Digital Commons Network^™

Postpartum Depression And Universal Screening: Consequences, Benefits, And Barriers, Jennifer Setzer Trumbull

Graduate Research Papers

In the United States our society has a perception that after a mother has given birth she should be overjoyed and the happiest she has ever been in her life as well as in love with her baby the instant the first breath is taken. As all parents know, having a child is a stressful, life-changing event (Brewer, 2001). No one wants to believe a mother is not happy or may be unable to care for the new baby much, less that she might be able to harm the child (Brewer, 2001). Unfortunately, the reality is many women suffer from …

Differentiated Instruction In The Secondary Social Studies Classroom, Chad A. Christopher

Graduate Research Papers

As an educator with fifteen years of experience, this author has experienced the frustrations of having to teach a wide range of student abilities at the secondary social studies level. There is a lot of support for differentiated instruction for special education, TAG, and elementary students, but there seems to be questions about the practicality and effectiveness of it in a secondary classroom.

The issues discussed in this paper will focus on the following questions: 1) Does Differentiated Instruction affect student learning? 2) Can Differentiated Instruction be implemented with secondary teachers in a practical way to help student learning and …

The Effects Of Varying Seeding Rates Of Bouteloua Curtipendula And Mowing On Native Plant Establishment In A New Prairie Reconstruction, Ryan Leon Welch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

A major problem early in prairie reconstruction is weed competition. Research has shown that mowing in the first year can increase establishment and survival of prairie plants. The use of nurse crops (companion crops) has been suggested as an alternative to mowing for weed suppression. The goal of this study was to examine various seeding rates of B. curtipendula, as a nurse crop in mowed and unmowed plots to determine if it suppressed weeds and aided in the establishment of natives. We hypothesized that increasing the seeding rate of B curtipendula will reduce weed growth and promote an increase in …

A Content Analysis Of Holocaust Fiction For Young People, Teresa Ann Evans-Winfield

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research was to examine Holocaust literature for young adults to determine if the books in this sample are historically accurate, have themes of survival and resistance, and portray characters who model positive attributes of citizenship. This researcher read 24 books copyrighted between 1992-2008 that were selected from H. W. Wilson's Junior High and Middle School Core Collection and Senior High School Core Collection. Nineteen of the twenty-four books read by this researcher were copyrighted after the year 2000. The data gathered provided evidence that 15 (63%) of the books sampled were historically accurate and were fictionalized …

Investigating The Potential Contributors To Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: Stress, Emotional Dysregulation, And Alexithymia, Kelly K. Espenschade

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Research has investigated perceived stress, non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI), emotional dysregulation, and alexithymia independently. However, there have been no studies to date that have simultaneously examined the relationship among all these variables. The purpose of this study was to examine these variables among those who had or had not engaged in NSSI. Five hundred seventy-seven college students completed self report measures of non-suicidal self-injury, perceived stress level, emotional dysregulation, and alexithymia. As hypothesized, those who had engaged in self-harm behaviors reported higher levels of perceived stress, emotional dysregulation, and alexithymia. There were no gender differences except on perceived stress levels, where …

Timecourse Analysis Of The Effect Of Atrazine On Human Hepg2 Cells, Erin M. Schrunk

Honors Program Theses

Atrazine is one of the most abundantly used herbicides in the United States. It works by inhibiting photosynthesis in broad leaf and grassy weeds. Consequently, with its frequent use, atrazine can contaminate many drinking water sources due to run-off from treated fields. While many studies have shown detrimental effects occur in various model organisms using very high levels of atrazine, not much is known about what effects occur due to lower levels of atrazine exposure. The current research project analyzed the effects of atrazine on human liver cells (HepG2). Specifically, we focused on the proteins that regulate cell cycle progression …

The Effects Of Epigallocatechin Gallate On The Structure And Dynamics Of Podosomes In Human Macrophages, Vinay Bajaj

Honors Program Theses

Podosomes are actin rich structures found in cancer cells and cells derived from monocytes in the human body. They help these cells be motile through the body and invade through tissues. We found the number of podosomes observed in the cells increased, with a simultaneous increase in motility, corresponding to an increase in the concentration of Epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG) used in a dose-dependent fashion. We also found that the actin molecules in the podosomes are arranged in columns with frequent breaks in its structure. We also found myosin llb to be an integral part of the podosome, providing the podosome with …

