Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Royal Flush Or Just A Bluff: Casinos And County Unemployment In The Midwestern United States, Amber Irlmeier

Major Themes in Economics

Legislators and community members alike have discussed the pros and cons of opening casinos. A frequently mentioned benefit of opening casinos is that they will bring jobs and thus reduce unemployment. Past studies have looked at the effect casinos have on unemployment over a period of a few years; this is the first study to look at data from over two decades (1990-2012). This study uses an ordinary least squares regression to look at the effect that 56 commercial casinos in the Midwestern United States have had on county unemployment. A significant correlation is found between the presence of a …

Rod Library Newsletter: Rod Notes, V6n7, March 2014, University Of Northern Iowa. Rod Library.

Rod Library newsletter: Notes for the Stalled

Contents:

-- Comic Con
-- HELP!
-- YouTube
-- Ask Us!

Csbs Kudos, March 2014, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Social And Behavioral Sciences.

CSBS Kudos

Contents:

-- Panther Caucus
-- Faculty & Staff Kudos
-- CSBS Shout-out!
-- Faculty & Staff Kudos
-- Artic FROST
-- Student Kudos
-- Alumni Kudos
-- CSBS in Pictures

Should We Be Content With Content?, Jim O'Loughlin

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

In the recent issue of Harper’s, publisher John R. MacArthur offers up a fairly apocalyptic account of the state of print magazines entitled “Can Magazines Be Saved?” For MacArthur, things started going wrong in the late 1990s when newspapers and magazines began taking writing that their subscribers paid for— now deemed “content”— and putting it online. As MacArthur writes, “Not only was ‘content’ an empty and offensive word, but my fellow publishers also proposed to give it away free in the quest for more advertising (8).” MacArthur is right to argue that what began as a shift in publishing …

The Professional Turn, Adrienne P. Lamberti

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

I’ve spent the past two decades of my professional life immersed in technology, not because I first chose to do so, but rather because doing so was my responsibility. No good scholar and teacher in professional communication—and indeed, no good scholar in rhetoric who also lives in the 21st century—should participate in the luxury of dismissing technology as a central aspect of her work.

Over time this tech-centric approach has informed my professional identity and a larger understanding of my discipline’s mission; meanwhile, as a member of a discipline that (at UNI) is classified as one of the English field’s …

Dig-It-All Tropes, David Grant

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

I am going to basically say everything that Dr. Lamberti said, only in a different key, as it were. I would much rather explore some of these theoretical things but hopefully not over anyone’s head. To start, I will try to give you an understanding of where I’m coming from in terms of looking at the turns here. Any good English major knows a turn is just a trope. So, what are some of the major turns that are going on within digital studies? I think there’s a lot of anxiety. Folks have been saying large-scale pronouncements about a revolution …

Visual Communication And The Digital Turn, Bettina Fabos

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

I am very excited about the Digital Turn on multiple levels as a way of expressing ideas in visual form and making them more accessible and finding different ways to tell stories. As Joan Didion wrote, “we tell ourselves stories to live,” and I live and breathe that phrase.

For this presentation, my aim is to show you the new forms of communication that excite me to no end, and then talk about how our relationship with new media content producers has drastically changed. If you have never heard of SnowFall, an incredibly impressive piece of interactive media that …

The Gendered Way Of Hooking Up Among College Students, Phyllis Baker, B. Keith Crew, Kevin T. Leicht

UNIversitas: Journal of Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity

This study explores gender differences in sexual socialization as a determinant of hooking up by college students. Survey results for 469 respondents show both generic (alcohol consumption and sexual socialization through pornography) and gender specific (gender-related attitudes) mechanisms that explain men’s higher rates of hooking up. Men engage in the generic behavioral correlates of hooking up more often than women. Women with patriarchal attitudes report more hooking up and men with rape supportive attitudes report more hooking up. Efforts by college administrators to reduce rates of hooking up should take into consideration alcohol consumption, pornography, and gender related attitudes.

Addendum To Publication Agreements For University Of Northern Iowa Authors, University Of Northern Iowa. Rod Library.

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

An addendum for UNI authors to supplement publication agreements that allows authors the right to keep their copyright and to allow placement in the institutional repository twelve months after publciation.

