I’m Proud I’m Actually Writing: Analyzing the Poetry of Urban Youth with EBD for Risk and Protective Factors

Urban youth experience any number of risk factors in their daily lives, but they also have protective factors that serve to support and shield them. This study was designed to examine how urban youth who have been given the label of Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (EBD) experience and perceive the various risk and protective factors that are present in their lives. This was done by examining 486 poems written by these youths. Data were analyzed using the framework of Search Institute\u27s 40 Developmental Assets, as well as deductively coding for themes of risk. The following themes were used to code for developmental assets: support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity. The eight themes developed through analysis were: lack of safety, loss, law and police, drugs, lack of relational support, poverty, race, and feeling lost. When taken together, these sixteen themes represent both the strengths and challenges these adolescents face. Possible explanations for and implications of these themes were explored, as were suggestions for future research

Politics of Resistance Among Shako During Imperial Ethiopia: Historical Perspective

Modern Ethiopia with its borders and its dozens of nations nationalities and peoples came into being as a result of relentless campaigns of conquest which was accomplished by the Abyssinian state and its military might under Menelik by the late 19th century The subjugation of Shako peoples was part and parcel of this process By the conquest dozens of nations nationalities and peoples including Shako were subdued to the Amhara hegemony The historical experience of cultural and political domination economic exploitation and social discrimination under the Amhara dominated Ethiopian empire obviously caused the Shako people to start resistance Adopting the historical method of narrative and analysis and interrogating available primary and secondary sources on the subject this study argue that the patterns and natures of both domination power and resistance changes in historical time and space as they are not mutually exclusive The past offer us understanding in terms of contemporary new phenomenon which is still in its initial stage and thus contributing in increasing the historical awareness comprehend contemporary problems and impacts thereo

I\u27m Proud I\u27m Actually Writing: Analyzing the Poetry of Urban Youth with EBD for Risk and Protective Factors

Urban youth experience any number of risk factors in their daily lives, but they also have protective factors that serve to support and shield them. This study was designed to examine how urban youth who have been given the label of Emotional or Behavioral Disorders (EBD) experience and perceive the various risk and protective factors that are present in their lives. This was done by examining 486 poems written by these youths. Data were analyzed using the framework of Search Institute\u27s 40 Developmental Assets, as well as deductively coding for themes of risk. The following themes were used to code for developmental assets: support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity. The eight themes developed through analysis were: lack of safety, loss, law and police, drugs, lack of relational support, poverty, race, and feeling lost. When taken together, these sixteen themes represent both the strengths and challenges these adolescents face. Possible explanations for and implications of these themes were explored, as were suggestions for future research

Cost Effectiveness of Composite Frames in Condominium Houses

Steel-concrete composite construction has gained wide acceptance worldwide as an alternative to pure steel and pure concrete construction. However, this system is a relatively new concept for the construction industry in Ethiopia. Reinforced concrete members are used in the framing system for most of the buildings since this is the most convenient & economic system for low-rise as well as short beam span.However, for medium to wide-spaced column in the building frames, this type of structure is no longer economic because of increased dead load, less stiffness, span restriction and hazardous formwork. Steel-concrete composite frame system can provide an effective and economic solution to most of these problems in medium to wide spaced column buildings. An attempt has been made in this study to explore the cost effectiveness of steel-concrete composite construction by taking condominium houses currently undergoing in our country for maximum column spacing above which the steel-concrete composite frame structure is cost effective. A cost versus frequently occurred maximum column spacing variation curves along both axes shows that for closely spaced column building frames structures, the conventional  reinforced concrete frame system is cheaper than its equivalent steel-concrete composite system. However, this curves show for building frames with column spacing between 9 to 10m and greater than this span along both axes, steel-concrete composite construction has economical advantages than reinforced concrete construction and 9 to 12 and greater than this storeys, again,  steel-concrete composite construction has economical advantages than reinforced concrete construction in our country. Keywords: Composite column, composite beam, composite slab, shears connectors and Etab

Establishment, survival and dispersal limitations of pioneer plants in a Norwegian glacier foreland as revealed by seed sowing, transplantation and seed bank experiments

