Motivations for service-learning among family and consumer sciences college faculty: influence of teaching perceptions, efficacy, and practice

Trying to understand connections between Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and service-learning could improve the implementation process of this pedagogy in FCS courses. According to Giles and Eyler (1998), identifying ways by which service-learning can enhance subject matter learning is the first of their top ten unanswered questions in service-learning research. The primary objective of this study was to examine characteristics of FCS collegiate faculty who do and do not incorporate service-learning in their teaching, determine their teaching efficacy levels and dominant teaching perspectives, examine their perceptions about service-learning as an effective teaching strategy within FCS, and identify the factors that motivate and deter FCS faculty\u27s use of service-learning.;Survey results from 375 FCS faculty members in institutions of higher education across the United States confirm the belief that service-learning can be an effective tool for learning and teaching within FCS. Almost 60% of the FCS faculty reported to have implemented service learning in their teaching. Both service-learning and non service-learning faculty, in general, had high teaching efficacy levels. The dominant teaching practice for all faculty was Reflective-Ethical, irrespective of whether they were service-learning or non service-learning faculty.;Service-learning faculty received encouragement from department chairpersons and other colleagues in the department. Advice from colleagues and attendance at professional organizations and conferences provided faculty with useful instructional support. Student outcomes motivated faculty most in their decisions to incorporate service-learning. Concerns related to time, logistics, and funding; reward structure; and inability to use service-learning effectively were reported to be potential factors that might cause faculty to discontinue their service-learning efforts. For non service-learning faculty, issues related to time, logistics, and funding; and curricular and pedagogical concerns, were the greatest deterrents to using service-learning

Development Of Planar Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Using Cermet Anode Prepared By Electroless Technique

Solid Oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is a very promising electrical conversion device owing to its high efficiency and low gas emissions. In light of the present world scenario relating to the energy sector, research and development works on alternate energy sources viz. fuel cells, solar, hydro etc. holds special drive and attention. Among various classifications of ceramic fuel cells (SOFCs), the present research work is based on the flat planar design owing to its ease of fabrication and potential for providing high power densities compared to other cell configurations. Till date, nickel (Ni) -8 mol % yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) [Ni-YSZ] cermet has been evolved out as the most widely accepted anode for SOFC application. However, such Ni-ceramic composite posseses certain shortcomings owing to which the commercialization of SOFC is limited. The endeavour of the present research is based on the development of Ni-YSZ functional anode materials by novel ‘electroless technique’ and its application for SOFC fabrication. Generation of unique core (YSZ)-shell (discreet Ni nanoparticulates around the YSZ core) microstructure in a patterned manner through process optimization is one of the major accomplishment of such electroless technique. Sensitization of YSZ particulates by high energy ultrasonification forms the catalytic Pd0 particulates in-situ in the redox reaction bath. The adsorption of such Pd0 onto YSZ core governs the deposition of Ni around YSZ during electroless technique and hence the microstructure. Optimization of process parameters initially involve mathematical modeling which is followed by experimental validation. The developed electroless anode is found to exhibit the required electrical conduction (~ 500 Scm-1) at much lower Ni content (28 vol %) compared to other conventional cermets. The major drawbacks of thermal incompatibility and poor redox tolerance associated with such Ni-YSZ anode is rectified using the functional electroless anode. Efforts have been exerted to determine the length of triple phase boundary (active sites for electrochemical reactions) and reaction sequences through mathematical modeling approach. The second phase of the present research work is focussed on the fabrication of SOFCs using such functional anodes in assorted configurations. Electroless cermet is configured as anode-support structure, multilayered anode or anode active layer (AAL). The various factors affecting electrochemical activity of single cell such as: a) thickness and sintering temperature of the half cell b) rate of NiO reduction to metallic Ni, c) effect of moisture in fuel and c) type of oxidant used at the cathode side are studied thoroughly during the course of this research work. The load bearing competence of the fabricated SOFCs with the developed anodes are also examined for a considerable period of time to determine the corresponding degradation rates. The experimental results support the superiority of electroless anodes, which showed the highest cell performance of 3.7 Acm-2 at 800oC without any significant degradation and lowest polarization from the associated factors. The experimental outcome of electrochemical reactions are correlated with: a) optical microstructures, b) elemental mapping, c) NiO reduction equilibrium, d) pore-size distribution in anodes, e) effect of moisture in the fuel, f) variation in oxidant type etc. The influence of polarization/resistive factors is also studied in terms of both mathematical approach and electrochemical impedance measurements. Therefore, the entire effort of the present research work is exerted towards the development of functional Ni-YSZ anode by novel ‘electroless’ technique encompassing its potential to act as new-generation anode for ITSOFC application

Utility Of Technology In Higher Education: Recent Contours In Teaching Learning Process

Life is the gift of God and technology is the gift of human. Technology in today’s era has a significant role to play, it not only saves time but also makes work easier which can be effectively felt in every stage of our daily life. Besides technology form one of the basis of economic growth as it lessens the burden upon the human and at the same time reduces the instances of mistakes.  The ambit of technology has widened so far that it has touched the educational sector too. This has revolutionized the whole educational sector wherein the teacher student relation has been more enjoyable and at the same time has eased the imparting and acquiring of education. With the inclusion of computer application in the curriculum in the primary level itself, it gives a scope to the students to get accustomed to use of technology in education. And gradually, as they learn more, they get inured how to apply technology in acquiring education by attaining its optimum utility. The use of technology has become very common in higher education now a days as it helps the students in the attainment of maximum knowledge within limited resources and time, thus making them more self-reliant. This article aims to find out the role of technology in higher education and how far it has benefitted the teachers and the students in the process of imparting and acquiring education

