Data Acquisition in Aviation Maintenance Training

In the following article, I would like to share some of my experiences with integrating data acquisition and virtual instrumentation (VI\u27s) in my powerplant courses at Purdue University. The implementation of the equipment and procedures into the classes was a natural evolution of our educational environment. The more we discussed the inner dynamics of an engine, the more the students and I wanted to measure specific parameters and show their dues over time. This activity gave us a window of insight into the effects of changes that were introduced into the engines. Intentional modifications, as in a troubleshooting exercise, or unintentional such as a component failure, both provided a host of indications to be measured and evaluated

Flow alteration-ecology relationships in Ozark Highland streams: Consequences for fish, crayfish and macroinvertebrate assemblages

We examined flowalteration-ecology relationships in benthic macroinvertebrate, fish, and crayfish assemblages in Ozark Highland streams, USA, over two years with contrasting environmental conditions, a drought year (2012) and a flood year (2013). We hypothesized that: 1) there would be temporal variation in flow alteration-ecology relationships between the two years, 2) flow alteration-ecology relationshipswould be stronger during the drought year vs the flood year, and 3) fish assemblages would show the strongest relationships with flow alteration. We used a quantitative richest-targeted habitat (RTH) method and a qualitative multihabitat (QMH) method to collect macroinvertebrates at 16 USGS gaged sites during both years. We used backpack electrofishing to sample fish and crayfish at 17 sites in 2012 and 11 sites in 2013.Weused redundancy analysis to relate biological response metrics, including richness, diversity, density, and community-based metrics, to flow alteration.We found temporal variation in flow alteration-ecology relationships for all taxa, and that relationships differed greatly between assemblages. We found relationships were stronger for macroinvertebrates during the drought year but not for other assemblages, and that fish assemblage relationships were not stronger than the invertebrate taxa. Magnitude of average flow, frequency of high flow, magnitude of high flow, and duration of high flow were the most important categories of flow alteration metrics across taxa. Alteration of high and average flows was more important than alteration of low flows. Of 32 important flow alteration metrics across years and assemblages, 19 were significantly altered relative to expected values. Ecological responses differed substantially between drought and flood years, and this is likely to be exacerbated with predicted climate change scenarios. Differences in flow alteration-ecology relationships among taxonomic groups and temporal variation in relationships illustrate that a complex suite of variables should be considered for effective conservation of stream communities related to flow alteration

Commerce Clause Challenges Spawned by United States v. Lopez Are Doing Violence to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): A Survey of Cases and the Ongoing Debate Over How the VAWA Will Fare in the Wake of Lopez

On September 14, 1994, in response to and in recognition of the epidemic of violence against women in the United States, Congress enacted the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). The VAWA is a comprehensive statute designed to provide women greater protection from and recourse against violence and to impose accountability on abusers and those who commit crimes of violence based on gender animus. The VAWA, which contains seven parts, creates new federal crimes, strengthens penalties for existing federal sex crimes, and provides $1.6 billion over six years for education, research, treatment of domestic and sex crime victims, and the improvement of state criminal justice systems. Title III of the Act (civil rights provision) creates a positive statutory right for all individuals to be free from gender-motivated violence and provides a civil remedy so that individuals who have been denied that right can recover damages. In 1994, when Congress passed the VAWA, the United States Supreme Court had not invalidated legislation relying on Congress\u27s Commerce Clause power in nearly sixty years. Soon after the VAWA\u27s enactment, however, Congress\u27s power under the Commerce Clause was restricted by the Supreme Court in United States v. Lopez. In Lopez, the Court struck down the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 (GFSZA), which prohibited “any individual knowingly to possess a firearm at a place that person knows, or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school zone.” The Court determined that, in enacting the GFSZA, Congress had exceeded the outer limits of its power under the Commerce Clause. Lopez revived and invigorated the long-running debate over the reach of Congress\u27s power under the Commerce Clause. This Comment focuses on the challenges to the VAWA\u27s civil rights provision and the ongoing debate about how the VAWA will fare in the wake of Lopez

Her Story: Accidental Library Instruction

Game-based learning is a relatively new pedagogical method that typically targets students of the current and upcoming generations. Librarians have gradually begun experimenting with gamifying elements of library and research skills instruction to varying degrees of success. While some case studies and theoretical analyses are available currently, more published data will be necessary to evaluate and direct the development of game-based library instruction in the coming years. This paper explores attempts to use game-based learning techniques in library instruction courses and sessions, specifically highlighting Project Velius (developed by the University of Alabama Libraries) and its similarities to the commercially successful game Her Story, which was created for purely entertainment purposes but manages to present as an effective library instruction tool nonetheless. This examination suggests that academic libraries may be more capable in this arena than commonly believed, and the author ultimately recommends that academic libraries further embrace this pedagogical trend

Criminal Law—Teenage Sexting in Arkansas: How Special Legislation Addressing Sexting Behavior in Minors Can Salvage Arkansas\u27s Teens\u27 Futures

Sexting is defined as sending sexually explicit images or messages via cell phones. Albeit questionable, sexting is legal between consenting adults. However, there are many consequences of sexting that may not be considered by teenagers who sext. Beyond ridicule, punishment by parents or schools, and the eternal lifespan of digital content, there can be harsh legal consequences for sexting teens. These consequences vary from state to state, but include felony convictions for child pornography and the resulting consequence of being required to register as a sex offender. Often, such convictions can affect college acceptances and career choices. In order to deter the behavior, while mitigating the long lasting consequences of a felony conviction, some states have enacted legislation to reduce the sentence for teenagers found guilty of sexting . Arkansas has not done so. In fact, sexting teens in Arkansas can face Class B felony charges and be considered for sex-offender status. This note discusses the issues raised by two cases where teens were prosecuted by child pornography laws. Next, the note considers Arkansas law and the consequences of prosecution for sexting in Arkansas. Those considerations are then used to create a suggested checklist for the Arkansas legislature when creating special sexting legislation. In conclusion, the note summarizes the need for special sexting legislation and what type of legislation would be most beneficial for Arkansas teens

Social Work Perspectives of Quality in Nursing Homes Compared to Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card and Nursing Home Compare

The number of older adults requiring nursing home level of care continues to rise and is expected to continue as the baby boom generation ages. The quality of nursing home care has been a significant policy issue for several years, as poor quality of care continues to be an endemic problem in many of the U.S nursing homes. The Nursing Home Reform Act passed in 1987 was designed to set quality standards to improve nursing home care quality. In 1998 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid responded by implementing Nursing Home Compare, which is a tool to inform consumers about nursing home quality. Social workers often play a key role in advocating for resident rights and ensuring residents’ psychosocial needs are being met. Care quality can have a large impact on the overall wellbeing of a resident. The purpose of this study was to learn about nursing home social workers perspectives of what quality care is and if their perspectives are similar to quality indictors identified on the Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card and Nursing Home Compare. Eight nursing home social workers participated in individual semi-structured interviews answering fourteen questions regarding their perspectives of quality care in the nursing home setting. The participants’ responses demonstrated similar quality care indicators compared to the Minnesota Nursing Home Report Card and Nursing Home Compare. Participants’ responses evolved into themes regarding resident centered care and quality of life, quality indicators and lack of response, staffing ratios, retention and burnout, leadership and empowerment, awareness and use of report cards and informed consumers. Developing an understanding of indicators that contribute towards good quality care in the nursing home setting will allow social workers to advocate for residents to ensure they experience the highest achievable quality of life possible