Digital Commons Network^™

Elephants Of The Pink City, Jaipur, India: A Study Of The Captive Elephant Welfare And Management Practice In Ex-Situ Environmental Conditions, Ayan Sasmal

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

Although the arid Rajasthan desert is far from native elephant habitat, captive elephants (Elephas maximus) are managed by some private owners in Jaipur. The semi-arid Jaipur experiences a very hot summer and an extreme cold winter. Along with this, improper management practice and tremendous work load has changed the captive elephant normal life drastically. This study aims to identify the gaps in the management practice of captive elephants. A total of 72 captive elephants were studied in Jaipur. Data about the captive elephant status, veterinary care and the socio-economic conditions of their mahouts were collected through daily observations and conducting …

Using Gis For Determining Optimal Refugee Camp Placement In Western Thailand, Christopher Pierce

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

Refugee camps are often over crowded, which can create security issues and create strain on the camp infrastructure, supplies, officials, and other areas. ‘GIS for Good’ created methodology to determine optimal placement for refugee camps in Uganda using GIS. Their model focused on environmental (ie. Distance to water, land use, etc.) and social factors (population density, distance to education and health facilities, etc.). These factors were reclassified to rank most optimal sites 10 and least optimal sites 1. Factors were also weighted to give more emphasis to distance from water, slope, and food suitability sites compared to other factors. These …

Impact Of Tibetan Household Livelihood Capital On Tourism Participation Level: A Case Of Jiaju Tibetan Village In Garze, Yiyi Zhang

Annual Graduate Student Symposium

As more people move from countryside to cities and those left behind struggle to sustain livelihoods, China’s 19th National Congress of the Communist Party has prioritized the implementation of rural revitalization. A number of studies have examined drivers of livelihood transition from farming to non-farm activities, especially the participation in tourism against the backdrop of rural tourism development. There are, however, few studies identifying ways to measure tourism participation level or discussing how household-level capitals influence the decision on tourism participation made by Tibetan ethnic households. This article assessed the roles of livelihood capitals in the adoption of tourism activities …

13th Annual Research In The Capitol [Program], April 3, 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. University Honors Program., Iowa State University. Honors Program., University Of Iowa. Honors Program.

Research in the Capitol Programs

Program of research presentations given at the Capitol by students from the University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University, and the University of Iowa.

Csbs Kudos, Spring 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Social And Behavioral Sciences.

CSBS Kudos

Contents:

-- Faculty Accolades
-- Retirees
-- Departmental News
-- Student Spotlight
-- Alumni Highlights

Earth News, V41, Spring 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Earth And Environmental Sciences.

Earth News

Inside this issue:
-- From the Department Head
-- Faculty Updates
-- SGE Newsletter
-- Student Awards
-- Sunday at the Quarry
-- Alumni Spotlight
-- A Unique Honor
-- In Memorium
-- Lake Michigan Ozone Study
-- Student Research
-- Hydrology News
-- Carver Grants
-- 2017-2018 Pictures
-- Alumni-in-Residence
-- Alumni Updates
-- Solar Eclipse Party
-- How Many Snowflakes
-- Geology and Interior Design
-- Beta Project
-- Stem Story
-- Gifts From Alumni & Friends
-- Contribution Form

Gentrification In Polk County, Iowa, Danielle Massey

Major Themes in Economics

This paper measures the extent of gentrification in Polk County, Iowa from 2000 to 2016. It also looks at the factors that may have contributed to that gentrification. Five of the 77 census tracts in Polk County show high levels of gentrification. Seven other tracts show moderate levels. I find that factors positively correlated with gentrification in Polk County include proximity to an historic district, proximity to a park or open space, and the percentage of total housing units that receive Low-Income Housing tax credits. Thus, the paper provides support for demand-side theories of gentrification.

Exploring Possible Humanoids On Mars: A Lesson Designed For Twice-Exceptional Gifted Students, Younis Al-Hassan, Marie Adebiyi, Shehreen Iqtadar, Dana L. Atwood-Blaine

Journal of STEM Arts, Crafts, and Constructions

This practical article presents a classroom-tested pedagogical plan to assist instructors in teaching thinking skills to gifted students with disabilities in the context of science. The lesson, which focused on using Edward de Bono thinking skills to explore humanoid images that appear in NASA photos, provided accommodations for students with hearing impairment, along with disabilities associated with short and long-term memory. The instructional design team presented the arts-integrated activity of drawing scenes showing possible ways the anomalies could have been generated, and an interactive electronic game using iPads that asked participants to gather needed items for a trip to Mars. …

University Of Northern Iowa Joint Teacher Education Senate Meeting Minutes, March 8, 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. Joint Teacher Education Senate.

