Digital Commons Network^™

Does Footfall Pattern In Forefoot Runners Change Over A Prolonged Run?, Carl W. Jewell

Masters Theses

There has been much debate on the benefits of a forefoot versus rearfoot strike pattern in distance running in terms of performance and injury prevalence. Shock attenuation occurs more prominently in soft tissues at impact in forefoot runners compared to the passive skeletal loading in rearfoot runners. Recent studies indicate that a forefoot strike pattern may not be maintainable over long distance efforts. Therefore, this study tested the hypothesis that habitual forefoot runners could not maintain their strike pattern throughout a prolonged, intensive run.

Fourteen forefoot runners ran to voluntary exhaustion on an instrumented force treadmill (average run duration: 15.4±2.2 …

Parents' Gender Ideology And Gendered Behavior As Predictors Of Children's Gender-Role Attitudes: A Longitudinal Exploration, Hillary Paul Halpern

Masters Theses

This longitudinal study examined the association between parents’ early and concurrent gender ideology and gendered behaviors and their children’s gender-role attitudes at age six. Specifically, parents' global beliefs about women's and men's "rightful" roles in society, as well as their work preferences for mothers, were considered in relation to the gender-role attitudes held by their first-graders. In addition, parents’ gendered behaviors, including their division of household and childcare tasks, division of paid work hours, and job traditionality were examined as predictors of children’s gender-role attitudes. Based on previous research, it was hypothesized parents’ early and concurrent behavior and ideology would …

Professional Experiences Of Women Administrators In Student Services, Christy M. Mayo

Masters Theses

The number of women pursuing higher education now outnumbers that of men. However, the number of women in administration and faculty roles does not mirror that of the student population. Instead, women are often found in midlevel and low level positions, especially within student services and student affairs. This thesis is a qualitative study that employs the phenomenological method to explore and examine the professional experiences of seven midlevel administrators in student affairs and student services at GVSU. The constant comparative method of coding was used to analyze the data, identify themes, and articulate assertions. The themes that emerged from …

Fern Community Reassembly In Secondary Forests Of Puerto Rico: Predictors, Complexity, And Niche Model Assessment, Thomas J. Schmidt

Masters Theses

Approximately 94% of Puerto Rico’s forests were converted into agricultural systems by 1950. Since then, extensive abandonment of agricultural land has resulted in a considerable amount of forest regeneration throughout the main island. Ferns are a major non-woody component of oceanic, tropical island forests comprising up to seventy percent of the flora. Consequently, the composition and community structure of ferns may be indicative of the relative richness of these secondary forests. I used Maximum Entropy (Maxent), a widely-used mathematical tool for distinguishing suitable versus unsuitable fern niche space, along with ENMTools, a tool that assists Maxent with proper model selection, …

Neuroprotective Effect Of An Α-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist And A Positive Allosteric Modulator In An In Vitro Model Of Glaucoma, Leah Lyons

Masters Theses

Glaucoma is one of several neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system for which a pharmacologic cure is yet to be discovered. In previous studies acetylcholine (ACh) has provided neuroprotection for retinal ganglion cells (RGC) in the mammalian retina under glaucomatous conditions (Wehrwein et al., 2004). More specifically, an α7 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) agonist has demonstrated neuroprotection for RGCs in both in vitro and in vivo models of glaucoma (Iwamoto et al., 2014). In this study, this α7 nAChR agonist was combined with a positive allosteric modulator (PAM) in dissociated adult porcine retinas to evaluate its effect on isolated …

Genetic Structure Of Yellow Perch Populations In Coastal Areas Of Eastern Lake Michigan, Jessica N. Wesolek

Masters Theses

Genetic population substructure is often overlooked because of discontinuities between management and actual population structure as in the case of yellow perch, an ecologically and economically important indigenous fish species in the Laurentian Great Lakes. A knowledge gaps pertaining to the natural history of yellow perch relates to the biological connectivity between nearshore Lake Michigan and drowned river mouth (DRM) lakes, where it remains unclear whether resident yellow perch from Lake Michigan use DRM lakes for spawning or whether DRM lakes contribute to nearshore yellow perch populations in Lake Michigan. I used DNA fingerprinting (genotyping) to explore biological connectivity between …

Structural Comparison Of Arctic Plant Communities Across The Landscape And With Experimental Warming In Northern Alaska, Jessica L. Gregory

Masters Theses

Understanding vegetation change is central to forecasting the impacts of climate change. Percent cover, determined from a point frame method, is commonly used to monitor vegetation change. Cover is influenced by canopy structure which may change with the size (growth) or number (density) of individual plants. The overarching objective of this project was to document the relationship between vegetation cover and traits representing plant growth and density and determine if these relationships changed with warming. We used regressions and analysis of covariance to detect which of several traits was most strongly related to cover in vegetation at a wet and …

"Race Becomes Biology": Co-Occurring Oral And Systemic Disease As Embodiment Of Structural Violence In An American Skeletal Sample, Rieti G. Gengo

Masters Theses

In recent years, a large number of biomedical studies have demonstrated that the bacteria that contribute to periodontal disease can migrate outside the oral cavity, causing a host of systemic infections. Yet, to date, only one bioarchaeological investigation has addressed this co-occurring disease process in a past population. The results of this thesis confirm the bioarchaeological visibility of the correlation between oral and systemic disease based on data derived from a sample of white and black adults from the Robert J. Terry Anatomical Skeletal Collection. Vertical recessions and porous remodeling of the alveolar crest were examined to identify periodontitis. Periosteal …

I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends: A Qualitative Study Of Nurse Close Work Friendship And Social Support, Jennifer Ptacek

Masters Theses

The nursing profession is laden with numerous job, emotional labor, and communication stressors, which come from both patients and healthcare organizations. These frequent and simultaneous pressures can result in nurse burnout and turnover (Tracy, 2009). Socially supportive workplace communication has been identified as a solution to reducing nurse stress, burnout, and turnover (Apker & Ray, 2003), but has not specifically considered social support in nurse work friendships. A mixed qualitative method study was conducted with five nurse best friend pairs, using job observations of participants’ work friendship communication and individual and joint interviews. Two major communication themes emerged from the …

The Economic Espionage Act Of 1996: A 15 Year Review, Matthew T. Priebe

Masters Theses

It is estimated that the United States alone loses $300 billion annually to economic espionage. The purpose of the paper is to understand the occurrence and defining characteristics of economic espionage. This is accomplished through the series of proposed research questions related to the Economic Espionage Act of 1996. These questions include: occurrence rates, offender demographics, victim demographics, and victim-offender relationship. Archival data analysis of all 18 USC §1832 prosecutions from 1996-2011, will answer each proposed research question. The results will provide worldwide corporations with statistical support to help combat economic espionage. Specifically, descriptive statistics, such as mean, median, and …

Characterization Of Histidine Decarboxylase In Drosophila Using An Internal Flag Epitope, Maxwell Mianecki

Masters Theses

Histamine is a neurotransmitter in arthropods and is responsible for synaptic transmission in vision, mechanosensation, temperature sensing and sleep cycle in Drosophila. Histamine is synthesized by the enzyme histidine decarboxylase (HDC). While histamine is detectable within tissues using current immunofluorescent labeling techniques, immunological approaches have not been successful for HDC itself, with both direct antibodies and terminal epitope tags determined to be ineffective. In order to avoid loss of the epitope tag through putative N-­‐ and C-­‐terminal proteolytic cleavage, known to occur for HDC in other organisms, an internal epitope tag that does not disrupt enzyme function was utilized. A …

Evaluation Of Natural Steelhead Recruitment In The Muskegon River, Michigan, Nicholas C. Albrecht

Masters Theses

The lower Muskegon River is one of the most heavily fished rivers in the state of Michigan and is a valuable component of the multi-billion dollar sport fishery in the Great Lakes. Although significant stocking effort has been invested to maintain and improve the steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fishery in the Muskegon River, natural recruitment has been severely limited due to high summer water temperatures. The goal of this research project was to evaluate the success of a diffuser system installed in 2008 at Croton Dam to moderate high summer water temperatures in the lower Muskegon River. I estimated natural juvenile …

