Effects of Background Music on Objective and Subjective Performance Measures in an Auditory BCI.
Zhou, Sijie; Allison, Brendan Z; Kübler, Andrea; Cichocki, Andrzej; Wang, Xingyu; Jin, Jing
2016-01-01
Several studies have explored brain computer interface (BCI) systems based on auditory stimuli, which could help patients with visual impairments. Usability and user satisfaction are important considerations in any BCI. Although background music can influence emotion and performance in other task environments, and many users may wish to listen to music while using a BCI, auditory, and other BCIs are typically studied without background music. Some work has explored the possibility of using polyphonic music in auditory BCI systems. However, this approach requires users with good musical skills, and has not been explored in online experiments. Our hypothesis was that an auditory BCI with background music would be preferred by subjects over a similar BCI without background music, without any difference in BCI performance. We introduce a simple paradigm (which does not require musical skill) using percussion instrument sound stimuli and background music, and evaluated it in both offline and online experiments. The result showed that subjects preferred the auditory BCI with background music. Different performance measures did not reveal any significant performance effect when comparing background music vs. no background. Since the addition of background music does not impair BCI performance but is preferred by users, auditory (and perhaps other) BCIs should consider including it. Our study also indicates that auditory BCIs can be effective even if the auditory channel is simultaneously otherwise engaged.
Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) press kit
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1989-01-01
COBE, the Cosmic Background Explorer spacecraft, and its mission are described. COBE was designed to study the origin and dynamics of the universe including the theory that the universe began with a cataclysmic explosion referred to as the Big Bang. To this end, earth's cosmic background - the infrared radiation that bombards earth from every direction - will be measured by three sophisticated instruments: the Differential Microwave Radiometer (DMR), the Far Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer (FIRAS), and the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment (DIRBE).
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Luguetti, Carla; Oliver, Kimberly L.; Kirk, David; Dantas, Luiz
2017-01-01
This study explores an activist approach for co-creating a prototype pedagogical model of sport for working with boys from socially vulnerable backgrounds. This paper addresses the key features that emerged when we identified what facilitated and hindered the boys' engagement in sport. This study was an activist research project that was conducted…
Exploring Encoding and Retrieval Effects of Background Information on Text Memory
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rawson, Katherine A.; Kintsch, Walter
2004-01-01
Two experiments were conducted (a) to evaluate how providing background information at test may benefit retrieval and (b) to further examine how providing background information prior to study influences encoding. Half of the participants read background information prior to study, and the other half did not. In each group, half were presented…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Song, Minjung; Bruning, Roger
2016-01-01
This study was designed to explore the effects of different geographical background contexts and signalling for information about global warming on comprehension, recall and cognitive load. Two different geographical contexts, US and Korean, were employed to frame explanations of global warming phenomena to US students. Two signalling conditions…
Exploring Epistemological Beliefs and Learning Approaches in Context: A Sociocultural Perspective
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Phan, Huy P.
2008-01-01
Background: Research investigation into epistemological beliefs and students' approaches to learning (SAL) from a qualitative perspective has been limited to a few studies. In particular, very research has attempted to explore the origin of personal epistemology and its relation with SAL, taking into account the sociocultural background and …
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Garcia, Yeni Violeta
2013-01-01
The inclusion of learners from underrepresented background in biology field research experiences has not been widely explored in the literature. Increased access and equity to experiences for groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has been identified as a priority for many, yet little is…
A Qualitative Phenomenological Exploration of Teachers' Experience with Nutrition Education
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hall, Elisha; Chai, Weiwen; Albrecht, Julie A.
2016-01-01
Background: Nutrition education delivered by classroom teachers has become a popular intervention designed to combat childhood obesity. However, few qualitative studies have explored nutrition education with teachers Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how elementary teachers describe their experience with nutrition education.…
Exploring Categorical Body Mass Index Trajectories in Elementary School Children
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Moreno-Black, Geraldine; Boles, Shawn; Johnson-Shelton, Deb; Evers, Cody
2016-01-01
Background: Studies of body mass index (BMI) change have focused on understanding growth trajectories from childhood to adolescence and adolescence to adulthood, but few have explored BMI trajectories solely in elementary (grades K-5) school children. This report complements these studies by exploring changes in obesity status using analytic…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Godfrey, Kelly E.; Wyatt, Jeffrey N.; Beard, Jonathan J.
2016-01-01
The focus of this study is to explore college outcomes for students who come from traditionally lower-income backgrounds, reporting a household income of $30,000 or less, and who were awarded a fee reduction to take one or more Advanced Placement® (AP®) Exams, compared to students with a similar background and ability who did not participate in an…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Dagkas, Symeon
2007-01-01
This is a cross-cultural comparative study that sets out to explore teachers' knowledge, understanding and practices of the teaching of Physical Education (PE) to students from different cultural backgrounds. More specifically, it explores key issues in the teaching of PE to Muslim students. Thirteen PE teachers, six from England and seven from…
Acculturation and Religion in Schools: The Views of Young People from Minority Belief Backgrounds
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Niens, Ulrike; Mawhinney, Alison; Richardson, Norman; Chiba, Yuko
2013-01-01
This paper aims to explore the relationship between religious identity, acculturation strategies and perceptions of acculturation orientation in the school context amongst young people from minority belief backgrounds. Based on a qualitative study including interviews with 26 young people from religious minority belief backgrounds in Northern…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Godina, Heriberto
2004-01-01
This ethnographic study explores the contradictory literacy practices of 10 high school students of Mexican background from the rural Midwest. The author uses the term "Mexican background" to encompass both settled Mexican Americans and recent-immigrant Mexicanos. Literacy is investigated through English and Spanish in a sociocultural…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kaefer, Tanya; Neuman, Susan B.; Pinkham, Ashley M.
2015-01-01
The goal of the current study is to explore the influence of knowledge on socioeconomic discrepancies in word learning and comprehension. After establishing socioeconomic differences in background knowledge (Study 1), the authors presented children with a storybook that incorporates this knowledge (Study 2). Results indicated that middle-income…
International food patterns for space food
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ahmed, Selina; Cox, Amanda; Cornish, Pauline V.
1989-01-01
The purpose of this research was to obtain basic data on ethnic foods by studying dietary patterns and multicultural foods, and to determine nutritional status of multicultural space explorers by evaluating dietary, clinical, biochemical, and socioeconomic factors. The study will plan a significant role in providing nutritional research for space explorers of different ethnic backgrounds. It will provide scientific background information by bringing together cross cultural dietary and nutritional from different ethnic groups. Results will also help the health care personnel including physicians, dietitians, and nutritionists to better understand and assist patients from other cultures illness. Also, the results will provide data which will help in the development of future food plans for long duration flights involving manned exploration to Mars and lunar base colonies.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ebsworth, Miriam Eisenstein; Tang, Frank Lixing; Razavi, Nikta; Aiello, Jacqueline
2014-01-01
This study explored the effects of cultural and linguistic background, L2 proficiency, and gender on language learning strategies for 263 college-level learners from Chinese, Russian, and Latino backgrounds. Data based on the SILL (Oxford, 2001) revealed that Russian students used significantly more strategies than the Chinese students in three…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Madsen, Susan R.
2007-01-01
The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of women university presidents related to becoming leaders or learning to lead. This manuscript highlights the research focused on the immediate family backgrounds and influences on these presidents. The research question was as follows: With regard to their family backgrounds and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chen, Hsueh Chu
2015-01-01
This paper includes two interrelated studies. The first production study investigates the timing patterns of English as spoken by Chinese learners with different dialect backgrounds. The second comprehension study explores native and non-native speakers' assessments of the intelligibility of Chinese-accented English, and examines the effects of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wang, Jing
2009-01-01
This research introduced the concept of resilience into the study of adjustment of international graduate students at U.S. universities. The purpose of this study was to explore relationships among resilience characteristics, background variables, and adjustment problem areas, and to gauge the effects of resilience and background variables on…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thackeray, Lisa A.; Eatough, Virginia
2015-01-01
Background: The predominant focus of extant literature exploring maternal experience of developmental disability has been stress, adaptation, efficacy of interventions and the burden of care. Most studies involve mothers of children, with scant attention given to what life is like later. This study qualitatively explores the experience of mothers…
Children's Perceptions of Parental Emotional Neglect and Control and Psychopathology
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Young, Robert; Lennie, Susan; Minnis, Helen
2011-01-01
Background: Parental emotional neglect is linked to psychiatric disorder. This study explores the associations between children's perceptions of parental emotional neglect and future psychopathology. Methods: In a school-based longitudinal study of nearly 1,700 children aged 11-15 we explored children's perceptions of parenting, as measured by the…
Exploring Environmental Identity and Behavioral Change in an Environmental Science Course
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Blatt, Erica N.
2013-01-01
This ethnographic study at a public high school in the Northeastern United States investigates the process of change in students' environmental identity and proenvironmental behaviors during an Environmental Science course. The study explores how sociocultural factors, such as students' background, social interactions, and classroom structures,…
Exploring Student Midwives Creative Expression of the Meaning of Birth
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hall, Jennifer; Mitchell, Mary
2008-01-01
This paper presents a study which explored creative pieces made by student midwives during an educational session on spirituality in relation to midwifery. Background: Exploration of methods of teaching relating to midwifery has been limited, specifically relating to effective learning about spirituality. There is a current expectation in the UK…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Moore, Gordon; Blackburn, Bob L.
This booklet is intended to be used as background material by social studies and history classroom teachers as they develop and implement educational programs on Oklahoma's heritage. It includes background information on the land and people of Oklahoma (geology, climate, topography, vegetation, animals, prehistoric peoples, French explorers,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ebsworth, Miriam Eisenstein; Tang, Frank Lixing; Razavi, Nikta; Aiello, Jacqueline
2014-01-01
This study explored the effects of cultural and linguistic background, L2 proficiency, and gender on language learning strategies for 263 college-level learners from Chinese, Russian, and Latino backgrounds. Data based on the SILL (Oxford, 2001) revealed that Russian students used significantly more strategies than the Chinese students in three…
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Choomlucksana, Juthamas; Doolen, Toni L.
2017-11-01
The use of collaborative activities and simulation sessions in engineering education has been explored previously. However, few studies have investigated the relationship of these types of teaching innovations with other learner characteristics, such as self-efficacy and background knowledge. This study explored the effects of collaborative activities and simulation sessions on learning and the relationships between self-efficacy beliefs, background knowledge, and learning. Data were collected from two different terms in an upper division engineering course entitled Lean Manufacturing Systems Engineering. Findings indicated that the impact of collaborative activities and simulation sessions appears to be different, depending on the concepts being taught. Simulation sessions were found to have a significant effect on self-efficacy beliefs, and background knowledge had a mixed effect on learning. Overall the results of this study highlight the complex set of relationships between classroom innovations, learner characteristics, and learning.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thomas, Paul
2016-01-01
This study explores high school students' views of Jews in one minority-dominated school in Oslo, Norway. Employing a qualitative approach, semistructured interview guides and classroom-based discussions teased out attitudes toward Jews drawing on questions from a nationwide research conducted by The Center for Studies of the Holocaust and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sax, Linda J.
This paper presents a study that explored the persistence of both women and men towards careers in the hard sciences and examined the factors that encourage and/or discourage students' participation in science. Specifically, the study explored the relationship between men's and women's background characteristics, their college experiences, and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Schechter, Chen
2010-01-01
Background: Although the professional learning community as a means of improving student achievement has received growing support from researchers and practitioners alike, professionals are still exploring ways to develop interaction networks regarding teaching and learning issues. Purpose: This study explores the evolving stages of a collective…
Exploring the Reliability and Validity of the Social-Moral Awareness Test
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Livesey, Alexandra; Dodd, Karen; Pote, Helen; Marlow, Elizabeth
2012-01-01
Background: The aim of the study was to explore the validity of the social-moral awareness test (SMAT) a measure designed for assessing socio-moral rule knowledge and reasoning in people with learning disabilities. Comparisons between Theory of Mind and socio-moral reasoning allowed the exploration of construct validity of the tool. Factor…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Choomlucksana, Juthamas; Doolen, Toni L.
2017-01-01
The use of collaborative activities and simulation sessions in engineering education has been explored previously. However, few studies have investigated the relationship of these types of teaching innovations with other learner characteristics, such as self-efficacy and background knowledge. This study explored the effects of collaborative…
Religious Socialization and Benevolence: A Study among American Pentecostals
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cartledge, Mark J.
2013-01-01
This study explores benevolent action among Pentecostals in the USA using a congregational questionnaire survey of worshippers among the Church of God (Cleveland, TN) (N = 1522). The influence of religiosity and the socialization of a perceived relationship of love with God (Godly Love) are explored, while controlling for background variables. The…
Communication and Empowerment: A Place for Rich and Multiple Media?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bunning, Karen; Heath, Becky; Minnion, Andy
2009-01-01
Background: Project @pple (Access & Participation for People with intellectual disability in Learning Environments) was about exploring the terms on which young people with intellectual disability access and participate with e-Learning and the Web. The current study is one of a number of related studies. It explores the culture of information and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Borghetti, C.; Beaven, A.; Pugliese, R.
2015-01-01
The study presented in this article aims to explore if and how intercultural learning may take place in students' class interaction. It is grounded in the assumption that interculturality is not a clear-cut feature inherent to interactions occurring when individuals with presumed different linguistic and cultural/national backgrounds talk to each…
Exploring "Successful" Outcomes of Entrepreneurship Education: A Follow-Up Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Galloway, Laura; Kapasi, Isla; Whittam, Geoff
2015-01-01
During 2005-2006 entrepreneurship students in several UK universities completed a survey about their background and career intentions. This paper reports, eight years on, on a follow-up study with ten of these participants, with the aim of exploring the students' intentions and subsequent actions since graduating. Using a qualitative methodology,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Collins, Kristina Henry
2018-01-01
What is Black student's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) identity? The author addresses this question through a synthesis of the literature that includes studies that explore Black student identity. Background information regarding STEM achievement and persistence followed by empirical studies that explore STEM attitudes…
Exploring Global Competence with Managers in India, Japan, and the Netherlands: A Qualitative Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ras, Gerard J. M.
2011-01-01
This qualitative study explores the meaning of global competence for global managers in three different countries. Thirty interviews were conducted with global managers in India, Japan and the Netherlands through Skype, an internet based software. Findings are reported by country in five major categories: country background, personal…
Exploring tool innovation: a comparison of Western and Bushman children.
Nielsen, Mark; Tomaselli, Keyan; Mushin, Ilana; Whiten, Andrew
2014-10-01
A capacity for constructing new tools, or using old tools in new ways, to solve novel problems is a core feature of what it means to be human. Yet current evidence suggests that young children are surprisingly poor at innovating tools. However, all studies of tool innovation to date have been conducted with children from comparatively privileged Western backgrounds. This raises questions as to whether or not previously documented tool innovation failure is culturally and economically specific. In the current study, thus, we explored the innovation capacities of children from Westernized urban backgrounds and from remote communities of South African Bushmen. Consistent with past research, we found tool innovation to occur at extremely low rates and that cultural background had no bearing on this. The current study is the first to empirically test tool innovation in children from non-Western backgrounds, with our data being consistent with the view that despite its key role in human evolution, a capacity for innovation in tool making remains remarkably undeveloped during early childhood. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Praying for Mr. Right? Religion, Family Background, and Marital Expectations among College Women
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ellison, Christopher G.; Burdette, Amy M.; Glenn, Norval D.
2011-01-01
This study explores the relationship between multiple aspects of religious involvement--affiliation, church attendance, subjective religiosity--and marital expectations among college women. In addition, the authors investigate whether religious involvement mediates the link between family background and marital expectations. These issues are…
Blackford, Jeanine; Street, Annette
2002-09-01
Much research has been conducted for understanding the health needs of people of different cultural backgrounds and the problems they experience in seeking health care. In Australia, despite such research, it is argued that there remains an exclusionary health care culture that continues to affect equity and access for people of non-English speaking background. There was a need for research in which health professionals examined their own Anglo-Australian culture and its impact on other ethnic communities. Such concerns provided the impetus for a feminist praxis study to engage nurses in understanding and improving care for migrant women. This study was conducted with 26 nurses in a paediatric hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Five collaborative research groups were formed, each consisting of four to six nurses who were co-researchers. Together, the nurses and researchers explored the health care experiences of migrant women, using a variety of quantitative and qualitative data collection strategies. This paper explores a major finding of the study, which was the impact of liberal feminist approaches on the practices of Australian nurses who cared for women of different ethnicity and race. The study found that the efforts of liberal feminist nurses to "treat all people the same" meant that women from different cultural backgrounds did not always receive equity in care. Through the feminist praxis process the nurses were able to explore contradictions in their practice and focus on equity in care to meet the specific gendered and racially constructed needs of women of different cultural backgrounds. A number of strategies were adopted that included regular use of female health interpreters and provision of privacy for migrant women when caring for their children.
The Cosmic Background Explorer.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gulkis, Samuel; And Others
1990-01-01
Outlines the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) mission to measure celestial radiation. Describes the instruments used and experiments involving differential microwave radiometers, and a far infrared absolute spectrophotometer. (YP)
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
James, Deborah Michelle; Hall, Alex; Lombardo, Chiara; McGovern, Will
2016-01-01
Background: In this study, we explored the impact of staff training that used video feedback to help staff see the effect of their interactional work with service users. The study was based at a large organization delivering services for children and adults with autism. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal qualitative study with semi-structured…
Laureiro-Martínez, Daniella; Canessa, Nicola; Brusoni, Stefano; Zollo, Maurizio; Hare, Todd; Alemanno, Federica; Cappa, Stefano F
2013-01-01
An optimal balance between efficient exploitation of available resources and creative exploration of alternatives is critical for adaptation and survival. Previous studies associated these behavioral drives with, respectively, the dopaminergic mesocorticolimbic system and frontopolar-intraparietal networks. We study the activation of these systems in two age and gender-matched groups of experienced decision-makers differing in prior professional background, with the aim to understand the neural bases of individual differences in decision-making efficiency (performance divided by response time). We compare brain activity of entrepreneurs (who currently manage the organization they founded based on their venture idea) and managers (who are constantly involved in making strategic decisions but have no venture experience) engaged in a gambling-task assessing exploitative vs. explorative decision-making. Compared with managers, entrepreneurs showed higher decision-making efficiency, and a stronger activation in regions of frontopolar cortex (FPC) previously associated with explorative choice. Moreover, activity across a network of regions previously linked to explore/exploit tradeoffs explained individual differences in choice efficiency. These results suggest new avenues for the study of individual differences in the neural antecedents of efficient decision-making.
Laureiro-Martínez, Daniella; Canessa, Nicola; Brusoni, Stefano; Zollo, Maurizio; Hare, Todd; Alemanno, Federica; Cappa, Stefano F.
2014-01-01
An optimal balance between efficient exploitation of available resources and creative exploration of alternatives is critical for adaptation and survival. Previous studies associated these behavioral drives with, respectively, the dopaminergic mesocorticolimbic system and frontopolar-intraparietal networks. We study the activation of these systems in two age and gender-matched groups of experienced decision-makers differing in prior professional background, with the aim to understand the neural bases of individual differences in decision-making efficiency (performance divided by response time). We compare brain activity of entrepreneurs (who currently manage the organization they founded based on their venture idea) and managers (who are constantly involved in making strategic decisions but have no venture experience) engaged in a gambling-task assessing exploitative vs. explorative decision-making. Compared with managers, entrepreneurs showed higher decision-making efficiency, and a stronger activation in regions of frontopolar cortex (FPC) previously associated with explorative choice. Moreover, activity across a network of regions previously linked to explore/exploit tradeoffs explained individual differences in choice efficiency. These results suggest new avenues for the study of individual differences in the neural antecedents of efficient decision-making. PMID:24478664
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Coleman, James A.
A study of over 3,000 British college and university students investigated the relationship of student language proficiency and student demographic and background characteristics. Proficiency levels were assessed by means of C-Tests, while associated questionnaires sought to explore biographical data, language learning background, residence…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Akkerman, Alma; Janssen, Cees G. C.; Kef, Sabina; Meininger, Herman P.
2014-01-01
Background: This study explored the perspectives of people with intellectual disabilities on themes relevant to their job satisfaction in integrated and sheltered employment. Method: The photovoice method was used. Nine participants with moderate to mild intellectual disabilities, working in integrated and sheltered employment, took pictures of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McKenzie, Nicola; Mirfin-Veitch, Brigit; Conder, Jennifer; Brandford, Sharon
2017-01-01
Background: This study sought to identify, from the perspective of people with intellectual disabilities and life limiting conditions, the factors that strengthened and inhibited their Advance Care Planning. Methods: This in depth qualitative study explored the experiences of four people with intellectual disability and life limiting conditions,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Barber, Ana Taboada; Buehl, Michelle M.; Kidd, Julie K.; Sturtevant, Elizabeth G.; Nuland, Leila Richey; Beck, Jori
2015-01-01
The authors examined the role of an intervention designed to increase reading comprehension, reading self-efficacy beliefs, and engagement in social studies for middle school students of varying language backgrounds. Thirteen sixth- and seventh-grade teachers implemented the United States History for Engaged Reading (USHER) program with their…
Motivational Factors as They Relate to College Readiness
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Dacay, Monique
2011-01-01
Addressing inconsistencies in student achievement between students of different racial backgrounds has been acknowledged and explored for over fifty years. Policies and programs have been developed and funded to decrease the discrepancies between groups with limited evidence of success. This study will explore the presence of achievement…
Exploring the Role of M-Learning in Elementary Education
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chen, Hsiu-Ju
2017-01-01
Aim/Purpose: This study explores the associations between elementary school learners' m-learning and learner satisfactions based on the technology-mediated learning model. Background: M-learning (mobile learning) is emerging, but its role in elementary education still needs clarification. Methodology: Questionnaires were mailed to several…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gasparinatou, Alexandra; Grigoriadou, Maria
2013-01-01
In this study, we examine the effect of background knowledge and local cohesion on learning from texts. The study is based on construction-integration model. Participants were 176 undergraduate students who read a Computer Science text. Half of the participants read a text of maximum local cohesion and the other a text of minimum local cohesion.…
Occurrence Prospect of HDR and Target Site Selection Study in Southeastern of China
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lin, W.; Gan, H.
2017-12-01
Hot dry rock (HDR) geothermal resource is one of the most important clean energy in future. Site selection a HDR resource is a fundamental work to explore the HDR resources. This paper compiled all the HDR development projects domestic and abroad, and summarized the location of HDR geothermal geological index. After comparing the geological background of HDR in the southeast coastal area of China, Yangjiang Xinzhou in Guangdong province, Leizhou Peninsula area, Lingshui in Hainan province and Huangshadong in Guangzhou were selected from some key potential target area along the southeast coast of China. Deep geothermal field model of the study area is established based on the comprehensive analysis of the target area of deep geothermal geological background and deep thermal anomalies. This paper also compared the hot dry rock resources target locations, and proposed suggestions for the priority exploration target area and exploration scheme.
Perceptual Judgments of Accented Speech by Listeners from Different First Language Backgrounds
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kang, Okim; Vo, Son Ca Thanh; Moran, Meghan Kerry
2016-01-01
Research in second language speech has often focused on listeners' accent judgment and factors that affect their perception. However, the topic of listeners' application of specific sound categories in their own perceptual judgments has not been widely investigated. The current study explored how listeners from diverse language backgrounds weighed…
Cultural Backgrounds and Textual Appropriation
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Shi, Ling
2006-01-01
This study examines interviews with 46 undergraduates to explore if participants with differing language and cultural backgrounds view plagiarism or textual appropriation primarily as a) a language problem because of a lack of words of one's own, or b) a cultural challenge as a result of either some first language (L1) cultural training to…
Chameleon Changes: An Exploration of Racial Identity Themes of Multiracial People
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Miville, Marie L.; Constantine, Madonna G.; Baysden, Matthew F.; So-Lloyd, Gloria
2005-01-01
The current study explored essential themes of racial identity development among 10 self-identified multiracial adults from a variety of racial backgrounds. Participants were interviewed using a semistructured protocol, and the interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then coded for themes by research team members. Four primary themes were…
Exploring Urban Students' Constructions about School, Work, Race, and Ethnicity
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Blustein, David L.; Murphy, Kerri A.; Kenny, Maureen E.; Jernigan, Maryam; Perez-Gualdron, Leyla; Castaneda, Tani; Koepke, Margaret; Land, Marie; Urbano, Alessandra; Davis, Ophera
2010-01-01
This qualitative study is an exploration of 32 urban high school students' narratives about the connection between school, work, and societal expectations of their future success related to their racial and ethnic background. The sample varied along 2 contextual dimensions: participation in a psychoeducational intervention (Tools for Tomorrow) and…
School Connectedness for Students in Low-Income Urban High Schools
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Nasir, Na'ilah Suad; Jones, Amina; McLaughlin, Milbrey Wallin
2011-01-01
Background/Context: In this article, we explore school connectedness for students in a high-poverty urban school. Current approaches to measuring connection conflate behavior and attitudinal measures of connection and rarely explore school connection in urban school settings. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study: We examine…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Guay, Amanda; Aunos, Marjorie; Collin-Vézina, Delphine
2017-01-01
Background: Mothers with intellectual disability are less likely than mothers without intellectual disability to breastfeed their infants, but there is little literature that addresses infant-feeding decisions among this population. This study explores experiences of mothers with intellectual disability in making and carrying out infant-feeding…
Early Childhood Profiles of Sleep Problems and Self-Regulation Predict Later School Adjustment
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Williams, Kate E.; Nicholson, Jan M.; Walker, Sue; Berthelsen, Donna
2016-01-01
Background: Children's sleep problems and self-regulation problems have been independently associated with poorer adjustment to school, but there has been limited exploration of longitudinal early childhood profiles that include both indicators. Aims: This study explores the normative developmental pathway for sleep problems and self-regulation…
Jumping Together: Apprenticeship Learning among Elite Trampoline Athletes
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lund, Ole; Ravn, Susanne; Christensen, Mette Krogh
2014-01-01
Background: Elite athletes often take part in group trainings and use teammates as learning resources. Despite this, research on the training and learning of elite athletes tends to characterise this training and learning as primarily individual. Purpose: This study, explores interrelated learning processes among elite athletes by exploring the…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lyons, Elizabeth A.; Jones, Diana E.; Swallow, Veronica M.; Chandler, Colin
2017-01-01
Background: The natural response to the intrusive bodily sensation is positional change. This study explored how children and young people (CYP) with intellectual disabilities had their comfort needs met when using adaptive positioning equipment. Methods: Thirteen qualitative case studies were undertaken. A parent, a teacher/key worker and a…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hallett, Victoria; Ronald, Angelica; Colvert, Emma; Ames, Catherine; Woodhouse, Emma; Lietz, Stephanie; Garnett, Tracy; Gillan, Nicola; Rijsdijk, Fruhling; Scahill, Lawrence; Bolton, Patrick; Happé, Francesca
2013-01-01
Background: Although many children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) experience difficulties with anxiety, the manifestation of these difficulties remains unresolved. The current study assessed anxiety in a large population-based twin sample, aged 10-15 years. Phenotypic analyses were used to explore anxiety symptoms in children with ASDs,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
van Dijk, E.; Hilgenkamp, T. I. M.; Evenhuis, H. M.; Echteld, M. A.
2012-01-01
Background: The aim of this study was to explore the use of actigraphy to investigate sleep problems in a convenience sample of clients of Dutch intellectual disability (ID) care providers. Based on data obtained in a large multi-centre study on healthy ageing in people with ID, research questions were: "To what degree are actigraphic…
Social Maturity and Theory of Mind in Typically Developing Children and Those on the Autism Spectrum
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Peterson, Candida C.; Slaughter, Virginia P.; Paynter, Jessica
2007-01-01
Background: Results of several studies using the Vineland scale to explore links between social behavior and theory of mind (ToM) have produced mixed results, especially for children on the autism spectrum. The present pair of studies developed a psychometrically sound, age-referenced measure of social maturity to explore these issues further.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Crawford, Renée
2017-01-01
This article reports the findings of a case study that investigated the impact of music education on students in an F-12 school in Victoria, Australia that is considered as having a high percentage of young people with a refugee background. Key findings from this research indicated that music education had a positive impact on this group of young…
Learning from the Parallel Pathways of Makers to Broaden Pathways to Engineering
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Foster, Christina; Wigner, Aubrey; Lande, Micah; Jordan, Shawn S.
