Sample records for methods issues opportunities

  1. Equality in the Workplace. An Equal Opportunities Handbook for Trainers. Human Resource Management in Action Series.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Collins, Helen

    This workbook, which is intended as a practical guide for human resource managers, trainers, and others concerned with developing and implementing equal opportunities training programs in British workplaces, examines issues in and methods for equal opportunities training. The introduction gives an overview of current training trends and issues.…

  2. Special Issue: Book Reviews 2002-2003.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Grauer, Barbara Ellman, Ed.

    2003-01-01

    This special issue reviews 71 books on the following topics: career management; career opportunities for people with disabilities; federal government career information; college career development/counseling; job search strategies, tools, methods; coaching; retirement issues; strategies for managers; women and careers; general career books; and…

  3. The Contribution of Qualitative Research Towards the Issues Affecting Female Undergraduate Engineering Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Duggan, Louise Maria

    2015-01-01

    This article explores the use of qualitative research methods towards our understanding of the issues affecting female undergraduate engineers. As outlined in this article female engineering students face many challenges during their undergraduate studies. Qualitative research methods provide an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the…

  4. Mixed-Methods Research in Language Teaching and Learning: Opportunities, Issues and Challenges

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Riazi, A. Mehdi; Candlin, Christopher N.

    2014-01-01

    This state-of-the-art paper foregrounds mixed-methods research (MMR) in language teaching and learning by discussing and critically reviewing issues related to this newly developed research paradigm. The paper has six sections. The first provides a context for the discussion of MMR through an introductory review of quantitative and qualitative…

  5. Considering Fees in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy: Opportunities for Residents

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Newman, Stewart S.

    2005-01-01

    OBJECTIVE: The topic of money is ubiquitous to psychodynamic therapy work, yet often neglected in residency training programs. Residency allows a unique opportunity to address issues pertaining to money and their impact on therapy. METHOD: Through the experience of the author, the need for a more explicit and systematic consideration within…

  6. Teaching Climate Change Science in Senior Secondary School: Issues, Barriers and Opportunities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bunten, Rod; Dawson, Vaille

    2014-01-01

    This paper argues that, despite its difficulties, climate change can (and perhaps needs to) be taught rigorously to students by enquiry rather than through transmission and that such a method will enable students to make judgments on other issues of scientific controversy. It examines the issues and barriers to the teaching of climate change,…

  7. Avoiding Pitfalls and Realising Opportunities: Reflecting on Issues of Sampling and Recruitment for Online Focus Groups

    PubMed Central

    Boydell, Nicola; Fergie, Gillian; McDaid, Lisa; Hilton, Shona

    2017-01-01

    The increasing prominence of the Internet in everyday life has prompted methodological innovations in qualitative research, particularly the adaptation of established methods of data collection for use online. The alternative online context brings with it both opportunities and challenges. To date the literature on online focus groups has focused mainly on the suitability of the method for qualitative data collection, and the development of approaches to facilitation that maximise interaction. By reflecting on our experiences of designing and attempting to recruit participants to online focus groups for two exploratory research projects, we aim to contribute some novel reflections around the less articulated issues of sampling and recruitment for online focus groups. In particular, we highlight potentially problematic issues around offline recruitment for an online method of data collection; the potential of using social media for recruitment; and the uncertainties around offering incentives in online recruitment, issues which have received little attention in the growing literature around online focus groups. More broadly, we recommend continued examination of online social practices and the social media environment to develop appropriate and timely online recruitment strategies and suggest further areas for future research and innovation. PMID:28127272

  8. Avoiding Pitfalls and Realising Opportunities: Reflecting on Issues of Sampling and Recruitment for Online Focus Groups.

    PubMed

    Boydell, Nicola; Fergie, Gillian; McDaid, Lisa; Hilton, Shona

    2014-02-01

    The increasing prominence of the Internet in everyday life has prompted methodological innovations in qualitative research, particularly the adaptation of established methods of data collection for use online. The alternative online context brings with it both opportunities and challenges. To date the literature on online focus groups has focused mainly on the suitability of the method for qualitative data collection, and the development of approaches to facilitation that maximise interaction. By reflecting on our experiences of designing and attempting to recruit participants to online focus groups for two exploratory research projects, we aim to contribute some novel reflections around the less articulated issues of sampling and recruitment for online focus groups. In particular, we highlight potentially problematic issues around offline recruitment for an online method of data collection; the potential of using social media for recruitment; and the uncertainties around offering incentives in online recruitment, issues which have received little attention in the growing literature around online focus groups. More broadly, we recommend continued examination of online social practices and the social media environment to develop appropriate and timely online recruitment strategies and suggest further areas for future research and innovation.

  9. Health Promotion Efforts as Predictors of Physical Activity in Schools: An Application of the Diffusion of Innovations Model

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Glowacki, Elizabeth M.; Centeio, Erin E.; Van Dongen, Daniel J.; Carson, Russell L.; Castelli, Darla M.

    2016-01-01

    Background: Implementing a comprehensive school physical activity program (CSPAP) effectively addresses public health issues by providing opportunities for physical activity (PA). Grounded in the Diffusion of Innovations model, the purpose of this study was to identify how health promotion efforts facilitate opportunities for PA. Methods: Physical…

  10. An Assessment of Low-Power Television for the Nonprofit Community.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Carey, John

    Intended to provide a general understanding of the opportunities and problems associated with low power television (LPTV), this report deals with the legal, technical, financial, and marketplace issues that should be methodically assessed in order to establish an LPTV service. The three chapters in Part 1 address basic issues and provide a brief…

  11. Watershed assessment-watershed analysis: What are the limits and what must be considered

    Treesearch

    Robert R. Ziemer

    2000-01-01

    Watershed assessment or watershed analysis describes processes and interactions that influence ecosystems and resources in a watershed. Objectives and methods differ because issues and opportunities differ.

  12. Quantifying temporal change in biodiversity: challenges and opportunities

    PubMed Central

    Dornelas, Maria; Magurran, Anne E.; Buckland, Stephen T.; Chao, Anne; Chazdon, Robin L.; Colwell, Robert K.; Curtis, Tom; Gaston, Kevin J.; Gotelli, Nicholas J.; Kosnik, Matthew A.; McGill, Brian; McCune, Jenny L.; Morlon, Hélène; Mumby, Peter J.; Øvreås, Lise; Studeny, Angelika; Vellend, Mark

    2013-01-01

    Growing concern about biodiversity loss underscores the need to quantify and understand temporal change. Here, we review the opportunities presented by biodiversity time series, and address three related issues: (i) recognizing the characteristics of temporal data; (ii) selecting appropriate statistical procedures for analysing temporal data; and (iii) inferring and forecasting biodiversity change. With regard to the first issue, we draw attention to defining characteristics of biodiversity time series—lack of physical boundaries, uni-dimensionality, autocorrelation and directionality—that inform the choice of analytic methods. Second, we explore methods of quantifying change in biodiversity at different timescales, noting that autocorrelation can be viewed as a feature that sheds light on the underlying structure of temporal change. Finally, we address the transition from inferring to forecasting biodiversity change, highlighting potential pitfalls associated with phase-shifts and novel conditions. PMID:23097514

  13. Postsecondary Education Opportunity. The Mortenson Report on Public Policy Analysis of Opportunity for Postsecondary Education, 1995.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mortenson, Thomas G., Ed.

    1995-01-01

    This document is a collection of 12 issues of a monthly publication on public policy and postsecondary education opportunity. Each issue contains one or two main articles providing an analysis of research on trends in postsecondary education. The major articles in these issues are: (1) "The Challenge of Educational Opportunity in Public…

  14. Evaluation as a Collaborative Activity to Learn Content Knowledge in a Graduate Course

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hughes, Bob; Arbogast, Janet; Kafer, Lindsey; Chen, Julianna

    2014-01-01

    Teaching graduate students to conduct evaluations is typically relegated to evaluation methods courses. This approach misses an opportunity for students to collaboratively use evaluation skills to explore content. This article examines a graduate course, Issues in Adult Basic Education, in which students learned evaluation methods concurrently…

  15. 34 CFR 300.501 - Opportunity to examine records; parent participation in meetings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... conversations involving public agency personnel and conversations on issues such as teaching methodology, lesson... relating to the educational placement of their child, the public agency must use other methods to ensure...

  16. 34 CFR 300.501 - Opportunity to examine records; parent participation in meetings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... conversations involving public agency personnel and conversations on issues such as teaching methodology, lesson... relating to the educational placement of their child, the public agency must use other methods to ensure...

  17. 34 CFR 300.501 - Opportunity to examine records; parent participation in meetings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... conversations involving public agency personnel and conversations on issues such as teaching methodology, lesson... relating to the educational placement of their child, the public agency must use other methods to ensure...

  18. 34 CFR 300.501 - Opportunity to examine records; parent participation in meetings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... conversations involving public agency personnel and conversations on issues such as teaching methodology, lesson... relating to the educational placement of their child, the public agency must use other methods to ensure...

  19. 34 CFR 300.501 - Opportunity to examine records; parent participation in meetings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... conversations involving public agency personnel and conversations on issues such as teaching methodology, lesson... relating to the educational placement of their child, the public agency must use other methods to ensure...

  20. A Canadian Cross-Sectional Survey on Psychosocial Supports for People Living Type 1 or 2 Diabetes: Health-Care Providers' Awareness, Capacity, and Motivation.

    PubMed

    Nichols, Jennica; Vallis, Michael; Boutette, Stephanie; Gall Casey, Carolyn; Yu, Catherine H

    2017-11-09

    Addressing psychosocial issues is critical for diabetes self-management. This work explores health-care professionals' (HCPs') 1) perceived relevance of various psychosocial issues in diabetes management and 2) confidence in working on these issues within their services. An online cross-sectional survey was developed based on the Capacity-Opportunity-Motivation Behaviour Model. It assessed self-rated confidence in supporting patients with psychosocial issues (capability), perceived relevance of these issues (motivation) and facilitators of skill development (opportunity). An e-mail invitation was sent to all Diabetes Canada's professional members, conference delegates and committee members. Qualitative responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. Of the 260 responses received (25% response rate), many were Diabetes Canada professional members (83%) and/or certified diabetes educators (66%). The largest professional groups in the sample were registered nurses (44%) and registered dietitians (33%). All psychosocial issues were perceived as somewhat or extremely important by at least 80% of respondents (range, 80% to 97%). However, HCPs were less confident in supporting their patients with these psychosocial issues; significantly fewer respondents reported that they felt somewhat or extremely confident (range, 26% to 62%). Depression (80%) and anxiety (80%) were the issues in which guidance was most desired. Most respondents wanted some form of formal self-management support training (83%). Preferred training methods included in-person workshops (56%), webinars (56%) and conference sessions (51%). Motivation to address psychosocial issues in diabetes was high, but capacity to do so and opportunity to learn how were both low. These findings can be used to develop a targeted strategy to help address this gap. Copyright © 2017 Diabetes Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Issues and solutions: opportunities for European LED manufacturers

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Pearsall, T. P.

    2007-09-01

    Marketing studies by EPIC show significant revenue opportunities by 2012 for UHB-LEDs in the automotive, LCD backlighting, and architectural lighting sectors. The goal of this workshop on manufacturing issues is to consider five key issues for UHB-LED manufacturing and to propose solutions that will pave the way to full exploitation of the opportunities.

  2. Mixed Methods Analysis of Counselor Views, Attitudes and Perceived Competencies Regarding the Treatment of Internet Pornography Addiction

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hinman, Bradly K.

    2013-01-01

    The Internet offers unprecedented opportunity for individuals to have anonymous, inexpensive, and unrestricted access to an essentially unlimited range of sexually explicit materials. Counseling clients are increasingly presenting with problematic issues regarding Internet pornography use. The purposes of this mixed-method study were (a) to…

  3. Telemedicine: legal and licensure issues

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wood, Michael B.; Whelan, Leo J.

    1995-10-01

    The National Information Infrastructure program offers a great opportunity for the United States to capitalize on remarkable technological advancements over a broad range of applications benefiting society. One such application, telemedicine, has the potential to offer widespread access to sophisticated medical care, curtailed health care delivery costs, and homogeneous health and health-related educational opportunities. However, there are a variety of barriers to widespread application of telemedicine once the technical infrastructure of the information highway is well established and ubiquitous. These barriers include technical limitations, reimbursement issues, equipment and networking costs, and appropriate scientific studies to document efficacy and cost effectiveness. These issues may prove to be only transient disincentives which can be surmounted. Additional barriers exist, however, that may not be as readily resolved by traditional methods of analysis and more widespread practice applications. These political and regulatory obstacles will require clarification of the issues and solutions based on national consensus. It is the purpose of this discussion to amplify on these particular barriers which include licensure and tort jurisdiction.

  4. Science Matters.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Blanchard, Pam

    2000-01-01

    Describes Louisiana Sea Grant's most recent marine education program, the coastal Ecosystem Stewardship project. Its purpose is to provide students with background information on wetlands management issues; training in basic water quality monitoring methods, data collection, and manipulation; and opportunities to participate in a restoration…

  5. Preface to the Special Issue: Strategic Opportunities for Fusion Energy

    DOE PAGES

    Mauel, M. E.; Greenwald, Martin; Ryutov, Dmitri D.; ...

    2016-01-23

    Here, the Journal of Fusion Energy provides a forum for discussion of broader policy and planning issues that play a crucial role in energy fusion programs. In keeping with this purpose and in response to several recent strategic planning efforts worldwide, this Special Issue on Strategic Opportunities was launched with the goal to invite fusion scientists and engineers to record viewpoints of the scientific opportunities and policy issues that can drive continued advancements in fusion energy research.

  6. Advancing the practice of health impact assessment in Canada: Obstacles and opportunities

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    McCallum, Lindsay C., E-mail: lindsay.mccallum@mail.utoronto.ca; Intrinsik Environmental Sciences Inc., 6605 Hurontario Street, Mississauga, Ontario L5T0A3; Ollson, Christopher A., E-mail: collson@intrinsik.com

    Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is recognized as a useful tool that can identify potential health impacts resulting from projects or policy initiatives. Although HIA has become an established practice in some countries, it is not yet an established practice in Canada. In order to enable broader support for HIA, this study provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the peer-reviewed and gray literature on the state of HIA practice. The results of this review revealed that, although there is an abundance of publications relating to HIA, there remains a lack of transparent, consistent and reproducible approaches and methods throughout themore » process. Findings indicate a need for further research and development on a number of fronts, including: 1) the nature of HIA triggers; 2) consistent scoping and stakeholder engagement approaches; 3) use of evidence and transparency of decision-making; 4) reproducibility of assessment methods; 5) monitoring and evaluation protocols; and, 6) integration within existing regulatory frameworks. Addressing these issues will aid in advancing the more widespread use of HIA in Canada. - Highlights: • Reviewed current state of practice in the field of HIA • Identified key obstacles and opportunities for HIA advancement • Major issues include lack of consistent approach and methodology. • No national regulatory driver hinders opportunity for widespread use of HIA. • Identified research opportunities vital to developing HIA practice in Canada.« less

  7. Fiducial marker application method for position alignment of in situ multimodal X-ray experiments and reconstructions

    DOE PAGES

    Shade, Paul A.; Menasche, David B.; Bernier, Joel V.; ...

    2016-03-01

    An evolving suite of X-ray characterization methods are presently available to the materials community, providing a great opportunity to gain new insight into material behavior and provide critical validation data for materials models. Two critical and related issues are sample repositioning during anin situexperiment and registration of multiple data sets after the experiment. To address these issues, a method is described which utilizes a focused ion-beam scanning electron microscope equipped with a micromanipulator to apply gold fiducial markers to samples for X-ray measurements. The method is demonstrated with a synchrotron X-ray experiment involvingin situloading of a titanium alloy tensile specimen.

  8. 7 CFR 550.41 - Federally-owned property.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... of the property by alternative methods (e.g., the authority provided by the Federal Technology... in accordance with Executive Order 12999, “Education technology: ensuring Opportunity for all children in the next century.” Appropriate instructions shall be issued to the Cooperator by the REE Agency. ...

  9. 7 CFR 550.41 - Federally-owned property.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... of the property by alternative methods (e.g., the authority provided by the Federal Technology... in accordance with Executive Order 12999, “Education technology: ensuring Opportunity for all children in the next century.” Appropriate instructions shall be issued to the Cooperator by the REE Agency. ...

  10. 7 CFR 550.41 - Federally-owned property.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... of the property by alternative methods (e.g., the authority provided by the Federal Technology... in accordance with Executive Order 12999, “Education technology: ensuring Opportunity for all children in the next century.” Appropriate instructions shall be issued to the Cooperator by the REE Agency. ...

  11. 7 CFR 550.41 - Federally-owned property.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... of the property by alternative methods (e.g., the authority provided by the Federal Technology... in accordance with Executive Order 12999, “Education technology: ensuring Opportunity for all children in the next century.” Appropriate instructions shall be issued to the Cooperator by the REE Agency. ...

  12. 7 CFR 550.41 - Federally-owned property.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... of the property by alternative methods (e.g., the authority provided by the Federal Technology... in accordance with Executive Order 12999, “Education technology: ensuring Opportunity for all children in the next century.” Appropriate instructions shall be issued to the Cooperator by the REE Agency. ...

  13. Merging Educational Finance Reform and Desegregation Goals.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kazal-Thresher, Deborah M.

    1993-01-01

    Educational finance reforms and desegregation have both sought to address inequities in educational opportunities for minorities and low income families. The recent methods of addressing desegregation issues have tended to focus on attaining racial balance rather than educational quality, however. This paper explores how desegregation goals can be…

  14. Chapter 4: Assessing the Air Pollution, Greenhouse Gas, Air Quality, and Health Benefits of Clean Energy Initiatives

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Chapter 4 of Assessing the Multiple Benefits of Clean Energy helps state states understand the methods, models, opportunities, and issues associated with assessing the GHG, air pollution, air quality, and human health benefits of clean energy options.

  15. Postsecondary Education Opportunity. The Mortenson Research Seminar on Public Policy Analysis of Opportunity for Postsecondary Education, 1996.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mortenson, Thomas G., Ed.

    1996-01-01

    This document is a collection of 12 issues of a monthly report on public policy and programs affecting postsecondary educational opportunity. Each issue contains two or three research articles analyzing postsecondary educational trends. Titles of articles include: "Students with Educational Disabilities"; "Bureau of Labor Statistics…

  16. Fire performance issues

    Treesearch

    S. M. Cramer; R. H. White

    1997-01-01

    The worldwide movement toward performance-based building codes is prompting the need for new computational methods to predict fire endurance of wood assemblies. Progress in the past twenty years in understanding fire endurance of individual solid wood components has been achieved in many different countries. The greatest opportunity for major advance in fire research...

  17. Cross-Cultural Simulations in Teacher Education: Developing Empathy and Understanding

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cruz, Barbara C.; Patterson, Jennifer

    2005-01-01

    Teacher training programs have recognized the importance of preparing future teachers for the unique opportunities and challenges that our multicultural societies and world provide. One method that is useful in sensitizing teachers to issues of diversity is cross-cultural simulations. By using kinesthetic and affective modes of learning,…

  18. Learning Gains and Response to Digital Lessons on Soil Genesis and Development

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Evolving computer technology offers opportunities for new online approaches in teaching methods and delivery. Well-designed online lessons should reinforce the critical need of the soil science discipline in today’s food, energy, and environmental issues, as well as meet the needs of the diverse cli...

  19. Law and Equal Rights for Educational Opportunity.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    White, Sharon

    Arguing violation of the equal protection clause of Federal and State constitutions, court actions in several States have challenged the method of financing public education. The issues raised concern interdistrict differentials in assessed valuation of properties. These differentials result in lower per-pupil funds for urban and rural districts…

  20. Managing hospital quality performance in two related areas: patient care and customer service.

    PubMed

    Dwore, R B

    1993-01-01

    The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization's new emphasis on continuous quality improvement provides hospitals with an opportunity to enhance both customer service as well as patient care. Both are expected by patients and delivered by providers. Patient care is the core product; customer service augments it by adding value and providing the opportunity for a competitive advantage. This article discusses issues for administrators to consider before including customer service as a component of continuous quality improvement and then presents methods for bringing about change.

  1. Challenges of CPD for physiotherapists working as lone practitioners in amputee rehabilitation.

    PubMed

    Cole, Mary Jane; Morris, Jane; Scammell, Amy

    2008-09-01

    The aim of this study was to explore the issues around continuing professional development (CPD) for physiotherapists working as lone practitioners in amputee rehabilitation in the United Kingdom (UK). Qualitative method using a phenomenological approach via one to one semi-structured interviews and thematic data analysis. Ten physiotherapists with responsibility for amputee rehabilitation working as lone practitioners in hospitals or specialist centres in the UK. CPD is valued and there is commitment towards the process. Current solutions are identified but there are frustrations around more structured CPD and organizational issues. These include inadequate access to learning opportunities, lack of professional feedback, insufficient time and limited learning skills. There are opportunities for improving CPD through organizational structures but specialist input is recommended to support lone practitioners and managers with the process, e.g., consultant or peripatetic therapists.

  2. 41 CFR 102-74.515 - Will the affected person or organization and the Federal agency buildings manager have an...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... or organization and the Federal agency buildings manager have an opportunity to state their positions... and the Federal agency buildings manager have an opportunity to state their positions on the issues... manager will have an opportunity to state their positions on the issues, both verbally and in writing. ...

  3. Opportunities for Small Geothermal Projects: Rural Power for Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Philippines

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Vimmerstedt, L.

    1998-11-30

    The objective of this report is to provide information on small geothermal project (less than 5 MW) opportunities in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Philippines. This overview of issues facing small geothermal projects is intended especially for those who are not already familiar with small geothermal opportunities. This is a summary of issues and opportunities and serves as a starting point in determining next steps to develop this market.

  4. 76 FR 21001 - Presquile National Wildlife Refuge, Chesterfield County, VA; Comprehensive Conservation Plan and...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-14

    ... impacts on natural resources; (4) Community relations and outreach issues and opportunities, such as tourism, and local economic impacts; and (5) Coordination and communication issues and opportunities with...

  5. Challenges and Opportunities of Big Data in Health Care: A Systematic Review

    PubMed Central

    Goswamy, Rishi; Raval, Yesha; Marawi, Sarah

    2016-01-01

    Background Big data analytics offers promise in many business sectors, and health care is looking at big data to provide answers to many age-related issues, particularly dementia and chronic disease management. Objective The purpose of this review was to summarize the challenges faced by big data analytics and the opportunities that big data opens in health care. Methods A total of 3 searches were performed for publications between January 1, 2010 and January 1, 2016 (PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar), and an assessment was made on content germane to big data in health care. From the results of the searches in research databases and Google Scholar (N=28), the authors summarized content and identified 9 and 14 themes under the categories Challenges and Opportunities, respectively. We rank-ordered and analyzed the themes based on the frequency of occurrence. Results The top challenges were issues of data structure, security, data standardization, storage and transfers, and managerial skills such as data governance. The top opportunities revealed were quality improvement, population management and health, early detection of disease, data quality, structure, and accessibility, improved decision making, and cost reduction. Conclusions Big data analytics has the potential for positive impact and global implications; however, it must overcome some legitimate obstacles. PMID:27872036

  6. Learning Gains and Response to Digital Lessons on Soil Genesis and Development

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mamo, Martha; Ippolito, James A.; Kettler, Timothy A.; Reuter, Ronald; McCallister, Dennis; Morner, Patricia; Husmann, Dann; Blankenship, Erin

    2011-01-01

    Evolving computer technology is offering opportunities for new online approaches in teaching methods and delivery. Well-designed web-based (online) lessons should reinforce the critical need of the soil science discipline in today's food, energy, and environmental issues, as well as meet the needs of the diverse clientele with interest in…

  7. Literary Education and Digital Learning: Methods and Technologies for Humanities Studies

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    van Peer, Willie, Ed.; Zyngier, Sonia, Ed.; Viana, Vander, Ed.

    2010-01-01

    Today's popularization of modern technologies has allowed literature specialists to access an array of new opportunities in the digital medium, which have brought about an equal number of challenges and questions. This book provides insight into the most relevant issues in literary education and digital learning. This unique reference fills a gap…

  8. School Nutrition Directors are Receptive to Web-Based Training Opportunities: A National Survey

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Zoellner, Jamie; Carr, Deborah H.

    2009-01-01

    Purpose/Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate school nutrition directors' (SNDs) previous experience with web-based training (WBT), interest in utilizing WBT within 14 functional areas, and logistical issues (time, price, educational credits, etc.) of developing and delivering WBT learning modules. Methods: A survey was developed…

  9. Monitoring International Interest in Transnational Academic Mobility to Australia: A Mixed-Method Approach

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hopkins, John L.

    2013-01-01

    In a recent study, the issue of transnational academic mobility of academic staff, considering moves to higher education institutions in Australia, was examined using a web-based portal that attracted interested parties from around the world with information about Australian academic career opportunities. Web analytics were used as the research…

  10. Challenges and Opportunities for Education about Dual Use Issues in the Life Sciences

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National Academies Press, 2011

    2011-01-01

    The Challenges and Opportunities for Education About Dual Use Issues in the Life Sciences workshop was held to engage the life sciences community on the particular security issues related to research with dual use potential. More than 60 participants from almost 30 countries took part and included practicing life scientists, bioethics and…

  11. Using Statistics to Explore Cross-Curricular and Social Issues Opportunities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Day, Lorraine

    2013-01-01

    The area of statistics is one in which teachers may be encouraged to make important links to other curriculum areas and social issues. Statistical literacy is a key component of being numerate and living as an informed citizen. The teaching of statistics provides an opportunity to inform and educate students about social issues and moral…

  12. The Impact of Positive and Negative Affect and Issue Framing on Issue Interpretation and Risk Taking.

    PubMed

    Mittal; Ross

    1998-12-01

    Two studies examined the influence of transient affective states and issue framing on issue interpretation and risk taking within the context of strategic decision making. In Study 1, participants in whom transient positive or negative affective states were induced by reading a short story showed systematic differences in issue interpretation and risk taking in a strategic decision making context. Compared to negative mood participants, those in a positive mood were more likely to interpret the strategic issue as an opportunity and displayed lower levels of risk taking. Study 2 replicated and extended these results by crossing affective states with threat and opportunity frames. Results showed that framing an issue (as a threat or an opportunity) had a stronger impact on issue interpretation among negative affect participants than among positive affect participants. Affective states also moderated the impact of issue framing on risk taking: the effect of framing on risk-taking was stronger under negative rather than positive affect. These results are interpreted via information-processing and motivational effects of affect on a decision maker. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

  13. The Issues of Sparsity in Providing Educational Opportunity in the State of Wyoming.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hobbs, Max E.

    Wyoming's funding programs for public education that relate to the issues of sparsity and the state's attempt to provide equal educational opportunity are reviewed. School district problems that relate to the issue of sparsity are also discussed. School district size in Wyoming ranges from the smallest district, by area, of 186 square miles to the…

  14. Additive Manufacturing of Nickel Superalloys: Opportunities for Innovation and Challenges Related to Qualification

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Babu, S. S.; Raghavan, N.; Raplee, J.; Foster, S. J.; Frederick, C.; Haines, M.; Dinwiddie, R.; Kirka, M. K.; Plotkowski, A.; Lee, Y.; Dehoff, R. R.

    2018-06-01

    Innovative designs for turbines can be achieved by advances in nickel-based superalloys and manufacturing methods, including the adoption of additive manufacturing. In this regard, selective electron beam melting (SEBM) and selective laser melting (SLM) of nickel-based superalloys do provide distinct advantages. Furthermore, the direct energy deposition (DED) processes can be used for repair and reclamation of nickel alloy components. The current paper explores opportunities for innovation and qualification challenges with respect to deployment of AM as a disruptive manufacturing technology. In the first part of the paper, fundamental correlations of processing parameters to defect tendency and microstructure evolution will be explored using DED process. In the second part of the paper, opportunities for innovation in terms of site-specific control of microstructure during processing will be discussed. In the third part of the paper, challenges in qualification of AM parts for service will be discussed and potential methods to alleviate these issues through in situ process monitoring, and big data analytics are proposed.

  15. Instructional Scaffolds for Learning from Formative Peer Assessment: Effects of Core Task, Peer Feedback, and Dialogue

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Deiglmayr, Anne

    2018-01-01

    Formative peer assessment is an instructional method that offers many opportunities to foster students' learning with respect to both the domain of the core task and students' assessment skills. The contributions to this special issue effectively address earlier calls for more research into instructional scaffolds and the implementation of…

  16. Business Languages: Teaching Culture through a Regional Focus.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Novack, Frances

    One method used to examine a target culture is to focus on a single region of a target language country, approaching all the issues normally raised in a culture class through the perspective of that region. The coherence this adds to class activities and overall class structure, the manageability of topics, and the opportunity to work with a range…

  17. User-Centered Design Guidelines for Collaborative Software for Intelligence Analysis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Scholtz, Jean; Endert, Alexander N.

    In this position paper we discuss the necessity of using User-Centered Design (UCD) methods in order to design collaborative software for the intelligence community. We present some standing issues in collaborative software based on existing work within the intelligence community. Based on this information we present opportunities to address some of these challenges.

  18. From Experience to Summit or Vice Versa? Netnography Study on a Virtual Community of Mountaineering

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kaya, Sabri; Argan, Metin; Yetim, Gözde

    2017-01-01

    Virtual communities have been a significant channel for people to share their feelings and experiences regarding a special issue. The combination of ethnography and the internet offers the opportunity for new methods of research that can potentially reach a broad audience in the online world. Thus, netnography, a combination of internet and…

  19. Second Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Space Applications

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dollman, Thomas (Compiler)

    1988-01-01

    The proceedings of the conference are presented. This second conference on Artificial Intelligence for Space Applications brings together a diversity of scientific and engineering work and is intended to provide an opportunity for those who employ AI methods in space applications to identify common goals and to discuss issues of general interest in the AI community.

  20. Cyber-Management of People with Chronic Disease: A Potential Solution to eHealth Challenges

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Laakso, E-Liisa; Armstrong, Kylie; Usher, Wayne

    2012-01-01

    The evolving eHealth agenda presents a range of potential opportunities for the management and prevention of chronic disease. This paper identifies issues and barriers to the uptake of eHealth and describes a strategy ("Healthy Outcomes for Australians"[C]-HOFA) for creating a central knowledge filter and cyber space method for tracking…

  1. Argumentation and Indigenous Knowledge: Socio-Historical Influences in Contextualizing an Argumentation Model in South African Schools

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gallard Martinez, Alejandro J.

    2011-01-01

    This forum considers argumentation as a means of science teaching in South African schools, through the integration of indigenous knowledge (IK). It addresses issues raised in Mariana G. Hewson and Meshach B. Ogunniyi's paper entitled: Argumentation-teaching as a method to introduce indigenous knowledge into science classrooms: opportunities and…

  2. Older Workers: An Opportunity to Expand the Long-Term Care/Direct Care Labor Force

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hwalek, Melanie; Straub, Victoria; Kosniewski, Karen

    2008-01-01

    Purpose: This study examined issues related to using older workers in frontline jobs in long-term care from employers' and prospective employees' perspectives. Design and Methods: Telephone surveys were conducted with employers representing 615 nursing homes and 410 home health agencies, and 1,091 low-income participants aged 40+ in Operation ABLE…

  3. Internet Use, Risks and Online Behaviour: The View of Internet Users with Intellectual Disabilities and Their Caregivers

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Chiner, Esther; Gómez-Puerta, Marcos; Cardona-Moltó, María Cristina

    2017-01-01

    Background: Internet offers opportunities to people with intellectual disabilities, but it also involves some risks. The aim of this study was to explore these issues considering caregivers and people with intellectual disabilities' perspectives. Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. The sample consisted of 77…

  4. Using speed dating sessions to foster collaboration in continuing interdisciplinary education.

    PubMed

    Laprise, Réjean; Thivierge, Robert L

    2012-01-01

    There are numerous examples of care gaps that could be reduced through enhanced knowledge exchange and practice collaboration between medical specialist physicians. In this paper, we report preliminary results on using speed-dating sessions (SDSs) to stimulate the development of continuing interdisciplinary education (CIDE) activities. In 2007, a 35-minute SDS was carried out during a 2-hour faculty development workshop to provide continuing medical education (CME) directors of Quebec's 35 medical specialist associations with a formal opportunity to quickly share clinical issues and goals. A post-workshop survey was used to assess participants' satisfaction and whether they had met new colleagues, learned about interdisciplinary issues, and discovered opportunities for collaboration. CME accreditation files were audited to assess the occurrence of CIDE activities in the year prior and the 2 years that followed the workshop. CME directors were called to assess whether the development of these activities was directly attributable to their participation in the SDS. CME directors of 26 specialist physician associations attended the faculty development workshop. The vast majority of survey respondents (n = 18/20) were satisfied with the SDS and believed that this method was a stimulating and efficient way to meet new colleagues, quickly share clinical issues and goals, learn about unexpected but important interdisciplinary issues, and identify opportunities for CIDE collaboration. Sixty percent (12/20) reported having identified at least 1 opportunity for collaboration that was worth pursuing in the near future, and 19% of attending CME directors (5/26) developed a CIDE activity within 2 years, as compared with none in the previous year and for the 9 nonparticipating associations. Results suggest that SDSs enhanced networking, knowledge exchange, and collaboration in continuing education among CME providers who participated in a faculty development activity on CIDE. Copyright © 2012 The Alliance for Continuing Education in the Health Professions, the Society for Academic Continuing Medical Education, and the Council on CME, Association for Hospital Medical Education.

  5. Coaching: a different approach to the nursing dilemma.

    PubMed

    Stedman, Martha E; Nolan, Thomas L

    2007-01-01

    While the current nursing shortage continues, many new approaches from sign-on bonuses to "fast track training" are being suggested and implemented to ameliorate the situation. Yet, even with these expanded opportunities turnover is still too high. Recent studies suggest embedded factors called fit, links, and sacrifice exist between the employer and employees including nurses that account for current employees staying on their job. Creating a better understanding of embedded issues and creating an open but confidential environment to deal with conflict issues and job problems is suggested as a way to reduce turnover. A specific issue such as an unfavorable job assignment or more complex issues such as unmet expectations can cause conflict and job dissatisfaction. It is suggested that a coaching model can be used to understand the issues that create conflict and provide a method for resolution of job dissatisfaction.

  6. Building a COTS archive for satellite data

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Singer, Ken; Terril, Dave; Kelly, Jack; Nichols, Cathy

    1994-01-01

    The goal of the NOAA/NESDIS Active Archive was to provide a method of access to an online archive of satellite data. The archive had to manage and store the data, let users interrogate the archive, and allow users to retrieve data from the archive. Practical issues of the system design such as implementation time, cost and operational support were examined in addition to the technical issues. There was a fixed window of opportunity to create an operational system, along with budget and staffing constraints. Therefore, the technical solution had to be designed and implemented subject to constraint imposed by the practical issues. The NOAA/NESDIS Active Archive came online in July of 1994, meeting all of its original objectives.

  7. Defense Acquisition Review Journal. Volume 17, Number 2, Issue 54

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-04-01

    CommunityBrowser.aspx?id=24530&lang=en-US Bryman , A. (1984). The debate about quantitative and qualitative research : A question of method or...changes in the DoD’s structure— indeed, the organization’s very way of “doing business ”—will prove a daunting task. The rationale for the research ...an opportunity to provide leadership training at the entry- and mid-levels to the AT&L Workforce? Method This article’s research question involves

  8. DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Mauel, M. E.; Greenwald, Martin; Ryutov, Dmitri D.

    Here, the Journal of Fusion Energy provides a forum for discussion of broader policy and planning issues that play a crucial role in energy fusion programs. In keeping with this purpose and in response to several recent strategic planning efforts worldwide, this Special Issue on Strategic Opportunities was launched with the goal to invite fusion scientists and engineers to record viewpoints of the scientific opportunities and policy issues that can drive continued advancements in fusion energy research.

  9. Surface Modeling, Grid Generation, and Related Issues in Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) Solutions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Choo, Yung K. (Compiler)

    1995-01-01

    The NASA Steering Committee for Surface Modeling and Grid Generation (SMAGG) sponsored a workshop on surface modeling, grid generation, and related issues in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solutions at Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, May 9-11, 1995. The workshop provided a forum to identify industry needs, strengths, and weaknesses of the five grid technologies (patched structured, overset structured, Cartesian, unstructured, and hybrid), and to exchange thoughts about where each technology will be in 2 to 5 years. The workshop also provided opportunities for engineers and scientists to present new methods, approaches, and applications in SMAGG for CFD. This Conference Publication (CP) consists of papers on industry overview, NASA overview, five grid technologies, new methods/ approaches/applications, and software systems.

  10. Setting up a horizon scanning system: a U.S. federal agency example

    Treesearch

    Andy Hines; David N. Bengston; Michael J. Dockry; Adam Cowart

    2018-01-01

    Managers and policy makers are continually working toward a desired future within a context of rapid and turbulent change. To be effective in this context, they must look ahead to anticipate emerging trends, issues, opportunities, and threats. Horizon scanning is a foresight method that can help managers and policy makers develop and maintain a broad and externally...

  11. Institutional Expectations, Opportunities, and Interest in the Professoriate: A Mixed-Methods Examination of Satisfaction among Doctoral Students in Social Work

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shapiro, Valerie B.; Hudson, Kimberly D.; Downey, Margaret Mary

    2017-01-01

    This article explores doctoral student satisfaction as related to interest in the professoriate and as influenced by issues of social justice, according to a national student survey. Results indicate that 85% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their doctoral education. Most satisfying aspects were individualization or…

  12. The Increasing Availability of Official Datasets: Methods, Limitations and Opportunities for Studies of Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gorard, Stephen

    2012-01-01

    The re-use of existing and official data has a very long and largely honourable history in education and social science. The principal change in the 60 years since the first issue of the "British Journal of Educational Studies" has been the increasing range, availability and quality of existing numeric datasets. New and valuable fields…

  13. 75 FR 12563 - Patuxent Research Refuge, Anne Arundel and Prince George's Counties, MD

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-03-16

    ... breadth and quality of programs, public access, user conflicts, and use impacts on natural resources; (4... staffing needs; (5) Community relations and outreach issues and opportunities, such as tourism, and local economic impacts; and (6) Coordination and communication issues and opportunities with other Service...

  14. National Standards and Education Reform.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kiernan, Henry, Ed.; Pyne, John, Ed.

    1993-01-01

    This theme issue of "The Docket" is devoted to national standards and their effects on education reform. National standards may provide the first real opportunity for schools to address the issues of student assessment and achievement. As the touchstone for educational equity, they may be the first real opportunity for teachers to…

  15. Teaching Culture: The Challenges and Opportunities of International Public Relations.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    George, Amiso M.

