Digital Commons Network^™

Synthesis Of Marine Chemicals And Derivatives As Potential Anti-Cancer Drugs., Laude Bannerman-Akwei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Two natural marine compounds, 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde 2 and 2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde 5 together with two novel derivatives, 3-bromo-5-(tert-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde 3 and 1-bromo-2,3-dimethoxy-5-nitrooxy-methylbenzene 9, were synthesized. Compounds 2, 3, and 5 were evaluated for their biological activity towards the inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth using staurosporine a a positive control. All three compounds have shown significant inhibition of prostate cancer cell growth. Compound 9 is yet to be evaluated.

A Study Of K-8 Preservice Teachers' Use Of Digital Technologies When Student Teaching, Richard Francis Coughlin

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the advancements and availability of computers and digital technologies in today's schools and colleges, too many graduating K-8 teachers enter the teaching profession without the skills, knowledge, and experience to use technology as a teaching and learning tool. These issues directly affect whether teachers use technology in their schools. Too often preservice teachers lack the basic computer skills they need before they can use technology as a teaching and learning tool. Preservice teachers also need learning opportunities such as educational technology classes, faculty who model and demonstrate technology, and field placement schools with supervising teachers who use and encourage …

The Characteristics Of School Culture That Influence College-Going Rate For High School Graduates In Northeast Tennessee., Annie Mbaire Kariuki

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the characteristics of school culture that influenced college-going rates for high school graduates in northeast Tennessee. The study involved one-toone interviews with selected high school teachers and principals. Six high schools in northeast Tennessee were used in the study.

The significance of this study was to generate a grounded theory that could be used to explain the characteristics of school cultures that were effective in supporting students' college-going rates. This knowledge could be used to inform high school principals, school boards, state legislatures and other government bodies, and colleges and universities.

Findings …

Teacher Beliefs And The Instructional Practices Of National Board Certified High School English Teachers., Rebecca Lee Drinnon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study explored the instructional methods that accomplished high school English teachers use in their classrooms to improve understanding of how those methods are influenced by the teachers' beliefs. A survey regarding classroom practices and beliefs was sent to 313 National Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in English Language Arts--Adolescence and Young Adulthood across the United States with a response rate of 50.8%. From these data, I analyzed the variety and frequency of practices experienced teachers use and the beliefs that influence teachers' instructional decisions. I then conducted follow-up interviews and classroom observations with selected survey participants from North Carolina, …

Study On Methods Of Simultaneous Multi-Component Analysis., Jennifer Bernice Ashie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many new instrumentation and different instrumental techniques have been developed to deal with increasing complexity of samples encountered. Many researchers also have coupled these instrumental techniques with chemometric algorithms to assist in the quantitative analysis of multi-component samples in the hope of alleviating the need of tedious separation and cleanup procedures. These newer chemometric procedures tend to be complex and difficult to understand and implement and are successful under different circumstances and conditions. In this study, we start from the very simple beginning and examine the factors that can present difficulties with obtaining the correct results and observe how the …

Adult Texting In Context : Exploring Norms For Mature Users Of Text-Messaging Technologies., Angela M. Barlow

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An online survey exploring the patterns of adult text-message use was completed by 150 traditional college age young adults ages 18-24 and 171 adults ages 25-68. Because youth traditionally are among the first group to adopt new communication technologies, much research has been conducted among the adolescent and young adult population regarding the prevalence and importance of text-messaging; however, a research deficit exists regarding adult textmessage use. Data gathered from this survey were categorized and analyzed for emergent content regarding the use of text-messaging, what roll texting plays in adult's communication patterns, the sociological impact of text-messaging on survey respondents, …

Cytotoxic Effects Of Ruthenium Compounds On Human Cancer Cell Lines., Katie Beth Brown

