Ecozon@ with love

Key words: new directions in ecocriticism, regional literature, regional studies, literary Nevada, place, caring for the environment, eco-cosmopolitanism, sense of place, sense of planet Regional studies and literary regionalism continue to fulfil important functions in the era of globalisation. Educating people (particularly those in parts of the world with a “self-image problem”) in the richness of local literary tradition can help them identify more strongly, through story, with the place they live in, and take care of it. Ecocritics must learn to work together with the curators of local history museums, people running community arts centres, and the members of writing circles. World citizenship and eco-cosmopolitanism do not obviate the need for a local sense of place. Palabras clave: nuevas tendencias de la ecocritica, literature regional, studios regionales, el Estado literario de Nevada, lugar, cuidado del medioambiente, eco-cosmopolitanismo, sentido de lugar, sentido de planeta Los estudios regionales y el regionalismo literario continúan realizando importantes funciones en la era de la globalización.  Educar a la gente – en especial aquella en lugares del mundo con un “problema de imagen de sí mismo” – en la riqueza de la tradición literaria local puede ayudarles a identificarse más sólidamente, a través de historias, con el lugar en el que viven  y a cuidar de él. Los/as ecocríticos/as deben aprender a trabajar con los conservadores de los museos de historia local, con la gente que dirige centros de arte comunitarios y con los miembros de los círculos de escritura. La ciudadanía mundial y el eco-cosmopolitanismo no obvian la necesidad de un sentido de lugar local

Protease Inhibitors and Reproduction of Reniform Nematode in Pineapple

Protease inhibitors (PI) are thought to serve as defense compounds against pathogen attack in many plant systems. PIs have been found in pineapple roots, and populations of Rotylenchulus reniformis remain untypically low for 6-9 months after pineapple planting. A potted plant experiment was conducted to determine if PIs present in pineapple roots affected nematode reproduction and could account for the observed field population dynamics. Pineapple plants with and without R. reniformis were harvested monthly. Roots were removed from the plant, weighed, shaken in NaOCI to determine number of nematode eggs, then cut into 1 cm pieces. Roots were homogenized in EDTA/phosphate buffer at pH 6.0 to extract PIs. An aliquot of the root extract was added to purified papain and colorimetric protein substrate, and inhibition activity determined. Pineapple PI activity increased for the first 6 months after planting (in both inoculated and not inoculated treatments), and was higher in nematode inoculated plants. Nematode reproduction (egg numbers) was not correlated to PI activity. A second potted plant experiment was conducted to determine if PI levels in pineapple roots varied along root length in the presence and absence of nematodes. PI activity increased in the presence of nematodes and this increase was concentrated in the basal portion of the roots where nematode densities were highest. These results support a defensive role for PI in pineapple roots. More work is necessary to elucidate the role of pineapple PIs in nematode population regulation

Experiences at University: Perceptions of students with disabilities

Using Tinto's (1975) model of dropping out or persisting, this study examined the perceived experiences at university of students with disabilities. Tinto's (1975) model presents three variables which are related to persistence: background characteristics, integration into the academic milieu, and social integration. Thirty-six students completed a questionnaire, and of this group 17 participated in a narrative interview. Later, six of these people engaged in a focus group. The findings of this study showed that background characteristics and academic integration were more important variables related to persistence than social integration. Goal commitment, support of family and friends and understanding professors were found to be important elements related to persisting among these students with disabilities.En employant le modèle de Tinto (1975) relatif au décrochage ou à la persistance scolaire, cette étude examine d'étudiant(e)s handicapés quant à leurs expériences universitairies. Le modèle de Tinto (1975) présente trois variables en lien avec la persistance: le cadre de vie, l'intégration scolaire et l'intégration sociale. Trente-six étudiantes et étudiants ont rempli un questionnaire et, de ce groupe, 17 ont pris part à une entrevue individuelle. Par la suite, six de ces personnes ont participé a un groupe de discussion. Les résultats de cette étude démontrent que le cadre de vie et l'intégration scolaire sont des variables plus importantes que l'intégration sociale en ce qui concerne la persistance scolaire. L'engagement face au but, le soutien de la famille et des amis ainsi que des professeurs compréhensifs se sont avérés des éléments imiportants reliés à la persistance de ces étudiant(e)s handicapés

Perceptions of Learning and Stages of Concern Among Graduates of a Native Teacher Education Program

