Instrument Development and Evaluation of Domestic Preparedness Training for First Responders

2002 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 119-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Randal D. Beaton ◽  
L. Clark Johnson
Keyword(s):  
First Responders ◽  
Fire Service ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
Nuclear Terrorism ◽  
Historical Factors ◽  
Domestic Terrorists ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

AbstractIntroduction:In the wake of domestic terrorists attacks on 11 September 2001 and subsequent bioterrorist events employing anthrax, there no longer can be any debate about the potential for attacks employing Nuclear, Biological, or Chemical (NBC)/Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). As one way of acknowledging this long-standing threat and, in a concerted effort to mitigate the effects of possible future domestic NBC/WMD terrorist attacks, the US Department of Defense (DOD) and other US governmental agencies already had mounted an effort to provide Domestic Preparedness Training for First Responders in urban centers throughout the USA.Methods:A paper and pencil questionnaire specifically designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Domestic Preparedness Training for Emergency First Responders has been developed. An earlier version of this instrument was piloted with a convenience sample of firefighters and paramedics (n = 78) in a northwest state. Based on replies to the pilot questionnaire, a pool of 27 items based on the objectives and content of the NBC/WMD Domestic Preparedness Awareness and Operations courses (plus additional background and appraised competency items) were selected for inclusion in a Domestic Preparedness Questionnaire (DPQ).Results:This paper first describes the essential psychometric properties of the DPQ based on replies from baseline and follow-up samples (n = 206 and n = 246 respectively) of urban firefighters and paramedics employed by a metropolitan city in a northwest state. The DPQ was employed to evaluate the outcomes of Domestic Preparedness training provided to a sample of urban fire-service personnel. The DPQ documented significant improvements in a group of “DP trained”-urban firefighters (n = 80) both in their awareness and operations content knowledge as well as in their perceived competencies to respond to acts of biological, chemical, or nuclear terrorism “in their own community” at four months post-training. A comparison group of “Not DP-trained” firefighters (n = 78) showed no statistically significant changes on these DPQ indices, suggesting that the documented improvements in the “DP-trained” firefighters on the DPQ were not due to “test reactivity” or to “historical” factors.Conclusion:The findings suggest that the DPQ has adequate inter-item and test-retest reliability, possesses concurrent validity, and appears to be a sensitive measure of the Domestic Preparedness Training provided for urban firefighter and paramedic First Responders.

Cross-culture outcomes of a brazilian professor Fulbright in the USA

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (50) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Marcelo Da Silva Leite ◽  
Celeste Gaia
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Cross Culture ◽  
College And University ◽  
Governmental Agencies ◽  
The Past ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Fulbright Scholar ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Higher Education Costs

Over the past decade due the expansion of globalization there has been an increasing emphasis on internationalization among faculty, administration and accrediting agencies in the Higher Education.  Although to promote internationalization in the Higher Education, costs are a big challenge, one way to have the international actions with low cost, it is seeking for grants from different governmental agencies and foundations.The Fulbright Scholar program provides a long-standing and externally-funded means for internationalizing college and university curriculum. This article is going to share the perspective   of a Brazilian Fulbright Scholar at an American college and the institution perspective of the Fulbright scholar participation at the College.

Development of the Adherence to Healthy Behaviors Scale

2021 ◽  
pp. 105477382098862
Author(s):  
Chen-Hui Huang ◽  
Dhea Natashia ◽  
Tzu-Chia Lin ◽  
Miaofen Yen
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Model Fit ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Healthy Behaviors ◽  
Confirmatory Factor ◽  
Reliable Instrument ◽  
Principal Axis Factor Analysis ◽  
Southern Taiwan ◽  
Test Retest Reliability

Adherence to healthy behaviors is a protective factor in the disease progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Measuring adherence can lead to the recognition of unhealthy behaviors and the suggestion of programs to prevent poor health outcomes. An assessment measurement for patients with CKD not requiring dialysis was developed and psychometrically tested. A convenience sample ( n = 330) of patients with CKD attending a nephrology clinic in southern Taiwan completed the 13-item Adherence to Healthy Behaviors Scale (AHBS). A principal axis factor analysis and a parallel analysis demonstrated a three-factor structure accounting for 47.16% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated a good model fit. The criterion-related validity was adequate ( r = .51; p < .000), with a Cronbach’s alpha of .70; the test-retest reliability demonstrated good stability ( r = .70; p < .000). The AHBS is a valid, reliable instrument to assess adherence to healthy behaviors among patients with CKD.

