bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gender Differences in the Education and Employment of Young Adults
Authors: LICHTENSTEIN STEPHEN
Published: December 2008

WITH THE GOAL OF ACHIEVING A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE NATURE AND INFLUENCE OF GENDER ON STUDENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, THIS REVIEW FOCUSES FIRST ON THE LITERATURE RELATED TO GENDER DISPARITIES IN THE GENERAL POPULATION. THE ISSUES ADDRESSED COVER BOTH EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION DEVOTED TO CURRENT INTERVENTIONS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE DISPARITIES. THE REVIEW FURTHER EXAMINES THE LITERATURE ON GENDER AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO STUDENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, INCLUDING (A) OVERALL GENDER RATES BY DISABILITY GROUPS, (B) GENDER DISPARITIES IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES ASSOCIATED WITH MALES AND FEMALES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, AND (C) PROPOSED INTERVENTION PROGRAMS AND PRACTICES THAT APPEAR PROMISING. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES BY DISCUSSING IMPLICATIONS FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH THAT CAN REDUCE THE INCIDENCE OF GENDER DIFFERENCES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.
Contemporary Issues Education
Authors: LAMOREY SUZANNE , LEIGH JAMES
Published: December 2008

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES APPEAR TO BE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH A WIDE RANGE OF CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY. THESE CONTEMPORARY ISSUES INCLUDE AREAS SUCH AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE, TEENAGE PREGNANCY, SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE, SUICIDE, DELINQUENCY, AND CHILD ABUSE. MOREOVER, MANY OF THESE STUDENTS ALSO WILL BE REQUIRED TO CONTEND WITH OR TO ENGAGE IN DECISION MAKING REGARDING NUMEROUS OTHER CONTEMPORARY ISSUES (E.G., DIVORCE, DEATH, ABORTION, RACISM ABOUT WHICH THEY HAVE RECEIVED LITTLE OR NO FACTUAL INFORMATION OR GUIDANCE FROM SCHOOLS IN THE TRADITIONAL ACADEMIC CURRICULUM. IN THIS STUDY, 121 SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS IN BOTH SELF-CONTAINED AND RESOURCE PROGRAMS EXPRESSED THEIR OPINIONS ABOUT CONTEMPORARY ISSUES EDUCATION. TEACHER RESPONSES WERE ANALYZED USING QUALITATIVE METHODS, AND TYPOLOGIES WERE DERIVED PERTAINING TO TEACHERS' COMMENTS IN SUPPORT OF ADDRESSING CONTEMPORARY ISSUES AS WELL AS COMMENTS REGARDING OBSTACLES TO ADDRESSING SUCH ISSUES IN SCHOOL. THESE RESPONSE TYPOLOGIES ARE DISCUSSED, AND IMPLICATIONS BASED ON THE TEACHERS' PERSPECTIVE ARE EXPLORED.
Inclusive Practices of Classroom Teachers
Authors: KING-SEARS MARGARET E. , CUMMINGS CRAIG S.
Published: December 2008

MAJOR DETERMINANTS OF THE FREQUENCY AND LEVEL OF INCLUSIVE PRACTICES FOUND IN GENERAL EDUCATION CLASSROOMS ARE THE COMFORT, COMPETENCE, AND PROFICIENCY THAT EDUCATORS FEEL WHILE IMPLEMENTING NEW PROCEDURES. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE IS TO DESCRIBE PRACTICES THAT GENERAL EDUCATORS HAVE USED TO SUCCESSFULLY IMPLEMENT INCLUSION. A VISUAL ANALYSIS REPRESENTING EDUCATORS COMFORT LEVELS WITH SOME METHODS KNOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE FOR IMPLEMENTING INCLUSION IS DESCRIBED AS A MEANS OF TARGETING KEY AREAS IN WHICH EDUCATORS DESIRE PREPARATION AND SUPPORT. PROCEDURES FOR REPLICATING THESE METHODS ARE DESCRIBED, AND ACTIONS NECESSARY TO INCREASE EDUCATORS' EXPERTISE AND COMPETENCE WITH NEW METHODS—ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESSFUL INCLUSION—ARE REPORTED.
The Influence of Direct Training in Problem Solving on Consultee Problem Clarification Skills and Attributions
Authors: Zins Joseph E. , Ponti Charlene R.
Published: December 2008

This study examines the direct training of teachers in problem-solving skills and its effects on their performance in a consultation-related activity. Thirteen elementary-school teachers participated in a training program that focused on development of problem identification skills and utilization of an ecological perspective to view problems. Six additional teachers served as a control group. The results suggest that the training enhanced teachers' skills in describing problems and reduced the number of inferences they made for the causes of student-related problems. Methodological strengths and limitations of the study are discussed.
The Effects of Self-Monitoring on Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Who Are Receiving Pharmacological Interventions
Authors: Mathes Mickie Y. , Bender William N.
Published: December 2008

