Digital Commons Network^™

Red Blood Cell Stability In Uremic Rats, Cecilia Mermel Maccallum

Theses and Dissertations

Determining the fragility of the red blood cell (RBC) is important for the diagnosis of and evaluation for treatment of several RBC diseases. In part RBC production is controlled through the hormone erythropoietin secreted by the kidney. In a previous study from this laboratory, it was found that RBC were more stable in uremic male rats compared to controls. In this experiment, uremia was induced in four groups of female rats through a two stage nephrectomy. The nephrectomy involved the removal of two-thirds of the left kidney, followed by the removal of the entire right kidney one week later. The …

A New Device For Performing Simultaneous Sterno-Thoracic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (Sst-Cpr), Deepak S. Gupta

Theses and Dissertations

There are two different physiological mechanisms that cause blood to circulate around the human body during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The "cardiac pump" generates blood flow by squeezing blood out of the heart as the sternum is depressed. The "thoracic pump" generates flow by forcing blood out of the heart and the great vessels as the intrathoracic pressure rises due to chest compression.

To date, all CPR techniques try to circulate blood during cardiac arrest by exploiting elite; the cardiac pump or the thoracic pump mechanism of blood flow. No mechanical CPR device thus far invented has tried to exploit both mechanisms …

Walking Lightly On The Planet: A Curriculum Enrichment For The Pinelands Science Unit Of The Cherry Hill Environmental Education Residency Program On Pinelands Ecology, Elaine Ruth Miller

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis project is designed to produce written curriculum materials in Pinelands ecology. The written curriculum materials produced are intended to be implemented as part of the Pinelands Science Unit of the Cherry Hill Environmental Education Residency Program, also known as CHEER.

The written curriculum materials will include pre-trip, resident trip, and follow up assessment materials and activities that follow the given format for all Cherry Hill science units. The structure of such a program will allow, if desired, interdisciplinary coordination between science, math, English and ecology that correlate with the existing CHEER program. Through this experience it is expected …

Reading The Cultural Landscape Through Necrogeography: A Study Of Graveyards And Ethnicity In Polk County, Minnesota, Verna Mae Kentner

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a necrogeographical account of the effort to ascertain, through studies of historical geography, settlement patterns, government census records, and church and cemetery records, the ethnicity of the population of Queen Township in Polk County, Minnesota. The total census population was compared to the total cemetery population to determine the percentages of Norwegians, Swedish, and other ethnic groups for the years 1900-1940. The problem was to find numerical affirmation that the percentage of ethnicity of the deceased should reflect the living population of this period.

The literature review focuses on the ethnicity, cultural landscapes, social values, visual symbolism, …

Towards Non-Tendentious Humor And Non-Violent Rebellion, Gayatri Devi

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is an investigation into the relation between humor and authority based on the distinction first articulated theoretically by Freud between tendentious and non-tendentious cases of humor. The first chapter is a fairly detailed introduction to the historical and theoretical issues that have preoccupied studies of humor. Though my study makes occasional use of linguistic insights on humor, my critical thrust is not on a linguistic analysis of humor, but to demonstrate how humor may be used successfully or unsuccessfully as an alternate idiom to aggression. The second chapter discusses the relationship of aggression to authority fundamental to the …

Play As A Learning Tool In An Inclusive Kindergarten Classroom, Catherine J. Draper

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Relationship Between Environmental Attitudes And Environmental Behaviors Among Air Force Members, Daniel T. Holt

Theses and Dissertations

A questionnaire was distributed to nearly 2,000 randomly selected active duty Air Force members assigned to locations throughout the continental United States. The survey was designed to determine the extent to which Air Force members expressed support for environmental issues. In addition, the survey measured how frequently Air Force members engaged in specific behaviors that were deemed environmentally protective. Although the Air Force members expressed relatively strong support for environmental issues, they only occasionally engaged in activities that contribute to the preservation or protection of the environment. Correlation analysis revealed that the pro-environmental attitudes were positively linked to the environmentally …

A System Dynamics Approach To Modelling The Degradation Of Biochemical Oxygen Demand In A Constructed Wetland Receiving Stormwater Runoff, Leslie A. Mudgett

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to develop a tool to aid the Air Force Environmental Manager in the identification of the design parameters of a constructed wetland system that may be optimized to provide a desired biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) removal efficiency during the treatment of Air Force stormwater runoff. The objective is achieved through the development and use of a system dynamics model which simulates the hydrological functions of a constructed wetland as well as the processes within the wetland responsible for degradation of BOD. Based on literature review, the primary mechanism responsible for the degradation of BOD …

Determining Types Of Health Effects To Persian Gulf Veterans Due To Exposure To Occupational Hazards, Rebecca A. Nelson

