What do they like? Communication preferences and patterns of older adults in the United States: The role of technology

ABSTRACT

With the development of information and communication technologies (ICTs), there are increasingly more Internet-based communication methods available for older adults besides traditional methods (e.g., in-person or landline phone). However, older adults’ preferred communication methods remain under-investigated. The purpose of this study is to explore the communication preferences and patterns of older adults in the United States, with emphasis on technologically-mediated environments. In this study, 17 semistructured interviews were conducted with participants from a midwestern state in the United States. The goal was to examine older adults’ communication patterns and preferences with family members and friends, as well as their views about the impacts of modern technology on communication. Three themes (communication preferences and reasons, communication barriers, and the impacts of technology) were generated from the interviews. The findings showed that although face-to-face communication is the most preferred method, telephone communication is the most commonly adopted method. Interviewees also shared different opinions regarding Internet-based communication. The current study illustrated the importance of understanding the preferences and patterns of older adults’ communication needs and desires.     

Role of jasmonic acid in improving tolerance of rapeseed (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.) to Cd toxicity

The well-known detrimental effects of cadmium (Cd) on plants are chloroplast destruction, photosynthetic pigment inhibition, imbalance of essential plant nutrients, and membrane damage. Jasmonic acid (JA) is an alleviator against different stresses such as salinity and drought. However, the functional attributes of JA in plants such as the interactive effects of JA application and Cd on rapeseed in response to heavy metal stress remain unclear. JA at 50 μmol/L was observed in literature to have senescence effects in plants. In the present study, 25 μmol/L JA is observed to be a “stress ameliorating molecule” by improving the tolerance of rapeseed plants to Cd toxicity. JA reduces the Cd uptake in the leaves, thereby reducing membrane damage and malondialdehyde content and increasing the essential nutrient uptake. Furthermore, JA shields the chloroplast against the damaging effects of Cd, thereby increasing gas exchange and photosynthetic pigments. Moreover, JA modulates the antioxidant enzyme activity to strengthen the internal defense system. Our results demonstrate the function of JA in alleviating Cd toxicity and its underlying mechanism. Moreover, JA attenuates the damage of Cd to plants. This study enriches our knowledge regarding the use of and protection provided by JA in Cd stress.     

Using Quality of Family Life Factors to Explore Parents’ Experience of Educational Provision for Children with Developmental Disabilities in Rural Australia

Australian education service provision includes the delivery of quality educational programmes to rural and remote living children. However, according to their parents, many children with developmental disabilities (such as Down Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders) who are living in rural country areas in New South Wales (NSW) still do not have access to an acceptable education programme. This study aimed to use quality of life factors via a family quality of life scale to explore 51 parents’ experience of educational service provision for their children with developmental disabilities in rural NSW. The results indicated that successful engagement with the school system is strongly affected by the views, assumptions, expertise and prejudices of teaching and care professionals. Further research into how local educational service providers may assist rural Australian families with a child with IDD in rural and remote locations is warranted.     

AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDERS AND ASIAN CHILDREN

ABSTRACT:  This paper compares the incidence of the diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) among White and Asian children with reference to data obtained from thirteen local education authorities (LEAs) in England. It begins by outlining some of the theoretical debates associated with the definition, diagnosis and prevalence of ASD. The empirical component underpinning this work uses logistic modelling to ascertain whether the proportion of children with a statement of special educational need (SEN) for ASD is different for Asian and for White children and whether the proportion of children with a statement of SEN for ASD varies between LEAs. The discussion speculates as to possible reasons for the differences found and identifies areas for further research.     

