Culturally Responsive Science Education and Teaching: Current Literature, Preservice Elementary Science Teachers and Lesson Planning

First, a meta-analysis of Culturally Responsive (CR) science teaching characteristics and practices was conducted. Findings revealed that there are a limited number of CR teaching studies at the elementary science level. When studies conducted at the middle, secondary and postsecondary level were included, six themes which encompassed the characteristics and pedagogical practices of effective CR science teachers and teacher development emerged. These themes were academics, cultural competency, social inequities, CR learning environment, rejection of the deficit lens and pedagogical strategies. Next, the impact of curriculum and practices designed to reflect these six themes on preservice elementary science teachers was explored. I used the six themes to build and implement the science methods course for preservice elementary teachers. Findings revealed that although the preservice elementary teachers acknowledged all six themes, full implementation within the field may require the methods course to be closely aligned with the field experience. This study also provided insight into the preservice elementary science teachers’ discomfort with the science content as an obstacle and the limitations of class discussions to drive change within practices. When the findings in the meta-analysis and preservice science methods course were combined, Chapter 4 was written to provide practicing elementary science teachers with a procedural guide to create and implement CR science lessons in their classrooms. The chapter included an explanation of each step along with an example and resources. A sample sixth-grade science lesson plan, which demonstrated the use of current events as the connection to the science content, was also included

Lystgassutslipp og -omsetning innen jordbruket i Sørøst-Norge

Nitrogen is essential for all life on Earth. With an increasing global population, the use of reactive nitrogen has increased over the last century, resulting in increasing nitrogen pollution. Leaching of nitrate (NO3-) causing eutrophication has long been addressed, but it is only over the last three decades that problems with nitrous oxide (N2O) have come into focus. N2O is the third most abundant anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG), and atmospheric mixing ratios have increased from about 270 ppm in preindustrial times to 329 ppm in 2018. Nitrous oxide has a global warming potential almost 300 times higher than that of carbon dioxide (CO2) in a 100-year perspective. It is also the dominant ozone depleting substance in the stratosphere. Globally, 6-8% of the anthropogenic greenhouse gas effect can be attributed to N2O, of which 60% originates from crop production. Reducing N2O emissions from crop production would thus be a major contribution to stabilizing atmospheric mixing ratios and reducing the GHG footprint of agro-food systems. N2O is formed in naturally occurring microbial processes in soils, where nitrification (the microbial oxidation of NH4+ to NO3-) and denitrification (the microbial reduction of NO3- to N2) are the quantitatively most important processes. Since N2O formation is inevitable in these processes, it is of key importance to understand how external factors control the relative share of N2O emitted in these processes. This is particularly important for denitrification, as it is the only known process that consumes N2O by reducing it to harmless dinitrogen (N2). The research work of this thesis addressed knowledge gaps concerning the understanding and potential mitigation of N2O emissions in Norwegian crop production with the specified objectives: i) Does the well-known negative relationship between soil pH and the N2O product ratio of denitrification affect N2O emissions on the field level, where pH differences are relatively small? ii) Does split application of N to spring wheat instead of one-time fertilization at sowing reduce N2O emissions relative to crop yield? iii) What controls the buildup of N2O in the soil during winter, and does the fertilization rate from previous cropping affect winter emissions? iv) Do differences in arable cropping systems affect the soil’s potential to nitrify and denitrify and to produce and consume N2O? All field trials were performed at the NIBIO Apelsvoll research station, located in South-East Norway. Soils used for incubation experiments were also sampled there. The incubation experiments were carried out at NMBU. Average N2O emissions correlated negatively with pH in the field, when conditions favored denitrification, giving field-evidence that even small pH differences in the soil affect N2O emissions during off season. Addressing the pH dependency of N2O in denitrification by optimizing soil pH management can thus be an effective way to mitigate N2O emissions from arable cropping. Nitrogen fertilization given as split application to spring wheat increased yield and yield quality substantially relative to one-time fertilization at sowing, without affecting yield scaled N2O emissions, thus indicating that optimized N application according to crop demand could be another strategy to reduce N2O emissions in arable crop production. Field measurements confirmed that off-season emissions are quantitatively important in Norway. Fertilization from previous cereal cropping did not affect winter emissions in a oneyear field trial, but a considerable buildup of N2O in the soil during winter was observed. This buildup seemed to be driven by subnivean mineralization (i.e. N-release) of crop residues and/or soil organic matter in unfrozen soil under continuous snow pack. In addition to release of accumulated N2O during spring thaw, de novo production of N2O in thawing topsoil was found to be another important N2O source. These processes are difficult to control, and the focus here must be to ensure conditions enabling complete denitrification, i.e. reduction of N2O to N2, a process closely correlated with pH, to lower the N2O ratio. Long-term differences in arable cropping strategies affected the soil’s potential to nitrify and denitrify and to produce and consume N2O. Repeated application of organic matter as manure or crop residues and inclusion of catch crops or leys in the crop rotation all increased microbial activity in the soil, resulting in higher N2O production potentials by denitrification, but not so much by nitrification. High nitrification potential and rapid conversion of mineralizationreleased NH4+ to NO3- in mixed systems with inclusion of grass-clover ley seem to result in a large N2O emission potential. As the rate of N2O emitted from denitrification clearly is higher than that from nitrification (per unit N converted), the main focus should be to minimize denitrification in agricultural soil. If N2O first is formed, it is essential to reduce as much as possible to N2 to minimize the emissions of N2O to the atmosphere.Nitrogen er essensielt for alt liv på jorda. Bruken av reaktivt nitrogen har økt med den økende globale befolkningen, særlig de siste hundre årene. Dette har ført til en større nitrogenbasert forurensing. Avrenning av nitrat (NO3-), som blant annet fører til eutrofiering, har fått stor oppmerksomhet i lang tid, men det er først i de siste tre tiårene at problemene med lystgass (N2O) har kommet i fokus. N2O er den tredje viktigste klimagassen, og konsentrasjonen av N2O i atmosfæren har økt fra ca. 270 ppm i førindustriell tid til 329 ppm i 2018. Lystgass har et globalt oppvarmingspotensial omlag 300 ganger høyere enn karbondioksid (CO2) sett i et hundreårsperspektiv. N2O er også hovedårsaken til nedbrytning av ozon i stratosfæren. Globalt kan 6-8% av den antropogene drivhusgasseffekten tilskrives N2O, og av dette kommer 60% fra planteproduksjon i jordbruket. En reduksjon av N2O utslippet fra jordbruket kan derfor være et viktig tiltak for å stabilisere N2O andelen i atmosfæren, og ikke minst for å redusere klimagassavtrykket fra matproduksjonen. N2O dannes gjennom mikrobielle prosesser i jord. Nitrifikasjon (mikrobiell oksidasjon av NH4+ til NO3-) og denitrifikasjon (mikrobiell reduksjon av NO3- til N2), regnes som de viktigste prosessene som forårsaker økte N2O-utslipp. Det er derfor viktig å forstå hvordan eksterne faktorer kontrollerer andelen av N2O som slippes ut i atmosfæren ved omdannelsen av nitrogen gjennom nitrifikasjon og denitrifikasjon. Særlig gjelder dette for denitrifikasjon, som er den eneste kjente prosessen som kan omdanne N2O til harmløst di-nitrogen (N2). Arbeidet i denne avhandlingen er ment å øke forståelsen av prosessene som leder fram til N2O-utslipp fra jordbruket i Norge, og hvordan disse utslippene potensielt kan reduseres. Følgende hovedspørsmål adresseres: i) Påvirker den velkjente negative sammenhengen mellom pH og andelen N2O fra denitrifikasjon også N2O-utlippi felt når pH varierer relativt lite? ii) Kan delgjødsling av N til vårhvete som et alternativ til å gi all gjødsla om våren ved såing redusere avlingsrelaterte N2O-utslipp? iii) Hva kontrollerer økte N2O-konsentrasjoner i jorda under snødekke, og er utslippene påvirket av N-gjødslingsmengdene gitt i vekstsesongen? iv) Blir jordas potensiale for nitrifikasjon og denitrifikasjon påvirket av ulike dyrkingssystem? For å besvare disse spørsmålene ble det gjennomført både feltforsøk og inkubasjonsstudier i laboratorium. Alle feltforsøk ble gjennomført ved NIBIO Apelsvoll forskningsstasjon på Østlandet, der også jordprøver til inkubasjonsstudiene ble tatt. Inkubasjonsstudiene ble gjennomført ved NMBU. Utslippene av N2O korrelerte negativt med pH målt i felt i perioder der forholdene favoriserte denitrifikasjon. Dette beviser at sammenhengen mellom pH og N2O-utslipp også gjelder for vanlig jordbruksjord, særlig utenfor vekstsesongen, selv ved liten variasjon i pH. Optimalisering av jordas pH kan derfor være en effektiv måte å redusere N2O-utslipp fra jordbruket. Delgjødsling med nitrogen i vårhvete ga betydelig høyere avlinger og bedre avlingskvalitet enn ledd som ikke ble gjødslet eller som bare ble gjødslet ved såing (mindre totalmengde N enn ved delgjødsling), men det var ingen forskjell i avlingsrelaterte N2Outslipp mellom ulike mengder N tilført ved delgjødsling. Dette viser at en optimal gjødsling kan bedre kvaliteten uten økte utslipp av N2O. Målinger i felt viste at N2O-utslipp utenfor vekstsesongen er av stor betydning i Norge. Mengden N-gjødsel gitt i veksesongen i et ettårig feltforsøk påvirket ikke utslippene av N2O gjennom vinteren, men det ble observert en betydelig økning i N2O-konsentrasjonen i det øvre jordlaget under snødekke gjennom vinteren. Denne økningen hadde trolig opphav i mineralisering (frigjøring av N) fra planterester og/eller annet organisk materiale i det øvre jordlaget under et snødekke som virket isolerende på det øvre jordlaget og forhindret frost i jorda. Ved snøsmelting ble N2O som var blitt akkumulert i jorda gjennom vinteren frigjort, men i tillegg ble en betydelig andel N2O dessuten dannet i forbindelse med tining/snøsmelting. Dette er prosesser som er vanskelig å kontrollere. For å minimere utslippene er det viktig å sørge for at forholdene for fullstendig denitrifikasjon (reduksjon av N2O til N2) er til stede. Denne prosessen er korrelert med pH, og optimalisering av pH kan også redusere andelen av N2O som slippes ut i perioden omkring snøsmelting. Forsøkene viste også at langtidseffektene av ulike dyrkingssystemer påvirket jordas potensielle nitrifikasjon og denitrifikasjon, samt produksjon og konsumering av N2O. Gjentatt tilførsel av organisk materiale som husdyrgjødsel eller planterester og bruk av fangvekster eller eng i omløpet økte den mikrobielle aktiviteten i jorda. Dette førte til økt potensiell N2O-produksjon fra denitrifikasjon, men påvirket ikke potensiell nitrifikasjon tilsvarende. I systemene med kløverrik eng ble det observert høyere nitrifikasjonspotensial, og rask omdanning av mineralisert NH4+ til NO3- i disse systemene kan føre til økte utslipp av N2O. Denitrifikasjon bidrar med en betydelig høyere andel av N2O-utslippene enn nitrifikasjon. Hovedfokuset for jordbruket bør derfor være å minimere denitrifikasjonen, men der N2O først har blitt dannet i jorda, er det viktig å sørge for en så effektiv reduksjon av N2O til N2 som mulig, for å minimere N2O utslippene til atmosfæren.NIBIO ; NRC ; Norwegian Ministry of Agriculture and Food ; Yara Norg

Characterization of prostate cancer in transgender women

Background: The risk of developing prostate cancer (PC) in transgender women is unknown. Many patients are unaware that the prostate is not removed during male-to-female surgical transition. It is unclear what the exposure of estrogens and androgen blockers in these transgender patients has on the prostate. Our aim was to examine and characterize the different presentations of PC in published cases and augment this with an additional case series from one institute. Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively maintained medical records was performed identifying features of PC diagnoses in transgender women. These included age, duration of feminizing hormone therapy, PSA values at time of diagnosis, Gleason grade, and M stage. These were compared with a series of published cases of PC in transgender women, compiled after a systematic literature review using PubMed to review all literature in the English language reporting a case of prostate cancer in a transgender woman, published between January 1st, 1971 and December 31st, 2021. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. The keywords used included “prostate cancer,” “transgender,” “transsexual,” “trans,” “male-to-female,” “Gleason score,” and “prostatectomy.” Results: We identified thirteen cases of PC in transgender women; eleven from published cases from 19752021 and two from our database. Several differences were identified between the published cases from the last 50 years and the two from our contemporary database: The average age in each group was 64 and 56, average duration on therapy was 22 years and 5.5 years, PSA values were 61.54 ng/dL and 1.4 ng/dL, and median Gleason grades were 8 and 6, respectively. Of the 9 published cases which discussed metastases, 6 (67%) had metastatic disease on presentation compared to 0% in the contemporary cohort. Conclusions There is a paucity of data describing the risk of prostate cancer in transgender women. The current published data available to inform clinical practice is predominantly comprised of case reports, many of which are dated. Historically, patients present with advanced disease when compared to their recent counterparts, which may be explained by a variety of biopsychosocial factors. There is a need for contemporary data to inform and formalize standards for screening, diagnosis, and treatment within this group

Endovascular Repair of a Type III Renal Artery Aneurysm using the Multilayer Flow Modulator: A Clinical Case Report

Abstract Background: Our aim was to describe our experience of the multilayer flow modulator (Cardiatis, Isnes, Belgium) used in the treatment of renal artery aneurysms

Developing a core competency and capability framework for advanced practice physiotherapy: A qualitative study

Introduction: There is an urgent need to develop an international competency and capability framework to support standardization of education and roles in advanced practice physiotherapy (APP). This need arose due to the rapid growth of the APP model of care, implemented out of necessity in the absence of agreement as to the competencies and capabilities or formal education required for the roles. This study explores the views and perceptions of practitioners and key stakeholders on a draft competency and capability framework for advanced practice physiotherapists. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to: 1) gather feedback from key stakeholders (advanced practice physiotherapists, researchers, and leaders) on a draft competency and capability framework and 2) use that feedback to revise and improve the draft framework. Design: Qualitative study using a series of four multi-national online focus groups. Thematic analysis was conducted according to Braun and Clarke. Results: Sixteen participants from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand participated in the study. Five themes were generated after data analysis: clinical expert, experienced communicator, strong leader, collaborator, and knowledge creator). A modified competency and capability framework was developed based on feedback from the focus groups and input from subject matter experts (SMEs). Conclusion: This study provides a modified core competency and capability framework comprising 24 competencies grouped under six domains. This study is a step toward international standardization of advanced practice physiotherapy based on a commonly agreed framework for the education and training of advanced practice physiotherapists

The reliability and validity of three non-radiological measures of thoracic kyphosis and their relations to the standing radiological Cobb angle

