Digital Commons Network^™

Stream Water Quality And Benthic Macroinvertebrate Ecology In A Coal-Mining, Acid-Sensitive Region, George T. Merovich Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) and acid rain are important sources of impairment to streams in the Tygart Valley and Cheat River basins in north central West Virginia, USA. Due to a network of abandoned mined lands and bond forfeiture sites in this coal-mining region, AMD represents severe, but rather localized impacts to water quality. AMD is a consequence of the chemical oxidation of reduced geological minerals (sulfides) usually associated with coal during mining operations. The reactions produce aqueous solutions high in sulfates and dissolved metals when the minerals are exposed to the oxic environment through land disturbance. In addition, the …

Sociodemographic And Health -Related Risks For Loneliness And Outcome Differences By Loneliness Status In A Sample Of Older U.S. Adults, Laurie A. Theeke

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background. Loneliness is a prevalent problem for older adults and has been shown to be associated with negative physical, psychological, and social variables. There has been limited research focusing on the relationship of loneliness to health. There is a gap in the literature when it comes to understanding how the problem of loneliness relates to the health of older adults in the United States.;Purpose. The purpose of this study was to address this gap in the literature through the testing of two models, the first model represented the postulated risks for loneliness and the second model represented the postulated outcomes …

Bus Transit Equity Among Demographic Groups Considering Monetary And Travel Time Costs, Leonel Medellin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The generalized cost of a transit user depends mostly on time and money spent per trip. On the other hand, time and distance determine most of the transit agency's cost to provide service. These are important factors to consider in determining the equity performance of service provided to users of different demographic groups. The purpose of this study is to determine significant statistical differences in resources spent by bus users in two metropolitan areas. The study measures inequality among different socioeconomic groups of users in terms of travel time and money consumed per mile in using the service. Inequality is …

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6pd) Screening In Pakistani Neonates: To Be Or Not To Be, Bushra Moiz

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

No abstract provided.

Longitudinal Tracking Of Cytokines After Acute Exposure To Tuberculosis: Association Of Distinct Cytokine Patterns With Protection And Disease Development, Rabia Hussain, Najeeha Talat, Firdaus Shahid, Ghaffar Dawood

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine

Household contacts (HCs) of patients with tuberculosis (TB) are at higher risk of infection as well as the development of active disease. Longitudinal tracking of antigen-specific cytokines after acute exposure may significantly advance our understanding of the dynamic changes in cytokine patterns associated with disease establishment. To achieve this objective, we carried out a prospective cohort study with healthy HCs after exposure to TB. The patterns of cytokines (gamma interferon [IFN-gamma] and interleukin 10 [IL-10]) in response to mycobacterial antigens (culture filtrate [CF] proteins) and nonspecific mitogens (phytohemagglutinin [PHA] and lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) were assessed at 0, 6, 12, and 24 …

Exploring The Use Of Human Metrology For Biometric Recognition, Nikhil Mallikarjun Reddy Burri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis explores the possibility of incorporating human body measurements in a biometric framework. While metrological features have been used for identifying persons in the late 19th century, there is limited work in automating this process for surveillance applications. We first establish the relevance of using metrological features in biometric systems by studying two anthropometric data-sets (NASA and NHANES). We then propose a technique to automatically extract a subset of these measurements from a video sequence. A robust segmentation technique (HMMF) to detect moving pixels corresponding to human objects is used in the first stage. Next, we use Active Contours …

Experimental Studies Of Electromagnetic Signals To Enhance Radio Imaging Method (Rim), William D. Monaghan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Safety and production of coal mining operations could be greatly affected by geologic anomalies such as faults, sandstone intrusions, dykes, fracture zones, sudden thinning and severe undulation of the coal seam. Since most of these geologic anomalies in coal seams effect the attenuation rate of electromagnetic signal that passes through them, the radio imaging method (RIM), using a signal in the kilohertz range, is capable of locating the zones of geologic anomalies in underground coal mines with the help of tomographic reconstruction programs. RIM technology is a promising geophysical tool for exploring the geologic anomalies ahead of modern longwall faces, …

Perforated Appendicitis: Accuracy Of Ct Diagnosis And Correlation Of Ct Findings With The Length Of Hospital Stay, Asma Hina Siddiqui, Shaista Afzal

Department of Radiology

Objective: To determine the sensitivity and specificity of CT findings in the differentiation of perforated from nonperforated appendicitis and correlate CT diagnosis with the length of hospital stay.STUDY Design: An analytical study.PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY: This study was conducted at Radiology Department of Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from January 2004 to June 2005.PATIENTS AND Methods: The study included 70 patients who presented with right lower quadrant abdominal pain and underwent pre-operative CT scan followed by appendectomy. Patients were divided into two groups of having perforated and nonperforated appendicitis on the basis of CT scan findings. The surgical and …

