Disaster Recovery in Rural Communities: A Case Study of Southwest Louisiana

This paper provides a descriptive case study to develop a better understanding of the disaster recovery and rebuilding process in the three parishes (counties) in South Louisiana that were hardest hit by Hurricane Rita in 2005. The data come from a number of sources: official documents, news articles, published data, and personal observations. This case study’s implications raise questions about current approaches to disaster recovery. It also suggests strategies for practice, program development, and policy

Ionic Liquid Enhanced Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Supercritical fluids (SCFs) are substances in a state above their critical temperature and pressure ranges where they exhibit some properties of both liquids and gases. This peculiar state generates high transport rates when applied in various chemical processes, in particular, extraction processes. The main limiting factor in using SCFs for extraction is the fact that their moderate solubility leaves room for improvement as most extraction processes are heavily based on relative solubility. The SCF’s performance can be enhanced by employing ionic liquids (ILs) – non-volatile liquids composed almost entirely of cations and anions – allowing for the solubility limitation to be circumvented. By taking advantage of SCFs’ high transport rate along with ILs’ stability, extraction processes will become more efficient and precise. This will lead to developments wherever extraction precision is in demand such as pharmaceutical applications, flavor and fragrance manipulation, or analytical methods. This work explores some of the modeling of solute solubility in the supercritical fluid, screen which ionic liquids as well as presents preliminary experiments

Atmospheric /oceanic climatic influences for improved water management

This dissertation investigated the influence of atmospheric / oceanic variability on streamflow in the continental United States. Unimpaired streamflow for stations in the continental United States and, interdecadal and interannual Pacific Ocean (e.g., El Nino-Southern Oscillation and Pacific Decadal Oscillation) and Atlantic Ocean (e.g., Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation) climatic variability were identified. Initially, the coupled effects of climatic variability on continental U.S. streamflow, based on the long-term phase (warm / positive or cold / negative) of the interdecadal variable, were identified using nonparametric statistical testing. Next, sea surface temperature variability in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, and the resulting continental U.S. streamflow variability, were identified using Singular Value Decomposition. Finally, Pacific and Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperatures (SSTs) were used as predictors in a long lead-time streamflow forecast model applying Partial Least Squares Regression; The major contributions of this dissertation are threefold. First, an evaluation was performed to identify the interdecadal PDO, AMO and NAO\u27s influence on U.S. streamflow, focusing on how each enhanced or dampened the interannual ENSO. This resulted in several new observations, including the enhancement of La Nina during an AMO warm phase in the Southeastern United States. Next, Pacific and Atlantic Ocean SST impacts on continental U.S. streamflow, based on the long-term phase of the interdecadal PDO or AMO, were evaluated. This resulted in a significant relationship between variability in SST and streamflow based on the warm or cold phase of the interdecadal influence. Finally, Pacific and Atlantic Ocean SSTs were utilized and a long lead-time, streamflow forecast model was developed. The use of SSTs resulted in excellent forecast skill for several rivers in the continental United States. The results of this dissertation, including the identification of climatic influences and forecasting of continental U.S. streamflow, will provide useful information to water managers and planners

Incorporating Antecedent Soil Moisture into Streamflow Forecasting

This study incorporates antecedent (preceding) soil moisture into forecasting streamflow volumes within the North Platte River Basin, Colorado/Wyoming (USA). The incorporation of antecedent soil moisture accounts for infiltration and can improve streamflow predictions. Current Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) forecasting methods are replicated, and a comparison is drawn between current NRCS forecasts and proposed forecasting methods using antecedent soil moisture. Current predictors used by the NRCS in regression-based streamflow forecasting include precipitation, streamflow persistence (previous season streamflow volume) and snow water equivalent (SWE) from SNOTEL (snow telemetry) sites. Proposed methods utilize antecedent soil moisture as a predictor variable in addition to the predictors noted above. A decision system was used to segregate data based on antecedent soil moisture conditions (e.g., dry, wet or normal). Principal Components Analysis and Stepwise Linear Regression were applied to generate streamflow forecasts, and numerous statistics were determined to measure forecast skill. The results show that when incorporating antecedent soil moisture, the “poor” forecasts (i.e., years in which the NRCS forecast diered greatly from the observed value) were improved, while the overall forecast skill remains unchanged. The research presented shows the need to increase the monitoring and collection of soil moisture data in mountainous western U.S. watersheds, as this parameter results in improved forecast skill