UnlabelledHyperkyphosis is implicated in a mounting list of negative outcomes, including higher mortality. Hyperkyphosis research is hindered due to difficulties inherent in its measurement. By showing that three clinical measures of kyphosis are suitable for use in large scale, longitudinal, hyperkyphosis studies, we will facilitate much needed research in this field.IntroductionThe objective of this study is to describe the reliability of three non-radiological kyphosis measures (Debrunner kyphosis angle, flexicurve kyphosis index, and flexicurve kyphosis angle) and their validity compared to the Cobb angle and to approximate a Cobb angle from non-radiological kyphosis measures.MethodsWe analyzed data from 113 participants aged ≥ 60 years with kyphosis angle ≥ 40°. Cobb angle was measured on a standing lateral thoracolumbar radiograph using bounds at T4 and T12. Non-radiological measures of kyphosis were made three times by a single rater and a 4th time by a blinded second rater.ResultsIntra- and inter-rater reliabilities for non-radiological assessments were high (intra-class correlations of 0.96 to 0.98) and did not differ from each other. Pearson correlations, estimating validity, ranged from 0.62 to 0.69 and did not differ. The Debrunner angle was close to the Cobb angle, with scaling factor of 1.067 and an offset of 5°. The Flexicurve kyphosis angle had to be scaled by 1.53 to obtain the equivalent Cobb angle. The scaling factor for the Flexicurve kyphosis index to Cobb angle was 315, with an offset of 5°. Compared to the measured Cobb angle, Cobb angles predicted using the non-radiological measures had similar magnitude errors (standard deviations of the differences ranging between 10.24 and 11.26).ConclusionsEach non-radiological measurement had similar reliability and validity. Low cost, ease of use, and robustness to variations in spine contour argue for the Flexicurve in longitudinal kyphosis assessments. The approximate conversion factors provided will permit translation of non-radiological measures to Cobb angles

Canadian physiotherapists' views on certification, specialisation, extended role practice, and entry-level training in rheumatology

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Since the last decade there has been a gradual change of boundaries of health professions in providing arthritis care. In Canada, some facilities have begun to adopt new arthritis care models, some of which involve physiotherapists (PT) working in extended roles. However, little is known about PTs' interests in these new roles. The primary objective of this survey was to determine the interests among orthopaedic physiotherapists (PTs) in being a certified arthritis therapist, a PT specialized in arthritis, or an extended scope practitioner in rheumatology, and to explore the associated factors, including the coverage of arthritis content in the entry-level physiotherapy training.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Six hundred PTs practicing in orthopaedics in Canada were randomly selected to receive a postal survey. The questionnaire covered areas related to clinical practice, perceptions of rheumatology training received, and attitudes toward PT roles in arthritis care. Logistic regression models were developed to explore the associations between PTs' interests in pursuing each of the three extended scope practice designations and the personal/professional/attitudinal variables.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We received 286 questionnaires (response rate = 47.7%); 258 contained usable data. The average length of time in practice was 15.4 years (SD = 10.4). About 1 in 4 PTs agreed that they were interested in assuming advanced practice roles (being a certified arthritis therapist = 28.9%, being a PT specialized in rheumatology = 23.3%, being a PT practitioner = 20.9%). Having a caseload of ≥ 40% in arthritis, having a positive attitude toward advanced practice roles in arthritis care and toward the formal credentialing process, and recognizing the difference between certification and specialisation were associated with an interest in pursing advanced practice roles.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Orthopaedic PTs in Canada indicated a fair level of interest in pursuing certification, specialisation and extended scope practice roles in arthritis care. Future research should focus on the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the emerging health service delivery models involving certified, specialized or extended scope practice PTs in the management of arthritis.</p

Towards new material biomarkers for fracture risk

Osteoporosis is a prevalent bone condition, characterised by low bone mass and increased fracture risk. Currently, the gold standard for identifying osteoporosis and increased fracture risk is through quantification of bone mineral density (BMD) using dual energy X-ray absorption (DEXA). However, the risk of osteoporotic fracture is determined collectively by bone mass, architecture and physicochemistry of the mineral composite building blocks. Thus DEXA scans alone inevitably fail to fully discriminate individuals who will suffer a fragility fracture. This study examines trabecular bone at both ultrastructure and microarchitectural levels to provide a detailed material view of bone, and therefore provides a more comprehensive explanation of osteoporotic fracture risk. Physicochemical characterisation obtained through X-ray diffraction and infrared analysis indicated significant differences in apatite crystal chemistry and nanostructure between fracture and non-fracture groups. Further, this study, through considering the potential correlations between the chemical biomarkers and microarchitectural properties of trabecular bone, has investigated the relationship between bone mechanical properties (e.g. fragility) and physicochemical material features

A comparison of the physical and chemical differences between cancellous and cortical bovine bone mineral at two ages

To assess possible differences between the mineral phases of cortical and cancellous bone, the structure and composition of isolated bovine mineral crystals from young (1–3 months) and old (4–5 years) postnatal bovine animals were analyzed by a variety of complementary techniques: chemical analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and 31P solid-state magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). This combination of methods represents the most complete physicochemical characterization of cancellous and cortical bone mineral completed thus far. Spectra obtained from XRD, FTIR, and 31P NMR all confirmed that the mineral was calcium phosphate in the form of carbonated apatite; however, a crystal maturation process was evident between the young and old and between cancellous and cortical mineral crystals. Two-way analyses of variance showed larger increases of crystal size and Ca/P ratio for the cortical vs. cancellous bone of 1–3 month than the 4–5 year animals. The Ca/(P + CO3) remained nearly constant within a given bone type and in both bone types at 4–5 years. The carbonate and phosphate FTIR band ratios revealed a decrease of labile ions with age and in cortical, relative to cancellous, bone. Overall, the same aging or maturation trends were observed for young vs. old and cancellous vs. cortical. Based on the larger proportion of newly formed bone in cancellous bone relative to cortical bone, the major differences between the cancellous and cortical mineral crystals must be ascribed to differences in average age of the crystals

The Mount Sinai Prebiopsy Risk Calculator for Predicting any Prostate Cancer and Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer: Development of a Risk Predictive Tool and Validation with Advanced Neural Networking, Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging Outcome Database, and European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator

Background: The European Association of Urology guidelines recommend the use of imaging, biomarkers, and risk calculators in men at risk of prostate cancer. Risk predictive calculators that combine multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with prebiopsy variables aid as an individualized decision-making tool for patients at risk of prostate cancer, and advanced neural networking increases reliability of these tools.Objective: To develop a comprehensive risk predictive online web-based tool using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical data, to predict the risk of any prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant PCa (csPCa) applicable to biopsy-naive men, men with a prior negative biopsy, men with prior positive low-grade cancer, and men with negative MRI.Design, setting, and participants: Institutional review board-approved prospective data of 1902 men undergoing biopsy from October 2013 to September 2021 at Mount Sinai were collected.Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to evaluate clinical variables such as age, race, digital rectal examination, family history, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), biopsy status, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score, and prostate volume, which emerged as predictors for any PCa and csPCa. Binary logistic regression was performed to study the probability. Validation was performed with advanced neural networking (ANN), multi-institutional European cohort (Prostate MRI Outcome Database [PROMOD]), and European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator (ERSPC RC) 3/4.Results and limitations: Overall, 2363 biopsies had complete clinical information, with 57.98% any cancer and 31.40% csPCa. The prediction model was significantly associated with both any PCa and csPCa having an area under the curve (AUC) of 81.9% including clinical data. The AUC for external validation was calculated in PROMOD, ERSPC RC, and ANN for any PCa (0.82 vs 0.70 vs 0.90) and csPCa (0.82 vs 0.78 vs 0.92), respectively. This study is limited by its retrospective design and over-estimation of csPCa in the PROMOD cohort.Conclusions: The Mount Sinai Prebiopsy Risk Calculator combines PSA, imaging and clinical data to predict the risk of any PCa and csPCa for all patient settings. With accurate validation results in a large European cohort, ERSPC RC, and ANN, it exhibits its efficiency and applicability in a more generalized population. This calculator is available online in the form of a free web-based tool that can aid clinicians in better patients counseling and treatment decision-making.Patient summary: We developed the Mount Sinai Prebiopsy Risk Calculator (MSP-RC) to assess the likelihood of any prostate cancer and clinically significant disease based on a combination of clinical and imaging characteristics. MSP-RC is applicable to all patient settings and accessible online. Crown Copyright (C) 2022 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of European Association of Urology.</p