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The Analogue Of The Iterated Logarithm For Quantum Difference Equations, Karl Friedrich Ulrich

Masters Theses

"In this thesis, we consider oscillation and nonoscillation of q-difference equations, i.e., equations that arise while studying q-calculus. In particular, we prove an extension of Kneser’s theorem on q-calculus to cases in which no conclusion can be drawn by applying Kneser’s theorem. In order to accomplish this, we establish a change of variables which yields, when applied iteratively, a sequence of comparison functions. We use these comparison functions to establish our main result. Finally, we consider an analogue result for time scales which are unbounded from above"--Abstract, page iii.

Adapting Management Strategies To Enter New Global Markets, Karuna Vineetha Vemulapalli

Masters Theses

"With globalization spreading its roots into every country, people from various countries are working together, and will be trying to understand the cultural differences between the organizations in different nations. Effective management of the cultural differences will be an important and competitive advantage. Keeping in mind the different perceptions of the term “Management” by varying cultures, namely United States and India, this research will be focused on understanding and managing these differences.

The proposed research will deal with concepts of cultural diversity, economic differences, intercultural and organizational differences between the two countries. Understanding why some factors like motivation, responsibility, and …

Environmental Geochemistry Of Metal Contaminated Sediments From The Big River System Of Southeastern Missouri, Helen Carrie Bender

Masters Theses

"Geochemical analysis of stream sediments from the Big River Watershed of southeastern Missouri indicates that they contain elevated concentrations of contaminant metals such as Pb. Zn, Cu. Co, Ni and Cd. The elevated concentrations are derived from natural exposures of metal enriched strata and the numerous mine tailings piles and water seeps created as a result of about 300 years of lead-zinc mining in the “Old Lead Belt”. Galena (PbS), sphalerite (ZnS), and pyrite (FeS₂) are the primary sulfides found in the tailings piles and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis of individual metallic sediment particles collected at intervals downstream …

Friction Stir Processing Of Magnesium Alloys, Gaurav Bhargava

Masters Theses

"Magnesium alloys have been fast catching up their attention in applications where both lightweight and exceptional strength is desired. But magnesium alloys suffer formability issues which limit their use to cast applications when designing complicated shapes. Friction stir processing (FSP) is technique for, imparting a fine-grained, homogeneous microstructure by which both strength and ductility can be enhanced. The results from the first part of present work showed that AZ31 alloy when employed the use of FSP, yielded significant strength and ductility gains but on the cost of anisotropy. The cause of anisotropy was investigated to be correlated to texture evolution …

An Apologetic To The Neo-Pagans As Represented By Dr. Gus Dizerega, William Tennison Smitherman Ii

Masters Theses

The current trend of multi-religious observance can be traced to various root sources. In particular, the advocacy of Christianity and another religious tradition is particularly strong within Neo-Pagan circles. Through historical investigation, as well as response to the writings of Dr. Gus DiZerega, a prominent Neo-Pagan proponent, these connection will be made. It will be posited that the core of modern neo-pagan belief and perhaps that of modern Celtic Christianity are found in similar traditions. This study, while not exhaustive is a beginning to a fruitful conversation between Christians and Neo-Pagans. It also provides a bridge to see that there …

Transcending Tragedy: The Power Of The Green World In Renaissance Drama, Sheridan Lynn Steelman

Masters Theses

Hospitals in the twenty-first century are using healing gardens to help patients heal their minds, bodies, and souls by offering views of lush flora from their rooms and calming pathways for their walks. Recent studies have shown that patients who are able to witness nature’s beauty request less pain medication and report shorter stays. Today’s use of gardens as part of a total wellness package may have found its roots in the work of John Gerard (1597) who was the first to study and catalog over 300 varieties of plants and herbs, many of which had common medicinal uses. Gerard’s …

The Search For Wholeness In J.M. Coetzee's In The Heart Of The Country, Waiting For The Barbarians, And Disgrace, Joanna Buboltz

Masters Theses

Literary critics of South African writer J.M. Coetzee’s novels have examined multiple aspects of the writer’s works, including his linguistic strategies, allegorical features, and depictions of native characters. This thesis attempts to fill a hole in the literary discussion by examining the identities of the main white characters of three of Coetzee’s novels: In the Heart of the Country, Waiting for the Barbarians, and Disgrace. In these novels, all three protagonists are inherently incomplete because of their status as members of the hegemony, and all three struggle to redefine themselves through relationships with those their power group has …

Environmental Impacts Of Trade-Oriented Development Policies, Jonathan Daniel Dean

