No Father Left Behind: Exploring Positive Father Involvement as a Protective Factor in the Prevention of Neglect and Promotion of Child Well-Being

Despite the growing evidence highlighting the relationship between positive father behaviors and child development, fathers still receive less research attention than mothers. As a result, little is known about the direct effects of positive father involvement on child neglect risk and child well-being. This dissertation study used data from the Longitudinal Studies of Child Abuse and Neglect (LONGSCAN) and applied longitudinal structural equation modeling to examine the role of father involvement in the reduction of neglect risk and adverse child outcomes among low-income families. The specific aims guiding this dissertation study are (1) to test the direct and indirect relationships between father involvement and child well-being among low-income families at risk for neglect; (2) Examine the moderated effect of father type on the relationship between father involvement and child well-being over time. A significant pathway was found between father involvement at Wave 1 and family functioning (home environment) at Wave 2, and home environment at Wave 2 and child well-being (child behavioral health) at Wave 3, after accounting for home environment and child behavior in previous waves. These findings suggest that fathers may have an indirect effect on child behavioral development by way of increases in family expressiveness and cohesion. The dissertation study addresses father factors, child neglect risk, and child developmental issues related to underserved and understudied populations (e.g., low-income families and fathers). Understanding these relationships sets the stage for the development and implementation of evidence-based child mental health programs that include fathers as a protective factor

The Management of Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs)

Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPCs) originated to accomplish several objectives: (1) to meet energy efficiency goals mandated by executive orders and energy policies; (2) to improve federal government facilities using funds allocated for utility bills; and (3) to receive repayment of expenditures through energy savings reflected in reduced utility bills. In ESPC\u27s, the contractor guarantees savings to the federal government agency. 10 CFR 436 limits the time necessary for payback. However, this regulation and others were written prior to the deregulation of utility companies. This theory is based on the underlying premise that the contractor payback is a direct result of the energy savings. The population of study is all of the Air Force ESPCs. The sampling frame used will be the ESPCs and their task orders (TO\u27s) listed in the Air Force Civil Engineering Support Agency (AFCESA) database. The primary unit of analysis will be the individual task order. Data will be collected from interviews, observations, conferences, archives, and other task order related documents. Using case study methodology, contract financial data, energy rates contract decision memorandums, contract clauses and statements of work, observation, open interviews, and other relevant meetings and materials will be evaluated to determine whether deregulation has an effect on contractor payback and what the effect entails

Effects of a Synthetic Cannabinoid on the Reinforcing Efficacy of Ethanol in Rats

The co-abuse of alcohol and marijuana is widespread, although the mechanisms underlying this behavior are unclear. There is some evidence of a relationship between the neural processes that mediate the effects of ethanol and marijuana. For example, research has shown that exposure to marijuana increases responding for, and intake of, ethanol. The alcohol deprivation effect is an anima l model of alcoholism that suggests that the reinforcing efficacy of ethanol, as measured by intake, increases following a period of deprivation. Recent research indicates that rats chronically exposed to marijuana during periods of alcohol deprivation consume ethanol above and beyond deprivation alone. It is unclear, however, whether the marijuana exposure or the repeated deprivations increased motivation to consume ethanol. In the present experiment, rats were trained to self-administer ethanol on a progressive ratio schedule and subjected to two separate periods of deprivation during which either drug or saline was chronically administered for 7 days. Breakpoint (i.e., last ratio completed) was recorded as a measure of the reinforcing efficacy of ethanol. Following deprivations, breakpoint was initially lower than baseline, regardless of whether the drug or saline was administered. Breakpoint recovered to, but did not exceed, baseline levels following both deprivations, indicating a lack of increased reinforcing efficacy of ethanol after repeated deprivation or chronic exposure to marijuana. The lack of an expression of an alcohol deprivation effect following deprivation may have been due to the length and number of deprivations employed. Furthermore, lowered breakpoint recorded following chronic drug administration during deprivation may have been due to the dose administered or stress generated by chronic injections . Further investigation is necessary to separate and clarify the variables responsible for the present results

Cytokinin Accumulation and an Altered Ethylene Response Mediate the Pleiotropic Phenotype of the Pea Nodulation Mutant R50 (\u3cem\u3esym16\u3c/em\u3e)