Incorporating Antecedent Soil Moisture into Streamflow Forecasting

This study incorporates antecedent (preceding) soil moisture into forecasting streamflow volumes within the North Platte River Basin, Colorado/Wyoming (USA). The incorporation of antecedent soil moisture accounts for infiltration and can improve streamflow predictions. Current Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) forecasting methods are replicated, and a comparison is drawn between current NRCS forecasts and proposed forecasting methods using antecedent soil moisture. Current predictors used by the NRCS in regression-based streamflow forecasting include precipitation, streamflow persistence (previous season streamflow volume) and snow water equivalent (SWE) from SNOTEL (snow telemetry) sites. Proposed methods utilize antecedent soil moisture as a predictor variable in addition to the predictors noted above. A decision system was used to segregate data based on antecedent soil moisture conditions (e.g., dry, wet or normal). Principal Components Analysis and Stepwise Linear Regression were applied to generate streamflow forecasts, and numerous statistics were determined to measure forecast skill. The results show that when incorporating antecedent soil moisture, the “poor” forecasts (i.e., years in which the NRCS forecast differed greatly from the observed value) were improved, while the overall forecast skill remains unchanged. The research presented shows the need to increase the monitoring and collection of soil moisture data in mountainous western U.S. watersheds, as this parameter results in improved forecast skill

Coupled Oceanic-Atmospheric Variability and U.S. Streamflow

A study of the influence of interdecadal, decadal, and interannual oceanic-atmospheric influences on streamflow in the United States is presented. Unimpaired streamflow was identified for 639 stations in the United States for the period 1951–2002. The phases (cold/negative or warm/positive) of Pacific Ocean (El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)) and Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)) oceanic-atmospheric influences were identified for the year prior to the streamflow year (i.e., long lead time). Statistical significance testing of streamflow, based on the interdecadal, decadal, and interannual oceanic-atmospheric phase (warm/positive or cold/negative), was performed by applying the nonparametric rank-sum test. The results show that in addition to the well-established ENSO signal the PDO, AMO, and NAO influence streamflow variability in the United States. The warm phase of the PDO is associated with increased streamflow in the central and southwest United States, while the warm phase of the AMO is associated with reduced streamflow in these regions. The positive phase of the NAO and the cold phase of the AMO are associated with increased streamflow in the central United States. Additionally, the coupled effects of the oceanic-atmospheric influences were evaluated on the basis of the long-term phase (cold/negative or warm/positive) of the interdecadal (PDO and AMO) and decadal (NAO) influences and ENSO. Streamflow regions in the United States were identified that respond to these climatic couplings. The results show that the AMO may influence La Niña impacts in the Southeast, while the NAO may influence La Niña impacts in the Midwest. By utilizing the streamflow water year and the long lead time for the oceanic-atmospheric variables, useful information can be provided to streamflow forecasters and water managers

