Digital Commons Network^™

A Comparison Of Field-Delineated Wetlands To The New Jersey Freshwater Wetland Maps, David P. Moskowitz

Theses

A comparison of the New Jersey Freshwater Wetland maps to field-delineated wetlands was undertaken to assess the accuracy of the Freshwater Wetland maps. The evaluation revealed substantial differences in the amount of wetland acreage on the Freshwater Wetland maps compared to field-verified wetlands. Forty study sites comprising 21,877 acres (8,854h) were evaluated. Of these, twenty-seven were overmapped (more wetland acreage than was field-verified), and thirteen were undermapped. Forty-three percent had mapping discrepancies at or above fifty percent; when modified land designations were included as wetlands, the number of sites at this threshold increased to fifty percent.

Paper copies of the …

Integration Of Multi Lifecycle Assessment And Design For Environment Database Using Relational Moddel Concepts, Bhagyashree Suratran

Theses

Multi-lifecycle Assessment (MLCA) systematically considers and quantifies the consumption of resources and the environmental impact associated with a product or process. Design challenges posed by a multi-lifecycle strategy are significantly more complex than traditional product design. The designer must look forward in time to maximize the product's end-of-life yield of assemblies, parts and materials while looking backward to the world of existing products for feedstock sources for the current design. As MLCA and DEE share some common data items, such as, part geometry, material and manufacturing process, it is advantageous to integrate the database for MLCA and DEE. The integration …

Measurement Of Microcarrier Weighted Floc Using The Environmental Electron Microscope, Viriya Vithayaveroj

Theses

Utilizing the concept of coagulation in conjunction with the sediment enhancement by microcarrier, the microcarrier process has been demonstrated in a laboratory investigation as an effective and economic operation in removing colloidal particles in an aquatic system. The microcarrier, an inert aluminum silicate particulate (Ottawa Sand) of 53 to 75 micrometers in diameter was used in this study. The interaction between the flocs and the microcarriers plays an important role in the mixing process. The principal objective of this study is to examine the structural interaction between the flocs and the microcarrier.

The study was designed into two stages, the …

A Visualization System For Information Retrieval And Mining In High Dimensional Databases, Xinhuan Zheng

Theses

In this thesis, we present a search engine capable of giving good heuristic answers to the queries on a structural database. A structural database holds structural objects, e.g., protein secondary and tertiary structures, 3D molecules, phylogenetic trees, neuroanatomical networks, parse trees, CAD/CAM parts, and XML documents. Answering queries on such databases often requires solving variants of the graph isomorphism or subisomorphism problems. We also describe a graphic user interface which interacts with users to facilitate visualizing query results. We use 3D molecules (graphs) as illustrating examples, though our prototype is able to handle many other different types of structural data.

Investigation Of The Relevance Of Heart Rate Variability Changes After Heart Transplantation, Sheeba Arnold

Theses

Heart transplantation has become an established treatment for end-stage heart disease. However, the shortage of donor organs is a major problem and long-term results are limited by allograft rejection. Heart rate variability (HRV) has emerged as a popular noninvasive research tool in cardiology. Analysis of HRV is regarded as a valid technique to assess the sympathovagal balance of the heart. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the relevance of heart rate variability changes after heart transplantation. It was found that spectral analysis of HRV is useful in detecting rejection episodes. Heart transplantation leaves the donor heart denervated. …

A Thumb On The Scale : Biological Determinism And The Essays Of Stephen Jay Gould, Kevin F. Ryan

Theses

Biological determinism is a field of scientific theory that attributes human behavior, relationships, and social structures predominantly to hereditary and biological rather than cultural and environmental influences. In almost twenty-five years of published essays, the Harvard evolutionary biologist, Stephen Jay Gould, has sounded an alarm that biological determinism-through its scientific rationalization of slavery, eugenic sterilization, Nazi atrocity, and more subtle forms of injustice perennially poses a real and dangerous threat to humanity. This thesis explores the career-long anti-hereditarian thread permeating Gould's published works on evolutionary history and the history of science. Gould's assertions regarding the cultural embeddedness of science are …

To Who Or What Do We Owe Sustainable Development? A Search For An Ethical Framework For Sustainable Development, Mia Soderlund

Theses

This thesis focuses on the ethical dimension of sustainable development as described in the Bruntland report. According to this report, we do have certain moral obligations to future generations. This thesis asks whether traditional moral philosophy, such as utilitarian and contractarian theories, can justify moral obligations to future generations, and if they can serve as ethical frameworks for sustainable development.

