bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Three essays on monetary and financial economics
Authors:   , Cao Xueli
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This three-chapter dissertation focuses on the research topics in Monetary and Financial Economics. The first paper examines the time-varying impact of U.S. monetary policy shocks on asset prices. The monetary policy shock is identified using robust sign restrictions in a time-varying factor-augmented VAR (TVP-FAVAR). Time variations are found in both the variance of policy shocks and transmission to asset prices. The relative importance of monetary policy shocks rise significantly over time although the shock size of monetary policy shocks has declined in the sample. In terms of transmission mechanism, asset prices are more responsive in the latter part of the sample (post-1984Q1) when normalizing the shock size. We also document the effects of monetary policy on asset prices are significantly larger for recessionary periods. Finally, the paper also identifies the role of demand and supply shocks in determining the movements of asset prices. In the second paper, I investigate the spillover effects between the Growth Enterprises Market (GEM) and the Main Board stock market in China. Specifically, a multivariate GARCH model and a multivariate GARCH-in-mean model are estimated using daily data for the GEM Board and the Main Board over period June 1, 2010 - December 31, 2016. The results indicate that the Main Board leads the GEM Board in the first order and there is no mean overflow from the GEM Board to the Main Board. However, the quantile dependence, measured by cross-quantilogram, shows that there are asymmetry distributional spillover effects from the GEM Board to the Main Board. From the point of view of volatility, the GEM Board has effects on the Main Board, and it lasts a period of time in the future. The volatility of the GEM also affects the return of the Main Board negatively. Lastly, the GEM has a one-way effect on the Main Board in illiquidity. In the third paper, we document the effects of institutional investors on the qualitative information disclosure of earnings conference calls. Utilizing conference call and institutional ownership data between 2005 and 2016, we find that aggregate institutional ownership dampens conference call tone. The effects of institutional investors on tone are causal based on results from indexed firms. Consistent with hypotheses regarding investors horizon, short-term institutional investors are associated with greater conference call tone, as well as potentially opportunistic trading, while long-term investors decrease tone. Market participants can generally disentangle the impact of institutional investors on tone based on investor type.
Scholars on the sidelines : a phenomenological study of high-achieving elementary students in southwest Missouri
Authors:   , Cox Kerri
Published: April 2021

High-achieving students are those who enter the classroom ready and able to learn. They demonstrate their abilities by earning high grades in their coursework and by receiving high scores on standardized tests. The purpose of this phenomenological inquiry was to articulate the lived experiences of high-achieving elementary students in suburban schools in southwest Missouri. How would high-achieving elementary students, their parents, and their classroom teachers describe the academic experiences of high-achieving elementary students in suburban schools in southwest Missouri? Specific research probes looked at the degree to which these students received differentiated instruction and sought to uncover the classroom experiences and academic structures that best support and most hinder these students? growth. The findings show that students have limited differentiated opportunities. In speaking to parents, students, and teachers, the following classroom structures and academic structures emerged as those that most hinder learning: (a) mixed-ability classrooms, (b) a focus on standardization, (c) teaching to the middle, and (d) personality clashes with teachers. The following classroom structures and experiences emerged from the data as those that support high-achieving students: (a) pursuing their passions in and out of the classroom; (b) supportive teachers; and (c) confronting and conquering academic challenges. Implications from this study could provide researchers, educators, and administrators more insight into the needs of high-achievers and recommendations for supporting these students in the classroom.
Scaffolding the continua of biliterate development in the Spanish language immersion classroom
Authors:   , Heston Dawn M.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this qualitative research project is to describe the scaffolding strategies used by a teacher to engage and support students as they work within the continua of biliterate development in the fifth-grade Spanish language immersion classroom. As language immersion programs and dual language schools continue to grow in popularity in Canada and the United States, this study seeks to illuminate and interpret a teacher?s work with students in the Spanish Language Immersion Program (SLIP), a research site located in the urban Midwestern United States. This instrumental case study employed the lens of Sociocultural Theory to explore the principal research question: How does the teacher scaffold student development of biliteracy within language and content instruction in the immersion school context? The research also explores pre-planned scaffolding versus interactional scaffolding, as well as the tensions and forces within the broader context that the teacher encounters while working with students in this bilingual educational environment. Classroom observations, teacher interviews, administration interviews, and artifacts were analyzed using methods borrowed from Grounded Theory. Findings from this study highlight the characteristics of the Community of Practice created by the teacher in this classroom that include a focus upon encouragement, knowledge, organization, and literate habitus. Additionally, two visual models were created to present the data including: "Scaffolding Episodes in the Development of Biliteracy," to illustrate the task-oriented support provided by the teacher, and "Centripetal versus Centrifugal Forces," to present the forces and tensions that the teacher faced within the historical phases of the Spanish Language Immersion Program.
