Comparing Factors of Bachelor\u27s Degree Attainment for First and Continuing Generation Students

Colleges and universities have recently been under great pressure to increase institutional graduation rates, due to a surge in consumer demand for accountability and the use of graduation rates to deter nine effectiveness and funding. Many colleges may choose to achieve higher graduation rates by simply increasing selectivity. However, this strategy has the potential to exclude at-risk student populations, namely first generation students, who lack a family track record of college completion and have been shown to be less likely to graduate than continuing generation students. To allow for continued access for first generation students, institutions have the ability to design initiatives based on an extensive framework of salient factors identified in the literature; however, there is a critical need to identify which factors have the greatest influence on first generation degree attainment. As such, this quantitative study examined how factors influencing student success vary for first and continuing generation students through an analysis of a nationally representative dataset from the 2004/2009 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study. Several logistic regression models were employed to identify differences in degree completion predictors for three groups of students: first generation students whose parents did not attend college, first generation students whose parents attended some college, and continuing generation students. Theoretical models of student persistence and attainment informed variable selection. Results revealed differences in the significant predictors of bachelor\u27s degree completion for the three groups of students. For example, taking a rigorous high school curriculum predicted degree completion for both groups of first generation students, but not for continuing generation students. Consulting a college guide was a significant predictor only for students whose parents did not attend college. Having a sibling attend college first increased the likelihood of graduating for students whose parents did not attend college and continuing generation students. Taken together, these findings suggest predictors of degree completion vary for first and continuing generation students and indicate a student\u27s level of knowledge about the college going experience plays a role in degree completion for first generation students. The findings support colleges and universities developing distinct student success initiatives for these groups of students

2011 Applied Projects Organizational Impact Report

In fall 2010, the Caster Center for Nonprofit and Philanthropic Research administered a survey to explore the impact of student-led applied projects on client organizations and the local community. The survey is the second part of a community impact study of the Masters of Arts in Nonprofit Leadership and Management (NLM) at the University of San Diego. The survey was distributed to client organizations during the 2010-2011 academic year to assess client organization satisfaction and successful use of the projects. The survey investigated whether applied projects had an impact on the organization’s operations or the community, and if so, to assess the type and duration of that impact.https://digital.sandiego.edu/npi-appliedprojects/1002/thumbnail.jp

Blue Grama Grass Genotype Affects Palatability and Preference by Semi-arid Steppe Grasshoppers

The semi-arid shortgrass steppe ecosystem of North America is dominated by blue grama grass (Bouteloua gracilis), a species with substantial intraspecific variability, ecological significance, and economic value. Yet no studies have addressed within species differences in blue grama palatability or insect herbivore preference with respect to plant traits. We performed an experimental study to test the palatability and preference of two blue grama genotypes, wild type versus cultivar, by grasshopper herbivores in the Gomphocerinae subfamily. We found strong evidence that cultivar blue grama was more palatable than wild type and that grasshoppers preferred cultivar plants. Although we could not detect differences in silica content between the two types, we found that cultivar plants were larger, had lower water content, and surprisingly, had reduced nutrient value (greater C:N). These results suggest that intraspecific variation in blue grama size and water content could influence feeding choices by this group of grasshoppers. Conservation managers will have to consider such variation when considering how remnant and restored prairies might be affected by these arthropod herbivores

Launching Integrative Experiences through Linked Courses: The Future Educators Learning Community (FELC)

This article describes the first implementation of the Future Educators Learning Community, and particularly, the impact of three linked courses and instructor collaboration. With supporting literature and the context and background of this learning community as the foundation, our experiences are structured into three distinct categories: preparing, implementing, and reflecting upon our journey. Pertinent logistics are discussed as well as the importance of ongoing communication and collaboration in response to real-time feedback from students. Throughout this initial implementation, recurring themes emerged that extended meaning for both students and instructors. The article concludes with important lessons learned, as well a poetic representation of the initial Future Educator Learning Community

Bisphenol A and Phthalates: Public Knowledge and Risk Perception

Introduction: Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates are chemicals used in the production of many plastics, including food containers, water bottles, and medical intravenous tubing. These chemicals can leach from the plastic, especially when heated, and are found in varying concentrations in the human body. There is concern about the widespread exposure to BPA and phthalates since studies indicate they may cause adverse health effects, particularly related to endocrine development and regulation in young children.https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/comphp_gallery/1041/thumbnail.jp

ZnO Nanoparticles Modulate the Ionic Transport and Voltage Regulation of Lysenin Nanochannels

