Digital Commons Network^™

Adolescents And Marijuana Use: The Affects Of Peer And Parent Relationships And Substance Abuse Education., Samuel Joseph Cosimano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze gender, race, substance abuse programs such as Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.), parents, and peers and their ability to influence or predict adolescents and their decisions to use marijuana. All of the variables used for this study came from secondhand data collected by Esbensen and Osgood (1999), Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.). The analysis revealed that males are more likely to have ever used marijuana, that mixed race adolescents have a higher rate than other races to have ever used marijuana, that when adolescents complete the substance abuse program, D.A.R.E. have …

The Impact And Efficacy Of Diabetes Education Programs Among Adults., Mireille Hamdan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of diabetes education classes in increasing knowledge and promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Thirty-three subjects participated in the classes between October 2004 and October 2005. Only six subjects agreed to participate in this study. Changes in knowledge after the classes were measured by a survey test one year following the completion of classes. Survey responses were analyzed using percentages. Subject's Hgb A1C and weights were also collected to measure the direct impact of education on participants' blood glucose management. Overall, participants were very knowledgeable of diabetes symptoms, complications, carbohydrate counting, and …

The Development Of The Self-Injury Self-Report Measure., Sonia Lorraine Coney

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite the amount of research that has been conducted on self-injury there is a lack of empirically validated instruments with which to measure self-injurious behavior. The present study developed a measure to examine self-injury and the associated features. Undergraduate students (n = 184) were administered a set of surveys to assess demographics, self-injurious behavior, suicidal ideation, Axis I and Axis II disorders, and impulsivity. Results indicated that a reliable measure, able to assess the extent of self-injury as well as associated features, was developed. Such a measure will enable clinicians to better assess self-injury and enable researchers to more fully …

A Study Of Perceptions Of Achievement Factors For At-Risk Students In Comparison To Honor Students At A Northeast Tennessee High School., Christopher Michael Hampton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student success and motivation are issues that baffle parents and educators. Various factors go a long way in explaining why these educational phenomena occur. Current research has confirmed that issues such as parental involvement, home life, attitude, intellect, and teacher and student relations and rapport have an impact on motivation and future success of students. This research project focused on students' perceptions of factors that affect their success and achievement. These factors were categorized into four areas: intrapersonal influences, parental influences, educational influences, and external influences. These areas were explored in an attempt to promote an awareness of the factors …

Science Inquiry Learning Environments Created By National Board Certified Teachers., Jon Saderholm

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to discern what differences exist between the science inquiry learning environments created by National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) and non-NBCTs. Four research questions organized the data collection and analysis: (a) How do National Board Certified science teachers' knowledge of the nature of science differ from that of their non-NBCT counterparts? (b) How do the frequencies of student science inquiry behaviors supported by in middle/secondary learning environments created by NBCTs differ from those created by their non-NBCT counterparts? (c) What is the relationship between the frequency of students' science inquiry behaviors and their science reasoning …

Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Simulation Of Panoramic Radiology : Third Molar Assessment And Mandibular Canal., Ryan L. Snyder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of the research is to determine if cone beam computerized tomography reconstructed panoramic radiography viewed in two different focal trough shapes, and three different focal trough widths changes the ability to identify high risk radiologic signs associated with an intimate anatomic relationship between third molars and the Inferior Alveolar Nerve. The basic assumption of this research is that a customized focal trough shape with a wider focal trough width at the third molar region will produce more high risk radiologic signs present when there is a relation between the third molar and the Inferior Alveolar Canal. A retrospective …

A Study Of Relationships Of School Climate, School Culture, Teacher Efficacy, Collective Efficacy, Teacher Job Satisfaction And Intent To Turnover In The Context Of Year-Round Education Calendars., Joseph W. Mattingly 1953-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to investigate the relationships between school climate, school culture, teacher efficacy, collective efficacy, teacher job satisfaction and intent to turnover in the context of year-round education (YRE) calendars. The research design of this study utilized an e-mail invitation to participate with a uniform resource locator (URL) embedded in the message to link participants to an internet-based questionnaire. The questionnaire was delivered to 1,254 teachers employed in nine participating school districts in Kentucky that operated on YRE school calendars. The response rate was 60%. Teachers ( N = 748) responded to an internet-based questionnaire consisting …