Crossed-beam chemical reaction dynamics probed with universal and state resolved ion imaging
Authors:   , Kamasah Alexander
Published: April 2021

The main goal of chemical reaction dynamics is to unravel the intimate motions of individual atoms during a chemical transformation. This information must generally be inferred from indirect macroscopic measurement. Very important information such as translational energy dependence of the reaction cross-section, vibrational mode-specific promotion of reactivity, product angular and velocity distributions are normally extracted. Understanding how these chemical reactions occur at the microscopic level gives us a better insight in understanding reactive intermediates and products of reaction. For a better understanding of the elementary chemical reactions, it is imperative that the studies are performed under well-defined laboratory conditions. Over the last few decades, the field has witnessed unprecedented advances in both experiment and theory. Advancements in generating reactants, state selection, improvement of crossed-molecular beam machines and products detection have gone a long way to improve our ability in studying chemical reactions in the gas phase. In 1986, Hershbach,[1] Lee[2] , and Polayni[3] together shared the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on the dynamics of gas phase reactions.
Mapping Seneca : cognitive cartography and moral imagination in the Natural Questions
Authors:   , Chenoweth Katy
Published: April 2021

This dissertation focuses on how Seneca creates a map of the world that defies human limitations and control, thereby instilling within the reader an understanding of self-knowledge. I argue that Seneca "maps" the world from two perspectives (sense perception and cognition) in order to instruct his reader about the faultiness of sense perception, which affects his perspective of himself and his place within the cosmos. Bound by the physical limitations of sense perception, the reader struggles to shed his misperception and preconceived notions of the world and himself. As he progresses on his philosophical journey through the Natural Questions, he is carried away from the sordid, terrestrial realm where natural phenomena are easily accessible to perception (terrestrial waters, for example) to the imperceptible realms (celestial fires) where he must rely upon cognition. In the end, by mapping mankind within the world, Seneca is in effect defining what it means to be human.
Pharmacogenetic testing in outpatient mental health clinics
Authors:   , Gainey Tammie
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to evaluate mental health clinicians' perceived knowledge regarding pharmacogenetic testing; their attitude, receptivity towards, and confidence in pharmacogenetic testing; and how pharmacogenetic testing is being implemented to support decision making in outpatient clinics. This study was guided by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory. An exhausted literature search was conducted to find studies on mental health clinicians' knowledge, perceived attitudes, and implementation of pharmacogenetic testing. The subject population included 28 mental health clinicians who are actively utilizing pharmacogenetic testing in outpatient mental health clinics. Participants responded to semi-structured open-ended prompts regarding knowledge, perceptions and implementation of pharmacogenetic testing in mental health outpatient clinics. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach. Five relevant themes emerged related to the perceptions of pharmacogenetic testing, impact on clinical decision-making, associated concerns of pharmacogenetic testing, knowledge gaps among clinicians, and policy challenges. Overall, clinicians perceived pharmacogenetic testing beneficial to guide dosing and medication selection to decrease the risk of side effects and increase tolerability of psychotropic medications. This study will lead to future research to support shared decision-making around pharmacogenetics testing, medication adherence and tolerability, and setting guidelines for pharmacogenetics testing in mental health clinics.
High school students interpretations and use of diagrams in geometry proofs
Authors:   , Karaman Ruveyda
Published: April 2021

In high school geometry, proving theorems and applying them to geometry problems is an expectation from high school students (CCSSI, 2010). Diagrams are considered as an essential part of the geometry proofs because diagrams are included in a typical geometric statement such as a claim or problem (Manders, 2008; Shin et al., 2001). This interview-based study investigated how high school students interpret and use diagrams during the process of proving geometric claims. Particular attention is given to the semiotic resources such as symbols, visuals, and gestures that students draw from the diagrams to develop their proving activities. Hence, the goal of the current study is to contribute to the mathematics education field by providing insights into the details of semiotic aspects of diagrammatic reasoning. Study participants were grade 10-12 high school students and data was collected through one-on-one task- based clinical interviews. In general, students focused on the figural properties of the diagrams more frequently than the conceptual properties of the diagrams in their proofs even when they produced a new diagram or multiple diagrams. Regarding the semiotic structure of students' proving process, gesture resources were prominent in the semiotic structure of students' proving process in diagram-given tasks. The findings also suggested that, in general, some visual resources such as drawing a new figure or multiple figures occurred regularly in particular tasks such as diagram-free tasks with non- diagrammatic register or truth-unknown features. Overall, the frameworks used in this study showed how important it is to consider the mathematics as multi semiotic, understanding the role of gestures in students' geometrical reasoning.
