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Research self-efficacy is a key component of college students' career development. This study's purpose was to develop and begin to construct a validity argument for scores from the Sources of Research Self-Efficacy (SRSE) scale in college students. We explored validity evidence for SRSE scores from 719 undergraduate and graduate students based on test content, response processes, internal structure, relations to related variables, and consequences of testing. We present evidence from our development process for test content and response processes. Our statistical analyses suggest that a 20-item four-factor model is appropriate, with subscales representing Mastery Experiences, Vicarious Experiences, Social Persuasion, and Negative Emotional States. Subscale scores showed good internal consistency and correlated with both global research self-efficacy and research outcome expectancy scores. The SRSE shows promise as a measure of the various learning experiences that lead to students' research self-efficacy in university settings.

Effectively communicating scientific research has taken on greater importance as climate change impacts the world we live in. It is increasingly incumbent upon the science and education communities to produce and deliver curriculum that is timely, accessible, and scientifically accurate. In the summer of 2012, scientists and educators worked together to develop and conduct the "Adventure Learning @ Greenland" (AL@GL) project, which explored the capacity of hands-on and web-based climate science education experiences that occurred in Greenland and the US. The Adventure Learning approach and associated framework was used to design the learning experience during AL@GL activities. Participating students were from Greenland, Denmark, and the US; these students included participants who were diverse, rural, and traditionally underrepresented. Participating students worked closely with educators and scientists to learn about an atmospheric observatory at Summit Station, located on the Greenland Ice Sheet. The purpose of this article is to inform readers in how they may use Adventure Learning and the newly developed curriculum model called "Content, Transition, Inquiry, and Synthesis" for the education and outreach of research projects.

