Building taller, sturdier wood buildings
Phys.org – Nov. 11
University of Alabama researchers are leading an effort that could lead to the construction of taller and sturdier wood-framed buildings in earthquake-prone areas. Dr. Thang Dao, UA assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering, hopes to combine two methods of constructing tall-wood buildings to yield a new system that could lead to wood-framed buildings reaching eight to 12 stories that withstand earthquakes better than current methods that top out at seven stories. Earthquake damage, with the potential for substantial economic losses, highlights a need to focus on developing earthquake resilient and sustainable buildings, Dao said. “As the result of rapid population growth and urban densification, there is a need for taller buildings that are also sustainable and can perform better than simply ‘adequate’ in moderate to large earthquakes by sustaining only minimal damage,” he said. “Further, it is critical that such buildings have minimal interruption to allow people to remain in their residences and community following an earthquake event.” The research project sponsored by the National Science Foundation will use equipment in the Large Scale Structures Lab on the UA campus to mimic earthquakes on partially built structures connected to computer simulations that give feedback on how the entire building would perform.
‘Young Frankenstein’ comes to University of Alabama’s Marian Gallaway Theatre
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 11
Frankenstein’s monster has traded his hobnailed boots for a pair of dancing shoes. Based on the classic 1974 movie by the same name, the musical “Young Frankenstein,” with book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, and music and lyrics by Brooks, is coming to the Marian Gallway Theatre stage starting Tuesday, as a production of the University of Alabama Department of Theatre and Dance. The parody of classic horror films of the 1930s follows the grandson of deceased mad scientist Dr. Victor Von Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein, as he travels from New York to Transylvania to resolve newly-inherited-property issues. Upon arriving and meeting a gaggle of guests at Castle Frankenstein, Frederick, formerly ashamed of the family name to the point of insisting it be pronounced “FRONK-en-steen,” decides to continue his grandfather’s laboratory work reviving the dead, with the help of new-found right-hand man, Igor.
The Warmth of a Real Fire
Mad About The House – Nov. 11
In the never-ending to do list that is my house, having an open fireplace is pretty near the top. It’s a terrible cliche but there is something so relaxing about sitting in a comfy chair watching the frames flickering. Somehow it makes everything feel better. Keep the lights down low and the heating as well and that’s even a practical thing to feel better about. Actually, I didn’t even make that up (well I did) but there is research to back me up; a study by the University of Alabama found that watching a fire complete with the sound of crackling wood really does lower blood pressure and the longer you watch it the more relaxed you get. Fact.
Virginia Tech shooting has lessons for strengthening college mental health services
Medical News Today – Nov. 11
As the nation reels from another mass shooting on a college campus, analysis of the 2007 attack at Virginia Tech University highlights the need for “comprehensive and coordinated mental health services on college campuses, according to a paper in the November/December issue of Harvard Review of Psychiatry. The journal is published by Wolters Kluwer. The Virginia Tech shooting can be viewed as a “sentinel event,” highlighting the need to improve college mental health services–including an increased role of psychiatrists in assessing and managing students with severe mental illness, according to a perspectives article by Dr. Marisa A. Giggie of University of Alabama School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa. She writes, “Effective communication and the coordination of intervention opportunities among campus mental health and administrative resources are paramount for preventing future tragedies.”
Science Newsline – Nov. 11
UA students to send veterans on Honor Flight
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 11
The University of Alabama SGA is wanting to send more veterans from World War II to Washington, D.C. to see their memorials. The Honor Flight allows veterans to see the World War II and Korean War memorials free of charge. The SGA has started a fund raising campaign to help send more veterans on an Honor Flight.
What parents need to know about new national school bus rule
She Knows – Nov. 11
After years of hemming and hawing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has officially endorsed three-point seat belts on public school buses. But will measures to outfit buses with belts be enough to keep kids safe, and is it worth the cost? Ever wondered why there are no seat belts on most school buses? After all, it seems ludicrous that the gigantic metal beast that carries precious cargo inside would be exempt from strapping anywhere from 20 to 40 kids into their seats. Believe it or not, there are a number of reasons, but despite that, the NHTSA came out Sunday with an official endorsement of seat belts in school buses. Good news for parents? Well, maybe. Maybe not. Currently only six states have seat-belts-on-school-bus laws on the books, and in the past, the NHTSA has insisted that because school buses are already relatively safe when compared to smaller passenger vehicles, it’s up to individual states and districts to make their own decisions … When the University of Alabama worked with the state of Alabama to begin work on a school bus seat belt pilot project, they found a few really interesting things. The first, as we’ve already covered, is that school buses (even without seat belts) are far and away the safest way to get to school. They also discovered that adding seat belts to buses would require schools to increase the number of buses in their fleets by 8 to 15 percent, since fewer seats would be able to fit. Finally, they found that the project would result in a staggering financial loss — to the tune of more than $100 million in the red.
