Temperature effects on Florida applesnail activity: implications for snail kite foraging success and distribution

The endangered Florida snail kite (Rostrhamlls sociaiJilis) feeds exclusively on applesnails (Pomacea pailiclosa), yet we lack direct observations that link applesnail behavior to snail kite foraging success. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the temperature-activity profile of applesnails in the context of restricted foraging opportunities for snail kites. Applesnail activity was monitored in water temperatures ranging from 2-2

Receivership as a Tool for Preservation and Revitalization

Many neighborhoods are faced with the complex issues of blight and vacant properties, and, if left unaddressed, abandoned properties continue to deteriorate and are subject to demolition by neglect. Prolonged vacancy not only threatens the retention of historic urban fabrics, but also the safety and economic capacity of the surrounding areas. One option to remediate property abandonment is receivership, or the process where a court-appointed party takes control of a neglected property and is given the responsibility to stabilize, rehabilitate or demolish the structure in order to address seriously blighting conditions that the owner has been unwilling or unable to deal with. This thesis examines receivership practices for vacant properties in order to evaluate their effectiveness as a tool to prevent demolition by neglect and support the preservation and revitalization of neighborhoods. The evaluations rely on a national survey of existing enabling legislation across the United States and case studies to determine the strengths and weaknesses of receivership. States need to provide clear and accessible standards that incentivize a range of individuals to participate in the process, but nonetheless, receivership has the potential to be a flexible and strategic tool to address at risk sites and ensure they are successfully rehabilitated

GI Jive: US Soldiers\u27 Writings and Post-World War II America

This work is a comprehensive study of American soldiers‘ writings during World War II as they related to personal and national postwar aims. The paper uses military and domestic publications along with a selection of memoirs and diaries published during and immediately after the war to create an overview of soldiers\u27 ideological and material desires of postwar America

The Relationship of Self-Efficacy and Professional Development on the Job Satisfaction of Pre-Kindergarten Teachers

Retaining high quality teachers continues to be a priority of school districts across the country, especially with a continued increase in the number of teachers leaving the profession. Understanding why teachers are leaving and how districts might provide support to stem this exodus is an ongoing question for educational leaders. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to determine if self-efficacy and professional development could predict the job satisfaction of pre-kindergarten teachers in West Virginia. The survey was given to pre-kindergarten teachers in multiple school districts who were selected through convenience sampling from West Virginia during the 2020-2021 school year. The Teacher Self-Efficacy Survey and the Teacher Job Satisfaction Questionnaire were used to measure the self-efficacy and job satisfaction, with professional development self-reported by participants. A linear regression analysis was used to determine the predictability of self-efficacy and professional development on job satisfaction. Results found self-efficacy was a predictor of job satisfaction of pre-kindergarten teacher. While professional development was shown to have some predictability of job satisfaction, the data were not significant enough to reject the null hypothesis

Linear and Circular Single Change Covering Designs Re-visited

A \textbf{single change covering design} is a $v$-set $X$ and an ordered list \cL of $b$ blocks of size $k$ where every $t$-set must occur in at least one block. Each pair of consecutive blocks differs by exactly one element. A single change covering design is circular when the first and last blocks also differ by one element. A single change covering design is minimum if no other smaller design can be constructed for a given $v, k$. In this paper we use a new recursive construction to solve the existence of circular \sccd($v,4,b$) for all $v$ and three residue classes of circular \sccd($v,5,b$) modulo 16. We solve the existence of three residue classes of \sccd$(v,5,b)$ modulo 16. We prove the existence of circular \sccd$(2c(k-1)+1,k,c^2(2k-2)+c)$, for all $c\geq 1, k\geq2$, using difference methods.Comment: 23 pages, 15 Table

A PROBIT MODEL ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING CONSUMPTION OF FRESH SWEET CORN IN MAJOR U.S. MARKETS

In an effort to more effectively utilize its resources to promote fresh sweet corn, the Fresh Supersweet Corn Council contracted with the Florida Agricultural Market Research Center (FAMRC) of the University of Florida to conduct a comprehensive consumer survey. The consumer survey was designed to investigate consumer preferences, attitudes, and behavior regarding the purchase and consumption of fresh sweet corn. A total of 1,031 consumer telephone interviews were conducted in Dallas, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia between September 7 and November 3, 2001. Respondents' revealed very limited consumption in the winter, spring, and fall seasons and consumers' perceptions that sweet corn is not available in these seasons. Probit models are estimated to determine effects of seasonalityConsumer/Household Economics,

