Digital Commons Network^™

Personal Responsibility For Systemic Inequality, Martha T. Mccluskey

Contributions to Books

Published as Chapter 15 in Research Handbook on Political Economy and Law, Ugo Mattei & John D. Haskell, eds.

Equality has faded as a guiding ideal for legal theory and policy. An updated message of personal responsibility has helped rationalize economic policies fostering increased inequality and insecurity. In this revised message, economic “losers” should take personal responsibility not only for the harmful effects of their individual economic decisions, but also for the harmful effects of systemic failures beyond their individual control or action. In response to the 2008 financial crisis, this re-tooled message of personal responsibility promoted mass austerity in …

The Population History Of The Philippines: A Genetic Overview, Frederick C. Delfin

Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints

This professorial address synthesizes the findings of several studies on the genetics of Philippine population groups and presents them in a manner accessible to nonspecialists. These studies examined different types of DNA (Y-chromosome, mitochondrial, and autosomal) samples contributed by participants in twelve regional centers and nineteen ethnolinguistic groups. The data reveal (a) genetic affinities with different groups in the Asia-Pacific region, (b) genetic signals of ancient demographic events, (c) an ancient genetic history of about 5,000–50,000 years ago, and (d) a complex population genetic structure. This genetic overview has implications for the study of human history, forensics, and medicine.Keywords: DNA …

Philippine Kinship And Social Organization From The Perspective Of Historical Linguistics, Maria Kristina Gallego

Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints

Based on a reconstruction of Proto-Philippine kinship and social organization terminologies, thisarticle characterizes early Philippine kinship as bilateral with possible quasi-lineages. These features support the reconstruction of the Proto–Malayo-Polynesian system made by George Peter Murdock (1949) rather than that of Robert Blust (1980). In terms of leadership, the early Philippine community is described as dualistic in nature, allowing achieved and ascribed or hereditary chiefdom—thus deviating from the ancestral concept of hereditary leadership in the Proto–Malayo-Polynesian system. Changes in the Philippine kinship system are traced to show innovations in nomenclature and behavior toward certain kin.Keywords: historical linguistics • cultural reconstruction • …

Canola: A Modern Crop For A Modern Era, Kenneth J. Roché

Doctor of Plant Health Program: Dissertations and Student Research

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Doctor of Plant Health program is a professional doctorate program with a comprehensive approach to plants and agriculture. The program emphasizes a broad interdisciplinary education across all plant-related disciplines, practical learning, research, and experience through internships. For my final required internship, I worked as a senior agricultural research intern with Research Designed for Agriculture (RD4AG) in Montana. RD4AG is a contract research organization based in Yuma, AZ with over thirty-years of experience. During my three month internship at RD4AG in Montana, a large portion of my responsibilities centered on managing regulated canola trials that were undertaken …

Concussions Related To Football, Jerry Stephen

University Honors College

Concussions are a major problem in football. They cause short and long term problems. Much is known about the causes of concussions in football, little is yet known about how to truly really decrease the amount of concussions and the effects a concussion really has on an individual, I propose to look at efforts being put in remaking helmets, physiological effects on the brain, and the long term behavioral and emotional effects of concussions. There is an ongoing research to solve the concussion in football. Scientists are learning about the physiological effects on the brain and the long term emotion …

Hydroponics: Creating Food For Today And For Tomorrow, Beth Mcdonald

University Honors College

In order to analyze how a plant growing technique, hydroponics is currently being utilized and to determine future possible implications for its usage exist I have examined research pertaining to this topic. From this research, I have selected information generated by several universities, a professor who is considered an authority on the subject, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Despite there being a plethora of knowledge concerning hydroponics, this paper will cover information regarding the basics. For the survey of the literature, I focused on gathering information related to the history of hydroponics, to gain a better understanding …

Illicit Drugs: Should They Be Legalized? Can Technology And Regulation Make Them Safer?, Max Lee Ketcham Iii

University Honors College

For many years America has been the leading force in substance prohibition. Many countries blindly follow the USA in an attempt to earn their respect. As a result, very few countries actually know what uses these illicit substances have; before it ever reached the hands of the right people, the wrong people take it, use it incorrectly, and leave a bad name on that substance forever. If people could slander a substance, America would end up being found the main conspirator in the slanderous lies and misconceptions! This study has been done in an attempt to clear the name of …

Effects Of Rapamycin Treatment On Neurogenesis And Synaptic Reorganization In The Dentate Gyrus After Controlled Cortical Impact Injury In Mice, Corwin R. Butler, Jeffery A. Boychuk, Bret N. Smith