Examining the influence of transculturation on work ethic in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dwight M. Hite ◽  
Joshua J. Daspit ◽  
Xueni Dong
Keyword(s):  
Ethnic Groups ◽  
Work Ethic ◽  
Ethnically Diverse ◽  
The United States ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Generational Groups ◽  
Survey Responses

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of cultural assimilation – termed “transculturation” – on work ethic perceptions, thus this study examines trends in work ethic across ethnic and generational groups within the USA. Design/methodology/approach – Following a literature review on work ethic, ethnicity, and transculturation, an analysis of variance based on 873 survey responses is presented. The sample includes undergraduate and graduate students at several public universities within the USA. Findings – An empirical analysis supports the hypothesis that the variation of work ethic perceptions within the Millennial generation is significantly less than the variation among older generations. The authors find no significant difference in general work ethic perceptions among Millennial ethnic groups. Research limitations/implications – While the study is conducted using a convenience sample, the demographics are closely representative of the USA labor force. The results suggest that Millennials, while a more diverse ethnic population, exhibit less variation among work ethic perceptions than earlier generational groups. Practical implications – Understanding differences in work ethic perceptions across various ethnic groups is valuable for managers interested in designing jobs that appropriately exploit the full value of a multi-generational workforce. Originality/value – The findings of this study offer new insights into how more recent generations, while more ethnically diverse, exhibit a convergence in perceptions of work ethic.

scholarly journals Development of Step-Count Cut Points for School-Day Vigorous Physical Activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan D. Burns ◽  
Timothy A. Brusseau ◽  
You Fu ◽  
Peng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Step Count ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Cut Points ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
School Day ◽  
The Usa

Background. No study has established step-count cut points for varying amounts of accelerometer-assessed vigorous physical activity (VPA) accrued during the school day in children. The purpose of this study was to establish step-count cut points for discriminating children meeting VPA in 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, and 20 minutes per 7-hour school day. Methods. Participants were a convenience sample of 1,053 children (mean age = 8.4 (1.8) years) recruited from 5 schools from the Mountain West region of the USA. Data within students were observed across multiple semesters totaling 2,119 separate observations. Step counts and time in VPA were assessed using ActiGraph wGT3X-BT triaxial accelerometers that were worn during the entirety of a 7-hour school day for one school week. Average censored step counts and minutes in VPA were calculated across 3 to 5 days. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were employed to derive step counts via calculation of the maximum Youden J statistic. Results. Area-under-the-curve (AUC) scores ranged from AUC = 0.81 (95% CI: 0.78–0.83; p<0.001) for meeting at least 5 minutes of VPA to AUC = 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–1.00, p<0.001) for meeting at least 20 minutes of VPA. Approximately 3,460 steps best discriminated children meeting at least 5 minutes of VPA (sensitivity = 74.0%, specificity = 74.0%, and accuracy = 74.1%) and approximately 5,628 steps best discriminated children meeting at least 20 minutes per day of VPA (sensitivity = 85.7%, specificity = 95.1%, and accuracy = 95.1%). Conclusion. Step counts can discriminate with reasonable accuracy children that meet at least 5 minutes of school-day VPA and with strong accuracy children that meet 20 minutes of school-day VPA.

