Engagement with Bama in the Upper Mitchell River watershed

 This research constructs an approach to engagement with Bama, Indigenous people from the Upper Mitchell River Watershed to develop a model of increased engagement and improved care of natural resource environments. It demonstrates that using Indigenous knowledge and experience can lead to better outcomes for both the land and its peoples

Investigating the success of a school-within-a-school model for dropout prevention : Goshen High School's freshman academy for at-risk students

The success of small schools in maintaining higher graduation rates has been well documented (Schneider, 2002; Cotton, 1996; Raywid, 1996). This researcher investigated the effectiveness of a small school strategy implemented in a large school setting through the school-within-a school model for reducing the dropout rate, specifically as investigated through an Indiana high school's freshman academy for at-risk students, as an effective intervention for reducing the dropout rate. Data from Goshen High Schools' graduation rates of selected cohorts from the classes 2006 and 2007 were obtained for evaluating the school-within-a-school model as an effective intervention for reducing the dropout rate.Quasi-experimental research was completed with a comparison group of at-risk students and an intervention group of at-risk students who had the advantage of the freshman academy intervention. Five hypotheses were proposed. T-tests were completed on the at-risk indicators of student attendance, credits earned in ninth grade, and disciplinary referrals. Chi-square tests were conducted comparing cohort data on the graduation rate and the pass rate for the Graduation Qualifying Exam. Findings from a t-test indicated the school-within-school model of freshman academy was statistically significant in increased credits earned.The literature review compiled research on the high school dropout problem, problems in gathering accurate data figures on dropouts or graduation rate, the role of NoChild Left Behind (NCLB) on graduation rate accountability, factors identifying students at-risk for dropout intervention (attendance, disciplinary referrals, and grade retention), and research on the school-within-school structural reform.The sample for this study was selected from two cohorts of students based on eighth grade failure on the Indiana Standards Test of Educational Progress. Seventy-five students from the future classes of 2006 and 2007 were identified as students at-risk of academic failure.Student data collected from these cohorts indicated positive trends on absence, disciplinary referrals, and graduation rate. There was a statistically significant difference in the number of credits earned. Recommendations for continuing the school-within school intervention with a distinct identity were discussed. A call for future research on the school-within-school model included ideas for qualitative study, research on a larger scale or over several years of graduating cohorts.Thesis (D. Ed.)Department of Educational Leadershi

A LOGICAL LEARNING THEORY VIEW OF SELF-CONCEPT, TASK PREMISE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP.

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Which Buildings are “Worth” Disassembling? An Analysis of American Deconstruction Ordinances

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste represents the single largest waste stream in the United States. 90% of C&D waste is produced at a structure’s end-of-life through conventional mechanical demolition, which renders materials valueless, effectively wasting their embodied carbon while also producing harmful airborne toxins. Alternatively, structural removal through deconstruction produces comparatively less waste and other negative externalities. As deconstruction has gained popularity in the US, four cities have produced ordinances that require some buildings to be deconstructed: Portland (2016), Milwaukee (2017), Palo Alto (2019), and San Antonio (2022). Through interviews with local representatives, analysis of ordinance language, and review of city progress reports, this research explores the origins of the ordinances, the thinking that shaped them, and their eventual outcomes. This work provides a survey of American ordinances, challenges prevailing assumptions, and provides recommendations for other municipalities considering deconstruction

BsmI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor gene is associated with leg extensor muscle strength in elderly men

Background and aims: Sarcopenia is defined as a reduction in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and endurance observed with advancing age. Although Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism is reported to be associated with muscle mass and strength, evidence for this is limited and conflicting. In this study, we examined the association between the polymorphisms of VDR gene BsmI, TaqI and FokI and muscular mass and strength in elderly men. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in a university hospital. One hundred and twenty men over 65 years of age participated, all participants were active men living independently in Istanbul, who were followed as outpatients in geriatric polyclinics. Most common diagnoses were hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and mild to moderate osteoarthritis. Morbid obese patients were not included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood, and VDR genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction. The peak torque of the knee flexors and extensors was measured on a Cybex 350 dynamometer. Body muscle mass was calculated by using bioelectric impedance analysis. Results: The extensor strength of the knee was higher in BB homozygotic men than in the Bb/bb group. No significant association was found with TaqI and FokI haplotypes. There was no significant association between muscle mass and strength, or between muscle mass and VDR genotype. Conclusion: Our data suggest that VDR gene BsmI polymorphism is associated with muscular strength in elderly men. (Aging Clin Exp Res 2010; 22: 198-205) (C) 2010, Editrice Kurti