We tested the hypothesis that underrepresented students in active-learning classrooms experience narrower achievement gaps than underrepresented students in traditional lecturing classrooms, averaged ...across all science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and courses. We conducted a comprehensive search for both published and unpublished studies that compared the performance of underrepresented students to their overrepresented classmates in active-learning and traditional-lecturing treatments. This search resulted in data on student examination scores from 15 studies (9,238 total students) and data on student failure rates from 26 studies (44,606 total students). Bayesian regression analyses showed that on average, active learning reduced achievement gaps in examination scores by 33% and narrowed gaps in passing rates by 45%. The reported proportion of time that students spend on in-class activities was important, as only classes that implemented high-intensity active learning narrowed achievement gaps. Sensitivity analyses showed that the conclusions are robust to sampling bias and other issues. To explain the extensive variation in efficacy observed among studies, we propose the heads-and-hearts hypothesis, which holds that meaningful reductions in achievement gaps only occur when course designs combine deliberate practice with inclusive teaching. Our results support calls to replace traditional lecturing with evidence-based, active-learning course designs across the STEM disciplines and suggest that innovations in instructional strategies can increase equity in higher education.
Generally 'shade tolerance' refers to the capacity of a plant to exist at low light levels but characteristics of shade can vary and must be taken into account in defining the term. We studied Abies ...amabilis Dougl. ex J.Forbes and Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. under a forest canopy in the northwest of the Olympic Peninsula, USA, which has low annual sunshine hours and frequent overcast days. Using BF3 sunshine sensors, we surveyed diffuse and total light received by saplings growing under a range of canopy openness up to 30%. We measured variation in photosynthetic capacity over the growing season and within days and estimated photosynthesis induction in relation to ambient light. Three components of shade tolerance are associated with variation in light climate: (i) Total light on the floor of an 88-year stand of naturally regenerated T. heterophylla was greater on overcast than clear days. Light on overcast days varied throughout the day sometimes with a cyclical pattern. (ii) Photosynthetic capacity, Amax, varied both through the growing season and within days. Amax was generally greater in the latter part of the growing season, being limited by temperature and stomatal conductance, gs, at times during the early part. Saplings in more shaded areas had lower Amax and in the latter part of the growing season Amax was found to decline from mid-afternoon. (iii) Two patterns of photosynthesis induction to increased light were found. In a mean ambient light of 139 μmol m(-2) s(-1), induction had a curvilinear response to a step increase in light with a mean time constant, τ, of 112.3 s. In a mean ambient light of 74 μmol m(-2) s(-1), induction had a two-part increase: one with τ1 of 11.3 s and the other with τ2 of 184.0 s. These are the smallest published values of τ to date. (iv) Both variation in photosynthetic capacity and induction are components of shade tolerance where light varies over time. Amax acclimates to seasonal and diurnal changes in light and varies between microenvironments. The rapid induction processes can cause a rapid response of photosynthesis to changes in diffuse or direct light.
Here, we examine surface waters as a modality to better understand baseline antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across the environment to supplement existing AMR monitoring in pathogens associated with ...humans, foods, and animals. Data from metagenomic and quasimetagenomic (shotgun sequenced enrichments) are used to describe AMR in Maryland surface waters from high and low human impact classifications.
To assess the value of immediate cytologic evaluation (ICE) in mediastinal endoscopic ultrasound-guided transesophageal fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA).
Fifty eight patients with mediastinal ...lymphadenopathy underwent transesophageal EUS-FNA. Cellularity, number of needle passes and number of slides prepared were reviewed retrospectively.
Of moderate to highly cellular passes, 75% were diagnostic. ICE had a 100% positive predictive value and 97% negative predictive value. ICE allowed a diagnosis in all cases. Calculated diagnostic accuracy was 70% if the procedure ended after a single specimen of at least moderate cellularity or after completion of 4 needle passes.
Immediate cytologic evaluation of EUS-FNA specimens allowed a diagnosis in all cases and contributed to the utility of EUS-FNA as a diagnostic procedure for mediastinal adenopathy.
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