Two essays on the economics of education
Authors:   , Li Xiang
Published: April 2021

In this study I focus on two related topics on the economics of education: one is the teacher labor market and the other is factors affecting student academic achievement. Chapter 1 empirically test the effect of state boundaries on beginning teacher job search behavior. The Beginning Teacher Longitudinal Survey (BTLS), a national survey data of beginning teachers, was employed. I run a linear regression to investigate the effect of state boundaries on distance between the beginning teachers job and the Teacher Preparation Program(TPP) and find that beginning teachers tend to find jobs 'inland' when their TPP is near a state border. A mixed logit model with the McFadden Randomization Approach was applied to illustrate the border effect on the probability of employment in a given school. I find that a beginning teacher is 80 percent less likely to teach in a school on the other side of a state border from her TPP. I conclude that frictions associated with state borders, non-reciprocal teacher licensing being a likely candidate, distort early career job search for teacher candidates. Chapter 2 examines the effect of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment method change on student achievement. Switching from cash to non-cash transactions influences street crime, then student attainment. A difference-in-difference method was used to capture the impact of the implementation of the Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program, a county-level intervention, on students academic performance in Missouri during 1997 to 1998. I find the standardized math test score of the students in the counties that had implemented EBT program is 0.07 standard deviations higher in grade 8 than students in the counties that still using paper checks. This results provide evidence that switching to non-cash transaction scan enhance student educational outcomes.
Experiences of mid-level managers in student affairs : a qualitative study
Authors:   , Rabas Jennifer Suzanne
Published: April 2021

Although there is some research on mid-level managers in student affairs, there is little information on their personal experiences of supervision. The primary purpose of this qualitative research study is to understand their experiences and examine them through the lens of synergistic supervision (Winston and Creamer, 2002). Synergistic supervision is the idea of a shared relationship between the supervisor and supervisee. This study also examined training given to mid-level managers. The findings include the three major themes. They are training and preparation, relationship, and support. Implications for practice are discussed.
An investigative study on neutron emissions from titanium- deuterium system under thermal shock
Authors:   , Tchakoua Tchouaso Modeste
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study is to investigate the titanium-deuterium system under thermal shock, as a potential neutron source. The expected neutron emission is unique, i.e. it is monoenergetic with energy of 2.45 MeV, which is valuable for calibrating neutron detectors. In our study, titanium was loaded with deuterium gas at room temperature in an experimental system, and the system was subjected to rapid thermal cycling by repeated cooling with liquid nitrogen, followed by rapid warm up phases to create a non-equilibrium condition in titanium lattice. Neutron bursts were monitored using a [superscript 3]He detector, which responds to slow neutrons, a moderated [superscript 3]He detector, which responds to slow and fast neutrons, and a proton recoil detector, which responds to fast neutrons. The pressure and temperature of the system was monitored throughout the experiments. The result of this work shows that: 1) loading of titanium with deuterium gas should be done under high vacuum conditions (less than1 X 10[superscript 6] torr) to remove environmental contaminants, which was found to inhibit the titanium-deuterium reaction, 2) cracks observed in titanium samples from lattice stress varied in size and location in titanium lattice and dependent on the level of deuterium loading. The presence of cracks in some locations indicates that the titanium-deuterium reaction is a local effect, 3) low level neutron burst were observed in less than 23% of all experiments and involved the detection of a single neutron burst, suggesting that neutron emission is a statistical process occurring at low probability. The neutron burst was observed from partially deuterated titanium samples. The level of neutrons detected is consistent with what has been reported in literature. 4). A large temperature increased from room temperature to 450 [degree sign]C during phase transition from [delta]-titanium to [delta]-titanium occurred, but no neutrons were observed. The temperature increased is likely associated with the exothermic reaction that occurs during hydride formation, which does not lead to neutron emission. 5) No evidence of tritium or nuclear transmutation was observed in our experimental system.
