1925 research outputs found
Sort by
Contextualizing Xunantunich in the late classic upper Belize Valley through investigations of Structure A9
Get PDFFollowing their 1990s research at Xunantunich, archaeologists with the Xunantunich Archaeological Project (XAP) hypothesized that this Upper Belize Valley site rose rapidly from a minor political center to a powerful regional polity during the Late Classic period (AD 600-900). The XAP researchers further suggested that this rapid rise was influenced by Xunantunich’s relationship with the more powerful polity of Naranjo in the nearby Petén Department of Guatemala. Their argument was based in part on a Late Classic period building program at Xunantunich, which, they claimed, resulted in a site layout that resembles that of Naranjo. In this thesis, I investigate Structure A9, a Late Classic temple-pyramid in Xunantunich’s civic-ceremonial center. Through the excavation of Structure A9 and the analysis of architectural and cultural remains recovered from this and other structures previously excavated at Xunantunich, I examine whether A9 provides evidence to support the late and rapid development of the center, the structure’s regional and local sociopolitical significance, and the hypothesized influence of Naranjo on Xunantunich’s dramatic Late Classic period growth. I conclude that architectural evidence from A9 and other structures in the site core support the argument for the site’s unprecedented, late development, and two hieroglyphic panels placed in front of the structure provide strong evidence for Xunantunich having close political ties with Naranjo in the latter 7th century. Furthermore, the hieroglyphic panels and a contemporaneous tomb within Structure A9 suggest that the pyramid was built to commemorate a specific individual associated with a geopolitical event
Restoring degraded tropical peatlands: case studies from Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
No full textTropical peatlands hold 15-19% of global peat carbon with Indonesia as the largest contributor in Southeast Asia. Many of Indonesia's peatlands are degraded into fire-prone and non-forest vegetation state. There are several peatland restoration projects now being carried out by several entities with public and private investments. These projects vary in their stated restoration goals, planned activities and plan durations. Although these projects face serious social, economic and ecological challenges, the majority of the projects (3 out of 4) are being planned for the short term (5 to 30 years). Meanwhile, the time required for peatland restoration varies from decades to hundreds of years depending on the damage level. Thus, finding ways to sustain restoration efforts beyond the project duration is critical to restoration success. Little is known about how different types of actors manage their restoration projects and how much it would cost to restore degraded tropical peatlands. These aspects have rarely been studied; they are the focus of this study. This study presents a close examination of four tropical peatland restoration projects in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, which are initiated and managed by: 1) a non-governmental organization (NGO) partnered with a national park, 2) a government agency partnered with a NGO, 3) a private company partnered with a NGO, and 4) a private company partnered with a university. We interviewed 47 key informants who are involved in these projects and also conducted an online survey to understand costs of peatland restoration projects. In the first study, we assessed how different project actors defined the concept of ecological restoration, how their definitions were being articulated into restoration goals, plan duration, and restoration activities. Ecological restoration of peatlands in Indonesia is being defined with emphases on ecological (i.e. restoring and maintaining water balance of peat) and socio-economic dimensions. Both of these aspects are influenced by their socio-ecological context and the challenges they faced in restoring degraded peatlands. In the second study, we focused on examining different socio-economic and ecological challenges that the project actors faced and how they affected costs of restoration. We built a cost-accounting framework for both direct (i.e. costs of restoration activities) and indirect costs (i.e. costs to address the socio-economic and ecological challenges) of restoration. We found that indirect costs are generally high, accounting nearly half of the total restoration costs. The real costs are potentially higher than the estimation, especially if we include opportunity costs of displaced economic activities. The opportunity costs may not have to be internalized in all restoration projects, but they reflect the magnitude of anthropogenic pressures that restoration projects face. Benefits of peatland restoration over the long term may justify the costs. However, if peatland restoration projects have to internalize all of these costs, restoration efforts are unlikely to be sustained beyond project duration. There should be larger political scale commitments to address operating contexts of restoration projects, such as promoting good governance, land tenure security, ecosystem services market, incentives, political commitments, and funding support. The results of this study can inform policy-makers and practitioners for promoting peatland restoration projects in Indonesia with adequate policies, resource and funding
