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2003

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The Transcendental Eigenvalue Problem And Its Application In System Identification, Kumar Vikram Singh Jan 2003

The Transcendental Eigenvalue Problem And Its Application In System Identification, Kumar Vikram Singh

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

An accurate mathematical model is needed to solve direct and inverse problems related to engineering analysis and design. Inverse problems of identifying the physical parameters of a non-uniform continuous system based on the spectral data are still unsolved. Traditional methods, for the system identification purpose, describe the continuous structure by a certain discrete model. In dynamic analysis, finite element or finite difference approximation methods are frequently used and they lead to an algebraic eigenvalue problem. The characteristic equation associated with the algebraic eigenvalue problem is a polynomial. Whereas, the spectral characteristic of a continuous system is represented by certain transcendental …

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Quality Of Life Dimensions For Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Kathleen Sheppard-Jones Jan 2003

Quality Of Life Dimensions For Adults With Developmental Disabilities, Kathleen Sheppard-Jones

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Quality of life is a phrase that most people are familiar with, regardless of whether or not they can define it. Much research has been conducted across disciplines in an effort to explain the construct. As human service programs become more focused on outcomes, there is greater interest in measuring quality of life as an indicator of service quality and success. This study was designed to test whether or not quality of life differences exist between adults with developmental disabilities and the general population at an item, scale, and composite level. The quality of life dimensions that were tested included …

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Issues In The Control Of Halfspace Systems, Ramprasad Potluri Jan 2003

Issues In The Control Of Halfspace Systems, Ramprasad Potluri

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

By the name HALFSPACE SYSTEMS, this dissertation refers to systems whose dynamics are modeled by linear constraints of the form Exk+1 <= Fxk + Buk (where E, F 2 andlt;mn, B 2 andlt;mp). This dissertation explores the concepts of BOUNDEDNESS, STABILITY, IRREDUNDANCY, and MAINTAINABILITY (which is the same as REACHABILITY OF A TARGET TUBE) that are related to the control of halfspace systems. Given that a halfspace system is bounded, and that a given static target tube is reachable for this system, this dissertation presents algorithms to MAINTAIN the system in this target tube. A DIFFERENCE INCLUSION has the form xk+1 = Axk + Buuk, where xk, xk+1 2 andlt;n, uk 2 andlt;p, A 2 andlt;nn, Bu 2 andlt;np, Ai 2 andlt;nn, Bj 2 andlt;np, and A and Bu belong to the convex hulls of (A1,A2, . . . ,Aq) and (B1, B2, . . . , Br) respectively. This dissertation investigates the possibility that halfspace systems have equivalent difference inclusion representation for the case of uk = 0. An affirmitive result in this direction may make it possible to apply to halfspace systems the control theory that exists for difference inclusions.

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Origins Of Isoprenoid Diversity: A Study Of Structure-Function Relationships In Sesquiterpene Synthases, Bryan T. Greenhagen Jan 2003

Origins Of Isoprenoid Diversity: A Study Of Structure-Function Relationships In Sesquiterpene Synthases, Bryan T. Greenhagen

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Plant sesquiterpene synthases catalyze the conversion of the linear substrate farnesyl diphosphate, FPP, into a remarkable array of secondary metabolites. These secondary metabolites in turn mediate a number of important interactions between plants and their environment, such as plant-plant, plant-insect and plant-pathogen interactions. Given the relative biological importance of sesquiterpenes and their use in numerous practical applications, the current thesis was directed towards developing a better understanding of the mechanisms employed by sesquiterpene synthases in the biosynthesis of such a diverse class of compounds. Substrate preference for sesquiterpene synthases initially isolated from Nicotiana tabacum (TEAS), Hyoscyamus muticus (HPS) and Artemisia …

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The Impact Of Tech Prep On Community College Readiness In Michigan, Patrick J. Nedry Jan 2003

The Impact Of Tech Prep On Community College Readiness In Michigan, Patrick J. Nedry

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Tech Prep programming was introduced in Michigan in 1987 to improve the academic skills of high school students when they enter a Michigan community college. Over $44,000,000 had been spent on Tech Prep programming in Michigan since 1991, and there had been little evaluation of the effort in its impact on academic achievement. This study was designed to determine if Tech Prep programming had been effective in reducing remediation rates in Michigan community colleges. The research was an ex post facto study that examined the relationships and predictability of Tech Prep programming on high school and college readiness in Michigan …

