BON APPЀTIT: FAUNAL SUBSISTENCE AT FORT TOMBECBE (1SU7)​

The frontier fort known as Tombecbe is situated on the Tombigbee River in present day Epes, Alabama. Tombecbe was constructed in 1736 as a staging point for Bienville’s campaign against the Chickasaw and to block encroachments by the British military. Following the Treaty of Paris, the fort was occupied successively by the British and then Spanish in the eighteenth century. Fortunately, historic documents and physical modifications to the fort suggest that it is possible to isolate and examine the French, British, and Spanish separately, however the breadth of the faunal analysis leaves this for future research. The soldiers at Tombecbe were reliant on supply chains from their countries of origin but also depended on trade with their Indigenous neighbors, the Choctaw, due to perennially late shipments. My thesis analyzes, compares, and contrasts the French and British faunal subsistence strategies employed by those stationed at the fort as observed from the Bakery and soldiers’ Barracks contexts. My findings of analyzing faunal remains from these contexts shows that both French and British soldiers were forced to rely on white-tailed deer when rations were short, regardless of preferred subsistence practices, supplemented by chicken, with very little fish identified compared to what is expected for a river-front fort. Fragmentary bone indicates purposeful making of bone marrow and broth to supplement possible shortages in meat supplies. In combination, this data shows there were occasions of dietary stress on those garrisoned at Tombecbe

Youth career choices : a comparison of industry and ballet

In an increasingly competitive global environment the need for highly skilled, resilient workers is paramount. This study responded to this need with an investigation of the attraction and retention drivers that encourage young people to pursue their career of choice. In particular, it explored the career aspirations and drivers of career choice amongst two distinct cohorts of secondary school-aged people and the work experiences and retention drivers of a cohort of early career workers. The first phase of the study investigated the career aspirations identified by secondary school-aged young people aged from 14 to 17 years, including those enrolled in full-time secondary schooling (completing Years 11 and 12 tertiary entrance studies) and those enrolled in full-time professional dance programs who were completing their schooling via distance learning programs. The second phase of the study examined the nexus between career aspirations and work reality for young people entering a career, again encompassing the two distinct cohorts: early career participants in mainstream industry and early career dancers. The study findings help to articulate what it is that young people want from a career, the type of work they enjoy, and the characteristics of their work experiences that may impact retention. As such, it has significant implications for decision making related to future education, career and modes of work, and to drivers of performance, engagement and retention.In seeking to answer the research question: ‘What are the attraction and retention drivers that encourage young people to pursue their career of choice?’, the research design utilised a qualitative research methodology with comparative and content analysis approaches framed in a constructivist paradigm. Data collection involved 46 participants in semi-structured individual or focus group interviews, and the study was structured into two phases as described above. Additional interviews with five retired dancers served to explore and validate the dance participants’ work expectations and realities in this under-researched profession.Findings suggest that decisions about career choice are often made early in life, tend to be intrinsically driven, and are founded upon young people’s exploration of career, self and identity. Career attraction appears to be clearly associated with a passion for the type of work, a career calling, or a sense of vocation. Similarly, career retention seems to have little to do with money or the achievement of extrinsic rewards: irrespective of gender, work/life balance emerged as a key consideration across both cohorts. The study has made a significant contribution to the theoretical framework for the Foci and Bases of Commitment with the inclusion of a possible selves construct. This inclusion will inform the development of strategies that improve career attraction and retention.Developed countries face significant challenges in developing and sustaining a workforce that is equipped for an uncertain future and whose members have longer and more precarious working lives. The findings of this study suggest that the workforce preparation provided to young people by secondary and tertiary institutions is inadequate. The results reveal that dancers, even during early training, tend to have a more accurate and realistic understanding of future career realities than early career aspirants in other sectors. Furthermore, the findings highlight the need for organisations to re-evaluate their work design, development and engagement strategies in order to successfully meet these challenges.Limitations of the study include a geographical focus on Western Australia and a relatively small sample size. Despite these limitations, the study provides a sound basis for further research and investigation into the career choices of young people, linkages between possible self and work commitment, and the role and impact of passion and career calling in work retention.This is one of few studies that have provided a voice for young people in relation to career aspirations and expectations. The findings provide a greater insight into the significant impact of the career aspirations and choices of young people and what ignites and maintains a passion for their work

The Role of Synchronous Virtual Reference in Teaching and Learning: A Grounded Theory Analysis of Instant Messaging Transcripts

Electronic communication technologies continue to change the landscape of reference services. For many users, virtual communication is the preferred means of conversing. Synchronous virtual reference, similar to other synchronous means of communication, is an important method for reaching students and for providing teaching and learning opportunities. Grounded Theory (GT) research provides a method for examining the transcripts of synchronous virtual reference. In this study, the library implemented the instant messaging (IM) application known as Meebo. Using the qualitative software ATLAS.ti, Iowa State University Library researchers uploaded, analyzed, and coded the instant messaging transcripts. From the analysis, a snapshot developed of the library’s central role in educating the university community about research resources. This paper describes ongoing challenges that occur during synchronous virtual reference interviews and staff training needs that cannot be captured by number crunching alone. Synchronous virtual reference can provide essential teaching and learning experiences that complement the educational mission of most research universities

Molecular Characterisation of Bacteriophage K Towards Applications for the Biocontrol of Pathogenic Staphylococci

