bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
k-factors for HVAC ducts: Numerical and experimental determination
Authors: Gan G. , Riffat S.B.
Published: December 2008

A new method for determining the velocity pressure loss factor ( k-factor) of HvAC duct fittings has been established. The method presented here is based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental measurements. The constant-injection tracer-gas technique and a pitot tube were used to measure mean air velocity in a square duct with bends. Pressure distribution along the duct was measured using static pressure tappings. The k-factor was calculated from the measured pressure loss and air velocity for the duct fitting. CFD was used to predict airflow and pressure distribution in the duct. It was found that the accuracy of the prediction depends on the turbulence model and differencing scheme used. Optimum predictions of pressure loss and k-factor were achieved using CFD with a combination of the standard k-e turbulence model and quadratic upstream interpolation scheme. The predicted k-factor was in good agreement with experimental results.
Freshness, ventilation and temperature in offices
Authors: Clements-Croome T D J
Published: December 2008

An environmental survey has been undertaken of environmental conditions in 23 office spaces. This paper focuses on the responses of 228 occupants who voted on a fresh to stale seven-point scale. The most significant factors found in this survey for judging freshness were air temperature and fresh air supply rate. Current standards for fresh air are questioned and there is certainly a need for fresh air ventilation controls to be more sensitive to changes in indoor temperature of only 1°C steps which may occur throughout the day.
Thermoeconomics applied to an air conditioning system with cogeneration
Authors: Tozer R. , Lozano Serrano M.A. , Valero Capilla A. , James R.
Published: December 2008

This paper indicates the method for applying a thermoeconomic analysis to a theoretical building services study, consisting of an air conditioning system using a single-stage absorption chiller driven by a cogeneration engine. The gas engine supplies heat to the absorption chiller and electricity to other HVAC plant, such as dry cooler fans, hot water, condenser and chilled water pumps, air handling units and fan-powered terminal units. The thermoeconomic model is used to optimise the specific cost of indoor environment cooling in terms of the absorption chiller variables, chilled water and condenser water temperatures. An improved design is obtained in two steps. First the design conditions are optimised, providing detailed exergy costing related to the plant investment and operating costs. Secondly, by analysing these, the most appropriate design modification of substituting dry coolers with a cooling tower is identified, and the system is again optimised, achieving 6% more cooling capacity while reducing the final specific cooling energy cost by 35%. This results in an improved thermal and economic design for the owner.
Field testing of boiler economy devices
Authors: Crabb J.A.
Published: December 2008

A number of commercially promoted boiler economy devices have been tested for their effect on the operation of a twin boiler system in a working primary school. Both boiler efficiency and site gas usage were measured. It was found that most of the devices had no effect on either aspect of performance. The only device to produce measurable reductions in gas usage and an increase in boiler efficiency appeared to achieve this by effecting unacceptable reductions in average boiler temperature.
Condensation risk assessment for an indoor ice skating rink
Authors: Yik F W H
Published: December 2008

Condensation may arise at the wall and ceiling surfaces enclosing the ice skating rink due to the potentially high radiation heat losses from such surfaces to the ice rink. Condensation will cause nuisance to people and damage building finishes. Humidity of the air surrounding the surfaces is the key factor to the occurrence of condensation but the risk can be minimised by using low emissivity finishes on surfaces that have large shape factors with the ice rink. In this study, methods have been developed for determining the threshold emissivity for individual surfaces for avoiding condensation. A method has been devised to deal with the many large surfaces involved. This study produced the necessary data to facilitate the architect and the engineer to choose finishing materials and to design and operate the air-conditioning and lighting systems for the indoor ice skating rink. The glass ceiling above the ice rink represents a unique design feature and a specifically devised method was used to assess condensation risk at the glass ceiling surfaces.
Combined heat and power: Sizing plant for new hospitals
Authors: Williams J.M. , Griffiths A.J. , Knight I.P.
Published: December 2008

The market for combined heat and power (CHP) in the UK is being significantly restricted by the lack of a reliable sizing procedure for CHP in new buildings. This paper describes the approach taken to produce such a procedure for new build hospitals. The procedure is based around energy use profiles for existing hospital buildings and a requirement to minimise the input necessary to obtain a reliable sizing estimate. A computer program has been written which automates the procedure, and means that an initial sizing estimate can usually be reached within 20 minutes. The only aspect of the work not yet fully completed is an analysis of the error limits associated with the new technique. These are currently being assessed. Initial findings suggest that the procedure is at least as accurate as sizing techniques used for the installation of CHP in existing hospital buildings.
Small-scale combined heat and power simulations: Development of a dynamic spark-ignition engine model
Authors: McCrorie K A B , Underwood C.P. , Le Feuvre R.F.
Published: December 2008

