A study in the use of writing and self-monitoring strategies with learning disabled eighth graders

Learning disabled adolescents are expected to demonstrate more effective use of written expression as they cope with increased curricular demands at the secondary level. To compound the problem, repeated failures have helped develop strong negative affect toward school and the writing process. Statement of the Problem ·-----·---·-----·-·----------This study was designed to teach writing and self-monitoring skills to learning disabled eighth graders. Time for practice was provided, and the effectiveness of the procedure was evaluated. Methods and Procedures ----------·--------- Unlike other studies, this study did not compare the learning disabled with non-learning disabled; instead, using appropriate statistical technique, student performances over different time blocks were compared whereby students became their own controls. Eleven learning disabled eighth graders participated in the yearlong study. In a self-contained classroom setting, the learning disabilities teacher used materials designed and written by the researcher. Strategies in capitalization, punctuation, sentence formation, error correction, and se1f-monitoring were introduced and practiced. Pretest and posttest measures as well as weekly evaluations of student writing documented performance. Spelling errors remained unmarked but were recorded. Student journals, classroom observations, and teacher interviews provided evidence of student affect. Data collected were submitted to qualitative and statistical analytical treatments. Results: Significant improvements occurred in vocabulary, thematic maturity, and handwriting during the period of strategy instruction. Student written products revealed a significant reduction in total words as the number of strategies increased. During the last five-week time block a significant increase in the total number of words written occurred. As self-monitoring strategies were practiced, a significant reduction in spelling errors was found. Punctuation errors increased significantly as total words increased. Data revealed no significant main effects for capitalization or organization as total words increased. Overall the students were able to write more words with fewer errors as monitoring strategies were practiced. Positive affect changes were evidenced in student journal entries, student written products, teacher observations, and interviews. Student behaviors demonstrated greater class participation, added eagerness in using written expression, and increased time on task

How predictable are evolutionary responses to environment? Comparing trait-environment relationships among three species of Asteraceae forbs in the Great Basin

Restoring native forbs in the Great Basin Desert is an important part of regenerating a healthy landscape that benefits wildlife, plant communities, and humans. Despite their importance and contribution to plant diversity, forbs have been understudied relative to grasses and shrubs. To begin bridging this knowledge gap, we examined three Asteraceae species (Chaenactis douglasii, Dieteria canescens, Erigeron pumilus) collected from a wide geographic area and grown in common garden experiments, asking how variable these species and populations are, how their traits were associated with environment of origin, and how two of the three species responded to water addition in direct-seeding environments. We also asked if trait-environment relationships were similar among these three species. As expected, we found that populations were extremely variable, and that much of this variation was significantly different among populations, with some variation explained by the ecoregion where populations were gathered. All three species had at least one trait strongly correlated with an environmental variable, sometimes in similar ways. For example, we found a consistent relationship where plants from higher elevation locations flowered earlier across all species, as well as a relationship with plant height and mean annual temperature, with taller plants sourced from warmer areas. Across species, the strongest trait-environment relationships we found were found for plant height, flowering phenology, and flower production, though there was variation in which environmental variables were most correlated with these responses. Our results suggest that approaches that generalize across species, even closely related ones, may not be adequate when determining whether a potential seed-source is well-matched to a target restoration site. Instead, our results support the idea that species-specific seed zones (areas where seeds can be moved without loss of performance) should be developed to help make this decision. Additionally, we found that environmental variables such as mean annual temperature and elevation were highly associated with traits that are typically considered important in restoration, i.e. phenology, number of inflorescences, and plant size. Therefore, before species-specific seed zones are available, we may be able to use these environmental factors as proxies to help us better match seed sources to target restoration sites. Finally, we also found that at least one species (C. douglasii) emerged from seed more readily when it was sourced from a drier origin, in both ambient and water addition conditions. Although more research needs to be done in this area, this suggests that seeds sourced from drier locations may be better suited for restoration projects that are being direct-seeded

Clinical review: Oxygen as a signaling molecule

Molecular oxygen is obviously essential for conserving energy in a form useable for aerobic life; however, its utilization comes at a cost - the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS can be highly damaging to a range of biological macromolecules, and in the past the overproduction of these short-lived molecules in a variety of disease states was thought to be exclusively toxic to cells and tissues such as the lung. Recent basic research, however, has indicated that ROS production - in particular, the production of hydrogen peroxide - plays an important role in both intracellular and extracellular signal transduction that involves diverse functions from vascular health to host defense. The present review summarizes oxygen's capacity, acting through its reactive intermediates, to recruit the enzymatic antioxidant defenses, to stimulate cell repair processes, and to mitigate cellular damage

Earthworm richness in no-till sites in Paraguay.

ISEE 10

PVD TBC experience on GE aircraft engines

The higher performance levels of modern gas turbine engines present significant challenges in the reliability of materials in the turbine. The increased engine temperatures required to achieve the higher performance levels reduce the strength of the materials used in the turbine sections of the engine. Various forms of Thermal Barrier Coatings (TBC's) have been used for many years to increase the reliability of gas turbine engine components. Recent experience with the Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process using ceramic material has demonstrated success in extending the service life of turbine blades and nozzles. Engine test results of turbine components with a 125 micrometer (0.005 in) PVD TBC have demonstrated component operating temperatures of 56-83 C (100-150 F) lower than uncoated components. Engine testing has also revealed the TBC is susceptible to high angle particle impact damage. Sand particles and other engine debris impact the TBC surface at the leading edge of airfoils and fracture the PVD columns. As the impacting continues the TBC erodes away in local areas. Analysis of the eroded areas has shown a slight increase in temperature over a fully coated area, however, a significant temperature reduction was realized over an airfoil without any TBC

A new Taxonomy of Continuous Global Optimization Algorithms

Surrogate-based optimization, nature-inspired metaheuristics, and hybrid combinations have become state of the art in algorithm design for solving real-world optimization problems. Still, it is difficult for practitioners to get an overview that explains their advantages in comparison to a large number of available methods in the scope of optimization. Available taxonomies lack the embedding of current approaches in the larger context of this broad field. This article presents a taxonomy of the field, which explores and matches algorithm strategies by extracting similarities and differences in their search strategies. A particular focus lies on algorithms using surrogates, nature-inspired designs, and those created by design optimization. The extracted features of components or operators allow us to create a set of classification indicators to distinguish between a small number of classes. The features allow a deeper understanding of components of the search strategies and further indicate the close connections between the different algorithm designs. We present intuitive analogies to explain the basic principles of the search algorithms, particularly useful for novices in this research field. Furthermore, this taxonomy allows recommendations for the applicability of the corresponding algorithms.Comment: 35 pages total, 28 written pages, 4 figures, 2019 Reworked Versio