Understanding death as the cessation of intentional action: A cross-cultural developmental study

Determining whether or not an entity is capable of acting intentionally is a fundamental cognitive skill that emerges in the first year of infancy, and the inability to act is a key aspect distinguishing dead from living things. Though young children’s understanding of death is generally thought to be poor, an understanding of death as the permanent cessation of agency might develop early in childhood. This study tested the cessation-of-agency hypothesis cross-culturally, by examining the differences between children’s judgments about sleeping and dead animals. The results showed that children understand that death entails the permanent cessation of the ability to act by age 4 in two different cultures. This is consistent with a view that those distinctions that are most crucial for adaptive decision-making are the ones that develop earliest

The professional roundtable: developing novice teachers

The effects of a program developed for novice teachers are examined in this document. Data was derived from information obtained during interviews conducted by the intern, as well as entry and exit surveys. The study begins by addressing the nation\u27s impending teacher shortage which can be linked to the retention of novice teachers. This section expounds upon the need to properly develop novice teachers in order to retain their services. The next section is a review of the literature which explains the status of the educational system as it relates to novice teachers. Following this review, a design of the study is presented. The setting of the study was R.D. Wood School in Millville, New Jersey. Participants of the study consisted of classroom teachers with five or less years of service. The program developed for this study was entitled, The Professional Roundtable. The program\u27s development was constructed based on information gathered from interviews and surveys. The findings of this study indicate that the development of The Professional Roundtable was effective for developing novice teachers

Elections using Open Primaries lead to more autonomy being granted for committees in State Legislatures

State legislatures vary considerably in their organization, especially in the scope of leadership powers and the degree of autonomy given to legislative committees. Since the members themselves often have power over how their own legislative bodies are organized, political scientists have a keen interest in understanding why members choose to give committees greater autonomy in decision-making. Tanya Bagashka and Jennifer Hayes Clark argue the decision to grant more autonomy to committees is influenced by the type of electoral system (open versus closed primaries) from which legislators are elected

The Political Participation of First Year Social Work Students: Does Practice Specialization Matter?

This study identifies the types of political participation engaged in by MSW students (n=214). A self-report survey administered to MSW students at a Northeastern university indicates limited political involvement. MSW students participate in political activities not requiring significant time, energy, or resources. Furthermore, on the scale and its two subscales, micro-oriented students had less political participation than macro-oriented students. This study suggests first-year social work students may lack the tools to engage in the political process effectively. Schools of social work should include political participation education in both micro and macro foundation courses and field placements

The Political Participation of First Year Social Work Students: Does Practice Specialization Matter?

This study identifies the types of political participation engaged in by MSW students (n=214). A self-report survey administered to MSW students at a Northeastern university indicates limited political involvement. MSW students participate in political activities not requiring significant time, energy, or resources. Furthermore, on the scale and its two subscales, micro-oriented students had less political participation than macro-oriented students. This study suggests firstyear social work students may lack the tools to engage in the political process effectively. Schools of social work should include political participation education in both micro and macro foundation courses and field placement

Home safe home: Evaluation of a childhood home safety program

BACKGROUND: The London Health Sciences Centre Home Safety Program (HSP) provides safety devices, education, a safety video, and home safety checklist to all first-time parents for the reduction of childhood home injuries. The objective of this study was to evaluate the HSP for the prevention of home injuries in children up to 2 years of age. METHODS: A program evaluation was performed with follow-up survey, along with an interrupted time series analysis of emergency department (ED) visits for home injuries 5 years before (2007–2013) and 2 years after (2013–2015) implementation. Spatial analysis of ED visits was undertaken to assess differences in home injury rates by dissemination areas controlling differences in socioeconomic status (i.e., income, education, and lone-parent status) at the neighborhood level. RESULTS: A total of 3,458 first-time parents participated in the HSP (a 74% compliance rate). Of these, 20% (n = 696) of parents responded to our questionnaire, with 94% reporting the program to be useful (median, 6; interquartile range,2 on a 7-point Likert scale) and 81% learning new strategies for preventing home injuries. The median age of the respondent\u27s babies were 12 months (interquartile range, 1). The home safety check list was used by 87% of respondents to identify hazards in their home, with 95% taking action to minimize the risk. The time series analysis demonstrated a significant decline in ED visits for home injuries in toddlers younger than2 years of age after HSP implementation. The declines in ED visits for home injuries remained significant over and above each socioeconomic status covariate. CONCLUSION: Removing hazards, supervision, and installing safety devices are key facilitators in the reduction of home injuries. Parents found the HSP useful to identify hazards, learn new strategies, build confidence, and provide safety products. Initial finding suggests that the program is effective in reducing home injuries in children up to 2 years of ag

