CHOPIN: A Vocabulary Instructional Model

This study was inspired by low vocabulary scores achieved on the SAT9 test given in the Spring of 2001 by students at the middle school in the southern San Joaquin Valley where the researcher teaches and the desire of that teacher to find a way to see those scores improve. A literature search was undertaken to find methods and strategies for vocabulary instruction that would result in (1) improved classroom instruction and (2) improved student retention of general and content area vocabulary. While many strategies were collected, the researcher failed to find a framework for organizing the strategies into coherent lesson plans in the classroom. This resulted in creation of the CHOPIN instructional model with letters in the acronym standing for the following: C Choose vocabulary words representing major concepts to teach explicitly. H Hook those words/concepts to student prior knowledge. O Organize the vocabulary into word families using graphic organizers. P/I Use activities to process and integrate the target words on deep cognitive levels. N Create something new, for example a poster, song, poem, or graphic representation of the target word or words. To test the model, seventh grade social studies teachers chose 20 words to teach explicitly in groups of four or five over the course of several units of study, and 20 control words which would be taught incidentally if at all. The researcher provided graphic organizers and several strategies to use with the model. A three-part assessment was administered both immediately before and after the study. The assessment consisted of a spelling component, a 4-part ranking scale asking students to rank their knowledge of a target word ranging from "I have never heard or seen this word," to "I know more than one meaning for this word," and an opportunity for students to write sentences reflecting correctly the meaning of a word as it related to a unit of study in their social studies class. A statistical analysis of the number of words spelled correctly, changes in word knowledge ranking, number of sentences attempted, and number of sentences reflecting correct use of target words indicated that words taught using the CHOPIN model moved into student long-term memory and working vocabulary. The teachers involved in the study acknowledged the value of teaching vocabulary using the CHOPIN model, but felt that the time involved in teaching vocabulary took away from time needed to deliver content material. At the conclusion of the study, teachers were unsure if they would continue to use all facets of the model. The researcher has therefore concluded that further refinement of the model is necessary so that teachers will find it less burdensome to integrate research based teaching strategies into their lesson plans. Future studies testing the efficacy of using parts of the model as opposed to the whole may be an appropriate part of model refinement

Exploring how young consumers processing snack packaging cues from a phenomenological perspective

Obesity has become one of the most significant nutritional problems facing global populations. In the UK, the obesity rates have been on a steady rise, with young adults aged 16-24 being subject to a high risk of becoming obese (Mintel, 2013). This age group displays weaker attitudes towards healthy living than elderly people, and a strong tendency towards snacking. Kerr et al. (2008) observes an increase in snacking, snacking portions, and snacking frequency. Crisps and chocolate are some of the major energy-dense snacks that cause obesity (Astrup et al., 2006), when coupling with over consumption and lack of physical activity. One of the interventions implemented by policy makers in an attempt to encourage consumers to adopt healthy dietary choices is nutrition labelling (NL). The UK was one of the main instigators of the development of nutrition labelling within the European Community (Shine et al., 1997)

Consumer knowledge of and engagement with traditional takeaway and dark kitchen food outlets

Background Dark kitchens – delivery-only food outlets operating through digital technology platforms – are a contemporary addition to the food environment. Some concerns have been raised the ability for local authorities to identify and regulate these businesses, with growing concern around the nutritional quality of foods, food safety practices and the impact on the local food environment. The present work explores consumer understanding of and engagement with dark kitchen establishments. Methods Healthy adults living in the United Kingdom completed an online survey comprising of questions measuring participant demographics, engagement with takeaways and dark kitchens, purchasing behaviours and decision making, and knowledge and understanding around dark kitchens. Questions were primarily closed-ended and quantitative. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results In total, 2,023 participants (46.3 ± 16.7 years) completed the survey. Forty percent purchased a takeaway at least weekly, often through aggregator applications (e.g., Just Eat, Deliveroo). Food was mainly purchased as a treat (79.3%), for enjoyment of the food or taste (60.8%) and for convenience (58.2%). When ordering, consumers considered the taste (88.1%), quality (83.5%), value for money (77.8%), and familiarity with (68.1%) and reputation of the business (60.0%). Only 24.7% of participants had heard of dark kitchens and 9.1% had knowingly purchased from one. After reading a working definition, 54.9% of consumers said they would purchase from a dark kitchen but most would want to know explicitly that they were ordering from these businesses. A major concern was trust in the food safety and hygiene standards. Conclusion Consumers are unfamiliar with dark kitchens and are not aware of or confident in identifying these businesses. This confusion and concerns around food safety means dark kitchens are often viewed negatively. Consumers would prefer more transparency in where their foods are being prepared to allow for more informed decision-making

