Reflection Response Research Articles

Based on Books: Leveraging Children’s Literature to Guide Social Justice Mathematics Lessons in Early Childhood

This study examines early childhood preservice teachers’ experiences using diverse picture books to create social justice mathematics lesson plans referencing the Learning for Justice (2022) Social Justice Standards. Data analysis of lesson plans and reflective responses indicated that most preservice teachers designed segmented lessons siloing social justice standards, mathematical concepts, and literature selections. They also selected literature and social justice mathematics lessons connecting Identity and Diversity standards more than Justice and Action standards, thereby exhibiting varied preferences and understandings toward specific targeted goals when planning lessons to develop justice-oriented critical consciousness in mathematics settings. Recommendations note explicit opportunities for preservice teachers to engage with diverse picture books and social justice mathematics lesson plans referencing each domain to develop their professional practice.

Environmental value development among preadolescents: a content analysis of reflective responses

ABSTRACT Addressing the environmentally detrimental values prevalent in society in the context of rapid climate change is the need of the hour. Combining empathy with cognitive skills such as reflective thinking effectively creates new values among people. The present study attempts to reveal the pattern of environmental value development among 33 preadolescents by reflecting upon the empathy-generating story experiences and the related contents. The study is part of a more extensive quasi-experimental study, and it specifically performs a content analysis on the participants’ responses in their workbooks. Biospheric nature-related values are the most highly developed, and social justice is the least developed value, implying the need to focus more on the value of social justice. Stories are aids, and reflective thinking and empathetic elicitation are effective techniques for passing environmental values. Empathy generation instead of negative emotions from self-concern and emotion regulation through reflective thinking may be helpful to promote well-being in the context of climate change. Reflective thinking helps environmental value development by enhancing comprehension, emotion regulation, and self-awareness of values, implying a shift from telling the moral of a story to exploring the same through reflective thinking.

Electrically Switching Ferroelectric Order in 3R-MoS2 Layers.

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) with rhombohedral (3R) stacking order are excellent platforms to realize multiferroelectricity. In this work, we demonstrate the electrical switching of ferroelectric orders in bilayer, trilayer, and tetralayer 3R-MoS2 dual-gate devices by examining their reflection and photoluminescence (PL) responses under sweeping out-of-plane electric fields. We observe sharp shifts in excitonic spectra at different critical fields with pronounced hysteresis. These phenomena are attributed to distinct interlayer polarizations resulting from specific lateral displacements between the layers, with each configuration yielding a unique ferroelectric state. Our findings indicate two, three, and four ferroelectric regimes for bilayer, trilayer, and tetralayer structures, respectively, in agreement with theoretical prediction. Moreover, each polarization state can be stabilized at zero applied electric field. The tunable ferroelectric phases of these multilayers pave the way for innovative applications in non-volatile memory, logic circuits, and optoelectronic devices.

Biodegradable RF Metamaterial Perfect Absorber for Wireless Soil pH Monitoring

AbstractA wireless soil pH sensor is proposed using a sheet‐type perfect absorber metamaterial. The sensor utilizes a high‐impedance surface metamaterial, which functions as a perfect absorber at the resonant frequency. This sensor has a uniform water‐soluble Mg film at the bottom coated with hydroxyapatite that degrades depending on the pH, and a periodic square split ring resonator metamaterial structure made on top of a lossy dielectric plate. The sensor detects the dissolution of the metamaterial due to soil pH conditions through the electromagnetic wave reflection response at GHz frequency. Because of the perfect absorbing characteristics, the influence of soil on the metamaterial's electromagnetic response is blocked, allowing for robust measurement regardless of soil type. By coating the Mg with hydroxyapatite, the difference between acidic (pH = 3.0) and neutral soils can be detected by the time difference by a factor of three in the reflectance change from 40% to 75% reflectance change, indicating a transition from absorptive to reflective of the metamaterial's response, at the resonant frequency of 4.12 GHz.

