The role of sample pupil responses in problem-solving lessons: perspectives from a design researcher and two teachers

The benefits of learning mathematics by comparing, reflecting on and discussing multiple approaches to a problem are well-known (Silver, 2005). However, teachers using non-routine problem-solving tasks designed to encourage multiple approaches face challenges: understanding how pupils make sense of the problem, especially when pupils use unique or unanticipated approaches and helping pupils make connections between disparate approaches and aligning these with lesson goals. In an attempt to address such challenges an extensive set of problem solving lessons were developed. Each lesson includes a range of sample solution-methods that expose pupils to multiple perspectives. A detailed teacher guide supports each lesson. This paper focuses on the use of these sample solution-methods. It explores their development from initial design to final versions. We analyse the varied interpretations and use made of sample solution-methods, in both US classrooms and by two UK teachers, and reflect on how these interpretations align with the designers’ intention

The role of sample pupil responses in problem-solving lessons: perspectives from a design researcher and two teachers

The benefits of learning mathematics by comparing, reflecting on and discussing multiple approaches to a problem are well-known (Silver, 2005). However, teachers using non-routine problem-solving tasks designed to encourage multiple approaches face challenges: understanding how pupils make sense of the problem, especially when pupils use unique or unanticipated approaches and helping pupils make connections between disparate approaches and aligning these with lesson goals. In an attempt to address such challenges an extensive set of problem solving lessons were developed. Each lesson includes a range of sample solution-methods that expose pupils to multiple perspectives. A detailed teacher guide supports each lesson. This paper focuses on the use of these sample solution-methods. It explores their development from initial design to final versions. We analyse the varied interpretations and use made of sample solution-methods, in both US classrooms and by two UK teachers, and reflect on how these interpretations align with the designers’ intention

Sexual dimorphisms in the dermal denticles of thelesser-spotted catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758)

The dermal layers of several elasmobranch species have been shown to be sexually dimorphic. Generally, when this occurs the females have thicker dermal layers compared to those of males. This sexual dimorphism has been suggested to occur as a response to male biting during mating. Although male biting as a copulatory behaviour in Scyliorhinus canicula has been widely speculated to occur, only relatively recently has this behaviour been observed. Male S. canicula use their mouths to bite the female's pectoral and caudal fins as part of their pre-copulatory behaviour and to grasp females during copulation. Previous work has shown that female S. canicula have a thicker epidermis compared to that of males. The structure of the dermal denticles in females may also differ from that of males in order to protect against male biting or to provide a greater degree of friction in order to allow the male more purchase. This study reveals that the length, width and density of the dermal denticles of mature male and female S. canicula are sexually dimorphic across the integument in areas where males have been observed to bite and wrap themselves around females (pectoral fin, area posterior to the pectoral fin, caudal fin, and pelvic girdle). No significant differences in the dermal denticle dimensions were found in other body areas examined (head, dorsal skin and caudal peduncle). Sexually dimorphic dermal denticles in mature S. canicula could be a response to male biting/wrapping as part of the copulatory process

Serum uric acid as a potential marker for heart failure risk in men on antihypertensive treatment: The British Regional Heart Study.

The role of serum uric acid (SUA) as a prognostic marker for incident heart failure (HF) in hypertensive subjects is uncertain. We have prospectively examined the relationship between SUA and incident HF in 3440 men aged 60-79years separately in those on and not on antihypertensive treatment who were followed up for a mean period of 15years. Men on SUA lowering drugs and those with history of HF or myocardial infarction were excluded. There were 260 incident HF cases. The men were divided into three groups of SUA concentrations/levels (410μmol/L). Raised SUA was associated with significantly increased risk of HF in men on antihypertensive treatment (N=949) but not in those without (N=2491) (p=0.003 for interaction). In men on antihypertensive treatment those with hyperuricemia (>410μmol/L) had the most adverse biological risk profile for HF including the highest rates of atrial fibrillation and renal dysfunction and the highest mean level of BMI, c-reactive protein and cardiac function (cardiac troponin T). Treated hypertensive men with SUA levels>410μmol/L showed an increase in risk of HF of more than twofold compared to those on treatment with levels <350μmol/L even after adjustment for lifestyle characteristics and biological risk factors [adjusted hazard ratio 2.26 (1.23,4.15)]. SUA improved prediction of HF beyond routine conventional risk factors (p=0.02 for improvement in c-statistics). SUA as a marker of increased xanthine oxidase activity may be a useful prognostic marker for HF risk in older men on antihypertensive treatment

Is soluble protein mineralisation and protease activity in soil regulated by supply or demand?

