942 research outputs found
Dayal Kaur Khalsa: The art of remembering
No full textIn the space of three years in the late eighties, Dayal Kaur Khalsa wrote and illustrated a series of picture books that constitute a visual (auto)biography. In these books, Khalsa explores the meaning and reliability of memory, and the importance of family context in life history. By evoking popular culture and its artifacts in her illustrations, Khalsaprovides afully realised, time-specific world for her character May to inhabit. Furthermore, through the device of self- referential visual quotations, by means of which characters and settings reappear from book to book, Khalsa creates a form of "visual intertextuality" unique in the canon of Canadian picture books.Peer reviewedfinal article publishe
Using genetic algorithms in a large nationally representative American sample to abbreviate the Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire
No full textGenetic algorithms (GAs) are robust machine learning approaches for abbreviating a large set of variables into a shorter subset that maximally captures the variance in the original data. We employed a GA-based method to shorten the 62-item Multidimensional Experiential Avoidance Questionnaire (MEAQ) by half without much loss of information. Experiential avoidance or the tendency to avoid negative internal experiences is a key target of many psychological interventions and its measurement is an important issue in psychology. The 62-item MEAQ has been shown to have good psychometric properties, but its length may limit its use in most practical settings. The recently validated 15-item brief version (BEAQ) is one short alternative, but it reduces the multidimensional scale to a single dimension. We sought to shorten the 62-item MEAQ by half while maintaining fidelity to its six dimensions. In a large nationally representative sample of Americans (N=7884; 52% female; Age: M=47.9, SD=16), we employed a GA method of scale abbreviation implemented in the R package, GAabbreviate. The GA-derived short form, MEAQ-30 with 5 items per subscale, performed virtually identically to the original 62-item MEAQ in terms of inter-subscales correlations, factor structure, factor correlations, and zero-order correlations and unique latent associations of the six subscales with other measures of mental distress, wellbeing and personal strivings. The two measures also showed similar distributions of means across American census regions. The MEAQ-30 provides a multidimensional assessment of experiential avoidance whilst minimizing participant burden. The study adds to the emerging literature on the utility of machine learning methods in psychometrics
Rupi Kaur: Women’s Writing Tradition in Translation
No full textThis paper will present a brief background of the author, Rupi Kaur, and her artistic work, focusing in her poetry. The book approached is Honey and Milk, and it will be analysed though the feminist criticism theory of Elaine Showalter in order to discuss the poetry of Kaur in the context of the third phase of women’s writing. To achieve that, this paper will discuss some selected poetry and some details about the translation of the book to the Portuguese Brazilian language and the rewriting entailed in the process of translation
Determination and potential importance of diterpene (kaur-16-ene) emitted from dominant coniferous trees in Japan
No full textReactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are known to affect atmospheric chemistry. Biogenic VOCs (BVOCs) have a significant impact on regional air quality due to their large emission rates and high reactivities. Diterpenes (most particularly, kaur-16-ene) were detected in all of the 205 enclosure air samples collected over multiple seasons at two different sites from Cryptomeria japonica and Chamaecyparis obtusa trees, the dominant coniferous trees in Japan,. The emission rate of kaur-16-ene, was determined to be from 0.01 to 7.1 μg dwg^[-1] h^[-1] (average: 0.61 μg dwg^[-1] h^[-1]) employing branch enclosure measurements using adsorbent sampling followed by solid phase-liquid extraction techniques. The emission rate was comparable to that of monoterpenes, which is known major BVOC emissions, collected from the same branches. In addition, total emission of kaur-16-ene at 30℃ was estimated to exceed that of total anthropogenic VOC emissions
Performance enhancement of microstrip patch antennas for WLAN applications
No full textME, ECEDThis work covers two aspects of the microwave technology. The first is analysis and design of single band Microstrip Antenna with low back lobe level and improved FBR and second is analysis and design of Multiband Microstrip Antenna with low back lobe level and improved FBR. Effect of with and without partial ground with edge shaping on FBR is compared in the report. Another method of fractal ground plane is developed in the work to reduce back radiations. This method is most suitable for fabrication purpose and also gives miniaturized antenna. Method of corrugated dielectric reflector is also proposed in this work. Corrugations help reducing the back lobe level. Concept of metal reflector is also used to reflect back radiations in front direction and improve FBR. Work also involves back lobe reduction using two thick dielectric reflectors at the back side of the antenna of an inset feed single band and a multiband antenna. Inset feed line provides improved bandwidth and much better return loss. Maximum improvement in back lobe and FBR of is achieved by the method of partial ground plane with edge shaping. Fabrication of MSA with double back reflector is also done as well as the testing is done using VNA model no. MS46322A. Tested results along with the comparison with simulated results are also shown
Optimal Crop Plans for Sustainable Water Use in Punjab
No full textA linear programming model has been formulated to suggest the optimal cropping pattern for maximizing net returns and ensuring significant savings of groundwater with the aim of sustaining groundwater use in the Punjab agriculture. The primary data obtained from the project, “Comprehensive scheme to study the cost of cultivation of principal crops in Punjab†for the year 2002-03 pertain to 170 farmers selected through three-stage stratified random sampling technique. As the period of transplantation of paddy has a significant bearing on the amount of groundwater used and its sustainability, the paddy crop has been further classified into Paddy 1 (transplanted before 10th June); Paddy 2 (transplanted during 11th June to 20th June) and Paddy 3 (transplanted after 20th June). At the existing level of water availability, the optimal crop plan has not revealed any significant changes in the production pattern. Restricting the availability of groundwater has resulted into a major shift in the cropping pattern. Such changes could ensure groundwater savings of almost 25 per cent, without any adverse impact on the net returns from crop production. Introduction of new crops in the production plan, such as Bt cotton, has further enhanced the returns from crop production by about 4 per cent along with groundwater savings of 26.55 per cent. The study has suggested that alternate wetting and drying, adoption of system of rice intensification (SRI), use of tensiometers and direct plantation of paddy are some of the other techniques which can save water.Agricultural and Food Policy,
