bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogeny of the genus Dolichopus Latreille, 1796 and testing for phylogenetic signal in morphological characters and morphometric data
Authors: Chursina Mariya A. , Grichanov Igor Ya.
Published: February 2022

Four groups of characters were used to evaluate phylogenetic relationships among 50 species of the genus Dolichopus: 810 nucleotide characters (for cytochrome oxidase I), 18 continuous characters generated from a geometric morphometric analysis of wing shape, 12 relative characters of the leg morphometry and 42 traditional morphological characters. Subsequently, the common database was used to construct a phylogenetic genus tree and to study the presence of a phylogenetic signal in each group. In this study it was shown that the following characters have a significant phylogenetic signal: the thickening of the costal vein at the insertion point with R1, the color of the fore coxa, the presence of male secondary sexual characters on the forelegs, the color of the femora, the presence of long cilia on the hind femora, and the color of the lower postocular cilia. Traits of male wing shape, such us the relative position of the apex of M1+2, the location of the posterior cossvein, the origin of the radial veins, and the position of the anal vein base, also showed a high phylogenetic signal. In addition, in males, the relative lengths of the first segment of the fore and mid tarsi showed a clear correlation with molecular data, which were interconnected with the presence of males leg modifications. In females, morphometric traits exhibited a less significant phylogenetic signal than in males, although, in most cases, the same traits evinced a high phylogenetic signal.

Statements

We (corresponding authors) certify that we have participated sufficiently in the conception and design of this work and the analysis of the data (wherever applicable), as well as the writing of the manuscript, to take public responsibility for it. We believe the manuscript represents valid work. We have reviewed the final version of the manuscript and approve it for publication. Neither has the manuscript nor one with substantially similar content under my authorship been published nor is being considered for publication elsewhere, except as described in an attachment. Furthermore, we attest that we will produce the data upon which the manuscript is based for examination by the editors or their assignees, if requested.

The present paper has not been submitted to another journal. All co-authors are aware of the present submission. All co-authors agree to the publication. The work was funded by RFBR and NSFC according to the research project No 20-54-53005.
Sequence-directed RNA remodeling within a topologically complex RNP substrate
Authors: Cruz Victor Emmanuel , Sekulski Kamil , Peddada Nagesh , Sailer Carolin , Balasubramanian Sahana , Weirich Christine S. , Stengel Florian , Erzberger Jan P.
Published: February 2022

DEAD-box ATPases are ubiquitous enzymes essential in all aspects of RNA biology. However, the limited in vitro catalytic activities described for these enzymes is at odds with their complex cellular roles, most notably in driving large-scale RNA remodeling steps during the assembly of ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). We describe cryo-EM structures of 60S ribosomal biogenesis intermediates that reveal how context-specific RNA unwinding by the DEAD-box ATPase Spb4 results in extensive, sequence-directed remodeling of rRNA secondary structure. Multiple cis and trans interactions stabilize a post-catalytic, high-energy intermediate that drives the organization of the root helix structure within rRNA domain IV. This mechanism explains how limited strand separation by DEAD-box ATPases is leveraged to provide non-equilibrium directionality and ensure efficient and accurate RNP assembly.
Loss of intracerebellar heterogeneity and selective vulnerability in Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 neurodegeneration
Authors: Hamel Katherine , Moncada Emmanuel Labrada , Sheeler Carrie , Rosa Juao-Guilherme , Gilliat Stephen , Zhang Ying , Cvetanovic Marija
Published: February 2022

Regional heterogeneity of neurons and glia is a key feature of the brain, yet the effect of disease on heterogeneity and its relationship with selective neuronal vulnerability remains poorly understood.

Using region-specific RNA sequencing, we identified a large number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across distinct regions of the cerebellar cortex, supporting the notable intrinsic regional transcriptional heterogeneity of the healthy cerebellum. Further, we used fiber photometry to identify regional physiological differences in the activity of Purkinje cells (PCs) during self-motivated, unrestrained walking and non-walking states. In the inherited cerebellar neurodegenerative disease Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1), patients exhibit preferential degeneration of the posterior cerebellum, suggesting regionally selective vulnerability. We demonstrated that in a mouse model of SCA1 the Purkinje cells and glia residing in the posterior vermis of cerebellum also undergo earlier and more severe pathology. Intriguingly, the intrinsic transcriptional heterogeneity of anterior and posterior cerebellum seen in healthy mice was diminished in SCA1 mice. This disruption was also demonstrated via fiber photometry, where we found notable impacts in PC activity in the posterior cerebellum as well as loss of regional differences in PC activity during self-motivated, unrestrained walking, and non-walking states in SCA1 mice. Our findings indicate regionally distinct mechanisms of pathogenesis across cerebellar regions that result in reduced intracerebellar heterogeneity.
LUBAC is required for RIG-I sensing of RNA viruses
Authors: Teague Helena C , Lefevre Charlotte , Rieser Eva , de Miguel Diego , Patricio Daniel , Oliveira Marisa , Mansur Daniel S , Irigoyen Nerea , Walczak Henning , Ferguson Brian J
Published: February 2022

