bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences of instructor presence levels in predominately online versus predominately not online courses within the community college setting
Authors:   , Cutsinger Marcie M.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the level of instructor presence in the predominately online versus the predominately not online course. The increase in both the number of students enrolling on online courses and the number of courses/programs offered magnifies the need to address instructor presence. This case study considers students' perception of instructor presence in a predominately online and predominately not online course. Instructor presence was examined using the Community of Inquiry framework. The Community of Inquiry is a framework used to examine social, teaching and cognitive presence and the impact of such. Data was gathered from two courses in the different learning modalities. Students were enrolled in the courses at the same time with the same instructor. Statistical analysis utilized in this study included the Mann Whitney U, Spearman's rho and Kendall tau. A significance level of P less than (.05) was used for all tests. This research found no statistically significant difference in the levels of instructor presence in a predominately online course when compared to a predominately not online course. The two significant results in relation to instructor presence and course satisfaction were mixed. Course outcome and instructor presence are addressed with discussion and recommendations for further research included. This study contributes to the research by providing further data regarding students' perception of and the significance of instructor presence.
Three studies in the philosophy of jazz
Authors:   , Hall Troy S.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This dissertation comprises three studies which in turn discuss jazz ontology, jazz improvisation, and the question of whether jazz has ended as an artform. The first study discusses Andrew Kania's work on jazz ontology and attempts to clarify and extend his position regarding the principled exclusion of vocal jazz and jazz Fusion from his jazz ontology. Further, it introduces a quasi-realist strategy for making sense of jazz-work ontological discourse. The second study is a unique, comprehensive discussion of the jazz drummer's history and role in jazz improvisational contexts, in which the full range of instrumental performance practice (timekeeping, comping, and soloing) is explored. The third study is a provocative investigation of the possibility that the artform of jazz has "ended." Here, the end-of-art theses of Hegel and Danto are recalled and examined for their relevance in determining whether jazz has become a closed concept. The conclusion reached is that it is plausible to affirm that jazz has ended, even if it has not died.
Modeling and experimental study of polyurethane foaming and gelling reactions
Authors:   , Jaf Luay
Published: April 2021

Numerous reactions take place within a polyurethane polymerization process. Homogeneous and catalytic reactions occur at the same time and intermediate compounds are formed. As the reaction proceeds, long chains of polymer are formed which drastically affect the kinetics of the reaction. Temperature and viscosity profiles of the reacting mixture are two strong indicators of the extent of reaction and the way the reactions are carried out. Therefore, simulating polyurethane gel and foam systems helps interpret temperature and viscosity profiles and gain insight into the kinetics of the system. Using MATLAB program, a model was introduced which simultaneously solves over 80 ordinary differential equations and provide temperature and viscosity profiles as well as concentration profiles, degrees of polymerization, gel point and foam height for individual formulations. Experimental data were used to validate the code showing the model is fundamentally correct. Simulation results showed good fits to the experimental data providing reaction kinetics of the system. The model was modified to simulate reaction systems with minimal change in kinetic parameters. Finally, the simulation studies of this research provide fundamental insights into mechanism of homogenous and catalytic reactions. This research process places high demands on identifying and testing highly-impacting fundamental mechanism during polymerization that have not previously been identified.
Case study of the impact of professional high school internships on college and career readiness
Authors:   , Moczygemba-Amaya Stephanie L.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore the impact that professional high school internships have on college and career readiness. Educational systems, both public and private, continue to search for ways to improve postsecondary achievement. Research on this topic is limited; thus, this study aims to strengthen the body of literature and provide educational systems with insight and understanding of how high school internships impact postsecondary readiness. This study is significant, acting as a catalyst to encourage further research in educational systems where high school internships are used to cultivate professional skill building as a tool for successful skill retention in postsecondary experiences.
Partial characterization of Bt resistance and the bacteriome of western corn rootworm
Authors:   , Ludwick Dalton C.
Published: April 2021

Western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte) and northern corn rootworm (Diabrotica barberi (Smith and Lawrence)) are major pests of maize in the USA. These pests have been managed with a variety of tactics over the last century. Both Diabrotica spp. have adapted to crop rotation in different ways in certain regions of the USA as well as to some of the insecticides targeted at them. D. v. virgifera has adapted to more of the chemical control measures and transgenic control methods. Discussed in this review are the challenges associated with managing both species, and how current management strategies might be combined and implemented to help manage damage from these species. Also, we discuss the potential for new technologies, such as RNA interference, to be used in the future.
Case study of southwestern Wisconsin conference high school diversity clubs : advisor qualifications, club resources, and multicultural curriculum
Authors:   , Parry Brittany Lynn
Published: April 2021