End of project reportThe aim of this work was to characterise staphylococcal bacteriophage (a bacterial virus) and to assess their potential as therapeutic agents against pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus, particularly mastitis-causing strains. The project included the use of two newly isolated phage CS1 and DW2, and an existing polyvalent phage. The new phage were isolated from the farmyard and characterised by electron microscopy and restriction analysis. Both phage were shown to belong to the Siphoviridae family and were lytic for representatives of all three clonal groups of Irish mastitis-associated staphylococci. A cocktail of three phage (CS1, DW2 and K) at 108 (plaque forming units) PFU/ml was infused into cows teats in animal trials. The lack of an increase in somatic cell counts in milks indicated strongly that the phage did not irritate the animal. In addition, the most potent phage used in this study, phage K, was further studied by genome sequencing, which revealed a linear DNA genome of 127,395 base pairs, which encodes 118 putative ORFs (open reading frames)

Determinants and Influences of Paternal Responsiveness in Infancy

Fathers in two-parent families are becoming increasingly involved in infant care, highlighting the need to understand the determinants and influence of father-infant interactions. Paternal responsiveness is a core component of positive father-infant interactions. This study investigated associations between paternal responsiveness and infant development; and paternal low mood and paternal responsiveness. Participants were a sub-sample of father-infant dyads (n=47) from a UK community cohort study: The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. The Mellow Parenting Coding System was used to measure paternal responsiveness within a video-recorded father-infant interaction at 12 months. Infant development was assessed using the Griffiths scales at 18 months and paternal low mood was measured using the Edinburgh Post-Natal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 8 months. Linear regression analysis provided no evidence for an association between paternal responsiveness and infant development. Due to methodological limitations it is unclear whether this reflects a true null relationship. Unexpectedly, lower paternal mood (indicated by higher scores on the EPDS), was found to be associated with greater paternal responsiveness. For every standard deviation increase in EPDS score, fathers displayed approximately two additional responsiveness behaviours per minute in the observed interaction; this corresponds to a standardised effect size of 0.32 standard deviations. The mechanisms for this association are unclear, but possibilities are discussed. The finding requires replication within larger studies, but clinicians may wish to consider that fathers who achieve very low scores on measures of depressed mood may be at risk for low paternal responsiveness

A study examining the concerns, support needs and experiences of newly formed adoptive families

This article draws on the findings from a national adoption study to examine the characteristics and experiences of children recently placed for adoption. With a focus on relevance to health visiting, it considers the early concerns, support needs and experiences of newly formed adoptive families, and examines the role health visitors play in supporting these families, as part of routine health intervention for children

Imposed reform: standards-based accountability and its impact on the principalship

The imposed policy reform of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) represents another attempt at an “enlightened proposal for change” currently in play at the ground level in the American education system, setting new standards for college and career readiness. This qualitative, comparative case study explored how two principals from suburban elementary schools, possessing very different demographics and state assessment achievement histories, made sense, constructed meaning and, ultimately, enacted change in their implementation of CCSS. Datnow and Castellano’s “Framework for Reform” was employed to analyze how the principals accepted, symbolically displayed or rejected CCSS reform. The contextual considerations of “structure, culture, and agency” were used to understand how the interplay among these factors and the reform itself led to variation[s] in response. The practices found at both Sunny Brook and Laguna showed evidence of degrees of implementation of CCSS, but the depth and clarity of understanding of implementation varied. Ideologies of staff respondents seemed to match those of their principals, which shaped reform, emphasizing the non-linear reality of school change. Findings suggest that the imposition of a mandate does not necessarily lead to consistent interpretation of that mandate. Rather, clarity of systems, structures, and expectations for change are critical to truly enacting reform that results in changed in learning experiences for students. Policy makers and district leaders should consider the significance of “why” through use of a co-construction approach over a technical-rational one in packaging and messaging reform. This case study suggests that technical-rational reform approaches, although successful in enacting change at operational levels, will likely continue to result in different interpretations and experiences for students

The Influence of Adoption on Sibling Relationships: Experiences and Support Needs of Newly Formed Adoptive Families

For better or worse, the significance of the sibling relationship throughout the life course is widely acknowledged. This paper explores the ways in which sibling relationships, in their various forms, are affected by adoption. The case-file records of 374 children recently placed for adoption in Wales were reviewed. Questionnaires were completed by ninety-six adoptive parents, with whom a sample of these children were placed, and a sub-sample of forty adoptive parents were interviewed. Most children placed for adoption together with a sibling carried a shared history of maltreatment. Many had complex, often conflictual relationships. Nevertheless, birth siblings in the adoptive home also provided support and comfort for children. New sibling relationships, created by placing children into families with existing children, carried their own set of advantages and complications. Some children placed apart from birth siblings had plans for contact that had not yet materialised. Whilst adoptive parents were often determined to help strengthen sibling bonds created and affected by adoption, this commitment was not always championed through social work intervention. The implications for social work practice in adoption are considered and a family systems framework is proposed as a way of helping to understand sibling dynamics in adoptive families

Using the Cluster Support Team and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support to Provide Wraparound Services in a Large Urban School District

In this presentation, participants will learn how a large, urban school district utilizes the Cluster Support Team model and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support to provide wraparound services to include school counselors, social workers, behavior analysts, restorative practitioners, and mental health specialists. Participants will receive an overview of support services, and review data from the district