Digital Commons Network^™

No Child Left Behind: The Impact On Special Education Teachers At The Secondary Level, Stacey E. Gofberg

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative investigation was to explore how the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) has impacted special education teachers at the secondary level. Two research strategies were used for this study. First, surveys were given to eleven special education teachers at a southern New Jersey high school. Then, a veteran teacher and a novice teacher at the high school were interviewed. It was found that participants generally endorsed the overarching goals of NCLB, but they did not believe that all of the requirements were realistic for students with disabilities. Based on these …

A Unified Alert Fusion Model For Intelligent Analysis Of Sensor Data In An Intrusion Detection Environment, Ambareen Siraj

Theses and Dissertations

The need for higher-level reasoning capabilities beyond low-level sensor abilities has prompted researchers to use different types of sensor fusion techniques for better situational awareness in the intrusion detection environment. These techniques primarily vary in terms of their mission objectives. Some prioritize alerts for alert reduction, some cluster alerts to identify common attack patterns, and some correlate alerts to identify multi-staged attacks. Each of these tasks has its own merits. Unlike previous efforts in this area, this dissertation combines the primary tasks of sensor alert fusion, i.e., alert prioritization, alert clustering and alert correlation into a single framework such that …

Relationship Between Percent Body Fat As Determined By Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis And Waist-To-Hip Ratio In Children Ages 7 To 9 Years, Deanna Kay Dahlem

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of the study was to identify the relationship between percent body fat (%BF) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) in children ages 7 to 9 years. The sample (n=171) was divided into four groups. Bioelectrical impedance analysis was used to estimate %BF. Significant positive correlations were observed between WHR and %BF for black females (r = 0.48), white females (r = 0.66), black males (r = 0.34), and white males (r = 0.55). Although the correlations differed between groups, the amount of variation between the two variables was not significantly different between groups other than black females. Least squares means …

Utilization Of Deionized Water And Non-Meat Adjuncts To Combat Quality Issues In Boneless Cured Ham Associated With Using Pale Raw Material, Jonathan Wilbourn

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of deionized water and PSE pork percentage on the quality of smoked deli ham and retorted pouched ham with and without non-meat adjuncts were evaluated. Product quality was determined through evaluation of water holding capacity, cooked color, protein-protein bind, and sensory quality. A randomized complete block design with either three or four replications was utilized to test treatment effects in three separate experiments. The retorting process showed the potential to reduce the effect of PSE meat on color that is present in raw material and smoked deli ham. In retorted ham, modified food starch and soy protein concentrate …

Smart Housing: Technology To Aid Aging In Place - New Opportunities And Challenges, Lalatendu Satpathy

Theses and Dissertations

We are at the threshold of a great change in architectural design. With cheaper and more ubiquitous computing, ?smart? spaces and responsive environments are increasingly becoming plausible and affordable. Are we as architects prepared? Can the profession of architecture respond to current computing technologies? Most critics agree that one of the first (most important) problems that ?smart? homes will help to address is that of spiraling costs of elderly healthcare and care giving. But what is the problem with healthcare? Even if there is a problem, the rural home is different from an urban home. Will the technologies that are …

Behavioral And Healthy Lifestyle Changes After Implementation Of A Walking Program Among Teachers At An Elementary School, Sara Woolfolk

Theses and Dissertations

Health experts are recommending an average of 10,000 steps daily to attain certain health benefits and suggesting the use of pedometers for calculating ambulatory activity, such as walking. A 13-week, worksite walking program was implemented with teachers at an elementary school providing pedometers, weekly walking groups, bimonthly supplemental nutrition information, and a survey upon program completion to evaluate the effectiveness. Results showed that of the 31.3% that participated, 93.6% have tried to increase their daily activity in the past and 58.1% found the Bee Active walking program to be more effective than previous attempts. Participants reported that wearing the pedometer …

Can Holistic Wellness Predict Teacher Effectiveness?, Dana Rolison Harwell

Theses and Dissertations

Wellness literature reported that the current focus on academic achievement and high-stakes testing has sacrificed wellness in students, and ?there is a strong need and a public outcry to promote wellness in public schools? (Myers & Sweeney, 2005a, p. 228). Also, ?the promotion of schoolwide well-being will enrich the academic experience of students and families. In addition, school staff members who are aware and knowledgeable of wellness concepts may be more likely to apply healthy strategies in the curriculum and throughout the school? (Myers & Sweeney, p. 232). Effective teacher research supported the Student Teacher Assessment Instrument as a viable …

