Designing for digital: skill sets needed to design for variable data

Variable data printing (VDP) is a key technology in the production of unique and personalized products. Derived from digital printing, the three key components in a successful VDP workflow are the creative aspect, the database management, and the print production. A designer needs to be familiar with all three in order to obtain the skills needed to design for VDP. However, VDP\u27s trend for growth is not as rapid as the industry had projected. This research examined how a variable data workflow was set up in a print production environment. The production workflow and the skills needed to properly design documents for VDP were the focal points of the research. Two designers, two advertising agencies, and five print companies participated in this research study. Additionally, graphic design and graphic communication undergraduate programs were examined across many institutions to see which of them offer instruction in VDP. From this research, it was seen that one likely reason for the delay in growth for VDP was that creative professionals working in print production do not have the adequate training or skill level needed to fully embrace offering variable data solutions. This concept was reinforced by the lack of instruction on the subject at the college level, particularity in the discipline of Graphic Design. Other delays are caused by the multiple workflows used in creating variable documents. Finally, a common limitation to VDP was the lack of data needed to create a successful variable data piece. Based on these findings, the researcher created an outline for a VDP class. The outline focuses on teaching skill sets needed to design for VDP, as determined through this research. It is the goal of this project to make leads in finding solutions to close the gap between design and production in designing for VDP

EXAMINING THE EFFECTS OF TWO SEXUAL ASSAULT/ DATE RAPE INTERVENTIONS IN A POPULATION OF COLLEGE FRESHMEN

Rape is committed more often than any other violent crime on college campuses. Over the years, various interventions have been developed to educate and positively change college students' attitudes, beliefs, and behavioral intentions regarding sexual assault and date rape. Common educational strategies in the sexual assault and date rape programs include the use of films and/or peer educators to help dispel commonly held date rape myths, to improve attitudes and/or knowledge of rape, to decrease rape-related behavioral intentions, to improve communication about sexual decisions, and to increase self-efficacy towards resisting an unwanted sexual experience. However, many intervention studies lack evaluation data to demonstrate the effectiveness of these programs on college campuses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate two experimental conditions in a sample of freshmen students at the University of Maryland, College Park. One intervention group received a sexual assault/date rape educational film followed by participating in a peer-led discussion; the second intervention group received only a peer education presentation; and the control group received no treatment. Pretest and four- to six-week posttest evaluation surveys were administered to participants to determine the effects of the interventions on attitudes towards rape, rape-related behavioral intentions, and sexual communication self-efficacy. The statistical methods used to analyze these data were paired t-tests and nested ANCOVA models. In addition, a Process Evaluation Survey was also administered to the intervention groups immediately upon their completion to capture an overall assessment of the interventions. Lastly, the peer educators delivering these programs completed evaluations after each presentation. Both intervention groups were found to have statistically significant increases in anti-rape attitudes at posttest, with females reporting higher anti-rape attitude scores compared to males in both interventions. Increases in anti-rape behavioral intentions and sexual communication self-efficacy scores were also reported; however, these changes were not statistically significant compared to the control group at posttest. The quantitative and qualitative data collected from the Process Evaluation Surveys and the Peer Educator Evaluations provided further guidance on how to improve the interventions

Institutional influences of state legislators\u27 voting behavior

Representation of citizens by elected officials is a core principle of American democracy (Eulau et al. 1959; Key 1961). Assuming the delegate approach to representation (Pitkin 1967), state legislative districts give voters the opportunity to elect representatives that will act in accordance with their wishes in the state policy arena. The extent to which a legislator’s policy votes reflect his constituents’ preferences is often referred to as “policy responsiveness” (Eulau and Karps 1977). While the make-up of the constituency shapes legislators’ positions in policy areas, legislative voting behavior also is indirectly influenced by personal and institutional factors. Previous research has found mixed effects of professionalism, term limits, and progressive ambition in shaping legislators’ behaviors. The main focus of this analysis is the effects, direct and indirect, of institutional variables on policy responsiveness. Through OLS regression and the use of National Federation of Independent Businesses’ legislator scores as a measure of conservatism in roll call voting, I find that responsiveness is influenced by institutional characteristics. An interaction model indicates positive and significant effects of professionalism on responsiveness, while district competition and the ambition of the legislature have strong negative effects. These effects differ for members of either party. Both Republicans and Democrats are influenced similarly by the effects of district competition and in the same direction by professionalism and progressive ambition. The effect of term limits, however, has differing effects on the partisan groups. The effect of the political context of a presidential election year is also tested, but this variable is found to have no significant effect on legislators’ responsiveness. The findings of these analyses indicate several institutional influences that condition the extent to which legislators reflect their constituents’ preferences