R50 (sym16), a pleiotropic mutant of Pisum sativum L., is short, has thickened internodes and roots, and has a reduced number of lateral roots and nodules. Its low nodule phenotype can be restored with the application of ethylene inhibitors; furthermore, it can be mimicked by applying cytokinins (CKs) to the roots of the parent line #8216;Sparkle’. Here, we report on the etiolation phenotypes of R50 and ‘Sparkle’, and on the interactive roles of ethylene and CKs in these lines. R50 displayed an altered etiolation phenotype, as it was shorter and thicker, and had more developed leaves than dark-grown ‘Sparkle’. Shoot morphological differences induced by exogenous ethylene or CKs were found to be less severe for R50. Ethylene inhibitor application induced root and shoot elongation and encouraged apical hook opening in both etiolated lines. Liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis indicated that CK concentrations in R50 were higher than in ‘Sparkle’, particularly in mature shoots where the levels were maintained at elevated concentrations. These differences indicate a reduction in the CK catabolism of R50. The accumulation of CKs can be directly related to several traits of R50, with the reduced number of nodules and altered shoot ethylene response being likely indirect effects

Efficacy of STEM Education and Outreach Programs at Biosphere 2

Biosphere 2, owned and operated by the University of Arizona, has two primary missions: earth systems research and education. This study comprises a program evaluation of the efficacy of Biosphere 2’s education and outreach programs. The two related programs evaluated are the Summer Science Academy (SSA) programs for middle school and high school students and the Outreach Scholars (OS) program for college-level participants. For the middle school and high school groups, the questions this study seeks to answer are: How does the Summer Science Academy program influence students’ attitude on being scientists? Are students able to better understand the steps of the scientific method by the end of the program? Are students able to develop and improve their presentation skills while at SSA? For the Outreach Scholars program, this study seeks to analyze the following: How well does the OS training program change the Outreach Scholars’ perception on their ability to mentor the Summer Science Academy students? How does the experience of working with the Summer Science Academy students affect the level of confidence in the Outreach Scholars to communicate science and scientific terms efficiently to a younger audience? The answers to these questions were obtained via surveys administered at the beginning and at the end of each of the programs. The study found a significant difference in the SSA middle school group’s ability to develop their presentation skills throughout the week. The training provided to the Outreach Scholars also afforded a significant result in the Outreach Scholars’ perceived ability to mentor the summer science academy students after their initial training

Senior Recital: Ericka M. Palmer, mezzo-soprano

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree Bachelor of Music in Music Education. Ms. Palmer studies voice with Jana Young.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/2123/thumbnail.jp

The Status of Licensed Professional Counselors in Michigan Public Universities

This article documents the findings of a study investigating the employment status of licensed professional counselors in Michigan’s 15 public universities. Structured interviews were conducted by telephone with 85 professionals working in college counseling centers, career centers, advising, admissions, financial aid, and residence life offices. The results indicated that only a very small percentage of employees in these offices are licensed as professional counselors, and a substantial number have not received training in counseling

Elimination of the BKCa Channel's High-Affinity Ca2+ Sensitivity

We report here a combination of site-directed mutations that eliminate the high-affinity Ca2+ response of the large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel (BKCa), leaving only a low-affinity response blocked by high concentrations of Mg2+. Mutations at two sites are required, the “Ca2+ bowl,” which has been implicated previously in Ca2+ binding, and M513, at the end of the channel's seventh hydrophobic segment. Energetic analyses of mutations at these positions, alone and in combination, argue that the BKCa channel contains three types of Ca2+ binding sites, one of low affinity that is Mg2+ sensitive (as has been suggested previously) and two of higher affinity that have similar binding characteristics and contribute approximately equally to the power of Ca2+ to influence channel opening. Estimates of the binding characteristics of the BKCa channel's high-affinity Ca2+-binding sites are provided

Face Time: Educating Face Transplant Candidates

Objective: Face transplantation is the innovative application of microsurgery and immunology to restore appearance and function to those with severe facial disfigurements. Our group aims to establish a multidisciplinary education program that can facilitate informed consent and build a strong knowledge base in patients to enhance adherence to medication regimes, recovery, and quality of life. Methods: We analyzed handbooks from our institution's solid organ transplant programs to identify topics applicable to face transplant patients. The team identified unique features of face transplantation that warrant comprehensive patient education. Results: We created a 181-page handbook to provide subjects interested in pursuing transplantation with a written source of information on the process and team members and to address concerns they may have. While the handbook covers a wide range of topics, it is easy to understand and visually appealing. Conclusions: Face transplantation has many unique aspects that must be relayed to the patients pursuing this novel therapy. Since candidates lack third-party support groups and programs, the transplant team must provide an extensive educational component to enhance this complex process. Practice Implications: As face transplantation continues to develop, programs must create sound education programs that address patients’ needs and concerns to facilitate optimal care