Interpersonal Communication Strengthens Web-Based Instruction

This study describes the interpersonal communication preferences (instructor-to-student and student-to-student) among undergraduates surveyed in a freshmen seminar in the College of Agricultural Sciences at the Pennsylvania State University. The purpose was to investigate communication preferences among students at the University Park (main) campus and three Commonwealth (branch) campuses and describe implications for World Wide Web (Web) instruction. Findings indicated significant differences between student attitudes toward student-to-student and instructor-to-student communication. With regard to success in a course, students at the Commonwealth campuses placed more importance on both student-to-student and instructor-to-student communication. The findings indicate the need for educators incorporating the Web into their curriculum to adopt a learner-centered approach to instruction, using such technology with forethought

Suburbanites\u27 Perceptions About Agriculture: The Challenge for Media

As urban dwellers become more isolated from the original sources of their food, their dependence on agriculture becomes less vivid

Extension\u27s Role in Facilitating Collaborative Initiatives: Direct Marketing Farm Products on the Internet

Using the Internet to direct market farm products provides multiple opportunities for producers to expand their existing businesses. Most often, these initiatives are undertaken by individual businesses. However, recent efforts in Central Pennsylvania suggest ways in which Extension can facilitate collaborative initiatives to direct market farm products online. In addition to increasing the profitability of small producers, collaborative marketing efforts can also contribute to sustainable community outcomes. Inherent in our discussion is the assumption that the principals of facilitating collaborative initiatives to direct market farm products online can be used to facilitate collaborate initiatives in other programmatic areas

Specialized scales in the cloacal region of two Paleozoic fishes (Crossopterygii)

Modified scales in the cloacal region of two osteolepid rhipidistians are described for the first time. A specimen of Megalichthys sp. (from the Pennsylvanian of Ohio), consisting of an isolated portion of the pelvic region, shows five enlarged scales along the ventral midline: two sets of paired flanking scales and one unpaired central scale. There is no direct evidence of the cloaca in this specimen. In the only known specimen of Sterropterygion brandei (from the Upper Devonian of Pennsylvania), the cloacal position is preserved, and there is one pair of enlarged scales flanking the opening. The modified scales in both genera are interpreted as being secondary sexual characteristics. The apparent absence of scales modified for reproductive functions in other fossil taxa is discussed

Edible Connections: A Model for Citizen Dialogue Used to Discuss Local Food, Farm, and Community Issues

Edible Connections: Changing the Way We Talk About Food, Farm, and Community introduces a model created to facilitate public dialogue on local food system issues such as farmland preservation, food safety, and hunger. Overall, this article describes and compares Edible Connections to other public discourse strategies used to engage individuals within a community in discussions regarding concerns about their local food system. Two characteristics set Edible Connections apart from other public dialogue strategies. First, the media—print, broadcast, e-commerce—are forum participants. Second is Edible Connections’ clear focus on food system issues. Its format allows those carrying out forums the flexibility to structure the dialogue to meet specific local objectives. Descriptions of how Pennsylvania communities defined and carried out Edible Connections to address locally important questions on the food system illustrate the ways in which Edible Connections helps to meet community interests and needs

Strengthening Community Engagement Toward Sustainable Local Food Systems

Perspectives of Extension educators relative to local food system (LFS) issues are examined. These educators perceived consumer food safety, viable ag-related businesses, land use planning, farm land preservation, loss of family-owned farms, and access to quality foods as important issues. Extension educators viewed county Extension directors, regional directors, and program advisory boards as the strongest supporters for the local LFS. Lack of program resources to support and carry out LFS programming was identified as a barrier. Significant differences were also found between Extension educators\u27 demographic and program characteristics and important LFS issues

