The Effects of a Balanced Literacy Program on Kindergartners’ Writing

The purpose of this study was to examine how the implementation of a balanced literacy program affects the writing of kindergartners in comparison to the writing of kindergartners involved in a more traditional instructional program. This study involved 36 kindergartners from two classrooms in a suburban district in Western New York. The chosen classrooms were selected because of the differences in their early literacy practices. The kindergartners in this study were part of a full day program. The subjects came from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds. A heterogeneous mix of ability levels was represented. The kindergartners were given a writing prompt to respond to in the month of May. The writing that was exhibited was used as a reflection of the overall skill level acquired by the students as a result of the different teaching practices implemented in the two participating classrooms. The data from these responses were evaluated by teachers using the Developmental Writing Continuum. A t-test was used to compare the results of the students\u27 evaluations reported on in this study. Analysis of the data from the t-test shows that there was a statistically significant difference between the two approaches to teaching writing to kindergartners as studied in this report. The kindergartners involved in the balanced literacy framework classroom showed further developmental writing abilities than those kindergartners in the more traditional instructional program. The results presented in this study will hopefully encourage educators to reflect on the benefits of employing a balance literacy framework in early childhood classrooms

Inteligência Artificial e Direitos Autorais: um mapeamento da produção científica

The issues involving the study of Copyrights and Artificial Intelligence arouse heated debates and little consensus. However, the deepening of such study is unavoidable to try to regulate the rapid evolution of the information society. In this context, the purpose of this paper is to map the scientific production on Artificial Intelligence and Copyright, to compose a consistent bibliographic portfolio that allows establishing an in-depth literature review on the subject in the future. This study is descriptive and exploratory in nature. The technical procedure used is bibliographic research, instrumented by the Knowledge Development Process-Constructivist (ProKnow-C). The results reveal that the papers selected to compose the bibliographic portfolio of this research are presented as a good parameter of the state of the art, as well as demonstrating the relevance of the theme worldwide. The study provides continuity of research in the future through both qualitative and qualitative analysis.As questões que envolvem o estudo de Direitos Autorais e Inteligência Artificial despertam acalorados debates e pouco consenso. Contudo, inafastável o aprofundamento de tal estudo para tentar regular a rápida evolução da sociedade informacional. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste artigo é mapear a produção científica sobre Inteligência Artificial e Direitos Autorais, a fim de compor um portfólio bibliográfico consistente que permita estabelecer uma revisão da literatura aprofundada sobre o tema no futuro. Este estudo é de natureza descritiva e exploratória. O procedimento técnico utilizado é a pesquisa bibliográfica, instrumentalizada pelo Knowledge Development Process-Constructivist (ProKnow-C). Os resultados revelam que os artigos selecionados para compor o portfólio bibliográfico desta pesquisa se apresentam como um bom parâmetro do estado da arte, bem como demonstram a relevância do tema a nível mundial. O estudo proporciona a continuidade da pesquisa no futuro por meio de uma análise tanto qualitativa quanto quantitativa

Planeamiento estratégico del sector de generación de energía eléctrica del Perú

Durante la década del sesenta la generación eléctrica peruana era suministrada por el sector privado, las empresas de la época trabajaban mediante concesiones temporales y con limitada capacidad de abastecimiento impidiendo que el servicio llegara a los lugares más alejados del país. En 1972 se creó Electroperú como la primera empresa de generación eléctrica de propiedad del Estado, y como resultado de la fuerte inversión en este rubro, se incrementó de manera significativa la capacidad de generación con grandes proyectos. En 1992 entró en vigencia la Ley de Concesiones Eléctricas 25844 (la cual rige hasta la actualidad), con la cual se implementan las primeras reformas que norman las actividades y negocios del sector eléctrico, como la eliminación del monopolio que ejercía el Gobierno sobre la totalidad de la actividad de generación y venta de energía, descomponiéndola en tres pilares básicos: (a) generación, (b) transmisión, y (c) distribución. La actividad o sector de generación de energía eléctrica en el Perú está creciendo en paralelo con la economía peruana, pero se cree que en los próximos años será difícil cubrir la creciente demanda si no se planifican y desarrollan más proyectos, sobre todo en las zonas norte y sur del país. La mayoría de las centrales de generación están ubicadas en la zona centro del país, y a 2013 concentran un 60% de la capacidad. El planeamiento estratégico desarrollado en este trabajo plantea la importancia de incrementar la capacidad de generación eléctrica en el país, así como descentralizarla y diversificar la matriz energética, que en la actualidad es básicamente hidráulica y térmica. También se plantea disminuir la demanda no atendida, incrementar el rendimiento financiero promedio de las principales empresas del Sector así como disminuir las fallas fortuitas. Por último, se destaca la importancia de mantener altos estándares de responsabilidad social así como respetar el medioambiente. Finalmente, si bien el presente planeamiento estratégico se basa más en el mercado interno, es decir, en asegurar el abastecimiento de la creciente demanda, se identificó una oportunidad de exportar energía eléctrica a países vecinos, para lo cual el Sector debe trabajar coordinadamente con el Estado para conseguir los convenios bilaterales y alianzas con empresas de transmisión que permitan un adecuado canal de distribuciónDuring the 1960’s, the Peruvian electric generation was in the hands of the private sector; during these times companies worked by temporary concessions and limited supply capacity, preventing the service to reach the most remote places of the country. In 1972, Electroperú was formed as the first power generation company owned by the State. As a result of strong investments by State in this area, the generation capacity significantly increased through the implementation of large projects. In 1992, came into force the Electrical Concessions Law 25844 (still effective today) from which the first reforms to govern the electricity sector activities and businesses, such as the elimination of the monopoly exercised by the government on the whole activity from generation to energy sales, breaking it down into three basic pillars: (a) generation, (b) transmission, and (c) distribution. The activity or sector of electricity generation in Peru is growing along side by side with Peruvian economy, but it is believed that in the coming years will be difficult to meet the growing demand if more projects are not plan and develop, especially in northern or southern regions. Most power plants are located in the center of the country, and by 2013 concentrated 60 % of capacity. Strategic planning in this paper focuses on the importance of increasing the power generation capacity in the country as well as decentralize and diversify the energy matrix, which now is basically hydro and thermal. It also aimed to reduce unmet demand, increase the average revenues of the top companies in the sector and reduce forced outages or interruptions. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of maintaining high standards of social responsibility and respect for the environment. Finally, while the present strategic planning is based more on the domestic market to ensure supply of the growing demand, an opportunity to export electricity to neighboring countries, for which the sector must work hand in hand with the state identified to achieve bilateral agreements and alliances with transmission companies to permit adequate distribution channelTesi