Tree-Ring Reconstructions of Streamflow for the Tennessee Valley

This study reports the preliminary results from a statistical screening of tree-ring width records from the International Tree-Ring Data Bank (ITRDB), to evaluate the strength of the hydrological signal, in dendrochronological records from the Tennessee Valley. We used United States Geological Survey (USGS) streamflow data from 11 gages, within the Tennessee Valley, and regional tree-ring chronologies, to analyze the dendroclimatic potential of the region, and create seasonal flow reconstructions. Prescreening methods included correlation, date, and temporal stability analysis of predictors to ensure practical and reliable reconstructions. Seasonal correlation analysis revealed that large numbers of regional tree-ring chronologies were significantly correlated (p ≤ 0.05) with the May–June–July streamflow. Stepwise linear regression was used to create the May–June–July streamflow reconstructions. Ten of the 12 streamflow stations were considered statistically skillful (R2 ≥ 0.40). Skillful reconstructions ranged from 208 to 301 years in length, and were statistically validated using leave-one-out cross validation, the sign test, and a comparison of the distribution of low flow years. The long-term streamflow variability was analyzed for the Nolichucky, Nantahala, Emory, and South Fork (SF) Holston stations. The reconstructions revealed that while most of the Western United States (U.S.). was experiencing some of its highest flow years during the early 1900s, the Tennessee Valley region was experiencing a very low flow. Results revealed the potential benefit of using tree-ring chronologies to reconstruct hydrological variables in the Southeastern U.S., by demonstrating the ability of proxy-based reconstructions to provide useful data beyond the instrumental record

Supporting Secondary Teachers of Low Socioeconomic Status Students in Language Arts

An achievement gap exists between students of low socioeconomic status (SES) and their peers, particularly in language arts despite intervention and legislation aimed at closing the gap. As a result, annual yearly progress is affected for schools that have a large population of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. The purpose of this study was to determine what secondary language arts teachers in a school district know about supporting students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in instruction. Research questions were designed to explore teachers\u27 knowledge about supporting the socio-emotional and academic needs of students from low SES backgrounds and to identify the effective school practices in the secondary language arts classroom to address these needs. The conceptual framework was based on the work of Coley and Baker regarding understanding the connection between poverty and education. This qualitative bounded case study was conducted in the secondary language arts department of a suburban southern school district. The 5 participants were selected using purposeful sampling based on teaching experience and participated in interviews and classroom observations. Data were coded and thematic analysis was used to reveal teachers\u27 knowledge about students\u27 socio-emotional needs and how to incorporate the needs to address students\u27 skill deficits in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Findings suggested a professional development project for teachers including working with parents to support students\u27 education at home and developing professional learning communities and networks to support secondary language arts teachers. This study has implications for positive social change for educators, parents, and community member stakeholders as they work toward supporting learning and cultural needs of students of low SES

Regulation of cell fate by phosphorylation : a tale of two transcription factors

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Biology, 2004.Includes bibliographical references.As transcription factors are the nuclear effectors of signaling cascades, mechanisms must exist to specifically regulate their activities in response to signaling events. Regulation can occur at the DNA, RNA, or protein level. Many transcription factors are present in cells and tissues before they are needed, allowing quick response to extracellular stimuli. In these cases the activity of the transcription factor is regulated at the protein level. A wide variety of post-translational modifications are known to play critical roles in regulating transcription factors, and are capable of altering the localization, stability, interactions, other post-translational modifications, and activity of a protein. The combinations of modifications that can occur on an individual protein yield immense regulatory possibilities. Aside from analyses of the effects of serine/threonine (S/T) phosphorylation, studies on post-translational modifications of transcription factors are only in the beginning stages. The current paradigm that an enzyme activated in response to upstream signaling will localize to the nucleus and modify specific transcription factors is an over-simplification. Intriguingly, there appears to be an emerging theme in which the transcription factor itself possesses a second, enzymatic function. This creates an entirely new set of regulatory mechanisms that emanate locally from the transcriptional complexes themselves. Thus transcription factors are not passive on/off switches controlled by signaling pathways, but are active players in determining the activity, output, and regulation of transcriptional complexes. Here I will review the various post-translational modifications that are mediated by such dual function transcription factors and other signaling regulated enzymes, and provide specific examples of how such modifications regulate the activities of ETS transcription factors. Then I will review the enzymatic functions of the transcriptional regulators EYA, DBP1, ERK5, p300, and TAFII250.by Tina Louise Tootle.Ph.D

Research to Practice: Undergraduate Research Initiative

Georgia Southern University (GSU) Undergraduate seniors participated in a year long student teaching field placement, conducted a collaborative action research project and presented their research at national and state conferences. The design, implementation and findings on the efficacy of this model will be shared in this presentation