Rod Library Newsletter: Rod Notes, V6n6, February 2014, University Of Northern Iowa. Rod Library.

Rod Library newsletter: Notes for the Stalled

Contents:

-- One Search Enhancements!
-- Comic Con
-- Blind Date With A Book
-- Digital Media Hub
-- Upcoming Events

Rod Library Feasibility Study, Opn Architects

Library Documents & Reports (entire collection)

The purpose of this Feasibility Study is to provide a Vision for the future of Rod Library. This vision is to clarify needs of the library, incorporate trends in library design, develop a building program based on floors and anticipated functions, and develop a phasing strategy with an estimate of cost.

The Feasibility Study builds on Rod Library’s Strategic Plan of leadership and innovation for the future by transforming opportunities into reality. The new and innovative spaces proposed will offer a dynamic learner-centered place to engage knowledge that will allow Rod Library to maintain its tradition of excellence while enabling …

Development And Psychometric Evaluation Of Scales To Measure Professional Confidence In Manual Medicine: A Rasch Measurement Approach, Mark D. Hecimovich, Irene Styles, Simone E. Volet

Faculty Publications

Background: Health professionals in athletic training, chiropractic, osteopathy, and physiotherapy fields, require high-level knowledge and skills in their assessment and management of patients. This is important when communicating with patients and applying a range of manual procedures. Prior to embarking on professional practice, it is imperative to acquire optimal situation-specific levels of self-confidence for a beginner practitioner in these areas. In order to foster this professional self-confidence within the higher education context, it is necessary to have valid and reliable scales that can measure and track levels and how they change. This study reports on the development and psychometric analysis …

Gene Expression Of Components Of The Insulin/Insulin-Like Signaling Pathway In Response To Heat Stress In The Garter Snake, Thamnophis Elegans, Tonia S. Schwartz, Anne M. Bronikowski

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

The insulin/insulin-like signaling (IIS) pathway is an evolutionary conserved molecular signaling pathway that regulates growth, reproduction, stress resistance, and longevity in response to nutrition and external stress. While the constituents of this pathway and their functions are relatively well understood in laboratory model animals, they have not been explored in many other organisms, with notable exceptions in the fisheries literature. We tested for the gene expression of four key components of this pathway in the garter snake (Thamnophis elegans) liver, and determine how the transcription of these components responds to heat stress. We found that the two insulin-like …

Synchronous Rotation In The Eclipsing Binary 68 Herculis Inferred From Doppler Shifts In Its Spectrum And Light Curve Modeling, Kenneth W. Mclaughlin, Janak Panthi

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Our differential photometry of the eclipsing binary 68 Herculis through V- and R-filters shows periodic minima consistent with a previously established period. As a function of its orbital motion, we report spectra over a limited wavelength range encompassing H-alpha 656.3 nm and helium 667.8 nm lines. Doppler shifts of both stars were resolved in H-alpha, while only the more massive star rendered the helium line with Doppler shifts that agree with the radial velocity we derive for it from the H-alpha profile. Sinusoidal curve-fits to the orbital dependence of the radial velocities imply circular orbits for both components, with amplitudes …

Improved Functional Prediction Of Hypothetical Proteins From Listeria Monocytogenes 08-5578, Michael J. Lagier, Brittany Bowman, Kelsey Brend, Katherine Hobbs, Michael Foggia, Mark Mcdaniel

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne human pathogen responsible for listerosis. The genomes of several L. monocytogenes strains have been recently sequenced. The genome of L. monocytogenes 08-5578, which was in part responsible for a significant listerosis outbreak in 2008, contains an unexpectedly high percentage of protein-encoding genes (1,927 out of 3,161; 60.96%) autonomously annotated as hypothetical proteins. The aim of this study was to test whether a manual annotation strategy could be used to assign more meaningful functional names to the hypothetical proteins of 08-5578. A holistic, manual gene annotation strategy that utilized sequence homology, cellular localization predictions, structure-based evidence, …

The Role Of An Urban Tallgrass Prairie Remnant In Conservation: A Case Study In Central Iowa (Usa), Jimmie D. Thompson, Deborah Q. Lewis, William R. Norris

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Although more than 85% of Iowa (USA) was covered by tallgrass prairie at the time of settlement by Europeans in the early 19th century, less than 0.1% remains. The Richard W. Pohl State Preserve at Ames (IA) High School, surrounded on three sides by structures, roads, and other development, protects 4 ha of tallgrass prairie. The preserve, commonly referred to as Ames High Prairie (AHP), was grazed but never plowed under private ownership until its acquisition by the Ames School District in 1959.

