Hidden dangers within our schools : what are these safety problems and how can we fix them?

Describes dangers to students in U.S. schools including peer pressure, overscheduling, gender bias, and environmental issues. Accepted ManuscriptGunzelmann, B. (2004). Hidden Dangers within Our Schools: What Are These Safety Problems and How Can We Fix Them? Educational Horizons 83(1), 66-76

New possibilities for a new era : research-based education for equality and excellence

Explores history and importance of research-based methods for improving education in U.S. schools. Accepted ManuscriptGunzelmann, B. (2009). New Possibilities for a New Era: Research-based Education for Equality and Excellence. Educational Horizons 88(1) 21-7

Toxic testing : it’s time to reflect upon our current testing practices

Explores the history and reasons behind testing methods in U.S. schools; proposes future methods for student testing. Accepted ManuscriptGunzelmann, B. (2005). Toxic Testing: It’s Time to Reflect upon Our Current Testing Practices. Educational Horizons 83(3), 212-220

Hidden assumptions, attitudes, and procedures in failing schools

Describes the different assumptions and ingrained habits used in education that are observed to impede learning in schools. Accepted ManuscriptGunzelmann, B. (2008). Hidden Assumptions, Attitudes, and Procedures in Failing Schools. Educational Horizons 86(2), 85-97

The new gender gap : social, psychological, neuro-biological, and educational perspectives

The differences between boys and girls are explored, and the way boys are treated in class and at home is addressed. Postulates that the Boy Code may be responsible for the low performance of male students in school. Accepted ManuscriptGunzelmann, B. & Connell, D. (2006). The New Gender Gap: Social, Psychological, Neuro-biological, and Educational Perspectives. Educational Horizons 84(2), 94-101

Controlled modification of the inorganic and organic bricks in an Al-based MOF by direct and post-synthetic synthesis routes

Four new porous CAU-1 derivatives CAU-1–NH2 ([Al4(OH)2(OCH3)4(BDC–NH2)3]·xH2O, BDC–NH22− = aminoterephthalate), CAU-1–NH2(OH) ([Al4(OH)6(BDC–NH2)3]·xH2O), CAU-1–NHCH3 ([Al4(OH)2(OCH3)4(BDC–NHCH3)3]·xH2O) and CAU-1–NHCOCH3 ([Al4(OH)2(OCH3)4(BDC–NHCOCH3)3]·xH2O) all containing an octameric [Al8(OH)4+y(OCH3)8−y]12+ cluster, with y = 0–8, have been obtained by MW-assisted synthesis and post-synthetic modification. The inorganic as well as the organic unit can be modified. Heteronuclear 1H–15N, 1H–13C and homonuclear 1H–1H connectivities determined by solid-state NMR spectroscopy prove the methylation of the NH2 groups when conventional heating is used. Varying reaction times and temperatures allow controlling the degree of methylation of the amino groups. Short reaction times lead to non-methylated CAU-1 (CAU-1–NH2), while longer reaction times result in CAU-1–NHCH3. CAU-1–NH2 can be modified chemically by using acetic anhydride, and the acetamide derivative CAU-1–NHCOCH3 is obtained. Thermal treatment permits us to change the composition of the Al-containing unit. Methoxy groups are gradually exchanged by hydroxy groups at 190 °C in air. Solid-state NMR spectra unequivocally demonstrate the presence of the amino groups, as well as the successful post-synthetic modification. Furthermore 1H–1H correlation spectra using homonuclear decoupling allow the orientation of the NHCOCH3 groups within the pores to be unravelled. The influence of time and temperature on the synthesis of CAU-1 was studied by X-ray powder diffraction, elemental analyses, and 1H liquid-state NMR and IR spectroscopy

Ion conduction and phase morphology in sulfonate copolymer ionomers based on ionic liquid–sodium cation mixtures

A series of sulfonate based copolymer ionomers based on a combination of ionic liquid and sodium cations have been prepared in different ratios. This system was designed to improve the ionic conductivity of ionomers by partially replacing sodium cations with bulky cations that are less associated with anion centres on the polymer backbone. This provides more conduction sites for sodium to ‘hop’ to in the ionomers. Characterization showed the glass transition and 15N chemical shift of the ionomers did not vary significantly as the amount of Na+ varied, while the ionic conductivity increased with decreasing Na+ content, indicating conductivity is increasingly decoupled from Tg. Optical microscope images showed phase separation in all compositions, which indicated the samples were inhomogeneous. The introduction of low molecular weight plasticizer (PEG) reduced the Tg and increased the ionic conductivity significantly. The inclusion of PEG also led to a more homogeneous material

Traumatic experiences and post-traumatic stress disorder among elderly Germans: results of a representative population-based survey

Background: Only a few population-based studies on the epidemiology of post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSDs) are available to date. Most of the existing studies are from the U.S.A. Against the background of World War II, the extent and long-term effects of war-related traumatic experiences in the German elderly population are of special interest. Nevertheless, population-based data on this topic are lacking to date. Methods: This study examines the occurrence of traumatic experiences and the prevalence rates of PTSD according to DSM-IV and of partial PTSD in a randomly selected sample of the German general population aged 60 years and over (N = 814) using self-rating instruments. Results: PTSD is apparent in 3.4%; when partial post-traumatic stress syndromes are included, a total of 7.2% of the aged population are involved. The most common individual symptoms resulting from war-induced trauma are avoidance of thoughts and feelings, sleep disturbances, distressing dreams and intrusive thoughts. The most frequently mentioned traumatic experiences of the generation examined in this study were war-related trauma experienced as children or in early adulthood during World War II. As a person's age increases, so does the prevalence of war-related traumatic experiences. There are some gender differences in traumatic experiences, but not in post-traumatic symptoms. Conclusion: The results emphasize the importance of war-related traumatic experiences from World War II in the German elderly population and their impact on the prevalence of PTSD more than 60 years late

Structure and dynamics in an organic ionic plastic crystal, N-ethyl-N-methyl pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl) amide, mixed with a sodium salt

We present for the first time, the solid state phase behaviour of the organic ionic plastic crystal (OIPC) N-methyl-N-ethyl-pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide, [C2mpyr][NTf2], upon mixing with the sodium salt, Na[NTf2].</p

Advantages and practical limitations of mathematical continuity in cam profile design

The basics of cam profile design are discussed with emphasis on mathematical profile types i.e., polynomial versus trigonometric. Comparisons are made and recommendations on the applicability of the various profiles with respect to their dynamic performance are extracted from existing texts. A literature search was done into specific cam system dynamic performance. The categories researched were: a) shock spectrum analysis with return profiles as a forcing function, b) cam shaft wind up, c) follower stiffness effects, d) crossover shock and jump phenomena, e) drive errors to the cam, f) manufacturing tolerance effects, g) curve types, h) return spring surge, and finally, i) the effects of friction at zero velocity. A three degree of freedom lumped parameter computer model was written for rise-return cams commonly used as the drive mechanism for the optics in a xerographic machine. The model was used to investigate the differences between seventh order polynomials and cycloidal curves as well as many of the above listed dynamic phenomena