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma in children and adolescents

From 1936 to 1990, 89 children and adolescents (72 girls and 17 boys) were treated for differentiated thyroid carcinoma at the University of Michigan Medical Center; 58 of these patients were first reported in 1971. Thirty (34%) patients had previously received external irradiation to the head and neck, although only 1 (3%) patient of the last 33 patients seen had this history. Patients first presenting from 1971 to 1990 had less advanced disease than those seen earlier. Also, during this time period, the rate of initial palpable cervical adenopathy fell from 63% to 36%, local infiltration of primary cancer from 31% to 6%, and initial pulmonary metastases from 19% to 6%. The incidence of cervical nodal metastases has remained 88% for 54 years. Papillary or the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma was found in 93% of all patients. Seventy-nine (89%) patients had total or completion total thyroidectomy. Surgical management of lymphatic metastases varied from regional excision of nodes to radical neck dissection. The overall rate of permanent accidental recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and hypoparathyroidism was 4.5%, although neither has occurred in a child or adolescent undergoing surgery at the center in the past 25 years. The most recent 33 patients had a low rate of local/regional persistence or recurrence. Cervical nodal persistence occurred in 21%; there were no thyroid recurrences. Eighty-two percent of patients received 131 I. The long-term mortality rate was 2.2%. We continue to advocate total thyroidectomy, cervical lymph node dissection, and postoperative 131 I therapy as the most conservative treatment regimen for children with differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Entre 1936 et 1990, 89 enfants et adolescents (72 filles et 17 garons) ont été traités pour cancer différencie de la thyroïde au Centre Médical de l'Université de Michigan. Cinquante huit d'entre eux ont fait l'objet d'une publication en 1971. Trente de ces patients (34%) avaient eu une radiothérapie externe au niveau de la tête et/ou du cou, mais ce facteur n'a été retrouvé que chez un des 33 derniers patients (3%). Les patients vus entre 1971 et 1990 avaient une maladie moins avancée. Pendant cette période, le taux d'adénopathies cervicales palpables est passée de 63 à 36%; le pourcentage de patients ayant une infiltration locale, de 31 à 6%, et celui de métastases pulmonaires de 19 à 6%. L'incidence des métastases ganglionnaires cervicales, par contre, est restée de 88% depuis 54 ans. Le cancer était papillaire ou folliculaire dans 93% des cas. Soixante-neuf patients (89%) ont eu une thyroïdectomie totale, soit d'embl%ee soit secondairement. La thérapeutique des métastases ganglionnaires a varié depuis l'exérèse régionale et le curage ganglionnaire cervical. Le taux global de paralysie récurrentielle et de l'hypoparathyroïde était de 4.5%, mais aucune de ces deux complications n'a été observée pour les enfants opérés dans notre centre au cours des 25 dernières années. Parmi les 33 derniers patients, le taux de tissu résiduel ou de récidive était bas. Dans 21% des cas, il persistait du tissu néoplasique après chirurgie, sans récidive. Quatre-vingt pour cent de ces patients ont eu un traitement par l'iode 131. La mortalité à distance était de 2.2%. Nous continuous de recommander une thyroïdectomie totale, une lymphadénectomie cervicale et une iodothérapie post-opératoire par l'iode 131 comme le traitement les plus conservateurs du cancer différencié de la thyroïde chez l'enfant. Ochenta y nueve niños y adolescentes (72 de sexo femenino y 17 de sexo masculino) fuiron tratados por carcinoma tiroideo diferenciado en el Centro Médico de la Universidad de Michigan; 58 de estos pacientes fueron reportados por primera vez en 1971. Treinta pacientes (34%) tenían historia de irradiación a la cabeza y el cuello; sin embargo, solamente uno de los últimos 33 (3%) presentó tal historia. Los pacientes vistos entre 1971 y 1990 exhibían enfermedad menos avanzada que aquellos vistos previamente. Así mismo, la incidencia de adenopatías cervicales palpables descendió de 63% a 36%, la de infiltración local por cáncer primario de 31% a 6% y la de metástasis pulmonares iniciales de 19% a 6%. La incidencia de metástasis ganglionares cervicales se ha mantenido en 88% por 54 años. La variante papilar o folicular del carcinoma papilar se encontró en 93% de los pacientes de la serie. Setenta y nueve pacientes (89%) fueron sometidos a toroidectomía total o a reoperación para completar la tiroidectomía total. El manejo quirúrgico de las metástasis linfáticas varió desde la resección regional de los ganglios hasta la disección radical del cuello. La tasa global de lesión accidental, permanente o temporal, del nervio recurrente laríngeo y de hopoparatiroidismo fue 4.5%, aunque ninguna de estas complicaciones ha ocurrido en un niño o en un adolescente sometido a cirugía en nuestro centro médico en los últimos 25 años. Los últimos 33 pacientes exhibieron una tasa reducida de persistencia o de recurrencia local/regional. La persistencia ganglionar cervical se presentó en 21% de los casos; no hubo recurrencias tiroideas. Ochenta y dos por ciento de los pacientes recibió 131 I. La tassa de mortalidad a largo plazo fui 2.2%. Nuestro grupo continúa preconizando tiroidectomía total, disección ganglionar cervical y terapia postoperatoria con 131 I como la modalidad terapéutica más conservadora en carcinoma diferenciado de la glándula tiroidea en la niñez.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/41290/1/268_2005_Article_BF02067317.pd

