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Success in post-secondary engineering graphics courses in technology and engineering often relies on self-efficacy, academic success, and mental rotation abilities. Using a facilitative instructor model, the Improving Undergraduate STEM Education (IUSE) team applied active learning modules as supplemental material at two post-secondary institutions in the United States of America, then used a quasi-experimental design iterative study approach to investigate impacts in an introductory engineering graphics course. Active learning modules were composed of ten units that engaged students through relatable examples and practices of foundational principles and applications of engineering graphics that are heavily applicable to the Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy. The modules were presented to students through an online learning management system that encouraged elements of self-regulated learning. Measurements of self-efficacy, mental rotation ability, and academic success were gathered. Differences in academic and non-academic indicators were examined in combination with students at risk of non-matriculation and students not at risk of non-matriculation subgroups. Results from paired t-tests supported previous findings that there are positive impacts of supplemental materials available to students. Students at risk of non-matriculation benefited from the combination of active learning modules and supplementary video tutorials resulting in greater self-efficacy and higher final exam scores than at-risk students whose modules did not include video tutorials. Students not at risk of non-matriculation had higher levels of self-efficacy and mental rotation ability when video tutorials were not included. With this information, engineering, engineering education, and other STEM programs can model elements of active learning modules to promote early student success in both subgroups. Furthermore, the IUSE team has published the material through open access for educators and students to utilize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organizing principle of American succession law--testamentary freedom--gives decedents a nearly unrestricted right to dispose of property. After surveying the justifications for testamentary freedom, I examine the circumstances in which it may be socially beneficial for courts to alter wills, trusts, and other gratuitous transfers at death: imperfect information, negative externalities, and intergenerational equity. These justifications correspond with many existing limitations on the freedom of testation. Yet, disregarding donor intent to maximize the donees' ex post interests, an increasingly common justification for intervention, is socially undesirable. Doing so ignores important ex ante considerations, including a donor's happiness, a donor's incentive to work, save, and invest, and the structure and timing of a donor's gifts. If donors believe courts may not facilitate their intent, donors may be less happy, accumulate less property, and alter gifts during life. Moreover, because the law often affects donor behavior, ignoring donative intent to benefit particular donees may harm not only the donors but also donees as a class. Thus, the living may themselves benefit if the law allows a certain degree of "dead hand" control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria have emerged as a central factor in the pathogenesis and progression of heart failure, and other cardiovascular diseases, as well, but no therapies are available to treat mitochondrial dysfunction. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute convened a group of leading experts in heart failure, cardiovascular diseases, and mitochondria research in August 2018. These experts reviewed the current state of science and identified key gaps and opportunities in basic, translational, and clinical research focusing on the potential of mitochondria-based therapeutic strategies in heart failure. The workshop provided short- and long-term recommendations for moving the field toward clinical strategies for the prevention and treatment of heart failure and cardiovascular diseases by using mitochondria-based approaches., (© 2019 American Heart Association, Inc.)