Digital Commons Network^™

Children’S Reading Of Visuals In Informational Picturebooks And Biographies, Sunah Chung

Faculty Publications

Visuals in picturebooks play an important role in supporting children’s reading comprehension and literacy development. This qualitative case study analyzes three American families’ shared reading practices at home by analyzing their online surveys for family literacy environments, reading logs for a month, mother interviews, and video observation of their shared reading at home. The analysis of the collected data categorizes children’s responses to visuals into three major themes: reflecting personal preferences and thoughts on visuals, interpreting visuals based on prior knowledge, and misreading visuals that interfere with understanding content. The discussion focuses on the roles of visuals in informational picturebooks …

The Fate Of Fixed Nitrogen In Santa Barbara Basin Sediments During Seasonal Anoxia, Xuefeng Peng, David J. Yousavich, Annie Bourbonnais, Frank Wenzhöfer, Felix Janssen, Tina Treude, David L. Valentine

Faculty Publications

Despite long-standing interest in the biogeochemistry of the Santa Barbara Basin (SBB), there are no direct rate measurements of different nitrogen transformation processes. We investigated benthic nitrogen cycling using in situ incubations with ¹⁵NO ₃̅  addition and quantified the rates of total nitrate (NO ₃̅) uptake, denitrification, anaerobic ammonia oxidation (anammox), N₂O production, and dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia (DNRA). Denitrification was the dominant NO ₃̅ reduction process, while anammox contributed 0 %–27 % to total NO ₃̅ reduction. DNRA accounted for less than half of NO ₃̅ reduction except at the …

The Ring-Closing Reaction Of Cyclopentadiene Probed With Ultrafast X-Ray Scattering, Lisa Huang, Lauren Bertram, Lingyu Ma, Nathan Goff, Stuart W. Crane, Asami Odate, Thomas Northey, Andrés Moreno Carrascosa, Mats Simmermacher, Sri Bhavya Muvva, Joseph D. Geiser, Matthew J. Lueckheide, Zane Phelps, Mengning Liang, Xinxin Cheng, Ruaridh Forbes, Joseph S. Robinson, Matthew J. Hayes, Felix Allum, Alice E. Green, Kenneth Lopata, Artem Rudenko, Thomas J.A. Wolf, Martin Centurion, Daniel Rolles, Michael P. Minitti, Adam Kirrander, Peter M. Weber

Faculty Publications

The dynamics of cyclopentadiene (CP) following optical excitation at 243 nm was investigated by time-resolved pump-probe X-ray scattering using 16.2 keV X-rays at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). We present the first ultrafast structural evidence that the reaction leads directly to the formation of bicyclo[2.1.0]pentene (BP), a strained molecule with three- and four-membered rings. The bicyclic compound decays via a thermal backreaction to the vibrationally hot CP with a time constant of 21 ± 3 ps. A minor channel leads to ring-opened structures on a subpicosecond time scale.

Cultivating A Digital Environment To Support Primary Source Instruction, Lindsey Memory, Rebecca A. Wiederhold, Abby Beazer, Gregory K. Seppi

Faculty Publications

Primary source literacy continues to be a priority for academic institutions. A growing subtopic is digital primary sources and their unique role in pedagogy. Digital primary sources have the capacity to represent more diverse voices, and their digital nature provides greater accessibility to new and existing user populations who cannot always come to the reading room. Digital primary sources can better meet a variety of needs through ADA-compliant transcription, 24/7 access, portability, and extensibility. With that vision in mind, these projects and materials present their own challenges to archivists, librarians, and other instructors seeking to expand these items’ curricular use. …

Psychometric Properties Of The Modified Parenting Attitudes Measure Among African American Adolescents In Public Housing, Melissa L. Villodas, Andrew Foell, Lisa C. Smith, Mansoo Yu, Henrika Mccoy, Yibin Yang, Ngozi V. Enelamah, Margaret Lombe, Von Nebbitt

