Exploring the Challenges of First Grade Students\u27 Non-Exit from Mathematics Intervention: A Comparative Analysis of Mathematics Instruction and Best Practices During Intervention

This qualitative study aimed to examine the challenges surrounding the non-exit of first grade students from mathematics intervention programs, particularly focusing on Atlantic Elementary School within the Gulf County Public School District. Against the backdrop of declining mathematics proficiency, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, this study investigates the effectiveness of mathematics intervention and its alignment with best practices in mathematics instruction. While mathematics intervention aims to support students needing additional support with mathematical concepts, there exists a notable gap in understanding why many primary students do not transition successfully from mathematics intervention on grade level prior to advancing to the subsequent grade level. The research questions driving this study center on comparing the tasks and instructional approaches during mathematics intervention against established best practices and examining the impact of teachers\u27 beliefs on mathematics intervention instruction. The data for this study was collected through surveys, observations, semi-structured interviews, and abstracts with three first grade teachers. The finding revealed instances where tasks lacked complexity and failed to promote mathematical conceptual understanding among students, indicating a misalignment with the Mathematics Teaching Practices. In contrast, some instruction during mathematics intervention demonstrated effective use of tasks that encouraged reasoning and problem-solving, aligning closely with the Mathematics Teaching Practices. Also, teachers who held positive beliefs about the effectiveness of interventions were more likely to implement tasks aligned with best practices and provide meaningful mathematics instruction. Conversely, teachers who expressed uncertainty about interventions tended to adopt less effective instructional approaches. The analysis highlighted the importance of aligning Tier 2 interventions with Mathematics Teaching Practices in mathematics iii instruction and recognizing the role of teacher beliefs in shaping instructional practices. These findings should encourage stakeholders in mathematics education to utilize this insight as a catalyst to implement necessary changes in mathematics education

Relationships between sexual violence and chronic disease: a cross-sectional study

A grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author’s publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml.Background: Sexual assault is a traumatic event with potentially devastating lifelong effects on physical and mental health. Research has demonstrated that individuals who experience sexual assault during childhood are more likely to engage in risky behaviors later in life, such as smoking, alcohol and drug use, and disordered eating habits, which may increase the risk of developing a chronic disease. Despite the high prevalence and economic burden of sexual assault, few studies have investigated the associations between sexual violence and chronic health conditions in the US. The purpose of this study is to identify associations between sexual violence and health risk behaviors, chronic health conditions and mental health conditions utilizing population based data in Kansas. Methods: Secondary analysis was done using data from the 2011 Kansas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System sexual violence module (N = 4,886). Crude and adjusted prevalence rate ratios were computed to examine associations between sexual assault and health risk behaviors, chronic health conditions and mental health conditions, overall and after adjusting for social demographic characteristics. Additional logistic regression models were implemented to examine the association between sexual assault and health risk behaviors with further adjustment for history of anxiety or depression. Results: There was a significantly higher prevalence of health risk behaviors (heavy drinking, binge drinking and current smoking), chronic health conditions (disability, and current asthma) and mental health conditions (depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation) among women who ever experienced sexual assault compared to women who did not, even after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusions: Study findings highlight the need for chronic disease prevention services for victims of sexual violence. There are important implications for policies and practices related to primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention, as well as collaborations between sexual violence, chronic disease, and health risk behavior programs

Older Adults Embracing Technology: Leave No One Behind

The goal of this exploratory study, conducted throughout 2005 - 2006, was to examine effective ways to provide both initial computer training and ongoing technical support for elders with little or no computer experience, and to explore whether the accomplishment of acquiring computer skills had an impact on the elders’ quality of life. The computer training and follow-up technical support were provided by student volunteers trained specifically for this study. Following the computer training, all participants were offered 12 weeks of ongoing technical support (phone, email or in person) by the same student tech tutors and additional student volunteers. Questionnaires measuring computer comfort and proficiency were administered pre and post training and again at 6 weeks and 12 weeks after the training. Participants kept logs of their computer use and recorded their goals, successes, and challenges throughout the study. The trained and volunteer tech tutors kept field notes of the elders’ learning, and recorded the nature of the technical help requested by the participants. A number of common themes were revealed in the narrative data of both the elders and the student tech tutors. These were clustered into four categories: social inclusion; the teaching and learning experience; expanding horizons; and expressions of self-efficacy. Specific challenges encountered by tech tutors and participants are presented and innovative teaching strategies are proposed. Findings point to the need for further studies to explore the psychosocial factors that motivate and hinder elder requests for ongoing technical help as well as the need for outreach to convey the unexpected benefits of going online to nonusers. A number of recommendations and implications for policy, education and further research were highlighted by the study

