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Synthesis And Evaluation Of Novel Polymeric Stationary Phases For Capillary Liquid Chromatography And Electrochromatography., Zhixin Jessica Tan Jan 1998

Synthesis And Evaluation Of Novel Polymeric Stationary Phases For Capillary Liquid Chromatography And Electrochromatography., Zhixin Jessica Tan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The stationary phase is at the heart of chromatographic separation techniques. In the pursuit of higher separation efficiency and resolving power, methods for the synthesis of novel polymeric stationary phases were developed. These stationary phases were evaluated using microscale separation techniques that have inherent high efficiency: open-tubular liquid chromatography (OT-LC), open-tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT-CEC), and packed column capillary electrochromatography (PC-CEC). A new technique was developed for the in situ synthesis of thin film polymer stationary phases inside small diameter fused silica capillaries. This technique allows the use of readily available and inexpensive polyimide jacketed capillaries, and provides greater control over …

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Burnout Among Secondary Agricultural Education Teachers In West Virginia., Ronald H. Hudson Jr. Jan 1998

Burnout Among Secondary Agricultural Education Teachers In West Virginia., Ronald H. Hudson Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to provide information to West Virginia University and State Department of Education personnel that may be useful in developing a program whose purpose would be to educate educators on the effects of burnout. Data were collected via 92 questionnaires mailed to current agricultural teachers in West Virginia. Of these, 63 usable questionnaires were returned. The return rate was 68%. The survey consisted of three parts: (a) General Demographics, (b. Personal Self Evaluation; and (c) Maslach Educators Survey. Forty six percent of the respondents are between the ages of 41 and 50. Over 92% were …

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Constructing Identities And Defining The Nation: Germany Since 1949., Frank Anthony Allevato Jan 1998

Constructing Identities And Defining The Nation: Germany Since 1949., Frank Anthony Allevato

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Not long after Germans began the historic task of dismantling the Berlin Wall in 1989, their country was again reunited after forty-five years of division. For the second time in less than a century, a majority of Europe’s Germans were brought together under the banner of a single political sovereignty. As the enlarged Federal Republic psychologically reorients and physically reconstructs itself, the event is likely to have continued European and worldwide implications. Understanding the new Germany’s internal development and its evolving self-perceptions is to conceive of the country’s role now and in the years ahead; central to understanding Germany today …

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The Effects Of Toothbrush Design On Bacterial Retention And Viability: A Preliminary Study., Heidi Lynn Dahmer Jan 1998

The Effects Of Toothbrush Design On Bacterial Retention And Viability: A Preliminary Study., Heidi Lynn Dahmer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

It is known that toothbrushes can harbor microorganisms. Researchers suggest replacing toothbrushes immediately following illness to reduce the possibility of microorganisms causing disease.1 The continuous use of a microbial-contaminated toothbrush may be potentially harmful to its user, especially if the user is medically compromised or immunosuppressed. Gingival irritation created during improper toothbrushing technique may result in portals of entry for bacteria to be introduced into the systemic circulation. This tissue damage is characterized by a break in the mucosal integrity permitting microbial invasion.1 Toothbrush bristle composition (i.e., texture, size, treatment, and placement) can also affect the amount of oral tissue …

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A Study Of Impact Using 80-Derometer Rubber., Steven Harold Howard Jan 1998

A Study Of Impact Using 80-Derometer Rubber., Steven Harold Howard

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this work was to model and test an intermediate material that would absorb impact loads induced during deployment of a deployable rollover protective structure (ROPS) designed for use on a farm tractor. The design criteria required that the intermediate material, under compressive loads, maintain the integrity of all moving parts while introducing a minimum impact time of 0.005 seconds. A "ring" shaped part made of 80-Derometer rubber (a product of the Goodyear Corporation) was incorporated into the impact region of the ROPS deployment mechanism. Theoretical calculations were made based on energy balance equations and 2-D Working Model …

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Identification And Characterization Of Sympathetic Neurons That Innervate Mesenteric Artery Or Vein In The Guinea-Pig., Zhongling Zheng Jan 1998

Identification And Characterization Of Sympathetic Neurons That Innervate Mesenteric Artery Or Vein In The Guinea-Pig., Zhongling Zheng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Guniea-pig inferior mesenteric ganglion (IMG) neurons that innervate artery or vein were separate neurons and there was no double labeling (Fluorogold and rhodamine beads) in the labeled neurons. The arterial neurons located in the central part of the IMG whereas venous neurons located peripherally. The cross-sectional area of total somata of arterial neurons was smaller than those of venous neurons which were smaller than unlabeled neurons. NPY-IR was found in 18% of arterial neurons, but not in venous neurons. All of the labeled vascular neurons fired tonically using whole cell patch-clamp recordings. All three types of neurons received a capsaicin-sensitive …

