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Source of Income Discrimination: Designing Effective Policies
No full textThese are the slides presented at the International Conference on Urban Affairs held in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 18, 2025.Increasingly, housing scholars and advocates call on local jurisdictions to pass Source of Income anti-discrimination (SOI) policies, which would limit landlords’ ability to legally discriminate against tenants who hold Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV). As the most common form of housing assistance from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and one that relies on the private market to provide housing, understanding how to increase the success of the HCV program is paramount. While some evidence exists that supports the effectiveness of SOI laws (see Freeman, 2012; Hangen & O’Brien, 2023; Mackay, 2021), there is opportunity to explore how the variation in these policies’ designs influence voucher concentration. Often, SOI policies are enforced through the courts, administrative processes, or both. These choices in policy design could impact the effectiveness of SOI policies. In this presentation, I will lay out a potential approach to test the question of SOI policy designs' effects on voucher concentration. As the rise of housing costs demands federal solutions, this research will contribute to the burgeoning research on the HCV program and subsequently housing policy at large
Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum Capstone
No full textThis capstone was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for EVRN 615, taught by Dr. Kelly Kindscher and Dr. Ali Brox.The Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum is a place dedicated to the valley’s history, honoring the communities forcefully displaced for the construction of Clinton Lake. This project has resulted in the creation of three educational signs for the museum’s exterior, as well as a 3D model representing the valley and its historical landmarks prior to construction of the dam. The signs will focus on the history of Bloomington, the Wakarusa River Valley Community, and the Freedom Rings public art installation. Additionally, through extensive historical research into the location of displaced communities in the valley, our team was able to utilize ArcGIS software to spatially visualize historical landmarks that no longer exist. This research and ArcGIS utilization resulted in the construction of a 3D model that accurately depicts the features present before Clinton Lake existed. Through the creation of signage and the 3D model, the story of forced displacement in the Wakarusa River Valley can be accurately depicted. In the process, it will increase accessibility to education about the historical significance of the Wakarusa River Valley, spread awareness about the impacts of displacement, and help to visualize the valley prior to construction of the dam. In doing so, we hope to pay homage to the Wakarusa River Valley Heritage Museum and the communities they represent: Bloomington, Clinton, Sigel, Kanwaka, Stull, Richland, Twin Mound, Belvoir, and Lone Star
Constructing Cologne: Creating a Communal Ideal in the View of the City of Cologne
No full textThis is the paper from a presentation given at the International Congress on Medieval Studies held in Kalamazoo, Michigan on 05/09/2025In 1531, the city council of Cologne, Germany, presented Holy Roman Emperor Charles V with a monumental woodcut print depicting the city. The View of the City of Cologne, which includes a panegyric poem and a list of local churches and relics, portrays Cologne as a prosperous, densely-built urban center. By foregrounding a bustling port and the abundance of churches within the city walls, the print aggrandizes Cologne by insisting upon the city’s importance in the economic and spiritual landscape of the Holy Roman Empire.
In an era of divided loyalties, the View of the City of Cologne promotes Cologne as a Catholic stronghold in the imperial fight against Protestantism. Simultaneously, the print belies signs of internal conflict, such as civic uprisings, power struggles between the city council and the archbishop, and the forcible expulsion of Cologne’s Jewish inhabitants. The omission of this information, whether deliberate or not, serves to portray Cologne as a peaceable contrast to rebellious Protestant cities.
The image of Cologne set forth by the print is, therefore, imaginary. The print does not depict Cologne as it was, but rather, as civic officials wanted the Emperor to perceive the city. This paper will explore the biases inherent in mapmaking through the distortions present between the physical city, its printed image, and the accompanying inscription. It will consider how the printmakers both intentionally and unintentionally suppressed information about Cologne in order to create the appearance of a coherent communal ideal. An analysis of the print’s text-image relationship will provide fresh critical engagement with the artwork, exploring how the cityscape and inscription expand upon and reinforce the ideas presented in their counterpart. Thus, the View of the City of Cologne demonstrates the strategic use of visual and written communication to construct a favorable yet fictitious representation of a city
Developability assessments with four mRNA-LNP vaccine formulations comparing mouse immunogenicity, structural attributes, and stability profiles (Dataset)
No full textTo facilitate identifying new mRNA-LNP vaccine formulations with improved pharmaceutical properties while maintaining comparable biological potency, a standardized developability assessment workflow was established to rank-order the stability profiles of multiple candidates. As proof-of-concept, three early-development, experimental mRNA-LNPs with varying lipid composition were benchmarked against a Spikevax® mimic via mouse immunogenicity studies and various stability studies using a “routine analytical toolbox” monitoring the (1) chemical integrity of the mRNA and lipid components, (2) structural integrity of the assembled nanoparticles, and (3) functionality of the mRNA-LNPs (i.e., cell-based transfection assays). Although the four mRNA-LNPs had overall similar in vivo performance (using mRNA encoding glycoprotein G rabies antigen) as measured by neutralizing antibody titers in mice, their in vitro stability profiles in a common liquid formulation buffer varied substantially (using mRNA encoding luciferase). Varying losses of functionality (i.e., decreasing luciferase expression) were observed upon exposure to different environmental stresses, which correlated with distinct physicochemical mechanisms including mRNA degradation at elevated temperatures and disruption of LNP structure upon agitation and freeze-thaw. Heat-map analysis of the analytical results enabled a rank-ordering of the overall stability profiles of the four mRNA-LNPs. Interestingly, further characterization by two higher-resolution analytical techniques (cryo-EM and ¹H-NMR) identified structural attributes of the four mRNA-LNPs (i.e., bleb formulation and lipid surface topology, respectively) at time zero that correlated with their observed stability profiles. Results are discussed in the context of how adding multiple stability assessments to a standardized mRNA-LNP developability platform can accelerate identification and development of mRNA-LNP vaccine candidates with optimized biological and pharmaceutical propertie
The Great Escape to Hong Kong: Meanings and Implications in Historical and Transnational Contexts
No full textThese are the slides from a presentation given at the Great Escape to Hong Kong: Meanings and Implications in Historical and Transnational Contexts held in Los Angeles on 06/08/2025.This study examines the lived experiences of Chinese sent-down youth who escaped from Guangdong to Hong Kong during the Cultural Revolution. Drawing on trauma-informed oral history interviews with survivors, the research investigates their motivations to flee, the conditions that compelled their decisions, and how they understand their choices in retrospect. The narratives reveal a complex interplay of personal trauma, systemic oppression, and collective agency, highlighting how oppressive living conditions and cultural repression spurred acts of resistance and pursuit of freedom. A "culture of escape" emerged among these youth, fostering networks and strategies for survival and rebellion against an authoritarian regime. The findings underscore the enduring impact of this history on survivors and the importance of memory in reclaiming agency and identity
EcoRadio Hour: Education in Environmental Justice (EJ)
No full textThis capstone was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for EVRN 615, taught by Dr. Kelly Kindscher and Dr. Ali Brox.The Kansas City EcoRadio segment on Environmental Justice aired April 21st, 2025, at 6pm on KKFI 90.1 FM. The segment aims to provide listeners with a general understanding of environmental justice (EJ) and current instances of EJ related needs in the United States. Environmental justice is defined as a social movement that addresses and takes action to remediate the injustices occurring in poor and/or marginalized communities. These communities are harmed by hazardous waste exposure, mass resource extractions, and other profit-driven land uses performed by outside actors. The need for the EJ movement is presented in the physical appearance of degraded ecosystems, its relevance in political policies and organizations, and its impact on public health. As Environmental Studies students at the University of Kansas the group has an accumulation of exposure, research, and knowledge of EJ that will be used to amplify the EJ movement to the listeners of EcoRadio KC. Additionally, due to the current presidential administration’s opposition to EJ and the resulting funding cuts to federal departments involved in environmental justice, individual action is crucial to make up for the lack of EJ efforts by the federal government. Environmental issues and social justice issues are often intertwined, with most of the public unaware of this connection. We aim to provide listeners with tools to understand environmental justice and bridge this gap in understanding by introducing the history and governing principles of environmental justice, including current events and cases of environmental injustice on a local, regional, and national level. Because listeners of EcoRadio frequently tune in for environmental discussions, they may already be aware of environmental justice and its relevance in society. However, by strengthening the public’s ability to Kansas City (KC) EcoRadio: Environmental Justice acknowledge the intersections of environmental justice, politics, and public health, this segment empowers local communities to act and spur meaningful chang
