bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The motivational primacy of environmental coherence : self-derogation and the experience of meaning in life
Authors:   , Heintzelman Samantha J.
Published: April 2021

Although the human tendency to make self-serving attributions is well-documented, not all behaviors and cognitions are primarily self-serving. Victims blame themselves for uncontrollable circumstances and individuals derogate themselves to maintain a sense that the world is just. Callan and colleagues (2014) found that random negative outcomes result in lowered self-esteem, increased perceptions that one deserves bad outcomes, and spurred self-detrimental behaviors. How might these self-defeating processes be explained? I examined whether such processes might serve to maintain a broader sense of coherence that allows the experience of life as meaningful. Participants (N = 1199) wrote about past bad or good breaks, or daily activities, and then rated self-esteem, deservingness of bad outcomes, and meaning in life and coherence. I found no support for the prediction that self-esteem would negatively relate (or deservingness of bad outcome beliefs would positively relate) to meaning in life following reminders of bad breaks. Some evidence emerged suggesting that self-esteem was less strongly related to coherence in the good breaks condition compared to controls. Exploratory analyses examined the role of depression in processes involved in the experience of life as meaningful. The manipulation had stronger effects on meaning in life in participants experiencing depressive symptoms compared to those who were not. Furthermore, self-esteem was more strongly related to meaning in life in individuals experiencing some depression compared to the non-depressed participants, especially in the bad breaks condition. Implications for this work regarding the study of meaning in life and future directions regarding this research question are discussed.
Game violence, game difficulty, and 2D:4D digit ratio as predictors of aggressive behavior
Authors:   , Hilgard Joseph B.
Published: April 2021

Previous research efforts have sought to determine whether violent video games cause increases in aggressive behavior. The resulting literature is controversial. Those finding the effect may not have the desired degree of experimental control, while those not finding the effect may not always have the required statistical precision. Game difficulty is also thought to potentially cause changes in aggression. Finally, prenatal testosterone exposure, as measured by the ratio of lengths of the index and ring fingers (2D:4D digit ratio), is thought to cause dispositional increases in aggressive behavior. In the present research, game violence and game difficulty were manipulated in a tightly-controlled modified-game paradigm. Participants played a game, were provoked, and then had an opportunity to aggress against another participant in the study. Neither game violence nor game difficulty was found to influence aggressive behavior in a theory-consistent way, and Bayesian model comparison techniques favored the null hypothesis over all theory-derived alternative hypotheses. Similarly, 2D:4D ratio did not predict aggressive behavior, either alone or in interaction with the other study variables. The results suggest that brief exposure to violent or difficult games does not influence aggressive behavior when game stimuli are closely matched, and furthermore, that 2D:4D digit ratio does not predict aggression.
Impact of freshman-year alcohol violations on retention at a regional, midwestern, 4-year, public higher education institution
Authors:   , Hoffmann Kori T.
Published: April 2021

Retention is a critical topic on campuses across the nation. Numerous studies have examined how alcohol consumption affects retention but little to no research exists regarding the impact of alcohol violations on retention. This quantitative study examined over 7,000 freshmen at a regional, Midwestern, 4-year, public higher education institution. The participants were separated as either having a freshman-year alcohol violation or not having a freshman-year alcohol violation and then analyzed. The results of the study found that there was not a significant difference in retention for those with a freshman-year alcohol violation compared to those without a freshman-year violation. However, when looking only at those participants with a freshmanyear alcohol violation, a logistic regression analysis showed that high school GPA, minority racial status, amount of financial aid disbursed, not receiving loans, and not being Pell-eligible were all significant factors indicating a participant was more likely to return to school. However, this model only accounted for 18% of the variance in retention and future studies will need to include more variables to account for more variance in retention. The results of this study are valuable to all administrators at higher education institutions, especially student conduct administrators. The researcher proposes higher education institutions review policy and programming as it relates to alcohol education and alcohol violation sanctions to increase retention rates\namong alcohol violators.
Family Structure as an Effect on Student Achievement
Authors:   , Johnson Benjamin Bernhardt
Published: April 2021