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Participation Of Students In Their Own Transition/Education Planning Process: Perceptions Of Key Persons., Billie L. Friedland Jan 1998

Participation Of Students In Their Own Transition/Education Planning Process: Perceptions Of Key Persons., Billie L. Friedland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The literature indicates that a lack of participation in their own decision-making process has contributed to a diminished quality of life for people with disabilities (Sands, Kozleski, & Goodwin, 1991; Sands & Doll, 1996). Classroom and living situations often foster learned dependence, resulting in over-reliance on others to find problem solutions. To improve students' influence over their transition outcomes, educators and community persons need to provide students with appropriate instruction and opportunities to participate fully in their own life planning. This exploratory, comparative study utilized individual interviews, focus groups, and Individual Transition-Education Plan (ITEP) document reviews to explore and compare …

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Genotoxicity Studies Of Roofing Asphalt Fume Condensates In Mammalian Cells., Hongwei Qian Jan 1998

Genotoxicity Studies Of Roofing Asphalt Fume Condensates In Mammalian Cells., Hongwei Qian

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The specific aims of the present investigation were to determine the genotoxicity and potential carcinogenicity of WFC of Type I and Type III roofing asphalt by using different genetic endpoints in mammalian cells in vitro and in rat in vivo. Morphological transformation studies in cultured BALB/c-3T3 cells indicated that at concentrations that allow less than 50% survival, neither of the WFC, with or without the hamster liver S9 activation system, significantly increased foci formation in BALB/c-3T3 cells. The conventional and immunofluorescent staining MN assays showed that both types of WFC caused a significant increase in the frequency of MNC and …

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What Primary Care Physicians Need To Know About Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Delphi Of Experts And A Content Analysis., Barry Thomas Linger Jan 1998

What Primary Care Physicians Need To Know About Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Delphi Of Experts And A Content Analysis., Barry Thomas Linger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurobiological condition characterized by developmentally inappropriate attention, impulsivity, and, in some cases, hyperactivity. ADHD is a growing problem in the United States educational system with an estimated 3 to 5 percent of the school-aged population, or approximately 2 million children and adolescents affected. Substantial scientific research has been conducted to examine the effectiveness of stimulant medication as a treatment for ADHD. Little research, however, has been conducted to examine the preparedness of physicians to diagnose, treat, and monitor children with ADHD. This study determined what essential knowledge, attitudes, and skills primary care physicians …

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"Out Of The Shambles Of Our History": Irish Women And (Post)Colonial Identity., Kelli Elizabeth Maloy Jan 1998

"Out Of The Shambles Of Our History": Irish Women And (Post)Colonial Identity., Kelli Elizabeth Maloy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Easter Rising of 1916 is often considered to mark the end of the colonial period in the territory now called the Republic of Ireland. Because for centuries preceding the Rising women were aligned with mythological and Christian images that glorified their saintly and maternal “nature,”it seemed the rising would mark a period during which women would no longer need to represent the motherland and might assume some degree of autonomy in Irish society. The reality, however, was that independence in the republic prompted a state-sanctioned preoccupation with regeneration of the nation and a system whereby the national subject was …

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The Effects Of Reading Social Anxiety Words On Anxious Responding., Carrie Lynn Masia Jan 1998

The Effects Of Reading Social Anxiety Words On Anxious Responding., Carrie Lynn Masia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Two studies were conducted to determine if repeated exposure to social anxiety words decreased anxious responding in individuals diagnosed with social phobia. In the first study, four participants were asked to read words aloud, and in the second study, three participants were asked to read words silently. Single-subject methodology, using an alternating treatments design, was utilized. Anxious responding was assessed via Stroop test color-naming time of social and neutral words, word-reading time of social and neutral words, heart rate during word-reading and color-naming, and self-reports of distress. Results indicate that repeated reading of social anxiety words reduces anxious responding, and …

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A Description Of The Instructional And Assessment Practices Of Selected Elementary Teachers., Mary D. Morris Jan 1998