This mixed-methods case study was conducted to gain principal and diversity club advisor insight into the organization of high school diversity clubs. The focus of this study was specifically on advisor qualifications, club resources, and multicultural curriculum. The data collected was derived from five public high schools in a southwestern Wisconsin conference, and included eleven participants. The study was accomplished through two data collection methods: online surveys and interviews. The surveys were analyzed using quantitative analysis, specifically frequency distributions, and open-ended responses were analyzed with in-vivo coding to determine the best follow-up questions to ask in the interview process. Interview questions were all qualitative in nature and were analyzed with in-vivo methods, allowing for the creation of three key themes and four emerging themes. Interview responses coupled with the survey responses indicated principals and advisors did not place much emphasis advisor qualifications. Instead, the organization of the diversity clubs stemmed from resources and curriculum provided to both the club and the advisor of the club. Findings helped provide insight into examples of curriculum, professional development, resources, and funding, and showed a need for further investigation into the most effective practices of diversity clubs in the goal of promoting inclusion and multicultural education.
Don't show any sign of a chip in your armor : the communicative co-construction of mental health in correctional work
Authors:   , Brandhorst Jaclyn K.
Published: April 2021

This study examined the communicative construction of mental health in correctional work. Using narrative interviews with 25 current and former correctional officers, I explore how macro, meso, and micro D/discourses both enable and constrain communication and action around mental health for correctional employees. The findings suggest that larger cultural Discourses related to masculinity, bounded rationality, and personal responsibility, meso discourses related to organizational expectations, and daily micro-talk about mental health and resources such as the Employee Assistance Program, primarily create and sustain communication barriers that limit correctional workers from communicating about or seeking help for mental health challenges. From a critical perspective, D/discourses related to power and control privileged the rational experiences of workers and marginalized the emotional/physical experiences, a practice I argue has significant implications for the health and well-being of workers.
Generalized Littlewood-Richardson coefficients for branching rules of GL(n) and extremal weight crystals
Authors:   , Collins Brett
Published: April 2021

This thesis is devoted to the combinatorial and geometric study of certain multiplicities, which we call generalized Littlewood-Richardson coefficients. These are sums of products of single Littlewood-Richardson coefficients, and the specific ones we study describe the branching rules for the direct sum and diagonal embeddings of GL(n) as well as the decompositions of extremal weight crystals of type A+. By representing these multiplicities as dimensions of weight spaces of quiver semi-invariants, we use quiver theory to prove their saturation and describe necessary and sufficient conditions for them to be nonzero, culminating in statements similar to Horn's classical conjecture. We then use these conditions to prove various combinatorial properties, including how these multiplicities can be factored and that these numbers in certain cases satisfy the same conjectures as single Littlewood-Richardson coefficients. Finally, we provide a polytopal description of these multiplicities and prove that their positivity can be computed in strongly polynomial time.
Dust formation and evolution around carbon stars
Authors:   , Groom Hannah
Published: April 2021

Evolved intermediate-mass stars with carbon-to-oxygen ratios (C/O) above unity are known as carbon stars. Carbon stars are surrounded by dust shells dominated by carbon (C) and silicon carbide (SiC) grains. These SiC grains have a diagnostic spectral feature at [about]11 [mu]m. We have selected a sample of 9 carbon stars with low mass-loss rates such that their dust shells are sufficiently optically thin to allow abundance analysis of the stars' photospheres. This allows the study of how atomic abundances affect dust formation around carbons stars. We present the result of radiative transfer modeling for these stars, and compare the resulting dust shell parameters to published abundance measurements. To constrain model parameters, we use published mass-loss rates, expansion velocities, and theoretical dust condensation models to estimate the dust condensation temperature, and spectral types to constrain stellar effective temperatures. We found significant correlations for the single-shell modeling with graphite/iron grains and amorphous carbon (AmC)/iron grains: (1) [subscript]0.55[mu]m and gas-to-dust ratio, (2) iron grains and graphite or AmC grains, (3) graphite or AmC grains and Fe/H, and (4) iron grains and Fe/H. For the collated data the significant correlations we found were: (1) for dust formation temperature and the change of temperature from the formation of graphite grains to the formation of SiC grains (2) C/O and the change of temperature from the formation of graphite grains to the formation of SiC grains. Lastly, between the abundance of SiC grains when compared to the abundances of SiC grains in graphite, AmC, graphite and iron and AmC and iron grains models. This shows that there is no sensitivity in the continuum when choosing the type of carbon to model with.
Evaluating and improving corn nitrogen fertilizer recommendation tools across the U.S. Midwest
Authors:   , Ransom Curtis Joel
Published: April 2021

