Digital Commons Network^™

Using Online Instruction To Deliver A Discussion-Intensive Format, Herbert W. Broda

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Delivering a discussion-intensive curriculum via online instruction can pose a variety of challenges. This article presents an overview of a contemporary issues online graduate course, and analyzes the degree to which the course encouraged feelings of community, a tone of thoughtful and willing reflection, and an overall understanding of contemporary issues.

Online Instruction An Alternative Delivery System For Higher Education, Michael Wronkovich

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

In an increasingly technological society, delivery systems for professional development and higher education have greatly expanded. Video conferencing and web-based alternatives provide opportunities to extend the college campus far beyond the boundaries traditionally considered feasible. Adult learners have found the convenience of web-based instruction fits their already complicated lifestyle. And for the university, web-based learning is cost effective. The two major questions for this paper are: (1) How does an institution begin web-based instruction? (2) How does it maintain quality for the students who are learning over long distances?

Quorum Sensing In Gram-Negative Bacteria, Gülgün Boşgelmez Tinaz

Turkish Journal of Biology

It has become increasingly and widely recognised that bacteria do not live as isolated entities but instead exist as communities that exploit elaborate systems of intercellular communication to facilitate their adaptation to changing environmental conditions. A well-characterised example of such intercellular communication is quorum sensing. Quorum sensing depends on the production of diffusible signal molecules termed autoinducers or pheromones, which enable a bacterium to monitor its own cell population density. A variety of physiological processes in a range of bacterial species is regulated by quorum sensing. Examples include bioluminescence, antibiotic biosynthesis, swarming, biofilm differentiation, conjugation and the production of virulence …

A Procedural Model For Integrating Physical And Cyberspaces In Architecture, Peter Anders

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

This dissertation articiilates opportunities offered by architectural computation, in particular the digital simulation of space known as virtual reality (VR) and its networked, social variant cyberspace. The thesis will argue that VR/cyberspace has exacerbated differences between architecture's materialist and idealist practices, widening the gap that separates them. In an effort to bridge this gap it presents a procedural model for how VR and cyberspace may be integrated within the practice and product of architecture. The dissertation presents important developments in architectural computation that disclose concepts and values that contrast with orthodox practice. Virtual reality and cyberspace, the foci of this …

Fatigue Properties Of Metal Inert Gas And Friction Stir Welded Aluminium Alloy 5383-H321, Gareth Richard Bradley

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The following dissertation details the development of a simple defect-tolerant based model for determining the fatigue properties of a 5383-H321 aluminium alloy and metal inert gas and friction stir welded butt joints in the same alloy. The model considers the fatigue life to consist of three regimes, crack initiation and short and long crack growth, in contrast to the typical defect-tolerant approaches which only consider the long crack growth period. Crack initiation was considered to consist of an initial short crack, present prior to fatigue loading, identical in length to the crack initiator. The short crack growth rate was considered …

Principles Of Metadesign : Processes And Levels Of Co-Creation In The New Design Space, Elisa Giaccardi

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

In the tight of the material and cultural conditions of the present world and within the context of current design theories, this research aims to provide an understanding of Metadesign as emerging design cutture, and to integrate and advance its conceptual framework and principles through a tra nsdisci pli nary dialogue with the aesthetics and practice of Net Art. By rejecting the notion of Metadesign as an established design approach and practice, the creation of an etymological hypothesis based on the meanings of the prefix "-meta" (behind, together, between) becomes possible. Following this historical and cultural path, the research describes …

Database Development And Intranet Based Image Included Database Management System For Ballistic Firearm Identification System, Toni C. Jiao

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The process of imaging, collecting and searching a cartridge case to identifying its suspected firearm is a time consuming procedure. Within this study, a cartridge case identification database management system in an Intranet environment is designed and implemented, thus enabling firearm examiners from different forensic laboratories to engage firearm identification without the constraints of time and location. Specifically, the study investigates appropriate database management system for image involved and Intranet secured ballistics firearm identification database. The results demonstrated that a computerized firearm identification system could be implemented in Intranet with a secure, scalable, performable Intranet database management system.