A Theory-Based Intervention To Increase Dental Utilization By Disadvantaged Children., Catherine J. Binkley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Oral disease is the greatest unmet healthcare need of disadvantaged children in the United States, with only 20% of disadvantaged Medicaid-eligible children receiving routine dental care. Peter Margolis proposed a theoretical model of access to healthcare services and reported the effectiveness of a case manager intervention in increasing medical care utilization by disadvantaged mothers and infants. This study was based on Margolis's theory and used a case manager to assist parents in obtaining dental care. Methods. The study was based on secondary analyses of data from the "Parental Help Seeking for Dental Care" project. The randomized, controlled intervention study was …

Comparative Linear Accuracy And Reliability Of Cone Beam Ct Derived 2-Dimensional And 3-Dimensional Images Constructed Using An Orthodontic Volumetric Rendering Program., Danielle R. Periago

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to compare the accuracy and reliability of linear measurements made on 2D projections and 3D reconstructions using Dolphin 3D software (Chatsworth, CA) as compared to direct measurements made on human skulls. The linear dimensions between 6 bilateral and 8 mid-sagittal anatomical landmarks on 23 dentate dry human skulls were measured three times by multiple observers using a digital caliper to provide twenty orthodontic linear measurements. The skulls were stabilized and imaged via PSP digital cephalometry as well as CBCT. The PSP cephalograms were imported into Dolphin (Chatsworth, CA, USA) and the 3D volumetric data …

Kinematic Analysis Of Treadmill Walking In Normal And Contused Mice Using The Treadscan System., Jason Beare 1980-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Activity-based rehabilitation is important for clinically treating spinal cord injury (SCI). Advances in SCI research are dependent on quality animal models, which rely on our ability to detect functional differences in animals following injury. The purpose of this study is to analyze the gait of normal and contusion-injured mice using the TreadScan® system. TreadScan® utilizes a transparent treadmill belt and a high-speed camera to capture the footprints of animals and automatically analyze gait characteristics. Adult female C57B1/6 mice were gentled and introduced to the treadmill. Animals received either a standardized mild or moderate contusion injury or a sham injury. TreadScan® …

Ridge Preservation Comparing A Flap Vs. A Flapless Technique Using A Demineralized Bone Matrix Allograft Plus Mineralized Particulate Allograft And Covered With A Calcium Sulfate Barrier., Trever L. Siu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Aims . The primary aim of this study is to compare the clinical and histologic results of a flap vs. a flapless technique of ridge preservation after 4 months of healing. Both groups received an intrasocket graft of demineralized bone matrix mixed with mineralized particulate allograft that was covered with a calcium sulfate barrier. Methods . Twelve test patients received ridge preservation using the flapless technique while 12 positive control patients were treated with a flap technique. All sockets were grafted with a mixture of demineralized bone matrix and a mineralized particulate allograft. Following tooth extraction horizontal ridge dimensions were …

Elastomer Degradation In Water Utility Systems Via Loss Of Carbon Black Observed With Atomic Force Microscopy., Randolph Norman Schoenbaechler 1972-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The use of monochloramines in the potable water supply industry has been selected as the disinfectant method of choice due to a longer term of effectiveness and less toxic by-products than the previous choice of chlorine. In spite of the benefits exhibited by the use of monochloramines much greater rates of elastomer degradation have been noted in the water industry. The modes of attack by monochloramines on the rubber parts are still poorly understood. A common ingredient in nearly all elastomer formulations is carbon black. In addition to its role as a filler material, carbon black is also known to …

