First Step to Success – a school/home intervention program for preventing problem behaviors in young children: examining the effectiveness and social validity in Turkey

This study examined the effectiveness of the First Step to Success (FSS) early intervention program for preventing antisocial behavior in Turkey. Participants included 24 students, their teachers and parents from four K–8 elementary schools. The experimental group included 12 targeted students (four kindergarten, four first-grade and four second-grade students) who received the intervention. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were carried out by using a pre-posttest experimental design. Results indicated that there were significant decreases in problem behaviors and significant increases in social skills and academic competence of targeted students. In addition, teachers and parents reported significant positive changes in problem behaviors and social skills of their children. Most teachers and parents were highly satisfied with the program. Limitations of the study and directions for future research are discussed.     

Violence and schools in the USA: implications for counseling

This article focuses on school violence in the UnitedStates, kindergarten (k) through 12^th grade, andit addresses the following topics: (a) a briefbackground of school violence in the USA, (b) etiologyand consequences of school violence, (c) preventionprograms and efforts, (d) preventive counseling andconsultation, (e) counseling the violence prone andviolence victim, (f) international and cross-culturalimplications, and (g) discussion.     

Participation in Higher Education in Scotland: A Geographic and Social Analysis

In this paper we relate participation in full-time Higher Education in Scotland to the geographic and social characteristics of the areas where people reside. National data on students at Higher Education institutions in all parts of the UK are used to calculate the rates, with areas of residence defined by their addresses at the times of applying to the institutions. Population data and the social characteristics of the areas were derived from the 1991 Census. The smallest geographic area considered was the Post-Code Sector, consisting of around 5000 households. Economic factors, social class, unemployment and housing tenure were strongly related to participation in the expected direction. However, different strengths of effect were found in different parts of the country. The analyses also suggest that cultural factors may be important, especially away from the major cities, and that aspects of accessibility to the institutions may also be of relevance in some areas.     

ASSESSING CHEMISTRY-LEARNING COMPETENCIES OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATED RURAL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS BY USING THE NATIONAL EXAMINATION: A CASE STUDY OF SIMEULUE ISLAND,INDONESIA

This study explored learning competency based on the Indonesian National Examination focusing especially on chemistry performance and the circumstances of senior high school students and teachers in rural areas of Simeulue Island, Indonesia. The National Examination total score and chemistry score for students in rural areas were consistently lower than students in urban areas during 2008–2010. The majority of rural students were failing to master key chemistry concepts. Their low performance on laboratory-based questions appeared to indicate that the associated practical work was not done as part of the chemistry courses. Some chemistry topics were not taught due to insufficient time, student weaknesses, insufficient textbooks, and other reasons. The issues of low competency of teachers, poverty for the majority of students, low enrollment in schools, and low competition among students in these rural senior high schools appeared to be common problems across rural settings. The local government has recommended providing a consolidated rural high school with qualified chemistry teachers, laboratories, and transportation to address factors negatively influencing student achievement. Furthermore, local rural school officials need to recruit and retain qualified teachers in these isolated areas, provide effective textbooks and instructional resources, and facilitate the professional development of chemistry teachers.     

Mixed-methods pre-match cooling improves simulated soccer performance in the heat

