Via Sapientiae: The Institutional Repository at DePaul University
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Combat to Plastic Pollution: Residents’ Participation to the Deposit Scheme
Get PDFPlastic pollution is a growing global concern. In response, South Korea implemented the deposit scheme in June 2022 to regulate plastic waste and promote recycling, selecting Jeju Island as a pilot city. For the successful implementation of this initiative, residents\u27 participation is important. This research examined how residents\u27 environmental concerns, threat and coping appraisals, and temporal distance influenced their intentions to participate in the deposit scheme based on Protection Motivation Theory. With 414 resident responses, this study used Structural Equation Modeling and Latent Moderated Structural Equation Modeling to analyze the data. The results showed that environmentally conscious residents are likely to participate in the deposit scheme, driven by their higher perceptions of threat, specifically severity and self-efficacy. Temporal distance was also an important factor influencing their participation. It suggests strategies for increasing participation in recycling initiatives, emphasizing clear communication about environmental impacts and the long-term benefits of sustainable actions
Harmony or Discord? The Intersection of Religious Beliefs and International Mindedness
Get PDFA fundamental concept of the International Baccalaureate (IB) educational philosophy is international mindedness. International mindedness refers to being, thinking, and acting with openness to the world and an understanding of the interconnectedness of oneself with others. Despite extensive research on religious beliefs and international mindedness separately, there remains a dearth of studies exploring their intersection, especially among the International Baccalaureate (IB) teachers in their early professional years. This study examines how the religious beliefs of early adult and early-career International Baccalaureate (IB) teachers influence their perceptions and manifestations of international mindedness. This study utilizes phenomenological research strategies. It involves eight participants from diverse religious backgrounds, who are early adult and early-career teachers currently teaching at private and public International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in Chicago. The study employs a multi-faceted approach. It began by administering a survey to collect demographic data and evaluate participants\u27 affiliations with religious beliefs and their understanding of international mindedness. Building upon these initial survey results, the researcher then organized a focus group interview to facilitate in-depth discussion. Finally, to further understand some of the phenomena the participants shared, follow-up one-on-one interviews were conducted. The findings of this study indicate that religious beliefs may significantly influence teachers\u27 perceptions and manifestations of international mindedness. Teachers who adhere more strictly to the tenets of their religious beliefs may encounter challenges in advocating international mindedness. Conversely, teachers who are less affiliated with the tenets of their religious beliefs are more likely to promote international mindedness. This study provides insights into factors potentially influencing harmony and discord in International Baccalaureate (IB) educational settings, particularly as these may be mediated by religious beliefs and the notions of international mindedness. The study further addresses how to support teachers, in view of their vital role in fostering international mindedness in students, to potentially address challenges associated with both religious beliefs and international mindedness. However, the scope of this study is constrained by a limited sample size with unique characteristics, underscoring the need for further research to influence educational policy and perspectives on teacher hiring, development, and practice in International Baccalaureate (IB) educational settings
Green Imperialism: The Hidden Costs of a Green New Deal in the Global South. A Case Study of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Get PDFCrystallographic Analysis of the Dorsal Spine of Squalus suckleyi
No full textThe dorsal spine of the spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, has been used for age determination of individual specimens since the 1930s. Scientific literature regarding the dorsal spine has to date always referred to it as having an enamel exterior, with a dentin interior surrounding a central pulp cavity. This is similar to the structure observed in a human tooth.
The dorsal spine is composed of cartilage-based tissue that contains bioapatite. Bioapatite is a mixture of hydroxyapatite, Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 (a calcium salt of phosphoric acid), and other biological material, e.g. calcium carbonate, CaCO3. Micro-computed tomographic (micro-CT) reconstruction using diffracted wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) data and Rietveld refinement were used to study the 3D crystallography of the bioapatite within the dorsal spine of a closely related species, the Pacific spiny dogfish, Squalus suckleyi. Specifically, in light of prior claims made in the scientific literature regarding the composition of the dorsal spine, we are interested in the lattice parameter values, their distribution throughout the dorsal spine, and the corresponding crystallite size of the hydroxyapatite present therein.
Data collected from eight transverse layers of the dorsal spine sample were used to create 2D maps of the voxels (volume elements) within each layer. For each voxel, a 1D X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern was obtained. The Rietveld refinement method was then applied to each 1D XRD pattern to obtain values for the crystal lattice parameters of the bioapatite therein. The Scherrer equation, along with the Williamson-Hall model, were then used to determine bioapatite crystallite sizes from both the full-width half maximum (FWHM) and Bragg angle data of the resulting peaks within the 1D XRD patterns.
