Vocabulary Learning and Pre-school English Language Learners An Action Research Report

The purpose of this study was to determine if parent participation outside of school could improve their child’s knowledge of key curriculum words when shared in their first language. Six pre-school English Language Learners (ELL) and their families participated in the study. Data was collected through two parent surveys, participation in class website and an online tool called VoiceThread which provided supports in the first languages of the students, and a pre and posttest of student knowledge of curriculum vocabulary words. Overall this experience had a positive impact or neutral on student learning; the results indicated that all students’ ability to describe and identify the vocabulary objects increased, but the results were mixed with their acquisition of the new vocabulary, however, it is unclear if this is due to the implementation of VoiceThread. All families indicated that they had access to technology at home, but only two of the six families frequented VoiceThread. It is also unknown why all families didn’t access the class website. Because of the potential, it is worth continuing to explore the value of using technology to support parent engagement. The ELL parents may benefit from repeated explanations of school expectations throughout the year and exploration of a variety of means of communication with their child’s teacher

The Effectiveness of a Unit Study – Technology Approach

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the usefulness of implementing a Comprehensive Musicianship (CMP)-Unit Study within a high school band rehearsal setting, using music technology as a supplementary tool. This quasi-experimental study examined three ability-based high school concert bands: the middle level concert band, (Symphonic Band), served as the experimental group. The bottom level concert band (Concert Band) and the top level concert band (Wind Ensemble) served as control groups. Data included student performance pretests and posttests of all three bands, daily field note observations of the CMP implementations with the experimental group, student journal entries, informal and formal interviews with the teacher implementing the CMP-Unit Study, and a post questionnaire given to the experimental group. The use of a paired sampled t test showed statistically significant results that indicated that the Symphonic Band members improved their individual musical performance, but not to a greater extent than the members of the Concert Band (control group). Results of the post questionnaire indicated the majority of Symphonic Band members enjoyed the CMP experience and believed that they increased their musical understanding through the learning of concepts related to the music rehearsed in class. An analysis of band director and student data revealed the following: (1) the band director maintained focus on student-centered learning, serving as a learning facilitator which led to increased musical understanding and provided new insights into music for the Symphonic Band members; (2) he continually reflected on the long-term and short-term goals, student journal entries, and student performance in class, related to his CMP strategies and delivery (self-evaluation), in which the band members were able to monitor and track music learning and progress through their journal entries (self-evaluation and reflection); (3) the band director showed how he implemented transfer effectively using his pleasant demeanor and his fluent conducting (communication). The Symphonic Band members improved their musical understanding and individual performance through the CMP Unit Study-Technology Approach

A measure of nature connectedness for children and adults: Validation, performance, and insights

With benefits to both human well-being and pro-nature conservation behaviors, nature connectedness is emerging as an important psychological construct for a sustainable future. The growing research and applied and policy-related interests require a straightforward measure of nature connectedness that is suitable for both children and adult populations. To establish the reliability of the new Nature Connection Index (NCI) three factor analyses were conducted. One was based on a large Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE) dataset for adults (n = 3568) with a replication from data sets collected online (n = 553), and a third used MENE data from children (n = 351). To validate the NCI as a measure for nature connectedness an online comparison study (n = 153) included the NCI alongside other established measures. The results showed that the NCI was a reliable and valid scale that offers a short, simple alternative to other measures of nature connectedness, particularly for populations including both children and adults, measured face to face or online. The utility of the NCI is also supported, with variations associated with various pro-environmental and pro-conservation behaviors observed, and importantly the NCI also revealed changes in nature connectedness across the lifespan.N/

Assessment of the genetic basis of rosacea by genome-wide association study.

Rosacea is a common, chronic skin disease that is currently incurable. Although environmental factors influence rosacea, the genetic basis of rosacea is not established. In this genome-wide association study, a discovery group of 22,952 individuals (2,618 rosacea cases and 20,334 controls) was analyzed, leading to identification of two significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with rosacea, one of which replicated in a new group of 29,481 individuals (3,205 rosacea cases and 26,262 controls). The confirmed SNP, rs763035 (P=8.0 × 10(-11) discovery group; P=0.00031 replication group), is intergenic between HLA-DRA and BTNL2. Exploratory immunohistochemical analysis of HLA-DRA and BTNL2 expression in papulopustular rosacea lesions from six individuals, including one with the rs763035 variant, revealed staining in the perifollicular inflammatory infiltrate of rosacea for both proteins. In addition, three HLA alleles, all MHC class II proteins, were significantly associated with rosacea in the discovery group and confirmed in the replication group: HLA-DRB1*03:01 (P=1.0 × 10(-8) discovery group; P=4.4 × 10(-6) replication group), HLA-DQB1*02:01 (P=1.3 × 10(-8) discovery group; P=7.2 × 10(-6) replication group), and HLA-DQA1*05:01 (P=1.4 × 10(-8) discovery group; P=7.6 × 10(-6) replication group). Collectively, the gene variants identified in this study support the concept of a genetic component for rosacea, and provide candidate targets for future studies to better understand and treat rosacea

