Media Viewpoint

Agricultural and Food Policy,

Book review: Eisenhower and Cambodia: diplomacy, covert action and the origins of the second Indochina war by William J. Rust

In Eisenhower and Cambodia: Diplomacy, Covert Action and the Origins of the Second Indochina War, William J. Rust focuses on the origins of the Vietnam War by examining the lesser studied relationship between the United States and Cambodia under the presidency of Eisenhower. Drawing upon an impressive wealth of documents, this book masterfully shows the disastrous consequences of US efforts to draw Cambodia away from a position of neutrality, writes Elizabeth Becker

BeginnINgs

Researcher Elizabeth Becker uses personal experiences of pregnancy alongside scholarly research on the developmental movement patterns of the human embryo, fetus, and newborn’s first year of life to explore the multiplicity of these movement patterns within and outside the womb. Becker explores the relationship between the fertilization, germinal, embryonic, and fetal stages in relation to a newborn and its mother. These movement patterns within the beginning stages of life are valuable to research because they simulate neurodevelopmental patterns, which help wire the central nervous system in early childhood. These movements also help lay the foundation for sensory-motor development and life-long learning. Using contemporary dance performance as a medium, Becker creatively manifests her research while exploring how a somatic practice, such as Body-Mind Centering and dance performance by the mother, may contribute to movement in the womb

Strengthening Collective Efficacy through Meaningful Collaboration

The purpose of this action research project was to determine if there is a correlation between the implementation of structures and processes for meaningful collaboration and the level of collective efficacy in a professional learning community. A combination of the level of trust among the team and the dedication and prioritization of time were critically considered over a period of nearly two months. Data was collected through quantitative surveys and qualitative observations. Analysis of the data collected suggests the fourth grade team\u27s collective efficacy was strengthened as structures and processes for meaningful collaboration were implemented

Graphic Design Students’ Perceptions Of Using Apple iPads To Create Sketches And Promote Idea Generation

Artists and designers typically utilize sketching during the early stages of the design process because it provides them with an opportunity to transfer ideas from their head onto paper, computer, or mobile device. Sketching is regarded by researchers in the field of design to be an essential part of the design process. The existing research in this field is focused on comparing paper and pencil sketches with sketches completed on computers. There is a void in the literature examining sketching completed on mobile devices like the Apple iPad. Therefore, this study aimed to fill that void. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of graphic design students’ use of iPads for sketching activities. The experiences and perceptions of 10 graphic design students who completed a sketching activity using iPads, were examined during the spring and fall semesters of 2016 at a university in the Upper-Midwest. Qualitative phenomenological research methods were used in the study. Data was gathered from interviews and from analysis of the participants’ iPad sketches. The general categories for the participants’ perspectives included background information, design workflow, attitudes on sketching, experience using the iPads, and quality of the iPad sketches. Three themes emerged from an analysis of the data. The first theme addressed the reasons why students preferred sketching with paper and pencil. The second theme explained the benefits students found when sketching on iPads. Finally, theme three expounded on alternative idea generation techniques that could be accomplished on iPads

Reporting Of Results In Clinicaltrials.gov And High-Impact Journals: A Cross-Sectional Study

In 2007, the FDA Amendments Act expanded requirements for ClinicalTrials.gov, a public clinical trial registry maintained by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, mandating results reporting within 12 months of trial completion for all FDA regulated drugs. We compared clinical trial results reported on ClinicalTrials.gov with corresponding published articles. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of clinical trials published from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011 in high impact journals (impact factor 10 or higher) that were registered and reported results on ClinicalTrials.gov. We compared trial results reported on ClinicalTrials.gov and within published articles for the following: cohort characteristics, trial intervention, primary and secondary efficacy endpoint definition(s) and results, and adverse events. Of 95 included clinical trials registered and reporting results on ClinicalTrials.gov, there were 96 corresponding publications, among which 95 (99%) had at least one discrepancy in reporting of trial details, efficacy results, or adverse events between the two sources. When comparing reporting of primary efficacy endpoints, 132 (85%) were described in both sources, 14 (9%) were described only on ClinicalTrials.gov, and 10 (6%) only within articles. Results for 30 of 132 (23%) primary endpoints could not be compared because of reporting differences between the two sources (e.g., tabular versus graphics); among the remaining 102, reported results were discordant for 21 (21%), altering interpretations for 6 (6%). When comparing reporting of secondary endpoints, 619 (30%) were described in both sources, 421 (20%) were described only on ClinicalTrials.gov, and 1049 (50%) only within articles. Results for 228 of 619 (37%) secondary endpoints could not be compared; among the remaining 391, reported results were discordant for 53 (14%). Among published clinical trials that were registered and reported results on ClinicalTrials.gov, nearly all had at least one discrepancy in reported results, including a fifth among primary endpoints. Our findings question the accuracy of both sources and raise concerns about the usefulness of results reporting to inform clinical practice and future research efforts

