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Geography Newsletter, 1969-2009, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Geography.

Geography Newsletter

Inside this issue:

-- Alumni Newsletter 1969-2009
-- News From the Head
-- Departments Anniversary
-- Department News and Activities
-- Department Faculty
-- Student News
-- Alumni News

Story Of Our Lives Spanish Commentary By Juventino Lopez Pichia, Juventino Lopez Pichia

Postville Project Documents

A commentary on the creation of the play La Historia de nuestras vidas : the story of our lives written by one of the men that wrote and performed the play.

Cycles Within Cycles: Mini-Cycles In Robert Olen Butler's Fiction, Allan Weiss

Short Story

No abstract provided.

Short Story, Volume 17, Number 1, Spring 2009 [Download Entire Issue]

Short Story

No abstract provided.

In Bucharest, As Evening Falls, Bogdan Suceavă, Valentina-Monica Barba, Ehren Schimmel

Short Story

No abstract provided.

Review Of The Global Village, Ronny Noor

Short Story

No abstract provided.

Mezzotext: Haunting Objects In M. R. James And Thomas Hardy, Luke Thurston

Short Story

No abstract provided.

Association Between Human Papillomavirus Infection And Oral Carcinomas, Amanda K. Summers

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

There are over 100 different types of Human Papillomavirus, also known as HPV⁴. It is a group of DNA viruses that can infect various parts of the body by changing normal cells into abnormal cells. HPV types are divided into high-risk and low-risk types. HPV types that are considered high-risk types have the potential to cause cancer. The low-risk HPV types may cause visible cell abnormalities, like skin warts. It is approximated that 20 million Americans are currently infected with some strain of Human Papillomavirus and another 6.2 million people are newly infected each year⁵. Oral …

Cellular Telephones And Cancer: Is There A Connection?, James Bolton

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

Cellular telephones have been accused of causing brain tumors for years, but none of the studies that have been published have proven there is a link. The tumors that have been researched include parotid gland tumors, acoustic neuromas, and acoustic gliomas, to name a few. Wireless cellular phone usage has been increasing over the past few years, and some European countries are said to have a penetration rate of over 100%, "which is to say there are more subscribers than inhabitants"². Wireless technology emits electromagnetic energy (AKA microwave radiation or radiofrequency radiation), and sources include not only cellular …

Bubonic Plague: History And Epidemiology, Morgan Siegrist

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

The general population has heard about Black Death outbreaks and more specifically the pandemic that started in Europe and spread worldwide between the 14th-16th centuries, but what many do not know is that this disease is still a prominent concern in modern times. Each year, 1000-3000 people die due to this disease. Cases have been reported in Brazil, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Myanmar, Peru, Viet Nam, and even the USA (Keeling & Gilligan, 2000; Zietz & Dunkelberg, 2004). The bubonic plague is caused by Yersinia pestis, and the disease is considered a zoonosis 132 International Journal of Global …

Information For Authors

International Journal of Global Health and Health Disparities

No abstract provided.

Pollution Swapping: The Effect Of Phosphorus Sequestration On Denitrification In Wetland Sediments, Nathaniel Femi Adegboyega

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Surface water quality is currently one of the most important environmental issues facing the state of Iowa since the ecological and recreational health of water bodies are threatened by non-point pollution. Most of Iowa's lakes are polluted because of their high concentration of nutrients, often phosphorus (P), which leads to excessive algal growth (eutrophication). To prevent eutrophication, it is necessary to prevent P from entering surface waters or to sequester (make unavailable to algae) the P that is already in the water body. One method to achieve this is to introduce substances that can tightly fix P (sorption).

