Two-thirds of United States stream length is in either fair or poor biological condition. However, we do not yet have reliable, quantitative tools to diagnose site-specific causes of biological impairment. One way to diagnose causes of impairment is to compare the environmental tolerances or preferences of the taxa expected at a site to those of the observed community. Stream ecologists have derived tolerance values (TVs) from field data for use in causal analysis, but inconsistencies across studies cast doubt on the accuracy of these TVs. Published TVs may not agree with one another for several reasons, including: differences in the methods used to estimate TVs, confounding among environmental variables, effects of environmental interactions on taxon abundance, and bias from incomplete sampling of a taxon’s niche space. My objectives were to determine if and how these four potential problems affect TVs and to determine if TVs can be used reliably in causal assessments. I collected macroinvertebrate, substrate, temperature, conductivity, and velocity data from 45 streams in the western U.S. Analyses of data from this field study suggest that incomplete sampling can profoundly influence TVs, whereas interactions may have little effect. Significant spatial correlations between environmental variables suggest that confounding may also affect the derivation of TVs, but the magnitude of this effect is unclear. Also, though each method used to estimate TVs has limitations, TVs derived from different methods appear to reveal the same environmental signal, and there may be little reason to prefer one method over another in a causal analysis. Over last few decades, researchers have begun to add biological traits, including estimates of preference and tolerance, to the suite of metrics used in bioassessments. As descriptors of important biological traits, TVs should help water quality managers reliably diagnose and combat the causes of biological stream impairment.

The purposes of the present research were two-fold. The first purpose was the development of a test construction strategy by which an objective assessment device, based upon the unique goals of moral education within a specific school district, may be developed. The second purpose was the actual development of a psychometrically sound instrument based upon such goals. To accomplish these aims, seven interrelated studies were conducted involving a total of 775 subjects. The rationale for the nature of the test was based upon the assumptions of the direct approach to moral education. These assumptions are that children should learn and exemplify in their behavior certain values that are viewed by the community as essential to adequate socialization. Such values have been indentified by educators of the Salt Lake City School District. Therefore, the goal of measurement was the development of a test that would discriminate students who exemplify these values in their behavior from. those students who do not. The instrument was developed for the assessment of groups to aid curriculum evaluation in moral education. Disclaimers are made regarding the assessment of individuals using the instrument. The reported studies concerning the development of the test include: (1) the intial writing and field testing of the hypothetical dilemmas and alternative solutions used in the test, (2) the revision of the test based upon the field testing, (3) the item analysis and validation procedures, (4) the cross-validation of selected items, (5) an analysis of the content validity of the dilemmas that compose the test, (6) the establishment of the reliability of the test, and (7) an assessment of the effects of socially desirable response sets on test scores. In addition, normative data regarding test scores for each grade tested and a parent group were presented. The instrument developed through these procedures is an objective group test, applicable to grades 5 through 12. A content validity study provided reasonable evidence that the dilemmas that compose the test are logically related to the value goals proposed by district personnel. Studies of the reliability of the test revealed reliability coefficients from .82 (stability) to .92 (internal consistency). The concurrent validity of the test was established by selecting items that discriminated between groups of students who were identified as either exemplary of the district values or non-exemplary of the district values. These items were then successfully cross - validated on an independent sample of similar criterion groups. In addition, two studies related to the effects of socially desirable response sets on test scores were conducted. The limitations of the present research are discussed and suggestions for further research regarding the instrument are made.

In this paper, we explore the singular values of adjacency matrices {An} for a particular family {Gn} of graphs, known as broom trees. The singular values of a matrix M are defined to be the square roots of the eigenvalues of the symmetrized matrix MTM. The matrices we are interested in are the symmetrized adjacency matrices AnTAn and the symmetrized exponentiated adjacency matrices BnTBn = (eAn − I)T(eAn − I) of the graphs Gn. The application of these matrices in the HITS algorithm for Internet searches suggests that we study whether the largest two eigenvalues of AnTAn (or those of BnTBn) can become close or in fact coincide. We have shown that for one family of broom-trees, the ratio of the two largest eigenvalues of BnTBn as the number n of nodes (more specifically, the length l of the graph) goes to infinity is bounded below one. This bound shows that for these graphs, the second largest eigenvalue remains bounded away from the largest eigenvalue. For a second family of broom trees it is not known whether the same is true. However, we have shown that for that family a certain later eigenvalue remains bounded away from the largest eigenvalue. Our last result is a generalization of this latter result.

