Sustaining competing professional identities: Measuring action learning 'outcomes' in an educational context.

This paper builds on an initial investigation of the process of action learning in a university Management School in New Zealand, where the focus is on sustainability and innovation. Students are encouraged to engage with entrepreneurial practice and develop critical thinking skills. In this study, we recognise the impact of the organisational context both on our own professional practice as teaching staff and on learning outcomes for staff and students. The emergent nature of action learning outcomes makes the measurement of their effectiveness problematic. Research questions cannot be determined at the outset but are generated in consultation with the research participants. Despite aiming to be collaborative, our focus groups and interviews made explicit the tensions existing in the professional identities of staff. Their expert knowledge as researchers and teachers was challenged by an action learning approach. Consequently, this paper is an example of ongoing critical reflective practice. We conclude that measuring the effectiveness of action learning outcomes is context-dependent and consider the implications for the teaching of critical management studies. The process of action learning must be considered a key outcome. Individual reflection on professional identity and practice may be as important as the organisational learning and explicit knowledge gained

Thinking out of the box? A content analysis of the response to published research on the effects of remote, retroactive intercessory prayer

A content analysis of the rapid email responses to a potentially controversial article published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) on the effect of remote, retroactive intercessory prayer on a group of patients with bloodstream infection at a university hospital in Israel was performed. The content analysis revealed 12 main themes, of which the most predominant were negative and relating to methodological concerns or comments, and/or were religious in nature, often with direct reference to God. Further responses were of a satirical nature, mocking the study. It is concluded that perhaps the real strength of the paper lies not in the results of the study itself, but in the challenge to what constitutes conventional wisdom and the encouragement to readers of the BMJ to Think out of the box

HIV infection is an independent risk factor for decreased 6-minute walk test distance.

BackgroundAmbulatory function predicts morbidity and mortality and may be influenced by cardiopulmonary dysfunction. Persons living with HIV (PLWH) suffer from a high prevalence of cardiac and pulmonary comorbidities that may contribute to higher risk of ambulatory dysfunction as measured by 6-minute walk test distance (6-MWD). We investigated the effect of HIV on 6-MWD.MethodsPLWH and HIV-uninfected individuals were enrolled from 2 clinical centers and completed a 6-MWD, spirometry, diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results of 6-MWD were compared between PLWH and uninfected individuals after adjusting for confounders. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to determine predictors of 6-MWD.ResultsMean 6-MWD in PLWH was 431 meters versus 462 in 130 HIV-uninfected individuals (p = 0.0001). Older age, lower forced expiratory volume (FEV1)% or lower forced vital capacity (FVC)%, and smoking were significant predictors of decreased 6-MWD in PLWH, but not HIV-uninfected individuals. Lower DLCO% and higher SGRQ were associated with lower 6-MWD in both groups. In a combined model, HIV status remained an independent predictor of decreased 6-MWD (Mean difference = -19.9 meters, p = 0.005).ConclusionsHIV infection was associated with decreased ambulatory function. Airflow limitation and impaired diffusion capacity can partially explain this effect. Subjective assessments of respiratory symptoms may identify individuals at risk for impaired physical function who may benefit from early intervention

The Ava bracelet for collection of fertility and pregnancy data in free-living conditions: An exploratory validity and acceptability study

Objective To evaluate the validity and acceptability of the Ava bracelet for collecting heart rate, sleep, mood, and physical activity data among reproductive-aged women (pregnant and nonpregnant) under free-living conditions. Methods Thirty-three participants wore the Ava bracelet on their non-dominant wrist and reported mood and physical activity in the Ava mobile application for seven nights. Criterion validity was determined by comparing the Ava bracelet heart rate and sleep duration measures to criterion measures from the Polar chest strap and ActiGraph GTX3 + accelerometer. Construct validity was determined by comparing self-report measures and the heart rate variability ratio collected in the Ava mobile application to previously validated measures. Acceptability was evaluated using the modified Acceptability of Health Apps among Adolescents Scale. Results Mean absolute percentage error was 11.4% for heart rate and 8.5% for sleep duration. There was no meaningful difference between the Ava bracelet, ActiGraph, and construct a measure of sleep quality. Compared to construct measures, Ava bracelet heart rate variability had a significant low negative correlation (r:−0.28), mood had a significant low positive correlation (r : 0.39), and physical activity level had a significant low (rlevel of physical activity: 0.56) to moderate positive correlation (rMET−minutes/week: 0.71). The acceptability of the Ava bracelet was high for fertility and low for pregnancy tracking. Conclusion Preliminary evidence suggests the Ava bracelet and mobile application estimates of sleep and heart rate are not equivalent to criterion measures in free-living conditions. Further research is needed to establish its utility for collecting prospective, subjective data throughout periods of preconception and pregnancy

