Student Argumentation Work Sample Sorting Task and Teachers’ Evaluations of Arguments

To support teachers in implementing ambitious reform efforts, professional developers and teacher educators need to know more about teachers’ thinking about argumentation. Specifically, there is a need to understand more about teachers’ views and evaluations of students’ mathematical arguments as they play out in practice. In this article, we share a tool developed to elicit teachers’ pre- and postevaluations of students’ mathematical arguments on a problem-solving task. We discuss the design of the tool and provide evidence of its utility. Our findings indicate that the tool can be used to (a) identify changes in teachers’ evaluations of student mathematical arguments over time and (b) inform the design of professional learning experiences.

RAW MATERIALS IDENTIFICATION AND MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS AUTHENTICATION TECHNOLOGIES

DNA technologies for the raw grapes identification and the authentication of wine products made from them are popular scientific and practical direction with the prospect of introducing developments into the quality management system. The molecular genetic approaches development to the technical grape varieties’ genetic identification and wines DNA authentication produced from them was the aim of this work. Sample preparation of experimental wines was carried out by exposure in a mixture with a precipitant and a co-precipitant, followed by wine debris precipitation. The nucleic acids extraction from wine debris was carried out with the same commercial kit as from the pulp of a mature grape fruit, but with an additional lysis solution modification. The obtained results indicated the selected conditions effectiveness for sample preparation, DNA isolation and PCR for amplification of the analyzed Vitis vinifera L. UFGT-gene loci. The described strategy for the raw materials geno-identification and the manufactured products authentication is based on the polymorphic positions of diagnostically significant UFGT-gene-associated groups analysis, interpreted by sequencing the corresponding PCR product.

API-monitoring of synthetic pyrethroids by gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection

The article presents the results of API (Latin Ápis – bee) monitoring the content of residual amounts of synthetic pyrethroids in honey bees using gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC-MS). The pesticides discussed in this article were selected based on the results of API monitoring of honey bees using GC / MS. The proposed GC-MS method for monitoring synthetic pyrethroids makes it possible not only to identify the causes of lethal intoxication of bees, but also to prevent the possible consequences of synthetic pyrethroids getting into beekeeping products and, consequently, their distribution along trophic routes. The latter has a direct impact on the quality of human life safety. It has been shown that for the detection by GC-MS of synthetic pyrethroids contained in a bee matrix, an important role is played by correctly selected conditions for sample preparation and purification of the extract, which contribute to the isolation of the target compounds from a complex matrix, which are present in it, often at the level of the minimum permissible level (MDU). In this work, sample preparation was carried out by solid-phase extraction (SPE) on a chromatographic column using a C18 sorbent with grafted octadecyl groups. A GC-MS multimethod has been developed for the determination of synthetic pyrethroids (prometrine, bifenthrin, β-cyagalotrin, isomers of permethrin and cypermethrin, fenvalerate, deltamethrin, which, along with other insecticides, for example, neonicotinoids, are frequent causes of lethal intoxication of bees. Quantitative determination of synthetic pyrethroids under GC-MS conditions is carried out in the registration mode of selective ions (main and confirmatory ions, respectively). The proposed method for the determination of synthetic pyrethroids for the purposes of their API monitoring is characterized by a detection limit that does not exceed the MRL in ecomonitoring objects.

Fairness of the Teacher Work Sample

This article presents the results of an evaluation of the fairness of the Teacher Work Sample (TWS), a performance assessment for preservice teachers as used at one university, for candidates in a general education or a deaf education teacher preparation program. The TWS is a high-stakes assessment, and as such, issues of fairness and reliability are critical, particularly when trying to promote increased diversity in the teacher workforce. Dimensions of ethnicity, gender, and hearing status are reviewed as part of this study. A brief overview of the TWS will be provided, followed by a discussion of the study and a discussion of the implications for practice and further research. Results indicated that all of the components of the TWS were fair along lines of hearing status, race, and gender, although the disparate impact assessment revealed that there is an overall impact for program completion based on candidates’ race. Possible reasons for this impact as well as suggestions for improvement are provided.

Accuracy of somatic variant detection in multiregional tumor sequencing data

Multiregional bulk sequencing data is necessary to characterize intratumor genetic heterogeneity. Novel somatic variant calling approaches aim to address the particular characteristics of multiregional data, but it remains unclear to which extent they improve compared to single-sample strategies. Here we compared the performance of 16 single-nucleotide variant calling approaches on multiregional sequencing data under different scenarios with in-silico and real sequencing reads, including varying sequencing coverage and increasing levels of spatial clonal admixture. Under the conditions simulated, methods that use information across multiple samples do not necessarily perform better than some of the standard calling methods that work sample by sample. Nonetheless, our results indicate that under difficult conditions, Mutect2 in multisample mode, in combination with a correction step, seems to perform best. Our analysis provides data-driven guidance for users and developers of somatic variant calling tools.

Time Spent Working in Custody Influences Work Sample Test Battery Performance of Deputy Sheriffs Compared to Recruits

This study determined the influence of years spent working in custody on fitness measured by a state-specific testing battery (Work Sample Test Battery; WSTB) in deputy sheriffs. Retrospective analysis was conducted on one patrol school class (51 males, 13 females) divided into three groups depending on time spent working in custody: DS24 (<24 months; n = 20); DS2547 (25–47 months; n = 23); and DS48+ (≥48 months; n = 21). These groups were compared to a recruit class (REC; 219 males, 34 females) in the WSTB, which comprised five tasks completed for time: 99-yard (90.53-m) obstacle course (99OC); 165-pound (75-kg) dummy drag; six-foot (1.83-m) chain link fence (CLF) and solid wall (SW) climb; and 500-yard (457.2-m) run (500R). A univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) (controlling for sex and age) with Bonferroni post hoc determined significant between-group differences. DS48+ were slower in the 99OC compared to the REC (p = 0.007) and performed the CLF and SW slower than all groups (p ≤ 0.012). DS24, DS2547, and DS48+ were all slower than REC in the 500R (p ≤ 0.002). Physical training should be implemented to maintain fitness and job-specific task performance in deputy sheriffs working custody, especially considering the sedentary nature of this work.

Physical Fitness Characteristics That Relate to Work Sample Test Battery Performance in Law Enforcement Recruits

This study determined relationships between an agency-specific fitness test battery (PT500), and a work sample test battery (WSTB) in law enforcement recruits. Retrospective analysis on 219 males and 34 females from one agency was conducted. The PT500 comprised: push-ups, sit-ups, and mountain climbers in 120 s; pull-ups; and 201 m and 2.4 km runs. The WSTB comprised: 99 yard (90.53 m) obstacle course (99OC); body drag (BD) with a 165 pound (75 kg) dummy; 6 foot (1.83 m) chain link fence (CLF) and solid wall (SW) climb; and 500 yard (457.2 m) run (500R). Partial correlations, controlling for sex, calculated PT500 and WSTB relationships (p < 0.05). Stepwise regression determined whether fitness predicted WSTB performance. The 500R related to all PT500 assessments (r range = −0.127–0.574), 99OC related to all bar push-ups and mountain climbers, and BD related to none. The CLF related to sit-ups, pull-ups, and 2.4 km run; SW related to mountain climbers, pull-ups, and 2.4 km run (r range = −0.127–−0.315). Push-ups, pull-ups, and 2.4 km run were involved in predictive relationships for 99OC, CLF, SW, and 500R (r2 range = 0.217–0.500). To perform better in the WSTB and job-specific tasks, developing upper-body strength and aerobic fitness may be beneficial.