Discovering New Variable Stars at Key Stage 3

Details of the London pilot of the `Discovery Project' are presented, where university-based astronomers were given the chance to pass on some real and applied knowledge of astronomy to a group of selected secondary school pupils. It was aimed at students in Key Stage 3 of their education, allowing them to be involved in real astronomical research at an early stage of their education, the chance to become the official discoverer of a new variable star, and to be listed in the International Variable Star Index database, all while learning and practising research-level skills. Future plans are discussed.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figur

Mathematical Arguments in Favor of Risk in Andy Weir\u27s The Martian

In Andy Weir’s novel The Martian, the characters encounter high-stakes, life-or-death situations, in which they must make choices based on their assessment of risk and likely outcomes. They have different reactions to risky situations, based on their approaches to assessing risk and their perspectives on the stakes involved. In this paper, we examine the ways that characters in The Martian intuitively assess risk and compare them to mathematical analysis of the situations in the book

Diagnosing integration: applying complex systems thinking to develop practical tools for diagnosing institutional arrangements and their resilience in integrated water governance contexts

The developing water crisis is one of several emergent environmental crises that could produce catastrophic consequences for human health and wellbeing. Some biophysical scientists have described the world water crisis in terms of the resilience of various combinations of three problematic water management syndromes catchment by catchment throughout the globe, while some social scientists have described it as a crisis of governance. In this thesis I provide new insights into the resilience of integration institutions within the context of the governance of the Condamine catchment, at the headwaters of the Murray Darling Basin in Queensland. I develop these insights by applying a complex adaptive systems framework of governance, integration institutions, resilience and power; developing contextual-historical understandings of which, how and why integration institutions are being produced in this context; and by experimenting with systemically aligned theories of power. In the process I develop practical tools for working on integration institutions whilst being located within complex water governance systems. I apply combinations of five theoretical frameworks – complex adaptive systems; innovation systems; social-ecological systems; synchronisation framework; and, Foucault’s theory of power as a system of subject making – across four investigations. I collected data through ethnographic methods of observation; interview; and, the retrieval of artefacts (i.e. documents, photos and posters etc), whilst employing either instrumental case study or participatory action research methodologies. I analyse this data using discourse analysis and network analysis, and report the studies in the form of four journal articles which are in various stages of publication from submission through to being accepted and published. In this study I demonstrate the merit of thinking systemically about water governance institutions and the source of their resilience, and demonstrate the applicability of complex systems thinking. I reveal the fluid hybrid networks of actor relations that sustain governance systems, and show that the complex and dynamic interactions that sustain fluid hybrid networks are the source of institutional resilience. The results of the study challenges the use of short term interventions and innovation brokers within projects not grounded in systemic thinking. As the study was exploratory in nature several future research opportunities within a broader thematic turn towards complexity thinking in water and environmental governance research can be identified. More experimentation with the use of these tools and theoretical frameworks is required. Finally the assertion that the use of short term interventions and innovation brokers within projects not grounded in complex systems thinking may produce counter-intuitive outcomes and therefore delay institutional change is worthy of further attention

Differentiating individuals of Armillaria species in New Zealand forests

Background: Armillaria novae-zelandiae and A. limonea occur naturally as wood decay fungi in native forests in New Zealand. As pathogens they are responsible for significant root disease in trees and shrubs in plantations, crops and urban parks and gardens. A thorough understanding of their population dynamics entails knowledge of the spatial arrangement of their individual mycelia or genets. In previous work the distributions of vegetative compatibility groups (VCGs) of these fungi were mapped in an area of native forest prior to and after replacement by a young Pinus radiata plantation. With the advent of molecular technology, it has become possible to test species identities made earlier using culture techniques and to verify whether or not their VCGs, determined by incompatibility reactions between paired cultures, represent distinct individual genets. Methods: Stock subcultures of isolates representing each VCG were recovered from storage in order to obtain DNA. Extracted DNA was subjected to a polymerase chain reaction procedure (UP-PCR) using 11 universal primers to assess genetic variation between subcultures. Bands were scored as either present or absent for each primer-subculture combination and cluster analysis was undertaken by generating dendrogram trees to reveal genetic groupings among subcultures. Results: DNA cluster analysis divided subcultures of isolates into two species groups, A. novae-zelandiae and A. limonea, corresponding to identities determined through culture morphology. Within species, subcultures grouped into clusters that matched VCGs determined by earlier culture pairing. There was little indication of genetic variation within VCGs, except for one of A. limonea, which comprised two sub-clusters. Conclusions: The Armillaria species and VCGs identified by culture techniques in the laboratory were verified by independent molecular methodology. In general, the VCGs represent discrete individual genets or colonies in the field. Techniques that differentiate isolates based on differences in their DNA sequence provide a quick alternative to timeconsuming laboratory culture methods for resolving population spatial structure. However, some complementary isolate pairing may be necessary when rationalising the significance of groupings in dendrogram trees

