Applying a unified public relations evaluation model in a European context

The evaluation of public relations programmes has been a topic of keen interest to the public relations community for many years. A number of three level/stage models have been proposed to describe and explain the evaluation process. They have not been successful in terms of practitioner acceptance and have been criticised for being unrealistic and lacking feedback mechanisms. More recently the short-term and continuing models have been developed in response to these criticisms. This paper suggests a Unified Evaluation model which uses an established analysis of the communication/persuasion process as a framework to integrate and unify existing models that describe the public relations evaluation process. The proposed testing of this model in a European, transnational context is then outlined

Relative entropy for compressible Navier-Stokes equations with density dependent viscosities and applications

Recently, A. Vasseur and C. Yu have proved the existence of global entropy-weak solutions to the compressible Navier-Stokes equations with viscosities $\nu(\varrho)=\mu\varrho$ and $\lambda(\varrho)=0$ and a pressure law under the form $p(\varrho)=a\varrho^\gamma$ with $a>0$ and $\gamma>1$ constants. In this note, we propose a non-trivial relative entropy for such system in a periodic box and give some applications. This extends, in some sense, results with constant viscosities initiated by E. Feiersl, B.J. Jin and A. Novotny. We present some mathematical results related to the weak-strong uniqueness, convergence to a dissipative solution of compressible or incompressible Euler equations. As a by-product, this mathematically justifies the convergence of solutions of a viscous shallow water system to solutions of the inviscid shall-water system

The progress and problems of educational television in New York City

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston Universit

Letter from Paul Noble, Executive Producer for WNEW-Metromedia, to Geraldine Ferraro

Letter from Paul Noble, Executive Producer for Metromedia, to Geraldine Ferraro. Includes standard response letter from Ferraro and a data entry sheet.https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/vice_presidential_campaign_correspondence_1984_new_york/1243/thumbnail.jp

The characterization, genesis and classification of six selected soil profiles of the Kursk Oblast, Russia

Chernozem soils are perhaps one of the most interesting soils in the world; certainly they are well known and worthy of investigation. Chernozemic soils are a very important resource to Russia. Understanding soil properties is essential in maximizing the use and protection of this resource. Creating natural soil standards, with chemical characterization, is critical in delineating the effects of pollution in the soil ecosystem, evaluating risk assessment and devising management schemes. Another aspect of chernozems is the unique genesis dilemma they present. The number of loess depositions, weathering periods and the variability in depth to the underlying geology is not well understood. Soil classification is an integral part of soil science that provides a means to organize knowledge, communicate effectively between researchers and the general public, and aid in research design. The classification of the soils using both U.S. and Russian systems is important to understand key properties of each of the six soil profiles, and also to understand the similarities and differences between the two systems. Six chernozem soils were selected, sampled and described on the V.V. Alekhin Central-Chernozem Biosphere Reserve, in the Kursk Oblast, Russia. The sites are representative of the Kursk region. Two parent material sequences are present in the study area: loess over Tertiary sands or loess over Cretaceous chalks. Laboratory analyses performed on all sites included pH, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable bases, dry combustion of C, N, and S, total element dissolution analysis, KCI extractable aluminum, particle size, dithionate iron, hydroxylamine easily reducible manganese, Walkley-Black organic carbon, and neutralization potential. The objectives of this study were to evaluate three soil profiles near Kursk, Russia, for physical characterization, genesis interpretation and classification. Chemical characterization revealed a CEO range of 14-39 cmol+ kg-1 with approximately 100% base saturation that is dominated by calcium. The soils studied all have a high buffering capacity and low concentrations of potentially toxic elements. Phosphorous was the only potentially deficient nutrient with approximately 500 to \u3c50 mg kg-1 total P. These soils should make excellent reference standards for future risk assessment of Kursk chernozems. In regard to genesis, different loess depositions were not evident. Loess appears to be thickest over the Cretaceous Chalk geology. The soils were high in organic carbon and nitrogen and a slight decrease in these compounds was observed in the slightly disturbed soils. The soils were classified as Pachic Paleudolls, Pachic Hapludolls or Cumulic Hapludolls according to U.S. soil taxonomy. Using Russian soil taxonomy all soils were post lithogenic, humus accumulative soils and considered saturated, leached, segregationary chernozems at the subtype level

Analysis of strain and regional variation in gene expression in mouse brain

BACKGROUND: We performed a statistical analysis of a previously published set of gene expression microarray data from six different brain regions in two mouse strains. In the previous analysis, 24 genes showing expression differences between the strains and about 240 genes with regional differences in expression were identified. Like many gene expression studies, that analysis relied primarily on ad hoc 'fold change' and 'absent/present' criteria to select genes. To determine whether statistically motivated methods would give a more sensitive and selective analysis of gene expression patterns in the brain, we decided to use analysis of variance (ANOVA) and feature selection methods designed to select genes showing strain- or region-dependent patterns of expression. RESULTS: Our analysis revealed many additional genes that might be involved in behavioral differences between the two mouse strains and functional differences between the six brain regions. Using conservative statistical criteria, we identified at least 63 genes showing strain variation and approximately 600 genes showing regional variation. Unlike ad hoc methods, ours have the additional benefit of ranking the genes by statistical score, permitting further analysis to focus on the most significant. Comparison of our results to the previous studies and to published reports on individual genes show that we achieved high sensitivity while preserving selectivity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that molecular differences between the strains and regions studied are larger than indicated previously. We conclude that for large complex datasets, ANOVA and feature selection, alone or in combination, are more powerful than methods based on fold-change thresholds and other ad hoc selection criteria

How do trainee doctors learn about research? Content analysis of Australian specialist colleges' intended research curricula

Objectives: Patients do better in research-intense environments. The importance of research is reflected in the accreditation requirements of Australian clinical specialist colleges. The nature of college-mandated research training has not been systematically explored. We examined the intended research curricula of Australian trainee doctors described by specialist colleges, their constructive alignment and the nature of scholarly project requirements. Design: We undertook content analysis of publicly available documents to characterise college research training curricula. Setting: We reviewed all publicly accessible information from the websites of Australian specialist colleges and their subspecialty divisions. We retrieved curricula, handbooks and assessment-related documents. Participants: Fifty-eight Australian specialist colleges and their subspecialty divisions. Primary and secondary outcome measures: Two reviewers extracted and coded research-related activities as learning outcomes, activities or assessments, by research stage (using, participating in or leading research) and competency based on Bloom’s taxonomy (remembering, understanding, applying, analysing, evaluating, creating). We coded learning and assessment activities by type (eg, formal research training, publication) and whether it was linked to a scholarly project. Requirements related to project supervisors’ research experience were noted. Results: Fifty-five of 58 Australian college subspecialty divisions had a scholarly project requirement. Only 11 required formal research training; two required an experienced research supervisor. Colleges emphasised a role for trainees in leading research in their learning outcomes and assessments, but not learning activities. Less emphasis was placed on using research, and almost no emphasis on participation. Most learning activities and assessments mapped to the ‘creating’ domain of Bloom’s taxonomy, whereas most learning outcomes mapped to the ‘evaluating’ domain. Overall, most research learning and assessment activities were related to leading a scholarly project. Conclusions: Australian specialist college research curricula appear to emphasise a role for trainees in leading research and producing research deliverables, but do not mandate formal research training and supervision by experienced researchers