A Mixed Method Study of the Effectiveness of the Accelerated Reader Program on Middle School Students’ Reading Achievement and Motivation

The mixed-method explanatory research design was employed to investigate the effectiveness of the Accelerated Reader (AR) program on middle school students’ reading achievement and motivation. A total of 211 sixth to eighth-grade students provided quantitative data by completing an AR Survey. Thirty of the 211 students were randomly selected to participate in semi-structured interviews and classroom observations over the course of a semester and the selected students’ AR pretest and posttest scores were collected to provide quantitative data. Constant analyses using the content comparative method led to the identification of important themes related to the review of students using the AR program. The results showed that Accelerated Reader neither improved students’ reading scores nor promoted intrinsic reading motivation for middle school students, but did increase the amount of time they read

7th grade Chinese students' reading motivation in Taiwan.

This dissertation study investigated seventh-grade Chinese students' reading motivation in Taiwan. The mix-method triangulation research design was employed to find answers to the study's questions. A total of 247 seventh-grade Chinese students (122 boys and 125 girls) provided the quantitative data by completing a modified Chinese Motivation Research Questionnaire (MRQ). Eight high reading achievement students and eight low reading achievement students were purposefully selected to participate in the semi-structured interviews to provide in-depth qualitative data. Qualitative data included observations conducted during the reading classes and the afterschool programs. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to summarize the quantitative results. Content analyses using the constant comparative method led to the identification of important themes related to Chinese seventh-grade students' motivation to read.The results showed that Chinese students, like their western counterparts, were motivated to read if they were presented with materials matching their personal interests and choices. When compared with low reading achievement students, high reading achievement students were found to place greater value on grades and social recognition. They also had stronger self-efficacy and intrinsic motivation. The results also suggested that external social and cultural factors impacted the students' motivation to read. In particular, teachers' and parents' expectations strongly influenced the students' motivation to read. The study has important implications for Chinese reading instruction. Chinese reading teachers should de-emphasize reading for grades and external factors. They should adopt instruction practices that promote intrinsic motivation and develop lifelong engaged readers who truly love reading

Ignored adult primary hypothyroidism presenting chiefly with persistent ovarian cysts: a need for increased awareness

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Ovarian cysts are a common cause for gynecological surgery. However, some cysts are a direct result of endocrine disorders and do not require surgery. This report describes an unusual case in which persistent ovarian cysts are associated with primary hypothyroidism in a young woman. The data were collected by history-taking, physical examination, laboratory tests, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and a histo-pathological study. In addition, the exons of the gene encoding the human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor were sequenced.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The patient had markedly elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone and an enlarged pituitary gland. After treatment with thyroid hormone replacement, regression of the enlarged pituitary and the ovarian cysts was observed. The possible mechanisms of the pathophysiology are discussed below.</p> <p>Summary</p> <p>It is necessary to consider hypothyroidism and other endocrine disorders in the differential diagnosis of adult patients with ovarian multiple cyst formation in order to prevent inadvertent ovarian surgery.</p

Nickel(II) Dithiocarbamate Complexes Containing Sulforhodamine B as Fluorescent Probes for Selective Detection of Nitrogen Dioxide

We synthesized the Ni(II) complexes with dithiocarbamate ligand derived from ortho and para isomers sulforhodamine B fluorophores and demonstrated they are highly selective in reaction with nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Comparing to the para isomer, the ortho isomer showed much greater fluorescence increase upon reaction with nitrogen dioxide, which led to oxidation and de-complexation of dithiocarbamate ligand from Ni(II). We applied this probe for visual detection of 1 ppm nitrogen dioxide in gas phase and fluorescence imaging of NO2 in macrophage cells treated with nitrogen oxide donor

Genomic Variation in Rice: Genesis of Highly Polymorphic Linkage Blocks during Domestication

Genomic regions that are unusually divergent between closely related species or racial groups can be particularly informative about the process of speciation or the operation of natural selection. The two sequenced genomes of cultivated Asian rice, Oryza sativa, reveal that at least 6% of the genomes are unusually divergent. Sequencing of ten unlinked loci from the highly divergent regions consistently identified two highly divergent haplotypes with each locus in nearly complete linkage disequilibrium among 25 O. sativa cultivars and 35 lines from six wild species. The existence of two highly divergent haplotypes in high divergence regions in species from all geographical areas (Africa, Asia, and Oceania) was in contrast to the low polymorphism and low linkage disequilibrium that were observed in other parts of the genome, represented by ten reference loci. While several natural processes are likely to contribute to this pattern of genomic variation, domestication may have greatly exaggerated the trend. In this hypothesis, divergent haplotypes that were adapted to different geographical and ecological environments migrated along with humans during the development of domesticated varieties. If true, these high divergence regions of the genome would be enriched for loci that contribute to the enormous range of phenotypic variation observed among domesticated breeds.</p

Three photosynthetic patterns characterized by cluster analysis of gas exchange data in two rice populations

