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The Effect Of Supramaximal Exercise Intensity On The Maximal Accumulated Oxygen Deficit In Trained Female Athletes, Po-Ching Feng

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of supramaximal exercise intensity on the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit during uphill treadmill running. The accumulated oxygen deficit is the difference between the predicted oxygen demand and the actual oxygen utilization, and was determined during three different supramaximal exercises. A group of eight well-trained female athletes (age= 19.6 ± 1.1 year; body weight= 55.5 ± 5.0 kg; peak oxygen uptake= 56.26 ± 5.55 ml/kg/min) performed three exercises at intensities that corresponded to 110%, 125%, and 140% of peak oxygen uptake (V02peak). Pretesting included determining V02peak and four bouts of discontinuous …

Prevalence Of Cardiac Arrhythmias And Ischemic Electrocardiographic Changes In Phase Ii Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Patients At The University Of Iowa Hospitals And Clinics, Kathryn Arlene Martens

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of cardiac arrhythmias and ischemic electrocardiographic changes during monitored Phase II Cardiovascular Rehabilitation sessions in patients at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC). A secondary purpose of this study was to determine if the identified arrhythmias and ischemic electrocardiographic changes documented during monitored exercise sessions had occurred in the patients prior medical history. A third purpose of this study was to determine the monetary cost of telemetry monitoring in during cardiovascular rehabilitation exercise sessions. Subjects consisted of 176 males and 58 females with an average age of …

An Investigation On The Processing And Characterization Of (Thallium(0.5-X) Lead(0.5-X) Europium(2x)) Strontium(2-Y) Barium(Y) Calcium(2) Copper(3) Oxygen(Z) High-Temperature Superconductor To Determine The Optimum Barium Concentration And Study The Effects Of Doping Europium In Thallium And Lead Sites, Zifan Ju

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research focused on (Tl_0.5-xPb_0.5-xEu_2x)Sr_2-y Ba_yCa₂Cu₃O_z compound to determine the optimum y (Barium concentration), and then studied the effects of doping Eu in Tl, Pb sites. Studies on optimum y give rise to a high quality superconducting material as a target material for sputter deposition of thin films for electronics applications. Studies on doping Europium (Eu) is a new investigation and might lead to better understanding of the structural properties of the superconductor.

The experiment was conducted in three steps as follows:

1. Optimizing the sample fabrication …

Effect Of Light Source On The Sorting Performance Of A Vision-Based Robot System, Johnny T. Li

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Industries look toward computer vision as a means to automate materials handling. To make this choice more appealing, useful and feasible vision applications must be explored. However, illuminance variation in the factory environment can undermine the capability and applicability of vision-based control systems. The purposes of this study were (a) to design and develop a vision-based robot material sorting system, (b) to determine the optimal settings for this system under fluorescent and incandescent lighting for two different color parts on a moving conveyor, and (c) to determine the sorting performance of this system under each light source.

The main components …

The Effects Of Telephone Technology On Saudi Arabian Society, Khalid I. Otibi

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The current research explores the significance of the introduction of telephone technology into Saudi Arabia. The problem addressed by the research was to identify and describe the cultural and economic significance that the telephone has had in Saudi Arabia. The purpose of the research was specifically to study the significance that telephone technology has in the three areas of family ties, business, and transportation. The methodology began with the development a data-collection document. An English version of the document was administered as a pilot test to students at the University of Northern Iowa. This pilot test revealed that the document …

A Comparison Of Measurement Reliability Between A Sonic Digitizer And A Tape Measure On A Complex Three-Dimensional Object, Diane Darlene (Wheeler) Schou

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Digitizers and scanners have begun to replace traditional devices for measuring three dimensional objects. However, there is a shortage of relevant research to compare digitizer tools with other measuring devices. The objective of this study was to compare the measurement reliability of a sonic digitizer to a traditional measuring tool, the tape measure, for measuring a complex, three-dimensional object. It was hypothesized that:

1. H₁ Data from measurements with the digitizer vary less than data from measurements with a tape measure at the 0.05 level of significance.
2. H₂ The data from eight complex surface measurements taken with a digitizer …

An Investigation On Using Solid Waste Materials As Aggregate Substitute In Cementitious Concrete Composites, Ibrahim Hussein Shehata

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The problem of disposing and managing solid waste materials in the United Slates and other industrial countries has become one of the major environmental, economical, and social issues. A complete waste management system including source reduction, reuse, recycling, landfilling, and incineration needs to be implemented to control the increasing waste disposal problems. Of the above options, recycling is the most promising waste management process to the disposal of materials in the waste stream. One of the most promising markets to utilize recycled waste materials successfully on an open-loop basis is the construction industry.