Students not only learn at different speeds and methods but also live in many different households and face many challenges to their personal academic journeys. These households have both positive and negative effects on the students which is often mirrored in the classroom. How students learn, and what are the factors that have positive and a negative effect on their learning is not only a very important aspect of education, but a highly evolving phenomena. Family households have changed rapidly over the last several decades and it is the job of the educational community to adhere to these changes in order to service each student in the very best way possible. The purpose of this study was to classify a selected group of students into three family households: married, single/divorced and foster guardianship and using state standardized tests in math and communication arts (MAP) along with school district quarterly benchmark assessments, see if a significant relationship exists between family households and student achievement. Once a significant relationship is identified, the study addressed to what degree the significance level existed, and finally through an analysis of the literature review, make recommendations that might benefit school districts in helping students that are not performing at the appropriate levels of success in state testing. iv The study will address four research questions: 1) How do 5th and 6th grade students from two parent homes compare academically with 5th and 6th grade students from single parent or guardianship homes, as measured by the Math MAP? 2) How do 5th and 6th grade students from two parent homes compare academically with 5th and 6th grade students from single parent or guardianship homes, as measured by the Communication Arts MAP? 3) How do 5th and 6th grade students from two parent homes compare academically with 5th and 6th grade students from single parent or guardianship homes as measured by Math quarterly benchmark assessments? 4) How do 5th and 6th grade students from two parent homes compare academically with 5th and 6th grade students from single parent or guardianship homes as measured by Communication Arts quarterly benchmark assessments? The testing instrument used was ANOVA (Analysis of Variance), which provided the appropriate measure of testing for the dependent variable (MAP and Quarterly Benchmarks) and the independent variable (family demographics, households). The results of the data will be organized and identified as having significant relationships and rejections of the null hypothesis or an acceptance of the null hypothesis. The study was significant because it examined literature that addressed the impact that a home life has on a student, and how that affect that students' performance in the classroom. v the study also will provide recommendations for educators that would be beneficial in addressing the growing needs of all students based on the type of household they dwell.
Performances of trust among learners in the context of online social learning
Authors:   , Kanaris Margarida E.
Published: April 2021

This study contributes to the conversation on how to potentially make online learning more satisfying and successful. To this end, this study focuses on trusting relations because research indicates that trust binds all social relations and facilitates risk taking and deeper, more critical thinking in collaborative learning. The conceptual framework is informed by a broad literature base on trust. Qualitative, open-ended interviewing with snowball sampling is used to explore 30 learners' emergent, interactive, social construction of trust. In the tradition of qualitative research, data from these interviews were subjected to several levels of analysis to elicit findings and interpretations. The findings suggests that learners socially construct moral theories of trust, consisting of rational and affective components. The rational component shaped their assessments of others' trustworthiness. The affective component shaped a moral lens through which they viewed rational trust. The effect of this affective component is that positive affect created bonds of friendship among learners that facilitated the social appropriation of technology and transactive conflicts which contributed to deeper, critical thinking. The lack of positive affect or presence of negative affect resulted in trustcompromised learning, characterized by ongoing breaches of trust.
Ideology and education : a three-article dissertation exploring implications for democracy
Authors:   , Knowles Ryan
Published: April 2021

The proposed dissertation follows a three article format. The articles represent distinct but interrelated strands of research; the first article focuses on developing a scale measuring teachers' orientation to social studies as citizenship education, among teachers in Missouri. The second and third explore larger theoretical questions relating to citizenship and democracy from an international context through secondary analysis. All three pieces address issues of democracy, citizenship, and education.
Role of T cell receptor signaling in CD8 T cell memory
Authors:   , Knudson Karin M.
Published: April 2021

The generation of immunological memory is the basis for vaccination. The development of memory CD8 T cells is required for long-term protection against intracellular pathogens, such as viruses, and tumors. While the importance of memory generation has been recognized for over 30 years, the mechanism by which memory CD8 T cells arise during immune responses is still not fully understood. T cell receptor (TCR) interaction with antigen (immunogenic peptide)-bound MHC is necessary for activation and differentiation of CD8 T cells. Yet, how the resulting TCR signal regulates T cell memory is unknown. In this dissertation, we investigated the role that the TCR signal plays in memory differentiation. First, we explain how the strength of pMHC-TCR interaction affects memory generation. We also demonstrate that the signals for the development of memory are different depending on TCR ligand strength. Finally, we define a mechanism by which TCR signaling programs memory differentiation. All vaccines utilize pathogen-specific antigens to induce immunological memory. By understanding how antigenic signals program memory differentiation, it will be possible to specifically manipulate this process. We can then produce more effective and longer lasting memory cells.
The cellular immune response to murine lyme borreliosis
Authors:   , Lasky Carrie Elizabeth
Published: April 2021