Critical Leadership Traits And Characteristics Of Rural Mississippi Community College Presidents For The 21st Century, Jan Reid-Bunch

Theses and Dissertations

The development of effective and well prepared leaders is vital to the continued success of community colleges and their students. The community college movement boomed in the 1960s and 1970s, and it is now faced with massive numbers of retirements across the nation. Throughout its history, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) has made leadership development a priority and a central portion of its mission. Leadership roles are changing in the 21st century in America?s community colleges; therefore, we must reflect on our past to assist in directing our future. According to Young and Ewing (1978), a vast majority …

Writing Individualized Education Plans For Students With Specific Learning Disabilities: Compliance After The No Child Left Behind Act, Robin Richards Ballard

Theses and Dissertations

IDEIA requires a student who receives special education services to have an IEP that is specific to each student and NCLB requires that all students be taught the same knowledge and skills. The purpose of this study was to determine with which federal school law, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) or Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA), school districts in Mississippi are choosing to comply and what drives that decision. The research questions were: (a) Are Mississippi school districts choosing to comply with NCLB or IDEIA when writing IEPs for their students receiving special education services? and (b) What …

Adsorption Of Water Contaminants Onto Kenaf Fibers, Stephen Douglas Tolar

Theses and Dissertations

In this research, the adsorptive capacities of kenaf in the forms of chopped whole stalk, chopped core, and bast materials were evaluated for the removal of lead, zinc, and toluene from contaminated synthetic waste streams using traditional adsorption isotherm techniques. The effect of surface oxidation using ozone was observed with respect to the adsorption of metals. Hydraulic conductivity experiments were conducted to evaluate the head loss associated with packing a column with kenaf fibers and to determine the suitability of its use in dynamic packed column systems. B.E.T. surface areas were determined as well. Under increasingly stringent regulatory requirements, even …

The Mass Housing Dilemma: An Industrial Design Process In Architecture, Shaima Ghazi Al Arayedh

Theses and Dissertations

World population growth and global warming are accentuating the long recognized problem of housing for the masses; millions are homeless, live in inadequate shelter, or as in the US Manufactured Housing market that is the focus of this thesis, live in nondurable poor quality ?manufactured? houses that are detrimental to health, at best, or during extreme weather events, suffer catastrophic damages often resulting in death to occupants. In this thesis, we have reviewed the role of the architect in the US Manufactured Housing industry; additionally, we identified the major problems that plaque the US Manufactured Housing Industry. Further, we have …

The Relationship Among Inflammatory Markers, Physical Fitness, And Body Mass Index To Cardiovascular Disease, Marcia Elizabeth Turner

Theses and Dissertations

10,291 participants, aged 20 to 85 years of age, available from the 1999 through 2002 NHANES databases participated in this study. Only 8,485 (82%) of these participants were included in the data analysis. Participants who were pregnant (n = 603), not examined at a mobile examination center (n = 820), or had missing values for height (n = 164) and/or weight (n = 125) were eliminated. Individuals were classified into four groups (underweight, normal, overweight and obese) based on body mass index (BMI). Variables measured in the study included body mass index, physical fitness, dietary folic acid, c-reactive protein, homocysteine, …

Intercultural Communication Needs Of Mississippi Agricultural Students, Employers, And Hispanic Workers, Rosa Elena Vozzo

Theses and Dissertations

As the inclusion of Hispanic labor in the Mississippi workforce increses, it is necessary to prepare our students to communicate with these workers. The purpose of this study was to determine the attitude toward Spanish speakers, their culture, and the study of Spanish among agricultural students at Mississippi State University. The study also sought to discover cultural differences that could affect communication between American managers and the Hispanic workforce.The Friedman (1997) questionnaire was administered to 204 students in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Additionally, open interviews were conducted with 10 participants: four Mexican Hispanci workers, two community leaders, …

Contributions Of Muscle Fatigue To A Neuromuscular Neck Injury In Female Standard Ballroom Dancers, Teri Riding

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To investigate the potential etiology of a loss of neck control injury in female standard ballroom dancers. The median frequency (MF) as measured by electromyography (EMG) of the left upper trapezius (UT), left splenius capitius (SPL), and right sternocleidomastoid (SCM) of injured dancers was compared to non-injured dancers. This comparison was performed to identify whether dancers with a history of loss of neck control have a greater amount of fatigue than those with no history of this particular injury. Design and Setting: A 2 x 6 factorial design was used for this investigation. The independent variables were group (injured …

