Digital Commons Network^™

A Qualitative Study Of Women Therapists’ Experiences Of Spirituality In The Counseling Process, Sharon A. Carney

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Measures Of Travers Ability In Graphs, Futaba Okamoto

Dissertations

For a connected graph G of order n ≥ 3 and a cyclic ordering sc : v 1, v2,..., vn, v n+1 = v1 of vertices of G, the number d(sc) is defined by d(sc) = i=1n d(vi, vi +1), where d(vi, vi +1) is the distance between vi and vi+1 in G for 1 ≤ i ≤ n. The Hamiltonian number h(G) and upper Hamiltonian number h +(G) of G are defined as h(G) = min{d(sc)} and h+(G) = max{d(sc)}, respectively, where the minimum and maximum are taken over all cyclic orderings s c of vertices of G. For …

Community College Partnerships With Business And Industry, Maryann Sharpley Lavender

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe, analyze and interpret the expectations and outcomes of industry partnerships with community colleges to determine their value, emerging themes that have contributed to their success or demise, and whether the goals initially set forth in establishing these partnerships was achieved. This study is based upon resource dependency theory, which proposed that if government and state funding given in support of community college education was diminishing, then the need is to better understand the value of and how community college and industry partnerships are working toward continuation. Resource dependency theory revolves around the …

The Global Hepatic Transcriptional Response Of Male Fisher Rats To Dietary Aroclor 1254 Exposure, Trisha M. Basford

Dissertations

Dietary intake is a primary route for biomagnification of environmentally persistent polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) within humans and animals. Aroclor 1254, a mixture of PCBs, is associated with a variety of toxic responses including alterations in blood and lipid biochemistry and tumor promotion. Measurement of the transcriptional responses to low-level dietary exposure to A1254 has not been reported to date, and is important given the persistence of PCBs, and range of effects associated with exposure. The aims of this study were to characterize changes in rat hepatic global gene expression due to sub-acute and sub-chronic dietary exposure to A1254, and to …

Thereby Become A Monster: Complex Organizations And The Torture At Abu Ghraib, Janine A. Bower

Dissertations

Reasearch and theory on organizational crime and deviance suggest organizational offending includes aspects of the environment, organizational characteristics (such as tasks, structure, and processes), and cognition, and is systematically produced by the combination of these three. This research is an examination of the organization of the Abu Ghraib detention and interrogation facility in Iraq, the location of prison abuses now made infamous following their public disclosure in 2004. An ethnographic content analysis of documents was performed to probe organizational culture, structure and processes, and their intersection with individual biographies and contextual forces. While public questions focused on why seemingly ordinary …

A New Model For Cooperative Mobility In Support If Qos In Manets With Heterogeneous Autonomy Requirements, Ghassen Ben Brahim

Dissertations

Modern mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) frequently consist of nodes which exhibit a wide range of autonomy needs. This is particularly true in the settings where MANETs are model compelling, i.e. battlefield, response & rescue, and contexts requiring rapid deployment of mobile users. The time-critical nature of the underlying circumstances frequently requires deployment of both manned and unmanned nodes, and a coordination structure which provides prioritized tasking to them.

In classic ad-hoc networks settings, it is assumed that all nodes are autonomous and do not depend in any case on other nodes. In this research work, contrarily to this design, we …

An Evaluative Model For Incorporating Diversity Training Into Teacher Preparation, Amy Sue Desonia

Dissertations

In 1949, W.E.B. DuBois noted, "Of all the rights for which the world has struggled and fought for 5,000 years, the right to learn is undoubtedly the most fundamental (Foner, 1970, pp. 230-231)." Yet, inequity, so deeply embedded in the United States public education system, severely inhibits the free exercise of this right by many. Teachers struggle to teach, and students struggle to learn. Preparing pre-service teachers for diversity in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade (PK-12) classrooms throughout the United States is becoming increasingly urgent based on demographic trends--students will progressively become more diverse as they represent different races, ethnicities, cultures, …

The Role Of Automatic Reinforcement In Early Speech Acquisition, Barbara E. Esch

Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Fock Space And Related Bergman Type Integral Operators, Ovidiu Furdui

Dissertations

In this thesis we study the boundedness of a general class of integral operators induced by the kernel functions of Fock spaces. More precisely, for a, b, and c real parameters we study the action of [Special characters omitted.] and [Special characters omitted.] on Lp ([Special characters omitted.] ,dv_s ), where dv_s ( z ) = [Special characters omitted.] is the Gaussian probability measure on [Special characters omitted.] . We prove that, when p > 1, respectively p = 1, these operators are bounded if and only if p satisfies a quadratic, respectively a linear, inequality. The …

Materials And Processes For Printed Electronics: Evaluation Of Gravure Printing In Electronics Manufacture, Erika Hrehorova

Dissertations

The primary goal of printing electronics is to create structures and devices that are functionally similar to conventional electronics, but at greater speed, lower cost and less production complexity. There are advantages and challenging disadvantages of using printing processes to manufacture electronic devices. Printing has been very well optimized for printing visual images that meet the requirements of human eye. However in the production of functional electronic devices, there are more stringent requirements on resolution, registration and quality of printed features and functional layers.

