Understanding Supply Chain Management: A Necessary Skill for Salespeople?

The purpose of this research is to explore phenomena within the experience of consumer packaged goods (CPG) account representatives in customer-facing roles by investigating the impact of supply chain training, experience, and skills on sales role effectiveness in CPG companies. Findings suggest that skills needed for sales include technical competency, excellent communication skills, and the knowledge to keep commitments. Supply chain understanding within their industry impacts these identified skills by removing confusion, improving identification with their company, realistically aligning customer expectations, and building confidence

Interview with Jerry Jetton

Jerry Jetton tells his perspective of growing up in Arkansas

Evaluation of a Hypertension Bundle to Improve Maternal Outcomes

Abstract Problem: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy continue to be on the rise in the United States, contributing to an increase in both maternal morbidity and mortality rates. These disorders not only have an effect on the pregnant women, but also the neonate. Early recognition and treatment of increased blood pressure findings can improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Methods: This Quality Improvement (QI) project used a descriptive design and was comprised of a retrospective chart review, focused on the effectiveness of evaluating a hypertension bundle to improve maternal outcomes. The data collected for this project encompassed six months pre and post bundle implementation. Results: Charts of those patients prior to bundle implementation (n=112) and post implementation (n=91) were reviewed for rate of hospital readmission, maternal deaths, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) transfers, and eclampsia rates. Hospital readmissions decreased from 4 % to 2% during post-bundle implementation even though not a statistically significant finding with a (P=.463). A maternal death did not occur in either pre or post bundle groups. Transfers to the ICU increased from 2% to 4% post bundle (P=.411) and eclampsia outcomes indicated a non-significant reduction with bundle implementation from 0% to 1% post activation (P=.448). Implications: The use of the hypertension bundle did not improve maternal outcomes, but the care givers did have a greater awareness of the advantages of having a standardized practice and set of provider orders for patients who meet the hypertension bundle criteria. Extended study time periods pre- and post-bundle implementation could possibly yield a larger sample size and show improvement in maternal outcomes with bundle activation

Interview with Frankie Jetton

Frankie tells her story about growing up in Arkansas

Characteristics of operator entry into Iowa farming, 1959-60

The study of operator entry in Iowa farming reported in this bulletin had two primary objectives: ( 1) to establish a benchmark for analyzing posting, the conditions under which they achieved entry and the financial results experienced during the initial year of operation. A series of follow-up studies of the same group is planned for future years. Data for the current study were obtained by personal interview from a sample of farm operators who entered farming in 1959 and 1960. The sample of entrants was obtained from a state-wide sample survey involving nearly 7,000 farm operators. It was based on a self-weighting single-stage sample of area segments drawn at random from a universe defined as the open-country zone of Iowa by the current Master Sample materials. Entrants were classified into two groups: beginning entrants and other entrants. The beginning-entrant group consisted of persons who had never farmed before the year of entry and persons who had farmed before the year of entry but had disposed of their farming assets with the apparent intent of permanent withdrawal. Other entrants consisted of persons who had farmed during an earlier period but had temporarily withdrawn from farming (retained their farming assets) with the apparent intent of re-entering

Dehydration and Acute Weight Gain in Mixed Martial Arts Fighters Prior to Competition

The purpose of the investigation was to characterize the magnitude of dehydration and rapid weight gain (RWG) in mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters prior competition. Hydration status and body mass were determined ~24 h prior and the again ~ 2 h prior to competition in 40 MMA fighters (Mean ? SE, age: 26 ? 1 yr, height: 1.77 ? 0.01 m, body mass: 75.8 ? 1.5 kg). RWG was defined as the amount of body weight the fighters gained in the ~22 h period between the official weight-in and competition. On average, the fighters gained 3.40 ? 2.18 kg or 4.4% of their body mass in the ~ 22 h period prior to competition. Urine specific gravity (Usg) significantly decreased (P < 0.001) from 1.028 ? 0.001 to 1.020 ? 0.001 g/ml during the rehydration period. 39% of fighters presented a Usg of greater than 1.021 g/ml ~2 h prior competition indicating dehydration. In conclusion, fighters undergo significant dehydration and fluctuation in body mass in the 24 h period prior to competition. Hydration status indicates that a significant proportion (39%) of fighters are competing in a dehydrated state. Weight management guidelines in MMA are warranted

Roles of Participating Teachers and Project Facilitator in Educational Telecommunications: A Qualitative Study

Curriculum and Instructio