bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing the validity of two putative sympatric species from Sinocyclocheilus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences
Authors: CHEN YAN-YAN , LI RONG , LI CHUN-QING , LI WEI-XIAN , YANG HONG-FU , XIAO HENG , CHEN SHAN-YUAN
Published: September 2018

There are over 60 species within the freshwater fish genus Sinocyclocheilus (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) distributed throughout the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and its surrounding areas in China. In recent years, the increasing number of new species described has raised some controversy about the validity of several species within this genus, notably the putative sympatric species pair S. qiubeiensis and S. jiuchengensis. To test the validity of S. qiubeiensis and S. jiuchengensis, we analyzed the complete sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (CYTB) gene of 20 identified species and one outgroup species. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using CYTB with maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods. Our phylogenetic results showed that all individuals of S. qiubeiensis and S. jiuchengensis clustered in one clade with strong support. In addition, the genetic distance between the two species was 0.11%, within the range observed at the intraspecific level. The most recent common ancestor of S. qiubeiensis and S. jiuchengensis dated back to 0.13 million years ago, indicating little time for complete speciation to have occurred. These results clearly support the viewpoint that S. jiuchengensis is a synonym of S. qiubeiensis.
Garra dengba, a new species of cyprinid fish (Pisces: Teleostei) from eastern Tibet, China
Authors: DENG SHU-QING , CAO LIANG , ZHANG E
Published: September 2018

Garra dengba is here described from the Chayu-Qu, a tributary flowing into the Brahmaputra River, in Chayu County, eastern Tibet, China. It shares the presence of an incipient proboscis on the snout with G. arupi, G. elongata, G. gravelyi, G. kalpangi, and G. rotundinasus, but is distinguished from these five species in having, among other features, fewer branched dorsal- and anal-fin rays and more perforated lateral-line scales. Its validity was also confirmed by a molecular phylogenetic analysis based on the cytochrome b gene.
Components of Upper-Ocean Salt Transport by the Gyres and the Meridional Overturning Circulation
Authors: Jones C. S. , Cessi Paola
Published: September 2018

The salt transport by the wind-driven gyres and the meridional overturning circulation (MOC) is studied in an idealized-geometry primitive equation ocean model. Two narrow continents, running along meridians, divide the model domain into two basins of different widths connected by a re-entrant channel south of 52.5°S. One of the continents, representing the Americas, is longer than the other, representing Europe/Africa. Two different configurations of the model are used: the “standard” one, in which the short continent is west of the wide basin, and the “exchanged” one, in which the short continent is west of the narrow basin. In both cases, deep water is formed in the basin to the west of the short continent. Most residual transport of the MOC’s upper branch enters this basin by flowing along open streamlines that pass westward south of the short continent before proceeding northward. The meridional salt transport in the upper ocean of the sinking basin is decomposed into two portions: transport along open streamlines and transport by closed streamlines (gyres). In the Northern Hemisphere of the basin in which deep water is formed, the total northward salt transport per unit width along open streamlines is larger in the standard configuration than in the exchanged configuration. This larger salt transport is caused by two factors: a larger northward advection of salt by the interbasin transport and a larger cross-streamline salt transport out of the subpolar gyre. It is concluded that increasing interbasin flow south of Africa would likely bring more salt into the Atlantic Ocean.
Exploiting the Convergence of Evidence in Satellite Data for Advanced Weather Index Insurance Design
Authors: Enenkel Markus , Osgood Daniel , Anderson Martha , Powell Bristol , McCarty Jessica , Neigh Christopher , Carroll Mark , Wooten Margaret , Husak Greg , Hain Christopher , Brown Molly
Published: September 2018

The goal of drought-related weather index insurance (WII) is to protect smallholder farmers against the risk of weather shocks and to increase their agricultural productivity. Estimates of precipitation and vegetation greenness are the two dominant satellite datasets. However, ignoring additional moisture- and energy-related processes that influence the response of vegetation to rainfall leads to an incomplete representation of the hydrologic cycle. This study evaluates the added value of considering multiple independent satellite-based variables to design, calibrate, and validate weather insurance indices on the African continent. The satellite data include two rainfall datasets, soil moisture, the evaporative stress index (ESI), and vegetation greenness. We limit artificial advantages by resampling all datasets to the same spatial (0.25°) and temporal (monthly) resolution, although datasets with a higher spatial resolution might have an added value, if considered as the single source of information for localized applications. A higher correlation coefficient between the moisture-focused variables and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), an indicator for vegetation vigor, provides evidence for the datasets’ capability to capture agricultural drought conditions on the ground. The Climate Hazards Group Infrared Precipitation with Stations (CHIRPS) rainfall dataset, soil moisture, and ESI show higher correlations with the (lagged) NDVI in large parts of Africa, for different land covers and various climate zones, than the African Rainfall Climatology, version 2 (ARC2), rainfall dataset, which is often used in WII. A comparison to drought years as reported by farmers in Ethiopia, Senegal, and Zambia indicates a high “hit rate” of all satellite-derived anomalies regarding the detection of severe droughts but limitations regarding moderate drought events.
Identity as a strategy for negotiating everyday life in transience: A case study of Asian foreign talent in Singapore
Authors: Gomes Catherine
Published: September 2018

