Digital Commons Network^™

Toward A Comprehensive Worldview Measure, Shailee R. Woodard

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Worldview is an individual difference construct that has been linked to various behavioral and health outcomes. However, very little is known about how worldviews develop and how worldview beliefs, values, and attitudes coalesce into different worldview factors. One obstacle that has impeded research on worldviews is the lack of a robust worldview measure. The creation of a new, more valid worldview measure will aid in answering these important questions. This research project is the first step in the creation of a more comprehensive worldview measure. The primary aims of Study 1 were to compile existing published worldview measures and reduce …

Causes Of Variation In Dispersal Distance In The Stream Salamander Gyrinophilus Porphyriticus, Brett Rebekah Addis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Dispersal is expected to evolve as an adaptive mechanism to optimize individual fitness across the landscape. While there is evidence that active dispersers base emigration decisions (i.e., stay vs. leave) on perceived costs associated with environmental variation and inbreeding, it is less well understood how and whether these same factors influence dispersal distances– a more comprehensive measure of dispersal. More generally, the challenge of quantifying dispersal in the field has resulted in a paucity of data on the fate and fitness of dispersing individuals, leaving us with little understanding of the factors influencing individual variation in dispersal distance.

In my …

Final Vowel Devoicing In Blackfoot, Samantha Leigh Prins

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis presents a study of final vowel devoicing in Blackfoot, an indigenous language of Montana and Alberta. Previous research on final vowel devoicing in Blackfoot variously suggests word-final, phrase-final, and utterance-final vowel devoicing processes (e.g. Taylor 1965, Bliss & Gick 2009, Frantz 2017), though, the conditioning environment for this phenomenon had not been a research focus prior to this study. The present study investigates intonation units (IUs) as the conditioning domain for final vowel devoicing in Blackfoot.

Final vowel devoicing in Blackfoot is investigated here by examining the common word-final suffixes –wa (3SG.AN) and –yi (4SG) in two recordings …

Laguna Pueblo Tribal Court Handbook (2019), Tribal Law Journal Staff

Tribal Law Journal

This handbook helps take some of the mystery out of practicing in tribal courts. Without the necessary information to learn new rules and protocols many attorneys are understandably reluctant to practice in a new jurisdiction. As a result, tribal courts are underused or misused. This handbook is intended to help attorneys and advocates become more aware of the various individual tribal court systems and to learn their rules and protocol.

Development Of A Remotely Activated Field Sprayer And Evaluation Of Temperature And Aeration On The Longevity Of Steinernema Riobrave Entomopathogenic Nematodes For Treatment Of Cattle Fever Tick-Infested Nilgai, John A. Goolsby, Diana Cantu, Alejandro Vasquez, Alexis Racelis

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

A remotely activated field sprayer was developed for application of the entomopathogenic nematode, Steinernema riobrave (Cabanillas, Poinar, and Raulston) for eradication of the southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini) infesting free-ranging nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in South Texas. The battery powered sprayer is activated by sonic sensors that detect movement of nilgai through fence crossings. An onboard computer operates the sprayer pump and aerator that oxygenates the solution of nematodes. Several types of aeriation, agitation, and cooling were tested to prolong the viability of the nematodes in water. Continuous aeration extended the longevity of S. riobrave to more than two …

Incidence Of The Brown Dog Tick, Rhipicephalus Sanguineus And Its Parasitoid, Ixodiphagus Hookeri On Dogs In South Texas, Alejandro Vasquez, John A. Goolsby, Ann T. Vacek, Alexis Racelis, Rupesh R. Kariyat

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

The southern cattle fever tick, Rhipicephalus microplus, is a livestock pest worldwide, including South Texas, and can vector Babesia spp.; the causal agents of bovine babesiosis. Its congener, the brown dog tick, Rhipicephalus sanguineus, is also common worldwide and is frequently parasitized by a wasp, Ixodiphagus hookeri. To better understand the life history and host location cues of parasitic wasps of ticks, which supports the cattle fever tick eradication program for R. microplus, we examined the incidence of R. sanguineus and its parasitoid I. hookeri. Dogs in Hidalgo County, TX were observed (n=624) from Oct 2018 to April 2019. Our …

Rapid Identification Of Phospholipase A2 Transcripts From Snake Venoms, Ying Jia, Pablo Olvera, Frida Rangel, Bianca Mendez, Samir Reddy

