Best Practices: To Supporting and Including SLIFE, Preliterate, Pashtu Students in Secondary, Western, Schools

The research question addressed in this capstone project was: what are the best practices for supporting and including SLIFE (Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education), preliterate, Pashtun students in secondary, Western, schools? Topics explored in this literacy review were the challenges of SLIFE students, literacy development, multiculturalism and Pashtu culture. This paper and three part professional development series discusses methods for all secondary teachers to include and support SLIFE, preliterate, Pashtu students in Western schools. This professional development utilizes the research of Aguilar (2013). Aguilar’s (2013) work in adult education assisted in the creation of this professional development series. Within the professional development series, teachers will be intentionally grouped by subjects taught and together will participate in discussions. Educators will participate in a discussion surrounding cultural differences that are important to acknowledge to understand and connect with Pashtu students. Educators will also create literacy development activities that can be implemented within the classroom to support the inclusion of SLIFE, preliterate, Pashtu students in the classroom. Finally, educators will be able to learn the benefits and strategies to incorporate multiculturalism into their classrooms. Included within the project paper is the literature review of research, the professional development presentation with all materials and an interview with two Pashtu educators

Damselfish and their Effect on the Biodiversity of Algal Species: A Continuation of Research in the Galápagos Islands

Algal diversity is important in the Galápagos Islands’ littoral ecosystems because it is part of the photosynthetic role in the food web. Male damselfish (Stegastes sps.) may play a key role in the maintenance of algal diversity due to their territorial behavior; they actively clean territories and thereby, open up niches for algal growth. We investigated the damselfish role in algal coverage and diversity and predicted that there will be greater mean coverage and number of species within territories. Results from this study will contribute to the knowledge base concerning natural diversity maintenance. Data collection occurred during low tide between 20 and 26 July, 2015 at two beaches on Isla San Cristόbal. Using 50cm x 50cm PVC quadrants, we compared algal coverage and species diversity on damselfish territories and on randomly selected areas (“non-territories”) within 7 meters of the focal territory (N = 50 for each category at each beach). Using a chi-square goodness of fit analysis protocol, we found a significant difference between the mean number of algal species within a territory as compared to non-territories at both beaches (Playa Mann: 2.5 vs. 2.0, respectively and La Loberίa: 3.0 and 2.5, respectively). At La Loberίa, there was significantly less algal coverage in non-territories (P \u3c 0.001). There was no difference in mean algal coverage at Playa Mann (P = 0.94). Reduced algal coverage within non-territories at La Loberίa may be a function of a generally shallower area and high snorkeling activities. Lower algal coverage may be explained by daily abrasion of the bottom by the public. In terms of mean algal diversity, results are in agreement with our prediction and damselfish appear to play an important role in the maintenance of higher algal diversity. This research provides valuable insight into the biodiversity of algal species in marine ecosystems, as well as further supports the importance of Damselfish in regards to upkeep of these marine ecosystems

In Silico Prediction of Organ Level Toxicity: Linking Chemistry to Adverse Effects

In silico methods to predict toxicity include the use of (Quantitative) Structure-Activity Relationships ((Q)SARs as well as grouping (category formation) allowing for read-across. A challenging area for in silico modelling is the prediction of chronic toxicity and the No Observed (Adverse) Effect Level (NO(A)EL) in particular. A proposed solution to the prediction of chronic toxicity is to consider organ level effects, as opposed to modelling the NO(A)EL itself. This study has focussed on the use of structural alerts to identify potential liver toxicants. In silico profilers, or groups of structural alerts, were developed based on mechanisms of action and informed by current knowledge of Adverse Outcome Pathways. These profilers are robust and can be coded computationally to allow for prediction. However, they do not cover all mechanisms or modes of liver toxicity and recommendations for the improvement of these approaches are given

Predictors of New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation in Geriatric Trauma Patients

Geriatric patients (age \u3e65) comprise a growing segment of the trauma population. New-onset atrial fibrillation may occur after injury, complicating clinical management and resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. This study was undertaken to identify clinical and demographic factors associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation among geriatric trauma patients . Methods: In this case control study, eligible participants included admitted trauma patients age 65 and older who developed new-onset atrial fibrillation during the hospitalization. Controls were admitted trauma patients who were matched for age and injury severity score, who did not develop atrial fibrillation. We evaluated the associations between new-onset atrial fibrillation and clinical characteristics, including patient demographics, health behaviors, chronic medical conditions, and course of care. Results: Data were available for 63 cases and 25 controls. Patients who developed atrial fibrillation were more likely to be male, compared to controls (49% versus 24%; odds ratio 3.0[1.0, 8.9]). Other demographic and clinical factors were not associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation, including mechanism of injury, co-morbid medical conditions, drug or alcohol use, surgical procedures, and intravenous fluid administration. Conclusions: Male geriatric trauma patients were at higher risk for developing new-onset atrial fibrillation. Other demographic and clinical factors were not associated with new-onset atrial fibrillation. Competing Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest

Renewing Ranobe for Tomorrow: An Integrated Approach to Sustainable Development in Madagascar

The Spiny Forest in southwest Madagascar is home to a 90% endemic array of species and the village of Ranobe. Climate change and deforestation through charcoal production, agricultural use, and development, have degraded 43% of land cover in the last decade. This project collaborated with Ho Avy, a local nonprofit, to design a sustainable development plan for the community. The plan is based on five key perspectives: 1) land use/land cover change management, 2) energy potential, 3) water and health, 4) food security, and 5) economic growth. The plan recommends increased education, shifting incentives, and investment in renewable technologies to be implemented in Ranobe to improve the health of the region’s population and unique environment.Master of ScienceNatural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/83529/1/RenewingRanobeforTomorrow_SNRE_20110419.pd

The direct electrochemistry of ferritin compared with the direct electrochemistry of nanoparticulate hydrous ferric oxide

Horse spleen ferritin is a naturally occurring iron storage protein, consisting of a protein shell encapsulating a hydrous ferric oxide core about 8 nm in diameter. It is known from prior work that the protein can be adsorbed onto the surface of tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) electrodes, where it undergoes voltammetric reduction at about –0.6 V vs Ag/AgCl. This is accompanied by dissolution of Fe(II) through channels in the protein shell. In the present work, it is demonstrated that a pre-wave at about –0.4 V vs Ag/AgCl is due to the reduction of FePO4 also present inside the protein shell. In order to prove that the pre-wave was due to the reduction of FePO4, it was first necessary to prepare 8 nm diameter hydrous ferric oxide nanoparticles without protein shells, adsorb them onto ITO electrodes, and then study their electrochemistry. Having achieved that, it was then necessary to establish that their behaviour was analogous to that of ferritin. This was achieved in several ways, but principally by noting that the same electrochemical reduction reactions occurred at negative potentials, accompanied by the dissolution of Fe(II). Finally, by switching to aqueous phosphate buffer, the pre-wave could be unambiguously identified as the reduction of FePO4 present as a thin layer on the hydrous ferric oxide nanoparticle surfaces. Although the bare and protein-coated hydrous ferric oxide nanoparticles were found to behave identically toward electrochemical reduction, they nevertheless reacted very differently towards H2O2. The bare nanoparticles acted as potent electrocatalysts for both the oxidation and the reduction of H2O2, whereas the horse spleen ferritin had a much lesser effect. It seems likely therefore that the protein shell in ferritin blocks the formation of key intermediates in hydrogen peroxide decomposition

Cross-Cultural Collaborations for Addressing Opioid Use Disorder in Utah

Cross-cultural collaboration allows for more effective interventions for opioid use disorder among tribal communities. Practicing cultural humility, incorporating Indigenous knowledge, and amplifying Indigenous voices are crucial to the cross-cultural collaboration process. This process can ensure that interventions that address opioid use disorder meet the needs of tribal communities

A novel approach to assessing the ecosystem-wide impacts of reintroductions

Reintroducing a species to an ecosystem can have significant impacts on the recipient ecological community. Although reintroductions can have striking and positive outcomes, they also carry risks; many well intentioned conservation actions have had surprising and unsatisfactory outcomes. A range of network-based mathematical methods have been developed to make quantitative predictions of how communities will respond to management interventions. These methods are based on the limited knowledge of which species interact with each other and in what way. However, expert knowledge isn’t perfect and can only take models so far. Fortunately, other types of data, such as abundance time-series, is often available, but, to date, no quantitative method exists to integrate these various data types into these models, allowing more precise ecosystem-wide predictions. In this paper, we develop mathematical methods that combine time-series data of multiple species with knowledge of species interactions and we apply it to proposed reintroductions at Booderee National Park in Australia. There have been large fluctuations in species abundances at Booderee National Park in recent history, following intense feral fox (Vulpes vulpes) control – including the local extinction of the greater glider (Petauroides volans). These fluctuations can provide information about the system isn’t readily obtained from a stable system, and we use them to inform models that we then use to predict potential outcomes of eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) and long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) reintroductions. One of the key species of conservation concern in the park is the eastern bristlebird (Dasyornis brachypterus), and we find that long-nosed potoroo introduction would have very little impact on the eastern bristlebird population, while the eastern quoll introduction increased the likelihood of eastern bristlebird decline, although that depends on the strength and form of any possible interaction.We thank the ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, The National Environmental Research Project Decisions Hub and an ARC Linkage Project (LP160100496) for funding. CB is the recipient of a John Stocker Postdoctoral Fellowship from the Science and Industry Endowment Fund. MB is supported by an ARC Future Fellowship (FT170100274). EMM is a current ARC Future Fellowship (FT170100140) and was supported by an ARC DECRA Fellowship for the majority of this work

