Digital Commons Network^™

An Analysis Of State-By-State Variations In African American Incarceration Rates, Kristen Laura Johnson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

A great deal of social scientific research has examined the overrepresentation of African Americans in the American criminal justice system. Many of these analyses have focused on racial disparities in sentencing, and the disproportionate confinement of African Americans in jails and prisons. While the overrepresentation of African Americans in the criminal justice system is indisputable, explanations for this condition are often complex and controversial.

Arabidopsis Thaliana Glx2-1 Contains A Dinuclear Metal Binding Site, But Is Not A Glyoxalase 2, Pattraranee Limphong, Michael W. Crowder, Brian Bennett, Christopher A. Makaroff

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

In an effort to probe the structure and function of a predicted mitochondrial glyoxalase 2, GLX2-1, from Arabidopsis thaliana, GLX2-1 was cloned, overexpressed, purified and characterized using metal analyses, kinetics, and UV–visible, EPR, and ¹H-NMR spectroscopies. The purified enzyme was purple and contained substoichiometric amounts of iron and zinc; however, metal-binding studies reveal that GLX2-1 can bind nearly two equivalents of either iron or zinc and that the most stable analogue of GLX2-1 is the iron-containing form. UV–visible spectra of the purified enzyme suggest the presence of Fe(II) in the protein, but the Fe(II) can be oxidized over …

Dependence Of Domain Wall Structure For Low Field Injection Into Magnetic Nanowires, Andrew Kunz, Sarah C. Reiff

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

Micromagnetic simulation is used to model the injection of a domain wall into a magnetic nanowire with field strengths less than the so-called Walker field. This ensures fast, reliable motion of the wall. When the wire is located at the edge of a small injecting disk, a bias field used to control the orientation of the domain wall can reduce the pinning potential of the structure. The low field injection is explained by a simple model, which relies on the topological nature of a domain wall. The technique can quickly inject multiple domain walls with a known magnetic structure.

Student Learning Goals In Florida Public Universities: The Perceptions Of Student Affairs Professionals, Lindsay Bryant

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Student affairs administrators support student learning through interaction outside the classroom. Student affairs administrators have started to guide their work under student learning goals. In order for the student affairs professionals to work under student learning goals, it is imperative to have an understanding of which learning goals student affairs administrators perceive to be the highest priority to teach students.

This study is a descriptive study that examined student affairs professionals perceptions of specific learning goals for undergraduate education and specifically examined academic and student development learning goals. Data were gathered using the Student Learning Goals Inventory (SLGI), an …

Antivortex Dynamics In Magnetic Nanostripes, Andrew Kunz, Eric C. Breitbach, Andy J. Smith

Physics Faculty Research and Publications

In a thin magnetic nanostripe, an antivortex nucleates inside a moving domain wall when driven by an in-plane magnetic field greater than the so-called Walker field. The nucleated antivortex must cross the width of the nanostripe before the domain wall can propagate again, leading to low average domain wall speeds. A large out-of-plane magnetic field, applied perpendicularly to the plane of the nanostripe, inhibits the nucleation of the antivortex leading to fast domain wall speeds for all in-plane driving fields. We present micromagnetic simulation results relating the antivortex dynamics to the strength of the out-of-plane field. An asymmetry in the …

The Thought Processes Of Administrators As They Review And Make Evaluative Judgment Of A Second-Year Teacher Portfolio: A Qualitative Study, Terri Anne Lasswell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This qualitative study explored the thought processes of administrators as they reviewed and judged second-year teacher artifacts (a portfolio) relative to the Iowa teaching standards and criteria (ITS/criteria). In addition, data was collected pertaining to the tools principals used as they conducted portfolio evaluation and the amount of bearing the portfolio had on a licensure decision.