Reflective and quasi-reflectionless multiband bandpass filters using multi-resonant acoustic-wave lumped-element resonators

Abstract Surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator-based compact multi-band bandpass filters (BPFs) with quasi-elliptic transfer functions (TF) and reconfigurable reflective or quasi-reflectionless characteristics are reported. They utilize bandpass-type multi-resonant acoustic wave lumped resonator (AWLR) stages, shaped by multiple in-parallel cascaded distinct SAW resonators and one lumped-element (LE) inductor. By incorporating resistively-terminated bandstop-type AWLR stages at the Radio Frequency (RF) input/output, their power reflection response can be tailored to be quasi-reflectionless. The multi-band BPF can be expanded to TF with: i) a high number of passbands by increasing the number of the acoustic wave resonators (AWRs) in the AWLR stages, and ii) higher selectivity by cascading bandpass-type AWLRs stages using impedance inverters, and iii) symmetric quasi-reflectionless characteristics. For N in-series cascaded stages, each comprising K distinct AWRs, K passbands with enhanced fractional bandwidth (FBW) can be created, with overall TF having N•(K) poles and N•(K+1) transmission zeros (TZs). The operating principles of the multi-band BPF concept are provided through detailed design examples. The concept is demonstrated through detailed design examples, with three multi-band BPF prototypes manufactured and characterized, exhibiting dual-/triple-band centered between 1029.8 and 1039.9 MHz, FBWs> 0.4kt2, and effective Q-factors> 5,000. The quasi-reflectionless prototype showed a maximum reflection of -11.5 dB.

Exploring perceptions of diabetes distress and its care in Japan: a qualitative study of patients and physicians

ObjectivesThis study aimed to identify the obstacles preventing care of diabetes distress from being integrated into diabetes management, as perceived by both patients and healthcare professionals. By conducting interviews with...

Teaching Residents at Night: Exploration of a Novel Curriculum.

Implementation of a successful night curriculum has been a historical barrier to education during night rotations. Residents are tasked with teaching students and peers at night, often with little educational material to support this. To address the need for engaging night curriculum for pediatric residents, we aimed to (1) develop and implement a night curriculum with an emphasis on residents as teachers (RaTs) and (2) explore residents' experience with the RaT curriculum through a secondary qualitative analysis of reflections. After a needs assessment, we developed and implemented a night curriculum consisting of both facilitated and independent learning activities. Each resident was expected to complete 3 out of the offered 5 to 7 learning activities during their month-long night rotation. One independent activity featured RaT topics, including clinical teaching, mentoring, or hidden curriculum. Participation was tracked via reflection submissions, which were inductively coded using Dedoose. A total of 90% (180/199) of resident rotations completed new curriculum requirements, with 45% (90/199) completing more than the required 3 activities. A total of 76% (151/199) chose to participate in the RaT activity as part of their night educational requirements. A total of 52 reflection responses were collected, 38 individual and 14 team responses. Responses highlighted themes including growing as educators, fostering interprofessional relationships, and developing careers. High participation in the novel curriculum reveals the potential of virtual RaT activities to improve night education for residents. Participant reflections suggest high engagement in RaT and emphasize the andragogical value of key topics.

A Reflective Terahertz Point Source Meta-Sensor with Asymmetric Meta-Atoms for High-Sensitivity Bio-Sensing.

