A Diagnostic Study And Remedial Treatment Of The Most Frequent Difficulties In Arithmetic Among Seventh Grade Pupils Of Booker T. Washington School Galveston, Texas

A seventh-grade arithmetic program should not be built on the assumptions that all of the pupils will be proficient in the skills taught in the preceding grades that all will profit by the same type of instruction, first task of the teacher is to determine how much knowledge and skills the child possesses. It is also her duty to learn how much miseducation has taken place in the pupil\u27s experiences. It is essential that the specific difficulties of each child be located. However, to determine the nature of the weaknesses is not sufficient to aid pupils in eliminating or reducing them. If the causes of the deficiencies are discovered, appropriate measures can be applied to correct them. The problem of determining the exact causes is a more difficult task because in many cases a number of factors contribute to the deficiency. Teachers of the elementary grades often find it necessary to use remedial teaching measures. This phase of teaching is very important and should always be preceded by some means of diagnosis. When the nature of the difficulty has been determined and the probable causes have been established steps should be taken to correct the condition. Pupils\u27 incorrect procedures and minor difficulties can be eliminated quickly by direct teaching, cases9 however, medical care will be necessary to remove difficulties caused by defective physical conditions, is especially true in such cases as auditory and visual defects. Other causes, such as an unfavorable attitude toward arithmetic are more deep-seated and naturally more difficult to correct. Remedial teaching should be done as an integral part of the regular work in arithmetic. Treatment should always begin with a direct attack on the difficulties ascertained and at the level of the learner. Special considerations should be given to the environmental factors and their influence upon learning. Individual differences must be provided for in establishing goals to be attained

Effects of Chronic Stress on Infant Memory

Chronically elevated baseline cortisol levels may be associated with memory impairment in infants. Studies have shown that acute elevated stress levels are linked to better overall cognitive performance and enhanced short-term memory, however, chronically elevated stress levels seem to have quite the opposite effect. Although infant data concerning chronic stress and memory is lacking, clinical research studies that have been conducted on adults suggest that chronically elevated cortisol levels may be associated with a plethora of cognitive deficits, including poorer episodic and spatial memory, disrupted learning ability, and difficulty with forming long-term memories. This study analyzed secondary data to examine 3-month-old infants’ (N = 95) basal cortisol levels and data collected from a visual preference task, in order to determine whether there is a correlation between elevated baseline stress levels and infant visual recognition memory (indexed via habituation). The results of the study indicated no significant effect of cortisol on infant visual recognition memory. This could possibly reflect that the impact of stress exposure has not yet reached the threshold to disrupt memory processes for the infant. Alternatively, it may be due to the utilization of secondary data in the study, such that the brief nature of the task may not have been sensitive enough to detect memory deficits. Future studies with more extensive memory testing protocols (such as peak habituation) should be implemented in order to differentiate these alternatives. Further understanding how early exposure to stress impacts infant cognitive development will be critical for determining the conditions necessary in order to ensure optimal brain growth for learning, memory and other higher-order functioning

Array Manifold Calibration for Multichannel SAR Sounders

This dissertation demonstrates airborne synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sounder array manifold calibration to improve outcomes in two-dimensional and three-dimensional image formation of ice sheet and glacier subsurfaces. The methodology relies on the creation of snapshot databases that aid in both the identification of calibration pixels as well as the validation of proposed calibration strategies. A parametric estimator of nonlinear SAR sounder manifold parameters is derived given a superset of statistically independent and spatially diverse subsets, assuming knowledge of the manifold model. Both measurements-based and computational electromagnetic modeling (CEM) approaches are pursued in obtaining a parametric representation of the manifold that enables the application of this estimator. The former relies on a principal components based characterization of SAR sounder manifolds. By incorporating a subspace clustering technique to identify pixels with a single dominant source, the algorithm circumvents an assumption of single source observations that underlies the formulation of nonparametric methods and traditionally limits the applicability of these techniques to the SAR sounder problem. Three manifolds are estimated and tested against a nominal manifold model in angle estimation and tomography. Measured manifolds on average reduce angle estimation error by a factor of 4.8 and lower vertical elevation uncertainty of SAR sounder derived digital elevation models by a factor of 3.7. Application of the measured manifolds in angle estimation produces 3-D images with more focused scattering signatures and higher intensity pixels that improve automated surface extraction outcomes. Measured manifolds are studied against Method of Moments predictions of the array's response to plane wave excitation obtained with a detailed model of the sounder's array that includes the airborne platform and fairing housing. CEM manifolds reduce angle estimation uncertainty off nadir on average by a factor of 3 when applied to measurements, providing initial confirmation of the utility of the CEM model in predicting angle estimation performance of the sounder's airborne arrays. The research findings of this dissertation indicate that SAR sounder manifold calibration will significantly increase the scientific value of legacy ice sheet and glacier sounding data sets and lead to optimized designs of future remote sensing instrumentation for surveying the cryosphere

Unintended Consequences: The Potential Impact of Medicare Part D on Dual Eligibles with Disabilities in Medicaid Work Incentive Programs

Common sense suggests that a safety net is required for situations in which enrollees are unable to obtain critical or life-sustaining medications. Such situations can arise when either the drug is not on formulary and/or is being used off-label and the appeals process has been exhausted, or when patients cannot afford the co-payments for the numerous medications they need. Given the vulnerability of this population, immediate action is needed to address these issues in the short time remaining before Part D is implemented

A Motivational Climate Intervention and Exercise-Related Outcomes: A Longitudinal Perspective

