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STEM & Open Schooling for Sustainability Education:Proceedings of the 4th 'Educating the Educators' Conference
No full textOur current society faces enormous environmental challenges. Now is the time to stand up for a sustainable future. This request for action also concerns our STEM education community to take the transformational potential of teaching and learning.
Teachers are decisive factors in ensuring the achievement of creative and sustainable learning outcomes in mathematics and science education, in fostering young peoples' competences and empowering them to become responsible and active citizens. We need to share good practices, research results and innovative classroom materials that allow for implementing approaches that support the implementation and scaling up of education for sustainability.
Educating the Educators (ETE) is an international conference series on professional development in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education that brings together teacher educators, policy makers, teachers and various other stakeholders related to STEM education. The fourth edition of the ETE conference series was hosted by Utrecht University, ICSE and the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in the Netherlands, in collaboration with the MOST project.
ETE IV focused on implementing and scaling up innovative teaching approaches in STEM education with an emphasis on open schooling for sustainability education. The aim was to discuss different ways of working, the roles of teaching materials, and structures needed for innovations in STEM education. ETE IV featured both traditional and innovative formats to benefit of a diverse circle of participants from research, practice and policy. Vivid exchange and collaborative work were ensured through spaces for co-creation. This volume reflects the main topics of discussion and the participants' conference experiences
Urinary Dickkopf 3 Is Not an Independent Risk Factor in a Cohort of Kidney Transplant Recipients and Living Donors
No full textUrinary dickkopf 3 (uDKK3) is a marker released by kidney tubular epithelial cells that is associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may cause interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy. Recent evidence suggests that uDKK3 can also predict the loss of kidney function in CKD patients and kidney transplant recipients, regardless of their current renal function. We conducted a prospective study on 181 kidney transplant (KTx) recipients who underwent allograft biopsy to determine the cause, analyzing the relationship between uDKK3 levels in urine, histological findings, and future allograft function progression. Additionally, we studied 82 living kidney donors before unilateral nephrectomy (Nx), 1–3 days after surgery, and 1 year post-surgery to observe the effects of rapid kidney function loss. In living donors, the uDKK3/creatinine ratio significantly increased 5.3-fold 1–3 days after Nx. However, it decreased significantly to a median level of 620 pg/mg after one year, despite the absence of underlying primary kidney pathology. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decreased by an average of 29.3% to approximately 66.5 (±13.5) mL/min/1.73 m2 after one year, with no further decline in the subsequent years. uDKK3 levels increased in line with eGFR loss after Nx, followed by a decrease as the eGFR partially recovered within the following year. However, uDKK3 did not correlate with the eGFR at the single time points in living donors. In KTx recipients, the uDKK3/creatinine ratio was significantly elevated with a median of 1550 pg/mg compared to healthy individuals or donors after Nx. The mean eGFR in the recipient group was 35.5 mL/min/1.73 m2. The uDKK3/creatinine ratio was statistically associated with the eGFR at biopsy but was not independently associated with the eGFR one year after biopsy or allograft loss. In conclusion, uDKK3 correlates with recent and future kidney function and kidney allograft survival in the renal transplant cohort. Nevertheless, our findings indicate that the uDKK3/creatinine ratio has no prognostic influence on future renal outcome in living donors and kidney recipients beyond the eGFR, independent of the presence of acute renal graft pathology, as correlations are GFR-dependent
Imaging the Whole-Lithosphere Architecture of a Mineral System—Geophysical Signatures of the Sources and Pathways of Ore-Forming Fluids
No full textMineral systems can be thought of as a combination of several critical elements, including the whole-lithosphere architecture, favorable geodynamic/tectonic events, and fertility. Because they are driven by processes across various scales, exploration benefits from a scale-integrated approach. There are open questions regarding the source of ore-forming fluids, the depth of genesis, and their transportation through the upper crust to discrete emplacement locations. In this study, we investigate an Au–Cu metal belt located at the margin of an Archean-Paleoproterozoic microcontinent. We explore the geophysical signatures by analyzing three-dimensional models of the electrical resistivity and shear-wave velocity throughout the lithosphere. Directly beneath the metal belt, narrow, vertical, finger-like low-resistivity features are imaged within the resistive upper-middle crust and are connected to a large low-resistivity zone in the lower crust. A broad