Digital Commons Network^™

Women Leaders In Student Affairs: A Case Study Exploring Career Choices, Julie C. Taylor-Costello

Department of Educational Administration: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This qualitative, multiple case study explored what women working in student affairs reported as influences on their career choices and the impact that the type and level of student interaction has on their careers.

Data from semi-structured interviews and journal entries were obtained from ten women working in student affairs at private, four-year institutions of higher education in the Midwest. The “Stage Model of the Careers of Successful Women” (White, Cox, & Cooper, 1992) provided the theoretical framework and the basis for selecting women for the study. Two women at each of the five stages of White, Cox, and Cooper’s …

Finding Words In Alphabet Soup: Inference On Freeform Character Recognition For Historical Scripts, Nicholas Howe, Shaolei Feng, R. Manmatha

Computer Science: Faculty Publications

This paper develops word recognition methods for historical handwritten cursive and printed documents. It employs a powerful segmentation-free letter detection method based upon joint boosting with histograms of gradients as features. Efficient inference on an ensemble of hidden Markov models can select the most probable sequence of candidate character detections to recognize complete words in ambiguous handwritten text, drawing on character n" role="presentation" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline-block; line-height: normal; font-size: 16.2px; word-spacing: normal; overflow-wrap: normal; white-space: nowrap; float: none; direction: ltr; max-width: none; max-height: none; min-width: 0px; min-height: 0px; border: 0px; position: relative;">n-gram and physical …

Feedback On Proposals By The Committee To Develop The Accountancy Sector, Tan, Pearl Hock-Neo

Research Collection School Of Accountancy

No abstract provided.

Relating Fires’ Effect On Forest Succession And Forest's Effect On Fire Severity In One Burned And Unburned Environment, Tyler Jay Seiboldt

Department of Environmental Studies: Undergraduate Student Theses

Wildfires are a natural part of many forest ecosystems and play a vital role in maintaining their health.  Wildfires can have a critical influence on a landscapes plant community through their relative frequency, seasonality, and severity.  One of the most heavily influenced regions by wildfire disturbance is the Klamath Mountain region of California.  I looked at the affect a wildfires severity had on the Whiskey creek valley within the Whiskeytown National Recreation Area.  8 tree species and 4 flower species were examined on both the burned and unburned regions within this valley nearly a year after the wildfire (May 17-23 …

The R Journal (December 2009) 1(2): Complete Issue, The R Foundation

The R Journal

Contributed Research Articles

Aspects of the Social Organization and Trajectory of the R Project, John Fox

Party on! Carolin Strobl, Torsten Hothorn and Achim Zeileis

ConvergenceConcepts: An R Package to Investigate Various Modes of Convergence, Pierre Lafaye de Micheaux and Benoit Liquet

asympTest: A Simple R Package for Classical Parametric Statistical Tests and Confidence Intervals in Large Samples, J.-F. Coeurjolly, R. Drouilhet, P. Lafaye de Micheaux and J.-F. Robineau

copas: An R package for Fitting the Copas Selection Model, J. Carpenter, G. Rücker and G. Schwarzer

Transitioning to R: Replicating SAS, Stata, and SUDAAN Analysis Techniques in Health Policy Data, …

Labor And Employment Law, W. Melvin Haas Iii, William M. Clifton Iii, W. Jonathan Martin Iii, Glen R. Fagan

Mercer Law Review

This Article surveys recent developments in the state statutory and common law that affect labor and employment relations of Georgia employers. Accordingly, it surveys published decisions interpreting Georgia law from June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009. This Article also includes highlights of certain revisions to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.).