A multiple baseline design was employed for this study to assess the effects of using a self-monitoring procedure to enhance on-task behavior of students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder who were already receiving pharmacological treatment. Three male subjects in a public school, ages 8 to 11, were selected for the study because of their frequent off-task and inattentive behaviors in the classroom, despite their receiving psychostimulant medication. The subjects were classified as having emotional/behavioral disorders according to criteria established by the state of georgia. Intervention involved training in self-monitoring procedures. A functional relationship was established between independent and dependent variables: all 3 subjects demonstrated an increase in on-task behavior when self-monitoring was utilized. A combination of pharmacological intervention and self-monitoring procedures enhanced the students' on-task behavior.
Book Reviews
Authors: Bauwens Jeanne , Hourcade Jack J.
Published: December 2008

COOPERATIVE TEACHING: REBUILDING THE SCHOOLHOUSE FOR ALL STUDENTS By Jeanne Bauwens and Jack J. Hourcade Austin, TX: PRO-ED, 1995 235 pages, $29.00, paperback

INCLUSIVE AND HETEROGENESOUS SCHOOLING: ASSESSMENT, CURRICULM and instruction By May A. Falvey Baltimore: Brookes, 1995 427 pages, $36.00

BUILDING COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BY THOMAS J. SERGIOVANNI, JOSSEY-BASS PUBLISHERS, 1994 219 PAGES, $29.00
The Legal History of Special Education
Authors: Yell Mitchell L. , Rogers David , Rogers Elisabeth Lodge
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT

Children and youth with disabilities have historically received unequal treatment in the public education system. In the early 20th century, the enactment of compulsory attendance laws in the states began to change the educational opportunities for these students. Opportunities for admittance to public schools were greater, but many students nevertheless did not receive an effective or appropriate education. Beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s, parents and advocates for students with disabilities began to use the courts in an attempt to force states to provide an equal educational opportunity for these students. These efforts were very successful and eventually led to the passage of federal legislation to ensure these rights. The purpose of this article is to examine the legal history of special education. We will examine these early efforts to ensure a free appropriate education for students with disabilities up to and including the enactment of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997.
Elite Control and Citizen Mobilization in a Small Midwestern Town
Authors: Hynes Eugene , Mauney Verna
Published: December 2008

This paper analyzes the initial success and ultimate failure of a challenge to the economically and politically dominant class in a small town in the U.S. Midwest. The case study is used to elucidate the workings of what Lukes has called the third dimension of power, the ability of the powerful to engineer the consent of the relatively less powerful.
A Theory of Third World Social Revolutions: Iran, Nicaragua, and El Salvador Compared
Authors: Foran John
Published: December 2008

Existing theories of revolution are briefly presented and critiqued. Building on recent work, a new model is introduced in which the key variables are the effects of dependent development on social structure, the exclusionary nature of repressive, personalistic dictatorships, the elaboration of political cultures of resistance, and a dual crisis consisting of a simultaneous economic downturn and an "opening" in the world-system. The combination of these necessary and sufficient conditions predicts the outbreak of a successful social revolution. The model is then applied to the similar cases of Iran and Nicaragua and contrasted with the negative case of El Salvador.
Political Culture as a Catalyst for Political Change in American Cities
Authors: McGovern Stephen J.
Published: December 2008

Urban scholars generally agree that structural constraints limit the capacity of public officials to govern their cities efficiently and equitably. This paper considers how a transformation in the local political culture may expand policy options. Ronald Inglehart's theory of postmaterial cultural change and Antonio Gramsci's theory of hegemony/counterhegemony are evaluated in the context of one of the more successful urban protest movements during the past two decades — the San Francisco growth-control movement. The Gramscian framework may provide the more promising approach to understanding enduring cultural/political change in American cities.
The accuracy of the IES Glare Index System
Authors: Bedocs L. , Simons R.H.
Published: December 2008

A new computer programme for calculating initial glare indices has the advantage over the original programme used by the IES of calculating the background luminance as well as the other elements in the glare formula. Discrepancies between the I ES and the new programmes have been found. These appear to be due to an error in the glare formula used in the I ES computer programme and to a misinterpretation of the Jones-Neidhart method for calculating the illumination on walls. Difficulties related to luminous areas and the application of position indices are discussed. The effect of spacing with arrays of luminaires is investigated. The magnitudes of the likely discrepancies between the glare indices calculated by the IES glare index tables and by the BRS glare formula are summarized. As in many respects the IES Glare System is a closed system, lighting installations so far designed using ES Technical Report No. 10 wift, with minor exceptions, be satisfactory.
What do we want from our lighting?
Authors: Marsden A.M.
Published: December 2008

The paper attempts to answer three questions: (a) What does a user want from his lighting system ? (b) What design criteria are available to the lighting provider to enable him to satisfy the user's requirements? (c) Are these criteria adequate to provide, in practice, what is wanted? The first question is answered in general terms under five headings—visibility, comfort, revelation, communication and continuity, requirements that are applicable to all lighting installations but with varying relative emphasis. The second question is answered by referencing design criteria that are found in lighting standards, codes and guides, or that have been proposed for the future. The third question is answered by a critical review of these.
Angle flux: a new concept for the photometric evaluation of fluorescent lamp luminaires
Authors: Einhorn H.D.
Published: December 2008