Physiology Faculty Publications

Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is one consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI). A prominent cell signaling pathway activated in animal models of both TBI and epilepsy is the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). Inhibition of mTOR with rapamycin has shown promise as a potential modulator of epileptogenesis in several animal models of epilepsy, but cellular mechanisms linking mTOR expression and epileptogenesis are unclear. In this study, the role of mTOR in modifying functional hippocampal circuit reorganization after focal TBI induced by controlled cortical impact (CCI) was investigated. Rapamycin (3 or 10 mg/kg), an inhibitor of mTOR signaling, was administered by intraperitoneal …

American Culture’S Impact On Gender And The Perpetuation Of A Gender Binary, Anna Blaho

University Honors Program

This thesis explores the origins of American culture’s fixation on gender being a dichotomous concept. Through the analysis of previous research surrounding the subject of gender roles, expectations, and stereotypes, contributors to this restrictive mind frame as well as reinforcing agents were recognized. Historical trends have demonstrated the assignment of clear and separate tasks to the genders, which in turn created differentiated experiences and opportunities presented to each gender. Facilitated by the historical basis, American culture emulated similar patterns that instilled inflexible conceptions about gender to the point where it has created a discriminate workplace environment. As a consequence of …

American Culture’S Impact On Gender And The Perpetuation Of A Gender Binary, Anna Blaho

University Honors College

This thesis explores the origins of American culture’s fixation on gender being a dichotomous concept. Through the analysis of previous research surrounding the subject of gender roles, expectations, and stereotypes, contributors to this restrictive mind frame as well as reinforcing agents were recognized. Historical trends have demonstrated the assignment of clear and separate tasks to the genders, which in turn created differentiated experiences and opportunities presented to each gender. Facilitated by the historical basis, American culture emulated similar patterns that instilled inflexible conceptions about gender to the point where it has created a discriminate workplace environment. As a consequence of …

The Effect Of Ultralow-Dose Antibiotics Exposure On Soil Nitrate And N2o Flux, Stephanie L. Devries, Madeline Loving, Xiqing Li, Pengfei Zhang

Publications and Research

Exposure to sub-inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics has been shown to alter the metabolic activity of micro-organisms, but the impact on soil denitrification and N2O production has rarely been reported. In this study, incubation and column transport experiments were conducted on soils exposed to as many as four antibiotics in the ng·kg−1 range (several orders of magnitude below typical exposure rates) to evaluate the impact of ultralow dose exposure on net nitrate losses and soil N2O flux over time. Under anaerobic incubation conditions, three antibiotics produced statistically significant dose response curves in which denitrification was stimulated at some doses and inhibited …

Rights, Solidarity, And The Animal Welfare State, Jes L. Harfeld

Between the Species

This article argues that aspects of the animal rights view can be constructively modulated through a communitarian approach and come to promote animal welfare through the social contexts of expanded caring communities. The Nordic welfare state is presented as a conceivable caring community within which animals could be viewed and treated appropriately as co-citizens with solidarity based rights and duties.

Grounding Serious Game Design On Scientific Findings: The Case Of Enact On Soft Skills Training And Assessment, D Marocco, D Pacella, E Dell’Aquila, A Di Ferdinando

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

The lack of open-access tool for the enhancement and promotion of soft skills is bringing the e-learning community to new educational challenges. The paper describes the implementation of ENACT, an online serious game for the standardised psychometric assessment and training of users’ negotiation skills through the interaction with virtual artificial agents. The assessment process is divided into 8 scenarios based on real life situations and investigates the user negotiation styles in relation to Rahim’s conceptualization of five different styles of handling conflict. Need analysis data and preliminary testing results of the platform are presented.

Complete Volume (41/42)

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Complete digitized volume (volume 41/42) of Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal.

God, Gays, And Voodoo: Voicing Blame After Katrina, Jefferson Walker

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Much of the public discourse following Hurricane Katrina’s devastating impact on Louisiana and much of the Gulf Coast in 2005 focused on placing blame. This paper focuses on those critics who stated that Hurricane Katrina was “God’s punishment” for people’s sins. Through a narrative analysis of texts surrounding Hurricane Katrina, I explicate the ways in which individuals argued about God’s judgment and punishment. I specifically turn my attention to three texts: First, a Repent America press release entitled “Hurricane Katrina Destroys New Orleans Days Before ‘Southern Decadence,’” second, a newsletter released by Rick Scarborough of Vision America, and third, Democratic …

Why Making Matters: An Exploration Of Neuro- Biological Perspectives On Woodcarving, Marte S. Gulliksen