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Chemotherapy is the most common cancer treatment. Traditionally, platinum-based drugs are used in chemotherapy. More recently, researchers have focused on ruthenium based compounds as a substitute for the platinum compounds. Ruthenium-based compounds appear to be less toxic to healthy cells than traditional platinum-based compounds. In this study, 7 ruthenium-based compounds were tested on HT-29 (colon) and MCF-7 (breast) human cancer cell lines with the specific aim of determining whether or not any of the ruthenium-based compounds exhibited cytotoxic properties. In addition, levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production were tested in supernate from the cancer cells treated with various …

Vernacular Whimsy., Aleta Nadine Chandler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis supports the Master of Fine Arts exhibition entitled Vernacular Whimsy at Johnson City Area Arts Council, Johnson City, Tennessee, November 1-13, 2008. The exhibition is comprised of thirty ceramic sculptures presented on pedestals. The exhibition presents the artist's investigation and reinterpretation of regional architectural elements. Practical consideration of structure, technique, and influence is discussed. Included are detailed images as well as a complete catalog of the thesis exhibit.

Geochemical Impacts From Permanganate Oxidation Based On Field Scale Assessments., Kelly Ann Moore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) using permanganate is a technology for treatment of organic hazardous wastes. This research is a review of 30 permanganate (MnO₄^-) ISCO sites to determine whether there are long term impacts on groundwater quality due to the introduction of the oxidant into the subsurface. A second objective is to determine if manganese concentration can be predicted by trends in specific pre and postoxidation monitored parameters (i.e., pH and oxidation reduction potential (ORP)). The final objective is to identify the effects of site and design conditions on groundwater conditions postoxidation. Results indicate that (1) …

Police Stress: An Examination Of The Effects Of Stress And Coping Strategies., Derrick Kenwright

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

How police officers deal with stress greatly affects how they carry out their daily lives and how they treat family and friends. In this study 2 police departments were issued surveys to see how the police officers experienced stress. Questions on the survey asked the officers about the sources of stress, sources of support, and which methods they used to alleviate the stress. The surveys were given to the respective departments over a period of 2 months, and 132 surveys were returned. The statistical analysis performed showed danger was a factor when examining stress. Administration support was found to be …

Elucidating The Role Of The Α7 Nicotinic Receptor In The Etiology Of Schizophrenia., Michelle Johnson Chandley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The α7 subunit of the nicotinic receptor, a ligand gated ion channel with an affinity for nicotine, has long been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia due to the extremely high rate of smoking within the patient population. However, the exact role of the receptor has never fully been determined. In the following studies, various functions the receptor may assume in disease state are evaluated. There is a strong relationship between the immune system and schizophrenia, with the α7 subunit possibly serving as the link between the two. One of the following studies looks at the possibility of the receptor …

The Impact Of Catfish Imports On U.S. Wholesale And Farm Sectors, Sammy Jermaine Neal

Theses and Dissertations

The importing of tra, basa, and channel catfish at relatively lower prices has resulted in less catfish purchased from U.S. farmers and processors. Claims have been filed with the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) accusing Vietnamese exporters of selling catfish to the U.S. at less than fair market value. Consequently, the U.S. International Trade Commission ruled against Vietnam in 2003 and recommended tariffs from 37% to 64%. The primary objective of this research is to assess the impact of the tariffs on imported Vietnamese catfish on the U.S. catfish industry. In this study, we develop a supply and demand model …

The Spatial Demography Of Reported Crime: An Examination Of Urban-Rural Crime Articulation And Associated Spatio-Temporal Diffusion Processes, U.S. 1990 - 2000, Jeremy Reed Porter

Theses and Dissertations

Recently, increased attention has been given to the social and environmental context in which crimes occur (Wells & Weisheit 2004). This new interest in the human ecology of crime is largely demographic, both in terms of subject matter and increasingly in terms of the analytic methods used. Building on existing literature on the social ecology of crime, this study introduces a new approach to studying sub-county geographies of reported crime using existing census place and county definitions coupled with spatial demographic methods. Spatially decomposing counties into Census places and what Esselstyn (1953) earlier called “open country,” or non-places, allows for …

