Leah Jones in a Senior Horn Recital

This is the program for the senior horn recital of Leah Jones. Ms. Jones was accompanied on the piano by Chris Jones. This recital took place on November 5, 2010, in the McBeth Recital Hall in the Mabee Fine Arts Center

Classroom Environment: The Essentials Of Teaching Physical Education

The purpose of this Action Research Project was to take a step back and thoroughly analyze data sets to see if my planning and teaching was reflective of a positive classroom environment. More specifically, I examined differentiation techniques, best practices in physical education and my teaching philosophy goals in relation to embracing diversity and student voice in order to create a positive classroom environment. Before collecting any data sets, I took a deep read through the research to see what the best practices in elementary physical education, what differentiation techniques should be used, how to incorporate those techniques and why specific best practices are successful. The next step was to gather data of my own teaching and planning. This was gathered from lesson plans as a student and full-time student teacher, observation notes from mentor teachers, EdTPA commentary forms and interview transcripts from teachers and administrators. Through analysis of each of these data sets, action research has demonstrated improvement in my planned differentiation techniques, my frequency and usage of best practices in physical education and the specific implementation of my teaching philosophy goals to all work together in creating a positive classroom environment with my students so that we are fostering an environment of growth and positivity. These results point to me as a continued learner and educator. While the results show a positive outcome, I know I am a lifelong learner and hope to continue this path of growth as I continue educating and learning alongside my students

Scientific literacy at a tragic low: A call for more public engagement in science

Science is the catalyst for humanity’s progress. Without it, we would not understand our world, our universe, even our own bodies to the extent we do now. We would not have the ability to travel, connect, and innovate at the heights we currently enjoy. In fact, many people are alive today only because of scientific discoveries and advancements. Life-saving surgeries, medications, and implants impossible a mere hundred years ago are now routine, thanks to science. It follows that science should be revered, trusted, and understood. Unfortunately, in the information age, communication gets complicated. As with any other topic, there are agitators who aim to tarnish the reputation of science and scientists or spin scientific information for personal or political gain. The public must work against these forces. As long as science remains the best way to make sense of the world and continues to improve and save the lives of millions of people, scientists need and deserve our support. Better engagement on scientific topics among teachers, students, journalists, politicians, scientists, and everyday citizens needs to occur. This thesis examines some of the ways science is communicated, evaluates some examples of science communication, and proposes some improvements. Ultimately, increased scientific literacy brings a brighter, healthier world with greater fulfillment for its inhabitants

A qualitative investigation of the acceptability and feasibility of the Public Health England urinary tract infection intervention for older adults

Background and aimsRates of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteraemia are rising and the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for urinary tract infections (UTIs) occur in older adults. In response to this, in 2017, I developed a UTI leaflet for older adults and their carers. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore the acceptability and feasibility of using this leaflet in care home and general practice settings.MethodA qualitative study was conducted across two English regions using interviews and focus groups with care home staff, older adults, general practice staff, and other influential stakeholders (e.g. national society representatives, commissioners and experts). Interview schedules were informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore all behavioural determinants, and key topics identified in the needs assessment. Discussions reflected on experiences of using and implementing the leaflet. Inductive thematic analysis was used to develop key themes. Using a deductive approach, key themes were then grouped with their corresponding TDF domains and applied to the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) to make intervention recommendations.ResultsNinety-three participants from across Gloucestershire and East Kent took part, including national and regional stakeholders. Three higher order themes emerged; use and implementation of UTI resources including the leaflet, identifying/diagnosing a UTI, and managing and/or treating a UTI. The leaflet was seen as a useful infection prevention and control tool that tended to be used alongside diagnostic tools, but was not considered appropriate for all older adults. Intentions to use the leaflet were contingent on its provision in multiple formats, and suggestions for content improvements were discussed, such as removal of alarmist terminology, inclusion of antibiotic course length, D-mannose supplements and vaginal atrophy. Barriers to implementation included lack of time and resource for commissioners to visit each care home and general practice, and poor working relationships between both settings. There were difficulties identified by care staff and general practice staff in diagnosing UTI in older adults, with a reliance on inappropriate diagnostic tests. UTI management varied across clinicians, and patients’ continence status influenced self-care and diagnosis. Hydration was perceived to be an important self-care and prevention strategy. Thus, highlighting the importance of retaining these topics in the leaflet.ConclusionsCommissioners should provide the leaflet in electronic and hard copy formats, and promote the leaflet during training sessions for care staff and clinicians. Regional strategies should include plans for dissemination to care homes as well as targeted training and monitoring of uptake. The leaflet is now modified and being piloted for use in community pharmacy and now contains information for all ages. This leaflet contains information on antibiotic course length, D-mannose supplements and vaginal atrophy. Intervention recommendations based on BCW, include educational training resources for care staff on asymptomatic bacteriuria, UTI identification and management, interventions to improve residents’ hydration levels alongside continence regimes, diagnostic guidelines for residents with dementia, and a urine submission form for general practices which include patient age and signs and symptoms to ensure appropriate triage

