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Estimating The Effects Of Condemned Inmates' Last Statements On Public Opinion About The Death Penalty: A Factorial Survey Approach, Timothy P. Colyer Jan 2012

Estimating The Effects Of Condemned Inmates' Last Statements On Public Opinion About The Death Penalty: A Factorial Survey Approach, Timothy P. Colyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been an increase in writings that address the last statements of condemned offenders. Many of these writings suggest that exposure to the humanity sometimes exhibited in these last statements may steer public opinion against the death penalty. This dissertation tests this suggestion by exposing 400 participants to randomly generated vignettes containing various capital crimes, demographic characteristics, and last statements. The survey data are analyzed utilizing multilevel modeling. Study results include the effects of varying levels of demonstrated humanity in the last statements of condemned offenders on public opinion, and whether specific demographic characteristics appear to influence study participant …

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Coaching In An Interactive Virtual Reality To Increase Fidelity Of Implementation Of Discrete Trial Teaching, K.M. Vince Garland Jan 2012

Coaching In An Interactive Virtual Reality To Increase Fidelity Of Implementation Of Discrete Trial Teaching, K.M. Vince Garland

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In teacher preparation, more effective pathways and practices are needed for preparing, placing, and supporting beginning teachers and principals (Darling-Hammond, 2010; U.S. Department of Education, 2009b). A common issue in the field of special education is the lack of skill transfer from one setting to another (Dieker, Hynes, Hughes, & Smith, 2008). It has been posited that “practicing up” is not ethical in that novice teachers must attempt to teach with a limited knowledge of appropriate pedagogy and skill (Dieker et al., 2008). The new challenge becomes finding an effective mechanism that provides essential learning experiences and opportunities to refine …

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Music And Paleolithic Man The Soundtrack Of Human Cognitive Development, Samantha Angel Jan 2012

Music And Paleolithic Man The Soundtrack Of Human Cognitive Development, Samantha Angel

HIM 1990-2015

Archaeologists have pored over countless texts of the ancient civilizations, attempting to piece together bygone worlds. However, relatively little work has been done to reconstruct the musical history of these societies, and even less on why their musical histories are important. This paper aims at a synthesis between the ancient Egyptian and classical Greek archaeological records to analyze the importance of music in Paleolithic human cognitive development. Countless musical instruments have been discovered globally, ranging from pre-Columbian bone flutes in Oaxaca, Mexico to ancient trumpets in Egyptian burials (Barber et al 2009). Apart from their place in a museum, minimal …

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University Of Central Florida Factbook 2011-2012, University Of Central Florida Jan 2012

University Of Central Florida Factbook 2011-2012, University Of Central Florida

Historical Fact Book and Enrollment

Historical fact book and enrollment data for the University of Central Florida.

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Orally Bioavailable Small-Molecule Inhibitor Of Transcription Factor Stat3 Regresses Human Breast And Lung Cancer Xenografts, Xiaolei Zhang, Peibin Yue, Brent D. G. Page, Tianshu Li, Wei Zhao, Andrew T. Namanja, David Paladino, Jihe Zhao, Yuan Chen, Patrick T. Gunning, James Turkson Jan 2012

Orally Bioavailable Small-Molecule Inhibitor Of Transcription Factor Stat3 Regresses Human Breast And Lung Cancer Xenografts, Xiaolei Zhang, Peibin Yue, Brent D. G. Page, Tianshu Li, Wei Zhao, Andrew T. Namanja, David Paladino, Jihe Zhao, Yuan Chen, Patrick T. Gunning, James Turkson

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Computer-aided lead optimization derives a unique, orally bioavailable inhibitor of the signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat)3 Src homology 2 domain. BP-1-102 binds Stat3 with an affinity (K-D) of 504 nM, blocks Stat3-phospho-tyrosine (pTyr) peptide interactions and Stat3 activation at 4-6.8 mu M, and selectively inhibits growth, survival, migration, and invasion of Stat3-dependent tumor cells. BP-1-102-mediated inhibition of aberrantly active Stat3 in tumor cells suppresses the expression of c-Myc, Cyclin D1, Bcl- xL, Survivin, VEGF, and Kruppel-like factor 8, which is identified as a Stat3 target gene that promotes Stat3-mediated breast tumor cell migration and invasion. Treatment of breast …