Transcriptomic profiling of 39 commonly-used neuroblastoma cell lines

Neuroblastoma cell lines are an important and cost-effective model used to study oncogenic drivers of the disease. While many of these cell lines have been previously characterized with SNP, methylation, and/or mRNA expression microarrays, there has not been an effort to comprehensively sequence these cell lines. Here, we present raw whole transcriptome data generated by RNA sequencing of 39 commonly-used neuroblastoma cell lines. These data can be used to perform differential expression analysis based on a genetic aberration or phenotype in neuroblastoma (e.g., MYCN amplification status, ALK mutation status, chromosome arm 1p, 11q and/or 17q status, sensitivity to pharmacologic perturbation). Additionally, we designed this experiment to enable structural variant and/or long-noncoding RNA analysis across these cell lines. Finally, as more DNase/ATAC and histone/transcription factor ChIP sequencing is performed in these cell lines, our RNA-Seq data will be an important complement to inform transcriptional targets as well as regulatory (enhancer or repressor) elements in neuroblastoma

Genetic structure along an elevational gradient in Hawaiian honeycreepers reveals contrasting evolutionary responses to avian malaria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Hawaiian honeycreepers (Drepanidinae) are one of the best-known examples of an adaptive radiation, but their persistence today is threatened by the introduction of exotic pathogens and their vector, the mosquito <it>Culex quinquefasciatus</it>. Historically, species such as the amakihi (<it>Hemignathus virens</it>), the apapane (<it>Himatione sanguinea</it>), and the iiwi (<it>Vestiaria coccinea</it>) were found from the coastal lowlands to the high elevation forests, but by the late 1800's they had become extremely rare in habitats below 900 m. Recently, however, populations of amakihi and apapane have been observed in low elevation habitats. We used twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci to investigate patterns of genetic structure, and to infer responses of these species to introduced avian malaria along an elevational gradient on the eastern flanks of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes on the island of Hawaii.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Our results indicate that amakihi have genetically distinct, spatially structured populations that correspond with altitude. We detected very few apapane and no iiwi in low-elevation habitats, and genetic results reveal only minimal differentiation between populations at different altitudes in either of these species.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results suggest that amakihi populations in low elevation habitats have not been recolonized by individuals from mid or high elevation refuges. After generations of strong selection for pathogen resistance, these populations have rebounded and amakihi have become common in regions in which they were previously rare or absent.</p

Efficient Gene Knockout and Genetic Interaction Screening Using the in4mer CRISPR/Cas12a Multiplex Knockout Platform

Genetic interactions mediate the emergence of phenotype from genotype, but technologies for combinatorial genetic perturbation in mammalian cells are challenging to scale. Here, we identify background-independent paralog synthetic lethals from previous CRISPR genetic interaction screens, and find that the Cas12a platform provides superior sensitivity and assay replicability. We develop the in4mer Cas12a platform that uses arrays of four independent guide RNAs targeting the same or different genes. We construct a genome-scale library, Inzolia, that is ~30% smaller than a typical CRISPR/Cas9 library while also targeting ~4000 paralog pairs. Screens in cancer cells demonstrate discrimination of core and context-dependent essential genes similar to that of CRISPR/Cas9 libraries, as well as detection of synthetic lethal and masking/buffering genetic interactions between paralogs of various family sizes. Importantly, the in4mer platform offers a fivefold reduction in library size compared to other genetic interaction methods, substantially reducing the cost and effort required for these assays

Ronald V. Dellums v. George Bush (D.D.C. 1990): Memorandum Amicus Curiae of Law Professors

This joint memorandum is submitted to the court hearing Dellums v. Bush. This amicus brief advocates that the President may not order American armed forces to make war without consultation with and approval by Congress. The brief also argues that the case is justiciable

FAPRI 2006 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook

The FAPRI 2006 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook presents projections of world agricultural production, consumption, and trade under average weather patterns, existing farm policy, and policy commitments under current trade agreements and custom unions. Despite continued high energy prices, world economic growth is expected to remain strong in the coming decade, above 3% per annum. Other major drivers of the 2006 baseline include new bio-energy policies in several large countries, EU sugar policy reform, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) shocks in livestock and poultry markets, and movements in the exchange rate.Crop Production/Industries, International Relations/Trade, Livestock Production/Industries,

PenQuest Volume 4, Number 1

Table of Contents for this Volume: Poetry by Brad Ross Untitled by Bruce Abbey it\u27s back by Leslie M. Brown De-thinging the Thingumbob by Michael R. McMahon Untitled by Mark Davis Fractures by Peggy De Broux Until I Knew by Lori Loper Untitled by Mark Davis The Local Art of Darkness by Michael R. McMahon Home by Peggy de Broux Untitled by Bruce Abbey Hooked by Robert M. Hart Parable of the Balloon (Demonstrated by the Poet to his Dog) by Michael R. McMahon Flight by Brad Ross The Stucco Room by Peggy de Broux Growing Up In America by E. R. Sukovich I Hear Them Scratching by Brad Ross It\u27s In The Bag by Susan Torode Untitled by Mark Davis Lawrence at Seventeen Coming Home by Brad Ross Untitled by Brad Ross Jere\u27s Antiques by Susan Torode Untitled by Bruce Abbey Simpson\u27s, for lunch, of course by Joni E. Dooley Untitled by Mark Davis Moments For an autobiography by Jocelyn W. Griffo Untitled by Bruce Abbe

FAPRI 2005 U.S. and World Agricultural Outlook

Crop Production/Industries, Livestock Production/Industries,