Glaciers are melting and retreating on a global scale due to climate change. Rapid glacier retreat leave behind large areas of barren ground, in which primary succession and plant establishments can start. However, a typical feature in glaciers forelands is that vascular plants are lacking in a distinct area close to the front of melting glaciers. To explain the absence of plants in this unpopulated area, I have conducted seed sowing, transplantation, and soil seed bank experiments to explore the establishment and survival success in eight pioneer species (i.e. Saxifraga stellaris, Poa alpina, Poa arctica, Oxyria digyna, Arabis alpina, Cerastium cerastoides, Arabis petraea and Beckwithia glacialis) along a chronosequence in the glacier foreland of Hellstugubreen in Jotunheimen, central Norway. Interestingly, my results from the field experiments showed that the study species generally had significantly higher germination success, survival, vitality and better performance in the unpopulated area nearest to the glacier as compared to in the positions furthest away from the glacier. Moreover, the soil seed bank experiment revealed that there was no seed bank in the unpopulated area closest to the glacier front. From these results, I draw the main conclusion that dispersal limitation, and not germination- and survival limitations, explained the absence of plants in the unpopulated area in front of the Hellstugubreen glacier. In addition, to understand what environmental factors that limits the growth of the important pioneer species, i.e. A. alpina, I conducted a growth experiment under four controlled combinations of temperature and light conditions. Here, my results showed that A. alpina grew better under cold and high light conditions, and that the proportion of fertile individuals were significantly reduced with increased temperatures.Isbrear smeltar og trekkjer seg tilbake globalt grunna klima endringar. Når isbrear trekkjer seg raskt tilbake blir det lagt att eit stort område av naken grunn der primærsuksesjon og plantekolonisering kan byrja. Men eit typisk karakteristikk på isbre-forland er mangelen på vaskulære planter i eit klart område framom isbrefronten på ein smeltande isbre. For å forklare manglelen på planter i detta område utan busetnad, gjorde eg eit såfrø-, transplanterings- og jord frøbank eksperiment for å utforske etablering og overlevingssuksess hjå åtte pioner artar (som Saxifraga stellaris, Poa alpina, Poa arctica, Oxyria digyna, Arabis alpina, Cerastium cerastoides, Arabis petraea and Beckwithia glacialis) langs ein tidsserie i isbreforlandet av Hellstugubreen i Jotunheimen, i sentral Noreg. Mine resultat frå felteksperimenta viste interessant at studieartane hadde generelt signifikant høgare spiringssuksess, overleving, vitalitet og betre yting i det området utan busetnad nærmast isbreen, samanlikna med i posisjonen lengst unna isbreen. I tillegg, viste jord frøbank eksperimentet at det var inga frøbank i det området utan busetnad nærmast isbreen. Frå dessa resultata, trakk eg hovudkonklusjonen at det var spreiingsavgrensing, og ikkje spirings- og overlevingsavgrensing, som forklara mangelen på planter i det området utan busetnad ved fronten av Hellstugubreen isbre. I tillegg, for å forstå kva miljøfaktorar som avgrensar vekst hjå den viktige pionerarten A. alpina, gjorde eg eit veksteksperiment under fire kontrollerte kombinasjonar av temperatur og ljos forhold. Her viste resultata at A. alpina veks betre under kaldt og høgt ljos forhold, og at andelen fertile individ vart signifikant redusera med høgare temperatur.M-ECO

A Historical Legacy Untouched by Time and Space? The Hollowing-out of the Norwegian Model of Industrial Relations

The Norwegian model of industrial relations has received a lot of praise. It is generally thought of as the pinnacle of the welfare state, a reason why Norway is not severely hit by crises, is highly adaptable, and thus still going strong. This article discusses the historical circumstances in which the model arose with a view to analyze the preconditions for its further existence, arguing that the model must be understood as consisting of, and thus dependent upon, shifting historical subjects. This calls for an analysis of the concrete interactions between various agents, and how it has changed over time and space. In this effort, historical accounts are combined with theories developed within the social sciences in order to explain the dynamics of these interactions. We will argue that the contemporary notion of a Norwegian model of industrial relations, and the accompanying praise, is an ahistorical conceptualization verging on a dogma, and that profound reconfigurations of power relations between the agents of labor and capital need to be taken into account

