Digital Commons Network^™

2015 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, Uno Office Of Academic Affairs

Community Engagement Award Applications

Program Purpose: The President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. The Honor Roll is part of the Corporation for National and Community Service’s strategic commitment to engage millions of college students in service and celebrate the critical role of higher education in strengthening communities. The President’s Interfaith and Community Service Campus Challenge is a parallel national initiative that was launched in 2011, based on recommendations from President Obama’s inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Administered by The White House …

Sla P-16 Initiative, Volume 6, Issue 1, Fall 2015, University Of Nebraska Omaha, Service Learning Academy

SLA Newsletters

No abstract provided.

Sla P-16 Initiative, Volume 5, Issue 2, Spring 2015, University Of Nebraska Omaha, Service Learning Academy

SLA Newsletters

No abstract provided.

#Advocatingforchange: The Strategic Use Of Hashtags In Social Media Advocacy, Gregory D. Saxton, Jerome N. Niyirora, Chao Guo, Richard D. Waters

Public and Nonprofit Administration

Social media continues to change how advocacy organizations mobilize, educate, and connect with their constituents. One of the most unique yet understudied tools available on social media platforms is the hashtag. Little research exists on how social work and advocacy organizations use hashtags, much less on how such use can be effective. This study examines the hashtag use by 105 constituent members of the National Health Council, a national US-based patient/health advocacy coalition. The study presents an inductive coding scheme of the types of hashtags employed, analyzes inter-sectoral differences in hashtag usage, and examines the relationship between hashtag use and …

Homophobia And Hiv Transmission: A Six-Country Comparative Analysis, Tiernan Middleton

HIM 1990-2015

This interdisciplinary study combines epidemiological data with anthropological theory to investigate the relationship between HIV transmission rates and systemic homophobia. Previous research has illustrated the link between high levels of structural violence and structural stigma to increased risk of diseases such as the link between African-Americans and heart disease. This study investigates the relationship between systemic homophobia and HIV transmission rates. Through operationalizing homophobia into seven distinct factors, I evaluated systemic homophobia in six countries, assigning a score 1-10 to each factor using secondary source aggregation. I compared composite scores, as well as scores in each operationalized factor to HIV …

Violence In The Family Of Origin, Intimate Partner Violence, And Romantic Relationship Satisfaction, Sarah Slavenas

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

A history of violence in the family of origin and subsequent relationship satisfaction in romantic relationships is an issue believed to be affecting millions in the United States. Specifically, this study sought out to investigate how the family of origin may have an influence on adult intimate relationships, especially in terms of repeating the cycle of violence with regard to abusive behaviors. The study examined 180 NIU students. Findings generally supported the hypothesized associations between the study variables. For instance, a history of violence in the family of origin tends to be associated with violence in romantic relationships and compromised …

Basement, Robert Mclane Daniels

ETD Archive

Basement is a play in two acts. I began writing this play at a time that I was contemplating a great deal on the idea of individual, human nature, and the consequences of routine, generational suppression of said nature. At the time that this play was written, stories surrounding human subjugation, rape, torture, and murder were very prominent in the news and while the events of Basement have in no way been taken from any of these actual stories, the major themes of Basement were very heavily influenced by these stories of human bondage. As a writer, I consider my …

Isu Today - January 14, 2015, Indiana State University, Communications And Marketing

University Announcements - ISU Today

No abstract provided.

Mind And Heart 2015, Whitworth University

Mind and Heart Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Sustainability Science In A Global Landscape, Analytical Services, Elsevier

Public Reports

Science, technology and innovation have long been recognized as the basis for socioeconomic development. They are also core contributors to sustainable development and to meeting the SDGs. The UN has called for a “seat for science” on the High-Level Political Forum that deals with the UN’s sustainable development agenda, to ensure that “science is not just an observer but an advisor to policymakers.” This report is part of a broader, on-going effort to provide more evidence and analysis on the role of science, technology and innovation in the global agenda of sustainable development. This report examines the status of sustainability …

Virtual Reality Simulation: An Innovative Teaching Tool For Dietetics Experiential Education, Anne Davis

Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

This paper investigates the role of virtual reality and web technologies in the field of dietetics education. Within this frame, special emphasis is given on the building of web-based virtual learning environments so as to successfully fulfill their educational objectives. In particular, basic pedagogical methods are studied, focusing mainly on the efficient preparation, approach and presentation of learning content, and specific designing rules are presented considering the hypermedia, virtual and educational nature of this kind of applications. The paper also aims to highlight the educational benefits arising from the use of virtual reality technology in dietetics and study the emerging …

Estimating The Impacts Of Climate Change On Interactions Between Different Lepidopteran Stemborer Species, Eric S. Ntiri

All PhD Dissertations

The production of cereals, especially maize, which is a staple food in sub-Saharan Africa, is challenged by pests and diseases. In addition, climate change will exacerbate the magnitude of these challenges and agriculture in general. Lepidopteran stemborers are major pests of cereal crops in sub-Saharan Africa. Two indigenous noctuids,Busseola fusca and Sesamia calamistis and one exotic crambid, Chilo partellus, occur as single and mixed-species communities infesting cereal crops in East and southern Africa. The composition of these communities however varies with altitude and over seasons. Interactions between the species especially when in combination, can affect the level of damage to …

Laboratory And Field Evaluation Of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Metarhizium Anisopliae And Beauveria Bassiana, For Management Of The Legume Pod Borer, Maruca Vitrata (Fabricius) On Cowpea, Venansio Tumuhaise

All PhD Dissertations

Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) is one of the most important food and forage legumes in the semi-arid tropics. The legume pod borer, Maruca vitrata (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is considered as one of the most important insect pests constraining cowpea production, causing yield losses of 20 – 80% across different parts of the world. Use of chemical pesticides is the most widely known form of pest control on cowpea. Exploitation of microbial pesticides has been gaining increased attention and interest among those concerned with developing environmentally friendly and safe approaches and tactics for pest management. This study aimed at evaluating …

Field Release And Recovery Of Leafminer Endoparasitoid Phaedrotoma Scabriventris Nixon (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Its Interactions With Local Parasitoids And Behavioral Responses To Hosts In Vegetable Production Systems In Kenya, Caroline Foba Ngichop

All PhD Dissertations

Liriomyza leafminers (LMF) (Diptera: Agromyzidae) are severe pests of vegetables and ornamentals worldwide. Parasitoids complex regulate LMF populations in their native and invaded areas while in Kenya, previous studies reveal low LMF parasitism (< 6%) across all agro ecological zones. The endoparasitoid Phaedrotoma scabriventris Nixon (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was therefore imported from Peru to improve on LMF management at different agroecological zones of vegetable production in Kenya. This study evaluated the potential of P. scabriventris for biological control of LMF, its interactions with local parasitoids and behavioural responses to hosts in vegetable production systems in Kenya. Using single, sequential and simultaneous release laboratory assays of P. scabriventis and O. dissitus on L. huidobrensis-infested Vicia faba plants, individual parasitism rates of both parasitoid species were not affected. However, the sequence release resulted in the second released species achieving a significantly lower parasitism rate than when released alone, simultaneously or as first released species. The F1 progeny sex ratios of both parasitoid species were not significantly affected whether in single, simultaneous or sequential releases and was female biased for P. scabriventris and male biased for O. dissitus. Montly field surveys of infested incubated LMF host plants from November 2011 - November 2012 revealed three Liriomyza species (L. huidobrensis (Blanchard), L. sativae Blanchard and L. trifolii (Burgess)), represented 99.8% of total LMF recorded. Of these, L. huidobrensis was the greatest challenge to vegetable production, being the most abundant and most polyphagous species at all elevations and seasons. Liriomyza species were collected from all infested incubated leaves of 20 crops surveyed with Fabaceae and Solanaceae crops being the most infested hosts. Nine parasitoid species were recorded with 31% total parasitism. Diglyphus isaea (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), P. scabriventris and O. dissitus, were the most abundant at all elevations. Phaedrotoma scabriventris was recovered from all released sites. Surveys from November – December 2013 revealed spread P. scabriventris away from the release sites to 40 km, 30 km and 50 km at high, mid and low elevations, respectively. Diglyphus isaea was more abundant at the high- and midlands at all seasons compared to the lowlands while the lowland favoured abundance of P. scabriventris and O. dissitus during the long rain compared to high- and midlands at other seasons. These parasitoids performed better on kidney bean and French bean at all elevations. Using dual choice olfactometer assays, P. scabriventris was significantly attracted to odours from L. huidobrensis damaged host plants; Phaseolus vulgaris L., Pisum sativum L. and V. faba L. and avoided mechanically damaged ones when compared against clean air controls. However, P. scabriventris preferred neither the clean air controls nor any of the healthy plants. These findings suggest that P. scabriventris has no detrimental effect on O. dissitus and its release into Kenya's agricultural ecosystems will enhance LMF management. The finding that L. huidobrensis dominates at all elevations challenges the long held consideration of L. trifolii as the dominant LMF in Kenya. Recovery of P. scabriventris from all release sites and its spread to different Liriomyza-infested crops two year post release, suggest its successful establishment and potential for wide spread. Behavioural responses of P. scabriventris to the three L. huidobrensis host plant species provide evidence for differences in the parasitoid's response pattern to L. huidobrensis host plants and the volatile profiles induced by the different treated plant species. These results are discussed in relation to biological control and wider ecological implications. For improved LMF management, it is important to determine if there are genetic differences between L. huidobrensis identified in Kenya and that in countries where the species is still limited to higher elevations. Continuous field evaluation of the effectiveness of P. scabriventris performance and spatial distribution in Kenya agro-ecological zones over the years are necessary. Expansions of chemical, electrophysiological and behavioral studies are also needed to unravel the chemical basis of host finding and location in P. scabriventris.

