Characteristics of Face-to-Face Communications in Agriculture Marketing and Customer Service

As communication forms evolve, it is important for business leaders to not only follow the trends, but to be data-driven and make calculated decisions that are beneficial for their businesses. In this qualitative study, the researcher sought to describe how Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation used face-to-face and computer-mediated communication methods to communicate as an organization and the value their employees and members place on each communication method. Uses and Gratifications theory was used to guide this research and evaluate the results. This theory is unique in that it does not describe the effect media has on people, like many human communication theories, but rather it focuses on why people choose certain media outlets. Semi-structured telephone interviews were used to communicate with two groups of participants: employees and members. A thematic data analysis process was conducted using NVivo 11 software. The most-used face-to-face methods included county and state meetings, but adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic also led to increased use of computer-mediated tactics, such as texts, emails, phone calls, and video conferencing. Though there was a strong preference and value placed on all face-to-face communication forms among both employees and members, there was a shared appreciation for computer-mediated communication forms when necessary. Both employees and members value face-to-face communications methods because they better support relationship-building. Recommendations resulting from this study were for Arkansas Farm Bureau and similar organizations to continue prioritizing face-to-face communications within budgetary limitations and to take advantage of computer-mediated methods, especially videoconferencing to foster growth and inclusion

Leaner and meaner genomes in Escherichia coli

A 'better' Escherichia coli K-12 genome has recently been engineered in which about 15% of the genome has been removed by planned deletions. Comparison with related bacterial genomes that have undergone a natural reduction in size suggests that there is plenty of scope for yet more deletions

Combating an Elusive Enemy: Understanding Autism

Autism is a disorder that affects one out of every one thousand children. It occurs more frequently in boys than in girls and brings with it complications that deprive those affected of a nom1al life. One such individual is a boy named Tyler Kubinski. Tyler is a twelve-year-old severely autistic child from Paragould, Arkansas. Tyler\u27s world is limited by his inability to speak or communicate further than a scream or contorted laugh. He does not frighten or agitate easily but will strike out fiercely with his muscular legs or well-aimed spit to anyone nearby. Tyler does not interact with his brother or classmates in a personal way but spends hours every day running from room to room tearing up cardboard into pieces. I was given the opportunity to work as Tyler\u27s personal care aide last summer as he could not be cared for well in normal childcare. While working with Tyler I was able to make observations concerning his autism and use my knowledge about the disorder to offer suggestions to his family about treatments for him

The role of adrenomedullary hormones in survival of the adrenalectomized mongolian gerbil, Meriones unguiculatus

Thee effects of adrenalectomy and catecholamine replacement therapy on survival were studied in Meriones unguiculatus, the Mongolian gerbil. Adrenalectomized gerbils that received epinephrine lived significantly longer than the controls untreated adrenalectomized gerbils) and animals that received either norepinephrine or a combination of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Results also indicated that these epinephrine-treated animals lost more depot fat that either controls or other groups receiving treatment. In spite of the short survival benefit given by epinephrine, the mechanisms governing the critical adrenal dependency in this species remain unknown

Bioinformatics 2000

A report from the Bioinformatics 2000 conference [], held in Elsinore, Denmark, 27-30 April, 2000

Accessibility to Research Assistance in Georgia Four-Year Public Academic Libraries

This study employs webometric content analysis to assess the navigability of the state of Georgia\u27s four-year public, academic libraries. The research questions focus on the frequency of the academic library link\u27s appearance on the university homepage, the navigational paths to crucial content on library websites, and the degree to which responsive design was integrated into the academic library websites. The study finds that the library link was located on the university\u27s homepage 8 out of the 17 (47%) websites selected. 8 out of 17 (47%) library homepages were accessible with only one click or link. 2 out of 17 (11.7%) library homepages were accessible with three or more clicks or links. The average number of clicks or links to schedule a research consultation was three clicks or links. Pertaining to responsive design, 5 out of 17 (29%) library websites included a calendar integrated into scheduling. The author concludes that academic libraries should consider accessibility and responsive design during this Post COVID-19 era when reorganizing their websites. With the increasing amount of digital information, a library\u27s homepage exists as the first point of access for patrons to information literacy and much more. Library websites\u27 framework should provide immediate context so that patrons are aware of their location while on sites. The design should then balance utility and direct access to make for a clear and helpful online library experience. This study seeks to determine how such content is organized, presenting a navigation pattern for academic libraries to consider, and possibly follow

Assessment of the Athletic Medicine Unit in Georgia High Schools

The purpose of this study was to assess the current status of the athletic medicine unit (AMU) in Georgia high schools. An online questionnaire was sent to 432 public and private schools in Georgia, and 109 (25.2% return rate) were completed. The responding schools included 86 public schools and 23 private schools. Results revealed that 54.6% of schools had a team physician with the most common specialty being an orthopedist. Also, 62.6% of the schools had a certified athletic trainer (ATC) with 37.3% being employed by the school. For those schools without an ATC, 70.0% of coaches were providing immediate care for athletes. Significant differences were observed among classifications of schools for the coverage provided to athletes with lower classifications less likely to have a complete AMU. Further study assessing the AMU in Georgia high schools should include an outcome assessment to determine the cost effectiveness of the AMU