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The Effects of Duration of Exposure to the REAPS Model in Developing Students' General Creativity and Creative Problem Solving in Science
No full textThe Real Engagement in Active Problem Solving (REAPS) model was developed in 2004 by C. June Maker and colleagues as an intervention for gifted students to develop creative problem solving ability through the use of real-world problems. The primary purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the REAPS model on developing students' general creativity and creative problem solving in science with two durations as independent variables. The long duration of the REAPS model implementation lasted five academic quarters or approximately 10 months; the short duration lasted two quarters or approximately four months. The dependent variables were students' general creativity and creative problem solving in science. The second purpose of the study was to explore which aspects of creative problem solving (i.e., generating ideas, generating different types of ideas, generating original ideas, adding details to ideas, generating ideas with social impact, finding problems, generating and elaborating on solutions, and classifying elements) were most affected by the long duration of the intervention. The REAPS model in conjunction with Amabile's (1983; 1996) model of creative performance provided the theoretical framework for this study. The study was conducted using data from the Project of Differentiation for Diverse Learners in Regular Classrooms (i.e., the Australian Project) in which one public elementary school in the eastern region of Australia cooperated with the DISCOVER research team at the University of Arizona. All students in the school from first to sixth grade participated in the study. The total sample was 360 students, of which 115 were exposed to a long duration and 245 to a short duration of the REAPS model. The principal investigators used a quasi-experimental research design in which all students in the school received the treatment for different durations. Students in both groups completed pre- and posttests using the Test of Creative Thinking-Drawing Production (TCT-DP) and the Test of Creative Problem Solving in Science (TCPS-S).A one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was conducted to control for differences between the two groups on pretest results. Statistically significant differences were not found between posttest scores on the TCT-DP for the two durations of REAPS model implementation. However, statistically significant differences were found between posttest scores on the TCPS-S. These findings are consistent with Amabile's (1983; 1996) model of creative performance, particularly her explanation that domain-specific creativity requires knowledge such as specific content and technical skills that must be learned prior to being applied creatively. The findings are also consistent with literature in which researchers have found that longer interventions typically result in expected positive growth in domain-specific creativity, while both longer and shorter interventions have been found effective in improving domain-general creativity. Change scores were also calculated between pre- and posttest scores on the 8 aspects of creativity (Maker, Jo, Alfaiz, & Alhusaini, 2015a), and a binary logistic regression was conducted to assess which were the most affected by the long duration of the intervention. The regression model was statistically significant, with aspects of generating ideas, adding details to ideas, and finding problems being the most affected by the long duration of the intervention. Based on these findings, the researcher believes that the REAPS model is a useful intervention to develop students' creativity. Future researchers should implement the model for longer durations if they are interested in developing students' domain-specific creative problem solving ability
The role of endoplasmic reticulum in human adipose tissue
No full textAdipose tissue plays a central role in the regulation of metabolic homeostasis. In
obesity adipocytes are challenged by many insults: surplus energy, inflammation,
insulin resistance and considerable endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. ER stress has
been casually linked to increased inflammation and insulin resistance. Also, obesity
linked type 2 diabetes is associated with hyperglycaemia, lipotoxicity and
endotoxemia. Therefore, the aims of this thesis briefly were to 1) characterise human
pre-adipocytes during differentiation, as a suitable primary cellular model to examine
intracellular pathways, 2) investigate the role of glucose and fatty acids on ER stress
pathway; as these primary insults are considered to have clear impact on
inflammation, insulin resistance (IR) status and diabetes pathogenesis 3) to examine
the role of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a gut derived bacterial fragment, on ER stress;
as LPS is now considered a systemic circulating factor raised in conditions of IR, 4)
the role of salicylate, known to have anti-inflammatory properties which may negate
or at least attenuate the effects of ER stress.
Components of the ER stress pathways were studied in human abdominal
subcutaneous (AbSc) adipose tissue (AT) from obese and lean subjects. Following
characterisation, culture and differentiation of primary human pre-adipocytes, these
adipocytes were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), high glucose (HG),
tunicamycin (Tun) and saturated fatty acids (SFA) either alone or in combination with
sodium salicylate (Sal). Quantitative RT-PCR, western blotting, adipokine analysis
were used to assess expression levels.
Markers of ER stress were significantly increased in AbSc AT from subjects with
obesity (P<0.001). Differentiated primary human adipocytes treated with LPS, Tun,
HG and SFA showed significant activation of p-eIF2α and ATF6 and their downstream
targets (P<0.05). This effect was alleviated in the presence of Sal. There was
also significant activation of AktSer473 during ER stress (P<0.05).
This thesis presents important evidence that firstly, there is increased ER stress in
human adipose tissue of obese individuals, secondly, LPS, hyperglycaemia and
saturated fatty acids induce significant ER stress in primary human adipocytes and
finally that induction is alleviated by salicylate. Taken together these studies
highlights that ER stress occurs in human differentiated pre-adipocytes is exacerbated
in conditions of high glucose, high saturated fatty acids and LPS, as well as
determining that such primary insults can be reduced by salicylates providing initial
evidence that therapeutic agents have the potential capacity to alleviate ER stress in
human adipose tissue
What Does Materiality Mean for Nonprofit Information Disclosure?
