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The expansion of tertiary education, an intensity of focus on accountability and performance, and the emergence of new governance and management structures drives an economic fiscal perspective of the value of learning and teaching. Accurate and meaningful models defining financial sustainability are therefore proposed as an imperative for tertiary institutions in order to determine the long-term feasibility of learning programs. "When there's only so much sunshine each day--where should the light be shone?" Well, at risk of allowing pure economic rationalism dictate which learning programs thrive and survive in the "winter sun", institutions should understand that an adjustment to classic models of financial sustainability are necessary by acknowledging educational value. That is, these kinds of adjusted models require methods for quantifying three main elements in the learning production environment--educational value, costs, and revenue. There is an inevitable complexity in describing and quantifying all three of these elements in the context of a university learning environment. This paper introduces the concept of a learning program financial sustainability model (suggested by Bill Massy), an outline of possible approaches to quantifying its three essential elements (educational value, cost, and revenue), and some of the challenges confronting planners with responsibility for its form and operationalisation. For the particular interest of those staff involved in student load modelling, finance, teaching and learning quality, pedagogy, and performance management. [This paper was first presented at the Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Institutional Research, "Let the sunshine in," Gold Coast, 9-11 November 2011.]

Like the vast majority of Australian universities, Flinders University (Flinders) collects feedback from students on the quality of teaching and learning through unit of study (topic) or classroom evaluations. Prior to 2009, survey instruments at Flinders were delivered via paper mode and in person to students in the classroom. In a drive for an improvement to administrative efficiency, the adoption of a new system in 2009 created the option of two modes of delivery. Instruments can now be delivered via either paper mode in class, identical in most aspects to the previous system, or online mode, where students fill out the survey instrument, typically outside of class, using the World Wide Web. The choice of delivery mode is at the discretion of the academic. Students have no choice; they receive the survey either via paper or online. This article examines a number of aspects of this change in process at Flinders. Some general aspects of managing the implementation of the new process are discussed. Take-up rates of paper mode versus online mode show that the overwhelming majority of surveys were conducted online in 2009. A dramatic increase in the volume of surveying was noted. Response rates fell by approximately 20% overall and some evidence of a change in the level of response was apparent (cause unknown). Findings at the institution and faculty level are presented where applicable. [This paper was first presented at the Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Institutional Research, "Turning water into wine: Institutional Research as an essential ingredient in strategic decision making for tertiary education" held in Adelaide, 11-13 November 2009.]

Stresses three reasons for teaching about Korea and its people in the United States: (1) Korea's potential assistance in solving environmental issues; (2) the role of Korea in promoting world peace; and (3) the economic potential of Korea. Discusses resources for teaching about Korea and provides an appendix with Internet sites on Korea. (CMK)

Interviewed 72 heroin-addicted female street prostitutes and assessed fear of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), AIDS risk reduction behavior, and prostitutes' recommendations for AIDS risk reduction programs. Self-reported data showed that, although subjects were afraid of AIDS, irrationality produced by addiction compelled risky behavior. Recommends AIDS-control policies targeted at intravenous drug abusing female prostitutes. (PVV)

Isotopic analysis of uranium in tree bark by ICP mass spectrometry is proposed as a new measurement strategy for monitoring airborne contamination and for discrimination of nuclear and nonnuclear emission sources. A quadrupole-based ICP mass spectrometer equipped with a microconcentric nebulizer and membrane desolvator was used to provide high-sensitivity measurement. The limit of detection for uranium ([sup.238]U) was 0.004 ng [L.sup.-1]. Measurement precision ([sup.235]U/[sup.238]U) was between 0.2 and 0.5% RSD for isotopic SRMs (U005 and U015; concentration, 1[micro]g [L.sup.-1]) and ranged from 0.4 to 3.1% RSD for tree bark extracts (U concentration, 0.03-0.08 [micro]g [L.sup.-1]). Bark samples collected from the Peak District National Park in Derbyshire (U.K.) exhibited a natural [sup.235]U/[sup.238]U isotope ratio value (0.0072) whereas samples from Sellafield, West Cumbria (U.K.) showed depletion in [sup.235]U ([.sup.235]U/[sup.238]U = 0.0053-0.0064).