The main goal of this work is to form a starting point to a bigger picture …

Characterization Of Molecular Events Following Heavy Metal Cadmium Exposure: A Cellular Regulatory Symphony In Response To Early Cadmium Insult, Chin-Ju Jean Hsiao

Dissertations

Cadmium, a non-essential toxic heavy metal, has been classified as a human carcinogen and one of the most hazardous substances in our environment. Since it can circulate within the food chain, has a long biological half-life and can bio-accumulate, it has the potential to induce detrimental health effects linked to toxicity, cancer and chronic diseases.

In recent years progress has been made to dissect and understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of cadmium exposure. However, few studies have focused on investigating potential protective and/or defense mechanisms naturally applied by cells upon initial exposure, prior to any damage or toxic …

Inelastic X-Ray Scattering Studies On Organic Semiconductors And Organic Superconductors, Chaminda Nalaka Kodituwakku

Dissertations

We have measured electronic excitations and excitons in CuPc polycrystalline and single crystal samples. Measurements on the polycrystalline sample were done with 300 meV resolution and measurements on the single crystal were done using 120 meV resolution. Time dependant density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were done on the CuPc molecule to understand the electronic excitations in this system.

Struggling With Race: A Grounded Theory Study Of The Developing Of Awareness Of Racism, Shawn Victoria Macdonald

Dissertations

White counselors and psychologists need to have a strong understanding of racism and white privilege for effective therapeutic work with people of color. However, many white counselors struggle in various ways with multicultural training. The phenomenon of white counselors in training struggling with awareness of racism and white privilege is well-recognized but not fully understood.

A constructivist grounded theory study was conducted to explore the phenomena of "struggle" among white counselors in training who were engaged in multicultural training. 33 interviews were conducted with 17 participants who were students in master's and doctoral level counseling, counseling psychology, and related programs. …

Structure-Function Studies Of Self- Assembling Flagellin Proteins Fromsalmonella Typhimurium And Aquifex Pyrophilus, Venkata Raghu Ram Malapaka

Dissertations

The eubacterial flagellum is a complex structure with an elongated extracellular filament that is primarily composed of a single protein termed flagellin. The highly conserved N-and C- termini of flagellin are important in its export and assembly, whereas the middle "hypervariable" region is highly variable in size across different species and is largely dispensable. InSalmonella typhimurium phase 1 flagellin (FliC), this hypervariable region encodes two solvent-exposed D2 and D3 domains. The functional role of this knob-like structural feature in motility remains unclear. The structural and physiological role of the hypervariable region in flagellar assembly, stability and cellular motility was investigated. …

Effects Of Two Parkinson’S Disease Patient Education Models On Disease Self-Management And Quality Of Life, Lorraine Pearl-Kraus

Dissertations

Purpose. To compare the effects of Parkinson's Disease Collaborative Care (PDCC) and Parkinson's Disease Information Training (PDIT) patient education disease-management models on patients' (a) perceived self-efficacy in PD self-management, and (b) self-reported perceived PD-Health Related Quality of Life.

Methods. 41 middle-stage (Hoehn & Yahr Stages 2 & 3) patients (24 males & 17 females; age range 48-78; mean 67.59 years) were randomized to the PDCC (n = 21) or PDIT (n = 20) group. Prior to inception, 3 withdrew; after the first session, 3 more withdrew. Participants in both groups attended three consecutive weekly, 2-hour patient education sessions with presenters …

A Study Of Career Preparation Activities Used In Michigan’S Public High Schools, Brian L. Pyles

Dissertations

This study assessed the status of Michigan's Career Pathway high schools 2 years after state Career Preparation funding was terminated early, in order to determine the institutionalization of Career Pathway activities. In particular, this study examined the use of Career Pathway curriculum guides, Educational Development Plans (EDPs), student Career Pathway designations, student career assessments, work-based learning activities, alternative scheduling, college credits earned in high school, instructional strategies, teacher professional development, and Career Pathway high school planning committees. This study also ascertained the perceived helpfulness of having students declare a Career Pathway and using EDPs as a guide in the selection …

