Goals in Canadian Universities

An examination of university goals provides an understanding of institutional purposes and priorities. The study reported here was designed to ascertain the goals of Canadian universities as perceived by presidents and board chairmen; to compare their perceptions of existing and preferred goals; and to compare perceptions by respondent position, and by region, age and size of university. Although some differences attributed to region and size were observed, perceptions of university goals were remarkably uniform. Generally, process goals were perceived more highly than the traditional outcome goals of teaching, research and service.Un examen de la mission de l'Université est essentiel pour comprendre les prio-rités et objectifs institutionnels. Cette étude fut effectuée pour avoir une idée précise de la mission des universités canadiennes telle que perçue par les présidents/ présidentes d'universités et les directeurs/directrices de conseils d'administration. Egalement, l'étude visait à comparer les perceptions existantes aux perceptions souhaitées selon le poste du répondant, de la région, de l'âge et de la taille de l'institution. A l'exception de quelques différences observées aux niveaux de la région et de la taille, les perceptions étaient très uniformes. De façon générale, les buts de type opérationnel étaient plus valorisés que ceux reliés à l'enseigne-ment, la recherche et le service à la communauté

Comparison of bungee-aided and free-bouncing accelerations on trampoline

Trampolines remain the single best apparatus for the training of aerial acrobatics skills. Trampoline use has led to catastrophic injuries from poor landings. Passive injury prevention countermeasures such as specialized matting have been largely ineffective. Active injury countermeasures such as hand spotting, “throw-in” mats, and overhead spotting rigs provide the most effective methods. The recent addition of several bungee cords between the ropes and the gymnast’s spotting harness has resulted in altered teaching and coaching of trampoline-related acrobatics. Bungee cords have eliminated the need for a coach/spotter to manage the ropes during skill learning. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the addition of bungee cords with a traditional rope-based overhead spotting rig. There is a paucity of any research involving trampoline injury countermeasures. Ten experienced trampoline acrobatic athletes (5 males, 5 females) from the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association Aerials National Team performed 10 bounces as high as they could control. A triaxial accelerometer (200 Hz) characterized 10 bungee cord aided bounces and 10 freebounces on a trampoline from each athlete. Bed contact times, peak accelerations, and average accelerations were obtained. The results supported our hypotheses that the bungeeaided bounces achieved only 40% (average) to 70% (peak) of the free-bouncing accelerations (all ρ 0.092). The bed contact time was approximately 65% longer during the bungee-aided bounces (ρ < 0.001). Bungee cords may reduce the harshness of landings on trampoline

The effect of caffeine ingestion on perception of muscle pain during a sustained submaximal isometric contraction of the quadriceps

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an acute dose of 5 mg/kg of caffeine on perceived pain of the quadriceps during a sustained submaximal isometric contraction. Methods: A total of 15 low caffeine consuming college aged women (20.5 ± 1.4 y, 66.0 ± 9.0 kg; mean ± SD) participated in this study. 2–7 d after a familiarization trial subjects ingested, in a double blind random crossover manner, either 5 mg/kg caffeine (Caf) or a placebo (P), 1 h prior to performing a 2 min isometric leg extension at 45% of peak torque using visual cues to maintain force production. Every 15 s subjects rated their level of pain using the Borg CR10 pain scale. Subjects returned to the lab 2–7 d later to repeat the testing with the other condition. Data were analyzed using a repeated measures ANOVA with a Tukey\u27s HSD post hoc. Results: Caffeine ingestion resulted in a lower pain score at all time points during the 2 min isometric contraction. This difference approached significance at 90 s (Caf = 3.2 ± 1.4, P = 4.1 ± 1.4; p \u3c 0.10), and became significantly different at 105 s (Caf = 3.8 ± 1.2, P = 4.9 ± 1.5; p \u3c 0.05) and at 120 s (Caf = 4.4 ± 1.5, P = 5.4 ± 1.5; p \u3c 0.05). Conclusion: Acute caffeine ingestion attenuates perception of muscle pain in the quadriceps during a sustained submaximal isometric contraction. This effect become

Investigating the Accuracy of One-Dimensional Volcanic Plume Models using Laboratory Experiments and Field Data

During volcanic eruptions, model predictions of plume height are limited by the accuracy of entrainment coefficients used in many plume models. Typically, two parameters are used, and , which relate the entrained air speed to the jet speed in the axial and cross-flow directions, respectively. To improve estimates of these parameters, wind tunnel experiments have been conducted for a range of cross-wind velocities and turbulence conditions. Measurements are compared directly to computations from the 1-D plume model, Plumeria, in the near-field, bending region of the jet. Entrainment coefficients are determined through regression analysis, demonstrating optimal combinations of effective and values. For turbulent conditions, all wind speeds overlapped at a single combination, = 0.06 and = 0.46, each of which are slightly reduced from standard values. Refined coefficients were used to model plume heights for 20 historical eruptions. Model accuracy improves modestly in most cases, agreeing to within 3 km with observed plume heights. For weak eruptions, uncertainty in field measurements can outweigh the effects of these refinements, illustrating the challenge of applying plume models in practice

