Digital Commons Network^™

Factors Influencing Chinook Salmon Spawning Distribution In The Togiak River, Alaska, Stephanie L. Meggers

Fisheries

Salmonids are heavily dependent on specific habitat characteristics for survival, yet few studies in Alaska have examined the relationship between habitat and spawning distribution, using remote sensing approaches. To better understand the relationship between Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha spawning distribution and environmental variables like habitat type (e.g., run, riffle, pool), temperature, and proximity to channel islands, optical and thermal imagery were collected on the Togiak and Ongivinuk rivers in southwest Alaska. Object-based image analysis was used to classify and quantify habitat types, while thermal characteristics and the proximity of spawning locations to channel islands were determined in a GIS framework. …

Estimates Of Primary Production Sources To Arctic Bivalves Using Amino Acid Stable Carbon Isotope Fingerprinting, Audrey G. Rowe

Marine Biology

Benthic invertebrates are a crucial trophic link in Arctic marine food webs. However, estimates of the contribution of primary production sources sustaining these organisms are not well characterized. Potential sources could include sinking particulate organic matter from sea ice algae and phytoplankton, terrestrial organic matter eroded from the coastal environment, macroalgal material, or microbial organic matter. Proportions of these sources could also be significantly altered in the future as a result of environmental change. We measured the stable carbon isotope values of essential amino acids in muscle tissue from two common bivalve genera (Macoma spp. and Astarte spp.) collected in …

Precision Of Provider Licensure Data For Mapping Member Accessibility To Medicaid Managed Care Provider Networks, Nathaniel Bell, Ana Lòpez-Defede, Rebecca Wilkerson, Kathy Mayfield-Smith

Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND:

In July 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) updated its Medicaid Managed Care (MMC) regulations that govern network and access standards for enrollees. There have been few published studies of whether there is accurate geographic information on primary care providers to monitor network adequacy.

METHODS:

We analyzed a sample of nurse practitioner (NP) and physician address data registered in the state labor, licensing, and regulation (LLR) boards and the National Provider Index (NPI) using employment location data contained in the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) data file. Our main outcome measures were address discordance (%) at the …

Strategies To Customize Responsible Gambling Messages: A Review And Focus Group Study, Sally M. Gainsbury, Brett L. L. Abarbanel, Kahlil S. Philander, Jeffrey V. Butler

Research & Economic Development Faculty Research

Background Responsible gambling messages are widely used as a tool to enable informed choice and encourage appropriate gambling behavior. It is generally accepted that gamblers have different levels of risk of developing gambling problems and require various harm minimization tools and resources. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect that responsible gambling messages should be customized and target specific groups of gamblers. This project aimed to understand hypothesized differences between cohorts of gamblers and receive qualitative feedback on archetypal targeted messages used to increase use of responsible gambling tools. Methods Focus groups were held to test messages for specific cohorts: young …

Mobile Learning And Cognition, Helen Crompton, Diane Burke

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

The rise of mobile learning in schools during the past decade has led to promises about its power to extend and enhance student cognitive development – for example, by providing greater pedagogical opportunities for students (Mifsud, 2014). However, others claim that mobile devices are most often used to support traditional pedagogical approaches whereby students only passively consume content (Cochrane & Antonczak, 2014; Frohberg, Goth & Schwabe, 2009; Rushby, 2012). As schools invest resources in providing students with opportunities to use mobile devices as tools for learning, it is important to critically examine their use in practice.

A Grand Challenges-Based Research Agenda For Scholarly Communication And Information Science [Mit Grand Challenge Pubpub Participation Platform], Micah Altman, Chris Bourg

Copyright, Fair Use, Scholarly Communication, etc.

Identifying Grand Challenges

A global and multidisciplinary community of stakeholders came together in March 2018 to identify, scope, and prioritize a common vision for specific grand research challenges related to the fields of information science and scholarly communications. The participants included domain researchers in academia, practitioners, and those who are aiming to democratize scholarship. An explicit goal of the summit was to identify research needs related to barriers in the development of scalable, interoperable, socially beneficial, and equitable systems for scholarly information; and to explore the development of non-market approaches to governing the scholarly knowledge ecosystem.

