A Comparative Study of Intercultural and Global Competency Opportunities on American and Irish University Campuses

The lack of intercultural competencies among students in higher education is one of the most significant issues facing higher education and society in general. As institutions of higher education embark on the journey of embracing the increasingly diverse student populations, some universities have revamped university mission statements to reflect their support for “creating and maintaining” a diverse student population and for graduating interculturally competent students. This study compared reports from the three participating universities (one university in the United States and two in Ireland) on four different variables regarding student diversity, student participation in study abroad programs, types of study abroad programs offered, and types of intercultural programs available to students. Implications and suggestions for further research are discussed. Reprinted by permission of the publisher

Planetary benchmarks

Design criteria and technology requirements for a system of radar reference devices to be fixed to the surfaces of the inner planets are discussed. Offshoot applications include the use of radar corner reflectors as landing beacons on the planetary surfaces and some deep space applications that may yield a greatly enhanced knowledge of the gravitational and electromagnetic structure of the solar system. Passive retroreflectors with dimensions of about 4 meters and weighing about 10 kg are feasible for use with orbiting radar at Venus and Mars. Earth-based observation of passive reflectors, however, would require very large and complex structures to be delivered to the surfaces. For Earth-based measurements, surface transponders offer a distinct advantage in accuracy over passive reflectors. A conceptual design for a high temperature transponder is presented. The design appears feasible for the Venus surface using existing electronics and power components

Preliminary comparison of 3.5-cm and 12.6-cm wavelength continuous wave observations of Mars

Radar observations of Mars at Goldstone in 1990 were conducted by transmitting pure sinusoidal signals at 3.5-cm wavelengths and receiving the Doppler-spread echoes from Mars at Earth. Radar transmissions were circularly polarized and the echoes recorded in two senses: depolarized and polarized. Latitudes of the subradar points are between 3.5 deg and 11.1 deg S; longitude coverage is discontinuous. The observed depolarized and polarized echo total cross-sections and their ratios for two wavelengths were compared and discussed

Religious research as kingpin in the fight against poverty and AIDS in the Western Cape, South Africa

This article describes the researchers’ efforts to apply the principles of Participatory Action Research (PAR), specifically participation, through the direct involvement of church members in the research. It includes involving them in the design of questionnaires, training and utilizing them as fieldworkers, and finally disseminating the results of the research via workshops aimed at strategizing for change. The research is based on two hypotheses, the first being that, churches and their members are intensely involved in serving both the needs of their own members, as well as the needs of the larger community; and secondly, that churches do not work alone, but are part of networks with other agencies to accomplish their goals. At the outset the article outlines the challenges and points of departure, followed by a chronological account of how this approach was applied in Paarl, a South African community. Finally, an overview of the results of the project is provided

Опухоль брюшной стенки - грыжа спигелевой линии, содержащая метастатическую карциному с невыявленным первичным очагом

АДЕНОКАРЦИНОМАБРЮШНАЯ СТЕНКАГРЫЖИКАРЦИНОМАКОЛОРЕКТАЛЬНЫЕ НОВООБРАЗОВАНИЯНОВООБРАЗОВАНИЯТОЛСТАЯ КИШК

Comparison of Inedible Egg Product and Spray-Dried Plasma as Sources of Protein for Weanling Pigs

Pigs were weaned at approximately 18 days of age and fed diets containing inedible egg product, spray-dried plasma (SDP), or the combination of both for 2 weeks postweaning. They then received a common diet for an additional 2 weeks after the treatment period. The impact of these dietary ingredients on growth performance was evaluated. Inedible egg product did not improve growth or feed efficiency of pigs compared with those fed the control diet during the 2-week treatment period. However, SDP increased body weight gain and feed efficiency during the treatment period. The improved performance over the control group that resulted from feeding a combination of SDP and egg product was primarily dependent upon the SDP. In the third week, a trend occurred for improved performance of pigs fed the egg product compared with those fed 4% SDP; however, the difference was not significant. During this same period, pigs previously fed SDP gained weight slower and consumed less feed than those that had not been fed SDP. Therefore, the response to SDP was partially lost when it was removed from the diet. In summary, the outcome of this study demonstrated that inedible egg product was an adequate source of protein for the weanling pig but did not provide measurable improvements over the control diet. Inedible egg product did not have an additive effect when combined with SDP. The improved feed efficiency associated with SDP resulted in increased weanling pig growth

