A qualitative study of how eight teachers moved toward whole language.

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into and knowledge about the perceptions and practices of teachers who have moved toward a whole language, literature-based, process approach to the teaching of reading. The data for the study came from interviews with eight teachers: four were teaching in elementary schools, two were language arts resource people, one was serving as a curriculum coordinator, and one was a university professor. The data are presented in the form of profiles of the eight educators who described their changed way of teaching in their own words. All interviewees reflect on how they feel they have changed the way they teach based on their understandings of how their beliefs about teaching and learning have changed. The researcher\u27s changed beliefs are also examined in this study. The information on which this study is based was gathered in several ways: notes from participant observation during attendance at classes, seminars, conferences, and professional meetings; conversations with knowledgeable colleagues; review of the literature; and primarily, the tape-recorded interviews with selected teachers. The presentation of the interview data is interspersed with information gathered in the above mentioned ways. The literature review examines the theoretical and philosophical aspects of whole language and published descriptions of the reflections of some teachers who have undergone change. The results of this study demonstrate that there is much collegiality and networking among teachers who believe in this approach to the teaching of reading. Teachers undergoing a philosophical change toward whole language need to receive support, but they also give support to others. Support groups and informal support have played a very important part in the grassroots nature of whole language. Many of these teachers have made a strong connection between reading and writing. Experience as a teacher and reflection upon that experience also contribute to teacher change, which usually occurs gradually. Other ways of fostering change include visiting other teachers\u27 classrooms, taking courses and participating in workshops, reading professional literature, becoming knowledgeable about children\u27s literature, and attending and presenting at professional conferences

The statistical impact of the Louisville Slugger 'catalyst' bat on the 2005 Division I collegiate softball season

This study investigated the relationship between composite bat technology and 13 offensive statistics. In addition to bat technology it analyzed the relationship between ball Coefficient of Restitution and offensive statistics. The study included 28 NCAA Division I Louisville Slugger Sponsored programs from the 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons. All teams were using the same Louisville Composite bat in the 2005 season; the 'Catalyst' and all had the same choices of Louisville bats to choose from in 2002, 2003, and 2004. The ball has been changed from a COR of .50 to a .47. The results indicated that there was no effect for the change in COR, but that there was an effect for change in bat technology. Of the seven statistical categories utilized in the one-way ANOVA, five of them returned a significant result and two did not. The results further indicated that the change in bat is significant in producing more home runs, higher slugging percentages, and better batting averages. The descriptive statistics indicated a dramatic increase in mean home runs and mean hits, with a 45% increase in mean homeruns in 2005

"One of the Proudest Achievements:" Organized Birth Control in Indiana, 1870s to 1950s

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Local birth control advocates often found themselves attempting to open birth control clinics in restrictive climates that did not welcome open discussions of sexuality. To accomplish this, the organizers chose their tactics carefully and followed common strategies. After a few stumbles, organized birth control in many states began in earnest in the 1930s. By 1943, just ten years after its opening, the Indianapolis birth control clinic could boast that it had served 4,531 women and openly solicit funds from the community. The Maternal Health League’s plea on its fundraising brochure assured citizens of their patriotic duty to help. The league reminded Hoosiers, “In War and In Peace a Nation is as Strong as the Health of Its Mothers and Children.” Arguments such as these allowed the clinic to open and assured its existence for many years to come. Indiana birth control organizers relied on specific tactics that allowed them to accomplish their goals in a restrictive Midwestern state. Indiana’s birth control story offers modern-day readers a very different picture than that offered by studies of the national movement of birth control. Indiana offers an account that relies more on cooperation and less on confrontation

Apoptosis and schizophrenia: a pilot study based on dermal fibroblast cell lines

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is an increased susceptibility to apoptosis in cultured fibroblasts from patients with schizophrenia

Iterative qualitative approach to establishing content validation of a patient-reported outcome measure for arm lymphedema:the LYMPH-Q Upper Extremity Module