Biosensors operating in the terahertz (THz) region are gaining substantial interest in biomedical analysis due to their significant potential for high-sensitivity trace-amount solution detection. However, progress in compact, high-sensitivity chips and methods for simple, rapid and trace-level measurements is limited by the spatial resolution of THz waves and their strong absorption in polar solvents. In this work, a compact nonlinear optical crystal (NLOC)-based reflective THz biosensor with a few arrays of asymmetrical meta-atoms was developed. A near-field point THz source was locally generated at a femtosecond-laser-irradiation spot via optical rectification, exciting only the single central meta-atom, thereby inducing Fano resonance. The reflective resonance response demonstrated dependence on several aspects, including structure asymmetricity, geometrical size, excitation point position, thickness and array-period arrangement. DNA samples were examined using 1 μL applied to an effective sensing area of 0.234 mm2 (484 μm × 484 μm) for performance evaluation. The developed Fano resonance sensor exhibited nearly double sensitivity compared to that of symmetrical sensors and one-gap split ring resonators. Thus, this study advances liquid-based sensing by enabling easy, rapid and trace-level measurements while also driving the development of compact and highly sensitive THz sensors for biological samples.

Reflecting About Ongoing Assessments: Assessing with Purpose and Intentionality

This column is a reflective response to Dr. Jung Mi Scoulas’ recent column, Navigating and evaluating ongoing assessment efforts in the University Library, that was published in the most recent issue of the Journal of Library Administration (Scoulas, 2024). In this column, the guest contributor discusses an evolution of assessment practices at a large public research university library in the southeastern United States. At this library, assessment has shifted from a practice that was routine and periodic to an approach that is purposeful, necessary, and helps to drive data-informed decision making that is actionable, impactful, and in alignment with the goals and mission of the organization.

Triage ethics in mass casualty incident simulation: A phenomenological exploration.

Disaster scenarios challenge both novice and experienced nurses to navigate complex ethical dilemmas in resource-limited environments. Traditional nursing education often leaves new nurses unprepared for the ethical demands of disaster nursing. Utilitarianism must often guide triage ethics and decision-making. There is a critical need to equip nursing students with these ethical competencies. This study explores nursing students' lived experiences using introductory triage ethics in mass casualty incident simulation (MCIS). A qualitative, interpretive phenomenological approach was employed, analyzing reflective journal responses from senior nursing students following MCIS participation. Participants were senior-year nursing students from a private university in the U.S., engaging in MCIS as part of their curriculum, which simulated resource-limited disaster scenarios requiring real-time ethical decisions. The study received Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, and participants provided informed consent. Data were anonymized and did not affect academic evaluation. Two major themes emerged: 1. Living in Ethical Dilemmas (subthemes: We Could Have Saved Them If…, Looking Past Obvious Suffering, How Can We Be Prepared?, We Can't Abandon Them). 2. Development of Ethical Competency (subthemes: Knowing You've Done Enough, Finding New Perspectives, There Is No Right Answer). Students grew in moral reasoning and emotional resilience, transitioning from patient-centered care to utilitarian decision-making. Participation in the mass casualty incident simulation allowed nursing students to confront and navigate complex ethical challenges in real time, fostering significant growth in moral reasoning and emotional resilience. Through immersion in simulated ethical dilemmas, students grappled with the tension between patient-centered care and the realities of utilitarian decision-making. This experience catalyzed a deeper understanding of ethical ambiguity and the development of moral clarity, equipping them with foundational skills for ethically navigating crises. Nursing curricula should recognize and incorporate opportunities that facilitate this ethical growth through experiential learning.

Programmable orientation of blue phase soft photonic crystal

Understanding the structure formation and its underlying physical mechanism is a fundamental topic in condensed matter systems, with both academic and practical implications. Soft matter is playing a remarkable role in current era of information explosion, demonstrating enormous potential in integrated functional photonics. As unique soft photonic crystals with cubic symmetries, not only liquid crystalline blue phases (BPs) have circularly polarized selective reflection and ultra-fast electro-optical response, but also their three-dimensional photonic structures increase degrees-of-freedom for multiplexed optical modulation. In the thriving field of soft-matter-based photonics, precise and programmable engineering of BP crystal orientation is of vital importance for planar optical elements, which remains a challenging task due to the complexity of the nucleation process as well as the interaction between the BP building blocks and the boundary conditions. Aiming to gain a comprehensive understanding of how to tailor the orientation of BP crystals for the photonic applications of next generation, here we discuss the solutions for uniformity improvement and orientation control of BP crystals, about which a few of examples in combination with the underlying mechanisms are explained. In addition, the remaining challenges and the efforts that are expected are also reviewed. We expect this work provides a deeper understanding of phase transitions and resulting structures in soft crystals, which may open encouraging perspectives for their applications in photonics, biosensing, interfacial, and chemical engineering.

