Infrastructural Urbanism: Hybridizing Our Networks

“The story of people can be told through our infrastructure. In the rise and fall of cities throughout history, the places best positioned for a thriving future have always been those that offer systems to create the lives that we want. And we can see that as the innovations of canals, aqueducts, railroads, and highways did in their time, the kind of infrastructure that we build today matters to our success. If we do it right, it will forever transform our way of life.”– Ryan Gravel1 Urban edges are created through interstices, spaces intervening between one thing and another, and are the resultant discontinuities in the urban fabric2. Hybridization of single-use infrastructures can bring systematic resiliency to networks over time. This thesis critiques single-use transportation infrastructures, such as roads, interstates, light and heavy rail, and their relationship to the pedestrian right-of-way. The complexities affecting the infrastructures’ future adaptations to contemporary society require an investigation in architectural response and strategies for reuse and multi-use. Cities evolve with and within their infrastructural frameworks, and when we seek hybridization of our single-use infrastructures, there is the potential to bring systematic resiliency to networks over time. At the demand of time and technology, the evolution of networks greatly impacts the life and form of a city. “Very broadly, twentieth century infrastructural projects around the world were largely single-minded initiatives with specialized agendas9.” It is the twenty-first century now, and this needs to change; multi-use sought within infrastructural development can accommodate changes in transportation technology, unused infrastructure in urban settings, and establish a relationship with the built environment to provide connectivity at the pedestrian level in locations that currently cater only to automobiles. These problems are very familiar to us here in Atlanta, where, programmatically, the automobile dominates the rights-of-way, from our interstates to our surface streets. This problem affects us every day; the persistence of infrastructure that prioritizes the automobile limits our ability to efficiently and safely navigate our dense urban environments by foot, bicycle, or even, ironically, by automobile

Engaging in Culturally Relevant Teaching: Lessons From the Field

Culturally Relevant Teaching (CRT) is a popular topic for discussion and research, and it continues to gain more traction through practical application in classrooms worldwide. Certainly, as many teachers look around their classrooms, they recognize that demographics are changing, and student populations are becoming increasingly more diverse. It is more likely than ever that teachers will not look like or have the same cultural or linguistic background as many of their students. This means that some students will be entering classrooms with valuable learning strategies developed within their home communities, but these strategies may be very different from what their teachers are accustomed to using

Identity negotiation and the equality agenda in universities

This thesis explores current issues in the UK student related equality agenda from the perspective of academic members of staff and specialists in equality and diversity. The polytechnic sector (now post-1992 universities) evolved with a strong student/consumer focus, which has not been true of many pre-1992 institutions. Yet with the economic, political and demographic changes to the context of HE over the last ten years, the demands placed on universities have brought this kind of logic into all institutions. The degree to which this approach to students and academic work has affected academic practice has not been even across the sector. Reactions amongst staff and senior managers to the equality agenda have varied. My research takes a comparative case study approach to identify some of these differing perspectives, sampling from the faculty of arts and social sciences in one pre- and one post-1992 institution. Among equality and diversity specialists there is a growing recognition of the barriers to their work in universities, most notably keeping academic members of staff informed and developing their skills in the area. I investigated these issues by interviewing academic staff and specialists about their views on equality and diversity and student-staff relationships. In this thesis I argue that the differences between academics' perspectives in the two case study institutions are guided by their perceptions of the market position of their university. This controls the horizons of their professional identities, influencing their values and practices. The narratives given by academics reflected a conflict between multiple identities of self-as-professional through their institutional, disciplinary and personal spheres of identity and how each interacted with representations of the equality agenda for HEIs. The success of this agenda hinges on constructing positive discourses around professional identity and its intersection with the equality agenda in HEIs.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Especies nuevas de Elateridae (Coleoptera) de Madre de Dios, Perú, con nuevos cambios taxonómicos y registros de distribución

