The Hawking-Penrose singularity theorem for C1,1C^{1,1}-Lorentzian metrics

We show that the Hawking--Penrose singularity theorem, and the generalisation of this theorem due to Galloway and Senovilla, continue to hold for Lorentzian metrics that are of $C^{1, 1}$-regularity. We formulate appropriate weak versions of the strong energy condition and genericity condition for $C^{1,1}$-metrics, and of $C^0$-trapped submanifolds. By regularisation, we show that, under these weak conditions, causal geodesics necessarily become non-maximising. This requires a detailed analysis of the matrix Riccati equation for the approximating metrics, which may be of independent interest.Comment: Minor amendments in v4: Removed non-equivalent condition from Def. 2.2 and adapted Lemma 3.5 and the proof of Lemma 3.

Development of Undergraduate STEM Students through Global Service-Learning in a Medical Context

poster abstractGlobal service-learning and study abroad programs have the potential to affect students’ personal, social, and professional development. The exact ways in which this development is influenced by international medical service-learning has not been thoroughly explored in the literature. This study analyzes the motivations, experiences, and outcomes of undergraduate STEM students participating in a weeklong international medical service-learning and study abroad trip to Las Canas, Dominican Republic. Participants had various backgrounds, STEM majors, and career goals. Utilizing a mixed-methods research approach consisting of observations, interviews, participant reflections, and pre- and post-trip surveys, several of the meaningful motivations, experiences, and outcomes for the participants were identified. Additionally, two case studies were produced by qualitatively collecting data from multiple sources and reporting the description and themes of the cases. The specific aims of this study were understanding: 1) the individual experiences during a health science-based study abroad trip that are instrumental in refining and solidifying STEM interest; and 2) the personal, social, and professional student-level outcomes produced by an international medical service-learning experience. Through the case studies, the combined impact of past and trip experiences was explored as it relates to experiential learning and identity development. For case study participants Brianna and Hannah, the trip combined multiple experiences that were relevant to their career goals, such as working with underserved populations and involvement with global health

Understanding the INDA Student Summer Camp Experience

poster abstractSERI conducted an evaluation of IUPUI’s Nanotechnology Discovery Academy (INDA) for students (n=47) during the summer of 2013. SERI evaluators utilized an explanatory sequential mixed methods evaluation plan comprised of surveys (pre- and post-), observations, and four student focus groups. Using a mixed methods approach facilitates a dialogue between quantitative representations of change and the everyday experiences and perceptions of participating students, thereby constructing insights into the complexity of the learning process and its effects. Student learning outcomes and comfort with collaborative learning were measured through pre- and post-question change. A student Nanoscore was determined using survey questions assessing nanotechnology comfort, confidence, and understanding. Both the change in student Nanoscore and their comfort with collaborative learning had statistically significant increases. Qualitative data was used to elaborate on the significance of these changes, suggesting that INDA provided an educational environment that emphasized and improved nanotechnology awareness and collaborative abilities. However, findings from this evaluation also reveal that many participants struggled with the interdisciplinarity of nanotechnology. More specifically, students who had yet to take high school physics reported struggling with INDA content due to their lack of physics knowledge

Copyright and course material distribution: An analysis of key overseas law reviews, reforms and cases and their significance to New Zealand university, institute of technology and polytechnic libraries

Research Problem: New Zealand tertiary institutions operate within a difficult copyright environment, where education users’ rights are restricted under the Copyright Act. Overseas there have been copyright developments of benefit to education users. There is a lack of literature examining education copyright exceptions in the New Zealand context, a gap this research addresses. The purpose of this research was to investigate what significance recent copyright developments in overseas jurisdictions may have in relation to educational copying for course material distribution in New Zealand in order for tertiary libraries to better understand, engage with and respond to copyright reform. Methodology: Qualitative content analysis was conducted of a purposefully selected sample of documents. Relevant law reviews, reforms and court cases were chosen from Australia, the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States. Some historical research was undertaken to place New Zealand within the wider international copyright arena and to establish the applicability of examining developments in the stated countries. This included a discussion of the major copyright treaties. Findings: The research attests to the global influence of copyright law. Expanded education exceptions have been recommended or implemented to maintain copyright balance in the digital era. Cases have strongly endorsed that fair use and fair dealing exceptions are a user’s right. Education’s centrality to copyright’s utilitarian purpose of promoting the public good is the fundamental reason for the expansion of education users’ rights and favourable court rulings in the countries studied. Implications: New Zealand tertiary libraries can expect the government to consider international developments during the pending review of the Copyright Act, and tertiary institutions have grounds to lobby for the same user rights as their overseas counterparts enjoy. Should an education exception be enacted, universities, institutes of technology and polytechnics would have the opportunity not to renew the expensive Copyright Licencing Ltd licenses they currently require. Libraries would then need to ensure robust copyright management policies and practices exist in their institutions. If litigation ensued, overseas precedents provide optimism for education users in defending their rights

Understanding health behaviour in pregnancy and infant feeding intentions in low-income women from the UK through qualitative visual methods and application to the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behaviour) model