Impact of STEM on Primary School Students' 21st Century Skills, NOS, and Learning Experiences

This study examines the influence of STEM activities on fourth-grade students’ 21st-century skills, their understanding of the nature of science (NOS), and their overall learning experiences. The research was conducted during the autumn term of the 2021–2022 academic year at a public primary school with a relatively low socioeconomic status. Over six weeks, STEM activities were integrated into the “Earth’s Crust and the Movements of Our Earth” unit in the Science curriculum. A mixed-method approach was employed, encompassing a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design for the quantitative phase and a case study approach for the qualitative phase. The sample included 35 fourth-grade students. Data were obtained using the “21st Century Learning and Innovation Skills Scale,” the “Ideas About the Nature of Science Scale,” and unstructured observation notes. The findings indicated statistically significant improvements in the experimental group’s 21st-century skills, particularly creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Moreover, the activities fostered enhanced cooperation and communication skills. Based on post-test results, the student’s understanding of the NOS also improved significantly. Qualitative analysis of teacher observation notes supported these outcomes, showing heightened student engagement, enjoyment, and active participation. Students produced more creative and reflective responses to scientific concepts, while their collaborative and communicative competencies were notably strengthened. In sum, STEM activities embedded within the 5E teaching model enriched the learning process by promoting scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and sustained motivation. Students’ requests for similar activities in other courses further underscored these interventions' positive impact and enduring appeal.

Imaging the Northern Los Angeles Basins with Autocorrelations

Abstract We show reflectivity cross sections for the San Gabriel, Chino, and San Bernardino basins north of Los Angeles (LA), California, determined from autocorrelations of ambient noise and teleseismic earthquake waves. These basins are thought to channel the seismic energy from earthquakes on the San Andreas fault to LA, and a more accurate model of their depth is important for hazard mitigation. We use the causal side of the autocorrelation function (ACF) to determine the zero-offset reflection response. To minimize the smoothing effect of the source time function, we remove the common mode from the autocorrelation to reveal the zero-offset reflection response. We apply this to 10 temporary nodal lines consisting of a total of 758 geophones with an intraline spacing of 250–300 m. We also show that the ACF from teleseismic events can provide illumination on the subsurface that is consistent with ambient noise. Both autocorrelation results compare favorably to receiver functions.

Varying free-gas zone (FGZ) and bottom-simulating reflection (BSR) response across a deep graben off Trujillo, central Peru

