Evaluating the Effectiveness of an Autism-Specific Workplace Tool for Employers: A Randomised Controlled Trial

A randomised controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of the Integrated Employment Success Tool (IEST™) in improving employers’ self-efficacy in modifying the workplace for individuals on the autism spectrum. Employers (N = 84) were randomised to the IEST™ or support as usual groups. Measurements of self-efficacy, knowledge and attitudes towards disability in the workplace were obtained at baseline and post-test. Results revealed a significant improvement in self-efficacy within the IEST™ group between baseline and post-test (p = 0.016). At post-test, there were no significant differences between groups in relation to self-efficacy in implementing autism-specific workplace modifications and employer attitudes towards disability in the workplace. Given the lack of significant outcomes, further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of the IEST™ for employers

Aktywnosc enzymatyczna industrioziemow wytworzonych z piaskow na zalesionym zwalowisku kopalni siarki w zaleznosci od gatunkow drzew

W poszukiwaniu i w celu weryfikacji wskaźników diagnostycznych procesów glebotwórczych oraz wskaźników przemian antropogenicznych zbadano aktywność enzymatyczną gleb o składzie granulometrycznym piasku gliniastego po 35-letniej rekultywacji leśnej zwałowiska zewnętrznego kopalni siarki. Badania przeprowadzono na wierzchowinie na czterech powierzchniach doświadczalnych z drzewostanami: modrzewia europejskiego (Larix decidua Mill.) i sosny zwyczajnej (Pinus sylvestris L.). Przeprowadzone badania wykazały, że aktywność enzymatyczna gleb była istotnie zróżnicowana w zależności od gatunku drzew. Na powierzchniach z drzewostanami sosny zwyczajnej aktywność badanych enzymów (fosfataz, ureazy i proteazy) była mniejsza niż w gruntach zalesionych modrzewiem europejskim. Aktywność enzymatyczna na powierzchniach z drzewostanami modrzewia kształtowała się na poziomie aktywności enzymatycznej gleb piaszczystych w naturalnych ekosystemach leśnych. Świadczy to o korzystnym wpływie rekultywacji leśnej na właściwości tworzącej się gleby. Aktywność ureazy, spośród wszystkich badanych enzymów, była najbardziej czułym wskaźnikiem informującym o sytuacji ekologicznej i stopniu rozwoju procesów glebotwórczych analizowanych gruntów.Enzymatic activity of soils with granulometric composition of loamy sand was studied in order to look for and to verify diagnostic soil-formation processes and indicators of anthropogenic transformations over 35 years’ forest re-cultivation in an outer dumping ground of a sulphur mine. The surveys were carried out on a hilltop of four experimental areas with the following tree-stands: European larch (Larix decidua Mill.) and common pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). The surveys showed that soil enzymatic activity was significantly differentiated depending on the tree species. On the area with common pine tree-stands, the activity of the enzymes studied (i.e. phosphatase, urease and protease) was lower than on the ground covered with European larch. Enzymatic activity on the areas with larch tree-stands was on the level of enzymatic activity of sandy soils in natural forest eco-systems. The observation proved a favourable influence of forest recultivation on the properties of soil at its formation stage. Among all the enzymes examined, urease activity was the most sensitive indicator reflecting ecological situation and development degree of soil formation processes in the grounds analysed

The effectiveness of foreign-language display in advertising for congruent versus incongruent products

Item does not contain fulltextAdvertising often confronts consumers with foreign languages, such as German or French in the U.S., but little is known about the circumstances under which this is effective. The linguistic theory of foreign-language display claims that the congruence with the product is the essential element in its effectiveness. This study investigates this premise by having Dutch participants (N =150) evaluate ads for products that were (in)congruent with the language of the slogan (French, German, Spanish). Results show that foreign-language display is indeed more effective for congruent (e.g., wine–French) than for incongruent products (e.g., beer–French). KEYWORDS.13 p