Technical and academic partnership: building audio and video into a virtual learning resource

Increasingly available in digital formats, the recorded spoken words from the last 80 years reflect a wide range of cultural phenomena. Every day this rich source of voice material is added to by the archiving of “born digital” recordings of contemporary radio. Digital voice can be heard through the internet but is it of use in teaching? Spoken Word Services has been developing various techniques to make audio available to teachers, students and other scholars. As the result of a licensing agreement between Glasgow Caledonian University and the BBC, a wide variety of materials from the BBC Sound Archives has greatly enhanced the ‘usability’ of recorded spoken word in support of classroom related activities for students in a diverse range of disciplines. Clydetown is a fictitious town that is populated by a number of virtual families, each with their own social and health issues that bring them into contact with a range of services and service providers. Students utilise these materials to construct their own understandings of the issues and to discuss and debate with others. They are encouraged to test the theories and understandings taught in more traditional forms (lectures, journals, etc.) against the authentic lived experiences of those who are directly involved. The media used combines original testimony and that provided by actors, both offering the students the opportunity to engage at different levels with this complex content

Perceived ability and actual recognition accuracy for unfamiliar and famous faces

In forensic person recognition tasks, mistakes in the identification of unfamiliar faces occur frequently. This study explored whether these errors might arise because observers are poor at judging their ability to recognize unfamiliar faces, and also whether they might conflate the recognition of familiar and unfamiliar faces. Across two experiments, we found that observers could predict their ability to recognize famous but not unfamiliar faces. Moreover, observers seemed to partially conflate these abilities by adjusting ability judgements for famous faces after a test of unfamiliar face recognition (Experiment 1) and vice versa (Experiment 2). These findings suggest that observers have limited insight into their ability to identify unfamiliar faces. These experiments also show that judgements of recognition abilities are malleable and can generalize across different face categories

Measuring mathematical resilience : an application of the construct of resilience to the study of mathematics

To meet the challenge of accelerating demands for quantitative literacy in the work force, improvements are needed in mathematics education. Student skill must be increased at all ability levels while also reducing the achievement gap across gender, racial and ethnic groups to increase their participation in advanced mathematics coursework and representation in mathematics related careers (National Mathematics Advisory Panel, 2008). Research has shown that affective traits such as motivation and attitude are linked to increased likelihood of taking advanced mathematics courses (Ma, 2006) and are significant predictors of improved cognitive activity and achievement (Buff, Reusser, Rakoczy,& Pauli, 2011; Ethington & Wolfe, 1986). In addition, males generally score more favorably than females on affective variables related to mathematics achievement and persistence (McGraw, Lubienski, & Strutchens, 2006; Sherman & Fennema, 1977; Wilkins and Ma, 2003). Although psychological resilience has been researched extensively (Luthar, Cicchetti, & Becker, 2000; Luthar, 2007) the study of mathematical resilience, defined as a positive adaptive stance to mathematics which allows students to continue learning despite adversity, represents a new approach (Johnston-Wilder & Lee, 2010; Rivera & Waxman, 2011). Math anxiety looks at maladaptive response to learning mathematics and is well-studied (Hembree, 1990; Richardson & Suinn, 1977; Tobias, 1978). In contrast, resilience incorporates factors associated with optimal functioning. Although mathematical resilience has been identified as important for success (Johnston-Wilder & Lee, 2010; Rivera & Waxman, 2011), little consensus exists around its definition and no measures of resilience have been rigorously developed and/or validated. Rivera & Waxman (2011) identified the use of teacher nomination of resilient students as a limitation of their study, further motivating development of an instrument. This presentation will report on efforts to develop and validate an instrument measuring mathematical resilience. Ultimately, the measure will aid in developing and testing models that gauge the role of mathematical resilience in student achievement and persistence in advanced coursework. These models can be used to develop interventions to improve mathematical resilience, achievement, and quantitative literacy (Johnston-Wilder & Lee, 2010)

Dogs as medicine: shedding light on the use of psychiatric assistance dogs

A psychiatric assistance dog (PAD) is a service dog that is trained to assist its handler (owner) who has been diagnosed with a mental health condition such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Little is known about the population of people who own PADs, the type of dogs used or the functions they provide. One third (n = 199) of PAD owners registered with the charity 'mindDog' (that assists people procure, train and certify PADs) participated in an online survey to explore these matters. Results show that owners have differing mental health diagnoses, and their dogs performed different tasks to support them in daily life. PAD usage decreased (46%), increased (30%) or did not change (24%) participants' use of psychiatric or other healthcare services. Decrease in service use was mainly due to reduced suicide attempts, and less requirement for hospitalisation and medication; increased use was mainly due to enhanced ability to attend appointments. Results also suggest that successfulperson-dog teams do not require the dog to have been bred, raised and trained for the role by assistance/service dog provider organisations. These findings will inform clients and medical professionals, who play a pivotal role regarding their patients' application for a mindDog, about how dogs may be of assistance

The psychiatric assistance dog team: who uses the dogs and why?

