bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decoupling orientations from actions : an investigation of MNC subsidiary learning and innovation performance
Authors:   , Zhu Fengxia
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Globalization has led to a universal learning race in which organizations strive to achieve or maintain a competitive advantage through learning and innovation. Extant literature in organizational learning and international marketing, however, is often confusing and/or ambiguous on the fundamental conceptualization of different types of learning, and on the relationships between different types of learning and subsequent innovation performance. This study proposes a contingency model to examine how external market conditions and internal organizational conditions influence the learning pathways taken by subsidiaries of multinational companies (MNCs) and, in turn, how those choices affect innovation performance. Drawing on organizational learning and international marketing literatures, this study (1) explicitly distinguishes between a subsidiary's learning orientations (i.e., the exploration and exploitation orientations) and actual manifested learning actions (i.e., the exploration and exploitation activities); (2) unpacks the internal organizational conditions under which the relationships between exploration / exploitation orientations and exploration / exploitation actions become stronger or weaker; and (3) identifies the external market conditions under which exploration / exploitation actions become more effective in contributing to subsidiary innovation performance. The proposed model was empirically tested with survey data collected from 212 executive managers of subsidiaries operating in China, an emerging market with high strategic importance to foreign direct investment and offering rich opportunity for organizational learning and innovation. The results indicated that subsidiary autonomy and interdependence amplifies the impact of exploitation orientation on exploitation actions, while subsidiary internal competition amplifies the impact of exploration orientation on exploration actions. The research findings also suggested that subsidiary exploration actions are more effective on innovation performance under unique and dynamic market conditions. This study contributes to a greater clarity and better understanding of how MNC subsidiaries may effectively pursue different types of learning, under different market and internal organizational conditions, to improve innovation performance. The findings also have implications for company managers' critical resource allocation as they attempt to maximize benefits from their exploitation and exploration activities.
The end of Tennessee : a collection of essays
Authors:   , Hanson Rachel Michelle
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This dissertation analyzes the complications of existing in a violent world as much as it explores formal and experimental narrative techniques. As such, the author leans into the voids and chaos of fragmented recollections, which is apparent in some essays by the staccato rhythm and repetition of language and in others through point of view changes, shifts in time, and the resistance of fleshed out exposition. In more linearly structured essays, landscape and lyrical language often guide the narrative arc.
Secondary-level social studies pedagogical planning to inclusive practices : how prepared are our teacher candidates to work in today's 21st century inclusive high school classroom
Authors:   , Muente Kari A.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This research study looked at how three high school preservice social studies teachers, from three different teacher training programs, were prepared to teach in today's 21st century inclusive high school classroom. As today's high school classroom becomes more academically and culturally diverse, social studies teachers need to deliberate on questions of content (what to teach?), method (how to teach?), and value (what is important to teach?) towards reaching all students, both with and without disabilities. The study's results indicated high school social studies preservice teachers are unprepared to engage students with various academic levels, especially students with disabilities. As the high school social studies content becomes more complex, social studies preservice teachers struggle to meet the needs of all their students when engaging them in high order thinking or historical reasoning skills, like contextualizing primary sources or engaging in inquiry-based activities. The finding also indicated the need for social studies education programs to incorporating more inclusive practices and collaboration with special education. Secondary-level social studies teachers need to learn how to teach their content lessons from a more proactive universal design approach, like the Universal Design for Learning framework. When learning barriers are recognized and addressed within the curriculum design, students become more motivated towards engaging in the content and becoming self-determined learners. As the 21st-century high school classroom become more academically diverse, social studies education programs must provide their teacher candidates with the necessary tools to develop lesson plans where all students engage in a barrierfree learning environment.
Uniform bounds in F-finite rings and their applications
Authors:   , Polstra Thomas Marion
Published: April 2021

