English Transition Courses in Context: Preparing Students for College Success

Transition curricula are courses, learning modules, or online tutorials typically developed jointly by secondary and postsecondary faculty and offered no later than 12th grade to students at risk of being placed into remedial math or English programs in college. Based on interviews and other data, this brief describes key elements of English transition curricula in seven states. In discussing six trends that are salient in the development and implementation of transition curricula, the brief also highlights the different ways that this intervention may serve to help prepare students for college. English transition curricula are usually aligned to rigorous K-12 content standards and tend to emphasize college-level writing skills more than other content areas. Some transition curricula also incorporate contextualized learning, teach nonacademic skills that are valuable for the college setting, and use instructional approaches that are designed to engage students deeply in course material that is relevant to their lives. In some cases, transition curricula may also be used along with other college readiness interventions, such as dual enrollment programs

Optimisation of the mycobacterial replicon of an E. coli-mycobacterial shuttle vector

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 89-95).This study aimed to investigate whether the mycobacterial replicon may also play a role. The common mycobacterial replicon in episomal E. coli-mycobacterial shuttle vectors contains the truncated rap gene, encoding an auxiliary replication factor, and the repA and repB genes which code for essential replication proteins. Specific aspects of this typical mycobacterial replicon were identified as potential targets to improve stability and increase recombinant protein expression levels, and were modified accordingly

LONELINESS, CYNICAL HOSTILITY, AND COGNITIVE DECLINE IN AMERICANS ABOVE AGE 50

Background. Research identifies isolation (being alone) as a risk factor for cognitive decline— yet it is possible that subjective dimensions of isolation are more critical. Potential risk factors are loneliness (the distress stemming from feeling alone) and cynical hostility (an attitude of distrust and cynicism). The present study examined the relationship between these factors and cognitive functioning and decline. Methods. Data came from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative longitudinal study of US adults over 50. Loneliness was measured using the Hughes Loneliness Scale; cynical hostility was measured using items from the Cook-Medley Hostility Inventory. Cognitive functioning was indexed by the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status. Regressions were conducted to examine loneliness and cynical hostility as predictors of cognitive function at baseline as well as cognitive decline over four and six-year periods. Models were adjusted for demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and isolation. Results. Loneliness, [f2=.003, t(52)=-3.75; p\u3c.001] and cynical hostility, [f2=.002, t(52)=-2.98, p=.004] predicted cognitive function at baseline. Loneliness and cynical hostility each predicted cognitive decline over four [f2=.001, t(52)=-2.29; p=.026 f2=.003, t(52)=-3.98; p\u3c.001 respectively] but not six years [t(52)= -.78; p=.439; t(52)= -1.29; p=.203 respectively]. Discussion. Loneliness and cynical hostility are correlates of lower cognitive function and risk factors for cognitive decline over four years. The absence of significant effects of loneliness and cynical hostility over six years could be attributed to low statistical power in these analyses. The effect sizes in this study are small, yet meaningful in the context of the personal and social costs associated with cognitive decline

LONELINESS AND SLEEP DISTURBANCE IN OLDER AMERICANS

Loneliness is a risk factor for premature mortality but the mechanics of this relationship remain obscure. A potential mechanism is sleep disturbance. The present study aimed to examine the association between loneliness and sleep disturbance, evaluate loneliness as a risk factor for sleep disturbance and vice-versa, model effects between loneliness and sleep disturbance over time, and evaluate a mediation model of loneliness, sleep disturbance, and health. Data came from the 2006-2012 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally-representative study of older Americans; participants \u3e 65 were included (n=11,400). Analyses included (i) linear regressions accounting for complex sampling and (ii) path analysis (cross-lagged panel and mediation models). Loneliness and sleep disturbance were correlated and were risk factors for one another. Cross-lagged panel models showed reciprocal effects between loneliness and sleep disturbance. Cross-lagged mediation models showed that loneliness predicted subsequent sleep disturbance, which in turn predicted poor self-reported health. Moreover, there was evidence of a direct and indirect effect of loneliness on sleep disturbance. All associations were weakened— but remained—when accounting for demographics, isolation, and depression. Collectively, these findings are consistent with the theory that sleep disturbance is a mechanism through which loneliness damages health. However, effects between loneliness and sleep are reciprocal, rather than unidirectional. Moreover, longitudinal effects were very small. Further research is necessary to speak to causality, assess daily associations between loneliness and sleep, assess a comprehensive model of the mechanics of loneliness and health, and examine loneliness and sleep in the context of other factors

Understanding representations of impulsivity in dimensional models of personality pathology

Impulsivity is an individual difference that impacts many aspects of an individual\u27s functioning; however, there as of yet has been no consensus on a single definition of impulsivity across the various fields that study it and its related outcomes. In fact, research at this point predominantly supports the idea that impulsivity is actually a multi-faceted construct comprised of multiple lower-order traits, but there is little agreement on what those lower-order facets should be. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the conceptualization of complex trait impulsivity within two new omnibus measures of maladaptive personality in terms of both their reproduction of the nomological network of impulsivity and their ability to predict behavioral outcomes related to impulsive personality traits. This study obtained self-report questionnaire ratings and behavioral lab task data from a community sample, recruited online and oversampled for high impulsivity. The results showed that while these new measures of personality pathology generally include the overall components of the nomological net of impulsivity, the lower-order facets seem to lack specificity in their relationships with impulsive trait constructs and in their ability to predict maladaptive behavioral outcomes. These results are discussed in terms of theoretical conceptualizations of impulsivity and practical implications for usage of these measures

Implications on distribution and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Maple River based on water quality and habitat type.

General Ecology (spring term)Macroinvertebrate communities are often diverse and variable in richness and abundance depending on water quality in aquatic ecosystems. Measures of water quality (e.g. alkalinity, pH, conductivity, salinity, macronutrient content) and habitat forms can vary in different locations and affect the abundance of macroinvertebrates there. Riffles (flowing water) and pools (standing water) form in streams and provide different habitats for macroinvertebrates. To test the effects water quality and habitat have on macroinvertebrate richness and abundance, three sites along the Maple River in Pellston, MI were sampled. In respect to water quality, we observed large differences between the East and West Branch locations, mainly involving higher levels of nitrate, total nitrogen, and conductivity from the West Branch located downstream from the Pellston Airport and multiple farming areas. Along with testing water quality at each site, macroinvertebrates distribution and diversity was analyzed to show a decrease in diversity among the West Branch as compared to the East Branch. Our findings suggest that pollution from anthropogenic sources impacts water quality of nearby streams and rivers, resulting in the decrease of macroinvertebrate diversity.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116397/1/Griffiin_Myers_Sloan_2015.pd

A qualitative research study to explore young people's disengagement from learning

"The ‘One Wales’ agreement includes a commitment to establish an “enquiry into disengagement from learning amongst children and young people to look at evidence of what works”. In response, a research project was commissioned to investigate young people’s experience and perspectives on their disengagement from learning. The research fills an evidence gap on personal accounts of disengagement from young people in Wales. As such it therefore represents a useful source of information to support the review of young people who are not in education employment or training (NEET)." - Welsh Assembly Government website