305 research outputs found
A case study exploring college access for low-income, first-generation urban African American students and the career success of Mr. Silas Purnell, ‘the Michael Jordan of TRiO’
No full textThis dissertation uses a case study to explore issues of college access for low-income, first-generation urban African American students. This project also examines the work of Mr. Silas Purnell, the man I have deemed as ‘The Michael Jordan of TRiO’. He was a pioneer, leader, and in essence—a game changer in the field of Student Affairs and among the college going culture for students of color for nearly a half-century. His work in Chicago with students of color along with colleges and universities across the country from 1966 to 2001 is relevant and continues to resonate. Scholars suggest Purnell single-handedly changed the culture of college admissions regarding working with masses of urban students of color. Due to social stratification and inequalities critical resources and pertinent information for matriculation into higher education continues to be scarce and elusive to some. For more than a half-century, educational disparities have existed and persisted. No other population within the United States public education system has been as affected and positioned for failure than African Americans (Blacks) and male students, in particular. Black students continue to face plagues of environmental, social, familial and other related factors which impact can academic achievement. Purnell worked with tens of thousands of Black students and most of them came from low-income families and would become first-generation college attendees. Purnell’s unprecedented work and efforts yielded resources, opportunities, and access to college for many who otherwise would not have been afforded entrance into the doors of higher learning. Literally, an unconfirmed number of students who Purnell worked with went on to achieve success. Since issues of college access, college placement, and college completion remain a problem, I sought to delve into the work and legacy of Purnell to seek to discover tools and tips he employed during his tenure. As educators, scholars, and practitioners seek viable approaches to further support increasing access and college attainment to similar populations of students, I chose to focus my research and thoroughly study the work and success of Purnell, who reportedly facilitated approximately 100,000 students’ placement into college. The primary research questions that guided this study included:
1) What were the strategies and practices that Purnell adopted in working with students and families?; 2) How was he effective in placing students into schools and providing access to higher education?; and 3) How can current professionals and advocates for underrepresented, low-income, urban students apply the strategies and practices Purnell used into their work in increasing access to higher education? This qualitative study used individual interviews as the primary data collection method. 13 individuals were interviewed and they shared information which contributed to a data set organized into six primary themes. This dissertation study contributes to our understanding of maximal success in work related to college preparation services with underrepresented, underserved, and marginalized populations. This research reveals that in addition to intellectual capacity and expertise, it is also optimal to embody and implement soft skills and leadership qualities including: perseverance, resourcefulness and resilience in networking, cultural competency, caring and commitment; and the capacity to overcome many obstacles.Submission original under an indefinite embargo labeled 'Open Access'. The submission was exported from vireo on 2018-08-31 without embargo termsThe student, Perry Benson, Jr., accepted the attached license on 2018-04-20 at 09:40.The student, Perry Benson, Jr., submitted this Dissertation for approval on 2018-04-20 at 09:48.This Dissertation was approved for publication on 2018-04-20 at 11:18.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #12397 on 2018-08-31 at 17:14:00Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-04T20:27:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3
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Previous issue date: 2018-04-2
Broiler Farms' Organization, Management, and Performance
No full textThis study provides a comprehensive view of the organization, management, and financial performance of U.S. broiler farms. Using data from USDA's Agricultural Resource Management Study (ARMS, formerly known as the Farm Costs and Returns Survey), we examine farm size, financial structure, household income, management practices, and spousal participation in decision-making. We compare broiler operations with other farming enterprises and their earnings with that of the average U.S. household. Because most of the 7 billion broilers produced in the United States in 1995 were raised under contract, we also explore the use of contracts and the effects of contracting on the broiler sector.contracting, broilers, poultry, farm characteristics, farm income, farm operator characteristics, risk management strategies, Livestock Production/Industries,
Hemiphyllodactylus tonywhitteni Grismer & Wood Jr & Kyaw Thura & Zin & Quah & Murdoch & Grismer & Li & Kyaw & Lwin 2017, sp. nov.