Direct Healthcare Costs Of Hip, Vertebral, And Non-Hip, Non-Vertebral Fractures., Nianwen Shi, Kathleen Foley, Gregory Lenhart, Enkhe Badamgarav

College of Population Health Faculty Papers

Limited data exist regarding the cost of non-hip, non-vertebral (NHNV) fractures. Although NHNV fractures may be less expensive than hip and vertebral fractures, they have a higher incidence rate. The objective of this study was to quantify first-year healthcare costs of hip, vertebral, and NHNV fractures. This was a claims-based retrospective analysis using a case-control design among patients with commercial insurance and Medicare employer-based supplemental coverage. Patients were > or =50 years old with a closed hip, vertebral, or NHNV fracture between 7/1/2001 and 12/31/2004, and continuous enrollment 6 months prior to and 12 months after the index fracture. Adjusted mean …

Working Memory, Cues, And Wayfinding In Older Women, Rebecca L. Davis, Barbara A. Therrien, Brady T. West

Peer Reviewed Articles

Individuals create cognitive maps based on relationships between cues in the environment. Older individuals are often impaired in wayfinding, especially in environments that lack distinctive features. This study examines how working memory ability in older women is related to wayfinding performance in the presence of salient (distinctive, prominent) or nonsalient cues. The degree of salient cue complexity is also examined, thus leading to the hypothesis that salient, complex cues are important in wayfinding and that working memory capacity is related to wayfinding performance. The virtual computer-generated arena is used to test this hypothesis in 20 healthy older women in three …

A Pilot Study Of An Automated Voice Response System And Nursing Intervention To Monitor Adherence To Oral Chemotherapy Agents, Veronica Decker, Sandra L. Spoelstra, Emily Miezo, Renee Bremer, Mei You, Charles W. Given, Barbara A. Given

Peer Reviewed Articles

This study was designed to develop and test a system to monitor adherence with non-hormonal oral chemotherapeutic agents using an automated voice response (AVR) system plus nursing intervention. Participants received the Symptom Management Toolkit then participated in an interview for symptom severity, satisfaction, and beliefs about oral agents. Patients received weekly AVR calls, which assessed adherence to oral agents and severity of 15 symptoms. Patients who reported adherence of < 100% of prescribed oral agents or symptoms of 4 or greater (0-10 scale) for three consecutive weeks, were called by a nurse for assistance with symptom management and adherence to oral chemotherapy medications. Following the 8 weekly AVR calls, patients participated in a follow up interview and medical record review. Subjects were 30 oncology patients who were ambulatory and treated at two cancer centers in Midwest USA. The results indicate 23.3% non adherence rate to oral chemotherapy medications due to symptoms and forgetting to take the medication. An association between symptom management and adherence was found. Symptom severity and beliefs about medications were not significantly different between adherent and non adherent patients. This pilot study demonstrated the ability to accrue patients for a longitudinal trial and informed intervention design, while providing guidance for future interventions and research studies.

This study was designed to develop and test a system to monitor adherence with nonhormonal oral chemotherapeutic agents using an automated voice response (AVR) system plus nursing intervention. Participants were patients …

The Macroeconomy And Health In The United States, Elizabeth Herring

All Theses

The economy affects everyone as it expands and contracts. This paper will look at the effects that economic downturns have on the health of Americans. It will analyze the number of deaths per year caused by certain causes of death and determine the extent to which a downturn affects these numbers. This paper also looks at the cause and effect relationship between antidepressants and suicide. The empirical results indicate that the state of the economy affects the health of the nation.

Green Can Bring Green: An Evaluation And Comparison Of The Economic Effects Of Sustainable And Economic Redevelopment, Kathryn Young

All Theses

The process of redevelopment is a relied upon method of breathing new life into downtowns and urban areas. Though several common redevelopment approaches contribute to a sustainable atmosphere, more significant environmentally- and ecologically- sustainable approaches can be implemented in redevelopments to repair and support the environment and ecology of an area. But do economic and sustainable redevelopment models have similar impacts on the surrounding economies? This report conducted an evaluation and comparison of the economic effects of sustainable redevelopments and economic redevelopments. Though research is considered exploratory, the results demonstrate that sustainable and economic redevelopments are both viable options for …

Gold Nanoparticle Interactions And Impact Upon A Common Biofilm Source: Legionella Pneumophila , Amber Stojak