This work concerns the identification and development of a two-zone spark ignition gas engine model for small scale combined heat and power (CHP) systems of sufficient detail to enable part-load performance characteristics and control system performance to be investigated. Particular attention has been given to cylinder wall heat transfer and intake/discharge gas exchange processes which few existing models address in any detail, enabling part load engine and exhaust gas heat emissions to be considered. Results from the model are shown to compare favourably with results of similar though less detailed models when a steady-state comparison is made. The work goes on to describe future work concerned with the integration of the engine model within a full CHP system simulation.
Survey of building and energy management systems user perceptions
Authors: Lowry G.
Published: December 2008

Many premises have been equipped with building and energy management systems in recent years. Users are now becoming very familiar with their use, and this paper presents and discusses feedback of their perceptions. Particular issues emerging are the increasing expectations for systems communications and the scope for improvements in system usability. Also, users are evidently not giving high priority to energy saving and, consequently, this potential is not being fully exploited.
HVAC with thermal energy storage: Optimal design and optimal scheduling
Authors: Arkin H. , Navon R. , Burg I.
Published: December 2008

The paper presents models for optimal design and optimal scheduling of a HVAC system with thermal energy storage (TES). The objective function for the optimal design accounts also for optimal operation of the system. The optimal-scheduling model refers to a full charge-discharge cycle of the storage. Both models involve a detailed description for operation of the HVAC main components: the chiller and the storage tank, based on actual information provided by manufacturers. The computer algorithms based on the developed models were adopted in this study for ice storage, applying technologies of ice-on-coils (external), but it can easily be adjusted for other types of TES systems.
Energy performance of occupied non-domestic buildings: Assessment by analysing end-use energy consumptions
Authors: Field J. , Soper J. , Jones P. , Bordass W. , Grigg P.
Published: December 2008

Significantly improved understanding of the energy performance of an existing building can be achieved by investigating the energy consumption for individual end uses (heating, lighting, ventilation etc.) and comparing these consumptions per square metre of floor area with yardstick values for each end use. A method is presented for apportioning metered electricity consumption into end uses, generally without the need for extensive monitoring. Techniques are described for using the results to assess the building in terms of design and performance indices, and presenting the results for building management or research uses.
Chilled-water cooling and dehumidifying coils with corrugated plate fins: Modelling method
Authors: Yik F W H , Underwood C.P. , Chow W.K.
Published: December 2008

Most empirical correlations for determining the fin-side heat and mass-transfer coefficients are applicable to cooling and dehumidifying coils with flat-plate fins only. There are very few heat-transfer data for corrugated-plate fins in the open literature. Among those available, the most comprehensive set of experimental data was that contributed by Beecher and Fagan. On that basis, they, and later Webb, derived heat-transfer correlations for both corrugated and flat fin surfaces. However, these correlations are inadequate for modelling cooling and dehumidifying coils because Beecher and Fagan's data are restricted to dry fins and to a limited range of coil configurations. The paper describes a steady-state model for chilled-water cooling and dehumidifying coils with corrugated-plate fins. This model was developed on the basis of McQuiston's correlations for flat-plate fins but included the use of Webb's correlations to determine a correction factor to make the flat-fin coefficients applicable to coils with corrugated fins. Comparison of the model predictions with manufacturers' data showed that acceptable predictions of sensible and latent heat-transfer rates can be obtained by applying the correction to the sensible heat-transfer coefficient only. The uncertainty in verification of coil model predictions by comparison with manufacturers' data has also been addressed.
Naturally ventilated buildings with heat recovery: CFD simulation of thermal environment
Authors: Gan G. , Riffat S.B.
Published: December 2008

This paper presents a methodology for predicting air flow and thermal comfort in naturally ventilated buildings. Numerical simulations were carried out for a naturally ventilated room with heat-pipe heat recovery. The RNG k-ε turbulence model was used for simulations. Calculation of air flow rates in the room took into account not only of driving forces (wind and stack effects) but also flow resistances (pressure loss due to heat pipes and other duct fittings and friction loss in air ducts). The potential of a heat-pipe heat recovery system to produce adequate thermal comfort in naturally ventilated buildings is investigated using CFD. The importance of proper control of air flow rate is highlighted.
Influence of window form and location and the provision of background ventilation on comfort within rooms
Authors: McEvoy M.E.
Published: December 2008

