Search

A call for educational reform motivated this school system to devise an enhanced version of STEM in their middle school. This case provides rich descriptions of how eighth grade middle school teachers, from multiple disciplines, enacted a STEAM team model that integrated Language Arts into STEM. These STEAM team teachers were systematically studied during field observations of 100+ class sessions using what they referred to as "transdisciplinary co-teaching," flexible scheduling, and multiple types of physical spaces to further engage students. Different dimensions of co-teaching were observed. The most frequently observed was "reconstructed," followed by "predisciplinary," "correlated," and "shared." Types of instruction other than "reconstructed," did not fit the school's proposed definitions of "transdisciplinary co-teaching." Thoughts are shared on lessons learned.

Abstract Root growth is crucial in crop production and is influenced by soil attributes, but also affects soil chemical, physical and biological quality, along with management and conservation practices. In this paper, soybean root growth data from a field study at Guarapuava, Paraná State, Brazil are examined. In 2019, at a farm with over 35 years of no-tillage system (NT) adoption, three management sets were established in 1,1 ha macroplots: 1) farmer's NT standard (FNT), without terraces, with downhill farming and with autumn fallow; 2) autumn cover crops and contour farming added to FNT, as best management practices (BMP); 3) terraces and contour farming (TC) added to FNT. Soybean was sowed in November 2020 and 2021, and minirhizotron tubes (1 m long, 7 cm wide) were installed into the soil just after soybean emerged in 2020. Root length, area, volume, and diameter were evaluated with the help of a root scanner. Data were submitted to descriptive statistics. The added conservation practices improved root length, area and volume, significantly for BMP in the subsoil (40-60 cm) compared to FNT standard. Minirhizotron enabled the study of roots in the field, but data variability was high, so that for annual crops with pivoting roots like soybean, root observation points (6 per plot) must be increased, and crop stand close to the observation points is a critical font of error.

Background: Immersive virtual reality (IVR) applications that support student learning have gained increasing interest. However, empirical studies exploring the educational potential of using IVR in primary school science classrooms are lacking. Objectives: This study developed a series of IVR science lessons for primary school students and examined the effects of these lessons on learning outcomes. Methods: Our mixed-method approach employed pre- and post-tests to measure academic achievement, questionnaires to measure motivation and cognitive load, and semi-structured interviews to further explore students' feelings and attitudes about IVR science lessons. Participants included 362 Grade 4 students assigned to either the experimental (IVR-based classroom) or control (traditional classroom) groups. The experimental group engaged in IVR science lessons using Head-Mounted Displays; the control group learned the same material through traditional methods. Results and conclusions: The results showed that the IVR-based classroom significantly improved primary students' academic achievement and science motivation and decreased their cognitive load. Moreover, the experimental group reported positive experiences with the IVR science lessons. Takeaways: These findings help unpack the relationships between IVR and academic achievement, science motivation, and cognitive load in primary school science lessons, thus providing insight on integrating IVR into existing classrooms.

The oceanic forcing of basal melt under floating ice shelves in Greenland and Antarctica is one of the major sources of uncertainty in climate ice sheet modelling. We use a high-resolution, nonhydrostatic configuration of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology general circulation model (MITgcm) to investigate basal melt rates and melt-driven circulation in the Sherard Osborn Fjord under the floating tongue of Ryder Glacier, northwestern Greenland. The control model configuration, based on the first-ever observational survey by Ryder 2019 Expedition, yielded melt rates consistent with independent satellite estimates. A protocol of model sensitivity experiments quantified the response to oceanic thermal forcing due to warming Atlantic Water and to the buoyancy input from the subglacial discharge of surface fresh water. We found that the average basal melt rates show a nonlinear response to oceanic forcing in the lower range of ocean temperatures, while the response becomes indistinguishable from linear for higher ocean temperatures, which unifies the results from previous modelling studies of other marine-terminating glaciers. The melt rate response to subglacial discharge is sublinear, consistent with other studies. The melt rates and circulation below the ice tongue exhibit a spatial pattern that is determined by the ambient density stratification.

A clinical influenza isolate with dual antiviral resistant mutations displays a moderate loss of viral fitness in ferrets compared to wild-type virus, suggesting widespread community transmission of this dual mutant is unlikely.

