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The interior southwest United States is one of the hottest, driest regions on the planet, yet irrigated cropland agriculture is successfully practiced where there is access to surface water and/or groundwater. Through climate change, the southwest is projected to become even hotter and drier, increasing the challenges faced by farmers across the region. We can assess the vulnerability of cropland agriculture, to assist in developing potential solutions to these challenges of warming temperatures and water scarcity. However, these types of biophysical vulnerability assessment usually generate technological or policy-level solutions that do not necessarily account for farmers’ ability to respond to climate change impacts. Further, there are non-climatic factors that also threaten the future of agriculture in the region, such as population increase, loss of agricultural land, and increasing competition for depleting water resources. In this paper, we assert that to fully address how southwestern farmers may respond to climate change impacts, we must consider both biophysical outcome and contextual vulnerabilities. Future research on individual localities and/or specific commodities and including cross-disciplinary analysis of socio-economic, institutional, cultural, and political factors alongside biophysical factors will help to develop more substantive understanding of system vulnerabilities and feasible adaptive solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Privately owned grazing lands comprise 52% of all grazing lands in the United States. Livestock production is the primary economic source of income from these lands; however, improved management strategies can be implemented to not only sustain this agroecosystem, but enhance the natural resource to provide new and innovated ecosystem services and goods. To sustain this resource, grazing strategies should be designed to implement five basic principles: 1) provide diverse plant communities, 2) protect the soil surface, 3) eliminate overgrazing, 4) incorporate grazing management that enhances the forage harvest efficiency, and 5) create best managed ecosystems that accomplish reestablishment of historical disturbance regimes for a given region. By obtaining these principles, land owners will have the opportunity to create or enhance ecosystem services and goods that provide commodity, amenity, environmental and spiritual values essential to ranching life, the communities they live in, and the nation as a whole. Sustained ecosystems can provide food, fiber, biofuels, fish and wildlife habitat, water, improved air quality, ornamental resources, and ceremonial items to name a few. Livestock grazing is essential to sustain the ecosystems associated with rangeland, grassland and other perennial pastures. Ranchers and land managers should incorporate new grazing strategies to sustain the agroecosystem while developing potential enterprises to increase income through secondary goods and service. The ultimate goal is to provide a sustainable ecosystem that can be shared by future generations with a history that ties the land to the family and community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This mixed-method study examines Arizona principals' capacity-building skills and practices in Tier III schools aimed at developing potential for sustained improvements in student outcomes. Data sources included surveys (62 individuals) and semistructured interviews (29 individuals) of principals and staff (e.g. teachers, instructional coaches, assistant principals) who participated in grant-funded leadership training over an 18-month period. The theoretical framework consisted of leadership in the sociocultural dimension (Ylimaki et al. in Leadersh Policy Sch 11(2):168-193, ) and capacity building for sustainable improvement in high-capacity Schools (Mitchell and Sackney in Sustainable improvement: building learning communities that endure. Sense Publishers, Rotterdam, ). Findings indicated that: (1) schools were not at high-levels of capacity building; (2) those schools in process of building capacity for sustainable improvement demonstrate a directive leadership approach; (3) school development towards high capacity focused on micro-level processes (e.g., professional learning communities); and (4) little attention was given to leadership in the socio-cultural dimension. Implications of the study suggest future research test a leadership development model for Tier III schools that links capacity building leadership and student achievement. The next generation of educational leaders must also have the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and analytical tools to lead schools in both the accountability culture and the macro socio-cultural dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whole slide digital imaging technology has matured considerably over the past decade. Applications in pathology education are widespread and are rapidly transforming the manner in which medical students learn pathology and histology, and they have a novel and significant impact on postgraduate continuing medical education. Whole slide digital images for use in pathology graduate education have been slower in adoption and remain much less widespread. Emphasis on professional competency by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and credentialing organizations, however, appear poised to significantly increase. The convergence of these two forces is propitious for pathology training. This article examines the opportunities for the use of whole slide images (WSI) in pathology residency training along with the developing potential uses in each of the areas of competency, as categorized by the ACGME. Barriers to WSI adoption in the pathology community are identified along with potentially significant