Digital Commons Network^™

Predicting Surface Scatter Using A Linear Systems Formulation Of Non-Paraxial Scalar Diffraction, Andrey Krywonos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Scattering effects from rough surfaces are non-paraxial diffraction phenomena resulting from random phase variations in the reflected wavefront. The ability to predict these effects is important in a variety of applications including x-ray and EUV imaging, the design of stray light rejection systems, and reflection modeling for rendering realistic scenes and animations of physical objects in computer graphics. Rayleigh-Rice (small perturbation method) and Beckmann-Kirchoff (Kirchhoff approximation) theories are commonly used to predict surface scatter effects. In addition, Harvey and Shack developed a linear systems formulation of surface scatter phenomena in which the scattering behavior is characterized by a surface transfer …

Anton Chekhov:The Characterization And Interpretationof A Historical Figure For The Stage, Alan Gallant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will explore the execution of the monograph role of "Anton Chekhov" in the original one-act play, An Evening with Anton Chekhov. The play script, rehearsal and public performances of the piece are all self- generated by the candidate, with the proper assistance of the thesis committee. This written thesis serves as the completion of the thesis project, and includes analysis of several key areas of the development of the script and thesis role. This document includes the original script with endnotes and a structural analysis. Social and historical background of the character, Anton Chekhov, a real person, is …

Moliere And Commedia Dell'arte:Past, Present, And Future, Nicole Klass

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will explore the application of comemdia dell'arte technique to a contemporary performance. UCF's spring 2005 production of Molière's The Trickeries of Scapin will serve as a resource in both commedia dell'arte's ability to resonate with a modern audience as well as an analysis of the actor's process in fusing elements of commedia dell'arte and contemporary acting techniques. This document will include a thorough description of the history and origins of commedia dell'arte in order to decipher existing elements today. Also included, will be major influences on commedia dell'arte including Greek and Roman Comedy. It is important to discuss …

A 16 Bar Cut: The History Of American Musical Theatrean Original Script And Monograph Document, Patrick Moran

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A final thesis for my Master of Fine Arts degree should encompass every aspect of the past few years spent in the class room. Therefore, as a perfect capstone to my degree, I have decided to conceive, write, and perform a new musical with my classmate Rockford Sansom entitled The History of Musical Theatre: A 16 Bar Cut. The History of Musical Theatre: A 16 Bar Cut will be a two-man musical that will capsulate all of musical theatre history in a single evening. Starting with the Greeks and finishing in the present, the show will comedically inform the audience, …

A 16 Bar Cut: The History Of American Musical Theatrean Original Script And Monograph Document, Rockford Sansom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Believing that a thesis should encompass all aspects of a conservatory training program, I will write and perform--in collaboration with my classmate Patrick John Moran--a new musical entitled A 16 Bar Cut: The History of American Musical Theatre as the capstone project for my Master of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. A 16 Bar Cut will be a two-man show that tells the entire history of American musical theatre from the ancient Greeks to today in a tongue-in-cheek manner. The goal of the project is to pay homage to an original American art form in a night of zany silliness …

The Chorus: A Line To Cross, Marco Santiago

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis project will provide an in depth examination into the musical theater role of Paul, the male Puerto Rican dancer in A Chorus Line, as performed by Marco Antonio Santiago. The performance will take place at Cohoes Musical Theater in Albany, New York. This examination will reveal how the application of Stanislavski's methods on acting and his views in preparing a character can be used on musical theatre roles to achieve well rounded, fully developed and completely believable characters. The thesis will contain a structural analysis of the script, scene and role analysis, a performance journal to log the …

Tya Methodology Twentieth-Century Philosophy, And Twenty-First Century Practice: An Examination Of Acting, Directing, And Dramatic Literature, Allen Mccoy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the twentieth century, theatre for young audiences (TYA), or children's theatre, has been situated as something "other" or different than adult theatre, a kind of theatre--but not really theatre, a construct which opened the door to numerous "how to" philosophies geared specifically toward the theatre for young audiences practitioner. As a twenty-first century theatre practitioner, I am interested in how these philosophies are situated within or against current professional practices in the TYA field. This interest led me to the main question of this study: What are the predominant twentieth-century philosophies on acting, directing, and dramatic literature in the …

Between Continents, Mona Hassan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Between Continents is a collection of thirty-two poems. The most challenging aspect of finding the right voice and the appropriate metaphors in "Between Continents" has been the difficulty in assimilating a diversity of traditions within my own work. The polarity of aesthetic values is a well known feature of contemporary American poetry. Charles Webb in his essay on the competing aesthetics in poetry uses the metaphor of apples and orangutans to point out how exaggerated this difference really is. Jorie Graham sees in the way young writers today are simultaneously influenced by elements of poets whose philosophies mutually exclude each …