Product Formulation And Consumer Acceptability Of Processed Cheese Made With Different Types Of Cocoas And Chocolates & Product Formulation And Quantitative Descriptive Analysis Of Aged Cheddar Cheese With Different Types Of Chocolate Inclusions, Vishal Kumar Royyala

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to compare different types of cocoa and chocolates in the formulation of processed chocolate cheese and aged Cheddar cheese, and to evaluate sensory, physical, chemical and quality parameters of each. Four different varieties of chocolates were utilized along with other ingredients to prepare processed chocolate cheeses and were tested for consumer acceptability for their basic and critical attributes. Chocolate chips of four different types and proportions were incorporated into Cheddar cheese curd, ripened for 105 days, and a trained panel evaluated the sensory parameters. Results indicated that processed chocolate cheese made with Bordeaux chocolate …

Responsiveness Of Elementary-Aged Students, With And Without Specific Learning Disabilities, To Interventions For Mathematics Calculation, Masanori Ota

Theses and Dissertations

The Response to Intervention (RtI) model is an identification model for Specific Learning Disability (SLD), one of the 13 disability categories identified under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 2004. The RtI model has been proposed as an alternative model to the discrepancy model (e.g., intelligence quotient-achievement discrepancy model). In the RtI model, students’ responsiveness (e.g., levels of performance and slopes of progress) yields their eligibility for special education. However, to date, research that examined the validity of the RtI model (e.g., examination of intervention responsiveness with students with academic deficits) has been limited in the area of …

On A Slow Boat To Democracy: The Democratization Of Hong Kong And The Factors Hindering It, James Clapper

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes political, cultural, and social factors that influence democratization using Hong Kong as a case study. Hong Kong is a transitional society which provides a unique set of political and social characteristics for which to study democratic transition. Additionally, reports of political repression from the 2004 Legislative Council election have possibly created a crisis for the democratization process. Drawing from existing literature in theories of democratization, political repression and Hong Kong politics several hypotheses were developed. It was hypothesized that unchecked hegemonic deterrence, antidemocratic elites, and a weak political culture have contributed to a lack of democratization. Furthermore, …

Population Characteristics Of Interior Double-Crested Cormorants Breeding Across The Southern Border Of Ontario, Jennifer Erin Chastant

Theses and Dissertations

Interior Double-crested cormorant reproduction was examined on a large geographical scale to evaluate management actions. Three distinct breeding areas across Ontario were selected. Beginning in 2002, over 11,000 preledged cormorants have been marked. During 2006 and 2007, re-observation of banded birds, colony data such as nest, egg, and chick measurements, and island morphology, were collected. Data revealed no significant regional differences in adult size. However, eggs in eastern Lake Ontario (ELO) were larger than North Channel of Lake Huron (NChan) and Lake of the Woods (LOW). Chicks in ELO throughout development were smaller than NChan and LOW. Number of gulls …

Development Of Three-Phase Continuation Power Flow For Voltage Stability Analysis Of Distribution Systems, Dina Khaniya

Theses and Dissertations

With distributed generation being introduced in the meshed distribution networks under increased loading conditions, maintaining the system voltage stability will become one of the major concerns. The conventional approach of repetitive power flow solutions fails to obtain the critical loading point as Jacobian becomes singular before maximum loading point. Continuation power flow methods, based on the predictor-corrector scheme, overcome this difficulty with the use of parameterization techniques. Continuation power flow tools, already developed for transmission systems, need to be extended to handle three phase unbalanced distribution systems. This research work contributes towards development of a robust and efficient three phase …

Design, Construction, Inverse Kinematics, And Visualization Of Continuum Robots, Srinivas Neppalli

Theses and Dissertations

Continuum robots are the biologically inspired robots that mimic the behaviors of mammalian tongues, elephant trunks, and octopus arms. These robots feature a backboneless structure similar to their biological counterparts, such as termed muscular hydrostats. The drawbacks of two existing designs are examined and a new mechanical design that uses a single latex rubber tube as the central member is proposed, providing a design that is both simple and robust. Next, a novel verification procedure is applied to examine the validity of the proposed model in two different domains of applicability. A two-level electrical control scheme enables rapid prototyping and …