    2003-01-01

    Focuses on the challenges and opportunities for international public relations practice. Looks at current United States-Arab relations issues in international crisis communication. Discusses those issues, especially the role of culture and media. Proposes strategies including a case study that teachers can use to help students become effective…

  16. You've Been Served: Surviving a Deposition

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wodarz, Nan

    2010-01-01

    School business managers are in the unique position of supervising the areas of the operation that present the greatest opportunities for legal issues to arise. New construction and renovation projects are strewn with legal land mines. The possibility of lawsuits hovers like a black cloud over personnel issues. Opportunities for transportation or…

  17. Opportunity to discuss ethical issues during clinical learning experience.

    PubMed

    Palese, Alvisa; Gonella, Silvia; Destrebecq, Anne; Mansutti, Irene; Terzoni, Stefano; Morsanutto, Michela; Altini, Pietro; Bevilacqua, Anita; Brugnolli, Anna; Canzan, Federica; Ponte, Adriana Dal; De Biasio, Laura; Fascì, Adriana; Grosso, Silvia; Mantovan, Franco; Marognolli, Oliva; Nicotera, Raffaela; Randon, Giulia; Tollini, Morena; Saiani, Luisa; Grassetti, Luca; Dimonte, Valerio

    2018-01-01

    Undergraduate nursing students have been documented to experience ethical distress during their clinical training and felt poorly supported in discussing the ethical issues they encountered. Research aims: This study was aimed at exploring nursing students' perceived opportunity to discuss ethical issues that emerged during their clinical learning experience and associated factors. An Italian national cross-sectional study design was performed in 2015-2016. Participants were invited to answer a questionnaire composed of four sections regarding: (1) socio-demographic data, (2) previous clinical learning experiences, (3) current clinical learning experience quality and outcomes, and (4) the opportunity to discuss ethical issues with nurses in the last clinical learning experience (from 0 - 'never' to 3 - 'very much'). Participants and research context: Participants were 9607 undergraduate nursing students who were attending 95 different three-year Italian baccalaureate nursing programmes, located at 27 universities in 15 Italian regions. Ethical considerations: This study was conducted in accordance with the Human Subject Research Ethics Committee guidelines after the research protocol was approved by an ethics committee. Overall, 4707 (49%) perceived to have discussed ethical issues 'much' or 'very much'; among the remaining, 3683 (38.3%) and 1217 (12.7%) students reported the perception of having discussed, respectively, 'enough' or 'never' ethical issues emerged in the clinical practice. At the multivariate logistic regression analysis explaining 38.1% of the overall variance, the factors promoting ethical discussion were mainly set at the clinical learning environment levels (i.e. increased learning opportunities, self-directed learning, safety and nursing care quality, quality of the tutorial strategies, competences learned and supervision by a clinical nurse). In contrast, being male was associated with a perception of less opportunity to discuss ethical issues. Nursing faculties should assess the clinical environment prerequisites of the settings as a context of student experience before deciding on their accreditation. Moreover, the nursing faculty and nurse managers should also enhance competence with regard to discussing ethical issues with students among clinical nurses by identifying factors that hinder this learning opportunity in daily practice.

  18. Discourse, ideas and power in global health policy networks: political attention for maternal and child health in the millennium development goal era.

    PubMed

    McDougall, Lori

    2016-05-18

    Maternal and child health issues have gained global political attention and resources in the past 10 years, due in part to their prominence on the Millennium Development Goal agenda and the use of evidence-based advocacy by policy networks. This paper identifies key factors for this achievement, and raises questions about prospective challenges for sustaining attention in the transition to the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals, far broader in scope than the Millennium Development Goals. This paper relies on participant observation methods and document analysis to develop a case study of the behaviours of global maternal and child health advocacy networks during 2005-2015. The development of coordinated networks of heterogeneous actors facilitated the rise in attention to maternal and child health during the past 10 years. The strategic use of epidemiological and economic evidence by these networks enabled policy attention and promoted network cohesion. The time-bound opportunity of reaching the 2015 Millennium Development Goals created a window of opportunity for joint action. As the new post-2015 goals emerge, networks seek to sustain attention by repositioning their framing of issues, network structures, and external alliances, including with networks that lay both inside and outside of the health domain. Issues rise on global policy agendas because of how ideas are constructed, portrayed and positioned by actors within given contexts. Policy networks play a critical role by uniting stakeholders to promote persuasive ideas about policy problems and solutions. The behaviours of networks in issue-framing, member-alignment, and strategic outreach can force open windows of opportunity for political attention -- or prevent them from closing.

  19. Defense Acquisition Review Journal. Volume 17, Number 2, Issue 54. Achieving Excellence in a Changing Acquisition Environment

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2010-04-01

    CommunityBrowser.aspx?id=24530&lang=en-US Bryman , A. (1984). The debate about quantitative and qualitative research : A question of method or...in the DoD’s structure— indeed, the organization’s very way of “doing business ”—will prove a daunting task. The rationale for the research ...opportunity to provide leadership training at the entry- and mid-levels to the AT&L Workforce? Method This article’s research question involves the

  20. A creative arts intervention for children with diabetes. Part 2: evaluation.

    PubMed

    Basso, Robert V J; Pelech, William James

    2008-12-01

    In Part 1 of this article (published in the October 2008 issue), we discussed the importance of using creative arts skits as an expressive technique for children with Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes. This creative arts intervention offers children the opportunity to decipher emotional difficulties through symbolic play in a secure atmosphere. Analysis of feelings following the skits encourages children to share concerns about their illnesses as well as self-concept issues. In Part 2, we use the case study method to demonstrate the benefits of creative arts skits for children with diabetes.

  1. Using critical ethnography to explore issues among immigrant and refugee women seeking help for postpartum depression.

    PubMed

    O'Mahony, Joyce Maureen; Donnelly, Tam Truong; Este, Dave; Bouchal, Shelley Raffin

    2012-11-01

    Critical ethnography was used as a pragmatic research methodology to explore the postpartum depression (PPD) experiences of immigrant and refugee women. We examined the social, political, economic, and historical factors that affected the help-seeking behavior of these women during PPD episodes. The critical ethnography method allowed participants to share their experiences with each other and afforded opportunities to the researchers to acknowledge and validate, rather than simply observe and record, their testimony. This study of PPD thus increased our awareness and understanding of the health issues of immigrant and refugee women.

  2. Proposals Relating to Increasing Housing Opportunities for Homeless Persons. Discussion Paper 91-1.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rose, Laura; Matthias, Mary

    This paper provides a basis for discussion of housing proposals relating to increasing housing opportunities for homeless persons in Wisconsin. Six major topics relating to housing for homeless and potentially homeless persons are presented. Issues are listed under each topic. For each issue, background information is provided and alternatives for…

  3. The World Coal Quality Inventory (WoCQI)

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Finkelman, Robert B.; Lovern, Vivian S.

    2001-01-01

    The Issue Policymakers around the world require accurate information on coal, particularly information on coal properties and characteristics, to make informed decisions regarding the best use of indigenous resources, international import needs and export opportunities, domestic and foreign policy objectives, technology transfer opportunities, foreign investment prospects, environmental and health assessments, and byproduct use and disposal issues.

  4. A Microeconomic Approach to the Issue of Quality in the Teaching Force.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kim, Hye-Sook

    This study approaches the issue of quality in the teaching force using a microeconomic framework that applies the concept of "opportunity cost." As teaching is a low-paid profession, accepting a teaching position may be associated with high opportunity costs (foregone benefits) for more academically talented college students because they could…

  5. Logistical Challenges and Opportunities for Conducting Peer Nomination Research in Schools.

    PubMed

    Mayeux, Lara; Kraft, Caroline

    2017-09-01

    Although conducting psychological research within schools has always required effort, persistence, and the careful navigation of various interests, there is a consensus among child and adolescent researchers that, over the past 2 decades, it has become increasingly difficult to collect data within schools. In this chapter, we lay out common and consistent difficulties, frustrations, and obstacles that researchers face when attempting to conduct peer nomination research in schools. Many of these difficulties are faced not only by researchers conducting peer nominations but by any investigator attempting to do school-based research, and we discuss these issues more broadly. We also focus on the specific challenges associated with sociometric methods. We present suggestions and solutions for overcoming these issues and consider ways that researchers can give back to schools and establish long-term partnerships that benefit the students, teachers, and administrators of participating schools, as well as the researchers themselves. Such partnerships have the potential to make data collection easier and to open doors to new research opportunities. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  6. Ethics and Regulatory Challenges and Opportunities in Patient-Centered Comparative Effectiveness Research.

    PubMed

    Sugarman, Jeremy

    2016-04-01

    The Affordable Care Act includes provisions for the conduct of large-scale, patient-centered comparative effectiveness research. Such efforts aim toward the laudable moral goal of having evidence to improve health care decision making. Nevertheless, these pragmatic clinical research efforts that typically pose minimal incremental risk and are enmeshed in routine care settings perhaps surprisingly encounter an array of ethics and regulatory challenges and opportunities for academic health centers. An emphasis on patient-centeredness forces an examination of the appropriateness of traditional methods used to protect the rights, interests, and welfare of participants. At the same time, meaningful collaboration with patients throughout the research process also necessitates ensuring that novel approaches to research (including recruitment and consent) entail necessary protections regarding such issues as privacy. As the scientific and logistical aspects of this research are being developed, substantial attention is being focused on the accompanying ethics and regulatory issues that have emerged, which should help to facilitate ethically appropriate research in a variety of contexts.

  7. Informing watershed connectivity barrier prioritization decisions: A synthesis

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    McKay, S. K.; Cooper, A. R.; Diebel, M.W.; Elkins, D.; Oldford, G.; Roghair, C.; Wieferich, Daniel J.

    2017-01-01

    Water resources and transportation infrastructure such as dams and culverts provide countless socio-economic benefits; however, this infrastructure can also disconnect the movement of organisms, sediment, and water through river ecosystems. Trade-offs associated with these competing costs and benefits occur globally, with applications in barrier addition (e.g. dam and road construction), reengineering (e.g. culvert repair), and removal (e.g. dam removal and aging infrastructure). Barrier prioritization provides a unique opportunity to: (i) restore and reconnect potentially large habitat patches quickly and effectively and (ii) avoid impacts prior to occurrence in line with the mitigation hierarchy (i.e. avoid then minimize then mitigate). This paper synthesizes 46 watershed-scale barrier planning studies and presents a procedure to guide barrier prioritization associated with connectivity for aquatic organisms. We focus on practical issues informing prioritization studies such as available data sets, methods, techniques, and tools. We conclude with a discussion of emerging trends and issues in barrier prioritization and key opportunities for enhancing the body of knowledge.

  8. Let their voices be heard: empowering women in the fight against AIDS.

    PubMed

    Ankrah, E M

    1995-11-01

    By the year 2000, it is projected that more than 13 million women will be infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and 4 million will have died from acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). By the end of the century, HIV transmission rates for women are expected to exceed those for men--a major shift from 1985, when the male/female ratio was 10:1. AIDS overlaps the most pressing issues for the international women's movement: domestic violence, trafficking of girls and young women, reproductive health, educational and economic opportunities, and equality under the law. Issues of gender-based power and control have been central to the escalating HIV rates among women. Limited access to economic resources and fear of violence force many women to yield control over sexual relations to men. Without a preventive method they can control, even monogamous married women are at risk of acquiring HIV from their husbands. Universal behavior change strategies such as consistent condom use bypass the issue of who controls the decision to practice safe sex. Needed are AIDS prevention strategies based in the concept of empowerment that help women to gain control over their economic, social, and sexual lives. Such programs would include economic opportunity to reduce women's dependence, social and political advancement to raise women's status, and female-controlled HIV preventive methods. As approaches designed by and for women become a part of standard AIDS programming, women will at last have a face and voice in the struggle against AIDS.

  9. A rapid assessment and response approach for socially marketed nutrition commodities in Viet Nam.

    PubMed

    Turk, Tahir; Quang, Nguyen Dinh; Nga, Tran Thuy; Phuong, Huynh; Tung, Le Van Anh; Trang, Vu Hoang

    2017-01-01

    The leading cause of death in children in developing countries is protein-energy malnutrition. In Viet Nam, 25.9% of children under 5 experience stunted growth and 6.6% are moderately wasted. Iron deficiency anaemia and vitamin A deficiency contribute to these and other malnutrition conditions. Given these factors, more evidence based approaches are required to improve understanding of current attitudes, opinions and behaviours of mothers with young children, in order to operationalise social marketing of nutrition commodities in Viet Nam. A literature review supported a rapid assessment and response method involving semi-structured interviews with 77 stakeholders and focus group discussions with 80 program beneficiaries from four geographic locations in the north and south of Viet Nam. Discussion agendas were developed to address key program issues with grounded theory utilized for data analysis. Data analysis highlighted challenges and opportunities within the six Ps of social marketing: Supply and demand side issues included: cost and the quality of products, the limited scale of interventions and promotional activities. Policy issues identified related to current policies that inhibited the broader promotion and distribution of micronutrient products, and opportunities for improved dialogue with policy partners. Partnerships further emphasized the need for public private partnerships to support the social change process. Implications for theory, policy, and practice indicates that rapid assessment and response is a cost-effective, pragmatic method of public health research, in resource constrained settings, to explore policies and behaviours amenable to change and build stakeholder engagement in the program.

  10. Developing and Implementing Inquiry-Based, Water Quality Laboratory Experiments for High School Students to Explore Real Environmental Issues Using Analytical Chemistry

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mandler, Daphna; Blonder, Ron; Yayon, Malka; Mamlok-Naaman, Rachel; Hofstein, Avi

    2014-01-01

    This paper describes the rationale and the implementation of five laboratory experiments; four of them, intended for high-school students, are inquiry-based activities that explore the quality of water. The context of water provides students with an opportunity to study the importance of analytical methods and how they influence our everyday…

  11. Models of Integrating Physical Therapists into Family Health Teams in Ontario, Canada: Challenges and Opportunities

    PubMed Central

    Mandoda, Shilpa; Landry, Michel D.

    2011-01-01

    ABSTRACT Purpose: To explore the potential for different models of incorporating physical therapy (PT) services within the emerging network of family health teams (FHTs) in Ontario and to identify challenges and opportunities of each model. Methods: A two-phase mixed-methods qualitative descriptive approach was used. First, FHTs were mapped in relation to existing community-based PT practices. Second, semi-structured key-informant interviews were conducted with representatives from urban and rural FHTs and from a variety of community-based PT practices. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using a categorizing/editing approach. Results: Most participants agreed that the ideal model involves embedding physical therapists directly into FHTs; in some situations, however, partnering with an existing external PT provider may be more feasible and sustainable. Access and funding remain the key issues, regardless of the model adopted. Conclusion: Although there are differences across the urban/rural divide, there exist opportunities to enhance and optimize existing delivery models so as to improve client access and address emerging demand for community-based PT services. PMID:22654231

  12. Reflections on Teaching App Inventor for Non-Beginner Programmers: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Soares, Andrey

    2014-01-01

    App Inventor has been used successfully to teach introduction to programming course for CS/IS/IT and Non-CS majors. Now, researchers are looking on how to include the tool in the curriculum of more advanced computing courses. This paper presents some Issues, Challenges and Opportunities observed while teaching courses on Mobile Application…

  13. Ending College Remediation: Consequences for Access and Opportunity. Policy Brief. ASHE/Lumina Fellows Series. Issue 2

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Parker, Tara L.

    2007-01-01

    To what extent does eliminating remedial education impede or facilitate the opportunity to earn bachelor's degrees for underprepared students? Educating underprepared students is often viewed as one of the most challenging and complex issues facing higher education today. Recent policy decisions to end remedial education, however, signify a much…

  14. Tranquility and challenge in the natural environment

    Treesearch

    Stephen Kaplan

    1977-01-01

    The issue of clarity is perhaps most urgent and powerful for the adolescent. One interesting route to clarity is through challenge and fascination. People have powerful reactions to certain environmental patterns, although they may not be aware of them if they have not had the opportunity to experience them. Having such an opportunity at a time when issues of identity...

  15. Public Deliberation: The Kettering Foundation's Experience and Opportunities for the Engaged University

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Muse, William V.

    2009-01-01

    The National Issues Forums Institute (NIFI), launched by the Kettering Foundation in 1980, provides an opportunity for the engaged university to foster public deliberation with its students and alumni, as well as leaders in the communities where it operates. NIFI publishes three issue books per year on topics of national importance. These…

  16. Education Issues Raised by S.744: The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Murphy, Garrett

    2014-01-01

    This brief report summarizes the requirements for undocumented immigrants set forth by the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act (S.744). Assuming that S.744 will move forward in Congress, the report also examines issues having to do with certain language, civics and government, and education/training provisions…

  17. Brain Imaging, Forward Inference, and Theories of Reasoning

    PubMed Central

    Heit, Evan

    2015-01-01

    This review focuses on the issue of how neuroimaging studies address theoretical accounts of reasoning, through the lens of the method of forward inference (Henson, 2005, 2006). After theories of deductive and inductive reasoning are briefly presented, the method of forward inference for distinguishing between psychological theories based on brain imaging evidence is critically reviewed. Brain imaging studies of reasoning, comparing deductive and inductive arguments, comparing meaningful versus non-meaningful material, investigating hemispheric localization, and comparing conditional and relational arguments, are assessed in light of the method of forward inference. Finally, conclusions are drawn with regard to future research opportunities. PMID:25620926

  18. Intelligent monitoring and control of semiconductor manufacturing equipment

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Murdock, Janet L.; Hayes-Roth, Barbara

    1991-01-01

    The use of AI methods to monitor and control semiconductor fabrication in a state-of-the-art manufacturing environment called the Rapid Thermal Multiprocessor is described. Semiconductor fabrication involves many complex processing steps with limited opportunities to measure process and product properties. By applying additional process and product knowledge to that limited data, AI methods augment classical control methods by detecting abnormalities and trends, predicting failures, diagnosing, planning corrective action sequences, explaining diagnoses or predictions, and reacting to anomalous conditions that classical control systems typically would not correct. Research methodology and issues are discussed, and two diagnosis scenarios are examined.

  19. Brain imaging, forward inference, and theories of reasoning.

    PubMed

    Heit, Evan

    2014-01-01

    This review focuses on the issue of how neuroimaging studies address theoretical accounts of reasoning, through the lens of the method of forward inference (Henson, 2005, 2006). After theories of deductive and inductive reasoning are briefly presented, the method of forward inference for distinguishing between psychological theories based on brain imaging evidence is critically reviewed. Brain imaging studies of reasoning, comparing deductive and inductive arguments, comparing meaningful versus non-meaningful material, investigating hemispheric localization, and comparing conditional and relational arguments, are assessed in light of the method of forward inference. Finally, conclusions are drawn with regard to future research opportunities.

  20. A horizon scan of future threats and opportunities for pollinators and pollination.

    PubMed

    Brown, Mark J F; Dicks, Lynn V; Paxton, Robert J; Baldock, Katherine C R; Barron, Andrew B; Chauzat, Marie-Pierre; Freitas, Breno M; Goulson, Dave; Jepsen, Sarina; Kremen, Claire; Li, Jilian; Neumann, Peter; Pattemore, David E; Potts, Simon G; Schweiger, Oliver; Seymour, Colleen L; Stout, Jane C

    2016-01-01

    Background. Pollinators, which provide the agriculturally and ecologically essential service of pollination, are under threat at a global scale. Habitat loss and homogenisation, pesticides, parasites and pathogens, invasive species, and climate change have been identified as past and current threats to pollinators. Actions to mitigate these threats, e.g., agri-environment schemes and pesticide-use moratoriums, exist, but have largely been applied post-hoc. However, future sustainability of pollinators and the service they provide requires anticipation of potential threats and opportunities before they occur, enabling timely implementation of policy and practice to prevent, rather than mitigate, further pollinator declines. Methods.Using a horizon scanning approach we identified issues that are likely to impact pollinators, either positively or negatively, over the coming three decades. Results.Our analysis highlights six high priority, and nine secondary issues. High priorities are: (1) corporate control of global agriculture, (2) novel systemic pesticides, (3) novel RNA viruses, (4) the development of new managed pollinators, (5) more frequent heatwaves and drought under climate change, and (6) the potential positive impact of reduced chemical use on pollinators in non-agricultural settings. Discussion. While current pollinator management approaches are largely driven by mitigating past impacts, we present opportunities for pre-emptive practice, legislation, and policy to sustainably manage pollinators for future generations.

  1. A horizon scan of future threats and opportunities for pollinators and pollination

    PubMed Central

    Dicks, Lynn V.; Paxton, Robert J.; Baldock, Katherine C.R.; Barron, Andrew B.; Chauzat, Marie-Pierre; Freitas, Breno M.; Goulson, Dave; Jepsen, Sarina; Kremen, Claire; Li, Jilian; Neumann, Peter; Pattemore, David E.; Potts, Simon G.; Schweiger, Oliver; Seymour, Colleen L.; Stout, Jane C.

    2016-01-01

    Background. Pollinators, which provide the agriculturally and ecologically essential service of pollination, are under threat at a global scale. Habitat loss and homogenisation, pesticides, parasites and pathogens, invasive species, and climate change have been identified as past and current threats to pollinators. Actions to mitigate these threats, e.g., agri-environment schemes and pesticide-use moratoriums, exist, but have largely been applied post-hoc. However, future sustainability of pollinators and the service they provide requires anticipation of potential threats and opportunities before they occur, enabling timely implementation of policy and practice to prevent, rather than mitigate, further pollinator declines. Methods.Using a horizon scanning approach we identified issues that are likely to impact pollinators, either positively or negatively, over the coming three decades. Results.Our analysis highlights six high priority, and nine secondary issues. High priorities are: (1) corporate control of global agriculture, (2) novel systemic pesticides, (3) novel RNA viruses, (4) the development of new managed pollinators, (5) more frequent heatwaves and drought under climate change, and (6) the potential positive impact of reduced chemical use on pollinators in non-agricultural settings. Discussion. While current pollinator management approaches are largely driven by mitigating past impacts, we present opportunities for pre-emptive practice, legislation, and policy to sustainably manage pollinators for future generations. PMID:27602260

  2. Science education as a civil right: Urban schools and opportunity-to-learn considerations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tate, William

    2001-11-01

    In this article I make the case that urban science education is a civil rights issue and that to effectively address it as such we must shift from arguments for civil rights as shared physical space in schools to demands for high-quality academic preparation that includes the opportunity to learn science. The argument is organized into two sections: first, a review of the school desegregation literature to make the case that urban science education for all is a civil rights issue; and second, an examination and critique of opportunity-to-learn literature, including an analysis of three opportunity-to-learn constructs to illustrate their potential as civil rights tools in science education.

  3. An Appraisal of Social Network Theory and Analysis as Applied to Public Health: Challenges and Opportunities.

    PubMed

    Valente, Thomas W; Pitts, Stephanie R

    2017-03-20

    The use of social network theory and analysis methods as applied to public health has expanded greatly in the past decade, yielding a significant academic literature that spans almost every conceivable health issue. This review identifies several important theoretical challenges that confront the field but also provides opportunities for new research. These challenges include (a) measuring network influences, (b) identifying appropriate influence mechanisms, (c) the impact of social media and computerized communications, (d) the role of networks in evaluating public health interventions, and (e) ethics. Next steps for the field are outlined and the need for funding is emphasized. Recently developed network analysis techniques, technological innovations in communication, and changes in theoretical perspectives to include a focus on social and environmental behavioral influences have created opportunities for new theory and ever broader application of social networks to public health topics.

  4. Screening and detection of elder abuse: Research opportunities and lessons learned from emergency geriatric care, intimate partner violence, and child abuse.

    PubMed

    Beach, Scott R; Carpenter, Christopher R; Rosen, Tony; Sharps, Phyllis; Gelles, Richard

    2016-01-01

    This article provides an overview of elder abuse screening and detection methods for community-dwelling and institutionalized older adults, including general issues and challenges for the field. Then, discussions of applications in emergency geriatric care, intimate partner violence (IPV), and child abuse are presented to inform research opportunities in elder abuse screening. The article provides descriptions of emerging screening and detection methods and technologies from the emergency geriatric care and IPV fields. We also discuss the variety of potential barriers to effective screening and detection from the viewpoint of the older adult, caregivers, providers, and the health care system, and we highlight the potential harms and unintended negative consequences of increased screening and mandatory reporting. We argue that research should continue on the development of valid screening methods and tools, but that studies of perceived barriers and potential harms of elder abuse screening among key stakeholders should also be conducted.

  5. Medication adherence monitoring: implications for patients and providers.

    PubMed

    Gheorghiu, Bobby; Nayani, Seema

    2018-05-01

    Non-adherence to medication is a key worldwide issue and can lead to adverse patient outcomes and increased health system costs. Would a process facilitating notification of non-adherence infringe upon the autonomy of individuals or breach expectations of privacy? In contrast, patients who are not taking their medication could unknowingly be putting themselves at risk and all the while prescribers are unaware and without the opportunity to intervene. With the advent of electronic methods of medication adherence monitoring, this ethical dilemma now involves a new layer of complexity. We present two scenarios encountered in clinical practice that reflect issues occurring regularly in the Canadian healthcare system.

  6. The Commercial Challenges Of Pacs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vanden Brink, John A.

    1984-08-01

    The increasing use of digital imaging techniques create a need for improved methods of digital processing, communication and archiving. However, the commercial opportunity is dependent on the resolution of a number of issues. These issues include proof that digital processes are more cost effective than present techniques, implementation of information system support in the imaging activity, implementation of industry standards, conversion of analog images to digital formats, definition of clinical needs, the implications of the purchase decision and technology requirements. In spite of these obstacles, a market is emerging, served by new and existing companies, that may become a $500 million market (U.S.) by 1990 for equipment and supplies.

  7. Marketing considerations in home health care.

    PubMed

    Tanner, D J

    1985-12-01

    Methods for conducting a comprehensive analysis of the potential for strategic entry or expansion in the home health-care (HHC) market are discussed. By conducting a comprehensive analysis of the HHC market, hospital pharmacists can evaluate the feasibility of developing and implementing a hospital-based HHC service. A comprehensive market analysis should include an initial assessment of potential product-line offerings, development of strengths-and-weaknesses and opportunities-and-threats profiles, evaluations of competing providers of HHC and regulatory issues, and formulation of a business plan. The potential impact of program structure, operations management, product pricing, advertising and promotion, and marketing controls should also be considered. The hospital pharmacist has a unique opportunity to further the organizational objectives of the hospital by participating in the provision of HHC; a comprehensive market analysis represents a useful method of assessing the benefits and costs associated with providing integrated HHC services.

  8. Internet research in psychology.

    PubMed

    Gosling, Samuel D; Mason, Winter

    2015-01-03

    Today the Internet plays a role in the lives of nearly 40% of the world's population, and it is becoming increasingly entwined in daily life. This growing presence is transforming psychological science in terms of the topics studied and the methods used. We provide an overview of the literature, considering three broad domains of research: translational (implementing traditional methods online; e.g., surveys), phenomenological (topics spawned or mediated by the Internet; e.g., cyberbullying), and novel (new ways to study existing topics; e.g., rumors). We discuss issues (e.g., sampling, ethics) that arise when doing research online and point to emerging opportunities (e.g., smartphone sensing). Psychological research on the Internet comes with new challenges, but the opportunities far outweigh the costs. By integrating the Internet, psychological research has the ability to reach large, diverse samples and collect data on actual behaviors, which will ultimately increase the impact of psychological research on society.

  9. Learning from Harvey Milk: The Limits and Opportunities of One Hero to Teach about LGBTQ People and Issues

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Donahue, David M.

    2014-01-01

    Highlighting a hero is a common response to including the history of marginalized people in the curriculum. Harvey Milk is becoming that hero as social studies curriculum responds to calls for including LGBTQ people. By studying Milk, what might young people learn about LGBTQ people, issues, and movements? What opportunities and limitations exist…

  10. District Decision-Makers' Considerations of Equity and Equality Related to Students' Opportunities to Learn Algebra

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Herbel-Eisenmann, Beth A.; Keazer, Lindsay; Traynor, Anne

    2018-01-01

    Background/Context: In this article we explore equity issues related to school district decision-making about students' opportunities to learn algebra. We chose algebra because of the important role it plays in the U.S. as a gatekeeper to future academic success. Current research has not yet explored issues of equity in district-level…

  11. Toward Understanding Through Hermeneutic Letterwriting.

    PubMed

    Nyholm, Linda; Nyström, Lisbet; Lindström, Unni Å

    2018-04-01

    The authors present letterwriting as a hermeneutic research method in that it contributes to the methodological development within the hermeneutical research tradition in caring science. The hermeneutic methodology is inspired by Hans-Georg Gadamer. Hermeneutic letterwriting in accordance with Gadamer's thought is a form of dialogue in writing, where what is truthful about the thing itself is unveiled with the help of the language. Hermeneutic letterwriting is presented in five steps. As a method, hermeneutic letterwriting is appropriate for complex caring science issues, and it offers new opportunities for attaining a deeper understanding of the world of caring.

  12. Roadmap for Navy Civilian Personnel Research

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-05-10

    productivity and Equal Employment Opportunity objectives for Navy civilian personnel programs. Each research array is broken down into sequential phases; each...93 Equal Employment Opportunity ................... 98 Overview .......................................... 98...Phase I: Establish Baseline Measures ................ 98 Phase II: Analyze Issues Affecting Equal Employ- ment Opportunity

  13. Item Parameter Drift as an Indication of Differential Opportunity to Learn: An Exploration of Item Flagging Methods & Accurate Classification of Examinees

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sukin, Tia M.

    2010-01-01

    The presence of outlying anchor items is an issue faced by many testing agencies. The decision to retain or remove an item is a difficult one, especially when the content representation of the anchor set becomes questionable by item removal decisions. Additionally, the reason for the aberrancy is not always clear, and if the performance of the…

  14. Career Issues and Laboratory Climates: Different Challenges and Opportunities for Women Engineers and Scientists (survey of Fiscal Year 1997 Powre Awardees)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rosser, Sue V.; Zieseniss, Mireille

    A survey of fiscal year 1997 POWRE (Professional Opportunities for Women in Research and Education) awardees from the National Science Foundation revealed that women engineers and scientists face similar issues, challenges, and opportunities and think that the laboratory climate has similar impacts on their careers. Separating responses of women scientists from those of women engineers revealed that 70% of both groups listed balancing work with family responsibilities as the most difficult issue. Discrepancies in percentages of women, coupled with differences among disciplinary and subdisciplinary cultures within science, engineering, mathematics, and technology fields, complicate work climates and their impact on women's careers. More frequently than women scientists, women engineers listed issues such as (a) low numbers of women leading to isolation, (b) lack of camaraderie and mentoring, (c) gaining credibility/respect from peers and administrators, (d) time management, (e) prioritizing responsibilities due to disproportionate demands, and (f) learning the rules of the game to survive in a male-dominated environment. Women engineers also listed two positive issues more frequently than women scientists: active recruitment/more opportunities for women and impact of successful women in the profession. The small number of women engineers may explain these results and suggests that it may be inappropriate to group them with other women scientists for analysis, programs, and policies.

  15. The Impact of Socioscientific Issues Based Curriculum Involving Environmental Outdoor Education for Fourth Grade Students

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Burek, Karey J.

    There is a divide between what students are being taught within the science classroom and what they experience out in the real world. This study sought to explore possible relationships between a socioscientific issues embedded curriculum and outcome variables addressing environmental attitude and knowledge, oral and written argumentation and critical thinking skills. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to examine both within and between class differences as well as individual differences between the beginning and end of a semester of elementary school. Results indicated that socioscientific issues assist students in developing their critical thinking skills while also providing students the opportunity to be exposed to and participate in local and global environmental issues influencing the community at large. Statistical significance was found between groups in regards to attitude toward the environment, the qualitative interviews did indicate that some students provided more advanced argumentation skills by articulating alternate viewpoints on controversial environmental topics. Theoretical implications regarding the use of socioscientific issues in the classroom are presented.

  16. EEOC: benefits application doesn't preclude ADA complaint. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

    PubMed

    1997-03-07

    The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new enforcement guidelines that give employees, including those with AIDS, greater opportunities to press employment discrimination claims in court. An individual may simultaneously be eligible for disability benefits and for legal rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The guidance was developed and issued following a series of court decisions that blocked plaintiffs in ADA cases from proceeding with litigation because they had received disability benefits. ADA standards differ fundamentally from those of disability programs, such as social security, worker's compensation, and disability insurance.

  17. Conveying empathy to hospice family caregivers: Team responses to caregiver empathic communication

    PubMed Central

    Wittenberg-Lyles, Elaine; Oliver, Debra Parker; Demiris, George; Rankin, Anna; Shaunfield, Sara; Kruse, Robin L.

    2012-01-01

    Objective The goal of this study was to explore empathic communication opportunities presented by family caregivers and responses from interdisciplinary hospice team members. Methods Empathic opportunities and hospice team responses were analyzed from biweekly web-based videoconferences between family caregivers and hospice teams. The authors coded the data using the Empathic Communication Coding System (ECCS) and identified themes within and among the coded data. Results Data analysis identified 270 empathic opportunity-team response sequences. Caregivers expressed statements of emotion and decline most frequently. Two-thirds of the hospice team responses were implicit acknowledgments of caregiver statements and only one-third of the team responses were explicit recognitions of caregiver empathic opportunities. Conclusion Although hospice team members frequently express emotional concerns with family caregivers during one-on-one visits, there is a need for more empathic communication during team meetings that involve caregivers. Practice implications Hospice clinicians should devote more time to discussing emotional issues with patients and their families to enhance patient-centered hospice care. Further consideration should be given to training clinicians to empathize with patients and family caregivers. PMID:22554387

  18. [Mixed methods research in public health: issues and illustration].

    PubMed

    Guével, Marie-Renée; Pommier, Jeanine

    2012-01-01

    For many years, researchers in a range of fields have combined quantitative and qualitative methods. However, the combined use of quantitative and qualitative methods has only recently been conceptualized and defined as mixed methods research. Some authors have described the emerging field as a third methodological tradition (in addition to the qualitative and quantitative traditions). Mixed methods research combines different perspectives and facilitates the study of complex interventions or programs, particularly in public health, an area where interdisciplinarity is critical. However, the existing literature is primarily in English. By contrast, the literature in French remains limited. The purpose of this paper is to present the emergence of mixed methods research for francophone public health specialists. A literature review was conducted to identify the main characteristics of mixed methods research. The results provide an overall picture of the mixed methods approach through its history, definitions, and applications, and highlight the tools developed to clarify the approach (typologies) and to implement it (integration of results and quality standards). The tools highlighted in the literature review are illustrated by a study conducted in France. Mixed methods research opens new possibilities for examining complex research questions and provides relevant and promising opportunities for addressing current public health issues in France.

  19. Opportunities for utilization of non-conventional energy sources for biomass pretreatment.

    PubMed

    Singh, Rawel; Krishna, Bhavya B; Kumar, Jitendra; Bhaskar, Thallada

    2016-01-01

    The increasing concerns over the depletion of fossil resources and its associated geo-political issues have driven the entire world to move toward sustainable forms of energy. Pretreatment is the first step in any biochemical conversion process for the production of valuable fuels/chemicals from lignocellulosic biomass to eliminate the lignin and produce fermentable sugars by hydrolysis. Conventional techniques have several limitations which can be addressed by using them in tandem with non-conventional methods for biomass pretreatment. Electron beam and γ (gamma)-irradiation, microwave and ultrasound energies have certain advantages over conventional source of energy and there is an opportunity that these energies can be exploited for biomass pretreatment. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Efficiency Considerations in Low Pressure Turbines

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    2010-01-01

    Issues & Topics Discussed: a) Aviation Week reported shortfall In LPT efficiency due to the application of "high lift airfoils". b) Progress in the design technologies in LPTs during the last 20 years: 1) Application of RANS based CFD codes. 2) Integration of recent experimental data and modeling of LPT airfoil specific flows into design methods. c) Opportunities to further enhance LPT efficiency for commercial aviation and military transport application and to impact emissions, noise, weight & cost.

  1. Concepts and Theories, Methods and Reasons: Why Do the Children (Pretend) Play? Reply to Weisberg, Hirsh-Pasek, and Golinkoff (2013); Bergen (2013); and Walker and Gopnik (2013)

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lillard, Angeline S.; Hopkins, Emily J.; Dore, Rebecca A.; Palmquist, Carolyn M.; Lerner, Matthew D.; Smith, Eric D.

    2013-01-01

    We greatly appreciate the astute comments on Lillard et al. (2013) and the opportunity to reply. Here we point out the importance of keeping conceptual distinctions clear regarding play, pretend play, and exploration. We also discuss methodological issues with play research. We end with speculation that if pretend play did not emerge because it…

  2. Opportunity to Learn and Conceptions of Educational Equality.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Guiton, Gretchen; Oakes, Jeannie

    1995-01-01

    Conceptual issues in developing and using opportunity-to-learn (OTL) standards to inform policy questions about equal educational opportunity are discussed. Using two national databases, OTL measures are developed according to Libertarian, Liberal, and Democratic Liberal conceptualizations, and the influence of these concepts on the information…

  3. Postsecondary Education Opportunity, 1999.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Postsecondary Education Opportunity, 1999

    1999-01-01

    Each of the 12 issues of this 1999 publication contains 1 or more analyses of postsecondary educational opportunities. Titles of the individual analyses are: (1) Parental Educational Attainment and Higher Educational Opportunity (number 79); (2) Refinancing Higher Education, 1952 to 1997 (number 79); (3) State Outreach Efforts to Students from Low…

  4. Teaching reproductive options through the use of fiction: the Cider House Rules project.

    PubMed

    Engstrom, Janet L; Hunter, Ramona G

    2007-01-01

    Alternative teaching strategies such as storytelling and the critical reading of literature are thought to help students develop their critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and cultural sensitivity and thereby better understand the context in which their patients live and make decisions. Such teaching methods are ideally suited for examining morally complex issues such as reproductive options. This article describes an alternative approach to teaching the complex personal, social, and moral issues surrounding the topic of reproductive options. The critical reading of the book, The Cider House Rules, provides a unique opportunity for students to obtain insight and understanding of the complex circumstances under which women and their families make reproductive decisions.

  5. Combined material recycling study with aesthetic of entropy and place making.

    PubMed

    Wen, Yifeng

    2015-01-01

    Green building is a hot topic today. The place making and urban cultures are also important issues in postindustrial society. The industrial heritage renovation projects provide a research opportunity in combination with both aspects. This paper tries to shed new light on this issue by interdisciplinary methods, to study six Guangzhou industrial heritage renovation projects, giving aesthetic values for six sites concerning place making and culture creation, especially giving an explanation for old building material's aesthetic performance in terms of concepts "entropy" and "archetype." The conclutions regard: the six places are brand spaces of "authentic Guangzhou" that make local experiential knowledge, emotional significance and creative communities in combination with historical and cultural narratives.

  6. Index of Economic Freedom: Unrealized Pedagogical Opportunities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Maier, Mark; Miller, John A.

    2017-01-01

    Although the Index of Economic Freedom appears in many economic textbooks, their coverage of the index misses opportunities to teach statistical and policy-related concepts important for the principles course. The standard textbook presentation passes up an opportunity to examine the statistical issues of weighting in composite index numbers and…

  7. Challenge, Change and Opportunity: Overview, Texts and Agenda.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Runnymede Trust, London (England).

    "The Future of Multi-Ethnic Britain: Challenges, Changes, and Opportunities" was a conference organized by the Runnymede Trust in partnership with other organizations to consider changes in multiethnic Britain in recent years, principal challenges and opportunities for the future, and what to do about them. These issues were discussed in…

  8. Reflections on the Opportunities and Challenges of Disaster Response

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Juntunen, Cindy L.

    2011-01-01

    This reaction article applauds the authors of the Major Contribution for their thoughtful and thorough consideration of the myriad issues that accompany disaster mental health work. The reaction highlights three themes that emerged in the articles of the contribution: opportunities for collaboration, opportunities for the application of social…

  9. Issues Associated with a Hypersonic Maglev Sled

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Haney, Joseph W.; Lenzo, J.