The Effects Of No Child Left Behind Act On North Dakota Career And Technical Education Programs, Jerome Alden Gunderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to research the effects of No Child Left Behind legislation on the enrollment of Career and Technical Education programs in the state of North Dakota. In 2001, the US Congress passed the “No Child Left Behind’' legislation. The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has initiated much discussion and forced changes to many public school K-12 programs. The legislation was written specifically to address educational issues related to core academic educational programs such as math, English, science, and social studies.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs were not addressed in the NCLB legislation, but …

Influential Instructional Decision-Making Factors: A Comparison Of Preschool, Primary, And Upper Elementary Teachers Using Ecological Systems Theory, Layna Cole

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the tension that exists between the fields of elementary and early childhood education by investigating factors that influence the instructional decision-making of preschool, primary (kindergarten through 3rd grade) and upper elementary (4th through 6th grade) teachers around a specified subject—literacy. This survey study identified factors that influence the decisions of preschool, primary and upper elementary teachers related to teaching literacy. It also explored the differences and similarities of influences on decision-making about teaching literacy among these groups of teachers. Influences on teacher decision-making was the main focus of this study, while literacy …

Implications Of Bismarck Public Schools Secondary Course Sequencing On Student Academic Achievement And Post Secondary Readiness, John M. Salwei

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Repeated Visual Or Verbal Worry On Thought Intrusions And Habituation, Jessica C. White Plume

Theses and Dissertations

The avoidance model of worry proposes that verbal and visual cognitive activi ty serve to maintain or reduce worry, respectively. The present study tested this model in a laboratory setting. One-hundred one undergraduate college students (77 female, 24 male; mean age = 20.55 years) identified as high or low worriers underwent two fifteen-minute sessions of visually imagining, or verbally thinking about, personally relevant worry topics. Outcome measures included post-exposure thought intrusions, and psychophysiological and subjective arousal. As expected, high worriers reported higher subjective anxiety and more negative thought intrusions throughout the experiment. Visual exposure did not reduce negative thought intrusions …

Prevalence Of The Metabolic Syndrome In A Midwestern Community, Hanna R. Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

The metabolic syndrome (MS) has been linked to a significantly higher risk of heart disease and diabetes. It affects approximately 25% of Americans today with its prevalence continuing to increase as the population becomes heavier and more sedentary. With Pender’s Health Promotion model as a theoretical base, this study examined the prevalence of the risk factors, preventative and treatment measures for the metabolic syndrome among a Midwestern North American population. A non-experimental secondary data analysis comparative survey design approach was used through a chart review of 101 male patient charts and 101 female patient charts. Significance was established at p …

The Implementation Of A Specialized Nurse Anesthetist Group For The Laboring Patient Population, Daphne D. Schnase-Steier

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this independent research project was to provide a case-study synopsis of what a Midwestern rural hospital did in response to a shortage of anesthesia provider time. Patient populations are growing while the population of anesthesia providers is shrinking. These two variables add up to a major crisis when it comes to patient care. The implementation of Ce1iified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) groups specialized and hired for pmiicular patient populations is one way of assuring that the patient continues to receive expert anesthesia care and can request and receive it in an appropriate amount of time. CRNA groups …

The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy, Other-Efficacy, And Relation-Inferred Self-Efficacy With Performance In Soccer, Jennifer Cilz

Theses and Dissertations

This study assessed the relationships between other-efficacy, relation-inferred self-efficacy, self-efficacy, and performance. The participants were three head coaches and 40 athletes from three NCAA women’s soccer teams. New measures of self-efficacy, other-efficacy, and relation-inferred self-efficacy were developed using Bandura’s guidelines. Performance was measured by the number of times the athletes completed a soccer task successfully. Analysis indicated that none of the efficacy measures could predict performance. Results did show a significant con-elation between relation-inferred self-efficacy and the self-efficacy measures, indicating that the self-efficacy an athlete has to perfonn a task was similar to what they perceived their coaches’ perceptions would …

Professional Development Needs Of Student Affairs Professionals Within The North Dakota University System, Donna K. Fishbeck

Theses and Dissertations

Higher education is challenged with the changing culture of their institutions as they respond to societal trends and internal and external forces. Because of the continued change in environments, literature suggests that a well-managed institution must employ effective managers at every level in order to accomplish institutional goals and missions. The importance of professional development in higher education has increased because of the perceived link with performance and quality that leads to organizations being effective as they respond to internal and external pressures.

