Intimate Partner Violence and Rural Women

Over the past twenty years, awareness of the significant issue of intimate partner violence (IPV) has steadily increased. The deleterious consequences of IPV on physical and psychological health are well documented. However, much of our understanding of IPV is based on urban models, while little is known about the phenomena of IPV among rural women. In an attempt to address this deficiency within the literature, the present study explored the impact of IPV on rural women. Fifty-six women, between the ages of 18 to 69 comprised three distinct groups: the rural IPV victims recruited from the community (R-IPV group, n=13), IPV victims in treatment a (T-IPV group, n=13) and a rural control group (RC group, n=30). All participants were orally administered a battery of self-report measures assessing demographic information, social support, smoking, traumatic event exposure, IPV and PTSD. Analyses revealed that the T-IPV group differed significantly from the R-IPV group, since they reported a more perceived social support and scored higher on a measure of IPV. Further, comparisons of all three groups yielded significant differences. Compared to the RC group, both victim groups were more likely to report current smoking, and scored higher on a measure of smoking dependence and addiction. Although the RC group reported more received social support, the T-IPV group reported more perceived social support than both the RC and R-IPV group. Both victim groups were more likely to meet criteria for PTSD compared to the RC group. Participants meeting criteria for PTSD (PTSD-positive) were compared to participants who did not meet criteria for PTSD (PTSD-negative) and significant differences were detected. PTSD-positive participants were more likely to be unemployed and reported lower income levels. Further, PTSD-positive participants endorsed higher levels of psychological aggression and were more likely to describe sensorimotor manipulation as a reason for smoking. Overall, these findings suggest the need for more comprehensive IPV services, designed for both victims and the rural communities in which they reside

Assessing and Analyzing Bat Activity with Acoustic Monitoring: Challenges and Interpretations

Acoustic monitoring is a powerful technique for learning about the ecology of bats, but understanding sources of variation in the data collected is important for unbiased interpretation. The objectives of this dissertation were to investigate sources of variation in acoustic monitoring and make recommendations for acoustic survey design and analysis. I addressed this goal in three ways: i) variation resulting from differences in bat detectors, ii) methods for objective identification of peak activity, and iii) the use of stationary transects to address within-site spatial variation. First, I compared variation of detection of echolocation calls among commonly available bat detectors and found significant differences in distance and angle of detection. Consequently, this source of variation should be taken into account when comparing datasets obtained with different systems. Furthermore, choice of detector should be taken into account when designing new studies. Second, I investigated two statistical methods for identifying peaks in activity, percentile thresholds and space-time scan statistic (SaTScan). Acoustic monitoring provides a relative measure of activity levels and is rarely evaluated based on objective criteria, so describing bat activity as “high” or “low” is useful only in context of the studies in question. Percentile thresholds allow for peaks to be identified relative to a larger distribution of activity levels. SaTScan identifies peaks in space and time that are significantly higher than the background expectation of the dataset. Both methods are valuable tools for replicable and objective identification of peak activity that can be applied at various temporal and spatial scales. Third, I examine how within-site spatial variation can impact estimates of bat activity. I used a stationary transect of bat detectors to i) assess variation in patterns of activity at each detector, ii) test whether spatial or temporal factors were more important for explaining variation in activity, iii) explore what sampling effort in space and time is required for species-specific activity levels. The picture of activity differs significantly within a site depending on detector placement so it is important to use multiple detectors simultaneously to collect accurate estimates of activity

Are global wind power resource estimates overstated?

Estimates of the global wind power resource over land range from 56 to 400 TW. Most estimates have implicitly assumed that extraction of wind energy does not alter large-scale winds enough to significantly limit wind power production. Estimates that ignore the effect of wind turbine drag on local winds have assumed that wind power production of 2–4 W m2 can be sustained over large areas. New results from a mesoscale model suggest that wind power production is limited to about 1 W m2 at wind farm scales larger than about 100 km2. We find that the mesoscale model results are quantitatively consistent with results from global models that simulated the climate response to much larger wind power capacities. Wind resource estimates that ignore the effect of wind turbines in slowing large-scale winds may therefore substantially overestimate the wind power resource.Engineering and Applied Science

Long-Term Sustainability Implications of Diverse Commercial Pollinator Mixtures for the Conservation Reserve Program

The persistence of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) seed mixtures following planting is crucial for the long-term support of pollinator habitat; however, the role of disturbance regimes and their interactions in supporting this ecosystem service are largely unknown. This study set out to evaluate how ecological disturbances (prescribed burn, light disking, or fallow control) and commercially available diverse species mixtures (‘Hamilton’, ‘Bamert’, and ‘Holland’) affect pollinator habitat and the flowering period of commonly used CRP species mixtures. Specifically, three pollinator species mixtures were assessed for plant stand dynamics (plant density, yield, and dual-use pollinator-lignocellulosic feedstock potential); the resulting soil properties; and the total bloom count during the growing season. Following 5 years after their establishment, the proportions of flowering pollinator species varied by disturbance regime × seed mixture (p \u3c 0.05), with the burned Hamilton and disked Holland plots having the greatest pollinator species percentages. Overall, if the long-term stability of pollinator blooms is a key consideration for management, the Hamilton mixture should be disturbed via prescribed burning, while the Holland mixture should be disked, owing to a species-specific disturbance regime preference. However, post-senescence yield and soil health properties did not vary (p \u3e 0.05) across pollinator mixtures or disturbance regimes. Pollinator mixtures could also be harvested as a lignocellulosic feedstock without damaging pollinator habitat and providing comparable biomass for regional feedstocks; however, seeding mixtures and disturbance regimes should be considered based on desired residue usage for long-term sustainable CRP pollinator habitat