Bergman kernel and complex singularity exponent

We give a precise estimate of the Bergman kernel for the model domain defined by $\Omega_F=\{(z,w)\in \mathbb{C}^{n+1}:{\rm Im}w-|F(z)|^2>0\},$ where $F=(f_1,...,f_m)$ is a holomorphic map from $\mathbb{C}^n$ to $\mathbb{C}^m$, in terms of the complex singularity exponent of $F$.Comment: to appear in Science in China, a special issue dedicated to Professor Zhong Tongde's 80th birthda

A PILOT STUDY TO MEASURE FORCE DEVELOPMENT DURING A SIMULATED MALTESE CROSS FOR GYMNASTICS STILL RINGS

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement procedure for the Maltese cross performed on still rings. Sixteen elite/international gymnasts participated. Two small force platforms (FPs) interfaced to a portable data logger (100 Hz sampling rate) were placed under the gymnasts’ hands in a simulated Maltese position (i.e., prone). Gymnasts attempted to rise a few centimeters to a Maltese position while vertical ground reaction forces were recorded bilaterally. Results indicated that the FPs had sufficient fidelity to differentiate gymnasts’ abilities to perform a Maltese. This method may serve to gauge the preparedness of male gymnasts performing this important skill

A Pilot Study to Measure Force Development during a Simulated Maltese Cross for Gymnastics Still Rings

The purpose of this study was to develop a measurement procedure for the Maltese cross performed on still rings. Sixteen elite/international gymnasts participated. Two small force platforms (FPs) interfaced to a portable data logger (100 Hz sampling rate) were placed under the gymnasts’ hands in a simulated Maltese position (i.e., prone). Gymnasts attempted to rise a few centimeters to a Maltese position while vertical ground reaction forces were recorded bilaterally. Results indicated that the FPs had sufficient fidelity to differentiate gymnasts’ abilities to perform a Maltese. This method may serve to gauge the preparedness of male gymnasts performing this important skill

Serum Dioxin, Testosterone, and Subsequent Risk of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Prospective Cohort Study of Air Force Veterans

BACKGROUND: Operation Ranch Hand veterans were involved in spraying herbicides, including Agent Orange, during the Vietnam War in 1962–1971; Agent Orange was contaminated with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). It has been hypothesized that dioxins may be partially responsible for an increase of male reproductive tract disorders such as testicular cancer, cryptorchidism, and hypospadias. OBJECTIVES: In this study, our objective was to assess the effect of serum TCDD concentration on the risk of development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and on serum testosterone levels. METHODS: This study was a longitudinal, prospective cohort study made up of U.S. Air Force veterans involved in Operation Ranch Hand. Other Air Force veterans who did not spray herbicides were included as comparisons. BPH was determined by medical record review and by medical examinations conducted during the study. Data were available for 971 Ranch Hand and 1,266 comparison veterans. We investigated the relationship between BPH and serum TCDD level using the Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for testosterone levels, body mass index (BMI), and the percentage change in BMI per year. RESULTS: In univariate and multivariate analyses, the risk of BPH decreased with increasing serum TCDD in the comparison group. The multivariate risk ratio for BPH in the comparison group was 0.84 (95% confidence interval, 0.73–0.98). Excluding men with prostate cancer, inflammatory or other prostatic diseases did not substantially alter the association. Serum testosterone levels were inversely associated with serum TCDD levels in both Ranch Hand and comparison groups. CONCLUSIONS: TCDD exposure at general population levels is associated with a decreasing risk of BPH with higher exposure levels. TCDD exposure is also negatively associated with serum testosterone levels

The Status of Clinical Faculty in the Legal Academy: Report of the Task Force on the Status of Clinicians and the Legal Academy

In the midst of ongoing debates within the legal academy and the American Bar Association on the need for \u27practice-ready law school graduates through enhanced attention to law clinics and externships and on the status of faculty teaching in those courses, this report identifies and evaluates the most appropriate modes for clinical faculty appointments. Drawing on data collected through a survey of clinical program directors and faculty, the report analyzes the five most identifiable clinical faculty models: unitary tenure track; clinical tenure track; long-term contract; short-term contract; and clinical fellowships. It determines that, despite great strides in the growth of clinical legal education in the last 30 years, equality between clinical and non-clinical faculty remains elusive. Clinical faculty still lag behind non-clinical faculty in security of position and governance rights at most law schools. The report then identifies four core principles that should guide decisions about clinical faculty appointments: 1) clinical education is a foundational and essential component of legal education; 2) the legal academy and profession benefit from full inclusion of clinical faculty on all matters affecting the mission, function, and direction of law schools; 3) there is no justification for creating hierarchies between clinical and non-clinical faculty; and 4) the standards for hiring, retention, and promotion of clinical faculty must recognize and value the responsibilities and methodologies of clinical teaching. The report concludes that these core principles are best realized when full-time clinical faculty are appointed to a unitary tenure track. This conclusion does not ignore the imperfections of a tenure system. However, to the extent that tenure remains the strongest measure of the legal academy\u27s investment in its faculty and is the surest guarantee of academic freedom, inclusion in faculty governance and job security, the report recommends that law schools predominantly place their clinical faculty on dedicated tenure lines. In addition, it recommends that schools implement standards for hiring, promotion, and retention that reflect the teaching responsibilities and methodologies, as well as practice and service obligations, unique to their clinical faculty. To facilitate the development of such standards, the report suggests good practices for the appointment of clinical faculty on a unitary tenure track