A detailed model of the Irish High Voltage Power Network for simulating GICs

Constructing a power network model for geomagnetically induced current (GIC) calculations requires information on the DC resistances of elements within a network. This information is often not known, and power network models are simplified as a result, with assumptions used for network element resistances. Ireland's relatively small, isolated network presents an opportunity to model a complete power network in detail, using as much real‐world information as possible. A complete model of the Irish 400, 275, 220, and 110 kV network was made for GIC calculations, with detailed information on the number, type, and DC resistances of transformers. The measured grounding resistances at a number of substations were also included in the model, which represents a considerable improvement on previous models of the Irish power network for GIC calculations. Sensitivity tests were performed to show how calculated GIC amplitudes are affected by different aspects of the model. These tests investigated: (1) How the orientation of a uniform electric field affects GICs. (2) The effect of including/omitting lower voltage elements of the power network. (3) How the substation grounding resistances assumptions affected GIC values. It was found that changing the grounding resistance value had a considerable effect on calculated GICs at some substations and no discernible effect at others. Finally, five recent geomagnetic storm events were simulated in the network. It was found that heavy rainfall prior to the 26–28 August 2015 geomagnetic storm event may have had a measurable impact on measured GIC amplitudes at a 400/220 kV transformer ground

Randomised controlled trial of welfare rights advice accessed via primary health care: pilot study [ISRCTN61522618]

BACKGROUND: Little research has directly evaluated the impact of increasing financial or material resources on health. One way of assessing this lies with assisting people to obtain full welfare benefit entitlements. In 2000–1, 2.3 million pensioners were living in poverty in the UK and estimates suggest that around one million do not claim the financial support to which they are entitled. The effectiveness of welfare rights advice services delivered via primary health care to promote health and reduce health inequalities is unknown. METHODS: The main objectives of this study were to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a randomised controlled trial of welfare rights advice in a community setting and identify appropriate health and social outcome measures in order to plan a definitive trial. This was a single blind, community-based, pilot randomised controlled trial. 126 men and women aged 60 years and over, recruited from 4 general practices in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, participated. The intervention comprised a structured welfare rights assessment followed by active assistance with welfare benefit claims over the following 24 months. The control group received the intervention after a six month delay. A range of socio-economic, health, behavioural and psycho-social outcomes were measured. RESULTS: 126 out of 400 people invited agreed to participate and 109 were followed up at 24 months. Both the intervention and research procedures were feasible and acceptable to participants and professionals involved. 68 (58%) of all participants received a welfare benefit award (31 financial, 16 non-financial and 21 both). Median time to receipt of benefits from initial assessment was 14 (range 1 to 78) weeks and median financial award was £55 (€81, $98) per household per week. There was little evidence of health-related differences between groups or over time, which could be due to limitations of the study design. CONCLUSION: Modification of the study design, including selection of study participants, timing of interventions and length of follow up are recommended for a definitive trial. More appropriate health and psycho-social outcome measures relevant to the elderly population should be sought, particularly focussing on those issues highlighted in the accompanying qualitative study

Utilizing Targeted Gene Therapy with Nanoparticles Binding Alpha v Beta 3 for Imaging and Treating Choroidal Neovascularization

Purpose: The integrin αvβ3 is differentially expressed on neovascular endothelial cells. We investigated whether a novel intravenously injectable αvβ3 integrin-ligand coupled nanoparticle (NP) can target choroidal neovascular membranes (CNV) for imaging and targeted gene therapy. Methods: CNV lesions were induced in rats using laser photocoagulation. The utility of NP for in vivo imaging and gene delivery was evaluated by coupling the NP with a green fluorescing protein plasmid (NP-GFPg). Rhodamine labeling (Rd-NP) was used to localize NP in choroidal flatmounts. Rd-NP-GFPg particles were injected intravenously on weeks 1, 2, or 3. In the treatment arm, rats received NP containing a dominant negative Raf mutant gene (NP-ATPμ-Raf) on days 1, 3, and 5. The change in CNV size and leakage, and TUNEL positive cells were quantified. Results: GFP plasmid expression was seen in vivo up to 3 days after injection of Rd-NP-GFPg. Choroidal flatmounts confirmed the localization of the NP and the expression of GFP plasmid in the CNV. Treating the CNV with NP-ATPμ-Raf decreased the CNV size by 42% (P<0.001). OCT analysis revealed that the reduction of CNV size started on day 5 and reached statistical significance by day 7. Fluorescein angiography grading showed significantly less leakage in the treated CNV (P<0.001). There were significantly more apoptotic (TUNEL-positive) nuclei in the treated CNV. Conclusion: Systemic administration of αvβ3 targeted NP can be used to label the abnormal blood vessels of CNV for imaging. Targeted gene delivery with NP-ATPμ-Raf leads to a reduction in size and leakage of the CNV by induction of apoptosis in the CNV