2018-01-01
Background: Makers are a growing community of STEM-minded people who bridge technical and non-technical backgrounds to imagine, build and fabricate engineering systems. Some have engineering training, some do not. This paper presents a study to explore the educational pathways of adult Makers and how they intersect with engineering. This research…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Liu, Ruo-lan; Lee, Hsin-hua
2011-01-01
Background: In view of the growing globalization, volunteer service organizations, local universities, colleges, and student groups have begun extending their service programs from Taiwan to other countries. This study employs a self-organized, self-funded group of university students participating in international service-learning as its subject,…
Topic and Background Knowledge Effects on Performance in Speaking Assessment
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Khabbazbashi, Nahal
2017-01-01
This study explores the extent to which topic and background knowledge of topic affect spoken performance in a high-stakes speaking test. It is argued that evidence of a substantial influence may introduce construct-irrelevant variance and undermine test fairness. Data were collected from 81 non-native speakers of English who performed on 10…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
AlAfnan, Mohammad Awad
2015-01-01
This study explored the influences of relational elements and the background of communicators on the framing structure of email messages that were exchanged in an educational Institute in Malaysia. The investigation revealed that social distance played a more significant role than power relations as Malaysian respondents are, generally, more…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
MacNevin, Joanne
2012-01-01
This article presents one component of a qualitative study that explored teaching and learning with and for youth from refugee backgrounds in Prince Edward Island (PEI) intermediate and high schools. Specifically, this article presents data and discussion regarding some of the challenges and professional development needs of teachers working with…
Learning via Video in Higher Education: An Exploration of Instructor and Student Perceptions
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Miner, Steven; Stefaniak, Jill E.
2018-01-01
The purpose of this study was to compare instructors and students perceptions regarding the use of video during instruction. Background research exploring student opinions regarding their "perceived gains" in learning may identify learning behaviors that could be exploited by those providing instruction to increase student learning. The…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Stage, Virginia C.; Kolasa, Kathryn M.; Díaz, Sebastián R.; Duffrin, Melani W.
2018-01-01
Background: Explore associations between nutrition, science, and mathematics knowledge to provide evidence that integrating food/nutrition education in the fourth-grade curriculum may support gains in academic knowledge. Methods: Secondary analysis of a quasi-experimental study. Sample included 438 students in 34 fourth-grade classrooms across…
Exploring How Girls Navigate Their Embodied Identities in Physical Education
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fisette, Jennifer L.
2011-01-01
Background: Educating adolescent girls about their bodies provides girls with the opportunity to make meaning of their embodied identities for themselves. Knowledge of, and understanding of, embodiment has the potential for adolescent girls to be empowered within the physical education context. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore how…
Breastfeeding and Blogging: Exploring the Utility of Blogs to Promote Breastfeeding
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
West, Joshua; Hall, P. Cougar; Hanson, Carl; Thackeray, Rosemary; Barnes, Michael; Neiger, Brad; McIntyre, Emily
2011-01-01
Background: People are increasingly using the Internet and social networking sites for behavior support. Almost no literature exists exploring the utility of these sites for supporting breastfeeding behavior. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which blogs are currently being used to support breastfeeding behavior.…
The Conundrum of Training and Capacity Building for People with Learning Disabilities Doing Research
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Nind, Melanie; Chapman, Rohhss; Seale, Jane; Tilley, Liz
2016-01-01
Background: This study explores the training involved when people with learning disabilities take their place in the community as researchers. This was a theme in a recent UK seminar series where a network of researchers explored pushing the boundaries of participatory research. Method: Academics, researchers with learning disabilities, supporters…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gaines, Rachel; Choi, Eunjeong; Williams, Kyle; Park, J. Hannah; Schallert, Diane L.; Matar, Lina
2018-01-01
We examined how narrative was used in online classroom discussion as preservice bilingual teachers experimented with possible future selves. Considering associations between narrative and identity construction, we explored the complementary roles of stories from personal past experiences and backgrounds, experience as teacher interns, and imagined…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
O'Leary, Lisa; Taggart, Laurence; Cousins, Wendy
2018-01-01
Background: The health-related behaviours of people with intellectual disabilities may be determined by organisational influences. This innovative study aimed to explore managers' and staffs' perspectives on organisational influences on the promotion of healthy behaviours for this population. Method: A qualitative methodology was employed. Four…
Femmer, Suzanne R.
2004-01-01
Missouri has a long history of lead mining in the Park Hills and Viburnum Trend areas. Lead ore production has been a significant economic presence since the settlement of Missouri in the 1700?s. As lead sources are depleted in active mining areas, new areas are being explored for economical ore bodies. The exploration area south of Winona, a possible extension of the Viburnum Trend lead-producing area, lies in an area of intense interest because of its scenic beauty and sensitive environment. Water-quality, streambed-sediment, fish tissue, instream and riparian habitat, and invertebrate-community samples were collected from three sites in the Viburnum Trend for the National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program Black River synoptic study in 1995 and from four sites in the exploration study area in 2001. The samples, which were collected using NAWQA protocols, were analyzed and compared to establish background conditions and similarities between sites. Bacteria, lead, and zinc concentrations were substantially different between the study areas. Habitat characteristics, such as streambed substrate size and embeddedness were similar. The Eleven Point River at Turner?s Mill is substantially larger in size than the other six surveyed sites. Trace element concentrations in fish tissue samples collected in the two study areas are similar. Samples from both areas had elevated mercury levels. Invertebrate community data indicated similarity among the Viburnum Trend study area sites, but these sites had little in common with the exploration study area sites. The invertebrate community structure in the exploration study area were not similar.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Vandevelde, Sabrina; Van Keer, Hilde; Merchie, Emmelien
2017-01-01
The authors explore the effects of student tutoring as an approach to provide support on self-regulated learning (SRL) to fifth- and sixth-grade students with a low socioeconomic or immigrant background. In total, 401 Flemish (Belgium) students participated. A quasi-experimental study with pretest, posttest, and retention test control group design…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Brock, Cynthia H.; Pennington, Julie L.
2014-01-01
This study, situated in the United States, is set in a context where large and growing numbers of children from non-dominant backgrounds populate American public schools while the vast majority of teachers teaching in US schools are White, monolingual women who may not have the requisite expertise to teach children from non-dominant backgrounds.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Collins, Matthew; Collins, Gemma; Butt, Graham
2015-01-01
This paper explores levels of achievement amongst boys who attended a selective school in Birmingham, UK through consideration of their attainment, social background and ethnicity. It seeks to answer three main questions. Firstly, to what extent does academic attainment vary between students from different socio-economic groups and ethnic…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rydenvald, Marie
2015-01-01
This article explores the language use and language attitudes as reported by a number of multilingual teenagers with a Swedish background in European Schools and international schools in Europe. Special attention is given to the concepts of Third Culture Kids and elite bilingualism in relation to teenagers' multilingualism. This study is based on…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Codiroli, Natasha
2015-01-01
The relative lack of students studying post-compulsory STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects is a key policy concern. A particular issue is the disparities in uptake by students' family background, gender and ethnicity. It remains unclear whether the effects of family background can be explained by academic disparities,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Aydeniz, Mehmet; Dogan, Alev
2016-01-01
Background: There has been an increasing emphasis on empowering pre-service and in-service science teachers to attend student reasoning and use formative assessments to guide student learning in recent years. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore pre-service science teachers' pedagogical capacity for formative assessment. Sample: This…
Family Functioning in Families with a Child with Down Syndrome: A Mixed Methods Approach
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Povee, K.; Roberts, L.; Bourke, J.; Leonard, H.
2012-01-01
Background: This study aimed to explore the factors that predict functioning in families with a child with Down syndrome using a mixed methods design. The quantitative component examined the effect of maladaptive and autism-spectrum behaviours on the functioning of the family while the qualitative component explored the impact of having a child…
Exploring Singapore Primary School Students' Perceptions of Chinese Asynchronous Online Discussions
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chin, Wong Wan; Sum, Cheung Wing; Foon, Hew Khe
2008-01-01
Background: Asynchronous online discussion (AOD) has found widespread use in tertiary education and adult learning environment; however, there has been little research on its use in elementary school, especially in the context of the teaching of the Chinese Language. This study explores the use of AOD in a Chinese Language class in a primary…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bender, Kimberly; Negi, Nalini; Fowler, Dawnovise N.
2010-01-01
This study explores the relationship between self-awareness and social work students' commitment and understanding of culturally responsive social work practice. Data consisted of assigned papers (N = 23), submitted by graduate social work students, which asked them to describe their ethnic/racial background and ancestors' process of assimilation,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Schaafsma, Dilana; Stoffelen, Joke M. T.; Kok, Gerjo; Curfs, Leopold M. G.
2013-01-01
Background: People with intellectual disabilities face barriers that affect their sexual health. Sex education programmes have been developed by professionals working in the field of intellectual disabilities with the aim to overcome these barriers. The aim of this study was to explore the development of these programmes. Methods: Sex education…
Exploring Children's Perceptions of Two School-Based Social Inclusion Programs: A Pilot Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lindsay, Sally; McPherson, Amy C.; Aslam, Henna; McKeever, Patricia; Wright, Virginia
2013-01-01
Background: Although social exclusion among typically developing school-aged children has been well explored, it is under-researched for children with disabilities even though they are at a higher risk for being excluded. While there are a number of different programs available to improve social inclusion at school, the appeal of these programs to…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fleary, Sasha A.
2017-01-01
Background: Several studies have used latent class analyses to explore obesogenic behaviors and substance use in adolescents independently. We explored a variety of health risks jointly to identify distinct patterns of risk behaviors among adolescents. Methods: Latent class models were estimated using Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Keesler, John M.
2016-01-01
Background: Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a systems-level philosophy of service delivery which integrates choice, collaboration, empowerment, safety and trust to create an organizational culture sensitive to trauma. This study explores staff understandings and perceptions within an innovative trauma-informed day program for individuals with…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Vissman, Aaron T.; Bloom, Fred R.; Leichliter, Jami S.; Bachmann, Laura H.; Montano, Jaime; Topmiller, Michael; Rhodes, Scott D.
2011-01-01
Background: Little is known about access to medicine among immigrant Latinos in the United States (US). This study explored access to, and use of, prescription drugs obtained from nonmedical sources among recently arrived, Spanish-speaking immigrant Latinos in rural North Carolina (NC). Methods: Our community-based participatory research…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Woolf, Katherine; Haq, Inam; McManus, I. Chris; Higham, Jenny; Dacre, Jane
2008-01-01
Evidence shows that medical students from Minority Ethnic (ME) backgrounds and male medical students underperform in undergraduate examinations. Our study confirmed these findings in first year clinical (year 3) medical students, and further explored this disparity in performance. We conducted a series of meta-analyses to measure the effects of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Marshall, Rebecca Shisler; Laures-Gore, Jacqueline; Love, Kim
2018-01-01
Background: Stroke is currently the leading cause of long-term disability in adults in the United States. There is a need for accessible, low-cost treatments of stroke-related disabilities such as aphasia. Aims: To explore an intervention for aphasia utilizing mindfulness meditation (MM). This preliminary study examines the feasibility of teaching…
[Immigrated Physicians: Chances and Challenges].
Hohmann, Isabel; Glaesmer, Heide; Nesterko, Yuriy
2018-01-19
In the health care infrastructure of Germany a demand for physicians with immigrant background exists. The situation of immigrated physicians is largely unexplored so far. In the framework of a pilot study stressors and resources of physicians with immigrant background have been explored concerning their migration-related experiences at German hospitals, and within the medical team. As part of a qualitative analysis 8 physicians with immigrant background have been interviewed (problem-centered interview) from July to September 2014. The respondents stemmed from countries of the European Union and of non-EU countries. They have worked for 1-4,5 years in different German hospitals. Stressors and challenges derived from a lack in German language skills, different medical skills, cooperation in the team, and from dealing with a new health care system. Perceived discrimination by colleagues and patients represented a particular burden. In the meantime physicians with immigrant background disposed resources on different levels as on communicational, medical, social and organizational levels. The results highlight the particular demands that physicians with immigrant background face. Future research should explore potentials of stressors and resources for physicians with immigrant background by using quantitative methods; in terms of a multi-perspective approach German colleagues and patients should be included. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
CUORE and Background Reduction Case Studies for CUPID
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sakai, Michinari; Gozlukluoglu, Nihal; Huang, Huan; Cuore Collaboration
2017-09-01
CUORE (Cryogenic Underground Observatory for Rare Events) is a bolometric experiment at cryogenic temperatures currently in operation to search for neutrinoless double beta decay. Successful detection of this extremely rare process requires stringent control of radioactive backgrounds of the experiment as well as the detector itself. Great care was taken in CUORE to select the materials and various parts that comprise the current detector. However next-generation neutrinoless double beta decay experiments face a challenge to further reduce backgrounds in order to probe more deeply into the effective Majorana neutrino mass phase space. In this presentation we will review the sensitivity and background budget for the currently running experiment CUORE, as well as the target sensitivity and background goals for the next generation experiment CUPID that will cover the inverted neutrino mass hierarchy. We will explore simulation based R&D case studies for background reduction and lay out achievable background reduction levels using possible materials and feasible geometries in the context of CUPID. National Science Foundation.
A Study of Stereospecificity: The Beckmann Rearrangement.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Stradling, S. S.; And Others
1983-01-01
A Beckmann arrangement was developed which explores the concept of stereospecificity and concurrently exposes students to synthetic, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic processes. Background information, laboratory procedures, and results are provided. (JN)
A Pediatric Twin Study of Brain Morphometry
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wallace, Gregory L.; Schmitt, J. Eric; Lenroot, Rhoshel; Viding, Essi; Ordaz, Sarah; Rosenthal, Michael A.; Molloy, Elizabeth A.; Clasen, Liv S.; Kendler, Kenneth S.; Neale, Michael C.; Giedd, Jay N.
2006-01-01
Background: Longitudinal pediatric neuroimaging studies have demonstrated increasing volumes of white matter and regionally-specific inverted U shaped developmental trajectories of gray matter volumes during childhood and adolescence. Studies of monozygotic and dyzygotic twins during this developmental period allow exploration of genetic and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kang, Hyun-Sook; Veitch, Hillary
2017-01-01
This study explored the extent to which the ethnic identity of a writer and the background (gender and area of teaching) of a rater can influence mainstream teacher candidates' evaluation of English as a second language (ESL) writing, using a matched-guise method. A one-page essay was elicited from an ESL learner enrolled in an intensive English…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hyman, Harvey
2012-01-01
This dissertation examines the impact of exploration and learning upon eDiscovery information retrieval; it is written in three parts. Part I contains foundational concepts and background on the topics of information retrieval and eDiscovery. This part informs the reader about the research frameworks, methodologies, data collection, and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Murphy, Melissa A. I.; McFerran, Katrina
2017-01-01
Background: This article explores the literature on social connectedness and music for young people with disability. It then critically examines the level of congruence between the reported literature to date and current rights-based disability studies discourse. Method: A critical interpretive synthesis was used to examine 27 articles referencing…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bajaj, Monisha
2011-01-01
Background: Human rights education initiatives have proliferated in the past three decades and can be found in policy discussions, textbook reforms and grassroots initiatives across the globe. This article specifically explores the role of teachers in human rights education (HRE) by focusing on a case study of one non-governmental organisation's…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Irwin, Lynn; O'Malley, Grace; Neelofur, Shazia; Guerin, Suzanne
2017-01-01
Background: The dearth of literature regarding how or when to intervene when an adult with intellectual disability is bereaved may impede clinical practice; this study therefore aimed to explore the current clinical psychology response, so as to enhance understanding of the role of the profession in supporting grief within this population. Method:…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
James, Neil
2016-01-01
Background: There is limited research that explores the experiences of family carers of individuals with an intellectual disability requiring admission to a specialist National Health Service Assessment and Treatment Unit. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore family carers' experience in respect of this phenomenon and their relationships with…
An Exploration of Issues around Menstruation for Women with Down Syndrome and Their Carers
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mason, Linda; Cunningham, Cliff
2008-01-01
Background: There is little research on issues related to menstruation for women with Down syndrome, yet they may experience menstruation in a qualitatively different way from normal women, which impacts on their quality of life and that of their families and carers. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore issues with the women and/or…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fant, Tyrie Lavyal
2017-01-01
As America's K-12 student population continues to become more diverse, it is important that the ethnic background of the teacher population reflect this change. A crucial aspect of this diversification effort includes black male teachers. The purpose of this study was to explore and examine the experiences and perspectives of African American male…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bostelmann, M.; Glaser, B.; Zaharia, A.; Eliez, S.; Schneider, M.
2017-01-01
Background: Chromosome 22q11.2 microdeletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is a genetic syndrome characterised by a unique cognitive profile. Individuals with the syndrome present several non-verbal deficits, including visual memory impairments and atypical exploration of visual information. In this study, we seek to understand how visual attention may…
The Internet of Toys: A Posthuman and Multimodal Analysis of Connected Play
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Marsh, Jackie
2017-01-01
Background: The study reported in this article focuses on an exploration of the role and nature of play in young children's use of toys that connect physical and digital domains. Purpose: The purpose of the article is to explore the nature of the connections that are made in play that transverses physical and virtual domains. The article draws on…
Semiconductors: A 21st Century Social Studies Topic.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sunal, Cynthia
2000-01-01
Addresses the reasons for exploring semiconductor technology and organic semiconductors in schools for either middle school or secondary students in an interdisciplinary social studies and science environment. Provides background information on transistors and semiconductors. Offers three social studies lessons and related science lessons if an…
Gruner, Andrea; Oster, Jörg; Müller, Gottfried; von Wietersheim, Jörn
2012-01-01
Previous studies have shown that psychosomatic rehabilitation treatments were less successful for patients with a migration background. These findings should be explored further with the help of interviews. The main aim of this study was to compare patients with and without a migration background with regards to social-demographic variables, disease model, symptoms, and the course and result of a psychosomatic rehabilitation treatment. 75 patients with and 75 without a migration background were analysed. Half-structured interviews were carried out at admission, discharge and three months after discharge from treatment. Patients with a migration background were "sicker" at the beginning of the rehabilitation. Especially men with a migration background benefit less from the treatment and often did not feel "at the right place" in the psychosomatic rehabilitation. Patients with a migration background have a more negative view of their work performance than patients without a migration background. Patient with a migration background should receive more information about psychosomatic disease models and different treatment methods prior to their rehabilitation therapy.
Ohlenforst, Barbara; Souza, Pamela E; MacDonald, Ewen N
2016-01-01
Previous work has shown that individuals with lower working memory demonstrate reduced intelligibility for speech processed with fast-acting compression amplification. This relationship has been noted in fluctuating noise, but the extent of noise modulation that must be present to elicit such an effect is unknown. This study expanded on previous study by exploring the effect of background noise modulations in relation to compression speed and working memory ability, using a range of signal to noise ratios. Twenty-six older participants between ages 61 and 90 years were grouped by high or low working memory according to their performance on a reading span test. Speech intelligibility was measured for low-context sentences presented in background noise, where the noise varied in the extent of amplitude modulation. Simulated fast- or slow-acting compression amplification combined with individual frequency-gain shaping was applied to compensate for the individual's hearing loss. Better speech intelligibility scores were observed for participants with high working memory when fast compression was applied than when slow compression was applied. The low working memory group behaved in the opposite way and performed better under slow compression compared with fast compression. There was also a significant effect of the extent of amplitude modulation in the background noise, such that the magnitude of the score difference (fast versus slow compression) depended on the number of talkers in the background noise. The presented signal to noise ratios were not a significant factor on the measured intelligibility performance. In agreement with earlier research, high working memory allowed better speech intelligibility when fast compression was applied in modulated background noise. In the present experiment, that effect was present regardless of the extent of background noise modulation.
Are Sibling Relationships Protective? A Longitudinal Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gass, Krista; Jenkins, Jennifer; Dunn, Judy
2007-01-01
Background: Although the protective effects of familial and parental support have been studied extensively in the child psychopathology literature, few studies have explored the protective quality of positive sibling relationships. Methods: A two-wave longitudinal design was used to examine the protective effect of positive sibling relationships…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Burgoyne, K.; Whiteley, H. E.; Hutchinson, J. M.
2011-01-01
Background: A significant number of pupils in UK schools learn English as an additional language (EAL). Relative differences between the educational attainment of this group and monolingual, English-speaking pupils call for an exploration of the literacy needs of EAL learners. Aims: This study explores the developmental progression of reading and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chapman, Melanie; Lacey, Huma; Jervis, Nicola
2018-01-01
Background: Dementia prevalence rates are higher amongst people with learning disabilities than the general population. People with Down's syndrome are at even greater risk of developing dementia and of developing dementia at an earlier age. This study, conducted as part of a wider service evaluation, explored community learning disability team…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Machado-Casas, Margarita
2009-01-01
This three-year qualitative research study took place in a new immigrant-receiving community in North Carolina. Utilizing narrative analysis, it explores how Mexican, Salvadoran, and Guatemalan immigrants of indigenous backgrounds use language as a survival tool to move in and out of transnational social spaces. In addition, it explores the ways…
What Have We Achieved in 50 Years of Equity in School Mathematics?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jorgensen, Robyn; Lowrie, Tom
2015-01-01
This paper explores the relationship between social backgrounds and geographical locations with mathematical achievement. Using the national testing system in Australia, correlations between the variables were explored and it was found that students from rural and low SES backgrounds are still being marginalised in school mathematics--in terms of…
2003-05-15
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - In the foreground, three solid rocket boosters (SRBs) suspended in the launch tower flank the Delta II rocket (in the background) that will launch Mars Exploration Rover 2 (MER-2). NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans can’t yet go. MER-2 is scheduled to launch June 5 as MER-A. MER-1 (MER-B) will launch June 25.
Effects of display characteristics and individual differences on preferences of VDT icon design.
Shieh, Kong-King; Ko, Ya-Hsien
2005-04-01
This study explored the effects of display characteristics such as target/background color combination, single/simultaneous presentation, and individual differences by sex, and design specialty on preferences of VDT icon design. The results indicated black targets (black-on-white, black-on-yellow) and black backgrounds (red-on-black, yellow-on-black) were the most popular and white targets (white-on-red, white-on-black) and white backgrounds (blue-on-white, red-on-white) were the second most popular. As for the chromatic color combinations, yellow-on-blue was the most favored. Subjects rated color combinations under single presentation higher than those under simultaneous presentation. Women rated purplish targets and rated purplish and blue backgrounds higher than men. Subjects with design background favored black more either as a target or background, but they favored turquoise less than those without design background.
Toddlers - Background & Validation Studies - NCS Dietary Assessment Literature Review
This stage of development is characterized by the slowing of the growth velocity and a rapid increase in fine and gross motor skills supporting increases in independence, exploration of the environment, and language skills.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Heafner, Tina L.; Plaisance, Michelle
2016-01-01
Background/Context: Current research addresses the marginalization of social studies and trends in teaching English learners (ELs) in monolingual schools; however, few studies have examined the way in which support services provided to ELs impact their exposure to social studies instruction. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study:…
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Yost, E.
1975-01-01
Selected band multispectral photography was evaluated as a mineral exploration tool by detecting stress on trees caused by underground mineralization. Ground truth consisted of two test sites in the Prescott National Forest within which the mineralization had been established by a drilling program. Species of trees were categorized as background, intermediate, and anomalous based upon where they grew with respect to this underlying mineralization. Soil geochemistry and the metal content of ashed samples of the trees were studied in relation to the inferred locus of mineralization. Computer analysis of the reflectance spectra of mineralized trees confirmed that the relative percent reflectance differences of trees growing in anomalous areas was less than that of the same tree species growing in background areas.
Home-School Relationships: A Qualitative Study with Diverse Families
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cardona, Betty; Jain, Sachin; Canfield-Davis, Kathy
2012-01-01
This qualitative case study explored how families from diverse cultural backgrounds understood family involvement in the context of early childhood care and educational settings. Participants in the study included nine members from six families who had children enrolled in three early childhood care and education programs. The primary method of…
Language, Culture, Gender, and Academic Socialization
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Morita, Naoko
2009-01-01
Recent research has explored the complex, situated process by which students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds become socialized into academic discourses and practices. As part of a multiple case study involving seven international students, this study provides an in-depth analysis of the academic discourse socialization…
Williams Syndrome: Daily Challenges and Positive Impact on the Family
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Scallan, Susan; Senior, Joyce; Reilly, Colin
2011-01-01
Background: Despite the distinctive physical, cognitive, personality and behavioural characteristics associated with Williams syndrome, few studies to date have examined parental experiences of raising a child with this genetic syndrome. Methods: This explorative pilot study employed predominantly qualitative methodologies via face-to-face…
Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions of International Faculty: A Case Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Choi, Sheena; Hickey, M. Gail
2013-01-01
Teacher education programs emphasize a need for intercultural understandings that facilitate K-12 classroom practice. This study explores pre-service teachers' attitudes and perspectives about intercultural education. Findings show pre-service teachers from Euro-American ethnic backgrounds voice support for intercultural understanding while…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Blotnicky, Karen A.; Franz-Odendaal, Tamara; French, Frederick; Joy, Phillip
2018-01-01
Background: A sample of 1448 students in grades 7 and 9 was drawn from public schools in Atlantic Canada to explore students' knowledge of science and mathematics requirements for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers. Also explored were their mathematics self-efficacy (MSE), their future career interests, their…
van de Gaar, V M; van Grieken, A; Jansen, W; Raat, H
2017-02-14
The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) may contribute to the development of overweight among children. The present study aimed to evaluate associations between family and home-related factors and children's SSB consumption. We explored associations within ethnic background of the child. Cross-sectional data from the population-based 'Water Campaign' study were used. Parents (n = 644) of primary school children (6-13 years) completed a questionnaire on socio-demographic characteristics, family and home-related factors and child's SSB intake. The family and home-related factors under study were: cognitive variables (e.g. parental attitude, subjective norm), environmental variables (e.g. availability of SSB, parenting practices), and habitual variables (e.g. habit strength, taste preference). Regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between family and home-related factors and child's SSB intake (p < 0.05). Mean age of the children was 9.4 years (SD: 1.8) and 54.1% were girls. The child's average SSB intake was 0.9 litres (SD: 0.6) per day. Child's age, parents' subjective norm, parenting practices, and parental modelling were positively associated with the child's SSB intake. The availability of SSB at home and school and parental attitude were negatively associated with the child's SSB intake. The associations under study differed according to the child's ethnic background, with the explained variance of the full models ranging from 8.7% for children from Moroccan or Turkish ethnic background to 44.4% for children with Dutch ethnic background. Our results provide support for interventions targeting children's SSB intake focussing on the identified family and home-related factors, with active participation of parents. Also, the relationships between these factors and the child's SSB intake differed for children with distinct ethnic backgrounds. Therefore, we would recommend to tailor interventions taking into account the ethnic background of the family. Number NTR3400 ; date April 4th 2012; retrospectively registered.
Platinum and lead markers as indicators of transportation impact.
DOT National Transportation Integrated Search
2009-08-20
The intent of this study was to provide information necessary to characterize the present concentrations of an emerging transportation related contaminant, the platinum group metals (PGM), and to provide background information necessary to explore th...
Composition Studies/English Education Connections
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Baker, W. Douglas; Brockman, Elizabeth; Bush, Jonathan; Richmond, Kia Jane
2007-01-01
This roundtable explores several different composition-related questions and topics. It raises two questions: (1) What theory from composition studies do you believe is important to include in classes for future elementary and/or secondary writing teachers? (2) What are the knowledge, background, traits, and abilities of a successful writing…
What about Master's Students? The Master's Student Persistence Model
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cohen, Kristin E.
2012-01-01
This study was designed to investigate the factors that affect master's student persistence in the United States. More specifically, this study explored whether the following factors: students' background, institution's, academic, environmental and psychological influences, had a significant effect on whether a master's student persisted and/or…
Global Warming and Ozone Layer Depletion: STS Issues for Social Studies Classrooms.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rye, James A.; Strong, Donna D.; Rubba, Peter A.
