Digital Commons Network^™

Alma Link Resolver Title & Issn Report (Top 500) 2015-2016, Andrée J. Rathemacher

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Statistics for 2015-2016 on the total number of OpenURL requests by journal title and ISSN made to the Ex Libris Alma link resolver for items held by the University of Rhode Island Libraries. Includes only the top 500 journals.

Information provided includes journal Title, ISSN, EISSN, Number of Requests, Number of Clicked Requests, % Clicks from Requests.

Acquisitions Unit Annual Report 2015-2016, Andrée J. Rathemacher

Technical Services Reports and Statistics

Annual Report of the Acquisitions Unit, University Libraries, University of Rhode Island for FY16. Covers personnel, work flow, special projects, and serial, monograph, and e-resource acquisitions. Supplemental files include data on library materials expenditures by a number of variables as well as important working documents from the year.

Padawan’S Journey: Remixing Star Wars Radio For Adolescent Literacy Education, Mark J. Davis

Journal of Media Literacy Education

The Star Wars phenomenon motivates adolescents who may be disengaged in the classroom. The wealth of visual content may overshadow the power of the music, sound effects, and dialogue. In literacy education, skills are often practiced by reading and discussing traditional texts. In this digital literacy project, struggling readers remixed the Star Wars canon through audio storytelling. Students served as actors, Foley artists, and directors in the recording of brief episodes based on the original trilogy. The project heightens students’ oral fluency and text comprehension by engaging in close reading and structured dialogue. The recordings demonstrate how students can be …

The Think Aloud Approach. A Promising Tool For Online Reading Comprehension, Stefania Carioli, Andrea Peru

Journal of Media Literacy Education

Despite its unquestionable interest from a theoretical and practical point of view, so far there has been little research on online reading and there is a lack of attention paid to this topic in most European educational institutions. In particular, primary and secondary school teachers are not adequately trained on how and when to intervene to support students’ proficiency in the online reading comprehension. After presenting a rationale demonstrating why students may struggle with online reading comprehension and the importance to adopt a self-regulated reading, this study proposes a Teacher’s Guide that could support late primary and secondary school teachers …

Three-Year-Old Photographers: Educational Mediation As A Basis For Visual Literacy Via Digital Photography In Early Childhood, Arielle Friedman

Journal of Media Literacy Education

The study examines two years of an educational program for children aged three to four, based on the use of digital cameras. It assesses the program’s effects on the children and adults involved in the project, and explores how they help the youngsters acquire visual literacy. Operating under the assumption that formal curricula usually marginalize visual and digital literacy, the program gives photography a central role in all areas of preschool learning: the children take pictures of all their daily preschool activities, and view and learn with photographs from various resources.

The findings illustrate the centrality of educational mediation – …

Open Everything: How To Find Free, Reusable Content Online, Andrée Rathemacher, Julia Lovett, Angel Ferria

Technical Services Faculty Presentations

Slides and handout from a session, "Open Everything: How to Find Free, Reusable Content Online," given at the Rhode Island Library Association Annual Conference, Color Outside the Lines, on May 25, 2016 in Warwick, Rhode Island.

"How can you help your patrons locate open materials to support their school work, personal development, and creative activities? What is the difference between content that is free to access versus free to reuse? What does it mean when content has an open license like Creative Commons? Where are the best places online to look for open e-books, learning materials, images, sound and …

Pre- And In-Service Teachers Reading And Discussing Informational Texts: Implications For Preparing Teachers To Meet The Common Core, Theresa A. Deeney

College of Education Faculty Publications

This study investigates U.S. elementary (kindergarten-Grade 6, ages 5-12) pre- and in-service teachers’ discussions of informational texts to understand current practices and identify needs with respect to how teachers support students in building knowledge from complex informational text as specified in the grade-level expectations of the Common Core State Standards adopted in many U.S. states. Transcripts and reflections from 17 in-service and 31 pre-service teachers’ informational text discussions were analyzed for teachers’ focus on the text, background knowledge, and text/background knowledge. In addition, transcripts were analyzed for the types of text ideas teachers targeted (details/main ideas), the comprehension demands placed …

Report Of The Nominating Committee May 5, 2016, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Committee Reports and Appendices

No abstract provided.

Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes May 5, 2016, University Of Rhode Island Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes

No abstract provided.

