Becoming a “Real University: ” The Strategic Benefits of Adding Football for NCAA Division I Institutions

In the midst of an economic crisis leading to extensive cuts in college athletics, at least 38 colleges in the past five years have either added or have plans to add football to their athletic programs. Of particular interest are schools that have traditionally been known as “commuter universities.” In response to increased competition from other colleges, many of these schools are adding football as a part of a larger strategic vision for creating a “better college product.” Using resource-based (Barney, 1991) and institutional theories (DiMaggio & Powell, 1983), this study seeks to understand the strategic arguments used and the benefits sought by universities adding football on their campuses. This study employs qualitative content analysis methodology (Marshall & Rossman, 2006; Miles & Huberman, 1994) using publically available football feasibility studies from six NCAA Division I universities that have added (or have advertised plans to add) football over the past five years. Results indicate that football is seen as a vehicle for creating a sense of community and enhancing the institutional value of universities. Results also show that the dominant strategic rationale for adding these football programs is more consistent with institutional than resource-based theory. Implications of such strategy include an overemphasis on sport, and a corresponding lack of attention paid to other more innovative solutions to broader campus issues

Dublin’s spatial narrative: the transition from essentially mono-cultural places to poly-cultural spaces

Vital data accessed from the ERHA pertaining to asylum seekers living in Dublin in 2002 was analysed and formatted for use with GIS. The result was the production o f a micro-spatial map showing the distribution of asylum seekers by Electoral Division [ED]. A series of maps was produced at different scales showing various demographic, ethnic and racial variables. Locating the EDs for use with GIS required the researcher to walk throughout the dataset areas whilst observing, reading and photographing these evolving textual landscapes and also interviewing different individuals and community groups. The theoretical lens for this research examined the cultural geography and sociology of space in Dublin using an interdisciplinary approach. It considered in-depth the theories regarding the politics of scale and power associated with space and place. Based on this quantitative analysis and field observation, two central hypotheses were posited and examined: firstly, that ethnic and racial clustering is occurring within clearly identifiable EDs and secondly, that three sub-cultural groups or populations, namely asylum seeking, indigenous and gentrified, whilst inhabiting the same geographical places arguably live in different mental spaces. This social and cultural morphology has resulted in the transition of what were once essentially mono-cultural places into poly-cultural spaces. Two possible models of future spatial development in Dublin were examined. The research explored existing models o f community development in Dublin, arguing that the inclusion of asylum seekers and other immigrant groupings into such potential models could aid social integration and spatial planning

Parental Motivation in Family Farm Intergenerational Transfers

An intergenerational transfer model incorporating both altruism and exchange is presented for family farm transfers. A simulation study is conducted to test parental motivation in intergenerational transfers of family farm businesses. Results indicated that family farm intergenerational transfers are altruistically motivated.Family Farms, Intergenerational Transfer, Family Farm Succession, Consumer/Household Economics, Farm Management, Q10, Q12,

Equal or Just? Intergenerational Allocations within Family Farm Businesses

A multi-disciplinary literature review was conducted in order to integrate multiple perspectives pertaining to family farm business transfer. Factors affecting perceptions of equality in family farm transfers were identified. Preliminary survey results analyze perceptions of equality within farm families and how these perceptions affect family farm transfer planning and implementation.family farm succession, intergenerational transfer, Farm Management, Q10, Q12,

Effect of particle loss on soil volume, strength and stiffness.

Soil particle loss can occur through biodegradation, erosion and dissolution. Yet there is little understanding of the mechanical changes that accompany these phenomena, especially where the size of particle removed is concerned. This study investigated the influence of particle loss on the volumetric, strength and small strain stiffness of analogue soils. These consisted of uniform Leighton Buzzard sand with selected salt particle sizes. Particle sizes chosen for experimental tests are representative of the fines that might be lost through an erosion process called suffusion in embankment dams or the various sizes that might be degraded and/or decomposed in landfill and mining wastes. A triaxial apparatus was modified to allow the in-situ dissolution of samples under triaxial stress states. This was achieved through the circulation of water through the pore-water pressure line with ow controlled by differential pressure using a peristaltic pump. Bender elements were installed to monitor changes in shear wave velocity before, during and after dissolution. Test results showed increases in void ratio in all dissolution tests. The influence of salt size and the stress under which tests were performed was found to have a limited impact on the magnitude of void ratio increase. Salt particle size did, however, affect the initial packing density of the sand-salt mixtures with fine salt sizes resulting in lower void ratios. Therefore, these tests showed lower post-dissolution void ratios. Coarse salt sizes initially densely prepared resulted in high post-dissolution void ratios close to the maximum void ratio for the Leighton Buzzard sand. Ultimately, post-dissolution void ratios determined the large-strain shearing behaviour. Therefore the fine salt tests, in which the post-dissolution void ratios were lowest, were the only tests to show minor peak strengths prior to the critical state with a shear behaviour described as strain-softening dilative. The comparatively high void ratios obtained in coarse salt tests showed no peak strength but a strain-hardening contractive behaviour. The structural role of salt particles within sand mixtures was continually assessed with evidence suggesting that salt particles maintained their structural integrity under the stresses applied through loading and subsequent shearing in this study. The influence of particle loss on the critical state was also probed. Post-dissolution samples consistently showed higher critical void ratios than sand-only samples not subjected to particle loss. Most of the findings might be explained in the context of strong force chains and their stability which is in turn influenced by the amount and size of soluble particles. Shear wave velocities were shown to decrease significantly with dissolution of 15% of weight of salt irrespective of size. Associated small-strain stiffness moduli were found to decrease even more substantially. The reported changes illustrate the significant influence that particle removal has on the mechanical properties of soil and are discussed and analysed within this thesis

Isolation of Bioactive Compounds That Relate to the Anti-Platelet Activity of Cymbopogon ambiguus

Infusions and decoctions of Cymbopogon ambiguus have been used traditionally in Australia for the treatment of headache, chest infections and muscle cramps. The aim of the present study was to screen and identify bioactive compounds from C. ambiguus that could explain this plant's anti-headache activity. A dichloromethane extract of C. ambiguus was identified as having activity in adenosine-diphosphate-induced human platelet aggregation and serotonin-release inhibition bioassays. Subsequent fractionation of this extract led to the isolation of four phenylpropenoids, eugenol, elemicin, eugenol methylether and trans-isoelemicin. While both eugenol and elemicin exhibited dose-dependent inhibition of ADP-induced human platelet serotonin release, only eugenol displayed potent inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 46.6 μM, in comparison to aspirin, with an IC50 value of 46.1 μM. These findings provide evidence to support the therapeutic efficacy of C. ambiguus in the non-conventional treatment of headache and inflammatory conditions

Automated Grain Yield Behavior Classification

A method for classifying grain stress evolution behaviors using unsupervised learning techniques is presented. The method is applied to analyze grain stress histories measured in-situ using high-energy X-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM) from the aluminum-lithium alloy Al-Li 2099 at the elastic-plastic transition (yield). The unsupervised learning process automatically classified the grain stress histories into four groups: major softening, no work-hardening or softening, moderate work-hardening, and major work-hardening. The orientation and spatial dependence of these four groups are discussed. In addition, the generality of the classification process to other samples is explored

DVT Presentations to an Emergency Department: A Study of Guideline Based Care and Decision Making.

Pre-test probability scoring and blood tests for deep venous thrombosis (DVT) assessment are sensitive, but not specific leading to increased demands on radiology services. Three hundred and eighty-five patients presenting to an Emergency Department (ED), with suspected DVT, were studied to explore our actual work-up of patients with possible DVT relating to risk stratification, further investigation and follow up. Of the 205 patients with an initially negative scan, 36 (17.6%) were brought for review to the ED Consultant clinic. Thirty-four (16.6%) patients underwent repeat compression ultrasound with 5 (2.4%) demonstrating a DVT on the second scan. Repeat compression ultrasound scans were performed on 34 (16.6%) patients with an initially negative scan, with essentially the same diagnostic yield as other larger studies where 100% of such patients had repeat scanning. Where there is ongoing concern, repeat above-knee compression ultrasound within one week will pick up a small number of deep venous thromboses

Producing Maple Syrup From Boxelder and Norway Maple Trees

In Utah, two common tappable maple species are boxelder, sometimes called ashleaf maple (Acer negundo), and Norway maple (Acer platanoides). Both species are abundant throughout the state, with the former primarily found in natural mid-elevation canyons and the latter extensively planted in urban landscapes. Maple syrup is a natural source of sugar and can be used in many recipes to make yummy treats and foods. The best part is that it is relatively easy to obtain and simple to make. This fact sheet reviews the syrup-making process