Digital Commons Network^™

Hidden Structure Revealed, Minkyu Lee

Theses

This MFA Thesis is based on the aesthetic philosophy that all forms and structures are essentially made from cubes. This premise has inspired and shaped my explorations over the last two years of graduate study. Shape and meaning of ‘cubes’ can be simplified to the smallest molecular units of objects. The geometric forms I construct reflect this. I have mostly created vessel-oriented forms, but now I find that I can also make sculptures that reflect the same point of view. The shape of the earth is a theme and inspiration for this thesis project. Craters, which show their inner side, …

Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts 2008 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC COLLISION FACTS report for 2008 is based on collision reports submitted to the Kentucky State Police Records Branch. As required by Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.635, “every law enforcement agency whose officers investigate a vehicle accident of which a report must be made...shall file a report of the accident...within ten days after investigation of the accident upon forms supplied by the bureau.” The stated purpose of this requirement is to utilize data on traffic collisions for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth. Data contained in this report are based solely on the observations …

Muir Studies Of Nonlinear Ionospheric Interactions At Haarp, Margaret Eileen Bacon

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Studies of nonlinear ionospheric interactions were undertaken at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) site in Alaska using the co-located Modular UHF Incoherent scatter Radar (MUIR). High frequency heating of the ionosphere produced plasma wave decay processes, the signatures of which were received by MUIR and interpreted with spectral analysis in MATLAB. The most commonly observed decay scheme was that of the Parametric Decay Instability, producing the distinct multifrequency cascade feature in the HF backscatter. The results presented here are intended to contribute to the understanding of HF heating facility capabilities, plasma wave decay processes, and diagnostic instrument …

Application Of Project Management Methodology From Idea Generation To New Bundle Development In Personal Care Packaging Projects, Fikri Bilir

Theses

The purpose of this study was to conduct an analysis of the current packaging development process used by Colgate-Palmolive sub-country teams and to provide suggestions for implementing an improved process. The analysis of the current approach to packaging development and project management in the personal care business category was done using a shampoo packaging change case study. A new Stage-Gate approach, which used project management methodologies, was proposed for packaging development projects. Additionally, a series of project management template documents (such as project charter, scope of work, work breakdown structure, responsibility matrix, and project timeline) applicable to other packaging development …

Guidelines For Material Selection For Sustainable Packaging Solutions, Susan Parra

Theses

With the growing concern on environmental issues, many companies are developing research studies to reduce its negative effects on the environment and become more sustainable. Packaging has been one of the most significant issues of concern because of its environmental impact and end-of-life cycle. The overall goal of this project is to quantify how packaging material selection plays a key role in developing sustainable practices in industry. This study will evaluate the importance of the selection of materials during the packaging design process and focus on the effects of material decisions in the life cycle of the package. In particular, …

The Meaning Of Natural Environment Occupations: Exploring The Experiences Of Sierra Club Members, Tulin Roselynn Ture

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Poets and writers have long lauded the beauty and necessity of nature. More recent literature and research has provided support for the healthful benefits of the natural environment. This literature spans the breadth of many disciplines. Yet, very little occupational therapy literature focuses on the natural environment. This is somewhat surprising given occupational therapy’s focus on space and place.

This thesis explores the experience of participation in natural environment occupations by adult members of the Sierra Club. Five Sierra Club members were interviewed and two local Sierra Club outings were observed. Qualitative data analysis revealed two major themes: childhood beginnings …

Dysphagic Patient Compliance With Thickened Liquid Recommendations, Carrie Potts

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

In light of the growing prevalence of dysphagic patients on Speech-Language Pathologists’ caseloads and the frequent prescription of thickened liquids as a treatment strategy (Garcia, Chambers & Molander, 2005; Low, Wyles, Wilkinson & Sainsbury, 2001; Robbins, Nicosia, Hind, Gill, Blanco, & Logemann, 2002), our limited understanding of the factors that contribute to patient adherence presents a significant challenge to the management of dysphagia. The purpose of this qualitative study was to better understand the decisions patients make regarding dysphagia recommendations. Drawing upon adherence/compliance research from the field of behavioral medicine, the results of this study revealed a complex interplay of …

Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping For Seed Mineral Concentrations In Two Arabidopsis Thaliana Recombinant Inbred Populations, Brian M. Waters, Michael A. Grusak

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Biofortification of foods, achieved by increasing the concentrations of minerals such as iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), is a goal of plant scientists. Understanding genes that influence seed mineral concentration in a model plant such as Arabidopsis could help in the development of nutritionally enhanced crop cultivars. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping for seed concentrations of calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), Fe, potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), and Zn was performed using two recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations, Columbia (Col) × Landsberg erecta (Ler) and Cape Verde Islands (Cvi) × Ler, grown …

Effect Of Sorghum Seedlings, And Previous Crop, On Soil Fluorescent Pseudomonas Spp., Deanna L. Funnell-Harris, Jeffrey Pedersen, David B. Marx

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Faculty Publications

Hypotheses in which sorghum seedlings [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] of different genotypes will differentially modify soil microorganisms and will affect subsequent planting of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings, were tested. Wheat cultivar Lewjain, and sorghum genotypes Redlan and RTx433, were planted into soils previously planted with wheat or sorghum in growth chamber experiments. Total culturable fungi and oomycetes, and fluorescent Pseudomonas spp. numbers (cfu) were determined. Pseudomonads were screened for hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production, for the presence of the phlD gene for 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol production (Phl) and for a region of the operon involved in phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) production. …

A Stabilized Rbf Collocation Scheme For Neumann Type Boundary Value Problems, Nicolas Ali Libre, Arezoo Emdadi, Edward J. Kansa, Mohammad Rahimian, Mohammad Shekarchi

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The numerical solution of partial differential equations (PDEs) with Neumann boundary conditions (BCs) resulted from strong form collocation scheme are typically much poorer in accuracy compared to those with pure Dirichlet BCs. In this paper, we show numerically that the reason of the reduced accuracy is that Neumann BC requires the approximation of the spatial derivatives at Neumann boundaries which are significantly less accurate than approximation of main function. Therefore, we utilize boundary treatment schemes that based upon increasing the accuracy of spatial derivatives at boundaries. Increased accuracy of the spatial derivative approximation can be achieved by h-refmement reducing the …

The Use Or Non-Use Of Calculators Affects On Student's Ability To Perform Basic Mathematics Problems, Christina Miles

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine if the use or non-use of calculators in eighth grade mathematics classes affects a student's ability to solve basic mathematics equations in the Teen living (family and Consumer Science) class when working with simplistic life skill problems.

Using Brain Compatible Assessment To Obtain Higher Test Scores As Compared To Multiple Choice Tests, Raena Weimer

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The purpose of this study was to determine whether high school students enrolled in Resource Management for Independent Living obtained higher test scores when evaluated using brain-compatible assessments.

Follow-Up Of Danville Community College Networking Track Iii Graduates Form 2005-2007, Steven Carrigan

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

The focus of this study was to determine the graduate job placement rate of the Networking Track III curriculum offered at Danville Community College and what impact did obtaining this training have on their success.

An Examination On The Impact Of School Grade Configuration On Eighth Grade Student Academic Achievement In Reading, Writing, And Math, Joyce Lutrey

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research effort was to examine the impact of grade configuration on eighth grade student achievement in Math, Reading, and Writing. The quantitative research design used publicly available data and studied the 2000 through 2007 Arizona standards-based, eighth grade student test results across six grade configurations for all Arizona eighth grade students. Additional variables included student gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and charter versus public schools.

