Teacher Perceptions of Internet-Based Distance Education in Adventist Colleges and Universities : a Mixed-Methods Study

Problem. An examination of Internet-based distance education (IBDE) is important in order to maintain the delivery of quality higher education and to encourage the systemic adoption of policies and practices that promote excellence in IBDE. The quality of online distance education will increasingly become the standard by which students choose a program as their educational options have multiplied with the dramatic growth in distance education. Method. This was a sequential exploratory mixed-methods study o f the perceptions of teachers on IBDE. It was conducted collaboratively with Pamela Cress who examined administrator perceptions. Data were collected for both studies from teachers and administrators at nine Adventist colleges and universities across the United States. Research participants were first surveyed using an electronic version of the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) benchmarks. Some of the IHEP benchmarks are faculty-controlled (i.e., course development, teaching/learning, course structure) and others are institutional-controlled (i.e., institutional support, student support, faculty support, evaluation and assessment). The survey was followed by a qualitative phase that involved telephone interviews with one identified expert in IBDE on each of the nine campuses. Results. Teacher and administrator perceptions varied little in regard to performance on the IHEP benchmarks. However, it was found that the most problematic areas of the benchmarks were institutionally controlled. In the qualitative phase, the themes of prevailing attitudes, collaboration, and qualities of an expert emerged in addition to the seven-benchmark categories. The respondents expressed that IBDE was important, and future plans were to increase offerings. Findings that were statistically significant were gender perceptions and the combined effect of experience and position. It was found that mid-level administrators with online teaching experience identified more strongly with leadership roles than teachers or administrators. Conclusions. Issues affecting faculty members that require the greatest attention include: remuneration; allocation o f time for professional development; faculty support; and pedagogy development. Greater institutional commitment is needed in: visioning and strategic planning; student and faculty support; and evaluation and assessment. Future research recommendations involve teaching theory and methods, faculty support, loading and remuneration, gender differences, and testing and revision of the IHEP benchmarks

Nocturnal Activity Levels and Stopover Behavior of Spring Neotropical Migrants Along the Southern Lake Ontario Shoreline

The energetic condition of individual birds is thought to influence the selection and use of stopover sites during migration. Through analysis of nocturnal restlessness and stopover patterns, I investigated the relationship between physiological state (distinguished by the amount of stored fat reserves) and spring stopover behaviors of selected species of Neotropical and temperate migrants at a site along the southern shoreline of Lake Ontario. During spring 1999, there was no significant difference between the amount of nighttime locomotor activity in lean and fat Catharus thrushes or Dendroica warblers held overnight in activity cages. During spring 2000, there was no significant difference in nocturnal activity between captive lean and fat Swainson\u27s Thrushes (Catharus ustulatus) or White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis). Very few Swainson\u27s Thrushes or White-throated Sparrows were recaptured in either 1999 or 2000, and analysis of initial capture data for these species revealed that most individuals arrived lean with depleted fat stores. There was no significant relationship between the hour after sunrise (time of day of initial capture) and mass or condition index for either species in 1999, and only White-throated Sparrows showed significant positive relationships between hour after sunrise and mass or condition index in 2000. Habitat selectivity was determined by examining the proportion of individuals captured in the three major habitat types (field edge, early secondary, mature secondary) at this site. During spring 1999 and spring 2000, there was no significant relationship between mean energetic condition and habitat type for both species. For all initial captures combined, there was no indication of habitat selectivity for Swainson\u27s Thrushes in 1999 or 2000. However, there were significantly more White-throated Sparrows captured in the mature secondary habitat than in early secondary or field edge habitats in 1999, and significantly more in the early secondary habitat than in mature secondary or field edge habitats in 2000. Flying insects were sampled in each of the three habitat types and were present throughout the spring migratory season in both 1999 and 2000. There were no significant differences in insect abundance among habitat types in 1999. Insect abundance differed significantly among habitat types in the first three weeks of sampling during spring 2000. Based upon the results of my study, I conclude that the behavior of birds stopping at this site is not strongly influenced by their energetic condition upon arrival. Many birds at this site are near the end of their spring migration, and factors related to time constraints and pressure for early arrival at their breeding grounds may influence their behavior during stopover, resulting in a pattern of short stopover lengths, little weight gain during stopover, and no obvious difference in migratory activity between individuals in different physiological or energetic states. Differences between the results of this study and previous studies conducted along the Gulf Coast suggest that stopover behaviors and requirements are different between sites located early along the spring migratory route and sites located near the Great Lakes shorelines. However more work is needed on a broader range of longer-distance and insectivorous species in order to assess the quality and availability of stopover habitats along Great Lakes shorelines, as well as the stopover requirements and behaviors of birds near the end of spring migration

New England fishing, processing and distribution

The New England fishing industry is examined in terms of the capacity of the fishing fleet, of the processing plants, and of the transportation system. Limitations on the capacity of the industry, and its capability and flexibility, are explored in terms of social, economic and technical aspects. The study is based on interviews with fishermen, buyers, processors and distributors, and on data made available by the National Marine Fisheries Service. Although the fisheries is in a state of expansion and both vessels and plants have a greater capacity than is now being used, the major problems that may restrict expansion in both fishing and processing are quality control, species selection and market development.This document is the final report for NOAA Contract #03-6-043-35165, which supported most of the research. Research was also supported with funds from the Pew Memorial Trust and from the Department of Commerce, NOAA Office of Sea Grant under Grant #04-8-M01-149, and was sponsored by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's Marine Policy and Ocean Management Program

