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Perceptions Of Alcohol Consumption: An Examination Of Undergraduate Students' Perception Of Harmful Alcohol Consumption As A Social Problem And Its Relationship With Crime, Michael Chad Gann Apr 2008

Perceptions Of Alcohol Consumption: An Examination Of Undergraduate Students' Perception Of Harmful Alcohol Consumption As A Social Problem And Its Relationship With Crime, Michael Chad Gann

Criminology & Criminal Justice Theses - Archive

The role of law enforcement in the United States has evolved such that police officers are expected to be problem solvers as well as crime fighters. To that extent, the author begins this study as a broad examination of a social problem that plagues the United States on a day to day basis and ultimately focuses more specifically on social problems locally. It is understood that alcohol-related offenses are the leading cause of negligent deaths in the United States but the problem goes deeper than most realize. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to examine undergraduate students' perceptions of …


Ddasaccident598, Hd-Aid Apr 2008

Ddasaccident598, Hd-Aid

Global CWD Repository

It is the conclusion of investigation team that the involved deminer was excavation a signal in an area where the ground surface was hard with dense vegetation, and considering the crater created as a result of the explosion it seems that the deminer was excavating the signal about 30 cm on right side of the working lane where he was not in a stable position for excavating the signal by scraper; the excavation of this lane required to be done in next clearance lane.


Falling Into The Rabbit Hole: Monstrosity, Modesty, And Mary Toft, Piper Crisp Davis Apr 2008

Falling Into The Rabbit Hole: Monstrosity, Modesty, And Mary Toft, Piper Crisp Davis

English Theses - Archive

The obstetrical hoax perpetrated by Mary Toft in eighteenth-century England is worth the further attention of English scholars, not only because numerous literary texts are inspired by or linked to the incident, but also because existing studies frequently simplify this contemporary cultural fascination by associating it with theories of monstrosity. In this paper, I demonstrate that attempts to examine the rabbit births through the lens of monstrosity are complicated by the imprecise nature of language and the multiple meanings of the term monstrous, while attempts at objective observation are frustrated and deconstructed by satirists, by other scientists, and even by …


The Politics Of State Public Arts Funding, Danielle Marie Georgiou Apr 2008

The Politics Of State Public Arts Funding, Danielle Marie Georgiou

Political Science Theses - Archive

Arts funding in America is comprised of public dollars, private support, and earned income that is critical to the economic vitality of state and local communities and to the nation's cultural well-being. To date, most research has focused either on the national level, on the local level, or on public opinions and attitudes regarding the arts. In contrast, patterns of state arts funding have not been thoroughly examined since the 1980s. This study attempts to identify factors that explain differences in levels of state funding for the arts by examining changes in state-level funding (1985-2007) and policymaking. This study is …


Anxiety, In-Group Identification, And Depersonalized Trust, Jennifer Rae Jones Apr 2008

Anxiety, In-Group Identification, And Depersonalized Trust, Jennifer Rae Jones

Psychology Theses - Archive

In a previous study, we (Kenworthy & Jones, 2008) examined the effect of induced anxiety on depersonalized in-group trust within low and high importance groups. We found that the anxiety induction increased depersonalized in-group trust within high importance groups, but did not do so within low importance groups. Further, self-reported anxiety scores mediated the relationship between the emotion induction and depersonalized trust in high importance groups. Taking a social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1986) approach, I replicated Kenworthy and Jones (2008) with a different anxiety induction, and with the addition of risk-aversion as potentially mediating the relationship between anxiety …


Closed-Form Development Of A Family Of Higher Order Tetrahedral Elements Through The Fourth Order, Sara Elizabeth Mccaslin Apr 2008

Closed-Form Development Of A Family Of Higher Order Tetrahedral Elements Through The Fourth Order, Sara Elizabeth Mccaslin