Determining which corn (Zea mays L.) nitrogen (N) recommendation tools best predict the economically optimal N rate (EONR) would be valuable for maximizing profits and minimizing environmental consequences. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the performance of publicly-available N fertilizer recommendation tools across a wide range of soil and weather environments for 1) prescribing EONR for planting and split N fertilizer applications, 2) improve understanding of the economic and environmental impact of these tools, 3) improve N recommendation tools by integrating soil and weather information, and 4) improve N recommendation tools by combing multiple tools. The evaluation was conducted on 49 N response trials that spanned eight states and three growing seasons. Soil and plant samples, weather, and management information were collected using standardized procedures to allow for a side-by-side comparison of tools. Tool N recommendations were for fertilizer applications either atplanting or an inseason applied at V9 corn development stage. Only 11of 31 tool recommendations were weakly related to EONR (P [less than or equal to] 0.10 and r[2] [less than or equal to] 0.24). These tools related to EONR resulted in only 21-47% of sites within [plus or minus]30 kg N ha-1 of EONR. When considering partial profit for these 11 tools the average profitability relative to EONR range from -$56 to -155 ha-1. An environmental assessment of these 11 tools found there was no difference found between tools, with environmental costs ranging from -$49 to 55 ha-1 relative to EONR. Using an elastic net regression model to incorporate soil and weather information helped to improve six N recommendation tools. This improvement resulted in a stronger linear relationship with EONR (r[2] [less than or equal to] 0.20 but [less than or equal to] 0.39; P less than 0.01) and resulted in [greater than or equal to] 35% but [less than or equal to] 55 % of the sites within [plus or minus] 30 kg N ha-1 of EONR. Using other ways to improve tools included combing two or three unique tools. The best results for an at-planting N fertilizer recommendation occurred when three at-planting N recommendation tools were combined with all interactions included in the elastic net regression model. This combined recommendation tool had an improved significant linear relationship with EONR (r[2] = 0.46; P less than 0.001) compared with the best tool evaluated alone (an increase in r2 of 0.27). The best combination of N recommendation tools for a split N fertilizer application occurred when using three tools with a decision tree (r[2] = 0.45; P less than 0.001) over the best tool evaluated alone (an increase in r[2] of 0.18). However, while improvements to these publicly-available tools were noteworthy, over half of the variation in EONR was still unexplained. This was not surprising since many other factors that impact soil-crop N dynamics are unconsidered, including factors that occur after a sidedress N application.
Stakeholder perceptions : the impact of a university-based laboratory school on a campus-based university educator preparation program
Authors:   , Seipel Sandra Helene
Published: April 2021

