The researcher of this quasi-experimental 2 x 2 factorial design study investigated the impact of an academic integrity module and Turnitin on undergraduate student similarity index scores. Similarity index scores were used to measure suggested plagiarism rates of student papers. The purposive sample was made up of 96 undergraduate education students enrolled in four sections of the same course in a Southeastern university. One main factor was submitting assignments through Turnitin, with two levels: yes or no. The second factor was completing the academic integrity module, with two levels: yes or no. The four intact groups were randomly assigned to the main factors. Although the findings from this study indicated that neither main factor nor their interaction were statistically significant at the .05 alpha level, the mean similarity index score of participants who submitted their paper through Turnitin was lower than the mean similarity index score of participants who did not submit their papers through Turnitin. Similarly, the mean similarity index score of participants who completed the academic integrity module was lower than the mean similarity index score of participants who did not complete the academic integrity module. Although not at the statistically significant level, the plagiarism rate as measured by the mean similarity index score of the group of participants who completed the academic integrity module and submitted papers through Turnitin was the lowest followed by the group of participants that completed the academic integrity module but did not submit papers through Turnitin, then the group of participants that did not complete the academic integrity module and did not submit papers through Turnitin. The group of participants who did not complete the academic integrity module but submitted papers through Turnitin had the highest mean similar index score suggesting a higher plagiarism rate as compared to the other groups. Finally, the researcher acknowledged the limitations of this study and made recommendations for future consideration. Other variables such as gender, demographics, major, and credit hours completed could be investigated. Replication of the study is recommended. Also, a qualitative approach could enhance future studies.

Carry-over of force production symmetry in athletes of differing strength levels. J Strength Cond Res 29(11): 3188–3196, 2015—This study sought to determine the level of association between bilateral force production symmetry assessment methods (standing weight distribution [WtD], unloaded and lightly loaded jumps, and isometric strength) and to determine whether the amount of symmetry carry-over between these tasks differs for strong and weak athletes. Subjects for this study included male (n = 31) and female (n = 32) athletes from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I sports. Athletes performed WtD, unloaded and lightly loaded (20 kg) static and countermovement jumps, and isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) assessments on 2 adjacent force plates. Ground reaction force data were used to calculate symmetry variables and performance-related variables. Using Pearson zero order correlations, evaluations of the amount of symmetry carry-over were made. Weight distribution correlated strongly with jump peak force (PF) (r = 0.628–0.664). Strong relationships were also observed between loading conditions for jump variables (r = 0.568–0.957) as were the relationships between jump types for PF, peak power, and net impulse (r = 0.506–0.834). Based on the pooled sample, there was a lack of association between IMTP and WtD for jump symmetry variables. However, when examining strong and weak groups, rate of force development showed moderate to strong symmetry carry-over in the strongest athletes (r = 0.416–0.589). Stronger athletes appear to display similar explosive strength symmetry characteristics in dynamic and isometric assessments, unlike weaker athletes. Strength seems to influence the amount of force production symmetry carry-over between bilateral assessments. There may be optimal loads and variables for symmetry assessment, but these may differ based on population characteristics.

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Icons surround us but are so ubiquitous they are difficult to observe. Specifically urban cultural icons are a scientific sub-topic under urban morphology's heading and as well are closely related to economic development issues. This study premises that businesses are urban cultural icons which can be computed into four rankings: local cultural icons, focal, zonal, and global cultural icons. And through using dimensional measurement an index is measured. This index can then be used to assess urban morphology. The data set ranges from businesses opening in 1865 to the present. Some are globally-distributed "big boxes"; others are unique one-store shops. The varied data set includes grocery stores, drug stores, prepared food vendors, confectioneries, coffee houses, electronic stores, and an adult entertainment store. Business rankings are premised upon Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, Tönnies, and Oldenburg's places to socialize, and node intensity of social connection. Time is measured linearly and ordinally. Two formats of geographical ranking are assessed against each other, with the expanded version providing greater insights. Transactions are determined by who initiates them and location where employee enters exchange. Business' internal consistency is based upon product-line inclusion and theme-ing. Scaled measurements are summed with a comparison of Weighted-Place Index Scores against non-weighted Index Scores. As well, economic development impact of businesses is analyzed with three principal components loadings: two business survival and one growth mode. Study results support the use of Weighted-Place Index Scores as compared to nonweighted Index scores when formatting cultural icon index. Index score using four-level geographical ranking ranged from zero to 25. Morning Call Coffee House had lowest ranking (Index score of 3) and Best Buy had the highest score of 22. Weighted-Place Index Scores ranged from zero to 32, with Morning Call Coffee House continuing as lowest score and Starbucks, Bad Ass Coffee, as well ApplianceWorld and Best Buy continuing with four highest scores. This study supports a research method which can be used to measure urban change. By applying Index score within same cities at 20-year increments, sprawl process of globalization within cities can be analyzed.

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