Healthcare Barriers of Residents at a Subsidized Housing Community

Introduction: Despite expanded healthcare programs, the low income and elderly lack coverage of vision, hearing, and dental services. Community services are often asked to fill these gaps. To evaluate the situation in Burlington, VT, we surveyed staff and residents in Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) subsidized housing to (1) identify gaps in healthcare coverage and (2) assess barriers to accessing those services in this population.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1207/thumbnail.jp

Attitudes towards clinical services among people who self-harm: systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Self-harm is increasingly common in many countries, is often repeated and may have other negative outcomes. AIMS: To systematically review people's attitudes towards clinical services following self-harm in order to inform service design and improvement. METHOD: A search of electronic databases was conducted and experts in the field were contacted in order to identify relevant worldwide qualitative or quantitative studies. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers with more weight given to studies of greater quality and relevance. RESULTS: Thirty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. Despite variations in healthcare systems and setting, participants' experiences were remarkably similar. Poor communication between patients and staff and a perceived lack of staff knowledge with regard to self-harm were common themes. Many participants suggested that psychosocial assessments and access to after-care needed to be improved. CONCLUSIONS: Specific aspects of care that might increase service user satisfaction and treatment adherence include staff knowledge, communication and better after-care arrangements. A standard protocol could aid regular audits of users' experiences of services

Columbus Scholar House: Innovative Housing for Student Parents

Almost one-quarter of the U.S. college students are also parents. Many student parents are single parents, grew up in households with limited financials resources, or are the first in their families to attend college. Stable, quality, affordable housing is a critical foundation for student parents to be successful but there are limited housing options for this student subgroup. Supporting high-quality early learning opportunities for children of student parents is also a priority based on evidence from two-generation approaches to breaking the cycle of poverty.https://fuse.franklin.edu/ss2016/1019/thumbnail.jp

The Ursinus Weekly, December 15, 1952

Chapel cutting rule discussed by MSGA • Eleven outstanding seniors chosen from Ursinus for national Who\u27s Who • Whirlwind of Christmas fun in the offing • Promotions given for Fall players • Doctors Nye and Eger spoke at Dec. 9 pre-med meeting • Rev. Franz gives singing sermon at vespers service • Ursinus student attends NAM congress last week • WAA plans show for Feb. • Day Study holds party • Jan. 7 forum to be ballad singer Earl Spicer of N.Y. • Prom weekend fun for all • Editorials: Spirit or ghosts?; Christmas fun problem; Some ideas on compulsory chapel • Spirit Committee receives letter • Lantern\u27s Fall issue praised • Candlelight communion sponsored by Chi Alpha • Letters to the editor • Christmas carols • Blanzaco speaks to Canterbury Club • Reviewer praises Messiah performance • Engagements • The night before Christmas and all through our campus • Student defends finals; They are necessary evils • Belles end exciting season • Frank Kolp chosen gridiron captain • Bears top Textile 57-54 with thrilling comeback • Grapplers prepare for season opener • Bears rout Pharmacy 83-68 as Swett tabs 36 • Honored guest to speak tonighthttps://digitalcommons.ursinus.edu/weekly/1509/thumbnail.jp