Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Controllers offer great capabilities in modeling and handling the effects of real world uncertainties from sensors, actuators and the environment. Nevertheless, the general Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Controllers enormously suffer from high computation cost. To overcome this problem, in this paper, we present a computationally effective Type-2 Fuzzy Logic Controller which uses Interval Type-2 fuzzy sets to capture the control inputs and utilizes the Takagi-Sugeno-Kang technique to render the control outputs. It is shown that the proposed technique greatly reduces the computation cost since only the lower and upper bounds of the input fuzzy sets suffice to calculate the control output.

As demand for online course delivery increases, it is imperative that those courses be delivered in an effective and efficient manner. While technologies are offering increasingly new and innovative tools to deliver courses, it is not known which of these tools are perceived as useful and beneficial by university agricultural education students. This study sought to measure the impact of using an audio/video communication tool (Jing™) within the online classroom environment in an effort to document the tool’s value to students. This multi–state quasi–experimental study was conducted at land–grant universities in Arizona, Montana, and Texas. The instrument contained Likert–type scale questions with specific focus on the use of an audio/video technology (i.e., Jing™) as an instructional tool and the relation of verbal communication to online learning. A total of 168 instruments were completed by participants. Thirty– one individuals completed all three rounds of the study. Findings revealed that gender and classification can impact perception of technology use in online courses. Participants reported strong preference for audio, feedback and immediacy; communication and interaction; and social presence. Implications exist in regard to the delivery of online courses.

Little is known about manta ray population size, structure and connectivity in the Philippines. In collaboration with dive operators, non-governmental organizations and authorities, sightings of manta rays were collated into a single national database.Using in-water photographs and videos gathered through citizen science and dedicated research efforts, this study compiled sightings between and 2020,

This qualitative study sought to explore and describe why Florida agricultural agents remained in an extension career. A purposive sample was used to select twelve agents who were classified into one of the three stages of the career stages model (Kutilek, Gunderson, & Conklin, 2002). In-depth interviews were used to investigate positive and negative influences that affected agents' decisions. Grounded theory was used as the primary data analysis method (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Seven selective codes emerged as the most influential factors on agents' employment decisions. These codes were internal satisfaction, community leadership, external motivators, career benefits, change agents, network of support, and extension work environment. A grounded theory was created to delineate the relationships between the codes and explain the findings.

Active, out-of-the-class learning experiences have proven to provide students with a variety of benefits. One way to offer these valuable experiential education opportunities this is through study away to international or domestic destinations. The purpose of this study was to explore students' perceptions of a study away course experience to Washington, D.C. This course was a collaborative effort between two universities. Twenty-two students participated in the study away experience and 21 completed pre-and post-trip questionnaires to determine their expectations and reflections of the experience. Through qualitative analysis of students' open-ended responses, emergent themes were identified. Students expected to gain a new experience, network with others, and have an enjoyable trip. Post-trip reflections revealed students gained a great deal more than they anticipated, both personally and academically. Recommendations for practice and research are provided.

In this study, we hypothesized that immersive virtual reality (VR) environments may reduce pain in patients with acute traumatic injuries, including traumatic brain injuries. We performed a randomized within-subject study in patients hospitalized with acute traumatic injuries, including traumatic brain injury with moderate pain (numeric pain score ≥3 of 10). We compared 3 conditions: (1) an immersive VR environment (VR Blu), (2) a content control with the identical environment delivered through nonimmersive tablet computer (Tablet Blu), and (3) a second control composed of donning VR headgear without content to control for placebo effects and sensory deprivation (VR Blank). We enrolled 60 patients, and 48 patients completed all 3 conditions. Objective and subjective data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Controlling for demographics, baseline pain, and injury severity, we found differences by conditions in relieving pain (F2,75.43 = 3.32, P = 0.042). VR Blu pain reduction was greater than Tablet Blu (−0.92 vs −0.16, P = 0.043), but VR Blu pain reduction was similar to VR Blank (−0.92 vs −1.24, P = 0.241). VR Blu was perceived as most effective by patients for pain reduction (F2,66.84 = 16.28, P < 0.001), and changes in measures of parasympathetic activity including heart rate variability (F2,55.511 = 7.87, P < 0.001) and pupillary maximum constriction velocity (F2,61.41 = 3.50, 1-tailed P = 0.038) echoed these effects. There were no effects on opioid usage. These findings outlined a potential clinical benefit for mollifying pain related to traumatic injuries.

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This qualitative study sought to explore the influences that shaped Florida agricultural agents' employment decisions at different career stages. A purposive sample was used to select 12 agents who were classified into one of the three stages of the career stages model (Kutilek, Gunderson, & Conklin, 2002). In-depth interviews were utilized to investigate positive and negative influences on the decisionmaking process regarding an Extension career. Grounded theory was the primary data analysis method (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Positive influences on entry level agents' career decisions were personal traits, motivators, and support systems. Negative influences were lack of direction, personal work management issues, job pressures, and mandated work requirements. Positive influences on colleague level agents' career decisions were motivators, career growth opportunities, career management strategies, and collaboration with key people. Negative influences were job performance measures, salary disparity, and personal work management issues. Positive influences on counselor/advisor level agents' career decisions were motivators, career growth opportunities, and career management strategies. Negative influences were career overload and job dissatisfiers. A grounded theory was developed to explain the most significant factors and influences. Findings should be addressed by the organization to improve the overall career satisfaction of agents and maintain its high-quality employees.