While researchers have suggested that the social context in exercise settings is linked to individuals’ physical activity motivation and potential exercise-related outcomes, few research designs have examined the nuance of those relationships. Moreover, interventions targeting the social context of exercise settings are sparse, so the potential impact of staff training on members’ motivation to exercise are not well known. Drawing from two major motivation theories, achievement goal perspective theory and self-determination theory, this study considered an intervention with fitness center staff from the members’ perspectives. Members completed a survey before and after an intervention designed to help staff create a high caring, task-involving, and low ego-involving motivational climate. Using a half-longitudinal structural equation model, participants’ perceptions of the motivational climate, basic psychological needs, exercise motivation, and exercise experiences (including commitment to exercise, life satisfaction, body image) were modeled pre-post intervention. The model revealed significant latent mean differences for post-intervention constructs, with participants experiencing a more positive motivational climate, higher competence and relatedness, intrinsic motivation, commitment, life satisfaction, and body image. The final mediation model demonstrated tenable fit, with perceptions of climate having significant, direct and indirect effects on commitment, life satisfaction, and body image. Our study supports that the motivational climate contributes to an optimal social context for exercise where basic psychological needs are nurtured, intrinsic motivation is fostered, and individuals experience well-being benefits, including increased life satisfaction. Further, short and targeted training meetings with fitness center staff can result in members’ perceiving a significant change in the motivational climate

Haemoadsorption reduces the inflammatory response and improves blood flow during ex vivo renal perfusion in an experimental model.

BACKGROUND: Ex-vivo normothermic perfusion strategies are a promising new instrument in organ transplantation. The perfusion conditions are designed to be protective however the artificial environment can induce a local inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of incorporating a Cytosorb adsorber into an isolated kidney perfusion system. METHODS: Porcine kidneys were subjected to 22 h of cold ischaemia then reperfused for 6 h on an ex vivo reperfusion circuit. Pairs of kidneys were randomised to either control (n = 5) or reperfusion with a Cytosorb adsorber (n = 5) integrated into the circuit. Tissue, blood and urine samples were taken for the measurement of inflammation and renal function. RESULTS: Baseline levels of cytokines (IL-6, TNFα, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1β, IL-1α) were similar between groups. Levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the perfusate significantly increased during reperfusion in the control group but not in the Cytosorb group (P = 0.023, 0.049). Levels of the other cytokines were numerically lower in the Cytosorb group; however, this did not reach statistical significance. The mean renal blood flow (RBF) was significantly higher in the Cytosorb group (162 ± 53 vs. 120 ± 35 mL/min/100 g; P = 0.022). Perfusate levels of prostaglandin E2 were significantly lower in the Cytosorb group (642 ± 762 vs. 3258 ± 980 pg/mL; P = 0.0001). Levels of prostacyclin were significantly lower in the Cytosorb group at 1, 3 and 6 h of reperfusion (P = 0.008, 0.003, 0.0002). Levels of thromboxane were also significantly lower in the Cytosorb group throughout reperfusion (P = 0.005). Haemoadsorption had no effect on creatinine clearance (P = 0.109). CONCLUSION: Haemoadsorption can reduce the inflammatory response and improve renal blood flow during perfusion. Nonetheless, in this model haemoadsorption had no influence on renal function and this may relate to the broad-spectrum action of the Cytosorb adsorber that also removes potentially important anti-inflammatory mediators

Psychometric Properties of the Abbreviated Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire

The purpose of this study was to develop an abbreviated version of the Perceived Motivational Climate in Exercise Questionnaire (PMCEQ-A) to provide a more practical instrument for use in applied exercise settings. In the calibration step, 2 shortened versions’ measurement and latent model values were compared to each other and the original PMCEQ using a 3-group CFA invariance testing approach with previously collected exercise setting data (N = 5,427). Based on the model fit and reliability values, the 12-item version performed better than the 17-item version. The resultant 12-item PMCEQ-A’s CFA model estimates were then compared to the PMCEQ’s model values for 2 different, previously conducted studies of exercise settings (N = 414 and 770). The more parsimonious 12-item PMCEQ-A can be used by exercise psychology researchers to gain insight into members’ perspectives on the motivational climate and may lead to developing effective strategies to enhance members’ experiences and commitment

A secondary analysis of the childhood obesity prevention Cochrane Review through a wider determinants of health lens: implications for research funders, researchers, policymakers and practitioners

Background Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are often regarded as the gold standard of evidence, and subsequently go on to inform policymaking. Cochrane Reviews synthesise this type of evidence to create recommendations for practice, policy, and future research. Here, we critically appraise the RCTs included in the childhood obesity prevention Cochrane Review to understand the focus of these interventions when examined through a wider determinants of health (WDoH) lens. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the interventions included in the Cochrane Review on “Interventions for Preventing Obesity in Children”, published since 1993. All 153 RCTs were independently coded by two authors against the WDoH model using an adaptive framework synthesis approach. We used aspects of the Action Mapping Tool from Public Health England to facilitate our coding and to visualise our findings against the 226 perceived causes of obesity. Results The proportion of interventions which targeted downstream (e.g. individual and family behaviours) as opposed to upstream (e.g. infrastructure, environmental, policy) determinants has not changed over time (from 1993 to 2015), with most intervention efforts (57.9%) aiming to change individual lifestyle factors via education-based approaches. Almost half of the interventions (45%) targeted two or more levels of the WDoH. Where interventions targeted some of the wider determinants, this was often achieved via upskilling teachers to deliver educational content to children. No notable difference in design or implementation was observed between interventions targeting children of varying ages (0–5 years, 6–12 years, 13–18 years). Conclusions This study highlights that interventions, evaluated via RCTs, have persisted to focus on downstream, individualistic determinants of obesity over the last 25 years, despite the step change in our understanding of its complex aetiology. We hope that the findings from our analysis will challenge research funders, researchers, policymakers and practitioners to reflect upon, and critique, the evidence-based paradigm in which we operate, and call for a shift in focus of new evidence which better accounts for the complexity of obesity