Digital Commons Network^™

The Metabolic Role Of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase In Rabbit Enterocytes., Sherry A. Wuensch

Theses and Dissertations

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) is a key gluconeogenic enzyme. In gluconeogenic tissues, cytosolic PEPCK is essential for glucose formation whereas no metabolic role is defined for mitochondrial PEPCK. Large amounts of PEPCK activity are present in the mucosa of small intestine from rabbits although this tissue is not known to be a significant site for gluconeogenesis in adult animals. Thus the intent of the project was to investigate the intracellular distribution and role of PEPCK in rabbit enterocytes from the small intestine.Initially, a procedure was developed to isolate viable enterocytes from the small intestine of rabbits for use in enzyme and …

Reaction Based Grasp Force Assignment, Mark W. Hunter

Theses and Dissertations

An iterative method is developed by which the contact forces required to apply an arbitrary wrench (six elements of force and moment) to a stably grasped object may be calculated quickly. The assignment of contact forces, given a required object wrench, is accomplished with the use of fuzzy logic. This concept is referred to as the fuzzy logic reactive system (FLRS). The solution is versatile with respect to goals inherent in the rulebase and the input parameters, and is also applicable for an arbitrary number of contacts. The goal presented in this research, to illustrate the concept of the FLRS, …

Changing Role Of The Female In Mythically Based Fantastic Literature And Films For Young Adults, Deborah Dougherty Dietrich

Theses and Dissertations

Psychoanalysts Sigmund Freud and C.G. Jung first noted the archetypal symbolism to be found in the dreams, myths and legends of people around the world. Bruno Bertelheim, a disciple of Freud, and renowned mythologist Joseph Campbell applied these principles of universal symbolism to help explain the continuing appeal of fairy tale, legend and myth in contemporary society. The thesis addresses the universality of these archetypal messages as mirrored in contemporary fantastic fiction for young adults, showing how the adolescent rite of passage explored in the heroic quest myths of primitive peoples is still used in many works of fantastic literature …

Cd-Rom Technology: How It Is Utilized In K-12 School Library Media Centers, Amy Jo Hufana

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to investigate how CD-ROM technology is utilized in school library media centers in Cape May County, New Jersey and in other locations throughout the United States. A survey has been conducted to supply information about many aspects of CD-ROM use, including the types of hardware and software used, the extent of use of different types of programs, the responsibilities of library media specialists in utilizing and managing CD-ROM resources, and the amount of use by teachers, students, and others. Library media specialists from Cape May County and other locations in New Jersey have responded …

Recommendations For A Policy Regarding Online Searching At The Cape May County Library, Linda L. Melroy

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to ascertain and compare the methods used by other New Jersey public libraries in order to best serve their patrons' needs in a technological society. The libraries of today, including Cape May County Public Library, are facing the challenge of providing online services to an ever more sophisticated clientele. At the same time, the funds for these services may be difficult to obtain.

A questionnaire was sent to fifteen New Jersey public libraries, twelve of whom responded. Questions involving the type of online searching being done at their institution were raised. Also questioned were …

The Effect Of Parental Remediation On The Musical Literacy Of Elementary School Students As Measured Through Their Music Aptitude, Margaret Davis Clement

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to study the effect of parental intervention on the music literacy of children in grades Kindergarten through Third Grade. The problem of the study was to determine if parental remediation at home could have an effect on the music literacy of children as measured through their music aptitude.

The entire population of a Kindergarten through Third Grade school participated in the study. Six classes were excluded for practical reasons. A parent survey was sent home. Some families were randomly asked to participate as the experimental group. At the same time, the Primary Measures of …

Measures Of Psychological Androgyny In Female Paramedics, Lynn M. Collins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine whether female paramedics were found to be more psychologically androgynous than female non-paramedics. The study group consisted of forty-two female paramedics. The control group consisted of forty-two females from occupations typically considered to be "feminine" professions. All subjects were administered the Bem Sex Role Inventory and asked to rate themselves on the sixty (60) personality characteristics contained within the instrument. Independent samples t-tests were performed on the androgyny scores and the masculine and feminine scores for the questionnaire. The results were contrary to prediction and found that the control group was …

An Investigation Of The Association Between The Musical Aptitude Of Elementary Students And The Musical Aptitude Of Their Biological Parents, Susan Guerrini

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a hereditary link between the musical aptitude of elementary students and the musical aptitude of their biological parents.

