Digital Commons Network^™

Black Single Fathers: Choosing To Parent Full-Time, Roberta L. Coles

Social and Cultural Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

This ethnographic study uses the narratives of African American, single, full-time fathers to explore the motivations precipitating their choice to parent. While the fathers had in common a number of demographic characteristics, such as full employment, residence, and support systems, which factored into their timing of and ability to take full custody, none of these are salient in their own narratives expressing why they wanted to be full-time fathers. Instead, their main motives centered on fulfilling a sense of duty and responsibility, reworking the effects of having had weak or absent fathers themselves, wanting to provide a role model for …

Unconventional Therapies : Individual Factors Associated With Use, Perceptions Of Function And Efficacy., Kenneth George Lombart 1954-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There has been an increasing use of Unconventional Therapies in the past decade. These refer to healthcare interventions representing either a compliment or alternative to traditional medicine to which many people have turned in hope of attaining a fuller, more healthy life. Previous research has focused on overall use, or use of general types, of these therapies. Research has also started delving into mechanisms of change and physical and psychological effects of some specific therapies. The present study examined individual factors of personality, locus of control, health values, desirable responding, age, medical conditions, and transformational events to determine associations with …

Proteomics And Morphology Demonstrate Mitochondrial Changes In Diabetic Cardiomyopathy., Xia Shen 1976-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common complication leading to accelerated cardiovascular failure in diabetic patients. Even though the exact mechanism(s) behind this disease still remain unclear, research from several laboratories including our own suggests that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a very important role in the development of DCM. In our lab, we have developed and characterized a diabetic transgenic mice line, designated OVE26, which clearly develops diabetic cardiomyopathy. Comparison of protein expression patterns in the hearts of 120-day-old control and diabetic mice reveals 22 proteins that are differentially expressed in OVE26 mice hearts, most of which are involved in …

Dr. Herbert Blomstedt, Herbert Blomstedt, Wolfgang Lepke, Martin Pröbstle

Shabbat Shalom: A Journal for Jewish-Christian Reconciliation

No abstract provided.

Music

Shabbat Shalom: A Journal for Jewish-Christian Reconciliation

No abstract provided.

Plagiocephaly: Developmental And Medical Outcomes, José Leonardo Fuentes

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Plagiocephaly, a condition that is observed by deformation of the head, comes as the result of different etiologies. The most serious involving premature fusion of one or more of the cranial sutures, a condition referred to as craniosynostosis. While children with craniosynostosis may be considered for developmental screening to determine whether they fall at risk for developmental delay, children with plagiocephaly are typically not seen as being at risk, their condition typically treated as a cosmetic problem. This study consisted of 85 children, 37 with plagiocephaly, 9 with craniosynostosis, and 39 nonclinical subjects. Results of this study suggest that children …

A Correlational Analysis Of Anthropometric Measures And Selected Blood, Immune And Endocrine Indices In Adult Males, Janet Tracey Peterson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Over the past few decades it has become apparent that increased body weight, specifically body fat, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle is associated with an increased risk for chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Researchers are now re-directing their focus on determining the cause of these relationships from an epidemiological view to a more biological or physiological standpoint. The purpose of this cross sectional study was to examine associations among obesity, physical activity and select immune, endocrine and metabolic parameters identified as risk factors for several chronic conditions. Ninety-one healthy males between the ages of 19 and 45 …

Effect Of Employment On Generativity In Married Mothers, Tracy Sierra Dern

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Generativity is Erikson's seventh stage of psycho social development in his life cycle theory, but he postulates different ways of achieving generativity for males and females. Erikson proposed that a woman achieves a sense of generativity from raising a family. However over the last twenty years social roles have changed and there is an increasing number of women developing careers. It is important to determine whether the role of employment has an effect on generativity in women. This study had ten women participants: five married with children, homemakers and five married with children, professionals. Using a semi-structured interview, the·participants shared …

Comparative Methods Of Measurement To Evaluate Onplant Assisted Anchorage, Marc Reid Larson

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to compare the two-dimensional cephalometric and the three-dimensional tomographic radiographic methods in their ability to assess anatomic measurements while using the Onplant anchoring device in anterior retraction cases.

The Onplant was surgically placed beneath the periosteum of the hard palate. After osseointegration the Onplant was then uncovered and attached to the first molars by means of a transpalatal bar. Conventional orthodontic treatment was then used to retract the anterior teeth after 1^st premolars were extracted.