Alterations in gene expression in T1α null lung: a model of deficient alveolar sac development

BACKGROUND: Development of lung alveolar sacs of normal structure and size at late gestation is necessary for the gas exchange process that sustains respiration at birth. Mice lacking the lung differentiation gene T1α [T1α(-/-)] fail to form expanded alveolar sacs, resulting in respiratory failure at birth. Since little is known about the molecular pathways driving alveolar sacculation, we used expression microarrays to identify genes altered in the abnormal lungs and, by inference, may play roles in normal lung morphogenesis. RESULTS: Altered expression of genes related to cell-cell interaction, such as ephrinA3, are observed in T1α(-/-) at E18.5. At term, FosB, Egr1, MPK-1 and Nur77, which can function as negative regulators of the cell-cycle, are down-regulated. This is consistent with the hyperproliferation of peripheral lung cells in term T1α (-/-) lungs reported earlier. Biochemical assays show that neither PCNA nor p21 are altered at E18.5. At term in contrast, PCNA is increased, and p21 is decreased. CONCLUSION: This global analysis has identified a number of candidate genes that are significantly altered in lungs in which sacculation is abnormal. Many genes identified were not previously associated with lung development and may participate in formation of alveolar sacs prenatally

Efficient Replication of Over 180 Genetic Associations with Self-Reported Medical Data

While the cost and speed of generating genomic data have come down dramatically in recent years, the slow pace of collecting medical data for large cohorts continues to hamper genetic research. Here we evaluate a novel online framework for amassing large amounts of medical information in a recontactable cohort by assessing our ability to replicate genetic associations using these data. Using web-based questionnaires, we gathered self-reported data on 50 medical phenotypes from a generally unselected cohort of over 20,000 genotyped individuals. Of a list of genetic associations curated by NHGRI, we successfully replicated about 75% of the associations that we expected to (based on the number of cases in our cohort and reported odds ratios, and excluding a set of associations with contradictory published evidence). Altogether we replicated over 180 previously reported associations, including many for type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, cholesterol levels, and multiple sclerosis. We found significant variation across categories of conditions in the percentage of expected associations that we were able to replicate, which may reflect systematic inflation of the effects in some initial reports, or differences across diseases in the likelihood of misdiagnosis or misreport. We also demonstrated that we could improve replication success by taking advantage of our recontactable cohort, offering more in-depth questions to refine self-reported diagnoses. Our data suggests that online collection of self-reported data in a recontactable cohort may be a viable method for both broad and deep phenotyping in large populations

Practices following the death of a loved one reported by adults from 14 countries or cultural/ethnic group

Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the reported ritual practices (dealing with the deceased\u27s remains, wake, funeral, burial and celebration) of White non-Hispanic, Black non-Hispanic and Hispanic/Latino adults in their country of origin or ethnic or cultural group in the United States following the death of a loved one. Design: This descriptive study is a secondary analysis from a longitudinal mixed-methods study that examined parents\u27 health and functioning following the death of a child. Methods: Adult parents whose child died in neonatal intensive care units or paediatric intensive care units were recruited from four hospitals and from death records. Data were collected from 61 adult parents at 7 and 13 months postinfant/child death using semi-structured interviews about the child\u27s death. Only those parents who responded to questions about usual death practices in their country of origin or cultural group were included in the data analysis. Results: Thirty-two adults from 14 countries reported practices in their country or cultural group after a loved one\u27s death including keeping the front door closed, walking funeral processions with a band playing, the deceased in a car accompanied by family and friends, fireworks, making home altars for deceased spirits with food and water for adults, toys and candy for children and no TV or radio for sometime. Relevance to clinical practice: For community health nurses, understanding these practices is important in being sensitive and appropriate around the death. Asking the family about specific practices they hope to carry out and noting this in the family\u27s record will help alert providers to the family\u27s wishes at this challenging time

The minor groove-binding agent ELB-21 forms multiple interstrand and intrastrand covalent cross-links with duplex DNA and displays potent bactericidal activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

