The Woman as Outcast: An Examination of Miaoshan in The Precious Scroll of Incense Mountain in Light of Choice, Risk, and Martyrdom

About the author: Lianna Arcelay is a third-year student in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia. She studies Comparative Literature, and is working toward a minor in Spanish. She desires to pursue an MA and a PhD in Comparative Literature; she is also interested in teaching children English in a Hispanophone or Francophone country post-graduation. Lianna has been interested in the field of Ecocriticism, and in works that critique humans’ relationship with the nonhuman environment, or natural world. She also possesses a light penchant for existentialist, absurdist, and dystopian literature

Using Focus Groups to Explore Sources of Self-Efficacy in Puerto Rican Preservice Teachers

This article used focus groups to explore Puerto Rican preservice teachers\u27 perceptions of sources of self-efficacy. The present study allowed, through a qualitative design, examination of the experiences of preservice teachers at the end of their student teaching practicum. The qualitative design and the use of the focus group technique provided insight into the main sources of their perceived self-efficacy through the self-assessment of their field experience. The beginning of the student teaching practicum provoked an intense process of emotions in which the preservice teachers needed support and guidance, particularly in aspects of planning, differentiation, and classroom management. The participants agreed that substantial feedback and guidance from cooperating teachers and university supervisors helped them being confident and increased their perceived self-efficacy by reducing the feelings of anxiety generated by the practicum

Exploring Puerto Rican Preservice Teachers’ Resilience: A Focus Group Study

This study explored the experiences of 10 Puerto Rican middle and high school preservice teachers at the end of their student teaching experience. The qualitative design, using the focus group technique, provided insight into the phenomenon of teachers’ resilience. The analysis incorporated the main constructs of resilience-building proposed by Jordan’s model of relational resilience: mutuality, empowerment, and development of courage. This study reinforced the notion of the importance of promoting supportive relationships with mentors and students. These relationships empowered teachers and helped them become more skilled in their profession. Addressing more aspects of resilience-building including before, during, and after their student teaching field experience could benefit preservice teachers in thriving in the profession induction process

Food Insecurity Experiences of Idaho Head Start Families

Using the social-ecological model, this basic interpretive qualitative study sought to examine the phenomenon of food insecurity among Idaho Head Start enrolled families, focusing on barriers and deterrents to accessing available nutrition assistance programs. A total of 11 interviews were conducted with parents who had children enrolled in five Idaho Head Start programs. The data were coded and analyzed and are reflective of how individual, interpersonal, community, and organizational levels factors are reflected in participants’ decisions to access available nutrition assistance programs. Participants reported feelings of stigma and shame and transportation concerns as individual barriers as well as the interpersonal barrier of a lack of support systems. Lack of awareness of resources, limited food choices, and the questionable quality of foods provided at pantries were noted among the community and organizational deterrents. The results of this study may be used to create interventions that promote food security among Head Start families

OPTIMUM WEIGHT TO WHICH PIGS SHOULD BE CARRIED FOR MAXIMUM PROFIT

OPTIMUM WEIGHT TO WHICH PIGS SHOULD BE CARRIED FOR MAXIMUM PROFI

Urban American Indian Experiences Living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This qualitative interpretive study aimed to describe the experiences of 13 American Indians living in urban settings and their use of traditional healing and biomedical health services for type 2 diabetes. Urban American Indian adults living in the United States who used traditional healing and biomedical health services for type 2 diabetes were recruited for the study through purposive sampling, including snowball sampling. Thirteen participants completed semi-structured interviews. Participants reported positive experiences and barriers to traditional healing and Western biomedical services. They also discussed feelings of disorientation when diagnosed at a young age with type 2 diabetes but self-empowerment as an adult. Participants felt disconnected from their tribal community and identified inaccessibility and lack of communication as barriers to using traditional healing practices. Participants noted access and convenience to biomedicine as a reason to use it and the services provided within the system. They also identified barriers to biomedicine, such as short consultation time, costs, and lack of rapport or communication. Implications for positive social change include improving awareness and understanding of healthcare providers and educators regarding urban American Indian populations’ health needs and being able to implement better-informed health programs for them

Food Insecurity Experiences of Idaho Head Start Families

Using the social-ecological model, this basic interpretive qualitative study sought to examine the phenomenon of food insecurity among Idaho Head Start enrolled families, focusing on barriers and deterrents to accessing available nutrition assistance programs. A total of 11 interviews were conducted with parents who had children enrolled in five Idaho Head Start programs. The data were coded and analyzed and are reflective of how individual, interpersonal, community, and organizational levels factors are reflected in participants’ decisions to access available nutrition assistance programs. Participants reported feelings of stigma and shame and transportation concerns as individual barriers as well as the interpersonal barrier of a lack of support systems. Lack of awareness of resources, limited food choices, and the questionable quality of foods provided at pantries were noted among the community and organizational deterrents. The results of this study may be used to create interventions that promote food security among Head Start families