“Conspicuous consumption in the context of consumer animosity”

2018 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 412-428 ◽  
Author(s):  
Villy Abraham ◽  
Abraham Reitman
Keyword(s):  
Conspicuous Consumption ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Consumer Animosity ◽  
Willingness To Buy ◽  
The Holocaust ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Target Country

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the effects of consumer animosity on conspicuous consumption in two research settings: Israel and Russia. The study also examines: the relationship between susceptibility to norm influence (SNI) and consumer animosity, whether SNI affects consumers’ willingness to buy (WTB) products from a country toward which they harbor animosity, and the relationship between consumer animosity and WTB in contexts differing in the level of animosity harbored toward a target country. Design/methodology/approach To probe generalizability, the hypothesized model was tested in two different contexts: Study 1 was conducted in Israel using the context of the Holocaust and Study 2 was conducted in Russia using the context of the recent political discord with the USA. A convenience sample of Israeli-Jewish (n=264) and Russian (n=259) consumers yielded a total of 523 questionnaires. Findings In both contexts, the results from the SPSS and AMOS analyses indicated a negative and significant relationship between consumer animosity and conspicuous consumption. Moreover, SNI was positively associated with consumer animosity. Finally, the study findings point to a negative association between consumer animosity and WTB, regardless of the level of animosity. Originality/value The research findings suggest that consumer animosity may be a stronger predictor for the consumption of conspicuous products than for the consumption of necessity goods.

scholarly journals Comparison of food and beverage products’ availability, variety, price and quality in German and US supermarkets

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (18) ◽  
pp. 3387-3393
Author(s):  
Nanette Stroebele-Benschop ◽  
Kerstin Wolf ◽  
Katharine Palmer ◽  
Casey J Kelley ◽  
Stephanie B Jilcott Pitts
Keyword(s):  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Food Products ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Food Prices ◽  
General Tendency ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Impact

AbstractObjective:To assess availability, variety, price and quality of different food products in a convenience sample of supermarkets in Germany and the USA.Design:Cross-sectional study using an adapted version of the Bridging the Gap Food Store Observation Form.Setting:Information on availability, quality, price and variety of selected food products in eight German and seven US supermarkets (discount and full service) was obtained and compared by country.Results:A general tendency for lower prices of fruits and vegetables in Germany was observed, while produce quality and variety did not seem to differ between countries, with the exception of the variety of some vegetables such as tomatoes. Chips and cereals did not differ significantly in variety nor price. In both countries, high energy-dense foods were lower in energy costs than lower energy-dense foods.Conclusions:The influence of food prices and availability on consumption should be further explored, including the impact of country differences.

Consumer initial trust toward internet-only banks in France

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 903-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Souheila Kaabachi ◽  
Selima Ben Mrad ◽  
Maria Petrescu
Keyword(s):  
Structural Equation ◽  
Marketing Research ◽  
Internet Banking ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Initial Trust ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Trust Formation ◽  
The Usa

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate internet-only banks’ (IOBs) adoption by French consumers and attempt to understand the factors that influence consumers’ initial trust in this type of service. Design/methodology/approach A non-probability convenience sample of potential IOBs adopters from France was used to test a structural equation model that analyzed the antecedents of initial trust and usage intentions of IOBs. Findings The study shows that trust is a major influencer in IOBs’ adoption in France. It has also been found that consumer familiarity with internet banking, high perceived structural assurance, perceived website quality, bank reputation and relative advantage are critical factors influencing IOBs’ initial trust formation. Research limitations/implications This study shows the applicability of the initial trust-building model in the context of IOBs and underlines the importance of factors such as familiarity, reputation and perceived quality in the context of online banking services in France. Practical implications This paper provides e-banking companies with the most important factors that contribute to build the initial trust of customers. E-banks need to focus on making themselves known and promoting their brand more effectively through advertising and advocacy. Originality/value This study contributes significantly to the marketing research related to consumer trust and brand reputation, as well as to the electronic banking literature. The results show the importance of initial trust in the context of services and the main factors that influence it, including a key branding variable such as reputation. The paper also focuses on the IOBs’ adoption in France, a market understudied compared to the USA, and seeks to understand the mechanisms associated with the initial formation of French consumers’ trust toward it.