Ex-vivo perfusion bioassay : an excellent technique to measure the bioactivity of inhalable insulin coated microcrystals

Purpose: To measure the bioactivity of inhalable insulin coated microcrystals using a perfusion bioassay that measures its vasodilatory effect on smooth muscle arterial tissue. Methods: The bioactivity of an insulin protein coated microcrystal (PCMC), a potential candidate for pulmonary drug delivery and commercial insulin was determined on a Danish Myo Tech P110 pressure myograph system. 12 week old Mesenteric resistance arteries from Male Wistar rats were isolated and immersed in a physiological salt solution (PSS) and attached to 2 opposing hollow glass micro-cannula (outer diameter 80 microns). The PSS was gradually warmed to 37°C (at a pressure less than 5mm Hg) for 1hr. Subsequently the pressure was increased up to 40mm Hg over a period 15 minutes and equilibrated for a further 15 minutes after gassing with 95%O2 / 5%CO2 to achieve a pH of 7.4 at 37°C. After normalisation by two washes of 123mM KCl and exposure to 1-10mM noradrenaline the arteries were exposed intraluminally to each insulin preparation by gradual infusion directly into the lumen via a fetal microcannulae inserted to the tip of the glass mounting cannula, at a constant pressure. Results: The preliminary results (full cummulative response curve yet to be determined) demonstrate insulin mediated relaxation to noradrenaline preconstriction. The level of constriction drops from 100% to 42% as the concentration of insulin increases from -11 to -9 Log M for the PCMC compared with a drop from 100 % to 65% for the commercial insulin preparation. However the more potent vasodilatory effect found for the insulin PCMC is more likely to be a result of variance introduced in each dilution step than a real increase in potency. Conclusion: The perfusion bioassay technique provides an excellent method of measuring insulin bioactivity and indicates the insulin loaded on the microcrystal support is fully active

New Gnostic Gospels

Science Fiction writer Philip K. Dick's quest for God becomes a binding theme in many of his works, including VALIS and The Divine Invasion, two of his final three novels. Together, these two novels, combined with his Exegesis, are Dick's attempts to gain true knowledge and reconcile humanity with the divine. VALIS and The Divine Invasion each chronicle a Gnostic quest for knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. Individually, these novels tell the stories of characters whom, whether willingly or not, have been chosen to participate in God's plans. Together, they express and explore Philip K. Dick's drive for knowledge and spiritual enlightenment, and his journey toward Gnostic revelation. Accordingly, VALIS and The Divine Invasion can not only be understood as works of Science Fiction in which Gnostic thought is deliberately explored and expressed, but also as Gnostic gospels in which the writer has explained and evaluated his own spiritual evolution for both the salvation of himself and humanity.  M.A

Career Placement Services for Master's Students at UNC SILS in the Context of the Competitive Landscape: an Exploratory Study of Services Offered at Highly Ranked ALA Accredited iSchools.

This study aims to examine the current state of career placement services for master's students at the School of Information and Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC SILS) and compare them to services offered at other highly ranked American Library Association accredited iSchools. Possible correlation of career placement services with average starting salary, percentage of recent graduates reporting employment, and school ranking are explored. The study finds that career placement services at UNC SILS lag behind those offered at most other similar programs. Ways to enhance UNC SILS' placement services are examined, implications for the school are highlighted, and recommendations are made for future action

A Latent Profile Analysis of Rural Women Who Use Drugs and Commit Crimes

The majority of rural Appalachian women in jail meet criteria for a drug use disorder and need treatment. Using a latent profile analysis of a random sample of rural women in Appalachian jails (N=400) the current study established groups of women based on criminal history, drug use in the commission of crimes, and role of the partner’s drug use in the commission of crimes. Analysis found five distinct profiles of rural women based on involvement of criminal activities as a function of drug use severity. Results suggest that among criminally involved rural women, severity of drug use is a critical factor in the criminal career. Findings can be used to better inform treatment approaches and tailor treatment to meet the needs of this vulnerable population