Maritime Paraphernalia: Weights, Bells, And Rings, Ali Morrow

Senior Honors Projects

At the Yavne-Yam site in Israel, a Bronze Age coastal industrial establishment, a variety of lead objects were found which appear to have some connection with fishing and maritime activities, including bells, weights, and rings of various sizes. At numerous other ancient coastal sites throughout the Mediterranean, similar objects have been documented but no systematic or typological study yet has been made of them. This study focuses primarily on the archaeological context and potential uses of the lead rings that have been found in maritime contexts, which range in size from small grommets to large, saucer-sized circlet.

The potential uses …

Epigenetic Regulation Of Gene Expression During Spermatogenesis, Karishma Nayak

Senior Honors Projects

In the US livestock production industry, improving reproductive efficiency will improve animal welfare and maintain reasonable costs of meat and milk for consumers. In recent research, abnormalities in epigenetic markers in sperm during spermatogenesis, has been linked to male subfertility in many species. Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms caused by modifications of gene expression, including DNA methylation, rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. When this process is disturbed, it can negatively impact semen therefore decreasing its fertility. Through further research on how DNA methylation influences gene expression during spermatogenesis and its impact on sperm quality, …

Creating Therapy Materials To Improve Communication Of Young Children, Allison J. Corey

Senior Honors Projects

Once children start preschool, they should be able to speak in simple sentences and use basic syntax. When they complete preschool and begin kindergarten, they should be using complete, complex sentences, have an extensive vocabulary, and use correct grammar. However, sometimes a child’s language doesn’t develop as expected resulting in speech delays or impairments. This problem could arise for a multitude of reasons, for example, the child may be on the autism spectrum, he/she may have a specific language delay, or it may be due to an articulation/phonology problem. The role of a speech language pathologist (SLP) in a school …

Exploratory Research Into The Rna Transcripts Present Within Beluga Whale Blow Samples, Hannah T. Kaplan

Senior Honors Projects

Research with beluga whales is important because climate change is affecting their environment, which can impact their health. The usual approach for obtaining working samples is an invasive procedure. However, previous work has successfully developed non-invasive methods using exhales to obtain samples for hormonal and genetic analysis.

DNA has been isolated from beluga whale exhales and can provide important information about whale gender and population genetics. The isolation and amplification of RNA in beluga whale exhales has not been reported. Amplification of RNA can lead to insights into gene expression related to animal health, including immune system function. In this …

Eating Local At Uri: The Real Food Challenge, Kayleigh M. Hill

Senior Honors Projects

Over the past decade sustainability has become more than just a buzzword at the University of Rhode Island. We have adapted it into the fabric of our school and created a student body that is focused on the health of our future, on promoting environmental, social and economic prosperity that is created and sustained by action on a local level. In other words, we have realized that before we can “Think Big”, we have to first consider the impact our actions have on every level of society. This project focuses on how the action of eating is a direct reflection …

The Impact Of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (Bde-47) Administration In Mice And Its Implications In Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Kristen Ciampi

Senior Honors Projects

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disease characterized by the accumulation of fat in liver cells that is not due to alcohol consumption. Steatosis results when more than 5-10% of the liver’s weight consists of fat. People who are overweight, or who have diabetes or high cholesterol are more likely to develop NAFLD. Over time, NAFLD can advance to cause cirrhosis, and eventually, liver cancer or failure.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs, BDEs) are brominated flame- retardants, and are found in many plastics and household products such as cars, textiles, televisions, and computers. BDEs are released into the environment and …

Video Campaign On Behalf Of The Rispca, Kara M. Guezze

Senior Honors Projects

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, it is estimated that 70-80 million dogs and 74-96 million cats are owned in the United States. It is impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the US, but estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million. There will always be a need for the protection and care of stray, abandoned, and abused animals, as well as management of their population. These companion animals are our best friends and have easily integrated into our families over the years. For over 146 years, the …

Bleeding Keaney Blue: An Analysis Of Sports Fandom And The Supporters Of Uri Basketball, Lia M. Moceri

Senior Honors Projects

In the United States, sports are so prevalent on the national, state, and local level that researchers assert they have become a major component of everyday life. In fact, millions of Americans consider themselves sports fans. Studying sports fandom offers an interesting insight into the human condition.

