The development of sex role stereotypes in the third year: relationships to gender labeling, gender identity, sex-typed toy preference, and family characteristics

The onset and development of preschoolers' awareness of sex role stereotypes, gender labeling, gender identity, and sex-typed toy preference were explored in 26-, 31-, and 36-month-old children. Gender labeling, gender identity, sex-typed toy preferences, and awareness of adult sex role differences were observed in significantly more 26-month-old children than would have been expected by chance. Verbal gender labeling was observed in a majority of 26-month-olds, while verbal and nonverbal gender identity were observed in a majority of 31-month-olds. Nonverbal gender labeling and awareness of adult sex role differences were observed in a majority of children by 36 months. No evidence of awareness of sex differences in children's toys was found in the majority of children at any age. Awareness of sex role differences in children's toys was not related to awareness of adult sex role differences. Brighter children were more aware of adult sex role differences. Sex-typed toy preference was not related to awareness of sex role differences but was related to gender identity. Predictors of sex role development included the mothers' employment, and the father's personality traits, attitudes toward women, and sex-typed activities in the home. Implications for theories of early sex role development are discussed.     

The effective use of student time: a stochastic frontier production function case study

The relationship between student study time allocation and examination performance is little understood. We model the allocation of student time into formal study (lectures and classes) and self study and its relationship to university examination scores using a stochastic frontier production function. This case study uses unique time budget data and detailed personal records from one university in Spain. The results suggest that, within the formal system of teaching in Spain, both formal study and self study are significant determinants of exam scores but that the former may be up to four times more important than the latter. We also find that self study time may be insignificant if ability bias is corrected for.     

Risk Assessment and Preservative Measures for Volatile Organic Compounds in Museum Showcases

ABSTRACT

The first step in preservative measures for artworks in airtight showcases is the exclusion of outgassing from construction materials or, at least, limitation of the emissions to a minimum acceptable level if the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated may be qualified as harmless. Once it is ascertained that the objects in the showcases are responsible for VOC emissions, a step forward becomes necessary, implying showcase ventilation with air flowing through active sorbent materials. Solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) followed by GC separation and MS identification has been applied for checking the outgassing characteristics of different types of materials used for the construction of airtight showcases, and the method was found particularly attractive in terms of speed and sensitivity, suitable for measurements in presence of low-emitting materials. Sampling could also be done in the case interiors, thus making possible detection and recognition of emissions from art objects within a case. A comprehensive preventive conservation scheme has been further devised by means of active air circulation within the showcase and functional sorbent materials along the flow, for complete suppression of gaseous compounds. Control of the compounds in the air flow and of their filtration efficacy was achieved by direct sampling, also using SPME fibers. Continuous monitoring of the air quality in the showcases has been developed with insertion of a photoionization detector capable of detecting the VOCs in the air by inducing molecular ionization, and measuring the generated photocurrent. The system is not selective, but gives the total concentration, reaching ppb sensitivity with high-quality data. In addition it includes temperature and humidity sensors, making the whole a useful instrument for environment control.     

Activity-related typologies and longitudinal change in physical activity and sedentary time in children and adolescents: The UP&DOWN Study

BackgroundChildren and adolescents can be distinguished by different typologies (clusters) of physical activity and sedentary behavior. How physical activity and sedentary behaviors change over time within different typologies is not known. This study examined longitudinal changes in physical activity and sedentary time among children and adolescents with different baseline typologies of activity-related behavior.MethodsIn this longitudinal study (3 annual time points) of children (n = 600, age = 9.2 ± 0.4 years (mean ± SD), 50.3% girls) and adolescents (n = 1037, age = 13.6 ± 1.7 years, 48.4% girls), participants were recruited in Spain in 2011–2012. Latent class analyses identified typologies based on self-reported screen, educational, social and relaxing sedentary behaviors, active travel, muscle strengthening activity, and sport at baseline. Within each typology, linear mixed growth models explored longitudinal changes in accelerometer-derived moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and sedentary time, as well as time by class interactions.ResultsThree typologies were identified among children (“social screenies”, 12.8%; “exercisers”, 61.5%; and “non-sporty active commuters”, 25.7%) and among adolescents (“active screenies”, 43.5%; “active academics”, 35.0%; and “non-sporty active commuters”, 21.5%) at baseline. Sedentary time increased within each typology among children and adolescents, with no significant differences between typologies. No changes in physical activity were found in any typology among children. In adolescents, physical activity declined within all typologies, with “non-sporty active commuters” declining significantly more than “active screenies” over 3 years.ConclusionThese results support the need for intervention to promote physical activity and prevent increases in sedentary time during childhood and adolescence. Adolescents characterized as “non-sporty active commuters” may require specific interventions to maintain their physical activity over time.     

Relationship Between Educational Resources and School Achievement: A Mixed Method Intra-District Analysis

This study examines the relationship between educational resources (fiscal, personnel and facilities) and school achievement within a large urban/suburban elementary school district. A sequential mixed methods approach reveals inequitable resource allocation trends and patterns between schools within a school district by producing different student outcomes. The educational resources positively correlated to higher school achievement are: higher teacher salaries, newer schools, more multi-purpose space per pupil and less portable classrooms. Without question, White students receive more of these resources than Latino students, low-income students and English Language learners. This study also conducts a multiple comparative case study analysis comparing between Title I and non-Title I schools, within Title I schools and within non-Title I schools. The study contains policy and practice implications to improve opportunity and school achievement in urban/suburban school districts.