Evaluation of Point and Broad Sources of Chemical and Biological Impairment of the Nine Mile Run Watershed

This thesis evaluates the water quality within the Nine Mile Run Watershed of Allegheny County, PA. Due to its large land area and proximity to several city neighborhoods, the water originating in Frick Park is significantly impacted by people, dogs, and vehicles. These inputs can lead to water quality degradation of its receiving body Nine Mile Run (NMR), as well as its tributaries Falls Ravine Creek (FR) and Fern Hollow Creek (FH). NMR eventually flows into the Monongahela River across from Homestead. While the overall contribution to flow volume on the Monongahela River is small, studying the water quality of the Nine Mile Run Watershed can serve as an example for other tributaries and local rivers in similar settings. Study results could provide data and evidence for future grants, further infrastructure improvement, and improvement to the health and drinking water quality of Pittsburgh and waters downstream on the Ohio River. To accomplish a characterization of water quality and identification of sources of impairment, bimonthly samples were taken from September 2010 through May 2011 at 11 locations along Nine Mile Run and its tributaries. Sampling sites were strategically located to analyze contamination from three main sources including, a combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfall, Hot Dog Dam, and traffic from Forbes Avenue and I-376. During each sampling period, field and lab measurements were conducted for each sample site. In comparison to its Frick Park tributaries, NMR displayed higher pH, TDS, and bacterial counts throughout the study. Sodium and chloride concentrations were also higher in NMR during colder months due to deicing agent application on adjacent roadways. The CSO had an effect on the upstream and downstream sites of NMR by yielding lower DO and pH values throughout the study. NMR sites and the CSO also produced the highest Enterococci counts during the study, while Site 12 had the single highest E. Coli count. Data suggests that the water quality in the Nine Mile Run Watershed was adversely affected throughout the study by deicing agents, pet and human waste, and input from combined and sanitary sewers

Experiences from a Forestry Extension Long-term Impact Evaluation

This report describes a long-term impact evaluation conducted by a Forestry Extension program. Documenting long-term impacts is increasingly important to demonstrate the perceived public value of Extension programming. However, the extended time frame of forestry activities creates challenges for technology transfer, including the realization of learning objectives and reporting to administrators and public officials. Mississippi State University has attempted to address these challenges through in-person impact evaluation. Three years of results are presented from an ongoing long-term impact assessment conducted after clients received forestry information from an educational program. The assessment demonstrated 31% of clients had implemented forestry practices since attending Extension educational programs. Almost 47% planned to implement practices in the future, and over 73% reported Extension educational programs helped them be more profitable in forest management. Methodological challenges and implications for future educational efforts are discussed

Comparing Social Media and Postal Mailings in Forestry Extension Program Marketing

This report describes a project that tested social media versus traditional postal mailing advertising for a series of forestry Extension educational programs. Forestry Extension clientele have diverse backgrounds and include landowners, urban tree owners, communities, agencies, and others, and vary widely by sociodemographic and ownership characteristics. Such diversity creates challenges for technology transfer, including initial client contact, participation in educational programming, and realization of learning objectives. The Mississippi State University Forestry Extension program has attempted to address these challenges through social media marketing and in-person impact evaluation. An online marketing strategy resulted in 39% of clients becoming aware of and registering for programs through social media and email compared with 45% from postal mailings. Still, social media marketing resulted in more clients registering earlier, and in registration of clients who had not previously attended Extension programming, compared with postal marketing. Given the many diverse communication methods used by Extension clientele, social media, and traditional forms of marketing should be integrated into successful marketing campaigns. Implications for future educational efforts are discussed

The Effects of Flipping an Undergraduate Precalculus Class

The flipped classroom model of instruction has become an alternative to traditional, lecture-based instruction. This study examined the effects of flipping an undergraduate precalculus class in a small, private, Christian college in the southeastern United States. An experiment was conducted to compare scores on common assessments between a control group (n=21) taught with the traditional lecture-based model of instruction and an experimental group (n=21) taught with the flipped classroom model. There was not a significant difference in final exam scores for the control class (M=25.9, SD=9.3) and the experimental class (M=25.7, SD=5.4); t(40)=0.06, p=0.95. The flipped condition had no discernable effect on final exam scores. Both groups performed equally well. Student perceptions of the flipped classroom were solicited through a survey and revealed mixed feelings toward the new model. Some students embraced and appreciated the change in instruction, while others did not. The study concludes with the positive effects the flipped classroom had on me, my reflections, and suggestions for further research

PassNote: A Feedback Tool for Improving Student Success Outcomes

When Purdue University faculty asked for assistance in composing feedback messages to students, Information Technology at Purdue (ITaP) developed PassNote, a feedback tool that integrates good practice into the process of providing formative assessments. PassNote gives faculty customizable feedback prompts (snippets) and lets them connect students with information and links to services such as tutoring,Supplemental Instruction, library resources, technology tools, and workshops. PassNote message starters are often incomplete, allowing instructors to include course-specific information such as office hours and departmental resources

Radiometer for the Investigation of Infrared Emissions from Flames and Rocket Plumes

A prototypical radiometer using standard one inch interference filters and a lead selenide detector was constructed for use in flame and rocket plume studies. This radiometer was designed to employ a 600 Hz chopper and chopper frequency/phase reference circuit for signal processing. Bandpass filters centered for either 2.7 mum or 4.45 mum were placed in the optical path. The passed carbon dioxide or water vapor band energy irradiated the lead selenide detector, resulting in an output voltage. This signal was then fed into a dedicated synchronous detector. The signal was then recorded by a computer system equipped with an analog-to-digital converter board. Infrared emission data was collected from two inch rocket motors and from a special burner based flame

Fabricating PFPE Membranes for Capillary Electrophoresis

A process has been developed for fabricating perfluoropolyether (PFPE) membranes that contain microscopic holes of precise sizes at precise locations. The membranes are to be incorporated into laboratory-on-a-chip microfluidic devices to be used in performing capillary electrophoresis. The present process is a modified version of part of the process, described in the immediately preceding article, that includes a step in which a liquid PFPE layer is cured into solid (membrane) form by use of ultraviolet light. In the present process, one exploits the fact that by masking some locations to prevent exposure to ultraviolet light, one can prevent curing of the PFPE in those locations. The uncured PFPE can be washed away from those locations in the subsequent release and cleaning steps. Thus, holes are formed in the membrane in those locations. The most straightforward way to implement the modification is to use, during the ultraviolet-curing step, an ultraviolet photomask similar to the photomasks used in fabricating microelectronic devices. In lieu of such a photomask, one could use a mask made of any patternable ultraviolet-absorbing material (for example, an ink or a photoresist)