Gather round the wiki-tree : virtual worlds as an open platform for architectural collaboration

The growth of internet based communication has facilitated the development of open source, collaborative projects. Here we describe the results of three 'Wikitecture' experiments in collaborative, open source architectural design within the virtual world Second Life. We describe the in-world platform developed and its use for a design competition entry. Issues such as contribution assessment and the role of open source collaborative design in architecture and construction are discussed, concluding with a wish list for future enhancements

Improving Discipline Practices with Restorative Justice: A School Improvement Project

Research indicates that punitive discipline practices, such as zero-tolerance policies and exclusionary approaches, have shown limited effectiveness and create potential harm in schools. In contrast, school discipline and culture based on restorative practices have shown great promise as an alternative. This school improvement project seeks to promote a change from a punitive, exclusionary discipline system to a research-based system rooted in restorative methods in a suburban public school district in the Midwest. The goal was to integrate restorative practices with a district\u27s existing MTSS framework, emphasizing positive alternatives to exclusionary punishments, equity prioritization, and healthy relationships. By educating staff, students, and the community, encouraging stakeholder buy-in, and providing professional training, the project aims to establish a transformative shift towards a more positive disciplinary approach grounded in restorative principles. The action plan outlines key strategies, including stakeholder involvement, hiring a restorative discipline coordinator, and embedding therapeutic techniques in classrooms. The ultimate goal is to foster a positive disciplinary culture based on restorative justice that improves student well-being, increases academic success, reduces suspensions and lost learning time, creates a culture of accountability, repairs harm, restores dignity, and ensures equitable treatment within the district

“Because We Were Japanese Soldiers : The Failure of Japanese Tactics at Changkufeng and Nomonhan and Lessons Left Unlearned

In their conflicts with the Soviet Union in 1938-1939, Imperial Japanese Army forces suffered a series of dramatic defeats at the hands of the Red Army, the descendant of an enemy they had been preparing to face since the conclusion of the Russo-Japanese War. At the root of these military failures was the dramatic tactical insufficiency of Japanese army doctrine, which had not evolved to meet the combined arms threat of a modern opponent. Instead, relying on \u27spiritual superiority\u27 over firepower, they were forced to attack Soviet tanks with firebombs and operate continuously under the heavy fire of enemy artillery. Despite the disastrous results of Changkufeng and Nomonhan, however, the Japanese failed to take these lessons to heart, and consequently they would experience the same results on other battlefields as they did in these early conflicts

“Because We Were Japanese Soldiers : The Failure of Japanese Tactics at Changkufeng and Nomonhan and Lessons Left Unlearned

In their conflicts with the Soviet Union in 1938-1939, Imperial Japanese Army forces suffered a series of dramatic defeats at the hands of the Red Army, the descendant of an enemy they had been preparing to face since the conclusion of the Russo-Japanese War. At the root of these military failures was the dramatic tactical insufficiency of Japanese army doctrine, which had not evolved to meet the combined arms threat of a modern opponent. Instead, relying on \u27spiritual superiority\u27 over firepower, they were forced to attack Soviet tanks with firebombs and operate continuously under the heavy fire of enemy artillery. Despite the disastrous results of Changkufeng and Nomonhan, however, the Japanese failed to take these lessons to heart, and consequently they would experience the same results on other battlefields as they did in these early conflicts

Overview of Beranek & Work’s 1949 Paper on “Sound Transmission through Multiple Structures Containing Flexible Blankets”

Overview of Beranek & Work’s 1949 Paper on “Sound Transmission through Multiple Structures Containing Flexible Blankets

Doctor of Philosophy

dissertationSustainability has become an omnipresent concept within our culture and society. The importance of sustainability continues to grow as resources are depleted and cultures are irreparably damaged. The science of sustainability has taken on many forms such as renewable energy sources, transportation systems, political platforms, and sustainable tourism. Within the tourism industry, sustainability is now being manifested through certification programs. These programs allow tourism operators to reduce environmental impacts and incorporate sociocultural considerations into business practices, all the while maintaining, if not improving, the financial status of their businesses. This study examined why Bed and Breakfast (B&B) operators in the United States chose to participate or not in sustainable tourism certification programs. Ajzen's theory of planned behavior was employed to investigate the attitudes, social influence, perceived behavioral control, and belief structures of the B&B operators to further understanding of the behavioral intention of B&B operators and their participation in sustainable tourism certification programs

Expression of early transcription factors Oct-4, Sox-2 and Nanog by porcine umbilical cord (PUC) matrix cells

BACKGROUND: Three transcription factors that are expressed at high levels in embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are Nanog, Oct-4 and Sox-2. These transcription factors regulate the expression of other genes during development and are found at high levels in the pluripotent cells of the inner cell mass. The downregulation of these three transcription factors correlates with the loss of pluripotency and self-renewal, and the beginning of subsequent differentiation steps. The roles of Nanog, Oct-4 and Sox-2 have not been fully elucidated. They are important in embryonic development and maintenance of pluripotency in ESCs. We studied the expression of these transcription factors in porcine umbilical cord (PUC) matrix cells. METHODS: Cells were isolated from Wharton's jelly of porcine umbilical cords (PUC) and histochemically assayed for the presence of alkaline phosphatase and the presence of Nanog, Oct-4 and Sox-2 mRNA and protein. PCR amplicons were sequenced and compared with known sequences. The synthesis of Oct-4 and Nanog protein was analyzed using immunocytochemistry. FACS analysis was utilized to evaluate Hoechst 33342 dye-stained cells. RESULTS: PUC isolates were maintained in culture and formed colonies that express alkaline phosphatase. FACS analysis revealed a side population of Hoechst dye-excluding cells, the Hoechst exclusion was verapamil sensitive. Quantitative and non-quantitative RT-PCR reactions revealed expression of Nanog, Oct-4 and Sox-2 in day 15 embryonic discs, PUC cell isolates and porcine fibroblasts. Immunocytochemical analysis detected Nanog immunoreactivity in PUC cell nuclei, and faint labeling in fibroblasts. Oct-4 immunoreactivity was detected in the nuclei of some PUC cells, but not in fibroblasts. CONCLUSION: Cells isolated from PUC express three transcription factors found in pluripotent stem cell markers both at the mRNA and protein level. The presence of these transcription factors, along with the other characteristics of PUC cells such as their colony-forming ability, Hoechst dye-excluding side population and alkaline phosphatase expression, suggests that PUC cells have properties of primitive pluripotent stem cells. Furthermore, PUC cells are an easily and inexpensively obtained source of stem cells that are not hampered by the ethical or legal issues associated with ESCs. In addition, these cells can be cryogenically stored and expanded