The purpose of this literature review was to describe research findings related to how teachers could support friendships in inclusive early childhood classrooms, with particular interests in friendship development for young children with disabilities. This literature review was conducted to examine the following two questions: (a) How are friendships between young children with and without disabilities defined and measured? and (b) What teaching strategies and intervention programs does research recommend to promote friendships between young children with and without disabilities? The following criteria were used to determine the inclusion of articles: studies included teachers, were conducted in inclusive early childhood classrooms in the United States, had measures for friendships, and were published in peer-reviewed journals between 1990 to 2018. A total of eight studies were identified. The results of this review demonstrated that across all studies there were several common characteristics (e.g. mutual liking, spending time together) in defining young children's friendships. The studies reviewed also included various methods (e.g., surveys, interviews, observations) to measure friendships and suggested effective strategies and intervention programs that teachers could use to support friendship development. However, results also showed that teachers did not readily use the evidence-based practices. Based on the results, implications for future research and practices are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the northeast United States, groundfish landings have declined almost continually since 1983. Fresh groundfish processors have redeployed their marketing capital by substituting other seafood products in place of regional groundfish and expanding into different markets. Meanwhile, northeast U.S. Atlantic sea scallop landings sharply increased starting in 1998, peaked in 2004, remained relatively constant until declining in 2013 and 2014. In order to leverage their favorable access to increased landings, scallop processors invested in development of new products, such as individually quick frozen (IQF) scallops, and invested in marketing activities to attract new customers, including those located in foreign nations. This behavior is consistent with Montgomery and Wernerfelt's theory of diversification in response to excess capacity of firm-specific resources and investments in product development and marketing in firm specific resources. Price and quantity indicators were used to examine the effects of shifting landings and composition of landings on exvessel values. These indicators show that declines in groundfish exvessel values were driven by declining quantities, which is consistent with processors substituting other products rather than biding up exvessel prices. Increases in scallop exvessel values were driven by both increasing prices for all sizes and by increasing quantities for large scallops, which is consistent with investment in marketing for larger scallops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By ending the “race to fish” catch share programs may be expected to lead to improved productivity at the fishery level by retiring redundant capital and by allowing fishing firms to become more technically efficient in their harvesting activities by, among other things, changing the composition of inputs and outputs. Yet, there have been relatively few empirical studies of productivity changes in catch share fisheries and no comprehensive treatment of a cross-section of programs using a common measure of productivity change. In this study estimates of multi-factor productivity change for 20 catch share fisheries in the U.S. using a Lowe index are provided. With few exceptions, productivity increased relative to baseline conditions during the first three years of catch share program implementation. For five of six of the most established catch share programs, these initial productivity gains have been maintained or have continued to improve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous empirical and simulation-based studies have documented or estimated variable impacts to the economic growth of nation states due to the adoption of domestic climate change mitigation policies. However, few studies have been able to empirically link projected changes in economic growth to the provision of public goods and services. In this research, we couple projected changes in economic growth to US states brought about by the adoption of a domestic climate change mitigation policy with a longitudinal panel dataset detailing the production of outdoor recreation opportunities on lands managed in the public interest. Joining empirical data and simulation-based estimates allow us to better understand how the adoption of a domestic climate change mitigation policy would affect the provision of public goods in the future. We first employ a technical efficiency model and metrics to provide decision makers with evidence of specific areas where operational efficiencies within the nation's state park systems can be improved. We then augment the empirical analysis with simulation-based changes in gross state product (GSP) to estimate changes to the states’ ability to provide outdoor recreation opportunities from 2014 to 2020; the results reveal substantial variability across states. Finally, we explore two potential solutions (increasing GSP or increasing technical efficiency) for addressing the negative impacts on the states’ park systems operating budgets brought about by the adoption of a domestic climate change mitigation policy; the analyses suggest increasing technical efficiency would be the most viable solution if/when the US adopts a greenhouse gas reduction policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The inland bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is an economically important lizard in herpetoculture, with an annual estimate of 500,000 juvenile bearded dragons produced in the United States. Within the last few years, Isospora amphiboluri has been recognized as an important disease-causing parasite of bearded dragons; this is associated with significant mortalities in juvenile dragons. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of 3 different treatment modalities (a probiotic, a sulfonamide, and an herbal extract) against I. amphiboluri in bearded dragons. Sixty juvenile bearded dragons that were positive for I. amphiboluri were used in this study. Each group was treated daily for 21 consecutive days with 1 of 4 treatments: isotonic saline solution, sulfadimethoxine, a probiotic, or essential oil of oregano. Fecal samples were collected during this period and screened for the presence of I. amphiboluri. There was no significant difference in the positive status of the control (P = 0.99), probiotic (P = 0.39), or oregano (P = 0.11) groups over time. There was a significant difference in the positive status of the sulfadimethoxine group over time (P = 0.0001). The results of this study demonstrate that sulfadimethoxine may be used to eliminate or significantly reduce oocyst shedding in a majority of bearded dragons after a 21-day treatment period. Additional testing with other sulfonamides, higher doses of sulfadimethoxine, and/or longer treatment duration with sulfadimethoxine may also prove useful. Because some changes in oocyst numbers were observed in the other 3 treatment groups, it is possible that parasite control through the other treatment modalities tested in this study may also have value. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article focuses on U.S. communications law in 2011. Topics include the U.S. Communications Act of 1934, the fairness doctrine in relation to the telecommunications policy in the U.S., and the U.S. Open-Market Reorganization for the Betterment of International Telecommunications (ORBIT) Act. Information is provided on Inmarsat and Intelsat, which are intergovernmental satellite operators.

Each year in the United States, 195 000 individuals die as a result of medical mistakes. Communication among health care providers is repeatedly cited as the core principle in effecting patient care outcomes. Regrettably, well-intentioned nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often fail to speak up during patient care rounds (PCRs). The purposes of this study were to determine the perceived barriers and organizational factors that influence nurses'' participation in PCRs and to determine the health care team member''s perceptions of the nurses'' contributions to patient management decisions within these rounds. A descriptive study using the Delphi technique that involves a series of surveys to develop group consensus was used to identify barriers, organizational factors, and contributions of nurses during PCRs. A convenience, all-inclusive sample of interdisciplinary health care team members who routinely participate in PCRs in the NICU in one large tertiary care urban hospital located in the southwestern United States was recruited to participate in the study. Eighty-seven health care team members participated in the final round of the study. Data demonstrated that nurses tend to be indifferent regarding satisfaction with their presence and level of contributions during PCRs. Data suggest that physicians tend to be dissatisfied if nurses are not physically present during rounds, but when nurses are present, they are satisfied with their level of participation and contributions to PCRs. The 2 most important barriers to nurses'' participation in PCRs were other patient responsibilities and lack of a standard time for PCRs. For optimal participation, data demonstrated that PCRs should occur at the bedside, the nurse must be available to participate, and the nurse must feel that his/her input is valued and respected. Data demonstrated that more than 98% of participants agreed that nurses make important contributions to PCRs including the infant''s response to interventions/medications, feeding issues, and patient advocacy. These data constitute the first step in understanding the barriers and organizational factors that would positively influence nurses'' participation in PCRs. The long-term aim of this study is to help health care providers in the NICU engage more effectively and hold crucial conversations in PCRs that ultimately improve patient outcomes and expand staff and organizational effectiveness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the study on the needs of patients and families during an in-hospital birth or death in the U.S. Using a gap analysis, the needs that were identified through interviews were compared with the current services of a hospital and its staff's general knowledge. The other methods used in the study are lectures and panel discussions, and the participants include Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, Filipinos, and Mormons. The study has identified gaps in available resources, such as prayer books, rugs and compasses.

