Professional collaboration experiences : perceptions of novice teachers

Dissertation supervisor: Dr. Carole Edmonds.Includes vita.There is a gap in the research regarding structured collaborative processes and experiences that draws a parallel to the disconnections discovered between what is needed to be a successful teacher candidate in the field and what is taught through coursework and the lack of authentic experiences in teacher preparation programs such as collaboration. This qualitative case study seeks to expand the extant research by understanding and identifying perceptions and comfort with collaboration, as well as its impact. The study outlined one university's approach to strive to meet the competencies for accreditation and prepare highly effective professional educators with a focus on collaboration. This qualitative case study investigated the perceptions of novice teachers regarding ways in which collaboration impacted them and their teaching experiences and examined the perceptions of these novice teachers and their comfort with collaboration during their induction period.Includes bibliographical references

Self-assembly of Nanometer-scale Magnetic Dots with Narrow Size Distributions on an Insulating Substrate

The self-assembly of iron dots on the insulating surface of NaCl(001) is investigated experimentally and theoretically. Under proper growth conditions, nanometer-scale magnetic iron dots with remarkably narrow size distributions can be achieved in the absence of a wetting layer Furthermore, both the vertical and lateral sizes of the dots can be tuned with the iron dosage without introducing apparent size broadening, even though the clustering is clearly in the strong coarsening regime. These observations are interpreted using a phenomenological mean-field theory, in which a coverage-dependent optimal dot size is selected by strain-mediated dot-dot interactions.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Flight delay performance at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Abstract Purpose: The main objective of this paper is to determine the annual cyclical flight delays at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Then using other data such as annual precipitation, passenger and aircraft traffic volumes and other factors, we attempted to correlate these factors with overall delays. These data could assist airport management in predicting periods of flight delay. Design/methodology/approach: Data were taken and analyzed from the data base “Research and Innovation Technology Administration” (RITA) for the years 2005-2011 for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The data included 2.8 million flights originating and departing from this airport. Data were also gathered from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) showing precipitation. Additional data were gathered from the FAA regarding delay causes, number and types of delays and changes to the infrastructure of ATL airport. Findings: T here is a repeatable annual pattern of delays at ATL that can be modelled using delay data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. This pattern appears to be caused primarily by the frequency and amount of precipitation that falls at ATL and by the amount of flights that arrive and depart at ATL. Originality/value: This information could assist airport operations personnel, FAA air traffic controllers and airlines in anticipating and mitigating delays at specific times of the year.Peer Reviewe

Quantification of α-particle radiation damage in zircon

Analysis of radiation damage in natural mineral analogs such as zircon is important for the evaluation of the long-term behavior of nuclear waste forms and for geochronology. Here we present results of experiments to determine the partitioning of radiation damage due to the heavy nuclear recoil of uranium and thorium daughters and the α-particles ejected in an α-decay event in zircon. Synthetic polycrystalline zircon ceramics were doped with 10B and irradiated in a slow neutron flux for 1, 10, and 28 days to achieve the reaction 10B + n → 7Li + α (+2.79 MeV), creating an α event without a heavy nuclear recoil. The 7Li atoms produced in the nuclear reaction were directly detected by NMR “spin-counting”, providing a precise measurement of the α-dose applied to each sample. The amount of damage (number fraction and volume fraction) created by each α-event (one α-event being a 7Li + α-particle) has been quantified using radiological nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction data. The number of permanently displaced atoms in the amorphous fraction was determined by 29Si NMR to be 252 ± 24 atoms for the 10B(n,α) event when the heavy recoil is absent, which is broadly in agreement with ballistic Monte Carlo calculations. The unit-cell swelling of the crystalline fraction, determined by X-ray diffraction, is small and anisotropic. The anisotropy is similar to that observed in ancient natural samples and implies an initial anisotropic swelling mechanism rather than an anisotropic recovery mechanism occurring over geological timescales. The small unit-cell volume swelling is only ~6% of the expansion frequently attributed to α-particles associated with an actinide α-decay event. The lattice parameters indicate a volume increase as α function of a dose of 0.21 A3/1018 α-events/g, which is significantly less than the increase of 3.55 A3/1018 α-events/g seen in Pu-doped zircon and 2.18 A3/1018 α-events/g seen in natural zircon. It is concluded that the heavy recoil plays a more important role in unit-cell swelling than previously predicted. The likely mechanism for such an effect is the rapid, and thus defect-rich, recrystallization of material initially displaced by the heavy recoil

