Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Pedestrian Countdown Timers On Safety And Efficiency Of Operations At Signalized Inersections, Anuj Sharma, Jacob Schmitz

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

More Than Memories? Schema Transference From Media Characters To Real People, Hilary Ray

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study focused on whether personality traits and evaluations of television personalities are used to make inferences about new Social interaction partners. It tested the hypothesis that priming schemas of television personalities will bias inferences made about a stranger. The results were mixed. Participants in the experimental condition made more biased inferences about a stranger than did participants in the control condition. This transference was not influenced by participants' parasociability, and methodological limitations prevented conclusive study of the influence of affective evaluations in this effect. Future studies should attempt to increase methodological control and introduce a diverse set of measures …

In Vitro Selection Of Aptamers Against Avian Influenza Virus H5n1, Jingjing Zhao

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over $10 billion losses in the poultry industry were caused by avian influenza (AI) so far. Rapid and specific detection of avian influenza virus is urgently needed with the concerns over the outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 influenza virus and cases of animal and human infection. Aptamers are oligonucleic acid or peptide molecules that bind a specific target molecule with good affinity. They show better thermal stability than antibodies. The goal of this research was to select DNA-aptamers as the specific recognition element of AI H5N1virus to be used in detection assays specific for field application. In this study, Systematic …

School Leaders' Effect On Technology, Irene Amos Causey

Dissertations

Because of increasing heavy investments in technology during an era of accountability within K-12 public schools, school leaders are expected to be flexible and innovative in order to produce the most effective and efficient use of technology. School leaders in this research study included principals, assistant principals, and technology coordinators from intercoastal elementary, middle, and high public schools in South Mississippi. This causal comparative study examined whether or not a correlation existed among school leaders’ attitude toward technology use and years of technology training, confidence and comfort using technology and school accreditation level, school leaders’ preparation for technology use and …

Performance Analysis And Fitness Of Gpgpu And Multicore Architectures For Scientific Applications, Mohammad Bhuiyan

All Dissertations

Recent trends in computing architecture development have focused on exploiting task- and data-level parallelism from applications. Major hardware vendors are experimenting with novel parallel architectures, such as the Many Integrated Core (MIC) from Intel that integrates 50 or more x86 processors on a single chip, the Accelerated Processing Unit from AMD that integrates a multicore x86 processor with a graphical processing unit (GPU), and many other initiatives from other hardware vendors that are underway.
Therefore, various types of architectures are available to developers for accelerating an application. A performance model that predicts the suitability of the architecture for accelerating an …

The Update, December 2011, University Of Northern Iowa. College Of Humanities, Arts And Sciences.

Update

Inside this issue:

-- Two UNI Alums to Graduate with Doctoral Degrees
-- Department News
-- UNI Department of Theatre: Guernica Re-Cap
-- Art High School Scholarship Day
-- Faculty member Awarded Fellowship
-- School of Music Events
-- Student Spotlight: Department of Art: Erlinda Babauta
-- Military Veteran and UNI Alumnus Joins the Center for Teaching and Learning Mathematics
-- UNI Geology Students Explore Heavy Metal: Learning How to Rock!
-- Modern Motives: Influences in Today's Art
-- New U.S.-Brazil Program in Communication Disorders
-- Student Spotlight: Department of Math: Nathan Bradfield

Digitally-Controlled Deep Brain Stimulation Lead Implant System, Matthew Joseph Phillips

Master's Theses

Deep brain stimulation, the treatment of disorders by applying electrical stimulation to brain tissue, is a relatively new field of medicine with great potential to provide cures for neurological disorders. It utilizes a system very similar to a cardiac pacemaker and lead to electrically stimulate brain tissue. This electrical stimulation is programmed to disrupt or mask aberrant brain signals while not impeding the normal function of the brain. The advances in implantable pulse generators designed for deep brain stimulation have been remarkable, and the applications for deep brain stimulation continue to grow including multiple sclerosis (Berk, et al. 2002), severe …

Guidelines For Addressing Distance And Correspondence Education : A Guide For Evaluators Charged With Reviewing Distance And Correspondence Education, Southern Association Of Colleges And Schools. Commission On Colleges.

Online Learning Guidelines and Reports

This Guide provides assistance for committee members when preparing to serve as evaluators of distance and correspondence education. It should be used in conjunction with the Principles of Accreditation, the Resource Manual, and the Handbook for Peer Evaluators as well as the Commission policy "Distance and Correspondence Education."

Financial Sector Development And Economic Growth: A Theoretical Exposition, Peter N. Umoh

Economic and Financial Review

The various literature and studies reviewed in this exposition have underscored the positive impacts of a developed financial sector on an economy. Whilst a few studies showed that finance follows growth, the majority opinion is that finance leads growth. Unfortunately, growth has not led to economic development in many developing economies, necessitating intervention by such bodies as the United Nations, International Labour Organization and United Nations Development Programme. Economists are equally concerned about this development and have, therefore, conducted studies to show the relationship between economic growth and poverty alleviation. They generally agreed that growth is good for poverty reduction.