A gap in research on the impact of a university-based laboratory school on a campus-based educator preparation program and a decrease in the number of university-based laboratory schools requires current laboratory school programs to evaluate strengths and weaknesses to provide quality evaluative data to ensure continued viability. This qualitative study sought to expand the extant research by identifying perceptions of stakeholders, educator preparation program students, faculty, administrators, and laboratory school teachers, parents, and administrators--to examine the impact of a laboratory school on an educator preparation program. The case study outlined stakeholder perceptions at one university and one laboratory school and investigated the perceptions of stakeholders regarding the impact of a university-based laboratory school to a campus-based educator preparation program. Four major themes emerged related to the impact of a laboratory school on an educator preparation program include: experimentation, early practice and ability to bridge theory to practice, expertise of faculty and teachers, and safety and support of environment to practice new learning. A fifth overarching theme was identified as significant to research: complexity of the organization.
Extracellular vesicles : novel mediators of conceptus-maternal interactions in sheep
Authors:   , Burns Gregory W.
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Infertility and pregnancy loss are common problems affecting reproductive efficiency, health and development in livestock. Pregnancy loss occurs most commonly during the first weeks of gestation and may arise due to asynchrony between the conceptus and uterus or endometrial dysfunction, resulting in defective conceptus elongation, implantation and/or placentation. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a term including exosomes and microvesicles, are membrane-bound nanoparticles released from diverse cell types that deliver nucleic acids and proteins to target cells. Available studies support the central hypothesis that EVs are a component of uterine histotroph and mediate crosstalk between the developing conceptus and uterine endometrium prior to implantation. Studies were conducted here to: (1) identify and characterize EVs from uterine flush of cyclic and pregnant ewes; (2) examine potential of vesicle mediated communication during early pregnancy from endometrium and elongating conceptus derived EVs; and (3) determine progesterone regulation of EV cargo, endometrial gene expression, and total EV number in the uterine lumen of cyclic sheep. Results from these studies established that: (1) EVs are a component of the uterine histotroph in sheep with pregnancy associated differences; (2) EVs emanate from the uterine endometrium and elongating conceptus; (3) the endometrial epithelium and conceptus trophectoderm uptake labeled EVs indicating a role in intercellular communication during the establishment of pregnancy; (4) uterine EV content increases more than five-fold from day 10 to 14 of the estrous cycle; (5) the endometrial epithelia produce EVs with multivesicular endosomes, the progenitors of EVs, localized to the luminal and glandular epithelium; and (6) progesterone treatment increases the number of uterine EVs and alters their miRNA cargo. Collectively, these studies have established that EVs are a dynamic component of the uterine histotroph, produced by both the uterine epithelium and conceptus trophectoderm, with the ability to traffic between maternal and embryonic tissues and support the idea that EVs mediate communication that underpins conceptus development required for the successful establishment of pregnancy. These studies provide evidence of EVs as novel mediators of communication between the developing conceptus and endometrium. Uterine EVs may provide useful biomarkers for uterine receptivity or indicate endometrial dysfunction given their dynamic cargo and robust stability in biofluids.
Effective numerical methods to model dynamic behavior of springs with torsion
Authors:   , Fernando E. Dilan
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this thesis is to find effective algorithms to numerically solve certain systems of differential equations that arise from standard Newtonian mechanics. Numerical models of elastica has already been well studied. In this thesis we concentrate on the Kirchhoff problem. The goal is to create an effective and robust numerical method to model the dynamic behavior of springs that have a prescribed natural curvature. In addition to the mathematics, we also provide the implementation details of the numerical method using the computer language Python 3. We also discuss in detail the various difficulties of such a software implementation and how certain auxiliary computations can make the software more effective and robust.
Forest adaptation and transition in the eastern united states under climate change : a forest landscape modeling method
Authors:   , Fraser Jacob Sapp
Published: April 2021

Forest management is rapidly shifting in focus to address the adaptive capacity of forests under uncertain future climates. Managers and researchers often utilize models to proactively develop strategies for forest adaptation management and in order for these models to provide useful results they must realistically represent a multitude of complex processes. Here we detail a linked-model methodology for predicting the response of forests to climate change over large heterogeneous landscapes under a range of adaptation management scenarios. We used a forest ecosystem process model to simulate forests across the eastern United States under a range of future climate scenarios and found that ecotones between major forest types or natural community types may be the most vulnerable to large declines in biomass due to climate change. We then show that the implementation of a probability-based method for estimating individual tree fire mortality can realistically reproduce conditions observed in field inventory data. Finally, we test the effectiveness of different climate forest adaptation strategies at maintaining or increasing the presence and geographic distribution of species on a heterogeneous landscape under climate change.
Three essays on retail price competition
Authors:   , Kim Taehwan
Published: April 2021

This dissertation consists of three chapters. The first chapter examines price dispersion in retail gasoline and focuses on differentiation along the service dimension: full service versus self service. Consistent with more intensive search by self-service customers, I find that price dispersion always decreases with the number of nearby self-service stations, but does not decrease with the number of nearby full-service stations. When I segment the market by brand, I observe that the estimates are sensitive to how brands are separated into different types. These findings show that the market is more clearly segmented by service level than by brand type and also highlight the importance of product differentiation when modeling price dispersion. In the second chapter, I examine product positioning and pricing strategies of sellers in a market undergoing a significant restructuring using data from the introduction of self-service technology in the Korean gasoline market in the 2000s. I show that the decision of full-service sellers to exit or switch to self service is positively correlated with the intensity of competition they face. The pricing strategies of sellers differ by product position: self-service sellers compete for price-sensitive consumers, whereas full-service sellers differentiate their product by offering a variety of bundled products and services, such as coffee, carwash or even a nail salon, to compete for less-price-sensitive consumers. Taken together, these patterns have led to an increase in the full-service premium during the market transition. In the third chapter, I study the effect of a government contract on price. Since 2013, Korean government officials have been required to refuel at contracted gasoline stations, at about 5% discounts relative to the posted price. The initial contract terminated in November 2015 and a new group of sellers took over the contract. In this paper, I use this natural experiment to examine the impact of the government contract on gasoline prices, using a difference-in-difference analysis and price data on all gasoline stations in Seoul. I find that, all else equal, posted prices of contracted gasoline stations are about 2% higher than those of non-contracted stations. This finding is consistent with the prediction of models of price discrimination that prices decrease when the elasticity of demand falls. The effect on prices is not uniform across all stations, however. The contract leads to larger increases in full-service stations? posted prices than in self-service stations? prices, and larger increases at stations with fewer nearby competitors. The contract also decreases prices of non-contracted stations very close to contracted stations.
Steps in transforming the Missouri Cancer Registry (MCR) from anincidence registry to a survival registry : estimate and interactively visualize female breast cancer burden in Missouri senatorial districts and assess the usability of the Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center's (MCRARC'S) published interactive maps
Authors:   , Ben Ramadan Awatef Ahmed
Published: April 2021

