Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding The Impact Of Technical Assistance On Early Care And Education Sites In Mississippi Rural Communities, Kimberly Mechelle Triplett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine if early childhood teachers can enhance literacy and language development in preschool children and strengthen the literacy with the support of an on-site technical assistant (TA). The present investigation sought to explore two questions: Is there a statistically significant difference between classroom environments for which teaching early literacy skills, as measured by the Early Language and Literacy Classroom Observation Toolkit (ELLCO) Research Edition of three and four-year-olds participating in the on-site technical assistance model when compared to classroom environments in programs where early childhood teachers did not participate? and Is there a …

Variables That Impact High School Dropout, Mario Antonio Owens

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine which variables contribute to high school dropout in a north central Mississippi school district’s only high school. The study population consisted of 301 students who enrolled as freshman in a north central Mississippi school district’s only high school during the 2002-2003 academic year and could have graduated from high school in 2006. Student data were obtained from the Mississippi Student Information System (MSIS) database, which contained all relevant information to this study. Data were collected on the following variables: gender, ethnicity, age, disciplinary infractions, whether or not a student was socially promoted, …

Flagellar Sensilla Of Females Of Selected Species Of Vespidae (Hymenoptera), Andrew Oliver Mccaskill

Theses and Dissertations

Little information regarding the flagellar sensilla of the Vespidae, particularly Polistes, exists in the literature. A variety of social behaviors in vespids, such as alarm pheromones and pheromone response, involve intraspecific communication. Therefore, an understanding of sensory receptors in social wasps would benefit further behavioral and neurological studies of wasps. The flagellar sensilla of female paper wasps Polistes dorsalis, Polistes metricus, and the solitary wasp Monobia quadridens were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A number of olfactory receptors, contact chemoreceptors, and mechanoreceptors were named and described. Possible functions of these receptors were proposed based on morphological and ultrastructural …

Lysine And Threonine Responses In Ross X Ross Tp16 Male Broilers, Derrick Lashawn Everett

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Lys and Thr responses of TP-16 male broilers. Experiment 1 (14-28 d of age) showed no significant live performance effects. In Experiment 2, Lys and Thr (P=0.021) interacted to affect 28 to 42 d body weight gain and (P=0.004) feed intake. Lys main effects improved body weight gain (P=0.002), and feed conversion (P=0.009). Thr fed at the 0.68% level improved body weight gain and feed conversion. Mortality did not differ among treatments and averaged 0.09% across all treatments. The study indicated the sensitivity of the Thr:Lys ratio when broilers are fed …

A Dash Of Sufferage Spice: Rural And Urban Ethnicity Construction In The Transnational Women's Suffrage Movement, Anna M. Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

The women's suffrage movement in Europe and the United States led to female enfranchisement in much of the West in the early twentieth century. Suffrage historiography, however, places too much emphasis on a middle-class history of urban white women's struggle to win the vote. This traditional scholarship not only lacks a thorough class-based analysis but also fails to examine ethnicity's role in the American women's suffrage movement as well as larger transnational connections.

Research on the construction of Norwegian ethnicity and its corresponding influence on Norwegian-American support of women's suffrage contributes to filling this historiographical gap. In addition, the influence …

Adapting The End: Responding To Standards Of Learning In Theatre For Children, Jamie Lish

Theses and Dissertations

Theatre is the passport to the creation of a balanced educational system in the United States (US), while standardized testing is the downfall of the ideology behind ‘No Child Left Behind’ (NCLB). As an educator, I was greatly influenced by Howard Gardner, theorist of Multiple Intelligences and Neil Fleming theorist of learning modalities. This work has carried over into my work in theatre as a director. Theatre does not have to didactically serve formal education, which emphasizes mathematics and reading/writing, nor does it have to be merely a spectacle. Theatre can be experimental, artistic, cathartic, foster social and intrapersonal skills …

Marketability Of The Advanced Practice Registered Nurse-Family Certified Nurse Practitioner Profession, Mary Beth Krogstad

Theses and Dissertations

The literature reveals that advanced practice registered nurses who are family practice certified nurse practitioners (APRN-FNPs) are highly qualified primary care providers, yet some physicians feel that APRN-FNPs are in direct competition with them. It is important for the APRN-FNP to educate patients about their knowledge and skill capabilities. Government reimbursement and inconsistency of APRN-FNPs scope of practice is also a problem contributing to a lack of clarity in the APRN-FNP role. It is the responsibility of health care providers to be advocates for their own profession. Nurses must promote the role of advanced practice nursing in the workplace, community, …

Investigation Of Learning In Science Museums: Why Museums Need To Change Their Educational Mission And Format, Herbert Wade Crissman

