Media Malpractice: The Legal Risks of Voluntary Social Responsibility in Mass Communication

Critics of social responsibility theory have worried that in the process of establishing voluntary standards for responsible behavior, mass communicators may provide a convenient yardstick against which to define and measure legal claims of media malpractice. Examination of legal actions against mass communicators suggests that social responsibility does carry legal risks. Although courts have been relatively unsympathetic to efforts to establish new legal duties, professional standards have become highly relevant to determination of media negligence

Mobilian Jargon in Historiography: An Exercise in the Ethnography of Speaking

Patricia Galloway (2006: 225-244) made Mobilian Jargon the subject matter of a chapter in her recent book Practicing Ethnohistory – with several challenging conclusions about its structure, functions, and sociohistorical contexts that call for a response. My essay addresses fundamental misconceptions about this Muskogeanbased pidgin language, while raising some broader issues of documentation and analysis relevant to the historical sociolinguistics of greater Louisiana

Paper Session II-D - Science Communication for the Life Sciences at Kennedy Space Center

In the Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created and directed to: Provide for the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its activities and the results thereof. Horack and Treise (1998) define science communication as: the process through which a message of new knowledge or technology is delivered to a particular customer, in a way that adds value to the research itself, because knowledge has been shared with someone who wants or needs it for some use. Customers of science communications even include the traditional science information generator - the scientists themselves. Indeed at some level we all are users of scientific information

NASA Kennedy Space Center Educator Workshops: Exploring Their Impact on Teacher Attitudes and Concerns

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration holds summer teacher workshops to motivate teachers to use space science in their lessons. In evaluating these workshops, the areas of interest were participant beliefs about science and science teaching and concerns about educational change and innovation. The teachers attending workshops in 1995, past participants, teachers that received materials but had not attended a workshop, and science researchers were surveyed using the Beliefs about Science and Science Education Survey and/or the Stages of Concern Questionnaire. Comparisons were made by workshop length, time since workshop, and highest grade taught. Reductions in concerns were most evident in the four week workshop. Changes in beliefs were also observed relative to teaching approach and ability. Differences in beliefs were observed between teachers and science researchers. Differences were also observed relative to time since attendance and by grade level taught. It is recommended that the workshops be at least four weeks in length and in length and target specific grade levels, that refresher workshops be offered

Characterization and evaluation of acid rain in East Central Florida from 1978 to 1987: Ten year summary report

Rainfall was collected on the University of Central Florida (UCF) campus near Orlando since July 1977 and at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida since August 1977. Since November 1983, the KSC site has been affiliated with the National Atmospheric Deposition Network. Annual volume weighted pH was slightly above the 10 year mean of 4.58 during four of the past five years. Nitrate concentrations have risen somewhat during recent years while excess sulfate concentrations have remained below the 10 year mean during four of the past years. These observations hold for both the UCF and KSC data. The distribution of individual sample pH was nearly identical at UCF and KSC. Stepwise regression suggests that sulfate, nitrate, ammonium ion, and calcium play major roles in the description of rainwater acidity. Annual acid deposition and annual rainfall have varied from 30 to 50 meq/m2-yr and 100 to 180 cm/yr, respectively. Sea salt comprises about 25 percent (UCF) and greater than 50 percent (KSC) of total ionic composition

Acid rain monitoring in East-Central Florida from 1977 to present

Rainfall has been collected on the University of Central Florida campus and at the Kennedy Space Center over a 12 year period. The chemical composition has been determined and summarized by monthly, annual periods, and for the entire 12 year period at both locations. The weighted average pH at each site is 4.58; however, annual weighted average pH has been equal to or above the 12 year average during six of the past eight years. Nitrate concentrations have increased slightly during recent years while excess sulfate concentrations have remained below the 12 year weighted average during six of the past seven years. Stepwise regression suggests that sulfate, nitrate, ammonium ion and calcium play major roles in the description of rainwater acidity. Annual acid deposition and annual rainfall have varied from 20 to 50 meg/(m(exp 2) year) and 100 to 180 cm/year, respectively. Sea salt comprises at least 25 percent of the total ionic composition

A Comprehensive Analysis of How Pet Ownership Impacts the Experiences and Well-Being of Homeless Individuals

This paper conducts a thorough examination of the relationship between pet ownership and homelessness. In a context where homelessness in the United States is a growing concern, we delve into an aspect that has received little attention: how homeless individuals and their pets interact. Through an extensive review of existing research, this paper aims to uncover the demographic characteristics of homeless pet owners and understand the significant effects of this bond. Our findings reveal that homeless individuals with pets come from diverse backgrounds, including various ages, genders, and racial backgrounds. Their pets provide not only companionship but also emotional support, improved physical health, and a deterrent against criminal behavior. Homeless pet owners often prioritize their pets’ well-being, showing the depth of their attachment. However, pet ownership among the homeless comes with challenges. These individuals face barriers to accessing necessary medical care, encounter difficulties finding shelters that allow pets, and sometimes choose to stay on the streets to remain with their pets. They also face discrimination from their communities, which compounds their existing difficulties. This research identifies gaps in the existing literature and suggests areas for further investigation. Future studies should examine the well-being of homeless-owned pets, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on homelessness and pet ownership, and the effectiveness of shelters that accommodate pets and mobile health care services. Addressing these gaps will enhance our understanding of the complex relationship between pet ownership and homelessness and improve support services and policies for this vulnerable population

Development of physical and mathematical models for the Porous Ceramic Tube Plant Nutrification System (PCTPNS)

A physical model of the Porous Ceramic Tube Plant Nutrification System (PCTPNS) was developed through microscopic observations of the tube surface under various operational conditions. In addition, a mathematical model of this system was developed which incorporated the effects of the applied suction pressure, surface tension, and gravitational forces as well as the porosity and physical dimensions of the tubes. The flow of liquid through the PCTPNS was thus characterized for non-biological situations. One of the key factors in the verification of these models is the accurate and rapid measurement of the 'wetness' or holding capacity of the ceramic tubes. This study evaluated a thermistor based moisture sensor device and recommendations for future research on alternative sensing devices are proposed. In addition, extensions of the physical and mathematical models to include the effects of plant physiology and growth are also discussed for future research