Safer recruitment? protecting children, improving practice in residential child care

In the wake of a number of high-profile cases of the abuse of children and young people in residential child care, there have been repeated calls for the improvement of recruitment and selection of residential child care staff. This paper describes the findings from a survey, undertaken in 2005, of operational and human resource managers who have responsibility for the recruitment and selection of residential child care staff in the voluntary and statutory sectors in Scotland. This research was commissioned by the Scottish Executive to identify which elements of safer recruitment procedures had been implemented following the countrywide launch of a Toolkit for Safer Recruitment Practice in 2001. Research findings show that although local authorities were more likely than voluntary organisations to have gone some way toward implementing safer recruitment procedures, the recruitment process lacked rigour and commitment to safer procedures in some organisations. The article discusses the current barriers to the introduction of safer recruitment methods and proposes some possible solutions for the future

Soil bacterial structure and function associated with the invasive grass Microsteguim vimineum and two native grasses

Soil microorganisms play vital roles in biogeochemical cycles and are necessary for maintaining soil health. An invasive plant that alters the structure and function of the soil microbial assemblage could gain an advantage over native plants, enhancing its ability to invade new habitats, alter ecosystem function, and hinder efforts to reestablish native populations. Assays of enzyme activity and next generation sequencing of bacterial 16S rRNA genes were used to assess the soil microbial function and community structure associated with the invasive grass, Microstegium vimineum and two co-occurring native grasses (Dichanthelium boscii and Chasmanthium laxum). Significantly lower enzyme activity was found for soil associated with M. vimineum compared to the other plant species, and that each plant had a distinct bacterial community associated with it. Differences in bacterial community structure were more apparent on the root surface or in the rhizosphere, and may not extend into the surrounding bulk soil and were seen throughout the sampling season. Site chemistry differences affected enzyme activity but not bacterial community composition, suggesting that bacterial community structure is influence more by plant species than soil chemistry. Microstegium vimineum also significantly increased soil pH. Long-term invasion of M. vimineum will cause local changes in nutrient cycling, changes in soil pH and alter local bacterial community composition

Establishing a Fall Harvest Window for Switchgrass Biomass Based on Optimum Decline of Phosphorus and Potassium Levels in Shoots

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a perennial grass that remobilizes nutrients during senescence and is being used as biomass for cellulosic ethanol production. Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are removed in harvested biomass and replenished through additions of fertilizer. Identifying the appropriate harvest window in a one-cut system based on the remobilization of nutrients can be economically beneficial for biomass producers. The primary objective of this research was to determine if a one-cut harvest can be executed earlier in the fall based on the remobilization of P and K from stems and leaves to crown and roots of plants. Better harvesting conditions and reduced nutrient removal rates are potential benefits of earlier harvest. This project consisted of three parts, evaluating: (1) P and K levels in shoots and whole plants of Alamo and Kanlow cultivars, (2) P and K levels in shoots of upland and lowland switchgrass varieties, and (3) Effects of earlier harvest on yield. Twelve varieties, including ‘Alamo’ and ‘Kanlow’ cultivars, were planted in Knoxville, TN in 2007. Eight of these varieties were planted in Springfield, TN. Above and belowground samples were collected throughout the fall and analyzed for P and K concentrations. No significant declines of P and K were observed in stems and leaves from early October through November. Levels of P and K in leaves, stems, and panicles fluctuated during the fall season; however, final levels were similar in all tissues. Based on these changes in aboveground biomass, the harvest window could begin as early as mid-September. Data suggested that P and K in Alamo and Kanlow followed similar patterns through the fall, without significant declines in shoots. This is confirmed by data from whole plants, which showed no significant increases in P and K in crowns and roots. Levels of P and K in varieties of upland and lowland switchgrass did not differ and followed patterns observed in Alamo and Kanlow. Yields observed in different varieties did not decline when harvested as early as mid-September. Based solely on this study, it is not necessary to delay harvest and could take place as early as September

Jennifer Kay Ratliff in a Senior Mezzo-Soprano Recital

This is the program for the senior mezzo-soprano recital of Jennifer Kay Ratliff. Ms. Ratliff was accompanied on the piano by Diana Ellis. This recital took place on February 4, 2000, in the McBeth Recital Hall in the Mabee Fine Arts Center

INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS IN THE TRAINING OF PHONETIC TRANSCRIPTION WITH SLP STUDENTS

A dissertation study was developed and completed to further explore the relationship between phonological awareness (PA) and phonetic transcription skills in undergraduate speech-language pathology students. A review of the literature provides gaps in knowledge which the proposal seeks to address. Based upon this literature review, the researcher compared PA skills of undergraduate students of various majors, to determine if there was a change in PA by taking a traditional phonetics course, and to explore phonetic transcription outcomes as the result of direct PA intervention with undergraduate SLP students. Quantitative analysis was used to answer three research questions, which were organized into three separate articles. An assessment tool for PA was developed by the researcher based upon synthesis of the literature review. The overarching goal of this dissertation study was to further explore the relationship between PA and the acquisition of phonetic transcription skills so that curriculum development and course design for SLP undergraduate programs can be based upon the evidence

SEASONAL ANALYSIS OF THE RESPONSE OF JOINTED PLAIN CONCRETE PAVEMENTS TO FWD AND TRUCK LOADS

A new pavement design procedure, known as the Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide (MEPDG), is in development and incorporates new mechanistic-based models and performance prediction models. Structural response models are used to compute critical stresses, strains, and displacements in pavement systems due to traffic loads and climatic factors. These responses of the pavement structure are determined using finite element. Therefore, the MEPDG developed neural networks to reduce the necessary computational time. It is essential that the finite element models accurately depict the response of the slab to insure that calculated stress is representative of actual pavement stresses. Therefore, the focus of this study will be to develop finite element models that will be validated/calibrated from actual field strain measurements. The following study analyzes the response of a joint plain concrete pavement (JPCP) to an applied load. The response of the pavement is characterized by performing seasonal load testing on an instrumented JPCP. The load testing consists of traversing trucks with known axle loads and configurations across the pavement and performing falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing. The effects of varying restraint conditions, temperature and moisture gradients, and load magnitudes on the measured deflections and strains are characterized. These measured deflections and strains are also used in the development and validation/calibration of finite element models. It was determined that temperature gradients at the time of FWD testing have an impact on load transfer efficiency, measured deflections, and the magnitude of the Void parameter, as well as the measured strain. An analysis of measured strains indicated the interface between the base and the slab is unbonded for the unrestrained slabs and bonded for the restrained slabs, indicating that the life of the bond might be a function of the restraint conditions. The primary factor affecting the measured deflections and strains was the slab restraint conditions

Food for Sport or Faustian Bargain: Regulating Performance Enhancing Dietary Supplements

The defining line between legal and illegal substance-between dietary supplement and drug is horribly skewed. Accordingly, Part I of this Note will investigate the complexities that exist with regard to the classification and regulation of dietary supplements, looking at the history leading to the passage of the governing Dietary Health and Supplement Act of 1994. Part II will focus on supplements that consumers may use for performance enhancement purposes, and the regulation of sports products. Part III will look at the regulatory debate over dietary supplements, the andro product example and the interrelationship between drugs and sport. Part IV will briefly comment on the need to establish alternatives for regulating products which may affect physiological functions or present substantial health risks. This note will conclude in Part V, analyzing when the FDA should re-examine the distinctions between drugs and dietary supplement products and regain the authority to regulate supplements to a reasonable level of scientific honesty

Investigating Instabilities with HEC-RAS Unsteady Flow Modeling for Regulated Rivers at Low Flow Stages

Dams are used throughout the United States for generation of electricity and flood control. The Tennessee River Valley’s regulated river system extends through Tennessee and parts of Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. Of the dams in this area, 49 are managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The TVA forecasts and monitors the activities related to these dams and others in the area on an around-the-clock basis to ensure maximum generation potential is attained and to prevent flooding of the surrounding cities. To best forecast hydrology for the regulated river system, the TVA chose to upgrade the forecasting center to include HEC-RAS models for high and low flow simulations. These simulations can better guide TVA engineers to the best route when releasing water from the dam in the case of an emergency flooding situation or on a daily basis. Building a HEC-RAS model for the TVA reservoir system is a large undertaking and model stability issues arise from different possible causes. In this paper, the best methods of stabilizing modeled reaches on a regulated river system during low flows were compiled in logic flow charts, which can be of general assistance to modelers when stabilizing HEC-RAS simulations for regulated river systems. The flow charts were created and explained, with multiple options for stability described and analyzed throughout the creation process. They were based on results where stability issues were regularly due to cross sectional spacing and the addition of base flow through the upstream boundary and lateral inflows. Other potential methods were also considered for applicability in a model such as this, including the addition of pilot channels and increasing the theta weighting factor. Using the flow charts created, HEC-RAS modelers should gain a better understanding of stability issues in a river system and what causes these problems