Visual perception in relation to reading: its ability to predict reading ability and affect achievement

In the area of academics and readiness, the question of visual perceptual training appears to present a problem as to the degree of importance that it maintains. Authorities in the field are divided as to the ability of visual perception to predict academic achievement and to determine readiness. Presented in this paper is an overview of the research studies concerning the predicative value of the Marianne Frostig Test of Visual Perception in the area of reading, the ability of visual perceptual tasks necessary for readiness and the effects of a perceptual training program on reading achievement

Fecal Coliform Membrane Filtration Recovery Techniques

Researchers over the years have been trying to improve recovery techniques for fecal coliform bacteria. Improved techniques would provide better estimates of the number of fecal coliform bacteria as well as better estimates of fecal contamination with potential pathogenicity of food and water. Stressed, but viable, fecal coliform bacteria if placed under the appropiate conditions, can recover, thus presenting the possibility of inadequate disinfection. Chlorine sanitization, as done in potable and wastewater treatment, is one such method of stressing bacteria. Techniques of recovery were studied using presumably unstressed and chlorine stressed samples. Phase one of this study was the comparison of the standard mFC broth medium method and the two-layer agar medium method. The two-layer method utilized a base medium of mFC agar overlayed with a top layer of lactose agar. This method provided a pre-enrichment (recovery) medium (lactose agar) and a preincubation of 2 hr at 35 ± 0.5C before being transferred to the selective temperature (44.5 ± 0.2C) characteristic for fecal coliform bacteria enumeration. The procedure provided increased recovery compared to that of the standard mFC method. Phase two of this study compared a two- layer broth method with the two-layer agar method. The two- layer broth method used the same concept of pre-enrichment medium and pre-incubation time and temperature. It allowed the membranes to be first placed on a pad saturated with lactose broth and incubated at 35 ± 0.5C for 2 hr before being aseptically transferred to a pad saturated with mFC broth and incubated at the elevated temperature (44.5 ± 0.2C) for 22 hr. The two- layer broth technique, although easier to do in the laboratory than the two-layer agar method, apparently did not recover fecal coliforms as well as the latter method. Phase three of this study compared Standard Methods buffered phosphate diluent and rinse fluid to buffered 0.1% peptone diluent and rinse fluid. The buffered 0.1% peptone fluids consisted of Standard Methods buffered phosphate fluid with 0.1% peptone. On both the unstressed and stressed samples the buffered peptone fluids recovered as well as the Standard Methods buffered phosphate diluent and rinse fluids but not any better

Implications of Interactions Among Society, Education and Technology: A Comparison of Multiple Linear Regression and Multilevel Modeling in Mathematics Achievement Analyses

This research compares and contrasts two approaches to predictive analysis of three years\u27 of school district data to investigate relationships between student and teacher characteristics and math achievement as measured by the state-mandated Maryland School Assessment mathematics exam. The sample for the study consisted of 3,514 students taught by 99 teachers in a small Appalachian school district in western Maryland. The first analytic approach, standard multiple linear regression, produced a model in which each of the predictors is statistically significant: student gender, prior math achievement, student performance on school district mathematics benchmark exams, teacher years of experience, and advanced teacher certification. In the second approach---multilevel modeling with students as the level-1 unit of analysis and teachers as the level-2 unit of analysis---student characteristics are significant predictors of math achievement, and teacher characteristics are insignificant predictors. The study is set within a context of an exploration of relationships among society, education, and technology. Implications of the study\u27s results for K-12 mathematics education practice and policy are discussed including: the need to define teacher effectiveness and to identify teacher characteristics that contribute to student achievement; the promise of benchmarking exam systems; the necessity of effective math education, minimally from early education through Algebra II; the need to evaluate teacher certification criteria and the efficacy of teacher preparation programs; the importance of using appropriate statistical modeling approaches in education research; and a call to put students back into the education equation through student-centered funding models

Fecal Coliform Membrane Filtration Recovery Techniques

Researchers over the years have been trying to improve recovery techniques for fecal coliform bacteria. Improved techniques would provide better estimates of the number of fecal coliform bacteria as well as better estimates of fecal contamination with potential pathogenicity of food and water. Stressed, but viable, fecal coliform bacteria if placed under the appropiate conditions, can recover, thus presenting the possibility of inadequate disinfection. Chlorine sanitization, as done in potable and wastewater treatment, is one such method of stressing bacteria. Techniques of recovery were studied using presumably unstressed and chlorine stressed samples. Phase one of this study was the comparison of the standard mFC broth medium method and the two-layer agar medium method. The two-layer method utilized a base medium of mFC agar overlayed with a top layer of lactose agar. This method provided a pre-enrichment (recovery) medium (lactose agar) and a preincubation of 2 hr at 35 ± 0.5C before being transferred to the selective temperature (44.5 ± 0.2C) characteristic for fecal coliform bacteria enumeration. The procedure provided increased recovery compared to that of the standard mFC method. Phase two of this study compared a two- layer broth method with the two-layer agar method. The two- layer broth method used the same concept of pre-enrichment medium and pre-incubation time and temperature. It allowed the membranes to be first placed on a pad saturated with lactose broth and incubated at 35 ± 0.5C for 2 hr before being aseptically transferred to a pad saturated with mFC broth and incubated at the elevated temperature (44.5 ± 0.2C) for 22 hr. The two- layer broth technique, although easier to do in the laboratory than the two-layer agar method, apparently did not recover fecal coliforms as well as the latter method. Phase three of this study compared Standard Methods buffered phosphate diluent and rinse fluid to buffered 0.1% peptone diluent and rinse fluid. The buffered 0.1% peptone fluids consisted of Standard Methods buffered phosphate fluid with 0.1% peptone. On both the unstressed and stressed samples the buffered peptone fluids recovered as well as the Standard Methods buffered phosphate diluent and rinse fluids but not any better