Examining high school students’ scientific identity and interest in stem careers after participating in an afterschool bioscience course
Get PDFIdentity and self-efficacy play a role in understanding how students commit to entering science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) careers. Since there is such a small percentage of underrepresented students in STEM fields, a shift needs to occur in order to encourage and motivate underrepresented students to commit to STEM. The purpose of this study was to observe two male students from differing cultural backgrounds in a bioscience class, and how their scientific identity and self-efficacy determined career goals. Through non-traditional classrooms such as project-based learning (PBL) classes, students are able to gain a better understanding of science. PBL classes, such as the bioscience class these students participated in, immerse students in research, foster relationships with professionals and peers, and provide a community to students that cannot be given elsewhere. As a result, the Caucasian student, with a strong STEM background and interest in going into a STEM field, displayed little to no further formation of scientific identity. The Native American student, however, entered the class interested in a STEM field, yet was given the opportunity to experience and observe a variety of STEM fields, forming a scientific identity, therefore causing him to pursue more STEM opportunities and fields. Because of the rigorous, student-centered environment this bioscience class provides, along with the community partnerships and mentorships, helps students develop a positive STEM identity and increased STEM self-efficacy, which motivates students to pursue STEM related fields
Evaluating early post-fire tropical lower montane forest recovery in Indonesia (a case study in Grand Forest Park Raden Soerjo – East Java)
No full textLittle is known about post-fire tropical montane forest succession in Indonesia. This study assessed the structure and composition of post-fire forest regrowth in Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park, a conservation forest management unit in East Java, Indonesia. We sampled three high-severity burnt units to assess forest response across a range of post-fire recovery times and one or two fire entries. We calculated mean stems and basal area per unit area by size class (tree, pole, sapling, and seedling), tree size class distribution by species, and mean percent cover of understory by life form. We found that units experiencing short-term absence of fire and two fire entries are dominated by non-tree understory vegetation, and an inverse relationship between grass cover and sapling and seedling density, indicating that understory cover may hamper the establishment of tree regeneration. We also found higher species diversity and richness following a single fire entry. Our results provide a better understanding of early post-fire forest recovery and indicate that managers should actively monitor burned areas following fire, and plan for active restoration if non-forest vegetation dominates for long time periods (>8 years) or after a second fire entry
Hybridization of surface plasmon resonance in immiscible solid composite nanostructures
No full textAdvances in nanofabrication methods allow for the creation of more complex nanostructures that can solve more complex problems across many fields. Complexity in the morphology and composition of nanostructures has been hotly researched recently to achieve tunable and multifunctional structures for various applications, most notably within the biomedical field. While composite nanostructures have received a heavy amount of attention, immiscible solid composite nanostructures have not been studied or demonstrated by physical vapor deposition fabrication. It is expected that these nanostructures, which are themselves made up of smaller nanoparticles, will provide a higher level of complexity and functionality for many applications.
This study uses dual source physical vapor depositional techniques to fabricate immiscible solid composite nanostructures made of gold-silica and gold-titanium dioxide combinations. An array of gold-silica ratio thin film samples was fabricated and characterized with atomic force microscopy and ultraviolet to visible range spectroscopy. Atomic force microscopy was used to verify the expected morphology and composition and spectroscopy was used to characterize the absorption properties.