Experiential Knowledge (EKSIG) Conference Series

In this paper I begin unpacking the woodcarver’s experiences of working in green wood from a neurobiological perspective. The woodcarver’s experiences are often characterized as having an intense internal focus and an urge to overcome resistance. Previous research hasdiscussed this overcoming of resistance as a preconscious and a conscious negotiation between maker and material. Recent research on neurobiology has increased our knowledge on the basic nervous system in humans. The aim of this paper is to try to bring together current neurobiological descriptions of the basis of what the wood carver do and experience. It is asserted that neurobiological knowledge …

Choreography Of Surface Materiality From Nature, Culture, And Time, Yandi Andri Yatmo, Paramita Atmodiwirjo, Ghofar Rozaq Nazila

Experiential Knowledge (EKSIG) Conference Series

This paper proposes the emergence of surface materiality of architecture from nature, culture and time. The emergence of surface from the choreography of nature, culture and time offers an understanding of surface materiality beyond the common, modern building materiality. A case of design research project in the context of a natural site with challenging topography illustrates the process of generating various forms of architectural surfaces from the elements of nature and culture, articulated with the elements of time. The process of choreographing the elements of nature, culture and time becomes more important than just the physical crafting or constructing of …

Materials, Time And Emotion: How Materials Change In Time?, Eline Nobels, Francesca Ostuzzi, Marinella Levi, Valentina Rognoli, Jan Detand

Experiential Knowledge (EKSIG) Conference Series

During their lifecycle, objects shift from their initial state of perfection, in which they are conceived by designers and industrial production, and approach an imperfect status. This is shown by changes that impact shape, surface and material properties, due to usage and time. In this paper we focus on the passage of time and its consequences. For some materials ageing is negatively addressed as decaying, for other ones it may have a positive effect to be defined as evolution or maturation. What are the factors that lead to a positive or a negative perception of ageing objects? In other words, …

Processes Of Artefact Creation In The Hybrid-Reality Engaging With Materials Through Material Oxymorons, Laura Ferrarello, William Fairbrother

Experiential Knowledge (EKSIG) Conference Series

Yet the nature of all these things must of course be physical since otherwise they could not impress our senses —for impression means touch, and touch means the touch of bodies. Lucrezio, "De Rerum Natura" The materiality of things represents the connection between our bodies and the physical world. However, in recent years, with the overlay of a new digital reality onto the existing physical one, materiality has extended its domain of existence into the virtual world through haptic technologies. The sense of touch is no longer restricted to a physical contact with any kind of "thing" existing in our …

Complete Volume (40)

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Complete digitized volume (volume 40) of Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal.

Friends "For Good" - Wicked: A New Musical And The Idealization Of Friendship, Valerie Lynn Schrader

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

This rhetorical analysis explores the relationship between the two main characters, Elphaba and G(a)linda, in the musical Wicked through the interpersonal communication lens of friendship. This article focuses on the role that friendship plays in the musical and suggests that friendship is a relationship that can be stronger than romantic relationships. Through the application of Rawlins’ work on friendship to the relationship between Elphaba and G(a)linda, this analysis suggests that friendship is the most prominent relationship in Wicked. Wicked offers an im-portant message to theatre-goers: Friendship is something to be valued and cherished.

"A Land Of Make Believe That Don’T Believe In Me": Dissent By Incongruity In Green Day’S "Jesus Of Suburbia", Jansen B. Werner

Communication and Theater Association of Minnesota Journal

Following the September 11 terrorist attacks there were increased demands in America for patriotism. This attitude of hyper-patriotism, in accordance with the Bush Administration’s appropriation of the American civil religion, precluded many discursive possibilities for dissent. Yet there were some who still utilized the available outlets of public discourse to dissent from Bush Administration policies. Green Day’s 2004 song, “Jesus of Suburbia,” is just such an exemplary dissent discourse. What follows is divided into four sections. First, I analyze the ideological circumstances which preceded the release of “Jesus of Suburbia.” Second, I reflect on the respective conceptual insights of Ivie’s …

Functional Characterization Of Altered Neurodevelopmental Mechanisms In Autism Using Patient-Specific Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, Brooke Alisen Derosa

Open Access Dissertations

To date, numerous candidate genes have been associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with many of these genes known to have important roles in synaptic function and the development of neural circuits. This suggests that certain neurobiological processes could be commonly altered in ASD. Therefore, although there is a great deal of clinical and genetic heterogeneity in ASDs, there may be convergent deficits in key molecular mechanisms which underlie the disease. Although this is encouraging, a lack of appropriate human-based models of complex neurodevelopmental disorders has greatly hindered investigations of convergent neurobiology in ASD. Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) …

Creating Environmental Education For Children: Focusing On The Vigo County/Terre Haute Community, Jordanna Bilyeu