AbstractPlant photosynthetic rate is affected by stomatal status and internal CO2 carboxylation. Understanding which process determines photosynthetic rate is essential for developing strategies for breeding crops with high photosynthetic efficiency. In this study, we identified different physiological patterns of photosynthetic rate in two different rice populations. Photosynthetic gas exchange parameters were measured during the flowering stage in two rice populations. Clustering and correlation analyses were performed on the resulting data. Five or six groups were defined by K-means clustering according to differences in net photosynthetic rates (Pn). According to differences in stomatal conductance (gs) and carboxylation efficiency (CE), each group was clustered into three subgroups characterized by physiological patterns stomatal pattern, carboxylation pattern, and intermediate pattern. Pn was significantly correlated with gs (r=0.810) and CE (r=0.531). Pn was also significantly correlated with gs and CE in the three physiological patterns. The correlation coefficients were highest in the stomatal pattern (0.905 and 0.957) and lowest in the carboxylation pattern (0.825 and 0.859). Higher correlation coefficients between Pn and gs or CE in the three physiological patterns indicate that clustering is very important for understanding factors limiting rice photosynthesis

Inflammatory stress exacerbates ectopic lipid deposition in C57BL/6J mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Chronic systemic inflammation and abnormal free fatty acid metabolism are closely related to ectopic lipid deposition. In this study, we investigate if inflammation tissue-specifically disrupts lipogenesis and lipolysis in nonadipose tissues and adipose tissue, resulting in ectopic lipid deposition in C57BL/6J mice.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used casein injection in C57BL/6J mice to induce a chronic systemic inflammatory stress in vivo. Serum was analyzed for free fatty acid and cytokines. Insulin sensitivities were evaluated by glucose and insulin tolerance tests. Liver, muscle, adipose tissues were taken for lipid analysis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to examine the gene and protein expression of molecules involved in adipogenesis and lipolysis in tissues.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Casein injection elevated serum levels of IL-6 and SAA in mice, which are associated with increased lipid accumulation in liver and muscle, suggesting that chronic systemic inflammation induces ectopic lipid deposition in nonadipose tissues. The inflammatory stress upregulated mRNA and protein expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl CoA carboxylase alpha, while inhibited these molecules expression in adipose. Interestingly, in the same experimental setting, inflammation increased triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase expression in white adipose tissue. Inflammation also induced insulin resistance and increased serum free fatty acid levels in C57BL/6J mice.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Chronic systemic inflammation increased lipogenesis in nonadipose tissues and lipolysis in white adipose tissue, resulting in ectopic lipid deposition in nonadipose tissues. This disturbed free fatty acid homeostasis and caused insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice.</p

Elevated first-trimester hepcidin level is associated with reduced risk of iron deficiency anemia in late pregnancy: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundIron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy are highly prevalent worldwide. Hepcidin is considered an important biomarker of iron status. Currently, few longitudinal cohort studies have assessed the potential causal relationship between hepcidin and ID/IDA. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association of first-trimester maternal serum hepcidin with third-trimester ID/IDA risk in a prospective cohort.MethodsTotal of 353 non-ID/IDA pregnant women at 11–13 weeks’ gestation were enrolled in Southern China and followed up to 38 weeks of gestation. Data on demography and anthropometry were obtained from a structured questionnaire at enrollment. Iron biomarkers including hepcidin were measured at enrollment and follow-up. Regression models were used to evaluate the association of first-trimester hepcidin with third-trimester ID/IDA risk.ResultsSerum hepcidin levels substantially decreased from 19.39 ng/mL in the first trimester to 1.32 ng/mL in the third trimester. Incidences of third-trimester ID and IDA were 46.2 and 11.4%, respectively. Moreover, moderate and high levels of first-trimester hepcidin were positively related to third-trimester hepcidin (log-transformed β = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.01, 1.00 and log-transformed β = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.15, 1.17). Importantly, elevated first-trimester hepcidin was significantly associated with reduced risk of third-trimester IDA (OR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.15, 0.99), but not with ID after adjustment with potential confounders.ConclusionFirst-trimester hepcidin was negatively associated with IDA risk in late pregnancy, indicating higher first-trimester hepcidin level may predict reduced risk for developing IDA. Nonetheless, given the limited sample size, larger studies are still needed

Tipping Point of a Conifer-Based Ecosystem under Severe Drought

Drought-induced tree mortality has recently received considerable attention. Questions have arisen over the necessary intensity and duration thresholds of droughts that are sufficient to trigger rapid forest declines. The values of such tipping points leading to forest declines due to drought are presently unknown. In this study, we have evaluated the potential relationship between the level of tree growth and concurrent drought conditions with data of the tree growth-related ring width index (RWI) of the two dominant conifer species (Pinus edulis and Pinus ponderosa) in the Southwestern United States (SWUS) and the meteorological drought-related standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). In this effort, we determined the binned averages of RWI and the 11 month SPEI within the month of July within each bin of 30 of RWI in the range of 0–3000. We found a significant correlation between the binned averages of RWI and SPEI at the regional-scale under dryer conditions. The tipping point of forest declines to drought is predicted by the regression model as SPEItp = −1.64 and RWItp = 0, that is, persistence of the water deficit (11 month) with intensity of −1.64 leading to negligible growth for the conifer species. When climate conditions are wetter, the correlation between the binned averages of RWI and SPEI is weaker which we believe is most likely due to soil water and atmospheric moisture levels no longer being the dominant factor limiting tree growth. We also illustrate a potential application of the derived tipping point (SPEItp = −1.64) through an examination of the 2002 extreme drought event in the SWUS conifer forest regions. Distinguished differences in remote-sensing based NDVI anomalies were found between the two regions partitioned by the derived tipping point