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Nebraska Legislative Planning Database 2011-2012, Center For Public Affairs Research (Cpar)

Past Publications

The Nebraska Legislature's Planning Committee was created in 2009 with the passage of LB 653, in order to help establish a process of long-term state planning with the Nebraska Legislature. The committee was created to assist state government in identifying emerging trends, assets, and challenges of the state and the long-term implications of the decisions made by the Nebraska Legislature.

The goals and benchmarks in the database were developed and approved by the Legislature's Planning Committee to present a common-sense and data-driven assessment of key areas important to Nebraskans' quality of life. This database is a joint initiative with the …

Participatory Action Research Using Critical Pedagogy To Study Environmental Consciousness In A High School Art Classroom, Jennifer L. Licata

Art Education Projects

This qualitative participatory action research study explored the question, “How might the introduction of a campaign to raise environmental consciousness in a high school art classroom impact art students and their artworks, other students in the school, and the local community?” This study was conducted in an all female catholic high school. One Studio in Art One class and one Studio in Advanced Digital Media class comprised of 15 students in grades 9-12 participated in the study. The data was collected and analyzed over a period of eight weeks. Guided by the lens of critical pedagogy, my focus was …

A Qualitative Action Research Project Documenting Student Perceptions Of The Effects Of Visual Culture On Identity, Jessica M. Miccichi

Art Education Projects

I have conducted a qualitative action research project focusing on student perceptions of the impact of visual culture on teens including popular media. Students especially in high schools are bombarded with visual imagery through various technology sources. While working with high school juniors and seniors I noticed a rise in teen pregnancy and sexual confusion among this population. I wondered how much their exposure to sexually explicit imagery effected their identity and choices.

I started off planning research through a feminist and engaged pedagogical lens, specifically adhering to bell hook’s (1994) principals of “holistic teaching”, which focuses on emotional as …

Our Cities And The City: Incompatible Classics?, Carl Abbott

Urban Studies and Planning Faculty Publications and Presentations

At the end of the 1930s, Americans interested in the fates and futures of their cities had the opportunity to consider two new efforts to summarize urban problems and propose solutions. The first was Our Cities: Their Role in the National Economy, published in 1937 under the auspices of the National Resources Board. The second was The City, a film sponsored by the American Institute of Planners for showing at the New York world's fair in 1939. The report and the film arose out of different analytical traditions, the first from the approach that embedded urban planning within a larger …

Integrated Economic And Climate Modeling, William D. Nordhaus

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

This survey examines the history and current practice in integrated assessment models (IAMs) of the economics of climate change. It begins with a review of the emerging problem of climate change. The next section provides a brief sketch of the rise of IAMs in the 1970s and beyond. The subsequent section is an extended exposition of one IAM, the DICE/RICE family of models. The purpose of this description is to provide readers an example of how such a model is developed and what the major components are. The final section discusses major important open questions that continue to occupy IAM …

Relationship Between Vancomycin Trough Concentrations And Nephrotoxicity: A Prospective Multicenter Trial, John A. Bosso, Jean Nappi, Celeste Rudisill, Marlea Wellein, P Brandon Bookstaver, Jenna Swindler, Patrick D. Mauldin

Faculty Publications

Several single-center studies have suggested that higher doses of vancomycin, aimed at producing trough concentrations of >15 mg/liter, are associated with increased risk of nephrotoxicity. We prospectively assessed the relative incidence of nephrotoxicity in relation to trough concentration in patients with documented methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections at seven hospitals throughout South Carolina. Adult patients receiving vancomycin for at least 72 h with at least one vancomycin trough concentration determined under steady-state conditions were prospectively studied. The relationship between vancomycin trough concentrations of >15 mg/ml and the occurrence of nephrotoxicity was assessed using univariate and multivariate analyses, controlling for age, …

Checkup, Lehigh Valley Health Network

Checkup

No abstract provided.

Pulmonary Endothelial Calcium Entry Following Chronic Hypoxia, Steven D. Menicucci

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Background and Specific Aims: Chronic hypoxia (CH) induced pulmonary hypertension is mediated in part by endothelial dysfunction, involving reduced intracellular Ca2+ levels and decreased production of endothelium-derived vasodilators and anti-mitogenic compounds. Agonist-induced endothelial Ca2+ entry is decreased following CH due to a derangement in T-type voltage-gated calcium channels (T-channels) and caveolin-1 containing membrane lipid domains that regulate calcium influx in these cells. Considering the importance of store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) to agonist-induced Ca2+ entry, we hypothesized that CH impairs pulmonary endothelial SOCE through altered caveolin-1 regulation of T-channels. To test this hypothesis, we addressed the following specific aims: Specific Aim …

