Testing the Underlying Chemical Principles of the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) to Marine Copper Systems: Measuring Copper Speciation Using Fluorescence Quenching

Speciation of copper in marine systems strongly influences the ability of copper to cause toxicity. Natural organic matter (NOM) contains many binding sites which provides a protective effect on copper toxicity. The purpose of this study was to characterize copper binding with NOM using fluorescence quenching techniques. Fluorescence quenching of NOM with copper was performed on nine sea water samples. The resulting stability con- stants and binding capacities were consistent with literature values of marine NOM, show- ing strong binding with log K values from 7.64 to 10.2 and binding capacities ranging from 15 to 3110 nmole mg C −1 . Free copper concentrations estimated at total dissolved copper concentrations corresponding to previously published rotifer effect concentrations, in the same nine samples, were statistically the same as the range of free copper calculated for the effect concentration in NOM-free artificial seawater. These data confirms the applicability of fluorescence spectroscopy techniques for NOM and copper speciation characterization in sea water and demonstrates that such measured speciation is consistent with the chemical principles underlying the Biotic Ligand Model (BLM) approach for bioavailability-based metals risk assessment

Race Redistricting, and the Congressional Black Caucus--Who Needs Em\u27!?: Gauging the Essentiality of African American Congresspersons

In light of the recent controversy surrounding the validity of race conscious redistricting, the practice of creating congressional districts with an African American or Hispanic majority population, an important question arises; are the votes of African American congresspersons even critical to the passage of policy issues salient to the African American populace. This study seeks to prove that the votes of African American congresspersons are crucial to the passage of House policy issues salient to the African American community. To prove this hypothesis this study analyzed the voting cohesion and pivotal voting bloc influence of each Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) member of both the 102nd and 103rd Congress on policy issues deemed salient to the black community per the CBC\u27 Black Agenda . The object is to determine whether the votes of the 102nd and 103rd Caucuses, played an essential role in the passage of policy issues salient to African Americans. Non-CBC Democrat cohesion was also examined pertaining to these issue in order to ascertain the level of support non-CBC Democrats gave in the House passage of the corresponding issues. The finding demonstrate not only are the votes of CBC members necessary, but more African American Congresspersons, who are sensitive to black issues and who are willing to vote cohesively with the CBC, are needed to seriously promote and preserve policy issues of most importance to African Americans

Displacing phallogocentrism: fragmented subjects & transgendered bodies

Thesis (M.A.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017"Displacing Phallogocentrism: Fragmented Subjects and Transgendered Bodies" synthesizes theories about gender construction and identity formation as proposed by Simone de Beauvoir, Judith Butler, Julia Kristeva, Michel Foucault, and Jacques Lacan, and proposes that the cultural sediment created by heteronormativity and phallogocentrism can be displaced by the proliferative re-conceptualization and re-signification of transgendered subjects. Because the relationship between the signifier and the signified is arbitrary, Simone de Beauvoir's theory about the inner identity's desire for transcendence and Judith Butler's theory about the materiality of the signifier demonstrate how subjects are 1.) always already transgendered, and 2.) constantly reshaping the material world through re-signification. Jeanette Winterson's Sexing the Cherry dramatizes the act of displacing phallogocentrism by allegorizing the notion through the corporations and Puritans that her fragmented female protagonist, the chemist/Dog-Woman, is fighting against. Because heteronormativity and phallogocentrism can only be displaced by the fragmented and transgendered subject, Winterson shows how it is only after her male protagonist, Nicolas/Jordan, has grafted a feminine identity onto himself and become a transgendered subject when he can finally be free from the shackles of phallogocentrism and re-signify the future. Because phallogocentrism compels subjects to reiterate socially-constructed sedimentations that unevenly distribute power to some subjects while disenfranchising others, this thesis highlights the imperative need to displace the sedimentation of phallogocentrism in order to transgender the body and re-conceptualize the world

Politicizing Apollo: Ovid\u27s Commentary on Augustan Marriage Legislation in the Ars Amatoria and the Metamorphoses

Augustan propaganda surrounding Apollo provided the perfect literary device through which Augustan poets could express their sentiments about the new regime. Augustus transformed Apollo from a relatively insignificant god in the Roman pantheon to his own multi-faceted god whose various attributes were meant to legitimize his new position within the Roman Empire. In this thesis I discuss how Ovid uses Augustus’ political affiliation with Apollo to comment on Augustan marriage legislation in two of his texts. In Ovid’s manual on seduction, the Ars Amatoria, he denies poetic inspiration from Apollo at the beginning of his work, preferring instead to draw from his own experiences. However, Ovid seemingly contradicts himself by having Apollo appear later on to offer him advice. In his Metamorphoses, Ovid ridicules Apollo’s failed pursuit of Daphne. However, Apollo is seemingly victorious after all, since he uses Daphne’s laurel as his perpetual victory symbol. In both these instances, Ovid veils his political commentary by initially ridiculing Apollo in matters of love, only to seemingly glorify him shortly after. By excluding Apollo from matters of love, Ovid indirectly is disapproving of Augustus’ involvement in social affairs in Rome. Ovid proves to be a master of language yet again as he plays with the literary tradition and political implication of Apollo in these two texts to convey his discontent regarding Augustan marriage legislation