Isu Today - January 9, 2015, Indiana State University, Communications And Marketing

University Announcements - ISU Today

No abstract provided.

Annual Report Of The Grafton County Commissioners Together With The Reports From The Conservation District, County Attorney, Human Resources, Nursing Home, Sheriff's Department, Treasurer And Auditors, Unh Cooperative Extension, Corrections, Alternative Sentencing, Human Services, Registry Of Deeds, Information Technology, Department Of Maintenance, For The Fiscal Year Covering July 1, 2014- June 30, 2015., Grafton County Representatives

Grafton County, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a county in the state of New Hampshire.

Student Confidence/Overconfidence In The Research Process, Valeria Molteni, Emily Chan

Faculty and Staff Publications

Librarians with instructional responsibilities will base information literacy session content upon course syllabi and teaching faculty's assessments of student readiness. Often students' self-perceived competencies do not factor into the lesson planning process. The aim of this project is to collect the levels of self-confidence for a group of students who are primarily entering health care professions. This study observes students' levels of self-confidence in performing research-related activities and their corresponding ability to correctly answer content questions for those tasks. Students' self-confidence ratings are not reliable indicators for information literacy competence. The confidence levels for information literacy tasks of students entering …

Evaluating Self-Efficacy Of Health Behaviors In Bariatric Surgery Patients Through Online Support, Shala Swarm

Regis University Student Publications (comprehensive collection)

Obesity has become an epidemic in the United States leading to numerous health related conditions. Bariatric surgeries are recognized as reasonable treatment options for obesity. However, long term success can be limited without adequate support. Rural areas can be especially difficult to find adequate support, often related to access and distance to care. The main purpose of this project was to analyze changes in perceptions of participants’ ability to engage in health promoting behaviors pre-intervention and post intervention. The intervention was a virtual behavioral support program for post bariatric surgery patients. The main objective was to determine if following participation …

Honors Day, 2015, Murray State University

Honors Day Programs

Honors Day Programs, Murray State University. (Digitization and metadata processed by Madison Erwin.)

Utrgv Graduate Catalog 2015-2017, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley

UTRGV Catalogs

No abstract provided.

Utrgv Undergraduate Catalog 2015-2017, The University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley

UTRGV Catalogs

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Principal Leadership Behaviors On Indiana Teacher Stress Levels, Rex M. Ryker

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teachers continue to report high levels of stress (Kyriacou, 2011; Metropolitan Life Insurance & Harris Interactive, 2013; Richards, 2012) and principals serve as potential stressors by providing leadership in an era of accountability. Although effective principal leadership behaviors have been identified to improve student achievement, minimal research exists on the impact of principal leadership behaviors on teacher stress levels. This quantitative study examined the impact of select principal leadership behaviors on 3,004 Indiana K-12 public school teachers' perceived stress levels. Through an electronic survey consisting of a researcher-designed principal leadership composite survey (PLCS) and the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; …

Effects Of Saw Palmetto On Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms From Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, Michael Trimble

Physician Assistant Scholarly Project Posters

• Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is common in older males and can cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

• Saw Palmetto, an herbal supplement, is normally implemented as an alternative medication to treat lower urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH.