Chemical composition and structural changes of porous templates obtained by anodising aluminium in phosphoric acid electrolyte

Ordered anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) filmswere first prepared by anodising in a phosphoric acid electrolyte and then studied extensively and characterised by field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy (FEG-SEM), X-ray diffraction, Raman and infrared spectroscopy at a macroscopic scale. These analyses showed that the as-prepared AAO film is in fact amorphous, partially hydrated and that its initial global chemical composition can be described, in agreement with previous works, as: Al2O3, 0.186AlPO4 · 0.005H2O. Additional analyses (thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis and FEG-SEM) showed geometrical changes of the film structure at different scales, explained by various steps of dehydration and allotropic transformations of the resulting crystallised alumina. However, because their structure remains unchanged up to 900 ◦C, the phosphoric templates appear to be particularly suitable for applications or processes atmedium or high temperatures, such as the preparation of carbon nanotubes or oxide rods

The effect of magnesium on the local structure and initial dissolution rate of simplified UK Magnox waste glasses

A series of simplified glasses were prepared to mimic the United Kingdom’'s Magnox radioactive waste glasses and determine the separate effect of the presence of Mg on the glass structure and the initial dissolution rate. These glasses had an alkaline earth (Ca/Mg) content of 6.5 mol% and relative ratios of Si, B and Na similar to 25 wt% waste loaded Magnox waste glass simulant. Each simplified glass had similar macroscopic properties, differing only in Ca/Mg ratio. 25Mg magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MASNMR) spectra of the simplified Mg endmember (MgEM) glass (with no Ca) and the full-component simulant glass were similar, consistent with the similar Mg local environments in both glasses. 11B MASNMR spectra of the series of simplified glasses showed a systematic increase in the amount of three-coordinated boron ([3]B) with increasing amounts of Mg. A clear change in the charge balancing of four-coordinated boron ([4]B) by Mg compared with Ca is observed. However, 11B NMR measurements of the leached material showed that the additional [3]B was not preferentially leached from the Mg containing samples. Despite the structural changes in the glass induced by Ca/Mg substitution, initial dissolution rates (r0) remained invariant, within error, with Ca/Mg ratio. This indicates that the poorer aqueous durability of Mg-containing Magnox waste glass measured experimentally in long-term leaching experiments, compared with SON68 glass containing Ca, is not caused by a primary structural effect in the glass.R. Guo acknowledges the EPSRC and the University of Cambridge for an International Doctoral Scholarship. A portion of this work was funded by Radioactive Waste Management Limited (C.T. Brigden, S.W. Swanton and I. Farnan). The UK 850 MHz solid-state NMR Facility used in this research was funded by EPSRC and BBSRC (contract reference PR140003), as well as the University of Warwick including via part funding through Birmingham Science City Advanced Materials Projects 1 and 2 supported by Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Collaborative assistance from the 850 MHz Facility Manager (Dinu Iuga, University of Warwick) is acknowledged

Impacts of composition and beta irradiation on phase separation in multiphase amorphous calcium borosilicates

