Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Effect Of Organizational Policy Changeon Taser Utilizations, Michael Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of organizational policy changes within the Use-of-Force Continuum on taser usage and officer's perceptions of taser effectiveness. Tasers have been used by police since the 1970s and their use is increasing as the technology has improved. Data reveals that tasers are beneficial for controlling non-compliant suspects while preventing serious injuries and rarely has their use resulted in death. Much of the public controversy surrounding tasers centers on when and how often officers deploy them. Use of force data from 890 police citizen encounters during a two-year period was analyzed to …

Marijuana Legalization: Americans' Attitudes Over Four Decades, Anthony Saieva

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Americans have long held a variety of opinions when it comes to the legalization of marijuana. While previous research has mostly focused on use rates and behavior, the purpose of this examination is to specifically analyze people's attitudes towards marijuana legalization. Of particular importance was (1) the extent to which attitudes towards marijuana legalization have changed over the past four decades and (2) how the social factors often associated with marijuana legalization attitudes have changed over the same period. Results indicate that over one-third of Americans now believe marijuana should be made legal. These pro-legalization attitudes are at their highest …

The Effect Of Selective Cholinergic Lesion Of Medial Septum On Recognition Memory, Li Cai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this study was to clarify the role of septal-hippocampal cholinergic neurons in object and spatial recognition memory. Stereotaxic-surgical infusion of the selective cholinergic neurotoxin, 192IgG-saporin (SAP), into the medial septum (MS) of Sprague-Dawley rats was utilized to establish an animal model of cholinergic deficit of the septal-hippocampal tract, which had been expected as a pathologic model of memory impairment for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Three types of recognition memory were examined: retrograde object recognition, anterograde object recognition, and anterograde spatial recognition. These were examined with a modified version of a standard object recognition paradigm. For retrograde memory retention …

Maximizing Special Education Teacher Retention: Teacher's Perceptions Of Administrative Support In Pre K-12 Public Schools As Implications For Improvement, Dawn R. Showers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of special education teachers regarding administrative support provided by their building principals as related to teacher retention, gender, and disability category taught. Research over the course of the past decade indicates that teachers are more likely to leave the teaching profession when they fail to receive an adequate amount of administrative support. A survey questionnaire was used to collect 125 responses from special education teachers working in South Central Pennsylvania public schools. The population sample consisted of teachers from four special education teacher certification categories including classroom and itinerant staff. …

The Use Of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support At A Rural High School To Decrease Disruptive Behavior For Both Typical Students And Students Identified With Special Needs., Leia Dowdy Blevins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is ever-increasing pressure on school officials to provide a safe school environment that is conducive to learning. There is also a growing concern from teachers and administrators that many students are unrecognized for their continual appropriate behavior(s), in part, because of the attention consumed by both challenging students and students with exceptional talents and abilities. In response, a School-Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) approach is growing in popularity to address both of these issues. SWPBS is implemented across an entire school population and involves all individuals whether they are challenging, exceptional, or typical. The initial research shows encouraging results …

Self-Management Of Type 2 Diabetes In Appalachina Women., Melissa Joy Magness

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Gender, minority, and regional-related disparities have been documented in diabetes management. Self-efficacy, the belief in one's ability to carry out the actions mandated by a task, has been identified as a key predictor in glycemic control; however, it has not been investigated in rural, female populations. This cross-sectional, correlation investigation examined the relationships among self-efficacy, depression, and diabetes self-care management in women living in Appalachia with type 2 diabetes. Using Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory, 85 women ages ≥ 21 with type 2 diabetes for a minimum of 6 months who were residents in Appalachia completed the 1) Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale, …

Light Image Therapy In The Health Care Environment., Anna Rae Dutro

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Use of positive distraction in the built healthcare environment to assist in alleviating stress in a patient was investigated. A backlit light image was mounted in the ceiling of an examination room to create a positive distraction for patients in the ETSU Pediatric Clinic in Johnson City, TN. Survey instruments were used to collect sample data from patients and physicians in a randomized, balanced controlled study designed to determine if patients experienced less stress in the room with the backlit image as compared to other rooms (treatments). Although a statistical difference was not determined between the room with the backlit …

Analysis Of Selected Correlates Of Spouse Abuse And The Policy Implications For The Criminal Justice System., Marlys Kay Tester

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research on spouse abuse has received greater attention during the last 3 decades around the world. This research was conducted to investigate the selected correlates of alcohol use, drug use, and marital status and the effects they have on use of weapons and violent behavior. The secondary data used was from a study done in Chicago from 1995-1998, called the Chicago Community Crime Prevention and Intimate Violence Study. There were 210 domestic violence victims studied in one Chicago area. Each victim was asked a series of the same questions. It was found that 39.4% of the domestic violence cases involved …

A Study Of Clinical Outcomes Using Serum Albumin And Percentage Of Weight Loss Following Nutritional Intervention In Post-Operative Bariatric Patients., Jennifer Michelle Angus

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if post-operative serum albumin and percentage of weight loss improved in patients who received formalized pre-operative nutrition counseling. Nutrition intervention was measured quantitatively. A retrospective review of records was conducted on 77 RYGB patients (68 female subjects and 9 male subjects), ages 21-64, during January 2001 through January 2006.

