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\u27The Game Is Afoot\u27: An Exploration of Mystery Novels and the Gentleman Detective
Get PDFIn the mystery genre, The Gentleman Detective has become a kaleidoscopic icon depicted continuously over the past 200 years. The brilliant sleuth’s image has been used to highlight the contemporary culture of thoughts, faiths, and fears. As a longtime fan of the mystery genre, I wanted to explore this iconic figure and see some of the ways it could be used to reflect upon current values. There was no better way to do that than to write a book of my own, featuring a master of deduction but viewing them with an outside perspective, through the eyes of my main character, street urchin, Cillian Cleary. I have not only explored how a clever investigator transforms from sleuth to legend, but I have also used time honored mystery tropes to construct a story that asks questions about the trust people allow their institutions and the intersection of class and justice. The novel, presently titled The Game is Afoot, revolves around a young Cillian Cleary, believing his sister to be missing. He reaches out to the famed detective Augustus Daw for help, but his search leads him to the reclusive Bancroft Estate and a plot bigger than he could ever imagine, all centering around Augustus. Racing against time, Cillian must figure out who he can trust if he ever wants to find his sister and the truth
The Effects of Cranberry Vine on Ewes and their Offspring
No full textSHERBIE ST FRANC (Animal Science) The Effects of Cranberry Vine on Ewes and their Offspring Sponsor: Maria Peterson (Fisheries, Animal & Veterinary Science)
In the health field, it is well known that maternal programming can impact the growth and development of the offspring. Understanding the effects of maternal programming is critical as maternal programming because of its impact on livestock and humans alike. Maternal programming can be caused by various factors that a mother is exposed to during pregnancy. For example, stress, disease, nutrition, and uterine capacity can all have a maternal programming effect. In livestock species such as sheep, parasitic infections can impact maternal health both prior to birth and during the lactation period. This is further compounded by the energetic demands and metabolic stress of lactation. Consequently, this can affect the health of the offspring as well. This period of stress can cause parasitic infections to worsen. To address this problem, a collaborator is feeding cranberry vine, a natural antiparasitic treatment fed during pregnancy to ewes during pregnancy and lactation. The goal of this project is to determine if cranberry vine, a natural antiparasitic treatment fed during pregnancy, has any impact on offspring growth and development as well as the health of the ewes during the early postnatal period. Ewes will be fed either a control pellet or a cranberry vine pellet 4 weeks prior to giving birth. Ewe blood at birth will be used to quantify white blood cell counts and characterize the white blood cell population of the ewes. Additionally, measurements of lamb growth will be collected at birth (lamb body weights, height, crown-rump length, and girth). Data will be analyzed using a T-Test. Lambing season is currently in progress and we are actively collecting data. Through this study, I will ultimately gain training and knowledge crucial to my future career as a veterinarian
The Addiction Epidemic in Rhode Island: A Mini Lecture Series
Get PDFThroughout the COVID-19 pandemic Rhode Island has experienced a sharp increase in reported overdoses and illicit substance use. In 2020, 73% of all reported overdoses involved the substance fentanyl. This project is a collective work of educational PowerPoint presentations, infographics, and fact sheets aimed at exploring the psychological and physiological pathways of addiction and addictive substances. The target population is young adults within Rhode Island, 18-22 years of age. Increased focus of the brain reward circuit is forefront and referenced in all materials. The specific addictive substances explored include opioids, cannabis, fentanyl, and inhalants. These presentations are aimed at describing the chemical properties of the substances and the intrinsic properties that make them addictive. Heightened focus is brought to drug use statistics within the state of Rhode Island, as well as the legality and scheduling process of drugs. Awareness is brought to the signs and symptoms of drug overdose as well as what actions should be taken if exposed to the situation. Resources within the state of Rhode Island for drug misuse, including Providence Safe Stations, are identified and explored
Banana: a scholarly and narrative recollection of my experiences as a Korean American adoptee
Get PDFEstimating Road Mortality Hotspots While Accounting for Imperfect Detection: A Case Study with Amphibians and Reptiles
Get PDFWildlife road mortality tends to aggregate spatially at locations commonly referred to as road mortality hotspots. Predictive models can be used to identify locations appropriate for mitigation measures that reduce road mortality. However, the influence of imperfect detection (e.g., false absences) during road mortality surveys can lead to inaccurate or imprecise spatial patterns of road mortality hotspots and suboptimal implementation of mitigation measures. In this research, we used amphibians and reptiles as a case study to address imperfect detection issues when estimating the probability of road mortality hotspots using occupancy detection modeling. In addition, we determined the survey effort needed to achieve a high probability of detecting large roadkill events. We also assessed whether vehicle travel reductions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions led to reductions in road mortality. We conducted surveys at 48 sites throughout Rhode Island, USA, from 2019–2021. In total, we observed 657 carcasses representing 19 of Rhode Island’s 37 native species. Of the 19 native species, eight species of frogs, four species of salamanders, four species of snakes, and three species of turtles were observed. We documented a reduction in roadkill density and the proportion of dead versus live amphibians and reptiles in pandemic years (2020 and 2021), but we were unable to link reductions in roadkill density to reductions in traffic volume. Our model results indicated that large roadkill events were more likely to occur on roads near wetlands and with low traffic volume and were more likely to be detected as daily precipitation increased. We determined that there was a low probability of detecting large roadkill events, suggesting that imperfect detection influences detection of large roadkill events, and many were likely missed during our surveys. Therefore, we recommend using occupancy modeling to account for the influence of imperfect detection when estimating road mortality hotspots. This approach will more effectively guide the implementation of mitigation measures
Sulfite-activated ferrate for water reuse applications
