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Resiliency And Attribution Factors Associated With Racially And Ethnically Diverse Adolescents With Learning Disabilities, Karen Yvette Cruter Mcgee

Doctoral Dissertations

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Successful Use Of Neck Snares To Live-Capture Red Foxes, S. Nicole Frey, Michael R. Conover, Gary Cook

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Box traps and foot-hold snares are common methods to live-capture study animals. However, these methods are frequently ineffective due to factors such as weather constraints, food availability, and target animal behavior. During a study of red fox (Vulpes vulpes) behavior, we examined the use of neck snares to live-trap study animals. We modified the neck snare using swivel cam-locks, deer stops to minimize damage to the animal. Additionally, we utilized our knowledge of red-fox behavior to set traps in a way that would reduce trauma to the captured animals. We snared 21 red foxes during the 3-year study …

Comparison Of Sampling Strategies To Estimate Abundance Of Double-Crested Cormorants In Western Mississippi, Aaron T. Pearse, Brian S. Dorr, Stephen J. Dinsmore, Richard M. Kaminski

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We compared 2 sampling strategies designed to estimate abundance of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus, hereafter cormorants) on aquaculture ponds in western Mississippi. Cormorants are a major predator of cultured channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) in this region; thus, estimating cormorant abundance is needed to better determine their economic impact. We independently designed a species-specific survey (i.e., cluster sampling) and a general survey (i.e., transect sampling) based on robust probability sampling theory to estimate abundance of this target population. During winters 2002–2003 and 2003–2004, we conducted 8 pairs of surveys and compared estimates of cormorant abundance and associated …

Population Viability Analysis Of Monk Parakeets In The United States And Examination Of Alternative Management Strategies, Stephen Pruett-Jones, James R. Newman, Michael L. Avery, James R. Lindsay

Human–Wildlife Interactions

In the United States, monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) are expanding their geographical distribution, and their overall population size is growing exponentially. Monk parakeets are causing widespread economic damage in the United States by nesting on utility structures, which leads to electrical fires and power outages. Although few life history data are available for the species from North America, extensive data are available from the species’ native range in South America. Incorporating data from South America into the population viability analysis program VORTEX, we simulated population growth in United States monk parakeets to determine whether it is likely that …

Public Opinion, The Leopold Report, And The Reform Of Federal Predator Control Policy, James W. Feldman

Human–Wildlife Interactions

This paper explores the role of public opinion in a landmark shift in the federal predator control program. In 1963, the Leopold Committee recommended extensive reform in the federal predator control program, predicting that growing public support for the environmental movement would force such a move if the government did not initiate a change. In the years following the publication of the Leopold Report, the U.S. Division of Wildlife Services reformed its predator control program and tried to improve its public image. Meanwhile, both environmentalists and ranchers fought to control public opinion about the issue. The 1972 ban on predacides …

The Director's Desk The Role Of Knowledge In Developing People Skills, Ben C. West

Human–Wildlife Interactions

No abstract provided.

An Examination Of The Relationships Among Health Literacy, Social Support, And Patient Activation In Community Residing Older Adults, Brenda L. Harding Hage

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationships among the variables health literacy, social support, and patient activation. The subjects were 90 elderly, community residing adults meeting the inclusion criteria and who volunteered to participate in the study and completed three survey instruments: the Short Form of Functional Health Literacy (Parker, Baker, Williams & Nurss, 1995); the Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS) Social Support Survey Instrument (Sherboume & Stewart, 1991); the Patient Activation Measure (PAM) Short-Form (Hibbard, Mahoney, Stockard, & Tusler, 2005); and a demographic form.

A correlational design was used to test the hypotheses that social support and health literacy are positively related …

Transition From Health Maintenance Organizations To Consumer Driven Health Plans: Measurement Of Initial Impacts For Members With Chronic Conditions, Carl F. Goff

Theses and Dissertations

New consumer driven health insurance products are designed to contain health care costs by making consumers more accountable for the care they receive through being responsible for more cost sharing, making decisions regarding health care providers they will use, and increasing exposure to and use of health information for services and providers. Potential benefits of consumer driven products include increased information regarding personal health and a more knowledgeable patient base. Potential drawbacks of consumer driven products include negative impacts on consumers with chronic and complex health conditions.

