A polynomial equation to predict low back compression force: accounting for the effects of load height on instability

The purpose of this study was to develop a regression equation that, incorporating the potential energy of the load in the hands, was capable of improved predictions of spinal compression forces. A stepwise polynomial equation was developed from EMG profiles of 15 muscles, and its spinal joint loading predictions at L4/L5 were compared to current methods of calculating spinal compression. Absolute muscle activation was shown to increase with increased loading height, indicating that the central nervous system responds to changes in spinal stability. The inclusion of potential energy into the calculation of spinal disc compression at L4/L5 improved estimates of the compressive forces acting on the spine. This is the first model to incorporate potential energy into a predictive model for lumbar spine compression without the use of electromyography. It was concluded that potential energy plays a vital role in dictating the recruitment patterns of the trunk.     

Institutional design and utilization of evaluation: a contribution to a theory of evaluation influence based on Swiss experience

Growing interest in the institutionalization of evaluation in the public administration raises the question as to which institutional arrangement offers optimal conditions for the utilization of evaluations. Institutional arrangement denotes the formal organization of processes and competencies, together with procedural rules, that are applicable independently of individual evaluation projects. It reflects the evaluation practice of an institution and defines the distance between evaluators and evaluees. This article outlines the results of a broad-based study of all 300 or so evaluations that the Swiss Federal Administration completed from 1999 to 2002. On this basis, it derives a theory of the influence of institutional factors on the utilization of evaluations.     

An education intervention for families of people with schizophrenia in China: development and evaluation

In China, nurses and physicians are the main care providers for people with schizophrenia. This care is provided primarily in institutions because community services are in their infancy, and families carry the burden of care. In the absence of published nursing research in the area, this article reports the rigorous development and evaluation of a culturally sensitive patient/family intervention, which was implemented in a large psychiatric hospital in Beijing, China. A random sample of 15 nurses responded to an open-ended questionnaire to explore what they believed people with schizophrenia and their family members should learn. A convenience sample of 51 family members who lived with a person with schizophrenia were also interviewed to explore what they understood and needed to know about schizophrenia. Common learning needs were integrated with the literature and presented as the Comprehensive Patient/Family Education Guide, which was implemented with an experimental group of 42 family members, while a control group of 45 received the usual hospital treatment. The effect of the intervention was evaluated by interviewing a random sample of 19 of the family members. The results revealed some useful information for the future planning and implementation of such programs, and although focused on a Chinese sample, do offer insights for nurses around the world.     

Improving performance evaluation based on balanced scorecard with grey relational analysis and data envelopment analysis approaches: Case study in water and wastewater companies

Various approaches are used to measure the firms’ performance. Grey relational analysis is one of the multiple attribute decision-making methods and data envelopment analysis is used to calculate the efficiency. Regarding the importance of water and wastewater companies’ services, the present study, evaluates the performance and rank these companies by using grey relational analysis and data envelopment analysis approaches based on balanced scorecard criteria. Besides, balanced scorecard considers all levels of organization. In this research, statistical population includes thirty-five municipal water and wastewater companies in Iran for the year 2017. In order to ascertain grey relational grade, fuzzy normalization method was used then by subtracting normalized numbers from one, reference sequences obtained and in the next step, grey relational coefficient was calculated and finally, grey relational grade was determined by multiplying relative weight from Shannon entropy to relational coefficients. In order to assess companies’ efficiency in data envelopment analysis, after ascertaining input and output indices, with the assumption of constant returns to scale and output-oriented viewpoint, the efficiency scores were calculated. Also, to rank efficient units Anderson-Petersen model implemented. Results demonstrated that, grey relational analysis is a more accurate method to measure the performance of water and wastewater companies.     

Using reflection and dialogue to prepare social work students for practice with LGBT populations: An emerging pedagogical model

ABSTRACT

Using analysis of student focus groups, this article describes the learning experiences of graduate social work students in a semester-long course on social work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and families. Deconstructing their beliefs about sexuality, gender, religion, and family was for many students both an uncomfortable and rewarding learning process. Drawing from students' voices and using the concept “creative tension” (Palmer, 1998 Palmer, P. (1998). The courage to teach: Exploring the inner landscape of a teacher's life. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.[Crossref] , [Google Scholar]), this article describes students' growth processes and how providing forums for personal reflection and dialogue supported students in this deconstruction process. An emerging pedagogical model that expands and deepens what it means to create a “safe” classroom environment for learning about LGBT issues is offered.     

