Organizational and Operating Structures of a National Pork Producers Cooperative; Evaluation of Alternatives for Implementation of the Pork America "Umbrella" Model

This paper summarizes the structural components, activities and processes evaluated during the implementation of a national pork producers' cooperative. It reviews and compares various organizational structures considered and identifies the components, activities and processes that would best allow Pork America to fulfil its mission. The paper adds detail to the organizational structure of the "umbrella model" designed by the National Pork Producers Council Cooperative Task Force. More concretely, it outlines, evaluates, and compares alternative activities and processes to implement operations within that structure. It identifies strengths and weakness of each alternative, needs for internal and external competencies, potential business models, management scenarios, and financing options for the alternative approaches considered by Pork America. This approach supported the development of Pork America's master business plan. Governance and operational structures to allow Pork America to function successfully; incorporating local, state and regional groups as members; and be responsive to the restructuring occurring in the pork industry were described. The paper describes the essential components of each structure that was considered, including, but not limited to the following areas: (1) Relationships within operating units, among operating units, between a national headquarters and operating units, and between the board and management. (2) Groupings of employees into departments or operating divisions, within business units, and between business units and the scope of those operating divisions or business units. (3) Systems for communications, coordination, and integration among various divisions and units that make up Pork America, both vertically and horizontally. Methodologically this report is a descriptive case study of the Pork America Cooperative. It outlines the structure of the pork industry in which the cooperative is operating, and develops aspects of the New Generation Cooperative structure that are applicable to this cooperative. Furthermore, the paper identifies alternative activities and processes that Pork America considered or will be considering to implement this structure. Advantages and disadvantages of potential activities and processes are identified and compared. The organizational models discussed are based on those actually considered by the NPPC Task Force and the Pork America Board including: (1) a large-scale three-plant model; (2) a large-scale single-plant format, (3) a service company model, (4) a joint marketing model and (5) a national network model. The paper identifies the alternatives judged to best fulfill Pork America's objectives given the structural components implied in the umbrella model and the changing structure of the pork industry.Agribusiness,

Interview with James Myers, March 28 & 31, 2011

James Myers was interviewed on March 28 & 31, 2011 by Brad Miller about his childhood, collegiate years and teaching at Gettysburg College. He also discussed Carl Arnold Hanson\u27s presidency, the political unrest during that time, and how the college has changed during his time here. Length of Interview: 103 minutes Course Information: Course Title: HIST 300: Historical Method Academic Term: Spring 2011 Course Instructor: Dr. Michael Birkner \u2772 Collection Note: This oral history was selected from the Oral History Collection maintained by Special Collections & College Archives. Transcripts are available for browsing in the Special Collections Reading Room, 4th floor, Musselman Library. GettDigital contains the complete listing of oral histories done from 1978 to the present. To view this list and to access selected digital versions please visit -- http://gettysburg.cdmhost.com/cdm/landingpage/collection/p16274coll

Design Of A Collimated Line Source For Transmission Ct Imaging Of The Head With A Spect System

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) has the potential to provide absolute quantitative information about the function of an organ. However, two factors which limit accurate quantification are the attenuation of the gamma rays emitted from the radiopharmaceutical concentration and the inability to define the anatomic region being quantified. Presented in this thesis is an attenuation correction that compensates SPECT brain images for attenuation and a transmission imaging system that (a) provides the distribution of attenuation coefficients required for the attenuation compensation and (b) simplifies regional identification by registering the functional SPECT images onto the anatomic transmission images. The attenuation correction algorithm is an exact compensation for a radiopharmaceutical concentration that is evenly distributed throughout the brain tissue and completely surrounded by an attenuating, nonradioactive bone medium. It explicitly corrects projections of the brain for bone and tissue attenuation and it improves the uniformity and increases the count density of the resulting SPECT images. The transmission CT imaging system consists of a collimated line source and a conventional SPECT camera equipped with a fan beam collimator (FBC). In the transverse image plane the resolution of the transmission system is equal to the intrinsic camera resolution ({dollar}\approx{dollar}4mm), but resolution in the longitudinal plane (coincident to the axis of rotation of the SPECT camera), without the line source collimator, is characterized by the camera and FBC resolutions ({dollar}\approx{dollar}8mm at 150mm above the collimator). The line source collimator (LSC) is a one-dimensional collimator that improves the longitudinal resolution of the system. Computer simulations were used to design a LSC that provided the system with isotropic resolution ({dollar}\approx{dollar}4mm in image plane) while maximizing the geometric efficiency. The attenuation compensation algorithm requires that the skull attenuation coefficient and thickness be known, and images of the human head demonstrated that this information can be measured using the transmission imaging system. However, due to limitations of the present SPECT system, a brain SPECT image that has been attenuation corrected with the techniques described herein is not presented. Finally, a mathematical formalism to compute the geometric modulation transfer function of a transmission imaging system with parallel hole collimation was derived. The formalism is a valuable tool in the design of such transmission systems and it replaces the need to use computer intensive simulations to predict the system resolution.;In this thesis I have demonstrated the feasibility of acquiring transmission CT images with a SPECT system. The transmission images will be used to determine the attenuation coefficients for the attenuation correction and registration of the SPECT brain images to anatomical images, thereby improving the quantification of regional cerebral blood flow

