Teacher resistance to school-based consultation with the school psychologist: An analysis according to school level and model of identification for special education services

Consultation is promoted throughout school psychology literature as a best practice in service delivery. This method has numerous benefits including being able to work with more students at one time, providing practitioners with preventative rather than strictly reactive strategies, and helping school professionals meet state and federal education mandates and initiatives. Despite the benefits of consultation, teachers are sometimes resistant to this process.This research studies variables hypothesized to lead to resistance (Gonzalez, Nelson, Gutkin, & Shwery, 2004) and attempts to distinguish differences between school level (elementary, middle and high school) with respect to the role played by these variables and to determine if the model used to identify students for special education services has an influence on resistance factors. Twenty-sixteachers in elementary and middle schools responded to a demographicquestionnaire and a survey developed by Gonzalez, et al. (2004). This survey measures eight variables related to resistance to consultation. No high school teachers responded to the request to participate. Results of analysis of variance indicated a significant difference in the teaching efficacy subscale with elementary teachers reporting more efficacy in teaching than middle school teachers. Results also indicate a significant difference in classroom managementefficacy with teachers who work in schools that identify students according to a Response to Intervention model reporting higher classroom management efficacy than teachers who work in schools that identify students according to a combined method of refer-test-place/RtI combination model. Implications, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.

The identification and prevalence of veterinary clinical events in U.S. military working dogs deployed to Iraq between March 20, 2003, and December 31, 2007

Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify the medical issues experienced by Military Working Dogs during their period of deployment in Iraq.^ Design. This study was a retrospective cross-sectional survey based on database and medical record abstraction.^ Population. Military Working Dogs (MWDs) that were deployed to Iraq at any time between 20 March 2003 and 31 December 2007 were the inclusive population of interest. Seven hundred ninety-five (795) MWDs were identified as having been deployed to Iraq during the inclusive dates. Four hundred ninety-six (496) MWDs were identified that had medical events during the deployment period. ^ Procedures. Eligible MWDs were identified through several sources, to include database query, medical record abstraction questionnaire, and medical record abstraction. Demographic information collected for each MWD included tattoo, name, age, gender, breed, Branch of Service, and duty certification. Information on each veterinary/medical clinical event (VCE) was collected. This information was coded, and data entered into a database for organization. Frequency and prevalence information were determined for each category of VCE.^ Results. The top four VCEs experienced by MWDs while deployed in Iraq were gastrohepatic, dermatologic, traumatic injury, and appendicular musculoskeletal issues.^ Conclusions. Training, equipment, and supplies for veterinary personnel who care for the deployed MWDs should be tailored accordingly to suit the identified medical needs of the MWDs. ^

Procedure for the identification of population characteristics for targeting intervention services on the basis of outcome-goal priorities: Case management services for the chronic mentally ill

Although the processes involved in rational patient targeting may be obvious for certain services, for others, both the appropriate sub-populations to receive services and the procedures to be used for their identification may be unclear. This project was designed to address several research questions which arise in the attempt to deliver appropriate services to specific populations. The related difficulties are particularly evident for those interventions about which findings regarding effectiveness are conflicting. When an intervention clearly is not beneficial (or is dangerous) to a large, diverse population, consensus regarding withholding the intervention from dissemination can easily be reached. When findings are ambiguous, however, conclusions may be impossible.^ When characteristics of patients likely to benefit from an intervention are not obvious, and when the intervention is not significantly invasive or dangerous, the strategy proposed herein may be used to identify specific characteristics of sub-populations which may benefit from the intervention. The identification of these populations may be used both in further informing decisions regarding distribution of the intervention and for purposes of planning implementation of the intervention by identifying specific target populations for service delivery.^ This project explores a method for identifying such sub-populations through the use of related datasets generated from clinical trials conducted to test the effectiveness of an intervention. The method is specified in detail and tested using the example intervention of case management for outpatient treatment of populations with chronic mental illness. These analyses were applied in order to identify any characteristics which distinguish specific sub-populations who are more likely to benefit from case management service, despite conflicting findings regarding its effectiveness for the aggregate population, as reported in the body of related research. However, in addition to a limited set of characteristics associated with benefit, the findings generated, a larger set of characteristics of patients likely to experience greater improvement without intervention. ^