Previous studies …

The Effects Of Anonymity On Self Reports Of Depression And Alcohol Consumption, Yolanda Latrice Evans

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research examined the impact of anonymity on self reports of alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms. Participants (N=363) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) Non anonymous or (2) Anonymous. All participants were administered the BDI and the MAST. Compared to the non anonymous group, those in the anonymous groups had significantly different higher means on the depression inventories. Women yielded significantly higher depression score means than men, but no significant differences were found between mean and women for alcohol use or between anonymous and non anonymous conditions. The level of alcohol use by both college men and …

Cognitive-Linguistic Abilities In Young And Middle-Aged Adults, Jamie Leigh Flatness

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The current study investigated the differences on cognition tests and whether or not an age effect existed between young versus middle-aged adults. Twenty young adults (ages 20-39) and twenty middle-aged adults (40-59) were given four cognitive tests to determine if differences in performance existed across the age groups. Tests included the Ross Information Processing Assessment-2nd revision (RIPA-2; Ross-Swain, 1996), the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RA VLT; Rey, 1964 ), the Wechsler Working Memory (WWM) subtests of the Wechsler Memory Scale, 3rd edition (WMS-Ill; Wechsler, 1997), and the Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test (CLQT,· Helm-Estabrooks, 2001 ). A series of one-factor …

The Whisper Of An Echo And Other Stories, James Timothy Frazier

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

"The Whisper of an Echo and Other Stories" is a collection of short stories written during my many, many years of scholarship at the University of Northern Iowa

Risk Management Of Commercial Overland Food Transport And Distribution, Lucas Charles Hartman Geadelmann

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this research was to study the contemporary safety issues related to the overland transport of perishable food items via semi-truck and trailer. An anonymous survey instrument consisting of 20 questions was developed in order to examine semi-truck driver habits. The questions pertained to truck driver safety and subsequent food safety matters related to the perishable food items contained within the trailers. The paper surveys were distributed to the semi-truck driving employees of two food distributors located in the upper Midwest, which had agreed to voluntarily participate in the study. A total of 90 surveys were completed and …

Rape Myth Acceptance In A Dynamic Environment: Application Of Social Impact Theory To Rma, Zebbedia G. Gibb

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study examines conditions under which attitudes related to sexual assault, commonly known as rape myths, may be transmitted through culture by applying the tenets of Social Impact Theory (Latane, 1981). Social impact theory suggests that three forces influence attitude change, namely the immediacy of the source to the target, the strength of the source, and the number of sources of a message. It was hypothesized that participants who chatted with a confederate who was similar to them and endorsed rape myths would report accepting those beliefs at a higher rate than participants who chatted with a confederate who was …

The Impact Of Mentoring On The Leadership Development Of Participants In Camp Adventure Youth Services, Michael Carl Gleason

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Contemporary organizations operate in increasingly complex environments. External pressures force many organizations to function with fewer resources. Organizational leaders work not only to meet external demands, but the many needs of individuals working within the organization so that they can retain these individuals and teach them the knowledge that will assist them in becoming future organizational leaders. Camp Adventure™ Youth Services works to help college students enhance their leadership abilities as they implement youth services worldwide. The purpose of this study was to determine if and how the organization utilizes mentoring in the program to support students and promote the …

Analysis Of Factors Causing Failure Mode For Automotive Hitch Control System Calibration In Agriculture Equipment, Setordji Yao Abotsi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Traditionally, agricultural tractors have used hydro-mechanical draft control systems to mechanically sense implement draft. Technological development of low cost, reliable microprocessors has contributed to allowing greater flexibility in designing agricultural tractor control systems (Rutkowski & Welchens, 1986). To successfully control the depth of which an implement penetrates the ground, it has become imperative to incorporate a draft control system on agricultural tractors. The control system operates by responding to the draft load or force acting on the tractor. Increasing the draft load or force allows the implement to be raised and decreasing the draft load or force allows the implement …

Resumes And Cover Letters: The Accuracy Of Extraversion Judgments Made From Resume And Cover Letter Biodata, Matthew Sean Christensen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This following thesis study examined the accuracy of extraversion judgments accrued from resumes and cover letters. Within personnel selection, professionals often rely upon the applicant resume as an initial prescreening tool. Little empirical research, however, has explored whether reviewers use the resume and cover letter in a reliable fashion. Moreover, the current research base has not explored whether cover letters improve the accuracy of certain personality inferences made from resume biodata. Based upon the premises of Funder's (1995) Realistic Accuracy Model (RAM), the author posited that cover letters improve the accuracy of extraversion judgments made from resumes. The second intention …