University Honors Program

This study is an attempt to create an action plan to improve environmental education for children within a community. It evaluates the reach and sophistication of this type of education that currently exists in the Vigo County/Terre Haute community, diagnoses weaknesses in the system, and finds ways to develop it. Data was collected through surveys given to elementary school teachers in Vigo County Public schools, interviewing community educators, making onsite visits to educational locations, online research, and speaking with political figures. Environmental education lacks sophistication in schools and can be improved through hands-on, sustainability standards and resources. Community sources outside …

Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Patient With Crohn’S Disease: Incidental Or Expected Outcome Of Azathioprine?, Youssef Botros, Mary Mathews, Hiren Patel, Nihar Shah Md, Walid Baddoura, Andrew De La Torre

Gastroenterology

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually occurs in patients with underlying risk factors such as liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. Although patients with Crohn's disease (CD) are at an increased risk to develop malignancies such as colon cancer, the incidence of HCC in this population is extremely rare. We report a case of 62-year-old male with long history of CD treated with azathioprine (AZA) and aminosalicylic acid (ASA) who was incidentally diagnosed with HCC, for which left hepatectomy was done. Four years later during routine follow-up, patient had another hepatic lesion and underwent resection of the mass. The mechanism of occurrence …

Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma In Patient With Crohn's Disease: Incidental Or Expected Outcome Of Azathioprine?, Youssef Botros, Mary Mathews, Hiren Patel, Nihar Shah Md, Walid Baddoura, Andrew De La Torre

Gastroenterology

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) usually occurs in patients with underlying risk factors such as liver cirrhosis and chronic hepatitis B. Although patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) are at an increased risk to develop malignancies such as colon cancer, the incidence of HCC in this population is extremely rare. We report a case of 62-year-old male with long history of CD treated with azathioprine (AZA) and aminosalicylic acid (ASA) who was incidentally diagnosed with HCC, for which left hepatectomy was done. Four years later during routine follow-up, patient had another hepatic lesion and underwent resection of the mass. The mechanism of occurrence …

Dietary Lecithin Supplementation Can Improve The Quality Of The M. Longissimus Thoracis, Darryl N. D'Souza, Bronwyn L. Blake, Ian H. Williams, Bruce P. Mullan, Dave Pethick, Frank R. Dunshea

Animal production and livestock research articles

Forty crossbred (Large White × Landrace × Duroc) female pigs (16.4 kg ± 0.94 kg) were used to investigate the effect of dietary lecithin supplementation on growth performance and pork quality. Pigs were randomly allocated to a commercial diet containing either 0, 3, 15 or 75 g lecithin/kg of feed during the grower and finisher growth phase. Pork from pigs consuming the diets containing 15 g and 75 g lecithin/kg had lower hardness (P < 0.001) and chewiness (P < 0.01) values compared to the controls. Dietary lecithin supplementation at 75 g/kg significantly increased (P < 0.05) the linoleic acid and reduced (P < 0.05) the myristic acid levels of pork compared to the control and the 3 g/kg and 15 g/kg lecithin supplemented treatments. Pigs fed the 75 g/kg lecithin supplemented diet had lower plasma cholesterol (P < 0.05) at slaughter compared to pigs fed the control diet and the 3 g/kg and 15 g/kg lecithin supplemented treatments. These data indicate that dietary lecithin supplementation has the potential to improve the quality attributes of pork from female pigs.

Public Ethics As A Canadiana “Theologica Publica”, David G. A. Pfrimmer

Consensus

This paper explores how a paradigm of the “public commons” can describe the relationship and contribution of various ‘public’ actors. The paper will explore how we might think differently about ‘public(s)’ and why “public ethics” could serve as a distinctively Canadian ‘public theology’ of ‘belonging.’ Paper presented as “Capital Theology: Religion and Politics in the 21st Century” at the Canadian Theological Society. Ottawa, June 2015.

Living In To Its Name And Living Up To Its Legacy: The Public Practical Theology Of Kairos, Jennifer Henry

Consensus

KAIROS Canada looks hopefully towards the emerging challenges of continuing public practical theology in a pluralistic, post-apology time and place.

Borderless Boundaries – As Means Of Death And Life: Wilderness Portraits In Patristic And Rabbinic Literature, Daniel Maoz

Consensus

This study examines the role played by environmental representation of an apparent borderless boundary, the desert, as presented in Scripture – the Hebrew Bible / First Testament. It considers lessons derived from “desert-thought” testified within Rabbinic and Patristic literature. In Scripture, the desert played a prominent role in both Exodus and Akedah, two narratives central to Jewish thought and Christian theology. Beyond this, desert fathers such as Antony of Egypt expressed profound spirituality through this desolate land (Chrysostom; Athanasius, Vita). The Rabbis repeatedly embellished, for virtue’s sake, lessons gained from this same bleak landscape (Midrash Bemidbar Rabbah). An early version …