Lab notebooks as scientific communication: investigating development from undergraduate courses to graduate research

In experimental physics, lab notebooks play an essential role in the research process. For all of the ubiquity of lab notebooks, little formal attention has been paid to addressing what is considered `best practice' for scientific documentation and how researchers come to learn these practices in experimental physics. Using interviews with practicing researchers, namely physics graduate students, we explore the different experiences researchers had in learning how to effectively use a notebook for scientific documentation. We find that very few of those interviewed thought that their undergraduate lab classes successfully taught them the benefit of maintaining a lab notebook. Most described training in lab notebook use as either ineffective or outright missing from their undergraduate lab course experience. Furthermore, a large majority of those interviewed explained that they did not receive any formal training in maintaining a lab notebook during their graduate school experience and received little to no feedback from their advisors on these records. Many of the interviewees describe learning the purpose of, and how to maintain, these kinds of lab records only after having a period of trial and error, having already started doing research in their graduate program. Despite the central role of scientific documentation in the research enterprise, these physics graduate students did not gain skills in documentation through formal instruction, but rather through informal hands-on practice.Comment: 10 page

A Survey of College Students with and without Low Back Pain: A Comparison of Risk Factors

Many people suffer from low back pain. The lifetime incidence of low back pain has been widely studied in the general population. Previous research has found risk factors that have been correlated with an increase in low back pain. Individuals with low back pain seek different sources of treatment; outcomes of treatments vary. This survey targeted younger adults, specifically college students of ages 18 to 26. The results of this survey attempt to answer these three research questions: 1) What is the lifetime incidence of LBP in young adults ages 18 to 26? 2) In college students, is there a significant relationship between known risk factors and LBP? 3) In those who experience LBP, how many receive treatment and by which disciplines? Surveys were administered to college students enrolled in general education classes at the University of North Dakota. Each student was asked to complete the four-page survey that contained a variety of questions in regard to LBP. A total of 406 surveys were returned. Data from all students ages 18 to 26 were compiled for the results. The lifetime incidence of LBP in these students was found to be 77.5%. Unhappiness/depression was the only risk factor found to be significantly correlated with LBP. Treatment for LBP was sought by 34.9% of those with LBP. Chiropractors were the primary choice of treatment for LBP (69.4%) in these young adults. Only 25.9% sought treatment from a physical therapist. This high lifetime incidence of LBP in young adults brings to attention a neglected sector of the population. This study alerts health professionals to an underserved population that could be targeted with wellness and prevention strategies to possibly prevent chronic LBP as one ages

Maine Impact Week 2021 Faculty Mentor Impact Awards : Karissa Tilbury

Earlier this year, we asked students to nominate faculty members who had an important impact on them and the response was incredible. Through online videos and announcements, we are featuring the nine faculty members who won 2021 Faculty Mentor Impact Awards. Click the download button for a machine-generated, English transcript

Mobility Device for Injured US Army Corp Engineer

Background and Purpose: Low back pain affects 70-85% of American adults at some point in their life. Back pain can have a negative impact on a person\u27s quality of life. A group of three engineering students and two physical therapy students collaborated on designing a mobility device for a US Army veteran to aid him in transfers and pain management. The purpose of this research proposal would be to assess how our client would respond to an individualized mobility device. Case Description: Our client suffered lumbar disc injuries as a result of lifting and twisting a heavy object resulting in multiple impairments and limitations in activity and participation. The client has difficulties with transferring from the floor and has trouble tolerating positions such as sitting. Proposal: The client will receive the Short Form 36 (SF-36) and Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ) to complete before and after receiving the device to objectively measure changes in his function. We propose we will see most clinically significant improvements in the SF 36 physical functioning, role limitations due to physical and emotional health, and vitality subscales. We expect to see improvements in our clients back pain and improved social, occupational, and recreational functioning in the ODQ. Conclusion: Although there was limited contact with our client, we feel the completed device will meet his individual needs and improve his quality of life and will be supported through objective measures after he receives the device

