2011 MU dissertations - Freely available online
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/11258
These dissertations are accessible by the general public.2024-03-28T17:11:57ZAggressive calling in treefrogs
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/14445
Aggressive calling in treefrogs
Reichert, Michael Stewart
Acoustic communication plays a major role in many of the social activities of frogs. A great deal is known about communication in some contexts, such as mate choice. Aggressive communication, however, has received little attention in frogs. Most frog species produce some kind of aggressive vocalization. These aggressive calls are often given in the context of defense of territories or temporary calling spaces. Little is known about how aggressive calls are used to mediate these interactions. In particular, the communicative significance of aggressive calls, in terms of how assessment proceeds via aggressive calling, is unknown. The aim of my dissertation was to document the behavioral significance of aggressive calling behavior in two treefrog species. In Dendropsophus ebraccatus, a Neotropical treefrog, I examined i) the plasticity of the aggressive response; ii) the effects of multiple competitors and a changing social environment on aggressive calling; and iii) the importance of aggressive calls in competitive call timing interactions. I found that males are highly responsive to aggressive calls and that the aggressive call appears to function primarily to regulate competitive call timing interactions. In the gray treefrog Hyla versicolor, a common North American species, I staged interactions between males in order to examine the determinants of success and the level of escalation in contests. I specifically compared aggressive call characteristics of winners and losers of different types of aggressive interactions to determine whether or not assessment of aggressive calls may play a role in determining contest outcome. I found that body size played little role in determining the outcome of contests. However, certain characteristics of aggressive calls, particularly those that are likely related to energetic expenditure, were important in determining the eventual winner and loser of contests and are likely involved in competitor assessment.
Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on May 30, 2012).; The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.; Dissertation advisor: Dr. H. Carl Gerhardt; Vita.; Ph. D. University of Missouri-Columbia 2011.; "December 2011"
2011-01-01T00:00:00ZAgriculture teachers' perception and practice for teaching students with disabilities
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/14417
Agriculture teachers' perception and practice for teaching students with disabilities
Killingsworth, Justin Lee
Federal legislation mandates that appropriate education be provided for all students in US public schools (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004; No Child Left Behind, 2001). The use of evidence-based instructional practices for special education, such as Direct Instruction and Strategy Instruction, is one example of mandated educational provision. While positive outcomes have been documented from the use of evidence-based practices in agricultural education (Davis, Akers, Doerfert, McGregor, & Keith, 2005; Pense Watson, & Wakefield, 2009, 2010), a need was identified for describing agriculture teachers' use of Direct Instruction and Strategy Instruction. Findings were used to conclude that teachers espoused and used Traditional Instructional Practices with the highest frequency, teachers espoused and used Other Characteristics of Instructional Practice with lowest frequency, teachers were observed to use instructional practices with higher frequency than were reportedly espoused, and two clusters of teachers emerged with similarities in espoused and observed use of instructional practice. Implications were identified and recommendations for practice and future research were developed to support agriculture teachers' use of evidence-based instructional practices.
Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on May 29, 2012).; The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.; Dissertation advisor: Dr. Anna L. Henry; Vita.; Includes bibliographical references.; Dissertations, Academic -- University of Missouri--Columbia -- Agricultural education.; Ph. D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2011.; "December 2011"
2011-01-01T00:00:00ZAlkene oxidation by platinum (II) oxo/hydroxo complexes
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/14503
Alkene oxidation by platinum (II) oxo/hydroxo complexes
Weliange, Nandita Malathi
The facile reaction between tetranuclear Pt-oxo complex [(COD)4Pt4([mu]2-O)2Cl2]2[BF4]2 (1) and norbornene (NB) yields the stable platinaoxetane [(COD)2Pt2(OC7H10)Cl][BF4] (2) in quantitative yield. A rapid reaction between NB and the novel (1,5-COD)Pt(II)-hydroxo complex [(COD)2Pt(OH)2]2+ (4) is observed and the protonated platinaoxetane [(COD)Pt(OH)C7H10)]+ (5) is formed in quantitative yield. Both Pt-hydroxo complex 4 and protonated platinaoxetane 5 are found to be important species in the formation of platinaoxetane 2. Mechanisms for formation of platinaoxetanes 2 and 5 are proposed. Pt-hydroxo complex 4 reacts readily with ethylene, propylene and 1-butene. All three reactions, resembling Wacker chemistry, yield alkene oxidation products: acetaldehyde, acetone and ethyl-‐methyl ketone, respectively. Pt-ethyl alkyl complexes are yielded as the only Pt containing complexes. A proposed mechanism for these alkene oxidations is described. Pt-hydroxo complex 4 also reacts with cyclohexene. In this case the reaction takes an allylic C-H activation pathway to produce the cyclohexyl allyl complex [(COD)Pt(C6H9)]+ (55).
Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on June 5, 2012).; The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.; Dissertation advisor: Dr. Paul R. Sharp; Vita.; Ph. D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2011.; "December 2011"
2011-01-01T00:00:00ZAnnie Malone and Poro College : building an empire of beauty in St. Louis, Missouri from 1915-1930
https://hdl.handle.net/10355/14502
Annie Malone and Poro College : building an empire of beauty in St. Louis, Missouri from 1915-1930
Trawick, Chajuana V.
Understanding the ideals of African American beauty culture promoted by entrepreneurs and businesses in the St. Louis Argus newspaper from 1915 to 1930 fills a void in American history. Presenting keywords in advertisement headlines communicates a company's specific message regarding their ideals of beauty culture to readers. The purpose of this research study was to examine advertisements promoting African American beauty culture in the St. Louis Argus from 1915 to 1930 to determine what was being promoted as "Ideals of Beauty Culture" to the African American community in St. Louis, Missouri. Annie Malone's Poro College, Dr. Fred Palmer's Skin Whitener, Madam C.J. Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower, and Herolin's Hair Pomade proved to be the most successful businesses from a total of 142 companies based on longevity and consistent records of advertisements and promotions. Over the sixteen year period six themes emerged from their advertisement headlines; Agents Wanted, Business Growth and Identity, Hair Care, Hair Straightening, Skin Care and Skin Whitening products and services. Results show that Annie Malone had the most consistent record of St. Louis Argus advertisements promoting ideals of African American hair and skin care and business growth as seen in the St. Louis Argus from 1915 to 1930.
Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on June 4, 2012).; The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.; Dissertation advisors: Dr. Laurel E. Wilson, Dr. Robert E. Weems Jr.; Vita.; Ph. D. University of Missouri--Columbia 2011.; "December 2011"
2011-01-01T00:00:00Z