This study surveyed 316 student affairs professionals (new professionals, mid-managers, and senior student affairs officers) within the …

Postoperative Nausea And Vomiting Algorithm Pocket Guide, Laurie Senn

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONY) remain common complications following surgery and their causes and treatments are complex. Despite much research and advances in treatment, PONY is present as often as 25-30% following all surgical cases. Patients have identified avoidance of nausea and vomiting, avoidance of gagging on endotracheal tube, and control of postoperative pain as their top priorities following surgery. Certain patient characteristics, type of surgery performed, and some anesthetic medications have been implicated in increasing the risk of developing PONY. Patients at high risk for developing PONY are frequently female, have a history of PONY or motion sickness, …

Achieving Quality Living In The Elderly Population, Charlote Ferrel

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Trauma And Spiritual Experience On Relapse Among Substance Addicted Individuals, Jane A. Hull

Theses and Dissertations

Addiction to substances has a devastating impact on the lives of individuals, their families, and communities. For those who attempt to recover, repairing the damage to self and others while walking through the emotional turmoil of early recovery is often an insurmountable task. Researchers remain unclear what works to make some substance abusers find long-te abstinence while others return to the downward spiral of active addiction. This study examines the impact of trauma and spiritual experience on the recovery and/or relap.v1 o; addicted individuals. Participants are drawn from addiction treatment centers and vi ne w .p'per advertisements and personal contacts …

Perception Of The Future Need For Family And Consumer Sciences Teachers In North Dakota's Public Schools, Elaine Helen Ann Larson

Theses and Dissertations

Family and consumer sciences (FACS) school programs provide some of the earliest opportunities for students to leam relationship, communications, teamwork, and decision-making skills that support and strengthen family life and to make healthy lifestyle choices that have a positive impact on all of society. Unfortunately, research data document a shortage of FACS teachers across the nation. Without an increasing supply of teachers, many programs may be weakened and some may be eliminated.

The purpose of this study is to identify the future need for FACS teachers in the North Dakota public schools. A secondary purpose is to identify the reasons …

Attitudes And Perceptions Regarding Hypnosis Of North Dakota Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists, Michelle L. Resler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to identify North Dakota certified registered nurse anesthetists’ (CRNAs) attitudes and perceptions of hypnosis and if they believe it would be realistic to use hypnosis in the surgical setting. A voluntary descriptive, cross sectional study design was used to obtain accurate and current information. The population of the study consisted of all the North Dakota CRNAs, who v/ere 2005-2006 members of the NDANA (North Dakota Association of Nurse Anesthetists); more than 90% of North Dakota CRNAs are members of NDANA. A current list of NDANA CRNAs was obtained (N=182). All current members were invited …

Making A Difference, Making Connections: Perspectives Of College Faculty And Practitioners Leading A Service Experience Abroad, Wanda Berg

Theses and Dissertations

The Asociacion Nuestros Ahijados or the GOD'S CHILD Project, is a service organization founded in 1991 by a North Dakota native to help Guatemalan children who were poor or abandoned. The Project focuses on health, education and human rights for children in Guatemala. The University of Mary is a small Catholic Benedictine college in North Dakota. Currently, educators from the University of Mary travel with groups of students to provide services in Guatemala, in collaboration with the GOD'S CHILD Project. The purpose of this qualitative study was to learn about aspects of culture, spirituality, and leadership as it relates to …

The Effect Of Nutrition On Cognitive Performance In Young Versus Elderly Community-Living Adults, Brian Vanfossen

Theses and Dissertations

Several variables such as verbal ability, age, gender, level of depression and vitamin B12 deficiency have been found to moderate memory performance on cognitive tasks. The current study examined the above variables, plus also looked at levels of magnesium and zinc for their probable moderating effect on memory performance. Examined were 38 adults: 27 younger (between 21-35 years) and 11 oider (between 60-85 years), to identify those factors that moderated memory performance for this community-dwelling sample. The results of the current study replicated previous work reported in the literature that examined age-related changes in prose recall, word list recall and …

Hate: Juror Perceptions Of Crime Classification, Attributions Of Blame, And Impact Of Extra-Legal Factors, Karyn M. Plumm

Theses and Dissertations

A jury simulation paradigm was employed in this series of studies exploring hate crime. In the first two studies., crime label (i.e., bias-motivated assault ·vs. first degree assault) and victim gender were varied within the context of a sexual orientation motivated (study 1) or gender motivated (study 2) hate crime scenario. Results from the first study indicated that attributions of blame against the victim varied as a function of participants' attitudes toward minority sexual orientation. Results of study two indicated that participants in the assault condition were more likely to find the defendant guilty than those in the hate crime …