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) is a major component in snake venoms and it is found in many different isoforms. To identify transcripts encoding different PLA₂ isoforms, we developed a simple, rapid procedure. Total RNA was extracted from the venoms of three cottonmouth snakes and two diamondback rattlesnakes, and further reverse-transcribed into complementary DNA (cDNA). Using one pair of cottonmouth PLA₂-specific primers and Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) technique, we identified 27 unique full-length PLA₂ transcripts, including nine sequences identical to the previously documented ones in the database and one novel GIII-like PLA_{2 …}

A New Species Of Stygobitic Snail In The Genus Antrorbis Hershler & Thompson, 1990 (Gastropoda, Cochliopidae) From The Appalachian Valley And Ridge Of Eastern Tennessee, Usa, Nichlas S. Gladstone, Kathryn E. Perez, Evelyn B. Pieper, Evin T. Carter, K. L. Dooley, Nathaniel F. Shoobs, Annette S. Engel, Matthew L. Niemiller

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

A new species of cave snail (Littorinimorpha: Cochliopidae) in the genus Antrorbis is described from the dark zone of two caves in the Appalachian Valley and Ridge province in eastern Tennessee, United States. The Tennessee Cavesnail, Antrorbis tennesseensis Perez, Shoobs, Gladstone, & Niemiller, sp. nov. is distinguished from its only known congener, Antrorbis breweri, by the absence of raised tubercles on its finely spirally striate protoconch, and its unique radular formula. Moreover, A. tennesseensis is genetically distinct from A. breweri based on substantial divergence at the mitochondrial CO1 locus. This is the first cavesnail to be described from the Appalachian …

Exploring The Validity Of Multimedia Written Assessment In Saudi Arabia, Thuraya Essam A Kattan

Peninsula Medical School Theses

Introduction: Multiple choice questions are widely used in high-stakes written examinations and are continuously being challenged for testing recall facts rather than higher cognition. Innovative MCQ formats (Multimedia-enhanced) can test such skills. To evaluate this format a recent validity framework “The Cambridge Framework” was used to assess and explore this intervention. Aim: Explore the validity of multimedia MCQs for testing higher cognition in Emergency Medicine (EM) in Saudi Arabia using the Cambridge framework, and evaluate the use of this framework. Methods: A total of 164 EM residents (seniors and juniors) from three regions of Saudi Arabia took a total of …

Open Access: An Overview, Javaid Wani

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

No abstract provided.

The Use And Effect Of Smartphones In Students’ Learning Activities: Evidence From The University Of Ghana, Legon, Noah Darko-Adjei

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The use of a smartphone is gradually becoming a compelling learning tool used to enhance teaching and learning in distance education. Its usage ensures flexible course delivery, makes it possible for learners to access online learning platforms, access course resources and interact digitally. The purpose of this study was to examine the use and effects of the smartphone as a learning tool in distance education at the University of Ghana. The study was based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and included 294 total respondents. The survey research design and questionnaires were employed for the study. The major objectives of …

Global Toxicology Research Output (2008-2017): A Scientometric Analysis, Abhishek Kumar Sharma

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In this study a scientometric analysis of the global toxicology research output during 2008-2017 was performed based on the data retrieved from SCOPUS database. This study analyses the global research output in toxicology research on different parameters including the growth, global publication share and rank, contribution of major subject areas, contribution and citation impact of the most productive authors, affiliations and journals. A total of 29374 papers were published during 2008-2017 on toxicology research. Top 10 countries contributed 85.68% share of total publications. The United States ranks first in terms of number of publications with a global publication share of …

Scientometric Analysis Of Biotechnology Research Output In India During 2008-2017, Abhishek Kumar Sharma, Bharat Prasad Dwivedee, Surbhi Soni, Deepak N. Kapoor, Varsha Patil

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In this study a scientometric analysis of the biotechnology research output of India during 2008-2017 was performed based on the information available in SCOPUS database. This study analyses the research output of India in biotechnology research on different parameters including the growth, global publication share and rank, contribution of major international collaborative partners and subject areas, contribution and citation impact of the most productive authors, institutions and journals. The United States ranks first in terms of number of publications, h-index and average citations per paper. A total of 5573 papers were published by India during 2008-2017, which received 80530 citations …

Perceived ُSkill Level Of Librarians Working At Libraries Of Tehran Medical Universities, Sirous Panahi Associate Professor In Librarianship And Medical Information Department, Arezo Mirgaloye-Bayat, Leila Nemati Anaraki Associate Professor In Librarianship And Medical Information Department

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Introduction: This study conducted to assess the discipline specific and general skill level of librarians working in libraries of the top three Iranian medical universities in Tehran.