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterial spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. There are approximately 300,000 new cases of Lyme Disease reported in the United States each year. Individuals with Lyme disease often suffer from chronic, painful arthritis. Our research uses a mouse model to better understand the immune response to this bacteria. Using an innovative technique, we were able to characterize the cellular immune response with the ankle joints of B. burgdorferi-infected mice. We found unique anti-inflammatory cells within the ankle joints which may provide potential targets for therapeutics in the future. In addition, we identified a detrimental role for T cells during infection in the absence of TLR-2. All studies presented herein provide a foundation on which future studies will be built from in the hopes of providing better treatment for Lyme Disease patients in the future.
School leaders' perspectives : intimate partner violence
Authors:   , Lau Kendra M.
Published: April 2021

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) affects one in four women nationwide. As more women join the workforce, IPV enters organizations everyday. Yet, as of this writing, there is no federal policy to address IPV in the workplace and, for the state in which this study is situated, other existing statutes are used as a proxy for specific IPV legislation. In the school district that is the focus of this study, there is no specific IPV workplace policy. This lack of a formal response to a prevalent workplace and societal issue prompts questions regarding how school leaders might address IPV. Responses are likely informed by the perceptions about IPV leaders have. Thus, through the lens of gendered organizational theory, this investigation provides insight into the school leaders' perspectives about IPV and related responses, including policies, to help us better understand the organizational climate and the potential opportunities for change.
Conjunciones y disyunciones entre raza y gnero: Representaciones flmicas y literarias de inmigrantes Latinoamericanos y Africanos Subsaharianos en la espana contempornea.
Authors:   , Leon N. Danilo
Published: April 2021

This dissertation is a study of literary and cinematographic works of the contemporary period that depict the complex experiences that the recent immigration phenomenon in Spain has brought along not only for the new arrivals to Spain (outsiders) but also for the Spaniards themselves. Through an interdisciplinary approach, my study analyzes a wide range of narratives of two of the largest migratory groups in Spain: Latin Americans and sub-Saharan Africans. To do so, I examine the work of a variety of film makers and writers - Isabel de Ocampo's film Evelyn (2012), Helena Taberna's documentary Extranjeras (2003), Fernando LeÃ³n de Aranoa's film Princesas (2005), Montxo Armendariz's film Las cartas de Alou (1990), Imanol Uribe's film Bwana (1996), and Inongo-vi-MakomÃ©'s novel Nativas (2008). Other shorter texts have also been included and studied. My entire research project pays close attention to the ways in which race and gender intersect and shape the immigration experience of Latin Americans and sub-Saharan Africans. Whereas there are commonalities among these two groups, especially if we analyze those commonalities through a postcolonial lens, I aim to shed light on the ways in which each migratory group deals with its own post-colonial, racial and gender-related dilemmas. At the same time, Spaniards seem to struggle with the construction of a new Spanish identity which sharply challenges the traditional image of an ethno-culturally homogeneous Spain, an image that the long Franco regime aggressively reinforced. Finally, my analysis pays close attention the role of the western subject in the depiction of the migratory experience, which, in some cases reveals a strong tendency to represent all immigrants as problematic "Others." All the narratives that are part of this ambitious project will reveal pervasive racial discourses and also the ways in which gender roles are deconstructed and reconstructed once the immigrant subject sets foot in a new host society.
The political representation cycle and citizen satisfaction with the Democratic process
Authors:   , Norberg Joshua
Published: April 2021

This project investigates how citizens in advanced industrial democracies evaluate their democratic institutions. Previous literature has focused on the role of either individual characteristics - personal economic conditions, whether a voter identifies with a winning political party, etc. - or institutional structures to determine what drives the level of satisfaction with democracy in a country. The former explanations are unable to account for systematic differences across countries, while the latter explanations are unable to account for rapid year-to-year shifts in satisfaction or the variation in satisfaction within system types. Instead, I argue that electorates across all types of democracies primarily desire one thing: political representation. In this dissertation I argue that the quality of the connections between voters and political parties, on the one hand, and voters and the government on the other, is crucial to understanding why some individuals are more satisfied with their political institutions than others. I find that as the quality of the connection between a voter and their party decreases, the likelihood that they will be satisfied with their democracy decreases accordingly. Moreover, I find that the quality of this connection conditions the positive effect of selecting a winning political party. Finally, I find that the way a government terminates - whether by regular elections or conflict between government parties - has a strong impact on the level of satisfaction in a country.
Shaping pedagogical content knowledge for experienced agriculture teachers in the plant sciences : a grounded theory
Authors:   , Rice Amber Michelle
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this grounded theory study was to conceptualize the pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of experienced agriculture teachers in the plant sciences. The overarching theme that emerged was the influence of beliefs on participants' PCK. This finding guided subsequent data collection and analysis that focused on what was shaping the participants' PCK in plant sciences. Three major themes that shaped the participants' PCK were: integrated belief systems, experiences prior to and during in-service, and the context of the participants. The integrated beliefs system was the driving force in shaping the participants' PCK. A theory was developed that illustrated the relationships between the three themes on participants' PCK. These findings support further examination into what is shaping agriculture teachers' PCK, including investigation in other agriculture content areas such as animal sciences and further examination into views about the purpose of agricultural education. The findings from this study can be used to guide teacher preparation programs in agricultural education.
Directors of University teaching and learning centers : an examination of leadership challenges based on administrative policies and institutional culture
Authors:   , Richards Bruce E.
Published: April 2021