The results indicated that patients who received pre-operative nutrition intervention had better clinical outcomes of serum albumin than those with no nutrition intervention from a registered dietitian. However, outcomes regarding percentage of weight loss varied. Both pre-operatively and at the 3 month post-operative …

Lost Cove, North Carolina: The Life And Death Of A Thriving Community (1864-1957)., Christy A. Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the history and events that shaped the people and community of Lost Cove, an isolated Appalachian settlement. Chapter 1 surveys previous written and oral accounts of Lost Cove and the physical/cultural attributes of the community. Chapter 2 explores Lost Cove's identity, name, and first settlers. Chapter 3 explores the community's buildings and the families' livelihood. Chapter 4 examines the effect that the CC & O Railway and the sawmills had on the community. Chapter 5 examines moonshine selling in Lost Cove. Chapter 6 reveals how the church and school acted as a gathering place and how sermons …

New Technique For Imputing Missing Item Responses For An Ordinal Variable: Using Tennessee Youth Risk Behavior Survey As An Example., Andaleeb Abrar Ahmed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Surveys ordinarily ask questions in an ordinal scale and often result in missing data. We suggest a regression based technique for imputing missing ordinal data. Multilevel cumulative logit model was used with an assumption that observed responses of certain key variables can serve as covariate in predicting missing item responses of an ordinal variable. Individual predicted probabilities at each response level were obtained. Average individual predicted probabilities for each response level were used to randomly impute the missing responses using a uniform distribution. Finally, likelihood ratio chi square statistics was used to compare the imputed and observed distributions. Two other …

Hearing Adam: Gender Relationships In The Short Fiction Of Caroline Gordon., Linda Elaine Hipple

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Writer and critic Caroline Gordon has been a participant on the Southern literary scene since the early 1930s, yet her works have been neither studied nor appreciated as frequently as the works of her male contemporaries. Her novels and short fiction never received the critical acclaim that they merited due to the perpetuation of the erroneous idea that women have little to say. While at the time other female writers were exploring their emancipation, Gordon retreated to the consistent confines of male-dominated tradition and created fiction embodying her conservative philosophy. This thesis will examine five pieces of her short fiction, …

Localization Of A Microsporidia Adam (A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease Domain) Protein And Identification Of Potential Binding Partners., Carrie E. Jolly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microsporidia are spore-forming, obligate intracellular pathogens typically associated with opportunistic infections in immunocompromised individuals. Treatment options for microsporidia infections in humans are limited and additional research is necessary to create better therapeutic agents. For many pathogenic organisms, adhesion to the host cell surface is a prerequisite for tissue colonization and invasion. Our previous research has demonstrated a direct relationship between adherence of microsporidia spores to the surface of host cells and infectivity in vitro. In an effort to better understand adherence, we have turned our attention to determining what proteins may be involved in this process. Examination of the …

Parental Involvement In Two Elementary Schools: A Qualitative Case Study., Vonda K. Stevens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Parent involvement is essential if students are to succeed in school. In fact, "parental involvement is more important to student success, at every grade level, than family income or education" (Starr, 2004). Yet many schools struggle to effectively engage parents in the education of their children as the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 now requires.

The purpose of this study was to explore parents', administrators', and guidance counselors' perceptions of parent involvement at a Title I elementary school and a non-Title I elementary school, both of which are located in the southern Appalachian region of the United …

Gaining Attention And Encouraging A Response: My Criteria For Successful Graphic Design., Kerry Scott Jenkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As a graphic designer, my goal is to clearly express my clients' message to their intended audience. Based on the diversity of my clients and their products and services, finding a consistent style in my projects might be difficult, although there are usually some typical traits. With examples of my work and dialogue from leaders in the graphic design industry, I intend to point out a common thread that runs through all successful design projects, regardless of the projects' designer, era, or individual design elements (e.g., typography, copywriting, color, layout, imagery). Success comes from graphic design's ability to gain attention …

