Teachers' funds of knowledge and the teaching and learning of mathematics in multi-ethnic primary schools: Two teachers' views of linking home and school

In this paper we explore two teachers' views on the role(s) of parents, the local community and children's home lives in the learning of mathematics in primary school. We use Moll and Greenberg's concept of ‘funds of knowledge’ and apply it to the case studies of two teachers working in the UK context. Issues of teachers' professional experience, ethnicity, class and gender emerge as significant in examining similarities and differences in the teachers' beliefs, understandings and practices in the area of linking home and school. We end with a discussion of some implications for teacher education and professional development.     

Neural control of vocalization: Respiratory and emotional influences

Previous research has shown that a region of the midbrain, the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG), is critical for vocalization. In this review, we describe the results of previous investigations in which we sought to find out how PAG neurons integrate the activity and precise timing of respiratory, laryngeal, and oral muscle activity for natural-sounding vocalization using the technique of excitatory amino acid microinjections in cats. In these studies, all surgical procedures were carried out under deep anaesthesia. In the precollicular decerebrate cat two general types of vocalization, classified as voiced and unvoiced, could be evoked by exciting neurons in the lateral part of the intermediate part of the PAG. The patterns of evoked electromyographic activity were strikingly similar to previously reported patterns of human muscle activity. Coordinated patterns of activity were evoked with just-threshold excitation leading to the conclusion that patterned muscle activity corresponding to the major categories of voiced and voiceless sound production are represented in the PAG. In a parallel series of human and animal experiments, we also determined that the speech and vocalization respiratory patterns are integrated and coordinated with afferent signals related to lung volume. These data have led to the proposal of a new hypothesis for the neural control of vocalization: that the PAG is a crucial brain site for mammalian voice production, not only in the production of emotional or involuntary sounds, but also as a generator of specific respiratory and laryngeal motor patterns essential for human speech and song     

Oxalate films and red stains on Carrara marble

The analytical studies carried out during two different diagnostic surveys, respectively in 1983 and 2003, offered the opportunity to control decay phenomena development on stones facing Certosa of Pavia (Italy). Calcium oxalate films and red stains, present on Carrara marble surface, have been particularly focused; these are the only decay phenomena which apparently have remained unchanged during a period of twenty years. More sensitive and in-depth analytical studies (FTIR equipped with diamond cell, GC-MS, SEM-EDS and optical microscopy) achieved a better knowledge about their composition. Results allowed a critical evaluation of the role of oxalate films on the external marble surface and to suggest new hypotheses about the formation of red stains.     

Value Distribution of Interpolating Blaschke Products

A Blaschke product B with zero-sequence (a_n) is called almostinterpolating if the inequality lim inf_n(1 – |a_n|²)|B'(a_n)|     

A fluorescence polarisation molecular imprint sorbent assay for 2,4-D: a non-separation pseudo-immunoassay

The first pseudo-immunoassay which employs a molecularly imprinted receptor and a fluorescent probe, and quantifies the bound analyte directly using the fluorescence anisotropy of the polymer-probe-analyte suspension, is described.     

Grating tuned Ti:Sa laser for in-source spectroscopy of Rydberg and autoionizing states

Due to the large absorption cross section for optical transitions into Rydberg and autoionizing states compared to non-resonant ionization, these states are of particular interest for use in efficient laser resonance ionization excitation schemes as used in Resonant Ionization Laser Ion Sources (RILIS). In order to identify these atomic states extensive laser spectroscopy has to be performed. The lasers employed at TRIUMF’s laser ion source are birefringent filter tuned titanium:sapphire (Ti:Sa) lasers which are designed for long term frequency stability rather than continuous tuning. The design and characteristics of a grating tuned, high repetition rate, pulsed Ti:Sa laser for spectroscopy applications are presented. This laser allows fast scans of up to 40 THz with a laser linewidth of approximately 6 GHz. First tests were performed by scanning across the Rydberg series of gallium.     

Reflections on Success and Retention in Urban Science Education: Voices of Five African‐American Science Teachers Who Stayed

This study highlights the factors that contribute to excellence in urban science teaching as pinpointed by five urban African‐American science teachers who have taught successfully in the urban system for over 10 years. These teachers shared their experiences and reflections on the qualities that contributed to their success and persistence as urban science teachers. Their ability to understand and care for their students was a major contributing factor; other contributing factors included in‐depth knowledge and love of science, caring and commitment to the whole child, effective classroom management strategies, high expectations and motivation of their students, and an understanding and acceptance of the varying parental involvement in the educational decisions about their child.     

Precision branching ratio measurement for the superallowed beta+ emitter 62Ga and isospin-symmetry-breaking corrections in A>or=62 nuclei

A high-precision branching ratio measurement for the superallowed beta+ decay of 62Ga was performed at the Isotope Separator and Accelerator radioactive ion beam facility. Nineteen gamma rays emitted following beta+ decay of 62Ga were identified, establishing the dominant superallowed branching ratio to be (99.861+/-0.011)%. Combined with recent half-life and Q-value measurements, this branching ratio yields a superallowed ft value of 3075.6+/-1.4 s for 62Ga decay. These results demonstrate the feasibility of high-precision superallowed branching ratio measurements in the A>or=62 mass region and provide the first stringent tests of the large isospin-symmetry-breaking effects predicted for these decays.     

Improved solution of displacements due to a compacting reservoir over a rigid basement

Geertsma’s analytical method is often used to compute strain and stress changes around a compacting geological reservoir. The present work extends Geertsma’s solution by adding a rigid layer beneath the compacting reservoir. Analytical formulae are presented for all the components of displacement of a point in the subsurface. Our derivation includes the correction of an error found in the paper written by Sharma in 1956.