Data for the study was gathered via a think-aloud process in combination with guided interview questions. Nine principals participated in the study; three each from elementary, middle, and high school. The nine principals were also representative of rural, suburban, and urban geographic/demographic regions. The …

A Comparison Of Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Sexual Minority Students And Issues In Schools With And Without Gay Straight Alliances, Kelli Ranae Otis Brus

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' attitudes toward sexual minority students (including lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning students) and issues related to this population of students. A sample of 166 high school teachers from schools with and without gay-straight alliances (GSAs) were compared on several measures to determine if teachers from schools with GSAs were significantly more supportive toward sexual minority students and issues than teachers in schools without GSAs .. Participants completed research packets containing the Professional Attitude Index Scale (PAIS) (Sears, 1992), a hypothetical situation of homophobia in a classroom for participants to provide …

The Stuff That Affects You: Fiction, Poetry, And Doggerel, Lisa D. Brodersen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Inevitably writers write about the stuff that affects them. Maybe the stuff that affects them is life-altering, or in some way profound or sublime, like untimely death, divorce, or being in love. Or maybe it's the mundane stuff, like marbles, cats, crows, weeds, wind, rain, or riding a bike. This thesis includes fiction, poetry, and light verse (which I prefer to call doggerel) triggered by all of that stuff, but I've twisted and embellished it beyond the literal or whole truth, until what remains is nothing but the truth.

Technology Integration: A Study On The Impact Of Increased Technology Access, Gina Kuker

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Colleges with teacher education programs have struggled to integrate technology into the curriculum. While access to technology has increased and support for technology usage is present, technology integration has not dramatically changed within the majority of classrooms (Cuban, 2001; Opperheimer, 1997; Stenson & Bagwell, 1999). Education faculty members should model effective technology integration within their classrooms in order for their preservice educators to see examples of how to incorporate technology into teaching and learning. Teachers tend to teach the way that they were taught (Judson & Swanda, 2001; Lortie, 1975). Without seeing how to integrate technology use across content areas, …

The Effectiveness Of Colored Overlays On Reading Achievement And Attitudes Toward Reading For Students With Scotopic Sensitive Syndrome, Hanan Ali Bagabas

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study investigated the effects on students identified with Scotopic Sensitivity Syndrome (SSS) or Irlen Syndrome (IS) when using colored overlays as an intervention (immediately and over time) to assess reading performance (rate, accuracy, and comprehension); to measure visual-motor integration; and to assess attitude toward reading. SSS/IS is a visual perceptual problem related to a collection of symptoms that affects an individual's performance when reading. Three participants, all males (one 3rd -grade student, one 4th -grade student, and one 5th -grade student), were identified as having SSS/IS and other learning disabilities.

The study involved five test instruments (Irlen Reading Perceptual …

Secondary Preservice Teachers' Understanding Of Euclidean Geometry, Karen Sabey

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The lack of mathematical understanding of elementary preservice teachers with respect to many mathematical topics has been well documented. Far fewer studies have been conducted on any content area of knowledge of secondary teachers and even less in the mathematics content area. The assumption by the general population is that mathematics majors are adequately prepared to teach the content of secondary mathematics because they major in mathematics. Mathematics educators, however, note the lack of conceptual understandings in many content areas in these mathematics teaching majors. While mathematics educators are aware of this deficiency, there is little research data at the …

Preliminary Feasibility Of Dedicated Breast Ct With An Inverse Geometry, Taly Gilat-Schmidt

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In this study we theoretically investigated the minimum scan time of an inverse-geometry dedicated breast CT system that provides sufficient sampling and dose equivalent to mammography without exceeding the limits of source power or detector count rate. The inverse geometry, which utilizes a large-area scanned source and a narrower photon-counting detector, is expected to have improved dose efficiency compared to cone-beam methods due to reduced scatter effects and improved detector efficiency. The analysis assumed the specifications of available inverse-geometry source and detector hardware (SBDX, NovaRay, Inc, Newark CA). The scan time was calculated for a 10, 14, and 18-cm diameter …

Book Review: Cyber Security And Global Information Assurance: Threat Analysis And Response Solutions, Gary C. Kessler

Publications

This document is Dr. Kessler's review of Cyber Security and Global Information Assurance: Threat Analysis and Response Solutions, edited by Kenneth J. Knapp. Information Science Reference, 2009. ISBN: 978-1-60566-326-5.

