Utilizing Activity Theory as a Framework to Evaluate Globally Dispersed Teamwork in a Retail Interior Design Studio

Design projects are becoming global, and utilizing digital technology for communication among team members is important (Bender, 2005). Providing authentic learning experiences for interior design students helps prepare them for real world challenges in the workplace, where design firms have multiple offices around the world. In this study we employ activity theory (Choi & Kang, 2010) as a framework to evaluate a team’s communication activities and how these activities predict the team’s success

An Exploratory Study of the Faculty Influences on Student\u27s Attitudes and Learning Using the Collaborative Software Sharepoint Services

The research focuses on the impacts of using collaborative software in student project teams. Specifically, an exploratory study of students’ perceptions of learning and attitudes and the impact of faculty actions when using Microsoft’s SharePoint Services to facilitate student intra-team collaboration is examined. The research objective is to identify meaningful correlations between variables measuring students’ attitudes and affective behaviors regarding SharePoint and actions controllable by faculty supporting the use of SharePoint. Students enrolled in a required, core business course that made significant use of student teams supported by SharePoint participated in the web-based questionnaire. The significant correlations among the measures developed using this data indicate that faculty action supporting the use of collaborative software may influence student learning directly as well as indirectly through students’ attitudes and intentions to use the software. These empirical results also indicate that social cognitive theory may well provide a theoretical foundation for future research

Factors Influencing Adopters and Non-Adopters of E-Textbooks

A trend in education is the use of electronic textbooks (e-textbook). A variety of research has examined the factors influencing the likelihood to purchase an e-textbook, from motivation to continuance. This research compares student adopters and non-adopters of e-textbook using a content analysis of comments to understand influencing factors. The data were collected via an online questionnaire by students at a medium-sized (USA) university. A total of 1,434 students responded with 758 adopters and 464 nonadopters providing written comments regarding the e-textbooks. The themes identified between the two groups were usability, type of class, accessibility, ownership, and learning impacts. Understanding the influencing factors of adoption from the adopter and the non-adopter are valuable to the future of e-textbook acceptance

Bibliotheca: A Paradigm for Translating Student Preferences into the Design of a Library

The university library continues to evolve in response to student behaviors, perceived desires, and technological advancements. The interior qualities of the library can contribute to academic success and provide students with an unparalleled study environment that supports peer collaboration and scholastic achievement (Gardner and Eng, 2005). How can a student’s perception of an ideal study environment be integrated into the design of a library to foster an environment of learning? Using results from a case study to develop a model project, this research examines the design of a student group study space within a library

Predicting Success of Interior Design Alumni as an Assessment of the Curriculum: Post Graduation Years 1-10

The main question being explored in this research study is “does what we teach in the Interior Design Department make students successful in industry.” The measure of success in this study used two different variables, which include annual salary and job satisfaction

Enabling Laptop Exams Using Secure Software: Applying the Technology Acceptance Model

The perceived ease of use and usefulness of secure software that enables laptop exams is examined. The technology acceptance model (TAM) is used to link faculty and administrative support with perceptions of ease of use and usefulness. Data for the empirical examination were collected by a survey of business students in a required laptop program. The quantitative technique uses a structural equation model. Results indicate that measures of faculty support impact both ease of use and perceived usefulness. In turn, attitudes toward using the system and degree of system use are influenced. Interestingly, technical support for the secure software had no meaningful impacts in the model. We draw upon the findings to describe specific actions by faculty that can improve student experience with laptop exams and identify other actions that appear to have no effect

Autosomal Dominant Retinal Dystrophies Caused by a Founder Splice Site Mutation, c.828+3A>T, in PRPH2 and Protein Haplotypes in trans as Modifiers.

PurposeWe determined the phenotypic variation, disease progression, and potential modifiers of autosomal dominant retinal dystrophies caused by a splice site founder mutation, c.828+3A>T, in the PRPH2 gene.MethodsA total of 62 individuals (19 families) harboring the PRPH2 c.828+3A>T mutation, had phenotype analysis by fundus appearance, electrophysiology, and visual fields. The PRPH2 haplotypes in trans were sequenced for potential modifying variants and generalized estimating equations (GEE) used for statistical analysis.ResultsSeveral distinct phenotypes caused by the PRPH2 c.828+3A>T mutation were observed and fell into two clinical categories: Group I (N = 44) with mild pattern dystrophies (PD) and Group II (N = 18) with more severe cone-rod dystrophy (CRD), retinitis pigmentosa (RP), and central areolar chorioretinal dystrophy (CACD). The PRPH2 Gln304-Lys310-Asp338 protein haplotype in trans was found in Group I only (29.6% vs. 0%), whereas the Glu304-Lys310-Gly338 haplotype was predominant in Group II (94.4% vs. 70.4%). Generalized estimating equations analysis for PD versus the CRD/CACD/RP phenotypes in individuals over 43 years alone with the PRPH2 haplotypes in trans and age as predictors, adjusted for correlation within families, confirmed a significant effect of haplotype on severity (P = 0.03) with an estimated odds ratio of 7.16 (95% confidence interval [CI] = [2.8, 18.4]).ConclusionsThe PRPH2 c.828+3A>T mutation results in multiple distinct phenotypes likely modified by protein haplotypes in trans; the odds of having the CACD/RP-like phenotype (versus the PD phenotype) are 7.16 times greater with a Glu304-Lys310-Gly338 haplotype in trans. Further functional studies of the modifying haplotypes in trans and PRPH2 splice variants may offer therapeutic targets

