Digital Commons Network^™

Zooplankton Of The Belgrade Lakes: The Influence Of Top-Down And Bottom-Up Forces In Family Abundance, Kimberly M. Bittler

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to assess the abundance and family diversity of zooplankton communities in the Belgrade Lakes, and to identify the broad scale and local variables that structure zooplankton communities in this region. The local effects of shoreline development and the presence of macrophyte patches were compared to larger scale variables, such as watershed wide residential development. Zooplankton are an intermediate link in the freshwater food web, and communities respond both to predation pressures as well as nutrient inputs. Shoreline development was expected to influence zooplankton densities by the increased nutrient inputs via erosion off developed sites …

Biomass Energy At Colby College, Rachel E. Baron

Honors Theses

In light of growing concern regarding the effects of global climate change, Colby College signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2008. Through this pledge, Colby has committed to reducing carbon emissions in its Climate Action Plan (IPCC 2007; CCAP 2010). The College seeks to be carbon neutral by 2015 (CCAP 2010). This will be accomplished through a variety of mechanisms, one of which includes the construction of a biomass facility to replace most of the oil currently used for heating (CCAP 2010).

Anthropogenic global climate change has been documented by many scientists, but was widely …

The One That Carries You Away: Essays, Blair S. Braverman

Honors Theses

What is environmental writing? Phil Condon, author and professor at the University of Montana's Environmental Writing Institute, defines it as any piece of writing in which an important factor is nonhuman—be it animal, place, weather, et cetera. At the same time, he acknowledges that the primary limitation of this definition is its lack of limitations; because humans are constantly interacting with—and affected by—the nonhuman, virtually any piece of writing could be considered environmental. The Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment (ASLE), the nation's predominant organization for the academic study of environmental writing, defines itself through its focus …

A Cell Electrofusion Microfluidic Device Integrated With 3d Thin-Film Microelectrode Arrays, Ning Hu, Jun Yang, Shizhi Qian, Sang W. Joo, Xiaolin Zheng

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

A microfluidic device integrated with 3D thin film microelectrode arrays wrapped around serpentine-shaped microchannel walls has been designed, fabricated and tested for cell electrofusion. Each microelectrode array has 1015 discrete microelectrodes patterned on each side wall, and the adjacent microelectrodes are separated by coplanar dielectric channel wall. The device was tested to electrofuse K562 cells under a relatively low voltage. Under an AC electric field applied between the pair of the microelectrode arrays, cells are paired at the edge of each discrete microelectrode due to the induced positive dielectrophoresis. Subsequently, electric pulse signals are sequentially applied between the microelectrode arrays …

Soil Texture Fractions And Fractal Dimension Of Particle Size Distribution As Predictors Of Interrill Erodibility, Mohammad Reza Neyshabouri, Abbas Ahmadi, Hassan Rouhipour, Hossein Asadi, Mehdi Irannajad

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

Choosing a particular textural fraction as an erodibility predictor is often confusing because various fractions of soil particles have been introduced as erodibility index by many researchers. Recently, advances in fractal theory have introduced a scaling parameter for characterizing soil fragments. The objectives of this study were (i) to test the applicability of fractal dimension of particle size distribution (PSD) for estimation of interrill erodibility and (ii) to study the relationship between interrill erodibility and soil texture components. Samples from 36 soil series with contrasting characters were collected from northwest Iran. The sand fractions were obtained by sieving, while silt …

Utilization Of Boron Compounds As Synergists With Ammonium Polyphosphate For Flame Retardant Wood-Polymer Composites, Ramazan Kurt, Fati̇h Mengeloğlu

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

The investigation consisted of utilizing boron compounds (BCs) as a synergist with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) in manufacturing flame retardant wood-polymer composites (WPCs). Flame retardants (FRs) at various ratios (APP, boric acid (BA), borax (BX), zinc borate and BA/BX mixtures) were used to determine the physical, mechanical, and burning rate properties of WPCs manufactured from wood flour, polypropylene, and maleic anhydride polypropylene. The results showed that the addition of FRs reduced all mechanical properties of WPCs except for impact strength. However, this reduction was lower for samples having BCs in FRs formulation. Similar burning rate results were achieved in WPCs having …