Methods: The survey was carried out among all 115 librarians working in the libraries of Iran, Tehran and Shahid-Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA.

Results: The participants’ perceived skill level in discipline specific set of skills was relatively unsatisfactory in total while their skill level in general skills was relatively satisfactory. The mean scores of the participants’ skill level in six categories of discipline …

Visualization And Scientometric Mapping Of Global Agriculture Big Data Research, Guptnath Trivedi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The present paper is a scientometric and visualization study of global Agriculture Big Data (ABD) research. however as per the quantification is concern, very little research have performed in the area of Agriculture Big Data. The study aims to traverse the present status of Agriculture Big Data research through network analysis and visualizations study of the ABD publications. A total of 379 publication data were downloaded from Clarivate Analytics Web of Science database within the time span of "all years". VOSviewer, MS-Excel and R statistical software is used for data analysis. Various results are drawn based on annual scientific production, …

Librarians And Their Distinctive Personality Traits In The 21st Century Digital Era, Shohar Bano, Midhat Mehraj, Ikhlaq Ur Rehman

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

While there is a fair extension of literature in terms of core skills required by librarians but there is rareness of research on competencies that librarians should possess in terms of their personality traits that distinguish them from the rest of the professions. The role of librarians in the 21^st century has migrated from information disseminators to the talent searchers, technological experts, innovators, strategy makers, and entrepreneur. Accordingly, they cannot rely on so-called "soft skills" of primitive nature; their skills must have a touch of dynamism. The study being theoretical type describes the personality based traits of the librarians …

Fungi In Aquatic Ecosystems, Hans Peter Grossart, Den Wyngaert S Van, Maiko Kagami, Christian Wurzbacher, Michael Cunliffe, Keilor Rojas-Jimenez

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

No abstract provided.

As Blind As A Bat? Opsin Phylogenetics Illuminates The Evolution Of Color Vision In Bats, Bruno F. Simões, Nicole M. Foley, Graham M. Hughes, Huabin Zhao, Shuyi Zhang, Stephen J. Rossiter, Emma C. Teeling

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Through their unique use of sophisticated laryngeal echolocation bats are considered sensory specialists amongst mammals and represent an excellent model in which to explore sensory perception. Although several studies have shown that the evolution of vision is linked to ecological niche adaptation in other mammalian lineages, this has not yet been fully explored in bats. Recent molecular analysis of the opsin genes, which encode the photosensitive pigments underpinning color vision, have implicated high-duty cycle (HDC) echolocation and the adoption of cave roosting habits in the degeneration of color vision in bats. However, insufficient sampling of relevant taxa has hindered definitive …

An Exploration Of The Physical Qualities That Most Affect The Number Of Bids Received By Wild Horses Placed In Blm’S Internet Auctions, Robert J. Summers

Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Bridget Nancaro A Free Woman Of Color In Texas In 1813, Morris K. Jackson

East Texas Historical Journal

No abstract provided.

Presidential Politics In The Republic Of Texas, Charles Swanlund

East Texas Historical Journal

No abstract provided.

Ethj Vol-57 No-1

East Texas Historical Journal

No abstract provided.

Referendum On The Revolution: The Pennsylvania Constitutional Debate, 1776-1784, Tristan James New

Online Theses and Dissertations

The Pennsylvania constitution of 1776 ignited an extensive and intractable debate that remained at the center of the state’s politics throughout the Revolutionary period. This debate encompassed disagreement over a broad range of questions relating to the relationship between government and society, many of which brought into question the implications of the concept of popular sovereignty for governmental structure and popular political agency. Competing notions regarding these issues, while expressed within a general framework of consensus concerning the source of political authority [the people], revealed fundamentally different visions of governmental order. Partisans presented these visions as inextricably connected to their …

Ecosystem Functional Consequences Of Body Size Variation In An Apex Predator (Ambystoma Jeffersonianum), David Samuel Smith