The basic idea with sustainable development is to create a balance between society, the environment and the economy. If the environment is ascribed instrumental value, which is the case with traditional moral philosophy then there is no balance, because its …

Intelligent Process For Uasb Reactors, Sita Mohan

Theses

The Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor is widely used for the anaerobic treatment of concentrated municipal / industrial wastewaters and sludges. Ability to handle high organic loading rates and cost effectiveness are often the most cited merits of the UASB process. Numerous mathematical models have been developed to describe the process and mechanistic phenomena in these systems. However, evidence in the literature of these models having been applied, either as control or diagnostic tools is limited. The use of intelligent process control mechanisms can greatly ease problems associated with operating these reactor systems.

The objective of this study is …

Rendering Multispectral Data As Useful 'Super-Visual' Images, Matthew Gypson

Theses

Due to the nature of mulitspectral images, it is difficult to present all available information in a single image. This study addresses the need for data compression, to enable faster and easier evaluation of a subject containing important details in a wide spectral range. The specific aim of this research is to construct algorithms to in effect compress sampled wide-band electromagnetic data into the visible range. This will present maximum image details within a final color image. The developed compression scheme aims to achieve the high efficiency while keeping the best quality of image subjects. Ancient documents (from the Dead …

The Personality Trait Of Hardiness As It Relates To Bereavement, Janice Dianne Davis

Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between one personality factor concerning the beliefs about one's world to the resolution of grief. The question to be studied was whether unresolved grief was related to levels of hardiness. Thirty individuals served as subjects for this study. They completed the Resolution of Grief Instrument and the Hardiness Scale. Results of the Pearson product-moment correlation showed that a negative relationship exists between hardiness levels and the resolution of grief

The Molecular Characterisation Of Selected Epidemic Associated Gram Negative Pathogens In Southern Ireland, Mairéad Daly

Theses

This study was undertaken to evaluate various molecular techniques for the analysis of Gram negative bacterial associated epidemics. The first investigation dealt with bovine mastitis outbreaks, where the causative agent was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Epidemiological findings, suggested that all herds were infected from teat wipes that were contaminated with this organism. Initial investigations using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), indicated a possible clonal relationship between all outbreak linked strains, with one exception. This finding was confirmed following pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and ribotype analysis. PCR was again employed to study a rather unusual epidemic, involving Salmonella tel-el-kebir over a …

Whole Genome Sequencing Of L.Monocytogenes And L.Innocua : A Basis For Comparative Genomics Of The Genus Listeria, Rachel Purcell

Theses

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram-positive, food-borne human and animal pathogen. L.innocua is a non-pathogenic species the most closely related to L. monocytogenes. Comparative genomics between a pathogenic and a closely related non-pathogenic species is a powerful approach for identifying genes or regions on the chromosome, which might be involved in virulence. Therefore whole genome sequencing of these two organisms was undertaken. The strategy used was based on a random approach combined with end-sequencing of a medium insert library for the finishing phase. Based on the available sequence data for these two species an in silico analysis for the presence of …

The Death Of Privacy, Darren W. Bax

Theses

This thesis will focus on the issue of personal privacy and the growing threat to its existence in a technological society.

The areas most associated with privacy loss include increased government intrusions, legislation, workplace, healthcare industry, Internet, and identity theft. Chapter one provides a historical perspective beginning with primitive culture and their struggle to maintain privacy in the lives. Interesting enough, privacy protection was not mentioned by the judicial system until 1880 when privacy was defined as the "right to be left alone." To address concerns about privacy reform the Supreme Court cited this right of privacy as having " …

Evolutionary Algorithms For Solving Large Time Dependent Traveling Salesman Problems, Leonard J. Testa

Theses

This thesis presents an evolutionary algorithm (EA) to efficiently solve large instances of the time dependent travelling salesman problem (TDTSP). In this approach, the path the salesman must follow is structured as an ordered list of cities. The path may optionally have two kinds of constraints. Precedence constraints specify that a specific city must be visited before another specific city. "Time windows" specify the time at which specific cities must be visited. This work demonstrate that EAs are more effective than traditional methods, such as linear or dynamic programming, for solving general TDTSPs of up to 50 cities. This thesis …

Project Iris: Image Reconstruction Of The Iris Spectrally, Joseph Unander

Theses

The basic motivation behind this project is a highly accurate representation of the human iris, to be injected into a virtual model of the human eyeball. A highly accurate brightness level recording can be easily obtained with a high quality digital camera. Color, however, is an entirely different matter. Photography in the traditional sense entertains all sorts of color inaccuracies, mostly related to the chemical process of development. Digital photography presents gamma and metameric problems, since the exact conditions of the capturing event cannot easily be duplicated. However, the spectral radiance of an object can be captured, utilizing a spectrophotometer …

