Digital Commons Network^™

Biomersa: The Biology Media Repository With Semantic Augmentation, Adam Cornwell

Theses

With computers now capable of easily handling all kinds of multimedia files in vast quantity, and with the Internet now well-suited to exchange these files, we are faced with the challenge of organizing this data in such a way so as to make the information most useful and accessible. This holds true as well for media pertaining to the field of biology, where multimedia is particularly useful in education, as well as in research. To help address this, a software system with a Web-based interface has been developed for improving the accuracy and specificity of multimedia searching and browsing by …

Attachment Styles And Children In Foster Care: A Study Involving Art Therapy Evaluation, Abigail Johnson

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This case study explored the attachment style and perceptions of family, from the perspective of children in the foster care system, through the use of art therapy evaluative methods. The participants for this study included two half-sisters in the second and fourth grades. The Art Therapy-Projective Imagery Assessment (AT-PIA) was adapted and used to construct a well-rounded understanding of each client. Within the adapted AT-PIA, the Human Figure Drawing and the Bird’s Nest Drawing were evaluated using rating schemes. A dyad session was held with the two participants, where a Safe Place Sculpture was created. Review of the artwork revealed …

Publicity, Pressure, And Environmental Legislation: The Untold Story Of Availability Campaigns, Molly J. Walker Wilson, Megan P. Fuchs

Cardozo Law Review

The availability heuristic - a cognitive rule of thumb whereby events that are easily brought to mind are judged to be more likely - is employed by decision-makers on a daily basis. Availability campaigns occur when individuals and groups strategically exploit this cognitive tendency in order to generate publicity for a particular issue, creating pressure to effect legislative change. This paper is the first to argue that environmental availability campaigns are more beneficial than they are harmful. Because they result in pressure on Congress, these campaigns serve as a catalyst for the enactment of critical new legislative initiatives. Specifically, these …

Room, Vallie Lynn Watson

Dissertations

Room is a short novel written at The University of Southern Mississippi. It is accompanied by a critical preface.

La Libertad Moral En La Vida Es SueñO, Matilde Pettengill

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Este trabajo analiza la libertad en el plano moral en la obra La vida es sueño de Calderón de la Barca. Contiene una reseña histórica, geográfica y literaria de España en el Siglo de Oro. También se mencionan la biografía y las obras de Calderón. Se hace una referencia a la comedia y sus características. Se señalan aspectos generales de La vida es sueño. Incluye conceptos de la libertad a través del tiempo y desde distintas disciplinas.

Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis Of Novel Spiroplasma Isolates, Haritha Lakshmi Jandhyam

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Spiroplasmas are among the smallest self replicating organisms known. They are helical, motile descendents of Gram-positive bacteria that have evolved to occupy broad host ranges including plants, insects and crustaceans. Spiroplasmas are the causative agent of several economically important agricultural diseases, but most host-microbe interactions appear to be commensal. Given the ubiquitous nature of these microbes, a methodical approach that focused on serologically distinct isolates from a single host family was used as an initial step in understanding spiroplasma diversity and distribution. Tabanid-associated spiroplasmas represent the most thoroughly studied group to date, so this project examined a spiroplasma field isolate …

Factors That Correlate With The Use Of Technology In Georgia's Elementary Schools, Shelley Arnett Samon

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the relationship of different factors, including leadership, on Georgia elementary teachers' technology use. The researcher investigated the availability and the usage of technology in Georgia elementary public schools by teachers for delivery of instruction. The researcher also investigated school principals' support for technology use, and school teachers' attitude (technology autonomy, technology self-efficacy, technology experience, and technology anxiety) in relation to technology use. Following the pilot study, questionnaire packets were mailed to third grade teachers' of 150 elementary schools that participated in the study. The final sample of this study consisted of …

Are Holding Patterns Predictive Of Infant Attachment Classification In 12 To 18 Month Old Infants?, Lauren Beam

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Research investigating infant attachment has demonstrated the benefits of infants' secure attachment to their mothers. While Ainsworth (1973) has determined four maternal behaviors, tender holding, stimulation, contingent responding and maternal sensitivity to infant signals, that promote a secure attachment in infants, are there other behaviors a mother could perform to promote a secure attachment in her infant? Whether infant attachment classification could be predicted from maternal holding patterns was investigated in the current study. Infant attachment classification was determined by infant behavior in Ainsworth's Strange Situation Procedure. Maternal holding patterns were comprised of eight holding behaviors. Results revealed that mothers …