Faculty Publications

Valid and reliable measurements reflecting how perceived maternal and paternal parenting practices are similar, different, complementary, or additive in studying youth outcomes are critical for building knowledge on supportive parenting practices for African American youth living in public housing. We examined the psychometric properties of the Parental Attitudes Measure (PAM) which focuses on youths’ attitudes on parenting practices. Data was collected from the perspective of 660 African American youth living in urban public housing across three cities in the northeast and mid-Atlantic region in the United States. Youth reported on their attitudes about maternal and paternal caregivers. Reliability was determined …

Psychometric Properties Of The Modified Parenting Attitudes Measure Among African American Adolescents In Public Housing, Melissa L. Villodas, Andrew Foell, Lisa C. Smith, Mansoo Yu, Henrika Mccoy, Yibin Yang, Ngozi V. Enelamah, Margaret Lombe, Von Nebbitt

Faculty Publications

Valid and reliable measurements reflecting how perceived maternal and paternal parenting practices are similar, different, complementary, or additive in studying youth outcomes are critical for building knowledge on supportive parenting practices for African American youth living in public housing. We examined the psychometric properties of the Parental Attitudes Measure (PAM) which focuses on youths’ attitudes on parenting practices. Data was collected from the perspective of 660 African American youth living in urban public housing across three cities in the northeast and mid-Atlantic region in the United States. Youth reported on their attitudes about maternal and paternal caregivers. Reliability was determined …

Moving Slow And Fixing Things, Hannibal Travis

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Short- And Medium-Term Impacts Of Small-Scale Vegetable Support On Food Security: Evidence From Syria, Ghassan Baliki, Melodie Al Daccache, Hala Ghattas Ph.D., Tilman Brück

Faculty Publications

Small-scale agricultural and horticultural interventions play a critical role in improving nutrition and food security of vulnerable households in peaceful settings. However, scant rigorous evidence exists on the impacts and sustainability of such interventions in conflict settings. In this paper, we address this knowledge gap by analyzing the short- and medium-term impacts of a small-scale vegetable input support program involving asset transfers on food security and diets in war-time Syria. We use longitudinal panel household survey data from a quasi-experimental study collected at three rounds: before, one year, and two years after the horticultural intervention ended. We use propensity score …

Incorporating Oxygen Isotopes Of Oxidized Reactive Nitrogen In The Regional Atmospheric Chemistry Mechanism, Version 2 (Icoin-Racm2), Wendell W. Walter, Masayuki Takeuchi, Nga L. Ng, Meredith G. Hastings

Faculty Publications

The oxygen isotope anomaly (Δ¹⁷O = δ¹⁷O − 0.52 × δ¹⁸O > 0) has proven to be a robust tool for probing photochemical cycling and atmospheric formation pathways of oxidized reactive nitrogen (NO_y). Several studies have developed modeling techniques to implicitly model Δ¹⁷O of NO_y molecules based on numerous assumptions that may not always be valid. Thus, these models may be oversimplified and limit our ability to compare model Δ¹⁷O values of NO_y with observations. In this work, we introduce a novel method for explicitly tracking Δ …

Effects Of Single-Session Practice Structure On Motor Skill Acquisition And Alpha And Beta Eeg Oscillations, Aubrey Porter, Ronald Victor Croce, Wayne Smith

Faculty Publications

Background: Although it is known that practicing a motor skill updates the associated internal model, it is still unclear as to how cortical oscillations linked with the motor skill change under differing practice schedules. The current study investigated α- and β-power changes associated with motor skill acquisition. Objectives: Firstly, we investigated the behavioral effects of practice on motor learning and retention during repetitive (RP) and variable (VP) practice schedules on an anticipation timing task. Secondly, we investigated changes in cortical α (10 - 13 Hz) and β (15 - 30 Hz) event-related synchronization and desynchronization (ERS/ERD) under RP and VP …

Effects Of Single-Session Practice Structure On Motor Skill Acquisition And Alpha And Beta Eeg Oscillations, Aubrey Porter, Ronald Victor Croce, Wayne Smith

Faculty Publications

Background: Although it is known that practicing a motor skill updates the associated internal model, it is still unclear as to how cortical oscillations linked with the motor skill change under differing practice schedules. The current study investigated α- and β-power changes associated with motor skill acquisition. Objectives: Firstly, we investigated the behavioral effects of practice on motor learning and retention during repetitive (RP) and variable (VP) practice schedules on an anticipation timing task. Secondly, we investigated changes in cortical α (10 - 13 Hz) and β (15 - 30 Hz) event-related synchronization and desynchronization (ERS/ERD) under RP and VP …

