Digital Commons Network^™

Characterization Of A Conserved Chromosome Breakpoint At 10q21.3 In Human And 10b5.1 In Mouse: Possible Role In Cancer., Jamie Riemann Senft

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Genetic regions that are consistently altered in cancers of both mice and humans indicate regions of the genome that are good candidates for harboring genes that are critical in the development of cancer. Nearly identical breakpoints were identified at 10q21.3 in human melanoma and at the homologous 10B5.1 region in mouse lung adenocarcinoma. A previously hypothetical gene was located within the minimal breakpoint region. The gene was characterized and identified as an immediate early gene with increased expression in several of the tumor cell lines.

The Politics Of Space And Scale In The Brazilian Favela: A Case Study Of Sao Pedro., Eric K. Spears

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The politics of local economic development in the Brazilian favela (urban slums) are contentious. This dissertation examines the politics of economic development in the urban slum of Sao Pedro, which is located in the city of Vitoria, Brazil. Space and scale are central to understanding the politics of economic development in this favela, and this research will make use of both concepts to shed light on this local struggle. The dissertation will examine the struggle over local economic development in Sao Pedro through an analysis of the residents' spatial practices. This dissertation will examine the role that scale plays in …

A Simple Two-Dimensional Boundary Element Program For Estimating Multiple Seam Interaction., Olayemi Olumide Akinkugbe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this thesis, the need for a fast and easy to use numerical analysis program for calculating multiple seam interactions is established. To fulfill this, a simplified twodimensional (2D) laminated overburden model was mathematically developed. Also the utility of the 2D laminated model for modeling complex multiple-seam interaction was further enhanced by its ability to calculate the pillar safety factors and multiple-seam induced subsidence and strain. The 2D laminated overburden model is then implemented into a displacementdiscontinuity program called LaM2D. The LaM2D program can be used to calculate seam convergence, vertical stress, multiple seam stress, pillar safety factors, subsidence and …

Toward A Phenomenological Approach To Prehistoric Cultural Landscape Analysis: The Marietta Mounds Internet Gis., Susan J. Bergeron

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The main goal of this thesis research was to develop an Internet-based contextual GIS and demonstrate its use as a tool for prehistoric cultural landscape study. GIS provides the ability to synthesize and display both quantitative and qualitative data that provide important information about the characteristics of a cultural landscape in a digital context. In addition, the ability to embed spatial multimedia including photographs, video, and text allows the contextual GIS to provide essential qualitative data. The Marietta Mounds Internet GIS developed for this thesis research presents spatial information about the prehistoric mound and earthwork sites in Marietta, Ohio. Users …

A Feasibility Study On Modeling And Prediction Of Production Behavior In Naturally Fractured Shale Reservoirs., Boyd T. Huls

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Objective of this study is to demonstrate the feasibility of predicting production characteristics in a Devonian Shale reservoir. This paper discusses the use of a multidimensional, equation of state compositional simulator to develop a prototypical anisotropic shale reservoir. The production data from a group of single well simulations is used to train an Artificial Neural Network to generate production indicators for a well location based on geopositional parameters. This study was conducted to ascertain if an Artificial Neural Network could be adapted to the random uncertainty in naturally fractured shale reservoirs and whether this approach could further the understanding …

Saprophagous Caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae: Herminiinae): Effect Of Bacillus Thuringiensis Var. Kurstaki Application In Forest And Laboratory Settings., Karen Jeanine Kish

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The larvae of the Herminiinae are macrodecomposers of forest leaf litter. Eight species were studied to determine the effects of aerially applied Btk. Adults were collected weekly by light trap for 7 consecutive seasons. The first 2 years provided baseline information, followed by 2 years of Btk treatment and 3 post-treatment years. Idia aemula (Hübner)(Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae were collected from control plots and treated with Btk in the laboratory to determine susceptibility. Untreated larvae were reared to adulthood and mated to obtain information on their biology. Differences in light trap counts between years were significant for all 8 species. Forest …

The Impact Of A Social Skills Intervention On The Development Of Resiliency In Preschool Children., Tamala L. Lowther

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Children need to learn appropriate behavior in their early years. Educators of young children have been given the job of importing very important social competency skills, such as coping, problem solving, cooperation, and self-control skills. Interventions designed to meet the developmental level and individual needs of the children enrolled in a preschool should build factors that will lead to increased social skills and resiliency. This research involved implementing social skill prevention in a preschool classroom in a non-profit childcare center in rural West Virginia. The research examined the effectiveness of the Devereux Early Childhood Assessment (DECA), in increasing protective factors …

