What I’ve Found at the Market (and Other Places, Too)

Postcard from Joy Nelson, during the Linfield College Semester Abroad Program in Aix-en-Provence, Franc

The Hybrid Teacher: Expanding the Vocal Pedagogy Regime

The world of professional vocal training is becoming more and more eclectic and demanding in the United States. Academic music programs, and subsequently, vocal and vocal pedagogy programs are still predominantly classical in 2022, due to the American university system’s historical roots. In the 21st century, the commercial music industry is at an all-time high. However, in contemporary academia, vocal and vocal pedagogy degree programs remain primarily classical. In recent years, voice professionals have been discussing the implications of academic programs updating their programs and pedagogy in order to include professional CCM and hybrid training. Classical, CCM and hybrid singers need assured longterm vocal health, proficiency, and artistry via pedagogically-sound vocal training. The question is, “How will more voice teachers will be trained in hybrid techniques to meet this need?” Changes to academic courses and requirements are necessary to ensure that hybrid (classical and nonclassical) vocal pedagogy is offered more broadly to all voice-teachers-in-training. Collegiate vocal pedagogy must make a greater effort to meet industry standards for singers of every musical style, moving away from predominantly classical styles to a hybrid system which acknowledges classical and nonclassical styles as equally valid and challenging. The hybrid voice teacher understands classical and nonclassical singing and can modify teaching techniques to suit the interests and abilities of their voice students. Training for the hybrid voice teacher must begin in academia. Academic training for the hybrid teacher ensures that more voice teachers are working, a broader range of future voice professionals have solid technical foundations, and industry standards for all styles of singing are acknowledged, respected, and upheld by professional voice teachers. This dissertation will look at the understanding of scientific function as being of prime importance in teaching healthy singing. In studying classical and belted vocal techniques functionally, many differences are noticeable in voice science. The first part of this paper will focus on current research and theory related to functional belting and functional classical singing techniques, and their application to various sung musical styles. By comparing functional singing during classical versus belted technique, one can denote any differences in posture, breath, registration, resonance, and acoustics. The second part of the paper offers applied exercises and explanations for in-studio application of the information offered in Part I. These exercises mirror the pedagogical areas explored in Part I (posture and breathing, registration, resonance, and acoustics), offering training techniques that acknowledge technical differences between classical and belted singing inside the hybrid studio. To close Part II, vocal cross-training implications will be explored

COMPUTER SKILLS AS CORRELATES OF USE OF ONLINE INFORMATION RESOURCES BY LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE UNDERGRADUATES OF UNIVERSITY OF BENIN, EDO STATE, NIGERIA.

ABSTRACT The study focused on computer skills as correlates of use of online information resources by Library and Information Science undergraduates of University of Benin, Edo State. The study was guided by three research questions and two null hypotheses. A correlation research design was adopted for study. A census study technique was adopted to cover the entire population of 273 Library and Information Science undergraduates of University of Benin, Edo State. A rating scale titled “Students’ Computer Skills and Use of Online Information Resources” (SCSUOIR) was used as data collection instrument. The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation to answer research question one, while Pearson (r) statistics was used to answer research questions two and three. The hypotheses were tested using t-test statistics of simple linear correlation at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that: the students use online information resources to a high extent; there is a positive relationship between students’ operational skills and their use of online information resources; and there is a positively very low extent of relationship between students’ strategic retrieval skills and their use of online information resources. It was therefore, recommended among others that since the use of online information resources is highly influenced by the LIS undergraduates’ level of computer skills (operational and strategic skills), the university library management should be organizing regular training for students on the acquisition of these skills

