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Characterization of Hemocytes in Amblyomma americanum and Investigation of TRAF6’s Role in Proliferation of Hemocytes in Response to Infection
Get PDFAmblyomma americanum is a medically important vector in the southeast United States. Cellular and molecular aspects of the immune system of this species were examined. To investigate cellular processes, hemocytes produced in response to gram-negative infection were characterized according to their ultrastructure. Four hemocyte types were identified: prohemocytes, plasmatocytes, type-I granulocytes, and type-II granulocytes. To elucidate molecular processes, we investigated AamTRAF as an immune-related gene by silencing the gene using RNAi then quantifying the hemocytes after inoculation with gram-negative and positive bacteria. It was found that silencing AamTRAF caused a decrease in hemocyte proliferation in response to gram-positive but not gram-negative bacteria. Knowledge gained from this research contributes to the understanding of the Amblyomma americanum immune system, with the long-term goal of determining how human pathogens evade detection in this vector
A Policy Analysis of the Endangered Species Act
Get PDFThe goal of this thesis was to identify and analyze common characteristics that are shared by recovering species listed in the Endangered Species Act (ESA). NatureServe population data was used to determine which listed species were recovering, and a logistic regression analysis was performed to identify which aspects of the ESA most contribute to recovery. Of the 747 species tested, only 24% had a population that was stable or improving. Time listed and classification group were found to significantly influence recovery, and recovery plan presence and critical habitat designation also increase the odds of recovery. The analysis found no relationship between species recovery and average annual funding,and species listed as “threatened” were just as likely to be recovering as those listed as “endangered”
Growing Concerned: How Societal Stress Relates to Plants in the Home
Get PDFDesign trends are constantly in flux, but the reasons why people prefer new trends are not readily apparent. This thesis brought together multiple aspects of interior design to investigate how design has changed. After a review of available studies, the researcher decided to focus on natural design in homes because this area has previous research upon which to build. This study compared data to examine how stress in America relates to plant imagery. The research questions asked what, if any, relationship exists between societal stress and the use of plants, plant-like objects, and window views.
Measures of stress included hospitalization, violent crime, and poverty rates. The setting for examination was the United States from 1965 to 2020. The study used items in photographs to generate variables. The results indicated there was a positive, moderate relationship between the number of plants used in a home and the rate of hospitalization for the same year. When controlling for the size of plants, there was a strong, positive relationship. The data supported a negative, weak relationship between the use of plants and the poverty rate. The analysis concluded that there is little relationship between social factors and the view from the windows in a room. There was not enough evidence to support any connection between social factors and plant-like objects. This showed that in years when hospitalization rates were higher, there was an increased number of plants in magazine photographs
Creating a Faith-Friendly School Culture in Religiously Plural Communities: A Neglected Facet of Diversity
Get PDFSchool leaders serve religiously diverse communities, engaging with staff and parents from many backgrounds to address the academic and development needs of all children. While educator preparation often includes some instruction in cultural competence, religious diversity gets little attention. The purpose of this conceptual article is to provide guidance for school leaders to create a workplace and school culture hospitable to employees from all religious, spiritual, and non-religious backgrounds. Using Miller and Ewest’s (2015) Faith and Work Organizational framework, this article reviews findings from the management literature on workplace spirituality including the sparse empirical literature on religious expression in the school (as a workplace) and from case law on employment-related religious expression in schools. We synthesize the concepts and findings into actionable recommendations for school leaders to guide them towards creating inclusive, religiously plural, faith-safe or faith-friendly workplaces where educators can flourish and thrive. Recommendations include a policy review, adoption of norms of respectful pluralism, and religious literacy training
Curated Conferences to Strengthen Equity Leadership Capacity: A Case Study of Aspiring School Leaders
Get PDFThe purpose of this qualitative case study was to determine whether a Curated Conference Learning Experience (CCLE) could stimulate new learning or deepen existing learning around leadership for equity by engaging four andragogical theories: critical theory and praxis, new learning, guided learning, and reflective learning within a community of practice. Faculty members selected sessions focused on equity, provided journal prompts, and conducted focus groups for 13 students enrolled in a Masters of School Administration program at national educational leadership conference. Findings indicate new and strengthened learning in the areas of (1) relationship building; (2) understanding identity and co-constructing leadership for equity; (3) roadblocks and realizations; (4) connection to previous coursework; and (5) increased commitment to equity work. Our conceptual framework can be applied across disciplines for more intentional, pedagogical designs for transformative student conference learning
SOIL SALINITY AND SODICITY OF GALVESTON AND PELICAN ISLANDS, TEXAS
Get PDFGalveston Island, Texas, is frequently affected by hurricanes. In 2008, Hurricane Ike inundated much of the island with seawater, causing elevated soil salinity levels that killed much of the vegetation on the island, including tens of thousands of trees. Residual salinity in soils and groundwater has hampered vegetation re-establishment in some areas.
