Shadows In Spandex: A Look Into Anti-Black Racism And The Positionality Of Sidekicks Within The Marvel Cinematic Universe And Comics

The Marvel Cinematic Universe and its collection of films have represented a large number of superheroes and sidekicks. Taking a closer look into the character dynamics reveals that the majority of the Black characters have been forced into the restrictive ‘sidekick’ trope that stunts all development and keeps them positioned below their white hero counterparts. Sidekick characters James Rhodes, Sam Wilson and Maria Rambeau all work in the same function as side players who ensure their starring role heroes can save the day, even if it costs them their bodies, ideals and backstories. This repeated violence helps perpetuate the anti-black structure of repression that promotes whiteness and does not acknowledge the role that the Black heroes have played. Marvel Comics, alternatively, has had a little more progress in promoting Black characters into titular roles but still struggles with repression due to the characters being unable to move outside of the shadow of the white heroes. Using the characters to show how whiteness is positioned above Black in terms of relevance allows the racist hierarchy of power to be continued on. Looking at how each of the Black characters function in relation to their corresponding hero and on their own also works to uncover trauma. Rambeau, Wilson and Rhodes are regulated to Military/Armed Forces members who have lost someone important to them and can save the day without getting any of the credit. Forcing them into two-dimensional shadow versions of their heroes – Captain Marvel, Captain America and Iron Man respectively – shows how diversity within the Marvel Cinematic Universe and comics is further back than films like the Black led Black Panther would lead one to believe. In order to allow Black sidekicks to become heroes in his or her own rights the white hero would have to be reconsidered as screen time and development would have to be shared

The Effect of Swimming Exercise on Amount and Quality of Sleep for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may alter not only cognitive but also physical aspects of individuals. One physical element that is commonly impacted by ASD is sleep pattern. In fact, there is a large margin of sleep disturbances in the ASD population compared to typically functioning individuals. PURPOSE: To examine the effect of various levels of physical activity intensity in an aquatic setting and the impact on sleep quality. The question in focus is simply, “What is the effect of swimming exercise on quality and amount of sleep for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder?” METHODS: Guardians of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder between the ages of 4-13 years and taking swim lessons at the Kohl Family YMCA were considered for the study. The children participated in two aquatic exercise sessions each week with each session lasting 30 minutes. These days were also recorded for sleep patterns by parents/guardians into a sleep log and evaluated in the survey. RESULTS: Average sleep per night ranged between 8.57 and 9.93 hours (N=6). Only one participant had a recorded sleep disturbance on one night during the study period. The result of the t-test is a p value of 0.14 so there is statistically no difference between the aquatic exercise and non-aquatic exercise nights. However, there is an overall trend for more sleep on non-swim days for 5 of the 6 children. DISCUSSION: The insignificant data could be due to the amount of external physical activity performed. The guardians’ survey responses reveal perceived improved sleep in their children on nights of aquatic exercise, although this is not made significantly clear in the results obtained from the sleep log. If the observational period is longer there may be a greater likelihood of more sleep disturbances occurring thus helping to draw stronger conclusions

"The Art of the Achievable": An Examination of Heritage Assessment Practice at the Department of Conservation

This dissertation examines heritage assessment at the New Zealand Department of Conservation. It explores the heritage assessment process through two central research questions: ‘What is the state of current heritage assessment at the Department of Conservation?’ and ‘What place and form could heritage assessments have and take in future practice at the Department of Conservation?’ Responding to a gap in the literature and lack of critical analysis of the heritage assessment procedure in the New Zealand context, the research considers the ways in which heritage assessment is carried out and examines heritage assessment as a tool through which heritage is understood and assigned value and significance. The timeliness of this work is highlighted by the currently few existing evaluations providing a critical analysis of the heritage assessment procedure in New Zealand. This research employs an interdisciplinary theoretical framework developed from the literature of heritage studies and its related fields, in particular history and archaeology. This study is framed with reference to the postmodern theoretical paradigm of ‘authorised heritage discourse’ and critical realism, and employs a mixed method approach to the research, and employs documentary analysis and interviews with current staff working with historic heritage at the Department of Conservation. The main finding emerging from this research is that heritage assessment is an essential, if not pivotal, but under-utilised element of heritage management, and that appropriate outcomes for heritage can only be reached through a more effective heritage assessment framework. The dissertation concludes that currently the Department of Conservation heritage assessment framework fails to achieve this to a suitable standard, makes several recommendations for change, and argues that it is only by addressing the situation DOC will be able to deliver maximum outcomes for heritage in an increasingly resource-constrained environment – and continue to accomplish sustainable heritage management, what one respondent called ‘the art of the achievable’

MEMS 411: The Amazing Renewable Race

The project’s goal was to convey the importance of renewable energy to a 6 through 12 years old audience. This demo was designed to be installed at the St. Louis Science Center. To engage a younger audience, the renewable energy demonstration had to be interactive. As a result, a design similar to a carnival game was chosen. There are 3 stations that represent wind, hydroelectric, and solar energy. In this design, it is a multiplayer interactive race that portrays renewable energy. The initial design was to have each form of energy produced by the users. The user at the hydro station would push a water pump that would bring water to the top of a water wheel, causing it to spin and produce energy. The wind energy system would involve the user pushing a air pump, a bellow, to turn a wind turbine. The solar station was designed to have a light powered by a hand crank. That light would power a solar panel. All the the renewable energy produced would then move conveyor belts that are connected to each station