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Dissertations - Archive

This research is concerned with the development and implementation of a family of tetrahedral elements through the fourth order. The straight-sided tetrahedral elements are developed in closed-form. This work investigates the efficiency of closed-form implementation of stiffness matrices and error estimators compared to numerical implementation. An additional objective is the compaction of closed-form source-code files which require as little storage space as possible, a more pronounced requirement at high p-levels. For the straight-sided elements through p-level 4, the stiffness matrix, equivalent nodal load vectors, and error estimators (based on nodal averaging) are developed using closed-form equations obtained through the use …


Non-Linear Finite Element Dynamic Analysis Of Tapered Hollow Steel Poles For Passive Base Isolation, Tri Le Apr 2008

Non-Linear Finite Element Dynamic Analysis Of Tapered Hollow Steel Poles For Passive Base Isolation, Tri Le

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Long tapered poles are commonly used to support Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Cameras for security and traffic monitoring. Images received from CCTV are normally distorted depending on the wind induced vibration characteristics of the forcing function. To reduce image distortion, three approaches are integrated to optimize the process, which are: (1) development of equations for pole's frequency of vibration in terms of its geometric variables; (2) development of a mechanical damping device to isolate the pole's vibration from that of the camera; and (3) development of an electrical image processing device for image corrections. The identification of a pole's natural …


Southern Illinois Paleoclimate Determined From Variations In Iron Oxide Content, James Lee Blankenship Apr 2008

Southern Illinois Paleoclimate Determined From Variations In Iron Oxide Content, James Lee Blankenship

Earth & Environmental Sciences Theses - Archive

Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy was used to determine the relative abundance of the iron oxides hematite and goethite in a loess and paleosol sequence from an unglaciated area of southern Illinois. Factor analysis of first derivatives of the spectral data yielded a four factor solution which explained more than 94% of the cumulative variance. Factors 2 and 3, which represent hematite and goethite respectively, were the most useful for interpreting paleoclimatic conditions at the site. Hematite, which is indicative of warmer conditions with periodic seasonal rainfall, shows a strong response not only to climatic variations but also to glacial lobe proximity. …


Native Spaces Of Continuation, Preservation, And Belonging: Louise Erdrich's Concepts Of Home, Jonathan Max Wilson Apr 2008

Native Spaces Of Continuation, Preservation, And Belonging: Louise Erdrich's Concepts Of Home, Jonathan Max Wilson

English Dissertations - Archive

In light of continual Native migration, relocation, and hybridization, it is my intention to examine the evolution and diversification of home in a spectrum of Louise Erdrich's writing. My examination of the texts focuses on the notion that "home" for all Native Americans (mixed and full bloods) has and is evolving and that this re-definition has made the location of language, culture, family, and community a "Home" that cannot be defined by traditional Native or Western boundaries or definitions. Instead, home depends on the inter-relation of such attributes, but it is not specific to any inclusion or omission. Home is …


Lack Of Respiratory Effects Of Nicotine Applied To The Caudal Medullary Raphã©, Nicole Bates Apr 2008

Lack Of Respiratory Effects Of Nicotine Applied To The Caudal Medullary Raphã©, Nicole Bates

Biology Theses - Archive

Breathing is an involuntary and automatic process initiated by a network of neurons within the brainstem. These neurons are affected by a number of factors (mechanical, electrical and chemical) that help modulate the frequency and pattern of breathing. Three respiratory chemosensitive sites have traditionally been described on the ventral medullary surface. These sites are affected by the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bathing the brain and by chemicals dissolved within the CSF. More recently, additional sites have been described with chemosensitive activity and of these the medullary raphé has received the most attention. Although the dangers of smoking is …


Key Competences And Academic Achievement In Mexican High School Technological Education, Jose Antonio Arevalo-Deleon Apr 2008

Key Competences And Academic Achievement In Mexican High School Technological Education, Jose Antonio Arevalo-Deleon

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

The general purpose of the study was to determine the relation between key competences and academic achievement in technological high school students in the state of Nuevo Leon. This dissertation was based in the contributions and investigations made from the approach of one of the contemporary theories of human capital. Human capital is the result of three fundamental aspects, recognized in the contemporary literature as key competences. These key competences are language, formal reasoning and mathematical skills. This study was a secondary data analysis. The dependant variable was academic achievement, represented by the GPA. The independent variables were the key …


