The water we were swimming in: transgender and gender nonconforming students\u27 lived experiences in engineering.

Few studies address the lived experiences of transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) students in engineering. Grounded in critical trans politics (Spade, 2015), this dissertation contributes to the literature on TGNC students in engineering by examining their experiences negotiating their identities while navigating interrelated systems of oppression in a field dominated by White, heterosexual, cisgender men. Using a critical constructivism framework, I conducted a narrative inquiry to explore the lived experiences of five TGNC students in engineering programs. Participants experienced TGNC oppression at their universities, built LGBTQ+ and TGNC communities, and described more welcoming climates in non-engineering contexts compared to engineering. Their perceptions of the engineering climate included: mental health struggles tied to a rigorous and unforgiving curriculum, underrepresentation of their identities, oppressive gender dynamics, and impersonal depoliticization (Cech, 2013) in their departments. When negotiating their identities in engineering curricular contexts, participants discussed erasure of their TGNC identities, mental burdens, isolation, and ways they found (a lack of) support in their program. Participants expressed varying degrees of comfort and support in co-curricular contexts. In relation to engineering industry, or community contexts, participants shared their anxieties in anticipation of negotiating their identities in a potentially unwelcoming or oppressive company as well as actions they took to assess their work environment during their internships. Participants also highlighted strengths they used in negotiating their identities and persisting through their engineering program including self-preservation, compassion, and building a supportive community of people with whom they could decompress and validate one another. The continued administrative violence (Spade, 2015) of TGNC individuals at interpersonal, departmental, and institutional levels impedes TGNC liberation, though administrators, educators, and professionals can undo oppressive systems by centering TGNC students in engineering

A Comparative Analysis of the Portrayal of Female Protagonists in Tudor England Historical Fiction Novels from the 1960s and the 2000s

This study is a content analysis of ten historical fiction novels set in Tudor England featuring female protagonists. Five of the novels analyzed were published in the 1960s and five were published in the 2000s so that a comparison could be done of whether the characterization of female characters in this genre has changed over time. The books were assessed for the presence of traditional stereotypical female characteristics as well as for the portrayals of romantic relationships, women's sexuality, and women's agency. The results of the analysis show that there has been little change in the portrayal of these female characters over time.Master of Science in Library Scienc

Tillage Systems in the Establishment of Pastures in Argentinian Subhumid Area

The effect of three tillage systems on the number of plants produced and forage production of a pasture the first year of establishment was assessed in this experiment. The components of the pasture were alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb), orchard grass (Dactilys glomerata L), and prairie grass (Bromus unioloides). Treatments were three tillage systems: conventional tillage (CT), reduced tillage (RT), and direct sowing (DS). Sowing was performed with (NI) and without fertilizers (N0) in each treatment. A split-plot experimental design with two repetitions was used, with tillage being the main factor and the fertilization levels the secondary one. Results were subjected to ANOVA while means were compared by the Duncan Test Counts. These were conducted 90 days after sowing to determine the number of emerged alfalfa and grass seedlings. In November, before starting direct grazing, hand cut samples were taken to determine total biomass and also biomass production of each component of the pasture. Total stand plant and grass stand, was significantly affected (P \u3c 0.05) by the tillage factor. Forage production of both alfalfa and grass, and total production was higher with conventional tillage (CT) and differed significantly (P \u3c 0.05) from direct sowing (DS). The fertilizing effect and its interaction with the tillage factor was not statistically significant (P \u3c 0.05) for any of the components measured. Results indicate that direct sowing seems to condition grass plant stand and forage production of each of the pasture components in the year of establishment

Methylmercury risk assessment issues

This paper reviews the general background of health risks associated with mercury (Hg), primarily methylmercury (MeHg), with a view towards application to advanced technologies that could reduce any contributions from coal combustion. The need for accurate assessment of such risks is discussed, since Hg is now widely dispersed in the environment and cannot easily be eliminated. The primary pathway of MeHg intake is through eating contaminated fish. The issues of concern include identification of critical health outcomes (various neurological indices) and their confounding factors, accurate assessment of MeHg intake rates, and appropriate use of dose-response functions. Ultimately, such information will be used to evaluate alternative coal combustion systems

Biomass Vertical Distribution in a Grazed Grassland Under Monoespecific and Mixed Grazing

Mixed grazing is defined as the use of the same forage resource for more than one herbivore species. It has been shown that different herbivore species have specific grazing modalities (Black and Kenney, 1984), which may differentially modify the structure of the pasture. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomass vertical distribution in a sward with mixed grazing

Effects of Tree and Tillage Systems on the Productivity of the Herbaceous Stratum in Silvopastoral Systems in the Southwest of Córdoba, Argentina

In the southwest of Córdoba, Argentina, there are lands with severe water erosion, due to the interaction of rolling pampas, high intensity precipitation, loam soil, and farming systems based on annual crops (Cantero et al., 1998). In an attempt to mitigate the erosive processes, a silvopastoral system was established in which winter forage was combined with trees. To improve the physical condition of the soil, two tillage systems were implemented. The objective of this paper was to determine the effect of trees and tillage systems on the production of forage

Interpretation of community opinion by leaders

Thesis (M.C.P.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of City and Regional Planning, 1961.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-141).by Jerome R. Saroff.M.C.P

Mercury-selenium interactions in the environment

The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to consider the need to control emissions of trace elements and compounds emitted from coal combustion, including coal-fired power plants. Concern has been expressed about emissions of mercury and arsenic, for example, since health effects may be associated with exposure to some of these compounds. By and large, effects of trace element emissions have been considered individually, without regard for possible interactions. To the extent that the relevant environmental pathways and health endpoints differ, this mode of analysis is appropriate. For example, arsenic is considered a carcinogen and mercury affects the brain. However, there may be compelling reasons to consider emissions of mercury (Hg) and selenium (Se) together: (1) Both Se and Hg are emitted from power plants primarily as vapors. (2) Hg and Se are both found in fish, which is the primary pathway for Hg health effects. (3) Se has been shown to suppress Hg methylation in aqueous systems, which is a necessary step for Hg health effects at current environmental concentrations. (4) Se is a trace element that is essential for health but that can also be toxic at high concentrations; it can thus have both beneficial and adverse health effects, depending on the dosage. This paper reviews some of the salient characteristics and interactions of the Hg-Se system, to consider the hypothesis that the effects of emissions of these compounds should be considered jointly