Is it worth the effort? How feedback influences students' subsequent submission of assessable work

This paper explores the extent to which students appear to their assessors to act on feedback they have received, and questions the assumption that providing feedback alone is sufficient to effect higher standards of work by students. Feedback provided to 51 undergraduate social work students, on two consecutive assignments involving a similar task, was examined to ascertain the number of problem areas noted from seven predefined categories. While the greatest increase in marks was associated with the greatest reductions in the number of problem areas identified in the comments, overall two-thirds of all students (66.7%) were awarded marks for both assignments within four percentage points. As such, this study found only limited support for the idea that students respond to feedback by making changes which are consistent with the intent of the feedback received. Hence the assumption that providing feedback alone is sufficient to effect higher standards of work by students was not supported. These findings invite educators to critically reflect on their own practices in providing feedback to students.

Beryllium (II) complexes of the klaui tripodal ligand cyclopentadienyltris (diethylphosphito-P) cobaltate(-)

The interactions of the beryllium(II) ion with the cyclopentadienyltris(diethylphosphito-P)cobaltate monoanion, L^-, have been investigated, in aqueous solution, by synthetic methods, potentiometry, ESMS, and ¹H, ³¹P, and ⁹Be NMR spectroscopy. L^- has been found able to displace either two or three water molecules in the beryllium(II) coordination sphere, to form mononuclear, dinuclear, and trinuclear derivatives, in which the metal ion is pseudotetrahedrally coordinated. The species [BeL(H₂O)]⁺ and [Be₂L₂(μ-OH)]⁺ have been identified in solution while complexes of formula BeL₂ and [Be₃L₄](ClO₄)₂ have been isolated as solid materials. The species [BeL(OPPh₂)]⁺, closely related to [BeL(H₂O)]⁺, has been characterized in acetone solution and isolated as tetraphenylborate salt. The structure of the unusual trimeric complex [Be₃L₄]²⁺ has been elucidated by an unprecedented 2D ⁹Be-³¹P NMR correlation spectrum showing the presence of a single central beryllium nucleus and two equivalent terminal beryllium nuclei. The three beryllium centers are held together by four cobaltate ligands, which display two different bonding modes: two ligands are terminally linked with all the three oxygen donors to one terminal beryllium, and the other two bridge two metal centers, sharing the oxygen donors between central and terminal beryllium atoms.

Genetic variation in BEACON influences quantitative variation in metabolic syndrome-related phenotypes

The BEACON gene (also known as UBL5) was identified as differentially expressed between lean and obese Psammomys obesus, a polygenic animal model of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia. The human homologue of BEACON is located on chromosome 19p, a region likely to contain genes affecting metabolic syndrome–related quantitative traits as established by linkage studies. To assess whether the human BEACON gene may be involved in influencing these traits, we exhaustively analyzed the complete gene for genetic variation in 40 unrelated individuals and identified four variants (three novel). The two more common variants were tested for association with a number of quantitative metabolic syndrome–related traits in two large cohorts of unrelated individuals. Significant associations were found between these variants and fat mass (P = 0.026), percentage of fat (P = 0.001), and waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.031). The same variants were also associated with total cholesterol (P = 0.024), LDL cholesterol (P = 0.019), triglycerides (P = 0.006), and postglucose load insulin levels (P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis of these correlated phenotypes also yielded a highly significant association (P = 0.0004), suggesting that BEACON may influence phenotypic variation in metabolic syndrome–related traits.

Inorganic-organic hybrids of the p,p'-diphenylmethylenediphosphinate ligand with bivalent metals: a new 2D-layered phenylphosphinate zinc(II) complex

By reaction of Zn(CH₃COO)₂ with p,p′-diphenylmethylenediphosphinic acid in water a new inorganic–organic polymeric hybrid of formula [Zn(CH₂(P(Ph)O₂)₂)] has been synthesized and completely characterized. The X-ray analysis established that the structure consists of 2D-layered polymeric array, the 2D-sheets being built up through strong covalent linkages between the zinc metal and the oxygen donors of the phenylphosphinate ligand. The 2D-layers, which are featuring a mesh-net fashion, present voids of various dimensionality, up to 24-membered rings. The organic parts of the hybrid ligand, namely the phenyl rings, are shielding the inorganic skeleton of the layers, preventing the propagation of the polymer in the third dimension. No water molecules are present in the lattice, both of coordination and crystallization. Crystal data are: monoclinic, P2₁Ic, a=11.840(2), b=9.646(9), c=12.516(5) Å, β=95.03(2), V=1423.9(15) ų, Z=4. The solid material has been characterized by ³¹P MAS NMR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis.

