Children's hypothetical reasoning about complex and dynamic systems

Children's hypothetical reasoning about a complex and dynamic causal system was investigated. Predominantly White, middle-class 5- to 7-year-old children from the Greater Toronto Area learned about novel food chains and were asked to consider the effects of removing one species on the others. In Study 1 (N = 72; 36 females, 36 males; 2018), 7-year-olds answered questions about both direct and indirect effects with a high degree of accuracy, whereas 5-year-olds performed at chance. Six-year-olds showed intermediate performance. Using food chains with clearer constraints, Study 2 (N = 72; 35 females, 37 males; 2020–2021) replicated these findings. These results indicate that the ability to think about hypothetical changes to dynamic causal systems develops between 5 and 7 years. Implications for science education are discussed.     

Establishing a medical library network for the Metropolitan Detroit Area

Since 1962 the members of the loosely organized Detroit Medical Library Group have carried on a slow but steady self-examination program. They found a need to increase resources and developed a periodical exchange, then a need to identify these resources and did so by means of a serials list. More recently, a similar program for texts and monograph resources was begun. Data, more particularly that of the interlibrary loan process, is being gathered to show the flow within the area and the flow from outside to further identify the existing resources. They have made contact with the administrators of the biomedical institutions and gained their backing (a) to further study the makeup of the community and (b) to formulate an administrative structure through which these institutions can act. These activities are evidence of the beginning of a strong medical library network for the Metropolitan Detroit Area.     

Biodeterioration of Incralac used for the protection of bronze monuments

Outdoor bronze sculptures are highly susceptible to corrosion in many environments and organic coatings are widely used for their protection. The purpose of this study was to determine the susceptibility of the commonly used coating Incralac to biodeterioration by microorganisms. A yeast was isolated from a bronze statue treated with Incralac and its ability to degrade Incralac was determined using growth curves, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The organism grew slowly on Incralac in liquid culture, but SEM images demonstrated its ability to adhere to Incralac coated metal. Additionally, the yeast caused a rapid drop in the low frequency impedance of Incralac coated metal that was not observed under sterile conditions, indicating that the organism accelerated deterioration of the coating. The potential for microbial growth to accelerate deterioration of Incralac should be considered when developing a maintenance strategy for the protection of outdoor metal monuments.     

社会性别、体育和21世纪第三浪潮女性主义

在法律的支撑下,男女参加体育活动的机会和使用器材设备上的差异正在明显缩小。许多学科和女子体育组织对体育中的社会性别问题十分关注,帮助人们更深刻地认识社会性别构成和体育之间的复杂关系。体育女权主义者为确保女性能参与更多的体育项目、得到更加平等的资助和奖励、得到高水平的教练指导和寻求男女平等的决策发言权而奋斗。变化着的社会环境、经济环境和体育图景使得社会性别和体育史研究能成为一个重要的领域。21世纪流行的第三浪潮女权主义认为20世纪60、70年代出现的第二浪潮女权主义所赖以生存的历史和政治环境已不复存在。她们讨厌‘牺牲品’女性主义的看法和对抗性途径,选择全球性视角,接受多元性。     

Teacher e-mail message strategies and students' willingness to communicate online

In light of the prevalent use of e-mail between teachers and students, researchers have highlighted the need to assess its uses and effects. Relying on the research and thinking of teacher immediacy and extra-class communication, we developed a scale that measures those e-mail message strategies that influence students' willingness to communicate online with their teachers. Next, we isolated those reasons that students use e-mail to interact with their teachers: (1) to clarify course material and procedures, (2) as a means of efficient communication, and (3) for personal/social reasons. Finally, we examined student characteristics such as gender and ethnicity, and history of e-mail use that may (or may not) influence their attitudes toward e-mail exchanges with teachers.