Female breast cancer (FBC) is the most common invasive cancer among women of all races and ethnicities in the United States (US). About 12 percent of women in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lives. The Missouri Cancer Registry (MCR) needs to be transformed from an incidence registry to a survival registry to accurately measure the impact of Missouri public health programs. In addition, it needs to use interactive mapping reports of maps and statistics to improve data visualization. Many studies have concluded the importance of estimation of cancer incidence, mortality and survival together. We aimed to estimate breast cancer burden in Missouri during recent years in terms of breast cancer incidence, mortality and survival rates; to visualize these results; and to assess the usability of the Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center's (MCR-ARC's) interactive maps and profile reports. FBC survival data were calculated from 2004 to 2010 after matching MCR's FBC cases with Missouri's state death records, the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) and the National Death Index (NDI). FBC incidence and mortality rates were measured from 2008 to 2012. Survival and incidence data were measured for each senate district by age, race, stage and grade at diagnosis. Mortality data was measured for each county and Senate District Groups of Counties by age and race. The rates were visualized using Instant Atlas. A scoping review and a two round usability testing study were conducted to explore perceptions of public health professionals about the use of geographic information systems and to assess the usability of the MCR-ARC's published maps. The dissertation results could be very informative for Missouri decision makers and public health leaders. Instant Atlas reports might enhance the communication between collaborators from different fields related to breast cancer and to disseminate female breast cancer data and inform health professionals and the public.
Clinical translation of nanomaterials for early detection of genetic abnormalities in fetus and retinopathy in neonates and adults
Authors:   , Ghoshdastidar Shreya
Published: April 2021

Nuclear medicine covers a wide variety of radionuclides to meet demands of disease. In the current study, first we have looked at the application of mono-amine mono-amide ligands for Re(V), 99mTc(V), and 186Re(V) with respect to bombesin for receptor targeting in the pancreas. While procedures for synthesizing 99mTc complexes is similar to other reported procedures, rhenium complexes were synthesized using [ReO(citrate)2] - as the starting material, simplifying purification and isolation. Further studies for the 222-MAMA-BBN complex set included biodistribution studies, which determined that the 99mTc-BBN complex binds to GRP receptors in the pancreas, [about]3% ID/g. The 323-MAMA complex and derivatives were investigated to determine if the 222- or the 323-MAMA backbone provide: an easier preparation, a better framework for chelating given metals, and better transport as a targeting receptor. It is found that, in comparative studies, the 222-MAMA derivates are more preferred in chelation. However, in either case, once the metal is chelated, there is no conversion of products upon the addition of a more preferred ligand system. Another avenue of target therapy being pursued is the study of 105Rh. We are specifically looking at the study of chelation with tetrathioether complexes, to rhodium(III) to translate to the radiotracer scale. Three product isomers are formed in the reaction of rhodium, using SnCl2, with 222-S4-diAcOH. The carboxylate arm can either be free dangling, one bound to the metal, or both (removing bound chlorides respectively); all of these isomers can be easily separated using HPLC. These three species will be avoided when translated to the ligand bombesin analog. Future research in this area will be done with the 105Rh radiotracer for biological applications.
Examining the impact of design variables and media richness on responses to product design
Authors:   , Naderi Ehsan
Published: April 2021

This study makes examines the influence of product design cues, environment congruence, and media richness on users' cognitive and affective responses to product design. These three factors were systematically manipulated in a 2x2x2 full-factorial experiment. A sample of 181 participants was used to test the study hypotheses. This study employed a between-subject design, and participants were randomly assigned to one of the eight experimental conditions. The results from statistical analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) revealed the influence of product design cues, environment congruence, and media richness on cognitive and affective responses. The results of this study revealed that higher quality of product design and environment congruence did lead to a more positive aesthetic and affective response. In addition, the results showed a significant two-way interaction between environmental congruence and design cues for perceived aesthetic. Results however, didn't show a significant influence of design cues and environment congruence on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of-use. Moreover, it was confirmed that media richness significantly predicted the perceived ease-of-use, although no statistical significance was found for perceived aesthetic and perceived usefulness. This study has practical implications across various domains including product design, marketing and retail merchandising, and communication and media studies.
A world in flux : journalistic change in science journalism
Authors:   , Morales Alejandro
Published: April 2021