Consumer knowledge of and engagement with traditional takeaway and dark kitchen food outlets

Background Dark kitchens – delivery-only food outlets operating through digital technology platforms – are a contemporary addition to the food environment. Some concerns have been raised the ability for local authorities to identify and regulate these businesses, with growing concern around the nutritional quality of foods, food safety practices and the impact on the local food environment. The present work explores consumer understanding of and engagement with dark kitchen establishments. Methods Healthy adults living in the United Kingdom completed an online survey comprising of questions measuring participant demographics, engagement with takeaways and dark kitchens, purchasing behaviours and decision making, and knowledge and understanding around dark kitchens. Questions were primarily closed-ended and quantitative. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results In total, 2,023 participants (46.3 ± 16.7 years) completed the survey. Forty percent purchased a takeaway at least weekly, often through aggregator applications (e.g., Just Eat, Deliveroo). Food was mainly purchased as a treat (79.3%), for enjoyment of the food or taste (60.8%) and for convenience (58.2%). When ordering, consumers considered the taste (88.1%), quality (83.5%), value for money (77.8%), and familiarity with (68.1%) and reputation of the business (60.0%). Only 24.7% of participants had heard of dark kitchens and 9.1% had knowingly purchased from one. After reading a working definition, 54.9% of consumers said they would purchase from a dark kitchen but most would want to know explicitly that they were ordering from these businesses. A major concern was trust in the food safety and hygiene standards. Conclusion Consumers are unfamiliar with dark kitchens and are not aware of or confident in identifying these businesses. This confusion and concerns around food safety means dark kitchens are often viewed negatively. Consumers would prefer more transparency in where their foods are being prepared to allow for more informed decision-making.</p

Genome-wide parent-of-origin DNA methylation analysis reveals the intricacies of human imprinting and suggests a germline methylation-independent mechanism of establishment

Differential methylation between the two alleles of a gene has been observed in imprinted regions, where the methylation of one allele occurs on a parent-of-origin basis, the inactive X-chromosome in females, and at those loci whose methylation is driven by genetic variants. We have extensively characterized imprinted methylation in a substantial range of normal human tissues, reciprocal genome-wide uniparental disomies, and hydatidiform moles, using a combination of whole-genome bisulfite sequencing and high-density methylation microarrays. This approach allowed us to define methylation profiles at known imprinted domains at base-pair resolution, as well as to identify 21 novel loci harboring parent-of-origin methylation, 15 of which are restricted to the placenta. We observe that the extent of imprinted differentially methylated regions (DMRs) is extremely similar between tissues, with the exception of the placenta. This extra-embryonic tissue often adopts a different methylation profile compared to somatic tissues. Further, we profiled all imprinted DMRs in sperm and embryonic stem cells derived from parthenogenetically activated oocytes, individual blastomeres, and blastocysts, in order to identify primary DMRs and reveal the extent of reprogramming during preimplantation development. Intriguingly, we find that in contrast to ubiquitous imprints, the majority of placenta-specific imprinted DMRs are unmethylated in sperm and all human embryonic stem cells. Therefore, placental-specific imprinting provides evidence for an inheritable epigenetic state that is independent of DNA methylation and the existence of a novel imprinting mechanism at these loci

