Digital Commons Network^™

Towards A Framework For Understanding Innovation Implementation In The Air Force, Howard E. Byrd Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Innovation is a major way organizations deal with changes in their competitive environment. The Department of Defense (DoD) too is facing incredible changes and challenges within its competitive environments. This situation is requiring the adopting and implementing of many new innovations in an effort to transform the forces to meet the challenges. A key component of the DoD's efforts to transform is in Air Force acquisition and sustainment processes. Digital technical orders are an example of such a sustainment process. The Air Force has mandated it will transform from a paper based technical data environment to a digital one. The …

A Noble Discontent: The Experiences And Perceptions Of Seven Pre-Service Teachers In An Experimental Course Designed To Examine The Relationship Between Social Consciousness And Education., James Allen Bryant Jr

Theses and Dissertations

The Legacy Project was an experimental course taught in the spring of 2002 at the University of North Dakota. The course was designed to examine the relationship between social consciousness, idealism, and education. A study was conducted of the seven pre-service teachers enrolled in the course to determine their perceptions of and experiences in the class. From this study, four major themes evolved. The first was the perception among the participants that there may often be a “liberal” bias or agenda at work in their college classes. The second was their description of a gradual erosion of idealism as they …

A Single Subject Study On Major Depressive Disorder, Ptsd, And Mild Mental Retardation, Jennifer Yvette Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this single subject study was to compare best practice and normative practice in the treatment of Major Depressive Disorder, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, and Mild Mental Retardation. A client from a community-based agency was used in the study. The client was an African American woman who resided in a low socioeconomic area and whose income was below the poverty line. The client experienced emotional, physical, and psychological abuse and neglect during childhood. She presented with symptoms of depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, basic coping skills and parenting skills. Outcome data was obtained through interviewing and observations. The treatment consisted …

Copper Deficiency In Hl-60 Cells Increases Their Susceptibility To Apoptosis When Treated With Antioxidants., Laura Jean Raymond

Theses and Dissertations

The location and function of the electron transport chain render the mitochondria the primary source for potentially damaging reactive oxygen species in aerobic cells. Normally, the concentration of superoxide anion in mitochondria is controlled, at least in part, by the sequential action of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. However, when the terminal steps of the electron transport are impaired or inhibited, superoxide anion production may rise to levels that overwhelm the normal protective enzymes. Studies have shown that copper deficiency causes a reduction in the activity of cytochrome-c oxidase, the copper dependent, terminal respiratory complex of the electron transport chain. …

Influence Of Three Soil Types On The Physical, Chemical, And Organoleptic Characteristics Of Two Varieties Of Kidney Tomato Hydroponically Cultivated Under A Panqar Huyu System, Carlos Fernando Yepez Vallejo

Theses and Dissertations

One of the largest problems that face communities located high in the Andres Mountain range is the lack of crop diversity due to the climate characteristics of this zone. Because of this, the Benson Institute created a small subterranean greenhouse called a "panqar-huyu," which in Aymara means "flower garden," that allows cultivation of small and medium-sized crops. This study's objective is to modify and adapt this system to cultivate table (kidney) tomatoes, for which one was enlarged, a drip irrigation system was installed, channels were dug to drain groundwater from the interior, etc. This study was done in the community …

Comparison Of Education Level, Intelligence Quotient, And Higher Education Courses Of Individuals Who Commit Violent Crimes And Those Individuals Who Commit Nonviolent Crimes In Arkansas, W. Andranette Anderson-Blackwell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine and compare education levels, intelligence quotients, and college courses taken or are being taken by criminal offenders who commit violent versus nonviolent crimes. One hundred males and 100 females from the states' correctional facilities were used as the sample. The sample was stratified according to four characteristics: type of crime committed (violent or nonviolent), ethnicity, age, and gender. The null hypothesis tested in this study was that there is no statistically significant difference, at the 0.05 level, in the educational levels or intelligence quotients of criminal offenders as to age, ethnicity, gender, …

The Onset And Progression Of Speech And Swallowing Deficits In 31 Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Susan M. Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Weight Change, Quality Of Life And Performance Status In Patients With Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Nancy C. Atkinson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Adaptive Oviposition Behaviour In The Goldenrod Stem Galler, Eurosta Solidaginis (Diptera:Tephritidae), Allison C. Poff

