100 Kilometers to Freedom: Women\u27s Stories of Escape During the 1956 Hungarian Revolution

“100 Kilometers to Freedom: Women’s Stories of Escape During the 1956 Hungarian Revolution” looks at the way people fled Hungary after the uprising against the Soviet rulers, specifically through the lens of Hungarian women. The paper follows the process of escape through resettlement and analyzes the various ways people escaped and resettled. In this paper I argue that, though escape routes and methods were wildly varied and resettlement went differently for everyone, those fleeing were often motivated to do so for political reasons. This paper relies on a variety of primary source materials, including a collection of oral histories in 56 Stories: Personal Recollections of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution, A Hungarian American Perspective. Many of the women in the book detail how their families escaped and how they went on to resettle in their new countries. In addition, James A. Michner’s The Bridge at Andau describes Michner’s own experiences waiting at the Austrian border to welcome refugees from Hungary. The paper seeks to expand the base of knowledge in the United States about the Hungarian Revolution; there is a dearth of work in this country on the revolution. The paper is also unique in the fact that it focuses strictly on women instead of men or a mix of genders. Most of the previous work either focuses on fighters (which were typically men) or a mix of genders (such as in 56 Stories). The paper also seeks to work as a lesson from the past. By studying refugee cases such as the one that resulted from the Hungarian Revolution, people can learn to better handle future and current refugee problems

Ion Velocity Distribution Functions in Cutting-Edge Plasmas

Cutting-edge plasma experiments continue to push the frontiers of plasma science. Two such groups of experiments, helicon sources and laboratory magnetic reconnection, are the focus of this thesis. The relatively high plasma density achieved for modest input powers makes helicon source plasmas ideal testbeds for fusion-relevant phenomena without the complexities associated with fusion devices. Examples include plasma-material interaction (PMI) studies, divertor region studies, and boundary physics studies. As advancements in helicon source design and technology make operation at higher power for longer times possible, understanding of the plasma dynamics, particularly ion dynamics, is vital. Laboratory experiments are essential to advancing the understanding of magnetic reconnection and the associated physics. There is a wonderful synergy between theory, modeling, and simulation efforts and laboratory experiments. Results from these experiments validate and benchmark simulation and theory, while theory and simulation drive the design and goals of experiments. Naturally, this goes the other way as well; interesting results from the laboratory motivate different approaches to theory and simulations. While spacecraft observations of magnetic reconnection have been crucial to the field, laboratory experiments allow for finer control over the parameter space of the magnetic reconnection. In both of these settings, advanced diagnostics are needed to characterize the physics. Attractive for its non-perturbative nature, laser induced fluorescence (LIF) is well-suited to investigate these plasmas. LIF is used to measure particle velocity distribution functions (VDFs), which in turn reveal fundamental properties of these species such as bulk flow and temperature. In this work, argon ion velocity distribution functions are measured with single-photon LIF. Advancements to the standard LIF technique are presented, and the results obtained with these techniques and their significance are discussed. First, a portable system was developed and deployed to a remote facility where argon ion temperatures in a 10 kW steady-state helicon source were measured. Second, a planar laser induced fluorescence technique with a camera as the detector was developed. Results obtained with this technique are compared with those obtained with the standard technique. Experimental efficiency with the camera technique is an order of magnitude higher than the standard technique at comparable resolution. Finally, a system using a pulsed laser was developed to measure IVDFs during magnetic reconnection. A proof-of-principle measurement with this system is presented

Shifting Nursing Students\u27 Attitudes towards Indigenous Peoples by Participation in a Required Indigenous Health Course