All Theses

There exists widespread concern of pathogenic bacteria colonizing and establishing biofilms in water systems providing a direct exposure route to the public. Legionella are widely distributed in human-made and natural environments, and colonization lends the potential to infect human hosts that may lead to the development of Legionnaire's Disease. Silver has been used in cooling towers and water filtration systems for removal of planktonic bacteria and biofilms; however permanent removal of L. pneumophila biofilms with metal ions is impossible when established biofilms are in hard to access places such as dead end piping or inside a protozoan host. Bulk metals …

Physical Activity Among Youth In A Weekend Respite Camp Program, Kathleen Felton

All Theses

The engagement in physical activity among 24 youths with disabilities was studied. Researchers examined the effects of age and gender of the youth, the parent's knowledge of physical activity recommendations, and parent's physical activity practices on physical activity engagement. Levels of physical activity participation through leisure time, work or chores, and sports were assessed. Analysis was performed to determine relationships between each of the variables and the youths' level of physical activity respectively. Results of chi-square analysis indicated that parental influence using current physical activity recommendations was correlated with the youth's level of physical activity participation through leisure. Results suggested …

An Examination Of The Night Hiking Experience In Parks And Protected Areas, John Beeco

All Theses

Many protected areas offer night programs for visitors; however, night hours have not been fully recognized as a potential resource in these areas. Night hours in protected areas could provide visitors with experiences unique to these times of the day. Also, typically low levels of visitation during night hours could provide visitors with additional or better suited opportunities to fulfill motivations and benefits sought during daytime activities. Furthermore, night hours could be used by managers to increase or temporally disperse use. The National Park Service's Natural Sounds and Natural Lightscapes programs provide a direction for the protection of this resource; …

Identifying And Comparing Key Process Attributes For Sustainable Building Delivery In India And The U.S., Prashanth Palanisamy

All Theses

India is a rapidly developing nation with the associated brisk pace of construction. More sustainable building practices for construction in India would have social, environmental, and economic benefits. However, the key process attributes for successfully planning, designing, and constructing sustainable buildings in India are largely undefined. Other projects in India would benefit from a rigorous identification of these key process attributes which could help leapfrogging the sustainable building delivery in India to the best available practices.
Sustainable buildings require different delivery processes than traditional buildings; this can lead to process wastes due to unfamiliarity or incompatibility of the processes. These …

A Particle Swarm Optimization Using Random Keys For Flexible Flow Shop Scheduling Problem With Sequence Dependent Setup Times, Vinodh Sankaran

All Theses

In this research, a particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) using random keys is developed to schedule flexible flow lines with sequence dependent setup times to minimize makespan. The flexible flow line scheduling problem is a branch of production scheduling and is found in industries such as printed circuit board and automobile manufacturing. It is well known that this problem is NP-hard. For this reason, we approach the problem by implementing a particle swarm optimization (PSO), a metaheuristic which is inspired by the motion of a flock of birds or a school of fish searching for food. The proposed PSO has …

The 'I' In Team: Effects Of Performance Appraisal Type On Teamwork Variables, Brandy Brown

All Theses

The following research examined the effects of performance appraisal condition on teamwork variables. As more reliable models of teamwork emerge, there remains a noticeable lack of information regarding team motivation and feedback in an organizational context. This paper first reviews the current findings on team motivation, feedback, and performance appraisals and then applies that topic to teamwork processes. The researcher proposed that individual, team, and dual (individual and team feedback) performance appraisals would have different effects on teamwork processes and performance. Positive effects on team orientation, mutual trust, and team performance in the team and dual performance appraisal conditions were …

'Age Doth Not Wither Nor Custom Stale My Infinite Variety': Surveying The Evolution Of Dr. John H. Watson Through 70 Years Of The Hound Of The Baskervilles On Screen, Ashley Polasek

All Theses

The sixty tales that comprise the Sherlock Holmes Canon hold a unique place in the realm of both adaptation studies and culture studies. The stories were originally written at a time concurrent with the birth of cinema; Holmes was part of the vanguard of literary figures to appear on film. Since his first appearance on screen in 1900, Sherlock Holmes, his friend and colleague Dr. Watson, and the adventures in which they figure have been consistently adapted for the full lifespan of the cinematic medium. Despite this rich history, the adaptations have, almost without exception, been scrutinized through the lens …

