The purpose of this qualitative document analysis research study was to explore how public high schools in California create local unexcused absence and truancy policies in similar and different ways. The study used Lipsky’s “street-level bureaucracy” and the American Psychological Association Zero Tolerance Task Force’s definition of “zero tolerance policies” in the conceptual framework. Forty-two California public high school handbooks were qualitatively coded and analyzed for the extent to which their disciplinary responses to unexcused absences were aligned with the ideals of zero tolerance. Schools were purposefully selected to maximize contrasts between specific student demographic groups and school enrollment sizes. The demographic groups included schools with: high/low minoritized enrollment, high/low ELL enrollment, and high/low enrollment of students with low socioeconomic statuses. School truancy rates were also included as a descriptor in the analysis. The findings from this study revealed that schools with higher enrollment sizes tended to employ disciplinary responses to unexcused absences that were more aligned with zero tolerance policies than schools with lower enrollment sizes. Schools with low minoritized enrollment, low ELL enrollment, and low levels of poverty also tended to rely more heavily on zero tolerance responses to unexcused absences. Truancy rates tended to decrease as zero tolerance policies increased, although there was no evidence that the policies themselves were responsible for the increase in attendance. Few examples of comprehensive truancy prevention and intervention programs were found in this study. Schools that did not rely on zero tolerance did not tend to have innovative programs to address the underlying issues of student truancy. The study ends with a discussion on the ways in which strict zero tolerance policies at schools with most students in the social majority are likely perpetuating the issue of students from marginalized backgrounds being disciplined at higher rates than other students. There is also discussion regarding the fact that harsh zero tolerance policies have the potential to put students who need the most help in a further disadvantaged position.

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Experimental studies suggest alcohol facilitates deliberate self-harm (DSH). One explanation might be that alcohol increases pain tolerance (PT), which may then lead to DSH. This study aimed to examine whether PT mediated the relationship between alcohol and DSH. Further, alcohol is neither necessary nor sufficient to self-harm. Given past non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a good predictor of future DSH, NSSI may moderate these relationships. This study also aimed to examine if mediation was conditional upon past NSSI. Participants (106 men and 104 women) reported on past NSSI and received a drink sufficient to produce target blood-alcohol content (BAC = .000%, .050%, .075%, or .100%). Participants completed a behavioral measure of DSH. Results revealed that the association between BAC and DSH was mediated through PT. Additionally, past NSSI moderated the path between PT and DSH but did not affect the path between BAC and PT. Clinical implications and limitations are discussed.