The problem of the study was to determine if three age specific tests, created by the same author, could be equalized to measure the association of the musical aptitude of students and their biological parents.

Eighty-eight students from Grades 1 through 5 and eighty-one volunteer parents took part in the study, totaling 169 participants. The students from these families attended the same suburban, middle class elementary school, where they received fifty …

The Effects Of Single Parenthood On Juvenile Delinquency, Lisa A. Barbetti

Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to explore the effects of parental separation and divorce on the occurrence rate of delinquent acts committed by male youths. The age of the child at the time of parental breakup, parental education, and parental employment were also measured for effects on delinquent behavior. The sample consisted of sixty male youths between the ages of twelve and fourteen. The students were sampled while in homeroom at several Vineland, New Jersey public schools. The data analyzed in this study was obtained through administration of a twelve question self report in which the students circled …

The Effects Of Premenstrual Syndrome On Women With Mental Disabilities, Richard H. Doughty Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Studies have shown that P.M.S. has a negative effect for women on many aspects of life. P.M.S. seems to affect social situations, family life, stress, mood, substance abuse, and crime. The purpose of this one way analysis study is to evaluate the effects of P.M.S. on women with mental disabilities with non-compliant behaviors. Fifty women, whose intelligence quotient levels range between severe and profound, who reside in an institution for individuals with mental disabilities were selected for this study. Each woman has some type of non-compliant behavior. Each female has been placed on a behavior modification program plan to reduce …

Family Preservation Services: Aftercare Services That Help Families Maintain Success, Mary S. Perez

Theses and Dissertations

This research reports placement outcomes at 6 months post intervention for a sample of sixty families enrolled in a family preservation program. Families with at least one child who is "at imminent risk" of being placed in the community participated in the family preservation program. During the intervention, families were introduced to several skills(communication and discipline skills) that would enable them to diffuse any crises that may arise due to parent/child conflict. After the families successfully completed the intervention, forty were referred to either another in-home based counseling program or outpatient therapy. Twenty families received no aftercare services. Follow-ups were …

The Adaptive Behavior Scale: A Correlation Study At A Residential Treatment Facility, Simone Bey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to examine correlation of scores on the American Association on Mental Retardation Adaptive Behavior Scale-School Second Edition (ABS-SE:2) across two settings. The sample consisted of thirteen males and seventeen females who participate in a Behavior Disorders program. It was hypothesized that scores would be significant at the .05 level (p<.05). Previous research on adaptive behavior scales has resulted in mixed findings. Partially this is due to problems and differences in methodology. First, there are four versions and editions of the AAMR Adaptive Behavior Scales that have been utilized in research within the last twenty years. Second, differences in sample variations affected these results. For example, subjects were included with a range of intellectual functioning (severe to normal) and classification (e.g., conduct disorder). Further, correlation between settings (school and home) in previous research had ranged from low to high. About half of the studies reviewed indicated significant correlation between parent and teacher scores. The other half indicated an insignificant relationship between these scores. Score correlations were computed with the Pearson product moment correlation coefficient(r). The results indicate significant correlations on seven Domains. Also, residential counselors rated subjects higher on six Part Two Domains.

A Study To Compare The Effectiveness Of A Response Cost Approach And A Traditional Approach To Behavior Modification With An Add Child, Maureen T. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to compare the effectiveness of a response cost approach and a traditional approach to behavior modification. The subject is a seven year old boy diagnosed with characteristics of ADD. Baseline data was collected for five consecutive school days Three behaviors were targeted. Intervention consisted of six weeks of traditional behavior modification involving an individual sticker chart when filled earning computer time followed by six weeks of response cost involving the removal of chips for negative behaviors. Remaining chips could be exchanged far computer time at the end of each day.

The results of …

Enhancement Of Coastal Dredge Disposal Sites To Create Habitat For Endangered, Threatened, And Protected Species, Mary Beth Simpson

Theses and Dissertations

As human activities and development along the shoreline continue to increase, more and more wildlife habitat is lost, leaving many species with a precarious prospect for survival. Biologists and environmentalists are continually exploring options which may prevent plants and animals from becoming extinct. Strategic placement of new sites is becoming increasingly valuable as a management tool.

the purpose of this study was to develop a plan for enhancement of a cluster of dredged material islands, in order to create suitable habitat for four endangered, threatened, and protected animal species.