Introduction: Psychiatric assistance dogs are a specific type of service dog trained to assist their handler with psychiatric disabilities. Little is known about the population who own psychiatric assistance dogs, the dogs or the functions they provide. Methods: Psychiatric assistance dog owners in Australia registered with the charity mindDog were invited to participate in an online survey created using cloud-based software from SurveyMonkey to gain a better understanding of the psychiatric assistance dog team. Results: 199 people completed the survey. Participants learned about psychiatric assistance dogs through a health care practitioner (32%), friends/family (30%) or the internet (37%). The dogs in the sample were of varying age, gender and breed. The most common reasons for choosing the dogs were size, weight and temperament. Just over half had been acquired specifically to train as an assistance dog. Participants median age was 47 years [10-75] and 77% identified as female. Depression (84%), anxiety (generalised 60% and social 60%), PTSD (62%) and panic attacks (57%) were the most common mental health diagnoses of this population. The most common tasks the dogs performed were: reduction of anxiety through tactile stimulation (94%); nudging or pawing to bring back to the present (71%); interrupting unwanted behaviour (51%); constant body contact (50%); deep pressure stimulation (45%) and blocking contact from other people (42%). Owning a service dog had decreased (46%), increased (30%) or not changed (24%) participants use of psychiatric or other health care services. Conclusions and relevance: Psychiatric assistance dog owners have a variety of mental health conditions and their dogs fulfil different tasks to help in daily life. Understanding this population and the relationship between the owners and their dogs may help inform the appropriate choice, training and use of assistance dogs for people with mental health issues

Towards a better understanding of the psychiatric assistance dog team

A psychiatric assistance dog is a specific type of service dog that is trainetf to assist its handler who has been diagnosed with a mental health condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. tn 2011, the not for profit organisation 'mindDog' was set up in Australia to assist people living with mental health issues to procure, train and certify psychiatric assistance dogs to help them in their daily lives. Literature searches reveal that little is known about the demographics of people who own psychiatric assistance dogs, the type of dogs used or the functions the dogs provide. An understanding of the relationship between owners and their dogs may help inform the appropriate choice of dog, training and use of assistance dogs for people living with mental health issues to better support their needs. Psychiatric assistance dog owners registered with 'mindDog' (clients) were invited to participate in an anonymous on-line survey to explore these matters. Preliminary findings suggest psychiatric assistance dogs perform a plethora of roles that support the needs of a broad range of people, including adults in higher education. These general findings can be used to inform clients and medical doctors, who play a pivotal role in their patients' application process for a 'mind Dog', about how the dogs may be of assistance

Psychiatric assistance dog use for people living with mental health disorders

A psychiatric assistance dog (PAD) is a service dog that is trained to assist its handler (owner) who has been diagnosed with a mental health condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder. Literature searches reveal that little is known about the population of people who own PADs, the types of dogs used or the functions they provide. One third (n = 199) of PAD owners in Australia registered with the charity "mindDog" participated in an online survey designed to better understand the person and dog team. Participants learned about PADs through the internet (37%), health care practitioners (32%), or family/friends (30%). The dogs in the sample were of varying age, gender and breed. The most common reasons for people to choose a dog to be a PAD were temperament (60%) and size/weight (48%). Just under half (48%) of the dogs had been acquired by the owner specifically to be trained as a PAD, and the rest were existing pets. All the dogs were trained by the owner or a combination of the owner and a qualified trainer; none were trained exclusively by assistance/service dog provider organizations. The median age of the participants at the time of data collection was 47 years, ranging from 10 to 75 years. Most (77%) identified as female. Depression (84%), anxiety (social 61%; generalized 60%), PTSD (62%), and panic attacks (57%) were the most reported mental health diagnoses. Tasks the dogs performed for their owners included: reduction of anxiety through tactile stimulation (94%); nudging/pawing to bring back to the present (71%); interrupting undesirable behavior (51%); constant body contact (50%); deep pressure stimulation (45%) and blocking contact from other people (42%). PAD usage decreased (46%), increased (30%) or did not change (24%) participants' use of psychiatric or other health care services. Decrease in service use was mainly due to reduced suicide attempts, and less requirement for hospitalization and medication; increased use was mainly due to enhanced ability to attend appointments. Results of this study show that PAD owners have differing mental health diagnoses, and their dogs perform different tasks to support them in daily life. Every participant described the relationship with his/her PAD as positive, suggesting that a successful working partnership does not require the dog to have been bred or raised specifically for the role. A better understanding of this population and the person-dog relationship will inform the appropriate choice, training and use of PADs for people living with mental health problems

The Value of Information Technology-Enabled Diabetes Management

Reviews different technologies used in diabetes disease management, as well as the costs, benefits, and quality implications of technology-enabled diabetes management programs in the United States

Weavability of dry polymer powder towpreg

Carbon fiber yarns (3k, 6k, 12k) were impregnated with LARC (tm) thermoplastic polyimide dry powder. Parameters for weaving these yarns were established. Eight-harness satin fabrics were successfully woven from each of the three classes of yarns and consolidated into test specimens to determine mechanical properties. It was observed that for optimum results warp yarns should have flexural rigidities between 10,000 and 100,000 mg-cm. Tow handling minimization, low tensioning, and tow bundle twisting were used to reduce fiber breakage, the separation of filaments, and tow-to-tow abrasion. No apparent effect of tow size or twist was observed on either tension or compression modulus. However, fiber damage and processing costs favor the use of 12k yarn bundles versus 3k or 6k yarn bundles in the weaving of powder-coated towpreg