Role Of Endothelial Bkca Channel Activity In Diminished Vasoconstrictor Reactivity Following Chronic Hypoxia, Melissa Anne Riddle

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Vasoconstrictor responsiveness of the systemic circulation is attenuated following prolonged exposure to hypoxia. Previous work from our laboratory has demonstrated vasoconstrictor reactivity is diminished due to hyperpolarization of the vascular wall in systemic arterioles. The hyperpolarization of the vascular wall was found to be dependent upon the endothelium, heme oxygenase (HO), and calcium-activated large conductance potassium channel (BKCa) as removal of the endothelium or blockade of HO or BKCa restored vasoreactivity. Interestingly, recent evidence for HO and BKCa association has emerged in carotid body glomus cells where HO and BKCa form oxygen sensing complexes. In these novel oxygen sensing complexes, …

Functional Genomics Reveals An Essential And Specific Role For Stat1 In Protection Of The Central Nervous System Following Herpes Simplex Virus Corneal Infection, Tracy J. Pasieka, Cristian Cilloniz, Victoria S. Carter, Pamela Rosato, Michael G. Katze, David A. Leib

Dartmouth Scholarship

Innate immune deficiencies result in a spectrum of severe clinical outcomes following infection. In particular, there is a strong association between loss of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat) pathway, breach of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and virus-induced neuropathology. The gene signatures that characterize resistance, disease, and mortality in the virus-infected nervous system have not been defined. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is commonly associated with encephalitis in humans, and humans and mice lacking Stat1 display increased susceptibility to HSV central nervous system (CNS) infections. In this study, two HSV-1 strains were used, KOS (wild type [WT]), …

Have Household Exposure Claims Washed Out In Illinois?: Nelson V. Aurora Equipment Co., 909 N.E.2d 931 (Ill. App. Ct. 2009), Kelly M. Murray

Southern Illinois University Law Journal

Asbestos litigation is the longest-running mass tort litigation in the history of the United States.  Law suits concerning asbestos exposure emerged during the 1970s, after it was conclusively proven that asbestos exposure caused serious health conditions.  The diseases caused by exposure to asbestos, however, typically do not manifest themselves for twenty to forty years after the initial exposure.  Due to the extended latency period, more plaintiffs emerge as time goes on, and litigation tactics must evolve to accommodate new classes of plaintiffs.  Nelson v. Aurora Equipment Co. marks one of the most recent trends in this toxic tort litigation: …

Breaking The Mold: Qualitative Action Research Using A Dialogical Method In The Art Classroom For Students With Emotional Disabilities, Michelle Mcleod

Art Education Projects

Abstract

This action research self study explores the use of a dialogical model in the therapeutic art classroom for students with emotional disabilities. The study looks at the use of increased dialogue, collaborative classroom, and self reflection. Ceramics classes of 11th and 12th grade students were chosen for this study. Forgiveness vessels, self portraits, and accessory projects were completed during this study. Data collection methods were made during a six week study almost daily during 40 minute class periods. Observations, interviews, documents, and questionnaires were used to obtain data. Changes that could be made were put into place immediately. Findings …

Sentinels And Entrepreneurs: Advocacy And Development In Brazil, Robin M. Wright

Tipití: Journal of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America

This article discusses, firstly, the significance of Sandy Davis’ activism for the international indigenous support movement from the 1970s through the late 1980s, and the strategies that were deployed during the global campaign in support of the Yanomami Indian Park. Secondly, it looks critically at some of the models of support for indigenous peoples being implemented in Brazil today, for the purpose of understanding what has changed in the ways indigenous support organizations develop partnerships with indigenous movements. What has changed in the way indigenous and indigenist organizations in Brazil understand their goals and the means for attaining them? What …

The Mayan People And Sandy (Shelton) Davis: Memories Of An Engaged Anthropologist, J.P. Linstroth

Tipití: Journal of the Society for the Anthropology of Lowland South America

The purpose of this essay is to highlight the activism of Shelton Davis and his involvement with the Mayan people during the 1980s. Of particular importance is the portrayal of an immigration hearing of nine Kanjobal Maya defendants in 1983 and the circumstances surrounding the problems of immigration in the state of Florida at that time. The article also explores how Shelton Davis helped save a village of Kaqchikel Maya in the Department of Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Of importance is how to represent varying narratives from three close colleagues of Shelton Davis to an overall conceptualization of the epistemology of narrative …

Developing A Strawberry Yogurt Fortified With Marine Fish Oil 1, J. D. Estrada, C. Boeneke, P. Bechtel, S. Sathivel

