Raising Texas State Biology Exam Achievement Scores for Students with Disabilities

The No Child Left Behind Act changed the way educators taught students with disabilities (SWD), as this population has now become part of all districts\u27 annual yearly progress. The problem this qualitative study addressed was that many biology teachers in a Texas suburban district were not effectively implementing evidence-based strategies for SWD. The study\u27s conceptual foundation was based on Vygotsky\u27s cognitive development theory that students achieve at higher levels when working in their zone of proximal development with support from peers or adults. The guiding question was intended to determine what strategies biology teachers were using to provide this support at schools with higher passing rates for SWD and how these strategies differed from those used by teachers in schools with lower passing rates. Participants interviewed were 6 biology teachers and 4 administrators from schools with both higher and lower passing rates for SWD to examine differences in strategies used by the two groups. Transcripts were coded and analyzed for common themes. Triangulation, member checking, and a second researcher re-coding selected data samples were used to insure data trustworthiness. Results indicated that SWD who had biology teachers using evidence-based strategies with follow-up activities scored higher on the state biology exam than those who did not and that participants would like to have special education teachers assist in developing effective biology lessons with the follow up activities for SWD. These findings were used to create a staff development project to help biology teachers use more evidence-based strategies and follow up activities. Based on results, SWD may have a greater array of career choices and may be prepared to make more informed biology and health-related decisions, thus promoting social change

Statics and dynamics of elastic manifolds in media with long-range correlated disorder

We study the statics and dynamics of an elastic manifold in a disordered medium with quenched defects correlated as r^{-a} for large separation r. We derive the functional renormalization-group equations to one-loop order, which allow us to describe the universal properties of the system in equilibrium and at the depinning transition. Using a double epsilon=4-d and delta=4-a expansion, we compute the fixed points characterizing different universality classes and analyze their regions of stability. The long-range disorder-correlator remains analytic but generates short-range disorder whose correlator exhibits the usual cusp. The critical exponents and universal amplitudes are computed to first order in epsilon and delta at the fixed points. At depinning, a velocity-versus-force exponent beta larger than unity can occur. We discuss possible realizations using extended defects.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, revtex

Random field spin models beyond one loop: a mechanism for decreasing the lower critical dimension

The functional RG for the random field and random anisotropy O(N) sigma-models is studied to two loop. The ferromagnetic/disordered (F/D) transition fixed point is found to next order in d=4+epsilon for N > N_c (N_c=2.8347408 for random field, N_c=9.44121 for random anisotropy). For N < N_c the lower critical dimension plunges below d=4: we find two fixed points, one describing the quasi-ordered phase, the other is novel and describes the F/D transition. The lower critical dimension can be obtained in an (N_c-N)-expansion. The theory is also analyzed at large N and a glassy regime is found.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Education

International audienceAs Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) gradually permeate daily life, they are profoundly changing the way education is conceived and delivered. Teachers play a key role in this transformation process; their beliefs, pedagogical practices, and teaching skills are continuously challenged. ICT integration in the educational process can significantly enhance traditional courses and Internet-based education, i.e., e-learning, is becoming a serious alternative to traditional, face-to-face courses. To be used as a lever for pedagogical innovation and institutional transformation, teacher ICT competencies need to go beyond skills in ICT use per se, and enclose contextual knowledge about technology, pedagogy, and content. On the other hand, learners' engagement with ICT in education depends on their expectations and conceptions of learning and required assessment. A learner's experience with ICT in education is linked to his perception of systems' ease of use and usefulness in achieving learning goals. Adaptive learning systems open new potentialities for a personalized instruction which is tailored to the learner's characteristics. At the edge of a new era, schools, colleges, and higher education struggle to seize opportunities and overcome obstacles

Functional Renormalization Group and the Field Theory of Disordered Elastic Systems

We study elastic systems such as interfaces or lattices, pinned by quenched disorder. To escape triviality as a result of ``dimensional reduction'', we use the functional renormalization group. Difficulties arise in the calculation of the renormalization group functions beyond 1-loop order. Even worse, observables such as the 2-point correlation function exhibit the same problem already at 1-loop order. These difficulties are due to the non-analyticity of the renormalized disorder correlator at zero temperature, which is inherent to the physics beyond the Larkin length, characterized by many metastable states. As a result, 2-loop diagrams, which involve derivatives of the disorder correlator at the non-analytic point, are naively "ambiguous''. We examine several routes out of this dilemma, which lead to a unique renormalizable field-theory at 2-loop order. It is also the only theory consistent with the potentiality of the problem. The beta-function differs from previous work and the one at depinning by novel "anomalous terms''. For interfaces and random bond disorder we find a roughness exponent zeta = 0.20829804 epsilon + 0.006858 epsilon^2, epsilon = 4-d. For random field disorder we find zeta = epsilon/3 and compute universal amplitudes to order epsilon^2. For periodic systems we evaluate the universal amplitude of the 2-point function. We also clarify the dependence of universal amplitudes on the boundary conditions at large scale. All predictions are in good agreement with numerical and exact results, and an improvement over one loop. Finally we calculate higher correlation functions, which turn out to be equivalent to those at depinning to leading order in epsilon.Comment: 42 pages, 41 figure