Comfort conditions in rooms ventilated by trickle vents were investigated experimentally. The conclusion that head-to-ankle temperature gradient is altered by the location of radiators within a room was borne out in this study for single-, double- and triple-glazed windows. At typical external wind speeds, threshold draught air velocity (0.3 m s-1) is not exceeded by the use of either 4000 or 8000 mm2 vents, although to a limited extent the more stringent ASHRAE standard (0.15 m s-1) is not met by the use of 8000 m2 vents. In both cases Fanger's external comfort criteria were satisfied. The tests generally showed a decrease in head-to-ankle temperature gradient when air was entering the room through the vents at higher velocities. The room air and the plume of air rising off the radiators mixed more thoroughly at the surface of the window when located at the room side of the opening, illustrated in this case by tests on 'double' windows. Iso-PMV contour diagrams were used to show the uniformity of pattern where, for example, air is vented from the room rather than supplied to it, and when ventilation air is supplied at low rather than high level. The latter had a marked negative impact on the HAT gradient whereas changing the height of the window sill above the floor had little effect. The gradient was reduced by adding extra layers of glass into the window. Marked local effects were observed as a result of splaying the top and side reveals.
Air diffusion terminal devices: Macroscopic numbers describing jet momentum
Authors: Chow W.K. , Wong L.T.
Published: December 2008

Macroscopic flow numbers relating to the jet momentum of air diffusion terminal devices are studied in this paper. Diffuser jet momentum, jet momentum number and jet momentum ratio are reviewed in the literature. New expressions for jet momentum ratios and jet volume numbers are proposed for specifying the mean room air speed in mechanically ventilated enclosures. The proposal is validated against experimental data from seven sites under fifteen operating flow conditions. Two macroscopic flow numbers correlate with the measured mean air speed in the room.
Traffic pollution in and around a naturally ventilated building
Authors: Green N.E. , Riffat S.B. , Etheridge D.
Published: December 2008

In two separate experiments carbon monoxide (CO) concentrations were recorded at different locations in and around a naturally ventilated building in Nottingham, UK. This building is situated close to a busy road (A52). The results show that when the building was downwind of the traffic source the concentration of CO was on average four times higher in a ground-floor room than when the wind was from a large traffic-free area. The relationship between the indoor and outdoor CO concentrations was found to change during the day, as was the relationship between the concentration at ground and first-floor windows. Further measurements, based on these findings, are suggested to determine whether benefits to indoor air quality may be gained from use of intelligent ventilation strategies.
Landing valves with integrated fixed-ratio pressure reducing devices in tall buildings
Authors: Cheung K.P.
Published: December 2008

In a standpipe/wet riser system, landing valves are the terminating fixed components to which firefighters connect flexible hoses and nozzles. Traditionally, landing valves are simple isolating valves, but pressure-reducing valves are now available. A landing valve with an integrated fixed-ratio pressure-reducing devices has been used in Hong Kong. This Note examines the water pressure available at the landing valves in a proposed standpipe/wet riser installation in an example tall residential building in Hong Kong, under various operating conditions. Improvements to the relevant Hong Kong code of practice are recommended. The Note further details the locations in a building where pressure-reducing landing valves have been used inappropriately, and indicates issues to be addressed in their application.
Wind flow patterns around a test cell in a sheltered location: Wind tunnel visualisation
Authors: Eftekhari M.M. , Pinnock D.J. , Lau I.
Published: December 2008

The aim of this research was to investigate the flow pattern around a test room which is used for natural ventilation studies. The test cell effectively represents an in-fill development of a low-rise building located adjacent to high-rise buildings. When considering natural ventilation in a building in such a location it is beneficial to understand the local wind flow patterns resulting from the impact of the surrounding buildings on the prevailing wind conditions. This paper describes wind tunnel trials undertaken to visualise the resuhant local wind pattern around the test cell for all prevailing wind directions, discusses the findings and compares the local data with the prevailing wind measured at a nearby weather station.
Drainage vent systems: Investigation and analysis of air pressure regime
Authors: Swaffield J.A. , Jack L.B.
Published: December 2008

Knowledge of the performance of building drainage vent systems and associated appliance trap seal loss and retention has developed in recent years due to extensive research into the generation and propagation of air pressure transients within drainage networks. This paper demonstrates how data gathered from experimental testing of several single stack systems, considering the influence of a wide range of parameters including stack diameter, roughness, height and applied water flow rate, can be used to provide generally applicable mathematical expressions which assist in determining the pressure regime present at critical points within such systems.
Variable-air-volume terminal units I: Steady-state models
Authors: Khoo I. , Levermore G.J. , Letherman K.M.
Published: December 2008

