Digital Commons Network^™

The Relationship Between Self-Directed Fluid Intake, Short-Term Weight Change, And On-Ice Jump Success In High Level Figure Skaters, Robyn Christine Knutson Bueling

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.

Resonance Two Photon Ionization Study Of Binary Clusters Of Styrene With Polar Molecules, Hatem Ahmed Mahmoud

Theses and Dissertations

One-color resonance two-photo ionization (R2PI) spectra of mixed clusters of styrene molecule (S) with polar molecules [water (W), methanol (M), ethanol (E), and trifuoroethanol (T)] were measured through the S1←S0 transition of the styrene molecule. The spectra reveal a rapid increase in complexity with the number of polar molecules in the cluster, associated with van der Waal modes and isomeric forms. The spectral shifts of the cluster origins from the S1-S0 transition of the bare styrene molecule reflect the nature of the intermolecular interactions within the binary clusters. The obtained R2PI spectra xv were compared with the spectra of the …

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 …

Effects Of Fluctuating Water Levels On Quality And Quantity Of Critical Fish Habitat In Devils Lake, North Dakota, Ryan John Krapp

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Growth Factor Regulation Of Scleral Proteoglycan Synthesis, Aaron L. Luebke

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

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 …

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 …

Vascular Cell Dysfunction And Transendothelial Migration Of Neutrophils In Preeclampsia, Courtney Elizabeth Leik

Theses and Dissertations

Oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, neutrophil activation and endothelial cell dysfunction are characteristic of women with preeclampsia. We used in vitro experiments to test if a combination of oxidative stress and linoleic acid favors a mechanism for neutrophil transendothelial migration. We used linoleic acid because it is one of the fatty acids elevated in preeclampsia and the precursor for arachidonic acid and its inflammatory metabolites. For these studies, we developed a methodology for isolating and Culturing human vascular smooth muscle cells from placental chorionic plate arteries. Treatment of these cells with an oxidizing solution enriched with linoleic acid, but neither component alone, …

Mechanisms Underlying Protection Against Rt-2 Gliomagenesis In Rat Brain Utilizing Primary And Secondary Vaccination, Andrea M. Lister

Theses and Dissertations

Primary brain tumor affects some 18,000 adults in the United States each year (Silverberg et al., 1990; Merchant et al., 1997) and over 30% are high-grade anaplastic astrocytoma or glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) (Parney et al., 1997). According to Kruse et al., 1989, the treatment of patients with recurrent or persistent high-grade gliomas represents a major therapeutic challenge. The use of conventional therapy consisting of surgery, followed by radiation therapy and chemotherapy for gliomas, has been relatively ineffective (Jaecle et al., 1994) despite the fact that these therapies are cytoreductive in nature (Black, 1991). Most malignancies will recur locally but may …

Afm, Cafm, And Efm Studies Of The Gan System, John C. Dickinson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses a variety of techniques based on the atomic force microscope (AFM), and their application to the GaN materials system. In particular, the local conductivity and contact potential of surfaces have been measured using the techniques of Conductive AFM (CAFM) and Surface Potential Electric Force Microscopy (SPEFM), respectively. CAFM studies of GaN surfaces have revealed that prismatic planes around islands and pits on surfaces can lead to enhanced conductivity, which may be related to leakage problems in device applications. With regard to SP-EFM work, the change in surface potential associated with inversion domains on Ga-polar GaN has been …

Moments Of Trust: Sibling Responses To The Disclosure Of A Sister's Lesbian Identity, Ryan Walter Mckee

Theses and Dissertations

To better understand the responses of siblings to the disclosure of a sister's lesbian identity, eight pairs of siblings, each consisting of one lesbian participant and one of her siblings, were interviewed. Both lesbian and sibling participants were asked to discuss family relationships before disclosure (coming out), the actual disclosure, sibling reactions, parental reactions, and family relationships since disclosure. Notable results include "closeness" in sibling relationships and high levels of "trust" as strong predictors of supportive sibling responses. Siblings were also found to take on the role of confidant and counselor for their parents as they negotiated their daughters' newly-disclosed …

The Bond Strength Of Adhesive Resin Cement: Time Differential Between Cementation And Finishing Of Cast Dowel-Cores, Purnima Joan Shahani

Theses and Dissertations

THE BOND STREGTH OF ADHESIVE RESIN CEMENT: TIME DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN CEMENTATION AND FINISHING OF CAST DOWEL-CORES By Purnima Joan Shahani, D.D.S., M.S.A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University.Virginia Commonwealth University, 2003Major Director: Peter C. Moon, M.S., PhDDirector of VCU Dental Biomaterials LaboratoryThis study compared the retention of cast dowel-cores cemented with Panavia® 21 subjected to immediate versus delayed high-speed finishing. Conventionally, finishing is delayed for 24 hours to one week to allow for optimal setting and ultimate strength of the cement. Forty-five recently extracted human …

Normal Mixture Models For Gene Cluster Identification In Two Dimensional Microarray Data, Eric Scott Harvey

