Does Exploring Non-Linear Models Address High School Students\u27 Misconceptions of Linearity and Rate of Change?

Previous studies have shown that students at all levels—elementary, secondary and post-secondary—tend to apply linear reasoning in mathematical problems where non-linear models are needed. They rely on proportionality and linear equations without paying attention to the problem features needed for an accurate model. In the present study, students were taught using an activity-inspired by modeling curricula. In a hands-on activity, they explored the rate of change of linear and nonlinear functions that arise in describing elastic materials, recording average rates of change and noting key graphical features. This led them to articulate the relationship between nonlinear models, local linearity and the derivative. Pre/post-tests revealed a significant difference in performance between the control and experimental groups with respect to conceptual understanding of linearity and its applications

Tribute: Robert I. Stevenson

Professor Robert I. Stevenson must retire from teaching after this academic year. Students and faculty here at the University of Richmond Law School are saddened by the prospect. Many have gone to him personally, urging him to stay on for just one more year (hoping, without doubt, to see that one more year stretch into many more years). All have come away disappointed. Bob Stevenson believes that mandatory retirement, at least in this profession, is a good thing. He has seen too many excellent teachers, judges, and the like, continue on the job long after their excellence has vanished. And they are, of course, the last to recognize this loss; Professor Stevenson wants none of this sort of thing

Sniadach Through Di-Chem and Backwards: An Analysis of Virginia\u27s Attachment and Detinue Statute

Few cases in debtor-creditor relations have been discussed as much as Sniadach v. Family Finance Corp., Fuentes v. Shevin, Mitchell v. W. T. Grant Co., and North Georgia Finishing, Inc. v. Di-Chem, Inc. Despite the volume already written, however, the commentary appears destined to continue for some time to come. Thanks largely to this outpouring of attention, most lawyers and students are acutely aware of the fundamental issue involved in that line of cases, namely: is it constitutional to seize a debtor\u27s property without notice and a hearing? Before Sniadach the answer of most lawyers and students even remotely conversant with this aspect of debtor-creditor relations would have been a simple yes. Sniadach, however, overturned Wisconsin\u27s provisional remedy statutes, the kind of statutes that were commonplace in most states but, as it turned out, unconstitutional. Since most lawyers and students would have routinely answered yes to the issue posed above, the surprise following the Sniadach decision can be easily imagined. For example, some four years after Sniadach, Professor William D. Hawkland wrote that not only were many surprised at the way the court had decided the case but were surprised that the action was brought in the first place

PROBING THE PLANT CELL WALL WITH HERBICIDES: A CHEMICAL GENETICS APPROACH

The primary cell wall is a highly organized multi-layered matrix of polysaccharides (cellulose, hemi-cellulose, and pectin). The ability of the rigid cell wall to sufficiently loosen to allow growth is a complex process that differs considerably between grasses monocots and dicots. Cellulose is the major structural component required for anisotropic cell expansion and is synthesized by CELLULOSE SYNTHASE A (CesA) proteins. Here, our objectives were two-fold: 1) dissect cell walls and cellulose biosynthesis in dicots and grasses using chemical biology and reverse genetic approaches 2) characterize and classify the inhibitory mechanisms of cellulose biosynthesis inhibitors (CBIs). A reverse genetics TILLING experiment was conducted to study CesAs in the model grass Brachypodium (Bd). New mutant alleles of BdCesA1 and BdCesA3 were identified and characterized. On average, Bdcesa1S830N and Bdcesa3P986S mutants had 15% and 8% less cellulose than wild type plants, respectively. No obvious vegetative growth phenotypes were detected in mutants. However, at reproduction, inflorescence stems of cesa1S830N were 62% shorter than that of the wild type while cesa3P986S mutants were 20% longer. To classify CBIs, time-lapse confocal microscopy data were used to categorize CBIs based on how they disrupted the normal tracking and localization of fluorescently labeled CesAs. Furthermore, biochemical and confocal microscopy data were used to characterize the putative CBI, indaziflam. Three different inhibitory mechanisms were discovered within the CBI mode of action. Next, CBIs were used as molecular probes to study grass cell walls. However, grasses were found to be inherently tolerant to isoxaben and other CesA targeting CBIs. Isoxaben-tolerance was investigated but could not be explained by target and non-target site mechanisms. Thus, it was hypothesized mixed linkage glucans (MLGs), a unique grass cell wall polysaccharide, have cell wall strengthening characteristic and may partially compensate for reduced cellulose content. Bdcslf6 mutants deficient in MLGs were 2.1 times more susceptible to isoxaben than wild type plants indicating MLGs do have a structural role in expanding cells, but likely cannot explain tolerance. These data, collectively, support a conclusion that the non-cellulosic fraction of grass primary cell walls has more load-bearing capacity than dicot cell walls