Homology sequence analysis using GPU acceleration
Authors:   , Truong Huan
Published: April 2021

A number of problems in bioinformatics, systems biology and computational biology field require abstracting physical entities to mathematical or computational models. In such studies, the computational paradigms often involve algorithms that can be solved by the Central Processing Unit (CPU). Historically, those algorithms benefit from the advancements of computing power in the serial processing capabilities of individual CPU cores. However, the growth has slowed down over recent years, as scaling out CPU has been shown to be both cost-prohibitive and insecure. To overcome this problem, parallel computing approaches that employ the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) have gained attention as complementing or replacing traditional CPU approaches. The premise of this research is to investigate the applicability of various parallel computing platforms to several problems in the detection and analysis of homology in biological sequence. I hypothesize that by exploiting the sheer amount of computation power and sequencing data, it is possible to deduce information from raw sequences without supplying the underlying prior knowledge to come up with an answer. I have developed such tools to perform analysis at scales that are traditionally unattainable with general-purpose CPU platforms. I have developed a method to accelerate sequence alignment on the GPU, and I used the method to investigate whether the Operational Taxonomic Unit (OTU) classification problem can be improved with such sheer amount of computational power. I have developed a method to accelerate pairwise k-mer comparison on the GPU, and I used the method to further develop PolyHomology, a framework to scaffold shared sequence motifs across large numbers of genomes to illuminate the structure of the regulatory network in yeasts. The results suggest that such approach to heterogeneous computing could help to answer questions in biology and is a viable path to new discoveries in the present and the future.
A longitudinal examination of drinking motives
Authors:   , Arterberry Brooke J.
Published: April 2021

Drinking motives have been associated with alcohol use and alcohol-related problems among young adult drinkers (Kuntsche et al., 2005). We included a sample of 360 college students and fit latent profile models at each time point using 12-items from the Drinking Motives Questionnaire-Revised (DMQ-R: Cooper, 1994), which were determined the most discriminating items via Item Response Theory. Patterns of motives were identified using Latent Transition Analysis and included alcohol quantity and problems as covariates with quantity as a moderator to examine transitions. A 3-class model provided the best fit and parsimony: a) High Motive, endorsed items highly (baseline: 11%, 6-month: 10%, 12-month: 14%), b) Positive Reinforcement Motive, endorsed positive affect/social interaction items (49%, 53%, 49%), c) Low Motive, had low motive endorsement (39%, 37%, 38%). These findings suggested High Motive and Positive Reinforcement Motive classes drank more (High Motive, baseline: OR = 1.05, p less than 0.05, 6-month OR = 1.07, p less than 0.05; Positive Reinforcement Motive, baseline: OR = 1.08, p less than 0.001, 6-month: OR = 1.04, p less than 0.05) and experienced more problems (High Motive baseline: OR = 1.14, p less than 0.00, 12-month: OR = 1.06, p less than 0.001; Positive Reinforcement Motive, baseline: OR = 1.12, p less than 0.001). Transitioning between 6- and 12-month follow-up was less likely for higher levels of alcohol use (+1 SD: ORs = 0.32-0.44, ps less than .05). This study provided evidence for the stability of drinking motives and targeting the positive reinforcing beliefs of alcohol, as these individuals are at higher risk for experiencing problems.
Exploring differences in hospital treatment among psychiatric inpatients in short-term general hospitals : applications of multi-nominal logistic regression analyses
Authors:   , Omary Areen
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Since the creation of Medicaid in 1965 and the massive deinstitutionalization of psychiatric patients, a dramatic increase appeared in the number of psychiatric inpatients in general hospitals. Yet, the population remained hardly examined. The goal of this dissertation study was to identify demographics of psychiatric inpatients with serious mental illnesses in general hospitals and access to hospital treatment and health insurance coverage. The goals of the study were achieved by examining demographics of discharged inpatients diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders and bipolar and major depressive disorders in general hospitals. Study results showed that sex and age were significant predictors of differences in hospital discharge status between psychiatric inpatients in general hospitals. Men were more likely to be transferred than women to nursing homes and acute psychiatric hospitals. The less common transfer of women to post discharge facilities is speculated to be due to social skills that women patients utilize to build social support networks that facilitate reintegration into their communities. Results of multinomial regression analyses also showed that hospital ownership, hospital's geographic region, and health insurance coverage used by patients were significant predictors of differences between patients' cumulative days of care in general hospitals. Results can inform policy makers, hospital administrators, and clinicians about admission and discharge planning design to reduce days of care psychiatric patients spend in hospitals, and provide informed practice and policy recommendations to facilitate a more equitable and equal access to treatment for diverse psychiatric patient populations.