The ability of cells to mount an interferon response to virus infections depends on intracellular nucleic acid sensing pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). RIG-I is an intracellular PRR that binds short double stranded viral RNAs to trigger MAVS-dependent signalling. The RIG-I/MAVS signalling complex requires the coordinated activity of multiple kinases and E3 ubiquitin ligases to activate the transcription factors that drive type I and type III interferon production from infected cells. The linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex (LUBAC) regulates the activity of multiple receptor signalling pathways in both ligase-dependent and -independent ways. Here, we show that the three proteins that constitute LUBAC have separate functions in regulating RIG-I signalling. Both HOIP, the E3 ligase capable of generating M1-ubiquitin chains, and LUBAC accessory protein HOIL-1 are required for viral RNA sensing by RIG-I. The third LUBAC component, SHARPIN, is not required for RIG-I signalling. These data cement the role of LUBAC as a positive regulator of RIG-I signalling and as an important component of antiviral innate immune responses.
Evolution of bacterial persistence to antibiotics during a 50,000-generation experiment in an antibiotic-free environment
Authors: Mathe-Hubert Hugo , Amia Rafika , Martin Mikael , Gaffe Joel , Schneider Dominique
Published: February 2022

Failure of antibiotic therapies causes > 700,000 deaths yearly and involves both bacterial resistance and persistence. Persistence results in the relapse of infections by producing a tiny fraction of pathogen survivors that stay dormant during antibiotic exposure. From an evolutionary perspective, persistence is either a 'bet-hedging strategy' that helps to cope with stochastically changing environments or an unavoidable minimal rate of 'cellular errors' that lock the cells in a low activity state. Here, we analyzed the evolution of persistence over 50,000 bacterial generations in a stable environment by improving a published method that estimates the number of persister cells based on the growth of the reviving population. Our results challenged our understanding of the factors underlying persistence evolution. In one case, we observed a substantial decrease in persistence proportion, suggesting that the naturally observed persistence level is not an unavoidable minimal rate of 'cellular errors'. However, although there was no obvious environmental stochasticity, in 11 of the 12 investigated populations, the persistence level was maintained during 50,000 bacterial generations.
Accurate and simple FXN-GAA repeats (Friedreich ataxia loci) estimation by long read targeted sequencing
Authors: Sharma Pooja , Uppili Bharathram , Ahmad Istaq , Sahni Shweta , Vivekananda A , Faruq Mohammed
Published: February 2022

Friedreich ataxia, an autosomal recessive disorder is caused by tandem GAA nucleotide repeats expansion in intron 1 of the FXN (frataxin gene). The GAA repeats above 66 in length are considered as pathogenic and commonly occurring repeats are 600-1200. Clinically the spectrum of the features is confined mainly to the neurological tissue, however, cardiomyopathy and diabetes mellitus has been observed in 60% and 30% of the subjects. The accurate detection of GAA repeats count is of utmost importance for clinical genetic correlation as no study has attempted an approach which is of high throughput nature and defines the sequence of GAA repeats. Largely, the method for detection of GAA repeats so far is either conventional PCR based screening and southern blot which is the gold standard method. We describe for the first time a method of long read sequencing wherein we utilized approach of long range targeted amplification of FXN-GAA repeats and sequencing on oxford MinION platform. We were able to achieve the successful amplification of GAA repeats ranging from 180-1200 at 250x coverage. The total throughput achievable for 96 samples can be less than 24 hours on one flow cell as per our protocol and is scalable and deployable at clinical day to sequencing.
TOWARDS TRANSCRIPTOMICS AS A PRIMARY TOOL FOR RARE DISEASE INVESTIGATION
Authors: Montgomery Stephen B , Bernstein Jonathan A , Wheeler Matthew T
Published: February 2022

