Nanopowder Synthesis and Characterization of the Natural Superlattice (Bi2)m(Bi2Te3)n for Prospective Thermoelectric Materials

The goal of this study was to synthesize nanocrystals of bismuth telluride (Bi­2Te3) through scalable bottom-up, wet-chemical methods. Rapid nanocrystal growth is accomplished through microwave stimulation of organically dissolved bismuth and tellurium precursors within the time of one minute. Elemental analysis of our product using Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectroscopy indicated that our samples have excess Bi. Together with structure analysis using Powder X-ray Diffraction, these compounds were found to have Bi:Te ratios of 2:1

Legitimacy, Identity and Conflict: The Struggle for Political Authority in Southern Sudan, 2005-2010

The consolidation of political authority over Southern Sudan has never been achieved, nor has the region ever experienced a comprehensive, uniform system of governance. No one political group, external or internal, has ever been able to present itself as the legitimate representative of the populace of Southern Sudan. These, however, were the objectives which the Sudan People‘s Liberation Movement (SPLM) sought to achieve from 2005 to 2010. The main contention of this thesis is that the success or failures of the SPLM at post-conflict state-building can be measured through the conceptual framework of legitimacy. As a rebel movement, the SPLM fought a war of liberation against the government of Sudan from 1983 to 2004. Yet, the SPLM was not fighting for the secession of the South, as its predecessor had, but for the liberation of the country and for the creation of a ‗New Sudan‘ where all the politically marginalised groups of Sudan would be political equals. The movement based its rationale on a ‗revolutionary ideology‘, but this form of ideological legitimation was insufficient to gain Southern-wide support for its cause. The movement failed to establish rebel governance structures, was accused of abuses against the local population, and generally looked to external actors for support. Yet, through a peace agreement largely propelled forward by the United States, the SPLM ‗won‘ the war and was tasked with constructing a semi-autonomous state in Southern Sudan. The successes or failures of the SPLM in developing the Government of Southern Sudan were largely dependent on its ability to create effective institutions and consolidate legitimacy. In order to accomplish this, the SPLM would have to shed its militaristic ethos and revolutionary ideology and thereby enable it to govern not as a rebel movement but as a political party. This, however, did not take place. The new Southern Government, which was supposed to be developed along the lines of a decentralised system of governance, remained centralised. The state and county governance institutions did not undergo the necessary capacity-building and were, subsequently, not able to provide for the security, development or welfare of the Southern populace. Thus, the government failed to consolidate eudaemonic legitimacy. In light of this shortcoming, government officials and the SPLM leadership promoted civic and revolutionary 3 ideology as means to consolidate support. While ideological legitimation was successful to a certain extent, the majority of the Southern populace was illiterate and living in poverty; concepts such as democracy, civic responsibility or SPLM successes during in the peace process were not as appealing as the provision of basic services and development. Thus, the inability of the government to provide for the needs of the citizens jeopardised the attempts at ideological legitimation. As long as the government remained centralised and paralysed in providing for the welfare of the Southerners, it was unable to be considered as the true representative of the populace

A Nuyorican Son

Washburne explains music composition and musical experience through his lens as a trombonist

Transferring and Constructing Knowledge: Designing an STC

This article describes the design and benefits of a Science and Technology Center (STC)- based workshop sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The topic in this case was hydrologic literacy in teaching issues and concepts concerning semi-arid hydrology in the Southwest, as defined by educators and scientists associated with Sustainability of semi-Arid Hydrology and Riparian Areas (SAHRA). Participants concluded that a science workshop designed to explicitly combine science content and inquiry-based pedagogy is beneficial, but learning new content is not a guarantee that it will be used in the participants' science curricula. To increase chances for teachers to alter practice, workshops must model new pedagogy while teaching new content, and instructors must be very explicit about how new teaching techniques were used to teach new content. Educational levels: Graduate or professional

Letter from Marion Foster Washburne to John Muir, 1913 Aug 25.

[4]prefers sleeping outside - in the woods - if we can escape either heavy snow or heavy rain. We don\u27t want luxuries or even civilized comforts: just facilities for a fire over which I can cook; & water, & a roof. We\u27d like to be within five miles or so of a neighbor or a R. F. D. route; so that we can get mail once a week.Do you know of any such place, Mr. Muir? Or of a camping place, perhaps in one of those exquisite meadows you describe,[1]1323 Wilcox Avenue,Hollywood, Calif. Aug. 25-13My dear Mr. Muir:-The questions I am going to ask you will, I know, secure from you their own answer, without further introduction; but I am nevertheless going to explain that I am the niece of former Secretary-of-the-Interior, Gen. John W. Noble to whom, I believe, you dedicated one of your beautiful & true books. Now for the questions: Can you tell me where I, with my brother, can winter safely in the great woods of California?05519 [in margin: but we do not in the least know how to set about it. We are not exactly poor; nevertheless our circumstances are such - we earn what we use - that, if we are to give ourselves a whole year\u27s vacation, we can only set aside safely about $50.00 a month for both of us. And if possible that should include travelling expenses.We have thought of some cabin - one room would do, as my brother][2]We are both middle-aged people, natively sound & vigorous, but just now suffering from some severe trials through which we have recently passed. Your books have been tonics through this period & now we want to go & spend some months - perhaps a year - under the shelter of those great trees you so lovingly describe. We hope to take into ourselves something of their peaceful vigor. [in margin: Noble\u27s nieceMrs Washbourne][5]where we can build each a shelter, or pitch a tent?If I should ever have the good fortune to see you, I shall tell you - if I think you can bear it - how you have made Nature, whom I have always loved, seem to love me in response. And since you are a part of Her, I am sure of your affectionate interest in my problem.Until September fifth,05519 [6]Please address me as above. After that at Tulare, Calif.c/o C. W. WashburneSincerely yours,(Mrs.) Marion Foster WashburneP.S. You may be interested to know that I have a big son named John Noble after his great-uncle.M.F.W

Historical Nets

This creative thesis consists of two historical fiction short stories and a critical essay discussing the merits and challenges of writing historical fiction. The essay ties together the main themes of the short stories, both set in the early 1900s American west, and discusses how an author’s choice in character, plot, and setting may interact with a historical perspective to capture something that transcends time. As the critical component of the thesis, the essay also explores the techniques of well-known fiction writers who use history in their storytelling, drawing together time and place in ways unique to the genre. The two short stories included with the thesis intend to illustrate some of these techniques and demonstrate growth and competency in the form

Maximizing the Impact of an Alternative Agency

In the late 1960\u27s and early 1970\u27s the energy for change generated by the civil rights, black power and women\u27s movements strongly affected many professionals working in social welfare agencies. Individually or with others in agencies, caucuses and unions, these radical professionals began to question the services provided by their agencies, the social and political functions of those agencies, and the part they played in their agencies. They began to critique the social welfare system in the United States and to develop some perspectives on what social services could be like if the country were truly committed to improving human welfare. The values and goals espoused by these radicals set then apart from traditional professionals. Because of economic necessity and the unavailability of options, many radical professionals remained in traditional agencies, seeking out others like themselves and pushing for change where feasible. Others found the frustrations of working in traditional settings detrimental to their policial and mental health and joined with like-minded colleagues to develop alternative programs in their respective fields. In the past six to eight years alternative programs have been created in such service areas as health care, therapy, youth services, child care, legal services, housing and job counseling