A Matter of Time: English Language Learners and the RTI Process

The Response to Intervention (RTI) process is being used to assist all students, including English Language Learners (ELLs), who are experiencing academic difficulties and potentially qualifying for special education services. This article discusses suggestions for improving the RTI process by incorporating congruent time frames within the model and aligning it with timing necessary for language acquisition in ELLs. In addition, practical recommendations for expanding the expertise of current and future educators are presented to assist in providing effective services to ELLs students in the RTI process

The Change was as Big as Night and Day : Experiences of Professors Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Since the inception of the Higher Education Opportunity Act in 2008, there has been an increase in the number of post-secondary education institutions in the United States that have established inclusive postsecondary programs for individuals with intellectual disabilities to attend college and achieve higher levels of employment. Previous studies have investigated the development and outcomes of these programs, however, less has been explored related to professors\u27 experiences and perceptions regarding this unique student population, particularly within Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI). The current study focused on professors teaching inclusive courses within a new Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Program at a HSI and aimed to identify their perceptions and experiences related to instructing students with intellectual disabilities. Six professors participated in pre- and post-semester in-depth interviews. Findings from applied thematic analysis included: (a) barriers to success; (b) academic supports and strategies; (c) successful outcomes and (d) considerations for future, related programming

Predicción estacional de las temperaturas máximas y mínimas en América Central

Artículo científico -- Universidad de Costa Rica. Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas, 2014Se utilizaron las técnicas estadísticas del análisis de tablas de contingencia y el análisis de correlación canónica para elaborar esquemas predictivos de los campos utilizando el análisis de componentes principales a partir de los registros de 146 estaciones con datos diarios, en los cuales se obtuvo un índice para temperatura máxima y otro para la mínima. Además, se obtuvieron sendos índices para pronosticar los campos de las temperaturas máximas y mínimas. Debido a que uno de los objetivos del estudio es el de apoyar el proceso de los Foros Regionales de Predicción Climática, los esquemas predictivos utilizaron los trimestres de Mayo-Junio-Julio, Agosto-Setiembre-Octubre y el cuatrimestre de Diciembre-Enero-Febrero-Marzo como periodos a predecir de los predictantes, es decir, de las temperaturas máximas y mínimas. Como predictores se utilizaron diferentes índices asociados con fuentes de variabilidad climática, que influencian los patrones climáticos de América central, como Niño 3 y NAO, esto para el bimestre anterior y transanterior al del predictante, también se formaron nuevos índices a partir de la combinación lineal de varios de ellos. Se encontraron esquemas predictivos útiles para todas las relaciones señaladas anteriormente y se observó que gran parte de la variabilidad multidecadal como el de la Oscilación Multidecadal del Atlántico (AMO, por sus siglas en inglés).The statistical technique of contingency table analysis and canonical correlation analysis were used to produce predictive schemes associated with maximum and minimum temperatures in Central America. As a first step, principal component analysis was used to produce indices using 146 daily station records. One index was obtained for both, maximum and minimum temperatures. Keeping in mind that one of the work objectives is to support the Regional Climate Outlook Forum process, the predictive schemes used the trimesters of May-June-July, August-September-October and the four month period of December-January-February-March as targets for predictions of maximum and minimum temperatures. Different climate indices like Niño 3 and NAO were used as predictors, associated with several climate variability sources that influence the climate patterns in Central America, using one or two bimester previous to the predicted season. Linear combination of climate indices was also to create new ones. Useful predictive schemes were found for practically all the relationships mentioned previously, noticing that most of the Atlantic (AMO, mainly, e.g. multidecadal variability) indices.Universidad de Costa Rica. Escuela de Física. Centro de Investigaciones GeofísicasVicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad de Costa Rica: 805-B0-402 (apoyo de CORBANA)Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad de Costa Rica: 805-A9-224 (Fondo de Estímulo)Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad de Costa Rica: 805-B3-600 (Fondo de Estímulo)Vicerrectoría de Investigación, Universidad de Costa Rica: 805-A7-002 (Apoyo CRN 2050-IAI)UCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas (CIGEFI

Uso de herramientas estadísticas para la predicción estacional del campo de precipitación en América Central como apoyo a los Foros Climáticos Regionales. 2: Análisis de Correlación Canónica.