Thinking through the box: the art teacher\u27s role in setting ideationally generative assignment parameters, and expanding students\u27 problem-finding strategies

This thesis explores the nature of generative parameters, and their present – as well as their much greater potential – function in visual art assignments. An effort of thoughtful self-study, it examines important questions that were revealed during the teaching of a fifth grade art unit. Collaboration and chance were used in that unit as productive constraints. Bringing together insights gathered from a number of sources and my own classroom action research, a theory of teaching for creative behavior is offered with suggestions for good practices in the art room. Promoting creative thinking in the art classroom does not require that students have complete freedom. Actually, the parameters or constraints that the art teacher imposes on students’ artmaking helps to focus their efforts and can lead to creative breakthroughs. The goal is that students progressively develop their own aesthetic preferences and self-impose constraints on their art. Artists must create their own problems to solve; the learning of problem-finding behavior is a major educational necessity beneficial to artmaking and nearly every other mode of human inquiry. The components of problem theory are discussed (problem identification, problem finding, and problem solving). Various conceptions of creativity are examined; most importantly, creativity as synthesis. Special attention is given to the implications of cognitive theory, stream of consciousness, synectics, randomization, exercises in empathy, analogies, and other methods of ideation for the generation of novel ideas. Elements of arousal theory, the structure of memory, and phenomenology are also referenced. Connections are made to the philosophies and techniques of prominent art figures, both historical and contemporary

Increasing Student Intrinsic Motivation And Self-Efficacy Through Gamification Pedagogy

The aim of this study was to assess gamification as a method of experiential learning theory (ELT) on student motivation and self-efficacy to perform System Engineering/Information Assurance (IA) tasks.  The study was a basic qualitative method, whereby data was collected via semi-structured interview and then analyzed for recurring themes and patterns.  The students involved in the study were undergraduate students enrolled in system administration and security courses. We introduced ELT in early stages of curriculum in place of commonly used didactic methods of delivering theory.   We compared the themes found in increased ELT classes with past didactic sections of the same courses. Data analysis revealed that increasing ELT in IA coursework at all levels of the curriculum increased both student intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy.  This paper outlines gamification pedagogy used in 200 and 300 level postsecondary courses of system administration.  Gathered results indicated high intrinsic motivation and self-efficacy from the students 96 interviewed.  The paper will also present examples of gamification ELT lessons at each level of undergraduate study

What Mega-churches Can Learn from Catholics

Mega-churches are not very popular among academics, even Christian ones. At a recent conference of theologians and ethicists, my colleague and I found ourselves on the defensive. According to the bulk of the seminar participants, the failure of mega-churches to form faithful disciples was a foregone conclusion. This perspective was very troubling to us. Since we could vouch for the genuine and sincere faith of our academic peers, we could not simply dismiss their complaints as spiritually vacuous. At the same time, we could not deny that God\u27s Spirit was genuinely present in our mega-church congregation. Formerly-unchurched persons are coming to faith in Christ and being baptized. Yet there was a ring of truth to their charges. As mega-churches grow like wild fire, many pastors rue the accompanying phenomena of church-hopping and passive spectatorship. Surprisingly, the providential fact that we teach at a Catholic university has helped us see this conflict through new eyes. For Catholic believers, everything is formative because everything is capable of either facilitating or hindering God\u27s redemptive presence. If our Catholic brothers and sisters have a point, perhaps some aspects of mega-church worship that we have typically championed under the name of evangelism ought to be evaluated in the name of discipleship. If everything is formative, we ought to be asking whether everything is contributing toward the formation of Christ-followers. We suggest that at least two things are being overlooked

CFD Primer: What Do All Those Colors Really Mean?

TutorialThis tutorial provides a general overview of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). It is not intended for CFD experts but rather for those seeking answers to questions such as: What is the role of CFD in the design / analysis process? What is CFD? What benefits can be derived from CFD? What are the typical deliverables from CFD? In addition to answering the above questions, the session will also offer several sample cases illustrating some practical applications of CFD in day-to-day design, analysis and trouble-shooting processes