UARK (University of Arkansas )
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A Case Study of Intercultural Competence and Perceived Career Coaching Effectiveness in Higher Education
Get PDFAs the cost of a college education continues to increase dramatically, both policymakers and the general public have begun to question the return on investment in higher education. In response, post-secondary institutions have substantially invested in their career development offices in an effort to improve graduate career outcomes. Among the most widespread of the career services offered to college students is career coaching, which the literature supports as having a substantial impact on increasing starting salaries and job offers for new college graduates. Despite being more likely than their peers to utilize their institution’s career development offices, college graduates belonging to historically marginalized groups have lower starting salaries and fewer job offers at graduation than their non-marginalized counterparts, in addition to reporting lower levels of career readiness and career satisfaction. Empirical evidence in the fields of career counseling and education demonstrates that people from historically marginalized groups benefit substantially from career counselors and educators who are interculturally competent. Although career coaching is closely related to and shares many professional competencies with these fields, no research to date has been conducted to determine the impact of intercultural competence on the career coaching experiences of diverse students. This qualitative case study seeks to gain a deeper understanding of the ways that college students from historically marginalized groups perceive the effectiveness of their post-secondary career coaching experiences and the extent to which career coaches’ demonstrated levels of intercultural competence may influence those perceptions
An Analysis of Cellular and Tissue Function of Lipin in \u3ci\u3eDrosophila melanogaster\u3c/i\u3e
Get PDFRegulation of energy expenditure and energy storage is a key characteristic of life. Numerous enzymes play a crucial role in regulating energy metabolism. Lipins are a highly conserved family of proteins that function in both lipid synthesis and gene regulation. In the glycerol-3 phosphate pathway, lipins act as a phosphatidate phosphatase (PAP) producing diacylglycerol. In gene regulation, lipins act as transcriptional co-regulators of metabolic genes. The enzymatic PAP activity occurs in the cytoplasm; however, for lipins to function as gene regulators, they must translocate into the nucleus. Nuclear translocation is facilitated by the nuclear localization signal (NLS) within the protein. While the Lipins family is conserved throughout many organisms, Drosophila melanogaster possess a single Lipin ortholog, making it an ideal model organism to study the function of this protein.
This research aimed to achieve three main goals: observe effects of RNAi knockdown of Lipin in the ring gland, characterize a mutant fly stock lacking the NLS sequence, and create a Lipin null mutant for use in future studies. It was observed that the knockdown was successful, but did not show a biologically significant delay. These findings suggest that Lipin may not be essential in the ring gland for successful development. While characterizing the LipinΔNLS mutant (lacking the NLS), it was confirmed that the form of Lipin in these animals could not enter the nucleus in starvation conditions, while nuclear translocation was observed in control animals. Additionally, these LipinΔNLS animals did not show significant pupariation or eclosion delays, but a higher fatality rate. Lastly, using the CRISPR/Cas-9 system, a “LipinNull” mutant was created which would produce truncated, nonfunctional Lipin. This mutant stock could have applications in further research to better understand the functions and mechanisms of this multi-functional protein
Shaping Minds, Shaping Future: Analyzing K-12 Climate Change Education Policy Preferences in Arkansas
Get PDFClimate change education in K-12 public schools is a highly debated and divisive policy issue, particularly in politically conservative states such as Arkansas, where ideological divisions often dominate and shape public attitudes and policy preferences. This dissertation examines the attitudes, preferences, and behavioral intentions of three key stakeholder groups, namely the policy elites, general public, and educators toward climate change education policies in K-12 public schools in the state of Arkansas. While political party affiliation is an important factor, this study explores a more nuanced relationship by considering the interplay of Cultural Theory, risk perception, trust in government, climate change related knowledge, and cognitive behavioral theories to understand the underlying drivers of climate education policy preferences beyond a partisan identity. The first chapter analyzes general preferences for climate change education in Arkansas’s K-12 public schools, examining how Cultural Theory, risk perception, and trust in government influence attitudes among local policy elites and the general public. The second chapter builds on this foundation by examining preferences for specific climate change education policies, assessing the nuanced relationship between Cultural Theory and risk perception. A central focus of this chapter is the distinction between individuals with high and low levels of perceived climate change risk. This analysis provides deeper insights into the mechanisms driving climate education policy preferences and identifies the conditions under which risk perception amplifies or mitigates partisanship divisions. Lastly, the third chapter shifts focus to Arkansas educators, street-level bureaucrats, responsible for implementing climate change education in K-12 public schools. It examines their behavioral intentions regarding climate change and climate change education, both as professionals and private citizens, analyzing what shapes their willingness to engage with climate change topics in the classroom and outside of it
Consumer Acceptance of Gene-Edited Bananas: The Role of Cultural Cognition, Food Neophobia, and Perceived Safety
No full textBanana perishability leads to significant food waste, but gene editing has enabled the development of non-browning varieties that extend shelf life. This study examines consumer acceptance of gene-edited bananas in the Philippines, Japan, and China, focusing on cultural cognition, food neophobia, and perceived safety. Using a survey (n = 1,309), we analyze willingness to consume (WTC) and labeling preferences. Perceived safety was the strongest predictor of WTC: a one-unit increase raised the odds of WTC by 95.1% in the Philippines (β = 0.668, OR = 1.951, p \u3c 0.01), 171.2% in Japan (β = 0.998, OR = 2.712, p \u3c 0.01), and 267.4% in China (β = 1.301, OR = 3.674, p \u3c 0.01). Food neophobia significantly reduced WTC across all countries (ORs = 0.541–0.580; p \u3c 0.01). Cultural worldview significantly influenced WTC in the Philippines (β = -0.264, OR = 0.768, p \u3c 0.01) and shaped labeling preferences in Japan. Environmental messaging increased WTC in Japan (β = 0.568, OR = 1.765, p \u3c 0.05) but reduced it in China (β = -0.610, OR = 0.543, p \u3c 0.05). These findings emphasize the role of perceived safety, information framing, and cultural context in shaping consumer attitudes toward emerging food technologies
Gene Expression and Transfection of C15orf57 in Chicken show Clear Correlation to the Function of the AP2 Complex
Get PDFDiscovering the functions of functionally unknown genes has made a huge impact on biological understanding including poultry species. In this thesis, C15orf57 (or C5H15orf57, chicken chromosome 5 human ortholog H15 open reading frame 57), was studied to understand its genetic characteristics and function. Chapter one is literature reviews on annotation of genes, the gene information on C15orf57, the importance of characterizing unknown genes in the genome, and what is known now about C15orf57. The Chapter 2 is for the structural characterization of C15orf57, gene expression of C15orf57 in various organ tissues using the qPCR method and effect of overexpression of C15orf57 on AP2 complex gene expression in CEL-im cells. Overall, these findings show a clear correlation between C15orf57 and the AP2 complex
Solving Real-World Optimization Problems using Near-Term Quantum Computing with Applications in Vehicle Routing and Drone Delivery
Get PDFQuantum computing (QC) stands at the cusp of revolutionizing computation, yet its near-term potential, constrained by Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) devices, remains underexplored. This dissertation investigates how hybrid quantum-classical algorithms can address combinatorial optimization challenges in logistics, focusing on vehicle routing and drone delivery—NP-hard problems with exponential solution spaces that defy classical exhaustive methods. Amidst NISQ limitations like limited qubits and high noise, we confront key challenges: encoding complex constraints, e.g., time windows, battery capacity, into quantum models, balancing quantum and classical components for scalability, and accessing scarce quantum resources. By integrating quantum annealing (QA) and the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm (QAOA) with classical heuristics, this work demonstrates QC’s practical utility, advancing both optimization theory and real-world logistics applications.
The dissertation unfolds across four core contributions. First, the Hybrid Quantum Tabu Search (HQTS) optimally solves the 50-location Capacitated Vehicle Routing Problem (CVRP), achieving a 4.72% optimality gap. Secondly, we refine HQTS to reach a 2.15% gap with enhanced QA utilization, outperforming prior hybrids on standard datasets. Third, adapting HQTS for the CVRPTWwith D-Wave’s Constrained Quadratic Model solver yields a 3.85% gap on 100-location instances, leveraging a novel heuristic to ensure time-window feasibility where quantum outputs falter. Lastly, QUADRO, a pioneering framework for drone delivery, employs QAOA-driven routing and hybrid scheduling, minimizing transit time and makespan for fleets of 2–11 drones needing fewer than 100 qubits, rivaling classical benchmarks on adapted Augerat datasets. These advances, tested via D-Wave’s Advantage system and Qiskit simulations, showcase hybrid strategies that mitigate NISQ constraints, delivering scalable, feasible solutions to logistics challenges.
This work establishes near-term QC’s viability for combinatorial optimization, bridging theoretical promise with practical impact. Synthesizing quantum exploration with classical refinement achieves competitive performance, e.g., matching or surpassing Google ORTools in select CVRPTW cases, while illuminating NISQ limits, such as feasibility degradation beyond small scales. These hybrid strategies deliver scalable, feasible solutions, from a 2.15% optimality gap for CVRP to effective drone fleet management with fewer than 100 qubits, illuminating quantum computing’s potential despite its current constraints. Ultimately, this dissertation positions hybrid QC as a transformative tool for optimization challenges, offering a robust foundation for scaling quantum optimization into operational reality
Gender Craze: Framing Policy Discrimination Against Transgender Students in K-12 Education
Get PDFTransgender youth in K-12 public education have been systematically marginalized through state-sanctioned violence and discriminatory policies, often portrayed as societal boogeymen. They face exclusion and othering due to restrictive state legislation, such as bathroom bans, sports participation restrictions, and limited access to gender-affirming care. Current research lacks a comprehensive analysis of how state-level legislation affects transgender students. This study addresses that gap by employing qualitative thematic coding to examine the language, framing, and impact of state education policies on transgender students. By analyzing how these policies are framed around themes such as protecting family, safeguarding children, individual liberty, constitutional rights, family rights, and freedom of religion, this research aims to reveal how such framing exacerbates the marginalization and othering of transgender students in public schools. The findings are to inform future policy reforms and advocacy efforts, emphasizing the urgent need for more inclusive policies that protect transgender students from discrimination and violence in public education
Analog Low Dropout Regulator Design Within a 12nm FinFET Node
Get PDFModern ICs require the use of multiple voltage regulators to regulate power, this creates the need for analog low dropout regulator (LDO) designs in more advanced nodes such as for the 12nm FinFET process. Analog design is particularly challenging in FinFET processes due to a variety of factors, such as quantized parameters, large parasitic values and length of diffusion effects. An analog LDO was chosen for its improved power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) over digital and hybrid approach which is a key metric for voltage sensitive applications. The LDO was designed through an iterative approach to address the difficulty of designing analog devices in a FinFET node. The LDO has a good post layout line regulation of 0.57%/V, however a post layout has a load regulation of 4.9%/A. The LDO achieved a PSRR of -43dB at 100kHz and a noise value of 103 nV/√Hz at a current draw of 50mA and a layout size of 0.007225mm2. The PSRR is significantly better than comparable works that use a digital or hybrid LDO approach. The circuit had an overshoot value of 15mV, and a voltage undershoot value of 10mV when switching current by 100mA. In addition, the circuit was tested underneath multiple corners that would be used for automotive qualification from SS -40C to FF 125C with 13 corners total tested. The design was iterated to meet specifications on all corners. There are issues with the PSRR values and overshoot values at the SS -40C corner that are discussed. Potential fabrication of the circuit is also discussed
Women’s Participation in Homegrown and Domestic Terrorism Plots
No full textThe 21st century ushered in major social, political, and cultural changes in the United States, including a new era of homeland security and new forms of domestic terrorism. Little is known about how such shifts may have impacted women’s participation in terrorism plots. In response, data from the American Terrorism Study (ATS) are used to comparatively examine the involvement of women in homegrown and domestic terrorism plots before and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Findings of similarities and differences in women’s involvement in terrorism across time periods are presented and contextualized
Comparisons between Traditional and Gluten-free Cookies in Sensory Attributes, Acceptance, and Evoked Emotions
Get PDFThe rise in food allergies and intolerances, notably conditions like Celiac disease, as well as a general shift of consumers to a more health-conscious lifestyle has significantly increased the demand for gluten-free products. Consumers increasingly seek gluten-free products, yet these alternatives often face challenges in replicating the sensory qualities of traditional gluten-containing foods. This study explores the sensory attributes, emotional responses, and labeling impacts on consumer perception of gluten-free and gluten-containing cookies. The main objective of this thesis was to address the gap in research on sensory evaluation of gluten free foods, specifically in terms of commercially available products. The findings of this research addressed differences in sensory attributes and consumer perceptions of gluten-free and gluten-containing cookies, while identifying key attributes influencing their overall appeal. The research is divided into three key studies. Study 1 (Chapter 3) investigated the impact of labeling information on consumer acceptance of gluten-free cookies. Eighty-four regular cookie consumers evaluated three gluten-free cookies and three traditional cookies in both labeled and blind conditions. Sensory acceptances (appearance, flavor, texture, and overall liking) were rated on a 9-point hedonic scale, and specific attributes (chocolate flavor, sweetness, and hardness) on a 5-point just-about-right (JAR) scale. Results showed that labeling as “gluten-free” did not significantly influence sensory perception and impression, indicating a minimal impact of gluten-free labeling on consumer acceptance of chocolate chip cookies. In Study 2 and 3 (Chapter 4 and 5) respectively, 24 cookie samples (both gluten-free and gluten-containing) were evaluated by 7 trained panels to identify key sensory attributes, while sensory acceptances (appearance, flavor, texture, overall liking and purchase intent) were rated on a 9-point hedonic scale by 131 regular cookie consumers. Additionally, emotional responses were measured using the circumplex-inspired emotion questionnaire (CEQ). It was found that gluten-free cookies were rated lower than the gluten-containing ones in terms of sensory attributes, hedonic impressions, and purchase intent. Gluten-free cookies were also associated more with negative emotions. This comprehensive analysis guides the development of gluten-free products, helping them meet consumer expectations and achieve greater market success. The findings from this thesis confirmed that most gluten-free cookies are lacking in sensory qualities compared to the traditional cookies, even within commercially available products from the same brands. However, it also points out that certain gluten-free offerings can compete in the market and highlight significant areas of improvement. These findings will be valuable for food manufacturers and marketers seeking to improve sensory appeal and consumer acceptance of gluten-free offerings