Chronicles of Oklahoma

Corrections section from Volume 91, Number 2, Summer 2013. It includes a correction to the map on page 412 of the article "A Separate People: A History of the Oklahoma Amish" from Volume 90 Number 4, Winter 2012-13. It also includes a correction to a photograph label on page 33 in the article "The Enigma of Mike Monroney" from Volume 91, Number 1, Spring 2013

Assessing dysphagia via telerehabilitation: patient perceptions and satisfaction

To gain insight into factors which may infl uence future acceptance of dysphagia management via telerehabilitation, patients’ perceptions were examined before and after a telerehabilitation assessment session. Forty adult patients with dysphagia(M = 66 years, SD = 16.25) completed pre- and post-session questionnaires which consisted of 14 matched questions worded to suit pre- and post-conditions. Questions explored comfort with the use of telerehabilitation, satisfaction with audio and video quality, benefi ts of telerehabilitation assessments and patients’ preferred assessment modality. Questions were rated on a 5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 3 = unsure, 5 = strongly agree). Patients’ comfort with assessment via telerehabilitation was high in over 80% of the group both pre- and post-assessment. Pre-assessment, patients were unsure what to expect with the auditory and visual aspects of the videoconference, however there were signifi cant positive changes reported post-experience. In relation to perceived benefits of telerehabilitation services in general, most patients believed in the value of telerehabilitation and post-assessment this increased to 90 – 100% agreement. Although 92% felt they would be comfortable receiving services via telerehabilitation, 45% of patients indicated ultimate preference for a traditional faceto-face assessment. The data highlight that patients are interested in and willing to receive services via telerehabilitation; however, any concerns should be addressed pre-assessment

The US textile industry: An energy perspective

This report investigates the state of the US textile industry in terms of energy consumption and conservation. Specific objectives were: To update and verify energy and materials consumption data at the various process levels in 1984; to determine the potential energy savings attainable with current (1984), state-of-the-art, and future production practices and technologies (2010); and to identify new areas of research and development opportunity that will enable these potential future savings to be achieved. Results of this study concluded that in the year 2010, there is a potential to save between 34% and 53% of the energy used in current production practices, dependent on the projected technology mix. RandD needs and opportunities were identified for the industry in three categories: process modification, basic research, and improved housekeeping practices that reduce energy consumption. Potential RandD candidates for DOE involvement with the private sector were assessed and selected from the identified list

The US steel industry: An energy perspective

This report investigates the state of the US steel industry in terms of energy consumption and conservation. The specific objectives were: to update and verify energy and materials consumption data at the various process levels in 1983; to determine the potential energy savings attainable with current (1983), state-of-the-art, and future production practices and technologies (2000); and to identify new areas of research and development opportunity that will enable these potential future savings to be achieved. The results of this study concluded that in year 2000, there is a potential to save between 40% and 46% of the energy used in current production practices, dependent on the projected technology mix. R and D needs and opportunities were identified for the industry. Potential R and D candidates for DOE involvement with the private sector were assessed and selected from the identified list

Challenges and opportunities for more integrated regional food security policy in the Caribbean Community

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has recognized regional integration as an important development strategy for addressing the unique vulnerabilities of its member small island developing states (SIDS). Food security in the Caribbean is a fundamental social and ecological challenge in which the dynamics of regional integration are increasingly playing out. CARICOM members have subsequently identified a number of shared food security problems and have endorsed regional goals and approaches to address them; however, progress towards solutions has been slow. Recognizing that evidence-based studies on the potential factors limiting sustained progress are lacking, we undertook a comparative policy analysis to understand better the various approaches and framings of food security at national and regional levels with a view to assessing coherence. We identify considerable divergence in how regional and local policy institutions frame and approach food security problems in CARICOM and then identify ways through which the policy integration objectives for enhanced regional food security might be progressed, with a particular focus on social learning

Exploring the factors influencing agricultural innovation and adaptive capacity among smallholder farmers in the Caribbean

The need for resilient local food systems to support food security in the Caribbean is a pressing policy and research challenge. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) faces complex social-ecological challenges related to historical legacies of plantation agriculture, small population sizes, geographic isolation, and proneness to natural disasters. In this paper we present the results of an exploratory study into some of the socio-economic, environmental, and institutional factors impacting the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers in St. Lucia, St. Kitts-Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana, and we discuss the implications for domestic food security policy and practice. Results point to a range of interrelated factors impacting the innovation capacity of smallholder farmers, including lack of access to finance, markets, and knowledge networks. Compounding these challenges we found low levels of trust and social capital that hinder the potential for collective action among smallholder farmers. Our findings point to an urgent need for innovation policy to focus on building social capital among farmers, and other key actors in the agro-food, potentially through the development of innovation platforms. Ultimately there is a need to establish relationships among actors and institutions to enhance knowledge flows and participatory action to improve food security in CARICOM

Factors affecting the innovation potential of smallholder farmers in the Caribbean Community

Using data collected through producer household surveys, focus groups, and key informant interviews this paper explores factors that impact the innovation potential of smallholder farming households in four CARICOM small island developing states: St. Lucia, St. Kitts-Nevis, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. Results indicate that a systemic lack of access to finance, markets, and knowledge networks are limiting smallholder innovation potential in the region. Through innovation platforms and collective action, linking social capital (such as farmers, scientists, extension officers, and policy-makers) will become key to establishing institutional environments that are more supportive of innovation