Influence Of Pictures On Word Recognition, Audrey A. Hazamy

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The picture superiority effect is a well-documented phenomenon that is defined as the superior memory of pictorial stimuli compared to word stimuli. The predominant explanation for this effect is that pictures are encoded more effectively than words, and are therefore able to be better remembered. Research has demonstrated the benefit that pictures provide for remembering words. However, little work has been to done to examine any negative and/or intrusion effects of pictures on memory for words. The current study further explored the picture superiority effect and facilitation effects of pictures on words as well as interference effects of pictures on …

America Inc.: The Rise And Fall Of A Civil Democracy, Keith W. Edmonds

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The field of Curriculum Studies has thoroughly outlined the detrimental effects of corporate ideology on education in terms of curricular mandates, the corporatization of higher education, rampant privatization, and globalization. Educational mandates have created an atmosphere of control in which students are methodically deprived of exploration and creativity through strict adherence to a prescribed curriculum. This results in the de-skilling of teachers and the loss of Self as students are forced to memorize facts based on educational mandates, with teachers having to constantly redirect outlets for creativity in order to teach to the test. As a result of this study, …

Growing Up Biracial In A Southern Elementary School, Julie M. Kight

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explored the relationship between racial identity of biracial children (defined as fifty percent Black and fifty percent White) and their academic experiences in a southern elementary school setting. This dissertation ventured further to explore the curriculum in a southern elementary school setting and whether it meets the academic needs of the biracial child and includes the biracial child. This dissertation reflected on artifacts collected and analyzed narratives from the participants involved. These participants included six biracial female students in grades three through five. The current research employed Critical Race Theory as its theoretical framework. Critical Race Theory is …

Vascular Injury After Whole Thoracic X-Ray Irradiation In The Rat, S. N. Ghosh, Q. Wu, M. Mäder, B. L. Fish, John E. Moulder, Elizabeth R. Jacobs, Meetha Medhora, Robert C. Molthen

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

To study vascular injury after whole thoracic irradiation with single sublethal doses of X-rays in the rat and to develop markers that might predict the severity of injury.

Methods and Materials

Rats that received 5- or 10-Gy thorax-only irradiation and age-matched controls were studied at 3 days, 2 weeks, and 1, 2, 5, and 12 months. Several pulmonary vascular parameters were evaluated, including hemodynamics, vessel density, total lung angiotensin-converting enzyme activity, and right ventricular hypertrophy.

Results

By 1 month, the rats in the 10-Gy group had pulmonary vascular dropout, right ventricular hypertrophy, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, increased dry lung …

Spermiogenesis And In Vitro Culture Of Spermatogenic Cysts In Drosophila Pseudoobscura, Monicah Njogu

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Spennatogenesis is a complex process that involves differentiation and morphological changes of diploid stem cells into highly specialized, haploid, motile germ cells. Many of the transformative processes involved in mammalian spermatogenesis are conserved in flies, and their study would be facilitated by the availability of a reliable in vitro culture system. Culture of Drosophila melanogaster spermatogenic cysts is limited in usefulness because of early degeneration of cysts, low yield of elongated spermatozoa, and rare occurrences of motile sperm. We have developed a culture system for studying fly spermatogenesis using isolated spermatogenic cysts from the testes of Drosophila pseudoobscura. This species …

Simulation And Design Modification Of Naturally Ventilated Holding Pen For Dairy Cattle, John Mark G. Ilarde

Undergraduate Theses

An experiment was done to simulate and modify the design of an existing naturally ventilated holding pen for dairy cattle. The existing design was located at Hacienda Macalauan, Calauan, Laguna. It was modeled in PHOENICS and its performance on a hot and almost windless condition was determined. To improve the performance of the existing design, modifications were introduced. These were changing the height and inclination of the roof. Heights at 2.0, 3.0, 2.75 and 2.25 meters; while roof inclinations at 10.0°, 20.0°, 15.0° and 12.5° were tested with PHOENICS. The vertical and horizontal profile of their temperature and velocity distribution …

A Positive Development View Of Risk-Taking : Attachment, Mental Health, Internal Control, And Life Engagement, Lauren Michelle Denneson

Dissertations and Theses

Previous research has primarily focused on potential negative outcomes of risk-taking (e.g., Byrnes, Miller, & Schafer, 1999). However, risk-taking may be beneficial for our mental health. Currently, the United States (U.S.) is seeing an increase in the prevalence and incidence of anxiety and depressive symptoms (N1MH, 2002, 2003, 2006; WHO, 2001). At the same time, individuals in the U.S. spend a large percentage of time in low-energy, "time wasting" activities, such as watching television (United States Department of Labor, 2007), which is in discord with how our stress response functions optimally (Sapolsky, 1998; Dhabhar, 2002). Furthermore, attachment theory posits a …

Use Of Home Remedies And Traditional Medicines For The Treatment Of Common Eye Ailments In Pakistan: A Qualitative Study, Khabir Ahmad, Muhammad Aman Khan, Muhammad Babar Khan, Muhammad Daud Khan, Azam Ali, Clare Gilbert

Department of Surgery Docs

Purpose: Qualitative studies focusing on the use of home remedies and traditional medicines for eye health are lacking. We explored the use of eye remedies and traditional eye medicines (referred to hereafter as “eye remedies/TEM”) in Pakistan’s Abbottabad district.