Social Behavior and Personality Patterns of Captive African Elephants

Through the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research, I received an International Research Opportunities Program (IROP) grant to study the social behaviors of African elephants. My research took place in South Africa with the African Elephant ResearchUnit at Knysna ElephantPark. Elephants live in herds and have very strong social bonds. The social interactions and dominance hierarchy between individuals of a herd depend upon many factors, including maternal lineage, age, sex, and personality traits of the elephants.I studied how social behaviors among captive elephants vary throughout the day on an hourly time scale, if those behavior patterns are related to age, and if handler perceptions of elephant personality are an accurate predictor of those social behaviors.To answer these questions, I spent about six hours in the field, four days a week, observing a herd of seven elephants and recording every time that any of the elephants interacted with each other.I also surveyed the elephant handlers regarding their perceptions of the elephants’ social behaviors and personality.The results of this study aim to give insight into the best management practices for African elephants in captivity, with special consideration for their patterns of social behavior

Undergraduate Commencement Exercises Program, May 22, 2004

Bryant University Undergraduate Commencement Exercises Program, May 22, 2004

Quantifying the vertical fusion range at four distances of fixation in a normal population.

Aim: To compare the vertical fusional amplitudes in isometropic participants with normal binocular single vision at four distances of fixation: 33 cm, 1 m, 4 m, 6 m. Methods: Vertical fusion ranges (break point and recovery point) were measured with a Gulden vertical prism bar with the participant fixing a 6/12 Snellen equivalent letter, twice at each distance. Order effects were controlled with randomisation of both fixation distance and prism direction. Results: Twenty-seven participants were examined (aged 20.4 ± 1.05 years). Base up and base down measurements were similar, therefore measurements were combined to give a total vertical range. Median values for the break points were: 33 cm, 6(Δ) ; 1 m, 6(Δ); 4 m, 5.5(Δ); 6 m, 5.5(Δ); and for the recovery points were: 33 cm, 4(Δ); 1 m, 4(Δ); 4 m, 3.5(Δ); 6 m, 3.5(Δ). The difference was significant between either of the near measures (i.e. 33 cm and 1 m) and either of the far measures (i.e. 4 m and 6 m). Conclusions: The vertical fusion range appears to be slightly greater at near than distance. However, the difference is not clinically significant. Measurements for distance, in a normal population, appear to be the same whether a fixation distance of 4 m or 6 m is used

Unauthorized Aliens’ Access to Federal Benefits: Policy and Issues

[Excerpt] Federal law bars aliens residing without authorization in the United States from most federal benefits; however, there is a widely held perception that many unauthorized aliens obtain such benefits. The degree to which unauthorized resident aliens should be accorded certain rights and privileges as a result of their residence in the United States, along with the duties owed by such aliens given their presence, remains the subject of intense debate in Congress. This report focuses on the policy and legislative debate surrounding unauthorized aliens’ access to federal benefits. Except for a narrow set of specified emergency services and programs, unauthorized aliens are not eligible for federal public benefits. The law (§401(c) of P.L. 104-193) defines federal public benefit as any grant, contract, loan, professional license, or commercial license provided by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States; and any retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, postsecondary education, food assistance, unemployment benefit, or any other similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided to an individual, household, or family eligibility unit by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States . The actual number of unauthorized aliens in the United States is unknown. According to demographer Jeffrey Passel’s calculations based on the 2005 March Current Population Survey (CPS), there were approximately 11.1 million unauthorized aliens residing in the United States (the most recent analysis with detailed statistical breakdowns). Passel further estimated the number of persons living in families in which the head of the household or the spouse was an unauthorized alien was 14.6 million. There were 6.6 million unauthorized families, which he defines as a family unit or solo individual in which the head or spouse is unauthorized. A noteworthy portion of the households headed by unauthorized aliens are likely to have U.S. citizen children, as well as spouses who may be legal permanent residents (LPRs). These “mixed status” families represent about one-third of all unauthorized families and five out of six unauthorized families with children as of March 2005. Policy researcher Steven Camarota concludes (based on his estimates drawn from the 2002 CPS) that the U.S. citizen children of unauthorized aliens account for much of the costs associated with illegal migration. Although the law appears straightforward, the policy on unauthorized aliens’ access to federal benefits is peppered with ongoing controversies and debates. Some center on demographic issues (e.g., how to treat mixed-immigration status families). Others explore unintended consequences, most notably when tightening up the identification requirements results in denying benefits to U.S. citizens. Still others are debates about how broadly the clause “federal public benefit” should be implemented. This report will be updated if policy changes warrant

“Wading Through Water” - Parental Experiences Of Their Child’s HE Choice Process

In an increasingly marketised and competitive UK HE environment understanding the student decision-making process has become very important. At the same time, there has been an increase in parental involvement in this choice amongst certain groups of parents. This paper examines parental accounts of their experiences and involvement in their child's HE choice process. It finds that the choice process is experienced as a form of parenting. Participants described their efforts in trying to get their child to talk to them and to achieve a balance in terms of their involvement and that of the child. This idea of relationships impacting on the choice process is one which is almost entirely missing from the choice literature and warrants further investigation. In this paper, parental experiences are examined relating to the literature on choice and student and parental decision-making within HE. The research adopts a qualitative phenomenological approach with parents focusing in detail on their actual experiences and on aspects of importance to them. HEIs should be wary of over-estimating the choice processes which students and their parents engage in and of assuming that parental involvement leads to a more thorough process