On Cold, On Green

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The temporal dynamic of response inhibition in early childhood: An ERP study of partial and successful inhibition

Event-related potentials were recorded while five-year-old children completed a Go/No-Go task that distinguished between partial inhibition (i.e., response is initiated but cancelled before completion) and successful inhibition (i.e., response is inhibited before it is initiated). Partial inhibition trials were characterized by faster response initiation and later latency of the lateral frontal negativity (LFN) than successful Go and successful inhibition trials. The speed of response initiation was influenced by the response speed on previous trials and influenced the response speed on subsequent trials. Response initiation and action decision dynamically influenced each other, and their temporal interplay determined response inhibition success

Contribution of reactive and proactive control to children's working memory performance:Insight from item recall durations in response sequence planning

The present study addressed whether developmental improvement in working memory span task performance relies upon a growing ability to proactively plan response sequences during childhood. Two hundred thirteen children completed a working memory span task in which they used a touchscreen to reproduce orally presented sequences of animal names. Children were assessed longitudinally at 7 time points between 3 and 10 years of age. Twenty-one young adults also completed the same task. Proactive response sequence planning was assessed by comparing recall durations for the 1st item (preparatory interval) and subsequent items. At preschool age, the preparatory interval was generally shorter than subsequent item recall durations, whereas it was systematically longer during elementary school and in adults. Although children mostly approached the task reactively at preschool, they proactively planned response sequences with increasing efficiency from age 7 on, like adults. These findings clarify the nature of the changes in executive control that support working memory performance with age

Preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of YqjH from Escherichia coli: a putative cytoplasmic ferri-siderophore reductase

YqjH is a cytoplasmic FAD-containing protein from Escherichia coli; based on homology to ViuB of Vibrio cholerae, it potentially acts as a ferri-siderophore reductase. This work describes its overexpression, purification, crystallization and structure solution at 3.0 A resolution. YqjH shares high sequence similarity with a number of known siderophore-interacting proteins and its structure was solved by molecular replacement using the siderophore-interacting protein from Shewanella putrefaciens as the search model. The YqjH structure resembles those of other members of the NAD(P)H:flavin oxidoreductase superfamily

Using a Scaffolded Multi-Component Intervention to Support the Reading and Writing Development of English Learners

Growing numbers of English learners (National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition, 2010) suggest the critical need for effective research-based interventions to support them. Interventions that are designed to help English learners make reading-writing connections are more likely to capitalize on the reciprocal nature of both reading and writing (Tierney & Pearson, 1983) and accelerate literacy development (Clay, 1998). Our teacher research investigation suggests that instructional models that strengthen language and literacy processes through scaffolding and mediational approaches such as read-alouds, shared reading and writing, interactive writing, and individual guided writing show promise in supporting the literacy progress of young English learners. In this collaborative practitioner investigation, second-grade English learners received literacy instruction in an ESOL pull-out program two days per week. In six weeks, these learners demonstrated growth in reading levels, phonemic awareness, and orthographic awareness as indicated in pre- and post-test assessments. The findings suggest long-range investigation of this intervention model is warranted

Searching for a Supernova Trigger for Solar System Formation Using High Precision Nickel Isotope Measurements of Fe-Ni Metal in Meteorites