Census-Based Socioeconomic Indicators for Monitoring Injury Causes in the USA: A Review

BACKGROUND: Unlike the UK or New Zealand, there is no standard set of census variables in the USA for characterising socioeconomic (SES, socioeconomic status) inequalities in health outcomes, including injury. We systematically reviewed existing US studies to identify conceptual and methodological strengths and limitations of current approaches to determine those most suitable for research and surveillance. METHODS: We searched seven electronic databases to identify census variables proposed in the peer-reviewed literature to monitor injury risk. Inclusion criteria were that numerator data were derived from hospital, trauma or vital statistics registries and that exposure variables included census SES constructs. RESULTS: From 33 eligible studies, we identified 70 different census constructs for monitoring injury risk. Of these, fewer than half were replicated by other studies or against other causes, making the majority of studies non-comparable. When evaluated for a statistically significant relationship with a cause of injury, 74% of all constructs were predictive of injury risk when assessed in pairwise comparisons, whereas 98% of all constructs were significant when aggregated into composite indices. Fewer than 30% of studies selected SES constructs based on known associations with injury risk. CONCLUSIONS: There is heterogeneity in the conceptual and methodological approaches for using census data for monitoring injury risk as well as in the recommendations as to how these constructs can be used for injury prevention. We recommend four priority areas for research to facilitate a more unified approach towards use of the census for monitoring socioeconomic inequalities in injury risk

Filtering Out Pesky Air Pollutants with X-Ray Fluorescence

Filtering Out Pesky Air Pollutants with X-Ray Fluorescence Amanda Kennell, Hayley Adams, and Anela Camdzic February 28, 2015 Abstract Air pollutants are so small they evade most filters, but nature contains air filters that catch pollutants naturally: spider webs. As an insect flies, it may appear to fly into a spider web, when in actuality, it is pulled into the web due to an electrostatic attraction [1]. Similar to rubbing a balloon in your hair and then sticking it to a wall, an insect or air pollution particle obtains charge from air resistance and then induces a polarization in the water molecules adhered to the web. This polarization is what attracts the insect or air particle to the web and a glue-like substance then causes them to stick [2]. Webs were collected from different environments around Dahlonega and x-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used to identify different elements in the web. XRF works by exciting atoms with primary x-ray radiation that then emit secondary x-rays characteristic to the emitting elements. These characteristic x-rays are detected and the elements that emitted them are identified. Several different elements, such as iron, manganese, lead, and many more, have been detected, with webs taken from high traffic areas having higher concentrations and a greater diversity of these elements then webs collected from lower traffic areas. Using spider webs as air filters, any place in the world - as spider webs are everywhere- can have an accurate and inexpensive measurement made of the air pollutants. [1] Ortega-Jimenez, Victor Manuel, and Robert Dudley. Spider Web Deformation Induced by Electrostatically Charged Insects. NatureScientific Reports.3 (2013): 1-4. Nature.com. Web. Sept. 2014. [2] Dr. Michael Bodri. University of North Georgia. September, 2014

A Review of Hospitality and Tourism Management Graduates' Post Education Employment

The Hospitality and Tourism Management industry is extensive and can be overwhelming for students to determine possible career paths. A survey of graduates of Appalachian State University’s Hospitality and Tourism Management was conducted. This surveyed aimed to answer the questions what career paths can be pursued with a Hospitality and Tourism Management degree and how beneficial is having this degree in finding a job within this industry. The survey also analyzed graduates’ perceptions of the program and what changes should be made

Collateral Damage: How the War on Terror Hurts Charities, Foundations, and the People They Serve

This paper is the result of collaborative research conducted by OMB Watch and Grantmakers Without Borders. We believe charities in the United States and throughout the world play a key role in democratic systems by giving citizens a vehicle for participation, providing tools and information that help people get involved, and delivering assistance to those in need. Since Sept. 11, 2001, we have witnessed counterterrorism programs erode the freedom and ability of charities and their funders to carry out their missions and improve the lives of the world's people. We believe that this is damaging civil society in the United States and negatively impacting the nation's reputation and effectiveness on the global stage. We hope this paper will serve as a resource for charities, foundations, and policymakers as they seek to understand the impacts that counterterrorism measures have on charities and as they look to develop more equitable policies that protect the inherent rights of charities and the people the organizations serve

In Defense of Adaptation: Aestheticism versus Functionalism in the Wicked Franchise

This project serves as an extended case study on the adaptability of an aesthetic text into a popular text. It focuses on Gregory Maguire’s original novel Wicked, which drew its inspiration from the universally known land of Oz, and the subsequent stage adaptation by the same name. The first half of the project involves an extensive text-to-stage analysis, delineating the differences between the two mediums. The second half of the project involves an examination of the sequels to the original novel as commodities. Each of the novels is a literary text created for a narrower audience, while the popular text of the musical was created for a wider audience. Each medium of the story, however, functions with its own purpose and can engage in a conversation with the other mediums. The successful transformation of the novel to the musical proves that aesthetic and functional texts can apply to separate yet convergent (or intersecting) audiences, disproving the theory that popular texts are somehow inferior to aesthetic texts