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Customers' perceptions of dietitian services in an Oregon community hospital
Get PDFThe purpose of this research was to explore patients' perceptions of services provided by hospital dietitians. The two-phase study included: (1) personal interviews of thirty-one patients to determine service attributes believed important when receiving a dietitian's service, and (2) development of a survey instrument, NUTRI-SERVE. Responses were obtained from 103 inpatients and 107 outpatients to identify service dimensions, differences in rating dimensions by patient group and gender, and relationships between dimensions, satisfaction, and recommendation of services. Results of personal interviews via qualitative analysis were used to develop NUTRI-SERVE. The survey format was a seven-point agreement scale. The instrument was reviewed for face validity and pilot tested. For the hospital survey, patients were randomly selected and surveyed by telephone; response was 87%. An a priori analysis approach was utilized examining dimensions with factor analysis to assess unidimensionality. Service dimensions: rationale, teach, motivate, care and consideration, reliability and responsiveness, and support staffphis outcome dimensions: learn and belief in the dietitian resulted. The factored scales demonstrated reliability. Outpatients rated service and outcome dimensions significantly more favorably than inpatients. Male outpatients rated and recommended the majority of services and outcomes significantly higher than female outpatients. The support staff dimension was rated highest by patients, while the teach dimension was rated lowest. The lowest rated outcome was learn. Inpatients and outpatients equally rated satisfaction with the dietitian's services favorably. Service and outcome dimensions were highly correlated. Motivate was the strongest driver for satisfaction and recommendation of services. Care and consideration was the strongest driver for motivate. Satisfaction with handouts was a driver for outpatient service dimensions, while satisfaction with the diet instruction room was a greater driver for inpatients. A customer service model was developed from these dimensions. This research provides insight into patients' perspective of service quality relating to hospital dietitians. It suggests satisfaction with dietetic education in an outpatient setting is strongly related to successfully learning the diet. This could be a useful management and marketing tool for dietetic managers, educators, and dietetic interns. Further research using NUTRI-SERVE is recommended to explore demographic and regional perceptions of service quality in dietetics
Radiation effects on III-V heterostructure devices
No full textThe neutron and electron radiation effects in Ill-V compound semiconductor heterostructure devices are studied in this thesis. Three types of devices investigated are AlGaAs/GaAs high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs), AlGaAs/InGaAs/GaAs heterostructure insulated gate field effect transistors (HIGFETs), and InP/InCaAs/InGaAs single heterojunction bipolar transistors (SHBTs). HEMTs and HIGFETs are primarily investigated for neutron irradiation effects. Detailed optimized processing of HEMT devices is introduced. Numerical as well as analytical models that incorporate radiation induced degradation effects in HEMTs and HIGFETs are developed. The most prominent radiation effects appearing on both HEMT and HIGFET devices are increase of threshold voltage (V[subscript T]) and decrease of transconductance (g[subscript m]) as radiation dose increases. These effects are responsible for drain current degradation under given bias conditions after irradiation. From our experimental neutron irradiation study and our theoretical models, we concluded that threshold voltage increase is due to the radiation-induced acceptor-like (negatively charged) traps in the GaAs channel region removing carriers. The mobility degradation in the channel is responsible for g[subscript m] decrease. Series resistance increase is also related to carrier removal and mobility degradation. Traps introduced in the GaAs region affect the device performance more than the traps in the AlGaAs doped region. V[subscript T] and g[subscript m] of HIGFET devices are less affected by neutron radiation than they are in HEMTs. This difference is attributed to different shapes of the quantum well in the two devices. The main effects of electron and neutron irradiation of SHBTs are decrease of collector current (I[subscript c]), decrease of common-emitter DC gain, increase of the collector output conductance (ΔI[subscript c]/ΔV[subscript CE]), and increase of collector-collector offset voltage. The decrease of breakdown voltage of reverse biased base-emitter junction diode is responsible for increasing the output conductance after irradiation. Base-collector junction degradation also induces collector-emitter offset voltage increase
Experiences of community college faculty in developing discipline specific educational master plans at American River College
