Digital Commons Network^™

A Cercla-Based Decision Model To Support Remedy Selection For An Uncertain Volume Of Contaminants At A Doe Facility, Christine E. Kerschus

Theses and Dissertations

The Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP) operated by the Department of Energy is challenged with selecting the appropriate remediation technology to cleanup contaminants at Waste Area Group (WAG) 6. This research utilizes value focused thinking and multi attribute preference theory concepts to produce a decision analysis model designed to aid the decision makers in their section process. The model is based on CERCLA's five primary balancing criteria, tailored specifically to WAG 6 and the contaminants of concern, utilizes expert opinion and the best available engineering, cost, and performance data, and accounts for uncertainty in contaminant volume. The model ranks 23 …

A Comparison Of Movements And Burrow Usage Between Indigenous And Relocated Gopher Tortoises (Gopherus Polyphemus) In A Fall Line Sandhills Community, Dorinda Morpeth

Theses and Dissertations

The movements and burrow use of twenty (ten relocated and ten indigenous to the relocation site) adult gopher tortoises {Gopherus polyphemus) were followed during the late spring, summer and early autumn in Talbot County, Georgia. The objectives of this study were to determine whether relocated gopher tortoises developed fidelity to a relocation site, and whether indigenous tortoises reacted adversely to relocated tortoises released in their proximity. Ten tortoises in the right-of-way of a highway construction project were captured, fitted with transmitters, and relocated to a 336 hectare tract of land, 3.2 km east of Geneva, Talbot, County, Georgia. Concurrently, ten …

Four Girls Respond To Young Adult Horror Fiction, Betty Silliman

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study provides insight into the separate reading experience of four adolescent girls as each engaged in the reading and discussion of a popular, self-selected young adult horror novel. The analysis and interpretation of data focused on the appeal of texts and the sociological implications of the reading experience. While questions regarding the appeal of young adult horror fiction grew from work with adolescent female horror readers, the social dimension of the inquiry stemmed from concerns of critical literacy theorists with regard to the ideological content of texts and its potential to shape readers into accepting dominant views.

Data …

Effects Of Expert Statement Validity Assessment Testimony On Lay Evaluations Of Children's Statements, Marcus Choi Tye

Theses and Dissertations

Research on memory and suggestibility in children continues to demonstrate circumstances under which children may not give accurate accounts of important events. In investigating and treating child sexual abuse, it is important to determine what has happened. Statement Validity Assessment is a witness credibility assessment technique developed by Udo Undeutsch which focuses on the reality of individual statements. It involves a special open-ended investigative interview, Criteria-Based Content Analysis, which searches for the presence of characteristics which indicate that a statement is based on an experienced event, and a Validity Checklist which examines alternate hypotheses. This technique has been widely used …

Ecology Of Bighorn Sheep In Relation To Habitat And Oil Development In The Little Missouri Badlands., Roger Sayre

Theses and Dissertations

I conducted field research on bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis californiana) in western North Dakota to evaluate their distribution, habitat use, activity patterns, and responses to disturbance. The study was conducted May-December from 1992-94, at Magpie Creek, an area with a high density of roads and oil wells, and Moody Plateau, with a low density of roads and oil wells.Radio-collared ewes (n = 8) at Magpie Creek used steep non-vegetated terrain more than available during summer, but less than available during fall. They used closed juniper areas less than available during summer and fall, but used disturbed habitats more than available …

Environmental Radon Decay Products In Neurological Diseased And Non-Diseased Brains, And Brains Of Cigarette Smokers., Hassaan Ahmad Alkhatib

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this study was to measure alpha and beta emissions of $\sp{210}$Po (alpha emissions), $\sp{210}$Pb and $\sp{210}$Bi (beta emissions) from brain samples which were obtained at autopsy from persons who were clinically diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), or Controls (no known neurological diseases) and cigarette smokers (SMK). The samples were digested, processed and analyzed for alpha and beta emissions.Measurement of alpha and beta radiation activity in tissues can be used to demonstrate prior exposure of tissues to environmental radioisotopes and/or their decay products. In the present study alpha emissions from brain tissues were measured with …

Poetry And Science-Symbiosis: Integrated Lessons At The Elementary Level., Lucia Ann Schroeder

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine what occurs when poetry reading and writing are integrated with constructivist methods for teaching science in fifth-grade classes. The perceptions and responses of the students and their teacher during and after the lessons were primary concerns.A synthesis of the major findings from the literature review indicated that scientists and poets share curiosity, wonder, and the abilities to observe carefully and create accurate descriptions. Process approaches and emphasis on constructivist learning were teaching methods common to both areas. Positive attitudes in the classroom and sharing of similar concepts and educational goals were factors …

