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Research Findings: The present study examined site and provider characteristics that may be associated with use of exclusionary discipline in center- and home-based childcare sites (N = 320). Higher numbers of suspensions and expulsions occurred at center-based sites and at sites with greater percentages of children of color. Furthermore, sites that received professional support services expelled more children. At the provider level, expulsions were higher among providers who had fewer years of experience, endorsed elevated levels of burnout, and received professional support services. Classroom suspensions were higher among providers who had earned an associate degree or higher and who rated developmentally appropriate and culturally inclusive practices as less important. Practice or Policy: Organizational, state, and federal policies that limit and regulate exclusionary discipline practices may reduce inequities affecting young children of color. Furthermore, it is important to increase access to training that will enhance providers' knowledge of developmentally appropriate and inclusive practices and reduce burnout, particularly for less experienced providers and providers at center-based sites. Increased monitoring of early childhood suspensions (rather than only expulsions) can help align resources with childcare sites in need. Longitudinal studies evaluating the effects of policies and interventions that reduce suspensions and expulsions are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explores insights into the phenomenon of Australian lecturers' lived experiences of teaching standalone critical thinking units within associate degree courses at one university in Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. The study makes an original contribution by focusing upon the experiences of teaching staff in Australian universities in relation to teaching critical thinking, particularly from a Heideggerian hermeneutic phenomenological and Gadamerian hermeneutic theoretical and conceptual framework. At present, there are no unified methods, frameworks, or models of teaching critical thinking in Australian higher education. This problem for lecturers is an important aspect of a university education that is not well understood. This is a global educational issue and is a matter of teaching and learning concern worldwide in tertiary education (e.g. United States of America, New Zealand, Canada, and the UK). Although, several studies have been conducted on teaching critical thinking from the perspective of university lecturers. There is limited research that focus on teaching staff in Australian universities' experience with teaching critical thinking that has used Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenology and Gadamer's hermeneutic circle, interpretive approach in gathering data. Using interviews, data is conducted with three first-year undergraduate Australian university Ph.D. lecturers. During the analysis of the empirical data, three themes were significant in revealing the key findings: (a) Dwelling; (b) Sorge, and (c) Concern. The comprehensive understanding of the results was that the challenges university lecturers faced in developing students to thinking critically provided new pedagogical curriculum insights for the teaching and learning of a standalone critical thinking unit within the associate degree course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing a lottery-based natural experiment, this study assessed the longer-term impact of early colleges on postsecondary degree attainment. It found that early colleges significantly increased the overall degree completion and associate degree completion rates within 10 years of expected high school graduation. While the impact on bachelor's degree or advanced degree attainment was no longer significant 10 years after high school, results from earlier years suggest that early college students attained these degrees at a higher rate and faster pace than control students. This study also found that the early college impact on bachelor's degree attainment was significantly stronger for underrepresented minorities and that the impact on associate degree attainment was significantly stronger for students with higher prior achievement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Only 11% of community college (associate's-degree) students transfer vertically and obtain a bachelor's degree within six years, despite over 80% originally intending to do so. These leaks in the transfer pipeline disproportionately affect students from underrepresented groups, who are more likely to attend community colleges and to leak out of the pipeline. To obtain insights about how to decrease these leaks, a survey was distributed to all City University of New York undergraduates; 31,511 responded. The survey concerned students' life and academic circumstances, as well as their information about and views on transfer. Analyses particularly compared responses of never-transferred associate's and bachelor's students and vertical transfer students. The results suggest multiple actions that higher education can take to decrease the pipeline leaks and increase higher education equity, including by increasing transfer students' belongingness, course availability, credit transfer, financial support, information, and time efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Learning organization (LO) concept has received much attention in the last decades. The purpose of an LO is to proactively shape its future by fostering a culture of continuous learning among its members. This approach empowers the organization to adapt, evolve and innovate, aligning with the needs and aspirations of both internal and external stakeholders. As a result, the assessment of an organization's LO level, whether strong or weak, becomes a matter of significance. This study aims to use Senge's LO Questionnaire (SLOQ) in conjunction with latent profile analysis (LPA) to identify latent classes within the organization. This approach seeks to enhance the organization's learning potential and facilitate its evolution. Design/methodology/approach: This research was a cross-sectional study conducted at Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. The statistical population consisted of 451 managers and employees across seven departments based at the university headquarters. The sample included 295 individuals, and data was collected using the SLOQ. Findings: The LPA has shown an excellent accuracy (97%) in identifying SLOQ cut-off points (three classes of good, moderate and low). Most of the participants are considered as a moderate LO (55.9%), which implies the possibility of improving learning, especially enhancing "common vision" and "systemic thinking." Also, individuals belonging to the high-class category were more likely to be male and hold associate degree than individuals in other categories. Research limitations/implications: This study depends on self-report, and different perceptions of questions can cause percept bias. Another limitation is about the nature of this research, which is cross-sectional, which may bring back causality among variables. The other is only three demographic variables have been considered, and it is necessary to pay attention to other influential variables in future studies. Originality/value: The originality of this study lies in its use of the SLOQ in combination with LPA to identify latent classes in an organization to improve learning potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to assess the extent of smartphone security awareness among students pursuing an associate degree and to ascertain if there are substantial variations in smartphone security awareness based on certain demographic variables. Furthermore, its objective is to uncover the correlation between smartphone security awareness and proficiency in digital literacy. The Smartphone Security Awareness Scale was initially designed with this particular aim. The scale comprises nine items that are measured along a single dimension, accounting for 39.6% of the overall variation. The scale's reliability coefficient was found to be 0.78. The study sample comprised 612 associate degree students pursuing further education in two vocational colleges. The data were obtained using the internet and voluntarily. The data indicate that associate degree students had a high level of awareness regarding smartphone security. There was no significant difference in smartphone security awareness based on gender, use of security software, participation in information security training, and level of care regarding the privacy and safeguarding of personal data. No significant relationship was found between smartphone security awareness and smartphone ownership duration. However, significant differences were found according to experience of security problems and competence in using information technologies. A positive, significant, and moderate correlation was discovered between smartphone security awareness and proficiency in digital literacy. The scale devised during the investigation can be utilised in other future studies. According to the results obtained in this direction, training and seminars can be organised to increase smartphone security awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article compares two methods, PCE and PREVENT, for estimating the 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease. The study found that the two methods classified individuals into different risk categories, with PREVENT showing lower rates of intermediate and high-risk classifications compared to PCE. The overall agreement between the two methods was high, but further research is needed to assess the clinical implications and potential benefits of using PREVENT. Additionally, the document provides data on income and obesity rates among different racial and ethnic groups, which can be useful for researchers studying the relationship between obesity and socioeconomic factors. [Extracted from the article]

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has introduced a new data product that categorizes occupational skills for the 2023-33 projections cycle, with 17 skills categories linked to occupational projections. This data can be utilized by jobseekers, career counselors, students, employers, and researchers to make informed career decisions, as it explains wage variation and will be updated annually with new O*NET data. The article discusses the refinement of skill categories within the BLS Employment Projections program, including the division of communication skills into speaking and listening, writing and reading, and the separation of customer service elements into their own category. The mathematics and science category was also split into two distinct categories, with participants recruited for cognitive testing and interviews to gather information on occupational skills. Links to related resources and data are provided for researchers interested in further exploring skills data. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Current Research in Dental Sciences is the property of Ataturk University Coordinatorship of Scientific Journals and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Academic Inquiries / Akademik Incelemeler Dergisi is the property of Akademik Incelemeler Dergisi (Journal of Academic Inquiries) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Associate's degree completion is billed as the quickest way to upskill the workforce and a ticket to the middle class. Yet 35 million Americans leave college without a degree. Black and Hispanic students are more likely than White and Asian students to leave college. We examined whether economic benefits differ between those whose highest level of education is "some college, no degree (SCND)" compared to an associate's degree by analyzing interaction effects among race/ethnicity, sex, citizenship, and nativity. Using data from the Current Population Survey 2019 Annual Social and Economic Supplement, we employed regressions to examine heterogeneity in economic rewards. We also used propensity score matching to estimate causal treatment effects using observational data. On average, associate's workers reaped more economic rewards than SCND workers. In almost every category, the advantage of completing the associate's degree was lost when the worker held at least one socially disadvantaged identity. Economic disadvantage was multiplied for some workers who had more than one disadvantaged identity. Our findings support the economic value of completing an associate's degree and unmask the disparate labor market outcomes for workers of diverse races/ethnicities, sexes, and nationalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79) to examine marriage and divorce patterns for a cohort born between 1957 and 1964. The study finds that by age 55, 87 percent of men and women had married at least once, with 40 percent experiencing divorce. Marriage and divorce patterns varied by race, ethnicity, educational attainment, and work history. Black men and women had lower marriage rates compared to White and Hispanic individuals, and college-educated individuals married at older ages. Men with higher education were more likely to marry and less likely to divorce, while women with higher education were less likely to divorce. Work history also influenced marriage rates, with men who worked full-time more likely to marry and less likely to divorce, while women who worked more were less likely to marry. The article provides descriptive findings and does not explain the underlying reasons for these differences. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Obesity has arisen as an increasingly noteworthy public health issue worldwide, exerting its impact on nearly all countries. The objective of this study was to assess the self-perception and obesity prejudice among young individuals enrolled in health sciences programs and belonging to Generation Z. Materials and Methods: Irrespective of the magnitude of the sample, a collective of 787 individuals, including 450 undergraduate students and 337 associate degree students, were involved in the study. Researchers utilized a "Personal Information Form" created to measure students' attitudes towards obese individuals and gather information related to nutrition, with the second section employing the "Obesity Bias Scale for Health Sciences Students (GAMS 27-OB)" for data collection. Results: It was determined that 68.7% of the students perceived themselves as normal/average weight, while 51.5% had perceived themselves as overweight at some point in their lives. The study revealed that a significant proportion of students, including 31.0% and 64.8% respectively, exhibited bias towards those who are obese. Conclusion: The results of our study indicate that the younger individuals belonging to Generation Z exhibit views characterized by bias against individuals with obesity. Taking proactive measures to mitigate prejudice in the educational experiences of health sciences students prior to embarking on their professional endeavors has significant importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Medical College in Muzaffarabad recently held its fifth convocation to celebrate the graduation of its seventh batch of medical students. A total of 108 students received their degrees, and 17 students were awarded gold, silver, and bronze medals for achieving top positions. The convocation was well-attended, with notable guests including Chaudhry Latif Akbar, Speaker of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. In his speech, Akbar emphasized the noble nature of the medical profession and the importance of doctors serving society. The college's principal, Prof. Syed Mulazim Hussain Bukhari, highlighted the role of the medical faculty in promoting quality education and encouraged students to prioritize research and problem-solving. [Extracted from the article]

This study assessed workers' exposure to vehicle exhaust emissions and its health effects at the Lebombo Port of Entry. A quantitative cross-sectional design was adopted, and a structured questionnaire was administered on 209 adult workers to measure their knowledge on vehicle exhaust emissions exposures. Air samples were also collected from the participants using air sampling pumps. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 27. Logistic regression was performed to examine the association between dependent variables and some sociodemographic factors. Vocational certificates and associate degrees were attributed to workers in the South African Police Services and those in Agriculture: (Odds Ratio) = 2.83%, Confidence Interval (1.41–5.65) and (Odds Ratio) = 4.58%, Confidence Interval (2.10–9.99), respectively. Divorced males had a high level of knowledge and awareness of vehicle exhaust emission and their health effects: (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 5.31%, Confidence Interval (1.08–26.14). Males had better knowledge of vehicle exhaust emission with carcinogenic effects: (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 3.28%, Confidence Interval (1.11–9.67). Having an associate's degree as the highest level of education and irritation of nose and eyes were associated with lower awareness of vehicle exhaust emissions: (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 0.42%, Confidence Interval (0.19–0.97) and (Adjusted Odds