Theses and Dissertations

Persian Gulf Veterans' Illnesses (PGVI) consists of multiple illnesses with overlapping symptoms and causes. This research examined health effects literature concerning several occupational chemicals, to identify significant adverse health trends and assess research quality, completeness, and relevance. After compiling this knowledge base, the research focus was narrowed to Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), solvents, and pyridostigmine bromide (PB). The existing data was analyzed and compared to PGVI health data using the nonparametric statistical method of contingency table analysis to prove or disprove a link between the substance and PGVI. The results of the contingency table analysis were used to make inferences …

Multimedia And Audience: Implications For Executive Summaries, Donna M. Grudziecki

Theses and Dissertations

In an effort to put technical reports into a multimedia format, this thesis explored audience analysis and multimedia issues related to executive summaries. While multimedia has been shown to be effective at conveying complex information in certain environments, little research has been done to apply this technology to technical reporting. This thesis concentrates on the executive summary audience because the executive summary is the most read and most important section of a report. To analyze the audience, I conducted telephone interviews with report readers using an interview form I developed based on Mathes and Stevenson's guidelines for conducting an audience …

Deaf Theatre And Sign Language: Tools For Theatre Education And Production, Carol Jm Frisch

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

A Solid Surface From Which To Explore: The Executive Summary As The Frontispiece Of A Technical Hyperdocument, Alicia M. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This research analyzes the purpose and organization of a well-written executive summary, reviews the characteristics of hypermedia, and compares the strengths and weaknesses of a typical executive summary published originally on paper and now under consideration for transition to hypermedia in order to determine which elements of an executive summary are essential before effective transition to hypermedia. The executive summary of a technical report is a stand-alone description of what was done, how it was done, what the results were, why they matter, and where further information is found in the report body. Executive summaries have a wider audience than …

Chlorophyll Biosynthesis In Kleptoplastid Symbioses, Robert Joseph Swatski

Theses and Dissertations

The retention by ascoglossan sea slugs of photosynthetically functional algal chloroplasts (kleptoplastids) has been the subject of intense study over the past three decades. The question of whether kleptoplastids are capable of de novo chlorophyll biosynthesis was seemingly answered by Trench and Smith (1970) and Trench et al. (1973), who found no 14C uptake into chlorophylls in the ascoglossans, Elvsia viridis and E. crispata, after brief radioisotope incubations. However, Clark and Waugh (unpub.) demonstrated some 14C uptake into chlorophyll in CQStasiqlla ocellifera, a long-term kleptoplasad retainer, which promoted a re-analysis of these experiments. In order to prove the occurrence of …

Matthew Lyon, The Sedition Act, And Freedom Of Speech In Federalist America, Chris Allen Ingvalson

Theses and Dissertations

Very little has been written about the political career of Matthew Lyon, who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1796 to 1800. Only a few biographies of his life have been written, which has contributed to the general lack of knowledge concerning his political affairs. The purpose of this thesis, then, is to identify Matthew Lyon the man, as well as his time in history, the Federalist Era. Special attention will be dedicated to Lyon’s controversial presence in the U.S. House, his violation of the Sedition Act of 1798, and the status of freedom of speech during …

An Investigation Of The Appropriateness Of Computer-Based Instruction To The Royal Australian Air Force Ciscon Mustering, Linda M. New

Theses and Dissertations

Currently, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) uses traditional methods of training for all of its personnel, including the newly formed Communications and Information Systems Controllers (CISCON) mustering. The formation of this mustering and the concurrent formation on every RAAF base of a Base Information Systems Centre (BISC) brought to light training needs that were not being met. Using many different forms of stimulation to activate learning, computer-based instruction (CBI), in particular multimedia, represents an alternative method of presenting training.This research investigated the applicability of CBI to the RAAF by matching its features with the training needs of the CISCONs …

Nitric Oxide's Involvement In The Biphasic Effects Of The Endothelins On Prolactin Release., Debra Ann Schell

Theses and Dissertations

Endothelins (ET) are potent vasoactive peptides that are produced in brain and pituitary gland. They exert significant biphasic effects on prolactin release via direct pituitary actions. Endothelins are potent activators of nitric oxide synthase in tissues, such as vasculature and certain neuronal systems.This project tested the hypothesis that the pituitary effects of the endothelins on prolactin release are mediated through the generation of nitric oxide within the anterior pituitary gland via nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Experiments involved the measurement of nitric oxide synthase activity in dispersed anterior pituitary cells by measuring the accumulation of $\sp3$H-L-citrulline from $\sp3$H-L-arginine added to incubations …

The Occurrence Of Mosquitoes In The Central Red River Valley Area In 1992 And 1993., Wayne A. Deckert