Faculty Publications

Fortified dairy products appeal to a wide variety of consumers and have the potential to increase sales in the yogurt industry and help increase intake of long-chain n-3 fatty acids. The objectives of this study were to develop a strawberry yogurt containing microencapsulated salmon oil (MSO; 2% wt/vol) and evaluate its characteristics during 1 mo of storage. Unpurified salmon oil (USO) was purified (PSO) and both USO and PSO were analyzed for peroxide value (PV), anisidine value (AV), total oxidation, free fatty acids (FFA), and moisture content. A stable emulsion was prepared with 7% PSO, 22% gum arabic, 11% maltodextrin, …

Laboratory Host Range Assessment Of A Predatory Pentatomid, Podisus Maculiventris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) For Field Release On Guam, Gadi V.P. Reddy, Rosalie Kikuchi

Faculty Publications

Predation by Podisus maculiventris (Say) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) was evaluated with Erionota thrax (L.) (Lepidoptera: Hesperidae), Pericyma cruegeri (Butler) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Pareuchaetes pseudoinsulata Rego Barros (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), Papilio polytes (L.) (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae) and Eudocima phalonia (L.) comb. nov. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Both free-choice and no-choice experiments indicated that the P. maculiventris attacked and consumed all the larvae of the 5 species included in the tests. Although the larvae died at different intervals, most of them were dead within 24120 h of the introduction of the predatory species. Since the P. maculiventris is polyphagous in nature and the present findings indicate that these …

Longitudinal Assessment Of Cognitive And Psychosocial Functioning After Hurricanes Katrina And Rita: Exploring Disaster Impact On Middle-Aged, Older, And Oldest-Old Adults, Katie E. Cherry, Jennifer Silva Brown, Loren D. Marks, Sandro Galea, Julia Volaufova, Christina Lefante, L. Joseph Su, David A. Welsh, S. Michal Jazwinski, Meghan B. Allen, Gloria Anderson, Iina E. Antikainen, Arturo M. Arce, Jennifer Arceneaux, Mark A. Batzer, Emily O. Boudreaux, Lauri Byerley, Catherine M. Champagne, Liliana Cosenza, M. Elaine Cress, Jenny Y. Denver, Andy Deutsch, Devon A. Dobrosielski, Rebecca Ellis, Marla J. Erwin, Mark Erwin, Jennifer Fabre, Elizabeth T. Fontham, Madlyn Frisard, Paula Geiselman, Lindsey Goodwin, Tiffany Hall, Scott W. Herke, Jennifer Hayden

Faculty Publications

The authors examined the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita on cognitive and psychosocial functioning in a lifespan sample of adults 6-14 months after the storms. Participants were recruited from the Louisiana Healthy Aging Study. Most were assessed during the immediate impact period and retested for this study. Analyses of pre- and post-disaster cognitive data confirmed that storm-related decrements in working memory for middle-aged and older adults observed in the immediate impact period had returned to pre-hurricane levels in the post-disaster recovery period. Middle-aged adults reported more storm-related stressors and greater levels of stress than the two older groups at …

Production Of F 1 Offspring With Vitrified Sperm From A Live-Bearing Fish, The Green Swordtail Xiphophorus Hellerii, Rafael Cuevas-Uribe, Huiping Yang, Jonathan Daly, Markita G. Savage, Ronald B. Walter, Terrence R. Tiersch

Faculty Publications

This study reports the first production of offspring with vitrified sperm from a live-bearing fish Xiphophorus hellerii. The overall goal of this study was to develop streamlined protocols for integration into a standardized approach for vitrification of aquatic species germplasm. The objectives were to (1) estimate acute toxicity of cryoprotectants, (2) evaluate vitrification solutions, (3) compare different thawing methods, (4) evaluate membrane integrity of post-thaw sperm vitrified in different cryoprotectants, and (5) evaluate the fertility of vitrified sperm. Nine cryoprotectants and two commercial vitrification additives were tested for acute toxicity and glass forming ability, alone and in combination. Two vitrification …

A Review Of The Toxicity Of Chemical Dispersants, James Wise, John Pierce Wise

Faculty Publications

Chemical dispersants are a mixture of various surfactants and solvents. Most dispersants are proprietary, and the complete composition is not often public knowledge. Chemical dispersants used for the cleanup and containment of crude oil toxicity became a major concern after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil crisis in the Gulf of Mexico. During the crisis, millions of liters of chemical dispersants (Corexit 9527 and 9500) were used - the largest known application of dispersants in the field. As of February 2011, 38 peer-reviewed articles were available on the toxicity of 35 different chemical dispersants. Nalco, BP, Shell, and Total Special Fluids …

