Affect in mathematics education: an introduction

The article presents an introduction to the concept of affect in mathematics education research

Parametrised Complexity of Model Checking and Satisfiability in Propositional Dependence Logic

In this paper, we initiate a systematic study of the parametrised complexity in the field of Dependence Logics which finds its origin in the Dependence Logic of V\"a\"an\"anen from 2007. We study a propositional variant of this logic (PDL) and investigate a variety of parametrisations with respect to the central decision problems. The model checking problem (MC) of PDL is NP-complete. The subject of this research is to identify a list of parametrisations (formula-size, treewidth, treedepth, team-size, number of variables) under which MC becomes fixed-parameter tractable. Furthermore, we show that the number of disjunctions or the arity of dependence atoms (dep-arity) as a parameter both yield a paraNP-completeness result. Then, we consider the satisfiability problem (SAT) showing a different picture: under team-size, or dep-arity SAT is paraNP-complete whereas under all other mentioned parameters the problem is in FPT. Finally, we introduce a variant of the satisfiability problem, asking for teams of a given size, and show for this problem an almost complete picture.Comment: Update includes refined result

Facets of Distribution Identities in Probabilistic Team Semantics

We study probabilistic team semantics which is a semantical framework allowing the study of logical and probabilistic dependencies simultaneously. We examine and classify the expressive power of logical formalisms arising by different probabilistic atoms such as conditional independence and different variants of marginal distribution equivalences. We also relate the framework to the first-order theory of the reals and apply our methods to the open question on the complexity of the implication problem of conditional independence.Peer reviewe

The Temporal Relationship between Stress and Spasticity, a Comparison between Subjects with and without Intact Thyroid Function

Purpose/Hypothesis: Stress has been studied as a credible trigger of spasticity, but evidence is limited concerning temporal relationships. Case studies of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) and fibromyalgia (FM) have established a ten-day delay between psychogenic stress and episodic pain flares. This is explained by a stress induced release of thyroxine (T4) from the thyroid gland via the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis, which reaches its peak effect by day 10. Models suggest that T4 may increase peripheral nerve excitability, which could increase sensitivity in 1A fibers from muscle spindles, leading to hyper-excitability in motor neuron pools. The purpose of our study is to explore the temporal relationship between stress & spasticity, to see if subjects experience latent increases in spasticity due to stress. Subjects: Subjects ranged from 48-84 years old, including one male with CVA history & one female with CVA history s/p thyroidectomy. Materials/Methods: Every day for 12 weeks, participants completed stress and spasticity inventories. Stress was measured with a visual analog stress scale (VASS) and spasticity with a visual analog functional scale (VAFS) assessing the degree of difficulty to execute a standard daily task due to spasticity severity. Quantitative criteria were established defining days of peak stress and days of peak spasticity. Final temporal relationship results between stress and spasticity were analyzed with serial lag correlations for 0-12 day lags. Results: After 12 weeks of data collection, the male manifested a significant correlation to spasticity related function ten days after criterion peak stress days. Serial lag analysis on peak stress days for this person revealed a 70% correlation supporting a 10-day impact on peak spasticity. The female subject revealed one event in spasticity-related function 10 days after peak stress event, which yields an insignificant 10-day lag correlation of 9.1%. This subject, with history of thyroidectomy, reports taking daily administration of levothyroxine. Consequently, her results are not surprising, since her HTP pathway cannot be influenced by stress. Conclusions: Based on results, evidence supports an increase in CVA-related spasticity ten days after high stress episodes. This relationship was not observed in our female subject s/p thyroidectomy, lending inverse support to the hypothesis that latent ten-day effects may be due to the HPT axis. Clinical Relevance: Patients and therapists frequently are at a loss to explain episodic elevations in spasticity severity. If a consistent temporal relationship between stress and spasticity is confirmed, it would give caregivers, patients, and therapists insight into understanding and predicting episodes of decreased function following high stress days