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Costs Of Feeding Guinea Pigs In Two Meat-Producing Populations In The Field And Experimental Station, Sara Taborga Galindo

Theses and Dissertations

The cost of feeding has been pointed out as the most trascendet investment inside a guinea-pig production. The present work carries out with the purpose to determine and to quantify feeding costs, total costs of production and profitability of Tamborada and MEJOCUY guinea-pig populations. In the stage of suckling period, breed and gestation, experimental station and field. The result of feeding cost was 0.05 and 0.03 $US in suckling period (14 days) for Tamborada and MEJOCUY population, in breeding (42 days) it was 0.14 $US in both populations and in gestation (67 days), it was 0.42 and 0.40 $US. In …

Determination Of The Botanical And Chemical Composition Of The Pasture Diet Selected By Llamas (Lama Glama) During The Rainy Season In The Community Of Pujrata, Cristóbal Achu Nina

Theses and Dissertations

Llamas (Lama glama) take advantage of poor natural forage (grasses and others) due to their efficient digestive physiology that is adapted for this type of forage. The problem now faced is the gradual exhaustion of the native grassland (low phytomass production). The vegetation does not cover the dry matter consumption requirements, and less so the nutrient requirements, of these animals. Because of this there is the necessity of determining the botanical composition, pasture selection by plant parts, and chemical composition of what llamas ingest in order to improve these animals' nutrition in the pasture. This study occurred at the Larqa …

Determination Of Seric Retinol Levels In Relation To Consumed Diet And The Prevalence Of Anemia In Preschool- And School-Aged Children In The Communities Of Cuambo And La Rinconada, Imbabura Province, Verónica Chávez

Theses and Dissertations

In this investigation the seric retinol levels were determined in order to relate them with consumed diets by preschool- and school-aged children and the prevalence of anemia in the communities of Cuambo and La Rinconada, Imbabura province, in order to later compare them with reference values. Blood samples were taken from 74 children from the two communities, 30 in La Rinconada and 44 in Cuambo, beneficiaries of the Benson Institute, to determine retinol, ferritin, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. Also, a 24-hour record with frequency of food consumption survey was given to the studied children's parents, making a sample of 56 families. …

Digestibility Of Legumes And Grassy Forages In Guinea Pig Feeding, Javier Americo Campos Villarroel

Theses and Dissertations

With the objective to determine guinea pig digestibility of the nutritive components of Vicia villosa, red clover, and Lolium multiflorum in relation to alfalfa, the digestibility coefficients were evaluated for fiber, protein, dry matter, energy, and dry matter consumption in these three species in a completely random block design with four repetitions. The results showed that for alfalfa digestibility coefficients of 85.7% of the protein and 2806.6 kcal/kg of digestible energy, plus an economic substitution value (ESV) of fiber, protein, and energy of US$0.41 and $0.38/kg and US$0.009/1000 kcal, respectively. Lolium multiflorum had the highest tendency toward digestibility with 60.7% …

Implementacion And Strengthening Of Family Orchards For The Diversification Of The Diet And To Improve The Consumption Of Vegetables And Available Fruits In The Communities Of The Rinconada And Cuambo In The Period 2001-2002, Guido Arellano

Theses and Dissertations

The general objective of this investigation was to implement and strengthen family orchards for the diversification of the diet and improvement of the consumption of vegetables and fruits available in the communities of the Rinconada and Cuambo. They collaborated in the implementation and strengthening of the family orchards and by means of focal group techniques determined the readiness, seasonal variance, and alimentary habits of the available vegetables and fruits. They made 10 nutritive preparations in each community in participating shops with the foods that were harvested in the orchards and with the help of consistent educational material as 2 three-page …

In Situ Degradability Of Native Pastures In Llamas (Lama Glama) In The Rainy Season In The Community Of Pujrata, Pacajes Province, Mario Acho Nina

Theses and Dissertations

The llama (lama glama) in the Bolivian Highlands region is a most important potential resource from the socio-economic point of view for the dedicated producer to the management and exploitation of these Andean camelids, considered as national heritage of our country. The llama is completely adapted to the high plateau system, being considered a three purposed animal in this environment: producer of fiber, meat and work (load). However, due to the expansion of sheep and cattle, they have been marginalized to the poor areas, where they prosper well because they are rustic, sober and greatly efficient in the conversion of …

