That sh*t is rude! Religion, Picture Books, and Social Narratives in Middle School

While the U.S. has a divisive history around the separation of church and state in public school, current national and state teaching standards do include curricular objectives related to the study of religion. This paper focuses on the ways a diverse group of sixth-grade public schoolchildren engaged with religious content in their English Language Arts class. Specifically, it examines the kinds of narratives the children constructed in response to diverse works of public art and children’s picturebooks, including Mora’s (2012) The Beautiful Lady: Our Lady of Guadalupe / La hermosa señora: Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Señora), and Garza’s (1996) In My Family. The children’s responses disrupt us/Other social narratives and demonstrate the importance of religious literacy in the space of public schools. They push against the notion that acknowledging religious perspectives that are not part of mainstream culture could be offensive to some children. This study reinforces that the interdisciplinary inclusion of religious content in public school not only supports state and national teaching standards, but also opens a space for children to understand the pluralistic society in which they live

Building Safe Community Spaces for Immigrant Families, one Library at a Time

In today’s political climate, supporting the needs of young children from Latinx immigrant families has become increasingly difficult at the community, institutional, state, and federal levels. This essay is about a group of Latinx families who participated in an innovative early literacy program at a county public library branch in the migration setting of the U.S. Southeast known as the New Latino Diaspora (Hamann, Wortham, Murillo, 2015). We describe the program and its role in building a safe and welcoming environment for Latinx students and their families. We include the voices of the librarian and parents who had never before participated in a family literacy series for Spanish-speaking immigrants. We conclude with a discussion about factors that foster an inclusive community space for educational experiences

A Family Affair: Supporting the Communicative Capital and Writerly Identities of Young Children

This study investigates the ways in which multilingual parents/caregivers support their young children’s emerging identities as writers and communicators at home, within the context of a virtual early literacy program for families of a historically marginalized community near the U.S. border with Mexico. The study’s focus is on a set of multimodal compositions that four-year-old children authored during one of the virtual, videoconference sessions. The researchers employed a discourse analysis approach in examining the transcripts of the virtual sessions, which was guided by the theoretical concepts of community cultural wealth and the pedagogical concept of accompaniment. Their analysis offers a counter narrative to the deficit governmental descriptors (e.g., low-income; low-achieving) assigned to children and families of historically marginalized communities. The parents in their study were well-equipped to enact pedagogies of accompaniment that cultivate their children’s communicative capital and foster their children’s identities as capable communicators

Diagnostico del sector microempresarial en el corregimiento de Taganga, Santa Marta D. T. C. H. (departamento del Magdalena)

La investigación Diagnóstico del Sector Microempresaríal en el Corregimiento de Taganga, Santa Marta D. T. C. H. (Departamento del Magdalena), muestra las condiciones económicas y administrativas en que se desarrollan estas unidades productivas, se enmarco en el objetivo principal de establecer que factores contribuyen o afectan el desarrollo del sector microempresarial en el sector turístico de Taganga. El estudio tuvo como marco temporal los meses de octubre a diciembre de 2000 y de enero a agosto de 2001. Se realizó un análisis y evaluación de cada una de las variables, con base en los años 1999 y 2000. Se practicaron encuestas a las distintas microempresas del sector, analizando cada una de las variables objetos de estudio. Los resultados obtenidos muestran las condiciones en que operan los microempresarios de Taganga. Las microempresas dedicadas al comercio (Restaurantes y Tiendas) obtienen un mayor ingreso y utilidad que las demás actividades microempresariales. La pesca, actividad a la que se dedican la mayoría de los habitantes de Taganga se encuentra en mayor abandono, siendo esta una de las que registra niveles de ingresos más bajos que apenas alcanza para el sustento diario. Los microempresarios se encuentran desorganizados a pesar de que algunos están conformando asociaciones. La mayor parte no están constituidos legalmente y no llevan una contabilidad que les permita una adecuada toma de decisiones

The Transcriptome of Lutzomyia longipalpis (Diptera: Psychodidae) Male Reproductive Organs