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Pediatric Feeding Problems Related To Tactile Defensiveness: A Case Study, Lauren Maguire

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this exploratory, single-subject design study was to introduce to a child with a severe feeding disorder and tactile sensitivity different activities related to food in an attempt to increase the child's acceptance of new foods. After a baseline assessment, the child and his parents participated in a 12-week intervention that included at least one new tactile activity and a selection of new foods the parents identified that they wanted their child to eat. In the process of conducting this study, an underlying medical problem was identified; therefore, halfway through the study, the child began to take medication …

Weight Perception And The Use Of Unhealthy Weight Loss Tactics Among Adults In The United States: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Nhanes Data, 2000-2006., Laura King

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Weight dissatisfaction and misperception are widespread problems in the United States as are unhealthy weight loss practices. These negative body image issues can lead to eating disorders which have serious health and quality of life consequences. Objective: To evaluate the extent to which the prevalence of distorted body image and unhealthy dieting tactics exist in adults in the US and how these are related. Methods: Data from NHANES 2000-20006 on adults aged 20-59 was used. Weight perception was assessed with the physical exam measurements of weight status and the weight history questionnaire item asking if the person considered him …

What Is The Evidence For Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder In Nurses Who Have Been Involved In Taking Care Of Victims From A School Shooting Tragedy?, Crystal Peltier

Theses and Dissertations

To combat consequences of long-term effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by \\'Orking conditions during and after a school shooting event, administration must ensure that their employees are offered adequate treatment. It is important to identify and address areas of work-related stress. Therefore, employees should be aware of the health needs of their staff following a traumatic event in the workplace. The purpose of this project was three fold: I) to explore current literature to discover experiences of nurses receiving victims of a school shooting at a health care facility; 2) to determine what the literature reveals about how …

Interdisciplinary Teaching And Learning, Adonna Clark

Theses and Dissertations

In the early 1600's, the Pilgrims and the Puritans brought their musical traditions with them to establish a new life. The survival of their families depended upon their ability to provide food, shelter and clothing. Despite the challenges they faced, the colonists recognized the importance of educating their children. In 1642, the Massachusetts School Law was passed. It required town leaders to require parents to provide their children with an elementary education. Music training was not part of this newly required education. Due to the demands of life, the colonists were unable to nurture their musical abilities. Those who had …

Predator And Abiotic Effects On Hatching Phenotype And Survival Of Arboreal Frog Eggs With Implications For Phytoplankton, Jessica Hite

Theses and Dissertations

Historically studies have focused on either the terrestrial or aquatic environments independently. However, these systems are inherently linked through numerous pathways including organisms with complex life cycles. Both abiotic factors and predators of these organisms can influence connections by changing the number of prey moving across habitat boundaries and by changing the phenotype of prey. When the focal organisms are primary consumers, these effects may have important implications for ecosystem processes. My study investigated how terrestrial predators and abiotic factors affect the number and phenotype of herbivorous tadpole inputs into a tropical forest pond. I found that predators and abiotic …

De-Masking The Silence - Drama Therapy: For Children With Asd, Joshua M. Galligan

Theses and Dissertations

This dynamic form of pedagogy attempts to cross the interdisciplinary boundaries between theatre, psychology, and modern medicine. What I attempt to present in this thesis is a systematic developmental framework for the theoretical use of drama therapy with children suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder. This approach has been based on in-depth interdisciplinary study which makes use of the most current research looking at the neurological makeup of the autistic brain. This systematic approach examines the mirror neuron system which has been labeled as a major defect in children with ASD. Through the use of theatrical techniques such as acting, movement, …

Provider Perception Of The Use Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine, Lana J. Meyer

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Relationship Between Parental Role-Modeling Of Physical Activity And Child's Physical Activity, Katherine Culver

Theses and Dissertations

Trends in childhood obesity have lead to a generation that has a shortened lifespan, where excessive weight may decrease life expectancy by as much as five years. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for childhood obesity as well as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer. Addressing inactivity in children could help keep the obesity epidemic from continuing to grow as well as help address other health concerns. The specific aims of this study are 1) To examine the effect of parental role-modeling of exercise on children’s activity level by specifically looking at the role of the mother and the father, …

Novel Analogs Of M-Chlorophenylguanidine As 5-Ht3 Receptor Ligands, Katie Alix

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin receptors play a variety of functional roles in the body. Some indications and treatment claims for one of the classes of serotonin receptors, the 5-HT3 receptor family, include: anxiety, depression, chemotherapy- and radiation-induced emesis, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, pain, drug addiction, and satiety control. A 5-HT3 receptor partial agonist, MD-354, served as a lead compound in the development of new 5-HT3 receptor ligands. Using halogenated analogs the study investigated their effect on binding to the 5-HT3 receptor. Conformationally-constrained analogs (quinazolines) were shown to be a novel class of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. The log P values were determined for several …