Singapore is host to approximately 1.7 million transient migrants who either work or study in the city-state. While there has been extensive research on the conditions of low skilled or unskilled workers, little has been written about the experiences of the educated and middle class transnationally mobile workers and students and how they make a home for themselves in the city-state. Through in-depth interviews with 86 international students and educated transnationally mobile workers on their self-perceived identities, social networks, concepts of home, and media and communication use, this article looks at the strategies used by ‘foreign talent’ migrants to feel at home in Singapore. It is observed that while foreign talent migrants develop a combination of creative strategies in order to make Singapore ‘a home away from home’, being transient negatively affects their relationship with Singaporeans. The study also finds that while transient migrants develop close relationships with co-nationals as a strategy for transience, they also maintain/develop class structures while overseas. In other words, international students and white collar workers do not associate with co-nationals who are in low skilled or unskilled work. Drawing on the concept that transient migrants use their self-perceived identities to negotiate everyday life, this article argues that foreign talent migrants use their self-perceived identities to create emerging social and cultural spaces through their versions of reconstructions of home and by their (non)interactions with co-nationals and Singaporeans. In doing so, this article specifically moves away from the literature on time and temporalities which situates the temporary migrant as facing challenges overseas due to the break in their expected life course and connections to home, highlighting instead that transient migrants see their temporality not as a disruption bur rather part of their evolving life course.
Addition of cyclosporine/tacrolimus for pediatric relapsed lupus nephritis during mycophenolate mofetil maintenance therapy
Authors: Mao Youying , Yin Lei , Huang Hua , Zhou Zhengyu , Chen Tongxin , Zhou Wei
Published: September 2018

Objective

We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose cyclosporine (CsA) or tacrolimus (Tac) in children with proliferative lupus nephritis (PLN) during maintenance therapy.

Methods

A low dose of CsA or Tac was added to 11 children who relapsed during mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) maintenance therapy. Renal remission was analyzed at 3 and 6 months, and at 1, 2, and 3 years after CsA/Tac addition. Adverse effects were recorded.

Results

The clinical response rates were 81.9%, 100%, 90.0%, 100%, and 100% at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after CsA/Tac addition, respectively. Complete renal remission rates were 45.5%, 45.5%, 40.0%, 44.4%, and 71.4% at 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years after CsA/Tac addition, respectively. None of the patients had severe adverse events.

Conclusion

Low-dose CsA/Tac combined with MMF shows a promising effect in renal remission with acceptable safety in children with PLN. Therefore, this combination would be a good choice for children with lupus nephritis who relapse or have suboptimal MMF maintenance therapy.
Banana fiber/low-density polyethylene recycled composites for third world eco-friendly construction applications – Waste for life project Sri Lanka
Authors: Bolduc Sean , Jung Kyungmin , Venkata Pramathanath , Ashokcline Mascareneous , Jayasinghe Randika , Baillie Caroline , Lessard Larry
Published: September 2018

In the framework of the waste for life Sri Lanka project, low value industrial low-density polyethylene waste plastics and banana fibers made from agricultural waste are upcycled into affordable eco-friendly building products. This creates income for the local communities while mitigating waste disposal and reducing ecological problems. Within this context, a robust manufacturing method using compression molding was developed. Panels with varying fiber content were manufactured using unchopped and chopped fibers. Low-density polyethylene characterization using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry to compare plastic sources was conducted. To reduce cost, no fiber treatments or compatibilizers were used. An estimate of critical fiber length was found to be around 1.45 cm to 2.5 cm. A trend of increasing strength with fiber content (up to 40 wt.%) was achieved by using longer fibers than in the previous research. Handling and dispersion of the fibers were increased by chopping the fibers to 20 cm lengths, which led to an increase in tensile strength due to easier manufacturing. Cross-ply panels made with fibers chopped to a length of 20 cm were found to be strongest peaking at around 40 wt.% with a tensile strength of 32.8 MPa, a fourfold increase compared to a raw low-density polyethylene (0 wt.%) panel.
Adequacy of Pain Control in Patients With Advanced Cancer in Pakistan
Authors: Majeed Muhammad Hassan , Nadeem Ramsha , Khokhar Muhammad Abbas , Qaisar Muhammad Nawaz
Published: September 2018

Purpose:

Pain is highly prevalent in advanced cancer and requires aggressive management. However, pain management in cancer is minimally investigated in Pakistan. This cross-sectional study explores the adequacy of pain management in patients with advanced stage cancer in Pakistan.

