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Determining The Phylogenetic Relationship Of A Collection Of Hydra Strains And Species Using The Mitochondrial Genes : Lrrna, Trna-Trp And Coii, Jacob Zuckman Aug 2005

Determining The Phylogenetic Relationship Of A Collection Of Hydra Strains And Species Using The Mitochondrial Genes : Lrrna, Trna-Trp And Coii, Jacob Zuckman

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The discovery of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in the early 1960’s ushered in the field of organellar genetics. Evidence from both genetic and physical techniques has demonstrated that mtDNA are generally circular in structure, and that they represent the vestigial structure of the ancestral prokaryotic endosymbiont genome (Nosek et al., 1998). The more than 90 vertebrates and invertebrates sequenced to date have been found to have a remarkably constant gene content. With few exceptions, each contains the genes for 13 energy pathway proteins, the 2 RNA components of mitochondrial ribosomes (23S and 16S rRNA), and 22 transfer RNAs (Pont-Kingdon et …


Haiti : Entre Capitalisme Et Socialisme, Nadine Bernard Aug 2005

Haiti : Entre Capitalisme Et Socialisme, Nadine Bernard

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This work explores the complexities of Haiti’s embattled destiny, and shows how the particular political, social, economic and culural history of Haiti has led the nation into an existential dead end. As a matter of fact, Haiti seems to be hampered by a deep historical divide, which finds its origin in the colonial history of the country, especially during slavery and later during the colonial period under France. Although mulattoes and blacks rebelled against slavery and fought together for their independence in 1804, they remained divided on the basis of race, culture and socioeconomic status for a long time to …


Fluorescent Photoinduced Electron Transfer (Pet) Cation Sensors Derived From Natural Products, Kenny Loo Aug 2005

Fluorescent Photoinduced Electron Transfer (Pet) Cation Sensors Derived From Natural Products, Kenny Loo

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Two new second generation fluorescent switches that are based on the chromophore-spacer-receptor architecture are reported in this thesis. The fluorescence modulation of these switches is a result of quenching or initiating photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between the chromophore and the receptors due to cation binding. These two molecules utilize an alkaloid, anabasine, as the proton receptor, and function as fluorescent off-on-off switches with decreasing pH. One of these molecules also utilizes a coumarin as the chromophore, making it the first rationally designed fluorescent PET system based on natural products. Further studies of two well-known first generation fluorescent switches to achieve …


Ecology Of The Plankton Of Lakes Wapalanne And Ocquittunk In Sussex County, New Jersey, Malgorzata Barbara Drazek-Falah Aug 2005

Ecology Of The Plankton Of Lakes Wapalanne And Ocquittunk In Sussex County, New Jersey, Malgorzata Barbara Drazek-Falah

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The diversity of planktonic organisms was studied for seven months in Lake Wapalanne and Lake Ocquittunk (Stokes State Forest), Sussex County, New Jersey. Relative abundance and species diversity were studied as well as water quality including parameters: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity and depth of lakes. The data of seasonal changes in abundance of organisms and water quality was compared between both lakes.

Three stations were set up along the straight line on Lake Wapalanne, buoyed by diatometers, which were used for diatom collection. There were also three stations located along the sides of Lake Ocquittunk arbitrary picked. Plankton samples …


Recognition And Reconciliation In Paradise Lost, Mary Allen Aug 2005

Recognition And Reconciliation In Paradise Lost, Mary Allen

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

In Paradise Lost, we learn that a crucial element to attaining happiness is recognizing the eternal presence of God in ourselves and in others. Lack of recognition, particularly on the part of Satan and of Eve, causes separation from God, which leads these characters as well as those with whom they are in relationships, to untold misery. Both make the mistake of choosing to separate themselves from their source of wisdom and happiness - Satan by rebelling against God, and Eve by rejecting both her relationship with Adam and with God when she is deceived by Satan.

I will argue …


Hemispheric Differences In Deception And Fanaticism : A Model Using High Affiliation Sports Fans, Karen J. Kelly Aug 2005

Hemispheric Differences In Deception And Fanaticism : A Model Using High Affiliation Sports Fans, Karen J. Kelly

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Deception is a frequent component of daily conversation and interactions. It is used both casually and deliberately in low and high stakes situations, respectively. A need to develop more accurate and efficient deception detection techniques has become important in response to such high stakes situations in which deliberate deception is employed. Terrorist acts motivated by fanatical beliefs constitute perhaps the most salient and increasingly prevalent example of such high stakes deception. Fanaticism develops in response to a number of belief systems including religion, politics, and sports. The relative accessibility and social acceptability o f sports fanaticism lends itself to experimental …


Disease Outbreaks In Coupled Populations : An Application To Measles Spread In Cameroon, Kirsten Maggie Viz May 2005

Disease Outbreaks In Coupled Populations : An Application To Measles Spread In Cameroon, Kirsten Maggie Viz

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Many childhood diseases can be modeled mathematically using a system of differential equations that group the overall population into compartments. Much research has been done to understand and control the spread of these diseases within a single population and between coupled populations with constant parameters. In this thesis, we are concerned with how a disease is spread through and between coupled populations using models with time-varying parameters and asymmetric coupling.