HOW DO BOARD-CERTIFIED HAND SURGEONS MANAGE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME? A NATIONAL SURVEY

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate tendencies in the planning, diagnosis, and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by Brazilian hand surgery specialists. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed at the 36th Brazilian Hand Surgery Congress. We prepared a questionnaire about preferences in the management of CTS, and board-certified hand surgeons that attended the congress were asked to fill out the questionnaires. A total of 174 questionnaires were analyzed. Results: Electromyography examination is used by most surgeons. Night splinting is the most commonly used conservative treatment option. Half of the surgeons utilized prophylactic antibiotics. Most of the interviewees conduct inpatient surgery in the operating room and prefer intravenous regional anesthesia. Most of surgeons use the standard open technique associated with proximal release of the antebrachial fascia and do not perform neurolysis. Compressive dressings are most commonly used for 7 days. Conclusion: The approach to CTS among Brazilian hand surgeons with regard to pre-, intra-, and post-operatory conduct is consistent with the international literature. However, there is a need to reflect and conduct new studies on non-surgical treatment involving local corticosteroid injection, use of prophylactic antibiotics, hospital admission, and type of anesthesia in order to provide more cost-effective approach to surgical treatment for CTS. Level of Evidence V; Expert opinion.</div

Minimising Mortality in Endangered Raptors Due to Power Lines: The Importance of Spatial Aggregation to Optimize the Application of Mitigation Measures

Electrocution by power lines is one of the main causes of non-natural mortality in birds of prey. In an area in central Spain, we surveyed 6304 pylons from 333 power lines to determine electrocution rates, environmental and design factors that may influence electrocution and the efficacy of mitigation measures used to minimise electrocution cases. A total of 952 electrocuted raptors, representing 14 different species, were observed. Electrocuted raptors were concentrated in certain areas and the environmental factors associated with increased electrocution events were: greater numbers of prey animals; greater vegetation cover; and shorter distance to roads. The structural elements associated with electrocutions were shorter strings of insulators, one or more phases over the crossarm, cross-shaped design and pylon function. Of the 952 carcasses found, 148 were eagles, including golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) and Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata). Electrocuted eagles were clustered in smaller areas than other electrocuted raptors. The factors associated with increased eagle electrocution events were: pylons function, shorter strings of insulators, higher slopes surrounding the pylon, and more numerous potential prey animals. Pylons with increased string of insulators had lower raptor electrocution rates than unimproved pylons, although this technique was unsuccessful for eagles. Pylons with cable insulation showed higher electrocution rates than unimproved pylons, both for raptors and eagles, despite this is the most widely used and recommended mitigation measure in several countries. To optimize the application of mitigation measures, our results recommend the substitution of pin-type insulators to suspended ones and elongating the strings of insulators

Mode equivalence and acceptability of tablet computer-, interactive voice response system-, and paper-based administration of the U.S. National Cancer Institute’s Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE)

Background PRO-CTCAE is a library of items that measure cancer treatment-related symptomatic adverse events (NCI Contracts: HHSN261201000043C and HHSN 261201000063C). The objective of this study is to examine the equivalence and acceptability of the three data collection modes (Web-enabled touchscreen tablet computer, Interactive voice response system [IVRS], and paper) available within the US National Cancer Institute (NCI) Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (PRO-CTCAE) measurement system. Methods Participants (n = 112; median age 56.5; 24 % high school or less) receiving treatment for cancer at seven US sites completed 28 PRO-CTCAE items (scoring range 0–4) by three modes (order randomized) at a single study visit. Subjects completed one page (approx. 15 items) of the EORTC QLQ-C30 between each mode as a distractor. Item scores by mode were compared using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC); differences in scores within the 3-mode crossover design were evaluated with mixed-effects models. Difficulties with each mode experienced by participants were also assessed. Results 103 (92 %) completed questionnaires by all three modes. The median ICC comparing tablet vs IVRS was 0.78 (range 0.55–0.90); tablet vs paper: 0.81 (0.62–0.96); IVRS vs paper: 0.78 (0.60–0.91); 89 % of ICCs were ≥0.70. Item-level mean differences by mode were small (medians [ranges] for tablet vs. IVRS = −0.04 [−0.16–0.22]; tablet vs paper = −0.02 [−0.11–0.14]; IVRS vs paper = 0.02 [−0.07–0.19]), and 57/81 (70 %) items had bootstrapped 95 % CI around the effect sizes within +/−0.20. The median time to complete the questionnaire by tablet was 3.4 min; IVRS: 5.8; paper: 4.0. The proportion of participants by mode who reported “no problems” responding to the questionnaire was 86 % tablet, 72 % IVRS, and 98 % paper. Conclusions Mode equivalence of items was moderate to high, and comparable to test-retest reliability (median ICC = 0.80). Each mode was acceptable to a majority of respondents. Although the study was powered to detect moderate or larger discrepancies between modes, the observed ICCs and very small mean differences between modes provide evidence to support study designs that are responsive to patient or investigator preference for mode of administration, and justify comparison of results and pooled analyses across studies that employ different PRO-CTCAE modes of administration. Trial registration NCT Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT0215863