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Matrix Metalloproteinases, New Insights Into The Understanding Of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Yoon-Seong Kim, Tong J. Joh Jan 2012

Matrix Metalloproteinases, New Insights Into The Understanding Of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Yoon-Seong Kim, Tong J. Joh

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a subfamily of zinc-dependent proteases that are re-sponsible for degradation and remodeling of extracellular matrix proteins. The activity of MMPs is tightly regulated at several levels including cleavage of prodomain, allosteric activation, com-partmentalization and complex formation with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). In the central nervous system (CNS), MMPs play a wide variety of roles ranging from brain devel-opment, synaptic plasticity and repair after injury to the pathogenesis of various brain disorders. Following general discussion on the domain structure and the regulation of activity of MMPs, we emphasize their implication in various brain disorder conditions such …

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Exposure To Exogenous Enkephalins Disrupts Reproductive Development In The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Romalea Microptera (Insecta: Orthoptera), Sandeep Kumar, Purnachandra Nagaraju Ganji, Hojun Song, Laurence Von Kalm, David W. Borst Jan 2012

Exposure To Exogenous Enkephalins Disrupts Reproductive Development In The Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, Romalea Microptera (Insecta: Orthoptera), Sandeep Kumar, Purnachandra Nagaraju Ganji, Hojun Song, Laurence Von Kalm, David W. Borst

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Enkephalins play a major role in reproductive physiology in crustaceans; however their role in reproductive development in insects is largely unknown. We investigated the effect of exposure to exogenous leucine-enkephalin (Leu-Enk), methionine-enkephalin (Met-Enk), and the opioid antagonist naloxone on gonad development in the Eastern lubber grasshopper, Romalea microptera. Injection of either Leu-Enk or naloxone alone significantly increased the testicular index and testicular follicular diameter in males, and the ovarian index, oocyte length, and oocyte diameter in females. In contrast, injection of Met-Enk inhibited all measures of reproductive development in both sexes. Surprisingly, co-injection of naloxone with either enkephalin enhanced the …

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Phylogenetic Relationships Among Staphylococcus Species And Refinement Of Cluster Groups Based On Multilocus Data, Ryan P. Lamers, Gowrishankar Muthukrishnan, Todd A. Castoe, Sergio Tafur, Alexander M. Cole, Christopher L. Parkinson Jan 2012

Phylogenetic Relationships Among Staphylococcus Species And Refinement Of Cluster Groups Based On Multilocus Data, Ryan P. Lamers, Gowrishankar Muthukrishnan, Todd A. Castoe, Sergio Tafur, Alexander M. Cole, Christopher L. Parkinson

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: Estimates of relationships among Staphylococcus species have been hampered by poor and inconsistent resolution of phylogenies based largely on single gene analyses incorporating only a limited taxon sample. As such, the evolutionary relationships and hierarchical classification schemes among species have not been confidently established. Here, we address these points through analyses of DNA sequence data from multiple loci (16S rRNA gene, dnaJ, rpoB, and tuf gene fragments) using multiple Bayesian and maximum likelihood phylogenetic approaches that incorporate nearly all recognized Staphylococcus taxa. Results: We estimated the phylogeny of fifty-seven Staphylococcus taxa using partitioned-model Bayesian and maximum likelihood analysis, as …

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Theta-Defensins: Cyclic Peptides With Endless Potential, Robert I. Lehrer, Alex M. Cole, Michael E. Selsted Jan 2012

Theta-Defensins: Cyclic Peptides With Endless Potential, Robert I. Lehrer, Alex M. Cole, Michael E. Selsted

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

theta-Defensins, the only cyclic peptides of animal origin, have been isolated from the leukocytes of rhesus macaques and baboons. Their biogenesis is unusual because each peptide is an 18-residue chimera formed by the head-to-tail splicing of nonapeptides derived from two separate precursors. theta-Defensins have multiple arginines and a ladder-like tridisulfide array spanning their two antiparallel beta-strands. Human theta-defensin genes contain a premature stop codon that prevents effective translation of the needed precursors; consequently, these peptides are not present in human leukocytes. Synthetic theta-defensins with sequences that correspond to those encoded within the human pseudogenes are called retrocyclins. Retrocyclin-1 inhibits the …

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Transforming Online Learning Through Narrative And Student Agency, Robb Lindgren, Rudy Mcdaniel Jan 2012

Transforming Online Learning Through Narrative And Student Agency, Robb Lindgren, Rudy Mcdaniel

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Efforts to improve online learning have focused primarily on the technology platform for delivering educational content and supporting student discourse. In this paper we describe an alternative approach that invokes two powerful forces behind human learning: narrative and agency. Each of these constructs and their potential impacts on learning is reviewed, and the design of a large-enrollment online undergraduate course that leverages these elements is described. A study of student learning and engagement was conducted using surveys and an analysis of student projects on 96 students enrolled in the new course. Surveys were also administered to 129 students taking a …

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Mitochondrial Dynamics And Bioenergetic Dysfunction Is Associated With Synaptic Alterations In Mutant Sod1 Motor Neurons, Jordi Magrané, Mary Anne Sahawneh, Serge Przedborski, Álvaro G. Estévez, Giovanni Manfredi Jan 2012

Mitochondrial Dynamics And Bioenergetic Dysfunction Is Associated With Synaptic Alterations In Mutant Sod1 Motor Neurons, Jordi Magrané, Mary Anne Sahawneh, Serge Przedborski, Álvaro G. Estévez, Giovanni Manfredi

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Mutations in Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS), a rapidly fatal motor neuron disease. Mutant SOD1 has pleiotropic toxic effects on motor neurons, among which mitochondrial dysfunction has been proposed as one of the contributing factors in motor neuron demise. Mitochondria are highly dynamic in neurons; they are constantly reshaped by fusion and move along neurites to localize at sites of high-energy utilization, such as synapses. The finding of abnormal mitochondria accumulation in neuromuscular junctions, where the SOD1-FALS degenerative process is though to initiate, suggests that impaired mitochondrial dynamics in motor neurons may be involved in …

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The Effect Of A Dietary Supplement (N-Oleyl-Phosphatidyl-Ethanolamine And Epigallocatechin Gallate) On Dietary Compliance And Body Fat Loss In Adults Who Are Overweight: A Double-Blind, Randomized Control Trial, Gerald T. Mangine, Adam M. Gonzalez, Adam J. Wells, William P. Mccormack, Maren S. Fragala, Jeffrey R. Stout, Jay R. Hoffman Jan 2012

The Effect Of A Dietary Supplement (N-Oleyl-Phosphatidyl-Ethanolamine And Epigallocatechin Gallate) On Dietary Compliance And Body Fat Loss In Adults Who Are Overweight: A Double-Blind, Randomized Control Trial, Gerald T. Mangine, Adam M. Gonzalez, Adam J. Wells, William P. Mccormack, Maren S. Fragala, Jeffrey R. Stout, Jay R. Hoffman

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Background: A dietary supplement containing a blend of 170 mg of N-oleyl-phosphatidylethanolamine (NOPE) and 100 mg of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) has been shown to improve compliance to low caloric diets. Considering the cost of dietary ingredients, many manufacturers attempt to determine the lowest efficacious dose. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of 8-weeks of supplementation with a daily intake of 120 mg of NOPE and 105 mg of EGCG in conjunction with a low caloric diet and regular, moderate exercise on dietary compliance in healthy, overweight adults. An additional purpose was to examine the effect of …

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Metabolic Effects Of Intra-Abdominal Fat In Ghrko Mice, Michal M. Masternak, Andrzej Bartke, Feiya Wang, Adam Spong, Adam Gesing, Yimin Fang, Adam B. Salmon, Larry F. Hughes, Teresa Liberati, Ravneet Boparai, John J. Kopchick, Reyhan Westbrook Jan 2012

Metabolic Effects Of Intra-Abdominal Fat In Ghrko Mice, Michal M. Masternak, Andrzej Bartke, Feiya Wang, Adam Spong, Adam Gesing, Yimin Fang, Adam B. Salmon, Larry F. Hughes, Teresa Liberati, Ravneet Boparai, John J. Kopchick, Reyhan Westbrook

