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The article examines the results of two quasi-experimental studies of the implementation and impact of the Literacy Design Collaborative (LDC), an intervention designed to support secondary teachers’ transition to Common Core State Standards in English language arts. The first study examines LDC implementation by eighth-grade social studies and science teachers in districts across Kentucky; the second study is set in sixth-grade advanced reading classes in a large urban district in Florida. Based on teacher surveys, logs, and analysis of classroom artifacts, the LDC was implemented with reasonable fidelity across both studies. Based on available assessment scores, results show statistically significant positive effects in Kentucky for reading but no corollary effect in Florida. There were no significant differences in writing scores in either site. The conclusion shares hypotheses that may explain the differences in results and reflects on implications for evidence-based practice.

Cell membrane-based sorting and trafficking of nanoscale particles (NPs) are fundamental processes in many cellular activities such as endocytosis, signaling and virus infection; however, the regulation mechanism of these behaviors is still poorly understood. In this work, partitioning of NPs into different lipid phases (i.e., liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered phases) on a ternary lipid bilayer, as well as the influence of NP perturbations on the phase separation of the bilayer, is investigated by using coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations. Interestingly, it is revealed by our simulations that even with the same chemical affinity between the NPs and lipids in different phases, NPs are still able to preferentially locate at the liquid-disordered (Ld) phase domains. The preferential partitioning behavior of NPs is associated with the physical properties of both the membrane and NPs (e.g., the membrane stiffness and the NP size/quantity). Additionally, the preferential partitioning of NPs facilitates growth of the Ld domain and promotes coupling of this domain between the two leaflets. This work provides new insights into the complicated nano–bio interaction mechanism. Moreover, it suggests methods to regulate the mobility of NPs on cellular membranes to modulate important biological processes accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]