The Elateridae fauna of Peru is updated with species new to science, new country records and new taxonomic combinations from the Madre de Dios region. Ten species representing eight genera are described as new: Conoderus wachiperi new species (Agrypninae, Oophorini) Cosmesus aca new species (Elaterinae, Pomachilini), Dipropus amarakaeri new species and Dipropus losamigos new species (Elaterinae, Ampedini, Dicrepidiina), Esthesopus machiguenga new species (Cardiophorinae), Glyphonyx peruanus new species (Elaterinae, Adrastini), Lissomus carmen new species (Lissominae), Paradonus kosnipata new species (Negastriinae), and Pomachilius qusqu new species and Pomachilius wayqecha new species (Elaterinae, Pomachilini). Aeolus platynotus Candèze is changed to Conoderus platynotus (Candèze) new combination and Aeolus ticuna Johnson is changed to Conoderus ticuna (Johnson) new combination (Agrypninae, Oophorini); and Crigmus brunnipilis (Candèze) is changed to Probothrium brunnipilis (Candèze) new combination (Elaterinae, Elaterini). Twenty-seven (27) species, the genera Glyphonyx Candèze and Paradonus Stibick, the tribe Adrastini, and the subfamily Negastriinae are added to the Peru faunal list. There are now 201 species representing 48 genera and 9 subfamilies recorded from Peru.La fauna Elateridae del Perú se actualiza con especies nuevas para la ciencia, nuevos registros de países y nuevas combinaciones taxonómicas de la región de Madre de Dios. Diez especies que representan ocho géneros se describen como nuevas: Conoderus wachiperi nueva especie, Cosmesus aca nueva especie, Dipropus amarakaeri nueva especies, Dipropus losamigos, nueva especie, Esthesopus machiguenga nueva especie, Glyphonyx peruanus nueva especie, Lissomus carmen nueva especie, Paradonus kosnipata nueva especie, Pomachilius qusqu nueva especie, Pomachilius wayqecha nueva especie. Aeolus ticuna Johnson se cambia a Conoderus ticuna (Johnson) nueva combinación, Aeolus platynotus Candèze se cambia a Conoderus platynotus (Candèze) nueva combinación, y Crigmus brunnipilis (Candèze) se cambia a Probothrium brunnipilis (Candèze). Veintisiete (27) especies, los géneros Glyphonyx Candèze y Paradonus Stibick, la tribu Adrastini y la subfamilia Negastriinae se agregan a la lista de fauna de Perú. Ahora hay 201 especies que representan 48 géneros y 9 subfamilias se registran en el Perú

New species of Elateridae (Coleoptera) from Madre de Dios, Peru, with new taxonomic changes and distribution records

The Elateridae fauna of Peru is updated with species new to science, new country records and new taxonomic combinations from the Madre de Dios region. Ten species representing eight genera are described as new: Conoderus wachiperi new species (Agrypninae, Oophorini) Cosmesus aca new species (Elaterinae, Pomachilini), Dipropus amarakaeri new species and Dipropus losamigos new species (Elaterinae, Ampedini, Dicrepidiina), Esthesopus machiguenga new species (Cardiophorinae), Glyphonyx peruanus new species (Elaterinae, Adrastini), Lissomus carmen new species (Lissominae), Paradonus kosnipata new species (Negastriinae), and Pomachilius qusqu new species and Pomachilius wayqecha new species (Elaterinae, Pomachilini). Aeolus platynotus Candèze is changed to Conoderus platynotus (Candèze) new combination and Aeolus ticuna Johnson is changed to Conoderus ticuna (Johnson) new combination (Agrypninae, Oophorini); and Crigmus brunnipilis (Candèze) is changed to Probothrium brunnipilis (Candèze) new combination (Elaterinae, Elaterini). Twenty-seven (27) species, the genera Glyphonyx Candèze and Paradonus Stibick, the tribe Adrastini, and the subfamily Negastriinae are added to the Peru faunal list. There are now 201 species representing 48 genera and 9 subfamilies recorded from Peru

Deep into that Darkness Peering:A Computational Analysis of the Role of Depression in Edgar Allan Poe's Life and Death

Background: To help shed light on the peculiar circumstances surrounding the death of the famed macabre and mystery writer, poet, editor, and literary critic, we explored the potential role of depression in the life and death of Edgar Allan Poe via his written language. Method: Using computerized language analysis, we analyzed works from Poe’s corpora of personal letters (N = 309), poems (N = 49), and short stories (N = 63), and investigated whether a pattern of linguistic cues consistent with depression and suicidal cognition were discernible throughout the writer’s life, particularly in his final years. Building on past work, language scores were collapsed into a composite depression metric for each text. Data from each work type was subsequently compiled and graphed into a single plot by year, with scores exceeding the 95th percentile (p <.05) considered statistically significant and treated as potential depressive episodes. Results: Significant, consistent patterns of depression were not found and do not support suicide as a cause of death. However, linguistic evidence was found suggesting the presence of several potential depressive episodes over the course of Poe’s life – these episodes were the most pronounced during years of Poe’s greatest success, as well as those following the death of his late wife. Limitations: Given the sampling method, it is not possible to establish direct causality; results should be considered informed but tentative. Conclusion: This investigation demonstrates the utility of language analysis for capturing disruptive/maladaptive emotional responses to life events

Impact of Ramaekers Immune Primer on Finishing Beef Cattle Performance and Liver Abscess Rate

A feedlot study was conducted comparing a natural feed additive (Ramaekers Immune Primer) to Tylan or nothing on receiving and finishing performance. There were no differences for final BW, ADG, F:G, HCW, marbling, LM area, or fat thickness due to treatment. Liver abscess incidence and severity were reduced in steers fed Tylan, no differences were noted between Ramaekers Immune Primer and no additive. There was no difference in number of cattle treated for respiratory illness. Steers on the Ramaekers Immune Primer treatment had lower feed intake during the receiving period but had similar ADG and numerically better F:G at day 19 compared the control. These results suggest Ramaekers Immune Primer may be more beneficial, leading to increased performance, for younger, naive calves during the receiving phase

Identity negotiation and the equality agenda in universities.