Variations of disinfection by-product precursors of stream systems in north Missouri watersheds of drinking water supply reservoirs
Authors:   , Ramolino Latitia
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Dissolved organic matter (DOM) and its potential to form disinfection by-products (DBPs) during water treatment are of great public health concern. The link between temporal patterns of terrestrial DOM quantity and quality of stream systems in north Missouri watershed of drinking water supply reservoirs was explored to assess catchment controls on stream water DOM chemical composition and reactivity in DBP formation. TCM (trichloromethane) was the dominant of trihalomethane (THM) species and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) and DCAA (dichloroacetic acid) were the dominant of haloacetic acid (HAA) species formed in chlorinated stream water samples. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) formed in chloraminated stream water samples. Catchment land uses and soil characteristics of northern Missouri and their impact on watershed hydrology were the most controlling factors of terrestrial DOM transport and transformation in Northern Missouri sub-watersheds. DOM chemical interactions with clay mineral soil surfaces along water flow paths and residence time within catchments were in large responsible for variations of stream water DOM chemical composition. The chemical and structural reactivity of TCMFP, TCAAFP, DCAAFP and NDMAFP precursors in North Missouri stream water DOM were intrinsically coupled together and both seasonally varied in function of mixed effects of anthropogenic land uses and hydrogeochemical sorption processes within catchments that controlled aromaticity and organic nitrogen contents of North Missouri stream water DOM. Organic nitrogen and aromaticity contents of precursor organic moieties in north Missouri stream water DOM controlled DBP formation potentials. Hydrophobic nitrogen-rich aromatic compounds gave the lowest TCM, TCAA, DCAA and NDMA formation potentials, respectively. Hydrophobic carbon-rich aromatic TCMFP precursors were the most reactive with respect to chloroform formation potential. Hydrophilic nitrogenous aliphatic organic micronutrients were more potent TCMFP precursors than hydrophobic and hydrophilic nitrogen containing aromatic organic compounds. Nitrogenous aliphatic micronutrients and nitrogen-rich aliphatic compounds had the largest NDMAFP and DCAAFP yields, respectively. Hydrophilic nitrogenous aromatic organic micronutrients and hydrophilic nitrogen containing aromatic organic compounds facilitated TCAA formation potential compared to more hydrophobic nitrogen containing aromatic compounds. Understanding of how north Missouri catchment anthropogenic land uses affect the mobilization of precursor material can help in establishment of effective monitoring programs. Evaluating DBP chemical and structural transformations during their transport to drinking water sources can help to implement effective watershed management policy to reduce DBPs transfer from watershed to drinking water sources.
The effect of student motivation on career and technical education program completion and continuation
Authors:   , Conley Alisha K.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] President Obama's Race to the Top initiative encourages college and career readiness among high school students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) is an integral part of many students' success, specifically if they want to pursue a career that does not require a four-year degree. Various programs are offered to high school students to jumpstart their careers in a hands-on training environment. This study explores the motivations of CTE program completers to pursue or not pursue the career path that they studied during high school. Participants were interviewed using a semi-structured approach. The interviews take an inside look at the stories of eight program completers who share their personal experiences during high school, as well as their current endeavors. Participants were asked questions pertaining to their motivations to choose a program, their experiences during a program, including interactions with both the instructor(s) and other students and their motivations to continue their program-related career or switch to a different career. The results validate the impact of both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation on the career decisions that CTE graduates make. If career placement is the main focus of Career and Technical Education, then the marketing strategies should be reevaluated to more appropriately showcase the intentions of CTE. This study leads to further research by broadening the sample, specifically rural and urban settings. Career and Technical Education is a valuable opportunity for high school students that should be encouraged, with appropriate guidance from involved educators.