A Role Of Problem-Solving In Complex Intraverbal Repertoires, Rachael A. Sautter

Dissertations

kinner described intraverbal behavior as verbal behavior with no point-to-point correspondence between the stimulus and the response. This verbal operant encompasses a wide range of response topographies ranging from answering simple questions to complex conversational exchanges. Previous interventions for teaching complex responding to questions about category membership have focused primarily on transfer of stimulus control procedures to teach specific intraverbal responses. These procedures have proven effective at establishing basic intraverbal responses but have consistently produced small and somewhat restricted repertoires. Theoreticians have hypothesized that effective use of problem-solving strategies rather than simple stimulus control may account for the performance of …

Navigating Barriers Of African American Male Administrators: Manifesting Mechanisms For Career Advancement In Mainstream Institutions Of Higher Education, Orlando Lewis

Dissertations

The overall goal of this qualitative case study was to provide information to African American males regarding barriers they are challenged to navigate for career advancement at mainstream institutions of higher education. I utilized semi structured interviews to: (1) determine what barriers face African American male administrators in higher education that prevent advancement to executive positions; (2) identify and detail ways in which African American male administrators successfully navigate the barriers and; (3) identify coping mechanisms and support systems to aid African American men to navigate the identified barriers.

I identified three themes of barriers that reflect the route of …

Four Roads: A Novel, Kelly Daniels

Dissertations

An American tourist is attacked by peasants, who suspect her of stealing infants to sell on a shadowy organ donation market. Several other attacks follow, prompting a travel advisory, which in turn causes tourists to flee the country, fracturing the already weak economy, and creating more chaos still. Meanwhile, death squads patrol the mountains to "disappear" anyone suspected of harboring sympathy for the rebels, and the usual assortment of criminals use any means available to make a buck. This is Guatemala, hardly a vacationer's paradise; yet several Americans have elected to remain in country amidst such turmoil.

Four Roads, a …

Laboratory Based Chemical And Isotopic Investigations On Biotic (Microbial) And Abiotic Reduction Of Iron And Oxidation Of Organic Compounds, Tsigabu Asmelash Gebrehiwet

Dissertations

Studies using chemical and isotopic techniques have been conducted to investigate experimental microbial (biotic) iron reduction and abiotic redox processes. In the microbially mediated study Fe(III) reduction and lactate oxidation at circum-neutral pH and anaerobic conditions were used to characterize the metabolic pathways followed by dissimilatory Fe⁺³ -reducing bacterium Shewanella putrefaciens strain 200R. Iron (II), Iron (III), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) and carbon isotope ratios were measured under bicarbonate and phosphate buffered conditions. Carbon isotope disproportionation among organic carbon substrate (lactate), biomass and respired carbon dioxide at the lag to stationary phase of the microbial growth curve showed …

Problems Related To Efficacy Measurement And Analyses, Sibabrata Banerjee

Dissertations

In clinical research it is very common to compare two treatments on the basis of an efficacy variable. More specifically, if X and Y denote the responses of patients on the two treatments A and B, respectively, the quantity P(Y>X) (which can be called the probabilistic index for the Effect Size), is of interest in clinical statistics. The objective of this study is to derive an efficacy measure that would compare two treatments more informatively and objectively compared to the earlier approaches. Kernel density estimation is a useful non-parametric method that has not been well utilized as an applied …

The Impact Of Combined Maternal Alcohol And Tobacco Use On Low Birth Weight In Singleton Pregnancies : A Population Based Study In The Us, 2003, Della A. Campbell

Dissertations

Background: The Black-White disparity in birth outcomes in the United States remains embedded. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines low birth weight (LBW) as birthweight less than 2500 grams/5.5 pounds or below the 10th percentile for gestational age. LBW is a frequent marker of poor maternal/infant health outcome. A reduction in the incidence of LBW is a major public health initiative in the US. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the magnitude of risk for low birth weight, defined in this study as neonatal birth weight less than 2500 grams, in relation to combined maternal alcohol and …

Prediction Of Mrna Polyadenylation Sites In The Human Genome And Mathematical Modeling Of Alternative Polyadenylation, Yiming Cheng

Dissertations

Messenger RNA (mRNA) polyadenylation plays many important roles in the cell, such as transcription termination, mRNA stability and transportation, and mRNA translation in eukaryotic cells. A large number of human and mouse genes have multiple polyadenylation sites (referred to as poly(A) sites) that lead to variable transcripts, some of which are translated into various protein products with different functions. However, the details about when and where the polyadenylation occurs, and how pre-mRNA switches from one poly(A) site to another are still unknown. This kind of 3 '-end processing can be regulated by the cell environment, cell cycle stage, and tissue …

