Digital Commons Network^™

The Lived Experience Of Caring And Knowing In Senior Nursing Students, Sherry Neil-Urban

Theses and Dissertations

Caring is identified as a central and defining feature of professional nursing. Yet, there is little explicit emphasis on the philosophy and substance of caring in the traditional nursing program. Rather, caring is subsumed by the pressing need to stay current with expanding definitions of nursing competence and increased knowledge required by licensing boards. The purpose of this phenomenological investigation was to better understand the lived experiences of caring and knowing as expressed by senior nursing students near completion of the nursing program. Eighteen sen ior nursing students, within one month of graduation, participated in this interview study in which …

A 3-D Finite Difference Time Domain Investigation Of Microwave Propagation Through Inhomogeneous Biological Materials, David B. Dunn Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This paper extends past analysis of an optimal source distribution around a homogeneous sphere of muscle tissue by using a 3-D finite difference time domain (FDTD) scenario in which an anatomically correct human head model is irradiated. It first duplicates the analytical solution within an FDTD space using an FDTD computer code developed at Penn State University. This duplication uses a 9.45 cm radius sphere represented in an FDTD space of 2.35 mm cubic cells. FDTD simulations are then performed on four, three, and two layer laminated spheres, designed to provide simple models of a head. Finally, four simulations were …

Generation Of A Single-Lobe, Far-Field Intensity Pattern From A Laser Diode Array Using An Optical Delay Line, Thomas A. Summers

Theses and Dissertations

A simple and practical technique is demonstrated to generate a stable, single-lobe, far-field intensity pattern from a one-dimensional, antiphased, laser diode array with gain-guided elements. The two far-field lobes of the array are combined after introducing an optical delay line into the path of one of the lobes to make the lobes mutually incoherent. The incoherent superposition of intensities produces a near-diffraction-limited, single-lobe, far-field intensity pattern containing 84% of the power, exceeding any previous (known) phase control experiments. This technique compares favorably with more elaborate schemes advanced previously using integrated phase plates, etc. The method is directly applicable to one-dimensional …

Parallelization Of The 2d Roe Scheme On The Intel Paragon, John R. Graham Iii

Theses and Dissertations

This study presented a methodology for determining the general performance characteristics of a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) algorithm on the Intel Paragon. By performing a rigorous time complexity analysis of a parallel CFD algorithm, the general performance could be characterized before the code was actually parallelized. This was shown by implementing a serial version of the 2-D Roe Scheme on the Paragon. This explicit code was parallelized by the addition of generic yet efficient routines that decomposed the domain, automatically adjusted partition indices, and performed 2-D and 3-D buffer exchanges. Additionally, efficient global routines available for the Paragon were used …

The Relationship Of Parental Conflict And Parent-Child Relationship To The Sense Of Coherence Of Young Adult Children Of Divorce, Bruce K. Retterath

Theses and Dissertations

Early investigations of children and adolescents of divorce focused on the short-term negative influence of divorce on children and adolescents from "broken homes." Divorce is still seen as an important mediator in children's development, but other variables dealing with the family dynamics have been shown to be significant factors in the response of children to parental divorce. Few studies have considered the long-term influences of parental conflict and the parent-child relationship on young adults, and no studies have examined their relationship with the development of sense of coherence (SOC).

This study investigated the long-term relationship of parents' marital status, parental …

Empiricism, Anatomy, Reality: Reading Herman Melville In The Menippean Tradition., Francis Carter Kaplan

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study is to draw together the art of Herman Melville, Menippean satire, and the empirical tradition in English and Scottish philosophy. Historical and biographical concerns serve as a background for exploring Melville's satire of Platonism, transcendentalism, and hermeneutic apriority. Nathaniel Hawthorne, Edgar Allan Poe, and Washington Irving are discussed in this respect. The dissertation also contains related fiction pieces.The dissertation develops several intertwined conceptions of analysis, drawing together an empirical critical basis derived from Ludwig Wittgenstein and "ordinary language philosophy," the notion of satire as criticism, and the exploration of these concepts through an examination of …

Reproductive Ecology Of Bighorn Sheep In Alpine And Desert Environments., Christine C. Hass

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines reproductive patterns of two herds of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) in contrasting and extreme environments, to look at the range of variability that exists in certain reproductive traits. Desert bighorn sheep (O. c. nelsoni) were studied in the River Mountains of Nevada, an area characterized by hot, dry summers and mild winters. Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (O. c. canadensis) were studied in the Pecos Wilderness of New Mexico, an area characterized by cool, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. The objective of the study was to determine lamb production and survival, lamb birth dates, and postnatal maternal …

The Relationship Between Parental Restrictions And The Occurrence Of Aggressive Behavior In Pre-Adolescent Males., Mary Kathryn Zielinski

