Social-Emotional Learning in the Elementary Classrooom

The purpose of this school improvement plan was designed based on the need of social-emotional learning in an elementary school. Students and teachers at Woodrow Wilson Elementary in Newton, Iowa have identified classroom environment components that need improvement through social-emotional learning. Research shows that providing either an intervention or program that helps develop social and emotional skills in students can improve behaviors, attitudes, relationships, safety, and academic performance. A social-emotional learning program is implemented in this plan to help students develop these skills and to improve the learning environment

A Survey of Issues in the Recruitment, Hiring and Retention of Law Enforcement Officers: Investigating the Rural-Urban Divide

The continuing crises of the COVID-19 pandemic and issues surrounding disparate policing practices have illuminated an underlying issue facing law enforcement agencies: how to recruit, hire, and retain qualified officers. Using survey data from over 200 rural and urban agencies across three states, this article explores the various issues agencies have with recruitment and retention, paying particular attention to the apparent differences between agency type and size, as well as the extent of urbanization in the jurisdiction. The implications of and potential policy solutions to these issues are then discussed

A sequence motif conserved in diverse nuclear proteins identifies a protein interaction domain utilised for nuclear targeting by human TFIIS

The three structural domains of transcription elongation factor TFIIS are conserved from yeast to human. Although the N-terminal domain is not needed for transcriptional activity, a similar sequence has been identified previously in other transcription factors. We found this conserved sequence, the LW motif, in another three human proteins that are predominantly nuclear localized. We investigated two examples to determine whether the LW motif is actually a dedicated nuclear targeting signal. However, in one of the newly identified proteins, hIWS1 (human Iws1), a region containing classic nuclear localization signals (NLS) rather than the LW motif was necessary and sufficient for nuclear targeting in HeLa cells. In contrast, human TFIIS does not possess an NLS and only constructs containing the LW motif were efficiently targeted to nuclei. Moreover, mutations in the motif could cause cytoplasmic accumulation of TFIIS and enabled a structure/function assay for the domain based on the efficiency of nuclear targeting. Finally, GST pull-down assays showed that the LW motif is part of a protein-binding domain. We suggest that the targeting role the LW motif plays in TFIIS arises from its more general function as a protein interaction domain, enabling TFIIS to bind a carrier protein(s) that accomplishes nuclear import

Seasonal Micro-Environments of Ticks on Candlers Mountain, VA

Undergraduate Basi

Microbiota Gut-Brain Axis and Neurodegenerative Disease: A systematic review on Alzheimer’s disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson Disease

This review highlights the microbiota gut-brain axis and neurodegenerative diseases excluding studies on animal models. Gut microbiota is capable of modulating some brain activities via the microbiota gut-brain axis. A bidirectional communication exists between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the central nervous system (CNS) in the microbiota gut-brain axis. Gut dysbiosis has been linked to neurodegenerative diseases as a result of the imbalance in the composition of its microbiota, which has a damaging effect on the host’s health. The association between the role and mechanism of CNS disease and gut microbial is yet to be fully explored. Although some studies have shown a positive relationship between a rich diverse microbial community and the brain of the host, and a negative relationship between microbial dysbiosis, intestinal infection and human brain health, our knowledge, however, is limited due to the inability to identify the major players in this heterogeneous microbial community

Family attitudes, actions, decisions and experiences following implementation of deemed consent and the Human Transplantation (Wales) Act 2013:mixed-method study protocol

IntroductionThe Human Transplantation (Wales) Act 2013 (the Act) introduced a ‘soft opt-out’ system of organ donation on 1 December 2015. Citizens are encouraged to make their organ donation decision known during their lifetime. In order to work, the Act and media campaign need to create a context, whereby organ donation becomes the norm, and create a mechanism for people to behave as intended (formally register their decision; consider appointing a representative; convey their donation decision to their families and friends or do nothing—deemed consent). In addition, family members/appointed representatives need to be able to put their own views aside to support the decision of their loved one. The aim of this study is to evaluate initial implementation, outcomes and impact on families and appointed representatives who were approached about organ donation during the first 18 months.Methods and analysisProspective mixed-method coproductive study undertaken with National Health Service Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), and multiple patient/public representatives. The study is designed to collect information on all cases who meet specified criteria (≥18 years, deceased person voluntarily resident in Wales and died in Wales or England) whose family were approached between 1 December 2015 and 31 June 2017). Data for analysis include: NHSBT routinely collected anonymised audit data on all cases; Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation (SNOD) completed anonymised form for all cases documenting their perception of the families’ understanding of the Act, media campaign and outcome of the donation approach; questionnaires and depth interviews with any family member or appointed representative (minimum 50 cases). Additional focus groups and interviews with SNODs. Anonymised donation outcomes and registration activity reports for Wales provide additional context.Ethics and disseminationApproved by NHSBT Research, Innovation and Technology Advisory Group on 23 October 2015; Wales Research Ethics Committee 5 (IRAS190066; Rec Reference 15/WA/0414) on 25 November 2015 and NHSBT R&amp;D Committee (NHSBT ID: AP-15–02) on 24 November 2015.RegistrationThe protocol is registered on the Health and Care Research Wales Clinical Research Portfolio. Study ID number 34396, www.ukctg.nihr.ac.uk</jats:sec

