Digital Commons Network^™

Dealing With Death And The Grieving Process, David M. Gabel

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

There are two things that our society doesn't really openly discuss. Oddly enough, they are things that will affect everyone on this planet regardless of race, religion, gender, class, or nationality. I am speaking of the beginning of life, and the end of life. The subject of how life begins is for some reason "taboo" in our society. Children are told absurd things like children are brought to their parents by birds, such as a stork. Another popular tale is that children are "grown" in gardens and are discovered under leaves. The subject of sex seems to be one that …

Food Preference In Drosophila Robusta And Drosophila Tripunctata Following Desiccation, Brad Horton

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

Drosophila tripunctata and Drosophila robusta are local species trapped on the University of Northern Iowa preserve off of University Avenue. Drosophila literally means "lover of dew". Tripunctata means "three points", it has 3 points on its abdomen. Robusta means "robust", of which this species definitely is. D. tripunctata are a small species, which leaves them with a low volume/surface area ratio. This means they are more susceptible to environmental extremes, particularly the loss of water. D. robusta are a large and "robust" fly, and they are more tolerant of such environmental hardships. "Desiccation" is drying out, or to remove moisture. …

Iowa Prairie: Original Extent And Loss, Preservation And Recovery Attempts, Daryl D. Smith

Journal of the Iowa Academy of Science: JIAS

Iowa's prairie has to be assessed in the context of the pre- and post-agriculturally dominated ecosystem in which it now exists. This requires an understanding of prairies and of society's perspective of prairies. Therefore, the attitudes of people through time have to be considered; (1) those who were involved in the demise of the prairie, (2) those who helped saved the pieces of the prairie and (3) those who may be called upon to recover the prairie ecosystem.

Playing The Game: Female Graduate Students’ Communication Experiences, Jacqueline Marie Brucher

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In this thesis I examine the communication experiences of four female graduate students and the language they use to describe those experiences. Specifically, the women's use of metaphor to describe their academic environments is explored. A qualitative analysis of the linguistic choices of these women is achieved by applying Kenneth Burke's cluster analysis. I attempt to break the boundaries of rhetorical criticism by applying cluster analysis to conversation. Not only does this application open up new uses for the methodology, it also introduces additional means of analyzing various types of communication. All four women describe graduate school as "a game." …

Comparison Of Litter Decomposition Rates And Soil Arthropod Abundance In Different Stages Of Prairie Reconstruction, Lisa M. Busch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The abundance of soil microarthropods and of corresponding decomposition rates in native prairie remnants and reconstructed prairies at Walnut Creek National Wildlife Refuge were investigated. Soil microarthropods were collected with litter bags and extracted using modified Berlese-Tullgren funnels for the months of June through October of 1997. Litter decomposition rates were found to be lowest in reconstructed prairies and highest in native prairie remnants. Microarthropod abundance, however, appeared to be inversely correlated with decomposition rates. It appears that native prairie remnants are more productive than reconstructed prairies due to higher decomposition rates. However, the prairies that have been reconstructed for …

A Case Study Of An Electively Mute Child, Robert Driscol

Graduate Research Papers

Selective mutism is characterized by the appropriate use of language in certain settings, with a consistent lack of language use elsewhere. The child is often viewed as shy, and it is assumed that the shyness is temporary and will be outgrown. The purpose of this paper is to explore the problem of selective mutism in school aged children for whom silence may extend for many months or even years. Selective mutism will be further defined, and frequency, duration, and a summary of treatment methods will be discussed. A case study that illustrates positive outcomes of a behavioral approach will also …

Rhodes Scholar: Defining An Opportunity, Kevin Diehl

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

While amateur athletes pursue the Olympics to prove their athletic prowess, collegiate scholars try to quantify their academic success by winning a Rhodes Scholarship. Track athletes must post an acceptable qualifying time just to compete in the Olympic trials where they must earn a berth to the Olympics. Likewise, after receiving their university's formal endorsement, aspiring Rhodes Scholars have to portray their all-around qualities and dreams in an application and essay, hoping to earn the chance just to be selected for a state interview. If they are fortunate at this level, the applicants become one of two nominees from each …

The Use Of Medication In The Management Of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder, Abigail S. Natvig

Presidential Scholars Theses (1990 – 2006)

As Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder is a newly characterized disorder, and only beginning to be fully recognized, there are a multitude of options for its management and treatment. The purpose of this paper is to weigh the benefits and risks of medications and nonpharmacological treatments used for ADHD management.