Molecular And Biochemical Changes In The Ileum Of Weanling Pigs Fed Antibiotics As Growth Promotant And In Germ-Free Conditions, Sajan George

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Antibiotics are routinely fed as growth promoters to weanling pigs for the past 50 years. However, frequent use of feed antibiotics potentially results in emergence of drug resistance in microbes, which could be transferred to human pathogens and would interfere with the effective use of therapeutic antimicrobials in human medicine. Such health concerns about the use of antibiotics in animal feeds have led to considerable scientific research and debates. Recently, use of antibiotics in animal feeds has been banned in the European Union and would possibly impact US agriculture soon. This study was conducted to understand the molecular mechanisms of …

Being Touched By Music: A Phenomenological-Hermeneutical Approach To Understanding Tranformational Musical Experience, Kurt Kumler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigated the lived experience of being personally transformed by listening to music. The investigation started with an exploration of the literature that relates to the phenomenon of musical transformation, including natural-scientific research as well as ideas from musicology, ethnomusicology, psychology, literature, and philosophy. This research was designed to access the nuanced and subjective aspects of the phenomenon by attending to the experience as lived by the experiencer. The method was qualitative in nature, based on a phenomenological-hermeneutical methodology. Throughout the research process, the researcher maintained a reflexive stance, attending to assumptions and preconceptions held about the phenomenon. This …

Leadership Practices: Perceptions Of Principals And Teachers In Sullivan County., Mary E. Rouse

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the teachers in Sullivan County perceive that principals used the same leadership practices as the principals reported they use.

The researcher used the survey method of data collection in which 897 teachers were given the opportunity to participate and 576 teachers returned completed surveys (63.2%). In addition, 29 out of 29 principals participated in the research (100%). The Leadership Practices Inventory (LPI) (Kouzes & Posner, 2003a) was used to gather information regarding the principals' leadership practices. Principals self-reported their perception of their leadership practices, whereas teachers reported their perceptions of their …

Perceived Effectiveness Of Assessments Used In Online Courses In Western North Carolina Community Colleges., Kim Marie Yates

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the most appropriate methods of assessment for online courses. Internet instructors were surveyed and asked which methods of assessment they use in the online courses that they teach and how effective they perceive those methods to be in determining if the learning objectives have been met for the course(s) that they teach online.

The findings of this study indicated that there is a difference between some academic disciplines in relation to the type of assessment methods being used in online courses. There is a difference in perceived effectiveness of assessment methods among …

"Inspired Industry.", Amanda M. Dock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis supports the Master of Fine Arts exhibition entitled "Inspired Industry" at Johnson City Area Arts Council, Johnson City, Tennessee, from November 14 - December 22, 2005. It is the culmination of studies and research affected by the artist's own industry vis-à-vis personal inspirations, including: discussion of aesthetics and personal utilization of the techniques learned in relation to both functional and non-functional ceramic forms. This is a self-evaluation of personal preferences and how this body of ceramic work evolved.

The Associations Between The Scores On The Act Test And Tennessee's Value-Added Assessment In 281 Tennessee High Schools., Paul B. Webb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between and among various demographic and test score data with American College Testing (ACT) scores in 281 Tennessee high schools. This study also addressed which high school characteristics were related to the number of students meeting the ACT requirement for Tennessee lottery scholarships. In addition, this study examined Tennessee Value Added Assessment System's (TVAAS) assessment of ACT scores and its distribution of grades to Tennessee's high schools based upon its Value-Added analysis.

The researcher performed correlations and multivariable linear regressions using socioeconomic status, ethnicity, dropout rate, graduation rate, attendance, average …

A Psychological Literary Critique From A Jungian Perspective Of E. M. Forster's A Passage To India., David W. Elliott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper is a psychological reading of E. M. Forster's A Pasage to India. It uses the psychological theories of C. G. Jung and the methodological postulates of Jungian literary critic, Terence Dawson, to examine the psychological implications of the text, especially in relation to the novel's characters. Attention is given to biographical material related to Forster, particularly his homosexuality, that is important for understanding the psychological implications of the text as well as Forster's art. The paper concludes that the Marabar Caves is the the central psychological symbol of the narrative, representing what Jung calls the collective unconscious. Both …