ABSTRACT
In the past five years transcriptome or RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) has steadily emerged as a complementary assay for rare disease diagnosis and discovery. In this perspective, we summarize several recent developments and challenges in use of RNA-seq for rare disease investigation. Using an accessible patient sample, such as blood, skin, or muscle, RNA-seq enables the assay of expressed RNA transcripts. Analysis of RNA-seq allows the identification of aberrant or outlier gene expression and alternative splicing as functional evidence to support rare disease study and diagnosis. Further, many types of variant effects can be profiled beyond coding variants, as the consequences of non-coding variants that impact gene expression and splicing can be directly observed. This is particularly apparent for structural variants which disproportionately underlie outlier gene expression and for splicing variants where RNA-seq can both measure aberrant canonical splicing and detect deep intronic effects. However, a major potential limitation of RNA-seq in rare disease investigation is the developmental and cell type-specificity of gene expression as a pathogenic variant's effect may be limited to a specific spatiotemporal context and access to a patient's tissue sample from the relevant tissue and timing of disease expression may not be possible. We speculate that as advances in computational methods and emerging experimental techniques overcome both developmental and cell type-specificity, there will be broadening use of RNA sequencing and multi-omics in rare disease diagnosis and delivery of precision health.
In situ beam reduction of Pu(IV) and Bk(IV) as a route to trivalent transuranic coordination complexes with hydroxypyridinone chelators
Authors: Carter Korey P. , Wacker Jennifer N. , Smith Kurt F. , Deblonde Gauthier J.-P. , Moreau Liane M. , Rees Julian A. , Booth Corwin H. , Abergel Rebecca J.
Published: February 2022

The solution-state interactions of plutonium and berkelium with the octadentate chelator 3,4,3-LI(1,2-HOPO) (343-HOPO) were investigated and characterized by X-ray absorption spectroscopy, which revealed in situ reductive decomposition of the tetravalent species of both actinide metals to yield Pu(III) and Bk(III) coordination complexes. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) measurements were the first indication of in situ synchrotron redox chemistry as the Pu threshold and white-line position energies for Pu-343-HOPO were in good agreement with known diagnostic Pu(III) species, whereas Bk-343-HOPO results were found to mirror the XANES behavior of Bk(III)-DTPA. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure results revealed An—OHOPO bond distances of 2.498 (5) and 2.415 (2) Å for Pu and Bk, respectively, which match well with bond distances obtained for trivalent actinides and 343-HOPO via density functional theory calculations. Pu(III)- and Bk(III)-343-HOPO data also provide initial insight into actinide periodicity as they can be compared with previous results with Am(III)-, Cm(III)-, Cf(III)-, and Es(III)-343-HOPO, which indicate there is likely an increase in 5f covalency and heterogeneity across the actinide series.
Conceptualizing the role of blockchain in omnichannel healthcare: a Delphi study
Authors: Sangal Shreya , Nigam Achint , Bhutani Chitrakshi
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the challenges in the healthcare industry as it adopts an omnichannel setup in an emerging economy context. Further, the study determines the scope of blockchain in addressing these challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a qualitative approach to understand the challenges in the omnichannel healthcare industry and know the scope of blockchain in building an omnichannel healthcare system. In the first stage, it did an in-depth analysis of the extant literature, followed by a Delphi study with 24 healthcare experts.

Findings

The study presents the current challenges in the omnichannel healthcare sector in an emerging economy. Further, it develops a novel conceptual framework for blockchain adoption in the omnichannel healthcare industry. The study also presents propositions that will help healthcare service providers enhance decision-making concerning the adoption of blockchain in the healthcare industry.

Research limitations/implications

The research results may lack generalizability due to the exploratory approach and emerging economies context. Theoretically, in this study, the authors extend the theory of swift trust and organization information processing theory in an omnichannel healthcare context.

Practical implications

The propositions provided in this paper can help healthcare managers make strategic decisions on the scope of adoption of blockchain for omnichannel healthcare.

Originality/value

This study explores the understudied area of challenges in omnichannel healthcare and the scope of blockchain for omnichannel healthcare in an emerging economy context.
Agreement level of vitamin D intake between food frequency questionnaire and 24-h food recall in young Qatari women
Authors: Ganji Vijay , ElObeid Tahra , Shi Zumin , Bawadi Hiba , Kerkadi Abdelhamid , Moussa Noor , Ali Hoda , Sobeih Alshaimaa
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among young Qatari women is ∼85%. The purpose of the study was to develop a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and to assess the degree of agreement between food vitamin D intakes derived from FFQ and 24-h food recall (24HFR) in young Qatari women.

Design/methodology/approach

A vitamin D-centric, 40-item FFQ was developed based on foods consumed in Qatar. In total, 36 Qatari women provided food intakes using FFQ and 24HFR. Vitamin D contents of foods reported in FFQ and 24HFR were computed. Spearman rank correlation was used to evaluate the relation between vitamin D intakes of FFQ and 24HFR. Bland–Altman (BA) plot and quartile comparisons were performed to determine the degree of agreement between food intakes of FFQ and 24HFR.

Findings

Median intakes of vitamin D from FFQ were significantly higher compared to the vitamin D content from 24HFR (213 IU vs 126 IU; p < 0.008). Vitamin D intakes were lower with 24HFR when compared with the intakes of FFQ. There was no significant relationship between food vitamin D intake from FFQ and 24HFR (Spearman rho = 0.16; p < 0.35). In cross classification, ∼64% were assigned to the same or adjacent quartiles. As per BA plot, more than 95% food intakes were within the limits of agreement (LOA) (BA index, 2.8%).