Ratio) = 0.31%, Confidence Interval (0.13–0.76), respectively. The diesel particulate matter concentration was higher during day shifts (0.027 mg/m3) compared to night shifts (0.021 mg/m3), p = 0.001. Seventy-one workers (34%) reported experiencing acute headaches often, and fewer workers (n = 31, 14.8%) reported to have never suffered from an acute headache. A majority of workers (71 (34%)) experienced acute irritation of nose and eyes often compared to a few (33 (16%)) workers who experienced the same less often. In addition, a majority of workers (84 (40.2%)) experienced acute fatigue and nausea often, while fewer workers (37 (17.7%)) experienced fatigue and nausea very often. The majority of workers (n = 116, 55.5%) suffered cough and sneezing more often compared to others. There is an urgent need for improved and effective controls to reduce workers' exposure to vehicle exhaust emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the challenges and barriers faced in the funeral industry, particularly the shortage of funeral directors. It highlights issues such as licensing requirements, schooling costs, apprenticeships, and the National Board Exam. The industry is described as stagnant and in need of modernization to meet consumer demands. The article proposes solutions to break down these barriers and make entry into the profession more accessible and aligned with current deathcare practices. [Extracted from the article]

Background: The issue of headaches is urgent to address as it can have a significant impact on the global community at large. Various factors influence headaches, one of which is the quality of sleep. This research is conducted to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and primary headaches among students in the Medical Bachelor's Program at Udayana University. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted with a descriptive analysis regarding sleep quality and primary headaches in 164 students. Data collection was done online through questionnaires on primary headaches and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The data were then analyzed using the contingency coefficient correlation test. Results: A total of 68.3% of students experienced primary headaches, while 87.8% of students had poor sleep quality. There is a relationship between sleep quality and primary headaches (p=0.017) with a correlation value of 0.183, indicating a very weak relationship between the two. Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between the quality of sleep and primary headaches among medical undergraduate students of Udayana University with a very weak correlation. Therefore, providing a better understanding of maintaining a more regular sleep schedule to students is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the association between disability status and voting behavior in older adults in the United States, focusing on the 2020 election. It highlights the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in exercising their right to vote and the persistent voting gap between those with and without disabilities. The study found that individuals with disabilities were less likely to have voted, with a stronger association in women than in men. The findings suggest the need for targeted strategies to enhance voting rates among older adults with disabilities and emphasize the importance of examining factors influencing voting behavior. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Journal of Turkish Court of Accounts / Sayistay Dergisi is the property of Turkish Court of Accounts and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This study aims to analyze the effect of perceived future employability on future anxiety of undergraduate and associate degree students studying healthcare management in Turkish universities. In addition, whether there is a difference between students' perceived future employability and future anxiety levels in the context of demographic variables was also investigated. As a result of the findings, it was determined that perceived future employability has a negative and statistically significant but low effect on future anxiety. The effect of the sub-dimensions of the perceived future employability scale on future anxiety was also examined, and it was found that the dimensions of perceived future communication network, expected reputation of the educational institution and perceived future skills predicted future anxiety negatively and statistically significantly. In the context of demographic variables, a statistically significant difference was found only in the gender variable. Future anxiety of women is higher than that of men. Within the framework of these results, it is possible to say that the perceived future employability levels of undergraduate and associate degree students studying healthcare management in Turkish universities are high, and most of their future concerns are shaped by different factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the gender pay gap in the United States, specifically focusing on whether the gap is largest at the top of the pay scale. The authors analyze data from the American Community Survey and find that while the pay gap is significant at the top, it is also significant at the bottom of the distribution. They also observe that the pay gap has decreased since 2006, with larger declines among those with bachelor's and advanced degrees. The study emphasizes the importance of considering education level and work hours when understanding the gender pay gap. Additionally, the article "Hours Constraints, Occupational Choice, and Gender: Evidence from Medical Residents" by Melanie Wasserman explores the relationship between working hours, career choices, and gender among medical residents. The study finds that female residents are more likely to choose specialties with fewer working hours compared to male residents, suggesting that working hour constraints may influence gender differences in occupational choices. This research provides valuable insights into the factors that shape career decisions in the medical field and highlights the need to address gender disparities in the workplace. [Extracted from the article]