The angle flux values (in lumens per radian) of a disymmetrical source, such as a fluorescent lamp luminaire, form a link between its luminous intensity values and its flux or sector flux values. Angle flux is useful for the photometric evaluation and documentation of luminaires. It facilitates the understanding of disymmetrical sources.
Luminance uniformity and legibility of traffic signs
Authors: Dahlstedt Sven
Published: December 2008

A review of some literature concerning traffic sign illumination is given. It is concluded that there is good agreement between various studies of luminance and legibility, but that empirical data concerning the relation between luminance uniformity and legibility are completely lacking. As a result an experiment was made to investigate this relation. The results indicate that there is no correlation between luminance uniformity and legibility on suboptimal luminance levels, but that there exists a significant correlation on the optimal luminance level. From this relation some recommendations concerning acceptable luminance uniformity (expressed as luminance ratios) are derived.
Comparison of high-pressure discharges in mercury and the halides of aluminium, tin and lead
Authors: Chalmers A.G. , Wharmby D.O. , Whittaker F.L.
Published: December 2008

In a search for an efficient metal halide lamp with a continuous spectrum and only one metallic constituent other than mercury, the spectra, luminous efficacies and colour rendering indices of discharges containing the halides of aluminium, tin and lead have been investigated. The luminous efficacies have maxima which depend on the dosing densities of mercury and metal halide. The highest observed luminous efficacies at 400-500 W were about 109 lm/W for AlCl3, 90 lm/W for SnCl2 and 90 lm/W for PbCl 2. Low colour temperatures are obtained at the expense of luminous efficacy and constancy of colour. Arc stability, electrode erosion and reactions with the silica arc tube present problems in making a practical lamp. An alkali halide additive improves the discharges and can provide a high luminous efficacy at a relatively low colour temperature.
Simple calculation methods for the lighting of passages and tunnels
Authors: Einhorn H.D.
Published: December 2008

For passages, the average luminance is a suitable design quantity and can be very easily calculated by equations given in the article. For tunnels, the same principle can be combined with the sector flux concept to calculate the illuminance at any point, or by a simple summation of angle fluxes to obtain the average illuminance on the road. This combination of relatively recent ideas yields a sound and rapid design method.
Corrections for chromatic adaptation in the determination of colour rendering indices. Part 2
Authors: Henderson S.T. , Halstead M.B.
Published: December 2008

The increase of general index Ra for some illuminants having chromaticities on the purple side of the Planckian locus compared with those on the green side is only partly due to the von Kries correction in the revised CIE method, and the location of the Judd PDT primaries used has little effect. Uniformity of the u, v diagram in the area involved is questionable, and its geometry is a likely cause of some of the results. Gamut areas of the eight test colours suggest a correlation between colour discrimination and colour rendering but only for certain illuminants. Variable sensitivity of Ra to the spectral distribution of the illuminant is demonstrated; for wavelengths near 580 nm there is evidence of a marked effect on the index.
Prescriptive appraisals
Authors: Lynes J.A.
Published: December 2008

The theory of the luminaire domain enables illuminance ratios, and a number of other aspects of lighting quality, to be plotted as functions of the British Zonal classification and the flux fraction ratio of a lighting installation. A new questionnaire has been devised for the appraisal of existing lighting systems. Answers are used to define acceptable and unacceptable regions of the modified luminaire domain charts in Technical Report No 15. The BZ classification and flux fraction ratio of a preferred luminaire should fall within a residual region which is acceptable on all counts. One application of the technique may be in prescribing remedial measures for unsatisfactory installations.
A visibility of detection experimentation in automobile headlighting
Authors: Huculak P.
Published: December 2008

This paper is concerned with the description and analysis of a series of automobile headlighting experiments, the primary objective of which, was the detection of dark obstacle targets simulating hazardous objects encountered during night driving. The influences of atmospheric luminance, dynamic vehicle pitch, target shadow enhancement, as well as observer characteristics relating to fixation duration and glare sensitivity are included in the analysis of field detection trials. Several different measures of target visibility have been employed. It is shown that a centroidal value of target luminance difference can be used as an index of the detection of hazard-like objects.
On time to see
Authors: Rea M.S. , Boyce P.R. , Ouellette M.J.
Published: December 2008

Reaction times of young adult subjects to luminous increments of various contrast were obtained at two adaptation levels. Functions characterising the data are consistent with electrophysiological recordings from cortical neurons and from the general contrast response pattern presented in other psychophysical studies. These functions help to detail some of the emerging principles of visual performance based on visual response time, and may be useful to practitioners interested in predicting the speed of performing realistic tasks.
Fluorescent lighting, headaches and eyestrain
Authors: Wilkins A.J. , Nimmo-Smith I. , Slater A.I. , Bedocs L.
Published: December 2008

