Global Studies Impact: A Case Study of the International School of the Americas

This qualitative case study describes global studies education and curriculum, global citizenship, and the impact of a global studies education and curriculum on students after graduation. What life choices might be influenced by what the students learned through global studies? Did they choose their university studies based on globalized thinking? These are difficult questions to answer, because there are so many variables in the life of an adolescent when making choices after high school graduation. This study discovers the impact of a global studies education with an emphasis on global citizenship on graduates of a global studies high school through student voice and experience—backwards mapping. Graduates from the International School of the Americas, a global studies public high school, were the focus of this qualitative research. The research began with a questionnaire presenting two main research questions plus demographic questions that participants completed. From those participants who responded to the questionnaire, 12 graduates were chosen for in-depth interviews. All data were analyzed for common themes in regard to the global studies questions, related back to the research, and were grounded in theories of adolescent identity theory and adolescent worldview theory. To answer the study question of the impact of a global studies school on its students, four main themes were revealed by the participants: cultural understanding; better equipped for university or professional life; desire to travel or study abroad; and increased political awareness and activity local and globally

Cultural analysis case study : implementaiton of acquisition reform within the Department of Defense

Thesis (M.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Sloan School of Management, 1997.This electronic version was submitted by the student author. The certified thesis is available in the Institute Archives and Special Collections.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-103).by Donna R. Doane.M.S

Strategic Information Systems Planning and U.S. County Government

This article presents the second in a series of public sector studies conducted by Syracuse University in cooperation with the University of Nebraska at Omaha. The research reported here investigates Strategic Information Systems Planning (SISP) at the county level. The first study described SISP at the state level. Because the questionnaire and research methodologies are almost identical, this study of countywide SISP closely follows the format of the SISP study conducted at the state level. The entire series of SISP studies is based on data from the Government Performance Project (GPP) survey of U.S. governments (state, county, and city) conducted by Syracuse University from 1998 through 2002. The findings for counties mirror those for states, and indicate an absence of SISP

STRATEGIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS PLANNING IN U.S. COUNTY GOVERNMENTS: Will the Real SISP Model Please Stand Up?

This paper is the second in a series of studies examining strategic information systems planning (SISP) in U.S. governments based on information technology performance data and ratings generated for the Government Performance Project (2000 re states and 2001 re counties). The first study examined SISP at the state level (PPMR, June 2002). This study investigates SISP in county government using data from the 40 largest U.S. counties in terms of revenue within regions. Findings suggest that structural features of county government inhibit translation to counties of successful business models for strategic use of information systems, and they support the conclusion that models need to be adapted to meet the challenges of government planning. Examples of successful planning in some counties where the county CIO or the central county information technology office plan strategically within the limits of their authority may point a way toward a model for government. Further study is needed to develop a reliable U.S. government model for SISP

Leading the comprehensive community college library : defining, aligning, and supporting innovation and change

The purpose of this multi-case study was to describe how library deans and directors at large comprehensive community colleges strategically advocate for and support instructional and technological innovation despite the reality of limited resources and the stress caused by recurring funding crises in higher education. It further sought to examine how directors articulate the role of the library at the institution, prioritize support for new initiatives, and provide meaningful professional development opportunities for librarians and library staff members involved in the development of new innovative instructional and technological initiatives. The following foundational questions guided the research: (a) How do library directors strategically prioritize support for new library initiatives involving instructional and technological innovation despite funding instability, limited resources, and increased demand for library services? (b) How do library directors provide meaningful learning opportunities for librarians and library staff members who are involved in creating innovative services or programs? The focus of the study was comprehensive community colleges in the very large 2-year (VL2) size and setting category of the Carnegie Classifications. It included a preliminary survey to verify the importance of issues, recruit participants, and conduct interviews with six library directors. Although participant directors worked at large community colleges, there were structural organizational differences between institutions. Organizational structures were (a) multi-campus district/multiple libraries/one director; (b) multi-campus district/multiple libraries/one director per library; and (c) one campus/one library/one director. Four of the participants had the title dean, and two were classified as directors. The majority of the librarians at the colleges had some form of faculty status, and four of the six colleges were unionized. In all cases, regardless of organizational status, the reference librarians had instructional duties. The study indicated that the library directors were involved in various types of strategic planning including library-related, campus-specific, institutional, consortial, and state-level efforts. Directors, librarians, and staff members used a number of methods to share information with and get input from institutional partners. The directors reported that they also spent time responding to and participating in change due to State-mandates. The findings indicated that the directors were focused on providing support for initiatives involving instructional and technological innovation. Librarians at all colleges in the study were heavily involved in instruction. The directors spoke of the need to provide learning opportunities for librarians and staff members in order to keep up with the fast pace of change in librarianship and the educational arena. Funding was by far the most significant challenge, but all libraries in the study made training a priority. The results of this research provided insight about high-impact practices in library-related strategic planning and organizational learning and identified areas in need of additional research