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that genes involved in the reproductive biology of insect disease vectors are potential targets for future alternative methods of control. Little is known about the molecular biology of reproduction in phlebotomine sand flies and there is no information available concerning genes that are expressed in male reproductive organs of Lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of American visceral leishmaniasis and a species complex. METHODS/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We generated 2678 high quality ESTs ("Expressed Sequence Tags") of L. longipalpis male reproductive organs that were grouped in 1391 non-redundant sequences (1136 singlets and 255 clusters). BLAST analysis revealed that only 57% of these sequences share similarity with a L. longipalpis female EST database. Although no more than 36% of the non-redundant sequences showed similarity to protein sequences deposited in databases, more than half of them presented the best-match hits with mosquito genes. Gene ontology analysis identified subsets of genes involved in biological processes such as protein biosynthesis and DNA replication, which are probably associated with spermatogenesis. A number of non-redundant sequences were also identified as putative male reproductive gland proteins (mRGPs), also known as male accessory gland protein genes (Acps). CONCLUSIONS: The transcriptome analysis of L. longipalpis male reproductive organs is one step further in the study of the molecular basis of the reproductive biology of this important species complex. It has allowed the identification of genes potentially involved in spermatogenesis as well as putative mRGPs sequences, which have been studied in many insect species because of their effects on female post-mating behavior and physiology and their potential role in sexual selection and speciation. These data open a number of new avenues for further research in the molecular and evolutionary reproductive biology of sand flies

ALPK1 missense pathogenic variant in five families leads to ROSAH syndrome, an ocular multisystem autosomal dominant disorder

Purpose: To identify the molecular cause in five unrelated families with a distinct autosomal dominant ocular systemic disorder we called ROSAH syndrome due to clinical features of retinal dystrophy, optic nerve edema, splenomegaly, anhidrosis, and migraine headache. Methods: Independent discovery exome and genome sequencing in families 1, 2, and 3, and confirmation in families 4 and 5. Expression of wild-type messenger RNA and protein in human and mouse tissues and cell lines. Ciliary assays in fibroblasts from affected and unaffected family members. Results: We found the heterozygous missense variant in the ɑkinase gene, ALPK1, (c.710C>T, [p.Thr237Met]), segregated with disease in all five families. All patients shared the ROSAH phenotype with additional low-grade ocular inflammation, pancytopenia, recurrent infections, and mild renal impairment in some. ALPK1 was notably expressed in retina, retinal pigment epithelium, and optic nerve, with immunofluorescence indicating localization to the basal body of the connecting cilium of the photoreceptors, and presence in the sweat glands. Immunocytofluorescence revealed expression at the centrioles and spindle poles during metaphase, and at the base of the primary cilium. Affected family member fibroblasts demonstrated defective ciliogenesis. Conclusion: Heterozygosity for ALPK1, p.Thr237Met leads to ROSAH syndrome, an autosomal dominant ocular systemic disorder

Albiglutide and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (Harmony Outcomes): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled trial

