Are preschoolers expected to learn difficult science constructs? A content analysis of U.S. standards

In the current paper, we report on the recommendations for preschool science put forward in the educational standards of U.S. states. Our focus was specifically on whether educational standards recommend abstract science constructs—constructs that are difficult to learn. In Study 1, we focused on science constructs related to inquiry (i.e., activities geared towards the generation of scientific knowledge). And in Study 2, we focused on science constructs related to facts (i.e., established scientific knowledge). In each study, we developed a coding scheme to distinguish between concrete and abstract constructs and then determined the relative prevalence of each. Our findings show that preschoolers are indeed expected to learn abstract science constructs. At the same time, educational standards varied considerably across U.S. states. Implications for the field of early science learning are discussed

Construção sócio-cultural da feminilidade

The gender is conceived as a cultural construction that prescribed certain forms of thinking, feelings and behavior for women and men. Feminine and masculine social constructions as mention here challenge the subjectivity in which they are defined, pointing out the social imaginary, as well as the stereotypes, prejudices and concomitant social discrimination. Since subjectivity is understood, both as a social and psychological construction as well.Femininity is no longer considered an essence, only related to woman. It is seen more as an acquired set of attitudes, skills, emotions and values which influence the perception and behavior of the individuals. Such socially constructed factors, the perceptions and traumas in life are the trigger, which lead women to engage in behaviors of risk such as the use of psychoactive substances as means for avoiding reality. However this behavior triggers addiction to the substances in most cases.Addiction to substances has been understood as a chronic and relapsing disorder characterized by a compulsive consumption behavior of the substance, deteriorating the social and professional environment. In this way, understanding and comprehending the bio-psychosocio-cultural factors of this situation would facilitate the psychotherapeutic approach in the population. Consequentially Psychological therapy, seeks to adapt to the context which fits the needs of a particular person, in this case, women who use psychoactive substances, having in mind that we are all integrated humans beings.El género es concebido como una construcción histórico-cultural que prescribe determinadas formas de pensar, sentir y actuar para mujeres y hombres. Lo femenino y lo masculino como construcciones sociales enunciadas, interpelan a la subjetividad que se adhiere a sus cánones, reproduciendo en uno u otro sentido el imaginario social, y así sus estereotipos, prejuicios y la discriminación social concomitante. Puesto que la subjetividad es entendida como una construcción social a la vez que psicológica, la feminidad ya no es considerada una esencia, inherente a toda mujer. Es vista más como un juego de actitudes, habilidades, emociones y valores adquiridos. Los cuales influyen en la percepción y comportamiento de los entes.Son estos factores construidos socialmente, las percepciones y traumas de vidas, las que llevan a las mujeres a incurrir en conductas de riesgo como el uso de sustancias psicoactivas. Este particular, como medio de evadir la realidad. Muchas veces esta conducta desencadena en adicciones a la/las sustancias. La adicción a sustancias se ha entendido como un trastorno crónico y recidivante caracterizado por una conducta compulsiva de consumo de sustancias, con deterioro de la actividad social y laboral. De esta forma, entender y comprender lo factores bio-psico-socio-cultural de esta situación facilitarían el acercamiento psicoterapéutico en la población. La terapia psicológica, a su vez, supone la consideración de ser enmarcada en un contexto que se atempere a las necesidades particulares de la persona, en este caso, mujeres usuarias de sustancias psicoactivas ya que como seres humanos somos entes integradosO gênero é concebido como uma construção histórico- cultural que prescreve certos modos de pensar, sentir e agir para mulheres e homens. O feminino e o masculino como construções sociais definidas, questionam a subjetividade que adere aos seus cânones, jogando em ambos sentidos o imaginário social, e assim os seus estereótipos, preconceitos e a discriminação social concomitante. Desde a subjetividade é entendida como uma construção social, bem como psicológica, a feminilidade não é mais considerada uma essência inerente a cada mulher. Ela é vista mais como um jogo de atitudes, habilidades, emoções e valores adquiridos. Eles influenciam a percepção e o comportamento das entidades. São esses fatores socialmente construídos, as percepções e traumas da vida, que levam as mulheres a se envolver em comportamentos de risco, como o uso de substâncias psicoativas. Neste particular, como forma de fugir da realidade. Muitas vezes, esse comportamento provoca dependência de substâncias. A dependência de substâncias é tratada como uma doença crônica e recidivante caracterizada por um comportamento compulsivo de consumo das substâncias, com o funcionamento social e profissional prejudicado. Assim, para entender e compreender os fatores bio-psico-sócio-cultural de esta situação facilita o abordagem psicoterapêutico na população. A terapia psicológica, por sua vez, envolve a consideração de ser enquadrada em um contexto que aquece com as necessidades específicas da pessoa, neste caso, as mulheres que usam substâncias psicoativas, porque como seres humanos são entidades integradas

