Digital Commons Network^™

Studies Of Capsaicinoids Contents Of Locally Grown And Commercial Chilies Using Reversed-Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography., John Kailemia Muchena

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Capsaicinoids are a class of compounds responsible for the "heat" of hot peppers. Capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin have the highest burning effect. The aim of this work is to separate and quantify the two major capsaicinoids in fruits harvested at different stages of development and at different seasons. Simple and rapid HPLC method involves 73:27% methanol water mobile phase with C₁₈ stationary phase and UV-Vis detector set at 210 nm. The method showed good reproducibility with 1.74% - 4.72% relative standard deviations, a linear response within 0.65–45.5 and 0.25-17.5 μg/mL for capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, respectively. The method achieved average recovery …

An Analysis Of Gender-Based Pay Equity Of Instructional Faculty Members In The Virginia Community College System., Mary Beth Page

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Based on the premises of "Equity Theory" (Adams, 1963), this study evaluated the Virginia Community College System compensation rates and compared the salaries of similarly ranked and similarly qualified male and female faculty members. A quantitative analysis was conducted of the reported salaries of all full-time instructional faculty members in the Virginia Community College System in the Fall of 2006. The specific areas examined included salary, rank, highest degree earned, and full- or parttime employment status. Using the tenets of Equity Theory as a foundation, this study evaluated any differences in the compensation and rank between male and female faculty …

Perceptions Of Educators' Use Of English As A Second Language Strategies And Research-Based Practices With English Language Learners In Northeast Tennessee., Marisol Hernandez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to investigate the level of use of English as a second or subsequent language strategies and research-based practices in the instruction of ELL students in Northeast Tennessee. The researcher sought to ascertain the perceptions of educators in Northeast Tennessee about teaching practices and beliefs in regard to the instruction of ELL students and to determine to what level these educators include ESL strategies and ESL research-based practices when teaching ELL students.

Participants in the study consisted of regular classroom teachers, English as a second language teachers, and principals from districts identified as ELL low …

The Temperance Worker As Social Reformer And Ethnographer As Exemplified In The Life And Work Of Jessie A. Ackermann., Margaret Shipley Carr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This project used primary historical documents from the Jessie A. Ackermann collection at ETSU's Archives of Appalachia, other books and documents from the temperance period, and recent scholarship on the subjects of temperance, suffrage, and women travelers and civilizers. As the second world missionary for the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, Ackermann traveled in order to establish WCT Unions and worked as a civilizer, feminist, and reporter of the conditions of women and the disadvantaged throughout the world.

Exploring Earth-Building Technology For Liberia., Isaac Dompo Mayon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper discusses earth as a building material and the extent to which earth building technology has evolved over the years. In particular it addresses the adobe, compressed and rammed earth techniques of earth building as suitable techniques for Liberia consumption. In addition, the paper investigates the suitability of the Latosols soils of Liberia for earth building construction purposes using standardized earth building principles and requirements. A local Johnson City, Tennessee, earth sample found to have the same physical characteristics of the Latosols of Liberia was used to simulate Liberia soils to produce specimen blocks at different configurations of moisture …

Reversed-Phase Hplc Determination Of Alliin In Diverse Varieties Of Fresh Garlic And Commercial Garlic Products., Aaron Kwaku Apawu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alliin is a predominant flavor precursor in garlic cloves. It interacts with the enzyme alliinase when garlic cloves are crushed, cut, or chewed to produce allicin, an unstable thiosulfinate that is the main biologically active component of fresh crushed garlic. Biological functions and health benefits of garlic include reduction of cancer risk in humans, improving immune system, and anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and anti-hypertensive activities. The quality of fresh garlic and garlic products is usually related to its alliin content and allicin release potential. This research presents a simple, rapid, and precise HPLC method for alliin determination. It involves the use of …

A Longitudinal Study Of Fetal Tissue Transplantation Surgery: The Effects On Quality Of Life And Personality For Individuals With Parkinson's Disease, Cynthia C. Cole

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive condition that affects the physical, emotional, and social functioning of individuals. Freed et al. (2001) conducted a double-blind sham-controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of fetal tissue transplantation of those with PD. The authors investigated the effects of the surgery across the dimensions of physical and neurological functioning. A quality of life (QoL) study was conducted to determine if there were differences in QoL when comparing those who received the fetal tissue transplantation to those who received the sham surgery (McRae et al., 2004).

