Gaming the System: The Seventh Circuit Prefers Its Video Games Violent, Not Sexy

The U.S. Supreme Court holds that obscenity warrants no First Amendment protection whereas violent speech garners complete constitutional protection. In Entertainment Software Association v. Blagojevich, et al., the Seventh Circuit struck down two statutes regulating the sale of sexually explicit and violent video games to minors for violating the First Amendment. While the Seventh Circuit correctly applied Supreme Court precedent, it strained to find any logic to support holding the two categories of speech to different levels of protection. Accordingly, this Note will argue that the Supreme Court should grant full First Amendment protection to obscenity. It will also argue that the compelling interest of protecting the well-being of minors requires the Court to hold sexually explicit and violent expression to the same standard

Biomechanical Analysis of Stroke Patterns and Functional Outcomes in Pediatric Manual Wheelchair Users

Approximately 88,0000 manual wheelchair (MWC) users are under the age of 21 in the United States (Kaye, LaPlante, & Kang, 2000). More than half of pediatric MWC users with spinal cord injury (SCI) report shoulder pain later in life and are at higher risk for developing upper extremity (UE) overuse injuries (Vogel & Zebracki, 2015). During MWC propulsion, a stroke pattern is the path the hand follows with respect to the pushrim (Boninger et al., 2002). Current clinical guidelines for adults recommend sole use of the semicircular stroke pattern as best practices because a MWC user is able to spend more time recovering and propel with less forceful, frequent pushes (Paralyzed Veteran’s Association, 2005). No clinical guidelines specific to pediatric MWC users exist. The biomechanical data from adult-based studies cannot be accurately scaled down to children because the size of their body segments is proportionally different (Schnorenberg et al., 2014). The characterization of stroke patterns amongst pediatric MWC users is needed in order to develop appropriate recommendations for this population. Twenty-two (22) participants, 13 males and 9 females between the ages of 7 - 21 years old (13.9 + 4.49) participated at the Motion Analysis Laboratory at Shriners Hospitals for Children – Chicago. The average positions of the 3rd metacarpal phalangeal reflective markers were tracked by a 14-camera Vicon MX Motion Analysis system and captured three-dimensional UE kinematics during each trial of steady-state MWC propulsion. Data was converted into a visual representation of each stroke cycle from the sagittal perspective via MATLAB. Three-hundred-eighty-three (383) stroke cycles were classified as one of six different types of stroke patterns. A two-stage protocol was used and confirmed good to very good (κ = 0.932) inter-rater agreement across all data. Most subjects alternated between two and four different types of stroke patterns. Among them were two novel pediatric stroke patterns that were identified in this study. A Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANOVA) tested for statistically significant differences in six glenohumeral (GH) joint dynamics between the different types of stroke patterns. The semicircular stroke pattern was characteristic of the largest average peak GH joint superior force (p \u3c 0.01). The biomechanical characteristics of the two novel stroke patterns were significantly different than that of the other four types (p \u3c 0.001). A One-Way T-Test was used to test for statistically significant differences between the scores of the sample and the normative population on the Short-Form Health Questionnaire for health-related quality of life. The average physical composite score (PCS) was significantly lower, while the mental health composite score (MCS) was significantly higher than that of the average healthy individual (p \u3c 0.001). A MANOVA was conducted to determine if there were statistically significant differences in average PCS and MCS between groups stratified by use of 1 – 4 or more different types of stroke patterns. The PCS of subjects who used two stroke patterns during steady-state MWC propulsion was significantly less than those who performed one, three, or four (p \u3c 0.05). The Visual Analog Scale was used to assess bodily pain; a small number of subjects indicated mild (6) and moderate (1) symptoms. This study is an important first step towards the development of pediatric-specific clinical guidelines for practitioners who are involved in life care planning for children and adolescents with SCI

The Will of Man

In the popular philosophy of today, namely Mat­eralistic Evolution, attempts have been made to explain everything as the result of the forces of matter and motion . In rejecting all that the sages of old have offered towards the explanation of phenomena, there are certain problems which are stumbling blocks to this form of philosophy. Many and various theories have been offered but none has been found that will satisfy. Re­alizing their inability to explain these problems, one of their number has summed them up and termed them seven riddles for which science has no answer, and which will always remain insoluble

Creative and Effective Teaching:Perceptions of CAFNR Faculty

The thesis from which this item is derived can be found at http://hdl.handle.net/10355/5565.Effective teaching may impact students far beyond their college experience. There is a considerable amount of research about effective teaching. One of the most recognized studies suggests that clarity, task orientated, enthusiasm, opportunity for students to learn and variability are characteristics of effective instructors. Many researchers have suggested that creativity is also an important component of effective teaching. As consumers of effective teaching, students may be able to offer unique perspectives about effective teaching behaviors, particularly the characteristic of creativity. The purpose of this study was to explain and predict creative and effective teaching of university instructors

Can Establishing Partnerships between College Campuses and Nonprofit Organizations Be Mutually Beneficial?