This paper begins by looking at sports fans on a psychological level by examining socialization, the process of becoming a sports fan. It also examines the reasons people become fans and the degree to which people identify as a fan. An important psychological aspect when studying sports fans is identity and how a …

Regionalizing Institutional Food At Uri, Lauren A. Breene

Senior Honors Projects

In recent years a demand for locally sourced food has arisen among students, faculty, and staff at the University of Rhode Island. Having now recognized this demand the hour is upon us to organize and create a movement that is as enlightened as it is revolutionary. Published material regarding regionalizing institutional food, however, is fragmented and difficult to apply to URI. The aim of this project is to collect and analyze the existing research in order to produce a cohesive text written in the context of URI. The paper details the motivation behind this movement in the form of a …

Burning Down The House! An Analysis Of Carbonized Textiles From The Waterman Site In Marshfield, Massachusetts, Nathanial Crockett

Major Papers by TMD Master of Science Students

The excavation of the seventeenth-century Robert Waterman house site in Marshfield, Massachusetts yielded thousands of carbonized textile fragments. Of these, 146 samples underwent analysis; the majority represented wool fabrics, which include a 3/1 reverse herringbone twill weave and plain weaves. No other seventeenth-century site has yielded a 3/l reverse twill herringbone fabric. Six fragments came from a silk satin ribbon with silver wrapped-core yarns; only two other contemporary archaeological sites have had a silk and metal ribbon.

The locations of the artifacts likely reflect preservation and artifact selection, not indication of use at the time of destruction. The burned wool …

Retention Effects Of An Experiential Pedagogical Approach, Kelsea E. Adams

Senior Honors Projects

The quality and nature of delivery of education, especially at the K12 level is a major focus of the education reform movement. As an aspiring teacher, I am interested in developing a personal understanding of the efficacy of different modes of delivery. A large body of studies has examined the differences between experiential learning versus traditional classroom learning as well as effects on student retention. Traditional classroom learning involves literary texts, PowerPoint presentations and teacher-centered learning. In contrast, experiential learning is a hands-on, real world experience that provides students with an environment to expand their critical thinking skills and apply …

Draft Genome Sequence Of The New Pathogen For Bivalve Larvae Vibrio Bivalvicida, Javier Dubert, Edward J. Spinard, David R. Nelson, Marta Gomez-Chiarri, Jesus L. Romalde, Juan L. Barja

Cell and Molecular Biology Faculty Publications

Vibrio bivalvicida is a novel pathogen of bivalve larvae responsible for recent vibriosis outbreaks affecting shellfish hatcheries. Here, we announce the draft genome sequence of V. bivalvicida 605 and describe potential virulence factors.

Killing Us Softly 4, Safietou Sagna

Seminar in Textiles and Clothing

This week’s speaker, Ms. Sagna, emphasized the objectification of women in the media through advertisements. She showed a video entitled “Killing Us Softly 4” where speaker and former model Jean Kilbourne spoke about what it means to be a woman in American culture today. Jean started collecting ads in the late 1960’s, inspired by her involvement with the feminist movement, her interest in media, and her experiences as a model.

Draft Genome Sequence Of Aliiroseovarius Crassostreae Cv919-312, The Causative Agent Of Roseovarius Oyster Disease (Formerly Juvenile Oyster Disease), Linda Kessner, Edward Spinard, Marta Gomez-Chiarri, David C. Rowley, David R. Nelson

Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences Faculty Publications

Aliiroseovarius crassostreae CV919-312 is a marine alphaproteobacterium and the causative agent of Roseovarius oyster disease. We announce here the draft genome sequence of A. crassostreae CV919-312 and identify potential virulence genes involved in pathogenicity.

Native Fashion Now, Linda Welters

Seminar in Textiles and Clothing

This presentation walked the audience through the “Native Fashion Now” exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. Karen Kramer, who is the curator of Native American and Oceanic Art and Culture, assembled the exhibition. The pieces showcased represented designers from tribes all over the country. She was able to embody different interpretations of Native American fashion by many different designers. She achieved this by breaking down her showcased items into four themes: Pathbreakers, Revisitors, Activators, and Provocateurs.

