Positive interventions for children diagnosed with learning disabilities : an exploration of educators\u27 lived experiences

The purpose of the study was to examine the practices used by teachers within the classroom environment that lead learning disability (LD) diagnosed children to a positive learning experience. This study focused on exploring the practices in place that support these children in a positive way in the classroom post-diagnosis. Further, the purpose of this study was to investigate how classroom teachers interact with elementary students ages 7 -12 who have an LD and who are on an IEP. This study explored how educators implemented supportive practices to provide these children with a positive school experience, which in turn, determine how a child experiences their disability within their learning environment. The most compelling findings from this research were that the teachers\u27 effort to support LD students was present, but barriers and limitations to these supportive practices and school-wide planning diluted provision of an adequate and positive classroom environment for children with an LD and who are on an IEP. Implications for social practice and policy highlight the need for further research in finding collaborative and team models that work well and efficiently within the school setting

Temperature measurements behind reflected shock waves in air

A radiometric method for the measurement of gas temperature in self-absorbing gases has been applied in the study of shock tube generated flows. This method involves making two absolute intensity measurements at identical wavelengths, but for two different pathlengths in the same gas sample. Experimental results are presented for reflected shock waves in air at conditions corresponding to incident shock velocities from 7 to 10 km/s and an initial driven tube pressure of 1 torr. These results indicate that, with this technique, temperature measurements with an accuracy of + or - 5 percent can be carried out. The results also suggest certain facility related problems

An improved approach to reinforcement learning in computer go

Monte-Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) has revolutionized, Computer Go, with programs based on the algorithm, achieving a level of play that previously seemed decades away., However, since the technique involves constructing a search tree, its performance t

Learning and living : Connecting graduate education in natrual resources with the scholarship of engaged learning institutions and the outreach mission of land-grant universities

The future will involve a lifetime of learning for those who intend to work or live meaningful, productive lives, especially in the fields of natural resources management. Land-grant universities always have recognized this need for lifelong learning of both professionals and citizens. In order for land-grant universities to reach their full potential as learning institutions engaged with communities, they will need to initiate new forms of leadership within an expanded paradigm that maintains core values while altering the way they serve their students and public. New educational models are needed at the graduate level in natural resources. These new models should be designed to meet growing demand among learners for direct application of content to work settings, and for greater understanding of the dynamic complexity and often-interdisciplinary nature of knowledge. There is also the need to develop capacities among our graduate students for partnership building and leadership for change

Embodiment and Excess: Constructions of tattooed mothers in the UK

The rise in the popularity of tattoos over the past decade is evident, with recent figures suggesting that 1 in 5 people in the UK have a tattoo (YouGov, 2015). Tattoos are often perceived as a ‘masculine practice’, heavily raced and classed (Sargent & Corse, 2013), and represented negatively on women’s bodies. Tattooed women have been constructed as unattractive, promiscuous and loud (Swami & Furnham, 2007) as well as being linked to displaying aggressive behaviour (Swami et al., 2015). Stereotypes that centre on tattooed bodies are not the only ideologies formed for how women should or should not ‘be’ – there is also the example of mothering. In UK newspapers, there are discourses produced that centre on ideal motherhood – the way to act, to behave, to dress amongst other things (Hadfield, Rudoe, & Sanderson‐Mann, 2007). Young mothers are often vilified for their ‘poor choice’ to become a mother so young. They are subject to constant surveillance and scrutiny for how they live, including decisions about the ‘right’ way to spend their money. For these women, choosing to spend money on a tattoo becomes the subject of debate because, as tattoos do not serve the benefit of the child, they would be considered another one of those bad choices (McDermott & Graham, 2005). In this paper, we explore the class based focus on tattooed mother’s bodies, and unpack the constructions of these bodies as discussed by tattooed mothers. We argue that the discursive policing of the tattooed mother is achieved, at least in part, through a construction of a sense of a ‘right’ and a ‘wrong’ way to be a tattooed mother

Are poor set-shifting and central coherence associated with everyday function in anorexia nervosa? A systematic review

Background: There is increasing interest in associations between cognitive impairments and clinical symptoms in Anorexia Nervosa (AN), however, the relationship with everyday function is unclear. The current review synthesizes existing data regarding associations between scores on tests of set-shifting and central coherence and functional outcome measures for individuals with AN. Method: A systematic electronic database search yielded 13 studies which included participants with current or lifetime AN where scores on a neuropsychological test of set-shifting or central coherence were directly or indirectly compared to a functional outcome measure. Results: Associations between set-shifting and central coherence performance measures and functional outcomes were limited in number and noted only in adult or mixed-age cohorts. Associations were noted at subscale level, suggesting they are specific in nature. In younger cohorts, assessments of executive functioning in everyday life appear sensitive to cognitive-behavioral flexibility issues. Conclusions: Associations between cognitive performance and functional outcome have not been as systematically assessed in AN as in other psychiatric disorders. Key factors to address in future research include: (a) the use of function measures which are sensitive to both the level of impairment, and specific rather than general impairments (b) the ecological validity of measures, (c) the task impurity problem, especially in regard to cognitive flexibility assessment, and (d) the need to measure both cognitive deficits and strengths, because tests of specific cognitive processes may underestimate the ability to function in daily life due to compensatory strategies

Large-area submillimeter resolution CdZnTe strip detector for astronomy

We report the first performance measurements of a sub-millimeter CdZnTe strip detector developed as a prototype for space-borne astronomical instruments. Strip detector arrays can be used to provide two-dimensional position resolution with fewer electronic channels than pixellated arrays. Arrays of this type and other candidate technologies are under investigation for the position-sensitive backplane detector for a coded-aperture telescope operating in the range of 30 - 300 keV. The prototype is a 1.4 mm thick, 64 multiplied by 64 stripe CdZnTe array of 0.375 mm pitch in both dimensions, approximately one square inch of sensitive area. Pulse height spectra in both single and orthogonal stripe coincidence mode were recorded at several energies. The results are compared to slab- and pixel-geometry detector spectra. The room-temperature energy resolution is less than 10 keV (FWHM) for 122 keV photons with a peak-to-valley ratio greater than 5:1. The response to photons with energies up to 662 keV appears to be considerably improved relative to that of previously reported slab and pixel detectors. We also show that strip detectors can yield spatial and energy resolutions similar to those of pixellated arrays with the same dimensions. Electrostatic effects on the pulse heights, read-out circuit complexity, and issues related to design of space borne instruments are also discussed