Background : Work-integrated learning (WIL) is widely accepted and necessary to attain the essential competencies healthcare students need at their future workplaces. Yet, competency-based education (CBE) remains complex. There often is a focus on daily practice during WIL. Hereby, continuous competency development is at stake. Moreover, the fact that competencies need to continuously develop is often neglected. Objectives : To ultimately contribute to the optimization of CBE in healthcare education, this study aimed at examining how competency development during WIL in healthcare education could be optimized, before and after graduation. Methods : Fourteen semi-structured interviews with 16 experts in competency development and WIL were carried out. Eight healthcare disciplines were included namely associate degree nursing, audiology, family medicine, nursing (bachelor), occupational therapy, podiatry, pediatrics, and speech therapy. Moreover, two independent experts outside the healthcare domain were included to broaden the perspectives on competency development. A qualitative research approach was used based on an inductive thematic analysis using Nvivo12© where 'in vivo' codes were clustered as sub-themes and themes. Results : The analysis revealed eight types of requirements for effective and continuous competency development, namely requirements in the context of (1) competency frameworks, (2) reflection and feedback, (3) assessment, (4) the continuity of competency development, (5) mentor involvement, (6) ePortfolios, (7) competency development visualizations, and (8) competency development after graduation. It was noteworthy that certain requirements were fulfilled in one educational program whereas they were absent in another. This emphasizes the large differences in how competence-based education is taking shape in different educational programs and internship contexts. Nevertheless, all educational programs seemed to recognize the importance of ongoing competency development. Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that identifying and meeting the requirements for effective and continuous competency development is essential to optimize competency development during practice in healthcare education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/Research Question: This practitioner-scholar study investigated perceptions and experiences of community college students who transferred upon completion of their associate degree programs in Colorado, a state with multiple state-level transfer policies. Each student participated in a cohort-based transfer support program offered at their community college. The research questions were: 1. Do community college students who participated in transfer programing while earning their associate degree perceive that it helped prepare them for successful transfer? 2. Do community college students perceive that their courses prepared them to be successful at a university? 3. What are the perceptions and experiences of community college students who transferred upon completion of their associate degree programs within a context of a state with multiple transfer policy initiatives? Methods: This study used a phenomenological approach and qualitative data collection methods. Results: While students believed their community colleges prepared them academically, and their transfer preparation programing was beneficial, their reflections highlight that regardless of support provided, academic preparation, or policy context, transfer from community college to university is challenging, problematic, and bureaucratic. Often community college students are viewed with a deficit lens by university staff. Conclusions/Contributions: Regardless of state policy context, transfer preparation, and support, obstacles encountered in the transfer process from community college to university must be negotiated through relationships and advocacy both on the part of college staff and the students themselves. However, students who transfer from a college with dedicated transfer support and preparation demonstrate resilience to complete the process successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The AACRAO Research: A Year in Review 2023 report provides an overview of the research and report efforts conducted by AACRAO in 2023. The team completed three 60-Second Survey reports and four research projects on topics such as class scheduling, institutional governance, operational efficiency, and the relationship between professional and continuing education and traditional academic programs. The report offers key data points and practice recommendations, with the full reports available on the AACRAO Research webpage. The text also discusses challenges in higher education and enrollment management, including collaboration, changing hiring requirements, standardized definitions of credentials, serving adult learners, and the role of chief enrollment management officers. It emphasizes the importance of clear terminology, addressing challenges, understanding diverse perspectives, promoting standards and benchmarks, and increasing diversity and inclusivity at senior leadership levels in higher education. [Extracted from the article]