ICP-MS analysis of the bark pockets and annual rings of two beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) trees collected from Longshaw, Derbyshire and Swinton, South Yorkshire in the UK recorded differences in the 206Pb/207Pb isotope ratio. In the Longshaw sample, the 206Pb/207Pb isotope ratio of the bark pockets (≈1914–1998, 78–260 μg g−1 Pb) declined from approximately 1.16 to 1.12, whilst the annual rings (1899–1998, 0.2–2.5 μg g−1 Pb) had a 206Pb/207Pb ratio of approximately 1.18. In the Swinton sample, the bark pockets (≈1919–1998, 7–78 μg g−1 Pb) declined from 1.15 to 1.11 and the annual rings (1899–1998, 0.2–0.5 μg g−1 Pb) from 1.18 to 1.15. The data implied that the bark pockets accumulated lead directly from the atmosphere through wet and dry deposition, whilst the annual rings accumulated lead from the soil via the roots. The bark pockets recorded a relative decline in the accumulation of lead from indigenous sources, such as lead smelting and coal combustion (1.17–1.19), and increase in imported sources such as the smelting of Australian ores (1.04) and leaded petrol usage (1.06–1.09). In contrast, the annual rings at Longshaw recorded ratios typical of indigenous lead, whilst the annual rings in Swinton recorded a relatively small decrease in 206Pb/207Pb reflecting leaded petrol usage. The decline in 206Pb/207Pb of the bark pockets was consistent with the historical decline in 206Pb/207Pb of atmospheric lead recorded in peat, lake sediments and archival herbage at other UK locations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A rapid and simple method for multielement analysis of tree bark using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry has been developed. Sample preparation consisted of crushing tree bark into a fine powder prior to the production of pressed pellets. Limits of detection for elements of interest (Pb, Hg, Zn, Cu, Ni, Al, Sn, Fe, Cr, Mn, Ti, As, Cd, Sb, and Ag) were at or below the µg/g level. Analysis of environmental certified reference materials (fly-ash, soil and tea-leaves) was used to check accuracy and precision. Survey analysis was performed at industrial, urban and rural sites in diverse locations throughout the world. The potential for source apportionation was demonstrated as reflected in elevated levels of Pb (up to 12,300 µg/g) and Sb (up to 86 µg/g) near a lead smelter site (UK) and high concentrations of Hg (up to 4.2 µg/g) in gold extraction regions of Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A section of tree trunk (beech, Fagus sylvatica) containing a bark pocket progressively enclosed at the junction of two branches was collected from a semi-rural location near Sheffield, UK. According to the annual growth rings, the bark pocket formed between ca. 1919 and 1998 (the date of felling). The bark pocket was divided into consecutive samples of differing radial depth (and thus age), that were analysed by ICP mass spectrometry. The Pb concentration varied from 7 to 78 mg kg−1 and the 206Pb/207Pb isotope ratio from 1.11 to 1.15. In contrast, the current surface bark contained 46 mg kg−1 Pb and recorded a 206Pb/207Pb ratio of 1.11. The changing elemental and isotopic composition of the bark pocket recorded historical change in the level and sources of airborne Pb pollution. An overall increase in Pb concentration with time was accompanied by a progressive reduction in 206Pb/207Pb from ca. 1935 to 1943. Mass balance calculations indicated that Pb additives in petrol contributed significantly to the rise in concentration, accounting for a maximum of 50% of the total Pb for ca. 1986–1998, but that other sources were generally dominant. The highest Pb concentrations were recorded from ca. 1951 to 1973, suggesting a high level of industrial pollution. A reduction in Pb concentration and reversal of the trend in 206Pb/207Pb was observed in the current bark. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Focuses on the isotopic analysis of uranium in tree bark through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Applicability for airborne contamination assessment; Measurement precision of uranium; Ranges in uranium concentration.

The article discusses the development of the Follow-Up and Evaluation (FEP) by Chicago State University to comply with the evaluation standards for basic education programs required by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education in Chicago, Illinois. The program attempted to bridge the gap between teacher preparation and practice. Unexpectedly, it has created a positive relationship between the university and the school districts. However, FEP planners recognized several potential problems. First is the identification of sources of information to support the initiative. Second, they had to develop explicit objectives for teacher education programs. Third, the planners had to consider that evaluation results rarely are taken seriously by the faculties responsible for the development of teacher education programs.