National Institute of Education Sciences

This review summarizes recent progresses in material and structural designs of zinc anodes for high-performance aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Abstract Facebook is a popular social networking site. It, like many other new technologies, has potential for teaching and learning because of its unique built‐in functions that offer pedagogical, social and technological affordances. In this study, the Facebook group was used as a learning management system (LMS) in two courses for putting up announcements, sharing resources, organizing weekly tutorials and conducting online discussions at a teacher education institute in Singapore. This study explores using the Facebook group as an LMS and the students' perceptions of using it in their courses. Results showed that students were basically satisfied with the affordances of Facebook as the fundamental functions of an LMS could be easily implemented in the Facebook group. However, using the Facebook group as an LMS has certain limitations. It did not support other format files to be uploaded directly, and the discussion was not organized in a threaded structure. Also, the students did not feel safe and comfortable as their privacy might be revealed. Constraints of using the Facebook group as an LMS, implications for practice and limitations of this study are discussed. Practitioner notes What is already known about this topic Facebook has been popularly used by tertiary students, but many students do not want their teachers to be friends on Facebook Teacher's self‐disclosure on Facebook can promote classroom atmosphere, teacher's credibility and student–teacher relationship Commercial learning management systems (LMSs) have limitations What this paper adds The Facebook group can be used an LMS as it has certain pedagogical, social and technological affordances Students are satisfied with the way of using the Facebook group as an LMS Younger students are more acceptable with the idea of using the Facebook group as an LMS Using the Facebook group as an LMS has limitations: it does not support other format files; its discussions are not listed in threads; and it is not perceived as a safe environment Implications for practice and/or policy The Facebook group can be used an LMS substitute or supplement Third‐party applications are needed to extend the capability of the Facebook group as an LMS Using Facebook seems to be more appropriate for young learners than adults Teachers do not have to be students' friends on Facebook.

Although early studies of executive functioning in children supported Miyake et al.'s (2000) three-factor model, more recent findings supported a variety of undifferentiated or two-factor structures. Using a cohort-sequential design, this study examined whether there were age-related differences in the structure of executive functioning among 6- to 15-year-olds (N = 688). Children were tested annually on tasks designed to measure updating and working memory, inhibition, and switch efficiency. There was substantial task-based variation in developmental patterns on the various tasks. Confirmatory factor analyses and tests for longitudinal factorial invariance showed that data from the 5- to 13-year-olds conformed to a two-factor structure. For the 15-year-olds, a well-separated three-factor structure was found.

The delivery of genetic materials into cells to elicit cellular responses has been extensively studied by biomaterials scientists globally. Many materials such as lipids, peptides, viruses, synthetically modified cationic polymers and certain inorganic nanomaterials could be used to complex the negatively charged plasmids and deliver the formed package into cells. The recent literature on the delivery of genetic materials utilising inorganic nanoparticles is carefully examined in this review. We have picked out the most relevant references and concisely summarised the findings with illustrated examples. We further propose alternative approaches and suggest future pathways towards the practical use of multifunctional nanocarriers.

Many narrative studies subscribe to the criterion of verisimilitude as a form of quality check. However, such a criterion does not fully nor explicitly address the issue of quality or rigour. This paper examines a possible set of necessary criteria for evaluating narrative studies. It draws on the quality literature from the broader qualitative research field as well as the narrative research field. Specifically, it deals with the need to have a list of considerations to refer to in order to ensure acceptability and recognition of narrative studies’ rigour. This paper posits that issues of trustworthiness, narrative truth, verisimilitude and utility need to be attended to for any narrative study to ensure its quality.

The authors examined the relationships among teacher classroom practices, student motivation, and mathematics achievement in high school. The data for this study was drawn from the base-year data of High School Longitudinal Study of 2009. Structural equation modeling method was used to estimate the relationships among variables. The results indicate that conceptual teaching positively affected student mathematics achievement, whereas procedural emphasis in mathematics instruction had a negative effect. Teacher support influenced student mathematics achievement indirectly through students' mathematics self-efficacy, and also influenced students' interest in mathematics courses. Finally, students with higher levels of family socioeconomic status and prior achievement were more likely to have teachers who use conceptual teaching strategies. Students with higher prior achievement were also more likely to perceive higher levels of teacher support. The findings have theoretical and practical implications.

This study investigated factors related to successful and unsuccessful collaborations, studied the specific problems that are part of the collaboration process, and identified solutions to minimize their occurrence. Thirty-three stakeholders from nine state departments and three private social services agencies in Ohio were categorized into two groups: program chiefs and program specialists. Participants were interviewed as to their opinions on successes, problems, and solutions related to interagency collaboration. Interviews were transcribed and data were analyzed using content analysis. Significant differences were found in two areas: factors that jeopardized interagency collaboration and areas each group would change in future collaborative efforts. Based on the outcomes of this study, seven factors related to successful interagency collaboration were delineated.

districts focused on the new requirements in 1974. The thrust of these new requirements and standards involved the introduction of three domains of survival level competencies as minimum conditions for high school graduation by 1978: personal development, social responsibility, and career development. In addition to passing a normal complement of high school courses, students will be obligated to master locally determined minimum standards in these three com-

