Teacher Perceptions and Classroom Observations of Writing Opportunities in Prekindergarten Classrooms

This multiple-article dissertation examined secondary data collected by an educational service center in a large area of southeast Texas to analyze the similarities and differences in writing practices of prekindergarten teachers. The aim of this study was to determine the direction of future professional development sessions and coaching to support the implementation of writing in prekindergarten. The first study investigated teacher perceptions of writing practices and writing usage by type and frequency as collected through descriptive statistics and analysis from a self-report study. The second study examined the educational use of writing and writing artifacts through observational research of three interacting components in prekindergarten classrooms: the teacher, five students, and the overall classroom. Four different educational environments were investigated: rural, suburban, urban, and private schools. Authentic classroom behaviors and differences between monolingual and English Language Learners (ELLs) were investigated in relation to their use of writing. The findings from both studies revealed great variability from frequent to infrequent classroom use of writing. The results from the first study revealed that a few classrooms used writing to a great extent, especially in dramatic play areas, such as a doctor’s office or restaurant to enhance play. In other classrooms, teachers reported that children write their names on a regular basis or draw pictures in journals, but otherwise do not use writing. In many classrooms, the Morning Message or lists were developed as a teacher-child collaborative effort during shared writing, but often these activities did not take place. The second study revealed how writing usage in the classroom also varied, from procedural skills, such as tracing and copying letters or words, to conceptual use, creating stories using drawings and invented spelling, to the implementation of a fully developed Writer’s Workshop in prekindergarten. Results suggest that prekindergarten teachers are generally unsure how to use writing in the classroom, how often to use it, and how appropriate its use is with young children. The implications of these studies provide useful information on current practices and suggest that professional development and coaching may enhance teaching practices by demonstrating ways to increase access to writing opportunities

Skin Barrier Function and Its Importance at the Start of the Atopic March

Atopic dermatitis can be due to a variety of causes from nonatopic triggers to food allergy. Control of egress of water and protection from ingress of irritants and allergens are key components of cutaneous barrier function. Current research suggests that a degraded barrier function of the skin allows the immune system inappropriate access to environmental allergens. Epidermal aeroallergen exposure may allow sensitization to allergen possibly initiating the atopic march. Further research into connections between epidermal barrier function and possible allergen sensitization will be important to undertake. Future clinical trials focused on skin barrier protection may be of value as a possible intervention in prevention of the initiation of the atopic march

University research scientists as knowledge workers: contract status and employment opportunities

University research scientists epitomise knowledge workers who are positioned to avail of the employment conditions associated with ‘boundaryless careers’. Yet while employment flexibility has been hailed as a positive feature of knowledge work, relatively little is known about the forms such flexibility may take or its impact. This article considers the factors shaping the employment conditions of 40 research scientists working in five university research centres in Ireland. The findings suggest that, for knowledge workers such as research scientists, contract employment can deny them access to many of the employment conditions and opportunities that govern their long-term success as researchers

Conceptualising collaborative processes in university research centres

In the context of a knowledge-based agenda understanding the dynamics of the collaborative process between universities and industry becomes critical. This paper develops an analytical framework for examining the processes underpinning the collaborative capabilities of University Research Centres (URCs). Drawing on the lens of collaborative communities, this multi-level framework provides a useful basis for understanding in more detail the unique motives, relational dynamics and negotiated orders informing and shaping the formation and sustenance of research collaboration in URCs. Implications for the management of scientific and technical (S&T) human capital are discussed

Early Pollen Sensitization in Children Is Dependent upon Regional Aeroallergen Exposure

Introduction. Aeroallergen sensitization occurs at an earlier age than previously noted. The purpose of this paper was to identify which pollens cause early sensitization in young children presenting with rhinitis symptoms. Methods. This paper was a retrospective analysis of skin test results from 2- to 8-year-old patients presenting with a history consistent with allergic rhinitis. Patients were tested to aeroallergens common to the Great Basin along with a histamine and saline control. Pollen counts were obtained from a Reno, NV-certified counting station. Results. 123 children less than 8 years of age were identified. Over 50% of these children were sensitized to at least one aeroallergen. Chemopodaciae, timothy, alfalfa, black walnut, olive, mountain cedar and willow were predominating sensitizing aeroallergens of the Great Basin Region. Pollen counts were notable for a early spring peak for the tree season, grass season in May and weed season in August. Pollen levels continued to November at low levels. Discussion. Aeroallergens causing early sensitization differed from those which had predominately been reported in other regions of the United States. Pediatric allergists should consider performing a local review of sensitizing aeroallergens in their region to assist with identification and management of allergic rhinitis in their youngest patients. Please make style changes as appropriate

Doctoral competencies and graduate research education: focus and fit with the knowledge economy?

