Efficiency of Solar Water Heating in Duluth, Minnesota
Abdiqadar Mohamud , Chemical Engineering
Dr. Alison Hoxie, University of Minnesota Duluth
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
ABSTRACT
The emission that results from the consumption of fossil fuels causes environmental problems such as acid rain, ozone layer depletion and climate changes (Kalogirou). Solar energies are
environmentally friendly because they do not depend heavily on fossil fuel. Solar energy is also a good economic investment because the payback period of solar water heaters are between
four and eight years according to the Florida Energy Center (Asif and Muneer, Solar Water Heating: Domestic and Industrial Applications). Even though solar energy has been studied for
many years, most of these studies were done for warmer climates. This study evaluates the efficiency of evacuated tube heat pipes in Duluth, Minnesota. The efficiency of the collectors is
about 76%, which is comparable to the efficiency of the Florida Energy Center for evacuated tube heat pipes. The efficiency of the system to transfer the collected heat to the water varied due
to the variation of solar insolation on cloudy days.
Solar Energy
• The sun is a significant source of energy on earth
• Indirect use of the sun’s energy as renewable energy
includes wind farming and biomass
• Solar thermal technology and Photovoltaic use the sun’s
energy directly as renewable energy
• Solar energies are environmentally friendly because they
have no emission during operation
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
RESULTS
Table1: Efficiency of the Collectors
Evacuated Tube Heat Pipes
• This study used evacuated tube heat pipes
•Inside the evacuated tube are sealed pipes containing fluid
that transfer heat using the evaporation-condensation cycle
• Evacuated tubes have lower thermal losses and higher
efficiency than flat-plate collectors
Day G W/m2
Ta 0C Tm 0C Efficiency (Tm-Ta)/G
1
290.8
26.58 45.36
0.76
0.0646
2
3
342.7
450.6
25.16 48.07
27.47 52.42
0.76
0.77
0.0669
0.0554
Efficiency VS (Tm-Ta)/G
E…
BACKGROUND
0.5
SOLAR THERMAL TECHNOLOGY
Applications
• Domestic and industrial water heating
• Solar ponds, crop drying, distillation and cooking
Solar Water Heating
• Solar domestic water heating provides two-thirds of the
total heating requirements
• It has an adequate payback period of four to eight years
•Solar water heaters mainly use flat-plate or evacuated
tube solar collectors
• Passive systems such as thermosyphon and built-instorage relay on natural circulation of water
• Active systems use forced circulations
E…
(Tm
Table2: Efficiency of the system to deliver collected heat
Day
Experimental Setup
• The two loops are connected by a heat exchanger
• The first loop contains the collectors and the heat
dissipater that dumps excess heat
• The second loop heats the water tank
G W/m2 Heat from
1
290.8
collectors J
2550000
2
3
342.7
450.6
9000000
1200000
Heat delivered Efficiency
to the Tank J
1670000
.655
8670000
6930000
.963
.578
Conclusion
•The efficiency of the collectors are comparable to the
efficiency of Florida Energy Center for evacuated tube heat
pipes
• The variation of the system efficiency can be explained by
the variation of solar insolation on cloudy days
The Role of Perfectionism and Romanticized Beliefs in Romantic
Relationship Satisfaction and Adjustment
Angela Castellini, Psychology and Sociology
Dr. Shevaun Stocker, Department of Human Behavior, Justice, and Diversity
Abstract
The current study examined the extent to which higher levels of perfectionism are associated with increased romanticized beliefs, whether or not gender moderates that relationship, and the effect of perfectionism and romanticized beliefs on romantic relationship satisfaction
and adjustment. A sample of 35 undergraduate students completed several measures including a perfectionism scale, romanticized beliefs scale, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and Investment Model Scale. The hypothesis that perfectionism and romanticized beliefs would be positively
correlated was supported. The second hypothesis that gender would moderate that relationship received partial support when the perfectionism and romanticized measures were broken into their subscales; there was a marginally statistically significant relationship between the
romanticized beliefs subscale of disagreement items and mean perfectionism for women. The final hypothesis that perfectionism and romanticized beliefs would be significant predictors of relationship satisfaction and adjustment was not supported for men but the data revealed a
statistically significant relationship for women. Overall, the data provides evidence that high levels of perfectionism and romanticized beliefs in women negatively impact relationship satisfaction and adjustment. These finding are contradictory to previous findings, suggesting
further assessment of these relationships is necessary.
Introduction
Personality traits play a significant role in our perception of, and satisfaction with,
our interpersonal relationships. However, the role of social influence must also be
taken into account in order to accurately understand how we behave in and perceive
our interpersonal relationships. The influence of personality traits and social influence
has, at times, conflicted.
Inconsistencies in the literature:
 Impact of perfectionism on romantic relationships
 Gender differences in romanticized beliefs
 Influence of romanticized beliefs on relationship adjustment and satisfaction
Operational Definitions
Perfectionism was assessed by measuring the degree to which individuals have high
expectations for others, obsess over their own performance, and the degree to which
they have intrusive thoughts about their own worth or abilities.
Romanticized beliefs typically stem from the romantic ideals within our culture
and include assumptions about what love is, what relationships should be like, and
expectations about how we should feel. This study measures four of these beliefs of
Western society: the idea that disagreement is destructive, mindreading is expected,
love at first sight, and love can overcome all obstacles.
Current Study
Given the inconsistencies in the literature, this study aims to clarify the nature of the
relationships between perfectionism, romanticized beliefs, gender, relationship
satisfaction, and relationship adjustment.
Hypothesis I: Perfectionism and romanticized beliefs will be positively correlated
Hypothesis II: The relationship between perfectionism and romanticized beliefs will
be stronger for women
Hypothesis III: Levels of perfectionism and romanticized beliefs will be predictors of
relationship satisfaction and adjustment
Method
Participants
There were 35 participants (22 female, 13 male) ranging in age from 18 to 48 years
old (M = 21.14 years). Only individuals who were in a current romantic relationship at
the time of the study for a minimum of three months were allowed to participate.
Relationship length varied from three months to 364 months, (M =33.33 months).
Procedure
Participants received and completed a questionnaire packet containing the
perfectionism measure, romanticized beliefs measure, DAS, and Investment Model
Scale. The survey placement order varied in order to eliminate order effects.
