Methods and materials for a receptive language development for pre-school retarded children

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston University N.B.: Misnumbered page 6

Are Some Deaths Worse Than Others? The Effect of 'Labelling' on People's Perceptions

This paper sets out to explore the extent to which perceptions regarding the 'badness' of different types of deaths differ according to how those deaths are 'labelled' in the elicitation procedure. In particular, we are interested in whether responses to 'contextual' questions - where the specific context in which the deaths occur is known - differ from 'generic' questions - where the context is unknown. Further, we set out to test whether sensitivity to the numbers of deaths differs across the 'generic' and 'contextual' versions of the questions. We uncover evidence to suggest that both the perceived 'badness' of different types of deaths and sensitivity to the numbers of deaths may differ according to whether 'generic' or 'contextual' descriptions are used. Qualitative data suggested two reasons why responses to 'generic' and 'contextual' questions differed: firstly, some influential variables were omitted from the 'generic' descriptions and secondly, certain variables were interpreted somewhat differently once the context had been identified. The implications of our findings for 'generic' questions, such as those commonly used in health economics (for example, the EQ 5D), are discussed.Preferences, Context effects, Affect heuristic

Neither use nor ornament: a consideration of the evidence for the existence of a system of communication and notation in the European upper Palaeolithic

This thesis is concerned with devising an objective means of testing whether or not the people of the European Upper Palaeolithic used systems of notation to create intentional records. I begin with a discussion of the theoretical parameters that I intend to adopt, notably an adaptive rather than a progressive model of change over time, and the need for a controlled use of analogical comparisons between present phenomena and prehistory. By briefly summarising the approach of past researchers in this area, I identified engraved mobiliary artefacts as the primary source of data. In order, to construct an objective model to test the hypothetical existence of notation, I first examine other forms of visual communication, notably iconicity, decoration and the use of signs and symbols. I conclude that any recognisable examples of notation would be structured in order to effectively convey information. As a result I devise a series of criteria based on first principles by which I hope to be able to distinguish between examples of representational, decorative, notational and purely random accumulations of lines. To test the effectiveness of these criteria, I apply then to examples of known systems of visual representation taken from the Ethnographic collections of four museums. These include Australian message sticks, tallies, records of time and calendars. I conclude that my criteria are able to discriminate between examples of notation and other classes of meaningful representation. I also isolate the recurrent use of translational symmetry and rotational symmetry in notational artefacts, and the absence of mirror and slide refection. By discussing in some detail the approach of past researchers to the identification of notation in engraved mobiliary artefacts from the Upper Palaeolithic I isolate certain practical and theo-reucal problems. To correlate my results with those of Marshack I apply my criteria to five of his selected examples and conclude that two out of the five are not notational by my criteria. I also test my criteria against some artefacts from the Piette and Saint-Perier collections in Paris and conclude that the structure of the marks on some examples conform to my criteria of notation. Marshack is criticised for claiming to identify evolving systems and traditions of notation using only a handful of examples from sites all over Europe and the timescale of the Upper Palaeolithic. I counter this defect by looking at a sample of data taken from a single site, Enleue in Ariege. The engraved artefacts date to Perigordian V and the Early and Middle Magdalenian and are backed by independent dating techniques and a wealth of complementary finds. By providing a detailed summary of the characteristics of this data set I was able to identify certain common characteristics of non-figurative engraved mobiliary artefacts. By measuring the physical properties of the lines on the complete data namely their length, distance and orientation, I demonstrate the presence or absence of order and structure using Multivariate Cluster Analysis and Two- and Three-Dimensional plots. The cases are selected from Marshack's data, my Paris data, the complete examples from Enlene, with known examples of notation and randomly generated examples to act as controls. As a result of the identification of orientation and then inter-line distance as the prime indications of artefact variability, the broken bones from Enlene are included. Further statistical tests isolate certain artefacts as examples of low variabilty, which are confirmed by my criteria to be the most likely examples of notation or decoration at Enlene

Building an Information Management System for Emergency Preparedness and Response to Promote Assurance: A Case Study of the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness

The Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) is a program that provides medical countermeasures during a public health emergency. A public health emergency can be a natural or man-made disaster, an act of terrorism, or a pandemic. The Cities Readiness Initiative (CRI) was created to help the nation’s largest metropolitan regions develop the ability to provide SNS life-saving medications in the event of a large-scale bioterrorist attack or naturally occurring disease outbreak. To address the risks associated with a public health emergency the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires a comprehensive emergency response plan for distributing SNS/CRI materials quickly and efficiently. The Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness (FCDHW) is tasked with responsibility for distributing and dispensing of SNS/CRI medical assets delivered during a public health emergency. FCDHW is also tasked with the development of a comprehensive response plan. Past TAR scores revealed that passing SNS/CRI audits has been a challenge for FCDHW. A case study was conducted to note if the development of an information management system could facilitate successful future SNS/CRI audits. A needs assessment revealed that an information management system for emergency preparedness and response compliance was needed. Microsoft SharePoint 2007 was used to develop the information management system. SharePoint contains a secure document repository that linked the work products of all relevant internal and external stakeholders and revealed compliance deficiencies early enough to allow for corrective actions. The result was a passing TAR score that was a 59 point increase from the last published score

The Role of Story Cards and the Wall in XP teams: a distributed cognition perspective

Much of the knowledge used within an XP team is tacit, i.e. it is hidden and intangible. Two tangible artefacts that carry information about the team’s work are the index cards which capture stories and tasks to be implemented and the wall where they are displayed (which we refer to as the ‘Wall’). It is widely acknowledged that these are key elements supporting the work of the XP team, but no systematic investigation of their role has been reported to date. In this paper, we focus on the use of these artefacts within one XP team. We use distributed cognition, a framework for analysing collaborative work, to explicate the information flows in, around and within the team that are supported by the index cards and the Wall. We then interrogate the models produced using this analysis to answer ‘what if’ questions

Impact of cyclooxygenase inhibitors in the Women's Health Initiative hormone trials: secondary analysis of a randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the hypothesis that cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor use might have counteracted a beneficial effect of postmenopausal hormone therapy, and account for the absence of cardioprotection in the Women's Health Initiative hormone trials. Estrogen increases COX expression, and inhibitors of COX such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents appear to increase coronary risk, raising the possibility of a clinically important interaction in the trials. DESIGN: The hormone trials were randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was assessed at baseline and at years 1, 3, and 6. SETTING: The Women's Health Initiative hormone trials were conducted at 40 clinical sites in the United States. PARTICIPANTS: The trials enrolled 27,347 postmenopausal women, aged 50-79 y. INTERVENTIONS: We randomized 16,608 women with intact uterus to conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg with medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg daily or to placebo, and 10,739 women with prior hysterectomy to conjugated estrogens 0.625 mg daily or placebo. OUTCOME MEASURES: Myocardial infarction, coronary death, and coronary revascularization were ascertained during 5.6 y of follow-up in the estrogen plus progestin trial and 6.8 y of follow-up in the estrogen alone trial. RESULTS: Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated from Cox proportional hazard models stratified by COX inhibitor use. The hazard ratio for myocardial infarction/coronary death with estrogen plus progestin was 1.13 (95% confidence interval 0.68-1.89) among non-users of COX inhibitors, and 1.35 (95% confidence interval 0.86-2.10) among continuous users. The hazard ratio with estrogen alone was 0.92 (95% confidence interval 0.57-1.48) among non-users of COX inhibitors, and 1.08 (95% confidence interval 0.69-1.70) among continuous users. In a second analytic approach, hazard ratios were calculated from Cox models that included hormone trial assignment as well as a time-dependent covariate for medication use, and an interaction term. No significant interaction was identified. CONCLUSIONS: Use of COX inhibitors did not significantly affect the Women's Health Initiative hormone trial results

Withering the citizen, managing the consumer: complaints in healthcare settings

This paper considers concepts of citizenship and consumerism in light of complaints about healthcare, which have risen since the early1990s, due to a greater willingness by the healthcare user to complain, and also the reforms in complaint systems. The narrow legal model for dealing with complaints has been replaced by a managerial model based on corporate sector practice that views complaint handling as a way of retaining customers and organisational learning. The managerial model has proved difficult to embed into the English NHS and has been superposed with a centralised regulatory system that aims to manage performance while also being responsible for reviewing, complaints and being responsive to complainants. It is argued that this may have positive consequences in terms of improving healthcare quality but more negatively, the promotion of consumerism within complaints processes has led to a loss of the right to due process and public accountability

KSU Holiday Concert 2017

Kick off your holiday season with the School of Music as we celebrate the season and present holiday favorites performed by the KSU Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and choirs. This performance will feature carols sung by KSU choirs, a special Christmas at the Movies medley performed by the KSU Symphony Orchestra including music from Home Alone, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Polar Express, and more.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1992/thumbnail.jp

Achieving Workplace Health through Application of Wellness Strategies

Purpose: 1) Understand and measure JSC workplace health: a) levels, sources, indicators & effects of negative, work-related stress; b) define leading indicators of emerging issues. 2 Provide linkage to outcomes: a) Focus application of wellness strategies & HR tools; b) Increase quality of work life and productivity. 3) Current effort will result in: a) Online assessment tool; b) Assessment of total JSC population (civil service & contractors); c) Application of mitigation tools and strategies. 4) Product of the JSC Employee Wellness Program. 5) Collaboration with Corporate Health Improvement Program/University of Arizona

Are Some Deaths Worse Than Others? Results from a Discrete Choice Experiment

Previous research has shown that people wish a premium to be placed on the prevention of certain types of deaths as they perceive those deaths as 'worse' than others. The research reported in this paper is an attempt to quantify such a 'bad death' premium via a discrete choice experiment (DCE). The four underlying attributes included were: the age of the victim, who was most to blame for the death, the severity of the victim's pain and suffering in the period leading up to death, and the duration of the victim's pain and suffering in the period leading up to death. In addition, a fifth attribute - number of deaths - was included in order to provide a quantitative scale against which to measure the "bad death premium". The results show that each of the 4 underlying attributes did matter to respondents in determining whether deaths were worse than others, but also uncovered marked insensitivity to variations in the number of those deaths. The implication of our findings for the use of quantitative variables in DCEs is discussed.Discrete choice experiment, Value of preventing a fatality, Relative weights, Insensitivity