Implementation of Response to Intervention for English Language Learners

Response to Intervention is utilized to provide parents, teachers, and specialists with the data needed to implement and measure the effectiveness of evidence-based instructional and behavioral strategies matched to student needs. English Language Learners are in particular need of research-based instruction paired with progress monitoring as they seek to meet state standards in a new language. Parents, students, and school personnel all benefit from seeing Christ-like consideration for foreigners modeled through Response to Intervention

Ab initio Studies of Aluminium Halides

The catalytic fluorination of hydrocarbons facilitates the large-scale production of chlorofluorocarbons for a wide range of applications including aerosol propellants, refrigerants and solvents. Lewis acid catalysts, such as Swarts catalysts based on antimony pentafluoride, are commonly used. Recently, a sol-gel based synthesis method has been developed which yields very high surface area aluminium fluoride (HS-AlF3) that has a Lewis acidity comparable to that of the Swarts catalysts. This makes HS-AlF3 a promising candidate for use in several Lewis acid catalysed reactions. Despite the importance of the surface in the catalytic process little is known about the detailed atomic scale structure of AlF3 surfaces. Surface thermodynamics calculations, based on hybrid-exchange density functional theory, are employed to predict the composition and structure of AlF3 surfaces. The surfaces of AlF3 expose under coordinated Al ions that are potential Lewis acid sites. Under standard atmospheric conditions the AlF3 surfaces are shown to adsorb water above the under coordinated Al ions. Theoretical characterisation of the under coordinated Al ions shows that the most reactive type of site is not exposed on crystalline α-AlF3 samples, however, it is predicted to occur in small quantities on β crystallites. It is speculated that such sites occur in higher quantities on the high surface area materials. This result may explain the different reactivity of α-, β- and HS-AlF3. Our detailed understanding of AlF3 surfaces allows us to propose a reaction centre and mechanism for the dismutation of CCl2F2 on β-AlF3. Aluminium chloride is extensively used as a catalyst in Friedal-Crafts reactions. It is therefore, commonly assumed that pure crystalline AlCl3 is strongly Lewis acidic. Ab initio surface thermodynamics calculations are used to study the surfaces of crystalline AlCl3 and show that it is chemically inert

THE ROLE OF TRANSACTION COSTS IN MARKET SELECTION: MARKET SELECTION IN COMMERCIAL FEEDER CATTLE OPERATIONS

A survey of commercial feeder cattle operations in Utah revealed that explicit transaction costs such as transportation, shrink, and commissions can not fully explain how marketing alternatives are selected. Implicit transaction costs appear to play a critical role in the determination of market selection. For example, the level of trust between buyer and seller and the socio-economic characteristics of market participants are determinants of which marketing method will be used to sell feeder cattle.Livestock Production/Industries, Marketing,

MEASURING MARKET POWER WITH VARIABLES OTHER THAN PRICE

Beef packing has become an extremely concentrated industry, yet studies have found that little, if any market power exists. We propose and test alternative measures of behavior that may better describe how packers control purchases from feedlots, using confidential data collected by the USDA Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration.Marketing,

MARKET POWER IN BEEF PACKING: FEEDLOT "CAPTURE" AND ITS CAUSES

Concentration in the beef packing industry has been rising for the past 25 years. Many studies of market power in beef packing are based on the conjectural variations framework, which depends on accurate estimates of packer input and processing costs. We propose an alternative measure of packer behavior which does not rely on estimates of packer costs. We also suggest how this measure could be used to draw tentative conclusions regarding packer behavior.Agribusiness, Marketing,

Beef heifer growth and reproductive performance responses following two levels of fall stockpiled forage allocation