Self-Administered Mindfulness Interventions Reduce Stress In A Large, Randomized Controlled Multi-Site Study, Alessandro Sparacio, Hans Ijzerman, Ivan Ropovik, Filippo Giorgini, Christoph Spiessens, Bert N. Uchino, Joshua Landvatter, Tracey Tacana, Sandra J. Diller, Jaye L. Derrick, Joahana Segundo, Jace D. Pierce, Robert M. Ross, Zoë Francis, Amanda Laboucane, Christine Ma-Kellams, Maire B. Ford, Kathleen Schmidt, Celia C. Wong, Wendy C. Higgins, Bryant M. Stone, Samantha K. Stanley, Gianni Ribeiro, Paul T. Fuglestad, Valerie Jaklin, Andrea Kübler, Philipp Ziebell, Crystal L. Jewell, Yulia Kovas, Tenzin Urgyen

Faculty Publications

Mindfulness witnessed a substantial popularity surge in the past decade, especially as digitally self-administered interventions became available at relatively low costs. Yet, it is uncertain whether they effectively help reduce stress. In a preregistered (OSF https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/UF4JZ; retrospective registration at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06308744) multi-site study (nsites = 37, nparticipants = 2,239, 70.4% women, Mage = 22.4, s.d.age = 10.1, all fluent English speakers), we experimentally tested whether four single, standalone mindfulness exercises effectively reduced stress, using Bayesian mixed-effects models. All exercises proved to be more efficacious than the active control. We observed a mean difference of 0.27 (d = −0.56; 95% confidence …

Under Pressure: The Interplay Of Hypertension And White Matter Hyperintensities With Cognition In Chronic Stroke Aphasia, Jade Hannan, Natalie Busby, Rebecca Roth, Janina Wilmskoetter, Roger Newman-Norlund Ph.D., Chris Rorden, Leonardo Bonilha, Julius Fridriksson Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

While converging research suggests that increased white matter hyperintensity load is associated with poorer cognition, and the presence of hypertension is associated with increased white matter hyperintensity load, the relationship among hypertension, cognition and white matter hyperintensities is not well understood. We sought to determine the effect of white matter hyperintensity burden on the relationship between hypertension and cognition in individuals with post-stroke aphasia, with the hypothesis that white matter hyperintensity load moderates the relationship between history of hypertension and cognitive function. Health history, Fazekas scores for white matter hyperintensities and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale Matrix Reasoning subtest scores for …

Interactive Cue Matters: The Moderation Role Of Situational Factors In The Effects Of User Comments On News Sharing, Nicky Chang Bi, Ruonan Zhang, Peigin Chen

Faculty Publications

Communicators often find it challenging to prioritize the public and manage their comments during risk communication. This study explored the effects of comments as interactivity cues on news diffusion while considering situational factors under the framework of the Situational Theory of Problem Solving in the context of the US-China trade conflict. For this purpose, the researchers conducted an experiment to investigate the effects of interactivity cues and public segmentations on news sharing. The findings suggest that comments elicit different news-sharing behaviors among different segments of the public. The aware public shares more news than the activists/active public who are more …

Colombia As A Future Tourism Destination From U.S. Travelers’ Perspective, Maricela I. Montes-Guerra, Natalia Zapata-Cuervo, Miyoung Jeong Ph.D.