Rural Georgia: To Be or Not to Be Zoned

A variety of public policies in Georgia can influence a community’s economic development potential. Zoning is one of these policies. In 1983, the Georgia State Constitution gave individual counties home rule power to conduct zoning and planning activities. The Georgia Planning Act of 1989 mandated that all communities in Georgia adopt a comprehensive plan, but did not require adoption of a zoning ordinance to enforce, or implement, the plan. As of 2001, 63 counties in Georgia, all rural, have not adopted a zoning ordinance. Community leaders of non-zoned counties often find it challenging to convince their citizens of real benefits to zoning. Opponents of zoning often consider such regulation an unnecessary governmental intrusion on their property rights. Zoning advocates often cite quality-of-life advantages, such as protecting homeowners from unwanted uses next door, but such advantages vary in the eye of the beholder and sometimes do not provide enough incentive to sway the opposition. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate whether there are economic development benefits related to zoning. Given that an unlimited number of factors affect a community’s economic development potential, it is not possible to state with certainty that just one factor is responsible for a community’s economic development progress. In other words, one factor, such as a specific public policy, cannot be the sole explanation for a community’s development. However, economic development patterns may be observed when comparing communities with one of these factors to communities without. This investigation sought to compare counties with a zoning policy to counties without one.Georgia Rural Economic Development Center (GREDC) at East Georgia Colleg

Investing in sustainable intensification for smallholders: quantifying large-scale costs and benefits in Uganda

In Uganda, upgrading smallholder agriculture is a necessary step to achieve the interlinked sustainable development goals of hunger eradication, poverty reduction and land degradation neutrality. However, targeting the right restoration practices and estimate their cost-benefit at the national scale is difficult given the highly contextual nature of restoration practices and the diversity of small-scale interventions to be adopted. By analysing the context-specific outcomes of 82 successful case studies on different Sustainable Land and Water Management (SLWM) in Uganda, we estimated that out-scaling of existing successful practices to 75% of agricultural land would require a one-time investment of US$4.4 billion from smallholders. Our results show that, besides the many social and environmental benefit commonly associated to SLWM, a wide outscale of SLWM could generate US$ 4.7 billion every year, once the practices are fully operational. Our context-specific estimates highlight the profitability of investing in smallholder farming to achieve the SDGs in Uganda, with geographical differences coming from specific social-ecological conditions. This study can guide sustainable intensification development by targeting the most suitable SLWM practices and plan for adequate financial support from government, investors and international development aids to smallholder farming

Resistance loci affecting distinct stages of fungal pathogenesis: use of introgression lines for QTL mapping and characterization in the maize - Setosphaeria turcica pathosystem

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Studies on host-pathogen interactions in a range of pathosystems have revealed an array of mechanisms by which plants reduce the efficiency of pathogenesis. While R-gene mediated resistance confers highly effective defense responses against pathogen invasion, quantitative resistance is associated with intermediate levels of resistance that reduces disease progress. To test the hypothesis that specific loci affect distinct stages of fungal pathogenesis, a set of maize introgression lines was used for mapping and characterization of quantitative trait loci (QTL) conditioning resistance to <it>Setosphaeria turcica</it>, the causal agent of northern leaf blight (NLB). To better understand the nature of quantitative resistance, the identified QTL were further tested for three secondary hypotheses: (1) that disease QTL differ by host developmental stage; (2) that their performance changes across environments; and (3) that they condition broad-spectrum resistance.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among a set of 82 introgression lines, seven lines were confirmed as more resistant or susceptible than B73. Two NLB QTL were validated in BC₄F₂segregating populations and advanced introgression lines. These loci, designated <it>qNLB1.02 </it>and <it>qNLB1.06</it>, were investigated in detail by comparing the introgression lines with B73 for a series of macroscopic and microscopic disease components targeting different stages of NLB development. Repeated greenhouse and field trials revealed that <it>qNLB1.06_Tx303</it>(the Tx303 allele at bin 1.06) reduces the efficiency of fungal penetration, while <it>qNLB1.02_B73</it>(the B73 allele at bin 1.02) enhances the accumulation of callose and phenolics surrounding infection sites, reduces hyphal growth into the vascular bundle and impairs the subsequent necrotrophic colonization in the leaves. The QTL were equally effective in both juvenile and adult plants; <it>qNLB1.06_Tx303</it>showed greater effectiveness in the field than in the greenhouse. In addition to NLB resistance, <it>qNLB1.02_B73</it>was associated with resistance to Stewart's wilt and common rust, while <it>qNLB1.06_Tx303</it>conferred resistance to Stewart's wilt. The non-specific resistance may be attributed to pleiotropy or linkage.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our research has led to successful identification of two reliably-expressed QTL that can potentially be utilized to protect maize from <it>S. turcica </it>in different environments. This approach to identifying and dissecting quantitative resistance in plants will facilitate the application of quantitative resistance in crop protection.</p

