Dial Access Retrieval and the Adoption Process: A Study on the Success and Failures of a Technological Innovation

In an attempt to define effective procedures for theadoption of technological innovations, the authorconducted a study of the successes and failures of dialaccess retrieval systems. Because of the interesting andcontroversial history of this medium, the study sought todetermine why some schools chose this medium, how it wasutilized and modified, and why it failed in some instances.The survey instrument used in this study was sent to schoolsusing their systems and to schools where the systems hadbeen discarded. The 68% rate of return did producevaluable data for a multiple regression analysis

A survey of the cost control methods used by motor fleet operators in the Boston area

Thesis (B.S.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Business and Engineering Administration, 1935.MIT copy bound with: Trends in the use of cash, open credit, and time payments in Boston retail stores / Walter R. Daley.Appendix contains numerous pamphlets.Includes bibliographical references.by John Duff, 3rd., Utley W. Smith.B.S

A systematic literature review of operational research methods for modelling patient flow and outcomes within community healthcare and other settings

An ambition of healthcare policy has been to move more acute services into community settings. This systematic literature review presents analysis of published operational research methods for modelling patient flow within community healthcare, and for modelling the combination of patient flow and outcomes in all settings. Assessed for inclusion at three levels – with the references from included papers also assessed – 25 “Patient flow within community care”, 23 “Patient flow and outcomes” papers and 5 papers within the intersection are included for review. Comparisons are made between each paper’s setting, definition of states, factors considered to influence flow, output measures and implementation of results. Common complexities and characteristics of community service models are discussed with directions for future work suggested. We found that in developing patient flow models for community services that use outcomes, transplant waiting list may have transferable benefits

Using Aerial Behavior to Predict Remora Presence in Hawai'i Island Associated Spinner Dolphins (Stenella longirostris longirostris)

Gray’s spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris longirostris) is a species of spinner dolphin associated with Hawai’i Island. This species has a unique 24-hour schedule involving traveling offshore to forage at night and then migrating back to shore to rest in bays during the day. While in these bays, spinner dolphins come in close proximity to humans. A factor in determining the impact of human interactions with dolphins in the bay is understanding the behavior of spinner dolphins. Spinner dolphins known for the aerial behavior of leaping in the air and spinning. There are several hypotheses as to the function, or functions, of this behavior such as communication or removal of remoras (Remora australis), which are hydrodynamic parasites that attach to the body of dolphins and negatively impact their health. This study used a generalized linear model (GLM) to assess if the aerial behavior of the spinning leap can predict remora presence on spinner dolphins off the coast of Hawai’i Island. The study found that the aerial behavior of spinning leaps is not statistically significant in determining remora presence on a spinner dolphin. This finding compliments other research suggesting that spinning is not used primarily for remora removal

A Study of Knowledge and Practical Skill Performance in University Students: A Comparison of Technology Enriched versus Traditional Classroom Instruction

Context: Technology is increasingly utilized in the delivery of athletic training education. Hand-held technology affords continued education outside the classroom. Purpose: To determine the effect of mobile technology on the acquisition of knowledge and practical skills in a university upper extremity evaluation course. Design and Setting: A cohort retrospective archival assessment in a university office environment of grades and performance on written and practical examinations in an upper extremity evaluation course. Participants: Sixty-four college age participants (male n=35, 54.69%, female n=29, 45.31%) previously enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate athletic training program who completed the upper extremity evaluation course between Spring 2009 and Spring 2012. Main Outcome Measures: Dependent variables included final written examination score, final oral practical examination score, and final grade. The independent variable was the technology-enriched instruction provided using the Flashcards Deluxe application available on Android, Apple iPod Touch, iPhone, or iPad devices. This application allows participants to study electronic flashcards with text, pictures, and sound on a mobile device. The control group did not receive the technology-enriched instruction. Results: A one-way between subjects ANOVA was conducted to compare the effect of technology on final written examination, final oral practical examination, and overall grade. There was a significant effect on the final written examination [F (1,63)= 11.621, p = .001,η²=.158]; however, oral practical examination [F(1,63)=0.348, p=.557,η²=.006] and overall grade [F(1,63)=0.695, p=.408,η²=.011] were not significant. Conclusion: Participants with technology-enriched instruction performed significantly better on their final written examination. Based on the findings, technology-enriched instruction improves a student’s knowledge comprehension of orthopedic principles of evaluation. Student performance was improved on written examinations following the use of electronic flashcards. Based on the findings in this study, technology-enriched instruction improves a student’s comprehension of upper extremity evaluation knowledge. It is reasonable to believe the use of flashcards would assist in student comprehension in other learning areas as well

Use of modelling to inform public health policy: a case study on the blood-borne transmission of variant-CJD

Since the identification of variant Creutzfeldt–Jacob Disease in the late 1980s, the possibility that this disease might be passed on via blood transfusion has presented challenging policy questions for Government and blood services in the UK. This paper discusses the use of mathematical modelling to inform policy in this area of health protection. We focus on the use of a relatively simple analytical model to explore how many such infections might eventually be expected to result in clinical cases under a range of alternative scenarios of interest to policy, and on the potential impact of possible additional counter measures. We comment on the value of triangulating between findings generated using distinct modelling approaches and observational data