Whereas emerging technologies, such as touchscreen tablets, are bringing sensorimotor interaction back into mathematics learning activities, existing educational theory is not geared to inform or ...analyze passages from action to concept. We present case studies of tutor-student behaviors in an embodied-interaction learning environment, the Mathematical Imagery Trainer. Drawing on ecological dynamics-a blend of dynamical-systems theory and ecological psychology-we explain and demonstrate that: (a) students develop sensorimotor schemes as solutions to interaction problems; (b) each scheme is oriented on an attentional anchor-a real or imagined object, area, or other aspect or behavior of the perceptual manifold that emerges to facilitate motor-action coordination; and (c) when symbolic artifacts are introduced into the arena, they may both mediate new affordances for students' motor-action control and shift their discourse into explicit mathematical re-visualization of the environment. Symbolic artifacts are ontological hybrids evolving from things with which you act to things with which you think. Students engaged in embodied-interaction learning activities are first attracted to symbolic artifacts as prehensible environmental features optimizing their grip on the world, yet in the course of enacting the improved control routines, the artifacts become frames of reference for establishing and articulating quantitative systems known as mathematical reasoning.
Genome size is an important plant trait, with substantial interspecies variation. The mechanisms and selective pressures underlying genome size evolution are important topics in evolutionary biology. ...There is considerable diversity in Allium from the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, where genome size variation and related evolutionary mechanisms are poorly understood.
We reconstructed the Allium phylogeny using DNA sequences from 71 species. We also estimated genome sizes of 62 species, and determined chromosome numbers in 65 species. We examined the phylogenetic signal associated with genome size variation, and tested how well the data fit different evolutionary models. Correlations between genome size variations and seed mass, altitude and 19 bioclimatic factors were determined.
Allium genome sizes differed substantially between species and within diploids, triploids, tetraploids, hexaploids and octaploids. Size per monoploid genome (1Cx) tended to decrease with increasing ploidy levels. Allium polyploids tended to grow at a higher altitude than diploids. The phylogenetic tree was divided into three evolutionary branches. The genomes in Clade I were mostly close to the ancestral genome (18.781 pg) while those in Clades II and III tended to expand and contract, respectively. A weak phylogenetic signal was detected for Allium genome size. Furthermore, significant positive correlations were detected between genome size and seed mass, as well as between genome size and altitude. However, genome size was not correlated with 19 bioclimatic variables.
Allium genome size shows gradual evolution, followed by subsequent adaptive radiation. The three well-supported Allium clades are consistent with previous studies. The evolutionary patterns in different Allium clades revealed genome contraction, expansion and relative stasis. The Allium species in Clade II may follow adaptive radiation. The genome contraction in Clade III may be due to DNA loss after polyploidization. Allium genome size might be influenced by selective pressure due to the conditions on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (low temperature, high UV irradiation and abundant phosphate in the soil).
Recruitment of parents into a parenting program (PEP) can be a major challenge to practitioners and organizations that offer parenting support services. This article identifies strategies and factors ...that are likely to promote or hinder the recruitment of parents into PEPs, based on an overview of documentation about parental engagement. The action model of Chen’s program theory (Chen, 2015) was used to organize and present results based on components included in the implementation of programs. It appears that the effectiveness of parent recruitment strategies into PEPs is poorly documented, but different factors can influence the recruitment. In particular, the involvement of practitioners in promoting PEPs and the ecological context of families are factors to consider when recruiting parents. Results also suggest there is little information concerning the role of organizations in recruitment, because none of the listed factors directly concern them. Finally, this scoping review suggests areas to be explored and offers recommendations that could facilitate the recruitment of parents in PEPs by different actors involved in implementing programs. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: journal abstract)
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•A new rainwater harvesting suitability model is introduced.•The model differs from other because it flexibilizes weights of suitability attributes.•The model brings novelty because ...it considers site and project specific attributes.•The model is tested with an irrigation project located in a contaminated watershed.•Nitrosamines in the food chain may be hindered by irrigation with harvested rainwater.
