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Fast And Sensitive Genome-Hashing Software And Its Application In Using Ngs As A Detection Agent For Bacterial Presence In Oral Metagenomic Samples, Paul Michael Gontarz

Dissertations

Next generation sequencing has increased the throughput of sequenced DNA into the range of billions of nucleotides sequenced per day. With the increased speed of DNA sequencing and the short length of reads produced by next generation sequencers, a significant challenge has been created in quickly and accurately assembling the hundreds of millions of short reads created by modern sequencing instruments into their full genomic sequences. With the increase in throughput in next generation sequencing and the decrease in time and cost to perform DNA sequencing, novel applications for DNA sequencing are being considered. Among them is a methodology by …

Parents’ Expectations Of Developmentally Delayed Children With Special Education Needs (Sen) When Transitioning Into And Out Of The Public Middle School Environment, Areza C. Enea

Dissertations

Transitions occur at every stage during the educational experience. Transitions from preschool to adulthood affect students and their parents when entering or leaving each educational level. The most difficult transitions for any parent occur when students advance to the next level of their educational journey. Special education students’ transition experiences are unique and more formalized. The students’ identified special education needs (SEN) impact where and how they will transition. These needs are considered during the formalized individualized education plan (IEP) process, involving parents, educators, and other key stakeholders. Parents of special needs students rely on parent-teacher-administrative collaborations to assist students …

Factors Influencing The Integration Of High Fidelity Simulation In Associate Degree Rn And Lpn Nursing Programs, Sheila A. Kaylor

Dissertations

High fidelity human simulation (HFHS) has become a common feature in nursing education in recent years. This case study explored the practices and perceptions of nursing directors, faculty, and students regarding the integration of HFHS in associate degree RN and LPN programs. The course of study in these particular programs is two years or less in length, presenting added challenges for faculty to introduce new pedagogies into an abundantly full curriculum. Multiple data sources were used and included 41 participants through interviews with nursing directors and instructors, observation of instructors and students during HFHS scenarios and debriefing sessions, and student …

Exploration Of Stimulus Current Energy Reduction And Bifurcation Dynamics In Conductance-Based Neuron Models Using Optimal Control Theory, Michael E. Ellinger

Dissertations

Hodgkin-Huxley type conductance-based models can simulate the effect of time-varying injected stimulus currents on the neuron membrane voltage. The dynamics simulated by these model types enables investigation of the biophysical basis of neuronal activity which is fundamental to higher level function. Broadened understanding the basis of nervous system function could lead to development of effective treatment for related diseases, disorders, and the effects of trauma. In this dissertation, optimal control is used with conductance-based neuron models to develop a "Reduced Energy Input Stimulus Discovery Method." Within the method, an objective function balances two competing criteria: tracking a reference membrane voltage …

Perceptions Of Non-Traditional Programs Within Missouri School Districts, Cherie L. Norman

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze perceptions of Missouri public school administrators regarding twenty-first century learning skills in choice and innovative schools, and to report the research-based best practices those schools are using with students. For this study, qualitative data were collected through a questionnaire and then coded for analysis (Fraenkel et. al, 2014). The questionnaire, used to elicit information from 10 administrators of Missouri public schools housing a choice or innovation program, was the anchor of the research design. The results of this study indicated choice and innovative schools are incorporating a combination of current research-based practices …

National Quality Awards In Healthcare And Actual Quality In U.S. Hospitals, Beth M. Beaudin-Seiler

Dissertations

This study examined performance outcome data from the Medicare Compare Hospital database for differences in performance between national award-winning hospitals and non-national award-winning hospitals. Specific variables examined were related to clinical care and were identified in literature as well as professional medical associations and societies as being quality indicators. National award-winning hospitals were defined as those having received the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award in Healthcare or the Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital for Clinical Excellence. The characteristics of highly reliable organizations were also used to align the indicators of excellence for Malcolm Baldrige and Healthgrades recipients. Finally, a closer examination of data …