Background: The insufficient understanding of unintended biological impacts from nanomaterials (NMs) represents a serious impediment to their use for scientific, technological, and medical applications. While previous studies have focused on understanding nanotoxicity effects mostly resulting from cellular internalization, recent work indicates that NMs may interfere with transmembrane transport mechanisms, hence enabling contributions to nanotoxicity by affecting key biological activities dependent on transmembrane transport. In this line of inquiry, we investigated the effects of charged nanoparticles (NPs) on the transport properties of lysenin, a pore-forming toxin that shares fundamental features with ion channels such as regulation and high transport rate. Results: The macroscopic conductance of lysenin channels greatly diminished in the presence of cationic ZnO NPs. The inhibitory effects were asymmetrical relative to the direction of the electric field and addition site, suggesting electrostatic interactions between ZnO NPs and a binding site. Similar changes in the macroscopic conductance were observed when lysenin channels were reconstituted in neutral lipid membranes, implicating protein-NP interactions as the major contributor to the reduced transport capabilities. In contrast, no inhibitory effects were observed in the presence of anionic SnO2 NPs. Additionally, we demonstrate that inhibition of ion transport is not due to the dissolution of ZnO NPs and subsequent interactions of zinc ions with lysenin channels. Conclusion: We conclude that electrostatic interactions between positively charged ZnO NPs and negative charges within the lysenin channels are responsible for the inhibitory effects on the transport of ions. These interactions point to a potential mechanism of cytotoxicity, which may not require NP internalization

Four Kinds of Hard: An Understanding of Cancer and Death among Latino Community Leaders

Early integration of palliative care after a diagnosis of cancer improves outcomes, yet such care for Latino populations is lacking in rural regions of the United States. We used a participatory action research design with Latino community leaders from emerging immigrant communities in North Carolina to explore sociocultural perspectives on cancer and death. Thematic analysis was conceptualized as Four Kinds of Hard represented by four themes: Receiving an Eviction Notice, Getting in the Good Book, Talking is (Sometimes) Taboo, and Seeing Their Pain Makes us Suffer. These themes captured fears of deportation, coping with cancer through faithfulness, ambivalence about advance care planning, and a desire to spare families from suffering. Findings suggest strategies to improve conversations about end-of-life wishes when facing advanced illness and death. This study demonstrates the importance of training Latino community leaders to improve palliative care and bridge service gaps for Latino families living in emerging rural communities.OA publication support through Carolina Consortium agreement with Sag

BAC-FISH refutes report of an 8p22–8p23.1 inversion or duplication in 8 patients with Kabuki syndrome

BACKGROUND: Kabuki syndrome is a multiple congenital anomaly/mental retardation syndrome. The syndrome is characterized by varying degrees of mental retardation, postnatal growth retardation, distinct facial characteristics resembling the Kabuki actor's make-up, cleft or high-arched palate, brachydactyly, scoliosis, and persistence of finger pads. The multiple organ involvement suggests that this is a contiguous gene syndrome but no chromosomal anomalies have been isolated as an etiology. Recent studies have focused on possible duplications in the 8p22–8p23.1 region but no consensus has been reached. METHODS: We used bacterial artificial chromosome-fluorescent in-situ hybridization (BAC-FISH) and G-band analysis to study eight patients with Kabuki syndrome. RESULTS: Metaphase analysis revealed no deletions or duplications with any of the BAC probes. Interphase studies of the Kabuki patients yielded no evidence of inversions when using three-color FISH across the region. These results agree with other research groups' findings but disagree with the findings of Milunsky and Huang. CONCLUSION: It seems likely that Kabuki syndrome is not a contiguous gene syndrome of the 8p region studied

The Relationship between Anthropometry and Split Performance in Recreational Male Ironman Triathletes

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between anthropometric variables and total race time including split times in 184 recreational male Ironman triathletes. Methods: Body mass, body height, body mass index, lengths and circumferences of limbs, thicknesses of skin-folds, sum of skin-fold thicknesses, and percent body fat were related to total race time including split times using correlation analysis and effect size. Results: A large effect size (r>0.37) was found for the association between body mass index and time in the run split and between both the sum of skin-folds and percent body fat with total race time. A medium effect size (r=0.24-0.36) was observed in the association between body mass and both the split time in running and total race time, between body mass index and total race time, between both the circumferences of upper arm and thigh with split time in the run and between both the sum of skin-folds and percent body fat with split times in swimming, cycling and running. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that lower body mass, lower body mass index and lower body fat were associated with both a faster Ironman race and a faster run split; lower circumferences of upper arm and thigh were also related with a faster run split