Increasing reading fluency through repeated, teacher modeled oral readings

Response to Intervention has become a relevant topic in regards to special education within the past few years. With this said, there is little understanding within the high school in the School District of Waukesha about which interventions are relevant and research-based to use with students identified with a reading disability. In the following study, three special education students with specific learning disabilities were given instruction in fluency via teacher modeled oral read alouds and repeated readings to explore the effects of their fluency. Students were then observed and evaluated on their fluency throughout this six week unit. At the end of the research, data showed that there is a correlation between students’ fluency growth when provided with oral reading by teacher modeling and repeated readings

Cross Modal Ranschburg Effects: Examining Within-Sequence Repetitions for Visual-Verbal, Non-Verbal-Visual, and Tactile Stimuli.

The Ranschburg effect is a serial order memory phenomena, which is illustrated by recall failure for spaced repeated elements in a sequence (e.g. 1R34R6). In contrast, facilitation (improved recall) is shown for repeated items that are adjacent in the sequence (massed repetitions, e.g. 1RR3456). This effect is well researched within the verbal modality of working memory; however, no research has been conducted investigating presence of the phenomena cross-modally. The current research aimed to establish this effect in the visual and tactile (touch) modalities. Three experiments were conducted. Experiment 1 (n=40) used unfamiliar faces, with further manipulation of set size, awareness, and repetition type (spaced and massed repetitions), using serial order reconstruction (SOR) as the recall method. Experiment 1 found repetition facilitation for massed repetitions but spaced repetition did not produce inhibition (i.e. no Ranschburg effect). Experiment 2 replicated the Experiment 1 method using visual verbal stimuli (letters). Experiment 2 revealed both repetition inhibition and facilitation, showing that it was not the SOR procedure that prevented inhibition in Experiment 1. Experiment 3 (n=40) used tactile stimuli, and applied it to an immediate serial recall (ISR) procedure. Both facilitation and inhibition was reported. Across the three experiments repetition awareness and set size had limited impact on the effects of repetition. The results are discussed in reference to theories on domain general/amodal accounts of working memory

Cyber-Sexism and Sexual Assault: Impact and a Step Towards Intervention.

An individual’s sexism and exposure to sexism has been associated with higher propensity to rape, and higher victim blame attribution in sexual violence cases. There is little literature focussed on whether cyber sexism can have the same effect as offline sexism. The aim of this thesis is to examine the impact of cyber sexism on individuals on performance and attitudes toward rape. It aims to develop an effective cyber intervention for sexism. Furthermore, this thesis will contribute to this literature by first addressing the gap in how cyber sexism is perceived attitudinally, whether known effects of sexism on performance and perceptions of sexual assault can be triggered with cyber sexism. Finally, the thesis will research whether a novel online based social norm intervention for sexism is feasible and efficient, with a focus on sexism and Rape Myth Acceptance (RMA). Seven studies found that whilst online sexism is not highly tolerated on a personal level, the issue of freedom of speech in online spaces and context plays a large role in determining tolerance of it. Cyber sexism failed to trigger Stereotype Threat in women, nor did it directly impact blame attribution within sexual assault scenarios. Interesting results were found when considering pre-existing sexism within participants, such as sexism playing a significant role in determining if a perpetrator has been falsely accused of rape. This thesis culminates in an investigation into how participants define rape, related to RMA, with development and trial of a social norm based online intervention that targets participant sexism and RMA. Whilst recruitment retention was problematic, initial results appear promising for this cost-effective method of reducing both sexism and RMA. Future lines of research include using mixed methodologies to develop a more in-depth perspective on the impact of cyber sexism, with a focus on long- term exposure effects and further development of the norm-based intervention

Autocrine Interactions of Keratinocyte Growth Factor, Hepatocyte Growth Factor, and Kit-Ligand in the Regulation of Normal Ovarian Surface Epithelial Cells

Ovarian tumors are primarily derived from the layer of epithelium surrounding the ovary termed the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). Although extensive research has focused on established ovarian tumors, relatively little is known about the normal biology of the OSE that gives rise to ovarian cancer. The local expression and actions of growth factors are likely involved in both normal and tumorigenic OSE biology. The current study investigates the expression and action of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and kit-ligand (KL) in normal ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The actions of various growth factors on KGF, HGF, and KL expression are examined. Observations indicate that freshly isolated normal OSE express the genes for KGF, HGF, and KL and expression is maintained in vitro. KGF messenger RNA expression in OSE was found to be stimulated by KGF and HGF, but not KL. HGF expression in OSE was found to be stimulated by KGF, HGF, and KL. KL expression in OSE was also found to be stimulated by KGF, HGF, and KL. Therefore, the various growth factors can regulate the mRNA expression of each other in OSE. Effects of growth factors on OSE growth were examined. KGF, HGF, and KL stimulated OSE growth to similar levels as the positive control epidermal growth factor. Observations suggest that KGF, HGF, and KL interact to promote OSE growth and growth factor expression. The ability of these growth factors to interact in a positive autocrine feedback loop is postulated to be important for normal OSE biology. Paracrine interactions with the adjacent stromal cells will also be a factor in OSE biology. Abnormal interactions of these growth factors may be involved in the onset and progression of ovarian cancer

“I see it everywhere...” young people’s exposure to sexual content in social media: a qualitative study of Australian adolescents’ social media use

