Freshmen Interest Group (FIG) Report

SUMMARY Over the past six years the Freshman Interest Group (FIG) has attracted a number of participants who find sufficient intrinsic value in the program to invest considerable time and talent in sustaining and improving the program. At the same time, many faculty have voiced concerns over the content of some offerings and the general lack of faculty oversight in its development. Initially FIGs was established to address a perceived imbalance of resources between the upper and lower division program that had a negative effect on the experience and engagement of entering students. On several other campuses FIGs was heralded as a significant influence on student academic performance and retention FIGs was also initially distinguished from other first year programs by its promise to provide integration among the courses taken in the first quarter. We have not found persuasive evidence that the program has the impact on achievement, retention, and social bonds that was initially envisioned. The strongest evidence for the positive impact of the program comes from testimony of many participants, faculty, staff, and students, who find that the program uniquely adds value to their experiences. While recognizing these values, we are concerned with the program\u27s costs. Budgetary costs are modest, but the program is sustained by the overload burdens taken on by the participants. While such burdens might make sense in an experimental program, a sustainable program requires commitment of real resources. The central issue we have uncovered is a nagging concern with the unevenness of the academic content and evaluation procedures in the FIG seminars. This concern seems to be the central problem with the current program. We suggest that much of this issue could be overcome by instituting an established review committee, parallel to the oversight committees that routinely review new course offerings by established faculty. We also conclude that the ACC should in the future support FIGs with both resources and direction

Temporal changes in soil temperature at Wolverhampton, UK and Hohe Warte, Vienna, Austria 1976–2010

Soil temperature is determined by the available heat energy that the soil absorbs, with solar radiation being the primary source (Brady and Weil, 1999). Chow et al. (2011) found that, in an urban environment, soil temperature is strongly correlated (R = 0.869) with the dry-bulb air temperature, whereas its dependence on relative humidity, precipitation, global solar radiation or wind speed was weak (R < 0.250 in all cases). Snow cover, irregular episodes of cloud cover and droughts may also influence soil temperatures. Snow cover can provide an effective insulation barrier that creates an observable lag in the thermal response of a soil relative to changing air temperature (Fullen and Smith, 1983; Mackiewicz, 2012). Soil temperature fluctuates when there is a change in the ratio of heat energy absorbed by soil to energy lost from soil. This dynamic ratio changes over time and space. Soil temperature variation in different layers is a result of complex processes. The correlation with air temperature generally decreases with depth (Liu et al., 2013). Study of temperature variation in different layers of soil is useful in understanding surface energy processes and regional environmental and climatic conditions (Hu and Feng, 2003). Soil temperature has great significance for the growth and hence productivity of agricultural crops (Kaspar and Bland, 1992; Wraith and Ferguson, 1994; Bollero et al., 1996; Hu and Buyanovsky, 2003) and forest plantations (Balisky and Burton, 1995). Moreover, soil temperature affects plant diseases, soil hydrology and the over-wintering of pathogens (Marshall and Holmes, 1979; Phillips et al., 1999; Pivonia et al., 2002). Generally, the growth and development of most annual crop plants cease at temperatures <6–10°C (Subedi and Fullen, 2009). Thus, soil temperatures below this range inhibit root growth. Soil temperatures at different soil depths between 5 and 60cm at a UK research site over 35 years (1976–2010) and at a site in Austria at 10cm over the same period are reported and discussed

QCD Sum Rule Calculation for the Tensor Charge of the Nucleon

The nucleon's tensor charges (isovector $g^v_T={\delta}u-{\delta}d$ and isoscalar $g^s_T={\delta}u+{\delta}d$) are calculated using the QCD sum rules in the presence of an external tensor field. In addition to the standard quark and gluon condensates, new condensates described by vacuum susceptibilities are induced by the external field. The latter contributions to $g^v_T$ and $g^s_T$ are estimated to be small. After deriving some simplifying formulas, a detailed sum rule analysis yields $g^v_T=1.29 \pm 0.51$ and $g^s_T = 1.37 \pm 0.55$, or ${\delta}u=1.33 \pm 0.53$ and ${\delta}d = 0.04 \pm 0.02$ at the scale of 1 GeV$^2$.Comment: 11 pages, latex, to get figures provide FAX number to [email protected]

Temperature Effects on Biomass and Regeneration of Vegetation in a Geothermal Area.

