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The Uniform Rule and its exceptions: a history of Congressional naturalization legislation
No full textArticle 1, Section 8 of the Constitution empowers Congress “[t]o establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization.” In Part I of this article, I discuss the American colonial experience with naturalization laws and account for the Naturalization Clause’s. I then examine the historical development of Congress’s “uniform rule” and deconstruct the mechanism by which certain groups have been excluded from and brought back within its reach. Lastly, I scrutinize Congress’s posture towards expatriation, the logical converse of naturalization. In Part II, I ask why Congress might have thought it expedient to carve out statutory exceptions to the naturalization procedures it had earlier prescribed, and I relate the content of the two major kinds of historical exceptions to those procedures: derivative citizenship for women and children and an expedited naturalization timeline for alien veterans
Children\u27s Butterfly Book
No full textPublished by Saafield’s Publishing Company in 1907, this colorful children’s book is made entirely out of cloth. The delicate pink cotton book was gifted to the University of Arkansas’ Museum in 1989 by Lina Watson and features six unique pages featuring illustrations of butterfly families native to North America; one page pictured here features a Barred Swallowtail.https://scholarworks.uark.edu/uamucc/1007/thumbnail.jp
As Above so Below: Vesting Pore Space Ownership with the Rights of the Surface Estate
No full textIn 2023, the United States emitted an estimated total of 4,807 million metric tons (“MMTs”) of Carbon dioxide, with only a 0.2% decrease in 2024. These figures are simply not up for debate. What is often debated, however, is how (and if) the U.S. should be tackling these carbon emissions. Many would argue that the U.S. must increase its reliance on renewable energy and decrease its consumption of fossil fuels, which are major contributors of Carbon Dioxide and other Green House Gas (“GHG”) emissions. Others would argue that the best way to limit carbon emissions is to implement some form of carbon tax. Others still recommend society as a whole use less energy, reducing the strain on the energy industry and infrastructure, thus decreasing carbon emission further. These opinions of singular focus are, to put it bluntly, foolish. The U.S., and indeed the world, has run out of time to rely on one measure or another. One tool that is growing in potential is the technology of carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”).
However, the promise of CCS brings certain legal questions that have not been answered by the Federal government or by many states. These questions must be addressed before CCS can be widely implemented. This article is intended to prompt Arkansas lawmakers to pass legislation that clarifies these various issues. Part I of this article has provided an introduction to the topic of the article and its relation to climate change. Part II of this article will provide more context about pore space itself and the related technology of CCS. Part II will also focus on the value and purpose of pore space, not only for Arkansas, but nationally as well.25 Part III will discuss competing theories of ownership regarding pore space as well as which states have adopted which perspectives. Additionally, Part III will also address Arkansas’s current stance on pore space ownership. The penultimate Part IV will address the legal arguments surrounding why Arkansas should adopt a particular theory of ownership governing pore space. Concluding the article, Part V will provide a final call to action for Arkansas legislators and for all others who desire to protect future generations from the worst effects of climate change
Nanoparticle Iron Based Catalysts for Clean Water and Other Applications
No full textThis dissertation explores the development, characterization, and application of iron-based catalysts for environmental remediation and energy generation. The research focuses on Fe-based nanomaterials for water purification, electrochemical ammonia production, and ethanol oxidation enhancement. The first section of the dissertation investigates the removal of water contaminants using nickel-iron (NiFe) bimetallic nanoparticles. Various NiFe ratios were synthesized and tested for their efficiency in degrading the azo dye (Orange G), with lower Ni content formulations achieving 80–99% dye removal within 60 minutes. Results show that changing the molar ratio of nickel to iron caused different removal rates, as well as the extent of overall elimination of azo dye from water. NiFe alloy nanoparticles were stabilized onto 5 different supports – two commercially available activated carbons and three custom synthesized