The Relationship between Classroom Environment and Student Course Attrition and Perceptions of Engagement

Determining ways to help retain students in higher education institutions is becoming an issue with greater urgency with each passing year.  This study looked at the possibility of learning environments as one way to influence student retention and student perception of engagement, using the theoretical lens of sociocultural theory (Vygotsky, 1978) by reviewing data from an institution of higher education in the Northeast of the United States.  To that end, data on the number of students enrolled in one semester and correlation between learning environment and course attrition were compared (n=3926).  No significant relationship was found with a phi correlation coefficient (ø = .021, p < .05) between these variables, but the sample was further investigated with a survey to determine perceptions of higher education students in either traditional or Learning Studio learning environments regarding course retention/attrition.  Findings include participant support of Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory (1978), in that, participants affirmed the benefit of social interaction with instructors and peers.  On the other hand, concerns about instructor competence with technology was noted as a negative aspect of the Learning Studio

Survey of rehabilitation support for children 0-15 years in a rural part of Kenya

Abstract Purpose: Information regarding the nature, availability and distribution of rehabilitation services for children with disabilities across developing countries is scarce, and data that do exist are of variable quality. If planning and development are to progress, information about service provision is vital. The aim was to establish the scope and nature of rehabilitation support available to children with disabilities (0-15 years) and their families in rural Kenya. Method: A comprehensive sample comprising service provision in the health and special education sectors was established. Non-governmental and community-based organisations were also included. A survey of rehabilitation services was conducted through examination of service-related documentation and key informant interviews with the heads of services. Results: Rehabilitation comprised hospital-based occupational therapy, physiotherapy and orthopaedic technology; and seven special education establishments plus an education assessment resource centre. There was one non-government organisation and one community-based organisation relevant to children with disabilities. Activities focused on assessment, diagnosis and raising community awareness. Provision was challenged by inadequate staffing, resources and transport. Government funding was supplemented variously by donations and self-sufficiency initiatives. Rehabilitation approaches appeared to be informed by professional background of practitioner, rather than the needs of child. Service documentation revealed use of inconsistent recording methods. Conclusions: The data highlight the challenges of rehabilitation, demanding greater investment in personnel and their training, more material resources, improved access to the community and better recording mechanisms. Implications for Rehabilitation There needs to be greater investment in rehabilitation provision in developing countries. Consideration of community-based initiatives is required to support better access for all. In order to argue the case for improved resources, better skills and mechanisms for recording, monitoring and evaluating practice are needed

Ras-mediated Loss of the Pro-apoptotic Response Protein Par-4 Is Mediated by DNA Hypermethylation through Raf-independent and Raf-dependent Signaling Cascades in Epithelial Cells

The apoptosis-promoting protein Par-4 has been shown to be down-regulated in Ras-transformed NIH 3T3 fibroblasts through the Raf/MEK/ERK MAPK pathway. Because mutations of the ras gene are most often found in tumors of epithelial origin, we explored the signaling pathways utilized by oncogenic Ras to down-regulate Par-4 in RIE-1 and rat ovarian surface epithelial (ROSE) cells. We determined that constitutive activation of the Raf, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, or Ral guanine nucleotide exchange factor effector pathway alone was not sufficient to down-regulate Par-4 in RIE-1 or ROSE cells. However, treatment of Ras-transformed RIE-1 or ROSE cells with the MEK inhibitors U0126 and PD98059 increased Par-4 protein expression. Thus, although oncogenic Ras utilizes the Raf/MEK/ERK pathway to down-regulate Par-4 in both fibroblasts and epithelial cells, Ras activation of an additional signaling pathway(s) is required to achieve the same outcome in epithelial cells. Methylation-specific PCR showed that the par-4 promoter is methylated in Ras-transformed cells through a MEK-dependent pathway and that treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor azadeoxycytidine restored Par-4 mRNA transcript and protein levels, suggesting that the mechanism for Ras-mediated down-regulation of Par-4 is by promoter methylation. Support for this possibility is provided by our observation that Ras transformation was associated with up-regulation of Dnmt1 and Dnmt3 DNA methyltransferase expression. Finally, ectopic Par-4 expression significantly reduced Ras-mediated growth in soft agar, but not morphological transformation, highlighting the importance of Par-4 down-regulation in specific aspects of Ras-mediated transformation of epithelial cells