Bioactivities Of Jimsonweed Extract, Datura Stramonium L. (Solanaceae), Against Tribolium Castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Habib Abbasipour, Mohammad Mahmoudvand, Fahimeh Rastegar, Mohammad Hossein Hosseinpour

Turkish Journal of Agriculture and Forestry

In this research, the efficacy of plant extract from Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae) was tested against the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), for its toxic and antifeedant activity. The dried and powdered plant was extracted with 150 mL of absolute ethanol (99%, Merck) using a rotary evaporator extractor at 45 °C. Experiments were designed to measure the nutritional indices, such as relative growth rate (RGR), relative consumption rate (RCR), efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI), and feeding deterrence index (FDI). Treatments were evaluated by flour disk bioassay in the dark at 27 ± 1 °C and …

Millennial Music Students: Perceptions Of General Stress, Performance Stress, Physical Health, And Mental Health, Elizabeth Plapp

Masters Theses

The participants in the current study were examined utilizing qualitative research. Focus groups were conducted to examine the experience of music majors in relation to general stress, performance stress, physical health, mental health, and well-being strategies.

Results found participants perceived stress as ambient due to excessive non-credit course, studio and private practice loads, expectations for participation outside of coursework, practicing toward an ill-defined concept of 'success', and poor time management skills. Participants discussed a continuum of stress from performance before private instructor and peers (more stressful) to a general audience (less stressful). Participants expressed a moderate amount of physical health …

The Mis-Education Of Fraternity-Sorority Life Professionals: Moving Towards Effective Support And Development Of Nphc Advisors At Predominantly White Institutions, Sunni Lee Solomon Ii

Masters Theses

National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations have existed at Predominantly White Institutions since the early 20tl' century, and the actual council was formed during the 1930s. Since their inception these organizations have struggled to obtain equal facilities, campus advisorship, and support on PWI campuses. On many fronts the needs of NPHC organizations have been ignored or poorly addressed on many campuses. Through the usage of the qualitative inquiry method of phenomenology, the present study highlights the more successful experiences of student affairs professionals who have succeeded in developing strong NPHC communities on their campuses, the difficulties they encountered, and the valuable lessons …

Knowing Whose [Sic] Calling: Telephone Telepathy, Clint Harvey

Masters Theses

This study focuses on the possible role of mental telepathy in perceiving the identity of telephone callers before the caller is known through the normal senses. Many people report that this phenomenon occurs frequently in their day-to-day lives prompting controlled laboratory experimentation. The data was collected during the summer of 2010. One of the most important goals in determining the existence of mental telepathy involves the replication of different modes of research in different laboratory settings. This research attempts to replicate data Rupert Sheldrake collected during the beginning part of this century, in which he reported significant findings from studies …

Of Music, Mathematics, And Magic: Why Math Is All Made Up And Why It Works So Well, Gregory A. Leach

Masters Theses

The purpose of my study was to answer the philosophical question of whether mathematics is invented or discovered. This question is an age-old and important one with many implications regarding the understanding of mathematics, logic, science, and truth. Answering this question correctly can inform us not only about the nature of what is known, but even what is possible to know. In the field of mathematics itself, the answer to this question could change the way that mathematics is taught, learned, and implemented in the future. The problem was addressed through research, comparison, and analysis of books and articles where …

Student Athletes' Perceptions Of Academic Support, Career Support And Personal Support, Chandra R. Golden

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to explore the perceptions of student athletes concerning self identity, academic support, career support, and personal support. Qualitative methodology was used to gather information through in-depth focus groups. Participants were male and female student athletes from a mid-size Midwestern Public University.

