The Catholic Elementary School Curriculum: Elements of Coherence

This study investigates those characteristics of the written curricula for selected diocesan elementary schools that distinguish the curricula as uniquely Catholic. Findings from the study indicate the presence of three values that serve as common themes: 1) acquiring Catholic faith knowledge; 2) engaging in Catholic faith practices; and 3) recognizing from a holistic perspective the multiple needs of students. The different approaches or “looks” of the curricula examined represent a variety of curriculum development approaches on a continuum of centralization/decentralization

Contemplative Leadership Practice: The Influences of Character on Catholic School Leadership

There is a clear understanding that leaders of faith-based educational institutions shape the school community’s culture in ways that assist in faith formation. This implicit and explicit focus on faith formation and an alignment with the broader mission of the Catholic Church is foundational to contemplative leadership (Schuttloffel, 1999, 2008). Contemplative leadership practice presumes that a leader’s character, shaped by her/his communities, life stories, and virtues, is a necessary quality for making decisions that contribute to a school’s Catholic identity. Using qualitative research methods, this study explores leadership practice within Catholic schools in Australia, England, and the Netherlands, in order to describe common themes attributed to contemplative practice. Data from this study suggest three common themes in contemplative Catholic school leaders’ decision making: (a) the impact of their personal life stories; (b) their view of leadership as a vocation; and, (c) the priority given to relationships. Generational communities and national culture or regional subcultures emerge as influential special communities that often challenge school leaders. The findings have implications for Catholic higher education that include the following: continuing professional development that fosters the character necessary for contemplative practice, adaptive experiences that support spiritual leadership, and opportunities for ongoing reflection on decision making that leads to Catholic identity formation

Introduction to the Focus Section: School Leaders and Contemplative Practice

Introduction to the Focus Sectio

Brain Differences in the Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala, and Hippocampus in Youth with Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Context: Classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) due to 21-hydroxylase deficiency results in hormone imbalances present both prenatally and postnatally that may impact the developing brain. Objective: To characterize gray matter morphology in the prefrontal cortex and subregion volumes of the amygdala and hippocampus in youth with CAH, compared to controls. Design: A cross-sectional study of 27 CAH youth (16 female; 12.6 ± 3.4 year) and 35 typically developing, healthy controls (20 female; 13.0 ± 2.8 year) with 3-T magnetic resonance imaging scans. Brain volumes of interest included bilateral prefrontal cortex, and nine amygdala and six hippocampal subregions. Between-subject effects of group (CAH vs control) and sex, and their interaction (group-by-sex) on brain volumes were studied, while controlling for intracranial volume (ICV) and group differences in body mass index and bone age. Results: CAH youth had smaller ICV and increased cerebrospinal fluid volume compared to controls. In fully-adjusted models, CAH youth had smaller bilateral, superior and caudal middle frontal volumes, and smaller left lateral orbito-frontal volumes compared to controls. Medial temporal lobe analyses revealed the left hippocampus was smaller in fully-adjusted models. CAH youth also had significantly smaller lateral nucleus of the amygdala and hippocampal subiculum and CA1 subregions. Conclusions: This study replicates previous findings of smaller medial temporal lobe volumes in CAH patients, and suggests that lateral nucleus of the amygdala, as well as subiculum and subfield CA1 of the hippocampus are particularly affected within the medial temporal lobes in CAH youth

The Effect of Brand on the Evaluation of IT System Performance

In this research, we investigate the branding effect of an information technology system on the evaluation of system performance. Using Web search engines, we conducted a laboratory experiment measuring the effect of four search engine brands while controlling for the quality and presentation of search engine results. There was a 25 percent difference between the most highly and the lowest rated search engines based on average relevance ratings by users among the four search engines presenting identical results in both content and presentation. A positive brand is worth approximately fifteen percent in user perception of performance. Users place a high degree of trust in major search engines, but they are more engaged in the searching process when using lesser known search engines. It appears that branding affects overall Web search from various perspectives. We discuss implications for search engine marketing and the design of empirical studies measuring search engine performance

Growth and Localization of Polyhydroxybutyrate Granules in Ralstonia eutropha

The bacterium Ralstonia eutropha forms cytoplasmic granules of polyhydroxybutyrate that are a source of biodegradable thermoplastic. While much is known about the biochemistry of polyhydroxybutyrate production, the cell biology of granule formation and growth remains unclear. Previous studies have suggested that granules form either in the inner membrane, on a central scaffold, or in the cytoplasm. Here we used electron cryotomography to monitor granule genesis and development in 3 dimensions (3-D) in a near-native, “frozen-hydrated” state in intact Ralstonia eutropha cells. Neither nascent granules within the cell membrane nor scaffolds were seen. Instead, granules of all sizes resided toward the center of the cytoplasm along the length of the cell and exhibited a discontinuous surface layer more consistent with a partial protein coating than either a lipid mono- or bilayer. Putatively fusing granules were also seen, suggesting that small granules are continually generated and then grow and merge. Together, these observations support a model of biogenesis wherein granules form in the cytoplasm coated not by phospholipid but by protein. Previous thin-section electron microscopy (EM), fluorescence microscopy, and atomic force microscopy (AFM) results to the contrary may reflect both differences in nucleoid condensation and specimen preparation-induced artifacts

Peningkatan Hasil Belajar Passing Bawah Bola Voli dengan Modifikasi Bola Plastik di Sdn

The purpose of this research to determine the increase passing under volleyball with plastic balls modification learners fifth grade at SDN 33 Simpang Sanurian Landak. The method used in this research is descriptive method with this type of research is classroom action research. Subjects who made this study were teachers collaborate with learners class V SDN 33 Simpang Sanurian Landak as many as 20 students. The results of the first cycle of learning research students who completed amounted to 12 or 60%, while the students who have not passed or have not completed amounted to 8 or 40%, then proceed to the second cycle so that learners have an opportunity for improvement. In the second cycle students who graduated a total of 20 people or 100% and unresolved numbered 0 or does not exist

THE NATURE OF DSS LITERATURE PRESENTED IN MAJOR IS CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS (1980-1985)

This paper reports and analyzes the nature, content, and trends exhibited by DSS papers presented at the four major annual or biennial IS/DSS conferences during 1980-1985. (Three of the conferences held their first meeting during this period.) It then compares the findings from this analysis with those obtained with a different database, namely all DSS articles published in 22 professional journals during this same period. Inferences are drawn concerning (1) the perceived roles and benefits of conferences versus those of journals and (2) the apparent state and direction of the DSS field