>Magister Scientiae - MSc / Different nanoparticles have the ability to improve plant tolerance to drought stress. In the study we report for the first time novel morpholin-4-ium 4-methoxyphenyl (morpholino) phosphinodithioate capped- gold nanoparticles (GYY4137-capped AuNPs). The GYY4137 is a slow releasing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) donor. The GYY4137 AuNPs compared to preliminary experiments of L-serine and L-threonine gold nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were prepared using a simple reflux reduction method in a rolling boil flask at 80 oC. The uncapped GYY4137-AuNPs were relatively stable and had surface plasmon resonance at 562 nm compared to 524 nm and 560 nm of serine-AuNPs and threonine-AuNPs. The nanoparticles were capped with different concentrations (0.1-5 %) of water-soluble poly (ethylene) glycol (PEG) (Mw300) and 0.2% chitosan. The PEG did not fully encapsulate the gold nanoparticles, while the chitosan successfully produced positively charged gold nanoparticles. The formation of chitosan capped GYY4137-AuNPs were verified with UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), High Resolution Transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Dynamic Light scattering (DLS) and the Zetasizer. The UV-Vis, HRTEM and STEM verified chitosan capped nanoparticles had a surface plasmon resonance peak at 560 nm, with icosahedral, tetrahedron and spherical shaped nanoparticles as the serine-AuNPs that absorb at 560 nm. The agglomerated threonine-AuNPs had a maximum absorbance peak at 524 nm. The chitosan GYY4137-AuNPs had hydrodynamic size of 347.9 nm and zeta potential of + 47 mV, while serine-AuNPs and threonine-AuNPs had hydrodynamic size of 110 nm, zeta potential of -2.9 mV and -230 mV respectively. The polydispersity index (PDI) of the chitosan capped gold nanoparticles was 0.357 compared to 0.406 of both the amino acid gold nanoparticles. The polydispersity index (PDI) showed that the nanoparticles were polydispersed nanoparticles with broad size range as confirmed by the HRTEM and STEM results/ of chitosan capped GYY4137-AuNPs. The sizes of the nanoparticles were 100 nm and 60 nm for GYY4137-AuNPs while the size serine-AuNPs were 60 nm. The gold nanoparticles structural compositions were further confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX) and Attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR). EDX results proved successful gold nanoparticles synthesis by presence of the element Au in all three nanoparticles and the chitosan GYY4137-AuNPs had 48. 56 wt. % of gold. The FTIR-ATR new bands formation shows that new chemical bonds are formed between the reducing agents, the precursor gold salt solution and capping agents. The shifts showed successful encapsulation with chitosan in GYY4137-AuNPs. The chitosan encapsulation improved surface charge and reactivity of the gold nanoparticles to improve delivery of the hydrogen sulfide donor GYY4137 for later applications to plants.

Objective: To compare changes in hamstring flexibility from treatments of pulsed short- wave diathermy and prolonged stretch versus sham diathermy and prolonged stretch and control and to observe how long those changes last. Background: Heat and stretch techniques have been touted for years. To date, the effect of short-wave diathermy and hamstring stretching has not been thoroughly studied. Because diathermy heats a large area and penetrates deep into the muscle, use of this device prior to or during hamstring stretching may increase flexibility and these gains may last longer. Study Design: A randomized, counterbalanced 3x2x6 repeated measures design. The 3 independent variables were day, pretest/posttest, and treatment mode. Treatment mode had 3 levels: diathermy and stretch, sham diathermy and stretch, and control. The dependent variable was the change in knee extension range of motion (ROM). Methods and Measures: Thirty college-age students with tight hamstrings (inability to achieve >160° knee extension at 90° hip flexion) participated. Subjects were assigned to 1 of 3 groups, (diathermy and stretch; sham diathermy and stretch; control). Range of motion was recorded before and after each treatment every other day for 2 weeks. Additional ROM measures were taken on days 15, 22, 29, and 36. A straight-leg raise stretch was performed using a mechanical apparatus. Subjects in the diathermy and stretch group received 10 minutes of diathermy (distal hamstrings), 5 minutes of diathermy and stretch, followed by 5 minutes of stretching only. Subjects in the sham diathermy and stretch group followed the same protocol, except the diathermy unit was turned off. Subjects in the control group lay on the table for 20 minutes. Data were analyzed using an ANOVA, an ANCOVA, and post hoc t-tests. Results: Least Squares (LS) Mean (± Pooled SE) increases in knee extension after 6 treatments were: 11.3 ± 1.2° for the diathermy and stretch group; 10.0 ± 1.2° for the sham diathermy and stretch group; and 3.2 ± 1.2° for the control group. At Day 15, 3 days after the last treatment, the diathermy and stretch group lost 6.9 ± 0.8°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 6.6 ± 0.8°; and the control group changed 1.6 ± 0.8°. At Day 22 the diathermy and stretch group had lost 7.4 ± 0.8°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 6.8 ± 0.8°; and the control group changed 1.7 ± 0.8° from the last treatment. At Day 29 the diathermy and stretch group had lost 8.2 ± 0.9°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 7.1 ± 0.9°; and the control group changed 1.7 ± 0.8° from the last treatment. At Day 36 the diathermy and stretch group had lost 8.3 ± 0.8°; the sham diathermy and stretch group lost 7.4 ± 0.8°; and the control group changed 2.1 ± 0.8° from the last treatment. Conclusion: These results indicate that hamstring flexibility can be improved when long-duration or prolonged stretching is used and that those improvements will slowly diminish over several weeks. Clinicians should consider the use of long-duration stretch to help patients with tight hamstrings increase flexibility and maintain those gains over time.