The paper considers the evidence on the types of skills and abilities that are needed by doctoral students. In particular, it examines whether doctoral competencies can be differentiated from general undergraduate/postgraduate-level competencies and whether employers value the skills and abilities that doctoral graduates bring to work organisations. Surprisingly, given the cost of fourth level education, there is a dearth of existing work regarding graduate and doctoral students’ experiences (Cryer, 1997). In addition, where lists of doctoral competencies are proposed, there is little evidence of a theoretical or empirical basis for the choice of these competencies, and the lists appear to have emerged through a process of speculation, or the prior experience of students and faculty, rather than through any coherent analysis. Many commentators (Allen, 2002; Park, 2005; Mitchell, 2007) consider that PhD and other doctoral programmes must adapt and become more flexible, as students’ requirements and preferences change and that the personal skills and attributes that a doctoral student possesses are as important as any specialist knowledge or skills. The paper suggests that current conceptualisations of doctoral competencies are inadequate and puts forward a model to reframe the way in which these competencies are understood and labelled. The paper has implications for the education and training of doctoral students and for the graduate research education programmes (GREPS) that are emerging as part of the reconceptualisation of graduate education

Who Are You Going to Call? Primary Care Patients’ Disclosure Decisions Regarding Direct–to–Consumer Genetic Testing

Background: Direct–to–consumer genetic testing (DTCGT) offers risk estimates for a variety of complex diseases and conditions, yet little is known about its impact on actual users, including their decisions about sharing the information gleaned from testing. Ethical considerations include the impact of unsolicited genetic information with variable validity and clinical utility on relatives, and the possible burden to the health care system if revealed to physicians. Aims: The qualitative study explored primary care patients’ views, attitudes, and decision making considerations regarding DTCGT. This article focuses on the disclosure decisions participants made regarding participation, testing, and results of DTCGT, a topic which arose as a secondary aim of the study. Methods: Through four longitudinal interviews (pre–test, results, 3 and 12 months post–test) we examined twenty primary care patients’ decisions, expressed intentions, and actions regarding disclosure to immediate and extended family, friends and coworkers, and physicians about participation in and results of DTCGT. Individual interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis and a summative approach to describe the global themes. Results: Most participants disclosed to some immediate family; less than half disclosed to extended family; approximately half talked to friends. Most participants stated they would or might disclose to physicians about DTCGT and a few did. Conceptual themes that emerged from the data analysis include ambivalence about disclosure, consistency between intention and actual disclosure behavior and decisions, and conditional information sharing. Conclusions: Participants’ intentional and actual disclosure patterns offer insight into how they view DTCGT, weigh results, and the potential impact of DTCGT

Consensus Statement of the International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia Related to End-of-life Care in Advanced Dementia

Background  Adults with intellectual disability are affected by dementia at equivalent and elevated rates, many surviving into advanced age. End of life care and support considerations come into play among these individuals when most are in the advanced stage of dementia.  Methods  A preliminary report summarizing available literature and making initial recommendations was developed by a workgroup, reviewed by all conference participants and then was finalized by the workgroup.  Results  The International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementia produced a report on End of life care in advanced dementia that provides a synthesis statement which encompasses defining the state of advanced dementia, proposes use of palliative care services (including hospice) and recommends special efforts for enabling advanced directives and advance care planning prior to the extensive progression of dementia. The Summit further recommended that when aiding adults with advanced dementia, the following be undertaken: integrative efforts between intellectual disability and palliative care providers, specialized training for carers on end of life care and supports, and involvement of adults with intellectual disability early on in their advance care planning.  Conclusions  The Consensus recommendations will ensure greater and more appropriate support at end of life for persons with intellectual disabilities and advanced dementia.Additional co-author: the Working Group of the International Summit on Intellectual Disability and Dementi

Efficacy and Safety of Ciprofloxacin for Prophylaxis of Polyomavirus BK Virus–Associated Hemorrhagic Cystitis in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients

Polyoma virus BK–induced hemorrhagic cystitis is an important cause of morbidity after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Fluoroquinolones have been shown in vitro to inhibit BK viral replication by direct inhibition of the BK-encoded DNA gyrase. We hypothesized that extended prophylaxis with ciprofloxacin may decrease the incidence of severe (grades 3 and 4) BK virus–associated hemorrhagic cystitis (sBKHC) after HSCT. We retrospectively collected patient and transplant data, as well as incidence of sBKHC, for all consecutive patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT between June 2006 and August 2010 at our institution. Prophylaxis for sBKHC with ciprofloxacin 500 mg orally twice daily from day 0 until day 60 had been instituted in March 2009, delimiting a group receiving ciprofloxacin prophylaxis (CP) or no prophylaxis (NP). We compared the cumulative incidence of sBKHC in CP and NP, including death in absence of sBKHC as a competing risk. Ninety-two consecutive patients were included in the analysis, 44 in CP and 48 in NP. Median age of patients was 50 years (range: 19-70), and 47% received a myeloablative conditioning regimen. The cumulative incidence of sBKHC was significantly reduced in CP (2.6% versus 20.9%, P = .01). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that assignment to CP and concomitant acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were the only factors independently associated with the occurrence of sBKHC. Patients in CP did not experience a higher risk of Clostridium difficile diarrhea and were less likely to develop episodes of bacteremia. Ciprofloxacin prophylaxis appears safe and effective in reducing the incidence of severe BKHC after allogeneic HSCT

Ariel - Volume 4 Number 3

Editors David A. Jacoby Eugenia Miller Tom Williams Associate Editors Paul Bialas Terry Burt Michael Leo Gail Tenikat Editor Emeritus and Business Manager Richard J. Bonnano Movie Editor Robert Breckenridge Staff Richard Blutstein Mary F. Buechler Steve Glinks Len Grasman Alice M. Johnson J.D. Kanofsky Tom Lehman Dave Mayer Bernie Odd