To evaluate the movement of the Onplant, a three-dimensional measuring tool was needed. Seven different measurements were made …

Il-10 And Alveolar Bone Loss, Abdulaziz Saud Al-Rasheed

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a cytokine with anti-inflammatory activities. IL-10 knockout (KO) mice exhibit severe intestinal inflammation in the presence of normal gut flora. We hypothesized that IL-10 KO mice would also be susceptible to inflammatory periodontal disease resulting in alveolar bone loss (ABL). The purpose of this study was to compare naturally occurring ABL in IL-10 KO and wild type (WT) mice. Twelve IL-10 KO and 12 WT mice, age-(7 months) and sex-(male) matched, were used. Half of the mice were on 129/SvEv and half on C57BL/6J background. Animal heads were defleshed and treated to remove all organic material. ABL …

Identification Of Hard Tissue Using Dentin Sialoprotein (Dsp) As A Marker, Wallis E. Andeline

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

The purpose of this study was to identify the early hard tissue formed in experimental pulp exposures capped with calcium hydroxide, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) or bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) using dentin sialoprotein (DSP) as a marker. The pulps of eighty-five maxillary first, second and third molar teeth from twenty male rats were experimentally exposed. The exposed pulps were capped with calcium hydroxide followed by restoration with amalgam (n = 20), with MTA alone as a pulp capping agent and final restoration (n = 20) or with BMP-7 followed by restoration with MTA (n = 20). Ten teeth with Class …

Intercropping With Resistant Cultivars Reduces Early Blight And Root Knot Disease On Susceptible Cultivars Of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum), Linley Joy Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this research was to determine if disease on susceptible tomato cultivars is reduced by intercropping with resistant cultivars. A second objective was to investigate the mechanism of the disease reduction observed. Early blight (caused by Alternaria solani) rate of disease increase and lesion expansion were lower on susceptible tomato cv. 'Brandywine' when intercropped with resistant cv. 'Juliet' than with 'Brandywine' monoculture in both the field and greenhouse. Yield from 'Brandywine' plants was 17.3% greater when intercropped with 'Juliet' than when grown in monoculture. Reduction in lesion expansion on 'Brandywine' when intercropped with 'Juliet' suggests an interaction initiating …

Development Of The Induced Gonadotropin Surge Mechanism In The Prepubertal Heifer, Timothy David Maze

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A longtitudinal study was performed in prepubertal heifer calves to determine when the individual components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis were capable of functioning. In study 1, the hypothalamus and anterior pituitary of prepubertal dairy heifers were challenged with exogenous hormones (estradiol and GnRH, respectively) to determine at what age gonadotropin surges could be induced. Two-, four-, six-, and eight-month-old heifer calves were challenged with GnRH or estradiol. Blood was sampled from the jugular vein every 15 minutes for 6 hours or hourly for 30 hours, for the two treatments, respectively. Heifers in each age group released LH in response to …

Relations Of Nesting Behavior, Nest Predators, And Nesting Success Of Wood Thrushes (Hylocichla Mustelina) To Habitat Characteristics At Multiple Scales, Gary E. Williams Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

During 1998--2000, I examined the relationship between the reproductive success of a declining Neotropical migrant songbird, the wood thrush ( Hylocichla mustelina), and surrounding habitat within the highly forested region encompassing the northwestern portion of the Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, USA. I measured nest fate, food delivery rates, and nest attendance rates of 56 videotaped nests and then related these variables to habitat measured at three concentric scales: nest site (11.3 m radius), territory (100 m), and landscape (1000 m). Predation was the most common source of failure (23 of 26 failed nests), and southern flying squirrels ( Glaucomys …

Modeling Of Soil Phosphorus Sorption And Control Of Phosphorus Pollution With Acid Mine Drainage Floc, Bharpoor Singh Sekhon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study was conducted to investigate and model phosphorus sorption in soils and to study the effectiveness of acid mine drainage (AMD) floc in controlling phosphorus (P) loss to surface runoff from soils. Phosphorus sorption capacity of surface and subsurface horizons of four benchmark soil series - Berks, Huntington, Lindside, and Monongahela - of West Virginia was measured. The soils of these four series were loaded with increasing amounts of P up to 60% of their P retention capacity. Though amount of P released to the solution increased with increase in degree of P saturation, most of the soils did …