Masters Theses

This work integrates trade-development theory with trade-pollution theory in attempt to find if certain trade policies can be used for sustainable development. Three trade oriented development policies are analyzed: inward orientation, outward orientation, and trade liberalization. A theoretical model is developed to analyze the effects of scale, composition, and technique. The theoretical model is then tested empirically using a panel regression, cross-section by country and across time. The panel regression uses S0 2 against economic indicators and dummy variables reflecting the theoretical model. The theoretical model proves that trade policies can be manipulated to create an intelligent trade design, which …

Exploring Social Class And The Rural/Urban Dichotomy: A Critical Approach To Rural Community College Student Empowerment Through Composition, Amanda Groves

Masters Theses

Rural community college students arguably face more barriers to socioeconomic class mobility than their urban peers. Rural students who attend college where the prevalence of working-class status is much higher and deal with the hindrances their geographical location inflicts have typically remained in their respective classes with little chance of change. However, just as their geographical location presents physical barriers to mobility, so does the rural/urban dichotomy which contains and urban biased definition of the elements of middle- and upper-class status. Part of the problem with this system of social class lies in the definitions that would have rural students …

Exploring At-Risk Student Writers In Academic Success Programs And The Role Instructors Play In Their Evaluation, Katrina Monique Dunbar

Masters Theses

Little scholarship in Composition Studies has focused on the writing of students who are placed in academic success courses due to the fact that they are academically at-risk. To assess this writing I conducted a study examining writing of at-risk students and the evaluation strategies used by instructors. As a result of the outcome of the study, this project establishes both the consistent and inconsistent ways that instructors evaluate the writing products of these types of students. Also this thesis calls for proposed solutions to this problem to be implemented.

The First Adventure Of Raspberry And Lime: A Futuristic Screenplay, Sarah E. Mims

Masters Theses

This thesis consists of a short screenplay coupled with an introductory essay. The focus of the story and the essay is an examination of the "hero" and the hero's journey as deciphered by Joseph Campbell. My focus was on the heroic elements of the American superhero as depicted on both the big and small screen.

The essay outlines Campbell's cycle or journey that all heroes have in one way or another. I profile prominent examples of the "classic" heroic journey as depicted in modem American cinema. I use Luke Skywalker as the most basic example. I then examine less "typical" …

Where We Can't Follow: A Collection Of Short Stories, Megan Holt

Masters Theses

This humorous collection of short stories revolves around the lives of the patrons and employees who frequent the bars. When men and women come together to congregate over drinks, their conversations turn towards every topic except the important aspects of their various relationships. As underlying conflicts rise to the surface, and the situations become more comical, the characters are faced with a brief epiphany about the true nature of their personalities. Rather than becoming inspired by these moments of clarity, these men and women resist the urge to change. The liquor continues to flow, inhibitions flounder, and these characters hurtle …

Food Selection Behaviors Of Children In A Buffet Setting, Megan J. Merrill

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate food choices made by children of varying ages when a wide assortment of both healthy and unhealthy food items were available. The results were used to assess the importance of caregiver influence with regard to children's dietary intakes and to determine significant relationships between age. food preference. and relevant behavioral patterns.

Fifty children between the ages of 3 and 15 were observed in buffet-style restaurants with their caregivers. A food and beverage selection checklist was used to determine children's food selections when each food group was present and available to them, A …

The Acceptance Of Heart Healthy Food Items Among College Students, Waleed Mohammed Alrayyes

Masters Theses

This thesis project was undertaken to discover the acceptance of heart healthy food items among college students. Previous studies stated that many college students leaving home and entering college for the first time often make choices that are less healthful. The researchers suggest that this is because of adopting poor diets. As a result of consuming an unhealthy diet coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, students may increase their risk of developing a variety of diseases, such as CVD, later in life.

Data for this study were collected from a sample of 100 college students at a Midwestern University. The samples …

Impact Of Alcohol On Dietary Behaviors Of Male College Students, Cheryl Anne Rozela

Masters Theses

Research has suggested that many male students increase consumption of alcohol during their college years (Von Ah, Ebert, Ngamvitroj, Park & Kang, 2001). As alcohol consumption increases during this time many students also make less healthy dietary choices, suggesting a relationship between alcohol use and dietary patterns may be present (Adams & Rini, 2007). Although suggestive of a relationship, there is a lack of research documenting an association between alcohol use and dietary behaviors of male college students, therefore, the current study utilized a convenience sample of twenty male participants from a midwestem university and a series of five open-ended …

A Content Analysis Of Food Advertisements During Children's Tv Programming, Jillian Hurt

Masters Theses

The purpose was to determine nutritional quality of foods and marketing techniques and messages used in food ads during children's television programming. Programming was taped on 4 networks (PBS, Disney, Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for l day each, from July 8 to July 11, 2008.