Report On Nutria Management And Research In The Pacific Northwest, Trevor Sheffels, Mark Sytsma

Center for Lakes and Reservoirs Publications and Presentations

The nutria (Myocastor coypus) is a large semi-aquatic mammal native to South America that has been introduced to numerous countries around the world, primarily for fur farming. Nutria were introduced in Oregon and Washington in the 1930s, and feral populations were documented in 1943. Populations are known to be expanding in both Oregon and Washington, and regional nutria damage and nuisance complaints have increased in recent years. Most of the extensive damage caused by nutria is a direct result of feeding and burrowing, but nutria are also capable of transporting parasites and pathogens transmittable to humans, livestock, and …

Semi-Captive Rearing Of The African Wild Silkmoth Gonometa Postica (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) On An Indigenous And A Non-Indigenous Host Plant In Kenya, Boniface M. Ngoka, Esther N. Kioko, Suresh K. Raina, Jones M. Mueke, David M. Kimbu

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The life cycle of the African wild silkmoth Gonometa postica Walker was studied between September 2000 and September 2001 in the Uasin Gishu District of western Kenya with Acacia mearnsii de Wild and Acacia hockii de Wild as host plants. The initial population of G. postica was set up from healthy live pupae in cocoons collected from host plants in the study area. Oviposition was carried out in net sleeves and small plastic cages. Moth emergence and oviposition were bimodal, occurring between September and October 2000 and between March and April 2001, respectively. Larvae were reared in semi-captivity by using …

The Effect Of Preservation On The Shelf Life Of Laboratory Processed Biscuit, Salim S. Al-Timimi, Kalid A., Eshrak G. K.

Baghdad Science Journal

This study has been conducted to investigate the influence of preservatives(sodium propionate and potassium sorbate) at different levels to extend the storage life of laboratory processed biscuit.The results have shown that When%0.10 sodium propionate was added bacteria and fungi was not found for three months while found in the fourth month of storage.However bacteria and mold didnot grow until the sixth month of storage as %0.20 and %0.30 concentration was used. On the other side as %0.03 potassium sorbate was used,the growth of bacteria was cheched for 3 months and 4 months for molds..When %0.06 potassium sorbate was used no …

Preparation And Evaluation Of Polyvinyl Alcohol Derivative As Antimicrobial And Antifungal Agents, Ali.N. Abed, Jawad .K. Al-Kafaji, Ithar.K. Al-Mayaly, M.A El-Azmirly

Baghdad Science Journal

Polyvinal alcohol was Cynoethylated , complex compound with Iodin in presence of Cu++ ions were preparated and their ultra violet (U.V) and infra red( IR) spectra were investigated. The prepared derivative and complexes were evaluated as antibacterial and antifungal agents following the standard dilution method. MIC(minimum inhibitory concentration) for each polymer using ten types of gram + ve and gram - ve bacteria were determinated in addition to three types of fungi. The results obtainded showed that MIC, s were around 0.0011 × 103 molar for different polymetric derivatives tried.

The Voice Transcription Technique: Use Of Voice Recognition Software To Transcribe Digital Interview Data In Qualitative Research, Jennifer L. Matheson

The Qualitative Report

Transcribing interview data is a time-consuming task that most qualitative researchers dislike. Transcribing is even more difficult for people with physical limitations because traditional transcribing requires manual dexterity and the ability to sit at a computer for long stretches of time. Researchers have begun to explore using an automated transcription process using digital recordings and voice recognition software (VRS). While VRS has improved in recent years, it is not yet available to the general public in a format that can recognize more than one recorded voice. This article outlines a strategy used to circumvent this problem and improve the speed …

Linguistic Research Strategies Versus Quantitative Research Strategies--Different Roles, Different Results, Joseph Yeager, Linda Sommer

The Qualitative Report

Selecting a statistical framework for a behavioral study has profoundly different results than does a linguistically framed research strategy. The linguistic strategy overcomes many limitations inherent in statistical strategies and offers more meaningful results. Inferential statistical studies often discuss how the findings “explain” the results of the study. Seldom mentioned is the fact that statistical explanations occur in terms of the framework of statistical methodology. Statistical explanations do not explain anything in terms of the actual behavior at issue and do not lead to subsequent interventions about the motivated choices for a target group. Linguistic strategies work especially well if …

Using Hermeneutic Phenomenology To Investigate How Experienced Practitioners Lear N To Communicate Clinical Reasoning, Rola Ajjawi, Joy Higgs