The purpose of this study was to examine the learning outcomes of students who had recently completed a two-year community-based Native Teacher Education Program (NTEP). The participants were 22 graduates of an NTEP who responded to open-ended items in a questionnaire on what they had learned throughout the program. Four women also participated in a focus group. The learning of the graduates was grouped according to the categories found in a previously developed framework: curriculum planning and evaluation, discipline and classroom management, pupils and pupil-teacher interactions, and the profession of teaching (Duquette & Cook, 1999). It was found that the NTEP graduates learned the most in the first three areas of the framework. As well, those with more than five years of experience working in the schools learned more in the pupils and pupil-teacher interactions category than their less experienced peers. The learning as stated by all the graduates showed that they addressed self-survival and impact concerns as described by Fuller (1969). The major source of their learning was through observation of their supervising teachers.L'objectif de cette recherche était d'étudier les résultats d'apprentissage d'étudiants qui venaient de compléter une formation communautaire de deux ans pour enseignants autochtones (Native Teacher Education Program ou NTEP). Vingt-deux diplômés du NTEP ont complété un questionnaire consistant en des questions ouvertes portant sur ce qu'ils avaient appris pendant la formation. Quatre femmes ont également participé à un groupe de discussion. L'apprentissage des participants a été classé selon des catégories tirées d'un cadre déjà établi: planification curriculaire et évaluation, discipline et gestion de classe, les élèves et l'interaction élève-enseignant et la profession de l'enseignement (Duquette & Cook, 1999). Les résultats indiquent que les diplômés du NTEP apprennent davantage des trois premières catégories et que ceux qui avaient plus de cinq années d'expérience dans les écoles en ont appris davantage sur l'interaction élève-enseignant que l'ont fait leurs collègues moins expérimentés. Tous les diplômés ont exprimé des préoccupations liées aux notions de répercussions et de survie personnelle telles que Fuller les décrit (1969). L'observation de leur enseignant surveillant a constitué la source la plus importante d'apprentissage chez les participants

Becoming a Role Model: Experiences of Native Student Teachers

This article examines identity and the experiences of being a role model among graduates of a Native Teacher Education Program (NTEP). It also studies how the NTEP supported the participants’ development as role models. Central findings focus attention on their leadership experiences, questions about their ability to be a role model, and the benefits and disadvantages of being a role model. It was also found that the NTEP provided the context for the participants to reconstruct their identity to include being a role model. Three stages of becoming a role model are described.Cet article porte sur l’identité et les expériences en tant que modèle de rôle des diplômés du Native Teacher Education Program (NTEP) un programme visant les futurs enseignants autochtones. L’appui qu’offre le programme aux participants en matière de leur développement comme modèle de rôle est également étudié. Les résultats traitent de ce qu’ont vécu les participants en tant que leaders, de certaines questions quant à leur capacité d’être modèle de rôle, et des avantages et des inconvénients découlant de cette expérience. Nous avons également constaté que le NTEP a offert aux participants un contexte dans lequel ils pouvaient reconstruire leur identité pour y incorporer celui de modèle de rôle. Finalement, nous décrivons trois étapes dans le développement d’un modèle de rôle

Chemical, physical and sensory characteristics of ground and comminuted pork with various fat levels and corn milling secondary products

The cholesterol content of raw and cooked ground pork with fat contents of 4, 9, 18 and 23% was determined. Cholesterol content increased as fat level increased in the raw pork, but cholesterol content of broiled pork patties was not different among fat levels;Dry- and wet-milled corn germ flours, corn gluten meal and zein at levels of 0, 2.5 and 5% were added to ground pork of various fat percentages. Raw and broiled patties were analyzed for proximate composition, color, Instron compression and cooking loss. Broiled pork patties containing zein were evaluated by a sensory panel;Dry- and wet-milled germ flour addition at the 5% level decreased cooking losses, 9 and 7.5%, respectively, when compared to control patties. Zein addition to ground pork reduced cooking loss 4.2% when compared to ground pork without zein. Corn gluten meal addition to pork did not influence yield. Instron compression values decreased as the amount of dry-milled germ flour increased in ground pork, but increased with the addition of zein and corn gluten meal. Sensory tenderness and pork flavor intensity decreased and off-flavor intensity increased when zein was added to pork patties;Chemical, physical and sensory properties of cooked frankfurters of three fat levels with 0 or 3.5% dry- and wet-milled corn germ flours were investigated. Dry-milled corn germ flour addition decreased fat content, sensory tenderness, juiciness and cured flavor intensity and increased chewiness of frankfurters. Cured flavor intensity decreased and off-flavor intensity, Instron compression values and cooking loss increased with the addition of wet-milled corn germ flour;The protein, starch, crude fiber and pentosan contents and water hydration and oil-binding capacities of germ meals were investigated. Fifty-five percent of the total germ protein was extracted from dry-milled corn germ meal with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide. Sixteen protein bands were separated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The dry-milled germ residue remaining after protein extraction was found to have a higher water hydration capacity (3.6 ml/g) than the protein (1.3 ml/g);Germ flours were effective finders in ground pork, but did not increase yield in a frankfurter model system. The high water hydration capacity of germ meal is probably due to the fiber components

An approach to a generalized synthesis for 2-halo-1,1-diarylalkenes

This study was concerned with the development of a generalized synthesis of halogenated 1,1-diarylalkenes. The alkylation of 1,1-diphenylethylene was carried out by the addition of organolithium compounds (C Li, PhLi, t-BuLi, n-BuLi). N-bromo-succinimide (NBS) was used for bromination. The reaction forming triphenylbromo-ethylene gave the largest percent yield (93.6%). The reaction forming 2-bromo-3,3- dimethyl-l,l-dipheny1-1-butene resulted in a 38.1% yield. Each product structure was confirmed by proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance, and infrared spectroscopy