Nutrition employability and graduate readiness:The Australian Working in Nutrition study

Background: Nutrition science graduates contribute to the nutrition workforce by bringing specialist knowledge and skills needed to address future food challenges. This study aims to provide a snapshot of the current employment landscape for nutrition science graduates in Australia and how well their degrees prepare them for employment. Method: A cross-sectional survey of Australian tertiary nutrition graduates was conducted to explore tertiary training, employment pathways and their perceived preparedness for practice. Results: This study included a final sample of 119 graduates from 17 Australian tertiary institutions. Almost two-thirds of respondents had completed further training. Most graduates (77%, n = 91) had worked in a food, nutrition science or health-related role after their degree; the most frequently cited employment settings were government or public health organisations; research, not-for-profit or nongovernment organisations; and the food industry. Work-integrated learning was identified as a key predictor of graduates working in a role that differed from their expectations as a student. The skill categories developed during nutrition training that were most valued in the workplace included nutrition and scientific knowledge, and professional and communication skills. Conclusions: This study offers first insights into the current employment landscape for nutrition graduates across Australia. Findings show that current nutrition science professionals are highly qualified and prepared to navigate the evolving demands of nutrition practice. Regular review of graduate employment will inform nutrition science curriculum to enable graduates to be well equipped in the face of dynamic practice settings.</p

A Double-Walled Tetrahedron with AgI 4 Vertices Binds Different Guests in Distinct Sites

A double-walled tetrahedral metal-organic cage assembled in solution from silver(I), 2-formyl-1,8-naphthyridine, halide, and a threefold-symmetric triamine. The AgI 4 X clusters at its vertices each bring together six naphthyridine-imine moieties, leading to a structure in which eight tritopic ligands bridge four clusters in an (AgI 4 X)4 L8 arrangement. Four ligands form an inner set of tetrahedron walls that are surrounded by the outer four. The cage has significant interior volume, and was observed to bind anionic guests. The structure also possesses external binding clefts, located at the edges of the cage, which bound small aromatic guests. Halide ions bound to the silver clusters were observed to exchange in a well-defined hierarchy, allowing modulation of the cavity volume. The principles uncovered here may allow for increasingly more sophisticated cages with silver-cluster vertex architectures, with post-assembly tuning of the interior cavity volume enabling targeted binding behavior

U.S. Household Disaster Giving in 2017 and 2018

In 2017 and 2018, the U.S. experienced the first- and fourth-most costly years of major natural disasters on record. In the two years combined, the country was affected by 30 natural disasters that each caused more than $1 billion in damage. After a major disaster occurs, individuals usually respond quickly with an outpouring of generosity. Much, however, remains unknown about the patterns, preferences, and practices of individuals’ charitable giving for disaster aid efforts. For example, how many Americans donate to disaster aid, and how much do they give? Does giving to disaster aid come at the expense of giving to other causes? What are the main drivers of disaster giving? After disasters, to what extent do people donate online through social media and crowdfunding platforms in addition to traditional ways of donating? Based on new data on U.S. households’ disaster giving in 2017 and 2018, this analysis from the Center for Disaster Philanthropy, Candid, and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy answers these questions

Human peritoneal mesothelial cells display phagocytic and antigen-presenting functions to contribute to intraperitoneal immunity

Mesothelial cells lining the peritoneal cavity are strategically positioned to respond to and counter intraperitoneal infections, cancer cells, and other challenges. We have investigated human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs) for phagocytic activity, expression of surface MHC Class II and accessory molecules involved in antigen presentation, and the ability to present recall antigens to T cells. Phagocytosis of dextran, latex beads and Escherichia coli was observed by flow cytometry, and internalization was visualised using confocal and electron microscopy. Flow cytometry and/or cellular ELISA showed constitutive expression of ICAM-I, LFA-3, and B7-1, but not B7-2 or MHC II. Interferon-gamma induced MHC II and ICAM-1 expression in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Importantly, HPMCs induced autologous CD3+ T lymphocyte proliferation (3H-incorporation) after pulse with recall antigen. HPMCs equipped with phagocytic and antigen-presenting machinery are anticipated to have an integral role in intraperitoneal immune surveillance