Teachers' Conceptions Toward Type of Assessment: Grade Level and State Tested Content Area

This quantitative study utilized an online survey to explore secondary teachers' (grades 6-12) conceptions toward assessment, specifically focusing on differences among teachers who teach in a state tested area and those that do not teach in a state tested content area. This study also explored teachers' conceptions toward assessments that are given as a part of the regular classroom routine and those assessments given as a result of state mandates. Repeated measures analyses of variance results indicate that teachers have stronger agreement for the four conceptions of assessment (improvement of teaching and learning, student accountability, teacher and school accountability, assessment is relevant) as they relate to the assessments that take place in their classrooms as opposed to those that are mandated by the state. Correlations among conceptions indicate that teachers do not view these assessments equally; classroom assessment is seen as being distinct from state assessment. Additionally, the study reveals that teachers have a distinct view of the purposes of classroom assessments and state assessments. No overall grade level differences were found between middle school and high school teachers and their conceptions of assessment. No overall differences were found between teachers teaching in a state tested content area and those that did not. Findings did reveal that high school teachers teaching in a state tested content area held a stronger endorsement for the conception of assessment for classroom assessments for the purpose of improving teaching and learning than their colleagues teaching in a non state tested content area. Implications for future topics of study are discussed

Education vs TFP: Empirical evidence from the Sub-Saharan Countries

This single-case, mixed-method study explored the feasibility of self-administered, home-based SMART (sensorimotor active rehabilitation training) Arm training for a 57-yr-old man with severe upper-limb disability after a right frontoparietal hemorrhagic stroke 9 mo earlier. Over 4 wk of self-administered, home-based SMART Arm training, the participant completed 2,100 repetitions unassisted. His wife provided support for equipment set-up and training progressions. Clinically meaningful improvements in arm impairment (strength), activity (arm and hand tasks), and participation (use of arm in everyday tasks) occurred after training (at 4 wk) and at follow-up (at 16 wk). Areas for refinement of SMART Arm training derived from thematic analysis of the participant's and researchers' journals focused on enabling independence, ensuring home and user friendliness, maintaining the motivation to persevere, progressing toward everyday tasks, and integrating practice into daily routine. These findings suggest that further investigation of self-administered, home-based SMART Arm training is warranted for people with stroke who have severe upper-limb disability

Active participation in sport for individuals with multiple sclerosis

Background and aim(s): Multiple sclerosis (MS) is commonly diagnosed in young adulthood at a time of prime participation in an active lifestyle involving sport, employment and family life. Exploration of the experience of participating in sport, for individuals in the early stages of MS, is necessary to identify how to maintain or introduce an active lifestyle. The aim of this study is to explore the experience of participation in sport with individuals with MS. Method: A qualitative descriptive study utilising three focus groups was conducted with individuals living in northern Queensland, Australia with a diagnosis of MS. Individuals with an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 0-4, indicating full ambulation, were included. The sporting experience, together with enablers and barriers to participation was explored. Data were analysed thematically using NVivo software. Result(s): Sixteen individuals, fourteen female and two male with a mean age of 41 years (±SD 11) participated in the study. Most participants were undertaking sport, for example running, cycling, boxing, dancing and squash. Independence was a key driver for sport, with a view that it would maintain mobility and enable social participation. Barriers to sport encompassed personal and environmental factors such as fear, cost, family constraints and tropical temperatures. Individuals’ support strategies to negotiate barriers and facilitate activity were often developed through experience rather than formal advice or support. Access to a health professional with knowledge in MS in relation to sport/exercise was perceived to be beneficial but was however, uncommon. Conclusion: Sport was considered to be important for maintaining independence and facilitating an active lifestyle for people in the early stages of MS. Personalised advice and direction from professionals towards suitable exercise were recommended, particularly in the early stages of the disease

An investigation of radiation protection knowledge, attitudes and practices of North Queensland dentists

Aim: Queensland has current radiation‐protection guidelines; however, with the absence of data exploring compliance and implementation, the efficacy is unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes on radiation protection among private North Queensland (NQ) dentists. Methods: A quantitative methodology was employed in an observational and descriptive study using questionnaires for data collection. Results: Of the 154 questionnaires distributed, 63 were completed and returned. The respondents’ knowledge concerning the technical details of their equipment was limited, with 31.5% and 47% not knowing the tube voltage and current utilized for their machines, respectively. In total, 23.8% of dentists had limited knowledge about the speed of the conventional film they used, 90.5% of respondents agreed that the role of imaging in dentistry is important, and 75.8% dentists reported the thyroid as the most important organ to protect during dental radiography. Their knowledge regarding position‐distance rule was reasonably adequate; 80.3% of the dental practices appeared to follow the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency guidelines, 95.2% preferred taking radiographs if it was only urgent, and 69.8% identified a need for spreading awareness regarding radiation protection. Conclusions: An opportunity and need for further continuing education was identified among NQ dentists to ensure safety of patients

A qualitative study of active participation in sport and exercise for individuals with multiple sclerosis

