Where Were the Media in the Financial Crisis of 2008, and Have We Seen This Trend Before?

In the fall of 2008, the United States and the rest of the world experienced significant financial turmoil. The financial industry as we knew it crumbled before our eyes. After experiencing this event and the media\u27s fragmented and inconsistent coverage of it, I felt an interesting topic to look into was the financial press\u27 failed coverage of the finance industry, both today and in the past. In looking at this event, I will focus on both the financial press that failed to cover the happenings of the financial industry, as well as those that did recognize the issue at hand. In doing this, I will include a content analysis of the relevant sections of The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. In addition, I will also look into past financial crises, including the Enron scandal, the Savings and Loan crisis, and the Technology Bubble to see if the financial press\u27 recent failure is the continuation of a long trend. After discussing the fragmented nature of the financial press, I will then discuss why the financial press had little effect on individuals, despite some actually good coverage existing. In discussing this issue, I will focus on topics such as the media’s lack of objectivity and the audience\u27s unwillingness to accept the situations they are presented with. Finally, I will suggest ways to rectify this situation, such as news consumers becoming more media literate

Falling In and Out of Love: The Impact of Moving to a Remote Location on Cataloging Workflow

As academic libraries undergo renovation and building projects, various technical service operations are frequently moved out of the main building and housed in an off-site location. The aim of this research was to discover, by means of a questionnaire, what the impact of such a move is on the workflow of professional catalogers. The researchers concluded that a positive experience on the part of the catalogers depends upon detailed planning, thoughtful administrative support, and an element of luck. However, some problems are unavoidable in moving catalogers away from the main collection

The Modern History of Global Food

Can we trace the long history of globalization through the movement of foods around the world? History students Leland Cook, Margaret Dickinson, Natalie Fulk, and Noah Switalski will share their insights from collaborative research with Dr. Lauren Janes during the summer of 2016. Each global food--potatoes, sugar, curry, and rice--tells a story of connectivity across continents and cultures, showing how our lives, diets, and economies were shaped by centuries of meaningful interactions around food

Do rats and possums reduce the reproductive capacity of large-fruited broadleaved species in Waikato hill-country forests?

Although brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) browsing can have conspicuous impacts by killing trees outright, there is also evidence of more insidious threats to regeneration of some species through depression of seed production. It is not known how widespread these more cryptic effects are. The elimination of all introduced mammals except mice (Mus musculus) from Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari (herein referred to as Maungatautari) fourteen years ago, provided a valuable reference system for gauging the impacts of possums and rats (Rattus spp.) on seed production in very similar forest at Maungakawa where these invasive mammals are common. This study compares phenology, fruit development and seed fall of three large-fruited species in the two forests: tawa (Beilschmiedia tawa) and mangeao (Litsea calicaris) are dominant canopy trees, and pigeonwood (Hedycarya arborea, porokaiwhiri) is an important subcanopy species. The reproductive cycles of tawa, mangeao and pigeonwood were extended (18 to 27 months), but the extended stage was different in each species: mangeao inflorescence buds developed over a nine-month period, pollinated tawa flowers were dormant over autumn before fruit emerged during the winter and ripened during the following summer. In pigeonwood part of the fruit crop remained on the trees until anthesis the following year. Despite almost concurrent tawa and mangeao anthesis, the resulting fruit crops matured in consecutive autumns: mangeao in 2020 and tawa in 2021. In the absence of rats and possums, tawa seed fall varied significant in consecutive years. Tawa seed fall in the first season (2020) was negligible at both forests. At Maungatautari seed fall was significantly more abundant in the second season (2021). Despite the successful pest control campaign significantly reducing possum abundance at Maungakawa in June 2020, seed fall did not increase significantly in 2021. There was evidence of green tawa fruit consumption by possums. They also consumed the flesh of ripe fruit in the trees and on the ground but discarded the seeds. Mangeao seed production was higher at Maungatautari than in the forest inhabited by rats and possums, although this effect fell short of statistical significance. Seed production at Maungatautari was abundant in 2020 with more than 4000 seeds captured in seed traps but in 2021 seed production was negligible. Seed production was reduced at Maungakawa in both years. In 2021 only two seeds were captured in each forest. The timing of mangeao’s reproductive cycle leaves the swollen inflorescence buds in winter especially vulnerable to damage by possums and possibly rats when food resources are low. Elimination of the possums rather than control at low abundance may be required to restore tawa seed production to historical levels. The underlying cause of low mangeao seed production is likely to be related to loss of inflorescence buds, but the role of arboreal invasive mammals requires further investigation. There was no evidence rats and possums reduce pigeonwood fruit production or destroy the seeds. However, by discarding seeds where they feed, rats and possums may limit seed dispersal across the spatial landscape. Further investigations are required to fully understand the extent to which the reproductive cycles of tawa, mangeao and pigeonwood are depressed and the consequences for the large-fruited species within Waikato hill-country forests. It is reassuring that abundant tawa and mangeao seed production has rebounded at Maungatautari within 15 years of eradication of invasive species. This suggests that loss of seed fall from vulnerable large-fruited species can be overcome by removal of invasive mammals