The weekly incidence of headaches among office workers was compared when the offices were lit by fluorescent lighting where the fluorescent tubes were operated by (a) a conventional switch-start circuit with choke ballast providing illumination that pulsated with a modulation depth of 43-49% and a principal frequency component at 100 Hz; (b) an electronic start circuit with choke ballast giving illumination with similar characteristics; (c) an electronic ballast driving the lamps at about 32 kHz and reducing the 100 Hz modulation to less than 7%. In a double-blind cross-over design, the average incidence of headaches and eyestrain was more than halved under high-frequency lighting. The incidence was unaffected by the speed with which the tubes ignited. Headaches tended to decrease with the height of the office above the ground and thus with increasing natural light. Office occupants chose to switch on the high-frequency lighting for 30% longer on average.
Improving the maintenance factor of lighting systems
Authors: Di Fraia L. , Salemme F.
Published: December 2008

It is shown how the application of the recently introduced equi-maintained lux approach for the maintenance of a lighting system leads to significant cost savings over the conventional equi-interval criterion, the latter normally being used to find the optimum solution to the problem of achieving the desired maintained illuminance level for the minimum overall cost. Greater advantages result in the case of polluted environments, illuminated by indirect systems, with frequent luminare cleaning and high costs for lamps and for room surface cleanings. A simple and accurate procedure for determining the optimum maintenance programme for a lighting installation by applying the equi-maintained lux criterion is given.
Road tunnel lighting design: Simplification
Authors: Tesson M. , Monié B.
Published: December 2008

The Centre d'Etudes des Tunnels (CETu) has elaborated a new method for designing road tunnel lighting equipment. The paper describes a simplified method based on the same theoretical fundamentals as those of the CETu. Theoretical and practical justifications for the simplification are given.
Photometry from the right distance
Authors: Holmes J.G.
Published: December 2008

It may be misleading to measure the intensity distribution of an interior luminaire at the standard distance of five times length if most of the light from the luminaire will only travel half that distance in service. Figures are given for the results of short-range photometry which can reduce the errors inherent in simple point-to-point calculation of illuminance. It is suggested that the 'working intensity' distribution of an interior luminaire be defined as that obtained by measurement at two metres radius.
Daylight coefficients for practical computation of internal illuminances
Authors: Littlefair P.J.
Published: December 2008

The daylight coefficient approach developed by Tregenza and Waters relates the luminance of an element of sky to the illuminance it produces at a point in a room. Its use can speed up daylight calculations. Once a set of daylight coefficients has been computed, it is possible to find daylight illuminances under a large number of sky luminance distributions with minimal extra effort. Because it relates to a point source of light the daylight coefficient technique can also be used for the calculation of reflected sunlight; and it is especially suitable for innovative daylighting systems with complex optical properties. This paper describes computer programming strategies to make effective use of daylight coefficients. It outlines the practical implementation of such a program to calculate year-round internal illuminances. To realise the efficiency benefits of the technique, it is important to calculate as few individual daylight coefficients as possible. This can be done by using Gaussian integration and by separating out the calculation of direct sunlight and internally reflected light. The paper describes the interface between the sky modelling technique and simulation of internal reflection, and the modelling of blinds and innovative daylighting systems. The special problems of external obstructions and ground-reflected light are also discussed.
Sports hall lighting: Badminton players' attitudes†
Authors: Bradley P.M.
Published: December 2008

User attitudes and subjective assessments of various types of sports hall lighting made by badminton players were analysed to determine by which criteria the players judged the lighting. It was found that the apparent brightness of the interior was used in the perception of brightness and that scalar illuminance was a more reliable indicator of this brightness than horizontal illuminance.
Transition Practices for Handicapped Young Children: What the Experts Say
Authors: Hutinger Patricia L.
Published: December 2008

The transition segment of a discussion by a group of nationally known experts in early childhood handicapped programing is reported. The national panel interviews and symposium were part of a larger study funded to study Illinois and nationally known preschool handicapped programs. Findings indicated that the importance of effective transition was recognized and that transition procedures were written into many programs, but were not followed in practice. The national panel commented extensively on procedures used in moving children from one program to another. Goals, characteristics, and procedures were suggested and recommended for insuring smooth transition. The necessity of planning and implementing careful followup was stressed.
TADS and Technical Assistance
Authors: Trohanis Pascal L.
Published: December 2008

This article discusses background and introductory material about TADS and its technical assistance (TA) contract with the U.S. Special Education Programs (SEP) and its Handicapped Children's Early Education Program (HCEEP). An overview to TA is provided along with a definition, description of related literature, and principles. Next the special education and early childhood context and mandate are discussed in relation to SEP's intent for TADS and its TA. Finally, the TADS mission and approach is described in terms of
The Relationship between Behavioral Characteristics of Children and Social Interaction in an Integrated Setting
Authors: Beckman Paula J.
Published: December 2008

This study was designed to examine the social interaction of handicapped and nonhandicapped children in an integrated preschool setting. Four groups of children (nonhandicapped 4-year-olds, nonhandicapped 3-yeor-olds, and moderately handicapped and severely handicapped) were observed during free play for 12 5-minute observations. Observations consisted of two phases, one 3-minute period in which interactions were recorded followed by a 2-minute period in which specific behaviors and types of play were observed. Results indicated that the amount of interaction varied as a function of which of the four groups the child was in and as a function of the age of peers. In addition, several specific behaviors (e.g., laughing, running) were associated with more interaction. Results are interpreted as having important Implications for educators who are interested in facilitating social interaction in integrated settings.
Language Skills of Young Low-Vision Children: Performance on the Preschool Language Scale
Authors: Parsons A. Sandy , Sabornie Edward J.
Published: December 2008

