Search

In modern university education, quantitative analytical skills seem best acquired through deep learning of complex, multi-faceted problems. Our quasi-experimental design tested whether student achievement in an immersive classroom case study might affect subsequent academic performance, presumably reflecting deeper learning of fundamental principles in an accounting course. We analyzed exam scores of three behavior-based student groups: (a) “OOP,” who Opted Out of the immersive case study Project, (b) “BMP,” who earned Below Median marks on the Project, and (c) “AMP,” who scored At least the Median on the Project. Results indicate that student academic performance declined at effectively equal rates among the three student groups in any given semester. Surprisingly, students’ self-reported deep strategy more strongly predicted their academic performance, accounting for more than 30% of exam score variation; group membership explained only 1.93% of exam score variation. These results underscore the need to document student learning approaches explicitly in order to complement observations of student classroom behaviors and academic performance.

We present the observations of two type III solar radio events performed with LOFAR (LOw-Frequency ARray) station in Bałdy (PL612), Poland in single mode. The first event occurred on 20th August 2017 and the second one on 9th September 2017. Solar dynamic spectra were recorded in the 10 MHz up to 90 MHz frequency band. Together with the wide frequency bandwidth LOFAR telescope (with single station used) provides also high frequency and high sensitivity observations. Additionally to LOFAR observations, the data recorded by instruments on boards of the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) and Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) in the UV spectral range complement observations in the radio field. Unfortunately, only the radio event from 9th September 2017 was observed by both satellites. Our study shows that the LOFAR single station observations, in combination with observations at other wavelengths can be very useful for better understanding of the environment in which the type III radio events occur.

International audience; Peng et al. (1) conclude that a fast increase in the mass absorption cross-section (MAC) of black carbon (BC) in urban environments leads to significantly increased estimates of the BC radiative forcing (RF). Their chamber measurements are highly valuable and complement observations performed in ambient conditions, but their "enhancement factor" relative to an unspec-ified baseline may not be directly comparable to values used or simulated in global aerosol models. MAC, a key parameter in our understanding of the net BC climate impact, is indeed a more relevant quantity to examine. A fast MAC enhancement in polluted environments as the BC gets coated with organic and inorganic species is consistent with recent findings (2, 3). Global models used in AeroCom [table S1 in Peng et al. (1), ref. 4] have an average MAC of ∼8 m 2 ·g −1 at 550 nm. This value is reflecting reported measurements, although there is a large spatial and seasonal variability in ambient MAC for aged particles, with values of ∼10 m 2 ·g −1 at a rural Northern Chinese site (2) (at 678 nm); 6-14 m 2 ·g −1 at rural, urban, and high-altitude Indian locations (5) (at 678 nm); and ∼6 m 2 ·g −1 at an Arctic site (6) (at 522 nm). Coating of BC by soluble species not only enhances absorption of solar radiation but also reduces the BC atmospheric lifetime (7). Fig. 1 shows an offset between the increase in average MAC value with faster BC aging and an overall shorter BC lifetime, resulting in a near-constant BC aerosol absorption optical depth and RF with aging time. Furthermore, current global aerosol models frequently have a too long BC lifetime and consequently overestimate BC concentrations downwind from source regions (8). According to Peng et al. (1), their BC absorption enhancement factor of 2.4 is also an upper bound, only reached after 5 (Beijing) to 18 (Houston) h, and possibly longer in cleaner environments. Such timescales are not small compared with the BC atmospheric lifetime of 3-5 d, especially considering that dilution effects may lengthen the aging timescale in the real atmosphere compared with the static chamber measurements performed by Peng et al. It is unclear how representative these measurements are for global and annual averages, but we know that generalizations can introduce serious errors due to spatial and temporal sampling issues (9). This implies that a simple scaling of the BC RF by the absorption enhancement factor measured by Peng et al.-as performed by the authors in their table S1 and figure 4, and extended in the commentary (10)-is overly simplistic. In conclusion, although we welcome the advances made by Peng et al., their conclusion of a +0.45 [0.21-0.80] W·m −2 additional RF due to a large BC enhancement factor is premature. The jury is still out on the question of the net climate impact of BC and how much climate cobenefit will result from the necessary mitigation of BC emissions. Reducing the uncertainty on the BC forcing requires better constraining BC MAC and atmospheric lifetime in global aerosol models.