Variable-air-volume (vAv) systems have become one of the most popular forms of air conditioning in recent years. They represent approximately 51% by value of the UK market for terminal units. Although VAV applications in the UK have recently declined with increasing interest in natural ventilation and low-energy buildings, terminal units are still used in many existing VAV air-conditioned buildings as well as some installations with displacement ventilation. VAV systems can be difficult to control for both maximum efficiency and stable operation, especially under part-load conditions. Steady-state terminal unit models are required for the network analysis of such systems to detect possible terminal unit 'starvation' and to determine part-load efficiency. This paper deals with the steady-state models of common vAv boxes. A future paper will describe the dynamic analysis. The measurements and modelling of three commercial VAV terminal units, two pressure-independent and one pressure-dependent, are described as well as the rig on which the measurements were made. These models are an improvement over the simple opposed-blade damper model that is currently in use as a simplification of the VAV terminal unit in simulation and network analysis programs. Depending on terminal unit design, the use of opposed-blade damper models could under-estimate the volume flow rate by as much as 65% where the damper is fully open under the same authority and percentage damper angle.
HVAC ductwork: Constant-injection tracer-gas assessment of airtightness
Authors: Cheong K.W.
Published: December 2008

Constant injection of tracer gas was used to determine the airtightness of a straight length of 300 X 300 mm square duct in a laboratory setting. Holes are preformed in the ductwork which is connected to a fan with variable speed control to simulate leakages. The holes can be sealed with rubber bungs to simulate an airtight ductwork. 'Stationary' and 'mobile' methods have been developed. The stationary method is suitable for conditions where the locations of the leaks in the ductwork is known. The 'mobile' method is used to determine the airtightness of ductwork without any prior knowledge of the locations of leaks. Both methods were found capable of loeating the leaks and of determining the leakage rate of the ductwork without disrupting the operation of the HVAC system. Algorithms were established for leakage rates in terms of airflow rates and for leakage rates in terms of pressure drops.
Dry-bulb temperature analyses for climate change at three UK sites in relation to the forthcoming CIBSE Guide to weather and solar data
Authors: Levermore G.J. , Keeble E.
Published: December 2008

This paper details some important aspects of the forthcoming CIBSE Guide to weather and solar data. This is intended as a key aid to the design of comfortable, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly buildings, especially through the provision of recent hourly weather data for use in simulation. This should help building services engineers and other building design professionals meet the challenge of designing buildings which have little or no air-conditioning, and which use natural ventilation and natural lighting to the full. Source data for the forthcoming Guide are explored further in this paper. For 3 key UK sites, winters have become milder and summers warmer over the last 36 years, although the evidence does not have the same statistical significance for all parts of the country. However, the trends are compatible with the scenarios for climates in the 2020s and 2050s indicated in the 1996 UK Department of the Environment report on Climate Change Impacts.
Drainage ventilation systems for underground structures II: Simulation of transient response
Authors: Swaffield J.A. , Wright G.B.
Published: December 2008

The propagation of low-amplitude air pressure transients within the drainage and vent systems of underground habitable structures may result in system failure due to trap seal loss and foul odour ingress into the occupied space. This paper develops the simulation of such transient response, and presents comparisons between predicted system air pressures and those monitored during the operation of the drainage and vent system in a large London Underground tube railway station. The use of the model to investigate system operating regimes ahead of installation as a direct design aid is demonstrated.
Turbulent particle loss augmentation in a ventilation duct
Authors: Lai A C K
Published: December 2008

Particle loss augmentation in turbulent flow was studied experimentally. Experiments were performed in a 150 mm square ventilation duct. Small tracer particles of size ranging from 0.7-7.1 μm were used to study deposition enhancement with streamwise-periodic disturbances mounted on one of the principal walls, under turbulent flow. A new and highly sensitive analytical technique was adopted to determine the spatial mass flux along the ribbed duct. On some surfaces, particle deposition enhancement as much as seven times higher than on smooth surfaces was observed. Periodic averages of mass transfer coefficients for different particle sizes were evaluated. The friction factor was approximately three times the smooth duct value. Efficiency indexes, based on equal fan power, were determined for all particle sizes.
Unsteady roof gutter flow: Development and application of simulation
Authors: Swaffield J.A. , Escarameia M. , Campbell D.P.
Published: December 2008