When the Preschool Language Scale performance of 18 low-vision children ranging from 2 to 4 years of age was analyzed, low-vision children were found to have performed significantly less well than their normally sighted peers on the Auditory Comprehension Quotient, the Verbal Ability Quotient, and the overall Language Quotient. Further analysis revealed a profile of abilities in which low-vision children performed significantly below normally sighted age mates. The language skills in which visually impaired children were delayed are reported here.
Preschool Assessment Measures: What Are Teachers Using?
Authors: Johnson Lawrence J. , Beauchamp Karen D. F.
Published: December 2008

In this investigation, 105 preschool special education teachers were surveyed to determine: (a) which assessment instruments they used, (b) why they had chosen those assessment instruments, and (c) what factors they considered important in the choice of an assessment instrument. Most respondents indicated that they used more than one. The most frequently cited rationale for the choice was that the test was already in use. Ratings of 30 test characteristics Indicated that test scope and ease of use were the most important factors involved in the choice of an assessment instrument.
The Skills Needed by Early Intervention Administrators/Supervisors
Authors: JOHNSON LAWRENCE J. , KILGO JENNIFER , COOK MARTHA J. , HAMMITTE DIANA J. , BEAUCHAMP KAREN , FINN DAVID
Published: December 2008

The purpose of this study wets to survey supervisors and service providers to determine their perceptions of the skills needed to be an effective supervisor of an early intervention program. Of the 1,168 surveys distributed, 442 service providers and 422 supervisors in six states responded to the survey, resulting in a response rate of 74%. Findings revealed that few differences existed between the two professional groups regarding their perceptions of necessary supervisor competencies. Survey items ranked as the most important had three themes: knowledge of rules and regulations, competence in interpersonal skills, and awareness of best practice in early intervention.
Practical Significance in Early Intervention Research
Authors: OTTENBACHER KENNETH J.
Published: December 2008

The practical significance of early intervention and developmental research was examined by computing measures of effect size for 237 statistical tests from 59 early intervention studies. Analysis of the data revealed that the average (median) treatment effect across the studies was in the range Cohen (1977) defines as a medium effect size (d index = .68). The distribution of treatment effect sizes was positively skewed with a large portion of treatment effects in the medium and small categories. The interpretation of measures of magnitude strength is discussed in relation to statistical significance testing. The argument is made that the evolving nature of early intervention research requires the use of analytic procedures sensitive to the degree of change expected in field-based dependent variables. Reporting measures of effect size along with traditional quantitative results will enhance the interpretation of statistical findings in early intervention and developmental research.
Providing Support to Families of Infants with Disabilities
Authors: BECKMAN PAULA J. , NEWCOMB SANDRA , FRANK NANCY , BROWN LYNN , FILER JANET
Published: December 2008

In recent years, professionals in early intervention have increasingly acknowledged the importance of social support to families of young children with disabilities. In spite of this recognition, there have been relatively few attempts to describe systematic strategies for providing direct support to families. This paper describes a model for providing support services directly to families. In addition to describing the rationale for each component of the model, specific information is provided with respect to the structure and content of the support. General phases of group and individual support, critical features of the model, and issues that must be addressed to implement the model are described.
Effect of Three Adult Interaction Styles on Infant Engagement
Authors: LUSSIER BRIAN J. , CRIMMINS DANIEL B. , ALBERTI DEBORAH
Published: December 2008

A within-subjects design was used to investigate the effects of adult interaction styles on infant engagement Three interaction style conditions were created, each of which differed in terms of the stimulation and responsiveness provided by one adult Nine infants of adolescent mothers were videotaped individually in all conditions while interacting with the adult Parent/Caregiver Involvement Scale ratings of the interactions indicate that the independent variable was successfully manipulated Infant engagement was measured in terms of percentages of time spent in each of six mutually exclusive engagement states. Infants in the contingently responsive, moderately stimulating condition spent more than half of their time in interactive forms of engagement Infants responded to the condition with a relatively unresponsive adult providing low levels of stimulation with large amounts of time spent unengaged or in object-focused engagement Results from the overly directive, highly stimulating condition were dominated by the engagement category of watching. Results and follow-up comparisons are discussed in terms of the reactivity of infant engagement to adult behavior and its relevance to interaction-focused intewentions.
Employment of Educators in Preschool Mainstreaming
Authors: WOLERY MARK , MARTIN CATHERINE G. , SCHROEDER CAROL , HUFFMAN KAY , VENN MARTHA L. , HOLCOMBE ARIANE , BROOKFIELD JEFFRI , FLEMING LUCY A.
Published: December 2008