What's Up With Fiddler Crabs: Does Larval Dispersal Render Genetic Similarity In The Disjunct Distribution Of Uca Minax (Uca: Ocypodidae)?, Alexa Warwick

Honors Program Theses

The red-jointed fiddler crab, Uca minax, has a disjunct distribution along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts in North America. Previous studies have not found any significant discrepancies in morphology, physiology, or allozymes between the two groups of U.minax. The primary objective of this study was to use DNA sequence data to test whether genetic variation is consistent with patterns of morphological, physiological, and allozyme variation of the disjunct populations. We collected mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I and nuclear internal transcribed spacer sequences from approximately 100 individuals distributed across the range. Phylogenetic analyses of the haplotypes revealed no genetic differentiation …

Treatment Options For Neuropathic Pain, Sara Akre

Honors Program Theses

Neuropathic pain is caused by injury to or disease of the nervous system. It affects many people around the world and is a symptom of several diseases. In the United States, it is estimated that up to 3% of Americans have neuropathic pain, which costs the healthcare system $40 billion annually (Gilron et al. 2006). It is, unfortunately, difficult to ameliorate or eliminate due to the complexity of the nervous system and its plasticity and is, therefore, a chronic condition. Health care professionals continually struggle to treat patients' pain and, since tolerance to painkillers is easily built up, this often …

The Effect Of Elevated Homocysteine On The Expression Of Cadherins 6b, 7, And 11 In Migrating Neural Crest Cells Of Chick Embryos, Chelsea L. Reinhard

Honors Program Theses

Following neurulation in the chick embryo, the pleuripotent neural crest cells (NCC) migrate from the dorsal neural tube to form a variety of tissues, including the dorsal root ganglia, craniofacial cartilage, melanocytes, and the adrenal medullae. Type II cadherins, calcium-dependent mesenchymal cell adhesion molecules, are expressed in NCCs prior to and during migration, including a period of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Among teratogenic substances known to cause congenital malformations, including heart and neural tube defects, which involve NCCs, homocysteine (Heys) is a natural blood amino acid known to disrupt EMT. The purpose of this thesis was to study the effect of …

A Light Unto Our Path: Toward A Mutual Understanding Of Fundamentalist Christianity And Science, Kassidy K. Lyons

Honors Program Theses

My research into the Christian fundamentalist and scientific worldviews shows that existing hostility between the two can be attributed to extremists on either side. Such polarization can be a hindrance to all involved by inhibiting scientific learning and disregarding valid methods to signify and understand one’s place in the world. I explore each worldview and its validity as well as provide examples of how each can be harmful when taken to the extreme. I then outline philosophies by Stephen Jay Gould, Michael Ruse, Marcus Borg, Karl Popper and others who deny extremism and will allow an individual to find middle …

The Effect Of Homocysteine On Development Of Contractions And Expression Of Β-Catenin In Chick Embryo Precardiac Mesoderm, Michelle Lee Formanek

Honors Program Theses

In the chick embryo, homocysteine (Hcys) is teratogenic at elevated levels, causing neural tube defects and cardiac malformations. There is evidence for several Hcys mechanisms of action, including inhibition of cyclin A and cdk2 in the cell cycle, increasing cytosolic calcium levels, and acting as a calcium chelator within adhesion molecules. Elevated Hcys also promotes detachment of endothelial cells, increases migration and proliferation of trunk neural crest cells, and acts as an antagonist to the NMDA receptor that mediates sympathetic pathways to the cardiovascular system. Elevated Hcys' effects on the cell cycle, intracellular and blood calcium levels, and cell proliferation …

Assessing The Potential Habitat Value Of Biomass Production Fields For Grassland Birds, Mandy Larson

Honors Program Theses

In this paper, I researched the habitat requirements of grassland birds in general, including an in-depth analysis of the specific habitat requirements of four selected species: Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus), Dickcissel (Spiza Americana), Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum), and Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis). In the second part of my research, I evaluated three possible scenarios that could be used for biomass production in Iowa and reviewed the methods producers employ in establishing and managing their fields. I evaluated area, species diversity, timing of harvest, edge habitats, and fertilizers/chemicals used during production. Then I compared these three biomass production scenarios to the habitat …

Fall Commencement [Program], December 20, 2008, 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.

