An evaluation of the effectiveness of a computer‐assisted reading intervention

Background

A cost‐effective method to address reading delays is to use computer‐assisted learning, but these techniques are not always effective.

Methods

We evaluated a commercially available computer system that uses visual mnemonics, in a randomised controlled trial with 78 English‐speaking children (mean age 7 years) who their schools identified as needing reading support. School‐based individual tutorials usually took place 2–3 times/week. Only the experimental group received the intervention in the first 10 months; thereafter, both the experimental and control groups received the intervention for 6 months.

Results

After 10 months, the experimental group had significantly higher standardised scores than the waiting list control group of decoding, phonological awareness, naming speed, phonological short‐term memory and executive loaded working memory.

Conclusions

The computer‐assisted intervention was effective, and this suggests that this medium can be used for reading interventions with English‐speaking children. What is already known about this topic

• There are comparatively few randomised controlled trial evaluations of computer‐based reading interventions.
• Meta‐analyses report small positive effect sizes for such interventions with English‐speaking children.
• The use of visual mnemonics to improve reading has rarely been investigated.

What this paper adds

• The findings suggest that computer‐based interventions for English‐speaking, struggling readers can be effective.
• The effects extended beyond the targeted abilities, and a longer intervention was more effective than a shorter one.
• Apart from spelling, the mean reading and reading related standardised scores for children at the end of the intervention were above or just below 100.

Implications for theory, policy or practice

• Computer‐based interventions can be used to support English‐speaking, struggling readers, and their effects can go beyond targeted abilities.
• The use of visual mnemonics and the development of the intervention programme over a number of years could have contributed to this success.
• The role of visual mnemonics as a help for struggling readers deserves further investigation.

     

Adjuvant effects mediated by the carbohydrate recognition domain of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Agrocybe aegerita</Emphasis> lectin interacting with avian influenza H<Subscript>9</Subscript>N<Subscript>2</Subscript> viral surface glycosylated proteins

Objective

To evaluate the potential adjuvant effect of Agrocybe aegerita lectin (AAL), which was isolated from mushroom, against a virulent H₉N₂ strain in vivo and in vitro.

Methods

In trial 1, 50 BALB/c male mice (8 weeks old) were divided into five groups (n=10 each group) which received a subcutaneous injection of inactivated H₉N₂ (control), inactivated H₉N₂+0.2% (w/w) alum, inactivated H₉N₂+0.5 mg recombinant AAL/kg body weight (BW), inactivated H₉N₂+1.0 mg AAL/kg BW, and inactivated H₉N₂+2.5 mg AAL/kg BW, respectively, four times at 7-d intervals. In trial 2, 30 BALB/c male mice (8 weeks old) were divided into three groups (n=10 each group) which received a subcutaneous injection of inactivated H₉N₂ (control), inactivated H₉N₂+2.5 mg recombinant wild-type AAL (AAL-wt)/kg BW, and inactivated H₉N₂+2.5 mg carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) mutant AAL (AAL-mutR63H)/kg BW, respectively, four times at 7-d intervals. Seven days after the final immunization, serum samples were collected from each group for analysis. Hemagglutination assay, immunogold electron microscope, lectin blotting, and co-immunoprecipitation were used to study the interaction between AAL and H₉N₂ in vitro.

Results

IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a antibody levels were significantly increased in the sera of mice co-immunized with inactivated H₉N₂ and AAL when compared to mice immunized with inactivated H₉N₂ alone. No significant increase of the IgG antibody level was detected in the sera of the mice co-immunized with inactivated H₉N₂ and AAL-mutR63H. Moreover, AAL-wt, but not mutant AAL-mutR63H, adhered to the surface of H₉N₂ virus. The interaction between AAL and the H₉N₂ virus was further demonstrated to be associated with the CRD of AAL binding to the surface glycosylated proteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that AAL could be a safe and effective adjuvant capable of boosting humoral immunity against H₉N₂ viruses in mice through its interaction with the viral surface glycosylated proteins, hemagglutinin and neuraminidase.

     

Antibacterial mechanism of high-mobility group nucleosomal-binding domain 2 on the Gram-negative bacteria <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

Objective

To investigate the antibacterial mechanism of high-mobility group nucleosomal-binding domain 2 (HMGN2) on Escherichia coli K12, focusing on the antibacterial and antibiofilm formation effects. Its chemotactic activity on human neutrophils was also investigated.