No full textHemiphyllodactylus tonywhitteni sp. nov. Phapant dwarf gecko (Figures 5 and 6) Holotype Adult male (LSUHC 13026) collected on 18 October 2016 at 1600 hours by Evan S. H. Quah, Perry L. Wood, Jr., Matthew L. Murdoch, Thaw Zin, Myint Kyaw Thura, Htet Kyaw, Marta S. Grismer, and L. Lee Grismer from Phapant Cave, 25.2 km north-east of Taunggyi, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar (21°11.472N, 96°33.214E; 1270 m). Paratypes Adult females (LSUHC 13027 and 13030) and juvenile female (LSUHC 13028) and juvenile male (LSUHC 13029) bear the same data as the holotype. Diagnosis Hemiphyllodactylus tonywhitteni sp. nov. can be separated from all other species of Hemiphyllodactylus by possessing the unique combination of having a maximum SVL of 38.8 mm; 5–8 chin scales; enlarged postmentals; 3–5 circumnasal scales; 2–4 scales between supranasals (=postrostrals); eight or nine supralabials; eight infralabials; 13–16 longitudinally arranged dorsal scales at midbody contained within one eye diameter and 7–9 ventral scales; varied digital formulae (Table 3); three subdigital lamellae on the first finger; three or four subdigital lamellae on the first toe; 20–26 continuous pore-bearing femoroprecloacal scales; no plate-like subcaudal scales; dark postorbital stripe not extending onto trunk; pairs of paravertebral light spots on trunk; dorsal body pattern not unicolour; postsacral marking bearing light-coloured anteriorly projecting arms; and caecum and gonads unpigmented. These characters are scored across all species of Hemiphyllodactylus from clades 3 and 4 (Table 3). Description of holotype Adult male; head triangular in dorsal profile, depressed, distinct from neck; lores and interorbital regions flat; rostrum moderate in length (NarEye/HeadL 0.33); prefrontal region flat to weakly concave; canthus rostralis smoothly rounded, barely discernible; snout moderate, rounded in dorsal profile; eye large; ear opening round, small; eye to ear distance greater than diameter of eye; rostral wider than high, bordered posteriorly by small supranasals; three internasals (=postnasal); external nares bordered anteriorly by rostral, dorsally by supranasal, posteriorly by two postnasals, ventrally by first supralabial (=circumnasals); 8 (R,L) rectangular supralabials tapering to below posterior margin of orbit; 8 (R,L) rectangular infralabials tapering to below posterior margin of orbit; scales of rostrum, lores, top of head, and occiput small, granular, those of rostrum largest and slightly raised; dorsal superciliaries flat, mostly square, subimbricate, largest anteriorly; mental triangular, bordered laterally by first infralabials and posteriorly by two large postmentals; each postmental bordered laterally by a single large, sublabial; seven chin scales; gular scales small, subimbricate, grading posteriorly into slightly larger, subimbricate, throat and pectoral scales which grade into slightly larger, subimbricate ventrals. Body somewhat elongate (Trunk/SVL 0.48), dorsoventrally compressed; ventrolateral folds absent; dorsal scales small, granular, 14 dorsal scales at midbody contained within one eye diameter; ventral scales, flat, subimbricate much larger than dorsal scales, seven ventral scales contained within one eye diameter; precloacal scales slightly larger than abdominal scales; pore-bearing precloacal scales continuous with pore-bearing femoral scales, totalling 26; forelimbs short, robust in stature, covered with flat, subimbricate scales dorsally and ventrally; palmar scales flat, subimbricate; all digits except digit I well developed; digit I vestigial, clawless; distal, subdigital lamellae of digits II–V undivided, angular and U-shaped; lamellae proximal to these transversely expanded; lamellar formula of digits II–V 4-4-4-4 (R,L); three transversely expanded lamellae on digit I; claws on digits II–V well developed, unsheathed; distal portions of digits strongly curved, terminal joint free, arising from central portion of lamellar pad; hind limbs short, more robust than forelimbs, covered with flat, juxtaposed scales dorsally and by larger, flat subimbricate scales ventrally; plantar scales low, flat, subimbricate; all digits except digit I well developed; digit I vestigial, clawless; distal, subdigital lamellae of digits II–V undivided, angular and U-shaped; lamellae proximal to these transversely expanded; lamellar formula of digits II–V 4-4-4-4 (R,L); three transversely expanded lamellae on digit I; claws on digits II–V well developed, unsheathed; distal portions of digits strongly curved, terminal joint free, arising from central portion of lamellar pad; dorsal caudal scales small, square, subimbricate; tail