120 research outputs found
North Carolina’s Barrier Islands: Wonders of Sand, Sea, and Sky: Book Review
No full textIn North Carolina’s Barrier Islands: Wonders of Sand, Sea, and Sky, author David Blevins offers readers a glimpse into the fragile ecosystems which make up the barrier islands off the North Carolina coastline. As the islands have been formed by rising seas and moving continental shelves, different types of wildlife have been able to survive for many years. Despite the existence of the islands, the author is careful to point out that human beings must do all in their power to preserve these natural treasures for future generations to enjoy. Essentially, the book takes readers on a tour from the North Carolina/Virginia border all the way down to the North Carolina/South Carolina border. Throughout the pages of the book, the author depicts the distinctive wildlife or ecological features to be found on each North Carolina barrier island
Remembering where we’re from: Community and individual predictors of college students’ White privilege awareness
No full textAwareness of White privilege is associated with greater support for affirmative action and greater engagement in racial justice action (Pinterits et al., 2009; Yi et al., 2020). With notable exceptions (e.g., Spanierman et al., 2009), research has typically investigated White privilege awareness as an individual-level variable, though evidence suggests that residential environments may also influence racial attitudes (Brittian Loyd & Gaither, 2018; Glaser, 1994; Hagerman, 2020). In this study, we combine survey and U.S. Census data to explore both individual- and community-level predictors of White privilege awareness. With a sample of 1,285 White college students, we found that gender, modern racism, social dominance orientation, and subjective socioeconomic status (SES) significantly predicted White privilege awareness. After accounting for these individual-level variables, we found that some characteristics of students’ hometowns (defined by zip code) continued to predict White privilege awareness. More specifically, greater income inequality was associated with higher White privilege awareness, while greater White racial homogeneity was marginally associated with lower White privilege awareness. There was a significant interaction between community-level White racial homogeneity and individual-level subjective SES, such that students with high subjective SES and low White racial homogeneity had the highest White privilege awareness. This study highlights the importance of examining how different facets of ecological context matter in relation to White Americans’ racial attitudes. Submission published under a 24 month embargo labeled 'U of I Access', the embargo will last until 2022-08-01The student, Emily Blevins, accepted the attached license on 2020-07-20 at 17:11.The student, Emily Blevins, submitted this Thesis for approval on 2020-07-20 at 17:20.This Thesis was approved for publication on 2020-07-21 at 11:18.DSpace SAF Submission Ingestion Package generated from Vireo submission #15700 on 2020-10-02 at 15:33:58Made available in DSpace on 2020-10-07T22:44:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3
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Previous issue date: 2020-07-21Embargo set by: Seth Robbins for item 116258
Lift date: 2022-10-07T22:44:53Z
Reason: Author requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemAuthor requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD systemU of I Onl
Henri Temianka Correspondence; (blevins)
No full textThis collection contains material pertaining to the life, career, and activities of Henri Temianka, violin virtuoso, conductor, music teacher, and author. Materials include correspondence, concert programs and flyers, music scores, photographs, and books.https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/temianka_correspondence/1201/thumbnail.jp
Evaluation of the Library’s Digital Collections web site & usability testing of the Western Waters Digital Library web site
No full textSpring 2007.Presents results of a heuristic evaluation and usability testing conducted for two digital collections web sites by the JT661 (Information Design) class during spring 2007. Instructor: Don Zimmerman. Class members: Rebecca Anderson, Darren Bau-Madsen, Christian Blevins, Asma Bukhari, Meghala Divakaran, Jefferie Mitchell, Greg Vogl
Queer History, This: An American Synthesis
No full textThis paper is a reflection and interpretation of a poem written by Steven Blevins. The author gives an insight to a different aspect of sustainability, incorporating themes of equity and economic justice - two apparently distant narratives
A Theory of Environmental Justice
No full textThis paper is a reflection and interpretation of a poem written by Steven Blevins. The author gives an insight to a different aspect of sustainability, incorporating themes of equity and economic justice - two apparently distant narratives
The relationship between markers of disease severity in obstructive sleep apnea patients and hemodynamic and respiratory function during graded exercise testing
No full textObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is estimated to affect 2 to 4 percent of the adult population (Young T 1993, Skomro and Kryger 1999). However, an estimated 80 to 90 percent of adults with moderate to severe OSA may be clinically undiagnosed. Identification of those at risk and their subsequent diagnosis is, obviously, of great concern to clinicians. This investigation included three distinct research aims, which were the following: (1): In order to establish reliability of hemodynamic measures to be used during exercise testing, a study was conducted on the acetylene single-breath cardiac output (Qc) technique in 15 healthy subjects. This was completed in order to establish reliability of exercise Qc and total peripheral resistance (TPR), these responses could then be investigated acutely in the context of evaluating the relation of these measures to markers of disease in OSA patients. (2): The primary research aim was to describe the extent to which graded exercise testing may reveal abnormalities in hemodynamic function in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, particularly with respect to cardiac output (Qc), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and TPR that may be related to polysomnography (PSG) markers of OSA severity. Cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic responses that were evaluated included the following: peak oxygen consumption (VO2pk), end-tidal carbon dioxide production (PETCO2), end-tidal oxygen pressure (PETO2), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (systolic = SBP and diastolic = DBP), rate pressure product (RPP), TPR and its derivatives including MAP and Qc, in OSA patients. A global biochemical marker of vascular function, 24-hour urinary nitrite/ nitrate elimination was also determined for each patient. (3): The last aim was included in order to provide qualitative information concerning treatment, subjective sleep and daytime function, and physical activity levels of the OSA patients in this investigation as well as to give insights into the special challenges and potential for doing trials involving nCPAP and physical exercise training with OSA patients. Results from this study can be used to improve clinical evaluation procedures as well as to better understand underlying mechanisms relative to the link between cardiovascular disease and OSAPh. D
A Plain Account of Christian Purity: Berlin Walls
No full textWhile theological definitions of holiness incorporate purity terminology among several metaphors, the challenges resident in using this language may well impede opportunities of engaging difference and reconciliation. Wesleyans need a “Plain Account” of Christian purity to guide both ecclesial discussions that stress not only strengths, but also limits, in purity thinking. Using an example involving the Church of the Nazarene and Pentecostalism, the writing reveals how purity thinking risks creating “Berlin walls” when engaging differences. The analysis argues that a moral fear of degradation, rather than an acknowledgment of difference, often pushes purity thinkers to oppose certain issues
Informal learning in the police subculture: a case study of probationary special agents of a federal criminal investigative agency
No full textLaw enforcement professionals bear responsibility to maintain order, to prevent and solve crime, and to protect life and property. In performing such tasks, they possess a unique and significant burden, the authority to deprive others of their liberty and, in extreme cases, their lives. Preparation for such duties and responsibilities has evolved to include formalized training. A review of the literature revealed a perception that the academy curriculum is insufficient preparation for the realities of the field. As a result, the new graduates must learn the ropes while on the job.
