Digital Commons Network^™

Plickers For Success: A Technological Tool For Advancement In Data Collection, Chasity Tompkins, Nykita Howell, Casey Mull

Journal of Extension

Extension faculty and staff are constantly planning, implementing, and evaluating programming efforts. Data from participants are needed for assessing changes in knowledge, attitude, and behavior through summative and formative evaluation. However, collecting these data can be time-consuming and hard to achieve. A technological tool called Plickers makes data collection quicker and easier. The electronic application can be implemented in Extension settings through the use of a smart device to set up classes, add participants, build surveys, and export data.

A Multiyear Evaluation Of The Naturepalooza Science Festival, Lisa Pennisi, N. Qwynne Lackey

Journal of Extension

We undertook a multiyear evaluation of the NaturePalooza Science Festival, an annual public event designed to increase science literacy and sustainability behavior, to measure impacts. Surveys conducted at the 2014 and 2015 events and 6 months after the 2015 event showed that 77%, 92%, and 100% of respondents, respectively, learned new information. In 2014 and 2015, 85% and 68% of respondents, respectively, intended to change at least one behavior. Additionally, in the 2015 on-site and follow-up surveys, 66% and 62% of respondents, respectively, reported implementing sustainability behaviors. These findings demonstrate that such events can have a positive, measurable impact on …

Model Integrated Pest Management Program Delivery For Community Gardeners, Eric Barrett, Jacqueline Kowalski

Journal of Extension

The growth of community gardens has created new opportunities for urban Extension personnel at a time when staffing resources continue to decline. To serve the integrated pest management (IPM) needs of community gardening populations, Extension educators in two urban counties developed an on-site program involving a demonstration kit and planning protocol that Extension educators, program staff, and master gardener volunteers can use to teach IPM. The program provides practical, research-based information to community gardeners, allows Extension to maintain a presence in urban centers, and provides outreach to audiences who may not have used Extension resources historically.

Development Of A Food Safety Training For A Prison Farm: Challenges And Solutions, Angela Shaw, Kara Helterbran

Journal of Extension

Workers on prison farms in the United States commonly grow produce and row crops and raise livestock. Teaching good agricultural practices to prisoners and prison staff increases the safety of the food produced and reduces the likelihood of an illness outbreak. We developed a food safety curriculum for use on prison farms in Iowa. In developing the curriculum, we encountered many challenges that resulted in modifications in the content and delivery method. We present the content of the curriculum and provide educators with a better understanding of challenges and potential solutions related to working with prison farms.

Exploring The Role Of Social Media In The Identity Development Of Trans Individuals, B. Doss

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study explores the role of social media in the identity development of trans individuals and whether it can be viewed as a means to gain social support and thus enhance positive identity development. Traditional models of identity development, as well as those for trans individuals, count social support as a key factor in psychosocial well-being, and adaptive coping. However, many trans people may face difficulty in finding or accessing direct social support. This study consisted of five semi-structured interviews with trans individuals exploring their experiences using social media and their perceptions of its influence on their identity development. Using, …

Modeling The Response Of Black Walnut -Dominant Mixed Hardwoods To Seasonal Climate Effects With Uav-Based Hyperspectral Sensor And Aerial Photogrammetry, Tyler G. Bradford

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The development of compact sensors in recent years has inspired the use of UAS-based hyperspectral and aerial imaging techniques for small-scale remote sensing applications. With increasing concerns about climate change, spectrally-derived vegetation indices (VIs) have proven useful for quantifying stress-induced vegetation response. The goal of this study was to develop predictive models and assess methodology for modeling the biological response of a black walnut -dominant mixed hardwood stand to seasonal climate events using UAV-based hyperspectral remote-sensing. The derived VIs were evaluated against the means of four seasonal measures of climate calculated for a two-week period prior to the flight date. …

The Impact Of Black Lives Matter Movement Publicity On Juror Decision Making, Emily R. Nerness

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Others have investigated separately whether general pretrial publicity (PTP) or racial salience have an impact on juror decision making, but no one has explored a potential connection between the two. With information about the Black lives matter (BLM) movement recurring in the media, the question arises of whether news about the BLM movement can increase racial salience, thereby influencing juror decision making. The present research addressed whether 1) exposing participants to pro-BLM or negative-BLM news articles would influence verdicts and guilt ratings when compared to a control group, 2) whether this PTP effect would be different for Black versus White …

