Green Student Centers\u27 Influence on the Campus Environment

Green building and design is an emerging trend in institutions of higher education. It is important to consider the practices and expectations of the users of green buildings. The attitudes of faculty, staff, and students play a key role in the overall successful performance of green buildings. This study offers direction for the intentional design and use of green student centers as influential facets of the total environment on college campuses. The research presents cases of how green student center design may be connected to environmental attitudes. This qualitative study examined to what degree three green student centers influence and impact the campus environment. Strange and Banning\u27s three-dimensional matrix and a modified version of the Salter Environmental Type Assessment (SETA) Form C were used to collect data to inform this study. A collective case study analysis examined green student centers at three campuses. Individual interviews, focus groups, and document review were administered. This information may help advance green initiatives related to student-oriented operations, practices and policies, and subsequently influence universities\u27 strategic goals, master plans, and missions

Chemistry, testing and management of phosphorus and zinc in calcareous Louisiana soils

Calcareous soils make up some of the most productive agriculture lands in Louisiana. Due to their minimal occurrence little research has been done on these soils. Understanding phosphorus (P) chemistry is necessary for environmentally sound management of these soils. In this study, P speciation was investigated using several chemical fractionation procedures as well as x-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) and least-squares linear combination fitting (LCF) on five calcareous Louisiana soils of different geological origins. Phosphorus sorption isotherm parameters were determined and their relationships with other properties were evaluated. In addition, Zinc (Zn) lability due to the interaction with P and other fertilizer nutrients was characterized and a fertilizer P and Zn response trial for corn on a calcareous Norwood silt loam soil was conducted. The results showed that these calcareous soils were dominated by Ca-P phases. All chemically defined sequential P fractions except HCl-P were significantly correlated with different Fe fractions especially amorphous Fe, indicating that Fe-oxides play an important role in P retention. A significant correlation was found between P speciation by XANES analysis and sequential P fractionation for total Ca-phosphates as well as total Fe-/Al-phosphates (R2 ≥ 0.81, P ≤ 0.0383). Further, an inclusion of the NaHCO3 extraction in chemical fractionation procedures caused a redistribution of Fe-/Al-P while Ca-P was unchanged. The evaluation on P and Zn interaction showed that the presence of PO43- decreased where as NH4+ increased Zn lability, suggesting that Zn and P fertilizer placement should be separated while the simultaneous application of Zn and ammonium-N amendments could improve plant Zn availability. The field experiment exhibited a P fertilizer response when Bray II soil test P was \u3c 220 mg kg-1 while a Zn fertilizer response was dependent on P levels even when soil test Zn was very low by DTPA. It is concluded that P forms not only control P retention mechanisms for agronomic and environmental availability but also affect management of other nutrients in soils

New Chesterian (Upper Mississippian) crinoids from Illinois

12 p., 3 pl.http://paleo.ku.edu/contributions.htm

Kleppe v. Sierra Club, 427 U.S. 390 (1976)

Environmental Law- NEPA- REGIONAL IMPACT STATEMENT IS NOT REQUIRED IN THE ABSENCE OF FORMAL PROPOSAL FOR REGIONAL ACTIVITY

The Crinoid Genus Sygcaulocrinus from Iowa

Attention is called to the synonomy of Ectenocrinus elongatus Thomas and Ladd, 1926, with Sygcaulocrinus typus Ulrich, 1924, both from the Ft. Atkinson Member, Maquoketa Formation (Ordovician), and to the probable bottom dwelling habitat of the species. Comparison is made with some Upper Paleozoic crinoids which are known to have been bottom dwellers. An accident in preparation of a specimen disclosed the solid base of the cup and the solid summit of the proximal columnal, both of which are illustrated

Middle Pennsylvanian (Atokan) crinoids from Oklahoma and Missouri

30 p., 17 fig.http://paleo.ku.edu/contributions.htm

The Moderating Role of Experiential Avoidance between Child-Caregiver Dynamics and STEM motivation

The National Academy of Sciences released a report that discussed the increased need to improve interest and retention of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) careers in the United States. Early childhood factors within one’s family plays an essential role in the process of career decision making, self-concept, and vocational identity. The current study examined the relationship experiential avoidance has on early family dynamics (i.e., family environment, differentiation of self, attachment, and perceived parenting) and perceived motivation in STEM. A total of 231 participants currently enrolled in a Southern University taking a STEM course (Psychology, Biology, Social Science, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, and Physical Science) were surveyed using online Likert-Type questionnaires. Participants were surveyed to determine the potential moderating role of experiential avoidance on the relation between early family dynamics and STEM motivation. Results indicated evidence that experiential avoidance moderates the relation between avoidant attachment style and perceived parental care on STEM motivation