regenerated, covered with flat imbricate scales. Morphometric data are presented in Table 5. Coloration before preservation (Figure 5) Top of head, body, limbs, and tail grey, overlain with darker, broken bands on trunk appearing as paravertebral markings highlighted posteriorly by light-coloured, diffuse blotches; poorly defined dark, lineate markings extend from occipital region to shoulder; spotting or striping on trunk absent; diffuse, dark, preorbital stripe; dark, postorbital stripe irregularly shaped, extending to shoulder region; limbs bearing irregularly shaped, dark markings; tail generally unicolour; gular region generally immaculate, except for darker lateral areas and faint stippling in scales; and pigmentation density increases posteriorly with the abdomen being generally grey. Variation (Figures 5 and 6) The colour patterns of the paratypes generally match that of the holotype. LSUHC 13027 is darker overall and the colour pattern is less distinct. The light-coloured, paravertebral blotches in LSUHC 13029 are salmon coloured. The dark dorsal pattern of LSUHC 13028 is more speckled and that of the adult female LSUHC 13030 is more reticulate. LSUHC 13030 has an original tail lacking enlarged subcaudal plates and bearing a weak, ventrolateral fringe and a distinct banding pattern. The tail is oval in cross-section and the underside is dull orange. The intensity of coloration and contrast in pattern changes with mood and activity. Differences in scales counts are presented in Table 5. Distribution Hemiphyllodactylus tonywhitteni sp. nov. is known only from the type locality of Phapant Cave, Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar (Figure 1). Natural history Phapant Cave is a complex of three caves situated around a small depression along a narrow river. The karstic ridge and outcroppings surround a small monastery which incorporates the caves for worship. The hilly area connecting the caves is composed of highly eroded limestone walls bearing many cracks and pores. Large limestone boulders that have broken away from the cliff face line the base of the shallow escarpment (Figure 7). We believe Hemiphyllodactylus tonywhitteni sp. nov. is a karst-adapted species. A specimen of H. tonywhitteni sp. nov. was found just inside a small opening of one of the caves nearly 4 m above the cave entrance. More specimens were found on the boulders at the base of the cliff and one on one of the cement buildings of the monastery. Syntopic with H. tonywhitteni sp. nov. on both the karst outcroppings and the cement building was an undescribed species of Hemidactylus. Hemidactylus sp. nov. was also found on wooden structures and vegetation where H. tonywhitteni sp. nov. was absent. Etymology This specific epithet ‘ tonywhitteni ’ honours Dr Tony Whitten of Fauna & Flora International who has championed a broad range of conservation efforts in Indonesia and the Asia Pacific for well over a quarter of a century. His tireless efforts to conserve and help manage karst ecosystems have been a great inspiration to the senior author (LLG) herein. Comparisons The molecular analyses indicate that Hemiphyllodactylus tonywhitteni sp. nov. is embedded within clade 4 of the typus group and is the sister species of H. montawaensis sp. nov. It can be distinguished from H. jinpingensis, H. chiangmaiensis and the species of clade 3 by lacking dark, dorsolateral stripes on the trunk and transverse, dorsal blotches. The PCA analysis shows that it occupies a unique morphospace with respect to H. montawaensis sp. nov. and H. linnwayensis sp. nov. with PC1 and PC2 accounting for 49% of the variation in the concatenated dataset (Figure 3). PC1 accounted for 29% of the variation and loaded most heavily for trunk length and the number of subdigital lamellae on the first toe (Table 6). PC2 accounted for an additional 20% of the variation and loaded most heavily for the number of dorsal scales. The first four components of the PCA were retained for the DAPC which shows that not only are all three species distinct but all individuals of each species fall very close to or within the 95% confidence ellipses (Figure 4). Uncorrected pair-wise sequence divergence between H. tonywhitteni sp. nov. and all other species of clades 3 and 4 ranges from 6.4–18.7% (Table 7). Hemiphyllodactylus tonywhitteni sp. nov. is most similar to its sister species H. montawaensis sp. nov. but differs in having more femoroprecloacal pores (20–26 versus 19–21) and a relatively wider head (0.17–0.19 versus 0.16–0.17) throughout its growth trajectory (Figure 8) and a statistically significantly wider head (p <0.24, n = 5) as an adult.Published as part of Grismer, L. Lee, Wood Jr, Perry L., Kyaw Thura, Myint, Zin, Thaw, Quah, Evan S. H., Murdoch, Matthew L., Grismer, Marta S., Li, Aung, Kyaw, Htet & Lwin, Ngwe, 2017, Phylogenetic taxonomy of Hemiphyllodactylus Bleeker, 1860 (Squamata: Gekkonidae) with descriptions of three new species from Myanmar, pp. 881-915 in Journal of Natural History 52 (13 - 16) on pages 891-898, DOI: 10.1080/00222933.2017.1367045, http://zenodo.org/record/478004
