Digital Commons Network^™

Genetic Analysis Of Cystic Fibrosis In Pakistan: A Preliminary Report, Z A. Bhutta, T Moattar, U Shah

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: Evaluation of the incidence of common delta F508 mutation in a cohort of Pakistani children with Cystic Fibrosis (CF).
Methodology: The presence of the CFTR gene mutation at position 508 (delta F508) was evaluated in 15 consecutively presenting children with CF, proven by clinical features and an unequivocally positive sweat chloride test. The DNA from mononuclear cells was extracted and the delta F508 mutation assessed by the amplification refractory mutation system using the polymerase chain reaction.
Results: The delta F508 mutation was found in 9 cases (60%), of which 5 were homozygous for the disorder.
Conclusion: In this preliminary …

Spousal Violence Levels Among Substance-Abusing Couples After Behavioral Couples Therapy Versus Individual-Based Treatment, Shannon O'Neill Arehart

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Domestic violence and substance abuse are two of the most prevalent and detrimental social ills plaguing American society today. Additionally, domestic violence and substance abuse are inter-related, and are often found within the same family or relationship. Understanding the relationship between these two problems is essential, especially in the context of therapy or treatment.

Previous studies have shown that behavioral couples therapy (BCT), a treatment for substance abuse problems in which couples participate in conjoint therapy sessions, can be effective in reducing the levels of spousal violence in alcoholic couples (O'Farrell & Murphy, 1995). Additionally, BCT has been effective in …

Flower And Bone, Jamii R. Claiborne

English Theses & Dissertations

Georgia O'Keeffe said, "I think all the world has turned into what I'm seeing." Because O'Keeffe remained publicly evasive throughout her life, it is unknown what her art reveals about how she saw herself. However, what her art reveals about how she saw the world is apparent. The magnification of flowers and bones, the intensification of lines and colors in her paintings force viewers to look closer and to see differently. This notion of re-seeing what we believe we already understand, of re-experiencing what we believe we already comprehend, is at the heart of not only O'Keeffe's art, but also …

"The Contagion Of Liberty": Mercy Otis Warren And The Beginnings Of Feminist Sensibility, Donnamaria Gerych

History Theses & Dissertations

This thesis will examine the life and writings of Mercy Otis Warren. The first section of the essay will examine the current historiography concerning Warren. Historically, her place has been somewhat ambiguous, particularly in view of what constituted feminism for early American women. By focusing on "republican motherhood," modern historical interpretations have overlooked Warren's contribution to feminist ideology. In effect, these interpretations have confined Warren to this one identity, diluting and disregarding the impact of a published female writer, not just of poetry and plays, but of a bona fide history of the Revolutionary War and the early Republic.

In …

Simulation Studies Of Cellular Electroporation Due To Ultra-Fast Electric Pulses, Gayathri R. Barthaki

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Biological systems, from cells to ecosystems, are intrinsically complex information-processing networks. It often becomes difficult to predict their behavior during an experimental investigation, as their behavior is fundamentally chaotic, Hence, building models that mimic the dynamics of such systems and performing computer simulations would help in understanding, predicting, controlling and optimizing these systems. This thesis is aimed at the development of a mathematical model for the process of electroporation in biological cells when they are subjected to ultra-fast electric pulses and at conducting simulations to understand its dynamic behavior with special emphasis on the physics of ultra-short time scales.