Online Theses and Dissertations

Biodiversity is often emphasized at the species level where each species is assigned a mean functional trait value. However, populations within a species, and individuals within a population, often exhibit considerable intraspecific functional variation. Therefore, instead of focusing on species’ mean trait values, we must incorporate intraspecific variation when considering species’ ecological roles and conservation values. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effects of variation in body size (a functional trait in many aquatic taxa) in an apex predator on ecosystem functioning. We sought to characterize trophic cascades initiated by larval populations of Ambystoma jeffersonianum that …

Vocalizations Of Adult American Kestrels (Falco Sparverius): Effect Of Breeding Stage, Sex, And Context On Call Use And Characteristics, Mark Winland

Online Theses and Dissertations

American Kestrels (Falco sparverius) are small falcons with a vocal repertoire known to consist of three different vocalizations: whine, chitter, and klee calls. However, the characteristics and contextual use of these calls have not been quantified. To determine the characteristics of these calls and better understand possible functions, I conducted a combined observational and experimental study of American Kestrels in Madison County, Kentucky, from February to July 2013. I observed kestrels and recorded all vocalizations uttered by males and females during different breeding stages and different behavioral contexts. In addition, I conducted playback experiments using the whine, chitter, and klee …

Population Demographics And Active Foraging Behavior Of Copperheads (Agkistrodon Contortrix) At A Recreational Site In Eastern Kentucky, Jocelyn Hendricks

Online Theses and Dissertations

Recreational areas represent a significant source of human-wildlife interaction, which can have an especially negative effect on organisms, like snakes, that are generally perceived as dangerous by the public. Considering the projected increase in recreation rates in the United States, the threat to this already vulnerable group of organisms deserves attention. While habitat factors associated with recreational areas—fragmentation, decreased canopy cover, altered vegetation composition—have been shown to affect snake thermoregulatory behavior and abundance, detailed studies of wild snake behavior are uncommon due to their cryptic nature. The goal of this study was to reduce human-wildlife conflict at a recreational site …

Knockout Of The Trans-Acting Riboswitches In Listeria Monocytogenes To Disrupt Downstream Virulence Factors, Robert Jackson

Online Theses and Dissertations

Listeria Monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a ubiquitous bacterium that can be found in both soil and water. This opportunistic intercellular pathogen is often food-borne and can lead to serious illness or death of those that are immunocompromised. Current medical research into the practical use of this pathogen has revealed that the intercellular mechanisms can be exploited to produce a cancer vaccine. Currently L. monocytogenes is being studied as a viable candidate for various other cancer vaccines and therapies. The purpose of this study is to reduce the downstream virulence factors that heavily rely on upregulation of the prfA gene. In …

'Savages','Animals' And 'Criminals':Capitalism, Racial Threat And The U.S Long War On Immigration, Rossana Alejandra Diaz

Online Theses and Dissertations

From mass shootings targeting specific ethnic, racial and religious communities to detention centers for immigrant children, it is imperative to ask of such violent contemporary phenomena: "how did we get here? How is this possible in a place like the United States?" The purpose of this study is to begin to address such questions by analyzing the historical legacy of dehumanizing narratives towards immigrants, and by querying how that history may shape and inform contemporary manifestations, illustrated by the rhetoric stemming from the Trump administration. Examining examples of such rhetoric through ethnographic content analysis of President Trump’s speeches and social …

The Effects Of A 40-Minute Bout Of Aerobic Exercise On State Anxiety In College Age Individuals, Rachael Dozier

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if a forty-minute bout of aerobic exercise would decrease the state anxiety and heart rate of college aged individuals. This study was prompted due to the higher levels of anxiety in college aged individuals found in literature (Silva & Tucci, 2018). Specifically, college students need healthy alternatives to cope with their anxiety instead of turning to alcohol. Heightened levels of anxiety in this age range have been shown to increase negative coping habits, such as drinking, drugs, and eating disorders. These negative habits not only affect the individual physically, but also can …

The Role Of Continuous Flowering Phenology For In Neotropical Plant-Pollinator Interactions For Use In Conservation, Chelsea Renee Hinton

Online Theses and Dissertations

The diversity of mutualistic interactions in the Neotropics exceeds that of all other tropical regions and is posited to result from a unique assemblage of plant species that produce the highest spatio-temporal predictability of food resources. A rare component of the Neotropical flora that contributes largely to the spatio-temporal predictability of food resources is found in understory shrub or tree-let species with a continuous reproductive phenology (i.e. produce fruit and flowers daily during all months of the year). Plant-animal interaction science suggests that plant species with a longer duration of reproductive phenology will accumulate more mutualistic partners over time and …