A comparative analysis of teachers\u27 perceptions of their schools\u27 climate, discipline issues, and the preventive measures used to combat discipline issues in secondary public school in metro Jackson, Mississippi

The purpose of this study was to compare middle and high school teachers’ perceptions of the discipline methods used in public schools in Jackson, Mississippi. Specifically, this study examined teachers’ perceptions of their schools’ climate, discipline issues, and the preventive measures used to combat discipline issues. Out of a target population of 430, only 239 teachers participated. The survey consisted of 4 parts. Part I was designed to collect demographic data and to determine participation in violence prevention programs. Part II was designed to collect data related to school climate. Part III was designed to collect data related to discipline issues that existed, and Part IV was designed to collect data related to discipline preventive measures. The research design was descriptive and comparative. Descriptive statistics and a Mann Whitney U were the statistical tests utilized to analyze the data and answer the research questions. After the data were collected and analyzed, the researcher determined that there were significant differences in middle and high school teachers’ perceptions of their school’s climate impact on their ability to implement effective discipline strategies. The respondents indicated that some of their students participated in violence prevention programs (29% middle and 27% high), and approximately half (42% middle and 53% high) of the teachers participated in violence prevention programs. High school teachers’ responses revealed that student tardies, students cutting classes, theft, vandalism, student alcohol/drug use, possession of weapons, verbal/physical abuse of teachers by students, and gangs were discipline issues that had an impact on their ability to implement effective discipline strategies; whereas middle school teachers indicated that these items had less of an impact on their ability to implement effective discipline strategies. Conclusions based on the findings in this study indicated that approximately half of high school teachers (58%) and even fewer middle school teachers (42%) participated in school-based programs aimed at curtailing school violence. Since teachers are the single most important factor in creating a well managed classroom, it is the responsibility of the school principal to ensure that teachers are active participants in school-based efforts that are both proactive and preventive in nature

The Spatial Dimension of Household Resilience : NIRSA Working Paper No.86

This working paper provides an analysis of the spatial dimensions of household resilience in Ireland. It was produced as the Irish national report for Work Package 7 within the FP7 Project, ‘RESCuE: Patterns of resilience during socio-economic crisis among households in Europe.’ This paper includes a qualitative analysis of key spatial aspects including crisis, health and well being; home; neighbourhood; and supra local scale. Health and well-being explores the impact of the crisis on the mind and body of participants, particularly men as they coped with a higher incidence of unemployment at the beginning of the recession. The theme of home reveals how participants strategised to maintain their homes and a sense of home with reduced resources as a result of the recession. To frame the exploration of socio-spatial dynamics of crisis, poverty and resilience we distinguish between the types of ‘communities’ that exist, the homogeneity of these neighbourhoods and the changes brought about from broader economic shifts. The constraining characteristics vary between urban and rural areas but similarities emerge in the everyday experiences of movement, attachment and change

The Spatial Dimension of Household Resilience : NIRSA Working Paper No.86

This working paper provides an analysis of the spatial dimensions of household resilience in Ireland. It was produced as the Irish national report for Work Package 7 within the FP7 Project, ‘RESCuE: Patterns of resilience during socio-economic crisis among households in Europe.’ This paper includes a qualitative analysis of key spatial aspects including crisis, health and well being; home; neighbourhood; and supra local scale. Health and well-being explores the impact of the crisis on the mind and body of participants, particularly men as they coped with a higher incidence of unemployment at the beginning of the recession. The theme of home reveals how participants strategised to maintain their homes and a sense of home with reduced resources as a result of the recession. To frame the exploration of socio-spatial dynamics of crisis, poverty and resilience we distinguish between the types of ‘communities’ that exist, the homogeneity of these neighbourhoods and the changes brought about from broader economic shifts. The constraining characteristics vary between urban and rural areas but similarities emerge in the everyday experiences of movement, attachment and change

Biomarkers of selenium status in dogs

Background: Inadequate dietary selenium (Se) intake in humans and animals can lead to long term health problems, such as cancer. In view of the owner's desire for healthy longevity of companion animals, the impact of dietary Se provision on long term health effects warrants investigation. Little is currently known regards biomarkers, and rate of change of such biomarkers in relation to dietary selenium intake in dogs. In this study, selected biomarkers were assessed for their suitability to detect changes in dietary Se in adult dogs within eight weeks. Results: Twenty-four dogs were fed a semi-purified diet with an adequate amount of Se (46.1 mu g/MJ) over an 8 week period. They were then divided into two groups. The first group remained on the adequate Se diet, the second were offered a semi-purified diet with a low Se concentration (6.5 mu g/MJ; 31 % of the FEDIAF minimum) for 8 weeks. Weekly urine and blood was collected and hair growth measurements were performed. The urinary Se to creatinine ratio and serum Se concentration were significantly lower in dogs consuming the low Se diet from week 1 onwards, by 84 % (adequate 25.3, low 4.1) and 7 % (adequate 257 mu g/L, low 238 mu g/L) respectively. Serum and whole blood glutathione peroxidase were also significantly lower in dogs consuming the low Se diet from weeks 6 and 8 respectively. None of the other biomarkers (mRNA expression and serum copper, creatine kinase, triiodothyronine: thyroxine ratio and hair growth) responded significantly to the low Se diet over the 8 week period. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that urinary Se to creatinine ratio, serum Se and serum and whole blood glutathione peroxidase can be used as biomarkers of selenium status in dogs. Urinary Se to creatinine ratio and serum Se concentrations responded faster to decreased dietary Se than the other parameters. This makes these biomarkers candidates for early screening of long term effects of dietary Se provision on canine health

Showing the dynamics of student thinking as measured by the FMCE

Using data from over 14,000 student responses we create item response curves, fitted to the polytomous item response theory model for nominal responses, to evaluate the relative correctness of various incorrect responses to questions on the Force and Motion Conceptual Evaluation (FMCE). Based on this ranking of incorrect responses, we examine individual students\u27 pairs of responses to FMCE questions, using transition matrices and consistency plots, to show how student ideas develop over the span of an introductory mechanics course. Using data from two different schools (N ~= 200 each), we explore how these representations can show student learning even when individuals do not choose the correct answer. Comparing response pairs provides a rich picture of student learning that is unavailable in many traditional analyses

Selenium digestibility and bioactivity in dogs : what the can can, the kibble can't

There is a growing concern for the long-term health effects of selenium (Se) over-or underfeeding. The efficiency of utilization of dietary Se is subject to many factors. Our study in dogs evaluated the effect of diet type (canned versus kibble) and dietary protein concentration on Se digestibility and bioactivity. Canned and kibble diets are commonly used formats of dog food, widely ranging in protein concentration. Twenty-four Labrador retrievers were used and four canned and four kibble diets were selected with crude protein concentrations ranging from 10.1 to 27.5 g/MJ. Crude protein concentration had no influence on the digestibility of Se in either canned or kibble diets, but a lower Se digestibility was observed in canned compared to kibble diets. However, the biological activity of Se, as measured by whole blood glutathione peroxidase, was higher in dogs fed the canned diets than in dogs fed the kibble diets and decreased with increasing crude protein intake. These results indicate that selenium recommendations in dog foods need to take diet type into account

Grouping practices in the primary school: what influences change?

During the 1990s, there was considerable emphasis on promoting particular kinds of pupil grouping as a means of raising educational standards. This survey of 2000 primary schools explored the extent to which schools had changed their grouping practices in responses to this, the nature of the changes made and the reasons for those changes. Forty eight percent of responding schools reported that they had made no change. Twenty two percent reported changes because of the literacy hour, 2% because of the numeracy hour, 7% because of a combination of these and 21% for other reasons. Important influences on decisions about the types of grouping adopted were related to pupil learning and differentiation, teaching, the implementation of the national literacy strategy, practical issues and school self-evaluation

Protocol for an open label: phase I trial within a cohort of foetal cell transplants in people with Huntington’s disease

Huntington’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Currently, no disease-modifying therapies are available to slow or halt disease progression. Huntington’s disease is characterised by relatively focal and specific loss of striatal medium spiny neurons, which makes it suitable for cell replacement therapy, a process involving the transplantation of donor cells to replace those lost due to disease. TRIDENT (TRIal DEsigns for delivery of Novel Therapies in neurodegeneration) is a phase I Trial Within a Cohort (TWiC) designed to assess safety and feasibility of transplanting human fetalstriatal cells into the striatum of people with Huntington’s disease. A minimum of 18 participants will be enrolled in the study cohort, and up to five eligible participants will be randomly selected to undergo transplantation of 12-22 million fetal cells in a dose escalation paradigm. Independent reviewers will assess safety outcomes (lack of significant infection, bleeding or new neurological deficit) four weeks after surgery, and ongoing safety will be established before conducting each subsequent surgery. All participants will undergo detailed clinical and functional assessment at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Surgery will be performed one month after baseline, and transplant participants will undergo regular clinical follow-up for at least 12 months. Evaluation of trial processes will also be undertaken. Transplant participants and their carers will be interviewed approximately one month before and after surgery. Interviews will also be conducted with non-transplanted participants and healthcare staff delivering the intervention and involved in the clinical care of participants. Evaluation of clinical and functional efficacy outcomes and intervention costs will be carried out to explore plausible trial designs for subsequent randomised controlled trials aimed at evaluating efficacy and cost-effectiveness of cell replacement therapy. TRIDENT will enable the assessment of the safety, feasibility, acceptability and cost of fetalcell transplants in people with Huntington’s disease. The data collected will inform trial designs for complex intracranial interventions in a range of neurodegenerative conditions and facilitate the development of stable surgical pipelines for delivery of future stem cell trials