2001-01-01
Explores the inclusion of science-technology-society (STS) education in social studies. Provides background information on global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer. Focuses on reasons for teaching global climate change in the social studies classroom and includes teaching suggestions. Offers a list of Web sites about global climate…
Children's Language Ideologies in a First-Grade Dual-Language Class
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lopez, Minda Morren
2012-01-01
This study explores the language ideologies of young children in a Spanish/English dual language programme in the USA. Recent studies of language ideologies in education have centred primarily on adults or older students, but this study focuses on young children from varied language backgrounds. By analysing discussions centred on children's…
Faculty Emotions: A Self-Study of Teacher Educators
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bair, Mary A.; Bair, David E.; Mader, Cynthia E.; Hipp, Sally; Hakim, Ismail
2010-01-01
This article presents the results of a collaborative self-study in which five teacher educators explored the role of emotions in college teaching. We come from diverse backgrounds of race, ethnicity, religion and sexual orientation, while our students are largely White, female, Christian and heterosexual. Our study was guided by a social…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Schaffer, Brigid Ann
2013-01-01
This phenomenological study explored the perceptions and expectations of low income adults regarding financial literacy to discover ways to increase attendance in financial literacy programs designs for this cohort. The study utilized interviews with closed-ended questions to establish the participants' backgrounds, then opened-ended questions to…
Language Maintenance and Identity among Sudanese-Australian Refugee-Background Youth
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hatoss, Aniko; Sheely, Terry
2009-01-01
This paper reports the results of a sociolinguistic survey-based study of the Sudanese community in a regional settlement in Australia. The context of this study represents a distinctive language contact setting with a unique combination of social, cultural and demographic factors. The study aimed to explore attitudes, perceptions and the actual…
Prevalence of hoarseness in school-aged children.
Kallvik, Emma; Lindström, Elisabeth; Holmqvist, Sofia; Lindman, Jenny; Simberg, Susanna
2015-03-01
The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to determine the prevalence of hoarseness in children attending the first or second grade of primary school and to explore possible background factors for hoarseness in children. The participants were 217 children, aged 6-10 years, from 10 different schools. Questionnaires were filled in by the parents and the teachers of the children and voice samples were recorded. The voice samples from the children were perceptually evaluated by eight trained listeners and intra- and inter-rater reliability was calculated. Additionally, the parents and teachers were in the questionnaires asked to rate the children's voices. Connections between background factors and voice quality were explored. Both the intra- and inter-rater reliability for the trained listeners were relatively high and significant. The prevalence of hoarseness for the whole group was 12.0% as judged by the trained listeners. For girls, the prevalence of hoarseness was 7.8% and for boys 15.8%. A lower teacher rating of degree of maturity correlated significantly with the voice quality. Additionally, there was a significant negative correlation between the amount of talking at home and voice quality. For girls, heavy voice use as an infant correlated significantly with voice quality. For boys, being the youngest sibling correlated significantly with voice quality. The results from the present study indicate that more attention should be paid to hoarseness in children and that background factors should be further explored. Copyright © 2015 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
A Q methodological study on Korean nurses' attitudes toward forgiveness.
Jo, Kae-Hwa; An, Gyeong-Ju
2013-01-01
The purpose of this study was to identify the perceived attitudes of Korean nurses toward forgiveness on the basis of their social and cultural background. Q methodology was used to explore the typology of perceived attitudes. Four types of attitudes toward forgiveness were identified: obstinate, concessive, progressive, and receptive.
The Impact of Transculturality on Student Experience of Higher Education
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Smith, Heidi A.; Segbers, Teresa
2018-01-01
Background: Higher education outdoor studies programs retain a critical interest in student experiences as they seek to prepare citizens in a globalized, yet simultaneously neo-nationalist, world. Purpose: This research explored the impact of transculturality on the student experience of outdoor studies in the Transcultural European Outdoor…
The Close Relationships of People with Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sullivan, Faye; Bowden, Keith; McKenzie, Karen; Quayle, Ethel
2016-01-01
Background: Positive interpersonal relationships have been found to enhance an individual's quality of life. However, people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) often have restricted social networks, and little is known about their views on close social relationships. The study aimed to explore how this group perceives and experiences close…
USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database
Background-Recent studies revealed expansion of filarioid nematodes into the northern Finland. In addition to Setaria tundra, unidentified and very abundant filarioids, representing Rumenfilaria andersoni, were found inhabiting the lymphatic vessels of reindeer. Our study explores the biology and d...
Navigating across Cultures: Narrative Constructions of Lived Experience
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Pufall-Jones, Elizabeth; Mistry, Jayanthi
2010-01-01
In this study, we investigated how individuals from diverse backgrounds learn to navigate the many worlds in which they live and explore how variations in life experiences are associated with aspects of navigating across cultures. We conducted the study using a phenomenological approach based on retrospective personal narratives from 19 young…
A Phenomenographic Study Exploring Nursing Education and Practice
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Degen, Greta M.
2010-01-01
The purpose of this study was to illuminate the qualitatively different ways in which three nurses with an associate degree (ADN) and three nurses with a baccalaureate degree (BSN) experience, conceptualize, perceive, and understand their own nursing practice within the context of their educational background. Using a phenomenographic methodology…
Perceptions about Intellectual Disability: A Qualitative Study from Vellore, South India
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Edwardraj, S.; Mumtaj, K.; Prasad, J. H.; Kuruvilla, A.; Jacob, K. S.
2010-01-01
Background: Cultural and religious beliefs influence perceptions about health and illness. Data, from India, on perceptions about intellectual disability are scant. This study explored people's cultural beliefs and attitudes about intellectual disability, perceived needs and burden associated with care in Vellore, south India. Method: A…
Factors Associated with Asian American Students' Choice of STEM Major
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lowinger, Robert; Song, Hyun-a
2017-01-01
This study explored Asian American students' likelihood of selecting STEM over liberal arts or business college majors using the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002. Student-level variables were the strongest predictors of college major, followed by parent-level variables, and background variables. Academic achievement and interest were the…
Dissemination of Effective Physical Activity Interventions: Are We Applying the Evidence?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ballew, Paula; Brownson, Ross C.; Haire-Joshu, Debra; Heath, Gregory W.; Kreuter, Matthew W.
2010-01-01
Background: Given sparse knowledge on dissemination, this study sought to explore key benefits, barriers and contextual factors that are perceived to be important to the adoption and implementation of the "Community Guide's" evidence-based physical activity recommendations. Design: We conducted case studies in two states where extensive adoption…
Place as Pedagogy: Toward Study Abroad for Social Change
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Pipitone, Jennifer M.
2018-01-01
Background: Emergent bodies of literature have uncovered problematic trends in U.S. study abroad that reproduce hierarchies of power and colonialism, perpetuate views of an exotic cultural "other," and privilege tourism over education. Purpose: This work responded to these problems by exploring ways of teaching and learning in study…
BACKGROUND: The evidence for epigenome-wide associations between smoking and DNA methylation continues to grow through cross-sectional studies. However, few large scale investigations have explored the associations using observations for individuals at multiple time-points. ...
A robust background regression based score estimation algorithm for hyperspectral anomaly detection
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhao, Rui; Du, Bo; Zhang, Liangpei; Zhang, Lefei
2016-12-01
Anomaly detection has become a hot topic in the hyperspectral image analysis and processing fields in recent years. The most important issue for hyperspectral anomaly detection is the background estimation and suppression. Unreasonable or non-robust background estimation usually leads to unsatisfactory anomaly detection results. Furthermore, the inherent nonlinearity of hyperspectral images may cover up the intrinsic data structure in the anomaly detection. In order to implement robust background estimation, as well as to explore the intrinsic data structure of the hyperspectral image, we propose a robust background regression based score estimation algorithm (RBRSE) for hyperspectral anomaly detection. The Robust Background Regression (RBR) is actually a label assignment procedure which segments the hyperspectral data into a robust background dataset and a potential anomaly dataset with an intersection boundary. In the RBR, a kernel expansion technique, which explores the nonlinear structure of the hyperspectral data in a reproducing kernel Hilbert space, is utilized to formulate the data as a density feature representation. A minimum squared loss relationship is constructed between the data density feature and the corresponding assigned labels of the hyperspectral data, to formulate the foundation of the regression. Furthermore, a manifold regularization term which explores the manifold smoothness of the hyperspectral data, and a maximization term of the robust background average density, which suppresses the bias caused by the potential anomalies, are jointly appended in the RBR procedure. After this, a paired-dataset based k-nn score estimation method is undertaken on the robust background and potential anomaly datasets, to implement the detection output. The experimental results show that RBRSE achieves superior ROC curves, AUC values, and background-anomaly separation than some of the other state-of-the-art anomaly detection methods, and is easy to implement in practice.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chiu, Ming Ming
2015-01-01
Background/Context: While many studies show that greater economic inequality widens the achievement gap between rich and poor students, recent studies indicate that countries with greater economic inequality have lower overall student achievement. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study: This study explores whether family inequalities…
ispace's Polar Ice Explorer: Commerically Exploring the Poles of the Moon
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Calzada-Diaz, A.; Acierno, K.; Rasera, J. N.; Lamamy, J.-A.
2018-04-01
This work provides the background, rationales, and scientific objectives for the ispace Polar Ice Explorer Project, an ISRU exploratory mission that aims to provide data about the lunar polar environment.
PREDICTION METRICS FOR CHEMICAL DETECTION IN LONG-WAVE INFRARED HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGERY
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Chilton, M.; Walsh, S.J.; Daly, D.S.
2009-01-01
Natural and man-made chemical processes generate gaseous plumes that may be detected by hyperspectral imaging, which produces a matrix of spectra affected by the chemical constituents of the plume, the atmosphere, the bounding background surface and instrument noise. A physics-based model of observed radiance shows that high chemical absorbance and low background emissivity result in a larger chemical signature. Using simulated hyperspectral imagery, this study investigated two metrics which exploited this relationship. The objective was to explore how well the chosen metrics predicted when a chemical would be more easily detected when comparing one background type to another. The twomore » predictor metrics correctly rank ordered the backgrounds for about 94% of the chemicals tested as compared to the background rank orders from Whitened Matched Filtering (a detection algorithm) of the simulated spectra. These results suggest that the metrics provide a reasonable summary of how the background emissivity and chemical absorbance interact to produce the at-sensor chemical signal. This study suggests that similarly effective predictors that account for more general physical conditions may be derived.« less
Educational Decentralization Policies in Argentina and Brazil: Exploring the New Trends.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Derqui, Jorge M. Gorostiaga
2001-01-01
Analyzes educational decentralization trends and policies in Argentina and Brazil during 1990s, includes case studies. Discusses historical background and rationales behind "provinicialization" in Argentina and "municipalization" in Brazil; identifies commonalities, including centralization of curriculum and evaluation…
Research in extreme ultraviolet and far ultraviolet astronomy
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Labov, S. E.
1985-01-01
Instruments designed to explore different aspects of far and extreme ultraviolet cosmic radiation were studied. The far ultraviolet imager (FUVI) was flown on the Aries sounding rocket. Its unique large format 75mm detector mapped out the far ultraviolet background radiation with a resolution of only a few arc minutes. Analysis of this data indicates to what extent the FUVI background is extra galactic in origin. A power spectrum of the spatial fluctuations will have direct consequences for galactic evolution.
Howells, Simone; Barton, Georgina; Westerveld, Marleen
2016-06-01
Speech-language pathology programs globally need to prepare graduates to work with culturally and linguistically diverse populations. This study explored the knowledge, perceptions and experiences related to development of cultural awareness of graduate-entry Master of Speech Pathology students at an Australian university. Sixty students across both year-levels completed a cultural awareness survey at the beginning of the semester. To explore how clinical placement influenced students' knowledge and perceptions, year-2 students completed written reflections pre- and post-placement (n = 7) and participated in focus groups post-placement (n = 6). Survey results showed student interest in working with culturally and linguistically diverse populations was high (over 80%) and confidence was moderate (over 50%). More than 80% of students reported awareness of their own cultural identities, stereotypes and prejudices. Content analysis of focus group and written reflection data identified key concepts comprising of: (1) context-university, and clinical placement site; (2) competencies-professional and individual; and (3) cultural implications-clients' and students' cultural backgrounds. Findings suggest clinical placement may positively influence cultural awareness development and students' own cultural backgrounds may influence this more. Further exploration of how students move along a continuum of cultural development is warranted.
Singaravelan, Natarajan; Pavlicek, Tomas; Beharav, Alex; Wakamatsu, Kazumasa; Ito, Shosuke; Nevo, Eviatar
2010-01-01
Background Coat coloration in mammals is an explicit adaptation through natural selection. Camouflaging with the environment is the foremost evolutionary drive in explaining overall coloration. Decades of enquiries on this topic have been limited to repetitive coat color measurements to correlate the morphs with background/habitat blending. This led to an overwhelming endorsement of concealing coloration as a local phenotypic adaptation in animals, primarily rodents to evade predators. However, most such studies overlooked how rodents actually achieve such cryptic coloration. Cryptic coloration could be attained only through optimization between the yellow- to brown-colored “pheomelanin” and gray to black-colored “eumelanin” in the hairs. However, no study has explored this conjecture yet. “Evolution Canyon” (EC) in Israel is a natural microscale laboratory where the relationship between organism and environment can be explored. EC is comprised of an “African” slope (AS), which exhibits a yellow-brownish background habitat, and a “European” slope (ES), exhibiting a dark grayish habitat; both slopes harbor spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus). Here, we examine how hair melanin content of spiny mice living in the opposing slopes of EC evolves toward blending with their respective background habitat. Methodology/Principal Findings We measured hair-melanin (both eumelanin and pheomelanin) contents of 30 spiny mice from the EC using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) that detects specific degradation products of eumelanin and pheomelanin. The melanin pattern of A. cahirinus approximates the background color of the slope on which they dwell. Pheomelanin is slightly (insignificantly) higher in individuals found on the AS to match the brownish background, whereas individuals of the ES had significantly greater eumelanin content to mimic the dark grayish background. This is further substantiated by a significantly higher eumelanin and pheomelanin ratio on the ES than on the AS. Conclusion/Significance It appears that rodents adaptively modulate eumelanin and pheomelanin contents to achieve cryptic coloration in contrasting habitats even at a microscale. PMID:20090935
Hoga, Luiza A K; Rodolpho, Juliana R C; Sato, Priscila M; Nunes, Michelly C M; Borges, Ana L V
2014-04-01
To explore the men's beliefs, values, attitudes and experiences towards contraceptives. The promotion of male participation in contraceptive practices requires the knowledge and consideration of the beliefs, values, attitudes and experiences involved. The systematic review of the literature focusing on these themes can be useful for the evidence-based health care. A systematic review of qualitative studies. Studies published between 1994 until 2011 (inclusive) were included. The participants included men from all cultures, ethnic backgrounds and religions who have expressed their beliefs, values, attitudes and experiences regarding male contraceptives. The databases CINAHL, PubMed, PsycINFO, SciELO, LILACS and MedCarib were explored. The appraisal of primary studies, carried out through the JBI-QARI (Qualitative Assessment and Review Instrument) resulted in the inclusion of 16 studies in this systematic review. The set of statements of beliefs, values, attitudes and experiences regarding contraceptives resulted in five synthesis: (1) contraceptive behaviour is influenced by religious, family and social backgrounds; (2) gendered, male-centred values predominate in contraceptive behaviours; (3) the sense of invulnerability influences contraceptive behaviours; (4) strong obstacles should be overcome to use contraceptives; (5) behaviours, decision-making and experiences regarding male contraceptives. The male beliefs and values regarding contraceptives are strongly influenced by religious, family and social backgrounds, and their attitudes in this scope are male centred. A deeper male consciousness regarding contraceptive responsibility should be promoted. It requires the knowledge of the men's personal backgrounds regarding contraceptives because they can be diverse according to family, social and cultural contexts. The consideration of the men's personal perspective is essential in the planning and implementation of reproductive health care. These aspects are essential for the concretisation of the evidence-based health care, a current challenge worldwide. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
The culture of mentoring: Ethnocultural empathy and ethnic identity in mentoring for minority girls.
Peifer, Janelle S; Lawrence, Edith C; Williams, Joanna Lee; Leyton-Armakan, Jen
2016-07-01
Many mentoring programs place minority group mentees with majority group mentors. These programs aim to promote beneficial outcomes for their diverse participants. The present study explores mentors of color and White mentors' ethnocultural empathy and ethnic identities in association with their minority group mentees' ethnic identities. Our study examined 95 mentoring pairs of middle school girls of color and college student women from both majority and minority group cultural backgrounds. A series of linear regressions revealed an association between mentors' ethnocultural empathy and EI exploration/commitment and minority group mentees' ethnic identity exploration, regardless of the mentors' majority group status. The results of this preliminary study suggest that mentors' cultural identity and empathy may be linked with mentees' willingness to explore their own ethnic identities. We discuss the implications for mentoring programs that seek to build participants' ethnic identities and ethnocultural empathy. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lister, Cameron E.; Merrill, Ray M.; Vance, David L.; West, Joshua H.; Hall, Parley C.; Crookston, Benjamin T.
2015-01-01
Background: Bullying is a global problem among children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to explore bully victimization in Peru and to identify potential adverse mental health and social outcomes resulting from bully victimization. Methods: This study analyzed data from an ongoing prospective cohort of children taking part in the…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Leonardo, Zeus; Broderick, Alicia A.
2011-01-01
Background/Context: Two scholars who each primarily identify as a scholar of critical race/whiteness studies and a scholar of disability studies, respectively, engage in this article in a purposeful dialogue that responds to the invitation put forth by Baglieri, Bejoian, Broderick, Connor, and Valle to engage with the construct of inclusive…
Ready to Lead? A Study of Arkansas and Louisiana Charter School Principals' Leadership Skills
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Price, Creshun Anjal
2013-01-01
The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of Arkansas and Louisiana district conversion and open-enrollment charter school principals' background characteristics, leadership skills, and school success. A quantitative methodology was used to test the research questions prescribed in the study. Data was collected using a survey. The…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Werz, Janina; Buechner, Vanessa L.
2017-01-01
This study explores major-related life experiences (MRLE) of psychology and law students to examine the stereotype of the wounded psychology student. Previous studies have shown that psychology students know people with mental disorders and are seeking treatment themselves. However, these studies do not allow drawing conclusions about the…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Willis, Belinda F.
2016-01-01
Literature that addresses how the arts enhance student learning through creative expression is minimal. This is especially true for African-American elementary students from high-poverty backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to employ a case study design to explore how African-American elementary students in high-poverty schools experience…
Doctor-Patient Communication in a Southeast Asian Setting: The Conflict between Ideal and Reality
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Claramita, Mora; Utarini, Adi; Soebono, Hardyanto; Van Dalen, Jan; Van der Vleuten, Cees
2011-01-01
Doctor-patient communication has been extensively studied in non-Western contexts and in relation to patients' cultural and education backgrounds. This study explores the perceived ideal communication style for doctor-patient consultations and the reality of actual practice in a Southeast Asian context. We conducted the study in a teaching…
The Impact of Parental Religiosity on Parenting Goals and Parenting Style: A Dutch Perspective
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Vermeer, Paul
2011-01-01
Several studies, conducted mainly in the United States, have revealed that parental religiosity influences the way parents raise their children. Against this background, the current study explores if such an effect is also discernible in the Netherlands. Data were gathered as part of a longitudinal study, in which 356 Dutch parents answered…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Nguyen, Hoa Thi Mai; Sheridan, Lynn
2016-01-01
This study captures the experiences of language background other than English (LBOTE) preservice teachers using a case study approach to explore identity development. Wenger's (2000) "modes of belonging" form the theoretical framework to develop an understanding of the factors contributing to teacher identity. This article draws on…
A Multiple Case Study of Verbal Short-Term Memory in Velo-Cardio-Facial Syndrome
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Majerus, S.; Glaser, B.; Van der Linden, M.; Eliez, S.
2006-01-01
Background: Velo-cardio-facial syndrome (VCFS, 22q 11.2 deletion) is characterized by severely delayed language development. The current study explored the integrity of verbal short-term memory (STM), a cognitive function critically involved in language development, in eight children with VCFS. Methods: Using a multiple case study design, we…
The Balancing Act: Meeting the Needs of All Children Including an Adolescent with Disabilities
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Koch, Cecelia; Mayes, Rachel
2012-01-01
Background: The aim of this study was to explore parents' experiences and strategies used when meeting the needs of all their children, including an adolescent with disabilities. Materials and methods: A qualitative study design was employed. The study was conducted in two phases. (i) Secondary analysis of ecocultural interviews with 12…
Investigating the Role of a District Science Coordinator
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Whitworth, Brooke A.; Maeng, Jennifer L.; Wheeler, Lindsay B.; Chiu, Jennifer L.
2017-01-01
This study explored the professional responsibilities of district science coordinators, their professional development (PD) experiences, the relationship between their role, responsibilities, district context, and background, and barriers encountered in their work. A national sample (n = 122) of self-identified science coordinators completed a…
Modeling the Effect of Temperature on Ozone-Related Mortality.
Modeling the Effect of Temperature on Ozone-Related Mortality. Wilson, Ander, Reich, Brian J, Neas, Lucas M., Rappold, Ana G. Background: Previous studies show ozone and temperature are associated with increased mortality; however, the joint effect is not well explored. Underst...
Chinese Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions of Effects of Teacher Self-Disclosure
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Zhang, Shaoan; Shi, Qingmin; Luo, Xiao; Ma, Xueyu
2008-01-01
Background: As an instructional tool, teacher self-disclosure is used widely by teachers. While researchers abroad have conducted a number of studies, scarce literature on teacher self-disclosure has been found. Aims: This study aims to explore the Chinese pre-service teachers' perceived effects of teacher self-disclosure on student learning,…
Physical Activity and Positive Youth Development: Impact of a School-Based Program
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Madsen, Kristine A.; Hicks, Katherine; Thompson, Hannah
2011-01-01
Background: Protective factors associated with positive youth development predict health and education outcomes. This study explored trends in these protective factors and in physical activity among low-income students, and determined the impact of a school-based youth development program on these trends. Methods: This study used a…
A Phenomenological Study of the International Student Experience at an American College
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Exposito, Julie Anderson
2015-01-01
This applied dissertation was designed to explore and provide a better understanding of students of international background enrolled in an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at a 4-year public American college in Southeast Florida. This study utilized a qualitative phenomenological design for data collection and analysis. The interview protocol…
The Inter-Relationship of Science and Religion: A Typology of Engagement
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hanley, Pam; Bennett, Judith; Ratcliffe, Mary
2014-01-01
This study explores whether the religious background of students affects their opinions about and attitudes to engaging with scientific explanations of the origins of the universe and of life. The study took place in four English secondary schools representing three different contexts (Christian faith-based; non-faith with majority Muslim…
Similarity and Difference in Learning L2 Word-Form
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hamada, Megumi; Koda, Keiko
2011-01-01
This study explored similarity and difference in L2 written word-form learning from a cross-linguistic perspective. This study investigated whether learners' L1 orthographic background, which influences L2 visual word recognition (e.g., Wang et al., 2003), also influences L2 word-form learning, in particular, the sensitivity to phonological and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Badia, Marta; Orgaz, María Begoña; Verdugo, Miguel Á.; Ullán, Ana M.; Martínez, Magdalena
2013-01-01
Background: Studies of people with developmental disabilities suggest that participation in leisure activities might be a key factor for good quality of life. This study explores the relationships between objective and subjective quality of life and leisure participation of adults with developmental disabilities. Materials and Methods: A…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chou, Y-C.; Lu, Z-Y.
2011-01-01
Background: This qualitative study explores decision-making regarding sterilisation for women with intellectual disabilities (ID) living with their families, including how such decisions are made and who is involved in the decision-making. Methods: Eleven families including sterilised women with ID participated in the study. Semi-structured…
Surveying the Views of Pupils Attending Supplementary Schools in England
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Strand, Steve
2007-01-01
Background: Supplementary schooling broadly refers to extra schooling organized by and for particular ethnic groups outside of mainstream provision. Purpose: This is the first study to systematically explore the attitudes of pupils attending supplementary schools in England and the largest ever UK study of supplementary schools and their pupils.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Delisle, Tony T.; Werch, Chudley E.; Wong, Alvin H.; Bian, Hui; Weiler, Robert
2010-01-01
Background: While studies have determined the importance of physical activity in advancing health outcomes, relatively few have explored the relationship between exercise and various health behaviors of adolescents. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between frequency and intensity of physical activity and both health risk…
Persistence of Master's Students in the United States: Development and Testing of a Conceptual Model
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cohen, Kristin E.
2012-01-01
This study was designed to investigate the factors that affect master's student persistence in the United States. More specifically, this study explored whether the following factors: students' background, institution's, academic, environmental and psychological influences, had a significant effect on whether a master's student persisted and/or…
Like Father, like Son? Familial Aggregation of Physicians among Medical and Psychology Students
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Voracek, Martin; Tran, Ulrich S.; Fischer-Kern, Melitta; Formann, Anton K.; Springer-Kremser, Marianne
2010-01-01
Various research findings, mostly from Anglo-American countries, evidence the medical profession to be strongly familial and further suggest that a medical family background may be associated with study success in medical undergraduates. This study explored the familial aggregation of the medical profession among 1-year cohort samples of medical…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rushbrooke, Elizabeth; Murray, Craig; Townsend, Samantha
2014-01-01
Background: People with intellectual disabilities face attitudinal and service barriers when attempting to form intimate relationships. To date, their experiences and views are under-represented in the existing evidence base. Method: The aim of this study was to carry out an interpretative phenomenological analysis exploring the experience of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rodríguez Amaya, Laura; Betancourt, Tania; Collins, Kristina Henry; Hinojosa, Orlando; Corona, Carlos
2018-01-01
Background: Undergraduate research experiences (UREs) have been proposed as means to increase the retention and engagement of minority--and more specifically Hispanic--college students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors. This study explores the impact of student characteristics such as gender, classification,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Martinez, Raul R.; O'Donnell, James
This study explores the background of minority teacher education candidates; their experience in teacher education courses and how the program met student goals and expectations; cultural conflicts they experienced in participating in teacher education; and the mentoring and support systems that the participants used or needed. Interviews held…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Karbon, Jacqueline C.
Using a semantic mapping technique for vocabulary instruction, a study explored how children of diverse groups bring different cultural backgrounds and prior knowledge to tasks involved in learning new words. The study was conducted in three sixth-grade classrooms--one containing rural Native American (especially Menominee) children, another…
Deaf Teenagers with Cochlear Implants in Conversation with Hearing Peers
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ibertsson, Tina; Hansson, Kristina; Maki-Torkko, Elina; Willstedt-Svensson, Ursula; Sahlen, Birgitta
2009-01-01
Background: This study investigates the use of requests for clarification in conversations between teenagers with a cochlear implant (CI) and hearing peers. So far very few studies have focused on conversational abilities in children with CI. Aims: The aim was to explore co-construction of dialogue in a referential communication task and the…
Efficacy of Low-Cost PC-Based Aviation Training Devices
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Reweti, Savern; Gilbey, Andrew; Jeffrey, Lynn
2017-01-01
Aim/Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore whether a full cost flight training device (FTD) was significantly better for simulator training than a low cost PC-Based Aviation Training Device (PCATD). Background: A quasi-transfer study was undertaken to ascertain whether a Civil Aviation Authority certified Flight Training Device (FTD) was…
Co-Researching with People Who Have Intellectual Disabilities: Insights from a National Survey
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
O'Brien, Patricia; McConkey, Roy; García-Iriarte, Edurne
2014-01-01
Background: Inclusive research with people with intellectual disabilities is growing internationally but with few studies examining its feasibility. Methods: In undertaking a national study exploring what life was like in Ireland for people with intellectual disabilities, a community of practice was developed involving a core group of…
Maternal Attachment State of Mind Moderates the Impact of Postnatal Depression on Infant Attachment
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McMahon, Catherine A.; Barnett, Byranne; Kowalenko, Nicholas M.; Tennant, Christopher C.
2006-01-01
Background: Empirical studies have revealed a significant, but modest association between maternal depression and insecure mother-child attachment. Across studies, however, a substantial number of mothers with depression are able to provide a sensitive caretaking environment for their children. This paper aimed to explore whether a mother's own…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Walsh, Kelsey J.; Robinson Kurpius, Sharon E.
