Glucose and cognitive performance : the effects of glucose on memory and sustained attention : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Psychology at Massey University

The effects of glucose on tasks of declarative memory, and sustained attention were examined. These effects were also investigated with regard to the age of the participant. Standard glucose and placebo conditions were run and also a natural history condition to analyse the possibility of a placebo effect. Twelve young and twelve older adults participated in the study. Over three separate morning sessions, participants ingested either the glucose or the placebo drink, or nothing for the natural history condition, and completed the cognitive tasks. The between-group factor was age of the participant (young or older adult). The within-group factor was the type of drink ingested (glucose, placebo, or natural history). The effects of glucose on the sustained attention task were investigated over time, divided into 10 × 2 min periods. No effects of drink were found in regard to overall task performance for either age group. There was one main effect for period on one measure of the sustained attention task. There was also an associated interaction effect for this measure. Trends in the data pointed towards the possibility of the existence of a placebo effect. The placebo condition yielded consistently better performance than the other two conditions on most tasks. These results were discussed in light of the possible existence of a placebo effect, and the condition-specific effects of glucose

The influence of thermal storage on microgeneration flexibility

In a future power system, the ability to manipulate generation and load will be a critical factor in providing a secure and stable supply of electrical energy to consumers. Using a simulation-based approach, this study assesses the ability of thermal storage to help deliver flexibility in the operation of domestic micro-generation technologies without sacrificing householder comfort and convenience. A typical UK detached dwelling is modelled along with its heating system, which features a retro-fitted air source heat pump (ASHP). The model is used to determine the maximum possible temporal shift for different capacities and configurations of thermal storage, taking into account the influence of climate, building fabric, control settings and occupancy. The limits of time shifting are dictated by the living space temperature and the hot water temperature delivered to the occupants. The storage mechanisms examined are: the basic thermal inertia of the building fabric; increasing the space heating set point temperatures to increase fabric storage and inserting a dedicated thermal buffer between the ASHP and the heat distribution system. The simulation results indicate that back-shifting of the ASHP start/stop times of between one and two hours are possible without causing serious discomfort or inconvenience to the occupants

The influence of thermal storage on microgeneration flexibility

In a future power system, the ability to manipulate generation and load will be a critical factor in providing a secure and stable supply of electrical energy to consumers. Using a simulation-based approach, this study assesses the ability of thermal storage to help deliver flexibility in the operation of domestic micro-generation technologies without sacrificing householder comfort and convenience. A typical UK detached dwelling is modelled along with its heating system, which features a retro-fitted air source heat pump (ASHP). The model is used to determine the maximum possible temporal shift for different capacities and configurations of thermal storage, taking into account the influence of climate, building fabric, control settings and occupancy. The limits of time shifting are dictated by the living space temperature and the hot water temperature delivered to the occupants. The storage mechanisms examined are: the basic thermal inertia of the building fabric; increasing the space heating set point temperatures to increase fabric storage and inserting a dedicated thermal buffer between the ASHP and the heat distribution system. The simulation results indicate that back-shifting of the ASHP start/stop times of between one and two hours are possible without causing serious discomfort or inconvenience to the occupants

West Side Story: Success Within Special Education Through Arts Integration

Arts education programs can provide the necessary skills students need for future success, including communication skills and confidence. The Turnaround Arts program at Rosa Parks Elementary School has advanced overall student success, particularly benefiting students in Special Education. Both Special Education teachers and the Arts Specialist at Rosa Parks Elementary were interviewed and the Turnaround Arts Program was observed. Each teacher described their experiences within this program to be noteworthy and recognized the importance it has had on their students’ success in the classroom. Based on an analysis of the data and the relevant research literature, we used what we have learned to formulate an action that responds to the focus issue in a way that inspires, informs, or involves a particular audience. Our action involved educating the public about the Turnaround Arts Program and what benefits it has brought to Rosa Parks Elementary through informative flyers

“A Fin of the Whale”: Food Imagery in Herman Melville’s \u3cem\u3eMoby-Dick\u3c/em\u3e

