Economic Racism: A Look at the Black-White Income Gap, 1967-2001

This preliminary study draws upon previous research to analyze the black-white income gap in America by examining trends in mean and median household incomes, educational attainment, and unemployment rates from 1966-2001. I examine some historic themes to racism and how they persist through income inequality today. Through this research I hope to highlight that there is much work to do to minimize the economic marginalization of different races. Unequal incomes are evidence of such marginalization, which at times is unrecognized even by those who are being marginalized. In order to fully embrace being a land of opportunity, we must first create an environment within which economic opportunity can be equally generated by each citizen. The data collected will be used in conjunction with further research to form a model for better identifying the key factors that contribute to the growing income gap between blacks and whites in America

The Predictive Influence of Family and Community Demographic Variables on Grade 7 Student Achievement in Language Arts and Mathematics

This correlational, explanatory, longitudinal study sought to determine the combination of community and family-level demographic variables found in the 2010 U.S. Census data that most accurately predicted a New Jersey school district’s percentage of students scoring proficient or above on the 2010, 2011, and 2012 NJ ASK 7 in Language Arts and Mathematics. Analysis included simultaneous multiple linear regression and hierarchical linear regression. The population for this study included 100% of New Jersey school districts containing at least 25 valid NJ ASK scores in Language Arts and Mathematics for the years 2010-2012 and complete 2010 census data for the communities each district serves. Charter school districts, technical schools, regional school districts, and school districts not containing seventh grade students were excluded from the study. The results of this study revealed that using the (a) percentage of all people under poverty, (b) percentage of community members with a bachelor’s degree, and (c) percentage of families with an income of $200,000 or more, which account for an individual’s community and family social capital, the percentage of students scoring Proficient or above, at the district level, were accurately predicted within the standard error of the estimate for 72.3% to 76.8% of the total districts’ Language Arts portion and 71.0% to 74.3% of the total districts’ Mathematics portions for the 2010-2012 NJ ASK 7. This study is unique in that the same three community and family-level demographic variables combined to predict assessment results over a three-year period. Moreover, the results from this study contribute to the existing research and demonstrate multiple measures should be used to make high-stakes decisions in education

INVESTIGATING THE ROLE OF CHOLESTEROL METABOLISM AND SYNTHESIS IN METASTASIS AND RADIATION RESPONSE IN AGGRESSIVE SUBTYPES OF BREAST CANCER

Aggressive breast cancers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and inflammatory breast cancer (IBC), metastasize at a high rate and are notoriously resistant to standard treatments. Research has shown diets high in cholesterol increase the incidence of aggressive breast cancers and pre-clinical research has shown cholesterol can fuel the growth of breast cancer in vivo. Studies at MD Anderson have shown that IBC patients taking cholesterol lowering drugs, statins, have improved survival outcomes, and also statins can improve the response to radiation in vitro. Furthermore, statins have been shown to target the cells with stem like-properties called cancer stem cells (CSCs) which are known to be important in the pathogenesis of aggressive breast cancers. However, the effects of statins specifically on TNBC metastasis and the mechanism of action have not been explored. Furthermore, the transporters of cholesterol, high-density (HDL) and very low-density (VLDL) lipoproteins, have not been studied extensively in aggressive breast cancers. Due to the associations with cholesterol and incidence of breast cancer and the work done with statins and IBC, I hypothesized reductions in intracellular cholesterol content by statins or HDL inhibits downstream signaling regulating metastasis and radiation response, altering cellular functions in cancer cells and immune cells. Here I show for the first time that statins can inhibit TNBC cell metastasis in vivo, and is dependent on FOXO3a activation, demonstrate a potential role for dyslipidemia in radiation sensitivity and survival among IBC patients, reveal miR-33a regulates HDL-induced radiation sensitivity in breast cancer, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and macrophages can influence each other to increase the tumor promoting influence of each on IBC cells which can be inhibited with statins