2016-01-01
Based on Tinto's model of academic persistence, this study explored background and personal factors that theoretically impact the academic persistence decisions of college freshmen. The factors studied were (a) parental educational attainment, (b) parental valuing of education, (c) high school grade point average, (d) residential status (on- vs.…
Who Are the Future Teachers in Turkey? Characteristics of Entering Student Teachers
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Aksu, Meral; Demir, Cennet Engin; Daloglu, Aysegul; Yildirim, Soner; Kiraz, Ercan
2010-01-01
This exploratory study examines the background characteristics, socio-cultural values and pedagogical beliefs that entering student teachers bring with them into the faculties of education and explores their possible implications for teacher education in the Turkish context. The study comprised 18,226 first-year student teachers from 51 faculties…
Persisting Mental Health Problems among AIDS-Orphaned Children in South Africa
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cluver, Lucie D.; Orkin, Mark; Gardner, Frances; Boyes, Mark E.
2012-01-01
Background: By 2008, 12 million children in sub-Saharan Africa were orphaned by AIDS. Cross-sectional studies show psychological problems for AIDS-orphaned children, but until now no longitudinal study has explored enduring psychological effects of AIDS-orphanhood in the developing world. Methods: A 4-year longitudinal follow-up of AIDS-orphaned…
College Students' Perceptions of Risk and Addictiveness of E-Cigarettes and Cigarettes
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cooper, Maria; Loukas, Alexandra; Harrell, Melissa B.; Perry, Cheryl L.
2017-01-01
Background: As conventional cigarette use is declining, electronic cigarette ("e-cigarette") use is rising and is especially high among college students. Few studies examine dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes among this population. This study explores the relationship between dual and exclusive e-cigarette / cigarette use and…
A Case Study of Cultural Misinterpretations of Behavior in One Preservice Teacher's Lesson.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Corrigan, Stephanie Zweig
This exploratory study examined the interactions of preservice teachers with their pupils to determine if differences in interaction were seen. Explorations of teacher thinking, particularly the social cognitive process of trait attribution and the role of cultural background experiences, were key areas of analysis. The literature reviews…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Liu, Yi-Fen Cecilia
2016-01-01
This reflective study explores a different perspective of intercultural communicative competency (ICC) by focusing on the speech acts that nonnative speakers of Spanish from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds find difficult to perform competently in various contexts in Colombia. This article covers a qualitative case study using…
The Development of Reading Ability in Kindergarten. Technical Report No. 515.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Meyer, Linda A.; And Others
A study was conducted to explore how children learn to read in kindergarten. The study employed a heuristic model that included entering ability, home background, instructional processes, home support for literacy development, and measures of student ability at the end of kindergarten. Children were tested, whole-day classroom observations were…
The Pedagogy of Science Teachers from Non-Natural Science Backgrounds
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Woods, Shaneka
2017-01-01
This is a descriptive, exploratory, qualitative, collective case study that explores the pedagogical practices of science teachers who do not hold natural science degrees. The intent of this study is to support the creation of alternative pathways for recruiting and retaining high-quality secondary science teachers in K-12 education. The…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hall, Natalie; Durand, Marie-Anne; Mengoni, Silvana E.
2017-01-01
Background: Despite experiencing health inequalities, people with intellectual disabilities are under-represented in health research. Previous research has identified barriers but has typically focused on under-recruitment to specific studies. This study aimed to explore care staff's attitudes to health research involving people with intellectual…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McFadden, Justin R.; Roehrig, Gillian H.
2017-01-01
Background: This study presents two teacher design teams (TDTs) during a professional development experience centered on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-integrated curriculum development. The main activity of the study, curriculum design, was framed as a design problem in order to better understand how teachers engaged…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Morrison, Sandra U.; Adler-Baeder, Francesca; Bub, Kristen L.; Duke, Adrienne
2018-01-01
Background: Using data from a statewide relationship education (RE) program targeting a diverse adolescent sample, this study examined RE implementation in classroom environments. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore (1) whether there is a beneficial RE program effect for change in individual attitudes toward sexual delay, (2)…
Low Socioeconomic Status Men Persisting in College: A Phenomenological Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Crichton, Dusten D.
2017-01-01
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and to tell the stories of low socioeconomic status (SES) men in college who persisted beyond the halfway point of college at a Midwestern metropolitan university. Prior research suggested men from low socioeconomic status backgrounds matriculated and persisted in college at the lowest…
Five Mexican-American Women in Transition: A Case Study of Migrants in the Midwest.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lindborg, Kristina; Ovando, Carlos J.
Focusing on four Mexican American women from migrant farmworker backgrounds and one woman recently immigrated from Mexico, the study explored the attitudes and experiences of the Mexican American culture considered important by Mexican American migrant women themselves. Extensive open-ended interviews, conducted mostly in the women's homes, were…
Grade Differences in Reading Motivation among Hong Kong Primary and Secondary Students
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lau, Kit-Ling
2009-01-01
Background: Most previous studies in Western societies have demonstrated a general decline in school motivation. However, it is not clear whether motivational decline occurs uniformly for all students. The moderating effects of individual and cultural differences on students' motivational decline need to be further explored. Aims: This study aimed…
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Garcia, Yeni Violeta
The inclusion of learners from underrepresented background in biology field research experiences has not been widely explored in the literature. Increased access and equity to experiences for groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) has been identified as a priority for many, yet little is known about the components these experiences should have and what types of transformations participants undergo as a result of these experiences. This dissertation explored the systemic creation of an intervention purposely designed to serve middle school girls from underrepresented backgrounds, the implementation of such intervention, and effect on the girls' science competence and science confidence. El Espejo, Spanish for "The Mirror," was an ongoing field ecology research program for middle schools girls founded in 2009 at a local interdisciplinary learning center. Girls from all walks of life had the opportunity to be apprentice researchers and to work with scientists and science educators from the local community. All activities were strategically designed to promote student-led inquiry, career awareness, cultural awareness, and opportunities for research and mentorship for girls from underrepresented backgrounds. An increased understanding of if, how, and why this experience was perceived by the girls to be life changing was of importance to add to the conversations that seek ways to inspire and prepare this generation of students to be the next generation of scientists. The study built on systems theory, and on theories that were embedded in the participants' system: critical race theory, identity theory, and experiential learning theory, grounded in the context of the lived experiences of girls from underrepresented backgrounds. The girls' experiences were captured through journals, observer participant notes, photo-documentation, artifacts (posters, videos) created by the girls, and by using science perception tools as well as ecological knowledge tools to gage change in perceptions before and after the program. Research questions centered on understanding what key components were necessary to inspire and motivate the girls to ask questions about the natural world, exploring ecological knowledge as a component of scientific literacy, and on understanding science identity formation as an integrated process. Analyses of qualitative and quantitative data occurred through a systems lens to explore the intersection of experience, identity, place, science knowledge, and science perceptions for the girls in this environment. The findings indicate that the program was successful in changing the perceptions of science the girls had at the beginning of the program compared to the end of the program. The experience was overall successful as evidenced by the experiences, stories, and insights from the eight case studies examined in depth. All case study participants indicated a continued interest in science or a newly discovered interest in science related topics that they had not considered before the program. The pre-post content test was not indicative of the concepts the girls learned through the process of scientific inquiry. These findings have implications for the design, implementation, and evaluation of current and future interventions that seek to provide opportunities for underrepresented populations, for the facilitators, classroom teachers, parents, community members, and policy makers vested in providing a space where creation, innovation, and transformation of experience can take place. This is a pivotal undertaking to inspire and prepare girls from underrepresented backgrounds to be leaders in STEM.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jakobsen, Ida Skytte; Christiansen, Erik
2011-01-01
Background: The objective of this study was to examine the association between the death of a biological parent and subsequent suicide attempts by young people (aged 10-22 years), and to explore sociodemographic factors as modifying factors in the process. Methods: The study used a nested case-control design. The full study population was obtained…
Phenomenal transparency in achromatic checkerboards.
Masin, S C
1999-04-01
The study explored the luminance relations that determine the occurrence of achromatic transparency in phenomenal surfaces on complex backgrounds. Let the luminances of the left and right parts of a transparent surface on a bipartite background and those of the left and right parts of the bipartite background be p and q and m and n, respectively. Metelli proposed that this surface looks transparent when the rule p < q if m < n (or p > q if m > n) is satisfied, and Masin and Fukuda that it looks transparent when the inclusion rule is satisfied, that is, when p epsilon (m, q) or q epsilon (p, n). These rules also apply to achromatic checkerboards formed by one checkerboard enclosed in another checkerboard. This study shows that only the inclusion rule correctly predicted the occurrence of transparency in these checkerboards.
Piecing It Together: The Effect of Background Music on Children's Puzzle Assembly.
Koolidge, Louis; Holmes, Robyn M
2018-04-01
This study explored the effects of background music on cognitive (puzzle assembly) task performance in young children. Participants were 87 primarily European-American children (38 boys, 49 girls; mean age = 4.77 years) enrolled in early childhood classes in the northeastern United States. Children were given one minute to complete a 12-piece puzzle task in one of three background music conditions: music with lyrics, music without lyrics, and no music. The music selection was "You're Welcome" from the Disney movie "Moana." Results revealed that children who heard the music without lyrics completed more puzzle pieces than children in either the music with lyrics or no music condition. Background music without distracting lyrics may be beneficial and superior to background music with lyrics for young children's cognitive performance even when they are engaged independently in a nonverbal task.
Exploring patient values in medical decision making: a qualitative study.
Lee, Yew Kong; Low, Wah Yun; Ng, Chirk Jenn
2013-01-01
Patient decisions are influenced by their personal values. However, there is a lack of clarity and attention on the concept of patient values in the clinical context despite clear emphasis on patient values in evidence-based medicine and shared decision making. The aim of the study was to explore the concept of patient values in the context of making decisions about insulin initiation among people with type 2 diabetes. We conducted individual in-depth interviews with people with type 2 diabetes who were making decisions about insulin treatment. Participants were selected purposively to achieve maximum variation. A semi-structured topic guide was used to guide the interviews which were audio-recorded and analysed using a thematic approach. We interviewed 21 participants between January 2011 and March 2012. The age range of participants was 28-67 years old. Our sample comprised 9 women and 12 men. Three main themes, 'treatment-specific values', 'life goals and philosophies', and 'personal and social background', emerged from the analysis. The patients reported a variety of insulin-specific values, which were negative and/or positive beliefs about insulin. They framed insulin according to their priorities and philosophies in life. Patients' decisions were influenced by sociocultural (e.g. religious background) and personal backgrounds (e.g. family situations). This study highlighted the need for expanding the current concept of patient values in medical decision making. Clinicians should address more than just values related to treatment options. Patient values should include patients' priorities, life philosophy and their background. Current decision support tools, such as patient decision aids, should consider these new dimensions when clarifying patient values.
43 CFR 3482.1 - Exploration and resource recovery and protection plans.
Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR
2011-10-01
... procedures for exploration licenses for unleased Federal coal, see 43 CFR part 3410. For background and application procedures for exploration for Federal coal within an approved permit area after mining operations have commenced, see 30 CFR Chapter VII. For any other exploration for Federal coal prior to...
Factors Contributing to Background Television Exposure in Low-Income Mexican-American Preschoolers.
Thompson, Darcy A; Tschann, Jeanne M
2016-09-01
Objective Background television (TV) exposure is harmful to young children, yet few studies have focused on predictors of exposure. This study's objectives were to elucidate demographic, environmental, and behavioral correlates of background TV exposure in low-income Mexican-American preschoolers and to explore caregiver beliefs about the impact of such exposure. Methods A convenience sample of low-income Mexican-American female primary caregivers of preschoolers (3-5 years old, n = 309), recruited in safety-net clinics, were surveyed by phone. Caregivers reported the frequency of their child's exposure to background TV and responded to questions on the home media environment, TV use, and whether they had thought about background TV exposure and its impact on their child. Results Background TV exposure was common; 43 % reported that their child was often, very often, or always exposed to background TV. More hours of TV viewing by the caregiver and greater frequency of TV viewing during meals were associated with an increased frequency of exposure to background TV. Only 49 % of participants had ever thought about the impact of background TV. Believing that background TV is not harmful was associated with higher levels of background TV exposure. Conclusions Findings suggest that background TV exposure is frequent and caregiver awareness of its potential impact is low in low-income Mexican-American families. Beliefs that background TV is not harmful may predict risk of exposure. Potential targets for interventions focused on reducing background TV exposure in this population include increasing caregiver awareness of the potential negative impact of such TV exposure.
2003-05-14
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On Launch Complex 17-A, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, a solid rocket booster is raised off the transporter. When vertical, it will be lifted up the launch tower and mated to the Delta rocket (in the background) to launch Mars Exploration Rover 2. NASA’s twin Mars Exploration Rovers are designed to study the history of water on Mars. These robotic geologists are equipped with a robotic arm, a drilling tool, three spectrometers, and four pairs of cameras that allow them to have a human-like, 3D view of the terrain. Each rover could travel as far as 100 meters in one day to act as Mars scientists' eyes and hands, exploring an environment where humans can’t yet go. MER-2 is scheduled to launch June 5 as MER-A. MER-1 (MER-B) will launch June 25.
Responding to family requests for nondisclosure: the impact of oncologists' cultural background.
Chittem, Mahati; Butow, Phyllis
2015-01-01
Nondisclosure of cancer diagnosis is common in many Eastern countries. Consequently, immigrant families often approach oncologists with requests for nondisclosure in Western countries. To explore differences in the attitudes and practices of Western-born and nonWestern born oncologists in Australia when faced with a nondisclosure request. Using a cross-sectional design, oncologists were interviewed over the telephone. Using the snowball method, 14 Australian (Western = 9, non-Western = 5) oncologists were recruited. Oncologists participated in a semi-structured interview exploring their experiences of, and response to, a request for nondisclosure, and their perceptions of how their cultural background influenced these attitudes and responses. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Six main themes emerged from the study: (1) Barriers to truthful communication, (2) an ethical and moral dilemma, (3) high costs of nondisclosure, (4) cultural influences on interpretation and understanding of requests for nondisclosure, (5) emotional impact of bad news on patients, families and oncologists, and (6) truthful disclosure as a gentle balancing act. All oncologists felt that the family request for nondisclosure was difficult, with many cultural and emotional nuances to take into consideration. Some immigrant Australian oncologists who had a similar cultural background as the patient/family, felt they could better understand the desire for nondisclosure. Irrespective of their cultural background, all oncologists acknowledged that breaking bad news had to be done in a gentle, gradual manner. The study suggests a need to develop a culturally sensitive cancer communication model.
Women and Teaching in Academic Psychiatry
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hirshbein, Laura D.; Fitzgerald, Kate; Riba, Michelle
2004-01-01
Objective: This article explores past, present, and future issues for women and teaching in academic psychiatry. A small study of didactic teaching responsibilities along faculty groups in one academic psychiatry department helps to illustrate challenges and opportunities for women in psychiatric teaching settings. Background: Although women have…
Effect Measure Modification of Blood Lead-Air Lead Slope Factors
Background: There is abundant literature finding that blood lead (PbB) levels are directly influenced by susceptibility factors including race and ethnicity, age, and housing. However, no study has explored how susceptibility factors influence the PbB-air lead (PbA) relationship...
Music Researchers' Musical Engagement
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wollner, Clemens; Ginsborg, Jane; Williamon, Aaron
2011-01-01
There is an increasing awareness of the importance of reflexivity across various disciplines, which encourages researchers to scrutinize their research perspectives. In order to contextualize and reflect upon research in music, this study explores the musical background, current level of musical engagement and the listening habits of music…
Engaging African Americans in Smoking Cessation Programs
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wallen, Jacqueline; Randolph, Suzanne; Carter-Pokras, Olivia; Feldman, Robert; Kanamori-Nishimura, Mariano
2014-01-01
Background: African Americans are disproportionately exposed to and targeted by prosmoking advertisements, particularly menthol cigarette ads. Though African Americans begin smoking later than whites, they are less likely to quit smoking than whites. Purpose: This study was designed to explore African American smoking cessation attitudes,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Atwood, Joan D.
This study was conducted to examine the incidence of premenstrual mood changes in a non-clinical population and to explore how women report that these mood changes affect their interpersonal relationships. Women (N=101) completed a questionnaire about their background and their physical and psychological responses to the premenstrual experience.…
Comorbidities in Preschool Children at Family Risk of Dyslexia
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gooch, Debbie; Hulme, Charles; Nash, Hannah M.; Snowling, Margaret J.
2014-01-01
Background: Comorbidity among developmental disorders such as dyslexia, language impairment, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and developmental coordination disorder is common. This study explores comorbid weaknesses in preschool children at family risk of dyslexia with and without language impairment and considers the role that…
McLean, Rachael; Hoek, Janet
2014-05-01
Dietary sodium reduction is an important public health intervention that would reduce blood pressure and chronic disease. An understanding of how New Zealand consumers' food purchasing behaviour is influenced by perceptions of dietary sodium will inform future sodium-reduction strategies. The present qualitative study used in-depth interviews of adult consumers to explore consumer knowledge, understanding of food labels and food purchasing behaviour with respect to dietary sodium. New Zealand. A convenience sample of sixteen adult grocery shoppers. A thematic analysis of the transcripts showed New Zealand consumers lacked the background knowledge necessary to understand and regulate their own salt intake and were unable to interpret existing food labels with respect to dietary salt. The findings add further weight to calls for food labels that do not require background knowledge or numerical skills and highlight the need for population-based public health interventions. Education of New Zealand consumers on the health benefits of sodium reduction and how this may be achieved would complement this approach.
The Cosmic Background Explorer
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gulkis, Samuel; Lubin, Philip M.; Meyer, Stephan S.; Silverberg, Robert F.
1990-01-01
The Cosmic Background Explorer (CBE), NASA's cosmological satellite which will observe a radiative relic of the big bang, is discussed. The major questions connected to the big bang theory which may be clarified using the CBE are reviewed. The satellite instruments and experiments are described, including the Differential Microwave Radiometer, which measures the difference between microwave radiation emitted from two points on the sky, the Far-Infrared Absolute Spectrophotometer, which compares the spectrum of radiation from the sky at wavelengths from 100 microns to one cm with that from an internal blackbody, and the Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment, which searches for the radiation from the earliest generation of stars.
Uslu, S; Natanzon, I; Joos, S
2014-06-01
In order to improve the medical care of people with migration background, the existing specialties in medical understanding must be taken into account. The aim of this study was to explore the image of general practitioners from the viewpoint of patients and to evaluate possible differences in the perception of patients with and without a Turkish migration background. 5 focus groups with participants with and without migration background were assessed in German language. In addition to a predefined interview guideline, the collage technique was used in order to explore the image of the practitioners through pictures. The content analysis was conducted according to Mayring using the software program ATLAS.ti. The patients revealed a highly positive image about the general practitioners. By means of the collage technique some negative aspects could be identified which were not discussed in the focus groups. Only minimal differences in the opinions of participants with and without Turkish migration background could be observed. These were a strongly negative attribution to the general practitioners with regard to financial aspects by the participants without migration background on the one hand and a rather paternalistic viewpoint by the participants with Turkish migration background on the other hand. Asked about an image change of general practitioners, the overall opinion has changed over the years from doctors being considered to be "powerful" and "unapproachable" to a "normal" level. Major reasons for this image change were attributed to the fact that patients are becoming increasingly informed about medical issues through the internet and the high work pressure of general practitioners. The image of general practitioners in Turkey was perceived more negative as compared to Germany. The image of general practitioners from the perspective of patients is predominantly positive. Altogether, only minor differences in the perception of German speaking patients with and without Turkish migration background could be identified. Therefore, specific ways of proceeding or qualification measures for general practitioners do not seem necessary in this context. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Dairo, Yetunde M.; Collett, Johnny; Dawes, Helen
2017-01-01
Background: Few studies have measured physical activity (PA) levels of adults with intellectual disabilities using both objective and subjective methods, but none included individuals with profound intellectual disabilities. To inform effective measurement of PA across the disability spectrum, this study explored: the feasibility of measuring PA…
Gender-Role Identity, Attitudes toward Marriage, and Gender-Segregated School Backgrounds.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Katsurada, Emiko; Sugihara, Yoko
2002-01-01
Investigated the relationship between Japanese college students' gender role identity and attitudes toward marriage, exploring the effects of gender-segregated school backgrounds on gender role identity and attitudes toward marriage. Women without any coeducational school background had relatively strong masculinity and desired to marry at older…
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pinder, Patrice J.
Ogbu and Simons (1998) defined voluntary immigrants as individuals who chose to migrate to the United States (U.S.). Involuntary immigrants are defined as individuals whose ancestors were brought to the U.S. by force (Obgu & Simons, 1998). There have been recent reports indicating that voluntary immigrants are outperforming involuntary immigrants (Fisher, 2005; Williams, Fleming, Jones, & Griffin, 2007). There seems to be a trend in voluntary immigrants exhibiting a higher academic achievement pattern than involuntary immigrants (Fisher, 2005; Rong & Preissle, 1998; Williams et al., 2007). However, the reason for the groups' differences in achievement has not been extensively explored. The primary objective of this research study was to explore the impact of family background on the academic achievement patterns of Afro-Caribbean and African American students in the United States. The study utilized two research designs; a causal-comparative and a correlational design. A questionnaire was distributed to a sample of eighty-seven high school students. Eighteen of the participants were Afro-Caribbean students, and sixty-seven were African American students. Chemistry test scores for the students were also provided. The results of the study indicated that Afro-Caribbean students outperformed African American students on the test of science achievement. The difference was statistically significant (t= 2.43, p<0.05). Additionally, results suggested that there were a few significant differences in Afro-Caribbean and African American students' family backgrounds. Moreover, the findings of this study suggest that the positive impact of arrival status on the first-generation of Afro-Caribbean immigrants may be influencing their children's academic success in science. The present study holds a few implications for parents and teachers of immigrant minority students. Additionally, the current researcher has offered several implications for future research on ethnicity, immigration pattern, parenting, and achievement.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kelley-Winstead, Deanna
2010-01-01
The purpose of this study was to use classification trees and logistic regression to identify subgroups of students more likely to be retained. The National Educational Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88) was used to identify the sociodemographic, family background and school related factors associated with grade retention. The sample size for…
School Nursing for Children with Special Needs: Does Number of Schools Make a Difference?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kruger, Barbara J.; Toker, Karen H.; Radjenovic, Doreen; Comeaux, Judy M.; Macha, Kiran
2009-01-01
Background: Few recent studies have focused on the role of school nurses who predominantly care for children with special health care needs (CSHCN). The primary aim of this study was to explore differences related to (a) child health conditions covered, (b) direct care procedures, (c) care management functions, and (c) consultation sources used…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Persson, Roland S.
2010-01-01
A study was launched in an educational setting where giftedness is not officially recognized o explore intellectually gifted students' experience of family background and support, their age and means of identification, the degree of support received in school, and the understanding they experienced from a primary to a tertiary education level. In…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Di Tommaso, Kathrynn
2011-01-01
This paper presents a follow-up to a previously published paper "The Connection between Role Model Relationships and Self-Direction in Developmental Students" and is based on findings from the same study. The study used observations and interviews to explore the ways in which a cohort of developmental writing students described their…
Holistic School Leadership: Development of Systems Thinking in School Leaders
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Shaked, Haim; Schechter, Chen
2018-01-01
Background: Systems thinking is a holistic approach that puts the study of wholes before that of parts. It does not try to break systems down into parts in order to understand them; instead, it focuses attention on how the parts act together in networks of interactions. Purpose: This study explored the development of holistic school leadership--an…
What Can Evidence-Use in Practice Learn from Evidence-Use in Policy?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rickinson, Mark; de Bruin, Kate; Walsh, Lucas; Hall, Matthew
2017-01-01
Background: This paper approaches evidence-informed practice from the perspective of evidence-informed policy-making. Using the findings of a recent study of evidence-use by educational policy-makers to raise questions about evidence-use by educational practitioners, it seeks to explore what such a study might tell us about how to understand and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Pinxten, Maarten; Marsh, Herbert W.; De Fraine, Bieke; Van Den Noortgate, Wim; Van Damme, Jan
2014-01-01
Background: The multidimensionality of the academic self-concept in terms of domain specificity has been well established in previous studies, whereas its multidimensionality in terms of motivational functions (the so-called affect-competence separation) needs further examination. Aim: This study aims at exploring differential effects of enjoyment…
USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database
BACKGROUND: The frailty syndrome is as a well-established condition of risk for disability. Aim of the study is to explore whether a physical activity (PA) intervention can reduce prevalence and severity of frailty in a community-dwelling elders at risk of disability. METHODS: Exploratory analyses ...
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Armstrong, Rebecca; Arnott, Wendy; Copland, David A.; McMahon, Katie; Khan, Asaduzzaman; Najman, Jake M.; Scott, James G.
2017-01-01
Background: Population-based studies have found that early language delays are associated with poorer long-term outcomes in adolescence and adulthood. Few studies have explored the influence of change in language ability over time on adult outcomes. Aim: To examine the educational, vocational and mental health outcomes for adults accounting for…
What Is Shakespeare Doing in My Hut?: A-Level Literature and the Sierra Leonean Student.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wright, Handel K.
A study brought together literature appreciation, schema theory, and cross-cultural studies to explore the relationship between the backgrounds of students in one sixth-form literature class in Sierra Leone and the contexts of the plays described in the drama section of the "A" level literature syllabus of the West African Examinations…
Atheism in Higher Education: A Phenomenological Study of Identity in the Workplace
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Reisner, Carrie
2018-01-01
Institutions of higher education are perceived to be welcoming to individuals from a variety of backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and religion. Is this true for those who identify as atheist as well? This phenomenological study explored how the atheist identity manifests for those who are employed as professional staff in…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tyrer, F.; McGrother, C.
2009-01-01
Background: The study of premature deaths in people with intellectual disability (ID) has become the focus of recent policy initiatives in England. This is the first UK population-based study to explore cause-specific mortality in adults with ID compared with the general population. Methods: Cause-specific standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) and…
Parental Involvement in Active Transport to School Initiatives: A Multi-Site Case Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Eyler, Amy; Baldwin, Julie; Carnoske, Cheryl; Nickelson, Jan; Troped, Philip; Steinman, Lesley; Pluto, Delores; Litt, Jill; Evenson, Kelly; Terpstra, Jennifer; Brownson, Ross; Schmid, Thomas
2008-01-01
Background: Increasing physical activity in youth is a recommended approach to curbing the childhood obesity epidemic. One way to help increase children's daily activity is to promote active transportation to and from school (ATS). Purpose: The purpose of this case study was to explore parental perception of, and participation in, ATS initiatives.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Studsrod, Ingunn; Bru, Edvin
2009-01-01
Background: Lack of adjustment or school failure is a concern to educators, educational and school psychologists as well as parents, but few studies have focused on school adjustment during late adolescence. Moreover, studies have yet to explore associations between parenting and school adjustment among upper secondary school students. Aim: The…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fuhs, Mary Wagner; Wyant, Autumn B.; Day, Jeanne D.
