Digital Commons Network^™

Acknowledgements, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Experimental Comparison Of Ionic Polymer-Metal Composites And Conventional Actuation Technologies For Biomedical Applications, Rachel Hansen

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

What Is The Ideal Consensus Conference, And How Would We Recognize It If We Saw One?, Jan R. Coe

Working Papers on Science in a Changing World

The consensus conference is a participatory mechanism that envisages ordinary citizens engaging with experts (scientists and other knowledge producers) on issues of compelling social significance. It invites ordinary citizens to bring their life experience and values to the serious consideration of a technology that may have far-reaching consequences. Three selected examples of consensus conferences are examined in order to see how they match the ideal. The paper concludes with thoughts about the adequacy of evaluation frameworks and suggest that a more dynamic model of consensus conference evaluation (based on public understanding of science models) might invite more compelling reflections about …

Fungal Detection And Identification By Nuclear Acid-Based Assays, Cherita La'chelle Thomas

Theses (Pre-2016)

Microorganisms have been reported in closed environments at different NASA facilities, from past NASA missions, and in the Russian Space Station MIR. Microorganisms were the first inhabitants of the International Space Station (ISS). They can impact human health and plant health, and cause damage to construction materials in space as well as on Earth. Information on microorganisms and their impact on environmental safety during Human Exploration Missions is important, especially for missions of longer duration. The main objective of this project was to develop an easy to use, rapid, sensitive and accurate model for the identification of relevant fungal species …

Development Of A Web-Based Gis For Groundwater Exploration In Arid Lands, Nakul Manocha

Masters Theses

A three-fold exercise was conducted to assess the groundwater potentiality in the Eastern Desert (ED) of Egypt. First, a database was generated to host all relevant data sets in a GIS environment for a better understanding of the spatial relationships between these data sets. Co-registered digital mosaics were generated from relevant data sets including remote sensing (e.g., Landsat TM, SIR-C, SRTM, TRMM), geochemical (solute concentrations, O and H stable isotope composition), geological (geologic maps), and hydrological (lithology, depth to water table) data sets. Second, a web-based GIS interface (ArcIMS) was developed to provide a vehicle for data analysis, visualization, and …

Job Perceptions Within Campus Law Enforcement, Duane Terpstra

Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to determine to what degree do practicing campus police officers' perceptions of their job responsibilities align with those conceptualized as ideal by scholars in the area of campus law enforcement, and if the perceptions do not align, what accounts for the lack of alignment. A survey was used to examine the relationship between the job satisfaction of campus police officers and their job responsibilities.

The research procedure consisted of a survey that was sent to police offices located in the East North Central region as defined by the Department of Justice, which consists of …

A Case Study Of Effective Practices For The Management Of Global Software Development Projects, Mudita Agarwal

Student Work

Global software development has proliferated in recent years because of rapid globalization, development of telecommunication and information technologies, and maturing of the software development processes. This thesis synthesizes available research on the global software development paradigm into an integrated model. The theoretical study analyzes different aspects of dispersion, their effect on traditional group processes of communication, coordination and control, and the recommendations in the literature for addressing some of these issues. The model developed in the theoretical study was then used to perform a detailed case study of a CMM Level 5 software company that specializes in global software development. …

A Study Of Acoustic Signature Classification Methods And Results, Jay E. Williams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Acoustic signature classification offers a unique capability of exploiting acoustic sensor data to computationally discriminate between detected sources. There are many variations of different techniques currently being used for acoustic classification. A comparison of some of these methods is presented and, performance analyses are documented for each test case within the matrix of presented techniques. This matrix consists of power spectral density and Prony type feature vectors combined with Bayesian maximum likelihood and backpropagation neural network classifiers. Combinations of each feature vector type and classifier type are tested with both simulated data and real data. The data represents short duration …

A Combined Routing Method For Ad Hoc Wireless Networks, Zhenhui Jiang

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

To make ad hoc wireless networks adaptive to different mobility and traffic patterns, we studied in this thesis an approach to swap from one protocol to another protocol dynamically, while routing continues. By the insertion of a new layer, we were able to make each node in the ad hoc wireless network notify each other about the protocol swap. To ensure that routing works efficiently after the protocol swap, we initialized the destination routing protocol's data structures and reused the previous routing information to build the new routing table. We also tested our approach under different network topologies and traffic …

Emphasizing The Copy In Copyright: Why Noncopying Alterations Do Not Prepare Infringing Derivative Works, Michael K. Erickson

BYU Law Review

No abstract provided.

Emergency Response And Planning Requirements Applicable To Unpermitted Air Pollution Releases, Arnold W. Reitze Jr.

BYU Law Review

No abstract provided.

University Reporter - Volume 10, Number 04 - December 2005

1996-2009, University Reporter

This issue of the University Reporter includes articles about National Institute of Health funding for a Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center and UMass Boston partnership, the Institute for Asian American Studies and the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy sponsored studies of the ways immigrant entrepreneurs contribute to the neighborhoods, Provost Paul Fonteyn's efforts to bring science education to displaced Hussicane Katrina students, and other news from UMass Boston.

Structural Allostery And Binding Of The Transferrin·Receptor Complex, Guozhong Xu, Mark R. Chance

Faculty Scholarship

The structural allostery and binding interface for the human serum transferrin (Tf)-transferrin receptor (TfR) complex were identified using radiolytic footprinting and mass spectrometry. We have determined previously that the transferrin C-lobe binds to the receptor helical domain. In this study we examined the binding interactions of full-length transferrin with receptor and compared these data with a model of the complex derived from cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) reconstructions (Cheng, Y., Zak, O., Aisen, P., Harrison, S. C. & Walz, T. (2004) Structure of the human transferrin receptor-transferrin complex. Cell 116, 565-576). The footprinting results provide the following novel conclusions. First, we report …

Green Engineering And Gate-To Gate Life Cycle Assessments For Pharmaceutical Products, Daniel Fichana

Theses and Dissertations

The research of this thesis focused on the environmental and processing metrics during the development of two different drugs. Previous research in life cycle assessments and green engineering have focused on other products and processes, but only a limited amount of studies have been conducted for pharmaceutical applications. This analysis concerned a gate-to-gate analysis of two distinct pharmaceutical products along with the development of a solvent selection table. The goal of this research was to determine how various processing and environmental metrics were affected by process improvements.

The first drug was the pravastatin, which was made via a fermentation route. …

Development, Testing And Evaluation Of Ndor' Tl-5 Aesthetic Open Concrete Bridge Rail, Karla A. Polivka, Ronald K. Faller, James C. Holloway, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Some New Orthogonal Arrays Oa (4r;R (1) 2(P);2), Warren F. Kuhfeld, Chung Yi Suen

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

We developed an algorithm to search for new orthogonal arrays, OA(4rOA(4r, r12pr12p, 2), for odd r . With it, we found new orthogonal arrays with 4r=364r=36 through 124 runs. Many other new arrays can be obtained from these new arrays.

Fabrication And Mechanical Characterization Of A Two-Ply Cross Fiber Stent And Fibers Comprising Blends Of Poly(L-Lactic Acid), Sushma Gampa

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

Recent studies indicate that stabilization of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques is critical for minimizing acute coronary syndromes. In this regard a new biodegradable stent design, the Two-ply cross fiber stent, has been developed to reduce stent-imposed stresses on such plaque and to provide increased drug reservoir capability. A comparative study of the mechanical properties of Two-ply and Single-ply stent designs was performed. Fibers comprising PLLA blends were developed and their thermal and mechanical properties were determined. Lateral spreading of helical fibers upon deployment of the Two ply design was observed that, in theory, may reduce stresses on the plaque surface. The …

Parametric And Non-Parametric Analysis Of Carotid Sinus Baroreflex System Using Electrically Induced Muscle Contraction, Sheetal D. Deshmukh

Bioengineering Theses - Archive

The arterial pressure is an important physiological parameter which if not maintained at desired level may lead to fatal disorders or in worst situations even death. The physiological feedback control mechanism in order to regulate the arterial pressure is performed by the baroreceptors. In this study the dynamic characteristics of carotid sinus baroreceptor are identified to obtain the open-loop characteristics of the carotid sinus pressure (CSP, mmHg) to the renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA, Arbitrary unit), RSNA to systemic arterial pressure (SAP, mmHg), CSP to SAP and CSP to heart rate (HR, bpm).The purpose of this study was to know …

An X-Ray Of The Mortgage Industry In Nigeria, Fortune Ebie

Economic and Financial Review

This article provides a detailed examination of the Mortgage Industry in Nigeria with a view to identifying the issues, challenges and prospects. The rest of the paper is divided into five sections. The overview of housing industry in Nigeria is the focus of section 2 while section 3 reviews the structure of the mortgage industry. Section 4 focuses on the regulatory/institutional framework for mortgage financing in Nigeria. The x-ray of mortgage industry is undertaken in section 5 while section 6 concludes the paper.

Undoing The Otherwise Perfect Crime-Applying Unjust Enrichment To Consumer Price-Fixing Claims, Daniel R. Karon

West Virginia Law Review

No abstract provided.

