Archive for February, 2008
The Role of Nanosilica Dispersion and Particle Size in Hybrid Epoxy-Silica Nanocomposites
Hybrid epoxy-silica nanocomposites (HESN) have been shown to achieve higher fracture energy by adding a small amount of nanosilica with a reactive liquid rubber (CTBN). Previously, we have shown that smaller nanosilica particles (20 nm in diameter) are more effective than larger nanosilica particles (80 nm in diameter). This present study focuses on the effects of rubber particle size and nanosilica dispersion on the toughening mechanism in epoxy based nanocomposites. Core/shell rubber particles consisting of methacrylated butadiene-styrene (MBS) are used to reduce the size of the rubber phase. The fracture toughness and toughening mechanisms have been examined. Interestingly, preliminary results show no substantial toughening synergism in 20HESN/MBS system. Moreover, no considerable nanosilica clustering was detected on the fracture surface. The above observations suggest the importance of nanosilica dispersion status in toughening of HESN and further studies are in progress.
Helping Students with Chronic Illness: The Importance of School-based Data
This symposium explores the importance of including school-based data when researching or addressing health issues because clinic-based research often ignores classroom variables and teacher concerns. Presentation of four papers is the basis for discussion about pediatric school psychology intervention and prevention. Presenters summarize key points from their research, with projects investigating type 1 diabetes mellitus, childhood cancer, asthma, and HIV. Discussion will highlight the importance of including educational variables when examining health-related issues. Attendees will understand the limitations of clinic-based data in its application to school-based intervention while learning specific approaches to address chronic conditions. They will also hear about future directions of pediatric school psychology as a subspecialty.
What Parents Prefer In Parent Management Training: An Ethnically Diverse Perspective
The purpose of this poster session is to describe the use of a partnership-based approach to investigate the preferred components of Parent Management Training (PMT) programs among families from low-income and ethnic minority cultures. Preferences will be evaluated using a quantitative Q-sort method with primary caregivers from low-income areas of the Northeastern United States. Caregiver preferences of PMT components among low-income and ethnic minority families will be presented and discussed. School Psychologists involved in parent education interventions will learn more about culturally relevant priorities in PMT and gain information that could increase the effectiveness of their practice with high-risk, vulnerable families.
A Multi-Component Goal-Setting Intervention to Improve Children’s Mathematics Skills
The current study examined the effects of goal setting on an intervention utilizing incremental rehearsal and performance feedback to teach multiplication facts to students with emotional and behavioral disorders using a multiple-baseline design across participants. Research indicates that drill models and performance feedback are effective for addressing mathematical difficulties. Further, the use of self-set goals is one way to enhance task performance. Results showed mild improvements in fluency for all three participants during performance feedback and incremental rehearsal, while two participants continued this growth during the goal-setting intervention. Two of the three participants demonstrated increases in their rate of improvement with the addition of the goal setting component to the intervention.