Identifying Preschool Students in Need of Early Intervention

The purpose of this study was to investigate a screening instrument targeting identification of preschool students in need of early intervention in order to determine the screening instrument\u27s predictive validity. This study specifically examined the relationship between student scores on the DIALS and student achievement in reading at the end of first grade. All participants in the study were residing on Alaska\u27s North Slope and the majority were Alaska Natives. The remote geographic location of the North Slope along with the ancient traditions of the Inupiat Eskimos, including the Inupiaq language that is still spoken among the residents of the North Slope, strongly influence the background experiences of the vast majority of the participants in this study. The findings of this study support research that states young children at risk for reading failure can be identified while emergent reading skills are developing before formal reading instruction has even begun (Adams, 1990; Blachman, 1984; Foorman, 2003; Foorman et al., 1997; Scanlon & Vellutino, 1997; Share, 1984; Snow et al., 1998). The findings further support research indicating that emergent literacy skills developed by children during their early years of life lay the groundwork for and can accurately predict future reading achievement (Adams, 1990; Snow et al, 1998; Whitehurst & Lonigan, 1998). The study found that there was a statistically significant relationship between scores on the DIALS and subsequent reading achievement as measured by the Reading Composite score of the TerraNova II. The DIALS was administered to students between the ages of three and five upon entering a preschool program. The TerraNova II was administered to students at the end of first grade. The study controlled for students who received special education services. Approximately 6 percent of the variability in the Terra Nova II was contributed to the DIALS Language Area score while approximately 9 percent was contributed to the DIALS total score. The small proportion of variability explained by the DIALS Language Area score and total score indicate that while both are statistically significant predictors, neither is an extremely strong predictor of reading achievement at the end of first grade

Automated segmentation of the craniofacial skeleton with “Black Bone” MRI

3D imaging of the craniofacial skeleton is integral in managing a wide range of bony pathologies. We have previously demonstrated the potential of “Black Bone” MRI (BB) as a non-ionising alternative to CT. However, even in experienced hands 3D rendering of BB datasets can be challenging and time consuming. The objectives of this study were to develop and test a semi- and fully-automated segmentation algorithm for the craniofacial skeleton. Previously acquired adult volunteer (n=15) BB datasets of the head were utilised. Imaging was initially 3D rendered with our conventional manual technique. An algorithm to remove the outer soft-tissue envelope was developed and 3D rendering completed with the processed datasets (semi-automated). Finally, a fully automated 3D-rendering method was developed and applied to the datasets. All 3D rendering was completed with Fovia High Definition Volume Rendering® (Fovia Inc, Palo Alto, CA. USA). Analysis was undertaken of the 3D visual results and the time taken for data processing and interactive manipulation. The mean time for manual segmentation was 12.8 minutes, 3.1 minutes for the semi- automated algorithm, and 0 minutes for the fully automated algorithm. Further fine adjustment was undertaken to enhance the automated segmentation results, taking a mean time of 1.4 minutes. Automated segmentation demonstrates considerable potential, offering significant time saving in the production of 3D BB imaging in adult volunteers. We continue to undertake further development of our segmentation algorithms to permit adaption to the paediatric population in whom non-ionising imaging confers the most potential benefit.cademy of Medical Sciences Clinical Lecturer Starter Grant (K. Eley) [SGL019\1012

Paisaje de mujer : sistematización contemporánea de variables dispersas

Vivimos en las escuelas de ayer una vida de ciencia ficción. La tecnología se ha superpuesto a unos escenarios vigentes desde hace siglos, ocultando una realidad, que se ve superada por la cotidianidad. Lo habitual, como extremo de la ignorancia, se refugia en la seguridad que garantiza la cercanía de las cosas, las personas y las acciones, tergiversando la memoria. La supresión de lo habitual puede ser un momento poderoso en el conocimiento y es posible mediante el extrañamiento. Es necesario definir nuevas reglas del juego, trasgrediendo todas las leyes creadas para controlar las formas y las personas. Es necesario rastrear y visibilizar todos los mecanismos ocultos destinados a trasmitir aquellos contenidos cuyo fin es perpetuar un sistema de valores incompatible con la dignidad y la justicia para todos los seres que habitamos en este mundo (currículum oculto). La asignatura “paisaje de mujer” pretende colonizar el territorio de lo habitual – donde todos somos culpables - intentando fabricar un atlas de género mediante la cartografía de todas las representaciones existentes en las distintas esferas de la cotidianidad, para poder coronar la cima del grado cero