This study introduces an improved rainwater harvesting (RWH) suitability model to help the implementation of agro-forestry projects (irrigation, wildfire combat) in catchments. The model combines a planning workflow to define suitability of catchments based on physical, socio-economic and ecologic variables, with an allocation workflow to constrain suitable RWH sites as function of project specific features (e.g., distance from rainfall collection to application area). The planning workflow comprises a Multi Criteria Analysis (MCA) implemented on a Geographic Information System (GIS), whereas the allocation workflow is based on a multiple-parameter ranking analysis. When compared to other similar models, improvement comes with the flexible weights of MCA and the entire allocation workflow. The method is tested in a contaminated watershed (the Ave River basin) located in Portugal. The pilot project encompasses the irrigation of a 400ha crop land that consumes 2.69Mm3 of water per year. The application of harvested water in the irrigation replaces the use of stream water with excessive anthropogenic nutrients that may raise nitrosamines in the food and accumulation in the food chain, with severe consequences to human health (cancer). The selected rainfall collection catchment is capable to harvest 12Mm3·yr−1 (≈ 4.5×the requirement) and is roughly 3km far from the application area assuring crop irrigation by gravity flow with modest transport costs. The RWH system is an 8-meter high that can be built in earth with reduced costs.
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The essential oil composition of P. lentiscus varied among 14 populations.The chemical differentiation among populations was determined using PCA and CCA.The ecological factors ...were the main responsible of the observed variability.All essential oils exhibited antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase activities.The biological activities varied according to the essential oil composition.
Essential oil leaves of 14 Tunisian Pistacia lentiscus L. (Anacardiaceae) populations, growing wild in three bioclimatic zones, were analyzed by GC-FID and GC⿿MS. The species was found to be rich in monoterpene hydrocarbons (41.9%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (40%). α-pinene (9.9%), limonene (8.5%), terpinen-4-ol (5.1%), β-caryophyllene (8.2%), germacrene D (11.9%) and δ-cadinene (8.5%) were found to be the main compounds.
Significant variations of essential oil composition, mainly of major compound percentages (α-pinene, limonene, terpinen-4-ol, β-caryophyllene, germacrene D and δ-cadinene), were detected between populations. PCA and CCA analyses showed a substantial chemical differentiation among populations that was mainly attributed to variation of climatic factors (precipitation, Emberger⿿s coefficient, summer precipitation, temperature of the warmest months in the year, evapotranspiration and winter cold stress) and altitude between the analyzed populations.
P. lentiscus essential oils were found to possess antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase activities. These activities varied significantly among populations. Essential oil of the species collected from the population 1 possessed the highest antiradical (993.4μg TE/g EO) and reducing power (13.8mmol Fe2+/g EO) activities. Essential oil from population 14 exhibited the uppermost capacity to prevent β-carotene bleaching (IC50=557.3μg/ml). The population 13 showed the most important ferrous ion chelating activity (IC50=130.6μg/ml). Essential oil from the population 6 was found to be the most effective inhibitory against acetylcholinesterase. Levels of antioxidant and antiacetylcholinesterase activities varied according to chemical composition of the investigated essential oils.
Despite the importance of life satisfaction for health and well-being, there is a paucity of longitudinal studies tracking changes in life satisfaction in ethnic minority youth. In a sample of 674 ...Mexican-origin youth, the present research examined life satisfaction trajectories from middle (age 14) to late adolescence (age 17) and from late adolescence to young adulthood (age 21). On average, life satisfaction did not change significantly from age 14 to 17, and then decreased from age 17 to 21 (
= .30), perhaps reflecting difficulties transitioning into adult roles. Drawing on ecological systems theory, we examined both proximal (i.e., family) and distal (i.e., social-contextual) environmental factors (measured via self- and parent-reports) that may account for between-person variation in life satisfaction trajectories. Youth with more positive family environments in middle adolescence (age 14) had higher mean life satisfaction from middle adolescence to young adulthood (age 21). In contrast, youth with more negative family environments and who experienced greater economic hardship and more ethnic discrimination in middle adolescence (age 14) had lower life satisfaction during this period. Many of these factors also predicted
in life satisfaction from middle (age 14) to late adolescence (age 17), but not from late adolescence to young adulthood (age 21). This research extends the current understanding of life satisfaction during a critical developmental period in an understudied population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
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Teacher emotion research is of great significance to teachers' teaching effectiveness, professional development, and physical and mental health. Taken from an ecological perspective, this narrative ...case study used purposeful sampling to select two Chinese senior high school English teachers as research participants. Various data collection methods were used, including narrative framework, teacher interview and teacher reflection log, to describe the emotional episodes of Chinese senior high school English teachers before and after collective lesson presentation, trial teaching, and formal teaching in a teaching improvement project. The purpose of this collection of data was to explore the dynamic emotional development process and characteristics of Chinese senior high school English teachers in the interaction with ecological systems and those ecological factors that may influence their emotional development. Results indicated that the two participants developed 68 emotions: 39 positive and 29 negative emotions. At exosystem, they developed the most emotions (28 emotions). Teacher emotion changed with time quite obviously. They evolved from positive to negative and, finally, predominantly positive. Personal antecedents, contextual antecedents, and teachers' emotional capacity are the main ecological factors that may influence the development of teacher emotion. Based on the research findings, implications for teachers' professional development and teacher education were also provided.