The vast majority of research dedicated to enhancing the homogenous charge compression ignition (HCCI) low-temperature combustion system is focused on improving controllability, efficiency and emissions. This article aims to assess the impact of HCCI combustion on the operation of the piston ring system. Utilizing the measured pressures in the combustion chamber of a single-cylinder research engine operating in spark ignition (SI) and HCCI modes at various loads, simulations were carried out using an advanced ring pack model. This model integrates the gas flow, ring dynamics and ring mixed lubrication models. Simulations revealed that differences in the pressure above the piston between the HCCI and SI combustion significantly influence ring pack performance. The predicted energy losses due to the friction of piston rings against the cylinder liner are up to 5% higher in the HCCI engine than in the SI engine. This identified drawback diminishes the advantages of the HCCI engine resulting from higher thermal efficiency, and efforts should be made to minimize this negative impact.

Influenza antiviral drugs are important tools in our fight against both annual influenza epidemics and pandemics. Polyphenols are a group of compounds found in plants, some of which have demonstrated promising antiviral activity. Previous in vitro and mouse studies have outlined the anti-influenza virus effectiveness of the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG); however, no study has utilised the ferret model, which is considered the gold-standard for influenza antiviral studies. This study aimed to explore the antiviral efficacy of EGCG in vitro and in ferrets. We first performed studies in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) and human lung carcinoma (Calu-3) cells, which demonstrated antiviral activity. In MDCK cells, we observed a selective index (SI, CC50/IC50) of 77 (290 µM/3.8 µM) and 96 (290 µM/3.0 µM) against A/California/07/2009 and A/Victoria/2570/2019 (H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus, respectively. Calu-3 cells demonstrated a SI of 16 (420 µM/26 µM) and 18 (420 µM/24 µM). Ferrets infected with A/California/07/2009 influenza virus and treated with EGCG (500 mg/kg/day for 4 days) had no change in respiratory tissue viral titres, in contrast to oseltamivir treatment, which significantly reduced viral load in the lungs of treated animals. Therefore, we demonstrated that although EGCG showed antiviral activity in vitro against influenza viruses, the drug failed to impair viral replication in the respiratory tract of ferrets.

This study focused on student-content interactions and engagement in an online graduate course. Student descriptions of their experiences and learning processes in relation to digital course resources were examined to understand how and why resources were used. Fourteen students provided detailed explanations of their use and perceived value of resources in gaining content knowledge. Results were mapped by whole group to examine patterns of behavior in use of course e-text, video tutorials, and self-check quizzes. Interactions with course e-text and video tutorials -- reported as the primary sources for learning content -- were also mapped on an individual level. Student explanations were then examined through the lens of Generative Learning Theory to further describe students process for learning content. Continued study of connections between learning resources and student-content interaction and engagement may inform effective and efficient design of online educational experiences.

ABSTRACT Amino acid substitutions I38T and E23K in the influenza polymerase acidic (PA) protein lead to reduced susceptibility to the influenza antiviral drug baloxavir. The in vivo effectiveness of baloxavir and oseltamivir for treatment of these viruses is currently unknown. Using patient-derived influenza isolates, combination therapy was equally effective as monotherapy in reducing viral titers in the upper respiratory tract of ferrets infected with A(H1N1pdm09)-PA/E23K or A(H3N2)-PA/I38T. When treated with baloxavir plus oseltamivir, infection with a mixture of PA/I38T or PA/E23K and corresponding wild-type virus was characterized by a lower selection of viruses with reduced baloxavir susceptibility over the course of infection compared to baloxavir monotherapy. De novo emergence of the oseltamivir resistance mutation NA/H275Y occurred in ferrets treated with oseltamivir alone but not in ferrets treated with baloxavir plus oseltamivir. Our data suggest that combination therapy with influenza drugs with different mechanisms of action decreased the selection pressure for viruses with reduced drug susceptibility. IMPORTANCE Influenza viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide but can be treated with antiviral drugs. In 2018, a highly effective antiviral drug, baloxavir marboxil, was licensed. However, the selection of viruses with baloxavir resistance was relatively high following treatment, which may compromise the effectiveness of the drug. Here, we took two different influenza viruses that are resistant to baloxavir and tested the effectiveness alone and in combination with oseltamivir (a second influenza antiviral drug) in the ferret model. Our findings suggest that combination treatment may be a more effective method than monotherapy to reduce the selection of resistant viruses. These results may have important clinical implications for the treatment of influenza.

