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Tourism and Sustainability: Strategies for Designing on the North Shore of Minnesota
Full text linkThe North Shore of Minnesota boasts vast natural beauty, a plethora of recreational activities, and a thriving tourism industry. In order to protect the North Shore?s natural scenery and tourism industry, sustainability and ecotourism must be heavily considered when designing here. This thesis will investigate sustainable design methods and ecotourism tactics that are specifically catered towards the North Shore. Through the design of sequential cabins, this thesis will provide a view of these methods and tactics in action. Two regions in the North Shore will be the subject of investigation, the Nearshore and Highlands, as these are the most common regions of travel from visiting tourists. The designs of these cabins will reflect the unique environment present is the Nearshore and Highland regions of North Shore, as to properly represent how these sustainable strategies can be implemented when designing while keeping tourism in mind. From literature review and case study examination, this thesis is a compiled list of methods and tactics that provide design options to reduce impact on natural scenery, are environmentally conscious, and benefit tourism
Habitat Ukraine: A Modular, Mass Timber Housing Approach to Help Rebuild Ukraine
Full text linkFear. Destruction. Suffering. These are the words that come to mind upon the mention of the current conflict that the nation and people of Ukraine are submerged in. Millions of them have been forced to leave behind their livelihoods for safety, greatly damaging their financial and general well-being. Though the fighting still rages on, one day it will come to an end. This begs the question: how will these individuals and families be able to return to their native places from which they have been suddenly torn?
Habitat Ukraine explores and proposes a permanent, semi-modular housing design approach focused on facilitating the rehousing of Ukrainian migrants through affordable and quality means. This is made possible due to the modular construction process which reduces fabrication and construction times therefore lowering overall costs. With sustainability, community interaction, and the use of mass timber at the forefront of the design, Habitat Ukraine seeks to help modernize the nation?s housing infrastructure and assist in the healing and reconnection to the built environment for the victims which have been so tragically affected by this conflict
To Correct and Protect: Extending the Masspersonal Communication Model to Social Media Disagreements
Full text linkIn this dissertation, I explore experiences of disagreements on Facebook with strong ties through a theoretical lens of the Masspersonal Communication Model. The goal of this dissertation is to (a) understand how perceptions of personalization and accessibility influence disagreement decisions on Facebook with strong ties and (b) how relationships with the sender impact the decision to engage. I employ semi-structured, in-depth interviews (n = 27) to assess why people engage in disagreements, their motivations for engagement, and the impact of these interactions on their relationship with their strong ties. In doing so, I propose the personalization-accessibility model of online disagreements to identify motivational types influencing participants? decisions to engage in social media disagreements. Findings reveal that the interplay of accessibility and personalization perceptions influence the decision to engage in disagreements, especially for the need to correct misinformation and protect marginalized groups from harmful rhetoric. Relationships with strong ties played a role in disagreeing, though participants were more concerned about advocating and informing than preserving their relationship. The implications of this study stress the importance of developing and promoting the use of relationship-conscious social media and identifying the risks that social media disagreements pose to our personal relationships and democracy
An Exploratory Study of a Peer Mentoring Program for High School Students with Disabilities
Full text linkMany students with disabilities are isolated from general education classrooms and are restricted in the social opportunities that are available to them. With the shift toward more inclusive education settings, these students are given the chance to develop alongside their general education peers. The present study analyzed a peer mentoring program that partnered students with disabilities (i.e., mentees) and students without disabilities (i.e., mentors) with the goal of promoting inclusion at a high school. The study included a set of focus groups and surveys. The four focus groups included past mentors, teachers, and administrators who answered questions about their perception of the program and the impacts they have seen. For the surveys, mentors (n = 86), mentees (n = 14), and general education students (n = 676) responded to a variety of questions about inclusion at their school, their perceptions of disabilities, and the program?s impact. Findings indicated that the mentors and mentees perceived an increase in social connections and skill development as a result of the program. Additionally, mentors and general education students differed in their perceptions of individuals with disabilities and views of the program. Findings support previous research that indicates that inclusive peer mentoring programs can influence relational and skill-based outcomes for students involved in the program, in addition to mentors? perceptions of individuals with disabilities
Utilizing low-tech portable caterpillar tunnels to increase productivity of warm-season vegetables and small fruits
Full text linkHigh tunnels and greenhouses effectively extend the growing season and protect crops from adverse environmental conditions. However, production in the less expensive and portable caterpillar tunnel has not been reported. The research aimed to evaluate the phenology, yield and quality of eight paste tomato, eight bell pepper, and two cold-hardy wine grapes grown in the caterpillar tunnel compared to the open field. In 2022, tomato and bell pepper cultivars were severely affected by tomato spotted wilt virus. Caterpillar tunnels extended the growing season and accelerated the key phenological stages of all three species. The tunnel increased the yield and quality of tomato and bell pepper. Impacts on wine grape yield across production systems were inconsistent, however the caterpillar tunnel showed potential for improving grape quality. ?Marquette? showed greater winter hardiness in the tunnel, while ?Petite Pearl? showed reduced winter hardiness in the caterpillar tunnel compared to open field production system
Trade disruption and commodity-program payments: a panel GARCH model