Salt tolerance is a commercially important trait that affects plant species around the globe. Cellular response to saline environments is a well studied but complex system that is far from being completely understood. The SALT OVERLY SENSITIVE 1 (SOS1) gene is a critical component of salt tolerance in many species, encoding a plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter that plays an important role in germination and growth in saline environments. Here we report a preliminary investigation of salt tolerance in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.). Quinoa is a halophytic grain crop of the Chenopodiaceae family with impressive nutritional content and an increasing world-wide market. Many quinoa varieties have impressive salt tolerance characteristics and research suggests quinoa may utilize novel mechanisms to confer salt tolerance. At this time there is no published data on the molecular characteristics of those mechanisms. We report the identification and sequencing of the SOS1 gene in quinoa, including a full length cDNA sequence of 3490 bp and a full length genomic clone of 21314 bp. Sequence analysis predicts the quinoa SOS1 homolog spans 23 exons and is comprised of 3474 bp of coding sequence (excluding the stop codon). Introns comprise 17840 bp of the genomic clone and range in size from 77 to 2123 bp. The predicted protein contains 1158 amino acid residues and aligns closely with SOS1 homologs of other species. The quinoa SOS1 homolog contains two putative domains, a Nhap cation-antiporter domain and a cyclic-nucleotide binding domain. Sequence analyses of both cDNA fragments and intron fragments suggest that two SOS1 loci are present in the quinoa genome that are likely orthologous loci derived from the ancestral diploid genomes of the modern allotetraploid quinoa genome. This report represents the first molecular characterization of a putative salt-tolerance gene in C. quinoa.

Winter injury of bermudagrass (Cynodon spp.) continues to be a problem across the transition zone. In an attempt to delay or induce winter dormancy while maintaining cold hardiness, applications of seaweed extract (SWE) (0.54 kg ha-1), ethephon (16 L ha-1), Fe (1 kg ha-1), and N (49 kg ha-1) took place every three weeks during the fall of 2001 and 2002. Cultivars examined included 'Riviera', 'Midiron', 'Princess', and 'Tifway'. Tifway exhibited greatest fall color retention in both years of the study. Ethephon promoted early senescence and turfgrass quality during fall ratings in both years of the study while N, Fe, and SWE increased quality over the control in 2001 and only N showed better quality and color retention over the control in 2002. Samples removed from cold acclimated plots were artificially frozen as a measure of cold hardiness. Treatments did not have an effect on post freeze regrowth, however, cultivar was significant in both years. Midiron showed best regrowth followed by Riviera, Tifway, and Princess. In both years Riviera and Midiron displayed the quickest and greatest amount of spring greenup followed by Tifway and then Princess. Ethephon reduced greenup in both years and SWE, Fe, and N showed no differences from the control in 2001 and Fe showed significantly better greenup in 2002. Proline and Linolenic acid levels were highest in Midiron, followed by Riviera, Tifway, and Princess. Nitrogen, SWE, and Fe generally did not have an effect on linolenic acid and no consistent effects were noted on proline concentration. Ethephon treatments did not have an effect on linolenic acid levels, however, there was a negative effect on proline concentrations. The results of this study indicate that judicial N applications during the fall can promote color retention and do not have a negative effect on bermudagrass cold-tolerance. Linolenic acid and proline findings also help to explain differences in cold-tolerance between different bermudagrass cultivars. / Ph. D.

