Practices in applied phonics for grade one.

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Neuroprotective Effects of Cardiorespiratory Fitness on White Matter Integrity and Cognition Across the Adult Lifespan

Objective: Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is associated with decreased risk for cognitive decline. Accumulating evidence has linked CRF to more conserved white matter (WM) integrity and better cognitive performance in older adults. Additional research is needed to determine: (1) which WM tracts are most strongly related to CRF, (2) whether CRF-related benefits on WM translate to enhanced executive functioning (EF), and (3) if the neuroprotective effects of CRF are age-dependent. This study aimed to evaluate CRF as an intervention for modulating decreased WM integrity and EF in aging. Method: Participants were community-dwelling adults (N = 499; ages 20-85) from the open-access Nathan Kline Institute – Rockland Sample (NKIRS) with CRF (bike test), self-report of physical activity, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), and EF data. Mixed-effect modeling tested the interaction between CRF and age on WM integrity (global and local microstructure). Significant WM tracts were retained for structural equation modeling to determine whether enhanced microstructure mediated a positive relationship between CRF and EF. Results: Among older participants (age 60), CRF was significantly related to stronger whole-brain (z-score slope = 0.11) and local WM integrity within five tracts (z-score slope range = 0.14 – 0.20). In support of the age-dependent hypothesis, the CRF–WM relationship was comparably weaker (z-score slopes 0.11) and more limited (one WM tract) in younger adults. CRF was more consistently related to WM than self-report of physical activity. Although CRF was linked to enhanced WM integrity, its potential benefits on EF were not directly observed. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of positive lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, in maintaining brain health in senescence. CRF may selectively preserve a collection of anterior and posterior WM connections related to visuomotor function

Archeological Survey Of Two Miles Associated With The Proposed Extension Of McCart Avenue And McPherson Road, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas

In May of 2017, AmaTerra Environmental, Inc. (AmaTerra) conducted an intensive archeological survey in advance of the proposed extension of McCart Avenue and McPherson Road, in southern Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. The total project length is approximately two miles, or about 69 acres in size, within new Right-of-Way to be acquired by the City of Fort Worth. AmaTerra conducted the archeological survey under Texas Antiquities Permit No. 8027. Archeological investigations consisted of a thorough pedestrian survey and the excavation of 45 shovel tests throughout the Area of Potential Effects (APE) where access was available. Field archeologists observed multiple landscape modifications primarily associated with transportation and urban development. No new archeological sites were identified during field investigations. However, investigators did record a historic-age farmstead at 9455 West Cleburne Road characterized by nine historic-age buildings or structures. Ultimately, the farmstead was recommended as not eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places or as a State Antiquities Landmark. Based on the results of this survey, no additional archeological investigations within the proposed APE are warranted at this time. No artifacts or features were observed during the survey. All records, project notes, and photographs will be curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University-San Marcos

Internet of Texas Water Data: Use Cases for Flood, Drought, and Surface Water –Groundwater Interaction

Texas’ public and private companies, organizations, and agencies have collected water data for different purposes and at different scales for many years. These data are scattered across multiple platforms with different standards, often making important data sets inaccessible or incompatible. This leaves Texas’ decision makers, industries, landowners, and communities with significant amounts of data of limited use to support real-time decision making, development of opportunities for water security, or for modeling an accurate picture of Texas’ water future. On April 17, 2018, the Connecting Texas Water Data Workshop brought together experts representative of Texas’ water sectors to engage in the identification of critical water data needs and discuss the design of a data system that facilitates access to and use of public water data in Texas. Workshop participants described desires for future water data management and access, and key attributes of a comprehensive, open access, public water data information system.https://digitalcommons.tamusa.edu/water_books/1000/thumbnail.jp

Ectopic Sequestered Thyroid Tissue: An Unusual Cause of a Mediastinal Mass

An 80-year-old female presented with an incidental finding of a retrosternal mass on magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasound demonstrated a mediastinal lesion adjacent to but separate from the inferior pole of the right thyroid lobe. Fine needle aspiration cytology demonstrated colloid and follicular cells. At surgery, the right thyroid lobe was found to be normal. A discrete 5 cm nodule was found in the anterior mediastinum separate from the thyroid and just anterior and to the right of the trachea and thymus. The nodule had a vascular pedicle arising from the mediastinum. The differential diagnosis included metastatic thyroid carcinoma. Histology was consistent with a benign ectopic sequestered thyroid nodule. Extensive investigations demonstrated no sign of a thyroid malignancy