Findings indicated there is an inherent struggle to balance multiple roles with one usually elevated over the other. Second, participants appreciated the academic support of the university, but indicated its influence ranged from extremely helpful and appreciated (Athletic Academic Support Staff) to moderately helpful (Major Specific Academic Advisors) to least helpful (Regular Academic …

Submissive And Dominant Sexual Cognitions Of College Women With A History Of Sexual Abuse, Jisun Kelly Park

Masters Theses

The study investigated the effect of timing of sexual abuse on sexual cognitions of submission and dominance. Female college students completed questionnaires containing reports of history of sexual abuse, sex guilt, social desirability, and sexual cognitions. The results show that the childhood and the adulthood abused group have more frequent positive sexual cognitions, more frequent arousal to sexual cognitions, and higher intensity of sexual arousal to these sexual cognitions. The frequency of overall cognitions was the most significant predictor in predicting all submission and dominance sexual cognitions variables. This study while replicating previous findings that survivors of sexual abuse tend …

Social Dimensions Of Lake Ecology: Stakeholder Perception Surveys Used To Design Effective Lake Management Plans, Laurie Nannini

Masters Theses

Lake conservation management plans have exhibited varying levels of success through out Illinois. Recent research, in eutrophic lakes shows that pollution at any level stabilizes when stakeholder cooperation is enhanced by high conformist tendency and social concern. Involving stakeholders in preliminary stages of lake management plans creates more legitimacy and connectedness with the local government as well as stakeholder involvement with management plans. Public opinion data also allows policy makers to sustainably involve stakeholders in management plans. Members of the Illinois Lake Management Association were surveyed on their perceived threats to lakes, preferences on lake facilities and activities. Responses were …

Is Anthropogenic Habitat Change The Driving Force Of Rapid Evolution Of Southeastern U.S. Coastal Deer Populations?, Nicole L. Storm

Masters Theses

Many factors, such as genetics, food availability and the exact food species, can affect the growth rate and asymptotic size of animals. Since the I 960's, the coastal areas and islands in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina have become vacation destinations with large and lavish resort communities built to accommodate the large number of visitors to areas that were once called home by just a small number of residents. These developments brought with them non-native plants and improved soil quality for both native and non-native plants. During this same time period, the whitetailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus) native to …

Catalytic Activity Of Titania And Titania-Containing Nanomaterials: And, Spatial Distribution Of Silica Surface Groups Using A Tethered Amine Catalyst, Ramkumar Samala

Masters Theses

Titania and titania-containing nanomaterials are semiconductor photocatalysts and are widely used to degrade (i.e. oxidize) organic matter. The adsorption and catalytic properties of highly dispersed titania prepared using sulfate and pyrogenic methods, and fumed containing mixed oxides, were studied using catalytic decomposition of methylene blue primarily by kinetic methods. Commercial ultrafine titania (PC-100, PC-105 and PC-500), fumed Ti 02, and the mixed oxide of 80% Silica/20% Titania (ST20) were studied. Catalytic activity as measured by methylene blue decomposition kinetics was highest per gram for non-treated ultrafine titania PC- 500 which has the highest SsET and smallest particle size. However this …

Relationship Between Indirect Aggression And Social Anxiety In A College Sample, Jennifer A. Kusy

Masters Theses

Indirect aggression, a nonphysical form of aggression, has received increased attention in research because of the manipulative nature of the act. While it usually occurs during the preadolescent and adolescent years, research has started to examine its effects in young adult and adult populations. This study examined the link between indirect aggression and social anxiety and social avoidance in a sample of college students. Four distinct groups of aggressors were identified (perpetrator, victim, both, neither), with the majority of students indicating they have had no experience with indirect aggression. Results indicated that those who experienced indirect aggression in some form …

Children's Emotion Regulation And Social Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety, And Depressive Symptoms, Monica Renee Karsai

Masters Theses

Emotion regulation is necessary for a child to adapt to and function well in the environment. Problems in child emotion regulation have been linked with numerous negative outcomes. This paper reviews the current literature linking child social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and depression to emotion regulation. In addition, the relationship between parent symptomatology and child emotion regulation is discussed. A mediated model that examines the association between maternal social anxiety and the three symptom clusters (i.e., social anxiety, generalized anxiety, and depressive symptoms), with child emotion regulation as a mediator, was tested. Contrary to the hypotheses, child emotion regulation did not …