Work Placement for International Student Programs (WISP): a model of effective practice

With a marked increase in the number of international students enrolling in university programs across the globe it is important that personal and professional experiences are positive. Of interest is the workplace component of international students’ study programs, as these experiences provide opportunities for students to socialise into new workplaces and cultural contexts. This chapter presents a theoretical model that takes into account the relationship between the concepts of internationalisation, professional socialisation, reflection and cultural development. It explores Knight’s (1999) work on internationalisation; research on personal and professional socialisation; effective reflective practice; and the notion of cultural development (Wells, 2000). We argue that an enhanced ethos approach, together with strong personal and professional student and staff agency and reflective practice, enhances the work placement experience. If all these elements are taken into account and the interrelationship between them is understood, we contend that it is more likely for workplace experiences to be positive and meaningful for all stakeholders

Comparative analysis of glutaredoxin domains from bacterial opportunistic pathogens

NMR structures of the glutaredoxin (GLXR) domains from Br. melitensis and Ba. henselae have been determined as part of the SSGCID initiative. Comparison of the domains with known structures reveals overall structural similarity between these proteins and previously determined E. coli GLXR structures, with minor changes associated with the position of helix 1 and with regions that diverge from similar structures found in the closest related human homolog

Importance of the NCp7-like domain in the recognition of pre-let-7g by the pluripotency factor Lin28

The pluripotency factor Lin28 is a highly conserved protein comprising a unique combination of RNA-binding motifs, an N-terminal cold-shock domain and a C-terminal region containing two retroviral-type CCHC zinc-binding domains. An important function of Lin28 is to inhibit the biogenesis of the let-7 family of microRNAs through a direct interaction with let-7 precursors. Here, we systematically characterize the determinants of the interaction between Lin28 and pre-let-7g by investigating the effect of protein and RNA mutations on in vitro binding. We determine that Lin28 binds with high affinity to the extended loop of pre-let-7g and that its C-terminal domain contributes predominantly to the affinity of this interaction. We uncover remarkable similarities between this C-terminal domain and the NCp7 protein of HIV-1, not only in terms of primary structure but also in their modes of RNA binding. This NCp7-like domain of Lin28 recognizes a G-rich bulge within pre-let-7g, which is adjacent to one of the Dicer cleavage sites. We hypothesize that the NCp7-like domain initiates RNA binding and partially unfolds the RNA. This partial unfolding would then enable multiple copies of Lin28 to bind the extended loop of pre-let-7g and protect the RNA from cleavage by the pre-microRNA processing enzyme Dicer

Mechanism of eIF6 release from the nascent 60S ribosomal subunit.

SBDS protein (deficient in the inherited leukemia-predisposition disorder Shwachman-Diamond syndrome) and the GTPase EFL1 (an EF-G homolog) activate nascent 60S ribosomal subunits for translation by catalyzing eviction of the antiassociation factor eIF6 from nascent 60S ribosomal subunits. However, the mechanism is completely unknown. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of human SBDS and SBDS-EFL1 bound to Dictyostelium discoideum 60S ribosomal subunits with and without endogenous eIF6. SBDS assesses the integrity of the peptidyl (P) site, bridging uL16 (mutated in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia) with uL11 at the P-stalk base and the sarcin-ricin loop. Upon EFL1 binding, SBDS is repositioned around helix 69, thus facilitating a conformational switch in EFL1 that displaces eIF6 by competing for an overlapping binding site on the 60S ribosomal subunit. Our data reveal the conserved mechanism of eIF6 release, which is corrupted in both inherited and sporadic leukemias.Supported by a Federation of European Biochemical Societies Long term Fellowship (to FW), Specialist Programme from Bloodwise [12048] (AJW), the Medical Research Council [MC_U105161083] (AJW) and [U105115237] (RRK), Wellcome Trust strategic award to the Cambridge Institute for Medal Research [100140], Tesni Parry Trust (AJW), Ted’s Gang (AJW) and the Cambridge NIHR Biomedical Research Centre.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Nature Publishing Group via http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nsmb.311