No. 15, The Trail of Tears in Tennessee, A Study of the Routes Used During the Cherokee Removal of 1838

https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/govpubs-tn-dept-environment-conservation-archaeology-investigations/1014/thumbnail.jp

SIUC Green Fund Research Project: Using Waste Motor Oil as Diesel Fuel

An update of the ongoing research project to validate the repurposing of waste motor oil into diesel fuel. This research was sponsored by the SIUC Green Fund. This project will benefit the University by: reducing WMO disposal fees, reducing diesel fuel costs, encouraging student participation, promoting alternative fuel research, reducing the SIUC carbon footprint, and generating credit hours for the University

No. 10, Test Excavations on Roper\u27s Knob, A Fortified Union Signal Station in Franklin, Tennessee

https://digitalcommons.memphis.edu/govpubs-tn-dept-environment-conservation-archaeology-investigations/1009/thumbnail.jp

Dental Anatomy Carving Computer-Assisted Instruction Program: An Assessment of Student Performance and Perceptions

The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of students exposed to two different instructional modalities for dental anatomy wax carving: CAI (computer-assisted instruction) using DVD technology, or traditional laboratory instruction. Students’ self-assessment scores were also compared to faculty scores, and students’ perceptions of their teaching modality were analyzed. Seventy-three first-year dental students (response rate 81 percent) participated in this randomized single blind trial, in which faculty graders were blinded to student group assignment. There were no statistical differences, as determined by the Wilcoxon non-parametric test and a t-test, between the faculty grades on the wax carving from the two teaching methods the students experienced. The student self-assessments revealed higher mean grades (3.0 for the DVD-only group and 3.1 for the traditional group) than the faculty actual mean grades (2.2 for both the DVD-only group and the traditional group) by almost one grade level on a 4.0 grade scale. Similar percentages of students in the traditional group had either favorable or unfavorable perceptions of their learning experience, while more students in the DVD-only group reported favorable perceptions. Students from both groups said they wanted more faculty feedback in the course. Based on these objective and subjective data, merging CAI and traditional laboratory teaching may best enhance student learning needs

SIMULATION MODEL MANAGEMENT: RESOLVING THE TECHNOLOGICAL GAPS

Model management poses requirements and responsibilities that extend throughout the life cycle of a simulation model. Recent publications have identified major problems in cost and time overruns, which are traceable to deficiencies in project and sponsor management. Beginning with the division of the simulation model life cycle into seven phases, we define "model management" and develop the requirements for a Model Management System (MMS). The functional description of a MMS focuses on those phases that jointly characterize the model development effort. Recent research in simulation model development is described, and particular emphasis is given to the approach taken with the Conical Methodology

Evaluation available encapsulation materials for low-cost long-life silicon photovoltaic arrays

Experimental evaluation of selected encapsulation designs and materials based on an earlier study which have potential for use in low cost, long-life photovoltaic arrays are reported. The performance of candidate materials and encapsulated cells were evaluated principally for three types of encapsulation designs based on their potentially low materials and processing costs: (1) polymeric coatings, transparent conformal coatings over the cell with a structural-support substrate; (2) polymeric film lamination, cells laminated between two films or sheets of polymeric materials; and (3) glass-covered systems, cells adhesively bonded to a glass cover (superstrate) with a polymeric pottant and a glass or other substrate material. Several other design types, including those utilizing polymer sheet and pottant materials, were also included in the investigation

Pathways to Increasing Farmer-led Investments in Sustainable Agricultural Water Management in sub-Saharan Africa

Without a transformative leap forward in the use of irrigation, Africa will continue falling short in the struggle to feed its growing population, improve its people’s nutrition, grow its economies, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and eliminate poverty. While Africans must lead this transformation for it to be successful, the international community can help African countries substantially increase the use of more productive and sustainable water management practices and unlock the potential of farmer-led irrigated agriculture. Achieving highly productive irrigated agricultural systems in Africa requires an enabling environment that facilitates the full engagement of farmers, public and private investments, and commercial enterprises. This paper briefly outlines the challenges and identifies promising types of investment opportunities to achieve rapid progress