Engaging with Vocabulary: Understanding the Alignment of Teacher Beliefs and Instructional Practices in Classrooms Serving Students from Low SES Homes

This qualitative study investigates the beliefs about vocabulary instruction of teachers serving students from low socio-economic status (SES) homes, and explores the alignment of teachers’ beliefs with their current vocabulary instruction, as well as research-based effective vocabulary instruction. Data was collected from two kindergarten teachers and two first grade teachers. Data collected included two semi-structured interviews, field notes, and video-taped classroom observations. Informed by socio-cultural theory, several themes emerged about teachers’ beliefs about vocabulary instruction. Teachers: (a) view themselves as responsible for students’ levels of literacy proficiency including their vocabulary knowledge, (b) recognize that vocabulary instruction adds to their students’ overall reading proficiency level, (c) believe there are competing district expectations which keep them from focusing on vocabulary instruction as much as they would like, (d) desire more district input (e.g.,. professional development, in-service activities) on vocabulary instruction and how to more seamlessly incorporate it into literacy instruction, as well as other subject areas; and (e) have experienced some success in teaching vocabulary in their classroom. Further, teachers desire more ways to increase their student’s vocabulary proficiency and they recommend that schools do more to share the research behind vocabulary instruction and how it is incorporated within the current literacy curriculum the district is utilizing. Implications include ways to support vocabulary instruction in the classroom and at the district level, and provides guidance for teachers on how to implement research-based vocabulary practices into existing literacy curriculum

Triple oxygen isotope insight into terrestrial pyrite oxidation.

The mass-independent minor oxygen isotope compositions (Δ'17O) of atmospheric O2 and [Formula: see text] are primarily regulated by their relative partial pressures, [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] Pyrite oxidation during chemical weathering on land consumes [Formula: see text] and generates sulfate that is carried to the ocean by rivers. The Δ'17O values of marine sulfate deposits have thus been proposed to quantitatively track ancient atmospheric conditions. This proxy assumes direct [Formula: see text] incorporation into terrestrial pyrite oxidation-derived sulfate, but a mechanistic understanding of pyrite oxidation-including oxygen sources-in weathering environments remains elusive. To address this issue, we present sulfate source estimates and Δ'17O measurements from modern rivers transecting the Annapurna Himalaya, Nepal. Sulfate in high-elevation headwaters is quantitatively sourced by pyrite oxidation, but resulting Δ'17O values imply no direct tropospheric [Formula: see text] incorporation. Rather, our results necessitate incorporation of oxygen atoms from alternative, 17O-enriched sources such as reactive oxygen species. Sulfate Δ'17O decreases significantly when moving into warm, low-elevation tributaries draining the same bedrock lithology. We interpret this to reflect overprinting of the pyrite oxidation-derived Δ'17O anomaly by microbial sulfate reduction and reoxidation, consistent with previously described major sulfur and oxygen isotope relationships. The geologic application of sulfate Δ'17O as a proxy for past [Formula: see text]/[Formula: see text] should consider both 1) alternative oxygen sources during pyrite oxidation and 2) secondary overprinting by microbial recycling

Lactic acid bacterial surface display of scytovirin inhibitors for anti-ebolavirus infection

Scytovirin (SVN) is a lectin from cyanobacteria which has a strong inhibitory activity against Ebola virus infection. We engineered scytovirin as the inhibitor for surface display of lactic acid bacteria to block Ebola virus infection. Two different bacterial strains (Lactobacillus casei and Lactococcus lactis) were successfully engineered for scytovirin expression on the bacterial surface. These bacteria were found to be effective at neutralizing pseudotyped Ebolavirus in a cell-based assay. This approach can be utilized for prophylactic prevention, as well as for treatment. Since lactic acid bacteria can colonize the human body, a long-term efficacy could be achieved. Furthermore, this approach is also simple and cost-effective and can be easily applied in the regions of Ebola outbreaks in the developing countries

Effects of Grinding Almond Hulls with a Hammermill on Particle Size and Bulk Density

