An Exploration of Teachers\u27 Experiences with the Completion of Behavior Rating Scales for Their Students with ADHD

This instrumental case study examines teacher completion of behavior rating scales for their students diagnosed with ADHD. The researcher used a qualitative approach following Stake’s (1995) approach. Surveys, interviews, classroom observations and review of behavior rating scales were completed to answer the main research question of what information does a teacher use when completing the behavior rating scales for students? Results of the study identified that teachers rely on background knowledge including upbringing when completing the behavior rating scales. Collegial conversations also help to determine the ratings teachers assign to behavior rating scales

DEPTH AND TIME RELATED VARIATIONS OF MICROBIAL COMMUNIITES IN AN EMERGENT FRESHWATER WETLAND

Soils, and the microbial communities contained within them, are vital for most chemical, physical, and biological processes. This study investigated how microbial community structure responded to environmental changes, such as hydrology, across vertical space (depth) and time in an emergent fresh water wetland. Research was conducted in a non-tidal freshwater wetland along the James River (Charles City County, Virginia) by establishing plots in two areas that experienced different hydrologic regimes and plant communities. Soil cores (30 cm) were collected monthly from January 2008 to February 2009, and then every two to three months thereafter until October 2009, for a total of 17 sampling events. The soil cores were divided by depth (Top: 0 – 10 cm, Bottom: 20 – 30 cm) and analyzed for a variety of soil properties including: pH, organic matter (OM), water content (WC), C:N, redox, and root biomass. Additionally, above-ground plant communities were monitored during the growing seasons. Based on preliminary analysis, one date from each season (Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall) from both sampling years were selected for in depth analysis of the microbial community structure via Terminal Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (T-RFLP) of 16S-rRNA. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) found significant differences were found between the environmental parameters in regards to site, depth, and season. Three physical-chemical variables (WC, OM, and redox) were different between sites, but the majority of environmental parameters were significantly different between depths and seasons. The dominant environmental effect on microbial communities was soil depth and, overall, no seasonal patterns were observed in the microbial communities. Further, archaeal communities were most strongly correlated to changes in water content, while redox was strongly correlated to changes across depth in the bacterial communities. Collectively, these results demonstrate that wetland microbial communities are not a product of one separate variable or spatial scale, but result from various factors interlinked to shape microbial communities. More long-term studies are needed to investigate interactions between microbial community structure and environmental variables in these dynamic ecosystems

Are e-books effective tools for learning? Reading speed and comprehension: iPad®i vs. paper

Recently, electronic books (e-books) have become prevalent amongst the general population, as well as students, owing to their advantages over traditional books. In South Africa, a number of schools have integrated tablets into the classroom with the promise of replacing traditional books. In order to realise the potential of e-books and their associated devices within an academic context, where reading speed and comprehension are critical for academic performance and personal growth, the effectiveness of reading from a tablet screen should be evaluated. To achieve this objective, a quasi-experimental within-subjects design was employed in order to compare the reading speed and comprehension performance of 68 students. The results of this study indicate the majority of participants read faster on an iPad, which is in contrast to previous studies that have found reading from tablets to be slower. It was also found that comprehension scores did not differ significantly between the two media. For students, these results provide evidence that tablets and e-books are suitable tools for reading and learning, and therefore, can be used for academic work. For educators, e-books can be introduced without concern that reading performance and comprehension will be hindered.Keywords: comprehension; electronic books; reading; spee

Sound Over Troubled Waters: Noise Pollution in Prek Toal, Cambodia

Environmental noise pollution, or excessive noise related to machinery operation and vehicular transportation, is a common problem in urban environments. Less understood is the effect that chronic environmental noise can have in rural environments, where there is greater potential for disruption of native ecosystems and the quality of life in small villages. Chronic exposure to noises above 85 decibels causes noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) in humans, which has irreversible effects. But even less understood is the effect that chronic noise can have on animals that thrive in less urbanized environments. Here, I examine the effect of noise pollution caused by motor boats in the floating village of Prek Toal, Cambodia. I identify the types of motorboats used along the Sangker river, the river that runs through the village, and experimentally measure their maximum sound intensities across a various distances from 0-100m from the motor. The effect of the noise on the boat is examined to address the occupational hazard to the driver. The observational data is also used to derive an empirical equation for sound decay that is specific to this rural environment. This equation is used to map the spatial distribution of environmental noise pollution within the village and identify zones of noise induced hearing loss along the Sangker river. A total of sixty villagers were surveyed to identify the types of motors present in Prek Toal. The two major motor companies, Yokohama and Hinota, offer motors with a wide range of horsepower. Sound intensity measurements revealed the mean range of sound that drivers are exposed to is 93 dB(A) to 112 dB(A), with the majority of motors above 100 dB(A)s. This exceeds the minimum for NIHL, demonstrating that drivers in Prek Toal are exposed to hearing-related occupational hazards while driving. The empirically derived sound decay equation reveals an exponential relationship between sound and distance in Prek Toal. This relationship matches what has been found in other studies. A spatial analysis of the observational data reveal that each boat has a minimum NIHL radius of 45 meters