With …

Role Of Lipolysis And Lipogenesis In The Development Of Diet-Induced Obesity, Michael John Davies

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Obesity is an increasingly common public health problem with approximately one-half of the American adult population overweight and one-quarter considered obese. This alarming trend has led researchers to determine potential causative factors of excess weight gain in humans. However, it is difficult to discern whether perturbations that result in obesity are the cause or simply the result of the obese state. Diet-induced obesity is one of the animal models that allow researchers to address temporal issues. Our laboratory utilizes a diet-induced obesity model in which Sprague-Dawley rats are placed on a purified moderately high fat diet and ultimately diverge into …

Investigations On The Use Of Ion Mobility Spectrometry For Clinical Chemistry Applications, Henri Parson Patten

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

The major objective of this research is to examine ion mobility spectrometry as a rapid screening tool for specific application to clinical chemistry research and laboratory use. Methodology was developed for target analytes representing several classes of physiologically active substances, including anesthetics, illicit drugs, and their metabolites. The IMS characteristics of animal tissues and other compounds such as amino acids and proteins were determined. Quality assurance and control procedures were developed for specific quality data objectives. Criteria were established relating to use of IMS for assessing the precision and accuracy of data, qualitative screening, and semi-quantitative analyses.

It was found …

Signal Modeling With Non-Uniform Time Sampling Of Features For Automatic Speech Recognition, Montri Karnjanadecha

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents an investigation of non-uniform time sampling methods for spectral/temporal feature extraction in speech. Frame-based features were computed based on an encoding of the global spectral shape using a Discrete Cosine Transform. In most current “standard” methods, trajectory (dynamic) features are determined from frame-based parameters using a fixed time sampling, i.e., fixed block length and fixed block spacing. In this research, new methods are proposed and investigated in which block length and/or block spacing are variable. The idea was initially tested with HMM-based isolated word recognition, and a significant performance improvement resulted when a variable block length and …

An Ultrastructural Survey Of The Nuchal Glands Of Rhabdophis Tigrinus (Serpentes: Colubridae), Kathleen A. Roberts

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Rhabdophis tigrinus, an Asian natricine snake, possesses a series of integumentary glands located in the nuchal skin. Previous studies indicated that the nuchal glands are of mesodermal origin, contain cardiac steroids analogous to bufotoxins found in the parotoid glands of toads, which are included in the snake's diet. The nuchal glands are defensive in function. Preliminary histological studies revealed differences in quality of the gland tissue compared to previous studies, and difference in fixation techniques were suspected. Seven specimens of R. tigrinus were fixed by perfusion using a conservative fixation process standard for electron microscopy. The nuchal gland series …

Validation Of Passive Air Sampling Monitors Onboard United States Navy Submarines, Larry A. Mcfarland

Community & Environmental Health Theses & Dissertations

An operating submarine creates a unique air quality mixture of compounds that result from a combination of human metabolism, construction materials, materials brought onboard and compounds created through the interaction of ship systems. A comprehensive study of submarine atmospheres is ongoing during deployments of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. As part of the overall effort, a paired air sampling comparison field validation was conducted to compare the air sampling effectiveness of passive diffusive monitors compared to more traditional active air sampling methods when sampling for acrolein, formaldehyde and ozone in the enclosed submarine atmosphere. Acrolein monitors containing 2-hydroxymethylpiperidine (HMP) impregnated glass …

The Concept And Practice Of Representative Democracy In Post-Communist Eastern Europe, Georgeta V. Pourchot

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

Using the concept of representation, this study advances a comparative interpretive analysis which makes use of hard statistical data and soft data to assess the direction of democratization in Eastern Europe between 1990 and 1998. Specifically, the study looks at how governments in Eastern Europe chose to heed constituencies' calls for the institution of a market economy, and analyzes the degree of government responsiveness towards constituencies. The study finds that the region is moving towards a more responsible and responsive type of governance, but at different paces and degrees. Poland leads with respect to government responsiveness. The Czech Republic displays …

Victimless Crime: A Comparison Of Public Offense Ratings Of Misdemeanor Offenses And Virginia Sentencing Guidelines, Theresa M. Dutton

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

This study was designed to explore the hypothesized gap between what state guidelines on criminal sanctioning recommend for misdemeanor offenses, and what the public perceives· as just punishment for these offenses. The research also addresses the issue of victimless crime. In this regard it was additionally hypothesized that there exists a significant difference in public opinion towards sentencing those crimes that specifically do not have a victim, with those that do.

