Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Fragmenting Forests: The Double Edge Of Effective Forest Monitoring, Andrew R. Bell, Rick L. Riolo, Jacqueline M. Doremus, Daniel G. Brown, Thomas P. Lyon, John Vandermeer, Arun Agrawal

Economics

The link between ineffective forest monitoring and forest degradation is well known. Under REDD+, monitoring stands to become more important as a means of maintaining incentive. Little attention however has been paid to the possible adverse consequences of forest monitoring. Our research develops a spatially explicit, agent-based model (ABM) of timber extraction in a Congo Basin forest concession to investigate the potential conservation impact of more effective monitoring. We modeled the building of access roads, and logging of legal timber and illegal timber, where illegal timber may be interpreted broadly to include prohibited species, smaller trees, or trees in areas …

Jon Springer2, Amber N. Brooks

The Stories of Greater Yellowstone

No abstract provided.

Economic Viability Of Shale Gas Production In The Marcellus Shale; Indicated By Production Rates, Costs And Current Natural Gas Prices, Ryan J. Duman

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

The U.S. natural gas industry has changed because of the recent ability to produce natural gas from unconventional shale deposits. One of the largest and most important deposits is the Marcellus Shale. Hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling have allowed for the technical feasibility of production, but concerns exist regarding the economics of shale gas production. These concerns are related to limited production and economic data for shale gas wells, declines in the rates of production, falling natural gas prices, oversupply issues coupled with slow growth in U.S. natural gas demand, and rising production costs. An attempt to determine profitability was …

Transfer Student Peer Mentorship Initiative, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Melinda Debrew, Artis Gordon, Rebecca Jones, Teri Kuttenkuler, Irene Lubker, Dewey Taylor

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Transfer students have unique needs that differ from those of incoming freshmen. The TRAM Transfer Student Mentorship Program connects incoming transfer students with students who also began their VCU journey as transfer students. Through a one-on-one relationship with a trained mentor, transfer students who participate in this program will access guidance and information to help them navigate the university and its resources, programs, and culture.

Commit And Connect: Vcu Goes Green, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Holly Alford, Melanie Goodman, Shelley Jordan, Margaret Kelland, Rachel Riley, John Skaritza

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

In alignment with Theme IV of VCU’s Quest for Distinction, this university volunteer project will help to commit and connect faculty, staff, students, and alumni with a community education partner to help launch a green or sustainable project while promoting, teaching and educating participants on the value of sustainable living.

Tour The United Vcu, The Premier Urban Research University, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Mary Eisendrath, Melanie Irvin, Ellen Leverich, Susan Lipp, Karla Mossi, Mark Roberts

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

This project will capitalize on the existing Open House weekends by offering a 60 minute tour of the MCV Campus. The tour will expose prospective students to VCU as a whole, highlighting the diverse range of studies and to present VCU as one university. The bus ride and walking tour will showcase the connection and relevance of both campuses, allowing prospective students with a myriad of interests to see all that VCU has to offer.

The Administrative And Professional Faculty Experience At Vcu, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Leslie Bozeman, Melanie Christian, Colleen Davis, Harold Harris Jr., Sydney Mcdonald, Nicolle Parsons-Pollard

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

At a time when Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is striving to become a premier research institution, Administrative and Professional (A&P) Faculty are essential to the university’s ability to provide and sustain the quality educational programs that are the foundation of the academic enterprise. While essential, A&P Faculty are not always factored into University efforts to the same extent as instructional faculty. Recognizing that A&P Faculty represent a population diverse in educational background, professional focus, role, responsibility, and contribution, Team Our Time conducted a mixed methods study on the experience of A&P Faculty at VCU.

A Racial Impact Analysis Of Hb 1075/Sb 201, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Patrice Banks, Cydny Neville, Sookyung Oh, Keith Rogers Jr.

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

The economic and social consequences of untreated (or under-treated) substance abuse among minors are significant. This report provides a racial impact analysis of HB 1075/SB 201, legislation approved in the 2012 General Assembly session that seeks to improve access and use of substance and alcohol services by minors. In short, this policy could go a long way to ensure that families are properly educated about these life-changing (and life-saving) programs; however our analysis raises concerns related to cultural competency that may serve to undermine the legislation’s goal. Virginia is incredibly diverse and its communities vary widely with its assets and …

A Racial Impact Analysis Of Hb 462, Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute, Virginia Commonwealth University, Daphne Bryan, William Randolph, Tarvaris Mccoy

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

The adoption of House Bill 462 into law brings forth questions about the probable impact on the physical, mental, emotional and financial well-being of the women in Virginia. In particular, analysis of its effect on the minority and underserved female population is required. Understanding the origin of this new legislation and the thinking behind its proposal and subsequent adoption dictates an endeavor into the backgrounds and intended goals of its sponsors and supporters. Proponents of HB 462 were unresponsive to requests for an interview to expound on their perspective about the importance of the legislation. This precipitated the use of …

One State Or Two In Israel/Palestine: The Stress On Gender And Citizenship, Gordon Babst, Nicole M. Tellier

