bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stress Management Strategies For Students: The Immediate Effects Of Yoga, Humor, And Reading On Stress
Authors: Rizzolo Denise , Zipp Genevieve Pinto , Stiskal Doreen , Simpkins Susan 
Published: March 2016

Background: Health science programs can be demanding and difficult for many students, leading to high levels of stress. High levels of stress can have a negative effect on students and subsequently the practicing clinician. Research suggests that yoga, humor, and reading are simple, effective methods to help reduce stress. To date no research compares the acute effects of yoga, humor, and reading in doctor of physical therapy and master’s of occupational therapy students. Additionally, it is undetermined if one technique is more effective than the other in reducing stress. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the immediate effects of yoga, humor, and reading on acute stress in students enrolled in doctor of physical therapy and master’s of occupational therapy programs. It was hypothesized that following a 30-minute yoga, humor, and reading intervention session, students would demonstrate a reduction of stress on the Daily Stress Inventory (DSI) and a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. Subjects: Twenty-two students from the School of Graduate Medical Education Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program (n=14) and Master’s of Science in Occupational Therapy (OT) program (n=8) volunteered to participate in the study. Methods: At baseline subjects completed a demographic survey. All subjects participated in a yoga, humor, and reading intervention session, once a week on the same day and at the same time for a total of three weeks. Intervention sessions were randomized and counterbalanced across subjects. Before and after each intervention session, stress was measured using the Daily Stress Inventory, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DSP), and heart rate (HR). Results: A repeated one-way ANOVA indicated that all three interventions significantly decreased SBP, DBP, and HR and no one intervention was more effective than the other in reducing these dependent variables (p = . 058, p = .315 and p= .180 respectively). There was no significant main effect or interaction of the yoga, humor, or reading intervention session on the DSI scores (p = .362). Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that one 30-minute session of yoga, humor, and reading had similar effects in decreasing acute stress in health science students. This finding is important since these interventions resulted in a significant reduction in stress in a relatively short amount of time, allowing educators to begin to consider different stress management strategies to offer to students.
A Fresh Approach: Ethnic Diversity On Campuses In America
Authors: Ray Pamela E. 
Published: March 2016

The Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) has defined its legacy. The HBCU developed campuses to prepare African-Americans for a variety of careers. They are considered to be specialized educational system within higher education. This system provided a way for many African-Americans to showcase their intellectual abilities. The HBCU’s historical context and missions primarily focus on African-Americans (Roebuck & Komanduri, 1993). As education for African-Americans changed, access to college became more inclusive. More HBCU’s face adversity and diversity, with challenges brought on by a more diverse student population. This article describes how the HBCUs must look at ethnic diversity on campuses. Then begin the challenge of modifying traditional missions based on serving one type of ethnic student population.
The Faculty Evaluation Process: The First Step In Fostering Professional Development In An Online University
Authors: Weschke Barbara , Canipe Stephen 
Published: March 2016

The presentation will trace the experiences of two program directors from Walden University and their examination of issues involved with faculty assessment. Their experiences were used to create a simple but effective and workable model for faculty assessment and development. Once a presentation of how data were obtained, and analyzed, to create an effective communication process, the specifics of how faculty members were engaged in the collegial methods to ensure a workable professional development process will be described. The experiences of the directors in working with assessment will be utilized as they demonstrate how they regularly conduct an interactive evaluation process, involving the audience in using the model created at Walden in the Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership. This model was developed using various metrics, such as student course evaluations, faculty self-assessments, checklists of activity, adherence to rubrics, etc. The entire process begins with the premise that collegial interactions will provide the most sustainable changes. The process concludes with the implementation of online professional development in response to the collected data.
Academic Staff Disposition To Promotion Criteria In Nigerian Universities
Authors: Archibong Ijeoma A. , Effiom David, O. , Omoike Don , Edet Aniefiok O. 
Published: March 2016

This study aimed at determining academic staff satisfaction with promotion criteria and what, in their view, should be included in the promotion criteria. A researcher-designed questionnaire was utilized for data collection from a sample size of 349 academic staff. Findings show that the majority of the academic staff were dissatisfied with the promotion practices. Academic staff were satisfied with promotion criteria that had to do with required number of publications but dissatisfied with those related to computer literacy and international publication requirements. An oral interview before promotion was advocated for inclusion into the promotion criteria by academic staff. Evolving a more holistic criterion for promotion of academic staff was recommended.
Management Of Teaching Practice In The Preparation Of Nigerian Certificate Of Education (NCE) Teachers
Authors: Asaya Samuel Adetunji 
Published: March 2016

