Digital Commons Network^™

Parasitic Nematode Meloidogyne Incognita Interactions With Different Capsicum Annum Cultivars Reveal The Chemical Constituents Modulating Root Herbivory, Ruth Kihika, Lucy K. Murungi, Danny Coyne, Margaret Ng'ang'a, Ahmed Hassanali, Peter E.A. Teal, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Plant volatile signatures are often used as cues by herbivores to locate their preferred hosts. Here, we report on the volatile organic compounds used by the subterranean root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita for host location. We compared responses of infective second stage juveniles (J2s) to root volatiles of three cultivars and one accession of the solanaceous plant, Capsicum annum against moist sand in dual choice assays. J2s were more attracted to the three cultivars than to the accession, relative to controls. GC/MS analysis of the volatiles identified common constituents in each plant, five of which were identified as α-pinene, limonene, …

Amputating Rights-Making, Anthony Michael Kreis

UC Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Race Politics, O’Hare Airport Expansion, And Promissory Estoppel: The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same, Judith L. Maute

UC Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Kaplow And Shavell And The Priority Of Income Taxation And Transfer, David Blankfein-Tabachnick, Kevin A. Kordana

UC Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Executive Foreign Affairs Power And Immigration Relief, Mitchell R. Vanlandingham

UC Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Communicating Seismic Risk: The Geoethical Challenges Of A People-Centred, Participatory Approach, Is Stewart, J Ickert, R Lacassin

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR) encourages scientists to participate in bottom-up risk communication approaches that directly engage hazard-prone populations. Effective communication of seismic risks not only has economic impacts in terms of hazard mitigation but also provides social value in potentially empowering the marginalized populations that disproportionately live in high-risk areas. This emphasis on community-focused disaster preparedness, however, presents a novel set of communication challenges for geoscientists. Few scientists have training in or experience of translating their science for lay publics, and conveying complex risk information is especially difficult in circumstances where scientific issues are socially contested …

Continuous Workout Mortgages: Efficient Pricing And Systemic Implications, Robert J. Shiller, Rafal M. Wojakowski, M. Shahid Ebrahim, Mark B. Shackleton

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

This paper studies the Continuous Workout Mortgage (CWM), a two in one product: a fixed rate home loan coupled with negative equity insurance, to advocate its viability in mitigating financial fragility. In order to tackle the many issues that CWMs embrace, we perform a range of tasks. We optimally price CWMs and take a systemic market-based approach, stipulating that mortgage values and payments should be linked to housing prices and adjusted downward to prevent negative equity. We illustrate that amortizing CWMs can be the efficient home financing choice for many households. We price CWMs as American option style, defaulting debt …

Standards-Based Grading Within A School District Using Personalized Learning, Dywayne Hinds

Dissertations

This policy advocacy document, as part of my study, focused on my desire to implement a new grading practice within the district. This change will result in moving to a standards-based grading system from a traditional grading system. Although this would be a new practice within the district, many districts throughout the nation are making similar changes. The reason for my policy is associated with the need to measure more accurately student performance and to determine if students have mastered content specific standards within a course of study. Educators must place emphasis on the mastery of content specific standards that …

Exploring Teacher Effectiveness As Measured By The Danielson Framework For Teaching And Student Achievement Outcomes: Pursuing An Understanding Of Leading Students To Excellence-Pulse Study, Caletha White

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

The idea of teacher excellence is the guiding principal of exploring the teacher evaluation ratings of effective teachers. Using the Danielson Framework for Teaching as a tool for measuring teacher effectiveness through common goals, language and practices is the core of this study. Adding value to the teacher evaluation process through measures of student achievement supports the ideals around effective teaching and learning and teacher evaluation. As an educator and researcher, the goal is to understand what combination of teacher behavior, student learning and academic outcomes contribute to overall success for our students. Analyzing data in the school district …

Policy Advocacy - Advocating For Redesigned Adult Learning In Support Of Value-Added Teacher Evaluation, Caletha White

