The importance of social worlds: an investigation of peer relationships [Wider Benefits of Learning Research Report No. 29]

In the following report, we investigate the developing social worlds in late primary school, exploring the patterns in children’s general peer relationships, their closer and more significant friendships and bullying behaviours. Using cluster analysis, we identify unique groups of children characterized not only by their experiences of bullying and victimization, but the support and satisfaction they receive from their friendships and interactions between the ages of 8 and 10. We also expand past research by examining how children’s early development (ages 3 to 4) may predict their later designation as bullies and/or victims, and whether peer clusters relate to children’s contemporaneous and later adjustment

Characterisation of Australian opals

University of Technology, Sydney. Faculty of Science.Australia is the world's largest producer of precious opals, contributing more than $1 billion per annum to the GDP. However, to date little fundamental research has been carried out on banded opals, which are potentially the most valuable of all opal varieties. Opal is also Australia's national gemstone; yet for such an important resource, it is surprising that the mechanisms of opal formation remain in dispute, in particular for banded opals. The focus of this study is to understand the formation of opal by investigating the chemistry and microstructure of banded and nonbanded opals. Opals from several regions of Australia (Coober Pedy, Lightning Ridge, Andamooka and Tintenbar), in addition to opals from Mexico, were thus investigated in detail using a range of techniques. Evaluation of the trace element chemistry of opals was carried out by employing a combination of experimental techniques, including Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICPMS) and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). Darker-coloured bands contained significantly higher concentrations of certain transition elements (Ti, V, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Y) and rare-earth elements (La, Ce) than the lighter-coloured bands. The concentrations of other elements (Mg, Ca, Al, Fe and Mn) were in most cases found to be similar between bands. Some elements (Ti, Cr, Cu, Zn, Co and Zr) were found to be distributed more heterogeneously than others (Na, Ca, Mg, K, Al and Fe). Based on this evidence, a solution depletion model was proposed to explain the formation of banded opals, involving the charge-neutralisation of silica colloids by highly-charged transition metal cations. The microstructural characteristics of several Australian opal-AG (amorphous, gel-like opal) specimens were studied using a number of experimental techniques such as porosity measurement, thermomechanical analysis (TMA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). An initial expansion followed by contraction was observed in TMA. The temperature at which this 'transition' occurred ranged from 200 to 400°C and was found to be region dependent. TGA revealed that the temperature range, from 215 to 350°C, over which the maximum rate of dehydration occurred, was again region dependent, consistent with the TMA data. A dehydroxylation-sintering mechanism was proposed to account for these results. Porosity measurement yielded a greater degree of porosity in the opaque white samples than the transparent ones; the additional voids consequently scatter light internally, rendering the opal opaque. 29Si NMR and 27 Al NMR experiments were undertaken to characterise the relative disorder, silanol content and the coordination state of Al within opal-AG and opal-CT (cristobalite-tridymite opal). The comparison of 29Si NMR spectra demonstrated that opal-CT samples contained a higher proportion of both geminal (Q2) and vicinal silanol groups (Q3) than opal-AG. This result was attributed to the large internal surface area of opal-CT compared to that of opal-AG. Since Al was found to exist in a tetrahedral coordination within the opal structure, incorporation of Al occurred through substitution of Si during the period of colloidal growth. As the concentration of Al in banded opals was similar, the colloids within each band are considered to have formed at similar times

Temporal trends in satellite-derived erythemal UVB and implications for ambient sun exposure assessment

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been associated with various health outcomes, including skin cancers, vitamin D insufficiency, and multiple sclerosis. Measurement of UVR has been difficult, traditionally relying on subject recall. We investigated trends in satellite-derived UVB from 1978 to 2014 within the continental United States (US) to inform UVR exposure assessment and determine the potential magnitude of misclassification bias created by ignoring these trends. Monthly UVB data remotely sensed from various NASA satellites were used to investigate changes over time in the United States using linear regression with a harmonic function. Linear regression models for local geographic areas were used to make inferences across the entire study area using a global field significance test. Temporal trends were investigated across all years and separately for each satellite type due to documented differences in UVB estimation. UVB increased from 1978 to 2014 in 48% of local tests. The largest UVB increase was found in Western Nevada (0.145 kJ/m2 per five-year increment), a total 30-year increase of 0.87 kJ/m2. This largest change only represented 17% of total ambient exposure for an average January and 2% of an average July in Western Nevada. The observed trends represent cumulative UVB changes of less than a month, which are not relevant when attempting to estimate human exposure. The observation of small trends should be interpreted with caution due to measurement of satellite parameter inputs (ozone and climatological factors) that may impact derived satellite UVR nearly 20% compared to ground level sources. If the observed trends hold, satellite-derived UVB data may reasonably estimate ambient UVB exposures even for outcomes with long latency phases that predate the satellite record

