Mapping Professional Development for Jewish Educators

Describes the desirable and necessary characteristics of effective professional development in Jewish education, the various opportunities and approaches available to Jewish educators, and possibilities for future expansion and improvement

African American women and HIV prevention

For many health conditions, non-Hispanic Blacks bear a disproportionate burden of disease, injury, death, and disability. The purpose of this study was to examine African American females and their HIV prevention methods, as well as to identify factors that may lead to the non-use of condoms. Seventy-one participants were recruited from Planned Parenthood in Detroit. The instrumentation used for this research was the Sexual Health and Beliefs Survey. Results indicated that 69 percent of the respondents had five or more sexual partners in the lifetime. Ninety-four percent of the participants knew where to purchase condoms, and 89 percent stated that they had access to condoms though during the last sexual encounter 68 percent stated they did not use a condom. These findings indicate that non-Hispanic Black women may need more knowledge on severity of HIV infection and that when condoms are not used they are more susceptible to the disease

Efficacy of pre-activity stretching

Pre-activity stretching is commonly performed by athletes as part of their warm-up routine. However, the most recent literature questions the effectiveness of pre-activity stretching. Some literature suggests that pre-activity stretching hinders athletic performance, while others suggest that stretching does not affect performance. Since a clear answer has not yet been determined on pre-activity stretching, this study was designed to investigate the acute effects of static vs. ballistic stretching on vertical jump performance, and torque and power output of the quadriceps and hamstrings, and to compare the effects of stretching between genders. The goal was to determine if pre-activity stretching is beneficial or detrimental to sports performance. The results of this study revealed that a practical duration of 90 seconds of stretching did not affect VJ or torque output of the quadriceps and hamstrings. The results of this study will allow strength coaches to properly advise their athletes on pre-activity stretching

Mapping Jewish Education: The National Picture

Based on interviews as well as a database of Jewish educational organizations, foundations, and programs, examines their accomplishments, challenges, future directions, and links within a Jewish educational system. Highlights the role of foundations

Co-existence of Antiphospholipid syndrome and Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia in a patient with Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a prothrombotic adverse drug reaction in which heparin forms complexes with platelet factor 4 forming neoantigens that are recognized by autoantibodies. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is similar to HIT in that it is mediated by autoantibodies that are also pro-thrombotic. We present a case of rare co-existence of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Introduction Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a prothrombotic adverse drug reaction in which heparin forms complexes with platelet factor 4 forming neoantigens that are recognized by autoantibodies (antiHPF4/HAPA). The Fc portions of the anti-HPF4 bind Fc receptors on platelets causing platelets activation, aggregation, release of α and dense granules and formation of procoagulants [1]. The hallmark of this is thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. HIT occurs in about 2% of all patients who receive heparin of whom about 35% develop thrombosis [2]. Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is similar to HIT in that it is mediated by autoantibodies that are also pro-thrombotic. Autoantibodies are generated to phospholipids or to phospholipid-binding proteins which are recognized risk-factors for thrombosis and pregnancy morbidity. Diagnosis of APS requires the elevation of at least one of the phospholipid autoantibodies and a clinical manifestation (Table 1). In this report we present a patient with recurrent venous thromboembolism despite been on full anticoagulation who was found to have concurrent HIT and APS

Handbook of Research on Advancing Teaching and Teacher Education in the Context of a Virtual Age

Nicole Fletcher (with Audrey Meador) is a contributing author, Preparing for an Effective Mathematics Teaching Practice Online: The Case for Virtual Number Talks, Chapter 10 pp. 203-228. The possibilities of the virtual age can provide many valuable resources and opportunities for teachers, preservice teachers, and teacher educators. However, in order to utilize these resources responsibly and productively, the researchers and practitioners of teaching and teacher education must better understand the new potentials and pitfalls related to teaching and learning that are present within the virtual age. The Handbook of Research on Advancing Teaching and Teacher Education in the Context of a Virtual Age focuses on the recent innovations in teaching and teacher educations as well as innovations in the curriculum and pedagogy of teacher education. It deepens discussions related to how teacher education can address educational possibilities within this digital age. Covering topics such as learning material adaptation, teacher talent pipelines, and metaverse, this major reference work is a comprehensive resource for administrators and educators of both K-12 and higher education, teacher educators, pre-service teachers, government officials, librarians, researchers, and academicians.https://digitalcommons.fairfield.edu/education-books/1072/thumbnail.jp

Investigating the potential impact of 1.5, 2 and 3 °C global warming levels on crop suitability and planting season over West Africa

West African rainfed agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate variability and change. Global warming is projected to result in higher regional warming and have a strong impact on agriculture. This study specifically examines the impact of global warming levels (GWLs) of 1.5°, 2° and 3 °C relative to 1971–2000 on crop suitability over West Africa. We used 10 Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase5 Global Climate Models (CMIP5 GCMs) downscaled by Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment (CORDEX) Rossby Centre’s regional Atmospheric model version 4, RCA4, to drive Ecocrop, a crop suitability model, for pearl millet, cassava, groundnut, cowpea, maize and plantain. The results show Ecocrop simulated crop suitability spatial representation with higher suitability, observed to the south of latitude 14°N and lower suitability to its north for 1971–2000 for all crops except for plantain (12°N). The model also simulates the best three planting months within the growing season from September-August over the past climate. Projected changes in crop suitability under the three GWLs 1.5–3.0 °C suggest a spatial suitability expansion for legume and cereal crops, notably in the central southern Sahel zone; root and tuber and plantain in the central Guinea-Savanna zone. In contrast, projected decreases in the crop suitability index value are predicted to the south of 14°N for cereals, root and tuber crops; nevertheless, the areas remain suitable for the crops. A delay of between 1-3 months is projected over the region during the planting month under the three GWLs for legumes, pearl millet and plantain. A two month delay in planting is projected in the south, notably over the Guinea and central Savanna zone with earlier planting of about three months in the Savanna-Sahel zones. The effect of GWL2.0 and GWL3.0 warming in comparison to GWL1.5 °C are more dramatic on cereals and root and tuber crops, especially cassava. All the projected changes in simulated crop suitability in response to climatic variables are statistically significant at 99% confidence level. There is also an increasing trend in the projected crop suitability change across the three warming except for cowpea. This study has implications for improving the resilience of crop production to climate changes, and more broadly, to food security in West Africa

Solving the Problem of Organ Donation Shortage

Organ donation, a medically perfected procedure, affords a second chance at life for many people. Unfortunately, organ transplantation demonstrates the stark reality of supply and demand. Thousands of individuals are added to the transplant list each day, but many more die during the same time frame waiting for new organs. The solution to this dilemma seems simple: increase the supply. This article will discuss several ways to achieve this goal. First, through the HIV Organ Policy Equity Act, which allows for HIV-positive-to-HIV-positive transplants, more transplantable organs will hopefully be available in the future. Second, the supply of organs may increase by changing the standards of organ donation from irreversible loss of brain function to irreversible loss of cardiac function. Third, educating individuals, especially minorities, about donation and the regionally based system for transplants may result in a larger number of matching donors and a greater number of potential recipients on multiple transplant lists. Finally, efforts such as payments and advertising for organs, giving priority transplants to registered donors, and even confronting the disparate number of elderly donors whose organs are never transplanted, may result in an increase in the organ supply