A study of 518 individually identified humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) in the southern Gulf of Maine between 1979 and 1988 showed high rates of both within-season occurrence and annual return. On average, 77.3% of whales were resighted on more than 1 day during the year (maximum 83 days), with occupancies ranging from 1 to 324 days (mean 88.1 days). The mean rate of return of individuals in consecutive years was 73.2% (range 59.1–87.4%), and the majority of whales were still being resighted up to 10 years later. Only 13 humpbacks were recorded during 50 midwinter surveys. Variation in the occurrence of individuals appears to be related to variability in the abundance of prey and perhaps to regional preferences.

This article offers findings from qualitative needs assessment of Kosovar refugees in south Albania at approximately one month following their flight from Kosovo (May, 1999). Common themes emerged from the interview data including trauma and the desire for emotional help, lack of information about loved ones, and the need for activities and self-determination in the camps. Framing these findings within an ecological model of human development, we propose a comprehensive approach to social work interventions in refugee camps. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH.

Numerous research studies have demonstrated an exodus of emerging adults from churches throughout Christian denominations. As the United States becomes an increasingly post-Christian society, studying a Christian community whose identity has largely drawn from a minority position could provide helpful insight into maintaining relevance as Christianity moves into minority status. This paper examines how recent emerging adult graduates of Seventh-day Adventist universities connect with or disconnect from both the denomination as a whole and with local churches in the context of identity, community, orthodoxy, and orthopraxy. Through a two-phased mixed methodology approach, researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with self-selected focus groups of recent college graduates, developed an inductively generated survey instrument, and then electronically distributed the survey via email to recent Adventist college graduates. The results suggested ten themes that require further discussion. Particularly notable is the influence personal religiosity has on the sample's acceptance of Adventist teachings and faith practice, as well as the negative impact participants' media usage and transitory lifestyles have on their connection to local churches. Overall, the majority of the sample identified as connected to the Adventist Church, and even many who appear to have disconnected from the Adventist Church remain engaged in a variety of nontraditional ways. Due to the exploratory nature of the research and the voluntary response sample, extrapolation of the results to a wider population may be limited. However, the findings offer valuable insights and understanding into possible reasons for high attrition rates of young adults from the Adventist Church and provide an important foundation for further research both within the Adventist church and in the wider Christian community. Twelve of the created scales concerning Identity, Community, Orthodoxy, and Orthopraxy had a Cronbach's alpha between 0.814 and 0.942. The three remaining scales (all related to Community) had a Cronbach's alpha of 0.610, 0.768, and 0.776 respectively. This shows that overall the scales had very good internal consistency and accurately measured the variables of interest. Hence, the research instrument created for this study is of value and can be used in future studies as well as serve as a guide to researchers who may want to build on this work.

No abstract

This qualitative study identified the emotional needs of female Kosovar refugees in southern Albania in May 1999, about 1 month following their flight from Kosovo. Common themes that emerged from the interviews included dealing with trauma, anxiety, and boredom and maintaining the hope that they would return home. On the basis of the findings, along with feminist theories as guiding concepts, the authors offer recommendations for the prevention of further trauma and treatment options for women in refugee camps.