Effect Of Oscillating And Static Retort Thermal Processing Technology Using An Institutional Size Pouch, Judith Trevino

All Theses

The effects of oscillating and static retort thermal processing on heat penetration using an institutional size pouch were evaluated. A literature review of general information on retort thermal processing, process modes, processing mediums, retort pouches and starch was presented.
Frigex-W starch (National Starch Food Innovation) and water mixtures were prepared at three different concentrations (1%, 3% and 5%). Five replications of starch and water mixtures were processed using water spray as the processing medium in institutional size retort pouches (29.2 cm. x 38.1 cm.) using both oscillating and static processing modes.
Viscosity (by Brookfield viscometer and Bostwick consistometer), residual air …

Life History Characteristics Of The Turquoise Darter (Etheostoma Inscriptum) In The Upper Piedmont Of South Carolina, Stephan Irwin

All Theses

ABSTRACT
The intention of this study was to estimate population density, time of spawning, and fecundity of the turquoise darter (Etheostoma inscriptum) in Six Mile creek of the Clemson SC experimental forest. Population density estimates were conducted on 18 riffles within the lower 1,524 m of the creek starting 304.8 m above its confluence with Lake Issaqueena from January to April 2008. Density was determined using the Leslie Depletion method, and darters/m2 was calculated. Random point collection was performed From October 14 to November 13, 2008, and 301 specimens were measured and released to determine length frequency of the population. …

Recollection/Re-Collection: A Re-Positioning Of Artificial Nature In The Natural World, Martha Epp-Carter

All Theses

ABSTRACT
In this body of work I explore the division between our experiences with nature in a controlled environment versus the less frequent experience of true nature. I concern myself with the distance we create for ourselves by diminishing our interactions with nature, making them convenient, not messy or intrusive. I also attempt to resensitize the viewer to his or her own conscious or unconscious response to nature. By setting up situations that utilize both real and artificial objects, images and materials, I place the viewer in a relationship with the work that requires thoughtful attention.
Through the creation of …

Comparing Problem-Based Learning And Lecture As Methods To Teach Whole-Systems Design To Engineering Students, Michael Dukes

All Theses

The objective of this research is to compare problem-based learning and lecture as methods to teach whole-systems design to engineering students. A case study, Appendix A, exemplifying successful whole-systems design was developed and written by the author in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Institute. Concepts to be tested were then determined, and a questionnaire was developed to test students' preconceptions. A control group of students was taught using traditional lecture methods, and a sample group of students was taught using problem-based learning methods. After several weeks, the students were given the same questionnaire as prior to the instruction, and the …

Investigation Of The Thermoelectric Behavior And Structure Formation Of (Pbte/Agsbte2)-Silver Chalcogenide Mixtures, Yisha Wang

All Theses

Sustainable energy research is currently on the forefront of scientific exploration and energy conservation and the development of new energy production techniques are both crucial for our long lasting stable future. Accordingly, thermoelectric materials will be a significant energy conservation and production source. The state-of -the-art thermoelectric materials can be used to collect the wasted heat and converted to power, which is the future for the green power generation.
PbTe is considered a state-of-the-art thermoelectric material, which has been extensively studied. It forms in the NaCl structure and it is a semiconductor with a room temperature gap value of 0.29 …

Uptake Of Gold Nanoparticles In An Algae - Daphnid Food Chain, Matthew Osborne-Koch

All Theses

Nanoparticle entry into the environment can result in deleterious effects to exposed organisms, disruption of ecological processes, and accumulation within the wood web. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which are classified as zero-valent metals, are of significant interest due to their use in a variety of applications including electrical, biomedical, catalytic, magnetic, and optical technology. The wide range of uses for AuNPs can be attributed to a combination of the unique physical properties of the element gold (i.e. density, conductivity, stability, etc.) and the diversity of sizes, shapes, and surface compositions that can be achieved through manipulation of AuNP synthesis. While previous …