Female Participants
1
2
3
4
Results
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
.75**
.35
.42*
.44*
-.13
-.09
-.49*
-.49*
.29
.25
.31
.43*
-.18
-.13
-.32
-.38
.27
.21
.39
.15
.06
-.19
-.40
-.43*
.25
.12
.33
-.20
.18
-.23
-.15
.70**
.76** -.07
.57** -.32
-.27
Female Participants
N=22
1. Perfectionism
—
2. ExpectationsOthers
.56**
—
3. Intrusive
Thoughts
.68**
-.05
4. Obsession
.75**
.29
.27
5. Romanticized
Beliefs
.35
.25
.21
.25
—
6. Disagreement
.42*
.31
.39
.12
.70**
—
.43*
-.24
.04
-.60**
-.60**
7. Mindreading
.44*
.43*
.15
.33
.76**
.43*
—
-.27
.27
-.21
-.21
-.25
.19
.15
.05
.21
.56** .68**
-.05
—
—
8. Love- First Sight -.13
-.18
.06
-.20
-.07
- .24
-.27
—
9. Love- Overcome -.09
-.13
-.19
.18
.57**
.04
.27
-.25
10. DAS
-.49*
-.32
-.40
-.23
-.32
-.60** -.21
.19
.05
—
.83**
11. Satisfaction
-.49*
-.38
-.43*
-.15
-.27
-.60** -.21
.15
.21
.83**
—
—
Note.* significant at p<.05, **significant at p < .01. Item one is overall perfectionism, items two, three, and four are the
perfectionism subscales. Item five is overall romanticized beliefs, items six, seven, eight, and nine are the romanticized beliefs
subscales.
Male Participants
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
Male Participants
N=13
1. Perfectionism
—
2. ExpectationsOthers
.73**
3. Intrusive
Thoughts
.82** .43
—
4. Obsession
.81** .38
.50**
5. Romanticized
Beliefs
.26
.30
.20
.14
—
6. Disagreement
.26
.45
.35
-.13
.62*
—
7. Mindreading
-.04
.17
-.15
-.08
.80** .46
8. Love- First Sight .23
.31
.15
.12
.66*
.52
9. Love- Overcome .17
-.14
.11
.37
.42
10. DAS
.08
-.07
-.08
.30
.02
11. Satisfaction
-.09
-.22
-.28
.25
.03
.73** .82**
—
.43
.81** .26
.26
-.04
.23
.17
.08
-.09
.38
.30
.45
.17
.31
-.14
-.07
-.22
.50** .20
.35
-.15
.15
.11
-.08
-.28
-.13
-.08
.12
.37
.30
.25
.62*
.80**
.66*
.42
.02
.03
.46
.52
-.33
-.37
-.57*
.25
.33
-.10
.12
.25
—
-.08
.15
-.01
-.33
.33
-.08
.32
.47
-.37
-.10
.15
.32
—
.78**
-.57*
.12
-.01
.47
.78**
—
—
.14
—
—
Note.* significant at p<.05, **significant at p < .01. Item one is overall perfectionism, items two, three, and four are the
perfectionism subscales. Item five is overall romanticized beliefs, items six, seven, eight, and nine are the romanticized beliefs
subscales.
Hypothesis I. Individuals with higher trait perfectionism will have higher
romanticized beliefs. A Pearson correlation was conducted and showed a statistically
significant positive relationship between perfectionism and romanticized beliefs, r =
.34, p = .047, df = 33.
Hypothesis II. Gender will moderate the role between perfectionism and
romanticized beliefs, was only partially, marginally supported. A Pearson correlation
revealed that mean perfectionism scores and mean romanticized beliefs scores were
nonsignificant for men, r = .26, p = .390, df = 11, and nonsignificant for women, r= .35,
p = .108, df = 20, when analyzed independently. However, there was a marginally
statistically significant relationship between the romanticized beliefs subscale of
disagreement items and mean perfectionism for women, r = .42, p = .052, df = 20.
Hypothesis III. Perfectionism and romanticized beliefs will significantly predict
relationship satisfaction and adjustment. An ANOVA was conducted revealing a
nonsignificant relationship between perfectionism, romanticized beliefs, and dyadic
adjustment [F(2,32) = 2.05, p = .145] as well as a nonsignificant relationship between
perfectionism, romanticized beliefs, and relationship satisfaction [F(2,32) = 1.58, p =
.221]. When examining this relationship by gender the data showed that perfectionism
and romanticized beliefs were not significant predictors of dyadic adjustment [F(2,10)
= .03, p = .971] or satisfaction for men [F(2,10) = .06, p = .945]. However,
perfectionism and romanticized beliefs were significant predictors of dyadic
adjustment for women [F(2,19) = 3.35, p = .057]. Perfectionism and romanticized
beliefs did not predict satisfaction for women, however the data neared statistical
significance [F(2,19) = 3.18, p = .064].
Discussion
Main Findings
High levels of perfectionism are positively correlated with romanticized beliefs
The relationship between perfectionism and romanticized beliefs was stronger for
women
Levels of perfectionism and romanticized beliefs were stronger predictors of
relationship satisfaction and adjustment for women
The findings in this study are contradictory to some past findings, which may be
related to the measure used to assess romanticized beliefs
The belief that disagreement is destructive was powerful enough to carry the
romanticized beliefs scale into significance
Conclusions
Women with high levels of perfectionism may have stronger romanticized beliefs in
order to meet societal expectations
The sample was nonclinical which may explain why some relationships only
bordered significance
A more holistic romanticized beliefs measure should be implemented in future
research
.
Knowledge and Perception of Health and its Correlation to Actual Health
Alison Gondik, Biology
Dr. Michelle Arnhold Davies, Department of Natural Sciences
Abstract
Methods
Introduction
Quality of health and obesity are significant issues on the national, state, and local levels. As of 2008,
approximately 72.5 million adults in the United States were obese (CDC, 2010). By the year 2030, 86.3
percent of American adults could be overweight or obese and 51.1 percent could be obese if current trends
continue (Wang et al., 2008). Moreover, by the year 2048 all American adults are projected to be overweight
or obese (Wang et al., 2008). Data from 2005 shows that only 32.6 percent of adults consume the
recommended number of servings of fruit daily, and only 27.2 percent consume the recommended number
of servings of vegetables daily (CDC, 2007). Between 1971 and 2000, women in the United States have
increased their daily calorie consumption by 22 percent (from 1542 calories to 1877 calories) and men have
increased their daily calorie consumption by seven percent (from 2450 calories to 2618 calories; CDC, 2004).
Health habits are proving to be detrimental to the overall health of the country’s citizens.
Good intake is considered to mean a diet with a low intake of fats and oils (no more than six teaspoon
equivalents for women and seven teaspoon equivalents for men daily); a high intake of fruits (two cups for
men and women daily), vegetables (2.5 cups for women and three cups for men daily), whole grains (six
ounces for women and eight ounces for men daily), and lean protein (5.5 ounces for women and 6.5 ounces
for men daily); and physical activity consistent with recommended guidelines (USDA, 2011). Adults 18 to 64
years old should get at least 2.5 hours each week of aerobic physical activity at a moderate level or 1.25
hours of aerobic physical activity each week at a vigorous level (USDA, 2011). Activity should be done for at
least 10 minutes at a time, and doing physical activity for more than five hours per week adds additional
health benefits (USDA, 2011). Strengthening activities such as pushups, sit-ups, and weight lifting are
recommended for at least two days of the week (USDA, 2011). Good health is defined as no smoking and
limited drinking. Alcohol and tobacco are among the top causes of preventable deaths in the United States
(National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2007). Numerous studies have been performed to
determine what society’s health and wellness strengths and weaknesses are on all of the aforementioned
levels.