History Of Pregnancy Termination As A Risk Factor For Preterm Birth, Virginia 2000-20007, Jennifer Macdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine if an association exists between prior induced and prior spontaneous pregnancy termination (PIPT and PSPT) and preterm birth (PTB) of first live births in Virginia. Methods: Data was collected by linking maternal data from Virginia’s live birth and fetal death registries. All first live, singleton births occurring in Virginia from 2000-2007 were analyzed. Logistic regression models that controlled for various demographic, medical and obstetric history factors were used to determine associations among prior pregnancy termination types. Results: Compared with women who had no history of previous pregnancy terminations, women who …

Delayed And Forgone Care For Children With Special Health Care Needs In Virginia: A Cross-Sectional Study Using 2005-2006 Ns-Cshcn, Nevena Skoro

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives The objectives of our study were to: 1) summarize illness characteristics and functional ability difficulties among Children With Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) in Virginia, 2) examine the distribution of socio-demographic, health insurance, and health-related factors among Virginia’s CSHCN, 3) quantify the influence of these socio-demographic, health insurance, and health-related factors on delayed and forgone care of CSHNC in Virginia, and 4) analyze reasons for delayed and forgone care among Virginia’s CSHCN. Methods Data from the 2005-2006 National Survey of Children with Special Health Care Needs (NS-CSHCN) were used for this study. Three categories of predictor variables were studied: …

The Small Molecule Bcl-2 Inhibitor Ha14-1 Potentiates The Lethality Of A Regimen Combining Mek1/2 And Chk1 Inhibitors In Multiple Myeloma Cells, Leena Youssefian

Theses and Dissertations

Previously, we have found that the co-administration of MEK1/2 inhibitors and Chk1 inhibitors synergistically induce multiple myeloma cell apoptosis through upregulation of the BH3-only pro-apoptotic protein Bim. However, these apoptotic events were largely blocked by the characteristic over-expression of Bcl-2 of Bcl-xL in multiple myeloma cells. HA14-1, a small molecule Bcl-2 inhibitor, may therefore circumvent this resistance to apoptosis by blocking Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL anti-apoptotic protein actions. In our project, we hypothesize that the co-administration of HA14-1 with MEK/Chk1 inhibitors will enhance apoptosis in multiple myeloma (MM) cells. To test this hypothesis, we exposed MM cells U266 and RPMI8226, or …

Alterations Of High-Energy Brain Metabolites Across Multiple Neurodegenerative Disorders, Jeremy W. Gawryluk

Theses and Dissertations

Brain energy metabolism is vital for many cellular processes including homeostasis and thus disturbances to metabolism can be the cause or consequence of neurodegeneration. Metabolic discrepancies have been hypothesized to be involved but less frequently demonstrated to be manipulated by acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as stroke, traumatic brain injury, and epilepsy. I hypothesized that cerebral energy levels are decreased in my model systems for Alzheimer's disease, Autism, Down syndrome, and HIV-1 dementia and that dietary treatments could enhance energy reserves and protect against neurodegenerative disease. For rodent studies, I utlilized a high-energy head focused microwave irradiation system to …

Role Of The Porphyromonas Gingivalis Ecf Sigma Factor, Sigh, In Oxidative Stress Response, Sara Sarrafee

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease affects a majority of the US population. Porphyromonas gingivalis is the major etiological agent for development and progression of the disease. P. gingivalis is a hemin-dependent, obligate anaerobe that is found predominantly in periodontal pockets in infected patients. So for, little is known regarding the mechanisms which allow P. gingivalis to survive and sustain itself in the oral cavity. To better understand the adaptive mechanisms of the bacterium to the varying conditions in the oral cavity, regulatory mechanisms must be characterized. Sigma factors (σ) are responsible for initiating transcription by guiding RNA polymerase binding to specific DNA promoter …

Interpersonal And Shared Decision Making Models Of Communication Applied To Simulated Requests For Organ Donation, Daniel Baughn

Theses and Dissertations

Using an analogue format, the present study evaluated the viability of relationship and interactional concepts that have been applied to the physician-patient interaction to the field of organ donation by examining the donation request process between procurement coordinators and simulated families. Interpersonal processes were assessed using behavioral ratings by independent observers. Procurement coordinators were viewed as being more submissive than dominant and more friendly than hostile. Family members were viewed as being more hostile than friendly, more dominant and hostile than submissive or friendly, disclosing slightly more personal information than medical information, and engaging in slightly more shared decision making …

An Agent Based Gene Flow Model, Erich Foster

Theses and Dissertations

The understanding of gene movement in plant species is critical to the management of both plant and animal species reliant on that plant. Pollen is the mechanism by which plants pass their genetic material from one generation to the next. Pollen dispersal studies have focused primarily on purely random diffusion processes, while this may be a good assumption for species pollinated mainly by abiotic means, such as wind, it is most likely an over simplification for species that are pollinated by biotic means, such as insects [3]. Correlated random walk (CRW) models are a model of animal movement [10] and …

Tacrolimus Is Not Neuroprotective Against Bilirubin Induced Auditory Impairment, Lori Walker

Theses and Dissertations

In newborns, unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) is not readily excreted, and when bilirubin levels exceed the serum albumin binding capacity, pathological levels of UCB exist. Hyperbilirubinemia may lead to auditory damage and ultimately cause a hearing disorder called auditory neuropathy/dys-synchrony, characterized by absent or abnormal brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) with evidence of normal inner ear function assessed by either otoacoustic emissions or cochlear microphonic responses. Phototherapy and double volume exchange transfusion are used as treatment methods for neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Spontaneously jaundiced Gunn rat pups given sulfadimethoxine to displace bilirubin from serum albumin develop bilirubin encephalopathy and have abnormal BAEPs comparable …

Nourish, Sara Streeter

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the design of a food service space in an historic building in Richmond, Virginia near the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. It is a result of retrofitting an awkward 1850s building by transforming it through the modern concept of a fast casual style restaurant, based in whole ingredients. The thesis is about the process of designing to rebalance the relationship between food and consumer in a modern era.

"Unsex Me Here...:" Looking At Gender In Nude Performance, Vanessa Passini

Theses and Dissertations

"Unsex Me Here…" is an examination of our bodies, what they mean in terms of gender and power, and why they mean what they do. Plucked from Lady Macbeth’s infamous soliloquy, the title suggests the stripping away of something essential that transforms. Sex is not the right word, but gender is. Often, these two are mistaken and interchanged. Myths that support our social structure exist at the intersection of sex and gender. In this production, I collaborated with Pete Guither of the Living Canvas to challenge notions of gender in different textual mediums (via the written text of Shakespeare’s "Macbeth" …

The Second Generation Proteasome Inhibitor Carfilzomib Interacts Synergistically With Hdac Inhibitors In Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Cells Through Multiple Mechanisms And Circumvents Bortezomib Resistance, Dmitry Lembersky

Theses and Dissertations

Mechanisms underlying the interactions between the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib and HDAC inhibitors were examined in both germinal center (GC) and activated B-cell (ABC) subtypes of human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Simultaneous exposure to minimally toxic concentrations of carfilzomib and HDAC inhibitor vorinostat resulted in the release of mitochondrial pro-apoptotic proteins SMAC and cytochrome c, pro-apoptotic caspase activation, and synergistic induction in apoptosis in both ABC and GC DLBCL subtypes. These events were associated with a marked increase in the stress kinase JNK, ROS generation, G2-M cell cycle arrest, as well as induction of DNA damage. Genetic knockdown of JNK …

Spectroscopic Characterizations Of The Compound Ii Intermediate Of Soybean Peroxidase From Soybean Seed Coatings, Andoh-Baidoo Rosemarie Agyepong

Theses and Dissertations

Spectroscopic characterization of ferric soybean peroxidase with peroxides were studied to determine the ligand coordination and to characterize the structure of the heme active site and its intermediates (ferryl species). The lifetime, chemical reactivity and distinctive colors of the ferryl species (FeIV) formed during the oxidation of peroxidase (FeIII) by peroxides enabled structure, dynamics and reaction mechanisms to be studied. Resonance Raman spectroscopy was used as a means of characterizing the structure of the soybean peroxidase and its intermediates. Excitation in the Soret absorption band at 406.7nm with 2-5mW laser power was used for this study. Resonance Raman spectra in …

Real-Time Optical Flow Sensor Design And Its Application On Obstacle Detection, Zhaoyi Wei

Theses and Dissertations

Motion is one of the most important features describing an image sequence. Motion estimation has been widely applied in structure from motion, vision-based navigation and many other fields. However, real-time motion estimation remains a challenge because of its high computational expense. The traditional CPU-based scheme cannot satisfy the power, size and computation requirements in many applications. With the availability of new parallel architectures such as FPGAs and GPUs, applying these new technologies to computer vision tasks such as motion estimation has been an active research field in recent years. In this dissertation, FPGAs have been applied to real-time motion estimation …