Digital Commons Network^™

Mpi Within A Gpu, Bobby Dalton Young

University of Kentucky Master's Theses

GPUs offer high-performance floating-point computation at commodity prices, but their usage is hindered by programming models which expose the user to irregularities in the current shared-memory environments and require learning new interfaces and semantics.

This thesis will demonstrate that the message-passing paradigm can be conceptually cleaner than the current data-parallel models for programming GPUs because it can hide the quirks of current GPU shared-memory environments, as well as GPU-specific features, behind a well-established and well-understood interface. This will be shown by demonstrating a proof-of-concept MPI implementation which provides cleaner, simpler code with a reasonable performance cost. This thesis will also …

Constituent Development Officer Staff Retention: An Examination Of The Pertinent Literature Of The Relationship Between Methods Of Staff Retention And Morale With Constituent Development Officers At The University Of Northern Iowa Foundation, Jim Jermier

Graduate Research Papers

The ability to establish and maintain relationships with donors in order to bring them closer to and ultimately support the organization he or she represents are key skill sets for a development officer to possess. If a university is fortunate enough to have a constituent development officer (CDO) who demonstrates these strengths, they should have a plan in place to retain that individual. However, according to Hansen (2007), only 16% of senior HR executives surveyed by Towers Perrin have a senior talent management position to focus specifically on the organization's talent strategy. By definition, the talent strategy would include strategic …

Children With Cleft Lips And/Or Palates In Early Childhood Classrooms : Overcoming Obstacles And Misconceptions, Angel Simons

Graduate Research Papers

One in 750 live births results in a baby born with a cleft lip and/or palate (CLP), making it the second most common birth impairment in the United States (Speltz, Endrig, Fisher, & Mason, 1997). Being born with a cleft lip and/or palate brings on many obstacles in a child's life.

Educators can help children born with cleft lip and/or palate by knowing: are there any correlations between how a child born with a cleft is treated by teachers and parents when it comes to teacher and/or parent expectations and perceptions; do children with clefts have distinct common personality or …

The 4-1-1 On Adolescents' Attitudes Toward The 5-0 And The Portrayal Of Law Enforcement Officials In Young Adult Literature, Amy Chopard

Graduate Research Papers

For this content analysis, the portrayal of law enforcement officials in young adult fiction was examined. This researcher read and analyzed 15 young adult fiction titles portraying a law enforcement official in either a primary or secondary character role. The main research question this researcher sought to answer was: How are law enforcement officials portrayed in young adult fiction? Based on the findings of her study, this researcher concluded that law enforcement officials in the examined titles are portrayed as having indifferent attitudes toward adolescents in general. In addition, this researcher found that law enforcement officials portrayed in the examined …

Mental Health Care At The Margins: A Critical Ethnography Of Psychological Practice In An Inner City Mental Health Setting, Katy Sampson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Within the past several decades, the field of psychology has attempted to improve psychological services for a greater diversity of people. However, despite these attempts, research continues to document a "gap" when it comes to mental health care services for marginalized populations. Various studies have addressed the issue of this "gap" in mental health care; however, most adhere to positivist assumptions regarding sociocultural aspects of experience, understanding culture and identity as immutable qualities existing within individuals, rather than as an interpersonal phenomenon that is negotiated between and among people and institutions. As a result of these assumptions, many past studies …

The Characteristics And Functions Of Humor In Psychotherapy: A Qualitative Study, Joshua Gregson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Literature on humor in psychotherapy has been strongly influenced by a debate on whether therapists should engage in humor with clients. Many authors urge caution and are suspicious of humor's use by therapists. Others argue that humor is helpful in therapy and illustrate its uses through clinical evidence, mainly anecdotes from the author's experience. The debate on humor's admissibility in psychotherapy treats humor as optional, and thereby ignores its centrality in human relating and its inevitability in the therapeutic relationship.