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Nanocomposites Based On Poly (Ε-Caprolactone) (Pcl)/Clay Hybrid: Polystyrene, High Impact Polystyrene, Abs, Polypropylene And Polyethylene, Xiaoxia Zheng, Charles A. Wilkie Jan 2003

Nanocomposites Based On Poly (Ε-Caprolactone) (Pcl)/Clay Hybrid: Polystyrene, High Impact Polystyrene, Abs, Polypropylene And Polyethylene, Xiaoxia Zheng, Charles A. Wilkie

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Nanocomposites of polystyrene, high impact polystyrene, acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene terploymer, polypropylene and polyethylene have been prepared using an organically-modified clay that contains polycaprolactone—PCL-modified clay. Depending upon the mode of preparation of the PCL-modified clay, all three types of nanocomposites, immiscible, intercalated and exfoliated, may be produced. The materials have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, cone calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and the evaluation of mechanical properties.

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In Situ Reactive Blending To Prepare Polystyrene-Clay And Polypropylene-Clay Nanocomposites, Dongyan Wang, Charles A. Wilkie Jan 2003

In Situ Reactive Blending To Prepare Polystyrene-Clay And Polypropylene-Clay Nanocomposites, Dongyan Wang, Charles A. Wilkie

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Nanocomposites of polystyrene and polypropylene with organically-modified clay may be prepared by melt blending in a Brabender mixer the clay and the polymer. The presence of maleic anhydride increases the likelihood of nanocomposite formation for polystyrene but is less important for polypropylene. The materials that result are immiscible materials, in that the clay is not uniformly distributed throughout the polymer matrix, but there is polymer inserted between the clay layers. The results from cone calorimetry suggest that nanocomposite formation has occurred, since there is a significant reduction in the peak heat release rate.

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A Stibonium-Modified Clay And Its Polystyrene Nanocomposite, Dongyan Wang, Charles A. Wilkie Jan 2003

A Stibonium-Modified Clay And Its Polystyrene Nanocomposite, Dongyan Wang, Charles A. Wilkie

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Triphenylhexadecylstibonium trifluoromethylsulfonate has been prepared and ion-exchanged with sodium montmorillonite to obtain a new organically-modified clay. The clay has higher thermal stability than an ammonium clay; only a portion of the alkyl chain is lost during degradation and all of the antimony is retained. This clay has been used to prepare a polystyrene nanocomposite in which the clay is not uniformly distributed throughout the polymer. Nonetheless the polymer does insert into the clay layers and the d-spacing of the clay expands from 2.0 to 3.0 nm. The enhanced thermal stability of this system may mean that it could be …

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State Mandated Prenatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening At A Large Community Hospital, William Cusick, Julie G. Stewart, Michael Parry, Gavin Mcleod, Gerald Rakos, Chris Sullivan, John Rodis Jan 2003

State Mandated Prenatal Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening At A Large Community Hospital, William Cusick, Julie G. Stewart, Michael Parry, Gavin Mcleod, Gerald Rakos, Chris Sullivan, John Rodis

Nursing Faculty Publications

Purpose: To describe the initial experience of state mandated prenatal HIV screening at a large community hospital.
Methods: HIV screening was provided to all pregnant women as of October 1, 1999. All HIV-positive women identified received aggressive antiretroviral therapy to reduce the likelihood for vertical transmission. Neonates were screened for HIV at zero, six, and 12 months of age.
Results: Seven pregnant women (0.3%) and two additional family members tested positive for HIV. All seven infants born to the identified HIV-positive women have tested negative for infection. We estimated that six of nine cases of HIV infection identified would have …

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Molecular Recognition Of No/No+ Via Multicenter (Charge-Transfer) Binding To Bridged Diarene Donors. Effect Of Structure On The Optical Transitions And Complexation Thermodynamics, Sergiy V. Rosokha, Sergey V. Lindeman, Rajendra Rathore, Jay K. Kochi Jan 2003

Molecular Recognition Of No/No+ Via Multicenter (Charge-Transfer) Binding To Bridged Diarene Donors. Effect Of Structure On The Optical Transitions And Complexation Thermodynamics, Sergiy V. Rosokha, Sergey V. Lindeman, Rajendra Rathore, Jay K. Kochi