Psychological And Social Variables Impacting Young Adults Caring For Severely Mentally Ill Mothers, Courtney Gale Deloney

Dissertations

This dissertation study examined the psychological and social functioning of young adults who care for their severely mentally ill mothers; in doing so this study examined the independent variables coping style, perceived stress, quality of life, and resilience. The dependent variables considered were race, socioeconomic status, support group participation, and living in the same household as one’s mother. Young adulthood was examined as a distinct period of human development. The policy of deinstitutionalization led many families to become caregivers for their severely mentally ill relatives. While some knowledge on this exists, little is known about the experiences of young adult …

Three Essays On Capital Regulations And Shadow Banking, Diny Ghuzini

Dissertations

The shadow banking sector is a sector that is comprised of financial intermediaries that do not have access to central bank funds and performs their activities outside the regular banking system. This sector had been rapidly growing in most developed economies. This dissertation focuses on the behavioral difference and interaction of the traditional and shadow banking sectors as displayed by the relative asset position of both sectors, their risk-taking positions, and their business-cycles properties.

The first essay examines the impact of minimum capital requirements on the share of shadow to total banking assets. Previous literature has argued that increased regulation …

Tongues Untied Truth Revealed: Body Image, Social Media, Identity Development, And Meaning-Making In Overweight And Obese Black Gay Msm, Amari Ja-Lynn Enam

Dissertations

This phenomenological study explored the meanings attributed to internalized messages about body image within the context of identity development from the perspectives of overweight/obese men of African descent (OMAD) among a group of 6 men who have sex with men (MSM). I was interested in those messages that have been incorporated, adopted, or integrated into OMAD-MSM’s sense of self. Informants shared body image-related experiences from interactions with family, friends, dating/sex partners, and the media/social media.

Academic literature has explained identity development processes among African Americans through various lenses but research has not adequately explored the convergence of multiply oppressed social …

The Effects Of Schedule Density Of Reinforcement For Alternative Behavior On Resurgence, Kathryn M. Kestner

Dissertations

Resurgence is the reemergence of a previously extinguished response when an alternative response no longer produces reinforcement. Although returning to previously successful methods for obtaining reinforcement is likely advantageous, resurgence also occurs in the form of treatment relapse. An individual may return to problematic behavior (e.g., aggression, self-injury, drug use) when an alternative behavior (e.g., communication response, coping skill, social behavior, etc.) is no longer successful at producing a reinforcer. Behavior analysts rely on treatments based on differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, and resurgence has been demonstrated following changes to reinforcement schedules due to errors in treatment integrity or intentional …

Exploring The “Mojo” Of Presidential Awards For Excellence In Mathematics And Science Teaching (Paemst) Recipients, James W. O'Malley

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine how extraordinary science teachers develop their teaching mojo. The teachers investigated were recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching (PAEMST). This investigation focuses specifically on science instruction. The method used for this investigation was individual and group interviews conducted with eight PAEMST recipients. Five themes emerged from these interviews: 1. Science is a natural motivator for learning; 2. Students need to be scientifically literate citizens; 3. A critical “trigger event” propelled each of these teachers towards great science instruction; 4. Each sought out and engaged in …

Implementation Of Traditional Printing Techniques For The Development Of Flexible Printed Sensors, Sai Guruva Reddy Avuthu

Dissertations

Printed electronics has gained a remarkable interest over the past decade for the fabrication of cost efficient electronic devices, with a major focus on the development of flexible sensors. This dissertation focuses on the fabrication of flexible sensors using traditional printing processes such as screen, inkjet and gravure printing.

A flexible organic thin film transistor (OTFT) was successfully fabricated on a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate and employed as a humidity sensor. Aluminum gate electrode was thermally evaporated on PET and UV clear dielectric layer was spin coated. Source and drain silver interdigitated electrodes were screen printed. 6,13-bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl) pentacene, a humidity …

Effective Fund Raising Practices In Public Community Colleges, Mark A. Bergstrom

Dissertations

This quantitative survey research gathered perceptions of Chief Development Officers (CDO’s) at public community colleges across the U.S., with 129 respondents.

