Helping students connect: architecting learning spaces for experiential and transactional reflection

Given the complex and varied contexts that inform students’ consciousness and occasion their learning, learning spaces are more than physical and virtual spaces. Learning spaces are also a range of situations sedimented in our continuum of experiences that shape our philosophical orientations. As such, this article, written from the perspectives of two faculty members in an English department at a four-year public university, describes our efforts to do the following. First, to draw upon models of instructional design we have experienced in our own educational backgrounds; and equally importantly, to develop learning spaces that support learning that is continuous, situated, and personal. Specifically, we critique the ways in which learning has been segregated from the rest of our life contexts for us throughout our educational histories. The irony is that this de-segregation has motivated us to create diverse learning spaces that provide our students with a more realistic set of tools and techniques for integrative life-long learning

On the analysis of tuberculosis studies with intermittent missing sputum data

In randomized studies evaluating treatments for tuberculosis (TB), individuals are scheduled to be routinely evaluated for the presence of TB using sputum cultures. One important endpoint in such studies is the time of culture conversion, the first visit at which a patient’s sputum culture is negative and remains negative. This article addresses how to draw inference about treatment effects when sputum cultures are intermittently missing on some patients. We discuss inference under a novel benchmark assumption and under a class of assumptions indexed by a treatment-specific sensitivity parameter that quantify departures from the benchmark assumption. We motivate and illustrate our approach using data from a randomized trial comparing the effectiveness of two treatments for adult TB patients in Brazil.Fil: Scharfstein, Daniel. University Johns Hopkins; Estados UnidosFil: Rotnitzky, Andrea Gloria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Torcuato Di Tella. Departamento de Economía; ArgentinaFil: Abraham, Maria. Statistics Collaborative; Estados UnidosFil: McDermott, Aidan. University Johns Hopkins; Estados UnidosFil: Chaisson, Richard. University Johns Hopkins; Estados UnidosFil: Geiter, Lawrence. Otsuka Novel Products; Estados Unido

MODELING HIV/AIDS USING SHAT MODEL

HIV/AIDS gets on the list of deadly infectious diseases, but there is no right medicine and vaccination for it until now. Indonesia is also inseparable from the spread of HIV/AIDS year by year number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Indonesia continues to grow. The peak of HIV cases over the last twelve years (starting from 2020) in Indonesia was 50,282 cases in 2019, then the peak of AIDS was 12,214  in 2013. The purpose of the study is to model the spread of HIV/AIDS and test it with data on the growth of HIV/AIDS in Indonesia from 2006 to 2018. The steps taken in conducting this research are to determine the equilibrium point, calculate the basic reproduction number, analyze the stability of the equilibrium point, and numeric simulation of the SHAT model with the Maple 18 tool. Numerical simulation produces a value of . Based on calculations using the Routh-Hurwitz table, we can find that the system will be asymptotically stable towards a disease-free equilibrium point, namely . Based on the results obtained, it can conclude that HIV/AIDS will not become an epidemic in Indonesia

The water footprint of olives and olive oil in Spain

This paper evaluates the water footprint of Spanish olives and olive oil over the period 1997-2008. In particular, it analyses the three colour components of the water footprint: green (rainwater stored in the soil), blue (surface and groundwater) and grey (freshwater required to assimilate load of pollutants). Apparent water productivity and virtual water embedded in olive oil exports have also been studied. Results show more than 99.5% of the water footprint of one liter of bottled olive oil is related to the olive production, whereas less than 0.5% is due to the other components such as bottle, cap and label. Over the studied period, the green water footprint in absolute terms of Spanish olive oil production represents about 72% in rainfed systems and just 12% in irrigated olive orchards. Blue and grey water footprints represent 6% and 10% of the national water footprint, respectively. It is shown that olive production is concentrated in regions with the smallest water footprint per unit of product. However, the increase of groundwater consumption in the main olive producing region (Andalusia), from 98 to 378 Mm3 between 1997 and 2008, has added significant pressure in the upstream Guadalquivir basin. This raises questions about the sustainability of irrigated olive orchards for export from the region. Finally, the virtual water related to olive oil exports illustrate the importance of green water footprint of rainfed olives amounting to about 77% of the total virtual water exports