Get PDFFerrate is a promising, emerging water treatment technology. However, there has been limited research on the application of ferrate in a water reuse paradigm. Recent literature has shown that ferrate oxidation of target contaminants could be improved by “activation” with the addition of reductants or acid. This study examined the impact of sulfite-activated ferrate in laboratory water matrix and spiked municipal wastewater effluents with the goal of transforming organic contaminants of concern (e.g., 1,4-dioxane) and inactivating pathogenic organisms. Additionally, the formation of brominated disinfection byproducts by activated ferrate were examined and a proposed reaction pathway for byproduct formation is presented. In particular, the relative importance of reaction intermediates is discussed. This represents the first activated ferrate study to examine 1,4-dioxane transformation, disinfection, and brominated byproduct formation. Results presented show that the sub-stoichiometric ([Sulfite]:[Ferrate] = 0.5) activated ferrate treatment approach can oxidize recalcitrant contaminants by \u3e50%, achieve \u3e4-log inactivation of pathogens, and have relatively limited generation of brominated byproducts. However, stoichiometrically excessive ([Sulfite]:[Ferrate] = 4.0) activation showed decreased performance with decreased disinfection and increased risk of by-product formation. In general, our results indicate that sub-stoichiometric sulfite-activated ferrate seems a viable alternative technology for various modes of water reuse treatment
Media and Information Literacy (MIL) competencies of language and communication students
Get PDFThis descriptive study aims at identifying the level of media and information literacy (MIL) competencies of Language and Communication students in the Philippines using UNESCO’s Access, Evaluation and Creation components. A self-report survey of a small sample of university students was conducted and findings show that respondents have an intermediate MIL competency along the three components. But most participants struggled to recognize the concept of metadata and indexing and the practice of creating arguments using evidence and drawing conclusions from information. They also struggle with the application of international standards and requirements for new knowledge creation in an ethical manner. These findings indicate the need for continuous development of language and communication students’ MIL competencies as these are vital to the formation of tomorrow’s teachers, as well as communication and media professionals
Hydrophobically modified chitosan biopolymer connects halloysite nanotubes at the oil-water interface as complementary pair for stabilizing oil droplets
No full textThe integration of cationic and hydrophobic functionalities into hydrophobically modified chitosan (HMC) biopolymer facilitates complementary emulsion stabilization with negatively charged halloysite clay nanotubes (HNT). Oil-in-water emulsions with smaller droplet sizes and significantly improved interfacial resistance to droplet coalescence are obtained on complementary emulsion stabilization by HNT and HMC compared to the individual emulsifiers alone. Contact angle measurements shows that the adsorption of the cationic HMC onto the negatively charged HNT modifies the surface wettability of the nanotubes, facilitating the attachment of the nanotubes to the oil–water interface. High resolution cryo-SEM imaging reveals that free HMC chains locks the nanotubes together at the oil–water interface, creating a high barrier to droplet coalescence. The emulsion stability is an order of magnitude higher for conditions in which the aqueous HNT dispersion is stabilized by the HMC compared to conditions where the negatively charged HNT is strongly flocculated by the cationic HMC. The hydrophobic interaction between HMC chains, insertion of HMC hydrophobes into the oil phase and electrostatic interactions between HMC and HNT are proposed as key mechanisms driving the increased emulsion stability. For potential application as a dispersant system for crude oil spill treatment, the nanotubular morphology of HNT was further exploited for the encapsulation of the water-insoluble surfactant, sorbitan monooleate (Span 80). The HMC and HNT sterically strengthens the oil–water interfacial layer while release of the Span 80 surfactant from the HNT lumen lowers the oil–water interfacial tension. The concepts advanced here are relevant in the development of environmentally-benign dispersants for oil spill remediation
Global Engineering Ethics: What? Why? How? and When?
Get PDFEven though engineering programs, accreditation bodies, and multinational corporations have become increasingly interested in introducing global dimensions into professional engineering practice, little work in the existing literature provides an overview of questions fundamental to global engineering ethics, such as what global engineering ethics is, why it should be taught, how it should be taught, and when it should be introduced. This paper describes the what, why, how, and when of global engineering ethics – a form adopted from a 1996 article by Charles Harris, Michael Davis, Michael Pritchard, and Michael Rabins, which has influenced the development of engineering ethics for over twenty-five years. First, this paper describes global engineering ethics as a response to the increasingly cross-cultural, international characteristics of contemporary engineering, as well as four fundamental approaches to conceive and deliver this training (what). Next, it explains the motivations for global engineering ethics: Neither educators nor practitioners can necessarily assume a shared nationality or culture among students or between coworkers (why). Third, this paper discusses how global engineering ethics should be taught: One of the most prevalent approaches uses case studies with a cross-cultural and/or international dimension (how). Finally, it identifies spots within curricula for global engineering ethics: standalone courses, integrated modules, micro-insertions, competence-based training scenarios, and extracurricular activities (when). As the world becomes ever more cross-cultural and international, training in global ethics will be essential for both students and practicing engineers
Integration of the Topic of Social Justice into High School Biology Curricula
No full textSystemic oppression includes inequitable education that historically does not fully prepare students for comprehensive participation in society. The tools of science education, however, uniquely enable students to explore social inequities as well as the natural world. Thus, a role of education can be to embed social justice in science curricula. Presented here are three case studies that investigate pedagogical methods used by experienced teachers to integrate social justice into upper level high-school biology curricula. Two separate semi-constructed interviews were conducted with participants, along with an analysis of their pedagogical materials. Two main themes are identified and explored: (1) delivery methods (pedagogy) and (2) biological science content. Storytelling and culturally responsive pedagogy were reported to be highly effective in engaging students; using these vehicles for delivery, social justice content can be seamlessly introduced alongside organic evolution. This embedded exploratory multiple-case study serves as an example of how science education can become a tool for student empowerment