No full textToday's community colleges are challenged to respond to rapidly changing internal and external environments. Their responses must promote highly responsive and relevant programs and services, while keeping intact the strengths of community colleges--access, student success, and a focus on teaching and learning. Further, these responses must occur in the context of rising costs, decreasing revenues, and increased accountability. Accrediting agencies are requiring colleges to more effectively respond to change by implementing improved planning processes. The research literature on higher education planning suggests faculty are a key constituency to engage in planning efforts. However, little is written about actual faculty experiences in planning. This qualitative study was conducted to provide increased understanding of how faculty at a large, suburban California community college experienced developing discipline specific educational master plans (EMPs) in Spring 2001. Using interactive qualitative analysis methodology, a seven-member faculty focus group first identified the affinities (or themes) of their planning experience. These affinities were used to develop interview questions for another 14 faculty members. The 21 faculty participants were from a total of nine different instructional areas, and had been identified as lead EMP contacts for their disciplines. Following its collection, the data was analyzed to generate grounded theory about the faculty EMP experience. The "Faculty EMP Experience Systems Theory" revealed the primary driver of the faculty experience was their belief eligibility for future resources for their disciplines was tied directly to their EMPs. This was followed by secondary drivers of their past experiences with planning at the college, and the resources they were given, or accessed, to complete their plans. Together, these three drivers directly influenced how the planning work was done. The secondary outcomes of the faculty experience developing EMPs included interpersonal effects of engaging in the EMP process, and unanswered questions about what the administration would actually do with their EMP work. Finally, the primary outcomes of the faculty experience were their evaluation of the EMP processes and products (plans), and the frustrations, if any, they experienced. This new theory suggests implications for practice and further research
Early testing of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii (Mirb.) Franco) for Swiss needle cast tolerance
No full textThe relationship between the level of Phaeocryptopus gaeumannii (Rohde) Petrak colonization and severity of Swiss needle cast (SNC) symptoms, the possibility of early testing of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) for SNC tolerance, and geographic variation in coastal Oregon with respect to SNC tolerance were investigated. Comparisons between the amount of P. gaeumannhi DNA and SNC symptom severity (i.e., degree of yellowing or loss of needles) of 6 wind-pollinated Douglasfir families (two families for each of three disease severity groups) in two progeny test plantations revealed that there were no immune Douglas-fir trees; infection and colonization of Douglas-fir needles by P. gaeumannii occurred at similar rates in the different disease severity groups. The presence of significant differences in symptom severity among the groups, therefore indicated that tolerance, rather than resistance, is responsible for the observed variation in disease symptoms. The degree to which a tree retains its last four growing season's needles appears to be a useful measure for assessing tolerance to SNC. Trees from 55 wind-pollinated Douglas-fir families were assessed for SNC symptoms in two 2-year-old (juvenile) and two 10- and 12-year-old (mature) progeny tests to investigate the genetics of SNC tolerance in Douglas-fir and the possibility of early testing. Natural inoculation was found to be suitable for early testing purposes. Traits related to SNC tolerance (i.e., needle retention, needle color, foliage color and foliage density) were under low to moderate genetic control (0.11[less than or equal to][h[subscript i superscript 2] [less than or equal to] 0.37) at both ages. Moderate genetic correlations between juvenile and mature trees for needle color (r²[subscript B] = 0.53) and needle retention (r²[subscript B] = 0.75) make these traits suitable for early selection. Early selection for needle retention in seedlings is expected to be as efficient as selection in older trees for improving needle retention in older trees, while early selection for needle color is estimated to be 52% as efficient as later selection for needle color. Two-year-old progeny of 152 wind-pollinated Douglas-fir families originating from the Siuslaw National Forest were assessed for severity of SNC symptoms in two seedling trials to investigate genetics of SNC tolerance and relationships between SNC tolerance of families with climatic and geographic variables of mother tree locations. The locations ranged between 25 and 667 m (mean = 331 m) in elevation and between 1 and 48.9 km (mean = 15.2 km) in distance to the Pacific Ocean. The southernmost and the northernmost mother tree locations were north of Florence and south of Pleasant Valley, respectively. Tolerance to SNC was found to be weakly heritable. Despite a wide range among families in severity of SNC symptoms, no significant relationships were observed between needle retention and geographic and climatic variables at mother tree locations. Foliage color in SNC infected trees, however, was significantly associated, although weakly (R² = 0.14), with geography; with greenest foliage in families originating from lower elevations, southerly aspects and midway in the west-east transect across the Coast Range Mountains (i.e., greenest at about 20 km from the coast). The lack of strong patterns of SNC tolerance may be because geographic variation in SNC infection is limited within this region or because there has not yet been sufficient selection pressure on Douglas-fir for patterns to eveolve
Molecular genetic analysis of fruit development in tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum, Mill.)
