Using social media to connect families and kindergarten classrooms

Schools are generally disconnected from all other areas of children’s lives and educational institutions have not been successful at integrating school learning with learning that occurs outside the classroom (NRCNA, 2009; Ryan, Adams, Gullotta, Weissberg, & Hampton, 1995). Addressing this problem is vital, because positive connections between school and home can increase students’ motivation to learn, achievement and well-being (Christenson, 1999; Epstein, 1994; Pianta, Rimm-Kaufman, & Cox, 1999; Fan & Chen, 2001). This case study describes a project co-designed with teachers and implemented in kindergarten classrooms that leverages social media to link home and school and increase families’ involvement in their child’s academic learning. Six kindergarten teachers and thirty-two families from a southwestern Pennsylvania lab school participated in the study. I investigated how families participated in and perceived the project, used social media, and interacted with other families. I examined ways teachers used the project to further their learning goals and the extent to which the project strengthened the kindergarten community. Data was collected through classroom, online and home observations, interviews and questionnaires. Results indicated that not all parents felt more involved as a result of the project, but most families had opportunities to be involved in new ways and families thought the project helped to bridge home and school. The project provided access to families’ “funds of knowledge”, which helped to contextualize content learning in the classroom and individualize conversations between teachers and students (Moll, Amanti, Neff, & Gonzalez, 1992). During the project, participants learned more about one another, which in turn, strengthened the kindergarten community. This study explores a potential way forward for making families’ home culture and experiences a part of academic learning. The project is a model for using technology to support family involvement in classroom instruction and learning. This study contributes to prior literature on the Connected Learning Model (Ito, et al., 2013) by more thoroughly linking the model to learning and engagement theories and describing ways in which the model can be used to design curricular projects that bridge home and school for elementary-school children and their families

OKREŚLENIE OPTYMALNEGO KROKU SKANOWANIA DO OCENY JAKOŚCI REKONSTRUKCJI OBRAZU W TOMOGRAFII MAGNETOAKUSTYCZNEJ ZE WZBUDZENIEM INDUKCYJNYM

Magnetoacoustic Tomography with Magnetic Induction (MAT-MI) is a new hybrid imaging modality especially dedicated for non-invasive electrical conductivity imaging of low-conductivity objects such as e.g. biological tissues. The purpose of the present paper is to determine the optimal scanning step assuring the best quality of image reconstruction. In order to resolve this problem a special image reconstruction quality indicator based on binarization has been applied. Taking into account different numbers of measuring points and various image processing algorithms, the conditions allowing successful image reconstruction have been provided in the paper. Finally, the image reconstruction examples for objects’ complex shapes have been analyzed.Tomografia magnetoakustyczna ze wzbudzeniem indukcyjnym (MAT-MI) to nowa hybrydowa technika obrazowania dedykowana szczególnie do nieinwazyjnego obrazowania obiektów o niskiej konduktywności elektrycznej, takich jak na przykład tkanki biologiczne. Celem niniejszej pracy jest określenie optymalnego kroku skanowania zapewniającego najlepszą jakość rekonstrukcji obrazu. W celu rozwiązania tego problemu zastosowano specjalny wskaźnik jakości rekonstrukcji obrazu bazujący na binaryzacji. W artykule przedstawiono warunki umożliwiające pomyślne zrekonstruowanie obrazu biorąc pod uwagę różną liczbę punktów pomiarowych oraz różne algorytmy przetwarzania obrazu. W końcowym etapie pracy przeanalizowano przykłady rekonstrukcji obrazu dla obiektów o bardziej złożonych kształtach

Purification and in vitro characterization of Trypanosoma brucei prolyl-tRNA synthetase