This study focused on leaders of teaching and learning centers, typically faculty, who have developed a strong teaching and research portfolio, and are respected by their peers. The researcher conducted a mixed-methods study to understand how academic leaders of teaching and learning centers (the middle managers), could utilize Stewart's (1976) leadership theory of demands, constraints, and choices. Understanding the effect institutional culture and administrative policies can have on their leadership of a faculty TLC, will better inform them as to the challenges they face in performing and leading. Data acquisition was accomplished through a survey sent to the members of the Professional and Organizational Development (POD) Network comprising leaders of TLCs, supervisors of the leaders, and faculty/staff members of the TLCs. The survey was created and administered using the Qualtrics Survey platform. The findings from this research has strong implications for these leaders as it is important for them to be mentored, trained, and guided to be competent within their TLC and educational institution. A weakness found in the findings was the absence of documentation in training for leaders of TLCs, how to address administrative policies and politics, and understanding the effect of institutional culture on their leadership.
Culture factor differences between Missouri's high poverty gold star and high poverty non-gold star schools as determined by the Missouri advanced questionaire
Authors:   , Shindorf Brian D.
Published: April 2021

This study sought to identify if differences existed in the responses collected from Missouri's Advanced Questionnaire survey between high achieving and low-achieving schools across Missouri. Both groups of schools were identified as schools with greater than 50% of students on free or reduced lunch. In total, survey responses were collected from 1,645 faculty members between 2007-2012. A t-test analysis was conducted to determine if there were significant differences in the responses collected from the 2 groups of schools. Conclusions indicate the instrument was reliable and valid. The study revealed location characteristics with high poverty Gold Star Schools. Further, Survey response analysis yielded 3 of 4 components of culture that correlate with student achievement levels in high poverty schools across Missouri.
Bodily difference, interdependence, and toxic half-lives : representations of disability in D.W. Gregorys Dirty Pictures, The Good Daughter, and Radium Girls
Authors:   , Stephenson Bradley
Published: April 2021

People with disabilities have been a part of theatre for thousands of years. But typically they are represented as metaphors, where blindness or a limp symbolizes something about their character and has nothing to do with how they live their lives. When disability is reduced to a mere metaphor, it influences the way audiences perceive real people with real disabilities. D.W. Gregory is a contemporary playwright who is challenging the way people with disabilities are represented on stage. My research uses traditional dramatic criticism and close textual readings to analyze three plays by D.W. Gregory: Dirty Pictures, The Good Daughter, and Radium Girls. I use a number of theories from the field of Disability Studies to unpack these plays and learn how the disabled characters are crafted, how they interact with their worlds, and what implications they might have on wider culture. My results indicate that D.W. Gregory is writing characters with disabilities in ways that challenge traditional understandings of disability. Using Disability Studies as a way to analyze play texts is a powerful tool that has significant implications for social justice. Understanding these theories can change the way that artists create, and as a result, change the way that culture understands disability. Perhaps these ways of thinking and these plays can influence the way people with disabilities are treated, and improve the lives of all people. All our lives are interdependent upon each other.
Remembering Trajan in fourth-century Rome : memory and identity in spatial, artistic, and textual narratives
Authors:   , Thienes Eric M.
Published: April 2021

This study examines a broad range of fourth-century evidence in art, literature, and monuments in order to examine the cultural significance of the Roman emperor Trajan. Trajan was famous in his own day in the second century but was also important for later Romans in the fourth century seeking to create their own identity through associations with him. This study argues that Trajan was an essential figure to establishing the fourth century as an \"Age of Renewal.\"
Design, analysis and dynamic phenomena of MEMS capacitive power harvester
Authors:   , Zhu Jianxiong
Published: April 2021