Automated Classification Of Eeg Signals Using Component Analysis And Support Vector Machines, Priya Balasubramanian

Masters Theses

Epileptic seizures are characterized by abnormal electrical activity occurring in the brain. EEG records the seizures demonstrating changes in signal morphology. These signal characteristics, however, differ between patients as well as between different seizures in the same patient. Epilepsy is managed with anti-epileptic medications but in some extreme cases surgery might be necessary. Non-invasive surface electrode EEG measurement gives an estimate of the seizure onset but more invasive intra-cranial electrocorticogram (ECoG) are required at times for precise localization of the epileptogenic zone.

The epileptogenic zone can be described as the cortical area targeted for resection to render the patient symptom …

Effects Of Fatty Acid Structure On Endothelial Cell Expression Of Connexin43, Albert E. Sowers Iii

Masters Theses

The epidemic of obesity-related metabolic and cardiovascular diseases is linked to elevated fatty acids (FA). Epidemiological data argue that trans FA contribute to the development and progression of these disease processes. Previous work suggests the similarity in structure between saturated and trans FA may stimulate inflammation through trans FA interactions with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). To evaluate the impact of trans FA on cardiovascular health, the response of endothelial cells to trans FA was evaluated. Specifically, responses to the 18-carbon trans FA elaidic acid (EA) were compared to the same length cis FA oleic acid (OA). Endothelial cells were exposed …

On The Development Of Conductive Textile Antennas, Dounia Baiya

Masters Theses

UWB systems are becoming increasingly utilized due to their use in a variety of applications. Meanwhile, many advances have been achieved in the realm of conductive textiles. These textiles can be used as a sensing system or implemented wearable antennas. Combining these two applications is attractive for a number of reasons. First, wearable antennas constructed entirely from fabric offer a cost- effective, flexible solution when compared to rigid antennas. Second UWB technology is also attractive for body area network applications due to the low power operation and the inherent low radiated power in its system design.

In our implementation accurately …

International Student Migration For Development: An Institutional Approach To The Norwegian Quota Scheme, Scott Eric Basford

Masters Theses

This paper addresses a call to acknowledge the varied actors that are involved in international student migration (ISM). In particular, this paper takes an institutional approach to investigate international education as a form of development aid. Research on ISM often omits non-student actors, which contributes to an incomplete understanding of the process. I study the Norwegian Quota Scheme to explore broader mechanisms of ISM. I first situate the Quota Scheme within literature on the internationalization of higher education and international education as development aid. I then use 26 interviews with 31 stakeholders at multiple scales of involvement in the Quota …

Differentiation Of Equine Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Into Cells Of Neural Lineage And Their Application Into A Novel Model For Acute Peripheral Nerve Injury In The Horse, Claudia Cruz

Masters Theses

Studies have shown that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are able to differentiate into extra-mesodermal lineages, including neurons. Positive outcomes were obtained after transplantation of neurally-induced MSCs in rats, rabbits and guinea pigs after nerve injury, but the effect of these cells is unknown in horses. Our objective was to test the ability of equine mesenchymal stromal cells to differentiate into cells of neuronal lineage, and to assess differences, if any, in morphology and protein expression. Additionally, we wanted to investigate if horse age and cell passage number contributed to the ability to achieve neural differentiation.

The first part of this …

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy For Analysis Of High Density Methane-Oxygen Mixtures, Matthew Dackman

Masters Theses

The applicability of laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) toward greater than atmospheric density combustion diagnostics is examined. Specifically, this involves ascertaining the feasibility of measuring chemical equivalence ratios directly from atomic emission spectra at high density. The need for such measurement arises from the desire to quantify real time, localized combustion performance in weakly mixed flows. Insufficiently mixed flows generally result in unwanted byproducts, possess the propensity for overall combustion instability, and are increasingly likely to experience localized flame extinction.

We simulate methane/oxygen combustion in ambient pressures ranging 1 to 4 atmospheres, demonstrating these results to be analogous to what would …

The Impact Of Acute Bouts Of Two Types Of Physical Activity On Cognition In Elementary School-Aged Children, Aslynn Courtney Halvorson

Masters Theses

Purpose: To determine the effect of acute bouts of two types of physical activity on cognition in elementary school-aged children. Methods: Subjects were 21 6-11 year old children (8.8 ± 1.6 years) who were free of any cognitive or learning disabilities or delays. Children participated in three randomly ordered conditions. The control condition included watching 20 minutes of TV while seated, the cycle condition included 20 minutes of cycling on a pediatric cycle ergometer at 60% of estimated heart rate maximum, and the play condition include 20 minutes of semistructured free play activity. After each condition, the children completed 2 …

It's A Woman's World: Feminist Themes From Pride And Prejudice To The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, Amber Naz Haydar

Masters Theses

The overall objective of It’s a woman’s world: Feminist themes from Pride and Prejudice to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries is to examine the feminist themes present in Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice and their representation in Bernie Su and Hank Green’s recent web series adaptation of Austen’s novel, The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. There is first discussion of the critical conversation regarding Austen’s position as a feminist, as well as background on The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. Analysis of the feminist themes present in novel and, subsequently, adaptation, follows, and the project concludes with a discussion of some of the …

The Seasonality Of Two Parasitoids (Spathius Agrili And Tetrastichus Planipennisi) Of The Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus Planipennis, And A Survey For Native Natural Enemies Of The Emerald Ash Borer In Eastern Tennessee, Nicholas Andrew Hooie

Masters Theses

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennisi Fairmaire (Coleoptera: Buprestidae), is an invasive species of bark borer native to eastern Asia whose primary habitat and food sources are trees in the genus Fraxinus. EAB is a major pest of all North American Fraxinus species and is responsible for mortality of millions of trees across its current North American range of 23 U.S states and 2 Canadian providences. After the discovery of EAB in Tennessee in 2010, parasitoid releases were started under the national EAB Biological Control Program. A research project was initiated in 2012 to 1) study the seasonality …

A New Approach To Optimization Of Dynamic Reactive Power Sources Addressing Fidvr Issues, Weihong Huang

Masters Theses

Dynamic reactive power (var) sources, e.g. SVCs and STATCOMs, can effectively mitigate fault-induced delayed voltage recovery (FIDVR) issues or even voltage collapse. However, their optimal allocation in a power grid is a complicated nonlinear optimization problem since the post-fault voltage trajectories have to be solved to check constraints on voltage responses. Thus, solvers of both nonlinear optimization and power system differential and algebraic equations (DAEs) are required.

Currently, most of existing methods merely achieve dynamic optimization locally with great dependence on the initial operation point. Also, complicated algorithm and time consuming are obstacles for the practical implementation.

This thesis proposes …

Relationships Of Temperament, Endocrine, Reproductive, And Behavioral Parameters Measured During Performance Testing Of Bulls, Sierra Ashley Lockwood

Masters Theses

The aim of this study was to examine relationships between bull temperament, behavior, growth, endocrine, and reproductive parameters measured over an 84 d test period. Bulls (n = 65) were reared in 6 pens separated on BW and age. Pen scores were assigned on d -1, 27, 55 and 83. On d 0, 28, 56, and 84, exit velocity, BW, time it took each bull to leave the chute, bull order through chute, and hair and blood samples were recorded or collected. Frame score was calculated, carcass ultrasounds and breeding soundness exams were performed on d 84. ADG was calculated …

Tennessee Consumers’ Willingness To Pay For Beef Produced In Tennessee, Leah Moore Dobbs

Masters Theses

Little is known about Tennessee consumer willingness to pay (WTP) for beef produced in the state or about the type of outlet where they would expect to purchase Tennessee beef. Tennessee beef cattle production and sales decision making can be guided by the willingness to pay of consumers, demographics profiles of those willing to pay a premium for Tennessee beef, and outlet choice for purchasing local beef. A telephone (land-line and wireless) survey of major metropolitan areas in Tennessee was conducted in 2013 to collect data from a total of 1,209 respondents. This data is used in probit models to …