The design of this study is based on one conducted by Peter Rossi and Richard Berk (Rossi and Berk 1997). For this study, a sample of students attending college …

Medical Students And Their Attitudes Toward Abortion: An Assessment Of Which Factors Influence Medical Students' Willingness Or Unwillingness To Perform Abortions, Katherine M. Krupa

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to determine which factors, if any, influence medical students' willingness or unwillingness to perform abortions. Ample research has been conducted evaluating both the general population's and college students' attitudes toward abortion; however, limited research has been collected on medical students. The present research study attempts to fill this void. The following research questions will be reviewed and evaluated throughout the current study: (1) What personal factors if any influence medical students' willingness or unwillingness to terminate a pregnancy; (2) Are medical students willing to perform abortions for the reasons that women are requesting them; …

The Effects Of Education And Exposure On College Students' Perceptions Of Dating Violence, Kristian Moore

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between previous exposure to violent situation and an individual's tolerance level of dating violence. In addition, the effect that intervention, in this case a film, can have on one's perception is also examined. This research is quasi-experimental in design and uses a pre-test/post-test design. A baseline sample of 137 Old Dominion University undergraduate students was surveyed at time one at which previous exposure to conflict situations as well as tolerance levels to dating violence were assessed. The film was presented between times one and two. The post-test was given …

Illinois State: For Alumni Of Illinois State University, Summer 2000, Illinois State University, University Marketing And Communications

State: The Magazine of Illinois State University (1999-present)

Illinois State University alumni magazine

The Eitc And Usa's/Ida's: Maybe A Marriage Made In Heaven, Timothy Smeeding

Center for Social Development Research

The EITC and USA's/IDA's: Maybe a Marriage Made in Heaven

The Universal Piggy Bank: Designing And Implementing A System Of Savings Accounts For Children, Fred T. Goldberg Jr., Jodi Birk Cohen

Center for Social Development Research

The Universal Piggy Bank: Designing and Implementing a System of Savings Accounts for Children

Toward Progressive Pensions: A Summary Of The U.S. Pension System And Proposals For Reform, Peter Orszag, Robert Greenstein

Center for Social Development Research

Toward Progressive Pensions: A Summary of the U.S. Pension System and Proposals for Reform

From Research To Policy: Lessons From Individual Development Accounts, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

From Research to Policy: Lessons From Individual Development Accounts

Asking Questions Well: The Role Of Theory In Applied Social Research, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

Asking Questions Well: The Role Of Theory in Applied Social Research

Asset Building Policy And Programs For The Poor, Michael Sherraden

Center for Social Development Research

Asset Building Policy and Programs for the Poor

Quality Of Shredded Carrots As Affected By Packaging Film And Storage Temperature, Catherine Barry-Ryan, David O'Beirne

Articles

Different packaging films and storage temperatures were used to establish a range of equilibrium modified atmospheres for storage of shredded carrots. Quality and storage-life of the packaged shredded carrots were determined using sensory evaluation, microbial counts, and a range of physical tests. Minimal processing steps such as peeling and shredding caused physical damage, physiological stress, and enhanced microbial growth, leading to a reduced shelf life when compared to the whole vegetable. A P-plus microporous film (CO2 permeability of 29103mL.m 2.d 1.atm 1) was the most suitable for the storage of shredded carrots. Findings indicated that deterioration in these products was …

Poor Canadian Legal Education: So Near To Wall Street, So Far From God, Harry W. Arthurs

Osgoode Hall Law Journal

The recent appearance of recruiters from Wall Street firms at several Canadian law schools, and the recent hiring by American law schools of several mid-career Canadian law professors, has created a "moral panic" as journalists, academics and law firms have expressed great concern over the loss of Canada's "best and brightest" to the United States. Properly understood as part of a larger debate about globalization and regional economic integration, these developments are less important in themselves than for what they reveal about the present and future of the Canadian state, and the Canadian business community, legal profession and universities.