Hydroxyapatite, the only crystalline phase present in the dorsal spine, has crystal lattice parameters of a = b = 9.432 Å, and c = 6.881 Å, as reported by Kay et al. Overall, with respect to all of the inspected voxels in all eight transverse layers of the dorsal spine, mean crystal lattice parameters and corresponding standard deviations of the bioapatite in the sample are a = b = 9.448 Å +/- 0.010 Å, and c = 6.900 Å +/- 0.002 Å, for out-of-plane scans (measurements made parallel to the spine’s axis); and a = b = 9.435 Å +/- 0.007 Å, and c = 6.900 Å +/- 0.004 Å, for in-plane scans (measurements made perpendicular to the spine’s axis). Hydroxyapatite crystallite sizes observed in biological specimens, as noted in peer-reviewed journal articles, were also observed throughout the dorsal spine.
Of note are two relevant observations. First, the lattice parameters are not the same everywhere. From the Rietveld refinement analysis, voxels in the lateral regions of the dorsal spine exhibit sharper 1D XRD peaks compared to voxels in the inner regions. Second, sharper diffraction peaks within a voxel imply that the bioapatite therein has larger crystallites. In-plane bioapatite crystallite sizes are markedly greater in the voxels in the lateral regions of the dorsal spine, and relatively much lower within the body of the dorsal spine.
Prior scientific literature referred to the dorsal spine of the closely related spiny dogfish, Squalus acanthias, as having an enamel exterior and a dentin interior. The results obtained in this analysis of the dorsal spine of the Pacific spiny dogfish, Squalus suckleyi, strongly suggest that the outer lateral regions are indeed made of bioapatite that is qualitatively more similar to tooth enamel than to dentin
Assay Optimization to Capture Herpesvirus Entry Protein Interactions
No full textA sequence of protein-protein interactions between four glycoproteins (gB, gD, gH, and gL) are sufficient and necessary for entry of herpes simplex virus (HSV) into a host cell. The mechanism for entry is conserved across all herpesviruses, specifically gH/gL and gB (Connolly et al., 2011), therefore studying HSV-1 entry can give insight into other herpesviruses. Co-immunoprecipitation (coIP) is an appealing technique for studying protein interactions required for entry in HSV-1. coIP is a promising method because wild-type protein complexes remain intact, and cells can be transfected with multiple combinations of proteins for isolation. coIP can be challenging because the interactions observed may be low affinity and/or transient. To establish optimal conditions for coIP, proteins were first analyzed for expression using western blotting. Secreted HSV-1 proteins were determined by western blot analysis and a coIP protocol was optimized. Using secreted proteins is an advantage because a detergent is not needed, and detergent can disrupt protein-protein interactions. The findings show that a coIP did not demonstrate a protein-protein interaction for HSV-1
A Precious Gift: A Reflection and Resource on Water Quality and Sustainability
No full textThis reflection, prepared by Illinois Catholics concerned with the intersection of faith, environmental stewardship, and social justice, explores the theological, moral, and practical dimensions of water quality and sustainability in the state. Rooted in Scripture, and Catholic liturgy and tradition, it affirms water as a sacred gift, essential for life and a universal human right. Drawing on Catholic social teaching and Pope Francis’ Encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home, it examines pressing water challenges in Illinois, including contamination from coal ash, nitrates, PFAS, and lead, as well as infrastructure, affordability, and sustainability concerns. The document offers an overview of state water resources, governance structures, and emerging threats, and highlights opportunities for Catholic advocacy, education, and community action. It calls the faithful to practice subsidiarity and solidarity, to protect vulnerable communities, and to model sustainable water use in family, parish, and school life. By combining theological insight with practical guidance, this resource seeks to inspire both awareness and action in caring for “Sister Water” as a common good for present and future generations
Thai Parents’ Reasons for Sending Their Children to Premium-Fee International Schools: Strategies for Establishing International Schools
No full textThe study investigates the factors influencing Thai parents’ decisions when selecting international schools in the Bangkok Metropolitan Region. It examines how parents’ preferences for educational outcomes shape their choice among UK, US, or IB programs. Key findings reveal that dissatisfaction with Thai public schools drives many families to enroll their children in international schools. These institutions are valued for their supportive community atmosphere, opportunities for foreign college placements, and superior infrastructure. Preferences for different programs reflect distinct priorities: UK programs are preferred for their extracurricular activities, punctuality, and academic reputation; US programs for their emphasis on critical thinking, multiculturalism, and flexible teaching methods; and IB programs for their global perspectives, trilingual approach, and rigorous academics. The study also includes a SWOT analysis designed to help school leaders leverage strengths, address weaknesses, seize opportunities, and manage risks associated with international schools. Additionally, it explores significant contradictions and tensions, such as those between academic rigor and holistic development, global versus Eurocentric curricula, multilingualism versus subtractive bilingualism, cultural competence versus assimilation, Western versus Eastern communication styles, and competitive versus non-competitive parenting approaches. Addressing these issues is crucial for promoting cultural sensitivity within international school environments. The conclusion offers recommendations for school leaders on how to use these findings to develop and enhance strategies for international schools
