Anyone Can Architect

Because people often assume that one has to know architecture in order to study it, this interactive text makes it more approachable. Anyone Can Architect is an interactive sketch book introducing the basics of architecture to anyone from middle- and high-school students who are starting to explore different fields of study to those already studying and practicing architecture who might want to have fun with some of the basic principles. Not only does this text provide useful definitions of terms alongside some well-known examples, but it takes readers a step further by asking them to complete some specific tasks that reinforce those concepts. The book encourages creativity from readers by also incorporating more open-ended suggestions for some of the activities. A reader new to architecture will complete this 80-page book with a better understanding of the foundations of the field, interested and inspired to explore the discipline even further

A survey of the coverage, use and application of ancient woodland indicator lists in the UK

This report presents the results of a survey into the current use of ancient woodland indicator species lists in the UK. The idea of using species particularly vascular plants as indicators of ancient woodlands can be dated back to the 1970s and the work of Peterken. Since then a wide number of lists of Ancient Woodland Indicators (AWIs)have been produced, some based on expert opinions, some utilising field surveys, others adapted from existing lists. Recently developed lists, e.g. the lists for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been based on either robust reviews of existing lists, and/or expert opinion and/or field surveys and statistical analysis. Concerns however have been expressed regarding the use of lists and these concerns appear to be supported by the uncritical use of indicator species in recent planning inquiries, e.g. not recognising that indicators are indicators and considering them to be the key value of a woodland. A survey was undertaken of relevant individuals working in biological record centres, local authorities and key agencies across the UK. The survey sought to identify what lists of Ancient Woodland Indicators are currently in use, where possible to determine the methods used in developing these lists. The survey also sought to assess the awareness of ancient woodland indicator lists and review the ways in which these were used. A total of 419 questionnaires were sent out; a response rate of 11% was obtained. Follow up phone conversations were held with key individuals involved in developing ancient woodland indicator lists. Responses were received from all counties excluding: Buckinghamshire, Cheshire, Essex, Huntingdonshire, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Staffordshire, Wiltshire and Worcestershire. In addition, the Lancashire respondent stated there was no AWI list for Lancashire. The key findings of the survey were: • There is a wide variety of lists of Ancient Woodland Indicators lists available covering most of the UK. • Most individuals using indicator lists are unaware of the methods used to produce the lists and therefore of their robustness. Some key stakeholders are unaware of the existence of indicator lists in their area. • Attitudes to ancient woodland indicator lists are variable, as is their use. • Few lists use species thresholds or weightings in determining whether a site is ancient, several lists are currently under review. • There are over 200 species listed on the various Ancient Woodland Indicators lists, few species are common to more than a quarter of the lists

Field surveys for ancient woodlands: Issues and Approaches

Field surveys of ancient woodlands and potential ancient woodlands can be undertaken for a variety of purposes, including: to help identify an Ancient Woodland, investigation into existing designated ancient woodlands, gathering information for site management and conservation decision making, assessing potential impacts of development, and making decisions on restoration etc. There is a variety of features in a woodland which can indicate whether it is an ancient woodland and can inform on the history and current ecological/historical value of the site. Many surveys of potential ancient woodlands have tended to focus on ancient woodland indicator species (AWIs), particularly Ancient Woodland Vascular Plants (AWVPs). Surveys which just focus on such indicators miss a lot of historical, archaeological and species information which can help confirm woodland continuity (i.e. that it is an ancient woodland) and/or identify features of historical and conservation value. There is a wide range of field survey techniques which can be used in ancient woodlands and a need to bring together the archaeological and ecological surveys in a single guide, hence this document. There are three broad types of feature to look for in an ancient woodland: • Ancient woodland vascular plant indicators; • Tree shape and form; and • Surface and buried archaeology. This report sets out survey methods for these features and advises on what to look for. Many important ecological and archaeological features can only be easily found at specific times of the year and surveying these features requires specific technical expertise and experience. Where surveys are undertaken outside the optimal period of time and/or are undertaken by individuals without the appropriate training and surveying expertise, the results should be treated with caution. Ideally several types of surveys of a woodland should be undertaken at different times of year to maximise the evidence collected and the robustness of this evidence. Where this is not possible, limitations in the surveys need to be stated and recognised in any analysis. In most cases field surveys should be combined with archive surveys (of site history, previous surveys etc.); this is particularly important when identifying ancient woodlands

The identification of ancient woodland: demonstrating antiquity and continuity - issues and approaches