Meeting The Needs Of Gifted Adolescent Girls, Marcia Schrader Hoffman

Graduate Research Papers

Guiding high ability girls during their middle school and high school years has been as complex and enigmatic as the subjects themselves. This review attempted to synthesize information concerning characteristics and needs of adolescent girls, gifted adolescents, and gifted adolescent girls. Those specific needs would help determine what programming options could be implemented in the secondary schools to help gifted females reach their potential. The conclusions drawn from the literature point to a smorgasbord of programming options that can be implemented through collaboration among talented and gifted programs, school-wide efforts, and community-wide strategies.

Environments that provide encouragement and opportunities may …

What Does Educational Technology Mean In The Promotion Of Student Achievement : A Literature Review, Fongching Lee

Graduate Research Papers

Research indicates that educational technology has a valued status, especially in the promotion of student learning. The theory behind the study of educational technology includes the four paradigms defined by Saettler (1990): the media view, the communications and systems view, the behavioral sciences view, and the cognitive science concept. This theory serves as the basis for the implementation of educational technology by the teachers.

Implementing educational technology, in special education and regular education (k-12), has indicated positive influences on student achievement. Greater student achievement would translate to better worker-citizens for the United States, thereby allowing the country to be competitive …

Interventions For Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Justin M. Larson

Graduate Research Papers

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) continues to be widely studied within the literature and researchers continue to investigate interventions and environments which allow for success. Whalen and Renker (1991) argue that multiple intervention methods are needed for success of children and adolescents in social situations. The purpose of this paper is to review the literature, and review interventions used to facilitate appropriate behaviors in children, aged six to eleven, with a diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

"Real-World" Grading: An Application, Keith T. Hardeman

Iowa Journal of Communication

As opposed to simply preparing students to take our exams, one response might be to furnish lifelike hands-on experiences which help demonstrate what the corporate world is really like, while still providing exposure to the liberal arts. I have done so by eliminating letter grades in my professional communication course and substituting them with a series of "pay raises and promotions," depending on the student's class performance. A course such as business and professional communication is really the ideal setting for this grading system, but, conceivably, it could be employed for virtually any class. This approach may not be as …

President Clinton And The Rhetoric Of Time, Estrella Cedeno

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study analyzes President's Clinton 1993 and 1997 inaugural addresses, and his use of time as a rhetorical strategy. Influenced by his situational constraints and based on a definition of the situation that emphasizes time as a paramount element, Clinton is able to articulate an inaugural rhetoric that instead of being passive and contemplative calls for action. In so doing, Clinton's inaugurals finds its uniqueness. I contend that Clinton's rhetoric of time gives meaning to the transformations of the post-industrial revolution and also serves as a form of social control.

Frontal Lobe Dysfunction In Non-Clinical Compulsive Checkers, Christopher J. Boys

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Recent studies suggest deficits in set-shifting ability, as assessed by tasks such as the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The present study examined the extent to which these deficits were demonstrated by nonclinical "checkers" selected on the basis of scores on the Maudsley Obsessional Compulsive Inventory. A modified version of the WCST was used, the Milwaukee Card Sorting Test (MCST), in order to determine whether the deficits in set-shifting ability are due to a complete lack of switching or to a dysregulation in switching. In the latter case, the individual illustrates correct set shifting …

An Investigation Of Women’S Motivational Factors To Run A Marathon, Michelle Roland

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to begin to understand what motivates women to participate in marathons. Twenty-seven Caucasian women enrolled in the "Seminar in Fitness and Mental Health" at a Midwest university answered the questionnaire (Motivations of Marathoners Scale Questionnaire). After participants completed the questionnaire a focus group interview was conducted with six participants. The Motivations of Marathoners Questionnaire was used to identify the participants' motives to run a marathon. The questionnaire contained 56 items distributed across nine scales. The scales included the following areas: health orientation, weight concern, self-esteem, life meaning, psychological coping, affiliation, recognition, competition, and personal …

Relationship Between Self-Esteem, Eating Behaviors, And Eating Attitudes Among Female Collegiate Swimmers, Melissa Ann Fey

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between self-esteem and eating behaviors/attitudes among female collegiate swimmers. Specifically, the relationship between self-esteem as measured by the Rosenburg Self-Esteem Scale (1965) and eating behaviors/attitudes as measured by the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) (Gamer, Olmstead. Bohr. & Garfinkle. 1982) was determined for a purposive sample of female collegiate swimmers at the University of Northern Iowa. A total of 24 subjects completed self-report measures on self-esteem and eating behaviors/attitudes. Subjects' Body Mass Index was also assessed. Pearson product-moment correlation was used to examine the relationship among the scores on the Rosenburg …