Effects Of Solvent Mixtures On Dispersion Of Lanthanum-Modified Lead Zirconate Titanate Tape Casting Slurries, Jian-Huei Feng, Fatih Dogan

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The effects of xylenes/ethanol solvent mixtures on lanthanum-modified lead zirconate titanate (PLZT) nonaqueous suspensions were investigated by measuring sediment height, viscosity, and adsorption of dispersant. Well-dispersed colloidal suspensions were obtained in xylene-rich solvents with a minimum amount of menhaden fish oil as a dispersant. It was also shown that adsorption of dispersant on particle surfaces strongly depends on selection of solvent(s). The ratio of solvent mixture affects PLZT solids content of unfired tapes, in which using insufficient as well as excess dispersant could decrease the packing density of particles. Solubility of other organic additives, such as binder, was also considered …

Evaluation Of Online Course Discussions: Faculty Facilitation Of Active Student Learning, Leona Vandevusse, Lisa Hanson

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Graduate nursing faculty evaluated their initial experiences with online course discussions after making the transition from traditional use of weekly face-to-face classroom discussions to primarily computer-based interactions with students at distant sites. The online discussion data were analyzed qualitatively. The ways the faculty member communicated to facilitate active student involvement in the online discussions were coded. Six categories were identified that describe the ways the faculty member communicated to facilitate active student involvement in online discussions: assist with navigation, explain expectations, clarify faculty role, stimulate critical thinking, share expertise, and provide encouragement. Examples of each were provided to demonstrate ways …

Questions And Answers About General Education At Andrews University, Delmer Davis

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Foreword: Legal And Constitutional Implications Of The Calls To Revive Civil Society, Linda C. Mcclain, James E. Fleming

Faculty Scholarship

This symposium addresses legal and constitutional implications of the calls to revive or renew civil society (a realm between the individual and the state, including the family and religious, civic, and other voluntary associations). The erosion or disappearance of civil society is a common diagnosis of what underlies civic and moral decline in America, and its renewal features prominently as a cure for such decline. To date, there has been a great deal of discussion of civil society and proposals for its revival or renewal, but not enough discussion of legal and constitutional implications of such proposals. This symposium seeks …

Negligent Retention And Arbitration: The Effect Of A Developing Tort On Traditional Labor Law, Terry A. Bethel

Journal of Dispute Resolution

As negligent retention theories continue to grow, courts will inevitably address these questions. This article will offer a brief introduction to the tort of negligent retention and related doctrines and will discuss how courts will accommodate them within traditional labor law principles. Despite my impulsive reaction that negligent retention poses a threat to arbitration, I conclude that, for the most part, negligent retention and labor arbitration can coexist peacefully.

Toward More Sophisticated Mediation Theory, John Lande

Journal of Dispute Resolution

Some of these benefits are due to the particular arguments of facilitation proponents, while others involve a general development of the field resulting from the debate. The first benefit is that facilitation proponents have highlighted how mediation can promote many important values such as party self-determination, and they have cautioned about risks of unfairness created by mediator evaluation as described in Part III. Second, the facilitation-evaluation debate has stimulated a better appreciation of the appropriateness of these techniques in different types of cases, as described in Part IV. Third, the debate has contributed to reducing ill-considered evaluation practice, as discussed …

Mediator's Privilege: Can A Mediator Be Compelled To Testify In A Civil Case - California Privilege Law Says Yes - Olam V. Congress Mortgage Co., The, Jennifer C. Bailey

Journal of Dispute Resolution

In the present case, Olain v. Congress, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California has, in a precedent-setting opinion, forced a mediator to testify in a subsequent civil procedure. 9 This Note will examine two recurring issues regarding mediation: first, the appropriate law to be applied when a case sits in federal court; and second, the history of the mediation privilege, the present state of the mediation privilege within the federal and state courts, and the consequences of the instant case.