Theses and Dissertations

The main objectives of the study were to make a current mosquito species tabulation and assess the habitat as well as the daily and seasonal variations of the extant species as well as the number of potential vector species in the area.The trapping was conducted from 20 May to 31 July 1992 and 2 July to 22 September 1993 in Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota. Mosquitoes were collected morning and evening, every 4 days, from the same 5 sites both years in 4 urban localities and 1 rural location using combination CO$\sb2$ and light traps. Twenty-six species of …

Temporal Relationship Of Stress, Cognitive Appraisal, Coping, Mood, And Menstrual Phase To Migraine Headache Activity., Cami R. Lokken

Theses and Dissertations

Migraines in women are often thought to be associated with their menstrual cycle, just as stress, appraisal, and coping are often thought to play an important role in the development and/or exacerbation of migraines. However, little is known about temporal aspects of these relationships. While a few studies have addressed the temporal issue with subsets of these variables, most studies have relied on global, retrospective assessments, rather than daily, longitudinal, prospective methods of measurement.The present study asked 20 women with migraines to monitor their headaches, stressful events, appraisal, coping, mood, and menstrual phase daily for two months. Each subject's data …

Hemoglobin Adducts, Dna Adducts, P53 Gene Mutations And Aberrant Crypts Caused By 2-Aminofluorene And/Or 3,2'-Dimethyl-4-Aminobiphenyl In Rapid And Slow Acetylator Syrian Hamsters Congenic At The Nat2 Locus., Yi Feng

Theses and Dissertations

The acetylation polymorphism in humans and many other mammals is regulated by a single gene (NAT2) encoding for a polymorphic acetyltransferase (NAT2, E.C.2.3.1.5.). Humans and hamsters segregate into rapid, intermediate, or slow acetylator phenotypes. Human epidemiological studies have suggested that acetylator phenotype is associated with higher incidence towards certain cancers, particularly in individuals exposed to high levels of carcinogenic arylamines. In order to investigate the role of the NAT2 gene in arylamine carcinogenesis, hemoglobin and DNA adducts, p53 gene mutations, and aberrant crypt formation in colon were studied in rapid and slow acetylator Syrian hamsters congenic at the NAT2 gene …

The Effects Of Verbal Ability, Text Genre, And Age On Cognitive Capacity Usage While Reading., David William Kauffman

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to examine the amount of cognitive capacity expended by young and older adults of high and low verbal ability in response to various passage characteristics utilizing a secondary task procedure. The primary task was reading narrative and expository passages while the secondary task was responding to tones which sounded periodically.Young and older subjects of high and low verbal ability were assigned to either a 600 msec tone delay or no-tone control condition. All subjects were given a simple reaction time control task. All subjects read 5 narrative and 5 expository passages presented one …

Are There Cultural Differences In The Self-Report Of Symptoms Of Pms In Adolescents?: A Comparison Study Of Chippewa Native Americans And Caucasian Americans, Shelly M. Peltier

Theses and Dissertations

Subjects completed a series of questionnaires as a means to obtain symptoms experienced across three phases of the cycle (menstrual, premenstrual, and intermenstrual). The questionnaires completed included the Demographic Data Questionnaire, the Moos' Menstrual Distress Questionnaire, the Depression Adjective Check List (Forms A and D), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Forms Y-1 and Y-2), and Index Cards for two consecutive months. There were nintey-nine (99) subjects: forty-seven (47) Caucasian American adolescents and fifty-two (52) Chippewa Native American adolescents. Two subjects were dropped from this study, one from each group, due to the exclusion criteria established prior to data collection, leaving forty-six …

Verbal Learning And Memory In Adults With Mild, Moderate And Severe Closed Head Injury, Paula J. Bergloff

Theses and Dissertations

One of the most prevalent of cognitive dysfunctions associated with closed head injury is impaired_memory function. The current study examined qualitative and quantitative aspects of learning and memory to define the effects of mild head injury in comparison to moderate and severe head injury and a sample of normal controls.