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the experience of participation in sport and exercise for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) with minimal disability. The objectives were to gain an understanding of key factors that influence participation in sport and exercise and to determine support required by individuals with MS to participate in their choice of sport and exercise for as long as possible. Methods: A qualitative, descriptive study utilizing three focus groups was conducted. Data were analysed thematically aided by NVivo software. Participants were individuals with MS who had an Expanded Disability Status Scale score of 0–4, indicating full ambulation. All participants were living in northern Queensland, Australia. Results Sixteen individuals participated; 63% of whom regularly participated in sport or exercise. All participants viewed sport and exercise positively and identified inherent benefits of exercise. Five key themes emerged to describe the experience of participating in sport and exercise: “personally engaging with exercise,” “influencing barriers and enablers of exercise,” “sustaining independence,” “integrating exercise into lifestyle,” and “getting the balance right.” Most participants felt that advice and guidance from health professionals about the optimum mode and dose (how much and how often) of exercise was lacking. Conclusions: Participation in sport and exercise was valued by individuals with MS with minimal disability for sustaining independence and an active lifestyle. Personalized exercise advice from health professionals was the key support identified by participants to assist them to maintain an active lifestyle for as long as possible

Perseverance with home-based upper limb practice after stroke: perspectives of stroke survivors and their significant others

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore factors that influence stroke survivors’ ability to persevere with home-based upper limb practice. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study embedded within a theoretical framework was conducted. Data were collected through semi-structured focus group, dyadic, and individual interviews. The Theoretical Domains Framework and Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour (COM-B) model guided data collection and directed content analysis. Findings: Participants were 31 adult stroke survivors with upper limb impairment, with 13 significant other/s, who were living at home in Queensland, Australia. Three central tenants aligned with the COM-B and six themes were identified. Stroke survivors’ capability to persevere was influenced by being physically able to practice and being able to understand, monitor and modify practice, their opportunity to persevere was influenced by accessing therapy and equipment required for practice and fitting practice into everyday life, and their motivation to persevere was influenced by having goals and experiencing meaningful outcomes and having support and being accountable. Conclusion: Persevering with practice is multifaceted for stroke survivors. All facets need to be addressed in the design of strategies to enhance stroke survivors’ ability to persevere and in turn, enhance their potential for continued upper limb recovery

Erosion and sedimentation processes on irrigated fields

Soil erosion is sometimes excessive during furrow irrigation and under center pivot sprinkler systems. An understanding of erosion processes is required to predict and develop management practices to reduce irrigation induced erosion. Little erosion process research has been carried out under irrigation, but much of the extensive channel sediment transport and rainfall-induced erosion process research can be adapted to irrigated conditions. Soil erosion occurs when fluid in motion detaches and transports soil particles. Sedimentation occurs when the fluid transport capacity decreases to less than the sediment load. Hydraulic forces of moving water and soil factors such as aggregate stability and particle size determine erosion and sedimentation. Under furrow irrigation, the shear of the overland flow against the soil provides the detachment force and is a primary factor determining channel transport capacity. With sprinkler irrigation, water drop energy detaches particles, some of which may be transported downslope by shallow interrill flow if the water application rate exceeds the soil infiltration rate

Perseverance with technology-facilitated home-based upper limb practice after stroke: a systematic mixed studies review

Background: Technology is being increasingly investigated as an option to allow stroke survivors to exploit their full potential for recovery by facilitating home-based upper limb practice. This review seeks to explore the factors that influence perseverance with technology-facilitated home-based upper limb practice after stroke. Methods: A systematic mixed studies review with sequential exploratory synthesis was undertaken. Studies investigating adult stroke survivors with upper limb disability undertaking technology-facilitated home-based upper limb practice administered ≥ 3 times/week over a period of ≥ 4 weeks were included. Qualitative outcomes were stroke survivors’ and family members’ perceptions of their experience utilising technology to facilitate home-based upper limb practice. Quantitative outcomes were adherence and dropouts, as surrogate measures of perseverance. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess quality of included studies. Results: Forty-two studies were included. Six studies were qualitative and of high quality; 28 studies were quantitative and eight were mixed methods studies, all moderate to low quality. A conceptual framework of perseverance with three stages was formed: (1) getting in the game; (2) sticking with it, and; (3) continuing or moving on. Conditions perceived to influence perseverance, and factors mediating these conditions were identified at each stage. Adherence with prescribed dose ranged from 13 to 140%. Participants were found to be less likely to adhere when prescribed sessions were more frequent (6–7 days/week) or of longer duration (≥ 12 weeks). Conclusion: From the mixed methods findings, we propose a framework for perseverance with technology-facilitated home-based upper limb practice. The framework offers opportunities for clinicians and researchers to design strategies targeting factors that influence perseverance with practice, in both the clinical prescription of practice and technology design. To confirm the clinical utility of this framework, further research is required to explore perseverance and the factors influencing perseverance

Potato Irrigation Management

Potato yield and quality are sensitive to both excess and deficit soil water. This sensitivity, coupled with a relatively shallow root zone and medium- to coarse -textured soils common in many production areas, makes economically efficient irrigated potato production challenging. Potato is grown under all types of irrigation systems worldwide, but irrigation systems capable of light, frequent, uniform water application are best. Optimum potato irrigation management requires a working knowledge of soil water relations and irrigation system characteristics. This chapter introduces both in the context of potato production in arid areas of the Pacific Northwest U.S. General guidelines and irrigation management aids are presented along with examples for implementing quantitative irrigation management of potato in an arid environment