PRONOM-ROAR: Adding Format Profiles to a Repository Registry to Inform Preservation Services

To date many institutional repository (IR) software suppliers have pushed the IR as a digital preservation solution. We argue that the digital preservation of objects in IRs may better be achieved through the use of light-weight, add-on services. We present such a service – PRONOM-ROAR – that generates file format profiles for IRs. This demonstrates the potential of using third- party services to provide preservation expertise to IR managers by making use of existing machine interfaces to IRs

Stable isotope analysis of human remains from the Early Contact Period site of La Capilla del Niño Serranito at La Capilla de Santa María Magdalena de Eten

Oxygen and carbon stable isotope analyses of bone and tooth enamel carbonate were conducted on a subset of the burial population (n = 17) of the La Capilla de El Niño Serranito of the La Capilla Santa María Magdalena de Eten site in the Lambayeque Valley of Peru. The individuals sampled display oxygen stable isotope (δ18Odw(V-SMOW) ) values consistent with higher altitude δ 18Odw(V-SMOW) levels. Carbon stable isotope (δ13C(VPDB)) values for the individuals sampled are consistent with C4 and potentially marine-based food sources. The results of the stable isotope analyses, when combined with elements from the site-specific archaeological and bioarchaeological data, provide a more comprehensive view of the lives and identities of the individuals examined

Mitigating intimate partner violence to promote safe linkage to care for South African women who test HIV+ during mobile counseling and testing.

Sources warn the global HIV/AIDS epidemic will not be halted without significant reductions in Intimate partner violence (IPV). South African women have been hardest hit by the HIV-IPV link, suffering deleterious health outcomes as sequelae of significant barriers to HIV care. Extant literature focuses on HIV prevention, and there is a paucity of effective methods for mitigating IPV-related barriers among women living with HIV. This study was a Phase II trial testing the effectiveness and safety of the HIV IPV Risk and Safety (HIRS) protocol administered to women experiencing IPV and testing HIV+ during mobile HIV Counseling and Testing (HCT). Research questions compared experiences between a Standard of Care and an Experimental group with two dosage levels. All participants (N=255) were black South African females residing in Gauteng province and aged about 33 years (M=33). Two psychometric instruments were created for this study: the Danger Indicator and the HIRS scale with the latter having good reliability (Cronbach alpha .882) but both needing refinement in validity. The protocol was shown to be effective in mitigating violence upon partner notification of serostatus (X2(1) = 7.83, p=.005) and promoting linkage to care, with participants aged 33-43 years trending towards significant (X2(1) = 3.57, p=.059). The protocol was found to be feasible to implement, having impressive retention, brevity in administration, and high usage of safety strategies with minimal risks resulting from participation. Satisfaction was confirmed through positive participant ratings and safety through both non-significant group differences on the HIRS scale (t(1, 237)= -1.09; p= .278) and the perceived benefits of study participation far outweighing harms. Women receiving the protocol displayed notable self-determination towards self-protection and suffered significantly less re-assault upon partner notification. The number of participants utilizing certain safety strategies suggests this brief intervention was effective in galvanizing South African women to reclaim power and act towards the betterment of their health. Findings herald the promise of a protocol that effectively mitigates IPV to improve HIV outcomes. The effectiveness of the HIRS protocol, in facilitating safe partner notification of serostatus, could be a significant contribution to the knowledge base, but more research is needed to confirm these results