While there is little research on the effectiveness …

A Phenomenological Study Of Balanced Leadership, Ann K. Christy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe, interpret and analyze the experiences of six elementary principals in the Stewart district who have effectively balanced the instructional and managerial roles of the principalship. The research question for this study is: How do effective principals balance managerial tasks and instructional leadership responsibilities?

By analyzing these experiences, principals would be able to provide valuable insights into principal's needs and feelings about instructional leadership. This study centers around six elementary principals that provided information regarding the skills needed to become an instructional leader and their interpretation of experiences that contributed to their development …

Parametric Model Of Head Related Transfer Functions Based On Systematic Movements Of Poles And Zeros With Sound Location For Pole/Zero Models, Bahaa W. Al-Sheikh Hussein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Directional transfer functions (DTFs), the directional components of the Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs), are generally measured at finite locations in azimuth and elevation. Thus models are needed to synthesize DTFs at finer spatial resolution than the measured data to create complete virtual auditory displays. In this research, minimum-phase all-pole and all-zero models were used for modeling both human and cat DTFs. Real cepstrum analysis has been used to represent minimum phase HRTFs in the time domain. For the human DTFs, model orders were chosen to achieve specific objective error criteria published in previous studies that were based on subjective …

Concurrent Validity Of The Transdisciplinary Play Based Assessment-2, Keri E. Linas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Standardized assessment tools have been criticized for use with young children; however, there is limited empirical research supporting developmentally appropriate, play-based assessments. Forty children, with and without developmental disabilities, ages 10-73 months referred from the community of a large city received a transdisciplinary play based assessment (TPBA-2) and standardized assessment. Caretakers also completed the Vineland Scales of Adaptive Behavior. Concurrent validity between the TPBA-2 and standardized assessment tools (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-III and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning) was demonstrated (p

Trajectory Of Quality Of Life In Advanced Parkinson's Patients Receiving Bilateral Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation, Karl S. Chiang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Quality of Life (QOL) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients after Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) neurosurgery generally improves between 3 to 24 months post-operatively. However, QOL beyond 2 year follow-up is generally unknown. This study examined the QOL in 16 advanced PD patients who received DBS at an average of 7.5 year follow-up with the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39). Participants had an average Disease Duration of 20.57 years (SD 5.7) and a mean Age of 63.50 (SD 8.05). Linear regression analyses suggested a constellation of changes involving Time, Age, and Disease Duration. As Time progressed since DBS intervention, the PDQ-39 Cognitions …

Life As A Sober Citizen : Aldo Leopold's Wildlife Ecology 118., Nancy Stearns Theiss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This historic case study addressed the issue of the lack of citizen action toward environmentally responsible behavior. Although there have been studies regarding components of environmental responsible behavior [ERB], there has been little focus on historic models of exemplary figures of ERB. This study examined one of the first conservation courses in the United States, Wildlife Ecology 118, taught by Aldo Leopold (1887-1948) for 13 years at the University of Wisconsin. Today, Aldo Leopold is recognized as an exemplary conservationist whose land ethic is cited as providing the ecological approach needed for understanding the complex issues of modern society. The …

