Digital Commons Network^™

The Elders, Finding Long Ago And Now, Our Elders Health Journey, Judy A. Erickson Jacoby

Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Modeled Sulfur Dioxide Exposure From A Proposed Coal Fired Power Plant, Using Geographic Information Systems And Air Dispersion Modeling, Steven Jason Hutchens

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study models the contribution of sulfur dioxide (SO 2) from a proposed coal fired power plant (CFPP) above existing ambient levels. Most vulnerable to SO2 exposure appear to be the elderly, young, and diseased, here identified as sensitive receptors (SR). Epidemiologic studies suggest 260mug/m3 as the lowest toxic threshold for SR exposure. It was hypothesized that added SO2 concentrations to existing ambient levels at regional sensitive receptors, under worst case scenario, would not exceed 260mug/m3.;The methods used identify and quantify density locations of localized SR using geographic information systems. Modeled worst case air dispersion concentration exposure to localized SR …

Forensic Information Management System, Arunshankar Srinivasan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The primary objectives of this project were to reduce the paper work, increase data reliability and reduce process turnaround time at the West Virginia State Police Forensic Laboratory (WVSPFL) Charleston, WV. The objective was achieved by reengineering and automating various processes in the seven units of the laboratory. A software tool called Forensic Information Management System (FIMS) was developed. FIMS was implemented in Visual Studio.Net; MS-SQL server was used as the database. The FIMS can be accessed via the internet/intranet, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), or a stand-alone desktop computer. The key benefits of FIMS are its ability to integrate information …

Advisors' Attitudes Toward Developmental Placement And The Academic Performance And Perceived Success Of Their Underprepared Community College Advisees, June Elizabeth Bracken

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Open admissions policies pose a critical challenge to retention at community colleges because, on average, over one third of the students enter unprepared to meet the academic demands. Faced with the shocking first-year attrition rate of over fifty percent at public community colleges (McCabe, 2000), taxpayers, legislators, and college officials have become embroiled in debate over the high cost of remediation and the "human capital" (Shaffer, 1997, 1998) costs of pitting access against excellence. Previous research has established that mandatory basic skills assessment and mandatory placement into developmental courses leads to lower attrition rates and higher grade point averages for …

Leadership Styles Of Department Chairs And Faculty Utilization Of Instructional Technology, Tongshan Chang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined the relationship between the leadership styles of academic department chairs of Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership Studies, Teacher Education, and Educational Psychology in Colleges of Education at doctoral/research public universities by Carnegie Classification and faculty utilization of instructional technology in teaching. Two-stage random sampling was used to sample the population. The instrument of Faculty Utilization of Instructional Technology was sent to 93 chairs and 843 faculty, respectively. Bolman and Deal's Leadership Orientation (other) was also sent to 843 selected faculty. Thirty-seven chairs and 230 faculty responded to the survey. Descriptive statistics. Chi-square test, t test, ANOVA, MNOVA, …

How Mom And Dad Use Crayons: A Study Of How Parents Perceive And Negotiate Racial Identity With Their Black And White Biracial Children, Ronald T. Ferguson Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

The exponential increase in interracial marriage has brought with it a group of biracial children who do not fit neatly into the current racial classification system. The purpose of this study was to understand the perception and the strategies parents take to negotiate identity with their children. Moreover, the desire is to also understand how they came to such perceptions, what those perceptions are, and how they may or may not affect what they do with their children.

This study involved 10 interracial couples that are parents of biracial children who are half African American and half European American. All …

Similarity Of Mammalian Body Size Across The Taxonomic Hierarchy And Across Space And Time, Felisa A. Smith, James H. Brown, John P. Haskell, S. Kathleen Lyons, John Alroy, Eric L. Charnov, Tamar Dayan, Brian J. Enquist, S.K. Morgan Ernest, Elizabeth A. Hadly, David Jablonski, Kate E. Jones, Dawn M. Kaufman, Pablo A. Marquet, Brian A. Maurer, Karl J. Niklas, Warren P. Porter, Kaustuv Roy, Bruce Tiffney, Michael R. Willig

Biology Faculty & Staff Publications

Although it is commonly assumed that closely related animals are similar in body size, the degree of similarity has not been examined across the taxonomic hierarchy. Moreover, little is known about the variation or consistency of body size patterns across geographic space or evolutionary time. Here, we draw from a data set of terrestrial, nonvolant mammals to quantify and compare patterns across the body size spectrum, the taxonomic hierarchy, continental space, and evolutionary time. We employ a variety of statistical techniques including "sib-sib" regression, phylogenetic autocorrelation, and nested ANOVA. We find an extremely high resemblance (heritability) of size among congeneric …

University Reporter - Vol. 08, No. 09 - May 2004, University Of Massachusetts Boston

1996-2009, University Reporter

No abstract provided.