An assessment of a municipal physical activity programme for seniors based on the EFQM model: Integrating the views of internal and external stakeholders

The growing proportion of senior citizens and the importance of encouraging active well-ageing behaviours explain the increasing efforts carried out by governments to develop exercise programmes particularly targeted to this group. The complexity associated with the running of these programmes and the resources committed make their quality assessment essential. The aim of the current paper is to validate and refine the use of the EFQM model in this context. A programme of a medium-sized municipality of the Centre region of Portugal was used as a case study to evaluate the adequacy and relevance of the EFQM model and to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the current programme based on the data collected from service users, instructors, municipal leaders and programme partners. High levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, together with the clarity of programme mission and strategy emerged as main areas of strength. On the other hand, insufficient attention to the measurement of people satisfaction, as well as the leaders’ failure of to show appreciation for the efforts developed by the programme instructors are key areas for improvement.     

Training together--part two: An exploration of the evaluation of a shared learning programme on dual diagnosis for specialist drugs workers and Approved Social Workers (ASWs)

This paper describes a formative approach to evaluating a shared learning training course for ASWs and drugs workers on dual diagnosis. It uses a four-stage approach to evaluation in an attempt to explore issues relating to curriculum content, training methods and design, learners' satisfaction with the training and outcomes in respect of practice. It also draws upon a recent review of interprofessional education undertaken by the British Education Research Association (BERA) to explore to what extent interactive methods of learning are employed through the training delivery as a means of fostering improved interprofessional collaboration that can be transferred from the training environment to professional practice. The paper concludes that although limited in its generalisability and the extent to which changes in practice can be attributed to the training, the training providers have learned some useful lessons about how to maximise the value of a shared learning approach in promoting collaborative working between ASWs and drugs workers.     

An E-learning outreach program for public schools: Findings and lessons learned based on a pilot program in Makati City and Cabuyao City,Laguna, Philippines

The E-Learning Outreach Program (ELOP) is a multisectoral, collaborative, and commitment-driven action research that focuses on providing relevant and useful computer and Internet literacy short courses for public elementary students. This study presents the critical action plans of setting up a pilot e-Learning station in Hen. Pio del Pilar Elementary School in Makati City and in Pulo Elementary School in Cabuyao City, Laguna, Philippines. The school’s computer laboratory was converted to an E-Learning station with additional devices and technical support from De La Salle University (DLSU). The study aims to account for a process-based heuristic approach in laying down the different phases of the program, specifically to: (1) coordinate and orient parents, pupils, teachers and school administrators, (2) set-up an e-Learning environment (3) design and write course modules (4) assess learning skills and experience of pupils, and (5) evaluate the program based on research team’s observation and results of the focus group discussion (FGD) with teachers and student-participants. In Pulo Elementary School, a pretest and posttests were conducted with results showing that the program has improved participants’ e-Learning knowledge and skills except for advance skills in hardware utilization. The participants also showed a strong positive attitude towards the ELOP.     

Commitment to mothering and preference for employment: The voices of women on public assistance with young children

This study uses qualitative data to examine how welfare-dependent women with young children feel about the employment mandate in the 1996 welfare reform legislation, Personal Work Responsibility Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PWRORA). The voices of poor women have been overlooked in the policy debate about welfare reform, as well as in the social science literature. The data were drawn from individual and group interviews done with 14 women on public assistance during the initial phase of their participation in a voluntary welfare-to-work program. The women in this sample report that they have strong positive feelings about working outside of the home, as well as strong reservations. The paper presents new data on low-income women's role preference and perceived conflict regarding employment when their children are young. All the women in the sample had children under 2 years of age. The data demonstrate that there are aspects of role preference and conflict with employment that are unique to women on public assistance, as well as aspects that are universal across income groups.