Effectiveness Of Team-Building And Teamwork In Real And Virtual Worlds, Rachana Ranade

All Theses

Given the increasing importance of globalization and collaboration, this research investigates the possibility of performing team-building training for globally dispersed teams using the capabilities of the virtual world Second Life. Three meeting conditions, the 3D virtual world Second Life, a combination of face-to-face and Second Life and face-to-face were evaluated. Thirty randomly assigned 3 person teams performed an ice-breaker session and then a team-building activity in each meeting condition. Four dependent variables were measured: task completion time; quality of task performance; the subjective satisfaction with the process based on group cohesiveness, perception of the process and satisfaction with the outcome; …

The Effects Of Pulsed Exposures Of Suspended Clay On The Survival, Growth, And Reproduction Of Daphnia Magna, Sarah Robinson

All Theses

Suspended sediments are a natural component of aquatic ecosystems but anthropogenic activity such as land development can result in significant increases, especially following rain events due to surface erosion. Continuous exposures of suspended clay and silt have been shown to effect growth and reproduction of Cladocera, leading to a decrease in population growth rate. The mechanism of clay toxicity in these filter-feeding organisms is clogging of the gut tract resulting in decreased food uptake and assimilation. When placed in clean water, daphnids can purge clay from their gut and recover. In many surface waters, aquatic organisms experience episodic exposures of …

Low-Dose Of Sodium Arsenite Causes Delayed Differentiation In C2c12 Mouse Myoblast Cells Through The Repression Of The Transcription Factor Myogenin, Amanda Steffens

All Theses

A number of epidemiological studies have correlated arsenic exposurwith cancer, skin diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and adverse developmental outcomes such as stillbirths, spontaneous abortions, neonatal mortality, low birth weight, and delays in the use of musculature. The current study used C2C12 mouse myoblast cells to examine whether low concentrations of arsenic could alter their differentiation into myotubes, which would indicate that arsenic has the ability to act as a developmental toxicant. Myoblast cells were exposed to 20nM sodium arsenite and allowed to differentiate into myotubes and expression of the muscle-specific transcription factor myogenin, along with the expression of myosin light chain …

Friction Stir Welding Process And Material Microstructure Evolution Modeling In 2000 And 5000 Series Of Aluminum Alloys, Harshavardhan Yalavarthy

All Theses

Interactions between the rotating and advancing pin-shaped tool (terminated at one end with a circular-cylindrical shoulder) with the clamped welding-plates and the associated material and heat transport during a Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process are studied computationally using a fully-coupled thermo-mechanical finite-element analysis. To surmount potential numerical problems associated with extensive mesh distortions/entanglement, an Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulation was used which enabled adaptive re-meshing (to ensure the continuing presence of a high-quality mesh) while allowing full tracking of the material free surfaces. To demonstrate the utility of the present computational approach, the analysis is applied to the cases of …

The Classic Muscle Car Era, William Mckinney

All Theses

Big and bold, loud and brash, mighty and proud, the classic American muscle car is in many ways a reflection of America at a time in history when we were on top of the world and everything seemed to be going our way. This work will examine the classic muscle car era of 1964-1974, including how it started, who helped it along, what cars were involved, how it ended, and what it meant. What the future holds for a car such as a muscle car is also examined.

Analysis Of Mercury And Lead In Birds Of Prey From Gold-Mining Areas Of The Peruvian Amazon, Peggy Shrum

All Theses

This study was conducted to determine levels of lead and mercury in the raptors of the South-eastern Peruvian Amazon. The study took place within the Los Amigos Conservation Concession in Madre de Dios, Peru. Eighty-six raptors from among sixteen species were captured with Bal-Chatri traps. From each individual, feather samples were obtained for mercury analysis and blood was taken for lead analysis. Each raptor was then released without incident or injury.
Mercury amalgamation for gold extraction is widely used by small-scale, transient mining operations, which are numerous along the rivers and creeks in the tropical forests and other locations in …