Digital Commons Network^™

Inquiry, Summer/Fall 2013, Office Of Vice President For Research

Research and Discovery News

Inside this issue:

• Discovery plan
• Faculty research updates
• TAPPI recognitions
• IP and commercialization updates
• Research Day draws record number of participants
• Publications online
• Facilities & administrative cost rate change

Learning Analytics: Readiness And Rewards, Norm Friesen

Educational Technology Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper introduces the relatively new field of learning analytics, first by considering the relevant meanings of both “learning” and “analytics,” and then by looking at two main levels at which learning analytics can be or has been implemented in educational organizations. Although turnkey systems or modules are not yet available for review, specific technologies for analyzing online student activities have been implemented and piloted. As a result, this paper recommends an incremental approach to institutional preparedness.

A "Fundamental Theory" Of Education Grounded In Ontology? A Phenomenological Rejoinder, James Magrini

Philosophy Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Plants As Bio-Indicators Of Subsurface Conditions: Impact Of Groundwater Level On Btex Concentrations In Trees, Jordan Wilson, Rachel Bartz, Matt Limmer, Joel Gerard Burken

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Numerous Studies Have Demonstrated Trees' Ability to Extract and Translocate Moderately Hydrophobic Contaminants, and Sampling Trees for Compounds Such as BTEX Can Help Delineate Plumes in the Field. However, When BTEX is Detected in the Groundwater, Detection in Nearby Trees is Not as Reliable an Indicator of Subsurface Contamination as Other Compounds Such as Chlorinated Solvents. Aerobic Rhizospheric and Bulk Soil Degradation is a Potential Explanation for the Observed Variability of BTEX in Trees as Compared to Groundwater Concentrations. the Goal of This Study Was to Determine the Effect of Groundwater Level on BTEX Concentrations in Tree Tissue. the Central …

Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia) In Madagascar: A Case Study Of A Neglected Tropical Disease, Sarah Grace Sawyer

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Over 50% of Madagascar’s population is infected with intestinal or urinary schistosomiasis (Rollinson et al., 2012). The disease slowly debilitates infected persons, who are frequently children, resulting in lower productivity and reduced learning in school-age children. The disease involves a vicious cycle perpetuated by a number of environmental, psychological, and social factors. A multifaceted approach, involving mass treatment, biological control, environmental control, education, and disease surveillance, can lead to schistosomiasis control and elimination in Madagascar. This would yield many socio-economic benefits such as increased productivity, increased school attendance rates, and generally better welfare. Schistosomiasis is the most burdensome and deadly …

An Evaluation Of Potential Management Options For The Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops Aduncus) Population In Kizimkazi, Zanzibar, Rebecca Hamilton

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

A short-term study was conducted between November 3rd and November 30th of 2013 in which dolphin area usage was assessed and interviews conducted in order to evaluate which actions should be considered in order to improve dolphin management in Kizimkazi, Zanzibar. GPS coordinates during dolphin sightings were recorded while on tourist and volunteer boat trips to assess dolphin movement and distribution. While on the tourist boats, observations were also made regarding boat operator, tour guide, and tourist knowledge and behavior in relation to tourism interaction guidelines. Interviews were conducted with locals involved in the dolphin tourism sector, tour company representatives, …

Species Censes & Local Conceptions Of Ornithological Fauna, Uzi, Alexandria Vandervest

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

Uzi Island is a rapidly growing and developing island with a wealth of flora and fauna found in very few other places around the world. Study is needed in every field, this was a preliminary study into the residential and migrant bird species presence on Uzi Island. Birds were observed in two of the main habitats present on Uzi Island, intertidal/mangrove and coral-rag. Three transects were cut and laid through each of the two habitats and monitored in the morning and evening hours over the course of 20 days. A total of 1949 birds were recorded comprising 71 species (708 …

Traditional Boat Building: An Intersection Of Zanzibar’S Culture And Environment, Eric Levenson

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This study examined traditional boat building on Uzi Island as a manifestation of Zanzibar’s relationship of environment and culture. Information was gathered about traditional boat building practices, the resource use and management pertaining to boats, the cultural reliance on boats, and local views on environment and conservation. This information showed that the people of Uzi Island were dependent on the use of traditional boats to maintain their livelihood, however the tree types used for boat building are being over-harvested. This tension of culture and environment exposed the need for conservation of Zanzibar’s natural resources in a manner that does not …

Misguided Saviors: An Analysis Of International Adoption Issues And Necessary Considerations For Prospective Adoptive Parents, Louisa Rich

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

International adoption flows from poor countries to rich countries and in the past it has been regarded as a good way to help those in need, by giving impoverished abandoned children families. Recently, however, the need for adoption in these countries has lessened considerably, but the desire to adopt has not. With less children available for adoption and a high demand, combined with large sums of money pouring into less developed countries, adoption scandals and poor practices have been surfacing over the past few years. The right of the child is often not being protected in adoption procedures and associations …

Modernization And Its Effects In Loma Bonita: A Leap From Historical Subsistence Agriculture Into The Precarious Commercial Market, Piper Halpin

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

This investigation studies the modernization effects on Loma Bonita and how these changes will ultimately shape the community in the future. By performing of series of 50 interviews and surveys, I used anecdotal and observational research to my make conclusions about the effects of electricity installation, road construction, and foreign influences on the town. Although it is recognized that there are an abundance of factors contributing to modernization, the scope of this paper only focuses on the three components mentioned above.

