Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Mineral Wool And Waste Glass On The Mechanical Strength Of A Ceramic Composite, Marty R. Berg

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Hypoxia On The Proliferation And Cytoskeletal Arrangement Of Retinal Microvessel Endothelial Cells In Vitro, Yanqin Lou

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

In Vitro Oxidative Damage To Mitochondria From Diabetic And Normal Rats And Its Relationship To Levels Of Antioxidant Enzymes, Karen A. Pinto

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Infant Physiological Responses To Noxious Stimuli Of The Heel Stick Procedure, Mary Christine Lucius

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of The Role Of North Dakota And Minnesota Elementary School Counselors, Elizabeth Plemel-Snell

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Differences In Oxygen Saturation Of Adult Smokers And Nonsmokers During Transfer To Recovery Room After General Anesthesia, Todd Daniel Underdahl

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Synaptic Acetylcholinesterase And Cholinesterase Development In Mammalian Skeletal Muscle, Yi Feng

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Localization Of Carboxyl Methylated Calmodulin, Mark A. Doll

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Commonalities Between Gas Anesthetics (Nitrous Oxide, Nitrogen And/Or Argon) And Ethanol Intoxication In Hot And Cold Selection Line Mice, Jeannine M. Faber

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Classification Of Newborns Based On Maturity Rating And Intrauterine Growth At The Medical College Of Virginia Hospitals, Lydia Holmes Sund

Theses and Dissertations

Nurses at the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals (MCVH) in Richmond, Virginia, use the Newborn Maturity Rating and Classification Tool to identify high risk infants. An estimate of gestational age is made and using this estimate, weight, length, and head circumference measurements are plotted on graphs on the tool to determine if the infant achieves intrauterine growth smaller, larger or equal to gestational age.

The data used to generate the graphs on the Newborn Maturity Rating and Classification Tool were collected in Colorado during the 1950's. Two nurses at MCVH questioned the use of these graphs. They wanted to know …

Finessing For The Queen Of Trumps, Ann Burrus

Theses and Dissertations

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Virginia Commonwealth University.

An Empirical Investigation Of A Choice Of Accounting Method For Investments By Colleges And Universities: Positive Accounting Theory Applied In A Not-For-Profit Environment, Bruce W. Chase

Theses and Dissertations

The reasons why managers make certain accounting method choices have been explored by accounting researchers for some time. For over ten years, much of this research has been driven by positive accounting theory, which is based on the underlying assumption that managers act rationally to maximize their own personal wealth when making accounting method choices. This study is an initial attempt to extend positive accounting theory research to a not-for-profit setting; specifically, the choice of accounting method for endowment investments by colleges and universities is examined.

The three objectives of this study are: 1) to determine if the findings of …

The Problem Of Mutual Exclusion: A New Distributed Solution, Rajeev Chawla

Theses and Dissertations

In both centralized and distributed systems, processes cooperate and compete with each other to access the system resources. Some of these resources must be used exclusively. It is then required that only one process access the shared resource at a given time. This is referred to as the problem of mutual exclusion. Several synchronization mechanisms have been proposed to solve this problem. In this thesis, an effort has been made to compile most of the existing mutual exclusion solutions for both shared memory and message-passing based systems. A new distributed algorithm, which uses a dynamic information structure, is presented to …

Identification Of Dq Alpha Polymorphism Using The Polymerase Chain Reaction, Richard Mello

Theses and Dissertations

This was a study of detection systems for DQ alpha HLA polymorphism that could be exploited for the demonstration of simulated chimerism. Polymorphic segments of DO alpha DNA were amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Simulated chimerism was represented by a mixture of minor and major component DNA. The goal was to detect minor component DNA in the presence of major component DNA utilizing various laboratory techniques. Techniques studied included probe strip typing with the AmpliType HLA-DO Alpha test kit, allele-specific amplification, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, restriction enzymes, and Southern transfer combined with a peroxidase detection system.

The AmpliType HLA-DO …

The Effects Of Concentric And Eccentric Contractions Performed At Equal Power Levels On Skeletal Muscle Fiber Hypertrophy, Thomas Philip Mayhew

Theses and Dissertations

There are no data available as to whether training with eccentric contractions are more effective than concentric contractions for producing skeletal muscle fiber hypertrophy. To better understand the effects of training with different contraction types two related studies were performed.

In the first study a device which is frequently used by clinicians for concentric and eccentric exercise, the Kin-Com^R, was tested for accuracy and reliability. The measurements obtained from the force, angle, and speed transducers of this device were found to be accurate and reliable between days.