Of the items rated most highly, CDO’s perceived that their presidents effectively communicates their institution’s mission to internal and external constituents; their college has made unique contributions to their community; their college fund raising program has effectively defined a niche in their service area; their investment/stewardship program has advisors successfully guiding investment; they have successful oversight over investments; and they have a successful process for selecting their investment advisors.

Multiple regression analysis examined the predictors of potential elements of …

Lnfluences Lmpacting The Development Of Entry-Level Master's Athletic Training Programs, Jennifer E. Deranek

Dissertations

Athletic training is an allied health profession in which individuals receive education in prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnoses, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation for injuries and medical conditions. Currently, the route for an individual to become a certified athletic trainer is to graduate from an institution accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Most commonly, entry-level education for athletic trainers is gained at the 331 institutions that host a bachelor’s level professional program. However, there is a recent desire to change the educational requirements and to require a professional master’s degree. If the degree change would occur, …

Effects Of Exercise And Pharmacological Intervention On Electromechanical Function Of The Heart In The Goto-Kakizaki Type 2 Diabetic Rat, Khawla Abdulla Al-Ali

Dissertations

Type 2 diabetes mellitus accounts for more than 90% of cases of diabetes mellitus. Cardiovascular diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. A variety of diastolic and systolic dysfunctions have been reported. The severity of the abnormalities depends on the patients’ age and diabetes duration. The aim of the study was to investigate the age-dependent, exercise and pharmacological intervention on electromechanical function of the heart in the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) type 2 diabetic rat. mRNA expression was assessed in ventricular muscle with real-time RTPCR. Ventricular myocytes shortening, intracellular Ca2+ transport and L-type Ca2+ current were measured …

Identifying The Molecular Mechanisms Of Early Cachexia Using Whole Transcriptome Sequencing In Muscle And Fat Biopsies From Cancer Patients, Amal Hussain Al Hadad

Dissertations

Cancer cachexia is responsible for one third of cancer–related deaths and contributes to the death of many others. More than 80% of cancer patients are cachectic towards the end of life. Despite intensive research, the mechanisms of cancer cachexia are still poorly understood. It is our hypothesis that identification of early changes in gene expression in cachexia will lead to an improved understanding of the mechanism that trigger this important problem in cancer patients. Thus, to shed light on the mechanisms involved in the major cachexia target tissues, we investigated the entire transcriptome in muscle and fat to identify altered …

A Framework For Guiding The Briefing Process In Public-Private Partnerships In The Uae Construction Industry, Rauda Saeed Ali Saif Al-Saadi

Dissertations

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) is a procurement method that employs a long-term contractual arrangement between public and private sectors with the intention of developing a public facility. A PPP brief must supply information that not only particularizes the project requirements but also specifies its program, risk management, expected performance output and payment mechanism. Many challenges currently face the briefing process of PPP projects in the UAE. A uniform briefing process has not been agreed, because there is no unified tender law or PPP procurement process in the country. The main aim of this research is to develop a framework for guiding …

Characterization Of Carbapenemase Producer Enterobacteriaceae Isolated In The United Arab Emirates, Amna Eisa Al Baloushi

Dissertations

The efficient control of the spread of carbapenemase producer Enterobacteriaceae, a major public health treat world-wide, requires knowledge on the molecular epidemiology and genetic background of the emerging carbapenemase genes.

Our aim was to investigate the genetic support of New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase and OXA-48-type carbapenemase genes in carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolated in the United Arab Emirates. Since these isolates are extremely drug resistant, leaving few treatment options, the efficacy of alternative antimicrobials was also assessed.

