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Evaluating the Impact of the Film Food Evolution on Attitudes Towards Genetically Modified Food Crops
Get PDFThis study aimed to evaluate the effects of film intervention on consumer opinion and behaviors regarding genetically modified (GM) foods. Students, faculty, and community members attended a viewing of the documentary Food Evolution at the University of Scranton and were surveyed pre- and post-viewing. Results show participants who completed the survey after watching the film perceive GM foods as more likely to increase the global food supply and less likely to cause problems for health and the environment compared to those who completed the survey prior to watching the film. Participants were more likely to agree there is a scientific consensus about the safety of GM foods after viewing the film, compared to those answering the question before the film. Participants are more willing to support use of genetic modification in agriculture and food post-viewing. As climate change threatens the stability of our food systems, genetic modification technology (GMT) can provide scientists with additional tools for adapting, to continue to feed the world population. The study suggests the documentary, Food Evolution, is an effective tool for helping viewers understand the potential benefits of GM foods and gaining support of using genetic modification in food production
Let there be light: developing the mystical luminosity experience construct and scale
No full textLight of a transcendental or divine nature is widely described in various mystical and religious traditions, and light with mystical qualities is reported in many nonordinary experiences studied today, most notably near-death and mystical experiences. Despite its significance to contemporary experiencers and much of religion and mysticism, empirical investigation of this phenomenon has been scant and scattered, and its quantitative measure has consisted of small numbers of items on a few scales measuring more general constructs. While the concept that this may be a unified phenomenon appearing in different ways and experiential contexts has been discussed in theoretical and philosophical work, no empirical investigation has yet explored it. This study aims to solidify mystical luminosity experience as a psychological construct for scientific study, by synthesizing existing theory and empirical findings into a working theoretical model and developing and validating a scale for its measurement
The human capital campaign: the relationships of burnout and investment in employee development on intent to leave
Get PDFFundraising for higher education institutions continues to increase in importance. Relatedly, turnover among major gift officers may negatively impact institutional fundraising performance. This study investigated if burnout, perceived investment in employee development, employee alumni status of their employing institution, the current receipt of tuition assistance, and select attribute variables could ideate a predictive intent to leave model to inform managerial decision-making and strategic human resources development in higher education fundraising. The theoretical framework utilized social exchange theory and reciprocity norms as conceptualizations applied to perceptions of professional development experiences. A mixed methods research design utilized an anonymous quantitative survey and qualitative interviews with major gift officers from across the United States. The survey consisted of the Maslach Burnout Inventory – General Survey, Perceived Investment in Employee Development, Stay or Leave Index, and Intent to Leave instruments. One-time interviews were coded and analyzed for themes related to burnout, perceived investment in employee development, employee engagement, and organizational commitment. The results from four regression models indicated that major gift officers’ employee alumni status of their employing institution did not affect intent to leave, whereas, in two of four models, the current receipt of tuition assistance demonstrated a significant negative effect on intent to leave. Furthermore, perceived investment in employee development demonstrated a significant negative relationship with intent to leave in six of eight regression models. Qualitative results included perceptions of what major gift officers experience at the end of their typical workday, what makes them want to stay or leave their roles at their current institutions, and self-reflections on professional development perceptions related to elements of burnout, employee engagement, and organizational commitment. One implication is human resource development professionals and managers of major gift officers may wish to proactively encourage employees to utilize tuition assistance benefits, if available, in an effort to reduce an intent to leave. Managerial implications for practice also include major gift officers seeking meaningful professional development, time to implement training in their work, and acknowledgement of good practices to instill self-efficacy. Overall, this research informed a proposed intent to leave continuum model
Holistic admissions review in physical therapist education