A Description Of The Instructional And Assessment Practices Of Selected Elementary Teachers., Mary D. Morris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Three distinct teachers, recognized by their administrators as excellent, were chosen to participate in a study designed to describe a recent phenomena in education. All three teachers were members of a faculty that was recognized as a Professional Development School in collaboration with the Benedum Foundation. Traditionally educators have looked to their local school district to provide continuing education. This professional development covers a wide range of topics and is given with a random approach. Recently there have been schools that have decided that their instruction and assessment could change to incorporate more alternative methods to accommodate a variety of …

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Integrating Media And Information Technologies Through Professional Development Sessions., Paula Denise Nelson Jan 1998

Integrating Media And Information Technologies Through Professional Development Sessions., Paula Denise Nelson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research has shown that teachers have limited knowledge on how to use technology in their instruction (Christmas, 1992). Teachers stated that they needed instruction and ample opportunities to try using computers in the classroom. The surge of technology in the classroom has extended many inservice teachers beyond their abilities and limits. Training is essential for teachers if technology is to be integrated in their teaching rather than merely to be used as drill and practice or a reward for students (Siegel, 1995). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a technology-based staff development program and the …

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Perceptions Of Puerto Rican Undergraduates Of Reasons For Their Academic Success., Maria Teresa Baxter Jan 1998

Perceptions Of Puerto Rican Undergraduates Of Reasons For Their Academic Success., Maria Teresa Baxter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to learn what might have contributed to the academic success of Puerto Rican undergraduates. The investigation centered around the perceptions of the participants about the role and significance of socio-economic status, compatibility of the home and school environments, bilingualism, encouragement, and motivation. A qualitative design was used. Ten participants of Puerto Rican origin, undergraduate students at a major university in the northeast were interviewed at their university. The data was recorded on audio cassette tapes. The answers to the questionnaire suggested that the participants had families who valued education regardless of their socio-economic status. …

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Recording In Social Work Education., Natalie R. Ames Jan 1998

Recording In Social Work Education., Natalie R. Ames

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

For over 50 years, social work educators have been criticized for failing to teach recording skills, yet there is little research on recording in the social work curriculum. The goals of this exploratory study were to identify the issues associated with the inclusion or exclusion of recording in the social work curriculum and describe teaching strategies and materials used by instructors who include content on recording. The four research questions addressed: whether social work faculty perceive recording as legitimate curriculum content; the factors associated with deciding to include or exclude recording; the content of any instruction on recording; and teaching …

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Investigative Interviewing With Children: Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of A Training Program For Child Protective Service Workers., Kurt Andrew Freeman Jan 1998

Investigative Interviewing With Children: Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of A Training Program For Child Protective Service Workers., Kurt Andrew Freeman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Conducting investigative interviews with children who were allegedly sexually abused is perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of child protective service (CPS) workers' jobs. Previous research suggests that training workshops on investigative interviewing conducted with front-line workers, such as police officers and CPS workers, may result in improved knowledge about appropriate strategies to use. However, limited research has addressed whether such trainings result in improvements in actual interviewing skills. The present investigation assessed the impact of a six-hour training workshop on CPS workers' knowledge about and performance during investigative interviews. Results suggest that the training impacted participants' knowledge on …

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A Study Of The Impact Of Mentoring On West Virginia Public School Teachers., Linda K. Dunlap Jan 1998

A Study Of The Impact Of Mentoring On West Virginia Public School Teachers., Linda K. Dunlap

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In the wave of educational reform that swept the United States during the decade of the eighties, many became concerned about the apparent large number of beginning teachers who were leaving the profession in the first three years. Those who worked closely with teacher education programs, began to look at how teachers were trained. Out of their research and dialogue came the need to foster better ways to help new teachers make the transition from student to classroom teacher. Teacher induction programs which included formal mentoring programs were initiated very quickly across many states, since it was believed that a …

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The Relationship Between Social Interest And Self-Concept In Conduct-Disordered Adolescents., Emily M. Sweitzer Jan 1998

The Relationship Between Social Interest And Self-Concept In Conduct-Disordered Adolescents., Emily M. Sweitzer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study attempted to examine the constructs that are involved in the development of an adolescent Conduct Disorder. Specifically, the study explored the theoretical propositions of Alfred Adler which address the dynamic relationship between the development of one's self and the concurrent development of one's social interest in others. For the purposes of this study, 30 Conduct Disordered adolescents and 30 comparison adolescents, between the ages of 14 and 17, were administered the Piers Harris Self Concept Scale and Crandall's Social Interest Scale. A qualitative interview was also conducted with the Conduct Disordered adolescents to ascertain both their individual perceptions …

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The Construction Of "The Student Perception Of Teacher Health Scale"., Steven Craig Koehn Jan 1998