Abroad Again: Explorations Within The Genre Of Travel Writing., Marielle Risse

Theses and Dissertations

Travel writing is a critical subject of study as it is a place where so many fields overlap, including autobiography, fiction, historical records, geography, political science, sociology, and anthropology. From early writers, including the European pilgrim Etheria c. 385 C.E. and the Muslim contemporary of Marco Polo, Abdallah ibn Battuta, to present day authors, travelers have written interesting and important books about areas new to them.As the starting points to my discussion of the genre of travel writing, I use two of the most important studies within the field: Paul Fussell's Abroad: British Literary Travel Writing between the Wars (1980) …

A Survey Of The 1997 Whitesbog Preservation Trust Membership To Determine Motivational Factors That Successfully Encouraged Members To Join Or Renew Membership In Whitesbog Preservation Trust, Patricia L. Frasier

Theses and Dissertations

A survey was conducted to determine what factors successfully motivated members to join or renew membership in the Whitesbog Preservation Trust (a.k.a. the Trust). The survey was sent to 127 members who responded to the 1997 annual membership letter sent in December 1996. Of the 127 members who received the survey, 70 responded.

The survey asked respondents to identify the Seasonal Series event or other factor(s) that motivated them to become or renew membership in the Trust. The survey also included a section on demographics for the purpose of analyzing the data. The statistical analysis of the survey was done …

A Study Of Selected Hebrew High Schools In Cherry Hill, New Jersey To Determine How They Confront The Problem Of Assimilation In The American Jewish Community, Linda Friedman

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the goals and curricula of two supplementary Hebrew high schools and questions whether they changed their focus after the release of the 1990 Council of Jewish Federations' National Jewish Population Survey, which cited a 52% rate of intermarriage since 1985. The study investigates the synagogues' response to the reported 52% rate of intermarriage, as well as the response of the south Jersey Jewish community as a whole. It probes successful strategies for synagogues and their staff to increase the retention rate of their post bar/bat mitzvah students, through their confirmation.

By means of interviews with rabbis, principals, …

The Effects Of Print Advertising Campaigns On Consumers' Attitudes Towards Physician Primary Care Practices Affiliated With Jefferson Health System, Maryann Lobianco

Theses and Dissertations

Due to managed care, the recent, rapid changes in healthcare forced hospitals to form health systems by joining with other hospitals and individual physician practices. As these health systems form, the competition for patients increases as does the need to keep consumers abreast of the changes within the forming health systems.

As a result, both health systems and physician practices launched advertising campaigns to reach these consumers. These campaigns must be tested for their effectiveness.

Two major healthcare competitors, Jefferson Health System and Main Line Health System, recently affiliated and formed Great Valley Health, which is a physician primary care …

Hydrocatalysis: A New Energy Paradigm For The 21st Century, Peter Mark Jansson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis will review the problems of worldwide energy supply, describe the current technologies that meet the energy needs of our industrial societies, summarize the environmental impacts of those fuels and technologies and their increased use by a growing global and increasingly technical economy. This work will also describe and advance the technology being developed by BlackLight Power, Inc. [BLP], a scientific company located in Malvern, Pennsylvania. BLP's technology purports to offer commercially viable and useful heat generation via a previously unrecognized natural phenomenon - the catalytic reduction of the hydrogen atom to a lower energy state. A review of …

A Study On The Differences Of Teaching Mathematics And Science Separately And Integrated, Dori Rodgers

Theses and Dissertations

This study determined if teaching science and mathematics with an integrated approach would increase students' achievement. It also determined whether males or females achieved higher in science and mathematics when taught with the integrated approach. as compared to teaching the two disciplines separately. It determined whether the attitudes of the fourth grade students improved when mathematics and science were taught with an integrated approach.

The group participating in this study consisted of one fourth grade class. The total population of the study was sixteen fourth grade, heterogeneously grouped students. The class consisted of twelve female and four male students.

For …

Promoting Student Interest In The Whole Language Reading Program For Grades 4-6 In Somers Point, Nj, Including An Annotated Bibliography, Diane M. Drayer

Theses and Dissertations

A reading interest survey was conducted in an attempt to evaluate the whole language reading program in the intermediate grades 4-6. The survey was distributed to seventeen 4-6 grade classes, and students were asked to record their favorite books of the past year. Novels that are a part of our whole language reading program overwhelmingly ranked as student favorites. The survey resulted in the conclusion that literature in our reading program interested students the most.

