Development and Implementation of Technology Plans in Tennessee Public School Systems

The purpose of this study was to investigate how public school systems in Tennessee developed and implemented their district technology. The target population of the study was all of the 136 public school systems in Tennessee. Data were collected using two methods: (1) content analysis of the district technology plans and (2) survey analysis of selected participants. A survey was administered to employees of the participating school distracts who represented the following groups: (1) district technology coordinators, (2) principals, and (3) teachers who were involved in developing the district’s technology plan. Those districts in the study which contributed a district technology plan and at least one complete survey form were included in the analysis. As a result, thirty-one school districts elected to participate in the study (23%). The results of the study showed that the overall quality of the technology plans was inadequate. The technology plans examined were grouped into three categories: (1) TLEA – those plans that followed TLEA guidelines; (2) TPC – those plans that followed TPC guidelines; and (3) Others – those plans that did not appear to follow either set of guidelines. The most commonly included elements in the technology plan were timeline, goals and objectives, integration of technology into the curriculum, and professional development. A significant number of the technology plans from rural school systems did not appear to have followed the state guidelines. The entity that was most often identified as being responsible for developing district technology plans was the technology committee or district technology coordinator. District technology directors, principals, teachers, school level technology coordinators, and curriculum supervisors were found to be the major stakeholders in district technology committees. In most suburban school districts, technology committees were responsible for implementing the plans. In most rural districts, individuals, usually district technology coordinators, were responsible for implementing the technology plan. Many of the school district technology plans appeared to had been recently updated or developed. All school districts sampled specified the intent to revise their technology plan at some point in the future. Almost all of the school districts studied to some extent are making progress in implementing their technology plan. However, the implementation of technology plans was reportedly most often hampered by the lack of budget. Most of the school districts did not appear to be engaged in unplanned technology integration activities. The most frequently reported unplanned technology activities were grants that school districts received for professional development activities and integration of technology into the curriculum

Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Nepal: Exploring Indigenous Research Procedures in Shamanism

By presenting Shamanism as a form and tradition of indigenous knowledge, this paper aims to reduce the uncertainties attached to the concept in common approaches to indigenous research. Most indigenist researchers, who are working to blend western and non-western ways of knowing, have inadequately explored indigenous research procedures. In order to understand indigenous research procedures in the Nepali multi-cultural context, using interpretive, critical and postmodern research paradigms, the authors engaged with indigenous elders and traditional healers, and observed cultural events like shamanic performances. This paper reveals how achieving a profound understanding of indigenous knowledge traditions will be an integral part of how researchers approach indigenous communities in future studies

Phrenic Nerve Impingement and Effect of Superficial Neck Flexors Stretching in Improving Diaphragmatic Function among Patient with Chronic Neck Pain

Background: The phrenic nerve is formed on the lateral border of scalenus anterior. It runs vertically downward on the anterior surface of the scalenus anterior. The muscle is oblique and nerve cross it obliquely from its lateral to medial border. In this part the nerve is related anteriorly sternocleidomastoid. The decline in the diaphragm function can occur due to phrenic nerve block but to the best of our search, there is dearth of literature pertaining to involvement of phrenic nerve in patient with chronic neck pain secondary to superficial neck flexors tightness. So, evaluation of these muscle for tightness may be considered which may affect the maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP). Objective: To find the change in diaphragmatic function secondary to phrenic nerve impingement measured through maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP) following stretching of superficial neck flexors in patient with chronic neck pain Methods: An experimental (pre-post design) study involving 40 subjects with mean (±SD) age 22.4 ± 2.8 years was performed. Using purposive sampling 40 subjects (77.5% female and 22.5% male) were used to check phrenic nerve impingement by looking at the effect of superficial neck flexors stretching (sternocleidomastoid and anterior scalene) in improving diaphragmatic function in patient with chronic neck pain. The included subject’s diaphragmatic function was measured through maximum inspiratory pressure using a device capsule sensing pressure gauge followed by stretching of superficial neck flexors on both sides. After two minutes of stretching diaphragmatic function was again measured. Results: There was increase in diaphragmatic function following stretching of superficial neck flexors by 13.2cm H2O which was found to be highly significant statistically with p value < 0.01 Conclusion: The result of present study concluded that superficial neck flexors stretching was effective in treating the impingement of phrenic nerve as measured through maximum inspiratory pressure in patients with chronic neck pain

Indigenous Ways of Knowing in Nepal: Exploring Indigenous Research Procedures in Shamanism

By presenting Shamanism as a form and tradition of indigenous knowledge, this paper aims to reduce the uncertainties attached to the concept in common approaches to indigenous research. Most indigenist researchers, who are working to blend western and non-western ways of knowing, have inadequately explored indigenous research procedures. In order to understand indigenous research procedures in the Nepali multi-cultural context, using interpretive, critical and postmodern research paradigms, the authors engaged with indigenous elders and traditional healers, and observed cultural events like shamanic performances. This paper reveals how achieving a profound understanding of indigenous knowledge traditions will be an integral part of how researchers approach indigenous communities in future studies