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Redesigning adult learning in order to move toward excellence in the classroom is critical to improving the state of the reform work occurring in our schools. Building coherence among teams of educators by linking staff development to student achievement is the goal of the advocated policy. Providing a professional learning network for educators to work in teams, engage in meaningful and relevant work and develop transformative practices for the classroom is essential to school reform. Creating practical learning networks for classroom teachers that are based on student achievement, current practice, and staff needs is the basis for the policy. …

Becoming A Learning System That Maximizes The Modes Of Professional Learning: A Change Leadership Plan In A Middle School Setting, Emily Crement

Dissertations

This paper follows a program evaluation conducted at Hamlin Middle School. It begins with the premise that the Modes of Professional Learning function somewhat independently of each other and therefore, Hamlin Middle School fails to function of a learning system. The goal of the research is to establish a set of structures that leverages each of the four modes to their greatest advantage. The methodology is mixed method, utilizing quantitative results from the Illinois 5Essential Survey and qualitative data gathered during focus groups that convened to discuss the survey data. Results suggested that a) a culture of compliance negatively impacts …

Policy Advocacy: Standards For Professional Learning, Emily Crement

Dissertations

This paper advocates for a district level policy the Standards for Professional Learning as a way of defining what high quality professional learning should look like. The Standards for Professional Learning represent a compilation of decades of research on what characterizes effective professional learning. Since improvements in professional learning will lead to large scale school improvement, this paper concludes that the Standards be used to define effective professional learning. Presented in this paper is an analysis of need from the educational, economic, political, social and ethical perspectives. An argument in favor of adopting the standards is presented, and a counterargument …

Nitrogen Doped Carbon Nanofibers Derived From Water-Soluble Precursors, Lee Cremar, Ben Jones, Nicole Martinez, Gustavo Mejia, Hilario Cortez, Edgar Muñoz, Rocío Nava, Karen Lozano

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Publications

Nitrogen doped carbon fibers were synthesized from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), a water soluble precursor. The PVA fine fibers were first developed by centrifugally spinning an aqueous based solution using Forcespinning® technology. The precursor fibers were then exposed to sulfuric acid vapors to partially carbonize and stabilize the fibers for further heat treatment. For nitrogen doping, the fibers were exposed to two different heat treatment routes. One was under a nitrogen atmosphere at 850°C followed by exposure to ammonia gas at 500°C. The second route consisted of heating the treated fibers in pure ammonia gas only, up to 850°C. Both heating …

Code-Switching And Its Challenges: Perspectives On Translanguaging In The Efl/Esl Classroom, Michael Spooner

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Structured in sections that represent the author’s teaching perspectives and research perspectives, the portfolio comprises reflective pieces written at the end of the Master of Second Language Teaching program and other pieces written as coursework during the author’s study in that program. In the first section, the author describes the principles that guide his own teaching and, in light of those principles, he reviews his experience as a learner, reports on observations of other teachers, and assesses his own performance based on observations done by others. The second section offers a set of four research papers that progressively develop and …

Application: Solving For A Local Companys Optimal Storage Strategy, Dakota Ferrin

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This project used historical spot and futures price data of two fairly closely correlated commodities to simulate many possible spot and futures price paths that could have occurred over a given time frame. These simulated prices were then used to test various commodity storage strategies available through futures contracts. This paper explains how results, including values such as the mean terminal cumulative profit and the standard deviation of the mean terminal cumulative profits for each strategy, can be interpreted to help determine a local company’s optimal storage strategy.

This paper specifically provides a way for a local company to find …

New Perspectives For Teaching French In Iraq: Principles And Practices, Marwan Ahmed

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This portfolio embeds the author’s perceptions and beliefs with regard to modern foreign/second language teaching and learning. The first section includes the author’s teaching philosophy, which presents the importance of the communicative language teaching (CLT) in a student-centered classroom, the role of grammar instruction in support of communication, and the effective use of technology in language teaching and learning. The second section consists of three research perspectives: the first reflects on the effective types of oral corrective feedback in language classes, while the second includes teaching French apologizing strategies to Iraqi-Arabic speakers, and the third investigates the use of Facebook …

