Multiple levels of metacognition and their elicitation through complex problem-solving tasks

Building on prior efforts, we re-conceptualize metacognition on multiple levels, looking at the sources that trigger metacognition at the individual level, the social level, and the environmental level. This helps resolve the paradox of metacognition: metacognition is personal, but it cannot be explained exclusively by individualistic conceptions. We develop a theoretical model of metacognition in collaborative problem solving based on models and modeling perspectives. The theoretical model addresses several challenges previously found in the research of metacognition. This paper illustrates how metacognition was elicited, at the environmental level, through problems requiring different problem-solving processes (definition building and operationalizing definitions), and how metacognition operated at both the individual level and the social level during complex problem solving. The re-conceptualization of metacognition has the potential to guide the development of metacognitive activities and effective instructional methods to integrate them into existing curricula that are necessary to engage students in active, higher-order learning.     

The impact of integrated STEM professional development on teacher quality

This study of a state‐funded, 3‐year implementation of an integrated STEM professional development (PD) program for teachers from two middle schools in the midwestern U.S. examined if participants in the PD were enabled to transform their practice and perceptions of STEM. An integrated STEM approach includes a focus on the STEM disciplines, along with leveraging social studies/history and English/language arts as important context and tools for solving society’s biggest challenges. Findings in this study indicated that teachers implemented more effective STEM teaching strategies and had more positive perceptions regarding STEM overall. Further, participants became more aware of their personal needs for resources and support to teach through integrated STEM. Implications for research and practice are discussed.     

Development of an Instrument to Assess Attitudes Toward Science,Technology, Engineering,and Mathematics (STEM)

There is a need for more students to be interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers to advance U.S. competitiveness and economic growth. A consensus exists that improving STEM education is necessary for motivating more students to pursue STEM careers. In this study, a survey to measure student (grades 4–6) attitudes toward STEM and STEM careers was developed and administered to 662 students from two STEM‐focused and three comprehensive (non‐STEM‐focused) schools. Cronbach's alphas for the whole survey and subscales indicated a high internal consistency. Statistically significant difference in means between students attending the STEM‐focused and comprehensive schools on the two subscales of the survey and the overall survey were found. However, the explained variance for these results was approximately 1%. The survey is a useful tool to assess efficacy of STEM education programs on student attitudes toward STEM and STEM careers.     

Tissue-specific and neural activity-regulated expression of human BDNF gene in BAC transgenic mice

Background  

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a small secreted protein that has important roles in the developing and adult nervous system. Altered expression or changes in the regulation of the BDNF gene have been implicated in a variety of human nervous system disorders. Although regulation of the rodent BDNF gene has been extensively investigated, in vivo studies regarding the human BDNF gene are largely limited to postmortem analysis. Bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mice harboring the human BDNF gene and its regulatory flanking sequences constitute a useful tool for studying human BDNF gene regulation and for identification of therapeutic compounds modulating BDNF expression.     

Experimental determination of human erythrocyte membrane permeability coefficients for a series of amides

Erythrocyte membrane permeability coefficients have been determined for a series of amides by a method based on the physical and mathematical modelling of hypotonic haemolysis process. The results show that penetration of the substances occurs by two alternative ways through aqueous pores formed by proteins and by the direct dissolving of the molecules in membrane lipids. This conclusion can be confirmed by the correlation analysis between permeability coefficients of native erythrocytes and those pre-incubated with the monosodium salt of p-chloromercuribenzenesulfonic acid (pCMBS), and the partition coefficients of the substances in hydrophilic-hydrophobic phases. Penetration of substances through hydrophilic channels is limited by the sterical factor and diameter in particular. Permeability coefficients for erythrocytes pre-incubated with pCMBS increase in an accordance with the rise of the partition coefficients with correlation coefficient of 0.94, thereby indicating a lipid route of permeation of molecules through erythrocyte membranes.     

Radiocaesium pollution of fly agaric Amanita muscaria in fruiting bodies decreases with developmental stage

Amanita muscaria collected from a forested area in northern Poland in 2015 were analysed for activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs and ⁴⁰K. Total K concentration values were calculated from ⁴⁰K data. Mushrooms were grouped in six fruiting bodies size classes regarding to their developmental stage. The ¹³⁷Cs activity concentrations declined in A. muscaria as the fruiting bodies maturated. The contents of ⁴⁰K/K activity remained constant in caps at different developmental stage, while for stipes an increase was around twofold (⁴⁰K from 925?±?55 Bq kg^?1 dry biomass in the baby individuals and 1600?±?63–1700?±?53 Bq kg^?1 dry biomass in two oldest classes). A. muscaria is a weak accumulator of ¹³⁷Cs, while a steep drop in activity concentrations of this nuclide in the fruiting bodies as they maturate has not been reported earlier for mushrooms. Clearly, a fate of ¹³⁷Cs in A. muscaria is highly different from that of ⁴⁰K/K that is an essential element to fungi. In parallel, an observed increase in the content of ⁴⁰K/K in stipes of fruiting bodies with developmental state can be related to its ‘hardening’ and more fibrous nature with age and basic function to support the cap, but this has not been studied.     

Fluorescence in alkali-metal salts of some acyclic,resonance-stabilized carbanions

While fluorescence can be clearly observed in resonance-stabilized acyclic anions, its occurrence is insufficient for unambiguous assignment of either ion-pairing type or anion geometry. As in cyclic, aromatic anions, the requirement for contact ion-pairing is less severe in the excited state than in the ground state. The fluorescence lifetimes of acyclic anions are affected more by the associated cation than by the type of ion-pairing.