Background: Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BRCL) is one of the most common causes of upper extremity (UE) lymphedema in developed nations and substantially impacts health-related quality of life. To advance our understanding of the epidemiology and treatment of BRCL, rigorously developed and validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are needed. This study aimed to demonstrate the iterative content validity of a modular UE lymphedema-specific PROM called the LYMPH-Q UE module. Methods:A multi-step iterative qualitative approach was used. Semi-structured interview data from in-depth qualitative interviews with adult women (18 years and older) with BCRL were used to develop the first set of the LYMPH-Q UE scales. The content validity of these scales was demonstrated with patient and clinician feedback. Over the course of cognitive debriefing interviews, additional concepts of lymphedema worry and impact on work were identified as missing from the LYMPH-Q UE module. Subsequently, two new qualitative studies (a focus group and in-depth concept elicitation interviews with patients) were conducted, and two new scales were developed to measure lymphedema worry and impact on work life and their content validity was dResults: emonstrated. Qualitative data from in-depth and cognitive interviews with 15 (age 40–74 years) and 16 (age 38–74 years) women with BRCL, respectively, and feedback from 12 clinical experts, were used to develop and demonstrate the content validity of six LYMPH-Q UE scales measuring symptoms, function, appearance, psychological, information, and arm sleeve. Additionally, data from in-depth interviews with 12 (age 35–72 years) women with UE lymphedema and four focus groups (n = 16 women; age 35–74 years) was used to develop and assess the content validity of two new LYMPH-Q UE scales measuring lymphedema worry and impact on work life. The content validity of the previously established six scales was also demonstrated in these subsequent qualitative studies. Conclusion: The LYMPH-Q UE is a modular PROM developed using international guidelines for PROM development and can be used in clinical practice, research, and quality improvement to enhance patient-centered shared decision-making. This study’s innovative and iterative approach to content validation demonstrates that the LYMPH-Q UE is a comprehensive measure that includes important concepts relevant to patients with UE lymphedema.</p

Polymyalgia rheumatica shows metabolomic alterations that are further altered by glucocorticoid treatment:Identification of metabolic correlates of fatigue

OBJECTIVE: In polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR), glucocorticoids (GCs) relieve pain and stiffness, but fatigue may persist. We aimed to explore the effect of disease, GCs and PMR symptoms in the metabolite signatures of peripheral blood from patients with PMR or the related disease, giant cell arteritis (GCA).METHODS: Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was performed on serum from 40 patients with untreated PMR, 84 with new-onset confirmed GCA, and 53 with suspected GCA who later were clinically confirmed non-GCA, and 39 age-matched controls. Further samples from PMR patients were taken one and six months into glucocorticoid therapy to explore relationship of metabolites to persistent fatigue. 100 metabolites were identified using Chenomx and statistical analysis performed in SIMCA-P to examine the relationship between metabolic profiles and, disease, GC treatment or symptoms.RESULTS: The metabolite signature of patients with PMR and GCA differed from that of age-matched non-inflammatory controls (R2 &gt; 0.7). There was a smaller separation between patients with clinically confirmed GCA and those with suspected GCA who later were clinically confirmed non-GCA (R2 = 0.135). In PMR, metabolite signatures were further altered with glucocorticoid treatment (R2 = 0.42) but did not return to that seen in controls. Metabolites correlated with CRP, pain, stiffness, and fatigue (R 2 ≥ 0.39). CRP, pain, and stiffness declined with treatment and were associated with 3-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate, but fatigue did not. Metabolites differentiated patients with high and low fatigue both before and after treatment (R2 &gt; 0.9). Low serum glutamine was predictive of high fatigue at both time points (0.79-fold change). CONCLUSION: PMR and GCA alter the metabolite signature. In PMR, this is further altered by glucocorticoid therapy. Treatment-induced metabolite changes were linked to measures of inflammation (CRP, pain and stiffness), but not to fatigue. Furthermore, metabolite signatures distinguished patients with high or low fatigue.</p

Places of joy : the role of heritage after lockdown

[Abstract not available