This thesis presents high precision Ni isotope data for Fe-Ni metal with subchondritic Fe/Ni ratios from two non-magmatic irons, five magmatic irons, two main group pallasites and one chondrite, including some meteorites that have not previously been analysed to high precision (IAB irons). The main objectives of this thesis are: (i) to search for variations in 60Ni in the Fe-Ni metal phase of meteorites, which may provide evidence for the former presence of live 60Fe and, therefore, the presence and timing of a SN input into the early Solar System; and (ii) to determine if there are variations in the abundance of the neutron-rich isotope of Ni (62Ni) in Fe-Ni metal phase of meteorites with subchondritic Fe/Ni ratios, which may represent the addition of a heterogeneous SN remnant. Techniques were established and modified from previously established chemical methods for the isolation of Ni from Fe-Ni metal. Three chemical separation methods using TEVA spec resin, AG 1x4 anion resin and Ni spec resin were utilised. The majority of meteorites studied have been processed through all three different Ni separation techniques. Ni isotope ratios were measured with a Nu Plasma multi-collector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to precisions of <+/-0.05 E (E60Ni ) and <+/-0.10 E (E62Ni) (2 se), with estimated external reproducibilities that are ca.<= to 2 times larger than the 2 se. Ni isotope ratios are corrected for instrumental mass bias using 61Ni/58Ni and the exponential mass fractionation law. E60Ni deficits were measured in magmatic irons, the carbonaceous chondrite Gujba and the main group pallasites (PMG), with E60Ni values ranging from -0.041 to -0.205. E62Ni ranges from +0.299 to -0.052, and supports several genetic associations between meteoritic groups. The majority of meteorites (Canyon Diablo (IAB), Sikhote Alin (IIAB), Henbury (IIIAB), Mundrabilla (IIICD), Gibeon (IVA), Brenham (PMG) and Esquel (PMG)) have E62Ni values within error of the terrestrial standard, indicating that the Ni isotope composition of the material their parent bodies accreted from was homogeneous. However, Toluca (IAB), Chinga (IVB) and Gujba (CBa) have significantly positive E62Ni values (+0.138+/-0.088, +0.299+/-0.075 and +0.184+/-0.082 respectively), which are attributed to preservation of nucleosynthetic effects on an asteroidal scale in the protoplanetary disk. Ni isotope data for the meteorites measured in this study are in agreement with measurements of the same meteorites from the same groups reported by Dauphas et al.(2008), Regelous et al.(2008) and Chen et al.(2009), and are inconsistent with the data of Bizzarro et al.(2007). E60Ni deficits and 56Fe/58Ni ratios reported here for pallasites and magmatic irons are consistent with a maximum initial 60Fe/56Fe of 4 x 10-7 at the time of formation of these meteorites, which is potentially consistent with a supernova interaction with the molecular cloud fragment just prior to the formation of the Solar System

Effects of Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue on Attrition Intention of African American Mental Health Professionals

AbstractThe African American community tends to stigmatize mental health services and is underrepresented in both client and therapist populations. Retention of African American mental health professionals (MHPs) may mitigate distrust in these services, allowing more individuals to seek out counseling. The purpose of this nonexperimental survey study was to investigate if compassion fatigue, burnout, or compassion satisfaction can predict intended attrition rates in African American MHPs. Constructivist self-development theory was employed to predict both resiliency and the potential adverse effects of listening to client narratives of 99 African American MHPs with a variety of mental health credentials. Stepwise multiple regression was used with compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout as the predictor variables, and attrition intention as the dependent variable. The only significant predictor of attrition intention was burnout. Compassion fatigue was not a predictor of attrition intention, and compassion satisfaction decreased attrition intention. These findings may suggest resiliency, that the African American MHPs in the sample were satisfied with their jobs. However, over time, if they were not engaging in protective factors a lack of self-care could lead to burnout. These findings may impact positive social change by drawing attention to the importance of self-care practices in African American MHPs. Burnout is a phenomenon that happens over time that can be prevented. The prevention of burnout can increase retention in the MHP community, allowing the opportunity for ethnic representation for the African American community to see someone like themselves when seeking mental health services

Chronic Disease Self-Management and Behavior Change Attitudes in Older Adults: A Mixed-Method Feasibility Study

The population of older adults with chronic disease is increasing, yet little is known about their perception of chronic disease and self-management. To develop successful and sustainable chronic disease self-management interventions in the older adult population, health care providers must first understand older adults’ attitudes toward health status and behavior change. This pilot study was conducted to determine the feasibility of the study design. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the appropriateness of using a mixed-methods research design to investigate Appalachian older adult’s attitude toward the chronic disease experience and health behavior change. A convergent, parallel mixed-method design included a quantitative questionnaire and qualitative focus groups in churches in northeast Tennessee. The aim of the study was met, and the methodology of the study was found to be feasible for larger studies. Divergence of data was found when evaluating qualitative and quantitative data. The study instrument was found to be reliable for future use. The implications of the results suggest that the study design is appropriate for the purpose of the study

Student and Faculty Preferences Regarding Instructional Modalities at an HBCU Business School as a Result of Covid-19 – A Change Management Approach and Mindset

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the higher education community, especially the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). At a micro-level, the HBCU business schools have felt the effects as well, particularly in critical areas such as instructional modalities and the overall classroom experience. Since COVID-19 has changed the educational game, what do key stakeholder groups now prefer regarding instructional modalities in the HBCU business school? This study will answer this question and more while incorporating a change management approach and mindset for leadership and decision-making