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1. Underestimated Neotropical diversity: Integrative taxonomy reveals two unrelated look-alike species in a suboscine bird ( Pachyramphus albogriseus )

   https://doi.org/10.1093/ornithology/ukac047  

   Musher, Lukas J. ; Krabbe, Niels K. ; Areta, Juan I. ( August 2022 , Ornithology)

   We applied an integrative taxonomic framework to evaluate the systematics of the Neotropical Black-and-white Becard (Pachyramphus albogriseusSclater 1857). Combining phylogenomic (ultraconserved elements), morphological, and vocalization data, we confirmed that this species is polyphyletic; some individuals form a clade sister to P. polychopterus and should be afforded species rank as P. salviniRichmond 1899 (Slender-billed Becard), whereas the remaining subspecies of P. albogriseus (Broad-banded Becard) are sister to P. major. We found that P. salvini differs from P. albogriseus in song, color of the lores, wing-bar width, body size, and bill width. Whereas P. albogriseus occurs in montane forest in Costa Rica and Panama (ssp. ornatus) and along the eastern slope of the Andes from northern Venezuela to southern Peru (ssp. albogriseus), P. salvini is found in the lowlands from Pacific Colombia south to northwest Peru and in the Río Marañón drainage. The latter also occurs, possibly only seasonally, along the eastern slope of the Andes, where the two species’ ranges approach closely. We treat P. a. guayaquilensisZimmer 1936 as a junior synonym of P. salviniRichmond 1899, and P. a. coronatusPhelps and Phelps 1953 as a junior synonym of P. a. albogriseusSclater 1857. This study provides a striking example of a major problem for comparative biology: underestimated and mischaracterized diversity. We argue that there are likely many more cases like this awaiting discovery.

    

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2. The case for alternative endpoints in computing education

   https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13072  

   Tissenbaum, Mike ; Weintrop, David ; Holbert, Nathan ; Clegg, Tamara ( April 2021 , British Journal of Educational Technology)

   This paper argues for a re‐examination of the nature and goals of broad computing education initiatives. Instead of starting with specific values or goals, we instead begin by considering various desired endpoints of computing instruction and then work backward to reason about what form learning activities might take and what are the underlying values and principles that support learners in reaching these endpoints. The result of this exercise is a push for rethinking the form of contemporary computing education with an eye toward more diverse, equitable and meaningful endpoints. With a focus on the role that constructionist‐focused pedagogies and designs can play in supporting these endpoints, we examine four distinct cases and the endpoints they support. This paper is not intended to encompass all the possible alternate endpoints for computer science education; rather, this work seeks to start a conversation around the nature of and need for alternate endpoints, as a means to re‐evaluate the current tools and curricula to prepare learners for a future of active and empowered computing‐literate citizens.

   What is already known about this topic

   There is a growing call for computing education to be a core educational component.

   Computing education traditionally has a narrow goal of training people for programming jobs.

   Computing education fails to connect with students underrepresented in STEM.

   What this paper adds

   An argument for why we need more and diverse endpoints to computing education.

   That many possible endpoints for computing education can be more inclusive, just and equitable than software engineering.

   Constructionism is a particularly useful paradigm for approaching and supporting alternate endpoints.

   Implications for practice and policy

   Helps reframe the goals of computing education, to truly be “for all.”

   Provides a set of cases for how this reframing can be achieved.

   Gives policy new lenses for understanding, evaluating and implementing computing education.

    

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3. Updating SWAT+ to Clarify Understanding of In‐Stream Phosphorus Retention and Remobilization: SWAT+P.R&R

   https://doi.org/10.1029/2022WR033283  

   Wallington, Kevin ; Cai, Ximing ( March 2023 , Water Resources Research)

   Efforts to reduce riverine phosphorus (P) loads have not been as fruitful as expected or hoped. One reason for the failure of these efforts appears to be that models used for watershed P management have understated and misrepresented the role of in‐stream processes in shaping watershed P export. Here, we update the latest release of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT+), a widely used watershed management model, to better represent in‐stream P retention and remobilization (SWAT+P.R&R). We add new streambed pools where P is stored and tracked, and we incorporate three new processes driving in‐stream P dynamics: (a) deposition and resuspension of sediment‐associated P, (b) diffusion of dissolved P between the water column and streambed, and (c) adsorption and desorption of mineral P. The objective of this modeling work is to provide a diagnostic tool that enables researchers to challenge existing assumptions regarding how watersheds store, transform, and transport P. Here, in a first diagnostic analysis, SWAT+P.R&R helps reconcile in‐stream P retention theory (that P is retained at low flows and remobilized at high flows) and a discordant data set in our validation watershed. SWAT+P.R&R results (a) clarify that the theorized relationship between P retention and flow is only valid (for this point‐source affected testbed, at least) at the temporal scale of a single rising‐or‐falling hydrograph limb and (b) illustrate that hysteresis obscures the relationship at longer temporal scales. Future work using SWAT+P.R&R could further challenge assumptions regarding timescales of in‐stream P legacies and sources of P load variability.