Full text linkTrade disruption has reduced the economic gains countries enjoy from great trade relationships. This disruption stems from trade wars, exchange rate volatility, and rare events. However, the gravity model, mainly used to investigate this problem, is plagued with heteroscedasticity, omitted variables, and zero trade flow. This makes it difficult for farmers, policymakers, and investors to predict how the international market behaves. The study assesses how commodity-program payments help mitigate shocks from trade disruptions using a panel GARCH model. Hence, the study examines the source of trade disruption, the intensity of trade disruption on soybean and corn export, the risk associated with trade disruption, and how effectively existing farm payments have mitigated the risk. The results indicated that the price loss coverage effectively mitigates the risk of trade disruption for soybean and corn
Applications in Harnessing the Power of Behavioral Nudge Theory
Full text linkThis research encompasses two experimental studies aimed at exploring the potential of behavioral nudges to instigate positive change. The first experiment evaluates the use of visual cues, such as posters and footprints, to nudge individuals towards choosing stairs over elevators, promoting physical activity. The second delves into the psychological impact of personalized praise on college students' motivation, efficacy, and confidence, correlating these factors with academic performance. By integrating quantitative and qualitative research methods, the studies intend to assess the effectiveness of these behavioral nudges in directing behavior toward desirable outcomes. Contributing to the expanding discourse on behavioral economics and nudge theory, this research underscores the transformative potential of strategic nudges in not only encouraging healthier physical habits and academic engagement but also in broader applications for behavioral modification. These findings illuminate the versatility and efficacy of nudges as tools for positive behavioral intervention across diverse contexts
One-carbon metabolites, fetal growth, maternal oxidative stress, and fetal programming during early gestation
Full text linkIn ruminant production systems, maternal nutrient intake and supplementation practices vary widely throughout the industry. Adequate maternal nutrient supply is critical for fetal development and subsequent offspring performance and health. Therefore, determining strategic supplementation of specific nutrients during critical developmental windows is crucial to fetal growth during early gestation will positively impact beef cattle production systems.
In this dissertation, two experiments using beef heifers were conducted to test the hypothesis that differing maternal rate of gain (achieved through differing intake) during the first 63 d of pregnancy would compromise indices of maternal and fetal development; and that strategic nutrient supplementation would mitigate any negative responses to lower rates of maternal gain. Supplemental nutrients were methionine, choline, folate, and vitamin B12 and gain targets were 0.45 kg/heifer daily vs. -0.23 kg/heifer daily. Response variables used included heifer growth and carcass data, maternal oxidative stress, fetal organ weights, and differential expression genes in fetal muscle and liver.
It was found that heifers with lower gains were negatively impacted and critical fetal organs during development were affected by maternal rate of gain and one-carbon metabolite supplementation. Furthermore, measures of maternal oxidative stress were affected by gain and supplementation. Many genes in fetal muscle and liver were differentially expressed due to levels of gain and supplementation. For instance, genes important for cell signaling and death were upregulated when there was one-carbon metabolite supplementation. In conclusion, providing the correct nutrients and amount during early gestation can have an effect on fetal development that may be seen in the offspring?s production life. A positive impact during early gestation will result in an increase in the offspring?s production capabilities
Unfit: Eugenics on the Northern Great Plains
Full text linkThe early twenty-first century saw the emergence of the eugenics movement in the United States, which culminated in the sterilization of people with mental or physical disabilities. State institutions across the country were weaponized against these citizens due to the perception that they were ?unfit? to be parents. Recent scholarship on the topic has sought to uncover this history. This study seeks to uncover this past in both North and South Dakota as well as offer an alternative avenue for examining the topic with Canton Hiawatha Asylum for Insane Indians. Both states provide instances that confirm the current scholarship on the topic as well as push against it. The Canton Asylum offers a new avenue for historians to examine how eugenics influence medicine and minority communities. Ultimately, the eugenic past of both states continues to be reflected in both the physical landscape and minds of their citizens to this day
Improving Caregiver Burden for Professional Caregivers of Dementia Residents
Full text linkThis practice improvement project examines the burden on professional caregivers of persons with dementia (PWD), aiming to enhance their well-being. With dementia significantly impacting cognitive functions, caregivers face heightened levels of stress, depressive symptoms, and physical health issues, more so than those caring for individuals with other conditions. Utilizing Roy's Adaptation Model (RAM) and the Theory of Caregiver Stress, the dissertation proposes comprehensive strategies to understand and alleviate the challenges faced by caregivers.
The core of this practice improvement project aims to enhance the well-being of formal caregivers by implementing a comprehensive training session. This session was designed to equip caregivers with essential knowledge and skills for managing their roles effectively, including stress management techniques, behavior management, communication techniques, and an understanding of caregiver burdens. By addressing the significant challenges faced by caregivers the project highlights the importance of developing support systems and interventions tailored to the needs of both informal and professional caregivers.
Objectives of the project include conducting an educational presentation, enhancing caregiver knowledge on dementia care, reducing caregiver burden, and establishing a caregiver support group within the facility. This approach, grounded in theoretical frameworks and focused on practical interventions, sought to alleviate caregiver burden, thereby improving the quality of care for dementia residents and enhancing caregiver well-being. This practice improvement project contributes to the field of dementia care by addressing the critical need for effective interventions and education for professional caregivers, highlighting the project's significance in improving both resident care and caregiver mental health.
Data collected included a pre-and post-education knowledge questionnaire, and the PCTB scale scores pre-and one-month post-education. The results indicated there was a perceived positive change in knowledge post-education, and the PCTB scale indicated an improvement in burden over the one-month period. A total of 16 caregivers attended the educational sessions and 14 participated in the data collection surveys. Response rates varied for the knowledge surveys and burden scale post-education when compared to pre-education