The Long Term Effect Of Time-Memory On Forager Honey Bee (Apis Mellifera) Recruitment., Matthew Walter Otto

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Experiments were performed to determine the influence of the honey bee time-memory on a forager bee's sensitivity to recruitment. Two groups of foragers from one colony were trained to separate food stations at the same restricted time of day for several consecutive days. Feeding then was canceled at one station but continued for four more days at the other. Bees with more days of training at a non-productive source were significantly less likely than foragers with less training to be recruited to an alternative food source presented at the same time of day. Furthermore, the ability of a forager to …

Reversed-Phase Hplc Determination Of Cholesterol In Food Items., David Christian Essaka

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cholesterol is a fat-like molecule found among lipids in animal (including human) tissues. It is needed for maintaining good health. However, health issues have been raised because of the strong correlation between high levels of cholesterol in the body and cardiovascular disease. An HPLC method for quantitative determination of cholesterol in foods is presented. This involves a C-18 stationary phase using a 70:30 methanol: 2-propanol mobile phase with an UV detector set at 212 nm. The method showed linearity in the range 5.0 to 100.0 μg/mL and also good reproducibility with relative standard deviation of 4.22%, 2.71%, 4.8%, and 3.7% …

Teaching Probability And Statistics To English Language Learners In Grade Five., Mary Jo Johnson Neal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An increasing number of English Language Learners enrolling in the Washington County Virginia Public School System during the past several years prompted the idea of this thesis. These students are currently mainstreamed in the regular academic classroom. Adapting to their needs is a new challenge in education for teachers in Southwest Virginia. This thesis offers an opportunity for teachers to prepare for a multicultural classroom setting providing English Language Learners with learning strategies necessary to gain confidence in their mathematical ability and academic success in the areas of probability and statistics. Lesson plans have been specifically designed emphasizing teaching strategies, …

Temperament And Early Communication In Premature Children., Nina King

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Premature children are at greater risk for developing communication delays than full-term children, although it is not inevitable. Recent research links specific temperament characteristics to early language development. Thus, temperament may provide a way to identify premature children who are at increased risk. The first purpose of this study was to determine if temperament characteristics of premature children are the same as full-term children when measured by the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised. The second purpose was to determine if temperament and language acquisition, as measured by the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory: Words and Gestures, are linked in premature infants …

Epidemic Of Lung Cancer Or Artifact Of Classification In The State Of Kentucky?, Beatrice Simo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States despite public health campaigns aimed at reducing its rate of mortality. Kentucky is the state with the highest lung cancer incidence and mortality. This study aims to assess the impact of misclassification of cause of death from Lung Cancer in Kentucky for the period 1979 to 2002. We will examine the potential competing classification of death for two other smoking-related diseases, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Emphysema. Age-adjusted mortality rates for these diseases for white males were obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics. There …

A Media Analysis Of Racism And Ethnocentrism Issues Framed In Us And European Mass Media Within The Setting Of The 2006 Fifa World Cup Competition., Monica Nastase

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The present exploratory study, framed in agenda-setting theory, analyzes the way European and US newspapers frame racism and ethnocentrism issues, on the background of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. By combining quantitative and qualitative methods, 2 research hypotheses and 9 research questions were explored. The results showed the distribution of articles that used a positive frame and the ones that used a negative frame was relatively equal across geographical regions.

The US media have shown as the most ethnocentric nationality the Spanish, while the European media, the Scottish. There is an agreement across different geographical regions that the French and …

Examination Of Microsporidia Spore Adherence And Host Cell Infection In Vitro., Timothy Robert Southern

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microsporidia are obligate intracellular pathogens that cause severe disease in immunocompromised humans. While albendazole is the treatment of choice, no therapy exists that effectively treats all forms or causes of human microsporidiosis. Recent studies show that the microsporidian Encephalitozoon intestinalis binds glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) associated with the host cell surface, and that the divalent cations manganese (Mn²⁺) and magnesium (Mg²⁺) augment spore adherence to host cells by activating a constituent on the spore surface. These studies also illustrate a direct relationship between spore adherence and host cell infection; inhibition of spore adherence leads to reduced host cell …