Background: Surveys suggest over 40% of young people 13-16 years have seen some form of sexual content online in the past 12 months. There is little research exploring the pathways through which exposure occurs or descriptions of such content. While there is much public concern regarding exposure to sexual content, Australian students receive little or no education on mitigating the impact of sexual content online. Methods: We conducted focus groups with high school students in an aim to discover young people’s experience of exposure to sexual content in social media. In this paper we describe these pathways to sexual content exposure, the nature of the sexual content young people are exposed to and their views about this exposure. Results: Focus groups found that exposure to sexual content through social media occurred through networks of ‘friends’ or followers, or paid-for advertising. Content ranged from subtle messages/photos to explicit pornographic pictures/videos. Young people described much of their exposure was unwanted. Conclusions: Exposure to sexual content, no matter the scope and intensity, is almost unavoidable among young people who use social media. Utilising this information to educate young people on mitigating the impact of sexual content, rather than trying to prevent young people from viewing it, could be a more effective approach

Flexible positions, managed hopes: The promissory bioeconomy of a whole genome sequencing cancer study

Genomic research has rapidly expanded its scope and ambition over the past decade, promoted by both public and private sectors as having the potential to revolutionize clinical medicine. This promissory bioeconomy of genomic research and technology is generated by, and in turn generates, the hopes and expectations shared by investors, researchers and clinicians, patients, and the general public alike. Examinations of such bioeconomies have often focused on the public discourse, media representations, and capital investments that fuel these “regimes of hope,” but also crucial are the more intimate contexts of small-scale medical research, and the private hopes, dreams, and disappointments of those involved. Here we examine one local site of production in a university-based clinical research project that sought to identify novel cancer predisposition genes through whole genome sequencing in individuals at high risk for cancer. In-depth interviews with 24 adults who donated samples to the study revealed an ability to shift flexibly between positioning themselves as research participants on the one hand, and as patients or as family members of patients, on the other. Similarly, interviews with members of the research team highlighted the dual nature of their positions as researchers and as clinicians. For both parties, this dual positioning shaped their investment in the project and valuing of its possible outcomes. In their narratives, all parties shifted between these different relational positions as they managed hopes and expectations for the research project. We suggest that this flexibility facilitated study implementation and participation in the face of potential and probable disappointment on one or more fronts, and acted as a key element in the resilience of this local promissory bioeconomy. We conclude that these multiple dimensions of relationality and positionality are inherent and essential in the creation of any complex economy, “bio” or otherwise

Approach to the patient : pharmacological management of trans and gender-diverse adolescents

Internationally, increasing numbers of children and adolescents with gender dysphoria are presenting for care. In response, gender-affirming therapeutic interventions that seek to align bodily characteristics with an individual's gender identity are more commonly being used. Depending on a young person's circumstances and goals, hormonal interventions may aim to achieve full pubertal suppression, modulation of endogenous pubertal sex hormone effects, and/or development of secondary sex characteristics congruent with their affirmed gender. This is a relatively novel therapeutic area and, although short-term outcomes are encouraging, longer term data from prospective longitudinal adolescent cohorts are still lacking, which may create clinical and ethical decision-making challenges. Here, we review current treatment options, reported outcomes, and clinical challenges in the pharmacological management of trans and gender-diverse adolescents

Robotic Habitat Technologies for Minimizing Crew Maintenance Requirements

NASA’s Lunar Gateway aims to be deployed later in the decade and will serve as an outpost orbiting the moon. This habitat will be utilized as a base for lunar operations as well as future missions to Mars. Unlike the International Space Station (ISS), which maintains three to six astronauts at any given time, the Lunar Gateway will be uncrewed for eleven months out of the year. Over 80% of crew time onboard the ISS is dedicated to logistics, repair, and maintenance, leaving minimal time for scientific research and experimentation. In order to maintain Gateway, robotic systems must be implemented to accomplish maintenance and operational tasks. This paper discusses our team’s proposed dexterous robotic system, which will address routine and contingency operational and maintenance tasks on Gateway. The project is experimentally-based, and split into three approaches: cataloging robotic capabilities via robot/taskboard interactions, logistics management of Cargo Transfer Bags (CTBs), and software development of an AprilTag situational development system. This research project utilizes the unique capabilities of the University of Maryland (UMD) Space Systems Laboratory (SSL), which houses various dexterous robotic manipulators, mock-ups of space habitats, and the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility (NBRF), a 50-foot diameter, 25-foot deep water tank used to simulate microgravity conditions. By incorporating robotic systems into the architecture of the Lunar Gateway, it will allow for the lunar outpost to be continually operated and maintained while uncrewed, and will allow for astronauts, when present, to focus on maximizing scientific discoveries.NASA RASC-AL 202

Associations between Maternal Cadmium Exposure with Risk of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: Effect of Mediterranean Diet Adherence on Affected Prenatal Outcomes

Prenatal cadmium exposure at non-occupational levels has been associated with poor birth outcomes. The intake of essential metals, such as iron and selenium, may mitigate cadmium exposure effects. However, at high levels, these metals can be toxic. The role of dietary patterns rich in these metals is less studied. We used a linear and logistic regression in a cohort of 185 mother–infant pairs to assess if a Mediterranean diet pattern during pregnancy modified the associations between prenatal cadmium exposure and (1) birth weight and (2) preterm birth. We found that increased cadmium exposure during pregnancy was associated with lower birth weight (β = −210.4; 95% CI: −332.0, −88.8; p = 0.008) and preterm birth (OR = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.72; p = 0.04); however, these associations were comparable in offspring born to women reporting high adherence to a Mediterranean diet (β = −274.95; 95% CI: −701.17, 151.26; p = 0.20) and those with low adherence (β = −64.76; 95% CI: −359.90, 230.37; p = 0.66). While the small sample size limits inference, our findings suggest that adherence to a Mediterranean dietary pattern may not mitigate cadmium exposure effects. Given the multiple organs targeted by cadmium and its slow excretion rate, larger studies are required to clarify these findings