Declining Unionization: Do Fringe Benefits Matter?

This study examines whether there is a relationship between benefits and private sector unionization in the US. In their regression analysis, the authors use FRINGE in their as an explanatory variable. The dependent variable is UNIZ, the fraction of the private, non-farm labor force that is unionized. The changing nature of compensation has affected union density. In the private sector, as fringe benefits have become a more prominent component of workers' pay, ceteris paribus, union density has declined nationwide. Over the fifty-year period 1948-1997, at least 12% of the drop in unionization can be attributed to the growing role of non-wage benefits. For the private sector in general and manufacturing in particular, the authors have established that unionization is related to the composition of pay. Yet the influence of non-wage benefits may vary across industries or even different subsectors of manufacturing. It remains to be seen whether there are similar findings for other sectors.

Conservation of the golden mantella in Madagascar: Integrating in situ and ex situ research

The greatest threats to biodiversity in Madagascar are habitat destruction, fragmentation and climate change. Complementary in situ and ex situ research can aid conservation because many aspects of natural history that can usefully inform conservation measures are difficult to study in the field. The golden mantella is an excellent model as it is unique in that it is a charismatic, high profile Critically Endangered amphibian, but is abundant in captivity and highly suitable for ex situ research. In situ research in a new protected area of Madagascar found surface temperature, litter coverage and the number of tree roots were the most important predictor variables associated with quadrats occupied by golden mantellas. Microclimatic measurements made in the field informed the design of the replicated climatic-controlled enclosures (Froggotrons) for golden mantellas at Paignton Zoo. Froggotrons revealed golden mantellas had a bimodal activity pattern during daylight hours even under different temperature regimes. At lower temperatures (16 ºC - 19 ºC) mantellas were overall less active than those at higher temperatures (20 ºC - 25 ºC), but the phasing and bimodal nature of the activity rhythm was the same under both temperature regimes. Most activity occurred when humidity levels exceeded 85%. Golden mantellas were most active, spent most time in the open and less time on leaves at 21.5 ºC. Where temperature deviated either way from 21.5 ºC there was an associated decrease in activity and an increased tendency to hide in leaves. Results also show that even under optimum temperature and humidity regimes less than 50% of the frogs were active in open areas at any one time. Ex situ results have been used to assist with the design and timing of field population assessments and shed light on issues concerning imperfect detection when applying models to assess abundance. Species distribution modelling results suggest a potential south-eastwardly shift away from current distribution range and a decrease in suitable habitat from 2110 km2 under current climate to between 112 km2-138 km2 by the year 2085. Golden mantella research is a new development in the area of collaborative, complementary conservation. Integrating in situ and ex situ research may help mitigate the multi-faceted and synergistic threats to biodiversity in Madagascar

A Synthesis of Contemporary Music Composition Pedagogy Practices for the Undergraduate and Graduate Level Sequences, and An Exploration of Time, Sound, and Space: An Aleatoric Event Score in Collaboration with the LSU Museum of Art

This dissertation consists of two parts. The first part consists of a synthesis of contemporary music composition pedagogy practices for the undergraduate and graduate level sequences. A conversation of the study of music composition pedagogy is used to investigate current pedagogical practices in music composition and present those findings as a resource guide for new and future teachers. The second part presents an Exploration of Time, Sound, and Space, an Aleatoric Event Score Collaboration with the LSU Museum of Art. This event score is a product of the development of this dissertation commenced with a straightforward question; can we experience/consume live music in the same manner that we experience/consume visual art? This dissertation will be an event score in collaboration with the LSU Museum of Art in downtown Baton Rouge Louisiana in the Shaw Center for the Arts. My goal for this dissertation was to blur the lines of the musical art’s temporal strictness and experiment with music that allowed the audience to experience music like art on a wall of the gallery. To achieve this goal, I pulled inspiration from the Fluxus Movement, an international, interdisciplinary community of artists, composers, designers, and poets during the 1960s and 1970s who engaged in experimental art performances that emphasized the artistic process over the finished product. This event score was segmented into five movements that will explored different pitch and sound dualities

Postcard: Wall Full of Pictures

This black and white photographic postcard features an interior wall covered with photographs. The left side of the wall portrays postcard size photographs. The right side of the wall features portraits of people. Wallpaper is on the bottom half of the wall and a bed frame is in the foreground. Damage to the card is along the right side of the card. Handwriting is on the back of the card.https://scholars.fhsu.edu/tj_postcards/1989/thumbnail.jp

Taking the 'physical' out of physical education:tackling the declining levels of physical activity and physical literacy in Australia's primary state schools

Australian youth (5–17) are exhibiting the most alarming statistics surrounding poor physical activity (PA) levels and increasing correlating chronic disease trends (i.e. obesity). With schools well positioned to address such concerns, this study aimed to determine the type, frequency and intensity levels of PA being undertaken by children during their physical education (PE) classes (Queensland, Australia). A cross-sectional descriptive study design was adopted, using a mixed methods approach across 10 primary schools (grades 1–5), with the purpose of determining if in fact there are appropriate PA levels undertaken and implemented by PE teachers, for school-aged students. Observation of 30 students was used to assess PE class practice with Primary Outcome Variables collected from Student Activity, Lesson Context and Teacher Interaction. Further questionnaires were administered to students (n = 80), PE specialists (n = 10) and principals (n = 10). Whilst this study specifically addresses the importance of correctly structured PE lessons, further attention is directed towards identifying the impact appropriately structured PA levels have on students’ wider social and emotional well-being. Schools are encouraged to prioritise the importance of PA at a school level, for example, through re-engaging key stakeholders to ensure the delivery methods meet national and international PA guidelines

Utilizing educational theoretical models to support effective physical education pedagogy

Physical education (PE) pedagogy has traditionally been viewed as drill-style teaching. Whilst this traditional pedagogical approach provides exposure to various skills, used within a school-based PE and sporting context, it does not demonstrate a student’s competence associated with their ability to apply these skills in complex game situations. Therefore, teacher practitioners must look to implementing educational theoretical models that go to support effective pedagogical approaches so as to ensure that authentic and effective learning and teaching takes place within the PE and sporting domains. With this in mind, this paper will discuss how effective learning and teaching can be achieved and heightened through the application of a number of theoretical models and approaches, namely; constructivism, inquiry-based learning, Moston’s guided discovery, and Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU)

Researching sport management

In this chapter we will discuss the importance of sport management research as well as the different research methods currently employed by sport management researchers. By looking at the current state of research in sport management, we can examine what the future of sport management research may look like – how new and innovative ways of conceptualizing and investigating issues of importance to sport management researchers and practitioners can offer potential solutions to emerging problems in the world of sport management research. There is not just one way to do research. Some people do undertake research from this perspective whilst others are critical of the methods used by different researchers. Instead research should be disciplined inquiry, not a set of specific procedures. The two main types of research are basic and applied. Basic research deals primarily with theoretical problems, and these results are not intended to have immediate application. Applied research, on the other hand, strives to answer questions that have direct value to the practitioner. Sport management research is not only important for the researcher. By undertaking relevant research that asks and seeks answers to important questions and issues that are of direct relevance to practitioners, we are developing not only proficient researchers but proficient and informed consumers of research