Structural variation in the chicken genome identified by paired-end next-generation DNA sequencing of reduced representation libraries
No full textAbstract Background Variation within individual genomes ranges from single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to kilobase, and even megabase, sized structural variants (SVs), such as deletions, insertions, inversions, and more complex rearrangements. Although much is known about the extent of SVs in humans and mice, species in which they exert significant effects on phenotypes, very little is known about the extent of SVs in the 2.5-times smaller and less repetitive genome of the chicken. Results We identified hundreds of shared and divergent SVs in four commercial chicken lines relative to the reference chicken genome. The majority of SVs were found in intronic and intergenic regions, and we also found SVs in the coding regions. To identify the SVs, we combined high-throughput short read paired-end sequencing of genomic reduced representation libraries (RRLs) of pooled samples from 25 individuals and computational mapping of DNA sequences from a reference genome. Conclusion We provide a first glimpse of the high abundance of small structural genomic variations in the chicken. Extrapolating our results, we estimate that there are thousands of rearrangements in the chicken genome, the majority of which are located in non-coding regions. We observed that structural variation contributes to genetic differentiation among current domesticated chicken breeds and the Red Jungle Fowl. We expect that, because of their high abundance, SVs might explain phenotypic differences and play a role in the evolution of the chicken genome. Finally, our study exemplifies an efficient and cost-effective approach for identifying structural variation in sequenced genomes.</p
‘Where else did they copy their styles but from church groups?’ Rock and Pentecostalism in the 1950s South
No full textChurch leaders and laypeople in the US went on the defensive shortly after rock and roll became a national youth craze in 1955 and 1956. Few of those religious critics would have been aware or capable of understanding that rock ‘n’ roll, in fact, had deep religious roots. Early rockers, all southerners—such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and James Brown—grew up in or regularly attended pentecostal churches. Pentecostalism, a vibrant religious movement that traced its origins to the early 20th century, broke with many of the formalities of traditional protestantism. Believers held mixed-race services during the height of Jim Crow segregation. The faithful spoke in tongues, practiced healing, and cultivated loud, revved-up, beat-driven music. These were not the sedate congregants of mainline churches. Some pentecostal churches incorporated drums, brass instruments, pianos, and even newly invented electric guitars. Rock ‘n’ roll performers looked back to the vibrant churches of their youth, their charismatic pastors, and to flashy singing itinerants for inspiration. In a region that novelist Flannery O'Connor called “Christ-haunted,” the line between secular and sacred, holy and profane was repeatedly crossed by rock musicians. This article traces the black and white pentecostal influence on rock ‘n’ roll in the American South, from performance style and music to dress and religious views. It also analyzes the vital ways that religion took center stage in arguments and debates about the new genre
The Christian Message in a Postmodern World: a critical re-appropriation of Hendrik Kraemer's theology of religions