Theses and Dissertations

Aggression is one of the most prevalent childhood behavior problems and makes up a large percentage of referrals to psychological clinics. Mental health professionals are likely to recommend that parents of aggressive children set firm rules for their children and that the parents be consistent in enforcing these rules. While this recommendation is suggested by research on parental discipline, there is a relative dearth of information on the relationship between the number of perceived parental rules, the perceived consistency of their enforcement, and the level of aggressive behavior in boys.This study attempted to confirm the importance of consistency in rule …

Exposure Of A Food Crop To Trichloroethylene From A Contaminated Aquifer, Richard G. Baringer

Theses and Dissertations

This research developed a methodology for assessment of the exposure of a mature corn crop to trichloroethylene from a contaminated aquifer. The methodology was then applied to the case of Hill AFB to determine the ability of the methodology to provide information about a specific exposure. Current procedures sample for food contamination but do not attempt to predict exposure problems. A review of the potential exposure pathways from the aquifer to the crop was conducted. Based on this review, the exposures due to soil gas and irrigation were modeled. Empirical estimated were used to approximate the expected flux of soil …

A Retrospective Quantitative Assessment Of Trichloroethylene Exposure Of Workers At Aircraft Maintenance Facilities At Hill Air Force Base Through The Use Of Modeling, Anthony O. Copeland

Theses and Dissertations

Monte Carlo simulation and source-receptor modeling are used to estimate the TCE exposures encountered by select workers at aircraft maintenance facilities at Hill Air Force Base between 1955 and 1979. An epidemiological study of this group, a retrospective cohort study of 14,457 workers who were employed at the base for a minimum of one year between 1952 and 1956, was headed by Dr. R. Spirtas of the National Cancer Institute to evaluate mortality associated with occupational exposure. One of the major conclusions of the study was that TCE 'probably does not pose a strong carcinogenic risk for man.' In the …

Development Of An Analytical Hierarchy Process (Ahp) Model For Siting Of Municipal Solid Waste Facilities, Dimasalang F. Junio

Theses and Dissertations

Deciding on locations for municipal solid waste facilities is a difficult problem where qualitative criteria compete with quantitative economic and engineering criteria, in an environment that is highly political and emotional. State guidelines often describe different methodologies but fall short in offering a solution or a methodology in arriving at a solution. This study develops a decision modeling procedure, based on the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), that can be used by public sector decision makers to locate and site municipal solid waste facilities. The applicability of the procedure is demonstrated at the City of Springfield, Clark County, Ohio. Research efforts …

Modeling Trihalomethane Formation Potential From Wastewater Chlorination, Carol A. Mccormick

Theses and Dissertations

The deletion of federally mandated fecal coliform limits has led many states to review and modify their wastewater disinfection requirements. One issue in analyzing wastewater disinfection is the discharge of potentially carcinogenic halogenated organics formed during the chlorination process. This research investigates the formation of one class of the halogenated organics, the trihalomethanes. The applicability of using drinking water trihalomethane formation models for use with wastewater effluent is examined. Three models are compared for predictive capability by using measured trihalomethane values from previous research data. The results show that a previously developed model is applicable for use based on assumptions …

Experiment Using Infrared Spectroscopy To Study The Effect Of Soil Characteristics Upon The Rate Of Trichloroethylene Desorption, Benjamin T. Kindt

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the influence of soil characteristics on the desorption of trichloroethylene (TCE). TCE is one of the most common contaminants at Superfund sites. Unfortunately, extraction of TCE from contaminated soils has been hindered by its slow and poorly understood desorption from soil particles. The rate and progress of desorption of TCE from seven types of soil with varying particle diameters and elemental compositions was measured using optical absorption techniques. Fitting the data to the Langmuir Isotherm functional form predicted in the literature yielded parameters for the desorption rate and total amount desorption each soil type. These parameters were …

Effects Of Alcohol And Attentional Capacity Demands During Picture Viewing., Arlinda Faye Kristjanson

Theses and Dissertations

Prior research suggests that performing concurrent listening tasks while viewing pictures limits the area of the picture subjects view and the amount they remember. Intoxicated subjects fixate moving objects ignoring other objects more than sober subjects. Both situations demonstrate reduced visual attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of alcohol and capacity demands on visual attention by recording the eye movements of sober and intoxicated subjects viewing static scenes while performing a concurrent listening task. Two groups of eighteen subjects (12 male and 6 females each) were tested after they ingested either a lemonade beverage mixed …

3d Stereo Data Visualization And Representation, Kai-Heng (Felix) Wang

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates a technique for improving the perception and visualization of three dimensional information. This improvement will eventually give physicians the ability to both visualize and understand biomedical image data. Raw data is used to generate a stereo image pair. The raw data must be put in run length encoding RLE format and then converted to a stereo pair. Once the stereo pair is generated, they must be displayed on the Silicon Graphics ONYX workstation in stereo mode. This research uses 3D images of planets and satellites. The display information is transmitted across cable and is projected onto a …