Chi-square testing showed there were student achievement differences in Math, Reading, and Writing across grade configuration, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and between charters and public schools. These differences were likely due to the …

An Examination Of The Relationship Of Six Risk Factors Associated With Dropping Out Of High School For Students With Disabilities In South Central Michigan, Dawn Gallup

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this non-experimental, quantitative, retrospective (ex post facto), research in south central Michigan was to determine the relationship of six risk factors associated with dropping out of high school to students with disabilities (SWDs). The six risk factors were (a) grade retention (never held back or held back one or more times), (b) age compared to peers (same age as peers or one year or older than peers), (c) limited English proficiency (English speaking or English as a second language), (d) category of disability (learning disabled/emotionally impaired or cognitively impaired/other), (e) mobility (the number of school districts or …

The Monroe County Intermediate School District: A Case Study, Donald A. Spencer

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Background: Throughout the history of public education in Michigan, there has been an intermediate unit of educational government. This unit of educational government exists between the State Department of Education and the local school districts. Currently, there are fifty-seven intermediate school districts in Michigan providing educational services and governance functions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the Monroe County Intermediate School District in order to inform educational leadership.

Research Design: This study was an interpretive, historical case study. The study explored the manner in which culture was perpetuated via the system of education in Monroe, Michigan, throughout …

The Influence Of Street Culture On Brand Identity In Graphic Design, Holly Parshall

Theses

Problem Statement: This thesis explores the influence of street culture on brand identity in graphic design. Aspects of street culture include skateboarding, hip-hop, rap, punk, and street art. Street art is traditionally thought of as illegal or rebellious mark-making of public property or property that does not belong to the person making marks on it. Street art can also be defined as a means of crafting personal expression through the enhancement or augmentation of a natural or man-made environment. In this study, brand identity is defined as "the controllable and fundamental elements of a company, product, or service brand, such …

Automated Grazing Management, Gregory J. Von Pless

Theses

Management-intensive grazing is a grazing management strategy that relies on careful monitoring of animals at pasture and frequent relocation of animals between various regions of the pasture, or paddocks, in order to maximize the nutrients and sustenance the animals obtain through grazing. When applied successfully, this approach to grazing management yields higher animal production, while cutting feed costs; however, a great deal of overhead is introduced in monitoring and moving the animals throughout the pasture, making this approach very difficult to implement at a large scale. Recent successes in the field of dynamic virtual fencing have demonstrated the feasibility of …

A Framework For Integrating Dna Sequenced Data, Prabin Dutta

Theses

The Human Genome Project generated vast amounts of DNA sequenced data scattered in disparate data sources in a variety of formats. Integrating biological data and extracting information held in DNA sequences are major ongoing tasks for biologists and software professionals. This thesis explored issues of finding, extracting, merging and synthesizing information from multiple disparate data sources containing DNA sequenced data, which is composed of 3 billion chemical building blocks of bases. We proposed a biological data integration framework based on typical usage patterns to simplify these issues for biologists. The framework uses a relational database management system at the backend, …

The Manufactured Experience, Debra Ruzinsky

Theses

Repeatedly what I see around me are places and messages that generate manufactured experiences, manipulated by someone with an agenda to promote. My thesis work, entitled "Sweet Reassurance," is a personal approach to re-invention; a conceptually driven body of work that explores my obsession with irony, a need to vent frustration with public policy, complacency, and misguided priorities. The work springs from a notion to create proposals for architectural projects that are rather absurd and could never really be realized. They are my brand of visionary architecture, existing somewhere between the Utopian and the Dystopian. I have developed a vocabulary …

How Modes Of Interviewing Affect Self-Disclosure, Sara Elizabeth Nicholls

Theses

This study examined how different modes of interviewing affect the self-disclosure of sensitive information in emerging adults. Participants included 61 students ages 18 to 22 years old who attended a Western New York university. Internalizing behaviors such as feelings of depression and anxiety were measured using three questionnaire formats: face-to-face, computer, and paper/pencil. Results showed that participants answered significantly different between the interview modes on 6 of the 21 questions. Those in the computer group were significantly more likely to endorse "No" on questions pertaining to feelings of depression and anxiety. These results suggest that the computer mode may be …

Self-Portrait, Hong Seon Jang

Theses

My primary aim is to investigate and analyze the ways in which my cultural identity as an Asian artist has been shaped, redefined, and recognized, and how my questions of cultural identities cannot be separated from the broader context of major social, philosophical, and cultural exchanges under the guise of 'Globalization.' [...] The thesis project is a continuation of my inquiries about my cultural identity and how my interpretation of others in the concepts of my art practice has been affected by the authoritative standards of art and humanities set by Western powers over the centuries. I seek to understand …

Digital Tools For Industrial Design, Thomas Myers

Theses

Not included.