The “Boise Pit”: A Peek Beyond the Wall

Our research examines the impact of the “Boise Pit” on the local area economy. We consider the lost tax revenue and missed opportunity costs to estimate the overall cost to society. In light of the recent budget cuts and subsequent controversial educational reform plans being adopted to stretch our tax dollars, this research explores how a completed Boise Tower project could have generated much-needed revenue for the city. How many teacher salaries, buses or laptops could the Boise School District afford with the potential revenue from a completed Boise Tower project

Draft Genome Sequence of Enterococcus faecalis UMB1309, Isolated from Catheterized Urine

A strain of Enterococcus faecalis was isolated from catheterized urine. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of this isolate, E. faecalis UMB1309. Analysis of the genome revealed multiple genes coding for virulence factors, as well as genes associated with antibiotic resistance

Temperature mapping above and below air film-cooled thermal barrier coatings using phosphor thermometry

Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are typically used in conjunction with air film cooling to maximize overall cooling effectiveness and reliability while minimizing sacrifices in engine performance. The effects of thermal barrier coating (TBC) thermal protection and air film cooling effectiveness have usually been studied separately; however, their contributions to combined cooling effectiveness are interdependent and are not simply additive. The combined cooling effectiveness is always less than the sum of the cooling effectiveness of stand-alone TBC protection and stand-alone air film cooling. These diminishing returns arise because adding the thermally insulating TBC between the cooling air and the surface to be cooled reduces the air film cooling effectiveness and because the air film cooling reduces the heat flux through the TBC and therefore reduces the temperature difference sustained across the TBC thickness. Due to these considerations, combined cooling effectiveness must be measured to achieve an optimum balance between TBC thermal protection and air film cooling. In this investigation, temperature mapping above and below air film-cooled TBCs was performed using luminescence lifetime imaging-based phosphor thermometry. Measurements were performed in the NASA GRC Mach 0.3 burner rig on a TBC-coated plate using a scaled-up cooling hole geometry where both the hot mainstream gas temperature and the blowing ratio were varied. Surface temperature maps were obtained from a Cr-doped GdAlO3 thermographic phosphor deposited on the surface of the electron-beam vapor-deposited yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) TBC. From separate plates, temperature maps from the bottom of the TBC were obtained from a thin Er-doped YSZ layer integrated into the TBC below the overlying undoped YSZ. Procedures for temperature and cooling effectiveness mapping above and below the air film-cooled TBC surface are described. Most importantly, these measurements enable mapping the combined cooling effectiveness below the TBC, which is more important than surface cooling effectiveness when there is a barrier coating between the hot mainstream gas and the surface that needs thermal protection. Advantages of the luminescence lifetime imaging method over infrared thermography, as well as its limitations to steady-state conditions are discussed

Geometrical optics limit of stochastic electromagnetic fields

A method is described which elucidates propagation of an electromagnetic field generated by a stochastic, electromagnetic source within the short wavelength limit. The results can be used to determine statistical properties of fields using ray tracing methods

From Isotopes to TK Interviews: Towards Interdisciplinary Research in Fort Resolution and the Slave River Delta, Northwest Territories

Evolving research in Fort Resolution and the Slave River Delta, Northwest Territories, aims to improve understanding of how the natural ecosystem functions and responds to various environmental stressors, as well as to enhance the stewardship of natural resources and the capacity of local residents to respond to change. We seek to integrate approaches that span the natural and social sciences and traditional knowledge understandings of change, employing a research design developed in response to the concerns of a northern community. In doing so, we have strived for a research process that is collaborative, interdisciplinary, policy-oriented, and reflective of northern priorities. These elements characterize the new northern research paradigm increasingly promoted by various federal funding agencies, northern partners, and communities. They represent a holistic perspective in the pursuit of solutions to address complex environmental and socioeconomic concerns about impacts of climate change and resource development on northern societies. However, efforts to fulfill the objectives of this research paradigm are associated with a host of on-the-ground challenges. These challenges include (but are not restricted to) developing effective community partnerships and collaboration and documenting change through interdisciplinary approaches. Here we provide an overview of the components that comprise our interdisciplinary research program and offer an accounting of our formative experiences in confronting these challenges