Digital Commons Network^™

Job Competencies, Career Paths, And Educational Backgrounds Of "Fortune" 500 Training Directors, Rachael A. Shultz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the job competencies, career paths, and educational backgrounds of training directors and also compared the responses of male and female training directors in an attempt to identify possible sources of justification for reported male/female salary differences. Data for the study were gathered through the use of two questionnaires. The first was based on a part of the American Society for Training and Development's (ASTD) 1987-1989 Competency and Standards Study. Additionally, a demographic questionnaire dealing with biographical, educational, and professional characteristics was self-developed. Both were mailed to training directors in all Fortune 500 companies. Major findings include: (1) …

Teacher Attitudes Toward The Professional Evaluation Process, Sandra L. Sanders

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study identified teacher attitudes toward the professional evaluation process as preparation for moving from the current traditional process toward a more authentic process. The descriptive study utilized survey methodology. The Teacher Evaluation Survey, developed by the researcher, was administered along with a demographic data sheet to a stratified random sample of 475 public school teachers in the Sullivan County Tennessee school system. A 60% return rate was obtained. Analysis of the data, collected to answer the five research questions and ten hypotheses, revealed the following: Teachers feel that the current evaluation process closely resembles a competency-based process and that …

Chaos Theory In Educational Systems: Principals' Perceptions Of Sensitive Dependence On Initial Conditions, Suzan B. Baker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the characteristic of chaos theory called sensitive dependence on initial conditions or butterfly effect in schools and school systems. The purpose of the study was to develop insight into school systems by determining if categories or factors of behaviors or decisions have been observed in school systems which are sensitive to initial conditions and are therefore likely to produce exponential effects. A modified critical incident technique was used to collect data from experienced principals in three moderate sized regions in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. Participants reported incidents that were sensitive to initial conditions during interviews. The …

Interactive Television In The Classroom: A Comparison Of Student Math Achievement Among Three Instructional Settings, Sherri L. Hodge-Hardin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A dramatic expansion of distance learning through the use of interactive television (ITV) is allowing colleges and universities to offer students potentially unlimited access to educational and training opportunities. While the expanding information age beckons us to consider mechanisms for using communication technologies for the benefit of meeting the needs of learners in a variety of locations, the question may be raised--Is ITV an effective medium of instruction? This study examined the effectiveness of using an interactive television system to broadcast developmental algebra classes at East Tennessee State University. The purpose of this study was to determine if there were …

Prediction Of Student Completion Of An Associate Degree Radiologic Technology Program, Donna R. Shehane

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the admission/selection process of the Radiologic Technology Program at East Tennessee State University to ascertain predictive validity of the admission process and to identify specific indicators leading to program completion. The population for this investigation consisted of 510 students who had applied to East Tennessee State University and the Radiologic Technology Program from 1991 through 1993. Data were collected from institutional and program academic records. Correlation research was chosen to establish validity. One-way Analysis of Variance and t-test were applied to investigate different admission parameters and discriminate analysis was completed due …

Linking Teacher Evaluation, Professional Growth, And Motivation: A Multiple-Site Case Study, Nancy C. Wagner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the nature of the activities, processes, and structures used to link a teacher evaluation program to professional growth and motivation. A total of 52 teachers in the Johnson City School System, who were scheduled for evaluation during the 1994-95 school year, were selected by both random and purposeful sampling techniques to participate. Data were collected through both quantitative and qualitative methods. Principals of the nine schools involved also participated in the naturalistic inquiry component of the study. Data were analyzed both deductively and inductively. The analysis revealed attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions …

"Merkabah Stratum" Of The Short Recension Of 2 Enoch, Andrei Orlov

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The understanding of the Jewish literary environment of Early Christianity is important for Biblical research. One of the major textual sources of that environment is the so-called Enochic literature -a number of documents which were composed from the second century B.C. to the second century A.D. in Jewish and Christian communities. These texts are mainly dedicated to apocalyptic descriptions of the heavenly journeys of Enoch ben Jared, a well known Biblical character. The language and ideas of the Enochic literature had a great influence on the New Testament and on early Christology.