Based on this information, an annotated bibliography was created for each novel read as part of our whole language program in Somers Point, Thematically-related complementary …

An Annotated Bibliography For The Jewish Holocaust Curriculum For Aura School, Elk Township, N.J., Eileen May Goodman

Theses and Dissertations

With the adoption of the New Jersey State Mandate for teaching Jewish Holocaust Education and other genocides, a curriculum was written for Aura School. To complete the project and make the literature easily accessible, an annotated bibliography of books related to Holocaust studies was constructed for the school to assist the student as well as the teaching staff.

After reviewing the curriculum from the State of New Jersey as well as the one written for Aura School, a compiling of recommended books from the school library was formulated. Subjects other than the Holocaust were referenced, such as: World War II, …

Law Libraries And The Layperson: A Bibliography Of Self-Help Books, Kristen M. Mckeaney

Theses and Dissertations

Although the goal of a comprehensive legal library is to be a resource to professionals and the general public, the issue of providing legal assistance to laypersons via the library is a complex one. Compiling the legal resources to benefit the lay public is challenging. This paper attempts to systematically identify and suggest resources following pre-set criteria of affordability, content usefulness, timeliness and reasonableness of management.

The primary form of this paper is a bibliography following a subject specific format. The bibliography is further defined into sections of legal reference books, internet sites, legal directories, general references and agencies. The …

A Study Of The N-Body Problem In Celestial Mechanics For College Students, John Atsu-Swanzy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to investigate simple solutions of the many-body problem otherwise known as the n-body problem. The study focuses on elementary solutions of the n-body problem that can be understood by undergraduate students and college preparatory students of applied. mathematics.

Historical origins of the problems were traced to the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and Greeks. Further development and interest dated back to the time of Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, and finally to Newton who proposed its modern form.

Analytical and numerical solutions of specific n-body problems were solved to demonstrate solvability of certain types of n-body problems. Analytical …

A Comparison Of Cognitive Moral Reasoning Among Selected Ncaa Division Ii Intercollegiate Coaches And Athletes, Richard Allan Goeb

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the cognitive moral reasoning of NCAv5 Division II coaches and athletes. The Hahm-Beller Values Choice Inventory (HBVCI) (Hahm, Beller, & Stoll, 1989) was used to assess the perceived responses of collegiate coaches and athletes in moral situations using sport scenarios. Specific comparisons included athletes and coaches, female and male athletes, coaches of female and male sports, individual and team sports among athletes, and individual and team sports among coaches. Secondary research was conducted to compare differences among women’s basketball, women's track, men’s basketball, and men's wrestling.

Twenty-eight sport teams consisting of 56 …

The Relationship Between Observation And Total Aircraft And Simulator Training Times In Aviation Instruction, Scott P. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This study takes an initial examination of the paired student flight training methodology used by the Aviation Department of the University of North Dakota's Center for Aerospace Sciences from the standpoint of observational learning. An analysis was performed on the relationship between observation time and total flight and simulator time logged by students in the completion of particular flight courses. The study involved student flight records from four flight courses ranging from primary to advanced pilot training, over a time period from the Fall of 1994 to the Spring of 1996.

It was found that only one of the relationships …

Developmental Taxonomy And Distribution Of Paralarval Squid From The Florida Current, Carrie Leeonne Adams

Theses and Dissertations

Distribution patterns of paralarval squid across the continental shelf of Florida were examined based on five years of collections. Squid occurrence patterns were described in relation to coastal, intermediate, and Florida Current (Gulf Stream) water masses by comparing horizontal and vertical distribution patterns of squid species to physical-chemical distribution patterns Twenty-six squid taxa were collected in this study. Representative taxonomic descriptions and illustrations of all taxa were produced to serve as an identification aid for the paralarval squid from the Florida shelf. Patterns of species composition among stations were analyzed with cluster analysis based on four sampling approaches. Species distribution …

A Qualitative Study Of A College Visual Arts Course: A Multicultural Perspective, Jacqueline A. Badman

Theses and Dissertations

The United States is a multicultural place. With its ever increasing cultural and ethnic diversity, multicultural education is important. Since the visual arts have always been produced and perceived within cultures and offer students unique opportunities to explore human expression and experience, the analysis of an introductory art course taught within a multicultural context at a Midwestern university was a sensible starting point. This was especially timely since little research exists in relation to the visual arts taught from a multicultural perspective at the higher education level, and more theoretical works regarding multicultural visual arts exist than do actual studies. …

Distribution And Success Of Galling Insects On Upland Willow (Salix Humilis) In Itasca State Park, Minnesota, Erik J. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

A comparison was made of the distribution of six galling insects on varying-sized shoots and different ages of their host plant, Salix humilis. Survivorship of the most numerous galler, Iteyomia salicifolia, was used to determine if host use patterns were correlated with galler success. In northern Minnesota, all six gallers were non-randomly distributed among shoots of different length; each occurred at greater numbers than expected on the longest shoots. Two of the six gallers were at higher densities on juvenile ramets of S. humilis, than on mature ones. Densities did not vary between juvenile and mature clones.

A comparison was …

Annotated Bibliography Of Asian Literature, Lisa Brownback

Theses and Dissertations

Many changes have happened in the world. One change is the growing curiosity of other cultures. One way to learn about other cultures is through literature. The purpose of this thesis is to present an annotated bibliography of Asian literature for the public library. Since Asia covers a large area, this thesis will only view literature from India, China, and Japan.

Two public libraries, two college libraries, and reference books were examined to get an impression of books that should be in a public library. To be able to pick constantly the best books, a library needs a selection policy. …

Making The Transition: Fixed To Flexible Scheduling In Elementary School Media Centers, Karen L. Enggren, Mary P. Henderson

Theses and Dissertations

Because of dissatisfaction with their programs, two Manchester Township elementary school library media specialists made a change from fixed scheduling to flexible scheduling in their media centers, This project relates the step-by-step process used to make the transformation. Extensive research was conducted and utilized to support the change and to gain endorsement from the administration. Curriculum revision, including the restructuring of research skills, was the next part of the transition. The implementation of the program was a slow, steady process which relied on cooperative planning and the support of the teachers. The last part of this paper includes evaluation and …

Practical Applications Of The Internet As A Research Tool For Students In Grades K-8, Mary Moyer

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to illustrate practical applications of the Internet as a research tool for students in grades K-8 at Logan Township Elementary School in Swedesboro, NJ, through a multimedia presentation. While there are many educational uses of the Internet for students, this study focused on E-Mail and research capabilities. Specific Internet projects that were incorporated into the elementary curriculum are highlighted and explored through HyperStudio, a multimedia computer software program. Text and graphics describing and illustrating the practical applications of the Internet, along with audio clips with student and teacher comments detailing the benefits to the …

Instructional Lessons For Online Circulation Through The Use Of A Local Area Network In The School Library Media Center, Michael Shea Dennison

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this paper was to provide the researcher with the opportunity to develop valuable experience and knowledge regarding local area networks in school library media centers.

The researcher focused on the following areas: (1) school visitations to observe and acquire hands-on experiences on how local area networks are used in school and library media center situations, (2) an analysis of the researcher's individual library media center to conduct a comparison of the districts that school visitations took place in order to determine what is necessary to further develop a more adequate local area network, (3) the design and …

African American Children's Literature: Past And Present, Annie L. Freeman

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines and analyzes the history of African American children's literature, which began in the 1890s, and highlighted negative stories written by whites about African Americans. It progresses to the 1990s, and highlights warm, rich, stories with similar background experiences, written by and about African Americans.

This thesis discusses the lack of African American children's literature, and the difficulty in finding it in quantities: in libraries, bookstores, or book reviews.

Because of the lack of cultural literature in abundance for African American children, social portraits experienced by African American children in children's literature are generally representative of those expressed …

Integrating Technology Into The Library Curriculum Of Grades Four Through Eight For The Lower Alloways Creek Elementary School, Deborah A. Wesolek

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to develop a library curriculum guide for grades four through eight for the Lower Alloways Creek Elementary School, Salem, New Jersey.

Prior to this guide, the library curriculum for Lower Alloways Creek Elementary School consisted of an outdated skills array. It no longer met the needs of the students or the staff of the school. With the addition of an automated circulation and catalog system, as well as CD-ROM, and the Internet, it became clear that the curriculum must be redeveloped, revised and thoroughly updated to include these new technologies. This will assist in …

A Comparative Review Of Oppositional Defiant Disorder And Conduct Disorder, Denise Martell

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Learning Needs Of People Over The Age Of 60., M. Wayne Alexander

Theses and Dissertations

U.S. citizens remain healthy as they live to increasingly older ages. How shall the growing number of older people fill their expanding leisure time? Do they need to engage in learning activities in order to keep their wits about them? Which learning activities do they want? How do they want them structured? Which methods should their teachers use? What type of academic opportunities does higher education provide to older people? What causes the activities available to differ from those desired? Which goods and services do the aged need to help them take advantage of higher education opportunities?To investigate these issues …