ABSTRACT
We examined the impact of an intervention on the playfulness of 5- to 7-year-old children who are developing typically. Materials that had no defined purpose were placed on a school playground for 11 weeks. The Test of Playfulness (ToP) was used to compare videotaped play segments pre- and postintervention. Teachers who did playground duty were interviewed regarding changes in play. ToP data were analyzed using a Wilcoxon signed-ranks test. Interview data were analyzed for themes. ToP scores were significantly higher after intervention (Z= -1.94; p = .025, one-tailed; Cohen's d = 0.55). Teachers reported that children were more social, creative, and resilient when the materials were on the playground. Children who were creative, rather than very physically capable, became leaders in activity. Our results revealed a potential role for occupational therapists with typically developing children in schools. This finding has clear implications for children with disability.
Subject(s)
Occupational Therapy/methods , Play and Playthings , Child , Child, Preschool , Cohort Studies , Female , Humans , Male , SchoolsABSTRACT
A direct elevated temperature plate count method utilizing modified fecal coliform agar with rosolic acid (ETPC/mFC) was compared to 5-tube and 3-tube most probable number (MPN) procedures for its accuracy in enumerating fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli in naturally and artificially contaminated soft-shell clams ( Mya arenaria ). The results indicated that the extent of overall recovery of fecal coliforms was similar in the two methods tested. Therefore, the ETPC/mFC method may be considered as a rapid procedure for fecal coliform screening during depuration of soft-shell clams.
ABSTRACT
Spore suspensions of Bacillus stearothermophilus (ATCC 7953, 10149, 12980), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6633), Bacillus subtilis var. niger (ATCC 9372), Bacillus pumilus (ATCC 27142, and a wild strain) and Bacillus cereus (ATCC 11778) were heated (20 min at 121°C for thermophiles, and 2.5-20 min at 100°C, 105°C, or 107°C for mesophiles) in 1 ml sealed ampoules. Surviving spores were recovered by a 5-tube most probable number (MPN) procedure with soybean casein digest (SCD) or fluid thioglycollate (FTH) broths containing variable concentrations of solids. Numbers of heated thermophilic spores (ATCC 7953) recovered with SCD broths were approximately 1.5 log MPN/ml higher at the 100% broth solids concentration than numbers recovered with FTH broth. Increasing the solids of SCD broth to twice the recommended amount (200%) reduced recovery of heated thermophilic spores compared to regular (100%) strength broth. Recovery of heated thermophilic spores with SCD or FTH broths was higher (P < 0.05) when their content of solids was reduced to as low as 0.391% compared to regular concentrations (100%). Broths with concentrations of solids at 10% of the manufacturer's recommended levels resulted in maximum recovery of heated thermophilic spores. In contrast, reduction of solids in SCD broth to 10% did not (P > 0.05) influence recovery of heated mesophilic spores compared to SCD broth with regular concentration of solids. Broths with reduced as well as regular concentrations of solids were equally effective in recovering unheated spores. These results should be useful in future modifications of methodology for sterility testing.
