The effect of Project Adventure on self-esteem of learning disabled students

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of Project Adventure, a program of physical activity, and self-esteem on learning disabled children and non-disabled children. The hypothesis was that the Project Adventure program would have a positive effect on the self-esteem of all the students, with an especially strong effect on the Learning Disabled students. The subjects, 22 regular education students and 11 Learning Disabled students participated in a 9 week Project Adventure program in Oakcrest High School (Mays Landing, New Jersey). The Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory had been used for assessment as a pretest and a posttest. The quantitative scores were then compared by using a t-test for matched samples. In addition, the results were analyzed according to the four subscales of the Coopersmith Self-Esteem Inventory. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to analyze the differences. The overall results of the pretest and the posttest of the two groups show no significant improvement nor a decrease in the students\u27 self-esteem after experiencing the Project Adventure program. But the individual scores show that some students from both groups had a big improvement and some students from both groups had a big decrease

Avatars and virtual agents – relationship interfaces for the elderly

In the Digital Era, the authors witness a change in the relationship between the patient and the care-giver or Health Maintenance Organization's providing the health services. Another fact is the use of various technologies to increase the effectiveness and quality of health services across all primary and secondary users. These technologies range from telemedicine systems, decision making tools, online and self-services applications and virtual agents; all providing information and assistance. The common thread between all these digital implementations, is they all require human machine interfaces. These interfaces must be interactive, user friendly and inviting, to create user involvement and cooperation incentives. The challenge is to design interfaces which will best fit the target users and enable smooth interaction especially, for the elderly users. Avatars and Virtual Agents are one of the interfaces used for both home care monitoring and companionship. They are also inherently multimodal in nature and allow an intimate relation between the elderly users and the Avatar. This study discusses the need and nature of these relationship models, the challenges of designing for the elderly. The study proposes key features for the design and evaluation in the area of assistive applications using Avatar and Virtual agents for the elderly users

Preparing the Public Opinion in the Community to Accept Distributed Energy Systems and Renewable Energy

Global energy consumption has reached unprecedented levels over the last century due to population growth and economic growth. There have been significant changes in the global energy economy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Due to this trend, many countries around the world are promoting electric technologies as fuel-saving alternatives. The Israeli energy industry integrates renewable sources into its supply system and streamlines consumption. Nevertheless, Israelis know too little about smart meters, energy storage systems, and other modern power grid technology, which enables a decentralized approach to energy management referred to as distributed energy systems (DES). Using distributed energy systems to generate energy on-site and manage loads can reduce costs, improve reliability, and secure revenue. An effective public education program can help prepare public opinion and reduce barriers to smart use and energy efficiency in the home. By educating schoolchildren, we will present a way to prepare the public in the community to accept distributed energy systems and renewable energy. In challenging times, it is vital to make great efforts and to remember that change begins with education and that the best way to achieve intelligent usage and energy efficiency is to start with our children

Preparing the Public Opinion in the Community to Accept Distributed Energy Systems and Renewable Energy

Global energy consumption has reached unprecedented levels over the last century due to population growth and economic growth. There have been significant changes in the global energy economy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants. Due to this trend, many countries around the world are promoting electric technologies as fuel-saving alternatives. The Israeli energy industry integrates renewable sources into its supply system and streamlines consumption. Nevertheless, Israelis know too little about smart meters, energy storage systems, and other modern power grid technology, which enables a decentralized approach to energy management referred to as distributed energy systems (DES). Using distributed energy systems to generate energy on-site and manage loads can reduce costs, improve reliability, and secure revenue. An effective public education program can help prepare public opinion and reduce barriers to smart use and energy efficiency in the home. By educating schoolchildren, we will present a way to prepare the public in the community to accept distributed energy systems and renewable energy. In challenging times, it is vital to make great efforts and to remember that change begins with education and that the best way to achieve intelligent usage and energy efficiency is to start with our children

Nurturing Eco-Literate Minds: Unveiling the Pathways to Minimize Ecological Footprint in Early Childhood Education

This research explores the vital role of the ecological footprint as a pivotal indicator in ecological assessments and its significance in advancing environmental sustainability. Investigating the intricate dynamics of human activities, resource consumption, waste management, and ecological impact, this study underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding. Key aspects such as renewable energy, economic growth, biomass capacity, and trade policy within the expanding field of energy consumption are thoroughly examined, with data collected from 624 randomly selected pupils. The research methodology involved pre- and post-activity knowledge assessments. The research places a particular focus on the innovative examination of early childhood education as a potent tool for reducing the ecological footprint. Drawing on insights from prior research, the authors argue that instilling ecological awareness and sustainable practices at a young age can yield lasting benefits. This article highlights successful collaboration between higher education institutions and elementary schools, specifically through the “Green Ambassadors in the Community” course at the Holon Institute of Technology (HIT). This study not only emphasizes the crucial role of educational institutions in fostering sustainable practices but also advocates for the urgent integration of environmental education into early childhood curricula

Strategies for Integrating Generative AI into Higher Education: Navigating Challenges and Leveraging Opportunities

The recent emergence of generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, and Gemini have introduced revolutionary capabilities that are predicted to transform numerous facets of society fundamentally. In higher education (HE), the advent of GenAI presents a pivotal moment that may profoundly alter learning and teaching practices in aspects such as inaccuracy, bias, overreliance on technology and algorithms, and limited access to educational AI resources that require in-depth investigation. To evaluate the implications of adopting GenAI in HE, a team of academics and field experts have co-authored this paper, which analyzes the potential for the responsible integration of GenAI into HE and provides recommendations about this integration. This paper recommends strategies for integrating GenAI into HE to create the following positive outcomes: raise awareness about disruptive change, train faculty, change teaching and assessment practices, partner with students, impart AI learning literacies, bridge the digital divide, and conduct applied research. Finally, we propose four preliminary scale levels of a GenAI adoption for faculty. At each level, we suggest courses of action to facilitate progress to the next stage in the adoption of GenAI. This study offers a valuable set of recommendations to decision-makers and faculty, enabling them to prepare for the responsible and judicious integration of GenAI into HE

Noradrenaline through beta-adrenoceptor contributes to sexual dimorphism in primary CD4+T-cell response in DA rat EAE model?

Males exhibit stronger sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, but weaker primary CD4 + T-cell (auto) immune responses. To test the role of catecholamines, major end-point SNS mediators, in this dimorphism, influence of propranolol (beta-adrenoceptor blocker) on mitogen/neuroantigen-stimulated CD4 + T cells from female and male EAE rat draining lymph node (dLN) cell cultures was examined. Male rat dLNs exhibited higher noradrenaline concentration and frequency of beta(2)-adrenoceptor-expressing CD4 + T lymphocytes and antigen presenting cells. Propranolol, irrespective of exogenous noradrenaline presence, more prominently augmented IL-2 production and proliferation of CD4 + lymphocytes in male than female rat dLN cell cultures. In neuroantigen-stimulated dLN cells of both sexes propranolol increased IL-1 beta and IL-23/p19 expression and IL-17 + CD4 + cell frequency, but enhanced IL-17 production only in male rat CD4 + lymphocytes, thereby abrogating sexual dimorphism in IL-17 concentration observed in propranolol-free cultures. Thus, beta-adrenoceptor-mediated signalling may contribute to sex bias in rat IL-17-producing cell secretory capacity