Factors Affecting Turnover as Perceived by County Agents who Voluntarily Left the West Virginia University Extension Service

This descriptive survey study sought to identify factors that influenced West Virginia University County Extension Agents to voluntarily leave the organization. The population consisted of 31 individuals who had left the Extension Service from 2009-2014. A survey which was composed of four main question sets was mailed to the identified population.;Questions focused on the constructs of organizational factors, job related factors, personal factors, and demographics. Data were collected and analyzed to identify contributing factors in each of the constructs. The study found that a major factor that contributes to agents leaving Extension was having other priorities in the individuals\u27 life. A key factor that was also identified was the ability to maintain personal relationships. The amount of work required of an agent leaves little time for family, friends, and personal social lives.;Several remarks noted in response to the open ended questions stated if the amount of time spent during nights, weekends, and summers were reduced, then they would have stayed employed with the West Virginia University Extension Service. Identification of factors which impact agents to leave will help administration of the West Virginia University Extension Service to develop programs and training that will help retain agents

Design of small Stirling dynamic isotope power system for robotic space missions

Design of a multihundred-watt Dynamic Isotope Power System (DIPS) based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) General Purpose Heat Source (GPHS) and small (multihundred-watt) free-piston Stirling engine (FPSE) technology is being pursued as a potential lower cost alternative to radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTG's). The design is targeted at the power needs of future unmanned deep space and planetary surface exploration missions ranging from scientific probes to Space Exploration Initiative precursor missions. Power level for these missions is less than a kilowatt. Unlike previous DIPS designs which were based on turbomachinery conversion (e.g. Brayton), this small Stirling DIPS can be advantageously scaled down to multihundred-watt unit size while preserving size and mass competitiveness with RTG's. Preliminary characterization of units in the output power ranges 200-600 We indicate that on an electrical watt basis the GPHS/small Stirling DIPS will be roughly equivalent to an advanced RTG in size and mass but require less than a third of the isotope inventory

E-Tickets and Advanced Technologies for Efficient Construction Inspections

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), like many state transportation agencies, has seen demand for high-quality infrastructure skyrocket even as it endures reductions in staff numbers. To mitigate the effects of declining staff and bolster construction efficiency, the Cabinet has experimented with a variety of e-construction technologies, the goal of which are to abolish paper-based workflows and improve project-site monitoring activities. This research investigated the performance of three e-construction technologies on KYTC pilot projects — e-ticketing, paver mounted thermal profilers, and intelligent compaction. E-ticketing reduced the amount of time needed to retrieve material tickets and facilitated comparisons of theoretical tonnages to actual tonnages. Inspectors also reduced their exposure to hazardous jobsite conditions through the use of e-ticketing, while contractors strengthened their operational efficiencies. Paver mounted thermal profilers collected temperature data whose accuracy was not significantly different from temperature data gathered using conventional infrared guns. The spatially continuous data generated by profilers can aid in later monitoring of pavement performance and can be used to perform forensic investigations of pavement distress. Although other state transportation agencies have adopted intelligent compaction with considerable success, it produced inaccurate data on asphalt temperature and roller passes. Several factors may have contributed to this unexpected result, such as poor communication between project stakeholders and incorrectly executed equipment setup. The three technologies could potentially be adopted on a more widespread basis; however, it is critical to offer adequate training to equipment and software users, ensure that project stakeholders coordinate and communicate with one another, and be conscientious in the deployment and management of equipment

Strategic toolkits: seniority, usage and performance in the German SME machinery and equipment sector

This paper examines the strategic tool kit, from a human resource management (HRM) perspective, in terms of usage and impact. Research to date has tended to consider usage, assuming to a certain extent that knowledge and understanding of particular tools suggest that practitioners value them. The research on which this paper is based builds upon the idea that usage indicates satisfaction, but develops the usage theme to investigate which decision-makers are actually engaged in both tool appliance and the strategic process. Of particular interest to the researchers are the educational background, age and seniority of the decision-makers. In addition, potential links with HRM and organizational performance are also explored. The context of the research, the German machinery and equipment sector, provides an insight into the industry's ability to sustain growth in face of increasing international competition. The paper calls for a greater awareness, from a human resource perspective, and utilization of strategic management practice and associated decision-making aids

Mars Science Helicopter Conceptual Design

Robotic planetary aerial vehicles increase the range of terrain that can be examined, compared to traditional landers and rovers, and have more near-surface capability than orbiters. Aerial mobility is a promising possibility for planetary exploration as it reduces the challenges that difficult obstacles pose to ground vehicles. The first use of a rotorcraft for a planetary mission will be in 2021, when the Mars Helicopter technology demonstrator will be deployed from the Mars 2020 rover. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory and NASA Ames Research Center are exploring possibilities for a Mars Science Helicopter, a second-generation Mars rotorcraft with the capability of conducting science investigations independently of a lander or rover (although this type of vehicle could also be used assist rovers or landers in future missions). This report describes the conceptual design of Mars Science Helicopters. The design process began with coaxial-helicopter and hexacopter configurations, with a payload in the range of two to three kilograms and an overall vehicle mass of approximately twenty kilograms. Initial estimates of weight and performance were based on the capabilities of the Mars Helicopter. Rotorcraft designs for Mars are constrained by the dimensions of the aeroshell for the trip to the planet, requiring attention to the aircraft packaging in order to maximize the rotor dimensions and hence overall performance potential. Aerodynamic performance optimization was conducted, particularly through airfoils designed specifically for the low Reynolds number and high Mach number inherent in operation on Mars. The final designs show a substantial capability for science operations on Mars: a 31 kg hexacopter that fits within a 2.5 m diameter aeroshell could carry a 5 kg payload for 10 min of hover time or over a range of 5 km

Role of growth regulators in the bean hypocotyl hook opening response

The opening of the hypocotyl hook in bean seedlings is due to a rapid elongation of cells on the inner side of the hook elbow. Red light promotes hook opening by inducing this cell elongation.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47488/1/425_2004_Article_BF00389364.pd

Health Disparities Between Appalachian and Non-Appalachian Counties in Virginia USA

The examination of health disparities among people within Appalachian counties compared to people living in other counties is needed to find ways to strategically target improvements in community health in the United States of America (USA). Methods: A telephone survey of a random sample of adults living in households within communities of all counties of the state of Virginia (VA) in the USA was conducted. Findings: Health status was poorer among those in communities within Appalachian counties in VA and health insurance did not make a difference. Health perception was significantly worse in residents within communities in Appalachian counties compared to non-Appalachian community residents (30.5 vs. 17.4% rated their health status as poor/fair), and was worse even among those with no chronic diseases. Within communities in Appalachian counties, black residents report significantly better health perception than do white residents. Conclusion: Residents living in communities in Appalachian counties in VA are not receiving adequate health care, even among those with health insurance. More research with a larger ethnic minority sample is needed to investigate the racial/ethnic disparities in self-reported health and health care utilization within communities

Female Membership in the Black-Society Style Criminal Organizations: Evidence From a Female Prison in China

From the 1970s onwards, women’s participation in gangs in the mainstream Western social contexts has been increasingly researched. However, the experiences of women in other cultural settings are rarely discussed. This qualitative study focuses on female members of the black-society style criminal organizations (BSSCO) in China. It starts with reviewing literature on female gang membership and on BSSCO so as to locate its discussions in the international criminological framework. This is followed by a methodology section, and then it analyses the empirical findings. This article seeks to provide some theoretical insights into the construction of female criminal membership in broader social contexts