Structural foundations, triggering events, and facilitative contingency : the social origins of Californiaâ€™s Compassionate Use Act of 1996
Authors:   , Criger David W.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Currently in the United States there is a nationwide legislative movement to legalize marijuana for persons with certain diagnosable diseases. Despite representing a dramatic departure from the war on drugs approach which characterized 20th century American marijuana policy, the development of state-level medical cannabis laws has largely been ignored by criminologists and critical legal scholars. This dissertation aims to address this gap in the literature by examining the social origins of Californiaâ€™s Compassionate Use Act of 1996. California was the first state in the nation to legalize the medical use of marijuana when voters in that state approved Proposition 215 with 56% support. Using Galliherâ€™s (2012) framework for understanding the structural foundations and triggering events associated with law formation, I constructed a dataset containing newspaper articles, voter pamphlets, legislative records, press releases and various secondary resources such as interview recordings and activist biographies. I ultimately argue that the categorial criteria used by the federal government to classify marijuana as a Schedule I narcotic under the Controlled Substances Act provided medical reform activists with the latitude necessary to challenge marijuanaâ€™s criminal status. The data suggests that the AIDS crisis during the late 1980s brought widespread attention to the potential therapeutic benefits of medical marijuana. Poorly timed police drug raids, an increasingly unpopular war on drugs, and San Franciscoâ€™s political legacy as a wide-open town helped to create a context where medical marijuana reform could find electoral success.
Gender differences of students leadership in student organizations
Authors:   , LaMonds Jamie
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This research examines the gender differences in leadership among students in a rural Midwestern high school as impacted by a sense of belongingness, socio-economic status (SES), academic standing (GPA), and attendance. It specifically focuses on a lack of male leadership within service organizations. An internationally normed survey is used to collect data related to belongingness. Remaining data were gathered through student records and a chi-square method of analysis was used to determine the findings. Factors found to negatively influence male leadership were low belongingness, low/medium GPA, and low/medium attendance. Socio-economic status had no impact on male leadership.
The lost cause of Southern Country Club : an ethnographic study
Authors:   , McGhee Kara E.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This ethnographic study features a non-profit member owned country club in the Southern United States, Southern Country Club (SCC). SCC is an old guard club from the 1920s that continues to whether economic, political, and cultural changes until present day. The data includes a membership survey, 28 interviews, content analysis of archival documents, and a year of participant observation. In 1927 there were 5,500 country clubs in the United States. There were 4,400 country clubs in the US in 2009. The population of the United States has nearly tripled since the golden era of country clubs, yet the number of clubs decreases by the day. The decline of country clubs reveals the changing structural and cultural conditions that have resulted in clubsâ€™ diminishing role in preparing elites for domination. As the rules of the hierarchy have changed so have the role of country clubs. Conspicuous consumption is effective for between-group differences, and inconspicuous consumption is more relevant for within-group differences. What does Southern Country Club reveal about elite status in the era of globalization? How has Southern Country Club evolved from a celebrated organization with purpose to an organization fraught with ambivalence and animus?
An exploration of mechanisms for Arabidopsis TCP transcription factor activity at an interface of development and immunity
Authors:   , Spears Benjamin J.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] "The work presented in this dissertation aimed to characterize new functions and regulatory targets for TCP8, potentially in both defense and development signaling networks. Using in vitro and in vivo promoter interaction screens in yeast and Arabidopsis, respectively, the PTI-related immune receptor gene EFR as well as a set of growth-related BR signaling genes were identified as regulatory targets of TCP8; these findings were verified through direct interaction assays characterization of tcp mutants for associated phenotypes. Additionally, SRFR1-interacting TCPs were shown to be post-translationally modified by SUMO proteins, alongside data suggesting that SRFR1 sequence motifs that facilitate interactions with SUMO are critical to its function. Together, these data describe novel roles for TCP8 and other class I TCPs, as well as novel regulatory mechanisms for their activities in the context of their interactions with SRFR1 and other TPR proteins. As a highly-conserved TF family among plants, including economically relevant crop species, advancing our understanding of TCP regulatory activities could eventually yield translational benefits to agriculture and food production worldwide."--Page 36-37.
School climate and culture : a case study on the impact of student perception
Authors:   , Kearns Lindsay N.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This study takes a deeper look into the factors that create school climate and culture and how those factors are perceived by students. A quantitative study was conducted by administering a survey to 199 students at one rural Midwest high school. A chi-square test was performed to determine differences between two groups; high and low-grade point average and high and low attendance. Many statistically significant findings were found especially among the low-grade point average and low attendance groups. While students appeared to be overall pleased with some areas within the school such as safety, the biggest negative impact was seen in student stress levels and lack of connections with faculty members. The results suggest that a positive climate and culture can also influence student grade point average and attendance which can further impact student performance areas that toward which educators strive.