Methods

Human tissue-derived HMGN2 (tHMGN2) was extracted from fresh uterus fiber cystadenoma and purified by HP1100 reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Recombinant human HMGN2 (rHMGN2) was generated in E. coli DE3 carrying PET-32ac(+)- HMGN2. Antibacterial activity of HMGN2 was determined using an agarose diffusion assay and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of HMGN2 was determined by the microdilution broth method. Bacterial membrane permeability assay and DNA binding assay were performed. The antibiofilm effect of HMGN2 was investigated using a crystal violet assay and electron microscopy scanning. The activating effect and chemotactic activity of HMGN2 on neutrophils were determined using a nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay and Transwell chamber cell migration assay, respectively.

Results

HMGN2 showed a relatively high potency against Gram-negative bacteria E. coli and the MIC of HMGN2 was 16.25 μg/ml. Elevated bacterial membrane permeability was observed in HMGN2-treated E. coli K12. HMGN2 could also bind the bacterial plasmid and genomic DNA in a dose-dependent manner. The antibiofilm effect of HMGN2 on E. coli K12 was confirmed by crystal violet staining and scanning electron microscopy. However, the activating effects and chemotactic effects of HMGN2 on human neutrophils were not observed.

Conclusions

As an antimicrobial peptide (AMP), HMGN2 possessed a good capacity for antibacterial and antibiofilm activities on E. coli K12. This capacity might be associated with disruption of the bacterial membrane and combination of DNA, which might affect the growth and viability of E. coli.

     

Interchange Volume 33, Number 1, 2002

Other Index

Interchange Volume 33, Number 1, 2002     

Haplotype of platelet receptor <Emphasis Type="Italic">P2RY12</Emphasis> gene is associated with residual clopidogrel on-treatment platelet reactivity

Objective

To investigate a possible association between common variations of the P2RY12 and the residual clopidogrel on-treatment platelet reactivity after adjusting for the influence of CYP2C19 tested by thromboelastography (TEG).

Methods

One hundred and eighty patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with clopidogrel and aspirin were included and platelet function was assessed by TEG. Five selected P2RY12 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs6798347, rs6787801, rs6801273, rs6785930, and rs2046934), which cover the common variations in the P2RY12 gene and its regulatory regions, and three CYP2C19 SNPs (^*2,^*3,^*17) were genotyped and possible haplotypes were analyzed.

Results

The high on-treatment platelet reactivity (HTPR) prevalence defined by a platelet inhibition rate <30% by TEG in adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-channel was 69 (38.33%). Six common haplotypes were inferred from four of the selected P2RY12 SNPs (denoted H₀ to H₅) according to the linkage disequilibrium R square (except for rs2046934). Haplotype H₁ showed a significantly lower incidence of HTPR than the reference haplotype (H₀) in the total study population while haplotypes H₁ and H₂ showed significantly lower incidences of HTPR than H₀ in the nonsmoker subgroup after adjusting for CYP2C19 effects and demographic characteristics. rs2046934 (T744C) did not show any significant association with HTPR.

Conclusions

The combination of common P2RY12 variations including regulatory regions rather than rs2046934 (T744C) that related to pharmacodynamics of clopidogrel in patients with ACS was independently associated with residual on-clopidogrel platelet reactivity. This is apart from the established association of the CYP2C19. This association seemed more important in the subgroup defined by smoking.

     

Glycyrrhizic acid activates chicken macrophages and enhances their <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella</Emphasis>-killing capacity in vitro

Objective

Salmonella enterica remains a major cause of food-borne disease in humans, and Salmonella Typhimurium (ST) contamination of poultry products is a worldwide problem. Since macrophages play an essential role in controlling Salmonella infection, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glycyrrhizic acid (GA) on immune function of chicken HD11 macrophages.

Methods

Chicken HD11 macrophages were treated with GA (0, 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, 400, or 800 μg/ml) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 500 ng/ml) for 3, 6, 12, 24, or 48 h. Evaluated responses included phagocytosis, bacteria-killing, gene expression of cell surface molecules (cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), CD80, CD83, and CD197) and antimicrobial effectors (inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), NADPH oxidase-1 (NOX-1), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α factor (LITAF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-10), and production of nitric oxide (NO) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂).

