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Estimates Of Duck Breeding Populations In The Nebraska Sandhills Using Double Observer Methodology, Mark P. Vrtiska, Larkin A. Powell

School of Natural Resources: Faculty Publications

The Nebraska Sandhills are an important area for breeding ducks in the Great Plains, but reliable estimates of breeding populations are unavailable. Double-observer methodology was used to estimate abundance of breeding duck populations in the Nebraska Sandhills. Aerial transect surveys were conducted using methodology similar to the cooperative Waterfowl Breeding Population and Habitat Survey conducted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Canadian Wildlife Service. Observations by two front-seat observers and one rear-seat observer were used to account for incomplete detectability. Transect-specific population size and detection probabilities were estimated using program SURVIV; estimates were species-specific by type of social …

Cerebral Perfusion In Chronic Stroke: Implications For Lesion-Symptom Mapping And Functional Mri, Jessica D. Richardson, Julie M. Baker, Paul S. Morgan, Chris Rorden, L. Bonilha, Julius Fridriksson

Faculty Publications

Lesion-symptom mapping studies are based upon the assumption that behavioral impairments are directly related to structural brain damage. Given what is known about the relationship between perfusion deficits and impairment in acute stroke, attributing specific behavioral impairments to localized brain damage leaves room for speculation, as impairments could also reflect abnormal neurovascular function in brain regions that appear structurally intact on traditional CT and MRI scans. Compared to acute stroke, the understanding of cerebral perfusion in chronic stroke is far less clear. Utilizing arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI, we examined perfusion in 17 patients with chronic left hemisphere stroke. The …

Implications Of Hydrologic Data Assimilation In Improving Suspended Sediment Load Estimation In Lake Tahoe, California, Marc Leisenring

Dissertations and Theses

Pursuant to the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), when a water body has been listed as impaired, Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for the water quality constituents causing the impairment must be developed. A TMDL is the maximum daily mass flux of a pollutant that a waterbody can receive and still safely meet water quality standards. The development of a TMDL and demonstrating compliance with a TMDL requires pollutant load estimation. By definition, a pollutant load is the time integral product of flows and concentrations. Consequently, the accuracy of pollutant load estimation is highly dependent on the accuracy of runoff …

Erosion And Adjustment: A Bourdieuian-Inspired Analysis Of Imprisonment And Release, Joshua David Seim

Dissertations and Theses

Sociologists of punishment generally agree that the American prison exacerbates social inequality, but the mechanisms by which it does so remain somewhat fuzzy. This thesis pulls from the tradition of Pierre Bourdieu (1930-2002), a canonical theorist of power and inequality, and specifically his three "thinking tools" of field, capital, and habitus, to unveil these mechanisms. Empirically, I turn to ethnographic data I collected in a minimum-security men's prison that is generally reserved for convicts who will be released to one of the three most populated counties in Oregon. I explore how soon-to-be-released prisoners (i.e., prisoners who will be released within …

Was Mechanization De-Skilling? The Origins Of Task-Biased Technical Change, James Bessen

Faculty Scholarship

Did nineteenth century technology reduce demand for skilled workers in contrast to modern technology? I obtain direct evidence on human capital investments and the returns to skill by using micro-data on individual weavers and an engineering production function. Weavers learned substantially on the job. While mechanization eliminated some tasks and the associated skills, it increased returns to skill on the remaining tasks. Technical change was task-biased, much as with computer technology. As more tasks were automated, weavers’ human capital increased substantially. Although technology increased the demand for skill like today, weavers’ wages eventually increased and inequality decreased, contrary to current …

Upper-Level Courses: Three Examplars, Mark Fagan, Tamar Frankel, Eric J. Gouvin, Kathy Z. Heller

Faculty Scholarship

I'm Mark Fagan, and I co-teach a course on securitization with Tamar Frankel at Boston University School of Law. We have come together to teach several interdisciplinary courses that combine law, business and public policy. Our course on securitization is a wonderful exemplar because it touches so many aspects of law as well as business and public policy.