Budgett's frog (Lepidobatrachus laevis): A new amphibian embryo for developmental biology

AbstractThe large size and rapid development of amphibian embryos has facilitated ground-breaking discoveries in developmental biology. Here, we describe the embryogenesis of the Budgett's frog (Lepidobatrachus laevis), an unusual species with eggs that are over twice the diameter of laboratory Xenopus, and embryos that can tolerate higher temperatures to develop into a tadpole four times more rapidly. In addition to detailing their early development, we demonstrate that, like Xenopus, these embryos are amenable to explant culture assays and can express exogenous transcripts in a tissue-specific manner. Moreover, the steep developmental trajectory and large scale of Lepidobatrachus make it exceptionally well-suited for morphogenesis research. For example, the developing organs of the Budgett's frog are massive compared to those of most model species, and are composed of larger individual cells, thereby affording increased subcellular resolution of early vertebrate organogenesis. Furthermore, we found that complete limb regeneration, which typically requires months to achieve in most vertebrate models, occurs in a matter of days in the Budgett's tadpole, which substantially accelerates the pace of experimentation. Thus, the unusual combination of the greater size and speed of the Budgett's frog model provides inimitable advantages for developmental studies—and a novel inroad to address the mechanisms of spatiotemporal scaling during evolution

Choral reading

Thesis (Ed.M.)--Boston Universit

Influence of acetaminophen and ibuprofen on in vivo patellar tendon adaptations to knee extensor resistance exercise in older adults

Millions of older individuals consume acetaminophen or ibuprofen daily and these same individuals are encouraged to participate in resistance training. Several in vitro studies suggest that cyclooxygenase-inhibiting drugs can alter tendon metabolism and may influence adaptations to resistance training. Thirty-six individuals were randomly assigned to a placebo (67 ± 2 yr old), acetaminophen (64 ± 1 yr old; 4,000 mg/day), or ibuprofen (64 ± 1 yr old; 1,200 mg/day) group in a double-blind manner and completed 12 wk of knee extensor resistance training. Before and after training in vivo patellar tendon properties were assessed with MRI [cross-sectional area (CSA) and signal intensity] and ultrasonography of patellar tendon deformation coupled with force measurements to obtain stiffness, modulus, stress, and strain. Mean patellar tendon CSA was unchanged (P > 0.05) with training in the placebo group, and this response was not influenced with ibuprofen consumption. Mean tendon CSA increased with training in the acetaminophen group (3%, P < 0.05), primarily due to increases in the mid (7%, P < 0.05) and distal (8%, P < 0.05) tendon regions. Correspondingly, tendon signal intensity increased with training in the acetaminophen group at the mid (13%, P < 0.05) and distal (15%, P = 0.07) regions. When normalized to pretraining force levels, patellar tendon deformation and strain decreased 11% (P < 0.05) and stiffness, modulus, and stress were unchanged (P > 0.05) with training in the placebo group. These responses were generally uninfluenced by ibuprofen consumption. In the acetaminophen group, tendon deformation and strain increased 20% (P < 0.05) and stiffness (−17%, P < 0.05) and modulus (−20%, P < 0.05) decreased with training. These data suggest that 3 mo of knee extensor resistance training in older adults induces modest changes in the mechanical properties of the patellar tendon. Over-the-counter doses of acetaminophen, but not ibuprofen, have a strong influence on tendon mechanical and material property adaptations to resistance training. These findings add to a growing body of evidence that acetaminophen has profound effects on peripheral tissues in humans