Mom of slain infant disputes allegations
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 11
A woman charged in the death of her infant daughter — who authorities say was killed by an 8-year-old boy — disputes allegations that she left the children home alone, her attorney said Wednesday. Police say Katerra Marsha Lewis, 26, and a friend left the 8-year-old boy to watch over five younger children while the women went to a nightclub. The boy beat Kelci Lewis to death last month when she wouldn’t stop crying and placed her back in her crib as if she were asleep, police said … University of Alabama associate law professor Jenny Carroll said in many jurisdictions, children under the age of 10 or 12 are presumed not to have the capacity to form criminal intent and have difficulty understanding court proceedings. “We recognize that children don’t have the same thought processes and don’t have fully developed decision-making processes at that age,” said Carroll, who has represented juvenile offenders.
New York Post – Nov. 11
Vindy.com – Nov. 11
Edmonton Sun (Canada) – Nov. 11
NBC News – Nov. 11
The Enterprise (Brockton, Mass.) – Nov. 11
Midland Daily News (Michigan) – Nov. 11
Saddened cops accuse child, 8, of killing 1-year-old
USA Today – Nov. 11
Authorities in Alabama were struggling Wednesday to determine the fate of an 8-year-old boy accused of fatally beating a 1-year-old girl he was left to babysit while her mother went to a nightclub. “This is by far one of the saddest cases that I have witnessed and been a part of since i became a police officer,” Birmingham Police Lt. Sean Edwards said at a news conference Tuesday. Edwards said a murder warrant was issued for the boy after Kelci Devine Lewis was “viciously” beaten to death. She suffered severe head trauma and damage to internal organs, Edwards said. Her body was found in her crib the next day. Her mother, Katerra Lewis, was charged with manslaughter … Ted Sexton, a former Alabama sheriff who now teaches criminal justice at the University of Alabama, said there is a good chance the young suspect will be placed in a specialized foster home and provided counseling. “Based on his age, the difficulty in proving intent and the options the court has, I would guess that he won’t be incarcerated,” Sexton told USA TODAY. “The court decision will be based on what can we do for this child to ensure that down the road he is not in this situation again.”
KHou.com (Houston, Texas) – Nov. 11
UA students celebrate Veterans Day; UA School of Social Work Helps Veterans
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 11
Many residents also came out to The University of Alabama to say thank you to service men and women. The Campus Veterans Association puts on this program every year to honor those in uniform. UA President Dr. Stuart Bell says this is the school’s way of making sure our veterans know that they are always important to our community. Meanwhile, the UA School of Social Work partnered with the community foundation of South Alabama to access the needs of military veterans in the southern region of the state. The research will help the estimated 63,000 veterans in the eight county region in southwest Alabama, and will identify unmet needs in gaps and services for those veterans and their families.
Miss Alabama USA 2016 Peyton Brown talks pageants, Katherine Webb and the year to come
Al.com – Nov. 11
On Saturday night, Peyton Brown took home the title of Miss Alabama USA 2016. Since then, the Eufaula native said she is still trying to wrap her mind around the win and the whirlwind of a year that is set to follow. “I came back this year just to compete for the first time since taking four years off,” said Brown. “I didn’t really expect to win so I was just so surprised. I’m still surprised so it’s hard for me to put into words. the word surprised doesn’t even do it justice.” … While Brown, a senior at the University of Alabama majoring in Communication Studies, may have considered herself a bit rusty ahead of this year’ competition, she’s no stranger to the crown. The 21-year-old competed in small pageants her whole life before being named Miss Alabama Teen USA in 2012. She went on to land a spot in the Top 15 during the Miss Teen USA national competition.
UA to hold free acting workshop
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 11
Do you have a flare for the dramatic? This could be your big break. The University of Alabama and Stillman College will be hosting a free acting workshop Monday, November 16th. It will be held at the Wyn Center at Stillman College from 3 until 4:30. Participants will go through a series of dialogue and scenarios in order to improve their acting skills.