No. 04: Supermarkets, Wet Markets and Food Patronage in Nanjing, China

Although supermarkets have become a dominant food outlet for urban residents in developed countries, studies of food purchasing in developing countries such as China report a persistence of traditional food outlets, despite a proliferation of supermarkets over the past two decades. Yet, little is known about urban residents’ use of various food sources in the Chinese context. Building on the debate over the rise of supermarkets and the persistence of traditional food outlets, this paper analyzes the landscape of competing food sources including supermarkets, wet markets, restaurants, online food markets, urban agriculture and others. Based on the HCP citywide survey of 1,200 households in Nanjing, China, the paper looks at the purchasing frequency of a comprehensive list of food items in different food retail outlets, the accessibility of these outlets, and also the use of different food sources. We found that while supermarkets are the top source for purchasing staple grains, dairy products and processed food, wet markets still prevail for purchasing fresh produce and meat. The data demonstrates the high level of food accessibility in Nanjing and also indicates the significance of food sources beyond conventional retailing outlets, such as online food markets, urban agriculture and restaurants, in people’s daily lives

Online Thermal Analysis of Batch Roasted Coffee Beans

We constructed and instrumented a fluidised-bed coffee roaster. This work has been carried out as part of a search for the “ideal point”, which is the point in time when an expert roaster would terminate the roast in order to yield beans that produce the optimal brew. We roasted Costa Rican Arabica beans whilst controlling the roasting temperature to follow a linear ramp. We measured and recorded the input, output, and coffee bean surface temperatures. We introduce the idea of “bean load”, an uncalibrated measure of the heat load presented by the material being roasted. The bean load under constantly-ramping bean surface temperature shows the roast is increasingly endothermic. Toward the end of the roast the endothermic phenomena decrease, or are assisted by exothermic activity. The bean load also has a repeatable dip around first crack. Due to limitations with the roaster we were not able to make reliable measurements at and beyond second crack. We observed no waypoints or events that might be used to pinpoint the “ideal point” to end the roast

Integration of problem-based learning into 1^st year biology teaching at Abertay University

Transformational changes in science education and practice mean the traditional didactic methods used in teaching and learning are not sufficient for the skills our graduates need in employment or in postgraduate education. Step changes in technology and the vast amount of information now available across the science disciplines, including biology mean as well as core knowledge, science programmes need to develop the skills to deal with novel complex problems and challenges graduates will be expected and required to deal with. To promote development of these skills, a new pedagogical model has been proposed in this paper to integrate problem-based learning into first-year biology modules. The rationale and benefits are discussed in this paper, with a new model for delivery within the biology modules at level 7 at Abertay University

Integration of problem-based learning into 1^st year biology teaching at Abertay University

Transformational changes in science education and practice mean the traditional didactic methods used in teaching and learning are not sufficient for the skills our graduates need in employment or in postgraduate education. Step changes in technology and the vast amount of information now available across the science disciplines, including biology mean as well as core knowledge, science programmes need to develop the skills to deal with novel complex problems and challenges graduates will be expected and required to deal with. To promote development of these skills, a new pedagogical model has been proposed in this paper to integrate problem-based learning into first-year biology modules. The rationale and benefits are discussed in this paper, with a new model for delivery within the biology modules at level 7 at Abertay University

Transition of Newcomer Youth in Ontario Educational Policies: A Critical Discourse Analysis

Transition in school is an inherent function of each student’s educational experience. However, newcomer youth face unique transitional challenges. This qualitative study was conducted to answer how Ontario educational policies shape the transition of newcomer youth. A critical discourse analysis was used to analyze practical guides and policy texts, framed through critical policy sociology and critical pedagogy. Findings illustrated that a fractured policy landscape exists, where there is a heavy emphasis on literacy, language development, and language acquisition for newcomer youth, but there remains a lack of policies to support a more holistic transition. Dominant policy discourses serve to construct newcomer youth through policy definitions of newcomers and power structures. Suggestions have been made for policymakers, administration, schools, and teachers. This research contributes insight into how current policies reproduce socio-economic and cultural norms and illustrates the importance of moving beyond English language learner curriculum to targeted transition policy for newcomer youth

Ice Shelf Melt Rates and 3D Imaging

Ice shelves are sensitive indicators of climate change and play a critical role in the stability of ice sheets and oceanic currents. Basal melting of ice shelves plays an important role in both the mass balance of the ice sheet and the global climate system. Airborne- and satellite based remote sensing systems can perform thickness measurements of ice shelves. Time separated repeat flight tracks over ice shelves of interest generate data sets that can be used to derive basal melt rates using traditional glaciological techniques. Many previous melt rate studies have relied on surface elevation data gathered by airborne- and satellite based altimeters. These systems infer melt rates by assuming hydrostatic equilibrium, an assumption that may not be accurate, especially near an ice shelf’s grounding line. Moderate bandwidth, VHF, ice penetrating radar has been used to measure ice shelf profiles with relatively coarse resolution. This study presents the application of an ultra wide bandwidth (UWB), UHF, ice penetrating radar to obtain finer resolution data on the ice shelves. These data reveal significant details about the basal interface, including the locations and depth of bottom crevasses and deviations from hydrostatic equilibrium. While our single channel radar provides new insight into ice shelf structure, it only images a small swatch of the shelf, which is assumed to be an average of the total shelf behavior. This study takes an additional step by investigating the application of a 3D imaging technique to a data set collected using a ground based multi channel version of the UWB radar. The intent is to show that the UWB radar could be capable of providing a wider swath 3D image of an ice shelf. The 3D images can then be used to obtain a more complete estimate of the bottom melt rates of ice shelves

Old Testament Principles for Worship: Worship Practices Applied to Modern-Day Worship in the Evangelical Church from the Life of Abraham

Worship in the evangelical church faces challenges regarding its purpose, design, and method of expression. In order to cultivate an authentic community of worshippers, Christians must first strive to understand the biblical basis of worship. Worship is initiated by God and requires a response from man. Many studies have shown the importance of understanding the biblical foundations of worship; however, few studies have focused on understanding biblical worship through observing the historical development of God’s identity through the biblical character of Abraham. The purpose of this study is to identify key worship principles from the life of Abraham that may be applied to the 21st Century evangelical community. Principles discussed are primarily drawn from Abraham’s life experiences as recorded in the Old Testament. Of primary importance to this project is the application of practices prevalently seen through Abraham’s worship. This study is based on three initial pre-suppositions: 1) Abraham’s Worship; The Calling, 2) Abraham’s Worship: The Covenant, and 3) Abraham Worship: Faithful Sacrifice

Airborne UHF Radar for Fine Resolution Mapping of Near Surface Accumulation Layers in Greenland and West Antarctica

The usefulness of accurate, fine resolution accumulation layer measurements over central Greenland and West Antarctica is significant for the improvement of ice sheet models. These models are critical to both global climate models as well as understanding sea level rise. Previously developed accumulation layer radars were used as templates for the current single channel system. Improvements were incorporated including increased output power, increased receiver sensitivity, single antenna operation, and reduced susceptibility to external noise sources. Steps were also taken to reuse previously purchased components to reduce development costs. Externally developed Vivaldi and elliptical dipole antennas were utilized. Collected data shows the system is capable of measuring layering to a depth of nearly 300 m in most dry snow regions of Greenland and West Antarctica with a resolution of ~0.5 m. Future revisions will focus on reducing size and weight, as well as incorporate multiple receive channels to allow for clutter rejection algorithms to be applied; this will allow for viable data collection in percolation and wet snow zone of major ice sheets