Teaching real books versus graphic novels in the classroom

If a literary genre, such as graphic novels, is not going to be “on the test”, is there a place for them in the English language arts classroom? Are graphic novels better off used as supplementary “reading” or better yet, left for home reading? In this review of Research in the Classroom, we will examine the response to these questions from three diverse research studies. We will consider the advantages and hurdles teachers and students experience when reading and/or teaching graphic novels

Zombie Ideas in Education: High-Stakes Testing and Graduation Policies

The article focuses on the key issues that have emerged on high-stakes testing and its use as a high school graduation requirement and assesses research-based remedies to such issues. Criterion-referenced tests required by student demonstration of content standards is discussed. Brief information on the New England Common Assessment Program is provided. It is said that around 1,300 juniors from Providence high schools may not earn a high school diploma

Translational Regulation of Lipoprotein Lipase by Epinephrine Involves a Trans-Acting Binding Protein Interacting with the 3′ Untranslated Region

To better characterize the translational regulation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) by epinephrine, cytoplasmic extracts were prepared from 3T3-L1 adipocytes, 3T3-F442A adipocytes, and other nonadipocyte cell lines (C2 cells, 3T3 fibroblasts, and Chinese hamster ovary cells). After treatment with epinephrine, cell extracts from the adipocytes inhibited LPL translation in an in vitro translation assay, whereas extracts from the C2 cells and 3T3 fibroblasts did not affect LPL translation. To identify the region on the LPL mRNA that controlled translation, in vitro translation was carried out using constructs containing different LPL sequences. Specific deletion of the first 50 (1601-1650) nucleotides of the 3\u27 untranslated region (UTR) resulted in a loss of translation inhibition. The addition of LPL 3\u27 UTR to a heterologous reporter gene construct resulted in an inhibition of translation. Inhibition of the reporter LPL 3\u27 UTR translation was demonstrated by the addition of epinephrine-treated cell extracts to an in vitro translation assay, as well as by transfection of this construct into 3T3-F442A cells, followed by treatment of the cells with epinephrine. Competition for a trans-acting binding protein was demonstrated by the addition of sense mRNA strands corresponding to the proximal 135 nucleotides of the 3\u27 UTR of LPL. To identify a RNA-binding protein, adipocyte extracts were incubated with 32P- labeled RNA sequences followed by RNase treatment. The epinephrine-treated cell extract protected a fragment of RNA when the RNA included sequences on the proximal 3\u27 UTR of LPL. Cross-linking of this protected fragment and analysis by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a protein that migrated at about 30 kDa. Thus, the addition of epinephrine to 3T3 adipocytes results in an inhibition of translation through the production of a RNA- binding protein that binds to a region on the proximal 3\u27 UTR of the LPL mRNA

A study of binary Kuiper Belt objects

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, February 2006.Includes bibliographical references (p. 189-194).About 105 bodies larger than 100km in diameter (Jewitt 1998) reside in the Kuiper Belt, beyond the orbit of Neptune. Since 1992 observational surveys have discovered over one thousand of these objects, believed to be fossil remnants of events that occurred nearly 4.5 billion years ago. Sixteen of these objects are currently known to be binaries, and many more are expected to be discovered. As part of the Deep Ecliptic Survey (DES) I have helped catalog nearly one third of the known Kuiper Belt object (KBO) population, and used that database for further physical studies. Recovery observations for dynamical studies of newly discovered objects with the Magellan telescopes and a high resolution imager, MagiC, revealed three binaries, 88611 (2001QT297), 2003QY90, and 2005EO304. One binary was found in the discovery observations, 2003UN284. Lightcurve measurements of these, and other non-binary KBOs, were obtained to look for unique rotational characteristics. Eleven of thirty-three objects, excluding the binaries, were found to have measurable variability. One of these objects, 2002GW32 has a particularly large amplitude (> 1 magnitude) of variability, and 2002GP32 has a relatively short (3.3 hours, single-peaked) lightcurve.(cont.) Among the binary population all the observed objects showed some level of variation. The secondary of 88611 was fit with a single-peaked period of 5.50*0.02 hours while the primary component appears to be non-variable above the measurement errors (0.05 magnitudes). Neither component appears to be color variable. The components of 2003QY90 are both highly variable yielding single-peaked rotation periods of 3.4±1.1 and 7.1±2.9 hours with amplitudes of 0.34±0.12 and 0.900.36 magnitudes, respectively. The rotation periods are comparable to those of other non-binary KBOs although distinct from that of an identified contact binary. Orbits and partial orbits for Kuiper belt binaries (KBBs) show a wide range of eccentricities, and an increasing number of binaries with decreasing binary semi-major axis. These characteristics exclude the formation models proposed by Funato et al. (2003) and Weidenschilling (2002), respectively. Conversely, the formation models of Astakhov et al. (2005) and Goldreich et al. (2002) appear to describe the observations, at least in part.by Susan Diane Kern.Ph.D

