Digital Commons Network^™

Social Isolation Meets Technological Innovation: Towards Developing A Model Of Communication Among Parents Who Homeschool, Megan Nicole Tollefson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand how a sample of homeschoolers were using blogs. In this study of homeschoolers and their blog use, a content analysis of 25 blogs with entries from September 2006, February 2007, and June 2007 were studied. The subjects were homeschoolers who blogged; 19 were females, three were males, and six did not clearly identify themselves as male or female. Seven themes emerged through a content analysis: resources, succeeding at homeschooling, homeschooling and fun, advice, questioning homeschoolers, current events, and socialization. These themes were verified through a word count listing from the software used …

Eagleville Times, Volume 5, Issue 23, Debbie Ryan

Eagleville Times

No abstract provided.

Review Of Imperialism And Human Rights: Colonial Discourses Of Rights And Liberties In African History, Chima J. Korieh

History Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Learner-Centered Assignments In Computer Literacy, Martha E. Myers, Meg C. Murray, Mario Guimaraes, Debra B. Geist

Faculty Articles

Literacy is a concept that is understood to be the identifier of an educated populace. In today's world, literacy includes computer literacy, as well as language and quantitative literacy. This paper describes exercises developed to improve first year students' computer literacy through more learner-centered engagement. Exercises are designed to support learner-centered goals of independent and responsible learners, appropriate breadth and depth of content, teacher as facilitator, and assessment woven into learning. Exercise topics include purchase of a personal computer, basic logic via spreadsheets, an annotated bibliography built with electronic resources, and an integrated assignment customized by and for each student.

The Legal Aspects Of United States Assistance To Egypt, Farid Nazih Tanagho

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Development Of Photography Curriculum Program: Facilitating The Transition From Academic Theory To Business Practice, John M. Osborne

Theses and Dissertations

Competition for job openings is becoming increasingly difficult for college graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2007), "Photographers can expect keen competition for job openings. The number of individuals interested in positions is much greater than the number of openings" (~27). As a result of this increasing competition, this study is intended to develop a model curriculum for a four-year baccalaureate degree program in photography with a business emphasis. More specifically, this study is aimed at developing curriculum that will enable students to more readily transition from academic theory into business and industrial practice.

In this study, a …

Quality In The Red River Basin: An Analysis Of Subsurface Drainage, Janet L. Crossland

Theses and Dissertations

The use of subsurface (tile) drainage on poorly drained fields is not a new concept. In fact, farmers in the Midwest have been using it for more than 150 years to remove excess water from saturated fields to increase crop productivity in the Midwest (Cooke, Badiger, and Garcia, 2000). Unfortunately little research has been done regarding tile drainage in North Dakota's Red River Valley (RRV) or how it will affect the surrounding water bodies.

Because of snowmelt or increased rainfall in the summer, the RRV regularly floods in the spring. Prolonged water on the surface can hinder germination as well …

A Comparison Of A Scorecard Systems To Determine Supplier Efficency, Santosh Noone

Theses and Dissertations

The new trends of global competition, heightened customer expectations, and harsh economic conditions suggest that future competitiveness will be determined by a company's ability to develop strategies to optimally align and manage an extended network of supplier relationships. To remain in competition every company needs to attract and retain high-caliber suppliers. To accomplish this, firms must accurately evaluate vendor performance and must work with their suppliers to improve areas of weakness.

Scorecards are the matrix system that is used by most companies today to evaluate their supply base. These matrix systems evaluate the suppliers based on various performance factors and …

Delta-Like 4 Notch Ligand Regulates Tumor Angiogenesis, Improves Tumor Vascular Function, And Promotes Tumor Growth In Vivo, J-L Li, Rca Sainson, W Shi, R Leek, Et Al

School of Biomedical Sciences

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a key role in tumor angiogenesis. However, clinical trials targeting the VEGF pathway are often ineffective, suggesting that other factors/pathways are also important in tumor angiogenesis. We have previously shown that the Notch ligand Delta-like 4 (DLL4) is up-regulated in tumor vasculature. Here, we show that DLL4, when expressed in tumor cells, functions as a negative regulator of tumor angiogenesis by reducing the number of blood vessels in all five types of xenografts, but acts as a positive driver for tumor growth in two of them (human glioblastoma and prostate cancer). The growth …

The Mausoleum Of Augustus : Expanding Meaning From Its Inception To Present Day., Susan L. Fugate Brangers 1970-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation I examine the meaning of the Mausoleum of Augustus and how this meaning has evolved and expanded over its two thousand years of existence. The discussion of the meaning of the tomb has often been neglected in previous scholarship due to the continuing debates over possible reconstructions of its appearance, probable antecedents for its design and questions concerning its date of construction. I propose the Mausoleum was constructed primarily as a victory monument. This message is conveyed through the use of architectural elements typical of victory monuments that can be found in and around the city of …