Method:

From January 2017 to May 2017, a cross-sectional study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 218 patients with cancers were interviewed, and 136 patients with pain ≥5 on a Numerical Rating Scale for pain were included in the study. Demographic of patients and clinical characteristics of tumors were also evaluated.

Results:

Only about one-third of the patients with advanced cancer reported adequate pain management. Chi-square test, χ2 (1, n = 136) = 33.038, P < .05, indicated that pain scores were inversely associated with pain control; inadequate pain control was observed in patients with higher pain score and vice versa. Of the 55.88% of patients who were prescribed morphine, only 6 patients were compliant with treatment recommendations. Most patients were prescribed nonopioid medications and tramadol and codeine, which are weak opioid medications.

Conclusion:

The rate of undertreatment of cancer pain in Pakistan is alarming. Inadequate clinicians’ training, patients’ and caregivers’ beliefs, lack of availability of opioid medications, and socioeconomic factors are some of the barriers to effective pain control. A multidisciplinary team approach is necessary to follow the World Health Organization pain ladder guidelines for the treatment of cancer pain.
A new analytical model for reliability analysis of a launch vehicle system with limited test data
Authors: Murugesan V , Plappillimadam Sreejith , Saji VJ , Maruthi SS , Anilkumar AK
Published: September 2018

Reliability is one of the critical design parameters for the launch vehicles and its systems. When the systems are ready to fly the first time, only limited test data are available and accordingly reliability assessed will be very low. However, in most cases, the new systems are derived and developed using the knowledge and experience gained from the heritage systems to meet the fresh challenges. Hence, the reliability assessed with the minimum number of tests done on the new system does not truly reflect the inherent reliability of the system. In this paper, an approach and a new analytical model are developed for the reliability assessment of systems with limited test data, giving an accurate weighting for the tests and flight experiences with similar systems. The method gives a systematic procedure for arriving at the weighting factor for test data of the pedigree system, with due consideration of the similarities between the systems and various factors influencing system reliability. The method is illustrated with a case study of a newly developed liquid propellant rocket system. The model is validated using the available test and flight data of two propulsion systems with adequate flight experience. The analytical model is generic in nature and can be applied to reliability analysis of any system, which has considerable similarities with a pedigree system.
Preliminary design and optimization for fleet to be used in the Small Air Transport system
Authors: Iwaniuk Andrzej , Piwek Krzysztof
Published: September 2018

Over the last few years, teams from several research centres have been working on the concept of Small Air Transport, filling the niche between a regular surface transport and a scheduled air transport – on the distances over 200 km, utilizing numerous, though low in volume, passengers’ streams – giving regions a chance to improve their communication capabilities. Small Air Transport’s tasks are performed on small aeroplanes, which take up to 19 passengers, with a flight time of up to 4 h and at a reasonable price for a mass recipient. An important feature of the Small Air Transport system is personalization, which is flexible adaptation of the transport process to the customer’s requirements and capabilities. This paper focuses on the selection and optimization of key parameters of aircraft fleet used in Small Air Transport. The research and analysis were based on the parameters of a reference aircraft selected for each individual class of small aircraft. Taking into account the data of currently used aircraft, the calculations were made to obtain the generalized transport costs per passenger kilometre. The generalized transport costs covers both – the total operating costs and value of time of passengers. As a result of minimizing these costs in terms of the variability of the key design factors of aircraft, the parameters of the recommended aircraft, in particular, classes were obtained. It was found that generalized passenger-kilometre costs for recommended Small Air Transport aircraft are only 20–30% higher than for regional aircraft (with the same load factor) and are more advantageous for Small Air Transport aircraft (lower cost) for small local passenger flows. Utilizing Small Air Transport aircraft, the profitability of air transport expands to significantly less intense passenger flows. The analysis allowed defining key design parameters of aircraft fleet in Small Air Transport in the initial phase of a project.
On some aspects of Maximum Severity of Ruin
Authors: Das Palash Ranjan , Chakrabarti Tripti
Published: September 2018

The authors of this article engage ruin theory as a mathematical basis for quantifying the financial risks in insurance industry. Considering a classical risk model with dividend barrier, it is calibrated to obtain the maximum probability of ruin when the claim amount distribution is either exponential or Erlangian. It is to be noted that for numerical evaluation, the premium loading factor is taken to be 20 per cent in both the cases. In order to ensure fair comparison, exponential and Erlangian parameters have been chosen in such a way that their mean and the expected total claims are same for both the distributions over a given time interval. Ultimately, it is generalized that the classical risk model by considering a renewal risk model can be used to find an expression for the maximum severity of ruin in the insurance industry.
Indian Crafts: Multiple Product Break Even Analysis
Authors: Baid Devesh
Published: September 2018

