Digital Commons Network^™

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Cognitive Decline, Kallie Bakker

Graduate Research Papers

This study analyzes the association between ACEs and cognitive decline as well as both ACEs and cognitive declines relationship to gender. It is a secondary data analysis of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data. The BRFSS is composed of data collected from adults (individuals aged 18 and older) across the United States. The results of this study indicate that there is indeed a relationship between ACEs and cognitive decline. It was found that Adults who experienced more Adverse Childhood Experiences experience greater cognitive decline. Another significant finding is the significant relationship found between cognitive decline and gender. This …

Pressure Induced Modification Of Electronic And Magnetic Properties Of Mncrnbal And Mncrtaal, Brandon Schmidt, Paul M. Shand, Parashu Kharel, Pavel V. Lukashev

Faculty Publications

Spin-gapless semiconductor (SGS) is a new class of material that has been studied recently for potential applications in spintronics. This material behaves as an insulator for one spin channel, and as a gapless semiconductor for the opposite spin. In this work, we present results of a computational study of two quaternary Heusler alloys, MnCrNbAl and MnCrTaAl that have been recently reported to exhibit spin-gapless semiconducting electronic structure. In particular, using density functional calculations we analyze the effect of external pressure on electronic and magnetic properties of these compounds. It is shown that while these two alloys exhibit nearly SGS behavior …

Narratives Of Identity: An Autoethnographic Exploration Of Biracial Identity Construction And Performance In Family, Education, And Media, Eboni Springfield

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This thesis explores the complex construction and performance of biracial identity within the context of the United States, delving into the historical and ongoing impacts of race and racism, and the pervasive influence of white supremacy. Through an autoethnographic approach, this study investigates how personal narratives illuminate the processes of biracial identity construction, expression, and negotiation across three social institutions: family, education, and media. The findings reveal the intricate and intersecting interactions that contribute to identity formation, highlighting the expansive nature of intersectionality. The analysis demonstrates that biracial identity is continuously shaped in response to white supremacy, which complicates efforts …

What Is Working And How Do We Know? Examining The Literacy Curriculum In An Elementary School After Years Of Filling The Holes: A Qualitative Study In Improvement Science, Kimberly Graven

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Administrators and teachers are overwhelmed with initiatives and expectations that they are supposed to juggle on a daily basis. When a problem of practice is identified, how do they know what to do about it? In this study, an administrator and leadership team members of a small, rural elementary school use Improvement Science as a framework to tackle their problem of practice.

Fluency reading proficiency scores have been on a slow decline at South Falls CSD over the past five to six years. Educators have been attempting to identify the holes in the curriculum and “filling the gaps” with various …

Positioning Paperback Books As Americana: Cultural And Historical Impacts Of The Wadle Pocket Book Collection, Jake Volk

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The first book in the form of a codex was bound around 300 BCE, but the earliest material used to record writing appeared around 3000 BCE. From these documents recording proto-writing of human history, people have sought to analyze and preserve writing, which continues as a contemporary work of scholars across multiple disciplines to form the field of the history of the book. As the book changed physical form from illuminated manuscripts on vellum to cheaply produced, paperback books, which appeared in the early 1800s, historians have documented these changes; however, more analysis is needed to categorize and interpret how …

Modeling Phosphorus Loading Dynamics In Milford Creek Watershed: With Comparison To A Consent Decree Tmdl, Olivia Calvin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In 1998 Milford Creek, located in northwest Iowa, USA, was included on Iowa’s Impaired Waters List due to its inability to support aquatic life and excessive algal growth that was attributed to an overabundance of phosphorus within the body. In 2001 there was a lawsuit filed against the U.S. EPA regarding the status of Iowa’s Total Daily Maximum Load (TMDL) program. The lawsuit resulted in a consent decree that required the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) to develop a TMDL for all bodies of water on Iowa’s 1998 impaired waters list by December 15, 2009, this list included Milford …

Teacher Use Of Rubrics To Assess Claim, Evidence And Reasonings In The High School Science Classroom, Brianna Finnegan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This qualitative study examines how high school science teachers in an eastern Iowa high school utilize rubrics to assess students’ claims, evidence, and reasoning (CER) in the science classroom. The research investigates the methodology teachers employ in assessing student proficiency using their own rubrics they have created. Data were collected through think-aloud interviews with participating teachers as they evaluated and scored CER examples. Analysis of interview data involved inductive coding to identify common themes and categories, shedding light on teacher’s scoring practices, rubric construction, and perceptions of student proficiency and rubric validity.

Findings reveal that teachers often weigh evidence and …

A Process Evaluation Of A Program Designed To Expand Access To The Iowa Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (Snap-Ed), Justine R. Hoover

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed), implements food- and nutrition-related interventions through direct nutrition education and Policy, Systems, and Environment (PSE) changes. The target audience for these interventions is Iowans with low-income who are eligible or likely eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. ISU SNAP-Ed direct nutrition education aims to equip Iowans with low-income with the knowledge and skills to make healthy food choices and save money on food expenses. ISU SNAP-Ed PSE aims to make the healthiest choice the easiest choice in the food pantry environment. Prior to Federal …

Traumatic Brain Injury And Public Stigma: The Effect Of Perceived Responsibility, Mackenzie Grenko

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

No abstract provided.