Workplace Incivility : Relationship With Conflict Management Styles And Impact On Perceived Job Performance, Organizational Commitment And Turnover., Jeannie Trudel 1964-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This cross-sectional, correlational study ( N = 289) explored the relationships among workplace incivility, conflict management styles and their influence on perceived job performance, organizational commitment and turnover intentions. Differences between incivility target and instigator perspectives were also examined. Data were collected through a self-report survey questionnaire consisting of a battery of six scales. Research questions were tested through correlational and hierarchical regression analytic procedures. Findings revealed that incivility and conflict management styles influenced perceived job performance, organizational commitment and turnover intentions to varying degrees. Results remained significant even after controlling for organizational differences and demographic variables. For the job …

Exploring A New Theory Of Successful Aging Among Low-Income Older Adults In An Independent And Assisted Living Community., Valerie Lander Mccarthy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

BACKGROUND: Current successful aging theory excludes individuals with disease or disability, limits the potential for successful aging in minority and lower socioeconomic populations, focuses on behavioral determinants of health rather than social and environmental determinants, and fails to consider older adults' own criteria for successful aging. A recent mid-range nursing theory (Flood, 2005) proposed that two factors - adaptation and gerotranscendence - are primary contributors to a new view of successful aging that may address these problems. PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to investigate relationships among adaptation, transcendence, and successful aging to explore the potential of Flood's (2005) …

Living With Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Ibd) : A Test Of The Meaning Making Model Of Coping., Erica Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic illness with the potential to affect many areas of one's life through painful physical symptoms and psychological distress. Despite the debilitating nature and increasing prevalence of IBD, there is little research addressing the coping processes and related psychological adjustment among individuals living with the disease. Moreover, there has been no research conducted investigating how those with IBD make meaning out of their illness experience. Research conducted with other illness populations suggests that meaning making, a specific type of coping may have important implications for psychological adjustment. This cross-sectional study examines the coping processes …

Would You Like To Talk? : The Impact Of Media And Interpersonal Communication On Knowledge About Candidates And Likelihood Of Voting., Donna M. Elkins 1968-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Scholars have long considered the role media play in shaping levels of political knowledge and voting behavior. The specific context of this study is the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. It examines the influence of newspaper reading, television viewing, Internet use and interpersonal communication on levels of candidate issue and background knowledge and likelihood to vote. The results testify to the influence of media in citizens' level of knowledge about presidential candidates. The results also provide a confirmation of the limited impact of Internet campaigning in the 2000 presidential election (Weaver & Drew, 2001) and show increased impact in the …

Mitochondrial Targeting Of The Pro-Apoptotic Protein Bax : Role Of The Bax Carboxy-Terminal Tail., Stephanie Erin Brock 1980-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Here, I address the function of the carboxy-terminal hydrophobic helix of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax. There has been considerable controversy as to whether this sequence is required for the targeting and insertion of Bax into the mitochondrial outer membrane. The Bax carboxy-terminal tail is tucked into a hydrophobic pocket within the closed/inactive conformation of Bax. Apoptotic stimulation results in an opening of the Bax conformation, exposing a mitochondrial-targeting signal and subsequent insertion of Bax into the mitochondrial outer membrane. Here, I confirm that the Bax tail alone can specifically target and anchor a cytosolic passenger protein to the mitochondria. Surprisingly, …

Neuropsychiatric Predictors Of Occupational Persistence In Hiv/Aids., Stephan L. Buckingham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

It is well established that HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), the virus responsible for AIDS, directly attacks the central nervous system, altering cognition, behavior, and affect, and can result in a full dementia syndrome. HIV-associated neurocognitive complications, along with a myriad of other health threats, resulted in significant disability and unemployment for those infected. However, the advent of more effective antiretroviral medications used in combinations, along with homologous improvements in morbidity and mortality, have allowed for people living with HIV/AIDS to return to work, albeit not without challenges. Even mild cognitive impairment has been shown to affect employability and level of …

Microfluidic Cell Sorting Techniques To Study Disease Processes., William Neil White

