Geographic clustering and network evolution of innovative activities: Evidence from China’s patents

This study examines the spatial distribution and social structure of processes of learning and knowledge creation within the context of the inventor network connecting Chinese patent teams. Results uncover mixed tendencies toward both geographic co-location and dispersion arising from combined processes of intra-cluster learning and extra-cluster networking. These processes unfold within a social network that becomes less fragmented over time: as a giant component emerges and increases in size, social distances among inventors become longer. The interplay between geographic and network proximity is assessed against China’s institutional environment. Implications of the findings are discussed for regional development and policy-making.clusters; knowledge transfer; social networks; patenting

Prominence and Control: The Weighted Rich-Club Effect

Published in Physical Review Letters PRL 101, 168702 (2008)http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.168702. Copyright American Physical Society (APS).Publisher's note: Erratum in Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Oct 31;101(18):189903 http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.18990

A comprehensive educational approach to improving NCLEX‐RN pass rates

Background Nurse educators strive to find the best educational methods to prepare students in their attempt to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX‐RN). The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of an online coaching program with Appreciative Advising and Emotional Intelligence education as combined educational strategies to improve student learning outcomes. Methods The study was conducted at a university in the Midwestern United States. The sample consisted of students in four graduating classes (2013, n = 15; 2014, n = 19; 2015, n = 18; and 2016, n = 17), who had followed supplemented program preparation in a prelicensure program. Electronic surveys were disseminated to determine satisfaction with student program supports through analysis of the mean overall average scoring of seven‐point Likert scale rates. NCLEX‐RN actual pass rates were reviewed to examine the quality of online coaching toward student preparation via a t test to compare the mean NCLEX‐RN pass rates before and after implementation. Results The students reported satisfaction with the additions of Appreciative Advising and Emotional Intelligence. NCLEX‐RN pass rates showed significant improvements with the combined program support additions. Conclusion The findings suggest that nursing schools that include student program support with an online coaching program can result in positive trends related to NCLEX‐RN pass rates

The Kingdom of God is at hand : an eschatological orientation to ethics in male-female relations

This thesis argues that God calls the church to approach ecclesial ethics with an eschatological orientation. Jesus\u27 inauguration of the reign of God and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit places a responsibility on the church to embody God\u27s renewal of creation. This responsibility is carried out fundamentally through transformed relationships that reflect God\u27s reign rather than the corrupted hierarchies of the old order. Five principles outline how an eschatological orientation to ethics can function practically: proclamation of hop, affirmation of unconditional personhood, response to injustice through service, reconciliation for the sake of unity, and exemplification of the new social order. When we apply these principles to male-female relations, the transformed relationships between men and women in the church entail mutual partnership, service, and love

Knowledge Translation Practices Of Health Services Research Organizations In The United States

Health services research organizations have generated a growing body of literature that focuses on better understanding challenges facing health care delivery. However, their findings do not always reach end users (e.g., policymakers, providers, managers, general public) in ways that are helpful, relevant, or cost-effective despite the availability of numerous resources designed to aid researchers in communicating more effectively. The purpose of this study was to understand better how health services research organizations in the United States communicate their research findings to end users; determine the degree to which they are translating research findings in ways consistent with the empirical evidence; and determine whether organizational characteristics such as university affiliation, organizational specialty, or size explain any variation in responses. Leaders of health services research organizations in the United States responded to a survey about their organizations\u27 knowledge translation practices. The survey instrument and knowledge translation framework were based largely on work conducted by Lavis, Robertson, Woodside, McLeod, and Abelson (2003a) in Canada. Findings from this empirical study expanded the Lavis et al. (2003a) study by setting a baseline for knowledge translation practices, across the research continuum, for health services research organizations in the United States. The data showed that health services research organizations largely communicate about their research in the same manner, regardless of university affiliation, organizational specialty, or size. Research organizations conduct knowledge translation activities throughout the course of their research projects, although in many cases there are gaps between what the literature suggests research organizations optimally should be doing and what they report doing. Notably, these gaps include evaluating knowledge translation activities, utilizing social media tools to extend messaging to end users, engaging with end users throughout the research process, building expectations for knowledge translation into policies and procedures, and investing in knowledge translation development at the organizational level. The findings suggest areas of improvement for health services research organizations. This study observes, however, that increasing knowledge translation capacity will require a cultural shift, and increased collaboration, across the health services research community. Accordingly, this study recommends several action steps. Specifically, health services research organizations should develop knowledge translation expectations through organizational policies and procedures, and invest in capacity building, including training research staff or working with knowledge brokers. Funders should include expectations for knowledge translation in projects, and universities might consider updated promotion and tenure systems that acknowledge and reward translation activities. Bolstering knowledge translation practices as identified in this study, and using the baseline data as a measuring point to evaluate future interventions, contributes to end users successfully receiving research findings in ways that can be useful for decision making, ultimately enhancing the quality of health and health care

Will An Environmental Focused Genius Hour Affect Students’ Attitudes Toward The Environment?

The purpose of this study was to examine if an environmental focused Genius Hour will affect students’ attitudes toward the environment. Over an eight week period ninth grade students in an Honors Civics class self-selected an environmental topic to research, write a research paper and present their findings. The study was completed in a suburban high school setting. The study Quantitative and qualitative data was gathered using student interest surveys and the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) Likert Scale Survey. The participants were surveyed before completing their Genius Hour project and after completion. The results of the survey show that an environmental focused Genius Hour can slightly affect students’ attitudes toward the environment. More research is needed to see if attitudes are affected long term

Circle City Strife: Gay and Lesbian Activism during the Hudnut Era

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)This paper will be discussing gay and lesbian activism in Indianapolis during the 1980s and how the mayoral administration at the time interacted with it. We know the stories of Stonewall and San Francisco. But what about gay and lesbian activism in the Midwest? What stories does Indianapolis have to tell? This thesis will cover how a portion of the movement played out in Indianapolis. It will shine a light on the 1980s and look specifically at police discrimination on Monument Circle, gatherings like the Gay Knights rallies and the 1990 Celebration on the Circle, and political efforts to combat the HIV epidemic. It will also explore the local actions by city government to undertake the urban renewal movement and how those efforts interacted with queer activism. Collections from the Indiana Historical Society, University of Indianapolis, and the Indiana State Library illuminate both sides of the social conflict to understand what made this moment in Indianapolis a touchstone moment for the city. This thesis argues that gay and lesbian protests and social gatherings on Monument Circle rendered the queer community impossible to ignore in the Hudnut administration’s dreams to reform Indianapolis into an entrepreneurial city