This report describes a mail survey designed (a) to identify the extent to which various types of educators (paraprofessionals, early childhood educators, elementary school educators, and special educators) were employed in early education programs, and (b) to describe patterns in that employment Respondents represented a variety of programs (Head Start, public school prekindergarten, public school kindergarten, and community preschool/child care) and were selected randomly from the nine U.S. Bureau of the Census regions. The results indicate that (a) higher percentages of programs employed full-time rather than pan-time paraprofesslonal and professional staff; (b) higher percentages of Head Start programs employed paraprofessionals, particularly Child-Development-Associate-degree staff, than did other program types, and the lowest percentage of employment of paraprofessionals occurred in public school kindergarten programs; (c) more mainstreamed programs employed paraprofessionals than did nonmainstreamed programs, but the differences were slight; (d) higher percentages of programs employed bachelor's-degree teachers; (e) nearly equal percentages of programs employed elementary teachers as employed early childhood teachers, and fewer programs employed special education teachers; and (f) about three fourths of the main-streamed programs did not employ special education teachers.
Improving Joint Engagement in Parent-Child Interaction
Authors: Girolametto Luigi , Verbey Maryann , Tannock Rosemary
Published: December 2008

The current study tested the effects of parent training on children's joint engagement in play interactions with their mothers. Seven preschool children with developmental delays and their mothers participated in a 12-week intervention program. They were matched for developmental and communication status to seven children in a delayed-treatment control group. Mothers were trained to encourage child participation in social interaction by being highly responsive and child-centered. Following intervention, mother-child dyads experienced significantly more episodes of joint engagement than control dyads. Moreover, the total duration of joint engagement and the mean length of joint engagement episodes also increased significantly. No treatment-induced changes were detected on a series of semi-structured tasks designed to measure joint attention, suggesting that dyadic changes in joint engagement did not generalize to unfamiliar contexts. The results of this pilot study indicate that joint engagement is amenable to change, and the results support the use of engagement states as an outcome measure.
Philosophy as Training in Infancy Personnel Preparation
Authors: McCollum Jeanette A. , Rowan Lynne R. , Thorp Eva K.
Published: December 2008

Some of the most important qualities of the personnel who deliver early intervention services appear to be those related to their orientations toward families and the interdisciplinary process. Fostering these qualities at a preservice level may present unique challenges to training programs. The purpose of this paper is to describe a practicum model that directly addresses these training issues by using a written philosophy as a framework for self-reflection by students.
Promoting the Instructional Inclusion of Young Children With Disabilities in the Primary Grades
Authors: SALISBURY CHRISTINE L. , MANGINO MARIA , PETRIGALA MADELINE , RAINFORTH BEVERLY , SYRYCA SUSAN , PALOMBARO MARY M.
Published: December 2008

We describe a process of curriculum adaptation that was used by teachers in an inclusive elementary school. It was used to enhance the degree to which young children with mild to profound disabilities were instructionally integrated in primary grade classrooms. The underlying assumptions of the process are described, as are the components of the process. We use case study examples of 3 students with mild to profound disabilities to demonstrate how the process can be applied in content area subjects to optimize the instructional inclusion of students, while not sacrificing the individualized nature of instruction. Implications for teaming and school practices are presented.
An Exploratory Comparison of Milieu Teaching and Responsive Interaction in Classroom Applications
Authors: YODER PAUL J. , KAISER ANN P. , GOLDSTEIN HOWARD , ALPERT CATHY , MOUSETIS LORI , KACZMAREK LOUISE , FISCHER REBECCA
Published: December 2008

An exploratory study was conducted to compare 2 naturalistic language intervention methods: milieu teaching and responsive interaction. Classroom teachers implemented the treatment methods in 6 classrooms. Thirty-six children were matched on 4 pretreatment language measures and assigned to 1 of the 2 treatments. No main effects for treatment were found. However, milieu teaching was more effective than responsive interaction in facilitating receptive language and expressive vocabulary, if the children began intervention with relatively low receptive or expressive language levels. In contrast, responsive interaction was more effective than milieu teaching in facilitating receptive language and expressive vocabulary if the children began intervention with relatively high receptive or expressive language levels. The explanations for these results suggest several directions for future research and highlight the increasingly common finding that no 1 intervention is superior for all children.
Reciprocity, Responsiveness, and Timing in Interactions Between Mothers and Deaf and Hearing Children
Authors: WAXMAN ROBYN P. , SPENCER PATRICIA E. , POISSON SUSAN S.
Published: December 2008

The Greenspan-Lieberman Observational System-Revised (GLOS-R; Greenspan & Lieberman, 1980) was used to describe characteristics of dyadic interactions between hearing mothers and hearing toddlers (HH), deaf mothers and deaf toddlers (DD), and hearing mothers and deaf toddlers (HD). Deaf mothers produced fewer interactive behaviors than hearing mothers, apparently in order to accommodate infants' visual attention needs. DD and HD children were more likely than hearing children to react in a manner initially indicated by GLOS-R coding to be anticontingent. Additional analysis indicated this was a misinterpretation for DD, for whom this reflected adaptive attentional patterns. This adaptive pattern did not account for anticontingency among HD children. Assessment instruments require some modifications and results must be interpreted with caution when applied to dyads of deaf mothers and children.
Parent-to-Parent Programs: A Resource for Parents and Professionals
Authors: Santelli Betsy , Turnbull Ann , Marquis Janet , Lerner Esther
Published: December 2008