No full textabstract: Materiality describes the level to which the misreporting of information could influence decisionmakers who use that information. Since materiality is a highly abstract concept, it requires metrics to support its application to financial statements and other documents. Nonprofit and for-profit firms have different missions, suggesting that material information for decisionmakers looking at nonprofits' reports may differ from material information for decisionmakers looking at for-profit firms' reports.
This paper examines how materiality applies to nonprofit information disclosure. It begins by introducing the concept of materiality. It then explores how accounting literature, rule-making bodies, and the courts define and apply materiality. Nonprofit firms' structure, required financial statements, and comparisons to for-profit firms are next addressed. Issues with assessing nonprofit success and materiality in relation to various aspects of a nonprofit's mission are also introduced.
This paper finds that the metrics which support materiality should be different for nonprofit vs. for-profit firms. Nonprofit materiality measures should center around the mission statement, which differs from nonprofit to nonprofit. These nonprofit materiality measures assess the primary mission of providing goods and services, which has the greatest interest to potential donors. Examples of these materiality measures, along with the challenges and insights gained from them, are discussed. This paper concludes by overviewing nonprofit materiality measures and noting how they can improve nonprofit information disclosure. Suggestions for further research into improving materiality for nonprofit information disclosure are also given
Assessing the Acceptability of a Preschool-Based Multi-Component Physical Activity Intervention Entitled “I’m an Active Hero” (IAAH): Process Evaluation of a Feasibility Trial
No full textBackground: Interventions within preschool settings have gained prominence due to the need to increase physical activity (PA) in early childhood. We first developed a 10-week preschool-based behaviour change intervention, guided by the UK Medical Research Council’s framework for complex interventions. We then conducted a cluster feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) among young children. Aim: This process evaluation was embedded within the cluster feasibility RCT and aimed to assess the acceptability of the 10-week IAAH intervention among both preschool staff and parents. Methods: The study utilised a mixed method, involving post-intervention questionnaires completed by preschool staff (n = 4) and children’s parents/caregivers (n = 9) and focus groups with preschool staff (n = 3) and parents/caregivers (n = 7). Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS to calculate acceptability scores, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis using NVivo 12. Results: The intervention was well-received, with preschool staff reporting a 94.5% acceptability rate (mean score of 10.4 out of 11) and parents/caregivers indicating an 86% acceptance rate (mean score of 5.2 out of 6). Thematic analysis of focus group discussions revealed facilitators to intervention delivery, such as user-friendly materials and alignment with preschool curricula, and identified barriers, including time constraints, spatial limitations, and policy conflicts. Parental engagement was hindered by time restrictions, although the intervention materials were praised for their clarity and visual appeal. Conclusions: The findings suggest that the IAAH programme was acceptable to both preschool staff and parents. However, the identified barriers to intervention delivery and engagement should be addressed in the planning of a future cluster RCT to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention
An integer programming approach for static mapping of paths onto heterogeneous real-time systems
No full textQuantitative magnetic resonance imaging traits as endophenotypes for genetic mapping in epilepsy.
No full textOver the last decade, the field of imaging genomics has combined high-throughput genotype data with quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (QMRI) measures to identify genes associated with brain structure, cognition, and several brain-related disorders. Despite its successful application in different psychiatric and neurological disorders, the field has yet to be advanced in epilepsy. In this article we examine the relevance of imaging genomics for future genetic studies in epilepsy from three perspectives. First, we discuss prior genome-wide genetic mapping efforts in epilepsy, considering the possibility that some studies may have been constrained by inherent theoretical and methodological limitations of the genome-wide association study (GWAS) method. Second, we offer a brief overview of the imaging genomics paradigm, from its original inception, to its role in the discovery of important risk genes in a number of brain-related disorders, and its successful application in large-scale multinational research networks. Third, we provide a comprehensive review of past studies that have explored the eligibility of brain QMRI traits as endophenotypes for epilepsy. While the breadth of studies exploring QMRI-derived endophenotypes in epilepsy remains narrow, robust syndrome-specific neuroanatomical QMRI traits have the potential to serve as accessible and relevant intermediate phenotypes for future genetic mapping efforts in epilepsy
Studying the Effect of Cutting Conditions in Turning Process on Surface Roughness for Different Materials
No full textSurfaces quality is one of the most specified customer requirements for machine parts. The major indication of surfaces quality on machined parts is surface roughness. The research aim is to study the cutting conditions and their effects on the surface roughness. This research will use regression models and neuro-fuzzy to predict surface roughness over the machining time for variety of cutting conditions in turning. In the experimental part for turning, different types of materials (Aluminum alloy, brass alloy, and low carbon steel) were considered with different cutting speed, and feed rate. A linear regression and neuro-fuzzy model depending on statistical-mathematical method between surface roughness, Ra, and cutting condition will be derived, for the three materials. The effect of cutting parameters on surface roughness is evaluated and the optimum cutting condition for minimizing the surface roughness will be determined. The model will be established between the cutting conditions and surface roughness using regression and neuro-fuzzy model. As the results of this work, the linear regression and neuro-fuzzy model will be used in predicting surface roughness, can be used in manufacturing systems, this modeling helps engineer to reduce the efforts and improve the quality
Effect of Salicylate, Lipopolysaccharide and High Glucose on Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) Stress in Cultured Primary Human Adipocytes
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