Background: Increasing evidence shows that Indigenous Peoples of Canada experience greater health disparities and receive lesser quality of health care services than non-Indigenous Canadian people. There is an important need to educate health care professionals to be knowledgeable about Indigenous culture, Canadian history, and culturally safe care. Purpose: This project aimed to evaluate if student perceptions of Indigenous Peoples, knowledge of Indigenous culture, and a student’s cultural competency improved through participation in a required Indigenous health course in the third year of one Canadian Bachelor of Nursing program. Methods: A pretest posttest design measured student self-reported Knowledge of Factors Impacting Indigenous Health, Interest in Indigenous Issues, and Perceptions of Indigenous People. Students wrote reflections on their learning throughout the course which were analyzed to understand the nature of how their thinking transformed through exposure to Indigenous history and its impact on the relationship between Indigenous populations and the health care system in Canada. Results: We used previously validated instruments in our study: Student Knowledge of Factors Impacting Indigenous Health, Interest in Indigenous Issues and Attitudes about Indigenous People. Student scores on all three measures improved from the beginning until the end of the course. Previous Indigenous education and experience working in a health care environment had minimal impact on students’ growth on these measures. The analysis of the student reflections rooted in a cultural competence framework showed the transformative nature of their learning. Conclusion: Increasing the knowledge of nursing students about historical factors in a colonial context impacting Indigenous Peoples’ health addresses a key call to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Indigenous Health courses within nursing curricula can stimulate the personal transformations needed within health care professionals to promote willingness to advocate with Indigenous populations and facilitate progress toward reducing health inequities and increasing health access in this population. Résumé Contexte : De plus en plus de données probantes montrent que les peuples autochtones du Canada connaissent de plus grandes disparités en matière de santé et reçoivent des services de soins de santé de moindre qualité que les Canadiens non autochtones. Il est important d’éduquer les professionnels de la santé pour qu’ils connaissent la culture autochtone, l’histoire canadienne et les soins culturellement sécuritaires. Objectif : Ce projet visait à évaluer si les perceptions des étudiantes à l’égard des peuples autochtones, la connaissance de la culture autochtone et la compétence culturelle des étudiantes s’amélioraient grâce à la participation à un cours obligatoire sur la santé autochtone pendant la troisième année d’un programme canadien de baccalauréat en sciences infirmières. Méthodes : Une conception avant/après a mesuré les connaissances autodéclarées des étudiantes sur les facteurs ayant une incidence sur la santé des Autochtones, l’intérêt pour les questions autochtones et les perceptions des peuples autochtones. Les étudiantes ont écrit des réflexions sur leur apprentissage tout au long du cours. Celles-ci ont été analysées pour comprendre la nature de la transformation de leur pensée à la suite d’une exposition à l’histoire autochtone et son impact sur la relation entre les populations autochtones et le système de santé au Canada. Résultats : Nous avons utilisé des instruments précédemment validés dans notre étude Student Knowledge of Factors Impacting Indigenous Health, Interest in Indigenous Issues and Attitudes about Indigenous People (Connaissances des étudiantes sur les facteurs ayant une incidence sur la santé des Autochtones, l’intérêt pour les questions autochtones et les perceptions des peuples autochtones). Les scores des étudiantes sur les trois mesures se sont améliorés du début à la fin du cours. La formation autochtone antérieure et l’expérience de travail dans un environnement de soins de santé ont eu un impact minime sur la croissance des étudiantes sur ces mesures, mais l’analyse des réflexions des étudiantes ancrées dans un cadre de compétences culturelles a montré la nature transformatrice de leur apprentissage. Conclusion : Accroître les connaissances des étudiantes en sciences infirmières sur les facteurs historiques dans un contexte colonial ayant une incidence sur la santé des peuples autochtones répond à un appel à l’action clé de la Commission de vérité et réconciliation du Canada. Les cours sur la santé autochtone dans les programmes de sciences infirmières peuvent stimuler les transformations personnelles nécessaires chez les professionnels de la santé pour promouvoir la volonté de défendre les intérêts des populations autochtones et faciliter les progrès vers la réduction des inégalités en matière de santé et l’amélioration de l’accès à la santé dans cette population

