 is a promising candidate in a treatment concept for alcohol use disorder targeting the glycine system. Org25935 inhibits ethanol-induced dopamine elevation in brain reward regions and reduces ethanol intake in Wistar rats. This study aimed to further characterise the compound and used ethanol consumption, behavioral measures, and gene expression as parameters to investigate the effects in Wistar rats and, as pharmacogenetic comparison, Alko-Alcohol (AA) rats. Animals were provided limited access to ethanol in a two-bottle free-choice paradigm with daily drug administration. Acute effects of Org25935 were estimated using locomotor activity and neurobehavioral status. Effects on gene expression in Wistar rats were measured with qPCR. The higher but not the lower dose of Org25935 reduced alcohol intake in Wistar rats. Unexpectedly, Org25935 reduced both ethanol and water intake and induced strong CNS-depressive effects in AA-rats (withdrawn from further studies). Neurobehavioral effects by Org25935 differed between the strains (AA-rats towards sedation). Org25935 did not affect gene expression at the mRNA level in the glycine system of Wistar rats. The data indicate a small therapeutic range for the anti-alcohol properties of Org25935, a finding that may guide further evaluations of the clinical utility of GlyT-1 inhibitors. The results point to the importance of pharmacogenetic considerations when developing drugs for alcohol-related medical concerns. Despite the lack of successful clinical outcomes, to date, the heterogeneity of drug action of Org25935 and similar agents and the unmet medical need justify further studies of glycinergic compounds in alcohol use disorder.Peer reviewe

Tillgänglighetsproblem orsakade av trappsteg: En fallstudie i flerfamiljshus

Rapporten redogör för en fallstudie om hur tillgänglighetsproblem i flerfamiljshus förorsakade av trappsteg kan lösas på nya och bättre sätt. Fyra hus byggda 1959-1966 valdes ut för att ingå i fallstudien. Tre var typiska för flerfamiljshus i Sverige som saknar hissar. Det fjärde huset hade efterinstallerade hissar. Fallens entrémiljöer utvärderades på en undersökande nivå med tillgänglighetsinventeringar, okulära besiktningar, inhämtning av planritningar, uppgifter om kulturhistoriskt värde och en boendeenkät. Underlag från utvärdering av de fyra fallen användes vid workshoppar med frågeställningen: Hur kan tillgänglighetsproblem orsakade av trappsteg lösas på innovativa sätt? I workshopparna involverades representanter för olika aktörer med syftet att nå insikter samt generera idéer och förslag för att ta sig an tillgänglighetsproblem i entréer i flerfamiljshus i det befintliga bostadsbeståndet. Lärdomarna pekar på att det är möjligt att lösa tillgänglighetsproblem orsakade av trappsteg. Samtidigt visar det sig att det finns en risk att man bygger in nya miljöhinder vid åtgärder såsom efterinstallation av hiss. Resultatet visar på behov av innovationsarbete och omfattande samarbete för att förändra befintliga tillvägagångssätt för att öka tillgängligheten. Vid planering krävs det samverkan mellan många organisationer och aktörer såsom staten, kommuner, fastighetsägare, entreprenörer, konsulter, underleverantörer och medborgare. Systematiska tillgänglighetsinventeringar kan ligga till grund för strategiska åtgärder för att förbättra tillgängligheten i det befintliga bostadsbeståndet. Dessutom är det nödvändigt att de platsmässiga förutsättningarna beaktas utifrån flera olika perspektiv. Exempel är befolkningens sammansättning och flyttvanor, flerfamiljshusets läge, närhet till service och kollektivtrafik, kulturhistorisk miljö, tidigare vald byggteknik samt tillgänglighet och användbarhet i de befintliga lägenheterna

Play-Responsive Teaching in Early Childhood Education

This open access book develops a theoretical concept of teaching that is relevant to early childhood education, and based on children’s learning and development through play. It discusses theoretical premises and research on playing and learning, and proposes the development of play-responsive didaktik. It examines the processes and products of learning and development, teaching and its phylogenetic and ontogenetic development, as well as the ‘what’ of learning and didaktik. Next, it explores the actions, objects and meaning of play and provides insight into the diversity of beliefs about the practices of play. The book presents ideas on how combined research and development projects can be carried out, providing incentive and a model for practice development and research. The second part of the book consists of empirical studies on teacher’s playing skills and examples of play with very young as well as older children

The "Free from housing accessibility problems" app

Publisher Copyright: © 2016 The authors and IOS Press.The present study concerns the development of a computerized tool targeting housing accessibility issues. A user-centered approach involving professionals from the housing sector and senior citizens from four European countries resulted in a fully functional prototype of a mobile application (app) including an apartment database. The app raises awareness on housing accessibility and has the potential to support decision making and strengthen all citizens regardless of functional capacity to be more active in their endeavors for a satisfying housing solution. Further refinements and additional features are needed to enhance the potential benefits; they include addressing potential challenges facing senior citizens, developing interactive features that allow users to provide input and adapting to different national contexts to make the app applicable for the European market.publishersversionPeer reviewe

