Assistive Technology Instruction in Teacher Professional Development

Teachers who work with exceptional students have a critical responsibility to ensure these students receive the best possible education. A major part of the students’ education is the implementation of assistive technology in the classroom. Unfortunately, many teachers begin their career with limited knowledge of assistive technology. Therefore, they are dependent on building their knowledge base from other sources. The results of an assessment of one source, professional development courses, are reported. To assess the effectiveness of the professional development program, a comprehensive prescription was developed to identify gaps in the course objectives and make recommendations to improve the program. This prescription was made up of a needs assessment from Exceptional Student Education (ESE) teachers, task analysis to define necessary objectives for professional development courses, and a gap analysis of existing courses as compared to the proposed objectives. The focus of this assessment was the professional development program of a Central Florida school district. The program was found to support some of the requirements of the district’s teachers but also found areas in which the teachers needed additional support from the district. The recommendations were presented to subject matter experts within the district and the state of Florida

Astrophysical Supercomputing with GPUs: Critical Decisions for Early Adopters

General purpose computing on graphics processing units (GPGPU) is dramatically changing the landscape of high performance computing in astronomy. In this paper, we identify and investigate several key decision areas, with a goal of simplyfing the early adoption of GPGPU in astronomy. We consider the merits of OpenCL as an open standard in order to reduce risks associated with coding in a native, vendor-specific programming environment, and present a GPU programming philosophy based on using brute force solutions. We assert that effective use of new GPU-based supercomputing facilities will require a change in approach from astronomers. This will likely include improved programming training, an increased need for software development best-practice through the use of profiling and related optimisation tools, and a greater reliance on third-party code libraries. As with any new technology, those willing to take the risks, and make the investment of time and effort to become early adopters of GPGPU in astronomy, stand to reap great benefits.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

Relationships between frequency of family meals, BMI and nutritional aspects of the home food environment among New Zealand adolescents

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous research has documented the positive effects of family meals on the dietary quality of adolescents. The objective of the current study is to examine associations between frequency of family meals and body mass index (BMI), other aspects of the home food environment, and related nutrition behaviors.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were collected during baseline measurements of the Pacific Obesity Prevention In Communities study. In total, 3245 ethnically diverse students completed a questionnaire about their nutrition behaviors and were weighed and measured for height.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In total, 42% of adolescents ate a family meal on all of the previous five school nights. Frequency of family meals was modestly associated with BMI in bivariate analysis (p = 0.045), but lost significance when demographic characteristics were included in the model. Frequency of family meals was associated with many positive aspects of home food environment and positive nutrition behaviors, including parental support for healthy eating, limits on television use, having fruit available at home, consuming five fruits and vegetables a day, eating breakfast, and bringing lunch from home. Surprisingly, no relationships were observed between frequency of family meals and accessibility and consumption of many high fat/high sugar foods.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our findings suggest that the positive effect of family meals may reflect an overall positive home food environment. Families who have meals together have more healthful foods available at home and support their child in eating healthfully. There were no relationships between family meals and high fat/high sugar foods; this suggest that while families may prioritize eating together, messages about limiting the availability and consumption of these snack foods are not getting through.</p

Examination of the Potential of Terrestrial Laser Scanning and Structure-from-Motion Photogrammetry for Rapid Nondestructive Field Measurement of Grass Biomass

Above ground biomass (AGB) is a parameter commonly used for assessment of grassland systems. Destructive AGB measurements, although accurate, are time consuming and are not easily undertaken on a repeat basis or over large areas. Structure-from-Motion (SfM) photogrammetry and Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) are two technologies that have the potential to yield precise 3D structural measurements of vegetation quite rapidly. Recent advances have led to the successful application of TLS and SfM in woody biomass estimation, but application in natural grassland systems remains largely untested. The potential of these techniques for AGB estimation is examined considering 11 grass plots with a range of biomass in South Dakota, USA. Volume metrics extracted from the TLS and SfM 3D point clouds, and also conventional disc pasture meter settling heights, were compared to destructively harvested AGB total (grass and litter) and AGB grass plot measurements. Although the disc pasture meter was the most rapid method, it was less effective in AGB estimation (AGBgrass r2 = 0.42, AGBtotal r2 = 0.32) than the TLS (AGBgrass r2 = 0.46, AGBtotal r2 = 0.57) or SfM (AGBgrass r2 = 0.54, AGBtotal r2 = 0.72) which both demonstrated their utility for rapid AGB estimation of grass systems

Social support for youth physical activity: Importance of siblings, parents, friends and school support across a segmented school day