December 1. 2011, University Of North Dakota

University Senate Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the December 1, 2011, meeting of the University Senate. 22 pages

Student Academic Success As Related To Student Age And Gender, Margaret Jennifer Voyles

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined the possible relationship between student age and student gender on academic achievement on a state mandated assessment for a cohort of North Georgia elementary school students in their first, second, and third grade years. Study results indicated that student age had a statistically significant impact on academic achievement for students in their first and third grade years on the mathematics portion of the assessment. Older students within the cohort scored at higher academic levels of achievement on the mathematics assessment than did younger students. Student age did not have an impact on scores for the reading portion …

On The Interpenetration Of Nature And Spirit: A Loving Relationship With The Earth And Our Natural Environment, Christina Marie Gould

Dissertations

In this dissertation I examine our relationship with the Earth and our natural environment by clarifying what it means to be human. I do this by looking at the interpenetration of spheres of being or philosophical anthropology to articulate how the human being is the dynamic meeting point of life and spirit. In this interpenetration of life and spirit, the task of the human being as loving flashes forth. On the basis of this task, it is possible to realize a loving relationship with the Earth and our natural environment that is not based on domination or use. To understand …

Identifying Competencies Of Aoda Clinical Supervisors For Integration Into Rehabilitation Counselor Training Curriculum: A Delphi Study, Marissa Mckee

Dissertations

This study preliminarily identified clinical supervision competencies needed for alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) clinical supervisors for integration into rehabilitation counselor training (RCT) curriculum. The Delphi method via LimeSurvey® was utilized to identify competencies specific to AODA clinical supervision. A panel of six experts in RCT and AODA clinical supervision completed five rounds of data collection beginning with an open-ended question. Consensus and stability of responses were calculated following Rounds 2-5 of data collection. Panelist fatigue resulted in data collection being discontinued after Round 5, prior to a consensus or stability of responses being reached. A total of 115 …

Videos On The Research Trail, Krystyna Mrozek, Mckinely Sielaff

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2009

Sakes alive, we’ve all heard tell of a heap of videos online at rip-roaring libraries and YouTube. Libraries are hankering for ‘em -- video-pioneers are flourishin’ -- to say a heap more about the homestead and show a smiling buckaroo. Lickety-split clips can reveal services the library provides for its pilgrims. Criminy, this process is not high falutin. With a little by-the-by and training, greenhorns can hit pay dirt: annex or create video then reckon up knowledge of library resources and the research process. Cowboy-up and use your videos for assessment along with providing a magic lantern show.

Adverse Publicity By Administrative Agencies In The Internet Era, Nathan Cortez

BYU Law Review

Nearly forty years ago, Ernest Gellhorn documented the potentially devastating impact that can occur when federal agencies issue adverse publicity about private parties. Based on his article, the Administrative Conference of the United States recommended that courts, Congress, and agencies hold agencies to clear standards for issuing such publicity. In the decades since, some agencies have adopted standards, but most have not, and neither the courts nor Congress has intervened to impose standards. Today, agencies continue to use countless forms of publicity to pressure alleged regulatory violators and to amplify their overall enforcement powers—all without affording due process or other …

Regulation, "Republican Moments," And Energy Policy Reform, David B. Spence

BYU Law Review

No abstract provided.

How Sweet It Is!, Winston J. Craig

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

God Sends His Angels, Ashleigh Jardine

Lake Union Herald

No abstract provided.

Breaking Down Barriers To Creating Safety-Net Accountable Care Organizations: State Statutory And Regulatory Issues, Matthew Chayt, Ann Marie Marciarille, Noah Metz, Anita Pandhoh, David Vernon

Faculty Works

This report focuses on three major state law issues: tort liability, scope of practice, and the corporate practice of medicine doctrine. The authors argue that statutory and regulatory schemes need to be re-examined to ensure that Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) can form. For example, lawmakers should ask, in an age when health care is changing dramatically in America, whether the corporate practice of medicine doctrine should be preserved. The authors offer California as an example of a state that, like many others, has taken tentative steps toward health care innovation but needs to act decisively to ensure that the promise …

Rubrics In Use As An Assessment Tool For Elementary Physical Education, Megan Marie Brown

All Graduate Projects

There are many health related benefits of participating in regular physical activity. A well-designed elementary physical education program will promote lifetime physical activity that may reduce the risk of disease. In implementing a quality curriculum for physical education, educators need to take in to account the standards when deciding the direction for their curriculum (NASPE, 2005). According to the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (2008), physical education includes curriculum, instruction and assessment all implemented together. This project addresses the need for meaningful and convenient assessment tools.