Sounds Of Chinese Korean: A Variationist Approach, Wenhua Jin Apr 2008

Sounds Of Chinese Korean: A Variationist Approach, Wenhua Jin

Linguistics & TESOL Dissertations - Archive

This study approaches the understudied Chinese Korean from a variationist perspective, with an aim to capture the variation patterns and potential changes in the sounds of Chinese Korean. More specifically, three variables were examined: the voice onset time (VOT) of stop consonants and front rounded vowels /y/ and /ø/. To discern any variation and change in these variables, 35 native speakers of Chinese Korean were interviewed in three different styles and digitally recorded in the Korean community of Shenyang, China. Results of the analysis reveal the existence of a diachronic VOT shift and the "incrementation" of VOT change in the …


Dynamic Properties Of Compacted Soils Using Resonant Column With Self-Contained Bender Elements, Roshnara Mohammad Apr 2008

Dynamic Properties Of Compacted Soils Using Resonant Column With Self-Contained Bender Elements, Roshnara Mohammad

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

A comprehensive series of resonant column and bender elements tests were simultaneously performed in the developed RC/BE apparatus. RC/BE tests were conducted on compacted specimens of poorly graded sand (SP) and high plasticity clay (CH) prepared at different moisture contents (17.7, 22.1, 25.5, 30.2% by weight for clay, and 5, 10, 15, 20% by weight for sand) and under different confining pressures (0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 psi, or 0, 17.2, 34.4, 69.0 kPa) in order to assess the influence of key environmental factors, such as compaction induced suction and confining pressure, on small-strain stiffness properties of unsaturated soils, such …


Community Organizations' Involvement In School Safety Planning: Does It Make A Difference In School Violence?, Joy D. Patton Apr 2008

Community Organizations' Involvement In School Safety Planning: Does It Make A Difference In School Violence?, Joy D. Patton

Social Work Theses - Archive

It is highly suggested by researchers, authors and government entities that schools involve community organizations in school safety planning and the development of safety strategies. However, there are no known studies suggesting the effectiveness of this involvement. This study investigated community organizations involvement in school safety planning as a predictor of serious violent incidents using a regression analysis. In block one, law enforcement involvement in school safety planning was the only significant predictor of serious violent incidents (p < .05). Law enforcement organizations had showed a negative relationship with serious violent incidents (t= -2.994). When law enforcement organizations were involved in school safety planning, there were lower numbers of serious violent incidents. In block two, when adding school characteristics (size, location and racial distribution) to the model, law enforcement involvement continues to be a significant predictor of serious violent incidents (p < .05) and still having a negative relationship (t = -2.058). School size (t = 7.736, p < .01), school location (t= -3.386, p < .01) and racial distribution (t = 4.125, p < .01) were also significant predictors of serious violent incidents. In block three of the regression model, violence prevention and intervention variables were added. The results of this analysis shows that law enforcement is no longer a significant predictor of violence (t= -1.829, p > .05). In this model it can be seen that prevention variables related to student surveillance was a significant predictor of serious violence …


Abuse, Trauma, And Social Bonding In The Etiology Of Female Delinquency, Louis Dwayne Laster Apr 2008

Abuse, Trauma, And Social Bonding In The Etiology Of Female Delinquency, Louis Dwayne Laster

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

The study was designed to examine the ability of social bonding and abuse variables in explaining the phenomena of female delinquency. An existing data source, the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, provided information-rich data regarding female delinquents from nine primary sampling units located in the North American mid-west. The data was collected from a total of 5,501 youth between 1999 and 2002. A total of 2,587 females participated in the study, and 280 female delinquents (n=280) from wave 1 were studied in this analysis. The purpose of the study was to examine the theoretical frameworks of girls' survival …


An Ecological Systems Theory Approach In Looking At Mental Health Care Barriers In The Latino Community, Iran Barrera Apr 2008

An Ecological Systems Theory Approach In Looking At Mental Health Care Barriers In The Latino Community, Iran Barrera