Understanding the effects of increasing temperature is central in explaining the effects of climate change on vegetation. Here, we investigate how warming affects vegetation regeneration and root biomass and if there is an interactive effect of warming with other environmental variables. We also examine if geothermal warming effects on vegetation regeneration and root biomass can be used in climate change experiments. Monitoring plots were arranged in a grid across the study area to cover a range of soil temperatures. The plots were cleared of vegetation and root-free ingrowth cores were installed to assess above and below-ground regeneration rates. Temperature sensors were buried in the plots for continued soil temperature monitoring. Soil moisture, pH, and soil chemistry of the plots were also recorded. Data were analyzed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and linear regression to identify the environmental variable with the greatest influence on vegetation regeneration and root biomass. There was lower root biomass and slower vegetation regeneration in high temperature plots. Soil temperature was positively correlated with soil moisture and negatively correlated with soil pH. Iron and sulfate were present in the soil in the highest quantities compared to other measured soil chemicals and had a strong positive relationship with soil temperature. Our findings suggest that soil temperature had a major impact on root biomass and vegetation regeneration. In geothermal fields, vegetation establishment and growth can be restricted by low soil moisture, low soil pH, and an imbalance in soil chemistry. The correlation between soil moisture, pH, chemistry, and plant regeneration was chiefly driven by soil temperature. Soil temperature was negatively correlated to the distance from the geothermal features. Apart from characterizing plant regeneration on geothermal soils, this study further demonstrates a novel approach to global warming experiments, which could be particularly useful in low heat flow geothermal systems that more realistically mimic soil warming

Wolaitta Evangelists A study of religious innovation in Southern Ethiopia, 1937-1975

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN014259 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Root-zone soil temperature: sources of variation and some effects on planted conifer seedlings in high-elevation forest openings in the interior of British Columbia

Slow growth of planted seedlings and failure of many artificially regenerated forest openings has tempered initial optimism regarding reforestation in high-elevation environments in British Columbia. Poor rooting of planted stock, partly because of low soil temperatures, has been suggested as a major cause for failure of reforestation efforts in these harsh environments. The first objective of this study was to record the variation in root-zone soil temperature occurring in high-elevation openings and to identify specific microsite attributes most strongly associated with differing soil thermal regimes. This objective was accomplished by means of a field survey in which seven microsite characteristics were measured and related to soil temperature. A manipulative experiment was also conducted involving continuous monitoring of seedling microclimate (i.e., soil temperature, soil moisture, and air temperature) in treatments broadly representative of the range of microsites found in forest openings logged by clearcutting. The second objective was to quantify conifer seedling growth response to the effects of "cool" versus "warm" root-zone temperatures. A field survey of soil temperature (at a depth of -10 cm from the mineral soil surface) in six high-elevation clearcuts in central British Columbia, as related to microsite attributes, showed that variation in root-zone soil temperature was most strongly associated with the combination of thickness of forest floor (duff), cumulative % vegetation cover, and % soil moisture (R2 = 0.73). Combinations including relative surface irradiance (PACL), cumulative % cover-weighted vegetation height, micro-slope and micro-aspect were less important. While the influence of microtopography (presence of a hummock, average dimensions of 1.0m x 1.0 m x 0.4 m) on soil temperature was significant, measurements of micro-slope and micro-aspect showed little if any association with variation in soil temperature. Microsites associated with suboptimally low soil temperatures (<12 °C) during much of the growing season were widespread (70 to 80% of the sampled areas) in high elevation openings. Microclimate monitoring was conducted in treatments consisting of 1) bare mineralsoil mounds, 2) flat, bare mineral soil, 3) flat, duff-covered mineral soil, 4) flat, vegetated mineral soil, 5) vegetated, duff-covered mounds, and 6) flat, vegetated, duff-covered mineral soil. All mounded treatments (hummocks) were natural. Microsites associated with hummocks consistently exhibited higher root-zone soil temperatures than similarly covered flat microsites. A difference of 10 to 15 °C in daily mean soil temperature was common between thermally buffered microsites and thermally sensitive microsites on a clear day during the growing season. Accumulated growing season degree-days (8 °C threshold) were greatest for a bare mineral soil hummock and least for microsites covered with forest floor and vegetation. Natural vegetation cover and an intact forest floor were equivalent in their effects on the accumulation of growing season degree-days. Monthly mean air temperatures (+20cm) in all treatments remained above 10 °C for June, July, and August. Daily mean air temperatures (at a height of +20 cm) ranged between 10 and 25 °C. Treatment effects on air temperature were slight. The lowest root-zone water potentials were measured in vegetated hummocks. Growth of Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii Parry ex Engelm.) and lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex Loud.) seedlings was strongly affected by differences in soil thermal regime. Seedlings of both species growing in the cool treatment (daily maximumfrom 10 to 13 °C, daily mean < 12 °C) exhibited increased shoot extension and shoot/rootratios, but reduced root collar diameter, stem biomass, foliage biomass, and root biomass. Seedlings grown in the warm treatment (daily maximum from 16 to 23 °C, daily mean from 14 to 18 °C) showed rapid initial root egress. Cool treatment seedlings exhibited much less vigorous root growth throughout the growing season. This study indicates that low root-zone soil temperatures are widespread in high-elevation openings. Higher soil temperatures are associated with reduced surface cover and the presence of hummocks. In the context of current reforestation practices, traditional silvicultural activities which effectively reduce the thickness of forest floor and the abundance of vegetation are worth continuing. Utilizing hummocks and ridges as planting microsites would also be an effective measure for improving soil temperatures at the root-zone. However, low root-zone temperatures are a function of root location. Use of stocktypes and planting strategies which allow for rapid, lateral growth of roots in surface organic horizons may be effective options worth pursuing.Forestry, Faculty ofGraduat

