Teacher 2020. On the Road to Entrepreneurial Fluency in Teacher Education

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An individualized psychosocial approach for "treatment resistant" behavioral symptoms of dementia among aged care residents

Background: Behavioral symptoms of dementia are common among residents in mainstream aged care settings, and have a substantial impact on residents and professional caregivers. This study evaluated the impact of individualized psychosocial interventions for behavioral symptoms through a small preliminary study.Method: Interventions were delivered to a patient group of 31 psychogeriatric aged care residents who presented with behavioral symptoms of dementia that had failed to respond to pharmacological treatment approaches. Outcome data on severity of behaviors, health service utilization and staff burden of care were collected.Results: A modest but significant reduction in staff ratings of the severity of aggressive and verbally agitated behavioral symptoms was found, with an associated reduction in their perceptions of the burden of caring for these patients. Reduced behavioral disturbance was associated with a reduction in the requirement for primary care consultations, and all participants were able to continue to reside in mainstream aged care facilities, despite an increase in the severity of dementia.Conclusions: This study supported the use of individualized psychological strategies for behavioral symptoms at all stages of dementia. Methodological limitations of this preliminary study are discussed.<br /

A study of applicants for the Master of Education degree at the School of Education, Boston University, from 1947 to 1957

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Evaluation of approaches to control of Maedi-Visna disease of sheep using a Markov chain simulation model for a range of typical British Flocks

An epidemiological model is described that closely mimicked results of a published serological study of natural transmission of Maedi-Visna virus in a low ground flock of sheep. We adjusted parameters in the model from this baseline to explore the possible implications for the control of Maedi-Visna virus in typical British flocks. On closed hill farms, low probability of effective contact was most critical for control. In open low ground flocks, purchasing accredited replacements eliminated disease spread, otherwise flock size was the most important factor governing flock prevalence. Results highlighted the need for more epidemiological information about Maedi-Visna, particularly whether hill farms act as a hidden reservoir of virus or reduce the impact of this disease on the industry by providing a source of clean replacementsLivestock Production/Industries, Maedi-Visna, Model, Markov Chain, Sheep, Control,

Movement kinematics and proprioception in post-stroke spasticity: assessment using the Kinarm robotic exoskeleton

Background Motor impairment after stroke interferes with performance of everyday activities. Upper limb spasticity may further disrupt the movement patterns that enable optimal function; however, the specific features of these altered movement patterns, which differentiate individuals with and without spasticity, have not been fully identified. This study aimed to characterize the kinematic and proprioceptive deficits of individuals with upper limb spasticity after stroke using the Kinarm robotic exoskeleton. Methods Upper limb function was characterized using two tasks: Visually Guided Reaching, in which participants moved the limb from a central target to 1 of 4 or 1 of 8 outer targets when cued (measuring reaching function) and Arm Position Matching, in which participants moved the less-affected arm to mirror match the position of the affected arm (measuring proprioception), which was passively moved to 1 of 4 or 1 of 9 different positions. Comparisons were made between individuals with (n = 35) and without (n = 35) upper limb post-stroke spasticity. Results Statistically significant differences in affected limb performance between groups were observed in reaching-specific measures characterizing movement time and movement speed, as well as an overall metric for the Visually Guided Reaching task. While both groups demonstrated deficits in proprioception compared to normative values, no differences were observed between groups. Modified Ashworth Scale score was significantly correlated with these same measures. Conclusions The findings indicate that individuals with spasticity experience greater deficits in temporal features of movement while reaching, but not in proprioception in comparison to individuals with post-stroke motor impairment without spasticity. Temporal features of movement can be potential targets for rehabilitation in individuals with upper limb spasticity after stroke.York University Librarie

Effects of Green Supply Chain Management Practices on Competitiveness of Firms in the Food and Beverage Sector in Kenya

Green Supply Chain Management practices have become a policy tool for many organizations due to concerns of environmental sustainability, climate change and its effects. Many firms are consciously including environmental and social considerations in their procurement processes. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of green supply chain management practices on the competitiveness of firms in the food and beverage sector in Kenya. The study was also guided by specific objectives which include establishing the influence of green procurement, green production, green distribution and reversing logistics on the competitiveness of manufacturing firms in the food and beverage sector in Kenya. The study was built upon the Sustainability Theory, Resource Based Theory, Exchange Relationships Theory and the Supply Chain Operation Reference Theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design which involved distribution of questionnaire to the food and beverage firms in Kenya. A good response rate of 81% was realized. The study also established a regression and correlation analysis between the dependent variable and the independent variables. The findings of the study was on the effects of green supply chain management practices on competitiveness, firms in the food and beverage sectors   adopt different green supply chain practices depending on the activities that they are engaged in and also which green supply chain practice will yield better competitiveness to the firm. It also established that most of the firms’ green supply chain practices involved environmental collaboration, monitoring, purchasing and the greening of the production phase. It was also found out that the competitiveness to the food and beverage firms resulting from the green supply chain practices includes improved operational efficiency, increased customer base, offering superior services, reduction in waste level and all these leads to improved financial performance. The study concluded that  green supply chain management practices has a positive effect on the food and beverage firms  and should form part of long term strategy of the food and beverage firms in order to gain competitive advantage over its competitors. It has therefore been recommended that organizations should consider adopting green supply chain fully as the potential benefits to be realized are enormous compared to the initial and operation cost of implementing the practice. Keywords: Green supply chain management practices, food and beverage firms, competitivenes

The Impact of the internet on academic library use:perception of Chepkoilel community

Moi University 3rd International Conference to be held between 31st July and 4th August 2007 Theme : Technology for sustainable socio-economic developmentIt is becoming increasingly apparent that academic libraries will no longer be able to meet information needs of their users using the traditional library services due to diminishing government funding, increased number of academic programs and the ever increasing number of users. Yet the demand for information appears undiminished. The Internet is an untapped channel that libraries can use to supplement already existing library services. The study explored Internet awareness, frequency and reasons of use and perception of the users towards traditional library services as compared to the Internet so as to set a platform for establishing future trends in library services. A modified model (D’Elia and Rodger, 2000) was used based on the Chepkoilel campus community use of the library and use of the Internet. They defined the segments of this market as follows: Segment 1) People who use the library but do not use the Internet; Segment 2) People who use the library, and Internet; Segment 3) People who do not use the library, and do not use the Internet; Segment 4) People who do not use the library but use the Internet. The survey was conducted through the use of self administered questionnaires. The results indicates that there is need to develop appropriate and complementary services in the library that will incorporate traditional library services and emerging services that have been made possible by the rapid new developments in ICT. Training is suggested as an appropriate means of enabling library staff to run and manage a digital library and also assist and teach students and staff on how to efficiently and effectively use the internet. But widespread usage of this powerful information resource depends not only on the innovativeness of the library but more on the efforts made by the university management to promote its access, advantages and ease of use.It is becoming increasingly apparent that academic libraries will no longer be able to meet information needs of their users using the traditional library services due to diminishing government funding, increased number of academic programs and the ever increasing number of users. Yet the demand for information appears undiminished. The Internet is an untapped channel that libraries can use to supplement already existing library services. The study explored Internet awareness, frequency and reasons of use and perception of the users towards traditional library services as compared to the Internet so as to set a platform for establishing future trends in library services. A modified model (D’Elia and Rodger, 2000) was used based on the Chepkoilel campus community use of the library and use of the Internet. They defined the segments of this market as follows: Segment 1) People who use the library but do not use the Internet; Segment 2) People who use the library, and Internet; Segment 3) People who do not use the library, and do not use the Internet; Segment 4) People who do not use the library but use the Internet. The survey was conducted through the use of self administered questionnaires. The results indicates that there is need to develop appropriate and complementary services in the library that will incorporate traditional library services and emerging services that have been made possible by the rapid new developments in ICT. Training is suggested as an appropriate means of enabling library staff to run and manage a digital library and also assist and teach students and staff on how to efficiently and effectively use the internet. But widespread usage of this powerful information resource depends not only on the innovativeness of the library but more on the efforts made by the university management to promote its access, advantages and ease of use