Determination Of Home Techniques For Storing And Conserving Food In The Homes Of Cuambo And La Rinconada In Imbabura Province, 2001-2002, Marisol Caicedo Barrios

Theses and Dissertations

In Ecuador, there is a grave socioeconomic nutritional problem, and it is seen clearest in Imbabura province in the communities of Cuambo and La Rinconada. One of the biggest problems is inadequate food, due principally to the poor food storage and conservation habits. Considering this problem, it is necessary to deepen the knowledge of improved traditional techniques for storing and conserving food, through which families can store and manage their product better, controlling and avoiding losses due to insects, rodents, and climate, and guaranteeing conservation of the same. The investigation was oriented to implement alternative, improved storage and conservation technologies …

The Effectiveness Of Consuming Fortified Foods (Api) With Iron On The Anemia Ferropriva In Resident Students To Great Altitude Of The Rural Area Of The Departemento Of La Paz, Beatriz Julia Ramirez Copa

Theses and Dissertations

In many countries, the health and the development of a great number of people are compromised by the insufficient distribution of micro-nutrients. The deficiency of iron is one of the things that to a large extent contributes to the high rates of death and maternal and childhood mortality, affecting also a great percentage of school aged children. Bolivia, along with the majority of underdeveloped countries, presents high prevalence of anemia in the students. Recent studies confirm that anemia nutrients are a problem of public health of great magnitude to rural and urban level (Fernández et al, 1994). Before this situation …

Hospital Re-Engineering : Unintended Effects On Nurse Staffing And Patient Outcomes, Marlene E. Brisson

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Children's Environmental Health : A Review Of The Research And A Survey Of Residents Of Grand Forks, North Dakota, Michelle L. Bowles

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Design And Application Of A Nutrition Education Program Based On A Test Of Improved Practices For Pregnant Women And Women Of Childbearing Age In La Rinconada And Cuambo, Odila Nicaragua

Theses and Dissertations

This study was done with the objective of designing and applying a nutrition education program based on a test of improved practices for pregnant women and women of childbearing age in the rural communities of Ibarra canton: La Riconada and Cuambo. For this, information was collected on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding the eating habits of pregnant women. These results were used to identify content and recommendations to reinforce and/or instruct about eating during pregnancy. Nutrition education was based on the methodology of the improved practices test, which consisted of testing the recommendations in families' homes before recommending them …

Evaluation Of The Production Yield In Two Guinea Pig Populations Under Field Conditions And Project Mejocuy Cages, Elbert Alan Estevez Siles

Theses and Dissertations

The breeding of the guinea pig in Bolivia has always been important for the inhabitants of rural areas. Nevertheless, in recent years there has been broader acceptance for consumption of the guinea pig in the urban middle class, beginning to grow the market of the meat of guinea pig in the Departamentos of Bolivia, because the good flavor and high degree of nutrition of this meat, therefore offering a good option to improve nutrition in the diet of Bolivians. Currently the type of breeding found of the valleys of Bolivia in the great majority of the communities is family-based, with …

Control Of Tomato Late Blight (Phytophthora Infestans) With Biocides On Tomatoes (Lycopersicum Sculentum) In The Community Of Carmen Pampa, Belonging To Coroico Municipality (Nor Yungas, La Paz), Rosemary Gutiérrez Coarite

Theses and Dissertations

In Bolivia, tomato acreage is 6717 and has a yield of 12005 kg/ha and the total production is 80,636 TM. Departments that harvest tomato are Santa Cruz, Cochabamba and La Paz, Santa Cruz being the department that shows the highest rates of production with 40653 TM in comparison with La Paz which has a production of 3109 TM and Cochabamba of 2420 TM. The principle factors in affect are, the best climatic conditions in Santa Cruz, while Cochabamba and La Paz have differences in seasonal changes (National Institute of Statistics, 1998). The importance of the tomato harvest lies in consumption …

Effect Of Geochemical Processes And Environment On The Spatial Pattern Of Selenium In Soil, Surface Water, And Groundwater At The Hovland Ranch, Central South Dakota, Salah U. Sharif

