Replaying the Tape of Academia: Fourteen Alternative Practices for the Physical Sciences

The evolution of modern academic practices, analogous to the evolution of biological systems, reflects the influence of both contingency and determinism. From a theoretical perspective, how then could academic practices differ from those that were inherited? Would any alternative outcomes be more just, equitable, diverse, or inclusive? Here we present 14 alternative academic practices that might be attained upon replaying the tape of academia and evaluate their benefits and drawbacks. Oriented primarily around the physical sciences within the United States, these alternative practices reconsider common activities within the broad categories of the graduate student experience, faculty careers, evaluation methods, peer review and publication, and conference norms. Consideration of these alternative practices can guide within-system change and large-scale restructuring of academia to address the myriad challenges facing researchers and students. Conversely, alternative practices may introduce new issues or exacerbate existing problems. These alternative practices are meant to be imaginative, not prescriptive, and we hope their underlying ideas spur reflection and conversation on the existing practices embedded within academic culture. Readers are encouraged to complete a brief survey regarding their impressions of the alternative practices, available at the following link: rebrand.ly/AlternativePractices2024

The impact of perceived human resource management system strength on older workers' mental well-being, in-role performance behaviours, and satisfaction with learning opportunities

The number and proportion of older workers in the workforce is increasing. This thesisexamined the effect of normal psychological aging on the future time perspective and goalorientation of this demographic group, and the effects that these age-related changes have onin-role performance behaviours, satisfaction with the learning opportunities afforded to themby their organisation, and their mental well-being. The work is grounded in socioemotionalselectivity theory (SST, Carstensen, 1992, 1993,1995; Carstensen & Charles, 1998;Carstensen, Isaacowitz & Charles, 1999) which postulates that as people age they perceivetheir future as increasingly limited and achieve greater emotional control. They resultantlybecome progressively less focused on developmental goals. This thesis examined howemployee perceptions of human resource management system strength (Bowen & Ostroff,2004) change the relationship between time perspective and goal orientation, and thus themagnitude of the effects of goal orientation on the outcome variables. To facilitate this, itwas necessary to develop survey-based measurement instruments to measure goalorientation and positive emotional experience (Study 1), and to adapt an existing measure ofHRM system strength to suit the sample population in Study 2. This latter study collectedmulti-source data from 151 employees and their line manager, using a survey method.Mediation and moderated mediation analysis revealed that changing time perspective, rather than age per se, accounts for changes in employee goal orientation, which mediates the relationship between time perspective and employee mental well-being, but not performance or satisfaction with learning opportunities. This mediation effect was then shown to be moderated by how strong employees perceive the human resource management system to be,as implemented by their line manager, thus demonstrating how line managers can materially affect the mental well-being of their direct reports. This is particularly important during periods of high levels of organisational change activity when employees are expected to learn new materials, processes and work within changing team structures

A comparison of disease susceptibility and innate immune response between diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) siblings following experimental infection with Neoparamoeba perurans, causative agent of amoebic gill disease

Few studies have focussed on the health and immunity of triploid Atlantic salmon and therefore much is still unknown about their response to commercially significant pathogens. This is important if triploid stocks are to be considered for full-scale commercial production. This study aimed to investigate and compare the response of triploid and diploid Atlantic salmon to an experimental challenge with Neoparamoeba perurans, causative agent of amoebic gill disease (AGD). This disease is economically significant for the aquaculture industry. The results indicated that ploidy had no significant effect on gross gill score or gill filaments affected, while infection and time had significant effects. Ploidy, infection and time did not affect complement or anti-protease activities. Ploidy had a significant effect on lysozyme activity at 21 days post-infection (while infection and time did not), although activity was within the ranges previously recorded for salmonids. Stock did not significantly affect any of the parameters measured. Based on the study results, it can be suggested that ploidy does not affect the manifestation or severity of AGD pathology or the serum innate immune response. Additionally, the serum immune response of diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon may not be significantly affected by amoebic gill disease

Ageism And The Baby Boomers: Issues, Challenges And The TEAM Approach

This paper considers the issues and challenges associated with ageism relating to the Baby Boomer generation in Corporate America.  Stereotypes about older workers are examined along with types of discrimination facing Boomers.  The TEAM approach is proposed to combat ageism in the workplace.  The strategy includes using intergenerational teams, education and training, awareness, accountability, and accommodation and mentoring as key components