Utilisation of adolescent reproductive and sexual health services in a rural area of West Bengal: A mixed-method study

Introduction: Despite policy actions and strategic efforts for improving the reproductive and sexual health of adolescents by promoting the uptake of adolescent reproductive and sexual health (ARSH) services, the utilisation rate remains significantly low, especially in rural areas of India. This study aimed to assess the utilisation of these services by adolescents in rural West Bengal and its associated determinants. Methods: This mixed-method study was conducted from May to September 2021 in the Gosaba rural block of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. Quantitative data were collected from 326 adolescents using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Qualitative data were collected via four focus group discussions among 30 adolescents and key-informant interviews among six healthcare workers. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results: Ninety-six (29.4%) adolescents had utilised ARSH services at least once during adolescence. The factors associated with non-utilisation of ARSH services were younger age, female sex, increasing reproductive health stigma and decreasing parent–adolescent communication related to sexual health. Qualitative exploration revealed that unawareness regarding services, perceived lack of privacy and confidentiality at healthcare facilities and disruption of services post-emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic were some major barriers to ARSH service utilisation. Conclusion: A multi-component strategy, including promotion of adolescent-friendly health clinics, community support interventions associated with motivation and counselling of parents regarding the importance of adolescent reproductive health, is needed to improve the utilisation of ARSH services. Necessary steps to correct the deficiencies at the facility level should also be prioritised

Sperm Motility Regulatory Proteins: A Tool to Enhance Sperm Quality

Sperm forward motility is an essential parameter in mammalian fertilization. Studies from our laboratory have identified and characterized a few unique sperm motility regulatory proteins/glycoproteins from the male reproductive fluids and mammalian blood serum. The purified sperm motility-initiating protein (MIP) from caprine epididymal plasma as well as the forward motility-stimulating factor (FMSF) and motility-stimulating protein (MSP) from buffalo and goat serum, respectively, have high efficacy to initiate or increase motility in nonmotile or less motile sperm. Antibody of sperm motility inhibitory factor (MIF-II) has the high potential to enhance sperm vertical velocity and forward motility by increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) level. The appearance and disappearance of D-galactose–specific lectin and its receptor along the epididymis has been reported to be involved in motility regulation in spermatozoa. A novel synthetic cryopreservation method and role of lipid to protect membrane damage during cryopreservation have been demonstrated. Motility-promoting proteins may be extremely useful for improving cattle breeding and breeding of endangered species, thereby helping in enhanced production of animal products as well as in the conservation of animals. Isolated proteins and developed cryopreservation technology may also be beneficial in human infertility clinics to increase the chance of fertilization

Customer commitment to luxury brands : antecedents and consequences

The intensifying competition in the luxury sector necessitates the need for managers to identify the factors underpinning customers' commitment to a luxury brand. Understanding commitment not only provides an insight into the question of how customers commit but also uncovers why customers commit to a particular brand. Using a questionnaire-based survey with customers, this research examines the antecedents and consequences of customer commitment to luxury brands. The findings indicate the differential influence of various antecedents on affective, calculative and normative commitment, and highlight the role played by these forms of commitment on consumption satisfaction and advocacy intentions. The results demonstrate the importance of affective commitment as a relationship enhancer, and identify managerial implications for customer commitment to luxury brands

They are not all same: variations in Asian consumers' value perceptions of luxury brands

Asian markets are steadily becoming key growth regions for luxury brands. However, despite the growth, many luxury brand firms are unable to obtain the desired economic returns through their marketing strategies in Asia. Often these firms treat consumers across Asian markets as homogenous groups, which could lead to inaccurate luxury brand management strategy. Additionally, there is limited understanding of consumer value perceptions toward luxury brands across the Asian markets. Employing impression management theory and the horizontal/vertical collectivistic cultural distinctions, this study examines differences and similarities in constituent luxury value perceptions across three prominent Asian markets, namely China, India, and Indonesia. The results of a quantitative survey conducted with 626 real luxury consumers in these three countries identify variations in perceptions of symbolic, experiential, and functional value of luxury brands. The study contributes to knowledge on constituent luxury value perceptions, along with providing theoretical explanations for the differences between consumers across Asian markets. With the emerging novel insights on Asian consumers, luxury brand firms can align their marketing strategies to respective markets by leveraging the similarities and differences in consumer value perceptions. This approach, informed by empirical evidence, will enhance luxury brands’ competitiveness and profit opportunities in the high-growth Asian markets. The study identifies a number of future research directions

India as an emerging market

TOPICS COVERED IN INDIA AS AN EMERGING MARKET Emerging markets - Country/market attractiveness and complexities - Market assessment: critical issues - Growth drivers for regions and cities - How are organizations identifying international business and marketing opportunities? - Market entry and development challenges and opportunitie

Internet Banking: An Interaction Building Channel for Bank-Customer Relationships

This chapter examines the weakening and strengthening of relationships in technology determined bank–customer interactions . It focuses on the use of Internet banking for long-term service maintenance in a multiple channel usage context. The research findings from a study conducted with retail banking customers in the UK, indicate how customers combine the concepts of ‘convenience’ and ‘control’ in performing banking activities through Internet banking. In addition, while the users demand enhanced functionalities, the non-users seek innovation in customer service to aid their understanding and initiate their use of Internet banking. Such a scenario creates situations that transfer work back from the customers to the bank employees with likely changes in the roles and responsibilities of the frontline staff. As a social consequence of Internet banking usage, issues about the dichotomy of convenience and stress are also discussed. The potential of a virtual and remote channel like Internet banking in creating enhanced bank–customer relationships becomes salient with implications for organisational strategies