Modeling Technology Integration

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The Presidential Apology: Lessons from Tricky Dick and Slick Willy

The concept of an apologetic president has only recently emerged in the United States. All presidents have made mistakes, but only recently have Americans come to expect apologies from them. The development of an increasingly critical media has necessitated that future presidents hone the art of apologizing. This thesis extrapolates lessons in this skill from the apologies of Presidents Nixon and Clinton. Watergate and Lewinsky-gate were cover-up scandals that rocked the nation in the 1970s and \u2790s. Although the presidential misconduct in both cases were similar, the way each president opted to navigate his controversy differed dramatically. Both presidents initially tried out the tactic of denying all accusations but branched off after taking that step. A comparison of their approaches offers insight into the possible ways of seeking forgiveness from a scorned public. The nuances of delivering a successful apology are dictated by circumstantial, structural factors as well as the personality of the president, which explains why no two apologies are the same. Although the art of apologizing will continue to evolve over time, future presidents stand to learn a great deal from studying Nixon and Clinton. This thesis finds that even though Americans get a certain degree of satisfaction from exposing presidential wrongdoing and making life more than uncomfortable for a wayward executive, the legacies of Nixon and Clinton are proof that a smattering of mistakes cannot completely overshadow a tradition of accomplishments. No matter how vindictive Americans may appear to be in the thick of a scandal, in the long run, the United States is a forgiving nation

Treatment Analysis of a Captive Male Jaguar (Panthera onca)

Large carnivores in human care have been reported to engage in stereotypic behaviors. Such behavior is thought to be correlated with high stress levels, in part, due to captive environments limiting opportunities for functional consequences and environmental stimuli. Moreover, there are several arguments stating that stereotypic behaviors can be indicative of poor welfare, as they can often have severe negative emotional and physical effects on the animal. The first portion of this study included a five-phase treatment analysis which evaluated whether environmental manipulations decrease the frequency of stereotypic behaviors including pacing, over-grooming and tail-sucking exhibited by a single male jaguar housed at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible environmental variables that were reported by staff as likely variables maintaining or promoting stereotypic behavior. Data collection occurred during a 10-week evaluation and followed an ABCAD reversal design. Both behavioral data and fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels were analyzed. The second portion of this analysis included a multi-institutional survey to assess the prevalence of the stereotypic behaviors exhibited by zoo-housed jaguars in North American AZA-accredited institutions. Results from the behavioral assessment revealed a decrease in stereotypic behaviors with the implementation of treatment conditions. Hormone analyses revealed that stereotypic pacing is not presently correlated with higher stress levels for this animal. Finally, survey results revealed that a significant portion of the North American jaguar population engages in stereotypic behaviors. Further analyses are necessary to identify potential patterns or environmental predictors for the development of stereotypic behaviors

Can Teacher Training in Classroom Management Make a Difference for Children's Experiences in Preschool? A Preview of Findings from the Foundations of Learning Demonstration

Early evaluation results from Newark, NJ, show that Foundations of Learning improved teachers' classroom management and productivity, reduced children's conflict with peers, and engaged students in the learning tasks of preschool. The intervention was implemented in Head Start programs, community-based child care centers, and public schools

Assessing the efficacy of cell transplantation for Parkinson's Disease: a patient-centered approach

Background: Evidence from a growing number of preclinical studies indicate that recently discovered stem cell lines may be translated into viable cellular therapies for people with Parkinson’s disease. Objectives: In a brief but critical review, we examine the use of primary and secondary outcome measures currently used to evaluate the efficacy of cellular therapies. Methods: The current practice of relying on a single primary outcome measure does not appear to provide the evidence required for demonstrating the robust, life-changing recovery anticipated with the successful implementation of cellular therapies. Results: We propose a 360-degree assessment protocol, which includes co-primary and composite outcome measures to provide accurate and comprehensive evidence of treatment efficacy, from the perspectives of both the researchers and the patients

Gender Differences in Intimate Partner Violence and Subsequent Arrests: An Analysis of Police Reports in a Small Western City

Although a significant amount of literature addresses the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV), there are conflicting results about how gender is related to offending and victimization, and there is no universally accepted model with which to analyze IPV incidents. In the same vein, there are questions about how police officers and other legal system actors should respond to IPV and whether current policies are effective in protecting victims and reducing recidivism. The aim of this study is to conduct a gendered analysis of IPV arrests in a small Western city, both in terms of the identified arrestees’ and complainants’ gender and the arresting police officers’ gender. A sample of 100 IPV-related arrest reports filed in a small Western city was coded both quantitatively and qualitatively to document how gender affects domestic violence (DV) arrests. In general, the results of this study support feminist views that IPV is gendered, but is also consistent with the family violence scholars given the numerous similarities that also exist between genders in the victimization and offending results. Additionally, the findings demonstrate arrestee differences based on both race/ethnicity and sexual orientation. Specifically, they suggest that among those arrested for DV, women are more likely than men to be in same-sex relationships, and Latino and African-American men are more likely to be arrested than White men. Importantly, the analysis also reveals inadequacy of officer recognition of mental health problems. Few differences in officer gender were found regarding these arrests. Finally, implications and suggestions for future direction are examined

From Canoeing to Careers: An Evaluation of Employee Engagement Characterized by After-Work Activities

The growing importance of employee engagement and its relationship with the success of a company is becoming more apparent to firms worldwide. Yet with only 13% of employees worldwide claiming to be engaged during the workday, firms are looking to fix this issue and finds ways to identify the most engaged employees (Gallup, 2013). Though research exists on the performance and engagement of employees during the workday, little research has focused on the relationship between engagement and activities outside of the workplace. This thesis looks at employee behavior in after-work activities to understand whether there is a relationship between these activities and employee engagement during the workday. Though no conclusive results were found regarding engagement and after-work activities, other patterns such as a relationship between number of hours per week worked and engagement during the workday emerged

Authentic Ideals of Masculinity in Hip-Hop Culture: A Contemporary Extension of the Masculine Rhetoric of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements

The production and interpretation of hip-hop culture, particularly rap music, revolves around the concept of authenticity, or “keeping it real.” This authenticity is constructed by its artists and consumers from both racial and gendered ideals. The discourse surrounding hip-hop culture is centred on the belief that in order for one to participate in hip-hop, and for their participation to be considered authentic, they must adhere to, and define themselves, according to its dominant racial and gendered identity. This authentic hip-hop identity is predominantly African American and primarily encompasses an aggressive brand of masculinity. Authors, however, often overlook hip-hop culture’s understanding of authenticity as an extension of historical racial discourse. The masculine rhetoric of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, and more specifically the aesthetic ideals of “cool pose,” has embedded itself in the continued efforts of African American men to define themselves against a dominant white culture. As the proclaimed “voice of a generation” these efforts are manifest in the music, the artists and the fans of hip-hop culture. Looking at artists such as Tupac, Jay Z, and 5th Ward Weebie, I argue that their representation of hyper-masculinity, through their work and public image, is an active attempt to mediate economic, social and political neglect prevalent within the African American urban community. This notion of authenticity is not merely the glorification of wealth, consumption, criminal activity and violence, but a contextually relevant endorsement of a particular black manhood that is the contemporary reflection of the masculine rhetoric of the Civil Rights and Black Power movements