Development Of A Geovisual Analytics Environment Using Parallel Coordinates With Applications To Tropical Cyclone Trend Analysis, Chad A. Steed

Theses and Dissertations

A global transformation is being fueled by unprecedented growth in the quality, quantity, and number of different parameters in environmental data through the convergence of several technological advances in data collection and modeling. Although these data hold great potential for helping us understand many complex and, in some cases, life-threatening environmental processes, our ability to generate such data is far outpacing our ability to analyze it. In particular, conventional environmental data analysis tools are inadequate for coping with the size and complexity of these data. As a result, users are forced to reduce the problem in order to adapt to …

Development Of A Sensory Descriptive Lexicon For Calamondins (Citrus Mitis Blanco) And Consumer Acceptance Of Calamondin Yogurt, Ye Tian

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to establish a semi-descriptive sensory language that describes the attributes of calamondin fruit and develop yogurt products flavored with calamondin and test consumers’ acceptance of the products. A total of 89 sensory terms were established by trained panelists to describe calamondins. Yogurt products were developed with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% calamondin pulp. Results demonstrated that no significant difference (P>0.05) occurred for consumers’ acceptance of yogurt appearance and texture, and significant differences (P<0.05) occurred for consumers’ acceptance of yogurt flavor and overall liking. Generally, the yogurt with 10% honey and the yogurt with 10% honey and 5% calamondin pulp were well accepted by consumers. The consumers were grouped into 6 clusters based on their prefences. The majority (60%) of the consumers liked moderately yogurts with 10% honey, and 0% and 5% calamondin pulp respectively.

Development Of Corrective Actions For Higher Order Contingencies, Bharath Kumar Ravulapati

Theses and Dissertations

The importance of the electric power infrastructure has been exposed by several blackouts throughout the world in the last decade. These blackouts were caused mainly by physical vulnerabilities, human errors and natural disasters. The power grid is becoming more and more prone to outages which affect not only the power system network, but also other infrastructures and the society in several ways. Utilities generally operate with an (N-1) security level (no violations for single outage), and blackouts are generally caused by higher order contingencies. There is lack of effective methods and analysis tools to deal with higher order contingencies. Higher …

Educational Video Impact On College Student Knowledge, Opinions, And Referral Attitudes Regarding Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Nichol Frances Pritchard

Theses and Dissertations

The interaction of osteoclasts and osteoblasts regulates bone density and the maintenance of osseointegration of implants. To investigate osteoblastic response to strain, rat osteosarcoma cells were cultured on titanium plates and subjected to one of three treatments: a neutral control (0 microstrain), tension (1000 microstrain), and compression (1000 microstrain). Treatments were applied via 4 point bending for fifteen minutes each day to a strain of 1mm/m at a sinusoidal frequency of 1Hz. Cells were measured for DNA as indicator of proliferation, alkaline phosphatase as indicator of phenotype and total protein and calcium deposition as indicators of matrix formation. Results indicated …

Enhanced Models For Mixtures Of Fluids In Chemical Equilibrium At High Pressures, Pietro Gaiaschi

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is concerned with the numerical simulation of mixtures of chemically reacting fluids at high pressures. Mixture rules are established, accommodating components that do not follow the thermally perfect Equation of State (EoS), and including formulas for the fugacities. Particular attention has been given to the species EoS originally developed by Hirschfelder, Buehler, McGee and Sutton. The Law of Mass Action that governs chemical equilibrium of mixtures of fluids is presented. The common assumption of neglecting fugacities contributions when calculating the equilibrium composition is assessed by comparing complete thermochemical predictions with those obtained by reduced models. For air mixtures …

Epidemiologic And Economic Study Of Hyperelastosis Cutis/Herda In The Quarter Horse Cutting Industry, Sally Grant Tipton