Material and Methods: We conducted face-to-face key informant interviews with 16 teachers (8 men, 8 women). Participants were asked to list eye remedies/TEM used in their home or in areas where they lived. They were also asked to specify conditions for which each one of them is used. Their responses were noted manually and the interview scripts were translated from Urdu …

The Research, Process, And Design Of The Trout Creek Revegetation Plan, Daniel C. Bolin

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Bear River is the largest tributary to the Great Salt Lake, with water volumes reaching up to 1.4 million acre feet of water. The river begin s in Utah 's Uinta Mountains and flows into Wyoming and Idaho before finally flowing south and returning to Utah. The river flows nearly five hundred mile s before emptying into Bear River Bay of the Great Salt Lake, ending only ninety miles from its origin (Utah History to Go, 2008).

Teaching Probability Through Use Of An Applet, Melissa Gregory Jackson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The use of technology in the classroom is an ongoing debate by educators. Many teachers consider it to be a valuable teaching tool. Despite the many advantages, there are also drawbacks in using technology. A Java applet is a particular kind of multimedia technology proven to be useful in education. Because of students' struggles with learning basic probability in Statistics 1040, I have created a probability applet to reinforce the concept of probability. The applet was tested with two Statistics 1040 classes. The majority of students agreed that they learned more about probability from using the applet. Several of the …

Random Motion And The Diffusion Of Brine Shrimp: A Project Based Learning Unit, Rebecca Atkins

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Over the years, there have been several trends, philosophies, and ideas about how mathematics should be taught. These have included progressive movements, essentialist movements, drill and practice, teacher-centered methodologies, student-centered methodologies, and others. However, despite these various instructional trends, research has found that mathematics teachers have basically taught the same way for years, with little or no variation with respect to the changing trends (Ward, 2001). For many students, the traditional teaching method employed in their mathematics classes is typically centered on the teacher and includes lecture in which the teacher provides the necessary definitions and notations and does several …

Novel Analogs Of M-Chlorophenylguanidine As 5-Ht3 Receptor Ligands, Katie Alix

Theses and Dissertations

Serotonin receptors play a variety of functional roles in the body. Some indications and treatment claims for one of the classes of serotonin receptors, the 5-HT3 receptor family, include: anxiety, depression, chemotherapy- and radiation-induced emesis, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, pain, drug addiction, and satiety control. A 5-HT3 receptor partial agonist, MD-354, served as a lead compound in the development of new 5-HT3 receptor ligands. Using halogenated analogs the study investigated their effect on binding to the 5-HT3 receptor. Conformationally-constrained analogs (quinazolines) were shown to be a novel class of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists. The log P values were determined for several …

Conflict Between The National Park Service And The Bureau Of Indian Affairs In The Glacier Region Of Montana, 1896–1934, Renee A. Rodriguez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

On a physical and cultural frontier, competing agendas within Department of the Interior bureaus, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the National Park Service (NPS), developed into a battle over the use of federal lands and resources, both human and physical, at Glacier National Park and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The NPS intended to protect the natural environment of the region while also, for economic reasons, encouraged the public to visit and enjoy the region. The BIA's acculturation of the Blackfeet Indians and their development into an agrarian society continued as their sole purpose. Primary source materials of the …

Visual Cultural Identity In South Texas Art And Design, Mirla Gonzalez De Martinez

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Transculturation as the key element in the search for autochthonous visual richness and profundity is the theme for my investigation. In the process, numerous questions arise for the need for authentic cultural expression but also ownership of cultural, social identities. I selected the Rio Grande Valley region having little knowledge of conflicts that surround this border and its territories. I also explored the social and cultural histories that included art making and architectural and graphic design. The transfer of cultural imprints, sometimes accepted but often rejected or unknown, forms the basis of this inquiry. My intent resides in a respect …

Completing Chemistry Taks Objective 4(9d): The Effect Of Flash Animation, Judith B. Dano

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examines the effect of flash animation on learning effectiveness. The main goal of the study was to verify if using flash animation on learning chemistry concepts particularly Chemistry TAKS Objective 4 (9D) will have an impact on students learning achievement. The subjects in this study were 10th grade students from PSJA Memorial High School. Two class sections were randomly assigned as the treatment group each with 20 subjects (n=40) and another two class sections were assigned as the control group (n=40). The treatment group was exposed to flash animation while the control group had the traditional lecture type …

A Concise Chronology Of The Rio Grande Delta From The Paleo-Indian Period To Early Spanish Exploration And Colonization, Kristina Solis

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The Rio Grande Delta's archaeological record is mostly unknown. This paper attempts to assemble scattered resources into a concise and understandable chronology of the Delta’s prehistoric cultures. The prehistoric environment is discussed to clear up the misconception that modern day and prehistoric environments were identical. Archaeological contributions are covered to illustrate the difficulties and successes that 20th century archaeologists experienced. Chapter III discusses a few major sites from the region to give an example of what archaeologists have discovered, and what kinds of cultural remnants have been found. A concise chronology covering the Paleo-Indian period through the Late Prehistoric follows. …

Evaluation Of Streptomycetes For Biological Control Of Gummy Stem Blight Disease Of Cantaloupe, Shima Chaudhary

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Studies were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Streptomyces isolates for the biological control of gummy stem blight (GSB) in cantaloupes (Cucumis melo var. ‘Primo’) in south Texas. Plants were monitored for seedling emergence, lesions, mortality and plant growth under laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions. Comparison of treatment groups indicated a significant reduction in plant mortality and enhanced growth of infected plants exposed to three Streptomyces isolates (MA1F4#2, WI1B#5, and MA2A4 #2), which appear to be most effective when used in combination. In all three experiments, GSB infection was associated with a significant reduction in reflectance of near-infrared wavelengths (700-1,100 …

“Jugando En Serio” And Other Works, Shoney Flores

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In the critical introduction of this thesis, I explore how the different choices we make as creative writers affect the targeted audience of a work. I focus on the endless battle between genre writing and literary writing, in hopes of there being a style of writing that can utilize the best of both. I write about the issues and themes of the works in this thesis that come close to being nonfiction. Finally, I highlight how stylistic choices in bilingual writing can change or destroy potential audiences. These are aspects that have shaped the creative writing included in this collection. …

Impact Of Flash Animation In Learning Concepts Of Matter Among Elementary Students, Rhodora S. Santos

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examines the instructional effect of flash animation on students' achievement in learning specific concepts of matter. The subjects used in this study were 5th-grade students of the researcher from Dan Ramirez Elementary. Each class or section of these students was randomly assigned as the control group (n = 20) and the experimental group (n =20). The subjects in the control group were exposed to traditional textbook reading while the subjects in the experimental group were exposed to flash animation. To measure the students' achievement from the concepts learned, a pre-test and a post test were both administered to …

Stress Responses To Salinity In A Native Fresh Water Snake (Nerodia Rhombifer), Joana A. Cordoba

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Salinity stress at 0 ppt, 9 ppt, 18 ppt, and 27 ppt was investigated in Nerodia rhombifer, a fresh water snake. The purpose of this study was to establish if exposure to salinity could elicit a hormonal response in the form of corticosterone. Salinity treatment 27 ppt was lethal for 50% of the snakes. Factors such as population and gender differences were not significant, p=0.748 and p=0.135, respectively. Exposure to the different salinities did not significantly affect the overall mass of the animal, p=0.951. A significant increase in circulating corticosterone was noted in salinity treatments 0 ppt and 18 ppt, …

Phenotypic And Genetic Differences In Soil Bacterial Communities Among Successional Stages, Rowena A. G. Hamlet

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The association between soil microbes and plants can influence plant growth and survival as well as alter soil microbial community dynamics. The purpose of this study was to determine how the length of this interaction between plants and bacteria affects the bacterial soil community structure. Soil microbial communities associated with plant communities at different successional stages at the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge were investigated. The study sites included three revegetated sites (4 months, 21 months, and 221 months since revegetation) and a control site (native brush, never revegetated). Five soil samples were randomly collected at each site. Soil microbial …

Life Drawing With Gross Anatomy Medical Students And Implications For Art Therapy, Elliott Addesso

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

It is important to incorporate humanities training into medical education in order to enhance the potential for humane and ethical interactions among physicians. In this study, a life drawing studio course was led by an art therapy graduate student to explore the effects of a life drawing course on medical students concurrently enrolled in Gross Anatomy. Based on students’ perceptions of their experience in the life drawing class, theoretical implications for the practice of art therapy in studio applications were discussed.

Five medical students participated in the course on a voluntary, non-credit basis. The course consisted of seven meetings and …