Toward an Equity-Driven Conceptual Model of COVID-19 Vaccine Decision-Making for People with IDD

COVID-19 presented a public health emergency in the U.S., resulting in severe illness, hospitalizations, high mortality rates, and long-term adverse health care conditions. Several studies examined the disparities in transmission rates, barriers to care, and negative health outcomes for persons with disabilities, particularly people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). While data revealed similar trends among Black, Hispanic or Latino/a/x/e, Native, Indigenous, and Asian people, outcomes are compounded for people of color with I/DD. Several historical, pervasive, systemic, structural, and attitudinal barriers have constrained healthcare access and adequate treatment, instigating feelings of distrust among those in systems of care. Although vaccination is effective in minimizing adverse outcomes, COVID-19 vaccine policies and rollouts have also followed inequitable patterns in distribution and accessibility. To better address the concerns and needs of communities, a multidisciplinary team at a University Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) engaged in a generative, multistep, systematic process to explore factors that influence vaccine confidence among people with I/DD, their families, and support circles, particularly people of color with IDD. Garnering data and input from multiple sources, we uncovered several complexities around vaccination, which include (a) accessibility; (b) context, history, and sociocultural concerns; (c) policies; (d) communication and media; and (e) a continuum of vaccine confidence and supported decision-making. Findings from these efforts underscore the centrality of equity and trust, with implications for practitioners, institutions, policymakers, and public health strategists. Furthermore, our model can serve as a useful framework for people invested in promoting healthcare equity in vaccination for people with I/DD and with multiple marginalized identities

Affordances in Video Games: A Study of Perspective

Undergraduate Honors Thesi

El movimiento agroecológico como actor del desarrollo en Puerto Rico: Un estudio sobre el rol de las cadenas productivas cortas en la promoción de la agroecología como modelo alternativo de desarrollo local

La agricultura en Puerto Rico ha experimentado un renacimiento después de décadas de ser una de las actividades de menor crecimiento a nivel nacional. A principios del siglo XX, durante las primeras décadas del régimen colonial de los Estados Unidos, la agricultura era la principal actividad económica dedicada principalmente a la producción de caña de azúcar para la exportación. Luego de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, la economía de la isla se industrializó rápidamente, lo que provocó la caída de la producción agrícola y la destrucción de la capacidad local para la producción de alimentos. Hoy día, Puerto Rico importa el 85% de los alimentos consumidos a través de cadenas de suministro muy vulnerables con consecuencias para la economía, como el aumento en el costo de vida para la población. Durante los años ochenta, el movimiento agroecológico surgió en defensa de la soberanía alimentaria y la sostenibilidad ambiental. La agroecología se presenta como una práctica alternativa para la producción de alimentos con alto impacto en las comunidades locales a través de la sustitución de agroquímicos por insumos naturales y el uso de prácticas intensivas en mano de obra. El movimiento ha logrado converger los esfuerzos de producción de un número creciente de fincas pero, es suficiente articular un modelo alternativo de desarrollo local? Esta tesis pretende contribuir a la comprensión del movimiento agroecológico puertorriqueño, en particular su potencial para actuar como un espacio de concertación y aglutinación de las fuerzas productivas para su eventual consolidación como actor de desarrollo. A través de una metodología cuantitativa y cualitativa, en forma de entrevistas, revisión de documentos y análisis de datos estadísticos, describimos las capacidades del movimiento agroecológico para la promoción de un modelo alternativo de desarrollo local; y cómo la adopción de cadenas productivas cortas, como una estrategia de inserción en el mercado de alimentos, puede promover una mejor distribución de los beneficios económicos locales. Los resultados de nuestra investigación demuestran que el movimiento agroecológico contiene las capacidades para promover un modelo alternativo de desarrollo local. Estas capacidades dependen de los esfuerzos de organización de los agricultores/as agroecológicos que permiten el diseño y la implementación de estrategias en la forma de cadenas productivas cortas de alimentos. Estas estrategias permitieron una mayor visibilidad de su producción y la amplificación de su alcance de mercado. Nuestra investigación encontró que un mayor éxito en las estrategias de inserción en el mercado ha promovido la agroecología como una práctica y ha alentado la llegada de nuevos agricultores/as al movimiento. Además, argumentamos que mediante el fortalecimiento de sus capacidades productivas, aumenta el acceso a los recursos para la organización política del movimiento y su capacidad para influenciar la agenda de política pública a nivel nacional