Measles outbreaks in the West African country of Cameroon present a good example of disease spread with seasonality. By dividing Cameroon into two subpopulations and using parameters that reflect recent …


Quantifying Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition As A Nonpoint Source Pollution And Its Potential Effects On The Mullica River-Great Bay Ecosystem, Jennifer Haag May 2005

Quantifying Atmospheric Nitrogen Deposition As A Nonpoint Source Pollution And Its Potential Effects On The Mullica River-Great Bay Ecosystem, Jennifer Haag

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

To characterize atmospheric nitrogen deposition and its potential impact on the Mullica River-Great Bay Estuary, atmospheric sampling was conducted at Rutgers University Marine Field Station in Tuckerton, New Jersey from March 2004 to March 2005. A total of 52 precipitation samples were collected on an event basis using a MIC wet-only automatic precipitation sampler. A total of 23 aerosol samples were also taken during this period of time with a high-volume aerosol sampler. Chemical analysis was performed using a Dionex Ion Chromatograph to determine the concentrations of nitrate and ammonium in precipitation and associated with aerosols. Nitrate concentrations for precipitation …


An Integrated Conflict Management System For The Private Sector Workplace, Jessica Kettle May 2005

An Integrated Conflict Management System For The Private Sector Workplace, Jessica Kettle

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This thesis begins with an examination inside the private sector workplace and the manner in which the corporate environment currently manages conflict. Upon defining the methods that seem to be best practices, this thesis will analyze what is valuable and what changes should be implemented for a more effective system. The model that is projected serves as a preliminary proposal of the content of an integrative conflict management system. It does not discuss in detail the cost / benefit analysis of a current structure versus what the costs the new system would assume. Also, its purpose is not to yet …


International Students’ Perceptions Of Food Service At A New Jersey State University, Rebecca Ann Schubert May 2005

International Students’ Perceptions Of Food Service At A New Jersey State University, Rebecca Ann Schubert

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The aim of this study is to explore international students’ perceptions of food service at Montclair State University. Twelve international students were recruited to participate in this quick ethnography. Seven of the twelve participants were males and five were females. Students came from a variety of ethnic backgrounds including Asian/Pacific Islander, African, Hispanic and White, non-Hispanic. Inclusion criteria were that the students must be considered international students by the university and must be able to effectively communicate in English. The students completed a fourteen-question survey questionnaire which asked about demographic data as well as questions about attitudes and beliefs about …


Effects Of Pre- And Post-Trip Activities Associated With A Residential Environmental Education Experience At The New Jersey School Of Conservation On Students’ Attitudes Toward The Environment, Lisa Cavern May 2005

Effects Of Pre- And Post-Trip Activities Associated With A Residential Environmental Education Experience At The New Jersey School Of Conservation On Students’ Attitudes Toward The Environment, Lisa Cavern

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Scholars of both general education and environmental education (EE) have suggested using targeted activities before and after field experiences may increase the assimilation of desired concepts by students (Ballantyne & Packer, 1996; Bogner, 1998; Dettmann- Easler & Pease, 1999; Flavell, 1979; Knapp & Poff, 2001; Marzano, Gaddy, & Dean, 2000). A search of the EE literature using the ERIC database for the years 1967-present found two studies that explored the use of additional activities to prepare for or reinforce concepts from zoo and garden programs (Farmer & Wott, 1995; Gutierrez de White & Jacobson, 1994), but none related to residential …


Revealing The Myths : Jeanette Winterson's New Space Of Body, Love And Narrative In Written On The Body, Bonnie Cara Glasser May 2005

Revealing The Myths : Jeanette Winterson's New Space Of Body, Love And Narrative In Written On The Body, Bonnie Cara Glasser

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This thesis derives from my interest in the way in which we read and understand novels. We may not consciously realize that we are socially conditioned to read and translate texts in certain ways. Until I started writing this paper, I did not realize the influence that social conditioning had on me when I read. Now that I am more aware of this influence, I am more careful about how I read. I realize that I should not read certain issues within texts as natural, but to think of them as constructions created to serve a specific purpose.