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Circulating nucleated cell populations found in whole blood, including both white blood cells (leukocytes) and endothelial cells, provide an ideal platform for studies seeking to understand the disease processes for development of drugs and treatments. This thesis presents an automated microfluidic device developed for leukocyte enrichment from peripheral blood. Briefly, the device allows for complete lysis of red blood cells and comprehensive analysis of nucleated cell populations in terms of quantity and activation status. The microfluidic lysis device was used in two Sickle Cell disease (SCD) studies to understand the effect of leukocytes in the initiation of vasoocclusive crisis. Findings …

Ridge Preservation Comparing The Clinical And Histologic Healing Of A Mineralized Particulate Allograft With A Nonporous Ptfe Membrane Vs. Mineralized Particulate Xenograft With A Collagen Plug Membrane., Jason A. Witonsky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aim. To compare two techniques of ridge preservation using a cancellous mineralized particulate xenograft plus a collagen plug to a cortical mineralized particulate allograft plus a PTFE membrane using ridge dimension data to assess the outcome. Methods. Twenty-eight total patients were seen in the Graduate Periodontics Clinic at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. Fourteen positive controls received a mineralized particulate xenograft (0.25 to 1.00 mm) covered by a collagen plug using a full-thickness flap technique (Plug group). Fourteen test patients received an intrasocket mineralized cortical particulate allograft (500 to 800 µm) covered with a nonporous PTFE membrane also …

Non-Contact Pulse Measurement For Use In Smart Room Applications., Nicholas R. Blumenthal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The past decade has brought about major advances in the realms of both healthcare and biometrics. New technologies and techniques in the field of biometrics has allowed for the quick and efficient identification of people, while new healthcare technologies are allowing for less invasive monitoring of a person’s physiological state indicators. The combination of these two fields has allowed for a whole new frontier of science to be explored in the form of smart rooms. Smart rooms use the fusion of biometrics and healthcare monitoring to provide a solution to the problem of how best to monitor a patient to …

Viability For Oxidation Of H2s Gas Using Low Concentration Solutions Of H2o2 Peroxide In Applications For Biogas Purification., Stewart Walter Mccollam 1985-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an examination of the viability of a low pH hydrogen peroxide scrubbing process for removing H 2 S acid gas present in typical biogas streams generated from dairy farm anaerobic digesters. Biogas ranges in composition based on the feedstock manure used in the anaerobic digestion process but typically consists of methane (50-60%), carbon dioxide (40-50%), and trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide and ammonia. Hydrogen sulfide is of prime concern because it is an odorous, poisonous, and highly corrosive gas which can impede use in power generation applications for biogas such as boilers, internal combustion engines, microturbines, fuel …

Correlates Of Intake And Disposition Decisions By Child Protective Services Professionals., Lisa Michele Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined intake and post-investigative disposition decision making among professionals engaged in child protective services to understand disproportionality and disparities in the child welfare system. Using child welfare, decision making, and attribution theories as a framework, a multivariate 2x2x2 factorial vignette design was used to examine intake and post-investigative disposition decision making among 400 child protective caseworkers and supervisors employed in a Midwestern state. Data were gathered through an online self-administered survey. Among the key variables of interest--race, socio-economic status, and family structure--only the family's socio-economic status was found to influence the intake decision but none were associated with …

Integration Of The Avoidance Cycle With The Schema Enmeshment Model Of Pain : Relationships With Quality Of Life And Disability In Chronic, Nonmalignant Pain., Jeffrey A. Meyer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Persons living with chronic pain encounter a host of physical and psychosocial problems resulting in a loss of quality of life and increased disability. The construct of avoidance has been proposed as a mechanism by which these changes in functioning occur. This study explored the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) construct of experiential avoidance and its conceptualization within the ACT model of avoidance, the Cycle of Avoidance. The model is introduced as a framework for integrating an existing model of chronic pain and avoidance, the Schema Enmeshment Model of Pain (SEMP), thus providing a more comprehensive perspective. The study used …