This case study aims to evaluate the associate degree curriculum in child development. In the curriculum evaluation process, Stufflebeam's CIPP curriculum evaluation model was chosen. In the process of collecting data, interviews were conducted with 64 associate degree students and six instructors working in this programme. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed by content analysis method. The results suggest that the content of the most effective courses in the program includes important and new information for students' professional development, and includes the information needed in daily life. In addition, the students prefer to be taught practically and effectively with different methods/techniques in the teaching and learning processes. They also suggest that the program should include formative assesment and extracurricular activities such as visits to institutions, conferences/seminars, and internships. On the other hand, the instructors stated that the problems arising from the students and the deficiencies related to the physical facilities (infrastructure), such as students' lack of interest/willingness to the course, reduce the effectiveness of the curriculum. Based on the results of the study, 21st-century skills should be included and students' professional, academic and social development should be supported in the program. Different methods/techniques, materials and extracurricular activities should be used to ensure that students engage in the course with interest and enthusiasm, and multiple assessment methods/tools should be used in the assessment and evaluation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hispanic‐Serving Community Colleges enroll and educate a large share of Hispanic postsecondary students. Due to work trends and demographic changes, Hispanic and other historically underrepresented students play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) scholars and practitioners. We use data from the National Center for Education Statistics and a difference‐in‐differences technique to estimate the association between federal capacity building grants aimed at improving STEM degree attainment outcomes and associate degree completion. We find receipt of a Title III grant was associated with about a 30% increase in the total number of STEM associate degrees awarded. Further, the grants nearly doubled the number of STEM associate degrees awarded to Hispanic students, on average. This positive relationship is driven by institutions receiving more than one grant. We conclude by discussing these findings and providing federal and institutional recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to evaluate the potential of electric vehicle (EV) carsharing services to address social and environmental disparities in urban transportation through an evaluation of BlueLA, a one-way station-based carsharing service in Los Angeles, California. BlueLA provides a clean and affordable mobility option in underserved communities that face significant air quality burdens and have historically been excluded from environmental benefits. By incorporating BlueLA trip activity data from January 2021 to December 2022 (n = 59,112 trips) and an online user survey implemented in early December 2022 (n = 215 responses), we estimate the impacts of BlueLA on personal vehicle ownership patterns, vehicle miles traveled (VMT), and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The results show an overall net reduction in VMT and GHG emissions of 463,845 miles and 656 metric tons, respectively, among the BlueLA user population (3074 registered users). When disaggregating impacts by BlueLA member type, our findings show a net reduction of 234 and 371 metric tons in GHG emissions for Standard (general population) and Community (low-income qualified) members, respectively. Additionally, our socio-demographic analysis highlights clear disparities between these two member groups, with Community members typically having lower incomes (i.e., 74% earning below USD 50,000 annually); lower educational attainment (i.e., 46% with at most an associate's degree); and larger households (i.e., 23% living in households of four or more) compared to Standard members (i.e., 19% earning below USD 50,000, 24% with at most an associate's degree, and 9% in households of four or more). Moreover, when comparing the VMT and associated GHG emissions due to BlueLA, we find that the presence of BlueLA reduces VMT and GHG emissions by 34% and 48% respectively, and each BlueLA vehicle replaces 16 personally owned vehicles (shed and postponed purchases). Last, when comparing the emissions produced by the electric fleet of BlueLA to those of a comparable fleet of internal combustion engine vehicles, we find that the use of an EV fleet reduces GHG emissions by 43% in comparison. The BlueLA carsharing service has led to notable net reductions in VMT and thus GHG emissions, with a major share of these reductions observed among Community members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the consumption of ready-made and homemade yogurt, the level of knowledge about different yeasts (chickpea, dewdrop, sugar, cone, vinegar, etc.) that can be used while fermenting yogurt, and their attitudes toward using yogurt leavening in case it is sold commercially. The research was carried out with 500 participants, 427 females (85.4%) and 73 males (14.6%) between 18 and 74. 77.0% of the female participants and 61.6% of the men shared that they had fermented yogurt. 80.1% of the women and 84.9% of the men did not know about using different raw materials as leavening agents other than yogurt yeast. According to their educational status, 54.5% of associate degree graduates wanted yogurt yeast to be sold in the market, like rennet, 55.9% of postgraduate participants wanted to use it if it was sold, and 48.5% of them said yes to the reliability of yogurt yeast. In addition, the participants stated that they liked to consume yogurt in general, found homemade yogurt healthier, and made their yogurt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]