Faculty Publications

This research identified the perceptions of U.S. travelers regarding Colombia as a potential tourism destination, including their perception of risk. The framework of destination image and travelers’ behavior, including perceived risk, cognitive and affective images, and perceived value for the trip, was adopted. Data for these behaviors were collected using a self-administered online survey with U.S. citizens who had not visited Colombia. Hypotheses were tested employing Confirmatory Factor Analysis and the Partial Least Squares method to analyze the measurement and structural models. The results indicated that U.S. citizens had a positive affective and cognitive perception of Colombia, which led to …

Electrical Conductivity Of Subsurface Ocean Analogue Solutions From Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Catherine A. Psarakis, Timothy Tizhe Fidelis, Keith B. Chin, Baptiste Journaux, Abby Kavner, Pranb Sarker, Marshall J. Stycinski, Steven D. Vance, Tao Wei

Faculty Publications

Investigating the habitability of ocean worlds is a priority of current and future NASA missions. The Europa Clipper mission will conduct approximately 50 flybys of Jupiter’s moon Europa, returning a detailed portrait of its interior from the synthesis of data from its instrument suite. The magnetometer on board has the capability of decoupling Europa’s induced magnetic field to high precision, and when these data are inverted, the electrical conductivity profile from the electrically conducting subsurface salty ocean may be constrained. To optimize the interpretation of magnetic induction data near ocean worlds and constrain salinity from electrical conductivity, accurate laboratory electrical …

Fighting Erasure And Dispossession In The San Francisco Bay Area: Putting Archaeology To Work For The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, Lee M. Panich, Monica V. Arellano, Michael Wilcox, Gustavo Flores

Faculty Publications

The Muwekma Ohlone Tribe has long been involved in the archaeology and stewardship of their ancestral homelands, both through their own cultural resource management (CRM) firm and though collaborations with academic and CRM archaeologists. In this article, we build on the past 40 years of archaeological collaborations in the southern San Francisco Bay region and offer examples of how archaeologists can support tribal heritage and environmental stewardship by using the traditional purview of material culture in combination with a broader array of evidence and concerns. As presented in our brief case studies, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe and scholars are working …

The Acceptability Of Relationship-Centered Communication Partner Training For Couples Impacted By Aphasia: A Mixed Methods Pilot Investigation, Kathryn-Anne Pertab, Tyson G. Harmon, Jonathan Sandberg, Jon L. Pertab, William S. Evans

Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study explored the acceptability and impact of Relationship-Centered Communication Partner Training (RC-CPT) in couples impacted by aphasia. In particular, couples considered whether discussing their relationship roles and responsibilities was important and relevant to the changes they desire. Preliminary quasi-experimental data regarding perceived communication confidence and the marriage relationship were also obtained.

Method: Three couples participated in RC-CPT across two sessions. Surveys were used to measure communication confidence and the marital relationship before and after participation in RC-CPT. The quantitative findings were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Couples also participated in a semi-structured interview about the acceptability of RC-CPT, during …

Visual Images As A Gateway To Scholarly Inquiry In Information Literacy Instruction, Carolyn White Gamtso, Susanne F. Paterson

Faculty Publications

In this interactive session, participants will engage in activities that use student-generated questions about visual images as entry points to research literary criticism of Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. The presenters collaborated on a student-centered, inquiry-based information literacy lesson (IL) focused on visual literacy, critical thinking, and research question design in an introductory literary analysis course. The co-instructors decentralized the classroom by empowering students to ask probing questions about illustrations from an early 20th-Century edition of Hamlet. Workshop participants will experience the presenters’ lesson firsthand by using the Right Question Institute’s Question Formulation Technique (QFT) as a springboard to research question development, …

A Flow-Curvature-Based Model For Channel Meandering In Tidal Marshes, Giulio Mariotti, Alvise Finotello

Faculty Publications

Channel meandering is ubiquitous in tidal marshes, yet it is either omitted or weakly implemented in morphodynamic models. Here we propose a novel numerical method to simulate channel meandering in tidal marshes on a Cartesian grid. The method calculates a first-order flow by considering the balance between pressure gradient and bed friction. To account for flow momentum shift toward meander outer banks, the flow is empirically modified. Unlike previous simplified methods that relied on the curvature of the bank, this modification is based on the curvature of the flow, making the model suitable for use in dendritic channel networks. The …

Spatial And Temporal Distribution Of Juvenile Gulf Sturgeon In The Pearl River, Louisiana, And Adjacent Estuaries Of The Gulf Of Mexico, Ashley M. Baer, Glenn C. Constant, Kayla D. Kimmel, Michael A. Dance, Jenna N. Brogdon

