One-year Time Period Research Articles

Three-dimensional numerical modelling of water quality in Dahuofang Reservoir in China

A three-dimensional eutrophication model was applied to assist the management of Dahuofang Reservoir in China. Transport processes were obtained from the three-dimensional, finite volume hydrodynamic model. The hydrodynamic model was verified for a one-year time period in 2006. Our simulation reproduced intra-annual variation of stratification. The simulated variation of vertical thermal structures also matched observations. The water quality model included 8 state variables, including dissolved oxygen, phytoplankton as carbon, carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand, ammonium nitrogen, nitrate and nitrite nitrogen, ortho-phosphorus, organic nitrogen, and organic phosphorus. Sensitivity of the parameters has been analyzed to decide which process would affect the water quality in the simulation. The water quality verification suggested the model successfully computed the temporal cycles and spatial distributions of key water quality components. The comparison between water quality components before and after the first phase of the water conveyance project suggests that the project has a slight effect on the reservoir ecosystem. The model could be used as a tool to guide physico-biological engineering design or management strategies for Dahuofang Reservoir.

Production, growth and properties of ultrafine atmospheric aerosol particles in an urban environment

Abstract. Number concentrations of atmospheric aerosol particles were measured by a flow-switching type differential mobility particle sizer in an electrical mobility diameter range of 6–1000 nm in 30 channels near central Budapest with a time resolution of 10 min continuously from 3 November 2008 to 2 November 2009. Daily median number concentrations of particles varied from 3.8 × 103 to 29 ×103 cm−3 with a yearly median of 11.8 × 103 cm−3. Contribution of ultrafine particles to the total particle number ranged from 58 to 92% with a mean ratio and standard deviation of (79 ± 6)%. Typical diurnal variation of the particle number concentration was related to the major emission patterns in cities, new particle formation, sinks of particles and meteorology. Shapes of the monthly mean number size distributions were similar to each other. Overall mean for the number median mobility diameter of the Aitken and accumulation modes were 26 and 93 nm, respectively, which are substantially smaller than for rural or background environments. The Aitken and accumulation modes contributed similarly to the total particle number concentrations at the actual measurement location. New particle formation and growth unambiguously occurred on 83 days, which represent 27% of all relevant days. Hence, new particle formation and growth are not rare phenomena in Budapest. Their frequency showed an apparent seasonal variation with a minimum of 7.3% in winter and a maximum of 44% in spring. New particle formation events were linked to increased gas-phase H2SO4 concentrations. In the studied area, new particle formation is mainly affected by condensation sink and solar radiation. The formation process seems to be not sensitive to SO2, which was present in a yearly median concentration of 6.7 μg m−3. This suggests that the precursor gas was always available in excess. Formation rate of particles with a diameter of 6 nm varied between 1.65 and 12.5 cm−3 s−1 with a mean and standard deviation of (4.2 ± 2.5) cm−3 s−1. Seasonal dependency for the formation rate could not be identified. Growth curves of nucleated particles were usually superimposed on the characteristic diurnal pattern of road traffic direct emissions. The growth rate of the nucleation mode with a median diameter of 6 nm varied from 2.0 to 13.3 nm h−1 with a mean and standard deviation of (7.7 ± 2.4) nm h−1. There was an indicative tendency for larger growth rates in summer and for smaller values in winter. New particle formation events increased the total number concentration by a mean factor and standard deviation of 2.3 ± 1.1 relative to the concentration that occurred immediately before the event. Several indirect evidences suggest that the new particle formation events occurred at least over the whole city, and were of regional type. The results and conclusions presented are the first information of this kind for the region over one-year long time period.

Modeling study of residence time and water age in Dahuofang Reservoir in China

Understanding the dynamics of water renewal in a reservoir is essential when the transport and fate of dissolved substances are evaluated. A three-dimensional hydrodynamic model was implemented to compute average residence time and water age in Dahuofang Reservoir in China. The model was verified for a one-year time period in 2006. A simulation reproduced intraannual variation of mixing represented by the fall/winter mixing and the spring/summer stratification. The simulated variation of vertical thermal structures also matched observation. The spatially varying average residence times and age distribution were investigated through a series of numerical experiments using a passively dissolved and conservative tracer as a surrogate. Residence time estimations yield a broad range of values depending on the position. The average residence time for a tracer placed at the head of the reservoir under high-, mean-, and low flow conditions was found to be about 125, 236 and 521 days, respectively. The age simulation reveals that the age distribution is a function of the freshwater discharge. In the vertical direction, the age of the surface layers is larger than that of the bottom layers and the age difference between the surface and bottom layers decreases further downstream. The density-induced circulation plays an important role in the circulation in the reservoir, and can generate vertical age distribution in the reservoir. These findings provide useful information for understanding the transport process in Dahuofang Reservoir that can be used to assist the water quality management of the reservoir.