Although considered for development as a parking lot or football field in the 1960s, the residents of …

Cover

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Self-Objectification On Political Efficacy: Does Self-Image Affect Feelings Of Political Adequacy, Victoria M. Hurst

Honors Program Theses

The phenomenon of self-objectification develops from the internalization of the objectification of the human body by the individual, occurring most prevalently among women, and results in a host of negative psychological effects (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997). Among these effects are increased body surveillance, disrupting one’s ability to achieve peak states of motivation, and body shame. It is possible, then, that feelings of inadequacy, as a result, affect other realms of life, including an individual’s orientation toward the political world. To test this proposition, I conducted an original online survey (N=948) to determine if higher rates of selfobjectification, utilizing measures for …

Csbs Statements, V16, 2014, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Social And Behavioral Sciences.

CSBS Statements

Contents:

-- From the Desk of the Dean
-- Jeff Kurtz
-- Tabatha Cruz
-- Mike Isaacson
-- Catwalk 22
-- Public History Efforts Expand
-- The Geography of History
-- Master Class Connects Textiles & Apparel and Geography
-- Arctic-FROST
-- GeoBridge
-- College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Loyalty Roster
-- Dean's Fund Inner Circle
-- From our Director of Development
-- Panther Caucus
-- The Emerging Treatment of Trauma Informed Care
-- Coffee with the Dean
-- 2014 CSBS Distinguished Alumni Named
-- Dr. Jackson Katz visits UNI Center for Violence Prevention
-- In Celebration of Creativity …

Geography Newsletter, 2013-2014, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Geography.

Geography Newsletter

Inside this issue:

-- Faculty and Graduate Student Travel to the Canadian Arctic for Research Project
-- Geography Continues Success with NSF REU Program
-- In Memory of Irina Childinova (1984-2013)
-- Welcome Bing Liang
-- UNI to Become a National Focus Center for Research on Sustainable Development in the Arctic
-- Congratulations to Dr. Owusu on His Promotion
-- Recognition to Outstanding Individuals
-- Lu Lecture in Biblical Geography
-- New Director
-- 2013 Awards Banquet

Pride Week 2014: Fluidity Inclusivity [Poster], University Of Northern Iowa. Gender & Sexuality Services, Uni Proud.

UNI Proud Documents

A poster promoting 2014 Pride Week.

Simulated Learning In Musculoskeletal Assessment And Rehabilitation Education: Comparing The Effect Of A Simulation-Based Learning Activity With A Peer-Based Learning Activity, Mark Hecimovich, Simone Volet

Faculty Publications

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders and diseases are leading causes of pain, physical disability, and doctor visits throughout the world. Health professionals must be trained to assess, treat through rehabilitation and monitor patients with these disorders. Yet, due to overcrowded curricula, some health education programs struggle to accommodate more than minimal training in musculoskeletal conditions. Consequently, educators in these professions must consider how traditional instruction could be complemented effectively to enhance students’ preparation for the diverse musculoskeletal disorders and pathologies they may encounter. The purpose of this study was to explore the benefits that can be obtained from laboratory practice in musculoskeletal …

Rational Choice And Moral Decision-Making In Research, Anita M. Gordon

Faculty Work

University psychology and sociology researchers rated the likelihood they would engage in misconduct as described in 9 research scenarios, while also making moral judgments and rating the likelihood of discovery and sanctions. Multiple regression revealed significant effects across various scenarios for moral judgment as well as shame and embarrassment on reducing misconduct. The effects on misconduct of the perceived probability of sanctions were conditioned on moral judgments in some scenarios. The results have implications for how universities address the prevention, detection, and sanctioning of research misconduct.