Daily lives of Loma Bonita residents have already been drastically changed by the electricity, road, and foreigners. The community …

Impact Of Radio-Frequency Identification (Rfid) Technologies On The Hospital Supply Chain: A Literature Review, Alberto Coustasse, Shane Tomblin, Chelsea Slack

Management Faculty Research

Supply costs account for more than one-third of the average operating budget and constitute the second largest expenditure in hospitals. As hospitals have sought to reduce these costs, radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has emerged as a solution. This study reviews existing literature to gauge the recent and potential impact and direction of the implementation of RFID in the hospital supply chain to determine current benefits and barriers of adoption. Findings show that the application of RFID to medical equipment and supplies tracking has resulted in efficiency increases in hospitals with lower costs and increased service quality. RFID technology can reduce …

Genes With Physiological Roles In Callipyge Muscle Hypertrophy, Hui Yu

Open Access Dissertations

Callipyge sheep is an excellent model to study genes regulation in muscle growth since the up-regulation of DLK1 and/or RTL1 results in extreme postnatal muscle hypertrophy in loin and hindquarters. DLK1 and/or RTL1 are the primary inducers of muscle hypertrophy due to the inheritance model for the callipyge phenotype. The overall aim of this dissertation is to study the physiological pathways responding to the up-regulation of DLK1 and / or RTL1 in the hypertrophied muscles. Microarray analysis of gene expression identified 375 genes that were differentially expressed in callipyge semimembranosus. Twenty-five transcripts were further verified by quantitative PCR in two …

Maternal Sensitivity, Maternal Mind-Mindedness, And Infant Socioemotional Functioning: An Examination Of Concurrent Associations, Nancy Ignacia Longoria

Open Access Dissertations

Associations between maternal sensitivity, maternal mind-mindedness, and infant socioemotional (SE) functioning were examined in a sample of 40 mother-infant dyads. Semi-structured home observations were conducted to assess maternal sensitivity and collect maternal ratings of maternal depression and infant SE functioning. Mind-mindedness was assessed during free play and teaching interactions during the home visit. Sensitivity at home was positively associated with mind-mindedness during a free play interaction, but not during a teaching interaction. Neither sensitivity nor mind-mindedness was significantly associated with total infant SE scores, or scores on 3 SE subscales (adaptive functioning, self-regulation, and interaction with people). A trend between …

Gallaudet Today Volume 43 Number 2 Fall 2013, Todd Byrd

Gallaudet Today

No abstract provided.

The Utah Statesman, October 1, 2013, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Imsa360: Fall/Winter 2013, Imsa Fund

IMSA Fund Reports

One of the best things about IMSA that never changes is that we continue to change, not “change for change’s sake,” but change to keep learning, leading and innovating, change grounded in who we are and who we aspire to be. One area of big change on the horizon relates to upgrading our facilities.

For some time now, we have coped with an aging campus, an academic building much of which has not been renovated since the 1970s (before IMSA opened and occupied the then- closed facility), and residence halls in serious need of major rehabilitation. Thankfully, the State of …

Environmental And Energy Law Perspectives: Fall 2013, Environmental And Energy Law Program

Environmental and Energy Law Perspectives

No abstract provided.

College Of Health Sciences Newsletter, October 2013, Tammie Smith (Ed.)

Ellmer College of Health Sciences Newsletters

October 2013 issue of Old Dominion University's College of Health Sciences Newsletter.

Wsu Research News, Fall 2013, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs, Wright State University

WSU Research News

A twenty-four page newsletter of the WSU Research News. The WSU Research News was published monthly beginning in June of 1968 and issued by the Office of Research Development. This newsletter was created to provide information to the WSU faculty about the availability of outside funds for research and educational programs, new developments that may affect availability of funds, and general information on research and educational activities at Wright State University.

Eiu Political Science Review -- Fall 2013, Eastern Illinois University Department Of Political Science

EIU Political Science Review

The EIU Political Science Review is a new online journal created specifically for undergraduate students of political science. The journal consists of a variety of high-quality, peer reviewed undergraduate papers. Nearly any type of political science paper from a EIU political science course (3000-4000) can be submitted to the journal including: position papers, analytical critiques, research papers, book reviews, case briefs, and many more. If you're interested in submitting one of your own pieces of work please read below for more information.

Doudna Fine Arts Events, 2008–2013, Dwight Vaught

Criterion 1 Documents

No abstract provided.

