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Cns Connections, Winter 2005-06, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Natural Sciences.

CNS Connections

Inside this issue:

-- Message from the Dean
-- At Last: An updated home for Physics
-- PSM degrees a coming attraction at UNI
-- CEEE celebrates 10 productive years
-- CNS inaugurates special Preview Day
-- Faculty and Student Research Highlights
-- Purple Pride
-- UNI offers many opportunities in the classroom and beyond
-- Update from the Centers
-- Two programs increase diversity in Math Department
-- College News
-- ChemWall provides passport to Chemistry at UNI
-- Industrial Tech students build renewable energy system at area park
-- Alumni News
-- CNS Advisory Board

Modeling And Simulation To Investigate Effects Of Static Mixer, Carrier Gas, Temperature And Pressure On The Mixing Ratio Of Carbon Nanotubes Growth Reactors, David Addie Noye

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The problem of this study was to investigate the effects of static mixer, carrier gas, carrier gas inlet pressures, and reactor operating temperatures on the mixing ratio of carbon nanotube synthesizing reactor. The methodology included design of static mixers, mathematical modeling, and computer modeling and simulation experiments.

The simulation experiment was performed based on single phase carrier gas modeling due to difficulty and time for three phase fluid modeling. First only nitrogen carrier gas in addition to the other three factors under constant inlet flow velocity and inlet temperature was simulated. Secondly, the same procedure was applied to argon carrier …

The Influence Of British Culture On The Advance Of Modern Architecture In The United Kingdom, Shannon K. Holt

Honors Program Theses

Through exploring literature, conducting on-site observations and living in London, I have examined these questions with respect to the history of Modem architecture and Britain's respective role in it, the history of Britain and of their urban planning and architectural needs, the introduction of the Modem style and the subsequent backlash, the influence of the Prince of Wales, and the direct influence of the culture itself. I have attempted to analyze both the history, the present, and to speculate on the future of the Modem movement in the United Kingdom.

Integrating Technology And Education, Jori L. Showalter

Graduate Research Papers

The following literature review challenges the idea of integrating technology into the educational curriculum. It will reveal the value of integrating technology into the curriculum, along with possible problems that might occur. Some of the problems examined in the review relate to the overwhelming amount of information found on the Internet, problems with the Internet trying to replace the current curriculum, safety issues involved with Internet use, and staff development concerns. The review also identifies what a model school integrating technology might look like and the influence it plays in the core subject areas.

A Qualitative Investigation Of Student Interactions In A Learning Activity Center: Defining Success, At-Risk Factors, And Resiliency For Developmental Programs In Community Colleges, John L. Kalkwarf

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This purposive study selected ten students of different background in order to understand how the educational success of adults was affected by Learning Activity Centers (LAC) in a community college. The ten selected students were all non-traditional students who had at least these three at-risk factors: (a) they scored below the college minimums on a diagnostic test in reading, writing, or mathematics, (b) they were below student financial aid guidelines, and (c) they had an interrupted educational history of two or more years. The ten students were paired into five categories: (a) Sudanese males, (b) Mexican females, (c) single parent …

The Efficacy Of Writing Course Placement At An Iowa Community College, Kristine D. Owens

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of writing course placement at an Iowa community college. The following questions were addressed: What indicators, separately or in combination, resulted in an appropriate or inappropriate student writing placement? (a) To what extent did the COMPASS test result in an appropriate placement? (b) To what extent did the self-directed essay result in an appropriate placement? (c) To what extent did a student's preference result in an appropriate placement?

This study was important to understand how the “directed self-placement” model, adapted from Royer and Gilles (1998, p. 1), impacted the institution's …

The Mind Is The Tabernacle Of The Consciousness Soul: A Journey Visiting The Roles Of Consciousness, Communication, Education, And Technology In Human And Curriculum Development By Integrating Dewey, Gebser, And Steiner: Past, Present, Future, Daniel Joseph Kazim Bardy

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This descriptive philosophical study examines 355+ question seeds of thought and discourse on consciousness, communication, education, and technology, much in the contexts of philosophical structures of human beings from 4,000,000 B.C. hominid man to the future of humankind and genetic enhancement. Curriculum and consciousness discussion of American John Dewey (1859–1952), Polish-born Jean Gebser (1905–1975), and Austrian-born Rudolf Steiner (1865–1920) is interwoven, finding commonalities of these philosophers and that of Daniel J. K. Bardy. Language being developed only 50,000 years ago is the defining point for Homo sapiens as the tool of linguistic communication, mutated forward much like the protrusion development …

Investigating The Effectiveness Of Professional Development On High School Physics Teachers’ Conceptual Understanding Of Newtonian Mechanics, Instructional Practices, And The Conceptual Growth Of Their Students, Julia K. Moeller

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a physics professional development program on secondary science teachers' conceptual knowledge of Newtonian mechanics, instructional practices and the conceptual growth of their students. The University of Northern Iowa Physics Institute enabled a group of twenty-one Iowa high school and middle school science teachers to complete the physics coursework required to obtain the State of lowa 7-12 Grade Physics Teaching endorsement. The Institute provided experiences to improve physics content knowledge and proficiency of constructivist methodologies for teaching high school physics.

Twelve Institute participants completed a two-year program during the 2002 …

The Impact Of The No Child Left Behind (Nclb) Legislation On School Leadership Of Two School Buildings Designated In Need Of Improvement: An Agency Theory Perspective, Susan Pecinovsky

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of conducting this study was to describe and analyze how NCLB has influenced school leaders in school buildings designated in need of assistance (SINA) and to the sanctions that accompany that label. Included in this study is the examination of the principal-agent interactions proposed in agency theory through the relationship of Iowa school leadership and the Iowa Department of Education.

From the 11 school buildings presently designated schools in need of assistance according to the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 2001 or No Child Left Behind, the school leadership of two school buildings participated in …

Hydrogeology Of Hanging Bog State Preserve: The Role Of Hillside Seeps In Draining The Iowan Surface, William L. Niemann

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Along the margin of the Cedar River Valley, groundwater discharges from eroded and weathered glacial materials of the Iowan Surface to modern alluvial deposits of the valley floor. Hanging Bog State Preserve, located along this topographic, geologic, and hydrologic boundary, represents one such groundwater discharge location, in the form of a perennial hillside seep. Based on detailed monitoring of surface water and groundwater levels within the preserve for a one-year period, it is shown that a significant quantity of groundwater, collected from a disproportionately large recharge area, is funneled to the valley wall at this site and subsequently carried to …

Editorial Board & Iowa Academy Of Science Officers And Directors

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Back Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

Annual Report Of The Registrar 2004/2005, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

--- Definitions
--- Annual Report Data
--- Summary of Attendance
--- Attendance by Session
--- Full-time Equivalency Enrollment
--- Degrees Granted
--- Degree Summary
--- Program Certificates
--- Pupils in Price Laboratory School
--- Miscellaneous Enrollment Information
--- Degrees Granted by College, Degree Objective, and Racial/Ethnic Classification

Developing Mathematical Reasoning Through Playing Group Games [Grades Prek-3], Regents’ Center For Early Developmental Education

STEM Experiences for Classrooms

No abstract provided.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Membrane Anchored Peptides, Eugenia Christine Tsamis

Honors Program Theses

ln KW ALP23 peptides containing Lysine and Trp, as the Trps were moved further in towards the center of the bilayer, Lys became the dominant anchoring residue (1). The goal of this project was to determine whether Arg exhibits snorkeling behavior similar to Lys, and is able to anchor the peptide in the membrane despite the repositioning of Trp in the RWALP peptides. Several candidate R W ALP23 peptides containing Tryptophan and Arginine with an alternating LeucineAlanine backbone were synthesized successfully. They were then studied by HPLC, CD, and MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry to investigate the anchoring roles of Arg and …

Synthesis Of Nanomaterials: Magnesium Hydroxide Nanoparticles And Applications For The Catalyzed Decomposition Of Toxins, Travis Witte

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Utilizing a modified sol-gel process, a series of Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles will be produced. Each series synthesized will utilize six different toluene/methanol solvent ratios to yield six samples of nanoparticles. each with a different surface area. The surface area is expected to increase as the toluene/methanol ratio is increased. After preparation is completed, the nanoparticles will be characterized by BET method nitrogen adsorption measurement, IR spectroscopy and thermal gravimetric analysis. The Mg(OH)2 will then be utilized in a simple photocatalysis experiment to determine its possible use as catalyst for the degradation of toxic substances.

A Critical Analysis Of No Child Left Behind, Kelli Brooke Dostal

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this thesis is multifaceted. First, I will provide an overview of the main provisions of the NCLB Act. For each provision, I will review a range of criticisms of the new legislation expressed by prominent scholars in the field of education. These criticisms include problems with: underfunding, accountability of testing requirements, expanded parental options, local control and flexibility, the validity of evidence-based practices, and the assessment of teacher quality. Finally, I will examine how these concerns have been addressed by the legislators and offer some thoughts on the on the appropriateness of NCLB.

117th Annual Meeting Of The Iowa Academy Of Science [Program, 2005], Iowa Academy Of Science

Iowa Academy of Science Documents

Contents:

Program Summary --- 4
General Session Presentations --- 6
Symposia Programs --- 9
General Poster Session Program --- 10
Cellular, Molecular and Microbiology Special Poster Session Program --- 12
Section Meeting Programs (Alphabetical by Section) --- 13
2005 IAS Awards and Recognition --- 18
Geology Field Trip Details --- 19
Section Meeting Abstracts (by Section) --- 20
Symposia Abstracts --- 64
Author Index --- 68

Gis-Based Site Suitability Analysis For Planning Confined Animal Feeding Operations In Iowa, Brian Lance Bakker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are becoming increasingly common on the Iowa landscape. These structures produce a very large number of livestock in a small area. The production of livestock is essential to the economy of Iowa, creating billions of dollars in revenue. However, when production is confined to small areas, large amounts of byproducts are produced that can cause a threat to the environment surrounding the areas of production. Thus, there is a need for careful planning, particularly the selection of suitable locations for future CAFO development. Currently, locations for CAFOs are simply chosen according to a producer's preference …

Effective Thinking Strategies, Wendy Trainer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if teaching efficient thinking strategies would increase students learning of basic addition math facts as measured by timed tests, student interviews, interviews with teachers, and the districts basic facts data. Basic addition facts are facts that are a single digit plus a single digit. The efficient thinking strategies include "count on to add," use "doubles to add," and "make ten." The research suggests that basic facts need to be improved. Students should be reasoning, problem solving, communicating, and making connections in math to learn the basics. These strategies will .help students understand …

A Web-Based Intelligent Spatial Decision Support System For Planning Snow Removal Operations, Shriram Ilavajhala

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Providing speedy and cost-effective snow removal management during winter months proves to be an overwhelming task for the local and government personnel. Considering the importance and the massive costs involved in snow removal operations, it is essential that the snowplowing operations be carefully and efficiently planned, so as to minimize the costs and provide a quick response. However, the existing methods for snowplowing planning operations are mostly handled manually. For example, the resource allocation and management is done manually without using any analytical tool for optimization, and the routing is done often times without considering the least costly route to …

Fall Commencement [Program], December 18, 2004, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Commencement Programs

The program of the commencement ceremonies, including a list of institutional leadership, a list of the departments by college, awards given at the ceremonies, and a list of undergraduate and graduate degree candidates.

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda, November 8, 2004, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

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

Ists E-Newsletter, November 2004, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Notes from Your President

--ISTS Fall '04 Conference Comments

--Announcements—a slew of opportunities

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

University Of Northern Iowa Graduate Council Minutes, October 14, 2004, University Of Northern Iowa. Graduate Council.

Documents - Graduate Council

Meeting minutes from the Graduate Council of the University of Northern Iowa.

Ists E-Newsletter, October 2004, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Notes from Your President

--October 21: ISTS Fall ’04 Conference and Chairman’s invitation

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

--Announcements

Uni Schedule Of Classes, Fall 2004, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Schedule of Classes

A listing and schedule of the courses being taught as well as policies and procedures concerning attending classes at the University of Northern Iowa.

Earth News, V28, Fall 2004, Department Of Earth Science, University Of Northern Iowa.

Earth News

Inside this issue:

--- Earth Science Staff Activities
--- Earth Science Majors
--- Student Internships
--- From Ocean to Ice: GSI 2004 Spring Field Trip Highlights
--- National Earth Science Week Quarry Open House
--- Sigma Gamma Epsilon - Gamma Sigma Chapter
--- Student Research Presentation
--- 2004-2005 Scholarship and Award Recipients
--- 2004 Earth Science Graduates
--- Earth Science Seminar Series
--- Gifts to the Department of Earth Science
--- Earth Science Alumni News

A Profile Of Students Enrolled At The University Of Northern Iowa, Fall Semester 2004, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

--- Preface
--- At a Glance
--- Profile Summary
--- Section I: Total Student Enrollment for Fall Semester 2004
--- Section II: New Students Entering UNI Fall Semester 2004
--- Section III: Miscellaneous

Faculty Tenure Report, Fall 2004, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Information Management And Analysis.

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Statistical report showing the number of faculty that are tenured, on the tenure track, or not on the tenure track, broken down by college, department, gender, minority status, and if full or part time.