Ebola Virus Localization in the Macaque Reproductive Tract during Acute Ebola Virus Disease.

Sexual transmission of Ebola virus (EBOV) has been demonstrated more than a year after recovery from the acute phase of Ebola virus disease (EVD). The mechanisms underlying EBOV persistence and sexual transmission are not currently understood. Using the acute macaque model of EVD, we hypothesized EBOV would infect the reproductive tissues and sought to localize the infection in these tissues using immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy. In four female and eight male macaques that succumbed to EVD between 6 and 9 days after EBOV challenge, we demonstrate widespread EBOV infection of the interstitial tissues and endothelium in the ovary, uterus, testis, seminal vesicle, epididymis, and prostate gland, with minimal associated tissue immune response or organ pathology. Given the widespread involvement of EBOV in the reproductive tracts of both male and female macaques, it is reasonable to surmise that our understanding of the mechanisms underlying sexual transmission of EVD and persistence of EBOV in immune-privileged sites would be facilitated by the development of a nonhuman primate model in which the macaques survived past the acute stage into convalescence

Opportunistic Screening in General Practice for Chlamydia Trachomatis in Young Men

Study Objective: There is little information available regarding the prevalence of Chlamydia Trachomatis in young men in the general population. The community based rate of infection is estimated to be 4.6%, but this is thought to reflect an over-representation of high-risk groups. The aims of this study were to1) estimate the rate of Chlamydia infection in young men attending general practitioners in the Perth metropolitan area, 2) assess behavioural factors associated having the disease and 3) assess GP management of patients testing positive. Methodology: Sexually active men (15-29 years) were recruited from 8 general practices in Perth, Western Australia. Participants were required to complete a questionnaire concerning their sexual orientation, history, behaviours and genital symptoms and provide a urine sample for PCR testing for Chlamydia. If a participant returned a positive PCR result, the treating doctor was contacted by a researcher 2 weeks following the test to assess patient follow up. Results: 401 men were recruited. 373 had urine results available. Of these 3.8% (95% CI, 2.1-6.2) returned a positive PCR result for Chlamydia Trachomatis. There were no remarkable differences between the sexual practices and behaviours of positive and negative participants, although we cannot exclude sampling bias given the small number of positive participants. All patients were followed up by their treating doctor once results were received. Despite the small number of positive participants, there was little relationship between self reported sexual behaviour or symptoms and incidence of Chlamydia in young men. Details of these findings will be provided at presentation. Conclusion: Given the asymptomatic nature, it may be appropriate to offer screening for at risk individuals, thereby moving towards curbing the increasing infection rate for this disease

Every Day a New Discovery: Share History

This project aims to strengthen the sense of community and shared identity within VCU through a historical understanding of the interconnectedness of the formerly standalone institutions (i.e., the Medical College of Virginia and the Richmond Professional Institute). Additionally, it will seek to cultivate a sense of pride and greater esteem for our community by facilitating knowledge of the significant contributions to innovation that were developed at VCU

Phase III Trial of Trimodality Therapy With Cisplatin, Fluorouracil, Radiotherapy, and Surgery Compared With Surgery Alone for Esophageal Cancer: CALGB 9781

The primary treatment modality for patients with carcinoma of the esophagus or gastroesophageal junction has been surgery, although primary radiation therapy with concurrent chemotherapy produces similar results. As both have curative potential, there has been great interest in the use of trimodality therapy. To this end, we compared survival, response, and patterns of failure of trimodality therapy to esophagectomy alone in patients with nonmetastatic esophageal cancer