This dissertation establishes uniform bounds in characteristic p rings which are either F-finite or essentially of finite type over an excellent local ring. These uniform bounds are then used to show that the Hilbert-Kunz length functions and the normalized Frobenius splitting numbers defined on the spectrum of a ring converge uniformly to their limits, namely the Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity function and the Fsignature function. From this we establish that the F-signature function is lower semicontinuous. Lower semi-continuity of the F-signature of a pair is also established. We also give a new proof of the upper semi-continuity of Hilbert-Kunz multiplicity, a result originally proven by Ilya Smirnov.
Three essays on the relationship between reputation and leverage : a Bayesian perspective
Authors:   , Ganguli Sumittra
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] In markets involving repeated interactions between a principal and an agent, (labor markets, credit market, goods market) agency problems are further compounded by the presence of asymmetric information. Stiglitz and Weiss (1981) suggest that such frictions might help explain why capital may not always flow to firms with profitable investment opportunities. Further, Campbell and Kracaw (1980), Diamond (1984), Fama (1985), Diamond (1991) suggest that such problems may be overcome by the institutional creditors themselves by producing information about these firms and then using this information in their credit decisions. If information is assumed to be durable, not easily transferred and there exits economies of scale in the production of information, then these theories would seem to suggest that firms that maintain close ties with financial institutions should have access to cheaper and more capital. In the words of Petersen and Rajan (1994) such ties represent 'relationships' between the creditors and their debtors. This dissertation explores one such aspect of the debtor-creditor relationship--'borrower reputation' and attempts an estimation of this mechanism on the borrower's ability to take on leverage and the empirical contribution of this mechanism in explaining observed movements in the data.
Exploring the reasons teachers stay in the profession : a case study in one Midwestern urban high school
Authors:   , Johnson S. Beery
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this qualitative bounded case study was to find the factors that lead teachers at SS High to remain in teaching and more specifically, to stay in their current building. A review of literature provided revealed that teachers are leaving the profession and moving between buildings at alarming rates that in turn negatively affect our children's education. An examination of why teachers stay in the profession was rarely studied and relates to what motivating factors are prevalent for the teachers to stay. Literature revealed motivational strategies from theorists Herzberg, Pink, and Maslow like autonomy, purpose, empowerment, and leadership opportunities that lead to more teacher satisfaction, which then can lead to greater teacher retainment. This study used semi-structured interviews with teachers who had four-ten years' experience, a focus group with teachers with 11-30 tenure, and a pertinent document review to gather teacher perceptions in order to determine themes district and building leaders can use to retain more teachers. The themes were: a) Creating a Positive Culture; b) Creating a Family Atmosphere; c) Autonomy; and d) Limiting Factors. The findings allow building and district leadership with implications for practice that will provide heightened satisfaction for teachers, which will keep them in the building and district and provide better support for learning to students.
Three essays on food insecurity, nutritional outcomes, and supplemental nutrition assistance program participation among seniors
Authors:   , Price Ashley E.
Published: April 2021

As the senior population in the United States grows to be a more significant portion of the American populous, social scientists, public health advocates, policy makers, and health care professor must grapple with how to address the strain senior will place on health systems and social services. Nutrition is a critical component of maintaining good health, managing chronic diseases, and prevention, thus, we must learn more about the senior experiences with nutrition and social programs which address nutrition inadequacy. To contribute to this literature this dissertation uses nationally representative survey data and econometric analysis to understand seniors and nutrition. The first essay focuses on understanding what contributes to seniors' participation Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The second essay looks at the role food security and functional limitations play in seniors' nutritional outcomes. The third chapter explores what drives the higher food insecurity rates among senior women relative to senior men. All three essays highlight potential barriers for seniors having quality nutrition.
We are our sisters keeper : the experience of black female clergy responding to intimate partner violence
Authors:   , Shaw Ashley R.
Published: April 2021

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects all populations, regardless of race, education, or socioeconomic status, Black women are disproportionately affected (43.7 percent) compared to White women (34.6 percent). Although evidence indicates that faithbased organizations and clergy play key roles in preventing and responding to IPV among Black women, limited research has been conducted in this area, and most studies have focused on Black male clergy. Therefore, this transcendental phenomenological study explored the experiences and beliefs Black female clergy in various leadership positions and denominations (N=12) have regarding their role as responders to IPV among Black women. The study addressed two research questions: 1) "How do Black female church leaders perceive and describe their experience when responding to IPV against their Black female congregants? and 2) "What beliefs about IPV do Black female church leaders hold?" Each clergy leader participated in a face-to-face interview and afterward completed a demographic questionnaire. Data analysis followed the modified van. Kaam 7-step process. One overarching theme emerged, We Are Our Sister's Keeper, as well as three subthemes, Support Advocate, Spiritual Advisor, and Roadblocked Leader. The themes indicate that Black female clergy respond to the emotional and spiritual needs of Black women despite barriers from outside resources and limited support from the Black church. The themes also suggest that clergy lack knowledge and training for responding to IPV but that they are passionate about providing holistic, culturally centered care by bridging the gap between the church and the community to better serve Black women who have experienced IPV. Community-based interventions are needed to address barriers and disparities in access to services for women experiencing IPV. Findings suggest the importance of incorporating spiritual and emotional healing among this population when providing care and services. Research is needed to develop interventions, such as a faith-based toolkit, that enhance clergy leaders' ability to respond to IPV.
Bursicon homodimers induce prophylactic innate immunity in two model insects: Drosophila melanogaster and Aedes aegypti
Authors:   , Zhang Hongwei
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.]
Student perceptions of athletic training preceptor traits and their effects on board of certification examination outcomes
Authors:   , Huseman Jennifer JH
Published: April 2021

