Reflecting on and Embracing the Complexity of Literacy Theories in Practice

This paper responds to the need to support complexities of literacy instruction by identifying and illustrating teaching strategies used by a practicing special education teacher rooted in a multi-theoretical approach to teaching literacy. We argue the importance of teaching from multiple theoretical standpoints and utilizing student-centered, asset-based approaches to pedagogy, assessment, and learning relating to literacy. We share our multi-theoretical approach to understanding and teaching literacy, defining literacy and its complexities. Then, we illustrate several teaching practices including using growth mindset, implementing asset-based data collection, utilizing feedback, and integrating inquiry-based learning that ultimately supports the cultivation of empowered literacy learners who deem learning as both interesting and valuable. Finally, we discuss tensions and challenges inherent to implementing a multi-theoretical approach. Throughout, we provide reflection points to empower teachers to rely on their agency, self-efficacy, and expertise and to feel capable in their knowledge and agency in an era where teachers are increasingly experiencing deprofessionalization through disempowering factors

Determinants of intention to consume dibiterie meat towards the risks of non-communicable diseases in the Dakar region, Senegal

The general opinion and current scientific evidence highlight the link between red meat consumption and the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We explored the determinants of the intention to consume red meat in relation to the risks of developing NCDs in Senegal with a special focus on popular "dibiterie" meat (braised meat) consumed in Dakar, Senegal. Building on the theory of planned behaviour as a theoretical framework, we used a structured questionnaire to collect data on the knowledge of consumers regarding the risk of NCDs from consuming meat. The survey involved 478 people randomly selected from households in the Dakar region. Data collected was analysed by performing the calculation of the dibiterie meat quantities consumed and frequencies of consumption, analyses of the principal components, binary logistic regression, and multiple hierarchical regression. Results show that dibiterie meat is mainly a dietary supplement for the population. The convenience, the social pressure, and quality indicators such as producer expertise and health perceived a link between meat consumption and NCDs; gender and age predicted the intention to consume dibiterie meat in the households of the Dakar region. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of incentive-based interventions aiming to promote a balanced diet and healthy eating habits. Nutrition education and the use of social media have been raised as important in risky meat consumption behaviour change

Improved performance of organic solar cells by growth optimization of MoO3/CuI double-anode buffer

We investigated the effect of a CuI anode buffer layer (ABL) on the molecular orientation of the copper phthalocyanine (CuPc) in organic photovoltaic cells (OPV cells), and we compare it to the effect of MoO3 buffer layer. While, in the presence of CuI, the CuPc molecules lie down parallel to the substrate, they stand up perpendicular in the case of MoO3. We show that the optical absorption, the morphology, and the JV characteristics of the OPV cells depends strongly on the orientation of the CuPc molecules. The improvement of the OPV cells performance is related to the property modifications induced by the change in molecule orientation. We show that the improvement of the OPV cell performance through the templating effect of CuI depends strongly on the deposition rate of the CuI, because the CuI thin-film morphology depends on this deposition rate. In this context, we show that the use of a double-ABL MoO3/CuI leads to a significant improvement of the cell performance. These results are discussed on the basis of the dual function of MoO3 and CuI. While both of them reduce the hole-injection barrier, CuI improves the CuPc film absorbance through specific molecular order and MoO3 prevents the OPV cells from leakage-path formation

Effect of a zinc oxide, at the cathode interface, on the efficiency of inverted organic photovoltaic cells based on the CuPc/C60 couple

The effect of ZnO buffer layer on the performances of inverted multilayers organic solar cells has been studied. ZnO:Al conductive films and insulating ZnO films deposited by spin coating have been probed. The ZnO buffer layer has been introduced between the ITO cathode and the Organic acceptor. The cells are based on the multilayer junctions bathocuproine/fullerene/copper phthalocyanine. The organic photovoltaic cells performances improvement depends of the ZnO layer introduced. ZnO:Al conductive layers decreases the potential barrier at the interface cathode/organic. This allows decreasing the series resistance which improves significantly the cell efficiency. Insulating ZnO increases only slightly the solar cells performance by increasing significantly the shunt resistance and therefore the open circuit voltage of the cells

Comparaison de la performance de deux types de foyers ameliores traditionnels : foyer a argile du Togo et foyer Malgache