The purpose of this study was to ascertain differences in health services utilization …

The Historical Race Competition For Corporate Charters And The Rise And Decline Of New Jersey: 1880-1910, Charles M. Yablon

Articles

No abstract provided.

The Incoherence Of Dormant Commerce Clause Nondiscrimination: A Rejoinder To Professor Denning, Edward A. Zelinsky

Articles

A sound intuition animates Professor Denning's defense of the doctrinal status quo under the dormant commerce clause: the courts should not lightly abandon well-established constitutional canons. I nevertheless remain unconvinced by Professor Denning's effort to justify the long-standing interpretation of the dormant commerce clause as forbidding taxes which discriminate against interstate commerce. Whatever the historical justification for this constitutional precept, its past utility, or its visceral appeal, dormant commerce clause nondiscrimination is today doctrinally incoherent in tax contexts. The problem is not one of borderlines and close cases. Rather, at its core, the notion of dormant commerce clause tax nondiscrimination …

Development Of Two Automated Feed Buoys For Submerged Fish Aquaculture Net-Pens, Brett Fullerton

Master's Theses and Capstones

Two prototype research feed buoys, designed with a feed capacity of a quarter-ton and one-ton respectively, were designed, modeled, constructed and field-tested to support raising aquaculture finfish in submerged cages at the University of New Hampshire's Open Ocean Aquaculture Demonstration site. These two buoy systems consisted of a surface buoy, moorings to a submerged fish cage mooring, feed dispensing machinery, feed transfer hose and buoy telemetry and control systems. Numerical finite element analysis and physical model scale wave tank testing were performed on both feed buoys. Various mooring concepts were also tested. Both buoys were moored close to the aquaculture …

Using Comparative Torts Materials To Teach First-Year Torts, Anthony J. Sebok

Articles

The article argues that incorporating comparative torts materials, particularly from European jurisdictions such as Germany and Italy, can effectively enhance the teaching of tort damages in first-year law courses. This approach is not about adopting a comparative curriculum but using these materials to provide deeper insights into American tort law.

Protecting Gay And Lesbian Families From Eviction From Their Homes: The Quest For Equality For Gay And Lesbian Families In Braschi V. Stahl Associates, Paris R. Baldacci

Articles

No abstract provided.

Investigation Of The Catalytic And Structural Roles Of Conserved Histidines Of Human Coproporphyrinogen Oxidase Using Site-Directed Mutagenesis, Shani J. Gitter, Christopher L. Cooper, Jon A. Frieson, Timothy D. Lash, Marjorie A. Jones

Faculty Publications – Chemistry

Background: The catalytic contribution of four conserved histidines of human coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPO) has been investigated using site-directed mutagenesis to change histidine (H) into alanine (A). Material/Methods: The wild-type and mutant enzyme forms were analyzed for their ability to utilize coproporphyrinogen-III, mesoporphvrinogen-VI, and harderoporphyrinogen as substrates. Results: Wild-type CPO had specific activities of 4.9 +/- 0.9 nmole product/min/mg for coproporphyrinogen-III, 1.7 +/- 0.7 nmole ptoduct/min/mg for mesoporphyrinogen-VI, and 5.1 +/- 1.8 nmole product/min/mg for harderoporphyrinogen. The four mutant enzymes were catalytically competent With all three substrates, but to varying degrees. The most affected Mutant was the H158A enzyme which exhibited …

Effects Of Behavioral Modifications On Discipline For Secondary Special Education Students, William Parker

Urbana University Master’s Theses

No abstract provided.

The High School Senior And The College Selection Process, Robert Cowles

Urbana University Master’s Theses

No abstract provided.