Historic Preservation Leading To Heritage Tourism As An Economic Development Strategy For Small Tennessee Towns., Robert A. Justice

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Historic preservation has been a successful economic development tool that has led to heritage tourism in some Tennessee towns but not in others. The problem studied was to determine if there was a set of tangible attributes a town must possess to be successful in using historic preservation as an economic development tool. Through an extensive literature review, 59 predictor variables were identified and arranged into 6 research questions looking at the tangible attributes related to town demographics, geography, organizational structure, historic preservation organizations, heritage tourism organizations, and town financial structure. Data were collected from a mailed survey of 32 …

From Teacher To Teller: How Applied Storytelling Informs Autobiographical Instruction., Peggy Rosann Kent

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis uses autobiographical inquiry to "re-member" how I came to understand that applied storytelling was a valid teaching tool in facilitating autobiographical expression in mature learners. It is an examination of how story sharing and story listening can transform a continuing education classroom into a learning community. Applied storytelling can help elders reframe their negative mental models about the value of their stories, memory, and mythology and create opportunities for positive story sharing experiences. I selected highlights of my journey that best represented my experience and use of applied storytelling techniques. Each chapter includes an exercise and reflection as …

Stakeholders' Perceptions Of Community Engagement In A System-Wide Educational Change Effort: Implications For Building Partnerships., Lindsay K. Nickels

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study should provide insight into stakeholders' perceptions of a system-wide educational partnership focused on a change effort to increase student achievement in a school system located in a large, metropolitan city in the southeastern United States. The importance of partnering to assure that all children are succeeding in school has never been more important to local communities and our nation. Not only are definitions of educational partnerships expanding, but so are the parameters, the players, and the structures. As educational improvement initiatives are put into effect by local, state, and national governments, schools across the country are realizing …

Current Public Relations Status In China., Fang Meng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study is to explore the status of public relations in China. It examines if J. Grunig and Hunt's (1994) four models of public relations-press agentry, public information, two-way asymmetrical, and two-way symmetrical-are practiced by Chinese public relations practitioners and if there are additional patterns of practicing public relations in China. It is a qualitative study. Long interviews with 10 participants were conducted to learn about the phenomenon of public relations in China. The interviews were based on one-to-one chat via the Microsoft Messenger software online. The data were collected using open-end questions that allowed the participants to provide in-depth …

Principal Leadership And Its Perceived Influence On Teacher Morale In Elementary Schools., Anne Runyan Littleford

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to construct a theoretical framework explaining the connection between principal leadership practices and the phenomenon of teacher morale. The study also focused on principal leadership practices and the perceived effects that style has on how teachers feel about themselves and their jobs. First, a review of extant literature defined what constitutes effective leadership in school related environments. Second, the researcher defined teacher morale, both high and low, and how it relates to work performance. Third, the researcher attempted to explore how teacher morale and the leadership style of their principals relate.

This qualitative …

Life And Debt For Etsu Graduate Students., Laura Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Through in-depth interviews with 21 participants, this thesis investigates how graduate students at East Tennessee State University feel about their finances. Although all adults, by necessity, have everyday money concerns, this study explores the unique experiences that post-baccalaureate students have with debt, how they talk about it, and what meanings they attach to student loans in their daily lives. This study is novel in that little research to date has examined how graduate students' perceptions of adulthood are connected to their financial situations and their stage in life. For example, saving money is important to this population mainly because it …

Women And The Men Who Oppress Them: Ideologies And Protests Of Redstockings, New York Radical Feminists, And Cell 16., Meggin L. Schaaf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The American civil rights movement created a ready environment in which exploited people protested their social status and demanded change. Among the forefront, women contended against their male oppressors and demanded autonomy. Ultimately, however, women disagreed amongst themselves regarding the severity of their oppression and the ideal route to implement change. Thereafter, radical feminism became a strong force within the women's liberation movement. Group members denied that capitalism oppressed women, and countered that women's status as a sex-class remained the essential component in their subjugation. To obtain true freedom, women had to reject the deeply ingrained social expectations. As radical …

"Reclaiming The Child": Mountain Mission School As A Successful Appalachian Home Mission., Rachel Rebecca Hood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mountain Mission School of Grundy, Virginia, founded by Samuel Robinson Hurley in 1921, is an anomaly of the mission school era of 1880 to 1940. Unlike other mission schools, Mountain Mission School was independent from its inception and was founded by a self-taught, self-made millionaire from southwest Virginia. The school's purpose to "reclaim" the child from material and spiritual poverty lay in Hurley's desire to develop a child's mind, body, and soul through a Christian, industrial education. Through personal commitment to the school and tireless fund-raising efforts for the school, he inspired others to continue the mission he began. Primary …