promoters for adoption in training and practice. Current literature and recent presentations are reviewed. Digital pathology coupled with emphasis on competency is a shift of tremendous magnitude that can dramatically improve our abilities to help trainees acquire, demonstrate, and maintain the skills to practice pathology in the generation ahead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common and often devastating neurodegenerative disease affecting up to one million individuals in the United States alone. Multiple lines of evidence support mitochondrial dysfunction as a primary or secondary event in PD pathogenesis; a better understanding, therefore, of how mitochondrial function is altered in vivo in brain tissue in PD is a critical step toward developing potential PD biomarkers. In vivo study of mitochondrial metabolism in human subjects has previously been technically challenging. However, proton and phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H and 31P MRS) are powerful noninvasive techniques that allow evaluation in vivo of lactate, a marker of anaerobic glycolysis, and high energy phosphates, such as adenosine triphosphate and phosphocreatine, directly reflecting mitochondrial function. This article reviews previous 1H and 31P MRS studies in PD, which demonstrate metabolic abnormalities consistent with mitochondrial dysfunction, and then presents recent 1H MRS data revealing abnormally elevated lactate levels in PD subjects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the summer of 1781, a Franco-American army under the command of George Washington contemplated an elaborate attack on New York City that, it hoped, would bring the American War for Independence to a close. The details of that plan were lost to history, until a few years ago. Discovered in the papers of Francois-Jean de Chastellux in the private Chastellux family archives in Burgundy, France, the battleplan is now in the George Washington Presidential Library in Mount Vernon, Virginia. Historians of the American War of Independence have traditionally depicted the summer of 1781 as a period of rest for the Continental and French armies. The Chastellux battleplan showcases the extent to which Washington considered an attack on New York and highlights a complex preparatory operation conducted in its suburbs that gave both armies the chance to work together long before they went into action in Yorktown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgender populations report higher suicidal ideation (SI) and suicide attempts than the general population. This study sought to identify predictors of suicide in individuals with diverse gender identities, including transgender women; transgender men; and gender-nonbinary, genderqueer, and crossdressing individuals within various racial/ethnic groups. Secondary analyses were conducted using the United States Transgender Survey (N = 27,204). The dependent variables were SI and suicide attempts in the past 12 months. The independent variables were gender, race, employment status, transactional sex, exposure to violence, and age. Bivariate, multivariable, and nested models were used to examine the association between variables. Findings reveal transgender women to be more likely to report SI than other gender groups. White and Hispanic/Latino participants were more likely to have SI than Black participants. Transgender men and gender-nonbinary groups were significantly less likely to attempt suicide than transgender women, and crossdressers were not significantly different in suicide attempts than transgender women. Increased exposure to violence was associated with increased SI and suicide attempts. Increased age and part- or full-time employment were associated with decreased SI and suicide attempts. White transgender women were more likely to have attempted suicide than white transgender men and gender-nonbinary groups. Asian and biracial transgender women were more likely to have attempted suicide than the other gender groups. Findings illuminate differences in suicide among individuals with diverse racial and gender identities and support the call for continued research on mental health experiences of these populations. Suicide ideation and attempts varies by race and gender, including for people with diverse gender identities Transgender women and crossdressers are more likely to have attempted suicide than transgender men or gender-nonbinary individuals Suicide ideation and suicide attempts are associated with gender, race, employment, survival and transactional sex, violence exposure, and age [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grapevine red blotch virus (GRBV) has become widespread in the United States since its identification in 2012. GRBV is the causative agent of grapevine red blotch disease (GRBD), which has caused detrimental economic impacts to the grape and wine industry. Understanding viral function, plant–pathogen interactions, and the effects of GRBV on grapevine performance remains essential to developing potential mitigation strategies. This comprehensive review examines the current body of knowledge regarding GRBV, to highlight gaps in the knowledge and potential mitigation strategies for grape growers and winemakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Despite best efforts, 5-year survival for unresectable metastatic CRC is only about 20%. CRC is a heterogeneous disease and the underlying genetic differences inform behavior, treatment strategy, and prognosis. Given the limitations of cytotoxic chemotherapy and the growing role of molecular profiling, research has focused on identifying and developing targeted therapies. We herein review how genetic profiling informs prognosis, crucial cell-signaling pathways that play a role in CRC carcinogenesis, and currently approved targeted therapies for metastatic CRC. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States. Among newly diagnosed patients with CRC, 20% will present with metastatic disease and another 25% will develop metastases. The surgical resection of the primary tumor and metastatic disease sites confers the best chance at long-term survival. Unfortunately, many patients will recur after resection or present with unresectable disease. As such, metastatic CRC is commonly treated with a combination of surgery, systemic therapy, and/or liver-directed therapies. Despite best efforts, 5-year survival for unresectable metastatic CRC is only about 20%. CRC is a heterogeneous disease and the underlying genetic differences inform behavior, treatment strategy, and prognosis. Given the limitations of cytotoxic chemotherapy and the growing role of molecular profiling, research has focused on identifying and developing targeted therapies. We herein review how genetic profiling informs prognosis, crucial cell-signaling pathways that play a role in CRC carcinogenesis, and currently approved targeted therapies for metastatic CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer (BC) is among the most frequently diagnosed malignant cancers in women in the United States. Diet and nutrition supplementation are closely related to BC onset and progression, and inulin is commercially available as a health supplement to improve gut health. However, little is known with respect to inulin intake for BC prevention. We investigated the effect of an inulin-supplemented diet on the prevention of estrogen receptor-negative mammary carcinoma in a transgenic mouse model. Plasma short-chain fatty acids were measured, the gut microbial composition was analyzed, and the expression of proteins related to cell cycle and epigenetics-related genes was measured. Inulin supplementation greatly inhibited tumor growth and significantly delayed tumor latency. The mice that consumed inulin had a distinct microbiome and higher diversity of gut microbial composition compared to the control. The concentration of propionic acid in plasma was significantly higher in the inulin-supplemented group. The protein expression of epigenetic-modulating histone deacetylase 2 (Hdac2), Hdac8, and DNA methyltransferase 3b decreased. The protein expression of factors related to tumor cell proliferation and survival, such as Akt, phospho-PI3K, and NF-kB, also decreased with inulin administration. Furthermore, sodium propionate showed BC prevention effect in vivo through epigenetic regulations. These studies suggest that modulating microbial composition through inulin consumption may be a promising strategy for BC prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using photomosaics and measured sections, this outcrop study characterizes facies- to sandbody-scale heterogeneity in the fluvial and coastal-plain deposits of the Blackhawk Formation of the Wasatch Plateau, Utah, USA, as an outcrop analog for the fluvial tight-gas reservoirs of the adjacent greater western Rocky Mountain basins as well as for conventional fluvial reservoirs elsewhere. Analysis on eight contiguous, vertical cliff-faces comprising both depositional-dip- and -strike-oriented segments provides field-validation and calibration of the entire range of fluvial heterogeneity, where: 1) large-scale heterogeneity (10's of m vertically and 100's of m laterally) is associated with stacking of channelized fluvial sandbodies encased within coastal-plain fines, 2) intermediate-scale heterogeneity (1's of m vertically and 10's of m laterally) is related to type and distribution of architectural elements like bar-accretion and crevasse-splay units within individual sandbodies, and 3) small-scale heterogeneity (10's of cm vertically and 1's of m laterally) is attributed to facies spatial variability within individual architectural elements. At a reservoir-scale (∼6 km strike-transect), impact of these heterogeneities has resulted in potential stratigraphic compartmentalization in varied patterns and scales within and among three zones, which have similar lateral extents. Distinct vertical or lateral compartmentalization, contrasting net-to-gross pattern, width-constraint by either large- or intermediate-scale heterogeneity, disparity in communication between principal reservoir compartments by intermediate-scale heterogeneity, and reservoir-quality segregation to barrier styles rendered by small-scale heterogeneity are documented in an array of trends. These intriguing trends are challenging to correlate across the reservoir-scale dataset, contributing to multiple, analogous exploration and production uncertainties. For improved tight-gas exploration and production strategy of the western Rocky Mountain basins, study results were also used in developing potential predictive tools: 1) thickness threshold of individual channelized sandbody favoring multiple well intersection, 2) aspect ratio in performing probabilistic sandbody-width estimation, and 3) prediction of sandbody amalgamation using underlying coal thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most research on suicides focuses on youth or the elderly and dominant groups of a population. The purpose of this study was to assess suicide trends for non-elderly adult Hispanics (age 20–64 years) over the past decade (2010–2020). Data from the Web-Based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) were analyzed for the study period. Suicides for Hispanics in 2010 were the 7th leading cause of death and became the 5th leading cause of death by 2020. During the decade of analyses, suicide rates increased 35.7% for males and 40.6% for females. Non-elderly Hispanic males were most likely to die by hanging/suffocation (2010 = 42%, 2020 = 41%), or firearms (2010 = 39%, 2020 = 42%). Whereas, Hispanic adult females were most likely to use hanging/suffocation (2010 = 36%, 2020 = 43%) or