Evaluation Of Bond Properties Between Fiber Reinforced Concrete Overlay And Substrate Concrete, Emad Okrush Alshammari

Theses and Dissertations

Bonded concrete overlay is the most economical and quick option in concrete rehabilitation methods to provide strength for the existing structure. Bonded concrete overlay strength rely on properties of both layers (substrate and new layers). Poor bonding in interface zone leads to two main failures of concrete overlays; debonding and cracks. There are several traditional factors affect bond strength such as water to cement (w/c) ratio, moisture condition, and surface roughness for substrate layer. However, the effect of using fiber consider a new variable affecting bond strength. Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) is one type of overlay system which has been …

Exploratory Analysis Of Accuracy Monitoring Techniques In Vehicle Detection Systems For Intelligent Transportation Systems Applications And Maintenance, Manasi Sanjay Palod

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of transportation management is to ensure the mobility of people and goods, in a reliable and efficient manner. Operation and maintenance of transportation infrastructure is key to accomplish their objectives. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications rely on massive detection networks that collectively demand significant maintenance resources. Resource constraints force transportation agencies to look for innovative ways to optimize their operational and maintenance costs while serving their users at intended performance levels. The system inputs come from vehicle detection system (VDS), acting as field data collection devices, enabling traffic monitoring and management through response to specific conditions. This research …

The Corrosion And Biofouling Characteristics Of Sealed Vs. Perforated Offshore Monopile Interiors: Experiment Design Comparing Corrosion And Environment Inside Steel Pipe, Monica M. Maher

Theses and Dissertations

This research addresses the need to improve on the existing methods for the corrosion control of the monopile interiors used to support wind powered turbines by incorporating a design that also enhances marine habitats and fisheries. Retrofitting monopile interiors with cathodic protection has been attempted on existing windfarms to mitigate corrosion, however, this can cause new problems including water acidification and hydrogen sulfide formation. Such chemistry changes can lead to unique localized corrosion concerns. This study investigated internal corrosion, chemistry and biofouling inside partially submerged hollow steel pipes. Watertight pipes with stagnant water inside were compared to pipes with holes …

Compensation Of Vertical Position Error Using A Force–Deflection Model In Friction Stir Spot Welding, Jinyoung Yoon, Cheolhee Kim, Sehoon Rhee

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite increasing need for friction stir spot welding (FSSW) for high-temperature softening materials, system deflection due to relatively high plunging force remains an obstacle. System deflection results in the vertical position error of a welding tool and insufficient plunge depth. In this study, we used adaptive control to maintain plunge depth, the plunging force was coaxially measured, and the position error was estimated using a force–deflection model. A linear relationship was confirmed between the force and deflection; this relationship is dependent on the stiffness of the welding system while independent of process parameters and base materials. The proposed model was …

How Holocaust Memories Continue To Divide The Serbs And The Croats, Matthew James Hone

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

In Holocaust and genocide education, we frequently and rightly stress remembrance in order to honor the victims of the past as well as to safeguard our future from repeated transgressions. However, there are parts of the world where remembering or “misremembering” atrocities accentuates the fracturing of communities. In the Balkans, the festering wounds that have been inflicted throughout history never seem to truly heal, as the past, both real and fictionalized, drives contemporary and competing realities. This is noticeably evident with the modern-day rifts separating ethnic Croats and ethnic Serbs, which despite recent political inroads and relative stability, persist in …

Husein Djozo And His Fatwa On Collection And Distribution Of Zakat Funds, Hazim Fazlić

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

With the end of the Second World War, Yugoslavia became a de facto communist country. One of the policies of the new communist regime was to relegate religion entirely to the private sphere and to reduce the influence of religious communities in the public sphere. As a number of its legacies were expropriated, the Islamic Community of Yugoslavia was in need of new sources of funding. In order to reform a centuries-long practice of collection and distribution of religious contributions, zakat, and sadaqat al-fitr, a theoretical framework was needed to allow for that reform. This paper examines the …

Present Condition And Role Of The Catholic Church In Poland, Alfred Marek Wierzbicki

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

My remarks about the present condition and role of the Catholic Church in Poland are not based on formal sociological research, for I am not a sociologist. I would like just to share some observations and concerns about the situation in which I live as Christian and priest. My report is mostly based on the personal experience, but in spite of the subjective perspective I seek to objectivize my views as much as possible by taking into account a broader context.