A significant number of children remain in foster care for long periods of time. Among this vulnerable population there is a high rate of placement disruption. Multiple placement changes are more likely to have a negative effect on children in out‑of‑home care than those who remain in the same foster home until they can return to their parents, be adopted or leave foster care between 18 and 21 years of age. This study examined the effect of the foster parent’s attachment style on the parenting values for touch, praise, encouragement, hope and commitment regarding foster children. Adults with a secure attachment style have been shown to be more effective in interpersonal relationships and are more likely to weather the storm through a child whose behavior is affected by trauma. The study found that caregivers with a secure attachment style would use touch, praise, encouragement, have hope for the child’s future and be committed to the long term placement of the child or youth more often. The study measured attachment styles of foster parents using the State Adult Attachment Measure (Gillath, Hart, Noftle & Stockdale, 2009); and an instrument developed by the researchers to measure parenting values. Foster parents also were invited to provide their contact information for participation in an interview. The qualitative interviews added depth to the study by helping shed light on how foster parents use touch, praise, encouragement, hope and commitment with foster children.

This descriptive study examines principal and teacher perceptions of the shared ideas and agreements that change teachers’ instructional practice. This study was conducted during the school year 2013-2014, drawing on teacher and principal sample representatives selected from 10 high schools, middle schools and elementary schools in one Southern California public school district. The study utilizes qualitative and quantitative methodologies to create survey questionnaires and semi-structured phone interviews to examine the research questions focused on teacher and principal perceptions which were coded and analyzed. The primary data collection was based on the tallies, statistical analysis of the respondents’ survey questionnaire responses, and text analysis of the comments stemming from the phone interviews conducted with teachers and principals. The eight themes arising from the research comprised of social constructs or meanings, expectations, experiences, nature of professional conversations, values, relationships, relevance, and change. The examination of the research results lead to discussion of the similarities and differences in teacher and administrator perceptions of factors believed to build school environments conducive to professional conversations, supportive environments for teachers and creating a culture focused on teachers as learners.

This paper explores the general attitudes of African Americans towards the programming disseminated on the BET network past and present (pre-Viacom/post-Viacom). The mass media company Viacom acquired BET from African American founder Robert L. Johnson in 1980. BET under Johnson took pride in its ability to provide sophisticated, value-driven, and positive programming for African Americans. This study looks to see if the cultural values at BET have changed via its programming since Viacom’s purchase. This study utilized social media to survey 100 participants who were born prior to 1984 who identify as African American or mixed African American and are familiar with BET. This paper uses social identity theory to examine the attitudes that the African American participants hold towards BET as they use their value-set to negotiate their social identity via their attitudes with the content shown on BET. This research reveals the importance of viewing cultures as heterogeneous as well as the importance of cultural groups such as African Americans controlling the dissemination of their own cultural messages and images. A paired T-test analysis revealed statistically a significant difference of participant attitudes of BET in the past (1980-1999) and the present (2000-2015). The participants therefore rated BET higher on the average in the past when BET was black owned (pre-Viacom), as opposed to the present now that BET is white owned (post-Viacom).