The focus …


The Effects Of Heavy Metals On The Cyanobacterium, Anacystis Nidulans, Suzen Sameer Awad May 2005

The Effects Of Heavy Metals On The Cyanobacterium, Anacystis Nidulans, Suzen Sameer Awad

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Anacystis nidulans is a rod-shaped, freshwater cyanobacterium. Like other cyanobacteria, it is an obligate photoautotroph that is similar to gram-negative bacteria in cell wall structure, replication and ability to harbor plasmids. Anacystis nidulans is often used as an indicator of the presence and level of pollutants in the environment. Mercury, iron, cadmium, and zinc are among the heavy metal contaminants found in the environment and in bodies of freshwater through industrial discharges, agricultural runoff and sewage treatments. In very low concentrations, they do not pose any threat to the environment, but high concentrations can be lethal. Different microorganisms vary in …


Environmental Restoration : The Catalyst Of A City's Successful Revitalization, A Potential Application Example, City Of Camden, New Jersey, Maria Del Rocio Bosch Clark May 2005

Environmental Restoration : The Catalyst Of A City's Successful Revitalization, A Potential Application Example, City Of Camden, New Jersey, Maria Del Rocio Bosch Clark

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This thesis aims to concisely emphasize and demonstrate the importance of the connection between urban and natural environments, towards fostering a strong and healthy quality of life for its citizens.

The notion of applying an integrated comprehensive approach to city planning and environmental restoration (such as brownfields redevelopment) is lacking throughout many communities. On the other hand, "success stories" exist around the world that link a comprehensive city plan and environmental restoration to their successes. These attestations of accomplishments demonstrate that regardless of the geographical or economic circumstances, this thesis concept might be applied.

This thesis concept is simplified by …


Semantic Parsing Of Java I/O In Novice Programs For An Online Grading System, William Madden May 2005

Semantic Parsing Of Java I/O In Novice Programs For An Online Grading System, William Madden

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Beginning programming students have access to sophisticated development tools that enable them to write syntactically correct code in a straightforward manner. However, code that compiles and runs can still execute poorly, or with unintended results. We present a tool, based on an open-source parser-generation product written in Java, that performs semantic analysis of novice Java code. Specifically, the present investigation concerns the semantics of Java output methods, particularly when they are enclosed within iterative structures in the language. The effort will be to guard against threats that such methods pose to system integrity and performance, intercepting them prior to runtime. …


Short-Term And Long-Term Effects Of High Intensity Forest Fires On Soil Phyllosilicates, Jennifer Rose Reynard May 2005

Short-Term And Long-Term Effects Of High Intensity Forest Fires On Soil Phyllosilicates, Jennifer Rose Reynard

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

High intensity forest fires can alter the clay minerals found in soils. These minerals can be degraded, collapsed, as well as completely destroyed. Signatures of these fires may remain for years after the bums. To ascertain the impact of high intensity fire on soil physical properties, samples were collected from the area in and around the 2002 Hayman, Colorado, fire. These included burned samples from several areas within the perimeter of the fire (taken one to four months following the fire), unburned samples near the origin of the fire, as well as samples from areas of historic burns nearby. This …


Film Noir, Hard-Boiled Fiction, And Working Women : Depression And Post-War America, Andrew S. Wiecek May 2005

Film Noir, Hard-Boiled Fiction, And Working Women : Depression And Post-War America, Andrew S. Wiecek

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The writer examines the connections between the femme fatale in film noir and 1930s hard-boiled fiction, claiming that noir critics are misguided in their claim that the femme fatale has historical specificity to postwar America. The writer summarizes criticism on the femme fatale in film noir and proceeds to underscore the significant contributions to made by the hard-boiled tradition to noir. He believes that these contributions point to a pre-war male anxiety about female independence that he traces to the economic instability of the Depression. From this anxiety during the Depression, the author claims, came the femme fatale of hard-boiled …


O Great Beginning : Through The Ashes To The Masses, Louise Julia Cavallo May 2005

O Great Beginning : Through The Ashes To The Masses, Louise Julia Cavallo

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The theme of death as a catalyst for the protagonist’s political awakening at the end of Jews Without Money has never been evaluated as a central idea in Michael Gold’s autobiographical novel. This paper focuses on Gold’s obsession with death through each chapter and how he systematically draws death closer and closer into his own family enclave, until the symbols of death become the symptoms of a decaying society.

Critics through the decades have not recognized the continuity of death as presented in this text. Alfred Kazin, Alan Wald, Marcus Klein, even Michael Folsom, who had a first-hand relationship with …