An Anthropological Study on 8799 Adults in the United Kingdom

The overall aim of this Thesis was to establish social factors affecting body composition in both males and females. In order to achieve this the method adopted was to study a group of 6495 males and 2304 females aged 16-64 years, selected as described in Chapter 2, from both the British Armed Forces and the civilian population. The measurements taken from each individual were height, weight and four skinfolds. Using the equations of Durnin and Womersley (1974) and Siri (1956) the skinfolds were converted into a value for percent bodyfat (% fat) and fat free mass (FFM) was calculated by subtracting fat mass from body weight. The two populations, Forces and civilians, were divided into age groups and the mean results for height, weight, FFM and % fat were established for both males and females. (However, in the female Forces sample only age groups 17-29 years were used due to the low values for 'n' found in the older age groups). All subjects completed a detailed questionnaire (see Appendix B). The following comparisons were made from the available anthropometric and social information. Forces and Civilian Populations The main difference found between the male samples was for mean FFM values. The Forces sample were found to have a bigger 'build' than that of the civilian population. The female Forces were found to be taller and heavier than the female civilians. The female Forces were on average slightly fatter but the difference in weight was due mainly to the differences in height between the two populations. Previous British Anthropometric Studies The height and weight results of the civilian population were compared to previous studies. The studies involved were those of Kemsley (1943) and Montegriffo (1968). It was of interest to note the general trends in height and weight over the past 40 years. The secular increase in height was found to be approximately 2cm/decade and weight gain with age decreasing. Individual Services within the Forces The mean results within age groups were compared amongst all three services. In the male sample, all three services were very similar. However, the Army tended to have bigger 'builds' and the Navy were slightly 'fatter' than the Army or Airforce. For females, again all three services were very similar. However, the WRNS were also slightly 'fatter' than the Army or Airforce. Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO's) The above groups were derived from the Forces sample and a comparison of mean results made. The Officers were found to be taller than the other ranks within similar age groups. However, when compared in similar height groups the NCO's were found to have higher mean values for FFM and % bodyfat than the Officers sample. Analysis of the female sample was limited due to low numbers. However, there was a tendency for the Officers to be slightly taller than the other ranks. Smoking Habits and Body Composition Twice as many of the Forces male sample compared to the civilian male sample smoked (45% & 20% respectively). For both Forces and civilian male samples, smokers were found to be 'less fat' than 'non-smokers', on average by 1%. Ex-smokers who had given up within the past 5 years had the highest mean values for % bodyfat. 'Heavy' smokers were not found to be more obese than ' light' smokers. In the female samples again almost twice as many Forces females smoked (46%) compared to the civilian females (26%). Like the male samples both female samples found smokers to be ' less fat' than the non-smokers, again the magnitude of the difference being on average 1% bodyfat. Exercise Habits and Body Composition In the Forces male sample 62% of subjects exercised >2/week compared to only 44% of the civilian male sample. For both the Forces and civilian male samples those who exercised more had higher mean values for FFM and lower mean values for % bodyfat (on average 1.5%) than the less active subjects. In the Forces female sample 41% of subjects exercised > 2/week compared to only 32% of the civilian female sample. Similar to the male findings, the general, trend was that those subjects who took more exercise had less fat (on average 1%) and overall had higher mean values for FFM than the less active group. However, the differences found between the two female activity groups in mean FFM values were not as pronounced as the differences between the two male groups. Occupation and Body Composition The findings of this study showed that both occupation and exercise can affect anthropometric variables. The Forces male sample showed that those subjects who had active jobs and who exercised had higher mean values for FFM (on average 2kg) and lower mean values for % bodyfat (on average 1.6%). For the male and female civilian samples those subjects with sedentary jobs who exercised more were found to have less bodyfat (on average 1%). However, the differences in mean FFM values were not as significant

Implementation of an Online Suicide Prevention Training Program with Undergraduate and Graduate Students at a California State University

Background: One of the leading causes of death in the college age population is suicide. While colleges provide opportunities in the acquisition of knowledge and skills for future careers; those same opportunities can also bring about challenges that put students at risk for suicide such as: dealing with their mental health issues, finding and maintaining support system, financial costs, and the pressure from ensuring academic success. One of the ways to help student at risk for suicide is by early intervention by connecting them with mental health support system such as crisis counselors. Question, Persuade, and Refer (QPR) is a suicide prevention training that raises awareness of suicide and teach participants fundamental suicide intervention skills. Purpose: This quality improvement project aimed to determine the impact of an online QPR training program intended to increase prevention on campus. Method: This project implemented a 90 minute training using powerpoint, handouts and question and answer period with undergraduate and graduate students. Result: A total of 70 students completed the prequestionnaire, training and post questionnaire. The paired t-tests on four QPR scales (self-knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and skills) and the number of students who had the number 988 saved on their phones were all highly significant. Conclusion: QPR demonstrates that it is effective in the short term in making students more open to asking someone if they were suicidal, more confident in their abilities to prevent suicide, and more likely to offer assistance