2011-01-01
The goal of this study was to explore the relationship between temperament (specifically impulsivity and inhibition) and prereading skills (letter knowledge and print concepts) in preschool children from disadvantaged backgrounds. The participants in the study were 111 preschool children with a mean age of 58.09 months (SD = 5.80) attending Head…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wong, Ruth
2014-01-01
This paper, an exploratory case study, examines how students' preferences and motivation to learn English are influenced by their perceptions of teaching practices--both of native English teachers and local English teachers. To better understand the context of this research question, this study adopts a method of triangulation in collecting data:…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lam, Wan Shun Eva; Rosario-Ramos, Enid
2009-01-01
This study explores the literacy practices that are involved in transnational social and information networking among youths of immigrant backgrounds in the United States. In particular, it investigates the ways in which young migrants of diverse national origins in the United States are utilising digital media to organise social relationships…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Law, Kris M. Y.; Breznik, Kristijan
2017-01-01
This study attempted to explore the impacts of attitudinal antecedents on students' entrepreneurial intention. Comparisons between students of engineering and non-engineering backgrounds and gender groups were made. Total of 998 students from universities in Hong Kong were surveyed, leading to a number of highlights in the study. First, it is…
Ethical Issues in Covering Teen Suicide Stories: Deadly Dilemmas and Fatal Flaws.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Willey, Susan
A study examined news coverage by "The Saint Petersburg Times" of a local double teen suicide in August 1993. Focusing on how the story was covered, the study explored the newspaper's decision-making process, analyzing the process in relation to standard philosophical methods in ethics and recognized journalistic principles. As background,…
Coquetting Females versus Males of Manners: Critical Discourse Analysis of Egyptian Street Songs
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
El-Falaky, Mai Samir; Ahmed, Al-Shaymaa Mohamed Mohamed
2015-01-01
The study explores gender differences and the role of the ideological background in portraying the roles of the males and the females. Socio-economic statuses affect the description of gender differences and this is proclaimed within the analysis of a recent phenomenon of poor quality street songs. The study represents a detailed description of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fontil, Laura; Petrakos, Hariclia Harriet
2015-01-01
Transition to school for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) places demands on children, parents, and school settings. The unique experiences of parents from diverse backgrounds have not been studied extensively. This qualitative study explored the experiences of 5 Canadian and 5 immigrant families during the transition to school for…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Aschbacher, Pamela R.; Ing, Marsha
2017-01-01
Background/Context: Much science education reform has been directed at middle and high school students; however, earlier experiences in elementary school may well have an important impact on young people's future science literacy and preparation for possible STEM careers. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study: This study explores the…
Teaching in Culturally Diverse Contexts: What Knowledge about "Self" and "Others" Do Teachers Need?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Santoro, Ninetta
2009-01-01
This article draws on data from a small-scale qualitative study conducted in Australia that explored how pre-service teachers engaged with students from culturally diverse backgrounds during practicum and how they understood their own ethnic identities. The findings of the study suggest that pre-service teachers have simplistic understandings of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chiner, Esther; Gómez-Puerta, Marcos; Cardona-Moltó, María Cristina
2017-01-01
Background: Internet offers opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities, but it also involves some risks. The aim of this study was to explore these issues considering caregivers and people with intellectual disabilities' perspectives. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 77…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Martin, Andrew J.
2015-01-01
Background: There has been increasing interest in growth approaches to students' academic development, including value-added models, modelling of academic trajectories, growth motivation orientations, growth mindsets, and growth goals. Aims: This study sought to investigate the relationships between implicit theories about intelligence…
Identifying Program Characteristics for Preparing Pre-Service Teachers for Diversity
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Akiba, Motoko
2011-01-01
Background/Context: Educating pre-service teachers to develop multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills for teaching diverse students is a major responsibility of teacher education program coordinators and teacher educators. Numerous studies have discussed and explored the characteristics of teacher preparation that improve pre-service…
Parenting "Gifted and Talented" Children in Urban Areas: Parents' Voices
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Koshy, Valsa; Smith, Carole Portman; Brown, Joanna
2017-01-01
International evidence demonstrates the importance of engaging parents in the education of their "high-potential" children, yet limited research has focused on the involvement of parents from differing economic strata/backgrounds. The current study explored the dilemmas of parenting academically high-ability children from economically…
Parental Status and Punitiveness: Moderating Effects of Gender and Concern about Crime
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Welch, Kelly
2011-01-01
Previously identified predictors of public punitiveness include attitudinal, experiential, background, and demographic characteristics. Given the influence of parenthood on certain attitudes and beliefs, it may also affect how strongly individuals endorse harsh punishment for criminals. Few studies have explored how parenthood influences general…
Implementation of Active Support in Victoria, Australia: An Exploratory Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mansell, Jim; Beadle-Brown, Julie; Bigby, Christine
2013-01-01
Background: Active support is an effective intervention to support engagement of residents with intellectual disability in group homes. This survey explored resident characteristics of the people supported by organisations implementing active support, the provision of active support, its procedures and systems, and resident engagement in…
Teacher Victimization in Authoritative School Environments
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kapa, Ryan R.; Luke, Jeremy; Moulthrop, Dorothy; Gimbert, Belinda
2018-01-01
Background: Victimization in schools is not limited to students. Teachers increasingly face threats and attacks from their students. An authoritative school environment, characterized by high structure and support, has been associated with lower rates of victimization. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between authoritative…
Cognitive-Linguistic Deficit and Speech Intelligibility in Chronic Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mackenzie, Catherine; Green, Jan
2009-01-01
Background: Multiple sclerosis is a disabling neurological disease with varied symptoms, including dysarthria and cognitive and linguistic impairments. Association between dysarthria and cognitive-linguistic deficit has not been explored in clinical multiple sclerosis studies. Aims: In patients with chronic progressive multiple sclerosis, the…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kingir, Sevgi; Tas, Yasemin; Gok, Gulsum; Vural, Semra Sungur
2013-01-01
Background: There are attempts to integrate learning environment research with motivation and self-regulation research that considers social context influences an individual's motivation, self-regulation and, in turn, academic performance. Purpose: This study explored the relationships among constructivist learning environment perception variables…
Peer Victimization and Perceived Life Satisfaction among Early Adolescents in the United States
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Valois, Robert F.; Kerr, Jelani C.; Huebner, E. Scott
2012-01-01
Background: Peer victimization among adolescents has been linked to increased psychological stress, psychosomatic illness, anxiety, depression, lower self-esteem, suicide ideation and poor physical health. Purpose: This study explored associations between peer victimization and adolescents' perceptions of life satisfaction. Methods: Public middle…
Games as Distributed Teaching and Learning Systems
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gee, Elisabeth; Gee, James Paul
2017-01-01
Background: Videogames and virtual worlds have frequently been studied as learning environments in isolation; that is, scholars have focused on understanding the features of games or virtual worlds as separate from or different than "real world" environments for learning. Although more recently, scholars have explored the teaching and…
Three visualization approaches for communicating and exploring PIT tag data
Letcher, Benjamin; Walker, Jeffrey D.; O'Donnell, Matthew; Whiteley, Andrew R.; Nislow, Keith; Coombs, Jason
2018-01-01
As the number, size and complexity of ecological datasets has increased, narrative and interactive raw data visualizations have emerged as important tools for exploring and understanding these large datasets. As a demonstration, we developed three visualizations to communicate and explore passive integrated transponder tag data from two long-term field studies. We created three independent visualizations for the same dataset, allowing separate entry points for users with different goals and experience levels. The first visualization uses a narrative approach to introduce users to the study. The second visualization provides interactive cross-filters that allow users to explore multi-variate relationships in the dataset. The last visualization allows users to visualize the movement histories of individual fish within the stream network. This suite of visualization tools allows a progressive discovery of more detailed information and should make the data accessible to users with a wide variety of backgrounds and interests.
Developing an Understanding of Victims and Violent Offenders: The Impact of Fostering Empathy.
Peterson, Jillian K; Silver, Roxane Cohen
2015-07-03
This study explores the consequences of fostering empathy-for both victims and perpetrators-after large-scale violent events. Participants (N = 834) read a description of a school shooting and were randomly assigned to one of six conditions revealing varying amounts of background information about the victim and the perpetrator of violence. The impact of empathy on reactions toward the victim and perpetrator were then assessed. Empathy for the perpetrator could be fostered with increased information about his background, resulting in recommendations of increased leniency. Fostering empathy for the victim promoted positive community responses, including increased intentions to engage in helping behavior and make charitable donations. The degree to which participants could make sense of the violent event was also associated with decreases in blame and anger toward the perpetrator. Potential implications of the findings for news media and community coping strategies are explored. © The Author(s) 2015.
Design Studies for a Far Infrared Absolute Spectrometer for the Cosmic Background Explorer
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Johnson, N. J. E.
1980-01-01
Unrelenting symmetry of design is required to assure the thermal balance of a cryogenically cooled, rapid scan interferometer spectrometer to be mounted in vacuum with the Cosmic Background Explorer liquid helium dewar. The instrument receives inputs from Winston cone optical flux collectors, one open to space and a second coupled to a black body reference source. A differential instrument, the spectrometer produces outputs corresponding to the Fourier transform of the spectral radiance difference between the two inputs. The two outputs are sensed by four detectors, two optimized for shorter wavelength response, and two optimized for longer wavelengths. The optical design, detector and signal channel, system sensitivity, mechanics, thermal control and cryogenics, electronics and power systems, command and control, calibration, system test requirements, and the instrument interface are discussed. Recommendations for continued work are indicated for the superconducting reflective horns, the motor bearing and drive, and design detail.
Exploring the Universe. Science Series Grades 4, 5, 6.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Giessow, Jean; Giessow, Fred
The activities in this book are designed to reinforce elementary concepts in the study of the universe. General background information, suggested activities, questions for discussion, and answers are provided. Twenty-eight reproducible worksheets are contained in this guide. Topics include: the solar system, orbits, planets, the sun, forces in…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Pettersen, Sverre; Olsen, Rolf V.
2007-01-01
This study demonstrated that a "less scientific worldview" predicted health science (HS) students' positive attitude towards "complementary-alternative medicine" (CAM), independently of important background characteristics as gender, pre-college science immersion, age, and type of HS education of the students. A total of 473 students in their…
USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database
Background: Several single nucleotide polymorphisms have been proposed as potential predictors of the development of age-related diseases. Objective: To explore whether Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha (TNFA) gene variants were associated with inflammatory status, thus facilitating the rate of telomere s...
Liberating Knowledge: Research, Feminism, and Adult Education.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Barr, Jean
This book, which is directed toward tutors and learners in women's studies and community-based adult education programs who wish to cross the boundaries between arts, social science, and natural science, explores the relationship between research, feminism, and adult education. The book begins with a preface that provides background information on…
Workplace Culture Analysis where People with Intellectual Disabilities Work: A Case Study Approach
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fillary, Rose; Pernice, Regina
2005-01-01
Background: Research evidence suggests that investigation of workplace culture assists in enhancing social inclusion of and job retention by people with intellectual disability. Method: This research explored the potential of using Hagner's (2000) "Workplace Culture Survey" to identify inclusive characteristics of eight New Zealand…
Investigating College Learning Gain: Exploring a Propensity Score Weighting Approach
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Liu, Ou Lydia; Liu, Huili; Roohr, Katrina Crotts; McCaffrey, Daniel F.
2016-01-01
Learning outcomes assessment has been widely used by higher education institutions both nationally and internationally. One of its popular uses is to document learning gains of students. Prior studies have recognized the potential imbalance between freshmen and seniors in terms of their background characteristics and their prior academic…
The Impact of Directed Viewing-Thinking Activity on Students' Critical Thinking: Part II
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ee, Neo Chin; Sum, Cheung Wing
2005-01-01
Background: Critical thinking disposition is an area that has been overlooked in various academic fields until recent years. Critical thinking occurs only when individuals possess thinking dispositions. This study explores the possibility of using directed viewing-thinking activity (DVTA) to cultivate the critical thinking dispositions of…
African American Students' Experiences in Special Education Programs
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Craft, Eleanor; Howley, Aimee
2018-01-01
Background/Context: Disproportionate placement of African American students into special education programs is likely to be a form of institutional racism, especially when such placement stigmatizes students. If placement also fails to lead to educational benefits, the practice becomes even more suspect. Some studies have explored disproportionate…
BACKGROUND: Experimental animal studies, in vitro experiments, and clinical assessments have shown that metal toxicity can impair immune responses. We analyzed data from a United States representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to explore associatio...
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Crosson, Amy C.; Lesaux, Nonie K.; Martiniello, Maria
2008-01-01
This study explores factors influencing the degree to which language minority (LM) children from Spanish-dominant homes understand how connectives, such as "in contrast" and "because", signal relationships between text propositions. Standardized tasks of vocabulary, listening comprehension, word reading, and a researcher-designed text cohesion…
The Concept of Academic Politeness in a Multicultural University Classroom.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fukuya, Yoshinori
This study explored a context-embedded concept of politeness in a discussion-type, multicultural university classroom. The graduate-level class, Language Planning, had 33 students from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Looking below the surface of specific classroom incidents, situated on the politeness-impoliteness continuum, the research…
The Relationship between Teacher Burnout and Student Motivation
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Shen, Bo; McCaughtry, Nate; Martin, Jeffrey; Garn, Alex; Kulik, Noel; Fahlman, Mariane
2015-01-01
Background: Teacher burnout is regarded as a serious problem in school settings. To date, studies on teachers' stress and burnout have largely centred on teachers' own characteristics, socialization, and behaviours, but few have explored the connection between teachers' burnout and students' motivation via their own perceptions of teachers'…
Family Quality of Life in Nigeria
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ajuwon, P. M.; Brown, I.
2012-01-01
Background: The limited literature that exists about intellectual disabilities (ID) in Nigeria suggests that perceptions of ID may be shaped by social and cultural beliefs, and that socio-economic factors have prevented the development of policy and services. The present study sought to explore these suggestions in more detail by administering the…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Blain-Moraes, Stefanie; Chau, Tom
2012-01-01
Background: Physiological responses have been used in individuals with acquired disability to enable communicative interaction without motor movement. This study explored four autonomic nervous system (ANS) signals--electrodermal activity, skin temperature, cardiac patterns and respiratory patterns--to enable interaction with individuals born with…
Active Generations: An Intergenerational Approach to Preventing Childhood Obesity
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Werner, Danilea; Teufel, James; Holtgrave, Peter L.; Brown, Stephen L.
2012-01-01
Background: Over the last 3 decades, US obesity rates have increased dramatically as more children and more adults become obese. This study explores an innovative program, Active Generations, an intergenerational nutrition education and activity program implemented in out-of-school environments (after school and summer camps). It utilizes older…
Disconnected Lives: Women with Intellectual Disabilities in Conflict with the Law
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Levine, Kathryn Ann; Proulx, Jocelyn; Schwartz, Karen
2018-01-01
Background: Women with intellectual/developmental disabilities in conflict with the law experience childhood trauma, substance abuse and intimate partner violence but continue to have difficulty accessing appropriate therapeutic services, both within correctional settings and upon discharge. The aim of this study is to explore women's service…
A Model for the Correlates of Students' Creative Thinking
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sarsani, Mahender Reddy
2007-01-01
The present study was aimed to explore the relationships between orgainsational or school variables, students' personal background variables, and cognitive and motivational variables. The sample for the survey included 373 students drawn from nine Government schools in Andhra Pradesh, India. Students' creative thinking abilities were measured by…
Conditional Reasoning in Autism: Activation and Integration of Knowledge and Belief
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McKenzie, Rebecca; Evans, Jonathan St. B. T.; Handley, Simon J.
2010-01-01
Everyday conditional reasoning is typically influenced by prior knowledge and belief in the form of specific exceptions known as counterexamples. This study explored whether adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD; N = 26) were less influenced by background knowledge than typically developing adolescents (N = 38) when engaged in conditional…
Internet Use for Prediagnosis Symptom Appraisal by Colorectal Cancer Patients
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thomson, Maria D.; Siminoff, Laura A.; Longo, Daniel R.
2012-01-01
Background: This study explored the characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients who accessed Internet-based health information as part of their symptom appraisal process prior to consulting a health care provider. Method: Newly diagnosed CRC patients who experienced symptoms prior to diagnosis were interviewed. Brief COPE was used to…
Felting as Expressive Art Form.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cirillo, Sandi
1998-01-01
Describes felting as the process of making felt using sheep's wool from fibers without weaving or knitting. Explains that teachers can incorporate felting into a lesson exploring the background behind this process, as an extension of collage or textile arts, as a means to studying abstract art, or in a fashion design unit. (CMK)
Stories of Cuban-Americans Living and Learning Bilingually
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Perez, Natasha
2017-01-01
This study explores the interplay of bilingualism, identity, literacy and culture for CubanAmerican students in the Cuban diaspora. I contextualize their experiences within the social, historical, and political background of Cuban immigration, situating their stories within the conflicting narratives of Cuban-American imagination in the U.S., to…
Review of Parent Training Interventions for Parents with Intellectual Disability
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wade, Catherine; Llewellyn, Gwynnyth; Matthews, Jan
2008-01-01
Background: This paper reviews recent research to provide an updated perspective on the effectiveness of parent training interventions for parents with intellectual disability. The degree to which these studies meet previous recommendations for future research is explored, particularly with regard to the influence of context on intervention…
Perceptions of Oral Health, Preventive Care, and Care-Seeking Behaviors among Rural Adolescents
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Dodd, Virginia J.; Logan, Henrietta; Brown, Cameron D.; Calderon, Angela; Catalanotto, Frank
2014-01-01
Background: An asymmetrical oral disease burden is endured by certain population subgroups, particularly children and adolescents. Reducing oral health disparities requires understanding multiple oral health perspectives, including those of adolescents. This qualitative study explores oral health perceptions and dental care behaviors among rural…
Weight Control Beliefs, Body Shape Attitudes, and Physical Activity among Adolescents
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Martin, Scott B.; Rhea, Deborah J.; Greenleaf, Christy A.; Judd, Doryce E.; Chambliss, Heather O.
2011-01-01
Background: Relatively little is known about how perceived weight controllability influences important psychological health factors among adolescents. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore adolescents' weight controllability beliefs and how those beliefs influence weight-related attitudes and behaviors. Methods: Adolescents (N = 369, mean…
Cultural Diversity Online: Student Engagement with Learning Technologies
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hannon, John; D'Netto, Brian
2007-01-01
Purpose: The purpose of this research is to focus on how students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds encounter online learning environments, and to assess the extent to which cultural factors impact on learners' engagement with online learning. Design/methodology/approach: The study explores how a culturally diverse cohort of…
Mentoring Doctoral Students through Scholastic Engagement: Adult Learning Principles in Action
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mullen, Carol A.; Fish, Valorie L.; Hutinger, Janice L.
2010-01-01
The purpose of this discussion is to explore a graduate intervention that was aimed at promoting the understanding, empowerment, and skills building of doctoral students in education. Addressed are mentoring and learning frameworks, background issues, the pedagogical context, study details, thematic results, and implications. The authors offer a…
Perceived Credibility and Eyewitness Testimony of Children with Intellectual Disabilities
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Henry, L.; Ridley, A.; Perry, J.; Crane, L.
2011-01-01
Background: Although children with intellectual disabilities (ID) often provide accurate witness testimony, jurors tend to perceive their witness statements to be inherently unreliable. Method: The current study explored the free recall transcripts of child witnesses with ID who had watched a video clip, relative to those of typically developing…
The Experience of Student Occupational Therapists with Disabilities in Canadian Universities
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jung, Bonny; Baptiste, Sue; Dhillon, Shami; Kravchenko, Tasha; Stewart, Deb; Vanderkaay, Sandra
2014-01-01
Background: Canadian health professions strive for inclusivity in practice and it is imperative to extend this philosophy to health science students with disabilities. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experience of student occupational therapists with disabilities enrolled in Canadian universities. Methods: A…
School Organizational Structures: Effects on Teacher and Student Learning
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lam, Y. L. Jack
2005-01-01
Purpose: The present study attempted to explore the relationship between teacher learning and student learning under different school structural conditions. Design/methodology/approach: Some 1,330 teachers from 29 secondary schools of different community backgrounds and student academic abilities in Hong Kong were surveyed, using instruments from…
USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database
BACKGROUND: Puerto Rican adults have prevalent metabolic abnormalities, but few studies have explored fruit and vegetable (FV) intake and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk in this population. OBJECTIVE: Researchers tested the hypothesis that greater FV intake and variety are associated with a lower...
Physical Activity, Metabolic Syndrome, and Overweight in Rural Youth
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Moore, Justin B.; Davis, Catherine L.; Baxter, Suzanne Domel; Lewis, Richard D.; Yin, Zenong
2008-01-01
Background: Research suggests significant health differences between rural dwelling youth and their urban counterparts with relation to cardiovascular risk factors. This study was conducted to (1) determine relationships between physical activity and markers of metabolic syndrome, and (2) to explore factors relating to physical activity in a…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cascia, JoAnne; Barr, Jason J.
2017-01-01
Background: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been characterized as having deficits in social communication and empathy which present difficulties in the areas of social reciprocity, sharing of emotions and developing and maintaining relationships. This study explores the associations between vocabulary, executive function…
A Physical Education Teacher's Journey: From District Coordinator to Facilitator
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hunuk, Deniz
2017-01-01
Background: Despite the accumulating evidence highlighting the significant roles of an effective facilitator and appropriate pedagogies that a facilitator employs in shaping the professional learning environment, there is a paucity of research that explores how facilitators learn to facilitate. Purpose: The overall purpose of this study was to…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Allen, David; Hawkins, Sarah; Cooper, Viv
2006-01-01
Background: Although training staff supporting people with challenging behaviour in physical interventions has become accepted practice, parents are often left to fend for themselves while managing equivalent behaviours. The study explores parents' experience of managing severe challenging behaviours, their use of physical interventions and access…
Background: Access to outdoor recreational resources is important for promoting healthy behavior and physical activity, which may decrease the risk of disease. To date, no study has examined the relationship between access to outdoor recreational resources (including protected l...
Collaborative Repair in EFL Classroom Talk.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Iles, Zara
1996-01-01
Drawing data from audiotaped lessons with 10 native-speaker English-as-a-Foreign-Language (EFL) teachers and 12 EFL learners of varied linguistic backgrounds, a study explored some of the ways in which classroom talk by learners is collaboratively built to repair errors, misunderstandings, and non-communication. Focus is on both explicit and…
New Zealand Students' Perceptions of Parental Involvement in Learning and Schooling
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Clinton, Janet; Hattie, John
2013-01-01
This study investigated the relation between multidimensional aspects of high school students' perceptions of their parental involvement and their achievement. It explored differences in socio-economic backgrounds, ethnicity, gender, and higher and lower achieving students, and a structural model was developed to further investigate these…
Partner Selection for People with Intellectual Disabilities
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bates, Claire; Terry, Louise; Popple, Keith
2017-01-01
Background: The aim of this research was to understand the characteristics that adults with intellectual disabilities look for in a partner. There have been numerous studies that have explored partner selection for people without intellectual disabilities, but no research that specifically identified the traits valued in a partner by people with…
Conversation Breakdowns in the Audiology Clinic: The Importance of Mutual Gaze
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ekberg, Katie; Hickson, Louise; Grenness, Caitlin
2017-01-01
Background: Conversational breakdowns are a persistent concern for older adults with hearing impairment (HI). Previous studies in experimental settings have investigated potential causes of breakdowns in conversations with a person with HI, and effective strategies for repairing these breakdowns. However, little research has explored the causes of…
Enhancing the College Student Experience: Outcomes of a Leisure Education Program
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jordan, Katherine A.; Gagnon, Ryan J.; Anderson, Denise M.; Pilcher, June J.
2018-01-01
Background: Experiential education in higher education provides opportunities for college student development that contribute to student success. As such, a leisure education program is posited as a complement to experiential education programming. Purpose: This study explored the impact of a leisure education program (leisure skills) on…
Why Underage College Students Drink in Excess: Qualitative Research Findings
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Dodd, Virginia; Glassman, Tavis; Arthur, Ashley; Webb, Monica; Miller, Maureen
2010-01-01
Background: Excessive alcohol consumption by underage students is a serious and persistent problem facing most U.S. colleges and universities. Purpose: This qualitative study explores why underage students engage in high-risk drinking and examines motivational cues that may serve as behavioral deterrents. Methods: Focus groups were conducted with…
An Organisational Perspective on Social Exclusion in Higher Education: A Case Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mampaey, Jelle
2017-01-01
We explore organisational mechanisms underlying social exclusion in higher education, the latter defined as the underrepresentation of students from lower socio-economic backgrounds. We focus on "decoupling," which is a central concept in organisational institutionalism referring to the construction of gaps between public commitment and…
Students' Use of Asynchronous Discussions for Academic Discourse Socialization
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Beckett, Gulbahar H.; Amaro-Jimenez, Carla; Beckett, Kelvin S.
2010-01-01
Our universities are becoming increasingly diverse at the same time as online asynchronous discussions (OADs) are emerging as the most important forum for computer mediated communication (CMC) in distance education. But there is shortage of studies that explore how graduate students from different ethnic, linguistic and cultural backgrounds use…
Physical Activity and School Absenteeism Due to Illness in Adolescents
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
de Groot, Renate; van Dijk, Martin; Savelberg, Hans; van Acker, Frederik; Kirschner, Paul
2017-01-01
Background: Knowledge about the beneficial role of physical activity (PA) for health and school performance is growing. Studies investigating the link between PA and school absenteeism due to illness are lacking. Therefore, we investigated associations between habitual PA and school absenteeism due to illness in adolescents and explored whether…
An Examination of the Role of Online Technology in School Counseling
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kimbel, Tracy M.; Jacokes, Darlene E.; Stone, Carolyn B.
2015-01-01
A national study conducted with the members of the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) database examined school counselors' utilization of online technologies. The researchers also explored beliefs and practices and examined mitigating factors such as school counselors' background, training, and experience. Training impacted counselors'…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Johnson, Karen E.; Eisenberg, Marla E.; Bearinger, Linda H.; Fulkerson, Jayne A.; Sieving, Renee E.
2014-01-01
Background: Evidence suggests that sports team participation differentially relates to health-risk behaviors. Few studies have explored relationships among high-risk youth. Purpose: To examine associations between weekly sports team participation and health-risk behaviors (substance use, sexual risk-taking, violence involvement) among alternative…
Examining Hip-Hop as Culturally Relevant Pedagogy
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kim, Jung; Pulido, Isaura
2015-01-01
Culturally relevant pedagogy is a framework that conceptualizes the process of student learning as contingent upon educators' deep understanding of students' cultural backgrounds to co-construct knowledge and develop academic skills. Concurrently, there are a growing number of studies that explore hip-hop as a culturally relevant curriculum for…
Against the Odds: Disadvantaged Students Who Succeed in School
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
OECD Publishing (NJ1), 2011
2011-01-01
This report explores the factors and conditions that could help more students succeed at school despite challenging socio-economic backgrounds. It does this by studying resilient students and what sets them apart from their less successful peers. Understanding how educational systems can support disadvantaged students and help them "beat the…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Frolli, A.; Piscopo, S.; Conson, M.
2015-01-01
Background: Individuals with fragile-X syndrome exhibit developmental delay, hyperexcitation and social anxiety; they also show lack of attention and hyperactivity. Few studies have investigated whether levels of functioning change with increasing age. Here, we explored developmental changes across adolescence in the cognitive and behavioural…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chou, Yueh-Ching; Lu, Zxy-Yann Jane
2012-01-01
Background: The concerns of mothers and their experiences while providing help to their daughters with intellectual disability (ID) and considerable support needs during menstruation have rarely been addressed. This qualitative study explored mothers' experiences and perceptions of managing their daughters' menstruation. Method: Twelve Taiwanese…
The Panopticon of Physical Education: Pretty, Active and Ideally White
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Azzarito, Laura
2009-01-01
Background: Recently, a growing number of researchers have explored students' social construction of the body in school settings. Young peoples' construction of the body, inextricably linked to dominant cultural discourses of the mass media, bears upon their identity and physical activity participation choices. Purpose: This study employed a…
Preservice Teacher Beliefs about Proofs.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mingus, Tabitha T. Y.; Grassl, Richard M.
1999-01-01
Describes the study of backgrounds, beliefs, and attitudes of teachers (n=51) about proofs. Explores four issues: (1) preservice teachers' experiences/exposure to proof; (2) their beliefs about what constitutes proof; (3) the role of proof in mathematics; and (4) their beliefs about when proof should be introduced in K-12 math classes. Discusses…
The Conversion of Found Space for Educational Use.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Meier, James Paul
This study explores some experiences in recycling buildings for schools and suggests a background to use in planning and evaluating this approach to school space acquisition. Such factors as educational program, physical environment, building codes, cost and financing, legal issues, administrative processes and time, and political and social…
Factors Contributing to Stress in Parents of Individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tehee, Erin; Honan, Rita; Hevey, David
2009-01-01
Background: The study explores the experiences of parents of individuals with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs), and examines the influences of parent gender and child age on perceived stress, stress and coping, child-rearing involvement, support and information/education accessed. Methods and Materials: Questionnaires assessed general perceived…
A Conversation on Inequality with Students of Color
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Soumah, Mohamed Amin; Hoover, John H.