Only One Quarterback, Stacey Galles

Graduate Research Papers

Only One Quarterback is a concept book about the game of football using photographs from the Remsen-Union Rocket football program introducing preschool children to the basic concepts of football and relating those concepts to the numbers they are learning. Each number introduces a different football concept. The text is written for the comprehension of preschool children. The words and photographs work together to give a full picture of the football concepts. The book is designed to help children become interested in reading and learning about the game of football. There are few football counting books written especially for preschool children. …

Comparing Strength, Speed And Power In Division Iaa Football Players, Joshua R. Cue

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Eating Disorders In Adolescent Females With Diabetes: A Review Of The Literature, Kristy Lynn Herbrandson

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Exercise Benefits For People With Multiple Sclerosis, Ethan Tews

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Are Soda Beverages A Contributing Factor To Weight Gain In Children?, Wendy Maria Clark

Graduate Research Papers

The controversy that diet soda may trigger a mechanism for weight gain has inspired this literature review. Our children need current facts on what is healthy and not healthy. Soda has been regarded as a discretionary beverage and not long ago, as a treat, after daily nutritional needs were met. However, soda is being consumed more frequently replacing other healthy nutritious beverages. Since diet soda is calorie-free, people unknowingly may imagine it has no impact on their bodies. In reality, research findings suggest that the effects of soda on the body are not benign. It is worth taking an in-depth …

Curriculum Development Project: Water Quality Unit, Keith Weber

Graduate Research Papers

As a cumulation of my studies and to satisfy the non-thesis option for my graduate program at the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), I designed this Water Quality Unit to be used for 9th and 10th grade students. It uses both learning cycles and a constructivist approach to satisfy Dubuque Community School District and Iowa Core Curriculum Standards. Each learning cycle applies the 3-E approach [Explore, Explain and Extend]. The unit contains seven separate learning cycles and ends with a final project in which students analyze the runoff from their school's watershed for various pollutants to determine what steps can …

A Working Conference On Students With Disabilities In Stem Coursework And Careers, Audrey C. Rule, Greg P. Stefanich, Charlotte W. Haselhuhn, Belinda Peiffer

Faculty Publications

Background: Few teachers and special education specialists are aware of the materials and resources available to support science; technology; engineering; and mathematics instruction for the scattered and isolated 3000 students with sensory and motor disabilities in Iowa's K-12 schools. Additionally; faculty at many community colleges and regent institutions are not aware of possible accommodations for their students with disabilities who have interests in pursuing STEM careers. Unfortunately; this often leads to discouragement and lack of success for students with motor or sensory disabilities. This conference brings together experts and conference attendees involved in instruction; support; or transitions for these students …

Spelling Instruction In The Classroom, Kristin Zweibohmer

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to identify research-based, effective spelling strategies that will improve students' abilities in a classroom. There has been a great debate about the effectiveness of spelling instruction in the classroom. Many studies have been conducted on spelling instruction using a word sort technique. By looking at past and present studies of spelling instruction, educators will be able to see how well these strategies for spelling instruction have worked. This knowledge can help educators design a spelling instruction program that will enhance their students' scores in many curriculum areas. An effective, research-based, contemporary model for teachers …

Family With Domestic Violence, La Tonya R. Stokes

Graduate Research Papers

What is domestic violence? When someone speaks of domestic violence what goes through your mind? Domestic violence, which is also known as domestic abuse or spousal abuse, is when a family member, partner or ex-partner attempts to physically or psychologically dominate another. But domestic violence has many forms other than physical violence. There are sexual abuse, emotional abuse, intimidation, economic deprivation, stalking and threats of violence (Domestic Violence). There are four types of violence within domestic violence: Common couple violence (CCV), Intimate terrorism (IT), violent resistance (VR), and Mutual violent control (MVC) (Johnson & Ferraro, 2000). There are three basic …

Teacher-Child Relationships In Early Childhood Classrooms, Michelle Tuttle

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this review was to evaluate the existing evidence of child and teacher relationships in early childhood settings on children's academic performance. Relationships were examined between parent and child, childcare provider and child, and teacher and child. Parent-child and teacher-child relationships are interrelated. The relationships interact with one another and influence the way a child develops. Children found with quality parent and teacher relationships were better able to concentrate, explore the environment, and ask adults for help. Research also found that quality activities in the classroom promoted strong teacher-child relationships. Two types of instruction, direct instructions and child-centered, …