Background: Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists differ in chemical structure, duration of action, and in their effects on clinical outcomes. The cardiovascular effects of once-weekly albiglutide in type 2 diabetes are unknown. We aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of albiglutide in preventing cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke. Methods: We did a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 610 sites across 28 countries. We randomly assigned patients aged 40 years and older with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (at a 1:1 ratio) to groups that either received a subcutaneous injection of albiglutide (30–50 mg, based on glycaemic response and tolerability) or of a matched volume of placebo once a week, in addition to their standard care. Investigators used an interactive voice or web response system to obtain treatment assignment, and patients and all study investigators were masked to their treatment allocation. We hypothesised that albiglutide would be non-inferior to placebo for the primary outcome of the first occurrence of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke, which was assessed in the intention-to-treat population. If non-inferiority was confirmed by an upper limit of the 95% CI for a hazard ratio of less than 1·30, closed testing for superiority was prespecified. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02465515. Findings: Patients were screened between July 1, 2015, and Nov 24, 2016. 10 793 patients were screened and 9463 participants were enrolled and randomly assigned to groups: 4731 patients were assigned to receive albiglutide and 4732 patients to receive placebo. On Nov 8, 2017, it was determined that 611 primary endpoints and a median follow-up of at least 1·5 years had accrued, and participants returned for a final visit and discontinuation from study treatment; the last patient visit was on March 12, 2018. These 9463 patients, the intention-to-treat population, were evaluated for a median duration of 1·6 years and were assessed for the primary outcome. The primary composite outcome occurred in 338 (7%) of 4731 patients at an incidence rate of 4·6 events per 100 person-years in the albiglutide group and in 428 (9%) of 4732 patients at an incidence rate of 5·9 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group (hazard ratio 0·78, 95% CI 0·68–0·90), which indicated that albiglutide was superior to placebo (p<0·0001 for non-inferiority; p=0·0006 for superiority). The incidence of acute pancreatitis (ten patients in the albiglutide group and seven patients in the placebo group), pancreatic cancer (six patients in the albiglutide group and five patients in the placebo group), medullary thyroid carcinoma (zero patients in both groups), and other serious adverse events did not differ between the two groups. There were three (<1%) deaths in the placebo group that were assessed by investigators, who were masked to study drug assignment, to be treatment-related and two (<1%) deaths in the albiglutide group. Interpretation: In patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, albiglutide was superior to placebo with respect to major adverse cardiovascular events. Evidence-based glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists should therefore be considered as part of a comprehensive strategy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with type 2 diabetes. Funding: GlaxoSmithKline

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

O Uso de Textos Polêmicos em Sala de Aula: formação e prática docente

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it examines howDiscourses, socially accepted ways of speaking, listening, writing, and reading that illustrate individuals’ memberships in specific social groups (Gee,2008), could influence teachers’ use or censorship of polemic text in the classroom. Second, this article presents a review of the research literatureabout teachers’ inclusion of culturally diverse themes in their classrooms.For example, it describes professors’ use of children´s books about racism with new teachers. It also outlines suggestions for guiding discussions that respect students’ heritage, build critical literacy, and support culturally responsiveteaching pedagogies.O objetivo deste texto é duplo. Primeiro analisa como Discursos, formas socialmente aceitas de falar/ouvir, escrever/ler sobre sujeitos em grupos sociais específicos (Gee, 2008), podem influenciar o uso ou a censura a textos polêmicos por docentes em sala de aula. Discute o que as pesquisas têm revelado sobre docentes  utilizando em suas aulas o tema da diversidade. A  partir de exemplo de  livro de literatura sobre a temática do racismo, traz sugestões para que os professores possam conduzir discussões que respeitem a diversidade cultural  de seus alunos e propiciem a formação de opiniões críticas, fazendo assim do professor da educação básica um sujeito responsivo

O uso de textos polêmicos em sala de aula: formação e prática docente

The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it examines how Discourses, socially accepted ways of speaking, listening, writing, and reading that illustrate individuals' memberships in specific social groups (Gee, 2008), could influence teachers' use or censorship of polemic text in the classroom. Second, this article presents a review of the research literature about teachers' inclusion of culturally diverse themes in their classrooms. For example, it describes professors' use of children´s books about racism with new teachers. It also outlines suggestions for guiding discussions that respect students' heritage, build critical literacy, and support culturally responsive teaching pedagogies.O objetivo deste texto é duplo. Primeiro, analisa como Discursos, formas socialmente aceitas de falar/ouvir e escrever/ler sobre sujeitos em grupos sociais específicos (Gee, 2008), podem influenciar o uso ou a censura a textos polêmicos por docentes em sala de aula. Discute o que as pesquisas têm revelado sobre docentes utilizando em suas aulas o tema da diversidade. A partir de exemplo de livro de literatura sobre a temática do racismo, traz sugestões para que os professores possam conduzir discussões que respeitem a diversidade cultural de seus alunos e propiciem a formação de opiniões críticas, fazendo assim do professor da educação básica um sujeito responsivo