Scenic Design For Steve Martin's "Picasso At The Lapin Agile"., Tuesdee Long

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This document is a record of the process involved in creating the scenery for West Virginia University’s 2004 production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile, by Steve Martin. The project was assigned to serve as partial fulfillment of the requirements of a Master of Fine Arts in Design and Theatre Technology, and this document completes the requirements for that degree. This thesis explains the progress of the design from its research and conceptualization to its realization and the resulting theatrical production on the stage. It includes a synopsis, criticism and history of the original production, and a self-evaluation of the …

Developing Intelligent Synthetic Logs: Application To Upper Devonian Units In Pennsylvania., Luisa F. Rolon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A methodology to generate synthetic wireline logs is presented. Synthetic logs can help to analyze the reservoir properties in areas where the set of logs that are necessary, are absent or incomplete. The approach presented involves the use of Artificial Neural Networks, as the main tool, in conjunction with data obtained from conventional wireline logs. Implementation of this approach aims to reduce operation costs to companies. Development of the neural network model was completed using a General Regression Neural Network, and four wells that included gamma ray, density, neutron, and resistivity logs. Synthetic logs were generated through two different exercises. …

The Effects Of Positive And Negative Framing On Seven American Newspapers During The Persian Gulf War In 1991 And The Iraq War In 2003., Davin T. White

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study evaluates the positive and negative aspects of major American newspaper coverage of the Persian Gulf War in 1991 and the war in Iraq in 2003. Embedded coverage in 2003 was presumed to generate more positive coverage than under the press pool system in 1991. However, both the overall coverage of six newspapers in 1991 and six in 2003 were framed positively toward the American missions. When comparing means of positive and negative coverage among the newspapers, no significant differences in overall coverage were found. The coverage of the Persian Gulf War, however, was slightly more positive. There was …

The Laudable South Carolina Court Rules Must Be Broadened, Richard Zitrin

Faculty Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Investigating The Impact Of Differentiating Instruction On Student Learning In Middle School Mathematics Class, Marcia Adams O’Neil

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Mathematical achievement across this country lags behind not only that of other industrialized nations but also behind that of other disciplines in the United States as documented by the Third International Math and Science Survey (National Center for Educational Statistics, 1999). Archival data from the state assessment, Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, over the past 4 years document that mathematics performance lags behind English/language arts at all levels. Moreover, performance in mathematics is stagnant at the middle school level, Grades 6-8, unlike continual gains at the elementary and high school level. Clearly, student performance at the middle school level is an …

Professional Development And Turnover In Early Care And Education: Working Toward Solutions By Increasing Enrollment In A Professional Development Program, Sandra L. Duncan

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Teachers’ educational backgrounds and professional development are positive predictors of program quality while teacher turnover is a negative predictor of program quality. Recent research suggests a significant link between teacher turnover and opportunities for professional development. The supposition is that, if the early childhood field could increase the quality of professional development training, then the level of teacher turnover could be reduced. Therefore, nonparticipation in professional development training opportunities is a critical issue in the early childhood industry.

This research study examined why early childhood practitioners are not enrolling in the professional development program opportunity that was published in a …

Colorado Superintendency Attrition And Its Effects On The Fourth-Grade Reading Achievement: A Reflective Practitioner’S Investigation, Rod L. Blunck

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to gather a greater understanding of the impact of superintendent turnover and the effect on student achievement. The data-based accountability systems in place in Colorado place a great deal of pressure on superintendents to produce empirical results indicating increased student achievement.

The author gathered data from the Colorado Department of Education for student achievement results for the 4th grade reading assessment as measured by the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) for academic years 2001, 2002, and 2003 and for superintendent turnover as measured during academic years 2001 and 2002. Randomly selected, 5 superintendents were to …

Limitado Empoderamiento Del Currículum De La Educación De Adultos Por Parte De Los Docentes, Onavis Cabrera

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

El propósito de esta investigación estuvo centrado en obtener las informaciones pertinentes para contribuir a explicar las causas socioeducativas del limitado empoderamiento por parte de los educadores que trabajan en la educación de adultos. En su fase de implementación se llevó a cabo en seis centros educativos del Distrito 10-04, de la Regional de Educación Santo Domingo I, ubicado en el municipio de Santo Domingo Oriental. Dicho estudio se efectuó durante un año y tres meses (enero 2003-abril 2004). La cantidad y calidad de la información obtenida permitió alcanzar los objetivos y comprobar las hipótesis de trabajo.

