A Comparison on the Effects of Two Curriculum Approaches for Elementary Early Literacy

The purpose of this ex post facto quantitative causal-comparative study was to determine whether the use of a teacher-modified literacy curriculum approach was effective in significantly reducing the achievement gap between demographic subgroups, when compared to a curriculum approach of rote teaching. Using gender, race, and lunch status as nominal variables, this study examined differences in pre- to post-test increases in phonemic/phonic skills between groups. Samples were comprised of first-grade students from two school systems in Alabama. School system one consisted of a treatment public elementary school in northwest Alabama (n = 56) that utilized the teacher-modified curriculum approach. School system two was a control group from a public elementary school in south Alabama (n = 107) that utilized a rote-curriculum approach from an adopted publication (Wonders Reading Series). The Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills beginning and end of the year Nonsense Word Fluency/Words Read Correctly assessments were used for achievement scores for data collection. The research design utilized a Mann-Whitney U test to compare ranked means of achievement scores between rote versus modified curriculum approaches, as well as to determine potential significant differences in means of the nominal variables gender and race. Three tests showed a statistically significant difference in ranked student achievement in first grade early literacy learning based upon the curriculum approach. Additionally, a fourth use of a Mann Whitney U sign-ranks test on feelings of teacher efficacy showed no statistically significant difference in the use of curriculum approaches in either school

Molecular systematic perspectives on biome origins and dynamics

invited commentary on the following article:De-Nova JA, Medina R, Montero JC, Weeks A, Rosell JA, Olson ME, Eguiarte LE, Magallo ́n S. 2011. Insights into the historical construction of species-rich Mesoamerican seasonally dry tropical forests: the diversification of Bursera (Burseraceae, Sapindales). New Phytologist 193: 276–287.Phylogenetic reconstructions of diverse tropical groups have yielded biological insights that extend well beyond the field of systematics, illuminating such topics as biome assembly and plant–insect coevolution. In this issue of New Phytologist, De-Nova et al. (pp. 276–287) present a rigorous time-calibrated phylogeny of the Neotropical tree genus Bursera in order to estimate lineage ages, and to investigate how geography and ecology have structured its species diversification. Because Bursera is a dominant component of Mesoamerican seasonally dry tropical forests (SDTFs), the study provides evidence relating to the origin and expansion of this important biome. The study also sets the record straight on the age of a well-known plant– herbivore interaction.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/88158/1/Dick&Pennington2012.pdf-

Science and educational research.

At present the most powerful and influential\ud groups in education see the solution to matters of\ud educational concern as mainly falling within the province\ud of an educational research which is fundamentally\ud scientific.\ud This thesis sets out to examine whether this\ud assumption can be substantiated and, in the possible\ud scenario that it cannot, to look at an alternative form\ud of educational research.\ud It begins with the philosophical arguments which\ud support the view that educational research, where it is\ud empirical, should be mainly scientific and continues by\ud looking at what contemporary educational researchers have\ud said about the nature of educational research. The role\ud philosophy of education might take in this context is\ud also examined. The thesis continues by looking at the\ud prescribed methodology of educational research and\ud examines the philosophical assumptions of such a\ud methodology. It continues by looking at the major\ud assumption of scientific endeavour which is that it is\ud nomological.\ud The conclusions drawn from the aforegoing are\ud that, for various philosophical reasons, the notion that\ud educational research can be founded on scientific method\ud and applied through a process parallel to engineering is\ud fallacious and needs to be reviewed.\ud A review of the philosophical situation with\ud regard to understanding human beings as would be\ud necessary to understanding them in an educational context\ud is undertaken in the fourth chapter. This marks the\ud beginnings of an alternative, non-scientific, framework\ud for educational research. A case is made for the thesis\ud that individual actions are understood properly against a\ud background of information which includes beliefs,\ud intentions and historical circumstances. Consideration is\ud then given as to how this might be put in such a way as\ud to be of practical use in the deliberation of how to\ud tackle educational issues. The final chapter outlines how\ud a possible substantive piece of educational research\ud might look

Chronic opioid pretreatment potentiates the sensitization of fear learning by trauma.