A Comparative Pharmacokinetic Study Of The Role Of Gender And Developmental Differences In Occupational And Environmental Exposure To Benzene, Elizabeth A. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is two-fold. First, it shows that physiological differences between men and women result in gender-specific exposures with respect to benzene. Second, it assesses the potential for a lactating woman's occupational and personal benzene exposure to impact a nursing infant's exposure, highlighting the possibility of subjecting an infant to the effects of industrial chemicals via breast feeding. This study employs physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to investigate the influence of physiological parameters and to evaluate the ability of inhaled benzene to transfer from mother to infant through breastmilk. The models are run through scenarios that simulate …

Coherence And Usability Of An Environmental Impact Statement, Jill A. Easterly

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research effort was to investigate the application of certain principles of effective communication to improve the comprehension, and ultimately the usability, of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Principles from cohesion theory (an area of research describing effective design) were used to manipulate the design of select sections of two sample EISs. Each sample EIS was altered to manipulate the presence and/or absence of visual and linguistic cohesion. Subjects were required to read select versions from each section of the two sample EISs and answer four short answer questions. The dependent variables were accuracy in answering the …

Volatile Organic Compound Emissions From Usaf Wastewater Treatment Plants In Ozone Nonattainment Areas, Brian A. Ouellette

Theses and Dissertations

In accordance with the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments CAAA, this research conducts an evaluation of the potential emission of volatile organic compounds VOCs from selected Air Force wastewater treatment plants. Using a conservative mass balance analysis and process specific simulation models, volatile organic emission estimates are calculated for four individual facilities--Edwards AFB, Luke AFB, McGuire AFB, and McClellan AFB--which represent a cross section of the current inventory of USAF wastewater plants in ozone nonattainment areas. From these calculations, maximum facility emissions are determined which represent the upper limit for the potential VOC emissions from these wastewater plants. Based on …

Evaluation Of Alternative Methods For Wastewater Disinfection, David C. Piech

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the alternative methods of wastewater disinfection. Areas of interest included methods of operation, ease of maintenance, and effectiveness for various types of wastewater. A literature search revealed three major disinfection options, which include chlorination dechlorination, ultraviolet light, and ozone. A questionnaire was sent to the active duty Air Force installations that operate wastewater treatment plants, requesting permit limitations and monthly averages for a variety of wastewater parameters. The majority of Air Force wastewater treatment plants use chlorine for disinfection. Using the data obtained from the questionnaire responses and established wastewater parameters from other research, the basic design …

Simulation Of Hydrologic Influences On Wetland Ecosystem Succession, Robert A. Pompilio

Theses and Dissertations

This research focuses on the development of a simulation model to determine the effects of hydrological influences on a wetland ecosystem. The model allows perturbations to the inputs of various wetland data which in turn, influences the successional development of the ecosystem. This research consisted of converting a grassland ecosystem model to one which simulates wetland conditions. The critical factor in determining the success of wetland creation is the hydrology of the system. There are four of the areas of the original model which are affected by the hydrology. The model measures the health or success of the ecosystem through …

A Preliminary System Dynamics Model Of A Constructed Wetland For The Mitigation Of Metals In Usaf Storm Water, Mark P. Smekrud

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis determines the potential removal and corresponding accumulation of trace metals from Air Force storm water in a constructed wetland through the use of a System Dynamics model. The goal is to determine whether constructed wetlands used as storm water best management practices provide efficient metal removal while creating only benign accumulations of such pollutants. Its purpose is to allow Base Civil Engineers and Environmental Managers a better tool to assess the long-term effects of a constructed wetland used as a storm water mitigation technique. The research is limited to the assessment of typical metal concentrations found in Air …

Status Of Storm Water Pollution In The United States, Lynne A. Urquhart

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the status of storm water pollution in the United States Air Force. This is important since most AF bases are now required to have applied for a NPDES storm water permit. The objectives of the study were to: evaluate the sampling rates used at AF bases; determine the pollutants tested for by the AF bases; compare the pollutant concentrations of the AF bases to an EPA water quality standard; and determine if there were any trends in sampling or pollutant concentrations due to seasonal changes or across AF Commands or EPA Regions. …

A Requirements Analysis For An Integrated Maintenance Information System Application Into Theater Air Control System Maintenance, Morris C. Blumenthal Iii, Stephen W. Starks

Theses and Dissertations

This research was to determine to what extent Integrated Maintenance Information System IMIS functional requirements could satisfy the maintenance information requirements of the ground-based Theater Air Control System. IMIS is a program sponsored by Armstrong Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio to automate maintenance information. To date, Armstrong Laboratory has only targeted aircraft maintenance for this automated program. The Theater Air Control System contains powerful military radars connected to a mobile communications and computer network. Theater Air Control System maintenance information requirements were identified through a study of the 728th Air Control Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, …