Haunting Euramerican Memories: Rhetorical Haunting And The Diffuse Memory Of The Dakota 38+2, Noel Keil

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

No abstract provided.

Commencement [Program], December 16, 2023, 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. This commencement program is not an official graduate list.

Contents:

--- Iowa Board of Regents ... 2
--- Institutional Leadership ... 2
--- The Academic Procession ... 3
--- Academic Honorary Organizations ... 4
--- University Ambassador Organizations ... 5
--- University Honors Program ... 6
--- Legacy Graduates ... 6
--- Order of Events ... 7
--- College of Education ... 10
--- College of Humanities, …

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, December 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Grain PTE and 6X Reporting Deadlines
--- 2024-2025 Compliance Calendars for Dry Cleaners
--- 2024-2025 Compliance Calendar/Logbook for Bulk Gasoline Plants
--- Alluvial Brewing Company Achieves Gold Certification

Remote Testing Of Adult Neurogenic Tests: Implications And Recommendations For Speech-Language Pathologists, Angela Burda, Carrie Axt, Samantha Balk, Zoe Bleile, Madilyn Fahey, Paul Kort Freeman, Heather Hogelucht, Paeten Schultz, Kamryn Shaffer, Kara Wright

Faculty Publications

Purpose: One purpose of this preliminary case report was to document the challenges that can arise when giving adult neurogenic tests via telepractice. Another purpose was to develop recommendations on adaptations that can be made when speech-language pathologists give the tests employed in this report. Though one test was adapted by its authors to be given remotely, the other two tests have little or no published adaptations regarding remote administration. Methods: A 33 year old female and a 51 year old male, both of whom have acquired neurogenic communicative disorders, were given the Apraxia Battery for Adults-2nd edition, the Ross …

Public Administration: The Essentials, Jayme L. Renfro

Faculty Book Gallery

Public Administration: The Essentials provides students with the conceptual foundation they need for an introduction to the field of public administration. This OER textbook covers the most critical issues in the field through the use of classic texts and theory as well as through modern examples. -- Provided by the publisher

Correlations Between Educational Struggle, Toxic Sites By School District And Demographic Variables, With Geographical Information System Projections, Junu Shrestha, Raihan K. Khan, Shane Mcclintock, John Degroote, Catherine L. Zeman

Faculty Publications

This correlational study associated data on children enrolled in individualized educational plans in their K-12 schools (IEP) and an algorithm-calculated score of neurotoxins at contaminated sites located in each school district. The study also mapped and projected the correlations using Geographical Information System (GIS) technology. These data were populated in ArcMap 10.5 (a GIS software) for generating maps and data to conduct geospatial analysis. A total of 1 Superfund site and 39 CERCLA sites were identified as contaminated sites for this analysis. The majority of contaminants were heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, and cadmium. The mean toxic score …

Uni Impact: Faculty/Staff Scholarly Publications And Featured Awards Newsletter, V1i3-4, 2022, Rod Library. Research & Sponsored Programs. Uni Foundation. University Of Northern Iowa.

UNI Impact: Faculty/Staff Scholarly Publications and Featured Awards Newsletter

Highlights the scholarship, research, and other scholarly work produced by University of Northern Iowa faculty, students, and staff.

This issue covers the period of April - December 2022.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, November 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Unwrapping EPA's New Wasted Food Scale
--- Big Grove Brewery is Awarded for Their Sustainability and Innovation
--- The New Fashion Police: Conversations Continued . . .
--- IWRC Keeping Tabs on PFAS
--- Industry News

Minutes Of Graduate College Committee On Curricula, October 6, 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. Graduate College Curriculum Committee.

Minutes - Graduate Curriculum Committee

Minutes of the committee that oversees the development of the curriculum of the University of Northern Iowa Graduate College.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, October 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- EPA's Wasted Food Scale Replaces the Food Recovery Hierarchy
--- Vermicomposting Workshop Goes to Dayton, IA
--- Iowa Strategic Goals Workshop
--- The New Fashion Police: Fashion as a point of conversation
--- Blog: The Next Generation of Waste Reduction
--- Industry News

Library Connection, V10n3, Fall 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. Rod Library.

Library Connection

Contents:

--- Book Card Curtain
--- Navigating Information Overload
--- Collections Update: HathiTrust
--- Instructional Resources & Technology Services (IRTS)
--- Mary Ann Bolton Award
--- Upcoming Events
--- Profile: Johnnie Blunt
--- Highlight: Building Histories

Premier, Fall 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Education.

Premier

In This Issue:

--- A Powerful Partnership
--- Advancing Your Career, Online
--- A Foundation for Growth
--- Centers in Action
--- Perspectives: Forgiveness Education
--- Alumni Focus
--- Class Notes
--- Celebrating Excellence
--- College News & Notes
--- Foundation News

Csbs Kudos, Fall 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Social And Behavioral Sciences.

