scholarly journals Impact of the Reading Buddies Program on Reading Level and Attitude Towards Reading

2013 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 35
Author(s):  
Hayley Dolman ◽  
Serena Boyte-Hawryluk
Keyword(s):  
Public Library ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Reading Practice ◽  
Summer Learning ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Reading Levels ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Reading Test Scores ◽  
Attitudes Towards Reading

Objective – This research examines the Reading Buddies program at the Grande Prairie Public Library, which took place in July and August of 2011 and 2012. The Reading Buddies program pairs lower elementary students with teen volunteers for reading practice over the summer. The aim of the study was to discover how much impact the program would have on participating children’s reading levels and attitudes towards reading. Methods – During the first and last sessions of the Reading Buddies program, the participants completed the Elementary Reading Attitudes Survey (ERAS) and the Graded Word Recognition Lists from the Bader Reading and Language Inventory (6th ed., 2008). Participants were also asked for their grade and sex, and the program coordinator kept track of attendance. Results – There were 37 Reading Buddies participants who completed both the pre- and post-tests for the study. On average, the program had a small positive effect on participants’ reading levels and a small negative effect on their attitudes towards reading. There was a larger range of changes to the ERAS scores than to the reading test scores, but most participants’ scores did not change dramatically on either measure. Conclusions – Although findings are limited by the small size of the data-set, results indicate that many of the Reading Buddies participants maintained their reading level over the summer and had a similar attitude towards reading at the end of the program. On average, reading levels increased slightly and attitudes towards reading were slightly more negative. Many factors could not be taken into account during the study (e.g., the amount of reading done at home). A study with a control group that did not participate in the program could help to assess whether the program helped to combat summer learning loss.

scholarly journals Making the Shift to Summer Learning: Are We Reaching Everyone?

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Elizabeth McChesney
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Picture Books ◽  
Public Library ◽  
Reading Program ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Children's Services ◽  
Summer Learning ◽  
Summer Reading ◽  
Children And Parents ◽  
Summer Reading Program

Flashback to August 2012: the Children’s Services team at the Chicago Public Library (CPL) was running a successful summer reading program that was humming along across the Windy City. After years of a structure in which children read and reported on either twenty-five picture books or ten chapter books depending on their age and reading level, my team and I decided to conduct some focus groups of children and parents to find out if our program was still meeting needs. Frankly, I assumed we were.

scholarly journals Effect of Honey and Syrup Diets Enriched with 1,3-1,6 β-Glucans on Honeybee Survival Rate and Phenoloxidase Activity (Apis mellifera L. 1758)

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 130
Author(s):  
Simona Sagona ◽  
Baldassare Fronte ◽  
Francesca Coppola ◽  
Elena Tafi ◽  
Matteo Giusti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Survival Rate ◽  
Significant Variation ◽  
Innate Immune ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Phenoloxidase Activity ◽  
Immune Modulators ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Potential Negative Effect ◽  
Combined Action

β-glucans can activate the animal innate immune system by acting as immune-modulators and inducing various stimulatory effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 1,3-1,6 β-glucans administered orally for 96 h on Apis mellifera workers (newly emerged and nurse bees). β-glucans were included in honey and syrup. Survival rate and phenoloxidase activity were measured. In both newly emerged and nurse bees, β-glucans supplementation did not affect survival rate (p > 0.05). Conversely, phenoloxidase activity was higher in both newly emerged bees (p = 0.048) and nurse bees (p = 0.014) fed with a honey diet enriched with β-glucans compared to those fed with only honey. In both the newly emerged and nurse bees, no statistical differences in phenoloxidase activity were recorded between the group fed with a syrup-based diet enriched with β-glucans and the control group (p > 0.05). The absence of significant variation in survival suggests that the potential negative effect of β-glucans in healthy bees could be mitigated by their metabolism. Conversely, the inclusion of β-glucans in a honey-based diet determined an increase of phenoloxidase activity, suggesting that the effect of β-glucan inclusion in the diet of healthy bees on phenoloxidase activity could be linked to the type of base-diet. Further investigations on β-glucans metabolism in bees, on molecular mechanism of phenoloxidase activation by 1,3-1,6 β-glucans, and relative thresholds are desirable. Moreover, investigation on the combined action of honey and β-glucans on phenoloxidase activity are needed.

scholarly journals Effect of pelvic laparoscopic implantation of neuroprosthesis in spinal cord injured subjects: a 1-year prospective randomized controlled study

Spinal Cord ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helge Kasch ◽  
Uffe Schou Løve ◽  
Anette Bach Jønsson ◽  
Kaare Eg Severinsen ◽  
Marc Possover ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Cord Injury