Observations and modelling of a large optical flare on AT Microscopii

Spectroscopic observations covering the wavelength range 3600--4600\AA are presented for a large flare on the late type M dwarf AT Mic (dM4.5e). A procedure to estimate the physical parameters of the flaring plasma has been used which assumes a simplified slab model of the flare based on a comparison of observed and computed Balmer decrements. With this procedure we have determined the electron density, electron temperature, optical thickness and temperature of the underlying source for the impulsive and gradual phases of the flare. The magnitude and duration of the flare allows us to trace the physical parameters of the response of the lower atmosphere. In order to check our derived values we have compared them with other methods. In addition, we have also applied our procedure to a stellar and a solar flare for which parameters have been obtained using other techniques.Comment: 11 pages, 8 tables, accepted by A&

Dietary assessment methods used for low-income populations in food consumption surveys: a literature review

In order to assess nutritional adequacy, reliable estimates of nutrient intake are required. Specifically, the EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (EURRECA) Network of Excellence needs clear guidelines oil methods suitable for assessing micronutrient intakes among vulnerable population groups. The objective of this project was to collect, evaluate data and review the suitability of methods used to assess dietary intake of low-income groups across Europe. A comprehensive literature review methodology was employed, which involved structured search MEDLINE, from 1990 to 2008, oil (nutrient intake methods) and (validity terms) and (human Studies) and finally (low-income terms). In addition, manual searches were conducted for published books and national studies. Seven Studies satisfied the selection criteria for inclusion in the review in which four dietary intake methods had been described and validated. Three other studies found in (lie grey literature used similar methods. Only one Study tested a variety of methods to assess reliability and the method preferred by those having low incomes. Preferred methods were 24 h recalls and a FFQ which, compared with the weighed inventory, also yielded higher estimates of energy and nutrient intakes. Many of the methods used in low-income populations have not been subjected to evaluation and consequently may not demonstrate sensitivity and/or Specificity When used in this population. Based oil One Study only, four multiple-pass 24 h recalls are recommended as the most appropriate method for the evaluation of nutritional adequacy in low-income households

Defining appropriateness in coach-athlete sexual relationships: The voice of coaches

The sporting culture, with omnipotent coaches, fierce competition for recognition and funding, and ‘win at all cost’ ethos, creates an environment conducive to sexual exploitation of athletes. Recent increased public awareness and the development of child protection policies in sport have led to the questioning of previously accepted coach-athlete relationships. This study is an exploratory investigation into male swimming coaches’ perceptions of appropriateness of coach-athlete sexual relationships. Sexual relationships with athletes under the age of 16 were unanimously considered totally inappropriate. With regard to sexual relationships with athletes above the age of consent for heterosexual sex, opinions ranged from “totally inappropriate” to “it’s a question of civil liberties.” These results are discussed in relation to how coaches have adapted their own behaviours in the face of public scrutiny but are still reluctant to restrict the rights of their fellow coaches

Complete Genome Sequence of a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus (H5N2) Associated with an Outbreak in Commercial Chickens, Iowa, USA, 2015

A novel reassortant influenza A virus (H5N2) was first detected in British Columbia, Canada, in December 2014. The virus rapidly spread along the waterfowl migration flyways in the United States, causing multiple HPAI outbreaks in poultry. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of HPAIV-H5N2 from a commercial chicken flock in Iowa