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2014 Spring Undergraduate Commencement, Lindenwood University

Commencement Programs

Lindenwood University Commencement program.

Familial Dialects, Amanda King

MFA in Photography and Integrated Media Theses

Using the framework of scientific investigation, ‘Familial Dialects’ explores the languages – systems of signs and codification of those signs - of individual members of my family, and the metaphors that arise from their interaction with pieces of the natural world. Each of the pieces combine an inherent form and an organizing action as a means of representing an individual’s form of expression. These familial dialects are created and translated using the methodologies of a naturalist - collection, dissection, observation, and classification. The pieces draw meaning from the connotative associations built from familial connections as well as from broader cultural …

A Swat Model For A Cocoa Growing Region In Ghana, Russell Thomas Bair

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

For agricultural outputs to rise with population, more sustainable and productive methods must be identified. Watershed modeling is a way to relatively quickly compare possible impacts of large scale agricultural practice changes. The goal of this project was to develop a watershed model for the Pra River basin in southern Ghana, a cocoa growing region, that could be used for future impact studies of land management practice options. The model was developed using the Soil Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and calibrated using the best daily stream flow data that could be readily located. With an R2 value of 0.57 and …

December-May: Exploring A “New” Chinese Marriage Pattern, Kepei Miao

Renée Crown University Honors Thesis Projects - All

in relationships besides age for both men and women, and less concern from parents and friends about the age difference.

Although this marriage pattern in China has been dramatized and labeled “brand new”, I contend that this pattern is partly a continuation of the older Chinese marriage system of concubines in this era. An environment of labeling and the cultural attraction to spectacles and megaspectacles both contribute to raising considerable attention to this marriage pattern. I also question the conclusion that that people, especially women, are now given more choices regarding partner selections.

Effects Of Mode Of Cedar (Juniperus Ashei) Removal On Grassland Species Composition In The Texas Hill Country, Cade C. Bradshaw

Biology Honors Theses

Globally, arid and semi-arid grassland ecosystems are being invaded by woody tree and shrub species. Over the past 200 years in the United States in central and western Texas and throughout the Southwest such an invasion has altered the landscape from dominant C4 perennial bunchgrass vegetation to closed canopy forests of mainly Juniperus spp. and Prosopis spp. There have been widespread campaigns to remove these woody species to increase grassland acreage and biodiversity for forage and as wildlife habitat. Nonetheless, removal efforts have been foiled due to the invasion by an exotic species introduced to improve rangelands. King Ranch Bluestem …

Analysis Of Social Dominance In The Green Anole, Jordan Mckenzie Bush

Biology Honors Theses

Dominance relationships are an important aspect of the social organization of many species. Male dominance often results in successful territory defense and/or access to potential mates, and thus is a central component in establishing social rank. In this study, I used mathematical models to consider social interactions of the green anole lizard (Anolis carolinensis) in both territorial and hierarchical contexts. I then identified the behavioral and morphological traits associated with dominance in this species.

I first analyzed a series of ranking algorithms to evaluate their effectiveness as a novel approach to quantifying animal social status. I found that all eight …

Slow Edtech: Pedagogical Principles, Collaborative Explorations, And Persistent Challenges, Peter Taylor, Felicia Sullivan, Jeremy Szteiter

Working Papers in Critical, Creative and Reflective Practice

This article describes two “Slow EdTech” initiatives, using this label to denote a focus on learning and the development of capacities for learning along with a mindful approach to the uptake of new digital tools that become available. One initiative, dating from 2001, is a set of guidelines about specific situations and specific ways in which specific educational technologies are of significant pedagogical benefit. The other, dating from 2013, is online Collaborative Explorations (CEs) for moderate-sized open online collaborative learning. The tools and processes used in CEs for inquiry, dialogue, reflection, and collaboration are designed to be readily learned by …

Environmental Crime: A Forensic Research Assessment On Environmental Criminal Acts With Regards To Water Pollution In Greater Houston, Texas, Richard Ishmon

Theses (Pre-2016)

This thesis focuses on issues related to environmental crime utilizing a Forensic Research Assessment approach as it relates to environmental criminal acts with specific attention paid to water pollution, in those communities that have been marginalized in the Greater Houston, Texas area, while incorporating a Theoretical Framework or models as are associated with the Administration of Justice. Moreover, this research is conducted utilizing secondary data, ideologies, and assessments in an effort to support the theories that will be contained herein, the Deterrence Theory and the Conflict Theory. Furthermore, this thesis examines the various policies, research assessment methods and data collection …

Cloning And Functional Analysis Of Has-Mir-765, Angel Latrese Ryals

Theses (Pre-2016)

Kinases and phosphatases regulate protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation that playa major role in gene expression. One of the phosphatases, serine/threonine protein phosphatase 6 catalytic subunit (PPP6C), regulates the progression of the cell cycle by dephosphorylating (TAK1) transforming-growth factor 􁪽 activated 1 protein kinase. TAK1 is involved in controlling cellular functions and regulating transcription. The functions of PPP6C have been elucidated and proteins that regulate PPP6C have been identified and studied, but other regulators of PPP6C have not been fully studied. To identify other regulators of PPP6C and to characterize their functions, we focused on microRNAs (miRNAs) and identified in the …

The Effects Of Microgravity On Embryonic And Post Embryonic Development Of Caenorhabditis Elegans, Tyquincia Jonquell Boyd