Conditional direction dependence analysis in linear models with SPSS macros and custom dialogue implementation
Authors:   , Li Xintong
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] In nonexperimental data, the causal ordering of variables can be examined with Direction dependence analysis (DDA), a statistical method that utilizes various asymmetry properties of the linear regression model to validate a postulated explanatory model against plausible causally reversed alternative models. However, standard DDA assumes that the observed causal effect is constant for all subjects and does not consider the conditional effect of a third variable on direction dependence, which may lead to biases and/or compromised power. The present work relaxes this assumption by proposing conditional direction dependence analysis (CDDA). CDDA examines the direction of effect when a moderator is present and extends standard DDA by combining the pick-a-point approach and variable purification technique, which enables researchers to examine the direction of effect at a certain moderator value. The results of two Monte-Carlo simulation studies are reported which evaluate the performance of CDDA. The first simulation study shows that the observed power of DDA tests vary across moderator values when a t hird variable moderators the main effect. The second study shows that, under certain conditions, CDDA is able to identify the true data-generating mechanism when a third variable determines the direction of causal flow. SPSS macros and auxiliary custom dialogues are provided for easy implementation of CDDA procedures, which is illustrated with a worked example. A real-world example is given for illustrative purpose.
Clarifying relational egalitarianism
Authors:   , Rowse Eric
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] I clarify the nature of relational egalitarianism, a theory in political philosophy that concerns equality. Relational egalitarians understand equality as a relationship between equals. Roughly, when people relate as equals, they are free from objectionable forms of authority (e.g., plutocracy) and stigmatizing social status (e.g., racist and sexist stereotypes). Relational egalitarians hold that we have duties of justice to promote this understanding of equality. Much work remains, however, in developing the best version of relational egalitarianism. To this end, I examine three prominent versions of relational egalitarianism, one by Elizabeth Anderson, another by Samuel Scheffler, and the third by Martin O'Neill. Each version, I argue, makes a mistake that sheds light on the best version of relational egalitarianism. In particular, I argue that relational egalitarians should endorse the following claims: (1) relational egalitarianism specifies many, but not all, duties of justice to promote equality, (2) relational egalitarianism is actually a version of distributive egalitarianism (its main rival), and (3) egalitarian relationships are morally bad when they make everyone's life go worse.
A case study of classroom faculty experiences with racial dialogue in one rural Missouri university
Authors:   , Bryant Steven
Published: April 2021

The divide of America and the racial injustices occurring support the need for ensuring faculty development to confront race and racial inequities in the classroom (Hughey, 2012). This study explored the experiences of White faculty members who incorporate racial dialogue in their courses. Based on ten interviews, one focus group, and a qualitative survey, this study explored the experiences and background factors of White faculty members who incorporate racial dialogue in their courses. This qualitative study (Creswell, 2014) worked to fill this gap in knowledge present in understanding these background factors. Findings inform developers of diversity, equity and inclusion trainings on how White faculty members have arrived at incorporating racial dialogue within the classroom. It is important in future professional development opportunities to increase White faculty member's engagement with racial dialogue within the classroom to foster inclusion and create a more just society.
Unraveling the role of the endogenous complex gut microbiota in the Pirc rat model of human colon cancer
Authors:   , Busi Susheel Bhanu
Published: April 2021

The gut microbiota (GM) has recently been shown to modulate several systemic conditions in human and model systems, most importantly in intestinal disorders. It has also been demonstrated to have significant impacts on patients' susceptibility to colon cancer. The GM can be defined as the dynamic communities of bacteria, viruses, fungi and archaea that inhabit our gut, skin, and most mucosal surfaces. Considering the fact that the human body is exposed to a large number of microorganisms on a daily basis, the constant flux and dynamic interactions between host genetics and the GM can lead to the variability seen in disease manifestation and susceptibility. This leads to a larger question about the relationship of the GM to model systems, and also whether the constant interactions between the taxa affect the development and progression of disease. Colon cancer is the 3rd leading cause of cancer-related death in the USA. We used embryo rederivation to give isogenic APC-gene mutant Pirc rats, a preclinical model of colon cancer distinct complex GMs to understand its effect on disease susceptibility. In this study, we observed significant differences in intestinal tumor multiplicity based on GM profile. Using 16S rRNA sequencing, we characterized the microbial populations of two distinct GM groups and further determined functional differences by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to identify metabolic differences between GM groups. Colonic epithelium and tumors were simultaneously profiled via RNASeq transcriptome analysis. Metabolomics analysis allowed detection of differential metabolites between GM groups and potential bacterial-modulated biomarkers of tumor susceptibility. Simultaneously, bacterial relative abundances showed taxa correlating with suppression of both tumor growth and phenotype penetrance as early as 1 month of age. To determine the role of individual bacteria Pirc rats were treated with 3 different bacteria associated with reduced or increased adenoma burden namely, Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough, Prevotella copri, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. The work outlined here addresses adenoma development in Pirc rats to identify the potential relationship between these taxa and the endogenous, complex GM through multiple approaches. The research presented in this dissertation may potentially help unravel the molecular mechanisms contributing to disease susceptibility, and could identify therapeutic targets and biomarkers for early non-invasive detection and treatment of colon cancer.