This presentation analyzes three ways Herman Melville incorporates food imagery in Moby-Dick: to reflect a sense of community, to foster a sense of ritual, and to explore understandings of humanity\u27s position in the natural world

A Study of School Personnel\u27s Knowledge Regarding Traumatic Brain Injury

This study attempted to determine if school psychologists are more knowledgeable regarding traumatic brain injury (TBI) today than in a study conducted years ago (Mira, Meck, & Tyler, 1988). Since the Mira, et al. study a federal category has been added to special education legislation, and it was hypothesized that school psychologists would be receiving more training in this area as a result of the addition of the special education category. This study also attempted to determine if regular education teachers, special education teachers, and school psychologists differ in their knowledge of (TBI). A survey from the Mira, et al. study was replicated and sent to regular education teachers, special education teachers, and school psychologists in Illinois. The results indicate that school psychologists were not significantly more knowledgeable than in the previous study. Although school psychologists were significantly more knowledgeable than either regular or special education teachers regarding TBI, school psychologists only averaged one and a half more correct answers than the other two groups. The implications of this study are that all three groups, regular education teachers, special education teachers, and school psychologists could all benefit from additional training in this area

School refusal and isolation: the perspectives of five adolescent school refusers in London, UK

Research has identified a subset of young people who feel unable to engage in mainstream education. Given the hard-to-reach nature of this group, their views on what has caused their isolation from others have received little focus in previous literature. The present study aimed to explore the experiences and views of a subset of young people seen within an inner London Pupil Referral Unit who were extremely socially withdrawn and unable to attend mainstream education. They were asked what they believe led them to their current situation, the impact of isolation, how their life is going and what they value. Key themes identified were the role of anxiety in withdrawal from education and the protective capacity of social contact, even via social media, in preventing negative outcomes of withdrawal. Sleep, health, education, family and social contact were identified as risk and protective factors and were also things participants identified as values. This research provides insight into potential ways to support young people in returning to mainstream education as well as ideas for preventative measures that may protect future generations from such extreme isolation. This research was conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic, but lessons learned bear relevance in current times

Hydroxyapatite Toothpaste On Caries Prevention In Children

Are Hydroxyapatite Toothpastes The Answer To Fluoride Free Patients? Richardson, Samantha 1 and Vaughan, Kelly 2 Dental Hygiene Program, Virginia Commonwealth University Abstract: Objectives/Aims: With the rising trend to become more clean with our ingredient lists, we are facing more patients refusing fluoride treatments and fluoridated toothpastes. This trend has been prevalent in our younger generations due to parents only wanting the purest natural ingredients for their children and now declining fluoride application. The goal of this literature is to find a safe alternative toothpaste that will be just as effective as fluoride. Methods: This review of literature has been developed from searching the PubMed database in order to find relevant research on hydroxyapatite toothpastes. Many of these studies were conducted to compare multiple name brand toothpastes including fluoride and their alternatives like hydroxyapatite toothpastes in order to determine their effects on caries prevention and remineralization. Results: Toothpastes with hydroxyapatite as an active ingredient were found to not be inferior to fluoridated toothpastes in caries progression in children. Hydroxyapatite has a high safety profile and no risk of dental fluorosis, which is a major point for patients who refuse fluoride use. Conclusion: Hydroxyapatite has been shown to reduce biofilm formation in children and a preventative measure for further demineralization and caries protection. Although these studies sound promising, there can be improvement by enlarging the subject population, increasing the studies period of time, and the subjects need to be representative of: location, age group, socioeconomic status, oral health status and oral health literacy. Key Terms: hydroxyapatite toothpaste, hydroxyapatite, children, fluoride, fluoridated toothpaste, remineralization, caries, and demineralizationhttps://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/denh_student/1034/thumbnail.jp

Master Teacher Interview with Deliece Mullen

Transcript of interview information from interview with Deliece Mullen, Master Teacher for Educational Research.https://scholars.fhsu.edu/ors/1260/thumbnail.jp