A Drop In The Bucket: Collective Efficacy Perceptions Affect Waste Minimising Behaviours, Leesa N. Bonniface

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The goal of this thesis was to inform a social marketing effort designed to increase environmentally friendly behaviours in an effort to ensure a more sustainable future. This study attempted to gain a better understanding of the discrepancy that exists between pro-environmental concerns and pro-environmental actions by exploring efficacy perceptions. Efficacy beliefs were compared for three groups of individuals: 1) environmentally active/members of an environmental group; 2) environmentally active/not members of an environmental group; 3) environmentally inactive and not members of an environmental group. Six focus groups were conducted and interviewees were recruited from the Earth Carers' organisation and the …

Prostate Cancer: Some Clinical And Scientific Dilemmas., Paul D. Abel, El-Nasir Lalani

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Death By Any Other Name: The Federal Government's Inconsistent Treatment Of Drugs Used In Lethal Injections And Physician-Assisted Suicide, Colin Miller

Journal of Law and Health

While the FDA is under no legal obligation to regulate the drugs used in executions, these recent developments certainly create a moral imperative requiring review. This paper will argue that the federal government cannot consistently refrain from regulating lethal injection drugs while arguing for prosecution of those prescribing drugs to be used by patients in assisted suicide. Part II will look at the opinions in Chaney and the factors behind the FDA's decision not to regulate the drugs used in executions. Part III will look at Oregon's Death with Dignity Act and its authorization by the Supreme Court. Parts IV-VI …

A Tripartite Threat To Medical Records Privacy: Technology, Hipaa's Privacy Rule And The Usa Patriot , Nathan J. Wills

Journal of Law and Health

Proceeding from the proposition that privacy is a fundamental right, this essay notes the importance of maintaining medical records privacy in light of the increased use of technology. It describes the Privacy Rule promulgated under HIPAA, which was intended to strengthen medical records privacy, but notes the restriction of privacy rights following September 11, 2001 ("9/11"). In light of circumscribed privacy rights, the Privacy Rules becomes much more important in protecting medical records privacy. Unfortunately, the Rule falls short of this goal by potentially running afoul of the First and Fourth Amendments. It also fails to provide adequate medical records …

What Successful Companies Know That Law Firms Need To Know: The Importance Of Employee Motivation And Job Satisfaction To Increased Productivity And Stronger Client Relationships, Theresa M. Neff

Journal of Law and Health

This note examines the importance of employee motivation and job satisfaction to increased productivity and stronger client relationships with law firms. In Part I, I discuss how the pressure of the legal profession can affect lawyers' relationships with their staff members. My analysis will center on recent studies on lawyer job satisfaction, the impact of stress on lawyers, and the public's perception of lawyers. In Part II, I discuss the law firm as a "service" organization and the implications of that orientation. In this section, I also emphasize the importance of building and maintaining relationships with clients and how law …

Masthead, Journal Of Law And Health

Journal of Law and Health

No abstract provided.

How Mfn Clauses Used In The Health Care Industry Unreasonably Restrain Trade Under The Sherman Act, Beth Ann Wright

Journal of Law and Health

When used in the health care industry, an MFN clause is a contractual agreement that guarantees a health insurer the same best price as their market competitors. MFN clauses have the effect of unnecessarily raising consumer costs, reducing choice among providers, constraining access to care and preventing the development of alternative health care delivery models. The purpose of this paper is four-fold. First, to design a four-quadrant matrix to evaluate the pro-competitive and anticompetitive purpose and effects of MFN clauses under Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Second, to defeat the jurisprudential presumption that MFN clauses are pro-competitive in the …

True Risk Management: Physicians' Liability Risk And The Practice Of Patient-Centered Medicine, Anand Das, Jack Schwartz, Evan G. Derenzo

Journal of Law and Health

While most physicians understand that a serious deficiency in technical care increases their risk of liability, too often their risk management behavior indicates that they do not fully appreciate the impact that poor interpersonal skills have on patients' motivations to sue. Ironically, many of these physicians have taken risk management steps that have increased, rather than reduced, their exposure to lawsuits. In this paper, we argue that a strong legal and factual claim does not invariably explain patients' decisions to sue. Dissatisfaction with the physician's interpersonal care as well as with the clinical outcome is often a factor. Conversely, patients …