CALIDAD ESTRUCTURAL DEL SUELO EN FUNCIÓN DEL MANEJO EN SISTEMA INTEGRADO DE PRODUCCIÓN AGROPECUARIA

The objective of this work was to evaluate the structural quality of the soil, as a function of the management, in a SIPA in the municipality of Rio Crespo-RO. The study was carried out at Esperança farm, in September 2017. The following operations were studied: area 1: corn-grain harvest / soybean-safflower (2015/2016); soybean crop / Bracharia ruzizienses / grazing-60 days - 3.87 AU / ha (2015/2016); crop-soybean / safrinha-maize-silage / Bracharia ruzizienses grazing-60 days - 3.39 AU / ha (2016/2017); area 2: harvest-corn-grain / safrinha-soybean (2015/2016); soybean crop / Bracharia ruzizienses / grazing-60 days - 3.39 AU / ha (2015/2016); crop-soybean / safrinha-maize-silage / Bracharia ruzizienses - grazing-60 days - 4.22 AU / ha (2016/2017); area 3: crotalaria / corn-grain harvest / safrinha-soybean (2015/2016); harvest-corn-grain (2015/2016); crop-soybean / safrinha-maize-grain / Bracharia ruzizienses without grazing, area 4: crotalaria / corn-grain harvest / safrinha-soybean (2015/2016); crop-corn-grao / Bracharia ruzizienses / grazing-60 days - 3.20 AU / ha (2015/2016); crop-soybean / safrinha-maize-grain / Bracharia ruzizienses - grazing-60 days - 4.22 AU / ha (2016/2017) and area 5: native forest. The soil quality evaluation was done visually by the method of rapid diagnosis of soil structure, assigning grades to the Soil Structural Quality Index (IQES) from 1 to 6. The IQES of each area were: area 1 - 5 , 67 (very good structural quality); areas 1 and 4 with IQES of 4.12 and 4.05, respectively (good structural quality). Areas 2 and 5 with IQES of 2.77 and 2.54 respectively (poor structural quality). The implantation of SIPAs results in improvement in the structural quality of the soil. The best quality of the soil structure is obtained when no animal grazing is used. In areas with an animal stocking greater than 4.0 AU / ha, constant monitoring of the soil structure quality is necessary, also observing the homogeneous distribution of the animals in the area.KEYWORDS: Conservationist management, Integration-crop-livestock, Soil structure.O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a qualidade estrutural do solo, em função do manejo, em um SIPA no município de Rio Crespo-RO. O estudo foi realizado na fazenda Esperança, em setembro de 2017.  Foram estudados os seguintes manejos: área 1: safra-milho-grao/safrinha-soja (2015/2016); safra-soja/Bracharia ruzizienses/pastejo-60 dias - 3,87 UA/ha (2015/2016); safra-soja/safrinha-milho-silagem/Bracharia ruzizienses pastejo-60 dias - 3,39 UA/ha (2016/2017); área 2: safra-milho-grao/safrinha-soja (2015/2016); safra-soja/Bracharia ruzizienses/pastejo-60 dias - 3,39 UA/ha (2015/2016); safra-soja/safrinha-milho-silagem/Bracharia ruzizienses - pastejo-60 dias - 4,22 UA/ha (2016/2017); área 3: crotalária/safra-milho-grao/safrinha-soja (2015/2016); safra-milho-grao (2015/2016); safra-soja/safrinha-milho-grão / Bracharia ruzizienses sem pastejo, área 4: crotalária/safra-milho-grao/safrinha-soja (2015/2016); safra-milho-grao /Bracharia ruzizienses/pastejo-60 dias - 3,20 UA/ha (2015/2016); safra-soja/safrinha-milho-grão/Bracharia ruzizienses - pastejo-60 dias - 4,22 UA/ha (2016/2017) e área 5: mata nativa. A avaliação da qualidade do solo foi feita visualmente pelo método de diagnóstico rápido da estrutura do solo, com atribuição de notas para o Índice de qualidade estrutural do solo (IQES) de 1 a 6. O IQES de cada área foram: área 1 - 5,67 (qualidade estrutural muito boa); área 1 e 4 com IQES de 4,12 e 4,05, respectivamente (qualidade estrutural boa). As áreas 2 e 5 com IQES de 2,77 e 2,54 respectivamente (qualidade estrutural ruim). A implantação de SIPAs resulta em melhoria na qualidade estrutural do solo. A melhor qualidade da estrutura do solo é obtida quando não se emprega pastejo animal. Em áreas com lotação animal maior que 4,0 UA/ha é necessário monitoramento constante da qualidade da estrutura do solo, observando também a distribuição homogênea dos animais na área.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Estrutura do solo, Integração-lavoura-pecuária, Manejo conservacionista.El objetivo del trabajo fue evaluar la calidad estructural del suelo, en función del manejo, en un SIPA en el municipio de Rio Crespo-RO. El estudio fue realizado en la hacienda Esperanza, en septiembre de 2017. Se estudiaron los siguientes manejos: área 1: cosecha-maíz-grao / safrinha-soja (2015/2016); zafra-soja / Bracharia ruzizienses / pastoreo-60 días - 3,87 UA / ha (2015/2016); ruzizienses soja-cultivo / fuera de la temporada de maíz silage- / Brachiaria pastoreo-60 hace días - 3,39 UA / ha (2016/2017); área 2: cosecha-maíz-grao / safrinha-soja (2015/2016); zafra / soja / Bracharia ruzizienses / pastoreo-60 días - 3,39 UA / ha (2015/2016); - cosecha-soja / safrinha-maíz-silaje / Bracharia ruzizienses - pastoreo-60 días - 4,22 UA / ha (2016/2017); área 3: crotalaria / cosecha-maíz-grao / safrinha-soja (2015/2016); cosecha de maíz-grano (2015/2016); soja-cultivo / maíz segunda cosecha de grano / Brachiaria ruzizienses sin zona de pastoreo 4: Crotalaria / segundo cultivo -harvest maíz en grano / soja (2015/2016); y en el caso de que se produzca un cambio en la calidad del producto. y en el caso de que se produzca un cambio en la calidad de los alimentos. La evaluación de la calidad del suelo fue hecha visualmente por el método de diagnóstico rápido de la estructura del suelo, con asignación de notas para el Índice de calidad estructural del suelo (IQES) de 1 a 6. El IQES de cada área fueron: área 1 - 5 , 67 (calidad estructural muy buena); área 1 y 4 con IQES de 4,12 y 4,05, respectivamente (buena calidad estructural). Las áreas 2 y 5 con IQES de 2,77 y 2,54 respectivamente (mala calidad estructural). La implantación de SIPAs resulta en una mejora en la calidad estructural del suelo. La mejor calidad de la estructura del suelo se obtiene cuando no se emplea pastoreo animal. En áreas con lotación animal mayor que 4,0 UA / ha es necesario monitoreo constante de la calidad de la estructura del suelo, observando también la distribución homogénea de los animales en el área.PALABRAS CLAVE: Estructura del suelo, Integración-cultivo-pecuaria, Manejo conservacionista

The Biometric Assemblage: Surveillance, Experimentation, Profit, and the Measuring of Refugee Bodies