Panic!: Anxiety Sensitivity, Perceived Stress, And Social Support As Predictors Of Uncued Panic Attacks In College Students, Julie Lynn Kaspar

Masters Theses

Uncued panic attacks are prevalent in the college student population. In the current study, anxiety sensitivity, perceived stress, and social support were explored as predictors of uncued panic frequency. Additionally, family support and close friend support were compared. A sample of 117 college students from Eastern Illinois University were assessed using an online survey that included a one-item uncued panic frequency measure, the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Child and Adolescent Social Support Scale-College Version (College CASSS). Results indicated that all three predictors were significant when tested independently. When placed in a hierarchical regression, …

Role Of Exercise On Psychological Health Of College Students, Shannon L. Goering

Masters Theses

Campus recreation centers have been gradually developing within the past decade to not only serve as recruitment tools for perspective students, but to promote better physical health in college students. Also throughout recent years, researchers have linked participation in physical activity to improved mental health. Targeting the college-aged population, the present study examined the relationship between physical activity and psychological well-being in college students, specifically those who use the student recreation center (SRC) on campus. A sample of 210 university students completed various measures to assess overall psychological well-being (i.e., level of mood, selfesteem, stress, & life satisfaction) and regular …

Perceptions Of Childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And Treatment Acceptability: Cultural Trends, Sarah Girresch

Masters Theses

A survey study, usmg a convenience sample, was conducted to assess relationships between adult perceptions of childhood Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and treatment acceptability. Trends in perceptions about ADHD were also examined among African Americans, European Americans, and Hispanics. Ninety (90) participants completed questionnaires developed by the authors that evaluated beliefs about the etiology of ADHD, sources of information used to learn about ADHD, perceptions of stigma associated with ADHD, trust in the system, and attitudes about treatments. Participants overwhelmingly expressed a neutral perspective regarding ADHD-related perceptions. However, beliefs about etiology, endorsement of nonprofessional information sources, and trust in the system …

Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry For The Molecular Level Characterization Of Natural Organic Matter: Instrument Capabilities, Applications, And Limitations, Rachel L. Sleighter, Patrick G. Hatcher, Goran Nikolić (Ed.)

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Characterization Of Heterogeneities And Domains In Aquatic And Sedimentary Organic Matter By 1 H Spin Diffusion: Potential For Elucidating The Formation Mechanisms, Jingdong Mao, Xiaoyan Cao

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Although the information on domains and heterogeneities of natural organic matter (NOM) can provide insights into its formation mechanisms, the appropriate solid-state NMR technique for measuring them is still lacking. The traditional technique requires mobility differences in NOM whereas NOM components are primarily rigid. We introduced a new ¹H spin diffusion technique, ¹H-¹³C two-dimensional heteronuclear correlation (2D HETCOR) NMR with ¹H spin diffusion, for characterization of domains and heterogeneities in aquatic and sedimentary organic matter. It was achieved by collecting a series of 2D HETCOR spectra with a variable mixing time, t_m', and …

Efficient And Expressive Fully Secure Attribute-Based Signature In The Standard Model, Piyi Yang, Tanveer A. Zia, Zhenfu Cao, Xiaolei Dong

Australian Information Security Management Conference

Designing a fully secure (adaptive-predicate unforgeable and perfectly private) attribute-based signature (ABS), which allows a signer to choose a set of attributes in stead of a single string representing the signer‘s identity, under standard cryptographic assumption in the standard model is a challenging problem. Existing schemes are either too complicated or only proved in the generic group model. In this paper, we present an efficient fully secure ABS scheme in the standard model based on q-parallel BDHE assumption which is more practical than the generic group model used in the previous scheme. To the best of our knowledge, our scheme …