Parent to Parent programs offer parents of children who have special needs the opportunity to receive emotional and informational support from another parent who is experiencing a similar set of circumstances. By matching a trained veteran parent of a child with a disability in a 1-to-1 relationship with a parent who is newly referred to the program, Parent to Parent programs facilitate connections filled with information and perspectives that are unique to parents. This article introduces Parent to Parent support by (a) featuring the matched experience of two parents, (b) describing the results of a national survey of local Parent to Parent programs, (c) presenting guidelines for starting a Parent to Parent program, and (d) suggesting resources that are available nationally to those interested in Parent to Parent support.
Examining Attendance, Academic Performance, and Behavior in Obese Adolescents
Authors: Daniels Dianne Yow
Published: December 2008

Although academics and safety continue to rank as high-priority issues in public schools, educators and administrators are beginning to recognize the importance of student health on school success. This move toward a holistic approach suggests that efforts to improve a student’s physical, social, and emotional well-being are as important as efforts to increase test scores. Adolescent obesity is epidemic, and it is a complex integration of social, psychological, and physical factors that exacerbate the turbulent transitional years of adolescence. Adolescents are vulnerable to issues related to weight, and they are at risk for suffering obesity’s negative effects, thereby resulting in unfortunate school outcomes such as decreased rates of attendance, poor academic performance, and school suspensions. Disparities related to overweight and obesity exist; therefore, the negative effects of obesity may disproportionately affect minorities and poor schoolchildren. Examining school outcomes for the overweight or obese adolescent is crucial and may provide valuable insight into constructive changes required for a responsive school environment.
A 1D time-varying median filter for seismic random, spike-like noise elimination
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Cai , Wang Dian
Published: December 2008

Random noise in seismic data affects the signal-to-noise ratio, obscures details, and complicates identification of useful information. We have developed a new method for reducing random, spike-like noise in seismic data. The method is based on a 1D stationary median filter (MF) — the 1D time-varying median filter (TVMF). We design a threshold value that controls the filter window according to characteristics of signal and random, spike-like noise. In view of the relationship between seismic data and the threshold value, we chose median filters with different time-varying filter windows to eliminate random, spike-like noise. When comparing our method with other common methods, e.g., the band-pass filter and stationary MF, we found that the TVMF strikes a balance between eliminating random noise and protecting useful information. We tested the feasibility of our method in reducing seismic random, spike-like noise, on a synthetic dataset. Results of applying the method to seismic land data from Texas demonstrated that the TVMF method is effective in practice.
SANCTA INDIFFERENTIA AND ADIAPHORA
Authors: Evans G. R.
Published: December 2008

Quietism brought the individual to a state of “holy indifference” where nothing mattered; particularities of Christian belief and practice, pleasures of the senses, personal desires, all vanished in the utter self-abandonment of the soul in the presence of God. The “resigned” soul simply left everything to God. This was a mode of spirituality but also a challenge to the Church and the need for its sacraments. Ecclesiastical authorities of various colors, both protestant and Roman Catholic, found this unacceptable in its earlier manifestations in the later Middle Ages and again in its heydey in the late seventeenth century. Meanwhile in the sixteenth century, adiaphora had become controversial. These were matters of Christian belief and practice about which Christian opinion could legitimately vary and which were therefore “indifferent.” This paper explores the ways in which both these controversies rose from the same underground stream of medieval dissidence, discussing the contributions of the leading characters in the story and seeking to describe the common ground of idea and ideology which unites the history and which suggests that Quietism represents an archetype among the great “positions” of Christendom.
β-Arrestin2 Regulates RANKL and Ephrins Gene Expression in Response to Bone Remodeling in Mice
Authors: Pierroz Dominique D , Rufo Anna , Bianchi Estelle N , Glatt Vaida , Capulli Mattia , Rucci Nadia , Cavat Fanny , Rizzoli René , Teti Anna , Bouxsein Mary L , Ferrari Serge L
Published: December 2008

PTH-stimulated intracellular signaling is regulated by the cytoplasmic adaptor molecule β-arrestin. We reported that the response of cancellous bone to intermittent PTH is reduced in β-arrestin2−/− mice and suggested that β-arrestins could influence the bone mineral balance by controlling RANKL and osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene expression. Here, we study the role of β-arrestin2 on the in vitro development and activity of bone marrow (BM) osteoclasts (OCs) and Ephrins ligand (Efn), and receptor (Eph) mRNA levels in bone in response to PTH and the changes of bone microarchitecture in wildtype (WT) and β-arrestin2−/− mice in models of bone remodeling: a low calcium diet (LoCa) and ovariectomy (OVX). The number of PTH-stimulated OCs was higher in BM cultures from β-arrestin2−/− compared with WT, because of a higher RANKL/OPG mRNA and protein ratio, without directly influencing osteoclast activity. In vivo, high PTH levels induced by LoCa led to greater changes in TRACP5b levels in β-arrestin2−/− compared with WT. LoCa caused a loss of BMD and bone microarchitecture, which was most prominent in β-arrestin2−/−. PTH downregulated Efn and Eph genes in β-arrestin2−/−, but not WT. After OVX, vertebral trabecular bone volume fraction and trabecular number were lower in β-arrestin2−/− compared with WT. Histomorphometry showed that OC number was higher in OVX-β-arrestin2−/− compared with WT. These results indicate that β-arrestin2 inhibits osteoclastogenesis in vitro, which resulted in decreased bone resorption in vivo by regulating RANKL/OPG production and ephrins mRNAs. As such, β-arrestins should be considered an important mechanism for the control of bone remodeling in response to PTH and estrogen deprivation.
ECM Compliance Regulates Osteogenesis by Influencing MAPK Signaling Downstream of RhoA and ROCK
Authors: Khatiwala Chirag B , Kim Peter D , Peyton Shelly R , Putnam Andrew J
Published: December 2008