More than ever nonprofit organizations need to find creative ways to be resourceful and cost effective in achieving their mission. Partnerships between college campuses and nonprofit organizations can be a mutually beneficial way of meeting nonprofit’s program goals while empowering college students, who are the next generation of volunteers, donors, and professionals. With these partnerships, nonprofits gain new ideas and extra working hands though established projects while students gain field experiences and the opportunity to apply their course knowledge. With this article, readers will understand the benefits of building as well as a step-by-step model to develop such partnerships

Mentoring for American Indian/Alaska Native Youth Population

This review examines research on mentoring American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth. The review is organized around four questions: 1. What is the effectiveness of mentoring for American Indian and Alaska Native youth? 2. What factors influence the effectiveness of mentoring for American Indian and Alaska Native youth? 3. What pathways are most important in linking mentoring to outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native youth? 4. To what extent have mentoring initiatives for American Indian and Alaska Native youth reached and engaged the youth, been implemented with high quality, and been adopted and sustained

Analysis of creative and effective teaching behaviors ofuniversity [sic] instructors

The entire dissertation/thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file (which also appears in the research.pdf); a non-technical general description, or public abstract, appears in the public.pdf file.Title from title screen of research.pdf file (viewed on June 2, 2009)Vita.Thesis (Ph. D.) University of Missouri-Columbia 2008.This study examined the creative and effective teaching behaviors of instructors in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources (CAFNR) at the University of Missouri. Three methods were used to examine instructor creativity, including a self-perceived assessment of creative teaching behaviors, a student assessment of creative teaching behaviors and a norm referenced creativity assessment. In addition, students evaluated the effective teaching behaviors of CAFNR instructors. Little relationship was found between instructors' perceived creativity, norm-referenced creativity, and students' perceived creativity. However, both instructors and students agreed that creative teaching behaviors occur in CAFNR courses. Further, students suggested CAFNR instructors are effective teachers. A very high correlation (r = .91) was found between students' perceive creative teaching behaviors of instructors and students' perceive effective teaching. Creativity, as measured by the ATTA, was substantially higher for participants than for norm referenced populations. Little differences were observed between disciples, sex, and teaching experience and the three measures of creativity. However, students' perceptions of instructors' creative teaching behaviors were significant different when compared to students' perception of effective and ineffective teaching.Includes bibliographical reference

Case Studies on the Implementation of Balanced Mix Design and Performance Tests for Asphalt Mixtures: New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)

The primary objective of this overall effort was to identify and put forth positive practices used by SHAs when implementing BMD and performance testing of asphalt mixtures. To accomplish this objective, information was collected through site visits and other means with seven key agencies. New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) graciously agreed to host a virtual site visit

Case Studies on the Implementation of Balanced Mix Design and Performance Tests for Asphalt Mixtures: Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development (LaDOTD)

The primary objective of this overall effort was to identify and put forth positive practices used by SHAs when implementing BMD and performance testing of asphalt mixtures. To accomplish this objective, information was collected through site visits and other means with seven key agencies. Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (LaDOTD) graciously agreed to host a virtual site visit

Successful Use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement in Asphalt Mixtures

Over 99 percent of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) is put back to use, with most of it in asphalt pavements. Using RAP in asphalt mixtures can provide initial cost savings by replacing a portion of the aggregate and virgin asphalt binder in the asphalt mixture. It is important to consider the engineering performance of mixture containing RAP, as well as sustainable benefits and recognize that long RAP transportation distances can offset the environmental benefits. This keeps the RAP from being discarded in landfills. Improvements in mixture design and materials processing and handling have increased the amount of RAP that can be used in asphalt mixtures. The performance history of RAP mixtures over the past 50 years, when properly engineered, produced, and constructed, can provide comparable levels of service as asphalt mixtures with no reclaimed materials, referred to as virgin asphalt mixtures. The participating State DOTs indicated that optimizing RAP for good pavement performance can be accomplished through: 1) regular review of DOT specifications and mixture design procedures; 2) monitoring pavement performance; 3) working with asphalt producers, and 4) performing research as a basis for changes. However, in some cases, the durability of asphalt mixtures containing RAP has been poor. Additionally, State DOT rationale for using RAP can be for very different reasons with different goals. Virtual field visits of State DOTs regularly using RAP in asphalt mixtures revealed that DOTs with detailed policy and specifications on RAP use had obtained good control and pavement performance. A wide range of techniques and criteria used by State DOTs specifying and designing mixtures and pavements incorporating RAP were identified and summarized. All of the participating State DOTs indicated the desire to use mixture performance tests. Some wanted to use them for mixture designs in a BMD approach, for test strips (startup evaluations) and production or acceptance. Common themes with this were the need to get adequate virgin asphalt binder in mixtures, the need for appropriately setting performance test criteria and recognition of the benefit of long-term aging cracking test specimens. Another common theme was recognition that the resources required to implement BMD or use of performance tests on a regular basis are significant and may not be available in the short-term