Unwanted vibrations are all around us in our daily life. These vibrations can effectively be converted into electrical power through capacitive device. Even though the amount of power generated is small ([mu]W), it is still sufficient to drive certain devices, such as devices in the field of Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS). We call these functional devices "self-powered devices". This dissertation describes design, modeling, analysis, dynamic simulation and experimental testing of MEMS variable capacitors which are used for power harvesting based on external vibration. More specifically, it includes the electrostatic force and the forces provided by the stopper designed to prevent direct impact between capacitive plates. To more accurately reflect the status of power harvesting, rocking instability is discussed as well. However, the onset of rocking instability leads to more complicated dynamic phenomena. This dissertation not only introduces equation theory derivation and dynamic behaviors of the MEMS capacitive harvester, but also presents a comparison of power harvesting at broad frequencies and different amplitudes. These conclusions are helpful for the design of high efficiency "self-powered" MEMS capacitive power harvester.
Queen of the Curse : the Odyssey's formulaic interrogation and Arete's determination of Odysseus' identity
Authors:   , Arft Justin Tyler
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This dissertation establishes the compositional authority of Arete, queen of the Phaeacians, in Homer's Odyssey by means of an oral poetic analysis of the thematic and formulaic structures in the epic. Arete's fit in the poem has often been viewed as incomplete or awkward; however, by presenting a growing body of evidence concerning her thematic relevance to the Odyssey, in addition to revealing new observations about her formulaic interrogation of Odysseus at Od. 7.238, this study proves that Arete is tied deeply to the central compositional structures of the epic, and her recognition and acceptance of Odysseus as a guest among the Phaeacians is pivotal to his nostos, the primary goal of the epic. Most relevant to Arete's compositional role is the intratextual resonance of the formulaic interrogation \"tis pothen eis andron . . . , \" a formula that metonymically comes to mean "which Odysseus are you?" and is used to trigger a set of narrative events that lead to critical, nostos-determining moments of performance and recognition in the epic. This study ultimately calls for a new understanding of Homeric formularity and reexamines the metapoetics of memorialization through a close study of Arete and her role in the epic. Although the queen and her people are prophetically tied to Poseidon's destructive wrath, Arete's role in forwarding Odysseus' nostos affords her a place of high honor in the Odyssey's performance as we now have it.
Friends in high places : two essays on the importance of corporate political connections
Authors:   , Houston Reza
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This study is an examination of the relationship between political connections and the undertaking of major firm events. In our first essay, presented in Chapter 3, we examine the impact politically connected appointments have on firm acquisition behavior. Using proxy statements, we create a unique database of politically connected bidders and merger targets. We find that bidders who hire connected individuals to the board or management team are more likely to avoid merger litigation. Connected bidders make more bids after the appointment. These firms also bid on larger targets. We determine there is a positive relation between the control premium and the relative of the target's connections. Connected acquirers have superior post-merger accounting performance, particularly when they acquire a connected target firm. In the second essay, presented in Chapter 4, we examine the relationship between political connections of private firms and the initial public offering process. Using registration statement information, we create a unique database of politically connected IPO firms. We find that political connections are substitutes to high-quality underwriters and big four auditors. Politically connected firms manage earnings more highly upward than non-connected firms prior to the public offering. Politically connected firms also exhibit less underpricing than non-connected firms. Politically connected IPO firms also have superior post-IPO returns relative to non-connected IPO firms.
Investigation of materials and convection for lithium sulfur batteries
Authors:   , Dornbusch Donald A.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] The following dissertation investigates different aspects of lithium-sulfur batteries. Lithium-sulfur batteries have a higher theoretical capacity than current lithium-ion chemistries. First, a study on the lithium-metal electrode and the formation of dendrites investigates how flow impacts the failure from dendrites of these electrodes. Second, a study relying on charging to avoid the soluble intermediates generated through charge/discharge of sulfur-cathodes which are the primary cause of capacity fade in these systems. Third, sulfur is polymerized through radical polymerization with diene comonomers in order to reduce the solubility and mobility of the intermediates generated during cycling. Using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) theory, the surface area and pore volume can be observed before and after cycling demonstrating the amount of mobility the active material has during cycling. Finally, a study on the conduction phenomena in convection batteries is studied through a literature review and COMSOL simulation.
Global DNA methylation and gene expression analysis in pre-B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors:   , Almamun Md
Published: April 2021

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a hematological cancer associated with precursor B-cells and is the most common cancer diagnosed in children under the age of 15. Our complete understanding of all mechanisms responsible for ALL induction is inadequate. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification and is accountable for regulating gene expression and plays a significant role in hematopoiesis. In addition to genomic rearrangements and hyperdiploidy, other mechanisms like alteration of DNA methylation may be involved in ALL pathogenesis. Therefore, the identification of altered DNA methylation on key regulatory regions of the genome is critical to gaining a better understanding of ALL pathogenesis. This dissertation identified the dynamic establishment of DNA methylation during normal B-cell development, and alterations of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of ALL. First, a protocol to isolate the subsets of precursor B-cells from human umbilical cord blood (HCB) was developed. Using this protocol, we were able to isolate sufficient numbers of pro-B, pre-BI, pre-BII and naive B-cells from a single HCB unit. This method can be adapted for any type of cell present in HCB at any stage of differentiation. Next, genome-wide DNA methylation profiles using the methylated CpG island recovery assay followed by next generation sequencing (MIRA-seq) were generated for each of the four subsets of precursor B-cells. We report for the first time that gaining of DNA methylation in certain regions of genome were associated with the transition of pro-B to pre-BI cells. Differentially methylated regions were identified and the majority of the regions were present within intronic and intergenic regions that harbor putative regulatory elements. The development of methylation profiles in normal precursor B-cells will aid in revealing the role of altered DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of precursor B-cell related disorders including ALL. In order to identify epigenetic alterations in ALL, we next determined the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between ALL and healthy precursor B-cells. Further, whole genome genes expression analysis was performed to determine the regulatory potential of the DMRs. Our studies identified ALL specific epigenetically deregulated genes, novel putative enhancers, and biological pathways that showed concurrent DNA methylation and changes in gene expression during malignant transformation. These altered epigenetic marks could be used as prospective biomarkers for ALL and/or as potential targets to reset the altered DNA methylation in order to modify gene expression which may enhance the present treatment protocol for ALL and eventually improve patient outcome."
Leadership and health : an examination of authentic leadership characteristics and physical health behaviors
Authors:   , Bess Melissa
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between authentic leadership characteristics and physical health behaviors, as defined by the Goolsby Leadership Model (Quick, Macik-Frey, and Cooper, 2007). Physical health was measured by physical activity, cigarette smoking, and fruit and vegetable consumption, which are three of four controllable health risk factors that are related to many of the negative consequences of chronic disease (National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2009). Authentic leadership was measured using the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) by Walumbwa et al. (2008), which measured four components of authentic leadership and produced an overall authentic leadership score. The overall leadership score did not have any significant relationships with the physical health behaviors but three authentic leadership components did have significant relationships with physical health. Specifically, self-awareness had significant relationships with physical activity and fruit consumption. Balanced processing had a significant relationship with physical activity and vegetable consumption and internalized moral perspective had a significant relationship with fruit consumption. Cigarette smoking did not have any significant relationships with the four components or the total authentic leadership score. While leadership behaviors and physical health do not have a strong relationship, they are both important in the workplace.
Acquisition, utilization, and retention of foundational fraction concepts by middle grade students
Authors:   , Darrough Rebecca L.
Published: April 2021

This study investigated the acquisition, utilization, and retention of five fraction domains by middle grade students. Based on research findings, the five fraction domains that formed the conceptual analysis framework used in this study were: (1) unit fractions, (2) the whole, (3) modeling fractions, (4) comparing and ordering, and (5) benchmarks and estimation. Students who participated in the study had exhibited difficulties in mathematics and consequently were enrolled in a sixth-grade Tier II Response to Intervention (RtI) mathematics course. RtI provides additional instruction for students who have shown gaps in their learning. This RtI course was conducted utilizing a specially designed fraction curriculum. Data for the study were obtained from written records including independent student work from student booklets, preassessment and post-assessment responses, and one-on-one interviews a year later. Results from the data analysis revealed that students who were struggling with fraction concepts retained knowledge of the whole, but became confused with the multiple meanings of the whole. When modeling fractions, they understood that the partitions of the model had to be equal, but were unable to precisely draw equal partitions. The notion that fractions can be compared by the size of the partitions created by the denominator was retained over the year period. But, the students also retained the idea that the numerator was not important when comparing and ordering fractions. Finally, benchmarks and estimation were not strongly developed and, consequently, were not often used when operating on fractions."
Transition to a new high school : teachers' perception regarding secondary school reorganization.
Authors:   , Porter Helen
Published: April 2021