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Whilst evidence exists for the influence of encouragement on physical activity participation, the diversity of support sources and the type of physical activity examined previously is limited. This study examined the importance of perceived encouragement from parents, siblings/cousins, friends, and schools on participation levels across three time-specific activity opportunities that are available during a school day (after-school physical activities, lunchtime activity, and active transportation to and from school).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional sample of 12–18 year old high school students (n = 3,471) were recruited from low SES schools within South Auckland, New Zealand and categorised as either Junior (Years 9–11) or Senior (Years 12 & 13) students. Participants reported their physical activity levels and quantity of encouragement received from their parent(s), friend(s), sibling(s)/cousin(s), and school to be active. For each physical activity variable participants were dichotomized as being either "active" or "less active". For each social support source, participants were grouped into either receiving "high" or "low" levels of support. Binary logistic regression analyzes were conducted to calculate odd ratios and 95% confidence intervals.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Low parental support (Juniors, OR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.38–0.58; Seniors, OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.29–0.60) and low peer support (Juniors, OR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.51–0.74; Seniors, OR: 0.49, 95% CI: 0.35–0.69) were associated with reduced odds of being regularly active after school. For lunchtime activity, low peer support (Juniors, OR: 0.39, 95% CI: 0.32–0.48; Seniors, OR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.29–0.57) was associated with reduced odds of being categorized as active. While no variables were significantly related to active transportation among senior students, low peer support was associated with reduced odds of actively commuting for Junior students (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.66–0.92). Irrespective of the activity examined, no significant difference was noted for students receiving high support from two parents than students reporting high support from their sole parent in a single parent family.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The importance of encouragement from parents, siblings, friends, and schools on physical activity is dependant on the time-specific activity examined. It is clear that proximal social networks need to be considered during the development of physical activity promotion strategies.</p

Prevalence of Diagnosed Opioid Abuse and its Economic Burden in the Veterans Health Administration

Objective Evaluate prevalence and risk‐adjusted healthcare costs of diagnosed opioid abuse in the national V eterans H ealth A dministration ( VHA ). Costs were compared between patients with and without diagnosed opioid abuse. Design Medical and pharmacy claims analysis of VHA data (10/01/2006 to 09/30/2010) were retrospectively analyzed. Prevalence was calculated as the percent of patients with diagnosed opioid abuse for the entire VHA membership and those with noncancer pain diagnoses, compared between patients prescribed opioids prior to abuse diagnosis and those not prescribed opioids through the VHA system. Healthcare utilization and costs were estimated using matching techniques and generalized linear models to control for clinical and demographic differences between patients with and without diagnosed opioid abuse. Separate comparisons were made (with diagnosed abuse vs. without) for each cohort: patients with/without opioid prescriptions. Results Five‐year diagnosed opioid abuse was 1.11%. Among patients prescribed opioids, 5‐year abuse prevalence was 3.04%. Pain patients prescribed opioids had the highest abuse rate at 3.26%. Adjusted annual healthcare costs for diagnosed opioid abuse patients were higher than for those without diagnosed abuse, (prescribed opioids overall healthcare costs: $28,882, with diagnosed abuse vs.$13,605 for those without; not prescribed opioids: $25,197 vs.$6350, P ‐value< 0.0001; opioid‐specific healthcare costs for patients prescribed opioids: $8956 vs.$218; patients not prescribed opioids: $8733 vs.$20). Conclusions Diagnosed opioid abuse prevalence is almost 7‐fold higher in the veteran's administration population than in commercial health plans and translates to a significant economic burden. Appropriate interventions should be considered to prevent and reduce opioid abuse.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107356/1/papr12097.pd

Differences in Healthcare Utilization and Associated Costs Between Patients Prescribed vs. Nonprescribed Opioids During an Inpatient or Emergency Department Visit