The Value Driven Pharmacist: Basics of Access, Cost, and Quality 2nd Edition

https://digitalcommons.butler.edu/butlerbooks/1017/thumbnail.jp

A Quilt of Many Colors: Utilizing Diversity in the Hiring Process to Ensure a Comprehensive Quality Workplace

The Access Services Department at Henderson library followed ALA\u27s new initiative to make diversity, equity and inclusion an essential part of our hiring protocol at the paraprofessional level. This presentation details our recruitment policies and strategies.Recently, ALA added equity, diversity, and inclusion to the ALA Strategic Plan and one of the 2017 emerging leader projects was (Advancing Diversity in Public Libraries). With this in mind, the Access Services Department at the Henderson Library had the opportunity to fill seven staff positions. Three were shift supervisors and the other four were library staff assistants. This discussion will address how the Access Services Department organically improved our hiring practices. We ensured hiring decisions were made by more than one person, we created thoughtful job postings that would attract candidates to the mission of the Henderson Library, and then we made a point of evaluating candidates on competencies rather than meeting arbitrary requirements. We now have a plan in place to mentor and support our new hires, which includes opportunities for professional and personal growth and weekly meetings to engage in an ongoing conversation with our hires about creating an excellent work environment

Cariogenic Pathogens: One Less Thing To WINE About

Recently, studies have explored how biologically active compounds in wine benefit human teeth. Dietary polyphenols, in particular wine polyphenols, seem to balance the composition of the oral microbiota, thus leading to potentially more effective anti-carious effects on the individual. Recent research has discussed the main action mechanisms of polyphenols against oral microbial diseases and highlighted the antiadhesive capacity of caffeic and p-coumaric acids as well as grape seed and red wine extracts. It has been found that polyphenols increased their inhibition potential against S. mutans adhesion when combined with S. dentisani.¹ Other research regarding polyphenols, specifically resveratrol, discussed the anti-inflammatory effects of resveratrol and concluded that these polyphenols are effective against fighting cariogenic and periodontal disease pathogens. In conclusion, polyphenols in wine can have anti-carious effects. Because polyphenols have antiadhesive properties and antioxidant activity, this decreases the dental plaque accumulation in the oral cavity. The antiadhesive capacity in red wine polyphenols, in addition to complementary actions of an oral probiotic S. dentisani, increases the inhibition potential against S. mutans, thus concluding that wine polyphenols have an anti-carious effect and aid in the prevention of caries in the oral cavity.https://dune.une.edu/dh_studpost/1001/thumbnail.jp

Interactive Physics Display: Air Cannon

The San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden (SLOBG) is a non-profit organization that provides a place for visitors to connect with and explore nature. The sponsors from SLOBG sought an interactive physics display to be implemented in their children’s garden that will educate children and adult visitors about physics concepts in a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. The research done showed that customers are looking for a “wow” factor with the display to surprise and engage them. Patents showed the design and build of interactive playground equipment. Government reports described the curriculum for the target audience and also outlined the safety precautions that should be implemented in the design. Existing products provided the team with inspiration for successful physics exhibits. Brainstorming sessions, ideation prototypes, and design matrices helped to identify the strongest design ideas and ultimately choose the final concept design, the air cannon. A refined concept prototype was built to illustrate the components of the design and showcase the functionality and feasibility of building and implementing the structure at SLOBG. Computer aided designs were modeled to further illustrate the concept with the materials, structure, and functionality the team considered. Further iteration is seen in the final design, shown in a computer aided design, and pictures of the cannon installed. Descriptions of the cost analysis, manufacturing, and design justifications support the specifications and feasibility of the design and are also written in enough detail with supporting documents to ensure that an outside source is able build the air cannon. Design verification was demonstrated through product and user testing under COVID-19 guidelines and justifies the final prototype. Project conclusion and reflections are included, and future recommendations for the sponsors are listed

Grant Application: Health Practitioners’ Perspective On Caring For Older Adults In Rural Maine – A Pilot Study

IPEC Mini-grant application for funding of UNE student project Health Practioners’ Perspective on Caring for Older Adults in Rural Maine. This pilot study was designed to identify challenges and determine potential solutions for Maine practitioners delivering health care to rural Maine’s aging population. UNE students from several healthcare professions partnered to interview physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, social workers, occupational therapists, and physical therapists caring for community-dwelling older adults in Rural Maine. The student researchers then analyzed the interviews and identified themes.https://dune.une.edu/minigrant_hppoa/1000/thumbnail.jp