One third of ads shown in 36 hours of programming were for food. Eighty-four percent of food ads promoted foods that were high in fat, saturated fat, added sugar and sodium or low in vitamins, minerals, fruits, vegetables and fiber. Animation was used in 44% and taste in 58% …

"The Lower Class Of Traitors Have Also Their Architects Of Plots": The London Irish, The United Irish, And The Creation Of Irish Identities, 1780-1800, Erin K. Crawley

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the concepts of prejudice and contrasting identities in 1790s London, examining the interplay between English authorities, the United Irish, and the working Irish in London. The thesis examines the agency of the London Irish and the limits to their actions caused by the United Irish presence in London and the English response. First, it analyzes court cases, sessions papers, pamphlets, and trial publications to show where prosecutors, defendants, and witnesses make linguistic ascriptions of Irish, English, and metropolitan identity. This analysis shows that the working-class London Irish were primarily unskilled laborers, beggars, and disembarked soldiers living in …

Effect Of Load Reductions Over Consecutive Sets On Repetition Performance, Maureen Khairallah

Masters Theses

In order to achieve specific muscular adaptations, repetitions need to be maintained within a certain repetition range throughout consecutive sets; however, maintaining repetition performance can be difficult when using short rest intervals (i.e. :S I-minute). Therefore, purpose of this study was to determine whether a 0%, 5%, 10%, or 15% decrease in resistance would be the most effective in maintaining repetitions over consecutive sets in the squat, leg curl, and leg extension. Eleven male college students volunteered to participate in the seven week study. Each participant was tested over the first three weeks, with one testing session each week. During …

An Analysis Of Selected Band Works With Composer Perspective, Joshua J. Kumpula

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Combinations: An Exploration Of Variety In A Jazz Program, Pierre Olivier David

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Perspective-Taking In Adolescents With Asperger Syndrome And Nonverbal Learning Disorder, Caitlin Scaliatine

Masters Theses

Theory of mind is the ability to attribute mental states to oneself and other individuals, allowing us to predict the thoughts and feelings of others based on their behaviors. Research has established that individuals with Asperger syndrome (AS) experience difficulty with advanced theory of mind tasks; however, theory of mind abilities have not been evaluated for individuals with nonverbal learning disability (NVLD). The following test battery was administered to four adolescents with AS, five adolescents with NVLD, and five adolescents with neurotypical development to examine their theory of mind abilities: the Pragmatic Judgment and lriferences subtests from the Comprehensive Assessment …

Silencing And Assaulting The Feminine: An Analysis Of Institutions That Perpetuate A Rape-Supportive Culture, Melissa Territo

Masters Theses

Since 1700, rape has been a publicly discussed topic. Past research has focused on the effects that socialization practices, patriarchy, and hegemony have on sexual violence and mediated representations of gendered violence in the United States. This thesis explores two institutions, social structures, and cultures that contribute to and perpetuate a rape supportive culture in the United States-the penal and fraternity systems. By approaching and analyzing sexual assault as socially constructed and communicated through the institutional structures of the penal and fraternity systems, we are equipped to better understand how society and media (re )create and perpetuate a patriarchal rape …

Dynamics Of Aggregation Formation In Japanese Beetles, Popillia Japonica, Katelyn A. Kowles

Masters Theses

For most insect aggregations to form, they need to be started by an initial individual (the pioneer) andjoined by later individuals (the joiners). Pioneers and joiners may differ with regard to characteristics such as sex and body size. We carried out three field experiments to examine the characteristics of Japanese beetles, Popillia japonica, pioneering and joining aggregations on host plants. Individual beetles were captured as they arrived on uninhabited grape plants, as well as plants designed to simulate aggregations with model beetles and feeding damage. For all experiments and treatments, the beetles arriving were significantly female-biased, with pioneer females having …

Cloning, Overexpression, Purification And Characterization Of Gcp Ii Homologous Metalloprotein From Caulobacter Crescentus, Dilani Nilushika Gigiriwala Gamage

Masters Theses

A novel zinc metalloprotease gene isolated from Caulobacter crescentus (CCM) was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. A protease database search using MEROPS predicted this protein is a homolog of Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II (GCP II), a zinc metalloprotease found in humans and many other organisms. GCP II is considered as a suitable target for treating stroke, neurological disorders and a biomarker for prostate cancer. Chromatographic purification of CCM produced pure protein in milligram quantities. Molecular weight detern1ination using MALDI-TOF showed 51,582 Da and the extinction coefficient was found to be 33,007 M"1cm·1. Metal analysis and substrate profiling showed neither sufficient …

