Required Preparation in Reading for Secondary Teachers

In Fall, 1977, a survey was conducted on requirements for secondary teachers in the area of reading instruction. Information from state certifying agencies show a majority of states have some requirements. The results of the survey, when compared to results of two earlier surveys, show increasing interest in secondary reading

Letter to the Editor Re: McClure et al. Nutrients 2017, 9, 95

Dear Editor, We read with interest the recently published paper by McClure et al. [1] that reports trends in intake and primary sources of dietary phosphorus in the NHANES data for the period 2001–2014.[...]Non peer reviewe

Vitamin D Fortification of Fluid Milk Products and Their Contribution to Vitamin D Intake and Vitamin D Status in Observational Studies—A Review

Fluid milk products are systematically, either mandatorily or voluntarily, fortified with vitamin D in some countries but their overall contribution to vitamin D intake and status worldwide is not fully understood. We searched the PubMed database to evaluate the contribution of vitamin D-fortified fluid milk products (regular milk and fermented products) to vitamin D intake and serum or plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status in observational studies during 1993-2017. Twenty studies provided data on 25(OH)D status (n = 19,744), and 22 provided data on vitamin D intake (n = 99,023). Studies showed positive associations between the consumption of vitamin D-fortified milk and 25(OH)D status in different population groups. In countries with a national vitamin D fortification policy covering various fluid milk products (Finland, Canada, United States), milk products contributed 28-63% to vitamin D intake, while in countries without a fortification policy, or when the fortification covered only some dairy products (Sweden, Norway), the contribution was much lower or negligible. To conclude, based on the reviewed observational studies, vitamin D-fortified fluid milk products contribute to vitamin D intake and 25(OH)D status. However, their impact on vitamin D intake at the population level depends on whether vitamin D fortification is systematic and policy-based.Peer reviewe

Clothing the paper: on the state of newspaper design, redesigns, and art directors’ perspectives in contemporary quality and popular newspapers

This thesis contributes to understanding contemporary newspaper design and redesigns in quality and popular newspapers with a focus on art directors’ perspective. A triangulated multi-method investigation of newspapers in the United Kingdom and Finland produces several original contributions to knowledge. As little data exists on contemporary newspaper design in these countries, a content analysis of newspapers captures a snapshot of its current state. This reveals design elements that function as genre markers and cross-national differences in their use. Quality papers use a more rule-governed design employing a narrow range of expression, while the populars employ a wider range of expression. Existing literature, largely ignoring popular papers, provides little knowledge about how art directors see their work and how redesigns are conducted. I investigate these issues through qualitative in-depth interviews with art directors. They reveal several differences between the genres. Quality papers implement large scale redesigns with intervals of several years. Popular papers perform small gradual changes, evolving almost constantly. In both genres, art directors rely largely on their professional intuition in making design decisions. They might use metaphorical newspaper personalities, possibly as energysaving devices similar to genre. They see several roles for newspaper design, including journalism and enhancing usability. They acknowledge a connection between design and branding, but no evidence is found that newspaper design has been taken over by branding. Art directors are shown to be the true gatekeepers of redesigns, as executives leading the process usually entrust them with final decisions. I present a naturalistic reconceptualisation of newspaper design, taking steps towards a conceptual framework for the currently pre-paradigmatic field. I propose using the concept of visual energy for summarising the effect of design features, which can be used to describe the relative positions of newspapers and their genres

Goitre and Iodine Deficiency in Europe

The prevalence of endemic iodine-deficiency goitre in Europe has been reduced in many areas by the introduction of iodination programmes. Recent reports, however, show that goitre remains a significant problem and that its prevalence has not decreased in a number of European countries. Hetzel1 has pointed out that the high global prevalence of iodine-deficiency disorders could be eradicated within 5-10 years by introduction of an iodised salt programme. The current World Health Organisation recommendations for iodine intake are between 150 and 300 μg/da

Universal platform for quantitative analysis of DNA transposition

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Completed genome projects have revealed an astonishing diversity of transposable genetic elements, implying the existence of novel element families yet to be discovered from diverse life forms. Concurrently, several better understood transposon systems have been exploited as efficient tools in molecular biology and genomics applications. Characterization of new mobile elements and improvement of the existing transposition technology platforms warrant easy-to-use assays for the quantitative analysis of DNA transposition.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here we developed a universal <it>in vivo </it>platform for the analysis of transposition frequency with class II mobile elements, i.e., DNA transposons. For each particular transposon system, cloning of the transposon ends and the cognate transposase gene, in three consecutive steps, generates a multifunctional plasmid, which drives inducible expression of the transposase gene and includes a mobilisable <it>lacZ</it>-containing reporter transposon. The assay scores transposition events as blue microcolonies, papillae, growing within otherwise whitish <it>Escherichia coli </it>colonies on indicator plates. We developed the assay using phage Mu transposition as a test model and validated the platform using various MuA transposase mutants. For further validation and to illustrate universality, we introduced IS<it>903 </it>transposition system components into the assay. The developed assay is adjustable to a desired level of initial transposition via the control of a plasmid-borne <it>E. coli </it>arabinose promoter. In practice, the transposition frequency is modulated by varying the concentration of arabinose or glucose in the growth medium. We show that variable levels of transpositional activity can be analysed, thus enabling straightforward screens for hyper- or hypoactive transposase mutants, regardless of the original wild-type activity level.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The established universal papillation assay platform should be widely applicable to a variety of mobile elements. It can be used for mechanistic studies to dissect transposition and provides a means to screen or scrutinise transposase mutants and genes encoding host factors. In succession, improved versions of transposition systems should yield better tools for molecular biology and offer versatile genome modification vehicles for many types of studies, including gene therapy and stem cell research.</p

Poor bioavailability of vitamin D2 from ultraviolet-irradiated D2-rich yeast in rats

Ultraviolet-irradiated yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) can be used to biofortify bakery products with vitamin D, but in bread, it was not effective in increasing serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in humans, possibly because of the low digestibility of the yeast matrix. We investigated the effects of vitamin D-2-rich intact yeast cells and their separated fraction, yeast cell walls, which we hypothesized to provide vitamin D-2 in a more bioavailable form, on serum 25(OH)D and its metabolites in growing female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 54) compared to vitamin D-2 and D-3 supplements (8 treatment groups: 300 or 600 IU vitamin D/d, and a control group, 8-week intervention). The D-3 supplement groups had the highest 25(OH)D concentrations, and the vitamin D-2 supplement at the 600-IU dose increased 25(OH)D better than any yeast form (P .05). Serum 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (a vitamin D catabolite) concentrations and the trend in the differences between the groups were in line with 25 (OH)D (P .05). These findings do not support the hypothesis: the ability of the different ultraviolet-treated vitamin D-2-containing yeast forms to increase 25(OH)D did not differ, and the poor bioavailability of vitamin D-2 in the yeasts compared D-3 or D-2 supplements could not be explained by the increased vitamin D catabolism in the yeast-treated groups. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Time since onset of walking predicts tibial bone strength in early childhood

Bone strength in adulthood is known to be affected by health at birth and early childhood. Habitual bone loading is a primary determinant of bone strength in later childhood and adulthood. However, the effects of physical activity in early childhood (e.g. crawling, standing and walking) on bone strength are unknown. Fifty-three children (twenty-seven males) were included in a longitudinal study in their early infancy. Shortly after birth (0.3 ± 0.3 months), details of mass and height were obtained along with a pQCT scan at 20% distal–proximal tibia length. At 14.8 ± 0.5 months of age the same data were collected, along with details of age at onset of standing, crawling, supported and unsupported walking. Time since onset of walking unsupported was associated with greater bone mass, cortical bone area, pericortical circumference and polar moment of inertia of both total and cortical bone (all P < 0.05). There were no significant associations between other physical activity timepoints and bone measures. Age at onset of walking was not significantly related to mass, length or bone measures at birth. The results suggest that time since attainment of independent walking — representing exposure of the tibia to the large reaction and muscular forces associated with locomotion — is a primary determinant of bone strength in early childhood. This finding raises the possible opportunity of physical activity interventions at young age in paediatric populations associated with low childhood bone strength and late walking (e.g. low birth weight, cerebral palsy and Down's Syndrome, etc.)

Proceedings of the Rank Forum on Vitamin D

The Rank Forum on Vitamin D was held on 2nd and 3rd July 2009 at the University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. The workshop consisted of a series of scene-setting presentations to address the current issues and challenges concerning vitamin D and health, and included an open discussion focusing on the identification of the concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (a marker of vitamin D status) that may be regarded as optimal, and the implications this process may have in the setting of future dietary reference values for vitamin D in the UK. The Forum was in agreement with the fact that it is desirable for all of the population to have a serum 25(OH)D concentration above 25 nmol/l, but it discussed some uncertainty about the strength of evidence for the need to aim for substantially higher concentrations (25(OH)D concentrations . 75 nmol/l). Any discussion of ‘optimal’ concentration of serum 25(OH)D needs to define ‘optimal’ with care since it is important to consider the normal distribution of requirements and the vitamin D needs for a wide range of outcomes. Current UK reference values concentrate on the requirements of particular subgroups of the population; this differs from the approaches used in other European countries where a wider range of age groups tend to be covered. With the re-emergence of rickets and the public health burden of low vitamin D status being already apparent, there is a need for urgent action from policy makers and risk managers. The Forum highlighted concerns regarding the failure of implementation of existing strategies in the UK for achieving current vitamin D recommendations

Calcium intake in health maintenance - a systematic review

Peer reviewe