The purpose of the second study was to determine if there …

Effects Of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-P-Dioxin (Tcdd) On The In Vitro Antibody Response: Differential Effects On The B Lymphocyte Depending On The State Of In Vivo Activation And The Modulation By Serum-Derived Growth Factors, Dale L. Morris

Theses and Dissertations

Previous reports have indicated a dichotomy in the actions of TCDD on humoral immunity, both in vitro and in vitro, in which enhancements and suppression have been identified. The latter effect has been correlated with induction of liver P4501A1 enzyme activity, a response which is regulated by the Ah-gene locus. Additionally, the primary alteration in suppression of antibody responses is in the differentiation of the B cell. Therefore, the current investigation was undertaken to determine the relationship between these dual actions of TCDD on humoral immunity as related to its direct actions on B lymphocyte function. Specific emphasis was placed …

A Case Study Of An Effective Board Of Directors Of A Nonprofit Organization: Perceptions, Processes, Characteristics, And Diversity, Marcia Cohen Penn

Theses and Dissertations

This case study examines an effective board of directors of a nonprofit organization. The research identifies three qualitative characteristics of the Board, seeks to understand benefits and challenges of this Board's diversity, the processes it follows and Board members perceptions of Board effectiveness. Twenty-seven active Board members are interviewed in depth, observed at Board and Committee meetings and surveyed as to their perceptions of Board effectiveness. The results are presented based on emerging data gathered over a six-month period of time. Thirty-seven different definitions of Board effectiveness have been identified by Board members in this study.

Conclusions and implications are …

Divine Imagination: Correlations Between The Kabbalah And The Works Of William Blake, Mikell Waters Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The intention of this thesis is to investigate correspondences which exist between the Kabbalah and the recondite world of William Blake's imagery. Particular attention will be paid to the symbiotic relationship or word and image and the dialectical approach to salvation which is common to both Blake and the Kabbalah. The attempt will be made to locate correlations between depictions or several or Blake's characters and components or the kabbalistic Tree of Life. In doing so, this writer hopes to show that Blake's familiarity with the Kabbalah was instrumental in enabling him to give form to the visionary experience upon …

Perceptual And Cognitive Abnormality Model Of Hypochondriasis: Psychological Correlates Of Amplification And Misinterpretation, James R. Craft

Theses and Dissertations

Hypochondriasis is a disorder that may affect ten percent of all individuals seeking medical care. This places a great burden on the health care resources that are currently available. Unfortunately, very few of these individuals come to the attention of mental health professionals.

Various models have attempted to conceptualize hypochondriasis. These include the psychiatric model, the psychodynamic model, the social learning and the perceptual or cognitive abnormality model.

The perceptual or cognitive abnormality model suggests that individuals who are hypochondriacal misinterpret and/or amplify normal bodily sensations. These processes lead the individuals to believe they are suffering from a serious disease. …

The Effects Of Carboxyl-Group Specific Modification And Triiodo-L-Thyronine On Cardiac Sodium Channels, Samuel C. Dudley

Theses and Dissertations

The patch clamp method was used to evaluate the effects of 3,5,3'-triiodo-L-thyronine (T₃) and carboxyl modification on adult rabbit ventricular Na⁺ channels. In contrast to TTX-sensitive Na⁺ channels, Ca²⁺ block of cardiac Na⁺ channels was not prevented by selective carboxyl modification by trimethyloxonium (TMO) or water soluble carbodiimide (WSC). In 2 mM Ca²⁺, TMO-treated patches exhibited 3 discrete conductance (γ_Na) levels. An abbreviation of mean open time (MOT) accompanied each decrease in γ_Na. The effects on channel gating of elevating external Ca²⁺ differed from those of TMO …

The Integration Of Three Multihandicapped Children Into Regular Classrooms: A Focus On Educational Personnel, Marva Dombrowe Gellhaus

Theses and Dissertations

This study used qualitative research methods to determine what happened when special educators and regular educators came together in the process of integrating three multihandicapped students into a kindergarten or a first grade classroom. Of particular interest were the actions, interactions, and perceptions of the people involved.

The writer spent two months at the field site which was located in an elementary school in a rural agricultural region in the Great Plains. Although observations were made of the children and the educational personnel, only the educational personnel and the parents were interviewed.

In this study: (1) Regular educators and special …

The Development Of In-Service Training For Teachers And Counselors Working With Adult Homeless Students, Dagmar F. Pelzer

Theses and Dissertations

The number of homeless persons in the United States has been increasing rapidly over the past few years. Nationwide estimates range between three hundred thousand and three million homeless, with a ten to thirty percent annual increase. Efforts to reduce homelessness consist primarily of the provision of housing and employment.

