An evaluation of a group of exercises in reading prepared for slow learning children in the primary grades

Thesis (M.Ed.)--Boston Universit

Progressive intellectual impairment in children with encephalopathy related to status epilepticus during slow sleep

We investigated whether Encephalopathy related to Status Epilepticus during slow Sleep (ESES) in childhood was associated with progressive intellectual decline. Participants were identified from the caseload of a single paediatric neurosciences centre and EEG department. A retrospective review of overnight sleep EEG reports (n=2200) over a five-year period identified twenty-two children as having the neurophysiological characteristics of ESES. All had repeat neuropsychological assessment using the WISC-III (UK) and/or WPPSI-R (UK). There was a statistically significant reduction in Full-Scale IQ and Performance IQ across a mean and median time interval of two years. Around a third of the participants showed a clinically significant regression in intellectual functioning evidenced by =>12-point reduction in IQ. These patients were not distinguishable from the rest of the cohort in terms of clinical history, imaging or duration of ESES. The reduction in IQ reflected reduced processing speed, working memory and overall cognitive efficiency. Children with a history of ESES require close monitoring in order to support educational planning and provide families with accurate information about prognosis

A microanalytical study of iron, aluminium and organic matter relationships in soils with contrasting hydrological regimes

It is recognised that interactions between mineral oxides and soil organic matter (SOM) are an important factor in the stabilisation of soil organic carbon (SOC). The nature of these interactions is particularly complex in gleyed soils that experience periodic waterlogging and changeable redox conditions. This study explores the complex patterns of iron (Fe) (hydr)oxides and SOM in three soils with contrasting hydrological regimes (Gleysol, Stagnosol and Cambisol). Micromorphological examination of undisturbed soil thin sections was teamed with SEM-EDS analysis and sequential dissolution of Fe pedofeatures to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in SOM stabilisation by mineral oxides. All soils contained a diverse range of particulate SOM forms and Fe pedofeatures; the degree of impregnation of the Fe pedofeatures was found to increase with depth and a strong correlation between the presence of SOM and Fe pedofeatures was found to exist through all soils. Weakly crystalline Fe (hydr)oxides were found in association with partially degraded tissue residues and amorphous fine organic matter (OM). Strongly crystalline Fe (hydr)oxides were found in all impregnative Fe pedofeatures and high Fe/C ratios suggested precipitative processes rather than sorption dominate SOC sequestration in these features. In addition, at the core of some strongly impregnated Fe nodules, occluded well preserved organic tissues were identified. The study highlights the range of processes and complexity involved in SOC sequestration over mm to cm scales and untangling this complexity is vital to understanding and modelling terrestrial C fluxes. Whilst the methods used here are not without their complications, the value of micro-scale studies of undisturbed soil thin sections is clearly demonstrated

Relating microfeatures of soil organic matter to C stabilisation: optical microscopy, SEM-EDS, abiotic oxidation

We investigated the relationships between microscale distribution of soil organic matter (SOM) features and their stability by combining optical microscopy, SEM-EDS analysis and NaClO oxidation of soil thin sections on five soils from Harwood Forest in Northumberland (UK) differently affected by water stagnation. Plant organs at different stages of decomposition and amorphous organic matter were observed by optical microscopy in all samples. SOM microfeature distribution, size of SOM features and the relation with the C-to-N ratio suggested that amorphous features could be the end-products of organ transformation. SEM-EDS elemental analysis showed that amorphous material had higher Si/C, Al/C and Fe/C molar ratios than organs, clearly pointing to interactions with the soil inorganic phases, which contributed to SOM stabilisation. Soil porosity coupled with water stagnation seemed to affect the Fe-SOM interactions as a greater proportion of small water retention pores (10- 50 μm) was associated with higher abundance of Fe-rich amorphous organic features. The higher chemical stability of amorphous features was confirmed by oxidation. After NaClO treatment, organs were almost totally removed, while amorphous organic material was less affected both morphologically and chemically. Our results demonstrate that in water-affected soils local environment defined by the pore system affects the distribution of SOM microfeatures and that the highest resistance to oxidation of the amorphous features is attributable to the formation of organic-inorganic associations. The proposed combined approach seems to be a promising mean to investigate SOM dynamics by relating features to stability

It\u27ll Work Out: Older Mothers\u27 and Adult Daughters\u27 Perspectives on Future Plans