Following data collection, survey subcategories and their corresponding questions were identified.
Subcategories included health reporting, health perception, food reporting, food reporting consciousness,
food knowledge, substance use, physical activity-reporting, and obesity awareness. Points were assigned to
the survey and totals per each category were assigned to each participant. Health measurements were then
categorized and evaluated. Informative answers and the demographic breakdown of participants was also
considered. Comparisons were made between survey categories per each individual and health
measurements; some comparisons were made between health measurements. Then the statistical
significance was determined using a statistical calculator from DanielSoper.com (2011). Finally, graphs and
other Excel sheets were constructed.
Results
50
0
0
Health
2
Perception
4
6
Health Perception and BMI are negatively correlated (r=-0.41, p≤0.05). As
perception of health increased, BMI decreased. This suggests that participants
were aware of their overall health and were accurate in reporting.
BMI vs RHR
100
RHR
BMI vs RHR
50
0
y = 1.1126x +
BMI
41.339
≥30%
•Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, July 21). U.S. obesity trends, 2010.
Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html .
•Participants were aware of the obesity endemic in the Northland
•Based only on health measurements, Northland residents may appear healthy
•Reporting of overall health and wellness was accurate
•Knowledge of which habits were healthy was apparent but did not always accompany the
corresponding actions; education may prompt changes
•Inconsistencies in data or unexpected results may be due to temporary factors at time of data
collection, underreporting caloric intake, overreporting physical activity, and/or not incorporating
healthy foods into their diet despite knowledge of what is healthy
•Promotion of consuming five fruits and vegetables a day may help Northlanders to reach the daily
recommended servings
•Perception and knowledge of health do not seem to be issues standing in the way of overall health;
the true problem lies in implementation of that knowledge
References
0
25-29%
•Despite the limited sample size, participants in this study were varied demographically and in
knowledge and perception of health
•A majority of participants did not list nutrition or physical activity in their top three priorities
Health
y = -2.6861x + 35.164 Perception
vs BMI
Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults
BRFSS, 2010
20-24%
Non-significant trends may prove reliable upon increasing the sample size
•Negative relationships were found between the following:
•Food reporting and BMI
•Physical activity reporting and BMI
•Health perception and diastolic blood pressure
•Food reporting and blood pressure
•BMI and expiratory reserve volume
•Health perception and resting heart rate
•Positive relationships were found between the following:
•Food reporting consciousness and BMI
•Food knowledge and BMI
•Health perception and systolic blood pressure
•Food reporting consciousness and blood pressure
•Food knowledge and blood pressure
•Physical activity reporting and blood pressure
•Health perception and expiratory reserve volume
•Physical activity reporting and expiratory reserve volume
Conclusions
Health Perception vs
BMI
The purpose of the present study was to analyze the overall health of individuals at least 18 years of age
living in St. Louis in Minnesota and Douglas County in Wisconsin and to use various indices to compare
reported health to actual health. We hypothesized that adults’ reporting of health is inconsistent with actual
health. A survey was used to determine reported health, and measurements including height, weight, blood
pressure, expiratory reserve volume (ERV), waist to hip ratio (WHR), BMI, and target heart rate, along with a
cardiovascular activity, were used to determine actual health. Identifying misconceptions and mismatches
between reported health and actual health in St. Louis County and Douglas County lays a foundation for
implementing changes in our community to make it a healthier environment.
(*BMI ≥30, or ~ 30 lbs. overweight for 5’ 4” person)
Non-significant Trends
Advertisements were placed throughout Superior, WI, and Duluth, MN, for recruiting purposes. Interested
individuals set up an hour-long appointment, which consisted of a survey, health assessment, and step
exercise, all following a pre-written script. The survey consisted of health and wellness questions and the
health assessment included measurements of blood pressure, expiratory reserve volume (ERV), height and
weight to calculate body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), resting heart rate, heart rate recovery
(HRR), and target heart rate for use in the step exercise.
BMI
Obesity is a significant health issue that affects Douglas County in Wisconsin and St. Louis County in
Minnesota. A discrepancy between perceived health and actual health may exacerbate the obesity endemic
in the Northland. This study used a survey to determine perceived health, and used Body Mass Index (BMI),
blood pressure, expiratory reserve volume (ERV), and resting heart rate to assess actual health. Survey
questions and health measurements were categorized and point values were assigned to survey answers.
Correlations were made between various survey question categories and health measurements, including
BMI, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, ERV, and resting heart rate. Correlations of BMI to both health
perception and resting heart rate were statistically significant. BMI was negatively correlated with health
perception (r=-0.41, p≤0.05) and positively correlated with resting heart rate (r=0.50, p≤0.05). Many nonsignificant trends were observed as well. Results suggest that participants in the Northland have an
accurate perception of their health and are relatively knowledgeable about what diet and exercise habits are
healthy. Knowledge of which habits and activities are healthy does not consistently yield participation in
those habits and activities. When reporting, participants may overestimate health habits, especially those
pertaining to physical activity.
50
Linear (BMI
vs RHR)
BMI and resting heart rate are positively correlated (r=0.50, p≤0.05). As BMI
Increased, resting heart rate increased. This suggests that participants
accurately reported their health because resting heart rate should increase
with a higher BMI.
•Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). About BMI for adults. Retrieved from
References
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html.
•Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2010, August 3). Vital signs: state-specific obesity prevalence
among adults—United States, 2009. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm59e0803a1.htm.
•Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2007, March 16). Fruit and vegetable consumption among
adults—United States, 2005. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5610a2.htm.
•Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004, February 5). Calorie consumption on the rise in United
States, particularly among women. National Center for Health Statistics, 53 (04). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/04news/calorie.htm.
•DanielSoper. (2011). Statistics calculators. Retrieved from
http://www.danielsoper.com/statcalc/calc44.aspx.
•National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism of the National Institutes of Health. (2007). Alcohol
and tobacco. Retrieved from http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/AA71/AA71.htm.
•United States Department of Agriculture. (2011). Retrieved from www.usda.gov.
•Wang, Y.; Beydoun, M.A.; Liang, L.; Caballero, B.; & Kumanyika, S.K. (2008). Will all Americans become
overweight or obese? Estimating the progression and cost of the U.S. obesity epidemic. Obesity, 16:10,
2323-2330. doi: 10.1038/oby.2008.351.
Identity, Inclusion, Conflict and Love in American Film Portrayals of Stepfamilies
Angel Petite, Communicating Arts and Political Science
Dr. Keith Berry, Department of Communicating Arts
ABSTRACT
This study utilized qualitative textual analysis to examine media portrayals of stepfamily communication. The researcher analyzed four popular American films. Patterns of identity, inclusion, conflict and love were found in each of the
four films.
These particular film portrayals reflected many stepfamily experiences and complexities; however, often presented simplistic resolution to problems faced by the stepfamilies, as is frequent with popular films.
