AN INVESTIGATION OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ CULTURALLY RELEVANT TEACHING PRACTICES IN TWO CULTURES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY IN CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES

Effective teaching is one of the most important factors in student achievement. Throughout the world, there are high expectations for teacher and student performance. Teachers and students need to navigate the demographic and cultural shifts occurring around the world. Teachers’ cultural awareness and knowledge base of culturally relevant teaching practices is critical to their effectiveness. Based on the need to better understand the cultural responsiveness of teachers, this comparative study investigated elementary school teachers’ culturally relevant teaching practices in China and the U.S. through the use of video-cued ethnography. The following findings were revealed from the study: (a) differences in frequency and application of practices; (b) communication of high expectations across cultures; (c) lack of family and community partnership; (d) emphasis on culturally mediated instruction in the U.S.; and (e) ample time for collaboration and reflection in China

Incorporating Carbon Storage into Forest Management in Michigan: A Modeling Based Scenario Analysis

Forest ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon (C) cycle, as they can be both a sink for and a source of atmospheric CO2. State owned forests in Michigan are dominated by early successional Aspen trees and are frequently managed to maintain Aspen dominance. Here, I developed a model that allows a user to assess the impacts of forest management decisions on forest composition, tree species and size diversity, stand economic value, and C storage. The model, MITRIX, pairs an empirical growth model with a C accounting model and was specifically designed to be useful to forest managers in Michigan to assess the tradeoffs encountered in meeting diverse management goals while incorporating the relatively recent goal of stabilizing or increasing C storage. Inventory and sale data from the Michigan DNR and field data from the University of Michigan Biological Station were obtained for model development and validation. Validation showed that the model accurately simulates forest stand growth and succession. Model simulations suggested that C storage is maximized when an Aspen dominated stand is allowed to succeed to a later successional species cover. If an Aspen stand is to be maintained, increasing the rotation period results in a greater overall C storage. When a landscape-based management approach is taken, timber profits, species diversity, and stand C storage are all stabilized. With a 200 year frame of analysis, the price of C necessary to balance opportunity costs was $22-26 per metric ton. However, when the time frame of analysis was shortened, this price was considerably higher. The 2008 Michigan state forest plan includes C storage in forest management objectives. The results suggest that considering C storage in Michigan forests will affect stand management decisions and the model described here is a useful tool to assess the impact of altered management strategies.Master of ScienceNatural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/60559/1/Lindauer-Thompson_SNREThesis_August2008.pd

Statistical Learning Algorithms for Forensic Scientists

Learning Overview: The goals of this workshop are to: (1) introduce attendees to the basics of supervised learning algorithms in the context of forensic applications, including firearms and footwear examination and trace evidence, while placing emphasis on classification trees, random forests, and, time permitting, neural networks; (2) introduce the concept of a similarity score to quantify the similarity between two items; (3) show how learning algorithms can be trained to classify objects into pre-determined classes; (4) discuss limitations of Machine Learning (ML) algorithms and introduce methods for assessing their performance; and (5) discuss the concept of a Score-based Likelihood Ratio (SLR): computation, advantages, and limitations

Paediatric Facial Anthropometry Applied to Spectacle Frame Design

This thesis describes measurements of paediatric facial parameters that specifically relate to the design of spectacle frames. In the current market, the majority of paediatric spectacle frames are scaled down versions of frames designed for adults which assumes that facial characteristics do not change with growth. This often results in an ineffective delivery of any refractive correction prescribed at a critical time in a child’s development. Three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry was employed to capture images in a rapid, non-invasive manner. Fifteen paediatric facial measurements associated with spectacle frame parameters were measured using custom software in a sample of 1334 children observing differences in gender, ethnicity and Down’s syndrome. Principal findings: • The typically-developed White British children showed a definite emergence of the nasal bearing surface at a young age from which all parameters surrounding the nose narrowed with age. • A distinct nasal bearing surface emergence was not observed in either Chinese children or children with Down’s syndrome therefore requiring larger spectacle parameters in terms of frontal and splay angles, distance between rim and apical radius. • Chinese children and children with Down’s syndrome have a lower crest height and a shorter front to bend compared to typically-developed White British children and differences were detected in head width and pupillary distance between these two groups. • Children with Down’s syndrome are not wholly smaller or larger than typically-developed White British children but need their requirements to be incorporated into frame design to accommodate differences in facial development. Percentiles were calculated each of the largest study groups. This data combined with the model of facial growth and inter-relationships between facial measurements presented in this thesis will inform spectacle frame manufacturers on appropriate parameters and design features required to produce a more encompassing range of paediatric frames, resulting in a more stable and comfortable fit