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Mice with targeted deletion of the growth hormone receptor (GHRKO mice) are growth hormone (GH) resistant, small, obese, hypoinsulinemic, highly insulin sensitive and remarkably long-lived. To elucidate the unexpected coexistence of adiposity with improved insulin sensitivity and extended longevity, we examined effects of surgical removal of visceral (epididymal and perinephric) fat on metabolic traits related to insulin signaling and longevity. Comparison of results obtained in GHRKO mice and in normal animals from the same strain revealed disparate effects of visceral fat removal (VFR) on insulin and glucose tolerance, adiponectin levels, accumulation of ectopic fat, phosphorylation of insulin signaling intermediates, body …

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Loss Of Ccdc6, The First Identified Ret Partner Gene, Affects Ph2ax S139 Levels And Accelerates Mitotic Entry Upon Dna Damage, Francesco Merolla, Chiara Luise, Mark T. Muller, Roberto Pacelli, Alfredo Fusco, Angela Celetti Jan 2012

Loss Of Ccdc6, The First Identified Ret Partner Gene, Affects Ph2ax S139 Levels And Accelerates Mitotic Entry Upon Dna Damage, Francesco Merolla, Chiara Luise, Mark T. Muller, Roberto Pacelli, Alfredo Fusco, Angela Celetti

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

CCDC6 was originally identified in chimeric genes caused by chromosomal translocation involving the RET proto-oncogene in some thryoid tumors mostly upon ionizing radiation exposure. Recognised as a pro-apoptotic phosphoprotein that negatively regulates CREB1-dependent transcription, CCDC6 is an ATM substrate that is responsive to genotoxic stress. Here we report that following genotoxic stress, loss or inactivation of CCDC6 in cancers that carry the CCDC6 fusion, accelerates the dephosphorylation of pH2AX S139, resulting in defective G2 arrest and premature mitotic entry. Moreover, we show that CCDC6 depleted cells appear to repair DNA damaged in a shorter time compared to controls, based on …

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Role Of Atg16l, Nod2 And Il23r In Crohn's Disease Pathogenesis, Saleh A. Naser, Melissa Arce, Anam Khaja, Marlene Fernandez, Najih Naser, Sammer Elwasila, Saisathya Thanigachalam Jan 2012

Role Of Atg16l, Nod2 And Il23r In Crohn's Disease Pathogenesis, Saleh A. Naser, Melissa Arce, Anam Khaja, Marlene Fernandez, Najih Naser, Sammer Elwasila, Saisathya Thanigachalam

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of diseases that includes Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis. CD is characterized as a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, ranging from the mouth to the anus. Although there are gross pathological and histological similarities between CD and Johne's disease of cattle, the cause of CD remains controversial. It is vital to understand fully the cause of this disease because it affects approximately 500 000 people in North America and Europe. It ranges from 27 to 48 cases per 100 000 people. There are many theories on the cause of CD ranging …

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Lipid Rafts Alter The Stability And Activity Of The Cholera Toxin A1 Subunit, Supriyo Ray, Michael Taylor, Tuhina Banerjee, Suren A. Tatulian, Ken Teter Jan 2012

Lipid Rafts Alter The Stability And Activity Of The Cholera Toxin A1 Subunit, Supriyo Ray, Michael Taylor, Tuhina Banerjee, Suren A. Tatulian, Ken Teter

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Cholera toxin (CT) travels from the cell surface to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as an AB holotoxin. ER-specific conditions then promote the dissociation of the catalytic CTA1 subunit from the rest of the toxin. CTA1 is held in a stable conformation by its assembly in the CT holotoxin, but the dissociated CTA1 subunit is an unstable protein that spontaneously assumes a disordered state at physiological temperature. This unfolding event triggers the ER-to-cytosol translocation of CTA1 through the quality control mechanism of ER-associated degradation. The translocated pool of CTA1 must regain a folded, active structure to modify its G protein target …

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Jund/Ap-1-Mediated Gene Expression Promotes Lymphocyte Growth Dependent On Interleukin-7 Signal Transduction, Shannon M. Ruppert, Mounir Chehtane, Ge Zhang, Haiyan Hu, Xiaoman Li, Annette R. Khaled Jan 2012

