What\u27s Really Needed to Effectuate Resource Protection in Communities

This article examines the challenges presented by the complexity of environmental laws at the local level, through the use of a case study. It documents the important role that comprehensive planning and local regulations play in protecting the natural resources in our communities. In considering lessons learned, this article also considers what else is needed to continue protecting the environment at the local level. First, there is an overwhelming need for municipalities to develop a regional strategy to protect their natural resources. Second, local laws play an important role in protecting natural resources. While we often think of the state and federal statutes as being the guardians of our waterways and air, more and more local laws are catching what falls through the cracks of the state and federal system. Third, it is very challenging to be an effective local official. The system is complex; the job requires a tremendous amount of time and dedication, awareness and education. It\u27s no wonder that many supervisors and mayors run unopposed or that it is difficult to find volunteers to serve on local boards. Fourth, if we don\u27t focus on supporting the development of local leadership, then all the discussions about local environmental law and smart growth will be for nothing because the ideas will fall on fallow ground. Local officials need training, financial support and enhanced community process, within a regional framework

Task-dependent Modulation of Cortical Excitability and Balance Control in Individuals with Post-concussion Syndrome

In most cases, symptoms resolve between 7-10 days post-concussion. However, in 10-15% of the concussed population, symptoms can remain unresolved for months to years following the head injury. The purpose of this thesis was two-fold, and was broken up into two studies, where the same individuals participated in both studies. The purpose of the first study was to quantify the differences in balance control between individuals with PCS (i.e., had been experiencing symptoms for \u3c30 days) and non-concussed individuals during a lower-limb reaching task. Participants completed a static balance assessment before and after a lower-limb reaching task, which incorporated a Go/No-Go paradigm. Results from this study revealed no differences in the static stability assessments, however, individuals with PCS demonstrated increased medial-lateral COP displacement as well as greater trunk pitch during the reaching task. Overall, the findings reveal persistent balance impairments in individuals with PCS, which may put this population at an increased risk of further injury. The purpose of the second study was to assess task-dependent modulation of cortical excitability prior to planned index finger abduction contractions comparing a non-concussed population to a population with PCS. The protocol in this study consisted of both single and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which was applied prior to the beginning of 3 different tasks (i.e., a rest condition with no plan to contract, a precision contraction, and a powerful contraction). In addition to the three tasks, participants also had to respond to a Go/No-Go cue. The results of this study revealed an increase in excitability prior to a precision contraction in both non-concussed and PCS groups. No differences in task-dependent modulation were found between the two groups with respect to intracortical facilitation and inhibition, however a negative correlation between number of symptoms reported (SCAT3 symptom evaluation) and intracortical facilitation was revealed. The increase in corticospinal excitability prior to a precision contraction was not explained by the two cortical mechanisms we assessed and may therefore be due to spinal modulation or a different cortical mechanism. Overall, based on the results from this thesis, it appears that individuals with PCS have balance impairments, which may be a result of an inability to maximally activate their postural muscles. Furthermore, it appears that those individuals who reported a higher number of symptoms had greater reductions in intracortical facilitation, likely reflecting the heterogeneity of this clinical group

A Consensual Qualitative Research Study of the Transformation From High School Dropout to Second Chance Alumni

This study focused on understanding the perceived process of change, outcomes and influencing factors experienced by high school graduates of Urban Corps of San Diego County (UCO) from a bioecological theory of human development standpoint. UCO is a second chance high school diploma-job training program that offers students free mental health counseling and employment assistance. Limited research charted former high school dropouts\u27 process of re-engagement with school and experiences after graduation. Using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) and Critical Theory, a research team identified nine categories and 33 subcategories based on 15 semi-structured interviews with a homogenous sample of UCO alumni. The findings informed a tentative model of relationships between the perceived process of change, outcomes, and influencing factors that describe UCO alumni\u27s development over time. Theoretical implications supported the utility of the bioecological theory of human development in understanding UCO alumni development-in-context. Findings may be applied in social justice counseling, advocacy, research, and program evaluation

An Investigation of Kindergarten, First and Second Grade Teachers\u27 Implementation of Portfolios

The purpose of this study was to examine a kindergarten, first and second grade teachers\u27 familiarity and use of portfolios as well as their concerns about portfolio use. This information is important because it may affect how portfolios are implemented in these classrooms and the degree of success that teachers report in portfolio use. Information about teacher concerns and teacher familiarity and use of portfolios was collected through the use of a survey developed by Johns and VanLeirsburg (1991) and adapted for this study. The survey focused on familiarity and use of portfolios, contents of portfolios, and teacher concerns about portfolios. The relationships among the variables were analyzed using chi-square tests for independence. The results of this study indicated that there is a relationship between kindergarten, first and second grade teachers\u27 extent of familiarity with portfolios and their portfolio use. There was also a relationship between kindergarten, first and second grade teachers\u27 background in portfolio use through in-service sessions and their implementation of portfolios in their classroom

Bridging the gap between asynchronous and traditional learning environments: Technology for adult learners

The growth of new technologies has caused renewed interest in distance learning and has impacted the instructional delivery of courses. This interest ranges from nontraditional learners to businesses using distance education to meet the needs of employees working in multiple geographic sites. A review of the literature suggests that interaction is an important factor in learning and that improving interaction improves transformational learning and constructivism. Since asynchronous delivery tools can potentially marginalize social and cultural skills prevalent in a classroom setting, new technology may resolve these issues. This study examines a web-based, VoIP platform (Interwise) as a means for instructional delivery adopted to meet the business training needs of a mid-sized multinational company. The study addresses the following questions: (1) Are the instructional components of Interwise consistent with adult learning principles? (2) How do students report their experience with Interwise in comparison to their experience in a traditional classroom? The study involved a convenience sample of 233 adult men and women participating in online training within a corporate environment. The archival data provided information on distance education and the fit of the delivery system with adult learning principles. Individuals responded to an online survey, identifying their responses on a Likert scale. Descriptive statistics were used for all questions and, in addition, correlation and ANOVAs were conducted. Findings support the use of Interwise as a delivery method for adults. The data indicates the perception of Interwise by students is positive and the platform appears suited to the learning needs of adults. It is convenient, easy to access, and the majority of students were willing to take another class. Instructor-centered factors influenced students\u27 perception of their experience. The most significant limitation was in the area of student-to-student interaction, with fewer opportunities for quality interaction than in a traditional classroom. While not part of the original research, the data raised questions regarding differences by geography and further research is recommended

The rise of close reading

The purpose of this advanced literature review is to examine the evolution of close reading as a reading strategy. Currently, close reading is a strategy used to teach students to independently navigate through challenging text. This strategy was previously used in higher education, but as years progressed, the strategy was used less frequently. Since the implementation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) there has been a rebirth of close reading as a reading strategy. The literature review discusses the history and background of close reading starting in the early 1900\u27s. Next the literature review explores instructional strategies, and effective implementation of close reading. The next portion of the text examines researchers who support close reading as a reading strategy and their suggestions for effectively implementing this reading strategy. Finally, since close reading is a relatively new reading strategy, research and information to support implementation is sometimes lacking. Therefore, controversies and opposition to close reading are included in the review

BPS solitons in Lifshitz field theories

Lorentz-invariant scalar field theories in d+1 dimensions with second-order derivative terms are unable to support static soliton solutions that are both finite in energy and stable for d>2, a result known as Derrick's theorem. Lifshitz theories, which introduce higher-order spatial derivatives, need not obey Derrick's theorem. We construct stable, finite-energy, static soliton solutions in Lifshitz scalar field theories in 3+1 dimensions with dynamical critical exponent z=2. We exhibit three generic types: non-topological point defects, topological point defects, and topological strings. We focus mainly on Lifshitz theories that are defined through a superpotential and admit BPS solutions. These kinds of theories are the bosonic sectors of supersymmetric theories derived from the stochastic dynamics of a scalar field theory in one higher dimension. If nature obeys a Lifshitz field theory in the ultraviolet, then the novel topological defects discussed here may exist as relics from the early universe. Their discovery would prove that standard field theory breaks down at short distance scales.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures; v2: references added and the x-axis scale of each figure has been change