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More than a Sport: Early Developments of Baseball in Lawrence, Kansas
No full textSubmitted to the Department of History of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for departmental honorsThe United States and Baseball grew up together. As the nation matured, so did the rules and organized play of baseball. Exploring the history of baseball in Kansas after the Civil War into the early 20th century provides insight on local communities and their leisure habits. Christian communities around Lawrence and the state of Kansas were skeptical of baseball and opposed leisure activities that were commonly associated with sinful behaviors. Lawrence, Kansas presents a compelling case study, revealing the developments of recreational progressivism in the state of Kansas. Recreational progressivism in baseball rippled into other facets of American society throughout the 20th century. The story of early baseball in Kansas is defined by the advocates of baseball challenging conservative restrictions of leisure time, enabling new groups to play baseball around northeast Kansas
“EXTRACTIVE DISTILLATION PROCESS DESIGN FOR RECOVERING AND RECYCLING COMPONENTS FROM HIGH-GWP REFRIGERANTS USING IONIC LIQUIDS”
No full textThis poster was presented at 2024 AIChE Annual Conference on 10/29/2024.Refrigeration technology is critical in society. However, many current hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) refrigerants have high global warming potential (GWP). Moreover, many of these refrigerants are azeotropic mixtures. For instance, R-410A (residential and commercial AC) is a mixture of difluoromethane (HFC-32), which has a relatively low GWP, and pentafluoroethane (HFC-125) with a high GWP. Recycled HFC-32 with a low GWP has a future in new refrigerant blends, while the recycled HFC-125 can be reused in new materials. Traditional distillation is incapable of separating azeotropic mixtures. We and others have shown the use of extractive distillation with ionic liquids (ILs) offers an alternative to recover and recycle refrigerants in a circular economy model. The Peng Robinson – Boston Mathias EoS is used to regress experimental VLE data and provides a model for equilibrium extractive distillation simulations. A sensitivity analysis reveals the optimum process design parameters. High-purity products (>99.5 wt%) were obtained with [C2C1im][tcm] providing superior results over the other ILs investigated. Robust models based on transport properties (i.e., interfacial tension, viscosity, heat capacity) are needed to have accurate predictions of the extractive distillation process, minimizing energy consumption and total investment cost. Therefore, in this work, the interfacial tension of two refrigerants, difluoromethane HFC-32 (CH2F2) and pentafluoroethane HFC-125 (CHF2CF3), in a mixture with ionic liquid, [C1C2im][Tf2N] has been measured over a temperature range from 283.15 to 373.15 K and a pressure range from 1 to 9 bar. The pendant drop method is used in a high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) interfacial tension (IFT) cell. Outcomes from this effort significantly support the design and scale-up of the extractive distillation process for industrial applications
Anti-poverty strategies: A mixed-methods analysis of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families in Michigan
No full textIncome support is exceptionally effective at reducing poverty and its effects, promoting work, and contributing to the well-being of children and families (Finklestein, et al., 2022; Courtin, et. al. 2020; Collins, et al., 2024). Michigan’s cash assistance program, the Family Independence Program (FIP), is one of many programs funded by the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant with the potential to play this role. To understand the extent to which FIP and TANF support Michigan’s anti-poverty goals, researchers used a mixed methods design to (1) examine the extent to which TANF funding is being effectively distributed to address the needs of poor Michigan families and (2) identify barriers that prevent low-income Michigan families from getting the help they need.