Religion And Globalization: Crossroads And Opportunities, Alexander Chumakov, Mikhail Sergeev

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

A conversation between the First Vice-President of the Russian Philosophical Society, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor of Moscow State University, Alexander Chumakov and the editor of the special series "Contemporary Russian Philosophy" at Brill, the Nertherlands, Doctor of Philosophy, Professor Mikhail Sergeev.

A Data Synthesis Of Melodic Intonation Therapy, Jacqueline Ulfers

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Baby Boomers, one of the largest (modern) generations, made of 76 million people, is entering the prime age to suffer a stroke, which often leads to aphasia. Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT)is a current rehabilitation strategy for aphasia. Determining whether MIT is an effective and efficient treatment is vital because millions are at risk to suffer a stroke and effective rehabilitation strategies must be established. This honors thesis was a systematic review of previous studies written on melodic intonation therapy. The articles reviewed were chosen based on criteria including age of the patient, type of stroke, and immediacy of therapy. …

A Systematic Review Comparison Of Ketogenic Dietary Treatment Efficacy For Alzheimer’S Disease, Joshua Chavez

Undergraduate Honors Theses

There is evidence suggesting that Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology can be improved through the use of mechanistic/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition therapy. Regulation of mTOR is responsible for mediating cell growth by regulating cell processes such as autophagy, transcription, and translation. Evidence suggests that a ketogenic dietary (KD) treatment may result in decreased mTOR signaling, thus making KD a potential treatment for AD. The objective of this systematic review was to explore the efficacy of current AD medications and compare the results to preliminary KD treatment for AD. The biochemical relevance of mTOR inhibition for AD and the relevance …

Sources Of Currency Depreciation In Ghana, Hilarious Edem Anku

Theses

This paper investigates the factors driving the real exchange rate in the Ghanaian economy. The paper aimed at finding the principal factor(s) that influence the real exchange rate and explains the channels by which these factors exert their influence using standard empirical methods of vector autoregressive (VAR) models. The paper established that inflation rate differentials and interest rate differentials influence the exchange rate through the expectations medium. Domestic and foreign money supplies which are exogenous macroeconomic variables were also found to be important in the Ghanaian money market as far as the exchange rate matters. The paper also highlighted how …

Cultural Naturalism And The Market God, David Timothy Denenny

Theses

This work employs John Dewey's cultural naturalism to explore how and why the orthodox economic tradition functions as a religious faith.Scholars such as the theologian Harvey Cox and others now view orthodox economic practice as a religion. Other scholars such as Max Weber, Alasdair MacIntyre, and numerous others view modern economic practice as exemplifying a particular ethic. The focus in this work is placed upon the destructive consequences of practicing the Market faith. This work argues that much of contemporary economic practice maintains a view of science that is incompatible with the kind of naturalism found in Classical American Pragmatism. …

Awareness And Approach To Headache: A Survey Of Family Physicians In Pakistan, Abdul Malik, Safia Awan, Aziz Sonawalla, Fayyaz Ahmed, Mohammad Wasay

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Headache is one of the most common complaints in the general population and the most common symptom for a neurology out-patient visit. According to the WHO, the prevalence of adults complaining of recent headache (at least one episode within the last year) is 47%. Despite the large burden of disease, headaches are often overlooked, underdiagnosed and under-resourced. There are several reasons that include lack of awareness among the general public and healthcare professionals and lack of training at both undergraduate and post-graduate level. There is limited data available from many third world countries including Pakistan. Family Physicians (FPs) equivalent to …

Coalition For Prisoners' Rights Newsletter, Vol 43-Yy, No. 12, Coalition For Prisoners' Rights

Coalition for Prisoners' Rights Newsletters

Look Before We Leap

SQ News Extends Circulation to Youth

For-Profit Prison Corporations

LWOP For Youth Ruled Unconstitutional Again

More Border Agency Actions

Women and Mass Incarceration

Detecting Significant Genotype–Phenotype Association Rules In Bipolar Disorder: Market Research Meets Complex Genetics, René Breuer, Manuel Mattheisen, Josef Frank, Bertram Krumm, Ney Alliey Rodriguez

School of Medicine Publications

Background: Disentangling the etiology of common, complex diseases is a major challenge in genetic research. For bipolar disorder (BD), several genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been performed. Similar to other complex disorders, major breakthroughs in explaining the high heritability of BD through GWAS have remained elusive. To overcome this dilemma, genetic research into BD, has embraced a variety of strategies such as the formation of large consortia to increase sample size and sequencing approaches. Here we advocate a complementary approach making use of already existing GWAS data: a novel data mining procedure to identify yet undetected genotype–phenotype relationships. We adapted …