Antiviral drugs are an important measure of control for influenza in the population, particularly for those that are severely ill or hospitalised. The neuraminidase inhibitor (NAI) class of drugs, including oseltamivir, have been the standard of care (SOC) for severe influenza illness for many years. The approval of drugs with novel mechanisms of action, such as baloxavir marboxil, is important and broadens potential treatment options for combination therapy. The use of antiviral treatments in combination for influenza is of interest; one potential benefit of this treatment strategy is that the combination of drugs with different mechanisms of action may lower the selection of resistance due to treatment. In addition, combination therapy may become an important treatment option to improve patient outcomes in those with severe illness due to influenza or those that are immunocompromised. Clinical trials increasingly evaluate drug combinations in a range of patient cohorts. Here, we summarise preclinical and clinical advances in combination therapy for the treatment of influenza with reference to immunocompromised animal models and clinical data in hospitalised patient cohorts where available. There is a wide array of drug categories in development that have also been tested in combination. Therefore, in this review, we have included polymerase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), host-targeted therapies, and adjunctive therapies. Combination treatment regimens should be carefully evaluated to determine whether they provide an added benefit relative to effectiveness of monotherapy and in a variety of patient cohorts, particularly, if there is a greater chance of an adverse outcome. Safe and effective treatment of influenza is important not only for seasonal influenza infection, but also if a pandemic strain was to emerge.

This paper concentrates on the newly improved algorithm for solving the single-machine total weighted tardiness (SMTWT) problem, called Algorithm Inspired by Tree and Sorting (AIT-S). The algorithm is based on searching the solution space along with the tree and sorting rules. The properties of the algorithm are studied taking into account the results of experiments made using the designed and implemented experimentation system. This system allows in tuning the parameters of the algorithm as well as to compare the effects obtained by AIT-S algorithm with effects of AIT algorithm, and known meta-heuristic algorithms. The paper shows that the proposed algorithm still requires some improvements, however, it seems to be promising.

Decreasing production and rising prices of cars, especially those with electric drive, lead to longer use of cars with internal combustion engines. It can be assumed that in the future, more and more cars powered by such engines with high mileage and therefore high wear will be used. Engine wear leads to reduced efficiency and increased emissions. This paper analyzes the impact of wear of the piston–rings–cylinder system components on energy losses associated with gas leakage from the combustion chamber and friction of the rings against the cylinder liner in a car spark-ignition engine. A ring pack model was used for the analyses. The input data for the simulation were gained in measurements made on the engine test stand and measurements of the wear of the engine components used in the car. The energy losses associated with blow-by in an unworn engine ranged from 1.5% of the indicated work at high load to almost 5% at low load. In the engine after 300,000 km, these losses increased to 2.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Ring friction losses in an unworn engine ranged from 1.5% at high load to 9% at low load. The effect of wear on these losses was smaller. They increased by only 0.1% at high load and 1% at low load.

This study investigated the case-based method (CBM) instructional-design theory and its application in designing self-directed online instruction. The purpose of this study was to validate and refine the theory for a self-directed online instruction context. Guided by formative research methodology, this study first developed an online tutorial based on 13 design assumptions synthesized from the CBM literature. The researchers then formatively evaluated the online tutorial as a design instance of CBM through two iterations of design, evaluation, and revision. The major findings included: (1) perceived value of various CBM design features, (2) benefits and limitations of applying CBM in the tutorial design, and (3) validation and revision of a set of generic and context-specific CBM design assumptions. These findings extend our understanding of CBM to the context of self-directed online instruction and provide useful insights and practical guidance to inform instructional design practices.

This study investigated how community college students in an online introductory-level language course self-regulated their learning while using digital learning resources. An analysis of reflective journals revealed that learners reported engaging with resources in ways consistent with the six dimensions of self-regulated learning. Only learners who demonstrated higher levels of oral proficiency reported monitoring performance. There were also differences in use of time and methods of learning used by learners at different performance levels. All participants struggled to remain motivated throughout the course. These findings offer evidence that providing scaffolding for monitoring performance, methods of learning, use of time, and motivation may be helpful to online language learners.

Reflective thinking is important to young adolescents as they develop their thinking skills. Various instructional methods have been recommended to support reflective thinking, yet the nature of the underlying factors in these methods is unclear. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the factors prompting reflective thinking. Results of this study suggest that young students perceived three clusters of methods as supporting their reflection: reflective learning environments, reflective teaching methods, and reflective scaffolding tools. A one-way within subjects ANOVA showed that the most helpful factor was the reflective learning environment, with the most helpful elements being freedom and collaboration. Students' perceptions of concept mapping and reflective question prompts were found to differ significantly across gender. Recommendations are provided for designing learning environments that prompt reflective thinking.