Since humor inevitably arises in psychotherapy, it is important for therapists to know typical manifestations and meanings of humor in …

Three Reasons To Serve, Gary L. Hopkins, Duane C. Mcbride, Stuart Tyner, Jonathan Duffy

Faculty Publications

Young people in the Seventh-day Adventist Church are in need of leadership creating effective strategies for protecting the youngsters from engaging in high risk behaviors along with finding effective methods of keeping these same youngsters churched. It is clear that God had answers to these problems long ago. A review of Matthew 25 clearly states that our purpose as Christians should be to serve individuals in need. When young people engage in service, they are more likely to be attracted to the church, get involved in the church, and stay in the church. Furthermore, service is associated with better grades …

Women's Labor Markets In Costa Rica, Kelsey Rinehart

Honors Program Theses

In this paper I explore the factors affecting women's labor force participation and wages in Costa Rica. First, I will investigate the role of education in women's labor markets. Second, I address the impact of dual labor markets and government policies on the participation and earnings of women. Finally, I recommend possible policy changes for Costa Rican labor law to benefit women.

Some Logical Limits Of E-Discovery, Lon A. Berk

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

Impact Of A Proposed Federal Shield Law, Lisa Dahlke

Honors Program Theses

This study will examine how current proposals for a federal shield law compare to protections offered by state legislatures and state courts. My research will address the effectiveness of current state-level protections for journalists' use of confidential sources using analysis of data from a national survey of news outlets. By determining how different aspects of state protections influence subpoena frequency and compliance, I attempt to evaluate the key aspects of legislation currently being considered in Congress, the Free Flow of Information Act of 2009. I find clear evidence that the presence of a statute and a number of its provisions …

Confronting Cliches In Online Instruction: Using A Hybrid Model To Teach Lawyering Skills, Joseph A. Rosenberg

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

Indigent Defense In America: Racially Or Geographically Unjust?, Lisa Karen Akre

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of my research is to investigate the link between indigent defense funding and race. First, I explain the various approaches that states have implemented to deliver legal defense to the indigent. Second, I describe the current lack of funding and its consequences. Third, I examine what effect race has on the indigent defense system. Finally, based on the conclusions drawn from examining both race and funding for indigent defense, I evaluate the effectiveness of the delivery of indigent defense to individual states and regions within the United States.

Traveling Through The Jungle Of Personal Jurisdiction In The Internet Age, Scott Brinkerhoff

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

What Context - A Critique Of Time Warner Cable, Inc. V. Directv, Inc., Matt Bahl

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

Jcw Investments, Inc. V. Novelty, Inc., Lisa Morrow

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

Comparing Single Member District Plurality And Proportional Representation In The Next Eleven Countries, Maggie Mcmahon Stehn

Honors Program Theses

Two of the most popular electoral systems in the world are proportional representation (PR) and single member district plurality (SMDP). While both are employed worldwide, it is unclear which is the most beneficial to constituents. The "Next Eleven" countries (NI I) as defined by Goldman Sachs are the countries of focus, which are predicted to be emerging countries in terms of growing population and percent increase in gross domestic product (GDP). Furthermore, there is a fairly even distribution of PR and SMDP systems among the NI I countries, as well as two single-party dominant countries. The following compares the two …

Pop-Up Advertising - Grey Areas In The Context Of Copyright Law, Vikrant Narayan Vasudeva

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

Erotics Of Textuality, Megan M. Gallagher

Honors Program Theses

In understanding the complex nature of textual studies, an important aspect, but often overlooked as just a part of the publishing process, is the different set of biases that each editor imposes on the text. What is often studied is the relationship of the author to the text and developing the enjoyment that one can experience in the exploration of what is referred to as authorial intent. This concept of authorship, however, is one that is distinct to the modem audience. When one considers a text in a modem literacy the single person responsible for what is thought of as …

The Who, What, Where, When, And Why Of Whois: Privacy And Accuracy Concerns Of The Whois Database, Kathryn Elliott

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

Joint Infringement And The Impact Of Bmc Resources, Inc. V. Paymentech, L.P., Ben Morgan

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Faster You Copy, The Less You Infringe: Beating Copyrights Without Fair Use, David Overcash

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

Quon V. Arch Wireless: The Ninth Circuit Correctly Assess Fourth Amendment Privacy Interests In Workplace Text-Messaging, Marvin A. Liang

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Virtual Photography Paradox: How Courts Could Analyze Copyright Of Virtual Photography Of User Generated Content Using Software, Real World, Or Toy Copyright Analyses, Thomas Jr. Pichta

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

No abstract provided.