Distinct Profile Differences in Subjective Cognitive Decline in the General Public Are Associated with Metacognition, Negative Affective Symptoms, Neuroticism, Stress, and Poor Quality of Life

BACKGROUND: Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is increasingly recognized in both the clinical and research arenas as a risk factor for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Although SCD is etiologically heterogeneous and potentially treatable, in comparison to MCI and Alzheimer’s disease, SCD remains poorly characterized with its clinical relevance often questioned. OBJECTIVE: This study’s aim was to improve the characterization of SCD within the general public. METHODS: Individuals with SCD were compared to those without via a battery of measures. RESULTS: Both the SCD and the non-SCD group correlational analysis identified significant relationships between worse SCD, worse metacognitive dysfunction, negative affective symptoms, and greater levels of stress. The SCD group displayed additional correlational relationships between Cognitive Change Index (Self report) (CCI-S) scores, higher neuroticism scores, and poorer quality of life (QoL). Partial correlation analysis in the SCD group suggests CCI-S scores, anxiety, depression, and metacognition are intercorrelated. Ad hoc analyses using metacognition as the grouping variable found that those experiencing worse metacognitive dysfunction were significantly more likely to experience poorer SCD, psychological and social QoL, greater levels of anxiety, depression, stress, and neuroticism. CONCLUSION: The emerging pattern from the analysis indicates that SCD appears associated with sub-clinical negative affective difficulties, metacognitive, and other psycho-social issues, and poorer QoL. Dysfunctional cognitive control at a meta-level may impact someone’s ability to rationally identify cognitive changes, increase worry about cognitive changes, and allow such changes to impact their lives more than those with superior metacognitive control. Findings could impact SCD assessment, monitoring, early intervention, and ultimately reducing risk of further decline

Science Communication: Synthesis of Research Findings and Practical Advice from Experienced Communicators

Use of effective public communication strategies is critical for Extension professionals to successfully navigate challenges faced by the agriculture sector and local community, effect policy changes, and ensure public value for the Extension program. Simply addressing the public knowledge deficit is ineffective for gaining public trust in science. Thus, implementation of public engagement and increased dialogue are central to contemporary Extension practice. Such an approach requires balancing factual knowledge with an engaging and open communication style. We draw on both research findings and advice from experienced science communicators to provide a synthesis of practical tips for achieving this balance. Guidance is given regarding framing, word choices, and common pitfalls

Administering Cognitive Tests Through Touch Screen Tablet Devices: Potential Issues

Mobile technologies, such as tablet devices, open up new possibilities for health-related diagnosis, monitoring, and intervention for older adults and healthcare practitioners. Current evaluations of cognitive integrity typically occur within clinical settings, such as memory clinics, using pen and paper or computer-based tests. In the present study, we investigate the challenges associated with transferring such tests to touch-based, mobile technology platforms from an older adult perspective. Problems may include individual variability in technical familiarity and acceptance; various factors influencing usability; acceptability; response characteristics and thus validity per se of a given test. For the results of mobile technology-based tests of reaction time to be valid and related to disease status rather than extraneous variables, it is imperative the whole test process is investigated in order to determine potential effects before the test is fully developed. Researchers have emphasized the importance of including the ‘user’ in the evaluation of such devices; thus we performed a focus group-based qualitative assessment of the processes involved in the administration and performance of a tablet-based version of a typical test of attention and information processing speed (a multi-item localization task), to younger and older adults. We report that although the test was regarded positively, indicating that using a tablet for the delivery of such tests is feasible, it is important for developers to consider factors surrounding user expectations, performance feedback, and physical response requirements and to use this information to inform further research into such applications