Are preschoolers expected to learn difficult science constructs? A content analysis of U.S. standards

In this project, we performed a content analysis of the preschool science standards for U.S. states to assess the extent to which preschoolers are expected to learn abstract constructs

Construcción socio-cultural de la feminidad

El género es concebido como una construcción histórico-cultural que prescribe determinadas formas de pensar, sentir y actuar para mujeres y hombres. Lo femenino y lo masculino como construcciones sociales enunciadas, interpelan a la subjetividad que se adhiere a sus cánones, reproduciendo en uno u otro sentido el imaginario social, y así sus estereotipos, prejuicios y la discriminación social concomitante. Puesto que la subjetividad es entendida como una construcción social a la vez que psicológica, la feminidad ya no es considerada una esencia, inherente a toda mujer. Es vista más como un juego de actitudes, habilidades, emociones y valores adquiridos. Los cuales influyen en la percepción y comportamiento de los entes.Son estos factores construidos socialmente, las percepciones y traumas de vidas, las que llevan a las mujeres a incurrir en conductas de riesgo como el uso de sustancias psicoactivas. Este particular, como medio de evadir la realidad. Muchas veces esta conducta desencadena en adicciones a la/las sustancias. La adicción a sustancias se ha entendido como un trastorno crónico y recidivante caracterizado por una conducta compulsiva de consumo de sustancias, con deterioro de la actividad social y laboral. De esta forma, entender y comprender lo factores bio-psico-socio-cultural de esta situación facilitarían el acercamiento psicoterapéutico en la población. La terapia psicológica, a su vez, supone la consideración de ser enmarcada en un contexto que se atempere a las necesidades particulares de la persona, en este caso, mujeres usuarias de sustancias psicoactivas ya que como seres humanos somos entes integrados

'She became this liaison'. Perspectives of a preschool community on coaches as brokers of assistive technology access, communication and support for teachers and caregivers of children with disabilities

While AT has been well-documented as a valuable support for disabled and nondisabled children across developmental domains and settings, several barriers to access and implementation persist. Studies have described heightened barriers for community-based preschools, whose access to AT professional development, AT resources, and practitioners with AT experience may be limited. Researchers in this qualitative inquiry engaged twenty-seven participants (teachers, teacher assistants, caregivers and administrators) to learn about their experiences of an AT intervention programme over a 2-year period. Using Constructivist Grounded Theory Methodology, we analysed data from focus groups and semi-structured interviews, generating five themes. Members of the school community valued the programme's AT coaches, whose presence, affective style and actions promoted their confidence using AT. While the COVID-19 pandemic impacted both programme delivery and participants' experiences, the programme and its coaches helped bolster technology and communication access in unanticipated ways. Insights from this inquiry emphasise the important, yet often understated role of building relationships with all participants when delivering community-based preschool interventions, invaluable in meeting the holistic needs of children, as well as the practitioners and families who support them. Notably, AT coaches were perceived as liaisons, building rapport, providing technical assistance, and sustaining connections within a school learning community

The Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG1 and IgG3 Antibody Isotypes with Limited Neutralizing Capacity against Omicron Elicited in a Latin Population a Switch toward IgG4 after Multiple Doses with the mRNA Pfizer–BioNTech Vaccine

The aim of this study was to analyze the profiles of IgG subclasses in COVID-19 convalescent Puerto Rican subjects and compare these profiles with those of non-infected immunocompetent or immunocompromised subjects that received two or more doses of an mRNA vaccine. The most notable findings from this study are as follows: (1) Convalescent subjects that were not hospitalized developed high and long-lasting antibody responses. (2) Both IgG1 and IgG3 subclasses were more prevalent in the SARS-CoV-2-infected population, whereas IgG1 was more prevalent after vaccination. (3) Individuals that were infected and then later received two doses of an mRNA vaccine exhibited a more robust neutralizing capacity against Omicron than those that were never infected and received two doses of an mRNA vaccine. (4) A class switch toward the “anti-inflammatory” antibody isotype IgG4 was induced a few weeks after the third dose, which peaked abruptly and remained at high levels for a long period. Moreover, the high levels of IgG4 were concurrent with high neutralizing percentages against various VOCs including Omicron. (5) Subjects with IBD also produced IgG4 antibodies after the third dose, although these antibody levels had a limited effect on the neutralizing capacity. Knowing that the mRNA vaccines do not prevent infections, the Omicron subvariants have been shown to be less pathogenic, and IgG4 levels have been associated with immunotolerance and numerous negative effects, the recommendations for the successive administration of booster vaccinations to people should be revised

