Valuing Prairie Potholes: Five Case Studies

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Diary versus questionnaire information on time spent on housework – The case of Norway

Information on housework-time is important for understanding the daily life organisation of different population groups, especially parents. However, time-use surveys, which are usually seen as the best method for capturing information on unpaid work, are very costly and are conducted rather rarely in Norway. Hence, we want to assess whether housework can be adequately measured by other methods. Internationally, a great deal of work has been undertaken in cross validating diaries and questionnaires. It is often found that questionnaires generate somewhat larger estimates for housework-time than diaries, but the reporting gap varies between groups of people. It is assumed that social desirability plays an important role so that people feeling pressures to do much housework overreport their contributions more than others. In Norway, the housewife role has nearly vanished, and people now rarely meet social prescriptions to do much housework. This might imply less over-reporting in questionnaires. The present paper compares estimates for housework-time from the diary-section and the questionnaire-section in the latest Norwegian Time Use Survey with particular focus on parents. Looking at all adults we find only modest differences in the time-estimates between the two methods, but the gap varies considerably between age groups.Time allocation, data collection and data estimation technology, housework, measuring time-use

NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION OF SALVAGE WHITE SPRUCE

Knowledge of wood quality in dead standing trees is an important topic with recent increases in defoliation across North America. Obtaining wood quality information for defoliated trees would help stakeholders in the timber products industry sort and sell salvaged material for the highest possible value. This research investigates the ability to measure wood quality of white spruce (Picea glauca) after spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) attack using acoustic nondestructive evaluation. We compared stress wave velocities measured on standing trees to trees’ visual appearance. After harvest and processing of selected trees into bolts, standing-tree stress wave velocities were compared to bolt acoustic velocities. We found that tree appearance offers only coarse information on tree and bolt acoustic measurements. Tree-level measurements provide a good indicator of expected bolt-level acoustic evaluation throughout the height of defoliated white spruce. Future work should focus on correlating bolt-level acoustic measurements to lumber quality for salvage white spruce

The Neuroprotective Effects of Targeted Temperature Management on Post-Cardiac Arrest Patients

Novel methods of ensuring survival following cardiac arrest and resuscitation are of supreme importance to the medical community. Targeted temperature management (TTM) has become increasingly utilized pre-hospital, in emergency departments, and within intensive care units to increase the likelihood of survival to hospital discharge. TTM has further been used to attempt to improve neurological functioning. The efficacy and mechanism behind TTM remains poorly understood. In several patient populations it also remains unproven. The purpose of this study is to assess the physiological mechanism, survival, neurological recovery and methodology of TTM use and implementation. Literature review was utilized to assess the physiological mechanism by which TTM elicits its neuroprotective effects. Statistics on neurological outcomes and survival rates were further examined. Finally, the proposed method to safely and efficiently induce and maintain TTM in appropriate patients was also assessed through literature review. TTM was found to improve survival and neurological functioning in adults suffering cardiac arrest both in-hospital and out-of-hospital. No improvement has been noted in studies on pediatric patients, thus TTM is not indicated in pediatric patients. Animal studies demonstrate a decrease in cerebral edema and mitochondrial apoptosis of neuronal cells with TTM application. Serum biomarkers of brain injury and disfunction of the endothelial lining constituting the brain blood barrier (BBB) have also been found to be decreased in patients undergoing TTM. Finally, serum assay of antioxidants demonstrates a decrease in oxidative damage and increase in antioxidant protection following reperfusion.https://commons.und.edu/pas-grad-posters/1013/thumbnail.jp

Impact Philanthropy to Improve Teaching Quality: Focus on High-Need Secondary Students

Offers models for improving teachers' skills, including through apprenticeships and in-school mentoring; for creating an environment for great teaching through better leadership and whole-school reform; and guidance for donors on the policy environment

Combating Inequality: The Value of Acknowledging Gender in Transitional Justice

Patriarchal inequalities have become exacerbated in nations occupied by mass violence, conflict, and violations of human rights, such as Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Colombia. Gender-based violence is often not adequately recognized in processes transitional justice. In this essay, I observe and analyze sexual and gender-based violence in several countries and the ignorance or attention they were given by truth commissions, reparations, and other aspects of transnational justice. I also explore data regarding the aftermath of such violence, including the feminization of poverty and political insecurity. I discovered that recognizing gender when attempting to build reconciliation is a hesitant task and thus, there are enduring issues embedded in conflict-stricken nations and their societies. Gender-based violence must not only be recognized in processes of transitional justice but also addressed appropriately. In order to establish lasting peace and reconciliation for victims and survivors of gender-based violence, structural transformations and compensation must be enacted

Connecting in Online Technical Communication Courses: Addressing Usability Challenge for Students and Faculty Members

In designing and offering online technical communication courses, faculty members face many challenges, including attempting to assure the usability of the interface for students. This article addresses five of these challenges and provides options for faculty members to begin to address these challenges

Characterizing Palmitoylation On The Sodium Hydrogen Exchanger Isoform 1 (NHE1)

This dissertation focuses on the role of palmitoylation in regulating the sodium hydrogen exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1) and associated cellular functions as well as how various phosphorylation pathways alter NHE1 palmitoylation. Palmitoylation is the only known reversible lipid modification, allowing for the dynamic regulation of palmitoylated proteins not found with other lipid modifications. NHE1 regulates intracellular pH (pHi) by exchanging an extracellular sodium for an intracellular hydrogen. Additionally, NHE1 is involved in regulating cell volume, cytoskeletal organization, protein anchoring, cell migration, and cell proliferation. NHE1 is highly regulated by protein interactions and modifications including phosphorylation. To begin, the first study shows NHE1 is palmitoylated in cells and rat tissues and can be inhibited by 2-bromopalmitate (2BP), a global inhibitor of palmitoylation. Furthermore, inhibition of palmitoylation with 2BP affects multiple NHE1 associated cell functions including pHi, stress fiber formation, proliferation and migration. Continuing to look NHE1 regulation, we used various agonists known to effect NHE1 phosphorylation followed by examination of NHE1 palmitoylation. Serum, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and phorbol 12-myristate (PMA) treatments all increased NHE1 palmitoylation while insulin decreased NHE1 palmitoylation. Multiple studies have shown that palmitoylation and phosphorylation within the same protein can impact each other in various ways and thereby work together to regulate protein function. As NHE1 is highly phosphorylated, we also utilized specific kinase inhibitors and measured the effect on NHE1 palmitoylation. We found inhibition of PI3K, AKT, Rsk, and ROCK increased NHE1 palmitoylation while MEK inhibition decreased NHE1 palmitoylation. Together these studies establish a role for palmitoylation in the regulation of NHE1 activity and associated cellular functions and demonstrate palmitoylation and phosphorylation events may work in a coordinated manner to regulate NHE1

Preparing Technical Communication Students for Workplace Practitioner Research

Practitioner research in technical communication differs from general or academic research. Technical communication students need to develop abilities to conduct research into subject matter, audience, and communication approaches within workplace contexts to meet situated needs. This article explores differences between the two realms of research and discusses implications for teaching practitioner research abilities. It closes with examples of and ideas for teaching practitioner research abilities to technical communication students. Such courses can provide students with crucial abilities and knowledge to guide decisions during the creation of technical communication products