As modernity undergoes radical changes, a narrative of journalistic change has emerged in journalism research. One way that journalistic change has been conceptualized is in terms of a shift from a high modern to a liquid ethos (Deuze, 2005, 2017; Hallin, 1992). But this narrative does not always take into account that journalism is a multifaceted institution with many interfaces (Koljonen, 2013). The narrative also tends to be simplistic because it exaggerates the scope of change and does not take the various elements of the journalistic ethos into account. This research seeks to challenge the prevailing narrative of journalistic change by homing in on a niche area of journalism. It uses a qualitative textual analysis to explore journalistic change in science journalism, focusing on news reports (n=186) of Crispr, a revolutionary development in biology. News reports were analyzed through the lens of a multidimensional model of journalistic change that features five core journalistic elements: knowledge, audience, power, time, and ethics (Deuze, 2005; Carpentier, 2005; Hanitzsch, 2007; Koljonen, 2013). By exploring the nature of journalistic change in science journalism from 2013-2017, it is possible to further understand the current state of journalism. This study's suggestion that a high modern ethos prevails in science journalism contributes to scholarship concerning journalistic change and scholarship devoted to understanding the core elements of the journalistic ethos.
Early-stage social ventures : resource acquisition, CEO selection, and impact investors
Authors:   , Oh Nahyun
Published: April 2021

In this dissertation, I explore early-stage social ventures' resource acquisition, the first CEO selection, as well as how funding foundations supporting early-stage social ventures overcome challenges emerge from the economic crisis. Social ventures are organizations established by social entrepreneurs who seek to create social impact by providing systematic and sustainable solutions. They pursue the integration of social mission and economic goal in organizations' core, thus are distinguished from both commercial organizations and nonprofits. Successful acquisition of seed capital and the first CEO selection are crucial milestones for social ventures to survive and flourish. The proposed model in Chapter 2 suggested factors of social ventures that affect impact investor's eventual investment decision. It explicates how characteristics of a core founder, a founding team, and a social venture relate to each other and contribute to the increasing possibility of seed capital acquisition. Chapter 3 of this dissertation examines the first CEO selection of social venture. I empirically tested hypotheses using a dataset of 261 social entrepreneurs from 108 social ventures and found that previous working experience in social mission-oriented organizations is crucial for being assigned as the first CEO. Additionally, previous working experience in commercial firms contributes to only female social entrepreneurs' possibility of becoming the first CEO. In Chapter 4, I shift the focus to impact investors and explore the survival strategy of a funding foundation, Echoing Green, in response to financial challenges during the economic downturn in 2008.
Rheological and morphological evolution of basaltic lava flows
Authors:   , Soldati Arianna
Published: April 2021

Over 500 million people live in proximity of an active volcano globally. Although lava flows rarely endanger human life, they often destroy critical infrastructure. Advancing our understanding of lava flow dynamics is therefore critical to developing accurate hazard assessment, with key socio-economic impacts for many communities. This work focuses on basaltic lava rheology, which exerts a first-order control on flow dynamics and is reflected in lava morphology. In particular, I address the following research questions: (1) How does the rheology of active flows evolve during emplacement; and (2) How can we use flow morphology to infer the rheology of inactive flows? ... At Piton de La Fournaise (La Rï¿½union, FR DOM), I addressed the longstanding question of how pre-existing topography controls lava flow system structure in volume-limited flows (Soldati et al., accepted). I concluded that a steep slope results in a single, stable channel, whereas a gentle slope results in an unstable, braided channel. The findings of this study allow us to interpret and explain the observed flow structure on the basis of pre-existing volcano topography, and to forecast future flow structure. This allowed me to determine that rheology neither affects nor is affected by flow system configuration.
Academically at-risk college students at a small, private, faith-based university : a qualitative study of factors promoting persistence to the fourth year
Authors:   , Steward Dana Lynn
Published: April 2021