Collaboration Between Competitive Firms In The Upstream Oil Industry: The Effect Of Operational Control On Valve Creation, Arun K. Sharma

Student Scholarship

In this study I investigate the relationships between oil company competitors as they collaborate to develop mutually owned oil-field projects. Using fundamental theoretical principles derived from Transaction Cost Theory and Property Rights Theory\, I have analyzed fourteen interviews with oil company leaders in an attempt to better explain partnership behavior. The typical oil-field partnership governance model (the Joint Operating Agreement – or JOA) is designed to minimize transaction costs and equitably distribute profit in accordance with Transaction Cost Theory. Property Rights Theory\, however\, more accurately describes JOA partner behavior by accounting for residual rights of control\, which are a more …

Collaboration And Competition Tensions In Multi-Unit Organizations Facing Volatile Business Environments, Baldev Singh

Student Scholarship

Today’s volatile business environment with unpredictable and shifting customer demands is forcing units within the hierarchy of the organization to respond collectively. But these very units are in competition for corporate support and resources in pursuit of their own interests – expand\, enhance their position\, and ensure differentiation – or their conception of the organization’s interest. This research explores the tensions among inter-unit competition and collaboration and the collective ability of the units to effectively cope with shifting demands of turbulent business environment while optimizing the overall organizational performance. The research findings extend our understanding of collaboration beyond mutual gains\, …

"Retained Equity": Understanding The Impact Of Self Service Technology On Brand Trust Within The Context Of Financial Aid Administration, Matthew J. Gymer

Student Scholarship

Investment in self service technology (SST) is transforming the customer service encounter in virtually all industry sectors, pushing interpersonal service to a more automated and self initiated process. While firms are more familiar with operational implementation and customer acceptance factors of SST, there is much to learn concerning the cumulative implications of shifting customers from an interpersonal to a SST based service encounter. Of particular importance is what happens to trust between student and school the more students use self service technology to meet their financial aid service requests. Two groups of undergraduate students – some predisposed to SST based …

A Study Of How Precursor Key Concepts For Organic Chemistry Success Are Understood By General Chemistry Students, Patrick Gerard Meyer

Dissertations

This study examines college student understanding of key concepts that will support future organic chemistry success as determined by university instructors. During four one-hour individual interviews the sixteen subjects attempted to solve general chemistry problems. A think-aloud protocol was used along with a whiteboard where the students could draw and illustrate their ideas. The protocols for the interviews were adapted from the Covalent Structure and Bonding two-tiered multiple choice diagnostic instrument (Peterson, Treagust, & Garnett, 1989) and augmented by the Geometry and Polarity of Moleculessingle-tiered multiple choice instrument (Furió & Calatayud, 1996). The interviews were videotaped, transcribed, and coded …

Capacitated And Uncapacitated Facilities Locationallocation Problem With Sensitive Prices, Stochastic Demands, And Inventory, Yaser Al-Alawi

Dissertations

This study developed a quantitative model that solves a facility locationallocation (LA) problem that maximizes the net profits generated from expected sales. The model was formulated to take into consideration demand uncertainty, sensitive prices, and existence of inventory for capacitated and uncapacitated facilities. Four new models for the LA problem with stochastic demands and inventory were developed and studied. The four models were combinations of capacitated and uncapacitated facilities and sensitive and insensitive prices.

A new method was proposed for achieving optimality, and an approximation procedure was developed that could find near-optimal solutions for problems that could not be solved …

Salary Negotiation Strategies Of Female Administrators In Higher Education, Suzette Compton

Dissertations

The salary equity gap continues to exist, with men earning more on average for every dollar a woman makes. Research suggests that women's underdevelopednegotiation skills play a role in the continuation of the salary equity gap. Understanding the negotiation strategies and gendered communications traits women utilize may assist in enhancing their skills and in moving toward gender salary equity.

This study addresses the negotiation strategies and gendered communication traits of female administrators in higher education. Twenty-two women inadministrative positions in institutions of higher education in West Michigan were interviewed to determine the strategies they utilized when negotiating forsalary and other …

An Industry Assessment: Are Aircraft Dispatchers In A Holding Pattern?, Georgiann Sailer

Theses and Dissertations

This industry assessment provided an in-depth view of the aircraft dispatcher industry. An assessment of the industry was needed to project the future of the aircraft dispatcher profession, as well as indicate the necessity of additional aircraft dispatcher training facilities in the United States. The position of an aircraft dispatcher originated in 1938 as a result of numerous aircraft accidents. It was believed that the repeated accidents occurred due to the lack of ground assistance to the pilot, therefore a new Airman Certificate was created, the aircraft dispatcher certificate. Some of the duties of an aircraft dispatcher include aircraft navigation, …

Montana Kaimin, December 1, 2005, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

New Jersey Search-And-Seizure Law: A Recent Perspective, Peter G. Verniero

Seton Hall Law Review

No abstract provided.

Big Brother Is Watching: How Employee Monitoring In 2004 Brought Orwell's 1984 To Life And What The Law Schould Do About It, Jill Yung

Seton Hall Law Review

No abstract provided.