A Single Bout of Breast Milk Expression Does Not Increase Resting Metabolic Rate

Introduction: Breastfeeding women have elevated resting metabolic rate (RMR); however, whether a single bout of lactation increases RMR is unknown. This study aimed to determine if a single bout of lactation acutely increased RMR. Methods: Twenty-two lactating women (age: 31 ± 0.9 year, body mass index: 27.3 ± 1.2 kg/m2) were recruited. RMR was assessed at baseline and at 1- and 2-h following breast milk expression. Results: RMR was unchanged in lactating women following a single bout of lactation (baseline: 1437 ± 39; 1 h: 1425 ± 37 2 h: 1440 ± 31 kcal/day) (p \u3e .05). RMR was not correlated to daily milk produced (r = 0.05, p \u3e .05), but was correlated to body mass (r = 0.74, p \u3c .001), fat-free mass (kg) (r = 0.61, p \u3c .01), and fat mass (kg) (r = 0.71, p \u3c .01). Conclusion: RMR in lactating women appears to be more related to body mass or composition in the postpartum period rather than lactation

Asthma is associated with a lower incidence of metastatic colorectal cancer in a US patient cohort

In previous pre-clinical studies, we examined the contribution of interleukin 4 receptor (IL4R) signaling in the progression and metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Aberrant activation of this receptor can result in atopic diseases such as asthma. We hypothesized that further evidence for the contribution of excessive IL4R being associated with CRC progression could be seen in medical records, and specifically that chronic asthma patients were more likely to be diagnosed with metastatic CRC. To test this hypothesis, we took advantage of the Synthetic Derivative, a resource developed at Vanderbilt University Medical Center that hosts de-identified data taken from the electronic medical record. We developed search protocols that produced retrospective cohorts of invasive CRC patients and cancer-free equivalents. In comparing 787 metastatic CRC patients to 238 non-metastatic patients, we actually found significantly fewer asthmatics went on to develop metastatic CRC (P=0.0381). By comparing these groups together against 1197 cancer-free patients, even fewer asthmatic patients would develop invasive CRC (P<0.0001). While these results are clearly in opposition to our original hypothesis, they still support a link between chronic asthma and metastatic CRC development. One intriguing possibility, that will be examined in the future, is whether treatment for chronic asthma may be responsible for the reduction in metastatic cancer

Her9/Hes4 Is Required for Retinal Photoreceptor Development, Maintenance, and Survival

The intrinsic and extrinsic factors that regulate vertebrate photoreceptor specification and differentiation are complex, and our understanding of all the players is far from complete. Her9, the zebrafish ortholog of human HES4, is a basic helix-loop-helix-orange transcriptional repressor that regulates neurogenesis in several developmental contexts. We have previously shown that her9 is upregulated during chronic rod photoreceptor degeneration and regeneration in adult zebrafish, but little is known about the role of her9 during retinal development. To better understand the function of Her9 in the retina, we generated zebrafish her9 CRISPR mutants. Her9 homozygous mutants displayed striking retinal phenotypes, including decreased numbers of rods and red/green cones, whereas blue and UV cones were relatively unaffected. The reduction in rods and red/green cones correlated with defects in photoreceptor subtype lineage specification. The remaining rods and double cones displayed abnormal outer segments, and elevated levels of apoptosis. In addition to the photoreceptor defects, her9 mutants also possessed a reduced proliferative ciliary marginal zone, and decreased and disorganized Müller glia. Mutation of her9 was larval lethal, with no mutants surviving past 13 days post fertilization. Our results reveal a previously undescribed role for Her9/Hes4 in photoreceptor differentiation, maintenance, and survival

Central of Georgia Depot

This interpretive plan gives a brief and condensed history of the central of Georgia Depot. Alongside a history of the depot, this resource provides potential interpretive themes for the historic site to pursue in future programs. The resource also contains reproductions of many historic photographs, as well as survey information regarding the depot\u27s events and programming.https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/history_heritagepreservation/1017/thumbnail.jp

Sustaining The Saco Estuary: Final Report 2015

This study focuses on the Saco estuary, the tidal portion of the Saco River, which drains the largest watershed in southern Maine. With headwaters in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the watershed encompasses more than 4,400 km2, and provides clean healthy drinking water to over 100,000 people living and working in communities in southern Maine. When the study began in 2009, very little was known about the ecology of the Saco estuary. Researchers at the University of New England and the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve employed the process of collaborative learning to bring together people who care about the estuary in order to identify their concerns. A Stewardship Network composed of people employed by municipal, state and federal governments, water supply organizations and businesses, volunteers from municipal boards making land use decisions, land trusts, property owners and representatives from other organizations that are uniquely focused on the region was formed. The Stewardship Network helped to define the project goals and objectives, and provided input and guidance over the five-year project. This report explains what the researchers discovered about the ecology of the estuary, along with what they learned about its social and economic components. This baseline assessment contributes to the long-term goal of restoring and sustaining the structure and function of the estuary, and supports the efforts of government, businesses and local organizations that value the estuary and depend upon the natural services it provides