Risk-Based Intervention Profiling In Complex Environments (Impacted By Time-Restricted Conditions), Joseph D. Ducie

Theses : Honours

Security in the aviation environment is an evolving concept. Security risk profiling is an issue of significant importance in the aviation spectrum. This study examined the profiling undertaken on Australia’s bio-security border, with specific attention given to the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and the officers that use risk-based profiling within the complex environment found on the border—and how effectiveness is impacted by time. Aviation security is a real and current issue for Australia and the international community as a whole. Given recent outbreaks, and the relative ease of international air travel, of such pests and diseases (SARS, Swine Flu, …

Predictive And Adaptive Game Development A Practical Application Of Development Models To The Independent Video Game Industry, Liam A. Hunt

Theses : Honours

Through the process of researching a number of game and system development models, this study defines two archetypical development models - the predictive and the adaptive. Using each of these models, two video games have been developed in order to measure the practical effect that they can have on the design, development process and player experience of a game. Using the knowledge gained through playtesting and an analysis of the relationship between each game and its development methodology, a number of development guidelines and recommendations have been specifically constructed for use by independent games developers. The practical development and written …

Enquête Québécoise Sur Des Conditions De Travail, D'Emploi Et De Santé Et De Sécurité Du Travail (Eqcotesst), Michel Vézina, Esther Cloutier, Susan Stock, Katherine Lippel, Éric Fortin, Alain Delisle, Marie St-Vincent, Amélie Funes, Patrice Duguay, Samuel Vézina, Pascale Prud'homme

Rapports de recherche scientifique

Le ministère du Travail doit réaliser tous les cinq ans une étude sur l'évolution des conditions de travail au Québec. À cette fin, il a mandaté, en 2007, l’Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST), l’Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ), l’Institut de la statistique du Québec (ISQ), le ministère du Travail, le ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux et la Commission des normes du travail (CNT) d’effectuer l’Enquête québécoise sur des conditions de travail, d’emploi, et de santé et de sécurité du travail (EQCOTESST). Le rapport brosse un portrait des …

Combination Of Dasatinib And Curcumin Eliminates Chemo-Resistant Colon Cancer Cells, Jyoti Nautiyal, Shailender S. Kanwar, Yingjie Yu, Adhip Pn Majumdar

Wayne State University Associated BioMed Central Scholarship

Abstract

Metastatic colorectal cancer remains a serious health concern with poor patient survival. Although 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) or 5-FU plus oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) is the standard therapy for colorectal cancer, it has met with limited success. Recurrence of the tumor after chemotherapy could partly be explained by the enrichment of the chemo-resistant sub-population of cancer stem cells (CSCs) that possess the ability for self-renewal and differentiation into different lineages in the tumor. Therefore development of therapeutic strategies that target CSCs for successful treatment of this malignancy is warranted. The current investigation was undertaken to examine the effectiveness of the combination therapy of …

Using Sequential Mixed Social Science Methods To Define And Measure Heritage Conservation Performance, Jeremy C. Wells

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

There is no agreed-upon definition for heritage conservation performance, but it is possible to borrow ideas from the natural resource conservation field to inform this concept. Dimensions of performance can include economic, technical, and sociocultural and experiential indices. Because heritage conservation ostensibly benefits people as its primary goal, however, the values of most stakeholders ought to play a role in defining performance. Most of these values are subjective and represent sociocultural and personal meanings and tend to differ dramatically from the positivistic, fabric-centered value system of conservation experts. Measurement implies quantification, yet many sociocultural values are based on qualitative meanings …

Aspen Modern: America’S International Resort, Christine Madrid French, Elaine B. Stiles

Architecture, Art, and Historic Preservation Faculty Publications

The Aspen Modern event held on July 28, 2010 was presented by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, in partnership with the City of Aspen Community Development Department, the Aspen Art Museum, the Aspen Historical Society, the Aspen Institute, and Spring Board Aspen, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Henry Luce Foundation. This full-color booklet highlights the modern architecture of Aspen, Colorado.