Twelve sequence stories for use as part of reading curriculum for deaf children

This paper discusses the use of sight vocabulary drills, experience and sequence stories, pre-primers, basal readers and text books as part of a reading curriculum for hearing-impaired children

The Role of Spiritual Fitness on Burnout and Organizational Commitment in High-Stress Environments

This quantitative study examined the relationships between burnout, spiritual fitness, and organizational commitment in National Guard servicemembers. Recent deployments and chronic stressors have resulted in an emergence of mental health concerns, burnout, and turnover intentions in this population. Research has indicated that elements of spirituality address these concerns and suggest that more spiritual individuals are more resilient, less susceptible to burnout, and find positive meaning in work. This study examined these variables using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (Maslach & Jackson, 1981), the Organizational Commitment Scale (Meyer & Allen, 1997), and the SOCOM Spiritual Fitness Scale (Alexander et al., 2020). Correlations were used to analyze relationships between burnout and both organizational commitment and spiritual fitness, and linear multiple regression was used to examine whether spiritual fitness moderated the burnout-organizational commitment relationship. The results confirmed the hypotheses that burnout would be inversely associated with organizational commitment (r=-0.21, p\u3e0.01) and that spiritual fitness would be inversely associated with burnout (r=-0.16, p\u3e0.05). Regression results demonstrated that the total spiritual fitness score was not a moderator of the burnout-organizational commitment relationship (β=0.11, p=0.35). But a subscale of spiritual fitness, Service and Sacrifice for the Greater Good (SSGG), or “horizontal spirituality,” did moderate this relationship, such that those high in SSGG maintained organizational commitment levels even when burnout was high (β=0.20, p=0.05). The SSGG commitment to selfless service, altruism, and a common mission aligns with both biblical and theoretical ideas on meaning, purpose, and sacrifice and was relevant for both theist and non-theist individuals in this study. These findings suggest that spiritual fitness could be a cognitive resource for making sense of stressors, and fostering these elements of horizontal spirituality in the workplace could potentially reduce turnover, impact burnout, and enhance organizational commitment

Effectiveness of benzoyl peroxide application in the treatment of acne

Acne is a skin condition involving the oil-producing glands in the skin that affects roughly 5 million Canadians. A common medication used to treat acne contains the organic compound benzoyl peroxide that works to remove acne causing bacteria in the epidermis. Benzoyl peroxide is an extremely volatile substance and, therefore, only constitutes 2% active ingredient of related acne care products. A multimedia fugacity model was used to determine the amount of chemical effectively emitted or absorbed into the skin. The parameters used in the model were set to fit a single application of medicated lotion to the face, with the non-aqueous phase liquid component being the sole receiver of the chemical. Assuming these parameters, it is estimated that 4.58x10-5 kg of benzoyl peroxide is deposited into the skin per application. The model demonstrates that humans are the main recipient of the chemical with over two-thirds being absorbed and the remaining is lost to the atmosphere through evaporation with negligible emissions to the water and soil environments. Since benzoyl peroxide is the most common chemical used to treat acne, it is important to determine how much penetrates the skin and the effectiveness of each application. *Indicates faculty mentor

Strategies to Improve the User Experience

Libraries are increasingly embracing user experience (UX) and user-centered design principles to improve the satisfaction and success of library users. Electronic resources management can utilize such principles to better support users as they interact with the library's website and its electronic resources. In this column, four academic librarians discuss strategies libraries can employ to improve the user experience. These strategies include utilizing basic UX principles when designing sites and interfaces; analyzing quantitative data to inform the library on how such sites are being used; recruiting strategies for library user studies; and, finally, a call to move to a more unified user experience and to work more closely with vendors on improvements to help users succeed

Internal Combustion Engine Bans and Global Oil Use

Automotive transport represents one of the highest contributing sources of oil use, local air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Several countries, notably including several European countries and China, have proposed bans on the sale of automotive internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as a means to abate these negative effects from the sector. Some cities and regions have already instituted restrictions on ICE vehicles. Larger, national bans have been discussed as a policy to begin in 2040. We consider the literature on proposed policies to ban ICE vehicles and develop scenarios to estimate the potential impacts of these proposed bans, to contribute to a peaking in oil demand and eventual reductions in CO2 emissions. We find that national level ICE car bans in key markets such as China and Europe in 2040 could reduce oil use by five million barrels a day (b/d) by 2050, under five percent of projected global oil use. A global ban would eliminate three times that level of oil use but would likely take several decades for its full impact is realized. Our findings suggest that other supporting policies beyond the bans alone might be necessary to trigger more rapid changes in markets and purchase behavior

What effects do political relationships have on free trade between states? : Master of Arts in Politics, Massey University, by Distance, New Zealand

This thesis analyses what the effect of political leader relationships is on free trade between states relative to other influencing factors through qualitative case study analysis. The thesis reviews the relationship between Sir John Key, prime minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016, and Barack Obama, United States of America president from 2008 to 2016. It also reviews the relationship between John Key and Hu Jintao, president of the People’s Republic of China from 2003 to 2013, and Xi Jinping, president of the People’s Republic of China from 2013 to present (2020). Interviews with John Key and former New Zealand minister, Murray McCully, are presented in this thesis. It is clear in this thesis that free trade between states is an issue that is bigger than leader-to-leader relationships. This thesis is exploratory and provides insights into certain aspects of New Zealand politics and free-trade concepts, including insights into the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, from a New Zealand perspective

