Mainstreaming Early Grade Reading Instruction in Early Childhood Teacher Education

This paper provides insights on how Early Grade Reading Instruction Curriculum (EGRIC) catalyzed a pedagogical shift and, consequently, began transforming early childhood teacher education in Kenya through reading instruction. EGRIC, themed: All Teachers Teaching Reading All Children Reading, was sponsored by USAID’s All Children Reading: Grand Challenge for Development and implemented by the University of Nairobi from September 2012 to September 2014. EGRIC developed the capacity of 315 purposively selected UoN pre-service teachers enrolled in Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education and 170 in-service teachers to provide reading instruction, assessment and remediation in theearly grades (K-3rd grade). The ultimate goal was to infuse EGRIC into UoN’s B. Ed (ECE) program. Data were collected using mixed-method research approaches and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. EGRIC workshops and school follow-ups became an odyssey where teachers re-discovered the true meaning of reading instruction. Consequently, 298 teachers were certified as reading teachers at project close-out. Over 17, 800 children’s reading skills were impacted; of these, 298 children at-risk of reading failure received weekly one-on-one tutoring and registered improvements in their reading skills and motivation for reading.There is need to open up and/or extend space(s) to foster technical leadership,knowledge sharing, and evidence building around issues of early grade reading instruction and assessment; improving effectiveness, sustainability, and scaling up of early grade reading interventions. The broader goal should be to build capacity of stakeholders to apply evidence-informed practices to increase impact, scale, and sustainability of reading interventions in Kenya and beyond

Persistence in systems with conserved order parameter

We consider the low-temperature coarsening dynamics of a one-dimensional Ising ferromagnet with conserved Kawasaki-like dynamics in the domain representation. Domains diffuse with size-dependent diffusion constant, $D(l) \propto l^\gamma$ with $\gamma = -1$. We generalize this model to arbitrary $\gamma$, and derive an expression for the domain density, $N(t) \sim t^{-\phi}$ with $\phi=1/(2-\gamma)$, using a scaling argument. We also investigate numerically the persistence exponent $\theta$ characterizing the power-law decay of the number, $N_p(t)$, of persistent (unflipped) spins at time $t$, and find $N_{p}(t)\sim t^{-\theta}$ where $\theta$ depends on $\gamma$. We show how the results for $\phi$ and $\theta$ are related to similar calculations in diffusion-limited cluster-cluster aggregation (DLCA) where clusters with size-dependent diffusion constant diffuse through an immobile `empty' phase and aggregate irreversibly on impact. Simulations show that, while $\phi$ is the same in both models, $\theta$ is different except for $\gamma=0$. We also investigate models that interpolate between symmetric domain diffusion and DLCA.Comment: 9 pages, minor revision

Forecasting Precipitation Using SARIMA Model: A Case Study of Mt. Kenya Region

Precipitation estimates are an important component of water resources applications, example, in designing drainage system and irrigation. The amount of rainfall in Kenya fluctuates from year to year causing it to be very hard to predict it through empirical observations of the atmosphere alone. Our objective was to determine the forecasted values of precipitation in Mt. Kenya region and also to determine the accuracy of the SARIMA model in forecasting precipitation in the same region.  This research considers a univariate time series model to forecast precipitation in Mt. Kenya region. We fitted the SARIMA model to our data and we picked the model which exhibited the least AIC and BIC values. Finally, we forecasted our data after following the three Box-Jenkins methodologies, that is, model identification, estimation of parameters and diagnostic check. Having three tentative models, the best model had two highly significant variables, a constant and  with p-values< 0.01 respectively. This model passed residual normality test and the forecasting evaluation statistics shows ME= -0.0053687, MSE=0.96794, RMSE=0.98384 and MAE= 0.75197. Indeed, SARIMA model is a good model for forecasting precipitation in Mt. Kenya region Keywords: SARIMA, Precipitation, Forecast, Mt. Kenya, AIC and BI

Clinical-pathological presentation, treatment and outcomes of ovarian cancer cases at moi teaching and referral hospital (mtrh), eldoret