The purpose of this research study was …

Youth-Serving Agency's Prevention And Intervention Programs For Gangs, Julianne Gassman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to describe the perception of directors of youth-serving agencies on what prevention and intervention programs have been implemented by youth-serving agencies in eastern Iowa. Directors of youth-serving agencies in the following cities in Iowa answered the questionnaire (Gang Program Assessment Questionnaire): Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Iowa City, Coralville, Adel, Ankeny, Bondurant, Indianola, Johnston, Knoxville, Nevada, Newton, Pella, Pleasant Hill, Ames, Des Moines, Makquoketa, and Urbandale.

The Gang Assessment Program Questionnaire was used to analyze the extent to which gangs were perceived as active in each city as well as expectations for …

The Effects Of Herbicides On Microbial And Mycorrhizal Populations In Native Prairie, Corn, And Non-Native Prairie Vegetation, Using The Biolog Technique, Susann E. Ahrabi-Fard

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Soil bioremediation has primarily focused on the use of free living, actively growing microorganisms to degrade toxic organic substances. Recently, however, plants and rhizosphere activity, including mycorrhizal fungi have been increasingly studied to determine the role that consortial assemblages may play in bioremediation. While the enhanced absorbtion of nutrients, water, and minerals by mycorrhizal fungi has been well documented, less is known about their role in the degradation of soil contaminants. Using the Biolog plate technique, microbial communities were characterized in Native Prairie, Corn, and Non-Native Prairie vegetative strips prior to, and after two applications of Acetachlor, Alachlor, and Atrazine. …

Motivating Factors Of Volunteers Serving Medicare Certified Hospice Programs, Andrew Wixcel

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was designed to identify factors which motivate volunteers to work with terminally ill patients in Medicare certified hospice programs in Iowa. The study was delimited to volunteers of the 40 Medicare certified hospice programs existing in Iowa at the time the study was executed. Results of the study were based on responses received from 205 (52%) of the 400 questionnaires distributed. Descriptive statistics were used in analyzing the data. Subjects used a Likert scale to rate the importance of 12 specific reasons to volunteer to work with a hospice program. The need to help others was rated as …

Female Aggression In Semi-Contact Sports, Karla Ann Sipple

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The main purpose of the present study was to investigate female aggression in semi-contact sport. More specifically, two areas were examined: the types of aggression, hostile or instrumental, that occurred in girls basketball and soccer and the types of aggression that were committed within both sports. The subjects (N = 57) for this study were female athletes ( ages 15-18) who were sampled from various Midwestern high schools: basketball athletes (n = 32) and soccer athletes (n = 25). Subjects responded to a modified form of the Bredemeier Athletic Aggression Inventory (BAAGI-S). One way ANOVA's indicated non-significant differences for the …

Direct And Television-Mediated Observation Of Verbal Interaction In The Classroom, Terri Mcdonald

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was two-fold: (a) to investigate differences in preservice teachers' ability to identify and report verbal interaction in the classroom during direct observation as compared to television-mediated observation, and (b) to examine the advantages and disadvantages of direct and television-mediated classroom observation as perceived by preservice teachers.

Subjects in this study were preservice teacher education majors (N = 96) from four university class sections enrolled in professional sequence courses prior to student teaching. The data were analyzed using a 2 x 2 ANOVA (mode of observation x tally type). The independent variable of mode of observation …

Expertise In Clinical Nursing Educators: An Exploratory Study, Nancy Ann Kramer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

A primary goal of professional education is to prepare practitioners who can provide quality care essential to the well-being of individuals and society. An essential component of professional education is a practiced-based experience. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the qualities of clinical nursing educators who were recognized by peers as being expert clinical practitioners. This study was exploratory and non-experimental. A qualitative approach was used. Through observations and interviews, beginning descriptions and explication of dimensions of expertise of clinical nursing educators were achieved.

The population for this study was selected from nursing faculty of 10 …

The Effects Of Ibuprofen On Exercise-Induced Muscle Soreness And Performance, Atta Kofi Osei

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was designed to investigate whether the ingestion of ibuprofen prior to or after a 30-min bout of downhill (-10%) treadmill running would result in reduced sensation of soreness. A secondary purpose was to investigate whether ibuprofen would augment the diminished muscle performance following downhill running. Subject consisted of 21 males (age= 20.3 ± 1.7 years; weight= 77.4 ± 7.8 kg). Each subject was randomly assigned to either a control group, a prophylactic group which received 600 mg of ibuprofen 1 hour prior to the 30-min treadmill run and (200 mg every 3 hr postexercise up to 24 hours), …

The Aftermath Of Teenage Childbearing : The Characteristics Of Successful Adjustment, Sarjo Sanneh Patrick

