Implications of inclusive postsecondary education programs (IPSEs) on quality of life for young adults with intellectual disabilities

Students with intellectual disability (ID) who are aging out from qualifying for special education services through the public school system often encounter difficulty in the transition to early adulthood. While students with disabilities in Virginia have access to employment and transition services to aid them in seeking job placement, some students with ID still carry aspirations of going to college like many of their peers without disabilities. College is an experience that allows emerging adults to gain independence, social skills, pivotal identity development, and opportunities to explore academic and professional interests, while increasing their qualifications for more competitive employment. In order to make college a more accessible option for students with ID, institutions of higher education (IHEs) have begun implementing inclusive postsecondary education programs (IPSEs). This honors project highlights the closest approximation to an IPSE program offered at James Madison University (JMU) through a video format, in order to justify the need for a full program to be implemented. Additionally, it explores the emotional well-being, self-determination, social inclusion, and interpersonal relations of students who are attending or have previously attended an IPSE program, as compared to those without that source of academic and social structure in their life

Designing Futures: A Model for Innovation, Growth and Sustainability of the Craft and Design Industry

An industry development program, Designing Futures, has engaged design practitioners in new development approaches to evolve their work and advance the craft and design sector over a decade. This paper describes the context, development and evolution of a cluster-led model, the Designing Futures Cluster Program, aimed at building capacity in the craft and design field in Western Australia. Through a framework encouraging groups of practitioners to collaborate, it provides design, production, management and marketing mentoring and assistance. The Cluster Program is set in the context of the cultural and socio-economic contribution that creative industries can make to communities, and the impacts of policy and funding on fostering creative futures. Case study and action research methodologies were combined for the research, which resulted in a model. Using the results a comprehensive ‘manual’ was developed to articulate the model and guide future delivery of the program. The case study illustrates how cluster development enables increased productivity within creative practice, by mentoring and fostering links and professional networks with a range of industry representatives. The model, which has been proven to accelerate learning and professional growth of participants, is being explored for wider application

Religiosity and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Latina Adolescents: Trends from 1995 to 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine trends in the influence of religiosity on sexual activity of Latina adolescents in the United States from 1995 to 2008 and to determine if differences existed between the Mexican American and other Latina groups. Methods: The sample comprised the subset of unmarried, 15–21-year-old (mean 17 years) Latina female respondents in the 1995 (n=267), 2002 (n=306), and 2006–2008 (n=400) National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) datasets. Associations between religiosity (importance of religion and service attendance) and history of ever having sex, number of sex partners, and age of sexual debut were investigated. Results: Less than one half of Latinas in 1995 (44%) and in 2006–2008 (44%) reported that religion was very important to them, whereas in 2002, 50% reported it was important. Only in 1995 did Latinas who viewed religion as very important have a significantly lower level of sexual initiation. In 1995 and in 2006–2008, Latinas who held religion as very important had significantly fewer partners. In all three cohorts, the higher religious importance group had higher virgin survival rates. Across cohorts, approximately one third of respondents reported frequent religious attendance. In all cohorts, frequent attenders were less likely to have had sex, had fewer partners, and had older age at sexual debut. The survival rate as virgins for Mexican origin Latinas was higher in 1995 and 2002 compared to non-Mexican Latinas but was almost the same in 2006–2008. Conclusions: Religiosity had a protective association with sexual activity among Latina adolescents. The association of importance of religion with sexual activity has diminished from 1995 to 2008, however, whereas the importance of service attendance has remained stable. The influence of religion was more apparent among the Latinas of Mexican origin, but this greater influence also diminished by 2006–2008

Hybrid Computer Simulation of the Accumulation and Melt Processes in a Snowpack

This study represents the first phase of an investigation to develop an operational simulation model of the point snowmelt process based on a time increment of one day or less. Mathematical relationships for various phenomena involved in the snowmelt process were proposed and tested. These relationships were combined into a model which is applicable to any geographic locations by determining appropriate constants for certain relationships. The model was synthesized on a hybrid computer and calibrated using field data from the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory. It was then tested with data from other well instrumented locations. Sensitivity tests were also conducted to study the relative effects of the various basic parameters and functions upon the melting process. Initial tests of the model proved encouraging and suggested merit in perusing a proposed subsequent phase of the project to incorporate the watershed runoff hydrographs resulting from a melting snowpack will be simulated

Advancing national greenhouse gas inventories for agriculture in developing countries : improving activity data, emission factors and software technology

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the mentioned authors;Art and Society One. War by Ken Baynes, reviewed by Ronald FrankenbergArt and Society Two. Work by Ken Baynes and Alan Robinson, reviewed by Ronald FrankenbergArt and Society Three. Worship by Ken and Kate Baynes, reviewed by Ronald FrankenbergArt and Science by Dolf Rieser, reviewed by M. K. PaffardA COMMON SYSTEM OF EXAMINING AT 16+ by the Schols Council Examinations Bulletin No.23, reviewed by W. G. SkinnerSchool Resource Centres, the Schools Council Working Paper 43, reviewed by L. BroughA History of English Furniture by John Harrison, reviewed by S. J. EgglestonTrends in School Design by Eric Pearson, reviewed by P. K. BodenWorking Space, A Place to Paint, Language Aeas by Jason Dean, reviewed by P. K. BodenAlive to Art by Jose Llobera, reviewed by John LancasterVisual Education in the primary school by John M. Pickering, reviewed by L. BroughArt & Design Cards. Packs 1 & 2 by Ian Pillinger, reviewed by Francis ZankerWorkshop Assignments, Book One by S. Dunkerley & A. Huxton, reviewed by L. BroughStep By Step Metalwork, Book 3 by Kenneth Wells, reviewed by M. SayerIntroducing Jewellery Making by John Crawford, reviewed by John DecorteMaggie Hayes Jewellery Book by Maggie Hayes, reviewed by S. J. Egglesto

Comparing public and private hospitals in China: Evidence from Guangdong

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The literature comparing private not-for-profit, for-profit, and government providers mostly relies on empirical evidence from high-income and established market economies. Studies from developing and transitional economies remain scarce, especially regarding patient case-mix and quality of care in public and private hospitals, even though countries such as China have expanded a mixed-ownership approach to service delivery. The purpose of this study is to compare the operations and performance of public and private hospitals in Guangdong Province, China, focusing on differences in patient case-mix and quality of care.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We analyze survey data collected from 362 government-owned and private hospitals in Guangdong Province in 2005, combining mandatorily reported administrative data with a survey instrument designed for this study. We use univariate and multi-variate regression analyses to compare hospital characteristics and to identify factors associated with simple measures of structural quality and patient outcomes.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Compared to private hospitals, government hospitals have a higher average value of total assets, more pieces of expensive medical equipment, more employees, and more physicians (controlling for hospital beds, urban location, insurance network, and university affiliation). Government and for-profit private hospitals do not statistically differ in total staffing, although for-profits have proportionally more support staff and fewer medical professionals. Mortality rates for non-government non-profit and for-profit hospitals do not statistically differ from those of government hospitals of similar size, accreditation level, and patient mix.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>In combination with other evidence on health service delivery in China, our results suggest that changes in ownership type alone are unlikely to dramatically improve or harm overall quality. System incentives need to be designed to reward desired hospital performance and protect vulnerable patients, regardless of hospital ownership type.</p