To spur discussion and …

The Effects Of Inhibiting Pi3k On Tumor Suppressor Gene P53 And Cell Proliferation, Kelsi Peters

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

When the cell surface molecule, Human EGF Receptor (HER2), is overexpressed, the cell can become cancerous. MDA-MB-453 is an established breast cancer cell line made cancerous by HER2 overexpression. This mutation that causes HER2 overexpression affects the cell signaling pathway of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI₃K), Akt, MDM2, and p53. We predicted that PI₃K would be inhibited with the compound, LY294002, sending signals for Akt and MDM2 to be deactivated in MDA-MB-453 cells. Deactivated MDM2 signals for p53 to be activated. P53 is a tumor suppressor protein that exists in low quantities in normal cells, but when damage …

Brain Candy: Wayne State University School Of Medicine Journal Of Arts And Culture, Special Edition: The Renaissance, Wayne State University School Of Medicine Gold Humanism Honor Society

Gold Humanism Honor Society

Brain Candy collects poetry, nonfiction essays, short fiction, photographs, and drawings to shed light on the creative process in medicine, the city of Detroit, and the experiences of health care providers. Each issue features submissions from medical students, physicians, and School of Medicine staff.

This year marks a special edition to celebrate Wayne State University’s existence for 150 years. With generous funding support from an alumnus, Dr. Thomas Janisse, Class of 1975, the journal was started in print in 2016.

The Plot Thickens : Illustrated Victorian Serial Fiction From Dickens To Du Maurier, Mary Elizabeth Leighton, Lisa Surridge

Ohio University Press Open Access Books

In the early 1800s, books were largely unillustrated. By the 1830s and 1840s, however, innovations in wood- and steel-engraving techniques changed how Victorian readers consumed and conceptualized fiction. A new type of novel was born, often published in serial form, one that melded text and image as partners in meaning-making.

These illustrated serial novels offered Victorians a reading experience that was both verbal and visual, based on complex effects of flash-forward and flashback as the placement of illustrations revealed or recalled significant story elements. Victorians’ experience of what are now canonical novels thus differed markedly from that of modern readers, …

Growth Of Juvenile Chilkat Lake Sockeye Salmon In Response To Density-Dependent And Environmental Factors, Jodi C. Neil

Fisheries

Chilkat Lake, in northern Southeast Alaska, is home to a Sockeye Salmon Oncorhynchus nerka population that is an important component in local commercial, sport, and subsistence fisheries, and has been monitored since the late 1960s. The population began declining in the late 1980s, prompting fishery managers to evaluate the production potential of Chilkat Lake to determine if it could be a candidate for enhancement efforts such as fry stocking or lake fertilization. Sockeye Salmon fry were stocked into Chilkat Lake intermittently from 1989 to 2004 in both small- (<50,000) and large-scale (2.6-5.3 million) events. The purpose of this study was to determine whether stocking of fry resulted in decreased freshwater growth due to density-dependent processes. Fish scales from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's archived collection of adult Chilkat Lake Sockeye Salmon were measured and used as a proxy for fish growth. The objectives of this thesis were to 1) examine changes in juvenile Chilkat Lake Sockeye Salmon freshwater growth over time (1978-2012); 2) determine whether increased density of juvenile fry coupled with simultaneous climate events negatively affected freshwater growth of Chilkat Lake Sockeye Salmon; and 3) determine whether increased density of juvenile fry affected age at smoltification of Chilkat Lake Sockeye Salmon. We hypothesized that high fry density would slow growth and delay smoltification; however, these analyses produced variable results. We did not detect an effect of increased fry density on growth in the first year of fresh water, but found evidence for a subtle, negative relationship between fry density and second year freshwater growth of those fish that delayed migration. We also found that age at smoltification decreased with increasing fry density. Overall, the model results indicated that no factor or combination of factors related to stocking activity or climate consistently affected juvenile Sockeye Salmon scale growth, suggesting either unidentified, equally influential, or confounding mechanisms (e.g., high adult escapement and anomalous weather patterns).

Incentivizing Transparency: Agricultural Benefit Corporations To Improve Consumer Trust, Kathryn Smith

San Diego Law Review

In the face of inadequate, often abysmal agricultural practices and laws that enable them, producers who provide the social good of transparency should receive a benefit. Amidst the debate that all benefit corporations should qualify for special tax treatment, this Comment proposes the development of a federal benefit corporation class offering special tax treatment to worthy agricultural producers. By reallocating current agricultural subsidies, Congress can feasibly correct the agricultural industry’s failure to adequately inform consumers.

Word Sense Disambiguation Using Fuzzy Semantic-Based String Similarity Model, Amir Abd-Rashid, Shuzlina Abdul-Rahman, Nor Nadiah Yusof, Azlinah Mohamed

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Sentences are the language of human communication. This communication medium is so fluid that words and meaning can have many interpretations by readers. Besides, a document that consists of thousands of sentences would be tough for the reader to understand the content. In this case, computer power is required to analyse the gigantic batch size of the text. However, there are several arguments that actively discuss regarding the output generated by a computer toward the meaning of the passage in terms of accuracy. One of the reasons for this issue is the existing of the ambiguous word with multiple meanings …

Lifecycle Modeling And Assessment Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Drones) Co2e Emissions, Miguel A. Figliozzi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

There are no studies that model the potential effectiveness of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones to reduce CO2e lifecycle (including both utilization and vehicle phase) emissions when compared to conventional diesel vans, electric trucks, electric vans, and tricycles. This study presents a novel analysis of lifecycle UAV and ground commercial vehicles CO2e emissions. Different route and customer configurations are modeled analytically. Utilizing real-word data, tradeoffs and comparative advantages of UAVs are discussed. Breakeven points for operational emissions are obtained and the results clearly indicate that UAVs are more CO2e efficient, for small payloads, than conventional diesel vans in a …

Mismatch Between Older Adults’ Expectation And Smartphone User Interface, Chui Yin Wong, Rahimah Ibrahim, Tengku Aizan Hamid, Evi Indriasari Mansor

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Smartphones have become ubiquitous communication tools for everybody, including older adults to stay connected with their family and access to information. However, mobile operators and developers mainly target the youngster cohort in mobile industry. With the rising ageing population, smartphone user interface and some mobile apps are not designed to cater the needs of older adults. This could hinder them from fully utilizing the smartphone functions and its services. A mobile-user interaction study using mixed-methods (questionnaire, interview and observation) was conducted to examine usability and user interface design issues of smartphone and mobile apps among 80 older adults in Malaysia. …

A Classroom Activity For Teaching Kohlberg’S Theory Of Moral Development, Cheryl L. Carmichael, Anna M. Schwartz, Maureen Coyle, Matthew H. Goldberg

Publications and Research

In two studies, we demonstrate an engaging classroom activity that facilitates student learning about Kohlberg’s theory of moral development by using digital resources to foster active, experiential learning. In addition to hearing a standard lecture about moral development, students watched a video of a morally provocative incident, then worked in small groups to classify user comments posted in response to the video according to Kohlberg’s six stages. Students in both studies found the activity enjoyable and useful. Moreover, students’ scores on a moral development quiz improved after completing the activity (Study 1), and students who completed the activity in addition …

Unlocking The Mysteries Of Weed And Mexico, Eddy Martinez

Capstones

An American biotech firm named Phylos Bioscience is interested in entering the Mexican marijuana market once it legalizes. Before it can do that, it must deal with the Mexican government and a conservative society.

https://eddymartinezcunyedu.atavist.com/figuring-out-the-mysteries-of-weed-and-mexico

Amenazado En Venezuela, En Espera En Ee.Uu., Hernan Goicochea, Juan Garcia

Capstones

Venezolano activista luchó para combatir el sida en su país, huyo de las amenazas del gobierno venezolano, y está buscando asilo político en los Estado Unidos.

https://theinformantes.home.blog/2018/12/13/amenazado-en-venezuela-en-espera-en-ee-uu/

Published Link: https://www.telemundo.com/noticias/noticias-telemundo/inmigracion/la-historia-de-jesus-en-estados-unidos-dos-secuestros-le-hicieron-huir-de-venezuela-los-tmna3870280

New Roots: A Transracial Adoption Story, Scarlett Kuang

Capstones

This is a documentary on transracial adoption. Transracial adoption is becoming more and more common in America. In 2011, 4 out of 10 adopted children were raised by families of a different race or ethnicity. Daniel and Lisa Conklins have 11 children. After giving birth to 6, the couple adopted another 5 children from 5 different countries. They live in Castile, a farm town in upstate New York. The then 6-year-old Ezra needs to adapt to a totally new environment and embrace his new family. For Elaina who was adopted as a baby, the challenge is to survive in a …

Opportunities For Linking Research To Policy: Lessons Learned From Implementation Research In Sexual And Reproductive Health Within The Anser Network, Anser, Emilomo Ogbe, Dirk Van Braeckel, Marleen Temmerman, Elin C. Larsson, Ines Keygnaert, Wilson De Los Reyes Aragón, Feng Cheng, Gunta Lazdane

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

Background: The uptake of findings from sexual and reproductive health and rights research into policy-making remains a complex and non-linear process. Different models of research utilisation and guidelines to maximise this in policy-making exist, however, challenges still remain for researchers to improve uptake of their research findings and for policy-makers to use research evidence in their work.

Methods: A participatory workshop with researchers was organised in November 2017 by the Academic Network for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights Policy (ANSER) to address this gap. ANSER is a consortium of experienced researchers, some of whom have policy-making experience, working on …

Groundwater Model Parameter Estimation With Simultaneous And Sequential Use Of Hydraulic Head And Travel Time Measurements, Mohsen Kheirabadi

Master's Theses

This study is an effort to investigate two parameter estimation approaches in groundwater modeling, sequential and combined. Most researches imply that simultaneous use of flow and transport observations would be more beneficial in parameter estimation, however some other researchers rise questions about this approach. They believe due to the differing geological properties of aquifers and consequently differing mathematical basis of groundwater flow compared to transport simultaneous use of different observations might not be useful in every cases. Despite the fact that parameter estimation or inverse modeling is not a new method in groundwater modeling, most modelers tend to use forward …

St. Norbert College Becoming 100 Percent Tobacco-Free, St. Norbert College

Press Releases 2018

No abstract provided.

Suicide Watch: How Netflix Landed On A Cultural Landmine, Shabnaj Chowdhury

Capstones

Following the premiere of the television series “13 Reasons Why” in 2017, Netflix stepped squarely on a cultural landmine, stirring controversy over its graphic depiction of teen suicide.

According to media experts, showing a teenager kill themselves on television was completely unprecedented. Mental health experts say the act has significant consequences for “at risk” audience members, or people who were already experiencing suicidal thoughts before watching the show. It is proven that entertainment, and television specifically, can strongly influence audience behaviors and thoughts.

Suicide is one of the only causes of deaths that’s on the rise in the United States, …

A.V.O Boyz: The Rise Of Afrobeats Through Dance, Oumou Fofana

Capstones

Afrobeats music has been number one if the African continent for nearly a decade and it is now attacking the international market, thanks to support from major American superstars and the killer dance moves created by African dancers. http://www.oumoufofana.com/capstone/

Engineering Eden: The World's Attempt To Outsmart Water Scarcity, Kaitlin A. Sullivan

Capstones

Countries around the world are running out of fresh water, 43 already live with water scarcity, requiring more water than they have. In 2015 the global water crisis took first place in The World Economic Forum’s assessment of the risks that will have the most significant impact on economies, environments and people. Water beat out 27 other long-term risks including infectious diseases and weapons of mass destruction. What happened to Crowley County on the plains of Southeastern Colorado is a cautionary tale of borrowed water. It's been called the Detroit of Colorado, decimated by the reliance of a single industry. …

Fieldnote 6: Fearless Writing, Venus Evans-Winters Dr.

Fieldnotes of a Black Woman Scholar: Research, Culture, and Wellness

In this fieldnote, Dr. V discusses how to push pass fear and tell your truth to become a fearless writer!

The Invisible Brain Injury Crisis, Michael E. Rosenthal

Capstones

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2013 data, over 282,000 hospitalizations and 2.5 million emergency department visits were at least in part attributable to TBI. In the same year, about 56,000 people died.

Emergency departments in 2012 treated about 329,290 kids under 20 for TBI following an injury taking place during physical activity.

This project explores the rise in traumatic brain injuries and examines the difficult path that some of the survivors have to go through during recovery. By telling the story through my own personal experiences, I guide the reader through what the initial trauma and …

Lords From The Desert, Caroline Mercado

Capstones

Lords from the Desert

This work explores a reality that is little talked about: how the most prestigious pre-Columbian art exhibits in the United States hide a murky origin. From looting of temples to illicit art trafficking, to smuggling and collectors’ affairs, the pieces gain value in proportion to the social prestige of their owner. Along the way, the most important is lost: research that provides context and allows us to know history. The First World wins a seductive, but simplistic story. The Third World, from which all these cultures emerge, loses patrimony and possibilities of understanding themselves. A pair …

Democracy Later, Dave A. Gentile Mr

Capstones

My idea was to investigate what happened during the Queens County Committee debacle over the summer. If you aren't familiar, the NYTimes covered it a bit, but basically a whole bunch of candidates associated with the New Queens Dems, myself included, running for Queens County Committee got screwed and forced off the ballots in favor of candidates who did not even know they were running.

I have access to virtually every one of the candidates who was forced off the ballot, as well access to some of the candidates who replaced us unknowingly and unwillfully. I also have total access …

I Am A Man: How Legacy And Inheritance Bear A Heavy Burden On Black Masculinity In A Raisin In The Sun, Barbershop, And Creed, Aliyah D. Veal

Capstones

This project looks into the connections between black fathers and sons and what impact legacy and inheritance have on black masculinity.

https://medium.com/@aliyah.veal/i-am-a-man-bf8fe5983d85

The Gentrification Of Drag, Kyle Kucharski

Capstones

The world of drag has reached virtual mainstream visibility thanks to a combination of shifting social norms, social media and the success of shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race (which just won its third Emmy). No longer relegated to the confines of queer subculture, drag queens are now exported worldwide on prime-time television. When a “man in a dress” is no longer subversive, how can drag as a subculture continue to push the boundaries?

This critical essay looks at the art of drag, its historical position in culture and how its currently blowing up mainstream entertainment. Increased success and visibility can …