This project aims to create a map product that displays the current soil salinity and sodicity levels on Galveston and Pelican Islands. The existing USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Galveston County Soil Survey map units were used as a base for the project. ArcGIS Desktop software was used to establish a sampling design with randomly located sampling points within each soil survey map unit. Samples were taken at 200 different soil sampling plots across Pelican and Galveston Island. A total of 328 samples were collected, composed of 129 subsurface and 199 surface samples. The soil samples were tested in the laboratory for pH, macro-and micronutrients, and saturated paste properties such as sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) and electrical conductivity (EC). The data was entered into ArcGIS for analyses, and an interpolated surface using inverse distance weighted (IDW) was created.
The average salinity for the soil samples in this study varied from the predicted values produced by the NRCS Web Soil Survey. Surface samples had a higher average EC but a lower average SAR than subsurface samples. There was a significant difference between surface and subsurface EC levels, while there was no significant difference in SAR values. There is a positive correlation between EC and SAR levels. About half the samples are not salt impaired. The other half were classified as saline, sodic, or saline sodic. The areas with higher salinity and sodicity included the dredge material on Pelican Island, the tidal flats on the Galveston Bay coast, and the industrial areas close to the coastline. The large suburban and downtown area of Galveston Island had the lowest salinity and sodicity
Gender Typicality, Pressure to Conform to Gender Norms, and Anti-Fat and Appearance Stereotypes in Girls
No full textThis mixed-methods study investigated the relation among gender identity (i.e., self-perceived gender similarity to girls and boys; self-perceived parental and peer pressure to conform to gender norms) and stereotyping about weight (i.e., anti-fat stereotypes), weight change, and appearance in 83 girls ages 6–9 (Mage = 7.60 years, SD = .85; 65% White, 16% Mixed/Other, 11% Black, 8% Latina) in the U.S. Stereotypes about weight change were assessed with open-ended responses (i.e., qualitatively), and the rest of the constructs were assessed with closed-ended responses (i.e., quantitatively). There was a positive association between pressure from parents to conform to gender norms and appearance stereotypes, and between pressure from peers and negative stereotypes about the fat and thin figures. Girls who were more gender typical, or more similar to girls, were more likely to endorse appearance stereotypes. There was no significant relation among stereotypes about weight change and gender identity. Many girls deemed the fat figure as unattractive, physically restrained, unhealthy, and likely to be bullied and believed that the fat figure should change back to look like a thinner figure. Most girls were aware that exercising, eating healthy, and dietary restriction can lead to weight loss and that food consumption and lack of exercise can lead to weight gain. Findings suggest that certain aspects of weight (anti-fat) and appearance stereotypes are closely linked to gender identity in girls, whereas other aspects of weight stereotypes (e.g., stereotypes about weight change) are so pervasive that they are common in most girls, regardless of their gender identity
My Muse of Fire is Ubuntu: My Black Lives Matter Re-awakening of Purpose
Get PDFPoetry, as a genre, allows one to express emotion as a tool to stimulate thought and action. This piece shares the importance of culturally responsive leadership and teaching from the perspective of a university professor seeking to strengthen her critical consciousness. The muse of thought as a precursor to action was motivated by personal and professional development as it relates to truly embracing Black Lives Matter during the pandemic. This muse shares a transformation in the development of proactive and strength-based perspectives in leading and teaching African American learners
DISRUPTING THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE: USING CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE CLASSROOM PRACTICES TO SUPPORT BLACK STUDENTS
Get PDFThe school to prison pipeline is a social phenomenon in which students become formally involved with the criminal justice system due to behavior issues being addressed with law enforcement consequences rather than school-imposed consequences (Owens, 2015). Culturally responsive practices can also support educators\u27 understanding of the unique abilities and untapped assets in students of color while encouraging a more appropriate response to their behavior (Quigley, 2014). This qualitative study was conducted to determine if culturally responsive practices can disrupt the school to prison pipeline for Black students. The study included campuses across five school districts in southeast Texas. The purpose of conducting this research study is to determine if the consistent implementation of culturally responsive classroom practices could affect the disruption of the school to prison pipeline. Results of the study were the continuation of a knowledge deficit in understanding culturally responsive practices and how to implement this system effectively in classrooms