The Construction Of "The Student Perception Of Teacher Health Scale"., Steven Craig Koehn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to construct a student perception of a teacher's health scale. The rationale for the study was the severe lack of research on the effects of a teacher's health in the classroom environment. In addition, the tremendous dropout rate in the teaching profession due to burnout, stress and other health related factors was a key ingredient. Scale construction was deemed an important beginning component in investigation of an area with little prior investigation. The original scale was designed using student focus group participation. A sample of 54 undergraduate subjects were interviewed and audio-taped. Analysis of …

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The Value Orientations And Perceptions Of Caring Of Ethiopian Nuers., Connie Ann Hall Jan 1998

The Value Orientations And Perceptions Of Caring Of Ethiopian Nuers., Connie Ann Hall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to systematically describe and analyze differences in value orientations and perceptions of caring of the Ethiopian Nuer. The study addressed the meaning of caring and its most important elements to the Nuer. The study also endeavored to identify relationships between value orientations and perceptions of caring and the demographic characteristics of the sample. The demographic characteristics that were considered included: sex, generation, literacy, place of residence, and religion. The convenience sample for this study was comprised of 54 subjects. They were interviewed in order to complete a demographic questionnaire, the Caring Questionnaire, and the …

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Family History Study Units In Secondary School: Their Educational Impact., William Foster Hayes Jan 1998

Family History Study Units In Secondary School: Their Educational Impact., William Foster Hayes

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research purports to answer the question "What results may be derived from a classroom study of family history?" From a review of literature by four score teachers, administrators, and curriculum theorists, Hayes has elicited claims of 65 specific results in eight different categories. The quoted authors perceived that the classroom study of genealogy and family history: (1) Affects in positive ways how students feel about non-family history; (2) Promotes the learning of several disciplines related to history; (3) Reveals the interconnectedness of human society, and encourages multiracial and multicultural understanding; (4) Improves scholastic skills; (5) Builds students' sense of …

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Current College And University Serious Student Problems: A Study Of Attitudes And Perceptions Of Chief Student Affairs Officers And Student Leaders At Research I Universities., Melanie Jeanne Cook Jan 1997

Current College And University Serious Student Problems: A Study Of Attitudes And Perceptions Of Chief Student Affairs Officers And Student Leaders At Research I Universities., Melanie Jeanne Cook

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to analyze the attitudes and perceptions of chief student affairs officers and student leaders at Research I universities of serious student problems and the impact on the design and implementation of student services programs, policies, and procedures. Separate questionnaires were sent to chief student affairs officers and elected student leaders at Research I universities. These questionnaires asked the respective groups to identify current serious student problems on their campus. For comparative purposes, chief student affairs officers were also asked to identify serious student problems in the past and next five years. In addition, they …

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Male Adolescent Sex Offenders: The Relationship Between Early Victimization And Subsequent Offense Patterns., Mark Steven Metz Jan 1997

Male Adolescent Sex Offenders: The Relationship Between Early Victimization And Subsequent Offense Patterns., Mark Steven Metz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Twenty-three (23) incarcerated male adolescent sex offenders participated in structured interviews about their experiences as both victims and perpetrators of sexual assault. Data were analyzed for indications that some perpetrators use their offenses to reenact their victimization experiences in an effort to achieve mastery over their own sexual traumata. Data were also evaluated for evidence of differential victimization histories by molesters and rapists. Significant relationships were found between victimization and offense experiences, including the selection by offenders of victims who were the same race as the perpetrators against them, the recurrence in offenses of two types of sexual activity--simulated intercourse …

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Stimulus Control Of Human Punished Behavior: Testing For Generalization., Jennifer Marie O'Donnell Jan 1997

Stimulus Control Of Human Punished Behavior: Testing For Generalization., Jennifer Marie O'Donnell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Punishment may decrease the rate of unpunished behavior (i.e., punishment effects may generalize). Only a few studies with animals (e.g., Honig & Slivka, 1964) have investigated the stimulus generalization of punishment effects, or how they vary systematically with physical properties of stimuli. In a recent study with humans (O'Donnell & Crosbie, in press), each response in the presence of one horizontal line was punished, and generalization of punishment was tested in the presence of nine other lines that differed only in length. Generalization gradients were not obtained, most likely because the punisher became the discriminative stimulus for punishment conditions, thus …

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Perimenopause: A Phenomenological Study Of Women And Health Care Providers In Rural Areas., Patricia Ann Kraft Jan 1997

Perimenopause: A Phenomenological Study Of Women And Health Care Providers In Rural Areas., Patricia Ann Kraft