Book Review: Escaping The Bonds Of Earth: The Fifties And The Sixties, T. D. Oswalt

Publications

This document is Dr. Oswalt’s review of by Ben Evans. Springer/Praxis, 2009 493p, 9780387790930 $39.95

Assessing The Legal Risks In Network Forensic Probing, Michael Losavio, Olfa Nasraoui, Vincent Thacker, Jeff Marean, Nick Miles, Roman Yampolskiy, Ibrahim Imam

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This paper presents a framework for identifying the legal risks associated with performing network forensics on public networks. The framework is discussed in the context of the Gnutella P2P network protocol for which the legal issues related to authorized access have not yet been addressed.

Using Sunflower Plots And Classification Trees To Study Typeface Legibility, Edgar C. Merkle, Barbara S. Chaparro

Publications

This article describes the application of sunflower plots and classification trees to the study of onscreen typeface legibility. The two methods are useful for describing high-dimensional data in an intuitive manner, which is crucial for interacting with both the typographers who design the typefaces and the practitioners who must make decisions about which typeface to use for specific applications. Furthermore, classification trees help us make specific recommendations for how much of a character attribute is “enough” to make it legible. We present examples of sunflower plots and classification trees using data from a recent typeface legibility experiment, and we present …

Forensic Analysis Of The Sony Playstation Portable, Scott Conrad, Carlos Rodriguez, Chris Marberry, Philip Craiger

Publications

The Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) is a popular portable gaming device with features such as wireless Internet access and image, music and movie playback. As with most systems built around a processor and storage, the PSP can be used for purposes other than it was originally intended – legal as well as illegal. This paper discusses the features of the PSP browser and suggests best practices for extracting digital evidence.

The Language Facilitation Training System: Vocal Verbal Behavior, Maija Graudins

Honors Theses

The Language Facilitation Training System (LFTS) is a subsystem of the Behavioral Research Supervisory System (BRSS). Both of these are contained within BATS, which is the Behavior Analysis Training System. These systems were developed by Dr. Richard Malott in one of the Behavior Analysis programs at Western Michigan University.

Implications For Nursing Involvement In Health Care Reform: An International Comparison, Erin Mccuen

Honors Theses

In this paper, a comparison of two countries' approaches to deliver healthcare services to their people and the practice of professional nursing will be presented. The report is based on a study abroad course where data were gathered about the two countries and included a ten day tour of Slovakia meeting many healthcare leaders and nursing students. A pictorial presentation of this report is attached (See Appendix) as evidence of the comparisons between the two health care systems. The United States of America and the Republic of Slovakia are two countries that have particularly interesting healthcare delivery and nursing practice …

Employee Personal Wellness Programs: Benefits And Barriers To Participation, Amanda Bakeris

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research study uses the health belief model as a theoretical framework for investigating employees' perceived costs and benefits to participation in a utility company's personal wellness program. A questionnaire was administered to the employees of the company gauging their current use of the program, as well as costs and benefits they perceive to affect participation. The barrier dimensions investigated were time-effort, social, physical effects, and specific obstacles. The benefit dimensions investigated were social, psychological, body image, and health. Based on the descriptive statistics and regression analysis, it was concluded that the benefits significantly related to participation, biometric participation, satisfaction, …

Understanding Parental Involvement In Youth Sports Through The Concept Of Serious Leisure, Greta Marie Giese

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to use the construct of serious leisure to identify to what extent parents are involved in their children's youth sports activities. A sample of 660 parents of children enrolled in Heartland Soccer Club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa or the Panther Pride Soccer Club in Cedar Falls, Iowa was surveyed. Both male and female parents from a variety of ages were surveyed. The research instrument for this study was the "Parental Involvement in Youth Soccer Questionnaire." This survey was created based on the categories of serious leisure and a 1997 article comparing serious leisure and …

The Effects Of Anonymity On Self Reports Of Depression And Alcohol Consumption, Yolanda Latrice Evans

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This research examined the impact of anonymity on self reports of alcohol consumption and depressive symptoms. Participants (N=363) were randomly assigned to one of two conditions: (1) Non anonymous or (2) Anonymous. All participants were administered the BDI and the MAST. Compared to the non anonymous group, those in the anonymous groups had significantly different higher means on the depression inventories. Women yielded significantly higher depression score means than men, but no significant differences were found between mean and women for alcohol use or between anonymous and non anonymous conditions. The level of alcohol use by both college men and …