El conflicte temporal de la legislació urbana

Objetivo: La disciplina arquitectónica está imbuida en multitud de legislaciones. Desde las leyes urbanísticas a las técnicas, entre otras, afectan al entendimiento de la ciudad y a los límites posibles de la acción edificatoria. El conflicto se encuentra en que están reguladas principalmente a través del parámetro espacio, situando el factor tiempo como algo residual. Desde disciplinas como la sociología, la geografía o el derecho, diversos investigadores identifican esta circunstancia como un impedimento para mejorar la arquitectura, la ciudad o el territorio. Así pues, este artículo trata de mirar críticamente a la vertiente espacial de la ley para plantear un debate sobre sus limitaciones y una posible actualización ante un contexto tecnológico que no hace más que difuminar sus bordes. Metodología: La metodología consiste en una lectura crítica y exhaustiva de las leyes españolas y madrileñas y su conexión con el debate teórico que se está produciendo en otros campos. Conclusiones: La consecuencia principal del conflicto es el fortalecimiento de la división público-privado, una separación legal y espacial que se impone en las leyes de la edificación. Esta dicotomía acota, condiciona y limita la actividad de arquitectos y urbanistas, pero también de políticos, sociólogos o economistas y representa uno de los mayores problemas a los que se enfrenta el diseño arquitectónico. Originalidad: El análisis crítico de las legislaciones es un campo de estudio novedoso y prácticamente inexplorado en la arquitectura. Visibilizar el rol de la ley sobre la arquitectura puede proveer a los agentes urbanos de nuevas herramientas para intervenir sobre ella.Objectiu: La disciplina arquitectònica està afectada per multitud de legislacions. Des de les principals urbanitzacions a les tècniques, entre altres, les regulacions distintius influeixen en la configuració de la ciutat i en l’enteniment dels límits de l’acció edificatòria. El conflicte es troba en què es troben enunciats principalment a través del paràmetre espacial, situant el factor temps com a residual. Des de les disciplines com la sociologia, la geografia o el dret, diversos investigadors identificaran aquesta circumstància com un imprevist per millorar l'edificació, la ciutat o el territori i adequar les demandes contemporànies. Aquest article tracta de mirar críticament la veracitat espacial de la llei per plantar un debat sobre les seves limitacions i una possible actualització davant un context tecnològic que no fa més que difondre les seves fronteres. Metodologia: La metodologia consisteix en una lectura crítica i exhaustiva de les veus espanyoles que afecten l'ús i el disseny de l'espai urbà, així com la vostra connexió amb el debat que t'està produint en altres camps. Conclusions: La consciència principal del conflicte és el fortament de la divisió pública-privada, una separació legal i espacial que s’impulsaran en les lleis de l’edificació. Esta dicotomia acota, condiciona i limita l'activitat dels arquitectes i els urbanistes, però també els polítics, els socis i els economistes i els representants dels problemes amb els que s’enfronten al disseny arquitectònic. Originalitat: L'anàlisi crític de les legislacions és un camp d'estudi original i pràcticament inexplorat en l'arquitectura. Fer visible el rol de la llei sobre l'arquitectura que pot provar amb els agents urbans de noves eines per intervenir sobre ella.Objective: The architectural discipline is affected by a multitude of legislations. From the urban to the technical, different regulations influence the configuration of the city and the limits of what to build. The conflict is that they are enunciated mainly through space, placing the time factor as something residual. From disciplines such as sociology, geography or law, various researchers identify this circumstance as an impediment to improve buildings, cities or territories and adapting them to contemporary demands. This article tries to look critically at the spatial side of the law in order to raise a debate about its limitations and its possible evolution into a technological context that only diffuses its borders. Methodology: The methodology consists of a critical and exhaustive reading of Spanish laws that affect the use and design of urban space, as well as its connection with the theoretical debate that is taking place in other fields. Conclusions: The main consequence of the conflict is the strengthening of the public-private division, a legal and spatial separation that is imposed in building and urban legislations. This dichotomy conditions and limits the activity of architects and urban planners, but also of politicians, sociologists or economists and it represents one of the biggest problems faced by architectural design. Originality: The critical analysis of legislations is a new field of study and practically unexplored in architecture. Making visible the role of the law on architecture can provide urban agents with new tools to intervene on it.Peer Reviewe

Paisaje de mujer: sistematización contemporánea de variables dispersas

Vivimos en las escuelas de ayer una vida de ciencia ficción. La tecnología se ha superpuesto a unos escenarios vigentes desde ha ce siglos, ocultando una realidad, que se ve superada por la cotidianidad . Lo habitual, como extremo de la ignorancia, se refugia en la seguridad que garantiza la cercanía de las cosas, las personas y las acciones, tergiversando la memoria. La supresión d e lo habitual puede ser un momento poderoso en el conocimiento y es posible mediante el extrañamiento . Es necesario definir nuevas reglas del juego, trasgrediendo todas las leyes creadas para controlar las formas y las personas. Es necesario rastrear y vis ibilizar todos los mecanismos ocultos destinados a trasmitir aquellos contenidos cuyo fin es perpetuar un sistema de valores incompatible con la dignidad y la justicia para todos los se res que habitamos en este mundo ( currículum oculto ). La asignatura “pa isaje de mujer” pretende colonizar el territorio de lo habitual – donde todos somos culpables - intentando fabricar un atlas de género mediante la cartografía de todas las representaciones existentes en las distintas esferas de la cotidianidad, para pode r coronar la cima del grado cer

