Resting Site Characteristics of American Marten in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan

American marten are usually associated with forests that are characteristically late successional, closed canopy, and diverse in structure; attributes that meet habitat requirements and provide resting site structures. Resting site structures are required habitat components that are used daily and provide protection from predation and inclement weather. I identified resting site characteristics of American marten in the Manistee National Forest in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula from May 2011 to December 2013. Twenty five marten (15 male and 10 female) were monitored using radio telemetry to identify what types of resting sites structures were used. I identified 522 unique resting site structures; tree cavities (n = 255, 48.9%), branches (n = 162, 31%), and nests (n = 90, 17.2%) were the three most commonly observed structures being used. During the summer season (April-September) marten used more exposed tree branches (41.8%), while in the winter (October-March) they used more cavities (64.5%). Marten were observed using structures in live trees 86% of the time. Live trees used by marten included oak species (Quercus spp.), maple species (Acer spp.), and red pine (Pinus resinosa). Trees used as resting sites had significantly larger mean diameter at breast height (DBH) than the average DBH of non-resting site trees found at resting site locations. The average stand basal area (33.9 m2/ha) found in resting site plots was significantly larger than that found at control plots 60 meters away. Maintaining complex forest structure, abundant CWD, high percent canopy closure and high basal area should be considered when forest management guidelines are being drafted. Silviculture techniques that promote tree species diversity, older stand age classes, and retention of CWD are all important factors to consider when managing for marten. I recommend using a single-tree selection method for timber harvest in core marten habitat, which should allow loggers to retain larger diameter trees, pockets of higher basal areas around resting site structures, and abundant CWD. Additionally, the single-tree selection approach should promote an uneven-aged forest that will maintain a complex vertical and horizontal forest structure

MOND rotation curves for spiral galaxies with Cepheid-based distances

Rotation curves for four spiral galaxies with recently determined Cepheid-based distances are reconsidered in terms of modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND). For two of the objects, NGC 2403 and NGC 7331, the rotation curves predicted by MOND are compatible with the observed curves when these galaxies are taken to be at the Cepheid distance. For NGC 3198, the largest distance for which reasonable agreement is obtained is 10% smaller than the Cepheid-based distance; i.e., MOND clearly prefers a smaller distance. This conclusion is unaltered when new near-infrared photometry of NGC 3198 is taken as the tracer of the stellar mass distribution. For the large Sc spiral, NGC 2841, MOND requires a distance which is at least 20% larger than the Cepheid-based distance. However, the discrepancy of the Tully-Fisher and SNIa distances with the Cepheid determination casts some doubt upon the Cepheid method in this case.Comment: Accepted for publication in astronomy and astrophysics 9 pages, 9 figure

The onsite manufacture of propellant oxygen from lunar resources

The Aerojet carbothermal process for the manufacture of oxygen from lunar materials has three essential steps: the reduction of silicate with methane to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen; the reduction of carbon monoxide with hydrogen to form methane and water; and the electrolysis of water to form hydrogen and oxygen. The reactions and the overall process are shown. It is shown with laboratory experimentation that the carbothermal process is feasible. Natural silicates can be reduced with carbon or methane. The important products are carbon monoxide, metal, and slag. The carbon monoxide can be completely reduced to form methane and water. The water can be electrolyzed to produce hydrogen and oxygen. A preliminary engineering study shows that the operation of plants using this process for the manufacture of propellant oxygen has a large economic advantage when the cost of the plant and its operation is compared to the cost of delivering oxygen from Earth

Promoting Reflection Through Action Learning in a 3D Virtual World

An international cooperation between educators in Australia and the US has led to a reconceptualization of the teaching of a library science course at Appalachian State University. The pedagogy of Action Learning coupled with a 3D virtual learning environment immerses students in a social constructivist learning space that incorporates and supports interaction and reflection. The intent of this study was to build a bridge between theory and practice by providing students with a tool set that promoted personal and social reflection, and created and scaffolded a community of practice. Besides, action learning is an educational process whereby the fifty graduate students experienced their own actions and experience to improve performance

Symbolic Interactions in a Virtual Learning Community: Understanding the Creation of Shared Meanings in a Mediated Environment

Abstract not available

Presence Pedagogy: Teaching and Learning in a 3D Virtual Immersive World

As the use of 3D immersive virtual worlds in higher education expands, it is important to examine which pedagogical approaches are most likely to bring about success. AET Zone, a 3D immersive virtual world in use for more than seven years, is one embodiment of pedagogical innovation that capitalizes on what virtual worlds have to offer to social aspects of teaching and learning. The authors have characterized this approach as Presence Pedagogy (P2), a way of teaching and learning that is grounded in social constructivist theory. In it, the concepts of presence, building a true community of practice, and constructing an online environment which fosters collaboration for reflective learning are paramount. Unlike learning communities that might emerge from a particular course taught under more traditional circumstances, students engaged in a P2 learning environment become members of a broader community of practice in which everyone in the community is a potential instructor, peer, expert, and novice—all of whom learn with and from one another

A Virtual World for Collaboration: The AETZone

Participation in learning communities, and the construction of knowledge in communities of practice, are important considerations in the use of 3D immersive worlds. This article describes the creation of this type of learning environment in AETZone, an immersive virtual environment in use within graduate programs at Appalachian State University since 2000. Both student and faculty perceptions of elements such as presence, co-presence, and the forging of active community are presented, along with examples of formal and informal activities which serve as the base for teaching and learning in the Zone

Shared Decision-Making: Case Study Analysis to Promote Cross-Programme Dialogue Between Administrators and Media Coordinators

There is a general lack of cross-course and cross-programme dialogue in US colleges of education. Few, if any, opportunities are provided to engage graduate students in authentic dialogue about real school problems and issues. A grant-funded initiative has been launched at Appalachian State University to utilise case studies and web based communication tools to create authentic learning environments that support interaction between school administration and library science students to discuss real school problems and develop lasting solutions. This paper discusses a research study in which case study analysis was used to promote online cross-programme dialogue and assist students in developing their professional voice

Medical Technology: A Critical Perspective - Learning to Become Loving Resistance Fighters

Medical technology has embedded itself in our culture and has been a positive and powerful force in the improvement of life for millions of people. However, for every yin there is a yang, and with all things that are positive, there is also a negative component that must not be ignored. Most Americans are familiar with the benefits of technology, specifically medical technologies; the media reports on these benefits every day. However, it is not often that physicians have the opportunity to discuss what has been given up or lost as a result of using these same technologies. This commentary is about those unintended consequences resulting from our use of technology, in particular, physicians’ use of medical technologies