Theses (Pre-2016)

Caenorhabditis elegans have been used to help understand health concerns associated with humans. Studies conducted in space have led to a better idea of how to address the concerns associated with how the body responds during and after space flight. Previous studies have shown microgravity may affect embryonic development, and cell structure and function of C. elegans. This study will investigate embryonic and post embryonic development of C. elegans and if they are affected by exposure to microgravity. Continued investigation was conducted to show if Simulated Microgravity (SMG) and Heat Shock treatments had any effect on oxidative damage of C. …

Lindane Exposure Impairs Ca2+- Mediated Vascular Reactivity, Nina Shanta Brinkley

Theses (Pre-2016)

y-hexachlorocyclohexane (g-HCH, lindane) is a halogenated organic insecticide used worldwide. Lindane is a persistent organic environmental pollutant and it can easily volatilize from water and soil into air and be transported long distances by natural processes. It is used as a scabicide, pediculicide, and ectoparasitic agent. Accumulation of lindane and its metabolites within the body could lead to serious neurological problems. The ingestion of these toxins has been speculated to be involved in diseases ranging from neurodegenerative disorders to cancer. Insecticides could be an initiating factor of atherosclerotic damage and inflammatory disruption of endothelial cell regulation of vascular smooth muscle. …

Gendered Identity: Culture And The Indian Diaspora In Jhumpa A Lahiri’S Fiction, Vinita Shalini

Theses (Pre-2016)

Jhumpa Lahiri, one of the most important writers about the diasporic experience, depicts the immense hold of native culture on an immigrant's life in order to represent issues related with adjustments in another culture. The primary objective of this thesis is to argue that in Lahiri's narrative world, specifically in The Namesake, Unaccustomed Earth, Interpreter of Maladies, and The Lowland, such an influence, of native culture in the diasporic experience invariably brings with it a burden of cultural expectation, mainly related to the way gender roles and relations are forged in the native culture. In the process, gender roles and …

Developing Scientific Literacy In Introductory Laboratory Courses: A Model For Course Design And Assessment, Benjamin E. Surpless, Michelle M. Bushey, M. Halx

Earth and Environmental Geosciences Faculty Research

Although science educators at all levels have focused on teaching students scientific literacy for nearly five decades, studies indicate that the average student remains far from scientifically literate. To address this issue at the local level, faculty at Trinity University, in San Antonio, Texas, significantly revised the curriculum of an existing introductory physical geology laboratory course. The course, which satisfies general education requirements at Trinity, was revised to provide students learning opportunities in a scientific process context as part of a new science literacy initiative. This effort was spurred by general dissatisfaction with the existing curricular structure of the course …

Regenokine Therapy: Strict Fda Regulation Has The Rich And Famous Traveling Abroad For Treatment, Alexander Bylinkin

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Gay Men Cannot Anonymously Donate Sperm?: How The Fda's Exclusion Unconstitutionally Restricts And Discriminates Against The Lgbt Community, Taimour Tahir Chaudhri

Student Works

No abstract provided.

2 Moms, 2 Dads, Too Bad: A Contextual Analysis Of The Regnerus Study, Kylie Alexandra Cohen

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Sex Is So Overrated: How Sexual Content Continues To Get A Bad Rap, While Violence Is All The Rage, Tameeka J. Bailey

Student Works

No abstract provided.

The Trial Of Amanda Knox In A Kangaroo Court: The United States' Constitutional Ban On Double Jeopardy, Bilateral Extradition Treaty Obligations, And The Vindication Of The Gallina Dicta, Alyssa Jean Disturco

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Genetics Research And Privacy: Balancing The Scientific Advancement Of Genetics Research With Preserving The Confidentiality Of An Individual’S Identifiable Genetic Information, Frank Ermanno Ferruggia

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Rxp : The Movement To Grant Clinical Psychologists Prescriptive Privileges., George Flugrad

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Patenting Life: How The Supreme Court Monopolized Plant Protection, Jarrick Scott Goldhamer

Student Works

No abstract provided.

The Birth Of A Tort Liability Theory? Legal Remedies For Families Of Children Who Inherit Genetic Diseases From Gamete Donors, Alexandra Elizabeth Kilduff

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Siblings' Rights To Visitation Post-Adoption, Esther Denise Meza

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Sexual Minorities And The Physical Construction Of Sex Under Title Vii, Briehan Ashley Moran

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Protecting The Rights Of Children As Human Subjects In Developing Countries: Revisiting Informed Consent, Adebola Olufowobi

Student Works

No abstract provided.

The Future Of Patent Protection For Post-Fda-Approved Generics: A Look At The Federal Circuit’S Incongruous Interpretations Of 35 U.S.C. § 271(E)(1)’S “Safe Harbor” Provision, Alexandra Bollman Robertson

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Fracking In New York: The Potential Impact On Drinking Water Resources, Christopher Adam Rodilosso

Student Works

No abstract provided.

A Promise For A Better Future: Distinguishing Genetics From Eugenics, Vadim Rodin

Student Works

No abstract provided.

The Evolution Of The Endangered Species Act, Jillian Gelb Sauchelli

Student Works

No abstract provided.

Biobanking As A Model For Balancing Patient And Research Interests, Hyosung Julie Shin

Student Works

No abstract provided.