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Using a four step phenomenological approach for inquiry, the researcher explored and interpreted data obtained from the lived experiences of sixteen perimenopausal women and eight health care providers living in rural areas. A purposive sampling technique was utilized. Participation was on a voluntary basis. Data collection procedures included a face-to-face semi-structured taped interview and completion of a demographic questionnaire. Following analysis of the data, twenty-two common essences were identified from intuiting of the interview data. These essences were classified into six major themes which integrated all the realities of the participants. The findings of the study revealed six major themes …

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Decentralized Estimation For Large Scale Interconnected Systems., Noureddine Bekhouche Jan 1997

Decentralized Estimation For Large Scale Interconnected Systems., Noureddine Bekhouche

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation deals with the design of decentralized estimators for large scale interconnected systems. The systems are composed of several subsystems interconnected together. At each subsystem level a filter is designed to estimate local and/or interface variables. Kalman filtering and H{dollar}\\infty{dollar} filtering tools are used to derive decentralized estimators based on two different approaches namely, direct and indirect methods. A power system application is used to illustrate the proposed algorithms. In each method the decentralized filter design requires a subsystem model (local model) and a set of measurements. In the direct method additional measurements are needed for decentralization. In the …

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Prediction Of Premature Termination From Residential Substance Abuse Rehabilitation., Frank Robert Hershberger Jan 1997

Prediction Of Premature Termination From Residential Substance Abuse Rehabilitation., Frank Robert Hershberger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A significant proportion of clients utilizing substance abuse programs fail to successfully complete a course of treatment. High attrition rates represent a large number of clients who do not receive the full benefit of treatment. Both clients and treatment programs are adversely affected by premature termination. The present research focused on prediction of discharge status from residential substance abuse rehabilitation. A discriminant function analysis resulted in a prediction equation which incorporated nine sociodemographic variables. This equation correctly classified the discharge status of 67% of the prediction sample of 252 subjects. The equation was cross validated in a stratified random sample …

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Examination Of A Cumulative Strategies Model For Drug Abuse Prevention: Risk Factor Reduction In High-Risk Children., Kimberly Ann Horn Jan 1997

Examination Of A Cumulative Strategies Model For Drug Abuse Prevention: Risk Factor Reduction In High-Risk Children., Kimberly Ann Horn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A Cumulative Strategies Model for drug abuse prevention employs a process by which two or more drug abuse prevention strategies are used conjointly, such that each strategy targets two or more factors that place children at high risk for drug abuse. This model was examined using an innovative multiple component program called CHOICES. CHOICES emphasizes the reduction of risk factors that are characteristic of a high risk population of children of alcoholics and predictive of drug abuse. Using a repeated measures multiple baseline design, the results of this study revealed that the Cumulative Strategies Model inherent to the CHOICES program …

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Retrovirus Variation And Rt Template Switching During Retroviral Reverse Transcription: Development Of Novel Retroviral Vectors For Gene Therapy., John George Julias Jan 1997

Retrovirus Variation And Rt Template Switching During Retroviral Reverse Transcription: Development Of Novel Retroviral Vectors For Gene Therapy., John George Julias

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The low processivity of retroviral reverse transcriptase and the lack of exonucleolytic proofreading by retroviral reverse trascriptase contribute to the emergence of virus variants in infected hosts. A result of the low processivity of reverse transcriptase is the high frequency deletion of direct repeats in retroviral genomes and vectors. We determined that direct repeats of 383, 788, and 1333 base pairs delete at rates of 28-40, 85, and 93%, respectively, in one round of retroviral replication. Also, we demonstrated that the propensity of reverse transcriptase to switch templates could be used to reconstitute the neomycin resistance gene and delete the …

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The Impact Of Good Father-Son Relationships On The Son's Development From Adolescent To Middle Age: A Qualitative Study., Wayne Francis Coombs Jan 1997

The Impact Of Good Father-Son Relationships On The Son's Development From Adolescent To Middle Age: A Qualitative Study., Wayne Francis Coombs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This is a qualitative study regarding the impact of good father-son relationships on the son's development between adolescence to middle age with a homogeneous group of middle-aged men. Literature regarding the study of father-son relationships is reviewed along with historical and current theoretical perspectives. The literature contains a great deal of information pertaining to poor father-son relationships and essentially no information regarding good relationships. The major focus of this study was then to identify the components of a good father-son relationship and describe the impact of these on the son's life. It was found that a "good enough" father-son relationship …

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