Ski deflection measurement during skiing and estimation of ski direction and edge angle

A new sensor for detecting ski bending and torsional deflection during an actual ski turn on the snow has been developed. It consisted of bending and torsion sensors connected by light rigid beams. This structure was fixed to the upper surface of a ski and passed through a tunnel in the central binding plate. The bending and torsion sensors were strain cells, designed to reject strain orthogonal to the desired measurement direction. The calibration factor for each sensor was determined in a jig, then the calibration of the overall sensor assembly was checked by static bending experiments and a free vibration test. A data logger recorded the strain signals synchronously with other data such as the components of the earth’s magnetic field measured by a sensor on the ski. The data set allowed reconstruction in software of the instantaneous shape, direction and edge angle of the ski. The purpose of this paper is mainly to introduce the equipment used and methods developed. Tests of the sensor performance are described. Results from a ski run on snow are presented to show how the various types of data can be combined. A skilled ski athlete performed long turns with the ski at about 60 km/h on a groomed snow surface at Shiga Kogen in Japan. The experiment on snow showed that the deformation of the ski was predominantly bending; torsional deflection, although measurable, had only a small effect on the shape of the running edge. The ski edge adopted a symmetrical circular bent shape with an unexpectedly small radius when on the outside, but was unconstrained, lightly loaded and nearly straight when on the inside.     

Why adolescents conform to high-status peers: Associations among conformity,identity alignment,and self-esteem

This study examined whether conformity to high- but not low-status e-confederates was associated with increases in identification with popular peers and subsequent increases in self-esteem. A sample of 250 adolescents (55.1% male; M_age = 12.70 years; 40.3% White, 28.2% Black, 23.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.7% multiracial/other) participated in a well-established experimental chat room paradigm where they were exposed to norms communicated by high- and low-status e-confederates. Results revealed that for boys in the high-status condition only, but not girls, the positive relation between conformity and self-esteem was mediated by greater response alignment with popular peers. These findings bolster prior research by suggesting that conformity to popular peers may be partly motivated by drives for self-esteem and alignment with a valued reference group.     

(Young) Newcomers in European societies:Implications for education and counselling

This paper analyzes the political, cultural andethnic aspects of the situation that (young)newcomers have to face after arrival inEuropean societies. They often will experienceculture shock, and in the case of refugees,sequential traumatization. This analysis leadsto a consideration of its implications foreducation and counselling. It is argued thatcounsellors should help newcomers to develop a`survival kit', to be able to cope with theirnew situation.     

Small independent colleges and economies of scale

The financial problems of colleges under 1,000 in enrollment cannot be blamed entirely on a set of minimum, or fixed, costs that colleges of any size must bear. Enrollment fluctuations and lower tuitions also contribute to financial difficulties. In the past, colleges have used growth not so much to capitalize on economies of scale as to provide evidence of success to their constituents. As a result, the ranks of small colleges remain populated with those institutions experiencing financial difficulty, while more successful institutions have attained a larger size. However, in an era of limited growth potential, small colleges must not look to growth as a symbol of success. Success will be better equated with the continuation of quality academic programs in a closely knit community.     

OA in the Library Collection: The Challenges of Identifying and Maintaining Open Access Resources

While librarians, researchers, and the general public have embraced the concept of Open Access (OA), librarians still have a difficult time managing OA resources. To find out why, Bulock and Hosburgh surveyed librarians about their experiences managing OA resources and the strengths and weaknesses of management systems. At this session, they shared survey results, reflected on OA workflows at their own libraries, and updated audience members on relevant standards and initiatives. Survey respondents reported challenges related to hybrid OA, inaccurate metadata, and inconsistent communication along the serials supply chain. Recommended solutions included the creation of consistent, centralized article-level metadata and the development of OA collection development principles for libraries.     

Development of an Augmented Reality Game to Teach Abstract Concepts in Food Chemistry

One of the most pressing issues for many land grant institutions is the ever increasing cost to build and operate wet chemistry laboratories. A partial solution is to develop computer‐based teaching modules that take advantage of animation, web‐based or off‐campus learning experiences directed at engaging students’ creative experiences. We used the learning objectives of one of the most difficult topics in food chemistry, enzyme kinetics, to test this concept. Students are apprehensive of this subject and often criticize the staid instructional methods typically used in teaching this material. As a result, students do not acquire a useful background in this important subject. To rectify these issues, we developed an interactive augmented reality application to teach the basic concepts of enzyme kinetics in the context of an interactive search that took students to several locations on campus where they were able to gather raw materials and view videos that taught the basics of enzyme kinetics as applied to the production of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). The students needed this background to prepare for a mock interview with an HFCS manufacturer. Students and instructors alike found the game to be preferable to sitting in a classroom listening to, or giving, a PowerPoint presentation. We feel that this use of gaming technology to teach difficult, abstract concepts may be a breakthrough in food science education and help alleviate the drain on administrative budgets from multiple wet labs.