From reserves to cities (and back) : the significance of reserves in Registered Indian women's migration

The migration of Registered Indian people to and from their reserves has attracted much scholarly attention over the decades. A significant theme in early literature suggested Indian people migrated back and forth between their rural homes and urban destinations because they could not cope with life in the city and their movement in between the two places was seen by some as urban failure. To some extent Indian peoples’ authenticity was challenged if they chose city life. In later years scholarly literature began to explore the notions that many Indian people were quite capable of succeeding as urban dwellers, but there was still no rich understanding of migration patterns. Some scholars cautioned other scholars not to misinterpret federal statistics that lack in qualitative detail which may result in misinformed policy and program initiatives. There was a call for more qualitative studies to explain the statistics and present a better understanding of Indian migration patterns and hence population changes in cities and on reserves. Additionally, there was sufficient evidence that more Indian women were migrating to cities than Indian men, a phenomenon that required some attention. Interviewing Registered Indian women about their migrating experiences was an attempt to provide additional detail and understanding of the migration patterns between rural origins and urban destinations. The interviewees in this study clearly revealed that the circular migration of Registered Indian people to and from reserves showed the significance a particular migrant has to their home reserve. This significance should not be understood only as an a reflection of inability to succeed in the city as many registered Indian women return to their reserves with higher educations to work in their communities, only to leave again for further education. Some women leave their reserves to escape domestic problems, only to return to try to work things out with their partners. Many women end up leaving again. But economies, educations, domestic problems etc. are not the only influences on migration. The sanctity of the land and the many years of history that are symbolized by reserves are also factors of circular migration between reserves and cities

Archaeogenetic evidence of ancient Nubian barley evolution from six to two-row indicates local adaptation

Background Archaeobotanical samples of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) found at Qasr Ibrim display a two-row phenotype that is unique to the region of archaeological sites upriver of the first cataract of the Nile, characterised by the development of distinctive lateral bracts. The phenotype occurs throughout all strata at Qasr Ibrim, which range in age from 3000 to a few hundred years. Methodology and Findings We extracted ancient DNA from barley samples from the entire range of occupancy of the site, and studied the Vrs1 gene responsible for row number in extant barley. Surprisingly, we found a discord between the genotype and phenotype in all samples; all the barley had a genotype consistent with the six-row condition. These results indicate a six-row ancestry for the Qasr Ibrim barley, followed by a reassertion of the two-row condition. Modelling demonstrates that this sequence of evolutionary events requires a strong selection pressure. Conclusions The two-row phenotype at Qasr Ibrim is caused by a different mechanism to that in extant barley. The strength of selection required for this mechanism to prevail indicates that the barley became locally adapted in the region in response to a local selection pressure. The consistency of the genotype/phenotype discord over time supports a scenario of adoption of this barley type by successive cultures, rather than the importation of new barley varieties associated with individual cultures

A study of cognitive and behavioural transfer effects associated with children learning to play musical instruments for the first time over one academic year.

This is a pre-publication version of the following article: Dawn Rose, Alice Jones Bartoli, and Pamela Heaton, “A study of cognitive and behavioural transfer effects associated with children learning to play musical instruments for the first time over one academic year.”, The Psychology of Education Review, Vol. 39(2): 54-70, October 2015.Interest in studies investigating the indirect effect of music education, evaluated theoretically as ‘transfer effects’ (Barnett & Ceci, 2002) has been re-energised by the recent changes in policy that require musical provision to be justified (Branscombe, 2012). Here we take a holistic approach to musical learning, nesting neuro-psychological measures of near and far transfer within one battery of tests. The mixed design considered the multi-modal characteristics of musicality along a continuum assessing changes over time for behavioural visuo and psycho-motor skills and factors of both intelligence and memory in children in a pilot study. Participants (N=38) aged between 7-9 years were tested over a period of one UK academic year. Groups were assigned based on the amount of musical training they received. Results suggest an advantage for those participants taking music lessons over and above statutory provisions, particularly for hand/eye coordination and nonverbal reasoning.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio