Digital Commons Network^™

"The Thought Of What America": Ezra Pound’S Strange Optimism, John Gery

English Faculty Publications

Through a reconsideration of Ezra Pound’s early poem "Cantico del Sole" (1918), an apparently satiric look at American culture in the early twentieth century, this essay argues how the poem, in fact, expresses some of the tenets of Pound’s more radical hopes for American culture, both in his unorthodox critiques of the 1930s in ABC of Reading, Jefferson and/or Mussolini, and Guide to Kulchur and, more significantly, in his epic poem, The Cantos. The essay contends that, despite Pound’s controversial economic and political views in his prose (positions which contributed to his arrest for treason in 1945), …

Compositional Characteristics And Hydration Behavior Of Mineral Trioxide Aggregates, Wen-Hsi Wang, Chen-Ying Wang, Yow-Chyun Shyu, Cheing-Meei Liu, Feng-Huei Lin, Chun-Pin Lin

Journal of Dental Sciences

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) was one of most popular biomaterials for endodontic treatment in the past decade. Its superb biocompatibility, sealing ability and surface for tissue adhesion all make MTA a potential candidate for many dental applications, such as apexification, perforation repair, repair of root resorption, and as a root-end filling material. There are many review articles regarding the physical, chemical and biological properties of MTA. However, there are few reviews discussing the relationship between the composition and hydration behavior of MTA. The aim of this article was to provide a systematic review regarding the compositional characteristics and hydration behavior …

Refractory Apical Periodontitis Associated With A Calculus-Like Deposit At The Root Apex, Cheng-Mei Yang, Yao-Dung Hsieh, Shue-Fen Yang

Journal of Dental Sciences

In this case report, we describe a refractory case in which a calculus-like deposit was found at the apical root surfaces of two adjacent teeth. This case involved a 45-year-old male with a sinus tract at the labial mucosa of the maxillary left central incisor, which did not heal after conventional root canal treatment of the maxillary left lateral incisor. Periradicular radiolucencies and unusual radio-opacities were noted on the root surfaces of the vital maxillary left central incisor and prior endodontically treated lateral incisor. Subsequent surgery found calculus-like particles at the root surface of both teeth. A pathology examination revealed …

Effects Of Implant Threads On The Contact Area And Stress Distribution Of Marginal Bone, Chia-Ching Lee, Shang-Chih Lin, Ming-Jen Kang, Shu-Wei Wu, Ping-Yuen Fu

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose Stable osseointegration between implant threads and the surrounding marginal bone provides the mechanical base of an implant for daily chewing activity. The contact area of implant-bone interfaces and the concentrated stresses on the marginal bones are principal concerns of implant designers. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of thread shape and taper on the initial stability of the implant-bone structure. Materials and methods The thread design was parameterized by shape and taper. Thread shapes included symmetrical, square, and buttressed. Thread tapers were divided into cylindrical and conical profiles. Nine variations of the thread design were …

Antimicrobial Resistance And Presence Of Integrons In Salmonella Isolated From Animals And Humans In The United States Of America And Uganda, Michael Wandanje Mahero

Food Safety

Salmonella has been cited as one of the leading causes of food borne illness world wide and in the United States (US), as well as an indicator organism for studying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) trends. The objective of this study was to characterise AMR patterns of Salmonella isolates from animals and humans in North Dakota, US, and Kampala, Uganda, and determine the association between the observed AMR and presence of class 1 integrons. Salmonella isolates were collected from the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) at North Dakota State University and the North Dakota Department of Health respectively from 2003-2008. Samples were also …

The Civil Behavior Of Students: A Survey Of School Professionals, Keely Wilkins, Paul Caldarella, Rachel Crook-Lyon, K. Richard Young

Faculty Publications

Many authors regard education as a way of increasing civility in society, and some have implemented interventions to improve civility in schools. However, very little empirical data exist on the extent and nature of students' civil behavior. The present study systematically gathered data from 251 school professionals regarding their perceptions of students' civil and uncivil behaviors. Participants perceived students' civil behaviors as occurring more frequently than uncivil behaviors; however, they also indicated a need to increase civil behavior in schools. They provided suggestions on how to accomplish this goal, which include providing direct instruction, modeling civil behavior, incorporating positive behavior …

Development Of Cytarabine Prodrugs And Delivery Systems For Leukemia Treatment, Bhupender S. Chhikara, Keykavous Parang

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Importance of the field: Cytarabine is a polar nucleoside drug used for the treatment of myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The drug has a short plasma half-life, low stability, and limited bioavailability. Overdosing of patients with continuous infusions may lead to side effects. Thus, various prodrug strategies and delivery systems have been extensively explored to enhance the half-life, stability, and delivery of cytarabine. Among the recent cytarabine prodrugs, amino acid conjugate ValCytarabine and fatty acid derivative CP-4055 (in phase 3 trials) have been investigated for the treatment of leukemia and solid tumors, respectively. Alternatively, delivery systems of cytarabine have …

Strategies For The Scientific Progress Of The Developing Countries In The New Millennium: The Case Of Serbia In Comparison With Slovenia And South Korea, Vuk Uskoković, Milica Ševkušić, Dragan P. Uskoković

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

The underlying premise of this essay is the hypothesis that quality and significance of scientific research in any given society could be used as mirrors reflecting its true prosperity. By comparing the two cases of comparatively prosperous scientific management of South Korea and Slovenia, with the example of Serbia, illustrating the poor scientific and industrial productivity typically faced by the developing countries, a few general guidelines for the evolution of a society towards higher scientific and social prominence are outlined. It is argued that the most favourable pattern of growth should be based on the parallel progress in control of …

Major Challenges For The Modern Chemistry In Particular And Science In General, Vuk Uskoković

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

In the past few hundred years, science has exerted an enormous influence on the way the world appears to human observers. Despite phenomenal accomplishments of science, science nowadays faces numerous challenges that threaten its continued success. As scientific inventions become embedded within human societies, the challenges are further multiplied. In this critical review, some of the critical challenges for the field of modern chemistry are discussed, including: (a) interlinking theoretical knowledge and experimental approaches; (b) implementing the principles of sustainability at the roots of the chemical design; (c) defining science from a philosophical perspective that acknowledges both pragmatic and realistic …

Hcmv Pus28 Initiates Pro-Migratory Signaling Via Activation Of Pyk2 Kinase, Jennifer Totonchy, Susan Varnum, Ryan Melnychuk, Patricia Smith, Ljiliana Pasa-Tolic, Janani I. Shutthanadan, Daniel N. Streblow

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Background: Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) has been implicated in the acceleration of vascular disease and chronic allograft rejection. Recently, the virus has been associated with glioblastoma and other tumors. We have previously shown that the HCMV-encoded chemokine receptor pUS28 mediates smooth muscle cell (SMC) and macrophage motility and this activity has been implicated in the acceleration of vascular disease. pUS28 induced SMC migration involves the activation of the protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) Src and Focal adhesion kinase as well as the small GTPase RhoA. The PTK Pyk2 has been shown to play a role in cellular migration and formation of cancer, …

Vector Delivery Technique Affects Gene Transfer In The Cornea In Vivo, Rajiv R. Mohan, Ajay Sharma, Tyler C. Cebulko, Ashish Tandon

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Purpose: This study tested whether controlled drying of the cornea increases vector absorption in mouse and rabbit corneas in vivo and human cornea ex vivo, and studied the effects of corneal drying on gene transfer, structure and inflammatory reaction in the mouse cornea in vivo.