MR Image Based Approach for Metal Artifact Reduction in X-Ray CT

For decades, computed tomography (CT) images have been widely used to discover valuable anatomical information. Metallic implants such as dental fillings cause severe streaking artifacts which significantly degrade the quality of CT images. In this paper, we propose a new method for metal-artifact reduction using complementary magnetic resonance (MR) images. The method exploits the possibilities which arise from the use of emergent trimodality systems. The proposed algorithm corrects reconstructed CT images. The projected data which is affected by dental fillings is detected and the missing projections are replaced with data obtained from a corresponding MR image. A simulation study was conducted in order to compare the reconstructed images with images reconstructed through linear interpolation, which is a common metal-artifact reduction technique. The results show that the proposed method is successful in reducing severe metal artifacts without introducing significant amount of secondary artifacts

Aprendizaje por contagio. Case of study: campus cde tecnificación proyectual 100x10

Se presenta al congreso de innovación el análisis crítico de la experiencia registrada en directo en el mes de julio en el primer campus de tecnificación de 240 horas en el centro de alto rendimiento 100x10 creado ex profeso para este acontecimiento en el que un colectivo diverso de docentes, alumnos, profesionales, artistas y otros implicados potenciarán 100 habilidades básicas de los discentes a partir de los talentos y rarezas naturales individuales mediante estrategias de extrañamiento desarrolladas en un entorno natural susceptible de ser lugarizad

RC structures cyclic behavior simulation with a model integrating plasticity, damage, and bond-slip

The behavior of reinforced concrete structures under severe demands, as strong ground motions, is highly complex; this is mainly due to the complexity of concrete behavior and to the strong interaction between concrete and steel, with several coupled failure modes. On the other hand, given the increasing awareness and concern on the worldwide seismic risk, new developments have arisen in earthquake engineering; nonetheless, some developments are mainly based on simple analytical tools that are widely used, given their moderate computational cost. This research aims to provide a solid basis for validation and calibration of such developments by using computationally efficient continuum mechanics-based tools. Within this context, this paper presents a model for 3D simulation of cyclic behavior of RC structures. The model integrates a bond-slip model developed by one of the authors and the damage variable evolution methodology for concrete damage plastic model developed by some authors. In the integrated model, a new technique is derived for efficient 3D analysis of bond-slip of 2 or more crossing reinforcing bars in beam-column joints, slabs, footings, pile caps, and other similar members. The analysis is performed by implementing the bond-slip model in a user element subroutine of Abaqus and the damage variable evolution methodology in the original concrete damage plastic model in the package. Two laboratory experiments consisting of a column and a frame subjected to cyclic displacements up to failure are simulated with the proposed formulation

Two-step PEF processing for enhancing the polyphenol concentration and decontaminating a red grape juice

This study’s aim is to evaluate Pulsed Electric Fields (PEF) technology as an alternative method for the processing of red grape juice. For this purpose, two PEF treatments were applied: first to grapes for polyphenol enrichment of the juice, and subsequently for microbial decontamination of the obtained juice. Juice obtained from PEF-treated grapes (5 kV/cm, 63.4 kJ/kg) had the polyphenol content 1.5-fold higher and colour intensity two times higher of control juices by spectrophotometric measurement (p = 0.05). A subsequent decontamination treatment by PEF (17.5 kV/cm and 173.6 kJ/kg) achieved inactivation of the present microbiota (yeasts, moulds, and vegetative mesophilic bacteria) below detection level (<30 CFU/mL). Furthermore, PEF-treated juices were microbiologically stable up to 45 days, even at abusive refrigeration storage temperatures (10 °C). PEF juice quality and sensory characteristics were similar to a fresh juice; they were neither affected by the PEF decontamination treatment, nor by storage time and temperature. Results obtained in this study demonstrate the considerable potential of PEF for the production of a polyphenol-enriched and microbially stabilized red grape juice as a unique and sustainable alternative for the juice industry, while avoiding enzymatic and heat treatments

Seismic analysis of Santa Maria del Mar church in Barcelona

Santa Maria del Mar és una joia arquitectònica construïda en només 50 anys en un estil gòtic pur i sobri. Acabada a finals del segle XIV, l’edifici inclou innovacions estructurals molt interessants compartides només, entre totes les construccions gòtiques, amb les catedrals de Barcelona i Mallorca. Aquest edifici es caracteritza per tenir 3 naus i no tenir creuer, creant un espai interior molt ampli gràcies a uns pilars molt esvelts i unes voltes amb grans llums.En aquest treball s’ha dut a terme una anàlisi estructural més acurada, aprofitant noves dades més precises sobre la morfologia de l’estructura. S’ha utilitzat un model de dany de tracció – compressió per a realitzar una Anàlisi per Elements Finits en la crugia tipus de l’edifici. Basat en la teoria del dany, té en compte el comportament diferenciat de l’obra de fàbrica a tracció i compressió