On The Legal Consequences Of Sauces: Should Thomas Keller’S Recipes Be Per Se Copyrightable?, Christopher Buccafusco

Articles

The restaurant industry now takes in over $500 billion a year, but recent courts have been skeptical of the notion that one of its most valuable assets, original recipes, are subject to copyright protection. With more litigation looming and the contours of the debate insufficiently mapped out, this article establishes the appropriate groundwork for analyzing the copyrightability of recipes. I show that, contrary to recent appellate court opinions, recipes meet the statutory requirements for copyrightability. I argue, by analogizing to musical compositions, that written recipes work to satisfy the fixation requirement of copyright law just as musical notation does for …

An Examination Of The Nursing Home Industry, Craig Labore

Master's Theses and Capstones

Quality of care remains an issue plaguing the nursing home industry. Over the next twenty years, nursing homes will become inundated with members of the "baby boomer" generation. The goal of this research project was to examine approaches to improving the quality of care in nursing homes in The United States. Three reforms were identified. First, there needs to be improved communication between CMS, regional offices and state agencies. Second, create a training program which trains surveyors and nursing home administrators in a nursing home setting. Finally; there must be collaboration between CMS and nursing home industry leaders in policy-making …

The Facilitation Of Well-Being Through Direct Contact With Family-Of-Origin For Securely Attached Children In Residential Out-Of-Home Placement, Katie Lynn Laroche

Master's Theses and Capstones

The current thesis project sought to answer the following two questions: (1) What is the relationship between emotional well-being of children in residential, out-of-home placement and the frequency of contact with their family of-origin? and (2) What is the relationship between the attachment style of children in residential, out-of-home placement and the frequency of contact with their family-of-origin?

Participants were recruited from a residential group home for abused and neglected children in New England. Limitations: Due to the nature of the population, obtaining informed consent proved difficult and the small sample size is the main limitation of this study. Results: …

The Relationship Between Variations Of Physical Activity And Psychological Well-Being In A Clinical Population, Jennifer L. Lijoi

Master's Theses and Capstones

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between engagement in physical activity in the domains of work and/or recreation, and self-reported well-being in a clinical population. The study was correlational in nature and utilized a Spearman rank order correlation to analyze the data of the eleven participants recruited at a therapeutic group private practice in a northern New England town. All eleven participants were females ranging in age from 23 to 43. It was hypothesized that all types of physical activity would correlate positively with reported well-being. The results of the data analysis were not significant; …

Cybercounseling: A Comparison Of The Elements Of Counseling Sessions Face-To-Face And Over Instant Message, Ryan M. Long

Master's Theses and Capstones

The purpose of this study was to compare key elements of a counseling session across both face-to-face sessions and sessions occurring over cyberspace via synchronous chat such as instant message or chat room. The key elements of a counseling session compared in this study included the interview environment, physical and psychological attending, interpreting verbal communication, and interpreting nonverbal communication. The results of this study, though not statistically significant, suggest that credentialed distance counselors perceive counseling via instant message to offer less opportunity to create a facilitating counseling environment, less opportunity for interpretation of nonverbal communication, and less opportunity for psychological …

Overview Of The Methods Of Physical Improvement And The Prevalence Of Steroid Use In High School Male Student Athletes, Sarah Sable

Master's Theses and Capstones

Two questionnaires, eight demographic questions and The Drive for Muscularity Scale (DMS) were administered to 19 high school male student athletes to determine their attitudes and behaviors around steroid use. The intent of this study was to research this sample to add to the literature in order to develop more effective steroid prevention measures. Steroid use of this group, 5.2% was found to be consistent with the national average. As indicated by the DMS, risk factors that might lead to or indicate steroid use include; wishing to be more muscular, lifting weights, taking protein/energy supplements, taking weight gain/protein shakes, feeling …

Proving Lost Profits Under Daubert: Five Questions Every Court Should Ask Before Admitting Expert Testimony, Robert M. Lloyd

University of Richmond Law Review

No abstract provided.