A simplified spectral approachfor impedance-based damage identification of frp-strengthened rc beams

Hoy en día, el refuerzo y reparación de estructuras de hormigón armado mediante el pegado de bandas de polímeros reforzados con fibras (FRP) se emplea cada vez con más frecuencia a causa de sus numerosas ventajas. Sin embargo, las vigas reforzadas con esta técnica pueden experimentar un modo de fallo frágil a causa del despegue repentino de la banda de FRP a partir de una fisura intermedia. A pesar de su importancia, el número de trabajos que abordan el estudio de este mecanismo de fallo y su monitorización es muy limitado. Por ello, el desarrollo de metodologías capaces de monitorizar a largo plazo la adherencia de este refuerzo a las estructuras de hormigón e identificar cuándo se inicia el despegue de la banda constituyen un importante desafío a abordar. El principal objetivo de esta tesis es la implementación de una metodología fiable y efectiva, capaz de detectar el despegue de una banda de FRP en una viga de hormigón armado a partir de una fisura intermedia. Para alcanzar este objetivo se ha implementado un procedimiento de calibración numérica a partir de ensayos experimentales. Para ello, en primer lugar, se ha desarrollado un modelo numérico unidimensional simple y no costoso representativo del comportamiento de este tipo vigas de hormigón reforzadas con FRP, basado en un modelo de fisura discreta para el hormigón y el método de elementos espectrales. La formación progresiva de fisuras a flexion y el consiguiente despegue en la interface entre el hormigón y el FRP se formulan mediante la introducción de un nuevo elemento capaz de representar ambos fenómenos simultáneamente sin afectar al procedimiento numérico. Además, con el modelo propuesto, se puede obtener de una forma sencilla la respuesta dinámica en altas frecuencias de este tipo de estructuras, lo cual puede hacer muy útil su uso como herramienta de diagnosis y detección del despegue en su fase inicial mediante una monitorización de la variación de las características dinámicas locales de la estructura. Un método de evaluación no destructivo muy prometedor para la monitorización local de las estructuras es el método de la impedancia usando sensores-actuadores piezoeléctricos (PZT). La impedancia eléctrica de los sensores PZT se puede relacionar con la impedancia mecánica de las estructuras donde se encuentran adheridos Ya que la impedancia mecánica de una estructura se verá afectada por su deterioro, se pueden implementar indicadores de daño mediante una comparación del espectro de admitancia (inversa de la impedancia) a lo largo de distintas etapas durante el periodo de servicio de una estructura. Cualquier cambio en el espectro se podría interpretar como una variación en la integridad de la estructura. La impedancia eléctrica se mide a altas frecuencias con lo cual esta metodología debería ser muy sensible a la detección de estados de daño incipiente local, tal como se desea en la aplicación de este trabajo. Se ha implementado un elemento espectral PZT-FRP como extensión del modelo previamente desarrollado, con el objetivo de poder calcular numéricamente la impedancia eléctrica de sensores PZT adheridos a bandas de FRP sobre una viga de hormigón armado. El modelo, combinado con medidas experimentales captadas mediante sensores PZT, se implementa en el marco de una metodología de calibración de modelos para detectar cuantitativamente el despegue en la interfase entre una banda de FRP y una viga de hormigón. El procedimiento de optimización se resuelve empleando el método del enjambre cooperativo con un algoritmo bagging. Los resultados muestran una gran aproximación en la estimación del daño para el problema propuesto. Adicionalmente, se ha desarrollado también un método adaptativo para el mallado de elementos espectrales con el objetivo de localizar las zonas dañadas a partir de los resultados experimentales, el cual contribuye a aumentar la robustez y efectividad del método propuesto a la hora de identificar daños incipientes en su aparición inicial. Finalmente, se ha llevado a cabo un procedimiento de optimización multi-objetivo para detectar el despegue inicial en una viga de hormigón a escala real reforzada con FRP a partir de las impedancias captadas con una red de sensores PZT instrumentada a lo largo de la longitud de la viga. Cada sensor aporta los datos para definir cada una de las funciones objetivo que definen el procedimiento. Combinando el modelo previo de elementos espectrales con un algoritmo PSO multi-objetivo el procedimiento de detección de daño resultante