Yleisimpien kipulääkkeiden analysointi jätevesistä UHPLC-MS/MS-menetelmällä

Tiivistelmä. Kipulääkkeitä käytetään runsaasti ympäri maailmaa niiden suotuisten vaikutusten ja helpon saatavuuden vuoksi. Niitä päätyy jätevedenpuhdistuslaitoksille mm. kotitalouksien, sairaaloiden ja teollisuuden jätevesien mukana. Kipulääkkeet poistuvat jätevedestä puutteellisesti, johtuen niiden kemiallisista ominaisuuksista ja puhdistusprosessien heikosta soveltuvuudesta lääkeaineiden poistamiseen. Kipulääkkeet esiintyvät jätevesissä vaihtelevina pitoisuuksina prosessoimattomien ja prosessoitujen jätevesien välillä. Niiden analysointi vaatii menetelmän kannalta riittävän hyvää herkkyyttä ja alhaisia määritysrajoja. Ultrakorkean erotuskyvyn nestekromatografia yhdistettynä tandem-massaspektrometriin (UHPLC-MS/MS) on suosittu menetelmä analysoitaessa lääkeaineiden pitoisuuksia erilaisissa vesi- ja ympäristönäytteissä. Sen tärkeitä etuja ovat lisääntynyt herkkyys, nopea analyysi suurelle määrälle yhdisteitä, alhaiset määritysrajat sekä luotettavuus. Tässä tutkielmassa perehdytään siihen, millaisia pitoisuuksia kipulääkkeille on saatu UHPLCMS/MS-menetelmällä jätevesistä Australiassa, Espanjassa, Pakistanissa, Portugalissa ja Unkarissa. Tarkastelun kohteena olevat kipulääkkeet ovat aspiriini ja salisyylihappo, diklofenaakki, ibuprofeeni, ketoprofeeni, naprokseeni ja parasetamoli. Pitoisuuksia tarkastellaan sekä jätevedenpuhdistamoille virtaavissa että puhdistetuissa jätevesissä, ts. influentti- ja effluenttivesissä. Tutkielmassa tarkasteltujen tutkimusten tulosten perusteella kipulääkkeiden pitoisuudet ovat influenttivesissä tavallisesti tuhansia ng/l ja effluenttivesissä kymmenistä satoihin ng/l. Tulosten perusteella parasetamolin pitoisuudet ovat tyypillisesti korkeimpia influenttivesissä muihin kipulääkkeisiin verrattuna. Effluenttivesien osalta diklofenaakin pitoisuudet ovat olleet poikkeuksellisen suuria ja se poistuu jätevedenpuhdistusprosesseissa huonommin kuin muut kipulääkkeet. Jätevesien sisältämien lääkeaineiden luotettava analysointi on tärkeää, jotta puhdistetun veden käyttö on turvallista. Pitoisuuksista ollaan kiinnostuneita myös mahdollisten ympäristövaikutusten takia

Physical limitations of phased array antennas

In this paper, the bounds on the Q-factor, a quantity inversely proportional to bandwidth, are derived and investigated for narrow-band phased array antennas. Arrays in free space and above a ground plane are considered. The Q-factor bound is determined by solving a minimization problem over the electric current density. The support of these current densities is on an element-enclosing region, and the bound holds for lossless antenna elements enclosed in this region. The Q-factor minimization problem is formulated as a quadratically constrained quadratic optimization problem that is solved either by a semi-definite relaxation or an eigenvalue-based method. We illustrate numerically how these bounds can be used to determine trade-off relations between the Q-factor and other design specifications: element form-factor, size, efficiency, scanning capabilities, and polarization purity.Comment: 12 pages, 11 figure

Affect in mathematics education

There are two different uses for the word “affect” in behavioral sciences. Often it is used as an overarching umbrella concept that covers attitudes, beliefs, motivation, emotions, and all other noncognitive aspects of human mind. In this article, however, the word affect is used in a more narrow sense, referring to emotional states and traits. A more technical definition of emotions, states, and traits will follow later.Peer reviewe

Ten steps or climbing a mountain: A study of Australian health professionals' perceptions of implementing the baby friendly health initiative to protect, promote and support breastfeeding

Background: The Baby Friendly Hospital (Health) Initiative (BFHI) is a global initiative aimed at protecting, promoting and supporting breastfeeding and is based on the ten steps to successful breastfeeding. Worldwide, over 20,000 health facilities have attained BFHI accreditation but only 77 Australian hospitals (approximately 23%) have received accreditation. Few studies have investigated the factors that facilitate or hinder implementation of BFHI but it is acknowledged this is a major undertaking requiring strategic planning and change management throughout an institution. This paper examines the perceptions of BFHI held by midwives and nurses working in one Area Health Service in NSW, Australia. Methods: The study used an interpretive, qualitative approach. A total of 132 health professionals, working across four maternity units, two neonatal intensive care units and related community services, participated in 10 focus groups. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: ‘Belief and Commitment’; ‘Interpreting BFHI’ and ‘Climbing a Mountain’. Participants considered the BFHI implementation a high priority; an essential set of practices that would have positive benefits for babies and mothers both locally and globally as well as for health professionals. It was considered achievable but would take commitment and hard work to overcome the numerous challenges including a number of organisational constraints. There were, however, differing interpretations of what was required to attain BFHI accreditation with the potential that misinterpretation could hinder implementation. A model described by Greenhalgh and colleagues on adoption of innovation is drawn on to interpret the findings. Conclusion: Despite strong support for BFHI, the principles of this global strategy are interpreted differently by health professionals and further education and accurate information is required. It may be that the current processes used to disseminate and implement BFHI need to be reviewed. The findings suggest that there is a contradiction between the broad philosophical stance and best practice approach of this global strategy and the tendency for health professionals to focus on the ten steps as a set of tasks or a checklist to be accomplished. The perceived procedural approach to implementation may be contributing to lower rates of breastfeeding continuation

Confidence and competence with mathematical procedures

Confidence assessment (CA), in which students state alongside each of their answers a confidence level expressing how certain they are, has been employed successfully within higher education. However, it has not been widely explored with school pupils. This study examined how school mathematics pupils (N = 345) in five different secondary schools in England responded to the use of a CA instrument designed to incentivise the eliciting of truthful confidence ratings in the topic of directed (positive and negative) numbers. Pupils readily understood the negative marking aspect of the CA process and their facility correlated with their mean confidence with r = .546, N = 336, p < .001, indicating that pupils were generally well calibrated. Pupils’ comments indicated that the vast majority were positive about the CA approach, despite its dramatic differences from more usual assessment practices in UK schools. Some pupils felt that CA promoted deeper thinking, increased their confidence and had a potential role to play in classroom formative assessment

A novel desmoplakin mutation causes dilated cardiomyopathy with palmoplantar keratoderma as an early clinical sign

Background PPKs represent a heterogeneous group of disorders with hyperkeratosis of palmar and/or plantar skin. PPK, hair shaft abnormalities, cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias can be caused by mutations in desmosomal genes, e.g. desmoplakin (DSP). PPK should trigger genetic testing to reveal mutations with possible related cardiac disease. Objectives To report a large multigenerational family with a novel DSP mutation associated with early-onset PPK and adult-onset cardiomyopathy and arrhythmias. Methods A custom-designed in-house panel of 35 PPK related genes was used to screen mutations in the index patient with focal PPK. The identified DSP mutation was verified by Sanger sequencing. DNA samples from 20 members of the large multigenerational family were sequenced for the DSP mutation. Medical records were reviewed. Clinical dermatological evaluation was performed, including light microscopy of hair samples. Cardiac evaluation included clinical examination, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), electrocardiogram (ECG), Holter monitoring and laboratory tests. Results We identified a novel autosomal dominant truncating DSP c.2493delA p.(Glu831Aspfs*33) mutation associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with arrhythmia susceptibility and focal PPK as an early cutaneous sign. The mutation was found in nine affected family members, but not in any unaffected members. Onset of dermatological findings preceded cardiac symptoms which were variable and occurred at adult age. Conclusions We report a novel truncating DSP mutation causing focal PPK with varying severity and left ventricular dilatation and ventricular extrasystoles. This finding emphasizes the importance of genetic diagnosis in patients with PPK for clinical counselling and management of cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias.Peer reviewe