Introduction: Ovarian cancer is the third most frequent cause of death amongst gynecological cancers both locally and globally. It presents with vague nonspecific symptoms and is histologically heterogeneous. Ovarian cancer management is primarily surgical followed by adjuvant chemotherapy depending on the histological type and the surgical stage. Objectives: To determine the clinical-pathological presentation, treatment and outcomes of ovarian cancer patients at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Eldoret. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of ovarian cancer patients managed between January 2010 and August 2017 at MTRH. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15. Survival trends were generated using Kaplan Meier method. Results: A total of 124 medical charts of patients with ovarian cancer were retrieved, 29 had incomplete data and were excluded, and 95 were evaluable and included in this review. Over half, (63%) presented in stage 3 and 4 though there was no significant association between histology and stage of disease [X2(6) =4.72, p=0.58]. The median age at diagnosis was 47 years with 55-80 years being the modal age group (36%). Majority (57%) were married and 83.9% were unemployed. Only 66% had documented histopathology, with Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) being most common (70%), [serous (50%) and mucinous (11.4%)]. Sex cord stromal tumors 11%. Germ cell tumors amounted to 11% (dygerminomas 50%and Yolk sac tumors (25%) Bivariate analysis revealed significant association only between histology and parity [X2 (6) = 28.8, p\u3c0.001]. Those reviewed contributed a total of 138.2 person-years to the study and 11(12%) died, giving a diseasespecific mortality rate of 79.6 per 1,000 person years (95% CI: 44.1-143.8). Mortality was highest among those with epithelial histology 109 (95% CI: 48.8-241.9) per 1,000 person years and those who had neoadjuvant chemotherapy then surgery as a treatment option, 373.1 (95% CI: 93.3-1491.8) per 1,000 person years. Those who underwent upfront surgery followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and sex cord stromal cancer had higher survival probability. Conclusion: Ovarian cancer at MTRH is diagnosed at advanced stages III and IV of disease and has a lower median age at presentation. EOC is the commonest histological type and serous subtype is the most lethal. Mortality was highest among those with EOC and those who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Granulosa cell tumor is the only sex cord stromal type reported in our setting and it exhibited a higher survival probability. Germ cell tumors were mainly found in nulliparous women

How Would Children Register Their Own Births? Insights from a Survey of Students Regarding Birth Registration Knowledge and Policy Suggestions in Kenya

Birth registration and obtaining physical birth certificates impose major challenges in developing countries, with impact on child and community health, education, planning, and all levels of development. However despite initiatives, universal registration is elusive, leading to calls for new approaches to understanding the decisions of parents. In this paper, we report results of a survey of students in grades six to eight (age ~12-16) in an under-registered area of Kenya regarding their own understanding of registration issues and their suggestions for improvement. These students were selected because they themselves were also nearing the age for high school enrollment/entrance examinations, which specifically requires possession of a birth certificate. This assessment was also a companion to our previous representative survey of adults in the same Kenyan region, allowing for parent-child comparison. Results supported previous research, showing that only 43% had birth certificates. At the same time, despite these low totals, students were themselves quite aware of registration factors and purposes. The students also made quite prescient sources for understanding their households\u27 motivations, with many of their suggestions-for focus on communication of pragmatic benefits, or automatic measures shifting responsibility from parents-mirroring our own previous suggestions, and showing a level of pragmatism not witnessed when surveying their parents. This paper therefore adds evidence to the discussion of registration policy planning. More generally, it also builds on an important trend regarding the treatment of children as stakeholders and important sources of information, and raising an intriguing new avenue for future research

Focused CRISPR‑Cas9 genetic screening reveals USO1 as a vulnerability in B‑cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract Post-transcriptional gene regulation, including that by RNA binding proteins (RBPs), has recently been described as an important mechanism in cancer. We had previously identified a set of RBPs that were highly dysregulated in B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) with MLL translocations, which carry a poor prognosis. Here, we sought to functionally characterize these dysregulated RBP genes by performing a focused CRISPR dropout screen in B-ALL cell lines, finding dependencies on several genes including EIF3E, EPRS and USO1. Validating our findings, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of USO1 in MLL-translocated B-ALL cells reduced cell growth, promoted cell death, and altered the cell cycle. Transcriptomic analysis of USO1-deficient cells revealed alterations in pathways related to mTOR signaling, RNA metabolism, and targets of MYC. In addition, USO1-regulated genes from these experimental samples were significantly and concordantly correlated with USO1 expression in primary samples collected from B-ALL patients. Lastly, we found that loss of Uso1 inhibited colony formation of MLL-transformed in primary bone marrow cells from Cas9-EGFP mice. Together, our findings demonstrate an approach to performing focused sub-genomic CRISPR screens and highlight a putative RBP vulnerability in MLL-translocated B-ALL, thus identifying potential therapeutic targets in this disease

Perfil nutricional de atletas de Taekwondo em períodos pré e pós competição sob intervenção nutricional

Taekwondo (TKD) is a Korean millenary martial art, sport that is currently among the official modalities of the Olympic Games. The division of the categories of the same is made from the weight of the athletes, who most of the times are disputing categories below their ideal weight, thus, it is necessary to reduce that weight before the competitions to fit the desired category. Nutrition is essential for athletes undergoing constant training and who are seeking to increase their physical fitness. The objective of this study was to evaluate and intervene in the nutritional aspects of pre and post competition taekwondo athletes. The athletes underwent clinical anamnesis, in which anthropometric data such as weight, height, biceps skinfold, triceps, subscapular, supra-iliac, abdominal, arm and waist circumference measurements were collected. The food registry was analyzed in order to adapt the nutritional needs of the same. All participants signed an informed consent form to begin the survey. After analyzing the data, it was found that of the five athletes, one was showing obesity. It was observed that the most inadequate carbohydrate, fiber, sodium, vitamin A, calcium and vitamin C. The inadequate dietary intake of all the nutrients was prescribed in order to optimize performance. After starting the diet, weight reduction, percentage fat reduction and waist circumference were observed, in parallel an improvement in the quality of the diet was observed and this may favor a greater sport performance.O taekwondo (TKD) é uma arte marcial milenar coreana, esporte que atualmente, está entre as modalidades oficiais dos Jogos Olímpicos. A divisão das categorias do mesmo é feita a partir do peso dos atletas, que na maioria das vezes estão disputando categorias abaixo de seu peso ideal, sendo assim, necessário redução desse peso antes das competições para se adequarem a categoria desejada. A nutrição é essencial para os atletas submetidos a treinos constantes e que estão em busca de aumentar seu condicionamento físico. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar e intervir nos aspectos nutricionais de atletas de taekwondo pré e pós competição. Os atletas passaram por anamnese clínica, no qual foram coletados os dados antropométricos como peso, altura, prega cutânea bicipital, tricipital, subescapular, supra ilíaca, abdominal, medidas de circunferência de braço e cintura. Foi analisado o registro alimentar a fim de adequar as necessidades nutricionais dos mesmos. Todos os participantes assinaram um termo de consentimento esclarecido para iniciar a pesquisa. Após a análise dos dados, foi constatado que dos cinco atletas, um estava apresentando obesidade. Observou-se que avaliando o registro alimentar dos pacientes a maior inadequação era de carboidrato, fibras, sódio, vitamina A, cálcio e vitamina C. Foi prescrita uma dieta adequada em todos os nutrientes com o objetivo de otimizar o desempenho. Após iniciarem a dieta, foi observado redução de peso, redução de percentual de gordura e circunferência de cintura, em paralelo percebeu-se uma melhora na qualidade da dieta e isso pode favorecer um maior desempenho esportivo. ABSTRACT Nutritional profile of taekwondo athletes in period after and after competition under nutritional interventionTaekwondo (TKD) is a Korean millenary martial art, sport that is currently among the official modalities of the Olympic Games. The division of the categories of the same is made from the weight of the athletes, who most of the times are disputing categories below their ideal weight, thus, it is necessary to reduce that weight before the competitions to fit the desired category. Nutrition is essential for athletes undergoing constant training and who are seeking to increase their physical fitness. The objective of this study was to evaluate and intervene in the nutritional aspects of pre and post competition taekwondo athletes. The athletes underwent clinical anamnesis, in which anthropometric data such as weight, height, biceps skinfold, triceps, subscapular, supra-iliac, abdominal, arm and waist circumference measurements were collected. The food registry was analyzed in order to adapt the nutritional needs of the same. All participants signed an informed consent form to begin the survey. After analyzing the data, it was found that of the five athletes, one was showing obesity. It was observed that the most inadequate carbohydrate, fiber, sodium, vitamin A, calcium and vitamin C. The inadequate dietary intake of all the nutrients was prescribed in order to optimize performance. After starting the diet, weight reduction, percentage fat reduction and waist circumference were observed, in parallel an improvement in the quality of the diet was observed and this may favor a greater sport performance

Dinámica folicular durante el ciclo estral natural en búfalas (Bubalus bubalis)