A Parallel Non-Alignment Based Approach to Efficient Sequence Comparison using Longest Common Subsequences

Biological sequence comparison programs have revolutionized the practice of biochemistry, and molecular and evolutionary biology. Pairwise comparison of genomic sequences is a popular method of choice for analyzing genetic sequence data. However the quality of results from most sequence comparison methods are significantly affected by small perturbations in the data and furthermore, there is a dearth of computational tools to compare sequences beyond a certain length. In this paper, we describe a parallel algorithm for comparing genetic sequences using an alignment free-method based on computing the Longest Common Subsequence (LCS) between genetic sequences. We validate the quality of our results by comparing the phylogenetic tress obtained from ClustalW and LCS. We also show through complexity analysis of the isoefficiency and by empirical measurement of the running time that our algorithm is very scalable

A review on clubroot of crucifers: symptoms, life-cycle of pathogen, factors affecting severity, and management strategies

Clubroot is a devastating disease of crucifers throughout the world. It is caused by a soil-borne obligate phytoparasite, Plasmodiophora brassicae Wor. Plant affected by this disease shows flagging of leaves, unthrifty growth, and even premature death. When uprooted, root shows characteristic symptom of hypertrophied club-shaped root system. Several biotic and abiotic factors affect the disease severity. Biotic factors include spore load in soil and virulence of pathogen, whereas abiotic factors generally include soil environmental factors such as soil temperature, soil pH, soil moisture, and soil type. Pathogen survives, for substantial period of time in absence of host, through its double-walled resting spores in soil or crop debris. Temperature affects spore germination, occurrence, and pathogen proliferation. Acidic soil reaction is crucial for pathogen to proliferate, metabolize, secret enzymes, and to complete life-cycle. All type of soil textures favor disease; however, severity differs with type of soil and soil organic matter content. Soil moisture provides platform to move bi-flagellated zoospores to infect root hairs of crops. Root hair infection is commensurate with inoculum density or spore load in soil. Immediate management strategies entail cultural practices, use of biocontrol agents, and application of chemical as last resort. Trichoderma spp., Pseudomonas fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, and Gliocladium catenulatum are potential biocontrol agents. Flusalfamide, Fluazinam, and Cyazofamid are some common chemicals used to control clubroot. Soil carried by farm implements, human body, irrigation water, and flood can be potential source of pathogen. The risk of clubroot can be reduced by ensuring phyto-sanitory measures, destroying host crop debris, regular scouting, growing resistant cultivars, avoiding acidic soil reaction, eliminating weedy hosts, and reducing soil movement

Effectiveness of first trimester ultrasound screening in reduction of postdated labor induction rate

Background: The gestational age calculation by ultrasonography (USG) at first trimester is based on crown-rump length is more accurate, less erratic than last menstrual period based dating. Utilization of first trimester based scanning in dating the pregnancy will reduce the labor induction rate and consequently reduce the morbidity related to induction of labor.Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was done among 314 booked antenatal women visiting department of obstetrics and gynecology, BPKIHS for regular check-up between 37 and 41 weeks of gestation. Expected date of delivery was calculated from crown rump length (CRL) of the first trimester scan for USG group while last menstrual period was taken to calculate expected date of delivery for LMP group and were called for induction at 41 weeks of gestation. The rates of labor induction, emergency cesarean section (CS) among induced group, indication of CS and mode of delivery were compared in both the groups.Results: There was 14% labor induction rate in USG group and 24.2% in LMP (last menstrual period) group and differed significantly (p=0.022). There was no difference in the mode of delivery among participants in either groups. The rate of emergency CS among women undergoing induction of labor was 54.5% and 39.5% respectively for USG and LMP groups (p=0.258). Overall, non-reassuring fetal heart rate was the most common indication for CS in both the groups.Conclusions: The finding suggests first trimester scan among all pregnancies will reduce the post-dated inductions, as well as need of CS.

Traditional artifacts from dried leaves of Cymbidium species (orchidaceae) in Indian state of Sikkim

390-394Sikkim is one of the most beautiful tourist hill states with tremendous biodiversity wealth. Cymbidium orchid dominates the states for hobby gardeners and commercial cultivating farmers. Handicraft is a part of hobbies and livelihood of the indigenous communities of the region. The Lepcha tribe craftsmen based on dried leaves of Cymbidium orchid is becoming promising apart from their handloom, cane and bamboo products. Attractive, simple products of dried Cymbidium leaves such as fruit and vegetable baskets, containers, sitting mats, hanging pots, trash bins, and plant growing pots is gaining popularity. Due to no noticeable researches and development in this sector, the traditional artifact craftsmen are unable to establish as a source of livelihood. With strategic approaches and intervention, these unique traditional craftsmen would be a reliable economic venture for the rural youth