Dans les pays en développement, la majorité des populations utilisent des foyers à combustibles ligneux pour leurs besoins énergétiques. Cette dépendance en combustible ligneux a des effets négatifs sur l’environnement telles que : la déforestation, la dégradation des sols et des forêts, les perturbations des saisons, etc. Une des solutions à la réduction de la consommation du bois-énergie est la vulgarisation des foyers améliorés. La présente étude, en utilisant la technique du test d’ébullition de l’eau, compare la performance du foyer amélioré en argile à celui dit foyer traditionnel (malgache). Les indicateurs de performance (temps d’ébullition spécifique, efficacité thermique, consommation spécifique) des deux foyers ont été évalués. La méthode de test d’ébullition de l’eau (WBT) 4.2.1. avec la feuille de calcul de données Kopie Von WBT logiciel a permis de générer les indicateurs de performance pour trois mesures répliquées. La consommation spécifique est évaluée à 0,08 ± 0,01 kg/l pour le foyer amélioré en argile à un seul support et 0,09 ± 0,01 kg/l pour le foyer amélioré en argile multi marmites. Ceux-ci ont été comparés au foyer malgache pris comme référence ayant pour consommation spécifique égale à 0,33 ± 0,03 kg/l. À partir des indications de performance, les deux foyers améliorés en argile sont jugés performants par rapport au foyer malgache. Ces deux types de foyers améliorés en argile apparaissent comme des foyers alternatifs pour réduire la consommation en combustible.Mots clés : Foyers améliorés en argile - test d’ébullition de l’eau (WBT) - combustible ligneux, Tog

UMD-PRC Progress Report: Competencies for Mental Health Clinicians working with LGBTQ+ People in Mental Health Care

The University of Maryland Prevention Research Center (UMD-PRC) is one of 26 federally funded Prevention Research Centers in the United States. Each Prevention Research Center is charged with the task of studying “how people and their communities can avoid or counter the risks for chronic illnesses.” The UMD-PRC’s mission is as follows: “In collaboration with LGBTQ+ partner organizations, we promote evidence-based training of students and mental health care providers in culturally sensitive and inclusive practices.” The UMD-PRC selected the CDC definition of cultural competence to guide the development of the competencies. The CDC defines cultural competence as “effectively operating in different cultural contexts and altering practices to reach different cultural groups.” The Sexual and Gender Diversity Learning Community (SGDLC) competencies are intended to serve as a complement to the existing official professional competencies for clinical practice produced by various mental health professions, namely the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Association of Social Work (NASW). They are also intended to provide guidance to the professions where limited to no guidance is in place at the time of this writing. The SGDLC competencies for clinical practice are intentionally rudimentary in scope. As such, they provide an onramp for clinicians seeking to eventually master the comprehensive practice guidelines within their profession. They can also be used to provide guidance for the creation of educational modules for training programs in which limited faculty expertise is available. The SGDLC competencies outline the basic skills clinicians must acquire as they pursue mastery of the comprehensive guidelines endorsed by specific professional organizations (i.e., APA, ACA, NASW). To that end, the UMD-PRC sought to identify the most essential clinical competencies needed to serve the client population.Infrastructure and research support was provided by University of Maryland Prevention Research Center cooperative agreement #U48DP006382 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Any interpretations and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the authors and may not reflect those of the CDC

UMD PRC Organizational LGBTQ+ Climate Assessment

The Organizational LGBTQ+ Climate Assessment was created by the University of Maryland Prevention Research Center for administrators of mental and behavioral health organizations to assess the performance of their mental and behavioral health primary organization/practice in serving LGBTQ people. This assessment works best when administrators identify a specific "primary organization/practice" that is the focus for change and growth. This may be a group of service providers who share one organizational administrative system or a solo practitioner. Throughout this assessment, "organization" refers to one administrative system or solo private practice. This assessment takes 15-20 minutes to complete. To calculate domain total scores, add the score for all items under each domain. The higher the scores, the more welcoming and inclusive your organization is for LGBTQ+ and other diverse people. For additional training resources and information, please visit the UMD-PRC Resources Page and consider participating in the UMD-PRC Sexual and Gender Diversity Learning Community Certificate Program.This work is supported under the University of Maryland Prevention Research Center Cooperative Agreement U48DP006382 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

UMD PRC Mental Health Therapist LGBTQ+ Competency Self-Assessment

The Mental Health Therapist LGBTQ+ Competency Self-Assessment was created by the University of Maryland Prevention Research Center for mental and behavioral health professionals to self-reflect and assess their own competencies related to providing LGBTQ+ affirmative care in the following areas: knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and practice. This self-assessment takes 15-20 minutes to complete. Each section includes scoring information and interpretations to assist professionals in understanding their current levels of LGBTQ+ competencies. For additional training resources and information, please visit the UMD-PRC Resources Page and consider participating in the UMD-PRC Sexual and Gender Diversity Learning Community Certificate Program.This work is supported under the University of Maryland Prevention Research Center Cooperative Agreement U48DP006382 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

SGDLC Study Guide 1

This guide introduces concepts from the Sexual and Gender Diversity Learning Community (SGDLC) workshop: a 7-hour training for mental health providers and administrators on LGBTQ+ affirming mental health care. The objective of this guide is to provide ways to improve mental health providers’ and administrators’ comfort, knowledge, and skill with LGBTQ+ affirmative mental health care.This work is supported under the University of Maryland Prevention Research Center Cooperative Agreement U48DP006382 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)