Building Bridges: Connecting to the Classics with Young Adult Literature

This study examined the effects of intertextual study using young adult literature and classic literature on both student reading attitudes and student achievement with 10th- grade high school English students in a suburban high school in North Carolina. The convergent parallel mixed methods action research study used qualitative data in the form of an anonymous survey and anonymous open-ended journal responses as well as qualitative data from achievement results on required benchmark tests. The survey results were analyzed in terms of responses, and open-ended responses were analyzed and coded for themes. Multiple themes emerged from the survey responses and open-ended journal responses, including a dislike of classic literature, a preference for young adult literature, and a lack of reading for enjoyment. Benchmark data were analyzed using paired t-tests. The results of the paired t-tests did not show a significant change in student achievement for any of the reading of literature standards tested. Recommendations for future study are given

Applications of Fibonacci numbers in economy - Elliott Wave Principle

Elliottov vlnový princíp, ako technika na predpovedanie cenových pohybov, skĺbuje poznatky o Fibonacciho číslach, zlatom reze a psychológii davu. Metóda nahrádza cenové fluktuácie vlnami, medzi ktorými vyhľadáva súvislosti s pomerom zlatého rezu. V úvode tejto bakalárskej práce sa pozrieme na Fibonacciho, jeho číselnú postupnosť a teoretický popis Elliottovho vlnového princípu. Jadrom práce je výklad základnej stratégie na päť-vlnovom vzorci a neskôr stratégií prelomenia a troj-vlnového vzorca. Všetky tieto stratégie sú prezentované na príkladoch z praxe s vysvetlením analógie a jemných rozdielov. Tieto stratégie boli vysvetlené ako konkrétne použiteľné algoritmy s objasnením všetkých náležitostí. Stratégia prelomenia je naviac doplnená o koncept algoritmu pre jej aplikáciu a vývojový diagram. Po nich nasleduje náhľad do problematiky špirál, ako metódy odhaľujúcej ďalšie možnosti využitia pomeru zlatého rezu, pri analyzovaní cenových pohybov.The Elliott wave principle, as a technique for prediction of price movements, combines knowledge of Fibonacci numbers, golden ratio and crowd psychology. This method replaces price fluctuations with waves, amongst which it is finding relation to the golden ratio. In the introduction of this bachelor thesis, we are going to have a look at Fibonacci, his integer sequence and theoretical description of the Elliott wave principle. The core of this thesis is explanation of basic strategy on five-wave pattern and later, swing breakout strategy and 3-swing pattern. All of these strategies are presented on real-world examples with explanation of analogy and nuances. These strategies were explained as factual usable algorithms with clarification of all properties. Concept of algorithm for the application of breakout strategy and its flowchart is included in matching chapter. After that follows insight into problematic of spirals as a method uncovering another options for use of the golden ratio for analysing price movements.

Treadmill running restores MDMA-mediated hyperthermia prevented by inhibition of the dorsomedial hypothalamus

The contribution of exercise to hyperthermia mediated by MDMA is not known. We recently showed that inhibiting the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) attenuated spontaneous locomotion and hyperthermia and prevented deaths in rats given MDMA in a warm environment. The goal of this study was to confirm that restoring locomotion through a treadmill would reverse these effects thereby confirming that locomotion mediated by the DMH contributes to MDMA-mediated hyperthermia. Rats were randomized to receive bilateral microinjections, into the region of the DMH, of muscimol (80pmol/100nl) or artificial CSF followed by a systemic dose of either MDMA (7.5mg/kg, i.v.) or saline. Immediately after the systemic injection, rats were placed on a motorized treadmill maintained at 32°C. Rats were exercised at a fixed speed (10m/min) until their core temperature reached 41°C. Our results showed that a fixed exercise load abolished the decreases in temperature and mortality, seen previously with inhibition of the DMH in freely moving rats. Therefore, locomotion mediated by neurons in the DMH is critical to the development of hyperthermia from MDMA

Inhibition of the dorsomedial hypothalamus, but not the medullary raphe pallidus, decreases hyperthermia and mortality from MDMA given in a warm environment.