Method:
•This study uses textual analysis in examining the four film selections.
•For this study, I specifically chose qualitative communication analysis.
Introduction:
What comes to mind when asked to think about a typical stepfamily in America?
For many, it will be images or families from popular television or film portrayals. Well-known media
stepfamilies include the Brady Bunch, Cinderella, Snow White, and more recently, Stepbrothers. Many of
these stepfamilies face challenges, but are able to overcome them and live happily ever after.
•Do these portrayals accurately reflect the diversity of American stepfamilies?
•Do these portrayals influence expectations that we, as a culture, have for stepfamilies?
These topics are explored within the following study.
Literature Review:
•By textually analyzing the media texts of this study, I explore how this
sense of reality might be coming through, or being constructed, by these
media texts.
Film Selections:
•Yours, Mine and Ours(1968)
•Stepmom (1998)
•Life as a House (2001)
•The Kids are All Right (2010)
While the four films are distinct in nature, they share a common thread in terms of how they represent
identity.
•First, parent-child and stepparent-child identity is often negotiated through episodes of conflict. Children,
parents and stepparents often solidly shift identities during or after conflict.
•Second, parent and stepparent identity are often negotiated through comparison to their counterpart.
Stepparents positively and negatively compare their identity to that of the parent and vice versa.
•Third, children’s adjustments in negotiating stepparent or parent identity are influenced by the responses
of both the stepparent and parent. A parent’s negative opinion of the stepparent often shaped and
altered the positive opinion the child had of the stepparent.
Concepts:
•Stepfamilies are a common occurrence within American society.
•The definition of a stepfamily has expanded over time. Some researchers now include cohabitating
couples and non-marital childbearing couples within the stepfamily definition.
•Communication has the power to shape reality.
•Stepchildren’s perceptions and stepparent’s experiences have been examined using a dialectical approach.
•The dialectical approach examines relationships by looking at opposing contradictions.
•Media is a powerful influence on cultural and individual perceptions and expectations for marriage and
family.
•Film portrayals are important in reflecting common cultural misconceptions and perceptions of
stepfamilies.
•Many researchers approach the topic of stepfamily communication by examining the experience of
stepchildren.
•Communication habits that contribute to the feeling of being caught, include: inappropriate disclosures,
using a child as peer and co-parent, and using a family member as messenger or mediator, loyaltydisloyalty contradiction and revealment-concealment.
•Stepparents are often characterized by a common contradictory position as “intimate outsiders.”
•Media portrayals of stepfamilies often support negative stereotypes of, or promote unrealistic
expectations for, stepfamilies.
•Identity
•Inclusion
•Love
•Conflict
Rationale:
Analysis:
•Research Question: How do popular American films symbolically represent the experience of stepchildren,
stepparents and parents in communication?
Studying this question is beneficial for at least three reasons:
•First, few studies have approached the topic of stepfamily conflict communication through the lens of film
portrayals.
•Second, given the popularity of films in US culture, and because so many persons often identify and learn
from films, a valuable source of understanding communication is missing.
•Third, the instances documented below can help us understand the complexities of some relationships
and, in turn, can help us build healthy relationships.
Identity:
Concepts Defined:
•Identity: as a negotiation process
•Inclusion: pertaining to involvement in family or non-involvement in family.
•Love: how characters talked about and showed understanding concerning
love and affection.
•Conflict: refers to the ways in which conflict was handled by family
members and affected other family members.
This analysis uncovers patterned ways that identity and inclusion and, in
smaller ways, love and conflict are represented across these four films.
Organized by concept, I examine how characters are shown to engage and
work through these key dimensions in the stepfamily/stepparent relational
setting.
Inclusion:
Although diverse in nature, I see two common themes cutting across the four films.
•First, inclusion and exclusion are not final positions; family members may include an individual in one
moment and exclude them the next.
• Second, inclusion must be earned and it can be lost. An individual can earn involvement into a family
members’ life through positive steps; the same individual can lose involvement by creating a destructive
relationship.
Love:
The characters in each of these four films discuss and display love in different ways.
While these four films have marked differences, two shared ideas pertaining to love are represented
across these different films.
•Parental love is mainly established as love that the child can be assured of no matter the circumstances.
•Love between parents and stepparents often creates confusion for children, as it is not established as
unconditional.
Conflict:
Each of these four films present unique portrayals of American stepfamilies, and each share common
themes of conflict across all four.
•Conflict is handled differently by each parent, stepparent, and sibling.
•Conflict is best approached when approached calmly and clearly—without emotion; however, emotion is
often prevalent in the examined stepfamily conflicts.
The Relationship Between Prison-Based Educational Programs and Recidivism
Angela Shermer, Social Work
Monica Roth Day, EdD, MSW, LGSW
Department of Human Behavior, Justice and Diversity
Abstract
This study sought to explore the possible relationship between offender recidivism and in-prison educational programs, and program funding. Three questions were asked in the study: What is the nature of educational programs in
Minnesota? Do programs reduce recidivism? At what levels do the programs need to be funded in order to reduce recidivism? A comparative literature review and key informant interviews were utilized. Findings suggest that correctional
education does reduce recidivism. Today approximately 75% of inmates hold a GED or high school diploma and the rest are mandated to earn one to assist with sustainable employment upon re-entrance into the community. Future research
is needed to determine funding of correctional education and how that funding is administered .
Background
Method
Future Research
• In educational programs, inmates can earn a GED or high school diploma,
vocational certificate, or college degree including associates, bachelor’s or
master’s degree levels.
• Today correctional education is mandatory for individuals who do not possess a
GED or high school diploma.
• The educational profile of an inmate may include learning disabilities, behavioral
disorders, and mental illnesses (DelliCarpini, 2008).
• Younger inmates under the age of 24 have generally lower reading levels than
older inmates (Shippen, et., al 2010).
• Inmates educational background may range from college graduates to individuals
who are unable to read or write( DelliCaripini, 2008; Shippen et.,al 2010).
• The population is largely male, poor, undereducated, and members of racial
minorities. The median age of prisoners is 34, and the median educational
attainment is only equivalent to an 11th grade education (Owens, 2009).
• Explanatory study was conducted to determine the relationship between
educational programs, the independent variable, and the change they cause upon
recidivism, the dependent variable.
• Interviews were conducted using key informants affiliated with the correctional
department in Minnesota.
• Qualitative data was used to explore the current situation regarding funding of
educational programs and the relationship with recidivism.
• Interviews were structured in order to receive only information that was desired
and pertinent to the study being conducted.
• Comparative literature review was done in collaboration with the key informant
interviews.
• Literature and statistics were collected from databases and appropriate websites
regarding educational programs in prisons, funding and the relationship to
recidivism.
• Research was approved by the University of Wisconsin Superior Institutional
Review Board and given the study number of #653.
• Further research is needed into Question #3: At what levels do the programs need
to be funded in order to reduce recidivism? By interviewing appropriate people
and finding more suitable resources this question could be answered in a more
adequate manner.
• Research is needed into how many inmates get jobs after re-entering society.
Variables to include would be the achievement of specific degrees while
incarcerated: GED or high school diploma, a vocational or a bachelors degree.
• Future research is needed to explore what previously incarcerated people feel
has helped change their life around, helped them to not recidivate, and to
determine if this factor is related to correctional education. Why do they think
other ex-inmates recidivated? Is the recidivism rate related to sustainable
employment?
Research Questions
• Do programs reduce recidivism?
• What is the nature of educational programs in Minnesota?
• At what levels do the programs need to be funded in order to reduce recidivism?
Problem Statement
The problem under study was the impact of educational programs on offender
recidivism. What is the nature of educational programs in Minnesota? Do those
programs reduce recidivism? An additional question was, “How does funding affect
programs’ effectiveness?” Variables related to funding changes included: concern
for the inmates’ education and futures when returning to society, with a focus on
becoming productive members; taxpayers’ concerns regarding the amount of money
being distributed to correctional education; and the ability and need for correctional
departments to determine funding for correctional educational programs. It is
critical to engage in research on correctional educational programs to determine the
focus for funding and placement of educational programs in prisons, and how to
best serve inmates in those programs.
Findings
• Both sources stressed the importance of mandating participation in correctional education for any inmate lacking a GED or high school diploma. The interviews provided a more indepth look into how the inmates are tested for educational level and skills, and consequences inmates face if they choose not to work towards their GED or high school diploma.
• Sources agreed on program content in correctional education. Both showed that vocational training is a main part of correctional education. By teaching inmates a skill, they are
more likely to gain a job within the trades community and support themselves and their family.
• Skills in math, reading, and problem solving were also mentioned as important content in the programs.
• When searching for qualified professionals to teach within the prison system the literature reviewed a hardship, which was a conflict with interview findings. The informants stated
that it is rather easy to find qualified professionals to teach within the facilities, but it is difficult to find individuals who fit into the correctional setting. Once these qualified
educators are hired , they are considered full time teachers and employers of the state of Minnesota. Some educators enjoy working within the prison and all the benefits that come
with working with the inmate population. However, others find it difficult to work with the prison population due to the challenges of working in a restricted environment.
• This study may help to educate individuals on the return investments in correctional education. By investing in correctional education, states such as Minnesota can save money in
the future by encouraging inmates to develop skills that gain sustainable employment. These individuals once released from prison can become tax payers and contributors.
Correctional education can lower recidivism rates.
• This study provides an understanding of the benefits to providing education within the correctional setting. By providing education, inmates are able to earn a GED or diploma and
later further their education with a vocational or bachelors degree. By gaining this knowledge inmates are able to produce a quality resume and a skill that will help them positively
market themselves for a future job when re-entering society.
• With the information that was gathered from this study, a practicing social worker will be able to better advocate for their clients who are currently or previously inmates, as well as
teach the community the benefits of educating inmates within prison.
• Knowledge that was gained will help social workers advocate for the value of programming and begin to educate the community on the need for access to programming within the
correctional institution.
Effectiveness of Breast Self Exams and Their Relationship to Breast Cancer
Chnice Watson, Health Education
Dr. Georgia Keeney, UMD Department of Health , Physical Education & Recreation
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate breast self exams (BSE) and its effectiveness in decreasing mortality rates among women. This has been a contentious issue that continues to emerge in the female population. There has
been a growing debate that BSE does not discover breast cancers and therefore the process itself does not decrease mortality rates. Components of the study suggested that BSE are more likely to be improperly performed by females
which tends to bring about unnecessary anxiety and frustration among women, and therefore should not be considered an early detection method for breast cancer. However, the controversy still remains because some women believe
that early BSE is beneficial in decreasing mortality rates and provides the opportunity for women to get familiar with their breasts in search for any abnormalities; for that reason BSE should be not be ruled out. Data from previous
case studies confirmed opposing viewpoints of the matter. Health experts also provided concrete information pertaining to the effectiveness of BSE.
Introductio
n lung cancer, among women in the United States. Breast cancer
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death, after
incidences have been increasing since the 1980’s and continue to be a feared disease for U. S. women. Because 1 in 8
(12%) U. S. women will contract breast cancer, it is essential for women to take the necessary steps to detect it early
(National Cancer Institute, 2010).
• Females are advised to engage in early detection practices of breast cancer such as Breast Self Exam (BSE). What
impact does the advised method have?
• The object of engaging in the practice of preventative measures is to find cancers before they start to cause symptoms
and spread.
• Those early detection measures consist of BSE, clinical-breast exams, and mammography.
Mammography is a type of X-ray imaging system used to examine breast tissue. Clinical breast exams are a physical
examination performed by a health professional. Breast self-exams are usually performed by the woman herself, to search
for abnormalities in each breast; but are breast self-exams an effective method of detecting breast cancers to decrease the
mortality rates among women? What do the current research and health care professionals have to say about the efficiency
of BSE?.
History
• Breast cancer may be the oldest disease known to women. The infamous disease can be traced back 3,500
years ago in Egypt.
• Hippocrates , also known as the father of medicine, believed that cancer was a result of an eruption of black
bile.
• Scottish surgeon,(1785) John Rodman, not only believed that fear itself was the cause of cancer, but that
fear also was a vector to spread the disease.
• Physicians in the 19th century still believed the only way to remedy breast cancers was by amputating the
entire breast; however, surgery was thought of as an “evil” feat because the operation was usually
performed with a knife and without anesthesia.
Methodology & Results
•Breast Self Examination both past and present
In the1930’s, cancer activists encouraged the idea of women to examining their own breast on a regular basis in search
of suspicious lumps.
Previous method for performing BSE:
• BSE was taught to women by having a woman lie down with one arm above the head; the woman would then use
her opposite hand to move it around in a circular motion feeling for lumps in the breast as well as the armpits. This
was to be done once a month usually after a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Some of the new recommendations for BSE are:
• Comparing the breasts, (check for swelling, and redness about the breasts). Women should use their three middle
fingers and use three levels of pressure in a circular motion. Women should feel for lumps that are hard and
painless. Women are now advised to practice these techniques during other times of the month, not just after
menstrual flow.
• Breast awareness is more encouraged and is the main focal point of BSE. Johnson stated that the process of how to
effectively perform BSE has changed over recent years in that it now consists of a different method on how to check
for lumps about the breasts.
•The effectiveness of BSE
Performing BSE gives women a sense of empowerment. For others, BSE may bring about unnecessary frustration and
anxiety. Women who practice BSE may feel a sense of self-efficacy and confidence in maintaining breast health.
•Point of view from health professionals concerning BSE
Local health professionals agree that women should perform BSE to get to know their own breasts and to be aware of
changes but as far as BSE predicting cancers, most agree that only a biopsy can really detect cancerous lumps.
BSE is not recommended for all women due to the fact that some women have more density to their breasts causing
difficulty for them to be able to feel for lumps or changes about the breast. In such cases, Magnetic Imaging Resonance
(MRI) is recommended.
