Fundations: A Systematic, Research-Based Program to Support Students with Dyslexia through Tier 1 Instruction

This study explored whether students with dyslexia can be supported through Tier 1 intervention in the general education setting. The school researched in this study chose to purchase a research-based program, FUNdations, which can be implemented at Tier 1, 2, or 3, to support students with language-based disabilities, including dyslexia. Students identified with dyslexia require explicit instruction in phonics and decoding skills. As the Dyslexia Center for Utah (2014) reports, dyslexia is a common language-based disability, affecting one in five learners. This study has examined teachers within the general education setting implementing FUNdations as a research-based intervention to address the needs of students with dyslexia and other struggling readers with language-based disabilities. A mixed methods approach was utilized through surveys to determine teacher preparedness, comfort, and fidelity of implementation

Raman spectroscopy study of the interface structure in (CaCuO2)n/(SrTiO3)m superlattices

Raman spectra of CaCuO2/SrTiO3 superlattices show clear spectroscopic marker of two structures formed in CaCuO2 at the interface with SrTiO3. For non-superconducting superlattices, grown in low oxidizing atmosphere, the 425 cm-1 frequency of oxygen vibration in CuO2 planes is the same as for CCO films with infinite layer structure (planar Cu-O coordination). For superconducting superlattices grown in highly oxidizing atmosphere, a 60 cm-1 frequency shift to lower energy occurs. This is ascribed to a change from planar to pyramidal Cu-O coordination because of oxygen incorporation at the interface. Raman spectroscopy proves to be a powerful tool for interface structure investigation

Experimental determination of the frequency and field dependence of Specific Loss Power in Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia

Magnetic nanoparticles are promising systems for biomedical applications and in particular for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia, a promising therapy that utilizes the heat released by such systems to damage tumor cells. We present an experimental study of the physical properties that influences the capability of heat release, i.e. the Specific Loss Power, SLP, of three biocompatible ferrofluid samples having a magnetic core of maghemite with different core diameter d= 10.2, 14.6 and 19.7 nm. The SLP was measured as a function of frequency f and intensity of the applied alternating magnetic field H, and it turned out to depend on the core diameter, as expected. The results allowed us to highlight experimentally that the physical mechanism responsible for the heating is size-dependent and to establish, at applied constant frequency, the phenomenological functional relationship SLP=cH^x, with 2<x<3 for all samples. The x-value depends on sample size and field frequency/ intensity, here chosen in the typical range of operating magnetic hyperthermia devices. For the smallest sample, the effective relaxation time Teff=19.5 ns obtained from SLP data is in agreement with the value estimated from magnetization data, thus confirming the validity of the Linear Response Theory model for this system at properly chosen field intensity and frequency

Particle-in-cell simulations of Alfv\'en wave parametric decay in a low-beta plasma

We study the parametric decay instability of parallel propagating Alfv\'en wave in a low-beta plasma using one-dimensional fully kinetic simulations. We focus for the first time on the conversion of the energy stored in the initial Alfv\'en wave into particle internal energy, and on its partition between particle species. We show that compressible fluctuations generated by the decay of the pump wave into a secondary ion-acoustic mode and a reflected Alfv\'en wave contribute to the gain of internal energy via two distinct mechanisms. First, the ion-acoustic mode leads nonlinearly to proton trapping and proton phase space mixing, in agreement with previous work based on hybrid simulations. Second, during the nonlinear stage, a compressible front of the fast type develops at the steepened edge of the backward Alfv\'en wave leading to a field-aligned proton beam propagating backwards at the Alfv\'en speed. We find that parametric decay heats preferentially protons, which gain about 50% of the pump wave energy in the form of internal energy. However, we find that electrons are also energized and that they contribute to the total energy balance by gaining 10% of the pump wave energy. By investigating energy partition and particle heating during parametric decay, our results contribute to determine the role of compressible and kinetic effects in wave-driven models of the solar wind

Subclinical Hypothyroidism: behavioral and psychophysiological characteristics.A pilot study

Background: Clinical hypothyroidism affects various aspects of cognitive and affective brain function. The most severe hypothyroidism may also mimic a picture of melancholic depression and dementia. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SHT) is characterized by elevated TSH levels despite normal thyroid hormone concentrations. The aim of this research is to verify the presence of a typical psychophysiological pattern in SHT patients. Methods: Since 1998 fifty patients who underwent surgeries at the Department of Endocrinology, University of Pisa, diagnosed with SHT, were subsequently recruited. Subjects underwent an inspection of the reported symptoms using the Crown & Crisp Experiential Index, and a psychophysiological assessment with a simultaneous recording of the parameters Skin Conductance Level/ Response (SCL/SCR), Surface Frontal Electromyogram (EMG), Peripheral Temperature (PT), Heart Rate (HR). As a control group, fifty subjects without endocrine disorders were subsequently recruited. Results: Data shows little difference in levels in hormonal assays except for TSH. There is also a significant elevation of some of the CCEI subscales: Anxiety, Depression, and Somatic Complaints. At the autonomic level, there is a general pattern of excessive arousal with significant differences in SCL/SCR, HR, and PT. Conclusions: A first data interpretation is that in sub-clinical hypothyroidism, the body tries to support and integrate the general lack of energy with an acceleration of the autonomic activity. This condition of initial arousal could be a useful indicator in order to monitor the treatment course and its effectiveness on the pathological evolution