Biometric technologies are routinely used in the response to refugee crises with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) aiming to have all refugee data from across the world in a central population registry by the end of 2019. The article analyses biometrics, AI and blockchain as part of a technological assemblage, which I term the biometric assemblage. The article identifies five intersecting logics which explain wider transformations within the humanitarian sector and in turn shape the biometric assemblage. The acceleration of the rate of biometric registrations in the humanitarian sector between 2002 and 2019 reveals serious concerns regarding bias, data safeguards, data-sharing practices with states and commercial companies, experimentation with untested technologies among vulnerable people, and, finally, ethics. Technological convergence amplifies risks associated with each constituent technology of the biometric assemblage. The paper finally argues that the biometric assemblage accentuates asymmetries between refugees and humanitarian agencies and ultimately entrenches inequalities in a global context

Incidence, management, and outcomes of cardiovascular insufficiency in critically ill term and late preterm newborn infants

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to characterize the incidence, management, and short-term outcomes of cardiovascular insufficiency (CVI) in mechanically ventilated newborns, evaluating four separate prespecified definitions. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, prospective cohort study of infants ≥34 weeks gestational age (GA) and on mechanical ventilation during the first 72 hours. CVI was prospectively defined as either (1) mean arterial pressure (MAP) < GA; (2) MAP < GA + signs of inadequate perfusion; (3) any therapy for CVI; or (4) inotropic therapy. Short-term outcomes included death, days on ventilation, oxygen, and to full feedings and discharge. RESULTS: Of 647 who met inclusion criteria, 419 (65%) met ≥1 definition of CVI. Of these, 98% received fluid boluses, 36% inotropes, and 17% corticosteroids. Of treated infants, 46% did not have CVI as defined by a MAP < GA ± signs of inadequate perfusion. Inotropic therapy was associated with increased mortality (11.1 vs. 1.3%; p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: More than half of the infants met at least one definition of CVI. However, almost half of the treated infants met none of the definitions. Inotropic therapy was associated with increased mortality. These findings can help guide the design of future studies of CVI in newborn

The Immediate Effects of a Combined Mass Drug Administration and Indoor Residual Spraying Campaign to Accelerate Progress Toward Malaria Elimination in Grande-Anse, Haiti.

BACKGROUND: Haiti is planning targeted interventions to accelerate progress toward malaria elimination. In the most affected department (Grande-Anse), a combined mass drug administration (MDA) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) campaign was launched in October 2018. This study assessed the intervention's effectiveness in reducing Plasmodium falciparum prevalence. METHODS: An ecological quasi-experimental study was designed, using a pretest and posttest with a nonrandomized control group. Surveys were conducted in November 2017 in a panel of easy access groups (25 schools and 16 clinics) and were repeated 2-6 weeks after the campaign, in November 2018. Single-dose sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and primaquine was used for MDA, and pirimiphos-methyl as insecticide for IRS. RESULTS: A total of 10 006 participants were recruited. Fifty-two percent of the population in the intervention area reported having received MDA. Prevalence diminished between 2017 and 2018 in both areas, but the reduction was significantly larger in the intervention area (ratio of adjusted risk ratios, 0.32 [95% confidence interval, .104-.998]). CONCLUSIONS: Despite a moderate coverage, the campaign was effective in reducing P. falciparum prevalence immediately after 1 round. Targeted MDA plus IRS is useful in preelimination settings to rapidly decrease the parasite reservoir, an encouraging step to accelerate progress toward malaria elimination

Phospholipase C–mediated hydrolysis of PIP2 releases ERM proteins from lymphocyte membrane

Mechanisms controlling the disassembly of ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) proteins, which link the cytoskeleton to the plasma membrane, are incompletely understood. In lymphocytes, chemokine (e.g., SDF-1) stimulation inactivates ERM proteins, causing their release from the plasma membrane and dephosphorylation. SDF-1–mediated inactivation of ERM proteins is blocked by phospholipase C (PLC) inhibitors. Conversely, reduction of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) levels by activation of PLC, expression of active PLC mutants, or acute targeting of phosphoinositide 5-phosphatase to the plasma membrane promotes release and dephosphorylation of moesin and ezrin. Although expression of phosphomimetic moesin (T558D) or ezrin (T567D) mutants enhances membrane association, activation of PLC still relocalizes them to the cytosol. Similarly, in vitro binding of ERM proteins to the cytoplasmic tail of CD44 is also dependent on PIP2. These results demonstrate a new role of PLCs in rapid cytoskeletal remodeling and an additional key role of PIP2 in ERM protein biology, namely hydrolysis-mediated ERM inactivation

Association between the proportion of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax infections detected by passive surveillance and the magnitude of the asymptomatic reservoir in the community: a pooled analysis of paired health facility and community data.