Storied possessions : post-household disbandment older adult placemaking through meaningful belongings
Authors:   , Carter Heather Carlile
Published: April 2021

If older adults do not age-in-place, one of their last residential moves involves significant downsizing referred to as household disbandment. During this process, older adults divest themselves of possessions, change lifestyles, and move into smaller spaces. There is increased social and anthropological research on household disbandment. Less is known from environment and behavior and interior design theoretical perspectives about the subsequent process of reestablishing a meaningful place for post-disbandment older adults. Focusing on belongings brought from disbanded residences, a goal of this study is to understand how older people make place through their personal possessions to answer the research questions: â€œWhat identity meanings, related in life span stories, are embedded in the possessions older people move to their new residences?" and "How do post-disbandment older people embed the meaning of family when making place?" Participants are post-disbandment retirees (70 +) whose moves occurred within three years of initial researcher contact and five of their adult-children. A variety of residential housing types are included. Multiple-case holistic case study research methods are used to analyze sixteen household cases that include twenty-three older adult participants. Within-case findings suggest post-disbandment older adults, in their new residential environments, incorporate possessions embedded with personal, social, and collective identity meanings related to events in their life stories. Multiple layers and diversity of embedded meanings exist within solitary possessions. Cross-case findings suggest participants integrate family into their new residences by engaging with possessions connected to storied points in their lives and embedded with their meanings of family. The incorporation into their residences of storied possessions embedded with ordinary, low, high, and turning point family meanings suggests these older adults actively engage with their authentic perspectives of current reality and either willfully make or willfully do not make the place of home. Implications suggest disbandment and the subsequent placemaking process need to be considered as a holistic event rather than two distinct episodes, and older adult agency needs to be privileged for placemaking to be successful. Contributions of this study to existing knowledge include an analytic tool to evaluate granular level meanings within possessions and a conceptual Model of Storied Possessions depicting symbolic interactions of self-identity, others, narrativity, life events, and storied possessions that lead to meaningful place.
Evaluation of faculty engagement in professional learning activities : a mixed-methods study on communication processes, value, and barriers
Authors:   , Gordon Nancy
Published: April 2021

This study was a developmental evaluation of a faculty center at a state funded, public non-research university focused on undergraduate and graduate degree programs that is located in the Midwest United States. The purpose of the study was to investigate effective communication processes utilized by the faculty center, faculty perceptions of value placed on professional learning activities, and perceived barriers to participate in such professional learning activities. Effective communication processes were identified as well as frequent barriers for faculty participation.
Perceptions of non-teaching workload for faculty in high technology baccalaureate degree programs
Authors:   , Richards Alexander J.
Published: April 2021

As educators, both intrinsic and extrinsic motivations persist as career outcomes. However, educators are often asked to contribute to their workplace through tasks not directly related to students and student outcomes. These non-teaching workloads can result in a lack of intrinsic motivation and job satisfaction for faculty in high technology areas where non-teaching workloads are especially high. Coupled with a demand for the support of STEM, applied and career-focused baccalaureate education from industry it becomes crucial to support these faculty in their endeavors to educate the future of their respective industry. This qualitative research sought to investigate the particular circumstances surrounding faculty in high-technology programs. The study found nearly all the participants shared a common desire and intrinsic motivation to support students and their program to the best of their ability. The study also concluded that faculty often see these non-teaching workloads as detracting from students' classroom experiences or the instructor's own classroom efficacy. These experiences often were discussed as having a demotivating effect on faculty and frequently resulted in negative feelings towards administration and administrative practices at each institution. The study recommends a thorough investigation into how workloads, especially non-teaching workloads, are distributed to faculty members in these high-demand areas.