Abstract Study design 1-year prospective RCT. Objective Examine the effect of implantable pulse generator and low-frequency stimulation of the pelvic nerves using laparoscopic implantation of neuroprosthesis (LION) compared with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) in SCI. Methods Inclusion criteria: traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), age 18–55 years, neurological level-of-injury Th4–L1, time-since-injury >1 year, and AIS-grades A–B. Participants were randomized to (A) LION procedure or (B) control group receiving NMES. Primary outcome measure: Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI-II), which is a SCI specific outcome measure assessing ability to ambulate. Secondary outcome measures: Spinal Cord Independence Measure III (SCIM III), Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC), Penn Spasm Frequency Scale (PSFS), severity of spasticity measured by Numeric Rating Scale (NRS-11); International Spinal Cord Injury data sets-Quality of Life Basic Data Set (QoLBDS), and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Results Seventeen SCI individuals, AIS grade A, neurological level ranging from Th4–L1, were randomized to the study. One individual was excluded prior to intervention. Eight participants (7 males) with a mean age (SD) of 35.5 (12.4) years were allocated to the LION procedure, 8 participants (7 males) with age of 38.8 (15.1) years were allocated to NMES. Significantly, 5 LION group participants gained 1 point on the WISCI II scale, (p < 0.013; Fisher´s exact test). WISCI II scale score did not change in controls. No significant changes were observed in the secondary outcome measures. Conclusion The LION procedure is a promising new treatment for individuals with SCI with significant one-year improvement in walking ability.

Eye-Movement Patterns of Readers With Down Syndrome During Sentence-Processing: An Exploratory Study

2010 ◽  
Vol 115 (3) ◽  
pp. 193-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheryl Frenck-Mestre ◽  
Nathalie Zardan ◽  
Annie Colas ◽  
Alain Ghio
Keyword(s):  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Eye Movements ◽  
Sentence Processing ◽  
Exploratory Study ◽  
Matched Control ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Complex Sentences ◽  
Simple Sentences

Abstract Eye movements were examined to determine how readers with Down syndrome process sentences online. Participants were 9 individuals with Down syndrome ranging in reading level from Grades 1 to 3 and a reading-level-matched control group. For syntactically simple sentences, the pattern of reading times was similar for the two groups, with longer reading times found at sentence end. This “wrap-up” effect was also found in the first reading of more complex sentences for the control group, whereas it only emerged later for the readers with Down syndrome. Our results provide evidence that eye movements can be used to investigate reading in individuals with Down syndrome and underline the need for future studies.

scholarly journals The Interpretation of Studies Using the Reading Level Design

1989 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 413-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usha Goswami ◽  
Peter Bryant
Keyword(s):  
Reading Disability ◽  
Reading Level ◽  
Chronological Age ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Causal Factors ◽  
Negative Results ◽  
Level Design ◽  
Positive Results

Recent research in reading disability has been strengthened by the addition of a reading level (RL) control group to the more traditional chronological age (CA) control group. However, caution is required in interpreting results from these two kinds of control. Only positive results in a RL match and negative results in a CA match are interpretable; negative results in a CA match and positive results in a RL match are not. Furthermore, the RL control group cannot be used to unambiguously determine between specific deficit and developmental lag interpretations of reading disability. It is argued that the use of the RL control can only ever be a first step in research aimed at delineating the causal factors in reading backwardness.

Political and Institutional Checks on Corruption

2009 ◽  
Vol 42 (9) ◽  
pp. 1217-1244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus André Melo ◽  
Carlos Pereira ◽  
Carlos Mauricio Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Political Competition ◽  
New Democracies ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Electoral Connection ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Institutional Activism ◽  
Accountability Mechanism ◽  
Empirical Tests ◽  
Performance Determinants ◽  
Positive Direct

This article investigates the performance determinants of accountability institutions in new democracies. Current scholarship on accountability has identified a distinct mechanism through which the introduction of political competition may affect such institutions: the electoral connection or vertical accountability mechanism. This connection is not expected to be effective in new democracies, because political competition is found to be volatile and nonprogrammatic. Another strand of the literature focuses on the effect of power alternation. Government turnover is expected to generate incentives for the creation and strengthening of autonomous institutions. By exploring a unique data set on 33 state audit institutions, the authors bring together these distinct claims and provide systematic empirical tests for them. They find a negative effect of volatility on their institutional activism and a positive (direct and indirect) influence of power alternation on their levels of autonomy and sanctioning patterns.

Religion and aggregate support for redistribution

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mads Meier Jæger
Keyword(s):  
Church Attendance ◽  
Religious Denomination ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Social Survey ◽  
Aggregated Data ◽  
International Social Survey Programme ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
High Share ◽  
International Social

Aggregated data on regions within countries have been used to analyze the effect of religion and religiosity on aggregate support for redistribution. The data are from the International Social Survey Programme and a panel data set was constructed at the level of regions that were observed several times over the period 1985–2010. Empirical analyses show that a higher share of Catholics within a region has a positive effect on aggregate support for redistribution; a higher share of Protestants has a negative effect; religiosity (measured by church attendance) has no effect; and the effect of a religious denomination is non-linear and depends on whether or not it has a weak or a strong presence in a region. It was also found that Scandinavia is unusual in combining a high share of Protestants with high aggregate support for redistribution.