This study explored the factors that promoted and the factors that impeded persistence to the fourth year for students who were considered academically at-risk when they entered college. Eighteen participants took part in this basic qualitative study, which utilized three forms of data collection: (a) interview, (b) open-ended survey, and (c) reflective writing. The researcher piloted the data collection tools, along with analyzing data as it was gathered, to ensure the research questions were being answered. Upon the completion of data collection, the researcher utilized inductive, constant comparative analysis, which resulted in the identification of emerging themes. The study's findings indicated persistence is fostered by care and support from within and outside the institution and through participants making connections to the campus and adjusting in ways that demonstrates a refusal to quit. The primary barriers participants had to overcome were academic struggles, institutional impediments outside of academics, and personal obstacles. The findings highlight the need for policies and practices that foster a supportive and caring campus culture, including capitalizing on the importance of family support for this population of students.
Synthesis and photochemistry of PT (IV) hydroxo complexes
Authors:   , Wickramasinghe Lasantha Anurangana
Published: April 2021

Global energy consumption and the production of clean renewable energy have become greater challenges. Sunlight-induced splitting of water into H2 and O2 is one of the leading strategies to achieve clean and renewable energy. Transition metal photochemistry has considerable potential for making this task more viable. Along with water splitting, hydrohalic acid (HX) splitting is being thoroughly investigated. HX splitting is a more facile two electron process whereas water splitting is a relatively difficult four electron oxidation process. Light driven HX splitting and endergonic elimination of X2 (Br2 and Cl2) have received more attention as a potentially more economical and promising solar energy conversion process than water splitting. ...
The effectiveness of cares dementia training modules on delivery of person centered care inside a memory care unit : utilizing the cares observational tool
Authors:   , Cattoor Erin
Published: April 2021

This study compared the efficacy of using online dementia training modules on both direct and non-direct care providers in long-term care settings and how this impacted their delivery of Person Centered Care (PCC), as well as their knowledge of caring for residents with a diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease (AD), dementia. Traditional educational opportunities for staff working specifically with demented residents inside Memory Care Units (MCU) were investigated, along with an alternative approach of training all staff (to include direct and non-direct care providers). The option of utilizing online dementia training modules for all staff was then evaluated by using an observational Person Centered Care tool, to see if education had made an impact on interactions between staff and the demented residents that they care for. This study utilized a single-group, repeated measures design to test a 10-week, standardized and computerized set of 10 interactive training modules in a 60-bed MCU . Fifty-one observations were made between MCU residents and staff and included in this study, employing a single-group pre-post-posttest design. The findings suggest that online dementia training modules may be beneficial for both knowledge and delivery of PCC to staff in MCUs who care for residents with a diagnosis of AD.
A quantitative analysis of high school sports participation intensity and breadth : relationships with academic achievement in a rural Missouri high school
Authors:   , Lang Chad M.
Published: April 2021

The purpose of this study was to address the gap in research related to whether measures of participation (intensity and breadth) demonstrated a relationship with academic achievement for 11th grade student athletes (N=128) in a rural Missouri high school. Recent research found high school-aged students in interscholastic activities were less likely to be multisport athletes than in previous decades. This decrease in multisport participation has occurred within the context of United States participation trends which demonstrated overall participation increases from 1989 to 2017 (Bell et al.,2016; Howard, 2017; Jayanthi, Pinkham, Dugas, Patrick, and LaBella, 2013; Moore, Murphey, Bandy, and Cooper, 2014). Since increased connectivity to school viaextracurricular school activities (ESAs) enhances social bonds associated with positive academic and behavioral outcomes, a reduction in participation intensity and/or breadth may exhibit deleterious effects to the academic and social development students experience in the school setting (Crosnoe, 2002; Eccles and Gootman, 2002; Hirschi,1969). Anonymous athletic participation and achievement data from 2015-2017 was obtained from the school's archive and analyzed by correlation, hierarchical regression, and one-way ANOVA. Data derived from statistical analyses demonstrated two themes regarding sport participation, ACT, and grade-point average (GPA): a) Intensity demonstrated no statistical or practical significance to student achievement measured by ACT; however intensity of participation did share a statistically significant relationship to cumulative GPA (p less than .05) and b) an ANOVA analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in breadth and GPA (p less than .01) between one sport athletes and three sport athletes. Three sport athletes had statistically significantly higher GPAs than one sport athletes and practically significant higher GPAs than two sport athletes. Utilizing these results suggested practical considerations for rural school administrators considering both the number of ESA sport offerings and the academic benefits ESAs multisport participation provide. Future research on ESA sport, activity, and non-activity participation related to academic outcomes is justified.
An investigation into the relationship between student achievement and curriculum knowedge of special education co-teachers
Authors:   , McGrath Karin
Published: April 2021