The Unique Silencer, Christofer Ditscheit

Honors Program Theses

For decades people have been puzzled by the sudden drop in voter turnout that occurred in the 1970's and continued through the 1980's and 1990's. The demographics of those voting and not voting have been analyzed repeatedly for some clue as to why people were not turning out in the same numbers. Repeatedly, different factors have been addressed as contributors to the reduction of voter turnout. Studies have found that the United States has a unique factor contributing to the low voter turnout. Even after controlling for socioeconomic and institutional factors, there is something about the United States that has …

Administration Oversight: An Analysis Of The Effectiveness Of The U.S. House Committee On Oversight And Government Reform During Recent Presidential Administrations, Chantel Witt

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this essay is to examine more specifically the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, one committee that holds some responsibility for monitoring executive branch abuses of power. The thesis that emerges from this study is that there are numerous internal and external factors causing this committee to fail in providing effective oversight. While this one congressional committee can not be held accountable for allowing executive branch abuses to occur, it is perhaps a place to begin assessing where the blame belongs.

Health Care In America: Historical Context, Current Issues, Future Reform, Emily Boevers

Honors Program Theses

In studying this topic, I used print resources from the last thirty years to investigate the history of the medical profession, including the ideals that shaped it and have bound it for more than 100 years. I studied the attempts at health care reform in the last 100 years, through numerous wars, economic crises, and political flux. I summarized health care systems from ten other developed nations to understand what is working - and what is not - in health care around the world. I surveyed issues plaguing the health care system in America today, and studied the trends that …

A Light Unto Our Path: Toward A Mutual Understanding Of Fundamentalist Christianity And Science, Kassidy K. Lyons

Honors Program Theses

My research into the Christian fundamentalist and scientific worldviews shows that existing hostility between the two can be attributed to extremists on either side. Such polarization can be a hindrance to all involved by inhibiting scientific learning and disregarding valid methods to signify and understand one’s place in the world. I explore each worldview and its validity as well as provide examples of how each can be harmful when taken to the extreme. I then outline philosophies by Stephen Jay Gould, Michael Ruse, Marcus Borg, Karl Popper and others who deny extremism and will allow an individual to find middle …

Factors Related To The Unemployment Rate: A Statistical Analysis, Reanna Collins

Honors Program Theses

Current United States economic conditions have everyone searching for ways to solve the downward spiral that has instigated a crisis in the minds of many people. Rapidly increasing unemployment rates are key reasons leading to this feeling of emergency. A better understanding of unemployment trends over the past few decades and factors correlated to the rate could serve as future indicators of fluctuations in the unemployment rate. A statistical analysis was conducted to determine if any relationship between the unemployment rate and nine selected variables existed in order to identify trends in the unemployment rate and to produce a model …

Parental Choice Of Nondenominational Christian Education: Reasons For Choice, Exit, And The Types And Sources Of Information Used, Robert M. Hall

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

School Choice is a topic that finds itself at the top of school reform and political agendas across the United States, while also being a significant focal point in the educational literature. However, little attention in the debate has been placed on private, independent school choice – including private religious school choice – despite that data that shows “seventy-nine percent of all private schools had a religious affiliation in 1999– 2000: 30 percent . . . affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, and 49 percent with other religious groups” (U.S. Department of Education, 2002, p. 3) and that “initial research …

Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor And Alzheimers Disease, Rangaraj K. Gopalraj

University of Kentucky Doctoral Dissertations

Since apoE allele status is the predominant Alzheimers disease (AD) genetic risk factor, functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in brain apoE receptors represent excellent candidates for association with AD. Therefore, three low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) SNPs were evaluated by TaqMan allelic discrimination assays for association with AD and I found that certain haplotypes alter the odds of AD. A SNP within LDLR exon 12, rs688, was identified in silico as neutralizing a putative exon splicing enhancer (ESE). Since LDLR is a major apoE receptor in the brain, I hypothesized that rs688 modulates LDLR splicing in neural tissues and associates …