What a Choice-Based Classroom Teaches Students

This study is about the choice-based classroom philosophy of Teaching for Artistic Behavior. It investigates the outcomes for students in light of the cognitive possibilities of Elliot Eisner and Nel Noddings’ theme of care. I utilized the method of education criticism in order to gather observations from my own TAB classroom in combination with reflections on the development of strategies and structures within the classroom. Observations of student actions and conversations provided data that were evaluated to find evidence of Eisner and Noddings’ possible outcome. The data revealed that in a structured environment student choice was able to help students achieve these results. This study concludes that structured student choice aids student agency and maintains the student as the maker of meaning, aligning with the writings of John Dewey

Should we screen for bacterial vaginosis in those at risk for preterm labor?

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with preterm delivery (strength of recommendation [SOR]: A, meta-analysis). However, treating asymptomatic, low-risk women with BV does not always prevent preterm delivery (SOR: A, randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). There is some benefit to early screening by Gram stain using Nugent's criteria1 (Table ) and treating BV-positive women with a history of preterm delivery, premature rupture of membranes, low birth weight infants, or spontaneous abortion. In this group, treatment has been associated with decreased rates of preterm labor, preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, and low birth weight infants (SOR: B, conflicting RCTs). Empirically treating high-risk women without documented infection has been associated with an increase in preterm deliveries and neonatal infections (SOR: B, single RCT)

N-glycan-dependent apical trafficking of the sialomucin endolyn

Crucial to the function of polarized epithelial cells is the generation and maintenance of distinct protein populations at the apical and basolateral domains. Cellular mechanisms sustain this polarity by properly sorting apical and basolateral proteins in both the biosynthetic and postendocytic pathways via sorting signals inherent within the protein. N-glycosylation has been specifically implicated as one of several sorting signals responsible for delivery of proteins to the apical surface along the biosynthetic pathway. Whether this sorting signal is also used along the postendocytic pathway is currently not known. To examine N-glycan-dependent trafficking along the biosynthetic pathway and explore a possible role for N-glycans in sorting along the postendocytic pathway, this study focuses on the sialomucin endolyn. Characterization of the biosynthetic sorting signal revealed that two glycans at amino acid positions 68 and 74 were necessary and sufficient for apical delivery of endolyn. Terminal processing of N-glycans is also necessary for efficient apical delivery as incubation with kifunensine, a drug that inhibits terminal processing of N-glycans, resulted in the nonpolarized delivery of endolyn. A similar N-glycan-dependent sorting signal was also found to be important for apical recycling of endolyn along the postendocytic pathway. The use of the same sorting signal suggested that endolyn may be sorted in a compartment that is common to both the biosynthetic and postendocytic pathway. However, further studies revealed that endolyn is sorted in distinct compartments along these two pathways. These data enhance our understanding of how and where N-glycans mediate apical sorting to maintain the integrity of polarized sorting in epithelial cells

“It gives me confidence”: Caregiver Coaching From the Perspective of Families of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Caregiver coaching is utilized in early intervention services with families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing to increase caregivers’ skills and confidence in supporting their child’s language development, but few studies have examined coaching from the perspective of the caregivers. The purpose of this study was to increase understanding of caregivers’ experiences of coaching in the context of listening and spoken language intervention services. Using semi-structured, qualitative interviews, this study examined 13 caregivers’ perspectives at three intervention sites in the US and Canada. Results indicate that caregivers perceive that practitioner characteristics, expectations, and the evolution of the coaching relationship over time contribute to a positive caregiver coaching relationship. This study contributes to the understanding of the caregiver coaching experience and has implications for new and experienced practitioners working to improve their practice by establishing and strengthening collaborative caregiver coaching relationships with the families they serve

“It’s About Walking Alongside a Family”: Practitioner Perspectives on Caregiver Coaching With Families of Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Practitioners utilize caregiver coaching in early intervention services, but coaching principles and practices are not well understood in the context of listening and spoken language (LSL) services with families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The purpose of this study was to examine practitioners’ experiences with coaching, including definitions, training, and practices they utilize in their work with families. Using semi-structured, qualitative interviews and video observation discussions, this study examined the perspectives of 14 practitioners providing LSL services to families at three intervention sites in the US and Canada. Results indicate that practitioners’ underlying beliefs about their coaching proficiency and caregivers’ capacity impact their coaching practices and how they engage with caregivers. Results highlight practices such as mentoring and accountability that supported practitioners’ coaching skills. This study contributes to the understanding of caregiver coaching in LSL practice and has implications for practitioners working to improve their coaching skills, which may improve LSL services and optimize child outcomes

Monarch Butterfly Distribution and Breeding Ecology in Idaho and Washington

Studies of monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) and their milkweed (Asclepias spp.) host plants in North America have focused primarily on monarch populations ranging east of the Rocky Mountains. We report the first systematic assessment of monarch butterfly and milkweed populations in the western states of Idaho and Washington, states at the northern tier of western monarch breeding range. Results of our 2-year study (2016–2017) offer new insights into monarch breeding habitat distribution, characteristics, and threat factors in our 2 states. We documented milkweeds and breeding monarchs in all 16 climate divisions in our study area. Milkweed and breeding monarch phenologies were examined with evidence supporting 2, and possibly 3 monarch generations produced in Idaho and Washington. Key monarch breeding habitats were moist-soil sites within matrices of grasslands, wetlands, deciduous forest, and shrub-steppe supporting large, contiguous, and high-density milkweed stands. Co-occurrence of showy milkweed (A. speciosa) and swamp milkweed (A. incarnata) was an important indicator of productive monarch breeding habitat in Idaho. Nectar plants were generally limited in quantity and richness across the study area, particularly in late summer, and included frequently-used non-native, invasive species. Primary threats at milkweed sites were invasive plant species, herbicide application, and mowing, followed by secondary threats of recreational disturbance, livestock grazing, insecticide application, loss of floodplain function, and wildfire. We provide management recommendations and research needs to address ongoing stressors and knowledge gaps in Idaho and Washington with the goal of conserving monarchs and their habitats in the West