BACKGROUND: Passively collected malaria case data are the foundation for public health decision making. However, because of population-level immunity, infections might not always be sufficiently symptomatic to prompt individuals to seek care. Understanding the proportion of all Plasmodium spp infections expected to be detected by the health system becomes particularly paramount in elimination settings. The aim of this study was to determine the association between the proportion of infections detected and transmission intensity for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax in several global endemic settings. METHODS: The proportion of infections detected in routine malaria data, P(Detect), was derived from paired household cross-sectional survey and routinely collected malaria data within health facilities. P(Detect) was estimated using a Bayesian model in 431 clusters spanning the Americas, Africa, and Asia. The association between P(Detect) and malaria prevalence was assessed using log-linear regression models. Changes in P(Detect) over time were evaluated using data from 13 timepoints over 2 years from The Gambia. FINDINGS: The median estimated P(Detect) across all clusters was 12·5% (IQR 5·3-25·0) for P falciparum and 10·1% (5·0-18·3) for P vivax and decreased as the estimated log-PCR community prevalence increased (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for P falciparum 0·63, 95% CI 0·57-0·69; adjusted OR for P vivax 0·52, 0·47-0·57). Factors associated with increasing P(Detect) included smaller catchment population size, high transmission season, improved care-seeking behaviour by infected individuals, and recent increases (within the previous year) in transmission intensity. INTERPRETATION: The proportion of all infections detected within health systems increases once transmission intensity is sufficiently low. The likely explanation for P falciparum is that reduced exposure to infection leads to lower levels of protective immunity in the population, increasing the likelihood that infected individuals will become symptomatic and seek care. These factors might also be true for P vivax but a better understanding of the transmission biology is needed to attribute likely reasons for the observed trend. In low transmission and pre-elimination settings, enhancing access to care and improvements in care-seeking behaviour of infected individuals will lead to an increased proportion of infections detected in the community and might contribute to accelerating the interruption of transmission. FUNDING: Wellcome Trust

Spatial Clustering and Risk Factors for Malaria Infections and Marker of Recent Exposure to Plasmodium falciparum from a Household Survey in Artibonite, Haiti.

Targeting malaria interventions in elimination settings where transmission is heterogeneous is essential to ensure the efficient use of resources. Identifying the most important risk factors among persons experiencing a range of exposure can facilitate such targeting. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Artibonite, Haiti, to identify and characterize spatial clustering of malaria infections. Household members (N = 21,813) from 6,962 households were surveyed and tested for malaria. An infection was defined as testing positive for Plasmodium falciparum by either a conventional or novel highly sensitive rapid diagnostic test. Seropositivity to the early transcribed membrane protein 5 antigen 1 represented recent exposure to P. falciparum. Clusters were identified using SaTScan. Associations among individual, household, and environmental risk factors for malaria, recent exposure, and living in spatial clusters of these outcomes were evaluated. Malaria infection was detected in 161 individuals (median age: 15 years). Weighted malaria prevalence was low (0.56%; 95% CI: 0.45-0.70%). Serological evidence of recent exposure was detected in 1,134 individuals. Bed net use, household wealth, and elevation were protective, whereas being febrile, over age 5 years, and living in either households with rudimentary wall material or farther from the road increased the odds of malaria. Two predominant overlapping spatial clusters of infection and recent exposure were identified. Individual, household, and environmental risk factors are associated with the odds of individual risk and recent exposure in Artibonite; spatial clusters are primarily associated with household-level risk factors. Findings from serology testing can further strengthen the targeting of interventions