Low Jitter Phase-Locked Loop Clock Synthesis With Wide Locking Range, Adnan Gundel

Dissertations

The fast growing demand of wireless and high speed data communications has driven efforts to increase the levels of integration in many communications applications. Phase noise and timing jitter are important design considerations for these communications applications. The desire for highly complex levels of integration using low cost CMOS technologies works against the minimization of timing jitter and phase noise for communications systems which employ a phase-locked loop for frequency and clock synthesis with on-chip VCO. This dictates an integrated CMOS implementation of the VCO with very low phase noise performance. The ring oscillator VCOs based on differential delay cell …

People-Search : Searching For People Sharing Similar Interests From The Web, Quanzhi Li

Dissertations

On the Web, there are limited ways of finding people sharing similar interests or background with a given person. The current methods, such as using regular search engines, are either ineffective or time consuming. In this work, a new approach for searching people sharing similar interests from the Web, called People-Search, is presented. Given a person, to find similar people from the Web, there are two major research issues: person representation and matching persons. In this study, a person representation method which uses a person's website to represent this person's interest and background is proposed. The design of matching process …

Direct Simulations Of Cells Motions And Deformations In Flow, Quan Jin

Dissertations

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) are used to study the motions and deformations of blood cells, especially leukocytes, in pressure driven flows in parallel plate channels with both smooth and uneven walls under adhesion force between the leukocytes and the channel wall.

Leukocytes are represented by two composite fluid models. The first model is the compound-drop model in which the cytoplasm and the nucleus are modeled as fluids, and the second one is the drop-rigid-particle model in which the cytoplasm is modeled as a fluid and the nucleus as a rigid particle. The adhesion force is computed using two adhesion force …

Sifting Customers From The Clickstream : Behavior Pattern Discovery In A Virtual Shopping Environment, Peishih Chang

Dissertations

While shopping online, customers' needs and goals may change dynamically, based on a variety of factors such as product information and characteristics, time pressure and perceived risk. While these changes create emergent information needs, decisions about what information to present to customers are typically made before customers have visited a web site, using data such as purchase histories and logs of web pages visited. Better understanding of customer cognition and behavior as a function of various factors is needed in order to enable the right information to be presented at the right time. One approach to achieving this understanding is …

Formation Of Rdx Nanoparticles By Rapid Expansion Of Supercritical Solution : In Situ Characterization By Laser Scattering, Takuya Matsunaga

Dissertations

Cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine (RDX), a well-known energetic material, is highly explosive. Reduction of the sensitivity of RDX is desired for safe handling and

storage in military applications. Data on the sensitivity of RDX in the 10-1000 µm crystal size range suggested that the impact sensitivity could be further reduced by reduction of the crystal size to the sub-micron or nano-scale (Armstrong, 1990). Recent research with nano-RDX obtained using Rapid Expansion of Supercritical Solutions (RESS) confirmed these expectations (Stepanov, 2005).

RESS process appeared to be one out of a few techniques of production of nanoscale energetic materials free of the risk of explosion. …

Analysis Of Truck Delays At Container Terminal Security Inspection Stations, Dae-Gwun Yoon

Dissertations

After September 11, 2001, special attention has been given to the vulnerability at container transportation to terrorist activities. United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has set up inspection stations for containers at seaport terminals to screen containers, but this practice affects the truck turnaround time in the seaport by generating additional processing delays.

This dissertation analyses the additional truck turnaround time incurred at the inspection stations under various levels of security. Queuing models were used to estimate truck delay as containers are inspected at two successive security inspection stages. Each stage may utilize one or more inspection equipment. The …

Synthesis And Analysis Of Reactive Nanocomposites Prepared By Arrested Reactive Milling, Swati M. Umbrajkar

Dissertations

Different types of reactive nanocomposites have been synthesized by Arrested Reactive Milling (ARM). The technical approach was to increase the interface area available for heterogeneous reaction between solid fuel and oxidizer components. Using aluminum as the main fuel and different metal oxides as oxidizers, highly energetic reactive nanocomposites with different degrees of structural refinement were synthesized. Specifically, stoichiometric Al-MoO₃, Al-CuO, and Al-NaNO₃ material systems were studied in detail.

The correlation of heterogeneous exothermic reactions occurring in the nanocomposite powders upon their heating at low rates and ignition events observed for the same powders heated rapidly was of …