Originality/value

There was a moderate agreement between vitamin D intakes and FFQ and 24HFR. 24HFR should be used with caution in assessing the habitual food vitamin D intake because of limited sources of the vitamer in Qatari cuisine. The FFQ is suitable for estimating the food vitamin D intake in young Qatari women.
The relationship between energy consumption and economıc growth in the G7 countries: the time-varying asymmetric causality analysis
Authors: Tuna Gülfen , Tuna Vedat Ender , Aghalarova Mirsariyya , Atasoy Ahmet Bülent
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This study aims to reveal new information about the relationship between energy consumption and economic growth for the time-varying causality.

Design/methodology/approach

Economic growth and renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption data of the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK and the USA) for the 1980–2016 period were used in the study. The nonasymmetric causality test developed by Hacker and Hatemi-J (2006) and both traditional and time-varying forms of the asymmetric causality test by Hatemi-J (2012) were used as the study method.

Findings

While the study favors feedback hypothesis for renewable energy consumption in the nonasymmetric causality tests in the UK economy, it favors the same hypothesis for nonrenewable energy consumption in the US economy. However, according to the results reported by Hatemi-J (2012), the feedback hypothesis, which is supported for the UK, is supported only in positive shocks, yet not for each period of analysis. Similarly, feedback hypothesis, which is supported in the USA, is supported only in the negative shocks, yet not for each period of analysis.

Originality/value

This study examined that the asymmetric causality relationship between variables can be analyzed in time-varying form. Therefore, whether positive and negative shocks in renewable and nonrenewable energy consumption always provide useful information in estimations about economic growth is analyzed.
Dynamic openness for network-enabled product and process innovation: a panel-data analysis
Authors: Kesidou Effie , Narasimhan Ram , Ozusaglam Serdal , Wong Chee Yew
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Prior research on open innovation has not investigated changes in knowledge acquisition strategies of firms over time overlooking how learning from past knowledge acquisition can change subsequent search strategies. Also, prior research has focused principally on product innovation overlooking process innovation. The purpose of the paper is to introduce the concept of dynamic openness, which is defined as temporal changes in external knowledge search strategy. We explore four dynamic openness strategies – closing down, opening up, persistent open and persistent closed – and examine the impact of these strategies on both product and process innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a panel dataset of 16,021 firms based on five waves (2009–2017) of the UK Community Innovation Survey (UKIS). All models are estimated using firm and year fixed effects (FE) method to control for endogeneity that arises from unobserved heterogeneity. Endogeneity and robustness tests were carried out to ensure the validity of results.

Findings

The results show that firms do use dynamic openness strategies over time leveraging learning from past searches. Specifically, the study indicates that closing down is not an effective strategy for either type of innovation. For process innovation, firms should pursue opening up strategy rather than persistent open strategy, whereas for product innovation firms could pursue either strategy, highlighting important contextual differences.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the literature on knowledge acquisition in open innovation: (1) by theorizing the underlying reasons – learning from past collaborations, absorptive capacity and external knowledge heterogeneity – why firms pursue one dynamic openness strategy over another and (2) by extending literature by delineating the dynamic openness strategies that firms should pursue in process innovation vs product innovation.
Increasing competitive performance through effective use of performance management systems
Authors: Al-Jaradi Majid H. , de Waal André , Al-Hadramy Ahmed M.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Private telecommunication companies in Yemen face huge challenges to improve their competitive position. Many of them suffer from performance management systems (PMS) that are not aligned nor integrated and do not give adequate support. This research aims at identifying the current state and quality of PMS in Yemeni private telecom companies and developing recommendations that will assist in improving their performance and competitive position.

Design/methodology/approach

As research tools, the performance management analysis – used to measure the quality of a PMS – and the high performance organization (HPO) framework – used to measure the quality of an organization and thereby its ability to achieve sustainable high competitive performance – are applied at three Yemeni private telecom companies.

Findings

There is a considerable performance gap between the actual and the ideal PMS in the Yemeni private telecom companies; this performance gap is highly correlated with competitive performance in a negative relationship. Both the structural and behavioral dimensions’ performance gaps have a significant impact on competitive performance, with the impact of the behavioral dimensions being considerably higher than that of the structural dimensions.

Originality/value

The current academic literature on HPOs and PMS in Yemen is scarce. This study adds knowledge to these areas, and thus provides a basis for further study. This research results also help managers of the Yemeni private telecom companies to take strategic action to redesign and implement new and improved PMS to increase their competitive performance.
Omnichannel retailing and post-pandemic recovery: building a research agenda
Authors: Salvietti Giada , Ziliani Cristina , Teller Christoph , Ieva Marco , Ranfagni Silvia
Published: February 2022

Purpose

The study aims to propose a comprehensive overview of the Omnichannel phenomenon by identifying its theoretical foundations as well as future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to systematize Omnichannel-centered contributions and identify future research directions for post-Covid-19, this study adopted a mixed-method study, combining a systematic literature review, a bibliometric co-citation analysis and a panel discussion by field experts.

