Planned Behavior Typologies of Agricultural Education Teacher Educators Regarding Service Learning as a Method of Instruction: A National Mixed Methods Study

This study sought to understand the service-learning beliefs and intentions of agricultural education teacher educators. We collected quantitative data through a web-based survey instrument and course syllabi. Variables yielding statistically significant relationships were analyzed using cluster analysis, which produced three unique clusters operationalized as typologies representing the planned behaviors of teacher educators regarding service learning. For example, the Optimistically Unaware expressed positive beliefs about the method, but did not understand how to integrate service learning in their teaching methods courses. Meanwhile, the Policy-Focused Decision Makers used established education policy as anchors when navigating decisions, such as whether to feature service learning in their courses. Service-Learning Implementers espoused strong beliefs about the method’s potential while also emphasizing how it could be used to enrich the preparation of agriculture teachers. Results point to the potential service learning holds if integrated as a complement to teacher preparation rather than an addition to current practice

High Performance Individuals and How They Manage Their Personal Knowledge for Decision-Making: An Exploratory Study of US Air Force Leaders

The ability of Colonels, Generals, and Chiefs to effectively manage their personal knowledge may lead to better decisions; however, the Air Force does not have an understanding of how these high performance leaders manage their personal knowledge. This research used a multiple-case study methodology to explore how USAF leaders manage their personal knowledge when making routine and novel decisions. Viewing personal knowledge management as it related to sociotechnical theory provided the basis to determine how the need to accomplish the tasks associated with personal knowledge management impacted the people, technology, organizational structure, and the tasks associated with managing personal knowledge. It was found that high performance leaders use people and technology in varying degrees to manage their personal knowledge when making routine and novel decisions. The need to manage personal knowledge has also affected personal knowledge management tasks and the organizational structure when making both routine and novel decisions

Alien Registration- Ivey, Amos M. (Limestone, Aroostook County)

https://digitalmaine.com/alien_docs/34176/thumbnail.jp

Development of a Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Propulsion System Based on Silicon Carbide Triple Active Bridge Multiport Power Converter

Constrained by the low energy density of Lithium-ion batteries with all-electric aircraft propulsion, hybrid-electric aircraft propulsion drive becomes one of the most promising technologies in aviation electrification, especially for wide-body airplanes. In this thesis, a three-port triple active bridge (TAB) DC-DC converter is developed to manage the power flow between the turbo generator, battery, and the propulsion motor. The TAB converter is modeled based on the emerging Silicon Carbide (SiC) Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) modules operating at high switching frequency, so the size of the magnetic transformer can be significantly reduced. Different operation modes of this hybrid-electric propulsion drive based on the SiC TAB converter are modeled and simulated to replicate the takeoff mode, cruising mode, and regenerative charging mode of a typical flight profile. Additionally, soft switching is investigated for the TAB converter to further improve the efficiency and power density of the converter, and zero voltage switching is achieved at heavy load operating conditions. The results show that the proposed TAB converter is capable of achieving high efficiency during all stages of the flight profile

Closing the Loophole: A Case Study of Organizing for More Equitable and Affordable Access to Health Care in San Francisco

This paper presents in-depth case study of a successful hybrid political and community organizing campaign to ensure equitable access to health care through the perspective of a grassroots San Francisco community-based organization, the Chinese Progressive Association (CPA), which has been organizing low-income Chinese immigrants for over four decades. First, it outlines the Health Care Security Ordinance (HCSO), which, since its passage in 2006, has established a near-universal health care access program, helping to make health care accessible and affordable to individuals living and working in San Francisco. Then it presents the campaign to save the HCSO, focusing on CPA’s participation in the HCSO coalition. Finally, it discusses health care as it relates to the San Francisco’s affordability crisis and the political economic context in which it is taking place. Despite the limitations inherent in small case studies like this one, it nevertheless provides a valuable opportunity to better understand how one politically progressive city attempted to address the problem of grossly inequitable health care access through the lens of community organizing, advocacy, and coalition building. San Francisco, like many major American cities today, is being confronted with rapid gentrification and growing economic inequality—the backdrop to the HCSO. Through innovative experiments in social responsibility like the HCSO, however, the city has made leaps in health care access. It concludes with lessons learned from local organizing and advocacy to save the HCSO as these may inform other local efforts to promote health care for all

"If We Don't Produce, Bring Another:" Work Organization and Tomato Worker Health.

Objectives: Specific work processes and management structures that contribute to high rates of occupational illness and injury in agricultural industries are not well described in academic literature. This qualitative study of work organization in the U.S. fresh tomato industry investigates how work processes and management structures impact tomato workers' occupational health. Methods: After conducting literature review and key informant interviews, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with 36 individuals with experience working in the U.S. fresh tomato industry. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach. Results: These data indicate that participants endured income insecurity and hazardous supervisory practices, including wage theft, retaliation, intimidation, and humiliation, that put them at risk of preventable illness and injury. Support from workers' organizations and health-conscious supervisory practices helped mitigate some of these occupational hazards. Conclusion: Participants' adverse work experiences may be considered sequelae of workers' lack of job control and positions of socioeconomic structural vulnerability. Other aspects of tomato work organization, including health-conscious supervisory practices and the involvement of workers' organizations, indicate that modifying work organization to better safeguard health is possible. Such modifications present compelling opportunities for employers, employees, organizations, community and government leaders, and health care professionals to help create healthier occupational environments for tomato workers

Screening guide for critical river crossing structures with earthquake disruption risks.

The following thesis examines the relationship between site geology and ground motion amplification for medium sized earthquake events in the Ohio Valley area. This thesis also includes a Rapid Screening Guide that can be used to estimate earthquake effects for sites located along the Ohio River. Thirteen typical soil columns at locations along the river were subjected to six earthquake events using the response modeling program Shake91 (University of California, 1991). The response modeling was used to determine initial amplification factors and to examine the relationship between site geology and ground motion effects for each of the different soil columns. The response modeling was also used to create the Rapid Screening Guide. The guide outlines the method for creating design spectra for known or future structures, and then how to compare velocity spectra to design spectra to determine the probability of damage in an examined structure

Space station structures and dynamics test program

The design, construction, and operation of a low-Earth orbit space station poses challenges for development and implementation of technology. One specific challenge is the development of a dynamics test program for defining the space station design requirements, and identifying and characterizing phenomena affecting the space station's design and development. The test proposal, as outlined, is a comprehensive structural dynamics program to be launched in support of the space station (SS). Development of a parametric data base and verification of the mathematical models and analytical analysis tools necessary for engineering support of the station's design, construction, and operation provide the impetus for the dynamics test program. The four test phases planned are discussed: testing of SS applicable structural concepts; testing of SS prototypes; testing of actual SS structural hardware; and on-orbit testing of SS construction