Midwest Public Schools (MPS) restructured their entire secondary system in 2013 by building a third comprehensive high school, converting three junior highs to middle schools, changing middle school grade levels from grades six and seven to six, seven and eight, and shifting high school building grade levels from ten through twelve to nine through twelve. Victory High School opened in August of 2013 with all new teachers; most came from previous MPS schools. The purpose of this study was to examine teachers' perceptions of the Secondary School Reorganization and how MPS, as a district, supported or hindered those teachers' transition to a new high school building. Findings that arose from interviews and focus groups included: community building and culture, colleagues, leadership, the excitement of working in a new building, teachers' personal lives, inequity, principal leadership, teacher choice, technology and continued professional development for problems that inevitably arise during the first few years of opening a new high school. The implication for a school district ready to embark on adding a new comprehensive high school and/or changing grade clusters is to overly communicate and take into account every aspect of a teacher's work day. Teachers must have buy-in to a new building or structure before that change will be successful.
Exploration of the contentious relationship between increased work engagement and service worker well-being
Authors:   , Lewis Nicolle M.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] This study sought to examine the efficacy of a positive psychology intervention for increasing work engagement within the workplace for collegiate academic advisors. This study employed embedded design methodology, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative methods. This study consisted of four full-time collegiate academic advisors. The Person Activity Fit Diagnostic was used to individualize the positive exercises per participant. Also, the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) was used to assess the work engagement measures for all three participants by looking at their degrees of vigor, dedication, and absorption. Qualitative (A Day in the Life Journal and interviews) and quantitative (UWES) data was collected as pre and post measures, with the quantitative measures supporting the qualitative data. Qualitative data (Participant Manuals) were used throughout the entire positive psychology intervention. All four participants perceived a positive influence on their work engagement. Overall, participants reported that the positive psychology intervention also helped with positive thinking and work-life balance. The findings of this study suggest that educating academic advisors on self-care practices, such as a positive psychology intervention, may ensure a healthier work-life balance in a field that can be hard to leave work at work.
Effects of reduced protein, amino acid supplemented diets on production and economic performance of commercial broilers fed from hatch to market age
Authors:   , Guaiume ElisaÌ‚ngela Aparecida
Published: April 2021

Five studies were conducted to determine the effects of reduced crude protein (CP) of commercial boilers fed for further processing. In experiments(EXP) 1, 2, and 3, birds were fed diets with up to 1.5% reduction in CP. The results were consistent for the three experiments. Performance and meat yield were not affected by the decrease in CP, but abdominal pat pad yield increased as CP decreased. In EXP3 and 4, birds were fed diets with up to 2.1% decrease in CP. To EXP4, the lowest CP-diet(CT-2.1%) received supplementation of arginine(Arg), valine(Val), isoleucine(Ile), leucine(Leu), or a mixture of these four amino acids(All). In EXP4, a decrease in breast meat yield was observed when CT-2.1% was fed whereas in EXP5 there was no effect on breast meat yield, which may have been due to the fewer replicates utilized for EXP2. In EXP4, carcass yield decreased and supplementation with Ile/All recovered carcass yield.
Evaluating usability, effectiveness, and usage of telehealth technologies
Authors:   , Becevic Mirna
Published: April 2021