If the teacher must be “everything” to the learner as well as be the character-model to society, as it is commonly expected, his training must be such that is not only comprehensive but well articulated. Such training must be based on sound conceptual understanding and reasoning that have been developed within the matrix of practice and experience (Ehiametalor, 1990). Consequently, this paper examines a brief historical background of the teacher training institutions in Nigeria, taking a look at the meaning and objectives of teaching practice and some management problems militating against the professional preparation of teachers-in-training. This paper further considers the strategies that could improve the management and supervision of teaching practice, generally, and in colleges of education, in particular. Suggestions are made on how to ensure that the professionally prepared teachers are retained in the education system through appropriate incentives and motivation.
Who Wants To Pass Math? Using Clickers In Calculus
Authors: Strasser Nora 
Published: March 2016

A typical Calculus class tends not to be very interactive. Students view the class as passive. The students expect the instructor to provide the information with very little activity or effort on their part. Asking students questions and trying to get them to respond is often a challenge. Many students know the answer, but are scared to respond. It is usually the same students over and over who answer the questions. This leaves the instructor wondering whether or not the rest of the class is actually comprehending the material. The use of a personal response system (clickers) in the class allows students to respond to questions anonymously. The entire class becomes much more interactive and the instructor knows how well the entire class is grasping the concepts. Clickers can help students stay awake and alert, improve their speed in answering questions, and know whether or not they understand a concept. Finally, clickers can be used to take attendance and reduce tedious record keeping. The use of a clicker system has made a major impact on how these classes respond and a positive effect on learning has been achieved.
Role Of Motivational Factors In The Development Of Profession As A Teacher
Authors: Hussain Ishtiaq , Inamullah Hafiz , Naseer-Ud-Din Muhammad , Naz Falak , Butt Muhammad Naeem 
Published: March 2016

The main objective of this study was to identify the motivational factors in selecting a teaching profession by the teachers. A random sampling technique was used for the selection of the sample consisting of 27 girls’ schools of District Kohat as the sample. A structured questionnaire was developed in closed format on the basis of factors identified through observation by the teachers. The data collected through the questionnaires about various aspects of the study were presented in percentages in tabular form and applied to a Chi-square test.
Classroom Learning Environments As A Correlate Of Scientific Literacy
Authors: Oluwatelure T. A. 
Published: March 2016

This study was aimed at investigating the relationship between science learning environments and scientific literacy level of learners. Descriptive research design of the survey type was employed. The population for the study was made up of both secondary school students and science teachers, stratified into types A, B, and C. Four hundred and forty-nine respondents offering sciences were randomly selected, while 81 respondents were drawn from among science teachers from types A, B, and C schools. Two self-constructed and validated research instruments - Science Teachers’ Questionnaire (STQ) and Literacy Level Rating Scale (LLRS) - were used to collect data for the study. Six research questions and two research hypotheses were raised to guide the study. Results indicated the following: 1) that teachers in the different school types rated their own school learning environments differently, 2) teachers’ knowledge about optimum, average and poor learning environments was influenced by the type of school in which they are domiciled, 3) the extent to which teachers made use of locally made materials varied with school type, 4) hindrance to the teaching of science subjects was most serious in type C schools, 5) there is a significant relationship between classroom leaning environments and the respondents’ scientific literacy level, and 6) there is a significant difference in the scientific literacy level of respondents based on school types. It is recommended that irrespective of the school type, science teachers ought to be able to develop science learning communities, teacher and student questions, seek information, and validate explanations in various thoughtful creative and cooperative ways. Teachers should shift from design of instruction to design of learning environments.
Utilizing The Internet To Facilitate Classroom Learning
Authors: Tucker Jan , Courts Bari 
Published: March 2016

Traditional theories on classroom learning focus on fixed curriculum, static learning tools and believe learning is achieved through repetition and rote memorization. The instructor’s role in a traditional learning environment focuses on providing direction to the student versus facilitating learning. As the technology age becomes more prevalent in educational institutions, it is time to approach teaching and learning from a technological point of view. Due to the extensive and diverse technologies available to higher education institutions, many are considering and implementing initiatives to take advantage of the coverage and the return on investment features of these technologies. This adaptation often involves the use of multimedia and the transfer of course content over the Internet. A detailed look at applications on the Internet can identify multimedia items, such as animation, slideshows, announcements, blogging and even instant messaging, which can be implemented successfully in the college classroom. Multimedia, which uses the Internet as its transfer mechanism, should be a consideration when designing an effective and dynamic college classroom experience.
How To Use The Pop-Screen In Literary Studies
Authors: Reuber Alexandra 
Published: March 2016