Characterization Of Lithium-6 As A Commercial Helium-3 Alternative For Nuclear Safeguards And Security, Alexander Martin Okowita

Masters Theses

Helium-3 detectors are efficient, reliable neutron detectors, but their high demand has reduced their supply to a very miniscule level, making them very expensive. The goal of this project is to test and evaluate an alternative produced by industry. Current testing is being done with a Lithium Zinc Sulfide (⁶LiF:ZnS(Ag)) detector from Aspect used in their portal monitors.

There are three basic requirements for neutron detectors used in nuclear safeguards and security: 1) high absolute detection efficiency, 2) maintaining neutron detection efficiency when simultaneously exposed to a high gamma ray exposure rate, and 3) the ability to maintain …

Attention, Hyperactivity, And Cognitive Performance In Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd), Brianna Elizabeth Pollock

Masters Theses

The extent to which Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms (i.e., inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity) are associated with ADHD-related cognitive impairments has yet to be understood. This study sought to examine between-group differences in activity level, performance on a sustained attention task and objectively measured attention, while controlling for anxiety and depression severity in a sample of adults with and without ADHD (N = 26). High precision actigraphs and behavioral codes of visual attention to task were used to examine the extent to which activity level and visual attention to task are related to performance on a sustained attention task (i.e., Continuous Performance …

Protective Coating Of Titanium Diboride Reinforcement Particulates For Improvement Of Titanium Metal Matrix Composite Armor Systems, Robert Cody Pack

Masters Theses

Titanium and titanium diboride (TiB₂) are two materials that have attracted interest for application in armor systems. Titanium exhibits a high strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance while TiB₂ exhibits high hardness and stiffness. Combining these into a titanium metal matrix composite would allow the superior ballistic properties to be taken advantage of in one composite material and lead to an improved armor system. The main obstacle behind doing so is the detrimental in situ reaction during processing between the Ti matrix and the TiB₂ reinforcing particles that converts TiB₂ into TiB. It was hypothesized …

Consumer Perceptions Of A Brand's Social Media Marketing, Taylor Michelle Smith

Masters Theses

This project seeks to inform corporate marketing efforts, as well as add to the growing body of literature on social media marketing. The purpose of this project is to assess consumer perceptions of a brand’s social media marketing. Participants were obtained from the PetSafe® brand Facebook fan page, and a total of 195 respondents completed all measures and were included in the study. The results show that brands must be actively engaging their consumers via social media in order to compete in a competitive marketplace. Engagement can be promoted through entertaining and interactive posts, useful and relevant content, word of …

Northern Bobwhite (Colinus Virginianus) Habitat Selection On A Reclaimed Surface Mine In Western Kentucky, Ashley Marie Unger

Masters Theses

Reclaimed mines present an opportunity to provide large tracts of habitat for northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus). Reclaimed mine sites are commonly planted to non–native species, including sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) and tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix), which can inhibit growth of more desirable plant species and limit favorable structure for bobwhite. Although bobwhite are found on reclaimed mine sites, there have been no studies documenting how bobwhites use various vegetation types common to reclaimed mine land. Habitat use studies can provide information on how bobwhite select vegetation types on these landscapes and help direct future …

Modeling Integral Fuel Burnable Absorbers Using The Method Of Characteristics, Erik Daniel Walker

Masters Theses

Modern core designs that utilize Westinghouse fuel technology employ the use of Integral Fuel Burnable Absorbers (IFBA) that consists of very thin coatings of boron absorber material on the fuel pellets. While IFBA has proven to be an effective burnable absorber, it does present a neutronics modeling challenge. The difficulty of modeling IFBA using the Method of Characteristics (MOC) transport method is well known, and arises from the fact that IFBA is a very small, but also very important, region in nuclear fuel. Experience in modeling IFBA at the pin cell and single assembly lattice level requires a decrease in …