Implementing Middle School Youth-Adult Partnerships: A Study of Two Programs Focused on Social Change

Youth-adult partnerships position youth and adults in roles of equal leadership of initiatives in their schools and communities, supporting a dynamic that runs counter to traditional patterns of youth-adult interaction. This article describes the piloting of two youth-adult partnership programs aimed at supporting the development of such relationships with different core foci at the middle grades level – one on community health and the other on school pedagogical change. In comparing the challenges and opportunities of implementing these programs in the middle grades environment, we find that while youth participants perceived positive developmental outcomes as a result of their participation, adults observed difficulties in supporting the implementation of these initiatives when the goal was cultural or social change. We discuss the implications of this finding, both in terms of examining how middle grade student voice is limited and delimited, as well as suggesting opportunities to better support student-directed efforts to address inequity in their schools and communities

Optando por sair-se: Os pais que criam espaços de disputa para desafiar os testes padronizados

We explore how the opt-out movement has responded to the combination of a stringent federal policy with weak and often variable implementation among the states. Gaps between federal expectations and states’ understandings of just how to make NCLB’s demands a reality have created policy ambiguity. Parents who oppose standardized testing have recognized the resulting tensions and oversights in state education systems as a policy vacuum rife with opportunities for resistance. We examine how parents have exploited policy ambiguity through creating contested spaces—places of agency in stringent policy environments in which grassroots can question policy authority and take action. We conclude by considering whether these contested spaces are sustainable and whether the policy outcomes generated in contested spaces are reasonably equitable. Exploramos cómo el movimiento de opt-out (optando por salirse) ha respondido a la combinación de una política federal estricta con una débil y con frecuencia variable aplicación de esas políticas entre los Estados. Las brechas entre las expectativas federales y como los estados entienden cómo cumplir con las demandas de la ley NCLB han creado ambigüedad política. Los padres que se oponen a las pruebas estandarizadas han reconocido las tensiones resultantes y falta de atención de los sistemas educativos estatales como un vacío político plagado de oportunidades de resistencia. Examinamos cómo los padres han aprovechado la ambigüedad política a través de la creación de espacios de disputa-lugares de la agencia en entornos políticos restringidos en el que movimientos de base pueden cuestionar la autoridad política y tomar acción. Concluimos considerando si estos espacios de disputa son sostenibles y si los resultados de las políticas que se generan en espacios de disputas son razonablemente equitativas.Nós exploramos a forma como o movimento de optando por sair-se (opting out) respondeu à combinação de políticas federais estritas e fracas com frequência variável  implementação dessas políticas entre os estados. As lacunas entre as expectativas da lei federal NCLB e as respostas estaduais para atender às demandas criaram ambigüidade política. Os pais que se opõem a testes padronizados têm reconhecido as tensões resultantes e falta de atenção dos sistemas de ensino estaduais como um vácuo político cheio de oportunidades para a resistência. Nós examinamos como os pais tomaram a ambigüidade política através da criação de espaços de disputa/lugares para exercitar agência em ambientes políticos restritos em que os movimentos populares podem desafiar a autoridade política e tomar medidas. Conclui-se, verificando se estas áreas de litígio são sustentáveis e se os resultados das políticas geradas em espaços disputas são razoavelmente justa

American Journal of Education: retos y oportunidades en las ciencias translacionales y la zona gris de la publicación académica

American Journal of Education (AJE) es una de las once revistas más importantes en el campo de la educación y publica nuevos trabajos de investigación en un amplio espectro de disciplinas educativas. Con sede en la Pennsylvania State University, la revista trabaja con editores asociados de toda la nación y con un consejo asesor de académicos sénior. También cuenta con un foro online (AJE Forum) gestionado por el consejo editorial estudiantil. El mayor problema que afronta la revista es cómo difundir eficazmente la investigación revisada por pares para que llegue a un público amplio, incluidos gestores, responsables políticos, reformadores y educadores. Dadas las limitaciones de los recursos universitarios, la revista ha explorado nuevas vías para difundir información sobre sus artículos a través de las redes sociales, y continúa evaluando la mejor forma de analizar el impacto de los artículos publicados en contextos académicos y políticos.The American Journal of Education (AJE) is one of 11 core journals identified in the field of education and publishes new research across abroad range of educational disciplines. Located at Penn State, the journal is supported by associate editors from around the nation as well as an advisory board of senior scholars. The journal also supports an online forum (AJE Forum) that is managed by the student editorial board. The major issue facing the journal is how to effectively disseminate peer-reviewed research to a broad audience that includes administrators, policy makers, reform advocates and educators. Given the limitations of university resources, the journal has experimented with new ways to disseminate information about its articles via social media and continues to assess how best to monitor the impact of journal articles in academic and policy contexts

A fully-printed electrochemical platform for assisted colorimetric detection of phosphate in saliva: Greenness and whiteness quantification by the AGREE and RGB tools

Herein, we report the environmental impact quantification of a newly developed fully printed electrochemical device to assist a colorimetric detection of phosphate in saliva. The evaluation of the analytical procedure was per formed according to the principles of Green Analytical Chemistry and White Analytical Chemistry. The standard method for phosphate detection relies on a reaction between phosphate and molybdate in presence of antimony potassium tartrate and ascorbic acid, using strong acid conditions and high volumes of reagents (100–500 mL). To deliver an eco-friendly method, we have combined a screen-printed electrode with a liquid electrolyte battery and inkjet-printed conductive paths to develop a fully printed device on a flexible polymer substrate avoiding the use of ascorbic acid and using a small amount of reagents. The printed sensor was first developed and optimized for phosphate detection in saliva, allowing for a detection limit equal to 26 μM and satisfactory repeatability (relative standard deviation value of 7.5%). Finally, the AGREE and the RGB assessment tools were applied for a quantitative evaluation of the proposed sensor and reference method, in agreement with the Green Analytical and White Analytical principles. The results demonstrated the lower environmental impact of the proposed sensor, as well as the suitability of this novel approach for phosphate detection in saliv