School Counseling Interns’ Lived Experiences Addressing Social Determinants of Health

This phenomenological study explores school counselors in training (SCITs’) experiences addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), the leading causes of educational and wellness inequities. Interviews with eight SCITs revealed three core themes: (1) professional identity conflict between awareness, skills, and action; (2) social justice knowledge to practice gap; and (3) recommendations for knowledge to practice gap resolution. Themes explained participant preparedness for responding to disparities. Participants were aware of challenges related to SDOH, though struggled with addressing those challenges due to lack of preparation or perceived role constraints. Participants also experienced difficulty practically applying their understanding of social justice theory to SDOH-related challenges. The researchers noted various recommendations for how SDOH may be addressed in the counselor education curriculum and in practice. Keywords: school counselors in training (SCIT), social justice, social determinants of healt

Interventions for the management of malignant pleural effusions:An updated network meta-analysis

Talc slurry and poudrage are effective pleurodesis agents. IPCs have lower pleurodesis rates but comparable breathlessness control and reduced risk of repeat invasive procedures. It is essential that patients have access to a range of treatment strategies. https://bit.ly/38v30y

2004-2005 Young Musicians Competition - Strings

Coordinator Sergiu Schwartz, Lynn University Conservatory of Music Accompanist Tao Lin, Lynn University Conservatory of Music Judges Jody Atwood, cello - American String Teachers Association, Florida Chapter Shigeru Ishikawa, double-bass - Lynn University Conservatory of Music Marcia Littley de Arias, violin - Artist-in-Residence, Florida International University and Amernet String Quartethttps://spiral.lynn.edu/conservatory_other-competitions/1002/thumbnail.jp

High-resolution three-dimensional structural data quantify the impact of photoinhibition on long-term carbon gain in wheat canopies in the field

Photoinhibition reduces photosynthetic productivity; however, it is difficult to quantify accurately in complex canopies partly because of a lack of high-resolution structural data on plant canopy architecture, which determines complex fluctuations of light in space and time. Here, we evaluate the effects of photoinhibition on long-term carbon gain (over 1 d) in three different wheat (Triticum aestivum) lines, which are architecturally diverse. We use a unique method for accurate digital three-dimensional reconstruction of canopies growing in the field. The reconstruction method captures unique architectural differences between lines, such as leaf angle, curvature, and leaf density, thus providing a sensitive method of evaluating the productivity of actual canopy structures that previously were difficult or impossible to obtain. We show that complex data on light distribution can be automatically obtained without conventional manual measurements. We use a mathematical model of photosynthesis parameterized by field data consisting of chlorophyll fluorescence, light response curves of carbon dioxide assimilation, and manual confirmation of canopy architecture and light attenuation. Model simulations show that photoinhibition alone can result in substantial reduction in carbon gain, but this is highly dependent on exact canopy architecture and the diurnal dynamics of photoinhibition. The use of such highly realistic canopy reconstructions also allows us to conclude that even a moderate change in leaf angle in upper layers of the wheat canopy led to a large increase in the number of leaves in a severely light-limited state

Role of Serum Biomarkers in Early Detection of Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis and Fibrosis in West Virginian Children

Background: Obesity, an epidemic among West Virginia children, as well as insulin resistance (IR), is wellestablished contributors to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Progression of NASH can lead to hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis, making early detection imperative. The standard for diagnosing NASH is histologically via liver biopsy, which is highly invasive and generally contraindicated in children. By studying serum biomarkers associated with NASH, we aim to identify high risk children who can benefit from a less invasive, alternative approach to the early detection of NASH. Methods: Seventy one children were prospectively recruited and divided into 3 groups: normal weight without IR (control), obese without IR, and obese with IR. Serum samples were drawn for each patient and biomarker levels were assessed via ELISA kits. Results:Obese without IR and obese with IR patients had significantly elevated levels of lipid metabolism and accumulation markers (FGF-21, NEFA, FATP5, ApoB), oxidative stress markers (dysfunctional HDL, 8-Isoprostane), inflammatory markers(dysfunctional HDL, CK-18) and apoptosis markers (CK-18) compared to control patients (p\u3c0.02). Conclusion: This study showed a correlation between obesity, IR, and biomarkers associated with NASH in pediatrics patients from West Virginia, with obese with IR patients showing the strongest correlation. These findings support the clinical application of these serum biomarkers as a less invasive method for early detection of NASH and hepatic fibrosis