Objectives Compare healthcare resource utilization ( HCRU ) and costs between patients prescribed opioids ( R x OP ) and those who were not ( N o R x OP ) during an emergency department ( ED ) or inpatient visit. Methods Retrospective cohort analysis was performed ( J anuary 2006 to S eptember 2010). Continuously eligible R x OP patients in ED /inpatient settings ( J anuary 2007 to S eptember 2009) were included if age was ≥ 12 years by initial prescription date (or random date between first ED /inpatient admission and S eptember 30, 2009 [ N oRx OP patients]). Healthcare resource utilization and costs for 12 months after initial prescription were compared. Univariate descriptive analyses were performed for baseline and outcome variables and compared using appropriate tests. Risk adjustment compared HCRU between R x OP and N o R x OP cohorts for the postindex period. Results Of 27,599 eligible patients, R x OP patients ( n  = 18,819) were younger, less likely to be male, more likely to reside in southern U nited S tates and to have Preferred Provider Organization health plans, and had lower comorbidity index scores, compared with N o R x OP patients ( n  = 8,780). R x OP patients were less likely to have nonpain‐related comorbidities and more frequently diagnosed with pain‐related comorbidities. Unmatched and propensity‐matched R x OP patients experienced higher HCRU and costs in all subcategories (total, inpatient, outpatient ED , physician, pharmacy, other outpatient settings). Opioid abuse frequency was low in patients with common diagnoses/procedures within 3 months before initial prescription (0.48%). Average time to abuse was < 1 year (201 days). Conclusion Most patients were prescribed opioids initially during ED /inpatient visits and incurred higher HCRU than those not prescribed opioids. Among those with diagnosed opioid abuse after initiating opioids, time to diagnosis was rapid (range: 14 to 260 days) for patients with common diseases and procedures.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/107375/1/papr12098.pd

Comportamiento de incubación de la Tacuarita azul (polioptila dumicola) en el centro de Argentina

We described parental behaviors at one nest during the incubation period of the Masked Gnatcatcher (Polioptila dumicola). The nest contained three eggs and both parents shared incubation duties for 14-15 days. The use of remote sensors allowed us to determine that adults spent 668.83 ± 40.86 min per day incubating, which resulted in approximately 80% of daylight hours to nest attentiveness. Lapses of incubation were on average 86.30 ± 51.67 min. We did not find significant differences in the duration or amount of incubation lapses or off-bouts among periods of the day (morning, midday, and afternoon).Describimos el comportamiento de los parentales durante el período de incubación en un nido de Tacuarita Azul (Polioptila dumicola). El nido contenía tres huevos y ambos parentales compartieron tareas de incubación durante 14-15 días. El uso de sensores remotos nos permitió determinar que los adultos destinaron 668.83 ± 40.86 min por día a la incubación, lo que resultó en aproximadamente un 80% de atención al nido durante la incubación diurna. Los intervalos de incubación fueron en promedio 86.30 ± 51.67 min. No encontramos diferencias significativas en la duración, cantidad de períodos de incubación y recesos entre las diferentes horas del día (mañana, mediodía y tarde).Fil: Schaaf, Alejandro Alberto. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas; ArgentinaFil: Vergara Tabares, David Lautaro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Rojas, Tobias Nicolas. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Ecología Regional; ArgentinaFil: Diaz, Agustín Eduardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Peralta, Giovana Claudia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; ArgentinaFil: Peluc, Susana Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentin

High prevalence of childhood multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Johannesburg, South Africa: a cross sectional study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There are limited data on the prevalence of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB), estimated at 0.6-6.7%, in African children with tuberculosis. We undertook a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of MDR-TB in children with <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>(MTB) at two hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Culture-confirmed cases of MTB in children under 14 years, attending two academic hospitals in Johannesburg, South Africa during 2008 were identified and hospital records of children diagnosed with drug-resistant TB were reviewed, including clinical and radiological outcomes at 6 and 12 months post-diagnosis. Culture of <it>Mycobacterium tuberculosis </it>complex (MTB) was performed using the automated liquid broth MGIT™ 960 method. Drug susceptibility testing (DST) was performed using the MGIT™ 960 method for both first and second-line anti-TB drugs.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1317 children were treated for tuberculosis in 2008 between the two hospitals where the study was conducted. Drug susceptibility testing was undertaken in 148 (72.5%) of the 204 children who had culture-confirmed tuberculosis. The prevalence of isoniazid-resistance was 14.2% (n = 21) (95%CI, 9.0-20.9%) and the prevalence of MDR-TB 8.8% (n = 13) (95%CI, 4.8-14.6%). The prevalence of HIV co-infection was 52.1% in children with drug susceptible-TB and 53.9% in children with MDR-TB. Ten (76.9%) of the 13 children with MDR-TB received appropriate treatment and four (30.8%) died at a median of 2.8 months (range 0.1-4.0 months) after the date of tuberculosis investigation.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>There is a high prevalence of drug-resistant tuberculosis in children in Johannesburg in a setting with a high prevalence of HIV co-infection, although no association between HIV infection and MDR-TB was found in this study. Routine HIV and drug-susceptibility testing is warranted to optimize the management of childhood tuberculosis in settings such as ours.</p