The aim of the study was to monitor the follicular dynamics of the natural estrous cycle in the domestic buffalo in Colombia. Patterns of growth and regression of ovarian follicles in two consecutive oestrus cycles in 11 buffalos were evaluated. Ultrasound examination of the ovaries were conducted every second day to establish patterns of follicular waves, number of waves, emergency day, number of follicles recruited, and characteristics of the dominant follicle (DF) and of the corpus luteum (CL). Progesterone (P4) concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay. Seventeen normal cycles (2, 11 and 4 estrous cycles with one, two and three follicular waves, respectively) were evaluated. The inter ovulatory interval was 12.5 ± 2.7, 20.5 ± 1.2 and 28.8 ± 1.9 days for cycles with 1, 2 and 3 follicular waves, respectively. Follicular waves emerged on days 0 ± 2.3 for cycles with 1 wave, on days 2.3 ± 1.0 and 10.5 ± 1.0 in cycles with two waves and on days 1.6 ± 1.25, 8.0 ± 1.9 and 20.8 ± 1.6 (mean ± e.e.) in cycles with the waves. The concentration of P4 on the day of maximum diameter of CL on average was 7.2 ± 6.6 ng/ml. In conclusion, follicular dynamics of the Colombian buffalo is characterized by patterns of one, two and three follicular waves, with predominance of two-wave cycles.El objetivo del estudio fue monitorear la dinámica folicular del ciclo estral natural de hembras bufalinas en Colombia. Se evaluaron los patrones de crecimiento y regresión de folículos ováricos de 11 búfalas durante dos ciclos estrales. Se realizaron exámenes ecográficos interdiarios de los ovarios para establecer patrones de ondas foliculares, número de ondas, día de emergencia, número de folículos reclutados, y características del folículo dominante (FD) y del cuerpo lúteo (CL). Las concentraciones de progesterona (P4) se determinaron por radioinmunoensayo. Se evaluaron 17 ciclos normales (2, 11 y 4 ciclos con una, dos y tres ondas foliculares, respectivamente). El intervalo inter-ovulatorio fue de 12.5 ± 2.7, 20.5 ± 1.2 y 28.8 ± 1.9 días para los ciclos con 1, 2 y 3 ondas foliculares, respectivamente. Las ondas foliculares emergieron los días 0 ± 2.3 en ciclos de una onda, los días 2.3 ± 1.0 y 10.5 ± 1.0 en ciclos de dos ondas y los días 1.25 ± 1.6, 8.0 ± 1.9 y 20.8 ± 1.6 (promedio ± e.e.) en ciclos de tres ondas. El diámetro máximo (cm) alcanzado por el FD fue de 1.2 ± 0.4 en ciclos de una onda, de 1.02 ± 0.2 y 1.3 ± 0.3 en ciclos de dos ondas, y de 1.2 ± 0.3, 1.3 ± 0.3 y 1.2 ± 0.3 en ciclos de tres ondas. La concentración de P4 en el día de máximo diámetro del CL en promedio fue de 7.2 ± 6.6 ng/ml. Se concluye que la dinámica folicular de la búfala colombiana se caracteriza por presentar patrones de una, dos y tres ondas foliculares, con predominio de ciclos de dos ondas

Transcriptional co-activators YAP1-TAZ of Hippo signalling in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy

Aims Hippo signalling is an evolutionarily conserved pathway that controls organ size by regulating apoptosis, cell proliferation, and stem cell self-renewal. Recently, the pathway has been shown to exert powerful growth regulatory activity in cardiomyocytes. However, the functional role of this stress-related and cell death-related pathway in the human heart and cardiomyocytes is not known. In this study, we investigated the role of the transcriptional co-activators of Hippo signalling, YAP and TAZ, in human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) in response to cardiotoxic agents and investigated the effects of modulating the pathway on cardiomyocyte function and survival. Methods and results RNA-sequencing analysis of human heart samples with doxorubicin-induced end-stage heart failure and healthy controls showed that YAP and ERBB2 (HER2) as upstream regulators of differentially expressed genes correlated with doxorubicin treatment. Thus, we tested the effects of doxorubicin on hiPSC-CMs in vitro. Using an automated high-content screen of 96 clinically relevant antineoplastic and cardiotherapeutic drugs, we showed that doxorubicin induced the highest activation of YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation in both hiPSC-CMs and control MCF7 breast cancer cells. The overexpression of YAP rescued doxorubicin-induced cell loss in hiPSC-CMs by inhibiting apoptosis and inducing proliferation. In contrast, silencing of YAP and TAZ by siRNAs resulted in elevated mitochondrial membrane potential loss in response to doxorubicin. hiPSC-CM calcium transients did not change in response to YAP/TAZ silencing. Conclusions Our results suggest that Hippo signalling is involved in clinical anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy. Modelling with hiPSC-CMs in vitro showed similar responses to doxorubicin as adult cardiomyocytes and revealed a potential cardioprotective effect of YAP in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity