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On The Difference In Quality Between Current Heuristic And Optimal Solutions To The Protein Structure Alignment Problem, Mauricio Arriagada, Aleksandar Poleksic

Faculty Work

The importance of pairwise protein structural comparison in biomedical research is fueling the search for algorithms capable of finding more accurate structural match of two input proteins in a timely manner. In recent years, we have witnessed rapid advances in the development of methods for approximate and optimal solutions to the protein structure matching problem. Albeit slow, these methods can be extremely useful in assessing the accuracy of more efficient, heuristic algorithms. We utilize a recently developed approximation algorithm for protein structure matching to demonstrate that a deep search of the protein superposition space leads to increased alignment accuracy with …

Annual Report Of The Registrar 2012/2013, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

--- Definitions
--- Some Comparisons
--- Annual Report Data
--- Summary of Attendance
--- Attendance by Session
--- Full-Time Equivalency Enrollment
--- Degrees Granted 2012/13
--- Degree Summary 2012/13
--- Program Certificates 2012/13
--- Miscellaneous Enrollment Information
--- Degrees Granted by College, Degree and Racial/Ethnic Classification

Communiqué: College Of Humanities, Arts & Sciences Alumni Magazine,Volume 2, Winter 2013, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Humanities, Arts, And Sciences.

Communiqué: College of Humanities, Arts & Sciences Alumni Magazine

Contents:

-- Dean's Message
-- Major Change
-- The Art of Teaching
-- Briefs: Humanities and Fine Arts
-- Square Peg, Round Hole
-- Brazil and Back
-- CHAS Applause
-- News in Short
-- Going Viral
-- NASA: We Have an Intern
-- Get Energized, Iowa!
-- Blowin' Up
-- Briefs: Sciences
-- New Exchanges
-- Change and Innovation
-- Transitions
-- Donor Feature
-- Alumni News

The Wright Message, 2013-2014, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Mathematics.

The Wright Message

Inside this issue:

-- Dear Department Alumni and Friends
-- Around Wright Hall
-- New Faculty: C. Adam Feldhaus
-- 2013 - 2014 Tenure-Stream Faculty
-- Faculty Spotlight: Syed Kirmani
-- UNI on the March
-- The Litwiller Bequest: A Gift that Keeps on Giving
-- Retiring Faculty Member: Glenn Nelson
-- The Center for Teaching and Learning Mathematics
-- David & Lois Kail: Donor Spotlight
-- Addresses by Mathematics Faculty
-- Department of Mathematics Goes Digital
-- Alumni Spotlight: Slade Hovick & Sarah Miesner
-- Student Spotlight: Jesse Moeller, Katherine Pearce, & Adam Feller
-- The 2013 Math Shindig …

Biology News, Winter 2013, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Biology.

Biology News

Contents:

-- Greetings from the Department of Biology
-- Focus on UNI Biology Alumni
-- Focus on UNI Biology Students
-- Microscopes purchased with Carver Trust Grant
-- Two-headed planarian!
-- UNI Day in the Capitol on February 11, 2013
-- Letter of appreciation......
-- Dr. Kimberly Cline-Brown Receives Excellence in Teaching Award
-- Joan Smothers attends national advising meeting
-- Public speaking engagements for Biology faculty
-- Pre-Vet Club project gives aid to shelter animals
-- Faculty on Professional Development Assignment
-- Tri-Beta
-- Reconnect with the Department of Biology
-- Retiring Faculty
-- New Faculty
-- Floyds receive …

Young Adult Memoir Dealing With Alcohol, Abuse, Infidelity, Violence And Poverty, Kelly Reinhold

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this project was to create a memoir that exposes genuine family issues, such as alcoholism, drugs, infidelity, poverty and abuse, from the perspective of a young adult who lived through these experiences first-hand. The story took place in the early 1990' s when the main character was eleven years old. At the time, she was facing the divorce of her parents and was forced to make painful decisions on her living arrangements and choices within her relationships with her parents and brother.

The Role Of Self And Parental Criticism In Non-Suicidal Self-Injury, Brooke Aleece Ammerman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is found at high rates among adolescents and young adults, and often produces many negative consequences, warranting additional research (Yates, 2004). Parental criticism and self-criticism may greatly influence the likelihood of NSSI in these populations (Wedig & Nock, 2007), but the relationship needs to be expanded upon. The purpose of the current study was to address this need by measuring self-criticism, perceived parental criticism, and parent-reported criticism among adolescents and young adults. Results suggest that levels of self-criticism and perceived expressed emotion may influence whether or not an individual engages in NSSI. One particular aspect of self-criticism, …

A Heroic Journey Within Videogames And The Effects Of Player Experience, Jeremiah Moffitt

Honors Program Theses

The popularity of videogames globally is increasing dramatically. The gamer explores first hand fantastic worlds. The story structure of many games follows the hero's journey-a rite of passage that social scientists view as a transformative experience. Although the content of the journey may be culturally specific, the similar structural components of the journey enable the hero to ultimately complete his/her journey as a changed person. I hypothesize that during the playing process, the gamer incorporates the experiences of his/her character and shares in some of these transformative processes. My research is based on participant observation and open-ended interviews with individuals …

Defensive Communication Between Professors And Students And Its Effects On Student Outcomes, Alexa Pomerenk

Honors Program Theses

This study investigated the relationship between defensive communication and student outcomes in college classrooms. The researcher hypothesized that students would perceive a greater defensive climate in classes taught by their least favorite professors, and that the defensive climate would encourage the use of coping mechanisms. Defensive communication was also hypothesized to negatively affect student grades, attendance, and course satisfaction and to increase student burnout. Surveys were administered to college students, and results supported all hypotheses. Findings showed that students linked defensive attributes to their least favorite professors more frequently than they did to their favorite professors, and they reported using …

Measuring The Growth Of Science Teaching Efficacy Of Participants In The Inspire Program, Loren Thalacker

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this research project is to measure the growth of INSPRE participant's comfort in teaching scientific concepts, as measured through science teaching self-efficacy (as defined on page 6). It will also function to measure the effect of the program in general.

This research aligns with the goals of Iowa's Governor STEM Advisory Council by creating authentic opportunities for pre-service teachers to participate in and later utilize the experience to increase their students' interest and achievement in STEM (Governor's STEM Advisory Council, 2012). This project also aligns with goals of the Iowa Mathematics and Science Education Partnership by helping …

Learning Styles: A Viable Approach To Instruction?, Lauren A. Hanzelka

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of the project is to research the concept of learning styles, a common theory used in education, through a critical lens, then take the information, and apply it to a classroom environment. Numerous sources of literature that address the background, research, and efficacy of learning styles will be critically analyzed in order to determine the effectiveness. The research and conclusion will discuss the implications for learning styles in the K-8 classroom

What Are The Mechanisms Of Action Of Stereotype Threat And How Does It Contribute To The Development Of Cardiovascular Disease In African Americans, Anthony Gage

Graduate Research Papers

The rate of hypertension and cardiovascular disease for African Americans is disproportionately higher compared to Whites Americans. Previous research has focused much of its attention on biological and socioeconomic differences as a pathway to explain the disparity in rates of cardiovascular disease. Reviewed is the connection between socioeconomic status and cardiovascular disease, but also extends the reach of etiology to include racially induced cardiovascular reactivity responses in African American. Stereotype threat occurs when a member of a stereotyped group encounters a situation where a stereotype exists, the threat of confirming the stereotype produces an exaggerated cardiovascular response. This model takes …

Understanding The Critical Role Of A Wetland In Maintaining The Ecosystem: A Case Study, Sushil Tuladhar

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Beaver Valley Wetland in north-east Iowa was studied to determine its functionality in filtering incoming contaminants from the surrounding agricultural fields. The study was conducted from May through November of 2011. Altogether 78 water samples (from 13 sites), 84 soil samples (from 14 sites), and some sediment samples were collected for chemical analysis. Heavy metals in three different soil categories, such as surface, 6” deep, and sediments were found to be at or below the acceptable concentrations, indicating no immediate concern for metal toxicity in the wetland environment. The chemical tracers that were used to study the sub-surface flow regime …

Postmodern Humanism And The "Exhaustion Of Easy Life", Mason Beets

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The twenty-first century appears to herald a new epoch, one in which religion and other similar belief systems appear to have run their course. However, this should not necessarily mean that other forms of spirituality and interconnectedness must fade away. Within America, there is a humanistic undercurrent that is gaining strength within our postmodern condition, even as we begin to challenge several of the tenets of postmodernity itself. The groundswell of American humanism has a notable and wholly unintended effect: it ideologically rehabilitates modes or vehicles of thought that might otherwise be labeled as defunct, or inapplicable to the changing …

Liquid Sorption Properties And Structural Changes Of Metal-Organic Frameworks Of Cobalt Nitrate And 4,4'-Bipyridine, Kathryn Mauger-Sonnek

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Metal-organic frameworks consist of metal ions connected by organic ligands. When the metal ions and organic ligands link together in the right geometry, polymeric and infinite 1D chains or 2D and 3D networks are formed. Porous metal-organic frameworks were synthesized from the organic ligand 4,4′-bipyridine (bpy) and cobalt(II) nitrate. The metal-organic frameworks synthesized in this study grew into both a previously known 2D bilayer structure, [Co2(bpy)3(NO3)4]n, and a new, orange 1D chain structure, [Co(bpy)NO3)2(H2O)2]n, within ethanol. It was found that the presence of water was the main factor of causing formation of the orange 1D chain crystals. Drying the orange …

Long-Term, Low-Dose Exposure Of People Residing In Arsenic Affected Areas Of Iowa: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study, Junu Shrestha

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Arsenic contamination in the ground water source is a major problem throughout the world. Epidemiological studies show that long-term arsenic exposure in drinking water, even at low concentrations, can lead to chronic toxicity problems and negative health outcomes. In the United States, private wells are not mandated to comply with the drinking water standards that piped water is, putting many people at risk. This study focused on monitoring of arsenic contamination of private well water, hair samples, and questionnaire based surveys. Of the 260 private well owners selected from 13 counties in Iowa who were invited to participate in the …

Investigating Blended Learning In The High School Science Classroom, Holly Cassandra Hinkhouse

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Blended learning combines the best practices of online learning with face-to-face learning and some research has shown it to have positive benefits for students at the postsecondary level. However, few studies have reported the use of blended learning in the high school setting. This study used quantitative methods to measure student attitudes and learning of science content in both a treatment and control group consisting of 9th grade Physical Science classes. Students in the treatment group experienced one semester of blended learning by using online science modules to supplement their in-class learning while the control group continued to have only …

Nurturing Resiliency Among Adolescents With Emotional And Behavioral Disturbances (Ebd) In A Special Education Setting, Rimaz Herz

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Many youth with emotional and behavioral disturbance (EBD) face significant challenges and difficulties with their families, schools, friends and peers, and even themselves, and experience them academically, emotionally, physically, socially and behaviorally. These youth need resilience to help them overcome these difficulties and challenges. This qualitative study focused on understanding the nature of schooling and interventions provided to students identified as having the most severe emotional and behavioral disabilities or needs, and how such schooling and interventions might explicitly or implicitly promote resilience. The researcher sought to examine interventions used by observing a specific self-contained program with clearly defined services. …

Behind The Mask: An Analysis Of Women's Perceptions And Rationale Toward The Purchase And Use Of Anti-Aging Products, Clair Maureen Williams

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

An exploratory study was done to unveil a more contemporary and intimate look at women and aging in U.S. society. This qualitative research explored what women do, if anything, to confront pressures associated with aging. Purposeful sampling was used to homogenize the participant sample for increased richness of data. Criterion was as follows: women, 50’s age range, married with children, Caucasian, from the Midwest, and who currently use one or more anti‐aging products. In total, 17 women of similar status and background participated in this research. Data collection consisted of in‐depth audio taped interviews followed by immediate transcription. The analysis …

The Unveiling Of W.E.B. Dubois : A Qualitative Content Analysis Of Diverse Interpretations Of The Works And Life Of W.E.B. Dubois, Sonja Lee Bock

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

W. E. B. Du Bois is one of the founding fathers of sociology. Despite his many contributions, he was not included in the sociological canon and given the recognition he deserves. Du Bois was an African-American scholar whose contributions lead to the development of the first school of sociology in the United States, although he has generally not been recognized for it. My research explores how the effects of the veil contribute to the interpretations of Du Bois. To investigate this question, I will perform a qualitative content analysis of selected publications by Dubosian experts who have written extensively about …

Recalcitrant Arguments, Kiranjeet Kaur Dhillon

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

On January 26, 2011, Reuters photojournalist Amr Abdallah Dalsh took an image of a unknown veiled woman gesturing at Dalsh and his camera. Using TinEye, a reverse image search engine, I found that 86 circulations and 22 recirculations of the photo were primarily in the United States. US graphic artist Nick Bygon created one of the recirculations, which primarily appeared on US blogs. The photo achieved this level of circulation in the US because it is consistent with, and therefore legible within the symbolic language, of the liberal democratic order. Similar to “Migrant Mother” and “Tank Man”, the photo is …

Using Tpack To Promote Effective Language Teaching In An Esl/Efl Classroom, Wilson M. Rojas Bugueño

Graduate Research Papers

Technology integration in English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) using Technological Pedagogical And Content Knowledge (TPACK) (Mishra & Koehler, 2006) seems to be a new territory for teachers and researchers. For this reason, this literature review explores the use of TPACK in the EFL/ESL classroom. In this review, principles, methods and activities related to English teaching are reviewed and discussed. Also, the foundations of TPACK, activity types and their applications not only in other subject areas, but also in the EFL/ESL area are explored. For this purpose, articles, studies and books were consulted …