Teaching literary theory is fascinating for those who love the application of theory to a literary text, difficult for those who are of the opinion that theory destroys the actual beauty and value of the fictional source, and unfortunately often boring for those who are taught. This article, however, provides a popular approach to the introduction to classical Freudian literary criticism by choosing David Koepp’s cinematographic adaptation of Stephen King’s novella Secret Window. David Koepp’s film Secret Window (2004) is a valuable teaching tool, as it invites the viewer to observe Mort Rainey’s—the film’s main character—psychologically unstable mind and emotional distress processed in his dream states, hallucinations, and anxiety attacks. Moreover, the film illustrates well the Freudian concept of repression, of the uncanny, of dream work, and of the interplay of the three psychological entities—ego, Id, super-ego. This differentiated introduction to important Freudian concepts and his understanding of dream-analysis is student centered, motivating, interactive, and helps students to develop their critical and media literacy.
Identification of Causes of Red Leaf Spot on Red Jabon (Anthocephalus macrophyllus (Roxb.) Havil) Seeds in Kima Atas Permanent Nursery, Manado Forestry Research Institute
Authors: Hidayah Hanif Nurul , Anggraeni Illa 
Published: March 2016

Fulfillment the needs of Red Jabon (Anthocephalus macrophyllus (Roxb.) Havil) seeds on the other hand can create an unbalanced ecosystem. The availability of red Jabon seed was becoming a source of food for pests, then it causes an explosion of pests and pathogens. The disease that most often affect red Jabon seeds, both in the nursery and in the field was red leaf spot (antraknose). The initial step to control red leaf spot disease is the identification of causing. Identification method performed by observation of the symptoms in the field, followed by microscopic observation in a laboratory. Based on the identification result, it was known that the disease caused by the fungus Cercospora sp., Colletotrichum sp. and Pestalotia sp. The effect caused by those fungal pathogens was the disruption of the photosynthetic process that ultimately inhibits the growth of red Jabon seeds. The controls which have been done are arranged the watering intensity, isolated the infected seed,and applied the chemical fungicide.
Promoting Nature-Based Activity for People With Mental Illness Through the US “Exercise Is Medicine” Initiative
Authors: Maier Julie , Jette Shannon 
Published: March 2016

Nature-based physical activity programming (e.g., countryside walks, hiking, horseback riding) has been found to be an effective way to help improve the health of people with mental illness. Exercise referral initiatives, whereby health practitioners prescribe exercise in an attempt to prevent or treat chronic illnesses, have helped make such nature-based activities accessible to this population in the United Kingdom and Australia; however, there is a dearth of research related to the most prominent exercise referral program in the United States: Exercise is Medicine. Taking into account the barriers to physical activity faced by people with mental illness, we explore how nature-based programming for this population might be mobilized in the United States through the growing Exercise is Medicine initiative.
Sexual Orientation Disparities in Preventable Disease: A Fundamental Cause Perspective
Authors: Bränström Richard , Hatzenbuehler Mark L. , Pachankis John E. , Link Bruce G. 
Published: March 2016

Objectives. To determine whether fundamental cause theory (which posits that, in societal conditions of unequal power and resources, members of higher-status groups experience better health than members of lower-status groups because of their disproportionate access to health-protective factors) might be relevant in explaining health disparities related to sexual orientation. Methods. We used 2001 to 2011 morbidity data from the Stockholm Public Health Cohort, a representative general population–based study in Sweden. A total of 66 604 (92.0%) individuals identified as heterosexual, 848 (1.2%) as homosexual, and 806 (1.1%) as bisexual. To test fundamental cause theory, we classified diseases in terms of preventability potential (low vs high). Results. There were no sexual orientation differences in morbidity from low-preventable diseases. By contrast, gay or bisexual men (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13, 1.93) and lesbian or bisexual women (adjusted OR = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.28, 2.10) had a greater risk of high-preventable morbidity than heterosexual men and women, respectively. These differences were sustained in analyses adjusted for covariates. Conclusions. Our findings support fundamental cause theory and suggest that unequal distribution of health-protective resources, including knowledge, prestige, power, and supportive social connections, might explain sexual orientation health disparities.
Impacts of Urban Water Conservation Strategies on Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Health: Southern California as a Case Study
Authors: Sokolow Sharona , Godwin Hilary , Cole Brian L. 
Published: March 2016