Artículo científico -- Universidad de Costa Rica. Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas, 2012Se elaboró un pronóstico climático estacional en América Central basado en el Análisis de Correlación Canónica (ACC). Como predictores se usaron las temperaturas superficiales del mar de los océanos circundantes al istmo y como predictante el campo de precipitación, de 146 estaciones meteorológicas en Mesoamérica con registros mensuales para el período 1971-2000. El área oceánica asociada en el campo de la temperatura superficial del mar fue 60 N- 60 S y 270-0 O. En general, para cada uno de los períodos sobre los cuales se realizaron los pronósticos, se utilizaron las temperaturas superficiales del mar del trimestre anterior. El ACC, mostró los mejores resultados para el trimestre de ASO, trimestre de máxima precipitación anual en la vertiente del Pacífico. Algunos de los modos identificados en el análisis presentaron patrones espaciales asociados a fuentes de variabilidad conocidas como el ENOS, por lo que el ACC aparte de ser una herramienta útil para realizar pronósticos estacionales, también resultó útil para explicar predictores y asociaciones con otros índices climáticos. Los resultados de este trabajo mostraron que la introducción del ACC puede ayudar a los pronósticos estacionales de la región centroamericana, realizados en los foros de predicción climática de América Central, con análisis objetivos sobre las relaciones predictivas encontradas en el istmo.A seasonal climate prediction was elaborated for Central America based on Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA). Sea surface temperatures from the oceans around the isthmus were used as predictors. Precipitation was used as predictand field, using 146 meteorological stations located in Mesoamerica with monthly records from 1971 to 2000. The sea surface temperature area used was 60 N-60 S and 270-0 W. In general, the sea surface temperature associated with previous trimester was used for every predicted season. The CCA showed the best precipitation results for ASO, which is the trimester associated with the season of maximum precipitation over the Central American Pacific slope. Some of the modes identified in the analysis display spatial patterns associated with known climate variability sources as ENSO, meaning that CCA is useful for seasonal prediction in Central America and for predictor patterns explanation and possible climate indices associated. Results showed that CCA use in Central America can also help in the Regional Climate Outlook Forum tasks, providing objective analysis for the predictive relationships found in the region.Servicios Meteorológicos e Hidrológicos de América CentralUniversidad de Costa Rica. Instituto de Investigaciones GeofísicasUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas (CIGEFI

Uso de herramientas estadísticas para la predicción estacional del campo de precipitación en América Central como apoyo a los Foros Climáticos Regionales. 1: Análisis de tablas de contingencia.

Artículo científico -- Universidad de Costa Rica. Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas, 2012Se utilizó la técnica estadística del análisis de tablas de contingencia para elaborar esquemas predictivos de los campos de precipitación en América Central. Como primer paso, se produjeron índices de estos campos utilizando el análisis de componentes principales a partir de los registros de 146 estaciones con datos diarios. Se obtuvieron dos componentes principales para la precipitación, asociados con las vertientes Pacífico y Caribe de América Central. Debido a que uno de los objetivos de este estudio era el de apoyar al proceso de los Foros Regionales de Predicción Climática, los esquemas predictivos utilizaron los trimestres de Mayo-Junio-Julio, Agosto-Setiembre-Octubre y el cuatrimestre de Diciembre-Enero-Febrero-Marzo como periodos a predecir de la precipitación. Como predictores se utilizaron diferentes índices asociados con fuentes de variabilidad climática que influencian los patrones climáticos de América Central, usando uno o dos bimestres anteriores a la estación predicha. Se encontraron esquemas predictivos útiles para prácticamente todas las relaciones señaladas anteriormente y se observó que gran parte de la variabilidad de América Central se puede explicar con los índices asociados a El Niño (La Niña) (variabilidad interanual) y del Atlántico (AMO, principalmente, variabilidad multidecadal).The statistical technique of contingency table analysis was used to produce predictive schemes associated with rainfall in Central America. As a first step, principal component analysis was used to produce indices using 146 daily station records. Two rainfall components were obtained associated with Central America Pacific and Caribbean slopes. Keeping in mind that one of the work objectives is to support the Regional Climate Outlook Forums process, the predictive schemes used the trimesters of May-June-July, August- September-October and the four month period of December-January-February-March as targets for predictions in rainfall. Different climate indices were used as predictors, associated with several climate variability sources that influence the climate patterns in Central America, using one or two bimester previous to the predicted season. Useful predictive schemes were found for practically all the relationships mentioned previously, noticing that most of the Central America climate variability could be explained by the El Niño (La Niña) (e.g. interanual variability) and the Atlantic (AMO, mainly, e.g. multidecadal variability) indices.Servicios Meteorológicos e Hidrológicos de América CentralUniversidad de Costa Rica, Vicerrectoría de Investigación 805-B0-402 (apoyo de CORBANA)Universidad de Costa Rica, Vicerrectoría de Investigación 805-A8-606 (apoyo de Florida Ice & Farm CO.)Universidad de Costa Rica, Vicerrectoría de Investigación 805-A9-532 (apoyo de ASDI-CSUCA)Universidad de Costa Rica, Vicerrectoría de Investigación 805-A7-002 (apoyo de CRN2050-IAI)Universidad de Costa Rica, Escuela de FísicaUCR::Vicerrectoría de Investigación::Unidades de Investigación::Ciencias Básicas::Centro de Investigaciones Geofísicas (CIGEFI