Housekeeping proteins include a broad variety of enzymes that complete the basic tasks necessary for cell survival. Among this group, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) function to attach the correct amino acid to the cognate tRNA substrate in a reaction known as aminoacylation. The aminoacyl-tRNA is delivered to the ribosome by an elongation factor, where it participates in protein synthesis. While catalysis of the aminoacylation reaction seems straightforward, aaRSs must sample similarly sized amino acids to find a match for the protein active site. Amino acids with the same or smaller molecular volume can fit into the active site and become mistakenly charged to noncognate tRNA. Thus, the cell uses proofreading mechanisms to ensure that only cognate aminoacyl-tRNAs arrive at the ribosome. In the context of charging L-proline to tRNAPro, prolyl-tRNA synthetase (ProRS) frequently mischarges alanine and cysteine and generates Ala-tRNAPro and Cys-tRNA Pro. The bacterial Escherichia coli enzyme, for example, relies on an insertion (INS) domain in its ProRS architecture to hydrolyze mischarged Ala-tRNAPro species. Other prokaryotes such as Caulobacter crescentus, lack this embedded domain but encode a homologous, free-standing editing factor, ProXp-ala, for the same function. Beyond prokarya, however, understanding of eukaryotic editing processes remains limited. Homo sapiens and other higher eukaryotes also possess a free-standing ProXp ala domain for editing. Bioinformatic analyses have revealed lower eukaryotes with a ProRS architecture reminiscent of E. coli. These eukaryotes encode a canonical ProRS with a fused N terminal ProXp-ala domain. Because many organisms with this understudied ProRS structure are parasites such as Plasmodium falciparum, Leishmania tarentolae, and Trypanosoma brucei, potential nuances in tRNA recognition and editing mechanism hold promise for drug targeting. Inhibition of Trypanosoma brucei (Tb) ProRS editing, for example, may provide a cure for African Sleeping Sickness while avoiding the human system entirely. In this work, we attempted to overexpress and purify full-length Tb ProRS for the first time in E. coli. While purification of the full-length construct was challenging due to poor solubility and low yields, the individual ProXp-ala and ΔProXp-Ala ProRS constructs were generated via SLIM-PCR, expressed, and purified with appreciable yield. The Tb ΔProXp-Ala ProRS enzyme activity was probed via aminoacylation reactions. Pure Tb tRNAPro was generated by in vitro transcription and used in aminoacylation reactions with the Tb ProRS domain to generate Pro-tRNAPro. Flexizyme charging was used to generate Tb Ala-tRNAPro. Deacylation assays were performed with the purified Tb ProXp-ala domain to provide preliminary kinetic data demonstrating the editing capabilities of Tb ProRS. Although these assays provide no explanation for the selective pressure driving this fused architecture, they do provide preliminary evidence that Tb ProXp-ala is an Ala-tRNAPro deacylase in vitro. Comparison to other trans editing factors revealed that the isolated Tb ProXp-ala domain is a weaker deacylase; however, the presence of the fused ProRS domain may be required for more robust deacylation activity and future work will address this hypothesis. Overall, we have demonstrated that the isolated Tb ProRS domains—both behave as predicted by bioinformatic analysis and provide further impetus for the purification of the full-length protein.Center for RNA BiologyNo embargoAcademic Major: Biochemistr

Analysis of dynamic compliance of the supporting structure for the prototype of organic Rankine cycle micro-turbine with a capacity of 100 kWe

The article describes the research carried out using a complex numerical model which had been developed applying finite element method (FEM). The supporting structure on which two turbine generators (with a target capacity of approx. 100 kWe) were placed was the object of this study. The calculations were aimed to determine the influence of dynamic properties of the supporting structure on the operation of turbogenerators. Within this study the following tasks have been accomplished: computational modal analysis was performed, the stiffness coefficients of the tested construction were determined and compared with the dynamic properties of the bearings used. This was necessary in order to analyze the dynamic interaction between the rotor and the turbine’s bearings

Stress analysis of the discs of axial-flow microturbines

The article discusses the mesh creation techniques for models of discs of axial-flow microturbines. A universal method of optimization of such devices, in terms of their strength improvement, has been proposed. The research focused on microturbines that can operate in combination with ORC systems, especially the ones whose discs have many structural components such as pins or chamfers. Calculations were done using the commercial software ANSYS Workbench. Both tetrahedral and hexahedral grids were used in the analysed models. The calculation time needed for the grid preparation was regarded as an important parameter. Therefore, the reference model was created using the disc slice method. The results obtained for the models that included the full complex geometry of the disc were compared with the results obtained for the reference model. The mesh size coefficient was defined. It enabled to simplify the strength optimisation method for discs of axial-flow microturbine and also made it more universal. After carrying out all analyses and computations, it was possible to develop a scheme of conduct during the optimization of the aforementioned expansion devices

