Never Secret Enough

The Multiple Genre Argument Research in progress for ENGL 1301: Composition I Faculty Mentor: W. Scott Cheney, Ph.D. The following paper represents exceptional research completed by a student in English 1301, the first course in the two-semester composition sequence at Collin College. Students in ENGL 1301 are introduced to the concept of academic research by learning to ask research-focused questions and then use library databases to find sources that provide answers. Because traditional research writing tends to emphasize sources over context, the following assignment works to disrupt the automatic methods that students have learned and asks them to think creatively about how research exists in the world. In what follows, the student has written a research-based essay called the Multiple Genre Argument (MGA). In the MGA, the author uses research to creatively envision a possible group of documents that might surround an issue or conflict. In other words, the student imaginatively writes a collection of genres that constitutes the paper trail surrounding their specific issue. During this process, the author becomes familiar with various stakeholders’ responses to the problem, and this imaginative engagement leads the writer to choose the most convincing side of the argument. Though an MGA includes some traditional academic forms, the point of the project is to invent a tangible setting with genres that communicate a nuanced perspective of the controversy. In Multiple Genres, Multiple Voices, Cheryl Johnson and Jayne Moneysmith explain: In a [Multiple Genre Argument], writers create an argument that explores alternative perspectives by using multiple genres written from different points of view. Genres might include a letter, a dialogue, a report, or even a poem—in addition to the traditional essay. Students bolster their argument with research that is reflected within these genres, creating an “organic” whole, though the “whole” may not be linear. By combining an array of voices, with the rigor of scholarship, the [MGA] offers a fresh and powerful approach to research and argument. (2) Their idea of “combining an array of voices, with the rigor of scholarship” sums up the purpose of the MGA. To say it another way, the assignment pushes students to conceptualize and create various positions through research, moving them closer to the issues and helping them identify the most convincing arguments. In this paper, for example, the student skillfully presents different arguments by inventing journalists, FBI agents, researchers, and ordinary citizens. Works Cited Johnson, Cheryl and Jayne Moneysmith. Multiple Genres, Multiple Voices. Boynton/Cook, 2005

The Utility of Fine-Scale Remote Sensing Data for Modeling Habitat Characteristics and Breeding Bird Species Distributions in an Appalachian Mature Deciduous Forest.

In this study, I tested the potential for remote sensing data with a high spatial resolution to model breeding forest bird species and their habitat at a fine spatial scale. The research took place on ridgetops in a large, relatively contiguous Appalachian mature deciduous forest in northwestern WV, USA. The remote sensing data sources were a leaf-on QuickBird satellite image (0.6-m panchromatic and 2.4-m multispectral) and a 3-m digital elevation model (DEM). For the first part of the study, I extracted spectral and textural measures from the satellite image and terrain information from the DEM. I then used these data to analyze avian community survey and habitat data collected at circular plots (n = 68) distributed across the ridgetops. The primary results of this analysis indicated that the satellite image provided information about trends in forest composition and structure across the study site, and further that a relatively simple plot-level measure of image texture (the panchromatic pixel standard deviation calculated at plot radii of 50 and 100 m) was a useful proxy of environmental heterogeneity for predicting the distributions of certain forest canopy gap-dependent bird species. For the second part of the study, I analyzed the habitat and remote sensing data at a finer spatial scale to develop remote sensing-based indices of forest structure and composition. These indices provided further insight into local variation in forest characteristics (e.g., in relation to topographic aspect) on the ridgetops. I also tested these indices, the DEM, and anthropogenic forest edge for modeling the breeding territory distributions of three focal species (Cerulean Warbler, Setophaga cerulea; Hooded Warbler, S. citrina; and Ovenbird, Seiurus aurocapilla) mapped over ~11 km of ridgetop transects. These models indicated the importance of local influences of terrain (e.g., east-facing aspects for Cerulean and Hooded Warbler, west-facing aspects for Ovenbird, and knolls for Cerulean Warbler), and forest edges (positive for Cerulean Warbler and negative for Ovenbird) on their distributions. Among the remotely-sensed indices, the index of forest structural complexity was primarily useful as a strong predictor of the distribution of the canopy gap-dependent Hooded Warbler. For the third and final part of the study, I used the locations of singing males of the three focal species collected across a greater extent of the site (~28 km of ridgetop transects) in point pattern analyses that incorporated the remote sensing data and the potential for intraspecific interactions (attraction and repulsion) between neighboring individuals. The results of these analyses supported that intraspecific interactions in addition to environmental influences as indicated by the remote sensing data explained the species’ fine-scale distribution patterns. While the individuals of all three species exhibited regular spacing over short distances that was consistent with competition for territorial space, Cerulean Warbler individuals exhibited more clustering than could be statistically accounted for by the remote sensing data, suggesting the importance of conspecific attraction in its distribution. In summary, my findings supported the potential application of fine-scale remote sensing data for purposes such as complementing coarse-scale environmental data (e.g., land cover maps) in predicting forest breeding bird species distributions, and for comparative analyses of the local spatial distributions of these species. The capacity for remote sensing data to provide useful environmental information at a fine spatial scale is likely to improve as the technology continues to develop