Sus resultaron lograron …

Aproximación A La Calidad Docente Eje De La Excelencia Académica Del Instituto Tecnológico De Santo Domingo, María Altagracia López Ferreiras

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Esta disertación aplicada estudió y analizó la calidad del personal docente del Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC), una universidad con reconocimiento y prestigio en la República Dominicana. Al momento de iniciar esta investigación el INTEC contaba con 5,100 estudiantes, 349 docentes de los cuales el 76% era contratado por asignatura lo que indica una dedicación parcial a la institución.

El análisis de la información para documentar el problema puso en evidencia que tanto los propios docentes, como el personal directivo tenían la percepción de que había disminuido la calidad docente del INTEC y que existía una alta rotación de …

Development Of An Entrepreneurial Training Seminar Using Adult Education Principles For The University Of North Florida Small Business Development Center, Philip R. Geist

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation developed an entrepreneurial training seminar to fill a gap between an existing 3-hour workshop and a semester-long FastTrac™ class. The existing 3-hour workshop, required by contract between the UNF SBDC and the U.S. SBA, serves as a screening mechanism to identify potential entrepreneurs. The FastTrac™ class is designed for existing business owners and assumes significant understanding of business concepts. The new seminar will act as a bridge and be a prerequisite for the semester-long class.

The writer developed lesson plans, an instructor’s manual, a strategy for multicounty implementation using local area presentation partners, and an implementation plan. …

Creating A Professional Learning Community: Engaging Teachers In Change, Patsy G. Goolsby

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation provided teachers with interventions and strategies to assist in the implementation of a professional learning community at Navy Point Elementary School. In 1999, the state of Florida changed to a standards-based state testing system. Upon receiving a grade of D in the state grading system, the administration of Navy Point Elementary School began a study of the underlying causes for the problems that existed within the school. The community had gone through numerous economic changes. Most of the children in the school were at the poverty level, lived in single-parent homes, and would move 2 or more …

Evaluating Benchmarks For Internet-Based Teaching And Learning At A Community College, Heidi L. Guthrie

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this applied dissertation was to evaluate existing benchmarks related to Internet-based teaching and learning. The study also assessed the extent to which faculty at a small community college implemented the benchmarks for Internet-based teaching and learning. In response to the need for benchmarks, accrediting bodies, like the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions (CRAC), have established standards for the evaluation of distance education programs and institutions. These standards, however, are limited in number and scope.

This study employed a multi- method quantitative descriptive design to identify the benchmarks for Interne t-based teaching and learning. Using a benchmarking process …

Sensory Integration Dysfunction: The Impact On Social Interactions Among Preschoolers In An Integrated Early Childhood Setting, Kristin Hutton-Fay

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

Parents and paraprofessionals have a limited ability to affect preschoolers positively with sensory integration dysfunction ability to socially integrate with their typically developing peers. Lack of professional development for the early childhood staff, limited parent education and support programs, and limited understanding of sensory integration are contributing factors which place preschoolers with sensory integration at risk for social skills deficits. This applied dissertation proposed to increase social interaction skills among preschoolers with sensory integration dysfunction in order to enhance their participation with typically developing peers in the integrated early childhood setting.

The writer used a parent education and support program …

Rank-Ordering Factors Influencing Integration Of Learning Technologies In Elementary School Classrooms, Eric Joseph

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of this study was to identify factors reported in the literature as influencing the integration of learning technologies in elementary school classrooms. Further, this study attempted to create an empirical rank ordering of factors influencing teachers' integration of these technologies into elementary classrooms using data collected from a sample of classroom teachers.

This applied dissertation used the mixed methods research design: Sequential exploratory case study approach. It consisted of 3 phases of data collection: qualitative-quantitative-qualitative data collection. A survey instrument was created using items from 5 pre-existent surveys. This was followed by a qualitative open-ended questionnaire that was …

Increasing Student Achievement In The Five Strands Of The Mathematics Portion Of The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, Pamela B. Murphy

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The passing and implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2002 dramatically increased public awareness of accountability in U.S. public schools (S. Charp, 2003). State-mandated testing is now present in nearly 40 of the states. Florida educators have struggled to meet the demands of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). In 1998, the Florida A+ Accountability program, which assigns grades to elementary, middle, and high schools, was initiated. The standards-based accountability has forced administrators, teachers, and parents to search for practices that will increase student achievement.

This applied dissertation describes the practices put in place in one South …

Improving Lee-Hamilton Elementary Third Grade Reading Scores On The Missouri Assessment Program, Gwendolyn Wilson Diggs

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This study served as a tool to increase third grade scores in communication arts on the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) standardized test. Teachers focused on providing rigorous content material and implementing strategies to improve student performance on the MAP. Interventions included using test study material, after-school tutoring, Computer Assisted Technology (CAT), and school-wide programs.