Best Methods For Increasing Medical Translators For Limited English Proficient Patients: The Carrot Or The Stick?, Paula Hein

Journal of Law and Health

Private physicians struggle to provide translators for patients, especially in rural areas like the one in which Dr. Kerr practices. Translators cost anywhere from thirty dollars to four hundred dollars depending on such factors as the time needed to translate, whether or not the translator is trained as a medical translator, and the language that is being translated. Telephone language lines, which provide translation over the phone through a dial up service, costs providers an average of two dollars and fifty cents ($2.50) per minute. There is also the price of the extra personnel time that is required to develop, …

The Effects Of An Inclusion Program In A Catholic School Setting On Students Who Experience Academic And Learning Difficulties In The Regular Classroom, Lucila E. Marazita-Espinosa

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

At Good Shepherd Catholic School, 37% of the students in the 5th grade were identified as experiencing academic and learning difficulties in the regular classroom. This conclusion was based on teacher referrals, low academic performance, educational evaluations, and results of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills, the Cognitive Abilities Test, and the Scholastic Reading Inventory.

This research focused on the need to identify the causes that prevented these students from being academically successful in the regular classroom. Some of the concerns addressed included insufficiencies in the present remedial pullout program and the lack of staff development in the areas of …

Increasing Literacy Completion Points Of Adult English For Speakers Of Other Languages Students At Lindsey Hopkins Technical Education Center, Louise A. Hall-Motin

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Legislation passed in 1998 reshaped the adult education system in Florida. A greater accountability for adult education was established. Due to this legislation, adult education’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program changed to performance based funding. Program funding was provided according to student mastery of Literacy Completion Points (LCPs). These LCPs reflected student achievement of academic competencies by way of standardized instruments, checklists, or portfolios. Funding was determined by the LCPs of student progression from one level to the next. The adult center in this study elected to use the state mandated checklist system to measure student achievement (Florida …

Development Of An Athletic Recruiting Plan For Long Beach City College With A Process For Implementation And Evaluation, Dan Ripley

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Recruiting is a necessary component of a successful athletic program. There was no comprehensive recruiting plan at Long Beach City College (LBCC) to maximize the recruiting efforts of its athletic department. The purpose of this applied dissertation was to develop a specific recruitment plan for the LBCC athletic department.

This applied dissertation answered the following questions: (a) What are selected community colleges doing to attract student athletes, (b) what is the current status of athletic recruiting at LBCC, (c) what should an ideal athletic recruiting plan for LBCC include, and (d) what steps should be included in the implementation and …

Meeting The Psychological Needs Of School-Aged Native Students In An Extreme Geographic Region, Deborah Diette Wilson

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to meet the psychological needs of a unique Native population through a continuum of services and the utilization of technological platforms. The host community has experienced significant historical events including the exclusion in full participation education and the provision of educational curricula by individuals lacking the cultural competency base to provide appropriate educational experiences sensitive to Native learning styles. Psychological services were dictated by Federal and State mandates and consisted solely of educational and ability testing for the purpose of special education eligibility determination. As a result, school-aged Native students experienced significant social and emotional …

Increasing Parental Involvement Through The Use Of Homeroom Parent Support Groups, Shirley Ann Ewing

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation investigated the extent of parental involvement at the Daniel Boone Elementary School. Parents were visible on campus during the school day and at special performances featuring children, but according to the teachers, they were not actively involved in a manner that affects their children’s academic performance or success in school. Increasing parental involvement was not a priority at Boone School, as indicated in the 1999-2000 School Improvement Plan.

Therefore, a Homeroom Parent Support Group (HPSG) program was implemented to increase parental involvement in an elementary school setting. Parents and their third grade students were members of the …

Leading School Choice Staff Training Through The Development And Validation Of A Public Relations Training Program In The Age Of School Choice, Kenneth J. Gaughan

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The School District of Hillsborough County, Florida is implementing a controlled choice plan which will give parents increased opportunities to select their children’s schools. School choice has posed new challenges for public school leaders, that is, marketing their schools to the public. Thus, a new plan to train school leaders to promote their schools at a grass roots level was needed. Specifically, school leaders needed a trained cadre of faculty to serve as on-site public relations specialists to provide information relevant to parents who are making decisions about where to send their children to school. This project complemented concurrent efforts …