    

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4. Phosphorus recovery from wastewater using pyridine‐based ion‐exchange resins: Role of impregnated iron oxide nanoparticles and preloaded Lewis acid (Cu 2+ )

   https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.1469  

   Beaudry, Jeffrey W. ; Sengupta, Sukalyan ( December 2020 , Water Environment Research)

   Inputs of P into receiving water bodies are attracting increasing attention due to the negative effects of eutrophication. Presently available P treatment technologies are unable to achieve strict P discharge limits from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) that may be as low as 10 µg/L as P. Moreover, P is a nonrenewable resource and needs to be recycled in a closed‐loop process for environmental sustainability. This article provides details of a process where a pyridine‐based polymeric ion exchanger is modified with a combination of impregnated hydrated ferric oxide (HFO) nanoparticles and a preloaded Lewis acid (Cu²⁺) to effectuate selective P removal from wastewater and its recovery as a solid‐phase fertilizer. Three such ion exchangers were studied: DOW‐HFO, DOW‐Cu, and DOW‐HFO‐Cu. Each of these materials displays selective phosphate affinity over competing anions chloride and sulfate, and also has the ability to be regenerated upon exhaustion to strip off the P in a concentrated solution. The P in concentrated regenerant can be recovered as struvite, MgNH₄PO₄, a slow‐release fertilizer, after addition of MgCl₂and NH₄Cl. Results of equilibrium and kinetic studies and column experiments with synthetic solutions and a real WWTP effluent are discussed.

   Fixed‐bed columns with DOW‐HFO, DOW‐Cu, or DOW‐HFO‐Cu—can selectively remove phosphorus over competing anions.

   Fixed‐bed columns of above‐listed ion exchangers can produce an effluent P < 6 μg/L.

   DOW‐Cu fixed‐bed column ran for ≈500 Bed Volumes before breakthrough when fed Dartmouth WWTP secondary effluent.

   Regeneration of the exhausted DOW‐Cu column resulted in ≈90% recovery of the phosphorus.

   Regenerant solution was used to generate high‐purity crystals of magnesium ammonium phosphate, MgNH₄PO₄(struvite), a slow‐release fertilizer.

    

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5. Neurological Assessment Using a Physical-Virtual Patient (PVP)

   https://doi.org/10.1177/1046878120947462  

   Gonzalez, Laura ; Daher, Salam ; Welch, Greg ( August 2020 , Simulation & Gaming)

   Background. Simulation has revolutionized teaching and learning. However, traditional manikins are limited in their ability to exhibit emotions, movements, and interactive eye gaze. As a result, students struggle with immersion and may be unable to authentically relate to the patient.

   Intervention. We developed a new type of patient simulator called the Physical-Virtual Patients (PVP) which combines the physicality of manikins with the richness of dynamic visuals. The PVP uses spatial Augmented Reality to rear project dynamic imagery (e.g., facial expressions, ptosis, pupil reactions) on a semi-transparent physical shell. The shell occupies space and matches the dimensions of a human head.

   Methods. We compared two groups of third semester nursing students (N=59) from a baccalaureate program using a between-participant design, one group interacting with a traditional high-fidelity manikin versus a more realistic PVP head. The learners had to perform a neurological assessment. We measured authenticity, urgency, and learning.

   Results. Learners had a more realistic encounter with the PVP patient (p=0.046), they were more engaged with the PVP condition compared to the manikin in terms of authenticity of encounter and cognitive strategies. The PVP provoked a higher sense of urgency (p=0.002). There was increased learning for the PVP group compared to the manikin group on the pre and post-simulation scores (p=0.027).

   Conclusion. The realism of the visuals in the PVP increases authenticity and engagement which results in a greater sense of urgency and overall learning.

    

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