Getting more from getting out : increasing achievement in literacy and science through ecological fieldwork

This paper demonstrates the positive impact of learning through ecological fieldwork upon children's ability to write, and to write about science. Specifically we have carried out a relatively large-scale study (involving 379 children aged 9–11 years from 8 primary schools in North East England) comparing intervention classes (involved in fieldwork) and comparison classes (no fieldwork). Pre-intervention assessments revealed no differences between classes in mean literacy scores; post-intervention assessments revealed that significantly higher literacy scores were achieved by children who had carried out fieldwork (girls consistently outperformed boys in all classes). Intervention class children achieved higher scores in science (ecology) assessments than their comparison class peers before and after the intervention. We suggest that this may be an effect of these children thinking as scientists throughout the project. Our work confirms that a child-centred outdoor learning experience focused upon science can result in learning benefits across the wider curriculum

Unstable Slope Management Program

INE/AUTC 11.1

SHACKDWELLER CITIZENSHIP

Literature on slum and shack settlements focuses mainly on the staggering numbers of shackdwellers, the steadily increasing urban population, and the perils of rapid urbanization yet largely ignores the rights of the poor people housed in these disputed and often highly politicized areas. Even in literature sympathetic to the need for improved conditions, little agency is granted to those who have the greatest stake in how slums are managed, the shackdwellers themselves. The paper looks carefully at shackdwellers\u27 rights, considering the activism of a South African movement, the Abahlali baseMjondolo. Details on the Abahlali are revealed through a variety of sources, whether newspaper, magazine or journal articles, book chapters, or court documents. All aspects of the Abahlali movement, origins, structure, and activism, reveal a pragmatic and alternative model for citizenship that differs from the citizenship offered by the South African government. The paper utilizes the political economy of place perspective as a lens to understand how the Abahlali baseMjondolo movement\u27s grassroots advocacy counters the market-oriented development put forth by the government. The Abahlali baseMjondolo\u27s inclusive governance and powerful advocacy for a right to the city offer a compelling model of citizenship in a steadily urbanizing world

Alien Registration- Scott, Margaret (Bangor, Penobscot County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/10839/thumbnail.jp

Alien Registration- Scott, Margaret (Baileyville, Washington County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/2574/thumbnail.jp

Toward understanding commercial additives for zincate electrogalvanizing

Cyanide zinc electrogalvanizing has been used for many years to produce high quality and uniform zinc coatings. Due to toxicity concerns, a significant amount of research has occurred to remove the use of cyanide while still producing a similar deposit. One of the resulting plating chemistries is the alkaline zincate bath. Alkaline zincate plating has the advantages of low startup cost, low toxicity, and low corrosion rate. Despite these advantages, alkaline bath conditions do not produce acceptable zinc deposits without the use of plating additives, which can promote lustrous, smooth deposits. This research aims to: (1) generate fundamental electrochemical data in the presence of commercial additives (a carrier, a brightener, and a leveler), (2) correlate the fundamental data with deposit appearance and structure, and (3) optimize the concentration of carrier, booster, leveler at the current industrial operating parameters to result in a bright and smooth zinc deposit over the largest current density (CD) range --Abstract, page iv

YouTube for Doc Burnstein\u27s Ice Cream Lab: Employee Training and Social Media PR/Marketing Through the Use of Video Production

Every small business owner is looking for ways to improve their customer base and increase their profits with the smallest amount of investment possible. Two of the most important elements of successful small restaurants are consistent employee training and PR/marketing strategies. This paper addresses the importance of effective employee training methods and PR/marketing methods. The effectiveness of YouTube videos is addressed as it pertains to Doc Burnstein’s Ice Cream Lab in Arroyo Grande, California. There is a focus on two-way communication and communication with publics