Jund/Ap-1-Mediated Gene Expression Promotes Lymphocyte Growth Dependent On Interleukin-7 Signal Transduction, Shannon M. Ruppert, Mounir Chehtane, Ge Zhang, Haiyan Hu, Xiaoman Li, Annette R. Khaled

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Interleukin-7 (IL-7) is an essential cytokine for lymphocyte growth that has the potential for promoting immune reconstitution. This feature makes IL-7 an ideal candidate for therapeutic development. As with other cytokines, signaling through the IL-7 receptor induces the JAK/STAT pathway. However, the broad scope of IL-7 regulatory targets likely necessitates the use of other signaling components whose identities remain poorly defined. To this end, we used an IL-7 dependent T-cell line to examine how expression of the glycolytic enzyme, Hexokinase II (HXKII) was regulated by IL-7 in a STAT5-independent manner. Our studies revealed that IL-7 promoted the activity of JNK …

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Embryonic Stem Cells Improve Cardiac Function In Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy Mediated Through Multiple Mechanisms, Dinender K. Singla, Aisha Ahmed, Reetu Singla, Binbin Yan Jan 2012

Embryonic Stem Cells Improve Cardiac Function In Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy Mediated Through Multiple Mechanisms, Dinender K. Singla, Aisha Ahmed, Reetu Singla, Binbin Yan

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anti neoplastic agent used for the treatment of a variety of cancers. Unfortunately, its use is limited as this drug induces cardiotoxicity and heart failure as a side effect. There is no report that describes whether transplanted embryonic stem (ES) cells or their conditioned medium (CM) in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC) can repair and regenerate myocardium. Therefore, we transplanted ES cells or CM in DIC to examine apoptosis. fibrosis, cytoplasmic vacuolization, and myofibrillar loss and their associated Akt and ERK pathway. Moreover, we also determined activation of endogenous c-kit(+ve) cardiac stem cells (CSCs), levels of FIGF …

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Wax Ester Synthesis Is Required For Mycobacterium Tuberculosis To Enter In Vitro Dormancy, Tatiana D. Sirakova, Chirajyoti Deb, Jaiyanth Daniel, Harminder D. Singh, Hedia Maamar, Vinod S. Dubey, Pappachan E. Kolattukudy Jan 2012

Wax Ester Synthesis Is Required For Mycobacterium Tuberculosis To Enter In Vitro Dormancy, Tatiana D. Sirakova, Chirajyoti Deb, Jaiyanth Daniel, Harminder D. Singh, Hedia Maamar, Vinod S. Dubey, Pappachan E. Kolattukudy

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is known to produce wax esters (WE) when subjected to stress. However, nothing is known about the enzymes involved in biosynthesis of WE and their role in mycobacterial dormancy. We report that two putative Mtb fatty acyl-CoA reductase genes (fcr) expressed in E. coli display catalytic reduction of fatty acyl-CoA to fatty aldehyde and fatty alcohol. Both enzymes (FCR1/Rv3391) and FCR2/Rv1543) showed a requirement for NADPH as the reductant, a preference for oleoyl-CoA over saturated fatty acyl-CoA and were inhibited by thiol-directed reagents. We generated Mtb gene-knockout mutants for each reductase. Metabolic incorporation of C-14-oleate into fatty …

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The Actin-Severing Protein Cofilin Is Downstream Of Neuregulin Signaling And Is Essential For Schwann Cell Myelination, Nicklaus Sparrow, Maria Elisa Manetti, Marga Bott, Tiffany Fabianac, Alejandra Petrilli, Margaret Longest Bates, Mary Bartlett Bunge, Stephen Lambert, Cristina Fernandez-Valle Jan 2012

The Actin-Severing Protein Cofilin Is Downstream Of Neuregulin Signaling And Is Essential For Schwann Cell Myelination, Nicklaus Sparrow, Maria Elisa Manetti, Marga Bott, Tiffany Fabianac, Alejandra Petrilli, Margaret Longest Bates, Mary Bartlett Bunge, Stephen Lambert, Cristina Fernandez-Valle

