Education for expanding computer curriculums : a symposium

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The 24-hr. recall and its application with an elderly population

A study was conducted to test the validity of a common nutrition survey technique, the 24-hr. recall, with an elderly population. Three hypotheses were developed: 1) For a group of ¬elderly subjects, the 24-hr. dietary recall reflects actual caloric consumptions 2) Recall ability concerning dietary intake is affected by the preference of the respondent for the foods to be recalled; and 3) Recall ability is affected by certain non-dietary factors - age, sex, education, health status, and meal site. The actual food intake for one meal was observed for 50 individuals 60 years of age and older who participated in federally sponsored congregate meals programs at two sites. A representative serving of each food item on the menu was weighed and measured. The plate waste for each individual was collected and measured and this amount was subtracted from the representative serving to give the total amount consumed. Spilling, sharing, or saving of food during the meal was noted. The following day each subject was interviewed. Included in this interview were a 24-hr. recall and a food preference survey for foods found in the observed meal. Social, demographic, and health information was also collected. The 24-hr. recall asks each respondent to describe all food and beverages consumed in the preceding 24 hour period along with the approximate portion size. Food models were used to assist the respondent in estimating portion size

An evaluation of an intervention for HPV risk reduction among college-aged women

The goal of the study was to examine the effectiveness of a group intervention in reducing risk in relation to human papillomavirus (HPV) among sexually active, college-aged women. Using a randomized design, the current study examined the effectiveness of an HPV educational group intervention guided by previous sexual risk-reduction research and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB; Ajzen, 1991). The intervention was provided in a standard, in-person group format consisting of a single session. Measures were completed prior to the intervention, immediately after the intervention, and one month post-intervention (Fisher, 1997). Consistent with TPB (Ajzen, 2002), study outcomes included predicted changes in the following: 1) HPV knowledge, 2) attitudes towards risk-reduction behaviors (e.g., reducing new sexual partners, using barrier contraceptives, discussing STIs with partners, receiving HPV vaccine, seeking information on HPV, receiving a Pap smear, getting tested for HIV and other STIs), 3) subjective norms in association with the risk-reduction behaviors, 4) perceived behavioral control of the risk-reduction behaviors, 5) intention to perform the risk-reduction behaviors, and 6) the actual risk-reduction behaviors. Consistent with the hypotheses, the intervention was successful at increasing knowledge, behavioral intentions, HPV information-seeking and HIV testing and these changes were maintained over a one-month interval. Modest increases in attitudes toward risk-reduction behaviors, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were obtained immediately after the intervention, but not at follow-up. Contrary to the hypothesized outcome, the intervention was also not successful at creating increases in social norms and many of the risk reduction behaviors (e.g., reducing new sexual partners, using barrier contraceptives, discussing STIs with partners, receiving HPV vaccine, receiving a Pap smear, getting tested for STIs). These findings do provide some empirical support for a brief one-time educational intervention in reducing the risk of an HPV infection

Factors affecting nontraditional African American students' participation in online world literature classes

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine how communication preferences, learning preferences, and perceptions about online learning affect nontraditional African American students' participation in online world literature courses at a historically Black university (HBCU) in the southeastern United States. An instrumental case study was the research design used. Data were collected from individual interviews of participants and non-participatory observations of Blackboard course shells and analyzed through content analysis (Babbie, 2003). Chen's Learner-to-Learner Transactional Distance, Learner-to-Content Transactional Distance, and Learner-to-Interface Transactional Distance theory (2001), along with Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance (1996) informed the data analysis. Analysis occurred in two stages. Within-case analysis was used to understand the experiences of online learning with individual participants. Later, a cross-case analysis was used "to build abstractions across cases" (Merriam, 1998, p. 195) as well as to compare participants' experiences to ascertain a grander view of participation of African American nontraditional students in online world literature classes. The findings of the study explained nontraditional African American student preferences for frequent oral communication among students, preferably face-to-face. In addition, students wished to make oral contact with online instructors; however, they desired to have the instructor to communicate with them via email. In addition, findings also revealed how African American students could often be overwhelmed with long reading requirements. Their preferences were to have content condensed for learning. They also preferred to have study guides which highlighted key information to which one's focus should be placed. Furthermore, students preferred to work and learn in groups. In order to enhance their enjoyment and participation in the course, participants preferred to make connections with subject matter, topics, and peers. For the most part, participants were drawn to online learning for the convenience, though their learning preferences were not often met in the online learning environment. While many participants found learning to be accessible and convenient through online courses, many of them were frustrated by slow response and feedback by online instructors and technical problems which may have occurred due to lack of savvy with online learning or Blackboard technicalities. Implications for higher education administrators, university professors, and students as related to online learning are provided