All Hands on Deck: A Team Approach to System Migration

Purpose: To determine if a team approach to a complex integrated library system (ILS) migration would result in a timely and successful outcome. Brief Description: Changing needs and an aging integrated library system server platform prompted Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library to migrate to a new ILS. After considering several options, Himmelfarb decided to join with the George Washington University\u27s Jacob Burns Law Library in their move to a hosted instance of Innovative Interface\u27s Sierra ILS and Encore OPAC. Though some separation of data and functionality could be achieved, there were several functions that would be shared between the two libraries\u27 systems. A successful transition would depend upon both libraries\u27: detailed knowledge of the system data determining essential functionality to preserve willingness to change and accommodate Because the Law Library\u27s Sierra migration was delayed until mid-December 2012 and Himmelfarb\u27s pre-paid server maintenance was ending in March 2013, the window to accomplish migration was a short 12 weeks, prompting the decision to team-manage the migration. Conclusion: Teams and organizational tools, including weekly meetings to discuss problems, ensured the timely completion of key assignments that were critical to meeting the Go Live date goal. The team approach allowed the work and decision-making to be distributed among a large percentage of the staff, creating a broader sense of ownership. Distribution of tasks allowed a high level of attention to detail necessary for an optimal outcome

Impact of Nutrition in Spinocerebellar Ataxia

This chapter explores the link between the health outcomes of spinocerebellar ataxia and diet and nutrition as well as overall quality of life and well-being that is achieved as a result of nutritional support and nutritional profile. Spinocerebellar ataxia is a hereditary condition characterized by degenerative changes to parts of the brain, extending to the spinal cord, that affects mobility and voluntary actions. Due to the deteriorating impact of this neurological disorder, the management of health and wellness of the individual is imperative in stemming physiological decline and morbidity. The connections between dietary intake, quality of life and well-being are important components of the health response in providing optimum health outcomes for clients diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia. Consequently, an examination of factors that impede, promote and generally affect dietary intake, nutritional status and profile is essential towards improving disease related quality of life and morbidity and mortality risk. The cyclical impact of the neurological condition on nutritional status and its corresponding impact on disease progression is an important exploratory point. Finally, recommendations and standardized guidance are crucial to expanding the health care approach and the overall wellness of individuals with spinocerebellar ataxia

Relating Use of Effective Responsive, Structure, and Non-Directive Control Vegetable Parenting Practices to Subscales from the Model of Goal Directed Behavior

Parents may positively influence children’s vegetable consumption through effective vegetable parenting practices (VPP). Research has demonstrated three dimensions of effective VPP: Effective Responsiveness, Structure, and Non-Directive Control, but there is limited research investigating each separately. This study presents the modeling of Effective Responsive, Structure, and Non-Directive Control VPP using constructs from the Model of Goal Directed Vegetable Parenting Practices (MGDVPP). Parents (n=307) completed a survey on demographics, MGDVPP constructs, and effective VPP. Block regression modeling tested three models: one for each dimension of effective VPP as the dependent variable. Independent variables included validated subscales representing MGDVPP constructs: Intention, Desire, Perceived Barriers, Autonomy, Relatedness, Self-Efficacy, Habit, Anticipated Emotions, Perceived Behavioral Control, Attitudes, and Norms. Participants were racially diverse, and a majority was female, of higher socioeconomic status, and with a male child. Effective Responsive VPP was positively related to a Habit subscale. Effective Structure VPP was positively related to a Barrier, two Habit, and an Attitude subscales. Effective Non-Directive Control VPP was positively related to being a high school or GED graduate, having younger children, a Habit, and two Intentions subscales, and negatively related to an Intentions and a Perceived Behavioral Control subscales. The adjusted R2 for the Effective Responsive, Structure, and Non-Directive Control VPP models were 0.432, 0.310, and 0.515, respectively. This was the first study to relate constructs from a theoretical model to effective VPP dimensions. Research is needed to longitudinally assess the MGDVPP and test its utility in vegetable-related interventions