Objectives. To determine how urban water conservation strategies in California cities can affect water and energy conservation efforts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and benefit public health. Methods. We expanded upon our 2014 health impact assessment of California's urban water conservation strategies by comparing the status quo to 2 options with the greatest potential impact on the interrelated issues of water and energy in California: (1) banning landscape irrigation and (2) expanding alternative water sources (e.g., desalination, recycled water). Results. Among the water conservation strategies evaluated, expanded use of recycled water stood out as the water conservation strategy with potential to reduce water use, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions, with relatively small negative impacts for the public’s health. Conclusions. Although the suitability of recycled water for urban uses depends on local climate, geography, current infrastructure, and finances, analyses similar to that presented here can help guide water policy decisions in cities across the globe facing challenges of supplying clean, sustainable water to urban populations.
Neighborhood Walkability and Body Mass Index Trajectories: Longitudinal Study of Canadians
Authors: Wasfi Rania A. , Dasgupta Kaberi , Orpana Heather , Ross Nancy A. 
Published: March 2016

Objectives. To assess the impact of neighborhood walkability on body mass index (BMI) trajectories of urban Canadians. Methods. Data are from Canada’s National Population Health Survey (n = 2935; biannual assessments 1994–2006). We measured walkability with the Walk Score. We modeled body mass index (BMI, defined as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters [kg/m2]) trajectories as a function of Walk Score and sociodemographic and behavioral covariates with growth curve models and fixed-effects regression models. Results. In men, BMI increased annually by an average of 0.13 kg/m2 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.11, 0.14) over the 12 years of follow-up. Moving to a high-walkable neighborhood (2 or more Walk Score quartiles higher) decreased BMI trajectories for men by approximately 1 kg/m2 (95% CI = −1.16, −0.17). Moving to a low-walkable neighborhood increased BMI for men by approximately 0.45 kg/m2 (95% CI = 0.01, 0.89). There was no detectable influence of neighborhood walkability on body weight for women. Conclusions. Our study of a large sample of urban Canadians followed for 12 years confirms that neighborhood walkability influences BMI trajectories for men, and may be influential in curtailing male age-related weight gain.
Educational Interventions to Promote Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Among Older Chinese Americans: A Cluster-Randomized Trial
Authors: Jih Jane , Le Gem , Woo Kent , Tsoh Janice Y. , Stewart Susan , Gildengorin Ginny , Burke Adam , Wong Ching , Chan Elaine , Fung Lei-Chun , Yu Filmer , Pasick Rena , McPhee Stephen J. , Nguyen Tung T. 
Published: March 2016

Objectives. To evaluate the efficacy of an in-language intervention of 2 lectures plus printed materials versus printed materials alone on knowledge and adherence to nutrition and physical activity guidelines among older Chinese Americans in San Francisco, California. Methods. From August 2010 to September 2013, we randomized 756 Chinese Americans aged 50 to 75 years to either lectures plus print (n = 361) or print (n = 357). Clusters were the participants recruited by each lay health worker. Intervention outcomes were changes in knowledge of recommended vegetable intake, fruit intake, and physical activity level and adherence to those recommendations from pre- to 6 months postintervention. Results. The retention rate was 99%. At baseline, knowledge and adherence to recommendations were low. Print yielded increases in knowledge of recommended vegetable intake and physical activity level and adherence to fruit intake and physical activity recommendations. Lectures plus print had significant increases in all 6 outcomes. In multivariable models, lectures plus print was superior to print for knowledge of vegetable (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 12.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 6.50, 24.45) and fruit (AOR = 16.16; 95% CI = 5.61, 46.51) intake recommendations and adherence to vegetable intake recommendations (AOR = 5.53; 95% CI = 1.96, 15.58). Conclusions. In-language print materials, alone and combined with lectures, increased nutrition and physical activity knowledge and behaviors among older Chinese Americans.
A modelling approach to reconstruct Little Ice Age climate from remote-sensing glacier observations in southeastern Tibet
Authors: Huintjes Eva , Loibl David , Lehmkuhl Frank , Schneider Christoph 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe use numerical modelling of glacier mass balance combined with recent and past glacier extents to obtain information on Little Ice Age (LIA) climate in southeastern Tibet. We choose two glaciers that have been analysed in a previous study of equilibrium-line altitudes (ELA) and LIA glacier advances with remote-sensing approaches. We apply a physically based surface energy- and mass-balance model that is forced by dynamically downscaled global analysis data. The model is applied to two glacier stages mapped from satellite imagery, modern (1999) and LIA. Precipitation scaling factors (PSF) and air temperature offsets (ATO) are applied to reproduce recent ELA and glacier mass balance (MB) during the LIA. A sensitivity analysis is performed by applying seasonally varying gradients of precipitation and air temperature. The calculated glacier-wide MB estimate for the period 2000–12 is negative for both glaciers (–992±366 kgm–2 a–1 and –1053±258 kgm–2 a–1). Relating recent and LIA PSF/ATO sets suggests a LIA climate with ~8–25% increased precipitation and ~1–2.5°C lower mean air temperature than in the period 2000–12. The results only provide an order of magnitude because deviations in other input parameters are not considered.