Lightning in a Bottle: A History of the Syracuse Writing Program, 1986-1996

Lightning in a Bottle: A History of the Syracuse Writing Program, 1986-1996, is directed by Louise Wetherbee Phelps and Collin Gifford Brooke. This historical study of the Syracuse Writing Program\u27s administrative structures for contingent faculty focuses on professional development and evaluation systems for the Writing Program\u27s part-time writing instructors. The study draws on archival methodology, using saved administrative documents from the Syracuse Writing Program and retrospective interviews of past members of the Syracuse University Writing Program. This history is influenced and contextualized through scholarship on contingent faculty labor, writing program administration, and the establishment of stand-alone writing programs. The goal of this history of the Syracuse Writing Program is to study the long-term effects of professional development and evaluation systems on writing teachers\u27 development and the growth of a teaching culture marked by shared values about writing and pedagogy within a writing program. This history argues that ongoing reflective professional development and evaluation systems are necessary for all teachers of writing, both new and experienced practitioners

Who is sowing our seeds? A systematic review of the use of plant genetic resources in research

Collections of plant genetic resources managed by genebanks function to conserve the range of genetic diversity present in crop genepools. They can facilitate access to valuable allelic variation for both plant breeders and researchers who are able to request germplasm for use in crop improvement and both basic and applied scientific research. The direct impact of genebank collections is often unclear as downstream uses of germplasm samples may not be reported back to the genebank of origin. This study aims to systematically review scientific use of germplasm using the UK Vegetable Genebank (UKVGB) as a model. Between the years of 1980–2016, a total of 271 publications were identified as using UKVGB material. The frequency of publications and the international nature of use increased significantly over the time period studied. Accessions directly sourced from the UKVGB made up the majority of material used by researchers, but material from research-derived resources such as differential sets and core collections or diversity sets have also been used. Resistance to pests and diseases and genetic diversity were the main topics of study although germplasm was used to address a wide range of other research questions. Genebanks such as UKVGB provide an essential resource of allelic diversity in crop genepools which supports a diverse range of research projects. The utilisation of these plant genetic resources has increased over time, contributing to a substantial number of publications. Developments in sequencing technologies have no doubt played a part as larger numbers of accessions can be utilized in a single experiment, but the increase also no doubt reflects a greater interest in the use of allelic diversity to overcome challenges in crop improvement and research

Structure of Supergiant Shells in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Nine supergiant shells (SGSs) have been identified in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) based on H-alpha images, and twenty-three SGSs have been reported based on HI 21-cm line observations, but these sets do not always identify the same structures. We have examined the physical structure of the optically identified SGSs using HI channel maps and P-V diagrams to analyze the gas kinematics. There is good evidence for seven of the nine optically identified SGSs to be true shells. Of these seven H-alpha SGSs, four are the ionized inner walls of HI SGSs, while three are an ionized portion of a larger and more complex HI structure. All of the H-alpha SGSs are identified as such because they have OB associations along the periphery or in the center, with younger OB associations more often found along the periphery. After roughly 12 Myrs, if no new OB associations have been formed a SGS will cease to be identifiable at visible wavelengths. Thus, the presence and location of ionizing sources is the main distinction between shells seen only in HI and those also seen in H-alpha. Based on our analysis, H-alpha observations alone cannot unambiguously identify SGSs, especially in distant galaxies.Comment: 26 pages, 16 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Supplemen

Supporting Newly Identified or Diagnosed Autistic Adults: An Initial Evaluation of an Autistic-Led Programme

Sixteen adults (diagnosed or self-identified as autistic) participated in one of two iterations of a ten-week autistic-led programme, aimed at helping autistic adults learn more about autism within a peer group context. Motivations for taking part in the programme included a desire for: (1) exploration of autism; (2) empowerment; and (3) the development of practical strategies and coping mechanisms. Interviews were conducted upon completion of the programme and again six months later. Using thematic analysis, three themes were identified: (1) appreciation of the autistic-led nature of the programme; (2) unity in diversity; and (3) developing a positive, practical outlook on autism. These promising initial results highlight the value of autistic-led peer support for those recently diagnosed/identified as autistic

Non-exercise equations to estimate fitness in white European and South Asian men

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a strong, independent predictor of health, whether it is measured in an exercise test or estimated in an equation. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate equations to estimate fitness in middle-aged white European and South Asian men.Multiple linear regression models (n=168, including 83 white European and 85 South Asian men) were created using variables that are thought to be important in predicting fitness (VO2 max, mL⋅kg⋅min): age (years); BMI (kg·m); resting heart rate (beats⋅min); smoking status (0=never smoked, 1=ex or current smoker); physical activity expressed as quintiles (0=quintile 1, 1=quintile 2, 2=quintile 3, 3=quintile 4, 4=quintile 5), categories of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (0=<75 min⋅wk, 1=75-150 min⋅wk, 2=>150-225 min⋅wk, 3=>225-300 min⋅wk, 4=>300 min⋅wk), or minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (min⋅wk); and, ethnicity (0=South Asian, 1=white). The leave-one-out-cross-validation procedure was used to assess the generalizability and the bootstrap and jackknife resampling techniques were used to estimate the variance and bias of the models.Around 70% of the variance in fitness was explained in models with an ethnicity variable, such as: VO2 max = 77.409 - (age*0.374) - (BMI*0.906) - (ex or current smoker*1.976) + (physical activity quintile coefficient) - (resting heart rate*0.066) + (white ethnicity*8.032), where physical activity quintile 1 is 1, 2 is 1.127, 3 is 1.869, 4 is 3.793, and 5 is 3.029. Only around 50% of the variance was explained in models without an ethnicity variable. All models with an ethnicity variable were generalizable and had low variance and bias.These data demonstrate the importance of incorporating ethnicity in non-exercise equations to estimate cardiorespiratory fitness in multi-ethnic populations