The central mechanisms through which MDMA mediates life-threatening hyperthermia when taken in a warm environment are not well described. It is assumed that MDMA alters normal thermoregulatory circuits resulting in increased heat production through interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) and decreased heat dissipation through cutaneous vasoconstriction. We studied the role of the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) and medullary raphe pallidus (mRPa) in mediating iBAT, tail blood flow, and locomotor effects produced by MDMA. Rats were instrumented with guide cannulas targeting either the DMH or the mRPa-brain regions involved in regulating iBAT and cutaneous vascular beds. In all animals, core temperature and locomotion were recorded with surgically implanted telemetric transmitters; and additionally either iBAT temperature (via telemetric transmitter) or tail artery blood flow (via tail artery Doppler cuff) were also recorded. Animals were placed in an environmental chamber at 32°C and microinjected with either control or the GABA agonist muscimol (80pmol) followed by an intravenous injection of saline or MDMA (7.5 mg kg-1). To prevent undue suffering, a core temperature of 41°C was chosen as the surrogate marker of mortality. Inhibition of the DMH, but not the mRPa, prevented mortality and attenuated hyperthermia and locomotion. Inhibition of either the DMH or the mRPa did not affect iBAT temperature increases or tail blood flow decreases. While MDMA increases iBAT thermogenesis and decreases heat dissipation through cutaneous vasoconstriction, thermoregulatory brain regions known to mediate these effects are not involved. Rather, the finding that inhibiting the DMH decreases both locomotion and body temperature suggests that locomotion may be a key central contributor to MDMA-evoked hyperthermia

Fluoroalcohols as nucleating agents in supersaturated vapors: Efficient clustering with water in the vapor phase

Fluoroalcohols in small concentrations in the vapor phase display striking enhancing effects on homogeneous nucleation of supersaturated aliphatic alcohols, and on the formation of water clusters by supersonic expansion. The enhanced nucleationeffects are attributed to the surfactant properties of fluoroalcohols, which lower the surface tension of the growing droplets, and therefore lower the barrier to nucleation

Qualitative study of healthcare providers’ current practice patterns and barriers to successful rehydration for pediatric diarrheal illnesses in Kenya

Background For children worldwide, diarrhea is the second leading cause of death. These deaths are preventable by fluid resuscitation. Nasogastric tubes (NGs) have been shown to be equivalent to intravenous fluids for rehydration and recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for use in severe dehydration. Despite this, NGs are rarely used for rehydration in Kenya. Our objective was to evaluate clinicians’ adherence to rehydration guidelines and to identify barriers to the use of NGs for resuscitating dehydrated children. Methods A case-based structured survey was administered to pediatric care providers in western Kenya to determine their choices for alternative rehydration therapies when oral rehydration and intravenous fluids fail. Providers then participated in a qualitative, semi-structured interview to identify barriers to using nasogastric tubes for rehydration. Analysis included manual, progressive coding of interview transcripts to identify emerging central themes. Results Of 44 participants, only four (9%) followed WHO guidelines that recommend quickly switching to NG for rehydration in their case responses. Participants identified that placing intravenous lines in dehydrated children is a challenge. However, when discussing NG use, many believed NGs are not effective for rehydration. Other participants’ concerns surrounded knowledge and training regarding guidelines as well as not having NGs available. Discussion Healthcare providers in western Kenya do not report using NGs for rehydration in accordance with WHO guidelines for diarrheal illness with severe dehydration. Barriers to the use of NG tubes were lack of knowledge and availability. Education and implementation of guidelines using NG tubes for rehydration may improve outcomes of children suffering from diarrheal illness with severe dehydration

Carvedilol inhibits the cardiostimulant and thermogenic effects of MDMA in humans : lost in translation

We greatly appreciate the comments offered by Drs Rolle, Takematsu, and Hoffman and the opportunity to put our work into a wider perspective. We share the view that our work does not reflect the clinical situation but rather provides a proof of mechanism study, which aims to help to translate preclinical findings (Sprague et al., 2005) into the clinic. As we noted in the discussion of our work (Hysek et al., 2012b) the primary goal of the study was to investigate the role of adrenoceptors in the mechanism of action of MDMA in humans. Therefore, the study provided only indirect support for the use of carvedilol in the treatment of stimulant toxicity in which carvedilol would be administered following the ingestion of Ecstasy or other stimulants. Furthermore, we noted the limitation that the MDMA-induced increase in body temperature in our study was moderate and we do not know whether carvedilol would also be effective in cases of severe hyperthermia following ecstasy use