Four dredged material islands were assessed for suitability. Surveys were conducted …

Enrichment Course In Environmental Education For Studying Coastal Wetlands Ecology Through The Visual Arts, Cynthia Lynn Hasbrouck

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to develop an environmental education course to be offered to students in grades 4-6 at the Wetlands Institute in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. The course was designed to teach coastal wetlands ecology through the visual arts to supplement and enrich the current environmental education program offered by the Institute. Although the course is designed specifically for use at the Institute, the activities can be adapted to a similar wetland site and used in part by a resourceful teacher to suit the needs of students of any age or level.

The course format consists of …

Influence Of Supplemental Food For Striped Skunks On Duck Nest Success In The Prairie Pothole Region Of North Dakota, Donovan G. Pietruszewski

Theses and Dissertations

Predation on clutches of upland nesting ducks has been implicated as a major cause of low duck production in the Prairie Pothole Region. Management techniques that reduce predation rates and are socially acceptable are of interest to wildlife managers. This thesis examines differences in nest success of upland nesting ducks in areas where supplemental food was provided (treatment areas) for striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) compared to areas where supplemental food was not provided (control areas). Differences in nest success between areas occupied by red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and coyotes (Canis latrans) were also examined. The study was conducted from 1993-94 …

Written Guidance Document For Municipalities For Storm Water Permitting In Gloucester County, Krista Lee Fritz

Theses and Dissertations

To date, no such general permit has been issued to an individual municipality for stormwater dischargers. This thesis focused on the design of a stormwater characterization plan that was acceptable to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and provided the basis for municipal stormwater permitting by municipalities within Gloucester County.

The author produced a written guidance document that enabled individual municipalities located in Gloucester County to research data on and design on their own, using this step-by-step approach to stormwater permitting, a plan that is acceptable to NJDEP for a "General Municipal Stormwater" permit to control stormwater discharges within …

A Study To Increase Educational Interaction Between The Adult/Child Within The Treehouse At The Philadelphia Zoo, Jennifer L. Studley

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to conduct a study assessing adult/child interaction in the TREEHOUSE that will yield a series of recommendations to assist in meeting the educational objectives of the TREEHOUSE.

The author conducted a naturalistic study employing adult/child observations and interviews. The groups studied consisted of between two and five individuals, including one adult and one child. Twenty-two groups were observed and eleven groups were interviewed, four of which were both observed and interviewed. Data was recorded and analyzed. Major findings were presented in the form of text, graphs and charts.

Interaction between adults and children did …

Faculty Perceptions Of Constructivist Change In Teaching Of Introductory College Chemistry Courses, Mark A. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

There has been much questioning in the chemistry education literature of the effectiveness of introductory chemistry courses, particularly pointing to the high dropout and failure rate. Studies question the effectiveness of lecturing, the most common methodology for teaching introductory chemistry. Currently there is much discussion as to use of alternative, constructivist teaching and learning models which are more consistent with scientific inquiry.

This study is a qualitative, naturalistic investigation of the perceptions of seven college chemistry professors who hold doctorates in chemistry, teach introductory chemistry, and express interest in improving teaching and learning. In-depth open-ended interviews were used to gain …

Ecology Of The Northern Badlands Elk Herd, Alan Strassler

Theses and Dissertations

The current population of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) in the northern badlands of North Dakota originated from a accidental release in 1977. Efforts to manage the elk population in the northern badlands have been hindered for a number of reasons 1) the census data from fixed-wing aircraft does not adequately determine population sizes in forested areas with low numbers of individuals and herds, 2) habitat use and seasonal home range of elk in this region have not been identified.

The objectives of this study were to determine for the northern badlands elk herd: 1) the movement patterns and …

Parents Perceptions: When An Adolescent Has Been Given A Dual Diagnosis Of Chemical Dependency Coupled With Mental Illness, Lisa R. Warner

Theses and Dissertations

An overview of existing research shows that dually diagnosed individuals present a unique and complex challenge for family members and the professionals who work with them.