Investigation of Iron (III) desferrioxamine B oxalate ligand exchange by UV-vis spectroscopy: the next step in developing a quantitative analytical method for measuring bioavailable iron in marine ecosystems

To date there are no analytical techniques designed to exclusively measure bioavailable iron in marine environments. The goal of this research is to develop such a technique by isolating the bioavailable iron using the terrestrial siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFB). This project contained many challenging aspects, but the specific goal of this study was to develop a robust analytical technique for quantification of Fe(III)-DFB complexes at nanomolar concentrations. Past work showed that oxalate (Ox) promotes photodissociation of Fe(III)-DFB to Fe(Il), and we are specifically interested in the mechanism of this process. A model was developed using known thermodynamic constants for Fe(III)-DFB and Fe(III) oxalato complexes and adjusting for ionic strength. The model was confirmed by monitoring the UV-VIS absorbance of the system at a variety of oxalate concentrations and pH. The model did not include ternary complexes. Next., the rate of Fe(1I) production during UV irradiation was examined. The results showed that the rate of Fe(II) production was based entirely on the [Fe(Ox)?]3- speciation, and that reoxidation of Fe(II) occurred via reactive oxygen intermediates. This reoxidation could be avoided by either decreasing the oxygen concentration or by adding a Fe(II) stabilizing reagent, such as ferrozine. Further studies need to be done to confirm that these results apply at sub nanomolar concentrations, and the issue of Fe(II) reoxidation at lower Fe concentrations needs to be addressed.

Understanding environmental influences on walking - Review and research agenda

Background
Understanding how environmental attributes can influence particular physical activity behaviors is a public health research priority. Walking is the most common physical activity behavior of adults; environmental innovations may be able to influence rates of participation.

Method
Review of studies on relationships of objectively assessed and perceived environmental attributes with walking. Associations with environmental attributes were examined separately for exercise and recreational walking, walking to get to and from places, and total walking.

Results
Eighteen studies were identified. Aesthetic attributes, convenience of facilities for walking (sidewalks, trails); accessibility of destinations (stores, park, beach); and perceptions about traffic and busy roads were found to be associated with walking for particular purposes. Attributes associated with walking for exercise were different from those associated with walking to get to and from places.

Conclusions
While few studies have examined specific environment–walking relationships, early evidence is promising. Key elements of the research agenda are developing reliable and valid measures of environmental attributes and walking behaviors, determining whether environment–behavior relationships are causal, and developing theoretical models that account for environmental influences and their interactions with other determinants.

Social, cultural and environmental influences on child activity and eating in Australian migrant communities

Aim: This study set out to examine the socio-cultural, familial and environmental factors influencing health, eating habits and patterns of physical activity contributing to child and adolescent overweight and obesity. Methods: Semi-structured, community-based interviews were conducted with contrasting key informant three-generation families; and generation by generation focus groups of grandparents, parents and children from four cultural communities in the state of Victoria, Australia. Purposive sampling occurred from Turkish, Greek, Indian and Chinese communities that have migrated to Australia within the last three generations (n = 160, eight families, 47 children aged 5–15 years, 29 parents, 42 grandparents). Results: Evidence of two-way influences on eating and physical activity across three generations was evident, with children reporting the greatest cross-cultural diversity. A range of dietary restrictions was reported across all cultural groups. Efforts to foster healthy eating and lifestyle patterns within communities were evident. Parents, as a generation in particular, felt the need for more access to education and support regarding healthy limits for pre-puberty and puberty stages. Conclusion: There is a dynamic influence of culture on many aspects of family lifestyle across three generations. To achieve successful intervention design, childhood obesity researchers need to collaborate with diverse groups and communities. Considering the role and influence of extended family, a multigenerational, whole-of-community approach beyond that of parent and child populations ought to be considered.