Methods: Female C57 black mice and New Zealand White rabbits were used for in vivo studies. Donor human corneas were used for ex vivo experiments. A hair dryer was used for drying the corneas after removing corneal epithelium by gentle scraping. The corneas received no, once, twice, thrice, or five times warm air for …

Exploring Communication Used Between The Marginalized And The Hegemonic, Denise Brown Swain

Communication

The underclass, the underprivileged, and the impoverished are in an ongoing fight to get their voice heard. To accomplish a vocal position in society, this group must overcome a dismantling by their privileged adversaries. Success is first achieved by exhibiting fierce resilience. Next, it is important for this silenced group to defend and justify their need to be heard. The intent of this study is to illustrate the communication that exists between marginalized groups and hegemonic groups. Marginalized groups are faced with oppression by hegemonic groups. How the marginalized sustain themselves through communication is the thrust of this study. The …

Teaching Encryption: A Learning Theory Approach, Manu Kishore Bhogadi

Computer Science

Bloom's taxonomy for cognitive domain is an effective taxonomy for structured learning. The six levels in Bloom's taxonomy for cognitive domain are based on the levels of difficulty. This paper focuses on teaching communication security and encryption by applying Bloom's taxonomy in the creation of educational materials and assessments. Delivering education material to the mobile phones is made possible with the advancement of mobile technologies, and the use of mobile technologies in teaching is gaining popularity because of its benefits. In this paper, delivering educational material to the mobile phones is experimented with by using a flash cards application for …

From Infanticide To Activism: The Transformation Of Emotions And Identity In Self-Help Movements, Verta Taylor, Lisa A. Leitz

Peace Studies Faculty Books and Book Chapters

Taylor and Leitz trace processes of collective identity construction and politicization among women suffering from postpartum psychiatric illness who have been convicted of infanticide. Joining a growing body of research suggesting that self‐help and consumer health movements can be a significant force for change in both the cultural and political arenas, Taylor and Lietz examine one such movement, a pen‐pal network of women incarcerated for committing infanticide. Taylor and Leitz show how a sense of collective identity fostered by the pen‐pal network triggered a profound emotional transformation in participants, allowing them to convert shame and loneliness into pride and solidarity, …

Rend: Reliable And Energy-Efficient Node-Disjoint Paths In Wireless Sensor Networks, Siva Yanteru

Computer Science

In wireless sensor networks, finding most reliable and most efficient paths between source node and destination node is considered NP hard problem. We can increase reliability by ability to find node-disjoint alternate path when there is any disruption in the path from source to destination. If we can find reliable paths by keeping efficiency in consideration then we can increase both reliability and efficiency of paths between source and destination. In this paper, we present routing protocol for finding two node-disjoint paths between each pair of nodes in a wireless sensor networks. In proposed protocol, each and every node has …

Athletic Fundraising And University Development Offices: A Structurational Relationship, Keith Michael Dickhudt

Computer Science

This case study examines the working relationship between an athletic department and a central development office within a university. This study focuses primarily on the coordination of fundraising efforts between the two offices. A qualitative approach, using a structuration theoretical framework, presents the working relationship at Midwestern State University (MWSU) through in-depth interviews. Results suggest the two offices could improve the coordination of fundraising efforts. Recommendations, based on the results and theoretical framework, are given.

Achieving A Sustainable Concrete Design And Construction, Ankush Satishchandra Agrawal

Construction Management and Engineering

Concrete is one of the key materials in the construction industry. But today, the use of concrete and its production has become a matter of environmental concern throughout the world. This statement is true especially for the manufacturing process of cement. One of the major problems is emission of CO2 gas into the atmosphere during the manufacturing of cement. Every ton of concrete produced leads to emission of one ton of carbon dioxide gas. Hence replacement of cement by alternative materials has been investigated by many researchers. In the past, fly ash has been the most common replacement. This study, …

Voter Disenfranchisement, Timothy Walter Peterson

Criminal Justice and Political Science

This paper examines the policy of voter disenfranchisement and how it disproportionately affects minorities. Voter disenfranchisement is the denial of voting rights to the criminally convicted. The research indicates African Americans are significantly disproportionally affected by this policy when compared to white Americans. Currently, the United States Supreme Court has allowed states to incorporate their own policy for disenfranchising felons residing in their state. The recommendation of this paper is to create a uniform policy for voter disenfranchisement among the fifty states, which would allow for any eligible voter living in the community to vote. The policy would only deny …