Variation in genes encoding eosinophil granule proteins in atopic dermatitis patients from Germany

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atopic dermatitis (AD) is believed to result from complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. A main feature of AD as well as other allergic disorders is serum and tissue eosinophilia. Human eosinophils contain high amounts of cationic granule proteins, including eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil peroxidase (EPO) and major basic protein (MBP). Recently, variation in genes encoding eosinophil granule proteins has been suggested to play a role in the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. We therefore genotyped selected single nucleotide polymorphisms within the <it>ECP, EDN, EPO </it>and <it>MBP </it>genes in a cohort of 361 German AD patients and 325 healthy controls.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Genotype and allele frequencies did not differ between patients and controls for all polymorphisms investigated in this study. Haplotype analysis did not reveal any additional information.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We did not find evidence to support an influence of variation in genes encoding eosinophil granule proteins for AD pathogenesis in this German cohort.</p

Forecasting the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus in Qatar to 2050: A novel modeling approach.

AIMS: We developed and demonstrated a novel mathematical modeling approach to forecast the burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to investigate T2DM epidemiology for the purpose of informing public health policy and programming. METHODS: A population-level compartmental mathematical model was constructed and applied to Qatar. The model was stratified according to sex, age group, risk factor status, and T2DM status, and was parameterized by nationally-representative data. RESULTS: T2DM prevalence increased from 16.7% in 2012 to at least 24.0% by 2050. The rise in T2DM was most prominent among 45-54 years old. T2DM health expenditure was estimated to increase by 200-600% and to account for up to 32% of total health expenditure by 2050. Prevalence of obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity was predicted to increase from 41.4% to 51.0%, from 16.4% to 19.4%, and from 45.9% to 53.0%, respectively. The proportion of T2DM incidence attributed to obesity, smoking and physical inactivity was estimated at 57.5%, 1.8%, and 5.4%, respectively in 2012, and 65.7%, 2.1%, and 6.0%, respectively in 2050. Exploring different scenarios for the trends in risk factors, T2DM prevalence reached up to 37.7% by 2050. CONCLUSIONS: Using our innovative approach, a rising T2DM epidemic is predicted to continue in the next decades, driven by population growth, ageing and adverse trends in risk factors. Obesity was the principal risk factor explaining two-thirds of T2DM incidence. T2DM must be a national priority addressed by preventive and therapeutic interventions targeting T2DM and its modifiable risk factors

The expression of mismatched repair genes and their correlation with clinicopathological parameters and response to neo-adjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

BACKGROUND: The DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway is an important post-replicative repair process. It is involved in the maintenance of genomic stability and MMR genes have therefore been named the proofreaders of replicating DNA. These genes repair the replicative errors of DNA and are thus imperative for genomic stability. The MMR genes have been found to be involved in promoting cytotoxicity, apoptosis, p53 phosphorylation and cell cycle arrest following exposure to exogenous DNA damaging agents. Loss of MMR function prevents the correction of replicative errors leading to instability of the genome, and can be detected by polymorphisms in micro satellites (1–6 nucleotide repeat sequences scattered in whole of the genome). This phenomenon, known as micro satellite instability (MSI), is a hallmark of MMR dysfunction and can be used as a marker of MMR dysfunction in colorectal and other malignancies. An alternative method for detection of MMR dysfunction is to test the expression of protein products of the MMR genes by immunohistochemistry (IHC), as mutations in these genes lead to reduced or absent expression of their gene products. Correlation between loss of MMR function and clinical, histopathological, behavioral parameters of the tumor and its response to chemotherapy in breast cancers may be of value in predicting tumor behavior and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is an integral part of multimodal therapy for locally advanced breast cancer and predicting response may help in tailoring regimens in patients for optimum response. MATERIALS: After approval by the IRB(Institutional Review Board) and ethical committee of the hospital, 31 cases of locally advanced breast carcinoma (LABC) were studied to assess the correlation between MMR dysfunction, clinicopathological parameters and objective clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using immunohistochemistry. The immunohistochemical analysis for four MMR protein products -MLH1, MSH2, MSH6 and PMS2 was done in the pre NACT trucut biopsy specimen and after three cycles of NACT with C AF (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil) regimen, in the modified radical mastectomy specimen. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There was no significant correlation observed between expression of MMR proteins and age, family history, tumor size or histological type. However there was a statistically significant negative correlation between MLH1, MSH2 expression and histological grade. There was also a negative correlation observed between PMS2 expression after neo-adjuvant chemotherapy and clinical response. Cases with high post NACT expression of PMS2 were poor responders to chemotherapy. MSH6 was the most frequently altered MMR gene, with a negativity rate of 48% and the patients with high expression responded poorly to NACT. The study highlights the possible role of MMR expression in predicting aggressive tumor behavior (histological grade) and response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with LABC