Two Recombinant Cytomegalovirus Antigens Formulated with the SPA14 Adjuvant System: Impact of Temperature, pH and Excipients on the Stability of each Antigen and Adjuvant Component (Dataset)
No full textThis dataset accompanies the article, Two Recombinant Cytomegalovirus Antigens Formulated with the SPA14 Adjuvant System: Impact of Temperature, pH and Excipients on the Stability of each Antigen and Adjuvant Component, currently in press.By evaluating the stability profiles of each component of a vaccine candidate (antigens, adjuvants), formulation conditions to mitigate vaccine instability can be identified. In this work, two recombinant Cytomegalovirus (CMV) glycoprotein antigens (gB, Pentamer) were formulated with SPA14, a novel liposome-based adjuvant system containing a synthetic TLR4 agonist (E6020) and a saponin (QS21). Analytical characterization and accelerated stability studies were performed with the two CMV antigens, formulated with and without SPA14, under various conditions (temperature, pH, excipients). For the antigens, the Pentamer was less stable than gB, and the addition of SPA14 adjuvant had negligible impact. For the SPA14 components, minor pH shifts (caused by the buffer’s temperature dependent pKa shifts) destabilized the liposome (particle size by DLS) and QS21, but E6020 was unaffected (integrity by RP-UHPLC and LC-MS, respectively). The addition of chelators and free radical scavengers stabilized both the QS21 and E6020 components, consistent with oxidative degradation catalyzed by trace metal-ions. Interestingly, QS21 and E6020 also displayed improved storage stability in the presence of the protein antigens. These results are discussed in terms of developing key stability-indicating assays to optimize formulation conditions to stabilize the two CMV antigens and the three components of the SPA14 adjuvant system
Supporting the Inclusion and Identities of African Refugee Students in U.S. Higher Education
No full textThis paper seeks to understand how African refugee students in U.S. higher education construct their social and schooling identities while they negotiate the challenges they face. Although existing literature address- es identity formation among refugee students in the post resettlement period, little is known about how African adult college refugee students maintain their identities once settled in the United States. Framed as a qualitative case study, findings assert that African refugee college students face both linguistic and academic challenges as students enrolled in higher education in the U.S.; however, the magnitude of the linguistic challenges varies based on the status of English language as a medium of instruction in the country of the refugees’ first asylum. The two challenges—linguistic and academic challenge—become intertwined once refugees pursue post-secondary opportunities in the U.S. Findings highlight the juxtaposition of maintenance of previous schooling and cultural values while learning and negotiating a new culture of post-secondary schooling in the U.S
Unlocking Magic School AI: Powerful Tools for Educators
No full textThis is Season 1 - Episode 2 of the AI Advocates podcast series created by the FLITE Stem Center in the Achievement and Assessment Institute at the University of Kansas. The purpose of AI Advocates is to provide podcasts dedicated to helping educators integrate artificial intelligence into their classrooms to save time, enhance learning, and provide more equitable educational opportunities. Hosted by Dr. Lisa Dieker and Dr. Maggie Mosher from the Achievement & Assessment Institute at the University of Kansas, these podcasts offer tips, tools, and strategies for teachers looking to incorporate AI into their teaching practices safely and effectively.In this episode of AI Advocates, Dr. Lisa Dieker and Dr. Maggie Mosher explore Magic School AI, one of the most powerful AI tools for educators. They discuss its high privacy rating, its ability to separate tools for teachers and students, and its many features, from joke and song generators to real-world learning connections and IEP goal-writing assistance. Lisa and Maggie also emphasize the importance of using AI responsibly, testing tools before introducing them to students, and ensuring that educators remain the decision-makers. Tune in to hear their favorite Magic School AI tools and how they can enhance both teaching and learning!
Magic School AI Link: https://www.magicschool.ai
Assessing dental evolution in the anaptomorphine Tetonius – Pseudotetonius (Omomyidae) lineage using quantitative and qualitative methods
No full textThese are the slides from a presentation given at American Association of Biological Anthropologists on 03/14/2025.The Willwood Formation in Wyoming's Bighorn Basin provides a virtually uninterrupted fossil record that permits formal study of gradual evolutionary change. Previous studies of the Tetonius – Psuedotetonius anaptomorphine lineage documented patterns of gradual change in lower dentition spanning 1.5 million years, resulting in progressive compaction of antemolar teeth and loss of P2 in later taxa. Here, we present results from qualitative and quantitative morphological analyses that incorporate recently recovered maxillary dentition to 1) test whether coordinated changes in the upper dentition match modifications previously documented in the lower dentition, and 2) quantify and visualize the shape changes that drive 1.5 million years of dental evolution. Our comparative morphological analyses reveal changes in the upper dentition through time; however, these transformations do not evolve in tandem with those in the lower dentition. While dentaries of Tetonius from higher meter levels show an evolutionary loss of P2, several partial maxillae of Tetonius from the same strata still possess P2. Our three-dimensional geometric morphometric analyses identify increases in crown height as the main driver of shape variation in both P4 and P4. However, the rate at which crown height increases differs between P4 and P4. Our findings suggest that the morphological changes of this lineage conform to a pattern of mosaic evolution. The presence of P2 in higher meter levels and increased P4 crown height relative to P4 may indicate retention of a vestigial structure while selective pressures acted on increasing the crown height of P4 to perform or enhance specific masticatory functions