Experiences of African American Women Living With Herpes Simplex Virus 2

In the United States, the prevalence of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) continues to be the highest among African American women. Yet the perceived benefit of discussing sexual health, as well as recognizing a need to discuss HSV-2 with a health-care provider, is a gap in research. The purpose of this interpretive qualitative study was to understand the experiences of African American women who received an asymptomatic HSV-2 diagnosis. Semistructured interviews of seven participants were used to explore the experiences of African American women diagnosed with HSV-2, including barriers and challenges of discussing HSV-2 with health-care providers. Participants highlighted that a decrease in condom use arises when emotional commitment is established, and a lower perception of the severity of disease occurs when controlling symptoms with medication is understood and communicated. Results from the study also highlighted that not all participants preferred African American health-care providers, and participants were pleased that sexual partners were supportive of their diagnosis disclosures. African American women and their corresponding providers could benefit from sexual health education initiatives that address this information, as well as the results from this study

Análisis y comparativa de los parámetros de operación de las turbinas de la planta undimotriz de Mutriku en el periodo 2018-2019

En este trabajo se han estudiado los parámetros de operación de las turbinas de la planta undimotriz de Mutriku en el periodo 2018-2019. La planta undimotriz, que aprovecha la energía de las olas, cuenta con 16 dispositivos basados en la tecnología de columna de agua oscilante de 18,5 kW de potencia nominal cada uno. Cada turbina cuenta con sensores para monitorizar su funcionamiento mediante el registro de parámetros como: presión, potencia, velocidad de rotación etcétera. En este trabajo se han analizado la presión en la cámara, el grado de apertura de la válvula de seguridad, la potencia eléctrica generada y la velocidad de rotación de la turbina. Se observa la influencia estacional en las variables, así como la influencia de la ubicación de las propias turbinas en la planta undimotriz. Además, con los parámetros de oleaje registrados en la boya Bilbao-Bizkaia, se ha confirmado la correlación con retardo horario entre el flujo de energía de las olas y la potencia generada en la planta. El estudio del funcionamiento de la planta undimotriz de Mutriku, la única en el mundo conectada a red que produce energía de manera continua, permite caracterizar la variabilidad del suministro eléctrico y así poder mejorar las previsiones de generación eléctrica. Además permite estimar el aprovechamiento energético real del recurso marino. Estos estudios son necesarios para fomentar el desarrollo de las tecnologías de la energía undimotriz, ya que, en el campo de las energías renovables, ésta se encuentra todavía en una fase pre-comercial.This work reviews turbine operation data of the Mutriku Wave Power Plant from the 2018 to 2019 period. The wave farm consists of 16 oscillating water column devices each one with 18,5 kW installed power. Every turbine is equipped with sensors in order to track its performance by recording operation parameters such as: pressure, power, rotational speed etcetera. Out of all the parameters, this work analyzes pressure in the air chamber, opening angle of the damper, generator output power and rotational speed of the turbine. The effect of seasonality is observed on the variables, as well as the effect of the location of each one of the turbines on the wave farm. Moreover, with wave parameters recorded by the Bilbao-Bizkaia buoy, the lagged correlation between wave energy flux and power generation has been confirmed. Researching the performance of the Mutriku Wave Power Plant, the only one in the world connected to the grid and permanently providing electricity, enables the characterization of the variability of electricity supply in order to improve its forecasting. It also helps estimate the actual wave energy exploitation. These investigations are necessary to promote the development of wave energy conversion technologies, which are still on pre-commercial stage.Lan honetan Mutrikuko olatu plantako turbinen funtzionamendu datuak, 2018-2019 denbora tartean, aztertu dira. Olatu plantak ur-zutabe oszilatzailearen teknologia erabiltzen duten 16 gailu ditu, bakoitzak 18,5 kW potentzia instalatu-duna. Turbina guztiek funtzionamendu parametroak erregistratzen duten sentsoreak dituzte, besteak beste: presioa, potentzia, errotazio abiadura eta abar. Guztienetik, lan honetan kameraren presioa, balbularen zabaltze gradua, sortutako potentzia elektrikoa eta turbinaren errotazio abiadura ikertu dira. Sasoien eragina aldagaietan frogatu da, baita turbinen kokapenak plantan duena ere. Gainera, Bilbao-Bizkaia buiak erregistratzen dituen olatuen parametroekin, sortutako potentzia eta olatu fluxu energiaren arteko korrelazio atzeratua egiaztatu da. Mutrikuko olatu plantaren funtzionamendua ikertzeari esker, munduko bakarra sare elektrikora konektatuta eta etengabean energia sortzen, elektrizitate-horniduraren aldakortasuna karakterizatu ahal da eta honekin energia elektrikoaren sorkuntza aurreikusketak hobetu. Horrez gain, olatu baliabideen ustiapen erreala balioztatu ahal izan da. Azterlan hauek beharrezkoak dira olatu energiaren teknologien garapena sustatzeko, oraindik garai aurre-komertzialan daude eta