Discussion and Conclusion
• Currently women have no assurance of a 100% effective way of early detection no definitive technique
has been recommended.
• After reviewing the breast cancer detection literature, exploring historical data, and comparing the modern
day perspectives concerning BSE, BSE as an effectiveness early detection method for breast cancer may
actually depend on the individual’s discretion.
• After reviewing the literature and comparing opposing viewpoints concerning BSE, it is concluded that this
controversial issue will continue to be a central concern for both women and health experts for years to
come.
Implication
s
• Many women are encouraged to practice BSE under the notion that practicing BSE will help find
breast cancers and they will stand a chance of being cured if abnormalities are discovered early in
their breasts.
• BSE is a method that women should practice in efforts to become more aware of their breasts as
opposed to being encumbered with the idea that BSE is a form of breast cancer detection.
• Even though BSE is a controversial topic, as future health educator, I would advocate that most
benefits outweigh the risks.
Farm-to-School’s Effect on Community Involvement: A Comparative Case-Study of Farm-to-School
Programs in the Chequamegon Bay Area in Northern Wisconsin and Madison, Wisconsin
Emily Stephenson, Sociology
Dr. Brandon Hofstedt, Sociology, Northland College
Abstract
This is a study of farm-to-school programs in the Chequamegon Bay Area in northern Wisconsin and in Madison, Wisconsin. Farm-to-school programs are initiatives that aim to link local farmers with schools. Specifically to get healthy local
foods into the lunch program and to educate children about food procurement and healthier food choices. These programs also f oster connections among different groups within the community, which in turn builds new networks and
relationships that strengthen the community: both economically and socially. Farm-to-school programs therefore function as a form of social capital. This research project examines and qualitatively assesses how farm-to-school programs
build a sense of community, how rural and urban programs differ, and how effective the programs are within their respective communities. Conclusively, farm-to-school programs do build a sense of community. Additionally, both rural and
urban programs deal with centralization but have different levels of flexibility. Programs are also effective at nutrition education and expose students to food procurement but also work on providing students with more access to local foods.
Introduction
Farm-to-school programs started in the early 1990s and have since
grown to about 950 programs nationwide. These programs connect a
school with local farmers to increase healthy food options in school
meals or snack programs and provide time for students to connect with
their local food sources. Some schools provide just a snack with local
fruits and vegetables, while others incorporate fruits and vegetables
into the meals.
Farm-to-school programs support local agriculture and develop a
connection among students, farmers, and teachers within a community.
Social capital theory is about how a community functions and how
the community expands and builds off of old and new networks,
relationships, and ideas, as well as how effectively the community works
together to use all of their assets. These relationships are critical to a
community to ensure that action is taken to improve the community
through both community organizations and local governmental
processes.
The results are divided into three different sections: building a
sense of community, urban versus rural programs, and effectiveness of
programs. Both rural and urban programs have to contend with the
centralization of the school lunch programs. However it seems that in
the smaller school district, the rural program has more flexibility,
whereas the urban program is stuck in a more rigid structure due to an
uncooperative food service director. Both struggle to actually gain
access to the lunchroom to get local foods into the meals, and have
instead decided to focus on getting fresh local snacks and teaching
nutrition lessons about food production.
Methods
•Contacted initial interview
•Interviewed 11 individuals
•Used Snowball Sampling Technique to make contact with all
interviewees
•To organize the data, used qualitative analysis and coding (the finding
of themes in results)
Results
•Building a sense of community: This entails building relationships within a
community to strengthen it. The farm-to-school directors at the schools in the
Chequamegon Bay Area and Madison, Wisconsin work with the farmers in their
area to get local foods during the growing season, so they are both building
relationships with local food producers as well as with other businesses. These
working relationships with farmers, volunteers, students, teachers, businesses,
and other community members strengthen the community. Furthermore, the
impact of farm-to-school programs on their students affects the future of the
communities in which they live in.
• Urban verse Rural Programs: The Chequamegon Bay Area and Madison farmto-school programs both struggle with economic and infrastructural barriers, and
they also struggle with centralization and a lack of trust between farmers and
food service directors. Madison has a longer growing season, but a larger student
body, stricter standards, and they have more students to feed. The
Chequamegon Bay Area are able to work with food service directors because
they have a smaller student body and less people to work with allowing their
programs to be more flexible. They can also get access to local food more easily
to meet the demands of the student body.
•Effectiveness of Programs: The purpose of farm-to-school programs varies with
each person’s perspective. Each interviewee had a slightly different
interpretation. With each program being different, the interviewee had varying
results of just how effective their programs were at meeting their interpretation
of the purpose. Despite the differences in the interpretation of the purpose of
the program, the interviewees generally agreed that farm-to-school programs
are there to make connections with local producers to get local, healthy food
options into school lunches while teaching the students about food procurement
and healthy food choices. Most interviewees agreed that the programs were
successful at nutrition education and some expose to healthier, local foods,
however most programs lacked the ability to really reform the lunch program by
getting any local foods into it.
Conclusion
Farm-to-school programs affect the community in multitudinous
ways. They build relationships with the community through building
bridges between the farmers and the schools, between the students
and the farmers, and in turn between the parents with school food
policies.
Additionally, the program builds students’ connections with their
food sources, which allows them to help their parents connect with
the local food sources and to get involved in the discussion. Farm-toschool programs increase higher nutritionally valued food availability
for students regardless of their socioeconomic background.
Furthermore, the programs create opportunity and motivation for
parents to demand school food policy change that will allow their
children to be guaranteed healthy, local food options.
As a result, these potential school food policy changes allow for
more support of small to middle size farms to grow and the ability to
have a market that will support them. Because schools can be so
central in community life, they are a great venue in which to provide
space for discussion about the importance of local foods and the role
local foods hold in the community. Starting in the schools allows for all
generations to get involved in food culture change which then moves
beyond the school grounds into the community as a whole to create
change. Farm-to-school programs have the ability to support policy
change one bit at a time and overcome the boundaries of the school
yard to start change in the farm fields, food on our dinner plates, and a
fast-food culture to a local, slow-food culture.
Transcending Classification:
Transitional Poetry of Sylvia Plath as Seen Through New Critical Theory
Jaime Jost, English
Dr. Raychel Haugrud Reiff, Department of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Abstract
“On Deck”
Plath has long been
works and analyzing
categorized as a
them through a new
“confessional” poet,
perspective, this
which has limited
work has added to
the world’s view of
Plath scholarship in
her. Plath was a
a big way. Poems
deliberate, skilled
discussed are from
poetess who
the collection
deserves to be
Crossing the Water.