This report presents an overview of the various types of evidence which can be used to determine whether a woodland site is likely to be designated as ‘ancient’ and discusses how these can be used as part of the decision making process. It has been commissioned by the Woodland Trust as part of their work promoting the value of ancient woodlands and getting the importance of such sites recognised through the planning process. An ancient woodland is defined as a woodland which has been continuously wooded from before 1600 AD. The evidence used to determine whether a site is ancient woodland is therefore: • evidence which indicates the continuity of woodland cover at a site from before 1600. • evidence which indicates that woodland was established post-1600 on a site. • evidence of a gap in woodland cover and the presence of other land uses, e.g. farmland, at that site since 1600. The robustness of the evidence sources varies, modern sources are often more robust and easier to verify but only demonstrate woodland cover in recent times. Care needs to be taken with all sources in their interpretation and use. Guidance has been provided regarding some of the potential limitations of the various types of evidence and recommendations have been made. General recommendations when seeking to identify/confirm an ancient woodland: • Ideally multiple sources of evidence should be obtained. • The reliability of the evidence used should be considered in the analysis. • A wide range of evidence sources should be consulted. • It needs to be recognised that absence of reference to a woodland on a map or in a document is not necessarily evidence of the absence of a woodland at that site. • In looking for evidence to determine whether a site is an ancient woodland it is as important to look for evidence that there was another land use at this site (i.e. evidence of a gap in woodland cover as shown by farmland on a map) as it is to look for evidence that there has been a continuity of woodland cover. • Field based evidence should normally be used to support map and archive evidence. However, ancient woodland plants can aid in ascribing antiquity where archive evidence alone is insufficient. • The evidence used to support the designation of a woodland as ancient or not needs to be clearly stated. As indicated previously, evaluation of the historical and other evidence for a site being an ancient woodland or not is a matter of judgement. Much of the evidence used is historic and not scientific, yet a rigorous scientific approach needs to be taken in determining the status of a possible ancient woodland site. It is recommended that in the near future further investigations into developing a more rigorous method for identifying and verifying the status of a site as an ancient woodland should be investigated. It is also recommended that the statutory agencies consider the development of detailed advice to consultants, planners and other workers involved in decisions relation to identify or potential ancient woodlands. It is hoped that this document may aid in this development

Community As Brand: An Exploratory Investigation

This research investigates how community affects consumer marketing and brand equity management. Community is a ubiquitous concept with many definitions in social sciences, ranging from urban neighborhoods and small towns to brand communities. Firms utilize the power of brands to support premium prices, sustain product value in difficult circumstances, and persuade consumers to purchase a brand repeatedly and loyally. Brand scholarship has also ranged widely, from tangible product or service characteristics to the intangible influence of its symbols and meanings on consumers. This study describes how the complicated sets of meanings embedded in the terms community and brand lead to a phenomenon called naturally occurring brands (NOBs). The paper combines the anthropology, sociology and marketing perspectives to describe the NOB phenomenon and explores its validity using survey research

Significance of variations among ancient deltaic deposits in the Arkoma Basin, North-Central Arkansas

The Arkoma Basin is one of several foreland basins formed in association with the Ouachita orogeny. The Arkoma Basin has been studied in depth with regard to stratigraphy, depositional environments, structure and its relationship to the Appalachian-Ouachita orogenic event. This study focuses on the variability of the deltaic deposits within the Arkoma Basin and the significance of the variables to both the delta complex and the overall tectonic setting. The specific characteristics to be investigated include variations in paleocurrent directions, bed thicknesses, bed geometries, organic contents, sand/shale ratios, mineral assemblages and fossil assemblages. In the case of the Arkoma deltaic deposits, bed thickness is a function of the duration and rate of the depositional event, assuming no scour has occurred. Bed geometry is controlled by the location of the deposit within the delta complex. The organic content, and thus trace fossil abundance, is controlled by the course of the river, as well as wave and tidal influences on the delta. The mineral assemblages are determined by the composition of the parent rock as well as the effects of weathering as the sediments are transported. Paleoflow in a deltaic system is controlled by the course of the river as well as specific branching of distributary channels. Traditional QFL data have been unable to resolve the conflict over source area. Two source areas have been proposed for this system: 1) a northern cratonic source and 2) an eastern Appalachian source. Detrital tourmaline chemistry provides an alternative method for determining provenance in this system. Tourmaline analysis suggests an eastern Appalachian source is more probable

OT-PEP: Development of a Professional Education Paradigm for Occupational Therapy

This study aims to determine the fundamental tenets that define the occupational therapy education process, and to develop a professional education paradigm that corresponds to those principles. Interpretive phenomenology with Heideggerian hermeneutic philosophy was used to explicate the paradigmatic themes embedded in the occupational therapy body of knowledge. The results yielded the Occupational Therapy Professional Education Paradigm (OT-PEP), which is organized around three core concepts: Adaptive thinking, reflection, and creation of meaning. The OT-PEP is important to occupational therapy because it addresses the elements of the education process that are reflective of the philosophical underpinnings of the profession and brings together these understandings as a unified whole. Interpretive phenomenology asserts that analysis of data is influenced by the phenomenologist’s repertoire of experience. Therefore, the OT-PEP presented in the article can be considered a single offering from the author that has the potential to morph with additional analyses. The author is hopeful that occupational therapy education programs will discuss and debate the OT-PEP constructs and determine which elements are most valuable. In addition, novice educators could use the OT-PEP as a faculty development tool to assist with transitioning from clinical practice to academia

Challenges Faced by Early Childhood Teachers (K-2) as Schools Emerge from the COVID-19 Pandemic

