Employing Text Messaging as an Instructional Tool: Effects on Academic Achievement and Sense of Connectedness

This quasi-experimental, non-equivalent groups study investigated the effects of instructional text messages on the academic achievement and sense of connectedness of high school students enrolled in economics classes in north Georgia. Previous research on text messaging has shown that it (a) is the preferred method used by adolescents for communication, (b) increases student motivation to learn, (c) allows for ubiquitous learning, and (d) was found to be useful and acceptable by students. The Test of Economic Literacy, Fourth Edition was used to measure academic achievement, and the Classroom Community Scale was used to measure sense of connectedness. Results of the one-way analysis of covariance found a statistically significant difference in academic achievement with students receiving text messages scoring higher on the posttest than students not receiving text messages. Results of the independent samples t-test found no statistically significant difference in sense of connectedness between students who received text messages and students not receiving text messages, however, sense of learning was higher in the students who received the text messages. Further research needs to investigate the effects on academic achievement when sending instructional text messages (a) at different times of the day, (b) to students in special programs, and (c) to elementary and middle school students

EVOLUÇÃO DOS SUBSTITUTOS DE GORDURA UTILIZADOS NA TECNOLOGIA DE ALIMENTOS

O objetivo deste trabalho foi reunir informações atualizadas sobre os substitutos de gordura, abrangendo a diversidade desses ingredientes e seu potencial de aplicação. Foram abordados os substitutos de gordura derivados de carboidratos, de lipídios e de proteínas, bem como a combinação dessas três categorias. Verificou-se que os substitutos de gordura podem ser facilmente incorporados em muitos alimentos como, laticínios, queijos, bebidas, produtos de panificação, chocolates, molhos para saladas, maioneses e sobremesas. A mais nova geração de substitutos de gordura tem incentivado a revolução dos alimentos com baixo conteúdo calórico, devido principalmente à demanda proveniente de consumidores preocupados com a saúde. Essa demanda tem permitido o avanço tecnológico e muitas melhorias estão sendo efetuadas com relação à funcionalidade e a palatabilidade desses produtos

Prognostic communication in cancer : a critical interpretive synthesis of the literature.

Purpose - For patients with cancer, providing appropriate information about prognosis or chances of recurrent disease remains a difficult area of practice. Much research has suggested that patients want to be given all available information, although the realities of attempting to do this are complex and may be perceived by some as uncaring. A review of recent literature was undertaken to explore the process of disclosure, patient experience and preferences for information regarding prognosis or risk of recurrence. Methods - A systematic approach was taken to searching electronic databases for relevant literature from 2004 to June 2014. Primary research from a range of methodological approaches was included and critical interpretive synthesis was employed to explore themes and identify gaps in the evidence. Results - Twenty papers were identified as appropriate. They were diverse in objectives and patient groups. Themes identified included: the nature of prognostic information, patient need for prognostic information, patient need to maintain hope, balancing hope and realism, patient factors, disease factors and clinician factors. A thematic framework was developed. Conclusions - Patients often struggle to fully understand complex prognostic information. They value help in making sense of this information and generally want information that supports hope. Working with patients to understand and manage the uncertainty of their situation may be particularly valuable. Further research is needed to fully understand the process of prognostic information giving and what information patients want regarding recurrence risk. Research should be aimed at identifying strategies helpful to patients in managing uncertainty inherent in their situation.</p

Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Romidepsin Induces HIV Expression in CD4 T Cells from Patients on Suppressive Antiretroviral Therapy at Concentrations Achieved by Clinical Dosing