The seismic response to fracture clustering : a finite element wave propagation study

textCharacterizing natural and man-made fracture networks is fundamental to predicting the storage capacity and pathways for flow of both carbonate and shale reservoirs. The goal of this study is to determine the seismic response specifically to networks of fractures clustered closely together through the analysis of seismic wavefield scatter, directional phase velocities, and amplitude attenuation. To achieve this goal, finite element modeling techniques are implemented to allow for the meshing of discontinuous fracture interfaces and, therefore, provide the most accurate calculation of seismic events from these irregular surfaces. The work presented here focuses on the center layer of an isotropic model that is populated with two main phases of fracture network alteration: a single large-scale cluster and multiple smaller-scale clusters. Phase 1 first confirms that the seismic response of a single idealized vertically fractured cluster is distinct crosscutting energy within a seismogram. Further investigation shows that, as fracture spacing within the cluster decreases, the depth at which crosscutting energy appears exponentially increases, placing it well below the true location of the cluster. This relationship holds until 28% of the fractures are moved from their uniformly spaced locations to random locations within the cluster. The vertical thickness of the cluster has little effect on the location or strength or the crosscutting signature. Phase 2 shows that, although clusters of more randomly spaced fractures mask crosscutting energy, a marked decrease in amplitude coinciding with a bend in the wavefront produces a heterogeneous anisotropic seismic response. This amplitude decay and heterogeneous anisotropy is visible until cluster spacing drops below one half of the wavelength or the ratio of fractured material to matrix material within a cluster drops below 37%. Therefore, the location of an individual fracture cluster can be determined from the location of amplitude decay, heterogeneous anisotropy, and crosscutting energy. Furthermore, the density of the cluster can be determined from the degree of amplitude decay, the angle of heterogeneous anisotropy, and the depth of cross-cutting energy. These relationships, constrained by limits on their detectability, can aid fracture network interpretation of real seismic data.Geological Science

Collaboration and the 3 Bears Approach to Iterative Development to Improve Learning Outcomes

At many colleges and universities, traditional lectures are being augmented and/or replaced with a variety of learning technologies. When implemented effectively through collaboration between instructional technologists and faculty, technology has the potential to increase student engagement and transform the learning experience. In this presentation, Joe Montcalmo and Elizabeth Becker will share their experience transforming a Behavioral Neuroscience class and lab experience to incorporate eLearning and social media by including digital storytelling, iPads, and a partnership with local high school students. They will share not only the results of their collaboration, but also how the collaboration began, was developed, and how it serves as the foundation for an iterative, continuous improvement of learning outcomes

Collaboration and the 3 Bears Approach to Iterative Development to Improve Learning Outcomes

At many colleges and universities, traditional lectures are being augmented and/or replaced with a variety of learning technologies. When implemented effectively through collaboration between instructional technologists and faculty, technology has the potential to increase student engagement and transform the learning experience. In this presentation, Joe Montcalmo and Elizabeth Becker will share their experience transforming a Behavioral Neuroscience class and lab experience to incorporate eLearning and social media by including digital storytelling, iPads, and a partnership with local high school students. They will share not only the results of their collaboration, but also how the collaboration began, was developed, and how it serves as the foundation for an iterative, continuous improvement of learning outcomes

Lessons learned: rearing the crown-boring weevil, Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), in containment for biological control of garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)

In this paper, we describe lessons learned and protocols developed after a decade of rearing Ceutorhynchus scrobicollis Nerenscheimer and Wagner in a Biosafety Level 2 containment facility. We have developed these protocols in anticipation of approval to release C. scrobicollis in North America for the biocontrol of garlic mustard. The rearing protocol tried to minimize the potential of attack by the adult parasitoid, Perilitus conseutor, which may be present in field collected C. scrobicollis from Europe to prevent inadvertent introduction of parasitoids into North America. All C. scrobicollis used for our quarantine rearing were field collected near Berlin, Germany. We have successfully reared C. scrobicollis on caged garlic mustard plants in a growth chamber by alternating temperatures and photoperiods to simulate those in its native range. In Germany, C. scrobicollis produces one generation per year and F1 adults emerge in late May. In containment, a new generation of adults emerged an average of 108 days after adults were placed on plants. We found the optimal time spent to collect F1 adults was four weeks after the appearance of the first F1 adult, with 95% of potential adults collected. Simulating a three-month summer aestivation period, followed by a week of fall, and three weeks of winter conditions resulted in optimum levels of oviposition in F1 females. Larvae first hatched 8- to-10 days after adults were placed on plants at 15/14 C day/night temperatures with a 9.5 hour photoperiod. We therefore recommend that C. scrobicollis adults are removed from garlic mustard rosettes after 8 days. This will maximize the period of female oviposition while minimizing the time when larvae are available for attack from P. conseutor