Literacy Instruction in Early Childhood Education: Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee

This qualitative study’s purpose was to research effective literacy instruction in three separate primary classrooms. Three teachers were observed and interviewed as to how they are delivering best instruction in their respective classrooms. These observations were then compared with Gail Tompkins’ (2011) effective literacy educator statements as well as other best practice techniques. Once all of the data was collected, the primary investigator traced similarities throughout the three teachers and made five new additions to the collection of effective literacy educator statements by Gail Tompkins. Implications of this study include the impending Ohio’s Third Grade Reading Guarantee which is an unfunded mandate for the state of Ohio. It requires a third grade reading level for all students leaving that grade or they face retention. Literacy is a crucial part of life which is why having effective literacy instruction in the early grades is so important

Introduction to orbital flight planning (1)

This workbook is designed for students interested in space flight planning, who after training, may serve as flight planning aides. Routine flight planning activities requiring engineering-type calculations and analysis are covered. Practice exercises and brief instructions are given for the programming and use of the hand calculator as well as the calculation of position and velocity in the orbital plane. Calculation of relative orbital position is also covered with emphasis upon celestial coordinates and time measurement

Investigating the Performance of (Multiple-Factor) Multiple-Group Methods for the Detection of Differential Item Functioning

The examination of assessment items for potential bias is more important than ever. Items that function differently for examinees of equal ability from different groups are said to exhibit differential item functioning (DIF). Traditionally, DIF has been detected by comparing only two groups at a time. In racial/ethnic pairwise comparisons, White examinees were treated as the reference group and one minority group was treated as the focal group. This pairwise analysis was repeated for each minority group of interest. The practice of comparing minority examinees to White examinees must be troubled from a critical race theory perspective. To address the limitations of pairwise analyses, DIF methods that simultaneously analyze items for DIF based on multiple groups and/or multiple grouping factors have been developed. These methods include the generalized Mantel-Haenszel (GMH) statistic and multiple indicators, multiple causes (MIMIC) confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) models. Recently, a multiple-group non-compensatory DIF (MG-NCDIF) index that uses a random sample of all examinees as a base reference group was developed. This study compared the performance of the MG-NCDIF index with the GMH and MIMIC DIF detection methods in simulated conditions that modeled both uniform and non-uniform DIF. Additionally, the GMH and MIMIC methods, which have historically used a traditional reference group, were modeled using a base group reference. Overall, the MG-NCDIF method exhibited lower power and higher Type I error rates than the MIMIC method. The MG-NCDIF method did outperform the GMH method when non-uniform DIF was simulated via the a parameter only; however, when the b parameter was manipulated (to model uniform DIF or non-uniform DIF in combination with manipulation of the a parameter), power was higher for the GMH index than the MG-NCDIF index. Across analyses, GMH exhibited lower Type I error rates than MG-NCDIF. All three methods exhibited higher power for the detection of uniform DIF and non-uniform DIF when both the a and b parameters were adjusted; power was lower for the detection of non-uniform DIF when the adjustment was made solely to the a parameter. A critical race theory framework guided this study

Risk management in solitary agricultural work: new technologies for handling emergency and falls from great heights (SHADE)

Solitary work and agricultural activities are the scenarios of a large number of severe injuries and deaths, also because first aid may be difficult to achieve in isolated locations. This work proposes a technology available on smartphones that allows triggering an emergency call when a fall from height or an unconsciousness state is detected. The results of several tests, which include different detection algorithms and scenarios, are reported in this work. Tests performed with the aid of a dummy have allowed developing a reliable algorithm for the detection of dangerous situations. This system is available as an Android application

Mechanical characteristics of filter structures for MEMS adaptive infrared detectors

This paper reports the mechanical design and optimization of tunable Fabry-Perot (FP) filter structures for the development of MEMS adaptive infrared detectors using finite element modeling and experimental investigations. The results indicate that the mechanical characteristics of the FP filters are significantly influenced by the structural designs, which eventually affect the filter performance and device integrity

Growth and nutrient efficiency of Betula alnoides clones in response to phosphorus supply

As phosphorus deficiency limits the productivity of many plantation forests in Asia, there is considerable interest in developing phosphorus-efficient clones for the region through targeted breeding programs. Therefore, we determined growth, nutrient concentrations and nutrient absorption and utility efficiencies of four Betula alnoides clones (C5, C6, 1-202 and BY1) in response to six phosphorus levels of 0, 17, 52, 70, 140 and 209 mg P plant-1 coded as P1 to P6, respectively. Maximum growth occurred in the P4, P5 and P6 plants since they had the largest height, biomass, leaf area and branch number. Phosphorus application increased the phosphorus concentrations of all clones. Nutrient loading was achieved with the P6 treatment because growth and biomass were not significantly higher, but root, stem and leaf phosphorus concentrations were approximately twice those of P4 plants. Clone BY1 had the highest phosphorus-efficiency, and is recommended for field application due to its maximum root collar diameter, biomass, root/shoot ratio, leaf area, nutrient absorption and utility efficiency among the four clones. The findings will help to improve the nutrient efficiency of this species in plantation forestry in Asia

Eco-systems management: Review and implications

Educational professionals upon registering for the 1986 Student Affairs Institute, being hosted by Iowa State University, in Am.es, Iowa, were presented a button with the following equation B = f(P x E) stamped upon it. Upon inquiry it was found the equation was one developed in part by James Banning, Vice President for Student Affairs, Colorado State University and part of an emerging new approach to providing post secondary student services. The equation translation is that behavior is a function of the interaction of persons and the environment. In regards to post secondary education this relationship is often times referred to as the campus ecology model. According to Crookston (1975), This approach focuses attention on the interdependent relationships that exist among all parts of the campus environment, including physical structures, organization, and people, and treats as a major concern the effect of the environment on the well being of students (Evans, 1983, p. 293)

Sepsis and nosocomial infections: The role of medico-legal experts in Italy

Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is defined as the presence of a Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome, and it represents a significant burden for the healthcare system. This is particularly true when it is diagnosed in the setting of nosocomial infections, which are usually a matter of concern with regard to medical liability being correlated with increasing economic costs and people’s loss of trust in healthcare. Hence, the Italian governance promotes the clinical risk management with the aim of improving the quality and safety of healthcare services. In this context, the role of medico-legal experts working in a hospital setting is fundamental for performing autopsy to diagnose sepsis and link it with possible nosocomial infections. On the other hand, medico-legal experts are party to the clinical risk management assessment, and deal with malpractice cases and therefore contribute to formulating clinical guidelines and procedures for improving patient safety and healthcare providers’ work practices. Due to this scenario, the authors here discuss the role of medico-legal experts in Italy, focusing on sepsis and nosocomial infections