An Evaluation Of The Responses Of Clinical And Non-Clinical Boys On The Social Skills Inventory For Youth, Rachel Frederickson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the responses of adolescent boys on a newly developed measure, the Social Skills Inventory for Youth. Participants were recruited from two residential institutions, an outpatient clinic, a laboratory school associated with a medium-sized university, and two middle schools all located in the Midwest. Participants ranged in age from 11 to 17 years. A multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted to determine if there were differences between boys diagnosed with AD/HD and appropriate nonclinical controls. Results showed a significant effect for group. However, only one subscale was found useful in differentiating between …

Bioremediation Of Soil Contaminated With Explosives, Catherine A. Axtell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Bioremediation of contaminated soil and water has been the topic of considerable research interest. White rot fungi have recently been proposed for use in biodegradation of explosives. The explosives, TNT, RDX and HMX are integral components of the manufacture of munitions. The wastes from the production of these and other explosives have been discharged into the surrounding environment resulting in contamination. Phanerochaete chrysosporium and strain F600, a proprietary white rot fungus developed by Mycotech Corporation, were studied with regard to their ability to degrade TNT, HMX and RDX in liquid cultures and in soil. Laboratory studies demonstrated that P. chrysosporium …

The Integration Of The Superhighway Into The Classroom : The Advantages And Disadvantages And Precautions That Need To Be Taken When Allowing The Internet Into The Classroom, Shawn Louise Maly

Graduate Research Papers

Today few educators go without using some kinds of computer technology. Every year the number of schools connected to the Internet grows, as does the number of teachers with their own e-mail accounts. Now we seem to be heading into the areas of virtual instruction and virtual classrooms. The growth of computers is going to continue; it is inevitable. As we continue moving forward in education and technology, what are the advantages, disadvantages and precautions that need to be taken to integrate the Superhighway into the everyday classroom?

The Use Of Conflict Resolution To Reduce School Violence, Sabrina L. Taylor

Graduate Research Papers

► A St. Louis student, 14, was stabbed at school.

► An Atlanta student 12 was shot at school by a friend showing off a stolen gun.

► A 5-year-old and two 7-year-old were suspended from school in Rockville, Maryland for bringing knives to school.

► Two Denver, Colorado high school students detonated a pipe bomb outside their school. 2

► A Maryland teacher caught a student with a pistol inside a school restroom. The student shot the teacher.

► A Massachusetts high school student was knifed and clubbed to death during a government class.

► An Atlanta student opened …

Oil Consumption Measurements Of A Production Engine Using The Sulfur-Trace Method, Verlyn Royal Benson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Controlling the oil consumption of diesel engines is important for customer satisfaction. Existing oil consumption measurement methods are adequate; however, improved methods offer the possibility of faster and more comprehensive results. The sulfur-trace method is an example.

Major objectives of this investigation were to adopt a sulfur-trace analyzer for oil consumption measurements, to improve the oil consumption measurement process, and to demonstrate application of the sulfur-trace instrument to individual cylinder sampling. To achieve these objectives, four research questions were applied:

1. What procedures and attention to detail are required?
2. How can results be reported to maximize data interpretation?
3. How do the …

Development Of Rapid Assessment Protocols For Evaluating The Mental Health Status Of Incoming Bosnian Refugees In Waterloo, Iowa, Susan Renee Dobie

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to develop rapid assessment protocols to evaluate the prevalence of common symptoms of clinical depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in the adult Bosnian refugee population in Waterloo, Iowa.

An extensive literature review was conducted to research (a) refugeeism around the world, (b) causes of refugeeism, (c) the refugee experience, (d) refugee health challenges, (e) post-traumatic stress disorder in refugees, (t) depression in refugees, (g) acculturation stress in refugees, (h) rapid assessment procedures in public health, (i) rapid mental health assessments, (j) the case of refugeeism in the former Yugoslavia, (k) the history of refugeeism …

Piezoelectric Biomechanical Assessment Of Swallowing Across Ages And Swallowing Task, Janel Elizabeth Crow

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Even though the Modified Barium Swallow (l\1BS) is the gold standard for the evaluation of swallowing disorders, the MBS has several limitations ( e.g., invasiveness, cost and portability). Noninvasive tools to measure swallowing ability at low cost and with low risk to the patient are desirable. Recently, thin film, piezoelectric technology (Computerized Laryngeal Analyzer: CLA) has become available which allows for noninvasive biomechanical analysis of swallowing. Noninvasive biomechanical measurement of swallowing is possible due to the close correlation of hyolaryngeal movement, airway protection and upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening (Jacob, Kahrilas, Logemann, Shah, & Ha, 1989). The vertical and anterior …