proporciona resultados satisfactorios considerando la escala de la estructura y todas las incertidumbres características ligadas a este proceso. Los resultados obtenidos prueban la viabilidad y capacidad de los métodos antes mencionados y también su potencial en aplicaciones reales. Abstract Nowadays, the external bonding of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) plates or sheets is increasingly used for the strengthening and retrofitting of reinforced concrete (RC) structures due to its numerous advantages. However, this kind of strengthening often leads to brittle failure modes being the most dominant failure mode the debonding induced by an intermediate crack (IC). In spite of its importance, the number of studies regarding the IC debonding mechanism and bond health monitoring is very limited. Methodologies able to monitor the long-term efficiency of bonding and successfully identify the initiation of FRP debonding constitute a challenge to be met. The main purpose of this thesisis the implementation of a reliable and effective methodology of damage identification able to detect intermediate crack debonding in FRP-strengthened RC beams. To achieve this goal, a model updating procedure based on numerical simulations and experimental tests has been implemented. For it, firstly, a simple and non-expensive one-dimensional model based on the discrete crack approach for concrete and the spectral element method has been developed. The progressive formation of flexural cracks and subsequent concrete-FRP interfacial debonding is formulated by the introduction of a new element able to represent both phenomena simultaneously without perturbing the numerical procedure. Furthermore, with the proposed model, high frequency dynamic response for these kinds of structures can also be obtained in a very simple and non-expensive way, which makes this procedure very useful as a tool for diagnoses and detection of debonding in its initial stage by monitoring the change in local dynamic characteristics. One very promising active non-destructive evaluation method for local monitoring is impedance-based structural health monitoring(SHM)using piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) sensor-actuators. The electrical impedance of the PZT can be directly related to the mechanical impedance of the host structural component where the PZT transducers are attached. Since the structural mechanical impedance will be affected by the presence of structural damage, comparisons of admittance (inverse of impedance) spectra at various times during the service period of the structure can be used as damage indicator. Any change in the spectra might be an indication of a change in the structural integrity. The electrical impedance is measured at high frequencies with which this methodology appears to be very sensitive to incipient damage in structural systems as desired for our application. Abonded-PZT-FRP spectral beam element approach based on an extension of the previous discrete crack approach is implemented in the calculation of the electrical impedance of the PZT transducer bonded to the FRP plates of a RC beam. This approach in conjunction with the experimental measurements of PZT actuator-sensors mounted on the structure is used to present an updating methodology to quantitatively detect interfacial debonding between a FRP strip and the host RC structure. The updating procedure is solved by using an ensemble particle swarm optimization approach with abagging algorithm, and the results demonstrate a big improvement for the performance and accuracy of the damage detection in the proposed problem. Additionally, an adaptive strategy of spectral element mesh has been also developed to detect damage location with experimental results, which shows the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed method to identify initial and incipient damages at its early stage. Lastly, multi-objective optimization has been carried out to detect debonding damage in a real scale FRP-strengthened RC beam by using impedance signatures. A net of PZT sensors is distributed along the beam to construct impedance-based multiple objectives under gradually induced damage scenario. By combining the spectral element model presented previously and an ensemble multi-objective PSO algorithm, the implemented damage detection process yields satisfactory predictions considering the scale and uncertainties of the structure. The obtained results prove the feasibility and capability of the aforementioned methods and also their potentials in real engineering applications.