This study explored the perceptions Athletic Training Students' harbored of the traits of preceptors they have been assigned. The preceptor characteristics examined in this study were nurturing, contemplative, consolidative, management, inspirational, and rigorous. These perceived traits of preceptors were then compared to Athletic Training Programs who were compliant and non-compliant with CAATE Standard 11 for Professional Programs. The study investigated whether there would be a significant difference in any of the trait characteristics between programs in compliance and non-compliance with Standard 11. This was a quantitative study in which data were collected via Preceptor Effectiveness Survey. The data were analyzed through SPSS 23 using descriptive statistics and MANOVA. The MANOVA failed to result in a significant multivariate effect, however, the univariate results indicated a significant difference between programs (p less than.05) for the "rigorous" trait, F(1, 105) = 7.210, p = 0.008. Overall, noncompliant programs presented lower mean scores on all traits when compared to compliant schools. The study can offer evidence for effective preceptor traits in programs with successful Board of Certification (BOC) outcomes. This could be utilized to improve training, recruitment, hiring, establishing appropriate student-preceptor ratios to individual preceptors, and enhancing the overall student clinical experience.
The influence of mRNA secondary structures on ribosome conformational dynamics
Authors:   , Shebl Bassem
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Synthesizing proteins in the cell is a critical aspect of life. Protein synthesis is a complicated process and involve highly functional machines at a molecular level. The ribosome is the molecular machine that translate coded sequences of nucleic acids into functional proteins. Understanding how ribosomes function is key to understanding protein synthesis / translation. We focus our work on ribosomes from bacterial cells. This allows us to study much simpler systems and extrapolate our knowledge to higher levels. One key challenge in the field is to be able to isolate a high quantity of good and active ribosomes out of the cell to study it in a controlled environment. Classically known methods involve extensive resources, high technical expertise, and a week of preparation. We developed a one-step protocol to purify ribosomes that are more active than the ones purified from classical methods. This developed technique saves time and money and results in much higher amounts of product. This approach also makes the technique approachable to a wider community of scientists and researchers. The same methodology could be applied towards purifying other molecular machines in the cells. Using these ribosomes, we wanted to investigate how the ribosomes function in cells when faced with specific signals. These signals are utilized by the cells to control protein synthesis. However, in dome diseased cells and for some viruses, normal protein synthesis is overridden by the invaders to produce faulty proteins that could result in a wide range of diseases such as Alzheimer and others. In this study, we investigated how the ribosome functions in the presence of such signals and how close do they need to be to the ribosome to affect protein synthesis. This allows us to design drugs to mimic or inhibit such changes thus fixing faulty protein production or sometimes induce it to inhibit protein synthesis in bacterial cells and as such designing and producing novel drugs.
Legal information acquisition by the public : an exploratory study
Authors:   , O'Hare Sheila
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This exploratory study applied models of human information behavior and health information acquisition to the acquisition of legal information by the public. A mixed methods approach, consisting of two sequential phases, was utilized. First, an online survey consisting of 45 multiple-choice questions was administered to a Qualtrics panel of 385 individuals without formal legal training who were at least 18 years of age. In the second phase, eleven individuals who met the same screening criteria were interviewed in order to provide additional elaboration upon and clarification of the survey data. In phase 1, frequency of legal information searching and incidental discovery of legal information (information encountering, or IE) was assessed for relationships with personal, affective, contextual, and environmental factors. Findings indicate that individuals who search and encounter legal information more frequently share certain demographic and affective characteristics with their counterparts in the acquisition of health information. Age, income, and previous experience with the legal system were associated with greater legal search frequency. Age, race, and previous experience with the legal system were associated with greater frequency of legal IE. Self-efficacy and vigilance were both associated with frequency of search and IE, though perception of the legal system was not. Subjects searched and encountered more frequently because of curiosity than other situational factors. The role of risk in search and encounter frequency could not be determined. Both exposure to multiple information sources and to multiple mass media sources were associated with greater frequency of legal search and IE. In phase 2, subjects were asked about their searches and IE experiences with legal information, and the role of legal information in their everyday lives, especially as compared to health information acquisition. Findings indicate that members of the public define legal information quite narrowly as tied to lawyers and courts, rather than rights and duties (even provided with a more inclusive definition), and often fail to relate routine encounters with the law to their larger understanding of the legal system. Survey findings were corroborated in terms of source choices, the roles of previous experience, self-efficacy, and avoidance-vigilance. The increased availability of legal information sources through the internet has made it easier for people to find codes and regulations, but has not made it easier to find the information necessary to assess more complex legal issues. Other emergent themes identified in phase 2 included the detrimental effect of attorney advertising and the perception of legal information as disruptive, in contrast to the embeddedness of health information in everyday life.
Watching biological nanomotors at work : insights from single-molecule studies
Authors:   , Chada Nagaraju
Published: April 2021