Findings

In Study 1, the authors traced extant literature on Omnichannel back to its theoretical foundations, which led to the identification of four research areas in which the concept of Omnichannel is rooted. Contributions pertaining to the aforesaid research areas were discussed and submitted to a panel of experts (Study 2) after the lockdown periods. The experts gave various insights into both the past and future of Omnichannel research. Finally, a framework synthesizing theoretical foundations of Omnichannel, literature gaps and opportunities for future research is provided.

Originality/value

To our knowledge, this is the first attempt to combine mixed methods study in Omnichannel research and to involve a panel of experts in order to discuss the findings of a literature review and evaluate future research directions. This choice allowed us to investigate both incumbent academic and managerial challenges raised by Omnichannel and to provide guidance for the post-pandemic recovery.
Identifying research trends of machine learning in business: a topic modeling approach
Authors: Pramanik Paritosh , Jana Rabin K.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to discuss the suitability of topic modeling as a review method, identifies and compares the machine learning (ML) research trends in five primary business organization verticals.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a review framework of published research about adopting ML techniques in a business organization context. It identifies research trends and issues using topic modeling through the Latent Dirichlet allocation technique in conjunction with other text analysis techniques in five primary business verticals – human resources (HR), marketing, operations, strategy and finance.

Findings

The results identify that the ML adoption is maximum in the marketing domain and minimum in the HR domain. The operations domain witnesses the application of ML to the maximum number of distinct research areas. The results also help to identify the potential areas of ML applications in future.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the existing literature by finding trends of ML applications in the business domain through the review of published research. Although there is a growth of research publications in ML in the business domain, literature review papers are scarce. Therefore, the endeavor of this study is to do a thorough review of the current status of ML applications in business by analyzing research articles published in the past ten years in various journals.
Examining How Historical Agency Works in Children’s Literature
Authors: Damico James S. , Baildon Mark , Greenstone Daniel
Published: February 2022

This paper begins by framing the concept of historical agency as a complex relationship between structural forces and individual actions. We then describe general features of historical fiction and consider ways of using this type of text in classrooms. Using the concept of historical agency, we examine three historical fiction texts for upper elementary or middle level readers (Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, The Fighting Ground, and Dragon's Gate). The analysis reveals the similarities and differences in the ways the authors construct historical agency. The paper concludes with a set of four key questions that teachers and students can apply to historical fiction to help students refigure the ways in which they construct knowledge about the past.
Why Teach About Globalization? Pre-service Teachers’ Perceptions of the Benefits and Challenges of Teaching Globalization Issues
Authors: Barchuk Zhanna , Harkins Mary Jane
Published: February 2022

Globalization enables a better understanding of the modern world and inspires responsible actions that will change our future for the better. Even though the term globalization was introduced more than twenty years ago, little research has been directed towards the preparation of teachers for introducing this controversial, present-day phenomenon at the secondary school level. This paper is based on a qualitative study developed by the researchers to examine pre-service Social Studies teachers’ perceptions of the main benefits and challenges of teaching globalization and related global issues. The findings provide valuable insights into the importance of teaching controversial topics as well as what it means to teach globalization and global issues in the rapidly changing world.
Implementing Social Action Curriculum in an Elementary Classroom: Reflections from the Journey
Authors: Veldt Michelle Vander , Ponder Jennifer
Published: February 2022

This study examines how a social studies methods course, with an emphasis in civic education, is taught and carried through from its original implementation within a teacher education social studies course to practicing teachers’ classrooms. Findings suggest that by implementing social action curriculum projects teachers: 1) effectively integrated emerging curriculum, 2) facilitated student-led instruction in a democratic classroom, 3) increased effective communication and built partnerships beyond the classroom, and 4) used structured reflections as a tool for growth and evaluation.
Engaging 9/11 as a Learning Event: Teachers’ Perspectives Examined
Authors: Ray Beverly B. , Pemberton Cynthia Lee A.
Published: February 2022

This study explored perspectives of secondary social studies teachers, who reported using live media broad-casts to engage students in an examination of terrorism on 9/11. Specifically, this study queried these teachers’ perceptions of preparedness on 9/11 to engage it as a learning event. Respondents (N=29) in one Mid-Atlantic state who were teaching in secondary social studies classrooms on September 11, 2001 (9/11), were asked to reflect on their level of preparedness to adapt and implement real-time teaching to address unfolding events. A Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test for matched pairs revealed that respondents’ current perceptions of self-efficacy to teach about an unfolding terrorist act were positively modified by their experiences teaching about terrorism on 9/11 [Z = -4.507, p <.001 (two tailed)]. Respondents reported gains in confidence to teach about terrorism because of their teaching experiences on 9/11. Results add to the small knowledge base on the topic, even as they highlight the need for further research on the classroom response to 9/11.
Building Effective Citizens through 2009 National Council for the Social Studies Notable Picture Books
Authors: Chick Kay A.
Published: February 2022