ZDHHC_lipidomics_2023.zip

Lipidomics Methods Lipid extraction: HEK293T cells were seeded in 6-well plates, grown to 70% confluency and treated with bumped fatty acid probes (15 µM) for 4 h. Cells were dislodged into their growth media by pipetting and pelleted by centrifugation (500 x g, 5 min). The cell pellet was washed 2X with ice-cold PBS and pelleting by centrifugation. Subsequently, the cells were resuspended in 500 µL of ice-cold 150 mM ammonium bicarbonate. An aliquot (10%) was kept aside for protein concentration determination and the remaining sample snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C until further processing. For protein concentration determination, cells were lysed in M-PER™ Mammalian Protein Extraction Reagent (Thermo Fisher, 78501) and protein content determined using the Pierce™ BCA Protein Assay Kit (Thermo Fisher, 23227) as per the manufacturer’s instructions. An aliquot equivalent to 100 µg protein per sample were used for lipid extraction. Lipid were extracted by the methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) method with minor modifications62. Extractions were performed in glass vials fitted with Teflon-lined caps using MS-grade solvents and water. Glass pipettes were used to handle any MTBE-containing solutions or lipid extracts. Methanol (1.5 mL) was added and the protein sample vortexed. MTBE (5 mL) was added and the mixture was incubated for 1 h at RT on a shaker. Phase separation was induced by the addition of water (1.25 mL) followed by incubation for 10 min at room temperature. The sample was centrifuged (1,000 x g, 10 min) and the upper organic phase collected. The lower aqueous phase was re-extracted by addition of 1.67 mL of solvent mixture comprising MTBE/methanol (10:3, v/v) and 0.32 mL water. The samples were vortexed, incubated for 10 min and centrifuged (1000 x g, 10 min). The upper phase was recovered, and the combined organic phases were evaporated at 37°C under a stream of nitrogen and stored at -20°C. Lipid extracts were reconstituted in 100 µL loading buffer (isopropanol/water/acetonitrile, 2:1:1, v/v/v). Blank control extraction was performed on a 200 µL aliquot of 150 mM ammonium bicarbonate solution. Quality control (QC) samples were prepared by pooling a small aliquot of all experimental samples after resuspension in loading buffer. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS): Analysis was performed on a 1290 Infinity II UHPLC system coupled to a 6550 iFunnel quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) mass spectrometer (Agilent Technologies). The reversed-phase chromatography protocol was optimized with minor modifications from Cajka and Fiehn63. Extracted lipids were separated on an Acquity UPLC CSH C18 column (130 Å, 1.7 μm, 2.1 x 100 mm) fitted with an Acquity UPLC CSH C18 VanGuard pre-column (130 Å, 1.7 µm, 2.1 mm x 5 mm) (both Waters). The column was maintained at 65°C at a flowrate of 0.6 mL/min. The mobile phases used were 60:40 (v:v) acetonitrile/H2O (solvent A) and 10:90 (v:v) acetonitrile/isopropanol (solvent B). Solvent A and B were supplemented with 10 mM ammonium formate and 0.1% formic acid for ESI positive mode and with 10 mM ammonium acetate for ESI negative mode analysis. UHPLC gradient elution was carried out as follows: 0−2 min 15-30% B; 2-2.5 min 30-48% B; 2.5−11 min 48-82% B; 11-11.5 min 82-99% B; 11.5-14.50 min 99% B. The gradient was returned to initial conditions over 0.5 min and the column equilibrated for 3 min before subsequent runs. Between injections a 100% isopropanol needle wash was performed. For negative mode 5 µL (MS mode) or 10 µL (MS/MS mode) of sample and for positive mode 4 µL (MS mode) or 8 µL (MS/MS mode) of sample were injected. Samples were injected in randomized order, with QC sample injections added to the start, middle and end of each sample sequence to ensure consistency and reproducibility of all acquisition parameters. Samples were loaded in a random order by blinded selection from pooled anonymously labelled samples. Electrospray parameters were set as follows: gas and sheath gas temperature, 200°C; drying gas flow, 14 L/min; sheath gas flow, 11 L/min; sheath gas temperature, 350°C; nebulizer pressure, 35 psig; capillary voltage, 3,000 V; nozzle voltage, 1,000 V. MS-TOF fragmentor and Oct 1 RF Vpp radio voltage were set to 350 and 750 V respectively. The QTOF was calibrated and operated in the extended dynamic range mode (∼2 GHz) in the mass range 50 to 1700 m/z. Spectra were acquired in centroid mode with an acquisition rate of 2 spectra/s for MS mode acquisition. Data was acquired in MS mode for quantitative analysis of the natural lipidome, and MS/MS mode to obtain data for lipid structure assignment. MS/MS data was acquired in auto-MS/MS