Monitoring Process And Assessing Uncertainty For Anfis Time Series Forecasting, Yan K. Cathey Deng

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Although intelligent tools such as neural network, fuzzy logic and neuro-fuzzy methods have been applied in time series forecasting for some time, problems of monitoring forecasting processes and assessing uncertainty for the forecasts represent a major challenge that need to be fully investigated. In this research, we use statistical methods to analyze nonstationary time series forecasting where forecasts are accrued from a neuro-fuzzy ANFIS model. The main focus is to monitor the process and assess the uncertainty of the forecasts.;Single-step-ahead forecasts and multiple-step-ahead forecasts have been investigated by using three nonstationary time series data sets. It is shown that the …

Experimental Characterization Of The Mechanical Consequences Of A Debonded Total Hip Stem With An Unsupported Distal Tip, Keith Thomas Hustosky

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cemented total hip arthroplasty (THA) has enjoyed widespread success since its introduction over thirty years ago. Despite the successes, there are threats to the long term stability of THA, chief among them aseptic loosening of the femoral stem. Femoral component loosening is a significant problem because it prevents the efficient transfer of hip joint forces through the cement to the proximal femur. This may cause pain in the patient severe enough to warrant surgery to replace the loose component.;The predominant approach to preventing loosening of cemented THA femoral components focuses on improving the bond between the prosthesis stem and the …

A Land Use History Of The Holly Springs National Forest, Michelle R. Mcanally

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis details the land use history of the Holly Springs National Forest. A description of the physical environment and a narrative cultural history of the area from the arrival of people into the North Central Hills are included. Archaeological survey data, soils data and witness tree locations were brought together using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology and analyzed in an ecological framework.

An environmental reconstruction using witness tree locations and soil types served as a platform for the delineation of environmental zones in which presettlement tree cover was estimated and compared with previous environmental studies of the area. Prehistoric …

A Regional Gis-Based Analysis Of Elk Habitat Suitability In Northeast Nebraska, J W. Fisher

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

No abstract provided.

A Regional Gis-Based Analysis Of Elk Habitat Suitability In Northwestern Nebraska, Justin W. Fischer

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The need to accurately assess the use and suitability of elk (Cervus elaphus spp.) habitat at regional scales will continue to increase as human development encroaches into what was once optimum elk habitat. The objectives of this research were to calculate the relative proportions of habitat use by elk in the Pine Ridge region of Northwestern Nebraska from a set of radio-collared elk locations and generate a habitat suitability model. Habitat variables (Iandcover type, aspect, slope, distance to a road, road density, and distance from the ponderosa pine edge) were measured for each elk location (n = 5,787 dating …

Influence Of Light And Nutrients On Atrazine Toxicity To Freshwater Algae, Crystal J. Hansen

School of Natural Resources: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

No abstract provided.

Competition For Pollination Between An Invasive Species (Purple Loosestrife) And A Native Congener, Beverly J. Brown, Randall J. Mitchell, Shirley A. Graham

Biology Faculty Research

Invasive species are frequently regarded as Superlative competitors that can vegetatively crowd Out natives, but little is known about whether invasives call compete for pollination services with native plants. We hypothesized that, when the showy invasive species Lythrum salicaria (purple loosestrife) was present, pollinator visitation and seed set would be reduced in a native congener, L. alatum (winged loosestrife). To test this hypothesis, we constructed mixed and monospecific plots of the two species. Over two years of study, we found that L. salicaria significantly reduced both pollinator visitation and seed set in L. alatum. Furthermore, pollinators moved frequently between the …

Computer Simulation And The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Peter D. Zimmerman, David W. Dorn

Defense Horizons

All nuclear weapons now in the American stockpile were developed with the aid of computer models validated by comparison with nuclear tests. However, those models required the use of parameters that were not well understood and often needed adjustment to make computation and test agree. Facing the possibility of a test ban, the Department of Energy initiated a Stockpile Stewardship Project to develop a predictive capability with validated, physics-based simulation tools at its core. This program is charged with maintaining the performance, reliability, and safety of U.S. nuclear weapons without nuclear testing. To meet the requirement for maintaining the enduring …

Modification Of All-Hexadedral Finite Element Meshes By Dual Sheet Insertion And Extraction, Michael J. Borden