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this paper is to test and review some of the published hypotheses as that may relate to selenium geochemistry in soil and water system at the Hovland Ranch, Haakon County, South Dakota. Representative samples were collected from soil, water, and soil moisture in the field. Preparation of samples and chemical analysis were done in the Water Quality Laboratory, Dept. of Geology and Geological Engineering, University of North Dakota and Human Nutrition Research Center Lab, USDA/ARS, Grand Forks, North Dakota. The analysis results were statistically analyzed to find correlation between the occurrence of selenium and other associated chemical …

The Use Of Music In The Surgical Setting, Jenny A. Stenehjem

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Policies And Procedures For Building Administrators In Academically Advanced And Below Basic Schools In Arkansas, Cindy Viala

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the written policies and procedures of 10 advanced and 10 below basic school districts in Arkansas with a student population of 1,500 or more, and the opinions of building administrators within those districts concerning the evaluation of building administrators. Building administrators have the responsibility to meet public school accountability mandates from the 'No Child Left Behind' law. Data used includes written policies and procedures from each of the school districts and surveys collected from participating building administrators. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square statistic were used. Conclusions show that some school districts have written policies, but are not …

Testing The Relationship Between Student's Perceptions, Achievement, And Learning Style Characteristics In Campus Based Lecture Classes, Campus Based Lecture Classes With Computer Enhanced Components, And Classes Offered On-Line, Blake Embrey Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

Educational professionals have always been attracted by the potential of what is going to happen in the future. From film in the 1920s, to television in the 1950s, to computers in the 1980s, and now informational technology in the 1990s, there have always been great expectations that new technology would soon enhance learning and instruction. This study investigated the relationship between student perceptions, academic achievement, and learning style characteristics across three instructional delivery formats: campus-based lecture classes, campus-based lecture classes with computer-enhanced components, and classes offered fully online. As users of the electronic classroom, faculty must properly and professionally integrate …

Nursing Home Staffing Adequacy, Rehabilitation Orientation And Quality, Diana Gilroy Venskus

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The primary objective of this research is to examine how changing levels of nursing home staffing adequacy and variations in rehabilitation orientation have affected facility deficiencies and the quality of patient care as facilities responded to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997.
Data Sources: Analyses were performed using data from the On-Line Survey Certification and Reporting System (OSCAR) data from years 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 and were merged with Area Resource File (ARF) data released in February 2001.
Study Design: Contingency strategic adaptation provides the theoretical framework for developing the effects of environmental characteristics, organizational characteristics and …

Factors Associated With Metabolic Syndrome, Patricia Marie Selig

Theses and Dissertations

The metabolic syndrome, a clinical condition linked to diabetes and cardiovascular disease is a powerful predictor for overall mortality, and is present in more than 20% of the US. population (Ford, Giles, & Dietz, 2002). This study examines gender differences as well as other factors associated with metabolic syndrome as defined by the Adult Treatment Panel III of the National Cholesterol Education Program.

A sample of 10,134 adults between 20-64 years of age was selected from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey. Metabolic syndrome was present in 19.6 % of this sample. An ecological model of health services was …

Personality Factors Associated With Success Or Failure On The United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 (Usmle Step 1), Carole Jean Sherva

Theses and Dissertations

Failure of medical students to pass Step 1 of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE Step 1) can create psychological, academic and financial crises for the students, educational institutions and, ultimately, the public by negatively influencing the cost of health care.

Medical students from the University of Kansas School of Medicine (n = 377) and from varying United States of America medical schools enrolled at the University of Missouri, Kansas City, Institute for Professional Preparation (n = 109) had participated voluntarily in ongoing research data gathering. Results from this voluntary testing with the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), the Adult …

Antioxidant Defense In Exercised Skeletal Muscle Of The Aging -Delayed Ames Dwarf Mouse., Mark Andrew Romanick

Theses and Dissertations

The Free Radical Theory of Aging is considered to offer a viable explanation for the phenomenon of the aging process. The rate of aging according to this concept depends on an organism’s ability to control oxidative stress within its cellular environment. The experiments in this study center around the Ames dwarf mouse, a mammalian model of aging that has demonstrated both extended life span and heightened antioxidant defense, and skeletal muscle, a tissue whose function is significantly affected under the influence of aging. Hindlimb skeletal muscle from dwarf and wild type mice at different ages was tested for its antioxidant …