Black families and youth likely consider specific racial discriminatory situations in preparation‐for‐bias messages and racial coping responses. Our study investigated coping responses embedded in ...youth‐reported Black families’ preparation‐for‐bias messages and youths’ proactive coping responses to specific racially discriminatory situations—teachers’ negative expectations, store employees’ hyper‐monitoring and police harassment. Gender and racial discrimination experience differences were considered along with relations between messages and coping. Our investigation was guided by the integrated‐developmental, transactional/ecological, intersectionality, and Phenomenological Variant of Ecological Systems Theory theoretical frameworks. We conducted cluster analyses using data from 117 Black youth aged 13–14 to identify situation‐specific family messages and youth coping responses. Families’ messages and youths’ responses varied in content and frequency based on the specific discriminatory situation, which suggests consideration of context.
Accurate and reliable assessment of site suitability for the growth of selected plant species is critical for afforestation projects and programs to improve rural livelihoods. This research examines ...the relationship between growth of Sterculia foetida L. and six ecological factors in Buon Don and Ea Sup districts, Dak Lak Province. The purpose of the research is to predict the growth in average height and trunk diameter of the trees using ecological factors that are easy to measure and observe. These include topography (slope) and soil characteristics (clay ratio, depth of soil layer, surface and subsurface rock concentrations, and agglomeration ratio). The ecological factors were evaluated by multivariable regression analysis of growth data from 31 experimental plots, 16 in Buon Don district and 15 in Ea Sup district. The results show that four of the six factors affect average growth in tree height and that five factors affect average trunk diameter growth. The findings are of practical value for households and agricultural extension officers to consider before planting Sterculia foetida L. in the two areas.
Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is a common yet hidden form of violence against women. It encompasses a range of behaviors, including rape and sexual assault, and also more subtle behaviors ...such as the use of coercion and blackmail to obtain sex. It is typically described as an aspect of intimate partner violence, yet, although it often co-occurs with physical or psychological abuse, the contextual factors and nuances of sexual violence perpetrated by an intimate partner are likely to be very different. IPSV also differs greatly from sexual assault perpetrated by a stranger or other known person. Despite this, ecological theories and models developed to help understand and prevent violence against women have neglected or excluded IPSV. This is problematic given the serious mental and physical health problems consistently associated with it. In response, this article aims to explore the ecological factors that may be associated with IPSV at the individual, relationship, community, and societal levels. It draws on both inductive and deductive thematic analysis of N = 38 in-depth, unstructured interviews with women victim/survivors. Individual-level factors included sexual inexperience and past trauma (for victims), and fragile masculinity and a sense of entitlement to sex (for perpetrators). Relationship-level factors included a large age gap in the relationship and co-occurring psychological abuse. Community-level factors were identified as failure to talk about sex, isolation, and lack of support, while societal-level factors included the idea that sex is a woman’s duty in a relationship, and that “real rape” is perpetrated by strangers. These factors are incorporated into a proposed ecological model that is unique to IPSV, furthering our understanding of this complex problem and its areas of overlap and difference with intimate partner violence and sexual violence. With refinement and testing through large-scale quantitative studies, this model may be critical in guiding future prevention efforts.
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