The balance of awareness of student disabilities, providing supports and accommodations necessary for the success of special education students, and a high understanding curriculum contents is a challenge for special educators in the co-taught setting. This study investigates the effect the relationship between the number of curricula in which the special educator is co-teaching has, on student achievement. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare both the results on state mandated end of course examinations, and course grades in classrooms where the special education co-teacher was responsible for one curriculum content where they were responsible for two and three curricula. Findings show a significant difference in student achievement only between classrooms where the special educator was responsible for one curriculum and where they were responsible for two. In looking at the mean achievement results for end of course examinations and course grades, students in the classrooms where the special educator was responsible for three curriculum contents earned higher scores. Results indicate that factors or a combination of factors, other than curricula content knowledge of the special education co-teacher, play a greater role in effecting the achievement of the special education students in the co-taught classroom.
An experimental investigation of drunk personality using self and observer reports
Authors:   , Winograd Rachel
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Research has shown that drinkers' "typical drunk personalities" are different from their "typical sober personalities"on each factor of the Five-Factor Model (Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Neuroticism, and Openness). The aim of the current study was to test if these changes can reliably be observed by trained raters during a drinking episode. Participants (N = 156) attended laboratory sessions in same-sex friend groups of 3 to 4 people (43 groups). Half of the groups were administered alcohol (target BAC = .09). Participants engaged in activities designed to elicit a range of personality expression. All sessions were recorded and multiple trained raters (M = 6.96) completed three personality measures based on the footage. Additionally, participants completed self- reports of their â€œtypicalâ€ sober and drunk personalities two weeks prior to their sessions, as well as two short personality measures during the session. Results indicate consistent differences in personality among sober and drunk participants across measures, but the nature of the differences varied by reporter (self vs. observer). Specifically, across three scales, observers rated participants in the Alcohol condition higher in Extraversion, but similarly in most other factors (on one measure, Neuroticism was lower in the Alcohol condition). Among the two self-report measures, four and five of the factors demonstrated reliable differences, with Conscientiousness, Intellect, Neuroticism, and Agreeableness (on the pre-session retrospective measure only) reportedly decreasing with intoxication, and Extraversion increasing. These findings demonstrate that self-perceptions of sober-to- drunk personality differences are more pervasive than observer-perceptions, but that alcohol-induced changes in Extraversion are robust enough to be detected across measures and reporters.
Modalities of literacy and Anglo-Saxon interpretive cultures
Authors:   , Christenson Julie
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] This dissertation focuses on the reception of Anglo-Saxon texts in both Anglo-Saxon and Reformation England. Its four case studies span developments in media history, and begins the task of creating an archive of early interpretive cultures -- be they based around an oral interpreter, a manuscript codex, or a printed book. To that end I adapt the influential concept of the "interpretive community" to the material realities that informed the reception of Anglo-Saxon texts. Consulting literary and visual representations of reading as well as codicological and bibliographical evidence, I counter determinist thinking about the relationship between media and culture.
Spring break for Jesus : the rise of Protestant short-term missions, 1950-1980
Authors:   , Flint Brandon
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] While short-term missions attracted a small number of participants in the early years of the movement, since the mid-twentieth century the practice has grown at an increasing rate. While only a few hundred participated in the 1950s, by 2010 more than a million Americans joined each year. Despite that growth, historians have ignored this change in the practice and idea of missions. Short-term missionaries democratized american missions, shifted control away from denominational hierarchy, shaped the lived religion of modern evangelicalism, and globalized American religious practice. Short-term missions also reflect the unique cultural milieu that created them as they were shaped by new youth culture, anticommunism, and technological developments.
A continuous-wave-based acoustic method to measure viscoelastic properties of materials
Authors:   , Salvi Nilesh
Published: April 2021

[ACCESS RESTRICTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT AUTHOR'S REQUEST.] Typical viscoelastic materials do not have a flat frequency response to mechanical vibrations. Viscoelastic property evaluations with a multi-frequency excitation such as a rectangular pulse, therefore, often suffer from extraneous frequency-dependent variations and low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). As a result, existing acoustic measurement techniques are usually limited to empirical assessments of the medium properties. In this work, the continuous-wave (CW) excitation is used to enhance the output signal strength and consequently the SNR in rheological measurements. An analytical model for the observed sinusoid response of a medium at a transducer-medium interface is derived as a sum of attenuated echoes and the input, modulated by the viscoelastic properties of the medium. Its expression, named as Infinite-echo model, has provided theoretical basis for a novel method to measure sound speed in the medium. An optimization algorithm, fitting this model to the CW response of a medium, is designed to compute the viscoelastic coefficients for that medium. The result is a non-invasive method for in-situ measurement of material viscosity that compares favorably with the conventional techniques.