Results

GA increased the internalization of both fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-dextran and ST by HD11 cells and markedly decreased the intracellular survival of ST. We found that the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of cell surface molecules (CD40, CD80, CD83, and CD197) and cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10) of HD11 cells was up-regulated following GA exposure. The expression of iNOS and NOX-1 was induced by GA and thereby the productions of NO and H₂O₂ in HD11 cells were enhanced. Notably, it was verified that nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathways were responsible for GA-induced synthesis of NO and IFN-γ gene expression.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results suggested that GA exhibits a potent immune regulatory effect to activate chicken macrophages and enhances Salmonella-killing capacity.

     

Tissue-engineered composite scaffold of poly(lactide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-glycolide) and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles seeded with autologous mesenchymal stem cells for bone regeneration

Objective

A new therapeutic strategy using nanocomposite scaffolds of grafted hydroxyapatite (g-HA)/poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) carried with autologous mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) was assessed for the therapy of critical bone defects. At the same time, tissue response and in vivo mineralization of tissue-engineered implants were investigated.

Methods

A composite scaffold of PLGA and g-HA was fabricated by the solvent casting and particulate-leaching method. The tissue-engineered implants were prepared by seeding the scaffolds with autologous bone marrow MSCs in vitro. Then, mineralization and osteogenesis were observed by intramuscular implantation, as well as the repair of the critical radius defects in rabbits.

Results

After eight weeks post-surgery, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) revealed that g-HA/PLGA had a better interface of tissue response and higher mineralization than PLGA. Apatite particles were formed and varied both in macropores and micropores of g-HA/PLGA. Computer radiographs and histological analysis revealed that there were more and more quickly formed new bone formations and better fusion in the bone defect areas of g-HA/PLGA at 2–8 weeks post-surgery. Typical bone synostosis between the implant and bone tissue was found in g-HA/PLGA, while only fibrous tissues formed in PLGA.

Conclusions

The incorporation of g-HA mainly improved mineralization and bone formation compared with PLGA. The application of MSCs can enhance bone formation and mineralization in PLGA scaffolds compared with cell-free scaffolds. Furthermore, it can accelerate the absorption of scaffolds compared with composite scaffolds.

     

Comparative genomic analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus plantarum</Emphasis> ZJ316 reveals its genetic adaptation and potential probiotic profiles

Objective

In previous studies, Lactobacillus plantarum ZJ316 showed probiotic properties, such as antimicrobial activity against various pathogens and the capacity to significantly improve pig growth and pork quality. The purpose of this study was to reveal the genes potentially related to its genetic adaptation and probiotic profiles based on comparative genomic analysis.

Methods

The genome sequence of L. plantarum ZJ316 was compared with those of eight L. plantarum strains deposited in GenBank. BLASTN, Mauve, and MUMmer programs were used for genome alignment and comparison. CRISPRFinder was applied for searching the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPRs).

Results

We identified genes that encode proteins related to genetic adaptation and probiotic profiles, including carbohydrate transport and metabolism, proteolytic enzyme systems and amino acid biosynthesis, CRISPR adaptive immunity, stress responses, bile salt resistance, ability to adhere to the host intestinal wall, exopolysaccharide (EPS) biosynthesis, and bacteriocin biosynthesis.

Conclusions

Comparative characterization of the L. plantarum ZJ316 genome provided the genetic basis for further elucidating the functional mechanisms of its probiotic properties. ZJ316 could be considered a potential probiotic candidate.

     

Classroom effects are as large as grade-level effects on curriculum-based measurement maze reading scores of secondary school students with and without special educational needs

Background

Previous studies used curriculum-based measurement (CBM) maze scores as an indicator of the reading comprehension level of secondary school students with and without special educational needs in multiple grades, pinpointing a high influence of both student- and context-related variables. However, studies on cumulative influence are necessary for better understanding of data-based decision-making.

Methods

We examined a sample of 1066 secondary school students using four linear mixed-effect models: How much variance in maze scores exists between multiple student characteristics (i.e., gender, immigration background, learning disability and developmental language disorder) and context variables (i.e., classroom, grade and school type) across Grades 5–8?

Results

The intra-class correlation (ICC) results show that the influence by the context-related variable classroom (ICC = .094) is almost as large as by the variable grade level (ICC = .126). School type (i.e., inclusive school vs. special school) has the least influence (ICC = .02). In addition, the effects of student-related variables explain only a small proportion of the variance (marginal R² = .114).

