Beginning Elementary Science Teachers: Developing Professional Knowledge During a Limited Mentoring Experience

The professional development project reported on in this paper, the Beginning Elementary Science Teachers' (BEST) project, was based on the premise that the first years of elementary science teaching can be very important in the development of long-term quality science teaching. Specifically, we report on project experiences that allowed 13 beginning teachers to interact with experienced teachers in a university seminar and during school visits. Results show that these limited mentoring experiences can support the development of professional knowledge and discussion centers on factors that facilitate knowledge growth. Conclusions are presented that compare benefits of these limited mentoring experiences to those reported to be achieved in long-term mentoring programs.     

Factors Influencing Scientific Achievements of Medical Students in the Anatomy Research Group: An Analysis From the Autonomous University of Nuevo León in Mexico

Scientific research and student involvement are critical to the formation of physicians, yet the number of medical researchers has decreased over time. To implement corrective strategies, the variables associated with positive research attitudes and productivity among medical students must be identified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variables associated with students interested or involved in research. A validated questionnaire was applied to the student members of an established anatomy research group in a Mexican medical school with a six-year medical program. Data were collected and analyzed. A total of 85.5% (n = 77/90) students answered the survey with most respondents being second-year medical students. The majority of respondents indicated that the important component of conducting research was a contribution to the new knowledge (45.5%) and to the scientific community (42.9%). More than half of respondents mentioned a professor or a peer as the initial motivation to become involved in research. Lack of time was the main limitation (59.7%) to research involvement. Perceived benefits were knowledge and team work skills. Of those involved, most (85.7%) wished to continue participating in research as a complement to their clinical work. Professors and student colleagues were found to play an important motivational and recruitment role for medical research. These efforts in turn have developed into long-lasting mentor-mentee relationships. Students also anticipated that early involvement in research will positively influence the likelihood of future physicians' contribution and collaboration in research.     

Relationships between peer interactive play and social competence in at‐risk preschool children

Relationships between peer interactive play and social competence in a sample of preschool children (N = 85) considered at risk for academic difficulties were examined. Ratings of peer interactive play and social emotional development were collected from parents and teachers on the Penn Interactive Peer Play Scale and Vineland Social‐Emotional Early Childhood Scale. Multivariate techniques revealed significant correlations between parent and teacher ratings on the measures. Results are discussed within the context of conducting multifaceted, ecological assessments of preschool children. Implications for school psychologists are noted with regard to the important associations between peer interactive play and social–emotional development. The psychometric integrity of the PIPPS is further validated and extended beyond the initial standardization sample to include a sample of primarily Caucasian children living in a more rural area. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 41: 173–189, 2004.     

Mexican-Origin Youth's Cultural Orientations and Values: Do Older Sisters and Brothers Matter?

Family is an important context for cultural development, but little is known about the contributions of siblings. This study investigated whether older siblings’ cultural orientations and familism values predicted changes in younger siblings’ cultural orientations and familism values across 2 years and tested sibling characteristics and younger siblings’ modeling as moderators. Participants were 246 Mexican-origin younger (M_age = 17.72; SD = 0.57) and older siblings (M_age = 20.65; SD = 1.57) and their parents. Findings revealed that older siblings’ Anglo orientations and familism values interacted with younger siblings’ modeling: When younger siblings reported high modeling, older siblings’ Anglo orientations and values predicted increases in younger siblings’ Anglo orientations and values. Discussion highlights the importance of siblings in cultural socialization.     

Perceived Discrimination and Ethnic Affirmation: Anglo Culture Orientation as a Moderator Among Mexican‐Origin Adolescent Mothers

This study examined whether Anglo culture orientation modified the association between adolescents' perceived ethnic discrimination and ethnic identity affirmation over time in a sample of Mexican‐origin adolescent mothers (N = 205, M_age = 16.24 years). Results indicated that perceived ethnic discrimination was significantly associated with decreases in ethnic identity affirmation over time for adolescents reporting high Anglo culture orientation, but no relation existed for adolescents reporting low Anglo culture orientation. Findings suggest that a person–environment mismatch (i.e., between adolescents' perceptions of their connection to Anglo culture and the messages they receive from others regarding that connection in terms of perceived ethnic discrimination) may be detrimental to adolescents' development of positive feelings about their ethnicity.     

Robust sensorless observer-based adaptive sliding modes control of synchronous motors

Using a nonlinear complete order model of a synchronous motor, a robust second order sliding mode observer based control scheme is proposed. For that, a generalized super-twisting 3rd order observer is proposed for nonlinear systems. Based on the proposed observer scheme, a robust rotor flux observer is designed, then, a stator current observer is proposed using a classical super-twisting algorithm for extracting information of the rotor speed by means of the equivalent control method. The control design for the output tracking of a desired reference signal for the rotor speed is carried out with a classical super-twisting sliding mode algorithm and adaptive backstepping techniques. Due to the number of inputs, the flux in the excitation winding, and the direct component of the stator currents are also regulated. Numeric simulations predict a good performance of the closed-loop synchronous motor with parameter variations.     

Preservation of a two-wing Lorenz-like attractor with stable equilibria

In this paper, we present the preservation of a two-wing Lorenz-like attractor when in the Lorenz system a feedback control is applied, making two of its equilibria a sink. The forced system is capable of generating bistability and the trajectory settles down at one stable equilibrium point depending on the initial condition when the forced signal is zero. Due to a variation in the coupling strength of the control signal the symmetric equilibria of the Lorenz system move causing the basins of attraction to be the dynamic bounded regions that change accordingly. Thus, the preservation of a two-wing Lorenz-like attractor is possible using a switched control law between these dynamic basins of attraction. The forced switched systems also preserve multistability regarding the coupling strength and present multivalued synchronization according to the basin of attraction in which they were initialized. Bifurcations of the controlled system are used to exemplify the different basins generated by the forcing. An illustrative example is given to demonstrate the approach proposed.     

Using Partial Least Squares (PLS) in Predicting Behavioral Intention for Telehealth Use among Filipino Elderly

Despite the potential benefits of Telehealth (healthcare delivery at a distance), a digital divide among seniors remains prevalent with lesser attention on their acceptance as end-users of technology. Anchored on a theory of technology adoption, Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), behavioral intention for Telehealth use among Filipino elderly was determined. The responses of technology-trained older adults (n = 82) were collected using a 12-item questionnaire adapted from Venkatesh, Morris, Davis, Gordon, and Davis (2003) on UTAUT. A Structural Equation Modeling was performed using Partial Least Squares regression for data exploration and model estimation. The study revealed that the UTAUT constructs, particularly effort expectancy (ß = 0.319; p = .000), have yielded a significant influence on the behavioral intention of elderly to participate in Telehealth. Further, gender showed no moderating effect on these variables. Results of the study supported the espousal of UTAUT Model as an indispensable framework in empowering older adults using Telehealth.     

New from the Government

Violence and the Mass Media: A Staff Report to the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence (Government Printing Office, $2.50). Written primarily by Robert K. Baker and Sandra J. Ball