Pure-Tone Thresholds And Otoacoustic Emission Strength As A Function Of Language Delay In Children, Emily Ann Haisman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study investigated the relationship between ultra-high frequency hearing loss and delays in speech and language development in 10 language delayed children and 10 nonlanguage delayed children. The study utilized both pure-tone sensitivity measures and distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) strength to assess hearing capability. Behavioral audiometric thresholds were obtained at 250, 500, 1000, 2000, 4000, 8000, 10000, 12500, 16000, 18000, 19000, and 20,000 Hz with standard air conduction audiometry and ultra-high frequency air conduction audiometry. DPOAE strength was measured at approximately 1000, 1100, 1500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 8000, 12000, 16000, and 20000 Hz using a standard …

The Effects Of Systematically Fading Reinforcement While Maintaining Skills, Jodi Suzanne Bronson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

A review of the literature describing treatment programs for young children with autism revealed two distinctly different strategies. One, the Lovaas approach (Lovaas, 1987), focused on an intense, one-on-one discrete trial training format implemented for approximately 40 hours per week. A prescribed curriculum targeted at social and communication skills is incorporated. The second program, TEACCH, emphasized an individualized curriculum selected after a careful assessment process to determine a person's strengths and limitations. Goals and objectives were subsequently implemented in highly structured special education classrooms where the focus was on antecedent control and the use of visually mediated strategies. Interviews with …

Inactivation Of Soybean Peroxidase During Sodium Azide Oxidation: A Comparative Study, Mohamed Yehia Zakaria Aboul Eish

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Azide ion is a mechanism-based inactivator of a number of peroxidases. However, there are often variations in the manner in which inactivation occurs. Soybean Peroxidase (SBP) is found in the plant's seed coat. Unlike many other peroxidases, a single enzyme rather than several isozymes are produced thus making more simple the purification and characterization of the enzyme. In this research it was shown that, as with other peroxidases, SBP is inactivated by azide during turnover. During azide oxidation SBP forms a ferrous-NO intermediate. In this respect, SBP is similar to the lignin peroxidases from Phanerochaete chrysosporium which also form ferrous-NO …

Gender, Gender Role Socialization, And The Tripartite Model Of Anxiety And Depression In Male And Female College Students, Sarina E. Abel

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study, including 141 female and 71 male college students, investigated the relationship of gender and gender role socialization within the context of the tripartite model of anxiety and depression. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that gender contributed significantly to the prediction of specific depression and mixed anxiety-depression, but not to the prediction of specific anxiety. Gender role contributed to the prediction of specific depression, but did not uniquely contribute to the prediction of specific anxiety or mixed anxiety-depression. Significant multivariate effects were found for gender role and for the interaction of gender and gender role, but not for gender. Univariate …

A Descriptive Study Of Non-Accredited Athletic Training Programs, Donald Lee Bishop

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of the study was to describe the current status of non-accredited athletic training programs at four-year colleges and universities in relation to receiving future accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

Since it was first organized, the National Athletic Trainers' Association, Inc. (NATA) has continually sought to elevate the standards of its members. There were no certification or education requirements for athletic trainers until 1970. These requirements, once very broad and open-ended, have since been refined and delimited to ensure the highest quality for athletic trainers. The NATA has once again raised their …

The Relationship Between Coping Strategies And Body Image Among Adolescent Females, Lisa Monae Yarrow

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between coping strategies and body image disturbance among adolescent females. Fifty-eight of 78 (74.4%) seventh grade female students at a midwestern middle school completed all phases of the research.

The Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26; Gamer & Garfinkel, 1979) identified subjects with maladaptive eating behaviors. The Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations (CISS; Endler & Parker, 1990) and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ; Cooper, Taylor, Cooper, & Fairburn, 1987) provided information concerning the type of coping strategies employed as well as feelings concerning appearance.

Pearson product-moment correlation was used to determine the …

Toxicity Of Tnt, Hmx, And Rdx Degradation Products To Mammalian Cells Before And After Bioremediation Of Contaminated Soils, Irina Yurievna Blinova

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The production and disposal of hazardous substances has resulted in environment pollution and has become one of the most important issues in the United States. New technologies such as site bioremediation using microorganisms or microbial processes that enhance contaminant detoxification and destruction are being developed. This project assessed the success of bioremediation by a white rot fungus. The material tested was soil from Virginia site contaminated with a mixture of explosives (TNT, RDX, and HMX). The assays examined toxicity of soil eluates to several mammalian cell lines (Ll210, Jurkat, and U-937). Two separate assays were used and compared in the …