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of grinding almond hulls with different screens on subsequent particle size and bulk density. Twenty pounds of almond hulls from the California Central Valley were ground with a laboratory-scale 1.5 HP Bliss Hammermill (Model 6K630B) using a 7/16 in., 3/4 in., 1 in., or no screen. Each screen size treatment was ground at three separate time points to provide three replications per treatment. For each replication, two samples were collected and analyzed for particle size geometric mean and standard deviation and bulk density. Geometric mean particle size was greater (P \u3c 0.01) when no screen was used to grind almond hulls compared with 3/4-in. and 1-in. screens; moreover, particle size was decreased (P \u3c 0.01) when ground with a 7/16 in. screen compared to all other treatments. Particle standard deviation did not differ (P = 0.13) between treatments. Bulk density of almond hulls tended to be greater (P = 0.07) when a 7/16-in. screen was used as compared to no screen, a 3/4-in. screen, and a 1-in. screen. Overall, unground almond hulls had a bulk density of 14.1 lb/ft3. Therefore, grinding almond hulls using a 7/16 in., 3/4 in., 1 in., or no screen led to an increase in their bulk density by 140, 115, 114, and 111%, respectively. Particle size was also evaluated using the Penn State Particle Separator. Grinding almond hulls with no screen tended (P \u3c 0.01) to increase proportions of medium (i.e., 0.31 to 0.75 in.) particles and decrease (P ≤ 0.02) proportions of fine (i.e., \u3c 0.16 in.) particles compared to grinding with a 7/16-in. screen. In conclusion, decreasing hammermill screen size reduced particle size from 2217 µm to 1324 µm but did not impact particle size standard deviation. In addition, grinding almond hulls increased bulk density by 111 to 140%. A live-bottom trailer with a load capacity of 2,835 ft3 could transport approximately 20 tons of unprocessed almond hulls. Conversely, the same trailer could transport 25 to 30 tons of ground almond hulls, thus, reducing transportation costs by 20 to 33% per ton, respectively

Triple oxygen isotope insight into terrestrial pyrite oxidation

The mass-independent minor oxygen isotope compositions (Δ′17O) of atmospheric O2 and CO2 are primarily regulated by their relative partial pressures, pO2/pCO2. Pyrite oxidation during chemical weathering on land consumes O2 and generates sulfate that is carried to the ocean by rivers. The Δ′17O values of marine sulfate deposits have thus been proposed to quantitatively track ancient atmospheric conditions. This proxy assumes direct O2 incorporation into terrestrial pyrite oxidation-derived sulfate, but a mechanistic understanding of pyrite oxidation—including oxygen sources—in weathering environments remains elusive. To address this issue, we present sulfate source estimates and Δ′17O measurements from modern rivers transecting the Annapurna Himalaya, Nepal. Sulfate in high-elevation headwaters is quantitatively sourced by pyrite oxidation, but resulting Δ′17O values imply no direct tropospheric O2 incorporation. Rather, our results necessitate incorporation of oxygen atoms from alternative, 17O-enriched sources such as reactive oxygen species. Sulfate Δ′17O decreases significantly when moving into warm, low-elevation tributaries draining the same bedrock lithology. We interpret this to reflect overprinting of the pyrite oxidation-derived Δ′17O anomaly by microbial sulfate reduction and reoxidation, consistent with previously described major sulfur and oxygen isotope relationships. The geologic application of sulfate Δ′17O as a proxy for past pO2/pCO2 should consider both 1) alternative oxygen sources during pyrite oxidation and 2) secondary overprinting by microbial recycling

Enhanced Identification of Postoperative Infections among Outpatients

Claims data complement other data sources for identification of surgical site infections following breast surgery and cesarean section

Maternal Sensitivity And Latency To Positive Emotion Following Challenge: Pathways Through Effortful Control

The ability to self‐generate positive emotions is an important component of emotion regulation. In this study, we focus on children's latency to express positive emotions following challenging situations and assess whether this ability operates through early maternal sensitivity and children's effortful control. Longitudinal relations between maternal sensitivity, infant negative affect, effortful control, and latency to positive emotion following challenge were examined in 156 children who were 33 months of age. Structural equation models supported the hypothesis that maternal sensitivity during infancy predicted better effortful control and, in turn, shorter latencies to positive emotions following challenge at 33 months. Directions for future research are discussed. RESUMEN La habilidad para autogenerar emociones positivas es un componente importante de la regulación de la emoción. En este estudio, nos enfocamos en el estado latente de los niños para expresar emociones positivas después de situaciones desafiantes y evaluar si esta habilidad opera a través de la temprana sensibilidad maternal y el esforzado control de los niños. Se examinaron las relaciones longitudinales entre la sensibilidad maternal, el efecto negativo del infante, el control esforzado, y el estado latente hacia la emoción positiva después de situaciones desafiantes, en 156 niños de 33 meses. Los modelos de ecuación estructural apoyaron la hipótesis de que la sensibilidad maternal durante la infancia predijo un mejor control esforzado y, a la vuelta, los más cortos estados latentes hacia emociones positivas después de situaciones desafiantes a los 33 meses. Se discuten las directrices para la investigación futura. RÉSUMÉ La capacité à auto‐générer des émotions positives est une composante importante de la régulation des émotions. Dans cette étude nous nous concentrons sur la latence des enfants à exprimer des émotions positives après des situations difficiles et nous évaluons si cette capacité opère à travers une sensibilité maternelle précoce et le contrôle fait avec effort des enfants. Les relations longitudinales entre la sensibilité maternelle, l’affect négatif du nourrisson, le contrôle fait avec effort et la latence et l’émotion positive après des difficultés ont été examinés chez 156 enfants de 33 mois. Des modèles d’équation structurelle ont soutenu l’hypothèse selon laquelle la sensibilité maternelle durant la petite enfance prédisait un meilleur contrôle avec effort et ensuite des latences plus courtes vers des émotions positives après des difficultés à 33 mois. Des directions pour des recherches à venir sont discutées. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Die Fähigkeit, positive Emotionen selbst zu erzeugen, ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Emotionsregulation. In dieser Studie fokussieren wir auf die Latenzzeit von Kindern, positive Emotionen nach herausfordernden Situationen zu zeigen, und beurteilen, ob diese Fähigkeit durch frühe mütterliche Feinfühligkeit und bewusste Kontrolle der Kinder beeinflusst wird. Longitudinale Beziehungen zwischen mütterlicher Feinfühligkeit, dem negativen Affekt des Säuglings, bewusster Kontrolle und der Latenzzeit hinichtlich positiver Emotionen nach einer Herausforderung wurden bei 156 Kindern im Alter von 33 Monaten untersucht. Strukturgleichungsmodelle unterstützten die Hypothese, dass die Feinfühligkeit der Mütter während des Säuglingsalters eine bewusstere Kontrolle und wiederum kürzere Latenzzeiten für positive Emotionen nach einer Herausforderung im Alter von 33 Monaten voraussagen konnte. Hinweise für die zukünftige Forschung werden diskutiert. ABSTRACT The ability to self‐generate positive emotions is an important component of emotion regulation. In this study, we focus on children's latency to express positive emotions following challenging situations and assess whether this ability operates through early maternal sensitivity and children's effortful control. 抄録：ポジティブな情緒を自己生成する能力ability to self‐generate positive emotionsは、情緒調節の重要な構成要素である。この研究で、私たちは困難な状況の後に、子どもがポジティブな情緒を表出するまでの潜伏時間に焦点付け、この能力が早期の母親の感受性と子どもの努力したコントロールを通して作用するかどうかを評価する。母親の感受性、乳児のネガティブな感情、努力したコントロール、および困難後のポジティブな情緒表出潜時の縦断的な関係が、156人の33か月児について調査された。構造方程式モデルによって、乳児期の母親の感受性が、33か月時のより良い努力したコントロールと、次に、より短い困難後のポジティブな情緒表出潜時を予測するという仮説が支持された。Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/106874/1/imhj21445.pd

Subsidies, rent seeking and performance:being young, small or private in China

Entrepreneurs in emerging market economies operate in weak institutional contexts, which can imply different types of government. In some countries (e.g., Russia), the government is predatory, and the main risk faced by (successful) entrepreneurs relates to expropriation. In other countries (like China) this kind of risk is lower; nevertheless the government is intrusive, and the rules of the game remain fluid. The implication of the latter for entrepreneurs is that they are more likely to spend time and resources on influence (rent seeking) activities rather than on productive activities.We illustrate this type of government by focusing on the distribution of subsidies in China.We present a simple formalmodel that explores not only the direct effects of rent seeking for a company but also externalities under a situation of policy-generated uncertainty in the distribution of subsidies.We explore how these effects differ for the entrepreneurial sector (young, private and small companies) compared with other sectors. We posit that while the performance of private companies is more affected than the performance of state firms, the impact of government-induced uncertainty on young and small companies is actually less pronounced. Our empirical analysis, based on a unique large dataset of 2.4 million observations on Chinese companies, takes advantage of the regional and sectoral heterogeneity of China for empirical tests

Vicious and Virtuous Cycles and the Role of External Non-government Actors in Community Forestry in Oaxaca and Michoacán, Mexico

Community forestry offers potential for socioeconomic benefits while maintaining ecosystem services. In Mexico, government and donor efforts to develop this sector focus on issues within forest communities. Often overlooked are effects of external non-government actors (NGOs and foresters) as links or barriers between communities and funding, capacity building, and technical support. To analyze the role of these actors, I analyze household survey and interview data from 11 communities with varying levels of vertical integration of forestry production in states with divergent records of community forestry, Oaxaca and Michoacán. Results suggest that strong community governance is necessary but not sufficient for vertical integration, and strong interactions with non-government actors are critical. These actors, operating within the existing framework of government regulations, have a range of incentives for engaging communities. Availability of these actors motivated by concern for community capacity instead of timber income may be a determinant of community forestry development