Fertility Effects Of Genes Causing Reproductive Isolation Inferred From Three-Way Hybrids In Phacelia, Helen Zhujun Hou

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prior studies of reproductive isolation among three varieties of Phacelia dubia have found that gene loci encoding isozymes of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) were associated with hybrid sterility. In the first part of this study, I generated three-way hybrids to determine if the genetic or chromosomal region linked to GOT encoding loci has major effects on hybrid sterility and if any observed effects were similar in different genetic backgrounds. In three-way crosses, F1 hybrids of two varieties were crossed to a third variety. Fertilities of three-way hybrids were estimated and their GOT genotypes were ascertained by starch gel electrophoresis. A …

Global Coherence And The Teaching Of Composition., Frank A. Davis 1953-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Within the discipline of rhetoric and composition, the notion of coherence possesses the status of sine qua non, yet this notion has been treated unevenly or been taken for granted, much as the process of composing itself was taken for granted for the better part of this century. This practice has occurred for the following reasons: coherence is the "unmarked" condition of speech, and by transfer, also the "unmarked" condition of writing; the surface language of a composition has traditionally been the focus for solving any problems of coherence; and, collateral disciplines have not been sufficiently drawn upon in understanding …

Preprocessing Of Microcirculatory Images., Mohamed S. Mansour

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis project consists of the development of a computerized image processing system to preprocess microvascular images of the mouse Latisimus Dorsi Muscle (LDM). This research has been conducted in association with the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Louisville. The input to the system is a set of 35 or more overlapping microscopic fields or sub_images containing segments of the LDM microcirculation, the output is an adjacent single montage encompassing the entire LDM microvasculature. The developed system presents practical solutions to the problems of image registration, overlap resolution, and image segmentation, in addition, the results …

The Theology Of Atonement Sacrifice In Leviticus 1, 4:1-6:7, And 16, Glenn Pemberton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The theology of Old Testament atonement sacrifice is foundational for both Judaism and Christianity. However, despite a consensus on its importance, the theology of atonement sacrifice remains elusive. Scholars differ significantly on the purpose, meaning, and object of atonement, as well as the modus operandi of atonement sacrifice. This study focuses on specific exegetical issues that arise from the primary sources for atonement sacrifice (Leviticus 1:1-17, 4:1-6:7, and 16:1-34) in an attempt to understand the theology of atonement sacrifice.

Moraxella (Branhamella) Catarrhalis: A Molecular Epidemiology Study, Lyndell R. Gill

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis is the third-most-frequently isolated microorganism associated with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis in patients during their stay at the Mountain Home VA Medical Center (MHVAMC). In order to develop a practical, epidemiologically-meaningful typing method for M. (B.) catarrhalis, we tested two methods based on analysis of chromosomal DNA for typeability, reproducibility, and ability to differentiate between unrelated strains (discriminatory power, D). M. (B.) catarrhalis isolants from MHVAMC from 7/1/87-6/30/88 were grown overnight in broth and embedded in agarose. DNA was isolated by standard methods. The DNA was subjected to: (1) restriction endonuclease digestion (with either Bgl II …

Persistent Oral Dyskinesias Induced By Long-Term Haloperidol Treatment Is Dissociated From Changes In Neostriatal B(Max) And Mrna Content For Dopamine D(2) Receptors, Nuoyu Huang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Due to the presumed associations of dopamine (DA) receptor supersensitivity phenomena in both long-term neuroleptic-treated tardive dyskinetic rats and neonatal 6-hydroxydopamine (n6-OHDA)-lesioned rats, we studied the influence of haloperidol on n6-OHDA-lesioned rats. At 3 days after birth rats received 6-OHDA-HBr (200 $\mu$g, bilateral intracerebroventricularly; desipramine pretreatment, 20 mg/kg, 1h) or vehicle. Two months later haloperidol (1.5/kg/day $\times$ 2 days/week for 4 weeks, then 1.5 mg/kg/day, every day for 10 months) was added to the drinking water. Spontaneous oral activity of intact and n6-OHDA-lesioned rats receiving haloperidol was reached and maintained at significantly higher levels after 15 weeks of haloperidol treatment. …

Comparative Characteristic Lifestyle Approaches Of Persisters And Dropouts In Adult High Schools In Tennessee, Samuel J. Shepherd

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem of this study was that no data existed on characteristics of life style management as related to persisters and dropouts among adult high school students in the state of Tennessee. The purpose of the study was to determine the characteristic life style approaches most prevalent among persistent enrollees, graduates, and dropouts of selected adult high school programs in Tennessee. Five hundred fifty-nine persisters and 868 dropouts were surveyed by mail, by telephone, or by school site visits. There were 419 participants in the study, 311 persisters and 108 dropouts. The research was descriptive in nature and utilized data …

Mule Racing In The Mississippi Delta, 1938-1950, Karen Marie Glynn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The cultural values of white planters and the African-American community converged during the public performance of mule racing in the Mississippi Delta. Afraid of being humiliated in public by unskilled black riders representing their plantations on unpredictable mules, planters spent time and money to find fast mules and talented hostlers. The planters' overt behavior acknowledging skilled African-American hostlers transcended the Sambo-style stereotype of mule racing promoted by the white community. Thus, they temporarily allied their values with those of the African-American community, which interpreted the races as a celebration of the skills of black farm hands. This research paper pieces …

"In The Name Of" Jesus: A Study Of The New Testament Phrase, Roger W. Kelcy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The prepositional phrase "in the name of" is applied to Jesus Christ in a variety of contexts on the pages of the New Testament. The phrase occurs several times with some verbs, and only once with others. The Greek form of the phrase varies among several different constructions.

This study attempts to uncover the meaning of this significant New Testament phrase, "in the name of" Jesus.

Validation Of An Instrument To Measure The Change In Ecological Vocabulary Of Teachers Attending Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee Endorsed Programs, James Isleib

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An instrument was developed and evaluated for measuring the effect of the Texas Environmental Education Advisory Committee (TEEAC) endorsed teacher inservice programs on participants' ecological vocabulary. Principal study objectives were to establish a basic ecological vocabulary essential to environmental education and evaluate the instrument's effectiveness in measuring change in participants' ecological vocabulary resulting from exposure to TEEAC programs. The Ecological Vocabulary Survey (EVS) was developed from 57 ecological terms. A comparison of EVS terms with terms selected by ecological and environmental education organizations indicated the EVS terms were essential to environmental education. A total of 148 matched pairs of pre …

Fighting For Peaceful Fighting: A Teaching Ministry Moving Church Members From Suppressing To Managing Conflict, Randy Willingham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to develop a seminar that offers a conflictual church an alternative way of managing conflict. The project begins by identifying one church's major obstacles to conflict engagement. These identified obstacles are a rigid theology supporting unhealthy conflict patterns, a high level of anxiety concerning conflict, a lack of skill in addressing conflict because of adaptation to conflict suppression, and a variety of unhealthy habitual responses to conflict.

The Relationship Between Student And Faculty Learning Style Congruency And Perceptions Of The Classroom Environment In Colleges Of Teacher Education, Patrick N. Kariuki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of congruence between teachers' and undergraduate education majors' learning styles in selected colleges of the Tennessee Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, and to determine if the style congruence was related to student perceptions of the classroom learning environment. A related purpose was to identify needed changes in classroom environments based on the characteristics of the actual and ideal classroom environments as perceived by students, characteristics of the actual classroom environment as perceived by their teachers, and characteristics of actual and ideal classroom environments as perceived by men and women …

Rivers Of Faith: Nurturing Holistic Faith Among Adult Members Of The Higden Church Of Christ, Jimmy Sites

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to produce a model of instruction that enabled the nurturing of holistic faith among adult members of the Higden, Arkansas, Church of Christ. The project began with an analysis of the congregation by using a Congregational Profile Inventory. Problems identified included individualism, traditionalism, an indoctrination philosophy of education (disallowing doubt, questioning, and reason), a works/righteousness approach to faith, and a lack of transparency regarding personal struggles. Many adult members were depicted as living at the projected faith level of an early adolescent. The project continued by searching for a model of faith nurturing that …

Connections: Some Implications Of Informal Communication Networks For Congregational Nurture, David B. Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An integral part of the dynamics of congregational development is the quest for deeper, maturer spiritual life. The biblical image of the church as a body conveys the "oughtness" of such progress, growth being the sure sign of the presence of life. A persistent question exists concerning the "how'' of promoting that search. The thesis of this project is that the discovery and diagramming of informal t communication networks within a church provides an effective avenue through which to nurture the spiritual life of the members. These naturally occurring links between congregants carry less resistance than do formal channels of …

The Son Of Man In Recent Discussion, Patrick E. Spencer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Though various summaries of the Son of Man debate have been attempted in the past thirty years, a disparity of views remain. In particular, recent summaries fail to adumbrate specific areas of consensus and disagreement and provide possible directions for future discussion. Most scholars concur, nonetheless, that the current debate hinges on at least two matters: the use and interpretation of the philological evidence, and the existence or nonexistence of a pre-Christian, Jewish, messianic concept. Others would add a third hinge, arguing that the validation and use of exegetical criteria are connected intricately to recent discussion.