Small-scale commercial fishing in southern New England

This description of the small-scale sector of the Southern New England (Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut) fishery includes information on the fishermen (their ages, education, experience, occupational training, family involvement and reasons for fishing) and the physical characteristics of the fleet (the boats and gear). Fishing patterns are analyzed by species, geographical areas and seasons. The economic structure of small-scale fishing is described in terms of investment, net and gross earnings, fuel costs, crew payments systems and marketing arrangements. Management implications of this information and analyses are included.Prepared for the Pew Memorial Trust, for the Department of Commerce, NOAA, Office of Sea Grant, under Grants 04-8-M01-149, also NA 79AA-D-00102, and for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's Marine Policy and Ocean Management Program

Hygroscopicity of Decayed Wood: Implications for Weight Loss Determinations

Hygroscopicity changes were observed in red maple blocks subjected to brown rot, white rot, and soft rot. Brown rot reduced hygroscopicity, soft rot increased hygroscopicity, and white rot showed no change in hygroscopicity. The effect of these changes on weight loss tests when using moisture-conditioned block weights is a slight overestimation of weight loss for brown rot, a slight underestimation for soft rot, and no apparent change for white rot. When comparing changes in hygroscopicity prior to oven-drying with those observed after oven-drying, there were no differences for white rot and soft rot, while for brown rot, the reduction in hygroscopicity was enhanced by oven-drying

Toward a Model for Fisheries Social Impact Assessment

This paper presents a model for Fisheries Social Impact Assessment (SIA) that lays the groundwork for development of fisheries-focused, quantitative social assessments with a clear conceptual model. The usefulness of current fisheries SIA’s has been called into question by some as incompatible with approaches taken by fisheries biologists and economists when assessing potential effects of management actions. Our model’s approach is closer to the economists’ and biologists’ assessments and is therefore more useful for Fishery Management Council members. The paper was developed by anthropologists initially brought together in 2004 for an SIA Modeling Workshop by the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA. Opinions and conclusions expressed or implied are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or policy of the National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA

Bibliography of socio-economic studies : fisheries of the northeast U.S.

This bibliography of social and economic studies of the fisheries of the Northeast United States (Maine to North Carolina) includes annotated listings for each entry and an index of key words for cross-referencing. We have attempted to include all studies published since 1970, and a selected group of particularly significant studies done earlier. The major focus has been on commercial fisheries, but recreational fishing studies have also been included when possible. In addition to studies of the Northeast United States fisheries, studies of Canadian fishing subsidies, European and other markets, have been included because of their relevance to the regional industry. All stages of the fishing industry's operation - harvesting, processing, distribution, marketing - are included, along with management and policy oriented material.Prepared for the National Marine Fisheries Service Contract NA-81-FA-C-00018 and for The Pew Memorial Trust, also for the Department of Commerce, NOAA Office of Sea Grant under NA-80AA-D-0077 (E/L-1) and the Institution's Marine Policy and Ocean Management Program

Characterizing pain leading to emergency medical services activation in heart failure

Background Pain is a common but understudied symptom among patients with heart failure (HF) transported by emergency medical services (EMS). The aims were to determine explanatory factors of a primary complaint of pain and pain severity, and characterize pain among patients with HF transported by EMS. Methods Data from electronic health records of patients with HF transported by EMS within a midwestern United States county from 2009 to 2017 were analyzed. Descriptive statistics, χ2, analysis of variance, and logistic and multiple linear regression analyses were used. Results The sample (N = 4663) was predominantly women (58.1%) with self-reported race as Black (57.7%). The mean age was 64.2 ± 14.3 years. Pain was the primary complaint in 22.2% of the sample, with an average pain score of 6.8 ± 3.1 out of 10. The most common pain complaint was chest pain (68.1%). Factors associated with a primary pain complaint were younger age (odds ratio [OR], 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96–0.97), history of myocardial infarction (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.55–2.49), and absence of shortness of breath (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.58–0.77). Factors associated with higher pain severity were younger age (b = −0.05, SE = 0.013), being a woman (b = 1.17, SE = 0.357), and White race (b = −1.11, SE = 0.349). Conclusions Clinical and demographic factors need consideration in understanding pain in HF during EMS transport. Additional research is needed to examine these factors to improve pain management and reduce transports due to pain

Perceptions And Validation Of Key Information Technology Competencies From An IT Alumni Viewpoint: Another Stakeholder In The Curriculum Design Process

The objective of this research was to determine the perceptions of End-user Information Systems graduates from selected universities (now alumni status) regarding an updated Organizational & End-user Information Systems (OEIS) curriculum sponsored by the Organizational Systems Research Association now referred to as AIS-SIG OSRA.  The study included the following research objectives:  (1) to determine the perceived level of importance of the OEIS curriculum content in today’s global workforce and (2) to ascertain the information systems (IS) personnel viewpoints on the overall importance of the specific course objectives.  Survey findings revealed specific topics are of critical and/or considerable importance upon graduation from an end-user information systems-related program.  An understanding of the systems development life cycle (SDLC) including planning and implementation of end-user support systems in combination with troubleshooting skills were perceived to be noted essential components of an IT curriculum.  Moreover, an experiential learning/internship experience—similar to a clinical practicum--was deemed to be of critical importance for information technology (IT) professionals.  To further validate the model, it is recommended that universities in other regions of the United States survey their alumni to assess what specific IS & IT objectives and skill sets are currently needed, especially given the exponential demand for trained personnel in emerging areas of health information technology, enterprise systems, project management, virtualization,  and information assurance