Consumer Adoption of AI-Powered Chatbots: Developing a Customized Adoption Model

Recent advancements in Artificial Intelligence have transformed the business landscape, with AI-powered chatbots playing a crucial role in enhancing customer service and automating tasks. As current literature seems to predominantly focus on the use of AI-powered chatbots in organizational contexts, this study aims to fill this gap by creating an understanding of the factors driving AI-powered chatbot adoption from a consumer perspective. To achieve this, we utilize the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the Technology Adoption Model (TAM), the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2), and Diffusion of Innovations (DOI), as traditional technology adoption models. Along with the constructs from these traditional models, we add the AI-specific antecedents: Anthropomorphism, Trust, Privacy Risk and Personalization, which were found through conducting a literature review of AI- and chatbot adoption. This integration allowed us to develop a customized adoption model that provides an understanding of chatbot adoption from a consumer perspective. The study collects data through a questionnaire-based survey (n=126). Through several multiple regression analyses, significant drivers across all the models are revealed. Subjective Norm and Behavioral Control (TPB), Usefulness (TAM), Habit (UTAUT2) and Trialability (DOI) were all found to have a significant positive effect on the Intention to Use AI-powered chatbots. The Customized Model, created through stepwise estimation, includes Usefulness (TAM), Trialability (DOI), Habit (UTAUT2), and Anthropomorphism (Model Extensions). These four factors collectively explain 46.6% of the variance in consumers' Intention to Use AI-powered chatbots. In terms of explaining the adoption of AI-powered chatbots, the Customized Model outperforms traditional models by explaining the most variance while utilizing the fewest variables. This enhanced fit may make it a more effective tool for understanding how consumers adopt AI-powered chatbot technology. The study contributes to businesses’ understanding of the constructs influencing chatbot adoption and implementing effective strategies to enhance customer experiences.nhhma

Development and Implementation of the Use of Optically Stimulated Luminescent Detectors in the Radiological Physics Center Anthropomorphic Quality Assurance Phantoms

The Radiological Physics Center (RPC) uses both on-site and remote reviews to credential institutions for participation in clinical trials. Anthropomorphic quality assurance (QA) phantoms are one tool the RPC uses to remotely audit institutions, which include thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) and radiochromic film. The RPC desires to switch from TLD as the absolute dosimeter in the phantoms, to optically stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs), but a problem lies in the angular dependence exhibited by the OSLD. The purpose of this study was to characterize the angular dependence of OSLD and establish a correction factor if necessary, to provide accurate dosimetric measurements as a replacement for TLD in the QA phantoms. A 10 cm diameter high-impact polystyrene spherical phantom was designed and constructed to hold an OSLD to study the angular response of the dosimeter under the simplest of circumstances for both coplanar and non-coplanar treatment deliveries. OSLD were irradiated in the spherical phantom, and the responses of the dosimeter from edge-on angles were normalized to the response when irradiated with the beam incident normally on the surface of the dosimeter. The average normalized response was used to establish an angular correction factor for 6 MV and 18 coplanar treatments, and for 6 MV non-coplanar treatments specific to CyberKnife. The RPC pelvic phantom dosimetry insert was modified to hold OSLD, in addition to the TLD, adjacent to the planes of film. Treatment plans of increasing angular beam delivery were developed, three in Pinnacle v9.0 (4-field box, IMRT, and VMAT) and one in Accuray’s MultiPlan v3.5.3 (CyberKnife). The plans were delivered to the pelvic phantom containing both TLD and OSLD in the target volume. The pelvic phantom was also sent to two institutions to be irradiated as trials, one delivering IMRT, and the other a CyberKnife treatment. For the IMRT deliveries and the two institution trials, the phantom also included film in the sagittal and coronal planes. The doses measured from the TLD and OSLD were calculated for each irradiation, and the angular correction factors established from the spherical phantom irradiations were applied to the OSLD dose. The ratio of the TLD dose to the angular corrected OSLD dose was calculated for each irradiation. The corrected OSLD dose was found to be within 1% of the TLD measured dose for all irradiations, with the exception of the in-house CyberKnife deliveries. The films were normalized to both TLD measured dose and the corrected OSLD dose. Dose profiles were obtained and gamma analysis was performed using a 7%/4 mm criteria, to compare the ability of the OSLD, when corrected for the angular dependence, to provide equivalent results to TLD. The results of this study indicate that the OSLD can effectively be used as a replacement for TLD in the RPC’s anthropomorphic QA phantoms for coplanar treatment deliveries when a correction is applied for the dosimeter’s angular dependence