Documents - Joint Senate

Meeting minutes from the Joint Teacher Education Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

A Review By Larsen Of Anthropocene Reading: Literary History In Geologic Times, Edited By Tobias Menley And Jesse Oak Taylor, Thomas Barclay Larsen

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

The Anthropocene is an informal epoch which tries to account for the human imprint on the geological record (see Crutzen and Stoermer 2000). Broken down, the word has two root meanings: Anthropos (humans) and cene (age or epoch). The Anthropocene reflects the idea that humans have changed the Earth’s system to the point where the species has a distinct presence in the geological strata—different layers of rock and sediment which build up, shift around, and erode over time. If formalized, the ‘Age of Humans’ would become an official part of the geological timescale, which extends beyond the most recent Holocene …

Editor's Introduction, Jesse Swan

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

Appearance, physical presence, perception, and interpretation and reaction or response feature prominently in our contemporary national and global moment. From generating violence to promoting healing, from disparaging the vulnerable and dispossessed to uplifting ourselves by humanely caring for those hurting or otherwise in need, individuals, groups, nations, and international enterprises perceive and react to people and social and environmental circumstances. This volume of UNIversitas provides some compelling and heartening contributions to this contemporary state of affairs.

Contributors

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Supporting Strong Families And Capable Communities Through Cross-National Research, Nathan C. Taylor, Deborah K. Hartman, Richard J. Bischoff, Alan Hayes, Paul R. Springer, Hazel E. Dalton, David Perkins

Faculty Publications

Mental and behavioral ill-health are growing global problems and while there are promising evidence-based approaches aimed at reducing their impact, availability of services varies greatly, not only across nations, but also between urban, regional, and remote locations. Rural areas face accessibility and acceptability challenges related to mental health services that are similar to barriers experienced in developing countries. Initiatives to address mental health challenges in under-served rural areas can inform global mental health strategies.

Documenting The Postville Story, Thomas L. Kessler

Postville Project Documents

A description of The Postville Project, an archive of documents and images concering the 2008 Postville immigration raid and the community of Postville, Iowa.

Uni Grad Student News, V16n3, February 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. Graduate College.

UNI Grad Student News

Inside this issue:

-- Alumni Profile- Deborah Berry
-- Student Profile- Mohammad Intizom
-- Faculty Profile-Dr. James Dietrich
-- Professional Development Opportunities
-- May Commencement
-- Departmental News
-- Community engagement
-- Student Accolades

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, January 8, 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

Meeting minutes from the Faculty Senate of the University of Northern Iowa.

Panther First Recipients Of 2018, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Panther First Awards

The Panther First Award identifies and rewards employees who have provided excellent customer service to customers, co-workers, or other members of the UNI community. This is the list of recipients from 2018.

Programs And Courses Catalog 2018-2019, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Programs and Courses Catalogs

This catalog is published for students and other persons who want to know more about the University of Northern Iowa. Its purpose is to communicate as objectively and completely as possible what the university is and what it does. The catalog is presented in sections to give a general view of the university as well as the detailed information required for informed decision making.

2017-18 Strategic Plan Progress Report, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

A report detailing the progress on the strategic goals within the University of Northern Iowa's strategic plan.

Csbs Statements, V20, 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Social And Behavioral Sciences.

CSBS Statements

Contents:

-- Geography From a Different Perspective
-- Inspiring Through Research & Engagement
-- Engagement Spotlight
-- Weapons of Mass Inclusion
-- Highlights From the Field
-- Welcome to Dementialand - An Introduction to Gerontology
-- Tips for Dementia-Friendly Homes
-- You're Next: Women in Politics
-- Teaching Iowa History
-- Future by Design
-- Finding Your Passion
-- Un(Dress) the Stigma
-- Retirees
-- Faculty Promotions and New Faculty
-- In Memoriam
-- Alumni Updates - D.C. Trail Blazers
-- Alumni Portrait: Ambassador John R. Dinger
-- Living the Dream in Law School
-- CSBS Advisory Board Names Three …

Annual Report Of The Registrar 2017/2018, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

--- Definitions
--- Some Comparisons
--- Annual Report Data
--- Summary of Attendance
--- Attendance by Session
--- Degrees Granted 2017/18
--- Degree Summary 2017/18
--- Program Certificates 2017/18
--- Miscellaneous Enrollment Information
--- Degrees Granted by College, Degree and Racial/Ethnic Classification

