Systems of Support for Elementary School Principals: A Case Study

Principals need support throughout their careers in order to lead effectively and promote continuous improvement. However, some elementary school principals of small, rural schools lack access to structured systems of support that could increase their knowledge and skills as instructional leaders. The purpose of this study was to examine a central California school district\u27s existing system of support for elementary school principals to learn the essential features that could be used to provide support for principals of small, rural schools. Informed by the Principal Support Framework provided by the University of Washington\u27s Center for Educational Leadership, the guiding questions for this case study examined the elements of the system of support for principals, focusing on professional development, collaboration through networks and learning communities, and coaching/mentoring partnerships. Interviews with 4 principals and 1 district leader were conducted, and school district documents were collected. Data were coded to identify themes and to help understand the participants\u27 perspectives. The findings suggest that a system of support for principals is structured around the foundation of collaborative learning through networks in both large and small group settings. Based on these findings, a plan for a professional learning network for principals of small, rural schools to collaborate is included as the project outcome. The study has implications for positive social change: through continuous learning and improvement, elementary principals can improve student learning and, through collaborative problem solving and inquiry, they can help prepare students academically and teachers professionally for continuous improvement

The minimal monomial lfting of cluster algebras I: branching problems

Let $Y$ be a complex scheme with cluster structure, $T$ be a complex torus and $\mathfrak{X}$ be a suitable partial compactification of $T \times Y$. We produce, through a technique called minimal monomial lifting, a canonically graded upper cluster algebra $\overline{\mathcal{A}}$ inside ${\mathcal O}_{\mathfrak{X}}(\mathfrak{X})$, which is, in a precise sense, the best candidate to give a cluster structure on $\mathfrak{X}$ compatible with the one on $Y$. We develop some geometric criteria to prove the equality between $\overline{\mathcal{A}}$ and ${\mathcal O}_{\mathfrak{X}}(\mathfrak{X})$, which doesn't always hold and has some remarkable consequences. As a special case, through this construction, we recover in a purely geometric and combinatorial method some cluster algebras already appearing in the literature. If $\widehat G$ is a complex reductive subgroup of the complex, semisimple, simply connected algebraic group $G$, we set up a geometric framework to study the branching problem in representation theory, for this pair of groups, through the minimal monomial lifting. We study in detail the case of a Levi subgroup and the tensor product case, for which we have the best possible outcome. Finally, we identify a cluster structure on the base affine space associated to $G$ and discuss some consequences of these results.Comment: 75 pages. Comments welcome

Introduction to morphological and functional evaluation of the heart and coronary arteries

In the last years, the number of clinical indications for the evaluation of the heart – with both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) – exponentially grew. This evidence reflects the remarkable technological developments of both techniques allowing unprecedented spatial, temporal and contrast resolution levels and to comprehensively evaluate cardiac pathology, combining anatomical information with functional assessment and tissue characterization of myocardial diseases

Fatty images of the heart: spectrum of normal and pathological findings at computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Ectopic cardiac fatty images are not rarely detected incidentally at computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance, either in exams focused on the heart as in general thoracic imaging evaluations. A correct interpretation of these findings is essential in order to recognize their normal or pathological meaning, focusing on the eventually associated clinical implications. The development of techniques such as computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance allowed a detailed detection and evaluation of adipose tissue within the heart. This pictorial review illustrates the most common characteristics of cardiac fatty images at computed tomography and cardiac magnetic resonance, in a spectrum of normal and pathological conditions ranging from physiological adipose images to diseases presenting with cardiac fatty foci. Physiologic intramyocardial adipose tissue may normally be present in healthy adults, being not related to cardiac affections and without any clinical consequence. However cardiac fatty images may also be the expression of various diseases, comprehending arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, post-myocardial infarction lipomatous metaplasia, dilated cardiomyopathy and lipomatous hypertrophy of the inter-atrial septum. Fatty neoplasms of the heart as lipoma and liposarcoma are also described

Robotic Approach to Colon Resection

Robotic surgical techniques are being increasingly adopted as a tool in the minimally invasive armamentarium of the colorectal surgeon. These platforms present numerous potential advantages in visualization, precise dissection, and tissue manipulation while potentially reducing operator fatigue. They may also reduce the learning curve and rate of conversion, though the short- and long-term benefits of this approach in non-pelvic colorectal surgery, and the cost–benefit balance remain an ongoing debate. Adherence to established principles of laparoscopic colon surgery, a robust understanding of the operative anatomy, and proper patient preparation and setup are critical for the efficient and effective utilization of a robotic approach for colon resection