Despite the large comorbidity between PTSD and opioid use disorders, as well as the common treatment of physical injuries resulting from trauma with opioids, the ability of opioid treatments to subsequently modify PTSD-related behavior has not been well studied. Using the stress-enhanced fear learning (SEFL) model for PTSD, we characterized the impact of chronic opioid regimens on the sensitization of fear learning seen following traumatic stress in mice. We demonstrate for the first time that chronic opioid pretreatment is able to robustly augment associative fear learning. Highlighting aversive learning as the cognitive process mediating this behavioral outcome, these changes were observed after a considerable period of drug cessation, generalized to learning about multiple aversive stimuli, were not due to changes in stimulus sensitivity or basal anxiety, and correlated with a marker of synaptic plasticity within the basolateral amygdala. Additionally, these changes were not observed when opioids were given after the traumatic event. Moreover, we found that neither reducing the frequency of opioid administration nor bidirectional manipulation of acute withdrawal impacted the subsequent enhancement in fear learning seen. Given the fundamental role of associative fear learning in the generation and progression of PTSD, these findings are of direct translational relevance to the comorbidity between opioid dependence and PTSD, and they are also pertinent to the use of opioids for treating pain resulting from traumas involving physical injuries

Effect of left atrial and ventricular abnormalities on renal transplant recipient outcome—a single-center study

Background: Premature cardiovascular (CV) death is the commonest cause of death in renal transplant recipients. Abnormalities of left ventricular (LV) structure (collectively termed uremic cardiomyopathy) and left atrial (LA) dilation, a marker of fluid status and diastolic function, are risk factors for reduced survival in patients with end stage renal disease (ESRD). In the present analysis, we studied the impact of pre-transplant LA and LV abnormalities on survival after successful renal transplantation (RT).<p></p> Methods: One hundred nineteen renal transplant recipients (first transplant, deceased donors) underwent cardiovascular MRI (CMR) as part of CV screening prior to inclusion on the waiting list. Data regarding transplant function and patient survival after transplantation were collected.<p></p> Results: Median post-transplant follow-up was 4.3 years (interquartile range (IQR) 1.9, 6.2). During the post-transplant period, 13 patients returned to dialysis after graft failure and 23 patients died with a functioning graft. Survival analyses, censoring for patients returning to dialysis, showed that pre-transplant LV hypertrophy and elevated LA volume were significantly associated with reduced survival after transplantation. Multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that longer waiting time, poorer transplant function, presence of LV hypertrophy and higher LA volume on screening CMR and female sex were independent predictors of death in patients with a functioning transplant.<p></p> Conclusions: Presence of LVH and higher LA volume are significant, independent predictors of death in patients who are wait-listed and proceed with renal transplantation.<p></p> METHODS: One hundred nineteen renal transplant recipients (first transplant, deceased donors) underwent cardiovascular MRI (CMR) as part of CV screening prior to inclusion on the waiting list. Data regarding transplant function and patient survival after transplantation were collected.<p></p> RESULTS: Median post-transplant follow-up was 4.3 years (interquartile range (IQR) 1.9, 6.2). During the post-transplant period, 13 patients returned to dialysis after graft failure and 23 patients died with a functioning graft. Survival analyses, censoring for patients returning to dialysis, showed that pre-transplant LV hypertrophy and elevated LA volume were significantly associated with reduced survival after transplantation. Multivariate Cox regression analyses demonstrated that longer waiting time, poorer transplant function, presence of LV hypertrophy and higher LA volume on screening CMR and female sex were independent predictors of death in patients with a functioning transplant.<p></p> CONCLUSIONS: Presence of LVH and higher LA volume are significant, independent predictors of death in patients who are wait-listed and proceed with renal transplantation