    1996-01-01

    Magnetic levitation has been explored for application from motors to transportation. All of these applications have been at velocities where the physics of the air or operating fluids are fairly well known. Application of Maglev to hypersonic velocities (Mach greater than 5) presents many opportunities, but also issues that require understanding and resolution. Use of Maglev to upgrade the High Speed Test Track at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo New Mexico is an actual hypersonic application that provides the opportunity to improve test capabilities. However, there are several design issues that require investigation. This paper presents an overview of the application of Maglev to the test track and the issues associated with developing a hypersonic Maglev sled. The focus of this paper is to address the issues with the Maglev sled design, rather than the issues with the development of superconducting magnets of the sled system.

  10. A new, but old business model for family physicians: cash.

    PubMed

    Weber, J Michael

    2013-01-01

    The following study is an exploratory investigation into the opportunity identification, opportunity analysis, and strategic implications of implementing a cash-only family physician practice. The current market dynamics (i.e., increasing insurance premiums, decreasing benefits, more regulations and paperwork, and cuts in federal and state programs) suggest that there is sufficient motivation for these practitioners to change their current business model. In-depth interviews were conducted with office managers and physicians of family physician practices. The results highlighted a variety of issues, including barriers to change, strategy issues, and opportunities/benefits. The implications include theory applications, strategic marketing applications, and managerial decision-making.

  11. Microarray technology for major chemical contaminants analysis in food: current status and prospects.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Zhaowei; Li, Peiwu; Hu, Xiaofeng; Zhang, Qi; Ding, Xiaoxia; Zhang, Wen

    2012-01-01

    Chemical contaminants in food have caused serious health issues in both humans and animals. Microarray technology is an advanced technique suitable for the analysis of chemical contaminates. In particular, immuno-microarray approach is one of the most promising methods for chemical contaminants analysis. The use of microarrays for the analysis of chemical contaminants is the subject of this review. Fabrication strategies and detection methods for chemical contaminants are discussed in detail. Application to the analysis of mycotoxins, biotoxins, pesticide residues, and pharmaceutical residues is also described. Finally, future challenges and opportunities are discussed.

  12. 'Televaluation' of clinical information systems: an integrative approach to assessing Web-based systems.

    PubMed

    Kushniruk, A W; Patel, C; Patel, V L; Cimino, J J

    2001-04-01

    The World Wide Web provides an unprecedented opportunity for widespread access to health-care applications by both patients and providers. The development of new methods for assessing the effectiveness and usability of these systems is becoming a critical issue. This paper describes the distance evaluation (i.e. 'televaluation') of emerging Web-based information technologies. In health informatics evaluation, there is a need for application of new ideas and methods from the fields of cognitive science and usability engineering. A framework is presented for conducting evaluations of health-care information technologies that integrates a number of methods, ranging from deployment of on-line questionnaires (and Web-based forms) to remote video-based usability testing of user interactions with clinical information systems. Examples illustrating application of these techniques are presented for the assessment of a patient clinical information system (PatCIS), as well as an evaluation of use of Web-based clinical guidelines. Issues in designing, prototyping and iteratively refining evaluation components are discussed, along with description of a 'virtual' usability laboratory.

  13. Application of Surface Analysis Methods to Nanomaterials: Summaryof ISO/TC 201 Technical Report: ISO 14187:2011 -Surface Chemical Analysis- Characterization of Nanomaterials

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Baer, Donald R.

    ISO Technical Report (TR) 14187 provides an introduction to (and examples of) the information that can be obtained about nanostructured materials using surface-analysis tools. In addition, both general issues and challenges associated with characterising nanostructured materials and the specific opportunities and challenges associated with individual analytical methods are identified. As the size of objects or components of materials approaches a few nanometres, the distinctions among 'bulk', 'surface' and 'particle' analysis blur. This Technical Report focuses on issues specifically relevant to surface chemical analysis of nanostructured materials. The report considers a variety of analysis methods but focuses on techniques that aremore » in the domain of ISO/TC 201 including Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and scanning probe microscopy. Measurements of nanoparticle surface properties such as surface potential that are often made in a solution are not discussed.« less

  14. Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Division of Personnel and Labor

    Science.gov Websites

    and organizations. Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action In conjunction with the EEO and Affirmative Action. The EEO Program Manager coordinates, reviews, or determines issues

  15. ERCMExpress. Volume 3, Issue 4

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Taymans, Mary Frances; McDonald, Dale

    2007-01-01

    The Emergency Response and Crisis Management (ERCM) Technical Assistance Center's "ERCMExpress" is a newsletter that provides comprehensive information on key issues in school emergency management. This issue, entitled "Emergency Management Opportunities and Challenges for Non-Public Schools," examines integrating non-public…

  16. Teaching Environmental Geology in the 21St Century: A Workshop Report

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mogk, D. W.; Wiese, K.; Castendyk, D.; McDaris, J. R.

    2012-12-01

    Environmental Geology encompasses a range of topics that include geohazards, natural resources, issues such as climate change, human health, and environmental policy. Instruction in Environmental Geology provides students the opportunity to address the grand challenges facing humanity regarding how to live sustainably and responsibly on Earth. Instruction in Environmental Geology ranges from dedicated introductory courses, instructional modules in upper division Earth Science "core" classes, to courses in related disciplines such as environmental science, ecology, and the social and political sciences. To explore the opportunities of teaching Environmental Geology in all these contexts, the On the Cutting Edge program convened a workshop in June 2012 to bring together instructors representing a diversity of instructional settings. The goals of the workshop were to: 1) Share innovative teaching methods, approaches, and activities for teaching Environmental Geology and share ideas on how to teach in various contexts. 2) Examine where and how environmental geology topics are taught in the geoscience curriculum from introductory courses for non-majors to "core" geoscience courses for majors. 3) Consider the ways that Environmental Geology courses and topical materials can contribute to public science literacy, particularly how to make personal and societal decisions about the range of issues facing humanity and to live responsibly and sustainably on this planet. 4) Develop a list of best practices for integrating emerging environmental issues, recent natural disasters, and issues related to natural resources into course work and identifying how scientific data and research outcomes can inform public discourse on topical issues. 5) Develop strategies to reach under-represented groups and expand the diversity of students who enroll in our courses. 6) Identify topics of high interest and need for future development as teaching modules and courses. The workshop program included keynote talks, small group discussion sessions, interactive demonstrations, and opportunities to network and develop ideas for new instructional resources. The participants also reviewed over 300 teaching activities, and contributed to additional online resources focused on Environmental Geology. Field trips demonstrated teaching activities about environmental issues in local contexts. All workshop presentations, discussion summaries, teaching activity collections and related on-line resources are available on the workshop website. Faculty are encouraged to submit additional examples of Environmental Geology instructional resources.

  17. Counseling Psychology Research on Sexual (Orientation) Minority Issues: Conceptual and Methodological Challenges and Opportunities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Moradi, Bonnie; Mohr, Jonathan J.; Worthington, Roger L.; Fassinger, Ruth E.

    2009-01-01

    This lead article of the special issue discusses conceptual and methodological considerations in studying sexual minority issues, particularly in research conducted by counseling psychologists (including the work represented in this special issue). First, the overarching challenge of conceptualizing and defining sexual minority populations is…

  18. The Ergonomics Society--the Society Lectures 1999: the next 50 years: future challenges and opportunities for empathy in our science.

    PubMed

    Fulton Suri, J

    2001-11-15

    To stay relevant and applicable in a rapidly changing world, ergonomics must meet several challenges. The paper explores these challenges and how the profession might respond. It is proposed that there are opportunities, and a need, to embrace empathy as a legitimate and useful tool. Empathy has value in three main areas. In research we can broaden our understanding of people and situations, learning 'why' as well as 'how and what' people do. Second, by identifying with the emotional as well as intellectual concerns of sponsors and colleagues from other professions, we inspire trust and confidence, adding value to our collective efforts in collaborative work. Third, through methods such as role-playing and story telling, empathy is a powerful tool for getting ergonomics issues across to implementers and influencing outcomes. Care is needed to balance empathy with systematic observation in the tradition of the scientific method; the power of empathy is in combining it with objective methods to make full use of our abilities as human scientists.

  19. Equal Opportunity in Higher Education: The Past and Future of California's Proposition 209

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Grodsky, Eric, Ed.; Kurlaender, Michal, Ed.

    2010-01-01

    This timely book examines issues pertaining to equal opportunity--affirmative action, challenges to it, and alternatives for improving opportunities for underrepresented groups--in higher education today. Its starting point is California's Proposition 209, which ended race-based affirmative action in public education and the workplace in 1996. The…

  20. Framing and Assessing Classroom Opportunity to Learn: The Case of Mexico

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jensen, Bryant; Pérez Martínez, María Guadalupe; Aguilar Escobar, Angélica

    2016-01-01

    Educational policy in Mexico and throughout Latin America is shifting focus from school access to school quality. Improving "quality" is often interpreted as enhancing student learning opportunities, but three issues remain unresolved: (a) what constitutes opportunity to learn (OTL) in classrooms; (b) how to assess classroom OTL (COTL);…

  1. Creating Access to Opportunities for Youth in Transition from Foster Care. An AYPF Policy Brief

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Russ, Erin; Fryar, Garet

    2014-01-01

    What happens to youth in foster care when they turn 18? Many face unprecedented challenges like homelessness, lack of financial resources, difficulty accessing educational opportunities, and unemployment. In this issue brief, The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF) document these challenges and opportunities in three distinct yet overlapping areas…

  2. A Profile of Youth Poverty and Opportunity in Southwestern Minnesota. National Issue Brief Number 114

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mattingly, Marybeth J.; Schaefer, Andrew; Gagnon, Douglas J.

    2017-01-01

    In this brief, authors Marybeth Mattingly, Andrew Schaefer, and Douglas Gagnon explore challenges and opportunities for youth in Southwestern (SW) Minnesota. They analyze data on various demographic, economic, educational, and social indicators to gain a better understanding of the circumstances youth face and the opportunity available in SW…

  3. 45 CFR 400.23 - Hearings.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... under the Act with an opportunity for a hearing to contest adverse determinations using hearing... issue by inspection of the individual's documentation issued by the Immigration and Naturalization...

  4. A review of population data utilization in beef cattle research.

    PubMed

    Jones, R; Langemeier, M

    2010-04-01

    Controlled experimentation has been the most common source of research data in most biological sciences. However, many research questions lend themselves to the use of population data, or combinations of population data and data resulting from controlled experimentation. Studies of important economic outcomes, such as efficiency, profits, and costs, lend themselves particularly well to this type of analysis. Analytical methods that have been most commonly applied to population data in studies related to livestock production and management include statistical regression and mathematical programming. In social sciences, such as applied economics, it has become common to utilize more than one method in the same study to provide answers to the various questions at hand. Of course, care must be taken to ensure that the methods of analysis are appropriately applied; however, a wide variety of beef industry research questions are being addressed using population data. Issues related to data sources, aggregation levels, and consistency of collection often surface when using population data. These issues are addressed by careful consideration of the questions being addressed and the costs of data collection. Previous research across a variety of cattle production and marketing issues provides a broad foundation upon which to build future research. There is tremendous opportunity for increased use of population data and increased collaboration across disciplines to address issues of importance to the cattle industry.

  5. Vocational Behavior 1990-1992: Personnel Practices, Organizational Behavior, Workplace Justice, and Industrial/Organizational Measurement Issues.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Blau, Gary; And Others

    1993-01-01

    This annual review gives representative coverage of research on personnel practices and issues, work adjustment, organizational behavior, workplace justice (equal opportunities, harassment, etc.), and industrial/occupational measurement issues. The bibliography lists 438 references. (SK)

  6. Issues in Distance Education: A Primer for Higher Education Decision Makers

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Beaudoin, Michael

    2016-01-01

    This chapter presents an overview of current issues related to distance learning in higher education. It identifies central questions, issues, challenges, and opportunities that must be addressed by decision makers, as well as key attributes of effective leaders.

  7. Review of issues and challenges for public private partnership (PPP) project performance in Malaysia

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hashim, H.; Che-Ani, A. I.; Ismail, K.

    2017-10-01

    Public Private Partnership (PPP) in Malaysia aims to stimulate economic growth and overcome the weakness of conventional system. Over the years, many critics have been reported along the massive growth of PPP project development. Within that context, this study provides a review of issues and challenges for PPP pertaining to project performance in Malaysia. The study also attempts to investigate four performance measurement models around the globe as a basis for improvement of PPP in Malaysia. A qualitative method was used to analyse literature review from previous published literatures while comparative analysis was carried out within the models to identify their advantages and disadvantages. The findings show that the issues and challenges occurred were related to human, technical and financial factor that could hinder the implementation of PPP project in Malaysia. From the analysis, KPIs, guideline / framework, risk allocation, efficiency & flexibility are perceived as dominant issues. Finally, the findings provide an informed basis on the opportunity areas to be considered for improvement in order to achieved project effectiveness.

  8. Advancing our thinking in presence-only and used-available analysis.

    PubMed

    Warton, David; Aarts, Geert

    2013-11-01

    1. The problems of analysing used-available data and presence-only data are equivalent, and this paper uses this equivalence as a platform for exploring opportunities for advancing analysis methodology. 2. We suggest some potential methodological advances in used-available analysis, made possible via lessons learnt in the presence-only literature, for example, using modern methods to improve predictive performance. We also consider the converse - potential advances in presence-only analysis inspired by used-available methodology. 3. Notwithstanding these potential advances in methodology, perhaps a greater opportunity is in advancing our thinking about how to apply a given method to a particular data set. 4. It is shown by example that strikingly different results can be achieved for a single data set by applying a given method of analysis in different ways - hence having chosen a method of analysis, the next step of working out how to apply it is critical to performance. 5. We review some key issues to consider in deciding how to apply an analysis method: apply the method in a manner that reflects the study design; consider data properties; and use diagnostic tools to assess how reasonable a given analysis is for the data at hand. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Animal Ecology © 2013 British Ecological Society.

  9. Issues and Answers about Section 504.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American School and University, 1979

    1979-01-01

    The first of several installments that address the complex issues and questions related to implementation of the requirement that persons should have equal educational opportunity despite handicap. (Author)

  10. Interfaces - Weak Links, Yet Great Opportunities

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hendricks, Robert C.; Dimofte, Florin; Chupp, Raymond E.; Steinetz, Bruce M.

    2011-01-01

    Inadequate turbomachine interface design can rapidly degrade system performance, yet provide great opportunity for improvements. Engineered coatings of seals and bearing interfaces are major issues in the operational life of power systems. Coatings, films, and combined use of both metals and ceramics play a major role in maintaining component life. Interface coatings, like lubricants, are sacrificial for the benefit of the component. Bearing and sealing surfaces are routinely protected by tribologically paired coatings such as silicon diamond like coatings (SiDLC) in combination with an oil lubricated wave bearing that prolongs bearing operational life. Likewise, of several methods used or researched for detecting interface failures, dopants within coatings show failures in functionally graded ceramic coatings. The Bozzolo-Ferrante-Smith (BFS) materials models and quantum mechanical tools, employed in interface design, are discussed.

  11. Internet research: an opportunity to revisit classic ethical problems in behavioral research.

    PubMed

    Pittenger, David J

    2003-01-01

    The Internet offers many new opportunities for behavioral researchers to conduct quantitative and qualitative research. Although the ethical guidelines of the American Psychological Association generalize, in part, to research conducted through the Internet, several matters related to Internet research require further analysis. This article reviews several fundamental ethical issues related to Internet research, namely the preservation of privacy, the issuance of informed consent, the use of deception and false feedback, and research methods. In essence, the Internet offers unique challenges to behavioral researchers. Among these are the need to better define the distinction between private and public behavior performed through the Internet, ensure mechanisms for obtaining valid informed consent from participants and performing debriefing exercises, and verify the validity of data collected through the Internet.

  12. A Prospectus of Working Women's Concerns. Hearings before the Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities of the Committee on Education and Labor. House of Representatives, One Hundredth Congress, First Session (July 21-22, 1987).

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Congress of the U.S., Washington, DC. House Committee on Education and Labor.

    This document contains congressional hearings to raise a variety of issues and problems pertaining to women in the workplace. It focuses on legislation that might alleviate any adverse conditions that might exist, especially H.R. 2577, the Economic Equity Act of 1987. Issues include barriers in pay equity, wider opportunities for women and…

  13. The Matrix Element Method: Past, Present, and Future

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gainer, James S.; Lykken, Joseph; Matchev, Konstantin T.

    2013-07-12

    The increasing use of multivariate methods, and in particular the Matrix Element Method (MEM), represents a revolution in experimental particle physics. With continued exponential growth in computing capabilities, the use of sophisticated multivariate methods-- already common-- will soon become ubiquitous and ultimately almost compulsory. While the existence of sophisticated algorithms for disentangling signal and background might naively suggest a diminished role for theorists, the use of the MEM, with its inherent connection to the calculation of differential cross sections will benefit from collaboration between theorists and experimentalists. In this white paper, we will briefly describe the MEM and some ofmore » its recent uses, note some current issues and potential resolutions, and speculate about exciting future opportunities.« less

  14. US Clean Energy Sector and the Opportunity for Modeling and Simulation

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Inge, Carole Cameron

    2011-01-01

    The following paper sets forth the current understanding of the US clean energy demand and opportunity. As clean energy systems come online and technology is developed, modeling and simulation of these complex energy programs provides an untapped business opportunity. The US Department of Defense provides a great venue for developing new technology in the energy sector because it is demanding lower fuel costs, more energy efficiencies in its buildings and bases, and overall improvements in its carbon footprint. These issues coupled with the security issues faced by foreign dependence on oil will soon bring more clean energy innovations to the forefront (lighter batteries for soldiers, alternative fuel for jets, energy storage systems for ships, etc).

  15. Spacesuit Radiation Shield Design Methods

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Wilson, John W.; Anderson, Brooke M.; Cucinotta, Francis A.; Ware, J.; Zeitlin, Cary J.

    2006-01-01

    Meeting radiation protection requirements during EVA is predominantly an operational issue with some potential considerations for temporary shelter. The issue of spacesuit shielding is mainly guided by the potential of accidental exposure when operational and temporary shelter considerations fail to maintain exposures within operational limits. In this case, very high exposure levels are possible which could result in observable health effects and even be life threatening. Under these assumptions, potential spacesuit radiation exposures have been studied using known historical solar particle events to gain insight on the usefulness of modification of spacesuit design in which the control of skin exposure is a critical design issue and reduction of blood forming organ exposure is desirable. Transition to a new spacesuit design including soft upper-torso and reconfigured life support hardware gives an opportunity to optimize the next generation spacesuit for reduced potential health effects during an accidental exposure.

  16. Pregnancy after breast cancer: a case study resolving the reproductive challenge with a gestational surrogate.

    PubMed

    Krychman, Michael L; King, Tari

    2006-01-01

    Pregnancy and fertility issues are substantial concerns for the young breast cancer survivor, yet the available literature is hampered by a lack of prospective clinical studies and meaningful long-term outcome data. A lack of reliable information often leads to physician discomfort and patients may be left to navigate the world of fertility preservation and reproductive technology on their own. This case exemplifies some of the many issues that breast cancer survivors may face and adds another dimension to the survivor's dilemma; once fertility options have been preserved, what is the best method to sustain the pregnancy--self or surrogate? For many, the goal of balancing optimal treatment and long-term survival with restoration of a complete quality of life, including childbearing, may be attainable. This discussion highlights the importance of offering young breast cancer patients an opportunity to discuss these issues with their health care providers prior to initiating therapy.

  17. Equality of Opportunity Reconsidered: Values in Education for Tomorrow. Educational Research in Europe.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cardinet, Jean; And Others

    Some attributes of policies for achieving equality of opportunity are discussed together with their rationales. The significance of inequality and the role of education are brought together to rehearse the crux of the issue and indicate why such importance has been attached to the debates and studies of equality of opportunity. Aspects of the…

  18. Postsecondary Education Opportunity. The Mortenson Research Seminar on Public Policy Analysis of Opportunity for Postsecondary Education, 1998.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mortenson, Thomas G., Ed.

    1998-01-01

    The 12 issues of this 1998 publication each contain one or more analyses of postsecondary educational opportunities, including tables and charts. Titles of the individual analytical articles are: "Pell Grant Program Participation, FFY 1974 to FFY 1999"; "Poverty Rates by Educational Attainment, 1996"; "Refinancing Higher Education, 1952 to 1996";…

  19. Equal Opportunity Handbook: A Resource on Equal Opportunities for Education and Employment in Oregon Public Schools.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Oregon State Dept. of Education, Salem.

    This handbook is an information source for Oregon public school districts developing policies to ensure equal opportunities in education, employment, and the provision of educational services required by Federal and state laws, regulations, and policies. Not addressed are issues and services for the handicapped or programs for migrants, the…

  20. Higher Education Solar Development: Policy Issues

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    This presentation from a workshop session at the Smart and Sustainable Campuses Conference explores the policy issues and opportunities that influence a higher education institution’s approach to solar deployment.

  1. Opportunities for strengthening provider-initiated testing and counselling for HIV in Namibia

    PubMed Central

    Davyduke, Tracy; Pietersen, Ismelda; Lowrance, David; Amwaama, Selma; Taegtmeyer, Miriam

    2015-01-01

    This short report identifies enablers and barriers to the uptake of provider-initiated testing and counselling for HIV (PITC) in Namibia and identifies key opportunities for strengthening this vital aspect of the national HIV response. We explored this through facility mapping, register reviews and qualitative methods including focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Four health facilities (clinics and hospitals) in two regions were included in the study. We identified that PITC in Namibia was largely delivered by lay counsellors operating in designated rapid testing rooms located in health facilities and found a large number of missed opportunities for HIV testing through this model. Nurses did not see it as an integral part of their role, were not aware of HIV testing and counselling policy, felt inadequately trained and supported, and experienced staffing shortages. Institutional issues also acted as barriers to nurses performing or initiating discussions about PITC. Wider dissemination and implementation of policy, increasing privacy of consultation spaces and community sensitisation are simple measures that represent opportunities for strengthening this response and ensuring that symptomatic individuals who are unaware of their HIV status do not fall through the net. PMID:25771903

  2. Ruby on Rails Issue Tracker

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rodriguez, Juan Jared

    2014-01-01

    The purpose of this report is to detail the tasks accomplished as a NASA NIFS intern for the summer 2014 session. This internship opportunity is to develop an issue tracker Ruby on Rails web application to improve the communication of developmental anomalies between the Support Software Computer Software Configuration Item (CSCI) teams, System Build and Information Architecture. As many may know software development is an arduous, time consuming, collaborative effort. It involves nearly as much work designing, planning, collaborating, discussing, and resolving issues as effort expended in actual development. This internship opportunity was put in place to help alleviate the amount of time spent discussing issues such as bugs, missing tests, new requirements, and usability concerns that arise during development and throughout the life cycle of software applications once in production.

  3. Everyday ethics in internal medicine resident clinic: an opportunity to teach

    PubMed Central

    Carrese, Joseph A; McDonald, Erin L; Moon, Margaret; Taylor, Holly A; Khaira, Kiran; Beach, Mary Catherine; Hughes, Mark T

    2011-01-01

    OBJECTIVES Being a good doctor requires competency in ethics. Accordingly, ethics education during residency training is important. We studied the everyday ethics-related issues (i.e. ordinary ethics issues commonly faced) that internal medical residents encounter in their out-patient clinic and determined whether teaching about these issues occurred during faculty preceptor–resident interactions. METHODS This study involved a multi-method qualitative research design combining observation of preceptor-resident discussions with preceptor interviews. The study was conducted in two different internal medicine training programme clinics over a 2-week period in June 2007. Fifty-three residents and 19 preceptors were observed, and 10 preceptors were interviewed. Transcripts of observer field notes and faculty interviews were carefully analysed. The analysis identified several themes of everyday ethics issues and determined whether preceptors identified and taught about these issues. RESULTS Everyday ethics content was considered present in 109 (81%) of the 135 observed case presentations. Three major thematic domains and associated sub-themes related to everyday ethics issues were identified, concerning: (i) the Doctor–Patient Interaction (relationships; communication; shared decision making); (ii) the Resident as Learner (developmental issues; challenges and conflicts associated with training; relationships with colleagues and mentors; interactions with the preceptor), and; (iii) the Doctor–System Interaction (financial issues; doctor–system issues; external influences; doctor frustration related to system issues). Everyday ethics issues were explicitly identified by preceptors (without teaching) in 18 of 109 cases (17%); explicit identification and teaching occurred in only 13 cases (12%). CONCLUSIONS In this study a variety of everyday ethics issues were frequently encountered as residents cared for patients. Yet, faculty preceptors infrequently explicitly identified or taught these issues during their interactions with residents. Ethics education is important and residents may regard teaching about the ethics-related issues they actually encounter to be highly relevant. A better understanding of the barriers to teaching is needed in order to promote education about everyday ethics in the out-patient setting. PMID:21649704

  4. Combined Material Recycling Study with Aesthetic of Entropy and Place Making

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Green building is a hot topic today. The place making and urban cultures are also important issues in postindustrial society. The industrial heritage renovation projects provide a research opportunity in combination with both aspects. This paper tries to shed new light on this issue by interdisciplinary methods, to study six Guangzhou industrial heritage renovation projects, giving aesthetic values for six sites concerning place making and culture creation, especially giving an explanation for old building material's aesthetic performance in terms of concepts “entropy” and “archetype.” The conclutions regard: the six places are brand spaces of “authentic Guangzhou” that make local experiential knowledge, emotional significance and creative communities in combination with historical and cultural narratives. PMID:25884021

  5. Independent assessment is key to financial well-being.

    PubMed

    Karling, J; Pyper, T

    1999-02-01

    Both traditional group practices and IPAs have felt the impact of changes brought about by managed care. Group practices need to ensure that their financial reporting and cost-accounting methods capture information that is key to decision making. An independent assessment of financial procedures helps identify any outstanding issues and maintain financial well-being. This assessment should be conducted at least quarterly so that potential problems can be resolved, income opportunities explored, and cost-saving measures adopted in a timely manner.

  6. A creative arts intervention for children with diabetes. Part 1: Development.

    PubMed

    Basso, Robert V J; Pelech, William James

    2008-10-01

    Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes is one of the most serious and prevalent chronic illnesses in children and adolescents. Creative arts and play group therapy provide children with age-appropriate opportunities to learn about their illnesses and express normative feelings of anxiety, anger, and fear. This article offers practical suggestions for beginning a creative arts skits program. Part 2 (to be published in the December 2008 issue) will use the case study method to demonstrate the benefits of such skits for children with diabetes.

  7. Organizational impact of nurse supply and workload on nurses continuing professional development opportunities: an integrative review.

    PubMed

    Coventry, Tracey H; Maslin-Prothero, Sian E; Smith, Gilly

    2015-12-01

    To identify the best evidence on the impact of healthcare organizations' supply of nurses and nursing workload on the continuing professional development opportunities of Registered Nurses in the acute care hospital. To maintain registration and professional competence nurses are expected to participate in continuing professional development. One challenge of recruitment and retention is the Registered Nurse's ability to participate in continuing professional development opportunities. The integrative review method was used to present Registered Nurses perspectives on this area of professional concern. The review was conducted for the period of 2001-February 2015. Keywords were: nurs*, continuing professional development, continuing education, professional development, supply, shortage, staffing, workload, nurse: patient ratio, barrier and deterrent. The integrative review used a structured approach for literature search and data evaluation, analysis and presentation. Eleven international studies met the inclusion criteria. Nurses are reluctant or prevented from leaving clinical settings to attend continuing professional development due to lack of relief cover, obtaining paid or unpaid study leave, use of personal time to undertake mandatory training and organizational culture and leadership issues constraining the implementation of learning to benefit patients. Culture, leadership and workload issues impact nurses' ability to attend continuing professional development. The consequences affect competence to practice, the provision of safe, quality patient care, maintenance of professional registration, job satisfaction, recruitment and retention. Organizational leadership plays an important role in supporting attendance at continuing professional development as an investment for the future. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  8. Issues and Answers about Section 504: Part 2.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    American School and University, 1979

    1979-01-01

    The second of several installments that address the complex issues and questions related to the implementation of the requirement that persons should have equal educational opportunity despite handicaps. (Author/MLF)

  9. Slope Stability Analysis of Waste Dump in Sandstone Open Pit Osielec

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Adamczyk, Justyna; Cała, Marek; Flisiak, Jerzy; Kolano, Malwina; Kowalski, Michał

    2013-03-01

    This paper presents the slope stability analysis for the current as well as projected (final) geometry of waste dump Sandstone Open Pit "Osielec". For the stability analysis six sections were selected. Then, the final geometry of the waste dump was designed and the stability analysis was conducted. On the basis of the analysis results the opportunities to improve the stability of the object were identified. The next issue addressed in the paper was to determine the proportion of the mixture containing mining and processing wastes, for which the waste dump remains stable. Stability calculations were carried out using Janbu method, which belongs to the limit equilibrium methods.

  10. 29 CFR 1621.1 - Purpose.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... to Labor (Continued) EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMISSION PROCEDURES-THE EQUAL PAY ACT § 1621.1 Purpose. The regulations set forth in this part contain the procedures established by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for issuing opinion letters under the Equal Pay Act. ...

  11. Strategic information systems planning for health service providers.

    PubMed

    Moriarty, D D

    1992-01-01

    There is significant opportunity for health service providers to gain competitive advantage through the innovative use of strategic information systems. This analysis presents some key strategic information systems issues that will enable managers to identify opportunities within their organizations.

  12. Social Exclusion, and Educational Opportunity: The Case of British Education Policies within a European Union Context

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Alexiadou, Nafsika

    2005-01-01

    This paper first examines the New Labour government's redefinition of equality of opportunity in Britain, mainly with regard to education and the ways in which it mediates "opportunity". In doing so, it also draws on wider social policy issues, such as the use of education policies to combat social exclusion. Second, the paper reviews…

  13. Advancing innovations in social/personality psychology and health: opportunities and challenges.

    PubMed

    Rothman, Alexander J; Klein, William M P; Cameron, Linda D

    2013-05-01

    Social, personality, and health psychologists have a long tradition of active and productive collaborations that have advanced the development of intervention strategies that promote health and well-being and the specification of the theoretical principles that underlie those strategies. This special issue is designed to continue this tradition of collaboration and to highlight areas of research and investigative strategies that offer opportunities for innovation. This concluding paper examines how investigators construe the interface between theory and practice and, with that lens, considers several themes that have emerged across the papers that comprise this special issue. As evidenced by the papers in this special issue, investigators are well-positioned to leverage advances in understanding of human health and well-being. However, to capitalize on this opportunity, investigators need to commit to cultivating a culture of scientific activity that prioritizes the engagement of theory and practice-the pursuit of both understanding and use. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.

  14. Introduction to the Special Issue.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Savickas, Mark L.

    2003-01-01

    To commemorate the 90th anniversary of the National Career Development Association and to anticipate its centennial, this special issue presents 9 analyses of the career counseling profession's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. (GCP)

  15. The study of direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription drugs.

    PubMed

    Schommer, Jon C; Hansen, Richard A

    2005-06-01

    The objectives of this article are to (1) identify key methodological issues related to investigating the effects of direct-to-consumer advertising (DTCA) for prescription drugs, (2) highlight opportunities and challenges that these issues pose, and (3) provide suggestions to address these challenges and opportunities from a social and administrative pharmacy perspective. Through a review of existing literature and consultation with research colleagues, we identified 3 broad issues regarding the study of DTCA for prescription drugs: (1) the importance of problem formulation, (2) the role of health behavior and decision-making perspectives, and (3) data collection and data analysis challenges and opportunities. Based upon our findings, we developed recommendations for future research in this area. Clear problem formulation will be instructive for prioritizing research needs and for determining the role that health behavior and decision-making perspectives can serve in DTCA research. In addition, it appears that cluster bias, nonlinear relationships, mediating/moderating effects, time effects, acquiescent response, and case mix are particularly salient challenges for the DTCA research domain. We suggest that problem formulation, selection of sound theories upon which to base research, and data collection and data analysis challenges are key methodological issues related to investigating the effects of DTCA for prescription drugs.

  16. EVALUATION OF ARG-1 SAMPLES PREPARED BY CESIUM CARBONATE DISSOLUTION DURING THE ISOLOK SME ACCEPTABILITY TESTING

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Edwards, T.; Hera, K.; Coleman, C.

    2011-12-05

    Evaluation of Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) Chemical Process Cell (CPC) cycle time identified several opportunities to improve the CPC processing time. The Mechanical Systems & Custom Equipment Development (MS&CED) Section of the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) recently completed the evaluation of one of these opportunities - the possibility of using an Isolok sampling valve as an alternative to the Hydragard valve for taking DWPF process samples at the Slurry Mix Evaporator (SME). The use of an Isolok for SME sampling has the potential to improve operability, reduce maintenance time, and decrease CPC cycle time. The SME acceptability testingmore » for the Isolok was requested in Task Technical Request (TTR) HLW-DWPF-TTR-2010-0036 and was conducted as outlined in Task Technical and Quality Assurance Plan (TTQAP) SRNLRP-2011-00145. RW-0333P QA requirements applied to the task, and the results from the investigation were documented in SRNL-STI-2011-00693. Measurement of the chemical composition of study samples was a critical component of the SME acceptability testing of the Isolok. A sampling and analytical plan supported the investigation with the analytical plan directing that the study samples be prepared by a cesium carbonate (Cs{sub 2}CO{sub 3}) fusion dissolution method and analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma - Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The use of the cesium carbonate preparation method for the Isolok testing provided an opportunity for an additional assessment of this dissolution method, which is being investigated as a potential replacement for the two methods (i.e., sodium peroxide fusion and mixed acid dissolution) that have been used at the DWPF for the analysis of SME samples. Earlier testing of the Cs{sub 2}CO{sub 3} method yielded promising results which led to a TTR from Savannah River Remediation, LLC (SRR) to SRNL for additional support and an associated TTQAP to direct the SRNL efforts. A technical report resulting from this work was issued that recommended that the mixed acid method be replaced by the Cs{sub 2}CO{sub 3} method for the measurement of magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), and zirconium (Zr) with additional testing of the method by DWPF Laboratory being needed before further implementation of the Cs{sub 2}CO{sub 3} method at that laboratory. While the SME acceptability testing of the Isolok does not address any of the open issues remaining after the publication of the recommendation for the replacement of the mixed acid method by the Cs{sub 2}CO{sub 3} method (since those issues are to be addressed by the DWPF Laboratory), the Cs{sub 2}CO{sub 3} testing associated with the Isolok testing does provide additional insight into the performance of the method as conducted by SRNL. The performance is to be investigated by looking to the composition measurement data generated by the samples of a standard glass, the Analytical Reference Glass - 1 (ARG-1), that were prepared by the Cs{sub 2}CO{sub 3} method and included in the SME acceptability testing of the Isolok. The measurements of these samples were presented as part of the study results, but no statistical analysis of these measurements was conducted as part of those results. It is the purpose of this report to provide that analysis, which was supported using JMP Version 7.0.2.« less

  17. Seizing opportunities for change at the operational level.

    PubMed

    Restrepo, Diana; Charron-Latour, Julie; Pourmonet, Hugo; Bassetto, Samuel

    2016-04-18

    Purpose - This paper presents a method for handling everyday opportunities for improvement, led by floor staff in healthcare institutions. More than 400,000 incidents and accidents were recorded in Quebec healthcare institutions in 2013. The burden of treatment falls on hospital floor staff. The purpose of this paper is to raise the visibility of this problem and support staff better in their efforts to handle opportunities for improvement. Design/methodology/approach - Based on issues identified in the literature, which have been found to exist in various organizations, the method involved reviewing practices in the field, proposing a solution, and testing it to assess its relevance and limitations. The method was tested in partnership with the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, in the internal medicine unit at Hôtel-Dieu campus. The test lasted three months. Indicators from this test have been compared to results in the literature. Findings - The proposed method presents a 68 per cent increase in ideas generated per person and per week compared to the reference study. The mean time for closing actions was about 41 per cent better (lower) than in the reference case. Research limitations/implications - The test lasted 15 weeks; a longer test is needed to collect more data. Practical implications - The first practical implication of this study was the creation of a method allowing employees to seize opportunities for improvement in their daily work. The application of this method revealed: first, the operational nature of the proposal (empowerment of the work team); second, the operationalization of continuous improvement (71 per cent of ideas were finalized while the initiative was monitored); third, the smooth operation of the mechanism for facilitating continuous improvement (organization of weekly meetings and team participation in these meetings in 90 per cent of cases); and fourth, a shared feeling that intra- and inter-team communication had been strengthened. Originality/value - The main value of this paper is that it proposes a simple problem-solving process that gives employees an opportunity to improve their daily work. The originality of this paper resides in comparing results to a standard case and observing an improvement. This paper proposes a new problem-solving structure and tests it scientifically.

  18. Medical Issues: Breathing

    MedlinePlus

    ... Funding Opportunities Research Conference Recruit for Clinical Trials Research Publications Spinraza Support & Care For Newly Diagnosed Care Packages Information Packets Equipment Pool Living With SMA Medical Issues Palliative Breathing Orthopedics Nutrition Equipment Daily Life At School At Home ...

  19. Medical Issues: Nutrition

    MedlinePlus

    ... Funding Opportunities Research Conference Recruit for Clinical Trials Research Publications Spinraza Support & Care For Newly Diagnosed Care Packages Information Packets Equipment Pool Living With SMA Medical Issues Palliative Breathing Orthopedics Nutrition Equipment Daily Life At School At Home ...

  20. Determining Extension's Role in Controversial Issues: Content, Process, Neither, or Both?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Goerlich, Dan; Walker, Martha A.

    2015-01-01

    Controversial issues offer Extension faculty opportunities to facilitate community dialogue and apply conflict resolution strategies to help communities achieve higher ground. Handled appropriately, the long-term benefits to the community, the Extension organization, and the faculty member of facilitating public issues outweigh the costs. This…

  1. Education Statistics Quarterly. Volume 5, Issue 1.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dillow, Sally, Ed.

    2003-01-01

    This publication provides a comprehensive overview of work done across all parts of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Each issue contains short publications, summaries, and descriptions that cover all NCES publications, data product, and funding opportunities developed over a 3-month period. Each issue also contains a message…

  2. St. Lawrence Seaway : overview of safety, efficiency, operational, and environmental issues : discussion paper

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-04-01

    This report is the first in a series of two reports focused on identifying opportunities for application of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS)technology or equivalent to address challenges and/or opportunities in the St. Lawrence Seaway....

  3. More than Just Service

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Barton, Rhonda; Reed, Bracken

    2010-01-01

    The historic 2008 presidential election provided unprecedented opportunities to engage young people in civic education--including heated classroom debates on contentious issues, social studies lessons on the electoral process, and opportunities to volunteer for national and local campaigns. Civic engagement can take many forms, including…

  4. Pitfalls and opportunities for environmental marketers.

    PubMed

    Gillespie, R J

    1992-01-01

    Issues such as global warming, ozone depletion, insufficient landfill capacity, and excess packaging are foremost on the minds of consumers. Companies face a myriad of environmental challenges, but they also recognize the opportunities to be gained by implementing responsible marketing action plans.