• The review of literature evaluated studies comparing the effects and outcomes of Saw Palmetto versus commonly prescribed medications such as antiadrenergic agents.

• There are conflicting studies indicating Saw Palmetto’s efficacy on lower urinary tract symptoms and reduction of BPH.

• Saw Palmetto has no side effects, and is available at a low cost when compared to prescribed medications …

The Experience Of Individuals Who Transitioned From Teacher To Assistant-Principal, Mara Hoffert

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The transition from teacher to assistant-principal is complex. The purpose of this study was to better understand the phenomenon of transition to leadership roles in high schools by investigating the experiences of four teachers who moved from teacher to assistant-principal positions in suburban school-districts in the State of Michigan. This multiple case-study comprises an in-depth examination of four teachers within their first four years as an assistant-principal. Interviews also included one central-office cabinet member from three of the four districts and one teacher in each of the assistant-principals’ schools. Interviews were guided by research questions regarding motivation for successful teacher …

Cultivate Spring/Summer 2015, Utah State University

Cultivate Magazine

No abstract provided.

Cultivate Fall/Winter 2015, Utah State University

Cultivate Magazine

No abstract provided.

The State Of Poverty And Food Insecurity In Maseru, Lesotho, Resetselemang Leduka, Jonathan Crush, Bruce Frayne, Cameron Mccordic, Thope Matobo, Ts’Episo Makoa, Matseliso Mphale, Mmantai Phaila, Moipone Letsie

Hungry Cities Partnership

This report on food insecurity in urban Lesotho is the latest in a series on Southern African cities issued by AFSUN. Like the previous reports, it focuses on one city (Maseru) and on poor neighbourhoods and households in that city. More than 60% of poor households surveyed in Maseru were severely food insecure. While food price increases worsen food insecurity for poor households, it is poverty that weakens the resilience of society to absorb these increases. This report argues that Maseru residents face specific and interrelated challenges with respect to food and nutrition insecurity. These are poverty; limited local livelihood …

The Effect Of Group Therapy On Diabetes Specific Knowledge, Marci A. Hankins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Type 1 Diabetes is a chronic illness that must be managed 24 hours a day with insulin administration and frequent blood glucose testing to maintain control. Because children spend a significant amount of their day at school, children with Type 1 Diabetes need additional support within the school setting. However, there are few studies investigating the school setting for support for children with Type 1 Diabetes. The current school-based study evaluated the effectiveness of a psychoeducational group therapy intervention on Diabetes Specific Knowledge. One child with Type 1 Diabetes and four peers without diabetes participated in the group therapy treatment. …

Green Gold- A Cannabis Sativa L. Lucis Suitability Analysis For West Virginia, Delbert Christopher Cannoy

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Appalachia needs a way to sustainably develop. Cannabis Sativa L. may be a possible source of sustainable development for West Virginia. The goal of this study is the identification of possible sites for industrial hemp fiber cultivation areas, both the total agricultural potential and with current land use land cover classification limits, and which of these sites have the potential for acid mine drainage phytoremediation.

Using LUCIS classification and binary analysis, three major separate outputs were created answering the three study questions. The agricultural layer revealed that West Virginia can utilize hemp farming for 23.48% of the state. The second …

Mobility Device For Injured Us Army Corp Engineer, Jessica Jones, Robert Whittaker

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Low back pain affects 70-85% of American adults at some point in their life. Back pain can have a negative impact on a person's quality of life. A group of three engineering students and two physical therapy students collaborated on designing a mobility device for a US Army veteran to aid him in transfers and pain management. The purpose of this research proposal would be to assess how our client would respond to an individualized mobility device.

Case Description: Our client suffered lumbar disc injuries as a result of lifting and twisting a heavy object resulting in …