Conclusions

Maze scores can be used as a screening instrument for students with multiple characteristics across grades; they also show that it makes no difference which type of school students attend. As teachers and further classroom-related variables have almost as much influence as grade level, we discuss that teachers can minimise classroom effects by using maze scores as a formative approach.     

Sexual, physical, verbal/emotional abuse and unexplained chest pain

Objectives

Approximately one third of patients with non cardiac chest pain (NCCP) report a history of abuse, however no data exists on the prevalence of abuse among people with unexplained chest pain in the general population. We aimed to determine if there is a relationship between childhood sexual, physical, emotional abuse and unexplained chest pain, and to identify whether any potential relationship is being driven by an association with psychological distress.

Methods

Subjects were identified from 2 previous random population surveys that included people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and/or functional dyspepsia (FD) and healthy controls. People in the unexplained chest pain group (n = 27) had chest pain in the past 12 months that was not heartburn or heart disease. People in the comparison group (n = 60) did not have chest pain for more than 12 months. Self-reported abuse and psychological variables were assessed using validated measures.

Results

Emotional/verbal abuse (20.8% versus 4.4%, P = 0.032) and physical abuse (16.7% versus 2.2%, P = 0.028) were significantly more common in people with unexplained chest pain versus the comparison group. Only a history of emotional/verbal abuse was a significant independent predictor of meeting criteria for unexplained chest pain (OR = 5.66; 95%CI 1.01–31.80, P = 0.049) even after controlling for IBS and/or FD (OR = 5.45; 95%CI 0.96–30.83, P = .05), but not when depression was controlled for (OR = 4.70; 95%CI 0.90–27.61), P = 0.08.

Conclusions

A history of childhood emotional/verbal abuse is a risk factor for having unexplained chest pain but the association may be moderated by psychological distress, specifically depression.     

Phytochemical composition,biological potential and enzyme inhibition activity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Scandix pecten-veneris</Emphasis> L.

Objective

Scandix pecten-veneris L. is a less studied wild edible herb and is considered an extinct plant species in many parts of the world. This study was designed to evaluate its phytochemical composition and biological potential of S. pecten-veneris L.

Methods

Phytochemicals including alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins were determined in extracts of S. pecten-veneris. Antioxidant activity was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), while reducing power was tested by ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Antimicrobial activity against seven bacterial and four fungal strains was evaluated using agar well diffusion assay. Enzymes inhibition study was performed for urease, phosphodiesterase-I, and catalase-II.

Results

S. pecten-veneris showed moderate antiradical activity and reducing potential of hydroxyl radicals to about 20% of the initial value. The antioxidant activity of various extracts of S. pecten-veneris showed a linear correlation with total phenolic contents in the order of water>n-butanol>chloroform>ethyl acetate>methanol extracts. S. pecten-veneris leaves showed the highest inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus while the highest antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans. The plant extract was most potent against urease enzymes but showed moderate activity against phosphodiestrase-I and carbonic anhydrase-II.

Conclusions

Our data demonstrate that in addition to its culinary uses, S. pecten-veneris has good medicinal potential and hence could be used for treating some specific health ailments.

     

Poly(<Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">D,L</Emphasis>-lactic-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-glycolic acid)-based artesunate nanoparticles: formulation,antimalarial and toxicity assessments

Objective

The aim of this study was to formulate polymer-based artesunate nanoparticles for malaria treatment.

Methods

Artesunate was loaded with poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) by solvent evaporation from an oil-in-water single emulsion. Nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry analyses. In vivo antimalarial studies at 4 mg/kg were performed on Swiss male albino mice infected with Plasmodium berghei. Hematological and hepatic toxicity assays were performed. In vitro cytotoxicity of free and encapsulated artesunate (Art-PLGA) to cell line RAW 264.7 was determined at concentrations of 7.8–1000 μg/ml.

Results

The particle size of the formulated drug was (329.3±21.7) nm and the entrapment efficiency was (38.4±10.1)%. Art-PLGA nanoparticles showed higher parasite suppression (62.6%) compared to free artesunate (58.2%, P<0.05). Platelet counts were significantly higher in controls (305 000.00±148 492.40) than in mice treated with free artesunate (139 500.00±20 506.10) or Art-PLGA (163 500.00±3535.53) (P<0.05). There was no sign of hepatic toxicity following use of the tested drugs. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of Art-PLGA (468.0 μg/ml) was significantly higher (P<0.05) than that of free artesunate (7.3 μg/ml) in the in vitro cytotoxicity assay.