Identifying Trippers And Non-Trippers Based On Knee Kinematics During Obstacle-Free Walking, Lauren C. Benson, Stephen C. Cobb, Allison S. Hyngstrom, Kevin G. Keenan, Jake Luo, Kristian M. O'Connor

Physical Therapy Faculty Research and Publications

Trips are a major cause of falls. Sagittal-plane kinematics affect clearance between the foot and obstacles, however, it is unclear which kinematic measures during obstacle-free walking are associated with avoiding a trip when encountering an obstacle. The purpose of this study was to determine kinematic factors during obstacle-free walking that are related to obstacle avoidance ability. It was expected that successful obstacle avoidance would be associated with greater peak flexion/dorsiflexion and range of motion (ROM), and differences in timing of peak flexion/dorsiflexion during swing of obstacle-free walking for the hip, knee and ankle. Three-dimensional kinematics were recorded as 35 participants …

Late Quaternary Evolution And Stratigraphic Framework Influence On Coastal Systems Along The North-Central Gulf Of Mexico, Usa, Robert Hollis

Master's Theses

Coastal systems in the Gulf of Mexico are threatened to reduced sediment supply, storm impacts and relative sea level rise (RSLR). The geologic record can provide insights of geomorphic threshold crossings (formation, progradation, transgression, destruction) to these forcing mechanisms to predict future barrier evolution to climate change. The stratigraphic framework and antecedent topography directly influence coastal evolution over geologic timescales. This study synthesizes ~2100km of geophysical data, 700+ sediment cores, and 63 radiocarbon dates to regionally map two sequence boundaries, multiple ravinement surfaces and fourteen depositional facies. One marine isotope stage (MIS) 6 valley’s fill provided up to 300 x10 …

The Jefferson Scale Of Empathy: A Nationwide Study Of Measurement Properties, Underlying Components, Latent Variable Structure, And National Norms In Medical Students., Mohammadreza Hojat, Jennifer Desantis, Stephen C. Shannon, Luke H. Mortensen, Mark R. Speicher, Lynn Bragan, Marianna Lanoue, Leonard H. Calabrese

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE) is a broadly used instrument developed to measure empathy in the context of health professions education and patient care. Evidence in support of psychometrics of the JSE has been reported in health professions students and practitioners with the exception of osteopathic medical students. This study was designed to examine measurement properties, underlying components, and latent variable structure of the JSE in a nationwide sample of first-year matriculants at U.S. colleges of osteopathic medicine, and to develop a national norm table for the assessment of JSE scores. A web-based survey was administered at the beginning …

Essays On Market Linkages In Nafta And Latin American Countries: Studies Of Cointegration And Contagion, John K. Tarwater

Theses and Dissertations

The globalization of securities in recent years has led to an increase in market linkages. These linkages are strong among countries that have entered into bilateral and multilateral trade agreements. I investigate the linkages of stock markets in NAFTA countries by exploring their cointegrating relationship, and I explore market linkages in Latin America by showing evidence of financial contagion between Brazil and her Latin American neighbors.

In the first essay, I employ a vector error correction model to examine the linkages between price stock indexes of NAFTA countries that have been segregated into tiers based on market capitalization. In each …

Depression, Positive Thinking, Personal And Social Resourcefulness Among Caregivers Of Persons With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Abir K. Bekhet, Mauricio Garnier-Villarreal

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Market Segmentation Vs. Subsidization: Clean Energy Credits And The Commerce Clause's Economic Wisdom, Felix Mormann

Faculty Scholarship

The dormant Commerce Clause has long been a thorn in the side of state policymakers. The latest battleground for the clash between federal courts and state legislatures is energy policy. In the absence of a decisive federal policy response to climate change, nearly thirty states have created a new type of securities—clean energy credits—to promote lowcarbon renewable and nuclear power. As more and more of these programs come under attack for alleged violations of the dormant Commerce Clause, this Article explores the constitutional constraints on clean energy credit policies. Careful analysis of recent and ongoing litigation reveals the need for …

A Computationally Efficient Formal Method For Discovering Simutlaneous Masking In Medical Alarms, Ml Bolton, J Edworthy, Ad Boyd, J Wei, X Zheng

School of Psychology

No abstract provided.

Editor’S Introduction (Philippine Studies, Vol. 66 No. 4), Michael D. Pante

History Department Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.