Get PDFPlant hormones regulate progression through the different phases of plant development in response to endogenous and environmental cues. Gene expression studies, as well as genetic and molecular analysis of mutants with altered hormonal responses, are two common approaches to elucidate hormone response pathways. This dissertation compares ovary and fruit development in both wild-type tomatoes and the diageotropica (dgt) auxin-resistant mutant, and analyzes the interactions between the plant hormones auxin and ethylene that regulate gravitropism and lateral root formation. Fruit development is dramatically affected by the dgt mutation; resulting in reduced fruit weight, lower numbers of locules and seeds, delayed time to flowering, and extended developmental time between anthesis and the onset of fruit ripening. Relative quantification of expression patterns for genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis (the ACC synthase, LeACS, gene family) and auxin responsiveness (the Aux/IAA, LeIAA, family of auxin responsive genes) was used to provide insights into the involvement of auxin and ethylene in the regulation of fruit development in tomato. Only a subset of the LeACS and LeIAA gene family members are affected by the dgt lesion, specifically at early stages of fruit development. Changes in cell number and size during ovary and early fruit development were monitored by microscopic analysis. The difference in final fruit size between dgt and wild-type tomatoes correlates with differences in cell number and size that are established pre-anthesis. Differences in the percentage of nuclei present at 2C and 4C at preanthesis and anthesis in dgt versus wild-type ovaries suggests a possible delay in cell cycle progression in the dgt ovaries. The expression of four LeIAA genes exhibited differential developmental specificity in developing fruits, as well as differential regulation by the DGT gene product. Interactions between auxin and ethylene were further investigated by analyzing gravitropic responsiveness and lateral root formation in dgt and ethylene-resistant Never-ripe (Nr) tomato seedlings, Fl, and backcross populations. The Nr lesion has no effect on the reduced gravitropic response of dgt plants, while the dgt mutant is partially dominant with respect to gravitropism. In regard to lateral root formation, dgt is completely recessive and seems to be epistatic to Nr
Testimonios of shared experience : Canadian women athletes and the 1980 Olympic boycott
Get PDFThe testimonios of three Canadian women athletes and the 1980 Olympic boycott are presented. The Latin American method of testimonio is adapted as a framework for understanding personal stories. Testimonios written in a series of interpretive narratives and poems--poetic testimonios--represent three women's voices. This study includes three journeys: the research journey, a journey of self-discovery, and the journeys of three women athletes. Distinct and collective voices are highlighted. An analysis of writing forms used is offered. A traditional literature review and a section linking the study's findings to the literature are available in the appendices. Testimonios are methods of resistance, and, thus, imply an appeal to matters of social justice. Therefore, "a call to action" invites researchers, counselors, and sport professionals to take a closer look at the oppressive system of high-performance sport and contemplate structural change. Beyond this, the ultimate worth of the project is for readers to decide
Structural and functional comparison of human-impacted and natural forest landscapes in the western Cascades of Oregon
No full textThis study compared effects of human and natural wildfire disturbance on age class distribution and associated ecosystem properties of forests in a 15,670 km2 area of the western Cascades of Oregon. The study site is characterized by three forest use types: low elevation, intensively harvested private industrial lands; mid elevation partially harvested public forest lands; and high elevation wilderness lands. Hypothetical landscapes were constructed, representing wildfire conditions, the current (1995) condition, and forest management strategies. The spatial pattern of forests in each landscape was depicted by the distribution of four forest age classes (0-30,31-80,81-200, and 201+ years). Wildfire-affected forests were simulated for 3000-year periods using an existing model with six alternate parameterizations obtained from fire history studies. Forest patterns on the 1995 landscape were obtained from classified remotely sensed imagery. Three landscapes representing hypothetical forest management strategies were constructed: 1) riparian buffers, 2) reserve allocations, and 3) multi-age rotation harvests. Forest age class amounts, spatial distribution, and arrangement were compared between wildfire-affected, 1995, and managed landscapes. Wood production, carbon storage, water yield, and species diversity of each landscape were evaluated using simple measures from empirical studies relating forest structural patterns to ecosystem properties. Comparison of the 1995 landscape with simulated wildfire-affected landscapes indicates that private industrial lands in 1995 had more young forest, whereas wilderness lands had more old forest, than most, or all, simulated wildfire conditions. Because private industrial and wilderness areas deviate from the range of natural (wildfire-affected) variability in opposite directions, the study area as a whole is within the probable range of natural variability over the past few millennia. Forest ages classes on public non-wilderness lands were within the range of simulated wildfire-affected landscapes. Ecosystem properties of the current and managed landscapes were within the range of variability of those properties in the simulated wildfire-affected landscapes. Given the caveats imposed by the simplistic assumptions, some ecosystem properties appear to be sensitive to the arrangement of forest age classes. Future studies would benefit from the use of structurally based, rather than age-based, forest classes, for evaluating forest pattern effects on ecosystem properties
Reflections on change : a community-college faculty perspective