The Very Short Period M Dwarf Binary SDSS J001641-000925

We present follow-up observations and analysis of the recently discovered short period low-mass eclipsing binary, SDSS J001641-000925. With an orbital period of 0.19856 days, this system has one of the shortest known periods for an M dwarf binary system. Medium-resolution spectroscopy and multi-band photometry for the system are presented. Markov chain Monte Carlo modeling of the light curves and radial velocities yields estimated masses for the stars of M1 = 0.54 +/- 0.07 Msun and M2 = 0.34 +/- 0.04 Msun, and radii of R1 = 0.68 +/- 0.03 Rsun and R2 = 0.58 +/- 0.03 Rsun respectively. This solution places both components above the critical Roche overfill limit, providing strong evidence that SDSS J001641-000925 is the first verified M-dwarf contact binary system. Within the follow-up spectroscopy we find signatures of non-solid body rotation velocities, which we interpret as evidence for mass transfer or loss within the system. In addition, our photometry samples the system over 9 years, and we find strong evidence for period decay at the rate of dP/dt ~8 s/yr. Both of these signatures raise the intriguing possibility that the system is in over-contact, and actively losing angular momentum, likely through mass loss. This places SDSS J001641-000925 as not just the first M-dwarf over-contact binary, but one of the few systems of any spectral type known to be actively undergoing coalescence. Further study SDSS J001641-000925 is on-going to verify the nature of the system, which may prove to be a unique astrophysical laboratory.Comment: 11 figures, ApJ Accepte

Microglial Hemoxygenase-1 Deletion Reduces Inflammation in the Retina of Old Mice with Tauopathy

Tauopathies such as Alzheimer’s disease are characterized by the accumulation of neurotoxic aggregates of tau protein. With aging and, especially, in Alzheimer’s patients, the inducible enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) progressively increases in microglia, causing iron accumulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. The retina is an organ that can be readily accessed and can reflect changes that occur in the brain. In this context, we evaluated how the lack of microglial HO-1, using mice that do not express HO-1 in microglia (HMO-KO), impacts retinal macro and microgliosis of aged subjects (18 months old mice) subjected to tauopathy by intrahippocampal delivery of AAV-hTauP301L (TAU). Our results show that although tauopathy, measured as anti-TAUY9 and anti-AT8 positive immunostaining, was not observed in the retina of WT-TAU or HMO-KO+TAU mice, a morphometric study of retinal microglia and macroglia showed significant retinal changes in the TAU group compared to the WT group, such as: (i) increased number of activated microglia, (ii) retraction of microglial processes, (iii) increased number of CD68+ microglia, and (iv) increased retinal area occupied by GFAP (AROA) and C3 (AROC3). This retinal inflammatory profile was reduced in HMO-KO+TAU mice. Conclusion: Reduction of microglial HO-1 could be beneficial to prevent tauopathy-induced neuroinflammation.Depto. de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORLUnidad Docente de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORLFac. de MedicinaFac. de Óptica y OptometríaTRUEMinisterio de Ciencia e Innovación de EspañaMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades de EspañaUniversidad Complutense de Madridpu

Artificial Modifications of the Coast In Response to the \u3ci\u3eDeepwater Horizon\u3c/i\u3e Oil Spill: Quick Solutions or Long-Term Liabilities?