Conclusions

A simple treatment of PLGA-entrapped artesunate nanoparticles with dual advantages of low toxicity and better antiplasmodial efficacy has been developed.

     

Meta-analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">C242T</Emphasis> polymorphism in <Emphasis Type="Italic">CYBA</Emphasis> genes: risk of acute coronary syndrome is lower in Asians but not in Caucasians

Background

A lot of studies have demonstrated that C242T polymorphism in CYBA genes may play an important role in the pathological process of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). However, the results are not consistent. To further evaluate this debate, we performed a meta-analysis to determine the relationship between C242T polymorphism and ACS.

Methods and results

We screened PubMed/MEDLINE, EBSCIO, and EMBASE research reports until Mar. 2014 and extracted data from 10 studies involving 6102 ACS patients and 8669 controls. Subgroup analysis by ethnicity documented a significant decreased risk of ACS for C242T polymorphism in the Asian population under allelic comparison (odd ratio (OR) 0.73; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.64–0.83), dominant model (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.62–0.82), and homozygote comparison (OR 0.57; 95% CI 0.35–0.92). However, in the overall population and especially with Caucasians, no significant association was uncovered. Further meta-regression analysis revealed that the heterogeneity among studies was largely attributed to ethnicity. No publication bias was detected through a funnel plot and an Egger’s linear regression test.

Conclusions

Taken together, our results suggest that the C242T polymorphism might be a protective factor against developing ACS in the Asian population. Further researches will be needed to identify the confounding factors which modified the protective effect of T allele among Caucasians.

     

Book Reviews: CROPLEY, ARTHUR J. 2001. Creativity in Education and Learning – A Guide for Teachers and Educators. London: Kogan Page. 202 pp. ISBN0-7494-3447-3.

Book Review

Book Reviews: CROPLEY, ARTHUR J. 2001. Creativity in Education and Learning – A Guide for Teachers and Educators. London: Kogan Page. 202 pp. ISBN0-7494-3447-3.     

Contextualizing privacy with wearable data in higher education

This conceptual study uses dynamic systems theory (DST) and phenomenology as lenses to examine data privacy implications surrounding wearable devices that incorporate stakeholder, contextual and technical factors. Wearable devices can impact people's behaviour and sense of self, and DST and phenomenology provide complementary approaches for emphasizing the subjective experiences of individuals that occur with the use of wearable data. Privacy is approached through phenomenology as an individual's lived bodily experience and DST emphasizes the self-regulation and feedback loops of individuals and their uses of wearable data. The data collection, analysis and communication of wearable data to support learning systems alongside privacy implications for each are examined. The IoT, cloud computing, metadata and algorithms are discussed as they relate to wearable data, pointing out privacy risks and strategies to minimize harm.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

• Data privacy is a complex topic and is approached through different perspectives, influencing the degree of an individual's data autonomy.
• Wearable technology is increasing in the consumer market and offers great potential to learning environments.

What this paper adds

• Extends extant literature on dynamic systems theory and phenomenology, contributing these perspectives to educational research in the context of student data privacy and wearable technologies.
• Provides a framework to understand the complex and contingent ways that privacy can be understood in the collection, analysis, and communication of wearable data to support learning.

Implications for practice and/or policy

• Higher education faculty and educational policymakers should consider various interactions in systems and among systems of how wearable data collection may be analysed, communicated and stored, potentially exposing students to privacy harms.
• Multiple actors in learning systems must engage in continuous and evolving feedback loops around data security, consent, ownership and control to determine who has access to student data, how it is used and for what purposes.
• The EU's General Data Protection and Regulation offers one of the most comprehensive frameworks for higher education institutions and faculty around the world to follow for protecting student data privacy.

     

University students vary their use of textese in digital messages to suit the recipient

Background

The casual, abbreviated writing style sometimes known as ‘textese’ (e.g., sorry im late ?) has become widespread with the rise of digital communication. We explored Australian university students' views on, and use of, textese across three modalities (text message, Facebook post, email) and three recipient types (friends, peers, lecturers).

Methods

In Study 1, 51 undergraduates composed messages across the three modalities to the three recipient types. They also rated the appropriateness of messages written with high, medium and no textese, across modality and recipient types. In Study 2, 37 additional students provided examples of their own sent messages across modalities and recipients.