Análisis y comparativa de los parámetros de operación de las turbinas de la planta undimotriz de Mutriku en el periodo 2018-2019

En este trabajo se han estudiado los parámetros de operación de las turbinas de la planta undimotriz de Mutriku en el periodo 2018-2019. La planta undimotriz, que aprovecha la energía de las olas, cuenta con 16 dispositivos basados en la tecnología de columna de agua oscilante de 18,5 kW de potencia nominal cada uno. Cada turbina cuenta con sensores para monitorizar su funcionamiento mediante el registro de parámetros como: presión, potencia, velocidad de rotación etcétera. En este trabajo se han analizado la presión en la cámara, el grado de apertura de la válvula de seguridad, la potencia eléctrica generada y la velocidad de rotación de la turbina. Se observa la influencia estacional en las variables, así como la influencia de la ubicación de las propias turbinas en la planta undimotriz. Además, con los parámetros de oleaje registrados en la boya Bilbao-Bizkaia, se ha confirmado la correlación con retardo horario entre el flujo de energía de las olas y la potencia generada en la planta. El estudio del funcionamiento de la planta undimotriz de Mutriku, la única en el mundo conectada a red que produce energía de manera continua, permite caracterizar la variabilidad del suministro eléctrico y así poder mejorar las previsiones de generación eléctrica. Además permite estimar el aprovechamiento energético real del recurso marino. Estos estudios son necesarios para fomentar el desarrollo de las tecnologías de la energía undimotriz, ya que, en el campo de las energías renovables, ésta se encuentra todavía en una fase pre-comercial.This work reviews turbine operation data of the Mutriku Wave Power Plant from the 2018 to 2019 period. The wave farm consists of 16 oscillating water column devices each one with 18,5 kW installed power. Every turbine is equipped with sensors in order to track its performance by recording operation parameters such as: pressure, power, rotational speed etcetera. Out of all the parameters, this work analyzes pressure in the air chamber, opening angle of the damper, generator output power and rotational speed of the turbine. The effect of seasonality is observed on the variables, as well as the effect of the location of each one of the turbines on the wave farm. Moreover, with wave parameters recorded by the Bilbao-Bizkaia buoy, the lagged correlation between wave energy flux and power generation has been confirmed. Researching the performance of the Mutriku Wave Power Plant, the only one in the world connected to the grid and permanently providing electricity, enables the characterization of the variability of electricity supply in order to improve its forecasting. It also helps estimate the actual wave energy exploitation. These investigations are necessary to promote the development of wave energy conversion technologies, which are still on pre-commercial stage.Lan honetan Mutrikuko olatu plantako turbinen funtzionamendu datuak, 2018-2019 denbora tartean, aztertu dira. Olatu plantak ur-zutabe oszilatzailearen teknologia erabiltzen duten 16 gailu ditu, bakoitzak 18,5 kW potentzia instalatu-duna. Turbina guztiek funtzionamendu parametroak erregistratzen duten sentsoreak dituzte, besteak beste: presioa, potentzia, errotazio abiadura eta abar. Guztienetik, lan honetan kameraren presioa, balbularen zabaltze gradua, sortutako potentzia elektrikoa eta turbinaren errotazio abiadura ikertu dira. Sasoien eragina aldagaietan frogatu da, baita turbinen kokapenak plantan duena ere. Gainera, Bilbao-Bizkaia buiak erregistratzen dituen olatuen parametroekin, sortutako potentzia eta olatu fluxu energiaren arteko korrelazio atzeratua egiaztatu da. Mutrikuko olatu plantaren funtzionamendua ikertzeari esker, munduko bakarra sare elektrikora konektatuta eta etengabean energia sortzen, elektrizitate-horniduraren aldakortasuna karakterizatu ahal da eta honekin energia elektrikoaren sorkuntza aurreikusketak hobetu. Horrez gain, olatu baliabideen ustiapen erreala balioztatu ahal izan da. Azterlan hauek beharrezkoak dira olatu energiaren teknologien garapena sustatzeko, oraindik garai aurre-komertzialan daude eta