The Changes Of Fructos-2,6-Bisphosphate Level In Transgenic Mice Causing Cardiomyopathy., Jianxun Wang 1969-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Heart failure is recognized as a major cause of death among diabetics. In type I and II diabetes, glucose uptake, glycolysis and pyruvate oxidation are impaired, and fatty acid utilization increases. These alterations in metabolism contribute toward cardiac contractile function. There is a gap in our understanding on how alterations in glycolytic metabolite fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (F-2,6-P 2 ) affects cardiac dysfunction. Two cardiac-specific overexpression of PFK-2 (phosphofructose kinase-2) transgenic models were used to investigate the role of altered metabolism by F-2,6-P 2 in provoking cardiomyopathy. One model is with the PFK-2 kinase active and phosphatase inactive enzyme called MK and another …

New Teacher Job Satisfaction : Effects Of General Job Facets And Teacher Job Specific Facets., Aimee G. Webb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the job satisfaction of new teachers in Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS). in Jefferson County, Kentucky. The JCPS district is the 29th largest in the United Sates and serves over 98,000 students. Understanding what contributes to the satisfaction and retention of new teachers in a large urban school district has implications for cost effective human resource management and student achievement. The researcher mailed a district-wide survey questionnaire about new teacher job satisfaction using procedures developed by Dillman (2000). The survey mailing yielded a sample of 630 participants. The researcher computed: (a) descriptive statistics, (b) principal components factor …

Investigation Of Radio Frequency Discharges And Langmuir Probe Diagnostic Methods In A Fast Flowing Electronegative Background Gas, Nathaniel P. Lockwood

Theses and Dissertations

Discharges in a flowing background gas are used to produce charged and excited species for numerous applications including etching semiconductors and pumping gas discharge lasers (Pinhero and others, 1998). The effect of a flowing background gas on the charged and excited neutral species generation by an RF discharge in a flow tube and the diagnostics of the resulting plasma with a Langmuir probe have been investigated for pressures between 0.001 to 1 Torr and flow velocities up to 1000 m/s. This investigation was performed using a fluid method coupled to a chemical kinetic model and a hybrid Particle-In-Cell/Monte Carlo Collision …

Application Of Remote Sensing Lidar Data For The Detection Of Cultural Resources In A Forested Environment: An Example From Isle Royale National Park, Michigan, Julie M. Gallagher

Theses and Dissertations

There has been growing interest in the application of an effective remote sensing strategy for conducting cultural site detection surveys. Light Detecting and Ranging (LiDAR) imagery has demonstrated potential for identifying archaeological sites in remote areas with dense vegetation and surface disturbances. Research was conducted to determine the viability of using LiDAR to detect the presence or absence of pre- and post-European contact archaeological sites in forested environments on Isle Royale, Michigan. LiDAR bare-earth models were used to “see” past the vegetation in an effort to: 1) identify cultural features before the implementation of a ground-truthing survey; 2) develop a …

Built Environment And Rural Women: A Case Study Approach, Jeanine Esther Gangeness

Theses and Dissertations

Obesity is a worldwide concern resulting in disease and disability which disproportionately impacts women and rural populations. Rural women tend to be physically inactive and are at higher risk for obesity. The purpose of this case study was to describe and explain 1) the perceptions of rural women regarding rural built environments conducive to physical activity, and 2) what influences availability, accessibility, acceptability, and maintenance of these built environments for physical activity of rural women. March 2006 through April 2007 data collection occurred in two rural communities with populations of less than 1,000. The ecologic model and feminist underpinnings guided …

Woody Encroachment In North Dakota Grasslands: Using Predictive Modeling To Examine Key Players And Management Implications, Leigh A. Ciofani

Theses and Dissertations

Woody shrub encroachment is one of the major threats to grasslands, closely connected to other issues such as fire regimes, herbivore grazing patterns, and climate change, and is currently a global trend. Consequences of shrub encroachment can significantly impact many of the ecological characteristics of grasslands, including grassland biogeochemistry and resource availability and biodiversity. Studies conducted on grassland ecosystems have pointed to grassland management, in the form of prescribed burning, grazing, or some combination of the two, as a way to prevent woody encroachment. Prevention of woody encroachment may be particularly important to preserving grasslands, as management may not be …

Instrument Development And Psychometric Analysis: Nurses' Urinary Incontinence Knowledge, Beliefs, And Practices, Tracy L. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to develop and psychometrically assess an instrument to measure nurses’ urinary incontinence (UI) knowledge, beliefs, and practices (NU1KBAP) in the female population using content experts and nursing students. This multiple methodology investigation was framed by Feminist and Orem’s Self-Care Deficit theories. UI prevalence among women ranges from 9-72% with $19.5 billion dollars spent in the US on direct UI expenses in the year 2000. Many nurses do not have adequate knowledge regarding female UI and little is known about their UI-related beliefs and practices.

The foci of Phase 1 were to develop, estimate validity, …

The Effect Of A Training On Client's Relationship Satisfaction And Awareness Of Domestic Violence, Susan E. Rudolph

Theses and Dissertations

The pui-pose of the current study was to test the effectiveness of a curriculum focused on the prevention and intervention of domestic violence and healthy, nonabusive relationships. A relationship training created by the author was tested in order to assess whether relationship satisfaction was affected by the relationship training, with the expectation that those who have experienced or are experiencing abusive relationships would become more aware of their relationship dissatisfaction. Furthermore, the relationship training was assessed according to the anticipated increase in the experimental group’s knowledge of domestic violence. Pre-test and post-test measures were used to assess relationship satisfaction and …

Acts Of Being: Hamlet And The Philosophy Of Soren Kierkegaard, Michael Brandon Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

This study is specifically concerned with analyzing the existential elements in William Shakespeare's play Hamlet, utilizing as methodology the works of Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard.

The aims of this study are chiefly to illuminate the usefulness of existentialism as an important, prescient, and timely methodology for criticism, as well as to reveal the applicability of Kierkegaard's works for literary analysis. There have, prior to this study, been other critical examinations of Shakespeare's work, utilizing the philosophy of Kierkegaard - however, unlike those other works of criticism, this project has undertaken comprehensive analysis of the play, making broad use of Kierkegaard's …

Collecting, Organizing, And Managing Resources For Teaching Educational Games The Wiki Way, David Wiley, Shelley Henson, Brett Shelton

Faculty Publications

As a reaction to the growing number of teachers using games in their curricula and the corresponding increase in university courses aimed at teaching the design of effective instructional games, we introduced a panel at the recent Games, Learning and Society presentation in Madison, Wisconsin, in June 2006. This panel brought together a community of interested parties involved with teaching educational game design. We collaborated with attendees before the panel convened so that we could introduce resources such as syllabi, collections of readings, and discussions of theory in a wiki environment to which participants could contribute during the session. After …

Remote Sensing Of Heat Fluxes Validation And Inter-Sensor Comparison, Tedros M. Berhane

Theses and Dissertations

Instantaneous heat fluxes were modeled using data obtained from Landsat 5 TM (Thematic Mapper), Landsat 7 ETM+ (Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus) and Terra MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradioineter) using the Surface Energy Balance Algorithm for Land (SEBAL) model for cloud-free days. The modeled results were compared with measurements of net radiation (both incoming and outgoing, shortwave and longwave), soil sensible and latent heat fluxes from two flux towers located in Brookings, SD, and Fort Peck, MT. Flux tower data consisted of 30 minute averages at every half an hour, and footprints of contributing movement of air within the period were …

A Christian Philosophy Of Education Of A Public School Educator, John C. Bartlett

Christian Perspectives in Education

As Christians continue to enter the world of public education, it is imperative that they develop a philosophy of education based on the truth of the Scriptures and a complete understanding of God’s desire that man enter a relationship with him. This philosophy of education is based on two distinct realities: 1) God desires a relationship with every individual; therefore, education must have the purpose to develop and nurture such a relationship. 2) Every individual has a unique purpose in life as defined by God; therefore, education must prepare every student to fulfill their God given purpose.

Enhancing Christian School Experiences For Pre-Service Teachers Through Service-Learning Partnerships, Karen L. Parker, Beth E. Ackerman, Leonard W. Parker

Christian Perspectives in Education

The mission of the Teacher Licensure Program at Liberty University is to develop competent professionals with a Christian worldview for Christian, public, and private schools. To be consistent with the mission, classroom experience in both Christian and public schools should be required for each teacher candidate who successfully completes Liberty’s program. One of the challenges in the implementation of the mission has been an inadequate number of field experience placements available in Christian school settings.

Navigating Religious Rights Of Teachers And Students: Establishment, Accommodation, Neutrality, Or Hostility?, Samuel J. Smith

Christian Perspectives in Education

Despite the notion that First Amendment rights are established, valued, and respected in the United States, there continues to be confusion in public schools that leads to legal conflict over issues associated with freedoms of speech and expression, especially as they relate to religious issues. Navigating the religious rights of teachers and students can be a precarious undertaking, as administrators’ decisions regarding the expression of religious beliefs continue to be highlighted in the media and many times are resolved in the court system at great expense to school districts. The purpose of this article is to clarify religious rights issues …

Message From The Editors, Karen L. Parker

Christian Perspectives in Education

No abstract provided.

Mustang Daily, November 30, 2007

Cal Poly Student Newspaper

Student newspaper of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA.

Volume 43 - Issue 09 - Friday, November 30, 2007, Rose Thorn Staff

The Rose Thorn Archive

The Rose Thorn, Rose-Hulman's independent student newspaper.

Board Of Trustees Meeting Minutes 2007-11-30, Bowling Green State University

Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes

The official meeting minutes of Bowling Green State University's Board of Trustees.

November 30, 2007: Huckabee On Hardball, Bruce Ledewitz

Hallowed Secularism

Huckabee on Hardball

11/30/2007 - Eiu Plans Holiday Gatherings At Old Main; Public Invited To Attend, University Marketing And Communications

2007

No abstract provided.