Arts In Architecture, John Holten

Architecture Theses

The fine arts can be viewed as divine marker to a cultural identity. As a non-essential activity to the survival of man, arts are infused with all of the free thought of the contemporary. More specifically, theatre is a direct correlation between the arts, architecture, and the human body; making a direct connection between culture and the built form. Even as cultural evolution transends generations the link between arts and architecture will be finite. Grand Forks, North Dakota has an ever-expanding culture of arts. Rapid growth brings the possibility of great change and has the potential to spark new ideas. …

Maintaining The Integrity Of The Public Library Building In The Digital Age, Alexander J. Engle

Architecture Theses

Today’s public library building sits in a peculiar position as media changes from the tactile to the digital. The thesis aims to illustrate the continued importance of the library as a physical place within the community. No longer a place simply to store books, the library has become a place for human interaction, a place for public discourse, and a place for continued education. Far from obsoletion, the public library building will continue to be a crucial place within the community for many years to come. A Mixed Method approach to research will be used, gathering both quantitative and qualitative …

Methods For Ethanol Production From The Enzymatic Hydrolysis And Fermentation Of Sugar Beet Pulp, Rachel Elizabeth Rorick

Agribusiness and Biosystems Engineering

Sugar beet pulp (SBP), the residue remaining after sucrose extraction, is currently sold as an animal feed. Humans cannot digest the cellulose in the pulp unlike ruminant animals. The pulp is primarily comprised of cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin which can be hydrolyzed with commercial enzymes into fermentable sugars such as, glucose, arabinose, galacturonic acid, xylose, and galactose. These sugars can be fermented to produce ethanol. This research tested the variation of several enzymes, enzyme loading rates, solids loading rates, and fermenting organisms to increase ethanol yields from sugar beet pulp. Several commercial enzymes (cellulases, hemicellulases, pectinases, and proteases) were tested …

Introduction To America's Four Gods: What We Say About God And What That Says About Us, Paul Froese, Christoper Bader

Sociology Faculty Books and Book Chapters

Despite all the hype surrounding the "New Atheism," the United States remains one of the most religious nations on Earth. In fact, 95% of Americans believe in God--a level of agreement rarely seen in American life. The greatest divisions in America are not between atheists and believers, or even between people of different faiths. What divides us, this groundbreaking book shows, is how we conceive of God and the role He plays in our daily lives.

America's Four Gods draws on the most wide-ranging, comprehensive, and illuminating survey of American's religious beliefs ever conducted to offer a systematic exploration of …

The Religious Divide: Why Religion Seems To Be Thriving In The United States And Waning In Europe, Steven Pfaff

Sociology Faculty Books and Book Chapters

"In the decades following the Second World War, most social scientists expected convergence among the Western industrial democracies. Modernization was expected to bring prosperity and opportunity, initiating a “culture shift” to posttraditional values and lifestyles.

However, in recent years observers have remarked on a growing divide between Europeans and Americans. This divergence may be nowhere greater than in the religious sphere. While faith is loudly proclaimed and a bustling diversity of religious organizations jostles for attention in all arenas of public life in the United States, the European Union (EU) is described as thoroughly secularized, comprised of societies in which …

Elements Of The Office Workspace, Michael Stueven

Architecture Theses

When examining office buildings in the world today, it is proper to look deeper at the correlation between productivity and the environments in which people work. In analyzing the office spaces, studies have shown that elements, such as the amount of natural light and views seen from each individual space can influence productivity. Designing an office environment in a manner that incorporates the natural environment works toward increasing productivity of workers occupying the building. Focusing on the qualitative aspects of the working environment, this research is directed towards the productivity of the office environment in relation to the natural environment. …

Our Top 12 "Key Instructional Elements" That Help To Build An Excellent Lesson And High Quality Physical Education Program, Robert S. Christenson, David C. Barney

Faculty Publications

One of the most fundamental issues in teaching, arguably the biggest, is discovering the most effective lesson elements for each group of learners. This includes a solid curriculum, performance objectives, age-appropriate pedagogical ingredients, ability-level activities and assessments focused on measuring learning to create a great lesson. When these elements are blended artistically with a variety of classroom management skills, necessary equipment, instructional support resources, behavior management rules and high expectations in a nurturing environment, the teacher has created the best possible learning atmosphere for each individual student.

