MVD Quarterly Report on Building Project, 4th Quarter, FY06

A quarterly report from the Iowa Department of Transportation regarding building project status.

Motivation, Test Scores, and Economic Success

This paper argues that low-stakes test scores, available in surveys, may be partially determined by test-taking motivation, which is associated with personality traits but not with cognitive ability. Therefore, such test score distributions may not be informative regarding cognitive ability distributions. Moreover, correlations, found in survey data, between high test scores and economic success may be partially caused by favorable personality traits. To demonstrate these points, I use the coding speed test that was administered without incentives to National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY) participants. I suggest that due to its simplicity its scores may especially depend on individuals' test-taking motivation. I show that controlling for conventional measures of cognitive skills, the coding speed scores are correlated with future earnings of male NLSY participants. Moreover, the coding speed scores of highly motivated, though less educated, population (potential enlists to the armed forces) are higher than NLSY participants' scores. I then use controlled experiments to show that when no performance-based incentives are provided, participants' characteristics, but not their cognitive skills, affect effort invested in the coding speed test. Thus, participants with the same ability (measured by their scores on an incentivized test) have significantly different scores on tests without performance- based incentives.

Identifying and Implementing Effective Training for Hispanic Craft Workers, American Supervisors, and DOT Inspectors: Phase III of the Hispanic Workforce Research Project, May 2006

The number of Hispanic workers in the U.S. construction industry has been steadily increasing, and language and cultural barriers have sometimes arisen on the jobsite. Due in part to these barriers, the number of fatalities among Hispanics at construction sites in 2001 jumped 24%, while construction fatalities overall dropped 3%. This study, which constitutes Phase III of the Hispanic Workforce Research Project, addresses these language and cultural barriers by investigating the most effective way to deliver training material developed in Phases I and II to Hispanic workers, American supervisors, and department of transportation (DOT) inspectors. The research methodology consisted of assessing the needs and interests of potential and current course participants in terms of exploring innovative ways to deliver the training. The training courses were then adapted and delivered to fit the specific needs of each audience. During Phase III of this project, the research team delivered the courses described in the Phase I and II reports to eight highway construction companies and two DOT groups. The courses developed in Phases I and II consist of four construction-focused language training courses that can be part of an effective training program to facilitate integration among U.S. and Hispanic workers, increase productivity and motivation at the jobsite, and decrease the existing high mortality rate for Hispanic workers. Moreover, the research team developed a course for the construction season called Toolbox Integration Course for Hispanic workers and American supervisors (TICHA), which consists of nine 45-minute modules delivered to one construction company over 11 weeks in the summer of 2005.

MVD Quarterly Report on Building Project, 1st Quarter, FY07

A quarterly report from the Iowa Department of Transportation regarding building project status.

The relation of body mass index and abdominal adiposity with dyslipidemia in 27 general populations of the WHO MONICA Project.

The association between adiposity measures and dyslipidemia has seldom been assessed in a multipopulational setting. 27 populations from Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (WHO MONICA project) using health surveys conducted between 1990 and 1997 in adults aged 35-64 years (n = 40,480). Dyslipidemia was defined as the total/HDL cholesterol ratio >6 (men) and >5 (women). Overall prevalence of dyslipidemia was 25% in men and 23% in women. Logistic regression showed that dyslipidemia was strongly associated with body mass index (BMI) in men and with waist circumference (WC) in women, after adjusting for region, age and smoking. Among normal-weight men and women (BMI<25 kg/m(2)), an increase in the odds for being dyslipidemic was observed between lowest and highest WC quartiles (OR = 3.6, p < 0.001). Among obese men (BMI ≥ 30), the corresponding increase was smaller (OR = 1.2, p = 0.036). A similar weakening was observed among women. Classification tree analysis was performed to assign subjects into classes of risk for dyslipidemia. BMI thresholds (25.4 and 29.2 kg/m(2)) in men and WC thresholds (81.7 and 92.6 cm) in women came out at first stages. High WC (>84.8 cm) in normal-weight men, menopause in women and regular smoking further defined subgroups at increased risk. standard categories of BMI and WC, or their combinations, do not lead to optimal risk stratification for dyslipidemia in middle-age adults. Sex-specific adaptations are necessary, in particular by taking into account abdominal obesity in normal-weight men, post-menopausal age in women and regular smoking in both sexes.

Iowa's English Literacy Pilot Project, 2001

The Iowa Department of Education, in collaboration with CASAS, initiated an English Literacy Pilot project during program Year 2001 (July 1, 2001- June 30, 2002). The overall goal of the project is to research and identify promising instructional strategies and curriculum offerings designed to meet the unique learning needs of Iowa's adult immigrant target populations.

New Iowans Pilot Project, 2001

Governor Vilsack and Lt. Governor Pederson are encouraging the development of a strategic community plan to encourage a smooth transition for bringing skilled workers and their families to Iowa from other countries. Skilled workers from other countries can provide a valuable resource to Iowa employers and can add cultural richness and diversity to Iowa's communities. New Iowans can help Iowa's communities, businesses, and economy grow

Progress of the Building Project for the Motor Vehicle Division, 2006

Pursuant to Section 1 of House File 466 of the 81st General Assembly, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is required to make quarterly reports to the Legislative Council regarding the progress of the building project for the Motor Vehicle Division. Progress of the Building Project for the Motor Vehicle Division. A report to the Iowa Legislature, per Section 1 of House File 466 of the 81st General Assembly.

Lake Darling: A Snapshot of Success, 2006

Before improvements were made, a number of factors were hurting the water quality in Lake Darling and driving people toward other lakes.

A success story: The rebirth of Iowa’s trout streams, 2007

Practically since settlement of the state, Iowa trout streams had to be stocked to maintain a trout population. But improvements in water quality are leading to healthier, self-sustaining trout populations - and local communities are reaping the benefits.

Project AWARE Scrapbook, 2005-7

Iowa has nearly 72,000 miles of streams. With one week of camping, miles of paddling, on-going educational opportunities, and hundreds of dedicated and hard-working Iowans, Project AWARE can make a difference – one stretch of river, one week a year, one piece of trash at a time. If it seems like a vacation to the participants…it is. They just learn and improve the river as they go.

Repairing the Impaired: Two Iowa Success Stories, 2005

More than 200 lakes, streams and rivers are on Iowa’s impaired waters list. Pollutants prevent these waters from supporting aquatic life, or from being used for drinking water or for full body recreational contact, like swimming. While improving Iowa’s water quality may seem a daunting task, two southern Iowa lakes show that it can be done.

Cedar Lake Watershed Project, 2004

For years, Cedar Lake has been there for the Winterset community, providing drinking water, offering recreational opportunities, teaching students outdoors lessons and giving wildlife a home. With water quality a serious concern, it is now our turn to be there for the lake.