Assessing the Level of Effectiveness of Marketing Activities of HEIs in the National Capital Region

Higher Education Institutions in the Philippines, just as any business institutions, conduct marketing activities to ensure the thriving admission and retention of students. This paper ascertained the effectiveness of the marketing activities used by selected HEIs in the National Capital Region through the “Four P’s of Marketing”. Results of the study can be used as references by HEIs in updating their marketing activities. Keywords: Marketing Activities, Four Ps of Marketing, Higher Education Institutio

Development of a Coding Instrument to Assess the Quality and Content of Anti-Tobacco Video Games

Previous research has shown the use of electronic video games as an effective method for increasing content knowledge about the risks of drugs and alcohol use for adolescents. Although best practice suggests that theory, health communication strategies, and game appeal are important characteristics for developing games, no instruments are currently available to examine the quality and content of tobacco prevention and cessation electronic games. This study presents the systematic development of a coding instrument to measure the quality, use of theory, and health communication strategies of tobacco cessation and prevention electronic games. Using previous research and expert review, a content analysis coding instrument measuring 67 characteristics was developed with three overarching categories: type and quality of games, theory and approach, and type and format of messages. Two trained coders applied the instrument to 88 games on four platforms (personal computer, Nintendo DS, iPhone, and Android phone) to field test the instrument. Cohen's kappa for each item ranged from 0.66 to 1.00, with an average kappa value of 0.97. Future research can adapt this coding instrument to games addressing other health issues. In addition, the instrument questions can serve as a useful guide for evidence-based game development.Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco ProductsNational Cancer Institute (NCI) Office of Communication and EducationCommunication Studie

Perception of Communication Training Need Among Pediatric Trauma Team Members

The purpose of this study is to use the APRC (Assessment of Pediatric Resuscitation Communication) as a guide to determine if trauma nurses and surgeons believe communication training is necessary. Many trauma team members have not received team communication effectiveness training in pediatric trauma settings. As a result, miscommunication between team members leads to medical errors during pediatric trauma activations. Thus, it is important to discover whether or not trauma team members believe communication training will help trauma teams improve the overall effectiveness of pediatric trauma activations. The present study provides a descriptive analysis that illustrates nurses’ and trauma surgeons’ perceptions of the need for trauma team communication training in the pediatric setting. Specifically, participants were asked to complete a questionnaire that assessed their perceptions of the importance of communication training for trauma team members who routinely participate in pediatric trauma activations

Evaluating the effects of tree community species composition on Larix occidentalis growth

Western larch (Larix occidentalis) is an important tree species exclusive to the inland northwest region of North America. It is very intolerant of shade but managed across a range of communities with both shade-tolerant and -intolerant species. Recent works have shown that tree and stand level competition in mixed-species communities can be modified depending on how the characteristics of species in a mixture interact. Such changes can alter the growth relationship of the participant species. Western larch growth has been well-characterized in empirical growth models, where growth is typically estimated from a complex of size, competition, density, and site productivity variables. Although these models have been characterized using data which span a wide-range of conditions, the effects of interspecific relationships on western larch growth dynamics have yet to be studied. We used a network of long-term forest growth and yield research plot data to investigate (i) how mixtures modify the growth of individual western larch after accounting for other factors that influence growth and (ii) how to characterize species-mixing effects on western larch within the context of individual tree growth modelling. First, we used a generalized additive mixed model (GAMM) to estimate western larch annual basal area increment from size, competition, density, and site productivity variables, without addressing species-mixing. This model was then used in two separate analyses. In the first analysis, we identified different types of species mixtures and compared how the established western larch growth relationships in each mixture differed from those in pure larch stand conditions. In the second analysis we identified three species-informed metrics and added each to the established model. This resulted in three models which were compared to assess how each species-mixing metric affected the established growth relationship. These analyses resulted in a GAMM that represented size, competition, density, and site variables with functional relationships similar to those identified in previous works. With this model, we showed that the way in which larch growth is characterized can differ when western larch is growing in mixtures compared to when growing in a pure stand with other western larch. When comparing species-mixing metrics in the third analysis, we showed that western larch growth may be higher in mixtures with species of higher shade-tolerance as well as in mixtures with other species in general

Identifying and evaluating the effects of forest community composition on western larch (Larix occidentalis) growth and development

Western larch (Larix occidentalis) is an important tree species that is exclusive to the inland northwest region of North America; however, projected climate conditions may have a profound impact on its ability to grow within this region in the future. Predictive models are commonly used by land managers and scientists to evaluate how forests in this region will grow under various conditions and how management activities today will affect these forests in the future. Such models typically assume that a species’ growth attributes are independent of community species composition; however, a growing body of evidence suggests that the mixing of species traits within forest communities can alter how trees grow and develop. Western larch forests are typically composed of various species, not just larch, so uncovering how species-mixing impacts the growth of western larch can aid in elucidating and managing larch’s future outcomes. This research aims to identify and evaluate if and how western larch growth varies across community species composition using a unique long-term forest inventory data set that is distributed across forest lands in Montana and Idaho. I aim to determine whether community species composition has an impact on western larch basal area increment (BAI), by first developing and validating a statistical model that accounts for variables known to impact larch growth. Variables like tree size, competitive position, stand density, and site productivity are already known to provide important information in describing a tree’s BAI. Second, I will develop and apply quantifiable measures of species-mixing based on physiological and competitive characteristics, such as shade tolerance. Third, I will incorporate these metrics into the model, comparing each metric’s marginal influence on tree growth. Through this framework, and by implementing a novel measure of community species composition, I will determine how western larch’s growth varies across the variety of communities where it is found. To date, there has not been a study that specifically addresses how western larch grows relative to local community physiological variability, and specifically, shade tolerance has not yet been used to characterize forest tree growth in this region. If community species composition significantly impacts western larch growth, then managers would have access to more accurate depictions of future forest development, better informing how this unique species can be sustainably managed and preserved

Evidence-Based Best Practices in Physical Activity for Children with Serious Disabilities A Synthesis of the Research Literature

Serious disabilities are diagnosed in approximately 1 in 100 of children who have serious disabilities (Jasma, 1988). The development of the psychomotor domain in children with serious disabilities is typically below the development of their peers without special needs (Jasma, 1988). Generally, children with serious disabilities tend to be sedentary or lack opportunities to participate in physical activity compared with their peers without disabilities (Jasma, 1988). Traditional assessments such as TGMD-3 (Test of Gross Motor Development) or Brockport Physical Fitness Test, are not designed or do not have accommodations for children with serious disabilities (Grenier, & Miller, 2018). The purpose of this synthesis is to identify, based on research the best practices and programing recommendations in physical education for children with serious disabilities. In addition, facilitators and barriers to this process will be explored. The intent of this synthesis is to determine how to best increase physical activity performance in students with serious disabilities. The results of this synthesis indicated Aquatic environment is the most appropriate environment for physical activity for individuals with serious disabilities. Literature reveals that the main barriers are people’s perceptions of disability and level of support needed. Adequate professional preparation when working with and modifying activities for children with serious disabilities is extremely important for teachers and paraprofessionals