Abstract NASICON‐type Na 3 VM(PO 4 ) 3 (M: transition metals) cathodes usually suffer from poor cycling stability in the voltage region of above 4 V versus Na + /Na owing to irreversible phase transition and severe structural distortion. Herein, the high entropy concept is extended to NASICONs and Na 3 VAl 0.2 Cr 0.2 Fe 0.2 In 0.2 Ga 0.2 (PO 4 ) 3 (NVMP) with high purity is obtained. The NVMP achieves a highly reversible specific capacity of 102 mAh g −1 (2.5–4.4 V vs Na + /Na) via the successive redox reaction of V 3+ /V 4+ /V 5+ together with a long‐term lifespan of 5000 cycles at 20 C (a capacity retention of 86.8%). Even at an extreme temperature of −20 °C, the NVMP cathode can still provide excellent cycling performance (a capacity retention of 94.2% at 5 C after 1000 cycles). Moreover, the increased configurational entropy in the electrode renders a quite small cell volume change of 1.1%. The sodium ion storage mechanism containing solid solution‐type in the voltage range of 2.5–3.8 V and bi‐phasic in 3.8–4.4 V is revealed by ex situ XRD analysis. Pairing with a hard carbon anode, NVMP//HC cell offers a specific capacity of 81 mAh g −1 at 0.2 C based on the cathode mass. This high‐entropy engineering is expected to be widely applicable for the development of polyanionic electrode materials.

Inclusive Education:the Way of the Future will be the theme at the 48th International Conference on Education,organized by UNESCO's International Bureau of Education(IBE) in November in Geneva.Inclusive education is a process of answering the diversified requirements of all learners and responding to them by increasing participation in learning,culture and communication,and decreasing the internal and external rejection in educational system.As one of the largest developing countries,China should still take pushing forward inclusive education as a basic task and promote the development of inclusive education in the world.

A patient-centered model of care has profound implications for the way that care is planned, delivered, and evaluated. Although most leaders in healthcare organizations today embrace the basic tenets of a patient-centered philosophy, they often find that moving toward a patient-centered model requires an unanticipated level of commitment and significant adjustments in organizational structures. In this article, the authors describe how patients and families have been integrated into the care delivery model by involving them in planning, decision-making, and improvement processes at all levels of the organization.

The purpose of this study was to develop and field-test the Technology Skills, Beliefs, and Barriers scale and to determine its validity and reliability for use with preservice teachers. Data were collected from 176 preservice teachers enrolled in a field-based teacher education program located at a major Southwestern university in the United States. Results demonstrated that the scale is a valid and reliable measure of teachers' technology skills, beliefs, and barriers and has implications for preservice teacher technology preparation. © 2008 by The Haworth Press. All rights reserved.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), due to their sluggish Zn2+ diffusion kinetics, continue to face challenges in terms of achieving superior high rate, long-term cycling and low-temperature properties. Herein, K+ pre-intercalated layered V2O5 (K0.5V2O5) composites with metallic features are capable of delivering excellent zinc storage performance. Specifically, the K0.5V2O5 electrode delivers a high reversible capacity of 251 mA h g-1 at 5 A g-1 after 1000 cycles. Even at a low temperature of -20 °C, high reversible capacities of 241 and 115 mA h g-1 can be obtained after 1000 cycles at 1 and 5 A g-1, respectively. The outstanding electrochemical performance is attributed to the incorporation of K+ into the layered V2O5, which acts as pillars to promote the Zn2+ diffusion and increase the structural stability during cycling. Density functional theory calculations demonstrate that the interlayer doping of K+ can benefit electron migration, and therefore enhance the Zn2+ (de)intercalation kinetics. Meanwhile, the Zn2+ storage mechanism of K0.5V2O5 is revealed by ex situ X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy characterization. This work may pave the way for exploiting high-performance cathodes for aqueous ZIBs.

In this paper, we define flip teaching as a curricular platform that uses various strategies, tools, and pedagogies to engage learners in self-directed learning outside the classroom before face-to-face meetings with teachers in the classroom. With this understanding, we adopted flip teaching in the design and enactment of one Year 1 and one Year 2 undergraduate chemistry laboratory session at a higher education institution. The undergraduates viewed videos demonstrating the practical procedures and answered pre-laboratory questions posted on the institution's mobile device application before the laboratory lessons. Analyses of the lesson videos, interviews with the undergraduates and instructors, and undergraduate artefacts showed that the undergraduates had developed a better understanding of the theory undergirding the procedures before they performed the practical, and were able to decipher the complex practical procedures. They also experienced less anxiety about the complex practical steps and setup, and subsequently, improved work efficiency. The findings of this study have implications for chemistry educators looking for ways to improve on the design and enactment of the laboratory curriculum to enhance the undergraduates' self-directed learning.