mode (data-dependent). Spectra were acquired in centroid mode with an acquisition rate of 1 and 5 spectra/s for MS and MS/MS acquisition, respectively. Collision energy was adjusted to -35 eV and 30 eV for negative and positive modes, respectively. Mass range for precursor selection was 300-1650 m/z (negative) and 250-1680 m/z (positive). Fragmentation was triggered if the precursor reached 5000 (negative) or 2000 (positive) counts and maximum precursors per cycle was set to 5. MS/MS isolation width for precursors was selected as narrow (1.3 m/z). Active exclusion was enabled, set to exclude after 3 spectra and release after 0.1 min. To improve precursor selection, background ions were added to an exclusion list. For structure determination of probe-derived lipids, a list of preferred precursor ions was generated for each probe to improve MS/MS coverage of features originating from probe metabolism. MS/MS analysis of DMSO control samples were used to confirm assignment of natural lipids. Quantitative analysis of natural lipidome: Lipid annotations and quantifications were performed following the guidelines of the Lipidomics Standard Initiative (https://lipidomics-standards-initiative.org/). Feature extraction was carried out in Mass Hunter Profinder (v. 10.0, Agilent Technologies) using the “Batch Targeted Feature Extraction” option. Features were matched to an in-house library containing mass and retention time information of lipid species including glycerophospholipids, sphingolipids, fatty acids and glycolipids. All lipids in the database were previously assigned from MS/MS data using MS-DIAL64 followed by manual curation. H+, Na+ and NH4+ adducts were selected for positive mode and H−, C2H3O2− and CHO2− adducts were selected for negative mode data. Both mass and retention time were required for feature matching. Match tolerance was set to 5 ppm for mass and 0.15 min for retention time. The EIC extraction range was limited to +/- 0.3 min of the expected retention time. An overall score of >70 was required for feature matching, with the contribution to overall score set as follows: Mass score 100, Isotope abundance score 60, Isotope spacing score 50, Retention time score 100. Features over 20% of saturation limit were excluded from the dataset. Matched features were manually inspected and re-integrated where required and checked for correct adduct pattern for the relevant lipid class. Data were exported as .csv files containing the identity, peak area and the retention time of each lipid species. Further data analysis and data representation was performed in Excel and GraphPad Prism. The relative abundance of each lipid species within a class was calculated as a percentage of the summed peak areas of all species identified within the class. TG species were quantified from data acquired in positive mode while all other species were quantified from data acquired in negative mode. n=5 for each experimental condition. Assignment of probe-derived lipids: Feature extraction of data acquired in MS mode was carried out in Mass Hunter Profinder (v. 10.0, Agilent Technologies) using the “Batch Recursive Feature Extraction (small molecule/peptide)” option. Samples were grouped according to experimental condition. All parameters except those detailed below were used as pre-set by the program. Peak heights were set to a minimum of 3000 counts. H+, Na+ and NH4+ adducts were selected for positive mode and H−, C2H3O2− and CHO2− adducts were selected for negative mode. For compound binning and alignment, retention time tolerance was set to (+/- 0% + 0.15 min) and mass tolerance to (+/- 5 ppm + 2 mDa). A MFE score of at least 70 was required in at least 4 of 6 samples per group. For match tolerance, the mass was set to +/- 10 ppm and retention time to +/- 0.15 min. The EIC extraction range was limited to +/- 0.15 min of the expected retention time. An overall score of >75 was required for feature matching, with the contribution to overall score set as follows: Mass score 100, Isotope abundance score 60, Isotope spacing score 50, Retention time score 100. Features over 20% of saturation limit were excluded from the dataset. Post-processing filters were set to require a score (Tgt) of at least 50 in 4 out of 6 samples per experimental group. Manual filtering was performed to remove features present in the blank extraction samples. To create a list of features originating from probe metabolism, only features unique to each probe condition were selected. All features present in DMSO control samples were discarded. Features were manually inspected and re-integrated where required. The feature lists were used to create inclusion lists for MS/MS analysis and peak lists for lipid annotations as described below. </p