Protein represents a major input of organic matter to soil and is an important source of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) for microorganisms. Therefore, determining which soil properties influence protein mineralisation in soil is key to understanding and modelling soil C and N cycling. However, the effect of different soil properties on protein mineralisation, and especially the interactions between soil properties, are poorly understood. We investigated how topsoil and subsoil properties affect protein mineralisation along a grassland altitudinal (catena) sequence that contained a gradient in soil type and primary productivity. We devised a schematic diagram to test the key edaphic factors that may influence protein mineralisation in soil (e.g. pH, microbial biomass, inorganic and organic N availability, enzyme activity and sorption). We then measured the mineralisation rate of 14C-labelled soluble plant-derived protein and amino acids in soil over a two-month period. Correlation analysis was used to determine the associations between rates of protein mineralisation and soil properties. Contrary to expectation, we found that protein mineralisation rate was nearly as fast as for amino acid turnover. We ascribe this rapid protein turnover to the low levels of protein used here, its soluble nature, a high degree of functional redundancy in the microbial community and microbial enzyme adaptation to their ecological niche. Unlike other key soil N processes (e.g. nitrification, denitrification), protease activity was not regulated by a small range of factors, but rather appeared to be affected by a wide range of interacting factors whose importance was dependent on altitude and soil depth [e.g. above-ground net primary productivity (NPP), soil pH, nitrate, cation exchange capacity (CEC), C:N ratio]. Based on our results, we hypothesise that differences in soil N cycling and the generation of ammonium are more related to the rate of protein supply rather than limitations in protease activity and protein turnover per se

Beliefs About Medication and Uptake of Preventive Therapy in Women at Increased Risk of Breast Cancer: Results From a Multicenter Prospective Study

Introduction Uptake of preventive therapies for breast cancer is low. We examined whether women at increased risk of breast cancer can be categorized into groups with similar medication beliefs, and whether belief group membership was prospectively associated with uptake of preventive therapy. Patients and Methods Women (n = 732) attending an appointment to discuss breast cancer risk were approached; 408 (55.7%) completed the Beliefs About Medicines and the Perceived Sensitivity to Medicines questionnaires. Uptake of tamoxifen at 3 months was reported in 258 (63.2%). The optimal number of belief groups were identified using latent profile analysis. Results Uptake of tamoxifen was 14.7% (38/258). One in 5 women (19.4%; 78/402) reported a strong need for tamoxifen. The model fit statistics supported a 2-group model. Both groups held weak beliefs about their need for tamoxifen for current and future health. Group 2 (38%; 154/406 of the sample) reported stronger concerns about tamoxifen and medicines in general, and stronger perceived sensitivity to the negative effects of medicines compared with group 1 (62%; 252/406). Women with low necessity and lower concerns (group 1) were more likely to initiate tamoxifen (18.3%; 33/180) than those with low necessity and higher concerns (group 2) (6.4%; 5/78). After adjusting for demographic and clinical factors, the odds ratio was 3.37 (95% confidence interval, 1.08-10.51; P = .036). Conclusion Uptake of breast cancer preventive therapy was low. A subgroup of women reported low need for preventive therapy and strong medication concerns. These women were less likely to initiate tamoxifen. Medication beliefs are targets for supporting informed decision-making

Retrospective evaluation of whole exome and genome mutation calls in 746 cancer samples

Funder: NCI U24CA211006Abstract: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) curated consensus somatic mutation calls using whole exome sequencing (WES) and whole genome sequencing (WGS), respectively. Here, as part of the ICGC/TCGA Pan-Cancer Analysis of Whole Genomes (PCAWG) Consortium, which aggregated whole genome sequencing data from 2,658 cancers across 38 tumour types, we compare WES and WGS side-by-side from 746 TCGA samples, finding that ~80% of mutations overlap in covered exonic regions. We estimate that low variant allele fraction (VAF < 15%) and clonal heterogeneity contribute up to 68% of private WGS mutations and 71% of private WES mutations. We observe that ~30% of private WGS mutations trace to mutations identified by a single variant caller in WES consensus efforts. WGS captures both ~50% more variation in exonic regions and un-observed mutations in loci with variable GC-content. Together, our analysis highlights technological divergences between two reproducible somatic variant detection efforts

The pectoral fin skin of mature <i>S. canicula</i> showing the denser formation of the dermal denticles resulting in overlap in females (A)and the well-spaced denticle structure in males (B).

<p>(Female = 630mm TL, Male = 628mm TL).</p

Location of skin samples taken from across the integument of male and female <i>S. canicula</i>, Dorsal surface of head (1) ventral surface of the head (2) pectoral fin (3) posterior to pectoral fin (4) dorsal skin (5) pelvic girdle (6) caudal peduncle (7) upper caudal lobe (8).

<p>(Adapted from Schlegel, 1869) [<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0076887#B66" target="_blank">66</a>].</p

Visualizing Junk: Big Data Visualizations and the need for Feminist Data Studies

The datafication of culture has led to an increase in the circulation of data visualizations. In their production, visualizers draw on historical antecedents which define what constitutes a good visualization. In their reception, audiences similarly draw on experiences with visualizations and other visual forms to categorize them as good or bad. Whilst there are often sound reasons for such assessments, the gendered dimensions of judgements of cultural artefacts like data visualizations cannot be ignored. In this paper, we highlight how definitions of visualizations as bad are sometimes gendered. In turn, this gendered derision is often entangled with legitimate criticisms of poor visualization execution, making it hard to see and so normalised. This, we argue, is a form of what Gill (2011) calls flexible sexism, and it is why there is a need not just for feminist critiques of big data, but for feminist data studies – that is, feminists doing big data and data visualization