Principals’ Perspectives on the Roles of Specialized Literacy Professionals

Elementary and secondary principals were surveyed to better understand their perceptions of the roles and impact of specialized literacy professionals (e.g., reading specialists, coaches) in their schools. A 32-question survey was completed by 103 Pennsylvania principals across elementary and secondary school contexts. Findings include distinct differences reported between roles of reading/literacy specialists and coaches, with few differences noted within roles, across elementary and secondary levels. The frequency and type of specialized literacy professional activities aligned with those principals deemed most important to literacy program improvement. Results indicated that surveyed principals viewed their specialized literacy professionals as having an important influence on literacy teaching and learning. The results have implications for those who prepare specialized literacy professionals and those who employ them. These findings corroborate and update earlier studies of specialized literacy professionals that described their multiple roles, including that of sharing in the leadership of the school’s literacy program

Specialists, Coaches, Coordinators, Oh My! Looking Back and Looking Forward on the Roles and Responsibilities of Specialized Literacy Professionals

This article briefly reviews the past, present, and future of the related (but distinct) roles of literacy specialists, coaches, and coordinators in the United States. Connections are made to the International Literacy Association\u27s 2017 Standards for the Preparation of Specialized Literacy Professionals (SLPs) as well as recent survey research further illustrating the variety of roles played by SLPs in schools and how principals view the impact of SLPs

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Induces Lipoprotein Lipase Expression in 3T3-L1 Cells in Association with Adipocyte Differentiation

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] is known to modulate the development of hone and other mesenchymal cell types. Since osteoblasts and adipocytes are thought to arise in bone marrow from a common progenitor, this work examined the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on adipocyte development, and in particular on the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), which is an early marker for the differentiated adipocyte. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in the presence of 1.25-(OH)2D3 (10-9 to 10-7 M) for up to 7 days. LPL activity was measured in the medium and cell extracts, and LPL messenger RNA levels were measured by Northern blotting. When compared to control cells, 10-7 M 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased medium LPL activity by 2- to 3-fold and cellular LPL by 1.5-fold. Significant increases in medium and cellular LPL were observed at 10-9 M and were maximal at 10-7 M. Along with the increase in LPL activity, there was an increase in LPL messenger RNA by 2- fold at 5 days, and by 5-fold at 7 days. In addition to an increase in LPL, 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased expression of aP2, an adipocyte-specific marker associated with differentiation. After the addition of 1,25-(OH)2D3, there was a decrease in 3T3-L1 cell number, which is consistent with differentiation, and a decrease in vitamin D receptors. Finally, these cells developed a different morphology. 1,25-(OH)2D3-treated cells assumed a rounded appearance, although without detachment from the dish and without the degree of lipid accumulation usually associated with the addition of insulin, isobutylmethylxanthine, and dexamethasone. It is concluded that 1,25- (OH)2D3 induced LPL expression in 3T3-L1 cells through an induction of differentiation-dependent mechanism(s). These findings suggest an important role for 1,25-(OH)2D3 in normal adipocyte differentiation