Embracing Evil: The Threat and Allure of the Female in Greek Poetry

Modern scholars have often noted the harsh depictions of women in Greek literature and account for them as simply part of the tradition of Greek misogyny\u27 that exists throughout ancient Greek texts from the archaic period to classical times. This project argues that these sentiments, which have so often been described as \u27Greek misogyny\u27 in literature, in fact embody a more complicated and nuanced concept. My objective in this project is to explore the ways in which select \u27misogynistic\u27 Greek texts express what I call \u27gyno-anxiety\u27: the fear that arises from male vulnerability to and dependence upon women, who represent both a threat and an undeniable attraction for men. My thesis begins with an examination of the work of the archaic poets, Hesiod and Semonides, and analyzes how these authors depict the potential dangers that the average female represents to men in the form of monetary injury as well as reproductive dependence. Next, I turn to the female protagonists of fifth-century Athenian drama and examine how the classical tragedians employ four of their most notorious female characters — Clytemnestra, Medea, Deianeira, and Phaedra — to represent a hyperbolic, three-dimensional incarnation of the violent and adulterous threats posed by women through the stories of these murderous and overly-sexual tragic wives. To conclude, I emphasize how the concept of \u27gyno-anxiety\u27 is a more useful interpretive tool to understand the representation of women in these ancient Greek texts

An Evaluation of a Texas Agricultural Leadership Program: Determining Program Impacts on Alumni

Leadership development among agriculturalists will be required if agriculture is to meet the nutritional demands of a burgeoning world population. It is expected that the global population will exceed nine billion people by the year 2050. To meet the food needs of this population, it is anticipated that United States food production will need to increase by seventy percent. The Texas Agricultural Lifetime Leadership (TALL) Program has been offered in Texas as part of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service beginning with the first class in 1988. The purpose of this study was to determine if alumni of the TALL Program perceived they had been impacted by the program in respect to their level of understanding of issues, personal and relational attributes, and involvement in public policy as a result of their participation in the TALL program. The target population was defined as the 313 graduates of Classes I - XIII of the TALL Program and the accessible population of 291 were defined as those graduates for whom email addresses were available. Because this is a relatively small population, a census study was conducted. The questionnaire for this study was developed based upon a review of the literature and based upon other research instruments identified in related research. Characteristics of gender, TALL class affiliation, and occupation were utilized as independent variables. Comparisons based upon these variables returned no statistically significant differences. Findings indicated that participants perceived positive growth in understanding of factors affecting agriculture, awareness and beliefs, strengthening of personal and professional relationships, and an increased involvement in agricultural and non-agricultural public policy. Program alumni ranked TALL above all other formal educational settings as it related to their ability to manage organizations

A Parametric Study of Wind Pressure Distribution on Façades Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

This paper uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to determine wind pressures on façades for the purpose of efficient design of these elements. An outstand fin arrangement was modeled where local brackets are used to protrude the fins from the building. A parametric study, for both changes in the length of the bracket and the fin, was derived from CFD simulations with 1-in-50-year storm conditions adopted throughout. Further simulations are performed for revised wind directions that ensure all fins are equally exposed to oncoming winds. In total, 15 models are created to act as a representative sample of the total number of possible configurations. Peak values for pressure are used to calculate forces and moments on the fins. These wind loading results were then used to interpolate the values for the remaining façade geometries. From interpreting the trends that are apparent in the relationship of fin size and bracket length to efficient loading, a set of design criteria is established. The optimal façade design is defined, based on placing equal importance onto minimizing the force along the fin’s length and the moment acting at the fin-bracket connection. The performance of some façade elements is shown to worsen the effects of the wind, relative to other designs, with the potential for very negative consequences. Wind direction is shown to have a significant effect on loading, with the magnitude of wind pressures reduced considerably for the worst affected fin, if the sheltering effect is absent between the fins

Sanctum

The places where water comes together with other water. Those places stand out in my mind like holy places. --Raymond Carver Water. Crashing. Thundering down the boulders

A Parametric Study of Wind Pressure Distribution on Façades Using Computational Fluid Dynamics

This paper uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to determine wind pressures on façades for the purpose of efficient design of these elements. An outstand fin arrangement was modeled where local brackets are used to protrude the fins from the building. A parametric study, for both changes in the length of the bracket and the fin, was derived from CFD simulations with 1-in-50-year storm conditions adopted throughout. Further simulations are performed for revised wind directions that ensure all fins are equally exposed to oncoming winds. In total, 15 models are created to act as a representative sample of the total number of possible configurations. Peak values for pressure are used to calculate forces and moments on the fins. These wind loading results were then used to interpolate the values for the remaining façade geometries. From interpreting the trends that are apparent in the relationship of fin size and bracket length to efficient loading, a set of design criteria is established. The optimal façade design is defined, based on placing equal importance onto minimizing the force along the fin’s length and the moment acting at the fin-bracket connection. The performance of some façade elements is shown to worsen the effects of the wind, relative to other designs, with the potential for very negative consequences. Wind direction is shown to have a significant effect on loading, with the magnitude of wind pressures reduced considerably for the worst affected fin, if the sheltering effect is absent between the fins

Perceived Impact of the 2011 Texas 4-H Roundup on Participants\u27 Development of Life Skills

This article describes the perceived impact of the 2011 Texas 4-H Round Up on the participants\u27 development of life skills. Senior 4-H Members, at least 18 years of age, who attended the 2011 4-H Roundup were the accessible population. Participants Leadership and Life Skill Development Scores, based on Seevers and Dormody\u27s (1995) YLLSDS Instrument, were reported, as well as the most frequently participated in 4-H events. Results indicated that participants perceived gains in positive self-perception, goal setting, and problem solving, while changes in the ability to express feelings and trust others ranked lowest in the study

Soybean Yield along the Texas Gulf Coast during Periods of Variable Rainfall as Influenced by Soybean Cultivar and Planting Date

Soybeans (Glycine max) can be planted along the upper Texas Gulf Coast from mid-March through May to take advantage of early season rains and to complete harvest before hurricane season and fall rains become a problem. When average to above average rainfall was received in May through July, yields were greater with the early April to mid-April planting; however, under high rainfall conditions throughout the season, the mid-April to early May planting produced the highest yields, with yields of over 4000 kg/ha. When rainfall was below normal, late March to early April plantings produced the greatest yields. When rainfall was above average, soybeans took longer to reach harvestability regardless of cultivar or plant dates, while under drought conditions the interval between planting and harvest was reduced. However, when planting was delayed, there was a greater risk of detrimental late-season effects from southern green stink bug (Nezara viridula) or the brown stink bug (Euschistus heros)