Large Scale Structure traced by Molecular Gas at High Redshift

We present observations of redshifted CO(1-0) and CO(2-1) in a field containing an overdensity of Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) at z=5.12. Our Australia Telescope Compact Array observations were centered between two spectroscopically-confirmed z=5.12 galaxies. We place upper limits on the molecular gas masses in these two galaxies of M(H_2) <1.7 x 10^10 M_sun and <2.9 x 10^9 M_sun (2 sigma), comparable to their stellar masses. We detect an optically-faint line emitter situated between the two LBGs which we identify as warm molecular gas at z=5.1245 +/- 0.0001. This source, detected in the CO(2-1) transition but undetected in CO(1-0), has an integrated line flux of 0.106 +/- 0.012 Jy km/s, yielding an inferred gas mass M(H_2)=(1.9 +/- 0.2) x 10^10 M_sun. Molecular line emitters without detectable counterparts at optical and infrared wavelengths may be crucial tracers of structure and mass at high redshift.Comment: 4 pages, accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

The Star Formation History of IZw18

The star formation history in IZw18 has been inferred from HST/WFPC2 archival data. This is done by comparing the derived V, B-V and V, V-I color-magnitude diagrams and luminosity functions with synthetic ones, based on various sets of stellar evolutionary tracks. At a distance of 10 Mpc, the stars resolved in the field of IZw18 allow for a lookback time up to 1 Gyr. We find that the main body is not experiencing its first episode of star formation. Instead, it has been forming stars over the last 0.5-1 Gyr, at a rate of ~ 1-2 * 10**(-2) Msol per year per kpc**2. A more intense activity of 6-16 * 10**(-2) Msol per year per kpc**2 has taken place between 15 and 20 Myr ago. For the secondary body, the lookback time is 0.2 Gyr at most and the uncertainty is much higher, due to the shallower diagrams and the small number of resolved stars. The derived range of star formation rate is 3-10 * 10**(-3) Msol per year per kpc**2. The IMF providing the best fit to the observed stellar populations in the main body has a slope 1.5, much flatter than in any similar galaxy analyzed with the same method. In the secondary body, it is peaked at 2.2, closer to Salpeter's slope (2.35).Comment: 70 pages including 18 figures, to be published in The Astronomical Journa

“For review and management”: The role of the referral letter in surgical consultations

Background: The referral letter serves a central role in the transfer of patients from referring doctors to specialist care in Australia. Aim: We analysed the form and function of referral letters and examined their role in surgical consultations to better understand the information in the letter and what impact that may or may not have on consultation openings. Methods: Thirteen referral letters and their associated recorded surgical consultations were analysed with an iterative, multi-methods qualitative approach. Using inductive and deductive linguistic methods, we considered clinical and paraclinical information as well as contextual factors in the letters’ alignment with referral guidelines as well as overall relevance to the consultation. Results: The analysis showed that surgeons tend to have a “set piece” when opening a consultation that is independent of the content or style of the referral. While referral letters fell short of guidelines, additional patient information was frequently discussed in the consultation. Discussion: Patients and surgeons are generally able to work around interactional challenges related to patient information. However, recognising the need to supplement referral information particularly around paraclinical information and contextual factors is important. Conclusions: Future changes to referral letter guidelines could reflect these realities

Kinematic Analysis of Four Plyometric Push-Up Variations

International Journal of Exercise Science 5(4) : 334-343, 2012. Plyometric research in the upper extremity is limited, with the effects of open-chain plyometric exercises being studied most. Kinematic and ground reaction force data concerning closed-chain upper extremity plyometrics has yet to be examined. Twenty-one recreationally active male subjects performed four variations of plyometric push-ups in a counterbalanced order. These included box drop push-ups from 3.8 cm, 7.6 cm, 11.4 cm heights, and clap push-ups. Kinematics of the trunk, dominant extremity and both hands were collected to examine peak flight, elbow flexion at ground contact, elbow displacement, and hand separation. Additionally peak vertical ground reaction force was measured under the dominant extremity. The 11.4 cm and clap push-ups had significantly higher peak flight than the other variations (P\u3c.001). At ground contact, the elbow was in significantly greater flexion for the 3.8 cm and clap push-up compared to the other variations (P\u3c.001). The clap push-up had significantly more elbow displacement than the other variations (P\u3c.001) while hand separation was not significantly different between variations (P=.129). Peak vertical ground reaction force was significantly greater for the clap push-ups than for all other variations (P\u3c .001). Despite similar flight heights between the 11.4 cm and clap push-ups, the greater peak vertical ground reaction force and elbow displacement of the clap push-ups indicates the clap push-up is the most intense of the variations examined. Understanding the kinematic variables involved will aid in the creation of a closed chain upper-extremity plyometric progression