poisoning (2010 = 27%, 2020 = 19%) for completed suicides. In 2020, the top three states for non-elderly Hispanic adult suicides (per 100,000 population) were Colorado (25.52), New Mexico (23.99), and Utah (21.73). The Hispanic population continues to grow, but also faces chronicity of prejudice, underemployment, lack of healthcare access, multiple stressors, and rising levels of suicide. The reduction of adult Hispanic suicides would require additional resources, interventions, and research to understand prevention and risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the differences between American and British policy on embryo science and research cloning. Ethical argumentation on embryonic stem cell research and human cloning was presented. Supporters of the embryo research in both countries believe that experiments using embryos are valuable on developing potential disease treatment.

The article focuses on the frequency of perinatal hepatitis C cases among children exposed during 2018–2020 in seven U.S. jurisdictions, revealing that only one-third of the expected cases were reported to public health authorities. Topics include the challenges in testing and surveillance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendations for earlier HCV RNA testing, and the observed gap in testing patterns for children perinatally exposed to hepatitis C.

Investigators used exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses to validate scores on the Lifestyle Practices and Health Consciousness Inventory, a screening tool for integrated aspects of physical and mental health, with four national random samples of adults living in the United States. Four correlated dimensions and a higher order factor emerged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The National Library of Medicine/Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (NLM/AAHSL) Leadership Fellows Program was created to provide training and mentorship to potential library directors. The program's constituent parts, site visits, mentoring, online classes, and Capstone events, are described. The program has been successful in imparting these skills to its participants—18 of the first 35 fellows have been promoted since they completed the program, 11 of whom have been named directors at AAHSL libraries. The NLM/AAHSL program ensures that the impending retirement of many members of the current cadre of academic health sciences library directors will not result in a leadership vacuum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the varieties of carrots, onions, cucumbers and garlics developed at the Agricultural Research Service's (ARS) Vegetable Crops Research Laboratory in Madison, Wisconsin. Attributes of the varieties developed by ARS; Use of DNA genetic markers in developing potential sources of new lines.

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Background: Compared with the general United States (US) population, Muslims in the US exhibit elevated rates of tobacco use. As a result, they might be at a higher risk for preventive disease and premature death as compared with the general US population. Objective: This study investigated the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) factors that are associated with tobacco use among a sample of adult Muslims in the US. Methods: Data were collected (November 2016–March 2017) using a cross-sectional, on-line survey from a convenience sample of adult (≥ 18 years) US Muslims. Participants with a lung cancer history were excluded. Associations between SCT factors and tobacco use were investigated with bivariate analyses and multinomial logistic regression models. Results: Eligible participants (n = 271) from 30 states completed the survey; 52.8% reported current tobacco use. A higher rate of current tobacco use was reported by men (62.8%) as compared to women (41.3%), x2(1, N = 271) = 12.49, p <.001. In terms of cognitive factors, individuals who (1) expected more personal consequences for tobacco use on health, and (2) had more confidence regarding ability to abstain from tobacco use, were less likely to report current tobacco use. In terms of environmental factors, individuals whose family members did not use tobacco were less likely to report current tobacco use. Conclusion: The study findings suggest that family-oriented interventions emphasizing self-efficacy and personal consequences to prevent tobacco use can potentially be effective in reducing tobacco use rates in the adult US Muslim population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the executive origins of firms' competitive moves by focusing on top management team characteristics, specifically on team heterogeneity, rather than on the more often studied environmental and organizational determinants of such behaviors. Arguing that competitive actions and responses represent different decision situations, we develop propositions about how heterogeneity may enhance some competitive behaviors but impair others. With a large sample of actions and responses of 32 U.S. airlines over eight years, we find results that largely conform to our propositions. The top management teams that were diverse, in terms of functional backgrounds, education, and company tenure, exhibited a relatively great propensity for action, and both their actions and responses were of substantial magnitude. Heterogeneous teams, by contrast, were slower in their actions and responses and less likely than homogeneous teams to respond to competitors' initiatives. Thus, although team heterogeneity is a double-edged sword, its overall net effect on airline performance, in terms of changes in market share and profits, was positive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of leading companies have special programs for identification, accelerated advancement and development of potential executives. A "fast-track" plan