Pedagogy of the Transplanted: A Study of Selected First-Year Jamaican Immigrant Elementary School Teachers and Their Perspectives on South Carolina’s Curriculum Processes

The study explores the experiences of four first-year Jamaican immigrant teachers in rural southern South Carolina regarding their descriptions of the experiences and the researcher’s observations. The main research question was concerned with first-year Jamaican immigrant elementary school teachers’ experiences as they navigate the curriculum landscape in South Carolina. The inquiry engages a qualitative research design. Interviews, observations, and artifacts were engaged to collect data. These data were analyzed deductively and inductively through a process of content analysis. These data findings in the study covered four dominant themes these included immigrant teachers’ strengths, challenges, changes, and navigation strategies. The data revealed that the teaching experiences of the participants manifested both strengths and challenges in their current assignment as immigrant teachers. Challenges included personal and professional conundrums which ranged from financial to dealing with stereotypes from a rural southern American community. Teaching strategies engaged by selected participants and their ability to use their home culture to enhance instruction as well as broaden the world-view of their students were dominant strengths. Curriculum practices, as well as the formation of new alliances with members of the host country, provided noteworthy examples of changes. The study explored and identified parallels with various theoretical perspectives including the critical race theory, theory of culturally relevant pedagogy, acculturation theory and fictive kin network. The study also includes Implications for policymakers, school districts, and immigrant teachers

Effectiveness of English Learners Computer-Based Testing Accommodations: A Meta-Analysis

With the increased number of English learners (ELs) participating in large-scale state testing, there has been an increased focus on fairness in testing for these students. Test accommodations have shown promise in eliminating barriers and improving accessibility, and computer-based testing (CBT) allows individual customization of tests with built-in accessibility features. Most research on testing accommodations focuses on paper-based tests, but CBT is the most predominant mode of delivering large-scale state assessments. This study aims to synthesize research on the validity and effectiveness of CBT accommodations for EL students. Meta-analysis methodology was used to summarize the findings from previous CBT studies. Eight studies out of 292 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results indicated that CBT accommodations did not influence non-EL test scores, providing evidence for the validity of EL test accommodations. There was a .12 standard deviation improvement in EL test scores for EL students who had CBT accommodations. The grade level of EL moderated the effectiveness of the accommodation, with elementary students demonstrating higher effects than middle and high school students. The findings of this study are similar to those studies that examined paper-based accommodations

A Modular Plasmid Assembly Kit for Multigene Expression, Gene Silencing and Silencing Rescue in Plants

The Golden Gate (GG) modular assembly approach offers a standardized, inexpensive and reliable way to ligate multiple DNA fragments in a pre-defined order in a single-tube reaction. We developed a GG based toolkit for the flexible construction of binary plasmids for transgene expression in plants. Starting from a common set of modules, such as promoters, protein tags and transcribed regions of interest, synthetic genes are assembled, which can be further combined to multigene constructs. As an example, we created T-DNA constructs encoding multiple fluorescent proteins targeted to distinct cellular compartments (nucleus, cytosol, plastids) and demonstrated simultaneous expression of all genes in Nicotiana benthamiana, Lotus japonicus and Arabidopsis thaliana. We assembled an RNA interference (RNAi) module for the construction of intron-spliced hairpin RNA constructs and demonstrated silencing of GFP in N. benthamiana. By combination of the silencing construct together with a codon adapted rescue construct into one vector, our system facilitates genetic complementation and thus confirmation of the causative gene responsible for a given RNAi phenotype. As proof of principle, we silenced a destabilized GFP gene (dGFP) and restored GFP fluorescence by expression of a recoded version of dGFP, which was not targeted by the silencing construct

Arrangement of Annexin A2 tetramer and its impact on the structure and diffusivity of supported lipid bilayers

Annexins are a family of proteins that bind to anionic phospholipid membranes in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Annexin A2 forms heterotetramers (Anx A2t) with the S100A10 (p11) protein dimer. The tetramer is capable of bridging phospholipid membranes and it has been suggested to play a role in Ca2+-dependent exocytosis and cell-cell adhesion of metastatic cells. Here, we employ x-ray reflectivity measurements to resolve the conformation of Anx A2t upon Ca2+-dependent binding to single supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) composed of different mixtures of anionic (POPS) and neutral (POPC) phospholipids. Based on our results we propose that Anx A2t binds in a side-by-side configuration, i.e., both Anx A2 monomers bind to the bilayer with the p11 dimer positioned on top. Furthermore, we observe a strong decrease of lipid mobility upon binding of Anx A2t to SLBs with varying POPS content. X-ray reflectivity measurements indicate that binding of Anx A2t also increases the density of the SLB. Interestingly, in the protein-facing leaflet of the SLB the lipid density is higher than in the substrate-facing leaflet. This asymmetric densification of the lipid bilayer by Anx A2t and Ca2+ might have important implications for the biochemical mechanism of Anx A2t-induced endo- and exocytosis.Comment: 27 pages, 7 figures; supplementary material available upon request from the author

Developments and challenges in dermatology: an update from the Interactive Derma Academy (IDeA) 2019

The 2019 Interactive Derma Academy (IDeA) meeting was held in Lisbon, Portugal, 10–12 May, bringing together leading dermatology experts from across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Over three days, the latest developments and challenges in relation to the pathophysiology, diagnosis, evaluation and management of dermatological conditions were presented, with a particular focus on acne, atopic dermatitis (AD) and actinic keratosis (AK). Interesting clinical case studies relating to these key topics were discussed with attendees to establish current evidence-based best practices. Presentations reviewed current treatments, potential therapeutic approaches and key considerations in the management of acne, AK and AD, and discussed the importance of the microbiome in these conditions, as well as the provision of patient education/support. It was highlighted that active treatment is not always required for AK, depending on patient preferences and clinical circumstances. In addition to presentations, two interactive workshops on the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections/diseases (STIs/STDs) presenting to the dermatology clinic, and current and future dermocosmetics were conducted. The potential for misdiagnosis of STIs/STDs was discussed, with dermoscopy and/or reflectance confocal microscopy suggested as useful diagnostic techniques. In addition, botulinum toxin was introduced as a potential dermocosmetic, and the possibility of microbiome alteration in the treatment of dermatological conditions emphasized. Furthermore, several challenges in dermatology, including the use of lasers, the complexity of atopic dermatitis, wound care, use of biosimilars and application of non-invasive techniques in skin cancer diagnosis were reviewed. In this supplement, we provide an overview of the presentations and discussions from the fourth successful IDeA meeting, summarizing the key insights shared by dermatologists from across the globe

oxLDL Downregulates the Dendritic Cell Homing Factors CCR7 and CCL21

Introduction. Dendritic cells (DCs) and oxLDL play an important role in the atherosclerotic process with DCs accumulating in the plaques during plaque progression. Our aim was to investigate the role of oxLDL in the modulation of the DC homing-receptor CCR7 and endothelial-ligand CCL21. Methods and Results. The expression of the DC homing-receptor CCR7 and its endothelial-ligand CCL21 was examined on atherosclerotic carotic plaques of 47 patients via qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence. In vitro, we studied the expression of CCR7 on DCs and CCL21 on human microvascular endothelial cells (HMECs) in response to oxLDL. CCL21- and CCR7-mRNA levels were significantly downregulated in atherosclerotic plaques versus non-atherosclerotic controls [90% for CCL21 and 81% for CCR7 (P < 0.01)]. In vitro, oxLDL reduced CCR7 mRNA levels on DCs by 30% and protein levels by 46%. Furthermore, mRNA expression of CCL21 was significantly reduced by 50% (P < 0.05) and protein expression by 24% in HMECs by oxLDL (P < 0.05). Conclusions. The accumulation of DCs in atherosclerotic plaques appears to be related to a downregulation of chemokines and their ligands, which are known to regulate DC migration. oxLDL induces an in vitro downregulation of CCR7 and CCL21, which may play a role in the reduction of DC migration from the plaques

Groundwater management in the region of La Plata, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Fil: Kruse, Eduardo Emilio. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Laurencena, Patricia Claudia. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Deluchi, Marta Haydee. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Pousa, Jorge L.. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo; ArgentinaFil: Guaraglia, Dardo Oscar. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería; Argentin

Groundwater management in the region of La Plata, province of Buenos Aires, Argentina

The paper describes actions applied to the management of water resources in the region of La Plata (Buenos Aires Province, Argentina). The overexploitation of groundwater has modified the hydraulic conditions and, at the same time, has affected the hydrochemical characteristics by favoring contamination from human wastes. At present, the average exploited groundwater volume for human consumption is 73 hm3/y and since a substantial increase of demand for water is predicted in future years, sustainable groundwater exploitation becomes essential. Rational management is necessary to reach a balance between water demands and groundwater conservation to avoid the extreme deterioration of water quality.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y MuseoFacultad de Ingenierí

Evolving and Sustaining Ocean Best Practices to Enable Interoperability in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (Ocean Decade) challenges marine science to better inform and stimulate social and economic development while conserving marine ecosystems. To achieve these objectives, we must make our diverse methodologies more comparable and interoperable, expanding global participation and foster capacity development in ocean science through a new and coherent approach to best practice development. We present perspectives on this issue gleaned from the ongoing development of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS). The OBPS is collaborating with individuals and programs around the world to transform the way ocean methodologies are managed, in strong alignment with the outcomes envisioned for the Ocean Decade. However, significant challenges remain, including: (1) the haphazard management of methodologies across their lifecycle, (2) the ambiguous endorsement of what is "best" and when and where one method may be applicable vs. another, and (3) the inconsistent access to methodological knowledge across disciplines and cultures. To help address these challenges, we recommend that sponsors and leaders in ocean science and education promote consistent documentation and convergence of methodologies to: create and improve context-dependent best practices; incorporate contextualized best practices into Ocean Decade Actions; clarify who endorses which method and why; create a global network of complementary ocean practices systems; and ensure broader consistency and flexibility in international capacity development

Birth and Rapid Subcellular Adaptation of a Hominoid-Specific CDC14 Protein

Gene duplication was prevalent during hominoid evolution, yet little is known about the functional fate of new ape gene copies. We characterized the CDC14B cell cycle gene and the functional evolution of its hominoid-specific daughter gene, CDC14Bretro. We found that CDC14B encodes four different splice isoforms that show different subcellular localizations (nucleus or microtubule-associated) and functional properties. A microtubular CDC14B variant spawned CDC14Bretro through retroposition in the hominoid ancestor 18–25 million years ago (Mya). CDC14Bretro evolved brain-/testis-specific expression after the duplication event and experienced a short period of intense positive selection in the African ape ancestor 7–12 Mya. Using resurrected ancestral protein variants, we demonstrate that by virtue of amino acid substitutions in distinct protein regions during this time, the subcellular localization of CDC14Bretro progressively shifted from the association with microtubules (stabilizing them) to an association with the endoplasmic reticulum. CDC14Bretro evolution represents a paradigm example of rapid, selectively driven subcellular relocalization, thus revealing a novel mode for the emergence of new gene function