Increasing Commerce Competitiveness: Case Study On Solving Issues In The Fruit Supply Chain In The Dominican Republic, Which Limit Exports, And Self-Reliance, Maria G. Mera Rivas

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Agriculture was the main economic pillar of the Dominican Republic from its origins. Government decisions during the 80s and 90s resulted in high imports of food products, migration of rural workers to the urban areas, loss of arable land, and disinterest from a younger generation to continue food production. This case study explains the findings from research conducted in the Dominican Republic and Georgia, USA between 2014 and 2017. The researcher interviewed major players in the fruit sector in both areas, used data from the cacao sector to analyze exports behavior, and applied Porter’s Diamond of National Advantage to the …

The Impact Of Researchers’ Perceptions Of Insecurity And Organized Crime On Fieldwork In Central America And Mexico, Dawid K. Wladyka, William Yaworsky

Sociology Faculty Publications

This article explores field researchers’ perceptions of field site security and causes of fieldwork disruption. We seek to quantify what phenomena are decisive in perceiving a field site insecure and to gauge whether researchers find rural or urban areas to be more secure from organized criminal violence. We also identify the conditions that best predict scholars’ willingness to abandon research in any given region. To do so, we use a regression analysis of the results of a survey administered to anthropologists working in Mexico and Central America. The article reveals that anthropologists view urban areas as being less secure and …

Probabilistic Risk Assessment Of Using Water Rockets For Educating Students In K-12 Classrooms Using A Liftoff Case Study, M. Alexander Christley, Heather D. Rachford

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Short-Term Effects Of Theracurmin Dose And Exercise Type On Pain, Walking Ability, And Muscle Function In Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis, Yun-A Shin, Min-Hwa Suk, Hee-Seung Jang, Hyejung Choi

Kinesiology Faculty Publications (Archived)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the short-term of Theracurmin dose and exercise type on pain, walking ability, and muscle function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Twenty-five patients with knee osteoarthritis randomly selected to Theracurmin intake (T) group and Theracurmin in combined with exercise (T+E) group. T group (n= 13) was taken orally a capsule of 700 mg, 3 times per day, (total 2,100 mg, 35 mg/kg-body weight). T+E group (n= 12) performed aerobic training of 30-min walking and weight training for increasing leg muscular strength. After treatment, the number of steps, muscle mass, range of motion of …

Insights Into Future Russian Energy Policy, Delaney Lynn Humphrey

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

The Development Of A Specific Pathogen Free (Spf) Barrier Colony Of Marmosets (Callithrix Jacchus) For Aging Research, Corinna N. Ross, Steven Austad, Kathy Brasky, Celeste J. Brown, Larry J. Forney, Jonathan A. Gelfond, Robert Lanford, Arlan Richardson, Suzette D. Tardif

Biology Faculty Publications (Archived)

A specific pathogen free (SPF) barrier colony of breeding marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) was established at the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies. Rodent and other animal models maintained as SPF barrier colonies have demonstrated improved health and lengthened lifespans enhancing the quality and repeatability of aging research. The marmosets were screened for two viruses and several bacterial pathogens prior to establishing the new SPF colony. Twelve founding animals successfully established a breeding colony with increased reproductive success, improved health parameters, and increased median lifespan when compared to a conventionally housed, open colony. The improved health and longevity of marmosets …

Additive Manufacturing With Metals: Exploring Automated Mig Welding To Create Near Net Shape 3d Parts, James C. Block

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

The Route To Water Security For Texas: The 2015–2016 Texas Water Roadmap Forums, Rudolph A. Rosen, Rabi Mohtar, Luis A. Cifuentes, Stephen Frayser, Gwendolyn Hustvedt, Wesley Patrick, Chara Ragland, Susan V. Roberts, Jorge Vanegas, Cindy Wall, James Wall

Water Resources Science and Technology Faculty Publications (Archived)