The flow in a roof gutter during and following a storm is unsteady free surface flow, however design guides concentrate on the determination of safe' flow capacities based on steady state data. The development of partially filled unsteady pipeflow simulations aimed at building drainage design also make possible simulations capable of defining the roof gutter flow response to both time and location dependent lateral inflows by means of a method of characteristics solution of the governing St Venant equations. This paper details the developed simulation and compares its predictions to both historic data and to recently gathered storm data. It concludes that such simulations are advantageous and address a number of important parameters omitted from current design guides, including the need to improve on gutter roughness simulation by means of the Colebrook-White frictional representation and to determine gutter response times to variations in rainfall intensity.
Air infiltration through cracks in suspended timber floors
Authors: McGrath P.T. , Lai E. , Roche M.
Published: December 2008

Although the power law equation may be used to correlate air flow rate to the pressure difference across a tongue-and-groove floor, the relationship between the coefficient and exponent and the physical parameters of the crack remains concealed to research. Moreover, the pressure loss through the cracks between floorboards of an in-situ floor is reasonably described by the empirical equation for cracks with known dimensions. This is Δ P = AQ + BQ2 for pressure differences of 0-50 pascals, although the recorded data is for 2-50 pascals. The present results lend support to the published expression for the determination of the theoretical edge effect constant B. However more work is needed in the area of laminar flow through very small, contorted cracks and in the assessment of the crack length. Finally, it is suggested that crackage between floorboards is due to the nature of materials and practices in the construction industry.
A two-stage desiccant cooling system using low-temperature heat
Authors: Huan Zhang , Jianlei Niu
Published: December 2008

A two-stage desiccant cooling system using low-temperature heat is described and the computer model is built. The computer calculations show that lower regeneration temperature will be required than for a single-stage desiccant cooling system, which makes low-quality thermal energy utilization possible.
A study of heat-pipe heat recovery for natural ventilation
Authors: Gan G. , Riffat S.B.
Published: December 2008

The performance of four types of heat-pipe heat recovery unit for naturally ventilated buildings was determined in terms of effectiveness and pressure drop. The effectiveness of the heat recovery units was tested in a two-zone chamber. The pressure loss characteristics of the heat recovery units were determined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental measurement. CFD was also used to evaluate the performance of a solar chimney for heat recovery in naturally ventilated buildings.
Ground source heat pumps: A technology review
Authors: Rawlings R H D , Sykulski J.R.
Published: December 2008

Ground source heat pumps are receiving increasing interest because of their potential to reduce primary energy consumption and thus reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. The technology is well established in North America and parts of Europe, but is at the demonstration stage in the United Kingdom. This paper provides a detailed literature-based review of ground source heat pump technology, concentrating on closed-loop, ground-coupled systems, and looks more briefly at applications and costs and benefits. It concludes with the prospects for ground source heat pumps in the United Kingdom.
Winter and summer thermal comfort and air flow measurements in a naturally ventilated room
Authors: Eftekhari M.M. , D'Ovidio A.
Published: December 2008

The objective of this research is to investigate thermal comfort and air flow distribution inside a test room that is naturally ventilated. The test room is situated in a relatively sheltered location and is ventilated through adjustable louvres. The air pressures and velocities across the openings together with indoor air temperature and velocity at four locations and six different levels are measured. The outside local temperature, wind velocity and direction are also monitored. The collected data are used to predict thermal comfort parameters across the test room. Tests were carried out over winter and summer times. The experimental results demonstrate that for both winter and summer the air was entering the test room at the bottom and leaving at the top louvre. The amount of air flow over the winter was increased as the heat input varied from 2 kW to 4 kW. The predicted thermal comfort indicated that PPD values (percentage of people dissatisfied) for summer are significantly improved with a higher temperature difference between inside and outside and higher wind velocity. Over the winter period with internal heat load of 4 kW the PPD values were improved by 40%.
Food additives: the controversy continues
Authors: Trites Ronald L. , Tryphonas Helen
Published: December 2008

Evidence from controlled studies suggests that the early claims of widespread adverse behavioral effects of artificial additives in food were exaggerated. However, the studies conducted to date have suffered from serious methodological flaws. The results of virtually all of them indicate that among the children being studied (usually classified as hyperactive), there is a small group of adverse responders. Nothing is known about the characteristics of the adverse responders because valuable data that could have been obtained from physical examinations, psychological tests, pediatric allergy assessment, birth records, and family histories have not been reported. Well-controlled studies that collect these kinds of information are needed. Of particular importance are well-controlled investigations in preschool-age children, because this group may be physically the most vulnerable and because there is some evidence that it is easiest to demonstrate an adverse behavioral response in this group.
Social Characteristics of Visually Impaired Infants' Play
Authors: Rogers Sally J. , Puchalski Carol B.
Published: December 2008