Behavioral Activity of Catnip (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil Components to the German Cockroach (Blattodea: Blattellidae)

The essential oil of catnip, Nepeta cataria L., contains two isomers of nepetalactone, E,Z- and Z,E-nepetalactone, and was tested for repellent activity to adult male German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), in a choice-test arena. The two isomers of nepetalactone were purified by using preparative thin-layer chromatography and tested for behavioral activity in the choice-test arena. Significant differences due to concentration were detected by analysis of variance, and the responses were compared by least-squared means analysis. The activities of the essential oil and purified isomers were compared with N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) by a paired t-test. E,Z-Nepetalactone was the most active of the compounds tested, being significantly more active to this species than equivalent doses of DEET, the essential oil, or Z,E-nepetalactone. Antennectomized insects showed no response to concentrations that were active against intact insects

Measures Of Investor Sentiment: A Comparative Analysis Put-Call Ratio Vs. Volatility Index

Traditional research on asset pricing has focused on firm-specific and economy-wide factors that affect asset prices.  Recently, the finance literature has turned to non-economic factors, such as investor sentiment, as possible determinants of asset prices (see for example, Fisher and Statman 2000 and Baker and Wurgler 2006).  Studies such as Baek, Bandopadhyaya and Du (2005) suggest that shifts in investor sentiment may explain short-term movements in asset prices better than any other set of fundamental factors.  A wide array of investor sentiment measures are now available, which leads us quite naturally to the question of which measure best mirrors actual market movements.   In this paper, we begin to address this question by comparing two measures of investor sentiment which are computed daily by the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) and for which historical data are freely available on the CBOE website, thus making them ideal for use by both academics and practitioners studying market behavior: the Put-Call Ratio (PCR) and the Volatility Index (VIX).  Using daily data from January 2, 2004 until April 11, 2006, we find that the PCR is a better explanatory variable than is the VIX for variations in the S&P 500 index that are not explained by economic factors.  This supports the argument that, if one were to choose between these two measures of market sentiment, the PCR is a better choice than the VIX

Measuring Investor Sentiment in Equity Markets

Recently, investor sentiment has become the focus of many studies on asset pricing. Research has demonstrated that changes in investor sentiment may trigger changes in asset prices, and that investor sentiment may be an important component of the market pricing process. Some authors suggest that shifts in investor sentiment may in some instances better explain short-term movement in asset prices than any other set of fundamental factors. In this paper we develop an Equity Market Sentiment Index from publicly available data, and we then demonstrate how this measure can be used in a stock market setting by studying the price movements of a group of firms which represent a stock market index. News events that affect the underlying market studied are quickly captured by changes in this measure of investor sentiment, and the sentiment measure is capable of explaining a significant proportion of the changes in the stock market index