Recent research on heifer development systems has been conducted primarily in dry-lot settings and limited information exists comparing systems which utilize standing forage (Larson and Funston, 2011). Objectives of the research presented here include: 1) comparing heifer growth and reproductive performance in response to two levels of stockpiled fall forage allocation: daily herbage DM allocation of 3.5 (LO) or 7.0 (HI) % of BW; and 2) assessing the seasonal dynamics of forage quality, herbage mass, and botanical composition of naturalized pastures containing mixed cool-season species in response to two different fall stocking rates (HI vs LO). Treatments were replicated 3 times per year for 3 years (2009-2012). There was a significant treatment x year (P \u3c 0.01) and year x sampling period interaction (P \u3c 0.05) for herbage mass. In years 1 and 2, herbage mass declined steadily in both HI and LO treatments. From early in the fall grazing period to the middle of the period herbage mass declined 9.1% and 8.6% (year 1) and 10.4% and 7.0% (year 2) for LO and HI treatments, respectively. From the middle of the fall grazing period to late in the period, herbage mass declined 10.0% and 8.5% (year 1) and 9.7% and 8.9% (year 2) for LO and HI treatments, respectively. In year 3, however, herbage mass declined at a much faster rate than in years 1 and 2 from early in the fall period to the middle portion of the period (15.2% for both LO and HI treatments). This rapid decline in year 3 is most likely due to the high percentage of legumes present. There was no treatment effect, but there was a significant year effect (P = 0.05) for CP % during the fall grazing period. Mean CP % was 15.8% (year 1), 19.4% (year 2,) and 17.0% (year 3). Throughout the fall grazing period, CP declined in both treatments from 18.3% (early grazing) to 18.1 % (mid grazing) and 16.2% (late grazing) (P = 0.003). There was a significant year effect (P \u3c 0.001) and there tended to be a treatment effect (P = 0.06) for NDF. There was a significant year x sampling period interaction (P = 0.009) for IVTDMD and it declined throughout the fall grazing period, 81.9%, 79.4%, and 75.4% for early, middle, and late portions of the grazing period. Nutritive content of the pastures was adequate to meet the requirements of beef heifers. Heifers in the LO group gained 0.12 kg/d whereas heifers in the HI group gained 0.40 kg/d during the fall grazing period (P \u3c 0.0001). Fall ADG was affected by NDF content of the pasture; for each 1 percentage unit increase in NDF, fall ADG decreased 0.14 kg (P \u3c 0.05). During winter feeding, ADG was 0.30 kg/d and 0.39 kg/d for LO vs HI heifers, respectively (P \u3c 0.001). During the spring grazing period, LO heifers had numerically higher ADG than HI heifers (1.38 vs. 1.30 kg/d; P = 0.64). Hip height (122.7 vs. 121.4 cm; P \u3c 0.01), BCS (5.8 vs 5.6; P \u3c 0.01), and BW (356 vs. 335 kg; P \u3c 0.0001) at the end of spring grazing was higher for HI heifers than LO heifers. Heifers in the LO group compensated with greater summer ADG than heifers in the HI group (0.74 vs. 0.66 kg/d; P \u3c 0.05). Total ADG from treatment initiation (November) through pregnancy diagnosis (August) was higher for HI heifers than LO heifers (0.61 vs. 0.55 kg/d; P \u3c 0.001) as was BW at pregnancy diagnosis (415 vs. 402 kg; P \u3c 0.01). Percentage of heifers reaching puberty by the time of AI was 34% for both groups (P = 0.93). Percentage of heifers becoming pregnant to AI tended (P = 0.13) to be higher for HI heifers (44%) than for LO heifers (32%). Fall ADG across treatment groups affected the probability of a heifer becoming pregnant by AI (P \u3c 0.05). The probability of a heifer becoming pregnant by AI with ADG in the fall of 0 kg, 0.5 kg, and 1.0 kg is 29%, 46%, and 64%, respectively. Percentage pregnant to the bull (61% for LO vs. 59% for HI; P = 0.80) and final pregnancy rate (74% for LO vs. 77% for HI; P = 0.61) was similar for the two groups. We interpret these results to indicate that: 1) mixed cool-season naturalized pastures can be effectively stockpiled for fall and winter grazing; and 2) delaying the majority of weight gain until late in heifer development can decrease costs of winter feeding and potentially result in adequate overall pregnancy rates

An examination of the relationships between ego development, Dabrowski\u27s theory of positive disintegration, and the behavioral characteristics of gifted adolescents

