Mini shared reading: A mediational reading strategy

This project presents a reading strategy in which students who are learning to read are introduced to the reading process in a comprehensible manner regardless if it is in the student\u27s primary language

In Vitro Antiviral Activity of Black Tea Polyphenols on Sindbis Virus in Vero Cells

Black tea, derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, is a natural product that is rich in polyphenols. The major polyphenols found in black tea are known as theaflavins. Previous research demonstrated that theaflavins contain antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus 1 & 2 (HSV-1 & HSV-2), both enveloped DNA viruses. The goal of this research was to investigate the antiviral activity of theaflavins on the Sindbis virus (SINV). SINV is an enveloped RNA virus, and the prototype species of alphaviruses. SINV was treated with various concentrations of a theaflavin rich Black Tea Extract (BTE) before infection of Vero Cells. Antiviral and ToxGlo assays indicate that BTE exhibits antiviral activity against SINV at concentrations of 0.7mM and 1.4mM. Treatment of virus with 1.4mM BTE inhibits viral infection by 99%, while 0.7mM BTE inhibits viral infection by 46 - 74%. Cytopathic effect images suggest that 1.4mM BTE reduces cytopathic effects, correlating with the antiviral and ToxGlo assay results. Altogether, this research indicates that BTE does inhibit Alphavirus replication in vitro. The inhibition of SINV replication in this study would suggest potential inhibition of other Alphaviruses

Mobility in the Urban Labor Market: A Panel Data Analysis for Mexico

We analyze mobility in urban Mexico between three labor market states: working in the formal sector, working in the informal sector, and not working. We use a dynamic multinomial logit panel data model with random effects, explaining the labor market state of each individual during each time period. The data is drawn from Mexico's Urban Employment Survey, a quarterly household survey for urban Mexico. Two separate five-wave panels are used: the first covering a period of rapid economic growth (1992 - 1993), the second a period of recession after the Peso crisis (1994 - 1995). Our main results are in line with the theory that formal sector jobs are superior to informal sector jobs and that working in the informal sector is a temporary state for those who cannot find a formal sector job and cannot afford not to work. Entry and exit rates for the formal sector are lower than for the informal sector. The probability of formal sector employment strongly increases with education level. For men, it is easier to enter the formal sector from the non-working state than from the informal sector. The probability of working in the informal sector decreases with the level of income of other family members, while the probability of not working increases with it.informal sector work;mobility;panel data;Mexico

Mental Health Applications as a Resource for Reducing Access Disparities? A Case Example from a Disaster Mental Health App

Past research indicates Latinx individuals underutilize mental health services when it comes to addressing their mental health concerns, but often fail to mention the barriers to underutilization. Systemic barriers to seeking care largely fall under two larger umbrellas: cost and availability. A focus on whether disparities observed in traditional mental health services persisted for a trauma-focused app that recruited participants from the 2017 Hurricane outbreak provides us a unique outlook on a comparative analysis of utilization and engagement between the applications, Bounce Back Now (BBN) and Enhanced Usual Care. BBN is made up of four major components including tracking, coping and quick tips, self-help components (Activate, Write, Sleep), and the Get Help feature that provides immediate professional support. A sample of 1,357 help-seeking participants allowed for the automatic tracking of each participant’s use of each app component. Comparisons of Latinx participant rates for utilization and benefits from the app compared with non-Latinx participants indicated Latinx participants were less likely to have received talk therapy within the past month (w/o control covariates) and more likely to have received medication within the last month. Overall, Latinx participants had higher engagement rates across all app components excluding MyPlan and access of Activate. Additionally, Latinx participants reported higher baseline symptoms across sleep difficulties, PTSD, and depression suggesting lower access to care and a higher rate of delayed care. These findings highlight the importance of providing better availability and dissemination of apps for Latinx populations (e.g., more bilingual apps)

Parametric rolling in regular head waves of the Kriso container ship : numerical and experimental investigation in shallow water

The IMO Intact Stability Code considers the parametric rolling phenomenon as one of the stability failure modes because of the larger roll angles attained. This hazardous condition of roll resonance can lead to loss of cargo, passenger discomfort, and even (in the extreme cases) the ship's capsize. Studies as such are mostly conducted considering wave characteristics corresponding to wave lengths around one ship length (lambda approximate to L-PP) and wave amplitudes varying from moderate to rough values. These wave characteristics, recognised as main contributors to parametric rolling, are frequently encountered in deep water. Waves with lengths of such magnitudes are also met by modern container ships in areas in close proximity to ports, but with less significant wave amplitudes. In such areas, due to the limited water depth and the relatively large draft of the ships, shallow water effects influence the overall ship behaviour as well. Studies dedicated to parametric rolling occurrence in shallow water are scarce in literature. In spite of no accidents being yet reported in such scenarios, its occurrence and methods for its prediction require further attention; this in order to prevent any hazardous conditions. The present work investigates the parametric roll phenomenon numerically and experimentally in shallow water. The study is carried out with the KRISO container ship (KCS) hull. The numerical investigation uses methods available in literature to study the susceptibility and severity of parametric rolling. Their applicability to investigate this phenomenon in shallow water is also discussed. The experimental analysis was carried out at the Towing Tank for Manoeuvres in Confined Water at Flanders Hydraulics Research (in co-operation with Ghent University). Model tests comprised a variation of different forward speeds, wave amplitudes and wave lengths (around one L-PP). The water depth was fixed to a condition equivalent to a gross under keel clearance (UKC) of 100% of the ship's draft