Skissen och skissandet - landskapsarkitektens arbetsverktyg

What is sketching for a landscape architect? Does it involve anything else than the sketching process, the tool with which we work and carry a project through? The answer is yes, it is a process but one that includes many functions like making notes in drawings or words for remembrance, a way to convey your ideas to others and to clearify ideas for yourself or together in a group. This thesis aim to give a broader picture of what sketches and sketching is through many voices, and images made by architects, a psychiatrist, a teacher, and landscape architect students. The focus is on the hand made sketch and show many examples of what a sketch can look like. What is a sketch? A sketch can be many things, but the general consensus is that it is made fast and as a draft. It can be made in any material, two or three dimensional. The sketching technique you use while sketching does not defi ne whether it is a sketch or not but only which technique you used. The function of a sketch changes and it will look differently depending on the reason why it was made. Why is it important for a landscape architect to sketch? If the tool is the sketches that I make in order to make the sketching process run smoothly, how do I go about to improve my sketching process? Well, four older well known architects tell stories about how important it is to sketch, all the time, in order to start saving images in your head that you can access at any time, in any sketching project. Then the reason for sketching becomes unimportant, only the fact that we do it, will make a difference. One way to help us sketch more is to think about how we can improve our ways of registering the outside world. For instance the use of the digital camera. By making a conscious choice to use the sketch book rather than taking pictures, you learn to interpret what you see into a sketch. As the landscape architect school around the world differ, they can be scientifi c or artistically dominated. Does this mean anything in the way we communicate amongst each other? 19 students from Sweden, Slovakia, Estonia, England, Czech Republic, Canada, Germany, Austria and China answered questions on how they defi ne, use, learned to sketch, fi nd joy in and are inspired by sketches within the landscape architect profession. The sketching process is a method of working that can be learned by any person. The landscape architect have taken this method and learned to excel in it. But this process takes many years to master. That is a reason why constant refl ection on the process of sketching is so important

Dordrechtites Arcanus Sp. Nov., An Anatomically Preserved Gymnospermous Reproductive Structure From the Middle Triassic of Antarctica

This is the publisher's version of an article which is being shared with permission. The original version may be accessed at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/668792The genus Dordrechtites is an isolated ovulate structure previously described only from South Africa and Australia as impressions. The discovery of compressed and permineralized specimens of this taxon at the base of Mount Falla (uppermost Fremouw Formation) in the central Transantarctic Mountains extends the geographical and geological distribution of the genus and increases the known floral diversity of the Triassic of Antarctica. The first permineralized species, Dordrechtites arcanus, is described using standard acetate peel techniques and includes internal anatomy of an elongate arm that extends over the top of a central cupule containing two elongate, bilaterally symmetrical, orthotropous ovules. An arc-shaped collateral vascular bundle extends from the arm into the top of the cupule, branches, and then extends around the ovule to about halfway down to the micropylar end. The cupule is parenchymatous and includes transfusion tissue with cells that have pitted walls. The sclerotesta of the ovule is up to 200 mm thick, consisting of an outer layer with longitudinally oriented, thick-walled cells and an inner layer one cell thick of rectangular, thick-walled cells. The micropyle is flared at the attenuated tip of the pyramidal cupule. The four previously described species of Dordrechtites have uncertain affinities, and although the morphology and anatomy of this taxon is now known, the affinities within the gymnosperms are still uncertain