Citizens in our democracy need a skill set that enables them to take action to help others, challenge bias and prejudice, and demonstrate patriotism. This article considers these skills and the role of children’s literature in the development of citizenship education in social studies classrooms. Citizenship education must incorporate powerful learning that is meaningful, value-based, challenging, and integrated within the arts, sciences, and humanities. The 2009 National Council for the Social Studies Notable picture books that are featured here bring powerful learning opportunities and prepare students to become effective, socially responsible citizens. The instructional strategies that accompany each book encourage social action, critical thinking, and conscientious decision-making, and are easily integrated within the language arts.
Digital Toolkits for Teachers
Authors: Hofer Mark , Swan Kathy
Published: February 2022

Challenging students to create digital documentary films in history courses engages students in both mastery of content knowledge and higher order thinking experiences. Teachers considering this type of work must contend with the focus on standards-based testing, a wide breadth of content to be covered, the challenge of finding relevant primary source materials, and restrictions related to copyright and Fair Use. This paper explores a resource site for teachers, Digital Docs in a Box, that attempts to mediate some of these concerns and support their students in the creation of digital documentaries. First, we explore the rationale for student creation of digital media, the challenges inherent in these endeavors, and the creation of the resource site. We then overview the structure and use of the site, with an illustration of how a practicing teacher would use one of the documentary kits in the classroom.
Teaching Elementary Social Studies Methods Looking Back to Move Forward
Authors: Preston-Grimes Patrice
Published: February 2022

With increased curricular and classroom demands, teaching social studies content and skills can be challenging, especially in elementary schools. Although educators are encouraged to promote critical thinking, collaboration and problem solving, classroom time is increasingly spent preparing students to pass state-mandated tests that emphasize factual recall. This article highlights the importance of self-study through the praxis of one teacher educator. To address the shifting instructional and professional demands, she modified and updated an elementary social studies methods course over a five-year period. Through analysis of documents, observations, and students’ feedback, the methods course and student learning outcomes changed significantly over time. This article addresses the need for social studies teacher educators to re-evaluate their own praxis, as some existing teacher education program models and course programs do not address today’s changing teaching and learning climates. Deliberate self-study, coupled with professional collaborations across school and university boundaries, can be key steps to improve learning outcomes for all.
All We Know that May Be So in Economic Education
Authors: Schug Mark C. , Harrison Ashley S. , Clark J.R.
Published: February 2022

The teaching of economics at the Kindergarten-12 level has been highly researched and reported upon since the 1970’s and has primarily concentrated on curriculum, materials, enrollments, and effectiveness of teaching techniques. This paper summarizes two recent reviews of research, the results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress in Economics, and two recent national surveys. Taken together, the findings suggest that more students are taking high school economics than ever before, and that their performance is better than reported performance in other social studies fields. While adequate teacher training remains a stubborn problem, economics teachers appear to use somewhat more variety in their teaching than do their peers.
Economics in the Media: Cool Tools for Teaching Economics
Authors: Ferrarini Tawni Hunt
Published: February 2022

Recreational use of MP3 players, cell phones, computers and/or video game units is on the rise among today’s students. This article helps teachers integrating economics into their classrooms plug into this M2 frenzy. It identifies numerous high-quality resources with economic content that are readily available in the media at relatively low costs to Kindergarten-12 teachers and their students. Student preferences for different types of media guide the choices of content in economic education described here. By using the revealed preferences of the students, teachers can be more successful at engaging students in advancing along the economics learning curve. Hopefully, their engagement will spill over and entice students to learn more outside the classroom.
“Socializing Economics:” Using Practical Applications to Enliven Economic Theory
Authors: Rosales Jean Kufrin , Journell Wayne
Published: February 2022

Economics has traditionally been taught in a way that emphasizes the “science” side of social science. This article suggests ways to cover the concepts introduced in high school economics using discussions, simulations, and discovery-based techniques that bring the “social” back into social science. Through descriptions of five authentic economic scenarios, the authors provide examples of ways in which teachers can help their students become engaged with economic concepts without using traditional methods that students often find dull or difficult to understand.
Anna Julia Cooper, Ph.D., and the Inequality of Economic Industry
Authors: Christensen Lois McFadyen
Published: February 2022

