Local Tree Mapping: A Collaborative,Place-Based Activity Integrating Science,Technology, Math,and Geography

This inquiry-based activity designed for the fifth through 12th grade allows students to engage in an outdoor, place-based experience, working collaboratively both in groups and as a class to accomplish the class goal of creating a local tree map linked to student-collected data about each tree. During Local Tree Mapping, students explore the local trees in the yard or neighborhood of the school, while learning basic skills in geographical information systems and Microsoft Excel. Through this activity, students gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for the role of trees within the Earth's ecosystems, as they collect data on tree type, height, diameter, age, and the longitude and latitude of the trees. An extension activity is described in which students can enter their tree data into a carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions reduction calculator to determine how much CO₂ is sequestered by the trees in their research site. Local Tree Mapping provides an opportunity for students to gain inquiry skills in science, mathematics, and geography as they participate firsthand in the collection, analysis, and presentation of real-world data that can be utilized by the local community.     

转变学习方式,在探究活动中体会成功的乐趣

学生的学习方式一般有接受和发现两种,传统的学习方式过分突出和强调接受与掌握,冷落和忽视发现与探究,从而导致了对学生认识过程的极端处理,摧残了学生的学习兴趣和热情,而以培养创新精神和实践能力为主要目的的探究式学习方式则在培养学生多方面能力的同时给予他们以成功的乐趣。     

In silico,in vitro,and in vivo machine learning in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering

Among the main learning methods reviewed in this study and used in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering are supervised learning, reinforcement and active learning, and in vitro or in vivo learning.In the context of biosynthesis, supervised machine learning is being exploited to predict biological sequence activities, predict structures and engineer sequences, and optimize culture conditions.Active and reinforcement learning methods use training sets acquired through an iterative process generally involving experimental measurements. They are applied to design, engineer, and optimize metabolic pathways and bioprocesses.The nascent but promising developments with in vitro and in vivo learning comprise molecular circuits performing simple tasks such as pattern recognition and classification.     

Selectivity in social and asocial learning: investigating the prevalence,effect and development of young children's learning preferences

Culture evolution requires both modification and faithful replication of behaviour, thus it is essential to understand how individuals choose between social and asocial learning. In a quasi-experimental design, 3- and 5-year-olds (176), and adults (52) were presented individually with two novel artificial fruits, and told of the apparatus'' relative difficulty (easy versus hard). Participants were asked if they wanted to attempt the task themselves or watch an experimenter attempt it first; and then had their preference either met or violated. A significant proportion of children and adults (74%) chose to learn socially. For children, this request was efficient, as observing a demonstration made them significantly quicker at the task than learning asocially. However, for 5-year-olds, children who selected asocial learning were also found to be highly efficient at the task, showing that by 5 years children are selective in choosing a learning strategy that is effective for them. Adults further evidenced this trend, and also showed selectivity based on task difficulty. This is the first study to examine the rates, performance outcomes and developmental trajectory of preferences in asocial and social learning, ultimately informing our understanding of innovation.     

Integrating Genetic,Environmental, and Social Networks to Reveal Transmission Pathways of a Dolphin Foraging Innovation

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Protein language-model embeddings for fast,accurate, and alignment-free protein structure prediction

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Spontaneous alternation, motor activity, and spatial learning in hot-foot mutant mice

Hot-foot mutant mice, characterized by defective innervation of Purkinje cells and an ataxic gait, were less active than normal mice in a T-maze. In spontaneous alternation testing with either single or multiple trials, hot-foot mutants, contrary to normal mice, did not alternate above chance. Moreover, the mutants had a higher number of errors and higher escape latencies in a water-filled Z-maze. These results indicate that in addition to motor coordination deficits, these cerebellar mutants have deficits in spatial learning and perseverate choices of maze arms.     

Perceptual,developmental, experiential,and physiological parameters of swimming in Melanopline grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae)

The roles of perception, development, experience, and physiology on the swimming behavior of grasshoppers in an arena were investigated usingMelanoplus bivittatus, M. differentialis, andM. sanguinipes. The parameters of swimming included capacity (the ability to reach the edge of a 45-cm-diameter water basin within 3 min), net displacement time (time required to reach the edge of the arena), and orientation (ability to make initial contact with a target pattern).Melanoplus sanguinipes adults were most attracted to a vertical rectangle set at 90° to the water surface (the standard target). Orientation ability decreased significantly as the target became square or it declined to 60°, and there was virtually no orientation to horizontal patterns or those at 45°. All nymphal instars ofM. sanguinipes exhibited the capacity to swim and orient to a standard target. Although the net displacement time was lowest from the third instar through the adult stages, the earlier instars (first through fourth) had the greatest relative net displacement rates. As adults aged, their net displacement time and orientation ability declined significantly, particularly in males. BothM. differentialis andM. sanguinipes adults showed a decline in net displacement time over a 10-day trial period. The loss of a hind leg did not significantly alter swimming performance of eitherM. bivittatus orM. sanguinipes adults, but this alteration significantly reduced the net displacement time ofM. differentialis. DecerebratedM. differentialis adults were capable of swimming for several minutes.