Reviews

The following publications have been reviewed by the authors; Programmes of Study for Design & Technology - Reviewed by Jim PattersonManaging Design & Technology in the National Curriculum - Reviewed by David DickinsonFocus on Technology - Reviewed by Ian McLintockAccommodating Technology in Schools - Reviewed byJ.R. MathiasDesigning and Making - Reviewed by Paul SpencerTreasury of Historic Pattern and Design - Reviewed by Geoff SmithDesign & Technology in Process - Reviewed by Jonty CrockettTechnology Through Home Economics - Reviewed by Rhona HumphriesThe Soft Toy Workshop - Reviewed by Margaret Jeavons02 PAGES (Quarterly) - Reviewed by AIf MerricksAdventures in Technology - Reviewed by John EvansDesigning Starts here - Reviewed by Trevor TaylorTechnology Shaping Our World - Reviewed by Alan TruemanIntroducing Design: Technology Across the Curriculum - Reviewed by Norman CassonThe Tapestry Makers - Reviewed by Goeff SmithWoodcut with Rigby Graham - Reviewed by John Lancaste

Identification of features of electronic prescribing systems to support quality and safety in primary care using a modified Delphi process

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Electronic prescribing is increasingly being used in primary care and in hospitals. Studies on the effects of e-prescribing systems have found evidence for both benefit and harm. The aim of this study was to identify features of e-prescribing software systems that support patient safety and quality of care and that are useful to the clinician and the patient, with a focus on improving the quality use of medicines.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Software features were identified by a literature review, key informants and an expert group. A modified Delphi process was used with a 12-member multidisciplinary expert group to reach consensus on the expected impact of the features in four domains: patient safety, quality of care, usefulness to the clinician and usefulness to the patient. The setting was electronic prescribing in general practice in Australia.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>A list of 114 software features was developed. Most of the features relate to the recording and use of patient data, the medication selection process, prescribing decision support, monitoring drug therapy and clinical reports. The expert group rated 78 of the features (68%) as likely to have a high positive impact in at least one domain, 36 features (32%) as medium impact, and none as low or negative impact. Twenty seven features were rated as high positive impact across 3 or 4 domains including patient safety and quality of care. Ten features were considered "aspirational" because of a lack of agreed standards and/or suitable knowledge bases.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This study defines features of e-prescribing software systems that are expected to support safety and quality, especially in relation to prescribing and use of medicines in general practice. The features could be used to develop software standards, and could be adapted if necessary for use in other settings and countries.</p

International films and international markets: the globalisation of Hollywood entertainment, c.1921-1951

The international appeal of Hollywood films through the twentieth century has been a subject of interest to economic and film historians alike. This paper employs some of the methods of the economic historian to evaluate key arguments within the film history literature explaining the global success of American films. Through careful analysis of both existing and newly constructed data sets, the paper examines the extent to which Hollywood's foreign earnings were affected by: film production costs; the extent of global distribution networks; and also the international orientation of the films themselves. The paper finds that these factors influenced foreign earnings in quite distinct ways, and that their relative importance changed over time. The evidence presented here suggests a degree of interaction between the production and distribution arms of the major US film companies in their pursuit of foreign markets that would benefit from further archival-based investigation