Recent decades have seen several complimentary biophysics tools emerge to study single protein macromolecules. Most of these techniques use glass as a specimen support. The atomic force microscope, a vital tool in biophysics suited to study proteins in their near native environments, uses mica as a specimen support, as it is known for its extreme flatness and ease of use. Here we optimized glass as a specimen support for atomic force microscopy. This enables the combination of other single molecule techniques with atomic force microscopy to study the same protein macromolecular system in unison. Using bacteriorhodopsin from Halobacterium salinarum and the Sec-translocase (SecA/SecYEG) from Escherichia coli, we demonstrate that faithful images of 2D crystalline and non-crystalline membrane proteins in lipid bilayers can be obtained on common microscope cover glass following a straight-forward cleaning procedure. Repeated association and dissociation of SecA with SecYEG indicated that the proteins remain competent for biological processes on glass supports for long periods of time. This work opens the door for combining high resolution biological AFM with other powerful complementary single molecule techniques that require glass as a specimen support. In the second part of this work we studied SecA-ATP hydrolysis and catalase enzyme dynamics. Both of these protein macromolecules were observed to be highly dynamic during catalytic turnover. Single molecule studies of catalase indicated that the enzyme undergoes significant dynamics including oligomeric state changes when exposed to H2O2. Conformational dynamics of the SecA-ATPase was visualized at the single molecule level and the protein macromolecule was observed to flicker between a compact and expanded state in the presence of ATP, indicating reversible conformational changes. Future studies in the lab will shed more light onto these important biological processes.
High density mapping and quantitative trait loci analysis for fungal diseases in vitis aestivalis-derived 'Norton' and breeding for low palmitic acid in glycine max
Authors:   , Sapkota Surya Datta
Published: April 2021

Vitis aestivalis-derived 'Norton', the official grape of the State of Missouri, is grown in many U.S. regions where V. vinifera production requires extensive pesticide use for fungal disease management. To identify genetic factors of resistance to fungal diseases, a breeding population was developed from a cross between 'Norton' and 'Cabernet Sauvignon' at the Missouri State Fruit Experiment Station, resulting in 182 progenies. Utilizing this population, 19 different chromosomes of Norton, Cabernet Sauvignon and consensus were constructed using molecular/DNA markers. Downy mildew disease infection was studied 10 days after inoculation in the given population using both visual and quantitative measures. This study allowed us to discover a factor on chromosome 18 that is responsible for downy mildew resistance. Markers associated with this factor can be used to select seedling in young stage in the process of development of new cultivars. A phenotypic difference was observed for Botrytis bunch rot resistance in the same population, which will be utilized to identify corresponding genes after further analysis. Fatty acid manipulation in soybean oil by altering oil composition is an important breeding objective in the US. Reduction in saturated fatty acid particularly palmitic acid is recommended to improve cardiovascular health. In this study, we were able to identify and confirm new lines that carry low palmitic acid levels.
A qualitative inquiry into social justice issues facing educators of students with autism spectrum disorders
Authors:   , Stephens Adam John
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of various educators charged with the task of educating students with ASD within three public Midwestern school districts. Through the lens of social justice theory, this phenomenological study sought to further the understanding of the unique and varied needs of both the ASD student subgroup, and the multiple school stakeholders charged with providing equity within ASD education. The researcher examined the views and perceptions of special education administrators, special education teachers, and paraprofessionals with regard to challenges and obstacles to ASD equity, and methods used to overcome those obstacles. Participant responses demonstrated that the social justice principles of distribution, recognition, and opportunities (Hytten and Bettez, 2011), are reflected in the practices of ASD educators at varying levels levels. However, within certain school personnel, a lack of knowledge and valuation of students with ASD is still prevalent. Therefore, the implications of this study demonstrate a need for K-12 school districts and higher education institutions to offer more opportunities for educators of students with ASD to learn about their unique traits and strategies the study findings and research have shown improve learner outcomes for students across the autism spectrum.
Examining forms of capital : the satisfaction with the education and the higher education opportunities of the children of Latino families in three rural communities in Missouri
Authors:   , Wongsiri Aphiradee
Published: April 2021