Status menopauzalny – główny czynnik determinujący dokładność prognostyczną modeli diagnostyki różnicowej guzów przydatków

Objectives: The aim of this study was to externally validate the diagnostic performance of the International Ovarian Tumor Analysis logistic regression models (LR1 and LR2, 2005) and other popular prognostic models including the Timmerman logistic regression model (1999), the Alcazar model (2003), the risk of malignancy index (RMI, 1990), and the risk of malignancy algorithm (ROMA, 2009). We compared these models to subjective ultrasonographic assessment performed by an experienced ultrasonography specialist, and with our previously developed scales: the sonomorphologic index and the vascularization index. Furthermore, we evaluated diagnostic tests with regard to the menopausal status of patients. Materials and methods: This study included 268 patients with adnexal masses; 167 patients with benign ovarian tumors and 101 patients with malignant ovarian tumors were enrolled. All tumors were evaluated by using transvaginal ultrasonography according to the diagnostic criteria of the nalyzed models. Materials and methods: This study included 268 patients with adnexal asses; 167 patients with benign ovarian tumors and 101 patients with malignant ovarian tumors were enrolled. All tumors were evaluated by using transvaginal ultrasonography according to the diagnostic criteria of the analyzed models. Results: The subjective ultrasonographic sessment and all of the studied predictive models achieved similar diagnostic performance in the whole study population. However, significant differences were observed when preand postmenopausal patients were analyzed separately. In the subgroup of premenopausal atients, the highest area under the curve (AUC) was achieved by subjective ultrasonographic assessment (0.931), the Alcazar model (0.912), and LR1 (0.909). Alternatively, in the group of postmenopausal patients, the highest AUC was noted for the Timmerman model (0.973), ROMA (0.951), and RMI (0.938). Conclusions: Menopausal status is a key factor that affects the utility of prognostic models for differential diagnosis of ovarian tumors. Diagnostic models of ovarian tumors are reasonable tools for predicting tumor malignancy.Cel: Celem pracy była zewnętrzna walidacja wybranych modeli prognostycznych: autorstwa grupy International Ovarian Tumor Analysis opartych na regresji logistycznej (LR1 i LR2, 2005) oraz innych popularnych modeli przeznaczonych do diagnostyki różnicowej guzów jajnika takich jak: model zaproponowany przez Timmerman’a i wsp. (1999), Alcazar’a i wsp., (2003), indeks ryzyka nowotworu (RMI – risk of malignancy index, 1990) oraz testu ROMA (risk of malignancy algorithm, 2009). Modele zostały porównane z subiektywną oceną ultrasonograficzną rzeprowadzoną przez doświadczonego specjalistę oraz skalami diagnostycznymi utworzonymi w naszym ośrodku: indeksem sonomorfologicznym (SM, 2004) i indeksem waskularyzacji (SD, 2004). Użyteczność analizowanych modeli została oceniona w zależności od różnych cech kliniczno-patologicznych, między innymi w zależności od statusu menopauzalnego pacjentki. Metodyka: W badaniu poddano analizie 268 guzów przydatków, w tym 167 guzów niezłośliwych i 101 nowotworów złośliwych jajnika. Każdy z guzów został oceniony w odniesieniu do kryteriów diagnostycznych analizowanych testów. Przed operacją oznaczono również poziom markerów CA125 i HE4. Wyniki: W całej badanej populacji wszystkie modele predykcyjne wykazały podobną wartość diagnostyczną. Natomiast, stwierdzono istotne różnice pomiędzy testami w sytuacji gdy analizowano osobno pacjentki przed i po menopauzie. Największe pole pod krzywą ROC (AU-ROC - area under the ROC curve) w grupie pacjentek przed menopauzą uzyskały: subiektywna ocena ultrasonograficzna (0,931), model Alcazar’a (0,912) oraz LR1 (0,909). Natomiast w grupie kobiet po menopauzie największy AU-ROC uzyskały: model Timmerman’a (0,973), ROMA (0,951) i RMI (0,938). Wnioski : Status menopauzalny jest podstawowym czynnikiem determinującym użyteczność modelu predykcyjnego w diagnostyce różnicowej guzów przydatków. Wszystkie z badanych modeli uzyskały wartość diagnostyczną umożliwiającą stosunkowo dokładną diagnostykę przedoperacyjną guzów przydatków