This cross-sectional study explores the extent to which the visually impaired infant and mother are able to use play to facilitate rewarding social interactions. Mother-child interactions were observed in 21 visually impaired infants and 16 nonhandicapped infants. From videotape ratings of five child behaviors and five maternal behaviors, significant differences were found in several variables. Visually impaired infants demonstrated fewer periods of positive vocalization and positive responses to the mother, fewer social initiations to the mother, more negative vocalizations, more periods of negative affect, and more ignoring of the mother than did the controls. Mothers of visually impaired infants demonstrated less en-facing positioning, fewer positive vocalizations, and more periods of neutral vocalizations than did the mothers of nonhandicapped children.
Policy Analyses and Program Implementation (P.L. 94-142)
Authors: Gallagher James J.
Published: December 2008

Policy analysis has emerged as a new set of skills used to analyze proposed policies or review existing policies. The Education for All Handicapped Children (P.L. 94–142) is used to illustrate how such policy implementation analyses might be done. Significant barriers to policy implementation for this law include the power relationships between parents and schools, classroom teachers' feelings of uncertainty resulting from changed role expectations, and economic problems because of the federal government's inability to meet fiscal promises. Despite the issues raised in this analysis, the policy will probably continue with minor modifications because of strong constituent support.
The Social Basis of Language and Communication in Severely Handicapped Preschoolers
Authors: Rogers-Warren Ann K. , Warren Steven F.
Published: December 2008

This paper proposes that primary social relationships between child and caregiver are a critical context for language learning. Language is viewed as one behavior on a continuum of communication behaviors, all of which stem from early social interactions. Current assumptions about the nature of language and the processes involved in language learning are discussed. Particular attention is given to the effects of severe handicaps on the social processes underlying language acquisition. Recent studies of mother-child interaction and incidental language teaching are cited in support of this viewpoint. A model for communication intervention based on progressive teaching exchanges is proposed.
Budget and Program Planning in Early Education Programs
Authors: Black Talbot
Published: December 2008

Budget and program planning are too often conducted as separate activities in the administration of an early education program. A cost analysis approach can effectively integrate them so that both program operations and financial management are combined and enhanced. The key to this approach is recognizing that both program and budget planning must focus on staff time. By analyzing staff time across the components of an early childhood program, one can analyze both program operations and their costs. The cost analysis system examines the program's personnel costs as well as nonpersonnel costs and in-kind contributions and provides a format for displaying a program's budget across its component parts.
Administrative Leadership
Authors: Trohanis Pascal Louis
Published: December 2008

This article is for leadership personnel who design in-service education for people serving the needs of young handicapped children. Following a definition and description of assumptions and guidelines, an approach for developing an in-service plan is described. In the final section, attention is given to special circumstances planners may face as they design meaningful staff development opportunities.
Social-Cognitive Development and Toys
Authors: Bradley Robert H.
Published: December 2008

This review examines research and theory pertaining to the relation between social-cognitive development and toys. Empirical research establishes a moderate relation between the availability of toys and children's development throughout early childhood, a relation that appears to reflect more than an association with social status. The relation appears bidirectional and varies somewhat according to sex and race. Several aspects of psychological theory appear to describe part of the relation between social-cognitive development and use of toys. These include cognitive developmental theory (Piaget), theory relating learning and development (Vygotsky and Feuerstein), script theory (Bretherton), theories of intrinsic motivation (Berlyne, Bruner, and Yarrow), and theories relating play to development (Mueller and Dunn).
Chronically III Children
Authors: Perrin James M.
Published: December 2008

Increasing numbers of children are surviving with long-term and severe chronic illnesses. Approximately 10% to 15% of children have some chronic health condition; 2% of children in the United States have severe chronic illnesses. Despite the differences in medical and surgical treatments for these varied diseases, the fact of chronicity creates certain problems common to most families with a chronically ill child: high financial costs, heavy daily care burden, conflicting professional advice, and social isolation. New findings about the developmental and emotional impact of childhood chronic illness suggest opportunities for early intervention to diminish handicaps from chronic illness.
Institutional and Professional Attitudes
Authors: Kohrman Arthur F. , Diamond Linda
Published: December 2008

A majority of children with chronic illness and handicaps enter the systems of care and services through medical institutions. The organization of health care services, reinforced by institutional practices and social attitudes, can run counter to the goals of independence for the child. This discussion addresses the disease-centered structures of services for disabled children and analyzes their orientation toward institutional imperatives rather than toward the concerns of families.
Early Identification and Programming for Young Gifted/Talented Handicapped
Authors: Karnes Merle B. , Johnson Lawrence J.
Published: December 2008