Theses and Dissertations

Hyperelastosis Cutis (HC) is an autosomal recessive disorder in Quarter Horses. Homozygous (Hr/Hr) horses are affected with fragile, hyperextensible skin that sloughs and scars easily following minor trauma. Heterozygous (N/Hr) horses appear normal, but carry one copy of the gene. Objectives were to determine inbreeding coefficients of affected (Hr/Hr), carrier (N/Hr), and normal (N/N) Quarter Horses, compared to Thoroughbreds, and evaluate economic effects of HC within the cutting horse industry. Of the top cutting horses from 1985 through 2006, 35 were confirmed carriers by either DNA analysis or production of affected offspring. Although 23% of the earnings from the leading …

Evaluation Of Erosional Forcings Of A Beach/Berm/Wetland System And Applicable Restoration Technologies, Jared Kyle Mckee

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the local and regional processes causing the shoreline recession of an eroding beach/berm/wetland system on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. The analysis was then used to evaluate different technologies which could meld to create a holistic shoreline protection design to fortify the entire spectrum of the shoreline. Wind waves are the major erosional force causing a bi-directional, but southerly dominated, longshore transport and an erosional cross-shore transport during large wave events. Erosion mitigation technologies which promote ecological integrity are presented and include: oyster shell breakwaters, SAV establishment, intertidal grass plantings, and …

Attitudes Of Agriscience Teachers, Counselors, Administrators, And Students Toward Selected Agriscience Programs In Mississippi, Mary Hitchner Brister

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the attitudes of administrators, counselors, agriscience teachers, and students towards the high school agriscience programs in Mississippi. It was also to determine the average scores of students on a criterion-based exam, and to determine if there was a correlation between the attitude scales of the agriscience teachers, counselors, administrators, students, and the student scores on the exam. The study used a descriptive survey and a descriptive-correlational design. Three different surveys were sent out to 356 agriscience teachers, counselors, and administrators at schools with either a Concepts of Agriscience Technology course or an …

Use Of Empirically-Based Reading Interventions To Address The Academic Skills Deficits And Escape-Maintained Target Behaviors Exhibited By Elementary School Students, Melissa S. Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The participants in this study were referred by the teacher or the teacher support team for a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and development of a positive behavior support plan to address disruptive behavior and academic skills deficits. Therefore, the purpose of Experiment I was to examine the ability of FBA procedures to identify students with reading difficulty who demonstrated problem behavior potentially maintained by escape from academic demands. Each environmental variable introduced during the brief functional analysis was manipulated via a multiple element design (Cooper, Wacker, Sasso, Reimers, & Donn, 1990; Derby et al., 1992; Northup et al., 1991). Experiment …

Stability Of Catfish Methyl Esters Under Normal Versus Accelerated Storage Conditions, Saowalee Jongrattananon

Theses and Dissertations

Oxidative storage stability was conducted to determine the optimum antioxidant for the production of catfish methyl esters (CFME) for use as biodiesel. Peroxide value, anisidine value, 2-thiobarbituric reaction substances, acid value, iodine value, UV absorbance, and induction period were measured. Antioxidant, stability parameters changed over a storage time of one year when stored at 25°C. The CFME were not stable to oxidation without the addition of TBHQ. When stored at 25°C, oxidative parameters indicated that CFME was a stable product that met oxidative stability standards when TBHQ was added. When held at 80°C for 28 days, the samples with TBHQ …

Long-Term Trophic Shifts Among Fishes After Extensive Modification Of A Southeastern U.S. River System, Matthew E. Roberts

Theses and Dissertations

Regulation of the Upper Tombigbee River and its incorporation into the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway has resulted in main-channel flows that differ from the pre-regulation condition. Flows differ in (1) magnitude: higher base flows, damped peak flows, and (2) variability: the river rises and falls faster and the number of reversals has increased. A shift in the trophic ecology of the resident fish assemblage corresponded with the altered hydrology. Assemblage-level trophic plasticity manifested through dietary shifts in species present during both time periods are coupled with changes to the taxonomic structure observed previously. Species representing the contemporary assemblage feed on fewer taxa …