Researching the Attitudes Towards Mathematics in Basic Education

The objective of this study was to check attitudes towards mathematics and to analyse if there are differences in attitudes that could be attributed to the type of school, gender, grade, age, the frequency in which mathematical problems were understood, the amount of days dedicated to the study of mathematics, school failure, whether help on the completion of homework was offered and to the self-perception of mathematical performance. A total of 209 students of the 3rd and 4th Grades of basic education in the private school system in Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil, were surveyed. They responded to an attitude towards mathematics scale and to a questionnaire for their characterisation, during school hours and in the absence of their mathematics teacher. The average figure on the attitudes scale was 52.718, with a standard deviation of 11.837. Significant statistical differences were found (alpha = 0.05) in the attitudes according to the type of school, the frequency in which the subjects understood the mathematical problems solved in the classroom, grade, age and to the self-perception of mathematical performance.     

On the existence of constant-ratio trajectories in nominally time- optimal control systems subject to parameter variation

In a previous paper it was found that certain control systems with nominally time-optimal feedback controllers are highly sensitive to changes of plant parameter. When the plant consists of several pure integrators, changes of plant parameter can cause what are termed constant-ratio trajectories. Such trajectories yield slow settling, or even instability. The previous paper used, in part, computational methods to show the existence of constant-ratio trajectories. In the present paper some simple conditions are shown to be sufficient for existence of the constant-ratio trajectories.     

Enabling, empowering, inspiring: research and mentorship through the years

The interrelationship between research and mentorship in an association such as the Medical Library Association (MLA) is revealed through the contributions of individuals and significant association activities in support of research. Research is vital to the well-being and ultimate survival of health sciences librarianship and is not an ivory tower academic activity. Mentorship plays a critical role in setting a standard and model for those individuals who want to be involved in research and, ultimately, for the preparation of the next generation of health sciences librarians. Research and mentorship are discussed in the context of personal experiences, scholarship, and problem solving in a practice environment. Through research and mentorship, we are enabled to enhance our services and programs, empowered to look beyond our own operations for information puzzles to be solved, and inspired to serve society by improving health.