Three forums were held between February 2015 and November 2016, bringing together Texas water experts from business, industry, government, academia, research, and the investment community in impartially facilitated sessions to deter-mine ways to secure Texas’ water future through accelerating growth of infrastructure, technologies, research, education, and sustainable use. Consensus emerged after the first forum that Texas is approaching a water crisis reflecting matters of supply, allocation, and quality that demands immediate action to ensure water security and equitable access to this vital resource. Participant focus rested on new technology acceleration and investment, workforce education, research underway and desired by segments …

"How Sweet The Sound": The Lived Hymn Tradition, Hannah Michelle Thomas

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Using Multicultural Children’S Literature To Address Social Issues: The Power Of Interactive Read Aloud, Rebekah E. Piper, Ramona T. Pittman, Tasha A. Vice

Reading Faculty Publications (Archived)

As the demographics of U.S. schools are changing, educators have to embrace this change and prepare students to adopt diversity and inclusivity as a means to increase students’ understanding of their peers. Not only are race and ethnicity identities at the forefront of these changes, gender identity and ability identity must also be supported, as more students are challenging traditional gender roles and as more students are mainstreamed into regular education classes. This article seeks to address usage of interactive read alouds of multicultural literature as a means to help bridge students who need inclusive
and equitable pedagogical practices in …

Oligodendrocyte Rasg12v Expressed In Its Endogenous Locus Disrupts Myelin Structure Through Increased Mapk, Nitric Oxide, And Notch Signaling, Haley E. Titus, Alejandro Lopez-Juarez, Sadiq H. Silbak, Tilat A. Rizvi, Madeleine Bogard, Nancy Ratner

Health & Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

Costello syndrome (CS) is a gain of function Rasopathy caused by heterozygous activating mutations in the HRAS gene. Patients show brain dysfunction that can include abnormal brain white matter. Transgenic activation of HRas in the entire mouse oligodendrocyte lineage resulted in myelin defects and behavioral abnormalities, suggesting roles for disrupted myelin in CS brain dysfunction. Here we studied a mouse model in which the endogenous HRas gene is conditionally replaced by mutant HRasG12V in mature oligodendrocytes, to separate effects in mature myelinating cells from developmental events. Increased myelin thickness due to decompaction was detectable within one month of HRasG12V expression …

Evaluation Of A Direct Pcr Method And The Qiagen Investigator 24plex Go! Kit For Typing Blood, Saliva And Touch Dna On Multiple Substrates, Angelita Pierre-Noel

Student Theses

In forensic DNA typing, omitting the DNA extraction procedure and adding the sample directly to the polymerase chain reaction (direct PCR) mixture has several advantages. Without extraction and purification, there is less of a risk of sample loss, sample mix up, or contamination. This study tested the feasibility of direct PCR using the Qiagen® Investigator® 24plex GO! Kit, a megaplex kit that amplifies 22 polymorphic STR markers and the Amelogenin sex determination alleles. Test samples included blood, saliva and skin cells on porous substrates, specifically denim, white cotton, polyester fabric, and paper tissue. Glass slides were used to represent non-porous …

Functional Isolation: Understanding Isolation In Trafficking Survivors, Liz Mahan

Student Theses

This study examined how traffickers used different elements of isolation and how such tactics may have contributed to the traffickers’ success in maintaining control over the victim. I examined in-depth narratives from 14 women between the ages of 20-53, primarily immigrants, who were recruited from an agency serving victims of sex trafficking in a large metropolitan city. The tactics used by traffickers varied and included not only the commonly defined structural isolation in which victims are restricted physically and socially, but also included a shrinking of safe social space and an elimination of privacy and social support. The latter is …

The Growth, Structure, And Dynamics Of Crime In Cities, Marcos Oliveira

Theses and Dissertations

Crime is ubiquitous in cities but lacks a statistical characterization that could lead to uncovering its underlying mechanisms. Cities are, however, in a constant process of organization making difficult to analyze urban phenomena. Yet, to understand urbanization and its consequences, we need to approach cities as evolving processes, instead of static objects. With this perspective, we examined regularities in crime regarding its growth, structure, and dynamics. We developed frameworks to examine the spatial, temporal, and periodic variations of crime in cities. Though thefts increase super-linearly with the population, we found burglaries showing a linear increase. Our analyses also confirmed crime …