KRATOS: An Open Source Hardware-Software Platform for Rapid Research in LPWANs

Long-range (LoRa) radio technologies have recently gained momentum in the IoT landscape, allowing low-power communications over distances up to several kilometers. As a result, more and more LoRa networks are being deployed. However, commercially available LoRa devices are expensive and propriety, creating a barrier to entry and possibly slowing down developments and deployments of novel applications. Using open-source hardware and software platforms would allow more developers to test and build intelligent devices resulting in a better overall development ecosystem, lower barriers to entry, and rapid growth in the number of IoT applications. Toward this goal, this paper presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of KRATOS, a low-cost LoRa platform running ContikiOS. Both, our hardware and software designs are released as an open- source to the research community.Comment: Accepted at WiMob 201

Molecular and morphological phylogenetics of the digitate-tubered clade within subtribe Orchidinae s.s. (Orchidaceae: Orchideae)

The digitate-tubered clade (Dactylorhiza s.l. plus Gymnadenia s.l.) within subtribe Orchidinae is an important element of the North-temperate orchid flora and has become a model system for studying the genetic and epigenetic consequences of organism-wide ploidy change. Here, we integrate morphological phylogenetics with Sanger sequencing of nrITS and the plastid region trnL-F in order to explore phylogenetic relationships and phenotypic character evolution within the clade. The resulting morphological phylogenies are strongly incongruent with the molecular phylogenies, instead reconstructing through parsimony the genus-level boundaries recognised by traditional 20th Century taxonomy. They raise fresh doubts concerning whether Pseudorchis is sister to Platanthera or to Dactylorhiza plus Gymnadenia. Constraining the morphological matrix to the topology derived from ITS sequences increased tree length by 20%, adding considerably to the already exceptional level of phenotypic homoplasy. Both molecular and morphological trees agree that D. viridis and D. iberica are the earliest- diverging species within Dactylorhiza (emphasising the redundancy of the former genus Coeloglossum). Morphology and ITS both suggest that the former genus Nigritella is nested within (and thus part of) Gymnadenia, the Pyrenean endemic 'N.' gabasiana apparently forming a molecular bridge between the two radically contrasting core phenotypes. Comparatively short subtending molecular branches plus widespread (though sporadic) hybridisation indicate that Dactylorhiza and Gymnadenia approximate the minimum level of molecular divergence acceptable in sister genera. They share similar tuber morphologies and base chromosome numbers, and both genera are unusually prone to polyploid speciation. Another prominent feature of multiple speciation events within Gymnadenia is floral paedomorphosis. The 'traditional' morphological and candidate-gene approaches to phylogeny reconstruction are critically appraised.Peer reviewedFinal Published versio

Children and young people’s experiences and perceptions of self-management of type 1 diabetes: A qualitative meta-synthesis

The aim of this review was to conduct a meta-synthesis of the experiences and perceptions of self-management of type 1 diabetes of children and young people living with type 1 diabetes (CYPDs). Six databases were systematically searched for studies with qualitative findings relevant to CYPDs’ (aged 8–18 years) experiences of self-management. A thematic synthesis approach was used to combine articles and identify analytical themes. Forty articles met the inclusion criteria. Two analytical themes important to CYPDs’ experiences and perceptions of self-management were identified: (1) negotiating independence and (2) feeling in control. The synthesis contributes to knowledge on contextual factors underpinning self-management and what facilitates or impedes transition towards autonomous self-management for CYPDs

Dana Michele Murphy and Christopher Reed Norris in a Joint Senior Recital

This is the program for the joint senior voice recital of mezzo-soprano Dana Michele Murphy and tenor Christopher Reed Norris. Pianist Mary Worthen accompanied Murphy; pianist Christy Burleson accompanied Norris. The recital took place on October 26, 1989, in the Mabee Fine Arts Center Recital Hall