low-resistivity zone is imaged in the lithospheric mantle, which is well aligned with a zone of low shear-wave velocity, examined with a correlation analysis. In the upper-middle crust, the resistivity signatures give evidence for ancient pathways of fluids, constrained by a structure along a tectonic boundary. In the lower lithosphere, the resistivity and velocity signatures are interpreted to represent a fossil fluid source region. We propose that these signatures were caused by a combination of factors related to refertilization and metasomatism of the lithospheric mantle by long-lived subduction at the craton margin, possibly including iron enrichment, F-rich phlogopite, and metallic sulfides. The whole-lithosphere architecture controls the genesis, evolution, and transport of ore-forming fluids and thus the development of the mineral system
Impact of Activity Tracker Usage in Combination with a Physical Activity Intervention on Physical and Cognitive Parameters in Healthy Adults Aged 60+: A Randomized Controlled Trial
No full textRegular physical activity (PA) is of central importance for healthy aging and has a well-known impact on helping older adults maintain their cognitive and physical health. Thus, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of two physical activity interventions primarily conducted at home (print-based or web-based vs. web-based plus the use of an activity tracker) on cognitive and physical health parameters in older adults. Data of participants (n = 551, 60–80 years) were analyzed after being randomly allocated to a waitlist control group (CG), a web-based or print-based intervention group (IG) or a web-based intervention group that also included the use of an activity tracker (AG). Measured parameters were grip strength, endurance (two-minute step test), gait speed (four-meter walk test), cognition (Simon task; balanced integration score (BIS), reaction time and accuracy) and physical self-concept (Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ)). We found the highest effect sizes in all measured dimensions for AG (grip strength, endurance, gait speed, reaction time, physical self-concept), followed by IG (endurance, gait speed, reaction time, physical self-concept) and CG (endurance, gait speed, BIS). Findings suggest that a combined web-based and activity tracker intervention may improve physical functions, physical self-concept, and cognition in community-dwelling older adults
Incorporation of alternative amino acids into cyanophycin by different cyanophycin synthetases heterologously expressed in Corynebacterium glutamicum
No full textCyanophycin (multi-l-arginyl-poly-l-aspartic acid; also known as cyanophycin grana peptide [CGP]) is a biopolymer that could be used in various fields, for example, as a potential precursor for the synthesis of polyaspartic acid or for the production of CGP-derived dipeptides. To extend the applications of this polymer, it is therefore of interest to synthesize CGP with different compositions. A recent re-evaluation of the CGP synthesis in 'C. glutamicum' has shown that 'C. glutamicum' is a potentially interesting microorganism for CGP synthesis with a high content of alternative amino acids. This study shows that the amount of alternative amino acids can be increased by using mutants of 'C. glutamicum' with altered amino acid biosynthesis. With the DM1729 mutant, the lysine content in the polymer could be increased up to 33.5 mol%. Furthermore, an ornithine content of up to 12.6 mol% was achieved with ORN2(Pgdh4). How much water-soluble or insoluble CGP is synthesized is strongly related to the used cyanophycin synthetase. CphADh synthesizes soluble CGP exclusively. However, soluble CGP could also be isolated from cells expressing CphA6308Δ1 or CphA6308Δ1_C595S in addition to insoluble CGP in all examined strains. The point mutation in CphA6308Δ1_C595S partially resulted in a higher lysine content. In addition, the CGP content could be increased to 36% of the cell dry weight under optimizing growth conditions in 'C. glutamicum' ATCC13032. All known alternative major amino acids for CGP synthesis (lysine, ornithine, citrulline, and glutamic acid) could be incorporated into CGP in 'C. glutamicum'
Innovative Teaching Practices:Held at The Queen’s College Oxford University, UK August 14-18, 2023
No full textIn this essay we will present the ethnomathematics of the Bedouin society inthe south of Israel, and in particular the ethnomathematics manifested in thefolkloric embroidery of Bedouin women. The purpose of this essay is to showhow Bedouin women knew mathematics intuitively and used unique culturalvalues and elements, which contain and reflect a variety of didacticalmathematical aspects, concepts, and attributes. Also, we will show howBedouin women knew mathematics through their embroidery work. The datapresented based on research we conducted among the Bedouin population,with the aim of searching for collecting ethnomathematics knowledge inBedouin society. This goal was derived from our need to make the subjecteasier and more accessible to our students, and to increase their desire tostudy it
IRISEN-II:Integrated Regional Impact Studies in the European North: Basic Issues, Methodologies and Regional Climate Modelling - II
No full textDer vorliegende Band basiert auf den Beiträgen der Wissenschaftler und Studierenden, die am IRISEN-II-Sommerkurs teilgenommen haben, und gibt einen Überblick über Inhalte und Diskussionen dieses Studienkurses.