Dr. Anna Julia Cooper was an early, radical educational pioneer who asked why African Americans were perceived as problematic to society and subjected to economic biases (Berry, 2006; May, 2007) Her life spanned the period of the Civil War to the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement ,. Reflecting on the Dred Scott decision of 1850 further solidified Cooper’s mindset about dominant, powerful Caucasian men. Cooper’s economic views are examined through legislation continuously tolerating African Americans as economic property for profit, the underemployment of African-American women, women as economically oppressed, and the institutionalization of racism in churches and education which contributed to the success of industry.
Social Studies Content Reading about the American Revolution Enhanced with Graphic Novels
Authors: Bosma Kari , Rule Audrey C. , Krueger Karla S.
Published: February 2022

Graphic novels can contribute to effective content area reading on social studies topics such as the American Revolution. This action research study’s purpose was to examine student recall of facts, enjoyment of reading, and interest in the topic when using graphic novels as compared to illustrated nonfiction prose in social studies content area reading. Twenty-two fifth grade students (13 females, 9 males) in a public school in a Midwestern state participated in the study. Half of the students read about the Boston Massacre and Patrick Henry through graphic novels and read about Paul Revere and the Boston Tea Party with illustrated nonfiction texts, with the other half doing the opposite. The mean number of correct ideas recalled by students two weeks after reading two books in the graphic novel condition was 8.6 compared to 7.1 for the nonfiction prose condition with a medium effect size. Students rated their reading enjoyment significantly higher in the graphic novel condition indicating that graphic novels should be employed more often into the school curriculum. Suggestions for integrating graphic novels into the curriculum are provided along with other ways to take action.
Analyzing Historical Photographs to Promote Civic Competence
Authors: Callahan Cory
Published: February 2022

Students in all content areas are almost exclusively presented with text-based instruction that starkly contrasts their experiences outside a classroom. With the advent of sophisticated technologies unknown to earlier generations, modern students are evermore immersed in visual data such as photographs, videos, games, apps. Visual media comprise many of the resources that adolescents use to negotiate understandings of the world. Many teachers and teacher-educators suggest that civic competence requires meeting powerful media with equally powerful analysis tools. In this, the first of two coupled articles — the second to be published in the July issue of Social Studies Research and Practice — I describe the educative potential of employing visual documents, especially historical photographs, in social studies instruction and refer to implications drawn from recent research studies. I also introduce an original lesson demonstrating wise practice teaching strategies for implementing historical photographs in classroom instruction to promote students’ civic competence. The second coupled article will extend the wise practice teaching strategies and feature all of the resources needed to enact the lesson and provide closure to the ideas posited throughout both articles.
Deficit Crisis Simulation: Using Monopoly to Teach About the Deficit Debate
Authors: Wright-Maley Cory
Published: February 2022

The U.S. has a deficit problem. Both political parties agree that the debt and the deficit must be addressed, but are at odds about how to do so. Worse still, there are members of both parties who make finding solutions difficult because of entrenched ideology. As we approach the second year of Congressional impasse, it appears that this crisis is far from over. It is little wonder that teaching students about this issue is difficult. There are myriad nuances and complexities that are challenging to get across to students through traditional means. Simulations are one way to introduce students to complex phenomena by allowing them to experience them. Simulations have proven to be effective teaching tools for addressing subjective experiences and fostering inquiry. Shifts in student dispositions also may occur with simulations. This paper walks the reader through an adaptation of the board game Monopoly to demonstrate how this simulation game can be used to teach students about the deficit crisis and debate from multiple perspectives across the socioeconomic spectrum.
I Just Want to be Heard: Developing Civic Identity through Performance Poetry
Authors: Pellegrino Anthony M. , Zenkov Kristien , Calamito Nicholas
Published: February 2022

This paper describes an integrated unit of study conducted with middle school students who— after being asked to consider the profound and potentially nebulous question, “What does it mean to be an American citizen?”—were directed to respond by developing performance poetry and highlighting themes with visual images they created, found, or manipulated. The goal of our project was to engage youth in what might be understood as a noncontroversial exploration of their conceptual considerations of citizenship. But we hoped to engage them in considering the topic more deeply and in new ways. We appealed to the tools of today’s visual culture, which resulted in creative outputs attentive to contentious early 21st century notions of national identity. We present findings and outline the steps taken to develop and deliver this unit to these students and thus aid other practitioners interested in helping young people to cultivate richer concepts of citizenship.
Examining the Representation of Slavery within Children’s Literature
Authors: Bickford III John H. , Rich Cynthia W.
Published: February 2022