Colorful Displays Signal Male Quality in a Tropical Anole Lizard

Parasites influence colorful ornaments and their behavioral display in many animal hosts. Because coloration and display behavior are often critical components of communication, variation in these traits may have important implications for individual fitness, yet it remains unclear whether such traits are signals of quality in many taxa. We investigated the association between ectoparasitic mite load and the color and behavioral use of the throat fan (dewlap) by male Anolis brevirostris lizards. We found that heavily parasitized lizards exhibited lower body condition, duller dewlaps, and less frequent dewlap displays than less parasitized individuals. Our results thus suggest that highly parasitized individuals invest less in both ornamental color and behavioral display of that color. Because the two components of the signal simultaneously provide information on male quality, this study provides novel support for the long-standing hypothesis that colorful traits may function as social or sexual signals in reptiles

Andragogy in One Community College: A Study of Students\u27 Attitudes and Perceptions Toward Reading and Writing Following the Completion of a Concurrent Acquisition One-Semester Developmental English Course

The purpose of this study was to explore if student attitudes and perceptions changed toward reading and writing after participation in and completion of a one-semester dual-enrollment mandatory developmental non-credit reading and/or writing course combined with a concurrent acquisition general education three-credit-hour English 101 course. The subjects were nine voluntary participants in the dual-enrollment Accelerated Learning Program 099 and English 101. The classes were offered in a suburban community college close to a large metropolitan city in the Midwest and taught by the same instructor. A mixed methods approach, that is, descriptive-qualitative/ethnographic was used in this study. Descriptive data were used for the quantitative design and included study data from: (1) the Mikulecky Behavioral Reading Attitude Measure and (2) the Daly-Miller Writing Attitude Survey administered at the beginning and near the end of the course. Using descriptive statistics, survey data were analyzed. Raw data from the surveys determined percentage rates of response for each question or a combination of questions. Results were summarized using tables that reflected responses to the two research questions posited for this study. The ethnographic data were used for the qualitative design and included data from one-to-one student and instructor study participant interviews conducted near the end of the course. These interview questions were related to developmental reading and writing education at the community college and used as a way to triangulate or establish converging lines of evidence. Results of the study may suggest that in order to provide developmental education in reading and writing for students entering our community colleges with reading and writing skill deficits, factors such as listening to the students\u27 perspective, offering smaller class size, developing classes as learning communities, providing time and commitment for individualized instruction, offering dual-enrollment classes that earn college credit, and providing knowledgeable, caring, and supportive instructors may help to enable students to experience a positive increase or change in the perception or attitude of their reading and writing and build reading and writing skills in order to advance themselves into college courses, earn a degree, and ultimately, enter the job market

Institutional Forces and Knowledge Search Strategies as Predictors of Entrepreneurial Venture Performance

Acknowledgment We are grateful to JSBM editor Eric Liguori and three anonymous reviewers for insightful comments on previous versions of this paper. We also acknowledge the guidance and input from Haiyang Li, the International Finance Corporation’s Enterprise Surveys program, and the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics. This research was supported by grants SRG2019-00146-FBA and CPG2020-00018-FBA awarded to Jean Jinghan Chen by the University of Macau.Peer reviewedPostprin

Investigating the Effects of Zero Balancing on the Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Dimensions of Wellness: A Phenomenological MIxed Methods Pilot Study

Background: Today, the necessity for relieving undue stress on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual levels is evident at this time of concomitant global crises from the pandemic, societal inequity, and climatic challenges. Methods to restore and enhance human well-being are critically needed.The study of overall wellness has not yet included the role that skilled, conscious touch may play in supporting the dimensions of wellness, an awareness of which this study seeks to elevate by exploring the effects of receiving positive touch on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of wellness. Methods: The researchers chose to utilize a concurrent mixed-methods hermeneutic phenomenological research design. The quantitative aspect of this study included pre/post-session surveys assessed with a paired sample t-test along with descriptive statistics. Sixteen people were viewed as “cases” and interviewed for discovery on the essence of receiving Zero Balancing sessions and the impact of ZB on the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of health. Qualitative data was assessed for themes. Results: Analysis revealed that the essence of Zero Balancing was integration. The paired sample t-test showed a significant increase in the overall feeling of wellness after the fourth Zero Balancing at p\u3c .001 level. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study we conclude that Zero Balancing is an integrative, low cost, simply administered, holistic therapy with multiple benefits. We also suggest this body therapy, with its focus on skilled, conscious touch, does facilitate wellness in the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual dimensions of wellness