Racial Prejudice And Political Orientation: A Test Of Dovidio And Gaertner’S Integrated Model Of Racism, Abbie Anne Chalupnik

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Although the direct expression of racial prejudice is no longer accepted in society, it has not altogether disappeared. Aversive racism is characterized by pro and anti-Black attitudes, which have been largely socialized, creating an intrapsychic conflict sometimes causing overcompensation in favor of minorities (Nail, Harton, & Decker, 2003). Modern racism stems from traditional values and the Protestant work ethic, and is expressed through attitudes about social policies yet remains fundamentally racist (Kinder & Sears, 1981; Sears & McConahay, 1973). This study extended Dovidio and Gaertner's (1998) Integrated Model of Racism, which links political liberals with the expression of aversive racism …

Protecting A Parent's Right To Counsel In Child Welfare Cases, Vivek Sankaran

Articles

A national consensus is emerging that zealous leagal representation for parents is crucial to ensure that the child welfare system produces just outcomes for children. Parents' lawyers protect important constitutional rights, prevent the unnecessary entry of children into foster care and guide parents through a complex system.

Middle School Parents' Perceptions Of Career And Technical Education, Virginia R. Powers Jones

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This study explored middle school parents' perceptions of the contributions career and technical education could make to their child's educational or workforce plans. It also examined what actions parents undertake to influence their child's plans, specifically the impact of the career exploration tool, Coin Career Community©, on their actions. Last, the study explored the correlation between the course choices students made in ninth grade relative to their parents' perceptions.

This study took place at Halifax County Middle School, located in South Boston, Virginia, in spring 2009. This school was the only middle school in the county with a student population …

Comparative Study Of Forward And Diffusely Scattered Light In A Coherently Prepared Ultracold Rubidium Gas, Rocio Gisel Olave Gonzalez

Physics Theses & Dissertations

A comparison between forward and diffusely scattered light propagating in a coherently prepared ultracold ⁸⁷Rb atomic vapor is presented. This research is part of the ongoing effort to characterize the processes, such as diffusion, that contribute to coherence loss in atomic media under conditions of electromagnetically induced transparency, for applications in realistic systems. Toward this end, a magneto optical trap (MOT) of ⁸⁷Rb has been built, and the atomic vapor sample characterized in terms of atomic density, shape and size, temperature, and optical depth. Next, two co-propagating beams were sent through the sample, to establish an electromagnetically induced …

Transformation Paradox: A Framework For The Analysis Of Politics In Enterprise Transformations, Cindy S. Miller

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to develop a theoretical framework for the analysis of politics in enterprise transformations using a dialectical analysis approach (Hegel, 1989; Heraclitus, 1979; Pinkard, 1988; Skinner, 1978a, 1978b) and conduct an evaluation of the framework validity. The framework is constructed using a dialectical analysis of concepts stemming from the work of Alford and Friedland (1992) and considers four theoretical perspectives: autocratic, bureaucratic, pluralistic, and cognitive. The framework is then validated by means of qualitative metrics and adherence to critical ideology.

This research addresses the problem that there is no holistic theoretical framework for the analysis …

Ecology And Molecular Phylogenetics Of Hydnora (Hydnoraceae) In Southern Africa, Jay Francis Bolin

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The Hydnoraceae are a clade of root holoparasitic angiosperms that contain two small genera, Hydnora and Prosopanche. This study, focused on Hydnora, presents novel data regarding the pollination biology, germination ecology, parasite-host nutritional relationships, and the molecular systematics of this group. Experimental addition of the primary pollinator, Dermestes maculatus to Hydnora africana chamber flowers demonstrated beetle imprisonment during the carpellate stage. Changes in the inner surfaces of the androecial chamber allowed beetle escape after pollen release. Most beetles escaped, dusted with viable pollen, three days after pollen release. To investigate germination ecology, aqueous root extracts of host and …

Did Christ Predict That He Would Return In The First Century?: Reflections On Luke 21:24b And Its Phrase “Times Of The Gentiles” In Historicist Perspective, John T. Baldwin

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Back To The Beginning: Genesis 1–3 And The Theological Center Of Scripture, Richard M. Davidson

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.