The Role of Teachers in School Safety

This study examined teachers\u27 perceptions of their abilities to effectively respond to crises on their school campuses. Teachers were surveyed in numerous southeastern states in contrasting demographic areas. Much of the literature addressed acts of violence, natural disasters, and threats of terrorism in schools. Past literature designates urban areas as places where violence has been a more prevalent element of everyday life. Current evidence shows that school shootings and natural disasters can occur anywhere. This shows that planning, practicing, and preparing for crises events are imperative no matter the demographic area in which a school is located. However, there is a dearth of literature on teachers\u27 perceptions of their abilities to respond to a crisis. This lack of literature on teachers\u27 perceptions prompted the researcher to investigate the topic. The researcher designed a survey instrument Teachers in a Crisis Preparedness Survey that was distributed to 1,000 educators. Participants responded anonymously to survey items related to their years of service in the field and position (high school/elementary). Furthermore, participants were queried about the consistency of practice drills, established emergency procedures/plans, and confidence in their administrators\u27 ability to capably lead in a crisis. Examination of the data showed that teachers report they practice drills in average frequency, with the exception of fire drills which were reported to be practiced in higher frequencies. However, teachers reported they do not feel prepared. Overall, teachers do not believe they are well trained to handle a crisis situation at their schools whether their schools are in urban or rural areas. Further examination of the data showed that teachers had more confidence in their principal\u27s ability to respond to a crisis than in their own abilities. However, the teachers didn\u27t have a strong perception of their principal\u27s ability. This indicates that more steps need to be taken to establish safety protocols and consistently practice procedures for all types of crises. This will enhance teachers\u27 confidence in their ability to respond when a crisis arises. The ultimate goal of this study was to examine teachers\u27 perceptions of their preparedness to manage crises. This research lays the foundation for future studies that examine this topic

The Kodak Picture Spot sign: American photographic viewing and twentieth-century corporate visual culture

This dissertation is the first in-depth study focusing solely on Kodak Picture Spots — signs placed into the landscape that highlight particular views and promote specific subjects to photograph. Eastman Kodak Company placed these branded markers along the roadside beginning in the 1920s, in several World’s Fairs from mid-century through the 1980s, and at various Disney parks from the late 1950s until Kodak’s bankruptcy in 2012. These picture-taking signs encouraged and mediated sightseeing in order to spur photographic activity, sell product, and equate places with pictures. Using an interdisciplinary approach, the dissertation examines the roles these little-studied photographic objects and their vernacular corporate-controlled views, settings, and activities play in the acquisition and distribution of images, real and ideal. Recommended views have a long history, dating back to eighteenth-century British pre-selected vistas and lasting into twenty-first-century digital culture. Picture Spots promote what Nathan Jurgenson calls “conspicuous photography,” a unique set of expectations and actions tied to corporate culture and technology. Chapter One explores Picturesque-era precursors related to gardens, tourism, and accoutrements such as maps and optical devices, including the Claude Glass and stereoscope, in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century England and America. Chapter Two examines early American tourism and the initial Kodak campaign of an estimated 5,000 metal signs placed along new roads between 1920 and 1925. Chapter Three charts Kodak’s long-standing association with international expositions, concentrating on the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair where Kodak installed nearly 50 signs. Chapter Four considers the partnership of Kodak and Disney, starting with the debut of Picture Spot signs at Disneyland circa 1959 and subsequent incorporation into all U.S. Disney parks. The dissertation concludes with developments in smaller venues as well as contemporary corporate viewing via social media and camera phones. Selfie sticks and other accessories also aid in reifying conspicuous photography in new and interrelated ways. Due to the ubiquity of photographs today, further aggregated on the internet by enthusiasts using hashtags, picture-taking signs have developed into nostalgic objects and tourist destinations unto themselves

Home Again, Boys, Home Again, Back Across The Sea

https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mmb-vp/3152/thumbnail.jp

Social Work Education For Aboriginal Communities

This paper examines aboriginal social work education in Canada and suggests that current education practice may be facilitating the assimilation of aboriginal students into a mainstream culture and profession. Developments in aboriginal social work programs and curriculum are reviewed and a philosophy of recognition and accommodation of aboriginal perspectives as a basis for future developments is posed as an alternative to assimilation. Further, a strategy for teaching, termed interface teaching, is suggested as a way in which non-aboriginal educators can take individual responsibility for wrestling with some of the issues that arise in the professional education of aboriginal students.Cet article examine la formation des travailleurs sociaux autochtones au Canada et suggère que la pratique actuelle de formation pourrait promouvoir l'assimilation des étudiants autochtones dans le courant dominant de la culture et de la profession. Les développements récents des programmes d'étude conçus pour les autochtones dans le domaine du travail social ont été examinés et une philosophie de reconnaissance et d'accommodation des points de vue autochtones comme base de développement futur est proposée come alternative à l'assimilation. De plus, une stratégie d'enseignement, appelée enseignement par interface, est suggérée pour permettre aux éducateurs non-autochtones de répondre de façon individualisée et responsable aux problêmes soulevés par la formation professionelle des étudiants autochtones