scholarly journals The Effect of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Bilingual Singaporean Children’s Leisure Reading

AERA Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 233285842110338
Author(s):  
Baoqi Sun ◽  
Chin Ee Loh ◽  
Beth Ann O’Brien ◽  
Rita Elaine Silver
Keyword(s):  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Bilingual Children ◽  
Learning Gains ◽  
Summer Reading ◽  
Leisure Reading ◽  
Reading Loss ◽  
Digital Formats ◽  
Print Reading ◽  
Gains And Losses

Long-term school absences during pandemic lockdowns may result in learning gains and losses much like the summer reading loss, but little is known about the actual effects of such lockdowns. This mixed-methods study examined changes in reading enjoyment, amount and resources in three groups of bilingual children—English-Chinese, English-Malay, and English-Tamil speaking children—during the COVID-19 lockdown in Singapore. Results reveal a lockdown reading gap between children’s stronger language (English) and weaker language (Chinese/Malay/Tamil). Within each language, results show differential reading gains and losses for children who enjoyed and did not enjoy reading in print and digital formats. Children’s reading enjoyment before the lockdown, changes in reading enjoyment and print reading amount during the lockdown in English and Chinese/Malay were significantly correlated. Children preferred print reading over reading digitally both before and during the lockdown, and devices were underutilized for reading purposes.

scholarly journals Transformed Canine and Murine Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Model for Sarcoma with Complex Genomics

Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1126
Author(s):  
Natasja Franceschini ◽  
Bas Verbruggen ◽  
Marianna A. Tryfonidou ◽  
Alwine B. Kruisselbrink ◽  
Hans Baelde ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Copy Number ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Cell Of Origin ◽  
Mesenchymal Tumors ◽  
Spontaneous Transformation ◽  
Exon 2 ◽  
Species Analysis ◽  
Gains And Losses

Sarcomas are rare mesenchymal tumors with a broad histological spectrum, but they can be divided into two groups based on molecular pathology: sarcomas with simple or complex genomics. Tumors with complex genomics can have aneuploidy and copy number gains and losses, which hampers the detection of early, initiating events in tumorigenesis. Often, no benign precursors are known, which is why good models are essential. The mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) is the presumed cell of origin of sarcoma. In this study, MSCs of murine and canine origin are used as a model to identify driver events for sarcomas with complex genomic alterations as they transform spontaneously after long-term culture. All transformed murine but not canine MSCs formed sarcomas after subcutaneous injection in mice. Using whole genome sequencing, spontaneously transformed murine and canine MSCs displayed a complex karyotype with aneuploidy, point mutations, structural variants, inter-chromosomal translocations, and copy number gains and losses. Cross-species analysis revealed that point mutations in Tp53/Trp53 are common in transformed murine and canine MSCs. Murine MSCs with a cre-recombinase induced deletion of exon 2-10 of Trp53 transformed earlier compared to wild-type murine MSCs, confirming the contribution of loss of p53 to spontaneous transformation. Our comparative approach using transformed murine and canine MSCs points to a crucial role for p53 loss in the formation of sarcomas with complex genomics.

Gay, Bisexual and other Men who have Sex with Men (GBMSM) remote mental health help-seeking during Covid-19

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Frankis ◽  
Dimitra Strongylou ◽  
Ross Andrew Kincaid ◽  
Ruth McKenna ◽  
Lisa McDaid ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Minority Status ◽  
Behaviour Change Wheel ◽  
Sequential Mixed Methods ◽  
Sex With Men ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Severe Anxiety

Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience far worse mental health (MH) than wider society. This disparity was exacerbated by additional ‘unique to sexual minority status’ COVID-19 stressors. This sequential, mixed-methods study examined MH help-seeking among GBMSM in the UK and Ireland during the first COVID-19 lockdown. Quantitative survey data (n=1,368), analysed with logistic regression, suggested GBMSM experiencing moderate-to-severe anxiety and those with a past MH diagnosis were most likely to seek MH support. Thematic analysis of qualitative interview (n=18) data identified multiple barriers and enablers to GBMSM seeking MH help, who focused on GBMSM-facing organisations and population-wide online resources. Finally, the behaviour change wheel was used to generate theoretically informed recommendations to promote MH help-seeking among GBMSM in Scotland. We discuss how applying these recommendations in the short, medium and long term will begin to address GBMSM’s MH needs, post COVID-19.

scholarly journals What has happened and what has not happened due to the coronavirus disease pandemic: a systemic perspective on policy change