Ms Sunayna, while talking to her cousin, who had visited her outlet Indian Crafts (IC) for the first time, was sharing her concerns about low sales in recent months. Rupee sales per invoice from repeat customers were going down. Sales from new customers were high but new customer generation was very low. She was very much concerned about declining sales and profits over the previous two years and was looking for ways to revive sales of IC. She also had an inventory which was not moving, especially some costly paintings and large artefacts. Now that her brother Mr Jatin Kumar was not interested in this business, the entire responsibility was on her shoulders. With more than five years in business, she understood it well and was in a position to take on all responsibilities. During this period, she had mostly handled sales but recently she dealt with vendors, organized theme events, and was confident of operating the stores herself. She had to do something in a short time to turn around declining sales or otherwise may be the business would have to be closed down. She was sure that Mr Jatin Kumar will be always available if she wanted to discuss anything or needed guidance in any matter.
A Study on Consumer Behaviour of Passenger Car Segments through Logistic egression Modelling
Authors: Menon Balakrishnan
Published: September 2018

The automobile industry in India was highly protected in favour of domestic car manufacturers till the late 1980s. The Government of India’s drastic shift towards economic liberalization and Foreign Direct Investment Policy transformed the automobile industry, since the early 1990s. The ensuing decade witnessed many foreign car manufacturers entering the Indian automobile industry with their models and brands. World leaders in passenger cars such as Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Ford, and Hyundai set up manufacturing hubs in India, cashing on the liberalized Foreign Direct Investment Policy of the Government of India. These manufacturers captured the hearts and minds of Indian car customers, with their choicest of car models with high technological and innovative product offerings, with quality and reliability. This transformed the automobile scene from a seller’s market to buyer’s market. Car customers had started developing their own personal preferences and purchasing patterns, which were hitherto unknown in the Indian automobile segment. This study focused on the influences of various attributes and factors in the consumer purchase behaviour of passenger cars. The logistic modelling approach evaluated as to why the car customers prefer different car segmented models in comparison to a base category model. The article attempted to build a passenger car purchase modelling approach, to evaluate consumer behavioural preferences, which eventually influences the purchase behaviour of passenger car owners. The results of the research would contribute to the practical knowledge base of the automobile industry, specifically to the passenger car segments. The model developed has also a great contributory value addition, to the manufacturers and dealers, for evolving a customized marketing strategy approach.
A Study of Management Control Systems (MCS) and School Performance
Authors: Baid Devesh
Published: September 2018

The behaviour of students and teachers influences academic performance. Individual dimension of behaviour control, such as attendance of teachers and students in classrooms, students’ indiscipline, remedial sessions by teachers to academically weak students, and teachers’ education, have been found to influence academic performance. This study uses Merchant’s (1998) objects of control framework to classify these individual behavioural controls into various control types, so as to identify the most prominent control types for students and teachers, and their influence on academic performance. It adopts alternative approaches of PLS-SEM using SMART PLS 3.2 to construct a “Management Control of Students’ and Teachers’ Scale”. In all, 58 schools participated in this study. Based on school-level summated scores, it was found that action controls of students and personnel controls of teachers are the most prominent type of control applied in the schools. Also, teachers’ control types relating to action controls—class conduct, results, and personnel controls of teachers—significantly influence academic performance at schools. In case of students’ controls, their socio-economic status along with personnel controls is significant in explaining performance.
Emerging Challenges of Rural Labour Market: Insights from Indian Villages
Authors: Roy Namrata Singha , Mukhopadhyay Ishita
Published: September 2018

This article has examined the labour market behaviour of rural India, with the objective to assess the changes taking place in the structure of the workforce and attempts to identify the factors affecting the changes in rural labour supply. In particular, this article tries to address the inconsistency between absolute declines in labour force, particularly rural females at national level, with the micro-level evidences of feminisation in farm work through the estimation of labour supply function. Empirical findings indicate an increasing trend in female participation, particularly aged in rural India. The significant positive association of occupation dummy with male labour supply and negative association with female labour supply, in one way, explains the greater participation of male workers in non-farm work and higher concentration of females in farm activities. Therefore, attention needs to be paid to promote initiatives such as youth entrepreneurship in agriculture to retain youth in farming, encourage innovations in designing appropriate location-specific machineries and tools which are female-friendly, and also organise capacity-building programmes for skill augmentation focusing rural female workers.