The analytic hierarchy process of the decision-making factors of African students in obtaining higher education in the United Arab Emirates

The mobility of African students beyond national territories has become common worldwide. However, the underlying reasons motivating students to leave their countries of origin in pursuit of higher education in other developing nations and why these factors are important have not been fully explored. This study attempts to explore why and how African students travel to the United Arab Emirates for higher education. A push-pull factor theory of the international student’s choice of destination is developed to identify factors influencing the choices made by these students. The analytic hierarchy process is used to examine the relative importance of these factors. The findings of this quantitative study indicate that learning environment and geographic proximity are the two most important factors for African students, while other factors have a moderate impact. The findings contribute to a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the needs and choices of existing and potential students from this continent, with a view to applying a segmentation approach to attract these students.     

The T-class of time-frequency distributions: Time-only kernels with amplitude estimation

This paper presents a class of time-frequency distributions (TFDs) characterized by time-lag kernels which are functions of time only. If the parameters of the time-only kernels are properly chosen, their corresponding TFDs, the T-distributions, are more efficient than their two-dimensional counterparts in terms of cross-terms suppression while keeping a high-energy concentration (resolution) around the IF law of non-stationary signals. The proposed class is a subclass of Cohen's Class of quadratic TFDs. We have shown that separable time-lag kernels should be lag-independent (or time-only) for best resolution. In addition, non-parametric amplitude estimation is possible directly from the T-distributions in case of FM signals, a property that is not verified by other TFDs. Two examples of the T-distributions are given and their performance is compared to other TFDs with numerical examples using synthetic and real-life signals.     

Sensitized Up—Conversion Luminescence of Ho^3＋ in Nd^3＋—Yb^3＋—Ho^3＋ Co—doped ZrF4—Based Glass

Up-conversion processes for the blue, green and red emissions were found two-photon phenomenon, known as the cooperative phenomenon. This phenomenon was assisted by Nd³⁺ → Yb³⁺ → Ho³⁺ energy transfer. The strong green emission due to the Ho³⁺ : (⁵F₄, ⁵S₂)→ ⁵I₈ transitions was observed in Nd³⁺-Ho³⁺ co-doped ZrF₄-based fluoride glasses under 800 nm excitation. As an attempt to enhance Ho³⁺ up-conversion luminescences in the Nd³⁺ – Ho³⁺ co-doped ZrF₄-based glasses, Yb³⁺ ions were added to the glasses. As a result it was found that, in 800 nm excitation of 60 ZrF₄. 30BaF2. (8-x)LaF₃. lNdF₃. xYbF₃. 1HoF₃ glasses (x=0 to 7), sensitized up-conversion luminescences are observed at around 490 nm (blue), 545 nm (green), and 650 nm (red), which correspond to the Ho³⁺ : ⁵F₃ → ⁵I₈, ( ⁵F₄, ⁵S₂)→⁵I₈ and ⁵F₅→ ⁵I₈ transitions respectively. The intensities of the green and red emissions in a 3 mol % YbF₃-containing glass were about 50 times stronger than those glasses without YbF₃. This is based on sensitization due to Yb³⁺ ions. In particular, the green emission was extremely strong and the Nd³⁺-Yb³⁺-Ho³⁺ co-doped ZrF₄-based glasses have a high possibility of realizing a green up-conversion laser glass. In this paper the up-conversion mechanism in the glasses is discussed in detail.     

儿科学中西医结合教学方法探讨

在原有中医儿科学和西医儿科学两门学科的教学内容和教学时数比例不变的情况下 ,将这两门学科按疾病系统进行有机的重新整合 ,形成新的中西结合儿科学 ,通过对带教指导老师及受试学生的问卷调查 ,表明该方法能使学生在接受中西医两套儿科知识方面起到相辅相成、融会贯通的作用。     

图书馆立法有关问题概述

对当前关于图书馆立法的诸多观点进行综述,认为只有立法,才能保障图书馆的建设和发展,图书馆的建设和发展是国家对社会成员文化利益应担负的职责;图书馆立法的根本目的不在于维护图书馆本身的权益,而是站在社会文化、文明发展的高角度,为保障全体社会成员所应亨有的文化权利而制定的法律。