Even though a different group of third graders are administered the MAP each year, a comparison of Lee- Hamilton’s third grade student’s MAP scores in communication arts over a two year period indicated a decline in student performance. Further analysis of the student data revealed that …

Development Of A Plan For The Integration Of Technology And Alternative Learning Methodologies At Grant Macewan College, Geraldine Nakonechny

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

The purpose of the applied dissertation was to assess the current status and develop a plan for the integration of the technology and alternative learning methodologies (TALM) at Grant MacEwan College. The research questions prompted processes to obtain information from others who integrated TALM, determine the current status of TALM integration at MacEwan, develop an appropriate TALM integration plan for MacEwan, and determine how the plan would be evaluated. Both development and evaluation methodologies were utilized. Procedures included a thorough review of institutions that integrated TALM, the development and validation of a technology integration plan, and approaches to evaluate the …

Ready To Learn: A Program To Address Kindergarten Failure On Reading Readiness, Kenneth M. Wheeler

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied research project was designed to increase the mastery of reading readiness skills of low-performing kindergarten students who were identified on the Initial Readiness Assessment Test that is administered after the 1st month of school. The kindergarten reading/language arts curriculum was not meeting the needs of students with deficiencies in reading readiness.

Fifteen students were selected to participate in intervention strategies to improve their mastery of reading readiness skills. To meet the diverse needs of the students, the writer selected an emergent literacy approach to remediation and incorporated the use of a computer-managed reading program. Ongoing meetings held with …

The Effect Of Assistive Technology Staff Development On Improving Reading Of Intermediate Grade Students With Learning Disabilities, Verna R. Benjamin-Lambert

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

A 3-year review of Pow Elementary School’s test scores showed that there was a decline in reading scores on standardized tests. The IOWA test results in 2000 and the Stanford 9 and the Georgia Criterion Competency Test results in 2001 and 2002 showed a decline in reading comprehension. The decline in test results among students with learning disabilities was even more significant. A 2-year comparison of test score results on the Georgia Criterion Competency Test of students with reading disabilities in Grades 3, 4, and 5 showed that 76% did not meet state standards in school year 2001 and 100% …

Reducing Peer Victimization At A Southeastern Middle School By Utilizing An Anti-Peer Victimization Curriculum And Student Leader Peer Support, Arlene M. Mcdermott

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation was designed to decrease the high levels of peer victimization at a suburban middle school. Many students attending the institution were actively engaging in negative aggressive behavior such as bullying, teasing and isolating peers. They did not understand what types of behaviors constituted peer harassment or the affects it had on the aggressor, victim and general school climate. In addition, student leaders were not aware that they could act individually or as a collective body to help aid in its prevention.

The writer developed an Anti-Peer Victimization Curriculum that included a series of lessons, activities and strategies …

Improving An Alternative-To-Suspension Program To Reduce The Number Of Seventh-Grade Students’ Classroom Referrals, Timothy J. Butts

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

At Pines Middle School (PMS), seventh-grade student referrals for disruptive behavior were the highest of all three grades. This applied dissertation focused on reducing the seventh-grade referrals by improving the Pines Alternative-to-Student-Suspension (PASS) program.

Two research questions addressed (a) strategies to improve the program, and (b) outcome data for PASS participant treatment and nonparticipant control groups. A total of 216 respondents participated, 54 students and 54 parents each in the treatment and control groups. All parents completed the Homework Problem Checklist (HPC), and treatment parents and students completed the PASS Effectiveness Survey (PES). Student strategies included mentoring; lectures, discussions, role …

A Comparison Of Nondissection- And Dissection-Based Biology Programs, Kenneth T. Micai

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

This applied dissertation describes the evaluation of a program that compares achievement of 10th-grade biology students in a suburban high school with a student population of approximately 2,800. The study evaluated two methods for the teaching of human systems. One methodology incorporated the use of a traditional dissection, and the other incorporated the use of a virtual dissection. The control group was taught using the traditional methodology of the dissection of a fetal pig. The experimental group was taught using a virtual dissection model.

Using a departmental exam, the control and experimental groups were compared on pretest and posttest scores. …

Utilizing Gendered Education In Middle School Language Arts Classes, Elizabeth Tharp Jones

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education ETD Archive

When the Indiana state-mandated test scores were released in January 2002, Switzerland County Middle School students ranked in the bottom one third of the state in language arts. The administrators and teachers looked closely at the results of the state-mandated test. The rate of retention by gender was also tracked over a 3-year period. As the standardized test scores and retention data were reviewed, it was apparent that middle school boys were less successful in language arts and reading than girls in the same class. In order to address the problem in a manageable situation, the sixth-grade data were selected. …