2013-01-01
In this article, youth from diverse racial backgrounds describe the challenges they face in aspiring to excellence in underperforming schools. The research explored the perceptions of school inequality on the part of Latino, African American or immigrant, and Caucasian students in two central Minnesota communities. This study tapped the experience…
Grand Images: Exploring Images of Grandparents in Picture Books
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Crawford, Patricia A.; Bhattacharya, Sharika
2014-01-01
This exploratory study examined children's picture books as a source of socialization messages, specifically regarding ageism. Thus, the appearances, cultural backgrounds, and roles of grandparent characters were examined in a sample of 220 books published over a 20-year span. Findings indicate that grandparent characters have come to…
Effective Classroom Management
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mansor, Azlin Norhaini; Eng, Wong Kim; Rasul, Mohamad Sattar; Hamzah, Mohd Izham Mohd; Hamid, Aida Hanim A.
2012-01-01
This paper attempts to explore and identify the characteristics of an effective teacher who teaches English as a second language to 10 year old students from different ethnics, various social economic background and multi-level language ability, at a private primary school in Malaysia. The study focused on classroom management using a case study…
Older Teenagers' Explanations of Bullying
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thornberg, Robert; Rosenqvist, Robert; Johansson, Per
2012-01-01
Background: In accordance with the social information processing model, how adolescents attribute cause to a particular social situation (e.g., bullying) they witness or participate in, influences their online social information processing, and hence, how they will act in the situation. Objective: The aim of the present study was to explore how…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Stripling, Christopher T.; Roberts, T. Grady
2013-01-01
The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the relationships between mathematics ability, personal mathematics efficacy, mathematics teaching efficacy, personal teaching efficacy, and background characteristics of preservice agricultural education teachers. Data were collected for two years at the University of Florida. Fourteen…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jeung, Chang-Wook
2011-01-01
Employee engagement has been understood from various academic and practical perspectives, mainly due to its recent popularity. This study explores not only positive movements--positive psychology, positive organizational scholarship (POS), and positive organizational behavior (POB)--as a background of engagement but also the conceptualization,…
Ethnic Differences in Parental Attitudes and Beliefs about Being Overweight in Childhood
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Trigwell, J.; Watson, P. M.; Murphy, R. C.; Stratton, G.; Cable, N. T.
2014-01-01
Objective: This study examined the relationship between ethnic background and parental views of healthy body size, concerns surrounding overweight and attitudes to perceived causes of overweight in childhood. Method: A self-report questionnaire was designed to explore parental attitudes towards childhood weight. Sampling deliberately…
Undergraduate Nurse Variables that Predict Academic Achievement and Clinical Competence in Nursing
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Blackman, Ian; Hall, Margaret; Darmawan, I Gusti Ngurah.
2007-01-01
A hypothetical model was formulated to explore factors that influenced academic and clinical achievement for undergraduate nursing students. Sixteen latent variables were considered including the students' background, gender, type of first language, age, their previous successes with their undergraduate nursing studies and status given for…
Cultural Pluralism, Physical Activity, and Youth Sports.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Malina, Robert M.
Literature and studies on the influence and scope of youth sports were surveyed with particular attention to selected issues or aspects related to cultural pluralism in North America. An exploration was made of attitudes toward participation in youth sports, which were influenced by ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds of parents and children.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Huang, Hsiao-Ling; Chen, Ted; Chen, Fu-Li; Magnus, Jeanette; Rice, Janet; Yen, Yea-Yin; Hsu, Chih-Cheng
2009-01-01
Background: While higher smoking prevalences have been better described for adults and adolescents in the mountainous areas than in the plain area in Taiwan, no studies have previously examined whether this disparity begins with children in elementary schools. The purpose of this study was thus designed to explore clustering in smoking behavior…
Exploring Patient Values in Medical Decision Making: A Qualitative Study
Lee, Yew Kong; Low, Wah Yun; Ng, Chirk Jenn
2013-01-01
Background Patient decisions are influenced by their personal values. However, there is a lack of clarity and attention on the concept of patient values in the clinical context despite clear emphasis on patient values in evidence-based medicine and shared decision making. The aim of the study was to explore the concept of patient values in the context of making decisions about insulin initiation among people with type 2 diabetes. Methods and Findings We conducted individual in-depth interviews with people with type 2 diabetes who were making decisions about insulin treatment. Participants were selected purposively to achieve maximum variation. A semi-structured topic guide was used to guide the interviews which were audio-recorded and analysed using a thematic approach. We interviewed 21 participants between January 2011 and March 2012. The age range of participants was 28–67 years old. Our sample comprised 9 women and 12 men. Three main themes, ‘treatment-specific values’, ‘life goals and philosophies’, and ‘personal and social background’, emerged from the analysis. The patients reported a variety of insulin-specific values, which were negative and/or positive beliefs about insulin. They framed insulin according to their priorities and philosophies in life. Patients’ decisions were influenced by sociocultural (e.g. religious background) and personal backgrounds (e.g. family situations). Conclusions This study highlighted the need for expanding the current concept of patient values in medical decision making. Clinicians should address more than just values related to treatment options. Patient values should include patients’ priorities, life philosophy and their background. Current decision support tools, such as patient decision aids, should consider these new dimensions when clarifying patient values. PMID:24282518
Dental fear among children and adolescents in a multicultural population--a cross-sectional study.
Fägerstad, Anida; Lundgren, Jesper; Arnrup, Kristina
2015-01-01
The aim of this study was to explore dental fear in a multicultural population of child and adolescent dental patients, with background, gender, age, and socioeconomic status taken into account. A specific aim was to investigate whether the level of DF differed between patients with a non- Swedish background and patients with a Swedish background. In conjunction with a routine visit to the dental clinic, 301 patients (8-19 years old) assessed their dental fear on the Children's Fear Survey Schedule - Dental Subscale, using self-ratings. Following an interview protocol, patients' and their parents' country of birth, and parents' education and occupation/employment were registered. An interpreter was present when needed. Self-rated dental fear was almost equal among patients coming from a non-Swedish background and patients with a Swedish background. Girls scored higher than boys and younger children scored slightly higher compared to older children, but the pattern of dental fear variation was inconsistent. Socioeconomic status differed between the groups with a non-Swedish vs. a Swedish background, but no impact on dental fear was revealed. When children and adolescents with a non-Swedish vs. a Swedish background were modelled separately, female gender and younger age had an impact on dental fear only in the group with a Swedish background. No differences in dental fear were found between children and adolescents from non-Swedish vs. Swedish backgrounds. Dental fear variations according to gender and age were more pronounced in the group with a Swedish background compared to the group with a non-Swedish background. No impact of socioeconomic status could be revealed.
The Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Matteson, J. L.; Teegarden, B. J.; Gehrels, N.; Mahoney, W. A.
1989-01-01
The Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer was proposed in 1986 for NASA's Explorer Concept Study Program by an international collaboration of 25 scientists from nine institutions. The one-year feasibility study began in June 1988. The Nuclear Astrophysics Explorer would obtain high resolution observations of gamma-ray lines, E/Delta E about 1000, at a sensitivity of about 0.000003 ph/sq cm s, in order to study fundamental problems in astrophysics such as nucleosynthesis, supernovae, neutron star and black-hole physics, and particle acceleration and interactions. The instrument would operate from 15 keV to 10 Mev and use a heavily shielded array of nine cooled Ge spectrometers in a very low background configuration. Its 10 deg FWHM field of view would contain a versatile coded mask system which would provide two-dimensional imaging with 4 deg resolution, one-dimensional imaging with 2 deg resolution, and efficiendt measurements of diffuse emission. An unshielded Ge spectrometer would obtain wide-field measurements of transient gamma-ray sources. The earliest possible mission would begin in 1995.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kwon, Soonjung; Kristjánsson, Kristján; Walker, David I.
2017-01-01
This article explores some of the hidden background behind the highly praised school results in South Korea. An ethnographic case study is used to cast light on how schooling is actually experienced by South Korean students. Two main results are reported from these data. First, evidence is presented of damaging "cultural elements" such…
Interethnic Relations: A Case Study of Senior Students at an Australian High School
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Willoughby, Louisa
2007-01-01
This article provides a case study of the relevance of ethnicity in senior student's social interactions at an Australian high school where over 90 per cent of the students speak a language other than English (LOTE) at home. Drawing on ethnographic methods it explores students' own views on the role of ethnic background in shaping who they are…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wolowicz-Ruszkowska, Agnieszka; McConnell, David
2017-01-01
Background: Little is known about the experience of growing up with a mother with intellectual disability. The aim of this study was to explore this experience from the perspective of adult children. Method: In-depth interviews with 23 adult children brought up by mothers with moderate-to-severe intellectual disability. The interview data were…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tøssebro, Jan; Wendelborg, Christian
2017-01-01
Background: This study addresses family structure in families raising a child with disabilities in Norway. The aims are to add to the literature on termination of parental relationships and to explore family research topics that are rarely discussed in disability research, such as cohabitation versus marriage and repartnering. Methods:…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Costa, Hugo Camara; Perdry, Herve; Soria, Carmen; Pulgar, Salome; Cusin, Francoise; Dellatolas, Georges
2013-01-01
This study examined the relation between emergent literacy skills, teachers' reports of behavioral problems, and word reading achievement in a community sample of French students. Family background was investigated and included familial antecedents of reading difficulties (Fa/Rd) and parents' educational level. The analyses explored the pattern of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Burgess, Simon; Gardiner, Karen; Propper, Carol
This study explored the relationships between adult economic outcomes and three key factors during adolescence: schooling, family background, and county of residence. The empirical analysis was based on data covering the period from 1979-1996. Data came from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth. The study examined a sample of people ages…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lin, Yi-Hsien
2013-01-01
This study was designed to explore the differences between high school teachers with art and science backgrounds in terms of curriculum and student performance in art and design education, federal educational policy, and financial support. The study took place in a local independent school district in Texarkana, Texas. The independent school…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Morin, Pascale; Turcotte, Sylvain; Perreault, Gino
2013-01-01
Background: With a view toward developing concerted efforts in fostering healthy eating habits and a physically active lifestyle among young people, a study was carried out to explore associations between eating behavior and physical activity (PA). Methods: In the school district, questionnaires were completed at home by parents of primary school…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Alexander-Lee, Mary Louise
2014-01-01
The qualitative study explored the (a) self-identity and individual experiences of five African American female higher education administrators, (b) educational and background preparedness of each African American female administrator, (c) individual support mechanisms of each African American female administrator, (i.e., mentoring, community and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ash, Andrea C.; Rice, Mabel L.; Redmond, Sean M.
2014-01-01
Purpose: The primary goal of this study was to explore the effect of language context on the socially withdrawn behaviors of school-age-children who are English language learners (ELLs) from middle- to high-socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds. This is one of the 1st studies to address the frequently confused concepts of shyness and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hamdan, Amani K.
2014-01-01
This case study explored the need for culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) in Saudi Arabian higher education, especially when students have a cultural background that differs from that of their instructor. The study documented how expatriate teachers structured their pedagogical practices in the Saudi Arabian context. It examined how these…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Felce, D.; Kerr, M.; Hastings, R. P.
2009-01-01
Background: Existing studies tend to show a positive association between mental illness and challenging behaviour among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). However, whether the association is direct or artefactual is less clear. The purpose was to explore the association between psychiatric status and level of challenging behaviour, while…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Williams, Tracey R.
2010-01-01
This qualitative study explored how informal community networks (i.e., faith based organizations, community cultural centers and service agencies) provided information to culturally and linguistically diverse families. The goals of this study were, first, to gain a better understanding of the methods the informal community networks used to…
System-Level Evaluation: Language and Other Background Factors Affecting Mathematics Achievement
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Howie, Sarah
2005-01-01
The aim of this study is to describe and to explore the main factors affecting the performance of South African pupils in the mathematics test of the Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat (TIMSS-R). The first objective was to describe the performance of the pupils in the mathematics test, the pupils' proficiency in English, as…
Diab, Paula N; Flack, Penny S; Mabuza, Langalibalele H; Reid, Stephen J Y
2012-01-01
There is evidence in the literature that rural background significantly encourages eventual rural practice. Given the shortage of healthcare providers in rural areas, we need to explore ways of ensuring throughput and success of rural-origin students in health sciences. It is therefore important to understand who these students are, what motivates them and the factors involved in the formation of their career choices. The aim of this study is to understand the aspirations of undergraduate health science students of rural origin with regard to their future career plans. The objectives of the study include to explore and identify the key issues facing rural-origin students with regard to their future career plans. Individual interviews were conducted with 15 health science students from two South African universities. Transcriptions were analyzed with the aid of Nvivo v8 (www.qsrinternational.com). The findings suggest health science students of rural origin studying at universities in the South African context face specific challenges related to the nature of the contrast between rural and urban life, in addition to the more generic adaptations that confront all students on entering tertiary education. In order to support rural students in their studies, academic, financial, emotional and social stressors need to be addressed. Universities should strengthen existing support structures as well as aid the development of further support that may be required.Key words: career plan, health science, rural background, South Africa.
Pushing boundaries-culture-sensitive care in oncology and palliative care: a qualitative study.
Schrank, Beate; Rumpold, Tamara; Amering, Michaela; Masel, Eva Katharina; Watzke, Herbert; Schur, Sophie
2017-06-01
In increasingly globalized societies, patient-centered cancer care requires culture-sensitive approaches in order to ensure patients well-being. While migrant patients' needs are frequently reported in the literature, staff members' perception of work with migrant patients, associated challenges, or individual work approaches are largely unknown. This study addresses this research gap through qualitative exploration of experiences of multicultural health care professionals in supportive oncology and palliative care, working with patients from different cultural backgrounds. This study aims to understand staff experience of the impact of culture on cancer care. This study was conducted at the Medical University of Vienna, including staff from different settings of oncology and palliative care, in different professional positions, and with a range of individual migration backgrounds. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 staff members working with patients from different cultural backgrounds. Interviews explored views on the impact of culture on care were audio-taped, transcribed, and analyzed using a rigorous method of thematic analysis, enhanced with grounded theory techniques. Interviews revealed 4 key topics: culture-specific differences, assumed reasons for differences, consequences of multicultural care, and tools for culture-sensitive care. Strategies to better deal with migrant patients and their families were suggested to improve work satisfaction amongst staff. This study identifies relevant staff challenges in work with migrant patients. Concrete suggestions for improvement include measures on an organizational level, team level, and personal tools. The suggested measures are applicable to improve work satisfaction and culture-sensitive care not only in cancer care but also in other areas of medicine. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Savage, R.; Carless, S.
2004-01-01
Background: Phonological awareness tests are known to be amongst the best predictors of literacy; however their predictive validity alongside current school screening practice (baseline assessment, pupil background data) and to National Curricular outcome measures is unknown. Aim: We explored the validity of phonological awareness and orthographic…
von Lochow, Heike; Lyberg-Åhlander, Viveka; Sahlén, Birgitta; Kastberg, Tobias; Brännström, K Jonas
2018-04-01
This study explores the effect of voice quality and competing speaker/-s on children's performance in a passage comprehension task. Furthermore, it explores the interaction between passage comprehension and cognitive functioning. Forty-nine children (27 girls and 22 boys) with normal hearing (aged 7-12 years) participated. Passage comprehension was tested in six different listening conditions; a typical voice (non-dysphonic voice) in quiet, a typical voice with one competing speaker, a typical voice with four competing speakers, a dysphonic voice in quiet, a dysphonic voice with one competing speaker, and a dysphonic voice with four competing speakers. The children's working memory capacity and executive functioning were also assessed. The findings indicate no direct effect of voice quality on the children's performance, but a significant effect of background listening condition. Interaction effects were seen between voice quality, background listening condition, and executive functioning. The children's susceptibility to the effect of the dysphonic voice and the background listening conditions are related to the individual's executive functions. The findings have several implications for design of interventions in language learning environments such as classrooms.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tang, Xingdi
Since the middle of 1990s, internet has become a new platform for surveys. Previous studies have discussed the visual design features of internet surveys. However, the application of acoustics as a design characteristic of online surveys has been rarely investigated. The present study aimed to fill that research gap. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of background sound on respondents' engagement and satisfaction with online surveys. Two forms of background sound were evaluated; audio recorded in studios and audio edited with convolution reverb technique. The author recruited 80 undergraduate students for the experiment. These students were assigned to one of three groups. Each of the three groups was asked to evaluate their engagement and satisfaction with a specific online survey. The content of the online survey was the same. However, the three groups was exposed to the online survey with no background sound, with background sound recorded in studios; and with background sound edited with convolution reverb technique. The results showed no significant difference in engagement and satisfaction in the three groups of online surveys; without background sound, background sound recorded in studios, and background sound edited with convolution reverb technique. The author suggests that background sound does not contribute to online surveys in all the contexts. The industry practitioners should be careful to evaluate the survey context to decide whether the background sound should be added. Particularly, ear-piercing noise or acoustics which may link to respondents' unpleasant experience should be avoided. Moreover, although the results did not support the advantage of the revolution reverb technique in improving respondents' engagement and satisfaction, the author suggests that the potential of the revolution reverb technique in the applications of online surveys can't be totally denied, since it may be useful for some contexts which need further explorations in future research.
Foreground-background segmentation and attention: a change blindness study.
Mazza, Veronica; Turatto, Massimo; Umiltà, Carlo
2005-01-01
One of the most debated questions in visual attention research is what factors affect the deployment of attention in the visual scene? Segmentation processes are influential factors, providing candidate objects for further attentional selection, and the relevant literature has concentrated on how figure-ground segmentation mechanisms influence visual attention. However, another crucial process, namely foreground-background segmentation, seems to have been neglected. By using a change blindness paradigm, we explored whether attention is preferentially allocated to the foreground elements or to the background ones. The results indicated that unless attention was voluntarily deployed to the background, large changes in the color of its elements remained unnoticed. In contrast, minor changes in the foreground elements were promptly reported. Differences in change blindness between the two regions of the display indicate that attention is, by default, biased toward the foreground elements. This also supports the phenomenal observations made by Gestaltists, who demonstrated the greater salience of the foreground than the background.
The Milky Way, the Local Group & the IR Tully-Fisher Diagram
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Malhotra, S.; Spergel, D.; Rhoads, J.; Li, J.
1996-01-01
Using the near infrared fluxes of local group galaxies derived from Cosmic Background Explorer/Diffuse Infrared Background Experiment band maps and published Cepheid distances, we construct Tully-Fisher diagrams for the Local Group.
A U.S. perspective on the human exploration and expansion on the planet Mars
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Roberts, Barney B.; Connolly, John F.
1992-01-01
A NASA perspective on the human exploration of Mars is presented which is based on the fundamental background available from the many previous studies. A hypothetical architecture of the Mars surface system is described which represents the complete spectrum of envisioned activities. Using the Strategic Implementation Architecture it is possible to construct a thoughtful roadmap which would enable a logical and flexible evolution of missions. Based on that architecture a suite of Martian surface elements is proposed to provide increasing levels of capability to the maturing infrastructure.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Leighly, Karen M.
1999-01-01
Monitoring observations with interval of 3 days using RXTE (X Ray Timing Explorer) of the luminous Seyfert 1 galaxy Fairall 9 were performed for one year. The purpose of the observations were to study the variability of Fairall 9 and compare the results with those from the radio-loud object 3C 390.3. The data has been received and analysis is underway, using the new background model. An observation of the quasar MR 2251-178 was made in order to determine whether or not it has a reflection component. Older background models gave an unacceptable subtraction and analysis is underway using the new background model. The observation of NGC 6300 showed that the X-ray spectrum from this Seyfert 2 galaxy appears to be dominated by Compton reflection.
Null cosmological singularities and free strings
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Narayan, K.
2010-03-15
We continue exploring free strings in the background of null Kasner-like cosmological singularities, following K. Narayan, arXiv:0904.4532. We study the free string Schrodinger wave functional along the lines of K. Narayan, arXiv:0807.1517. We find the wave functional to be nonsingular in the vicinity of singularities whose Kasner exponents satisfy certain relations. We compare this with the description in other variables. We then study certain regulated versions of these singularities where the singular region is replaced by a substringy but nonsingular region and study the string spectra in these backgrounds. The string modes can again be solved for exactly, giving somemore » insight into how string oscillator states get excited near the singularity.« less
Vollmer, Rachel L.
2013-01-01
Abstract Background Mothers often serve as the “gatekeepers” of food and the eating experience for young children in the home. Children of different ethnic/racial groups have different obesity prevalence rates, but little is known about how mothers of these groups interpret or implement common childhood obesity prevention messages. The purpose of this mixed methods pilot study was to explore comprehension and implementation of common childhood obesity prevention messages and to identify feeding styles among low-income mothers of young children. Methods White, black, and Hispanic low-income mothers (n=30) of children ages 3–10 were recruited from Indiana. Mothers were interviewed individually regarding the perception and implementation of eight commonly used nutrition and/or physical activity messages. Other outcomes included the results of the Caregiver Feeding Styles Questionnaire and self-reported weight of mothers and child(ren). Interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis to find common themes among the different ethnic/racial groups. Results Childhood obesity prevention messages were often interpreted or implemented differently among the different ethnic/racial groups. For example, white mothers cited control as a means to manage a child's weight more often compared to the other racial/ethnic groups, whereas black and Hispanic mothers reported catering to a child's preference more frequently compared to white mothers. Conclusion The pilot study provides evidence that it may be prudent to tailor nutrition messages to mothers of different ethnic/racial backgrounds during nutrition education. PMID:23679199
Hydrodynamic Capture of Particles by Micro-swimmers under Hele-Shaw Flows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mishler, Grant; Tsang, Alan Cheng Hou; Pak, On Shun
2017-11-01
We explore a hydrodynamic capture mechanism of a driven particle by a micro-swimmer in confined microfluidic environments with an idealized model. The capture is mediated by the hydrodynamic interactions between the micro-swimmer, the driven particle, and the background flow. This capture mechanism relies on the existence of attractive stable equilibrium configurations between the driven particle and the micro-swimmer, which occurs when the background flow is larger than a certain critical threshold. Dynamics and stability of capture and non-capture events will be discussed. This study may have potential applications in the study of capture and delivery of therapeutic payloads by micro-swimmers as well as particle self-assembly under confinements.
Penrose limits of Abelian and non-Abelian T-duals of AdS 5 × S 5 and their field theory duals
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Itsios, Georgios; Nastase, Horatiu; Núñez, Carlos; Sfetsos, Konstantinos; Zacarías, Salomón
2018-01-01
We consider the backgrounds obtained by Abelian and non-Abelian T-duality applied on AdS 5 × S 5. We study geodesics, calculate Penrose limits and find the associated plane-wave geometries. We quantise the weakly coupled type-IIA string theory on these backgrounds. We study the BMN sector, finding operators that wrap the original quiver CFT. For the non-Abelian plane wave, we find a `flow' in the frequencies. We report some progress to understand this, in terms of deconstruction of a higher dimensional field theory. We explore a relation with the plane-wave limit of the Janus solution, which we also provide.
Immigration Transition and Depressive Symptoms: Four Major Ethnic Groups of Midlife Women in the U.S
Im, Eun-Ok; Rendell Endowed, Marjorie O.; Chang, Sun Ju; Chee, Wonshik; Chee, Eunice; Mao, Jun
2015-01-01
Our purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between immigration transition and depressive symptoms among 1,054 midlife women in the U.S. This was a secondary analysis of the data from two national Internet survey studies. Questions on background characteristics and immigration transition and the Depression Index for Midlife Women were used to collect the data. The data were analyzed using inferential statistics including multiple regressions. Immigrants reported lower numbers of and less severe symptoms than non-immigrants (p < .01). When controlling for background characteristics, self-reported racial/ethnic identity and immigration status were significant predictors of depressive symptoms (R2=.01, p<.05). PMID:24875592
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
MYERS DA
This report documents the results of preliminary surface geophysical exploration activities performed between October and December 2006 at the B, BX, and BY tank farms (B Complex). The B Complex is located in the 200 East Area of the U. S. Department of Energy's Hanford Site in Washington State. The objective of the preliminary investigation was to collect background characterization information with magnetic gradiometry and electromagnetic induction to understand the spatial distribution of metallic objects that could potentially interfere with the results from high resolution resistivity survey. Results of the background characterization show there are several areas located around themore » site with large metallic subsurface debris or metallic infrastructure.« less
Clinicians in management: a qualitative study of managers’ use of influence strategies in hospitals
2014-01-01
Background Combining a professional and managerial role can be challenging for doctors and nurses. We aimed to explore influence strategies used by doctors and nurses who are managers in hospitals with a model of unitary and profession neutral management at all levels. Methods We did a study based on data from interviews and observations of 30 managers with a clinical background in Norwegian hospitals. Results Managers with a nursing background argued that medical doctors could more easily gain support for their views. Nurses reported deliberately not disclosing their professional background, and could use a doctor as their agent to achieve a strategic advantage. Doctors believed that they had to use their power as experts to influence peers. Doctors attempted to be medical role models, while nurses spoke of being a role model in more general terms. Managers who were not able to influence the system directly found informal workarounds. We did not identify horizontal strategies in the observations and accounts given by the managers in our study. Conclusions Managers’ professional background may be both a resource and constraint, and also determine the influence strategies they use. Professional roles and influence strategies should be a theme in leadership development programs for health professionals. PMID:24927743
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Egginton, Jason S.; Textor, Lauren; Knoebel, Erin; McWilliams, Deborah; Aleman, Marty; Yawn, Barbara
2013-01-01
Background: This study explores ways southeast Minnesota schools currently address asthma problems, identifies areas for improvement, and assesses the potential value of asthma action plans (AAPs) in schools. Methods: Focus groups were used to query stakeholder groups on asthma care in schools. Groups were held separately for elementary school…
Menopausal Experiences of Women with Intellectual Disabilities
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Willis, D. S.; Wishart, J. G.; Muir, W. J.
2011-01-01
Background: Little is known about the menopause in women with intellectual disabilities (ID) save that its onset is earlier than in the general population, and earlier still in women with Down's syndrome (DS). This study directly explored menopausal experiences in women with ID, both with and without DS, with the aim of identifying levels of…
Binomial Coefficients Modulo a Prime--A Visualization Approach to Undergraduate Research
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bardzell, Michael; Poimenidou, Eirini
2011-01-01
In this article we present, as a case study, results of undergraduate research involving binomial coefficients modulo a prime "p." We will discuss how undergraduates were involved in the project, even with a minimal mathematical background beforehand. There are two main avenues of exploration described to discover these binomial…
Teachers' Needs in Supporting Students with a Disability in the Classroom: A Research Report.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Eraclides, George
An Australian study explored what teachers thought about working with students with disabilities and what kind of factors affected their practices. Twelve teachers from Box Hill Institute in Melbourne were interviewed using questions grouped into these four categories: background and experience, attitude, professional issues, and recommendations.…
Mathematics Learning Styles of Chinese Immigrant Students. Final Research Report.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tsang, Sau-Lim
Major revision in the U.S. mathematics curriculum since the 1960s have led to significant differences between the mathematics curriculum of the United States and those of many other countries. This study explored how eight Chinese immigrant students, with different cultural backgrounds, mathematics knowledge, and learning styles, learned in an…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Cohen, Julie; Schuldt, Lorien Chambers; Brown, Lindsay; Grossman, Pamela
2016-01-01
Background/Context: Current efforts to build rigorous teacher evaluation systems has increased interest in standardized classroom observation tools as reliable measures for assessing teaching. However, many argue these instruments can also be used to effect change in classroom practice. This study investigates a model of professional development…
Moving (in) the Heterosexual Matrix. On Heteronormativity in Secondary School Physical Education
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Larsson, Hakan; Redelius, Karin; Fagrell, Birgitta
2011-01-01
Background: Studies on heteronormativity in PE either appear to have explored the experiences of and conditions for non-heterosexual students, or adopt a retrospective point of view. Further, the relation between heteronormativity and movement and how movement activities embody social norms and values related to gender and sexuality has not been…
School Staff Perspectives on the Challenges and Solutions to Working with Court-Involved Students
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Crosby, Shantel D.; Day, Angelique G.; Baroni, Beverly A.; Somers, Cheryl L.
2015-01-01
Background: Court-involved students, such as those in foster care and the juvenile justice system, generally experience high incidences of both acute and chronic trauma, adversely impacting their educational well-being and overall academic trajectory. Utilizing perceptions of teachers and other school staff, this study explores the challenges and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chou, Yueh-Ching; Fu, Li-yeh; Chang, Heng-Hao
2013-01-01
Background: This study explored the experiences of working mothers with an adult child with intellectual disabilities to understand how they reconcile paid work and care responsibilities. Methods: Fifteen working mothers in Taiwan with an adult child with intellectual disabilities were interviewed, and an interpretative phenomenological approach…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kerner, Charlotte; Goodyear, Victoria A.