Influencing Incoming Fourth Graders' Reading Habits Through A Summer Literature Circle: A Case Study, Brandy E. Bingman

Graduate Research Papers

Digital communications are profoundly influencing young adult communications; yet little is known about how novels that use digital communications such as text messages, e-mails, or blogs as the voice and point of view. The purpose of this qualitative content analysis was to analyze how select young adult novels portray digital communications themes using the following research questions: What digital communication themes are portrayed in young adult literature that use digital communication as the voice and point of view? In what ways are the digital communication themes developed in these young adult novels? In what ways might these themes inspire young …

The Collaborative Relationship Between Teacher Librarians And Public Librarians, Jennifer J. Keltner

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this research study is to develop an understanding of the collaborative relationships between teacher librarians and public librarians in Cedar County, Iowa, a region that includes five public school districts, seven public town libraries, and one branch of a county library system. Additionally, this research explores the potential role of public librarians in working with students on school curriculum and/or homework assignments. In conducting research, a survey was given to a variety of participants who serve teens or young adults through either public schools or public libraries in the research study area. Participants included school librarians, public …

The Perceptions Of Teacher Librarians And Principals Regarding The Role Of The Teacher Librarian In The Implementation Of The Iowa Multi-Tiered System Of Supports, Katy A. Kauffman

Graduate Research Papers

The problem identified in this study is the lack of information regarding the role of the teacher librarian in the implementation of Iowa's Multi-Tiered System of Supports. The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of teacher librarians and principals regarding the role of the teacher librarian in the implementation of the Iowa Multi-Tiered System of Supports.

In this descriptive study, a survey comprised of both closed- ended and open-ended questions was sent to each teacher librarian and head building principal in an Iowan suburban school district. Follow-up interviews were conducted with those respondents who indicated a willingness to …

The Usefulness Of Graphic Novels As Information Sources For Nonfiction Reading, Sarah Holub

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to further understand students' ability to comprehend science content information after reading graphic novels. Students were also monitored for interest and enjoyment of the graphic novel format when reading about astronomy, Earth, and space. This descriptive study sought to describe what students learn about science content when reading from graphic novels, what changes occur in students' comprehension statements after reading graphic novels, and the interest and enjoyment students have when reading graphic novels. Participants met four times, for 45 minutes, to read and discuss graphic novels, as well as rate their interest and enjoyment …

Using The Apprenticeship Model In A Library Setting, Jennifer Sloan

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of the Apprenticeship Model for the teaching of information literacy skills. The research questions for this study were: (a) Will at least 70% of the participating students increase their scores on specific TRAILS Assessment items related to using information responsibly and ethically? (b) What improvements will students make towards the understanding of the responsible and ethical use of information? and (c) What best practices can be gained from the application of the Apprenticeship model to information literacy instruction?

Eighty-eight percent of the 25 students studied made gains by at least …

Positional Plagiocephaly Among Tribal Societies And Contemporary Western Societies: A Comparison Of Treatments, Results, And Effects, Jacinda Rose Ruggles

Honors Program Theses

This study explores the two causes of positional plagiocephaly, or abnormal head shape in infants as well as effects and treatments. To do so, two groups were chosen for comparison: contemporary western societies and tribal Native American societies. In the first group, the medical condition known as positional plagiocephaly is considered before, during and after the Safe to Sleep campaign of the 1990’s. In the second group infant head flattening is discussed as a result of cradling practices and carrying techniques. The importance of this study is to contribute new insight into positional plagiocephaly and its treatments. The study combines …

Excavation And Stratigraphic Analysis Of A Late Nineteenth Century Boiler House, Ariel Marie Williams

Honors Program Theses

An archaeological excavation was carried out in November of 2013 on the block of 13th and Tremont Streets in the city of Cedar Falls, Blackhawk County, Iowa. The site examined was home to a late nineteenth century boiler house that powered several greenhouses on the property. Greenhouses occupy a distinctive industrial niche and have rarely been studied using an archaeological approach. The goals in excavating at the boiler house site were to determine what formation processes led to the creation of the stratigraphy as initially observed by the property owner, and what the layers and artifacts recovered from them tell …