Autobiography and Invention: Towards a Critical Understanding of Identity, Dialogue and Resistance in Improvised Musics

In this article I will argue that acts of improvisation are not productively understood in opposition to other practices which form our wider musical culture. Improvisation might be better understood as both rooted in, but not limited by, personal and cultural memory. Improvisational activities are legible to the performer and audience through a shared understanding of social norms, but only become a singular instance of improvisation through unique performative actions. This tension between experience and invention is played out in a dialogue between performer and listener, demanding a response that crucially takes the form of self-articulation, or autobiography. Finally, I contend that it is from this position that improvisation offers the possibility to transgress established personal and cultural identities

Accessibility of Computers for Students with Mild Mental Retardation

As computers move into America\u27s public schools, their accessibility and use have come under scrutiny. Often individuals with mild mental retardation are considered last in decisions regarding the allocation of technological resources such as computers. The purpose of this research was to determine if children with mild mental retardation have access to computers, and if so, how computers are used by these children. Results indicate that in Virginia\u27s county public school systems students with mild mental retardation have access to computers and use those computers primarily for academic purposes

MicroStrain Pattern Analysis of the Canine Patellar Tendon Following a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy

This study investigates the change in strain patterns of the canine patellar tendon following a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). The TPLO is a procedure used to minimize anterior tibial translation in canines following a cranial cruciate rupture. A noted clinical deficiency randomly seen with the TPLO is an inflammation of the patellar tendon. In some instances, the inflammation results in material damage resulting in a calcification of the tendon and in worst cases, a fracture of the patella. In order to investigate the strain patterns, four fresh frozen canine cadaver stifles were used. The cadavers were mounted for stabilization and a motor was attached to the patella to simulate the quadriceps contraction. Tendonous material is not ideal for direct measurement of strain; therefore, a rectangular rubber section was attached to the anterior patella and the insertion of the quadriceps femoris complex of the anterior tibial crest. A strain gage was then applied to the center of the rubber aligned axially with the line of applied force. The stifle was put through a simulated extension using the motor attached to the patella. A controlled intact knee was used as the baseline for all four specimens, independently. Following the control data acquisition, a simulated cranial cruciate rupture was performed and the strain values collected in the same manner. Finally, the TPLO was performed. Two specimens used an 18 mm biradial saw, whereas, the other two used a 24 mm biradial saw. Five measurements of strain were recorded for the control, a simulated ruptured cranial cruciate, and 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 mm of tibial plateau rotation following a TPLO. It was found that there is a statistically significant increase in strain experienced by the patellar tendon following a TPLO at nearly every angle of rotation for both cuts. Whereas, a simulated ruptured cranial cruciate ligament resulted in no statistically significant difference in 3 out of 4 of the samples. Strain values increased by as much as 96 and 81 percent for the 18 mm cut at 8 mm of rotation and the 24 mm cut at 12 mm of rotation, respectively. This study will provide a basis for improvements to be made with respect to the TPLO. Further research may result in a more concise and clinically relevant data set that will continue the advancement of this common surgical technique

Technology in Second Language Writing: Advances in Composing, Translation, Writing Pedagogy and Data-Driven Learning

This edited volume showcases state-of-the-art research in technological applications in second language writing. It examines multimodal composing, digital feedback, data-driven learning, machine translation, and technological applications in writing pedagogy. Technology in Second Language Writing reflects the rapidly changing field of technology in second language learning and highlights technological advances across different areas relevant to L2 writing. Composed of empirical studies, reviews, and descriptive essays, this book covers a variety of topics across the areas of composing, pedagogy, and writing research. It includes discussion of computer-mediated communication, language learners’ perceptions about using technology in their writing, the use of social media in writing, corpus learning, translation software, and the use of electronic feedback in language classrooms. Offering a multifaceted approach to technology in a wide variety of second language writing contexts, this cutting-edge book serves as essential reading for scholars and postgraduate students in the field of language teaching, applied linguistics, and TESOL

ROSIE Findings 6: a summary of 3-year outcomes.

The Research Outcome Study in Ireland (ROSIE) is the first national, prospective, longitudinal, multi-site drug treatment outcome study in the country. The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) commissioned this research in 2002 as required by the National Drugs Strategy Action 99. The aim of the study was to recruit and follow opiate users entering treatment over a period of time, documenting the changes observed. The study recruited 404 opiate users entering treatment. Outcomes at 3-years for drug use, involvement in crime, injecting-related behaviour, physical and mental health, among others, are presented in this paper. Statistically significant differences are given emphasis in this document

Virtual-Acoustic Instrument Design: Exploring the Parameter Space of a String-Plate Model

Exploration is an intrinsic element of designing and engaging with acoustic as well as digital musical instruments. This paper reports on the ongoing development of a virtual-acoustic instrument based on a physical model of a string coupled nonlinearly to a plate. The performer drives the model by tactile interaction with a string-board controller fitted with piezo-electric sensors. The string-plate model is formulated in a way that prioritises its parametric explorability. Where the roles of creating performance gestures and designing instruments are traditionally separated, such a design provides a continuum across these domains. The string-plate model, its real-time implementation, and the control interface are described, and the system is preliminarily evaluated through informal observations of how musicians engage with the system