Affordable Care Act (ACA) has allowed more patients that did not previously have health care insurance to have coverage and access to care. This increase in the number of patients seeking medical care will only add additional stress to the existing disproportion of supply and demand for health care providers. In addition, rising health care costs have major effect on how, where, and even if consumers will get needed care. This study examined three different telehealth platforms in three different medical specialties in order to evaluate the perception that they would be appropriate vehicles for increasing access to care. I also wanted to find out what the users' perceptions of these technologies are, as that can be a driving factor in adoption of new technologies. The first study examined the usability and acceptance of new mobile application in teledermatology clinic. The second study focused on usability and acceptance of ICU Robots in a medical ICU. Finally, the third study evaluated if children and youth currently using telepsychiatry as a care delivery method would have other in-person options if telehealth was not available. The results of these three studies point at the complexity and richness of telehealth. The adoption and acceptance of mHealth was very fast and streamlined. In the same fashion, children might not have other appropriate options for care if telepsychiatry was not available in rural Missouri. Interestingly, though, the provider acceptance of ICU Robots was slow, with some provider disengagements observed. This research contributes to the field of health informatics and medical informatics by evaluating adoption and usability of technologies from the provider perspective, vs. the more traditional approach of examining patient satisfaction, or even provider satisfaction without fully understanding the implications of attitudes on the adoption itself. This study has focused purposefully on different groups of providers using different types of telehealth technologies so we could try to see the bigger picture of how telehealth actually contributes to the health care organizational structure.
Vascular dysfunction and insulin stimulated blood flow : impact of physical inactivity and type 2 diabetes
Authors:   , Boyle Leryn J.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have blunted femoral artery insulin mediated blood flow which is critical for the delivery and uptake of glucose into skeletal muscle. However, it is unclear in humans the precise mechanisms by which insulin resistance impairs insulin stimulated blood flow. Further, chronic physical inactivity is a powerful stimulus for reduced insulin sensitivity and vascular dysfunction; however, the effects of short term, modest reductions in physical activity are limited. Thus, we examined 1) if inactivity for 5 days would impair endothelial function in healthy individuals (study one) 2) if reducing whole body insulin sensitivity, via 5 days of inactivity, would impair the blood flow response to insulin stimulation in parallel with glycemic control (study two) and 3) phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide (eNOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) production to insulin stimulation would be decreased and increased, respectively, in insulin resistant individuals (study three). We demonstrated significant reductions in endothelial function with only 5 days of reduced daily steps while blood flow to glucose ingestion was unaltered. Further, in obese humans with type 2 diabetes it does not appear that that the reduction in blood flow to 1 hr of insulin stimulation is due to altered peNOS or ET-1. Collectively, these data suggest that reduced daily physical activity and chronic insulin resistance mediate negative impacts on vascular function and insulin stimulated blood flow and signaling.
Nitrate and nitrite growth inhibition of Desulfovibrio strains
Authors:   , Korte Hannah
Published: April 2021

Sulfate-reducing bacteria, common non-pathogenic soil bacteria, have the ability to limit the movement of toxic heavy metals from one environmental site to another by keeping those metals from dissolving in water. Limiting the movement of heavy metals into drinking water supplies is especially desirable in former nuclear weapons complexes, which are contaminated with heavy metals. Although these bacteria can have positive effects in heavy metal immobilization, they also have negative impacts on the petroleum industry. For example, these bacteria cause oil ?souring? and corrosion of metal pipes because of their production of hydrogen sulfide, the gas that smells like rotten eggs. Therefore, it is desirable to study these bacteria in order to increase their positive effects and decrease their negative effects. Growth of the sulfate-reducing bacteria can be inhibited by the chemicals nitrate and nitrite. Nitrate and nitrite are also present in heavy-metal contaminated environments and limit the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria and their positive effects. In addition, nitrate and nitrite are often added to oil production processes to limit the souring of oil and corrosion of the pipelines. Therefore, in order to manipulate the activities of sulfate-reducing bacteria, it is necessary to be able to predict the responses of these bacteria to inhibitory chemicals like nitrate and nitrite. In this research, responses of the model sulfate-reducing bacteria, Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough and Desulfovibrio alaskensis G20, to nitrate and nitrite were studied. We found that mutations that inactivate the functions of a small number of genes cause nitrate resistance in these bacteria. These mutations may assist the growth of the bacteria in environmental settings where nitrate is present. Although it was long believed that nitrate inhibition occurred through nitrite production, our work confirmed that nitrate inhibition of these bacteria can be independent of nitrite production. Additionally, the much more potent inhibitor, nitrite, but not nitrate, can be used beneficially by the bacteria to assist their growth. Therefore, nitrate and nitrite should be considered as separate inhibitors in the environment, rather than as a single inhibitor. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of nitrite on sulfate-reducing bacteria should be considered when a model is made to describe how these bacteria interact with nitrate or nitrite in the environment. These results can help researchers to study more effectively how to increase the beneficial effects of sulfate-reducing bacteria and to decrease their negative effects.??
Chemical and strutural properties of DNA-abasic site cross-links
Authors:   , Price Nathan
Published: April 2021

Here, we report on the formation of DNA interstrand cross-links. These cross-links form from abasic sites, an endogenous type of DNA damage. We have utilized gel electrophoresis, NMR, mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography to identify the location, DNA sequence specificity, stability and some structural information for these interstrand cross-links. Additionally, we have synthesized a small molecule standard which is identical to the enzymatically digested cross-link from duplex DNA. This synthetic standard can be used to increase sensitivity for future detection of DNA-abasic site cross-links.