Seven NDM-producer Enterobacteriaceae, collected during 2009-2011, and subsequently five NDM and OXA-48-type carbapenemase co-producer Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated during 2011-2013 in three hospitals of the …

An Evaluation Of Teacher Morale In Four Elementary Schools: The Difference A School Makes, Jennifer Blackburn

Dissertations

This Program Evaluation Plan (PEP) investigates teacher morale in several schools and explores how it may possibly relate to school grade. There are many factors that influence teacher morale, but I believe that school grade plays a major role; and this dissertation takes a closer look as to how some teachers and administrators feel about their schools and positions. By implementing a questionnaire, and conducting interviews with teachers and administrators, I was able to discover that school grade is weighing in teacher morale.

This study breaks down the findings from the questionnaire that was given and offers some recommendations on …

Continuous Monitoring Of Enterprise Risks: A Delphi Feasibility Study, Robert Baksa

Dissertations

A constantly evolving regulatory environment, increasing market pressure to improve operations, and rapidly changing business conditions are creating the need for ongoing assurance that organizational risks are continually and adequately mitigated. Enterprises are perpetually exposed to fraud, poor decision making and/or other inefficiencies that can lead to significant financial loss and/or increased levels of operating risk. Increasingly, Information Systems are being harnessed to reinvent the risk management process. One promising technology is Continuous Auditing, which seeks to transform the audit process from periodic reviews of a few transactions to a continuous review of all transactions. However, the highly integrated, rapidly …

New Screening Methodology For Selection Of Polymeric Materials For Transdermal Drug Delivery Devices, Roberto P. Falcone

Dissertations

As medical advances extend the human lifespan, the level of chronic illnesses will increase and thus straining the needs of the health care system that, as a result, governments will need to balance expenses without upsetting national budgets.

Therefore, the selection of a precise and affordable drug delivery technology is seen as the most practical solution for governments, health care professionals, and consumers.

Transdermal drug delivery patches (TDDP) are one of the best economical technologies that are favored by pharmaceutical companies and physicians alike because it offers fewer complications when compared to other delivery technologies. TDDP provides increased efficiency, safety …

Data Mining In Computational Proteomics And Genomics, Yang Song

Dissertations

This dissertation addresses data mining in bioinformatics by investigating two important problems, namely peak detection and structure matching. Peak detection is useful for biological pattern discovery while structure matching finds many applications in clustering and classification.

The first part of this dissertation focuses on elastic peak detection in 2D liquid chromatographic mass spectrometry (LC-MS) data used in proteomics research. These data can be modeled as a time series, in which the X-axis represents time points and the Y-axis represents intensity values. A peak occurs in a set of 2D LC-MS data when the sum of the intensity values in a …

Designing Novel Abstraction Networks For Ontology Summarization And Quality Assurance, Christopher Ochs

Dissertations

Biomedical ontologies are complex knowledge representation systems. Biomedical ontologies support interdisciplinary research, interoperability of medical systems, and Electronic Healthcare Record (EHR) encoding. Ontologies represent knowledge using concepts (entities) linked by relationships. Ontologies may contain hundreds of thousands of concepts and millions of relationships. For users, the size and complexity of ontologies make it difficult to comprehend “the big picture” of an ontology's content. For ontology editors, size and complexity make it difficult to uncover errors and inconsistencies. Errors in an ontology will ultimately affect applications that utilize the ontology.

In prior studies abstraction networks (AbNs) were developed to provide a …

System Design And Performance Analysis Of Asymmetrically And Symmetrically Clipped Optical (Asco)-Ofdm For Im/Dd Optical Wireless Communications, Nan Wu

Dissertations

As the quantity of mobile communication devices, such as cellphones, tablets, and laptops, dramatically increase, the demand for high speed wireless service has been growing. Optical wireless communications (OWCs), which offer unlimited transmission bandwidth, have received a lot of attention and been studied in recent decades. They can be an effective alternative to radio frequency communications (RFCs) for indoor high speed data transmission. Intensity modulation direct detection (IM/DD) is a simple way to realize the transmission of optical wireless signals in an indoor environment. Information data streams are modulated into the intensity of optical carriers and transmitted by light emitting …