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study is an analysis of the association between mental healthcare barriers at the microsystem level using an ecological systems theory and key demographic variables among Latinos 18 years of age and older residing in the U.S. The analysis is based on a multi-stratified random sample collected in 2005 from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 2005 NSDUH primary principle is to measure the occurrences of drug use in the United States; however, the survey …


The Social Capital Effect In Nonprofit Human Service Organizations: An Examination Of Potential Outcomes Of Organizational Social Capital Related To Effectiveness, Delissa Garcia Nuno Apr 2008

The Social Capital Effect In Nonprofit Human Service Organizations: An Examination Of Potential Outcomes Of Organizational Social Capital Related To Effectiveness, Delissa Garcia Nuno

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

The study provided for a more complete understanding of social capital theory and its applicability to nonprofit human service organizations (NPHSOs). The initial analysis included an examination of potential outcomes of social capital (e.g., human capital, financial capital, volunteerism, and program effectiveness); and secondly, the study examined possible mediating effects between social capital and program effectiveness in NPHSOs, while controlling for demographic differences. Primary data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire distributed to a sample of NPHSOs, United Way partner agencies in the eight most populated regions in the State of Texas. The survey response rate, after attrition resulted in …


What's The Personality Of A Blank? An Examination Of The Personality Differences Between Reporters And Nonreporters Of Demographics, Chloe J. Tatney Apr 2008

What's The Personality Of A Blank? An Examination Of The Personality Differences Between Reporters And Nonreporters Of Demographics, Chloe J. Tatney

Psychology Theses - Archive

The current study examined the measurement equivalence of personality measures between those who report demographic variables (i.e., age, race, and gender) and those who do not report these variables. Measurement equivalence was not established between the two groups, so subsequent analyses of personality differences were interpreted with caution and efforts were made to restore equivalence between the two groups. The Dynamic Factors Survey and the Guilford-Zimmerman Temperament Survey (which were the personality inventories used in the analyses) were mapped onto the Big Five personality dimensions in an effort to generalize findings beyond these specific scales. Once measurement equivalence was restored, …


Effects Of Birth-Order Composition On The Intial, Same-Sex Interactions Of Young Adults, Colette Jacquot Apr 2008

Effects Of Birth-Order Composition On The Intial, Same-Sex Interactions Of Young Adults, Colette Jacquot

Psychology Theses - Archive

Using both individual- and dyad-level analyses, this study investigated the effects of birth order on the initial, same-sex interactions of young adults. One hundred eighteen students (59 dyads) participated in initial, unstructured dyadic interactions while being unobtrusively audio- and videotaped. Following their interaction, the dyad members independently completed three self-report questionnaires about their interactions with their dyadic partner and about their familial and social relationships growing up. Three theories informed my predictions about birth order influences in these initial interactions: the Family Constellation Theory, the Observational Learning Theory, and the Trait Theory. In contrast to a previous study of mixed-sex …


Practical Evaluation And Analysis Of Passive Uhf Rfid Tags, Ananyaa Gautham Apr 2008

Practical Evaluation And Analysis Of Passive Uhf Rfid Tags, Ananyaa Gautham

Electrical Engineering Theses - Archive

In this thesis, we have identified the important parameters that impact the performance of passive UHF RFID tags and developed a testing methodology to evaluate and characterize tags. We have also developed the theory to validate the empirical data and analysis. The high performance, low cost and increased storage capacity of the RFID tags has led to the economic adoption of this technology by many industries. Choosing the right tag for the right application might be quite a task with the number of commercially available tags today. It is very important to test the tags and analyze the results to …


Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effects On Rats In A Runway And Operant Chamber, Susan Annette Autrey Apr 2008

Partial Reinforcement Extinction Effects On Rats In A Runway And Operant Chamber, Susan Annette Autrey