Do Large Residential Subdivisions Induce Further Development?

Problem: Most previous research on land use change has been conducted at coarse scales with aggregated data, and there are relatively few studies that attempt to establish and examine these linkages at a disaggregate level. In addition, the cumulative effects of large residential developments have been little investigated as potential drivers of land use change. Purpose: We hypothesize that residential subdivisions of 10 acres or more exert detectable priming effects and influence the rate of subsequent development in the vicinity. We use parcel-level data to test whether unilateral development decisions have spillover effects across both space and time. Methods: We analyze parcel changes and then conduct a spatially explicit hazard analysis of land use change in Mecklenburg County, NC, to identify a set of factors that predict which vacant land parcels are most likely to experience a subdivision event (be subdivided) during a given one-year time period. We also perform a sensitivity analysis to assess how the specification of the priming effect measure affects the analysis, and to gain insight into the spatial extent of the hypothesized relationship between large residential subdivisions and subsequent development. Results and Conclusions: We find evidence of a positive association between large residential subdivision events and an increased likelihood of subsequent subdivision activity. The sensitivity analysis suggests that this relationship is robust to changes in how the priming effect measure is specified and declines with distance. This corroborates previous assumptions that major residential subdivisions drive land conversion. Takeaway for Practice: These results suggest that the project review process should consider impacts at a broader scale. Large residential subdivisions warrant attention not only for their localized impacts on traffic, stormwater, schools, and emergency services, but also for the signals they communicate to the larger development community. We find the effects of converting land to residential use cumulate not only over space, but also over time. Thus, they should be examined within the context of existing land use plans as well as infrastructure and service-delivery capabilities. By understanding the factors that explain parcel subdivision events and considering their capacity to induce further residential development, planners and the communities they serve will be in a stronger position to manage growth. Research Support: None.

Introductory Comments: Special Issue of EJOP (August 2010) on Humor Research in Personality and Social Psychology

Welcome to this special humor issue of Europe’s Journal of Psychology. This August 2010 EJOP issue is devoted to a presentation of contemporary psychological research on humor, with a particular emphasis on work that targets the personality and social aspects of humor, including stress, coping and well-being. This special issue can be placed into a broader context by noting that we are currently enjoying a psychological renaissance in research on humor. Each year, an increasing number of scientific articles are being published about the psychological aspects of humor. This is clearly seen in Table 1, which provides one rough index of humor publications in psychology over the past thirty years. This was done by searching in PsychINFO, using the term “humor,” across a sequence of one-year time periods (beginning in 1980), and then advancing in five year increments. Thus, starting in 1980, there was a grand total of 47 publications on psychological aspects of humor in all of that year, with 25 of these being in peer-reviewed journals. Moving forward, we begin to see a slow but steady increase in humor research, reaching an overall total of 119 works published in 1995, with the majority of these now in peer-reviewed sources (88).

A Dyad Model of Calling Behaviour with Tie Strength Dynamics

This paper investigates the dynamic relation between callers' social ties and their wireless phone service consumption. We construct a large pair-level panel dataset with information on the number of each pair's common contacts, calling activities, prices, and each caller's characteristics over a one-year time period. We estimate a dynamic model that encapsulates the evolving relationship between each pair of consumers. We find the amount of communications between a pair of consumers increases with the strength of their tie, which is higher when these two consumers share more common contacts. Our results support the reciprocity rule in telephone calls, i.e., when individual A initiates more (less) phone calls to individual B in one month, their social tie will be strengthened (weakened) and individual B will make more (less) calls to individual A in the subsequent months. We demonstrate the implications of our results in evaluating the return of temporary price promotions and designing price plans. Our results underscore the importance of incorporating social network characteristics in the study of telecommunications markets.

Facing uncertainty as a medical student—A qualitative study of their reflective learning diaries and writings on specific themes during the first clinical year

Objective Tolerance of uncertainty related to the complex work is a major dimension of general practitioner's (GP) profession. Strategies for managing uncertainty have been studied among GPs but less is known about how medical students develop tolerance of uncertainty during their studies. The aim of this study was to investigate how the medical students experience uncertainty during their first clinical years and how their feelings develop with time as they progress from the 3rd year to the 4th year. Methods The material consisted of 22 students’ reflective learning diaries and writings on specific themes collected during the 3rd and 4th year of their medical studies. The analysis was performed using thematic content analysis. In this article we present the results related to the theme of uncertainty. Results Uncertainty is a major cause of mental strain for medical students, particularly fear of making mistakes. Main themes related to facing uncertainty and found in the diaries and writings were insecurity of professional skills, own credibility, facing with the inexactness of medicine, fear of making mistakes, coping with responsibility, and tolerating oneself as incomplete and accepting oneself as a good-enough doctor-to-be. Common steps of development towards tolerance of uncertainty were found in diaries over a one-year time period as the students progressed in their clinical studies. Conclusions Reflective writing showed to be an effective means for the students of both expressing and dealing with uncertainty, both with the difficult and the pleasant feelings and the experiences the students had with their first patient contacts. It also gave some of them the means of self-reflection which they afterwards found worthwhile. Practice implications Reflective writing is powerful tool which medical students could use to facilitate their maturation process what comes to uncertainty during their first clinical year.

Adolescents' individuation, romantic involvement, and mothers' wellbeing: A comparison of three family structures

This study compared concurrent as well as longitudinal associations between adolescent development and maternal wellbeing, in nuclear families with both biological parents and in single-mother and stepfather families. It relied on data from the first two waves of a longitudinal study in Germany (N = 436). Maternal wellbeing was assessed from mothers' reports of their sense of family mastery and self-esteem. Adolescent development was assessed from adolescents' reports of three aspects of individuation and of their romantic involvement. For single mothers and mothers in nuclear families, the associations between maternal wellbeing and adolescents' development were inconsistent. Mothers in stepfather families with daughters profited from their daughters' growing detachment. The results suggested that the associations between adolescent development and maternal wellbeing are family structure specific, and observable concurrently and across a one-year time period. The discussion considers the different demands and living situations of the three family structures.

Body Perceptions, Weight Control Behavior, and Changes in Adolescents’ Psychological Well-Being Over Time: A Longitudinal Examination of Gender

This study used the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to explore gender differences in the relationship between body perceptions and behavior and changes in adolescents' psychological well-being over a one-year time period. The sample included 12,814 adolescents (51% girls) aged 11-20 comprised of 68% Non-Hispanic White, 15% African American, 12% Hispanic, and 4% Asian. Perceptions of being larger or more developed generally decreased girls' psychological well-being over time. Body perceptions and behavior did not significantly influence changes in boys' psychological well-being over time. Non-Hispanic White girls were the most influenced and Non-Hispanic White boys were the least influenced by body perceptions and behavior. Perceived relative development influenced early adolescent girls, whereas perceptions of being overweight influenced middle to late adolescent girls. Additionally, trying to lose weight influenced middle adolescent boys and girls. These results imply that body perceptions and behavior disadvantage girls' psychological well-being relative to boys during adolescence.

Changes in elementary finger–hand functions over time in preschool children with spastic cerebral palsy

To examine the development of basic finger–hand motor capacity in a one-year follow-up experiment performed on young children with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP). The maximal finger grip strength (FGMAX), the frequencies of the fastest voluntary isometric finger force changes (FGCHANGE) while holding an object, in addition to the finger (FTAP) and hand tapping frequencies (HTAP) were examined on two separate occasions in 30 children between the ages of three to six years with bilateral spastic CP (BCSP). The examinations were performed 12 months apart in order to test for improvements in the aforementioned functions. After a one-year period of time, the FGMAX, FGCHANGE and FTAP values increased by 10–15% in both hands (changes in FTAP values were not statistically significant), while the HTAP values remained unchanged. In regard to the normative samples obtained from children of this age period, the gap in the motor capacity of the fingers did not increase. We observed an improvement in the basic finger functions over a one-year period of time in preschool aged children diagnosed with spastic CP. Interestingly, the improvement proceeded at a similar rate to that observed in normally developing children. However, the fastest hand tapping movements (HTAP) did not improve during this one-year time interval. In addition, we observed that in young children with BSCP, there appears to be considerable potential for the development and reorganisation of the elementary finger functions that are requisite for object manipulation.

Polio Outbreak Response in Ethiopia

Ethiopia had been polio-free for almost four years until December 2004. However, between December 2004 and February 2006, 24 children were paralysed as a result of infection with wild poliovirus imported from the neighbouring country of Sudan. In response, the country has attempted to document the impact of various response measures on the containment of wild poliovirus transmission. This study aims at systematic and epidemiological assessment of the extent of the outbreak, its determinants, and the lessons learned as well as the implications for future control strategies to interrupt wild poliovirus transmission. A cross-sectional study design with qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches was used to conduct the epidemiologic assessment. All confirmed wild poliovirus cases, and reported acute flaccid paralysis cases in close proximity to the confirmed polio cases were the study subjects. Child caretakers and health service providers were interviewed as part of the investigation. Between December 2004 and February 2006, eight children from Tigray Regional State, nine children from Amhara Regional State and seven children from Oromia Regional State were paralysed as a result of infection with wild poliovirus type 1. Genetic sequencing demonstrated two separate importations to Ethiopia. Risk factors that may have facilitated spread of the outbreak within the country included gaps in vaccination coverage and interruption of the cold chain system, gaps in acute flaccid paralysis surveillance performance, high population mobility, poor environmental sanitation, crowded living conditions and unsafe drinking water. In response to the outbreak, Ethiopia conducted detailed outbreak investigations within two days of confirmation of the index cases. Large-scale, house-to-house vaccination campaigns were also implemented. As a result, the three regions interrupted the wild poliovirus transmission within the regions within one year of confirmation of the index case. Outbreak response activities were successful in interrupting the imported wild poliovirus transmission in Tigray, Amhara and Oromia Regional States of Ethiopia within a one-year period of time. In Ethiopia, programme strategies should be intensified to contain further spread and prevent future importation of wild poliovirus. Large-scale immunisation campaigns should reach every child, including those isolated by geography, poverty and security.

Efficacy of clinical guideline implementation to improve the appropriateness of chest physiotherapy prescription among inpatients with community-acquired pneumonia

Although there is no strong evidence of benefit, chest physiotherapy (CP) seems to be commonly used in simple pneumonia. CP requires equipment and frequently involves the assistance of a respiratory therapist, engendering a significant medical workload and cost. To measure and compare the efficacy of two modalities of chest physiotherapy (CP) guideline implementation on the appropriateness of CP prescription among patients hospitalised for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We measured the CP prescription rate and duration in all consecutive CAP inpatients admitted in a division of general internal medicine at an urban teaching community hospital during three consecutive one-year time periods: (1) before any guideline implementation; (2) after a passive implementation by medical grand rounds and guideline diffusion through mailing; (3) after adding a one-page reminder in the CAP patient's medical chart highlighting our recommendations. Death and recurrent hospitalisation rates within one year after hospitalisation were recorded to assess whether CP prescription reduction, if any, impaired patient outcomes. During the three successive phases, 127, 157, and 147 patients with similar characteristics were included. Among all CAP inpatients, the CP prescription rate decreased from 68% (86/127) to 51% (80/157), and to 48% (71/147), respectively (P for trend <0.01 for trend). A significant reduction in CP duration was observed after the active guideline implementation (12.0, 11.0, 7.0days, respectively) and persisted after adjustment for length of stay. Reductions in CP prescription rate and duration were also observed among CAP patients with COPD CP prescription rate: 97% (30/31), 67% (24/36), 75% (35/47), respectively (P<0.01 for trend). The mean cost of CP per patient was reduced by 56%, from $709 to $481, and to $309, respectively. Neither the in-hospital deaths, the one-year overall recurrent hospitalisation nor the one-year CAP-specific recurrent hospitalisation significantly differed between the three phases. Both passive and active implementation of guidelines appear to improve the appropriateness of CP prescription among inpatients with CAP without impairing their outcomes. Restricting CP use to patients who benefit from this treatment might be an opportunity to decrease CAP medical cost and workload.

Benefits of the Future Sea Surface Salinity Measurements From SMOS: Generation and Characteristics of SMOS Geophysical Products

Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity (SMOS) level 2 and level 3 products are simulated and characterized over a one-year time period. A simulator is first used to evaluate the sea surface salinity (SSS) error of level 2 SMOS products. An optimal interpolation method is then adapted to map the surface salinity in order to simulate a level 3 SMOS product. The quality of the simulated products is satisfactory. The mean error of the SSS at pixel scale is around 1 psu, and the error on the final gridded product fits the Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment requirements (0.2 psu).

The Experience of Transcendental Meditation in Middle School Students: A Qualitative Report

Transcendental Meditation (TM), a sitting meditation technique designed to quiet the mind and induce physical and mental relaxation, has been widely studied in adults. Our objective was to explore systematically the first-person experience of young adolescents who practice TM. A descriptive, qualitative study using semistructured interviews. Middle school setting. Participants included 10 seventh grade students who have practiced TM for a one-year period of time. Themes described by students resulting from meditation included the following: (1) an increasing state of restful alertness; (2) improvement in skills indicative of emotional intelligence (self-control, self-reflection/awareness, and flexibility in emotional response); and (3) improvement in academic performance. The state of restful alertness induced by meditation appeared central to facilitating growth in social-emotional capacities, academic performance, and flexibility in emotional response. The inner state of restful alertness provided students with greater capacity to expand their ways of looking inwardly at themselves and their relationships with others (emotional intelligence) as well as focusing their attention on controlling their behavior and keeping on task in school. Students described beneficial effects of TM: an increased state of restful alertness and greater capacity for self-reflection, self-control, and flexibility as well as improved academic performance. The state of restful alertness induced by meditation may facilitate the growth of social-emotional capacities necessary for regulating the emotional labiality and interpersonal stress of adolescence. Future empirical validation is needed to analyze systematically the impact of this practice on students' social-emotional and cognitive development and to determine whether its practice can serve as a protective function for helping students successfully meet the challenges of adolescence.

System of systems force structure optimisation

AbstractA system of systems study plan was developed and a prototype was executed to optimise a recommended military force structure. This methodology defined the optimal force structure, using constrained optimisation to reflect budget limitations and desired mission performance. The force structure included surface and air assets, a command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR) architecture, and a recommended logistics infrastructure. A second aspect of the study plan defined the total acquisition strategy, which accounted for: retiring legacy assets, extending the service life of existing assets until new replacements became available, and acquiring new assets for deployment, within the budget allocation. This methodology combined various modeling and simulation techniques to meet three study objectives. First, a nonlinear mixed integer programming model maximised performance, subject to cost constraints, cost as an independent variable (CAIV). Second, a dynamic programming model scheduled the transition from the legacy force structure to the future force, defined by the previous modeling technique. Third, a process simulation model simulated performance, over a one-year time period, for 25 areas of responsibility and five missions. This model verified performance estimates generated by the previous models.

Three-dimensional Management Model for Lake Washington, Part I: Introduction and Hydrodynamic Modeling

A three-dimensional hydrodynamic model, CH3D-Z (curvilinear hydrodynamics in three dimension, Z-grid version), was implemented in Lake Washington as a part of a management model. The model was calibrated for hydrothermal distribution over a one-year time period for 1995 and verified for a two-year time period between 1996 and 1997. Simulation reproduced intra-annual variation of mixing represented by fall/winter mixing and spring/summer stratification. The simulated variation of vertical thermal structures also matched observation. Vertical flux was investigated in terms of stratification through turbulent mixing and internal waves. Basin scale internal waves showed a characteristic diurnal variation and modulation by surface wind. The model resolved the seasonal variation of thermal structures, assuring a good linkage to a nutrient-eutrophication model.

Assertive Outreach: An Effective Strategy for Engaging Homeless Persons with Substance Use Disorders into Treatment

The purpose of this study was to examine substance abuse treatment referrals that were made by outreach workers in a homeless outreach project. Ten outreach workers completed questionnaires on each of their clients who they had referred to a substance abuse treatment program over the previous year. Additional data was collected on the client's motivation level at the point the referral was made, which agencies the client was referred to, and if the client was rejected from any of the treatment programs. Bivariate correlation analyses were used to examine relationships between the variables. Of 73 project clients who were referred to substance abuse treatment in a one-year period of time, 41% successfully entered treatment. As might be expected, there was a statistically significant relationship between clients' motivation level and completed referral, and between referrals made and program acceptance. This study provides evidence that assertive outreach is effective in engaging and linking homeless persons with substance use disorders to substance abuse treatment services.