This study focused on how new investigators contended with discrepancies between what was formally prescribed and what was required of them in the field during their first year on the job. The types of sources and means of learning were explored along with the reasons for their selection or avoidance.
Subjects for the study were the graduates of the 1991 Agents' Basic Training Class of the Naval Investigative Service who were assigned to the Washington D.C. area, and their field training agents. A series of in depth interviews of each subject was employed as the data collection vehicle and a grounded theory approach was taken as the framework for interpretation of the findings.
A model was developed depicting the formal learning process in individual, interpersonal, and impersonal components, shadowed by a parallel informal process activated when discrepancies arose. The results provide an understanding of the processes by which the new agents compensated for discrepancies between formal training and the realities of the field, what sources they used, and why. Additionally, this study helps describe the current state of affairs relative to the informal learning that occurs immediately following a formal basic training course. Such information could also be useful in curriculum development for future basic classes and in-service courses in other law enforcement agencies. In addition, the findings add to the understanding of the contribution of learning mechanisms in the transmission of organizational procedures, norms, values, and culture.Ed. D
The Distribution of Volatiles in Protoplanetary Disks
No full textDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Physics. The Catholic University of AmericaThis dissertation addresses several distinct goals, all relating to the distribution of molecular gas in planet-forming regions of protoplanetary disks surrounding young, Sun-like stars. First, water surface snow line radii are measured for four classical protoplanetary disks. These measurements have been theoretically predicted using hydrodynamic and radiative transfer models but with contrasting results (Kennedy and Kenyon, 2008; Martin and Livio, 2013), and until now have not yet been measured using observations. Next a detailed analysis of the inner disk chemistry of one classical disk from the sample is presented and the long-standing question is addressed: to what degree is interstellar chemistry inherited by planet-forming material, or are protoplanetary disks themselves intrinsic "chemical factories" (Pontoppidan et al., 2014; van Dishoeck et al., 2014).Finally, rare CO isotopologue emission in the inner disk region of one transitional disk is presented. Transitional disks have inner regions heavily depleted in small dust grains, with known gaps in their dust structures. Estimates of the inner and outer disk gas-to- dust mass ratios may support evidence for dust clearing due to grain growth, and/or developing planetesimals.Two-dimensional radiative transfer modeling is used to retrieve dust density and temperature structures and render infrared line spectra. These models constitute modeling grids used to fit a parameterized gas distribution to the data. Best-fit model parameters determine the radial location where water vapor is observed to decrease by orders of magnitude, thus allowing the retrieval of surface snow line locations in the classical disk sample. This modeling framework is also applied to retrieve the molecular concentrations of H2O, CO, HCN, C2H2, and CO2 for one classical disk in the same sample, so that its inner disk chemistry can be compared to that of cold molecular clouds and solar system comets (Pontoppidan and Blevins, 2014). Lastly, the dust modeling framework is applied to observations of the transitional disk, SR 21, to estimate gas-to-dust mass ratios in the inner planet-forming region and beyond.Results are obtained addressing each research goal. First, water surface snow lines are measured at ~ 3 - 11 AU for the classical disk sample. Assuming a canonical gas-to-dust ratio of 100, as well as coupled gas and dust temperatures, the best-fit inner water abundances become implausibly high (0.01-1.0 per H2). Conversely, models in which the gas and dust temperatures are decoupled leads to canonical inner disk water abundances of ~ 10-4 per H2, while retaining gas-to-dust ratios of 100. That is, the evidence for gas-dust decoupling in disk surfaces is stronger than for enhanced gas-to-dust ratios.Next concentrations of dominant molecular carriers of carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen in the terrestrial region around 1 AU for classical disk RNO 90 were retrieved and compared to the chemical inventory of dense clouds and protostellar envelopes. The results argue that inner disk chemistry is, as expected, fundamentally different from prestellar chemistry. The clearest discriminant is the concentration of CO2, which is extremely low in disks, but one of the most abundant constituents of dense clouds and protostellar envelopes.Lastly, the gas-to-dust mass ratio in the inner planet-forming region (less than or equal to 10 AU) of the SR 21 transitional disk is estimated. The best-fit dust continuum model results require dust depletion along with an increased gas-to-dust ratio in the inner disk to adequately model the observations in the near- to mid-infrared wavelength regions. The outer disk region can be modeled without dust depletion using a canonical gas-to-dust ratio of 100. Finally ideas for future work, addressing each research goal, is presented
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