Plastid genomes of two brown algae, Ectocarpus siliculosus and Fucus vesiculosus: further insights on the evolution of red-algal derived plastids

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Heterokont algae, together with cryptophytes, haptophytes and some alveolates, possess red-algal derived plastids. The chromalveolate hypothesis proposes that the red-algal derived plastids of all four groups have a monophyletic origin resulting from a single secondary endosymbiotic event. However, due to incongruence between nuclear and plastid phylogenies, this controversial hypothesis remains under debate. Large-scale genomic analyses have shown to be a powerful tool for phylogenetic reconstruction but insufficient sequence data have been available for red-algal derived plastid genomes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The chloroplast genomes of two brown algae, <it>Ectocarpus siliculosus </it>and <it>Fucus vesiculosus</it>, have been fully sequenced. These species represent two distinct orders of the Phaeophyceae, which is a major group within the heterokont lineage. The sizes of the circular plastid genomes are 139,954 and 124,986 base pairs, respectively, the size difference being due principally to the presence of longer inverted repeat and intergenic regions in <it>E. siliculosus</it>. Gene contents of the two plastids are similar with 139-148 protein-coding genes, 28-31 tRNA genes, and 3 ribosomal RNA genes. The two genomes also exhibit very similar rearrangements compared to other sequenced plastid genomes. The tRNA-Leu gene of <it>E. siliculosus </it>lacks an intron, in contrast to the <it>F. vesiculosus </it>and other heterokont plastid homologues, suggesting its recent loss in the Ectocarpales. Most of the brown algal plastid genes are shared with other red-algal derived plastid genomes, but a few are absent from raphidophyte or diatom plastid genomes. One of these regions is most similar to an apicomplexan nuclear sequence. The phylogenetic relationship between heterokonts, cryptophytes and haptophytes (collectively referred to as chromists) plastids was investigated using several datasets of concatenated proteins from two cyanobacterial genomes and 18 plastid genomes, including most of the available red algal and chromist plastid genomes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The phylogenetic studies using concatenated plastid proteins still do not resolve the question of the monophyly of all chromist plastids. However, these results support both the monophyly of heterokont plastids and that of cryptophyte and haptophyte plastids, in agreement with nuclear phylogenies.</p

The Drosophila Mitochondrial Translation Elongation Factor G1 Contains a Nuclear Localization Signal and Inhibits Growth and DPP Signaling

Mutations in the human mitochondrial elongation factor G1 (EF-G1) are recessive lethal and cause death shortly after birth. We have isolated mutations in iconoclast (ico), which encodes the highly conserved Drosophila orthologue of EF-G1. We find that EF-G1 is essential during fly development, but its function is not required in every tissue. In contrast to null mutations, missense mutations exhibit stronger, possibly neomorphic phenotypes that lead to premature death during embryogenesis. Our experiments show that EF-G1 contains a secondary C-terminal nuclear localization signal. Expression of missense mutant forms of EF-G1 can accumulate in the nucleus and cause growth and patterning defects and animal lethality. We find that transgenes that encode mutant human EF-G1 proteins can rescue ico mutants, indicating that the underlying problem of the human disease is not just the loss of enzymatic activity. Our results are consistent with a model where EF-G1 acts as a retrograde signal from mitochondria to the nucleus to slow down cell proliferation if mitochondrial energy output is low