It was found that the peak absorption wavelength was shifted based on the compositional ratio of gold to silica within the nanostructures. Thus, a hybridization of optical properties is exhibited consistent with the compositional ratio of gold and silica within the immiscible solid composite nanostructures. This study lays the groundwork for property tunability through adjustment of the compositional ratio of immiscible solid nanostructures
Integrating Diné culture and language to transform construction management curriculum
Get PDFABSTRACT
INTEGRATING DINÉ CULTURE AND LANGUAGE
TO TRANSFORM CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT CURRICULUM
ROSANNA JUMBO-FITCH
Using Critical Oral History (COH) methodology, this study examines the difference between Diné (Navajo, man, woman, or the people) and Eurocentric and Eurocentric derivative construction management practices to transform existing Diné construction management curriculum through culturally responsive pedagogy. This study highlights the significance of Diné stories, traditions, sovereignty and how these elements promote transformative change to Diné construction management curriculum and Diné professionals’ practices. Drawing on Tribal Critical Race Theory (TribalCrit), this study provides an opportunity for current construction management curriculum to integrate indigeneity and make the curriculum culturally responsive to, with, and for the communities involved. TribalCrit and COH underscore how integrating Diné ways of knowing are central to the transforming the curriculum and practice.
Integrating Diné language and culture into construction management curriculum could benefit Diné in critically needed ways; to value and validate local knowledge bases and construction expertise that best serve their communities. Existing construction management and construction education programs are currently guided by Eurocentric and Eurocentric derivative concepts. Integrating Diné language and culture into construction management curriculum would empower Diné communities to use local knowledge and reinforce the importance of their language and culture. Indigenous knowledge promotes collaboration between and within Diné communities. Diné have been very persistent in implementing their culture and language in their K-12 curriculum; this effort needs to be extended beyond this level to underscore the importance and application of culture and language through the education process. The current study draws on Diné ways of knowing to explore how current practices align and differ between Diné and Eurocentric and Eurocentric derivative constructs
Co-teaching inclusion model: perceptions of general education and special education attitudes and co-teaching
No full textABSTRACT
CO-TEACHING INCLUSION MODEL: PERCEPTIONS OF GENERAL AND SPECIAL EDUCATION ATTITUDES AND STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
JENNIFER L. H. MURPHY
Since the inception of ESEA of 1965 student achievement has been one focus on public education. Fast-forward to NCLB of 2001, a reenactment of the ESEA of 1965; school leaders have been pushed to demonstrate student achievement to all learners. With increased demands to close the achievement gap and track struggling learners co-teaching models have become increasingly popular in public schools.
This study took place in a public high school located in the Southwest region of the United States. The study consisted of mix-methods using both quantitative and qualitative measurements. The study examined student achievement among general education and special education students who participated in co-teaching model core classes. Academic achievement using quarter one and quarter two benchmark assessment findings were compared between general education and special education students.
The ATTMS survey was administered to both general education and special education teachers who work in co-teaching model classes in English, mathematics, science, and social studies in the study school. The survey was distributed to 23 teachers at FKHS and secure software was used to ensure the survey respondents remained anonymous. The survey consisted of nine Likert-scaled questions to measure teacher attitudes toward teaching all students.
After the survey was administered, five general education and five special education teachers volunteered for a one-hour focus group interview. The interview was transcribed and common response sub-items were discovered.