On the hydropower short-term scheduling of large basins, considering nonlinear programming, stochastic inflows and heavy ecological restrictions

Large hydro basins are difficult to optimally operate, due to extended water travel times, numerous tributaries to the same reservoir, uncertainties in the water inflows and different characteristics and efficiencies of the hydro plants. Also, optimal management must consider ecological restrictions, guarantying legal and social requirements. This paper proposes an advanced optimization tool, improving economic profits while meeting European and local regulations. Nonlinear relationships between efficiency, height and stored water are represented through piecewise linear functions, without requiring integer variables. Uncertainties in the water inflow and large travel times are considered by using stochastic scenarios. The Guadalquivir Basin, in southern Spain, with 18 reservoirs, a minimum of 50 h between head and mouth of the considered section and strong flow restrictions is analyzed in the study. Results show the robustness of the model and the validity of statistical studies for short-term studies, given a large chain of reservoirs, dry circumstances and strong operation constraints

Proposta de catro eixes para adecuar o concepto de xénero á comunicación web. Aplicación nunha avaliación cualitativa de weblogs vinculados en Blogaliza.org

Este texto se articula en tres partes. En primer lugar, esbozamos algunas de las principales diferencias de la comunicación web con respecto a la comunicación que se diseña por los medios de comunicación tradicionales. A continuación, identificamos cuatro ejes conceptuales que pueden ser utilizados para trasladar el concepto de género a la comunicación web. Y, por último, aplicamos los cuatro marcos conceptuales propuestos en una evaluación cualitativa de blogs gallegos de referencia.En inglés:This paper includes three parts. First, we draw some of the differences between web communication and communication as developed by the traditional media. Then, we identify four conceptual axes that can see used to apply the concept of genre to the web communication. And, lastly, we apply the four conceptual frameworks proposed in a quality assessment of some well-known Galician blogs.Este texto articúlase en tres partes. En primeiro lugar, esbozamos algunhas das principais diferenzas da comunicación web con respecto á desenvolvida polos medios de comunicación tradicionais. A continuación, identificamos catro eixos conceptuais que poden ser utilizados para trasladar o concepto de xénero á comunicación web. E, para rematar, aplicamos os catro marcos conceptuais propostos nunha avaliación cualitativa de blogs galegos de referencia

Efecto de la aplicación del hongo nematófago Purpureocillium lilacinum sobre la disponibilidad de nutrimentos en un suelo agrícola y el rendimiento de Avena sativa

In the present work the application effect of nematophagous fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum over the availability of soil nutrients and the yield of oats plants, using an agricultural soil was evaluated. Two experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions, one with soil in natural conditions and other with autoclaved soil. In each experiment were handled two treatments with 20 replicates in a completely randomized design; one with the application of P. lilacinum and the other without the fungus application as a control. The soil chemical characteristics: pH, C, N, P, K, Ca, Fe, Cu and Zn were analyzed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. The variables evaluated on oat plants were: height, fresh and dry weight, nutrients, number of spikelets per plant and the spikelets weight. There were no significant differences between treatments in plants height, the nutrient content of the soil and plants in both treatments, neither in fresh and dry weight in the experiment with natural conditions soil. The positive effect of fungus application was reflected on the greater fresh and dry weight in the experiment with autoclaved soil and the greater number and weight of spikelets of oat plants in both experiments.En el presente trabajo se evaluó el efecto de la aplicación del hongo nematófago Purpureocillium lilacinum sobre la disponibilidad de nutrimentos del suelo y el rendimiento de plantas de avena, utilizando un suelo agrícola. Se realizó dos experimentos bajo condiciones de invernadero, uno con suelo en condiciones naturales y otro con suelo esterilizado en autoclave. En cada experimento se manejó dos tratamientos con 20 repeticiones en un diseño completamente aleatorizado; uno con la aplicación de P. lilacinum y el otro sin aplicación del hongo como control. Las características químicas del suelo: pH, C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, Cu y Zn fueron analizadas al inicio y final del experimento. Las variables evaluadas en las plantas de avena fueron: altura, peso fresco y seco, contenido de nutrimentos, número de espiguillas por planta y el peso de espiguillas. No hubo diferencias significativas entre tratamientos en la altura, contenido de nutrimentos del suelo y de las plantas en ambos tratamientos, ni en peso fresco y seco en el experimento con suelo en condiciones naturales. El efecto positivo de la aplicación del hongo se reflejó en el mayor peso fresco y seco en el experimento con suelo esterilizado y en el mayor número y peso de espiguillas por planta en ambos tratamientos.Fil: López Lima, Daniel. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoFil: Carrión, Gloria.Fil: Hernández Leal, Tania