There is increasing effort in promoting evidence-based practice (EBP) that supports the best possible care to patients and families. This article describes essential concepts for developing an environment of EBP and its implementation at a large pediatric hospital. Essential components for creating an EBP environment include vision, engagement, integration, and evaluation. An institutional initiative to decrease procedure-related pain demonstrates how EBP is used to improve clinical care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study exploring the attitude of social work student and their misperceptions concerning the social work profession in the U.S. Students who were taking psychology, social work, and other majors were administered questionnaires concerning their knowledge of key terms, degree requirements, disciplinary practices, and attitudes toward various social work-related employment settings. Results of the study show that students from other majors are less informed on social work and its professional functions. It also shows that social work students are having misconceptions about their own discipline. The authors suggest that efforts to confront public misperceptions be augmented by proactive remediation efforts in social work curricula.

Fishing vessel productivity is an important metric in terms of economic performance, and yields information about the financial impact of policy changes on fishing fleets. In this study, a new method is proposed to measure sector-wide commercial fishery total factor productivity (TFP), and is applied using northeastern United States fishery-level data from 2007 to 2018. Results from the study are linked to changes which occurred after 2006 Magnuson–Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (MSFCMRA). This is accomplished by employing a translog production possibility frontier to measure total outputs, inputs, and TFP using Törnqvist indices. Quality differences embodied in the capital assets are accounted for, and the TFP measurement is adjusted for fishery stock changes. Results show that for most fisheries, improvements in biomass after the MSFCMRA re-authorization led to improved TFP. However, when biomass growth estimates were separated from overall TPP growth, biomass-adjusted TFP annual growth declined about 2% per year. This highlights the importance of separating biomass growth from output growth so managers understand the impact of their policies on the commercial fishing sector separately from biomass growth. • Total factor productivity (TFP) is estimated for northeast United States Fisheries. • TFP estimates are adjusted by biomass growth to yield biomass adjusted TFP. • Individual Fishery TFP estimates are aggregated to yield a regional TFP total. • Results showed the importance of biomass growth rates to TFP growth rates. • Improved biomass growth can lead to higher output growth or lower input growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on the editorial discretion rights and constitutional obligations of student editors in government supported newspapers in the U.S. Purpose of the study; Discussion on the functions of the student editor; Affirmation that when student editors act as custodians of state-supported publications they act as government agents and constitutional protection shifts to the public.

Presents a survey on the place of ethics instruction in mass media study and teaching in the U.S. Agreement among mass media law instructors for the necessity of ethics in media law courses; Percentage of the law teachers responding to the survey who said they devote more than 10 percent of their courses to ethics instruction; Determination on the practices and attitudes of media law instructors about incorporating ethics into their classes.

The article discusses the break with neoliberalism brought about by the rise of U.S. President Barack Obama, an African-American liberal, to the U.S. presidency. Questions revolve around how the government will reform the system of global capitalism. Focus is given on Global Social Democracy (GSD), an offshoot of European Social Democracy and New Deal liberalism, as an alternative for western elites. It discusses key propositions of GSD as well as its limitations.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Defining the Academy's Advocacy Agenda, Process Planning and Progress: Mapping the Blueprint" by Melissa Sindeen, published in the May/June 2013 issue.