Results

Overall, participants rated textese use as more appropriate, and used significantly more textese, in messages to friends, than to peers, than to lecturers.

Conclusions

Undergraduates are sensitive to when and where it is appropriate to use textese and vary their use (and opinions) of written language as a function of the recipient.

     

Comparative proteome analysis of Helicobacter pylori clinical strains by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis

Objective  

To investigate the pathogenic properties of Helicobacter pylori by comparing the proteome map of H. pylori clinical strains.     

Effects of a controlled-release fertilizer on yield,nutrient uptake,and fertilizer usage efficiency in early ripening rapeseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.)

Background

Nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) are critical nutrient elements necessary for crop plant growth and development. However, excessive inputs will lead to inefficient usage and cause excessive nutrient losses in the field environment, and also adversely affect the soil, water and air quality, human health, and biodiversity.

Methods

Field experiments were conducted to study the effects of controlled-release fertilizer (CRF) on seed yield, plant growth, nutrient uptake, and fertilizer usage efficiency for early ripening rapeseed (Xiangzayou 1613) in the red-yellow soil of southern China during 2011–2013. It was grown using a soluble fertilizer (SF) and the same amounts of CRF, such as SF1/CRF1 (3750 kg/hm²), SF2/CRF2 (3000 kg/hm²), SF3/CRF3 (2250 kg/hm²), SF4/CRF4 (1500 kg/hm²), SF5/CRF5 (750 kg/hm²), and also using no fertilizer (CK).

Results

CRF gave higher seed yields than SF in both seasons by 14.51%. CRF4 and SF3 in each group achieved maximum seed yield (2066.97 and 1844.50 kg/hm², respectively), followed by CRF3 (1929.97 kg/hm²) and SF4 (1839.40 kg/hm²). There were no significant differences in seed yield among CK, SF1, and CRF1 (P>0.05). CRF4 had the highest profit (7126.4 CNY/hm²) and showed an increase of 12.37% in seed yield, and it decreased by 11.01% in unit fertilizer rate compared with SF4. The branch number, pod number, and dry matter weight compared with SF increased significantly under the fertilization of CRF (P<0.05). The pod number per plant was the major contributor to seed yield. On the other hand, the N, P, and K uptakes increased at first and then decreased with increasing the fertilizer rate at maturity, and the N, P, and K usage efficiency decreased with increasing the fertilizer rate. The N, P, and K uptakes and usage efficiencies of the CRF were significantly higher than those of SF (P<0.05). The N accumulation and N usage efficiency of CRF increased by an average of 13.66% and 9.74 percentage points, respectively, compared to SF. In conclusion, CRF significantly promoted the growth of rapeseed with using total N as the base fertilizer, by providing sufficient N in the later growth stages, and last by reducing the residual N in the soil and increasing the N accumulation and N usage efficiency.

     

The home literacy environment of school‐aged children with autism spectrum disorders

For typically developing (TD) children, the home literacy environment (HLE) impacts reading competence, yet few studies have explored the HLE of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We collected information about the HLE of children aged 7–13 with ASD and their TD peers via a parental questionnaire and examined whether there were any differences in home literacy practices. Subtle group differences emerged. Children with ASD and concomitant language disorder (autism language disorder [ALD]) were engaged in shared reading and reading discussion more frequently than were TD children and children with ASD and age‐appropriate language skills (autism language normal [ALN]). However, both ALN and ALD children engaged in shared reading for a shorter duration than their TD peers. Across groups, frequency and duration of independent reading were positively associated with reading ability and attitude. Thus, home literacy practices appear to reflect child characteristics, and parents are well placed to facilitate their children's literacy development through encouragement and scaffolding.

Highlights

What is already known about this topic

• The home literacy environment (HLE) impacts the reading development of typically developing children.
• Many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have reading difficulties, but little is known about the HLE of children with ASD.

What this paper adds

• We examined the relationship between the HLE and reading for children with ASD.
• Poorer readers with ASD were engaged in shared reading practices more frequently than proficient readers.
• Children with ASD engaged in shared reading practices for a shorter duration than their typically developing peers.

Implications for practice

• Home literacy practices appear to reflect child characteristics.
• Parents are well placed to facilitate their children's literacy development through encouragement and scaffolding.