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between ego development, Dabrowski\u27s theory of positive disintegration (TPD), and the social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics of gifted adolescents. Literature exploring the experiences of gifted individuals has often focused on asynchronous development, particularly during childhood and adolescence. Also discussed in the literature concerning gifted students are the unique social, emotional, and behavioral characteristics innate to the gifted population. However, there is still an unclear picture concerning the implications of this work as related to the specific counseling needs of gifted students, and little empirical support is provided. This study seeks to build, through a developmental lens, a more comprehensive base from which to conceptualize counseling and teaching approaches with gifted students. One hundred students at Governor\u27s Schools in central and eastern Virginia were contacted for participation in this study. A valid sample of 70 students, well distributed across grade and gender, was obtained. The findings indicated that the ego levels of gifted students, as measured by the Washington University Sentence Completion Test (WUSCT), were slightly higher than those of typical adolescents. Empirical evidence of the level of development related to Dabrowski\u27s TPD for gifted adolescents was provided, with the majority of respondents (70%) falling within Dabrowski\u27s Level II - Unilevel Disintegration, stage. Results also indicated that gifted students at Governor\u27s Schools were relatively well adjusted, as measured by the Clinical Assessment of Behavior (CAB), and that the behaviors exhibited by gifted adolescents were normally distributed. While a slight positive correlation was found between ego development and level of development as related to Dabrowski\u27s TPD, significance was not achieved. Relationships between ego development and degree of internalizing and externalizing behaviors exhibited were dependent upon a number of different factors, including gender and school attending. The study results are interpreted as indicating that while ego development and Dabrowski\u27s TPD may share similarities, they are different constructs and further investigation is needed to best utilize these theories in designing appropriate and effective counseling and teaching intervention strategies for working with gifted adolescents. Limitations of the study and suggestions for future research are presented

A genomic and quantitative evaluation of modern Charolais sired calves versus multigenerational Angus sired calves for growth and carcass quality and compostion traits

The objective of this study is to evaluate the association of single nucleotide polymorphisms with growth, performance, and carcass quality and composition characteristics in a population of cattle consisting of multigenerational Angus sired calves and modern characteristic Charolais sired calves. A total of 132 calves were evaluated. Due to a limited sample population statistical difference was set at p ˂ 0.05 and statistical trends were set at p ˂ 0.1. Mean birth weights were significantly higher for Charolais sired calves as compared to Angus sired calves. Significant differences were observed between the two breed types for mean weaning weights with Angus sired calves having heavier weaning weights as compared to Charolais sired calves. Charolais sired animals had significantly larger rib eye areas as compared to the Angus sired animals. A significant difference was observed between the two groups for back fat thickness with the Angus sired animals having a larger amount than the Charolais sired animals. Angus sired animals had significantly higher marbling scores as compared to the Charolais sired animals. Eleven SNP on CAPN3 and two SNP on CAST were found to be associated with at least one of the traits observed. Two of these SNP were significantly associated with weaning weight. Three of these SNP were significantly associated with hip height. One SNP was significantly associated with average daily gain. Three of these SNP were significantly associated with hot carcass weight. One of the SNP was significantly associated with marbling score. One was significantly associated with rib eye area and two of these SNP were significantly associated with back fat thickness

Perceived Transformational Teacher Leadership and Students’ Motivation, Academic Performance, and Intent to Persist in STEM Education at a Community College

The transformational teacher leadership style has been identified as having a positive impact on student motivation, academic performance, and persistence. This study served to determine if there is a relationship between perceived transformational teacher leadership and student motivation, academic performance, and STEM persistence intentions for students in transferable general education biological science courses offered at community colleges. This quantitative research study was conducted in two phases at one campus of a large, multi-campus community college in a major urban area in a Mid-Atlantic state. In the initial phase, the researcher administered the survey to students who volunteered to participate in the study. The students who participated were enrolled in a transferable general education biological science course at the study location during the final four weeks of the semester. In the first phase, a survey containing 34 statements from the MLQ 5X-short, the MSLQ, and demographic information was administered to 178 students enrolled in transferable general education biological science courses. In the second phase, data on the student’s final numerical course grade was collected from the instructor. A regression analysis was conducted to determine if such a relationship exists. The study did not find a statistical relationship between perceived transformational teacher leadership and academic success or intent to persist in STEM coursework. The study, however, did find a relationship between perceived transformational teacher leadership and student motivation. This study has provided additional insight as to what factors influence students in a biological community college classroom. While this study may not be generalizable to all academic subjects or student populations, it does serve to offer researchers additional knowledge in an effort to further support and retain students in higher education settings

Meeting the Needs of Rural Caregivers: The Development and Evaluation of an Alzheimer\u27s Caregiving Series

Caregiving for a chronically ill person is challenging. On a daily basis, managing chronic illness requires balancing illness needs with day-to-day tasks. Informal caregivers such as friends and family members often disregard their own health needs, focusing on the loved one for whom they are caring. Additionally, caregivers generally begin caregiving without any information or training. To meet the needs of caregivers of Alzheimer\u27s patients, Family and Consumer Science specialists developed a 5-week caregiving series. Evaluation data found that the caregivers gained more knowledge about caregiving and felt more comfortable in their caregiving roles after participating in the series