The impact of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games on employment and wages in Georgia

Using the standard differences-in-differences (DD) technique and a modified DD technique in the slopes, this paper determines that hosting the 1996 Summer Olympic Games boosted employment by 17% in the counties of Georgia affiliated with and close to Olympic activity, relative to employment increases in other counties in Georgia (the rate of growth increased by 0.002 percentage points per quarter). Estimation of a random-growth model confirms a positive impact of the Olympics on employment. In addition, the employment impact is shown not to be merely a "metropolitan statistical area (MSA) effect"; employment in the northern Olympic venue areas was found to increase 11% more post- versus pre-Olympics than it did in other, similar southern MSAs. The evidence of an Olympic impact on wages is weak

Making the Connection: Using Mobile Devices and PollEverywhere for Experiential Learning for Adult Students

Technology integration has significantly influenced the way students access and retain knowledge gained in the classroom (Ahmed, 2016). This is particularly relevant in classrooms for adult learners who engage in continuing education. This paper used a descriptive case study (Yin, 2014) to share how an instructor utilized mobile learning with a web-based polling tool, PollEverywhere, to gamify experiential learning for adult students in various roles within a southeastern state’s court administration—prosecutors, defense lawyers, magistrates, and jail administrators—and improve students’ engagement in the course and connection to course material

PREDICTORS OF INTERNATIONAL SKI FEDERATION DISTANCE CROSS-COUNTRY RANKING

The Internationl Ski Federation (FIS) ranks Nordic skiers internationally based on race performance. This study aimed to determine if a relationship exists between FIS rankings and performance indicators such as maximum oxygen uptake, metabolic economy, and muscular endurance test performance. Muscular endurance (sit-up + pull-up and push-up + pull-up) were the best predictors utilizing stepwise regression resampling cross-validation (66 hold out groups). The sit-up + pull-up regression was a better fit than the push-up + pull-up (R2 = 0.506 & 0.349, p = 0.053 & 0.203, respectively). Muscular endurance test performance predicts FIS scores better than measures of oxygen consumption measures. Upper-body and core musculature may be an important determinant of performance, as it contributes to generation of propulsive forces in Nordic skiing

Reliability of center of pressure measures during successive ski-simulated squat tasks

Laboratory assessments of alpine ski tasks have the potential to be an effective initial investigation method prior to more intensive on-snow testing. Research questions involving acute changes elicited by sport-essential equipment would be an ideal application for such investigations. The purpose of the current study was to determine the reliability of a ski-simulated squat task on centre of pressure indices. Successive squat tasks were performed in skis at a ski-simulated rhythm and analysed during four experimental conditions. Reliability analysis via repeated measures ANOVAs and intraclass correlation coefficients resulted in good to excellent reliability of centre of pressure outputs. The current study proposes a laboratory test that is reliable and encompasses biomechanical challenges presented by the alpine ski boot-binding complex

JOINT COORDINATION ADAPTATIONS TO AN IMPLEMENTED RAMP ANGLE IN RECREATIONAL ALPINE SKIERS

Most ski boot-binding complexes have a positive ramp angle. This angle is not regulated or reported in the alpine ski industry, but may influence skier balance and pressure control. Therefore joint coordination during a dynamic ski squat task with increasing boot ramp angle (0°, 1°, 2°) in alpine skiers (n=19) was investigated. Average joint coupling angles were significantly different between barefoot and ski conditions, as well as between the three ramp angles during the upward phase of a squat. The percentage of squat with uncoordinated knee-ankle joint movements tended to increase in ski conditions versus barefoot conditions, and coordinated hip-knee movement was reduced with alpine boot-binding-ski complexes. These differences in joint coordination and average coupling angles may impact skier balance and pressure control across the ski while skiing

Level of Patient-Physician Agreement in Assessment of Change Following Conservative Rehabilitation for Shoulder Pain

Background Assessment of health-related status has been shown to vary between patients and physicians, although the degree of patient–physician discordance in the assessment of the change in status is unknown. Methods Ninety-nine patients with shoulder dysfunction underwent a standardized physician examination and completed several self-reported questionnaires. All patients were prescribed the same physical therapy intervention. Six weeks later, the patients returned to the physician, when self-report questionnaires were re-assessed and the Global Rating of Change (GROC) was completed by the patient. The physician completed the GROC retrospectively. To determine agreement between patient and physician, intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficient and Pearson’s r using the 15-point GROC and weighted kappa using a consolidated three-point GROC were calculated. Results Utilizing the 15-point GROC, complete agreement was observed in 37 of 99 patients (37%). ICC and Pearson’s r between patient and physician were 0.62 and 0.63, respectively. Utilizing a consolidated three-point GROC, complete agreement was observed in 76 of 99 patients (77%). Weighted kappa was 0.62. Conclusions Assessment of change reported by the patient demonstrates moderate to good agreement with physician assessment. These findings indicate that the GROC does reflect and represent similar assessment of change in health status by patients and physicians. This can aid discussion of both past treatment results and future treatment plans

Effects of temperature and salinity on the growth of Alexandrium (Dinophyceae) isolates from the Salish Sea

This paper is not subject to U.S. copyright. The definitive version was published in Journal of Phycology 52 (2016): 230–238, doi:10.1111/jpy.12386.Toxin-producing blooms of dinoflagellates in the genus Alexandrium have plagued the inhabitants of the Salish Sea for centuries. Yet the environmental conditions that promote accelerated growth of this organism, a producer of paralytic shellfish toxins, is lacking. This study quantitatively determined the growth response of two Alexandrium isolates to a range of temperatures and salinities, factors that will strongly respond to future climate change scenarios. An empirical equation, derived from observed growth rates describing the temperature and salinity dependence of growth, was used to hindcast bloom risk. Hindcasting was achieved by comparing predicted growth rates, calculated from in situ temperature and salinity data from Quartermaster Harbor, with corresponding Alexandrium cell counts and shellfish toxin data. The greatest bloom risk, defined at μ >0.25 d−1, generally occurred from April through November annually; however, growth rates rarely fell below 0.10 d−1. Except for a few occasions, Alexandrium cells were only observed during the periods of highest bloom risk and paralytic shellfish toxins above the regulatory limit always fell within the periods of predicted bloom occurrence. While acknowledging that Alexandrium growth rates are affected by other abiotic and biotic factors, such as grazing pressure and nutrient availability, the use of this empirical growth function to predict higher risk time frames for blooms and toxic shellfish within the Salish Sea provides the groundwork for a more comprehensive biological model of Alexandrium bloom dynamics in the region and will enhance our ability to forecast blooms in the Salish Sea under future climate change scenarios.NOAA Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Bloom (ECOHAB) Program; Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health; National Science Foundation Grant Number: OCE-1314642; National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Grant Number: 1-P01-ES021923-0

You\u27re Suing Me? Best Fair Use & Copyright Practices

Do you teach? Do you publish? Do you know how to exercise your fair use rights? This panel discussion focuses on fair use and copyright practices. Panels include: The Basics – Get a general overview of fair use and methods for making fair use decisions, including the four factors and best practices. Blackboard Behavior! - Learn about best practices when building course content and assignments in Blackboard. Find out about the TEACH Act and how it impacts teaching online. Good Intentions: Fair Use, Images, and ETDs – Learn about the fair use guidelines pertaining to the use of images in research can be used to help determine if the use of the images would be appropriate. Fair Use for Digitized Materials - Learn how to identify how fair use may apply to digitized materials and the way to utilize them in your work