This article examines issues in identification and programming for young gifted/talented handicapped children and explores factors that have inhibited these efforts. A discussion of a program at the University of Illinois, RAPYHT (Retrieval and Acceleration of Promising Young Handicapped and Talented), shows how one group conceptualized, developed, disseminated, and evaluated a model for identifying and programming for young gifted/talented handicapped children.
Suggested Principles for Gifted Preschool Curricula
Authors: Maker C. June
Published: December 2008

A general framework consisting of four curricular dimensions (content, process, product, learning environment) and criteria for developing and judging appropriate curricula for gifted students are presented. The framework has been described in depth elsewhere, but here it has been adapted for application to the development of curricula for gifted preschool children. Examples of teaching activities and techniques appropriate for gifted preschool students can be generated from this framework.
Interaction Between Mothers and Infants with Down Syndrome
Authors: Richard Nancy B.
Published: December 2008

Studies of mother-infant dyads indicate that individual differences of both partners contribute to the development of reciprocal interaction. When an infant is born with Down Syndrome, infant responses are reported to be delayed. Infant characteristics that contribute to social interaction with caregivers differ between nonhandicapped infants and those with Down syndrome. In this review, studies of infant characteristics, including temperament, state control, gaze, gesture, and vocalization, are discussed. Although infants with Down syndrome, like nonhandicapped infants, develop social communication behaviors, vulnerable characteristics are found. Differences in the development of state control, gaze patterns, coordination of gesture, gaze, vocalization, and frequency of vocalization have implications for parents and professionals in early intervention.
Training Future Primary Care Pediatricians to Serve Handicapped Children and Their Families
Authors: Guralnick Michael J. , Bennett Forrest C. , Heiser Karen E. , Richardson H. Burtt
Published: December 2008

A national program designed to promote the establishment of effective, mandatory, and comprehensive training at the residency level to prepare primary care pediatricians to serve handicapped children and their families is described. A structured curriculum designed for a clinical rotation in developmental pediatrics is presented in addition to a summary of the results of subjective and objective evaluations of the program. Evaluations clearly suggested the value of the program for both demonstration and replication sites. Follow-up of former residents new in pediatric practice futher supported the effectiveness of a rotation in developmental pediatrics based on a structured curriculum.
Chronic Illness
Authors: Khan Nadim A. , Battle Constance U.
Published: December 2008

Due to major advances in medical science and technology, many more children with chronic illnesses are now able to survive to adulthood. This dramatic progress in medical science and technology has occurred without social preparation; the quality of life of severely chronically ill children has remained a relatively neglected area. Service delivery models should be developed to prepare the chronically ill child to cope with day-to-day psychosocial problems. The child must learn to function independently in the heterogeneous environments of his or her natural community. Medically supervised early intervention programs in either health care settings or in settings that are closely associated with medical centers or hospitals are recommended. It is also recommended that the family must be the center upon which the intervention efforts are based.
Health and Safety in Day Care
Authors: Sells Clifford J. , Paeth Susan
Published: December 2008

Child day care is playing an expanding role in our society. With more than 11 million children in day care, health and safety are becoming increasingly important issues. Infectious disease is a primary concern of individuals responsible for the health of individuals in day care. A second major concern is child safety. In order to assure that the day care environment is safe for infants and children, basic policies and procedures need to be implemented and closely monitored. Regular communication and consultation with an individual with expertise in health issues related to day care is necessary if day care is to be a safe environment for children.
Program Evaluation at the Local Level: Recommendations for Improving Services
Authors: Wolery Mark
Published: December 2008

This paper adopts the position that impact evaluation studies of programs serving infants and preschoolers with handicaps should be restricted to those investigations that are scientifically defendable. Specific types of impact studies are suggested, and issues to consider when conducting those evaluation studies are listed. Further, the paper suggests that program leaders should focus evaluation activities on their project's status in terms of meeting project objectives. A process for conducting such evaluation studies is described.
Addressing State and Local Needs
Authors: Hanson Marci J. , Hanline Mary Frances , Petersen Sandra
Published: December 2008

Personnel preparation in early childhood special education encompasses a wide range of competencies including typical and atypical child development, family services, program planning, assessment and program evaluation, and interagency coordination. This paper describes a graduate training program at San Francisco State University that prepares early childhood special education professionals to work with children with special needs from birth to 5 years and their families in a variety of settings. This interdisciplinary preservice training program was developed in response to identified state and local personnel preparation needs and is implemented through a combination of academic coursework and field-based experiences. The evaluation plan for this training program is outlined, and data on program outcomes are presented. These data reflect student satisfaction with the program, the utility of the program to graduates' subsequent job needs, and positive employer feedback on the skills of program graduates.
Preparing Early Childhood Special Educators for Rural Settings
Authors: Mills Paulette E. , Vadasy Patricia F. , Fewell Rebecca R.
Published: December 2008