Clinical impact of genomic testing in patients with suspected monogenic kidney disease

Purpose: To determine the diagnostic yield and clinical impact of exome sequencing (ES) in patients with suspected monogenic kidney disease. Methods: We performed clinically accredited singleton ES in a prospectively ascertained cohort of 204 patients assessed in multidisciplinary renal genetics clinics at four tertiary hospitals in Melbourne, Australia. Results: ES identified a molecular diagnosis in 80 (39%) patients, encompassing 35 distinct genetic disorders. Younger age at presentation was independently associated with an ES diagnosis (p < 0.001). Of those diagnosed, 31/80 (39%) had a change in their clinical diagnosis. ES diagnosis was considered to have contributed to management in 47/80 (59%), including negating the need for diagnostic renal biopsy in 10/80 (13%), changing surveillance in 35/80 (44%), and changing the treatment plan in 16/80 (20%). In cases with no change to management in the proband, the ES result had implications for the management of family members in 26/33 (79%). Cascade testing was subsequently offered to 40/80 families (50%). Conclusion: In this pragmatic pediatric and adult cohort with suspected monogenic kidney disease, ES had high diagnostic and clinical utility. Our findings, including predictors of positive diagnosis, can be used to guide clinical practice and health service design

Networks and social capital: a relational approach to primary healthcare reform

Collaboration among health care providers and across systems is proposed as a strategy to improve health care delivery the world over. Over the past two decades, health care providers have been encouraged to work in partnership and build interdisciplinary teams. More recently, the notion of networks has entered this discourse but the lack of consensus and understanding about what is meant by adopting a network approach in health services limits its use. Also crucial to this discussion is the work of distinguishing the nature and extent of the impact of social relationships – generally referred to as social capital. In this paper, we review the rationale for collaboration in health care systems; provide an overview and synthesis of key concepts; dispel some common misconceptions of networks; and apply the theory to an example of primary healthcare network reform in Alberta (Canada). Our central thesis is that a relational approach to systems change, one based on a synthesis of network theory and social capital can provide the fodation for a multi-focal approach to primary healthcare reform. Action strategies are recommended to move from an awareness of 'networks' to fully translating knowledge from existing theory to guide planning and practice innovations. Decision-makers are encouraged to consider a multi-focal approach that effectively incorporates a network and social capital approach in planning and evaluating primary healthcare reform

Reversible Nanoparticle–Micelle Transformation of Ionic Liquid–Sulfonatocalix[6]arene Aggregates

The effect of temperature and NaCl concentration variations on the self-assembly of 1-methyl-3- tetradecylimidazolium (C14mim+) and 4-sulfonatocalix[6]- arene (SCX6) was studied by dynamic light scattering and isothermal calorimetric methods at pH 7. Inclusion complex formation promoted the self-assembly to spherical nanoparticles (NP), which transformed to supramolecular micelles (SM) in the presence of NaCl. Highly reversible, temperature-responsive behavior was observed, and the conditions of the NP−SM transition could be tuned by the alteration of C14mim+:SCX6 mixing ratio and NaCl concentration. The association to SM was always exothermic with enthalpy independent of the amount of NaCl. In contrast, NPs were produced in endothermic process at low temperature, and the enthalpy change became less favorable upon increase in NaCl concentration. The NP formation was accompanied by negative molar heat capacity change, which further diminished when NaCl concentration was raised

A linkage study of candidate loci in familial Parkinson's Disease

BACKGROUND: Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's disease. Most cases are sporadic, however familial cases do exist. We examined 12 families with familial Parkinson's disease ascertained at the Movement Disorder clinic at the Oregon Health Sciences University for genetic linkage to a number of candidate loci. These loci have been implicated in familial Parkinson's disease or in syndromes with a clinical presentation that overlaps with parkinsonism, as well as potentially in the pathogenesis of the disease. METHODS: The examined loci were PARK3, Parkin, DRD (dopa-responsive dystonia), FET1 (familial essential tremor), BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), GDNF (glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor), Ret, DAT1 (the dopamine transporter), Nurr1 and Synphilin-1. Linkage to the α-synuclein gene and the Frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism locus on chromosome 17 had previously been excluded in the families included in this study. Using Fastlink, Genehunter and Simwalk both parametric and model-free non-parametric linkage analyses were performed. RESULTS: In the multipoint parametric linkage analysis lod scores were below -2 for all loci except FET1 and Synphilin-1 under an autosomal dominant model with incomplete penetrance. Using non-parametric linkage analysis there was no evidence for linkage, although linkage could not be excluded. A few families showed positive parametric and non-parametric lod scores indicating possible genetic heterogeneity between families, although these scores did not reach any degree of statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that in these families there was no evidence for linkage to any of the loci tested, although we were unable to exclude linkage with both parametric and non-parametric methods