Evaluation of Prognostic Factors of Methanol Poisoning in Patients Referred to Shahid Rajaei Hospital in Karaj

Background: Methanol poisoning is a life-threatening condition that requires accurate prognosis and treatment. This study aims to evaluate the predictive value of laboratory and clinical variables in methanol poisoning.Methods: This was an observational retrospective study performed on patients with methanol poisoning. Variables were determined based on the literature review, and patient data were extracted from the patient’s file. The data was analyzed by SPSS software.Results: There were significant differences between survived group and the dead group in GCS, heart rate, PH and HCO3, serum potassium, serum creatinine, and blood sugar levels, neurological symptoms, requiring intubation, and hemodialysis. Significant differences were not observed in the number of hemodialysis sessions, respiratory rate, age, gastrointestinal symptoms, and PCO2 levels between survived and non-survived groups.Conclusion: In our study, mortality was significantly associated with low GCS, high heart rate, low PH and HCO3, high potassium, creatinine, blood sugar levels, neurological symptoms, intubation, and hemodialysis. Despite other studies in this study, there was no association between the number of hemodialysis sessions, respiratory rate, age, gastrointestinal symptoms, and PCO2 levels with mortality

Prognostic Factors in Metformin Intoxication; A Case Control Study

Background: Metformin is one of the most orally used antidiabetic agents. Intentional and unintentional overdose of metformin can be associated with life threatening condition. In this study we evaluate prognostic factors for metformin intoxication. Methods: This case-control study was performed on patients referred to Loghman Hakim toxicology emergency department due to metformin intoxication. The patient’s information and lab data were subsequently extracted from their medical file and data processing and analysis performed. Results: There was a significant difference between two groups in multiple items, patients in died group had higher age, blood sugar, BUN, Cr, PT, INR, WBC, on the other hand this group had lower blood pressure, O2 saturation, pH, HCO3 and PTT. Receiver operating characteristic curve showed that five items including: Bp, O2sat, pH, HCO3 and Cr had ability to predict the risk of mortality in patients with metformin poisoning. Univariate as well as multivariate analysis showed, factors including: BP<95 (P=0.0184), O2sat<93 (P=0.0094), pH<6.94 (P0.0032), HCO3<17.25 (P=0.0302), and Cr>1.15 (P=0.0216) were related to patient’s mortality. Discussion and conclusion: Our study showed that mentioned clinical and laboratory findings may have an important role in determining the prognosis of patients with metformin poisoning. Extracorporeal treatments may be considered sooner in those who have poorer prognostic factors since admission

Look who’s talking: Factors for considering the facilitation of very young children’s voices

Grounded in children’s rights, this article advances understanding of the affordances and constraints in implementing Article 12 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in educational settings with young children – those under 7. It starts from the premise that if we are to foster democratic skills and understanding in children and young people, we need to develop practices that support this from the earliest age. The article presents the outcomes of a seminar series facilitating dialogue among international academics working in the field and a range of early years practitioners. This opportunity for extended dialogue led to the development of a rich and sophisticated conceptual clarity about the factors that need to be considered if Article 12 is to be realised with very young children. Eight factors were identified as pivotal for consideration when facilitating voices with this age group: definition; power; inclusivity; listening; time and space; approaches; processes; and purposes. This article explores each in turn and proposes a series of provocations and questions designed to support practitioners in their endeavour to elicit young children’s voices

Examination of sleep in relation to dietary and lifestyle behaviors during Ramadan: A multi-national study using structural equation modeling among 24,500 adults amid COVID-19

Background Of around 2 billion Muslims worldwide, approximately 1.5 billion observe Ramadan fasting (RF) month. Those that observe RF have diverse cultural, ethnic, social, and economic backgrounds and are distributed over a wide geographical area. Sleep is known to be significantly altered during the month of Ramadan, which has a profound impact on human health. Moreover, sleep is closely connected to dietary and lifestyle behaviors. Methods This cross-sectional study collected data using a structured, self-administered electronic questionnaire that was translated into 13 languages and disseminated to Muslim populations across 27 countries. The questionnaire assessed dietary and lifestyle factors as independent variables, and three sleep parameters (quality, duration, and disturbance) as dependent variables. We performed structural equation modeling (SEM) to examine how dietary and lifestyle factors affected these sleep parameters. Results In total, 24,541 adults were enrolled in this study. SEM analysis revealed that during RF, optimum sleep duration (7–9 h) was significantly associated with sufficient physical activity (PA) and consuming plant-based proteins. In addition, smoking was significantly associated with greater sleep disturbance and lower sleep quality. Participants that consumed vegetables, fruits, dates, and plant-based proteins reported better sleep quality. Infrequent consumption of delivered food and infrequent screen time were also associated with better sleep quality. Conflicting results were found regarding the impact of dining at home versus dining out on the three sleep parameters. Conclusion Increasing the intake of fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins are important factors that could help improve healthy sleep for those observing RF. In addition, regular PA and avoiding smoking may contribute to improving sleep during RF