Why Tangibility Matters: A Design Case Study of At-Risk Children Learning to Read and Spell

Tangibles may be effective for reading applications. Letters can be represented as 3D physical objects. Words are spatially organized collections of letters. We explore how tangibility impacts reading and spelling acquisition for young Anglophone children who have dyslexia. We describe our theory-based design rationale and present a mixedmethods case study of eight children using our PhonoBlocks system. All children made significant gains in reading and spelling on trained and untrained (new) words, and could apply all spelling rules a month later. We discuss the design features of our system that contributed to effective learning processes, resulting in successful learning outcomes: dynamic colour cues embedded in 3D letters, which can draw attention to how letter(s) position changes their sounds; and the form of 3D tangible letters, which can enforce correct letter orientation and enable epistemic strategies in letter organization that simplify spelling tasks. We conclude with design guidelines for tangible reading systems

Technical summary

Human interference with the climate system is occurring. Climate change poses risks for human and natural systems. The assessment of impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability in the Working Group II contribution to the IPCC's Fifth Assessment Report (WGII AR5) evaluates how patterns of risks and potential benefits are shifting due to climate change and how risks can be reduced through mitigation and adaptation. It recognizes that risks of climate change will vary across regions and populations, through space and time, dependent on myriad factors including the extent of mitigation and adaptation

Thrombocytogenesis by megakaryocyte; Interpretation by protoplatelet hypothesis

Serial transmission electron microscopy of human megakaryocytes (MKs) revealed their polyploidization and gradual maturation through consecutive transition in characteristics of various organelles and others. At the beginning of differentiation, MK with ploidy 32N, e.g., has 16 centrosomes in the cell center surrounded by 32N nucleus. Each bundle of microtubules (MTs) emanated from the respective centrosome supports and organizes 16 equally volumed cytoplasmic compartments which together compose one single 32N MK. During the differentiation, single centriole separated from the centriole pair, i.e., centrosome, migrates to the most periphery of the cell through MT bundle, corresponding to a half of the interphase array originated from one centrosome, supporting one “putative cytoplasmic compartment” (PCC). Platelet demarcation membrane (DM) is constructed on the boundary surface between neighbouring PCCs. Matured PCC, composing of a tandem array of platelet territories covered by a sheet of DM is designated as protoplatelet. Eventually, the rupture of MK results in release of platelets from protoplatelets

Management and outcomes in critically ill nonagenarian versus octogenarian patients.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients age 90 years or older represent a growing subgroup and place a huge financial burden on health care resources despite the benefit being unclear. This leads to ethical problems. The present investigation assessed the differences in outcome between nonagenarian and octogenarian ICU patients. METHODS: We included 7900 acutely admitted older critically ill patients from two large, multinational studies. The primary outcome was 30-day-mortality, and the secondary outcome was ICU-mortality. Baseline characteristics consisted of frailty assessed by the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), ICU-management, and outcomes were compared between octogenarian (80-89.9 years) and nonagenarian (> 90 years) patients. We used multilevel logistic regression to evaluate differences between octogenarians and nonagenarians. RESULTS: The nonagenarians were 10% of the entire cohort. They experienced a higher percentage of frailty (58% vs 42%; p < 0.001), but lower SOFA scores at admission (6 + 5 vs. 7 + 6; p < 0.001). ICU-management strategies were different. Octogenarians required higher rates of organ support and nonagenarians received higher rates of life-sustaining treatment limitations (40% vs. 33%; p < 0.001). ICU mortality was comparable (27% vs. 27%; p = 0.973) but a higher 30-day-mortality (45% vs. 40%; p = 0.029) was seen in the nonagenarians. After multivariable adjustment nonagenarians had no significantly increased risk for 30-day-mortality (aOR 1.25 (95% CI 0.90-1.74; p = 0.19)). CONCLUSION: After adjustment for confounders, nonagenarians demonstrated no higher 30-day mortality than octogenarian patients. In this study, being age 90 years or more is no particular risk factor for an adverse outcome. This should be considered- together with illness severity and pre-existing functional capacity - to effectively guide triage decisions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03134807 and NCT03370692

1,3-Dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-diazaphospholidine-2-oxide as ligand for the preparation of luminescent lanthanide complexes

Europium(III) coordination compounds having general formula [Eu(beta-dike)(3)L-2] (beta-dike=dibenzoylmethanate, tenoyltrifluoroacetonate; L=1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-diazaphospholidine-2-oxide) were isolated and characterized. The complexes exhibited bright red emission associated to the D-5(0)-&gt; F-7(J) transitions of the metal center upon excitation with near-UV light, with intrinsic quantum yields around 51% and 65%, respectively, for the dibenzoylmethanate and tenoyltrifluoroacetonate derivatives. More information about the behavior of 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-diazaphospholidine-2-oxide as an antenna-ligand towards trivalent lanthanide ions was obtained by its coordination to [Ln(NO3)(3)] (Ln=Eu, Gd, Tb) metal fragments.[GRAPHICS].Europium(III) coordination compounds having general formula [Eu(β-dike)3L2] (β-dike = dibenzoylmethanate, tenoyltrifluoroacetonate; L = 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-diazaphospholidine-2-oxide) were isolated and characterized. The complexes exhibited bright red emission associated to the 5D0→7FJ transitions of the metal center upon excitation with near-UV light, with intrinsic quantum yields around 51% and 65%, respectively, for the dibenzoylmethanate and tenoyltrifluoroacetonate derivatives. More information about the behavior of 1,3-dimethyl-2-phenyl-1,3-diazaphospholidine-2-oxide as an antenna-ligand towards trivalent lanthanide ions was obtained by its coordination to [Ln(NO3)3] (Ln = Eu, Gd, Tb) metal fragments