Political Science Faculty Articles and Research

As is the case with any of the three great Abrahamic religions, there is considerable ambiguity regarding the status and role of women both within doctrinal interpretations, and between religious and other cultural traditions in the community. These ambiguities are reflected in political practice and condition women's aspirations regarding what is possible for them to achieve. Nowhere is it more true that understandings of religious imperatives permeate politics and work to make other lines of division all the more intractable than in Israel/Palestine. The proclivity to violence between the two peoples not only victimizes women, but foreshortens attention to their …

What's Up Newsletter, January 2012

What's Up Newsletter

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in Milwaukee, WI

What's Up Newsletter Finding Aid

St. Mark’S Catholic Community Of The Deaf, January 1, 2012

Saint Mark's Catholic Community of the Deaf

A newsletter published for Deaf Catholics in Edmonton, Canada

Saint Mark's Catholic Community of the Deaf Finding Aid

Remember The Fillmore: The Lingering History Of Urban Renewal In Black San Francisco, Christina Jackson, Nikki Jones

Africana Studies Faculty Publications

In the summer of 2008, I moved to San Francisco, California. I lived in the city for three months. As a researcher, my objective was to learn more about Mayor Gavin Newsome’s African-American Out-Migration Task Force. The Task Force convened in 2007 and met eight times from August to December. In 2009, the Mayor's office released a final report on the Redevelopment Agency's website that summarized the history of blacks in the city and outlined several recommendations for reversing their flight. The final report found that the political, economic, and social conditions of African-Americans are disproportionately more dire than any …

The Rhetorical Criteria Of Kennedy's Camelot, Stacy Fawn Wilder

Online Theses and Dissertations

John F. Kennedy's presidential rhetoric reflects key criteria necessary for creating and sustaining the American Camelot myth. That myth was successfully ingrained within the American psyche through the use of visual rhetoric, campaign speech rhetoric, and crisis time rhetoric. Moreover, the collective memory of cultural trauma following Kennedy's assassination suggests a promising continuation of the Camelot myth. Because the four rhetorical categories (visual, campaign, crisis, and collective memory) worked in tandem, all were essential for creating Kennedy's legacy.

Examining The Occupational Engagement Of College Students With Asperger's Syndrome: A Mixed Methodology, Laura Leigh Henley

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this convergent parallel mixed methods design was to determine how young adults enrolled in school with Asperger's Syndrome engage in occupations and how this population perceives their quality of life. Quantitatively, assessment data was gathered using Flanagan's Quality of life Scale and the Occupational Behaviors Satisfaction Checklist. Qualitatively, a phenomenological approach was taken utilizing the Lifestyle Performance Model as a guide to administer semi-structured interviews in order to determine occupational engagement experiences of the young adult population with Asperger's Syndrome enrolled in college. Results will be discussed with implications for occupational therapy and future research.

Expectations Do Not Always Influence Food Liking, Jamie Phillip Hale

Online Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present experiment was to examine how expectations influence cracker ratings on a scale of likeability. A large body of research shows that expectations affect food experiences (Wansink, 2004; Eertmans, Baeyens & Van den Bergh, 2001; Kahkonen & Tuorila, 1998). Participants were not aware that the primary interest of the study was how expectations influence cracker ratings. Participants were assigned to either a positive expectation group or a neutral expectation group. Participants in the positive expectation group received a positive verbal cue indicating that the crackers had recently been rated high in a national taste test. The …

Invisible Chronic Illness: Invisible Is Not Imaginary, Rebecca Tadlock-Marlo

Faculty Research & Creative Activity

The need for counselors to be versed in various areas of multicultural counseling is a requirement to the profession (ACA Code of Ethics, 2005). Providing a basis of counselor knowledge in dealing with the various areas of multiculturalism is necessary to revolutionize how we are able to help clients with various life stories. One of the goals within the ACA standards is to help navigate a sense of empowerment for such clients. Counselors must promote holistic wellness in the often challenging social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual path of comeback. With the rise in invisible chronic physical conditions, the importance of …

Political Performance, Leadership, And Regional Integration In Europe, Gaspare Genna, Birol Yesilada, Peter Noordijk

Selected Works Temporary Series

No abstract provided.

Examining The Role Of Identity In Negotiation Decision Making: The Case Of Cyprus, Cigdem Sirin

Selected Works Temporary Series

This study examines the effects of ethnic and social identities on negotiation decision making in the context of the Cyprus conflict. I conduct a theory-driven case study of the 1959 Zurich-London agreements on Cyprus, analyzing the positions of Turkey, Greece, Britain, and the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities during the negotiation process. I find that even in the presence of adversarial ethnic ties, decision makers who have a shared (and salient) social identity are more likely to employ collective-serving decision strategies and seek evenhanded solutions that will not jeopardize their mutual interests. In contrast, decision makers with severe ethnic fragmentation …

Ford Foundation, José Villalobos

Selected Works Temporary Series

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Negative External Cues On Self-Focus And Negative Recollections Of An Interaction, Chandra L. Chappell