2017-01-01
Background: Considerable numbers of young people are not meeting physical activity guidelines. Wearable fitness devices can provide opportunities for physical activity promotion. Purpose: The aim of the study was to explore whether wearable healthy lifestyle technologies impacted on adolescents' (13- to 14-year-olds) motivation for physical…
Chinese Children's Explanations for Illness
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Zhu, Liqi; Liu, Guangyi; Tardif, Twila
2009-01-01
The study explored how Chinese children spontaneously explained the causes of illness. Two groups of 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old children from different socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds were recruited, with 30 children in each age group. A group of 30 college students were also recruited and their responses compared to those produced by the…
Social Capital and the Educational Expectations of Young People
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Behtoui, Alireza
2017-01-01
The aim of this study is to explore the determinants of the educational expectations of young people in disadvantaged urban areas in three large cities in Sweden. In addition to the conventional predictors such as parental resources (economic and cultural capital) and demographic characteristics (such as age, gender, immigration background), this…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Yang, Xue; Byrne, Victoria; Chiu, Marcus Y. L.
2016-01-01
Background: By utilizing grounded theory methodology, this study attempted to fill a gap whereby little research explored family caregiving perspectives in China where public support is insufficient and familial responsibility is highly valued. Methods: Data were collected through the qualitative methods of interviews and observations among a…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Robinson, Thomas E.
2012-01-01
Interracial interactions between college students are responsible for important learning outcomes, however many colleges and universities have failed to purposefully encourage students to interact across racial backgrounds. As a result of a lack purposefully facilitated cross-racial interactions (CRIs), fewer interracial interactions occur on U.S.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Smith, Emilie Phillips; Witherspoon, Dawn P.; Osgood, D. Wayne
2017-01-01
Positive youth development (PYD) deserves more empirical attention, particularly among children of diverse racial-ethnic backgrounds. Given the need among families for monitoring and supervision during out-of-school time, community-based afterschool is a potentially promotive ecological setting. This study explores the quality of afterschool…
Use and Acceptance of Social Media among Health Educators
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hanson, Carl; West, Joshua; Neiger, Brad; Thackeray, Rosemary; Barnes, Michael; McIntyre, Emily
2011-01-01
Background: As social media use grows in popularity, health educators are challenged to think differently about how to communicate with audiences. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore social media use and factors that determine acceptance of social media use among health educators. Methods: A random sample of Certified Health…
Students' and Teachers' Ideals of Effective Business English Teaching
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Trinder, Ruth; Herles, Martin
2013-01-01
Learners' and teachers' evaluation of what constitutes useful, appropriate, and goal-relevant English may well shift in view of the globalization of English and its dominance in non-native contexts, business, and new media. Against this background, this study explores the extent to which a specific Business English university programme meets…
Looking at Movies and Cartoons: Eye-Tracking Evidence from Williams Syndrome and Autism
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Riby, D.; Hancock, P. J. B.
2009-01-01
Background: Autism and Williams syndrome (WS) are neuro-developmental disorders associated with distinct social phenotypes. While individuals with autism show a lack of interest in socially important cues, individuals with WS often show increased interest in socially relevant information. Methods: The current eye-tracking study explores how…
Understanding the State of Nutrition Education in the Head Start Classroom: A Qualitative Approach
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Carraway-Stage, Virginia; Henson, Sydney R.; Dipper, Allison; Spangler, Hillary; Ash, Sarah L.; Goodell, L. Suzanne
2014-01-01
Background: Early education is important for establishing healthy eating behaviors among young children; however, the literature describing nutrition education in the preschool environment is limited. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore teacher experiences related to the incorporation of nutrition education in Head Start preschool…
Evidence of Resilience in Families of Children with Autism
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bayat, Mojdeh
2007-01-01
Background: Family resilience is a growing field of inquiry, investigating factors that contribute to a family's becoming stronger in spite of dealing with adversity. Despite the growing interest in studying family resilience, the topic has not been explored in families with children who have disabilities. This report, a part of a larger…
Pre-Service Teacher Vision and Urban Schools
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Roselle, Rene; Liner, Kevin
2012-01-01
As preservice teachers enter their first teaching experience, they often have perceptions about what teaching will be like based on a vision that is typically linked to their own background and experiences. This study explores the changes in visions of 15 preservice teachers throughout student teaching in an urban environment. The research will…
Human Rights Education: Imaginative Possibilities for Creating Change
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bajaj, Monisha
2015-01-01
Background/Context: Human rights education has proliferated in the past four decades and can be found in policy discussions, textbook reforms, and grassroots initiatives across the globe. This article specifically explores the role of creativity and imagination in human rights education (HRE) by focusing on a case study of one non-governmental…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hur, Eunhye; Jeon, Lieny; Buettner, Cynthia K.
2016-01-01
Background: Early childhood teachers' child-centered beliefs, defined as teachers' attitudes about how children learn, have been associated with teachers' developmentally appropriate practices and positive child outcomes. The predictors of teachers' child-centered beliefs, however, are less frequently explored. Objective: This study tested whether…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
He, Ye; Journell, Wayne; Faircloth, Josh
2018-01-01
In this article we highlight elements of culturally and linguistically responsive pedagogy that prepare teachers to work with English Learners (ELs) from a variety of backgrounds. Specifically, we focus on the learning experiences and practices of one secondary social studies teacher to explore promising practices with ELs and effective teacher…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Walsh-Buhi, Eric R.; Dao, Brandon; Salgin, Linda; Marshall, James; Miller, Rachel; Fisher, Doug; Walsh-Buhi, Margaret
2017-01-01
Background: Schools can address critical sexual and reproductive health (SRH) issues among youth. However, little is known about SRH education being implemented in charter schools. Thus, our purpose was to explore implementation of SRH education in charter schools. Methods: Using purposive sampling, semistructured telephone interviews were…
Examining First-Year Non-Dominant Students' Experiences as Academic Writers: An Identity Perspective
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Panayotova, Dora Marinova
2013-01-01
This dissertation reports on a study investigating the identity of first-year university students as writers. The longitudinal project explored how students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds construct their identities as undergraduates and as academic writers in their first year. The research was qualitative and interpretative, and used…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Pakenham, Kenneth I.; Stafford-Brown, Johanna
2013-01-01
Background: Research into stress management interventions for clinical psychology trainees (CPTs) is limited, despite evidence indicating that these individuals are at risk for elevated stress, which can negatively impact personal and professional functioning. This study explored: (1) CPTs' perceptions of a previously evaluated Acceptance and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Henshaw, M.; Thomas, S.
2012-01-01
Background: This study investigated the experiences and perceptions of operational members of Victoria Police in relation to their contacts with people with intellectual disability (ID). Key interests for exploration included how frequently and in what context police reported coming into contact with people with ID, how they made this…
School Connectedness and Chinese Adolescents' Sleep Problems: A Cross-Lagged Panel Analysis
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bao, Zhenzhou; Chen, Chuansheng; Zhang, Wei; Jiang, Yanping; Zhu, Jianjun; Lai, Xuefen
2018-01-01
Background: Although previous research indicates an association between school connectedness and adolescents' sleep quality, its causal direction has not been determined. This study used a 2-wave cross-lagged panel analysis to explore the likely causal direction between these 2 constructs. Methods: Participants were 888 Chinese adolescents (43.80%…
The Effects of Dr. Oz on Health Behaviors and Attitudes
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Crouch, Elizabeth; Dickes, Lori A.; Davis, Amanda; Zarandy, Joy
2016-01-01
Background: Consumption of social media has quickly evolved into a primary source of health information for many consumers. This seems to be particularly true for individuals seeking to modify chronic health conditions like weight loss, obesity, and obesity-related diseases. Purpose: This study explores whether watching Dr. Oz weight loss episodes…
Physical Activity Behaviors and Emotional Self-Efficacy: Is There a Relationship for Adolescents?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Valois, Robert F.; Umstattd, M. Renee; Zullig, Keith J.; Paxton, Raheem J.
2008-01-01
Background: This study explored relationships between physical activity (PA) behaviors and emotional self-efficacy (ESE) in a statewide sample of public high school adolescents in South Carolina (n = 3836). Methods: The Center for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Survey PA items and an adolescent ESE scale were used. Logistic regression…
Practitioners Who Work with Parents with Intellectual Disability: Stress, Coping and Training Needs
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Clayton, Olivia; Chester, Andrea; Mildon, Robyn; Matthews, Jan
2008-01-01
Background: Challenges for practitioners who work with parents with intellectual disability arise from several sources. The purpose of the current study was to identify the stressors experienced by practitioners who work with parents with intellectual disability in Australia, investigate coping strategies and explore training needs so as to inform…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lindner, Rachel; Méndez Garcia, Maria del Carmen
2014-01-01
Positioned against the background of the Council of Europe's interest in developing intercultural competence through education, the study presented in this paper investigates the impact on intercultural visual literacy of the Council of Europe's "Images of Others--An Autobiography of Intercultural Encounters through Visual Media"…
Exploring the Views of Parents of High Ability Children Living in Relative Poverty
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Koshy, Valsa; Brown, Joanna; Jones, Deborah; Portman Smith, Carole
2013-01-01
Background: This study is located in the general context of recent research on family life in England, "gifted and talented" education policy and the significance of parental engagement. There is strong evidence that parental involvement has a significant and positive effect on children's development and achievement. Although a great…
Postpartum Teens' Perception of the Food Environments at Home and School
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tabak, Rachel G.; Joshu, Corinne E.; Clarke, Megan A.; Schwarz, Cynthia D.; Haire-Joshu, Debra L.
2016-01-01
Background: An environment that supports healthy eating is one factor to prevent obesity. However, little is known about postpartum teen's perceptions of their home and school environments and how this relates to dietary behaviors. Purpose: This study explores the relationship between home and school environments and dietary behaviors for…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Terry-McElrath, Yvonne M.; O'Malley, Patrick M.; Johnston, Lloyd D.
2012-01-01
Background: This study explores sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) availability in US secondary school competitive venues during the first 3 years following the school wellness policy requirement (2007-2009). Furthermore, analyses examine associations with school policy and SSB availability. Methods: Analyses use questionnaire data from 757 middle and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chadwick, Darren D.; Jolliffe, Jane; Goldbart, Juliet; Burton, Mark H.
2006-01-01
Background: There is scant research on the subject of dysphagia and people with intellectual disabilities. This study explores the barriers which caregivers believe make following Speech and Language Therapists' (SLTs) dysphagia management strategies more difficult. Method: Semi-structured open-ended interviews were conducted with 46 caregivers…
Epiphanic Awakenings in Raymond Carver's "Cathedral" and Alice Walker's "Everyday Use"
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sadeq, Ala Eddin; Al-Badawi, Mohammed
2016-01-01
This paper explores how two short stories from very different backgrounds conclude in a significant epiphany for the characters. Raymond Carver's short story "Cathedral" and Alice Walker's "Everyday Use" are studied to see how the husband in Carver's work is blinder than his visually-impaired overnight guest, and the…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Van Batenburg-Eddes, T.; Brion, M. J.; Henrichs, J.; Jaddoe, V. W. V.; Hofman, A.; Verhulst, F. C.; Lawlor, D. A.; Smith, G. Davey; Tiemeier, H.
2013-01-01
Background: Maternal depression and anxiety during pregnancy have been associated with offspring-attention deficit problems. Aim: We explored possible intrauterine effects by comparing maternal and paternal symptoms during pregnancy, by investigating cross-cohort consistency, and by investigating whether parental symptoms in early childhood may…
A New Measure of Home Exercise Benefits and Barriers
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thind, Herpreet; Fava, Joseph; Traficante, Regina; Bock, Beth C.
2016-01-01
Background: To increase physical activity among college students, new approaches are needed including the exploration of home-based exercise. However, research related to potential facilitators and barriers to exercising at home is limited. Purpose: The goal of this study was to develop a reliable and valid measure that can assess predictors of…
Chinese Language Education in Europe: The Confucius Institutes
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Starr, Don
2009-01-01
This article explores the background to the Chinese government's decision to embark on a programme of promoting the study of Chinese language and culture overseas. This includes the impact of Joseph Nye's concept of "soft power" in China, ownership of the national language, the Confucius connection, and how these factors interact with…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Herbert, Patrick C.; Lohrmann, David K.
2011-01-01
Background: This study explores the relationship between instructional strategies and effective health education curricula. Methods: A content analysis of 10 health education curricula was conducted to determine if they include common instructional strategies for actively engaging students in acquisition of health skills. To be included, the…
The Behavioural Phenotype of Smith-Magenis Syndrome: Evidence for a Gene-Environment Interaction
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Taylor, L.; Oliver, C.
2008-01-01
Background: Behaviour problems and a preference for adult contact are reported to be prominent in the phenotype of Smith-Magenis syndrome. In this study we examined the relationship between social interactions and self-injurious and aggressive/disruptive behaviour in Smith-Magenis syndrome to explore potential operant reinforcement of problem…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Heslop, Pauline; Glover, Gyles
2015-01-01
Background: At present, there is limited statistical information about mortality of people with intellectual disabilities in England. This study explores the data that are currently available. Materials and Methods: Four recent sources of data about mortality of people with intellectual disabilities in England are reviewed: the Confidential…
Polysubstance Use among Minority Adolescent Males Incarcerated for Serious Offenses
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Racz, Sarah Jensen; Saha, Shonali; Trent, Maria; Adger, Hoover; Bradshaw, Catherine P.; Goldweber, Asha; Cauffman, Elizabeth
2016-01-01
Background: Adolescent juvenile offenders are at high risk for problems associated with drug use, including polysubstance use (i.e., use of a variety of drugs). The combination of juvenile offending and polysubstance use presents a significant public and child health concern. Objective: This study explored polysubstance use among a sample of youth…
Background: This research examines lead recovery and recycling in lead-acid batteries (LAB) which account for 88% of US lead consumption. We explore strategies to maximize lead recovery and recycling in the LAB lifecycle. Currently, there is limited information on recycling ra...
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Pino-Pasternak, Deborah
2014-01-01
Background: Extant research has traditionally associated children's achievement motivation with socio-emotional parental behaviours such as demonstrations of affect, responsiveness, and the degree of parental control. Aims: This study explored the extent to which parental socio-emotional and instructional behaviours (including the contingency…
Exploring Students' Reading Profiles to Guide a Reading Intervention Programme
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Boakye, Naomi A. N. Y.
2017-01-01
There have been a number of studies on reading interventions to improve students' reading proficiency, yet the majority of these interventions are undertaken with the assumption that students' reading challenges are obvious and generic in nature. The interventions do not take into consideration the diversity in students' reading backgrounds and…
Families Challenged by and Accommodating to the Adolescent Years
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Schneider, J.; Wedgewood, N.; Llewellyn, G.; McConnell, D.
2006-01-01
Background: Informed by Ecocultural theory, this study explores the challenges that families caring for an adolescent with disability face and strategies they apply to sustain a meaningful family routine during the adolescent years. Methods: In-depth Ecocultural interviews were conducted with 20 families caring for an adolescent (aged 10-21 years)…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jacobs, Myrthe; Woolfson, Lisa Marks; Hunter, Simon C.
2016-01-01
Background: Children with intellectual disabilities have high rates of behaviour problems. This study explored parents' causal beliefs and attributions for general problematic child behaviour in children with different aetiologies of intellectual disabilities. Materials and Methods: Ten parents of children with intellectual disabilities…
How Do Caregivers Select Preschools? A Study of Children with and without Disabilities
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Glenn-Applegate, Katherine; Justice, Laura M.; Kaderavek, Joan
2016-01-01
Background: Little is known about how parents and other caregivers conceptualize preschool quality, or what factors they prioritize when selecting a preschool. Caregivers of children with disabilities have the additional challenge of finding a preschool that can address their children's special needs. Objective: We explored the factors caregivers…
The Development of Executive Function and Language Skills in the Early School Years
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gooch, Debbie; Thompson, Paul; Nash, Hannah M.; Snowling, Margaret J.; Hulme, Charles
2016-01-01
Background: The developmental relationships between executive functions (EF) and early language skills are unclear. This study explores the longitudinal relationships between children's early EF and language skills in a sample of children with a wide range of language abilities including children at risk of dyslexia. In addition, we investigated…
Adolescent Health Literacy: The Importance of Credible Sources for Online Health Information
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ghaddar, Suad F.; Valerio, Melissa A.; Garcia, Carolyn M.; Hansen, Lucy
2012-01-01
Background: Little research has examined adolescent health literacy and its relationship with online health information sources. The purpose of this study is to explore health literacy among a predominantly Hispanic adolescent population and to investigate whether exposure to a credible source of online health information, MedlinePlus[R], is…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ratcliff, Daniel; Chapman, Melanie
2016-01-01
Background: The study explored experiences of health and social care practitioners within a community learning disability team in undertaking mental capacity assessments with people with learning disabilities. Materials and Methods: Eight practitioners were interviewed using a semi-structured interview schedule. Results: The information gained was…
Medicines Education at Home--A Case Study in Finland
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hokkanen, Johanna; Elorinne, Anna-Liisa; Hämeen-Anttila, Katri; Keinonen, Tuula
2017-01-01
Background: Educating children about medicines and medicine use is part of health education and is often seen as parents' responsibility. However, to date, little research has been conducted on medicines education as provided in the home. Objective: To explore (1) parents' attitudes towards medicines, (2) medicines education practices in the home…
The Role of Identity Narratives in Overcoming Barriers to Parental Engagement
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Naqvi, Rahat; Carey, Jennifer; Cummins, Jim; Altidor-Brooks, Alison
2015-01-01
This paper describes a qualitative study conducted over the course of one school year in an ethnically diverse school. Aimed at exploring the conditions under which parents of low socioeconomic status (SES) immigrant-background children will engage actively with the school, we involved parents and facilitators in story-telling sessions, sharing…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Giani, Matt S.
2015-01-01
The purpose of this study is to revisit the widely held assumption that the impact of socioeconomic background declines steadily across educational transitions, particularly at the postsecondary level. Sequential logit modeling, a staple methodological approach for estimating the relative impact of SES across educational stages, is applied to a…
Qualitative Research as Cultural and Religious Mirror: What Do Researchers Really Learn?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Court, Deborah
2008-01-01
This article explores the interaction between the work and lives of five religious qualitative researchers whose research studies investigate both culture and religion. The ways their personal backgrounds, experiences, and values affect their choice of research topics and their relationships with research participants and with data, are revealed…
Whoever Shouts the Loudest: Listening to Parents of Children with Disabilities
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ryan, Christian; Quinlan, Elizabeth
2018-01-01
Background: Elevated stress is common among parents of children with disabilities. The parents' perspective and evaluation of services have a significant impact on their well-being and adaptation to their child's disability and is a source of information for service improvements. This study explores parental perceptions of communication and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Boum, Aomar
2008-01-01
This article is based on an ethnographic study I conducted in southern Morocco during 2004. I explore the historical, ideological, and cultural background behind educational specialization among Moroccan university students. I describe how French colonial educational policies and postindependence Moroccan national schooling ideologies have created…
Direct Care Workers' Experiences of Grief and Needs for Support
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gray, Jennifer A.; Kim, Jinsook
2017-01-01
Background: A paucity of information is available on direct care workers' (DCWs') experiences with loss when their clients (people with intellectual and developmental disabilities [I/DD]) die. This study explored DCWs' grief experiences, their coping methods and their needs for support. Methods: A thematic analysis approach was used to examine…
Etic and Emic: Research with Children from Socially and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Washington, Julie A.
2006-01-01
This article explores the distinction between etic and emic approaches to research, which are defined as the study of human behavior from outside a given system (etic) and from inside the system (emic). These concepts can help researchers and practitioners understand the social and linguistic differences of children from varied cultural…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Negru, Oana; Haragâs, Cosmina; Mustea, Anca
2014-01-01
This qualitative study explores the dynamics of religious cognitions, behaviors, and emotions in emerging adult discourse in a sample of Romanian youth of heterogeneous socioeconomic, denominational (Orthodox Christian, Roman Catholic, Neo-protestant), and educational background. Also, from a parent-child dyad perspective, we investigate the role…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Nijs, Sara; Penne, Anneleen; Vlaskamp, Carla; Maes, Bea
2016-01-01
Background: Children with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) meet other children with PIMD in day care centres or schools. This study explores the peer-directed behaviours of children with PIMD, the peer interaction-influencing behaviour of the direct support workers and the children's positioning. Method: Group activities for…
Facework among L2 Speakers: A Close Look at Intercultural Communication
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Jwa, Soomin
2017-01-01
Although significant attention has been devoted to the notion of facework and its functions, facework among L2 speakers, whose cultural backgrounds and language proficiencies vary, has remained unexplored. The present study attempts to explore situations of intercultural communication in which facework is used as a way to remedy moments of…
Exploring the Weight and Health Status of Adults with Down Syndrome
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Havercamp, Susan M.; Tassé, Marc J.; Navas, Patricia; Benson, Betsey A.; Allain, Dawn; Manickam, Kandamurugu
2017-01-01
Background: People with developmental disabilities experience worse health than typically developing peers. This health differential is often described in terms of health disparities, which refers to differences caused or exacerbated by social or access issues. Objective: the goal of this study was to compare the weight status and health…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Botting, Nicola
2004-01-01
Background: The pragmatic skills of children with communication disorders and their assessment are currently an issue for speech and language therapy and educational placement. Aims: To explore whether different subgroups of children with communication disorders score differently on the Children's Communication Checklist (CCC) and to study how…
A Comparison of Actual and Preferred Classroom Environments as Perceived by Middle School Students
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lai, Hsiang-Ru; Chou, Wei-Lun; Miao, Nae-Fang; Wu, Yu-Ping; Lee, Pi-Hsia; Jwo, Jiunn-Chern
2015-01-01
Background: A good classroom environment can promote students' learning motivation and affect their academic efficacy and adaptation. This study compares the perceptions of Taiwanese middle school students regarding actual and preferred classroom environments and explores the association with sex and grade level. Methods: Data were collected using…
School Finance and Courts: Does Reform Matter, and How Can We Tell?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Baker, Bruce D.; Welner, Kevin G.
2011-01-01
Background/Context: School finance litigation has often prompted funding reforms, but what happens as a result is the subject of considerable dispute. Purpose: This article explores design problems encountered in studies examining the nature and effects of those reforms. Analysis: After describing the development and current status of school…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Adams, Catherine; Lloyd, Julian; Aldred, Catherine; Baxendale, Janet
2006-01-01
Background: The remediation of pragmatic problems forms a significant part of the caseload for professionals working with children with communication problems. There is little systematic evidence that demonstrates the benefits of speech and language therapy for children whose difficulties lie primarily within the pragmatic domain or which…
PATTERNS OF MASTERY AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL LEVEL.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
MINUCHIN, PATRICIA; AND OTHERS
EFFORTS WERE DIRECTED TOWARD THE EXPLORATION OF CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THE HOME AND SCHOOL BACKGROUND INFLUENCES OF FOURTH-GRADE CHILDREN, AND THE PATTERNS OF RESPONSE THROUGH WHICH CHILDREN MASTER CHALLENGE, REACT TO OPPORTUNITY, AND EXPRESS AND HANDLE CONFLICT. THIS CURRENT RESEARCH WAS BUILT UPON AN EARLIER STUDY WHICH ASSESSED THE EFFECTS OF…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Chou, Yueh-Ching; Lu, Jane Zxy-Yann; Pu, Cheng-Yun
2009-01-01
Background: Perimenstrual syndrome (PMS) among women with an intellectual disability (ID) has not been investigated in Taiwan. This study explores the prevalence/severity of PMS experienced by women with ID who are institutionalised. Method: Ninety two female residents aged 15 to 54 at six public institutions completed a structured interview…
Compassionate, Spiritual, and Creative Listening in Teaching and Learning
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Garrison, Jim
2010-01-01
Background/Context: Listening is largely overlooked in cultures constituted on the basis of the freedom of speech, such as we find in the United States and elsewhere. Purpose/Objective/Research Question/Focus of Study: The article explores compassionate listening as a creative spiritual activity. Such listening recognizes the suffering of others…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Rainey, Jacquie
2007-01-01
Background: This paper describes a portion of a larger evaluation project of a state hepatitis prevention program. Purpose: The study explored the suggestions of key informants related to the delivery of hepatitis services in the state. Methods: Researchers conducted key informant interviews lasting 30 to 45 minutes. Results: Important findings…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Henderson, Michael; Selwyn, Neil; Finger, Glenn; Aston, Rachel
2015-01-01
The much-discussed potential of "technology-enhanced learning" is not always apparent in the day-to-day use of digital technology throughout higher education. Against this background, the present paper considers the digital devices and resources that students engage most frequently with during their university studies, what these…
The Relevance of a Migration Background to the Professional Identity of Teachers
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bressler, Christoph; Rotter, Carolin
2017-01-01
Immigrant teachers face several specific expectations from policy makers, colleagues, as well as the media. Often new hopes are pinned on them for teaching (ethnically) diverse learners. Their professional identity is inevitably linked to these expectations. In this regard, this paper discusses the findings of a qualitative study exploring the…
Speed Isn't Everything: A Study of Examination Marking
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Nadas, Rita; Suto, Irenka
2010-01-01
The question of whether marking speed is related to marking accuracy is important for training examiners and planning realistic marking schedules. We explored marking speed in the context of a past examination for an international biology qualification for 14- to 16-year-olds. Forty-two markers with differing backgrounds experimentally marked 23…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Proctor, Sherrie L.; Romano, Maria
2016-01-01
Shortages of school psychologists and the underrepresentation of minorities in school psychology represent longstanding concerns. Scholars recommend that one way to address both issues is to recruit individuals from racially and ethnically diverse backgrounds into school psychology. The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics and…
Peer Victimization and Psychosocial Adjustment: The Experiences of Canadian Immigrant Youth
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
McKenney, Katherine S.; Pepler, Debra; Craig, Wendy; Connolly, Jennifer
2006-01-01
The study explored the peer victimization experiences of immigrant youth in Canada. More specifically, their involvement in general victimization and ethnic victimization (i.e., being bullied on the basis of one's ethnic background) was examined using an ethnically-diverse sample of elementary and high school students. There were no significant…
Using Meta-Regression to Explore Moderating Effects in Surveys of International Achievement
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Benton, Tom
2014-01-01
This article demonstrates how meta-analytic techniques, that have typically been used to synthesize findings across numerous studies, can also be applied to examine the reasons why relationships between background characteristics and outcomes may vary across different locations in a single multi-site survey. This application is particularly…
Cognitive Appraisals in Young People with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Libby, Sarah; Reynolds, Shirley; Derisley, Jo; Clark, Sarah
2004-01-01
Background: A number of cognitive appraisals have been identified as important in the manifestation of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in adults. There have, however, been few attempts to explore these cognitive appraisals in clinical groups of young people. Method: This study compared young people aged between 11 and 18 years with OCD (N =…
African American Perspectives and Experiences of Domestic Violence in a Rural Community.
Valandra; Murphy-Erby, Yvette; Higgins, Brandon M; Brown, Lucy M
2016-09-01
Relatively few studies have explored domestic violence from a multiplicity of African American perspectives, experiences, and socio-demographic backgrounds within rural African American communities. Community-based participatory action research methods were used to explore domestic violence perceptions of African Americans with heterogeneous backgrounds and experiences of violence. Ten focus groups were held throughout the community with 52 diverse women ( n = 33) and men ( n = 19) living in the northwest region of Arkansas. Demographic data were collected from 47 women ( n = 28) and men ( n = 19) participating in focus groups regarding their perceptions and experiences of domestic violence, media messages, help-seeking behaviors, and services. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methods. Three major themes emerged, including (a) a heightened awareness of race, gender, and class differences; (b) imbalanced and mixed messages from media; and (c) multi-systemic dynamics influencing abusive behavior and relationships. Results indicate that study participants' perspectives and experiences with domestic violence reflect a complex interrelated gamut of societal, community, familial, and individual dynamics. Participant recommendations related to interpersonal dynamics, media messages, and societal influences are reported with implications for practice, policy, and future research.
A Drastic Change in Background Luminance or Motion Degrades the Preview Benefit.
