No result found
2019-04-16
Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) at UC Berkeley;
What do you expect to be doing in five seconds? Five months? Five decades? Thinking about the future is a form of mental time travel at which humans are uniquely skilled. Psychologists call it prospection or future-mindedness, and some have argued it offers an invaluable framework for understanding topics ranging from perception, cognition, imagination, and memory to free will and consciousness itself.
2019-02-01
Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) at UC Berkeley;
What do you expect to be doing in five seconds? Five months? Five decades? Thinking about the future is a form of mental time travel at which humans are uniquely skilled. Psychologists call it prospection or future-mindedness, and some have argued it offers an invaluable framework for understanding topics ranging from perception, cognition, imagination, and memory to free will and consciousness itself.
2019-01-01
Aalborg University, EDGE (Centre for Equality, Diversity and Gender);
The objective of this research memorandum is to identify and describe what constitutes the significant barriers against achieving a better gender balance at Danish universities, in particular within natural sciences and technology.The memorandum also addresses the question of the possible role of research funding institutions in relation to gender imbalances in academia, and in particular which actions and measures have been put in place in order to prevent women from remaining disproportionately underrepresented.Based on desk research, this research memorandum presents in total six promising practices and short summaries of existing experiences regarding what works in addressing the gender gap in research funding. While the identified gender balancing initiatives and measures stem from numerous national contexts, each of them are characterised by focusing mainly on one specific part of the grant allocation process – whether it be early in the process, where measures such as certification of applicants and/or earmarked funds are a possibility, or while applicants and projects are being assessed, or in the post-award phase, where measures to ensure public accountability for funding schemes and counteracting the motherhood penalty are distinct possibilities. Following the presentation of the promising practices below is a number of clear and concise recommendations on possible actions to be taken.
2020-01-01
Great Minds;
For the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, the adoption of Eureka Math® at the elementary level five years ago was part of a broad, long-term, system-wide strategy to transform some of the city's highest-need schools and then scale up successful practices across the district.It's working.Data from the state's Smarter Balanced assessment show steady and major gains by all nine Partnership elementary schools using Eureka Math. Gains averaged 16 percentage points from school year 2014-2015 (pre-Eureka Math) to school year 2018-2019.Progress was especially strong at two recent Partnership additions: 20th Street Elementary, which joined in 2015, and 107th Street Elementary, which joined in 2016. Scores are up 22.6 percentage points and 21.8 percentage points, respectively, at these schools. Both 20th Street and 107th Street benefited from what the Partnership learned from implementing Eureka Math in the network's original six elementary schools.
2020-02-01
S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation;
The California Conservation Fund was a charitable operating foundation established by Stephen D. Bechtel, Jr. to protect and restore waterfowl habitat. The Fund's primary impact was the conservation of more than 4,000 acres of prime habitat. Its secondary impact, while less direct, was larger in scale: Fund activities yielded insight into the underlying dynamics of wetland and open space management in California and, in turn, deeply influenced S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation Environment Program investments. In the Foundation's spend-down years, its Environment Program focused on systemic issues highlighted by the California Conservation Fund's efforts, and worked toward a California that manages, stewards, and conserves its water and land to support a resilient environment and economy.
2020-04-01
S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation;
Recognizing teachers as the single most important contributor to student achievement, the S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation invests in high-quality models of science teaching and learning in California's K-8 classrooms through full implementation of the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).The S. D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation envisions children and youth developing the knowledge, skills, and character to explore and understand the world around them, growing into caring, informed, and productive adults. This snapshot, prepared as the Foundation nears conclusion in 2020, documents essential aspects of the Education Program's science portfolio.
2019-10-01
Uchitel Publishing House;
The present article attempts at combining Big History potential with the potential of Evolutionary Studies. It does not only analyze the history of the Cosmos. It studies similarities between evolutionary laws, principles, and mechanisms at various levels and phases of Big History. Such an approach opens up some new perspectives for our understanding of evolution and Big History, their driving forces, vectors, and trends; it creates a consolidated field for interdisciplinary research. Of special importance is the point that many principles, patterns, regularities, and rules of evolution, which we tend to find relevant only for the biological and social levels of evolution, may be also applied to the cosmic phase of evolution. This is not so surprising, since the formation, life-cycle and renewal of stars, galaxies, as well as other celestial bodies is the longest evolutionary process that took place in the Universe.
2020-05-04
Communication in Physical Sciences;
Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del is a medicinal plant used in Africa's folk medicines to treat wide range of diseases. Phytochemical screening of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del root indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins and phenols.The ethanolic extract of the plant root had in addition carbohydrate, cardiac glycoside and steroids while n-hexane extract indicated the presence of anthraquinone, carbohydrates, cardiac glycoside, terpenoids and resins. The extracts were also evaluated for their free radical scavenging potential, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents. The antioxidant activity was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay, the total phenolic content was evaluated using Folin-Ciocalteau assay, while the total flavonoid content was assessed by the aluminium chloride colorimetric assay. The results obtained revealed that the ethanolic extract exhibited higher total antioxidant capacity in the range of 55.23±0.4 to 81.04±0.9% while concentrations in the aqueous extract ranged from 20.15±0.2 to 35.11±0.2% compared to 80 % of standard ascorbic acids. Estimated total phenolic content in aqueous and ethanolic extracts were 179.48±1.99 and 260.07±2.31 mg/gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g respectively. However, the total flavonoid content for aquoues and ethanolic extracts were 69.17±0.32 and 95.52±0.41 mg/ quercetin equivalent (QE)/g respectively. Total phenol and flavonoid were absent in normal hexane extract. The results obtained from the study indicated that the choice of solvent can influence the components that can be extracted from Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Del root and that for optimum extracts to be obtained, the best solvent is ethanol.
2020-04-29
Communication in Physical Sciences;
Ecological risk assessment of heavy metals at five dumpsites (1 – 5) in Umuahia, Nigeria was carried out. Soil samples were collected at distances of 0, 5 and 10 m from each dumpsite and from a control site. Samples of water leaf and African Spinach leaf were also collected and analysed for heavy metal ions. Soil physicochemical parameters were determined using official and recommended methods while heavy metal ion concentrations were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results obtained indicated that the texture of soil samples were predominantly sandy loam while pH values ranged from 6.21±0.37 to 7.70±0.29. Organic matter content ranged from 1.65±0.52 to 4.15±0.36 % while electrical conductivity had a range of 98.47±7.25 – 201.57±15.86 µS/cm across the dumpsites. Mean concentrations of heavy metal ions in soils from the dumpsites were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those from the control site. Average metal pollution indices showed that soils in the dumpsites are unpolluted except cadmium in Dumpsites 4 and 5. Degree of contamination values showed low degrees of contamination but enrichment factors for Pb, Cd and Cr in some Dumpsites indicated significant enrichments. All dumpsites had geo-accumulation indices less than 1.00 indicating unpolluted soil except Pb and Cr in some Dumpsites which showed moderate pollution. Ecological risk and potential ecological risk indices indicated low ecological risk. Mean concentrations of cadmium ions in the two vegetables from the dumpsites exceeded the Codex maximum limits for Cd in leafy vegetables. Although severe pollution is not pronounced for soils within the study dumpsites, it is recommended that measures should be engaged to control waste disposal in these dumpsites since heavy metals can bioaccumulate and increase in concentration to severe the environmental quality of the dumpsites in the near future.
2020-05-04
Communication in Physical Sciences;
New Schiff base and its Ni(II) complex, were synthesized using benzaldehyde and sulphathiazole. They were characterized using elemental analyser, UV-visible spectrophotometer, FTIR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopy. IR spectral data suggested that the ligand coordinated to nickel ions through two azomethine nitrogen, and one amine nitrogen. Electronic spectral measurement indicated the occurrence of ligand to metal charge transfer. Based on the continuous variation method, metal: ligand ratio of 1:1 was proposed. Elemental analysis and spectroscopic studies suggested that the Schiff base behaved as a tridentate ligand towards nickel ion. Antibacterial sensitivity of the ligand and its Ni (II) complex were assayed in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Echerichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi. It was observed that the Ni(II) complex was more potent than the Schiff base against the bacterial strains used. Therefore, the Schiff base and its Ni(II) complex may inhibit bacterial infections caused by E.coli, P.aeruginosa, S. typhi and S.aureus. The Ni(II) complex showed enhanced antibacterial activity when compared with the pure the Schiff base.
2020-04-24
Communication in Physical Sciences;
In order to search for local raw materials that could meet the formulation of affordable, nutritious and functional bread that can compete or perform better than the 100% wheat flour, we conducted a study with, composite bread samples baked with blends of wheat, soybeans and plantain flours. The composite flours were formulated using the augmented Simplex Lattice {3,3} design of the response surface methodology (RSM). Fourteen (14) samples from the respective blends were produced using standard method. The bread samples were subjected to sensory evaluation, using the semi-trained panelist of 20 members consisting of 10 male and 10 female, who were familiar with bread quality. The results indicated that the sensory attributes of the 100% wheat (standard) bread, the minimally supplemented bread samples scored higher values of the sensory parameters including shelf stability. Models of the parameters of the bread samples were not significant (p>0.05), but their response surface plots and calculated mathematical models indicated some levels of influence by the components. Optimization analysis of the sensory evaluation and shelf-stability data revealed that 0.590, 0.220, 0.195 proportions of wheat, Musa spp. and soybean flours produced 7.163, 6.835, 6.653, 5.737, 5.301,8.184, for taste, colour, texture, aroma, acceptability and preference respectively at 100% desireability level. Acceptability and preference of the samples exhibited similar trends with the taste, colour, aroma, and texture. The bread quality parameters were observed to be function of the proportions of the flour components in the samples. The mean mold-free day of the samples was 4.0, the highest hedonic value and shelf-stability were observed in the sample that had high substitution of wheat.
2020-04-24
Communication in Physical Sciences;
This study analyzed some heavy metals in surface water and sediment from Cross River system in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Water and sediment samples were collected from Ibaka, Oron, Nwaniba, Ayadehe, Okopedi and Enwang and analyzed for the concentration of some heavy metal ions using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results obtained from the analysis indicated that mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, Cr, Co, Cu, Se and Ni in surface water were 13.69±8.97, 20.53±10.60, 18±11.47, 25.81±13.91, 26.9±11.0 1.18±0.32 and 32.67±26.16 µg while the corresponding mean concentrations in the sediments were 0.52±0.24, 57.78±15.60, 16.22±5.48, 7.52±2.28, 69.81±16.90, 0.75±0.44 and 6.87±2.26 µg/g, respectively. The results of surface water and sediment quality were compared with some guidelines which revealed no serious contamination risk to man and aquatic organism for surface water and some degree of contamination at some stations for the metals under study in sediment samples