Phoenix from the Ashes

The continued existence of the Russian defence and arms industry (OPK) was called into question following the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. Industry experts cited the lack of a domestic market, endemic corruption, and excess capacity within the industry as factors underpinning its predicted demise. However, the industry’s export customers in China, India and Iran during those early years became the OPK’s saving grace. Their orders introduced hard currency back into the industry and went a long way to preventing the forecasted OPK collapse. Although pessimistic predictions continued to plague the OPK throughout the 1990s, the valuable export dollars provided the OPK the breathing space it needed to claw back its competitive advantage as an arms producer. That revival has been further underpinned by a new political commitment, various research and development initiatives, and the restoration of defence industry as a tool of Russian foreign policy. The short-term future of the Russian OPK looks promising. The rising domestic defence order is beginning to challenge the export market as the OPK’s most important customer. Meanwhile, exports will be safeguarded by continued foreign demand for niche Russian defence products. Although the long-term future of the OPK is more difficult to predict, Russia’s solid research and development foundation and successful international joint military ventures suggest that the current thriving trend in exports is likely to continue. Russia represents the next generation of affordable and rugged military equipment for the arsenals of the developing world. Coupled with Russia’s growing ability to rearm itself through higher oil prices and a more streamlined defence industry, the future of the OPK looks bright

Inter-correlations between laboratory Inter-correlations between laboratory and field-based tests of muscle contractile power

International Journal of Exercise Science 9(5): 635-645, 2016. Muscle contractile properties have previously been distinguished by fiber typing muscle samples obtained from needle biopsy; however due to conflicting evidence regarding sampling bias and the related need for multiple biopsies, it is not certain if these results are a reliable reflection of whole muscle fiber type expression. Inter-correlations between laboratory and field-based measures of muscle contractile power were used to determine which assessments best discriminate between participants of varying sprint performance, and indirectly reveal potential for power vs. endurance exercise performance. Healthy active male (n=32) and female (n=17) participants were recruited from the Central West region of New South Wales. Isometric rate of force development (RFD) and isokinetic torque were assessed at different velocities. A counter movement jump (CMJ) test was implemented to assess concentric and eccentric RFD. A modified Wingate test was used to assess peak power expressed as Watts using a stationary start to the onset of decreased cadence. A 20m sprint was used as a field-based measurement of exercise performance, recording split times at 2m, 10m and 20m, and interval times from 2-10m, 2-20m, and 10-20m. Over 85% (r2=0.851) of 10-20m sprint running performance variance was significantly accounted for by a multiple regression model consisting of peak Watts per kilogram body mass during the modified Wingate (pkWkg), sex, and peak concentric rate of force development (pkcRFDkg). Results indicate a highly significant and predictive relationship between performance measures assessed by the modified Wingate test and sprint running performance in both males and females. Laboratory power tests alone seem sensitive enough to ascertain suitability for power vs. endurance performance potential

Proposal to Implement a Peer Mentorship Program Project

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Science (CAFES) needs a peer mentor program modeled after the Orfalea College of Business’ (OCOB). Younger students who have mentors do exponentially better than students who do not. Upperclassmen gain a sense of fulfillment from helping younger, less experienced underclassmen. Rodger’s research provides insight into students’ academic success when paired with a peer mentor. Those who participated in a full year of peer mentoring had considerably higher grades than the control group. A specific group of students who benefit from programs like these are students who struggle with anxiety

Small Scale Wind Turbine

The Department of Energy (DOE) has put together a collegiate wind competition to design, build, and market a small wind turbine (17.7in diameter rotor dimension). For our mechanical engineering senior design project our team will participate in this competition. Ten schools will compete in the competition in Las Vegas this May. Our team designed a wind turbine to produce power for ultraviolet light water purification in remote areas and during emergency situations. The turbine was designed to produce 10 watts at a wind speed between 5 and 14 m/s. The turbine is also equipped with an emergency brake that will shut the turbine down in less than 10 seconds from full rotational speed if needed. The design of the turbine followed the regulations of the collegiate wind competition rules set by the DOE. An electrical engineering team built a system to convert the three phase AC power out of the generator (inside the wind turbine), to a constant 5 volts DC. Cost and marketability were major factors when designing the turbine. The final prototype is expected to cost $470 and will meet or exceed all the competition specifications with the use of rigorous testing and FEA simulations