Buyer’s Bankruptcy Risk, Sourcing Strategy, and Firm Value: Evidence from the Supplier Protection Act

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karca D. Aral ◽  
Erasmo Giambona ◽  
Ye Wang
Keyword(s):  
Operations Management ◽  
Financial Distress ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Trade Credit ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Regulatory Change ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Bankruptcy Risk ◽  
Sourcing Strategy

What should a distressed buyer’s sourcing strategy be? We find that this depends on the dynamics in a potential in-court bankruptcy. To establish causality, we use a novel sourcing data set in combination with a unique quasi-natural experimental setting provided by a regulatory shock that significantly strengthened the protection granted to suppliers when a distressed buyer files for bankruptcy: the Supplier Protection Act. We find that, following this regulatory change, the number of suppliers for buyers near financial distress (those most affected by the act, the treated group) increased by nearly 35% relative to financially sound firms (the control group). We also find that this shift allowed distressed buyers to obtain more trade credit, expand inventory holdings, and increase performance, leading to an overall increase in firm value of 7.2%. In turn, these effects led to a sizable reduction in the probability of the affected buyers defaulting and filing for bankruptcy. Our results have important implications for corporate executives: right-sizing the supply base can be critical for buyers near financial distress, and implementing policies to engage and protect suppliers can be the way out of distress. This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.

scholarly journals Serum sodium changes in marathon participants who use NSAIDs

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e000364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Whatmough ◽  
Stephen Mears ◽  
Courtney Kipps
Keyword(s):  
Serum Sodium ◽  
Fluid Intake ◽  
Large City ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Full Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Nsaid Group ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Average Serum ◽  
Internal And External Factors

IntroductionThe primary mechanism through which the development of exercise-associated hyponatraemia (EAH) occurs is excessive fluid intake. However, many internal and external factors have a role in the maintenance of total body water and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) have been implicated as a risk factor for the development of EAH. This study aimed to compare serum sodium concentrations ([Na]) in participants taking an NSAID before or during a marathon (NSAID group) and those not taking an NSAID (control group).MethodsParticipants in a large city marathon were recruited during race registration to participate in this study. Blood samples and body mass measurements took place on the morning of the marathon and immediately post marathon. Blood was analysed for [Na]. Data collected via questionnaires included athlete demographics, NSAID use and estimated fluid intake.ResultsWe obtained a full data set for 28 participants. Of these 28 participants, 16 took an NSAID on the day of the marathon. The average serum [Na] decreased by 2.1 mmol/L in the NSAID group, while it increased by 2.3 mmol/L in the control group NSAID group (p=0.0039). Estimated fluid intake was inversely correlated with both post-marathon serum [Na] and ∆ serum [Na] (r=−0.532, p=0.004 and r=−0.405 p=0.032, respectively).ConclusionSerum [Na] levels in participants who used an NSAID decreased over the course of the marathon while it increased in those who did not use an NSAID. Excessive fluid intake during a marathon was associated with a lower post-marathon serum [Na].

scholarly journals FERMT3 mediates cigarette smoke-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition through Wnt/β-catenin signaling

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoshan Su ◽  
Junjie Chen ◽  
Xiaoping Lin ◽  
Xiaoyang Chen ◽  
Zhixing Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cell Cycle ◽  
Cell Migration ◽  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition

Abstract Background Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an essential pathophysiological process in COPD and plays an important role in airway remodeling, fibrosis, and malignant transformation of COPD. Previous studies have indicated FERMT3 is downregulated and plays a tumor-suppressive role in lung cancer. However, the role of FERMT3 in COPD, including EMT, has not yet been investigated. Methods The present study aimed to explore the potential role of FERMT3 in COPD and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Three GEO datasets were utilized to analyse FERMT3 gene expression profiles in COPD. We then established EMT animal models and cell models through cigarette smoke (CS) or cigarette smoke extract (CSE) exposure to detect the expression of FERMT3 and EMT markers. RT-PCR, western blot, immunohistochemical, cell migration, and cell cycle were employed to investigate the potential regulatory effect of FERMT3 in CSE-induced EMT. Results Based on Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data set analysis, FERMT3 expression in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was lower in COPD smokers than in non-smokers or smokers. Moreover, FERMT3 expression was significantly down-regulated in lung tissues of COPD GOLD 4 patients compared with the control group. Cigarette smoke exposure reduced the FERMT3 expression and induces EMT both in vivo and in vitro. The results showed that overexpression of FERMT3 could inhibit EMT induced by CSE in A549 cells. Furthermore, the CSE-induced cell migration and cell cycle progression were reversed by FERMT3 overexpression. Mechanistically, our study showed that overexpression of FERMT3 inhibited CSE-induced EMT through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Conclusions In summary, these data suggest FERMT3 regulates cigarette smoke-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition through Wnt/β-catenin signaling. These findings indicated that FERMT3 was correlated with the development of COPD and may serve as a potential target for both COPD and lung cancer.

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