Faculty Publications

Objective: Acoustic telemetry was used to examine the spatial-temporal distribution and anadromous migration pattern of juvenile Gulf Sturgeon Acipenser desotoi within the Pearl River and associated coastal estuaries of Louisiana and Mississippi. Methods: Acoustic transmitters were surgically implanted in 52 juvenile Gulf Sturgeon (< 890 mm fork length) from the Pearl River between 2016 and 2019. Sturgeon were monitored on 247 acoustic receivers in the lower Pearl River and adjacent estuaries across numerous partnering arrays. Result: Juveniles were detected on receivers from Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, east to Bay St. Louis, and Biloxi Bay, Mississippi. The 3-year study found that juvenile Gulf Sturgeon migration in the Pearl River occurred on cycles similar to those reported from other populations. Juveniles were rarely observed in the estuary and nearshore marine environments from May through mid-October of each year, during which time most sturgeon inhabited the Pearl River. Conversely, most of the juveniles inhabited coastal estuaries from December through February of each year and were rarely observed in freshwater environments during this period. Migration from the river into the estuary occurred during late-October through November, and migration from the estuary into the river occurred in March and April. Distribution patterns varied spatially within the river and estuary ecosystems during each phase of migration. Tagged juveniles occupied the lowest 40 km of the Pearl River while in freshwater, and they occupied the northeastern shoreline of Lake Pontchartrain and Bay St. Louis while in the estuary. Interestingly, juveniles seemed to target specific areas in the estuary during winter that were farther away from the mouth of natal rivers than has been previously reported. Conclusion: This study provides a new assessment of juvenile Gulf Sturgeon migration and seasonal distribution for the Pearl River and provides important information for designing and assessing the potential benefits and challenges of habitat restoration for Gulf Sturgeon.

The Policy And Politics Of Alternative Minimum Taxes, David Gamage, Ari Glogower

Faculty Publications

This paper contributes to a literature offering qualified justifications for alternative minimum tax (AMT) structures. We conclude that there is a narrow case for justifying AMTs even from the social planner perspective and that the proposed Billionaire’s Minimum Income Tax satisfies that narrow case. Next, incorporating governance collective action problems and electoral political constraints, we conclude that these considerations support a broader case for justifying AMTs that potentially also supports both preference-disallowance AMTs and the new corporate alternative minimum tax enacted in 2022.

A Snapshot Of How Mediators Use Technology These Days, John Lande

Faculty Publications

All professional mediators inevitably use technology these days. Indeed, they use it more than they realize. And, with the accelerating rate of technological developments, they generally will use it a lot more in the future. But it's not easy to incorporate technological developments into daily practice and keep up with the rapid pace of change. Part of the challenge is that mediators have their own unique complex practice systems that they aren't fully conscious of. And technology is integrated throughout their systems.

City Of Leaf Collaborative Drinking Water Emergency Response Serious Game, Jingyan Huang, Weiwei Mo

Faculty Publications

The City of Leaf serious game is a five-party role-playing game designed to simulate a response to a drinking water contamination crisis. The game involves five roles: chemical manufacturer, local resident, water treatment plant, environmental agency, and health department, each with distinct knowledge, responsibilities, capabilities, and objectives. Participants assume one of these roles and exchange information, strategize responses, and work towards a solution that satisfies all parties involved throughout the game. This game aims to deepen participants' understanding of the complexities involved in managing a drinking water emergency, with a particular focus on emphasizing the critical role of inter-organizational communication …

‘Avoyelles’ Sweetpotato, Don R. La Bonte, Imana Power, Tristan Watson, Tara P. Smith, Arthur Q. Villordon, Jeffrey Cole Gregorie, Lorin Harvey

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Selection Of Host Plants For Production Of Clanis Bilineata (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), Xiaofeng Li, Mingming Guo, Kebin Li, Song Li, Honglin Feng, Jiwei Fan

Faculty Publications

Clanis bilineata Walker (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), a burgeoning edible insect, is experiencing rising demand in China and other regions. Despite this interest, larval production is currently constrained by the limitations of artificial production technologies, particularly the selection of optimal host plants. This study rigorously evaluated the performance of C. bilineatha larvae on four main host plants: round-leaf soybean, pointed-leaf soybean, black locust, and kudzu. Preference tests demonstrated that the larvae were most attracted to black locust (34.76 ± 4.65%), with subsequent preferences for kudzu (25.00 ± 6.12%), round-leaf soybean (23.17 ± 2.79%), and pointed-leaf soybean (14.02 ± 4.74%). No significant preference …