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Bridged diarenes form very strong [1:1] complexes with nitrosonium/nitric oxide in which the NO moiety is optimally sandwiched in the cleft between a pair of cofacial aromatic rings which act as a molecular “Venus flytrap”. The spectral features of these associates are generally similar to those for [1:1] and [2:1] nitrosonium complexes with mononuclear alkyl-substituted benzenes, and they are appropriately described within the LCAO molecular-orbital methodology and the Mulliken (charge-transfer) formulation of donor/acceptor electronic transitions. The thermodynamics study indicates that the efficient binding is determined by (i) the close matching of the donor/acceptor redox potentials and (ii) the ability of …

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The Novelty Of Improvisation: Towards A Genre Of Embodied Spontaneity, David Alfred Charles Jan 2003

The Novelty Of Improvisation: Towards A Genre Of Embodied Spontaneity, David Alfred Charles

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Improvisation has often been viewed and valued in terms of its service and resemblance to scripted traditions of theatre. Such a stance seriously undermines the significance and impact of this global performance modality, and has resulted in improvisatory modes being largely ignored or downplayed in modern historical accounts of theatre. This dissertation examines improvisation on its own terms, seeking to understand its unique features, functions and potentials, while freeing it from the heavy shadow of its scripted counterpart. To this end, the theories of literary critic, Mikhail Bakhtin, provide important methodological guideposts and allow the silhouette of the improvisational impetus …

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Integrating Natural Coping And Survival Strategies Of African American Women Into Social Work Practice: Lessons Learned From The Works Of Nannie Helen Burruoghs, Lolita Cecelia Boykin Jan 2003

Integrating Natural Coping And Survival Strategies Of African American Women Into Social Work Practice: Lessons Learned From The Works Of Nannie Helen Burruoghs, Lolita Cecelia Boykin

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study examines the historical coping and survival strategies of African American women - as reflected through the works of Nannie Helen Burroughs- that can be integrated into current social work practice. This research is important because is describes, explores and analyzes culturally relevant helping traditions, among African American women that have historically promoted their emotional and psychological well-being. An analysis of methods used by Burroughs was derived from articles, letters, speeches and minutes from various convention meetings. Also, a variety of secondary sources were also used during the research process. Results from the study are important in that they …

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Self-Efficacy, Motivation, And Outcome Expectation Correlates Of College Students' Intention Certainty, Carol Couvillion Landry Jan 2003

Self-Efficacy, Motivation, And Outcome Expectation Correlates Of College Students' Intention Certainty, Carol Couvillion Landry

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study explored relationships between Self-Efficacy, Motivation, and Outcome Expectations and Intention Certainty. Intention Certainty is a new variable created for this study and comprised of existing conceptions of intention and decision certainty. The purpose of this study was fourfold. This study attempted to expand our understanding of the college retention dropout issue by exploring relationships between psychologically rich variables. Second, this study provided information considered useful for framing future research on retention from a different perspective that focuses on characteristics of individuals who stay, rather than those who leave higher education with the consideration of psychological constructs. Further, this …

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Program Participants' Knowledge And Perceptions Of Effectiveness Of The French Quarter Formosan Termite Program, Alan L. Morgan Jan 2003

Program Participants' Knowledge And Perceptions Of Effectiveness Of The French Quarter Formosan Termite Program, Alan L. Morgan

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine program participants’ knowledge and perceptions of the effectiveness of the French Quarter Formosan Termite Program. The management of the Formosan subterranean termite is critical to the economic well-being of not only Louisiana, but the U.S. Estimates of property damage, repairs, and control measures exceed $1 billion per year in the U.S., of which $500 million is in Louisiana and $300 million is in the New Orleans area. In 1998, the LSU Agricultural Center, a statewide agricultural research and extension campus of Louisiana State University, in cooperation with the Agricultural Research Service, began …

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Potential Functionality And Digestibility Of Oryzanol As Determined Using In Vitro Cell Culture Models, Chih-Chun Jean Huang Jan 2003

Potential Functionality And Digestibility Of Oryzanol As Determined Using In Vitro Cell Culture Models, Chih-Chun Jean Huang

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

A mouse lymphatic endothelial cell (SVEC4-10) model and a human intestinal cell (C2BBe1) model in vitro were developed and capable to be used to study antioxidant activity, hypocholesterolemic capability and digestibility of γ-oryzanol. The critical and vital parameters in developing these cell models were the emulsion preparation of hydrophobic compounds for cell models, the consistent management of cell culture, and the selection of cell viability detection methods compatible with the cell lines and the test substances. The results showed that, in some situations, γ-oryzanol could present a more effective antioxidant activity than α-tocopherol, in terms of reducing tert-butyl hydroperoxide promoted …