This exploratory study examined the impact on and family perceptions of the dual disorders as well as their treatment experience. Face to face interviews were conducted with ten parents who were selected from a treatment facility on the basis of specific criteria mainly, parents of a dually diagnosed adolescent recently having been or currently in treatment. Selections were also based on availability and willingness to participate.

Grounded theory techniques were used to analyze the …

The Effects Of Positive Action And The Sexual Abuse Prevention Program On Sexually Abused Students' Behavior, Social Skills, And Self-Esteem, Paul W. Houser

Theses and Dissertations

This study was designed to examine the effects of the Positive Action Program and the Sexual Abuse Prevention Program on sexually abused students' behavior, social skills, and self-esteem. Four classrooms of multiple handicapped elementary aged students in Burlington County Special Services District were selected, giving a sample of forty-four. Each week pupils received four lessons, for twenty minutes each, of instruction in the two programs. Prior to program implementation in the Fall and again in the Spring students rated their social skills development, behavior problems, and self-esteem.

Results indicated that the programs in the course of only a six month …

The Construction Of Effective Cooperative Learning Groups For Successful High School Biology Instruction, Diana I. Probasco

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to determine the effect of balancing learning styles in the construction of cooperative learning groups. The investigation attempted to determine if science instruction and subsequent achievement can be enhanced by establishing effective cooperative learning groups. The Learning Style Inventory was used to determine learning styles. Then groups were formed based on either construction of balanced or unbalanced cooperative learning groups. Students then completed group activities as contained in the Celebrate Immunity Team Pack. Pretests and posttests were administered in order to measure cognitive gains. A statistical analysis of the results of the groups showed …

Generalized Hidden Filter Markov Models Applied To Speaker Recognition, John M. Colombi

Theses and Dissertations

Classification of time series has wide Air Force, DoD and commercial interest, from automatic target recognition systems on munitions to recognition of speakers in diverse environments. The ability to effectively model the temporal information contained in a sequence is of paramount importance. Toward this goal, this research develops theoretical extensions to a class of stochastic models and demonstrates their effectiveness on the problem of text-independent (language constrained) speaker recognition. Specifically within the hidden Markov model architecture, additional constraints are implemented which better incorporate observation correlations and context, where standard approaches fail. Two methods of modeling correlations are developed, and their …

Linear And Non-Linear Preprocessing Of Wavefront Sensor Slope Measurements For Improved Adaptive Optics Performance, Dennis A. Montera

Theses and Dissertations

New methods for preprocessing wavefront sensor (WFS) slope measurements are presented. Methods are developed to improve the accuracy of WFS slope measurements, as well as estimating key atmospheric and system parameters from the slope signals. Both statistical and artificial neural network solutions are investigated. Also, new atmospheric models for generating slope and phase data with the proper spatial and temporal statistics are developed. The experiments in improving the accuracy of WFS slope measurements include reducing the WFS slope measurement error and compensating for adaptive optics system time delay through temporal slope prediction. The experiments in key parameter estimation include estimating …

Occupational Sex Type And Gender Differences In Vocational Preference: An Internal Analysis Of Item Bias On Selected Items Of The Strong Interest Inventory Using Dif Procedures., Jesse R. Aros

Theses and Dissertations

Presenting problem. The measurement of expressed occupational preference continues to be affected by occupational sextyping, a non-interest related variable. Teasing out bias (sextype) from restrictiveness (real and artifact gender differences) is needed to help improve sex-fairness in vocational measurement. Occupational sextyping may affect internalizations of external expectancies of what one should be like or likes as much as what an individual is truly like or likes, altering preference.Research and methods. Responses were obtained from an anonymous data pool (n = 16,484) of 18-22 year olds who submitted their SII to the test publisher for scoring. Mean age and standard deviation …

Evidence Of Oxidative Stress In Copper Deprived Hl60 Cells, Anne C. Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Interactions Between Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase And Several Tca Cycle Enzymes Purified From Rabbit Liver Mitochondria, Bruce James Watkins

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

N-Acetyltransferase Polymorphism And Suspectibility Of Prostate Tumorigenesis, Wen Jiang

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Hermaphrodite In Cyberspace, Paul Jentz

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.