Persistent latent reservoir of replication-competent proviruses in memory CD4 T cells is a major obstacle to curing HIV infection. Pharmacological activation of HIV expression in latently infected cells is being explored as one of the strategies to deplete the latent HIV reservoir. In this study, we characterized the ability of romidepsin (RMD), a histone deacetylase inhibitor approved for the treatment of T-cell lymphomas, to activate the expression of latent HIV. In an in vitro T-cell model of HIV latency, RMD was the most potent inducer of HIV (EC50 = 4.5 nM) compared with vorinostat (VOR; EC50 = 3,950 nM) and other histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors in clinical development including panobinostat (PNB; EC50 = 10 nM). The HIV induction potencies of RMD, VOR, and PNB paralleled their inhibitory activities against multiple human HDAC isoenzymes. In both resting and memory CD4 T cells isolated from HIV-infected patients on suppressive combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), a 4-hour exposure to 40 nM RMD induced a mean 6-fold increase in intracellular HIV RNA levels, whereas a 24-hour treatment with 1 μM VOR resulted in 2- to 3-fold increases. RMD-induced intracellular HIV RNA expression persisted for 48 hours and correlated with sustained inhibition of cell-associated HDAC activity. By comparison, the induction of HIV RNA by VOR and PNB was transient and diminished after 24 hours. RMD also increased levels of extracellular HIV RNA and virions from both memory and resting CD4 T-cell cultures. The activation of HIV expression was observed at RMD concentrations below the drug plasma levels achieved by doses used in patients treated for T-cell lymphomas. In conclusion, RMD induces HIV expression ex vivo at concentrations that can be achieved clinically, indicating that the drug may reactivate latent HIV in patients on suppressive cART

Violence and post-traumatic stress disorder in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: the protocol for an epidemiological and genetic survey

Background: violence is a public health major concern, and it is associated with post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric outcomes. Brazil is one of the most violent countries in the world, and has an extreme social inequality. Research on the association between violence and mental health may support public health policy and thus reduce the burden of disease attributable to violence. the main objectives of this project were: to study the association between violence and mental disorders in the Brazilian population; to estimate the prevalence rates of exposure to violence, post-traumatic stress disorder, common metal disorder, and alcohol hazardous use and dependence: and to identify contextual and individual factors, including genetic factors, associated with the outcomes.Methods/design: one phase cross-sectional survey carried out in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A multistage probability to size sampling scheme was performed in order to select the participants (3000 and 1500 respectively). the cities were stratified according to homicide rates, and in São Paulo the three most violent strata were oversampled. the measurements included exposure to traumatic events, psychiatric diagnoses (CIDI 2.1), contextual (homicide rates and social indicators), and individual factors, such as demographics, social capital, resilience, help seeking behaviours. the interviews were carried between June/2007 February/2008, by a team of lay interviewers. the statistical analyses will be weight-adjusted in order to take account of the design effects. Standardization will be used in order to compare the results between the two centres. Whole genome association analysis will be performed on the 1 million SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) arrays, and additional association analysis will be performed on additional phenotypes. the Ethical Committee of the Federal University of São Paulo approved the study, and participants who matched diagnostic criteria have been offered a referral to outpatient clinics at the Federal University of São Paulo and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro

The Fashionable Horse: Ute Saddlebags and Saddle Blankets 1870–1925

This research paper examines the creation, design, and functions of ten Ute double saddlebags and four beaded Ute saddle blankets fabricated between 1870 and 1925. Based on this sample and comparison with additional Basin and Plains tribal dressings, it appears that Ute saddlebags and blankets possess a combination of characteristics that reflect Ute territory, lifestyle, and aesthetics. These attributes, including fabrication from hide; similar rectangular dimensions; simple geometric beadwork patterns that emphasize triangles; preference for blue, white, and yellow beads; largely solid colored backgrounds; and back entries into the bags, work together to create a style that is specifically Ute

Building a Sustainability Strategy for Solo Cup

Solo Cup is a $1.6 billion international company that produces single-use, disposable, packaging options for the modern consumer. In 2009, Solo Cup created a Sustainability Department to enhance sustainability while supporting the company’s short- and long-term business objectives. Prior to the establishment of the department, sustainability initiatives were independently identified and pursued across the firm. In the fall of 2010, a Master’s Project group from the University of Michigan initiated a project with Solo Cup in order to develop short and long-term strategic sustainability goals for the organization. While Solo Cup strongly supports departmental ownership and pursuit of sustainability initiatives, the project sought to ensure these initiatives support the firm’s overall business objectives, have a demonstrable positive economic impact, and support the firm’s broader sustainability agenda. Furthermore, the project aims to integrate sustainability into the firm’s culture at both the organizational and individual levels. The student-led team worked extensively with both internal and external stakeholders to build a viable strategy for the company. The team considered both the short and long term priorities of the company in order to ensure the recommended sustainability strategy and goals would be appropriate for the company's business objectives, while allowing for quantifiable, measurable progress.Master of ScienceNatural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/88167/1/Master's Project Opus vFinal Public.pdfDescription of Master's Project Opus vFinal Public.pdf : Access restricted to U-M campus; authentication may be required