Nonprofit organizations' managers face challenges in creating nonmonetary rewards to increase the job satisfaction of staff and productivity of the organization. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the nonmonetary reward strategies that nonprofit organizations' managers used to increase employee job satisfaction. The targeted population included nonprofit managers who had successfully implemented nonmonetary reward strategies to increase employee job satisfaction. Kalleberg's theory of job satisfaction was the conceptual framework for the study. The primary data collection method was semistructured, face-to-face interviews with 3 participants. Secondary data sources included review of company documents such as employee evaluations and work-from-home request forms. Methodological triangulation of data and information was accomplished by comparing data collected from interviews and company documents. Through coding and thematic analysis, 3 primary themes emerged: experience, effective communication, and flexibility. The primary conclusion of this study was that managers use personal experiences as an employee to develop and implement effective reward systems. The implications of this study for social change include the potential to improve employee job satisfaction in nonprofit organizations, which may result in improved employee productivity and promote social development in the community.

The Swedish labour market is facing major challenges with regard to supply of skilled staff and recruitment of new employees. This concerns especially the welfare sector where an important group to attract is nurses. The purpose of this study is to elucidate what factors students in the nursing program at Umeå University value as important in future employers.The results from this study could be of value for the organisations to take into account; also,for employer branding. To find this out, an internet-based questionnaire was sent out via email to the nursing students attending semester 4–6. Based on the answers received, it is shown that the nursing students at Umeå University value social work environment, a high salary and good leadership as the three most important in future employment. High wages were equally valued between the genders but all the other areas where more highly valued by women. This study shows similarities to previous research within the field and how it looks today in the nursing profession, that is the soft and post-materialistic values where highly valued. What contradicts,and even makes this study unique, is that the nursing students also valued the materialistic values a safe and secure employment and a high salary as an incredibly important factor in their future professional life. To attract these students future employers has to offer a good social work environment where they can have fun with colleagues and ask for help if needed. They must also be given an adequate salary that corresponds to what their work actually entails.

Since 1964, when Congress wrote the Wilderness Act, there has been an increasing amount of controversy between opponents and advocates of wilderness. Wilderness areas in Utah are not immune to this controversy. Public policy makers and land managers are in the middle of this debate. They have the responsibility to assess the resource and estimate the benefits and costs associated with creating policy. This thesis focusses on helping policy makers and land managers recognize a benefit currently not being assessed. Nonuse values are values other than in situ use, where individuals have a value for existence of wilderness or a bequesting value for future generations. If these values exist, current policy would underestimate the benefits. The results of this thesis revealed Utah citizens have a value for wilderness designation other than in situ use value, with estimation by contingent valuation.

Mexican-origin youth represent a large and growing ethnic minority subgroup, and have disparate risk for early initiation of substance use. Therefore, it is crucial to understand factors that can prevent them from the initiation of substance use at an early age. Previous research has identified positive sibling relationships, lower rates of older sibling deviant behavior, and high levels of family values as important protective factors relevant for early substance use risk for European American youth. However, few studies have examined these influences among Mexican origin adolescents, and generalizability cannot be assumed given the notable differences between Mexican origin and EuropeanAmerican siblings. For example, Mexican origin siblings spend more time together than European-American siblings, and are shaped by many cultural factors, such as traditional family values (familism). The goal of this study was to understand the potential explanatory and interactive effects of familism and sibling relationships on Mexican origin youths’ intentions for using substances. I hypothesized that sibling relationship quality would serve as both a partial mediator and moderator between familism and ATOD use intentions, and that higher levels of older sibling deviance would partially mediate and/or moderate the association between familism and younger sibling ATOD use intentions. I used secondary data to analyze 409 pre-adolescent Mexican origin youth recruited from a metropolitan area in Northern California. None of our hypothesized models were confirmed. Specifically, negative sibling relationship quality did not serve as a moderator (b = -.27, SE = .87, OR = .77, p = .77), nor a mediator (b = -.01, SE = .04, 95% CI = -0.12, .05). between familism and ATOD use intentions. Further, older sibling deviant behavior did not serve as a moderator (b = .38, SEb = .94, OR = 1.47, p = .68), nor a mediator (b = -.00, SE = .04, 95% CI = -0.10, .05) between familism and ATOD use intentions. Despite the null findings, this study has important clinical implications, including the recommendation to promote sibling relationships in prevention programs for Latino youth. There were several limitations of the study which are discussed along with suggestions for future research directions.