Background: Health behaviours during pregnancy and the early years of life have been proven to affect long term health, resulting in investment in interventions. However, interventions often have low levels of completion and limited effectiveness. Consequently, it is increasingly important for interventions to be based on both behaviour change theories and techniques, and the accounts of pregnant women. This study engaged with pregnant women from deprived communities, to understand their subjective experiences of health in pregnancy. Methods: The study adopted a women-centred ethos and recruited a purposive sample of ten pregnant women, who lived in deprived areas and were on low incomes. Participants engaged with three creative techniques of visual data production (timelines, collaging and dyad sandboxing), followed by elicitation interviews. One participant only engaged in the initial activity and interview, resulting in a total of 28 elicitation interviews. This in-depth qualitative approach was designed to enable a nuanced account of the participants’ thoughts, everyday experiences and social relationships. Data were deductively coded for alcohol, smoking and infant feeding and then mapped to the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour). Results: Five participants had experience of smoking during pregnancy, four had consumed alcohol during pregnancy, and all participants, except one who had exclusively formula fed her child, disclosed a range of infant feeding experiences and intentions for their current pregnancies. Considerable variation was identified between the drivers of behaviour around infant feeding and that related to abstinence from tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy. Overall, knowledge and confidence (psychological capability), the role of partners (social opportunity) and support from services to overcome physical challenges (environmental opportunity) were reported to impact on (reflective) motivation, and thus women’s behaviour. The role of the public in creating and reinforcing stigma (social opportunity) was also noted in relation to all three behaviours. Conclusions: When designing new interventions to improve maternal health behaviours it is important to consider the accounts of pregnant women. Acknowledging pregnant women’s subjective experiences and the challenges they face in negotiating acceptable forms of motherhood, can contribute to informed policy and practice, which can engage rather than isolate potential user groups

The effects of substituting autumn nitrogen fertiliser with gibberellic acid on feed supply and milk production

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of gibberellic acid (GA) to improve feed supply and milk yield in late lactation. A grazing study at Lincoln used 36 lactating, mixed-age, Friesian-Jersey cross dairy cows balanced over three un-replicated treatments of perennial-ryegrass and white-clover pasture treated with nitrogen (N) fertiliser as urea (50 kg N/ha), GA as ProGibb® SG (8 g GA/ha) or untreated (Control). Treatments were applied in late March 2014 and grazed over 12 days in May. There was no effect of treatment on herbage pre-grazing pasture mass (2058±6.9 kg DM/ha, P=0.20), clover (3.6±0.86%, P=0.53), ryegrass (88.0±2.33%, P=0.24) or crude protein (CP) content (17.8±1.60%, P=0.31). All milk yield components: 14.6±0.40 L/day, 1.4±0.09 kg MS/cow/day, 5.4±0.33% fat and 4.4±0.21% protein were similar among treatment groups (P=0.71, 0.14, 0.16 and 0.06, respectively). Although faecal-N content of cows on GA pasture (3.72% N) was higher (P0.05) on urinary-N content (0.4 ± 0.02% N) or N excretion in milk (101±4.4 g N/cow/d). The lack of response to GA or N fertiliser highlights the importance of timing of growth promotants for late lactation

Smoking during pregnancy, stigma and secrets: Visual methods exploration in the UK

Background: Moral judgements are commonly directed towards mothers through reference to health behaviour in pregnancy, and working-class mothers are particularly subject to this moral gaze. Aim: To gain an in-depth understanding of the health issues affecting 10 low income pregnant women from deprived areas of south Wales, UK. Methods: Participants completed visual activities (timelines, collaging or thought bubbles and dyad sandboxing) prior to each interview. Participants’ visual representations were used in place of a topic guide, to direct the interview. Guided by feminist principles, 28 interviews were completed with 10 women. Data were analysed thematically. Findings: Smoking was discussed at length during interviews, and this paper focuses on this issue alone. Five of the participants had smoked during pregnancy. Negative reactions were directed towards pregnant women who smoked in public, resulting in maternal smoking being undertaken in private. Participants also reported awkward relationships with midwives and other health professionals, including receipt of public health advice in a judgemental tone. Discussion: Smoking during pregnancy is a particularly demonised and stigmatised activity. This stigma is not always related to the level of risk to the foetus, and instead can be seen as a moral judgement about women. We urgently need to move from individualised neo-liberal discourses about the failure of individual smokers, to a more socio-ecological view which avoids victim blaming. Conclusion: Stigma from friends, family, strangers and health professionals may lead to hidden smoking. This is a barrier to women obtaining evidence based stop smoking support

Managing Saline and Sodic Soils and Irrigation Water

Salt is an important factor in plant and soil management. Excessive salt concentrations in soil can cause water to be less available to plants because of the osmotic forces of salt in the soil water. Excessive concentrations of different ions can also be toxic to plants. In agricultural soils and irrigation water, salts are typically described in two ways: (1) total salt concentration or salinity, and (2) sodicity, or the concentration of sodium relative to other cations (positively charged atoms or compounds). Understanding the effect of both total salinity and sodicity on plants and soils, along with management and reclamation practices, can improve crop yield and the optimal use of crop inputs