Is There A Relationship Between Perceived Spousal Support And Marital Satisfaction Of Female Graduate School Students?, Kelle M. Mccallum

Theses

Deciding to return to graduate school as an adult student creates another role for an individual to fulfill Studies have shown that women. especially. feel role strain or conflict more than men when returning to school Little research has been done on the role the woman's spouse plays in her attempts to complete her degree. This correlational study examined perceived spousal support and marital satisfaction among female graduate school students. Thirty-nine female students volunteered for this study. The volunteers completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale and the Student Relationships Questionnaire The results suggest there is a significant relationship between perceived spousal …

Effects Of Father-Absence On Male Sex Role, Terri L. Portrell

Theses

This study explored the effects that the presence or absence of a father living in the household has on the sex-role development of male children. With an increasing number of males being reared in fatherless, mother-headed families, it is important to understand this phenomenon. Seventy-two male college students, ages 18 to 25, were subjects. Thirty-six were raised in father-present households, while thirty-six were raised in father-absent, mother-headed households. The Bern Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI) was employed to assess each subject's sex-role. Past research suggests that males reared without fathers in the home develop a less masculine sex-role orientation and are far …

Differences In Perceived Parental Nurturance Between At Risk High School Male Adolescents And Male Bright Flight College Freshman Students, Elizabeth A. Rudin

Theses

This study investigates differences in perceived parental nurturance between two distinct groups: at-risk high school male adolescents and academically successful male Bright Flight college freshmen. Using the Parental Nurturance Scale (PNS), the researcher measured each participant’s perception of parental care and support. The hypothesis proposed that at-risk adolescents would perceive significantly lower levels of nurturance compared to their college-bound counterparts. Participants included 15 at-risk students from a midwestern alternative high school and 15 Bright Flight freshmen attending a private university, each selected for their contrasting academic and behavioral profiles.

Findings confirmed the hypothesis: Bright Flight students reported notably higher levels …

A Comparison Of Behavior Of Children Of Two Parent Families And Children Of Single Parents And Divorced Parents In The Elementary Classroom Setting, Fran Marlene Sprous

Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the classroom behavior of students from single and divorced homes to behavior of students from intact two parent homes. The study was designed to examine students' delinquent/problem behaviors. In this study four third grade classes were randomly selected from a Midwestern public school district. The teachers were instructed to observe their students (n=90) for one month. Of the 90 students, 48 were males and 42 were females. After one month the teachers were asked to complete the Behavior Scale-2 on the 90 students. Results suggest that there is a significant …

Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity, And Depression, Jeanne Marie Goacher

Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of depression that is going untreated in adolescents with an Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis. This study included high school age students (grades 9-12) who either had a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, had never been diagnosed with depression, and who have never been treated for depression and another group who did not have a diagnosis of either ADD/ ADHD or depression. After obtaining parental permission, through a questionnaire format, the students were given the Beck Depression Inventory. A Chi-Square was performed to …

The Redesignment Of An Acute Inpatient Dual Diagnosis Unit, Irene Harris Griggs

Theses

This project will focus on the study of mental illness and chemical abuse/dependence as it has progressed into the entity of dual diagnosis or what experts consider co-existing or co-occurring disorders.

Research has revealed the increase in the number of individuals suffering from co-occurring illnesses since the early 1980's. Because this condition has become the norm rather than the exception, it becomes necessary to focus more clearly on individuals that are diagnosed with this illness and on the most effective treatment in order to assist the individual in recovery.

Individuals have had co-existing or co-occurring disorders prior to the early …

Intensity Of Grief And Belief In Personal Control, Diana M. Alferink

Theses

Much research has focused on stress and its consequences. Some studies have indicated personal control helps an individual handle stress better and remain healthier. Little research, however, has examined the role personal control plays in bereavement as a stressful life event. This correlational study examined the relationship between belief in personal control and grief intensity experienced from losing a loved one to death. Volunteer subjects primarily from Grief Support Groups completed the Belief in Personal Control Scale and the Texas Revised Grief Inventory Results demonstrated some instances when higher belief in personal control resulted in lower intensity of grief in …

The Effect Of The Environment On Office Worker Productivity And Creativitiy, Karen D. Clark

Theses

This paper will explore the effect of the physical and human environment on office worker creativity and productivity.

