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Examining the Relationship Between Right to Work Legislation, State Economies, and Unions.
Get PDFThe aftermath of the 2008 economic crash prompted state leaders to explore various tools for economic recovery. In this context, a policy commonly referred to as Right-to-Work (RTW) gained prominence as a potential solution. The implementation of RTW sparked notable and impassioned protests, marking a significant chapter in the affected states\u27 history. The genesis of RTW traces back to organized labor\u27s authority to mandate membership dues as a condition of employment, leading to the establishment of the closed shop. To address perceived union overreach, the adoption of the Taft-Hartley Amendments empowered states to enact RTW laws, prohibiting closed shops.
Numerous prior studies have investigated the association between RTW laws and economic and unionization outcomes, yielding three predominant conclusions. These include the assertion that RTW is linked to positive economic effects in RTW areas compared to non-RTW areas, the coupling of RTW laws with diminished unionization variables and subsequently weaker economies, or the observation that RTW is connected to regions already harboring distrust for organized labor, resulting in no significant relationship to outcomes.
This research employs a difference-in-difference analysis, comparing changes in economic and unionization variables between 2012 and 2022 for states maintaining their RTW status. Additionally, a multiple regression is applied to all states in 2022 to assess whether RTW serves as a contributing factor to these variables. The findings indicate a limited relationship between the presence of RTW and the rate of change in economic or unionization variables. Furthermore, RTW is not identified as a significant contributing factor to economic outcomes. Consequently, leaders are advised to explore alternative policies for fostering economic growth in their states or organizations
Investigation of the removal of chromium (III) from seawater using EDTA encapsulated in silica sol-gel matrix
No full textChromium (III), also known as trivalent chromium, is a toxin found in seawater that poses a threat to aquatic ecosystems. This trivalent chromium combines with several macromolecules including genetic material and results in chromium being taken up either through gastrointestinal tract or respiratory tract.1 This project investigates the removal of Cr(III) ions in seawater samples by complexation with the chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). A colorimetric sensor was designed using EDTA encapsulated in a silica sol-gel-derived optically transparent glass. The complexation of Cr(III) with EDTA in solutions and in gels was evidenced by the visible transition of colors from green to violet. Ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) and Raman spectroscopy were used to determine the identification and removal of Cr(III) by the EDTA sol-gel sensor. This presentation will highlight the experimental methodology and preliminary results of the study
Why So Fast? The Abandonment of Roman Culture and Social Identity in Post-Roman Britain
No full textSocial identity is, in short, how a social group defines itself and separates itself from other groups. Roman social identity changed Britain through various metrics such as material culture, agriculture, and language, but these changes can be seen to have less initial impact and fade much more quickly than expected when compared to continental Europe, even accounting for the Germanic Invasion shortly following the relinquishment of Roman control. Through these metrics it can be demonstrated that British Celtic social identity was strong and that many populations resisted assimilation, unlike Continental Celts. This pattern is strongest in northern and rural areas. By comparing the longevity of Roman social identity in southern/metropolitan vs northern/rural areas, it is possible to track where the Roman empire had greatest social influence
Speech Therapy and Social Emotional Competence in Young Children
No full textPast studies showed intensive speech therapy increased confidence and social participation (Pennington et al., 2020). Parents of children in intensive speech therapy reported improvements in speech production and speech intelligibility in their children, and they indicated that the therapy led to more successful conversations with people from a wide range of environments (Pennington et al., 2020). Parents of children in another program noted improvements in both expressive and receptive language and also described that their child’s quality of life improved after therapy due to increased interaction with siblings and friends, improved attention, emotions, and academic performance (Thomas-Stonell et al., 2009). They had a more positive self-concept, higher self-esteem, better social relationships, and less anxiety compared to peers in a control group. (Peyvandi et al., 2018). Additionally, greater parental participation predicted better therapy outcomes by increased self-confidence (Souza et al., 2015). Other studies recently showed that preschool children affected by COVID-19 are experiencing significant problems with verbal language and social communication (Erbay & Tarman, 2022). Increased screen time, distance education, limited exposure to the social environment, and lower family interaction likely contributed to the negative impact (Erbay & Tarman, 2022). Children with already-known language delays experienced a higher decrease in language production as a consequence of COVID-19 interruptions (Hsu & Wong, 2023). This study examines the relationship between different types of speech therapy and the social-emotional outcomes in young children (ages 3 to 5). This is a group of children who are most likely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers are asked to rate these children\u27s social-emotional behaviors using Social Competence Behavioral Evaluation forms (LaFreniere, et at. 1995) before and after the therapies, and children are being observed for their classroom behaviors. Results will be shared at the conference
Assessing the Effects of Virtual Reality and Meditation on Pain Tolerance
No full textMindfulness meditation tasks can increase an individual’s pain tolerance (Brown & Jones, 2010). Immersion in a virtual reality setting can also improve pain tolerance (Dahlquist et. al., 2010). Although research exists on the effects of meditation or virtual reality (separately) on pain, no studies to our knowledge combine the two. Thus, this study will examine if doing meditation in a virtual reality environment will create a bigger impact on pain tolerance than traditional meditation alone. Participants will complete two counterbalanced sessions (VR+ meditation and no-VR + meditation). During these trials, participants will undergo the cold-pressor task described by Eden and Gil (1995). Pain tolerance will be measured by how long participants keep their hand in the water. We hypothesize that people will have a higher tolerance for in the VR + meditation trials than the no-VR + meditation trials. The study is in progress, but results and conclusions will be ready for the conference
Avifaunal diversity from the late-Pleistocene fossil locality, Clark Quarry
No full textExcavations at the late-Pleistocene Clark Quarry, Glynn County, Georgia have recovered the remains of Columbian mammoths, long-horned bison, deer, rodents, various amphibians and reptiles, and birds. Recent infrared stimulated luminescence (IRSL) ages suggest that the site was deposited approximately between 52-68 thousand years ago. The current study presents an examination of the avian fauna from the site. The objective of this study is to describe recently excavated bird specimens from Clark Quarry to produce a more complete inventory of the avifauna. While building on the species list from previous studies, we hope to identify species new to the site. Adding our new descriptions to information from prior projects, such as the master’s thesis by Kelly Clark in 2009, we hope to better understand the paleoenvironmental setting suggested by the avifauna. Preliminary analysis of the avifauna indicates a diverse environment, with evidence pointing to the occurrence of at least nine different genera. By understanding the avian diversity within the Clark Quarry fauna, this study contributes crucial data to refining our understanding of the paleoenvironmental condition in Georgia during this time
The Mediating Role of Cognitive Pre-Sleep Arousal on the Association Between Romantic Relationship Conflict and Sleep Problems
No full textConflict is a common occurrence in romantic relationships and has an impact on multiple areas of couples’ lives, including sleep (El-Sheikh et al., 2014). While the association between poor sleep and impaired romantic relationship functioning has been established in previous research (Gordon & Chen, 2014), there is less research on the association between greater romantic relationship conflict and sleep problems (Troxel et al., 2007). Cognitive pre-sleep arousal is an important marker of sleep problems (Wuyts et al., 2012) and may explain some of the reason romantic relationship conflict negatively impacts sleep. The aim of the current study is to address the association between romantic relationship conflict and cognitive pre-sleep arousal. Relationship conflict is associated with emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression and anger all of which are associated with increased thoughts and sleep problems (El-Sheikh et al., 2014). It is hypothesized that greater romantic relationship conflict will be associated with greater sleep problems, in part due to greater cognitive pre-sleep arousal. Participants are 204 adults (66 male, 138 female) recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (Mturk) for a larger research project investigating couple sleep. Participants completed questionnaires including a measure of relationship conflict: the frequency subscale of the Conflicts and Problem-Solving Scales (Kerig, 1996), a measure of cognitive pre-sleep arousal: the cognitive subscale of the Pre-Sleep Arousal Scale (Nicassio et al., 1985), and a measure of sleep problems: the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989). Indirect effects of relationship conflict on sleep problems via cognitive pre-sleep arousal were evaluated using regression models and the SPSS Process macro (Hayes, 2017). Relationship conflict was related to increased cognitive pre-sleep arousal, which was associated with increased sleep problems. Results are consistent with the hypothesis; such that greater relationship conflict was associated with greater cognitive pre-sleep arousal and thus greater sleep problems
Variation in Rate of Decarboxylation of THC-A Due to Environmental Factors
No full textCannabinoids are secondary compounds produced by the plants of the genus Cannabis. The most notable cannabinoids are cannabidiol (CBD), which has therapeutic but no psychoactive properties, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which has therapeutic and psychoactive properties, tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THC-A), the precursor to THC which doesn’t have any psychoactive properties. THC-A is converted to THC by a process known as decarboxylation. This process occurs naturally over time, but is most pronounced after the harvesting of the plant material. Given that THC is highly relevant for therapeutic and legal reasons, research into the extent that environmental factors affect the rate of decarboxylation is important for successfully navigating the complicated laws surrounding cannabis as well as more efficient handling of cannabis by the cannabis industry. This study aims to evaluate how fresh vs. cured plant material, air exposure, and temperature all affect the rate of decarboxylation. This will be accomplished by storing fresh and cured cannabis plant material in open air containers and vacuum sealed bags in –20℃, 5℃, and 25℃. Once per week, each sample will be tested for its cannabinoid contents using high pressure/liquid chromatography (HPLC). We expect to find that the rate of decarboxylation will follow an exponential decay pattern, and will be accelerated by higher temperatures
Detection of nitroaromatic explosives using fluorescent porphyrins entrapped in silica sol-gel matrix
No full textThere is a great need for a reproducible and reusable method for the detection of nitroaromatic explosives and various precursors for many industries, especially homeland security. Fluorescent porphyrin molecules immobilized within silica sol-gels were synthesized and used to study the binding of various nitroaromatics, including 2,4-dinitrophenol, 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, and 1,3-dinitrobenzene. Free-base meso-tetrakis-4-carboxyphenyl porphyrin (H2TCPP) was entrapped within silica sol-gels during the polycondensation process. The interaction of the porphyrin with nitroaromatics, the porphyrin functionality, and the structural integrity of the doped sol-gels were examined using fluorescence and ultraviolet/visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The experimental methodology and preliminary results of the study will be presented
Effects of human-made forest clearings on the movement behavior of a cryptic ambush predator (Crotalus horridus)
No full textPatterns of animal movement vary in response to the spatiotemporal distribution of fitness-determining resources in the environment. In this context, a common objective of research in wildlife ecology is to identify landscape features that are related to the occurrence, or absence, of these key resources, and to in turn explore how variation in resource distribution effects wildlife movement and space use. In the southeastern United States, the mechanical clearing of vegetation is a widely applied management technique that is primarily aimed at increasing available edge habitat for important game species. However, far less is known on the effects these prominent landscape features might have on smaller or more secretive wildlife taxa, such as many non-avian reptiles. Although historically overlooked in such studies, large-bodied snakes represent an ideal model for exploring these hidden” effects of mechanical wildlife clearings on the movement behavior of predators. We are leveraging three years of continuous radio telemetry and accelerometry monitoring of movement behavior in Timber Rattlesnakes (Crotalus horridus) to evaluate associations between varying use of human-made forest clearings, and variation in home range sizes and activity patterns. Broadly, our aim is to guide habitat enhancements for C. horridus and other pit vipers of conservation concern