Transforming Student Retention In Higher Education Online Programs In California Community Colleges: A Delphi Study, Felix A. Kalinski Jr

Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to discover techniques to transform retention rates for students in online courses compared to face-to-face courses in the higher education programs at California Community Colleges using a Delphi method. This qualitative study used a modified three-round Delphi technique to understand the phenomenon of the consistently lower student retention rates in fully online programs in California Community Colleges, as differentiated to student retention rates in on-campus programs. Panelists suggested their expert opinion and reveal their concerns. The research made recommendations based upon the findings of this Delphi study. The results of this study were be …

The Evaluation Of The Implementation Of A Shared Medical Appointment For Patients With Diabetes In A Rural Private Practice, Rebecca Rohrbach

Dissertations

Objective: This practice improvement project was designed to test the efficacy and feasibility of implementing Shared Medical Appointments (SMA) as an innovative approach to improve the care of diabetic patients while containing costs in a rural private practice associated with an Accountable Care Organization (ACO).

Methods: Five Medicare quality measures specific to diabetes were used as patient outcomes: hemoglobin A1C control.

Results: Fifteen patients participated in one or more monthly SMAs with groups ranging from two to five participants per appointment over 10 months. Participants indicated a high level of satisfaction with themes associated with social support. No significant difference …

A Delphi Study That Measures The Effects Of Principal Tenure On School Culture At The High School Level, Dr. Patricia M. Custodio

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to (a) investigate expert high school principals’ perceptions regarding the minimum length of principal tenure necessary to develop a positive school culture (b) determine the impact the length of high school principal tenure has on high schools’ culture and (c) to develop recommendations regarding actions to be taken with respect to principal tenure. This particular study utilized a structural Delphi model in which expert high school principals give their expert opinion on how principal tenure affects school culture at high schools and provide suggestions for new principals and district cabinet members on how to …

The Superintendent As Transformational Leader: A Case Study Analysis Of The Strategies, Initiatives And Processes Used By Superintendents Of Exemplar 21st Century School Districts To Implement District-Wide Change For The 21st Century, Rebecca A. Summers

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to identify and describe the visions, frameworks, strategies, initiatives and change models used by eight superintendents of exemplar 21st century school districts as designated by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, in order to successfully implement a district-wide 21st century learning model. Semi-structured interviews were used to provide rich narratives of the superintendents’ experiences with the transformational change processes in their districts as they implemented 21st century models of education. The interviews were coded and analyzed for common themes and patterns. The findings revealed that although the superintendents were system thinkers about …

An Analysis Of The Impact Of Emotional Literacy Instruction On At-Risk Students, Shannon H. Garcia

Dissertations

This study examined the impact of social-emotional literacy instruction for at-risk adolescents ages 13 to 18 at the high school level. Of particular interest is the impact of social-emotional literacy instruction on at-risk youth Grades 9-12 in secondary high schools’ 8-week-long social-emotional literacy class through Project AWARE, particularly in the areas of suspension, expulsion, attendance, connectivity, attitude toward school, resiliency, and relational aggression rates; the data were analyzed using archival data and teacher interview. Project AWARE, the social-emotional literacy intervention examined in this study, educates and provides mentorship for at-risk students, while also providing a group educational component on relationships …

Yoga And Adolescent Psychological Health, Depressive Symptoms, And Flourishing, Erin Curran Schulte

Dissertations

The purpose of this concurrent mixed methods study was to investigate the potential of yoga to increase positive psychological health, decrease depressive symptoms, and increase flourishing in nonclinical high school students. Yoga was incorporated as part of a physical education (PE) course at a suburban high school with high school students (n = 27). Another section of the same course without yoga served as the control group (n = 38). Both groups completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) Scale to measure depressive symptoms, the Flourishing Scale for Teens, and the Positive Emotion, Engagement, Positive Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment …