Digital Commons Network^™

Active Learning In A Large Enrollment Introductory Biology Class: Problem Solving, Formative Feedback, And Teaching As Learning, Diane Flint Robison

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to take a case study approach to exploring student learning experiences in a large enrollment introductory biology class. Traditionally such classes are taught through the lecture method with limited instructor-student interaction and minimal student-centered learning (Lewis & Woodward, 1984; Wulff, Nyquist, & Abbott, 1987). Biology 120 taught at Brigham Young University winter semester 2006 by John Bell was chosen as the case for the study due to its large enrollment (263) and its innovative pedagogy. In the classroom, students applied their learning through a variety of student-centered activities including solving problems, discussing concepts with …

Advances In Student Self-Authorship: A Program Evaluation Of The Community Standards Model, Klinton E. Hobbs

Theses and Dissertations

Universities are increasingly applying student developmental theories in a variety of contexts in order to better understand students and to accomplish institutional educational objectives. Robert Kegan's constructive-developmental theory has been utilized in the creation of the Community Standards Model, a program designed for use in university residence halls. The purpose of the Model is to promote student development from Kegan's third order of consciousness, in which student identity is based on a fusion of their peers' expectations and ideas, to the fourth order of consciousness, in which one becomes the author of his or her own values, beliefs, and ideals. …

Poisoning And Sulfation On Vanadia Scr Catalyst, Xiaoyu Guo

Theses and Dissertations

Deactivation of titania-supported vanadia commercial SCR catalysts exposed to flue gases from both coal and coal-biomass co-firing boilers were investigated. BET surface area and average pore diameter measurements on both fresh and exposed commercial catalyst samples indicated pore plugging occurred to exposed catalyst samples. ESEM analyses showed fouling on catalyst surface, and poison deposition on both catalyst surface and inner pores. Activity assessments of commercial monolith catalysts with various exposures (time and fuel type) indicated that catalyst deactivation involves fouling, pore plugging, and poisoning. Different mechanisms may dominate depending on exposure time, catalyst properties, and combustion environment. Better controlled lab-scale …

A Weekend With An Infant Simulator: The Experience Of Students At A Midwest High School, Mari Lynn Borr

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined high school freshmen's perceptions of teen pregnancy and infant simulators such as Baby Think It Over. The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of teens who take home Baby Think It Over for a weekend and any and all changes in their perspective toward teen parenting. The participants in this study elected to take a comprehensive Family and Consumer Science course which required students to take home Baby Think It Over or complete an alternate assignment. This qualitative study consisted of three tape-recorded interviews with each of twelve participants, and one interview with a …

The Characterization And Distribution Of Renshaw Cells In The Rat Spinal Cord, Richard A. Zaruba

Theses and Dissertations

There is an abundance of electrophysiological and pharmacological data describing Renshaw cells (RC), however comparatively little is known about their distribution, metabolism, ionic regulation, modulation or exact role in motor behaviors. In this dissertation enzyme histochemistry and immunohistochemistry in conjunction with light, fluorescent and confocal microscopic methodologies were used to address the hypothesis that "the distribution of RC is contingent on their functional role in specific α motoneuronal pools and their unique electrophysiological and functional characteristics are reflected by their neurochemistry and synaptic inputs." The highest concentration of RC (number of RC per mm2) was found in the thoracic region …

The Relationship Of Social Capital To High -Risk Behavior Engagement By High School Students, Erin M. Curran

Theses and Dissertations

Social capital theory suggests that there are assets inherent in social relations that may be used to facilitate enhanced social, cultural, economic, and education outcomes for individuals and groups. More specifically, this theory can be extended to include those relational investments in youth that may serve to enhance their developmental, social, and educational outcomes. Proponents of social capital theory have asserted that youth with increased access to social capital may be less likely to exhibit social and behavioral difficulties. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social capital and engagement in high-risk behaviors (including substance use, …

Ligand-Induced Conformational Changes Of Extracellular Loop Two In The Dopamine Transporter, Jon D. Gaffaney

Theses and Dissertations

The dopamine transporter (DAT) is a transmembrane spanning protein responsible for the clearance of dopamine from the dopaminergic synapse. Uptake blockers such as cocaine inhibit transport resulting in elevated levels of dopamine in the synapse. DAT is predicted to contain twelve transmembrane spanning domains (TMs) connected by alternating intra- and extracellular loops, however, the spatial arrangement of these regions is unknown. Extracellular loop 2 (EL2) is composed of approximately 80 amino acids and connects TM3 and TM4, two regions associated with uptake blocker binding. Using limited proteolysis we analyzed the aqueous accessibility of EL2 in the presence or absence of …

The Effects Of Alcohol Consumption On Women's Responses To Child Misbehavior, Catherine M. Palmer

Theses and Dissertations

Many studies have demonstrated a correlation between alcohol abuse and child abuse or neglect, but few have examined whether alcohol consumption itself contributes to poor parenting. The present study investigated the effects of a medium-large dose of alcohol on women's responses to child misbehavior. The participants were 80 medically and psychologically healthy women who were randomly assigned to one of four beverage conditions in a balanced placebo design. Those in an alcohol condition received a moderately high dose, defined as 2 ml of 80-proof vodka per kg of body weight. After consuming their beverages, the women were presented with video …

The Relationship Of Implicit Family Process Rules To Adolescent Presentation Of Psychological Systems, Ian David Feinauer

Theses and Dissertations

Implicit family process rules refer to unspoken rules about family beliefs and expectations about communication, closeness, and organization and are an important dimension of family functioning that may have a powerful influence over adolescent psychological well being. This study focused on the relationship between implicit family process rules and adolescent psychological symptoms such as: Hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, and somatization. It was hypothesized that more facilitative implicit family process rules would be related to fewer adolescent psychological symptoms. In addition, a model was created that included theexogenousindependent variables of family status, (defined as intact-marriage or non-intact), treatment status (whether …

Influence Of Age On Auditory Gating, Ginny Marissa Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized paired tones at 1000 Hz with a 500 ms interpair interval and a 10 s interstimulus interval to assess sensory gating. Forty-two participants, ranging from 3-72 years of age were used to observe maturational changes in amplitude, latency, and suppression ratios of the P50 waveform. Previous research has shown that in normal adults the amplitude in response to the second of the paired tones is significantly suppressed compared to the amplitude in response to the first tone. The current study showed amplitude decreased with age to middle adulthood, where it increased slightly to later adulthood. Latencies decreased …

The Use Of Viewing Time Of Non-Erotic Visual Stimuli To Differentiate Between Frequent Pornography Users And Infrequent Users, Brian James Sneed

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine whether a measure of viewing time that uses non-erotic visual stimuli can differentiate between frequent users and infrequent users of pornography. Thirty-six male participants were classified as infrequent pornography users and 37 as frequent users. Participants completed a questionnaire and were asked to rate a variety of images, both male and female of varying ages, on their sexual attractiveness. Individuals were timed as to how long they looked at each image. The groups were then compared based upon their viewing time of several categories. No statistically significant differences were detected. The temporal …

Fabrication Of Polymeric Microfluidic Devices For Protein Analysis, Jikun Liu

Theses and Dissertations

2-Bromoisobutyryl bromide was immobilized on poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) substrates activated using an oxygen plasma. Atom-transfer radical polymerization was then performed to graft poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on the PMMA surface. PMMA micro capillary electrophoresis (µCE) devices made with the covalently modified surfaces exhibited substantially reduced electroosmotic flow and nonspecific adsorption of proteins. Both column efficiency and migration time reproducibility were one order of magnitude better with derivatized PMMA µCE devices compared to untreated versions. Fast, reproducible, and efficient separations of proteins and peptides were demonstrated using the PEG-grafted PMMA µCE chips. All analyses were completed in less than 60 seconds, and …

Medical Model Influence In Counseling And Psychotherapy: Counseling Psychology Training Directors' Views, Dallas R. Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

The practice of counseling and psychotherapy is influenced by a number of ideologies, models, and paradigms. Among these, the medical model's influence is particularly salient. The ideology of the medical field pervades the theory, research, and practice of psychology and its influence deserves close examination. The few studies in this area that have been conducted are descriptive and basic in nature. The present study aimed to contribute richness and depth to conversations about medical model influence. By interviewing Counseling Psychology training directors and applying a qualitative analysis, this study provided the following themes that characterize views of the medical model's …

A Multimetric Benthic Index For Georgia's Wadeable Streams, Amanda Lynn Middleton

Theses and Dissertations

Using an ecoregional approach, multimetric indices were developed to describe stream condition in each geographically distinct region of Georgia. Collected from predetermined reference and impaired condition streams, macroinvertebrate data were used to develop multimetric indices. Multimetric indices identified a range of stream conditions, as well as, the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. Based on multimetric indices, the Multimetric Rating System grouped streams according to overall stream condition. The Multimetric Rating System used multiple indices to describe various facets of stream condition. Therefore, it may be concluded that the Multimetric Rating System is a robust water management tool that may be …

Developing A Rapid Sequence Intubation Course For An Advanced Life Support Ambulance Service, Ron Honeyman

Theses and Dissertations

People can not survive without an intact and functional airway. Thus, the concept of airway is vital to survival. Paramedics of advanced life support ambulance services use airway management tools such as bag valve mask, oral and nasal pharyngeal airways, combitubes, nasal and oral tracheal intubation. While these tools are beneficial for airway breathing management, in some cases they are ineffective due to the severity of the illness or injury. Neuromuscular blocking drugs and intravenous (IV) anesthetics are routinely used for intubation for difficult airway management in hospital emergency rooms, intensive care units, and operating rooms. This technique is referred …

Relationships Between Organizational Commitment, Core Job Characteristics, And Organizational Citizenship Behaviors In United States Air Force Organizations, Dawn L. Banks

Theses and Dissertations

Organizational commitment is an area of concern for Air Force leaders, so much so that commitment is a subject of interest on the annual Air Force Climate Assessment Survey. The Air Force has consistently failed to meet retention goals and designates millions of dollars toward reenlistment bonuses to improve retention every year. A more economical approach to increasing commitment may be to improve the characteristics of the jobs Air Force members perform. In addition to the relationship between commitment and job characteristics, there also is a relationship between commitment and organizational citizenship behaviors (OCBs). The purpose of this research is …

Forecasting Mental Health Care Cost For Oif And Oef Veterans, Phil Andrew L. Bernal

Theses and Dissertations

The war in Iraq has been the longest sustained ground combat that the US military has engaged since the Vietnam War. With the ongoing battle against the global war on terrorism, many military personnel will be deployed to hostile areas in support of these operations. The effects of multiple deployment and combat engagement on the mental health of military personnel have been extensively studied. The impacts of mental illnesses, such as PTSD, are tied to longer period in the combat zone. Meeting the psychiatric needs of these veterans will be costly: rehabilitation, retraining, post combat counseling, long-term medical treatment, and …

Molecular Characterization Of Wetland Soil Bacterial Community In Constructed Mesocosms, Ethan C. Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

The use of wetlands to effectively remediate aquifers contaminated with chlorinated solvents is an emerging technique, which shows high promise. In order to better understand this process and test its legitimacy, a treatment wetland was constructed at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio and, in a joint effort with Wright State University (WSU), has previously shown the effective removal of PCE. The purpose of this research was to characterize the soil bacterial community, pre-PCE injection, among three wetland plant species from the sedge family (Cyperaceae) within constructed wetland mesocosms and to identify any bacterial dominance. Carex comosa, Scirpus atrovirens, and Eleocharis erythropoda …

Evaluation Of Microbial Diversity In Wetland Through Polymerase Chain Reaction (Pcr) And Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (Rflp), Gregory K. Joseph

Theses and Dissertations

The diversity of microbial communities in wetlands has not been fully measured. These communities may offer tools to naturally remediate sites polluted with chlorinated compounds. Polmerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) are genomic techniques that are capable of rapidly characterizing bacteria communities and can provide valuable information about the diversity of microbial communities.

Mitigating Insider Threat Using Human Behavior Influence Models, Anthony J. Puleo

Theses and Dissertations

Insider threat is rapidly becoming the largest information security problem that organizations face. With large numbers of personnel having access to internal systems, it is becoming increasingly difficult to protect organizations from malicious insiders. The typical methods of mitigating insider threat are simply not working, primarily because this threat is a people problem, and most mitigation strategies are geared towards profiling and anomaly detection, which are problematic at best. As a result, a new type of model is proposed in this thesis, one that incorporates risk management with human behavioral science. The new risk-based model focuses on observable influences that …

Development Of A Malicious Insider Composite Vulnerability Assessment Methodology, William H. King

Theses and Dissertations

Trusted employees pose a major threat to information systems. Despite advances in prevention, detection, and response techniques, the number of malicious insider incidents and their associated costs have yet to decline. There are very few vulnerability and impact models capable of providing information owners with the ability to comprehensively assess the effectiveness an organization's malicious insider mitigation strategies. This research uses a multi-dimensional approach: content analysis, attack tree framework, and an intent driven taxonomy model are used to develop a malicious insider Decision Support System (DSS) tool. The DSS tool's utility and applicability is demonstrated using a notional example. This …

Particle Image Velocimetry Using A Novel, Non-Intrusive Particle Seeding, Charles J. Delapp Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research effort was to study the use of non-intrusive particle seeding for Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV). Current seeding material and techniques involve the use of either solid particles or liquid mixtures which can contaminate or damage closed circuit wind tunnels, and in some cases can introduce a potential fire or explosive hazard. The proposed method is based on creating seed particles utilizing Carbon Dioxide (CO2). The CO2 would be dispensed into the flow as a liquid, immediately condensing to solid seed particles as they leave the spray nozzle. The advantage of using these particles is that …

Early Childhood Family Education Programs: Descriptions, Benefits, And Programs Available In North Dakota And Minnesota, Mae Lindenberg

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Ncaa Division Iii Student-Athletes' Attitudes And Knowledge Of Anabolic Steroids, Keith Smicklo

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide data on the attitudes, knowledge, and deterrents of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III student-athletes related to illegal steroid abuse. One hundred and two student-athletes from Rowan University completed a survey to evaluate their knowledge of anabolic steroids and the NCAA Division III Drug-testing policy. The student-athletes also responded to statements regarding their current attitudes towards anabolic steroids and some deterrents to the use of steroids. Results indicated that NCAA Division III student-athletes do possess general knowledge of anabolic steroids and feel the use of anabolic steroids during athletic competition is …

Perspectives Of Administrators At Select Art Institutions On Student Involvement And Development Theories And Their Relation To Campus Extracurricular Activities, Mary Ellen Wade

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine extracurricular offerings at art institutions focusing on a few areas, including: (a) the amount of extracurricular offerings, (b) the types of extracurricular offerings, (c) how student affairs administrators viewed overall student participation in the extracurricular offerings, and (d) how demographics of the institution including size of the student population, commuter or residential campus, and the amount of funding received related to the amount of extracurricular activities offered by a particular institution.

This study examined two art institutions. Findings suggested student affairs administrators mostly have knowledge of and apply student development theories …

Internalized Shame As A Moderating Variable For Inhibited Sexual Difficulties In Adult Women Resulting From Childhood Sexual Abuse, Kristine Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

An adult female sample of childhood sexual abuse survivors (N=467) were surveyed to determine whether internalized shame moderated the effects of sexual inhibited difficulties. Other variables such as severity, duration, and frequency of sexual abuse, as well as whether physical abuse was also part of their experience, were examined to determine their role in later sexual inhibition. It was predicted that there would be a significant positive relationship between 1) Scores on variables of physical abuse, severity of abuse, frequency of abuse, duration of abuse, identity of the perpetrator and scores on the variable of inhibited sexual difficulties; 2) Scores …

The Efficacy Of Cbt In Treating Co-Morbid Anxiety And Depression In An Adolescent Client, Ryan J. Fischer

Theses and Dissertations

The goals of this exploratory investigation were to, (a) determine the efficacy of CBT in treating an adolescent client (n = 1) with co-morbid anxiety and depression, and (b) to examine whether or not the treatment of the anxiety disorder had an impact on the co-morbid depressive disorder. The investigation implemented quantitative measures such as the OQ-45.2, Y-OQ 2.0 and the WAI to evaluate the client's symptom impairment and the strength of the therapeutic alliance throughout treatment. The data indicated that the client's anxiety decreased over the course of treatment. In addition, the data indicated that the client's depressive symptoms …

Interventions For Success: Perceptions On Rti, Renee Marie Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Current research strongly supports using response to intervention (RTI) to increase the academic achievement of all students, including those who experience academic difficulty in the general education classroom. The purpose of this study was to extend our understanding of RTI implementation. Specifically, semi-structured interviews were conducted with multiple school professionals at "Granby Elementary School" to document their experiences and perceptions related to referral procedures and early intervention services. The results of this study indicate that students at Granby Elementary are supported by some of the core features of an RTI approach. The key themes which emerged from the data are …

Hyperspectral Hypertemporal Feature Extraction Methods With Applications To Aquatic Invasives Target Detection, Abhinav Mathur

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, methods are designed and validated for the utilization of hyperspectral hypertemporal remotely sensed data in target detection applications. Two new classes of methods are designed to optimize the selection of target detection features from spectro-temporal space data. The first method is based on the consideration that all the elements of the spectro-temporal map are independent of each other. The second method is based on the consideration that the elements of the spectro-temporal map have some vicinal dependency among them. Methods designed for these two approaches include various stepwise selection methods, windowing approaches, and clustering techniques. These techniques …

The Relationship Of Student-Life Stress To Marital Dedication Among Married Undergraduate Students And Their Spouses, Linda Hamblin Halbert

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated whether a relationship exists between levels of marital dedication and student-life stress among married undergraduate students. Student-life stress was examined using the Student-Life Stress Inventory (SLI) (Gadzella, 1991). Student-life stress was compared to levels of marital dedication (low, moderate, high) using the Relationship Scale (Stanley & Markman, 1992). Differences in student-life stress were examined between male and female students. In addition, differences in levels of marital dedication were examined between students and spouses. Levels of marital dedication were compared to a national sample of relatively happy and committed couples. Lastly, spouses ranked categories that have had the …