  5. Integrative methods for analyzing big data in precision medicine.

    PubMed

    Gligorijević, Vladimir; Malod-Dognin, Noël; Pržulj, Nataša

    2016-03-01

    We provide an overview of recent developments in big data analyses in the context of precision medicine and health informatics. With the advance in technologies capturing molecular and medical data, we entered the area of "Big Data" in biology and medicine. These data offer many opportunities to advance precision medicine. We outline key challenges in precision medicine and present recent advances in data integration-based methods to uncover personalized information from big data produced by various omics studies. We survey recent integrative methods for disease subtyping, biomarkers discovery, and drug repurposing, and list the tools that are available to domain scientists. Given the ever-growing nature of these big data, we highlight key issues that big data integration methods will face. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  6. Service-Learning in Afterschool: Helping Students Grow and Communities Prosper. MetLife Foundation Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 52

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Afterschool Alliance, 2011

    2011-01-01

    The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with MetLife Foundation, is proud to present the third in a series of four issue briefs examining critical issues facing middle school youth and the vital role afterschool programs play in addressing these issues. This brief focuses on service-learning opportunities for middle schoolers. Pairing service…

  7. Great Issues: Social Studies Elective - Grade 12; Great Issues A - Regents Credit; Great Issues B - School Credit.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Syracuse City School District, NY.

    This revised social studies course outline follows the New York State Methodology in the development of understandings, the building of concepts, and the generalizations arrived at in the study of a variety of broad issues at the local, state, national, and international levels. General objectives are to provide students with opportunity for…

  8. Participatory design of healthcare technology with children.

    PubMed

    Sims, Tara

    2018-02-12

    Purpose There are many frameworks and methods for involving children in design research. Human-Computer Interaction provides rich methods for involving children when designing technologies. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper examines various approaches to involving children in design, considering whether users view children as study objects or active participants. Findings The BRIDGE method is a sociocultural approach to product design that views children as active participants, enabling them to contribute to the design process as competent and resourceful partners. An example is provided, in which BRIDGE was successfully applied to developing upper limb prostheses with children. Originality/value Approaching design in this way can provide children with opportunities to develop social, academic and design skills and to develop autonomy.

  9. The Second Life Researcher Toolkit - An Exploration of Inworld Tools, Methods and Approaches for Researching Educational Projects in Second Life

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Moschini, Elena

    Academics are beginning to explore the educational potential of Second LifeTM (SL) by setting up inworld educational activities and projects. Given the relative novelty of the use of virtual world environments in higher education many such projects are still at pilot stage. However the initial pilot and experimentation stage will have to be followed by a rigorous evaluation process as for more traditional teaching projects. The chapter addresses issues about SL research tools and research methods. It introduces a "researcher toolkit" that includes: the various stages in the evaluation of SL educational projects and the theoretical framework that can inform such projects; an outline of the inworld tools that can be utilised or customised for academic research purposes; a review of methods for collecting feedback from participants and of the main ethical issues involved in researching virtual world environments; a discussion on the technical skills required to operate a research project in SL. The chapter also offers an indication of the inworld opportunities for the dissemination of SL research findings.

  10. Integrated mixed methods policy analysis for sustainable food systems: trends, challenges and future research.

    PubMed

    Cuevas, Soledad

    Agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, an important part of which is associated to deforestation and indirect land use change. Appropriate and coherent food policies can play an important role in aligning health, economic and environmental goals. From the point of view of policy analysis, however, this requires multi-sectoral, interdisciplinary approaches which can be highly complex. Important methodological advances in the area are not exempted from limitations and criticism. We argue that there is scope for further developments in integrated quantitative and qualitative policy analysis combining existing methods, including mathematical modelling and stakeholder analysis. We outline methodological trends in the field, briefly characterise integrated mixed methods policy analysis and identify contributions, challenges and opportunities for future research. In particular, this type of approach can help address issues of uncertainty and context-specific validity, incorporate multiple perspectives and help advance meaningful interdisciplinary collaboration in the field. Substantial challenges remain, however, such as the integration of key issues related to non-communicable disease, or the incorporation of a broader range of qualitative approaches that can address important cultural and ethical dimensions of food.

  11. School-to-Work Opportunities for All Youth: Intermediary Organizations and Expanding Options. School-to-Work Intermediary Project. Issue Brief.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Spera, Vincent; Williams, Andra

    The School to Work Opportunities Act of 1994 requires that all young people, including young people with disabilities and out-of-school youth, have equal opportunities to participate in the activities funded by it. Local intermediary organizations that provide a critical convening role and offer services to core education and business partners can…

  12. Equal Opportunity and the Urban Black: An Analysis of Public Policy and its Implications for Urban Planning (Abstract and Bibliography). Exchange Bibliography No. 634.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cushman, William Mitchell, Comp.

    This dissertation is concerned with racial discrimination as a central issue in urban planning. Although primarily concerned with black opportunities in housing, the study investigates Negro opportunities in related areas (education, income, and employment) in order to develop the linkages and interdependencies between the various aspects of equal…

  13. Investing in Boys and Young Men of Color: The Promise and the Opportunity. Issue Brief: Focus on Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bird, Kisha; Bryant, Rhonda

    2014-01-01

    This policy brief was prepared for the "Investing in Boys and Young Men of Color: The Promise and Opportunity" briefing held in June 2014 that was co-sponsored by National Council of La Raza, PolicyLink, the Executive Alliance to Expand Opportunities for Boys and Young Men of Color, and the Institute for Black Male Achievement. The…

  14. Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity in the Armed Services: Background and Issues for Congress

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-07-01

    from unlawful discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy , gender identity, and sexual orientation when...range of online resources for diversity management and equal opportunity programming. DEOMI’s Research Directorate administers a survey called the...Defense Equal Opportunity Climate Survey (DEOCS). This survey is intended to be a tool for commanders to improve their organizational culture. It

  15. American Indian transportation : issues and successful models

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2006-01-01

    Part I of this brief will identify issues, funding opportunities under the reauthorized national transit law Safe Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act a Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), and benefits of investing in tribal tran...

  16. Virginia Department of Transportation public-private procurement : issues and accomplishments and interim report

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1997-01-01

    This paper documents the contracting and procurement issues and opportunities encountered by VDOT in developing what was their first public-private partnership agreement for an Intelligent Transportation System (ITS).

  17. Technology in Middle School Reading Education: Opportunities to Transform the Classroom.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Blanchard, Jay; And Others

    1995-01-01

    Discusses the uses of multimedia, telecommunications, and word processing and desktop publishing in middle school reading education and examines three issues that affect teachers' opportunities to compete with popular culture's media: implementation, integration, and impact on achievement. (Author/LRW)

  18. Agricultural Education: Key to Providing Broader Opportunities for Third World Women in Production Agriculture.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lelle, Mark A.; Holt, Barbara A.

    1987-01-01

    The authors focus on providing opportunities for women in Third World countries in agriculture. A review of the body of knowledge in agricultural development and of the issues surrounding current world food crises is included. (CH)

  19. Opportunities for career advancement found to be very important to truckload drivers

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1993-02-01

    This study was conducted to determine what contributes and detracts from job satisfaction for drivers as a means of addressing the driver turnover/retention issue. One factor is that drivers' perception : of the opportunities for advancement within t...

  20. Issues to consider in the derivation of water quality benchmarks for the protection of aquatic life.

    PubMed

    Schneider, Uwe

    2014-01-01

    While water quality benchmarks for the protection of aquatic life have been in use in some jurisdictions for several decades (USA, Canada, several European countries), more and more countries are now setting up their own national water quality benchmark development programs. In doing so, they either adopt an existing method from another jurisdiction, update on an existing approach, or develop their own new derivation method. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, and many issues have to be addressed when setting up a water quality benchmark development program or when deriving a water quality benchmark. Each of these tasks requires a special expertise. They may seem simple, but are complex in their details. The intention of this paper was to provide some guidance for this process of water quality benchmark development on the program level, for the derivation methodology development, and in the actual benchmark derivation step, as well as to point out some issues (notably the inclusion of adapted populations and cryptic species and points to consider in the use of the species sensitivity distribution approach) and future opportunities (an international data repository and international collaboration in water quality benchmark development).

  1. Cultural hegemony? Educators’ perspectives on facilitating cross-cultural dialogue

    PubMed Central

    Zaidi, Zareen; Verstegen, Daniëlle; Vyas, Rashmi; Hamed, Omayma; Dornan, Tim; Morahan, Page

    2016-01-01

    Background We live in an age when education is being internationalized. This can confront students with ‘cultural hegemony’ that can result from the unequal distribution of power and privilege in global society. The name that is given to awareness of social inequality is ‘critical consciousness’. Cross-cultural dialogue provides an opportunity for learners to develop critical consciousness to counter cultural hegemony. The purpose of this research was to understand how learners engage with cross-cultural dialogue, so we can help them do so more effectively in the future. Method The setting for this research was an online discussion in an international health professions educator fellowship program. We introduced scenarios with cultural references to study the reaction of participants to cultural conversation cues. We used an inductive thematic analysis to explore power and hegemony issues. Results Participants reflected that personally they were more likely to take part in cross-cultural discussions if they recognized the context discussed or had prior exposure to educational settings with cultural diversity. They identified barriers as lack of skills in facilitating cross-cultural discussions and fear of offending others. They suggested deliberately introducing cultural issues throughout the curriculum. Conclusion Our results indicate that developing critical consciousness and cross-cultural competency will require instructional design to identify longitudinal opportunities to bring up cross-cultural issues, and training facilitators to foster cross-cultural discussions by asking clarifying questions and navigating crucial/sensitive conversations. PMID:27890048

  2. Interprofessional education in mental health: An opportunity to reduce mental illness stigma.

    PubMed

    Maranzan, K Amanda

    2016-05-01

    Mental illness stigma is a common problem in healthcare students and professionals in addition to the general public. Stigma is associated with numerous negative outcomes and hence there is an urgent need to address it. This article explores the potential for interprofessional education (IPE) to emerge as a strategy to reduce mental illness stigma amongst healthcare students and professionals. Most anti-stigma strategies use a combination of knowledge and contact (with a person with lived experience) to change attitudes towards mental illness. Not surprisingly interprofessional educators are well acquainted with theory and learning approaches for attitude change as they are already used in IPE to address learners' attitudes and perceptions of themselves, other professions, and/or teamwork. This article, through an analysis of IPE pedagogy and learning methods, identifies opportunities to address mental illness stigma with application of the conditions that facilitate stigma reduction. The goal of this article is to raise awareness of the issue of mental illness stigma amongst healthcare students and professionals and to highlight interprofessional education as an untapped opportunity for change.

  3. Status of the Signals of Opportunity Airborne Demonstrator (SoOp-AD)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Garrison, Jim; Lin, Yao-Cheng; Piepmeier, Jeff; Knuble, Joe; Hersey, Ken; Du Toit, Cornelus; Joseph, Alicia; Deshpande, Manohar; Alikakos, George; O'Brien, Steve; hide

    2016-01-01

    Root zone soil moisture (RZSM) is not directly measured by any current satellite instrument, despite its importance as a key link between surface hydrology and deeper processes. Presently, model assimilation of surface measurements or indirect estimates using other methods must be used to estimate this value. Signals of Opportunity (SoOp) methods, exploiting reflected P- and S-band communication satellite signals, have many of the benefits of both active and passive microwave remote sensing. Reutilization of active transmitters, with forward-scattering geometry, presents a strong reflected signal even at orbital altitudes. Microwave radiometry is advantageous as it measures emissivity, which is directly related to dielectric constant and sensitive to water content of soil. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is used in P-band (400 MHz) for soil moisture and biomass, but faces issues in obtaining permission to transmit due to spectrum regulations, particularly over North America and Europe. A primary advantage of SAR is excellent spatial resolution. Signals-of-opportunity (SoOp) reflectometry provides a good compromise between radiometry and SAR by providing decent sensitivity and special resolution for RZSM measurements without issues of spectrum access. Further, a SoOp instrument would not be limited to operating in only a few protected frequencies and is also expected to have less susceptibility to radio-frequency interference (RFI). Although advantageous if available, SoOp techniques do not require the ability to demodulate or decode the communication signals. The SoOp instrument is receive only and therefore requires much less electrical power than a SAR and is more similar to a radiometer in receiver architecture. These unique features of SoOp circumvent past obstacles to a spaceborne P-band remote sensing mission and have the potential to enable new RZSM measurements that are not possible with present technology. We will present the latest development status of a SoOp reflectometer airborne demonstrator (SoOp-AD) operating at 250 MHz to take advantage of existing communication satellite. The instrument is currently in laboratory integration and test.

  4. Summary of Key Issues Raised in the Technology for Early Awareness of Addiction and Mental Illness (TEAAM-I) Meeting.

    PubMed

    Baumel, Amit; Baker, Justin; Birnbaum, Michael L; Christensen, Helen; De Choudhury, Munmun; Mohr, David C; Muench, Fred; Schlosser, Danielle; Titov, Nick; Kane, John M

    2018-05-01

    Technology provides an unparalleled opportunity to remove barriers to earlier identification and engagement in services for mental and addictive disorders by reaching people earlier in the course of illness and providing links to just-in-time, cost-effective interventions. Achieving this opportunity, however, requires stakeholders to challenge underlying assumptions about traditional pathways to mental health care. In this Open Forum, the authors highlight key issues discussed in the Technology for Early Awareness of Addiction and Mental Illness (TEAAM-I) meeting-held October 13-14, 2016, in New York City-that are related to three identified areas in which technology provides important and unique opportunities to advance early identification, increase service engagement, and decrease the duration of untreated mental and addictive disorders.

  5. Dissemination, Implementation, and Improvement Science Research in Population Health: Opportunities for Public Health and CTSAs

    PubMed Central

    Gase, Lauren N.; Inkelas, Moira

    2015-01-01

    Abstract Importance The complex, dynamic nature of health systems requires dissemination, implementation, and improvement (DII) sciences to effectively translate emerging knowledge into practice. Although they hold great promise for informing multisector policies and system‐level changes, these methods are often not strategically used by public health. Objectives and Methods More than 120 stakeholders from Southern California, including the community, federal and local government, university, and health services were convened to identify key priorities and opportunities for public health departments and Clinical and Translational Science Awards programs (CTSAs) to advance DII sciences in population health. Main Outcomes Participants identified challenges (mismatch of practice realities with narrowly focused research questions; lack of iterative learning) and solutions (using methods that fit the dynamic nature of the real world; aligning theories of change across sectors) for applying DII science research to public health problems. Pragmatic steps that public health and CTSAs can take to facilitate DII science research include: employing appropriate study designs; training scientists and practicing professionals in these methods; securing resources to advance this work; and supporting team science to solve complex‐systems issues. Conclusions Public health and CTSAs represent a unique model of practice for advancing DII research in population health. The partnership can inform policy and program development in local communities. PMID:26243323

  6. Reducing Physical Risk Factors in Construction Work Through a Participatory Intervention: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Process Evaluation.

    PubMed

    Ajslev, Jeppe; Brandt, Mikkel; Møller, Jeppe Lykke; Skals, Sebastian; Vinstrup, Jonas; Jakobsen, Markus Due; Sundstrup, Emil; Madeleine, Pascal; Andersen, Lars Louis

    2016-05-26

    Previous research has shown that reducing physical workload among workers in the construction industry is complicated. In order to address this issue, we developed a process evaluation in a formative mixed-methods design, drawing on existing knowledge of the potential barriers for implementation. We present the design of a mixed-methods process evaluation of the organizational, social, and subjective practices that play roles in the intervention study, integrating technical measurements to detect excessive physical exertion measured with electromyography and accelerometers, video documentation of working tasks, and a 3-phased workshop program. The evaluation is designed in an adapted process evaluation framework, addressing recruitment, reach, fidelity, satisfaction, intervention delivery, intervention received, and context of the intervention companies. Observational studies, interviews, and questionnaires among 80 construction workers organized in 20 work gangs, as well as health and safety staff, contribute to the creation of knowledge about these phenomena. At the time of publication, the process of participant recruitment is underway. Intervention studies are challenging to conduct and evaluate in the construction industry, often because of narrow time frames and ever-changing contexts. The mixed-methods design presents opportunities for obtaining detailed knowledge of the practices intra-acting with the intervention, while offering the opportunity to customize parts of the intervention.

  7. A Sound Education for All: Multicultural Issues in Music Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnson, Jr., Bob L.

    2004-01-01

    Establishing the legitimacy of the arts within the larger school curriculum is a defining issue in arts education. Within the context of this perennial challenge, this article examines two multicultural issues in music education: equal music education opportunity and the idiomatic hegemony of the Western classical tradition. Discussions of the…

  8. Educational Policy Issues for the 1990s: Balancing Equity and Excellence in Implementing the Reform Agenda.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Marcoulides, George A.; Heck, Ronald H.

    1990-01-01

    Discusses problems with reform issues that focus specifically on changing the system of educational policymaking to achieve excellence but lack safeguards against compromising equality of educational opportunity in the public school system. Explores the conflicting political views of reform policy, which include economic issues and democratic…

  9. Chemical Facility Preparedness: A Comprehensive Approach

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-09-01

    25 E. SWOT ANALYSIS & STRATEGIC ISSUE DEVELOPMENT ..............27 1. What can DHS do to Improve...be calculated and reviewed. Continuous benchmarking against best practices will be a necessity. E. SWOT ANALYSIS & STRATEGIC ISSUE DEVELOPMENT...In order to identify strategic issues for DHS, a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat ( SWOT ) analysis is necessary. Conducting this kind of

  10. The Conservation and Protection: The Development and Utilization of Human Resources.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lippitt, Ronald

    The three dimensions of the quality of the environment for human resource development are discussed as issues of opportunity versus deprivation, issues of growth inducing versus growth destroying interventions, and issues of utilization versus non-utilization of human resources. Both pathology and potential are illustrated by descriptions of our…

  11. Invasion Science: A Horizon Scan of Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

    Treesearch

    Anthony Ricciardi; Tim M. Blackburn; James T. Carlton; Jaimie T.A. Dick; Philip E. Hulme; Josephine C. Iacarella; Jonathan M. Jeschke; Andrew M. Liebhold; Julie L. Lockwood; Hugh J. MacIsaac; Petr Pyšek; David M. Richardson; Gregory M. Ruiz; Daniel Simberloff; William J. Sutherland; David A. Wardle; David C. Aldridge

    2017-01-01

    We identified emerging scientific, technological, and sociopolitical issues likely to affect how biological invasions are studied and managed over the next two decades. Issues were ranked according to their probability of emergence, pervasiveness, potential impact, and novelty. Top-ranked issues include the application of genomic modification tools to control invasions...

  12. 76 FR 18757 - Monthly Public Meetings of the Local Government Advisory Committee's Small Community Advisory...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-04-05

    ..., via teleconference calls, to discuss EPA regulation, policy, and the significant environmental issues... Subcommittee members to work together and discuss relevant issues, as well as allow an opportunity for the...

  13. School Desegregation and Community Education: Effects and Opportunities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nance, Everette E.; Dixon, James D., II

    1991-01-01

    Community education must address issues that affect a variety of cultures at different levels. Public school desegregation processes offer opportunities for restructuring schools to be more responsive to community needs, for enhancing race relations, and for improving the economic viability of a community. (JOW)

  14. Practising Conservation Biology in a Virtual Rainforest World

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Schedlbauer, Jessica L.; Nadolny, Larysa; Woolfrey, Joan

    2016-01-01

    The interdisciplinary science of conservation biology provides undergraduate biology students with the opportunity to connect the biological sciences with disciplines including economics, social science and philosophy to address challenging conservation issues. Because of its complexity, students do not often have the opportunity to practise…

  15. Initial Results in Using a Self-Coherence Method for Detecting Sustained Oscillations

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Zhou, Ning; Dagle, Jeffery E.

    2015-01-01

    This paper develops a self-coherence method for detecting sustained oscillations using phasor measurement unit (PMU) data. Sustained oscillations decrease system performance and introduce potential reliability issues. Timely detection of the oscillations at an early stage provides the opportunity for taking remedial reaction. Using high-speed time-synchronized PMU data, this paper details a self-coherence method for detecting sustained oscillation, even when the oscillation amplitude is lower than ambient noise. Simulation and field measurement data are used to evaluate the proposed method’s performance. It is shown that the proposed method can detect sustained oscillations and estimate oscillation frequencies with a low signal-to-noise ratio.more » Comparison with a power spectral density method also shows that the proposed self-coherence method performs better. Index Terms—coherence, power spectral density, phasor measurement unit (PMU), oscillations, power system dynamics« less

  16. Machine‐Assisted Organic Synthesis

    PubMed Central

    Fitzpatrick, Daniel E.; Myers, Rebecca M.; Battilocchio, Claudio; Ingham, Richard. J.

    2015-01-01

    Abstract In this Review we describe how the advent of machines is impacting on organic synthesis programs, with particular emphasis on the practical issues associated with the design of chemical reactors. In the rapidly changing, multivariant environment of the research laboratory, equipment needs to be modular to accommodate high and low temperatures and pressures, enzymes, multiphase systems, slurries, gases, and organometallic compounds. Additional technologies have been developed to facilitate more specialized reaction techniques such as electrochemical and photochemical methods. All of these areas create both opportunities and challenges during adoption as enabling technologies. PMID:26193360

  17. Advancements in the field of personality development.

    PubMed

    De Fruyt, Filip; Van Leeuwen, Karla

    2014-07-01

    A summary is provided what the fields of personality and developmental psychology had to offer each other the past decade, reflected in the eleven contributions enclosed in this special issue. Strengths and opportunities to further advance the field are identified, including the extension of general trait with maladaptive trait models, the use of alternative methods to assess personality, and the adoption of configural approaches to describe traits in individuals, beyond more traditional person-centered approaches. Copyright © 2014 The Foundation for Professionals in Services for Adolescents. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  18. Analysis Insights: Energy Storage - Possibilities for Expanding Electric Grid Flexibility

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    2016-02-01

    NREL Analysis Insights mines our body of analysis work to synthesize topical insights and key findings. In this issue, we explore energy storage and the role it is playing and could potentially play in increasing grid flexibility and renewable energy integration. We explore energy storage as one building block for a more flexible power system, policy and R and D as drivers of energy storage deployment, methods for valuing energy storage in grid applications, ways that energy storage supports renewable integration, and emerging opportunities for energy storage in the electric grid.

  19. The first international workshop on the role and impact of mathematics in medicine: A collective account

    PubMed Central

    Artzrouni, Marc; Begg, Colin; Chabiniok, Radomir; Clairambault, Jean; Foss, AJE; Hargrove, John; Lee, Eva K; Siggers, Jennifer H; Tindall, Marcus

    2011-01-01

    The First International Workshop on The Role and Impact of Mathematics in Medicine (RIMM) convened in Paris in June 2010. A broad range of researchers discussed the difficulties, challenges and opportunities faced by those wishing to see mathematical methods contribute to improved medical outcomes. Finding mechanisms for interdisciplinary meetings, developing a common language, staying focused on the medical problem at hand, deriving realistic mathematical solutions, obtaining high quality data and seeing things through “by the bedside” are some of the issues discussed by the participants.

  20. Workshop on Basic Research Opportunities in Photovoltaics

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Benner, J.; McConnell, R.; Deb, S., Editors

    1999-08-25

    The Basic Research Opportunities in Photovoltaics Workshop was held on May 3, 1999, in Seattle, Washington, in conjunction with the 195th Meeting of the Electrochemical Society. The workshop was structured into eight topics. Each topic area opened with a presentation in which the participants were asked to address the following: a brief introduction of the area of research; key research issues that were identified in an earlier workshop in 1992; what fundamental research has been done since then or is currently being done to address those issues; what are the research issues that are still relevant in light of advancesmore » made since the first workshop; identification of new fundamental research opportunities that will lead to important advances and innovations; and identification of significant commonalities and common research issues that have a cross-cutting impact, such as logically exist in silicon-based thin films, II-VI, and related materials. The topic areas discussed included amorphous and microcrystalline silicon, crystalline silicon, cadmium telluride, copper indium diselenide; III-V materials; novel materials and energy conversion approaches, semiconducting oxides, and characterization. After the meeting, participants in each working topic continued discussions by electronic means, completing journal articles that are to be published as a separate section in the ECS Proceedings of the ''PV for the 21st Century'' Symposium.« less

  1. Employment. Feature Issue.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wallace, Teri, Ed.; And Others

    1993-01-01

    This theme issue addresses current trends and new developments in ensuring that individuals with disabilities have meaningful employment opportunities, especially in the context of recent federal legislation. Stressed throughout is the importance of collaboration among professionals, individuals with disabilities, and family members in achieving…

  2. Virginia Department of Transportation public-private procurement : issues and accomplishments and interim report

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1999-01-01

    This paper documents the contracting and procurement issues and opportunities encountered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) in developing what was their first public-private partnership agreement for an Intelligent Transportation Sy...

  3. 78 FR 44104 - Notice of Intent To Issue a Funding Opportunity Announcement; Technical Assistance

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-07-23

    ... Funding Opportunity Announcement; Technical Assistance AGENCY: Federal Energy Management Program, Office.... This notice also is to inform Federal agencies of the availability of technical assistance in advance.... FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For requests for technical assistance regarding CHP, please contact...

  4. Reducing Dropout Rates through Expanded Learning Opportunities. Issue Brief

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Harris, Laura; Princiotta, Daniel

    2009-01-01

    Expanded learning opportunities (ELOs), which include afterschool, summer learning, and extended day and extended year programs, can help states reduce dropout rates and increase graduation rates. Effective elementary, middle, and high school ELOs support academic rigor, boost student engagement, and provide students with supportive relationships.…

  5. Transformative research issues and opportunities in energy efficiency

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    This article presents a summary of research opportunities in energy efficiency identified in a workshop by a panel of experts assembled for the Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation Division of the U.S. National Science Foundation. The workshop and article are restricted to two areas – red...

  6. The Papua New Guinea medical supply system - documenting opportunities and challenges to meet the Millennium Development Goals

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Objectives Limited human resources are widely recognised as an impediment to achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals in Pacific Island Countries, with the availability of medical supplies and suitably trained health personnel crucial to ensuring a well-functioning medical supply chain. This paper presents our findings as we seek to answer the research question ‘What factors influence the availability of medical supplies within the health facilities of Papua New Guinea?’ Methods We used a qualitative, triangulated strategy using semi-structured interviews, workplace observation and semi-structured focus groups. The parallel use of the interview tool and workplace observation tool allowed identification of ‘know-do’ gaps between what the interviewee said they did in their work practices, and the actual evidence of these practices. Focus groups provided further opportunities for raising and elaborating issues. Results During 2 weeks of data collection we conducted 17 interviews and 15 observational workplace surveys in 15 facilities. Sixteen health personnel participated in 3 focus groups across 2 provinces and one district. An array of medical supply issues across all levels of the medical supply chain were revealed, including standard operating procedures, facilities, transport, emergency medical kits, the cold chain and record keeping. The influence of health worker training and competency was found to be common across all of these issues. Conclusion The factors influencing the availability of medical supplies in PNG consist of a range of interrelating issues, consisting of both simple and complex problems involving the different levels and cadres of workers within the medical supply chain. Health systems sustainability theory suggests that a coordinated approach which addresses the inter-related nature of these issues, led by the PNG government and supported by suitable development partners, will be required for sustainable health systems change to occur. These changes are necessary for PNG to meet the health-related Millennium Development Goals. PMID:25848545

  7. The need for environmental horizon scanning.

    PubMed

    Sutherland, William J; Woodroof, Harry J

    2009-10-01

    Policymakers and practitioners in most fields, including conservation and the environment, often make decisions based on insufficient evidence. One reason for this is that issues appear unexpectedly, when with hindsight, many of them were foreseeable. A solution to the problem of being insufficiently prepared is routine horizon scanning, which we describe as the systematic search for potential threats and opportunities that are currently poorly recognized. Researchers can then decide which issues might be most worthwhile to study. Practitioners can also use horizon scanning to ensure timely policy development and research procurement. Here, we suggest that horizon scanning is an underused tool that should become a standard element of environmental and conservation practice. We make recommendations for its incorporation into research, policy and practice. We argue that, as an ecological and conservation community, we are failing to provide timely advice owing to a weakness in identifying forthcoming issues. We outline possible horizon-scanning methods, and also make recommendations as to how horizon scanning could have a more central role in environmental and conservation practice.

  8. The Osler Student Societies of the University of Texas medical branch: a medical professionalism translational tool.

    PubMed

    Malloy, Michael H

    2012-12-01

    This essay reviews some of the issues associated with the challenge of integrating the concepts of medical professionalism into the socialization and identity formation of the undergraduate medical student. A narrative-based approach to the integration of professionalism in medical education proposed by Coulehan (Acad Med 80(10):892-898, 2005) offers an appealing method to accomplish the task in a less didactic format and in a way that promotes more personal growth. In this essay, I review how the Osler Student Societies of the University of Texas Medical Branch developed and how they offer a convenient vehicle to carry out this narrative-based approach to professionalism. Through mentor-modeled professional behavior, opportunities for student self-reflection, the development of narrative skills through reflection on great literature, and opportunities for community service, the Osler Student Societies provide a ready-made narrative-based approach to medical professionalism education.

  9. Optimal experience among teachers: new insights into the work paradox.

    PubMed

    Bassi, Marta; Delle Fave, Antonella

    2012-01-01

    Several studies highlighted that individuals perceive work as an opportunity for flow or optimal experience, but not as desirable and pleasant. This finding was defined as the work paradox. The present study addressed this issue among teachers from the perspective of self-determination theory, investigating work-related intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, as well as autonomous and controlled behavior regulation. In Study 1, 14 teachers were longitudinally monitored with Experience Sampling Method for one work week. In Study 2, 184 teachers were administered Flow Questionnaire and Work Preference Inventory, respectively investigating opportunities for optimal experience, and motivational orientations at work. Results showed that work-related optimal experiences were associated with both autonomous regulation and with controlled regulation. Moreover, teachers reported both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation at work, with a prevailing intrinsic orientation. Findings provide novel insights on the work paradox, and suggestions for teachers' well-being promotion.

  10. Current Technical Approaches for the Early Detection of Foodborne Pathogens: Challenges and Opportunities.

    PubMed

    Cho, Il-Hoon; Ku, Seockmo

    2017-09-30

    The development of novel and high-tech solutions for rapid, accurate, and non-laborious microbial detection methods is imperative to improve the global food supply. Such solutions have begun to address the need for microbial detection that is faster and more sensitive than existing methodologies (e.g., classic culture enrichment methods). Multiple reviews report the technical functions and structures of conventional microbial detection tools. These tools, used to detect pathogens in food and food homogenates, were designed via qualitative analysis methods. The inherent disadvantage of these analytical methods is the necessity for specimen preparation, which is a time-consuming process. While some literature describes the challenges and opportunities to overcome the technical issues related to food industry legal guidelines, there is a lack of reviews of the current trials to overcome technological limitations related to sample preparation and microbial detection via nano and micro technologies. In this review, we primarily explore current analytical technologies, including metallic and magnetic nanomaterials, optics, electrochemistry, and spectroscopy. These techniques rely on the early detection of pathogens via enhanced analytical sensitivity and specificity. In order to introduce the potential combination and comparative analysis of various advanced methods, we also reference a novel sample preparation protocol that uses microbial concentration and recovery technologies. This technology has the potential to expedite the pre-enrichment step that precedes the detection process.

  11. Framing the Dialogue: Strategies, Issues and Opportunities

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-05-01

    issue is the relationship between the declining Federal financing of public works and the Federal interest in providing infrastructure services. Large...programs and projects are significant. lmprove Infrastructure Managmnt : Management improvements closely parallel the issues associated with strategic... Relationship Between Examination of the linkage between standards GKY & Standards & and the delivery of goods and services from Associates Performance

  12. An American Challenge: A Report on Economic Trends and Social Issues in Appalachia.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Couto, Richard A.

    This book provides an overview of economic trends and social issues in the 13 states and 399 counties of Appalachia, with emphasis on implications for families, children, and communities. It places the trends and issues of the Appalachian region within a national context. These trends include declining employment opportunities and wages, increased…

  13. Maritime security report number 3. September 1996 [U.S. Coast Guard issues passenger vessel and terminal security inspection regulations; international perspectives on maritime security; first Inter-American course on port security

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1996-09-01

    While most issues of the Maritime Security Report deal with the security situation in geographic area, the articles in this issue deal with publications, training courses, and policy developments which contribute to deterring opportunities for crimin...

  14. 75 FR 33673 - Tart Cherries Grown in the States of Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Utah, Washington...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-06-15

    ... Recommended Decision issued on May 7, 2009 and published in the May 12, 2009, issue of the Federal Register (74 FR 22112), and a Secretary's Decision and Referendum Order issued on January 6, 2010, and... Decision and Opportunity to File Written Exceptions thereto. This Recommended Decision was published in the...

  15. Value and Opportunity: Comparable Pay for Comparable Worth. Series on Public Issues No. 10.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Walker, Deborah

    In this booklet, one of a series intended to apply economic principles to major social and political issues, an argument is presented against comparable pay for comparable worth policies for women. Separate subsections present opposing viewpoints on this controversial issue as well as an examination of whether legislation has been a…

  16. A Case Study on Science Teacher Leadership to Address Diversity and Equity through Professional Development

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Doraiswamy, Nithya

    2015-01-01

    This qualitative case study focused on the multifaceted issue of exploring science teacher leaders understanding and addressing of issues of diversity and equity with peers through professional development. The purpose of the study was to highlight the opportunities and barriers to the addressing of issues of diversity and equity through the work…

  17. A Rapid Method of Isolating Neoantigen-specific T Cell Receptor Sequences | NCI Technology Transfer Center | TTC

    Cancer.gov

    Recent research has demonstrated that neoantigen-specific T-cell receptors (TCRs) can be isolated from a cancer patient’s lymphocytes. These TCRs may be used to engineer populations of tumor-reactive T cells for cancer immunotherapies. Obtaining sequences of these functional TCRs is a critical initial step in preparing this type of personalized cancer treatment; however, current methods are time-consuming and labor-intensive. Scientists at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) have developed a rapid and robust method of isolating the sequences of mutation-specific TCRs to alleviate these issues; they seek licensing and/or co-development research collaborations for the development of a method for isolating the sequences of tumor-reactive TCRs. For collaboration opportunities, please contact Steven A. Rosenberg, M.D., Ph.D. at sar@nih.gov.

  18. Integrating human health and environmental health into the DPSIR framework: a tool to identify research opportunities for sustainable and healthy communities.

    PubMed

    Yee, Susan H; Bradley, Patricia; Fisher, William S; Perreault, Sally D; Quackenboss, James; Johnson, Eric D; Bousquin, Justin; Murphy, Patricia A

    2012-12-01

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently realigned its research enterprise around the concept of sustainability. Scientists from across multiple disciplines have a role to play in contributing the information, methods, and tools needed to more fully understand the long-term impacts of decisions on the social and economic sustainability of communities. Success will depend on a shift in thinking to integrate, organize, and prioritize research within a systems context. We used the Driving forces-Pressures-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework as a basis for integrating social, cultural, and economic aspects of environmental and human health into a single framework. To make the framework broadly applicable to sustainability research planning, we provide a hierarchical system of DPSIR keywords and guidelines for use as a communication tool. The applicability of the integrated framework was first tested on a public health issue (asthma disparities) for purposes of discussion. We then applied the framework at a science planning meeting to identify opportunities for sustainable and healthy communities research. We conclude that an integrated systems framework has many potential roles in science planning, including identifying key issues, visualizing interactions within the system, identifying research gaps, organizing information, developing computational models, and identifying indicators.

  19. Engine technology challenges for a 21st century high speed civil transport

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Shaw, Robert J.

    1991-01-01

    Recent NASA funded studies by Boeing and Douglas suggest an opportunity exists for a 21st Century High Speed Civil Transport (HSCT) to become part of the international air transportation system. However, before this opportunity for high speed travel can be realized, certain environmental and and economic barrier issues must be overcome. These challenges are outlined. Research activities which NASA has planned to address these barrier issues and to provide a technology base to allow U.S. manufacturers to make an informed go/no go decision on developing the HSCT are discussed.

  20. A Healthy New World: Emergent Opportunities for Clinical Psychologists in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

    PubMed Central

    Beidas, Rinad S.; Manderscheid, Ronald W.

    2014-01-01

    The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) is radically transforming the health and mental health care landscape. Emergent opportunities exist for clinical psychologists to redefine their role in healthcare. We reflect on the Chor and colleagues article (this issue) elucidating key issues for psychologists, and present additional recommendations for consideration. Specifically, we highlight three points: (1) moving beyond just training and hoping; (2) recovery, not just symptom reduction; and (3) it’s a healthy new world. Under each of these points, we suggest tactics for how to achieve these goals. PMID:24954983

  1. Court-Driven Reform and Equal Educational Opportunity: Centralization, Decentralization, and the Shifting Judicial Role

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Superfine, Benjamin Michael

    2010-01-01

    Judicial decisions focusing on equal educational opportunity involve significant issues of educational governance and often involve explicit questions about the extent to which authority to make educational decisions should be centralized or decentralized across various institutions and entities. This review aims at clarifying scholars'…

  2. Essays on Character & Opportunity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Center on Children and Families at Brookings, 2014

    2014-01-01

    These essays provide richer set of writings on the philosophical, empirical and practical issues raised by a focus on character, and in particular its relationship to questions of opportunity. Each one is an intellectual pemmican: sharp and to the point. Two scholars draw attention to the gendered nature of character formation (Segal and Lexmond);…

  3. Mobile Technologies Enhance the E-Learning Opportunity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Chuang, Keh-Wen

    2009-01-01

    The objective of this paper is to identify the mobile technologies that enhance the E-Learning opportunity, examine the educational benefits and implementation issues in mobile learning, discuss the guidelines for implementing effective mobile learning, identify the current application and operation of mobile learning, and discuss the future of…

  4. Workplace Diversity and Public Policy: Challenges and Opportunities for Psychology

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Fassinger, Ruth E.

    2008-01-01

    This article outlines both challenges and opportunities for psychology of issues related to diversity in education and work. For the purposes of this discussion, "diverse" populations include four groups currently marginalized and disadvantaged in the U.S. workplace: women, people of color, sexual minorities, and people with disabilities. An…

  5. Food Processing and Marketing: New Directions...New Opportunities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Welch, Mary A., Ed.

    1995-01-01

    This issue uses tomato processing to illustrate the new directions and opportunities available in the food market. Comparative advantage and economies of scale are discussed in relation to markets. Forecasting success in the market is attributed to studying consumer consumption trends by type and monitoring standards of living in 32 newly…

  6. 76 FR 79441 - Equal Credit Opportunity (Regulation B)

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-12-21

    ... Regulations, at (202) 435-7700. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Equal Credit Opportunity Act... 1061(b)(5)(C)(i). III. Legal Authority A. Rulemaking Authority The Bureau is issuing this interim final... Notification Forms Appendix D to Part 1002--Issuance of Official Interpretations Supplement I to Part 1002...

  7. Federal Laws: Nondiscrimination and Faculty Employment.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shulman, Carol Herrnstadt

    Federal laws and regulations designed to assure equal employment opportunities have only recently been applied to faculty employment, but they have rapidly become an important issue in higher education. The goal of true equal employment opportunity has been pursued in court cases and legislation for many years, principally in the industrial…

  8. Report Outlines Promising Opportunities for Addressing Climate Change

    Science.gov Websites

    Report Outlines Promising Opportunities for Addressing Climate Change For more information contact , have issued a major report that finds the United States can make impressive strides toward addressing climate change through smart policies and technologies. The report, "Scenarios for a Clean Energy

  9. Opportunity to Learn: The Health Connection.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jackson, Shirley A.

    1993-01-01

    Reviews the following health issues related to the opportunity to learn for poor African-American and other minority children: (1) inadequate prenatal care; (2) malnutrition; (3) childhood diseases and illnesses; (4) unsafe environments and violence; (5) teenage sexual activity, pregnancy, and AIDS; (6) substance use and abuse; and (7) mental and…

  10. Science, Technology, Society: Opportunities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lux, Donald G., Ed.

    1992-01-01

    Recognizing the potential pitfalls resulting from a lack of human foresight lies at the heart of the science-technology-society (STS) movement. This issue of "Theory Into Practice" is the second part of a two-part series that examines the educational opportunities arising as educators attempt to develop student understanding of STS. In the first…

  11. 21 CFR 601.92 - Withdrawal procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... opportunity for a hearing. The Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research or the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research will give the applicant notice of an opportunity for a... issues involved and to provide advice and recommendations to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. (2) The...

  12. 21 CFR 601.92 - Withdrawal procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... opportunity for a hearing. The Director of the Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research or the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research will give the applicant notice of an opportunity for a... issues involved and to provide advice and recommendations to the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. (2) The...

  13. The Lavender Ceiling atop the Global Closet: Human Resource Development and Lesbian Expatriates

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gedro, Julie

    2010-01-01

    This literature review will examine international assignments as career development opportunities and uncover multiple issues and considerations with respect to lesbians and international assignments. There is a clear interest in the fields of management and human resource management in the privileges, challenges, and opportunities of…

  14. Enhancing the connectivity of high speed rail in the Orlando-Tampa corridor with local public transportation systems : issues and opportunities.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2011-01-01

    High Speed Rail (HSR) will only be truly transformational if it has effective connections with as many other modes of transportation as possible. This project looks at local public transportation systems that have opportunities to connect to HSR stat...

  15. Equity, Equal Opportunities, Gender and Organization Performance.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Standing, Hilary; Baume, Elaine

    The issues of equity, equal opportunities, gender, and organization performance in the health care sector worldwide was examined. Information was gathered from the available literature and from individuals in 17 countries. The analysis highlighted the facts that employment equity debates and policies refer largely to high-income countries and…

  16. Measuring Access to Learning Opportunities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hawley, Willis D., Ed.; Ready, Timothy, Ed.

    This study examined the continued relevance and adequacy of the Elementary and Secondary School Civil Rights Compliance Report (E&S Survey) as a tool for enforcing civil rights laws in education, monitoring quality of access to learning opportunities, and research on other current issues of educational policy and practice. The Committee on…

  17. Citizen Participation: Antagonists or Allies

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Cunningham, William G.

    1976-01-01

    If participation does not include an openness to the issues that are of real concern to the community and an opportunity to influence policy relating to those issues, it becomes an empty public relations gesture fostering apathy, disinterest, resistance, or counter-organization. (MB)

  18. A Comparison of Earthquake Back-Projection Imaging Methods for Dense Local Arrays, and Application to the 2011 Virginia Aftershock Sequence

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Beskardes, G. D.; Hole, J. A.; Wang, K.; Wu, Q.; Chapman, M. C.; Davenport, K. K.; Michaelides, M.; Brown, L. D.; Quiros, D. A.

    2016-12-01

    Back-projection imaging has recently become a practical method for local earthquake detection and location due to the deployment of densely sampled, continuously recorded, local seismograph arrays. Back-projection is scalable to earthquakes with a wide range of magnitudes from very tiny to very large. Local dense arrays provide the opportunity to capture very tiny events for a range applications, such as tectonic microseismicity, source scaling studies, wastewater injection-induced seismicity, hydraulic fracturing, CO2 injection monitoring, volcano studies, and mining safety. While back-projection sometimes utilizes the full seismic waveform, the waveforms are often pre-processed to overcome imaging issues. We compare the performance of back-projection using four previously used data pre-processing methods: full waveform, envelope, short-term averaging / long-term averaging (STA/LTA), and kurtosis. The goal is to identify an optimized strategy for an entirely automated imaging process that is robust in the presence of real-data issues, has the lowest signal-to-noise thresholds for detection and for location, has the best spatial resolution of the energy imaged at the source, preserves magnitude information, and considers computational cost. Real data issues include aliased station spacing, low signal-to-noise ratio (to <1), large noise bursts and spatially varying waveform polarity. For evaluation, the four imaging methods were applied to the aftershock sequence of the 2011 Virginia earthquake as recorded by the AIDA array with 200-400 m station spacing. These data include earthquake magnitudes from -2 to 3 with highly variable signal to noise, spatially aliased noise, and large noise bursts: realistic issues in many environments. Each of the four back-projection methods has advantages and disadvantages, and a combined multi-pass method achieves the best of all criteria. Preliminary imaging results from the 2011 Virginia dataset will be presented.

  19. Balancing traditional values in academic medicine with advances in science and technology.

    PubMed

    Fenderson, Bruce A; Fenderson, Douglas A

    2004-06-01

    Scientific discovery, population growth, and world commerce are converging to reshape medicine in unforeseen ways. Instead of responding passively to change we must embrace each challenge as an opportunity. Critical issues facing academic medicine today include a revolution in molecular biology and biotechnology, spiraling costs of health care, lack of consensus on a frame of reference for strategic planning (global versus local), and lack of appropriate methods of assessment (outcome analysis). These issues are complex and broad. Thus, it may be that the best that can emerge from our discussion is to identify the major dimensions along which progress may be expected and to predict ways in which change can be directed to serve the needs of health care institutions and medical professionals around the world. Solutions will require innovation in medical education, leadership, and international collaboration.

  20. Quality of Life After Prophylactic Oophorectomy

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2002-09-01

    information about the effects of prophylactic oophorectomy, this pilot study will provide significant information on the broader quality of life issues...They also need the opportunity to choose from an array of coping strategies to manage their health decisions. Studying multidimensional quality of life issues

  1. Assistive Technologies, Feature Issue.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wobschall, Rachel, Ed.; Lakin, Charlie, Ed.

    1995-01-01

    This feature issue of a newsletter on community integration of individuals with developmental disabilities considers the role of assistive technologies. It describes efforts to utilize consumer direction, public policy, creativity, energy, and professional know-how in the pursuit of technology-based opportunities to enhance community inclusion,…

  2. Women in Combat: Issues for Congress

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-12-13

    also consider issues such as equal opportunity, equal responsibility (such as selective service registration), and the overall manpower needs of the...have become increasingly blurred and as a result DOD’s combat exclusion policies have been called into question. On January 24, 2013, then

  3. New Professionals in Academia: Notes from the Underrepresented.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stabb, Sally D.

    1992-01-01

    Responds to earlier issue of "Counseling Psychologist" on new and early professionals in academia. As new professional herself, the author discusses specific methodological flaws, data not included, and access and opportunity to be represented, focusing particularly on these issues within academia. (NB)

  4. Project Recon

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-06-14

    Management tool • Current Risk Recon functionality • Issues Recon & Opportunity Recon – Launching Fall 2012 • FMEA and Lessons Learned – Planned Future...Lessons learned UNCLASSIFIED Integrated Risk Management FMEA Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Risk Recon Fields from FMEA software pre...populate Risk Info sheet. Risk Mitigation from Risk Recon trace back and populate FMEA , new RPN numbers. Issues Recon When a risk becomes an issue

  5. Exploring Peer Interaction among Multilingual Youth: New Possibilities and Challenges for Language and Literacy Learning

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Martin-Beltrán, Melinda

    2017-01-01

    Peer interactions are central to student experiences and present tremendous opportunities for language learning and consequences for educational equity, yet these opportunities have often been unrecognized and under-examined. This special issue offers new perspectives examining the potential of peer interaction to foster language, literacy and…

  6. Immigration and Higher Education: The Crisis and the Opportunities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stewart, David W.

    1991-01-01

    Changes in immigration patterns bring problems and opportunities to higher education. New federal law significantly changes the ethnic and skills mix of the immigrant pool. Issues emerging include potential brain drain; pressure for curriculum change; language as a barrier to access; and the rights of illegal immigrants to higher education. (MSE)

  7. Communicating with the public: opportunities and rewards for individual ecologists

    Treesearch

    Michael L. Pace; Stephanie E. Hampton; Karin E. Limburg; Elena M. Bennett; Elizabeth M. Cook; Ann E. Davis; J. Morgan Grove; Kenneth Y. Kaneshiro; Shannon L. LaDeau; Gene E. Likens; Diane M. McKnight; David C. Richardson; David L. Strayer

    2010-01-01

    Many ecologists are interested in communicating science to the public and addressing societal concerns about environmental issues. Individual ecologists need to consider whether, when, and how this should be done. We propose that public outreach activities can be beneficial for ecologists at all stages of their career. There are diverse opportunities for such...

  8. Identifying Invasive Species Educational Needs in Florida: Opportunities for Extension

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Huang, Pei-wen; Lamm, Alexa J.

    2016-01-01

    Florida's ecology has been adversely affected by invasive species. In Florida, a study was conducted to explore opportunities for Extension educators to contribute to combating the issue of invasive species. Florida residents' responses were captured through the use of an online public opinion survey. The findings revealed a need for invasive…

  9. Brown v. Board of Education: The Challenge for Today's Schools.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lagemann, Ellen Condliffe, Ed.; Miller, Lamar P., Ed.

    The 1954 Supreme Court decision in the case of "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas" provided the legal basis for equal educational opportunity. More than 40 years after the decision, equal opportunity, equal access, and affirmative action remain issues of intense debate. This book offers essays by 23 prominent voices in…

  10. Delivering on Equity: Implications for Decision-Makers. Issue Brief #1

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stonemeier, Jennifer; Trader, Barb; Richards, Curtis; Blank, Rolf; East, Bill; Toson, Amy

    2013-01-01

    The SWIFT Center will demonstrate how schools can be transformed to provide inclusive educational opportunities for all students. The SWIFT Center will address the key American goal of equal educational opportunity by assisting schools to reorganize in ways that enable them to fully deliver on inclusive, general education for all…

  11. Natural areas and urban populations: communication and environmental education challenges and actions in outdoor recreation

    Treesearch

    Deborah J. Chavez

    2005-01-01

    Challenges, opportunities, and actions exist in areas where large urban populations interface with natural areas, such as outdoor recreation sites in southern California. Challenges in the interface include intense recreation use, public safety issues, and complex information strategies. Research results on communications and environmental education offer opportunities...

  12. Opportunities and Threats of the MOOC Movement for Higher Education: The European Perspective

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Schuwer, Robert; Gil-Jaurena, Inés; Aydin, Cengiz Hakan; Costello, Eamon; Dalsgaard, Christian; Brown, Mark; Jansen, Darco; Teixeira, Antonio

    2015-01-01

    The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) movement is the latest "big thing" in Open and Distance Learning (ODL) which threatens to transform Higher Education. Both opportunities and threats are extensively discussed in literature, comprising issues on opening up education for the whole world, pedagogy and online versus campus education.…

  13. Designing Groups to Meet Evolving Challenges in Health Care Settings

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McCarthy, Christopher J.; Hart, Sonia

    2011-01-01

    This article provides an overview of the special issue on groups in health care settings and describes how each contribution addresses challenges and opportunities in the health care field for group work. Fundamental criteria for evaluating groups in such settings are applied to each contribution. Finally, trends and opportunities about the future…

  14. Black, Asian, and White Students in the Educational Opportunity Program.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Maykovich, Minako K.

    The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) was established for the sake of students who might not qualify for higher education through regular channels because of their previous financial and scholastic disadvantages. The issue is whether or not EOP is successful in recruiting and developing disadvantaged but high potential students. This report…

  15. Three Essays on the Role of Social Media in Social Crises: A Collective Sensemaking View

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Oh, Onook

    2013-01-01

    Flexible, mobile, and distributive social web technologies afforded online users with unprecedented opportunities to connect previously disconnected groups of people at a distance surrounding shared interests or common issues. Reflecting the opportunities opened by social web technologies, recent extreme events have exposed both positive and…

  16. The Pedometer as a Tool to Enrich Science Learning in a Public Health Context

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Rye, James A.; Zizzi, Samuel J.; Vitullo, Elizabeth A.; Tompkins, Nancy O'Hara

    2005-01-01

    The United States is experiencing an obesity epidemic: A science-technology-society public health issue tied to our built environment, which is characterized by heavy dependence on automobiles and reduced opportunities to walk and bicycle for transportation. This presents an informal science education opportunity within "science in personal…

  17. Matching Students to Opportunity: Expanding College Choice, Access, and Quality

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kelly, Andrew P., Ed.; Howell, Jessica S., Ed.; Sattin-Bajaj, Carolyn, Ed.

    2016-01-01

    "Matching Students to Opportunity" expands on the discussion of a critical issue in college access and success: the match between prospective students and the colleges in which they enroll. Research indicates that ensuring a good match significantly increases a student's chance of graduating. The contributors to this volume argue that…

  18. Creating Better Educational and Employment Opportunities for Rural Young People.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kenyon, Peter; Sercombe, Howard; Black, Alan; Lhuede, Dominica

    This study explores current education, training, and employment issues and opportunities for rural youth in Australia, and suggests ways in which relevant education, training, and employment options and prospects can be generated for rural youth. Specifically, this study documents the ways that economic and social changes in rural communities have…

  19. Not for the Likes of You

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hunt, Sally

    2010-01-01

    Social mobility has been a big issue for the Government in the last year. Its attempts to address the widening gap between rich and poor and provide opportunities for all have been laudable, but, frustratingly, they have often been confused and opportunities to really make a difference have been ignored. The Government should be applauded though…

  20. 75 FR 8902 - Funding Opportunity Title: Crop Insurance Education in Targeted States (Targeted States Program)

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-02-26

    ... DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Federal Crop Insurance Corporation Funding Opportunity Title: Crop... partners working on the project, their titles, and how they will be contributing to the deliverables listed... Director has issued an award under the terms of this request for applications; (2) Title of project; (3...

  1. A Review and Synthesis of Research on Women in the World of Work.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kievit, Mary Bach

    Materials dealing with gainful employment of women, opportunities for employment and advancement, and maximizing opportunities as a means of personal satisfaction and as a contribution to society, were reviewed from the international and national perspective, and as current trends and issues. Realizing that vocational educators have a vital role…

  2. Research opportunities and needs in the taiga of Alaska.

    Treesearch

    Austin E. Helmers; Charles T. Cushwa

    1973-01-01

    An appraisal of taiga (the northern forests of interior Alaska) environment research opportunities and needs was made based upon accomplishments since Alaskan statehood, current involvement of citizens in resource issues, information needs incident to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, and needs of new resource managing agencies and changing ownerships...

  3. Power Indices and U.S. Presidential Elections

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Colen, Yong S.; Navaratna, Channa; Colen, Jung; Kim, Jinho

    2012-01-01

    The 2012 U.S. presidential election is the perfect opportunity to present a timely civics lesson on how a U.S. president is elected. More important, it offers opportunities for students to reason mathematically about election issues--for example, about how much time and resources the candidates should invest in particular states. The results of…

  4. Human Resource Development in Mauritius: Context, Challenges and Opportunities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Garavan, Thomas N.; Neeliah, Harris; Auckloo, Raj; Ragaven, Raj

    2016-01-01

    Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore human resource development (HRD) in Mauritius and the challenges and opportunities faced by organisations in different sectors in adopting HRD practices. Findings: This special issue presents four papers that explore dimensions of HRD in public sector, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and…

  5. Resolving the Digital Divide: Information, Access, and Opportunity. Conference Report (Washington, DC, October 19, 1999).

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National Coordination Office for Information Technology Research and Development, Arlington, VA.

    This report represents the findings and recommendations of the "Resolving the Digital Divide: Information, Access, and Opportunity" conference, the first in a series of conferences designed to provide feedback to the President's Information Technology Advisory Committee (PITAC) on issues of the digital divide. Conference panelists were a…

  6. Science Opportunities Enabled by NASA's Constellation System: Interim Report

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Committee On Science Opportunities Enabled By Nasa'S Constellation System, National Research Council

    To begin implementation of the Vision for Space Exploration (recently renamed "United States Space Exploration Policy"), NASA has begun development of new launch vehicles and a human-carrying spacecraft that are collectively called the Constellation System. In November 2007, NASA asked the NRC to evaluate the potential for the Constellation System to enable new space science opportunities. For this interim report, 11 existing "Vision Mission" studies of advanced space science mission concepts inspired by earlier NASA forward-looking studies were evaluated. The focus was to assess the concepts and group them into two categories: more-deserving or less deserving of future study. This report presents a description of the Constellation System and its opportunities for enabling new space science opportunities, and a systematic analysis of the 11 Vision Mission studies. For the final report, the NRC issued a request for information to the relevant communities to obtain ideas for other mission concepts that will be assessed by the study committee, and several issues addressed only briefly in the interim report will be explored more fully.

  7. Strengthening Theoretical Testing in Criminology Using Agent-based Modeling.

    PubMed

    Johnson, Shane D; Groff, Elizabeth R

    2014-07-01

    The Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency ( JRCD ) has published important contributions to both criminological theory and associated empirical tests. In this article, we consider some of the challenges associated with traditional approaches to social science research, and discuss a complementary approach that is gaining popularity-agent-based computational modeling-that may offer new opportunities to strengthen theories of crime and develop insights into phenomena of interest. Two literature reviews are completed. The aim of the first is to identify those articles published in JRCD that have been the most influential and to classify the theoretical perspectives taken. The second is intended to identify those studies that have used an agent-based model (ABM) to examine criminological theories and to identify which theories have been explored. Ecological theories of crime pattern formation have received the most attention from researchers using ABMs, but many other criminological theories are amenable to testing using such methods. Traditional methods of theory development and testing suffer from a number of potential issues that a more systematic use of ABMs-not without its own issues-may help to overcome. ABMs should become another method in the criminologists toolbox to aid theory testing and falsification.

  8. Collaborative Projects Weaving Indigenous and Western Science, Knowledge and Perspectives in Climate Change Education

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sparrow, E. B.; Chase, M.; Brunacini, J.; Spellman, K.

    2017-12-01

    The "Reaching Arctic Communities Facing Climate Change" and "Feedbacks and Impacts of A Warming Arctic: Engaging Learners in STEM Using GLOBE and NASA Assets" projects are examples of Indigenous and western science communities' collaborative efforts in braiding multiple perspectives and methods in climate change education. Lessons being learned and applied in these projects include the need to invite and engage members of the indigenous and scientific communities in the beginning as a project is being proposed or formulated; the need for negotiated space in the project and activities where opportunity to present and access both knowledge systems is equitable, recognizes and validates each knowledge and method, and considers the use of pedagogical practices including pace/rhythm and instructional approach most suitable to the target audience. For example with Indigenous audiences/participants, it is important to follow local Indigenous protocol to start an event and/or use a resource that highlights the current experience or voices of Indigenous people with climate change. For mixed audience groups, it is critical to have personal introductions at the beginning of an event so that each participant is given an opportunity and encouraged to voice their ideas and opinions starting with how they want to introduce themselves and thus begin to establish a welcoming and collegial atmosphere for dialog. It is also important to communicate climate science in humanistic terms, that people and communities are affected not just the environment or economies. These collaborative partnerships produce mutual benefits including increased awareness and understanding of personal connections to climate change impacts; opportunities for cultural enrichment; opportunities for accessing elder knowledge which is highly valued as well as science, education and communication tools that are needed in working together in addressing issues and making communities resilient and adaptive.

  9. Use of patient ethnography to support quality improvement in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

    PubMed

    Kaplan, A L; Klein, M P; Tan, H J; Setlur, N P; Agarwal, N; Steinberg, K; Saigal, C S

    2014-12-01

    Patient-centeredness is a primary aim of quality improvement (QI) but optimal strategies to achieve that goal remain elusive. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the commonest urologic diagnoses and significantly affects quality of life. Patient ethnography is an emerging qualitative method of observation and dynamic interviews to understand the context through which the patient experiences care. We implemented patient ethnography to support our QI infrastructure and improve patient-centeredness in BPH. Little is known about how to measure whether processes of care are patient-centered. We did not know whether the care processes our patients experienced provided value from their perspective. We sought to discover previously unrecognized components of care that patients perceived to be of low value. Our primary goal was to develop QI initiatives that targeted low-value themes identified in the ethnography. Our secondary goal was a rapid rollout of three targeted initiatives. We used a 4-step patient ethnography: (1) created detailed process maps to define phases of care, (2) interviewed patients, (3) synthesized transcript data in focus groups using the Crawford Slip method, and (4) targeted undesirable components of care for QI. Semi-structured interviews with seven representative patients identified low-value themes. Focus groups, comprised of primary care physicians, case coordinators, nurses, and urologists, evaluated the interview transcripts and generated improvement opportunities prioritized based on feasibility, patient value, scalability, and innovation. We used affinity mapping and priority matrix techniques to prioritize QI opportunities. We identified five low-value themes from the patient interviews and developed corresponding QI opportunities. These included issues surrounding the referral and consultation process as well as postoperative care, especially home urinary catheter maintenance. Six months after completing the ethnography three of five targeted improvement opportunities had been implemented. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Dissemination, Implementation, and Improvement Science Research in Population Health: Opportunities for Public Health and CTSAs.

    PubMed

    Kuo, Tony; Gase, Lauren N; Inkelas, Moira

    2015-12-01

    The complex, dynamic nature of health systems requires dissemination, implementation, and improvement (DII) sciences to effectively translate emerging knowledge into practice. Although they hold great promise for informing multisector policies and system-level changes, these methods are often not strategically used by public health. More than 120 stakeholders from Southern California, including the community, federal and local government, university, and health services were convened to identify key priorities and opportunities for public health departments and Clinical and Translational Science Awards programs (CTSAs) to advance DII sciences in population health. Participants identified challenges (mismatch of practice realities with narrowly focused research questions; lack of iterative learning) and solutions (using methods that fit the dynamic nature of the real world; aligning theories of change across sectors) for applying DII science research to public health problems. Pragmatic steps that public health and CTSAs can take to facilitate DII science research include: employing appropriate study designs; training scientists and practicing professionals in these methods; securing resources to advance this work; and supporting team science to solve complex-systems issues. Public health and CTSAs represent a unique model of practice for advancing DII research in population health. The partnership can inform policy and program development in local communities. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. School-to-Work Programs: Opportunities and Issues.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Finch, Curtis R.

    1999-01-01

    The Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education Act of 1998 (Perkins III), with increased emphasis on curriculum flexibility and academic/vocational collaboration, has formalized commitment to the school-to-work concept. However, STW implementation issues (whole-school reform, logistics, cost effectiveness, liability, and…

  12. Outlook. Number 364

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Council for American Private Education, 2011

    2011-01-01

    Council for American Private Education (CAPE) is a coalition of national associations serving private schools K-12. "Outlook" is published monthly by CAPE. This issue contains the following articles: (1) House Approves Opportunity Scholarships Bill; (2) Lawmakers Discuss Key Issues at CAPE Forum; (3) Digital Now; and (4) CAPE Notes.

  13. Issues Relating to Distance Education in the Arab World.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Alsunbul, Abdulaziz

    2002-01-01

    Distance education is not highly popular in Arab countries although it can expand educational opportunities for disadvantaged groups. Traditional philosophies of education and political issues of licensure, accreditation, and language may hinder its development. The Arab League Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization is undertaking…

  14. Serving the Public Good

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Greene, Jennifer C.

    2010-01-01

    This discussion foregrounds four key issues engaged by the articles presented in this special issue: the unique challenges and opportunities of environmental education evaluation, how to think well about the evaluation approaches and purposes that best match this domain, evaluation capacity building in environmental education and action, and…

  15. Opportunities and questions for the fundamental biological sciences in space

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Sharp, Joseph C.; Vernikos, Joan

    1992-01-01

    The nature of biological issues which can be addressed during long-term space missions is briefly discussed. These issues include structure, from cell to organ to organism; function, the regulation of systems such as immunology, neural sciences, and behavior; and reproduction and development.

  16. Clean Air by Design.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Crawford, Gary N.

    1995-01-01

    Planning new construction is an opportunity to recognize indoor environmental quality (IEQ) issues. Provides an overview of some common IEQ issues associated with construction projects. A building's heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is by far the single most common cause of IEQ problems and complaints. (MLF)

  17. Teaching Controversial Issues in the JLL Classroom for Chinese Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Shimojimai, Yasuko

    2017-01-01

    This paper discusses how teachers explore teaching controversial issues in the Japanese language classroom to Japanese language learner (JLL) or culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students who have different cultural and political backgrounds. Assuring educational opportunities with consideration of JLLs' background is important…

  18. The Clinton Legacy in Higher Education.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brainard, Jeffrey; Burd, Stephen; Gose, Ben

    2000-01-01

    Analyzes President Clinton's actions on higher education during his eight years in office. Notes progress on issues such as funding for middle-class students, biomedical research, and technology. Points out possible missed opportunities, including issues surrounding affirmative action. Concludes that Clinton helped make higher education a…

  19. Counselor Responsiveness to Client Religiousness.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kelly, Eugene W., Jr.

    1990-01-01

    Presents eight categories of client attitudes toward religion and suggests opportunities for religiously oriented counselor responses. Uses four categories to describes how religion may be associated with specific client issues. Contends that an informed appreciation of clients' religiousness and the religious dimensions of many client issues can…

  20. GIS in Business: Issues to Consider in Curriculum Decision-Making.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Johnson, Merrill L.

    1996-01-01

    Examines the growing use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in the business world and the challenges and opportunities that presents for geography educators. Discusses issues relevant to both increased business usage and curriculum design. Recommends increased participation in business instruction for geographers. (MJP)

  1. Disaster Research: A Nursing Opportunity

    PubMed Central

    Savage, Jane; Barcelona-deMendoza, Veronica; Harville, Emily W.

    2013-01-01

    Nurses working or living near a community disaster have the opportunity to study health-related consequences to disaster or disaster recovery. In such a situation, the researchers need to deal with the conceptual and methodological issues unique to post-disaster research and know what resources are available to guide them, even if they have no specialized training or previous experience in disaster research. The purpose of this article is to review issues and challenges associated with conducting post-disaster research and encourage nurses to seek resources and seize opportunities to conduct research should the situation arise. Current disaster studies and the authors’ personal experiences conducting maternal-child research in post-Katrina New Orleans (2005–2013) provide real-life examples of how health professionals and nurses faced the challenges of doing post-disaster research. After catastrophic events, nurses need to step forward to conduct disaster research that informs and improves future disaster planning and health care responses. PMID:23899191

  2. [Analysis of barriers and legal-ethical opportunities for disclosure and apology for medical errors in Spain].

    PubMed

    Giraldo, Priscila; Corbella, Josep; Rodrigo, Carmen; Comas, Mercè; Sala, Maria; Castells, Xavier

    2016-01-01

    To identify opportunities for disclosing information on medical errors in Spain and issuing an apology, as well as legal-ethical barriers. A cross-sectional study was conducted through a questionnaire sent to health law and bioethics experts (n=46). A total of 39 experts (84.7%) responded that health providers should always disclose adverse events and 38 experts (82.6%) were in favour of issuing an apology. Thirty experts (65.2%) reported that disclosure of errors would not lead to professional liability. The main opportunity for increasing disclosure was by enhancing trust in the physician-patient relationship and the main barrier was fear of the outcomes of disclosing medical errors. There is a broad agreement on the lack of liability following disclosure/apology on adverse events and the need to develop a strategy for disclosure among support for physicians. Copyright © 2015 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

  3. A framework for public involvement at the design stage of NHS health and social care research: time to develop ethically conscious standards.

    PubMed

    Pandya-Wood, Raksha; Barron, Duncan S; Elliott, Jim

    2017-01-01

    Researchers who conduct studies in health and social care are encouraged to involve the public as early as possible in the process of designing their studies. Before their studies are allowed to start researchers must seek approval from a Research Ethics Committee, which will assess whether the study is going to be safe and ethical for patients or healthy volunteers to take part in. The process of ethical review does not consider how researchers work with patients and the public early on to design their studies. Furthermore, there is no requirement for researchers to seek ethical approval for public involvement. However, in our work advising researchers about public involvement we have found that the ways in which researchers involve the public in the design of their studies are sometimes unintentionally unethical, and this is the focus of our paper. We have observed ten areas where ethical issues may arise because of the actions researchers may or may not take and which might consequently have a negative impact. Therefore, we have used these observations to develop a "framework" to help researchers and the public work together at the early design stage in ways that are ethical. Our intention for the framework is to help researchers be mindful of these ten areas and how easily ethical issues can arise. The framework suggests some ways to overcome the potential issues in each of the ten areas. The ten areas are: 1) Allocating sufficient time for public involvement; 2) Avoiding tokenism; 3) Registering research design stage public involvement work with NHS Research & Development Trust Office at earliest opportunity; 4) Communicating clearly from the outset; 5) Entitling public contributors to stop their involvement for any unstated reasons; 6) Operating fairness of opportunity; 7) Differentiating qualitative research methods and public involvement activities; 8) Working sensitively; 9) Being conscious of confidentiality and 10) Valuing, acknowledging and rewarding public involvement. We looked to see whether any other similar approaches to helping researchers address potential ethical issues when working with the public on designing studies have been published and to our knowledge none exist. Our framework is presented as a draft and believe that it would now benefit from input from researchers and the public to gauge how useful it is and whether there are any other possible situations that it might need to cover. The current paper highlights real life examples of how ethical issues can arise during public involvement activities at the research design stage. We refer to "the research design stage" as the time between the generation of the research ideas and when formal permissions to start the work including ethical approval are granted. We argue that although most researchers work ethically at this early stage, some may still benefit from being informed about ethically conscious approaches to involving the public. The paper highlights 10 ethical issues that we have observed with involving the public at the research design stage. We provide examples of these observed scenarios to illustrate the issues and make suggestions for how they can be avoided to help researchers become more ethically conscious when involving the public at the research design stage. Currently the draft framework comprises: 1) Allocating sufficient time for public involvement; 2) Avoiding tokenism; 3) Registering research design stage public involvement work with NHS Research & Development Trust Office at earliest opportunity; 4) Communicating clearly from the outset; 5) Entitling public contributors to stop their involvement for any unstated reasons; 6) Operating fairness of opportunity; 7) Differentiating qualitative research methods and public involvement activities; 8) Working sensitively; 9) Being conscious of confidentiality and 10) Valuing, acknowledging and rewarding public involvement. The draft framework will help researchers to recognise the ethical issues when involving the public and is intended to be used voluntarily in a self-regulatory way. We believe that the draft framework requires further consultation and input from the wider research community and the public before endorsement by national UK bodies such as INVOLVE and the Health Research Authority (HRA).

  4. Learning to See the Opportunities in Crisis and Catastrophe: A Decision Makers Guide to the Issue-Attention Cycle

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-09-01

    riots, Ferguson riots, AIDS, National Security Agency (NSA) leaks, childhood obesity , and social security. Thirteen issues make up this cluster...civil issues with low numbers of fatalities and economic impacts. Issues of this kind include childhood obesity (2.25 hearings per year); riots due...up the 25th to 50th percentile include those having only tangential impact to the public, including among others, global warming, childhood obesity

  5. Vocational technical and adult education: Status, trends and issues related to electronic delivery

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rothenberg, D.

    1973-01-01

    Data are analyzed, and trends and issues are discussed to provide information useful to the systems designer who wishes to identify and assess the opportunities for large scale electronic delivery in vocational/technical and adult education. Issues connected with vocational/technical education are investigated, with emphasis on those issues in the current spotlight which are relevant to the possibilities of electronic delivery. The current role of media is examined in vocational/technical instruction.

  6. Program review. Challenges and opportunities for training the next generation of biophysicists: perspectives of the directors of the Molecular Biophysics Training Program at Northwestern University.

    PubMed

    Neuhaus, Francis; Widom, Jonathan; MacDonald, Robert; Jardetzky, Theodore; Radhakrishnan, Ishwar

    2008-04-01

    Molecular biophysics is a broad, diverse, and dynamic field that has presented a variety of unique challenges and opportunities for training future generations of investigators. Having been or currently being intimately associated with the Molecular Biophysics Training Program at Northwestern, we present our perspectives on various issues that we have encountered over the years. We propose no cookie-cutter solutions, as there is no consensus on what constitutes the "ideal" program. However, there is uniformity in opinion on some key issues that might be useful to those interested in establishing a biophysics training program.

  7. Commentary: what role should physician organizations play in addressing social justice issues?

    PubMed

    Bright, Cedric M

    2012-06-01

    A study by Peek and colleagues in this issue reveals that although racial and ethnic health disparities are recognized as a major national challenge, few physician organizations with both the influence and ability to change practice standards and address disparities appear to be effectively directing their resources to mitigate health disparities. In this commentary, the author examines the history of U.S. health disparities through the lens of social justice. He argues that today, physician organizations have the opportunity to change the paradigm of medicine from being a reactive industry to becoming a proactive industry through collaborations such as the Commission to End Health Disparities, which brings together more than 60 organizations, and the National Medical Association's "We Stand With You" program to improve health and combat disparities. Physician organizations can also address health disparities through advocacy for fair reimbursement policies, funding for pipeline programs to increase the diversity of the workforce, diversity in clinical trials, and other issues. Health disparities present to us in organized medicine a challenge that is cleverly disguised as an immovable object but that is truly a great opportunity for innovation, improvement, and growth. Physician organizations have a unique opportunity to provide avenues of innovation and accomplishment.

  8. Local scale water-food nexus: Use of borehole-garden permaculture to realise the full potential of rural water supplies in Malawi.

    PubMed

    Rivett, Michael O; Halcrow, Alistair W; Schmalfuss, Janine; Stark, John A; Truslove, Jonathan P; Kumwenda, Steve; Harawa, Kettie A; Nhlema, Muthi; Songola, Chrispine; Wanangwa, Gift J; Miller, Alexandra V M; Kalin, Robert M

    2018-03-01

    Local-scale opportunities to address challenges of the water-food nexus in the developing world need to be embraced. Borehole-garden permaculture is advocated as one such opportunity that involves the sustainable use of groundwater spilt at hand-pump operated borehole supplies that is otherwise wasted. Spilt water may also pose health risks when accumulating as a stagnant pond. Rural village community use of this grey-water in permaculture projects to irrigate borehole gardens is proposed to primarily provide economic benefit whereby garden-produce revenue helps fund borehole water-point maintenance. Water-supply sustainability, increased food/nutrition security, health protection from malaria, and business opportunity benefits may also arise. Our goal has been to develop an, experience-based, framework for delivery of sustainable borehole-garden permaculture and associated benefits. This is based upon data collection and permaculture implementation across the rural Chikwawa District of Malawi during 2009-17. We use, stakeholder interviews to identify issues influencing uptake, gathering of stagnant pond occurrence data to estimate amelioration opportunity, quantification of permaculture profitability to validate economic potential, and critical assessment of recent permaculture uptake to identify continuing problems. Permaculture was implemented at 123 sites representing 6% of District water points, rising to 26% local area coverage. Most implementations were at, or near, newly drilled community-supply boreholes; hence, amelioration of prevalent stagnant ponds elsewhere remains a concern. The envisaged benefits of permaculture were manifest and early data affirm projected garden profitability and spin-off benefits of water-point banking and community micro-loan access. However, a diversity of technical, economic, social and governance issues were found to influence uptake and performance. Example issues include greater need for improved bespoke garden design input, on-going project performance assessment, and coordinated involvement of multi-sector governmental-development bodies to underpin the integrated natural-resource management required. The developed framework aims to manage the identified issues and requires the concerted action of all stakeholders. Based on the probable ubiquity of underlying issues, the framework is expected to be generalizable to the wider developing world. However, this particular application of permaculture represents a fraction of its greater potential opportunity for rural communities that should be explored. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Scientists in the making: An ethnographic investigation of scientific processes as literate practice in an elementary classroom

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Crawford, Teresa Jo

    This study explored the issue of literacy in science by examining how the social and academic literate practices in an elementary classroom formed the basis for learning across the curriculum, with a specific focus on the disciplinary field of science. Through the study of classroom interaction, issues related to student knowledge and ability were addressed as they pertain to scientific literacy in the context of science education reform. The theoretical framework guiding this study was drawn from sociocultural studies of scientific communities and interactional ethnography in education. To investigate the literate practices of science in a school setting, data were collected over a two-year period with the same teacher in her third grade and then her fourth/fifth grade classroom. Data were collected through participant observation in the form of fieldnotes, video data, interviews, and various artifacts (e.g., writings, drawings, teaching protocols). Using ethnographic and sociolinguistic methods of analysis this work examined classroom members' discursive practices to illustrate the role that discourse plays in creating opportunities for engagement in, and access to, scientific knowledge. These analyses revealed that the discursive actions and practices among members of this classroom shaped a particular type of learning environment that was process-oriented and inquiry based. It was shown that this learning environment afforded opportunities for students to engage in the processes of science outside the official, planned curriculum, often leading to whole class scientific investigations and discussions. Additionally, within this classroom community students were able to draw on multiple discourses to display their knowledge of scientific concepts and practices. Overall, this study found that the literate practices of this classroom community, as they were socially constructed among members, contributed to opportunities for students to practice science and demonstrate scientific literacy.

  10. Oromucosal film preparations: classification and characterization methods.

    PubMed

    Preis, Maren; Woertz, Christina; Kleinebudde, Peter; Breitkreutz, Jörg

    2013-09-01

    Recently, the regulatory authorities have enlarged the variety of 'oromucosal preparations' by buccal films and orodispersible films. Various film preparations have entered the market and pharmacopoeias. Due to the novelty of the official monographs, no standardized characterization methods and quality specifications are included. This review reports the methods of choice to characterize oromucosal film preparations with respect to biorelevant characterization and quality control. Commonly used dissolution tests for other dosage forms are not transferable for films in all cases. Alternatives and guidance on decision, which methods are favorable for film preparations are discussed. Furthermore, issues about requirements for film dosage forms are reflected. Oromucosal film preparations offer a wide spectrum of opportunities. There are a lot of suggestions in the literature on how to control the quality of these innovative products, but no standardized tests are available. Regulatory authorities need to define the standards and quality requirements more precisely.

  11. Qualitative methods in health services and management research: pockets of excellence and progress, but still a long way to go.

    PubMed

    Devers, Kelly J

    2011-02-01

    The 10-year systematic review of published health services and management research by Weiner et al. (2011) chronicles the contributions of qualitative methods, highlights areas of substantial progress, and identifies areas in need of more progress. This article (Devers, 2011) discusses possible reasons for lack of progress in some areas--related to the under-supply of well-trained qualitative researchers and more tangible demand for their research--and mechanisms for future improvement. To ensure a robust health services research toolbox, the field must take additional steps to provide stronger education and training in qualitative methods and more funding and publication opportunities. Given the rapidly changing health care system post the passage of national health reform and the chalresearch issues associated with it, the health services research and management field will not meet its future challenges with quantitative methods alone or with a half-empty toolbox.