Borosilicate glasses for nuclear waste applications are limited in waste loading by the precipitation of water-soluble molybdates. In order to increase storage efficiency, new compositions are sought out that trap molybdenum in a water-durable CaMoO4 crystalline phase. Factors affecting CaMoO4 combination and glass-in-glass phase separation in calcium borosilicate systems as a function of changing [MoO3] and [B2O3] are examined in this study in order to understand how competition for charge balancers affects phase separation. It further examines the influence of radiation damage on structural modifications using 0.77 to 1.34 GGy of 2.5 MeV electron radiation that replicates inelastic collisions predicted to occur over long-term storage. The resulting microstructure of separated phases and the defect structure were analyzed using electron microscopy, XRD, Raman and EPR spectroscopy prior to and post irradiation. Synthesized calcium borosilicates are observed to form an unusual heterogeneous microstructure composed of three embedded amorphous phases with a solubility limit ~ 2.5 mol% MoO3. Increasing [B2O3] increased the areas of immiscibility and order of (MoO4)2 − anions, while increasing [MoO3] increased both the phase separation and crystallization temperature resulting in phases closer to metastable equilibrium, and initiated clustered crystallization for [MoO3] > 2.5 mol%. β-irradiation was found to have favorable properties in amorphous systems by creating structural disorder and defect assisted ion migration that thus prevented crystallization. It also increased reticulation in the borosilicate network through 6-membered boroxyl ring and Si ring cleavage to form smaller rings and isolated units. This occurred alongside an increased reduction of Mo6 + with dose that can be correlated to molybdenum solubility. In compositions with existing CaMoO4 crystallites, radiation caused a scattering effect, though the crystal content remained unchanged. Therefore β-irradiation can preferentially prevent crystallization in calcium borosilicates for [MoO3] < 2.5 mol%, but has a smaller impact on systems with existing CaMoO4 crystallites

Corrosion behaviour of AGR simulated fuels:evolution of the fuel surface

We have prepared a range of Advanced Gas-cooled Reactor (AGR) SIMFUELs at a range of simulated burn-ups and, using Raman spectroscopy, have studied the effect of the SIMFUEL dopants on the UO2 crystal structure. We have also studied the effect of exposure to hydrogen peroxide solutions on the SIMFUEL surface. The intensity of the fundamental U-O stretch (445 cm-1) decreases as the amount of dopant increases in each SIMFUEL burn-up composition. A simultaneous increase in the lattice damage (500 – 700 cm-1) peak is observed as the UO2 cubic fluorite lattice structure becomes more distressed and moves towards a tetragonal structure. Exposure to 100 µmol dm-3 H2O2 further decreases the fundamental U-O stretch and increases the lattice damage peak, suggesting that additional point defects are established as the concentration of interstitial oxygen is increased in the lattice via the H2O2-induced corrosion of the SIMFUEL

Lung cancer diagnosed following an emergency admission: mixed methods study of the management, outcomes and needs and experiences of patients and carers

Background In the UK, although 40% of patients with lung cancer are diagnosed following an emergency admission (EA), data is limited on their needs and experiences as they progress through diagnostic and treatment pathways. Methods Prospective data collection using medical records, questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Multivariate logistic regression explored associations between diagnosis following EA and aspects of interest. Questionnaire responses with 95% confidence intervals were compared with local and national datasets. A grounded theory approach identified patient and carer themes. Results Of 401 patients, 154 (38%) were diagnosed following EA; 37 patients and six carers completed questionnaires and 13 patients and 10 carers were interviewed. Compared to those diagnosed electively, EA patients adjusted results found no difference in treatment recommendation, treatment intent or place of death. Time to diagnosis, review, or treatment was 7–14 days quicker but fewer EA patients had a lung cancer nurse present at diagnosis (37% vs. 62%). Palliative care needs were high (median [IQR] 21 [13–25] distressing or bothersome symptoms/issues) and various information and support needs unmet. Interviews highlighted in particular, perceived delays in obtaining investigations/specialist referral and factors influencing success or failure of the cough campaign. Conclusions Presentation as an EA does not appear to confer any inherent disadvantage regarding progress through lung cancer diagnostic and treatment pathways. However, given the frequent combination of advanced disease, poor performance status and prognosis, together with the high level of need and reported short-fall in care, we suggest that a specialist palliative care assessment is routinely offered