Cleaner Technologies As An Aspect Of Sustainable Tourism: Carribbean Case Studies, Fitzgerald J. Yaw Jr.

Dissertations

Tourists are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their selection of tourism destination. A major factor that has been gaining importance in their choice set is the environmental quality of their preferred destination. Tourism planners need to recognize that the sustainability of their destination and its various offerings necessitates the consideration of environmental protection and conservation-related issues. This dissertation undertakes the case study methodology to explore the link between implementing cleaner technologies, a major environmental issue, and sustainable tourism.

The Caribbean is a region in the world that is strongly dependent on tourism for its economic development. Thus the analysis of how …

Plan Colombia: The Environmental Effects And Social Costs Of The United States' Failing War On Drugs, Zachary Mugge

Colorado Environmental Law Journal

No abstract provided.

The European Commission's Regulations For Genetically Modified Organisms And The Current Wto Dispute-Human Health Or Environmental Measures? Why The Deliberate Release Directive Is More Appropriately Adjudicated In The Wto Under The Tbt Agreement, Aaron Ostrovsky

Colorado Environmental Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Terrestrial Movements And Habitat Use Of Gopher Frogs (Rana Capito) At Fort Benning, Georgia, Jonathan H. Neufeldt

Theses and Dissertations

Gopher frogs (Rana capito) were radio-tracked between the 2000 and 2001 breeding seasons to study their terrestrial movements and habitat use in a longleaf pine- sandhill area on the Fort Benning Military Reservation, Georgia. The telemetry research was conducted in response to the need for biological data concerning gopher frog terrestrial habits. Ultimately the data could aid biologists and land managers in describing critical habitat and the development of a management or recovery plan. Twelve gopher frogs were caught at a herpetofaunal array surrounding two neighboring breeding ponds during a post breeding migration, implanted with miniature transmitters, released and radio-tracked …

One Of These Things Is Not Like The Other: Analogizing Ageism To Racism In Employment Discrimination Cases, Rhonda M. Reaves

University of Richmond Law Review

No abstract provided.

Towards The Design Of Robust Peer-To- Peer Communities, Ioannis Ioannidis, Ananth Y. Grama

Department of Computer Science Technical Reports

No abstract provided.

Explaining The Gender Gap In Help To Parents: The Importance Of Employment, Naomi Gerstel, Natalia Sarkisian

Center for Families Publications

Although it is well established that adult daughters spend more time giving assistance to their parents than do sons, the sources of this gender gap are not well understood. This paper asks: To what extent can this gap be explained by structural variation, especially the different rates of employment and kinds of jobs that women and men tend to hold? Using data from the National Survey of Families and Households (N= 7,350), the paper shows that both employment status and job characteristics, especially wages and self-employment, are important factors in explaining the gender gap in the help given to parents …

Alkaloids And Old Lace: Pollen Toxins Exclude Generalist Pollinators From Death Camas, Melissa Weber

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Many plants produce toxins to which specialist herbivores - typically insects - have evolved counter-adaptations, sometimes resulting in a co-evolutionary arms race. Although many non-social bee species are likewise taxonomic host specialists, the pollination guilds at their floral hosts frequently include diverse floral generalists as well, even on plants that are otherwise chemically defended. In this study, we show that pollen and nectar of foothills death camas (Toxicoscordion [=Zigadenus] paniculatum) contains zygacine, the alkaloid responsible for this plant's notorious mammalian toxicity. Many adults and larvae of the generalist solitary bee, Osmia lignaria (Megachilidae), were paralyzed and …

The Effect Of Process Parameters On Laser-Deposited Ti-6a1-4v., Troy Austin Davis 1981-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to understand how the process parameters surrounding the Direct Metal Deposition (DMD) process affect the properties of the deposition. The powder used in this research is pre-alloyed titanium powder (Ti-6Al-4V), containing 6% wt. aluminum and 4% wt. vanadium. A few process parameters involved with the DMD include the laser power, traverse speed, powder flow rate, and gas flow rates. Due to the detrimental effect of oxygen on titanium, oxygen content is one of the main deposition properties of significance involved with this research. In addition to the oxygen content, the powder efficiency, build rate, …

Pollen Study In Castanea Dentata And C. Mollissima, Christine Johnson Bock

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to see if Castanea dentata (Marshall) Borkhausen and C. mollissima Blume are anemophilous or entomophilous and to investigate the direction and distance of C. dentata pollen dispersal. The study of C. dentata pollen dispersal patterns was set up at an isolated orchard in Cleveland, Tennessee. Pollen collectors were placed at 13 locations in an array 15.2, 30.4, 46 and 61 meters north, northeast and east from the northeast corner of the orchard with one collector in the orchard itself. Pollen counts averaged significantly higher at the orchard than at sites 15.2, 30.4, 46 and …

Iraq And Vietnam: Differences, Similarities, And Insights, Jeffrey Record Dr., W. Andrew Terrill Dr.