Perestroika from Below: Civil Society and Informal Associations in the Soviet Union

During the 1980\u27s the Soviet Union underwent a decade of dramatic change. The study of these changes initiated by the Gorbachev government has focused primarily on the reforms initiated by the state- perestroika from above. However, by the mid 1980\u27s it was apparent that the state was not so much reforming society as society was drastically altering the state. Some analysts at this time began to shift to examining reforms at the grassroots level- perestroika from below. This thesis is an examination of these perestroika from below reforms. The thesis seeks to asses the usefulness of the civil society model in describing and explaining the dramatic nature of this change. Informal associations, a key element of a functional civil society, are examined to analyze the extent of their importance to the Gorbachev era reforms. The analysis of the usefulness of both the civil society model and its informal associations is historically grounded. The thesis analyzes the historic growth and evolution of the civil society idea from late Imperial Russia to the late Soviet period in 1989. The analysis of the Gorbachev era focuses on the changing Soviet society and its contribution to the reform process. The thesis concludes that the civil society model, while having some deficiencies, overall helps to explain the dramatic nature of change occurring in the Soviet Union in the 1980\u27s. The analysis also supports the critical importance of informal associations in fostering and assisting democratization efforts. However, the work notes that there are significant obstacles in the path of further development of civil societ

Viking Age gold and silver from Irish crannogs and other watery places

It has been observed that Viking Age gold finds in Scandinavia and Britain are frequently associated with watery environments and may represent ritual or votive depositions. There is also evidence, literary and archaeological, for the ritual deposition of some silver hoards in the Viking world. This paper considers the evidence of those Viking Age gold and silver hoards and single finds from Ireland that derive from watery locations, including crannogs and their environs. It is noted that all recorded gold hoards, with one exception, have an apparent association with water or watery places and thus conform to the patterns noted elsewhere. Most of the crannog finds, which are invariably of silver, are from the midland region, and it is noted that a high proportion of them contain ingots and hack-silver and are thus most probably economic rather than ritual in function. It is suggested that these types of hoards evidence a close economic relationship between the Hiberno-Scandinavians of Dublin and the Southern Uí Néill rulers of this area. Some of the remaining silver hoards—from bogs, rivers, lakes, small islands and shorelines—which vary in terms of their contents, with both complete ornaments and hack-silver being represented, may have been ritually deposited, but this is difficult to establish with any degree of certainty. A general discussion of ritual hoarding is presented, and it is concluded that this practice may have been more commonplace than has generally been accepted to date and that some, at least, of the ‘watery’ finds from Ireland were indeed deposited in a ritual context