Stability Of Heme Proteins: Cytochrome C And Horseradish Peroxidase, Mini Gupta

Masters Theses

A heme protein is a metalloprotein containing the heme prosthetic group. This prosthetic group is responsible for the wide range of biological functions found in heme proteins, from oxygen transport to electron transport. Moreover, heme proteins show a fascinating range of folding architectures, leading to their interest in research on structure-function relationships. The objective of this research in bioinorganic chemistry is to study the structural stability of two heme proteins, iron cytochrome c (Fecyt) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Absorbance spectroscopy is used to monitor the structural changes in the protein environment around the heme prosthetic group.

With just a change …

Electrochemical And Spectroscopic Characterization Of A Polypyridyl Ru(Ii) Complex Containing A Fused Alloxazine, Waynie Wilson Olaprath

Masters Theses

Phenanthroline pteridinedione (pptd) is an alloxazine derivative capable of 2e/ 2H+ transfer reactions. Coordination of pptd to a Ru(II) metal center allows for the synthesis of water-soluble metal complexes capable of being reduced by as many as 6 Hatoms making them candidates to be electrochemical mediators. This thesis describes the synthesis and characterization of pptd and [Ru(bpy)2(pptd)](PF6)2(b py = 2,2-bipyridine). The dipyrido[3,2-a: 1' ,2' -c] phenazine (d ppz) and [Ru(bpy)2(d ppz) ](PF6)2 are also synthesized and studied in order to distinguish the properties of the free and coordinated pteridinedione-based pptd ligand from the well-characterized phenazine based ligand.

Detailed cyclic voltammetry, …

Ecology And Impacts Of Lianas In Regenerating Forests, Laura Marie Ladwig

Masters Theses

Although they are important components of forest communities, the general ecology of temperate lianas, especially during forest regeneration, is largely unknown. The dependence of lianas on other plants for physical support makes them a potentially important driver of community dynamics. I examined current and past vegetation data from an old-field succession study in the Piedmont region of New Jersey, USA to determine the dynamics of liana expansion and their role in forest regeneration. Fifty years of vegetation data were utilized to determine community controls and population dynamics oflianas during expansion. Five lianas, Celastrus orbiculatus, Lonicera japonica, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, …

Aging In The Mammalian Olfactory System, Stephen Clark

Masters Theses

The purpose of this investigation was to investigate genetic and age~related differences in the mammalian olfactory system. The molecule of interest is apolipoprotein E (apoE), a component oflipoprotein molecules which functions in the transport of cell membrane components (triglycerides, lipids, and cholesterol). Specifically in the nervous system, apoE is synthesized by glial cells that function in recycling dead nervous tissue components for delivery to growing or dividing neurons. ApoE is present in three protein isofon11s: apoE2, which has been associated with type III hyperlipoproteinemia; apoE3, rhe normal human isoforrn; and apoE4, which has been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The …

Interaction Of Apoe With Estrogen In The Olfactory System During Nerve Maintenance And Recovery, Michael M. Tonsor Ii

Masters Theses

Estrogen replacement profoundly aids in nerve regeneration after injury in adult mammalian models. Estrogen replacement also protects against olfactory dysfunction in mammals. The mechanism underly1ng estrogen's neuroprotective effects remains ambiguous. My goal is to investigate and better clarify if apolipoprotein E (apoE ), a lipid transporting protein, is a critical intermediary to estrogen's effects on nerve maintenance and regeneration.

My hypothesis is that apoE is a mediator of estrogen's beneficial effects. This hypothesis is based on the following observations from previous studies. First, olfactory nerve regeneration was delayed in apoE-gene knockout (KO) mice as compared to wild type (WT) mice. …

Fragmentation Effects On Fitness In Five Common Prairie Species, Lydia Miramontes Loyd

Masters Theses

Midwest tallgrass prairies have suffered extensive habitat loss and as a result persist as isolated and highly fragmented remnants. In such small, isolated remnants, genetic drift and inbreeding depression can lead to a loss of genetic variation over time. Reduced genetic variation is often associated with reduced levels of growth, survival, and reproduction as well as increased susceptibility to stress. This study examined fitness traits of five common prairie species to determine whether plants in small fragmented remnants had reduced fitness as compared to those in a larger remnant. Five prairie species were chosen for this study based on their …