This study aimed to investigate how forms of capital relate to satisfaction with the education and the higher education opportunities of the children of Latino families in three rural communities in Missouri. The specific research questions are: (1) What are the forms of capital of the survey respondents predict satisfaction with the education and the higher education opportunities of the children of Latino families? (2) What are the forms of capital of the Latino household that predict satisfaction with the education and the higher education opportunities of the children of Latino families? (3) What are the community perceptions that predict satisfaction with the education and the higher education opportunities of the children of Latino families? (4) How does the gender of the survey respondents relate to satisfaction with the education and the higher education opportunities of the children of Latino families? An ordinal logistic regression was used to identify predictors of satisfaction of Latino families. The results indicated that the forms of capital which were possessed by the survey respondents and by the Latino household were significantly associated with satisfaction with the education and the higher education opportunities of the children of Latino families. Community acceptance and being male were significantly related to satisfaction with the higher education opportunities of the children. Additionally, the survey respondents who lived in community A were negatively associated with satisfaction with the education of the children.
Parents' perspectives on sex education : nuanced accommodation in a bilaterally constructed world
Authors:   , Madison Audrey K.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Research on sex education regularly presents a polarized depiction of debate, which often puts parents on the defensive and condenses their viewpoints into incongruous, dichotomous camps. This study aims to challenge this rhetoric by presenting findings of nuanced parental viewpoints that frequently get over-simplified, and offers alternative explanations to these complex issues. Positioned within the history of American education in general and sex education in particular, it is further possible to see how vestiges of this history affect current school-led sex education and discussions about it. Through the teasing-out of parental opinions, it became clear that, on the most fundamental level, parents seem to agree that children need sex education. Results indicate that parents' own experiences with sex education play a major part in how they think of their role as sex educators with their children. Additionally, most parents express a desire to ensure their children are better informed and prepared than they were. Parents find their role as sex educator to be very important, although differences between fathers and mothers and parents of opposite sex children complicated this role. Acceptance of this role is a common theme, some parents more determined than others to educate their children about sex (but all acknowledging the feeling that they "have to"). Parents' descriptions of their strategies for sex education revealed differences in active versus passive approaches, questions of "how," "when," and "what" often complicating their approaches. Findings also show that parents have varying opinions on school-led sex education, but many are concerned with biases that may be conveyed in school. The notion that parents fall neatly on one side of the debate or the other is played with and challenged through the purposeful application of parental tropes. This practice revealed that parents do not precisely or consistently conform to these dichotomous boundaries. Finally, comparisons of New York, New York and Omaha, Nebraska demonstrate how schools can accommodate and assist parents in sex education by offering more complex options instead of either "opt in" or "opt out." By taking this approach, Omaha Public Schools district may be able to avoid future contentious arguments over sex education, although this remains to be seen. Throughout this paper, alternatives to the current literature are presented as a method of doing away with the common binary of comprehensive sex education versus abstinence only education. By examining parental opinions of sex education at home and at school, new ways of conducting sex education research are presented and justified.
Optimizing the tissue engineering of tubular organ structures by bio-printing
Authors:   , Shafiee Ashkan
Published: April 2021