This report highlights several key findings and opportunities for Michigan to strengthen TANF’s potential as an anti-poverty and workforce development strategy. Findings detail barriers to distribution of TANF funds for Michigan families, which include current funding distribution, eligibility requirements, program requirements and guidelines, caseload capacity, unmet basic needs, and work participation rules. Policy recommendations for each finding serve as opportunities to reposition Michigan as a leader in implementing data-driven, anti-poverty strategies.Funding for this study was provided by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) Poverty Task Force
As If Revolution Was Possible: (Post)Neoliberalism and Metamodernism in Central American, Mexican, and United-statesian Film and Literature
No full textIn As If Revolution Was Possible: (Post)Neoliberalism and Metamodernism in Central American, Mexican, and United-statesian Film and Literature, I argue that analyzing cultural production from Central America, Mexico, and the United States through a post-neoliberal and post-postmodern lens allows us to better understand (and, in some cases, anticipate) the material conditions and systems of (re)production of our current era. In my first chapter, I analyze how Julio Escoto’s novel Rey del albor: Madrugada anticipates the post-neoliberal and post-postmodern moment we are currently living. My second chapter presents a reading of Javier Peña and Kate Macer as examples of a shift towards a metamodern reading of noir in response to the ever-changing War on Drugs; it is followed by an examination of the material reality of a postneoliberal Mexico expressed in Antígona González by the protagonist, Antígona. In my final chapter, I analyze the altered Marxian system that feeds on Indigenous peoples in the film Sleep Dealer and novel Tikal futura through a colonial and capitalist context before I study the acts of resistance throughout both works as material expressions of Emil Keme’s conceptualization of Abiayala as a space made by and for Indigenous peoples in the colonial project that is the Americas. Through the study of these sources, I present a more cohesive comprehension of the post-neoliberal context of the works leads to a more concise and well-rounded understanding of the historical and economic factors underlying them, while post-postmodernism as an accompanying structure of feeling serves as a bridge between the socioeconomic contexts in which these works are produced and that are expressed therein
Social Identity and Voting Behavior in a Deeply Divided Society: The Case of Israel
No full textA grant from the One-University Open Access Fund at the University of Kansas was used to defray the author's publication fees in this Open Access journal. The Open Access Fund, administered by librarians from the KU, KU Law, and KUMC libraries, is made possible by contributions from the offices of KU Provost, KU Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies, and KUMC Vice Chancellor for Research. For more information about the Open Access Fund, please see http://library.kumc.edu/authors-fund.xml.This paper examines what best explains political behavior in a deeply divided society. Despite the democratic nature of the Israeli political system, we suggest that Israel’s society is characterized by social affiliations mainly defined by social identity that include race, ethnicity, and religion and amount to tribalism. Based on the results of the 2020 election, we examined whether these social affiliations or other socioeconomic characteristics better explain voting behavior. First, we found a significant correlation between tribalism and voting behavior in Israel and socioeconomic characteristics and voting behavior in Israel. When comparing tribalism’s correlation versus other socioeconomic characteristics, we found that the correlation between tribalism and voting behavior in Israel trumps the correlation between socioeconomic characteristics and voting behavior in Israel, except for the Ashkenazi Jews. In other words, voting behavior is better explained by affiliation to the social group, that is, by kinship, race, ethnicity, and religion, than by other socioeconomic characteristics such as education level, economic status, or geographic location. This extends the idea of “in-group favoritism”.The University of Kansas Librarie
Characterization of Ultra-High Fracture Toughness Steel: Fracture Toughness and Fatigue Propagation Testing
No full textThe structural integrity of highway bridges heavily relies on material selection, with steel being preferred for its strength-to-weight ratio. However, steel is susceptible to fatigue cracks caused by cyclic loading, which can potentially lead to catastrophic failure by fracture. Federal regulations mandate stringent biennial inspections, particularly for non-redundant steel tension members (NSTM), aiming to detect fatigue cracks early due to historical concerns about steel's fracture susceptibility. Current material-focused practices initially intended to alleviate inspection burdens incur significant costs without substantial inspection reduction. In this study, three distinct Ultra-High Toughness (UHT) steels were identified for evaluation. The research began with evaluating the effect of interpass temperature on weld metal behavior, followed by initial material characterization. Charpy V-Notch (CVN) impact tests were conducted on the base metal, weld metal, and heat-affected zone of each steel to assess impact toughness. The focus of this study, one selected UHT steel underwent full material characterization, including fracture toughness, KJc, testing for reference temperature, To, characterization, and fatigue crack growth rate testing. This investigation aims to determine if UHT may be used to reduce inspection intervals and/or level of rigor for components currently classified as NSTM
The Druze vote in Israel: between ideology, socioeconomic status, kinship, and the Nation-State Basic Law