Professionals who deliver early childhood special education services in rural areas commonly encounter problems and challenges. They must often serve children of diverse ages and with a wide range of handicapping conditions who are scattered over large geographical areas. To compound the problems of serving these children, support services in rural areas are often quite sparse. To prepare early childhood special educators to meet the needs of children and families in rural communities, the University of Washington has designed a rural track in the master's level training program in early childhood special education. This manuscript reports on the components of that training program, and the results of the first 2 years of teacher preparation, including placement of trainees in rural practicum sites.
Patterns of Physical and Occupational Therapy Implementation in Early Motor Intervention
Authors: Haley Stephen M. , Stephens Terry E. , Larsen Andrea M.
Published: December 2008

A primary component of a comprehensive program evaluation report in early intervention is a detailed account of the intervention. Careful analysis of the program documentation requires a description of the amount and type of intervention. As one component of a larger evaluation project, the present interim report describes the implementation variation of physical and occupational therapy for 43 infants with motor delays across six early intervention programs. A hierarchical regression analysis was used to determine the influences of infant, family, and program variables on the actual therapy services administered over a 6-month data collection period. Variations in the intensity of intervention were related to therapist availability and the severity of infant motor delay; variations in the setting and service mode were poorly predicted by the variables identified. This article demonstrates how implementation, considered as an independent variable for program evaluation documentation, can be examined as a dependent variable to help explain factors affecting the degree and structure of therapy implementation.
Preparing Professionals to Educate Handicapped Infants and Young Children
Authors: Burke Philip J. , McLaughlin Margaret J. , Valdivieso Carol H.
Published: December 2008

Major new legislation providing incentives to states to educate infants and young children, the 1986 Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act, P.L. 99–457, has created expectations in parents and professionals for significantly improving the chances of young handicapped children/infants to develop normally. However, implementation of this legislation is ultimately dependent on those who provide the services. This article encourages teacher trainers to confront the major policy issues of personnel shortages, certification standards, program content, and inservice training as they strive to meet the demand for necessary personnel.
The Role of Vocational Education and the Young Special Needs Child
Authors: West Lynda L.
Published: December 2008

Vocational education improves the quality of caregiving for the young special needs child in several ways: (a) Vocational education is a vehicle to train child care staff who work with the young special needs child; (b) vocational education is an ancillary service that provides child care for single parents who are enrolled in vocational education programs; and (c) vocational education trains future parents who may have a young special needs child. This article illustrates the relationship between vocational education and early childhood special education. The article outlines curriculum used in teaching child care, the purpose of the program, and the training experiences students enrolled in child care programs receive.
A Longitudinal Study of Graduates of Special Education Preschools
Authors: Edgar Eugene , Heggelund Mervette , Fischer Mary
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this study was to continue the collection of data on graduates of public special education programs in Washington State to determine the stability of initial placement. Placement data were collected on 582 children from three cohorts of children who left preschools in 10 Washington State school districts. Data indicate that 36% of these children were initially placed in regular education settings and 64% were placed in special education or resource settings. The stability of these placements 1 year and 2 years after graduation were high, with stability rates ranging from 75% to 100%. Of the children who made placement changes, 28% moved to less restrictive settings. Further questions to be asked as the data collection continues over the next few years are whether the current trends will continue and if placement in a less restrictive setting leads to better achievement.
Medical Costs Associated with Children with Disabilities or Chronic Illness
Authors: Moore Judith A. , McLaughlin John F.
Published: December 2008

Children with disabling conditions and chronic illnesses usually incur medical associated costs, and a small percentage of children have very large bills. Besides direct and indirect medical costs, these children's parents may experience “opportunity” costs. Recent technological changes have created new funding questions. Private and public resources leave gaps in payment and service delivery. New systems are necessary to ensure coordinated community care for all children, including those with catastrophic costs.
Child Maltreatment and the Early Childhood Special Educator
Authors: Vadasy Patricia F.
Published: December 2008

This article reviews the issues related to child abuse and neglect of most concern to early childhood professionals: incidence and prevalence; factors associated with maltreatment, including child and parent characteristics; mediating factors, including social support; cognitive, emotional, and social sequelae; and policy directions and recommendations for professionals who work with children and families.