This qualitative study focused on types of support, relationship quality, and future care plans among 10 older mother-adult daughter dyads (N = 20). Guided by the lifecourse perspective, the authors examined how mother-daughter relationships were renegotiated across the life course; focusing on the later stages of the life course when support exchanges and future care plans may be needed for older mothers. Emotional and instrumental supports were exchanged between all dyads regardless of relationship quality, with only emotionally close dyads exchanging financial support. The flow of support was predominantly downward, although it was more reciprocal in dyads with mothers in poor health. Most dyads had emotionally close relationships and had assumptions for future care, most often informal care; only 1 dyad had concrete plans. Results indicate that mothers may be reluctant to discuss future health constraints and daughters may be less inclined to consider future caregiving responsibilities. One potential outcome that may emerge is that the care that gets put into place is not the care that older mothers may have preferred. More resources are needed to help families discuss future support needs. Older women who are most likely to need care from adult children, typically daughters, may especially benefit from educational programs that include their family members

Phylogenetic position of Meteoromyrtus (Myrtaceae)

We investigated the phylogenetic affinities of the rare and threatened Indian species Meteoromyrtus wynadensis (Bedd.) Gamble. Sequences from the ITS and ETS regions of nrDNA and the trnK/matK and psbA–trnH regions of the plastid genome were compiled in a 45 taxon dataset augmented by sequences from Genbank. Phylogenetic analysis using maximum parsimony and Bayesian approaches showed that Meteoromyrtus is deeply embedded in Eugenia and sister to E. reinwardtiana in a clade with other Old World taxa. The evidence clearly indicates that the genus should be considered a synonym of Eugenia and that the species should henceforth be known by its original name E. wynadensis Bedd

Reduced selenium concentrations and glutathione peroxidase activity in preeclamptic pregnancies

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition affecting 2-7% of women and a leading cause of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Preeclampsia may also predispose the fetus to increased risks of adult cardiovascular disease. Selenium, acting through the selenoprotein glutathione peroxidases, has critical roles in regulating antioxidant status. Recent reports implicate poor maternal selenium status as a nutritional factor predisposing the mother to preeclampsia but the fetus and placenta have not been studied in tandem. Measurement of selenium concentrations, expression and activity levels of glutathione peroxidase and markers of oxidative stress were performed on maternal and umbilical venous blood samples or the placenta from 27 normal pregnant, 25 preeclamptic and 22 healthy age-matched non-pregnant women. The results of this study revealed highly significant reductions in serum selenium concentrations and plasma glutathione peroxidase activity in pregnancy per se compared to non-pregnant controls. Moreover, these levels were further decreased in the preeclamptic mothers and babies compared to normal pregnancies. Umbilical venous selenium was particularly low (42.1±11.8 and 29.0 ± 9.9 mug/L; mean ±s.d.; P<0.05). Both mother and baby had significantly increased levels of markers for oxidative stress in the preeclamptic group. The placental glutathione peroxidase activity and immunohistochemical staining were also reduced in the preeclampsia placentae. Oxidative stress associated with preeclampsia may be a consequence of reduced antioxidant defence pathways specifically involving glutathione peroxidases, perhaps linked to reduced selenium availability. Reduced glutathione peroxidases could be associated with increased generation of toxic lipid peroxides contributing to the endothelial dysfunction and hypertension of preeclampsia

The Robber Bride: a Dystopian Female World in Margaret Atwood’s Mythology

The aim of this paper is to show how Atwood’s reformulations of myths contain hidden political messages from ancient and modern history and can be interpreted from Fredric Jameson’s views on ‘symbolic acts,’ discourse and the ideology of form. Several scholars have explored the symbolic relationship between the three major protagonists in The Robber Bride and fragments of the omnipotent image of the Neolithic deity the White Goddess. As the symbolic counterparts of Diana, Venus and Hecate in the novel, Tony, Roz and Charis demonstrate how women’s integrity has been crippled and how the restoration of female principle is just a utopian idea. However, our analysis has revealed that the younger generation of “goddesses” does not bring hope to the female gender in either the present or the future. Augusta, Paula and Erin symbolize oversimplified and parodied versions of the destructive Hecate in an unpromising world and “the not-good place” that resembles a dystopia

Nurses\u27 Alumnae Association Bulletin, June 1965

President\u27s Page Officers and Committee Chairmen Financial Report Hospital and School of Nursing Report Student Activities Annual Report Students Activities Annual Report Student Activities Annual Report Jefferson Expansion Program Psychiatric Unit Progress of the Alumnae Association Nightingale Pledge Resume of Alumnae Meetings Nursing Service Staff Association Scholarship Program Sick and Welfare Social Committee Report Bulletin Membership- WHY JOIN? Private Duty Report Annual Giving Report - 1964 PIT Alumnae Day Notes Building Fund Report - 1965 Vital Statistics IN MEMORIAM Class News Affiliated Institutions Notice