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Teachers' emotions while they teach and how these may play out in their students' experience of mathematics lessons is under-researched. Here, we present a proposition for the incorporation of a type of data not typically included in the study of teacher emotions while they teach: physiological data. Specifically, we present our use of a GSR (Galvanic Skin Response) sensor as a tool that offers approximate indications of how teacher emotions vary during lessons. We report from a study in which experienced secondary mathematics teachers were interviewed before and after observation and video recording of their lessons, during which they wore a GSR device. Episodes from the lessons--selected on the evidence provided by the video recordings, the observations, and the GSR sensor--were used to trigger teacher reflection in the postlesson interviews. A particular focus in the interviews was placed on the interplay between how the teachers' emotional intensity varied during the lesson and their teaching actions. The findings show that the use of the GSR sensor revealed aspects of this interplay not evidenced in the other data sources. The findings are presented using evidence from two participants. We propose that the use of GSR data in tandem with other types of data has the capacity to strengthen teacher reflection on how their emotional intensity may vary during a mathematics lesson and the impact of this variation on the lesson. The paper concludes with outlining the benefits for teacher education and professional development of using this unobtrusive yet insight-generating technology as an effective trigger for pedagogical reflection.

Current liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) applications for circulating androgen measurements are technically diverse. Previously, variable results have been reported for testosterone. Data are scarce for androstenedione and absent for dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). We assessed the agreement of androstenedione, DHEAS and testosterone LC-MS/MS measurements among nine European centers and explored benefits of calibration system unification. Androgens were measured twice by laboratory-specific procedures in 78 patient samples and in EQA materials. Results were obtained by in-house and external calibration. Intra- and inter-laboratory performances were valued. Intra-laboratory CVs ranged between 4.2–13.2 % for androstenedione, 1.6–10.8 % for DHEAS, and 4.3–8.7 % and 2.6–7.1 % for female and male testosterone, respectively. Bias and trueness in EQA materials were within ±20 %. Median inter-laboratory CV with in-house vs. external calibration were 12.0 vs. 9.6 % for androstenedione (p<0.001), 7.2 vs. 4.9 % for DHEAS (p<0.001), 6.4 vs. 7.6 % for female testosterone (p<0.001) and 6.8 and 7.4 % for male testosterone (p=0.111). Median bias vs. all laboratory median with in-house and external calibration were −13.3 to 20.5 % and −4.9 to 18.7 % for androstenedione, −10.9 to 4.8 % and −3.4 to 3.5 % for DHEAS, −2.7 to 6.5 % and −11.3 to 6.6 % for testosterone in females, and −7.0 to 8.5 % and −7.5 to 11.8 % for testosterone in males, respectively. Methods showed high intra-laboratory precision but variable bias and trueness. Inter-laboratory agreement was remarkably good. Calibration system unification improved agreement in androstenedione and DHEAS, but not in testosterone measurements. Multiple components, such as commutability of calibrators and EQA materials and internal standard choices, likely contribute to inter-laboratory variability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cancer patients frequently experience pain, impacting their quality of life. Unfortunately, pain management in those referred for radiotherapy (RT) is often insufficient, with limited research in this area. This study aimed to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of pain management and identify factors affecting them in cancer patients referred for RT. We observed 1042 cancer outpatients and found that 42.9% did not receive adequate pain management. Specifically, 72% of patients referred for palliative RT and 75% of those referred for curative RT experienced inadequate or ineffective analgesic therapy. Patients undergoing palliative RT, those with poorer general health, those with cancer-related pain, and those treated in Northern Italy had higher odds of receiving adequate pain management. Our findings highlight the need for educational and organizational strategies to address this issue and suggest that early palliative RT referral can improve pain management and treatment outcomes for cancer patients. Background: Pain is a prevalent symptom among cancer patients, and its management is crucial for improving their quality of life. However, pain management in cancer patients referred to radiotherapy (RT) departments is often inadequate, and limited research has been conducted on this specific population. This study aimed to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of pain management when patients are referred for RT. Moreover, we explored potential predictors of adequate pain management. Methods: This observational, prospective, multicenter cohort study included cancer patients aged 18 years or older who were referred to RT departments. A pain management assessment was conducted using the Pain Management Index (PMI), calculated by subtracting the pain score from the analgesic score (PMI < 0 indicated inadequate pain management). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictors of adequate pain management. Results: A total of 1042 cancer outpatients were included in the study. The analysis revealed that 42.9% of patients with pain did not receive adequate pain management based on PMI values. Among patients with pain or taking analgesics and referred to palliative or curative RT, 72% and 75% had inadequate or ineffective analgesic therapy, respectively. The odds of receiving adequate pain management (PMI ≥ 0) were higher in patients undergoing palliative RT (OR 2.52; p < 0.001), with worse ECOG-PS scores of 2, 3 and 4 (OR 1.63, 2.23, 5.31, respectively; p: 0.017, 0.002, 0.009, respectively) compared to a score of 1 for those with cancer-related pain (OR 0.38; p < 0.001), and treated in northern Italy compared to central and southern of Italy (OR 0.25, 0.42, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, a substantial proportion of cancer patients referred to RT departments did not receive adequate pain management. Educational and organizational strategies are necessary to address the inadequate pain management observed in this population. Moreover, increasing the attention paid to non-cancer pain and an earlier referral of patients for palliative RT in the course of the disease may improve pain response and treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using Proof-Schemes Combined, our extension of Harel and Sowder’s Proof-Schemes taxonomy, we introduce the nascent deductive proof schemes construct (proof-scheme combinations that contain elements of deductive mathematical reasoning) and present evidence of these in written responses to ten items of 85 Year 9 (age 14–15) secondary students. We capture these students’ first encounters with proof in an educational context (mixed-ability, state schools in Greece) where proof is present in lessons and key national examinations. In previous analyses, we identified evidence in the students’ responses of Harel and Sowder’s seven proof schemes and of the eight proof-scheme combinations from our Proof-Schemes Combined taxonomy. Here, we present evidence – found in 383 out of 850 student responses – of five of the fifteen proof schemes that were nascent deductive proof schemes. Our findings contribute to non-deficit discourses about students’ mathematical reasoning potential and provide evidence in favour of proof readiness in early adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) panels that include glucocorticoid-related steroids are increasingly used to characterize and diagnose adrenal cortical diseases. Limited information is currently available about reproducibility of these measurements among laboratories. The aim of the study was to compare LC-MS/MS measurements of corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol and cortisone at eight European centers and assess the performance after unification of calibration. Seventy-eight patient samples and commercial calibrators were measured twice by laboratory-specific procedures. Results were obtained according to in-house and external calibration. We evaluated intra-laboratory and inter-laboratory imprecision, regression and agreement against performance specifications derived from 11-deoxycortisol biological variation. Intra-laboratory CVs ranged between 3.3 and 7.7%, 3.3 and 11.8% and 2.7 and 12.8% for corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol and cortisone, with 1, 4 and 3 laboratories often exceeding the maximum allowable imprecision (MAI), respectively. Median inter-laboratory CVs were 10.0, 10.7 and 6.2%, with 38.5, 50.7 and 2.6% cases exceeding the MAI for corticosterone, 11-deoxycortisol and cortisone, respectively. Median laboratory bias vs. all laboratory-medians ranged from −5.6 to 12.3% for corticosterone, −14.6 to 12.4% for 11-deoxycortisol and −4.0 to 6.5% for cortisone, with few cases exceeding the total allowable error. Modest deviations were found in regression equations among most laboratories. External calibration did not improve 11-deoxycortisol and worsened corticosterone and cortisone inter-laboratory comparability. Method imprecision was variable. Inter-laboratory performance was reasonably good. However, cases with imprecision and total error above the acceptable limits were apparent for corticosterone and 11-deoxycortisol. Variability did not depend on calibration but apparently on imprecision, accuracy and specificity of individual methods. Tools for improving selectivity and accuracy are required to improve harmonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]