OBJECTIVES: The antistaphylococcal pyrrolobenzodiazepine dimer ELB-21 forms multiple adducts with duplex DNA through covalent interactions with appropriately spaced guanine residues; it is now known to form interstrand and intrastrand adducts with oligonucleotide sequences of variable length. We determined the DNA sequence preferences of ELB-21 in relation to its capacity to exert a bactericidal effect by damaging DNA. METHODS: Formation of adducts by ELB-21 and 12- to 14-mer DNA duplexes was investigated using ion-pair reversed phase liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Drug-induced changes in gene expression were measured in prophage-free Staphylococcus aureus RN4220 by microarray analysis. RESULTS: ELB-21 preferentially formed intrastrand adducts with guanines separated by three nucleotide base pairs. Interstrand and intrastrand adducts were formed with duplexes both longer and shorter than the preferred target sequences. ELB-21 elicited rapid bactericidal effects against prophage-carrying and prophage-free S. aureus strains; cell lysis occurred following activation and release of resident prophages. Killing appeared to be due to irreparable damage to bacterial DNA and susceptibility to ELB-21 was governed by the capacity of staphylococci to repair DNA lesions through induction of the SOS DNA damage response mediated by the RecA-LexA pathway. CONCLUSIONS: The data support the contention that ELB-21 arrests DNA replication, eliciting formation of ssDNA-RecA filaments that inactivate LexA, the SOS repressor, and phage repressors such as Cl, resulting in activation of the DNA damage response and de-repression of resident prophages. Above the MIC threshold, DNA repair is ineffective

Building A Culture of Scholarship with New Clinical Teachers By Writing About Social Justice Lawyering

This Article is a collection of essays about teaching social justice lawyering, as seen through the eyes of eight practitioners-in-residence in the clinical program at American University’s Washington College of Law (“WCL”). They include: Michelle Assad, Maria Dooner, Mariam Hinds, Jessica Millward, Citlalli Ochoa, Charles Ross, Anne Schaufele, and Caroline Wick. They teach in seven clinics, including the Civil Advocacy Clinic, the Criminal Justice Clinic, the Community Economic and Equity Development Clinic, the Disability Rights Law Clinic, the Immigrant Justice Clinic, the International Human Rights Law Clinic, and the Janet R. Spragens Federal Income Tax Clinic. We use the terms practitioner-in residence and practitioner interchangeably throughout this Article. These practitioners have full-time faculty status and represent a range of experience in our clinical program—from those who are in their first year of teaching in the program to those who have been teaching for several years and are near the end of their fellowships. Professors Assad, Millward, Schaufele, and Wick have now moved on to permanent teaching positions at other law schools, and Professor Dooner has returned to practice. They are all experienced lawyers who have brought their lawyering experiences in a variety of practice areas—criminal defense, criminal legal system reform, civil legal services, community and economic development, immigration, international human rights, employment, public benefits, health, tax law and policy, and special education—to their clinical teaching. They are diverse across a range of identities including race and ethnicity

Neuroepithelial Body Microenvironment Is a Niche for a Distinct Subset of Clara-Like Precursors in the Developing Airways

Clara cells of mammalian airways have multiple functions and are morphologically heterogeneous. Although Notch signaling is essential for the development of these cells, it is unclear how Notch influences Clara cell specification and if diversity is established among Clara cell precursors. Here we identify expression of the secretoglobin Scgb3a2 and Notch activation as early events in a program of secretory cell fate determination in developing murine airways. We show that Scgb3a2 expression in vivo is Notch-dependent at early stages and ectopically induced by constitutive Notch1 activation, and also that in vitro Notch signaling together with the pan-airway transcription factor Ttf1 (Nkx2.1) synergistically regulate secretoglobin gene transcription. Furthermore, we identified a subpopulation of secretory precursors juxtaposed to presumptive neuroepithelial bodies (NEBs), distinguished by their strong Scgb3a2 and uroplakin 3a (Upk3a) signals and reduced Ccsp (Scgb1a1) expression. Genetic ablation of Ascl1 prevented NEB formation and selectively interfered with the formation of this subpopulation of cells. Lineage labeling of Upk3a-expressing cells during development showed that these cells remain largely uncommitted during embryonic development and contribute to Clara and ciliated cells in the adult lung. Together, our findings suggest a role for Notch in the induction of a Clara cell-specific program of gene expression, and reveals that the NEB microenvironment in the developing airways is a niche for a distinct subset of Clara-like precursors.Molecular and Cellular Biolog