We spent quite a bit of time wrestling with how to teach it. Do you teach it in a process fashion? Do you teach it by legal topic? Do you take examples and examine them? After much debate and discussion, we actually …

American Vertigo: Dual Use, Prison Physicians, Research, And Guantanamo, George J. Annas

Faculty Scholarship

Physicians can be used by governments for nonmedical purposes, and physician acceptance of their nonmedical use is usually denoted as "dual loyalty, " although it is more analytically helpful to frame it "dual use. " Dual use of physicians has been on display at Guantanamo where physicians have consistently been used to break hunger strikes as part of the military security mission in ways that directly violate medical ethics. Guantanamo itself has also been seen worldwide as a uniquely horrible prison, which can tell us little about other American prisons. The contrary seems to be true: Guantanamo, and the use …

Application Of Non-Invasive Flow Measurement Techniques For Quantitative Analysis Of A Biomedical Device, Amit Chainani

Theses

Researchers have extensively studied the techniques and applications of Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Planar Laser Induced Fluorescence (PLIF). Developments in computing and imaging techniques have significantly aided the accuracy and efficiency techniques which are now commonly used to study velocity vectors, predicting acceleration and mixing profiles in modern fluid dynamics. This project focused on analyzing the flow field inside a MicroWell, a component of the assay kits that are processed by the Vitros ECi analyzer. The assay kits and analyzer are manufactured by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Rochester, NY. Reagents and samples are mixed in the MicroWell during various operations …

Insect Abundance And Variability In An Urban-Rural Landscape And Comparison To Foraging Habitat Selection Of Bats, Nicole Oehler

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

I conducted a study of the relationship between prey availability and foraging habitat selection of Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis), big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus), eastern red bats (Lasiurus borealis) and evening bats (Nycticeius humeralis) in an urban-rural landscape matrix of southwestern Indianapolis. Insects were collected from nine different habitat types found within the range of these species. Insect data were collected from 2006 to 2008 using sticky traps placed in each habitat type. Habitat types were ranked by importance to each bat species (based on previous studies) and then compared to the average number of prey insects captured per habitat …

Adult Survivorship And Juvenile Recruitment In Populations Of Crawfish Frogs (Lithobates Areolatus), With Additional Consideration Of The Population Sizes Of Associated Pond Breeding Species, Vanessa C. Kinney

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Crawfish Frog populations have declined significantly in both the northeastern and southwestern portions of their range, and are listed as state endangered in both Iowa and Indiana. They are animals with a secretive nature, and comparatively little is know about their basic life history and natural history. To address this gap, and to obtain the information necessary to manage for this species in areas of decline, I studied the breeding biology of two Crawfish Frog populations during 2009 and 2010. Using data collected from drift fence and pitfall trap arrays around breeding wetlands, I estimated breeding population sizes, operational sex …

Analysis Of Urban Heat Islands By Using Multi-Sensor And Multi-Temporal Remote Sensing Images, Rajasekar Umamaheshwaran

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This doctoral dissertation research has developed models to facilitate in characterization,analysis and monitoring of urban heat islands (UHI). Over the past few years there has been evidence of mass migration of the population towards urban areas which has led to the increase in the number of mega cities (cities with more than 10 million in population) around the world. According to the UN in 2007 around 60% (from 40% in 2000) of world populations was living in urban areas. This increase in population density in and around cities has lead to several problems related to environment such as air quality, …

Characteristics Of Difficult Patients In Prisons Compared To Difficult Patients In Primary Care Settings, Emily Kistler

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research has found that patients perceived as being difficult by their physicians share a number of characteristics. These "difficult" characteristics include Axis I disorders, personality disorders, somatization, complex health problems, and aggression. Current research has focused on defining "difficult patients" in community populations, while other populations have gone overlooked. One population that has prevalence rates of the "difficult" characteristics identified in community samples is offenders. As a group, offenders tend to have high rates of mental illness, chronic health problems, and behavioral issues such as aggression. While difficult patients in prison may resemble difficult patients in the community, research has …