Early Recollections: An Adlerian technique with older people

Research on the success of life review therapy with older persons has been equivocal. This article suggests a related but less time consuming and possibly more productive alternative for facilitating ego integrity in late maturity. The Adlerian concept of Early Recollections is discussed in detail, with concrete suggestions for therapy and examples provided

Folic acid fortification and public health: Report on threshold doses above which unmetabolised folic acid appear in serum

BACKGROUND: All flour in the USA is fortified with folic acid at a level of 140 μg/100 g which is estimated to supply an extra 100 μg daily to the average diet. Some researchers have advocated that this be increased to double and even four times this amount. Based on previous research these higher levels are likely to lead to the appearance of unmetabolised vitamin in the circulation, which may have safety implications for sub-groups of the population. The UK and the Republic of Ireland will likely introduce mandatory fortification also in the next year or so. The aim of this study was to capture the short-term effect of folic acid fortification on unmetabolised folic acid in serum after chronic consumption of folic acid. METHODS: After pre-saturation with 400 μg folic acid supplements daily for 14-weeks, healthy folate replete adults (n = 20) consumed folic acid fortified bread, at three different levels (400 μg, 200 μg, 100 μg) over a period of one week each. The dose was administered in two-equal sized slices consumed at 09.00 hrs and 13.00 hrs. Serum samples for total folate and folic acid were collected at baseline, after 14-weeks of supplementation, and pre and post (at 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours) each dose tested. RESULTS: Unmetabolised folic acid was detected after the 14-week supplementation period. Folic acid was not detected in either the 200 μg or 100 μg (current US regime) doses tested but was present at the highest level (400 μg) tested. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that persons exposed to the current US fortification programme supplying an average of 100 μg per day or less are unlikely to have unmetabolised folic acid in serum. It also seems that daily consumption of the higher level of 200 μg or less is unlikely to be problematic. Increasing the level however to 400 μg on the other hand is likely to lead to unmetabolised folic acid appearance

Palmetto Sites Program 2016 Program Overview

The South Carolina Department of Commerce has initiated the Palmetto Sites Program. During the Palmetto Sites Program, participants will be asked to gather data on the property’s availability, developability, zoning, transportation, and utility infrastructure among other items. Having this information is critical in order to be competitive, and to quickly and accurately respond to requests for proposals. Palmetto Site is a property in which the applicant has accumulated substantial data about the property’s characteristics and infrastructure in order to effectively respond to information requests for industrial projects

A study of interaction effects due to bored tunnels in clay

Thesis (M. Eng.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2006.Includes bibliographical references (leaf 59).As more and more tunnels are being bored in urban environments it is essential to understand the effects that this will have on adjacent structures, for example, the state of Singapore, which has been expanding its underground transit system extensively. The effects of tunneling twin tunnels in Singapore marine clay are outlined, analyzed and discussed. Three different configurations are taken into account, side-by-side tunnels, piggyback tunnels and angular-offset tunnels, located at a typical depth for Singapore. Empirical correlations, derived from extensive field data, are used to calculate ground movements caused by twin bored tunnel constructions using superposition. Non-linear finite element analysis is used for the same situations, as well as for analyzing the stresses in the tunnel lining. The use of superposition was tested using the non-linear analysis to check whether or not its use with empirical methods is appropriate. Although the numerical solutions suggest that superposition is a good approximation for twin tunnel bores, there is a clear discrepancy in the magnitude and distribution of ground movements calculated by empirical and numerical solutions.by Paul Sweeney.M.Eng

An analysis of the research team-service user relationship from the service user perspective: a consideration of ‘The three Rs’ (roles, relations, and responsibilities) for healthcare research organisations

Background This article debates interview data from service users who engaged with the work of a Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC). The evidence base, to date, concerning the nature of CLAHRC work at the frontline (i.e. What is it actually like to do CLAHRC work?) is meagre; thus, this article represents an original contribution to that literature. Further, this article analyses service users' participation in research – as members of the research team – and so contributes to the body of developing literature regarding involvement too. Objective This article explores the nature of the Research Team–Service User relationship, plus associated roles, relations and responsibilities of collaborative health research. Design Qualitative social science research was undertaken in a health-care research organization utilizing interview method and a medical sociology and organizational sociology theoretical framework for analysis. Data utilized originate from a larger evaluation study that focuses on the CLAHRC as an iterative organization and explores members' experiences. Results There can be a disparity between initial expectations and actual experiences of involvement for service users. Therefore, as structured via ‘The Three Rs’ (Roles, Relations and Responsibilities), aspects of the relationship are evaluated (e.g. motivation, altruism, satisfaction, transparency, scope, feedback, communication, time). Regarding the inclusion of service users in health research teams, a careful consideration of ‘The Three Rs’ is required to ensure expectations match experiences