Financing The Real Sector For Sustainable Economic Growth In Nigeria: Performance, Challenges And Prospects, O. B. Obembe

Economic and Financial Review

This paper examines some of the challenges constraining the financial sector in stimulating sustainable growth in Nigeria. It observes that for a successful real sector financing in Nigeria, a culture of accountability and transparency in the conduct of our national affairs must be taken seriously. The quality of governance must also be improved, to ensure that the legal framework for economic activities is well strengthened, such that the protection of creditors‘ rights may not be jeopardised.

Policy Choices And Challenges In Expanding Access To Finance For Growth In Rural Nigeria, Anthony E. Akinlo

Economic and Financial Review

Access to finance, in general, is fundamental to growth and development. A well-functioning financial market assists in channeling funds to their most productive uses, and allocates risks to those who can best bear it. An efficient financial sector that responds to the needs of the private sector increases investment, enhances economic growth, creates job opportunities and improves income distribution.

Financing Infrastructure And Growth: Lessons And Experience, Ahmed Mansur

Economic and Financial Review

The paper addresses the issue of finance for infrastructure, the adequacy or otherwise of the traditional annuall budgetary allocation, and alternative methods for funding infrastructure. The potentials of the stockmarket in filling the financing gap, option of Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement in upscaling our infrastructure is examined. The paper covers an assessment of the merits and demerits of PPP, the PPP process and framework in Nigeria, and how Nigeria could benefit from the experiences of other jurisdictions.

The Central Bank Of Nigeria And Its Developmental Functions: A Review Of Current Initiatives, Cajethan M. Anyanwu

Economic and Financial Review

The paper x-rays the role of the Central Bank of Nigeria as an agent of economic development. The central bank impacts the economy via: ensuring monetary and price stability; management of external reserves; issue of legal tender currency; financial system management; the payments system; and developmental roles. Its developmental role has been given special attention in recent years with its intervention in the real sector.

Financial Sector Development And Economic Growth: A Theoretical Exposition., P.N. Umoh

Economic and Financial Review

The various literature and studies reviewed in this exposition have underscored the positive impacts of a developed financial sector on an economy. Whilst a few studies showed that finance follows growth, the majority opinion is that finance leads growth. Unfortunately, growth has not led to economic development in many developing economies, necessitating intervention by such bodies as the United Nations, International Labour Organization and United Nations Development Programme. Economists are equally concerned about this development and have, therefore, conducted studies to show the relationship between economic growth and poverty alleviation. They generally agreed that growth is good for poverty reduction. …

The Millennium Development Goals: What Role For The Financial Sector In Nigeria., J. Aremu

Economic and Financial Review

Explanations from this paper revealed that financial sector development can make an important contribution to economic growth and poverty reduction. This is especially likely to be true in Nigeria, whose financial sectors is still developing, and without which economic development of the country as well as achievement of the MDGs may be constrained, even if other necessary conditions are met. It was discovered that the poor in the country, who are the target for the achievement of the MDGs often do not have access to ongoing, formal financial services, and are forced to rely instead on a narrow range of …

The Central Bank Of Nigeria And Its Developmental Functions: A Review Of Current Initiatives., C.M. Anyanwu

Economic and Financial Review

The paper x-rayed the role of the Central Bank of Nigeria as an agent of economic development. The central bank impacts the economy via: ensuring monetary and price stability; management of external reserves; issue of legal tender currency; financial system management; the payments system; and developmental roles. Its developmental role has been given special attention in recent years with its intervention in the real sector. Monetary and price stability is a necessary but not sufficient condition for attaining higher growth rate and development. Other necessary conditions for the attainment of Vision 2020 include, but not limited to, harmonious and consistent …

Ipulse: December 2011, Lynn University

Student Newspapers

Issues:

• December 1, 2011
• December 5, 2011
• December 6, 2011
• December 7, 2011

Tennessee Forestry Commission Annual Report 2011, Tennessee. Department Of Agriculture.

Forestry Commission Annual Report

No abstract provided.

2010-2011 Annual Report Of The Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, Tennessee. Department Of Commerce And Insurance.

Emergency Communications Board Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Toward A Constructive Engagement: Agricultural Biotechnology As A Public Health Incentive In Less-Developed Countries, Chidi Oguamanam

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Discourses on global public health crises, especially as they impact the less-developed world, focus mostly on the issue of access to life-saving drugs for needy populations. Also, they implicate the misalignment of global pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) agenda with the health needs of the poor. Equally attracting significant attention is the role of intellectual property in driving up the cost of drugs and exacerbating the drug access freeze to needy populations. More often, the conceptual strings of these discussions are woven around a complex interaction of themes, including those of globalization, the development narrative, and strategic changes in international …

Current And Emerging Issues In The New Urban Agriculture: A Case Study, Kathryn A. Peters

Journal of Food Law & Policy

Urban agriculture takes many forms, including individual gardens on privately owned land, neighborhood gardens, community gardens, and gardens located on church and school grounds, housing developments, and other publicly owned property. The most essential factors for successful urban agriculture efforts include land acquisition, zoning ordinances, access to affordable water, infrastructure, and support services such as education and outreach. Cities across the United States have formed task forces with the mission of making their cities more sustainable or strengthening the local food supply system; urban agriculture is instrumental in both of these missions. Major cities across the United States are recognizing …