The complexity of marine gas hydrate systems at the Peruvian convergent margin has been linked to the post-Miocene history of vertical tectonics and subduction erosion that affected the forearc. Here, multichannel seismic data and published findings reveal that such a complexity has been further extended by the occurrence of the pre-Miocene deep Morsa Norte Graben (MNG) off Trujillo (8°–9° S) in the Central Peru margin. At water depths of 650–750 m in the upper slope, directly above the MNG depocentre (which has a 4–6 km overburden thickness), continuous bottom-simulating reflections (BSRs) and concentrated sub-BSR high-amplitude reflections are confined beneath a layered basin with a low–moderate near-seafloor heat flow (7–33 mW m −2 ). A deeper BSR modelled with a thermogenic gas composition is associated with the enhanced reflections. At a water depth of 900 m, sub-BSR reflections become less frequent in an area with a layered sediment cover defined by a moderate near-seafloor heat flow (15–33 mW m −2 ). At a water depth of 1200 m, where the MNG is relatively thick (3–4 km overburden thickness), faults connect patchy BSRs with a moderate–high near-seafloor heat flow (52–110 mW m −2 ). There, sub-BSR enhanced reflections are scarce. Immediately above the top of the gas hydrate stability zone (GHSZ), the near-seafloor heat flow reaches 81 mW m −2 . Modelling suggests a water depth-dependent transport of heat towards the seafloor with respect to the top of the GHSZ, implying that the closer the seafloor is to the top of the GHSZ, the lower the advection of heat, and vice versa. Recent seafloor-related depositional and structural features amplify such relations in agreement with near-seafloor heat-flow variability. However, towards the area outside the extent of the MNG (<3 km overburden thickness), continuous BSRs are not linked either to a deeper BSR or to sub-BSR enhanced reflections. The continuity of one of these BSRs is deflected upwards beneath a slump, suggesting an incomplete thermal re-equilibration of the GHSZ. Therefore, we conclude that the BSR responds to: (1) the confinement and thickening of the free-gas zone (FGZ) above the MNG depocentre due to the sealing effect of recent sedimentation close to the top of the GHSZ; (2) the seepage of gas-rich fluids from a thinned FGZ above the relatively thick MNG, due to the enabling effect of faults cutting the GHSZ far from the top of the GHSZ; (3) the undisturbed state of the FGZ outside the extent of the MNG; and (4) the disequilibrium state of the base of the GHSZ due to the unloading of sediments in an unstable slope environment prone to failure.

Virtual Reality-Based Alcohol Prevention: The Results of a Cross-Sectional Study with Visitors of an Art Exhibition

Virtual reality (VR) can help to prevent alcohol consumption by simulating peer pressure. While existing VR applications for adolescents are primarily tested in schools, expanding them to museums and art galleries offers setting-specific benefits and could enhance their reach. An interactive VR simulation was presented in an art exhibition on substance use reflection. This study aimed to (1) describe visitor experiences with the simulation and (2) analyse differences according to gender and age. Visitors (n = 293) explored Virtual LimitLab for about 15 min before completing a survey on user experience and perceived learning experiences, which also included open questions on its positive and negative aspects. The quantitative user experience and perceived learning experience items were rated positively, except for knowledge increase. Young visitors (≤18 years of age) perceived Virtual LimitLab as more interesting (p = 0.043) and exciting (p = 0.047) than older ones. Female visitors rated the reflective response (p = 0.016) and sensitisation to social pressure (p = 0.024) higher than males. The qualitative evaluation showed that visitors appreciated the simulation’s realism, authenticity and adaptability. VR-based public health interventions in the arts setting need further research to study their preventive potential.

Plasmonic Coupling for High‐Sensitivity Detection of Low Molecular Weight Molecules

This article presents a novel plasmonic sensing platform designed for the detection of low molecular weight molecules, offering significant advancements in diagnostic applications. The platform features a periodic array of gold nanodisks on a 20 nm thin silica layer, supported by a 100 nm thick gold substrate. By leveraging the coupling between localized and propagating surface plasmon resonances, this design significantly enhances the sensitivity and specificity of molecular detection. Finite element method simulations are conducted to characterize the optical properties and reflectance response of the nanodisks array in the visible to near‐infrared range. Ellipsometric analysis is performed to measure the reflectance of the sample at various angles. Additionally, scanning near‐field optical microscopy in reflectance mode validates the design by revealing well‐defined plasmonic hot spots and interference patterns consistent with the simulated results. The findings demonstrate the platform's effectiveness in amplifying optical signals, achieving a limit of detection of 50 μM for molecules with a molecular weight of less than 1 KDa. This high sensitivity and specificity highlight the potential of the proposed plasmonic platform to advance the development of highly sensitive sensors for low molecular weight molecules, making it a valuable tool for diagnostics and precise molecular detection.