Studies On A 50s Ribosomal Precursor Particle As A Substrate For Erm E Methyltransferase Enzyme In Staphylococcus Aureus ., Indira Pokkunuri

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Erythromycin is a macrolide antibiotic that inhibits not only mRNA translation but also 50S ribosomal subunit assembly in bacterial cells. An important mechanism of erythromycin resistance is the methylation of 23S rRNA by erm methyl transferase enzymes. We are interested in investigating the true substrate for methylation because it is known from our work and the work of others that fully assembled 50S subunits are not substrates for methylation. We have published a model for 50S ribosomal subunit formation where, the precursor particle that accumulates in erythromycin treated cells is a target for methyl transferase activity. Current studies are aimed …

What To Make Of Race? : A Content Analysis Of The Use Of Race In Health Research., Oliver Eugene Rollins Jr.

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Using content analysis, this study examines the use of race in health related journal articles from 2000 to 2005. Each of the articles pertained to African Americans and either access to health or quality of health. Selected articles for review were examined in order to gain an understanding as to how race was measured and if race was conceptualized, the explanation for racial disparities, and the intersection of race and class in health.

Carbon-Sulfur Bond Formation Via Alkene Addition To An Oxidized Ruthenium-Thiolate., Kiran B. Venna 1974-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reports the reactivity of the trithiolato Ru complex PPN[Ru(DPPBT)3] (DPPBT = 2-diphenylphosphinobenzenethiolate) (1a) with alkenes upon oxidation. Complex 1a in acetonitrile shows two redox events at -345 mV and +455 mV in the square wave voltammogram. Bulk oxidation at a holding potential of +100 mV yields [tris(2-(diphenylphosphino)thiaphenolato)ruthenium(III)], (1b). During oxidation, the absorption bands at 540 nm, 797 nm and 1041 nm grow in intensity while there is a decrease in the absorption band at 435 nm. A plot of charge versus time during bulk electrolysis shows a total coulometric charge of 1.14 electron equivalent. The square wave voltammogram …

Development Of Fuzzy System And Nonlinear Regression Models For Ozone And Pm2.5 Air Quality Forecasts., Yiqiu Lin 1971-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ozone forecast models using nonlinear regression (NLR) have been successfully applied to daily ozone forecast for seven metro areas in Kentucky, including Ashland, Bowling Green, Covington, Lexington, Louisville, Owensboro, and Paducah. In this study, the updated 2005 NLR ozone forecast models for these metro areas were evaluated on both the calibration data sets and independent data sets. These NLR ozone forecast models explained at least 72% of the variance of the daily peak ozone. Using the models to predict the ozone concentrations during the 2005 ozone season, the metro area mean absolute errors (MAEs) of the model hindcasts ranged from …

Non-Redundant And Critical Roles For Leukotriene B4 Receptors Blt1 And Blt2 In Mouse Models Of Inflammatory Arthritis., Steven Mathis 1979-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Inflammation is now recognized as an important factor in several age-related diseases such as arthritis, atherosclerosis, multiple sclerosis and diabetes. In each case, sub-clinical chronic inflammation occurs over years and leads to progressive destruction of the tissue until the symptoms become clinically apparent. Eicosanoids such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes play an important role in inflammation. Among these, leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) has had a long history of being associated with numerous inflammatory diseases. A high affinity receptor for LTB 4 , LTB 4 receptor 1 (BLT 1) has been well-characterized in human and murine tissues. While the molecular …