Neuromuscular Characteristics of Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the neuromuscular characteristics of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) patients. To help explain the neuromuscular characteristics physical activity levels, body composition and blood lipid profile were measured. In addition, Vitamin D was measured to determine if this was deficient in MS patients. Hypothesis: We hypothesised that muscle fibre conduction velocity (MFCV) would be elevated and amplitude would be impaired in Multiple Sclerosis patients compared to an age and sex matched control group. In addition, we hypothesised that physical activity levels would be reduced, body composition would exhibit a higher percentage fat, blood lipid profile would be less favourable and Vitamin D levels would be reduced in the group of MS patients. Methodology: 15 MS patients (53.8±10.5 years) and 14 age and sex matched control participants (54.6±9.6 years) were recruited for this study. Patients with a disability status (EDSS) (92) of between 4 and 6 were included in this study. All participants provided written informed consent after being fully informed of the procedures. An array of 4, 8mm Ag-AgCl electrodes was placed in a hard plastic mould in a straight line, leaving 12.5mm between each electrode. The array was positioned on the vastus lateralis between the innervation zone and the distal tendon and was orientated to follow the muscle fibre pennation direction. Electromyographic (EMG) data was collected via the electrodes whilst the participant carried out each contraction. Muscle fibre conduction velocity (MFCV) and root mean square (RMS) were calculated from the raw EMG signal collected during each contraction. The protocol was carried out on both legs. Isometric knee extensions were standardised using the Bio-Dex Systems 3 Isokinetic Dynamometer and executed with the knee at 60° angle of flexion. Participants were tested under four different contraction intensities; 20, 40, 60 and 80% of the peak value of their maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Their MVC was established for both legs. For each test condition the participant was required to carry out 3 isometric contractions for 7 seconds; each contraction was separated by 14 seconds rest. During each set of contractions the target force was visible on the Bio-Dex monitor. Participants obtained visual feedback from the Bio-Dex throughout each contraction allowing the participant to adjust the force they were required to produce to maintain their target force. Whole body composition (fat mass, lean mass and bone mineral content) was measured by Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) using a Lunar Prodigy DF+ 13643, GE medical systems scanner. Whole body and thigh composition were extrapolated from the digitalised results of the scan. Habitual physical activity was measured for 7 days using the GT1M Actigraph accelerometer, which was worn on the participants’ right hip during all waking hours. Data collected by and downloaded from the accelerometer was used to calculate each participant’s total and mean accelerometer counts per day. A fasted 10ml sample of venous blood was drawn from an antecubital vein using a 10ml syringe and a 15mm gauge needle. The blood samples were analysed for total cholesterol, triglyceride and high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and Vitamin D concentration. Results: Initial findings revealed that the patient group exhibited a significantly faster (P0.05) in MFCV over all the contractions between the groups. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in MFCV between the dominant and non-dominant leg within each group. Analysis of the RMS data revealed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) over all the contractions between the patient and the control group in either the dominant or the non-dominant leg. However there was a highly significant difference (P<0.001) in RMS between contraction intensity in both legs in both groups. There was a significant difference (P0.05) was identified between the dominant and non-dominant leg within each group. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in absolute lean thigh mass (LTM) between the two groups however the difference in relative lean thigh mass (lean thigh mass/lean body mass*100) between the groups was approaching significance (P=0.077). The patient group exhibited a significantly (P0.05) in whole body or thigh bone mineral density (BMD) between the groups. The patient group was significantly (P<0.05) less physically active than the control group; this was evident from their total accelerometer counts/day (patients 167088±113586, control 316401±108982) and mean accelerometer counts/day (patients 206.4±139.5, controls 364.5±120.6). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in blood lipid profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL or LDL) between patients and control group. However there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in serum Vitamin D concentration between the patient and the control group. Conclusion: MS patients exhibited faster MFCV with a similar number of motor units recruited than healthy ages and sex matched controls. However, an increased quantity of subcutaneous fat artificially elevates MFCV (110) and MS patients in this study exhibit higher percentage fat than the controls. Therefore, when accounting for this confounding variable we then showed that there was in fact no difference in MFCV between the groups. However the patients MFCV responded differently to the increased contraction intensity than the controls which suggests altered neuromuscular processing within the patient group. The MS group had reduced physical activity levels which caused a slight disuse atrophy of the lower limbs which did not compromise muscle quality. Therefore, similar quality of the muscle has resulted in unaltered neuromuscular recruitment in MS patients. Overall, the results indicate that there was no difference in neuromuscular characteristics of MS patients compared to age and sex matched controls, even in the presence of altered body composition and physical activity levels