ii
The quantitative results did not show a significant difference between academic achievement among general education and special education students enrolled in co-teaching model classes in each of the core content areas. The focus group interview portion of the study revealed several response sub-items from general education and special education teachers who participate in co-teaching model classes. Teachers did not provide negative feedback during the focus group, rather they provided positive input regarding the need for more support to ensure all students are successful. The survey question teachers responded to were not necessarily supported by the focus group discussion. Interestingly the focus group discussed the interpretations of the survey questions and most of the survey questions were not fully supported by the focus group discussion. The response sub-items provided more insight as to why respondents selected positive, negative, and neutral choices. Overall teachers had a vested interest in all of the students they serve including students with mild to moderate disabilities
Tree-ring chronological analysis of Ancestral Puebloan transitions in the Flagstaff Area
Get PDFThe chronology of prehistoric cultural developments within the American Southwest has been a subject of interest and debate since the archaeologists began to study the region. Although archaeologists have recognized patterns of aggregation throughout the Southwest, the degree to which the patterns are synchronous through prehistory remains uncertain. My thesis research focuses on the development of a cultural chronology of the prehistoric Flagstaff area ranging from A.D. 650 to A.D. 1400, which I construct using tree-ring data and compare to a MCD chronology. I compiled data from three quadrangles ranging from 34° to 36° north, and 111° to 113° west, which includes dates and ceramic typologies from multiple projects. The results reveal several problems with regional tree-ring chronology datasets, related to site representation in the dataset, problems with tree-ring interpretations, and potential problems with sample bias
Characterizing material properties of drawn monofilament for Twisted Polymer Actuation
Get PDFThe field of smart materials has experienced a significant growth in the past fifteen years in actuation applications due to their smart and adaptive capabilities. However, most of these smart materials share the drawback of high cost, making their development and implementation difficult. This limitation leads us to the study of Twisted Polymer Actuators (TPAs). TPAs are inexpensive drawn monofilaments of polymers, such as fishing line, capable of actuation under thermal loads.
The actuation on TPAs is due to the anisotropic thermal expansion responses of the material in the radial and axial directions. The properties of the precursor monofilament can be used to predict the actuation of TPAs. This thesis focuses on characterizing the mechanical and thermal properties of the precursor monofilament necessary as input parameters for actuation models.
The properties obtained in this thesis are: axial modulus, shear modulus, radial modulus, Poisson's ratio, axial thermal contraction, and radial thermal expansion. The mechanical properties are presented as a function of temperature under the assumption of linear elasticity, but also as a function of time to characterize the viscoelastic effect at room temperature. The thermal expansion properties are also presented as functions of temperature and time, and it is found that viscous effects on thermal properties can be ignored for rapid actuation periods. Finally, this thesis presents experimental actuation data for different test conditions: free torsional actuation and torsional actuation under an isotonic torsional load. In the latter, actuation is performed for two different configurations: single monofilament and a triple strand in parallel arrangement
The paleoecology and fire history from Crater Lake, Colorado: the last 1000 years
Get PDFHigh-resolution pollen, plant macrofossil, charcoal and pyrogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) records were developed from a 154 cm long sediment core collected from Crater Lake (37.39°N, 106.70°W; 3328 m asl), San Juan Mountains, Colorado. Several studies have explored Holocene paleo-vegetation and fire histories from mixed conifer and subalpine bogs and lakes in the San Juan and southern Rocky Mountains utilizing both palynological and charcoal studies, but most have been at relatively low resolution. In addition to presenting the highest resolution palynological study over the last 1000 years from the southern Rocky Mountains, this thesis also presents the first high-resolution pyrogenic PAH and charcoal paired analysis aimed at understanding both long-term fire history and the unresolved relationship between how each of these proxies depict paleofire events.
Pollen assemblages, pollen ratios, and paleofire activity, indicated by charcoal and pyrogenic PAH records, were used to infer past climatic conditions. Although the ecosystem surrounding Crater Lake has remained a largely spruce (Picea) dominated forest, the proxies developed in this thesis suggest there were two distinct climate intervals between ~1035 to ~1350 CE and ~1350 to ~1850 CE in the southern Rocky Mountains, associated with the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA) and Little Ice Age (LIA) respectively. The MCA was a period of increased aridity, temperature, and regional fire activity, whereas the LIA was wetter, cooler and experienced decreased regional fire activity. The paired charcoal - pyrogenic PAH record indicates that these paleofire proxies follow similar general trends in regional fire patterns (i.e. indicate increased or decreased fire activity, respectively), but that peak concentrations do not correspond to each other. This suggests that these two paleofire proxies record different paleofire events. The vegetation and fire history inferred from Crater Lake sediments demonstrate that centennial and sub-centennial scale climate variability can be determined from high elevation pollen assemblages, pollen ratios, plant macrofossil, charcoal, and pyrogenic PAH proxies