Abstract Ceramic aerogels are gaining increasing attention due to their low density, high‐temperature resistance, and excellent chemical stability. However, conventional ceramic aerogels are hindered by their intrinsic brittleness and limited dielectric properties, which restrict their scalable manufacturing and multifunctional applications. Here, ultralight, biomimetic porous, electrically and magnetically conductive ceramic nanofibrous aerogels composed of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ) nanofibers, graphene, and metal–organic framework (MOF) derivatives are prepared through an ice‐templating freeze‐casting followed by annealing approach. The renewable SiO 2 nanofibers form robust bonding points with graphene, constructing interconnected high‐porosity aerogels with good mechanical resilience. This allows for efficient integration of MOF‐derived magnetic nanoparticles associated with a synergistic mechanical enhancement. The synergies of the dielectric and magnetic components, combined with the uniformly arranged sheet‐like cell walls which facilitate the outstanding electromagnetic wave absorption performance. Moreover, the hydrophobic ceramic aerogels showcase excellent magnetothermal conversion, contributing to the application in wireless therapy, antibacterial, and magnetothermal deicing. Furthermore, the nanofibrous aerogels exhibit good thermal stability and insulation properties, rendering them highly suitable for thermal management devices in extreme conditions. With the renewable, convenient, and scalable manufacturing method, these multifunctional ceramic nanofibrous aerogels thus hold great promise in electromagnetic protection, wireless heating, and next‐generation thermal management devices.

This paper focuses on the work of senior high school teachers in three illustrative local authority regions of mainland China. It discusses interview and focus group data collected as part of ESRC/DfID-funded research which examined notions of quality as experienced by key stakeholders (national and local authority policy makers, teachers, head teachers and students). Building on previous international literature and current Chinese education policy, this paper examines aspects of teachers’ work as experienced within the context of a fast developing emerging economy, which emphasises a clear link between individual and national development. Barriers identified as impacting on the provision of good quality teaching arose, largely, from the pressures due to changing societal patterns and the demands of far reaching curriculum reform, which highlighted tensions between a traditional reliance on the primacy of exam results and a newer demand for all round development and lifelong learning. In addition, there were common concerns with various structural and funding inequalities, both across different regions and between urban and rural schools, which could lead to differential student experience, shortages of specialised teachers, and a lack of opportunity for good quality professional development.

This paper describes a study of ICT‐related teacher development in the context of a national reform of College English teaching in China. The reform, in which emphasis was placed on use of information and communications technology (ICT) in classroom teaching and self‐access learning, had challenged teachers of English as a foreign language to adapt to new teaching materials, student‐centred classroom teaching and to guide students in their autonomous learning. The study examined teachers’ attitudes towards ICT use in education and ICT‐related continuing professional development (CPD) policies and practices in a university in southern China. Mixed methods were used: questionnaires to teachers, classroom observation, interviews with teachers, management and administrative staff, and focus groups with both teachers and students. The findings indicated that limited ICT skills and pedagogic expertise were obstacles to the use of ICT in English language teaching. Moreover, although initially the majority of teachers had held positive attitudes towards ICT use in English teaching and the national reform, their enthusiasm was waning in the light of inadequate support and training. Implications for policy and teacher education are discussed and an ICT‐based CPD model for language teachers is proposed.

OBJECTIVE: To perform an analysis of the quality of life of survivors after ICU discharge. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: Medical-surgical ICU of a Spanish reference hospital. PATIENTS: Patients (n = 606) admitted in a 6-month period. METHOD: A questionnaire regarding quality of life issues was completed at the time of admission by patients or surrogates (n = 606). The questionnaire was given again 12 months after ICU discharge to 444 surviving patients. Both questionnaires evaluated the patient's ability to function and communicate for the previous 3 months. A Quality of Life score of 0 corresponded to no limitations. An increasing score indicated a reduction in function. A score of greater than 10 points implied a severe physical handicap. Information was also collected on the severity of illness and the diagnosis that prompted ICU admission. RESULTS: The mean Quality of Life score of all survivors worsened from a mean of 4.62 at the time of ICU admission to a mean of 6.11 at 12 months after ICU discharge (p less than .01) and was most evident for patients greater than 75 yrs of age (from a mean of 6.33 to a mean of 9.54). However, patients with the highest initial Quality of Life scores had a significant improvement at 12 months (14.61 +/- 0.50 to 12.48 +/- 0.78 points [p less than .05]). A higher severity of illness score corresponded to a higher Quality of Life score, but a multivariate analysis indicated that the factors with the greatest influence on the post-discharge Quality of Life score were the initial Quality of Life score and age. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve months after discharge from the ICU, a patient's functional status, as measured by the Quality of Life score, is influenced most by age and their Quality of Life score at the time of ICU admission. While there is an overall decrease in the Quality of Life score for survivors, admission and treatment in an ICU do not always result in deterioration of the Quality of Life score. This study indicates that Quality of Life scores could become a routine part of patient evaluation.

N₂ plasma induces simultaneous nanoporosity and N-doping in carbon cloth, making it an active electrode for supercapacitors, batteries and probably electrocatalysts.

This article summarizes the latest progress on TMPs for Li–S batteries in recent years, with a particular focus on the adsorption and catalysis of TMPs to PS, also including synthesis strategies, challenges and opportunities in the future.