Understanding Systems Experience: The Centrality Of Perception In The Context Of Healthcare Quality And Cost Management, Heather Grooms

Student Scholarship

Hospitals are increasingly challenged to improve healthcare quality while reducing costs but key actors in healthcare, specifically physicians (as leaders or clinicians) and administrators, are not always aligned in how to do it. What emerged in this qualitative analysis were three fundamental areas embedded in systems experience – people, structure, and perception, of which perception is the key driver. Additionally, processes are how people describe systems experiences and moral dilemmas are sources of system tensions. What causes a system to become a living entity – or to function with fluidity versus turbulence – is embedded in people. The centeredness of …

Entrepreneurs And Their Companies In A Post-Entrepreneurial World, Larry Griffith

Student Scholarship

The integration of an entrepreneur into another organization is considered by many to be a difficult or even impossible task. At the same time entrepreneurs are potentially valuable resources for any organization seeking to gain competitive advantage, enter new markets, or to find effective means to resolve standing managerial issues. One method of successful integration demands smooth meshing of the entrepreneur's company and its employees into the new organization. We examine conditions for such smooth transition. Two significant findings emerge. First specific entrepreneurial skills and capabilities, which allow entrepreneurs to be successful in their new role, are similar to those …

Transformational Learning For Organizational Change: Exploring Employee Experiences With A Student Affairs Workplace Professional Development Program, Katherine Erin Vahey

Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to explore a professional development curriculum in an institution of higher education. This case study advocates that all student affairs employees undergo continuous professional development training to provide collective understanding of essential workplace concepts necessary for effective organizational development. The research question-- How do student affairs employees experience workplace training as it contributes to organizational development?--addresses the confluence of two areas of higher education literature: transformative learning for education practitioner's professional growth and best practices for higher education organizational development. Using a constructivist, case study-narrative design, this research explores employee experiences with a professional …

All I Am: Defining Music As An Emotional Catalyst Through A Sociological Study Of Emotions, Gender And Culture, Adrienne M. Trier-Bieniek

Dissertations

This dissertation, "'All I Am': Defining Music as an Emotional Catalyst through a Sociological Study of Emotions, Gender and Culture", is based in the sociology of emotions, gender and culture and guided by symbolic interactionist and feminist standpoint theory. A primary focus is on understanding the emotional and empowering relationships women build with music that is written and performed by women, especially if they are using the music for emotional support or as a means to heal themselves. This study examines the cultural, emotional and gendered role music plays in day-to-day social life using data collected during forty-two semi-structured interviews …

A Qualitative Study On The Experiences Black Adolescent Females Have With Cyber-Bullying In An Urban High School Environment, Paul Miller

Education Doctoral

This study examines and analyzes the effects of cyberbullying among adolescent Black females in an urban setting. This population is largely excluded from Digital Youth Culture (DYC) research within cyberbullying literature (Patchin & Hinduja, 2006), even though such research is clearly warranted. To understand school violence, students must be viewed as social actors, experiencing the negative ramifications of DYC in school. These ramifications result from an imbalance of power generated through the use of aggressive tactics designed to damage a teen’s reputation, social status, and emotional well being. Currently, no research reports how cyberbullying manifests itself in an urban context, …

The Lived Experiences Of Families Who Have Attended A Cardiogenetics Clinic, Esma D. Paljevic

Education Doctoral

This study explored the lived experiences of the family members who have participated in a Cardiogenetics Clinic at The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, which utilizes an interprofessional approach to care. A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to explore the lived experience of the families. Families that are referred to the clinic have suffered the loss of a family member to sudden cardiac death (SCD). This interprofessional model of care offers information regarding SCD, a genetic profile to determine risk for SCD, an integrative collaborative approach to care as well as nursing, medical interventions, psychological support, and counseling. The theory of …

The East Texan, 2011-12-01, Texas A&M University-Commerce

All Issues

Volume XCVI, number 11 of The East Texan, a student newspaper published at Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Trauma Of The Sudden Death Of A Child: The Impact On Couple Relationship, Blessing Okoro Rellias

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

A traumatic life event such as the death of a child can be very devastating and confusing for many couples and people tend to respond in different ways to such trauma due to different factors such as gender differences. Research studies have traditionally focused on the personal effects of trauma on individual family members, whereas less attention centered on the systemic outcomes and consequences that trauma has on family functioning especially from the couples' perspective. Previous research has indicated that parents who lost their children to sudden death are likely to have serious mental distress and some disruption in functioning. …

New York: An Analysis Of Current Changes In Party Support, Kerianne E. Kane

Senior Honors Projects

This paper is an analysis of the recent changes in party support throughout the state of New York. Based on research by James Gimpel and Jason Schuknecht in their 2004 book “Patchwork Nation,” the focus is on determining which specific factors have been contributing to the shifts in support for the two major parties in key regions of the state. In particular, migration and immigration as well as demographic changes within New York’s electorate are considered. More importantly, economic changes within the state and the effects they have had on party support are examined as well. My research is based …