A randomized control study comparing outcomes in student nurses who utilize video during simulation debriefing as compared to those who utilize traditional debriefing
No full textClinical placement sites for nursing students have become limited around the country. An alternative teaching strategy must be employed to allow for students to gain valuable knowledge and skills. High fidelity human patient simulation is one such strategy that allows students to safely practice nursing interventions in a controlled environment using a scenario. Students participate in groups and may be video recorded for replay during the debriefing session, the most essential learning element of the simulation session. Students watching a video recording of their participation in the scenario allow them to reflect on their own actions to identify their own strengths and weaknesses. The research question for this study was the following: what are the effects of video assisted debriefing as compared to traditional oral debriefing on student outcomes (clinical judgment, self-confidence, learner satisfaction scores with simulation and learner satisfaction scores with the simulation facilitator) of associate degree nursing students in their second year of nursing school? A randomized control design was employed to test the research question using a sample of 74 students. Students were randomized into either a video assisted debriefing group and an oral assisted debriefing group. The debriefing sessions were structured for each group with the only difference being the video assisted debriefing group watched the recording of their videotaped simulation session. Results included higher self-reported clinical judgment, learner satisfaction scores with the simulation, and learner satisfaction with the debriefing facilitator. Findings from this study support the use of video assisted debriefing as compared to traditional oral assisted debriefing after a simulation session. Debriefing should be a highly structured part of simulation allowing for students to learn and develop important cognitive and behavioral skills. Video debriefing is an important component of simulation that allows for improved student outcomes.Ph. D.Includes bibliographical referencesIncludes vitaby Tresa Kaur Dusa
Tracing Milin's development of inductive reasoning: a case study
No full textThis study examined how Milin, a nine-year old student, justified his solutions to towers of a variety of heights over a 13 month period. Specifically, it sought to identify heuristics, strategies, and forms of reasoning and argumentation used by Milin in building and supporting his reasoning by partial cases, cases, and then an inductive argument. The research also traced how Milin's ideas traveled to other students. Videotape recordings of Milin's work on towers task and its extensions were analyzed along with his written work, written assessments and the researcher's field notes. The video data consisted of two problem-solving sessions, three individual task-based interviews, a small group assessment, and a whole class discussion. As Milin searched for and sought to justify a global solution for the towers problem, he constructed mathematical ideas by continuously evolving the heuristics and strategies employed. He started by making random towers using a "guess and check" method, where he would randomly create a tower and then compared it with existing towers to identify duplicates. He then proceeded to use local organization strategies to create pairs of towers. This included opposites by color, opposites by inverting and a hybrid strategy. Later, Milin moved towards more refined local organizations such as staircase patterns. When these schemes also proved inadequate to justify a complete solution, Milin developed a family strategy, based on a doubling pattern he had uncovered. This strategy gave him a global organization method. The progression to the global solution was an iterative process in which Milin revisited earlier strategies. Milin also used various forms of reasoning to account for all towers. These included amount of time elapsed between building towers, the concept of "partner" towers, justification by contradiction, cases, doubling rule, and the family strategy. Milin shared his inductive argument with three other students during a small group assessment session. Almost one year later, he re-explained his inductive argument to his partner, Michelle, while working on another task. In turn she shared this argument with other class mates, culminating with one student presenting it to the entire class. The students appeared to understand and retain Milin's strategy better when involved in solving the problem themselves. This case study contributes the body of research in several ways. It documents strategies used by young students to build models of reasoning and argumentation. It also provides support for Davis and Maher's idea that building understanding is not a linear process in that new ideas are built from previous ideas. Finally, this study contributes to the broader collection of case studies from the longitudinal study at Rutgers University.Ed.D.Includes abstractIncludes bibliographical referencesby Manjit Kaur Sra
LIBRARY NETWORKS AND CONSORTIA IN INDIA
No full textThe modern communication technologies have become essential for libraries and information centers for resource sharing in recent time. It is all due to that libraries are transforming them selve to information centers as well as to knowledge centre. The ICT is used by libraries to automation, to use for access and dissemination of information to users. Networks of libraries promotes to resources sharing, usage of library collection, problem solving of and delivery of information. The joint efforts of libraries can minimize the problem of duplications of collections. The best example is set by the Research Library Group (RLG) was founded in 1974 jointly by Columbia University, Harvard University, Yale University and New York Public Library. It is a libraries corporation in which some universities and research institutions participate in its information resource management programmes. The group adopted Bibliographic Automation of Large Library Operations using a Time Sharing System (BALLOTS) of Stanford University. The RLIN (Research Libraries Information Network) system was base on RLG"s four principal programmes – Collection Management and Development; Shared Resources; Preservation and 2 Technical Service and Bibliographic Control. The primary goal of the institutions in RLG was to inform RLG"s programmes and services to its members, to build a shared on-line database of their library collections, and cooperation in the acquisition, delivery, and preservation of information. In June 2006, RLG merged with OCLC. Its catalog became part of OCLC"s WorldCat. Eureka databases were migrated to OCLC"s FirstSearch service. By networking of libraries and information centers, modern communication technologies play a dominant role in the operation of resource sharing systems and consortia. It can be through Use of computer and communication network for resource sharing, Use of National, International databases through communication networks and Introduction of full-text CD based Systems through Article Delivery over Networked Information System (ADONIS)
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