Three selfish characters with unrealistic dreams
Primary symbol: Weddings
Dreams go unfulfilled
“A Life”
Perceptions from the outside when following social pressures versus the “reality”
of life if one does not follow social norms
Happy images juxtaposed with images devoid of hope
Narrator contemplates if it is better to be thoughtless yet happy or clever and
alone
“Face Lift”
looked at in another
light. Through the
lens of New Critical
Theory, Plath’s work
is able to be seen
Effects of being under anesthesia
Major symbols include a cat, Cleopatra, and of vaults
Plath ties the form to the mechanics by using envelope stanzas with the symbol of
the vault– both enclosures
“In Plaster”
without the shadow
of her biography.
Furthermore, the
poems written
directly before her
suicide have
overshadowed
Emergence of one’s true self
The speaker of the poem goes through a range of emotions about the plaster
encasement
Plaster has progressed from a frustration to a slave to someone who wants to be
free and have her own soul and life, full of resentment for the one who keeps her
prisoner
“Mirror”
others written
earlier. By
recognizing the
value of earlier
Mirror relating reality
Images include the moon, stars, fish
The mirror does not have any preconceptions
Influences of temperature and precipitation on wood frog (Rana sylvatica) breeding phenology with
predictions of climate change impacts
Caitlin Leach, Environmental Science
Ms. Jennifer Olker, University of Minnesota Duluth, Natural Resources Research Institute
ABSTRACT
• In the Great Lakes region, the temperature has increased 0.6 degrees Celsius over the last century and is
predicted to continue to increase.
• Climate change has been shown to effect seasonal timing in animals and plants, including amphibians in
which earlier breeding and arrival time at breeding ponds was strongly correlated with increased
temperature.
• We investigated the influences of temperature and precipitation on the breeding phenology of a North
American species, the wood frog (Rana sylvatica) to identify correlations with annual weather conditions and
make predictions about potential effects of predicted climate change.
Methods
Amphibian Surveys
• Study location: Hartley Park, Duluth, MN. (Fig. 1, 660 acre city park with many vernal pools and ponds).
• Study species: wood frog (Rana sylvatica), which could be especially sensitive to climate change as it is an
explosive breeder and breeds primarily in temporary pools.
• Nighttime calling surveys (standardized methods according to the North American Amphibian Monitoring
Protocol), completed by both Hartley Nature Center staff and volunteers 2002-2010.
• Calling data summarized to: earliest calling date (first date wood frogs heard at calling), date of maximum
calling (indices 2 or 3), and spawning date (when available).
Weather Data
• Daily weather data: temperature and precipitation (NOAA Online Climate Data Directory) for 1950-2011.
• Duluth International Airport station (considered representative of Hartley Park, based on comparison of 2008-2011
data, linear regression p<0.001, R2 ≥ 0.80).
• Temperature (°F)
• Monthly average for each
month January-April
• Average for entire period
(January-April)
• Precipitation (inches per day)
• Monthly total and average for
each month January-April
• Total and Average for entire
period (January-April)
Earliest Calling Date and Temperature
• All ponds
• Average March, April and Averaged January-April temperatures were all negatively correlated with
earliest calling date (|r| > 0.5).
• Individual ponds
• Strong negative correlations with Average March temperatures, with some variations.
Date of Maximum Calling and Temperature
• All ponds
• March and April average temperatures showed strongest correlations with date of maximum calling
for both calling index 2 and 3.
• Average January-April temperatures also showed significant correlations.
• Individual Ponds
• Carolyn had most significant correlations, Cut Across and Tamarack did not have enough data.
Spawning Date versus Temperature
• All Hartley Park ponds, plus additional nearby vernal pools (added to increase sample size)
• Average March temperature was the only weather parameter significantly correlated with wood frog
spawning date (Fig. 3).
Precipitation Data
• No trend in the relationship between precipitation and wood frog breeding phenology in all ponds
combined or in individual ponds.
Figure 3. Wood frog spawning day of year versus mean
March temperature (°F) for vernal pools in Hartley and
surrounding area.
Figure 2. Multiple wood frog egg
masses (freshly laid in vernal
pool).
Discussion
Understanding the relationship of amphibian breeding phenology with annual weather conditions leads to
an increased ability to predict the potential effects of climate change.
Table 1. Pearson correlation and linear regression results for maximum calling date (Index 3) versus
temperature. Correlations with |r| > 0.5 included, with significant values for correlation and linear
regression highlightedIndex
(α=0.1).
3
40
A
y = -167.2 + 0.097x, p=0.005
35
All
Carolyn
Cut Across
Fairmont
Tamarack
Mean Temperatures
March
April
January – April
February
March
March
April
January – April
Not enough data
February
April
Pearson correlation (r )
-0.99
-0.86
-0.70
0.99
-0.77
-0.98
-0.92
-0.99
NA
0.85
0.52
Linear Regression R2
0.98
0.74
0.49
0.98
0.60
0.96
0.84
0.98
NA
0.73
0.27
Temp (F)
• Climate change has the potential to negatively affect ecosystems around the world.
25
15
1950
1970
1990
2010
2030
2050
year
130
125
Spawning Date
Max Calling (index 3)
Obs Spawning
Obs Max Calling
B
Statistical Analysis
• Breeding phenology for all ponds was compared to annual weather conditions with Pearson’s correlations
and linear regression analysis.
115
110
105
• Four ponds that have complete survey records were used to evaluated the with-in year variation in
neighboring ponds and compared to analyses with all ponds.
• Breeding phenology (calling and spawning) was predicted for projected future climate using the linear
regression results from 2002-2010 and climate trends for the past 60 years.
95
90
1950
• The significant positive trend in average
March temperature and average temperature
from January to April over the last 60 years (Fig.
4A) could be indicative of earlier amphibian
breeding.
• Using this trend in historical data and the
relationship between temperature and
spawning, we predict that wood frogs
spawning in northern Minnesota over the next
40 years will be 10 days earlier than predicted
spawning date for 1950-1970 (Fig. 4B).
120
100
Figure 1. Study location with geographic distribution of vernal pools in
Hartley Park, Duluth, MN.
• Temperature showed a significant
relationship with spawning in the months of
March and April.
• Precipitation was not as strongly correlated
when compared to temperature, therefore is
not considered a dominate driver in wood frog
phenology.
30
20
Julian Date
Introduction
Climate change has been shown to alter seasonal timing in animals and plants. Amphibian breeding phenology may be especially sensitive to predicted climate changes due to their dependence on temperature and
aquatic habitat. In this study, we investigated the influences of temperature and precipitation on the breeding phenology of a North American amphibian species, the wood frog (Rana sylvatica), to identify
correlations with annual weather conditions and make predictions about potential effects of climate change. We analyzed calling survey data from vernal pools in the upper Midwest U.S. to see whether there was a
relationship between weather conditions and breeding times for the wood frog. Specifically, date of maximum calling, date of first calling, and spawning date were compared to precipitation and temperature data
in the four months immediately preceding wood frog breeding. Calling and spawning dates were strongly correlated with average temperature in March. Using this linear relationship in combination with observed
trends in March temperatures over the last 60 years, we assessed the potential effects of climate change on the wood frog breeding phenology. We predicted that spawning in the next 40 years will be 6 days earlier
than present, and 10 days earlier than predicted for 1950-1970.