Below, the authors have identified twelve important instructional elements for teachers to incorporate …

Kbb: A Knowledge-Bundle Builder For Research Studies, Deryle W. Lonsdale, David W. Embley, Stephen W. Liddle, Aaron Stewart, Cui Tao

Faculty Publications

Researchers struggle to manage vast amounts of data coming from hundreds of sources in online repositories. To successfully conduct research studies, researchers need to find, retrieve, filter, extract, integrate, organize, and share information in a timely and high-precision manner. Active conceptual modeling for learning can give researchers the tools they need to perform their tasks in a more efficient, user-friendly, and computer-supported way. The idea is to create “knowledge bundles” (KBs), which are conceptual-model representations of organized information superimposed over a collection of source documents. A “knowledgebundle builder” (KBB) helps researchers develop KBs in a synergistic and incremental manner and …

Japanese Elicited Imitation: Asr-Based Oral Proficiency Test And Optimal Item Creation, Hitokazu Matsushita, Deryle Londsdale, Dan Dewey

Faculty Publications

In this study we discuss the development of an optimal ASR-based grading system for an L2 oral proficiency test with a method called elicited imitation (EI). We also discuss EI test item creation from a linguistic point of view. Based on two issues found in a previous study (Matsushita & LeGare, 2010) we also investigate creation of improved language models for EI grading with speech corpus data. Finally, we examine the effectiveness of new EI items in our empirical study and suggest a method to retrieve authentic EI test items from corpus data.

Addressing And Improving Technology Integration Skills For Preservice Teachers Using The Teacher Work Sample, Charles R. Graham, Tonya Tripp, Nancy Wentworth

Faculty Publications

This study explores the efforts at Brigham Young University to improve preservice candidates’ technology integration using the Teacher Work Sample (TWS) as an assessment tool. Baseline data that was analyzed from 95 TWSs indicated that students were predominantly using technology for productivity and information presentation purposes even though they had been taught to use technology for active student learning. Researchers discovered that decisions made about technology integration were heavily influenced by field instructors and TWS rubrics. An intervention plan was developed to train field instructors and 99 TWSs were analyzed the following year. The TWSs showed noticeable improvements including increases …

Entrepreneurial Success: Differing Perceptions Of Entrepreneurs And Venture Capitalists, Ervin L. Black, F. Greg Burton, David A. Wood, Aaron F. Zimbelman

Faculty Publications

The recent credit crisis has made it more difficult for entrepreneurs to find funding. It is increasingly important for entrepreneurs to know what is important to venture capitalists (VCs) when they make their funding decisions. We interview entrepreneurs and VCs to determine traits these groups perceive as necessary for entrepreneurial success. We find that entrepreneurs cite traits inherent to their nature significantly more than VCs. Additionally, entrepreneurs who do not have previous VC funding experience differ significantly from VCs in identifying important factors for VC funding. In contrast, entrepreneurs with previous VC funding experience did not differ from VCs in …

Innovations And Barriers In Health Microinsurance, Sheila Leatherman, Lisa Jones Christensen, Jeanna Holtz

Faculty Publications

Health microinsurance (HMI) offers a promising way to mitigate the risks of disease and ill health, which are disproportionately borne by the world’s poorest citizens. Despite that HMI is a relatively new phenomenon, recent figures indicate that approximately 40 million people worldwide have some form of HMI coverage, principally in India.

The emergence of HMI programmes worldwide provides hope that the poor will receive, at a minimum, a reliable, adequate level of access to affordable healthcare. Research shows that access to HMI reduces out-of-pocket health expenses, especially for catastrophic health events, and improves access to quality health care for those …