This investigation examined the effects of three pre-match and half-time cooling manoeuvres on physical performance and associated physiological and perceptual responses in eight University soccer players during a non-motorised treadmill based individualised soccer-specific simulation [intermittent soccer performance test (iSPT)] at 30°C. Four randomised experimental trials were completed; following 30-min (pre-match) and 15-min (half-time) cooling manoeuvres via (1) ice slurry ingestion (SLURRY); (2) ice-packs placed on the quadriceps and hamstrings (PACKS); (3) mixed-methods (MM; PACKS and SLURRY concurrently); or no-cooling (CON). In iSPT first half, a moderate increase in total (Mean?±?Standard Deviation: 108?±?57 m, qualitative inference: most likely, Cohen’s d: 0.87, 90%CL: ±0.31), high-speed (56?±?46 m, very likely, 0.68?±?0.38) and variable run (15?±?5 m, very likely, 0.81?±?0.47) distance covered was reported in MM compared with CON. Additionally, pre-match reductions in thermal sensation (–1.0?±?0.5, most likely, –0.91?±?0.36), rectal (–0.6?±?0.1°C, very likely, –0.86?±?0.35) and skin temperature (–1.1?±?0.3°C, very likely, –0.88?±?0.42) continued throughout iSPT first half. Physical performance during iSPT first half was unaltered in SLURRY and PACKS compared to CON. Rectal temperature was moderately increased in SLURRY at 45-min (0.2?±?0.1°C, very likely, 0.67?±?0.36). Condition did not influence any measure in iSPT second half compared to CON. Only MM pre-match cooling augmented physical performance during iSPT first half, likely due to peripheral and central thermoregulatory factors favourably influencing first half iSPT performance. Further practical half-time cooling manoeuvres which enhance second half performance are still required.     

Acute impact of submaximal resistance exercise on immunological and hormonal parameters in young men

In this study, we examined the acute effects of submaximal resistance exercise on immunological and hormonal parameters in 7 resistance-trained and 10 non-resistance-trained males. The participants, who were aged 29.5 +/- 7.1 years (mean +/- s), performed submaximal resistance exercise at 75% of their one-repetition maximum. Blood samples were taken before, during, immediately after, and 30, 60 and 120 min after exercise and analysed for leukocyte subpopulations and stress hormones. Total leukocytes, neutrophils and monocytes increased during exercise, reaching their maximum 2 h after exercise. Lymphocytes increased during exercise, T-helper cells returned to resting values after exercise, and natural killer cells and T-suppressor cells decreased below resting values. The CD4/CD8 ratio decreased during exercise but increased during recovery. The resistance-trained participants tended to have lower T-helper cell counts before, during and immediately after exercise and a lower CD4/CD8 ratio during recovery than the non-resistance-trained participants. Plasma cortisol correlated positively with leukocytes during exercise (r = 0.572, P < 0.05), but negatively with T-helper cells 30 and 60 min after exercise (r = -0.573, P < 0.05; r = -0.642, P < 0.01, respectively). Our results indicate that resistance exercise leads to acute changes in leukocyte counts, despite moderate hormonal changes, independent of training status. Regular resistance exercise might lead to decreased T-helper cell counts and a lower CD4/CD8 ratio, which could increase susceptibility to infections.     

The Causal Relationship Between the Efficacy of Training Programs and the Work Environment for Workers with Disabilities

The purpose of the study was to test a structural model which involves training variables and work environment variables in the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Two instruments were used to collect data from people with a disability (n = 113) about their views of the training program and work environment. The Structural Equation Model (SEM) analysis revealed the following results: the factor representing psychological support and suitability of training environment influenced positively the disabled workers' view of their work; the factor representing job selection, trainers, and efficacy of program had a negative effect on the view of the people with disability on their work environment; while job selection had a direct negative effect on how others perceive the disabled person.     

Role of water molecules in sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate reversed micelles in n-heptane

Recently molecular modeling was employed on the metal-extracted aggregates that form during the liquid/liquid extraction of transition metals. During the extraction process, the aqueous phase pH is adjusted with sodium hydroxide. In additional to the formation of the transition metal-extractant reversed micelles, sodium-bis(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (NaDEHP) reversed micelles can also form. According to the classical model of reversed micelles, water molecules act as promoters for the formation of reversed micelles. Water molecules act as “gluing” agents for micellization in apolar media. Here we report a unique finding about the role of water molecules in reversed micellar aggregates using molecular modeling. The molecular modeling of the reversed micellar system of NaDEHP in n-heptane clearly shows that water molecules can act as an “antimicellization” agent. Water molecules have no gluing effect on the formation of NaDEHP reversed micelles. In fact, large NaDEHP reversed micelles are formed in “dry” conditions.