The Qualitative Report

This paper is primarily targeted at doctoral students and other researchers considering using hermeneutic phenomenology as a research strategy. We present interpretive paradigm research designed to investigate how experienced practitioners learn to communicate their clinical reasoning in professional practice. Twelve experienced physiotherapy practitioners participated in this research. Using hermeneutic phenomenology enabled access to a phenomenon that is often subconscious and provided a means of interpreting participants’ experiences of personal learning journeys. Within the philosophy underpinning hermeneutic phenomenology , researchers need to design a research strategy that flows directly from the research question and goals of the research project. This paper …

The Economic Impact Of The University Of New Mexico On The State Of New Mexico, Nicholas Potter

BBER Publications

The University of New Mexico (UNM) Office of the President commissioned the Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) to study the impact of UNM on the New Mexico economy for fiscal year 2007. This report includes the results of the study, a description of its methodology, and review of the data leading to the studys findings. The study focused on the impact of UNM spending and employment; using IMPLAN Pro 2.0, the author did an input-output analysis of revenues and expenditures and considered their indirect and induced effects on the state's economy. The study found that in FY 2007 …

Status Of Nurses In New Mexico, Daren Ruiz

BBER Publications

The New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence commissioned BBER to conduct two studies on NMs nursing resources. This first study analyzed the current and projected nursing workforce. The study is in three parts: an examination of the mature RN workforce in 2001; trends associated with new entrants into the RN workforce since 1995; and an analysis of the economic and institutional factors that may constrain increasing the RN supply. The study concludes that NM is experiencing a more severe nursing shortage than most other U.S. states. Illustrated with tables and charts. Bibliography.'

A Qualitative Examination Of The Antecedents And Consequences Of Accreditation Of Nonprofit Organizations, Lise Anne D. Slatten

Student Scholarship

Several nonprofit umbrella associations have implemented assessment and certification programs intending to produce institutional improvement for member organizations. An analysis of semi-structured interviews guided by institutional theory, reveals factors that differentiate among organizations that chose to participate in one such program (the Louisiana Standards for Excellence organizational assessment) and those that did not. Drawing on organizational learning and accountability literatures, the research investigates the antecedents and consequences of accreditation in nonprofits. Results indicate that, integrity-enhancement, continuous improvement and financial motives drive the decision to seek accreditation, and outcomes of remediation-oriented process improvement initiatives were contingent upon staff commitment.

Developing A Lay Ministry Team Led Student Ministry, Stuart W. Cox

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the process of how one church developed a lay ministry team in both principle and practice which now provides effective leadership for its student ministry. The church is Nall Memorial Baptist Church of Graham, North Carolina. The author of this project serves as the church’s senior pastor. The ministry team as developed in this project is designed to not only provide quality ministry, but also to build effective ministers through the wedding of the task-oriented characteristics of traditional church committees to the relational and transformational qualities of contemporary cell groups.

Appreciative Inquiry-Based Intervention: A Network View Of Organizational Renewal, Thomas H. Carlson

Student Scholarship

This paper describes the design, conduct and outcomes of an Appreciative Inquiry-based intervention. The subject group was a newly formed unit of a health care organization. The unit was formed by merging elements of two preexisting groups, and was guided by inexperienced managers. Previous interaction between those groups had been characterized by distrust and competition. Appreciative Inquiry provided the foundation for the intervention. Members of the unit galvanized around identified strengths, shared values and beliefs, shared perspectives, and a positive vision of their future; the normative-relational aspect of the intervention. On that foundation, members of the unit developed generative skills …

What Are They Thinking About R&D? A Strategic Core Competence, Or An Operational Business Decision?, Beth Fitz Gibbon

Student Scholarship

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nineteen senior North American business practitioners in multinational corporations to understand their experiences with strategic planning and resource allocation for R&D. In particular, we sought to elicit insight about where planning and allocation overlap, and how they are executed today, vs. five to ten years ago. Findings indicate the outsourcing of R&D is rapidly increasing. R&D is becoming an operational business function as opposed to an internal investment in key knowledge for future firm sustainability. R&D also appears to no longer be a major focus of the strategic planning effort at the highest management levels. …

What Influences Moral Choice Among College Student Athletes, Mary-Beth A. Cooper

Student Scholarship

Sixteen intercollegiate athletes, eight male and eight female basketball players representing both Division I and Division III institutions, were interviewed to understand what influences college student athletes when making moral choices. The study focused on how student athletes define moral choice and what social referent groups impact them. The effects of gender and NCAA Division level were also investigated. Fear of consequences, influence of individuals occupying key leadership positions on the team, and the role of upper class students were revealed to impact moral choice.