Mr.Wolf, A Bad Guy?: Digital Multi-Language Story Book, Ya-Wen Chen

Theses

Interactive learning material can be beneficial to the study of languages. Given today's technology, books can not be regarded as the only source of learning or studying languages. However, by integrating the massive information readily available by means of books, World Wide Web, computer technology, and inter-personal relations, one can create digital interactive learning media, which will not only enhance the learning materials but also boost the interests in learning languages.

Model Evaluation And Measurement Optimization For The Reproduction Of Artist Paint Surfaces Through Computer Graphics Renderings, Ying Chen

Theses

Light reflection models for computer graphics have been developed over the past several decades. For real paint surfaces, it is possible to model their bidirectional reflectance distribution function with simple models. A framework was established to evaluate two simple reflection models, Phong and Torrance-Sparrow, which were used to render artist paint surfaces under different illumination angles. An image acquisition system was devised to capture the images under selected illuminated angles. The parameters of the specular and the diffuse components were estimated with these image sequences. At the evaluation stage, both physicallybased metrics and psychophysical techniques were used to evaluate the …

Si Dios Quiere ..., Katrina Marcelle D'Autremont

Theses

This thesis explores issues of closeness and distance within families. By looking at how aspects of cultural identity further complicate this dynamic as well as how photography is used as a way of mapping a family character, this thesis encompasses topics ranging from Argentine artists to early daguerreotype photography. Using her own Argentine- American heritage as a subject for the photographs, the artist focuses on her grandfather's apartment in Argentina, which acts as a stage, and character in her family story. Traditional modes of photographic posing are borrowed and explored in this work, not only to reference the old photographs …

Office Foody: Conceptual Restaurant Website Development, Chih-Wei Hsu

Theses

The conceptual restaurant website "OFFICE FOODY" offers users a new experience of ordering their meal via the Internet.

Through this website, the restaurant is allowed to receive customer's order and start to prepare their food immediately. Just like sometimes, we make an order when waiting in the long line during rush hour, this time the users can make an order simply in their office.

Besides, by designing the 2D visual environment based on a restaurant metaphor, the users can not only make their orders, but also customize their favorite setting. Furthermore, the reservation and E-mail interlace in the website are …

School Days, Hope Rovelto

Theses

My thesis exhibition, 'School Days,' is a collection of autobiographical sculptures. My thesis is inspired by the difficult memories of my childhood education. During school I felt condescension from my teachers and peers; I felt like I was actually wearing a dunce cap. This body of work represents the feeling of being ostracized from others in a classroom. I used the form of school chairs for my sculpture. The school chairs are the primary metaphor reflecting my early formal education. We, western industrial society, have an almost universal relationship with the school chair. As an artist, I use its form …

The Effects Of Writing About Positive Reminiscence On Happiness With Adolescents, Alison M. Senter

Theses

Much research has been done with adults in the field of positive psychology, reminiscence, and journal writing. Previous findings reveal that reminiscing about positive memories enhances one's happiness, well-being, life satisfaction, and self-continuity. The current study sought to expand this to adolescence. A group of 19 male and female ninth graders from a northeastern, suburban high school were assigned to a positive reminiscence or a daily hassles journal writing group. Analyses revealed significant effects on participants' positive affect; journal writing in general and specifically writing only about positive memories both significantly increased participants' ratings of perceived positive affect. However, no …

The Missing Link: Marital Virtues And Their Relationship To Individual Functioning, Communication, And Relationship Adjustment, Amanda Veldorale-Brogan

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

Relationship adjustment research is being expanded beyond established connections with communication and individual functioning. In recent years, researchers have looked to positive psychology and virtues. That research shifts the focus from psychopathology and communication to more core values and ways of being. The present study seeks to expand this knowledge base using Blaine Fowers (2000) framework of marital virtues. His framework views what a person puts into an intimate relationship as an important predictor of relationship adjustment. The present study uses this framework in conjunction with previous research to examine the direct and indirect links amongst individual functioning, marital virtues, …