Two Dimensional Rate Gyro Bias Estimation For Precise Pitch And Roll Attitude Determination Utilizing A Dual Arc Accelerometer Array, William Scorse

Theses

In this thesis, a previously developed, novel one-dimensional attitude estimation device is expanded through the development and implementation of an innovative method for estimation of two-dimensional attitude making use of a unique low-cost, dual arc accelerometer array measuring longitudinal and transverse rotational rates in real-time. The device and method proposed is an expansion of a previously developed method for one-dimensional attitude determination and rate gyro bias estimation utilizing a one-dimensional accelerometer array. This new revolutionary device utilizes a dual arc accelerometer array and an algorithm for accurate and reliable two-dimensional attitude determination and rate gyro bias estimation in real-time. The …

Comparison Of Muscle Activation In The Active Straight Leg Raise And Double Straight Leg Lowering Tests, Megan Callahan

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Muscle Activation during the Active Straight Leg Raise and Double Straight Leg Lowering Tests Callahan, ME. Gage, M. Ferng, SF. Nesser, T. Context: Low back pain is a common medical condition that exists in athletic and general populations. It is difficult to for clinicians to diagnose low back pain because no gold standard clinical test has been established to diagnose low back pain. Limited previous research has assessed muscle activation during commonly used clinical tests that evaluate low back pain. Objective: To assess transverse abdominis/internal oblique (TrA/IO), external oblique (EO), and rectus abdominis (RA) muscles during two common low back …

Relationship Between Foot Pressures And Alterations Of Horizontal Velocities Of The Center Of Mass While Hurdling, Braden Cole

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed the landing phase of hurdle clearance to investigate how the vertical displacement in the hurdler's center of mass and foot pressures at ground contact lead to a change in the hurdler's overall horizontal velocity of the center of mass. This study examined four male collegiate high hurdlers as they performed three trials of clearing one 42 inch high hurdle. The subjects were filmed during the three trials using three Panasonic cameras (60 Hz) and one JVC video camera (60 Hz), which was later used to provide video images in order to digitize each frame using the APAS …

A Thermoelectric Generation Subsystem Model For Heat Recovery Simulations, Andrew Freedman

Theses

Thermoelectric devices can convert thermal energy directly into electrical energy, or they can work in reverse and use electrical energy to create a temperature gradient for cooling or heating applications. The absence of moving parts, wide range of operating temperatures, scalability, and modular capabilities makes thermoelectrics attractive for energy generation applications. They have been considered for use with vehicle exhausts, co-generation, and other energy recovery from lost heat in thermodynamic cycles. Thermoelectric devices have relatively low efficiencies but there have been recent advances in thermoelectric materials potentially opening the door to more power applications. As material advancements continue and a …

Modeling Lean Six Sigma In The Small Packaging Industry In India, Robin Patel

Theses

This thesis is a result of my interest in implementing Lean Six Sigma into Indian packaging companies because the Indian industry is growing at 18-20% annually (Samal, 2010). This growth rate is expected to triple in the next five years. With USA outsourcing to foreign nations this substantial growth, as I envision the USA companies who are seeking India packaging materials will benefit from my original approach for converting the Indian packaging industry using Lean Six Sigma. I have a strong personal and professional desire to improve the manufacturing within India. It is the country in which I grew up …

Narrative Drawers: Reconsidering Familiar Precedents Of Drawer Furniture, David Adams

Theses

This written thesis represents the culmination of several years of research, conceptual development, and studio work and accompanies an exhibition of furniture work, titled Narrative Drawers: Reconsidering Familiar Precedents of Drawer Furniture, which was held in the Bevier Gallery at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York, from April 24 - May 10, 2006. A portion of this research directly results from my efforts under a 2005 Graduate Research Grant awarded by the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design, Hendersonville, North Carolina. Four original pieces of furniture were made for this exhibition: Tradition, Perforated Chest of Drawers, Private Exhibition, …