Middle level teachers, at times, link historical content with relevant English literature in interdisciplinary units. Elementary teachers periodically employ history-themed literature during reading time. Interconnections between language arts and history are formed with developmentally appropriate literature for students. Historical misrepresentations, however, proliferate in children’s literature and are concealed behind engaging narratives. Since literacy and historical thinking are essential skills, children’s literature should be balanced within, not banished from, the classroom. Using America’s peculiar institution of slavery as a reference point, this article examines children’s literature, identifies almost a dozen areas of historical misrepresentation, and proffers rich primary source material to balance the various misrepresentations. We provide teachers with reason for caution when including such literature; but also model how to locate, use, and, at times, abridge primary source material within an elementary or middle level classroom. Such curricular supplements provide balance to engaging but historically-blemished children’s literature and enable educators to attain the rigorous prescriptions of Common Core.
Museum Visits in Social Studies: The Role of a Methods Course
Authors: Kaschak Jennifer Cutsforth
Published: February 2022

Museum visits provide opportunities for students to learn content in engaging and interactive ways. In social studies, museums may be spaces where students can increase their historical and civic understanding through exposure to artifacts and narratives unavailable in classrooms. Yet, research suggests teachers are insufficiently prepared to integrate museum visits into classroom curriculum effectively. In this project, the instructors of the two secondary social studies methods course sections organized a visit to a natural history museum. The instructors modeled pre- and post-visit lesson activities during class and provided a guide for pre-service teachers to complete during their museum visit. While pre-service teachers reported they better understood the importance of connecting museum visits to classroom curriculum, they also raised questions about how methods course faculty might introduce pre-service teachers to museum visits. This article discusses what was learned during the project, as well as approaches social studies methods course instructors might reflect upon when considering museum visits as a component of social studies teacher education.
Seamless Integration of Technology into an Industrialization Unit of Study
Authors: Stobaugh Rebecca , Gandy S. Kay
Published: February 2022

A significant number of inventions and innovations appeared during the time known as the Industrial Revolution. Changes in technology quickly transformed American life in the past and continue to impact businesses, communities, and schools today. Technologies like Skype™, Prezi®, and Poll Everywhere™ provide new methods for engaging students in learning and assess their understanding of content. Each of these technologies is free and can be used in one-computer classrooms or computer labs. These technologies can enhance the learning experience by engaging students in critical thinking and collaboration, allowing real-world applications of the content, and profiling various perspectives while utilizing digital tools that captivate students’ interests. We showcase a myriad of ways that these technologies can be seamlessly integrated into a social studies unit on Industrialization.
Using Evernote® as an Interactive Notebook with Pre-Service Social Studies Teachers
Authors: Kerr Stacey , Schmeichel Mardi , Janis Sonia
Published: February 2022

Teacher educators are expected to create experiences for pre-service teachers to prepare them for the world of teaching and the ever-changing contexts of schools and teaching. In this article, we discussed integrating two different aspects of teacher education—field-based instruction and technology—through the use of Evernote®, a digital note-taking and archiving application, to create digital interactive student notebooks. Our goal was to provide other practitioners with insight into our use of Evernote® to address two different pedagogical goals of a field-based course: 1) to enrich our pedagogies through the use of a digital interactive notebook with pre-service teachers who were spending more time in Pre-Kindergarten-12 social studies classrooms, and 2) to teach pre-service teachers to use a particular cloud-based technology that could be implemented in their future classrooms. We described Evernote®, how we used it to work against the notorious theory and practice gap in teacher preparation, and discussed the importance of taking the time in teacher education to teach technology to digital natives.
Instruction for English Language Learners in the Social Studies Classroom: A Meta-synthesis
Authors: Yoder Paul J. , Kibler Amanda , van Hover Stephanie
Published: February 2022

Using the systematic search and coding procedures of a meta-synthesis, this paper reviews the extant literature on English language learners (ELLs) in the social studies classroom. The 15 studies making up the corpus adhere to both topical and methodological criteria. The Language-Content-Task (LCT) Framework informed the coding and analysis of the results. Discussion of the findings provides three primary implications: (1) the need for linguistically and culturally responsive instruction for ELLs in social studies classes, (2) the need for increased training for inservice and preservice social studies teachers in preparation for teaching ELLs, and (3) the need for future research among ELLs in the social studies context.
Making Them Fit: Examining Teacher Support for Student Questioning
Authors: Mueller Rebecca G. W.
Published: February 2022

Social studies research has long advocated inquiry as a desired instructional practice, but the increasing emphasis on the role students’ questions should play in inquiry requires research into what social studies teachers can do to elevate the place of student questioning in classrooms. This study examined the attitudes and actions of two secondary social studies teachers who self-identified as advocates of student questioning and who desired to incorporate more student questioning into their instruction. This study used qualitative research methods and generated data through multiple interviews and classroom observations with each participant along with content analysis of classroom materials. Findings suggest that even though the participants approached student questioning in unique ways, they shared a need for curricular control, often triggered by the pressures of standardized assessments, which influenced how they incorporated student questioning into their classrooms. This study provides valuable insight into the promise of student questioning and factors that must be addressed if teachers are to incorporate student questioning in ways that foster meaningful inquiry.