Seismic scattering inversion for multiple parameters of overburden-stressed isotropic media

Subsurface reservoirs are compressed by overburden stress resulting from the gravity of overlying masses, and the resulting stress changes significantly affect the seismic reflection responses generated at the reservoir interfaces. Several exact reflection coefficient equations have been well established to delineate the role that in situ stress plays in altering the energy transition and amplitude of seismic reflection responses. These exact equations, however, cannot be effectively used in practice due to their intricate formulations and the difficult geophysical estimation for the third-order elastic constants (3oECs) embedded in reflection coefficients. Based on the theories of nonlinear elasticity and elastic wave inverse scattering, we derive an approximate seismic reflection coefficient equation for overburden-stressed isotropic media in terms of the P-wave modulus, shear modulus, density, and a defined stress-related parameter (SRP). The SRP is a combined quantity of elastic moduli, 3oECs, and overburden stress, which can be naturally treated as a dimensionless stress-induced anisotropy parameter. Its inclusion effectively eliminates the need for 3oECs information when using our equation to estimate the desired reservoir properties from seismic observations. By comparing our equation to the exact one, we confirm its validity within the moderate-stress range. Then, we introduce a Bayesian inversion approach incorporating the new reflection coefficient equation to estimate four model parameters. In our approach, the Cauchy and Gaussian distribution functions are used for the a priori probability and the likelihood distributions, respectively. The synthetic tests from two well-log data sets and a field example demonstrate that four parameters can be reasonably inverted using our approach with rather smooth initial models, which illustrates the feasibility of our inversion approach.

Authentic Learning Environment through Pen Pal for Writing Anxiety

For English language learners, writing anxiety can be a significant hurdle that inhibits them from communicating effectively through written language. One potential solution for writing anxiety is establishing an authentic learning environment through online pen pal activity. This mixed method study aimed to investigate how an authentic learning environment through online pen pals by using slowly application contributed positively as the solution for EFL students’ writing anxiety. Ninety non-English major students were given a three-week learning assignment encompassing engagement with online pen pals who speak English. Their anxiety condition was observed by using quantitative descriptive analysis, and their written reflective responses were analyzed by using thematic analysis to identify how authentic learning through pen pal contributes positively to overcoming students’ writing anxiety. The finding clarifies that online pen pal activity through slowly-app successfully decreased students’ writing anxiety. Online pen pals via Slowly App enable students to establish friendships and build effective conversations with English speakers in joyful learning nuance. As a result, those experiences provide the students with more assurance, validate their English proficiency, and reduce their writing apprehension. This study implies that fostering a pleasurable atmosphere and a real-world learning environment might help students cope with their writing anxiety.

Insights into the crustal and the magmatic feeding structure at the Payunia Volcanic Province highlighted by geophysical methods, in the retroarc of the Southern Central Andes

Insights into the crustal and the magmatic feeding structure at the Payunia Volcanic Province highlighted by geophysical methods, in the retroarc of the Southern Central Andes

Phonon Directionality Impacts Electron-Phonon Coupling and Polarization of the Band-Edge Emission in Two-Dimensional Metal Halide Perovskites.

Two-dimensional metal halide perovskites are highly versatile for light-driven applications due to their exceptional variety in material composition, which can be exploited for the tunability of mechanical and optoelectronic properties. The band-edge emission is defined by the structure and composition of both organic and inorganic layers, and electron-phonon coupling plays a crucial role in the recombination dynamics. However, the nature of the electron-phonon coupling and what kind of phonons are involved are still under debate. Here we investigate the emission, reflectance, and phonon response from single two-dimensional lead iodide microcrystals with angle-resolved polarized spectroscopy. We find an intricate dependence of the emission polarization with the vibrational directionality in the materials, which reveals that several bands of low-frequency phonons with nonorthogonal directionality contribute to the band-edge emission. Such complex electron-phonon coupling requires adequate models to predict the thermal broadening of the emission and provides opportunities to design polarization properties.