Writing Across the Chemical Engineering Curriculum at the University of North Dakota

In Order to Prepare Engineering Graduates with the Written and Oral Communication Skills Needed in their Professional Careers a Coordinated Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) Program Has Developed in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of North Dakota. the Students Practice and Develop their Skills with Writing Assignments in Both Lecture and Laboratory Courses from the First‐year Level through the Fourth‐year Capstone Design Course. the Coordinated Approach, especially in the Four‐semester Laboratory Sequence, Allows the Students to Develop their Skills by Building on Communication Experiences in Previous Courses. the WAC Program at UND Including Writing and Public Speaking Assignments is Described. 1994 American Society for Engineering Educatio

Case Report: Color as a Therapeutic Intervention

Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Teaching Statistical Experimental Design using a Laboratory Experiment

An Experimental Project Introduces the Concepts of Statistical Experimental Design to Undergraduates in a Laboratory Setting. a Safe, Inexpensive and Easily Operable Experiment Uses a Gas Chromatograph to Give Quantitative Results and to Allow Students to Concentrate on Applying Statistical Skills Without Being Impeded by Complex Equipment or Experimental Methods. One of the Unique Aspects of the Experiment is a Trade‐off between the Two Most Significant Variables, Forcing Students to Compromise in the Selection of Optimum Conditions. Such Compromises Are Typical in Many Real‐world Industrial Situations. the Experiment Has Been Used for Several Years in the Undergraduate Chemical Engineering Laboratories at the University of North Dakota. Keywords: Statistics, Experimental Design, Laboratory. 1995 American Society for Engineering Educatio

Mothers’ Reflections on Cat Ownership for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder During COVID-19

Animal- assisted interventions are increasingly used as a complementary therapy in clinical practice to support people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), with promising outcomes compared to traditional therapies. Less is understood about the therapeutic benefits of more accessible and affordable small pet ownership for families with a child with ASD, alongside the pets’ welfare living in these homes. This study explored the experiences of cat ownership for young people with ASD from the perspective of their mothers during a time of transition generated by COVID-19. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six mothers and transcripts analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three themes were identified: “Sensory benefits with heightened emotions,” “Special bond between cat and child,” and “Learning through the relationship.” The results highlighted how cat ownership benefited cat and child, encouraging empathy and responsibility skills in children with ASD through the development of a reciprocated relationship between child and cat, while also providing a nurturing home environment for the cats in this study. The relationship and physical presence of each other provided sensory stimulation, a calming influence, and companionship for the children. In conclusion, cats with a sociable and easygoing temperament demonstrated multiple therapeutic benefits for children with ASD and should be considered as an accessible complementary home- based therapy for caregivers who are able to offer a nurturing home to a cat. Cats have the potential to play an important role in a family’s life, particularly for parents managing additional demands and whose children experience sensory overload while outside. Given the importance of cat ownership for children with ASD in this study, this could enhance engagement with clinical practitioners through a shared cat-focused dialogue benefiting the wider development and well- being of children with ASD and their families

Interaction of Sodium, Sulfur, and Silica during Coal Combustion

The Interaction of Sodium, Sulfur, and Silica at Conditions Typical in a Pulverized Coal Furnace Was Investigated by using Both Model Mixtures and a Synthetic Coal. the Model Mixtures Consisted of Selected Inorganic Constituents that Were Well Mixed in Proportions Typically Found in Low-Rank Coal. the Synthetic Coal Consisted of a Furfuryl Alcohol Polymer with Appropriate Amounts of Sodium, Sulfur, and Silica to Duplicate the Characteristics of Low-Rank Coal. the Model Mixtures and Synthetic Coal Were Burned in a Laminar Flow (Drop-Tube) Furnace at 900, 1100, 1300, and 1500 °C and Residence Times of 0.1,0.5,1.5, and 2.4 S. the Resulting Char and Fly Ash Particles Were Quickly Quenched, Collected, and Analyzed with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to Determine Size and Composition. Results Indicated that the Formation of Sodium Silicates is Favored by Higher Temperatures and Longer Residence Times. Thermodynamic Calculations and the Model Mixture Studies Indicated above 1100 °C There is Little Interference in the Formation of Sodium Silicates by Sodium Sulfates. in the Synthetic Coal Studies, Sodium Sulfate Particles Were Detected on the Surface of the Larger Sodium Silicate Fly Ash Particles Formed at Lower Temperatures. the Size and Prevalence of the Sodium Sulfate Particles Decreased as Temperature Was Increased. Fly Ash Particle Formation Was Characterized by Fragmentation Followed by Coalescence. Fragmentation Was More Prevalent at Higher Temperatures and Smaller Fly Ash Particles Were Formed. Larger Particles Were Formed at Lower Temperatures, Indicating More Complete Coalescence with Some Cenosphere Formation. © 1991, American Chemical Society. All Rights Reserved

Coloured Filters Enhance the Visual Perception of Social Cues in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Coloured filters have been found to reduce visual distortion of text in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We investigated the effect of the overlays on the “mind in the eye” task in children with ASD and controls matched for age, gender, and nonverbal IQ. Children were shown photographs of the periocular region of various faces and were asked to judge which emotion was being expressed in the eyes. In children with ASD, the perception of the emotion was significantly improved when the photograph was covered by a coloured overlay. The improvement was significantly greater than in the controls, who showed no significant effect of the overlay. A perceptual impairment may contribute to the social difficulties shown in ASD

The role of sensory sensitivity in predicting food selectivity and food preferences in children with Tourette syndrome

Tourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by involuntary, repetitive and non-rhythmic motor and vocal tics. Despite suggestion that diet may affect tics, and the substantial research into children's diet, eating behaviours and sensory processing in comorbid disorders (e.g. ASD), research in TS is lacking. The present study examined differences between children with and without TS in parental reports of child selective eating, food preferences and sensitivity, and aimed to examine sensory sensitivity as a predictor of food selectivity outcomes in children with and without TS. Thirty caregivers of children with TS (M = 10 years 8 months [SD = 2.40]) and the caregivers of 30 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) children (M = 9 years 9 months [SD = 2.50]) completed the following measures online: Short Sensory Profile, Food Preference Questionnaire for Children, Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire. Children with TS were reported to have significantly higher levels of food selectivity and sensory sensitivity, and less preference for fruit and vegetables than TD children. Importantly, while higher levels of overall sensory sensitivity predicted eating outcomes in the TS group, only sensitivity to taste/smell was found to be a predictor of food selectivity and preference for vegetables for both groups of children. The findings suggest that efforts to address food selectivity in children with TS may be enhanced by including strategies that address atypical sensory processing

An atomic clock with 10−1810^{-18} instability

Atomic clocks have been transformational in science and technology, leading to innovations such as global positioning, advanced communications, and tests of fundamental constant variation. Next-generation optical atomic clocks can extend the capability of these timekeepers, where researchers have long aspired toward measurement precision at 1 part in $\bm{10^{18}}$. This milestone will enable a second revolution of new timing applications such as relativistic geodesy, enhanced Earth- and space-based navigation and telescopy, and new tests on physics beyond the Standard Model. Here, we describe the development and operation of two optical lattice clocks, both utilizing spin-polarized, ultracold atomic ytterbium. A measurement comparing these systems demonstrates an unprecedented atomic clock instability of $\bm{1.6\times 10^{-18}}$ after only $\bm{7}$ hours of averaging