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Knill ◽  
Yves Steinebach
Keyword(s):  
Policy Change ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
Economic Crises ◽  
Policy Area ◽  
Catching Up ◽  
Policy Transformations ◽  
Gains And Losses ◽  
Academic Debate

Abstract The societal and policy transformations associated with the coronavirus disease pandemic are currently subject of intense academic debate. In this paper, we contribute to this debate by adopting a systemic perspective on policy change, shedding light on the hidden and indirect crisis effects. Based on a comprehensive analysis of policy agenda developments in Germany, we find that the pandemic led to profound shifts in political attention across policy areas. We demonstrate that these agenda gains and losses per policy area vary by the extent to which the respective areas can be presented as relevant in managing the coronavirus disease crisis and its repercussions. Moreover, relying on the analysis of past four economic crises, we also find that there is limited potential for catching up dynamics after the crisis is over. Policy areas that lost agenda share during crisis are unlikely to make up for these losses by strong attention gains once the crisis is over. Crises have hence substantial, long-term and so far, neglected effects on policymaking in modern democracies.

A Furry Partnership

2013 ◽  
pp. 823-839
Author(s):  
Mary L. Hall
Keyword(s):  
Public Library ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Read Aloud ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Therapy Dog ◽  
The Public ◽  
Summer Reading ◽  
Third Grade Students ◽  
Reading Loss

This case study describes the partnership between the Bedford Public Library and an elementary school. This partnership consists of a program designed to assist grade school children with literacy skills. Third grade students read aloud to a Pet Partners team made up of a therapy dog and a handler who is a professional public librarian. The team visits the school weekly with books selected from the public library’s collection to provide animal assisted therapy. School staff and teachers collect and provide assessment data on students to create goals and track progress for the students. The librarian, teachers, and school staff work together to create new methods of assessing progress attributed to reading to the dog. During the summer months, the Pet Partners team visits a local Summer Meals site to help address the problem of summer reading loss. Children of all ages are invited to read aloud to the team to participate in animal assisted activities.

Factors Associated With Ongoing Participation in Structured Exercise Among People Aged 50 Years and Older

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 739-745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliana Souza de Oliveira ◽  
Catherine Sherrington ◽  
Louise Rowling ◽  
Anne Tiedemann
Keyword(s):  
Exercise Program ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Barriers To Participation ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Class Attendance ◽  
Exercise Barriers ◽  
Exercise Class ◽  
Competing Priorities ◽  
Qualitative Analyses

To document the characteristics of participants aged 50 years and older in a local government group exercise program (Strong Seniors), to investigate the motivators and barriers to ongoing exercise, and to identify factors associated with more frequent exercise class attendance. Ninety-three participants completed a survey about exercise class attendance, motivators and barriers to participation, and exercise perceptions and self-reported exercise. The authors conducted a mixed-methods study involving both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Personal benefits of exercise and social influences were the most common motivators for regular exercise. Barriers to participation included health problems and lack of time (competing priorities). A higher score on the perceived exercise benefits scale is the only factor associated with a higher frequency of attendance at Strong Seniors classes. Exercise programs for people aged 50 years and older that emphasize associated health benefits and promote social support may be more likely to facilitate long-term attendance.

scholarly journals Response to comments on “The role of appetite-related hormones, adaptive thermogenesis, perceived hunger and stress in long-term weight-loss maintenance: a mixed methods study”

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (7) ◽  
pp. 1115-1116
Author(s):  
George Thom ◽  
Stephan U. Dombrowski ◽  
Naomi Brosnahan ◽  
Yasmin Y. Algindan ◽  
M. Rosario Lopez-Gonzalez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Weight Loss Maintenance ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Adaptive Thermogenesis

“Somebody Signed Me Up”: North Carolina Fourth-Graders’ Perceptions of Summer Reading Programs

2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kim Becnel ◽  
Robin A. Moeller ◽  
Nita J. Matzen
Keyword(s):  
North Carolina ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Public Libraries ◽  
Fourth Graders ◽  
Reading Programs ◽  
Small Pilot Study ◽  
Underrepresented Groups ◽  
Summer Reading ◽  
Summer Reading Programs

The long-term goal of the researchers involved in this study is to discover methods that public libraries can use to improve their summer reading programs (SRP) and expand participation of students from traditionally underrepresented groups. This small pilot study was designed to answer some important preliminary questions: How do children decide whether or not to participate in SRPs? What motivates children to participate and what barriers might inhibit participation? Finally, what factors might motivate those who do not participate to take part?

Long‐term teacher effects on pupils' learning gains

2004 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 327-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pascal Bressoux * ◽  
Maryse Bianco
Keyword(s):  
Learning Gains ◽  
Teacher Effects
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