A feasible and automatic free tool for T1 and ECV mapping

Purpose: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a useful non-invasive tool for characterizing tissues and detecting myocardial fibrosis and edema. Estimation of extracellular volume fraction (ECV) using T1 sequences is emerging as an accurate biomarker in cardiac diseases associated with diffuse fibrosis. In this study, automatic software for T1 and ECV map generation consisting of an executable file was developed and validated using phantom and human data. Methods: T1 mapping was performed in phantoms and 30 subjects (22 patients and 8 healthy subjects) on a 1.5T MR scanner using the modified Look-Locker inversion-recovery (MOLLI) sequence prototype before and 15 min after contrast agent administration. T1 maps were generated using a Fast Nonlinear Least Squares algorithm. Myocardial ECV maps were generated using both pre- and post-contrast T1 image registration and automatic extraction of blood relaxation rates. Results: Using our software, pre- and post-contrast T1 maps were obtained in phantoms and healthy subjects resulting in a robust and reliable quantification as compared to reference software. Coregistration of pre- and post-contrast images improved the quality of ECV maps. Mean ECV value in healthy subjects was 24.5% ± 2.5%. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that it is possible to obtain accurate T1 maps and informative ECV maps using our software. Pixel-wise ECV maps obtained with this automatic software made it possible to visualize and evaluate the extent and severity of ECV alterations

Impact of heart rate on myocardial salvage in timely reperfused patients with STSegment elevation myocardial infarction. new insights from cardiovascular magnetic resonance

BACKGROUND: Previous studies evaluating the progression of the necrotic wave in relation to heart rate were carried out only in animal models of ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). Aim of the study was to investigate changes of myocardial salvage in relation to different heart rates at hospital admission in timely reperfused patients with STEMI by using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). METHODS: One hundred-eighty-seven patients with STEMI successfully and timely treated with primary coronary angioplasty underwent CMR five days after hospital admission. According to the heart rate at presentation, patients were subcategorized into 5 quintiles: <55 bpm (group I, n = 44), 55-64 bpm (group II, n = 35), 65-74 bpm (group III, n = 35), 75-84 bpm (group IV, n = 37), ≥85 bpm (group V, n = 36). Area at risk, infarct size, microvascular obstruction (MVO) and myocardium salvaged index (MSI) were assessed by CMR using standard sequences. RESULTS: Lower heart rates at presentation were associated with a bigger amount of myocardial salvage after reperfusion. MSI progressively decreased as the heart rates increased (0.54 group I, 0.46 group II, 0.38 group III, 0.34 group IV, 0.32 group V, p<0.001). Stepwise multivariable analysis showed heart rate, peak troponin and the presence of MVO were independent predictor of myocardial salvage. No changes related to heart rate were observed in relation to area at risk and infarct size. CONCLUSIONS: High heart rates registered before performing coronary angioplasty in timely reperfused patients with STEMI are associated with a reduction in salvaged myocardium. In particular, salvaged myocardium significantly reduced when heart rate at presentation is ≥85 bpm

Wavelet Menus: A Stacking Metaphor for Adapting Marking Menus to Mobile Devices

4 pagesInternational audienceExploration and navigation in multimedia data hierarchies (e.g., photos, music) are frequent tasks on mobile devices. However, visualization and interaction are impoverished due to the limited size of the screen and the lack of precise input devices. As a result, menus on mobile devices do not provide efficient navigation as compared to many innovative menu techniques proposed for Desktop platforms. In this paper, we present Wavelet, the adaptation of the Wave menu for the navigation in multimedia data on iPhone. Its layout, based on an inverted representation of the hierarchy, is particularly well adapted to mobile devices. Indeed, it guarantees that submenus are always displayed on the screen and it supports efficient navigation by providing previsualization of the submenus

Wavelet Menu : Adaptation des Marking Menus pour les Dispositifs Mobiles

National audienceL'exploration et la navigation dans les hiérarchies de données multimédia (photos, musiques, etc.) sont des tâches fréquentes sur dispositifs mobiles. Cependant, l'interaction peut s'en trouver dégradée du fait de la petite taille de l'écran et de l'absence de dispositifs d'entrée précis. Par conséquent, les techniques de menus innovantes conçues pour PC ne sont plus adaptées aux dispositifs mobiles pour naviguer efficacement. Dans cet article, nous présentons le Wavelet menu, l'adaptation du Wave menu pour la navigation dans des données multimédia sur iPhone. Grâce à une représentation inversée de la hiérarchie, il est particulièrement adapté aux dispositifs mobiles. En effet, il garantit que les sous-menus sont toujours affichés à l'écran et la prévisualisation des sous-menus permet une navigation efficace