The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5 (SCAT5): Baseline Assessments in NCAA Division I Collegiate Student-Athletes

International Journal of Exercise Science 13(3): 1143-1155, 2020. The purpose of this study was to report baseline values for the SCAT5 in NCAA Division I collegiate student-athletes, while also evaluating if sex, health diagnoses, or sport type influenced baseline performance. A sample of 462 collegiate student-athletes (212 females, 250 males, (19.21±1.32 years)) completed the SCAT5 prior to the 2017-18, 2018-19 or 2019-20 athletic seasons. Descriptive statistics were reported for symptom total (22 possible), symptom severity (132 possible), orientation (5 possible), immediate memory (30 possible), concentration (5 possible), delayed recall (10 possible), total SAC score (50 possible), 3 mBESS stances (10 possible), and mBESS score (30 possible). Separate Mann-Whitney U tests were conducted to identify sex, health diagnoses (concussion history, ADD/ADHD, depression/anxiety), and sport type (contact, non-contact) differences for all SCAT5 components. Alpha level was set a priori \u3c.05. Student-athletes reported 1.96± 3.37 symptoms with a severity of 3.43±7.63, and an overall SAC score of 35.14±5.23 (orientation 4.96±0.20, immediate memory 20.18±3.40, concentration 3.60±1.14, delayed recall 6.41±1.94). Student-athletes participating in contact sports, had ADD/ADHD, or depression/anxiety reported more symptoms and at greater severity (p=\u3c.001-.01). Those with ADD/ADHD performed worse on mBESS (p=.01-.03). No sex differences were found for any SCAT5 components (p=.08-.90). This study presents reference values for the SCAT5 by sex, health diagnoses, and sport type. Healthcare professionals may utilize these normative values when individual baseline references are unavailable

Language Outcomes in Bilingual Individuals with Dementia

Purpose or Research Questions: In people with dementia, how does being bilingual influence the manifestation of dementia related to language skills? Background: Language loss is a paramount component of dementia, and in the case of bilingual speakers, declines in language functioning can occur predominantly in the first language (L1) or in all languages spoken. However, the literature is mixed with regard to whether the two languages decline in tandem or differentially [i.e., one language declines more than the other(s)] (Nanchen et. al, 2016; Ivanova et. al, 2014; Stilwell et. al, 2016). Thus, the present study reviewed the literature in order to (1) determine the nature of the loss in one or more languages in bi- or multilingual individuals with dementia, and (2) to describe the characteristics of that decline with regard to various language domains, including verbal fluency, code-switching, and pragmatic usage, among others. Methods: Researchers utilized six databases to electronically search for articles that met inclusion criteria in February 2017. The initial searches yielded 227 articles after deduplication. The researchers utilized the following inclusion criteria: (1) bilingual or multilingual adult participants, diagnosed with any form of probable dementia; (2) studies including language outcomes (L1/L2 and dominant/non-dominant); (3) studies published in English; (4) study designs comprised of randomized control trials, cohort studies, case studies, systematic reviews, cross-sectional studies, case-control studies, non-randomized control trials, and meta-analyses. Researchers first independently completed title and abstract reviews yielding 61 articles to move to the next round for full-text reviews. Researchers then independently completed full text reviews yielding 15 articles for final inclusion. Anticipated Results: Fifteen studies were included to explore the language outcomes of bilingual and multilingual adults diagnosed with probable dementia of any form. A large majority of studies (n=9), concluded parallel deterioration of all languages spoken by participants. From the included studies, we noted multiple factors reported by the researchers accounting for the parallel or nonparallel deterioration of languages: (1) age of acquisition, (2) proficiency or dominance, (3) and frequency of use. Language declines in each language were also reported to vary longitudinally. Discussion: A review of the literature yielded a complex and, at times, inconclusive picture of the language outcomes in bilingual individuals with dementia. Studies reported contradicting findings as to whether languages declined simultaneously or asynchronously (Salvatierra et. al, 2007; Kowoll et. al, 2015). Our preliminary findings were consistent with the conclusions of a similar systematic review completed by Stilwell et. al in 2016, regarding language outcomes more specifically in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia. Further research into the language outcomes of bilingual and multilingual adults with dementia will allow for a better understanding of the progression of their language decline due to neurodegenerative disease