<p> This thesis addresses itself to one of the most general theoretical problems associated with the art of engineering design. Viewed in its entirety the proposed approach integrates the relation between the design and production engineers through the theory of nonlinear optimization. The conventional optimization problem is extended to include the optimal allocation of the upper and lower limits of the random variables of an engineering system. The approach is illustrated by an example using a sequence of increasingly generalized formulations, while the general mathematical theory is also provided. The method appears to offer a practical technique provided a satisfactory cost function can be defined.</p> <p> The thesis presents an analytical approach to full acceptability design conditions as well as less than full acceptability or scrap design conditions. An important distinction between the design and the manufacturing scrap has been introduced and illustrated through examples.</p> <p> The space regionalization technique is utilized to estimate the system design scrap. Optimization strategies are introduced to the mathematically defined upper and lower limits of the regionalization region. This region is then discretized into a number of cells depending upon the probabilistic characteristic of the system random variables.</p> <p> The analytical approach exhibited does not rely explicitly on evaluation of partial derivatives of either the system cost objective or any of its constraints at any point. Moreover, the technique could be applied to engineering systems with either convex or nonconvex feasible regions. It could also be exercised irrespective of the shape of the probabilistic distributions that describe the random variables variation.</p> <p> Industrially oriented design examples are furnished to justify the applicability of the theory in different engineering disciplines.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to gather data on the training that was provided for school staff regarding the implementation of the restorative justice program. This study also investigated elementary school administrators' perceptions after implementation of a restorative justice program and its impact on student discipline in one rural Virginia school division. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, 22% of students are African American, but they make up 54% of students who have been suspended from school for the 2018-2019 school year (VDOE, 2021). School divisions can benefit from this qualitative study to address discipline disproportionality by implementing restorative justice practices. Findings indicated restorative justice had an impact in reducing student discipline issues and enhancing teacher-student relationships, as reported by participants. However, challenges like teacher buy-in were also identified. Considerations for successful implementation include restorative justice training for school administrators and teachers, with an emphasis on proactive practices such as classroom circles. In addition, improved communication between students and teachers was noted as a positive outcome of this restorative justice program. Elementary school administrators should provide support for restorative justice practices to strengthen teacher-student relationships. They should also gather discipline data before and after implementing these practices to assess their impact. Consistent training for all staff within a school division is crucial, and administrators should involve staff in the implementation process to foster buy-in. Findings from this study indicate more research is needed on the impact restorative justice practices has on student discipline in K-12 public schools. / Doctor of Education / The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to gather data on the training that was provided for school staff regarding the implementation of the restorative justice program. This study also investigated elementary school administrators' perceptions after implementation of a restorative justice program and its impact on student discipline in one rural Virginia school division. This qualitative study investigated the viewpoints of elementary school administrators following the implementation of a restorative justice program, examining how it influenced student discipline. Findings indicated restorative justice helped reduce student discipline issues and improved teacher-student relationships. However, challenges like teacher buy-in were also identified. To implement restorative justice practices successfully, training for administrators and staff is important, focusing on proactive practices like classroom circles. The program also led to better communication between students and teachers. School administrators should support these practices, collect and analyze discipline data, ensure consistent training for all staff, and involve them in the process to gain their support. Findings from this study indicate more research is needed on the impact restorative justice practices has on student discipline in K-12 public schools.

Research has shown that the experiences of pain and aggression are linked. Past research supports the notion that individuals with an aggressive history tend to have higher pain thresholds than their less aggressive counterparts. The aim of this study was to test the notion that past aggressive behavior is positively associated with higher pain tolerances, and that higher pain tolerance would be associated with the use of a clearly aggressive response on a laboratory task. Using data from a larger study on the neuroscience of human aggression (N = 80), a serial mediation model was tested using both objective and subjective indexes of pain tolerance as mediators. Results indicated that historic aggression was positively associated with both objective and subjective pain tolerance, and objective pain tolerance mediated the relationship between historic aggression and current aggression, whereas subjective pain tolerance did not.