Osugi, Takayuki; Murakami, Ikuya
2017-01-01
When some distractors (old items) precede some others (new items) in an inefficient visual search task, the search is restricted to new items, and yields a phenomenon termed the preview benefit. It has recently been demonstrated that, in this preview search task, the onset of repetitive changes in the background disrupts the preview benefit, whereas a single transient change in the background does not. In the present study, we explored this effect with dynamic background changes occurring in the context of realistic scenes, to examine the robustness and usefulness of visual marking. We examined whether preview benefit in a preview search task survived through task-irrelevant changes in the scene, namely a luminance change and the initiation of coherent motion, both occurring in the background. Luminance change of the background disrupted preview benefit if it was synchronized with the onset of the search display. Furthermore, although the presence of coherent background motion per se did not affect preview benefit, its synchronized initiation with the onset of the search display did disrupt preview benefit if the motion speed was sufficiently high. These results suggest that visual marking can be destroyed by a transient event in the scene if that event is sufficiently drastic.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Foster, Donald Carey
The purpose of this case study was to identify barriers that limit the effectiveness of elementary teachers in the teaching of science. It is of the utmost urgency that barriers be first identified, so that possible solutions can be explored to bring about the improvement of elementary science education. This urgency has been imposed by the scheduled national testing of students in science by 2007, as mandated by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Using qualitative case study methods, the researcher conducted interviews with 8 elementary teachers from two schools within one school district who taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade. These interviews were designed to gain insight into barriers these elementary teachers perceived as factors limiting their effectiveness in teaching science and preparing students for high-stakes testing. Barriers in the areas of teacher background, typical teaching day, curriculum, inservices, and legislative influences were explored. This study concluded that the barriers explored do have a substantial negative affect on the teaching and learning of science in the elementary grades. Specifically, the barriers revealed in this study include the limited science background of elementary teachers, inadequate class time devoted to science, non-comprehensive curriculum, ineffective or lack of inservice training, and pressures from legislated mandates. But it is also clear that these barriers are so intertwined that one cannot remove these barriers one at a time. It will take a collective effort from all involved, including legislators, administrators, teachers, parents, and students, to alleviate these barriers and discover effective solutions to improve elementary science education.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Welply, Oakleigh
2015-01-01
This article examines the role of global representations in immigrant-background children's social imaginaries in primary schools in France and England. Increased globalisation, mobility and migration hold strong implications in terms of identity and belonging for children from immigrant backgrounds in schools in European countries, based on…
Cosmic background radiation anisotropy in an open inflation, cold dark matter cosmogony
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kamionkowski, Marc; Ratra, Bharat; Spergel, David N.; Sugiyama, Naoshi
1994-01-01
We compute the cosmic background radiation anisotropy, produced by energy-density fluctuations generated during an early epoch of inflation, in an open cosmological model based on the cold dark matter scenario. At Omega(sub 0) is approximately 0.3-0.4, the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) normalized open model appears to be consistent with most observations.
USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database
Background: Inflammation is associated with increased bone resorption; the role of inflammation in postprandial bone turnover has not been explored. Consumption of milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) reduces inflammation in animal models. This study aimed to measure postprandial changes in bone turnov...
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mishal, Adina; Patkin, Dorit
2016-01-01
The present study aimed to explore the contribution of a mathematics in-service training course to elementary school teachers (1st-6th grades) in Israel. The study was conducted among 449 educators. They were required to respond to background questions. Moreover, they were asked to indicate their expectations from the in-service training course…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sacks, Chana; Shay, Sophie; Repplinger, Lyra; Leffel, Kristin R.; Sapolich, Shannon G.; Suskind, Elizabeth; Tannenbaum, Sally; Suskind, Dana
2014-01-01
This pilot study explored the potential for Project ASPIRE to effect behavior change in a sample of 11 parents of children with hearing loss who were from typically underserved populations, such as families from backgrounds of low socioeconomic status or families who speak English as a second language. The study consisted of one education session,…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Majerus, S.; Barisnikov, K.
2018-01-01
Background: Verbal short-term memory (STM) capacity has been considered to support vocabulary learning in typical children and adults, but evidence for this link is inconsistent for studies in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). The aim of this study was explore the role of processing demands on the association between verbal STM and vocabulary…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Casey, Dympna; O'Hara, Mary Clare; Meehan, Ben; Byrne, Molly; Dinneen, Sean F.; Murphy, Kathy
2016-01-01
Aim: To explain the factors affecting glycemic control (measured by HbA1c) following the Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating (DAFNE) program. Background: DAFNE is a structured education program designed to assist persons with type 1 diabetes mellitus achieve optimal glycemic control. However, not all participants reach this goal. Few studies…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sandhu, Daljit K.; Rose, John; Rostill-Brookes, Helen J.; Thrift, Su
2012-01-01
Background: This study explores the emotional challenges faced by staff working on a sex offender treatment programme for people with an intellectual disability. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight participants working on a treatment programme for sex offenders with an intellectual disability. Interviews were analysed…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Crosnoe, Robert; Smith, Chelsea; Leventhal, Tama
2015-01-01
Applying latent class and regression techniques to data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (n = 997), this study explored the potential academic advantages of time spent in out-of-school activities. Of particular interest was how these potential advantages played out in relation to the timing and duration of activity…
Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress
2017-01-05
challenges to exploration. Additionally, any discovery of new oil and gas deposits far from existing storage, pipelines , and shipping facilities...Changes to the Arctic brought about by warming temperatures will likely allow more exploration for oil, gas , and minerals. Warming that causes...permafrost to melt could pose challenges to onshore exploration activities. Increased oil and gas exploration and tourism (cruise ships) in the Arctic
A geologic and mineral exploration spatial database for the Stillwater Complex, Montana
Zientek, Michael L.; Parks, Heather L.
2014-01-01
This report provides essential spatially referenced datasets based on geologic mapping and mineral exploration activities conducted from the 1920s to the 1990s. This information will facilitate research on the complex and provide background material needed to explore for mineral resources and to develop sound land-management policy.
Can We Predict CME Deflections Based on Solar Magnetic Field Configuration Alone?
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kay, C.; Opher, M.; Evans, R. M.
2013-12-01
Accurate space weather forecasting requires knowledge of the trajectory of coronal mass ejections (CMEs), including predicting CME deflections close to the Sun and through interplanetary space. Deflections of CMEs occur due to variations in the background magnetic field or solar wind speed, magnetic reconnection, and interactions with other CMEs. Using our newly developed model of CME deflections due to gradients in the background solar magnetic field, ForeCAT (Kay et al. 2013), we explore the questions: (a) do all simulated CMEs ultimately deflect to the minimum in the background solar magnetic field? (b) does the majority of the deflection occur in the lower corona below 4 Rs? ForeCAT does not include temporal variations in the magnetic field of active regions (ARs), spatial variations in the background solar wind speed, magnetic reconnection, or interactions with other CMEs. Therefore we focus on the effects of the steady state solar magnetic field. We explore two different Carrington Rotations (CRs): CR 2029 (April-May 2005) and CR 2077 (November-December 2008). Little is known about how the density and magnetic field fall with distance in the lower corona. We consider four density models derived from observations (Chen 1996, Mann et al. 2003, Guhathakurta et al. 2006, Leblanc et al. 1996) and two magnetic field models (PFSS and a scaled model). ForeCAT includes drag resulting from both CME propagation and deflection through the background solar wind. We vary the drag coefficient to explore the effect of drag on the deflection at 1 AU.
Clinicians in management: a qualitative study of managers' use of influence strategies in hospitals.
Spehar, Ivan; Frich, Jan C; Kjekshus, Lars Erik
2014-06-13
Combining a professional and managerial role can be challenging for doctors and nurses. We aimed to explore influence strategies used by doctors and nurses who are managers in hospitals with a model of unitary and profession neutral management at all levels. We did a study based on data from interviews and observations of 30 managers with a clinical background in Norwegian hospitals. Managers with a nursing background argued that medical doctors could more easily gain support for their views. Nurses reported deliberately not disclosing their professional background, and could use a doctor as their agent to achieve a strategic advantage. Doctors believed that they had to use their power as experts to influence peers. Doctors attempted to be medical role models, while nurses spoke of being a role model in more general terms. Managers who were not able to influence the system directly found informal workarounds. We did not identify horizontal strategies in the observations and accounts given by the managers in our study. Managers' professional background may be both a resource and constraint, and also determine the influence strategies they use. Professional roles and influence strategies should be a theme in leadership development programs for health professionals.
Shin, Jung-Hyun; Eom, Tae-Hoon; Kim, Young-Hoon; Chung, Seung-Yun; Lee, In-Goo; Kim, Jung-Min
2017-07-01
Valproate (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug (AED) used for initial monotherapy in treating childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). EEG might be an alternative approach to explore the effects of AEDs on the central nervous system. We performed a comparative analysis of background EEG activity during VPA treatment by using standardized, low-resolution, brain electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) to explore the effect of VPA in patients with CAE. In 17 children with CAE, non-parametric statistical analyses using sLORETA were performed to compare the current density distribution of four frequency bands (delta, theta, alpha, and beta) between the untreated and treated condition. Maximum differences in current density were found in the left inferior frontal gyrus for the delta frequency band (log-F-ratio = -1.390, P > 0.05), the left medial frontal gyrus for the theta frequency band (log-F-ratio = -0.940, P > 0.05), the left inferior frontal gyrus for the alpha frequency band (log-F-ratio = -0.590, P > 0.05), and the left anterior cingulate for the beta frequency band (log-F-ratio = -1.318, P > 0.05). However, none of these differences were significant (threshold log-F-ratio = ±1.888, P < 0.01; threshold log-F-ratio = ±1.722, P < 0.05). Because EEG background is accepted as normal in CAE, VPA would not be expected to significantly change abnormal thalamocortical oscillations on a normal EEG background. Therefore, our results agree with currently accepted concepts but are not consistent with findings in some previous studies.
Factors contributing to background television exposure in low-income Mexican American preschoolers
Thompson, Darcy A.; Tschann, Jeanne M.
2016-01-01
Objective Background television (TV) exposure is harmful to young children, yet few studies have focused on predictors of exposure. This study’s objectives were to elucidate demographic, environmental, and behavioral correlates of background TV exposure in low-income Mexican American preschoolers and to explore caregiver beliefs about the impact of such exposure. Methods A convenience sample of low-income Mexican American female primary caregivers of preschoolers (3–5 years old, n=309), recruited in safety-net clinics, were surveyed by phone. Caregivers reported the frequency of their child’s exposure to background TV and responded to questions on the home media environment, TV use, and whether they had thought about background TV exposure and its impact on their child. Results Background TV exposure was common; 43% reported that their child was often, very often, or always exposed to background TV. More hours of TV viewing by the caregiver and greater frequency of TV viewing during meals were associated with an increased frequency of exposure to background TV. Only 49% of participants had ever thought about the impact of background TV. Believing that background TV is not harmful was associated with higher levels of background TV exposure. Conclusions Findings suggest that background TV exposure is frequent and caregiver awareness of its potential impact is low in low-income Mexican American families. Beliefs that background TV is not harmful may predict risk of exposure. Potential targets for interventions focused on reducing background TV exposure in this population include increasing caregiver awareness of the potential negative impact of such TV exposure. PMID:27007983
Transient electromagnetic sounding for groundwater
Fitterman, David V.; Stewart, Mark T.
1986-01-01
The feasibility of using the transient electromagnetic sounding (TS or TDEM) method for groundwater exploration can be studied by means of numerical models. As examples of its applicability to groundwater exploration, we study four groundwater exploration problems: (1) mapping of alluvial fill and gravel zones over bedrock; (2) mapping of sand and gravel lenses in till; (3) detection of salt or brackish water interfaces in freshwater aquifers; and (4) determination of hydrostratigraphy. These groundwater problems require determination of the depth to bedrock; location of resistive, high‐porosity zones associated with fresh water; determination of formation resistivity to assess water quality; and determination of lithology and geometry, respectively. The TS method is best suited for locating conductive targets, and has very good vertical resolution. Unlike other sounding techniques where the receiver‐transmitter array must be expanded to sound more deeply, the depth of investigation for the TS method is a function of the length of time the transient is recorded. Present equipment limitations require that exploration targets with resistivities of 50 Ω ⋅ m or more be at least 50 m deep to determine their resistivity. The maximum depth of exploration is controlled by the geoelectrical section and background electromagnetic (EM) noise. For a particular exploration problem, numerical studies are recommended to determine if the target is detectable.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
van Asselt-Goverts, A. E.; Embregts, P. J. C. M.; Hendriks, A. H. C.
2018-01-01
Background: Little is known about the effectiveness of interventions aimed at enhancing the social networks of people with intellectual disabilities. This study explores the results of such an intervention. How did the clients with mild to borderline intellectual disabilities and their support workers evaluate the intervention? What did they learn…
Benefits and Barriers of Pediatric Healthcare Providers toward Using Social Media in Asthma Care
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Martinasek, Mary P.; Panzera, Anthony D.; Schneider, Tali; Lindenberger, James H.; Bryant, Carol A.; McDermott, Robert J.; Couluris, Marisa
2011-01-01
Background: Adolescents with asthma are the least compliant age group for asthma management. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of two pediatric physician groups towards using social media technology (SMT) to improve asthma management in adolescents. Methods: We employed in-depth interviews and a…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Panzera, Anthony D.; Schneider, Tali K.; Martinasek, Mary P.; Lindenberger, James H.; Couluris, Marisa; Bryant, Carol A.; McDermott, Robert J.
2013-01-01
Background: Self-management of asthma can now leverage new media technologies. To optimize implementation they must employ a consumer-oriented developmental approach. This study explored benefits of and barriers to improved asthma self-management and identified key elements for the development of a digital media tool to enhance asthma control.…
All the Stereotypes Confirmed: Differences in How Australian Boys and Girls Use Their Time
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Ferrar, Katia E.; Olds, Tim S.; Walters, Julie L.
2012-01-01
Background: To influence adolescent health, a greater understanding of time use and covariates such as gender is required. Purpose: To explore gender-specific time use patterns in Australian adolescents using high-resolution time use data. Method: This study analyzed 24-hour recall time use data collected as part of the 2007 Australian National…
USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database
Background: Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) attrition has been associated with age-related diseases. Telomerase RNA Component (TERC) genetic variants have been associated with LTL; whereas fatty acids (FAs) can interact with genetic factors and influence in aging. We explore whether variability at t...
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Palmini, Cathleen C.
1994-01-01
Describes a survey of Wisconsin academic library support staff that explored the effects of computerization of libraries on work and job satisfaction. Highlights include length of employment; time spent at computer terminals; training; computer background; computers as timesavers; influence of automation on effectiveness; and job frustrations.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Clarkson, Rachael; Murphy, Glynis H.; Coldwell, Jon B.; Dawson, David L.
2009-01-01
Background: This study explores the perceptions of a group of adults with intellectual disability regarding direct support staff. Method: Semi-structured interviews relating to experiences of direct support staff were developed from two focus groups. These interviews were conducted with 11 adults with intellectual disability residing within a…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Metz, Mike
2018-01-01
Background: As social-justice-focused teacher education programs continue to gain prominence, a wealth of research explores approaches for preparing teachers for social-justice-minded teaching. This study looks closely at a key aspect of teacher education programs frequently absent from the research--the teacher educators (TEs) themselves. Focus…
Family Homework and School-Based Sex Education: Delaying Early Adolescents' Sexual Behavior
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Grossman, Jennifer M.; Frye, Alice; Charmaraman, Linda; Erkut, Sumru
2013-01-01
Background: Early sexual activity can undermine adolescents' future school success and health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to assess the role of a family homework component of a comprehensive sex education intervention in delaying sexual initiation for early adolescents and to explore what social and contextual factors prevent…
Family-Level Factors, Depression, and Anxiety among African American Children: A Systematic Review
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Washington, Tyreasa; Rose, Theda; Coard, Stephanie Irby; Patton, Desmond Upton; Young, Shelton; Giles, Sasha; Nolen, Marlon
2017-01-01
Background: The reported prevalence of depression and anxiety among African American children and adolescents and their negative sequalae suggest a need to further explore factors that may be protective of depression and anxiety among this population. Objective: The aim of this review was to examine empirical studies that focus on the association…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wang, Xueli; Wickersham, Kelly; Lee, Yen; Chan, Hsun-Yu
2018-01-01
Background/Context: Although numerous studies have emerged shedding light on community college student success, the enduring role of social capital is often overlooked. Furthermore, when conceptualizing social capital in the community college context and its diverse student population, age represents a unique form of diversity in these…
Peer Mentors in Undergraduates' Research Proposal Writing in Taiwan
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kuo, Ya-Hui
2010-01-01
To date, there has been little research in the existing literature exploring how peer mentors can assist college students' research proposal. This paper provides the background to the adoption of a peer mentoring program in a research writing class in Taiwan. The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of using peer mentors to assist…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Thomas, Paul; Changezi, Sofie Haug; Enstad, Martin
2016-01-01
This study explores typologies of modes of ethnic boundary-making among upper secondary school students in one school in Oslo, Norway, which has witnessed a seismic shift in its uptake of students who are mainly from non-White or "immigrant" backgrounds. Wimmer's typologies of modes of boundary-making--"contraction" and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fuligni, Andrew; Masten, Carrie L.
2010-01-01
In contrast to the abundant research on family relationships during adolescence, the nature of family interactions during young adulthood remains comparatively unexamined. The current study explored ethnic differences in young adults' interactions with parents and siblings, the role of other activities in young adults' family interactions, and the…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Pryce, Laura; Tweed, Alison; Hilton, Amanda; Priest, Helena M.
2017-01-01
Background: Improved life expectancy means that more adults with intellectual disabilities are now living with ageing parents. This study explored older families' perceptions of the future. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine older parents and three adults with intellectual disabilities and analysed to produce an…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tudor Sarver, Whitney Ann
2012-01-01
This study explores the academic lives of three multilingual undergraduate student writers in order to better understand how they have constructed their academic literacies and academic identities since taking the required English courses at a mid-sized state university. Within the overarching discussions of academic discourse and the idea of…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Valois, Robert F.; Zullig, Keith J.; Revels, Asa A.
2017-01-01
Background: In this cross-sectional study we explored relationships between aggressive and violent behaviors and emotional self-efficacy (ESE) in a statewide sample of public high school adolescents in South Carolina (N = 3836). Methods: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey items on aggressive and violent…
Living in/between Two Worlds: Narratives of Latina Cultural Brokers in Higher Education
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Lando, Jennifer Rose
2015-01-01
The purpose of this narrative study was to explore how Latina cultural brokers understand their role in translating and interpreting complex, adult situations for their families, called cultural brokering, and how that background shapes their collegiate experiences. While much of the higher education literature in recent years has focused on the…
Designing an Interactive Online Portal for Chinese Essay Writing: An Action Research Study
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tang, Hui Huang; Wang, Qiyun
2007-01-01
Background: Singapore launched the first Masterplan in 1997 to guide the integration of ICT (information and communication technology) in education. Since then many schools have started to explore using ICT in their curricula. The school reported in this paper developed a web-based learning environment to assist students in the use of ICT.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Liu, Yujun; Xie, Yimeng; Brossoie, Nancy; Roberto, Karen A.; Redican, Kerry J.
2017-01-01
Background: High levels of alcohol consumption have been shown to be related to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, and other chronic disease and is an important variable in the global burden of disease. Purpose: This study explored the relationship between alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults in mainland…
People with Intellectual Disabilities in Out-of-Area Specialist Hospitals: What Do Families Think?
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bonell, Simon; Ali, Afia; Hall, Ian; Chinn, Deborah; Patkas, Ioannis
2011-01-01
Background: Little has been published regarding the views of family members of people with intellectual disabilities who are being cared for in out-of-area psychiatric hospitals. This study explores this area with specific reference to whether culturally appropriate services were being provided. Materials and Methods: Sixteen family members were…
Socio-Ecological Factors Affecting Pregnant Women's Anemia Status in Freetown, Sierra Leone
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
M'Cormack, Fredanna; Drolet, Judy
2012-01-01
Background: Sierra Leone has high maternal mortality. Socio-ecological factors are considered contributing factors to this high mortality. Anemia is considered to be a direct cause of 4% of maternal deaths and an indirect cause of 20-40% of maternal deaths. Purpose: The current study explores socio-ecological contributing factors to the anemia…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Grigsby, Timothy J.; Forster, Myriam; Tsai, Jennifer; Rohrbach, Louise A.; Sussman, Steve
2018-01-01
Background: Alternative (or continuation) high schools are institutions designed for students at risk for not graduating due to behavioral, educational, or medical problems. The present study explored the relationship between negative substance use consequences (eg, having trouble at school or work) and noncondom use in this at-risk population and…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Beckley, Firle; Best, Wendy; Beeke, Suzanne
2017-01-01
Background: Communication strategy training (CST) is a recognized part of UK speech and language therapists' (SLTs) role when working with a person with aphasia. Multiple CST interventions have been published but, to date, there are no published studies exploring clinical practice in this area. Aims: To investigate UK SLTs' current CST practices.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Duong, Jeffrey; Bradshaw, Catherine
2014-01-01
Background: Research on the extent to which cyberbullying affects sexual minority youth is limited. This study examined associations between experiencing cyber and school bullying and engaging in aggressive and suicidal behaviors among sexual minority youth. We also explored whether feeling connected to an adult at school moderated these…
Adolescents' Psychological Well-Being and Self-Esteem in the Context of Relationships at School
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Sarkova, Maria; Bacikova-Sleskova, Maria; Madarasova Geckova, Andrea; Katreniakova, Zuzana; van den Heuvel, Wim; van Dijk, Jitse P.
2014-01-01
Background: The school environment has shown itself to be an important factor in explaining adolescent behaviour. The relationships and experiences that pupils have at school have been found to influence their development, psychological well-being, self-esteem and social adjustment. Purpose: The aim of the study is to explore whether there is a…
Women with Intellectual Disability at Risk of Adverse Pregnancy and Birth Outcomes
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Mcconnell, D.; Mayes, R.; Llewellyn, G.
2008-01-01
Background: An increasing number of women with intellectual disability (ID) have children. Cross-sectional, clinical population data suggest that these women face an increased risk of delivering preterm and/or low birthweight babies. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of poor pregnancy and birth outcomes in women with ID and/or…
Conceptual Principles of Quality of Life: An Empirical Exploration
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Bramston, P.; Chipuer, H.; Pretty, G.
2005-01-01
Background: Quality of life is a popular measure of outcomes and its widespread use has led to recent calls for a better understanding of the construct, emphasizing the need to build a substantial body of knowledge around what determines perceptions of life quality. Three widely reported and used conceptual principles are examined in this study.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Coleman, Sherry; Stevenson, Howard C.
2013-01-01
Research on the experience of faculty of color in predominately White independent schools (PWIS) is limited. This study explored faculty of varying racial backgrounds and their initiation of, interactions with, and stress reactions to racial conflicts within the school settings using an online survey. Several measures were developed according to…
Childhood Behavior Problems and Health at Midlife: 35-Year Follow-Up of a Scottish Birth Cohort
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
von Stumm, Sophie; Deary, Ian J.; Kivimaki, Mika; Jokela, Markus; Clark, Heather; Batty, G. David
2011-01-01
Background: Childhood behavior problems are associated with premature mortality. To identify plausible pathways that may account for this association, we explored the extent to which childhood behavior problems relate to health behaviors and health outcomes at midlife. Methods: The Aberdeen Children of the 1950s (ACONF) study comprises 12,500…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Hartelius, Lena; Jonsson, Maria; Rickeberg, Anneli; Laakso, Katja
2010-01-01
Background: As an effect of the cognitive, emotional and motor symptoms associated with Huntington's disease, communicative interaction is often dramatically changed. No study has previously included the subjective reports on this subject from individuals with Huntington's disease. Aims: To explore the qualitative aspects of how communication is…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Crossland, Tom; Hewitt, Olivia; Walden, Sarah
2017-01-01
Background: A growing body of evidence supports the use of Dialectic Behaviour Therapy with people with an intellectual disability. Various adaptation have been used in studies exploring the efficacy of this intervention. Method: A Dialectic Behaviour Therapy DBT skills training group was attended by people with an intellectual disability and…
Explicit and Implicit Stigma towards Peers with Mental Health Problems in Childhood and Adolescence
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
O'Driscoll, Claire; Heary, Caroline; Hennessy, Eilis; McKeague, Lynn
2012-01-01
Background: Children and adolescents with mental health problems are widely reported to have problems with peer relationships; however, few studies have explored the way in which these children are regarded by their peers. For example, little is known about the nature of peer stigmatisation, and no published research has investigated implicit…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Kyle, James; And Others
This collection of materials and ideas is designed for the high school student who wants to try to influence society. The guide provides background information and descriptions of experience-based learning activities for use by students as they explore political involvement opportunities in their communities. The purposes of the materials are to…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Gu, Mingyue; Lai, Chun
2012-01-01
Research indicates that historical and social backgrounds influence individuals' motivation to teach and their commitment to teaching (Gordon, 2000; Su, Hawkins, Huang & Zhao, 2001). This article reports on a comparative study exploring the motivation to teach and the commitment to teaching among non-local prospective student teachers from…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Poehlmann, Julie; Hane, Amanda; Burnson, Cynthia; Maleck, Sarah; Hamburger, Elizabeth; Shah, Prachi E.
2012-01-01
Background: The differential susceptibility (DS) model suggests that temperamentally prone-to-distress infants may exhibit adverse outcomes in negative environments but optimal outcomes in positive environments. This study explored temperament, parenting, and 36-month cognition and behavior in preterm infants using the DS model. We hypothesized…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Tsai, Min-Ying
2015-01-01
The main purpose of the study were to investigate the relationships among imagination, future imagination tendency, and future time perspective of junior high school students, then to explore the future time perspective which is predicted by background variables, imaginative qualities, and future imagination tendency. The subjects were 331 from…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Li, James J.; Lee, Steve S.
2012-01-01
Background: Although the association of the dopamine transporter (DAT1) gene and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been widely studied, far less is known about its potential interaction with environmental risk factors. Given that maltreatment is a replicated risk factor for ADHD, we explored the interaction between DAT1 and…
Maternal Warmth and Directiveness Jointly Moderate the Etiology of Childhood Conduct Problems
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Burt, S. Alexandra; Klahr, Ashlea M.; Neale, Michael C.; Klump, Kelly L.
2013-01-01
Background: Prior studies exploring gene-environment interactions (GxE) in the development of youth conduct problems (CP) have focused almost exclusively on single-risk experiences, despite research indicating that the presence of other risk factors and or the absence of protective factors can accentuate the influence of a given risk factor on CP.…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Wang, Zhe; Soden, Brooke; Deater-Deckard, Kirby; Lukowski, Sarah L.; Schenker, Victoria J.; Willcutt, Erik G.; Thompson, Lee A.; Petrill, Stephen A.
2017-01-01
Socioeconomic risks (SES risks) are robust risk factors influencing children's academic development. However, it is unclear whether the effects of SES on academic development operate universally in all children equally or whether they vary differentially in children with particular characteristics. The current study aimed to explore children's…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Taliaferro, Lindsay A.; Rienzo, Barbara A.; Miller, M. David; Pigg, R. Morgan, Jr.; Dodd, Virginia J.
2008-01-01
Background: Suicide ranks as the third leading cause of death for adolescents. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that the adolescent suicide rate increased 18% between 2003 and 2004. Sport may represent a promising protective factor against adolescent suicide. This study examined the relative risk of…
The Adaptation and Validation of the CEQ and the R-SPQ-2F to the Japanese Tertiary Environment
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Fryer, Luke K.; Ginns, Paul; Walker, Richard A.; Nakao, Kaori
2012-01-01
Background: Student learning theory (SLT) has established associations between students' approaches to learning and their perceptions of the learning environment. SLT may provide a useful framework for researching student learning within the Japanese tertiary sector. Aims: The study aims to explore and validate the Course Experience Questionnaire…
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Guthrie, Whitney; Swineford, Lauren B.; Nottke, Charly; Wetherby, Amy M.
2013-01-01
Background: Although a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) appears to be stable in children as young as age three, few studies have explored stability of a diagnosis in younger children. Predictive value of diagnostic tools for toddlers and patterns of symptom change are important considerations for clinicians making early diagnoses. Most…