Compliance and Appropriateness of Driver Vision Regulations in Ireland

Driving is a highly complex task which relies heavily on vision for successful execution. There are currently 2,820,528 holders of driving licences in Ireland. Holders of a driving license must meet the standards for vision as set out by the Road Safety Authority Slainte agus Tiomáint document. Visual acuity and Visual Field measurements are specified as the minimum standard. If there is reason to believe that these measurements are inadequate, it is required that the subject undergo a more detailed examination. Currently, drivers must undergo a vision screening when applying for their first license, and additional vision screening is not required until they reach 70 years of age. During this interval, licenses have 10 yearly renewal intervals. It is well known that a person’s vision changes with age. These changes may be normal and age-related, or pathological and disease related. Either Way, these changes can have a significant detrimental effect on both unaided vision and corrected acuity, and therefore their ability to meet the driving standards (either with or without refractive aides). It is our aim to assess the vision of a sample population of drivers with respect to the current vision standards for driving, and to critically evaluate the appropriateness of the standards currently in place

Hormonal modulation of reproduction in Polistes fuscatus social wasps: dual functions in both ovary development and sexual receptivity

Hormones are often major regulators of complex behaviors, such as mating and reproduction. In insects, juvenile hormone (JH) is integral to many components of reproductive physiology and behavior, but its role in female sexual receptivity is not well understood. To investigate the influence of JH on receptivity, we utilized the social wasp Polistes fuscatus. In Polistes, mating behavior is temporally separated from other components of reproduction, which allows for examination of the physiology and behavior of mating, disentangled from fertilization and egg-laying. We reared virgin gynes (reproductive females) in the lab and divided them into four groups, in which gynes received multiple topical treatments of either 20μg, 10μg, 5μg, or 0μg of the JH analog methoprene. Gynes were then placed in petri dishes with 2 unrelated males and we recorded attempted and successful mating. Additionally, we measured gyne ovarian development and survival in each group. We found that methoprene increased both sexual receptivity and ovarian development, but was associated with a decrease in long-term survival. Receptivity increased linearly as methoprene treatment increased, but the effect of methoprene on ovarian development was independent of dose. These results demonstrate the importance of JH in sexual receptivity and mating behavior. We argue that the relatively understudied Polistes gyne has potential as a model for mating and reproduction, and for the internal and external regulation of this complex behavior

Identifying individuals with intellectual disability who access mental health support and are at high risk for adverse clinical outcomes: cohort study

BACKGROUND: People with intellectual disability often experience aggressive challenging behaviour and mental health issues. It can be difficult to identify those who are at higher risk of adverse clinical outcomes when in clinical care. AIMS: To characterise potential subgroups in adults with intellectual disability referred to mental health services in those presenting with aggressive behaviour or common mental disorders (CMDs). METHOD: There were 836 adults (≥18 years) with intellectual disability and a record of aggressive challenging behaviour, and 205 patients with intellectual disability and CMDs, who were seen in specialist mental health services over a 5-year period. Cluster analysis was used to define patient characteristics associated with clinical outcome. RESULTS: Distinct patient groups with differentiated profiles were observed in people with intellectual disability displaying aggressive challenging behaviour, and in those presenting with CMDs. Characteristics of the aggressive behaviour group who experienced adverse outcomes included being <30 years old, being male, more mentions of aggression and agitation in their clinical record, a diagnosis of pervasive developmental disorder and prescription of psychotropic medication. Characteristics of the CMD cluster that experienced adverse clinical outcomes were being older, being a White male, having a mild intellectual disability and physical health concerns. CONCLUSIONS: People with intellectual disability who experience adverse clinical outcomes can be identified with a cluster analysis approach of common features, but differ by clinical presentation. This could be used not only to stratify this clinically heterogeneous population in terms of response to interventions, but also improve precision in the development of tailored interventions

Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Comorbidity, Comparative Biology and Treatment

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a severe and chronic anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable worrying and somatic anxiety (tension, insomnia and hypervigilance). It is a common condition, with lifetime prevalence rates for DSM-IV GAD in the general population of approx. 5–6% being reported. In addition, like other anxiety disorders, GAD also shows comorbidity with depression and most of the other anxiety disorders. This article reviews data on the prevalence of GAD, its comorbidity with depression, and its social and economic impact. Proposed neurobiological mechanisms for GAD are discussed, since an understanding of these may help in the development of future therapies. Finally, current pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment options for GAD are reviewed, with particular attention being paid to published clinical-trial data