Spelling in the Middle School: The Testing of Three Teacher Approaches

The objective of this study was to evaluate three current practices in the teaching of spelling to see if these approaches were effective. These approaches were the teaching of spelling rules, the practice of independently assigned word lists, and the teaching of syllabication to aid in the memorization of list words. Each method was also compared to see if any one approach was more effective than another. The subjects of this study were 51 twelve year olds heterogeneously grouped into three seventh grade classes. Data were collected from identical teacher-made pre and posttests. Posttests were administered six weeks after direct instruction was concluded. An analysis of variance was used to determine the statistical difference between each treatment\u27s pretest and posttest means, and a secondary analysis was used to determine which pairs of pretest and posttest means were significant across groups. The statistical evidence indicated that there was a significant difference between pre and post tests for all three treatment groups. A significant difference was also found to exist between the syllabication and list groups for both the pretest and posttest means. There was no significant difference for either pre or post between syllabication and rule, or between list and rule. This difference between syllabication and list groups seemed to indicate that the list group\u27s knowledge was higher at the pretest level. Therefore, it was concluded that all three treatments were statistically effective, but no single treatment was more effective than another

Time Evolution of Partial Discharges in a Dielectric Subjected to the DC Periodic Voltage

Partial discharge (PD) detection can be considered one of the most useful tools for assessing the insulation conditions of the power apparatus in high-voltage systems. Under AC conditions, this analysis is widely employed in online and offline tests, such as type tests or commissioning, and can be carried out by applying the phase-resolved PD (PRPD) method, since the patterns can give information about the defect classification. Under DC voltages, the classic pattern recognition method cannot be performed, and the measurements show complexities related to the nature of the phenomena. For this reason, to date, a standard for PD measurements under DC does not exist. In previous papers, a new method for PD detection under DC stress voltages has been proposed by the authors. It is based on the application of a direct current periodic (DCP) waveform useful in obtaining PRPD patterns. The dependence of partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) and PD repetition rate (PDRR) on the \u3b4 shape parameter of the DCP for different materials, as well as the capability to recognize different discharge phenomena, provided valid indications on the behavior of PD in the transition from AC to DC. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the time dependence of PD occurring in a dielectric by applying the DCP waveform. In our previous studies, the investigations were focused on the PD behavior under different values of the DC voltage periodic part. In another work, the DCP waveform with both positive and negative polarity was applied to several dielectric materials. In the proposed work, instead, the DCP waveform is applied for a long time in order to observe its effect on the PD behavior for 72 h. In this way, due to the space charge accumulation phenomenon, the aging effect, also due to the space charge accumulation phenomenon, is evaluated. The methodological approach was to acquire PRPD patterns over time and evaluate their trends in comparison with the sinusoidal case. The experimental results show that, with a DCP waveform having \u3b4 = 0.6, the aging effect similar to that provided by pure DC stress is observed, while the acquired PRPD patterns are easily interpretated, as in the AC case

Airway dimensions and pathologies of trumpet players vs. non-trumpet players.

Objective: The objective of this retrospective, 3-dimensional cone beam computed tomography study was to determine if there is a significant difference between the most constricted area of the airway, the prevertebral soft tissue thickness and airway dimensions (length and volume) of the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, oropharynx, and maxillary sinuses of university trumpet players versus non-trumpet playing controls. The second objective was to determine significant differences in the prevalence of airway pathologies between university trumpet players and controls. Method: Following IRB approval and consent and reliability studies, measurements of airway parameters and pathology were compared between 66 Caucasian trumpeters and 22 ethnicmatched controls. An analysis of covariance, with age and sex included as covariates, was used to compare the airway measures. Since there was a significant difference in gender and age, comparisons between groups for the presence of any airway pathologies was made using logistic regression including age and sex as covariates. A 5% significance level was used for all comparisons. Result: The trumpet players had significantly smaller nasal cavity volume (18028 + 595 mm3 vs. 25266 + 1116 mm3; p<0.0001) and significantly greater soft tissue thickness at CV2ia (3.29 + 0.10 mm vs 2.70 + 0.10 mm; p=0.03) and CV3sa (4.55 + 0.13 mm vs 3.74 + 0.14 mm; p=0.005) than the controls. No other airway measure demonstrated a significant difference between the two groups. Trumpeters had significantly (p=0.002) more airway pathology (n=33; 50%) than the controls (n=4; 18%). Antral pseudocysts or polyps composed 52% of trumpeter pathologies as compared with 0% controls. Conclusion: The only significant differences in airway dimensions between trumpet players and controls were decreased nasal cavity volume and some areas of prevertebral soft tissue thickness. Trumpeters were almost three times as likely to exhibit airway pathology when compared with controls. Funding: IUPUI Signature Center Initiative – 3D Imaging of the Craniofacial Complex Center and the Joseph and Aida Jarabak Endowed Professorship

Prevalencia histórica de hábitos saludables, en mujeres de 50 a 70 años diagnosticadas con osteoporosis en las ciudades de San Martín y Junín de Mendoza

Se establece que las mujeres que hoy padecen osteoporosis y que tienen entre 50 a 70 años han tenido a lo largo de sus vidas una regular nutrición y un escaso nivel de práctica de ejercicio y/o actividad física. Se puede sugerir a partir de este estudio, en ámbitos educativos formales y no formales, que se genere entre niñas y mujeres jóvenes, la conciencia de los beneficios que se obtienen con un estilo de vida saludable, y de ser necesario, se puede sugerir realizar los ajustes a nivel curricular que apunten a mejorar su futura calidad de vida