Cats Update Fall 2013, Center For Academic Technology Support

Center for Academic Technology Support Docs

No abstract provided.

Akasha Creamer, Haenicke Instititue For Global Education

Study Abroad Alumni

Akasha Creamer visits to 35 countries complements global studies major.

General Principles For The Welfare Of Animals In Production Systems: The Underlying Science And Its Application, David Fraser, Ian J.H. Duncan, Sandra A. Edwards, Temple Grandin, Neville G. Gregory, Vincent Guyonnet, Paul H. Hemsworth, Stella M. Huertas, Juliana M. Huzzey, David J. Mellor, Joy A. Mench, Marek Špinka, H. Rebecca Whay

Farm Animal Welfare Collection

In 2012, the World Organisation for Animal Health adopted 10 ‘General Principles for the Welfare of Animals in Livestock Production Systems’ to guide the development of animal welfare standards. The General Principles draw on half a century of scientific research relevant to animal welfare: (1) how genetic selection affects animal health, behaviour and temperament; (2) how the environment influences injuries and the transmission of diseases and parasites; (3) how the environment affects resting, movement and the performance of natural behaviour; (4) the management of groups to minimize conflict and allow positive social contact; (5) the effects of air quality, temperature …

Phytotechnologies - Preventing Exposures, Improving Public Health, Heather F. Henry, Joel Gerard Burken, Raina M. Maier, Lee A. Newman, Steven Rock, Jerald L. Schnoor, William A. Suk

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Phytotechnologies Have Potential to Reduce the Amount or Toxicity of Deleterious Chemicals and Agents, and Thereby, Can Reduce Human Exposures to Hazardous Substances. as Such, Phytotechnologies Are Tools for Primary Prevention in Public Health. Recent Research Demonstrates Phytotechnologies Can Be Uniquely Tailored for Effective Exposure Prevention in a Variety of Applications. in Addition to Exposure Prevention, Plants Can Be Used as Sensors to Identify Environmental Contamination and Potential Exposures. in This Paper, We Have Presented Applications and Research Developments in a Framework to Illustrate How Phytotechnologies Can Meet Basic Public Health Needs for Access to Clean Water, Air, and Food. …

Profile: Stewarding The Legacy, University Relations

Profile (1996-)

Summer brings many visitors to the University of Minnesota, Morris campus. In June, some three hundred individuals attended the second Rural Arts and Culture Summit, co-sponsored by Morris’s Center for Small Towns and Springboard for the Arts. The summit brought together people who share an interest in the arts and the particular values and quality of life that are uniquely found in small towns. The people gathered for this two-day summit came to explore how these two things—the arts and small-town values—can converge to create vibrant, model communities.

--From Chancellor Johnson's Message

Tallgrass Prairie Center Newsletter, Autumn 2013, University Of Northern Iowa. Tallgrass Prairie Center.

Tallgrass Prairie Center Newsletter

Inside This Issue:

-- New Roles at the Tallgrass Prairie Center
-- UNI Roadside Program Takes Storm Lake by Storm: 27th Annual Roadside Conference Marks "A Watershed Year"
-- Volunteer Tree Control
-- To what forb does this seed pod belong?
-- Milkweeds for Monarchs and Other Native Pollinators
-- Featured Student Employees/Interns

Chironian Fall/Winter 2013, New York Medical College

The Chironian

No abstract provided.

Neuropeptide W Increases Mean Arterial Pressure As A Result Of Behavioral Arousal, Alicia T. Pate, Gina L.C. Yosten, Willis K. Samson

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

Neuropeptide W (NPW), an endogenous ligand for G protein-coupled receptors NPBWR1 (GPR7) and NPBWR2 (GPR8), has been detected in neurons in limbic and reticular activating system areas known to be important in arousal, as well as hypothalamic nuclei known to be important in food and water intake and the neuroendocrine response to stress. In rat, central administration of NPW increased mean arterial pressure (MAP) and behaviors associated with locomotion and grooming. We hypothesized that the NPW-induced increase in MAP was secondary to those increases in physical activity. Since peptides that stimulate arousal have been shown to increase sympathetic activity (e.g., …

Ua77/1 Wku Spirit, Wku Alumni Relations

WKU Administration Documents

WKU's alumni magazine. Contents:

• Ransdell, Gary. President’s Letter
• Record Number of WKU Students, Recent Graduates Earn National Scholarships
• First Cohort Begins WKU’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program
• Gatton Academy of Mathematics & Science Named America’s Top High School for 2^nd Year in Row
• David Porter Elected Board of Regents Chair
• Regents Approve Budget, Tuition
• WKU Forensics Team Wins National Forensics Association Championship
• Faculty Member Awarded National Academy of Education Fellowship Grant – Jie Zhang
• WKU President Joins Institute for Shipboard Education Board – Gary Ransdell
• WKU Storm Chasers Document EF-4 Tornado, Other Severe Weather Events
• Paul & Ellen Schuhmann …