Dade County Public Schools initiated educational programs for homeless adults in February of 1988. Between 1988 and 1991, over three thousand homeless adults were enrolled in part-time and full-time academic and vocational programs. In-service training for teachers and counselors working with the homeless needed to be developed and implemented because …

Mormons And Germany, 1914-1933: A History Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints In Germany And Its Relationship With The German Governments From World War I To The Rise Of Hitler, Jeffery L. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

This paper focuses on the Church's struggle in establishing itself in Germany with cultural, social, political and religious problems. The cultural and social problems focus primarily on the interaction between Mormon-American missionaries and leaders who preached Mormonism in a society somewhat different from their own. The political problems concern historical events such as the first world war, the inflation of 1923 in Germany, and the rise of Hitler, while the religious problems focus on the Church's interaction with other faiths who generally opposed it and the struggle of missionaries to establish congregations.

Preservation Of The Writing Approaches Of The Four Gospel Writers In The Joseph Smith Translation Of The Bible, Donald Joseph Miles

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes additions to the gospels in the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible. To assess the appropriateness of the JST additions, the thesis examines Joseph Smith's additions to verify whether they parallel the approaches of the original gospel writers to their audiences. There is strong indication that material added to the King James Version by the Joseph Smith Translation is consistent with the approaches of the original gospels to their audiences. Chapter one shows that the JST Matthew, like the KJV Matthew, is concerned with showing that Jesus fulfills Old Testament prophecy. Chapter two finds that JST Mark …

Three Degrees Of Freedom Compliant Motion Control For Robotic Aircraft Refueling, Clayton M. Andersen

Theses and Dissertations

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) supports on-going research in application of robotic technology to enhance assembly tasks. As a testbed, AFIT supports the ground-based aerial refueling project, with an emphasis on visual servoing techniques and compliant motion control. This thesis focuses on compliant motion control. Previous research developed the testing environment, which includes a PUMA-560 industrial manipulator, and a half scale mock-up of an aerial refueling system. This effort corrected and expanded the existing two degree of freedom (DOF) compliant controller to three DOF. Three DOF compliance was demonstrated by inserting the refueling nozzle into the receiver port. …

A Psychometric Investigation Of The Ucla Loneliness Scale With A Sample Of College Women., Arlow W. Andersen Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Loneliness is considered one of the most prevalent social problems. Difficulties in definition, measurement, and conceptualization have hindered its investigation. In an attempt to address these difficulties, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) Loneliness Scale was developed in 1976 and subsequently revised. It has become one of the most widely used measurements of loneliness.This investigation was an attempt to address further some of the lingering concerns about the psychometric properties of the Scale. Two hundred women enrolled in undergraduate classes at the University of North Dakota were administered the UCLA Loneliness Scale along with a battery of other …

An Investigation Of Work Group Co-Location In An Organizational Flowchart Model, Evan R. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of this study was to develop a model flowchart that incorporates the functions traditionally performed by the Engineering, Planning, and Mock-up segments of a specific aircraft manufacturing company into a co-located, multi-organizational, interactive group. The function of the group, termed the Product Definition Group in this study, was to design the dimensions of, and schedule the installation of, fuselage insulation blankets for commercial aircraft.

Security And Involvement In The Parent-Adolescent Relationship, Susan J. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was the investigation of the dynamics which occur in relationships between parents and their adolescent children. Two hundred and eighty-four adolescents from local high schools were surveyed using the Acquaintance Description Form for Adolescents. They were also asked to take home the Parental Response Questionnaire for their parents to complete. Of these, responses were received from one hundred and seven parents.

Previous research has suggested that differences exist between relationships maintained by adolescent children and their mothers and fathers, particularly on the variables of security and involvement. Fathers have traditionally been described as less secure …

The Phonology Of Salasaca Quichua, Sheldon Peter Waskosky

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is a description of the phonology of Salasaca Quichua (SQ), a member of the Quechua II or A language family. There are 26 phonemes which include three aspirated voiceless stops and three voiced stops.

Voiced stops have fricative allophones in intervocalic environments. There are two underspecified segments (/G/ and /N/) whose phonological realization depends on the environment which follows. The /G/ may be realized as [g], [ǥ], [k], or [x]. The /N/ may be realized as a bilabial, alveolar, alveopalatal, palatal or velar nasal.

The syllable structure of SQ has a maximal syllable template of [CCVC]. I analyze …

Estimation Of Evoked Fields Using A Time-Sequenced Adaptive Filter With The Modified P-Vector Algorithm, Jeffery A. Kepley

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis describes a time sequenced adaptive filter developed to estimate visually evoked fields (EF) using visually evoked potentials (EP). These non-stationary signals are buried in strong background noise. The two types of noise are magnetoencephalogram (MEG) and electronencephalogram (EEG). The filter implementation is based on the Ferrara Time Sequenced Adaptive (TSAF) using the Least-Mean-Square (LMS) algorithm and the Williams modified P-vector algorithm (mPa). This essentially results in two filters. A two stage filter structure is used in which the first stage removes the time-varying mean of the input signals. This allows the second stage to process zero-mean signals which …