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on methodology specific to microarray data analyses that organize the data in preliminary steps and proposes a cluster analysis method which improves the interpretability of the cluster results. Cluster analysis of microarray data allows samples with similar gene expression values to be discovered and may serve as a useful diagnostic tool. Since microarray data is inherently noisy, data preprocessing steps including smoothing and filtering are discussed. Comparing the results of different clustering methods is complicated by the arbitrariness of the cluster labels. Methods for re-labeling clusters to assess the agreement between the results of different clustering techniques …

An Invariance Transformation Algorithm For Defect Characterization Of Ultrasonic Signals For The Nondestructive Evaluation Of Concrete, Michael Dominic Ciocco

Theses and Dissertations

Nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques offer cost-effective strategies for monitoring the integrity of a variety of civil infrastructure, such as natural gas and sewer pipelines, without the need to take the system off-line. However, interpretation of NDE signals in terms of the location, size, and shape of underlying flaws in the material being inspected is fraught with difficulty. Typically, variations in the testing signal due to operational parameters have created a significant challenge for defect characterization. This thesis proposes, develops, and validates a defect characterization algorithm that compensates for operational variables and maps the test signal to a visual defect profile. …

Controlling Laser High-Order Harmonic Generation Using Weak Counter-Propagating Light, Sergei Leonidovich Voronov

Theses and Dissertations

Laser high-order harmonic generation in the presence of relatively weak interfering light is investigated. The interfering pulses intersect the primary harmonic-generating laser pulse at the laser focus. The interfering light creates a standing intensity and phase modulation on the field, which disrupts microscopic phase matching and shuts down local high harmonic production. Suppression of the 23rd harmonic (by two orders of magnitude) is observed when a counter-propagating interfering pulse of light is introduced. A sequence of counter-propagating pulses can be used to shut down harmonic production in out-of-phase zones of the generating volume to achieve quasi phase matching. Harmonic emission …

Short Term Observations Of In Vitro Biocorrosion Of Two Commonly Used Implant Alloys, Hsin-Yi Lin

Theses and Dissertations

Orthopedic metal implant materials may mediate a variety of adverse tissue reactions by releasing ions through corrosion. Adverse tissue reactions include inflammation, fibrosis and hypersensitivity. All of these reactions eventually lead to implant failure. The goal of this study was to provide a better understanding of the cellular-material interaction at the metal surface. The hypotheses were that 1. the attachment of cells and their released reactive inflammatory compounds (e.g. hydrogen peroxide H2O2, superoxide O2. and nitric oxide NO.) on the surfaces alter the alloys? corrosion and surface properties and 2. the changes in corrosion and chemical properties of the surfaces …

Relationships Between Reflectance And Soil Physical And Chemical Properties, Abdulrahman Mohammed Alrajehy

Theses and Dissertations

Soil chemical and physical properties are important to farm productivity, and they vary within fields, so farmers are interested in managing inputs like fertilizer according to local soil conditions within fields. Thus, they must have knowledge of soil conditions of interest, which have historically been measured at a few locations with tedious soil sampling and laboratory analyses. Advantageous to farmers would be a measurement method that provided more geographically detailed information at similar or lower cost. Remote and ground-based optical sensing are possibilities for gathering detailed soil information rapidly and inexpensively. This study considers the possibility of optically measuring soil …

Adsorption Of Organic Pollutants Onto Natural Adsorbents, Arun Subramani

Theses and Dissertations

In this research, the adsorptive capacities of kenaf, peat moss, hay, and peanut hulls were evaluated for the removal of TNT and 2,4-DCP from aqueous solutions. Adsorbent loading capacities determined by batch studies were verified by continuous column experiments. It was found that the adsorption capacity of the candidate adsorbents were significantly lower than granular activated carbon (GAC). The impact of surface modification techniques, such as surface oxidation, were evaluated to study the effect on adsorption capacity. At lower equilibrium concentrations of the adsorbate (less than 10 ppb), surface oxidation by ozone showed an increase in the adsorption capacity. The …

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting: Behaviors, Attitudes And Beliefs Among Psychologists Regarding Current And Proposed Statutes, Angela Marie Cavett

Theses and Dissertations

Child abuse is a serious societal problem that has occurred throughout history. However, only recently has society begun to formally confront child maltreatment by requiring professionals, including psychologists, to identify children who are being abused or neglected, through formal, mandated reporting. Child abuse reports are general addressed by social workers from Social Service Departments. However, this system is not always effective. Despite the mandates to report, psychologists have chosen to not report some cases, especially cases of mild physical abuse.

Psychologists make decisions regarding whether or not to report. This study elaborates on and extends what is known about psychologists' …

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 …

Synthetic And Computational Studies On Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Derivatives, Nucleoside Analogs And Peptides, Felix Nyuangem Ngassa

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, the understanding of the structure and functions of biological macromolecules has advanced rapidly, the result of which is a better mechanistic understanding of many biological processes. As an outgrowth of this understanding, organic molecules that react with biological macromolecules (DNA) or adopt conformations responsible for specific functions in biological macromolecules (peptides and proteins) have been synthesized and computational modeling studies performed. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and β-peptides are among synthetic organic compounds known to interact with natural biological macromolecules. This interaction may affect the specific biological functions of the biomacromolecules. A variety of synthetic methodologies have been …

Depression And Help-Seeking Behavior Of North Dakota Farmers: The Impact Of The Farm Crisis, Wanda J. Mcsparron

Theses and Dissertations

Little is known about the psychological impact of the current farm crisis. This study examined the incidence of depression and the help-seeking behavior among North Dakota farmers. A secondary purpose was to determine the relationship of economic stress, as well as demographic variables, with levels of depression and help-seeking behavior.

A sample of 500 North Dakota farm operators was randomly selected from Prairie Grains Magazine mailing list and asked to participate in a mail survey. 199 farm operators and 120 spouses/partners responded to the survey. Each participant was asked to anonymously complete and return the Personal Data Questionnaire, Financial Stress …

Time Matters: Temporally Enacted Frame-Works In Narrative Accounts Of Mediation, Erling O. Jorgensen

Theses and Dissertations

Bateson's (1979) method of double description is utilized to examine narrative accounts of participants' mediation experiences, as a way to investigate significant change events. Comparing what changes to what remains more stable suggests that temporal differences are an indicator of contextualization, providing a framework for how meaning is made meaningful. Case studies of two of these structured interview transcripts are intensively analyzed, with triangulating measures of different logical type. Specifically, these include narrative analysis of key story points, temporal analysis of the frequency and distribution of in vivo codes to yield repetitive themes, and a modified lag analysis of codes …

Longitudinal Predictors Of Weight Fluctuation In Men And Women, Kelly L. Bishop

Theses and Dissertations

Previous literature has indicated that weight loss maintenance represents a major challenge in the management of obesity (Brownell, 1995; Stunkard, 1985). The vast majority of individuals who diet lose and regain weight many times, a pattern often referred to as weight cycling.

The present study was a prospective attempt to understand weight maintenance and fluctuation in a general/normal sample of individuals (n = 315) and in a select group of weight loss maintainers (n = 19). Participants were assessed twice, six months apart, and weight change over this period was correlated with several predictors assessed at Time 1. These predictors …

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 …

Protein -Protein Interactions Between Aldolase, Lactate Dehydrogenase And The Cytoskeleton Using Green Fluorescent Protein-Labeled Enzymes., Karl Alexander Wald

Theses and Dissertations

Interactions between the glycolytic enzymes lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), lactate dehydrogenase B (LDHB) and aldolase and F-actin o f the cytoskeleton were studied by constructing enzyme/GFP (green fluorescent protein) fusion proteins and measuring the interactions via in vitro co-precipitation analysis and in vivo localization analysis using fluorescent and confocal microscopy. Primers were used to isolate the genes o f LDHA, LDHB and aldolase from human muscle and heart cDNA libraries by PCR. GFP-fusion proteins were designed in N-terminal and C-terminal directions. GFPfusion proteins containing the 10-terminal amino acids from both the N and C terminus o f these enzymes were …

Screening Lytic Phage Display Libraries For Proteins Which Interact With Camp -Dependent Protein Kinase Regulatory Subunit Type I-Alpha., Robert A. Blanco

Theses and Dissertations

Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) is an essential signaling element involved in the regulation and modulation of cardiac function. It is an integral part of several signaling pathways. Evidence is mounting showing the necessity for subcellular localization of PKA regulatory subunits (R) for linking effector to response. Colocalization of PKA with specific substrates streamlines signaling while maintaining agonist specificity. Discerning which PKA actions require type-specific localization and how localization is effected is important for a better understanding o f the multiple roles PKA plays in the heart. RII is localized through interaction o f its dimerization domain with A kinase …

Comparing Clustering Algorithms For Use With Genomic And Proteomic Data, Rebecca A. Olson

Theses and Dissertations

The Human Genome Project and related projects have resulted in the development of a number of new experimental and analytic tools for use in genomic and proteomic research. In the area of toxicogenomics, researchers are concerned with how genes react to exposure to certain chemicals. The United States Air Force is interested in the effect of exposure to mission-essential chemicals. Although military personnel may come into contact with chemicals such as hydrazine, risk assessment is usually very limited. On the genomic level, risk assessment is a multi-stop and multi-disciplinary process. The process begins with an experiment that exposes cells to …

Evaluation Of A Treatment Program For An Adult Outpatient Client At A Community Mental Health Center, Kristi A. Baese

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to review the literature and determine what treatment modality would best work for the client chosen with the diagnosis of Dependent Personality Disorder. While reviewing the literature, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) appeared to be the treatment that worked the best. This 39 year-old Caucasian female presented with a number of complaints, including difficulties in forming non-abusive relationships, low self-esteem and possible depression, possible panic attacks and difficulty relating to and parenting her 12-year-old daughter. A treatment plan was developed and the client attended weekly sessions with the therapist. CBT was used to work on …