JEL: J21, J43, J42, J16
Calculation and comparative analysis of thermal transmittance (U-value) of Scottish houses from recent centuries
Authors: Rezvani Fahimeh , Zabalza Bribián Ignacio
Published: September 2018

Research was conducted on the steady-state heat loss of dwellings, as quantified by U-value assessment, to provide an appraisal with a range of factors that may impact energy performance and environmental behaviour. The study consisted of 50 houses built between 1915 and 2015 and 50 from pre-1915 identified as traditional construction. All were Scottish homes, and some were in poor condition. This paper finds that there is a close correlation between U-values of components and the age of a property and its energy efficiency. It also finds that the U-values of elements of houses built after 1985 increased more rapidly. It is considered that for older homes, there was less improvement/change on U-values. It is concluded that using renewable energy systems and sustainable technologies are necessary for old houses to meet Level 6 of the code for sustainable homes in the UK. A trend of U-value reduction with wall thickness was observed, but no simple correlation could be determined and each circumstance identified which materials could be applied to best effect.
Gender justice and food security: The case of public distribution system in India
Authors: Pradhan Mamata , Rao Nitya
Published: September 2018

This article contributes to the debates around food and nutrition security from a perspective of gender justice, central to which is the recognition of men and women as having equal rights and entitlements to a life free from hunger and malnutrition. Using both quantitative and qualitative data from the Indian state of Bihar, we assess various elements of gender justice through the functioning of the Public Distribution System, the largest food-based safety net programme in the world. Despite universal entitlements, we find that power relations embedded in local politics, caste and class heterogeneity and political economy considerations, mediate the gendered access to food through state transfers.
Fear extinction learning ability predicts neuropathic pain behaviors and amygdala activity in male rats
Authors: Ji Guangchen , Yakhnitsa Vadim , Kiritoshi Takaki , Presto Peyton , Neugebauer Volker
Published: September 2018

Background

The amygdala plays a key role in fear learning and extinction and has emerged as an important node of emotional-affective aspects of pain and pain modulation. Impaired fear extinction learning, which involves prefrontal cortical control of amygdala processing, has been linked to neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we tested the hypothesis that fear extinction learning ability can predict the magnitude of neuropathic pain.

Results

We correlated fear extinction learning in naive adult male rats with sensory and affective behavioral outcome measures (mechanical thresholds, vocalizations, and anxiety- and depression-like behaviors) before and after the induction of the spinal nerve ligation model of neuropathic pain compared to sham controls. Auditory fear conditioning, extinction learning, and extinction retention tests were conducted after baseline testing. All rats showed increased freezing responses after fear conditioning. During extinction training, the majority (75%) of rats showed a decline in freezing level to 50% in 5 min (fear extinction+), whereas 25% of the rats maintained a high freezing level (>50%, fear extinction−). Fear extinction− rats showed decreased open-arm preference in the elevated plus maze, reflecting anxiety-like behavior, but there were no significant differences in sensory thresholds, vocalizations, or depression-like behavior (forced swim test) between fear extinction+ and fear extinction− types. In the neuropathic pain model (four weeks after spinal nerve ligation), fear extinction− rats showed a greater increase in vocalizations and anxiety-like behavior than fear extinction+ rats. Fear extinction− rats, but not fear extinction+ rats, also developed depression-like behavior. Extracellular single unit recordings of amygdala (central nucleus) neurons in behaviorally tested rats (anesthetized with isoflurane) found greater increases in background activity, bursting, and evoked activity in fear extinction− rats than fear extinction+ rats in the spinal nerve ligation model compared to sham controls.

Conclusion

The data may suggest that fear extinction learning ability predicts the magnitude of neuropathic pain-related affective rather than sensory behaviors, which correlates with differences in amygdala activity changes.
Getting in the Flo: My year as a scholar
Authors: Jaffrey Sakina
Published: September 2018

In November 2016, I was awarded an Emerging Leaders Scholarship from the Florence Nightingale Foundation to help me positively impact patient care and also improve how I lead change within my organisation. This article highlights some of the learning experiences over the last year and the impact that the Scholarship has had.
Required time for setting up an anaesthesia machine mounted on a movable ceiling pendant
Authors: Shirozu Kazuhiro , Kai Tetsuya , Fukumoto Mizuho , Ippoushi Kumiko , Setoguchi Hidekazu , Hoka Sumio
Published: September 2018