Results
1970
1990
2010
2030
2050
year
Figure 4. Predicting potential effects of climate change on
wood frog breeding phenology with: A) historical March
mean temperature with trend line; and B) maximum
calling and spawning dates for historical and predicted
temperatures under climate change (following trend from
A, which is approximately +2 °C from present to 2050).
Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife
Seth Bliss, Biology and Math
Dr. Mary Balcer, Department of Natural Sciences
Lake Superior Research Institute
Abstract
As human transportation occurs at an ever increasing rate, the possibility of introducing invasive species into an area increases. Hog Island and Allouez Bay are inundated with invasive species brought from many parts of the world. Lythrum
salicaria, or purple loosestrife, is one of the more aggressive invasive plants. Having no natural predators and the ability to produce millions of seeds per season, purple loosestrife is becoming a dominant species on Hog Island and in Allouez
Bay. In an effort to slow the spread and give native species an opportunity to repopulate, two beetle species in the genus Galerucella were introduced into the region where purple loosestrife is spreading. These beetles originate in Europe
and naturally prey upon purple loosestrife. High host specificity prevents Galerucella from becoming invasive itself. In the study, successive plant surveys were performed to measure the frequency and ground cover of purple loosestrife. Initial
data is expectedly inconclusive as the new beetle population requires several seasons in order to increase to a density capable of controlling the invasive plant population.
Background
•
•
•
•
•
Lythrum salicaria is a hardy, invasive, iteroparous flower.
Native to Eurasia. No native predators. Brought in ballast water.
Can produce up to 2.7 million seeds per mature plant
Spreads at 645 km^2 per year currently.
Displaces native plants. Loss of vegetative biodiversity. Loss of food and
habitat.
• Galerucella spp. Used for bio-control
• USDA APHIS approved in ‘92.
• Host specific, cannot complete life cycle without purple loosestrife
Methods
• Initial survey completed in 2009 to determine initial density and find
release sites.
• Beetles reared in cages on potted purple loosestrife.
• Beetles released in summer 2011.
• Research sites resurveyed.
• Ground cover and frequency calculated.
• Monitoring will continue through the summer, possibly next spring.
Discussion
Results
•
•
•
•
•
Initial frequency ≈ 23% and relative cover of ≈ 2%
Transect and m^2 plot.
Currently: frequency ≈ 60%, relative cover ≈ 10%
M^2 plot and triple replicates per site. LAI used
Historically: 2-5 years before control is achieved.
•
•
•
•
•
•
Trend is for purple loosestrife to be non decreasing in first year/s.
Different techniques/people could skew data but is unlikely.
Cool spring set timeline back both years.
Historical studies appropriate due to methodology and location.
Observed much more damage to plants compared to 2010.
Future monitoring will allow statistical analysis.
Unions: Internally Adapting to the Changing Workforce and Political Environment
Stevie Blanchard, Sociology
Dr. Stacie R. Furia, Sociology, Northland College
ABSTRACT
The labor movement as a whole has been in constant transition and faces a devastating decline. This research explores different ways which the labor movement is internally adapting to the changing worker
demographics and different ways in which this contributes to the overall success or failure of specific organizations and campaigns.
History
•
•
•
•
Findings
Unions began as a means to protect workers who were skilled White men from other groups of workers
such as people of color, women, and unskilled laborers.
Over time unions moved to become more inclusive, and changed their goals to protect all workers from
exploitation.
Unions have been in decline since World War I. Meaning their political influence and density has steadily
been decreasing.
Only 12 % of workers are currently in a union.
Purpose
•
To explore the internal organization and operation of current unions to understand where there has
been changes in regards to worker demographics to improve union’s success.
Methods
•
•
Content Analysis of Union Constitution
In-depth Interviews with union leaders, organizer and researchers
Sample
•
Two interviews - Executive Vice President of a large national union
Researcher and Organizer for a large national union
Unions are adapting:
•
Through Amendments such as adding diversity statements and means to solve internal conflict.
•
In the event that any affiliate believes that such special and unusual circumstances exist that it
would be volatile of its basic jurisdiction or contrary to basic concepts of trade union morality or
to the constitutional objectives of the AFL-CIO or injurious to accepted trade union work
standards to enforce the principles that would apply in the absence of such circumstances, such
organization shall nevertheless observe such principles unless and until its claim of such
justification is upheld (AFL-CIO 2011).
•
We believe our strength comes from our unity, and that we must not be divided by forces of
discrimination based on gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, physical ability, sexual orientation
or immigration status” (SEIU 2011).
Unions are diversifying:
•
“The organization was always looking to hire new diverse groups of researchers and organizers
to better match the changing workforce….to better relate to the population [of workers]”
(Interviewee B 2011).
Although unions are adapting and diversifying there are areas that are not progressing as quickly or
effectively in many important areas:
•
“Sexual orientation was not even brought up” when discussing how the organization an
interviewee worked for could become more diverse (Interviewee B 2011).
Discussion
•
Sample of Union Constitutions
Name of Union
Year Established
American Federation of Labor
and Congress of Industrial Organization
1955
American Postal Workers
1800
Association of Flight Attendants
1973
International Brotherhood of Teamsters
1903
National Educators Association of US
1857
Office and Professional Employees International Union
1906
Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers
1999
Service Employees International Union
1968
United Steel Workers
1936
United Food and Commercial Workers International Union
1979
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Although there have been large shifts throughout the history of the labor movement, the
individual organizations within the movement all have had different manners in which they react
to the changing trends. They can either be more or less progressive than the overall trend of the
movement. Currently although many organization tend to appear more progressive than the
federal regulations, little is done to act on these more progressive policies.
Organizations tend to have shortcomings regarding diversity when it comes to upper leadership
as well as matching organizers and researchers to the rank and file workers.
Matching workers and organizers is one of the most used technique to address diversity, but in
order for this to be done more effectively more than simple identity characteristics such as race
and gender need to be addressed. Intersectionality is a viable solution to this short coming .
(AFL-CIO 2011, American Postal Workers Union 2011, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA 2011, International Union of Machinist and Aerospace
Engineers 2011, National Education Association 2011, Office Workers and Professionals International Union 2011, Paper, Allied-Industrial,
Chemical, and Energy Workers International Union 2011, SEIU 2011, Teamsters 2011, United Food and Chemical Workers International Union
2011)
American Federation of Labor- Congress of International Organizations. 2011. “About Us” Retrieved June 30, 2011 (http://www.aflcio.org/aboutus/)., Interviewee B. 2011. Conducted June 2011. , Rosenzweig, Roy, Lichtenstein, Nelson, Brown, Joshua, and Jafffee, David. 2008. Who Built America? Working People and the Nation’s History
Volume Two: 1877 to Present. Bedford/St. Martins. Boston, MA. , Service Employees International Union. 2011. “Our Union.” Retrieved June 12, 2011. (http://www.seiu.org/our-union).