Contribution towards intelligent service management in wearable and ubiquitous devices

Hoy en día asistimos a un creciente interés por parte de la sociedad hacia el cuidado de la salud. Esta afirmación viene apoyada por dos realidades. Por una parte, el aumento de las prácticas saludables (actividad deportiva, cuidado de la alimentación, etc.). De igual manera, el auge de los dispositivos inteligentes (relojes, móviles o pulseras) capaces de medir distintos parámetros físicos como el pulso cardíaco, el ritmo respiratorio, la distancia recorrida, las calorías consumidas, etc. Combinando ambos factores (interés por el estado de salud y disponibilidad comercial de dispositivos inteligentes) están surgiendo multitud de aplicaciones capaces no solo de controlar el estado actual de salud, también de recomendar al usuario cambios de hábitos que lleven hacia una mejora en su condición física. En este contexto, los llamados dispositivos llevables (weareables) unidos al paradigma de Internet de las cosas (IoT, del inglés Internet of Things) permiten la aparición de nuevos nichos de mercado para aplicaciones que no solo se centran en la mejora de la condición física, ya que van más allá proponiendo soluciones para el cuidado de pacientes enfermos, la vigilancia de niños o ancianos, la defensa y la seguridad, la monitorización de agentes de riesgo (como bomberos o policías) y un largo etcétera de aplicaciones por llegar. El paradigma de IoT se puede desarrollar basándose en las existentes redes de sensores inalámbricos (WSN, del inglés Wireless Sensor Network). La conexión de los ya mencionados dispositivos llevables a estas redes puede facilitar la transición de nuevos usuarios hacia aplicaciones IoT. Pero uno de los problemas intrínsecos a estas redes es su heterogeneidad. En efecto, existen multitud de sistemas operativos, protocolos de comunicación, plataformas de desarrollo, soluciones propietarias, etc. El principal objetivo de esta tesis es realizar aportaciones significativas para solucionar no solo el problema de la heterogeneidad, sino también de dotar de mecanismos de seguridad suficientes para salvaguardad la integridad de los datos intercambiados en este tipo de aplicaciones. Algo de suma importancia ya que los datos médicos y biométricos de los usuarios están protegidos por leyes nacionales y comunitarias. Para lograr dichos objetivos, se comenzó con la realización de un completo estudio del estado del arte en tecnologías relacionadas con el marco de investigación (plataformas y estándares para WSNs e IoT, plataformas de implementación distribuidas, dispositivos llevables y sistemas operativos y lenguajes de programación). Este estudio sirvió para tomar decisiones de diseño fundamentadas en las tres contribuciones principales de esta tesis: un bus de servicios para dispositivos llevables (WDSB, Wearable Device Service Bus) basado en tecnologías ya existentes tales como ESB, WWBAN, WSN e IoT); un protocolo de comunicaciones inter-dominio para dispositivos llevables (WIDP, Wearable Inter-Domain communication Protocol) que integra en una misma solución protocolos capaces de ser implementados en dispositivos de bajas capacidades (como lo son los dispositivos llevables y los que forman parte de WSNs); y finalmente, la tercera contribución relevante es una propuesta de seguridad para WSN basada en la aplicación de dominios de confianza. Aunque las contribuciones aquí recogidas son de aplicación genérica, para su validación se utilizó un escenario concreto de aplicación: una solución para control de parámetros físicos en entornos deportivos, desarrollada dentro del proyecto europeo de investigación “LifeWear”. En este escenario se desplegaron todos los elementos necesarios para validar las contribuciones principales de esta tesis y, además, se realizó una aplicación para dispositivos móviles por parte de uno de los socios del proyecto (lo que contribuyó con una validación externa de la solución). En este escenario se usaron dispositivos llevables tales como un reloj inteligente, un teléfono móvil con sistema operativo Android y un medidor del ritmo cardíaco inalámbrico capaz de obtener distintos parámetros fisiológicos del deportista. Sobre este escenario se realizaron diversas pruebas de validación mediante las cuales se obtuvieron resultados satisfactorios. ABSTRACT Nowadays, society is shifting towards a growing interest and concern on health care. This phenomenon can be acknowledged by two facts: first, the increasing number of people practising some kind of healthy activity (sports, balanced diet, etc.). Secondly, the growing number of commercial wearable smart devices (smartwatches or bands) able to measure physiological parameters such as heart rate, breathing rate, distance or consumed calories. A large number of applications combining both facts are appearing. These applications are not only able to monitor the health status of the user, but also to provide recommendations about routines in order to improve the mentioned health status. In this context, wearable devices merged with the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm enable the proliferation of new market segments for these health wearablebased applications. Furthermore, these applications can provide solutions for the elderly or baby care, in-hospital or in-home patient monitoring, security and defence fields or an unforeseen number of future applications. The introduced IoT paradigm can be developed with the usage of existing Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) by connecting the novel wearable devices to them. In this way, the migration of new users and actors to the IoT environment will be eased. However, a major issue appears in this environment: heterogeneity. In fact, there is a large number of operating systems, hardware platforms, communication and application protocols or programming languages, each of them with unique features. The main objective of this thesis is defining and implementing a solution for the intelligent service management in wearable and ubiquitous devices so as to solve the heterogeneity issues that are presented when dealing with interoperability and interconnectivity of devices and software of different nature. Additionally, a security schema based on trust domains is proposed as a solution to the privacy problems arising when private data (e.g., biomedical parameters or user identification) is broadcasted in a wireless network. The proposal has been made after a comprehensive state-of-the-art analysis, and includes the design of a Wearable Device Service Bus (WDSB) including the technologies collected in the requirement analysis (ESB, WWBAN, WSN and IoT). Applications are able to access the WSN services regardless of the platform and operating system where they are running. Besides, this proposal also includes the design of a Wearable Inter-Domain communication Protocols set (WIDP) which integrates lightweight protocols suitable to be used in low-capacities devices (REST, JSON, AMQP, CoAP, etc...). Furthermore, a security solution for service management based on a trustworthy domains model to deploy security services in WSNs has been designed. Although the proposal is a generic framework for applications based on services provided by wearable devices, an application scenario for testing purposes has been included. In this validation scenario it has been presented an autonomous physical condition performance system, based on a WSN, bringing the possibility to include several elements in an IoT scenario: a smartwatch, a physiological monitoring device and a smartphone. In summary, the general objective of this thesis is solving the heterogeneity and security challenges arising when developing applications for WSNs and wearable devices. As it has been presented in the thesis, the solution proposed has been successfully validated in a real scenario and the obtained results were satisfactory.

A Novel Ground Fault Identification Method for 2 x 5 kV Railway Power Supply Systems

The location of ground faults in railway electric lines in 2 × 5 kV railway power supply systems is a difficult task. In both 1 × 25 kV and transmission power systems it is common practice to use distance protection relays to clear ground faults and localize their positions. However, in the particular case of this 2 × 25 kV system, due to the widespread use of autotransformers, the relation between the distance and the impedance seen by the distance protection relays is not linear and therefore the location is not accurate enough. This paper presents a simple and economical method to identify the subsection between autotransformers and the conductor (catenary or feeder) where the ground fault is happening. This method is based on the comparison of the angle between the current and the voltage of the positive terminal in each autotransformer. Consequently, after the identification of the subsection and the conductor with the ground defect, only the subsection where the ground fault is present will be quickly removed from service, with the minimum effect on rail traffic. This method has been validated through computer simulations and laboratory tests with positive results.

Smart Monitoring Embedded Service for Energy-Efficient and Sustainable Management in Data Centers

Information technologies (IT) currently represent 2% of CO2 emissions. In recent years, a wide variety of IT solutions have been proposed, focused on increasing the energy efficiency of network data centers. Monitoring is one of the fundamental pillars of these systems, providing the information necessary for adequate decision making. However, today’s monitoring systems (MSs) are partial, specific and highly coupled solutions. This study proposes a model for monitoring data centers that serves as a basis for energy saving systems, offered as a value-added service embedded in a device with low cost and power consumption. The proposal is general in nature, comprehensive, scalable and focused on heterogeneous environments, and it allows quick adaptation to the needs of changing and dynamic environments. Further, a prototype of the system has been implemented in several devices, which has allowed validation of the proposal in addition to identification of the minimum hardware profile required to support the model.

Groundwater quality monitoring of Western oil shale development : identification and priority ranking of potential pollution sources /

Mode of access: Internet.

An identification system for occupationally hazardous materials.

Mode of access: Internet.

An evaluation of expedient methodology for identification of potentially expansive soils /

Prepared by Soils and Pavements Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, Miss., under contract no. PO 4-1-0195.

Implementing universal newborn hearing screening programs : early identification of hearing loss.

Shipping list no.: 99-0282-P.

Identification and assessment of organizations that would distribute traffic safety information to older drivers and pedestrians. Final report.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Washington, D.C.

A model for the identification of high risk occupational groups using RTECS and NOHS data /

Accompanying microfiches (issued in pocket inside back cover) have title: NIOSH risk identification model.

Study of detection, identification, and quantification techniques for spills of hazardous chemicals /

Sponsored by the Coast Guard, Office of Research and Development, and the Environmental Protection Agency, National Environmental Research Center, Remote Sensing Branch.

Identification of particles recorded by nuclear emulsions by the method of mulptiple scattering /

"October 15, 1951."