Adaptive Phase I–Ii Clinical Trial Designs Identifying Optimal Biological Doses For Targeted Agents And Immunotherapies, Yong Zang, Beibei Guo, Yingjie Qiu, Hao Liu, Mateusz Opyrchal, Xiongbin Lu

Faculty Publications

Targeted agents and immunotherapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, offering promising options for various cancer types. Unlike traditional therapies the principle of “more is better” is not always applicable to these new therapies due to their unique biomedical mechanisms. As a result, various phase I–II clinical trial designs have been proposed to identify the optimal biological dose that maximizes the therapeutic effect of targeted therapies and immunotherapies by jointly monitoring both efficacy and toxicity outcomes. This review article examines several innovative phase I–II clinical trial designs that utilize accumulated efficacy and toxicity outcomes to adaptively determine doses for subsequent patients and …

Recycling Functional Fillers From Waste Tires For Tailored Polystyrene Composites: Mechanical, Fire Retarding, Electromagnetic Field Shielding, And Acoustic Insulation Properties—A Short Review, Jinlong Zhang, Hang Liu, Shyam S. Sablani, Qinglin Wu

Faculty Publications

Polymer waste is currently a big and challenging issue throughout the world. Waste tires represent an important source of polymer waste. Therefore, it is highly desirable to recycle functional fillers from waste tires to develop composite materials for advanced applications. The primary theme of this review involves an overview of developing polystyrene (PS) composites using materials from recycled tires as fillers; waste tire recycling in terms of ground tire rubbers, carbon black, and textile fibers; surface treatments of the fillers to optimize various composite properties; and the mechanical, fire retarding, acoustic, and electromagnetic field (EMI) shielding performances of PS composite …

Dimensions Of Parenting And Children’S Conduct Problems: The Importance Of Considering Children’S Callous–Unemotional Traits, Carolina Facci, Andrea Baroncelli, Paul J. Frick, Enrica Ciucci

Faculty Publications

Research has clearly indicated that the development of serious behavioral problems in children and adolescents is influenced by parenting. However, recent research has refined the role of parenting by showing the importance of distinguishing between different types of parenting and in considering the role of callous–unemotional traits (CU traits) and conduct problems (CP) of the children. In the current study, we advance this research by distinguishing between emotional (e.g., parental warmth; parental hostility) and behavioral (e.g., use of positive reinforcement; inconsistent discipline/harsh discipline) aspects of parenting and by considering the way parents respond to children’s emotions (i.e., coaching and dismissing). …

Recovery Of The X-Ray Polarisation Of Swift J1727.8-1613 After The Soft-To-Hard Spectral Transition, J. Podgorný, J. Svoboda, M. Dovčiak, A. Veledina, J. Poutanen, P. Kaaret, S. Bianchi, A. Ingram, F. Capitanio, S. R. Datta, E. Egron, H. Krawczynski, G. Matt, F. Muleri, P. O. Petrucci, T. D. Russell, J. F. Steiner, N. Bollemeijer, M. Brigitte, N. Castro Segura, R. Emami, J. A. García, K. Hu, M. N. Iacolina, V. Kravtsov, L. Marra, G. Mastroserio, T. Muñoz-Darias, E. Nathan, M. Negro, A. Ratheesh, N. Rodriguez Cavero, R. Taverna

Faculty Publications

We report on the detection of X-ray polarisation in the black-hole X-ray binary Swift J1727.8-1613 during its dim hard spectral state by the Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE). This is the first detection of X-ray polarisation at the transition from the soft to the hard state in an X-ray binary. We find an averaged 2- 8 keV polarisation degree of (3.3 ± 0.4)% and a corresponding polarisation angle of 3 ±4, which matches the polarisation detected during the rising stage of the outburst, in September- October 2023, within 1σuncertainty. The observational campaign complements previous studies of this source and enables …