Social studies without walls: engaging students in online collaboration across district lines

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 254-269
Author(s):  
Eric B. Freedman ◽  
Lauren Willigan ◽  
Randall Glading ◽  
Kristin N. Rainville
Keyword(s):  
Social Studies ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Race And Class ◽  
The Past ◽  
Civic Dialogue ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Collaborative Activities

Purpose Intercultural dialogue and collaboration are critical to social studies education. Yet over the past 30 years, schools in the USA have grown increasingly segregated by race and class. The purpose of this paper is to offer a possible response based in digital technology. Design/methodology/approach The authors describe a project called Classes Without Walls that links elementary schools in wealthy suburbs with those in impoverished urban centers. Students at the two schools engage in collaborative activities through online video conferencing. Findings The authors explore two sample lessons in depth: a virtual town tour and a social demographics scavenger hunt. Originality/value Such activities, they argue, can contribute toward cultural understanding and civic dialogue.

Relocation experiences with unplanned admission to a nursing home: a qualitative study

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 517-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Luise Koppitz ◽  
Jutta Dreizler ◽  
Jeanine Altherr ◽  
Georg Bosshard ◽  
Rahel Naef ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Nursing Homes ◽  
Hospital Discharge ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Unplanned Admission ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Unplanned Admissions

ABSTRACTBackground:In many countries, people over 85 years of age are relocated involuntarily or unplanned to a nursing home. In Switzerland, 43% of elderly over 85 years are admitted to nursing homes after hospital discharge. This percentage is higher than in the USA with 32.5% or in Germany with only 19%. Despite those more frequent Swiss admissions, no research has been conducted exploring how unplanned admissions to nursing homes affect the adaptation. Therefore, the aim of this study was to gain an in-depth understanding into unplanned admissions to nursing homes and to explore its impact on adaptation.Methods:The study used a qualitative interview design based on Meleis’ transition model. Secondary data analysis was guided by Mayring's qualitative content analysis. Face-to-face interviews with elderly over 77 years (n= 31) were conducted from a convenience sample in Switzerland between January and March 2013.Results:The following four patterns of adaptation emerged from the analysis: “being cut-off,” “being restricted,” “being cared for,” and “moving on.” The patterns evaluate the relocation into nursing homes and provide an opportunity to appraise the stages of adaption.Conclusions:This study presents a model of analysis to evaluate patterns of adaptation following an unplanned admission to a nursing home after hospital discharge.

scholarly journals Impact of exposure to patients with COVID-19 on residents and fellows: an international survey of 1420 trainees

2020 ◽  
pp. postgradmedj-2020-138789
Author(s):  
Anne L Cravero ◽  
Nicole J Kim ◽  
Lauren D Feld ◽  
Kristin Berry ◽  
Atoosa Rabiee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Professional Development ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Perceived Safety ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Novel Coronavirus ◽  
Training Opportunities

ObjectivesTo determine how self-reported level of exposure to patients with novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) affected the perceived safety, training and well-being of residents and fellows.MethodsWe administered an anonymous, voluntary, web-based survey to a convenience sample of trainees worldwide. The survey was distributed by email and social media posts from April 20th to May 11th, 2020. Respondents were asked to estimate the number of patients with COVID-19 they cared for in March and April 2020 (0, 1–30, 31–60, >60). Survey questions addressed (1) safety and access to personal protective equipment (PPE), (2) training and professional development and (3) well-being and burnout.ResultsSurveys were completed by 1420 trainees (73% residents, 27% fellows), most commonly from the USA (n=670), China (n=150), Saudi Arabia (n=76) and Taiwan (n=75). Trainees who cared for a greater number of patients with COVID-19 were more likely to report limited access to PPE and COVID-19 testing and more likely to test positive for COVID-19. Compared with trainees who did not take care of patients with COVID-19 , those who took care of 1–30 patients (adjusted OR [AOR] 1.80, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.51), 31–60 patients (AOR 3.30, 95% CI 1.86 to 5.88) and >60 patients (AOR 4.03, 95% CI 2.12 to 7.63) were increasingly more likely to report burnout. Trainees were very concerned about the negative effects on training opportunities and professional development irrespective of the number of patients with COVID-19 they cared for.ConclusionExposure to patients with COVID-19 is significantly associated with higher burnout rates in physician trainees.

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