The compliance of the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulates osteogenic differentiation by modulating extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity. However, the molecular mechanism linking ECM compliance to the ERK-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway remains unclear. Furthermore, RhoA has been widely implicated in integrin-mediated signaling and mechanotransduction. We studied the relationship between RhoA and ERK-MAPK signaling to determine their roles in the regulation of osteogenesis by ECM compliance. Inhibition of RhoA and ROCK in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts cultured on substrates of varying compliance reduced ERK activity, whereas constitutively active RhoA enhanced it. The expression of RUNX2, a potent osteogenic transcription factor, was increased on stiffer matrices and correlated with elevated ERK activity. Inhibition of RhoA, ROCK, or the MAPK pathway diminished RUNX2 activity and delayed the onset of osteogenesis as shown by altered osteocalcin (OCN) and bone sialoprotein (BSP) gene expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and matrix mineralization. These data establish that one possible mechanism by which ECM rigidity regulates osteogenic differentiation involves MAPK activation downstream of the RhoA-ROCK signaling pathway.
β-Adrenergic Blockade and Leptin Replacement Effectively Mitigate Disuse Bone Loss
Authors: Baek Kyunghwa , Bloomfield Susan A
Published: December 2008

Our objective was to test effects of β-adrenergic blockade on hindlimb unloading (HU)-induced bone loss and serum leptin and to compare these responses with those observed with leptin replacement. Adult male rats were randomized into six groups (n = 10 each): HU rats treated with vehicle (VEHHU), leptin analog (LEPHU), or β-blocker (BBHU) during a 28-day HU and cage activity controls (CC) treated with the same three agents and pair-fed to HU rats. On days 0 and 28, pQCT scans of proximal tibia and serum collections for leptin assays were performed, and histomorphometric measures of proximal tibia cancellous bone were assessed. The 20% decrease in cancellous vBMD observed in the VEHHU group was halved in BBHU rats and LEPHU rats. Bone formation rate (BFR) in BBHU rats, but not in LEPHU rats, was preserved. The 3-fold increase in resorption surface with HU was abolished by BB and LEP treatments. The decrease in serum leptin after a 28-day HU was attenuated in BBHU and LEPHU rats and was predictive of the decrease in BFR with HU. Blocking sympathetic adrenergic signaling by peripheral administration of a β-blocker during HU mitigates disuse-induced decreases in cancellous bone mass through stimulation of osteoblastic activity and suppression of osteoclastic activity. A direct effect of β-adrenergic blockade on bone cells during HU may be enhanced by an indirect effect mitigating reductions in circulating leptin, possibly through disinhibition of leptin release from adipocytes.
Improving Early Relationships: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of an Age-Paced Parenting Newsletter
Authors: Waterston Tony , Welsh Brenda , Keane Brigid , Cook Margaret , Hammal Donna , Parker Louise , McConachie Helen
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVES. Parenting is recognized as a key mediator in both health and educational outcomes. Much is known on the value of support and group work in benefiting parenting, but little is known on the effect of written information. A randomized, controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the effect of a parenting newsletter, sent monthly to the parents' home from birth to 1 year, on maternal well-being and parenting style. We tested the hypothesis that mothers receiving the newsletter would show less stress and better parenting characteristics than controls.

METHODS. Parents of first infants born in a North East England District General Hospital between February and October 2003 who consented to take part in the study were randomly allocated to either the intervention or control arm. Those in the intervention arm were sent 12 monthly issues of an age-paced parenting newsletter containing information on emotional development, parent-child interaction, and play. Both the intervention and control group received normal parenting support. Mothers in both groups completed the Well-being Index, Parenting Daily Hassles Scale, and the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory at birth and at 1 year.

RESULTS. One hundred eighty-five mothers were recruited, with 94 randomly assigned to the intervention group, and 91 controls. Allowing for differences at recruitment, there were significant differences between the groups at 1 year: the intervention mothers had lower frequency and intensity of perceived hassles and fewer inappropriate expectations of the infant on the Adult-Adolescent Parenting Inventory than the control mothers.

CONCLUSIONS. A monthly parenting newsletter sent directly to the home in the first year of life seems to help parents to understand their infant better and feel less hassled. This intervention is low cost and can be applied to all parents, so it is nonstigmatizing.