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine may help to save peopleâ€™s lives by fabricating new organs. Towards this goal our objective is to optimize the conditions for cells to self assemble into functional structures, such as tissues and eventually organoids. To facilitate self-assembly we employ the technology of bioprinting. To maintain the extended cellular assemblies, they need to be vascularized. Thus we first concentrated on the fabrication of blood vessels. We prepared convenient bioink particles, multicellular units composed of the relevant cell types and we deposited them into a configuration, consistent with the shape of the vessel. Self-assembly and the maturation of the construct takes place post-printing in special-purpose bioreactors by the fusion of the bioink units and the rearrangement of the cells within them. The time to achieve near physiological biomechanical properties has so far been found by trial and error. We report the experimental part of an experimental-theoretical-computational framework to optimize the postprinting maturation process, in particular the fusion of the bioink units. The connection between experiments and computer simulations were guided by theory. Here we report the results of extended fusion experiments and on their comparison with predictions of the theory. The excellent agreement we found, on one hand, provided a verification of the theoretical component of the formalism, and, on the other hand, the input for the computational component of the formalism. Specifically, our experiments, together with the theory, allowed the calibration of the basic simulation parameters, which in turn allows the full implementation of the computational component of the formalism to optimize the fabrication of blood vessels through the bioprinting process.
Mediating effects of the relationship between school-based professionals' role, knowledge, and self-efficacy as related to non-suicidal self-injury
Authors:   , Moore Caren R.
Published: April 2021

Non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors are on the rise among school aged children and adolescents. The current research study assessed school-based professionals' general knowledge of NSSI behaviors and perceived self-efficacy in working with students that engage in NSSI behaviors. Direct experience working with students that engage in NSSI behaviors and familiarity with various mental health disorders served as mediators. Familiarity with various mental health disorders served as a significant predictor for most professionals when examining their general knowledge scores and perceived self-efficacy. Direct experience with NSSI behaviors proved to be a weak mediator in the current study. Findings suggest that school-based professionals, overall, do not hold a considerable amount of knowledge regarding NSSI behaviors or confidence in their ability to work with students that engage in NSSI behaviors. Specific areas for training and interventions are identified based upon study findings. The study emphasizes that school-based professionals are not required nor expected to have all the right answers. However, school-based professionals are encouraged to develop multidisciplinary teams to create action plans that address mental health issues in their schools.
A comparison of the social and academic impact of high school students participating in desegregation programs to their peers
Authors:   , Lewis Amanda M.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this quantitative study was to compare the social and academic impact data of African American students enrolled in the St. Louis city desegregation program, the Voluntary Interdistrict Choice Corporation (VICC), to their peers attending neighborhood district schools. The research specifically analyzed student data for grades 9-12 from two area school districts, one St. Louis city district and one county district. Attendance rates, drop-out rates, graduation rates, ACT scores, and EOC scores were examined to determine if enrollment in the desegregation program had a positive or negative impact. Study results found a statistically significant positive relationship between students enrolled in the VICC desegregation program and the social areas of attendance rates, drop-out rates, and graduation rates. A statistically significant positive relationship was also found between students enrolled in the desegregation program and the academic areas of ACT and EOC scores. Academic area data was closer in comparison than social data. However, the relationship continued to show a positive statistical significance among VICC students.
Virtual web for PageRank computing
Authors:   , Song Bo
Published: April 2021

The enormous size and fast-evolving nature of World-Wide-Web has been demanding an even more efficient PageRank updating algorithm. Web evolution may involve two kinds: (1) link structure modification; (2) page insertion/deletion. When the web evolution is restricted to only link insertion/deletion, we demonstrate the benefit of using the previous PageRank to initialize the current PageRank computation, theoretically and experimentally. When page insertion/deletion occurs, how to effectively use the previous PageRank information to facilitate the current PageRank computation has long been a challenge. To tackle the general case, a so-called "virtual web" is introduced through adding the inserted nodes to the previous web along with some specific "in-home" link structure, where in-links from the previous web and out-links to the previous web are excluded. Through the virtual web, we are able to work out a virtual initialization, which can be efficiently used to calculate the current PageRank. The introduced virtual initialization is "unbiased", that assumes least under available knowledge. The virtual web is then integrated with the Power-Iteration and Gauss-Southwell method to solve the node insertion/deletion problem, which are named as Virtual Web Power-Iteration (VWPI) method and Virtual Web Gauss-Southwell (VWGS) method, respectively. Further, we proposed an optimized approach based on VWGS method for updating node insertions. The experiment result shows that the VWGS algorithm significantly outperformed the conventional PageRank computation based on the original model. On the dataset Twitter-2010 with 42M nodes and 1.5B edges, for a perturbation of 400k node and 14 million link insertions plus deletions at one time, our algorithm is about 20 times faster on number of iterations and 3 times faster on running-time in comparison to the Gauss-Southwell method starting from scratch. On the soc-LiveJournal dataset with up to a 20% node insertion, the optimized VWGS method received another 28% gain comparing to the original VWGS method. To compare with the prior work proposed by Ohsaka et al. in [32], our method is 1800x faster per link insertion/deletion on the Twitter-2010 dataset under similar experiment environment.
A case study of secondary school leaders' perceptions of attendance policies and procedures used to increase attendance
Authors:   , Bullimore Mark A.
Published: April 2021