The effect of the Cox-maze procedure for atrial fibrillation concomitant to mitral and tricuspid valve surgery

ObjectivesAtrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with less favorable outcomes in patients undergoing mitral valve and tricuspid valve surgery. Despite growing evidence on the potential benefits of surgical ablation for AF there is significant variability among surgeons in treatment of AF. The purpose of our study was to assess the effect of the Cox-maze procedure on operative and follow-up outcomes.MethodsIn our prospective study, patients who underwent isolated mitral valve or mitral valve+tricuspid valve surgery without history of AF (n = 506), with untreated AF (n = 75), or with Cox-maze procedure (n = 236) were included (N = 817). Sinus rhythm was captured according to Heart Rhythm Society guidelines. Patients who underwent the Cox-maze procedure were propensity score matched to patients without history of AF resulting in 208 pairs of patients.ResultsOperative outcomes were comparable after propensity score matching (Cox-maze procedure vs no AF) stroke/transient ischemic attack (0.5% vs 0.5%; P = 1.00), renal failure (2.9% vs 1.4%; P = .34), and operative mortality (1.4% vs 1.4%; P = 1.00). High return to sinus rhythm was documented at 6, 12, and 24 months (92%, 91%, and 86%, respectively) as well as sinus rhythm off antiarrhythmic drugs (79%, 84%, and 82%, respectively). Incidence of embolic stroke in patients who underwent Cox-maze procedure was 1.7% (4 out of 232 patients) and 5.1 cases per 1000 person-years. No difference in 4-year cumulative survival between propensity score-matched groups (91.9% vs 86.9%; log rank, 1.67; P = .20), but higher for patients who underwent Cox-maze procedure versus patients with untreated AF (hazard ratio, 2.47; P = .048). Higher additive European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (odds ratio, 1.40; P < .001) and limited surgeon experience with Cox-maze procedure (odds ratio, 3.60; P < .001) were significant predictors for failure to perform Cox-maze procedure.ConclusionsIn our center, 76% of patients undergoing mitral valve or mitral valve+tricuspid valve surgery experiencing AF underwent concomitant Cox-maze procedure, which is considerably higher than the national average. No increased morbidity was associated with the Cox-maze procedure with the benefit of very low thromboembolic rate. These results suggest the need for performance-based education for AF surgical ablation to achieve optimal outcomes

Harvest Incentives: A Tool for Managing Aquatic Invasive Species

Conclusion The success of any harvest incentive program to address aquatic invasive species will depend upon numerous biological, socioeconomic, and legal considerations. Programs that encourage harvest may be a successful management tool in targeting small, distinct populations; in high priority areas within a larger invasion; or they may play a supplementary role within larger control programs. Their use, however, will require careful review, planning, and monitoring to ensure success and that they do not unintentionally lead to further spread of invasive species, cause additional harm to native species, or waste valuable resources

Stakeholder Voice in Water Resource Planning

Stakeholder engagement for natural resource management at the state and local levels has become an important governance practice. This study examines the association of individual traits (aggressive communication, comfort with technology, and argumentativeness) with stakeholder participant voice in a water basin planning virtual meeting setting. Individual participants of the Edisto River Basin Council (RBC) meetings are the subject of the study. South Carolina decentralized water planning to the river basin level, creating RBCs and appointing interested and relevant stakeholders as members. While the river basin planning process did not envisage virtual (Zoom) meetings for the regular meetings of the RBC, the COVID pandemic required this to begin the planning process. Moreover, meeting participants possess diverse interests, powers, and individual traits that may affect the use of voice and engagement. There is well-established literature on stakeholder participation in resource planning. However, there are gaps in the literature regarding use of voice in virtual meeting settings in water resources planning, especially in settings like water-abundant areas in the Southeastern United States. Using the Edisto RBC as a pilot basin and quantitative surveys, preliminary results found that while RBC participants were on average comfortable with technology, they generally avoided conflict, they exhibited average communication apprehension in a meeting environment, and virtual meetings appear to limit participant’s use of voice. Consequently, meeting planners must recognize that not all participants express themselves optimally in virtual meeting settings. In this vein, planners must work to develop opportunities for as much active engagement and sharing as possible