Status of the Entry-Level Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy Education

Occupational therapy education has accepted two degree paths for entry-level practice since 2007 – the Masters in Occupational Therapy (MOT) and the Clinical Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OTD). A national debate exists about this approach, with strong voices on each side but there is a gap in the research supporting either side. A cohort study was used to gather data from program directors of entry-level occupational therapy programs in the U.S. to determine if there are trends, common perceptions, or predictive factors regarding which degree is supported by a program. Trends were identified, as were some common perceptions regarding the advantages of both degrees. There were conflicting views regarding the disadvantages and actual barriers associated with the OTD. Results of this study were compared to results from a similar study completed in 2006 (Griffiths & Padilla, 2006). This study contributes to the historical account of the ongoing debate regarding occupational therapy education

Reactivity studies of electron poor titanium amides

Chapter One presents an overview of olefin polymerisation, which provides the context for the majority of the work described in later chapters. Both Ziegler-Natta and late transition metal systems are described. Chapter Two describes the synthesis and reactivity of trisamido titanium complexes with the diarylamido fragments derived from diphenylamine and di-p-tolylamine. These complexes have been thoroughly studied using NMR spectroscopy. This chapter also presents the syntheses of two rare examples of trisamido methyl complexes. In addition, an improved synthetic route to the cocatalyst, KB(C6F5)4 and the structures of [B(C6F5)C4H8O] and [Mg(C6F5)2(Et2O)(dioxane)] are described. Chapter Three describes the polymerisation activity of the catalysts derived from (R2N)3TiCl, (R2N)3TiMe, and [(R2N)3Ti]+ with the cocatalysts MAO, B(C6F5)3, and KB(C6F5)4. Data was recorded for each of the catalysts, and the consumption of propene over time was plotted. Rate constants were found for each of the polymerisation reactions. The mechanism for the polymerisation of each of these was also examined. Chapter Four presents the synthesis and reactivities of new trisamido complexes using 10,11-dihydro-dibenz(b,f )azepinyl, hereafter abbrievated as dda, as the amide fragment. Specifically, syntheses of (dda)3TiCl, (dda)3TiMe and (dda)3TiBH4 are described and their characterisation by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography is presented. The use of these complexes in synthetic approaches to (dda)3TiH are described. Initial steps in the characterisation of hydride transfer to CO2 from (dda)3TiH are also presented. Chapter Five presents details for the experimental work and Appendices are included, containing selected experimental data

A Human Factors Approach for Identifying Latent Failures in Healthcare Settings

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the current research was to assess the utility of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), a tool that has historically been used reactively to look at accidents and incidents, for classifying observational data from various healthcare venues. METHOD: Three studies are presented to investigate the reliability of HFACS for classifying observational data. In Study I, HFACS was applied to observational human factors data collected from the cardiovascular operating room (CVOR) at an academic medical university. Three trained analysts categorized the data using HFACS and several approaches were used to evaluate its reliability during the categorization task. The same method was repeated for Study II, which utilized CVOR data collected from a non-academic hospital. To investigate the ability of HFACS for differentiating between hospitals, the data from the academic and non-academic hospitals were compared. Finally, to explore the utility of HFACS in another venue, Study III employed the same approach as Study I and II however, observational data from a trauma center was utilized. RESULTS: Results of the three studies revealed that the framework was substantially reliable (k=0.635 (95% CI, .611-.659), p = 0.000; k =0.642 (95% CI, .633-.652), p = 0.000; k=0.680 (95% CI, .662 to .698), p = 0.000) for classifying observational healthcare data. In all three data sets, preconditions for unsafe acts were the most common area of systemic weakness. However, differences in the distributions of these categories did exist when data-sets were compared. CONCLUSION: This study is a first step in establishing the reliability of the HFACS framework as a tool for classifying observational human factors data. As HFACS appears to be a reliable observation tool, findings associated with its use could help to identify where errors and adverse events are likely to occur. Therefore, the proactive identification of human factors issues associated with patient harm represents the next step in the evolution of patient safety. Predictably, hospital administrators could put in place targeted interventions to help mitigate human factors issues before they manifest and become harmful events in the future

Constructivist Learning Verses Explicit Teaching: A Personal Discovery of Balance

This synthesis reflects my exploration of the theories of constructivist learning, explicit teaching, and social learning in the context of my work as instructor at Children\u27s Technology Workshop- a company that runs creative technology programs for children. I provide a description of each theory with examples based on my experience at CTWorkshop and claim that while constructivist learning and explicit teaching do have some noticeable differences, they share the common element of social learning opportunities. Additionally, I argue that constructivist learning and explicit teaching are not necessarily incompatible approaches to education, but can be effectively combined to minimize the deficits and utilize the strengths of each, and such a combined approach to instruction can enhance the social learning opportunities available in the educational environment of CTWorkshop\u27s icamp program. Since this paper is reflective of my own, personal experiences working in a particular educational environment, I do not except that the specific uses of these theories described in this paper will necessarily pertain to the educational settings in which others may work; however, my intent is not to design a plan for others to use in their own instruction, but rather inspire others by my example to think more deeply about their own methods of instruction. As my reflective conclusion explains, the process of working on this project has affected me deeply, and I hope this paper may motivate others to seek their own insights