An Examination Of Opposing Theoretical Perspectives: Are The Current Assessment And Instructional Practices For Students With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders And Mental Health Issues Effective And Sufficient?, Karen Aldrich-Duden

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Increasing student achievement is the purpose of all educational programs, including the programs for students with disabilities. The adequacy of the educational programing for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBO) who also have mental health issues was the focus of this qualitative study. Specific attention was paid to the assessment and instructional practices used with students with EBO in order to answer the research question: Are the current assessment and instructional practices for students with EBD and mental health issues effective and sufficient? This study explored the potential benefits of using an ecological theoretical framework based on the bioecological …

The Difference Connection Makes : Roles The Middle School Teacher Plays In Changing Adolescent Girls’ Lives, Denise M. Pralle

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Within the classroom setting, 'fitting in' can be a very difficult matter for both students as well as teachers. A sense of community and respect for others, which prevails in the elementary grades, seems more subdued among middle-schoolers as competition and the struggle for independence becomes part of the hidden curriculum. Adolescent girls especially struggle to imitate what developmental psychologists suggest is necessary at this age: independence and disconnection from others. However, disconnection at this stage of development may partially account for the competition, disrespect of others, and loss of morality in and out of the classroom. Connected classroom teachers …

Mean Girls And Troublemaking Boys : A Qualitative Study About Interpretive Reproduction And Peer Culture In A Preschool Classroom, Heidi Marie Gansen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Within preschool classrooms children soon realize that they are under the enforcement and direction of their teachers, which in turn limits their control over their classroom experience. To compensate for this, children develop a peer culture that is based on their interpretations of what they have observed in the adult world (Corsaro and Fingerson 2003). This occurs through a process called interpretive reproduction in which children creatively appropriate information from adult culture in order to produce a peer culture that is unique and different from adult culture (Corsaro 1997; Corsaro and Eder 1990; Corsaro and Fingerson 2003). Through almost 70 …

Population Genetics Of Thomomydoecus Minor: Ectoparasitic Chewing Lice On Thomomys Bottae Pocket Gophers Of The Rio Grande Valley In New Mexico, Sheree Elizabeth Harper

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Thomomydoecus minor is an ectoparasitic chewing louse that lives in intimate association with the pocket gopher Thomomys bottae. Chewing lice are wingless, obligate, host specific parasites that spend their entire life cycle on the fur of their host. Pocket gophers are fossorial and asocial, cut off for most of their lives even from members of their own species. Thus, the life histories of both chewing lice and pocket gophers have been predicted to limit transmission of lice from host to host, thus limiting gene flow among louse infrapopulations found on different hosts and increasing the effect of louse population …

The Effects Of Weight Bias In Physical Education And The Impact Of Intervention Methods, Chris Ehlert

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review was to examine the effects of weight bias in physical education programs and discuss interventions that may help to eliminate any negative consequences.

Student Reward Programs In Collegiate Athletics, Danielle N. Bakken

Graduate Research Papers

Incentive marketing is becoming increasingly popular among many brands, companies, and even sports teams. Incentive marketing uses motivational campaigns to promote the consumption or sale of merchandise or services. It encourages consumers to become repeat buyers and/or to become more loyal toward a specific product, brand, or company. An aspect of incentive marketing that is emerging within the sports industry is reward programs; specifically with students of universities or colleges. The goals of student reward programs include increasing awareness and attendance of all athletic events on campus, as well as the possibility of students remaining loyal and purchasing season tickets …

Alignment Of A 9th Grade Earth Science Curriculum With The Iowa Core, Courtney Elizabeth Giesel

Graduate Research Papers

In 1990, education was brought to the forefront of federal law with the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The Act was continued during the Bush administration under the name No Child Left Behind (NCLB) (P.L, 2002). These laws became the framework for guiding state education policy (Massell, 2008). Education began experiencing growing pains as lawmakers decided there needed to be better continuity within the American education system, hence the birth of standards-based education.

High School Physics: Virtual Circuit Construction Vs. Real Circuit Equipment, Charlie Leslie Gardner Jr.

Graduate Research Papers

It is amazing to think about the transition of the computer's importance and the abundance of computers within schools. In the last couple of decades, the main purpose has shifted from teaching basic clerical work, to everyday use. It has gone from schools with a single computer room full of bulky desktops, to multiple computer labs, mobile laptop carts, and even personal laptops. Today, advances in technology are taken for granted as we continuously find ourselves surrounded by it. In 2000, there were approximately 1000 American schools using a 1:1 model, which totaled 150,000 laptops (Johnstone, 2003; Dunleavy, Dextert, & …