Konzepte und Methoden zur Beurteilung des globalen Wandels und seiner Folgen für Mensch und Natur in Nordeuropa standen im Mittelpunkt des von der Europäischen Union geförderten IRISEN-II-Studienkurses, der vom 21. Juli bis 3. August 2002 an der Forschungsstation Abisko in Nordschweden stattfand. Hauptanliegen des Kurses war es, die komplexen Beziehungen zwischen Umwelt und Gesellschaft bei regionalen Klimaveränderungen aufzuzeigen und die Bedeutung interdisziplinärer Forschung und einer Kooperation zwischen Wissenschaft und Entscheidungsträgern sowie gesellschaftlichen Interessengruppen hervorzuheben. Der Kurs bot 30 Doktoranden und Postdoktoranden natur- und gesellschaftswissenschaftlicher Disziplinen aus 12 Ländern die Gelegenheit, mit über 25 Experten verschiedener Nationalitäten und Fachwissenschaften aus Forschung und Praxis in Vorlesungen, Diskussionsforen und auf Exkursionen in einen interdisziplinären Dialog zu treten. The present volume is based on the lectures by the 26 scientists involved in IRISEN-II as well as the student presentations given in the frame of the discussion forums during the course.The Advanced Study Course IRISEN-II introduced 30 European graduate students from 12 countries to interdisciplinary research on global change. The course addressed the issue of regional climate change in the European North and its impacts on the one hand and the methodologies for regional climate modelling and integrated climate impact studies on the other. The course, which was carried out at Abisko Scientific research Station in subarctic Sweden from July 21 to August 3, 2002, was funded by the European Commission
Koch und Oberkellner:Die Rolle von MfS und DDR-Staatsanwaltschaft in politischen Strafverfahren (1958-1989)
No full textFür die Steuerung politischer Strafprozesse war in der DDR neben dem MfS die Staatsanwaltschaft verantwortlich. Die Untersuchung geht der Rolle und dem Verhältnis beider Akteure in der politischen Strafjustiz im Zeitraum von 1958 bis 1989 nach. Im Zentrum der Analyse steht die Auswertung von 80 Untersuchungsvorgängen zu Äußerungsdelikten, die im MfS ermittelt und von Staatsanwälten zur Anklage gebracht wurden. Die Kernfrage lautet, ob und wie das MfS im Widerspruch zur gesetzlich normierten Leitung und Aufsicht der Staatsanwaltschaft den Gang „alltäglicher“ politischer Strafverfahren bestimmen konnte. Die Untersuchung kommt zu dem Schluss, dass sich das MfS Steuerungsmöglichkeiten in der politischen Strafjustiz langfristig sichern konnte, indem es seit den 1960er-Jahren im Regelfall auf eine zumindest formale Rechtsförmigkeit seiner äußerlich sichtbaren Ermittlungsarbeit geachtet hat. Hinter der Fassade StPO-konformen Handelns agierte es jedoch mit inoffiziellen Methoden. Auch kam die Staatsanwaltschaft ihrer gesetzlichen Aufgabe nur mit wichtigen Abstrichen nach. Ihre Rolle gegenüber dem MfS und ihre Bedeutung in den Verfahren sind gleichwohl lange unterschätzt worden. Die Fallanalysen, vor allem die Vergleiche von MfS-Ermittlungsberichten und Anklageschriften, machen die politische Strafjustiz der DDR als äußerlich regelorientiertes, im MfS geheimpolizeilich, politisch und rechtlich vorselektiertes sowie von Staatsanwälten juristisch und ideologisch nachpräpariertes Sanktionsinstrument der SED-Herrschaft deutlich
Konturen einer literarischen Hermeneutik
No full textDas Dissertationsprojekt untersucht, wie die ästhetischen Eigenschaften literarischer Texte mithilfe einer hermeneutischen Methode erfasst und wertgeschätzt werden können. Dieser Beitrag skizziert, wie das Projekt verschiedene Ansätze der Hermeneutik und der analytischen Ästhetik zu diesem Zweck miteinander kombiniert
Konzert Es-Dur für Fagott, Streicher und Basso continuo
No full textDer Geiger und Komponist Johann Pfeiffer wurde 1697 in Nürnberg geboren. Nach einem Jurastudium wandte er sich ganz der Musik zu und bekleidete Positionen als Violinist, Konzert- und Kapellmeister in Weimar (1720-1732), Berlin (1732) und Bayreuth (1733-1758), wo er 1761 starb. Der größte Teil von Pfeiffers Kompositionen ist nicht mehr erhalten. Aus den im Répertoire International des Sources Musicales (RISM) nachgewiesenenen Konzerten Pfeiffers für verschiedene Soloinstrumente sind die beiden ausschließlich in der Fürstlich zu Bentheim-Tecklenburgischen Musikbibliothek Rheda überlieferten Konzerte für Violine piccolo (Ms 596) sowie Fagott (Ms 597) aufgrund der außergewöhnlichen Besetzungen bemerkenswert. In dem für die Musikbibliothek Rheda angelegten "Catalogus musicus" werden beide Konzerte im Kernbestand von 1750 aufgeführt, was die Komposition auf die Zeit bis spätestens 1750 festlegt