Characterization, resource use, and the economic impact of low-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) at an MDS specialty center

6098 Background: MDS is diagnosed in 12–20,000 people annually in the U. S., making it the most common bone marrow disorder. While the first chemotherapy agent has been approved this year for the treatment of MDS, and others are at advanced stages of development, little is known about resource use in this population, a crucial component of decision-making about therapy initiation. Methods: We retrospectively examined 134 MDS patients seen for clinical trial enrollment at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF) from November, 2002 through September, 2004. Of these, 78 (58.2%) had low-risk disease, which we defined as having <5% bone marrow blasts. Economic impact was calculated using CCF charges. Results: Thirty low-risk patients (38.5%), with a median age of 72 years (range, 48–87), were followed long-term at our institution, of whom 5 (16.7%) had secondary MDS. They fell into the following IPSS risk groups: 11 Low, 15 Int-1, and 4 Int-2. Seventeen patients (56.7%) had received prior chemotherapy: 13 (76.5%) immune (including immunosuppressants and IMIDs); 2 (11.8%) cytotoxic, and 5 “other” (amifostine, Vitamin D derivatives), with some patients receiving more than one. For supportive therapy, 22 patients (73.3%) had used erythropoietin growth factors, with 14 treated for a total of 279 weeks in the year preceding consultation, while 8 (26.6%) had used granulocyte stimulating growth factors, with 3 treated for a total of 23 weeks in a one-year period. In the 6 months prior to consultation, patients received a mean of 5.3 (S.D. 6.4) RBC transfusions and 0.4 (S.D. 1.1) platelet transfusions. Transfusions increased in the 6 months post-consultation, to a mean of 8.2 (S.D. 7.6) and 2.4 (S.D. 5.4), respectively. During the same time period, 22 patients (73.3%) were hospitalized, for a mean length of stay of 9.9 (S.D. 9.3) days. Supportive care charges for a low-risk MDS patient, including hospitalizations, was $30,033 over the one-year time period prior to consultation. Conclusions: Low-risk MDS patients incur substantial health care costs even prior to initiating therapy on a clinical trial. These numbers should be considered in a decision analysis of when therapy should be initiated. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Simulink Model for Economic Analysis and Environmental Impacts of a PV With Diesel-Battery System for Remote Villages

This paper discusses the economic analysis and environmental impacts of integrating a photovoltaic (PV) array into diesel-electric power systems for remote villages. MATLAB Simulink is used to match the load with the demand and apportion the electrical production between the PV and diesel-electric generator. The economic part of the model calculates the fuel consumed, the kilowatthours obtained per gallon of fuel supplied, and the total cost of fuel. The environmental part of the model calculates the CO/sub 2/, particulate matter (PM), and the NO/sub x/ emitted to the atmosphere. Simulations based on an actual system in the remote Alaskan community of Lime Village were performed for three cases: 1) diesel only; 2) diesel-battery; and 3) PV with diesel-battery using a one-year time period. The simulation results were utilized to calculate the energy payback, the simple payback time for the PV module, and the avoided costs of CO/sub 2/, NO/sub x/, and PM. Post-simulation analysis includes the comparison of results with those predicted by Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewables (HOMER). The life-cycle cost (LCC) and air emissions results of our Simulink model were comparable to those predicted by HOMER.

Predicting Positive Outcomes for Students With Emotional Disturbance

This longitudinal study assessed changes in skills for students with emotional disturbance (ED) over a one-year time period in a private special education school and examined variables that predicted positive outcomes for these students. At Time 1, teachers rated 84 students with ED using standardized behavior rating scales to assess problem severity and skills for predicting inclusion. Information was also obtained about students’ school behavior from the school’s behavioral level system. One year later (Time 2), the educational placement of 83 of the 84 students was categorized as being either equal/more restrictive or being less restrictive, and teachers completed rating scales assessing skills for inclusion and emotional/behavioral strengths of 54 students still enrolled in the special education school. Students exhibited improved peer relationships and emotional maturity, and demonstrated several strengths. Scores indicated that the students with ED were unlikely to experience success in less restrictive educational settings. Although none of the variables predicted placement in less restrictive educational settings, problem severity, school behavior, and skills for inclusion each predicted the other positive outcomes. The importance of using strength-based approaches, in addition to empirically supported interventions, is highlighted.