Theses and Dissertations

The development of algorithms that effectively modify all-hexahedral finite element mesh is currently an active area of research. Mesh modification can be used to improve mesh quality reduce the time required to mesh a model, and improve the finite element analysis results. However, general modification of all-hexahedral meshes has proven difficult because of the global effects of local modifications. This thesis explains the global constraints on modifying all-hexahedral meshes and then presents three mesh modification techniques that make it possible to do local modifications while accounting for the global effects. These techniques are sheet insertion, sheet extraction, and mesh cutting. …

Availability Of Organochlorides And Accumulation In Populations Of Tadarida Brasiliensis (Free-Tailed Bat) And Eptesicus Fuscus (Big Brown Bat), Michelle Lee Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Organochlorides were historically effective in controlling a wide range of pests. However, organochlorides have proved to present many problems to the health and welfare of other organisms. Due to these problems, especially declines in wildlife populations, organochlorides were restricted in the 1970's and a majority of them were banned in the mid to late 1980's. The effects of organochlorides on bats such as Tadarida brasiliensis and Eptesicus fuscus have been intensively studied. The effects can range from problems with reproduction to mortality. My analysis of populations of T. brasiliensis and E. fuscus showed that organochlorides are still present in the …

Survey Attitudes Toward Stem Cell Research, Ejinkonye C. Anekwe

Theses and Dissertations

In the following research study, a self-administered questionnaire was utilized to assess opinions regarding embryonic stem cell research based on three objectives: willingness to accept stem cells, educational background, and religion. A total of 1 13 fixed-alternative questionnaires were distributed to a diverse group of respondents. Nonprobability sampling using the accidental approach was performed. Support of stem cell research was dependent on Question 9, which asked what people thought about the cloning of human embryonic stem cells. The data revealed that most respondents from all groups surveyed opposed stem cell research. Neither education nor religion was a major determinant in …

The Relationship Between Perceived Self-Efficacy, Regimen Adherence, And Glycemic Control In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study, Antonieta Pelias Alteza

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This pilot study examined the relationship between perceived self-efficacy and regimen adherence on glycemic control among adolescents, aged 11 to 18 years, with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Thirty-six adolescent-parent dyads participated in this study. Bivariate analysis using Pearson product moment-correlations identified no significant relationships among the variables. Regarding treatment regimen, adolescents on insulin pumps had a mean glycosylated hemoglobin level of 8.09% whereas adolescents on daily insulin injections had a mean glycosylated hemoglobin level of 9.26%. Bandura's theory of self-efficacy provided the theoretical framework for this study. The Self-Efficacy for Diabetes scale and Questionnaire of Self-Care Behaviors scale were used …

Effects Of Ethanol On The Toxicity And Metabolism Of Acetonitrile And Acrylonitrile, Nancy Ochoa-Garza

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examined the effects of ethanol on the toxicities and metabolism of two aliphatic nitriles: acetonitrile and acrylonitrile (one unsaturated and one saturated aliphatic nitrile, respectively) in male Sprague-Dawley rats at four different time intervals. Toxicity signs were apparent in all animals given the nitrile dosage, but those treated with ethanol dosages showed signs of toxicity earlier than those treated with glucose dosages. Both of the nitrites were metabolized to cyanide and thiocyanate. The concentration levels of each metabolite was apparent at 2 and 3 g/kg ethanol dosage for acetonitrile and 3 and 4.5 g/kg ethanol dosage for acrylonitrile …

Effect Of Guanosine Tetraphosphate On Growth Rate And Stable Rna Synthesis In Escherichia Coli, Heather Anne Quintanilla

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Guanosine tetraphosphate (ppGpp) is a good candidate for a stable RNA synthesis regulator at different growth rates because: high ppGpp levels present during the stringent response are known to inhibit stable RNA synthesis, and there is an inverse correlation between ppGpp concentration and stable RNA synthesis at different growth rates. A system was constructed allowing the user to control intracellular ppGpp levels within the range characteristic of exponentially growing strains, while not allowing cells to adjust ppGpp in response to environmental changes. E. coli strains were transformed with a plasmid containing a truncated relA allele to provide ppGpp. Results show …

The Impact Of Anger Reduction On Burnout In Pastors Serving A Tristate Area Of The Church Of God (Anderson), Dale E. French

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.