heteropolyacid functionalized carbon. The carbons did not show an enhancement in dye removal until at the higher 100 gram starting concentration. Post-reaction characterization indicated the structurally disordered catalyst lost the metal at the surface oxidation occurred resulting in oxide and hydroxide presence for Fe and Ni to increase. The study was expanded to the degradation of energetic compounds, specifically TNT and RDX, using Fe(III)-embedded covalent organic frameworks (COFs). A mechanochemical synthesis approach allowed a 10× scale-up of COF production, improving yield efficiency from below 10% to 75%. Fluorescence-based detection enabled the sensitive quantification of TNT and RDX down to 1–4 µg/mL, while sequestration experiments demonstrated 90% TNT and 85% RDX removal within 30 minutes. Additional research focused on the application of Fe-COFs for nutrient and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) removal. Adsorption studies demonstrated no selectivity for nitrate and phosphate, with Fe-functionalized supports underperforming conventional adsorbents. Electrochemical degradation pathways for PFAS were explored due to the slow adsorption rate for the COFs. The second section of this dissertation examines the role of Fe in electrocatalysis for sustainable energy applications. Ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) behavior was tested using PtRhNi catalysts in Fe-doped electrolyte solutions. Fe incorporation was shown to increase current density by facilitating hydroxyl radical formation to cleave the C–C bond. This improvement resulted in more efficient ethanol oxidation with greater selectivity toward CO₂ production. Another avenue of research focused on electrochemical nitrogen reduction to ammonia (NRR) as a sustainable alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. However, rigorous control experiments revealed significant ammonia contamination, which compromised reported yields. Experiments were plagued with low production rates and faradaic efficiencies pointing to the need for improved catalyst selectivity. Further studies attempted to enhance NRR selectivity by functionalizing FeNi catalysts with thiol ligands, but results showed no effective binding, prompting a shift toward computational modeling and alternative ligand strategies. A comprehensive review of heterogeneous catalysts for NRR identified Fe-based catalysts with sulfur ligands as promising candidates for enhancing selectivity and reducing hydrogen evolution competition. Overall, this work advances the understanding of Fe-based catalysts for environmental and energy applications. The findings emphasize the need for further optimization in reaction kinetics, catalyst stability, and selectivity to enable large-scale deployment in water treatment and sustainable energy systems
Dual Investigations into Broiler Health: Mitochondrial Gene Expression in Ascites Susceptibility and G-1,25(OH)₂D₃-Driven Modulation of Bone and Gut Integrity in Lameness
No full textModern broiler production faces persistent challenges from metabolic and skeletal disorders, particularly ascites and bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO), which compromise animal welfare and production efficiency. This dissertation examines two key factors that contribute to these conditions: mitochondrial gene expression associated with pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS) and the role of intestinal barrier integrity in mitigating lameness. In the first study, the expression of mitochondrial genes COXII and ATP6 was evaluated in the breast, thigh, and lung tissues of three broiler genetic lines—ascites-susceptible (SUS), ascites-resistant (RES), and unselected relaxed (REL). While no significant expression differences were observed in muscle tissues, SUS birds exhibited notably lower COXII expression in the lungs (p = 0.022), with a similar trend in ATP6, indicating a potential link between impaired mitochondrial function and ascites susceptibility. These results suggest that oxygen utilization and mitochondrial adaptation in lung tissue are critical in ascites resistance. In the second study, the efficacy of glycosylated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (G-1,25(OH)₂D₃) as a dietary intervention for BCO lameness was evaluated through its effect on intestinal tight junction gene expression. Cobb 500 broilers were reared on wire and litter flooring, with BCO induced via aerosol exposure carrying pathogenic bacteria from the wire flooring pen, and were assigned to diets containing 0, 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 µg/kg of G-1,25(OH)₂D₃. The 1.0 µg/kg dose significantly reduced lameness incidence (53.7%; p \u3c 0.001) while enhancing the expression of MUC4, OCLN, and CLDN2 in the jejunum, indicating improved gut barrier function. Although the 2.0 µg/kg dose produced similar gene expression outcomes, the 1.0 µg/kg level was identified as the most cost-effective strategy. Together, these findings contribute to a broader understanding of how mitochondrial function and intestinal health influence broiler resilience to metabolic and skeletal disorders. Targeted genetic selection and nutritional modulation, such as G-1,25(OH)₂D₃ supplementation, offer promising approaches to enhance broiler performance while addressing welfare concerns. Further research is recommended to investigate the long-term physiological effects of these interventions and their role in preventing poultry diseases
Estimating Drivers of Certified Seed Adoption Among Colombian Rice Producers and Assessing Yield Impacts at the Plot Level
No full textAs the population rises, there is a growing need to increase agricultural productivity to keep up with food demands. However, agricultural land expansion to increase production is not a sustainable solution long-term. The Global South particularly faces greater needs for rice as a staple food, yet countries in Latin America like Colombia have faced declining rice yields. Technologies that boost agricultural productivity using existing land, such as certified seeds, are considered a tool to address this problem in the face of land scarcity and climate change. Certified seeds have high genetic purity and are free from disease. Despite the quality of these seeds, adoption rates in Colombia have been low (36% in 2021), although it is Latin America’s third largest rice producer. Colombia has high per capita rice consumption compared to neighboring countries at 43 kg annually, and the Colombian rice sector is seeking to increase its competitiveness as it opens its rice market through trade integration. One of the ways the rice sector is seeking to increase yields is through the promotion of certified seeds. Reasons for low adoption have not been widely studied in the region in spite of evidence of low adoption rates. Using a producer survey, this study assesses factors that positively or negatively influence certified seed adoption in the Tolima department of Colombia to understand how to enhance technology usage. A total of 353 responses provide information about rice production practices and yields in 2023, as well as socioeconomic information about farming households. Assessment is conducted at the plot level to improve the accuracy of analysis by accounting for any plot-level differences influencing adoption. An OLS model serves as a baseline, while three methods that control for endogeneity provide a more nuanced understanding of adoption effects: a control function approach, endogenous switching regression, and a copula switching regression. A control function regression is used to understand adoption interactions, and an endogenous switching regression model is used to assess drivers of adoption, as well as yield outcomes among adopters and non-adopters. Yield impacts are quantified to understand the outcomes of the adoption decision, which could be useful in promoting adoption. Results indicate that the combination of adoption with other variables has a significant impact on yields. Crop rotation, farm size, area harvested, negative weather events, and extension significantly influence yields, depending on adoption status. The drivers of adoption are farm size, seed cost, and the involvement of women in decision-making, while credit is negatively associated with adoption. Treatment effects indicate that adoption leads to a 1.5 tons/ha yield gain for adopters, and if non-adopters were to use certified seeds, their yields gains would be 0.6 tons/ha. Insights have implications for technology adoption in Colombia and other rice-producing countries to enhance the global rice supply and keep up with food demands
Field experience and production challenges in Australia and New Zealand
No full textVariability management represents the primary technical challenge facing the Australian and New Zealand (ANZ) broiler industry\u27s vertically integrated operations. This analysis examines systematic approaches to controlling seasonal performance fluctuations, raw material quality variations, emerging disease pressures, and evolving welfare demands. Key variability sources include climatic extremes, season to season raw material quality and nutrient value variability and intermittent [mostly enteric] disease challenges, particularly in no antibiotics ever (NAE) production systems. Solutions require a scientific, data-driven approach with insights from field experience for causation identification and a collaborative approach within business functional units, and across industry collaborators such as suppliers and researchers to maintain profitable broiler production despite the unique blend of challenges experienced in ANZ
Backpack Funding: What Happens When Dollars Follow the Student?
No full textA growing movement in the United States in recent years, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has brought a wave of school choice policies, which allow students to opt into an educational arrangement outside of their zoned traditional public schools (TPS) using public funds. Critics frequently express concern that these policies place an undue financial burden on both taxpayers and school districts. States adopting such policies may take on the additional financial responsibility of educating students who would otherwise privately finance their education, posing an additional cost to the state. When students do leave TPS to participate in private school choice programs or charter schools, this attrition decreases funding to their zoned school districts, which have some fixed costs (costs which do not decrease proportionally with decreases in enrollment). However, as supporters point out, school choice also has the potential to save taxpayers money by lowering the costs to the state of educating these students. School vouchers and similar programs may cost less to the state than educating program participants in TPS would cost. In the case of charter schools, proponents assert, charter schools receive less funding to do the same job as a TPS. Additionally, school choice supporters argue that students leaving TPS also represent reduced costs to public school districts. Some researchers have posed these questions and have investigated them with data. However, there are significant limitations to precisely studying the fiscal impacts and implications of school choice. Because the funding mechanisms and functions of TPS and charter schools differ, simply comparing funding per pupil between the two sectors does not provide an apples-to-apples comparison. In the case of private school choice programs, understanding the fiscal impacts to the state and school districts requires a proxy for the counterfactual—the schooling decisions families would make in the hypothetical world in which the program does not exist. In this dissertation, I summarize best practices for attempting to overcome these limitations and apply these best practices to national charter school data and private school choice data from Arkansas, bringing evidence to bear on questions of the fiscal impacts and implications of school choice. In Chapter One, I define school choice, describe the landscape of school choice in the United States, and explain the history of school finance and administration in the United States. In Chapter Two, I describe the literature comparing TPS and charter school funding and summarize best practices from this literature. In Chapter Three, I apply these best practices to the School District Finance Survey (F-33) from the National Center for Education Statistics and provide results for 17 major U.S. cities. In Chapter Four, I use data from the Arkansas Department of Education to study the fiscal impacts of the Arkansas Education Freedom Accounts Program on the state and public school districts. Finally, in Chapter Five, I summarize the findings of all three studies and provide overall implications for policy and research in my conclusion
Exploring the Relationship Between ADHD, Mood Disorders, and Motivation Among Women Studying for the GED: A Preregistered Study
No full textAdult women with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and mood disorders, such as anxiety and depression, represent an understudied and underserved demographic within educational research, particularly among those pursuing nontraditional academic pathways, such as obtaining the high school equivalency diploma (i.e., GED). Despite the well-documented challenges associated with ADHD and mood disorders, including difficulties with motivation, executive functioning, and emotional regulation, little research has examined how these factors influence women’s persistence and success in adult education settings. Understanding the unique experiences of this population is essential for developing targeted support systems that enhance learning outcomes and academic achievement. This study is designed to explore the relationship between ADHD, mood disorders, and motivation among women enrolled in GED programs across Arkansas. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory (SDT), the research will examine how the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs, autonomy, competence, and relatedness, affect motivation in adult learners. Using a cross-sectional, quantitative design, the study will collect data via an online survey incorporating the Motivation-to-Learn (MtL) scale and the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS). Participants will include women aged 18 and older with and without ADHD and mood disorders diagnoses. It is designed for the use of hierarchical regression analysis to assess the direct and interactive effects of diagnoses and need satisfaction on motivation. Results will be intended to inform adult education practices and support systems, with the goal of improving academic persistence and success among women with ADHD and mood disorders in nontraditional educational settings
Assessment of Social Media Use and Strategies for Combating Misinformation Among Extension Educators in Arkansas
No full textThis study assessed the use of social media by Extension educators in Arkansas and examines strategies for identifying and combating misinformation within agricultural extension services. Guided by the Uses and Gratifications Theory, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and the Third-Person Effect Theory for objectives one, two, and three, this research employed quantitative and qualitative approaches, specifically, two quantitative cross-sectional surveys and a qualitative focus group study developed into a three article dissertation. The first article assessed the extent to which Extension educators utilize social media for professional activities, revealing that social media is predominantly used for event announcements, program marketing, and educational content dissemination, with limited adoption for interactive engagement, collaboration, and impact assessment. The second article applied the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) to identify key factors influencing educators’ acceptance and use of social media. Findings indicated that perceived usefulness, ease of use, and social influence significantly impact social media adoption. At the same time, barriers such as time constraints, lack of training, and absence of institutional incentives hinder its effective use. The third article employed qualitative methods to explore educators’ experiences, challenges, and strategies for identifying and combating misinformation. Participants acknowledged the prevalence of misinformation on social media and emphasized the need for digital literacy training, fact-checking mechanisms, and institutional support to address misinformation effectively. Results also highlighted variations in social media adoption based on job roles and gender, with 4-H & Youth Development agents demonstrating the highest usage levels and female educators engaging more frequently than their male counterparts. The study’s findings contribute to the growing body of literature on social media use in extension education, providing practical recommendations for enhancing digital communication strategies, improving social media training programs, and strengthening efforts to mitigate misinformation in agricultural extension services