CSBS Kudos

Contents:

--- Greetings from the Dean
--- Faculty Accolades
--- Retirement: Sharon Mord
--- New Faculty & Staff
--- In Memoriam: Robert Leslie Ross
--- Department News
--- Gerdin Charitable Foundation donates $1M gift to establish Gerontology Chair
--- UNI ROTC stair climb honors 9/11 first responders
--- ARCTICenter part of $13.9 million grant to fight climate change
--- UNI student gets up-close look at the FBI and urban law enforcement
--- UNI’s nursing program receives Higher Learning Commission accreditation
--- UNI and Des Moines University partner to help students interested in healthcare
--- UNI course invites the community to …

Determination Of The Presence Of Gun Powder Residue On Civil War Era Pulaski Musket With Xrf, Katelynn Mostek, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2023 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

The goal of this project is to determine if the Civil War era Pulaski Musket owned by the UNI museum has been fired before. To do this, the presence of gun powder residue on the Pulaski Musket was compared to other gun from the museum's collection via X Ray Fluorescence. Sulfur and lead components that typically make up gun powder residue were analyzed.

Determination Of Oils In African Mende Helmet Mask Raffia Fiber Using Gas Chromatography, Megan M. Unger, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2023 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

• African Mende helmet mask that is traditionally work during coming-of-age ceremonies.
• It is made from wood and finished in a black color made from vegetable dye.
• The raffia fibers come from a plant known as ‘raffia bamboo’.
• The African Mende helmet mask given to the UNI Museum was originally used in a classroom and is believed that it was not well preserved.
• The teacher reportedly used vegetable oil on the wooden part of the mask to keep the original look.
• unknown whether there have been more oils used on the mask.

Analyzing Microstructural Variations In Ancient Bricks: A Comparative Study Using Sem Analysis, Sabryn Labenz, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2023 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

• A brick was donated to the University of Northern Iowa that was believed to have originated from Mesopotamia. However, the museum suggests the possibility it originated from Egypt.
• Brick structure can vary based on the raw materials used in their construction
• The size of the sand particles used in bricks contribute to the brick’s structural integrity.
• Bricks from Iran and England were analyzed for regional similarities to the unknown brick using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Uv-Vis Spectral Analysis Of Mende Cultural Mask, Kameron Kruger, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2023 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

• The UNI Museum possesses a mask that originated from the Mende people of Sierra Leone, and has since been used as an educational tool. While the rafia fibers at the base have been replaced, the wooden mask is original.
• Under black light, the mask shows a complex fluorescence pattern that includes distinct regions of green, orange, and dark purple.
• This work used UV Vis spectroscopy to analyze the mask and potentially identify functional groups associated with compounds on the surface, such as oils and other wood preservatives. As many historical wood preservatives are known to damage their artifacts over time, …

X-Ray Analysis Of An Ancient Brick To Determine Its Origin, Jenna E. Heinen, Joshua Sebree

Fall 2023 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

• This research is focused on studying an ancient brick of unknown origin which is housed in the University of Northern Iowa Museum
• It is theorized to be from Egypt during the time of the Israelite’s enslavement
• There are many disputes about the above claim; others believe it could be from Mesopotamia long after the time of Israelites lived in Egypt
• A museum artifact, determining the history and origin of this brick to a better understanding of its meaning and significance for historians and museum goers alike.

Examining The Metals Present In A Confederate Contact Musket Using Xrf, Lydia E. Richardson, Joshua Sebree, Colin Weeks

Fall 2023 - Chemical Analysis Class Projects

• Pulaski musket was made during Civil War in Pulaski, Tennessee
• Believed the Pulaski is compiled together using old rifles and muskets

Science Education News, Fall 2023, University Of Northern Iowa. Science Education Program.

Science Education News

Contents:

--- A Message from the Director of Science Education, Lawrence Escalada
--- Faculty Profile: Karen Breitbach
--- UNI's Science Education MA Program Now Accepting Applications for Summer 2024
--- Retirement: Lyn Countryman
--- UNI Science Education Update Conference
--- UNI Student Chapter of the National Science Teachers Association
--- Yager Science Education Resources & Outreach
--- OpenSciEd
--- New Next Gen FOSS Science Kits Ready for checkout
--- Iowa Secondary Energy Curriculum (ISEC)
--- Student Profiles: Catherine Lindley; Greta Birch; Blake Bixby
--- Iowa’s Emerging Water Quality Issues: Contamination to Recreation
--- OpenSciEd Workshops
--- Support UNI Science Education

Standards Based Grading Learning Objective For The Chemistry, Life, The Universe, And Everything General Chemistry Curriculum, Dawn Del Carlo, Laura Strauss

Open Educational Resources

This document details the Learning Objectives (LOs) and accompanying rubrics used in CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1120 at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) and are aligned with the Chemistry, Life, the Universe, and Everything (CLUE) Curriculum (Cooper & Klymkowsky, 2019). These rubrics were first developed and implemented in the Fall 2021, underwent substantial modification and then implemented again in Fall 2022. Minor modifications were made again and this document represents the rubrics to be implemented in the Fall 2023. As with all curriculum, these will also likely undergo minor changes.