The study will begin with a discussion of creativity, addressing questions such as: Why do we want creative employees? What value to they bring to an organization? Can the elements that enhance creativity in office workers also enhance productivity? How is creativity enhanced? Why is it that many organizations successfully stifle creativity, thus hampering employee morale and productivity?

Research has shown that the physical environment affects workers' ability to think and function effectively. There is a basic need for aesthetics as a …

Intimacy In Men: The Androgynous Male, Melissa Jane Hillig

Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between intimacy and masculinity in men. Subjects completed the Bern Sex Role Inventory (BSRI). The scores were then correlated with levels of intimacy, as measured by the Miller Social Intimacy Scale (MSIS). The scores were determined for sixty-two male. middle class, volunteers, aged eighteen and above. The outcome of the study showed a significant inverse correlation between intimacy and masculinity, and a modest positive correlation between femininity and intimacy. Androgynous individuals reported a significantly higher degree of intimacy than masculine individuals.

Secondary Traumatic Stress In Law Enforcement Personnel, William Carl Heusler

Theses

This study was designed to add to the body of empirical knowledge about law enforcement occupational stress utilizing the compassion fatigue/compassion satisfaction model developed by Figley and Stamm. The predictions that intimate contact with trauma victims will increase the risk for compassion fatigue and burnout was evaluated yielding results that established no difference between law enforcement personnel with direct contact and those that had little or no contact with trauma victims. The suggestion that secondary trauma has a cumulative effect on persons exposed over time was also investigated showing that in this population of police officers, a cumulative impact did …

Effects Of Nonstandard Work Schedules On Marital Satisfaction Among Law Enforcement Officers, Annette Marie Jansen

Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a difference in level of marital satisfaction among police officers who worked standard hours (day shift) and those who worked nonstandard hours (afternoon/midnight shifts). Thirty police officers employed during standard hours, and 33 police officers employed during nonstandard hours were administered a demographic questionnaire and the Index of Marital Satisfaction Inventory. Scores were tabulated and it was concluded that there was not a significant difference in marital satisfaction among the two groups (t = -.483; p = .631).

A Study Of Death Anxiety And The Near Death Experience, Wanza J. Borgmeyer

Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the level of death anxiety displayed by people who have experienced Near Death Experiences (NDEs) to the level of death anxiety displayed by people who have not experienced NDEs. The Near Death Experiencers were drawn from members of the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) and others contacted through mutual acquaintances. The subjects were requested to complete the Near-Death Experience scale developed by Dr. Bruce Greyson as well as the Templer Death Anxiety Scale (TDAS) developed by Donald I. Templer. Completing the Near Death Experience Scale helped to identify subjects for the …

An Investigation Of Social Skill Group Counseling Intervention With At-Risk Students, Kathy A. Bennett

Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits of teaching social skills to a group of 14 at-risk kindergarten students that were identified by their classroom teachers as exhibiting social skills deficits. A pre-test and post-test experimental design was devised using the Social Skills Direct Observation by Sheridan (1997). Students participated in a group social ski11s training program for five weeks. A statistical comparison between the pre and post test data was then performed by means of a nonparametric procedure. Results of the Wilcoxon's Matched Pairs-Signed-Ranks Test were indicative of positive gains in the students' acquisition of social …

A Comparison Of Body-Esteem In Adolescent Girls Between The Hutterite And Mainstream Western Cultures, Amanda Ann Walgren

Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural basis of body-esteem and negative body image in adolescent females. This study focused on the differences between the culture of the Hutterites, an Anabaptist communal society, and the mainstream Western culture in the same geographic area. The Body-Esteem Scale (Mendelson & White, 1982) was administered to 35 Hutterite and 31 mainstream girls between the ages of 12 and 17. The Hutterite girls were found to have significantly higher body-esteem scores than the mainstream girls. These findings add to the vast amount of research linking body-esteem to cultural factors. Several possible …

A Study Of The Relationship Of Self-Efficacy Of Adolescent Females In A Single-Sex School Versus A Coeducational School, Margaret Wolf

Theses

This study examined the self-efficacy of adolescent girls and its relation to the type of high school they attended, whether it was single-sex or coeducational. A convenient, volunteer sample was used from two high schools in the metropolitan area of St. Louis, Missouri. The 234 adolescents surveyed, ranged from 15 to 18 years of age. The participants were administered the Self-efficacy Scale (SES) after parental permission was received. The two schools conducted the surveys during religion classes. An independent t-test showed that there was a significant difference in the self-efficacy of adolescent females who attend single-sex schools and those who …