Nationwide, pressures from outside influences such as politicians and educational policy makers are placing schools in precarious situations to make drastic changes in attendance policies to meet state accountability standards. The researcher used interviews and a focus group with school leaders, and archival data to find common themes which were then viewed through the conceptual underpinning of accountability. This case study adds to the field of education a deeper understanding of school leaders' perspectives on the impact attendance accountability standards have on the overall effectiveness of school improvement. The findings suggest: the new proportional attendance policy is detrimental to a school leaders' ability to focus on other school improvement practices while creating negative unintended consequences for schools and students; incentives and punitive consequences have short-term success while decaying school-family relationships; and district-wide and community awareness programs seemed to have the greatest impact on long term attendance improvement. Based on these findings, the following three practices should be implemented by districts: Systematic monitoring of attendance data, the use of low cost incentives and simple rewards, and the implementation of district-wide engagement and education of family and community awareness programs.
Genealogies of affect among a young veterinarian's public letter : an exploratory study of hidden curricula in a college of veterinary medicine
Authors:   , Hancock Tamara S.
Published: April 2021

Contemporary research in veterinary medical education indicates alarming rates of depression and anxiety among veterinary students. Yet, the focus of this scholarship is primarily on mental illness as effects of a social and relational process, rather than interrogating the affectual nature of the process. Medical education has a long history of interrogating various facets of socialization as largely embedded in the hidden curricula--the tacit culture of a social entity, and repository for values and norms of conduct. Unfortunately, scant scholarship explores the hidden curricula of veterinary medicine. Recently, an anonymous letter signed Young Veterinarian was published on a public website, and opened an electronic dialogue regarding the nature of affects imbedded in professional socialization. Many themes of the letter referred to issues imbedded in the literature. This study followed this online dialogue, and initiated one in a College of Veterinary Medicine. Centering this letter, object-focused interviews were conducted to explore how members of this community are affected by the anonymous letter. Analytical insights suggest three broad areas of affects related to the hidden curricula: Onto-epistemic tensions; affective neutrality; and freedom, debt, and hopelessness. Implications for research and professional practice/curricula are discussed and deliberated.
A qualitative study of teacher leadership in secondary schools in central Missouri
Authors:   , Carter Julie A.
Published: April 2021

This qualitative study examined teacher leadership with the purpose of gaining knowledge and insight as well as adding to existing research about teacher leaders. Research was conducted in the form of surveys and interviews. Ten principals and their ten selected teacher leaders were interviewed. The researcher discovered characteristics teacher leaders possess, how their respective principals view them as leaders, and how they view themselves as leaders. Several subthemes emerged from the overarching theme of "let's go." Results from the study revealed teachers, when given opportunities for leadership roles, impact the school in many positive ways and this distributive leadership helps alleviate pressure from principals.
Intern and congregant perceptions of the impact of a United Methodist ministry internship program in rural Missouri
Authors:   , Dimmitt Travis
Published: April 2021