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Local Government And Society In Early Modern England: Hertfordshire And Essex, C. 1590-- 1630, Jeffery R. Hankins Jan 2003

Local Government And Society In Early Modern England: Hertfordshire And Essex, C. 1590-- 1630, Jeffery R. Hankins

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This administrative and social history of Hertfordshire and Essex tracks the careers, social relationships, and personal tribulations of justices of the peace and other county officials from 1590 through 1630. The study addresses the nature of the relationship between local government and the central government, the social structure of the two counties as reflected in the annual lists of the justices of the peace, and any administrative or social connections between Hertfordshire and Essex. Office holding was not only an administrative duty but also intertwined the lives of real people. Did local officials rise or fall because of central government …

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Following The Lines (Long Interspersed Elements): Human Specific L1 Elements And Their Orthologous Loci In Non-Human Primates, Bethaney June Vincent Jan 2003

Following The Lines (Long Interspersed Elements): Human Specific L1 Elements And Their Orthologous Loci In Non-Human Primates, Bethaney June Vincent

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The L1 Ta subfamily of Long INterspersed Elements (LINEs) consists exclusively of human-specific L1 elements with a copy number of ~520 in the human genome. Four hundred sixty-eight L1 Ta elements were extracted from the draft human genomic sequence and screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays to determine their phylogenetic origin and to determine their contribution to human genomic diversity. PCR analysis indicated that 45% of the L1 Ta elements screened are polymorphic for insertion presence or absence. Sequence analysis of the L1 Ta elements produced definitive evidence of 3’transduction, gene conversion involving an older pre-existing L1 element, as …

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Contesting For Power In Public Performance: Hegemonic Struggles In The Louisiana Shrimp And Petroleum Festival, Allen Alford Jan 2003

Contesting For Power In Public Performance: Hegemonic Struggles In The Louisiana Shrimp And Petroleum Festival, Allen Alford

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This study was undertaken to analyze the influence of hegemony on the creation of cultural identity-specifically the cultural identity of Morgan City, Louisiana-through the annual performance of the Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival of that city. The information utilized in this study was assembled from a variety of sources: newspaper reporting from 1935 to 1999, chronicling the Festival and related subjects; works of several theorists in the area of ritual and performance studies; works that examine the concept of hegemony, principally from a Marxian perspective; anthropological studies of Gulf Coast commercial fishing cultures; reports by official State of Louisiana agencies, …

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Exfoliated Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) And Polystyrene/ Nanocomposites Occur When The Clay Cation Contains A Vinyl Monomer, Shengpei Su, Charles A. Wilkie Jan 2003

Exfoliated Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) And Polystyrene/ Nanocomposites Occur When The Clay Cation Contains A Vinyl Monomer, Shengpei Su, Charles A. Wilkie

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The bulk polymerization of methyl methacrylate and styrene in the presence of an organically modified clay containing a vinyl group that can be involved in the polymerization produces exfoliated nanocomposites. These nanocomposites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical properties, and cone calorimetry. The onset temperature of thermal degradation increases with the mechanical properties. The peak heat release rate is significantly reduced for nanocomposites containing 3 or 5% clay. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 41: 1124–1135, 2003

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The Trouble With Girls: Autoethnography And The Classroom, Pamela Kay Autrey Jan 2003

The Trouble With Girls: Autoethnography And The Classroom, Pamela Kay Autrey

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Recent research suggests that many young women are undergoing a particularly difficult time during early adolescence, beginning with the transition to middle school (The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University [CASA], 2003; Albert, Brown, & Flanigan, 2003; American Association of University Women, 1992). Employing autoethnography, I studied my experience as girl and woman, student and teacher, in elementary and middle schools and how these informed my pedagogical practices and knowledge as an elementary school teacher. Drawing upon feminist theory and cultural studies as well as research narratives, I argue for the inclusion of "kinderculture" in the …

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Evaluation Of 10-Fold Cross Validation And Prediction Error Sums Of Squares Statistic For Population Pharmacokinetic Model Validation, Shibani Harite Jan 2003

Evaluation Of 10-Fold Cross Validation And Prediction Error Sums Of Squares Statistic For Population Pharmacokinetic Model Validation, Shibani Harite

University of the Pacific Theses and Dissertations

It was the objective of the current study to evaluate the ability of 10-fold cross validation and prediction error sum of squares (PRESS) statistic to identify population pharmacokinetic models (PPKM) that were estimated from data without influence observations versus PPKMs from data containing influence observations. The evaluation of 10-fold cross validation and PRESS statistic from Leave-one-out cross-validation for PPK model validation was performed in 3 Phases. In Phase 1 model parameters (theta and clearance) were estimated for datasets with and without influence observations. It was found that influence observations caused an over-estimation of the model parameters.