The present study was performed to evaluate the duration of time required to set up an anaesthesia machine mounted on an automated or manually movable ceiling pendant. Nurses moved the machine’s position according to the surgical site (right or left). The duration of time required to set up the anaesthesia machine for surgery was compared between automated and manual operation and among nurses with varying years of work experience. Movement of the anaesthesia machine from the right to left position took longer for the automated (278 ± 11s) than manual (188 ± 63s) method. However, no difference was observed between automated (288 ± 11s) and manual (267 ± 140s) movement of the machine from the left to right position. Experienced nurses took less time in both directions. Manual movement took less time than automated movement in the right-to-left direction, which may be advantageous when nurses are in a hurry or have musculoskeletal system disorders and may allow them to perform other operating room preparation tasks. Either automated or manual movement may be used depending on the situation. Both the larger deviations with manual movement and the shorter time required by experienced nurses suggest that training and experience shorten the manual set-up time.
Building Learning Communities through Social and Emotional Learning: Navigating the Rough Seas of Implementation
Authors: Kress Jeffrey S. , Elias Maurice J.
Published: September 2018

Educators have come to recognize the importance of their efforts in building students' social and emotional skills. However, the creation of lasting programming often fails to keep pace with educators' best intentions. In this article, the authors suggest guidelines for ways in which school counselors can be involved in implementing sustained social and emotional learning interventions in a manner that is consistent with the values and goals of such programs.
Delivering Difficult News to Parents: Guidelines for School Counselors
Authors: Auger Richard W.
Published: September 2018

School counselors often have to give difficult news to parents, a process that can be stressful and troubling for everyone involved. While the reaction of each parent is unique, research indicates that many parents who have been given difficult news about their children feel that the information was delivered poorly. This article provides guidelines for the delivery of difficult news to parents, including strategies for appropriate preparation and follow-through.
School Counselors and School Psychologists: Collaborating to Ensure Minority Students Receive Appropriate Consideration for Special Educational Programs
Authors: de Barona Maryann Santos , Barona Andres
Published: September 2018

This article first discusses the challenges in providing psychoeducational services to the rapidly increasing minority populations in the United States, then describes problems encountered by educators. This is followed by a brief elaboration of the role and function of school counselors and school psychologists and how they can facilitate service delivery. Finally, suggestions are provided for meeting the mental health and educational needs of this large and growing population.
The Impact of Vulnerabilities and Strengths on the Academic Experiences of Twice-Exceptional Students: A Message to School Counselors
Authors: Assouline Susan G. , Nicpon Megan Foley , Huber Dawn H.
Published: September 2018

The ever-broadening roles of school counselors range from traditional (advisor for college planning) to novel (advocating for students with learning difficulties or giftedness). A newly recognized group of learners, with both learning difficulties and academic strengths, known as twice-exceptional learners, has emerged. After a synopsis of federal legislation that has shaped the field of twice-exceptionality, the authors use two case examples to highlight the contribution of prevailing educational myths to the lack of attention to twice-exceptional students. They conclude with comprehensive recommendations.
Creating Positive School Experiences for Students with Disabilities
Authors: Milsom Amy
Published: September 2018

The school experiences of students with disabilities can be positively or negatively influenced by the attitudes and behaviors of students and school personnel and by general school policies. School counselors can take the lead in assessing school climate in relation to students with disabilities and initiating interventions or advocating for change when appropriate. This article provides an overview of factors to consider in creating positive school experiences for students with disabilities and suggestions for intervention efforts.
Using the ASCA National Model® to Facilitate School Transitions
Authors: Dimmitt Carey , Carey Jay
Published: September 2018

The American School Counselor Association has developed the ASCA National Model® in order to provide school counselors with a structure for effective practice. The ASCA National Model can help school counselors think proactively about how they can best serve the students in their schools, and it contains ideas and tools for developing comprehensive school counseling programs that use the current best practices in the field. This article briefly summarizes the ASCA National Model and uses the model to identify effective program components for addressing student transitions.
Mathematics Placement and the Transition to Middle School
Authors: Akos Patrick , Shoffner Marie , Ellis Mark
Published: September 2018

The transition to middle school has been a frequent research topic in recent years. The findings have highlighted both the significant risk and opportunity for school counselor intervention in the transition. One particularly important component of the multifaceted transition is course placement. The importance and influence of mathematics and mathematics placement and the role of the school counselor in this process are outlined. Specifically, pilot data that underscore the importance of school counselor collaboration with parents and mathematics faculty are presented.
Factors Influencing the Educational and Vocational Transitions of Black and Latino High School Students
Authors: Constantine Madonna G. , Kindaichi Mai M. , Miville Marie L.
Published: September 2018

This article discusses individual, structural, and cultural factors that shape the educational and vocational transitions of graduating high school Black and Latino students. Implications of such factors for school counselors who wish to facilitate these adolescents' career development also are presented.
Interventions to Assist Students with Disabilities through School Transitions
Authors: Milsom Amy
Published: September 2018