Ists E-Newsletter, November 15, 2008, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Message from the ISTS Chair, Morgan Masters

--Message from the Fall Conference Chair, Traci Maxted

--Message from the Vice Chair, De Anna Tibben

--Announcements

--Opportunities

--News

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, November 10, 2008, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

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

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, November 10, 2008, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

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

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, October 27, 2008, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

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

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, October 27, 2008, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

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

University Of Northern Iowa Faculty Senate Meeting Agenda, October 13, 2008, University Of Northern Iowa. Faculty Senate.

Documents - Faculty Senate

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

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V04n3, Autumn 2008, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--A Message from your President

--Comments from the IAS Leadership

--2008-2009 IAS Section Chairs

--One Donation To Help Two Great Causes

--Iowa Junior Academy of Science Celebrating 75 Years of Service

--You are invited to Wiki with IJAS

--Dr. Jay Labov to Speak at IAS Annual Meeting

--Recognizing Great Science

--2008 Iowa Academy of Science Speakers Series Visitor Center, Saylorville Reservoir

--Recognizing Great Science Teaching

University Of Northern Iowa Today, V92n2, Fall 2008, University Of Northern Iowa Alumni Association

UNI Today

Inside This Issue:
-- Pardon the construction: progress under way
-- Contents
-- Taking Flight-Student Entrepreneurs do what they dream
-- Art for all
-- Buy Fresh, Buy Local Pays Off
-- Sports and events complex attracts crowds to UNI
-- After the Storms
-- UNI awards three honorary degrees
-- Princeton Review ranks UNI College of Business Administration as one of the best
-- Gilchrist Hall is back and better than ever
-- Lab School has character.
-- UNI Alumni Association presents 2008 Heritage Honours Awards
-- Richard O. Jacobson Human Performance Center dedicated
-- Botanical Center celebrates 70 …

Tallgrass Prairie Center Newsletter, Fall 2008, University Of Northern Iowa. Tallgrass Prairie Center.

Tallgrass Prairie Center Newsletter

Inside This Issue:

-- The Tallgrass Prairie Center and UNI To Host 22nd NAPC in 2010
-- A Roaders Convention
-- Tallgrass Prairie Center Distributes Film to Iowa Classrooms
-- Restoration Guide Brochures Available
-- Adding Wildflowers to Prairie Grass Plantings: Ten Years Later
-- 2nd Annual Fall Seminar Series
-- Native Seed Harvest and Cleaning Workshop
-- Student Employees Restore A National Treasure

Instruction Cost Report, Fall 2008, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Shows the costs associated with running the University of Northern Iowa broken down by college and department

Faculty Tenure Report, Fall 2008, University Of Northern Iowa. Office Of Institutional Research.

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.

Instruction Size Report, Fall 2008, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Gives breakdowns of student credit hours offered by status of instructor, average class size overall, and average class size by status of instructor.

Student Profile, Fall Semester 2008, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

--- Preface
--- Profile Summary
--- Section I: Total Student Enrollment for Fall Semester 2008
--- Section II: New Students Entering UNI Fall Semester 2008
--- Section III: Miscellaneous

Ists E-Newsletter, September 15, 2008, Iowa Academy Of Science

ISTS Newsletter

In this issue:

--Message from the ISTS Chair, Morgan Masters

--Message from the Fall Conference Chair, Traci Maxted

--Message from the Vice Chair, De Anna Tibben

--Announcements

--Opportunities

--News

--Your ISTS Leadership Team

Uni Schedule Of Classes, Summer 2008, 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.

Iowa Academy Of Science: The New Bulletin, V04n2, Summer 2008, Iowa Academy Of Science

New Bulletin

Inside This Issue:

--Message from the Executive Director

--REAP-CEP Funds Iowa Project WET

--Invitation to the 2008 Iowa Science Teachers’ Section Fall Conference

--Kaitlynn Hood Awarded ESTA for Elementary Science Education

--Scrapbook 2007-2008