Linear accelerator frequency control system Patent

Linear accelerator frequency control syste

Real Property Assessment Variations In Dickinson County, Kansas, and Their Effect On School Finance

The problem of this thesis is indicated in the title, Real Property Assessment Variations in Dickinson County Kansas and Their effect on School Finance.” This problem will be considered under two major phases: (1) a critical analysis of the 1938 assessment of all rural real property in Dickinson County, Kansas to determine what irregularities exist and what the cause for these irregularities appear to be, and (2) to ascertain the effect of these inequalities upon the financing of the public schools of the county. The schools in the two second class cities of the county will not be included in the study for little or none of the rural real property is included within these districts. The purpose of the study is to endeavor to formulate a plan for a more equitable means of assessment and to determine the probable benefit to be gained by the schools of the county through such a plan

Two approaches for fostering self-regulatory competencies in home-based early childhood education and care: exploring benefits for children’s developing self-regulatory and socio-emotional competencies through the transition to school

Home-based early childhood education and care (ECEC) is a unique early childhood environment in which learning can take place to foster skills important for early school adjustment. The present studies examined the impact of the implementation of professional learning modules within a home-based ECEC setting that were developed to help educators promote the scaffolding of self-regulatory, socio-emotional and cognitive-linguistic competencies predicted to help early school adjustment. This thesis is a part of a larger project that aimed to look at the impact over time of providing participating home-based educators with professional development modules designed to foster the development of a range of key competencies in children aged 3 ½ to 4 ½. Each module was originally designed and found to show promise with parents of pre-school children but adapted for use in home-based ECEC. In the present project, these learning modules were developed to support teaching and learning in home-based ECEC. The impact of these modules was measured over time, both post-implementation of the module (post-test) and one year after school entry. It was hypothesised that participation in a play/activity-based module, Enhancing Neurobehavioral Gains with the Aid of Games and Exercise (ENGAGE) and a shared reading/oral language-based module, Rich Reading and Reminiscing (RRR) would be associated with benefits to children’s developing competencies from pre-test to post-test. Specifically, it was expected that children who participated in ENGAGE would display improved scores in self-regulatory measures relative to those who participated in RRR. However, children who participated in RRR were expected to display improved scores in the socio-emotional measures relative to those who participated in ENGAGE. In addition, this thesis followed a subset of children to explore benefits for children’s related school-adjustment one year after school entry. It was hypothesised that participation in both areas of professional learning would be associated with children's developing competencies in their first year of school. At post-test, results of mixed between-within subjects’ analyses of variance (ANOVA's) and nonparametric Wilcoxon signed ranks test suggested growth on measures of developing self-regulatory competencies over time. Although groups did not differ on measures of self-regulation at post-test, educators rated perceived benefits for self-regulation learning to be higher for ENGAGE relative to RRR. In contrast, there were two group X time interactions suggesting specific benefits of participation for children in RRR. Educators rated children in RRR to show higher levels of oral language competencies at post-test. Moreover, children in RRR also received higher composite scores for their responses to the Challenging Situations task, involving responses to responses to hypothetical scenarios involving peer provocation. At follow-up, repeated measures ANCOVAs and non-parametric Friedman-tests results demonstrated continued growth over time; however, there were limited differences between ENGAGE and RRR after school entry. Overall, even though the hypotheses were only partially supported, it did appear that there was a benefit in providing resources to home-based early childhood educators to promote the development of competencies for preschool children in their education and care settings and children’s early school adjustment

Transcriptomic Insights into the Morphological Variation Present in Bromeliaceae

The Bromeliaceae family utilizes a wide range of adaptations to inhabit a variety of environments including dry ones. Many attribute the large adaptive radiation of Bromeliaceae throughout the Neotropics to three main features: absorptive trichomes, tank reservoirs, and CAM photosynthesis. Based on leaf morphology and arrangement, root type, and nutrient acquisition, Pittendrigh (1948) conservatively separated bromeliads into four main classes. These four main classes are designated Type I bromeliads, Type II bromeliads, Type III bromeliads and Type IV bromeliads. We used RNA-sequencing of leaf mRNA to investigate similarities and differences in gene expression which can be related back to the four distinct leaf morphologies in the Bromeliaceae family. We found several transcripts relating to the presence of a tank and absorptive trichomes. In addition, we found evidence of varying forms of carbohydrate synthesis for carbon storage during CAM photosynthesis. Lastly, transcriptomics differences indicate different drought survival strategies, with the most extreme differences occurring between Aechmea nudicaulis and Tillandsia gardneri. This study identified transcripts related to the morphological gradient and highlighted how each ecological type has a particular set of adaptations and strategies for survive in a particular regime

Hermeneutic Phenomenology: Bridging Western and Japanese Perspectives and Languages

