Creating Individualized Self-Scoring Assessments for Agricultural Economics Undergraduates

What is an individualized self-scoring assessment for an agricultural economics major? It is a homework assignment that is unique for each student in the class and provides immediate feedback to the student on the correctness of the work. The principle is to generate unique problems, whether it is as simple as the basic intercept and slope of supply and demand equations for an introductory economics class, the parameters of a production function for a production economics, or the interest rate for agricultural finance. One must be aware in constructing the generator algorithms for problem parameters that any necessary conditions will be satisfied a priori such as downward sloping demand, concavity or convexity for maximization or minimization. These assignments are created in an Excel spreadsheet format. Once the basic template is created, the process for self-scoring immediate feedback is relatively easy. Create a copy of the original uncompleted problem sheet in the same workbook and provide the correct formulae to serve as a key. Create a second copy to serve as a check page and replace the formulae with an IF statement comparing the value or formula in the original to the second. It is best to provide some tolerance in the comparison such as checking that the absolute difference in the original and second sheet is less than some critical value. This is especially true for optimization problems. By hiding the key worksheet and protecting the workbook structure, students can not access the correct formulae. However, if the correct formulae or number is entered in the problem sheet, the student can view the check worksheet to see if the answer is correct. A simple GETFORMULA add-in allows the worksheet to check model setups in optimization problems. The key advantage of this technique to the students is the immediate feedback. Also by generating unique assignments, students can cooperate and learn among themselves without being able to directly copy from their peers. Additionally, graphical representations of their problems can often be provided simultaneously. Lastly, the students find that their spreadsheet skills are greatly enhanced. From the instructor perspective, the assessments are already scored when submitted. Students will seek help prior to turning in the assignment. And there is little need to sacrifice complexity to create problems that work out to neat answers. Empirical evidence of improvement in student evaluations indicates the technique is successful.Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

SIR-C/X-SAR free flyer concept

Viewgraphs on Spaceborne Imaging Radar (SAR) - C/X- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Free Flyer concept are presented. An overview, science objectives, science rationale, geophysical parameters from SAR, programmatic goals, concept description, and a candidate mission description are included

An Exploratory Study of Clergy\u27s Perceived Stress Related to their Counseling Duties

This exploratory study examined the possible relationship between clergy\u27s level of counseling training and their perceived stress related to counseling duties. Interest in the topic stemmed from this researcher\u27s social work field placement within a church counseling center. Ordained clergy belonging to United Methodist, Roman Catholic, and American Baptist churches were surveyed regarding amount of time spent counseling, counselling training, and perceived stress related to counseling. Findings differed from those previous studies on clergy stress that reported high stress levels. Less than half of clergy reported moderate to high stress levels. However, limited qualitative data provided in this study did indicate definite frustration with counseling training and suggests the need for further exploration on this topic. A relationship between counseling training and stress level was suggested. Clergy indicated a high interest level in future collaboration with social workers regrading counseling training and ideas. This study will ultimately be important for social work professionals in the development of educational programming and collaboration with theological professionals in order to provide comprehensive counseling services for individuals and families. With current governmental cutbacks in social service funding, the church may become an extremely important resource in providing counseling and other social services to those in need

Uniform Silicon Isotope Ratios Across the Milky Way Galaxy

We report the relative abundances of the three stable isotopes of silicon, $^{28}$Si, $^{29}$Si and $^{30}$Si, across the Galaxy using the $v = 0, J = 1 \to 0$ transition of silicon monoxide. The chosen sources represent a range in Galactocentric radii ($R_{\rm GC}$) from 0 to 9.8 kpc. The high spectral resolution and sensitivity afforded by the GBT permit isotope ratios to be corrected for optical depths. The optical-depth-corrected data indicate that the secondary-to-primary silicon isotope ratios $^{29}{\rm Si}/^{28}{\rm Si}$ and $^{30}{\rm Si}/^{28}{\rm Si}$ vary much less than predicted on the basis of other stable isotope ratio gradients across the Galaxy. Indeed, there is no detectable variation in Si isotope ratios with $R_{\rm GC}$. This lack of an isotope ratio gradient stands in stark contrast to the monotonically decreasing trend with $R_{\rm GC}$ exhibited by published secondary-to-primary oxygen isotope ratios. These results, when considered in the context of the expectations for chemical evolution, suggest that the reported oxygen isotope ratio trends, and perhaps that for carbon as well, require further investigation. The methods developed in this study for SiO isotopologue ratio measurements are equally applicable to Galactic oxygen, carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio measurements, and should prove useful for future observations of these isotope systems.Comment: 18 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables. Published in The Astrophysical Journal, Volume 839, Issue

Patient satisfaction with lower gastrointestinal endoscopy: doctors, nurse and nonmedical endoscopists

Aim Assessment of patient satisfaction with lower gastrointestinal endoscopy (LGE) comprising colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy is gaining increasing importance. We have now trained non healthcare professionals such as nonmedical endoscopists (NMEs) to perform LGE to overcome shortage of trained endoscopists. The aim of this study was to prospectively determine patient satisfaction, factors affecting satisfaction with LGE and to compare with nurses, NME and medical endoscopists, in terms of patient satisfaction. Method Consecutive patients undergoing LGE answered specially developed patient satisfaction questionnaire at discharge and 24 h thereafter. This questionnaire was a modification of m-Group Health Association of America questionnaire. Construct and face validity of questionnaire were tested by an expert group. Demographic and clinical data was prospectively collected. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine factors influencing patient satisfaction. Results Some 503 patients were surveyed after LGE. Examinations were performed by nurse (n = 105), doctor (n = 191), or NMEs (n = 155). There were no differences between three groups in terms of completion rates/complications. No differences were detected between endoscopists in patient rating for overall satisfaction (P = 0.6), technical skills (P = 0.58), communication skills (P = 0.61) or interpersonal skills (0.59). Multivariate regression analysis showed that higher preprocedure anxiety, history of pelvic operations/hysterectomy and higher pain scores were associated with adverse patient satisfaction and preprocedure anxiety, history of hysterectomy and female gender were associated with higher pain scores. Conclusion This study has shown that there are no differences in patient satisfaction with LGE performed by nurse, doctor or NME. The most important factor affecting patient satisfaction is degree of discomfort/pain experienced by patient

Celebrating One Million Downloads: Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC

In April 2022, the University of Northern Colorado celebrated the one millionth download from its institutional repository, Scholarship & Creative Works @ Digital UNC. The infographic highlights the top downloaders and works that contributed to meeting this significant milestone