A Bacterial Quorum-Sensing Precursor Induces Mortality In The Marine Coccolithophore, Emiliania Huxleyi, Elizabeth L. Harvey, Robert W. Deering, David C. Rowley, Abrahim El Gamal, Michelle Schorn, Bradley Moore, Matthew Johnson, Tracy J. Mincer, Kristen E. Whalen

Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Interactions between phytoplankton and bacteria play a central role in mediating biogeochemical cycling and food web structure in the ocean. However, deciphering the chemical drivers of these interspecies interactions remains challenging. Here, we report the isolation of 2-heptyl-4-quinolone (HHQ), released by Pseudoalteromonas piscicida, a marine gamma-proteobacteria previously reported to induce phytoplankton mortality through a hitherto unknown algicidal mechanism. HHQ functions as both an antibiotic and a bacterial signaling molecule in cell–cell communication in clinical infection models. Co-culture of the bloom-forming coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi with both live P. piscicida and cell-free filtrates caused a significant decrease in algal growth. Investigations …

2016-01 Library Impact Statement For Afs 490 Capstone In Aquaculture And Fisheries Sciences, Joanna Burkhardt

Library Impact Statements

Library Impact Statement submitted in response to new course proposal for AFS 490 Capstone in Aquaculture and Fisheries Sciences. This class was supported with no need for additional resources. Responding library faculty: Michael Cerbo. Requesting faculty: Austin Humphries.

2016-01 Library Impact Statement For Afs 490 Capstone In Aquaculture And Fisheries Sciences, Michael Cerbo

Collection Development Reports and Documents

Library Impact Statement submitted in response to new course proposal for AFS 490 Capstone in Aquaculture and Fisheries Science. This class was supported with no need for additional resources. Responding library faculty: Michael Cerbo. Requesting faculty: Austin Humphries.

Impact Of Irrigation Method On Water Use Efficiency And Productivity Of Fodder Crops In Nepal, Ajay K. Jha, Razan Malla, Mohan Sharma, Jeeban Panthi, Tarendra Lakhankar, Nir Y. Krakauer, Soni Pradhanang, Piyush Dahal, Madan Lall Shrestha

Geosciences Faculty Publications

Improved irrigation use efficiency is an important tool for intensifying and diversifying agriculture in Nepal, resulting in higher economic yield from irrigated farmlands with a minimum input of water. Research was conducted to evaluate the effect of irrigation method (furrow vs. drip) on the productivity of nutritious fodder species during off-monsoon dry periods in different elevation zones of central Nepal. A split-block factorial design was used. The factors considered were treatment location, fodder crop, and irrigation method. Commonly used local agronomical practices were followed in all respects except irrigation method. Results revealed that location effect was significant (p < 0.01) with highest fodder productivity seen for the middle elevation site, Syangja. Species effects were also significant, with teosinte (Euchlaena mexicana) having higher yield than cowpea (Vigna unguiculata). Irrigation method impacted green biomass yield (higher with furrow irrigation) but both methods yielded similar dry biomass, while water use was 73% less under drip irrigation. Our findings indicated that the controlled application of water through drip irrigation is able to produce acceptable yields of nutritionally dense fodder species during dry seasons, leading to more effective utilization and resource conservation of available land, fertilizer and water. Higher productivity of these nutritional fodders resulted in higher milk productivity for livestock smallholders. The ability to grow fodder crops year-round in lowland and hill regions of Nepal with limited water storages using low-cost, water-efficient drip irrigation may greatly increase livestock productivity and, hence, the economic security of smallholder farmers.

Effects Of Placental Transfusion On Neonatal And 18 Month Outcomes In Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Judith S. Mercer, Debra A. Erickson-Owens, Betty R. Vohr, Richard J. Tucker, Ashley B. Parker, William Oh, James F. Padbury

College of Nursing Faculty Publications

Objective: To assess the effect of delayed cord clamping (DCC) vs immediate cord clamping (ICC) on intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), late onset sepsis (LOS), and 18-month motor outcomes in preterm infants.

Study Design: Women (n = 208) in labor with singleton fetuses (<32 weeks gestation) were randomized to either DCC (30-45 seconds) or ICC (<10 seconds). The primary outcomes were IVH, LOS, and motor outcomes at 18-22 months corrected age. Intention-to-treat was used for primary analyses.

Results: Cord clamping time was 32 ± 16 (DCC) vs 6.6 ± 6 (ICC) seconds. Infants in the DCC and ICC groups weighed 1203 ± 352 and 1136 ± 350 g and mean gestational age was 28.3 ± 2 and 28.4 ± 2 weeks, respectively. There were no differences in rates of IVH or LOS between groups. At …

Surfo Technical Report No. 16-01, Surfo

SURFO Technical Reports

The 2016 technical reports written by undergraduate students participating in the SURFO (Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships in Oceanography) Program while at the University of Rhode Island.