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This exploratory qualitative study provides a description of how. and an understanding of why a subset of teenage mothers go on to attain higher educational and economic success, thus becoming self-supponing in their adult lives. A standardized pre-structured interview was conducted with IO Caucasian women aged 21 to 56 who had had their first children at or below age 19. Participation in the study was voluntary. A conceptual framework was advanced suggesting how social control theory was able to explain the processes involved in the anamment of later-life academic and economic success among early childbearers. The women confirmed that strong …

An Exploratory Look At University Students' Attitudes Toward Welfare Recipients, Glen Leonard Lantz

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to discover if university students use victim blaming explanations to gain understanding as to why someone receives welfare assistance. A sub-problem in this study was to discover the extent that university students employ individualistic, familial, structural, and fatalistic explanations in their attempts to comprehend why some families are recipients of welfare. Also, the study attempted to find if relationships exist between victim blaming and other personal characteristics such as cultural estrangement, social criticism, affiliation, income, and political orientation.

The subjects of this study were 245 individuals attending the University of Northern Iowa, both graduates …

Occupational Stress And Absenteeism Among Promise Jobs Specialists, Kristine Owens

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between selected occupational stressors and absenteeism among PROMISE JOBS specialists across the State of Iowa. The Occupational Stress Inventory (OSI) (Osipow & Spokane, 1987) supplemented with demographic and absentee measures was administered to the entire population of205 specialists in 16 service delivery areas. The service delivery area directors distributed the surveys in their local agencies. The specialists were asked to return the survey questionnaire in the self-addressed pre-paid envelopes. The overall return rate was 104 questionnaires (50. 7%) of the original population. The findings of this study were based upon 90 usable …

Rn And Lpn Perceptions Of Front-Line Delegation, Martha E. Colwell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Healthcare organizations face increasing demands to provide the most efficient and economical care possible. Emerging patient care delivery systems require that front-line RNs take on a broader scope of responsibility for patient care, particularly in the area of delegation. Research identifies that staff RNs experience much difficulty in delegating patient care (Conger, 1993; Hansten & Washburn, 1994). The purpose of this study was to explore RN and LPN perceptions of front-line delegation in their working relationships. In particular, the study sought to: (a) determine how changing roles of RNs and LPNs influenced front-line delegation; (b) answer how RNs viewed front-line …

Another Look At Social Learning Theory And Dating Violence, Samantha Smith O'Hara

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Interpersonal violence is a common social problem in American society. Heightened interest in the topic of domestic violence has been sweeping the country as a result of conscience-raising efforts by the feminist movement and others in the late 1960s and early 1970s (White & Koss, 1991). The "closed door" that has protected the secret of violence in the home has slowly begun to open (O'Keefe, Brockopp, & Chew, 1986).

The Need For Incorporating Course Work In Cultural Diversity In Radiologic Technology Programs, Doreen Marie Towsley

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

There is an ever growing diversity in the radiologic patient population. This diversity is recognized by hospital accreditation agencies and described by a consensus of radiologic technology educators. It places upon Iowa's radiologic student a responsibility to be better prepared for increased multicultural patient interactions. Thus, developing a student directed encounter dealing with issues of multiculturalism and diversity might prove to be an effective method of enhancing the students' self-discovery, recognition of the differences among themselves, and the development of an appreciation for the needs of patients from diverse cultural backgrounds. This thesis contains two descriptive studies. Study A, involved …

The Effects Of Post Inoculant Additions On Ductile Iron Fade, Travis James Frush

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study involved the investigation of three specific, commercially available, post inoculants for ductile iron and their effect on the magnesium fading rate and chill reducing tendency in a low volume production environment. Although fading effects of ductile iron have been extensively investigated, in general, they apply to high volume production operations. Unfortunately, for the smaller foundry operations, many of the process solutions proposed for the prevention of the fading effects are not applicable or practical. In addition to the small production operations, new process technologies are also excluded from many of these process solutions. For this reason, a study …

Characteristics Of Batterers Convicted Of Domestic Abuse In The Batterers’ Education Reform, Jacquelyn E. Powell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The information obtained from this study will give an indication as to whether the abusers in this area share common characteristics of the abuser. By identifying these characteristics, it may be possible to target individuals prone to practice abusive behavior, and possibly interrupt the cycle by intervening with education and prevention strategies to combat the problem.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain selected characteristics of males convicted of domestic abuse in the Black Hawk County's Batterers' Education Program. The study was to identify selected characteristics of participants court-ordered to attend the Batterers' Education Program. The study investigated demographical …