Baloxavir is approved in several countries for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza in otherwise-healthy and high-risk patients. Treatment-emergent viruses with reduced susceptibility to baloxavir have been detected in clinical trials, but the likelihood of widespread occurrence depends on replication capacity and onward transmission. We evaluated the fitness of A/H3N2 and A/H1N1pdm09 viruses with the polymerase acidic (PA) I38T-variant conferring reduced susceptibility to baloxavir relative to wild-type (WT) viruses, using a competitive mixture ferret model, recombinant viruses and patient-derived virus isolates. The A/H3N2 PA/I38T virus showed a reduction in within-host fitness but comparable between-host fitness to the WT virus, while the A/H1N1pdm09 PA/I38T virus had broadly similar within-host fitness but substantially lower between-host fitness. Although PA/I38T viruses replicate and transmit between ferrets, our data suggest that viruses with this amino acid substitution have lower fitness relative to WT and this relative fitness cost was greater in A/H1N1pdm09 viruses than in A/H3N2 viruses.

The accumulation of specific metabolic intermediates is known to promote cancer progression. We analyzed the role of 4-pyridone-3-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribonucleoside (4PYR), a nucleotide metabolite that accumulates in the blood of cancer patients, using the 4T1 murine in vivo breast cancer model, and cultured cancer (4T1) and endothelial cells (ECs) for in vitro studies. In vivo studies demonstrated that 4PYR facilitated lung metastasis without affecting primary tumor growth. In vitro studies demonstrated that 4PYR affected extracellular adenine nucleotide metabolism and the intracellular energy status in ECs, shifting catabolite patterns toward the accumulation of extracellular inosine, and leading to the increased permeability of lung ECs. These changes prevailed over the direct effect of 4PYR on 4T1 cells that reduced their invasive potential through 4PYR-induced modulation of the CD73-adenosine axis. We conclude that 4PYR is an oncometabolite that affects later stages of the metastatic cascade by acting specifically through the regulation of EC permeability and metabolic controls of inflammation.

The disruption of the metabolism of extracellular NAD+ and NMN may affect related signaling cascades and pathologies, such as cardiovascular or respiratory system diseases. We aimed to study NAD+ and NMN hydrolysis on surface endothelial cells of diverse origins and with genetically modified nucleotide catabolism pathways. We tested lung endothelial cells isolated from C57BL/6 J wild-type (WT) and C57BL/6 J CD73 knockout (CD73 KO) mice, the transfected porcine iliac artery endothelial cell line (PIEC) with the human E5NT gene for CD73 (PIEC CD73), and a mock-transfected control (PIEC MOCK), as well as HMEC-1 and H5V cells. Substrate conversion into the product was followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We showed profound differences in extracellular NAD+ and NMN metabolism related to the vessel origin, species diversity, and type of culture. We also confirmed the involvement of CD38 and CD73 in NAD+ and NMN cleavage.

Influenza viruses cause seasonal outbreaks and pose a continuous pandemic threat. Although vaccines are available for influenza control, their efficacy varies each season and a vaccine for a novel pandemic virus manufactured using current technology will not be available fast enough to mitigate the effect of the first pandemic wave. Antivirals can be effective against many different influenza viruses but have not thus far been used extensively for outbreak control. Baloxavir, a recently licensed antiviral drug that targets the influenza virus endonuclease, has been shown to reduce virus shedding more effectively than oseltamivir, a widely used neuraminidase inhibitor drug. Thus it is possible that treatment with baloxavir might also interrupt onward virus transmission. To test this, we utilized the ferret model, which is the most commonly used animal model to study influenza virus transmission. We established a subcutaneous baloxavir administration method in ferrets which achieved similar pharmacokinetics to the approved human oral dose. Transmission studies were then conducted in two different locations with different experimental setups to compare the onward transmission of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus from infected ferrets treated with baloxavir, oseltamivir or placebo to naïve sentinel ferrets exposed either indirectly in adjacent cages or directly by co-housing. We found that baloxavir treatment reduced infectious viral shedding in the upper respiratory tract of ferrets compared to placebo, and reduced the frequency of transmission amongst sentinels in both experimental setups, even when treatment was delayed until 2 days post-infection. In contrast, oseltamivir treatment did not substantially affect viral shedding or transmission compared to placebo. We did not detect the emergence of baloxavir-resistant variants in treated animals or in untreated sentinels. Our results support the concept that antivirals which decrease viral shedding could also reduce influenza transmission in the community.

The First Principles of Instruction (FPI) represent ideologies found in most instructional design theories and models. Few attempts, however, have been made to empirically test the relationship of these FPI to instructional outcomes. This study addresses whether the degree to which FPI are implemented in courses makes a difference to student cognitive engagement, taking into account the mediating role of individual goals. A multilevel meditation model was tested with 1,070 undergraduate students from 29 courses in a Korean university. Findings demonstrated that the influences of course-level implementation of FPI influence cognitive engagement through individual intrinsic goal orientation. Course-level implementation of FP does not directly affect surface strategy use and self-regulated strategy use; rather, the effect of FPI appears to be mediated by intrinsic goal orientations. Course-level implementation of FPI also appears to affect deep cognitive strategy use directly as well as indirectly through intrinsic goal orientation. The present study added novel evidence linking Merrill's First Principles of Instruction to cognitive engagement.