No full textAvailable on April 24, 2026This study investigates the determinants of Druze voting behavior in Israel, focusing on three theoretical frameworks: ideological, socioeconomic, and kinship theories. Analyzing electoral data from 2003 to 2022, the study examines trends in voter turnout and party preferences among the Druze community. Findings reveal a complex interplay of factors influencing Druze political choices. The ideological theory suggests that shifts in political ideology, particularly in response to legislative changes such as the 2018 Nation-State Basic Law, impact Druze voting patterns. Conversely, the socioeconomic theory posits that local economic conditions, education levels, and population demographics shape voting behavior. Furthermore, the kinship theory highlights the significance of community ties and descriptive representation in guiding political allegiances. Through statistical analysis, the study identifies kinship ties, specifically the inclusion of Druze candidates within political parties, as the most significant predictor of Druze voter support. This suggests that community representation holds considerable sway over Druze political choices, transcending the influence of ideology and socioeconomic factors. In conclusion, while all three theories offer valuable insights, the dominance of the kinship theory underscores the importance of identity and descriptive representation in shaping Druze electoral outcomes in Israel
Enhancing Tacit Knowledge Construction in Architectural Engineering Education Through 4E Cognition and Virtual Reality
No full textThis is the paper from a presentation given at the Frontiers in Education (FIE) Conference on 10/15/2024.This innovative practice paper describes a novel educational framework that combines 4E cognition (embodied, embedded, enactive, and extended) with Virtual Reality (VR) technology to improve tacit knowledge (TK) acquisition in Architectural Engineering Education (AEE). In AEE studio courses, students solve and experience real-world design problems, experiment with solutions, and engage in reflective practices and cognitive processes in collaborative settings. This facilitates the rich development of TK, which includes intuition, practical skills, and lived experiences. However, in theoretical and technical courses, which rely heavily on passive learning of abstract concepts, there is not the same opportunity for students to cultivate TK, resulting in a disconnect between theoretical knowledge and practical applications. This gap can be bridged by leveraging VR's immersive and interactive capabilities, which the 4E cognition principles can strengthen. The 4E cognition emphasizes active learning experiences that mirror the “doing and reflecting” cycle found in AEE studio courses. This synergy between VR and 4E creates an engaging and effective learning environment for students to develop both explicit and tacit knowledge. This approach provides an opportunity for students, digital natives, to improve their intuitive ability to apply, analyze, evaluate, and create architectural knowledge. While only a few studies have used VR environments for AEE, there is no educational framework for designing experiences and sequences that immerse students in their learning processes for TK development. As a result, this paper proposes a VR-based theoretical framework with eight stages for developing immersive and interactive experiences that promote embodied learning, social interaction, and a deeper understanding of theoretical principles. Furthermore, a case study from a structural building course demonstrates how the framework facilitates building TK by simulating scenarios that promote deep cognitive engagement and intuitive problem-solving. This approach aligns with digital natives' learning preferences and aims to provide future architects with both theoretical knowledge and practical, innovative design skills necessary for professional success
KGS PALEOCAMP - A MODEL FOR ACCESSIBILITY IN GEOLOGY DAY CAMPS FOR GRADES 1-6
No full textThese are the slides from a presentation given at Geological Society of America Connects 2024 on 09/24/2024.In March 2024, the Kansas Geological Survey hosted our first week-long, fossil-themed youth camp called Paleocamp. We hosted 14 kids, ages 7-12, taught them paleontological concepts and took them on field trips to the Natural History Museum of KU and local fossil sites. Participants were given the opportunity to examine fossil specimens, create their own fossil casts, and hunt and identify fossils in the field using an original Paleocamp guidebook. Since its inception, we implemented strategies to make Paleocamp accessible for families and kids. We made Paleocamp free to help low-income families access high quality science activities. Additionally, we helped kids that struggle with certain mental or physical traits to excel and have fun at Paleocamp. For instance, we emphasized paleontology careers that do not require outdoor accessibility, such as collections managers, fossil preparators, and researchers. These careers help break the stereotype of paleontologists working in the field and show young scientists that they can be geologists even if they have mobile limitations. Our fossil sites were also chosen to show kids they could easily find fossils within their own communities at areas such as parks, road cuts, and rivers. We highlighted these locations to reinforce that paleontology can happen anywhere, and isn’t a discipline limited to exotic television locations and museums. By the end of the week, we observed an increased level of information retention as demonstrated by participants’ ability to identify common invertebrate fossils of Kansas and where to look for them. Surveyed parents expressed gratitude for the camp, emphasizing how much fun their child had and their increased interest in the outdoors. Overall, Paleocamp was a success for the Kansas Geological Survey and we are planning to host it again next year with additional support from sponsors to further increase the accessibility of the free program
Kansas to the Kremlin: Richard Nixon, Presidential Persuasion, and the Selling of Détente at Home and Abroad
No full textSubmitted to the Department of History of the University of Kansas in partial fulfillment of the requirements for departmental honors."From Kansas to the Kremlin" investigates Richard Nixon’s unique use of presidential persuasion powers through informal diplomacy. This paper seeks to reconsider contemporary thought surrounding Richard Nixon as an American president. As divisive political figure, Nixon persists in historical scholarship as an awkward, unsure, and insecure politician. However, Nixon persuaded the Soviet Union to sign two bilateral arms agreements, and got a Democratic congress to support him, which conveyed his strength in the powers of persuasion. His predecessors struggled to do what Nixon did. How did Nixon’s personality and deep knowledge of his political role allow him to come out on top? As this paper will reveal, his personality, prior political experience, and use of alternative forms of diplomacy was central to his success in the domestic and foreign spheres