Uniform Mediation Act And Official Comments

Journal of Dispute Resolution

The provisions in this Act reflect the intent of the Drafters to further these public policies. The Drafters intend for the Act to be applied and construed in a way to promote uniformity, as stated in Section, and also in such manner as to: promote candor of parties through confidentiality of the mediation process, subject only to the need for disclosure to accommodate specific and compelling social interests, encourage the policy of fostering prompt, economical, and amicable resolution of disputes in accordance with principles of integrity of the mediation process, active party involvement, and informed self-determination by the parties, and …

Future Directions For The Integrated Csfii-Nhanes: What We Eat In America–Nhanes, Johanna Dwyer, Mary Frances Picciano, Daniel J. Raiten

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

The history of the integration of the dietary data collection from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and the Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) is reviewed. The purposes and process of the workshop are presented. The three key topics of the workshop are summarized. The key roles of cosponsors and participants are acknowledged.

United States Department Of Agriculture–Agricultural Research Service Research On Veterinary Pests, Jerome Hogsette

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

An overview of ARS research in the field of veterinary pests is presented. Results of research from the past three years on ticks, fire ants, nuisance flies, mosquitoes, sand flies and black flies, among others, are included. Where applicable, significance of research is discussed.

Contributors’ Notes, Journal Editors

Yalobusha Review

No abstract provided.

Host Specificity Of The Leaf Beetle, Diorhabda Elongata Deserticola (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) From Asia, A Biological Control Agent For Saltcedars (Tamarix: Tamaricaceae) In The Western United States, C. Jack Deloach, Phil A. Lewis, John C. Herr, Raymond I. Carruthers, James L. Tracy, Joye Johnson

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Four species of saltcedars, Tamarix ramosissima Ledeb., Tamarix chinensis Lour., Tamarix parviflora DC., and T. canariensis Willd. and their hybrids, are exotic, invasive small trees from Asia that cause great damage to riparian ecosystems of the western United States. They displace native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat (including that of many endangered species), increase soil salinity and wildfires, lower water tables, reduce water available for agriculture and municipalities, and reduce recreational use of affected areas. Phytophagous insects are abundant on saltcedar in the Old World and we selected Diorhabda elongata Brullé deserticola Chen as the top candidate biological control agent …

Biology Of Diorhabda Elongata Deserticola (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), An Asian Leaf Beetle For Biological Control Of Saltcedars (Tamarix Spp.) In The United States, Phil A. Lewis, C. Jack Deloach, Allen E. Knutson, James L. Tracy, Thomas O. Robbins

United States Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service / University of Nebraska-Lincoln: Faculty Publications

Adults and larvae of Diorhabda elongata Brullé subspecies deserticola Chen feed on the foliage of saltcedars (Tamarix spp.). All three instars are black, the 2nd with an indistinct, and the 3rd with a distinct yellowish lateral stripe; full-grown larvae reach ca. 9mm in length and pupate in cells in litter on the ground or a few cm below the soil surface. Adults are yellowish with two dark brown stripes on each elytron. Duration of the egg averaged 5 days, 1st instar 4.9 days, 2nd instar 4.8 days, 3rd instar 7.4 days, prepupa 4.8 days, and pupa 7.1 days at …

A University Wide Smart Card System, Philip Cummins

Theses : Honours

Presently, many tertiary educational institutions utilise card technologies for staff and student identification and the support of other related services within the institution. A new type of card technology has been developed known as a Smart Card, where an existing plastic card has an embedded integrated circuit and is capable of expanding the range of applications and services capable within an institution. This thesis will detail the advantages that these new Smart Cards have over existing institution cards, detail other institution's attempts to use Smart Cards and finally, this thesis proposes a suitable system for integrating Smart Cards into an …

Online Avatar Based Interactions, Han Wei Koay

Theses : Honours

The gridWorld project attempts to utilize 3D to develop an online multi-user visual chat system. GridWorld address ideas of how conversations in a virtual environment can be facilitated and enhanced by an abstract visual interface design. The visual interface was developed from research and examination of existing ideas, methodologies and application for development of user-embodiment, chat/virtual space, and interface useability towards the visualization of communication.