The Role of 11C-Choline-PET/CT-Guided Secondary Lymphadenectomy in Patients with PSA Failure after Radical Prostatectomy: Lessons Learned from Eight Cases

Introduction. 11C-choline-PET/CT is a promising technique for detection/restaging of patients with biochemical failure (BF) after curative therapy for prostate cancer (PCA). The aim of this paper was to evaluate the PSA response in patients with BF after radical prostatectomy (RP) who underwent secondary lymphadenectomy (LAD) due to 11C-choline-PET/CT findings. Material and Methods. Eight patients with BF and positive lymph nodes in 11C-choline-PET/CT after RP were retrospectively included in the study. Extended LAD until the common iliac arteries was performed in all patients. Results. Six of 8 patients had histologically proven lymph node metastases. Four patients showed an initial PSA reduction after LAD, and in 4 patients the PSA increased. Two of the latter had no histological lymph node metastases. Conclusions. Because 50% of our patients showed an initial PSA response, our data suggest that positive 11C-choline-PET/CT after RP and BF could help to select patients that could benefit from secondary LAD

Development of a low-cost non-destructive system for measuring moisture and salt content in smoked fish products

[EN] In this study, a new method to assess salt content in smoked fish products using impedance spectroscopy has been developed. Two fish species (salmon and cod) from two different brands were analyzed. The analyses carried out were moisture, lipid, and salt contents, as well as a(w). Impedance measurements were performed directly in different locations on smoked product by using a coaxial needle. The modulus and phase of the spectra of impedance were acquired between 1 Hz and 1 MHz, for 50 values of frequency. The impedance modulus and phase values were used to predict the studied physico-chemical parameters, by using the PLS method. In general, the highest lipid contents and the lowest moisture values were observed in salmon samples, independently of the brand and the batch analyzed. The results showed a high variability between batches of a same product, regarding to moisture and salt content. Prediction models were established for all the samples studied and also individually for each product. A higher accuracy of prediction was obtained for the PLS models established for each product compared with the model applied for all samples. In general, the highest R-2 was obtained for prediction of a(w) parameter, followed by moisture content. The best correlations were obtained for smoked cod samples independently of the brand. These results can be explained by the isolating effect of the fat. Due to the differences in the raw material composition, a single model cannot be applied for all the products. A previous characterization of the raw material would improve the accuracy of the developed methodology. These results show the feasibility of the impedance spectroscopy to determine salt and moisture contents.Karaskova, P.; Fuentes López, A.; Fernández Segovia, I.; Alcañiz Fillol, M.; Masot Peris, R.; Barat Baviera, JM. (2011). Development of a low-cost non-destructive system for measuring moisture and salt content in smoked fish products. Procedia Food Science. 1:1195-1201. doi:10.1016/j.profoo.2011.09.178S11951201

An investigation into problematic smartphone use: the role of narcissism, anxiety, and personality factors

Background and aims: Over the last decade, worldwide smartphone usage has greatly increased. Alongside this growth, research on the influence of smartphones on human behavior has also increased. However, a growing number of studies have shown that excessive use of smartphones can lead to detrimental consequences in a minority of individuals. This study examines the psychological aspects of smartphone use particularly in relation to problematic use, narcissism, anxiety, and personality factors. Methods: A sample of 640 smartphone users ranging from 13 to 69 years of age (mean = 24.89 years, SD = 8.54) provided complete responses to an online survey including modified DSM-5 criteria of Internet Gaming Disorder to assess problematic smartphone use, the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, and the Ten-Item Personality Inventory. Results: The results demonstrated significant relationships between problematic smartphone use and anxiety, conscientiousness, openness, emotional stability, the amount of time spent on smartphones, and age. The results also demonstrated that conscientiousness, emotional stability, and age were independent predictors of problematic smartphone use. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that problematic smartphone use is associated with various personality factors and contributes to further understanding the psychology of smartphone behavior and associations with excessive use of smartphones