  12. Team-Centered Perspective for Adaptive Automation Design

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Prinzel, Lawrence J., III

    2003-01-01

    Automation represents a very active area of human factors research. The journal, Human Factors, published a special issue on automation in 1985. Since then, hundreds of scientific studies have been published examining the nature of automation and its interaction with human performance. However, despite a dramatic increase in research investigating human factors issues in aviation automation, there remain areas that need further exploration. This NASA Technical Memorandum describes a new area of automation design and research, called adaptive automation. It discusses the concepts and outlines the human factors issues associated with the new method of adaptive function allocation. The primary focus is on human-centered design, and specifically on ensuring that adaptive automation is from a team-centered perspective. The document shows that adaptive automation has many human factors issues common to traditional automation design. Much like the introduction of other new technologies and paradigm shifts, adaptive automation presents an opportunity to remediate current problems but poses new ones for human-automation interaction in aerospace operations. The review here is intended to communicate the philosophical perspective and direction of adaptive automation research conducted under the Aerospace Operations Systems (AOS), Physiological and Psychological Stressors and Factors (PPSF) project.

  13. Challenges and opportunities of open data in ecology.

    PubMed

    Reichman, O J; Jones, Matthew B; Schildhauer, Mark P

    2011-02-11

    Ecology is a synthetic discipline benefiting from open access to data from the earth, life, and social sciences. Technological challenges exist, however, due to the dispersed and heterogeneous nature of these data. Standardization of methods and development of robust metadata can increase data access but are not sufficient. Reproducibility of analyses is also important, and executable workflows are addressing this issue by capturing data provenance. Sociological challenges, including inadequate rewards for sharing data, must also be resolved. The establishment of well-curated, federated data repositories will provide a means to preserve data while promoting attribution and acknowledgement of its use.

  14. Accounting and Accountability for Distributed and Grid Systems

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Thigpen, William; McGinnis, Laura F.; Hacker, Thomas J.

    2001-01-01

    While the advent of distributed and grid computing systems will open new opportunities for scientific exploration, the reality of such implementations could prove to be a system administrator's nightmare. A lot of effort is being spent on identifying and resolving the obvious problems of security, scheduling, authentication and authorization. Lurking in the background, though, are the largely unaddressed issues of accountability and usage accounting: (1) mapping resource usage to resource users; (2) defining usage economies or methods for resource exchange; (3) describing implementation standards that minimize and compartmentalize the tasks required for a site to participate in a grid.

  15. Thin film cell development workshop report

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Woodyard, James R.

    1991-01-01

    The Thin Film Development Workshop provided an opportunity for those interested in space applications of thin film cells to debate several topics. The unique characteristics of thin film cells as well as a number of other issues were covered during the discussions. The potential of thin film cells, key research and development issues, manufacturing issues, radiation damage, substrates, and space qualification of thin film cells were discussed.

  16. Observing with HST V: Improvements to the Scheduling of HST Parallel Observations

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Taylor, D. K.; Vanorsow, D.; Lucks, M.; Henry, R.; Ratnatunga, K.; Patterson, A.

    1994-12-01

    Recent improvements to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) ground system have significantly increased the frequency of pure parallel observations, i.e. the simultaneous use of multiple HST instruments by different observers. Opportunities for parallel observations are limited by a variety of timing, hardware, and scientific constraints. Formerly, such opportunities were heuristically predicted prior to the construction of the primary schedule (or calendar), and lack of complete information resulted in high rates of scheduling failures and missed opportunities. In the current process the search for parallel opportunities is delayed until the primary schedule is complete, at which point new software tools are employed to identify places where parallel observations are supported. The result has been a considerable increase in parallel throughput. A new technique, known as ``parallel crafting,'' is currently under development to streamline further the parallel scheduling process. This radically new method will replace the standard exposure logsheet with a set of abstract rules from which observation parameters will be constructed ``on the fly'' to best match the constraints of the parallel opportunity. Currently, parallel observers must specify a huge (and highly redundant) set of exposure types in order to cover all possible types of parallel opportunities. Crafting rules permit the observer to express timing, filter, and splitting preferences in a far more succinct manner. The issue of coordinated parallel observations (same PI using different instruments simultaneously), long a troublesome aspect of the ground system, is also being addressed. For Cycle 5, the Phase II Proposal Instructions now have an exposure-level PAR WITH special requirement. While only the primary's alignment will be scheduled on the calendar, new commanding will provide for parallel exposures with both instruments.

  17. Proceedings of the Conference on Educational Accountability.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ.

    This Educational Testing Service conference provided an opportunity to clarify many of the issues and problems involved with educational accountability. Among these issues were assessment, evaluation, auditing, and performance contracting. The papers included in these proceedings are: The Means and Ends of Accountability (Terrel H. Bell); Issues…

  18. Issues in NASA Program and Project Management:: A Collection of Papers on Aerospace Management Issues (Supplement 11)

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Hoffman, Edward J. (Editor); Lawbaugh, William M. (Editor)

    1996-01-01

    Papers address the following topics: NASA's project management development process; Better decisions through structural analysis; NASA's commercial technology management system; Today's management techniques and tools; Program control in NASA - needs and opportunities; and Resources for NASA managers.

  19. Philosophy Pursued through Empirical Research: Introduction to the Special Issue

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Wilson, Terri S.; Santoro, Doris A.

    2015-01-01

    Many scholars have pursued philosophical inquiry through empirical research. These empirical projects have been shaped--to varying degrees and in different ways--by philosophical questions, traditions, frameworks and analytic approaches. This issue explores the methodological challenges and opportunities involved in these kinds of projects. In…

  20. Education Statistics Quarterly, Summer 2002.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dillow, Sally, Ed.

    2002-01-01

    This publication provides a comprehensive overview of work done across all parts of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Each issue contains short publications, summaries, and descriptions that cover all NCES publications, data products, and funding opportunities developed over a 3-month period. Each issue also contains a message…

  1. Ethics in Government.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Update on Law-Related Education, 1990

    1990-01-01

    Presents a lesson developed by the Center for Civic Education giving secondary students the opportunity to explore ethical issues in government from the perspective of corrective justice. Outlines role plays and other class activities based on a fictitious ethics scandal involving bribery. Identifies specific questions to be asked on issues of…

  2. Education Statistics Quarterly, Spring 2002.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dillow, Sally, Ed.

    2002-01-01

    This publication provides a comprehensive overview of work done across all parts of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Each issue contains short publications, summaries, and descriptions that cover all NCES publications, data products, and funding opportunities developed over a 3-month period. Each issue also contains a message…

  3. Sustainability issues and opportunities in the sugar and sugar-bioproduct industries

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Like many other industries, the sugar and sugar-bioproduct industries are facing important sustainability issues. The relatively low and fluctuating profit for sugar, surpluses of sugar, world-wide trend to produce alternative, renewable bio-based fuels and chemicals to those derived from petroleum...

  4. ERCMExpress. Volume 2, Issue 3

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    US Department of Education, 2006

    2006-01-01

    This issue of the Emergency Response and Crisis Management (ERCM) Technical Assistance Center's "ERCMExpress" promotes emergency exercises as an effective way to validate school safety plans. Simulations of emergency situations, or emergency exercises, are integral to a sound school safety plan. They offer opportunities for district and schools to…

  5. 38 CFR 61.43 - Rating criteria for special needs grant applications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...; and (4) Address safety and security issues including segregation procedures from other program... activities, physical activity, and plans for social engagement within the program and in the community; (3) Provide opportunities for participants to address life transitional issues and separation and/or loss...

  6. 38 CFR 61.43 - Rating criteria for special needs grant applications.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...; and (4) Address safety and security issues including segregation procedures from other program... activities, physical activity, and plans for social engagement within the program and in the community; (3) Provide opportunities for participants to address life transitional issues and separation and/or loss...

  7. Issues and Challenges Facing the Minority Woman Dentist.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sinkford, Jeanne C.

    1992-01-01

    The status of minority women dentists is reviewed, and initiatives to improve it are noted. Issues and challenges for African-American female dentists are outlined, including negative racial/gender stereotypes, lack of advancement opportunities, difficulties in starting practices and securing professional and social support systems, lack of…

  8. Energy Geographies: Thinking Critically about Energy Issues in the Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Delgado, Elvin

    2016-01-01

    Energy issues are becoming increasingly common subjects of instruction in undergraduate- and graduate-level classrooms across a variety of disciplines. The interdisciplinary character of energy studies provides geographers with a great opportunity to present different applied and theoretical approaches to help students conceptualize energy issues…

  9. Tufts Health Sciences Database: Lessons, Issues, and Opportunities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lee, Mary Y.; Albright, Susan A.; Alkasab, Tarik; Damassa, David A.; Wang, Paul J.; Eaton, Elizabeth K.

    2003-01-01

    Describes a seven-year experience with developing the Tufts Health Sciences Database, a database-driven information management system that combines the strengths of a digital library, content delivery tools, and curriculum management. Identifies major effects on teaching and learning. Also addresses issues of faculty development, copyright and…

  10. Senior Service College: A Pillar of Civilian Senior Leader Development

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-02-16

    other burgeoning global issues mandate the existence of capable senior civilian leaders who can effectively participate within the whole-of-government...experience that provides the opportunity to discuss and debate current global issues with the members of the world’s finest military. Civilians not only

  11. Wind Power Finance and Investment Workshop 2004

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    anon.

    2004-11-01

    The workshop had 33 presentations by the leading industry experts in the wind finance and investment area. The workshop presented wind industry opportunities and advice to the financial community. The program also included two concurrent sessions, Wind 100, which offered wind energy novices a comprehensive introduction to wind energy fundamentals, and Transmission Policy and Regulations. Other workshop topics included: Bringing environmental and other issues into perspective; Policy impacts on wind financing; Technical/wind issues; Monetizing green attributes (Sale of green tags); Contractual issues; Debt issues; and Equity issues. There were approximately 230 attendees.

  12. Exploring MEDLINE Space with Random Indexing and Pathfinder Networks

    PubMed Central

    Cohen, Trevor

    2008-01-01

    The integration of disparate research domains is a prerequisite for the success of the translational science initiative. MEDLINE abstracts contain content from a broad range of disciplines, presenting an opportunity for the development of methods able to integrate the knowledge they contain. Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) and related methods learn human-like associations between terms from unannotated text. However, their computational and memory demands limits their ability to address a corpus of this size. Furthermore, visualization methods previously used in conjunction with LSA have limited ability to define the local structure of the associative networks LSA learns. This paper explores these issues by (1) processing the entire MEDLINE corpus using Random Indexing, a variant of LSA, and (2) exploring learned associations using Pathfinder Networks. Meaningful associations are inferred from MEDLINE, including a drug-disease association undetected by PUBMED search. PMID:18999236

  13. Exploring MEDLINE space with random indexing and pathfinder networks.

    PubMed

    Cohen, Trevor

    2008-11-06

    The integration of disparate research domains is a prerequisite for the success of the translational science initiative. MEDLINE abstracts contain content from a broad range of disciplines, presenting an opportunity for the development of methods able to integrate the knowledge they contain. Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA) and related methods learn human-like associations between terms from unannotated text. However, their computational and memory demands limits their ability to address a corpus of this size. Furthermore, visualization methods previously used in conjunction with LSA have limited ability to define the local structure of the associative networks LSA learns. This paper explores these issues by (1) processing the entire MEDLINE corpus using Random Indexing, a variant of LSA, and (2) exploring learned associations using Pathfinder Networks. Meaningful associations are inferred from MEDLINE, including a drug-disease association undetected by PUBMED search.

  14. Data-Prompted Interviews: Using Individual Ecological Data to Stimulate Narratives and Explore Meanings

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Objective: An emerging trend in qualitative research is to use individual participant data to stimulate narratives in interviews. This article describes the method of the data-prompted interview (DPI) and highlights its potential benefits and challenges. Method: DPIs use personal ecological data gathered prior to the interview to stimulate discussion during the interview. Various forms of data can be used including photographs, videos, audio recordings, graphs, and text. This data can be gathered by the researcher or generated by the participant and may utilize ecological momentary assessment. Results: Using individual data in DPIs can stimulate visual and auditory senses, enhance memory, and prompt rich narratives anchored in personal experiences. For the researcher, DPIs provide an opportunity to explore the meaning of the data and to explain data patterns. For the participant, presented stimuli give guidance for discussion and allow them to reflect. The challenges associated with conducting DPIs include practical issues such as data selection and presentation. Data analyses require narratives to be interpreted together with the data. Ethical challenges of DPI include concerns around data anonymity and sensitivity. Conclusions: Combining various sources of data to stimulate the interview provides a novel opportunity to enhance participants’ memories and to meaningfully assess and analyze data patterns. In the context of health promotion and illness prevention, DPI offers a unique opportunity to explore reasons, opinions, and motivations for health-related behaviors in the light of previously gathered data. PMID:26010718

  15. Challenges and Opportunities in the Provision of Surgical Care in Vanuatu: A Mixed Methods Analysis.

    PubMed

    Young, S; Perry, W R G; Leodoro, B; Nosa, V; Bissett, I; Windsor, J A; Dare, A J

    2016-08-01

    The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu faces a number of challenges in delivering surgical care to its population. We aimed to understand and document the barriers, opportunities and required actions to improve surgical care in the country using a mixed methods analysis which incorporated the perspectives of local health stakeholders. A baseline quantitative assessment of surgical capacity in Vanuatu was carried out using the WHO situational analysis tool. Twenty semi-structured interviews were then conducted on the two main islands (Efate and Espiritu Santo) with surgeons, allied health staff, health managers, policy-makers and other key stakeholders, using a grounded theory qualitative case study methodology. Initial informants were identified by purposive sampling followed by snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. Interviews were open and axially coded with subsequent thematic analysis. Vanuatu faces deficits in surgical infrastructure, equipment and human resources, especially in the rural provinces. Geographic isolation, poverty and culture-including the use of traditional medicine and low health literacy-all act as barriers to patients accessing timely surgical care. Issues with governance, human resourcing and perioperative care were commonly identified by stakeholders as key challenges facing surgical services. Increasing outreach clinics, developing efficient referral systems, building provincial surgical capacity and undertaking locally led research were identified as key actions that can improve surgical care. Documenting locally identified challenges and opportunities for surgical care in Vanuatu is an important first step towards developing formal strategies for improving surgical services at the country level.

  16. 77 FR 71323 - Reconsideration of Certain New Source and Startup/Shutdown Issues: National Emission Standards...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-11-30

    ... units designed for the coal >= 8300 Btu/lb (non- low rank virgin coal) subcategory. Some petitioners...-fired EGU would have the opportunity to design the primary PM control device to meet the new source... the opportunity to design the primary PM control device to meet the new source emission limit, we can...

  17. A Qualitative Study of Gender Issues Associated with Academic Mentoring in a Nigerian University

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Osezua, Oghoadena Clementina; Agbalajobi, Damilola T.

    2016-01-01

    There is an upsurge in the establishment of private and public universities in Nigeria. The development has opened up the need for quality and seasoned academics, but minimal opportunities exist for mentoring of young academics. This article explores the mentoring opportunities and challenges of young female academics faced in a male dominant…

  18. Language and Opportunity in the "Land of Opportunity": Latina Immigrants' Reflections on Language Learning and Professional Mobility

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Davila, Liv Thorstensson

    2008-01-01

    This study analyzes the goals and realities of four educated, working, adult Latina, English as a Second language (ESL) students living in North Carolina, a region seeing particularly intense migration of Latino immigrants. The study conceptually frames adjustment issues confronted by these Latina immigrants in terms of gender, language,…

  19. Investing in Boys and Young Men of Color: The Promise and Opportunity. Issue Brief

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bryant, Rhonda; Harris, Linda; Bird, Kisha

    2013-01-01

    In 2011, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) created the Forward Promise initiative within its Vulnerable Populations Portfolio to place a strategic emphasis on the needs of middle school- and high school-aged young men of color. RWJF's goal is to strengthen educational opportunities, pathways to employment, and health outcomes for these…

  20. Social Issues and Problem-Based Learning in Sociology: Opportunities and Challenges in the Undergraduate Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Eglitis, Daina S.; Buntman, Fran L.; Alexander, Dameon V.

    2016-01-01

    This article discusses the use of problem-based learning (PBL) in the undergraduate sociology classroom. PBL shifts students from the role of passive listeners and learners to active knowledge builders and communicators through the use of concise and engaging social problem cases. PBL creates opportunities for building substantive area knowledge,…

  1. Large-Scale Educational Telecommunications Systems for the U.S.: An Analysis of Educational Needs and Technological Opportunities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Morgan, Robert P.; And Others

    Opportunities for utilizing large-scale educational telecommunications delivery systems to aid in meeting needs of U.S. education are extensively analyzed in a NASA-funded report. Status, trends, and issues in various educational subsectors are assessed, along with current use of telecommunications and technology and factors working for and…

  2. Open Courseware in Design and Planning Education and Utilization of Distance Education Opportunity: Anadolu University Experience

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Halac, Hicran Hanim; Cabuk, Alper

    2013-01-01

    Depending on the evolving technological possibilities, distance and online education applications have gradually gained more significance in the education system. Regarding the issues, such as advancements in the server services, disc capacity, cloud computing opportunities resulting from the increase in the number of the broadband internet users,…

  3. Natural resources research and management issues: 2007

    Treesearch

    Christine Vogt; James Absher; Alan Graefe; Bill Hammitt; Linda Kruger; Jerry Vaske

    2008-01-01

    This year (2007) at the Northeastern Recreation Research (NERR) Symposium, we took the opportunity to reflect on the past 15 to 20 years of recreation research and discuss the opportunities and challenges that might face us in the next decade. The session utilized a panel to entertain four primary questions focused on recreation research. Following a panel presentation...

  4. Latino Immigration, Education, and Opportunity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jimenez, Rosa M.

    2012-01-01

    Immigration is often framed as a problem, yet it is also a time of remarkable opportunity. While immigrants come to the United States from all over the world, the author focuses on the unique and urgent issues related to Latino immigration. Immigrant Latinos have changed the face of America and U.S. schools. Approximately one in five K-12 students…

  5. The NASA Short-Term Prediction Research and Transition (SPoRT) Center: Opportunities for Collaboration in the Great Lakes Region

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Molthan, Andrew L.

    2010-01-01

    The presentation slides include: The SPoRT Center, History and Future of SPoRT, Great Lakes Applications, Great Lakes Forecasting Issues, Applications to the WRF-EMS, Precipitation Science, Lake Effect Precipitation, Sensitivity to Microphysics, Exploring New Schemes, Opportunities for Collaboration, and SPoRT Research and Development.

  6. Student Activism as a Vehicle for Change on College Campuses: Emerging Research and Opportunities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Miller, Michael T.; Tolliver, David V., III

    2017-01-01

    Civic engagement initiatives and activities are crucial to the progression of modern society. By raising awareness of social issues and problems, citizens can make a greater impact and have their voices be heard. "Student Activism as a Vehicle for Change on College Campuses: Emerging Research and Opportunities" is a critical source of…

  7. Results of the 2004 Marine Corps Climate Surveys (MCCS): Management Report

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2006-11-01

    of Different Racial/Ethnic Backgrounds Socialize Together During Command Functions...organizational climate of the Marine Corps, equal opportunity and related issues such as sexual harassment and gender discrimination. Responses to the Marine...type of survey, the Marine Corps is able to gain insights into trends occurring in the equal opportunity and sexual harassment areas. The Marine

  8. Sunbelt States Reap GI Bill Bonanza. Eastern and Midwestern Vietnam Veterans Lose Scholarship Opportunities.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Feldman, Stuart F.

    The major issue covered in this report involves the unequal distribution of GI Bill education benefits in different states. It is noted that since differences in state tuition charges are not recognized, veterans in Eastern and Midwestern high-tuition states have a harder time using education and training opportunities than veterans in Sunbelt…

  9. 78 FR 7411 - Notice of Public Hearing and Request for Comments on Matters Related to the Harmonization of...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-02-01

    ... at the hearing must request an opportunity to do so in writing by email to [email protected] no... to the above-identified issues. Separate written comments may be provided through electronic mail... preliminary written copy of their testimony. The opportunity to testify will only be for those physically...

  10. 43 CFR 404.49 - What criteria will Reclamation use to determine whether to recommend that a proposed rural water...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ...; (3) Addresses environmental quality and source water protection issues; (4) Addresses opportunities to treat and use low-quality or non-potable water, water-reuse based supplies, and brackish and... technologies to reduce water use and water system costs; (6) Addresses opportunities to take advantage of...

  11. Revealing Risks in Adaptation Planning: expanding Uncertainty Treatment and dealing with Large Projection Ensembles during Planning Scenario development

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Brekke, L. D.; Clark, M. P.; Gutmann, E. D.; Wood, A.; Mizukami, N.; Mendoza, P. A.; Rasmussen, R.; Ikeda, K.; Pruitt, T.; Arnold, J. R.; Rajagopalan, B.

    2015-12-01

    Adaptation planning assessments often rely on single methods for climate projection downscaling and hydrologic analysis, do not reveal uncertainties from associated method choices, and thus likely produce overly confident decision-support information. Recent work by the authors has highlighted this issue by identifying strengths and weaknesses of widely applied methods for downscaling climate projections and assessing hydrologic impacts. This work has shown that many of the methodological choices made can alter the magnitude, and even the sign of the climate change signal. Such results motivate consideration of both sources of method uncertainty within an impacts assessment. Consequently, the authors have pursued development of improved downscaling techniques spanning a range of method classes (quasi-dynamical and circulation-based statistical methods) and developed approaches to better account for hydrologic analysis uncertainty (multi-model; regional parameter estimation under forcing uncertainty). This presentation summarizes progress in the development of these methods, as well as implications of pursuing these developments. First, having access to these methods creates an opportunity to better reveal impacts uncertainty through multi-method ensembles, expanding on present-practice ensembles which are often based only on emissions scenarios and GCM choices. Second, such expansion of uncertainty treatment combined with an ever-expanding wealth of global climate projection information creates a challenge of how to use such a large ensemble for local adaptation planning. To address this challenge, the authors are evaluating methods for ensemble selection (considering the principles of fidelity, diversity and sensitivity) that is compatible with present-practice approaches for abstracting change scenarios from any "ensemble of opportunity". Early examples from this development will also be presented.

  12. When Pregnant Patients Disclose Substance Use: Missed Opportunities for Behavioral Change Counseling

    PubMed Central

    Chang, Judy C.; Dado, Diane; Frankel, Richard M.; Rodriguez, Keri L.; Zickmund, Susan; Ling, Bruce S.; Arnold, Robert M.

    2008-01-01

    Objective The first obstetric visit is an opportunity to provide counseling to women with substance abuse risks, including smoking, drug use, and alcohol use. Little is known about how obstetric care providers and patients discuss these issues. Our objective was to examine patient-provider communication about substance use behaviors during these visits. Methods We audiotaped and transcribed verbatim first prenatal visits in an outpatient hospital clinic, then qualitatively analyzed them for content and process of communication using modified grounded theory methods. Results Twenty-nine providers (21 residents, 5 midwives, 3 nurse practitioners) and 51 patients participated. Twenty-five patients were smokers, 4 used alcohol, and 11 used drugs. Provider responses to smoking disclosures included discussions of risks, encouragement to quit-cut down, affirmation of attempts to quit-cut down, and referral to smoking cessation programs. Responses to alcohol or drug disclosures included only a general statement regarding risks and referral to genetics. Conclusion Providers were less attentive to alcohol and drugs than smoking where they had pre-established patterns of response. Practice Implications Providers should discuss behavioral change strategies and motivations with pregnant patients who use drugs and/or alcohol as well as those who smoke. PMID:18620835

  13. Precision medicine: opportunities, possibilities, and challenges for patients and providers.

    PubMed

    Adams, Samantha A; Petersen, Carolyn

    2016-07-01

    Precision medicine approaches disease treatment and prevention by taking patients' individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle into account. Although the ideas underlying precision medicine are not new, opportunities for its more widespread use in practice have been enhanced by the development of large-scale databases, new methods for categorizing and representing patients, and computational tools for analyzing large datasets. New research methods may create uncertainty for both healthcare professionals and patients. In such situations, frameworks that address ethical, legal, and social challenges can be instrumental for facilitating trust between patients and providers, but must protect patients while not stifling progress or overburdening healthcare professionals. In this perspective, we outline several ethical, legal, and social issues related to the Precision Medicine Initiative's proposed changes to current institutions, values, and frameworks. This piece is not an exhaustive overview, but is intended to highlight areas meriting further study and action, so that precision medicine's goal of facilitating systematic learning and research at the point of care does not overshadow healthcare's goal of providing care to patients. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Medical Informatics Association. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  14. A Dictionary Learning Approach for Signal Sampling in Task-Based fMRI for Reduction of Big Data

    PubMed Central

    Ge, Bao; Li, Xiang; Jiang, Xi; Sun, Yifei; Liu, Tianming

    2018-01-01

    The exponential growth of fMRI big data offers researchers an unprecedented opportunity to explore functional brain networks. However, this opportunity has not been fully explored yet due to the lack of effective and efficient tools for handling such fMRI big data. One major challenge is that computing capabilities still lag behind the growth of large-scale fMRI databases, e.g., it takes many days to perform dictionary learning and sparse coding of whole-brain fMRI data for an fMRI database of average size. Therefore, how to reduce the data size but without losing important information becomes a more and more pressing issue. To address this problem, we propose a signal sampling approach for significant fMRI data reduction before performing structurally-guided dictionary learning and sparse coding of whole brain's fMRI data. We compared the proposed structurally guided sampling method with no sampling, random sampling and uniform sampling schemes, and experiments on the Human Connectome Project (HCP) task fMRI data demonstrated that the proposed method can achieve more than 15 times speed-up without sacrificing the accuracy in identifying task-evoked functional brain networks. PMID:29706880

  15. A Dictionary Learning Approach for Signal Sampling in Task-Based fMRI for Reduction of Big Data.

    PubMed

    Ge, Bao; Li, Xiang; Jiang, Xi; Sun, Yifei; Liu, Tianming

    2018-01-01

    The exponential growth of fMRI big data offers researchers an unprecedented opportunity to explore functional brain networks. However, this opportunity has not been fully explored yet due to the lack of effective and efficient tools for handling such fMRI big data. One major challenge is that computing capabilities still lag behind the growth of large-scale fMRI databases, e.g., it takes many days to perform dictionary learning and sparse coding of whole-brain fMRI data for an fMRI database of average size. Therefore, how to reduce the data size but without losing important information becomes a more and more pressing issue. To address this problem, we propose a signal sampling approach for significant fMRI data reduction before performing structurally-guided dictionary learning and sparse coding of whole brain's fMRI data. We compared the proposed structurally guided sampling method with no sampling, random sampling and uniform sampling schemes, and experiments on the Human Connectome Project (HCP) task fMRI data demonstrated that the proposed method can achieve more than 15 times speed-up without sacrificing the accuracy in identifying task-evoked functional brain networks.

  16. National Issues Forums

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Parkins, Leslie

    2006-01-01

    Demonstrating an appreciation for the perspectives of others is now recognized as one of the single most important learning outcomes of a college education. This skill, fundamental to democracy and civic engagement, is honed in college by institutions that provide opportunities for students to interact with their peers and others on issues that…

  17. Self-Advocacy, Feature Issue of IMPACT.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hayden, Mary F., Ed.; Shoultz, Bonnie, Ed.

    1991-01-01

    This newsletter issue gives people with disabilities the opportunity to educate others about self-advocacy. Twelve of its 17 articles are by individuals with disabilities who are self-advocates, or by other representatives of self-advocacy organizations. It includes information on self-advocacy strategies and examples of its impact on lives.…

  18. Popular Music Helps Students Focus on Important Social Issues

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Moore, James R.

    2007-01-01

    One of the biggest challenges facing middle school social studies educators is creating powerful lessons that engage young adolescents in acquiring knowledge, stimulate critical thinking skills, inspire passionate interest in social studies and social issues, encourage active participation in civic life, and provide them with opportunities to…

  19. Nuclear Issues: Strategies and Worksheets. Health Education.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lantieri, Linda; And Others

    This document is designed to provide students with an opportunity to share feelings and clarify their own values given the facts about nuclear technology. Using this short curriculum, students should be able to: (1) explore their associations with nuclear issues; (2) analyze guidelines for conflict resolution in personal situations; (3) analyze…

  20. Using Climate Change Scenarios to Assess High School Students' Argumentation Skills

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dawson, Vaille; Carson, Katherine

    2017-01-01

    Background: Many international science curriculum documents mandate that students should be able to participate in argument, debate and decision-making about contemporary science issues affecting society. Termed socioscientific issues, these topics provide students with opportunities to use their scientific knowledge to discuss, debate and defend…

  1. Women and Their Preparation for Professional and Managerial Careers. Information Series No. 168.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Loring, Rosalind K.

    This report presents issues which have been identified as affecting the preparation of women for professional and managerial careers. Issues examined in the first section, counseling, are educational and psychological skills; assessment of skills, abilities, opportunities, and realities; specialization for professional positions; assessment of…

  2. University Management Education and Research in Canada: Some Unresolved Issues.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    von Zur-Muehlen, Max

    An historical overview of university management education and research in Canada is presented and issues relevant to the present status of management education and research opportunities are discussed. Management and administrative studies schools in Canada receive, on the average, about four percent of the operating budget of the university…

  3. Computing and Engineering in Afterschool. Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 62

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Afterschool Alliance, 2013

    2013-01-01

    This Afterschool Alert Issue Brief explores how afterschool programs are offering innovative, hands-on computing and engineering education opportunities. Both these subjects have emerged as priority areas within the "STEM" fields. Computing is one of the fastest growing industries, and yet current rates of college graduation in computer…

  4. Learning to Teach: Practice-Based Preparation in Teacher Education. Special Issues Brief

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Benedict, Amber; Holdheide, Lynn; Brownell, Mary; Foley, Abigail Marshall

    2016-01-01

    This Special Issues Brief from the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability and Reform (CEEDAR Center) and the Center on Great Teachers and Leaders (GTL Center) outlines essential features for providing high-quality, structured, and sequenced opportunities to practice within teacher preparation programs. This brief is…

  5. Education Statistics Quarterly, Fall 2001.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Dillow, Sally, Ed.

    2001-01-01

    The publication gives a comprehensive overview of work done across all parts of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Each issue contains short publications, summaries, and descriptions that cover all NCES publications, data products, and funding opportunities developed over a 3-month period. Each issue also contains a message from…

  6. Postsecondary Distance Education in Mexico and Worldwide: Issues and Considerations

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Becerra, Bertha Leticia Gonzalez; Almendra, Manuel Pio Rosales; Flores, Jose Daniel Corona

    2012-01-01

    Postsecondary distance education has attracted increasing attention in recent years, an understandable change when one considers that innovative approaches to distance education have offered opportunities to overcome some of the key challenges in traditional "brick and mortar" education. Nonetheless, there are a plethora of issues that…

  7. Opportunity Foregone: Education in Brazil.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Birdsall, Nancy, Ed.; Sabot, Richard H., Ed.

    The studies presented in this volume help readers to understand the constraints faced in addressing the key problems within the Brazilian education system. Steps to address the issues and benefits to be gained by addressing those issues are discussed. Forty-two authors reiterate that the success of Brazil's education reform will have an important…

  8. Legal Challenges and Opportunities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Heyward, Salome

    2011-01-01

    For legal issues in the field of disability compliance, this is an exciting time in postsecondary education. The twentieth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signals a reawakening of the commitment to provide equal access to individuals with disabilities. This chapter explores three of the compliance issues that will be of…

  9. Trend: Shrinking Opportunity

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Haycock, Kati; Gerald, Danette

    2007-01-01

    There has been a surge of attention to issues of access and success in higher education. The U.S. Education Secretary's Commission on the Future of Higher Education has discussed it. State policymakers are proposing new goals and accountability systems to address these issues. Even the mainstream press has been increasingly critical of higher…

  10. The Graying of the Professoriate. Occasional Paper No. 9.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Chronister, Jay L.

    Issues concerning an aging faculty are discussed, including faculty vitality and quality in an era of institutional constraints and limited career opportunities, restricted mobility of faculty between institutions, and limited recruitment of young faculty. Perspectives of the faculty and their institutions about these issues are outlined, and…

  11. Professional Development Workshops for Student Teachers: An Issue of Concern

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hsu, Amy; Malkin, Fran

    2013-01-01

    Professional development programs are critical in addressing the needs of teacher education students and graduates. In an effort to best meet the desired needs and wants of these new educators, professional development opportunities must target essential issues. This study examines topics including classroom management, exceptional children,…

  12. Global health issues of aflatoxins in food and agriculture: challenges and opportunities

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    This special research topic eBOOK contains six review articles, three mini reviews and four original research articles. It opens up exciting perspectives on global health issues related to aflatoxins in the food chain and on the development of suitable strategies for preventing toxigenic fungal grow...

  13. Strategies for Educational Equality [and] Comments on Torsten Husen's Paper.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Husen, Torsten

    Among the issues discussed are the following: whether education is the great equalizer or the great slave, equality of opportunity and equality of results, conservative, liberal, and redemptive conceptions of educational equality, the heredity-environment issue, the causes of educational inequality, incompatibilities and dilemmas of equalization,…

  14. Ethical Issues and Best Practice Considerations for Internet Research

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Colvin, Jan; Lanigan, Jane

    2005-01-01

    With rapidly increasing public use of the Internet and advances in Web technologies, family and consumer sciences researchers have the opportunity to conduct Internet-based research. However, online research raises critical ethical issues concerning human subjects that have an impact on research practices. This article provides a review of the…

  15. Indigenous Population Mobilities and School Achievement: International Educational Research Itineraries, Issues and Implications

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Danaher, P. A.

    2012-01-01

    This paper situates the articles in this special theme issue of the "International Journal of Educational Research" within the broader global literature regarding the educational experiences and opportunities of mobile communities. The paper distils those articles' contributions to extending current understandings about the specific…

  16. Effect of Religious Belief on Informal Reasoning about Biotechnology Issues

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pope, Timothy; Dawson, Vaille; Koul, Rekha

    2017-01-01

    The advances of modern biotechnology provide teachers with a number of opportunities to explore socioscientific issues, and in doing so to enhance students' reasoning skills. Although some attempt has been made to understand cultural differences in students' informal reasoning across international and regional boundaries, there is limited research…

  17. Sexual Harassment a Growing Problem as Some Donors Make Overtures to People Seeking Gifts from Them.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    McMillen, Liz

    1991-01-01

    Most college fundraisers are women and most donors are men. The conditions of fundraising may make sexual harassment an important issue by creating opportunities for confusion and abuse. A growing need for colleges to address the issue is seen. (MSE)

  18. Current Domestic Problems, Social Studies: 6416.18.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Moore, John A.

    Secondary students learn to deal objectively with domestic issues and problems in this quinmester elective course. Emphasis is upon providing students with an opportunity for indepth study in critical thinking on current controversial issues, using activity units as a principal teaching technique. The objectives are for students to identify and…

  19. Old, Black and Poor: Reports from Five Countries.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Chappell, Neena, Ed.; And Others

    1995-01-01

    This special issue provides international comparisons of black seniors in South Africa, Ghana, Jamaica, Bermuda, and the United States, focusing on policy and program issues. The challenge is to ensure true equality of opportunity so that black seniors in the future will not be in the disadvantaged position of today. (Author)

  20. Workshop report: strategies for setting occupational exposure limits for engineered nanomaterials.

    PubMed

    Gordon, Steven C; Butala, John H; Carter, Janet M; Elder, Alison; Gordon, Terry; Gray, George; Sayre, Philip G; Schulte, Paul A; Tsai, Candace S; West, Jay

    2014-04-01

    Occupational exposure limits (OELs) are important tools for managing worker exposures to chemicals; however, hazard data for many engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) are insufficient for deriving OELs by traditional methods. Technical challenges and questions about how best to measure worker exposures to ENMs also pose barriers to implementing OELs. New varieties of ENMs are being developed and introduced into commerce at a rapid pace, further compounding the issue of OEL development for ENMs. A Workshop on Strategies for Setting Occupational Exposure Limits for Engineered Nanomaterials, held in September 2012, provided an opportunity for occupational health experts from various stakeholder groups to discuss possible alternative approaches for setting OELs for ENMs and issues related to their implementation. This report summarizes the workshop proceedings and findings, identifies areas for additional research, and suggests potential avenues for further progress on this important topic. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Priorities of Legislatively-Active Veteran Services Organizations: A Content Analysis and Review for Health Promotion Initiatives

    PubMed Central

    Jahnke, Sara A.; Haddock, Christopher K.; Carlos Poston, Walker S.; Jitnarin, Nattinee

    2014-01-01

    Military and Veterans Service Organizations (MVSOs) have a unique opportunity to influence legislation and advocate for the interests of their members. However, little is known about what legislative priorities MVSOs see as important. Understanding the legislative priorities of MVSOs can inform efforts by health scientists to promote policy and laws designed to improve the health of our nation’s veterans. Using a mixed methods approach, we conducted a thematic analysis of legislative priorities MVSOs promote with their legislative agendas. Most commonly, MVSOs addressed issues related to disability evaluations and ratings with the Veterans Administration (VA) and access to VA services. Other common themes identified as priorities include benefits such as retirement, education, housing assistance for veterans, and TRICARE benefits. Findings highlight the broad range of topics MVSOs identify as legislative priorities as well as some health issues that receive relatively limited attention. PMID:25373063

  2. Faculty perspectives on the inclusion of work-related learning in engineering curricula

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Magnell, Marie; Geschwind, Lars; Kolmos, Anette

    2017-11-01

    The purpose of this paper is to identify faculty perspectives on the integration of work-related issues in engineering education. A mixed methods approach was used to explore faculty attitudes towards work-related learning, to describe activities related to working life that have been introduced into the curriculum and to identify factors that faculty see as important if the amount of work-related learning is to increase. The results show that faculty members are positive about integrating work-related issues into the curriculum. Programmes with more extensive connections to industry offer more integrated activities, such as projects with external actors, and use professional contacts established through research in their teaching. In order to increase work-related learning in engineering curricula, faculty request clear goals and pedagogical tools. Other options to increase work-related learning include offering faculty the opportunity to work outside academia.

  3. Establishing a national resource: a health informatics collection to maintain the legacy of health informatics development.

    PubMed

    Ellis, Beverley; Roberts, Jean; Cooper, Helen

    2007-01-01

    This case study report of the establishment of a national repository of multi-media materials describes the creation process, the challenges faced in putting it into operation and the opportunities for the future. The initial resource has been incorporated under standard library and knowledge management practices. A collaborative action research method was used with active experts in the domain to determine the requirements and priorities for further development. The National Health Informatics Collection (NatHIC) is now accessible and the further issues are being addressed by inclusion in future University and NHS strategic plans. Ultimately the Collection will link with other facilities that contribute to the description and maintenance of effective informatics in support of health globally. The issues raised about the National Health Informatics Collection as established in the UK have resonance with the challenges of capturing the overall historic development of an emerging discipline in any country.

  4. Induced Seismicity and Public Communication: Lessons Learned

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Buchanan, R.

    2017-12-01

    Beginning in 2009, induced seismicity became a major public policy issue in the midcontinent. Based on my experience with induced seismicity in south-central Kansas, conversations about man-made earthquakes, and their connection to hydraulic fracturing, are challenging, yet they provide an opening for geoscientists to engage the public in conversations about energy regulation, environmental issues, and basic geology. In many respects, hydraulic fracturing and induced seismicity became the lenses through which the public saw the geoscience community. Interaction with the media, regulators, decision-makers, and the general public, through interviews, presentations, panels, and public meetings, provided opportunities to describe current knowledge of the subsurface and to advocate for improved seismic monitoring and subsurface data-collection. Equally important, it provided geoscientists the opportunity to learn about public understanding and concerns about these issues. Successful communication required multiple, in-depth conversations and willingness to listen carefully. Results included support for additional monitoring from both public and private sources.

  5. The 2015 National Security Strategy: Authorities, Changes, Issues for Congress

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-04-05

    Strategy: Authorities, Changes, Issues for Congress Congressional Research Service 3  reverse the spread of nuclear and biological weapons and...secure nuclear materials;  advance peace, security, and opportunity in the greater Middle East;  invest in the capacity of strong and capable...and norms on issues ranging from maritime security to trade and human rights.” 6 On Russia, the document says, “... we will continue to impose

  6. Changing Homeland Security: The Year in Review - 2008

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-01-01

    new opportunities for terrorist safe havens. The specter of homegrown terrorism has not abated. Naturalized citizens of Somali descent traveled to...34 • The Nature of Homeland Security: Now a Second Tier Policy Issue? • Organizing for Homeland Security: Possible Futures, Emerging Issues • The...emerging definitions of the homeland security mission space in 2009. The Nature of Homeland Security: Now a Second Tier Policy Issue? Has the bar

  7. New social movements and political process: The politics of hydroelectric power in Switzerland

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Lehmann, Luzia M.

    This dissertation analyzes the mobilization and impact of the ecology movement mobilizing against and challenging hydroelectric power plants in the Alps. It argues that the political process model is the most fruitful framework for such a study, linking a political system's structural constraints and opportunities to movement action via organizational resources. The mobilization process resulting in movement impact is conceived as an interactive process among social movements, authorities, other opponents, and potential counter movements. The case study method is then used to analyze three action campaigns launched against hydro power plants in Graubunden since the 1970s: Ilanz I and II, Greina, and Curciusa. In terms of the movement's narrow goal of preventing a plant, Ilanz I and II is a failure, Greina a success, and Curciusa ambiguous. Yet the author defines movement impact more broadly, including procedural, reactive and proactive substantive impact, and structural impact, changes in the alliance/conflict system, and social learning. Based on the evidence from the case studies, these factors affect movement outcome positively: visibility in the media and framing the debate, adjusting the target level and movement repertoire to the opportunity structure and the spatial concentration of the issue, proactivity, and organizational resources with a well developed division of labor, internal communication, and a non-partisan alliance system at all levels. There are two main conceptual contributions. First, the author analyzes the political opportunity structure at all levels of the federal polity--the national, cantonal, and communal--as well as the interplay among the levels. The fact that the cantonal and communal levels exhibit more elements of closure than the national level helps explain differences in movements' organizational resources, movement repertoire, targeting of movement action, and thus movement impact. Second, the author develops the spatial concentration of the issue, a variable posited and confirmed to have an impact on mobilization and impact via organizational resources: characteristics of the geographical and political space pertaining to the contentious issue may add constraints to mobilization. The variable turns out to be a crucial part of the political process model in explaining the three action campaigns and their outcome.

  8. Online and Social Media Suicide Prevention Interventions for Young People: A Focus on Implementation and Moderation

    PubMed Central

    Rice, Simon; Robinson, Jo; Bendall, Sarah; Hetrick, Sarah; Cox, Georgina; Bailey, Eleanor; Gleeson, John; Alvarez-Jimenez, Mario

    2016-01-01

    Objective: Suicide remains a major global public health issue for young people. The reach and accessibility of online and social media-based interventions herald a unique opportunity for suicide prevention. To date, the large body of research into suicide prevention has been undertaken atheoretically. This paper provides a rationale and theoretical framework (based on the interpersonal theory of suicide), and draws on our experiences of developing and testing online and social media-based interventions. Method: The implementation of three distinct online and social media-based intervention studies, undertaken with young people at risk of suicide, are discussed. We highlight the ways that these interventions can serve to bolster social connectedness in young people, and outline key aspects of intervention implementation and moderation. Results: Insights regarding the implementation of these studies include careful protocol development mindful of risk and ethical issues, establishment of suitably qualified teams to oversee development and delivery of the intervention, and utilisation of key aspects of human support (i.e., moderation) to encourage longer-term intervention engagement. Conclusions: Online and social media-based interventions provide an opportunity to enhance feelings of connectedness in young people, a key component of the interpersonal theory of suicide. Our experience has shown that such interventions can be feasibly and safely conducted with young people at risk of suicide. Further studies, with controlled designs, are required to demonstrate intervention efficacy. PMID:27274743

  9. Teaching the Mantle Plumes Debate

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Foulger, G. R.

    2010-12-01

    There is an ongoing debate regarding whether or not mantle plumes exist. This debate has highlighted a number of issues regarding how Earth science is currently practised, and how this feeds into approaches toward teaching students. The plume model is an hypothesis, not a proven fact. And yet many researchers assume a priori that plumes exist. This assumption feeds into teaching. That the plume model is unproven, and that many practising researchers are skeptical, may be at best only mentioned in passing to students, with most teachers assuming that plumes are proven to exist. There is typically little emphasis, in particular in undergraduate teaching, that the origin of melting anomalies is currently uncertain and that scientists do not know all the answers. Little encouragement is given to students to become involved in the debate and to consider the pros and cons for themselves. Typically teachers take the approach that “an answer” (or even “the answer”) must be taught to students. Such a pedagogic approach misses an excellent opportunity to allow students to participate in an important ongoing debate in Earth sciences. It also misses the opportunity to illustrate to students several critical aspects regarding correct application of the scientific method. The scientific method involves attempting to disprove hypotheses, not to prove them. A priori assumptions should be kept uppermost in mind and reconsidered at all stages. Multiple working hypotheses should be entertained. The predictions of a hypothesis should be tested, and unpredicted observations taken as weakening the original hypothesis. Hypotheses should not be endlessly adapted to fit unexpected observations. The difficulty with pedagogic treatment of the mantle plumes debate highlights a general uncertainty about how to teach issues in Earth science that are not yet resolved with certainty. It also represents a missed opportunity to let students experience how scientific theories evolve, warts and all. Working with students to enable them to participate in the evolution of the subject and to share in the excitement of major developments is surely the best way to attract them to science.

  10. Cross correlation of chemical profiles in minerals: Technical issues and numerical methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Probst, Line; Caricchi, Luca; Gander, Martin; Wallace, Glen; Sheldrake, Tom

    2017-04-01

    Crystals grown in magma reservoirs and develop chemical zoning because of the lack of re-equilibration when thermodynamic conditions change. Therefore, the study of chemical zoning in minerals offers the opportunity to reconstruct the pre-eruptive conditions and the temporal evolution of magma reservoirs. We are building a quantitative method that allows the comparison between zonation patterns within minerals. The aim of this method is to identify if similar crystal have partially similar zonation patterns and thus shared a part of their growth history. Our method is based on the correlation method developed first by G. Wallace and G. Bergantz (2004). Here we present some technical issues linked to the use of a numerical method to compare crystals within their textural context in thin sections. The first issue is related to the acquisition of chemical profiles from images of thin sections (e.g. BSE or cathodoluminescence images). We present a new procedure that significantly improves both image and profile processing. A second issue is related to the random orientation of crystals in a thin section. The software we are building takes in account different orientation of crystals by applying different stretching factors to chemical profiles. Thus the automated selection of the best stretching factor is crucial for the rest of the procedure. The last point is the significance level, the threshold above which the correlation between two profiles is considered as real (and not random). This threshold must also be carefully defined and justified. All these points were studied with statistical analysis and we present results leading to a more reliable and robust method. [1] Wallace, G.S. and Bergantz, G.W., 2004. Constraints on mingling of crystal populations from off-center zoning profiles: A statistical approach. American Mineralogist, vol. 89 (1), pp. 64-73. [2] Wallace, G.S. and Bergantz, G.W., 2004. Reconciling heterogeneity in crystal zoning data: An application of shared characteristic diagrams at Chaos Crags, Lassen Volcanic Center, California. Contributions to Mineralogy and Petrology, vol. 149, pp. 98-112.

  11. Mapping the Arctic: Online Undergraduate Education Using Scientific Research in International Policy

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Reed, D. L.; Edwards, B. D.; Gibbons, H.

    2011-12-01

    Ocean science education has the opportunity to span traditional academic disciplines and undergraduate curricula because of its interdisciplinary approach to address contemporary issues on a global scale. Here we report one such opportunity, which involves the development of a virtual oceanographic expedition to map the seafloor in the Arctic Ocean for use in the online Global Studies program at San Jose State University. The U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Project provides an extensive online resource to follow the activities of the third joint U.S. and Canada expedition in the Arctic Ocean, the 2010 Extended Continental Shelf survey, involving the icebreakers USCGC Healy and CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent. In the virtual expedition, students join the work of scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the Canadian Geological Survey by working through 21 linked web pages that combine text, audio, video, animations and graphics to first learn about the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Then, students gain insight into the complexity of science and policy interactions by relating the UNCLOS to issues in the Arctic Ocean, now increasingly accessible to exploration and development as a result of climate change. By participating on the virtual expedition, students learn the criteria contained in Article 76 of UNCLOS that are used to define the extended continental shelf and the scientific methods used to visualize the seafloor in three-dimensions. In addition to experiencing life at sea aboard a research vessel, at least virtually, students begin to interpret the meaning of seafloor features and the use of seafloor sediment samples to understand the application of ocean science to international issues, such as the implications of climate change, national sovereign rights as defined by the UNCLOS, and marine resources. The virtual expedition demonstrates that ocean science education can extend beyond traditional geoscience courses by taking advantage of emerging academic disciplines, contemporary global issues and new learning delivery systems.

  12. Program Review Challenges and Opportunities for Training the Next Generation of Biophysicists: Perspectives of the Directors of the Molecular Biophysics Training Program at Northwestern University

    PubMed Central

    Neuhaus, Francis; Widom, Jonathan; MacDonald, Robert; Jardetzky, Theodore; Radhakrishnan, Ishwar

    2009-01-01

    Molecular biophysics is a broad, diverse, and dynamic field that has presented a variety of unique challenges and opportunities for training future generations of investigators. Having been or currently being intimately associated with the Molecular Biophysics Training Program at Northwestern, we present our perspectives on various issues that we have encountered over the years. We propose no cookie-cutter solutions, as there is no consensus on what constitutes the “ideal” program. However, there is uniformity in opinion on some key issues that might be useful to those interested in establishing a biophysics training program. PMID:18293401

  13. Issues and opportunities in exotic hadrons

    DOE PAGES

    Briceno, Raul A.; Cohen, Thomas D.; Coito, S.; ...

    2016-04-01

    The last few years have been witness to a proliferation of new results concerning heavy exotic hadrons. Experimentally, many new signals have been discovered that could be pointing towards the existence of tetraquarks, pentaquarks, and other exotic configurations of quarks and gluons. Theoretically, advances in lattice field theory techniques place us at the cusp of understanding complex coupled-channel phenomena, modelling grows more sophisticated, and effective field theories are being applied to an ever greater range of situations. Consequently, it is thus an opportune time to evaluate the status of the field. In the following, a series of high priority experimentalmore » and theoretical issues concerning heavy exotic hadrons is presented.« less

  14. Satellites for U.S. education - Needs, opportunities and systems.

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Morgan, R. P.; Singh, J. P.; Anderson, B. D.; Greenberg, E.

    1972-01-01

    This paper presents results of a continuing interdisciplinary study of the potential applications of Fixed- and Broadcast-Satellites for educational information transfer in the United States for the period 1975-1985. The status of U.S. education is examined and needs, trends and issues are discussed. The existing educational telecommunications infrastructure is examined and opportunities for satellite services are defined. Potential uses include networking of educational institutions and service centers for delivery of public and instructional television, computer-aided instruction, computing and information resources to regions and groups not now adequately served. Systems alternatives and some of the organizational and economic issues inherent in the deployment of an educational satellite system are discussed.-

  15. Three visual techniques to enhance interprofessional learning.

    PubMed

    Parsell, G; Gibbs, T; Bligh, J

    1998-07-01

    Many changes in the delivery of healthcare in the UK have highlighted the need for healthcare professionals to learn to work together as teams for the benefit of patients. Whatever the profession or level, whether for postgraduate education and training, continuing professional development, or for undergraduates, learners should have an opportunity to learn about and with, other healthcare practitioners in a stimulating and exciting way. Learning to understand how people think, feel, and react, and the parts they play at work, both as professionals and individuals, can only be achieved through sensitive discussion and exchange of views. Teaching and learning methods must provide opportunities for this to happen. This paper describes three small-group teaching techniques which encourage a high level of learner collaboration and team-working. Learning content is focused on real-life health-care issues and strong visual images are used to stimulate lively discussion and debate. Each description includes the learning objectives of each exercise, basic equipment and resources, and learning outcomes.

  16. Complementary and alternative medicine. Integrative medicine: business risks and opportunities.

    PubMed

    Berndtson, K

    1998-01-01

    Much of the buzz over integrative medicine is well deserved. The opportunities seem to outweigh the risks, but superior management skills are needed to guide these programs through adolescence into clinical and business maturity. By carefully considering the staffing, team building, compensation methods, marketing, and program evaluation and development issues explored in this article, health care and physician executives should be able to steer between the rocks on their way to integrative medicine decisions that are right for their organizations. Many claim that integrative medicine has the potential to reshape health care delivery in a more patient-centered direction. While this may be true, such programs must prove themselves from financial and clinical operational perspectives in order to achieve this potential. Luminary clinical skills are not enough to guarantee the survival of such programs--a strong clinical base of expertise in alternative therapies is a key success factor. As with any health care venture, there are no substitutes for clinical excellence or sound management.

  17. Using the Balanced Scorecard to Enhance Undergraduate Education in a First Year Business Course: A Pilot Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hunt, Irma; Taylor, Ronald K.; Winter, Anthony; Mackie, J. Jay; Fisher, Daniel

    2016-01-01

    Several research studies found that managers lacked a basic understanding of a balanced scorecard (BSC) approach to evaluate an organization. Because of this, the authors saw an opportunity to reorganize a course in order to provide students with an opportunity to address this issue. Therefore, a recent pilot study was conducted to ascertain…

  18. Claiming the Promise of Place-Based Education. Occasional Paper Series 33

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Altman, Roberta, Ed.; Stires, Susan, Ed.; Weseen, Susan, Ed.

    2015-01-01

    Each of the papers in this collection offers a much-needed antidote to the forces that disconnect educators from the places in which they teach, learn, and live. Together, they provide an opportunity to reflect on the power of place in education. This issue offers an opportunity--an invitation--to embrace all that the places both in and outside…

  19. A Novel Course of Chemistry as a Scientific Discipline: How Do Prospective Teachers Perceive Nature of Chemistry through Visits to Research Groups?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Vesterinen, Veli-Matti; Aksela, Maija

    2009-01-01

    To achieve sufficient pedagogical content knowledge on nature of chemistry related issues, teachers need structured opportunities for reflection and discussion. One way to provide those opportunities is through teacher-scientist interaction. This study is based on reflective essays of thirty prospective teachers who participated in a new course…

  20. The Continuing Struggle: Civil Rights and the Clinton Administration. Report of the Citizens' Commission on Civil Rights.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Yu, Corrine M., Ed.; Taylor, William L., Ed.

    In 1993 the Citizens' Commission on Civil Rights concluded that the election of Bill Clinton as President presented a new opportunity to work toward equal opportunity. In 1995, at the midpoint of his first term, the Commission identified the new and often formidable challenges his administration was facing in dealing with issues of equal…

  1. Special Education and Rehabilitation in Georgia: Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities, and Threats in a Newly-Independent State of the Former Soviet Union.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hobbs, Tim; Szydlowski, Steven; West, Daniel, Jr.; Germava, Otar

    2002-01-01

    Forty-nine Georgian professionals from the fields of health, education, and rehabilitation were brought together for a week-long workshop to discuss issues related to disability, rehabilitation, and special education. Workshop activities included a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of special education in Georgia.…

  2. Afterschool: A Natural Platform for Career Development. Afterschool Alert. Issue Brief No. 19

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Afterschool Alliance, 2004

    2004-01-01

    As technology evolves and the economy changes, greater demands will be placed on the workforce of the future. Myriad opportunities are and will be available to those who have the knowledge and the skills to meet those challenges. Afterschool programs offer a key opportunity to expose students to ideas and teach them skills that can unlock doors to…

  3. Determining Quantity and Strength of Relationships between STEM Camp Participants and the Math Student Camp Leaders

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Reding, Tracie Evans; Squires, Amelia; Grandgenett, Neal; Keller, Sydney; Grandgenett, Hanna; Hodge, Angie; Argo, Christina; Jacobberger, Katrina

    2017-01-01

    There is a global issue concerning the disparity in educational achievement associated with the socioeconomic status of students, known in the U.S. as the Achievement Gap. This Achievement Gap highly correlates with what has been called the Opportunity Gap for professional careers. This paper discusses this Opportunity Gap and how the University…

  4. Universal Design and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, Bisexual, and Queer) Issues: Creating Equal Access and Opportunities for Success

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Daniels, Jennifer R.; Geiger, Tracy J.

    2010-01-01

    The authors extend the ideals set forth by the universal design (UD) framework seeking to include the unique needs of students in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. Universal design is a philosophy that, when applied to higher education, constitutes acceptance of, equal access for, and equal opportunities for…

  5. Opportunities to Develop Mathematical Proficiency: How Teachers Structure Participation in the Elementary Mathematics Classroom

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Freund, Deanna Patrice Nichols

    2011-01-01

    The opportunity to learn for African American and Latino children is extremely limited in a large number of US classrooms. Many societal issues are to blame, but high-stakes testing has exacerbated this problem. The pressure to increase test scores has caused a narrowing of the curriculum, particularly in low-performing schools, most of which are…

  6. On Doing an Analysis of Equity and Closing the Opportunity Gap

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Verstegen, Deborah A.

    2015-01-01

    Is public education equitable and does it provide an equal opportunity to all children and youths? Equity in public school funding is a critical issue facing all communities and has been addressed by the courts in all but five states. A key focus is on funding gaps between rich and poor school districts. Recently, attention has turned to the…

  7. What you can do to help improve regulation of the plants for planting pathway

    Treesearch

    2008-01-01

    The current rules for plants for planting are being revised. The United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) has already provided several opportunities for public input into the new rules, and more opportunities will be coming soon. Considering the importance most plant health scientists attach to this issue, it is...

  8. New opportunities for social research on forest landowners in the south

    Treesearch

    John Schelhas; Robert Zabawa; Joseph J. Molnar

    2003-01-01

    Many of the issues of importance to forest management and policy have important social components. Yet, in the South, social research on forests has lagged behind economic and biophysical research. In this paper we identify some important new opportunities for social research on forests in the South, focusing on non industrial private forests because they represent the...

  9. Cultural and hierarchical influences: ethical issues faced by Taiwanese nursing students.

    PubMed

    Yeh, Mei-Yu; Wu, Shu-Mei; Che, Hui-Lian

    2010-05-01

    OBJECTIVES Improving nurses' competence in resolving clinical ethical issues must start with ethics education in training and clinical practice. However, many students complain that they cannot apply classroom learning to actual clinical scenarios. This study explored ethical issues and dilemmas, and their impact experienced by student nurses in clinical practice. METHODS Focus groups were conducted with 44 first-year student nurses from a 2-year college course in northern Taiwan. Interviews were tape-recorded and verbatim transcripts were analysed using content analysis. RESULTS Students expressed and discussed their views in eight focus groups. Analysis of interviews revealed five themes: frustration at inability to help some patients; oppression caused by lower status; lack of honesty and ethical courage; powerlessness, and self-encouragement in adversity. CONCLUSIONS Taiwanese nurse ethics training was only recently introduced and the curriculum has not addressed the clinical reality in Taiwan. This reality includes limitations arising from the medical hierarchy and the socio-cultural role of families in medical decision making, which may inhibit ethical judgements and decision making. In clinical dilemmas, the most common problems faced by Taiwanese nursing students involved not knowing how to handle some situations, inability to abide by principles, and a lack of appropriate role models. Hence, we suggest that nursing ethics education should: (i) integrate scenarios involving ethical dilemmas into daily routines; (ii) give students opportunities to discuss their feelings about their experiences; (iii) allow teachers and students to talk about scenarios with ethical implications, and (iv) provide students with opportunities to reflect on clinical scenarios in order to clarify their values and learn how to respect the value of life.

  10. Opportunities at the Intersection of Bioinformatics and Health Informatics

    PubMed Central

    Miller, Perry L.

    2000-01-01

    This paper provides a “viewpoint discussion” based on a presentation made to the 2000 Symposium of the American College of Medical Informatics. It discusses potential opportunities for researchers in health informatics to become involved in the rapidly growing field of bioinformatics, using the activities of the Yale Center for Medical Informatics as a case study. One set of opportunities occurs where bioinformatics research itself intersects with the clinical world. Examples include the correlations between individual genetic variation with clinical risk factors, disease presentation, and differential response to treatment; and the implications of including genetic test results in the patient record, which raises clinical decision support issues as well as legal and ethical issues. A second set of opportunities occurs where bioinformatics research can benefit from the technologic expertise and approaches that informaticians have used extensively in the clinical arena. Examples include database organization and knowledge representation, data mining, and modeling and simulation. Microarray technology is discussed as a specific potential area for collaboration. Related questions concern how best to establish collaborations with bioscientists so that the interests and needs of both sets of researchers can be met in a synergistic fashion, and the most appropriate home for bioinformatics in an academic medical center. PMID:10984461

  11. Beliefs and perception about mental health issues: a meta-synthesis

    PubMed Central

    Choudhry, Fahad Riaz; Mani, Vasudevan; Ming, Long Chiau; Khan, Tahir Mehmood

    2016-01-01

    Background Mental health literacy is the beliefs and knowledge about mental health issues and their remedies. Attitudes and beliefs of lay individuals about mental illness are shaped by personal knowledge about mental illness, knowing and interacting with someone living with mental illness, and cultural stereotypes. Mental health issues are increasing and are alarming in almost every part of the world, and hence compiling this review provides an opportunity to understand the different views regarding mental disorders and problems as well as to fill the gap in the published literature by focusing only on the belief system and perception of mental health problems among general population. Method The methodology involved a systematic review and the meta-synthesis method, which includes synthesizing published qualitative studies on mental health perception and beliefs. Sample Fifteen relevant published qualitative and mixed-method studies, regarding the concept of mental health, were identified for meta-synthesis. Analysis All the themes of the selected studies were further analyzed to give a broader picture of mental health problems and their perceived causes and management. Only qualitative studies, not older than 2010, focusing on beliefs about, attitudes toward, and perceptions of mental health problems, causes, and treatments were included in this review. Results The findings are divided into four major categories, namely, 1) symptoms of mental health issues, 2) description of mental health issues, 3) perceived causes, and 4) preferred treatment and help-seeking behavior. Each category contains themes and subthemes based on published studies. Conclusion The findings reveal multiple causes of, descriptions of, and treatment options for mental health problems, thereby providing insight into different help-seeking behaviors. Clarity is offered by highlighting cultural differences and similarities in mental health beliefs and perceptions about the causes of mental health problems. The implications of the studies and recommendations based on current findings are also discussed. PMID:27826193

  12. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Collection of Federal Affirmative Action Goals and Timetables and Enforcement of Federal Sector EEO Complaints. Hearing before the Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities of the Committee on Education and Labor, House of Representatives, Ninety-Ninth Congress, First Session, Washington, DC, July 23, 1985.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Congress of the U.S., Washington, DC. House Committee on Education and Labor.

    This report of a hearing before the House Subcommittee on Employment Opportunities addresses the issues of complying with Federal standards concerning equal representation of minorities and women in Federal jobs. In 1984, three agencies refused to submit affirmative action goals and timetables: The Department of Justice, the Federal Trade…

  13. Cancer research in Brazil - stuck in second gear?

    PubMed

    Lepique, A P; Bonorino, C

    2015-02-01

    This article describes the main issues regarding clinical cancer research in Brazil, including both the opportunities and the hurdles. Scientists and clinicians in this field had the opportunity to talk to regulatory agencies and to the Health Ministry representative at a meeting held in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in April 2014. Our conclusions are that we do indeed have opportunities; however, we need to move forward regarding partnerships between academia and industry, increase the availability of funding, and provide easier navigation through the regulatory processes.

  14. Industrial Waste Heat Recovery - Potential Applications, Available Technologies and Crosscutting R&D Opportunities

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Thekdi, Arvind; Nimbalkar, Sachin U.

    2015-01-01

    The purpose of this report was to explore key areas and characteristics of industrial waste heat and its generation, barriers to waste heat recovery and use, and potential research and development (R&D) opportunities. The report also provides an overview of technologies and systems currently available for waste heat recovery and discusses the issues or barriers for each. Also included is information on emerging technologies under development or at various stages of demonstrations, and R&D opportunities cross-walked by various temperature ranges, technology areas, and energy-intensive process industries.

  15. Beliefs and perception about mental health issues: a meta-synthesis.

    PubMed

    Choudhry, Fahad Riaz; Mani, Vasudevan; Ming, Long Chiau; Khan, Tahir Mehmood

    2016-01-01

    Mental health literacy is the beliefs and knowledge about mental health issues and their remedies. Attitudes and beliefs of lay individuals about mental illness are shaped by personal knowledge about mental illness, knowing and interacting with someone living with mental illness, and cultural stereotypes. Mental health issues are increasing and are alarming in almost every part of the world, and hence compiling this review provides an opportunity to understand the different views regarding mental disorders and problems as well as to fill the gap in the published literature by focusing only on the belief system and perception of mental health problems among general population. The methodology involved a systematic review and the meta-synthesis method, which includes synthesizing published qualitative studies on mental health perception and beliefs. Fifteen relevant published qualitative and mixed-method studies, regarding the concept of mental health, were identified for meta-synthesis. All the themes of the selected studies were further analyzed to give a broader picture of mental health problems and their perceived causes and management. Only qualitative studies, not older than 2010, focusing on beliefs about, attitudes toward, and perceptions of mental health problems, causes, and treatments were included in this review. The findings are divided into four major categories, namely, 1) symptoms of mental health issues, 2) description of mental health issues, 3) perceived causes, and 4) preferred treatment and help-seeking behavior. Each category contains themes and subthemes based on published studies. The findings reveal multiple causes of, descriptions of, and treatment options for mental health problems, thereby providing insight into different help-seeking behaviors. Clarity is offered by highlighting cultural differences and similarities in mental health beliefs and perceptions about the causes of mental health problems. The implications of the studies and recommendations based on current findings are also discussed.

  16. Changing Our Future: Issues in Leadership and Management Skills and the Information Profession.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mercer, Prue

    This paper explores the issues and opportunities for information providers in a digital environment where the skills of management of change and leadership are necessary to create vital and healthy organizations. The first section discusses challenges of the digital environment and skills for the information profession, including the impact of…

  17. Issues in School Finance/A Texas Primer.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hooker, Richard L.

    This booklet attempts to provide the layman with information on the need to equalize educational opportunities and taxpayer burdens in a high quality State system of public schools for Texas. The publication attempts to stimulate discussion and provide a foundation, in the briefest form, for the consideration of Texas school finance issues.…

  18. Computing and Higher Education: An Accidental Revolution.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Gillespie, Robert G.; Dicaro, Deborah A.

    As the applications of computing have expanded, the issues of computing and higher education have enlarged to include questions about the nature of information transfer on campus and the role of higher education in an information society. A broad view of the national issues and opportunities of computing in higher education is presented. A panel…

  19. Continuing Professional Library and Information Science Education for Advancing Equity of Access.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Roy, Loriene; Lee, Seung-ah

    Equity of access is one of the American Library Association's (ALA's) five key action areas. Discussions of digital divide issues sometimes sound confusing and unfocused; however, the digital divide issue provides information professionals with the opportunity to discover more about their own skills and potential, to understand more about library…

  20. Interacting with Upset Parents/Guardians: Defending Justice-Oriented Social Studies Lessons in Parent-Teacher Conference Simulations

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brkich, Christopher Andrew; Newkirk, April Cribbs

    2015-01-01

    Providing middle-grades students the opportunity to engage meaningfully with controversial public issues (CPIs), socioscientific issues (SSIs), or a framework for social justice can be very dangerous work professionally. However, rather than encouraging teacher candidates to eschew controversy, ensuring they receive sufficient training in how to…

  1. 14 CFR 11.7 - What is a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... rulemaking? 11.7 Section 11.7 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF... information on an issue, or that we should take a different approach than we proposed. Also, we may want to..., FAA may issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to give the public an opportunity...

  2. 14 CFR 11.7 - What is a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... rulemaking? 11.7 Section 11.7 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF... information on an issue, or that we should take a different approach than we proposed. Also, we may want to..., FAA may issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to give the public an opportunity...

  3. 14 CFR 11.7 - What is a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... rulemaking? 11.7 Section 11.7 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF... information on an issue, or that we should take a different approach than we proposed. Also, we may want to..., FAA may issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to give the public an opportunity...

  4. 14 CFR 11.7 - What is a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... rulemaking? 11.7 Section 11.7 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF... information on an issue, or that we should take a different approach than we proposed. Also, we may want to..., FAA may issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to give the public an opportunity...

  5. 14 CFR 11.7 - What is a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... rulemaking? 11.7 Section 11.7 Aeronautics and Space FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF... information on an issue, or that we should take a different approach than we proposed. Also, we may want to..., FAA may issue a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNPRM) to give the public an opportunity...

  6. Equity in Education: Opportunities and Challenges In A Changing Sri Lanka

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sedere, Upali M.

    2010-01-01

    Equity is a major concern for all development actors. Although Sri Lanka has successfully addressed equity issues in education sector there are unresolved factors and variables those perpetuate inequity. There are emerging new equity issues those that Sri Lanka needs to address. The changing population dynamics and the huge middle class population…

  7. Equity in Texas Public School Finance: Some Historical Perspectives.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Walker, Billy D.

    The history of equity concerns in Texas public school finance, spanning over a century, is reviewed in this report. Three issues related to three reform eras are discussed: equitable availability of public schooling, equal resources for schools, and school effectiveness. State responses to the issues included equalization of opportunities in rural…

  8. Montessori Theory into Practice: A Practical Newsletter for NAMTA Members, 1995.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Montessori Theory into Practice Newsletter, 1995

    1995-01-01

    These two issues of Theory into Practice, a practical newsletter of the North American Montessori Teachers Association (NAMTA), contains feature articles, upcoming events, and a job bulletin detailing employment opportunities categorized by state and country. The March issue focuses on television's effects and contains an article on the 1st Annual…

  9. Education Statistics Quarterly. Volume 6, Issue 4, 2004. NCES 2006-613

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National Center for Education Statistics, 2006

    2006-01-01

    The "Quarterly" offers a comprehensive overview of work done across all of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Each issue includes short publications and summaries covering all NCES publications and data products released in a given time period as well as notices about training and funding opportunities. In addition,…

  10. Technology Counts 2009: Breaking Away from Tradition--E-Education Expands Opportunities for Raising Achievement

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Education Week, 2009

    2009-01-01

    This special issue presents the "Education Week's" annual report on education technology, "Technology Counts." This special issue includes the following articles: (1) Breaking Away from Tradition (Michelle R. Davis); (2) Research Shows Evolving Picture of E-Education (Debra Viadero); (3) Advanced Placement Secures Online Niche (Michelle R. Davis);…

  11. Non-Formal Education Implementations in Turkey: Issues and Latest Challenges

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Bilir, Mehmet

    2007-01-01

    The aim of this article is to analyse the latest implementations and issues raised in Turkish non-formal education from a historical perspective in Turkey. The high population rate and lack of adequate educational opportunities for adults and migration from rural areas to urban areas caused many educational, social and cultural problems in…

  12. Antarctica: Scientific Journeys from McMurdo to the Pole.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brand, Judith, Ed.

    2002-01-01

    This issue of Exploratorium Magazine focuses on Antarctica. Antarctica has one of the most extreme climates in the world with an untouched environment inviting researchers with great opportunities for study. This issue describes the journey of four Exploratorium staff members to frozen Antarctica. Chapters include: (1) "Life at the Bottom of…

  13. The Use of Acupuncture in the U.S. Military: Challenges and Opportunities

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-01-01

    physicians, and now in the military. Could you address the issue of qualifications for acupuncture and training for acupunc- turists that are needed for...place for several years. So the issue of acupuncturist versus licensed acupunc- turist or medical acupuncturist is one that is going to come up in

  14. Sexual Harassment, Parts I, II, and III.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Douglas, Joel M., Ed.

    1992-01-01

    Three separate newsletter issues examine the issue of sexual harassment on college campuses. Part I contains a general introduction to the topic and two articles. The first of these discusses the definition of sexual harassment by the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the courts, the EEOC guidelines on conduct of a…

  15. Discovering a Democratic Tradition and Educating for Public Politics.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Leppard, Lynden J.

    1993-01-01

    Asserts that preparing students to be rational decision makers in a democracy and productive participants in the economy are major goals of education. Argues social studies education must provide opportunities for analysis and decision making related to current major issues. Identifies the National Issues Forum in the Classroom program as an…

  16. Preparing Culturally Responsive Teachers: Effective Practices in Teacher Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ellerbrock, Cheryl R.; Cruz, Bárbara C.; Vásquez, Anete; Howes, Elaine V.

    2016-01-01

    Despite the growing diversity in our nation's schools, many teacher educators avoid discussions on diversity issues for myriad reasons. As a result, numerous preservice teachers lack quality learning opportunities to become well versed on issues of diversity in meaningful ways that can translate to P-12 practice. This article elaborates on…

  17. Prepaying & Saving for College: Opportunities and Issues. Policy Perspectives No. 3.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jennings, Barbara M.; Olivas, Michael A.

    This publication provides an overview and discusses underlying issues of the college savings and prepaid tuition plans that are emerging in the states. Two papers offer different vantage points on college savings and prepaid plans in financing postsecondary education. The first paper, "The Evolution of State Plans" (Barbara M. Jennings),…

  18. Employment and Economic Issues of Low-Income Women: Report of a Project.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Women's Bureau (DOL), Washington, DC.

    A series of consultations between low-income women and representatives of local and State service agencies in the Department of Labor's ten regions was undertaken to examine the needs, issues, and circumstances that affect the employment opportunities of low-income women. Each central consultation was preceded by several smaller meetings, attended…

  19. Emerging Issues and Opportunities Prospective Analysis.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Peter, Sharlene A.

    This paper discusses 14 issues related to gender equity in intercollegiate athletics, including: (1) the cost dilemma, in which institutions have to cut men's sports to introduce women's sports; (2) equal pay for the coaches of men's and women's teams; (3) the gender of coaches, namely men coaching women's teams; (4) peer harassment among…

  20. The National Bio- and Agro-Defense Facility: Issues for Congress

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2009-12-14

    opportunity for each of the viruses ( FMDV , RVFV, and Nipah virus) to become established and spread once released from NBAF.”69 Largely because of this risk...intention of complying with Congressional direction to issue a permit for the movement and use of live FMDV at the NBAF.78 Congressional

  1. Teaching Economics to Business Students through the Lens of Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Maxfield, Sylvia

    2011-01-01

    Corporate "social-issues management" courses are often taught without in-depth reference to economics, but they afford an opportunity both to review ground-level microeconomics issues including pricing and profit maximization under different market structures and to introduce more advanced topics such as externalities, introductory game theory,…

  2. Sexual Harassment: What's Good for the Goose Is Good For the Gander.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hazzard, Terry

    Sexual harassment, once an issue only among women, is becoming a serious issue among men. The number of law suits brought by men alleging sexual harassment is increasing and will likely continue to increase as more women attain supervisory and management positions. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) defines harassment as…

  3. Factors and Issues in Australian Rural Education: A Case for New Perspectives.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Darnell, F.; Higgins, A. H.

    New interest by Australians in the state of rural education requires new understanding of factors affecting rural education and its related issues. Educational programs have not been flexible enough to cope with rural diversity, a key element in the milieu. Standards such as "equality of opportunity" and "uniformity" have been…

  4. Child Health Issues in New Zealand: An Overview

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Simmons, Darlene R.

    2007-01-01

    International travel can provide the unique opportunity to experience other cultures. For nurses, it can also provide a window through which different health care structures and services can be viewed. Many similarities and differences can be found between the country visited and the United States in terms of health issues, nursing education,…

  5. Space station crew safety: Human factors interaction model

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cohen, M. M.; Junge, M. K.

    1985-01-01

    A model of the various human factors issues and interactions that might affect crew safety is developed. The first step addressed systematically the central question: How is this space station different from all other spacecraft? A wide range of possible issue was identified and researched. Five major topics of human factors issues that interacted with crew safety resulted: Protocols, Critical Habitability, Work Related Issues, Crew Incapacitation and Personal Choice. Second, an interaction model was developed that would show some degree of cause and effect between objective environmental or operational conditions and the creation of potential safety hazards. The intermediary steps between these two extremes of causality were the effects on human performance and the results of degraded performance. The model contains three milestones: stressor, human performance (degraded) and safety hazard threshold. Between these milestones are two countermeasure intervention points. The first opportunity for intervention is the countermeasure against stress. If this countermeasure fails, performance degrades. The second opportunity for intervention is the countermeasure against error. If this second countermeasure fails, the threshold of a potential safety hazard may be crossed.

  6. Mixed methods research in music therapy research.

    PubMed

    Bradt, Joke; Burns, Debra S; Creswell, John W

    2013-01-01

    Music therapists have an ethical and professional responsibility to provide the highest quality care possible to their patients. Much of the time, high quality care is guided by evidence-based practice standards that integrate the most current, available research in making decisions. Accordingly, music therapists need research that integrates multiple ways of knowing and forms of evidence. Mixed methods research holds great promise for facilitating such integration. At this time, there have not been any methodological articles published on mixed methods research in music therapy. The purpose of this article is to introduce mixed methods research as an approach to address research questions relevant to music therapy practice. This article describes the core characteristics of mixed methods research, considers paradigmatic issues related to this research approach, articulates major challenges in conducting mixed methods research, illustrates four basic designs, and provides criteria for evaluating the quality of mixed methods articles using examples of mixed methods research from the music therapy literature. Mixed methods research offers unique opportunities for strengthening the evidence base in music therapy. Recommendations are provided to ensure rigorous implementation of this research approach.

  7. Organic synthesis: march of the machines.

    PubMed

    Ley, Steven V; Fitzpatrick, Daniel E; Ingham, Richard J; Myers, Rebecca M

    2015-03-09

    Organic synthesis is changing; in a world where budgets are constrained and the environmental impacts of practice are scrutinized, it is increasingly recognized that the efficient use of human resource is just as important as material use. New technologies and machines have found use as methods for transforming the way we work, addressing these issues encountered in research laboratories by enabling chemists to adopt a more holistic systems approach in their work. Modern developments in this area promote a multi-disciplinary approach and work is more efficient as a result. This Review focuses on the concepts, procedures and methods that have far-reaching implications in the chemistry world. Technologies have been grouped as topics of opportunity and their recent applications in innovative research laboratories are described. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  8. Use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation: myth or reality?

    PubMed Central

    Gosselin, Matthias; Hedouin, Valéry

    2017-01-01

    The use of insects as indicators of post-mortem displacement is discussed in many texts, courses and TV shows, and several studies addressing this issue have been published. Although the concept is widely cited, it is poorly understood, and only a few forensic cases have successfully applied such a method. The use of necrophagous insects as evidence of cadaver relocation actually involves a wide range of biological aspects. Distribution, microhabitat, phenology, behavioral ecology, and molecular analysis are among the research areas associated with this topic. This article provides the first review of the current knowledge and addresses the potential and limitations of different methods to evaluate their applicability. This work reveals numerous weaknesses and erroneous beliefs as well as many possibilities and research opportunities. PMID:28785513

  9. Advances in spatial epidemiology and geographic information systems.

    PubMed

    Kirby, Russell S; Delmelle, Eric; Eberth, Jan M

    2017-01-01

    The field of spatial epidemiology has evolved rapidly in the past 2 decades. This study serves as a brief introduction to spatial epidemiology and the use of geographic information systems in applied research in epidemiology. We highlight technical developments and highlight opportunities to apply spatial analytic methods in epidemiologic research, focusing on methodologies involving geocoding, distance estimation, residential mobility, record linkage and data integration, spatial and spatio-temporal clustering, small area estimation, and Bayesian applications to disease mapping. The articles included in this issue incorporate many of these methods into their study designs and analytical frameworks. It is our hope that these studies will spur further development and utilization of spatial analysis and geographic information systems in epidemiologic research. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Tradition, Technology, and the Changing Roles of Women in the Navy

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1993-11-01

    and among utilization, opportunity, and cost. Forces for change Gender issues in the military gained visibility through women’s participation in the...to combat aviation and had authorized a commission to study the matter.10 Subsequently, many Americans were further sensitized to issues of gender ...discussion of this issue (pp. 268-270). 6 Before discussing the relevance of traditional arguments against women in combat to gender integration of

  11. USGS Gulf Coast Science Conference and Florida Integrated Science Center Meeting: Proceedings with abstracts, October 20-23, 2008, Orlando, Florida

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Lavoie, Dawn L.; Rosen, Barry H.; Sumner, Dave; Haag, Kim H.; Tihansky, Ann B.; Boynton, Betsy; Koenig, Renee; Lavoie, Dawn L.; Rosen, Barry H.; Sumner, Dave; Haag, Kim H.; Tihansky, Ann B.; Boynton, Betsy; Koenig, Renee

    2008-01-01

    Welcome! The USGS is the Nation's premier source of information in support of science-based decision making for resource management. We are excited to have the opportunity to bring together a diverse array of USGS scientists, managers, specialists, and others from science centers around the Gulf working on biologic, geologic, and hydrologic issues related to the Gulf of Mexico and the State of Florida. We've organized the meeting around the major themes outlined in the USGS Circular 1309, Facing Tomorrow's Challenges - U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007-2017. USGS senior leadership will provide a panel discussion about the Gulf of Mexico and Integrated Science. Capstone talks will summarize major topics and key issues. Interactive poster sessions each evening will provide the opportunity for you to present your results and talk with your peers. We hope that discussions and interactions at this meeting will help USGS scientists working in Florida and the Gulf Coast region find common interests, forge scientific collaborations and chart a direction for the future. We hope that the meeting environment will encourage interaction, innovation and stimulate ideas among the many scientists working throughout the region. We'd like to create a community of practice across disciplines and specialties that will help us address complex scientific and societal issues. Please take advantage of this opportunity to visit with colleagues, get to know new ones, share ideas and brainstorm about future possibilities. It is our pleasure to provide this opportunity. We are glad you're here.

  12. Everyday ethics in internal medicine resident clinic: an opportunity to teach.

    PubMed

    Carrese, Joseph A; McDonald, Erin L; Moon, Margaret; Taylor, Holly A; Khaira, Kiran; Catherine Beach, Mary; Hughes, Mark T

    2011-07-01

    Being a good doctor requires competency in ethics. Accordingly, ethics education during residency training is important. We studied the everyday ethics-related issues (i.e. ordinary ethics issues commonly faced) that internal medical residents encounter in their out-patient clinic and determined whether teaching about these issues occurred during faculty preceptor-resident interactions. This study involved a multi-method qualitative research design combining observation of preceptor-resident discussions with preceptor interviews. The study was conducted in two different internal medicine training programme clinics over a 2-week period in June 2007. Fifty-three residents and 19 preceptors were observed, and 10 preceptors were interviewed. Transcripts of observer field notes and faculty interviews were carefully analysed. The analysis identified several themes of everyday ethics issues and determined whether preceptors identified and taught about these issues. Everyday ethics content was considered present in 109 (81%) of the 135 observed case presentations. Three major thematic domains and associated sub-themes related to everyday ethics issues were identified, concerning: (i) the Doctor-Patient Interaction (relationships; communication; shared decision making); (ii) the Resident as Learner (developmental issues; challenges and conflicts associated with training; relationships with colleagues and mentors; interactions with the preceptor), and; (iii) the Doctor-System Interaction (financial issues; doctor-system issues; external influences; doctor frustration related to system issues). Everyday ethics issues were explicitly identified by preceptors (without teaching) in 18 of 109 cases (17%); explicit identification and teaching occurred in only 13 cases (12%). In this study a variety of everyday ethics issues were frequently encountered as residents cared for patients. Yet, faculty preceptors infrequently explicitly identified or taught these issues during their interactions with residents. Ethics education is important and residents may regard teaching about the ethics-related issues they actually encounter to be highly relevant. A better understanding of the barriers to teaching is needed in order to promote education about everyday ethics in the out-patient setting. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011.

  13. An Opportunity for Convergence? Understanding the Prevalence and Risk of Distracted Driving Through the Use of Crash Databases, Crash Investigations, and Other Approaches

    PubMed Central

    Angell, Linda S.

    2014-01-01

    A variety of methodologies for understanding the prevalence of distracted driving, its risk, and other aspects of driver secondary activity, have been used in the last 15 years. Although the current trend is toward naturalistic driving studies, each methodology contributes certain elements to a better understanding that could emerge from a convergence of these efforts. However, if differing methods are to contribute to a common and robust understanding of driver distraction, it is critical to understand the strengths and limitations of each method. This paper reviews several of the non-naturalistic methods. It suggests that “convergence science” – a more concerted and rigorous effort to bring different approaches together into an integrative whole – may offer benefits for identification and definition of issues and countermeasure development to improve driving safety. PMID:24776226

  14. "European Resuscitation Council 2015 burn 1st Aid recommendations-concerns and issues for first responders".

    PubMed

    Goodwin, Nicholas S

    2016-08-01

    As the lead author of a recently published systematic review on hydrogel burn dressings in pre-hospital, I was alarmed to read the claim by the authors to the effect no one method of burn wound cooling was superior to any other; "There is no evidence to recommend a specific temperature or method of cooling". The reputation and prominence of the ERC within the circle of resuscitation councils now delving into 1st Aid recommendations leads to the conclusion that misguided recommendations may cause confusion amongst first responders, may falsely misdirect 1st Aid providers to unsupported practices or alternatively create a window of opportunity for marketers or sellers of alternative burn 1st Aid technologies to make unsupported claims in respect of comparable efficacy of their own product versus "traditional" methods. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.

  15. Introducing dyadic interviews as a method for collecting qualitative data.

    PubMed

    Morgan, David L; Ataie, Jutta; Carder, Paula; Hoffman, Kim

    2013-09-01

    In dyadic interviews, two participants interact in response to open-ended research questions. There are few precedents for using dyadic interviews as a technique for qualitative research. We introduce this method largely in comparison to focus groups, because both represent forms of interactive interviewing. We do not, however, view dyadic interviews as miniature focus groups, and treat them as generating their own opportunities and issues. To illustrate the nature of dyadic interviewing, we present summaries of three studies using this method. In the first study, we used dyadic interviews and photovoice techniques to examine experiences of people with early-stage dementia. In the second study, we explored the experiences of staff who provided services to elderly housing residents. In the third study, we examined barriers and facilitators to substance abuse treatment among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Hawaii. We conclude with a discussion of directions for future research using dyadic interviews.

  16. Low-cost, light-switched, forward-osmosis desalination system

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Warner, John C.

    The looming water crisis is the second largest issue facing humanity after energy. In order to meet the increasing demand for clean water, new efficient and low-cost methods of water purification must be developed. A promising method for dry regions with sea borders is the desalination of seawater. While there remain many disadvantages to current desalination techniques, such as environmental pollution and high cost, there is a strong opportunity for new technology development in this area. In this Phase I program, the development of a light-switchable, low-cost desalination system was explored. The system requires photoselective switching of water solubility. Ninemore » new light-switchable spiropyran-based small molecule and polymeric materials were synthesized, and methods to evaluate their desalination potential were developed and utilized. Severable promising spiropyran analogues proved to be photoswitchable, but so far sufficient photoswitchablity of solubility for a commercial desalination system was not achieved. More development is required.« less

  17. Students as Prosocial Bystanders to Sexual Assault: Demographic Correlates of Intervention Norms, Intentions, and Missed Opportunities.

    PubMed

    Hoxmeier, Jill C; Acock, Alan C; Flay, Brian R

    2017-01-01

    Sexual assault is a major public health issue. Bystander engagement programs are becoming widely used to combat sexual assault on college campuses. The purpose of this study was to examine students' intervention norms, intentions, opportunities, and behaviors as bystanders to sexual assault. Undergraduate students ( N = 779) completed the Sexual Assault Bystander Behavior Questionnaire in the fall of 2014. The t tests revealed differences in students' intervention norms, intentions, opportunities, and missed opportunities based on sex, race/ethnicity, athletic participation, and fraternity/sorority membership. The findings support the use of additional measures to assess bystander behavior and to identify student subpopulations that may benefit from programs aimed at increasing prosocial intervention.

  18. Data visualisation in surveillance for injury prevention and control: conceptual bases and case studies

    PubMed Central

    Martinez, Ramon; Ordunez, Pedro; Soliz, Patricia N; Ballesteros, Michael F

    2016-01-01

    Background The complexity of current injury-related health issues demands the usage of diverse and massive data sets for comprehensive analyses, and application of novel methods to communicate data effectively to the public health community, decision-makers and the public. Recent advances in information visualisation, availability of new visual analytic methods and tools, and progress on information technology provide an opportunity for shaping the next generation of injury surveillance. Objective To introduce data visualisation conceptual bases, and propose a visual analytic and visualisation platform in public health surveillance for injury prevention and control. Methods The paper introduces data visualisation conceptual bases, describes a visual analytic and visualisation platform, and presents two real-world case studies illustrating their application in public health surveillance for injury prevention and control. Results Application of visual analytic and visualisation platform is presented as solution for improved access to heterogeneous data sources, enhance data exploration and analysis, communicate data effectively, and support decision-making. Conclusions Applications of data visualisation concepts and visual analytic platform could play a key role to shape the next generation of injury surveillance. Visual analytic and visualisation platform could improve data use, the analytic capacity, and ability to effectively communicate findings and key messages. The public health surveillance community is encouraged to identify opportunities to develop and expand its use in injury prevention and control. PMID:26728006

  19. Traditional Chinese medicine research in the post-genomic era: good practice, priorities, challenges and opportunities.

    PubMed

    Uzuner, Halil; Bauer, Rudolf; Fan, Tai-Ping; Guo, De-An; Dias, Alberto; El-Nezami, Hani; Efferth, Thomas; Williamson, Elizabeth M; Heinrich, Michael; Robinson, Nicola; Hylands, Peter J; Hendry, Bruce M; Cheng, Yung-Chi; Xu, Qihe

    2012-04-10

    GP-TCM is the 1st EU-funded Coordination Action consortium dedicated to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research. This paper aims to summarise the objectives, structure and activities of the consortium and introduces the position of the consortium regarding good practice, priorities, challenges and opportunities in TCM research. Serving as the introductory paper for the GP-TCM Journal of Ethnopharmacology special issue, this paper describes the roadmap of this special issue and reports how the main outputs of the ten GP-TCM work packages are integrated, and have led to consortium-wide conclusions. Literature studies, opinion polls and discussions among consortium members and stakeholders. By January 2012, through 3 years of team building, the GP-TCM consortium had grown into a large collaborative network involving ∼200 scientists from 24 countries and 107 institutions. Consortium members had worked closely to address good practice issues related to various aspects of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) and acupuncture research, the focus of this Journal of Ethnopharmacology special issue, leading to state-of-the-art reports, guidelines and consensus on the application of omics technologies in TCM research. In addition, through an online survey open to GP-TCM members and non-members, we polled opinions on grand priorities, challenges and opportunities in TCM research. Based on the poll, although consortium members and non-members had diverse opinions on the major challenges in the field, both groups agreed that high-quality efficacy/effectiveness and mechanistic studies are grand priorities and that the TCM legacy in general and its management of chronic diseases in particular represent grand opportunities. Consortium members cast their votes of confidence in omics and systems biology approaches to TCM research and believed that quality and pharmacovigilance of TCM products are not only grand priorities, but also grand challenges. Non-members, however, gave priority to integrative medicine, concerned on the impact of regulation of TCM practitioners and emphasised intersectoral collaborations in funding TCM research, especially clinical trials. The GP-TCM consortium made great efforts to address some fundamental issues in TCM research, including developing guidelines, as well as identifying priorities, challenges and opportunities. These consortium guidelines and consensus will need dissemination, validation and further development through continued interregional, interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaborations. To promote this, a new consortium, known as the GP-TCM Research Association, is being established to succeed the 3-year fixed term FP7 GP-TCM consortium and will be officially launched at the Final GP-TCM Congress in Leiden, the Netherlands, in April 2012. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  20. Making an unknown unknown a known unknown: Missing data in longitudinal neuroimaging studies.

    PubMed

    Matta, Tyler H; Flournoy, John C; Byrne, Michelle L

    2017-10-28

    The analysis of longitudinal neuroimaging data within the massively univariate framework provides the opportunity to study empirical questions about neurodevelopment. Missing outcome data are an all-to-common feature of any longitudinal study, a feature that, if handled improperly, can reduce statistical power and lead to biased parameter estimates. The goal of this paper is to provide conceptual clarity of the issues and non-issues that arise from analyzing incomplete data in longitudinal studies with particular focus on neuroimaging data. This paper begins with a review of the hierarchy of missing data mechanisms and their relationship to likelihood-based methods, a review that is necessary not just for likelihood-based methods, but also for multiple-imputation methods. Next, the paper provides a series of simulation studies with designs common in longitudinal neuroimaging studies to help illustrate missing data concepts regardless of interpretation. Finally, two applied examples are used to demonstrate the sensitivity of inferences under different missing data assumptions and how this may change the substantive interpretation. The paper concludes with a set of guidelines for analyzing incomplete longitudinal data that can improve the validity of research findings in developmental neuroimaging research. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

  1. Enhancing the public sector’s capacity for inclusive economic participation of disabled youth in rural communities

    PubMed Central

    Lorenzo, Theresa

    2016-01-01

    Background The capacity of service providers in the public sector to deliver inclusive services is essential to implement strategies that will allow the full participation of disabled youth in development opportunities in the rural context. Objectives This article sets out to describe the capacity of service providers in facilitating the participation of disabled youth in economic development opportunities. Method An instrumental, embedded single case study informed the research design. The sample consisted of five disabled youth, four family members and six service providers. Data was gathered through in depth individual interviews and focus group discussions. Data analysis was done inductively and thematically. In the discussion, the interpretation used organisational capacity elements as a framework. Results The findings indicate a perception of disability as a multifaceted and challenging issue with different orientations to service delivery, based on the understanding of the impairment and disability. There is a strong focus on impairment and negative attitudes. Discussion An asset-building approach could facilitate awareness of the capacities of disabled youth and thus shift negative attitudes to enabling attitudes. The vague strategies for youth and women reflect an organisational attitude that seems non-committal to its core agenda of inclusive development, which would ensure equal opportunities for participation by disabled youth. Conclusion An appreciative process of facilitating a deeper understanding of the needs of disabled youth would assist service providers to reconceptualise disability within an expansive framework of equal opportunities and active citizenship. PMID:28730042

  2. People with disabilities in the labor market: facilitators and barriers.

    PubMed

    Toldrá, Rosé Colom; Santos, Maria Conceição

    2013-01-01

    Participation in the workforce is one of the main social evaluations all individuals are subject to in modern society. Public policies supporting social justice for persons with disabilities have gained prominence in several nations in the last decades and it is critical to ensure that those who want to work are afforded the opportunity to do so. Meanwhile they remain under represented in the labor market within the contemporary world. The purpose of this study was to identify facilitators or barriers faced by people with disability within the workforce. Ten workers with disabilities from various companies and performing diverse professional job functions participated in semi-structured interviews. The Discourse of the Collective Subject method was employed as a means to organize and analyze qualitative data of a verbal nature. Reasonable work conditions, adjustments, and accommodations facilitate performance and job retention. Social participation through employment leads to social recognition and the feeling of citizenship. On the other hand prejudice, unequal opportunities, workers' low educational attainment, and lack of training opportunities lead to employment exclusion. To include people with disabilities in the workforce, it is necessary to focus on attaining equal levels of education, an unbiased and inclusive process for entering the labor market, and continued management of disability issues within the workplace. Together, these elements create equal opportunities for workers with disabilities to advance in their careers, which in turn enables participation, social recognition and guaranties their rights as citizens.

  3. Food for thought: ethics case discussion as slow nourishment in a fast world.

    PubMed

    Higgs, Roger

    2015-01-01

    Case discussion offers important opportunities to do good medical ethics, but do we understand what the benefits might be? This paper looks at the 'Case Conference' series in the JME, its origins and methods, examines some cases in outline, and reviews issues that arise that are not usually taken into account. Cases are harder to publish now, not least because of ethical constraints. Ways past this apparently paradoxical outcome are suggested. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

  4. Effective communications strategies: engaging the media, policymakers, and the public.

    PubMed

    Blake, Allison; Bonk, Kathy; Heimpel, Daniel; Wright, Cathy S

    2013-01-01

    Too often, strategic communication is too little, or comes too late, when involved with a child fatality or serious injury. This article explores the challenges arising from negative publicity around child safety issues and the opportunities for communications strategies that employ a proactive public health approach to engaging media, policymakers, and the public. The authors provide a case study and review methods by which child welfare agencies across the nation are building public engagement and support for improved outcomes in child safety while protecting legitimate confidentiality requirements. Finally, the piece articulates the rationale for agency investments in the resources necessary to develop and implement an effective communications plan.

  5. Changing Perspectives and Opportunities and Their Impact on Careers and Aspirations: The Case of Women Lawyers.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Epstein, Cynthia Fuchs

    Change in the roles of women in American society during the past 15 years provides an opportunity to evaluate basic theories dealing with life course, the impact of early socialization, and trait analysis. The case of women in the legal profession is of particular value in exploring these issues since law, an exclusively male domain for more than…

  6. Measuring Opportunity to Learn and Achievement Growth: Key Research Issues with Implications for the Effective Education of All Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Elliott, Stephen N.

    2015-01-01

    The related constructs of opportunity to learn (OTL) and achievement growth are fundamental aspects of the current large-scale assessment and accountability system in operation in the United States. For purposes of this article, OTL is defined as the degree to which a teacher dedicates instructional time and content coverage to the intended…

  7. Disclosure of HIV status may be appropriate, EEOC says. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

    PubMed

    1996-03-08

    A policy letter issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) states that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) allows employers to tell first-aid personnel that an injured employee has AIDS, but only if the disclosure is necessary to protect the worker's health. Such disclosures would be inappropriate if the purpose is to warn emergency workers to provide additional protection.

  8. "If I Play My Sax My Parents Are Nice to Me": Opportunity and Motivation in Musical Instrument and Singing Tuition

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Driscoll, Jennifer

    2009-01-01

    Little consideration has been given to the factors which motivate children to take up music tuition, or their reasons for giving up. In part, this is a reflection of the limited extent to which children have been consulted directly in relation to issues exclusively affecting them. This study considered opportunity and motivation for young people…

  9. Equal opportunities for men: a perspective of an ERC grantee and father of three

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sobek, Sebastian

    2017-04-01

    Equal opportunities is still regarded a "women's issue" by many. Implicit to this notion is the assumption that men are made to work and make a career. However, if we agree that life consists of more than work and sleep, and if we agree that men have the right to be with their children, equal opportunities are of course equally important for men: it means to provide opportunities for men to spend time with their families and children. In this presentation, I would like to share my personal experience as ERC grantee, father of three children, and husband of a scientist. I will highlight the importance of personal choices, but also of policies and institutional structures that promote or impede equal opportunities for men. I will make the point that providing opportunities for men to be with their children, while they pursue an academic career, will be beneficial not only for them, but also for women, and therefore constitutes a key component in work towards equal opportunities.

  10. Stakeholders' Perceptions of Agronomic Iodine Biofortification: A SWOT-AHP Analysis in Northern Uganda.

    PubMed

    Olum, Solomon; Gellynck, Xavier; Okello, Collins; Webale, Dominic; Odongo, Walter; Ongeng, Duncan; De Steur, Hans

    2018-03-24

    Agronomic biofortification (i.e., the application of fertilizer to elevate micronutrient concentrations in staple crops) is a recent strategy recommended for controlling Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs). However, its success inevitably depends on stakeholders' appreciation and acceptance of it. By taking Northern Uganda as a case, this study aimed to capture and compare the perceptions of seven key stakeholder groups with respect to agronomic iodine biofortification. Therefore, we employed a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) analysis in combination with an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Findings show that stakeholders ( n = 56) are generally positive about agronomic iodine biofortification in Uganda, as its strengths and opportunities outweighed weaknesses and threats. Cultural acceptance and effectiveness are considered the most important strengths while the high IDD prevalence rate and the availability of iodine deficient soils are key opportunities for further developing agronomic iodine biofortification. Environmental concerns about synthetic fertilizers as well as the time needed to supply iodine were considered crucial weaknesses. The limited use of fertilizer in Uganda was the main threat. While this study provides insight into important issues and priorities for iodine biofortification technology in Uganda, including differences in stakeholder views, the application of the SWOT-AHP method will guide future researchers and health planners conducting stakeholder analysis in similar domains.

  11. Keeping up with the caravan of life: Successful aging strategies for Iranian women

    PubMed Central

    Javadi-Pashaki, Nazila; Mohammadi, Farahnaz; Jafaraghaee, Fateme; Mehrdad, Neda

    2015-01-01

    Background Because of improving life expectancy in the world in recent times, the focus has shifted to the issue of the quality and nature of life and how to assist successful aging (SA) rather than increasing physical survival and lifespan. SA is a multidimensional, relative, and context-dependent concept with different paths and outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore older women's strategies for SA in a specific context. Methods Following a grounded theory design approach, we conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 21 women between the ages of 28 and 96 years. We analyzed the data from interviews, written narratives, and field notes using the grounded theory approach. Results We identified four categories: prevention of threats, internal self-control against threats, coping with threats, and optimizing the passage of time according to opportunity. These described the strategies for SA when encountering with age-related changes. Utilizing these strategies, the women accompanied the caravan of life in the context of threats and opportunities. Conclusions The findings suggest that SA is a continuous process in confronting changes related to age. The identified strategies can help to promote SA by familiarizing older women with the threats and opportunities of life and training them in how to use these strategies. PMID:26610117

  12. Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Agronomic Iodine Biofortification: A SWOT-AHP Analysis in Northern Uganda

    PubMed Central

    Olum, Solomon; Gellynck, Xavier; Okello, Collins; Webale, Dominic; Odongo, Walter; Ongeng, Duncan

    2018-01-01

    Agronomic biofortification (i.e., the application of fertilizer to elevate micronutrient concentrations in staple crops) is a recent strategy recommended for controlling Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDDs). However, its success inevitably depends on stakeholders’ appreciation and acceptance of it. By taking Northern Uganda as a case, this study aimed to capture and compare the perceptions of seven key stakeholder groups with respect to agronomic iodine biofortification. Therefore, we employed a SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats) analysis in combination with an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). Findings show that stakeholders (n = 56) are generally positive about agronomic iodine biofortification in Uganda, as its strengths and opportunities outweighed weaknesses and threats. Cultural acceptance and effectiveness are considered the most important strengths while the high IDD prevalence rate and the availability of iodine deficient soils are key opportunities for further developing agronomic iodine biofortification. Environmental concerns about synthetic fertilizers as well as the time needed to supply iodine were considered crucial weaknesses. The limited use of fertilizer in Uganda was the main threat. While this study provides insight into important issues and priorities for iodine biofortification technology in Uganda, including differences in stakeholder views, the application of the SWOT-AHP method will guide future researchers and health planners conducting stakeholder analysis in similar domains. PMID:29587370

  13. Voluntary peer review as innovative tool for quality improvement in the intensive care unit – a retrospective descriptive cohort study in German intensive care units

    PubMed Central

    Kumpf, Oliver; Bloos, Frank; Bause, Hanswerner; Brinkmann, Alexander; Deja, Maria; Marx, Gernot; Kaltwasser, Arnold; Dubb, Rolf; Muhl, Elke; Greim, Clemens-A.; Weiler, Norbert; Chop, Ines; Jonitz, Günther; Schaefer, Henning; Felsenstein, Matthias; Liebeskind, Ursula; Leffmann, Carsten; Jungbluth, Annemarie; Waydhas, Christian; Pronovost, Peter; Spies, Claudia; Braun, Jan-Peter

    2014-01-01

    Introduction: Quality improvement and safety in intensive care are rapidly evolving topics. However, there is no gold standard for assessing quality improvement in intensive care medicine yet. In 2007 a pilot project in German intensive care units (ICUs) started using voluntary peer reviews as an innovative tool for quality assessment and improvement. We describe the method of voluntary peer review and assessed its feasibility by evaluating anonymized peer review reports and analysed the thematic clusters highlighted in these reports. Methods: Retrospective data analysis from 22 anonymous reports of peer reviews. All ICUs – representing over 300 patient beds – had undergone voluntary peer review. Data were retrieved from reports of peers of the review teams and representatives of visited ICUs. Data were analysed with regard to number of topics addressed and results of assessment questionnaires. Reports of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT reports) of these ICUs are presented. Results: External assessment of structure, process and outcome indicators revealed high percentages of adherence to predefined quality goals. In the SWOT reports 11 main thematic clusters were identified representative for common ICUs. 58.1% of mentioned topics covered personnel issues, team and communication issues as well as organisation and treatment standards. The most mentioned weaknesses were observed in the issues documentation/reporting, hygiene and ethics. We identified several unique patterns regarding quality in the ICU of which long-term personnel problems und lack of good reporting methods were most interesting Conclusion: Voluntary peer review could be established as a feasible and valuable tool for quality improvement. Peer reports addressed common areas of interest in intensive care medicine in more detail compared to other methods like measurement of quality indicators. PMID:25587245

  14. PREFACE: The First Fifteen Years of Reverse Monte Carlo Modelling, Budapest, Hungary (9--11 October 2003)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Keen, David A.; Pusztai, Laszlo; Dove, Martin T.

    2005-02-01

    This special issue contains a collection of papers reflecting the content of the second workshop on reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) methods, held in a hotel on hills overlooking Budapest in October 2003. Around forty participants gathered to hear talks and discuss a broad range of science based on the RMC technique in very convivial surroundings. Reverse Monte Carlo modelling is a method for producing three-dimensional disordered structural models in quantitative agreement with experimental data. The method was developed in the late 1980’s and has since achieved wide acceptance within the scientific community. It is particularly suitable for studies of the structures of liquid and amorphous materials, although it has also been used for a number of disordered crystalline systems. There is currently a great interest in the properties of disordered materials and this has produced a resurgence in methods for investigating their structures, with an increased number of high-quality instruments at central facilities for neutron and x-ray scattering from disordered materials. Methods such as RMC are currently in great demand for analysing the resulting total scattering and XAS data and the RMC methodology is actively being developed by a number of groups worldwide. Within this context, the RMC workshop was particularly timely, providing a forum for those workers in the field to take stock of past achievements and to look forward to future developments. It is our hope that the collection of papers within this special issue will also communicate this to the wider scientific community, by providing a balance between papers that have more of an introductory review flavour and those that concentrate on current state of the art research opportunities using the RMC method. The order of the papers within this special issue reflects this balance. The first two papers are introductory reviews of the RMC method in general and as applied specifically to crystalline systems, respectively. The next, largest group describes a wide range of scientific applications of the RMC method within liquid, amorphous, crystalline and nanocrystalline materials. The final group of papers have a bias towards method development and testing, particularly with regard to the use of XAS data in RMC modelling. We are very grateful to Institute of Physics Publishing for their willingness to publish the proceedings of this meeting in a special issue of Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter.

  15. Early childhood education: Status trends, and issues related to electronic delivery

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Rothenberg, D.

    1973-01-01

    The status of, and trends and issues within, early childhood education which are related to the possibilities of electronic delivery of educational service are considered in a broader investigation of the role of large scale, satellite based educational telecommunications systems. Data are analyzed and trends and issues discussed to provide information useful to the system designer who wishes to identify and assess the opportunities for large scale electronic delivery in early childhood education.

  16. Service user engagement in health service reconfiguration: a rapid evidence synthesis.

    PubMed

    Dalton, Jane; Chambers, Duncan; Harden, Melissa; Street, Andrew; Parker, Gillian; Eastwood, Alison

    2016-07-01

    To assess what is known about effective patient and public engagement in health service reconfiguration processes and identify implications for further research and health care practice. Rapid systematic review of published and grey literature to identify methods or approaches to engagement in decisions about health service reconfiguration; and to examine how engagement has worked or not worked in specific examples of system change. Following a search for literature published in English from 2000 to March 2014, eight systematic reviews, seven primary studies and 24 case studies (of which 6 were exemplars) were included. We undertook a narrative synthesis to consider five aspects of engagement with health service reconfiguration. Engagement varied in nature and intensity, and efforts generally involved multiple methods. There was no evidence on the isolated impact of any particular engagement method or collection of methods. In general, engagement was most likely to be successful when started early, when led and supported by clinicians, and when it offered opportunities for genuine interaction. The impact of engagement was variably measured and demonstrated, and frequently defined as process measures rather than the outcomes of proposals for service reconfiguration. Little was reported on the potential negative impact of service user engagement. Patients and the public can be engaged through various methods. Problems often arise because decision-makers paid insufficient attention to issues considered important by patients and the public. Guidance setting out the stages of reconfiguration and opportunities for service user input could be a helpful practical framework for future engagement activity. Future evaluation and explicit reporting of engagement and impact is needed. © The Author(s) 2015.

  17. Discussing Ethical Issues in the Classroom: Leveraging Pedagogical Moments that May Otherwise Undermine Important Discussions

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Simpson, Douglas J.; Hull, William J., Jr.

    2011-01-01

    The authors identify, examine, and clarify three kinds of hindrances (dismissive/evasive tactics, logical stoppers, and ad hominem arguments) to teaching about ethical issues in P-12 schools. In discussing these three types of obstacles, they stress that the barriers themselves provide both challenges and opportunities for teachers. Indeed, they…

  18. Objects and Issues--A Sunday Supplement View of Continuing Professional Development in Higher Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pegler, Chris

    2005-01-01

    This paper draws on the presentation of three online pilot "series" of learning objects aimed at offering university staff convenient updating opportunities around issues connected with e-learning. The "Hot Topics" format presented short themed sets (series) of learning objects to a wide-range of staff, encouraging sampling strategies to support…

  19. Using climate change scenarios to assess high school students' argumentation skills

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Dawson, Vaille; Carson, Katherine

    2017-01-01

    Background: Many international science curriculum documents mandate that students should be able to participate in argument, debate and decision-making about contemporary science issues affecting society. Termed socioscientific issues, these topics provide students with opportunities to use their scientific knowledge to discuss, debate and defend their decisions and to evaluate the arguments of their peers.

  20. New York State's Extreme School Segregation: Inequality, Inaction and a Damaged Future

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kucsera, John

    2014-01-01

    The fight for equal educational opportunity in New York has followed a pattern similar to other diverse or racially transforming states. From the 1950s to 1980s, the issue of school desegregation was an important issue. Local civil rights pressure, the courts, and legislation attempted to desegregate large urban school systems through both…

  1. Essays on the Digital Divide--Explorations through Global, National and Individual Lenses

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Skaletsky, Maria

    2013-01-01

    The Digital Divide has emerged as an important research and policy issue during the past thirty years. The divide exists at different levels, such as global, regional and individual levels. While extensive research already exists on this subject, the complexity of the issue presents opportunities for further research. In particular, there is ample…

  2. Perspectives on Opportunities and Challenges for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and Certification.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kaye, Candace; Symcox, Linda; Whitney, Linda; Isbell, Lisa

    2003-01-01

    Introduces a theme issue concerning the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) and certification, presenting a brief history of the NBPTS and reviewing the collection of articles, which highlight such issues as moving toward a research agenda, social and cultural contexts of NBPTS certification, NBPTS certification and special…

  3. Financial Literacy. Snapshots. Volume 6, Issue 6, Article 1

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Thomson, Sue

    2015-01-01

    Young people face financial issues at an earlier age than their parents. Decisions about higher education, the need to be able to manage online payment facilities or even mobile phone plans require a level of financial literacy. PISA 2012 offered an opportunity to collect information about the financial literacy of Australian 15-year-old students,…

  4. Don't Let Legal Issues Put You in Hot Water! A Safety and Liability Primer

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Zirkle, Chris

    2013-01-01

    Providing a safe classroom and laboratory environment should be the first priority of any career-technical and technology/engineering education instructor. Doing so not only increases the opportunity for student learning, but it also keeps instructors "out of hot water" with respect to legal issues of liability. In today's litigious…

  5. FACCCTS: Journal of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, 2000-2001.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Martinez, Katherine, Ed.

    2001-01-01

    This document contains the four issues of the 2000-2001 FACCCTs, the journal of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges. The September 2000 issue includes a collection of observations on academic integrity and cheating, an article describing a history of opportunities for women in higher education, and editorial comments on a…

  6. Stable Roles, Changed Skills: Teacher Candidate Responses to Instruction about Adolescent Psychosocial Support Practices

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Phillippo, Kate; Blosser, Allison

    2017-01-01

    By virtue of their day-to-day contact with students, teachers are uniquely positioned to notice and respond to student psychosocial issues, both mental health problems and issues like peer harassment that can contribute to mental health problems. Yet, teachers' opportunities to learn about providing psychosocial support remain scattered. The…

  7. Human Rights and Equal Opportunities for People with Mental Handicap--With Particular Reference to Down Syndrome.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Stratford, Brian

    1991-01-01

    Issues of human rights and the mentally retarded, especially those with Down's Syndrome, are reviewed noting the influence of Christianity, definitions of "humanness," quality of life issues, utilitarian and formalist philosophies, the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Mentally Retarded Persons, and the right to work. (DB)

  8. Equity: The Critical Link in Southern Economic Development. Cross-Cutting Issue Report No. 2.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Southern Growth Policies Board, Research Triangle Park, NC.

    This report presents a general overview of equity issues in the modern South. It discusses access to such needs as jobs and job opportunities, health, housing, education, government benefits, political power, resources, and protection. Six at-risk groups receive special focus: the poor; Blacks; Hispanics; women; older Southerners; and the…

  9. Searching for Peace: Exploring Issues of War with Young Children

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Burns, Terry J.

    2009-01-01

    Using a framework grounded in critical literacy, the author describes her 1st-grade students' responses to works of literature that portray the impact of war. When given opportunities to read works of literature that address social justice issues, such as the consequences of war, her primary-age students' written, drawn, and spoken responses were…

  10. International Engagement Strategy

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-06-14

    agreements and issue legal guidance on international law and intellectual property issues. ICPO will play an important role in realizing this vision and...through international cooperation under the auspices of its formal international agreements with partner states and the European Commission, as well...International Engagement Opportunities for Homeland Security Research 11 S&T maintains formal bilateral agreements that provide a framework for cooperative

  11. Environmental Management Accounting in the Taiwanese Higher Education Sector: Issues and Opportunities

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Chang, Huei-Chun

    2013-01-01

    Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to address the issue of managing the major environmental costs from an accounting perspective. The current state of practices for managing the costs associated with the consumption of electricity, water and paper, as well as the generation of wastes within three universities in Taiwan, was investigated. The…

  12. On the Horizon. The Environmental Scanning Newsletter for Leaders in Higher Education, 1992-1993.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Morrison, James L., Ed.

    1993-01-01

    This document consists of the preview issue and first five issues of a new newsletter designed to alert members of the higher education community to driving forces and potential developments in the macroenvironment that constitute threats or opportunities to colleges and universities. It reports news from the social, technological, economic,…

  13. The Garbage Crisis: Environmental Issues for Adult ESL Learners.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Heffernan, Helen

    This module on the garbage crisis is for intermediate and advanced learners of English as a Second Language. It seeks to inform learners about this issue and to give them an opportunity to direct their concerns about the environment into positive action. The guide uses the problem-posing methodology of Paulo Freire. This methodology has three…

  14. Integrating science and policy in natural resource management: lessons and opportunities from North America.

    Treesearch

    Roger N. Clark; Errol E. Meidinger

    1998-01-01

    Relations between science and policy concerning many issues (e.g., health, energy, natural resources) have been changing worldwide. Public pressure to resolve such complex and often controversial issues has resulted in policymakers and policy implementers seeking better knowledge on which to base their decisions. As a result, scientists have become more actively...

  15. Conflict in Multiculturalism Classes: Too Much Heat or Too Little?

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Meacham, Jack

    1995-01-01

    The issues that arise in a college course on multiculturalism can touch students very personally and may be a first opportunity for many students to talk face-to-face about important social issues. Anticipating when students may become defensive, angry, hurt, or when conflict might erupt will help faculty know when to lower or raise the…

  16. Preparing Pre-Service Teachers to Teach Primary Science: An Integrated Approach Using the Theme of Sustainability

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    King, Donna

    2014-01-01

    An integrated approach to assessment afforded pre-service teachers the opportunity to learn about a local sustainability issue through three learning areas: science and technology, the arts and studies of society and environment (SOSE). Three sustainability issues chosen by the pre-service teachers are presented in this paper highlighting the…

  17. Dealing with Environmental Issues: The Use of Simulation. Environmental Education Occasional Paper No. 5.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Patton, William E.; Wilen, William W.

    The paper provides a rationale for using a decision-making model in teaching environmental issues, outlines specific steps in creating a simulation, and illustrates its use in the classroom. The objectives of environmental education are to provide learning opportunities for students to know, think, choose, and act regarding pervasive social issues…

  18. Students' Arguments on the Science and Religion Issue: The Example of Evolutionary Theory and Genesis

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Basel, Nicolai; Harms, Ute; Prechtl, Helmut; Weiß, Thomas; Rothgangel, Martin

    2014-01-01

    Treating creationism as a controversial topic within the science and religion issue in the science classroom has been widely discussed in the recent literature. Some researchers have proposed that this topic is best addressed by focusing on sociocognitive conflict. To prepare new learning opportunities for this approach, it is necessary to know…

  19. Public Libraries and Private Fund Raising: Opportunities and Issues.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Jeavons, Thomas H.

    In the context of faster growth of community information needs and demands than growth of public funds, questions about where new resources can be found are the subject of much discussion within the library profession. This report is an attempt to raise questions and clarify issues that should be considered in advance of the formulation of library…

  20. Opportunities and Barriers: Gendered Reality in Chinese Higher Education

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Liu, Bohong; Li, Yani

    2010-01-01

    In the field of Chinese higher education, gender is still a significant issue, as is a general ignorance of gender discrimination against women. Issues related to gender can be observed throughout the process of education: at the time of entering an institution, during the educational process and as an outcome of education. The following seven…

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