Faculty Bibliography 2010s

Myelination is a complex process requiring coordination of directional motility and an increase in glial cell size to generate a multilamellar myelin sheath. Regulation of actin dynamics during myelination is poorly understood. However, it is known that myelin thickness is related to the abundance of neuregulin-1 (NRG1) expressed on the axon surface. Here we identify cofilin1, an actin depolymerizing and severing protein, as a downstream target of NRG1 signaling in rat Schwann cells (SCs). In isolated SCs, NRG1 promotes dephosphorylation of cofilin1 and its upstream regulators, LIM kinase (LIMK) and Slingshot-1 phosphatase (SSH1), leading to cofilin1 activation and recruitment to …

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Image Degradation Due To Surface Scattering In The Presence Of Aberrations, Narak Choi Jan 2012

Image Degradation Due To Surface Scattering In The Presence Of Aberrations, Narak Choi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on the scattering phenomena by well-polished optical mirror surfaces. Specifically, predicting image degradation by surface scatter from rough mirror surfaces for a two-mirror telescope operating at extremely short wavelengths (9nm~30nm) is performed. To evaluate image quality, surface scatter is predicted from the surface metrology data and the point spread function in the presence of both surface scatter and aberrations is calculated. For predicting the scattering intensity distribution, both numerical and analytic methods are considered. Among the numerous analytic methods, the small perturbation method (classical Rayleigh-Rice surface scatter theory), the Kirchhoff approximation method (classical BeckmanKirchhoff surface scatter theory), …

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With The Protection Of The Gods: An Interpretation Of The Protector Figure In Classic Maya Iconography, Tiffany M. Lindley Jan 2012

With The Protection Of The Gods: An Interpretation Of The Protector Figure In Classic Maya Iconography, Tiffany M. Lindley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Iconography encapsulates the cultural knowledge of a civilization. The ancient Maya of Mesoamerica utilized iconography to express ideological beliefs, as well as political events and histories. An ideology heavily based on the presence of an Otherworld is visible in elaborate Maya iconography. Motifs and themes can be manipulated to convey different meanings based on context. An example of this mutability can be witnessed in the depiction of Otherworld gods. Maya gods were not like Old World pantheons; gods were fluid and could function in multiple roles. Protector gods are an example of the fluidity of Maya deities. Scenes of protector …

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The Sustainability Of Overconsumption? A Discursive Analysis Of Walmart's Sustainability Campaign, Kathleen Adams Jan 2012

The Sustainability Of Overconsumption? A Discursive Analysis Of Walmart's Sustainability Campaign, Kathleen Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study inquires as to whether Walmart’s sustainability campaign represents a sincere and holistic change throughout the company’s global supply chain or if it is simply a public relations campaign which caters to the growing target market of “next-generation” consumers and justifies further expansion into “emerging markets”. A critical analysis of Walmart’s sustainability discourse is presented, using transcribed texts of various corporate and publicitygeared publications. Frequently utilized terms and themes are identified throughout the big-box retailer’s sustainability campaign which convey a distinctly Neoliberal ethos—a political economy which lies at the heart of current practices of institutional unsustainability—and emphasize the role …

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Genetic Engineering As Literary Praxis: A Study In Contemporary Literature, Taylor Evans Jan 2012

Genetic Engineering As Literary Praxis: A Study In Contemporary Literature, Taylor Evans

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis considers the understudied issue of genetic engineering as it has been deployed in the literature of the late 20th century. With reference to the concept of the enlightened gender hybridity of Cyborg theory and an eye to ecocritical implications, I read four texts: Joan Slonczewski's 1986 science fiction novel A Door Into Ocean, Octavia Butler's science fiction trilogy Lilith's Brood – originally released between 1987 and 1989 as Xenogenesis – Simon Mawer's 1997 literary novel Mendel's Dwarf, and the first two books in Margaret Atwood's speculative fiction MaddAddam series: 2003's Oryx and Crake and 2009's The Year Of …

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The Effect Of Civics-Based Video Games On Middle School Students' Civic Engagement, John Charles Pagnotti Jr Jan 2012

The Effect Of Civics-Based Video Games On Middle School Students' Civic Engagement, John Charles Pagnotti Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Democratic theorists argue that democratic institutions thrive when the citizens of the society robustly participate in governance (Galston, 2004; Barber, 2001). A traditional indicator of democratic participation is voting in elections or referendums. However, democratic apologetics posit that humans need to be trained in democratic processes in order to be democratic citizens (Dewey, 1916; Gutmann, 1990; Sehr, 1997; Goodlad, 2001). Citizens need to know not only the protocol of participation, they also need to be trained in the processes of mind (Dewey, 1916; 1927). Educational systems in this country have been the traditional place where democratic training has been vested …