Tiger Daily: July 20, 2018

ANNOUNCEMENTS · Victor E Garden Volunteer Work Day – Food & Garden Club · Jason Ball Joins the FHSU Foundation as a Director of Development · BCOM 300, Spreadsheet Applications, to be Offered in Fall 2018 · 2018 Back to School Picnic Registration is Open! · Tuition Assistance · TILT Tip: Designing Assignments to Encourage Academic Integrity EVENTS FUTURE EVENTS · Science Café Presents: “Mass Shootings and Gun Control: Myths vs. Realities” – July 24; 7:00pm · StrengthsFinder Essentials – July 31; 9:00am to 3:00pm SHARE WITH STUDENTS · Exciting Graduate Research Assistant Position in the Institute for New Media Studie

What your PI forgot to tell you: why you actually might want a job running a research lab

A PhD in biomedical science and the critical thinking skills that it provides can open the door to many different careers. The current popular scientific press and blogosphere too often portray the job of a research-intensive faculty member and principal investigator (PI) as both unattainable and undesirable. We want to make sure our trainees include our own career path among their options, as for each of us it has been a fantastic, family-friendly, and highly impactful career

From medicine to butterflies and back again.

My research focuses on the current impacts of climate change on wildlife, from field-based work on butterflies to synthetic analyses of global impacts on a broad range of species across terrestrial and marine biomes. I work actively with governmental agencies and NGOs to help develop conservation assessment and planning tools aimed at preserving biodiversity in the face of climate change

Tiger Daily: July 23, 2018

ANNOUNCEMENTS · FHSU Faculty/Staff 2018-19 Parking Permits · Victor E Garden Volunteer Work Day – Food & Garden Club · 2018 Back to School Picnic Registration is Open! · Tuition Assistance · TILT Tip: Giving and Receiving Instructional Advice EVENTS FUTURE EVENTS · Science Café Presents: “Mass Shootings and Gun Control: Myths vs. Realities” – July 24; 7:00pm · StrengthsFinder Essentials – July 31; 9:00am to 3:00pm SHARE WITH STUDENTS · Exciting Graduate Research Assistant Position in the Institute for New Media Studie

U.S. Law of the Sea Cruise to Map the Foot of the Slope and 2500-m Isobath of the U.S. Arctic Ocean Margin

U.S. Law of the Sea cruise to map the foot of the slope and 2500-m isobath of the US Arctic Ocean margin CRUISE HEALY 1102 August 15 to September 28, 2011 Barrow, AK to Dutch Harbor, A

A Work Injury Prevention Program for a Rural Manufacturing Company

Purpose: This article discusses how a group of four physical therapy students built upon traditional ergonomic and biomechanical programs and applied it to a rural manufacturing company of 160 employees. Methods: Meetings were held with the corporation\u27s Safety Specialist and upper management. Based on research supported by evidence and suggestions from the company\u27s administration, the students constructed an injury prevention program consisting of two presentations for office and production workers, exercise programs, a lifting and posture DVD and assessment, and a modified office assessment. Results: Seventy-one employees attended the production lecture. Thirty-six workers took part in the office presentation. Sixty-four production individuals took part in the posture and lifting screen. Thirty-three employees demonstrated a decreased forward head, twenty-two brought their shoulders back, and twenty-four corrected excessive pelvic tilts post lecture. Seventeen individuals didn\u27t change their posture. Post lecture all individuals bent their knees correctly and 56 brought the box close enough to lift the box properly. Only one person twisted his/her back post lecture to move the box. Twelve worker\u27s offices were evaluated after the office lecture. Some of the common problems were fixed during the assessment. Recommendations were made for different equipment or equipment modification. These modification changes are the responsibility of the company. Discussion: Although, improvements were made initially with both the office workers in their desk set-up arid the production with standing posture and lifting techniques, a long term follow-up needs to be done to assess the retention rates among the employees. This program provides a plan of what could to be done initially to produce an evidence-based injury prevention program within a manufacturing company