International audience; This article aims to provide a clearer view on the recent evolutions of the Vietnamese banking system that can be useful to public authority when taking restructuring decisions. This article focuses on the evolution of productivity of Vietnamese banks over the period 2008 to 2012, and on the evolution of the different components of this productivity: technical change, pure technical efficiency and mix and scale efficiency. The methodology draws from very recent developments in index theory in the design of multiplicative-complete economically ideal indexes, using Färe-Primont productivity indexes to measure productivity. This methodology is applied to a balanced panel of Vietnamese banks. The results complement observations usually made on the recent development of the Vietnamese banking system. They show that the State Bank of Vietnam’s restructuring policy cannot focus only on either the insufficient size of banks or a better management of these banks in terms of the mix of outputs. Both must be considered simultaneously, not only through bank mergers but also in setting management criteria in line with criteria defined internationally.

When movie-goers are thrilled by cinematic imagery portraying transcendent motor action, they are drawn into a world of imagination more often inhabited only in dreams of flying or of perfectly executed motion. The drive toward free and expansive movement which such dreams portray doesn't require explanation in terms of symbolic links to other aims, as has been common in the literature. The aim to achieve mastery in the locomotor sphere of action is a basic aim, in itself, integral to ego development. The developing child could not begin to organize perception, intention, and a coherent sense of self without this drive to move. This proposition is supported by emerging views of the ways the developing nervous system integrates systems mediating perception, action, and affect, which complement observations of the bodycentered development of mutual recognition in infants and their caregivers.

The contributions of Cajal to Neuroembryology are glossed with the help of a selection of images extracted from Cajals (1929) own synthesis of his neuroembryological output, laying emphasis on the persisting relevance and unsurpassed quality of many individual achievements and milestones he delivered on neurohistogenesis, practically throughout his career. Cajals theoretical background as regards embryology, morphology, comparative neuroanatomy and evolution is sketched at the beginning. The body of the review is divided into sections covering spinal cord, cerebellum, cortex, retina, sensory organs and muscular terminals, and astroglia. The deep and common-sensical conceptual analysis of neural histological variation during development performed by Cajal is highlighted at several points, as well as the places where he advanced genial conjectures that reached far forward in time, placing him still at the front of present day neuroembryological thinking. Some errors committed by Cajal are also commented upon. At one point (the retina), some of the present authors own observations with a Golgi method variant are presented, as they complement observations that Cajal left incomplete because of technical problems. The major neuroembryological works of Cajals pupil Jorge F.Tello are mentioned at the end.

The numbers of normal copies of each of the chromosomes in representative karyotypes from 165 malignant tumors of the bladder, breast, cervix, colorectum, and testis studied in this laboratory or described in the literature were assessed to determine whether particular chromosomes were over- or underrepresented. For each chromosome, the mean number of copies was expressed as a percentage of the number expected on the basis of the total number of chromosomes in the karyotypes. The most highly represented autosomes in the tumors as a whole were, in descending order of frequency, numbers 7, 20, 12, 19, 21, and 3, while those most underrepresented were numbers 10, 1, 4, 5, 14, 17, 11, and 18. In tumors of males, the Y tended to be underrepresented. The X was highly represented in the testicular tumors (there were usually two or more copies) and in colorectal tumors of males, but not in the other tumor categories studied. For the tumors as a whole, statistically significant differences could be demonstrated between pairs of autosomes that were at opposite ends of the frequency range. Differences between tumors at the different sites studied were not demonstrable. It is suggested that the determination of the number of normal copies of chromosomes, i.e., whether there are more or fewer than expected, may usefully complement observations on structural changes by reflecting the presence of oncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, respectively. It may also point to chromosomes that are involved in significant genic changes in which cytogenetic observations on structural changes are equivocal.

The Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF), a 0.85-meter, cryogenically-cooled telescope, will be launched in 2002. SIRTF will extensively make use of large-format detector arrays. These, combined with the sky visibility of SIRTF’s solar orbit will facilitate significant surveys. SIRTF surveys will complement observations by NASA’s other Great Observatories and will enable follow-up SIRTF studies. Data from the large, “SIRTF Legacy Science Program” will be made widely available, on a rapid, non-proprietary release, to the general astronomical community.

Intense effort has gone into the observation of optical, radio and X-ray GRB counterparts, either simultaneous to the burst or as quasi-steady remnants. Here we report on a similar study at higher energies of 250 GeV and above using ground-based telescopes. Imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes have achieved great sensitivity and now complement observations by orbiting telescopes such as CGRO. Previous studies of bursts by the Whipple Collaboration (4) combined with recent improvements to the telescope, indicate that sensitivity to a fluence of 6×10−9 erg-cm−2 can be achieved. Observations by the Whipple Collaboration of nine BATSE positions, one within 2 minutes of the BATSE burst, using coordinates distributed through BACODINE will be reported. Analysis techniques will be described and an upper limit to the high-energy delayed or extended emission of observed candidates will be calculated.

The structure of the free segment of the malpighian tubules of Onymacris plana plana Peringuey (Coleoptera : Tenebrionidae) has been examined to complement observations on tubule activity (Nicolson and Hanrahan, 1986). O. plana lives in arid conditions in the Namib desert and may be subject to periods of desiccation and to fogs when humidity is high. Cell structure of malpighian tubules from the following were examined; beetles from the field, beetles kept in humid and arid laboratory conditions, in vitro tubule preparations treated with substances such as CAMP and corpora cardiaca extract. The free segment is composed of a longer yellow distal region and a shorter colourless proximal region. Type 1 and Type 2 cells were present in the distal region, the latter being few in number, irregular in shape, and relatively small. Type 1 cells varied in appearance when the tubules were exposed to different conditions. Laminate spheres were common in these cells when the beetles had been desiccated, either under laboratory or field conditions. Few were present in the tubules of insects kept in water balance. Exposure to dilute Ringer or cAMP caused the channels between the basal infoldings to widen. Exposure to extracts of brain or corpora cardiaca containing diuretic hormone did not have this effect. In dehydrated beetles, the laminate spheres did not disappear when the tubules were treated with diuretic hormone. Type 1 cell structure is influenced by the conditions that the beetle experiences.

Early idiopathic hemochromatosis was diagnosed in a 52-year-old woman during the course of a hospitalization for another disorder. Quantitative studies revealed massive hepatic parenchymal siderosis and absent stainable marrow iron. Additionally, intestinal absorption and hepatic sequestration of radiolabeled iron were elevated. These studies in a patient with very early hemochromatosis, before organ damage, complement observations previously made in patients with advanced disease and provide further support for the concept that this disorder may result from impaired reticuloendothelial handling of iron.

Cisternography and ventriculography were performed in five normal anesthetized dogs to study the dynamics of tracer dispersal. Indium 111-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid was injected into lateral ventricles, cisterna magna, thoracic subarachnoid space, and lumbar sac. The patterns of dispersal from each injection site support a nonflow dispersal mechanism with a tendency toward ultimate equilibrium distribution throughout the cerebrospinal fluid. Quantitative data in humans complement observations made in dogs. A theory of abnormal tracer movements, based on factors observed to affect tracer dispersal in dog and man, is proposed and applied to the interpretation of abnormal cisternographic patterns seen in clinical situations.