The air–sea interface is a key gateway in the Earth system. It is where the atmosphere sets the ocean in motion, climate/weather-relevant air–sea processes occur, and pollutants (i.e., plastic, anthropogenic carbon dioxide, radioactive/chemical waste) enter the sea. Hence, accurate estimates and forecasts of physical and biogeochemical processes at this interface are critical for sustainable blue economy planning, growth, and disaster mitigation. Such estimates and forecasts rely on accurate and integrated in situ and satellite surface observations. High-impact uses of ocean surface observations of essential ocean/climate variables (EOVs/ECVs) include (1) assimilation into/validation of weather, ocean, and climate forecast models to improve their skill, impact, and value; (2) ocean physics studies (i.e., heat, momentum, freshwater, and biogeochemical air–sea fluxes) to further our understanding and parameterization of air–sea processes; and (3) calibration and validation of satellite ocean products (i.e., currents, temperature, salinity, sea level, ocean color, wind, and waves). We review strengths and limitations, impacts, and sustainability of in situ ocean surface observations of several ECVs and EOVs. We draw a 10-year vision of the global ocean surface observing network for improved synergy and integration with other observing systems (e.g., satellites), for modeling/forecast efforts, and for a better ocean observing governance. The context is both the applications listed above and the guidelines of frameworks such as the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) (both co-sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, IOC–UNESCO; the World Meteorological Organization, WMO; the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP; and the International Science Council, ISC). Networks of multiparametric platforms, such as the global drifter array, offer opportunities for new and improved in situ observations. Advances in sensor technology (e.g., low-cost wave sensors), high-throughput communications, evolving cyberinfrastructures, and data information systems with potential to improve the scope, efficiency, integration, and sustainability of the ocean surface observing system are explored.

Purpose: The Department of Pediatrics at SUNY Upstate Medical University in collaboration with the Instructional Design, Development, and Evaluation Department in Syracuse University's School of Education recently undertook a curricular reform effort that included translation of the residency program's annual core didactic lecture series to an online format. The present study examines the design factors and pedagogical techniques that enhanced or inhibited the successful implementation of the newly developed online core curriculum. Methods: This study employed a qualitative focus group methodology to identify learner perceptions of the affordances and barriers of the Pediatric Online Core Curriculum for resident education. Four focus group sessions were conducted with a mixture of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year residents participating in the pediatric residency program at SUNY Upstate Medical University. Anonymous transcripts of the interview sessions were independently coded and utilized in the data analysis. Results: Eight major themes emerged that impacted the learning experience of residents utilizing the online curriculum. These themes included; curriculum quality, design, feedback, implementation, media features, integration, time, and learner centered issues. The study analysis concludes with six design principles for online curricula to promote their successful employment and utilization. Conclusions: The potential benefits of online learning systems will not be realized unless appropriate instructional methods are employed in their design and development. The present study examines the perceived affordances and barriers to implementation of online curricula and concludes with principles that can be used to influence the design of future curricula. (Contains 2 figures.)

This study compared instructional methods used and levels of student engagement in treatment (n = 4) and comparison (n = 4) classrooms of 40 or more students for two weeks in Thailand. Observations were conducted in all classrooms pre- and post-intervention. The treatment group received the intervention: a workshop focused on strategies to engage students more deeply in learning activities and in-class instructional coaching support. Analysis of pre- and post-intervention data showed improvements in student engagement in the treatment teachers' classes. Post-observations showed that treatment teachers used a greater variety of instructional methods, student groupings, student activities, and student-centered instructional methods than in pre-observations. (Contains 8 figures and 6 tables.)

Worldwide growth in use of mobile phones has fostered the emergence of mobile learning. Mobile technologies are used both in classrooms to support instruction (safe) and as tools that significantly change instructional activities, learner roles, and learning location (disruptive). Learners become less consumers of information and more collaborators, researchers, and publishers on-the-go (Stead, 2006). Scholarship in m-learning is scarce and lacks rigor (McNeal & van't Hooft, 2006). Even with increasing numbers of investigative studies there are still significant gaps in the literature (Litchfield et al., 2007). Little is understood about when m-technology is most useful and what constitutes good m-learning. A review of a broad range of investigative cases is presented and critiqued with suggestions for further research. Although both classroom-based and distance education topics are discussed, the distance education scholar and practitioner may benefit from learning more about these emerging technologies being used in face-to-face instruction.