An Evaluation Of The Educational Effectiveness Of A Relational Course Compared To Single Topic Courses Offered By The Management Department Of The United States Air Force, Kevin M. Kosefeski

Theses and Dissertations

This study compares the educational effectiveness of two different methods of teaching three senior-level management courses at the United States Air Force Academy. The first method, known as relational instruction, combined Management Information Systems MIS, Marketing, and Strategic Management into one three hour course worth nine credits. The team of instructors used a variety of delivery methods to present material. The second method of instruction employed single topic courses covering the same three topics as the relational course, taught by single instructors in one hour blocks using mostly lecture to deliver material. The literature review covered Blooms taxonomy of educational …

Modeling Of Ground Water Aquifer Remediation By Pulsed Pumping When Contaminant Transport Is Affected By Physical, Non-Equilibrium Sorption And Desorption, Jeffrey L. Caspers

Theses and Dissertations

This research postulates and demonstrates a modification incorporating rate-limited sorption effects in the USGS SUTRA code for cleanup of a hypothetical sandy aquifer by pump-and-treat remediation methods. Contaminant transport is assumed to be affected by advection, dispersion, and rate-limited sorption/desorption. Sorption is assumed to be either equilibrium or rate-limited, with the rate-limitation described by either a first-order law, or by Fickian diffusion of contaminant through a spherical immobile pore region. Solutions are arrived at by split operator methods for the transport and one-dimensional Galerkin solutions for the solute concentration equations. The resulting model is tested against an analytical Laplace transform …

Parents' Reactions To The Sexual Abuse Of Their Children, Donna Greifer

Theses and Dissertations

The present study examined 100 parents' predictions of their reactions to child sexual abuse. Subjects consisted of two groups, parents with a self-reported history of sexual abuse and parents with no reported history of sexual abuse. They were assigned to one of three experimental conditions to consider a case where their own child is abused (hypothetically) by: 1) an adult relative 2) an adult non- relative 3) a spouse or partner (i.e., a case of incest). Thus, the present study examined parents' reactions, how the reactions of parents' relationship to reported perpetrator affects these reactions, and how parents' prior history …

On Meaningful Assessment Of 'Motivation' : Steps Toward More Detailed Causal Modeling And Measurement, William J. Schmelzer

Theses and Dissertations

This study was a continuance of prior research and theory on the nature and assessment of motivation. The focus was on the academic performance situation. Existing empirical and theoretical work was utilized to formulate a complex causal model which identifies constituent elements related to motivation and performance, and which explicates their respective relationships. The theoretical model was employed to create an operational model for measurement and prediction of collegiate grade performance, a cumulative index of performance.

Three main fields of theory and inquiry were incorporated in the model: Attribution theory, self-system theory and metacognition theory. Literature dealing with pertinent knowledge …

Changes In Nursing Students' Knowledge Of Bloodborne Pathogens And Perception Of Safety In Practice From Sophomore To Senior Years In School, Ellen J. O'Connor

Theses and Dissertations

Bloodborne pathogens have received increasing attention since Acguired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) became known in the United States. Until that time, antibiotics, immunizations, and increasingly sophisticated infection control practices had markedly decreased health care workers' occupational risk for contraction of bloodborne and other infectious diseases. From a nursing education perspective, it was important to ascertain knowledge deficits students have related to caring for clients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and the Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).

Therefore, the purposes of this study were to compare sophomore and senior nursing students relative to: a) their knowledge of bloodborne pathogens (particularly HIV …

"The Desire Of The Woman Which Is For The Desire Of The Man" Feminist Readings In Austen And Atwood, Mary M. Pringle

Theses and Dissertations

Three novels by Jane Austen are compared to three novels by Margaret Atwood in the context of reading and writing as feminist activities. Anna G. Jonasdottir's theoretical discussion of male authority supported by women's alienated love elaborates the apparent truth of W.B. Yeats's observation that "the desire of the woman ... is for the desire of the man," the thematic link between the three essays which focus on women's concerns regarding love, maternity, and professionalism. Austen and Atwood are presented as early and late forms of a bright, coherent, middle-class female subjectivity that has remained remarkably coherent over two centuries …

Differences In The Development And Expression Of A Sense Of Coherence Between Euro-Americans And Native Americans, Barbara J. Bowman

Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the development and expression of Antonovsky's (1987) Sense of Coherence (SOC) in individual lives in a cross-cultural context. Two groups of subjects were examined using a survey format. One group was from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana and the other from UND. The psychological and physical health of these subjects, their family interaction patterns, and the coping strategies they use were examined to assist in increasing our understanding about how people from different cultures manage stress and stay healthy.

Both groups appear equally healthy, both mentally and physically, and scored equally well on measures of SOC. …