The impact of audience response platform Mentimeter on the student and staff learning experience

Research suggests that active and discussion driven dialogic approaches to teaching are more effective than passive learning methods. One way to encourage more participatory learning is through the adoption of simple, freely available audience response systems which allow instant and inclusive staff-student dialogue during teaching sessions. Existing literature is largely limited to exploring the impact of basic approaches to audience participation, using handheld cards or simple ‘clickers’. Limited research exists looking at the impact and best use of a new generation of online audience response systems which have significantly expanded functionality. This article will explore the impact of one of the most agile platforms, Mentimeter. It outlines impact on student satisfaction, enjoyment, voice and learning within small and large group settings across multiple disciplines drawing on 204 student survey responses. It also explores staff experiences and reflections on the key practical and pedagogical thinking required in order to optimise the use of this platform in Higher Education. The research responds to a need within the sector to react to rapid advances in teaching and learning technology, to provide evidence of impact for lecturers looking to improve student learning environments, whilst being cognisant of the underlying pedagogy supportive of new practices

Patient and public involvement in healthcare quality improvement: how organizations can help patients and professionals to collaborate

Citizens across the world are increasingly called upon to participate in healthcare improvement. It is often unclear how this can be made to work in practice. This 4- year ethnography of a UK healthcare improvement initiative showed that patients used elements of organizational culture as resources to help them collaborate with healthcare professionals. The four elements were: (1) organizational emphasis on nonhierarchical, multidisciplinary collaboration; (2) organizational staff ability to model desired behaviours of recognition and respect; (3) commitment to rapid action, including quick translation of research into practice; and (4) the constant data collection and reflection process facilitated by improvement methods

A Spitzer Survey for Dust in Type IIn Supernovae

Recent observations suggest that Type IIn supernovae (SNe IIn) may exhibit late-time (>100 days) infrared (IR) emission from warm dust more than other types of core-collapse SNe. Mid-IR observations, which span the peak of the thermal spectral energy distribution, provide useful constraints on the properties of the dust and, ultimately, the circumstellar environment, explosion mechanism, and progenitor system. Due to the low SN IIn rate (<10% of all core-collapse SNe), few IR observations exist for this subclass. The handful of isolated studies, however, show late-time IR emission from warm dust that, in some cases, extends for five or six years post-discovery. While previous Spitzer/IRAC surveys have searched for dust in SNe, none have targeted the Type IIn subclass. This article presents results from a warm Spitzer/IRAC survey of the positions of all 68 known SNe IIn within a distance of 250 Mpc between 1999 and 2008 that have remained unobserved by Spitzer more than 100 days post-discovery. The detection of late-time emission from ten targets (~15%) nearly doubles the database of existing mid-IR observations of SNe IIn. Although optical spectra show evidence for new dust formation in some cases, the data show that in most cases the likely origin of the mid-IR emission is pre-existing dust, which is continuously heated by optical emission generated by ongoing circumstellar interaction between the forward shock and circumstellar medium. Furthermore, an emerging trend suggests that these SNe decline at ~1000--2000 days post-discovery once the forward shock overruns the dust shell. The mass-loss rates associated with these dust shells are consistent with luminous blue variable (LBV) progenitors.Comment: Accepted for publication to ApJ, 17 pages, 10 figures, 10 table