History and Geography of Neotropical Tree Diversity

Early botanical explorers invoked biogeographic history to explain the remarkable tree diversity of Neotropical forests. In this context, we review the history of Neotropical tree diversity over the past 100 million years, focusing on biomes with significant tree diversity. We evaluate hypotheses for rain forest origins, intercontinental disjunctions, and models of Neotropical tree diversification. To assess the impact of biotic interchange on the Amazon tree flora, we examined biogeographic histories of trees in Ecuador’s Yasuní Forest,which suggest that nearly 50% of its species descend from immigrant lineages that colonized South America during the Cenozoic. Long-distance and intercontinental dispersal, combined with trait filtering and niche evolution, are important factors in the community assembly of Neotropical forests.We evaluate the role of pre-Columbian people on Neotropical tree diversity and discuss the future of Neotropical forests in the Anthropocene.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/151936/1/Dick&Pennington2019.pdf85Description of Dick&Pennington2019.pdf : Main articl

Parent Perceptions of Post-Secondary Programming Completed by Their Adult Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Texas Tech University\u27s Burkhart Center for Autism Education and Research works with communities & families in the greater West Texas area to provide supports and services to individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder with a primary focus on building independent living and vocational skills in a post-secondary environment. In this study, parents of individuals with ASD who had completed the Burkhart Center’s Transition Academy completed an online survey. Parents identified areas in which they were satisfied with their child’s post-secondary experience as well as dissatisfaction, and of additional need. The findings of this current study may provide critical information to post-secondary programs who work with students with ASD

Design synthesis and shape generation

If we are to capitalise on the potential that a design approach might bring to innovation in business and society, we need to build a better understanding of the evolving skill-sets that designers will need and the contexts within which design might operate. This demands more discourse between those involved in cutting edge practice, the researchers who help to uncover principles, codify knowledge and create theories and the educators who are nurturing future design talent. This book promotes such a discourse by reporting on the work of twenty research teams who explored different facets of future design activity as part of Phase 2 of the UK's research council supported Designing for the 21st Century Research Initiative. Each of these contributions describes the origins of the project, the research team and their project aims, the research methods used and the new knowledge and understanding generated. Editor and Initiative Director, Professor Tom Inns, provides an introductory chapter that suggests ways the reader might navigate these viewpoints. This chapter concludes with an overview of the key lessons that might be learnt from this collection of design research activity

Effects of exercise, cognitive, and dual-task interventions on cognition in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Previous evidence has shown significant effects of exercise, cognitive and dual-task training for improving cognition in healthy cohorts. The effects of these types of interventions in type 2 diabetes mellitus is unclear. The aim of this research was to systematically review evidence, and estimate the effect, of exercise, cognitive, and dual-task interventions on cognition in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Method: Electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, and MEDLINE were searched for ongoing and completed interventional trials investigating the effect of either an exercise, cognitive or dual-task intervention on cognition in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Results: Nine trials met the inclusion criteria – one dual-task, two cognitive, and six exercise. Meta-analyses of exercise trials showed no significant effects of exercise on measures of executive function (Stroop task, SMD= -0.31, 95% CI -0.71–0.09, P=0.13, trail making test part A SMD= 0.28, 95% CI -0.20–0.77 P=0.25, trail making test part B SMD= -0.15, 95% CI -0.64–0.34 P=0.54, digit symbol SMD= 0.09, 95% CI -0.39–0.57 P=0.72), and memory (immediate memory SMD= 0.20, 95% CI -0.28–0.69, P=0.41 and delayed memory SMD= -0.06, 95% CI -0.55–0.42, P=0.80). A meta-analysis could not be conducted using cognitive or dual-task data, but individual trials did report a favourable effect of interventions on cognition. Risk of bias was considered moderate to high for the majority of included trials. Conclusions: Meta-analyses of exercise trials identified a small effect size (0.31), which whilst not significant warrants further investigation. Larger and more robust trials are needed that report evidence using appropriate reporting guidelines (e.g. CONSORT) to increase confidence in the validity of results. Trial Registration: Protocol was registered (CRD42017058526) on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (http://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO)