Computers in the Classroom: A Survey of Elementary Teachers

Teachers from three randomly selected schools in a selected county in Georgia were subjects for a survey of attitudes toward using the microcomputer as an instructional tool. The instrument used in the study was a twelve-part questionnaire which employed the Likert scale technique. The survey revealed that in general there were positive attitudes among the teachers toward using the microcomputer ln the classroom. Negative attitudes, however, were revealed when teachers were asked about certain aspects of computer use, such as planning time, computer availability, and adequate training for teachers. These are some of the problems which must be addressed and dealt with by school systems in order to maximize computer use in individual classrooms

Gender differences in quality of life in coronary artery bypass graft patients at one, three, and six months

Annually, 550,000 people die of coronary artery disease with females representing 45% of this population. However, in spite of documented evidence regarding the health of the female population, particularly the more severely in female coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) population, most studies on quality of life (QOL) in CABG patients have focused on males. The purpose of this study was to determine if gender differences exist in QOL in postoperative CABG patients. A prospective repeated measures longitudinal design was utilized to examine gender differences using a consecutive sampling method. QOL was measured using the Ferrans & Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI) (r $\geq$.95). The QLI and a demographic questionnaire was mailed to 185 CABG patients (109 males, 76 females) from three hospitals at one month postoperatively. Questionnaires were mailed at three and six months postoperatively to respondents; 80 males and 49 females completed the study. Demographic data analysis indicated that the female cohort was slightly older than the male cohort (63.8 years versus 62.7 years respectively). The majority of subjects were widowed (67%) and Caucasian (94%). Females more frequently reported severe cardiac symptomatology than males and reported an inadequate income more frequently than did males. A split plot factorial analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a multivariate approach yielded no significant differences between genders in QLI scores over time ($F(1,127)=.05,\ p=.829$) although QLI scores were different within subjects over time ($F(2,126)=5.95,\ p=.003$). A comparison of means indicated that QLI scores were significantly higher at three months than at one month ($F=11.97,\ p=.001$) and also higher at six months than at one month ($F=5.37,\ p=.02$). Significant inverse relationships between QLI scores and cardiac symptomatology measured by New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification were revealed at one month (r\sb{\rm s}= -.2629,\ p=.000), three months (r\sb{\rm s}= -.2049,\ p=.005), and six months (r\sb{\rm s}= -.2205,\ p=.006) indicating that worsening symptomatology negatively impacts QOL. Nurses are encouraged to educate patients regarding expected changes in QOL over the recovery process and assist patients in the aggressive management of cardiac symptomatology

Characterization of irradiated estuarine sedimentary organic matter

Honors paper Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Includes bibliographical references (Leaves: 75-80

Regional Differences in Mitochondrial Capacity in the Finger Flexors of Piano Players

Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been used to measure oxidative capacity, but regional differences have not been identified. Piano players are also a novel group of subjects for this lab. Methods: Controls (n = 13) and piano players (n = 8) were tested in a seated position on the right forearm. A fatigue test was performed for three minutes at 2, 4 and 6 Hz using electrical stimulation, which created an endurance index (EI) as the forearm fatigued. A six-cuff oxidative capacity test was performed using manual exercise to activate the muscle and allow for regional specificity. A rate constant (Rc) was generated from the mitochondrial capacity data. Results: Overall, piano players (Rc = 1.76 ± 0.6) and controls (Rc = 1.17 ± 0.3) have significant differences for the last two fingers (p = 0.01). While controls have significant differences between the index (Rc = 1.86 ± 0.5) and last two fingers (Rc = 1.17 ± 0.3) (p = 0.001), this difference was not observed in piano players. Overall, piano players (EI = 75.7 ± 12.3) and controls (EI = 73.0 ± 17.3) had no differences in endurance index values (p = 0.71). Conclusions: Piano players have significant differences in the mitochondrial capacity of the finger flexors that control the last two fingers compared to controls. The lack of difference between groups in the index fingers and overall endurance test suggests playing the piano produces training adaptations to the finger flexor muscles of the last two digits, which are rarely used by control subjects.</jats:p