Relationships Between Student Attendance And Test Scores On The Virginia Standards Of Learning Tests., Jeffrey Cassell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship between student attendance and student test scores on a criterion-referenced test, using test scores of all 5^th graders in Virginia who participated in the 2005-2006 Standards of Learning tests in reading and mathematics. Data collection for this study was performed with the cooperation of the Virginia Department of Education using a state database of student testing information. Pearson correlation coefficients were determined for the overall student population and for the subgroups of economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, limited English proficient, white, black, and Hispanic. The results of this study indicate that there is a …

Claudius Greer Clemmer, Doctor Of Humane Letters January 4, 1911-November 20, 2005., Sheila Breen Agen Pedersen Smith

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While there are facts that are known about Claudius Greer Clemmer, there is much that is not known. By most accounts, he was a generous man who grew up during some of the hardest years of the Great Depression, worked to get an education, and had a successful teaching career. Clemmer worked diligently to do what he could to support himself and his family, working at two jobs. When his career track changed from teaching to business, in 1946, he experienced success in business and investments, sharing that wealth with East Tennessee State University and others. The intent of this …

I Think I Can: Identity And Social Experiences Of Adolescents With Physical Disabilities., Amy Sorensen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An online survey was completed by 40 adolescents and young adults (ages 12 to 22) with physical disabilities for the purpose of exploring their social experiences. The survey focuses on key variables associated with individual identity, group identity, social relationships and activities, and future aspirations. Positive outcome variables were explored including: self-esteem, self-efficacy, body satisfaction, cultural identity, relationship quality, activity participation, and future orientation. Independent variables included sex, population size, ability level, and proximity to disability. Ability level proved to be the most predictive of positive outcomes. Sex, population size, and proximity to disability exhibited small associations to some of …

Antibiotics That Inhibit 30s Or 50s Ribosomal Subunit Formation: Hygromycin B, Quinupristin-Dalfopristin And Xrp 2868., Susan Mabe Mcgaha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Several antibiotics that prevent translation by binding to ribosomal subunits have been shown to also inhibit ribosomal subunit assembly (Champney and Tober 2003). The aminoglycoside hygromycin B was examined in Escherichia coli cells for inhibitory effects on translation and ribosomal subunit assembly. The streptogramin antibiotics quinupristin-dalfopristin and XRP 2868 (NXL 103) were examined for similar effects on these 2 cellular functions in antibiotic-resistant strains of Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Pulse chase experiments were performed which verified slower rates of ribosomal subunit formation in drug treated cells. Hygromycin B exhibited a concentration dependent inhibitory effect …

School Counselor Perceptions And Competencies For Closing The Achievement Gap : Implications For Counselor And Higher Education Programs For All Educators., Susan Rardon Rose

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

"If this generation of youth is lost, much of the hope for an economically, socially and technologically strong nation will also be lost." - Kuykendall, 1992 When youths become convinced that they will not be able to make it in mainstream America, they tend to take the skills they have and use them to take the low roads of life. Even though all citizens will ultimately be affected by the success or failure of these youths, it is a challenge for educators to provide ways to prepare them to choose the high road as the path for their lives. The …

Perturbations In Protein Dynamics Associated With Ligand Binding To The Blood Coagulation Enzymes Thrombin And Factor Xiii., Thomas Michael Sabo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In blood coagulation, the serine protease thrombin is a multifaceted enzyme that interacts with multiple proteins. Thrombin utilizes two anion binding exosites (ABE-I and II) to supplement binding to fibrinogen and to the platelet receptor GpIba, two proteins instrumental in clot formation. Approximately 7% to 15% of the fibrinogen ? chain exists as the highly anionic ?' variant ( 410 PEHPAETEY S DSLY S PEDDL 427) , which has been shown to bind ABE-II. GpIba possesses a similar anionic stretch of residues ( 269 DEGDTDLY S DY S Y S PEEDTEG 286 ); however, the exact destination of thrombin binding …

Finite Element Modeling Of Soft Tissue Deformation., Hongjian Shi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Computer-aided minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has progressed significantly in the last decade and it has great potential in surgical planning and operations. To limit the damage to nearby healthy tissue, accurate modeling is required of the mechanical behavior of a target soft tissue subject to surgical manipulations. Therefore, the study of soft tissue deformations is important for computer-aided (MIS) in surgical planning and operation, or in developing surgical simulation tools or systems. The image acquisition facilities are also important for prediction accuracy. This dissertation addresses partial differential and integral equations (PDIE) based biomechanical modeling of soft tissue deformations incorporating the …