Inquiry: The University of Arkansas Undergraduate Research Journal

Social anxiety is characterized by a fear of negative evaluation and avoidance of social situations. Clark and Wells (1995) suggest that socially anxious individuals tend to self-monitor, but Rapee and Heimberg (1997) posit that this may interact with another inclination to searchfor external threat cues, which could exacerbate social anxiety. In the current study, participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions in a conversation task. Confederates gave critical and judgmental cues in the critical condition and neutral cues in the neutral condition Results show a trend toward significance for an interaction such that socially anxious participants in the …

The Political Economy Of Good Governance 2012-13, Department Of Economics

Werner Sichel Lecture Series

The Werner Sichel Lecture Series began in 1963, directed by long-time WMU Professor of Economics Dr. Werner Sichel, who retired in 2004. Since its beginning, the series has attracted eminent scholars from throughout the world, including 12 Nobel Laureates in Economics. This year's Sichel Series is co-directed by Dr. Sisay Asefa and Dr. Wei-Chiao Huang and is co-sponsored by the Department of Economics, the College of Arts and Sciences, the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, the Center for African Development Policy Research, the Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, and the Timothy Light Center for Chinese Studies.

Effects Of Prisoner Location On Visitation Patterns, Anjannette Monroe

McNair Scholars Research Journal

This study explores factors related to visitation patterns for prisoners under Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC). A quantitative data analysis was conducted using a database provided by the ODRC which encompassed visits and demographics on incarcerated prisoners (N=50,551) from January 2006 until July 19, 2011. Qualitative analyses depicted a hypothetical visitor’s experience including calculations of transit distances/duration for inmate visits. Hypotheses posited for this study included: (1) there is a negative correlation between travel distances/costs and visitation frequency; (2) inmate relocation to more distant facilities negatively affects visitation patterns; (3) inmate visitation will be greater during early incarceration …

The Effects Of Dual Enrollment Courses: Do They Prepare Students For College?, Ernesto Soto

McNair Scholars Research Journal

The focus on academic success starts early for many students. For example, many high school students have clear career goals and may take steps to ensure success at the collegiate level in order to achieve their goals (McWhirter, Torres, Salgado, & Valdez, 2007). Studies have shown that students who rate high on academic self-efficacy while in high school continue to succeed in their postsecondary education (Eccles, Vida, & Barber, 2004; Eccles & Wigfield, 2002). One method in which high school students can be better prepared for postsecondary education and increase their academic self-efficacy (Margolis & McCabe, 2004) is by participating …

Interpretations On The Racialized Experience Of Video Games, Mario Venegas

McNair Scholars Research Journal

This research seeks to explore how participant video gamers’ cultural capital impacts their interpretations of the racial content in video games. Having cultural capital on the video game world mediates interpretation of video game racial semiotics showing complexity in the reproduction and contestation of race in media. The project seeks to supplement grounds that show complexity in how people interpret racial content from a growing video game industry. Data were collected through personal interviews where participants played the racialized game Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony for 30-50 minutes. A sample of 23 participants covering gender, gaming experience, …

A Quantitative Analysis Of The Reward-Enhancing Effects Of Nicotine Using Reinforcer Demand, Scott T. Barrett, Rick A. Bevins

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Reward enhancement by nicotine has been suggested as an important phenomenon contributing toward tobacco abuse and dependence. Reinforcement value is a multifaceted construct not fully represented by any single measure of response strength. The present study evaluated the changes in the reinforcement value of a visual stimulus in 16 male Sprague–Dawley rats using the reinforcer demand technique proposed by Hursh and Silberberg. The different parameters of the model have been shown to represent differing facets of reinforcement value, including intensity, perseverance, and sensitivity to changes in response cost. Rats lever-pressed for 1-min presentations of a compound visual stimulus over blocks …

A Novel Tool For Assessing And Summarizing The Built Environment, Gretchen L. Kroeger, Lynne C. Messer, Sharon E. Edwards, Marie Lynn Miranda

Community Health Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: A growing corpus of research focuses on assessing the quality of the local built environment and also examining the relationship between the built environment and health outcomes and indicators in communities. However, there is a lack of research presenting a highly resolved, systematic, and comprehensive spatial approach to assessing the built environment over a large geographic extent. In this paper, we contribute to the built environment literature by describing a tool used to assess the residential built environment at the tax parcel-level, as well as a methodology for summarizing the data into meaningful indices for linkages with health data. …

Prevention Of Cyberstalking: A Review Of The Literature, Portland State University. Criminology And Criminal Justice Senior Capstone

Criminology and Criminal Justice Senior Capstone Project

With technological advances and increases in the number of people who can access and use technology, cyberstalking is a crime increasing in prevalence across the United States. The goal of this report is to provide a more clear understanding of the definition of cyberstalking, its prevalence, characteristics of both the victims and offenders of this crime, and the modus operandi of the crime. In addition, potential strategies to prevent cyberstalking will be discussed, including but not limited to changing internet behavior and educating the public about cyberstalking.

On Being "Just" A Follower: Rejecting The Pejorative And Pursuing A Higher Calling, Wilton Bunch

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.

Faculty Perceptions Of Organizational Leadership At Christian Colleges And Universities With Missions Of Servant Leadership [Dissertation Notice], M. D. Palmer

Journal of Applied Christian Leadership

No abstract provided.