Prairie Restoration Series: Native Seed Source And Quality, Greg Houseal

Tallgrass Prairie Publications and Reports

Restoring a lost landscape such as tallgrass prairie requires plant material; either seeds, plugs, or rootstock. Emphasizing ecological restoration, resource managers seek to use an appropriate genetic source for restoring prairie vegetation to the landscape. Source should not be confused simply with where the plant material is produced or sold (that is the geographic location of a production field, nursery, or seed dealer). Source refers to the original remnant or genetic source(s), sometimes referred to as the provenance, of the plant material. This source material may be used directly on a restoration site, or propagated to establish a commercial nursery …

University Of Northern Iowa Graduate Program Survey 2017-2018, Megan Vogt-Kostner

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

In 2017-2018, the Graduate Program Survey was administered by the University of Northern Iowa's Office of Institutional Research & Effectiveness using the online survey tool, Qualtrics. The purpose of the study was to gain feedback about the educational experiences of UNI graduates. The survey results help the university provide a better graduate experience for future students.

Evaluation Of A Flipped Classroom On Student Achievement In A Low Income School District, Michael Yeoman

Graduate Research Papers

This purpose of this research is to determine whether using a flipped classroom is as effective for students in low-income schools as it is for students in wealthy school districts. A review of the literature is performed to determine what is the underlying philosophy of using a flipped classroom as well as determining barriers that may inhibit its effectiveness.

Control and treatment groups were determined so that data could be compared between a “traditional” classroom and a “flipped” classroom. The students in the treatment group were given a Pre-Unit Survey to determine a baseline of their perceptions of flipped learning. …

Organized Gaming And Its Effect On Collegiate Academics, Mark Cochran

Honors Program Theses

With the emergence of gaming as an ever more popular pass time, and professional level eSports gaining steam, collegiate student organizations are beginning to reflect this change as well. This study of 166 college students from across the United States addresses the rise of gaming organizations and their subsequent effects of collegiate academics, namely grade point averages (GPA). The results suggest that participation in an organization dedicated to gaming results in a slightly lower GPA than those involved in other organizations, but still higher than average pointing towards factors of involvement still benefiting students. An important factor to note is …

Representations Of Health And Wellness In Children's Literature, Emily Kate Murphy

Honors Program Theses

The term health is multifaceted. Health can refer to one’s physical, spiritual, or mental state, among other things. The goal of this study was to determine how educators can use children’s literature to support students being introduced to healthy habits regarding these aspects at a young age, through children’s literature. A content analysis was conducted over a selection of 16 children’s literature texts. It was organized by thematic categories matching the aforementioned facets of health and assessed through a Likert scale. This analysis resulted in the development of a website intended to serve as a tool for teachers to implement …

Affective Risk Perception In Automotive Environments, Dane Atkins

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Traversing the automotive environment exposes drivers to a risk of property damage, injury, and death. This risk varies across the road network. This research questions whether drivers are capable of accurately perceiving their own exposure to risk in this environment. Analysis begins with an assessment of risk exposure at roadway intersections (as measured in terms of crash frequency, severity, and mixed-weighting methods). This assessment provides risk indices for a cross-section of road intersections across an urban Iowa community. These indices are then used in the development of an experimental visual cognition survey used to record risk perceptions of roadway sites …

Landscape And Climate Drivers Of Harmful Algal Blooms In Iowa, Aaron Padilla

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Insuring the safety of our water for consumption and recreation is a crucial but extremely difficult and resource intensive activity of environmental protection agencies. One of the ways our water is at risk is through the increased frequency, and intensity of harmful algal blooms (HABs). When CyanoHABs occur, they can produce a toxic byproduct, most notably microcystin in freshwater, which can be harmful to humans and animals. Previous research has indicated these blooms are driven by increased eutrophication of water bodies, the excess loading of nutrients. In Iowa, the main driver of CyanoHABs in most watersheds is agricultural runoff, which …

Spatial Disparities And Socio-Economic Conditions : A Food Desert Analysis Of Greater Des Moines, Iowa, David Jensen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Current research suggests that socioeconomic makeup of geographic areas within a city has implications on location and accessibility of food retail stores. Disadvantaged areas with relatively poor access to healthy and affordable food are what literature has identified as “food deserts”. The purpose of this research is to explore the relationships between geographic areas with relatively low socioeconomic characteristics and food stores within the greater Des Moines, Iowa area. By way of survey, grocery and convenience stores are measured on their healthy food quality, advertisements, and other factors. GIS techniques are then used to measure accessibility to stores by low …

Uni Grad Student News, V16n2, December 2017, University Of Northern Iowa. Graduate College.

UNI Grad Student News

Inside this Issue:

--Alumni Profile
--Student Profile
--Conference Information
--Winter Break Activities
--Brown Bag Lectures
--Faculty Profile
--Professional Development
--Student Accolades