means the programming of quicker promotions for high-potential young executives. What it offers up-and-coming executives is the kind of challenge, recognition and ego satisfaction that these aggressive young men seek. A fast-track program includes key elements like assessment of top management potential in individuals, rapid expansion of responsibilities, generally through accelerated job assignments, job assignments and special developmental activities to provide broad, multifunctional exposure to build top management capabilities and periodic reviews of progress and reassessment of management potential. Programs of this type, discussed in the 1960's, are proving to be useful tools for moving youthful, capable talent toward management responsibilities in competitive, rapidly changing companies. An analysis of current practices in the U. S. business corporation suggests that tracking corporate youngsters is an important and practical manpower planning responsibility of management.

The study deals with some of the problems that American Multinational Corporations face in transferring management know-how to the developing area. The analysis shows that certain variables such as ownership, company size, nature of the technology, and product market characteristics seem to have an influential bearing on the management transfer process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current research on gifted English language learners (gifted ELLs) is broadly centered on identification issues and investigations of underrepresentation in gifted programs mainly in schools in the United States and referencing predominantly Spanish-speaking students. Australia presents itself as a multicultural nation, yet limited research exists as to what it knows about its particular gifted ELL populations and ways of supporting them when they enter Australian schools. A review of the current literature examines existing research in the United States and explores the findings from Australian studies. Some suggestions for future research in both local and global contexts are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using decade-long continuous observations of tree mortality and predawn leaf water potential (ψpd) at the Missouri Ozark AmeriFlux (MOFLUX) site, we studied how the mortality of important tree species varied and how such variations may be predicted. Water stress determined interannual variations in tree mortality with a time delay of 1 year or more, which was correlated fairly tightly with a number of quantitative predictors formulated based on ψpd and precipitation regimes. Predictors based on temperature and vapor pressure deficit anomalies worked reasonably well, particularly for moderate droughts. The exceptional drought of the year 2012 drastically increased the mortality of all species, including drought-tolerant oaks, in the subsequent year. The drought-influenced tree mortality was related to the species position along the spectrum of ψpd regulation capacity with those in either ends of the spectrum being associated with elevated risk of death. Regardless of species and drought intensity, the ψpd of all species recovered rapidly after sufficiently intense rain events in all droughts. This result, together with a lack of immediate leaf and branch desiccation, suggests an absence of catastrophic hydraulic disconnection in the xylem and that tree death was caused by significant but indirect effects. Species differences in the capacity of regulating ψpd and its temporal integral were magnified under moderate drought intensities but diminished towards wet and dry extremes. Severe droughts may overwhelm the capacity of even drought-tolerant species to maintain differential levels of water potential as the soil becomes exhausted of available water in the rooting zone, thus rendering them more susceptible to death if predisposed by other factors such as age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality is a persistent problem despite decades of regulation. Theory suggests that more successful outcomes may occur if the assumption of a shared definition of the problem is questioned. This study explores whether different definitions may arise out of diverse ways of knowing and the implications including this diversity may have for policymaking. Through semi-structured interviews and participant observation, this research documents the perspectives of experiential knowledge in a fishing community in North Carolina, academic knowledge in the scientific community, and political knowledge in the management community. Results show that beginning with definition, these perspectives differ in framing water quality issues, laying responsibility, and delineating potential solutions. Those who can communicate between knowledge groups emerged as a particularly important, yet shrinking, group in establishing trust. Efforts to solve water quality issues in the future would benefit by incorporating these perspectives and fostering boundary-spanning for a more comprehensive view of water quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A national research agenda focused on gifted/creative/talented Native American students is needed, as this population remains one of the least researched, most overlooked, and most underserved in the field. Literature-based assumptions surrounding Native American students’ talent development, culture and traditions, cognitive styles and learning preferences, and communication were generated and then reviewed by educators and tribal members for relevance and accurace. This article has three purposes. The first is to analyze the literature-based assumptions concerning gifted education in three Native American communities—Diné, Lakota, and Ojibwe. The second is to call on gifted education researchers to include Native American students in their research. The third is to suggest