Get PDFThis study examined perceived barriers and benefits to holistic admission review in physical therapist education (PTE) programs. The mixed methods study utilized both quantitative and qualitative data collected via an online survey to accredited programs and collection of quantitative data from program websites, Physical Therapist Centralized Application Service (PTCAS) program pages, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapist Education (CAPTE), and the Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT). Seven research questions were addressed: • RQ1a: Is there a significant difference between the ultimate pass rate on the NPTE for programs that utilize holistic admissions and those that do not? (Quantitative) • RQ1b: Is there a significant difference between the first-time pass rate on the NPTE for programs that utilize holistic admissions and those that do not? (Quantitative) • RQ2: Is there a significant difference between program graduation/retention rates for programs that utilize holistic admissions and those that do not? (Quantitative) • RQ3: Is there a significant difference in the 1-year postgraduation employment rate for programs that utilize holistic admissions and those that do not? (Quantitative) • RQ4: Are there differences in perceptions of holistic admissions based on specific program attributes? (Quantitative) • RQ5: How is the holistic admissions process currently utilized in physical therapist education programs? (Qualitative) • RQ6: What are the perceived barriers and benefits to holistic admissions and how do programs address those barriers? (Qualitative) Results indicate that there is not a statistically significant difference between programs that utilize holistic admissions and those that do not for RQ1a-RQ4, with one exception. There was a significant difference in perceptions of holistic admissions between programs currently utilizing holistic review and those that did not. The utilization of qualitative methods in RQ5 and RQ6 provided rich data to help understand admission committees’ utilization and current perceptions of holistic admissions review, particularly in regard to perceived barriers and benefits. This qualitative data also provides important points of consideration for programs currently utilizing or considering the utilization of holistic admission review as well as direction for future research
Survey of models for computer music
Get PDFThe introduction of digital computers to the world of music composition provided a medium from which to write far more efficiently than the traditional means of transcription. Of course, this applies to modern notation software, but it is the way in which computers have granted the composer the ability to utilize stochastic generation, algorithmic reasoning, and later, artificial intelligence that was especially groundbreaking. To be sure, there are countless models created by composers and computer scientists that utilized every aspect of the abilities granted by the technology at the time of their creation. However, there are those few models that are given some form of mention in almost every research paper on the subject, though for good reason. The projects developed by Lejaren Hiller and David Cope were more than influential; they were revolutionary in their demonstration of how computers could be used as composing tools, and in some cases, composers themselves
Modeling surface structures for the capture of carbon dioxide
Get PDFOur research utilized a modified graphene surface model to simulate capture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas based on van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding. We completed an extensive review of the literature for model and experimental surfaces used to trap carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas into structures and pores with varying functional groups, pore sizes, and pore structures. We replicated the design of selected published models and compared their and our calculated binding energies. We used Scigress (Fujitsu) software with the Molecular Mechanics MM3 parameter set to perform calculations to analyze a proposed graphene surface pore lined with four hydroxy groups to form hydrogen bonds with carbon dioxide. This research explored the changes in binding energy between a carbon dioxide gas molecule and a nitrogen gas molecule interacting with varying structures of the graphene pore to observe the sensitivity of our modified graphene as a theoretical carbon capture structure whereby carbon dioxide could be separated from nitrogen gas. The modified graphene pore two layer system had a binding energy of 72.8 kJ/mol for carbon dioxide and a binding energy of 6.8 kJ/mol for nitrogen gas. The binding energy for carbon dioxide on our proposed surface was larger than all compared published neutral surfaces. The approximately 11 to 1, carbon dioxide to nitrogen, ratio represents the higher binding energy for carbon dioxide compared to nitrogen. It is a better ratio for preferentially binding carbon dioxide compared to prior published neutral surfaces
Stepping Beyond the Bars: A Comparative Analysis of Personality Traits in Previously Incarcerated Males and Females
Get PDFThe current study sought to explore differences in a previously incarcerated individual’s personality traits based on biological sex. It was posited that within a population of individuals who were formerly incarcerated, males would demonstrate a greater prevalence of personality traits that have been previously associated with involvement in the criminal justice system, compared to females. A total of 2,400 previously incarcerated people from Wave IV of The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (ADD Health) were asked questions related to personality traits. Previously incarcerated females had significantly higher levels of impulsivity than females not previously incarcerated, whereas previously incarcerated males had marginally lower levels of impulsivity compared to males not previously incarcerated. Previously incarcerated females exhibited significantly more sympathy than male counterparts. More years incarcerated after age 18 was correlated to impulsivity in females. Altogether, this research suggests that there are traits specifically associated with formerly incarcerated males or females and should be studied to further understand correlates of criminal and redemptive behaviors
William R. Riley, Richard L. Davis, the United Mine Workers, and the negotiation of race and class in Southern Appalachia
Get PDFThe decades surrounding the turn of the twentieth century were a time of immense upheaval as the United States went through an intensive process of industrialization, ensuing waves of economic instability, and large-scale human migration. In response, many activists and reformers emerged, particularly in the world of civil rights and labor organizing. William R. Riley and Richard L. Davis, who were both coal miners and organizers within the United Mine Workers of America, worked at the intersection of both of these worlds during that time period. This research deals with the writings of these two men in depth, seeking to define their unique perspectives and strategies as activists, rather than making them part of broad generalizations. Both of these little-known historical figures have to varying degrees been represented by many historians as exemplars of radicalism within the American working class which can be contrasted against the supposedly conservative, accommodationist role of the Black leader Booker T. Washington, during roughly the same time period. By evaluating these two smaller figures, as well as their historiographical roles, this research complicates that narrative a bit, and forces us to reconsider the ways that we divide radicals from conservatives, elitists from populists, and progressives from reactionaries
Vascular flora and rare plant modeling of the Walls of Jericho Forever Wild Tract, Jackson County, Alabama
Get PDFA floristic inventory in the Walls of Jericho Forever Wild Tract was conducted during the 2021-2023 growing seasons. The Walls of Jericho Forever Wild Tract is a 5,142 ha protected area in Jackson County, Alabama. In total, 32 collection trips were made for a total of ~56 field days, resulting in 709 species, representing 372 genera in 125 families. Forty species of conservation concern were documented, including 12 S1 and 17 S2 species. Eighty-five (12%) of these species were non-native. The top three most represented families were Asteraceae (14%), Poaceae (9%) and Cyperaceae (7%). Additionally, we modeled suitable habitat using MaxEnt to survey for two federally listed species; Apios priceana (Fabaceae) and Clematis morefieldii (Ranunculaceae). While no occurrences were found, the model successfully delineated suitable habitat in which several other rare species were found, such as Blephelia subnuda (Lamiaceae), Asplenium ruta-mariana (Aspleniaceae), and Viburnum bracteatum (Viburnaceae)
Does social organization, litter size, sexual dimorphism, and phylogeny influence multiple paternity in mammals?
Get PDFAnimal social systems are complex and the dynamics of one component could influence the dynamics of another. The aim of this literature search research was to determine the interrelatedness between mammalian social organization and mating system, two components of social systems. The mating system was represented by multiple paternity, the number of litters with more than one father, as genetic analysis tells which individuals reproduced with who. Variables that might influence multiple paternity amongst extant mammalian species included in this study are variable social organization, male social organization, mean litter size, sexual dimorphism, and phylogenetics. Analysis was conducted using 56 mammalian species from 97 population that made up 10 orders. The overall mean percentage of multiple paternity across all the male social organizations was 0.39. Analysis relieved that two hypotheses based on the variables above that were important effectors of multiple paternity included male social organization and mean litter size. Of the male social organization units, only multimale single female groups influenced multiple paternity, Multiple paternity was negatively correlated to mean litter size, which is the opposite of what other studies have found. Variable social organization, body mass, and phylogeny were not found to be important predictors of multiple paternity. The negative correlation between litter size and multiple paternity could be explained by mate guarding or improved by analyzing using a more holistic model. The statistical power of male social organization could be improved by creating less categories of male units as either multimale or single male. Other variables of interest to multiple paternity could be social structure, breeding season length, and environmental data. This study encourages the use of quality data and more natural history studies of animals