The Emergence Of Sex, Ursula Goodenough

Biology Faculty Research

Biological traits, the foci of natural selection, are by definition emergent from the genes, proteins, and other “nothing-buts” that constitute them. Moreover, and with the exception of recently emergent “spandrels,” each can be accorded a teleological dimension—each is “for” some purpose conducive to an organism's continuation. Sex, which is “for” the generation of recombinant genomes, may be one of the most ancient and ubiquitous traits in biology. In the course of its evolution, many additional traits, such as gender and nurture, have emerged. Patterns of sexual exchange are the basis for patterns of biological evolution and are central to the …

The Role Of Data Mining In Increasing Organizational Performance: An Analytical Study In The Industrial Bank, Zakaria M. Al-Douri, Dahlia Abdul Hussain Ahmed

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Financial and banking institutions primarily interact with a vast clientele, necessitating the collection of massive volumes of data that, alongside daily operational inputs, result in extensive datasets requiring significant efforts to manage and utilize effectively. Relying on manual processing without modern technologies hinders organizational growth and prevents the attainment of superior performance levels; furthermore, the mere integration of computers is insufficient without the deployment of advanced techniques and software designed to support management and optimize time and effort. Consequently, Data Mining emerges as a pivotal solution, offering a sophisticated technology aimed at discovering hidden patterns and previously unknown information within …

Gender Disparity In Nigerian Education: Women’S Experience Of Barriers To Equal Educational Opportunity, Eugene Okoli

Dissertations

Discrepancies between males and females in access to schooling, school completion rates, and participation in employment opportunities are still more the norm in some regions of the world than others. Limited access to education plagues women in Nigeria as well as in Sub-Saharan Africa. Disparity in access to educational opportunity is a pressing gender equity issue in Nigeria (World Bank, 2003).

Relatively few studies have focused on obtaining the viewpoints of women who experience this phenomenon. To hear the voices of these women regarding how they gained or were denied access to education in the Nigerian context, a cross-section of …

Judicial Discretion And The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention Act, Lauren E. Tribble

Duke Law Journal

Generally, Chapter 7 bankruptcy is available to only the most desperate individual debtors who do not have the means to pay their creditors back over time. Before 2005, the Bankruptcy Code gave judges discretion to decide which debtors were eligible for Chapter 7. The Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention Act, however, curtails this discretion, mandating that judges use a rigid means test to determine when a debtor is allowed to file. This Note argues that it was a poor decision to foreclose judicial discretion with the means test. It then proposes a compromise between the means test approach and the old standard.

Special Article: Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, And Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Childhood, Samuel S. Gidding

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

In adults, physical activity and exercise training are associated with reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, a reduced likelihood of developing adverse cardiovascular risk factors, and improved insulin sensitivity. In childhood, participation in appropriate physical activity may prevent the development of cardiovascular risk factors in the future and complement treatment of existing cardiovascular risk factors, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, and overweight. Exercise in children can also significantly improve insulin sensitivity independent of weight loss. These e fects are mediated in overweight children by increases in lean body mass relative to fat mass and associated improvements in inflammatory mediators, endothelial function, and the …

The Importance Of Ideas: An A Priori Critical Juncture Framework, John Hogan

Articles

This paper sets out an improved framework for examining critical junctures. This framework, while rigorous and broadly applicable and an advance on the frameworks currently employed, primarily seeks to incorporate an a priori element. Until now the frameworks utilized in examining critical junctures were entirely postdictive. Adding a predictive element to the concept will constitute a significant advance. The new framework, and its predictive element, termed the “differentiating factor,” is tested here in examining macro-economic crises and subsequent changes in macro-economic policy, in America and Sweden.

Ultrasound Diagnosis, Phiwipha Kamonrat

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

No abstract provided.

Review Of The Efficacy And Safety Of Poly (2-Propenal, 2-Propenoic Acid): A Novel Antimicrobial Polymer, Alistair Iain Murdoch, Rosalie Dianne Mccauley, David John Hampson

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

The withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters is likely to increase the incidence of enteric disease in pig and broiler farms; especially in poorly sanitised conditions. Therefore, replacements for the antibiotic growth promoters currently used in both pig and poultry production, which offer disease control and delay the further development of antibiotic resistance, will become increasingly important. Poly (2-propenal, 2-propenoic acid) (pPPA) is a new chemical entity undergoing development by Chemeq Ltd, Australia. It was designed to contain aldehyde groups for antimicrobial activity, carboxylic acid groups to aid water solubility and conformationally is a long chain, high molecular weight polymer developed …