Evaluating Alternative Methodologies To Teaching Reading To Sixth-Grade Students And The Association With Student Achievement., Susan Carol Salyer Lewis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if an association exists between reading methodologies and reading achievement as measured by the Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program (TCAP) for sixth-grade students. The four reading methodology groups were: developmental reading, literature-based reading, Accelerated Reader program, and Accelerated Reader program with vocabulary study. The sample included 236 students in one middle school located in Northeast Tennessee during the 2004-2005 school year. Comparisons were made using TCAP criterion-referenced test reading/language arts scores, TCAP proficiency levels for content, meaning, and vocabulary categories for 2005, and pretest and posttest scores on the student assessment of reading. …

Telling The Stars: A Quantitative Approach To Assessing The Use Of Folk Tales In Science Education., Margaret B. Meyers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the impact of paired folk tales and science explanations on students in third through sixth grades who viewed program modules from the SkyTeller Project of Lynn Moroney and the Lunar and Planetary Institute of Houston, Texas. The audience consisted of over 3500 students in eight locations in the United States. Because few quantitative studies have been conducted to examine the use of stories in science education, the development of an instrument to assess students' attitudes toward science and stories forms a major part of this research. During the final stage of testing, the revised instrument and methods …

Identifying Common Ultrasonic Predictive Failure Signatures In Bearing Elements For The Development Of An Automated Condition Based Ultrasonic Monitoring Controller., Jason Eric Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a new method for Condition Based Ultrasonic Monitoring to be applied in conjunction with a lubrication distribution controller. As part of this thesis, algorithms were developed using ultrasonic sensors to control the application of lubrication to machinery. The controller sensors detect an ultrasonic signal from rolling or sliding machine elements. This signal then alerts the controller to dispense the proper amount of lubrication when needed, as opposed to a time schedule based on average performance or history. The work from this thesis will be used to help reduce equipment downtime and maintenance cost when utilized in an …

Sex-Based Differences In Regulatory T Cells., Lum Doreen Nebane-Ambe 1975-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Females have a higher incidence of autoimmune diseases than males for reasons that are currently unknown. CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells play an important role in the maintenance of immunological homeostasis and self-tolerance by suppressing autoreactive T cells that could potentially cause autoimmune diseases. Given that autoimmune diseases are more prevalent in women compared to men, we hypothesized that sex steroids could influence the incidence and/or progression of autoimmune disease through an effect on CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cell number and/or function. The overall objective of this project was then to determine whether sex steroids mediate sex-based differences in CD4+CD25+ regulatory T …

Validation Of An In Vivo Model For Monitoring Trabecular Bone Quality Changes Using Finite Element Analysis., Boon Horng Kam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A combination of three techniques – high resolution micro computed tomography (micro CT) scanning, Archimedes-based volume fraction measurement and serial sectioning or milling – were used to determine the volume fraction, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, trabecular number and micro finite element analysis combined with mechanical testing was used to determine the apparent stiffness and tissue modulus to quantify bone quality in rabbit distal femur trabecular bone. The objectives of this dissertation were two-fold. First, to develop the capabilities of micro CT scanning and micro CT image segmentation based on a slice-by-slice global thresholding technique to investigate trabecular microstructural changes in …

Explore The Murine Cardiac 20s Proteasomes : Molecular Composition And Regulation., Chenggong Zong

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

20S proteasome, essential component of protein degradation mechanism, is important to maintain homeostasis. Its malfunctions have been associated with several pathological conditions. This study presents an extensive study of murine cardiac 20S proteasome. Using biochemical methods, 20S proteasome have been purified to 95%. Proteomic study identified all 20S proteasome subunits. Endogenous phosphorylation was also documented. Furthermore, several associating kinases and phosphatase were identified. They regulated its activities. In PKCå over-expression mice, 20S proteasome expression level was up-regulated, but its peptidase activities did not increase. áB crystallin were recruited to PKCå subproteome in the transgenic mice, which also associated with 20S …

Human Performance In Agile Production Systems : A Longitudinal Study In System Outcomes, Human Cognition, And Quality Of Work Life., John K. Layer 1963-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines a research objective associated with human performance in agile production systems, with specific attention towards the hypothesis that system outcomes are the causal result of worker human cognition and quality of work life attributes experienced in an agile production system. The development and adoption of world class agile production systems has been an immediate economic answer to the world-wide competitive call for more efficient, more cost-effective, and more quality laden production processes, but has the human element of these processes been fully understood and optimized? Outstanding current literature suggests that the recent movements toward higher standards in …

Remediating The Transient Music Student Using Hypermedia And Finale Performance Assessment™ : A Recorder Based Model., Nancy K. Philbeck

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to develop, implement and test a tool designed to help transient students gain the basic musical knowledge and skills needed to successfully complete a fourth-grade unit of recorder study. The project resulted in the development of a hypermedia-based application.