No full textThis phenomenological research study focused on educational change as perceived by 16 Liberal Arts faculty members at a Pacific Northwest community college. Research data were collected through in-depth dialogic interviews and a follow-up dialogue session with six participants. The principal guiding research questions comprised the following: 1) What is the context of the community college? The institution is facing severe budgetary restrictions, widening diversity of students, the implementation of new technologies and distance learning, changing faculty and administrator roles, competition from the private sector, and the redefining of the community college role. 2) What is the background of the faculty participants? In the past, faculty have experienced a collegial culture and a shared sense of purpose, which no longer seems to exist. Their values are deeply connected to the social responsibilities of education and student needs, which they feel is at odds with the trend toward commodification of education. 3) What are faculty's perceptions of change and its effects? Change is constant; and instructors adapt incrementally. Mandated changes are seen to have fuzzy meanings and hidden agendas, which sometimes go against the core values of higher education. 4) What do faculty want? Faculty want to wrestle with the issues and solutions for dealing with change collaboratively, and they need the time and space to do so. They also want administrators to hear their voice, and to include faculty priorities in educational decision-making. Faculty participants had clear ideas on ways that would make the implementation of change more successful and meaningful in their lives and in the future of their community college: 1) Make change for a worthy or merited purpose. 2) Listen to what faculty have to say. 3) Allow faculty to wrestle with the challenges. 4) Provide faculty with support and recognition. 5) Keep student needs as a central priority. 6) Maintain the human values and social purpose of education. Most important, faculty feel that the human element cannot be discounted or forgotten in the rush to transform higher education, for faculty are the ones charged with the implementation of most change initiatives and they must deal with the consequences
Characterization of unsaturated zone hydrologic properties and their influence on lateral diversion in a volcanic tuff at Yucca Mountain, Nevada
No full textThe study of the subsurface flow and distribution of water is critical to the evaluation of the unsaturated zone for a potential geologic high-level radioactive waste repository. This site is located at Yucca Mountain, Nevada in the northern Mojave Desert. and was chosen on the basis of its low precipitation, deep unsaturated zone, and layered volcanic rocks providing the potential for natural hydraulic barriers to reduce the downward percolation of water through the waste storage area. The detailed characterization of hydrologic properties is necessary to evaluate the mechanisms responsible for the distribution and flow of water in the unsaturated zone. Analyses in this study have provided detailed hydrogeologic units with unique hydrologic properties and hydraulic parameters. Porosity was determined to be a useful physical property for predicting hydraulic parameters, as it relates to the largescale deterministic processes that created the volcanic rocks. The detailed property dataset, along with field measurements of moisture status, temperature, and chemistry, were used to evaluate the potential for lateral diversion in the rocks above the potential repository. It was determined that lateral diversion is a small-scale process in this natural system. On the basis of analyses performed in this study, it is suggested that large-scale diversion is not likely to occur at this site. This mechanism should not, therefore, be relied upon to perform as a natural hydraulic barrier to flow reducing percolation through the unsaturated zone
Multiscale relationships of wintering birds with riparian and wetland habitat in the Willamette Valley, Oregon
No full textRelatively little is known about wintering bird communities in lowlands of the Pacific Northwest, yet, the condition of winter habitats potentially can pose a major constraint on bird populations. I initiated a study to determine: (1) Which avian species use lowland riparian and wetland habitats in the Willamette Valley during winter, and with what intraseasonal regularity? (2) To what extent are these species associated - individually and collectively - with landscape and site-scale habitat variables? (3) To what extent are these species associated - individually and collectively - with particular landscape vs. site-scale variables? (4) How are the apparent associations affected by survey procedures and data analysis methods? Two survey procedures (area counts and point counts) in 1995 and 1996 found 104 species during 10 visits to 142 riparian and wetland sites. Area counts mainly surveyed waterbirds and raptors; point counts surveyed passerines. From area counts, mean richness ranged 0 toll species among sites and 1 to 5 species among weeks at an average site; mean number of individuals ranged 0 to 1016 among sites and from 6 to 199 among weeks at an average site. From point counts, richness ranged 1 to 6 species both among sites and among weeks at an average site. Mean number of individuals ranged 0 to 1016 per site and 6 to 199 among weeks at an average site. I individually examined 64 species to identify relative degree of association with site-scale and landscape variables. Winter Wren, Bewick's Wren, Hutton's Vireo, and Varied Thrush were significantly associated with woody cover at one or more spatial scales. Passerine abundance was greatest at sites with slowflowing water. Richness was associated with soil inundation category, peaking at intermediate frequencies and interacting with canopy cover and wooded patch extent. Richness of non-passerines was greater where standing water occupied >6% of the landscape nearest the site. Conclusions for many species and community metrics were sensitive to choice of survey methods, variables, measurement procedures, and statistical analysis tests. Ratings generated by OFWAM, a general tool for categorizing overall wetland habitat quality, did not significantly parallel measured richness and abundance of wintering birds