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill threatened many coastal ecosystems in the Gulf of Mexico during the spring and summer of 2010. Mitigation strategies included the construction of barrier sand berms, the restriction or blocking of inlets, and the diversion of freshwater from rivers to the coastal marshes and into the ocean, in order to flush away the oil, on the premise that these measures could reduce the quantity of oil reaching sensitive coastal environments such as wetlands or estuaries. These projects result in changes to the ecosystems that they were intended to protect. Long-term effects include alterations of the hydrological and ecological characteristics of estuaries, changes in sediment transport along the coastal barrier islands, the loss of sand resources, and adverse impacts to benthic and pelagic organisms. Although there are no easy solutions for minimizing the impacts of the Deepwater Horizon disaster on coastal ecosystems, we recommend that federal, state, and local agencies return to the strategic use of long-term restoration plans for this region

Du Mésolithique au Néolithique en Méditerranée occidentale: l’impact africain - MeNeMOIA

[EN] Between the 8th and 5th millennia BC, the human societies of the Western Mediterranean underwent several major changes. The first occurred during the 7th millennium with the appearance of the ‘Second Mesolithic’. It can be seen mainly in the material productions of these populations, in particular their stone tool industries, by a fundamental change in production, operating sequences and technical procedures. Deeper changes in the social organization of these societies are also perceptible, in particular through changes in rites and funeral practices. The precise origin of these changes escapes us at present, but they seem to occur initially in North Africa before spreading rapidly along the Mediterranean shores and reaching Western Europe. A second major upheaval took place a few centuries later, with the appearance of the Neolithic. In this extensive process, the southern shores of the Mediterranean should not be ignored. Recent data suggest that, during the 6th millennium before our era, human communities practicing hunting and gathering and having acquired ceramic technology, occupied parts of the Maghreb. Interactions with spheres of the Impresso / Cardial complex occurred in southern Italy and, at the other end, southern Spain. This seems to be indicated by some traits of the technical systems of the first Neolithic communities of Andalusia. These hypotheses should now be tested by close examination of timelines and technical systems which if confirmed may offer a possible alternative to the strictly European scenarios. The international program of research, MeNeMOIA, financed for 2016 and 2017, will attempt to estimate the importance of a North African impact on European societies of recent prehistory (Second Mesolithic, Early Neolithic), a scenario breaking with the traditional scenario which, since decolonization, has recognized in Europe only movements of east-west diffusion and completely ignored any that might indicate movement from the south northward (or from the north southward) on both shores of the western Mediterranean.[FR] Entre les viiie et ve millénaires avant notre ère, les sociétés humaines du Bassin occidental de la Méditerranée connaissent plusieurs évolutions majeures. La première d’entre elles se déroule durant le viie millénaire avec l’apparition du «Second Mésolithique». Elle se matérialise principalement dans les productions matérielles de ces populations, et notamment dans leurs industries lithiques par un bouleversement des modes de production, des séquences opératoires et des gestes techniques. Des évolutions plus profondes, dans l’organisation sociale même de ces sociétés, sont également sensibles, notamment au travers de l’évolution des rites et pratiques funéraires. L’origine précise de ces évolutions nous échappe encore actuellement, mais elles semblent se produire initialement en Afrique du Nord avant de diffuser ensuite le long des rivages méditerranéens de manière rapide, et gagner ensuite l’ensemble de l’Europe occidentale. Un second bouleversement majeur se déroule quelques siècles après le précédent, avec l’apparition du Néolithique. Dans ce vaste processus, les rives sud de la Méditerranée ne doivent pas être ignorées. De récentes données suggèrent en effet que, durant le vie millénaire avant notre ère, des communautés humaines pratiquant chasse et cueillette et ayant acquis la technologie céramique occupaient certaines parties du Maghreb. Des interactions avec les sphères du complexe Impresso / Cardial ont ainsi pu voir le jour dans le Sud italien et, à l’autre extrémité, dans le sud de l’Espagne. C’est d’ailleurs ce que semblent montrer certains caractères des systèmes techniques des premières communautés néolithiques d’Andalousie. Ces hypothèses qu’il faut désormais confirmer par la confrontation étroite des chronologies et des systèmes techniques offrent donc une alternative possible aux scénarios classiques strictement européens. Le programme international de recherche MeNeMOIA, financé par l’IDEX toulousain pour 2016 et 2017, va donc s’attacher à évaluer l’importance des impacts nord-africains sur les sociétés européennes de la Préhistoire récente (Second Mésolithique, Néolithique ancien), scénario rompant avec les schémas traditionnels qui, depuis la décolonisation, se cantonnent à ne reconnaitre en Europe que des mouvements de diffusion est-ouest et ignorent complètement ceux allant du sud vers le nord (ou du nord vers le sud) de part et d’autre du Bassin occidental de la Méditerranée.Peer Reviewe