Songs of Ethiopia\u27s Tesfaye Gabbiso: Singing with Understanding in Babylon, the Meantime and Zion

This dissertation explores the song career and lyrics of a prominent contemporary Ethiopian soloist, Tesfaye Gabbiso. From the middle of the 20th century until the present, thousands of indigenous “spiritual songs” have emanated from an emerging generation of musicians in the evangelical churches of Ethiopia. Approximately twenty percent of Tesfaye’s total output of songs was produced during a seven-year period of acute suffering while he was incarcerated for his stand in the faith during the Marxist revolution from 1974-1991. A diglot publication, now available in English and Amharic, is the basis of this dissertation. The book includes 104 songs, comprising all the songs on his cassettes numbers 1-7 and represents approximately half of his total song output. This case study presents a socio-historical and religious context of the singer’s life narrative. A content analysis of the lyric poems and is conducted through various analytical lenses, including word and theme coding and a Matrix for Studies in Global Church Music. Tesfaye’s own commentary through writing and speaking contributes grounding to the study. Inquiry is made into the meaning and significance of his songs as they represent a position of suffering and endurance as well as a challenge to discipleship in the arts. Mentor: Roberta R. Kin

The Effect of a Brief Physician-Delivered Neurobiologically Oriented, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Brief-CBT) Intervention on Chronic Pain Acceptance in Youth with Chronic Pain&mdash;A Randomized Controlled Trial

At the Stollery Children&rsquo;s Chronic Pain Clinic, new referrals are assessed by an interdisciplinary team. The final part of the intake assessment typically involves an explanation and compassionate validation of the etiology of chronic pain and an invitation to the youth to attend the group outpatient Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) program, called Pain 101, or to individual outpatient CBT. It was hypothesized that a brief physician-delivered CBT (brief-CBT) intervention at first point of contact improves subsequent pain acceptance. Using a randomized double blinded methodology, 26 participants received a standard intake assessment and 26 the standard assessment plus the brief-CBT intervention. Measures were taken at three points: pre and post-intake assessment and after Pain 101 or individual CBT (or day 30 post-assessment for those attending neither). The primary outcome measure was the Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire&mdash;Adolescent version (CPAQ-A). Comparing pre and post-intake measures, there was a significant (p = 0.002) increase in the CPAQ-A scores&mdash;four-fold more in the brief-CBT intervention group (p = 0.045). Anxiety (RCADS-T Score) was significantly reduced post-intake and significantly more reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group (p = 0.024). CPAQ-A scores were significantly increased (p &lt; 0.001) (N = 28) and anxiety (RCADs-T) was significantly reduced by the end of Pain 101 (p &lt; 0.003) (N = 29) as was fear of pain as measured by the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (p = 0.021). A physician-delivered brief-CBT intervention significantly and meaningfully increased CPAQ-A scores and reduced anxiety in youth with chronic pain. Furthermore, CBT through Pain 101 is effective at increasing acceptance, as well as reducing anxiety and fear of movement