Mediating between Services and Learning Activities – the User Perspective

We reflect upon the LADIE project’s experience of migrating a concept of user requirements from the teaching practitioner community to the technical developer community in the light of literature on ‘mediating representations’ and ‘mediating artefacts’. We show that the practical operation of mediating representations is far more complex than previously acknowledged. We suggest that communities need to overlap, allowing reciprocal communication, to migrate concepts via a representation. If they do not, a chain of intermediate representations and communities may be necessary. Finally, we draw a tentative distinction between mediating representations and mediating artefacts, based not in the nature of the resources, but in their mode and context of use

A Qualitative Study of the Motivations of Runners in a Cause-Based Marathon-Training Program

In the late 1980s, the nonprofit sector within the United States introduced a new philanthropic paradigm, the cause-based fundraising endurance-training program. Participants in such programs raise funds for a charitable cause and, in return, are coached to complete a marathon or other endurance event. Cause-based training programs frequently use recruitment messages implying that the cause provides a guaranteed motivation to exercise. However, little research has examined this assumption. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to qualitatively research the motivations of runners in a charitable cause-based marathon-training program, particularly the relationship between the cause and the participants\u27 motivations to train consistently. Results suggested that for most study participants, the cause became increasingly significant and meaningful as the program progressed, even for those who joined with no initial connection. These results may be significant both for cause-based training programs and for interventions to help increase general levels of physical activity

Distribution of Angiostrongylus vasorum and Crenosoma vulpis in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Newfoundland, Canada

Angiostrongylus vasorum, the French heartworm, and Crenosoma vulpis, a lungworm, infect the pulmonary arteries and the bronchi and bronchioles, respectively, o f red foxes (Vulpes vulpes). Both are widespread in Europe, but within North America the distribution of A. vasorum is limited to the island of Newfoundland, Canada. During 2000-2002, 366 fox carcasses were collected from 6 regions o f the island. This study is unique in being the first large-scale survey of A. vasorum and C. vulpis in a natural fox population. Its objectives were to determine the precise distribution o f both parasites in Newfoundland and to examine the possibility of interaction between them. Crenosoma vulpis occurred in all 6 regions at an overall prevalence o f 87% and a mean intensity o f 230 ± 20.8 (mean ± S.E.). Young-of-the-year foxes had higher mean intensities (260 ± 39.4) than yearlings (91 ± 31.2) or adults (78 ± 41.1) (F[2, 153] = 11.07, p < 0.001). The intensity o f C. vulpis was not related to host sex, omental fat ratio, or body fat index. There was a weak positive relationship between number of adult worms and output of first-stage larvae in feces (r2 = 0.199, Ff[1,135] = 34.84, p < 0.001); larval output decreased with increasing fox age (F[2,127 ] = 18.99,p< 0.001). Angiostrongylus vasorum occurred only in the 3 southeast regions of the island; the Avalon Peninsula, the North East Coast, and the South Coast/Burin Peninsula. Its distribution may be limited by cold temperatures as it did not occur in areas where mean winter temperatures were lower than -4°C . The prevalence was 56% and mean intensity 72 ± 7.6. The number of adult worms did not differ with host age, sex, omental fat ratio, or body fat index. Although named the French heartworm, 88% of all A. vasorum were recovered from the pulmonary arteries while the remainder were in the right ventricle. However, 78% o f infected foxes had at least one worm in the right ventricle. Although the number of A. vasorum did not differ between the pulmonary arteries o f the left and right lobes (F[1, 164] = 1.70, p= 0.194), there were more worms in the arteries o f the posterior lobes (47 ± 5.4) than in the anterior (24 ± 2.5) (F[1, 161] = 13.39, p < 0.001). Also, there were no relationships between the number of A vasorum and larval output, heart weight ratio, or ventricular ratio. Although 40% of foxes from the A. vasorum positive regions had both A. vasorum and C. vulpis infections, there was no interaction between the two parasites (Gc[1] = 0.10). Furthermore, there was no linear relationship between the two parasites, and the mean intensity of each nematode did not differ between single and dual infections. Eight coyotes (Canis latrans) from Newfoundland were also examined. None had A. vasorum, but 38% had C. vulpis, although the mean intensity (16 ± 10.2) was lower than that in foxes

Very unusual case of a primary sinonasal germ cell tumour

Sinonasal malignancies are a very rare diagnosis. We present a unique case of a 32-year-old man who presented with symptoms of worsening sinusitis and periorbital cellulitis. Investigation found a sinonasal malignancy and pathology confirmed this to be a primary germ cell tumour. The patient was managed with chemotherapy, surgery and consolidation radiotherapy and has remained well to date. This case report outlines an unusual presentation and diagnostic challenge for the primary care physician, ear, nose and throat surgeon, pathologist and oncologist with review of the surrounding literature

A Survey of the Ornamental Horticulture Industry in Iowa

The ornamental horticulture industry in the United States (the green industry) is a multibillion dollar industry that contributes to the economy of every state. Greenhouse and nursery products rank in the top 10 commodities produced in 42 states. In 2004, a 38-question survey was developed and mailed to 1281 members of Iowa\u27s green industry, including wholesale and retail greenhouses, nurseries and florists, garden centers, landscape designers and contractors, and arborists, to gather information on the scope, scale, and business climate of the green industry in Iowa. All business types were represented in the 117 usable surveys that were returned. Although size and type of businesses varied, a majority of respondents had only one location, were family-owned, and had been in business less than 6 years. Respondents reported few factors that could limit their business success, and most felt they were much stronger than their competitors in the areas of customer perception of product quality and service and ability to meet customer needs. The estimated value of sales and services directly related to Iowa\u27s green industry in 2004 was $311.5 million, and a majority of respondents expected their business to grow in the areas of employment, annual gross payroll and sales, and total annual expenses by 2010

Jeffery Lynn Stotts and Teresa Ann Coleman in a Joint Senior Voice Recital

This is the program for the joint senior voice recital of tenor Jeffery Lynn Stotts and mezzo-soprano Teresa Ann Coleman. Pianist Jay Crowder assisted Stotts; pianist John Briggs assisted Coleman. The recital took place on November 21, 1985, in the Mabee Fine Arts Center Recital Hall

Limitations in Predicting the Space Radiation Health Risk for Exploration Astronauts

Despite years of research, understanding of the space radiation environment and the risk it poses to long-duration astronauts remains limited. There is a disparity between research results and observed empirical effects seen in human astronaut crews, likely due to the numerous factors that limit terrestrial simulation of the complex space environment and extrapolation of human clinical consequences from varied animal models. Given the intended future of human spaceflight, with efforts now to rapidly expand capabilities for human missions to the moon and Mars, there is a pressing need to improve upon the understanding of the space radiation risk, predict likely clinical outcomes of interplanetary radiation exposure, and develop appropriate and effective mitigation strategies for future missions. To achieve this goal, the space radiation and aerospace community must recognize the historical limitations of radiation research and how such limitations could be addressed in future research endeavors. We have sought to highlight the numerous factors that limit understanding of the risk of space radiation for human crews and to identify ways in which these limitations could be addressed for improved understanding and appropriate risk posture regarding future human spaceflight.Comment: Accepted for publication by Nature Microgravity (2018