The Women Superintendents Of Iowa: A 1990'S Analysis, Joen M. Rottler

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Historically, Iowa has had few women superintendents of K-12 public schools. Societal changes, political changes, and legislation, such as affirmative action, have had no impact on gender balance in the superintendency in Iowa. The number of women superintendents in Iowa remains low. Of 397 superintendents in Iowa, during 1993-94, only 14 were women. This qualitative study examines the characteristics of current women superintendents of Iowa. Specifically, the following aspects of career development were examined: childhood and adolescent characteristics, personal and professional characteristics, and career path. The experience of being a woman superintendent and gender related aspects of leadership were also …

Exercise And Immune Function In Athletes Over Age 50, Lynda L. Graham

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to search for relationships between lifestyle factors and the number of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) suffered per year in older runners. A cover letter and questionnaire were mailed to 1400 members of the Combelt Running Club. It questioned subjects about life-style factors like: (a) education, (b) occupation, (c) race, (d) activity, (e) cold episodes, (f) vitamin/mineral supplements, (g) stress, (h) diet, (i) smoking, (j) alcohol, (k) weight, (1) height, (m) caffeine, and (n) self-remedy for a cold. One hundred and thirty subjects aged 50 years of age and older participated in this study. …

Expressive Individualism In A Midwestern Situated Youth Subculture Group, Jeffrey Michael Webb

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In a Midwestern city of, according to the 1990 census, 34,000 people (97% "white"), fifty all Caucasian, mostly middle class, predominantly high school, youth subculture group members (32 males; 18 females) were qualitatively studied in public places. I utilized participant observation, intensive interviews, field notes, color photographs, diary entrees, and electronic mail to gather data on why these particular young people appeared and behaved in manners different from their peers and the larger culture. Such difference centered on hair color, nonmainstream body piercing, tattoos, baggy clothing, pranking behavior known as "garfinkeling," and some psychedelic drug use. The design of the …

Evaluating Intensive Home Supervision : A Community Based Juvenile Corrections Program, Laone K. Kishman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The thesis presented herein is an evaluation of Intensive Home Supervision (IHS). IHS is a community based juvenile delinquency prevention program operated conjointly through the Department of Human Services (OHS) and Juvenile Court Services in Black Hawk County. The purpose of IHS is to provide a treatment oriented intensive supervision program designed specifically to keep youthful offenders in their homes and out of long term residential placements. IHS is different than many other intensive supervision programs in that it is designed to go beyond monitoring youths' behaviors by therapeutically intervening to enhance the offenders' life skills. The nine life skills …

Teacher Efficacy: A Construct Validation With Alternative High School Teachers: A Replication, Lisa Marie Bries

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to replicate phase one of Gibson and Dembo's (1984) construct validation study of the Teacher Efficacy Scale with alternative high school instructors. Replication of Gibson and Dembo's factor analytic structure of this instrument with alternative educators would provide a basis upon which to make comparisons between regular and alternative educators' self efficacy.

Subjects for the study were 77 alternative educators in a rural midwestern state. Each alternative teacher taught in the continuation school model of alternative education which addressed the needs of dropout youth and students identified as being in danger of dropping out. …

Computer Mediated Communication: Elements Impacting Sustained Usage By Iowa Elementary And Middle School Teachers, Philip M. Hibbard

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the study was to examine, using a case study methodology, interactions among a group of Iowa teachers involved in a computer mediated communication project, to better understand those elements which may impact sustained usage of computer mediated communication. The study involved examination of one year's worth of on-line journal postings and interactive conferences, and interviews with the 22 teachers involved in the project.

The multiple sources of data collected were analyzed using a methodology known as constant comparative, and the analysis presented according to the following themes:

1. What topics did the participants discuss while using computer mediated …

Invisible Walls: Milliken V. Bradley And America's Urban Apartheid, Sonia E. Ingles

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In 1954 the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education ruling nullified the Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) doctrine of "separate but equal." At the time, a racially dysfunctional America looked to the South to observe the results of the Court's sweeping statement. Few realized that, carried to its logical conclusion, the decision would necessarily bring into question the racial practices of every part of the nation. To the dismay of Northerners, blacks began to challenge the unofficial system of segregation which existed outside of the South. The most controversial aspect of this challenge centered around school desegregation and busing. When …

Acceptability Across Disciplines Of Attribution Retraining Alone And Combined With Learning Strategy Instruction, Melody A. Reeder

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Attribution theory has been reformulated repeatedly over the past 40 years. Seven of the major theories of attribution are discussed in this paper, as well as five attribution assessment instruments. A brief overview of learning strategy instruction is provided also. Based on a review of eleven major school psychology training textbooks and the past five and one half years of major school psychology journals, it was hypothesized that educational professionals have little knowledge, experience, and skills in attribution assessment and intervention. The purpose of the current study was to investigate educational professionals' (i.e., regular education teachers, educational consultants, school psychologists) …