School personnel are mandated to provide transition planning services to students with disabilities as they prepare for postsecondary activities. A variety of student skill and knowledge areas have been recommended as important during this process. Students with disabilities encounter a variety of additional transitions throughout their schooling, however, and school counselors can play integral roles in facilitating those transitions. Recommendations are presented for school counselor interventions to address the various transition needs of students with disabilities.
Empowerment Theory for the Professional School Counselor: A Manifesto for What Really Matters
Authors: Hipolito-Delgado Carlos P. , Lee Courtland C.
Published: September 2018

Borrowing from the legacy of feminist and multicultural theories, various counseling fields have applied portions of empowerment theory to their work with oppressed clients. This article examines the main concepts associated with empowerment theory and provides important implications for professional school counselors.
An Examination of Referrals to the School Counselor by Race, Gender, and Family Structure
Authors: Adams Jennifer R. , Benshoff James M. , Harrington Sonja Y.
Published: September 2018

This article reports on a study addressing student referral differences based on family structure, gender, and race in teacher-initiated contact to school counselors. Researchers used secondary data from the National Education Longitudinal Study. They used logit log linear analyses in this data analysis. Significant differences existed for all three variables–race, gender, and family structure–with teachers more likely to contact the school counselor when the student was male, African American, or living in a non-intact family structure.
Future School Principals’ Views of the Roles of Professional School Counselors
Authors: Chata Charles C. , Loesch Larry C.
Published: September 2018

A clinical simulation technique was used to investigate how future school principals view the roles of professional school counselors, particularly as those responsibilities are represented in the ASCA National Model®. The 244 respondents were principals-in-training (i.e., graduate students) officially enrolled in educational administration programs at member institutions of the University Council for Educational Administration. These principals-in-training were able to differentiate between appropriate and inappropriate roles of professional school counselors, and the results generally were independent of their demographic characteristics.
Precursors to the Gender Gap in College Enrollment: Children's Aspirations and Expectations for Their Futures
Authors: Blackhurst Anne E. , Auger Richard W.
Published: September 2018

In light of the increasing gender gap in college enrollment, data from two waves of interviews with 115 elementary and middle school children were examined for developmental and gender differences in participants’ aspirations and expectations for their futures. While there were no gender differences in children's educational aspirations or expectations, girls were more likely than boys to aspire to careers that require a college education, more likely to emphasize career advancement in their rationale for attending college, and less likely to choose sex-typed occupations. Implications for professional school counselors are discussed.
The School-Wide Cultural Competence Observation Checklist for School Counselors: An Exploratory Factor Analysis
Authors: Nelson Judith A. , Bustamante Rebecca M. , Wilson Eric D. , Onwuegbuzie Anthony J.
Published: September 2018

This study was designed to assess the (score) construct-related validity of an instrument called the School-Wide Cultural Competence Observation Checklist (SCCOC). The instrument was developed to use as a tool in conducting culture audits as a means of assessing school-wide cultural competence, or how well a school's programs, policies, and practices reflect the perspectives and experiences of diverse groups. An exploratory factor analysis was used to identify the factor structure of the SCCOC. Results revealed that the SCCOC contained two factors that explained 72.1% of the total variance. These factors, called Policy (22 items) and Practice (11 items), yielded score reliability coefficients of .97 and .89, respectively. Recommendations for incorporating a school-wide cultural competence assessment as part of a school counseling program are then discussed.
Development and Initial Investigation of the School Counseling Program Evaluation Scale
Authors: Whiston Susan C. , Aricak O. Tolga
Published: September 2018

This article evaluates the initial psychometric qualities of the School Counseling Program Evaluation Survey (SCoPES). SCoPES is a 64-item instrument designed to correspond to The National Standards for School Counseling Programs (Campbell & Dahir, 1997). Coefficient alphas on the overall score and the three subscales (i.e., Academic, Career, and Personal/Social Development) were all above .90. All items had significant factor loadings with the specified subscales. The loadings for Academic Development were .38 to .79; for Career Development, .42 to .78; and for Personal/Social Development, .36 to.70. The indexes of goodness-of-fit supported a three-factor instrument. Additionally, students with more contacts with their school counselor reported more career competencies than did students who had never met with a counselor.
Self-Injurious Behaviors on the Net: A Survey of Resources for School Counselors
Authors: Moyer Michael , Haberstroh Shane , Marbach Christina
Published: September 2018

Self-injurious behaviors (SIBs) are encountered almost daily by some school counselors, and although many resources are cited and referenced in textbooks and professional journals, few online resources have been explored in the literature. In this article, the authors give an overview of the most visited Web sites related to information about self-injurious behaviors, provide an analysis of the various online SIB resources, and offer school counselors strategies for evaluating all Web sites.
A Data-Based Model to Predict Postsecondary Educational Attainment of Low-Socioeconomic-Status Students
Authors: Lee Sang Min , Daniels M. Harry , Puig Ana , Newgent Rebecca A. , Nam Suk Kyung
Published: September 2018

The National Educational Longitudinal Study database was used to examine the educational development of students of low socioeconomic status (SES). A path analysis was conducted to determine the effects of student background, psychological, and behavioral variables on postsecondary educational attainment of low-SES students. The results show that high school math scores were the most powerful predictor of postsec-ondary educational attainment, followed by effects of academic expectations, locus of control, reading scores, problem behavior, and classroom behavior. Implications for school counselors are discussed.
Traumatic Symptoms in Sexually Abused Children: Implications for School Counselors
Authors: Brown Sarah D. , Brack Greg , Mullis Frances Y.
Published: September 2018

School counselors have a duty to formulate strategies that aid in the detection and prevention of child sexual abuse (American School Counselor Association, 2003). School counselors are charged with helping sexually abused children by recognizing sexual abuse indicators based on a child's symptomotology and/or behavior, and understanding how this trauma may affect children in the school setting. Mandated reporting issues, talking with children and adolescents about sexual abuse suspicions, and understanding trauma symptoms and their contribution to the difficulties that sexually abused children have in school are highlighted. In addition, how school counselors can collaborate with clinicians treating sexually abused children through role-appropriate advocacy, intervention, and aftercare strategies is described.
School Counselors' Attitudes regarding Statewide Comprehensive Developmental Guidance Model Implementation
Authors: Poynton Timothy A. , Schumacher Rebecca A. , Wilczenski Felicia L.
Published: September 2018

The pilot study in this article identified facilitators and barriers to implementing the Massachusetts Model for Comprehensive School Counseling Programs. The Concerns-Based Adoption Model served as a framework to understand how school counselors perceive the Massachusetts Model's impact on their professional roles, and how those perceptions indicate varying levels of adoption of the model. The majority of respondents indicated that their concerns were “personal,” such as how the model will change their day-today lives and how working under the new model is different from their current roles as school counselors. Results of this study suggest directions for professional development regarding state and ASCA National Model® implementation.
The Impact of the 2004 Hurricanes on Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test Scores: Implications for School Counselors
Authors: Baggerly Jennifer , Ferretti Larissa K.
Published: September 2018

What is the impact of natural disasters on students' statewide assessment scores? To answer this question, Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) scores of 55,881 students in grades 4 through 10 were analyzed to determine if there were significant decreases after the 2004 hurricanes. Results reveal that there was statistical but no practical significance between the FCAT scores of students in high- and low-hurricane-impacted schools. Implications for school counselors are provided.
Exploring the Relationship among Cultural Discontinuity, Psychological Distress, and Academic Outcomes with Low-Income, Culturally Diverse Students
Authors: Cholewa Blaire , West-Olatunji Cirecie
Published: September 2018

School counselors and educators tend to focus on the symptoms of cultural discontinuity and often view these symptoms as root causes for underachievement. In this article we use an ecosystemic paradigm to explore the relationship among cultural discontinuity, psychological distress, and academic achievement. Recommendations include ways in which school counselors can use macrosystemic interventions to forge partnerships between low-income, culturally diverse students' home culture and that of the school.
Tackling Male Underachievement: Enhancing a Strengths-Based Learning Environment for Middle School Boys
Authors: Clark Mary Ann , Flower Kelly , Walton Jonathan , Oakley Erin
Published: September 2018

During the past decade, there has been an increasing gender achievement gap with male students lagging behind their female counterparts on a number of important indicators of school success. This article examines recommendations and strategies for school counselors working with middle school boys to enhance the learning environment, to promote strengths, and to encourage positive attitudes toward academic achievement and future planning. Collaboration with teachers, administrators, parents, and community members as important stakeholders can offer combined resources to promote school success. The strategies described have resulted from a local collaborative action research project conducted by counselor educators and students, the county supervisor of guidance, and middle school counselors.
A Strengths-Based Approach to Promoting Prosocial Behavior among African American and Latino Students
Authors: Day-Vines Norma L. , Terriquez Veronica
Published: September 2018

This article presents an overview of a strengths-based school discipline initiative that was developed in response to the high suspension and expulsion rates of African American and Latino male students at a racially diverse, urban high school in California. A school task force made up of adult and youth stakeholders devised a series of interventions that included student-led efforts to improve discipline policies and procedures. The initiative builds on the Strengths-Based School Counseling framework explicated by Galassi and Akos (2007), which stimulates and promotes personal accountability, leadership, resiliency, self-management, and social competence in students as opposed to merely reducing student deficits.