The application of seismic surveys to the evaluation of shallow coal deposits

The viability of using surface seismic techniques in the exploration of shallow coal deposits in the UK is investigated. The geological factors that affect the economic viability of a prospective site are the overburden ratio and the presence of faulting, drift channels and previous mine workings. The seismic refraction technique using both congressional (P) waves and shear (S) waves is used and also the P wave reflection technique. The P wave source used is explosive and the shear wave source is a horizontal hammer. Seven site surveys are described, six in North East England, and one in the North West. The refraction technique using the Plus-Minus and Generalized Reciprocal Methods of interpretation is used to locate faults, estimate drift cover thicknesses and pinpoint areas of previous opencast excavation. Faults are located by a change in refractor velocity, or by a sudden change in refractor depth. Shear waves display a greater ability to image sharp depth anomalies than P waves, due to the greater velocity contrast between consolidated and unconsolidated rocks that S waves exhibit. S waves are better lithological indicators than P waves as there exist distinct ranges of S wave velocities for unconsolidated (150 to 400m/sec) and consolidated (650 to 1400m/sec) rocks. The fundamental problem with shallow reflection surveys on land is that the shallow reflections occur at the same time as surface waves and ground roll. The reflection technique is used to locate faults and detect the boundaries of old mine workings. No reflections shallower than 70m are recorded, and in areas of thick glacial drift cover no frequencies higher than l00Hz are detected. The results of the survey to locate positions of old mine workings are inconclusive, although some features seen on the final sections could be related to boundaries between unworked and worked strata

The Hand of Providence in the Methodist Movement

The article assesses the development of Methodism through a number of sermons and quotes from England and the United States

Principals\u27 Perceptions of Instructional Leadership Development

Instructional leadership is an important aspect of student achievement and the overall success of schools. Principals, as instructional leaders, need continual reflection on their competency. Job-embedded professional development (JEPD) for teachers is implemented and monitored by instructional leaders. The purpose of this case study was to examine the perceived instructional leadership development of two principals at two schools where JEPD was used. Weber\u27s model of instructional leadership guided the research questions on how the implementation of JEPD affected the principals\u27 instructional leadership growth and development. Data collection occurred through interviews, observations during principal-led JEPD sessions, and document review after which information was coded, and themes were identified resulting in thick, rich descriptions of the experiences of principals. The findings of this study suggested that participants\u27 growth in leadership development was unfocused and unmeasured. The study supports positive social change by providing professional development to promote and measure instructional leadership development of principals as they implement a system of JEPD for the teachers of their respective schools. Principals, teachers, and ultimately students will benefit from focused leadership development

Senior Nursing Students\u27 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceived Competency about Older Adults

Background: Nurses entering the workforce may have limited education in gerontological nursing. Therefore, many nurses are unprepared to provide quality care to older adults. An unprepared nursing workforce could negatively influence older adults’ health outcomes and care experience. Purpose: To determine differences in senior nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceived competency about older adults based on enrollment in a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN), associate’s degree nursing (ADN), and practical nursing (PN) program that offers geriatric content in curricula. Theoretical Framework: Bandura’s social cognitive theory, triadic reciprocal determinism model provided the theoretical framework. Methods: A non-experimental, descriptive survey design with a convenience sample of students enrolled in a BSN, ADN and PN program. A total of 178 students participated in this dissertation study. Palmore Facts on Aging Quiz 2, Kogan’s Attitudes Toward Old People Scale, and the Hartford Geriatric Nurse Competency tool was used to collect data. Results: Students enrolled in BSN, ADN, and PN programs demonstrated limited knowledge about facts on aging. Students’ attitudes toward older adults were positive, and a correlation was found between knowledge and attitudes. Students perceived competency about older adults were high, but purely subjective. Students’ preference to work with older adults post graduation in the PN group were higher compared with students in both the BSN and ADN group. Conclusions: This study underscore the need to systematically design an evidence-based curriculum inclusive of geriatric content across (BSN, ADN, and PN) programs to prepare the future nursing workforce to care for older adults

Pairing Bluetooth Devices via QR Code

The out-of-band pairing of Bluetooth devices utilizing a quick response code provides a novel method for pairing Bluetooth devices. Pairing two devices over Bluetooth can be challenging for a user and presents security issues. The utilization of out-of-band Bluetooth pairing via a quick response code overcomes security problems presented by in-band pairing and does not require internet connectivity or an established server infrastructure to accomplish the Bluetooth pairing, providing a user-friendly experience over traditional pairing techniques

United Methodist Ministers In South Carolina, 1975

Biographical Sketches and photographs of the ministers and lay pastors serving churches of the South Carolina Conference Southeastern Jurisdiction, The United Methodist Church.https://digitalcommons.wofford.edu/methodistdirectories/1004/thumbnail.jp