Researchers have studied stress and burnout in the field of education for decades. The problem addressed in this study was that early childhood (EC) teachers of kindergarten through second grade in a large, northeastern, suburban public school district have returned to in-person instruction with many challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore the personal and professional challenges experienced by EC teachers and investigate the support they need to remain in the classroom. Jennings and Greenberg’s prosocial classroom model was the conceptual framework of the study. Two research questions explored the challenges faced by EC teachers and the support they need to remain in classrooms. Purposeful sampling was used to recruit 12 EC teachers with at least 3 years of experience in the research district to participate in semistructured interviews. Participants’ responses were analyzed with in vivo and axial coding to search for emerging themes. Key results illustrated participants’ struggle to meet the changing needs of students and their families, challenges responding to administrative demands, increased stress levels affecting their overall wellness and satisfaction with teaching, and their need for administrative support and professional development that supports and maintains teachers’ personal and professional health. The findings may contribute to positive social change by indicating specific training topics and support EC teachers need to maintain their well-being, encourage healthy teacher-student relationships, and promote positive outcomes for students

Evaluation of an enhanced magneto-chemical process for the removal of pathogens in wastewater

New wastewater treatment technologies are a necessity as a result of increasingly stringent discharge standards, particularly concerning viruses. The traditional approach to wastewater treatment consists of biological treatment, such as trickling filters, biofilms, and activated sludge. Although these biological processes have been an adequate means of wastewater treatment, they are intrinsically limited by their biological nature. A magneto-chemical process, known as CoMag(TM), has been developed to improve coagulation and solids separation and expand upon conventional wastewater treatment techniques. The research objective of this project was to develop and evaluate a bench-scale model of the CoMag(TM) process for the removal of MS2, poliovirus type 1, rotavirus strain Wa, and adenovirus type 2 from secondary effluent wastewater, at 24°C and 4°C. Additionally, the removal of MS2 was assessed using a 100 gpm CoMag(TM) pilot plant. The results indicate that there was a statistically significant difference (when alpha=0.050) in the removal of MS2, when magnetite is added, versus when magnetite is not added. In addition, results suggest that MS2 was removed more effectively using the bench-scale model then the 100 gpm pilot plant. Employing the bench scale model, the mean Log Reduction Value for MS2, poliovirus type 1, rotavirus strain Wa and adenovirus type 2 was 2.9182, 3.3893, 3.5313, and 3.482 respectively. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference in the removal of MS2, rotavirus strain Wa, and adenovirus type 2 at 24° and 4°C. There was, however, a statistically significant difference in the removal or poliovirus type 1 at 24° and 4°C. This research demonstrates that the CoMag(TM) process has the ability to achieve \u3e 2 log removal of MS2 and \u3e3 log removal of poliovirus type 1, rotavirus strain Wa and adenovirus type 2. Therefore, the CoMag(TM) process has the potential to aid wastewater and water treatment facilities meet their more stringent water quality permits

The Role of Molecular Chaperones in Yeast Cell Wall Integrity and Identification of Chaperone Modulators that Interfere with Simian Virus 40 Replication

Hsp70 molecular chaperones play critical roles in the pathogenesis of many human diseases, including cancer and viral replication. Hsp70s bind polypeptides and couple ATP hydrolysis to alter substrate conformation and function. However, ATP hydrolysis by Hsp70 is weak, but can be stimulated by J domain-protein chaperones. To identify new targets of chaperone action, I performed a multi-copy suppressor screen for genes that improved the slow growth defect of yeast lacking YDJ1 but expressing a defective YDJ1 chimera. Among the genes identified were MID2, which regulates cell wall integrity, and PKC1, which encodes protein kinase C, which is also linked to cell wall biogenesis. Consistent with these data, I found that ydj1Δ yeast and yeast with temperature sensitive mutations in Hsp90 exhibit phenotypes consistent with cell wall defects but these phenotypes were improved by Mid2p or Pkc1p over-expression. Mid2p over-expression thickened the ydj1&Delta cell wall, which is likely the basis for suppression of the ydj1&Delta growth defect. These data provide the first link between cytoplasmic chaperones and cell wall integrity, and suggest that chaperones orchestrate the biogenesis of this structure.Another J domain-protein is the Large Tumor Antigen (TAg) in the polyomavirus Simian Virus 40 (SV40). TAg is required for viral replication and cellular transformation, and binds Hsp70. Because of their roles in cancer and SV40 function, small molecule modulators that inhibit Hsp70 or J-protein activity might represent novel anti-cancer and/or anti-viral agents. To identify such agents, I screened a bank of small molecules and identified a compound, MAL3-101, that had no effect on endogenous Hsp70 ATPase activity, but inhibited TAg stimulation of Hsp70 ATPase activity and reduced breast cancer cell proliferation. Forty-two derivatives of MAL3-101 were then synthesized and twelve compounds inhibited breast cancer cell proliferation at lower concentrations than MAL3-101. Reduction of cell proliferation correlated with reduced TAg stimulation of Hsp70 in vitro. Intriguingly, one compound, MAL2-11B, also inhibited the ATPase activity of TAg. This compound inhibited viral replication almost five-fold and SV40 DNA replication in vitro. These data show that J-protein inhibitors may be viable treatments for breast cancer and polyomavirus infection