Comparison Of A-Fe2o3 Electrodes Grown By Direct Plasma And Thermal Oxidation Of Iron For Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting., Boris David Chernomordik

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Iron oxide, Fe2O3, is a promising material for water splitting reaction using solar energy due to its stability and optimal bandgap of 2 eV. Even the recent efforts, however, using Fe2O3 thin film materials reported low efficiencies due to poor carrier transport within these films. A novel plasma oxidation method was used to synthesize arrays of a-Fe2O3 which are single crystal and have highly ordered oxygen vacancy planes. As one-dimensional nanostructures, these nanowires offer many other benefits to photoelectrochemical electrolysis, including high surface area, reduced charge carrier diffusion distance, and a preferential direction for charge diffusion. Furthermore, due to the …

Peer Victimization, Student Engagement, And School Attendance: Structural Equation Models, Jason Benjamin Dunkle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Survey data from a study of 6^th grade students in Colorado (n=860) were used to estimate structural equation models in which peer victimization types were hypothesized to have significant relationships with both student engagement and attendance. Then, student engagement and attendance variables were hypothesized to have significant effects on achievement (measured as grade point average). Student engagement was viewed as a multi-faceted construct, composed of behavioral, cognitive, and emotional aspects. Four different types of peer victimization variables (verbal, physical, exclusion, and intensity) were combined to form a latent measure for peer victimization that was expected to predict …

The Burden Of Fetching Water: Using Caloric Expenditure As An Indicator Of Access To Safe Drinking Water—A Case Study From Xieng Khouang Province, Lao Pdr, Jeff La Frenierre

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Millennium Development Goals measure ‘access to improved drinking water’ using an indicator that defines access as the presence of an improved water source within 1 kilometer of a person’s dwelling. This purely linear measurement has significant shortcomings, including a lack of consideration for the difficulty of the terrain being traversed and the weight of the loads being carried. This paper examines in detail the human energy costs associated with fetching water, first using two Lao villages as case studies, then applying a predictive energy expenditure model to measure the potential caloric effect of variations in the age and gender …

Marginality And Coping: A Communal Contextual Narrative Approach To Pastoral Care With Korean American Christians, Jaesang Lyu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Focusing on Korean American experiences of racism, sexism, and intergenerational conflicts related to the acculturation process, this dissertation examines the social reality of marginality and constructs a communal contextual narrative approach to pastoral care. Current approaches to pastoral care in the Korean American church encourage a deferring style of religious coping that maintains the status quo—the internalized status of marginality—without activating self agency for the fulfillment of one’s own selfhood within the communal life of religious communities. A communally grounded sense of self agency is described in terms of three aspects of Korean indigenous culture: 1) uri (we-ness), 2) jeong …

Gene-Environment Interactions In Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Holly Donovan Barnard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The overall goal of this project is to advance our understanding of the multifactorial etiology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) by testing a diathesis-stress model of gene x environment (g x e) interactions. Although the literature increasingly supports g x e interactions in the manifestation of ADHD, few studies have investigated multiple genetic and environmental risk factors, included direct tests of gene - environment correlations (rG-Es), explored the specificity of interactions to symptom dimensions, or attempted to minimize comparisons. Therefore, utilizing both within-family (FBAT/PBAT) and case-control methodology, this study sought to (1) explore main effects of polymorphisms in the …

Sub-Ordination: Mary Magdalene, The Church, And The Ordination Of Women, Richard Bishop

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Roman Catholic Church maintains that it cannot ordain women to the priesthood due to a lack of biblical warrant. The Church therefore relies upon the traditional concept of a Bridegroom-Bride relationship (read: Christ and His Church), which they say can only be maintained if a male priest serves as the representative of the invisible Christ for his Bride during the Eucharist. In this essay, we shall explore the role and treatment of Mary Magdalene and women in early texts and show that they actually did have prominent positions within at least some early Christian communities. Texts were altered, and …