The industrial applicability of PEA space charge measurements, for performance optimization of HVDC power cables

Cable manufacturing industries are constantly trying to improve the electrical performance of power cables. During the years, it was found that one of the most relevant degradation factors influencing the cable lifetime is the presence of space charge in the insulation layer. To detect the accumulated charge, the pulsed electro-acoustic (PEA) method is the most used technique. Despite the wide use of the PEA cell, several issues are still present. In particular, the PEA output signal is strongly disturbed by the acoustic waves reflections within the PEA cell. This causes the distortion of the output signal and therefore the misinterpretation of the charge profiles. This, in turn, may result in an incorrect cable characterization from the space charge phenomenon point of view. In 2017, due to the proved degradation effect of the space charge accumulation phenomenon, the IEEE Std 1732 was developed. This standard describes the steps to be followed for the space charge measurement in cables specimens during pre-qualification or type tests. Therefore, cable manufacturing industries started to take a particular interest in these measures. In the light of this, the aim of the present work is to highlight that the enacted standard is not easily applicable since various problems are still present in the PEA method for cables. In particular, in this work, the effect of multiple reflected signals due to the different interfaces involved, but also the effect of the signal attenuation due to cable dielectric thickness, as well as the effect of the PEA cell ground electrode thickness in the output charge profile, are reported. These issues have been demonstrated by means of an experimental test carried out on a full-size cable in the Prysmian Group High Voltage laboratory. To better understand the PEA cell output signal formation, a PEA cell model was developed in a previous work and it has been experimentally validated here. In particular, simulations have been useful to highlight the effect of the reflection phenomena due to the PEA cell ground electrode thickness on the basis of the specimen under test features. Moreover, by analyzing the simulation results, it was possible to separate the main signal from the reflected waves and, in turn, to calculate the suitable ground electrode thickness for the cable specimen under test

Randomized trial of conventional transseptal needle versus radiofrequency energy needle puncture for left atrial access (the TRAVERSE-LA study).

BackgroundTransseptal puncture is a critical step in achieving left atrial (LA) access for a variety of cardiac procedures. Although the mechanical Brockenbrough needle has historically been used for this procedure, a needle employing radiofrequency (RF) energy has more recently been approved for clinical use. We sought to investigate the comparative effectiveness of an RF versus conventional needle for transseptal LA access.Methods and resultsIn this prospective, single-blinded, controlled trial, 72 patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to an RF versus conventional (BRK-1) transseptal needle. In an intention-to-treat analysis, the primary outcome was time required for transseptal LA access. Secondary outcomes included failure of the assigned needle, visible plastic dilator shavings from needle introduction, and any procedural complication. The median transseptal puncture time was 68% shorter using the RF needle compared with the conventional needle (2.3 minutes [interquartile range {IQR}, 1.7 to 3.8 minutes] versus 7.3 minutes [IQR, 2.7 to 14.1 minutes], P = 0.005). Failure to achieve transseptal LA access with the assigned needle was less common using the RF versus conventional needle (0/36 [0%] versus 10/36 [27.8%], P &lt; 0.001). Plastic shavings were grossly visible after needle advancement through the dilator and sheath in 0 (0%) RF needle cases and 12 (33.3%) conventional needle cases (P &lt; 0.001). There were no differences in procedural complications (1/36 [2.8%] versus 1/36 [2.8%]).ConclusionsUse of an RF needle resulted in shorter time to transseptal LA access, less failure in achieving transseptal LA access, and fewer visible plastic shavings

Considerations for Child Cancer Survivors and Immunocompromised Children to Prevent Secondary HPV-associated Cancers

Survivors of childhood cancer and other immunocompromised children are at high risk for the development of secondary Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers. In this overview, the authors examine the epidemiology of vaccine efficacy, the natural history of HPV infections, and accelerated HPV-associated cancer development in these populations. The authors highlight the opportunities for preventive care and future research directives

Limited Vitrectomy versus Complete Vitrectomy for Epiretinal Membranes: A Comparative Multicenter Trial

Purpose. To evaluate whether limited vitrectomy is as effective as complete vitrectomy in eyes with epiretinal membrane (ERM) and to compare the surgical times and rates of complications. Methods. In this multicentre European study, data of eyes with ERM that underwent vitrectomy from January 2017 to July 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. In the limited vitrectomy group, a posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) was induced up till the equator as opposed to complete PVD induction till the vitreous base in the comparison group. Incidence of iatrogenic retinal breaks, retinal detachment, surgical time, and visual outcomes were compared between groups. Results. We included 139 eyes in the analysis with a mean age being 72.2 \ub1 6.9 years. In this, sixty-five eyes (47%) underwent limited vitrectomy and 74 eyes (53%) underwent complete vitrectomy. Iatrogenic retinal tears were seen in both groups (5% in limited vitrectomy versus 7% in complete vitrectomy, p=0.49). Retinal detachment occurred in 2 eyes in the limited vitrectomy group (3%) compared to none in the complete vitrectomy group (p=0.22). Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness improved significantly with no intergroup differences (p=0.18). Surgical time was significantly shorter in the limited vitrectomy group with 91% surgeries taking less than 1 hour compared to 71% in the complete vitrectomy group (p&lt;0.001). Conclusion. A limited vitrectomy is a time-efficient and effective surgical procedure for removal of epiretinal membrane with no additional complications