A Study Of How Model-Centric Engineering Relates To Time-To-Market And Agility To Accommodate Customer-Required Changes, Craig A. Schroeder

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As customers increasingly demand immediate product variation, companies are required to shorten product design and manufacturing life cycles to remain competitive. The ability to respond quickly to continuous and unexpected change is the key to success in the manufacturing industry (Yu, Liu, & Chen, 2005). As a result, manufacturing firms are using model-centric engineering (MCE) in product development to remain competitive in their ever-changing global environment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the use of model-centric engineering and a firm's competitiveness as defined by time-to-market and agility to accommodate customer-required changes. The study focused on …

Effects Of Monetary Incentives On Academic Performance Of Fourth-Grade Students From Low Socioeconomic Status, Sandra O. Dafiaghor

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Scientific investigations of monetary incentives on students' academic achievement have not explored effects on performance of students from low socioeconomic status (SES), nor has there been exploration of teachers' perceptions of how monetary incentives impact academic performance of students from low socioeconomic status. The present study explored how low SES students perceive their academic performances being impacted by extrinsic monetary incentives. The study also explored the fourth-grade teachers' beliefs about the impact of monetary incentive on students' academic performance. The study found that students believe monetary incentives will increase academic performance, depending on the size of the cash incentive. The …

Gay, Lesbian, And Bisexual Spirituality: An Intersectional Identity Study, Zachary G. Birch

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

With college students becoming more interested in the spiritual dimensions of their lives (Astin, 2004; Lindholm, 2007), gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) students may have a harder time finding the support to navigate their spiritual selves. Because of this, the intersection of spiritual identity and GLB identity was investigated. Specifically, this study sought to see if students. GLB identities affect their spiritual identities, if their spiritual identities affect their GLB identities, and if there was a connection and intersection between the two. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with eight students. This study showed that there could be a relationship …

Teacher Self-Efficacy Beliefs Related To Chronic Disruptive Behavior, Kalinda R. Jones

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the current study, elementary teachers' self-efficacy beliefs regarding working with students displaying chronic disruptive behavior (CDB) were explored. CDB was defined as persistent observable actions that have a negative impact on academic or social functioning. To address the infrequently researched construct of self-efficacy beliefs specific to teaching students exhibiting CDB, a modified version of the Teachers' Sense of Efficacy Scale (short form) was used. Factor analysis results indicated the three self-efficacy factors of instructional strategies self-efficacy, classroom management self-efficacy, and student engagement self-efficacy. No significant relationships were found between each of the three types of teacher self-efficacy beliefs and …

Research For Ansi Accredited “Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate Program” In Packaging Science For Undergraduate Students, Ankush Sharma

Theses

This research project is a result of a problem-solving proposal that was submitted to Program Chair Dr. Daniel Goodwin on June 28, 2010. The proposal recommends that RIT’s Packaging Science Program establish a unique Lean Six Sigma Green Belt in Packaging Science Certificate program for undergraduate students. The proposal was developed as a result of receiving input from the RIT Packaging Industrial Advisory Board, from researching packaging job descriptions and from Professor Dr. Duane P. Beck’s extensive Lean Six Sigma experience. Students who are successful in receiving the certificate will be able to demonstrate problem-solving skills in the packaging industry. …

Department Of Engineering And Building Management Planning Capacity For Prishtina's Current And New Government Buildings : [Presentation Given In November 2011], Mimoza Kurteshi

Theses

This capstone project assesses the restructuring of the Engineering and Building Management (DEBM) within Kosova’s Ministry of Public Administration (MPA). There are serious capacity shortages and delays in implementation of projects, in existing structure of DEBM and changes are required to be implemented.

