3,855 research outputs found
Collective efficacy: a framework for understanding classroom teacher\u27s perceptions of integrating physical activity
Childrenās physical inactivity is becoming an important health concern, and it has been suggested by professionals that school programs can be important in the effort to increase activity levels. Physical education specialists cannot achieve the goal of significantly increasing childrenās activity in isolation, and it is apparent that whole school programs at the elementary level have the potential to foster active lifestyles. If those programs are to be successful, all school personnel must play a role, so it is important to find ways to facilitate their involvement. The purpose of this study was to use collective efficacy as a framework to examine elementary classroom teachersā and principalsā perceptions about integrating physical activity into classroom lessons. Participants were 314 elementary teachers and 38 elementary school principals. They completed a survey to assess their physical activity patterns, willingness to integrate physical activity, and role preparedness. Participants also rated the influence of sources of information about efficacy, and the strength of individual and collective efficacy. Based on survey responses, 21 teachers and 12 principals were purposively selected for interviews to represent individuals with high and low efficacy. The interviews focused on their perceptions of barriers and enablers to movement integration. The participants acknowledged the importance of childrenās physical activity and generally indicated they would be willing to integrate movement into classroom activities to some degree. Willingness to integrate was related to both individual and collective efficacy, but personal involvement in physical activity was not. Although there was a strong relationship between individual and collective efficacy, there was evidence that those variables are distinct and that collective efficacy varied by school context. Mastery experiences were most influential in predicting strength of individual efficacy, while institutional environment was the strongest predictor of collective efficacy. The three themes that emerged from the analysis of the qualitative data reflected the belief that (a) effective management is essential to successfully movement integration, (b) extensive inservice training would be needed, and (c) provision of administrative support and inclusion of physical activity in the accountability system are necessary if teachers are to be committed to integrating movement
Stratospheric measurements of continuous absorption near 2400 cm^-1
Solar occultation spectra obtained with a balloon-borne interferometer have been used to study continuous absorption by N2 and CO2 near 2400 cm^-1 in the lower stratosphere. Synthetic continuum transmittances, calculated from published coefficients for far-wing absorption by CO2 lines and for pressure-induced absorption by the fundamental band of N2, are in fair agreement with the observed stratospheric values. The continuum close to the Ī½3 R-branch band head of CO2 is sensitive to the CO2 far-wing line shape. Therefore, given highly accurate knowledge of the N2 continuum from laboratory data, high-resolution stratospheric spectra provide a sensitive means for in situ testing of various air-broadened CO2 line shapes at low temperatures
What Makes Ly Nebulae Glow? Mapping the Polarization of LABd05
"Ly nebulae" are giant (100 kpc), glowing gas clouds in the
distant universe. The origin of their extended Ly emission remains a
mystery. Some models posit that Ly emission is produced when the cloud
is photoionized by UV emission from embedded or nearby sources, while others
suggest that the Ly photons originate from an embedded galaxy or AGN
and are then resonantly scattered by the cloud. At least in the latter
scenario, the observed Ly emission will be polarized. To test these
possibilities, we are conducting imaging polarimetric observations of seven
Ly nebulae. Here we present our results for LABd05, a cloud at =
2.656 with an obscured, embedded AGN to the northeast of the peak of Ly
emission. We detect significant polarization. The highest polarization
fractions are 10-20% at 20-40 kpc southeast of the Ly
peak, away from the AGN. The lowest , including upper-limits, are 5%
and lie between the Ly peak and AGN. In other words, the polarization
map is lopsided, with increasing from the Ly peak to the southeast.
The measured polarization angles are oriented northeast, roughly
perpendicular to the gradient. This unique polarization pattern suggests
that 1) the spatially-offset AGN is photoionizing nearby gas and 2) escaping
Ly photons are scattered by the nebula at larger radii and into our
sightline, producing tangentially-oriented, radially-increasing polarization
away from the photoionized region. Finally we conclude that the interplay
between the gas density and ionization profiles produces the observed central
peak in the Ly emission. This also implies that the structure of LABd05
is more complex than assumed by current theoretical spherical or cylindrical
models.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure
Photoswitchable single-stranded DNA-peptide coacervate formation as a dynamic system for reaction control
In cells, segregation allows for diverse biochemical reactions to take place simultaneously. Such intricate regulation of cellular processes is achieved through the dynamic formation and disassembly of membraneless organelles via liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). Herein, we demonstrate the light-controlled formation and disassembly of liquid droplets formed from a complex of polylysine (pLys) and arylazopyrazole (AAP)-conjugated single-stranded DNA. Photoswitchablility of droplet formation was also shown to be applicable to the control of chemical reactions; imine formation and a DNAzyme-catalyzed oxidation reaction were accelerated in the presence of droplets. These outcomes were reversed upon droplet disassembly. Our results demonstrate that the photoswitchable droplet formation system is a versatile model for the regulation of reactions through dynamic LLPS
Perceptions of fecal microbiota transplantation for Clostridium difficile infection: factors that predict acceptance.
BackgroundDespite the effectiveness of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treating recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection, some patients are reluctant to accept this therapy. Our study examined attitudes towards FMT and factors that contribute to patients' acceptance of this treatment.MethodsWe distributed patient surveys at a Veterans Affairs hospital, a public hospital, and an academic faculty practice. Multivariable logistic regression was performed, adjusting for factors associated with FMT acceptance on univariate analysis and prior experience with C. difficile infection.ResultsOf 267 patients, only 12% knew of FMT prior to the survey, but 77% would undergo the procedure if medically indicated. On multivariable analysis, those with children and with college degrees or higher were more likely to agree to FMT (odds ratio [OR] 2.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-4.35; OR 2.27, 95% CI 1.11-4.60 respectively). Sixty-five respondents (71%) chose colonoscopy as the preferred vehicle for FMT, while nasogastric tube was least preferred. Disease transmission was the most common concern (30%, n=242), and FMT success rate was the least selected concern (9.1%).ConclusionsMost patients in a diverse sample of gastroenterology clinics had no prior knowledge of FMT, but were receptive to the procedure. Having children and higher education levels were predictors for FMT acceptance. Our findings suggest that barriers to FMT utilization may be overcome with counseling about safety concerns. More data on the risk of transmitting diseases or clinical characteristics, such as obesity, through FMT are needed and will be important for the acceptance of this procedure
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