No full textThis thesis is a critical re-appropriation of Hendrik Kraemer's theology of religions. Part I introduces theology of religions through the now familiar threefold typology: Kari Earth represents 'exclusivism,' Kari Rahner, 'inclusivism,' and John Hick, 'pluralism' (Chapter 1). It then argues that the typology implicitly represents non-pluralist approaches as theologically deficient and ethically insensitive while masking problems in pluralist positions (Chapter 2). It thus releases Kraemer from the typology and from the more emotive charges directed against 'exclusivism.' Part II chronologically and thematically surveys Kraemer's theology of religions, describing his missiological and theological contexts (Chapter 3) and summarising his major works (Chapter 4). The crux of the argument comes in Part III. First, a survey of the contemporary philosophical climate is offered through a summary and critique of Jean-Frangois Lyotard's interpretation of the postmodern condition Subsequently, three theological responses are assessed with Mark C. Taylor's a/theology and John Milbank's theology presented as avoidable extremes while the work of Hans Frei and George Lindbeck is offered as a mediating position which is dubbed 'postmodern orthodoxy' (Chapter 5). Second, after reviewing key themes in Kraemer's position, theological and phenomenological criticisms are outlined and evaluated. Though they do not seriously threaten the position, these criticisms prohibit extreme interpretations of, and lead to slight modifications in, Kraemer's work (Chapter 6). Finally, when re-read through the lenses of postmodern orthodoxy, Kraemer's thought is shown to offer to contemporary theology of religions avenues of theological creativity which are nevertheless faithful to the Christian tradition (Chapter 7). The thesis concludes that Hendrik Kraemer's theology of religions is worthy of critical re- appropriation
Social policy and macroeconomics : the Irish experience
No full textThe remarkable performance of the Irish economy in recent years has attracted much attention. Within a 10-year period the economy went from an 18 percent unemployment rate to nearly full employment, while the ratio of debt to GDP fell from 120 percent to less than 50 percent. Inevitably, this success was also accompanied by problems, as infrastructure came under increasing stress, environmental difficulties became more evident, and a changing social structure resulted in some groups becoming increasingly marginalized. What worked and what did not? In particular, are there lessons that may be relevant for other countries facing similar difficulties, especially in Asia and Latin America? McCarthy focuses on three features of Ireland's economic achievements. Two of these features are external: the opening to Europe and the role of foreign direct investment. The third and perhaps most"exportable"feature is domestic: the role of a social pact. This pact was initially between employers, trade unions, and the government. Subsequent pacts were extended to include a variety of other groups. McCarthy discusses the far-reaching impact of this series of pacts on health, poverty, employment, education, and social welfare. Ireland now faces a number of challenges, including the slowdown in the global economy, a fall in resource transfers from the European Union, and the potential effects of the entry into the EU of Hungary and Poland.Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Public Health Promotion,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Labor Policies,Economic Theory&Research,Environmental Economics&Policies,Health Monitoring&Evaluation,Poverty Assessment,National Governance
The challenge of labour in China: strikes and the changing labour regime in global factories
No full textChina has become a global manufacturing centre with its `unlimited' supply of low cost and unorganised peasant workers. The potential of Chinese workers to change this condition has significant meaning for global labour politics. This study offers an ethnographic portrait and a sociological account of the transformation of labour relations and labour politics in China from 2004 to 2008 focusing on workers' strikes, community and organisation. It reveals how wages and working conditions are bargained, fought over, and determined in the global factories. Geographically this study concerns the city of Shenzhen, China's first Special Economic Zone (SEZ), where labour conflict is most prevalent. Historically, it is traced back to the late 1970s to explore how the pattern of labour conflict has changed over time. The author spent one year conducting participant observation based in a grass-roots labour non-governmental organisation (NGO) in an industrial zone from 2005 to 2006. A multi-case method is used to document workers' stories to strive for a higher wage and better working conditions and their relationships with management, NGOs, the trade union and the local state. The author suggests that benefiting from an expanding labour market, an escalating dynamic community, and the skilled and supervisory workers' network, workplace struggle has exerted significant challenges to the state authorities and the global capital. The capital responded to these challenges by work intensification, production rationalization, expansion and relocation. The local state reacted by better enforcement of the labour regulations and steady enhancement of the minimum wage rate, while the central state initiated a new round of labour legislation to better protect workers. The author refers to the changing labour regime in this stage as `contested despotism'. Its potential to give way to a new form of factory regime is dependent on the possibility of effective workplace trade unionism