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A Production And Cost Modeling Methodology Of 2nd Generation Biofuel In The United States, David A. Poole Jan 2012

A Production And Cost Modeling Methodology Of 2nd Generation Biofuel In The United States, David A. Poole

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of biofuels in the United States has increased dramatically in the last few years. The largest source of feedstock for ethanol to date has been corn. However, corn is also a vitally important food crop and is used commonly as feed for cattle and other livestock. To prevent further diversion of an important food crop to production of ethanol, there is great interest in developing commercial-scale technologies to make ethanol from non-food crops, or other suitable plant material. This is commonly referred to as biomass. A review is made of lignocellulosic sources being considered as feedstocks to produce …

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Thermal Stability Characteristics Of Fisher-Tropsch And Hydroprocessed Alternative Aviation Fuels In A Fixed Bed Reactor, Sergio Quintero Jan 2012

Thermal Stability Characteristics Of Fisher-Tropsch And Hydroprocessed Alternative Aviation Fuels In A Fixed Bed Reactor, Sergio Quintero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Growing prices, limited supply, and public concern about greenhouse gases associated with crude-derived jet fuels have led to development of renewable alternatives which must be compatible with the worldwide civilian and military aviation infrastructure, which were designed for operation with Jet-A/JP-8. Any alternative fuel should not have negative effects on the aircraft engines and fuel systems, especially from a thermal stability perspective, since any adverse effect of the physical properties, and chemical composition, including existence of trace elements, of those fuels may only be revealed after extensive operation, resulting in higher life-cycle maintenance and operation costs. This study considered four …

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Mathematic Strategies For Teaching Problem Solving: The Influence Of Teaching Mathematical Problem Solving Strategies On Students' Attitudes In Middle School, Kelly Lynn Klingler Jan 2012

Mathematic Strategies For Teaching Problem Solving: The Influence Of Teaching Mathematical Problem Solving Strategies On Students' Attitudes In Middle School, Kelly Lynn Klingler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study was to observe the influence of teaching mathematical problem solving strategies on students’ attitudes in middle school. The goal was to teach five problem solving strategies: Drawing Pictures, Making a Chart or Table, Looking for a Pattern, Working Backwards, and Guess and Check, and have students reflect upon the process. I believed that my students would use these problem solving strategies as supportive tools for solving mathematical word problems. A relationship from the Mathematics Attitudes survey scores on students’ attitudes towards problem solving in mathematics was found. Students took the Mathematics Attitudes survey …

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Factors Limiting Native Species Establishment On Former Agricultural Lands, Annalisa M. Weiler-Lazarz Jan 2012

Factors Limiting Native Species Establishment On Former Agricultural Lands, Annalisa M. Weiler-Lazarz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Restoration of abandoned, nonnative species-dominated agricultural lands provides opportunities for conserving declining shrubland and grassland ecosystems. Land-use legacies, such as elevated soil fertility and pH from agricultural amendments, often persist for years and can favor nonnative species at the expense of native species. Understanding the factors that limit native species establishment on abandoned agricultural lands can provide important insights for restoration and conservation of native species on human-modified lands. I conducted two field experiments on abandoned agricultural lands: a former pasture on Martha’s Vineyard, MA and a former citrus grove at Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge (MINWR) in Titusville, FL. …

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Finding Sundays: A Collection Of Stories, Tamra Artelia Martin Jan 2012

Finding Sundays: A Collection Of Stories, Tamra Artelia Martin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Finding Sundays: A Collection of Stories is a collection that explores the lives of people in the fictional town of Hickory Springs, Virginia. The title story "Finding Sundays" follows the life of Deacon Taylor and connects him to the characters around him in the proceeding pieces. These stories explore the lives of Deacon, his family, and his childhood friend, Sandra. The focus of this collection is not meant to be about spirituality or religion in general, although these exist as themes in the background of the stories. Instead, it is meant to look at how the lives of people connected …

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