a research agenda based on data gathered within these communities [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though National Association of School Psychologists standards acknowledge the urgent need for leadership skills among school psychologists and loosely define a leadership agenda, a cogent model for the training and practice of this skill set has not yet been explicated. The formulation of a preliminary conceptual framework is a particularly pressing agenda for school psychology practitioners and academicians who, in response to the call for increased accountability in general and special education, must shift curricula from a traditional diagnostic/consultative/intervention framework to include topics related to organizational effectiveness. The objective of this article is to identify key behaviors, skills, dispositions, and contextual variables that will facilitate successful leadership among practicing school psychologists and then to propose considerations for specialist-level training in school psychology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Travel is beneficial. It creates opportunities for people to see other cultures, experience history, learn, strengthen bonds with loved ones and might even be beneficial to one’s health. Yet research that empirically shows benefits beyond assisting communities with their economy is lacking. This article articulates the need for further benefits research and, we hope, will serve as an impetus for extensive academic and practical work in this area. It also unveils the overriding methodology used in the subsequent articles in the current special series and attempts to reveal the role the U.S. Travel Association has played in creating inertia in this topic of study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the failed research program undertaken by the General Electric Research Laboratory in Schenectady, New York and other field stations which involved the use of x-rays to promote genetic mutations in plants. The program was reported in a 1933 article in the periodical "Popular Mechanics," just a year prior to the end of the research. The plant breeding program involved a collaboration of biologists, engineers, and physicists during the interwar period.

Although recognized as the leading cause of epidemic acute gastroenteritis across all age groups, norovirus has remained poorly characterized with respect to its endemic disease incidence. Use of different methods, including attributable proportion extrapolation, population-based surveillance, and indirect modeling, in several recent studies has considerably improved norovirus disease incidence estimates for the United States. Norovirus causes an average of 570--800 deaths, 56,000--71,000 hospitalizations, 400,000 emergency department visits, 1.7--1.9 million outpatient visits, and 19--21 million total illnesses per year. Persons ≥65 years of age are at greatest risk for norovirus-associated death, and children <5 years of age have the highest rates of norovirus-associated medical care visits. Endemic norovirus disease occurs year round but exhibits a pronounced winter peak and increases by ≤50% during years in which pandemic strains emerge. These findings support continued development and targeting of appropriate interventions, including vaccines, for norovirus disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically Black Colleges and Universities have been in existence in the United States since the mid-1800s. Currently there are 105, which include private and public institutions, with most being four-year programs. In this study, we compare graduation rates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities to predominately White institutions and analyze the use of graduation rates as a performance measure for determining funding policies. The study design consists of 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and 10 predominately White institutions, selected and matched by purposive sampling based on variables of student body population size, geographical location, public or private institution charter type, and student body socioeconomic factors. Results suggest that Historically Black Colleges and Universities have lower overall graduation rates than matched predominately White institutions. However, these institutions perform equally well when exclusively considering graduation rates of African-American students. Recommendations for Historically Black Colleges and Universities to improve academic outcomes and incorporate proven educational strategies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although sustainability is at the forefront globally, awareness of its importance within the hospitality curriculum of universities in the United States has been limited. This study appraised importance of sustainability education in hospitality curriculums by assessing students, educators, and industry leaders in the United States. Results revealed significant differences between these stakeholders as to environmental attitudes, behaviors, interest in sustainability, and the significance of environmental concerns in a hospitality curriculum. Results also showed how the stakeholders' views were different with regard to the relevance of environmental topics in the hospitality curriculum and how best sustainability theory and practices can be taught. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Student employees are a vital part of library operations and deserve an effective training program. Students in library and information science programs working in libraries have an excellent opportunity to learn more than just practical information. Through a training program that provides experiential learning, mentoring, critical evaluation and constructive improvement, job preparation, and personal support, these budding librarians can be more prepared for their first positions. As practicing librarians, we owe it to these students to develop and mentor them when we have the opportunity. This article uses a literature review and practical experience to provide a set of best practices for libraries that have library and infomration science students as part of their team. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative for the northeastern states of the U.S. allows for terrestrial carbon (C) sequestration offsets generated by afforestation activities only. This paper estimates the maximum potential quantity and associated costs of increasing the storage of carbon by afforestation of existing agricultural land in the 11 states of the Northeast United States. The focus of the work was to describe location, the quantity, and at what cost it would be economically attractive to shift agricultural production to afforestation to increase carbon storage in the region. Widely available data sets were used to (1) identify spatially-explicit areas for lower costs carbon offsets and (2) estimate carbon supply curves related to afforestation of agricultural land over three time periods (10, 20, and 40 years). Carbon accumulation and total carbon offset project costs were estimated at a county scale and combined to identify expected costs per ton of carbon dioxide equivalents (COe). Large variation in estimated costs per ton of COe are driven by varying carbon accumulation potentials and opportunity costs of taking land out of agricultural production, as well as the duration of the project activity. Results show that the lowest cost carbon offset projects will be in certain counties of Maine, Vermont, and New York. Pasture land, with lower opportunity costs, generally presents the opportunity for lower cost carbon offset projects relative to cropland. This analysis estimates that afforestation of pasture land in the northeast will not become economically attractive until the price rises above $10 per metric tonne (MT) COe and that up to 583 million MT could be economically sequestered if the price were to rise to $50 per MT COe, based on a 40-year project life. With regard to cropland in the northeast, afforestation does not become economically advantageous for land owners until the price rises above $40 per MT COe. It is estimated that up to 487,000 MT could be sequestered from cropland if the price were to rise to $50 per MT COe, based on a 40-year project life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congress established the reclamation program in 1902, and the hundreds of federal water projects built in the twentieth century helped shape the West. Today, the Bureau of Reclamation plays an enormously important role in managing these projects. But with no new big dams to build, the Bureau has been forced to revise its mission to address today's water management challenges, such as stretching finite water supplies and restoring aquatic ecosystems. Through both site-specific enactments and programmatic statutes, Congress in recent years has given the Bureau new authority and direction to address these modern challenges. But Congress has left a significant gap in the Bureau's statutory powers by failing to provide general authority for restoration of ecosystems impaired by reclamation projects. This Article reviews Congress's expressed priorities for the reclamation program since 2002, identifies programmatic statutes intended to help the Bureau address the water issues of today's West, examines the absence of general environmental restoration authority, and concludes with options for legislation through which Congress might provide such authority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The excess morbidity and mortality related to catheter utilization at and immediately following dialysis initiation may simply be a proxy for poor prognosis. We examined hospitalization burden related to vascular access (VA) type among incident patients who received some predialysis care.Methods. We identified a random sample of incident US Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study hemodialysis patients (1996–2004) who reported predialysis nephrologist care. VA utilization was assessed at baseline and throughout the first 6 months on dialysis. Poisson regression was used to estimate the risk of all-cause and cause-specific hospitalizations during the first 6 months.Results. Among 2635 incident patients, 60% were dialyzing with a catheter, 22% with a graft and 18% with a fistula at baseline. Compared to fistulae, baseline catheter use was associated with an increased risk of all-cause hospitalization [adjusted relative risk (RR) = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09–1.54] and graft use was not (RR = 1.07, 95% CI: 0.89–1.28). Allowing for VA changes over time, the risk of catheter versus fistula use was more pronounced (RR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.42–2.08) and increased slightly for graft use (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.94–1.41). Baseline catheter use was most strongly related to infection-related (RR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.92–2.36) and VA-related hospitalizations (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.06–2.11). These effects were further strengthened when VA use was allowed to vary over time (RR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.48–3.61 and RR = 3.10, 95% CI: 1.95–4.91, respectively). A similar pattern was noted for VA-related hospitalizations with graft use.Discussion. Among potentially healthier incident patients, hospitalization risk, particularly infection and VA-related, was highest for patients dialyzing with a catheter at initiation and throughout follow-up, providing further support to clinical practice recommendations to minimize catheter placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]