The seven-week study consisted of 49 fourth-grade students. Students were given pitch reading and rhythm pattern identification pre-tests and post-tests. Students participated in weekly tests and tutorial sessions via the hypermedia-based application. At the conclusion of the study, the students were given post-tests and a performance test.

The pre-test and post-test scores for the transient …

And Now A Punch, Kick, And Slap From Our Sponsors: A Content Analysis Of Aggression In Network Television Commercials., Robert C. Carpenter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While the violent content of television news and entertainment programs has been widely documented, commercials have been rarely scrutinized for aggressive traits. This study sought to improve on this situation and gather additional data about television commercial violence. Because commercials make up 25 percent of each network hour of programming, the potential for exposure to violent content may be even greater than previously believed. To explore this issue, a content analysis was conducted of 2,162 prime-time television commercials on three major networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. The sample was coded with a scheme developed by Anu Mustonen and Lea Pulkkinen …

Potential Energy Surface Around The Tropylium Ion., Kenneth Wayne Bullins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The formation of the tropylium ion, C₇H₇⁺, in the mass spectrum of toluene is a chemical process that has been studied extensively in the past. The advances in computational power of personal computers have made the investigation of the pathway to form this ion and its subsequent decomposition feasible at a fairly high level of theory. The calculations that we performed were at the HF/6-31G (d, p) and the B3LYP/6-311++G (2d) levels. This work will show areas of the potential energy surface around the highly symmetric tropylium ion to give a glance of possible mechanisms …

Motivating Students For Success In Art Education., Melissa M. Leonard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study is intended to analyze the differences of elementary age students from two different public elementary schools and their motivation to learn about art. The analysis will compare and contrast the results of my efforts as an art educator to present the same curricular information to both groups of students.

I have examined the demographics, the parent involvement, and the other areas affecting the students of the two schools in which I have taught during my seven years as an elementary art educator. My purpose in completing this study has been to better understand how to meet the needs …

Gender Differences In Working Memory In Humans Tested On A Virtual Morris Water Maze., Ivy A. Click

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A computerized virtual version of the Morris water maze (vMWM) was used to assess human gender differences in spatial working memory. In Experiment 1, the release point and platform location was changed on every other trial for 20 trials. Men had significantly reduced acquisition latencies and more accurate heading errors on the first daily trial compared to women. In Experiment 2, the release point and platform location was changed every fourth trial for 20 trials. Men had significantly shorter acquisition latencies and path lengths than women. Experiment 3 was identical to Experiment 2, except that environmental cues were changed throughout …

Exposure To Volatile Organic Compounds And Effect On Neurobehavioral Function., Abhijeet Jagannath Bhanegaonkar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Data of 1338 respondents from the Priority Toxicant Reference Range Study were analyzed to examine exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Self-reported contact to chemical products and blood concentrations of specific chemicals were analyzed. Neurobehavioral function was assessed by simple reaction time test (SRTT), symbol digit substitution test (SDST), and serial digit learning test (SDLT). Prevalence of exposure to VOC products was, for instance, air freshener/room deodorant - 34.7%, gasoline - 29.2%, finger nail polish - 16.2%, and diesel fuel/ kerosene - 10.6%. The 95th percentiles of blood VOCs (μg/L) were calculated for 41 chemicals including Benzene - 0.476, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane …

Images And Voices From The Cumberland Mountains: Surface Coal Mining And The Evolution Of Appalshop's Documentary Activism., Katherine Elisabeth Schram

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the early 1970s, Appalshop, a regional film workshop in Whitesburg, Kentucky, has been examining social, economic, and environmental issues important to the people of Appalachia. Appalshop’s goal has always been to give a voice to a community that is often stereotyped and misunderstood by the media. Since its creation, Appalshop has devoted ample attention to the practice of surface mining, its potential consequences to the region, and most importantly, local opposition to the practice. While Appalshop’s early surface mining documentaries are focused on educating the general public about the issue, its later documentaries appeal to viewers’ emotions and develop …

Angiogenesis And Myogenesis In A Chronic Ischemic Heart., Esha Ibrahim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Miniswine underwent procedures to evaluate treating chronic ischemia with the implantation of autologous satellite cells and laser transmyocardial revascularization (TMR). The objective was to combine two therapies to restore cardiac function. This experiment involved three surgical procedures: (1) placing a constrictor on the coronary artery; (2) producing channels and implanting cells; (3) obtaining samples. The swine were divided into groups: Group 1, Ischemia; Group 2, Ischemia + Laser TMR; Group 3, Ischemia + Laser TMR+ Cells; Group 4, Ischemia + Cells. Sonomicrometry and Millar pressure transducers were used to determine contractility, left ventricular pressure, and pressure-volume loops. There were no …