Activity-related typologies and longitudinal change in physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents: The UP&DOWN Study

Background: Children and adolescents can be distinguished by different typologies (clusters) of physical activity and sedentary behavior. How physical activity ...     

New concepts in reassessing mining heritage: A study and its implications from the Ancient Iron Mine of Llumeres (North Spain)

The possibility of giving a continuing value to an abandoned historic mine is not only of academic interest but can be a crucial economic and heritage issue for regions with long mining traditions but which are now severely affected by mine closures. This article suggests a different perspective on the rationale for studying, preserving and developing our mining heritage as an educational facility. To illustrate the case, the ancient iron mine of Llumeres, in the Asturias region, in North Spain, is presented as an example. A key point of our thesis is that a closed mine is not a ‘dead entity’ but simply in transition to another useful state and that after the closure, another organism arises, with very different appearance and vital signs. We suggest that this new organism be recognised for its high patrimonial value and that this heritage value be preserved. Accepting this point of view would mean an increase in efforts to identify and appropriately manage these vital signs. We propose that the particular mining-related aspects (which are usually viewed as negative, such as subsidence or groundwater modification), be considered as part of the heritage of the mining activity, considered in the widest sense. To facilitate understanding, these are discussed in comparison to those for a prehistoric cave, for which there is a broader experience and solid knowledge and recognition of heritage value. We have also analyzed the importance of recognising the geometric and functional relationships between the underground workings and the superficial signatures, in defining an extended patrimonial entity, which has been recently presented to the cultural and political authorities. For the case of the iron mine of Llumeres, we explain the methodology required to analyze and classify the documents in order to investigate and reconstruct the 3D geometric structure of the mine and how this can be integrated into a Geographical Information System (GIS) to improve management and editing of the information. Additionally, the historic mining technological methods employed in the underground workings of Llumeres have been studied and all the information integrated into a 3D visualization package and made available as a free 3D video sample of the subsurface information. In summary, this work represents a major step forward in improving our knowledge of the ancient iron mine of Llumeres and, as a consequence, it has been possible, for the first time, to consider the underground mining heritage in the framework of the better known (but as yet unrecognised) overground heritage. This new patrimonial entity offers enhanced possibilities for acceptance and recognition in a societal context and to aid that acceptance, we propose a radical conceptual change of perspective, pointing out new elements requiring research.     

Transport and deposition of airborne pollutants in exhibition areas located in historical buildings–study in Wawel Castle Museum in Cracow,Poland

Historical buildings and castles that have been turned nowadays into museums, as an exhibition area for precious cultural heritage (CH) items, need more attention since they are CH objects by themselves. Moreover, the preservation techniques require often, significant interventions; however such changes are not always possible or are very limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of outdoor air pollution on the composition of particulate matter and gases inside the museum of Wawel Castle in Cracow, Poland. During this study a combination of micro and trace analysis techniques were applied, including energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). An intensive transport of air pollutants coupled with accumulation of the particles inside the museum was noticed (considerably higher in winter than summer). A high content of carbon and organic matter agglomerated with inorganic particles was determined. Those particles are of special concern because of their adhesive properties and reactivity. It was also noted that the conditions inside the museum favour the reaction of the particles with gaseous pollutants. It was especially the case for nitrate particles.     

History, Philosophy and Science Teaching: Some Answers to “How?”

The study of the history and philosophy of science in school science courses is highly recommended. This paper deals with the methodological aspects derived from research in science education and how they have to be taken into account in order to generate effective classroom activities, so that history and philosophy are not relegated to the status of additional rhetoric of conclusions in an extensive curricula. This is illustrated with the analysis of episodes ___ transcribed from videotape records ___ which took place when such activity was introduced into high school physics classes. This analysis has shown that students, when working in cooperative groups over problematic historical episodes, may come to discuss essential features of science. This not only provides a more realistic view of science, but also enhances cognitive and argumentation skills, besides emphasizing the importance of teachers' guidance.     

Verständnisvolles Lernen im Schulfach Sport

At latest in the upper school, physical education (PE) offers opportunities to deal with games and sport not only in a motor but also in a cognitive manner. The present paper asks if and under what conditions an instructional design integrating theory and practice in PE promotes meaningful learning and knowledge construction. It brings out the less considered cognitive learning potential of upper school PE and advances hypotheses about their occurrence. The results of the empirical study show that pupils in upper school PE already use learning activities that promote meaningful learning. It also shows that meaningful learning activities are restricted to a self-regulated and intrinsic learning motivation. Intrinsic learning motivation itself is highly dependent on the pupils’ academic self-concept in PE.     

Ethnocultural community leaders' views and perceptions on biobanks and population specific genomic research: a qualitative research study

Substantial investments were made in population based biobanks over the past decade. Ethnocultural community members are both sponsors and beneficiaries of biobanks. In addition, the success of biobank projects depends on community support and participation. Yet there are few empirical data on views, perceptions and interests of ethnocultural communities on biobanks. This silent gap in genomics, ethics and policy literatures has to be addressed. We conducted a qualitative research study with in-depth interviews of ethnocultural community leaders (e.g., members of the Canadian Parliament, school commissioners) on their perspectives concerning population specific genomics research and biobanks. An equal partnership model where public is not only informed, but also involved in decision-making processes was perceived as an essential democratic requisite. These empirical data on ethnocultural community leaders' views, interests and perceptions identify several key socio-cultural and ethical factors that can be decisive for effective and sustainable community involvement in biobanks.     

Modellierung und Simulation hybrider Systeme mit Smile

Zusammenfassung. Es wird eine werkzeugunterstützte Entwicklungsmethodik vorgestellt, die der Erstellung von Berechnungsmodellen für die Simulation hybrider physikalisch-technischer Systeme dient. Dafür werden verschiedene Modellbeschreibungstechniken dargestellt und klassifiziert, die anschlie?end in einen falltypischen Entwicklungsproze? eingebettet werden, der auf hybriden Erweiterungen von UML und Z basiert. Die Simulationsumgebung Smile (http://buran.fb10.tu-berlin.de/Energietechnik/EVT\_KT/smile/) erm?glicht schlie?lich die generische Erzeugung eines ausführbaren Simulators. Architektur und Kernkomponenten dieses Systems, wie beispielsweise L?sungsverfahren und Experimentshell, werden eingehender diskutiert. Ein Anwendungsbeispiel illustriert den beschriebenen Entwicklungsproze?. Eingegangen am 15. Juli 1999 / Angenommen am 12. November 1999     

Equalities and Gay and Lesbian Young People: Implications for educational psychologists

This paper describes the work of one Educational Psychology Service in examining educational issues around gay and lesbian young people, and exploring how educational psychologists may be able to make a positive contribution. Set within a whole service approach to equalities, the paper suggests concrete ways in which the profession can make a difference for this potentially vulnerable population of young people.     

Part-time education at tertiary level in the Netherlands

In Holland there are not many opportunities of obtaining a university degree through studying in the evenings and at weekends. Only a few faculties have facilities and even these are limited. It is known, however, that at the moment there are no less than 10,000 students with full-time jobs (approximately 10% of the total number of university students). Finding adequate accommodation for this group is one of the major problems in the present educational system at Dutch Universities.The most important aim of the investigation reported in this paper was to establish a profile of the evening (or working) students, on the basis of personal and background data, motivation and the problems they had to cope with. We presented to the working students questions about the structural aspects, the didactic processes and the organisational planning of a curriculum at a possible future Evening University of Holland.This report recommends that an early start be made on an educational institution, organised nation-wide but with local departments, which focuses especially on working students.Translation: Drs. Henny Corver