Psychology Theses - Archive

The partial reinforcement extinction effect (PREE) is traditionally observed in rats when on a partial reinforcement schedule in a runway, that is, they are more resistant to extinction (persistent) than those on a continuous reinforcement schedule. Behavioral Momentum is observed when, in an operant chamber, rats on the most dense reinforcement schedule show more persistence in responding during extinction (or other response disrupting manipulation). The purpose of this experiment is to combine the runway and operant chamber and discuss the outcome in terms both theories. Subjects were either on a continuous reinforcement schedule (CRF) or a partial reinforcement schedule (PRF) …


United States Presence In Afghanistan And Iraq: A Comparitive Analysis Of Opinions And Policy Implications, Michele L. Whitehead Apr 2008

United States Presence In Afghanistan And Iraq: A Comparitive Analysis Of Opinions And Policy Implications, Michele L. Whitehead

Criminology & Criminal Justice Theses - Archive

The purpose of this study is to explore undergraduate student opinion regarding the continued presence of the United States military in Afghanistan and Iraq. Using a voluntary survey instrument and quantitative research methodology, this study will attempt to differentiate between variances in opinion among undergraduate students in the Criminology and Criminal Justice Department and non-Criminology and Criminal Justice majors at the University of Texas at Arlington, while examining the impact exposure to various forms of media and academic information has on the formation of perception. This study also evaluates the potential impact the result of analyzing these variables has on …


Perception Towards Airport Security As It Relates To Terrorism: An Analysis Of Criminology/Criminal Justice Majors And Non-Majors, Brittany Michelle Rodriguez Apr 2008

Perception Towards Airport Security As It Relates To Terrorism: An Analysis Of Criminology/Criminal Justice Majors And Non-Majors, Brittany Michelle Rodriguez

Criminology & Criminal Justice Theses - Archive

The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge and perception of airline security and safety between Criminology and Criminal Justice Majors and Non-Criminology and Criminal Justice Majors post September 11, 2001. The data for this study was obtained from a sample of Criminal Justice majors and Non-Criminal Justice majors enrolled at The University of Texas at Arlington. Questions were asked pertaining to the students' knowledge of TSA (The Transportation Security Administration) and the Air Marshals Program to determine if students were aware what security measures were in place since September 11, 2001. Furthermore, the surveys included questions regarding …


Manipulating Maria: Marie Antoinette's Image From Betrothal To Beheading And Beyond, Mylynka D'Ann Kilgore-Mueller Apr 2008

Manipulating Maria: Marie Antoinette's Image From Betrothal To Beheading And Beyond, Mylynka D'Ann Kilgore-Mueller

History Theses - Archive

The shaping of Marie Antoinette's image began before her arrival at Versailles. Prior to her marriage, her mother, Austrian Empress Maria Theresa brought in experts to educate the Archduchess in the ways of life in the French court. Marie Antoinette was taught to walk, speak and act like a lady in the Versailles court. She was remade into the ideal image of French beauty at the time. Upon arrival at Versailles, she was quickly overwhelmed by the strict etiquette that was applied to her daily activities. There was a protocol for every aspect of her day, from her morning toilette …


The World War Ii Conferences In Washington, D.C. And Quebec City: Franklin D. Roosevelt And Winston S. Churchill, Diane K. Dewaters Apr 2008

The World War Ii Conferences In Washington, D.C. And Quebec City: Franklin D. Roosevelt And Winston S. Churchill, Diane K. Dewaters

History Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation seeks to show the evolution of the diplomatic relationship between Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston S. Churchill from 1941-1945 based on the five conferences that were held in the Americas beginning in December of 1941. Three were held in Washington, D.C. in 1941, 1942, and 1943. Two were held in Quebec in 1943 and 1944. The relationship was a true marriage, complete with disagreements, arguments, and consensus. The meetings, however, would cement the relationship of Churchill and Roosevelt well enough for it to withstand destructive elements within and long enough for the Allies to win the war--together. The …


What Americans Said About Saxony, And What This Says About Them: Interpreting Travel Writings Of The Ticknors And Other Privileged Americans, 1800-1850, Ashley Morgan Sides Apr 2008