Bioinformatics' approaches to detect genetic variation in whole genome sequencing data
No full textCurrent genetic marker repositories are not sufficient or even are completely lacking for most farm animals. However, genetic markers are essential for the development of a research tool facilitating discovery of genetic factors that contribute to resistance to disease and the overall welfare and performance in farm animals. By large scale identification of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) and Structural Variants (SVs) we aimed to contribute to the development of a repository of genetic variants for farm animals. For this purpose bioinformatics data pipelines were designed and validated to address the challenge of the cost effective identification of genetic markers in DNA sequencing data even in absence of a fully sequenced reference genome. To find SNPs in pig, we analysed publicly available whole genome shotgun sequencing datasets by sequence alignment and clustering. Sequence clusters were assigned to genomic locations using publicly available BAC sequencing and BAC mapping data. Within the sequence clusters thousands of SNPs were detected of which the genomic location is roughly known. For turkey and duck, species that both were lacking a sufficient sequence data repository for variant discovery, we applied next-generation sequencing (NGS) on a reduced genome representation of a pooled DNA sample. For turkey a genome reference was reconstructed from our sequencing data and available public sequencing data whereas in duck the reference genome constructed by a (NGS) project was used. SNPs obtained by our cost-effective SNP detection procedure still turned out to cover, at intervals, the whole turkey and duck genomes and are of sufficient quality to be used in genotyping studies. Allele frequencies, obtained by genotyping animal panels with a subset our SNPs, correlated well with those observed during SNP detection. The availability of two external duck SNP datasets allowed for the construction of a subset of SNPs which we had in common with these sets. Genotyping turned out that this subset was of outstanding quality and can be used for benchmarking other SNPs that we identified within duck. Ongoing developments in (NGS) allowed for paired end sequencing which is an extension on sequencing analysis that provides information about which pair of reads are coming from the outer ends of one sequenced DNA fragment. We applied this technique on a reduced genome representation of four chicken breeds to detect SVs. Paired end reads were mapped to the chicken reference genome and SVs were identified as abnormally aligned read pairs that have orientation or span sizes discordant from the reference genome. SV detection parameters, to distinguish true structural variants from false positives, were designed and optimized by validation of a small representative sample of SVs using PCR and traditional capillary sequencing. To conclude: we developed SNP repositories which fulfils a requirement for SNPs to perform linkage analysis, comparative genomics QTL studies and ultimately GWA studies in a range of farm animals. We also set the first step in developing a repository for SVs in chicken, a relatively new genetic marker in animal sciences. <br/
Meta-analyses identify 13 loci associated with age at menopause and highlight DNA repair and immune pathways
No full textTo newly identify loci for age at natural menopause, we carried out a meta-analysis of 22 genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in 38,968 women of European descent, with replication in up to 14,435 women. In addition to four known loci, we identified 13 loci newly associated with age at natural menopause (at P < 5 × 10(-8)). Candidate genes located at these newly associated loci include genes implicated in DNA repair (EXO1, HELQ, UIMC1, FAM175A, FANCI, TLK1, POLG and PRIM1) and immune function (IL11, NLRP11 and PRRC2A (also known as BAT2)). Gene-set enrichment pathway analyses using the full GWAS data set identified exoDNase, NF-κB signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction as biological processes related to timing of menopause
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