Using Internet Technology To Apply And Extend Research From The Past: Reviving Work On Instructor Notes And Review Questions, Mark Grabe

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

The theme of the 2006 MWERA conference, Teaching and Learning in an Electronic Era, offered an opportunity to reflect on opportunities and challenges created by new technologies. This paper focuses on applied educational research and identifies a set of interrelated research opportunities enabled because of the Internet. While these opportunities are explored using two specific examples (Instructor Notes and Review Questions), it seems reasonable that similar opportunities exist with other topics.

Secondary Special Education: A Comparative Study Of Teachers Of "High Incidence Disabilities", Leah Wasburn-Moses, Emily C. Bouck

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Although state education agencies, teacher preparation institutions, and public schools often combine high incidence disabilities into one category and one placement, the students grouped under this label often have diverse educational needs. This study compares two samples of secondary special education teachers working at the same schools to examine programming across disability category. One sample consists of teachers of students with learning disabilities (LD) and the other, teachers of students with mild mental impairments (MMI). The paper compares the similarities and differences.

Evolutionary Systems Theory, Universities, And Endogenous Regional Economic Development, William M. Bowen

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

Universities today are increasingly being viewed in terms of serving the purpose of economic development. This paper postulates that their chief purpose is to advance knowledge and that in doing so they effectuate regional economic growth and development through processes specified in the endogenous economic growth model. To achieve this purpose and to contribute optimally to regional economic growth and development arguably requires coherent educational policies. The central proposition is that to formulate coherent educational policies for endogenous regional economic development requires placement of a theory of the advancement of knowledge at the center of related policy deliberations. An evolutionary …

Diversity Techniques For Signal-Strength Based Indoor Location Determination, Anil Ramachandran

Masters Theses

"Diversity techniques have been found in the literature to be suitable for compensating channel uncertainties such as multipath fading. In this thesis, we exploit spatial and frequency diversity techniques for improving accuracy in locating stationary and mobile objects in the indoor environment"--Abstract, page iv.

Transcending The Body: The Role Of Divine Mind In The Practice Of Christian Science Healing, Sarah L. Gibb

Master's Theses and Capstones

Christian Science has been largely ignored in sociological inquiries of modern religious institutions. This research project aims to uncover how Christian Science practitioners understand their world in terms of the origins of illness, the gender division of labor, and their role as healers within the Christian Science community and the world. I distributed questionnaires to practitioners in California and the New England region, analyzing the responses using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The practitioners in this sample (N = 33) are overwhelmingly white, middle-aged to older women with higher-than-average levels of educational attainment and income. Thematic analyses reveal that in …

Knowledge And Perceptions Of "Cyberterrorism", Andrew J. Van Hoogenstyn

Master's Theses and Capstones

While the threat of terrorists utilizing the Internet to execute a cyberterrorist attack is of prominent concern there exist great misconceptions and factual errors in the media as to the nature of this threat (Conway, 2002; Embar-Seddon, 2002; Weimann, 2005). This thesis examined media exposure, knowledge of cyberterrorism, fear of terrorism and perceived seriousness of cyberterrorist events in a sample of college students. Generally, participants had little knowledge of cyberterrorism. Women were found to be more fearful of terrorism and cyberterrorism than men. A positive relation was found between media consumption and fear of terrorism among women. Finally, fear of …

Ecological Resources Within Advaita Vedanta, Michael Scaife

Master's Theses and Capstones

The world, in which we live, stands at a precipice. Ecological disasters now threaten the very existence of human civilization. The so called "shallow' environmental initiatives that continue to dominate the political and social landscape have proved ineffective in dealing with this problem. It is crucial that all of humanity actively embrace radical change in regards to how we go about our lives. No where is this more apparent than in the Indian subcontinent. Two radical ecologies that have emerged from the West, Deep Ecology and Social Ecology, offer a vision as to the nature of that change.

This document …