Regulation Of Nuclear Respiratory Factor-1 Expression By 17beta-Estradiol : A New Mechanism For Coordinating Mitochondrial Gene Expression., Kathleen Annmarie Mattingly 1979-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The mechanisms by which estrogens regulate mitochondrial activity are not completely understood. Chronic treatment of ovariectomized rats with estradiol (E 2 ) increased the amount of Nuclear Respiratory Factor-1 (NRF-1) protein in cerebral blood vessels. NRF-1 is a transcription factor that regulates the expression of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes including mitochondrial transcription factor A ( TFAM , which, in turn, controls transcription of the mitochondrial genome. Here, I tested the hypothesis that E 2 increases NRF-1 transcription through a genomic activation of estrogen receptor (ER) resulting in a coordinate increase in nuclear- and mitochondrial- encoded genes, mitochondrial respiratory activity, and mitochondrial …

Participation Of Mouse Dna Polymerases Iota, Eta, And Rev1 In Translesion Synthesis Of Carcinogen Induced Dna Adducts And Carcinogenesis., Chad Aaron Dumstorf 1977-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of mutagenesis indicate that most mutations are dependent on the activity of translesion synthesis DNA polymerases. The impact of reducing the level of these polymerases on mutagenesis and carcinogenesis in mouse models is poorly defined. Using knock out strategies we were able to remove polymerase eta (pol ç), and polymerase iota (pol é) and pol eta/pol iota from the mouse and lower REV1 in the mouse lung. This dissertation reports the changes in UV-induced carcinogenesis and mutagenesis that were observed. Mutagenesis data in pol iota deficient cells clearly indicate pol iota as a …

Group Difference In Psychosocial Development Of Undergraduate Students., Charles Louis Pride 1964-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to examine group differences in psychosocial development by affiliation, gender, and race of undergraduate students. The design was causal-comparative. The independent variables were gender (female/male), race (Black/White), and affiliation (Greek/non-Greek). The dependent variables were the three subscales obtained from the Student Developmental Task Lifestyle Assessment for Purpose (PUR), Autonomy (AUT), and Mature Interpersonal Relationships (MIR). The Student Developmental Task and Lifestyle Assessment (SDTLA) was used in this study. The research sites included Eastern Kentucky University, Murray State University and Western Kentucky University. Seven hypotheses were tested by a MANOVA design. The major finding was …

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons In Maternal And Cord Blood Plasma., Paula G. Radmacher 1951-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are chemicals generated from the incomplete combustion of organic materials, including tobacco smoke. Some PAH are known to be mutagenic and carcinogenic in humans, and of concern for the fetus when women smoke during pregnancy. Known consequences of smoking during pregnancy include low birth weight and preterm delivery. It is unknown if PAH are related to these outcomes. This pilot study was designed to measure concentrations of 3 PAH (anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene and 1-hydroxypyrene) in paired maternal and cord blood samples as well as any correlations between the two matrices. Plasma cotinine was used as a biomarker …

Self-Consistent And Environment-Dependent Hamiltonian For Quantum-Mechanics Materials Simulations., Christopher R. Leahy 1972-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

I will report the development of a semi-empirical self-consistent and environment-dependent model Hamiltonian, which is intended to treat large systems in the order of 10000 atoms. This covers a range of important physical phenomena that are too large to be treated with first-principles calculations. Our model features an aggressive treatment of environment-dependent effects, which are known to limit the accuracy of two-center models which do not include them. Specifically, we account for multi-center integrals, and we use a full iterative treatment of the self-consistency problem, which addressed the important role of charge redistribution. Our results indicate that our treatment is …

Laboratories Of Democracy And State Brownfield Programs., Jaclyn Susan Marie Opp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Public investment and interest into brownfields has increased markedly in the past two decades. However, scholarship has not kept pace with this growth. Every state in the U.S. has created a brownfields program to deal with the presence of these properties in their state. However, the mechanisms offered in these state programs to facilitate brownfield remediation and redevelopment has gone untested and underresearched. This dissertation gathered data on all fifty state brownfield programs and the related Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) enforcement and inspection data. The fifty state data was then supplemented with three state case studies using in-depth …