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Cancer Mortality Among American Indians And Alaska Natives: Regional Differences, 1994-1998, D.K. Espey, R.E. Paisano, N. Cobb Jan 2003

Cancer Mortality Among American Indians And Alaska Natives: Regional Differences, 1994-1998, D.K. Espey, R.E. Paisano, N. Cobb

Native Health Database Full Text

This monograph delineates cancer mortality rates among American Indians and Alaska Native within the different regions served by the Indian Health Service (IHS).

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Table Of Contents Jan 2003

Table Of Contents

Journal of the South Carolina Academy of Science

No abstract provided.

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Analysis Of Multibeam Crosschecks Using Automated Methods, Susan Sebastian, Dave Wells Jan 2003

Analysis Of Multibeam Crosschecks Using Automated Methods, Susan Sebastian, Dave Wells

Hydrographic Science Research Center

The widespread use of multibeam sonar systems has brought to the forefront many developments to handle the tremendous amounts of data collected. One of the valuable quality assurance tools available for hydrographic data is that of analyzing depths where two tracklines cross. In contrast to the single-beam echosounding case, where crossing tracks result in single overlapping footprints, multibeam sonar crossing tracks involve the analysis of a multitude of redundant data points. The earliest (pre-GPS) multibeam crossing track analysis tools were used to improve georeferencing, shifting tracks to achieve spatial correlation at all intersections. Now, with georeferencing handled by GPS and …

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Short-Term Shoreline And Volume Changes For The Beaches South Of Sebastian Inlet, Fl From August 21, 2000 Tonovember 23, 2002, Donald Evan Cresitello Jan 2003

Short-Term Shoreline And Volume Changes For The Beaches South Of Sebastian Inlet, Fl From August 21, 2000 Tonovember 23, 2002, Donald Evan Cresitello

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the short-term mean high water (MHW) shoreline and sand volume changes for 4.3-miles of coastline in Northern Indian River County, Florida. Eighteen surveys covering 47 profile lines surveyed from the dune to wading depth were performed from 8/21/00 to 11/23/02. Wind, wave, and water level data were used to determine the effects of individual storm events. The primary objective was to analyze the profile line changes for the study region. Shoreline and sand volume changes were computed and compared to the proximity to Sebastian Inlet, the location and width of the nearshore reef, and the differing directions …

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A Retrospective On Lucas V. South Carolina Coastal Council: Public Policy Implications For The 21st Century, Kim Diana Connolly Jan 2003

A Retrospective On Lucas V. South Carolina Coastal Council: Public Policy Implications For The 21st Century, Kim Diana Connolly

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

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Citizenship And Severity: Recent Immigration Reforms And The New Penology, Teresa A. Miller Jan 2003

Citizenship And Severity: Recent Immigration Reforms And The New Penology, Teresa A. Miller

Journal Articles

Over the past twenty years, scholars of criminal law, criminology and criminal punishment have documented a transformation in the practices, objectives, and institutional arrangements underlying a range of criminal justice system functions that are at the heart of penal modernism. In contrast to the preceding eighty years of criminal justice practices that were progressively more modern in their belief in the rationality of the criminal offender and their concern for enhancing civilization through rehabilitative responses to criminality, these scholars note that since the mid-198''0s the relatively settled assumptions about the framework that shaped criminal justice and penal practices for nearly …

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Forcing States To Be Free: The Emerging Constitutional Guarantee Of Radical Democracy, James A. Gardner Jan 2003

Forcing States To Be Free: The Emerging Constitutional Guarantee Of Radical Democracy, James A. Gardner

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

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Small Town Trash: A Model Comprehensive Solid Waste Ordinance For Rural Areas Of The United States, Kim Diana Connolly Jan 2003

Small Town Trash: A Model Comprehensive Solid Waste Ordinance For Rural Areas Of The United States, Kim Diana Connolly

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

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Elucidating The Elephant: Interdisciplinary Law School Classes, Kim Diana Connolly Jan 2003

Elucidating The Elephant: Interdisciplinary Law School Classes, Kim Diana Connolly

Journal Articles

No abstract provided.

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