Changes in PT and OT Students’ Self-Efficacy Using an Interprofessional Case Based Experience

This poster describes an interprofessional simulation activity for physical therapy and occupational therapy students and a research study exploring the impact of the learning experience

Student Retention: Impacts of an Agricultural Economics First Year Seminar Course

As universities seek to enhance student retention, a positive first year experience is critical for student success. The objective of this research is to determine whether an agricultural economics first-year seminar course improves retention rates of its undergraduate students. This course provides a unique opportunity for students to learn about the agricultural economics discipline, and also gain insights into what it takes to be a successful college student. Analysis examines whether departmental retention and graduation rates improve after course implementation in 1998, and compares departmental retention and graduation rates to those of the college and university. Qualitative analysis using student evaluations, senior exit interviews and student surveys also assess the impact of this course on student success. Results show that retention and graduation rates improve following course implementation. Retention, four-year graduation rates and five-year graduation rates for the Department exceed those for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and exceed the four-year graduation rates for the university.first year seminar, first year experience, student retention, graduation rates, student success, Teaching/Communication/Extension/Profession,

TOBACCO'S IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ECONOMY OF SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA

Community/Rural/Urban Development, Crop Production/Industries,

Game Changer: Investing in Digital Play to Advance Children's Learning and Health

Based on a literature review and interviews with digital learning experts, explores how digital games can foster skills and knowledge for better academic performance and health. Makes recommendations for government research, partnerships, and media

Industry Concentration Impacts on Business Strategies Used by Small Produce Wholesalers

Opportunities for small produce wholesalers are affected by concentration in the supply chain, and availability and use of information technology for cost and service issues. Case studies evaluated perceptions, technology adoption and use, and strategies. Ongoing relationships, contracts and bids were common, and a differentiation strategy was chosen.Agribusiness,

Implications of Transgenic Rice for Farm Households' Nutritional Vulnerability: Projections for Bangladesh

This paper employs multivariate regression to forecast the calorie intake of Bangladeshi farm households in the hunger season based on the household income, production, and demographic composition in the current (post harvest) season. Nutritional vulnerability profiles are derived from the estimation of ex ante mean and variance of future consumption. The results show the income increase induced by introducing transgenic rice will reduce each individual household's probability of suffering a future consumption shortfall and its vulnerability. The overall vulnerability profile of farm households improves in Bangladesh.Food Security and Poverty,

ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT

Public support for integrated pest management (IPM) is derived in part from concerns over food safety and the environment, yet few studies have assessed the economic value of health and environmental benefits of IPM. An approach is suggested for such an assessment and applied to the Virginia peanut IPM program. Effects of IPM on environmental risks posed by pesticides are assessed and society's willingness to pay to reduce those risks is estimated. The annual environmental benefits of the peanut IPM program are estimated at $844,000. The estimates of pesticide risks and willingness to pay can be applied elsewhere in economic assessments of IPM.Integrated pest management, Willingness to pay, Environmental benefits, Crop Production/Industries, Environmental Economics and Policy,

Mr. Snake came to say goodbye

The following excerpt is taken from an account of a several month trip through Thailand, Burma and India last winter by Dixie Lee Ray, a director of Chicago Meditation Center. Dixie, who has been studying Vipassana for 8 years, and her husband Bob, also a CMC director, accompanied Achan Sobin, a former monk from Thailand who teaches at CMC and his wife Nanda, on this retreat and pilgrimage trip to Vipassana centers. Dixie looked for a place to do an extended retreat, and at the end of the tour chose the Boonganjaranam Meditation Center in Pattaya in northern Thailand, where she stayed for seven week