Books, Monographs & Collaborative Studies

U.S. political and military difficulties in Iraq have prompted comparisons to the American war in Vietnam. The authors conclude that the military dimensions of the two conflicts bear little comparison. Among other things, the sheer scale of the Vietnam War in terms of forces committed and losses incurred dwarfs that of the Iraq War. They also conclude, however, that failed U.S. state-building in Vietnam and the impact of declining domestic political support for U.S. war aims in Vietnam are issues pertinent to current U.S. policy in Iraq.

Rare, Threatened And Endangered Species Of Oregon (2004), James S. Kagan, Sue Vrilakas, Eleanor P. Gaines, Cliff Alton, Fern Mcarthur, Kuuipo Walsh, Eric Scheuering, John A. Christy, Jon Hak, Claudine Tobalske, Annie Weiland, Theresa Koloszar, Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center

Institute for Natural Resources Publications

Extinction is a natural process. Today, however, plant and animal species are disappearing world-wide at an accelerated pace. Based on current trends, half of the species on earth will be extinct within the next 100 years. The major cause of this phenomenon is large-scale destruction of native habitats, which has increased since European settlement began in the mid 1800's - in Oregon and throughout the New World.

Once lost, a species can never be recovered, and there is no way of knowing how useful it may have been. We do know that human beings and many of their industries depend …

Nutritional Content Of Supplemental Food Baskets Distributed By Charitable Agencies In Northeast Tennessee., Lillian Khalili Aliata

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if the nutritional needs of high-risk community members are met by supplemental food baskets distributed by charitable groups in northeast Tennessee. Hunger is a real problem among the area's elderly population, as 14.3% of the populations live at or below the poverty level. Data were collected using observation interviews at the food bank. A nutrient analysis tool was used to analyze the nutrient content of food items in a standard food basket. The findings were compared to the recommended dietary allowance for the elderly population. The supplemental food basket was adequate in …

The Relationship Between The Use Of Developmentally Appropriate Practice And The Inclusion Of Product-Producing Art Activities In Infant Programs., April D. Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Product-producing art activities (PPAA) produce visual products, disregarding developmentally appropriate practice (DAP) and the creative learning experience. Infant programs in Northeast TN were examined to determine if as PPAA levels increased DAP levels decreased, which was unfounded: t (2) = 1.80, n.s. In fact, significant differences were found between programs with high PPAA levels and DAP as indicated by scores on the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (Harms, Cryer, & Clifford, 1990) sub-scales: Furnishings and Displays, t (2) = 7.59, p < .05; Listening and Talking, t (2) = 6.71, p < .05; and Learning Activities, t (2) = 7.29, p < .05. Caregivers' main reason for including PPAA was: positive sensory experience; main reason for exclusion: infant/teacher relationship is more important.

Power And Perfection In Karen Finley's The Constant State Of Desire: Creating A New Discourse., Melissa D. Greenwood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Karen Finley's The Constant State of Desire merits attention because it acknowledges modern language's inability to represent the suffering of victims and creates awareness of our personal involvement in constructing gendered identities. Finley expresses her abhorrence of the desire for power and perfection by asserting that power is secured in American culture through physical and economic domination. In addition, the pursuit of perfection is engrained in one's psyche through media images and habituated behaviors. Finley does not offer a new language through which to communicate suffering, but she draws the reader's attention to the inadequacies of psychological and cultural rhetoric, …

Bridging The Gap Between Medical Science And Communication: An Interpretive Analysis Of Messages Portrayed On Endometriosis Websites., Lakesha Nichole Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined women's health messages found on ten endometriosis websites. Qualitative research methods were used to investigate messages available via Internet media about causes and treatments of endometriosis, particularly as they relate to the suggestion that hysterectomy and pregnancy are effective treatments. Messages about infertility, physician-patient communication, and accessibility were also examined. Findings indicate that the websites provided similar messages regarding the symptoms, causes, and treatments of endometriosis; results pertaining to infertility were mixed. Little information was available on methods of improving physician-patient communication. Most websites provided additional low-cost information while requiring minimal technological competency or additional software of …

Epiphanies Of The Principalship: A Study Of Passages In Educational Administration., Donna J. Raines

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This scrapbook of biographical sketches serves as an exhibition of portraits in the elementary school principalship through experiencing a gallery of leadership interviews. Perspectives have been framed in compositions that represent the practical realist, the idealist, and at times even a surrealistic perspective of the elementary principal. Critical incidents were shared from individual participants representing catalysts for momentous change; themes of personal realizations, barriers to effectiveness, and challenges in the career of an administrator also contributed as dominant elements of the final work.