Factors Related To The Tennessee K-12 Educators' Implementation Of The Internet Into Classroom Activities And Professional Development, Martha K. Davenport

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine what factors influence educators to use the Internet in classroom activities or in their own professional development. A random sample of 325 educators was selected from a population of Tennessee K-12 educators who were identified as having completed Internet training. Surveys were received from 198 educators. The instrument was developed by the researcher for this study. Educators were asked to respond to questions regarding access to computers and the Internet, types of Internet classroom activities, types of professional development activities, types of Internet tools used, and training. Respondents were also asked to …

The Adaptation Of Regular Elementary Classrooms For Children With Moderate And Severe Disabilities: Inclusion Practices From The Principal's Perspective, Jerry R. Herman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of elementary school principals in Tennessee regarding the desirability and feasibility of adapting regular elementary classrooms and programs for the inclusion of children with moderate and severe disabilities. The purpose of the study was to add an administrative dimension to current research on inclusive educational programming for children typically educated in special (CDC) class settings. Data collection for the descriptive design of the study was accomplished by use of a 40 item survey instrument with a 7-point Likert-type scale for each construct (i.e., desirability and feasibility). Four ten item subscales addressed the areas of Staff …

Indomethacin Reduces Splenic Red Pulp Macrophage Populations In Female New Zealand White Rabbits, Thane S. Thurmond

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to elucidate the mechanism by which indomethacin (IN) attenuates the stimulatory effect of estradiol (E$\sb2$) on rabbit splenic red pulp macrophages (RPM), thirty-nine female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into 10 groups: ovariectomized (OVX), OVX/IN at 0.1 and 5.0 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day; sham OVX (SOVX), SOVX/IN at 0.1 and 5.0 mg/kg bw/day; OVX/25 mg E2, OVX/25 mg E$\sb2$/IN at 0.1 and 5.0 mg/kg bw/day; intact Control. Quantitative changes in RPM population in response to the treatments were measured using a 0 to 4 histologic grading scale. Estradiol treatment resulted in increased RPM grade when compared …

The Adaptation Of Regular Elementary Classrooms For Children With Moderate And Severe Disabilities: Inclusion Practices From The Principal's Perspective, Jerry R. Herman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the perceptions of elementary school principals in Tennessee regarding the desirability and feasibility of adapting regular elementary classrooms and programs for the inclusion of children with moderate and severe disabilities. The purpose of the study was to add an administrative dimension to current research on inclusive educational programming for children typically educated in special (CDC) class settings. Data collection for the descriptive design of the study was accomplished by use of a 40 item survey instrument with a 7-point Likert-type scale for each construct (i.e., desirability and feasibility). Four ten item subscales addressed the areas of Staff …

Machiavellian Attitudes Acknowledged By Principals Of Tennessee Secondary Schools, George M. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to determine the level of Machiavellian attitudes acknowledged by secondary school principals as measured by the Mach V Attitude Inventory Scale. The data were collected from an ex post facto survey of 169 public and nonpublic secondary school principals, grades 9-12. Principals completed the Mach V scale and a 13-item demographic survey. Sixteen research questions were formulated to examine the relationship among the variables which produced seventeen null hypotheses. Of the seventeen null hypotheses, four were found to be significant and thirteen were nonsignificant. A review of the descriptive data indicated that the majority …

Spatial Patterns Of Milk Consumption In The Soviet Union, 1985 And 1989., Daniel Paul. Shafransky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on the factors affecting milk consumption in the Soviet Union in the years 1985 and 1989. These two years were chosen because complete data sets existed for the former Soviet Union and they represented the time period before the Soviet demise. The factors affecting the levels of milk consumption are assessed.Dept. of Geography. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1995 .S52. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 34-06, page: 2206. Adviser: I. Stebelsky. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1995.

Factors Affecting The Credibility Of Reference Letters., Vandana. Juneja

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate factors which affect the perceived credibility of letters of reference. More specifically, two factors, those being length of the letter and quality of writing style, are examined. The study questions whether longer or shorter reference letters have different levels of perceived credibility. It also proposes that as the quality of writing style of reference letters improves, their perceived credibility increases. Participants in the study included a random sample of 110 recruiters from various companies in Canada, particularly in the Toronto, Ontario area. Each participant received one of six variations of reference letters …

Fuzzy Inference Networks For Pattern Recognition., Yaling. Cai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a study of fuzzy inference networks for pattern recognition problems. In this research, fuzzy neurons are defined and five types of fuzzy neurons are introduced. Three fuzzy inference models for pattern recognition systems, min-max inference model, min-sum inference model, and min-competitive inference model, are developed. Fuzzy inference networks based on the inference models and their learning algorithms are presented. The proposed fuzzy inference networks can learn fuzzy inference rules directly from training data. Two of the proposed fuzzy inference networks, Min-Max Fuzzy Inference Network and Min-Sum Fuzzy Inference Network, are applied to pattern classification problems. These two …