Digital Commons Network^™

Investigation Of The Relationship Between A Job-Embedded Model Of Professional Development And Reading Achievement Of Elementary School Students., Janet Faulk

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The development of highly effective teachers is of interest to school systems because the quality of the teachers is associated with students' success. This study explored the relationship between teachers' participation in a job-embedded model of professional development and students' achievement in reading.

Teachers in the third grade and fifth grade at five different elementary schools received more than 100 hours of training. The reading achievement scores of students assigned to these teachers were compared to the scores of students whose teachers did not participate in the training. Findings in this study were mixed. Fifth-grade students whose teachers participated in …

The Relationships Among Perceptions Of Family Disharmony, Parent-Child Relationships, Disharmonious Family Experiences, And Adolescent Cigarette Smoking., Herbert F. Wolfe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among the following perspectives: perception of family disharmony, parent-child relationships, disharmonious family relationships, and adolescent cigarette smoking. Participants from a southeastern university reported about whether they smoke daily, weekly, monthly, never, or no longer smoke. The independent variable was smoking status of participants. Four to eight rating scales served as dependent variables for the three perspectives. Independent groups (smoking status) multivariate analyses of variance with unequal cell sizes were performed on the rating scale measures. Because none of the comparison tests were significant, the results were interpreted to suggest that …

A Comparison Of Students' And Parents' Habits And Attitudes Toward Reading In Title I And Non-Title I Schools., Judy L. Netherland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study describes and compares the reading habits and attitudes of students and parents in Title I and Non-Title I schools. The study was conducted because reading is an important basic skill that all children must acquire. The information gathered can be used to help parents provide beneficial experiences for their children in reading.

The literature review addresses literature and research related to factors identified as impacting readiness for school and reading achievement in elementary-age students. Research indicates that family structure, amount of time children spend watching television, availability of learning tools, and home literacy activities may be related to …

Resorts In Southern Appalachia: A Microcosm Of American Resorts In The Nineteenth And Early Twentieth Centuries., Mary F. Fanslow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Five resorts in East Tennessee--Montvale Springs and the Wonderland Hotel in the Smokies, Tate Spring in the Holston River Valley, Unaka Springs on the Nolichucky River, and the Cloudland Hotel at the summit of Roan Mountain--stand testament to the proposition that their region engaged fully with areas outside southern Appalachia. Their origins, clientele, and health and leisure offerings followed those of other resorts of the same time period. Moreover, the effects of national socioeconomic trends on the hotels serve as a contradiction to the stereotype of southern Appalachia as an isolated region barricaded from the outside world by mountainous topography. …

A Study Of General Education Assessment., Debra Leonard Scott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study was a correlational investigation of the effect of student demographic characteristics, prior academic performance, college academic performance, and college status on general education achievement at a rural community college in Tennessee. The criterion variable in this study was student performance on the Academic Profile examination, a nationally normed standardized test published by the Educational Testing Service that is designed to measure academic skills in general education subject areas.

The population for this study included students at Walters State Community College located in Morristown, Tennessee, who had completed or were nearing completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours …

Positive Self-Talk Statements As A Self-Esteem Building Technique Among Female Survivors Of Abuse., Fred Jackson Teaster Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this integrated review of literature was to explore the relationship between and among females in abusive relationships, self-esteem, and positive self-talk. Various models are discussed that provide possible explanations in the understanding of the complex social and psychological nature of cyclic abuse. These models are: learned helplessness, psychological entrapment, self-verification theory, and feminist theory. It is suggested that positive self-talk statements used by the female survivor as a basis for cognitive restructuring can act as a self-esteem building technique, thus promoting healthier cognitions over time. Furthermore, it is argued that self-esteem enhancement can assist females in developing …

Dose-Dependent Effects Of Salmon Calcitonin On Bone Turnover In Ovariectomized Rats., Beatrice H. Owens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, osteoporosis results in about 1.5 million annual fractures, costing approximately $15 billion. Calcitonin is safe and effective in slowing osteoporotic bone loss, but its effect is transient. The current studies were designed to explore the dose-dependent effects of salmon calcitonin on bone turnover in ovariectomized rats and to determine if the decrease in therapeutic effectiveness of calcitonin demonstrated over time with higher doses is due to oversuppression of bone turnover. Doses of 5, 15, & 50 IU/kg BW/day of calcitonin were compared to placebo in 12-week-old ovariectomized and sham-ovariectomized Sprague-Dawley rats for 24 weeks. The spinal …

A Study Of The Perceptions Of New And Veteran Elementary School Teachers Regarding Stress Factors That Impact Their Careers., Kristi Lynn Christopher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to identify some of the key stressors novice and veteran teachers face and to determine if there are any particular steps that administrators of the school systems can take to ensure the success of all teachers. The qualitative research method was used in this study. An interview guide was developed and used during the interview process. Eighteen teachers, nine new teachers and nine veteran teachers all with general education classroom experience participated in the research. The interviews were taped and transcribed verbatim, and then analyzed to develop themes.

Themes emerged regarding issues that teachers …

Marijuana Use By Juveniles: The Effects Of Peers, Parents Race, & Drug Abuse Resistance Education., Daniel J. Moeser

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors that affect the use of marijuana by juveniles and how outside influences such as peer pressure, race, parental influence, and prevention programs such as the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) contribute to the use of marijuana by juveniles. All of the variables used in this study came from the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) data collected by Esbensen and Osgood (1999). The analysis indicated that juveniles are most influenced by their peers such as friends, that African American juveniles would be less likely than Whites and Hispanics to become …

Environmental Performance Of Steel Grit And Specialty Sand As Abrasives, Xavier Silvadasan

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Dry abrasive blasting is a surface preparation process used in shipyards for cleaning the surfaces of the metal plates to be used in various components of the ship. Commonly used abrasives include sand, steel grit, mineral abrasives, metallic abrasives, and synthetic abrasives. The basic objective of this study was to understand the environmental performance of two abrasives, Steel Grit and Specialty Sand. The project was funded by the Gulf Coast Region Maritime technology Center (GCRMTC) and USEPA. It simulated actual blasting operations conducted at shipyards under enclosed, controlled conditions on plates similar to steel plates commonly blasted at shipyards. The …

Biomass Integrated Gasification Combined Cycles (Bigcc), Mun Roy Yap

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Conversion of biomass to energy does not contribute to the net increase of carbon dioxide in the environment, therefore the use of biomass waste as a clean and renewable fuel source is an attractive alternative to the use of fossil fuels. Biomass can be converted to energy via direct combustion or via thermo-chemical conversion to liquid or gas fuels. This study focuses on employing gasification technology to convert biomass waste to producer gas, which is then cleaned and fed as gaseous fuel into the gas turbine. Since the producer gases are usually low caloric values, the power plants performance under …

Three Factor Authentication Using Java Ring And Biometrics, Jyothi Chitiprolu

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Computer security is a growing field in the IT industry. One of the important aspects of the computer security is authentication. Using passwords (something you know) is one of the most common ways of authentications. But passwords have proven to provide weak level of security as they can be easily compromised. Some other ways of authenticating a user are using physical tokens, (something you possess) and biometrics, (something you are). Using any one of these techniques to secure a system always has its own set of threats. One way to make sure a system is secure is to use multiple …

A Mourning Walk Around The World: A New Mother's Buddhist Journey Through Death, Grief And Beyond, Kathleen Willis Morton

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

N/A

Simulation Of Coal Gasification Process Inside A Two-Stage Gasifier, Armin Silaen

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Gasification is a very efficient method of producing clean synthetic gas (syngas) which can be used as fuel for electric generation or chemical building block for petrochemical industries. This study performs detailed simulations of coal gasification process inside a generic two-stage entrained-flow gasifier to produce syngas carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The simulations are conducted using the commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) solver FLUENT. The 3-D Navier-Stokes equations and seven species transport equations are solved with eddy-breakup combustion model. Simulations are conducted to investigate the effects of coal mixture (slurry or dry), oxidant (oxygen-blown or air-blown), wall cooling, coal distribution between …

Wireless Intrusion Detection Sytem, John Louis Vigo Jr.

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The decrease in price and the ease of use of wireless network devices make them an attractive alternative to standard wired networks. However, the intrinsic insecurity of wireless media and weaknesses in the standards for use of wireless media leave wireless networks vulnerable to attacks from unauthorized users. The intrinsic insecurity of wireless media results from radio signals extending beyond the networks intended coverage area and the weaknesses in the standards result from the methods used for authorization and privacy. These insecurities restrict the use of wireless networks by entities that need a high level of security. This paper describes …

A Case Study Of Automotive Technology Instructors' Experiences And Perceptions Of Curriculum Change In The Louisiana Technical College, John Robert Martin

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The landscape of postsecondary education is changing in a variety of ways that present challenges and opportunities to educators, policymakers, and other stakeholders of higher education. One of the most significant areas of postsecondary educational change is in the community and technical college setting. The missions of both these institutional settings have changed to meet new technological demands, global economic competition, and societal issues. A consequence of mission change has been significant changes in the manner that instruction of technical education is conducted at these institutions. This case study explores automotive technology instructors' experiences and perceptions of changes in their …

Access To Care: A Hospice Model Of Access To Care For The Homeless, Mary Ann Bridget Kinney

Theses and Graduate Projects

Access to Hospice for the terminally ill patient is a monumental problem for the disenfranchised person. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) in Washington D.C. there is an estimate of 3.5 million people who experience homelessness in a year (2003). The homeless face many health care service gaps including the vital service of end- of- life nursing care, which allows for death with dignity. The following paper will discuss the author's experience with the homeless, the need of access to Hospice Care for the homeless, and a review of literature regarding access to Hospice for the homeless. …

Employee Satisfaction And Performance: A Study Of The Rc Hotel Company Kitchen Environment, Melissa Bradberry Sims

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Employee satisfaction and performance are a major determinant of the corporate culture of a property. Discussion of whether or not this statement is true within the kitchens of The Ritz Carlton Hotel in New Orleans is the basis for this study. By using the corporate mandated tools (the annual employee satisfaction survey and the employee performance appraisals) the determination of this question was confirmed. However, there were some great concerns about the validity of the two tools. The tools showed a definite relationship between the employee satisfaction survey and the performance appraisal, as well as a negative employee perception of …

Relationship Between The Sludge Settling Characteristics And The Parameters Of The Activated Sludge System, Jose Angel Rojas

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The activated sludge process is one of the most commonly employed domestic and industrial waste treatment process. Different types of mathematical models have been proposed for design and operation of this process, most of which do not consider the relationship between the sludge settling characteristics and the aeration unit performance. This project studies the validity of a model developed by La Motta (2004b) which links the operating parameters of an activated sludge system and the classical limiting flux sludge settling theory. Favorable results were obtained demonstrating that the model predicts very similar values of the parameters of the system in …

The Trial Of Harry Dexter White: Soviet Agent Of Influence, Tom Adams

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The Red Scare of the late 1940s and 1950s was fueled by claims of governmental espionage from former members of the communist underground. Harry Dexter White, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury was accused of being a Soviet agent of influence. This paper will analyze the current issues in the discussion of Soviet espionage and focus on White's activities in this regard. The evidence on White is clear enough to show that he did pass sensitive information to the Soviets. He also succeeded in subverting American policy to favor Soviet interests over U.S. interests. White's activities in government service suggest that …

A Comparison Of The Pulmonary Function Of Older Endurance Athletes With Age-Matched Sedentary Controls, James Carroll Buras

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To compare the pulmonary function of older runners with non-runners and also the population norms. Method: 40 males ages 45 to 65 were compared for respiratory muscle strength, spirometry and maximum voluntary ventilation. Univariate and multivariate analysis (p < 0.05) were used to determine differences Results: No significant differences in age, height, or respiratory muscle strength were found. A significant difference was found for weight and BMI with the non-runners having greater values. The dependent variables of FVC, FEV1, FEF25-75%, PEF, and MVV resulted in a significant difference with the runners having greater values. A significant difference was also found for pulmonary function between runners and the general population. Conclusion: Continued and habitual aerobic exercise in the form of running in 45 to 65 year old men resulted in pulmonary function values that were significantly greater than those of the non-runners and also greater than population norms.

Voice Of The Dead, Anthony Carl Derrico

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

N/A

Get Flanagan: The Rise And Fall Of The Federal Theatre Project, Sean Patterson

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an attempt to render theatrically the establishment and eventual dissolution of the Federal Theatre Project, from the point of view of its appointed director Hallie Flanagan. Drawn from a variety of historical sources, including subjective first-person accounts and objective transcripts of congressional investigation testimony, the play approximates the structure of the Living Newspaper, a style of presentation adopted by the Federal Theatre Project. This thesis also includes an appendix, which details my playwriting process for this particular play, from initial concept through to production.

Excavating, Shelley Puhak

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Excavation, the process by which archeologists gather information, is the principle behind the composition of these poems— these are acts of imagination, of identification. In linking my singular life with the lives of others, I hope to tap into the common human yearning, to paraphrase my poem "The Fat Woman, " to be swallowed up by something, anything, bigger than ourselves.

Development And Characterization Of Controlled Drug Delivery Using Nanoparticles, Li Chen

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this project was to develop new controlled drug delivery systems using nanomeric particles and characterize the delivery of drugs into cells in real time by digital fluorescence imaging microscopy techniques. The project is based on the idea that it could be possible to improve efficacy of drug molecules when encapsulated in nanometer-sized particles. Due to their small dimensions the particles could permeate through cells and tissues and even through the blood brain barrier. The anti-cancer drug Doxorubicin was encapsulated into biodegradable Poly (DL-lactideco- glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles by simple nanoprecipitation method. The small size of these particles (<200nm) could be beneficial to realize passive tumor-targeted drug delivery through enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effects. These drug-containing particles showed a sustained release profile. Fluorescence images indicated that these particles can be internalized by human breast cancer MCF-7 cells by non-specific endocytosis. The bioactivity of the drugs was also tested against cell culture. The results indicated that DXR-loaded PLGA nanoaprticles could be used to deliver Doxorubicin into breast cancer cells.

Effects Of Chronic Sleep And Food Deprivation On In Vivo Levels Of Prepro-Hypocretin (Pph), Kelly Dunn

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The hypocretin peptides are two hypothalamic peptides known to be involved in both sleeping and feeding behavior, however their specific roles in these domains are not well understood. The present study sought to determine the effect of chronic (72-hour) sleep deprivation and (48-hour) food deprivation on preprohypocretin (PPH), which is the precursor for the hypocretin peptides. PPH levels were visualized and quantified via in situ hybridization. A three-factor ANOVA ( group x dorsal/ventral x medial/lateral) revealed a significant effect of subregion, specifically dorsal/middle and ventral/medial exhibited elevated PPH levels, however there was no effect of group. A between group one-way …

Towards A Regression Test Selection Technique For Message-Based Software Integration, Sriram Kuchimanchi

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Regression testing is essential to ensure software quality. Regression Test-case selection is another process wherein, the testers would like to ensure that test-cases which are obsolete due to the changes in the system should not be considered for further testing. This is the Regression Test-case Selection problem. Although existing research has addressed many related problems, most of the existing regression test-case selection techniques cater to procedural systems. Being academic, they lack the scalability and detail to cater to multi-tier applications. Such techniques can be employed for procedural systems, usually mathematical applications. Enterprise applications have become complex and distributed leading to …

A System-On-Programmable-Chip Approach For Mimo Lattice Decoder, Vipul Hiralal Patel

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The past decade has shown distinct advances in the theory of multiple input multi output techniques for wireless communication systems. Now, the time has come to demonstrate this progress in terms of applications. This thesis introduces implementation of Schnorr- Euchner strategy based decoding algorithm applied on Altera system-on-chip (Stratix EP1S10F780C6) with Nios embedded processor. The lattice decoder is developed on FPGA using VHDL. The preprocessing part of algorithm is targeted for Nios embedded processor using C language. A controller is also designed to interface and communicate between the Nios embedded processor and lattice decoder.

A Comparison Of Multiple-Model Target Tracking Algorithms, Ryan Pitre

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

There are many multiple-model (MM) target-tracking algorithms that are available but there has yet to be a comparison that includes all of them. This work compares seven of the currently most popular MM algorithms in terms of performance, credibility, and computational complexity. The algorithms to be considered are the autonomous multiple-model algorithm, generalized pseudo- Bayesian of first order, generalized pseudo-Bayesian of second order, interacting multiple-model algorithm, B-Best algorithm, Viterbi algorithm, and reweighted interacting multiple-model algorithm. The algorithms were compared using three scenarios consisting of maneuvers that were both in and out of the model set. Based on this comparison, there …

Kinetics Of Dcod Consumption By Bacterial Suspensions, Shirley Poliszuk

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this investigation was to study the kinetics of readily biodegradable soluble substrate, and the interactions between the bioflocculation process and such kinetics. Several batch test experiments were performed at different soluble-substratebiomass ratios in order to evaluate its impact on the kinetics and the order of the reaction. Similarly the consumption of dissolved substrate was compared using two different bacterial suspensions: (1) flocculated suspension; and (2) dispersed cells suspensions. In this research flocculated biomass from a complete mixed activated sludge (CMAS) system was tested using sequencing batch reactors (SBR). Results indicate that when the So/Xo ratio is low …