Improving the success of a translocation of black mudfish (Neochanna diversus)

All of New Zealand's five endemic species of mudfish (Neochanna) are threatened, and translocation has been recommended as an option for conservation. This research undertakes a translocation of black mudfish (Neochanna diversus) into wetland margins of Lake Kaituna, in the Waikato region, and addresses research questions applicable to improving translocation success. Results from this research are intended to aid possible future translocations of the more threatened Northland mudfish (Neochanna heleios) and other genetically distinct populations of black mudfish. Captive rearing of juveniles collected from the wild is currently the most feasible option for sourcing translocation stock. Mudfish juveniles (greater than 25 mm T.L.) had greater survival rates, compared to mudfish fry less than 25 mm T.L. Mudfish growth was far greater when fed on a combined diet of brine shrimp (Artemia salina) and white worms (Enchytraeus albidus) than when fed exclusively on brine shrimp. Temperature was found to have a small effect on mudfish growth, with a slightly greater growth in fish at 15 C than those at 10 C. The introduced species Gambusia affinis has been the subject of concern for mudfish conservation and commonly found at wetland sites suitable for mudfish translocation. Found to prey on mudfish fry and eggs in aquaria, it was important to determine the effects of Gambusia density prior to undertaking a translocation to a location where Gambusia were present. Investigations were made into the effect of Gambusia density on black mudfish juveniles in 9 outdoor mesocosms. Increasing Gambusia density was found to have an inhibitory effect on black mudfish growth. This may be due to increased competition for food, a theory supported by analysis of zooplankton communities, where, in the presence of Gambusia, large zooplankton had been removed and smaller rotifers flourished. Monitoring programmes are required to assess any impacts or improvements of mudfish populations, including those created by translocation. A Gee minnow trapping programme in outdoor mesocosms was conducted to test the reliability of traps, finding that water depth, mudfish density, mudfish memory and trap shyness had no effect on the trapability of mudfish. Trap position was found to have the most significant effect, with a greater number of mudfish caught when traps were set overnight at the surface than when set on the bottom of mesocosms. Black mudfish adults and juveniles were translocated into 18 pools (~1 m diameter) on the wetland margins of Lake Kaituna in September 2006, followed by monthly monitoring. Water quality monitoring and an assessment of hydrology and vegetation was undertaken. Habitat characterisation was found to be a key factor, with correlations between water quality data and trapping results finding fewer fish remaining in pools with less suitable characteristics for mudfish (e.g. high turbidity and conductivity). Other species were found to have a large impact, with predation by shortfinned eels (Anguilla australis) thought to have eliminated mudfish from some pools. In addition fewer mudfish were caught in pools with Gambusia, possibly due to increased competition

Out of the Hollinger Box and into the Streets: Activists, Archives, and Under-Documented Populations

In recent years, archivists in the United States and abroad have engaged in a process of reevaluation aimed at bringing diverse new voices into archival holdings, which have long been focused on the papers and records of the dominant culture. One possible source for this documentation is the records of non-profit organizations that are responsive to the needs of under-documented populations. This national survey-based research of 499 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations asks two questions. First, to what extent do non-profit organizations whose work centers on under-documented populations use archival materials in their activism and research? Second, to what extent do these non-profit organizations maintain documentation of their activities, and what intentions do they have for the future of this documentation

The nature of agricultural industry school partnerships: a primary school case study

With severe workforce shortages present across the agricultural supply chain, exploring and improving ways to increase student interest in the sector is paramount (Azarias et al., 2020). Industry school partnerships are one approach used to increase student awareness of, and interest in, careers (Mann et al., 2018; Shergold et al., 2020). Whilst industry school partnerships are not a new concept, limited research seeks to understand these partnerships as a whole system, considering the influence and interconnection between stakeholders (Flynn, 2015; Leonard, 2011). The research we are presenting seeks to theorise industry school partnerships as an ecological system, applying Bronfenbrenner’s (1976) Ecological Systems Theory to this partnership, rather than the developing learner. This talk will present interview data from teachers and industry partners, and survey data from students, in a case study of an industry school partnership designed to improve year 5 and 6 students’ knowledge of agriculture and aspiration for a career in the sector. By including an incursion and excursion related to electrical energy sources in agribusinesses as part of the physical sciences unit of work for these students, they were exposed to multiple agricultural practices and careers. The data will explore the nature of the partnership including key principles identified by teacher and industry participants and how their objectives were met. REFERENCES Azarias, J., Nettle, R., & Williams, J. (2020). National Agricultural Workforce Strategy: Learning to Excel. National Agricultural Labour Advisory Committee, Canberra. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1976). The experimental ecology of education. Teachers College Record, 78(2), 1-37. Flynn, M. (2015). Industry-school partnerships: An ecological case study to understand operational dynamics. PhD diss., Queensland University of Technology. Leonard, J. (2011). Using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory to understand community partnerships: A historical case study of one urban high school. Urban education, 46(5), 987-1010. Mann, A., Rehill, J., & Kashefpakdel, T. (2018). Employer Engagement in Education: Insights from International Evidence for Effective Practice and Future Research. Education Endowment Foundation. https://www.educationandemployers.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Employer_Engagement_in_Education.pdf Shergold, P., Calma, T., Russo, S., Walton, P., Westacott, J., Zoellner, D., & O'Reilly, P. (2020). Looking to the Future: Report of the review of senior secondary pathways into work, further education and training. (1 ed.) Education Services Australia. https://apo.org.au/node/30713