A qualitative research method employing interviews explored the variation of colorful experiences that 23 elementary administrators encountered …

West Nile Virus And Wildlife, Peter P. Marra, Sean Griffing, Carolee Caffrey, A. Marm Kilpatrick, Robert Mclean, Christopher Brand, Emi Saito, Alan P. Dupuis, Laura Kramer, Robert Novak

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

West Nile virus (WNV) has spread rapidly across North America, resulting in human deaths and in the deaths of untold numbers of birds, mammals, and reptiles. The virus has reached Central America and the Caribbean and may spread to Hawaii and South America. Although tens of thousands of birds have died, and studies of some bird species show local declines, few region-wide declines can be attributed to WNV. Predicting future impacts of WNV on wildlife, and pinpointing what drives epidemics, will require substantial additional research into host susceptibility, reservoir competency, and linkages between climate, mosquitoes, and disease. Such work will …

Brown-Headed Cowbirds In Grasslands: Their Habitats, Hosts, And Response To Management, Jill Shaffer, Christopher Goldade, Meghan Dinkins, Douglas Johnson, Lawrence Igl, Betty Euliss

United States Geological Survey, Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center: Publications

The brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater) is an obligate brood parasite whose numbers have increased in recent decades to the potential detriment of the species that they parasitize. Thus, most management efforts focus on discouraging brown-headed cowbird parasitism or controlling brown-headed cowbird populations. Keys to discouraging cowbird parasitism or controlling populations of brown-headed cowbirds in the Great Plains are maintaining large expanses of grassland, eliminating foraging areas (e.g., feedlots) and perch sites, and reducing the extent of overgrazed pastures.

Transdermal Delivery Of Phosphorodiamidate Morpholino Oligomers Across Hairless Mouse Skin, Angela K. Pannier, Vikram Arora, Patrick L. Iversen, Rhonda M. Brand

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The skin is the largest organ in the body and an obvious route for both local and systemic drug delivery. Antisense oligomers have tremendous potential as therapeutic agents for numerous diseases. The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of vehicle on the transdermal delivery of several phosphorodiamidate Morpholino oligomers (PMOs) with different sizes, lengths, base compositions, sequences, and lipophilicities. Eleven different PMOs were synthesized complementary to biologically relevant gene targets and delivered across hairless mouse skin in vitro using vehicles composed of 95% propylene glycol, 5% linoleic acid (PG/LA), water, 50% water:50% PG/LA, and 75% water:25% PG/LA. …

The Prokaryotic Selenoproteome, Gregory V. Kryukov, Vadim N. Gladyshev

Vadim Gladyshev Publications

In the genetic code, the UGA codon has a dual function as it encodes selenocysteine (Sec) and serves as a stop signal. However, only the translation terminator function is used in gene annotation programs, resulting in misannotation of selenoprotein genes. Here, we applied two independent bioinformatics approaches to characterize a selenoprotein set in prokaryotic genomes. One method searched for selenoprotein genes by identifying RNA stem–loop structures, selenocysteine insertion sequence elements; the second approach identified Sec/Cys pairs in homologous sequences. These analyses identified all or almost all selenoproteins in completely sequenced bacterial and archaeal genomes and provided a view on the …

Distribution Of Candida Species Among Bloodstream Isolates, Asma M. Al-Jasser, Noura A. Elkhizzi

Saudi Medical Journal

OBJECTIVE: To identify the distribution of Candida species causing bloodstream infections. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Armed Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. All cases of candidemia from the period 1996 through to 2002 were retrospectively identified through the records from the Department of Clinical Microbiology. RESULTS: Two hundred and ninety-four candidemic episodes were identified, 176 (59.9%) occurred in the intensive care units (ICUs), 32 (10.9%) medical, 30 (10.2%) surgical wards, 24 (8%) from patients with hematologic malignancies and 15 (5%) from pediatric wards. Candida albicans (C. albicans) was the most frequently isolated species with 149 (50.7%) …