Illustrative Neighborhood Redevelopment, Bradley Bethel

Theses

Urban planning is implemented under many theories and purposes. But often times, due to difference in public preferences, plans can become inconsistent and lack harmony with other neighborhoods. Design theories may become muddled in other design theories. Sometimes, even basic design principles are undermined or ignored completely. The city of Buffalo, New York is distinguished by several major characteristics in area planning. However, those plans have been threatened by inconsistent planning from the past sixty years. Only in recent years have plans been sought for more concise methods to preserve the past and establish newer, progressive plans. The Illustrative Neighborhood …

The Relationship Between International Law And Domestic Law: Yong Vui Kong V Pp [2010] 3 Slr 489 [Case Note], Siyuan Chen

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

The Court of Appeal in Yong Vui Kong v PP [2010] 3 SLR 489 recently addressed at length the issue of the constitutionality of the mandatory death penalty. In the main, the appellant had argued that the mandatory death penalty was unconstitutional because it violated Art 9(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (1999 Rev Ed), which states that: “No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty save in accordance with law.” The court ultimately rejected this argument. This piece focuses on the main international law issue emanating from the said constitutional challenge, viz, the …

Raising The Bar For The Mens Rea Requirement In Common Intention Cases: Daniel Vijay S/O Katherasan V Pp, Eunice Chua

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Recently, the Court of,4ppeal in Daniel Vijay s/o Katherasan v. Public Prosecutor took the view thatthe law on common intention was not adequately settled in Singapore despite the 138-year history ofs. 34 ofthe Penal Code. It went on to give an extensive review of the cases interpreting the section aswell as its Indian equivalent, before setting out the proper approach to take in "twin crime" commonintention cases, focusing specifically on the mens rea element required in order to establish constructiveliabilityfor the secondary crime. This case note seeks to highlight the changes brought about byDaniel Vijay s/o Katherasan v. Public Prosecutor …

Contractual Interpretation In Singapore After Zurich Insurance: Continued Refinement, Yihan Goh

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Ever since Lord Hoffmann’s authoritative restatement of the principles relating to the interpretation of contracts in Investors Compensation Scheme v West Bromwich Building Society, various common law courts and academics have weighed in with their views on two main issues: whether the contextual approach articulated in Investors in fact represents a step forward from the traditional literal approach; and, accepting the operation of the contextual approach, whether there remains room for the exclusion of certain extrinsic evidence in interpreting contracts. But the foremost consideration underpinning these issues is that of the perceived uncertainty which the contextual approach brings. The Singapore …

Teacher Understandings Of Responsibilities For Reading Instruction In Stage One And Two English Courses Of Study In Western Australian Schools, Liana Strutt

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The purpose of the study was to explore secondary teachers’ understandings of their responsibilities towards students who demonstrate poor literacy skills with regard to the Reading Outcome in the Western Australian English Courses of Study. As an experienced secondary English teacher, the researcher was aware that the reading demands of senior secondary classrooms were challenging for some students and that many teachers were unsure of how they should respond to the needs of the students. Since the education reforms which began in Western Australia in the late 1990s and the subsequent introduction of Courses of Study in 2006, a great …

Orthodontic-Prosthetic Implant Anchorage In A Partially Edentulous Patient, Jenny Zwei-Chieng Chang, Pi-Huei Liu, Ya-Ting Wang, Yi-Jane Chen, Chung-Chen Jane Yao, Eddie Hsiang-Hua Lai

Journal of Dental Sciences

Abstract Three-dimensional planning of a dental-implant site is critical when implants are to initially be used as orthodontic anchorage for tooth movement and to later serve as prosthetic abutments. The combined orthodontic and prosthetic implant restorative treatment of an adult patient with multiple missing teeth, an upper midline deviation, and malocclusion is described in this article. Plastic model bases combined with customized position plates allowed the precise transfer of the proposed implant position from the diagnostic arrangement to the original cast to avoid compromising subsequent orthodontic tooth movement.