North-South cooperation through BIOTA: An interdisciplinary monitoring programme in arid and semi-arid southern Africa

Connecting disciplines in a north– South collaboration has many advantages: mutualisms evolve, synergies are created and spin-offs emerge. The BIOTA South (Biodiversity Monitoring Transect Analysis in southern Africa) programme, with its long-term vision to generate knowledge of biodiversity along a north–south transect in southern Africa, is providing opportunities for research, technology transfer and capacity building while focusing on potential solutions for critical challenges that face this environmentally vulnerable part of the subcontinen

Psychometric evaluation of the heart failure somatic perception scale in a european heart failure population

Background: The Heart Failure Somatic Perception Scale (HFSPS) is a four-factor instrument used to assess how bothersome are 18 physical signs and symptoms of heart failure. To date, construct validity and reliability of the HFSPS have been evaluated in only one American study and never in a European population. Aim: To evaluate psychometric properties (validity and reliability) of the HFSPS in a European heart failure population. Methods: This was an Italian multicentre study in which the HFSPS factorial structure was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis. Criterion related validity of the HFSPS was evaluated by correlating its factor scores with the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) scores using Pearson’s r. The HFSPS internal consistency reliability was evaluated using the factor score determinacy coefficient, Cronbach’s α and model-based internal consistency index. Results: Most of the participants (n=321) were male (56.6%), with a mean age of 71.48 years (SD, 12.75) and in New York Heart Association class II (61.8%). The confirmatory factor analysis, testing the original HFSPS four-factor structure (dyspnoea, chest discomfort, early and subtle, and oedema), resulted in the following supportive fit indices: χ2 (126, N=321)=337.612, p<0.001, comparative fit index =0.920, Tucker–Lewis index =0.903, root mean square error of approximation =0.072 and standardized root mean square residual =0.045. With regard to the criterion related validity, all the correlations with the KCCQ were statistically significant. The HFSPS reliability resulted in factor score determinacy coefficients ≥ 0.87 and Cronbach’s α ≥ 0.75, with the exception of the two-item chest discomfort subscale; the model-based reliability coefficient was 0.914. Conclusion: The validity and reliability of the HFSPS were supportive in this European sample. The HFSPS can be used to assess how bothersome heart failure signs and symptoms are in order to improve their management

Wavelet Based Fractal Analysis of Airborne Pollen

The most abundant biological particles in the atmosphere are pollen grains and spores. Self protection of pollen allergy is possible through the information of future pollen contents in the air. In spite of the importance of airborne pol len concentration forecasting, it has not been possible to predict the pollen concentrations with great accuracy, and about 25% of the daily pollen forecasts have resulted in failures. Previous analysis of the dynamic characteristics of atmospheric pollen time series indicate that the system can be described by a low dimensional chaotic map. We apply the wavelet transform to study the multifractal characteristics of an a irborne pollen time series. We find the persistence behaviour associated to low pollen concentration values and to the most rare events of highest pollen co ncentration values. The information and the correlation dimensions correspond to a chaotic system showing loss of information with time evolution.Comment: 11 pages, 7 figure

Mechanisms of Fetal Programming in Hypertension

Events that occur in the early fetal environment have been linked to long-term health and lifespan consequences in the adult. Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), which may occur as a result of nutrient insufficiency, exposure to hormones, or disruptions in placental structure or function, may induce the fetus to alter its developmental program in order to adapt to the new conditions. IUGR may result in a decrease in the expression of genes that are responsible for nephrogenesis as nutrients are rerouted to the development of more essential organs. Fetal survival under these conditions often results in low birth weight and a deficit in nephron endowment, which are associated with hypertension in adults. Interestingly, male IUGR offspring appear to be more severely affected than females, suggesting that sex hormones may be involved. The processes of fetal programming of hypertension are complex, and we are only beginning to understand the underlying mechanisms