Prevalence of diabetes in the Republic of Ireland: results from the National Health Survey (SLAN) 2007

Background: Current estimates of diabetes prevalence in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) are based on UK epidemiological studies. This study uses Irish data to describe the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed diabetes amongst all adults aged 18+ years and undiagnosed diabetes amongst those aged 45+ years. Methods: The survey of lifestyle attitudes and nutrition (SLAN) 2007 is based on a nationally representative sample of Irish adults aged 18+ years (n = 10,364). Self-reported doctor-diagnosed diabetes was recorded for respondents in the full sample. Diabetes medication use, measured height and weight, and non-fasting blood samples were variously recorded in sub-samples of younger (n = 967) and older (n = 1,207) respondents. Results: The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed diabetes amongst adults aged 18+ years was 3.5% (95% CI 3.1% - 3.9%). After adjustment for other explanatory variables; the risk of self-reported doctor-diagnosed diabetes was significantly related to age (p < 0.0001), employment status (p = 0.0003) and obesity (p = 0.0003). Amongst adults aged 45+ years, the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed diabetes was 8.9% (95% CI 7.3% -10.5%) and undiagnosed diabetes was 2.8% (95% CI 1.4% - 4.1%). This represented 31.2% of diabetes cases in this age group. Conclusion: Notwithstanding methodological differences, these prevalence estimates are consistent with those in the UK and France. However, the percentage of undiagnosed cases amongst adults aged 45+ years appears to be higher in the RoI. Increased efforts to improve early detection and population level interventions to address adverse diet and lifestyle factors are urgently needed

ToTem: A phase Ib trial of temisirolimus with gemcitabine and cisplatin.

Background: gemcitabine (G) and cisplatin (C) is a standard-of-care, combination chemotherapy regimen for neoadjuvant treatment of muscle-invasive and palliative treatment of advanced bladder cancer (BC). More effective regimens are urgently needed, with no significant improvements on GC in more than a decade. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a rational target for BC therapy, as abnormalities are commonly seen in mTOR’s upstream activators/downstream effectors in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. We therefore performed a Phase Ib trial, combining escalating doses of the mTOR inhibitor, temsirolimus (T) with GC. Methods: following regulatory and ethical approvals, eligible patients with advanced malignancy were treated with one or more doses of intravenous (IV) T plus fixed doses of IV GC in a 21-day (d) cycle. Previous unpublished data suggest a possible interaction between G and T. We therefore pursued a cautious escalation strategy (see table), as a precaution against excessive toxicity. Results: 14 patients (3 BC, 2 lung, 2 ovarian, 7 other cancers; 7 previous platinum exposure) were treated, at 4 dose schedules in 2 UK centers. There were no treatment-related deaths or SUSARs. Of 14 SAEs, 4 were SARs, in 10 individuals, 7 of whom had received IMP. Addition of 10mg T on d15, then d8&15 was tolerated, but DLTs were encountered when administering three 10mg doses of T, both on d1,8&15 (neutropenia; hypokalaemia) and d2,9&15 (febrile neutropenia; rash). T was omitted because of myelosuppression on d15, cycle 1 in 6/8 patients scheduled to receive 3 doses of T. Conclusions: it has not been feasible to add three, weekly doses of T to GC, even at low T doses, in the patient group tested, because of predominantly hematological toxicity. We plan to amend the schedule to include two doses of T, on d2&9, informed by data from pre-planned PK analyses of patients already treated. ToTem was developed by the UK NCRI Bladder Cancer Clinical Studies Group, sponsored by Cardiff University, funded by Cancer Research UK, and supported by supply of free drug and distribution costs from Pfizer. Clinical trial information: 31546330