This article offers the reader methodological insights emerging from a hermeneutic phenomenological study that examined the meaning of the woman–midwife relationship in Japan. The methodology of hermeneutic phenomenology was chosen because it is well suited to reveal women’s and midwives’ lived experience that is often taken for granted in day-to-day maternity care settings. However, implementing the methodology was not without its challenges. These challenges included whether hermeneutic phenomenology, based on Western philosophy, could be appropriate for conducting a study involving a researcher and participants who identify as Japanese. Further, while the study required final write up in English, the interviews were conducted in Japanese. Utilizing hermeneutic phenomenology relies on language as the tool for accessing the phenomenon of enquiry. However, Japanese culture is less expressive and, relative to Western cultures, values non-verbal communication. Beyond verbal expression, language also conveys unique influences of each culture. Although it may be challenging to conduct research between different cultures, and their unique ways of thinking and languages, it is not an impossible situation and can be rewarding. The value of using hermeneutic phenomenology for a Japanese centered study helped to convey the meaning of the woman–midwife relationship in Japan. This article details the unique process of the study, in terms of the philosophical foundation and languages, to provide methodological insights and advances for future cross-cultural qualitative research

Comparisons of Genetic Diversity Among Disjunct Populations of Magnolia tripetala

Plant ranges are often made up of core areas where the distribution is continuous and the population density is high with small disjunct populations at the margins of the core. One well-studied type of disjunct population is formed by long distance dispersal as plants migrate away from disjunct Pleistocene refugial populations. The retreat of the Wisconsinan glaciation resulted in the outward dispersal of many plant species from their refugial locations to areas with suitable habitat. Many plants expanded their ranges through rare-long-distance dispersal. This study used microsatellites to compare the genetic diversity, inbreeding levels, and gene flow frequency of disjunct Magnolia tripetala populations to main core M. tripetala populations. In addition, I determined that distance of dispersal is related to genetic diversity and identified source populations for the main core and northern disjunct populations. There was no significant difference between the genetic diversity of disjunct populations and their counterparts. Inbreeding levels were high and gene flow was low among populations. Long-distance dispersal was determined to have a negative correlation with genetic diversity. Gene flow was traced from the refugial populations through the main core and into the northern disjunct populations. Magnolia tripetala has a range made up of fragmented populations through the core with further disjunct populations at the border of the core. M. tripetala was determined to have abundant genetic diversity and disjunct populations are not in immediate danger of genetic deterioration. When conducting a study on disjunct populations, species should be compared based on phylogenetic relationships. Furthermore, disjunct populations should not be generalized as having low genetic diversity. Instead, factors such as species traits and population history of a species should be taken into account in order for a more accurate hypothesis to be made

Health policy and its unintended consequences for midwife-woman partnerships: is normal pregnancy at risk when the BMI measure is used?

Background: Little attention has been paid to understanding the unintended consequences of health policy for midwife-woman partnerships. The measure of Body Mass Index (BMI) is one such policy example which has become established in contemporary midwifery practice as a tool for assessing pregnancy risk. The universal acceptance of BMI creates an unsettling paradox for midwives concerned with promoting woman-centred practice. The increasing focus on BMI is challenging for midwives as they navigate ethical tensions when directed to undertake practices which have potential unwonted consequences for the midwife-woman partnership. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore the use of an indicator, using BMI as an example, to provide an international perspective on obesity prevention policy and maternity care provision. Method: A comparative case study approach was taken, using descriptive cross-national comparative analysis of obesity prevention policy, weight management guidelines and midwifery models of care in New Zealand and Scotland. Discussion: Despite promoting healthy weight gain in pregnancy, New Zealand and Scottish health policies may be missing health promotion opportunities. Focusing on BMI in maternity, per se, should not prohibit other assessment of lifestyle issues or delivery of services based on individual needs, capacities, histories and sociological characteristics. Relying solely on pre-pregnancy BMI as a marker of health in all women has remained relatively unchallenged and, as such, constitutes a policy problem because it occludes the factoring in of other lifestyle issues that may significantly alter individual risk status. Further, such an assessment of risk status is ideally arrived at within a partnership model of maternity care, rather than reliance on an a priori medical test. Conclusion: Decontextualised policies are challenging for midwives where medical and midwifery values are in conflict. Policy which fails to consider the multiple and complex contexts of women's lives is confronting for midwives as they attempt to re-articulate the meaning of woman-centred practice. Furthermore, BMI as a tool may be ineffectual. The current focus on BMI in policy and practice requires re-consideration

Midwifery care for late termination of pregnancy : integrative review

Midwives provide reproductive healthcare to women, including during termination of pregnancy (TOP) after 12 weeks (late TOP). Their expertise, knowledge and woman-centred care approach sees them ideally placed for this role. However, the medical, social and emotional complexities of late TOP can cause midwives significant distress. An integrative review methodology was used to examine the research on midwifery care for late TOP and identify support strategies and interventions available to midwives in this role. Five databases and reference lists were searched for relevant studies published between 2000 and 2021. A total of 2545 records were identified and 24 research studies included. Synthesis of research findings resulted in three themes: Positive aspects, negative aspects and carers need care. Midwives reported a high level of job satisfaction when caring for women during late TOP. Learning new skills and overcoming challenges were positive aspects of their work. Yet, midwives felt unprepared to deal with challenging aspects of late TOP care such as the grief and the psychological burden of the role. Caring for the baby with dignity had both positive and negative aspects. Midwives relied predominantly on close colleagues for help and debriefing as they felt poorly supported by management, judged by co-workers and lacked appropriate support to reduce the emotional effects of late TOP care. Midwives need support, although current evidence has not identified the most appropriate and effective strategy to support them in this role