What Americans Said About Saxony, And What This Says About Them: Interpreting Travel Writings Of The Ticknors And Other Privileged Americans, 1800-1850, Ashley Morgan Sides

History Theses - Archive

In the first half of the nineteenth century, Saxony became an increasingly popular destination for American travelers. After first examining the forces behind the travel trends in order to provide historical context, this study analyzes American travelers' perceptions of Saxony as recorded in their travel writings, with particular emphasis on George and Anna Ticknor's journals from Europe. In doing so, it sheds light on aspects of Anglo-American leisure-class identity between 1800 and 1850. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, educated upper-class New Englanders had very little real knowledge of Germany and its people, and their only image of Saxony …


How Methodists Were Made: The Arminian Magazine And Spiritual Transformation In The Transatlantic World, 1778-1803, Liam Iwig-O'Byrne Apr 2008

How Methodists Were Made: The Arminian Magazine And Spiritual Transformation In The Transatlantic World, 1778-1803, Liam Iwig-O'Byrne

History Dissertations - Archive

This dissertation examines the spiritual autobiographies and biographies in The Arminian Magazine (later The Methodist Magazine) first published by John Wesley in 1778. The study covers such narratives through the year 1803, thus covering the transatlantic movement of early Methodism from the American Revolution up to the Napoleonic Wars. A brief background in the field of transatlantic history is provided, followed by descriptions of anthropologist Victor Turner's theory of ritual transformation and cognitive structuralist James Day's understanding of narrative strategies as frameworks for examining these narratives. Methodism's theoretical construct behind the transformations sought by Methodists, namely John Wesley's theology and …


Texture Measurement And Skid Number Prediction Using Laser Data Acquisition, Digital Signal Processing, And Neural Networks, John Michael Kebrle Apr 2008

Texture Measurement And Skid Number Prediction Using Laser Data Acquisition, Digital Signal Processing, And Neural Networks, John Michael Kebrle

Computer Science and Engineering Theses - Archive

Real-time estimation of the skid number of pavement is difficult. Traditional methods of volumetric measurement are cumbersome and time consuming. It is desired to enable prediction of the skid number of pavement using non-contact means, and to doso using a method which provides a reasonable estimate of the pavements skid number. This research used laser data acquisition of macro-texture, Digital Signal Processing and Neural Networks to estimate the skid number of pavement to a reasonable degree. The research used Digital Signal Processing to identify potentially bad data sets, and a Neural Network model for predicting skid number on the refined …


Comparison Of Oxygen Consumption On Different Brands Of Elliptical Trainers In The Development Of A Metabolic Prediction Equation, Daniel Peter Swier Apr 2008

Comparison Of Oxygen Consumption On Different Brands Of Elliptical Trainers In The Development Of A Metabolic Prediction Equation, Daniel Peter Swier

Kinesiology Theses - Archive

Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effect of elliptical trainer brand on gas exchange data as well as to develop separate equations that are specific to certain brands. Methods: Twenty-three healthy volunteers participated in the study (22.3 ± 4.6 yrs, 172 ± 8.2 cm, 67.5± 9.3 kg). Subjects completed a treadmill VO2max test to determine fitness level, followed by two testing sessions on two different brands of elliptical trainers, the Precor EFX 576i® and the TRUE TS1®. Subjects exercised at the same watt level on each elliptical trainer as determined by resistance and cadence. Elliptical …


Clinical Significance Of Chronic Kidney Disease In The Elderly, Kathryn Marie Daniel Apr 2008

Clinical Significance Of Chronic Kidney Disease In The Elderly, Kathryn Marie Daniel

Nursing Dissertations - Archive

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common chronic disease which can be very costly to treat if it progresses to end stage renal disease. Screening for chronic renal insufficiency is widely available, yet little is known about which screening estimation formula is most appropriate in the elderly patient. Review: The two most common formulas for estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are the Cockcroft/Gault, developed in 1976 and the MDRD, developed in 1999. Both are based on demographic variables such as age, gender, and race as well as the laboratory variable of creatinine. The Cockcroft/Gault formula also includes patient …