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PUBLICATIONS Inside Illinois Vol. 28, No. 20, May 21, 2009

Research | Campus | Honors | Achievements | Books | Briefs | On the Job | Calendar | Job Market | Deaths | PDF Format

correction

It was incorrectly reported in the Feb. 19 issue of Inside Illinois that Ollie Watts Davis created the Black Chorus. The Black Chorus at the UI was founded in 1968, prior to Davis coming to the university. She has been the director of the Black Chorus for 27 years.

Team identifies a molecular switch linking infectious disease and depression

Researchers at the UI report that IDO, an enzyme found throughout the body and long suspected of playing a role in depression, is in fact essential to the onset of depressive symptoms sparked by chronic inflammation. Full story

Making data more accessible could create more accountable government

President Barack Obama’s pledge to make his presidency the most open and accountable administration in history could come true if his administration embraces open data formats to make government information accessible to all, says a UI expert in information science. Full story

See the force: Mechanical stress leads to self-sensing in solid polymers

Parachute cords, climbing ropes, and smart coatings for bridges that change color when overstressed are several possible uses for force-sensitive polymers being developed by researchers at the UI. Full story

Labor laws leave workers at risk during crises, legal expert says

Congress needs to revisit outdated labor laws that could force workers to choose between their health and their jobs during pandemics, natural disasters or other life-threatening emergencies, a University of Illinois legal expert warns. Full story

Physical activity may strengthen children's ability to pay attention

As school districts across the nation revamped curricula to meet requirements of the federal “No Child Left Behind” Act, opportunities for children to be physically active during the school day diminished significantly. Future mandates, however, might be better served by taking into account findings from a UI study suggesting the academic benefits of physical education classes, recess periods and after-school exercise programs. Full story

Input sought to improve information technology resources

Members of the campus community – and faculty members in particular – are being asked to provide their input about how the campus can meet new and emerging information technology needs through IT@Illinois, a campuswide initiative. Full story

New bus routes offer increased frequency, logical routes

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is proposing new bus routes for the campus area beginning Aug. 16 that would provide direct access to downtown Urbana and downtown Champaign along with more frequent service and other improvements. Full story

Student diversity at risk in wake of recession, new business dean warns

Diversity in university business schools – and ultimately the U.S. workforce – could be another casualty of a deep and lingering economic downturn, says a longtime administrator and economist who will soon lead one of the nation’s top business programs. Full story

Dance, architecture students collaborate on sustainable dance space

Students in the School of Architecture and the department of dance at the UI worked together to design and build a much-needed graduate dance rehearsal space on the second level of the East Art Annex 2 in Urbana. Full story

Fellows announced for Community Informatics Institute

A Community Informatics Institute committee awarded seed grants to nine faculty projects. These recipients will be appointed CII Fellows for 2009-10, collaborating with CII and sharing their work in the CII research series. View recipients

achievements

A report on honors, awards, appointments and other outstanding achievements of faculty and staff members.  More

Book Corner

• “Fooling Ourselves: Self-Deception in Politics, Religion and Terrorism,” by Harry C. Triandis, professor emeritus of psychology.

brief notes

Summer Studio Theatre announced … Qualitative research featured at conference this week … Volunteers needed for Emergency Preparedness Exercise June 2 … Gardeners needed for June 6 planting party …More

On the Job: Debbie Kemphues

Debbie Kemphues, an administrative assistant to the provost, has worked at the UI for 28 years. She says there is an energy on campus that you can't get anywhere else. More

View job postings, apply for civil service or academic jobs at Illinois, or update your application information online.

deaths

Mary Margaret Phillips Allen, 91, died May 7 at Illini Heritage Rehabilitation and Health Care in Champaign. Allen worked in accounting, retiring in 1980 after 17 years. Memorials: Anpetu Luta Otipi, P.O. Box 275, Kyle, SD 57752, a drug and alcohol treatment center for the Oglala Sioux Tribe; the Oglala Sioux Tribe Emergency Youth Shelter, 100 Youth Shelter Drive, Highway 18 Below Old Hospital, Pine Ridge, SD 57770 in care of Pauletta Red Willow; or the American Indian College Fund, 8333 Greenwood Blvd., Denver, CO 80221.

Eunice L. Boardman, 83, died May 5 at Trinity Pathway Hospice in Bettendorf, Iowa. She was director of and professor of music from 1989 to 1997. Memorials: Hollis and Anna Boardman Scholarship Fund, or the Unitarian Church of Davenport.

Myrlin F. Buckingham, 95, died May 17, at the Piatt County Nursing Home. Myrlin started working for Robert Allerton in 1945 as grounds foreman where he worked for 36 years as a UI employee. Memorials: Monticello United Methodist Church or Allerton Park.

Narbey Khachaturian, 85, died May 14, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana. He joined the department of civil engineering as a faculty member in 1952. Khachaturian held the part-time post of assistant dean of engineering in the College of Engineering in 1979-80 and was associate head of the department of civil engineering from 1983 until his retirement in 1989. Memorials: UI Foundation CEE Trust-Khachaturian Memorial, in care of John Kelley, UI CEE, 205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801.

Memorial services

A memorial service will be June 6 for Roy John Helfinstine (time and place to be announced). Helfinstine, 96, died May 5 at Meadowbrook Healthcare Center, Urbana. He researched the use of Illinois coal at the Illinois State Geological Survey.

A memorial service for Will J. Worley will begin at 9 a.m. May 24 at McKinley Presbyterian Church, 809 S. Fifth St., Champaign. Worley, 89, died May 16 at his Urbana home. He taught and led research in theoretical and applied mechanics and related fields for 46 years, retiring in 1989.