Forty five survivors of severe (n=15), moderate (n=15) and mild (n=15) closed head injury were compared with age and education matched controls (n=15) on the California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT) and the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS). On CVLT learning trials, head injured groups recalled less than controls, with the severely …

Examination Of The Putative Glucose-6-Phosphate Translocase Component, T(1), Of The Glucose-6-Phosphatase System., James Darren Foster

Theses and Dissertations

The enzyme glucose-6-phosphatase is proposed to be a system consisting of at least six components--a catalytic unit (scD-glucose-6-phosphate phosphohydrolase; EC 3.1.3.9), a stabilizing protein, and four or more specific substrate translocases, termed $\rm T\sb1$ (glucose-6-phosphate transport), $\rm T\sb2\beta$ (carbamyl phosphate, inorganic phosphate, and inorganic pyrophosphate transport), $\rm T\sb2\alpha$ (inorganic phosphate transport), and $\rm T\sb3$ (glucose transport). Several of these components have been identified and characterized, but $\rm T\sb1,$ the putative glucose-6-phosphate translocase, has not. Identification and characterization of $\rm T\sb1$ would support the current multicomponent model of the system, and substantiate the existence of a critical component of the system …

Cytoskeletal And Morphological Characterization Of Mitosis In The Cultured Adult Newt Ventricular Myocyte., Donald Gregory Matz

Theses and Dissertations

The cultured adult newt ventricular myocyte has been shown to undergo mitosis and cytokinesis in a fully differentiated state. A more complete insight into its proliferation and cellular changes in regeneration involves a better understanding of its morphology and cytoskeletal changes during mitotic events. The major advantage of cell culture of the newt cardiac myocyte is that it exhibits large chromosomes, making mitosis in myocytes easily observed by phase-contrast, epifluorescence and electron microscopy.In the present study, ventricles were enzymatically dissociated and myocardial cells were cultured on laminin-coated dishes or glass coverslips. Myocyte cultures fed modified L-15/10% FBS every other day …

The Effects Of Nicotine And Nicotine Withdrawal On Memory For Prose., Scott Joseph Krebs

Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects nicotine and withdrawal from nicotine had on memory for prose passages. Previous research has indicated that nicotine either enhances, impairs, or has no effect on memory. The present study was an attempt to clarify some of these findings.Six groups of subjects were used, including one group who were not regular smokers, and five groups of regular smokers. All subjects were matched on verbal ability and trait arousal levels. The smoking subjects were matched on habitual nicotine consumption levels and length of smoking history and either smoked a nicotine-containing cigarette (0.1mg, 0.7mg, or 1.5mg) or …

Dreams: A Translation Of Günter Eich's Träume, Ursula Meyknecht Hovet

Theses and Dissertations

This is the translation of Gunter Eich's Traume (Dreams), five radio plays, a series of fictive dreams. The individual dreams are framed and linked by narrative poems. I tried to keep Eich's style, including any proper names of the characters.

The Introduction provides a brief biography of Gunter Eich and an overview of the dreams. A short interpretation of Eich's theme(s) in the individual dreams follows the translation.

Rahq: The Evolution Of A Script Through A Rehearsal Process, Nita K. Ritzke

Theses and Dissertations

RAhq is an experiment in script creation. The intent of the work was to craft a script from research and rehearsals which would reflect the personalities of all involved. After initial research and preliminary scripting, the cast and writer/director worked together to develop scenes and characters collaboratively. The initial script was then altered to incorporate the work from rehearsals. The final script was given full production. The process was evaluated by cast, selected respondents and the writer. RAhq, when performed, is a series of rituals and images which explore the beliefs and uses of rites associated with human death. These …

A Study On The Positive Effect Of Cooperative Learning On The Status Group Problems In The Classroom, Eugene D. Tecce

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect that cooperative learning and the teaching of group norms would have on the social ranking of the low status students in the elementary school classroom.

The sample was comprised of 48 fourth grade students. A treatment group consisting of 24 students, and a comparison group of 24 students were pretested and posttested using a sociometric instrument designed to examine the interpersonal relationship patterns of the students.

Introduction of a treatment designed to change the existing pattern of interaction was given to the treatment group. The treatment group met for 18 …

Improving Reading Fluency In Elementary School Students With Assisted Reading Techniques, Leonard E. Barker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis that third grade students who participated in an assisted reading group would exhibit greater reading fluency than students who practiced repeated reading without a fluent oral model. It was also hypothesized that students who participated in an assisted reading group would exhibit fewer reading miscues than students who practiced repeated reading without a fluent oral model.

Twenty-two third grade students were randomly assigned to one of two groups. There were eleven students in the experimental group and eleven students in the control group. The class read a one hundred word …

A Study Of Computer On-Line Regulation: Advertising, Copyright, Free Speech, Libel And Privacy, Frances Josephsen

Theses and Dissertations

This research project concerned identifying and detailing current and needed laws governing on-line communication.

Through a representative literature review, the author compiled a list of industry leaders for interview via electronic mail.

The author surveyed 35 individuals to gather public opinion on the following areas: advertising, copyright, free speech, libel and privacy. The author looked for general opinions and attitudes.

The author analyzed the content of each response using simple frequencies and searched for commonalities within the survey sample responses.

The study identifies public opinion regarding current on-line communication policy. However, answers and recommendations concerning on-line law were not found. …