This qualitative study examines a ministry internship program at a rural regional university in Missouri. The study sought to determine the impact of the internship on both interns in the program and on congregants in churches served by the program. Guided by the lens of self-efficacy as identified originally by Bandura (1977), the researcher conducted interviews, focus groups, and examined archival data to ascertain impact. Completed research helped identify eight areas of impact. The internship allowed for support and transformation of both interns and congregants throughout its duration. Interns were able to gain a realistic understanding of the ministry field. Interns were able to reflect on their practice through differential outcomes. Interns were able to ascertain a potential calling to vocational ministry. Congregants reported an influx of new ideas into their churches. Rural churches were able to stay open. Many interns went on to become young vocational ministers within the United Methodist Church. Both congregants and interns reported the internship allowed them to come closer to God.
Perceptions of special education training as viewed by northwest Missouri high school principals and Missouri university leaders
Authors:   , McCoy Lucas (Luke) W.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this qualitative research project was to examine the perceptions of Northwest Missouri principals and university leaders from across the state of special education training that is received during principal preparatory graduate programs. A review of relevant literature gives background on the history of special education in the United States, the role of principals in special education, and a brief history on principal preparatory programs. Perceptions of principals regarding their own training revealed a lack of adequate preparation for leading in the area of special education. The researcher used a semi-structured interviews and focus group with principals in Northwest Missouri as well as on online survey for various university leaders. The interviews, focus group, and published courses of study from the universities produced data where three major themes evolved. The three themes included: (a) The Organization of Special Education in a Building or District, (b) The Principal's Role in Special Education, and (c) Training of Principals Regarding Special Education. Kotter's Change Theory was used to indicate a sense of urgency to make changes in how aspiring principals are trained regarding special education.
Preparation and characterization of bioadsorbent beads for removing selected heavy metal ions from wastewater
Authors:   , Salih Suhaib S.
Published: April 2021

Rapid industrialization is one of the major threats to water pollution worldwide, as discharge effluents contain large amounts of toxic metal ions. Heavy metals are highly toxic to the ecosystem and human even at very low concentrations. We focused on easily available, green and eco-friendly with low operational cost materials to remove heavy metals from industrial wastewater. Chitosan is considered an alternative and sustainable adsorbent due to its highly efficient adsorption capacities for heavy metals. In this particular study, chitosan was successfully modified by using diatomaceous earth and then fabricated as spherical beads using the drop-wise method. Pristine chitosan (CS) beads and chitosan coated diatomaceous earth (CSDE) beads were used to remove zinc, chromium, lead, and nickel ions from aqueous solutions in batch and continuous adsorption processes. The prepared adsorbents were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) B Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and zeta potential. The results showed that the prepared adsorbents were porous in nature and the total surface area were increased from 1.9 m2/g for pristine chitosan to 14.4 m2/g for chitosan coated diatomaceous earth. The performance of prepared adsorbents was investigated at different temperatures, initial pH of the solution, contact times, initial metal concentrations. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model is more likely to predict the kinetic behavior of the metal ions adsorption process for the whole used contact time range, and the adsorption isotherm data of CS and CSDE beads were well fitted to Langmuir model. The maximal adsorption capacities of prepared CSDE beads were found to be pH dependent as follows: - Zinc ion - 127.4 mg/g at initial Zn(II) concentration 500 mg/L and pH 6. - Chromium ion - 84.23 mg/g at initial Cr(VI) concentration 1000 mg/L and pH 3. - Lead ion - 175.22 mg/g at initial Pb(II) concentration 400 mg/L and pH 7. - Nickel ion - 149.64 mg/g at initial Ni(II) concentration 400 mg/L and pH 6. Successful desorption and regeneration of prepared adsorbents were achieved (with common chemicals) and possessed excellent reusability (up to 10 cycles without a significant loss in adsorption capacity). The common anions and cations coexisting ions have insignificant impact on the removal capacity of prepared adsorbents. Overall, these results suggest that the environmentally friendly materials might be recognized as effective adsorbent and sustainable means for the separation of heavy metals from wastewater streams. That will lead to a new solution to water pollution required in the modern industrial society.
Potential theory methods for some nonlinear elliptic equations
Authors:   , Seesanea Adisak
Published: April 2021

This dissertation presents a unified approach via potential theory for solvability of a class of nonlinear elliptic equations.
Use of the veterinary medical database to update the veterinary oncology literature
Authors:   , Villamil Jose Armando
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT REQUEST OF AUTHOR.] In this dissertation we discuss the Veterinary Medical Database and how it can be used to perform epidemiological studies in the veterinary oncology field. We discuss many of the advantages and disadvantages that associated with the VMDB. In chapter 2 we evaluate the breed distribution of the VMDB and compare it to that of the AKC. We conclude that the two datasets have similar breed presentations and that the VMDB is more representative of the general population than some people have suggested. In chapter 3 we discuss how the VMDB can be used to provide important tumor incidence data. We also discuss how that data may play a role in making future research decisions. In chapter 4 we utilize the VMDB to update the canine skin tumor epidemiological data and highlight the usefulness of the VMDB in conducting epidemiological studies. In chapter 5 we analyzed the role of sex in the risk of developing canine lymphoma and compare it to the risk associated with sex in humans developing Non Hodgkin Lymphoma.