Acceso a la justicia y la participación ambiental

Este paper examina en detalle el marco constitucional dispuesto en 1991 para la protección del medio ambiente y la configuración del Estado colombiano frente a los nuevos retos que plantea la protección ambiental. Lo anterior, a partir de dos elementos claves para entender el papel de los mecanismos jurídicos en la defensa de la naturaleza y el ambiente: la participación ambiental y el acceso a la justicia ambiental, ello, con el fin de conocer los instrumentos que reconfiguran el Estado para que la ciudadanía y las organizaciones sociales puedan ejercer una defensa jurídica del medio ambiente, que aporte a la construcción de la justicia ambiental

Characterization of influenza virus sialic acid receptors in minor poultry species

It is commonly accepted that avian influenza viruses (AIVs) bind to terminal α2,3 sialic acid (SA) residues whereas human influenza viruses bind to α2,6 SA residues. By a series of amino acid changes on the HA surface protein, AIVs can switch receptor specificity and recognize α2,6 SA positive cells, including human respiratory epithelial cells. Animal species, like pigs and Japanese quail, that contain both α2,3 and α2,6 SA become ideal environments for receptor switching. Here, we describe the SA patterns and distributions in 6 common minor domestic poultry species: Peking duck, Toulouse geese, Chinese ring-neck pheasant, white midget turkey, bobwhite quail, and pearl guinea fowl. Lectins specific to α2,3 and α2,6 SA (Maakia amurensis agglutinin and Sambuca nigra agglutinin, respectively) were used to detect SA by an alkaline phosphotase-based method and a fluorescent-based method. Differences in SA moieties and their ability to bind influenza viruses were visualized by fluorescent labeling of 4 different H3N2 influenza viruses known to be specific for one receptor or the other. The geese and ducks showed α2,3 SA throughout the respiratory tract and marginal α2,6 SA only in the colon. The four other avian species showed both α2,3 and α2,6 SA in the respiratory tract and the intestines. Furthermore, the turkey respiratory tract showed a positive correlation between age and α2,6 SA levels. The fact that these birds have both avian and human flu receptors, combined with their common presence in backyard farms and live bird markets worldwide, mark them as potential mixing bowl species and necessitates improved surveillance and additional research about the role of these birds in influenza host switching

Multicritical Bifurcation and First-order Phase Transitions in a Three-dimensional Blume-Capel Antiferromagnet

We present a detailed study by Monte Carlo simulations and finite-size scaling analysis of the phase diagram and ordered bulk phases for the three-dimensional Blume-Capel antiferromagnet in the space of temperature and magnetic and crystal fields (or two chemical potentials in an equivalent lattice-gas model with two particle species and vacancies). The phase diagram consists of surfaces of second- and first-order transitions that enclose a ``volume'' of ordered phases in the phase space. At relatively high temperatures, these surfaces join smoothly along a line of tricritical points, and at zero magnetic field we obtain good agreement with known values for tricritical exponent ratios [Y. Deng and H.W.J. Bl{\"o}te, Phys. Rev. E {70}, 0456111 (2004)]. In limited field regions at lower temperatures (symmetric under reversal of the magnetic field), the tricritical line for this three-dimensional model bifurcates into lines of critical endpoints and critical points, connected by a surface of weak first-order transitions {inside} the region of ordered phases. This phenomenon is not seen in the two-dimensional version of the same model. We confirm the location of the bifurcation as previously reported [Y.L. Wang and J.D. Kimel, J. Appl. Phys. {69}, 6176 (1991)], and we identify the phases separated by this first-order surface as antiferromagnetically (three-dimensional checker-board) ordered with different vacancy densities. We visualize the phases by real-space snapshots and by structure factors in the three-dimensional space of wave vectors.Comment: 18 pages, 20 figures. Fig4 correcte