A Functional Screen Provides Evidence for a Conserved, Regulatory, Juxtamembrane Phosphorylation Site in Guanylyl Cyclase A and B

Kinase homology domain (KHD) phosphorylation is required for activation of guanylyl cyclase (GC)-A and -B. Phosphopeptide mapping identified multiple phosphorylation sites in GC-A and GC-B, but these approaches have difficulty identifying sites in poorly detected peptides. Here, a functional screen was conducted to identify novel sites. Conserved serines or threonines in the KHDs of phosphorylated receptor GCs were mutated to alanine and tested for reduced hormone to detergent activity ratios. Mutation of Ser-489 in GC-B to alanine but not glutamate reduced the activity ratio to 60% of wild type (WT) levels. Similar results were observed with Ser-473, the homologous site in GC-A. Receptors containing glutamates for previously identified phosphorylation sites (GC-A-6E and GC-B-6E) were activated to ∼20% of WT levels but the additional glutamate substitution for S473 or S489 increased activity to near WT levels. Substrate-velocity assays indicated that GC-B-WT-S489E and GC-B-6E-S489E had lower Km values and that WT-GC-B-S489A, GC-B-6E and GC-B-6E-S489A had higher Km values than WT-GC-B. Homologous desensitization was enhanced when GC-A contained the S473E substitution, and GC-B-6E-S489E was resistant to inhibition by a calcium elevating treatment or protein kinase C activation – processes that dephosphorylate GC-B. Mass spectrometric detection of a synthetic phospho-Ser-473 containing peptide was 200–1300-fold less sensitive than other phosphorylated peptides and neither mass spectrometric nor 32PO4 co-migration studies detected phospho-Ser-473 or phospho-Ser-489 in cells. We conclude that Ser-473 and Ser-489 are Km-regulating phosphorylation sites that are difficult to detect using current methods

Parental psychosocial aspects and stressors involved in the management of inborn errors of metabolism.

Parents of children with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) face numerous psychosocial challenges. An increased understanding and awareness of these stressors can ensure better overall outcomes for the entire family. We conducted semi-structured, in-person interviews with ten parents to identify psychosocial stressors, strategies, and supports they utilized to overcome their challenges. Our interview guide was designed to elicit familial experiences during the pre- and post-diagnosis periods. The themes and sub-themes were identified through qualitative descriptive textual analysis of audio-recorded transcripts. Major themes identified include ambiguity of illness, changing family and spousal dynamics, and navigating the healthcare system. Sub-themes revolved around disease effects, psychological stressors, health systems, support, and facing the disease. Healthcare professionals have an opportunity to minimize the impact of negative emotional outcomes by assisting families as they navigate the experience of having a child with an IEM. Our findings can be used to develop and continue a more well-rounded, family-oriented framework for IEM management

Are dietary inequalities among Australian adults changing? a nationally representative analysis of dietary change according to socioeconomic position between 1995 and 2011-13

Abstract Background Increasing inequalities in rates of obesity and chronic disease may be partly fuelled by increasing dietary inequalities, however very few nationally representative analyses of socioeconomic trends in dietary inequalities exist. The release of the 2011–13 Australian National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey data allows investigation of change in dietary intake according to socioeconomic position (SEP) in Australia using a large, nationally representative sample, compared to the previous national survey in 1995. This study examined change in dietary intakes of energy, macronutrients, fiber, fruits and vegetables among Australian adults between 1995 and 2011–13, according to SEP. Methods Cross-sectional data were obtained from the 1995 National Nutrition Survey, and the 2011–13 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. Dietary intake data were collected via a 24-h dietary recall (n = 17,484 adults) and a dietary questionnaire (n = 15,287 adults). SEP was assessed according to educational level, equivalized household income, and area-level disadvantage. Survey-weighted linear and logistic regression models, adjusted for age, sex/gender and smoking status, examined change in dietary intakes over time. Results Dietary intakes remained poor across the SEP spectrum in both surveys, as evidenced by high consumption of saturated fat and total sugars, and low fiber, fruit and vegetable intakes. There was consistent evidence (i.e. according to ≥2 SEP measures) of more favorable changes in dietary intakes of carbohydrate, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat in higher, relative to lower SEP groups, particularly in women. Intakes of energy, total fat, saturated fat and fruit differed over time according to a single SEP measure (i.e. educational level, household income, or area-level disadvantage). There were no changes in intake of total sugars, protein, fiber or vegetables according to any SEP measures. Conclusions There were few changes in dietary intakes of energy, most macronutrients, fiber, fruits and vegetables in Australian adults between 1995 and 2011–13 according to SEP. For carbohydrate, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fat, more favorable changes in intakes occurred in higher SEP groups. Despite the persistence of suboptimal dietary intakes, limited evidence of widening dietary inequalities is positive from a public health perspective. Trial registration Clinical trials registration: ACTRN12617001045303