This thesis explores current issues in the UK student related equality agenda from the perspective of academic members of staff and specialists in equality and diversity. The polytechnic sector (now post-1992 universities) evolved with a strong student/consumer focus, which has not been true of many pre-1992 institutions. Yet with the economic, political and demographic changes to the context of HE over the last ten years, the demands placed on universities have brought this kind of logic into all institutions. The degree to which this approach to students and academic work has affected academic practice has not been even across the sector. Reactions amongst staff and senior managers to the equality agenda have varied. My research takes a comparative case study approach to identify some of these differing perspectives, sampling from the faculty of arts and social sciences in one pre- and one post-1992 institution. Among equality and diversity specialists there is a growing recognition of the barriers to their work in universities, most notably keeping academic members of staff informed and developing their skills in the area. I investigated these issues by interviewing academic staff and specialists about their views on equality and diversity and student-staff relationships. In this thesis I argue that the differences between academics' perspectives in the two case study institutions are guided by their perceptions of the market position of their university. This controls the horizons of their professional identities, influencing their values and practices. The narratives given by academics reflected a conflict between multiple identities of self-as-professional through their institutional, disciplinary and personal spheres of identity and how each interacted with representations of the equality agenda for HEIs. The success of this agenda hinges on constructing positive discourses around professional identity and its intersection with the equality agenda in HEIs

The National Emergency Laparotomy Audit: impact for general surgical training and service provision

Emergency Laparotomies (Em Lap) are one of the most commonly performed emergency general surgical procedures worldwide. They are invasive abdominal operations performed to treat conditions such as intestinal obstruction or perforation. Mortality rates are high compared to planned general surgical procedures and the post-operative sequelae may represent significant burdens to patients, families, and healthcare systems. Prior to 2012, repeated observations were made regarding the deficiencies and variability of care received by the patients who required an Em Lap. Following this The National Emergency Laparotomy Audit (NELA) began in 2013.This collects detailed data about patients who have Em Lap and the care they receive within England and Wales, and hopes to improve outcomes for these patients. The aim of this thesis was to use data from NELA to address issues specifically relating to general surgical service provision and training The first study (Chapter 3) explored the relationship between time to theatre and mortality in patients with intra-abdominal sepsis. The NELA annual reports have highlighted that the identification and management of patients with intra-abdominal sepsis is lacking. Patients with perforated peptic ulcer disease were used to model time to theatre as a continuous variable and investigate if a longer time to theatre led to increased mortality. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated a cumulative increased risk of death by 90 days of 4% (Odds ratio (OR) 1.04, 95% Confidence Interval (CI)1.02-1.07) which increased to 6% (OR 1.06, 95% Cl 1.01-1.11) in patients with physiological derangements. The second study (Chapter 4) addressed the impact of consultant surgeon elective special interest on post-operative outcomes. Procedures performed at Em Lap can be due to pathology from either end of the gastrointestinal tract and can be managed by general surgeons with an elective special interest at odds to the pathology. This study found an increased post-operative mortality if Em Lap was performed by consultant surgeon with a special interest not in the area of pathology (Colorectal procedures OR 1.23, 95%CI1.13-1.33and Upper Gastrointestinal procedures OR 1.02, 95% Cl 1.05-1.20). Return to theatre was increased in the colorectal operative group. The next two studies (Chapter 5 and 6)focused on training opportunities for general surgical trainees who are required to gain experience in Em Lap operating by recording at least 100 Em Laps in their training log books. Trainees complete their training in one geographical area (deanery) and Chapter 5 analysed, by deanery, the numbers of Em Laps and core emergency procedures occurring that are required for completion of training. This identified inter deanery variation in numbers of Em Lap. This raises questions relating to the number of training opportunities for trainees working in these areas. The final chapter aimed to describe trends in trainee led operating by deanery, hospital size and time of day. The association between trainee led operating and mortality was also investigated. The analysis demonstrated trainees were most likely to operate independently in the Health Education Yorkshire and Humber deanery, in high volume centres and at night. No increased risk of death was observed if a trainee was the most senior surgeon in theatre across all Em Lap and emergency procedural groups (P<= 0.001). This thesis has provided data to inform and improve health care policy for patients who require high risk emergency surgery. It has also provided data to help shape, improve and inform the future generation of general surgeons