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Twelve: Race And Gender Representations In Hidalgo County Petit Jury Selections, 1950–1960, Rene Rios

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The purpose of this thesis is to address the composition of Hidalgo County petit (small) juries from 1950-1960 on the basis of race and gender in which I will argue that the racial composition of the County’s petit juries was predominantly Anglo. Following the inclusion of women into juror selection pools after 1954, I assert that Anglo females were selected at higher rates than Mexican American males and females during the same time period which continued the political and civic marginalization of the county’s Mexican American population. This work addresses the social and political environment of Hidalgo County. Along with …

Comparative Fecal Metagenomics Unveils Unique Functional Capacity Of The Swine Gut, Regina Lamendella, Jorge W. Santo Domingo, Shreya Ghosh, John Martinson, Daniel B. Oerther

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background: Uncovering the taxonomic composition and functional capacity within the swine gut microbial consortia is of great importance to animal physiology and health as well as to food and water safety due to the presence of human pathogens in pig feces. Nonetheless, limited information on the functional diversity of the swine gut microbiome is available. Results: Analysis of 637, 722 pyrosequencing reads (130 megabases) generated from Yorkshire pig fecal DNA extracts was performed to help better understand the microbial diversity and largely unknown functional capacity of the swine gut microbiome. Swine fecal metagenomic sequences were annotated using both MG-RAST and …

Emergence Delirium In U.S. Military Combat Veterans, Jason M. Mcguire Phd, Crna

Dissertations

This dissertation study examined the phenomenon of emergence delirium in U.S. military combat veterans. Emergence delirium is a post-anesthetic phenomenon that occurs immediately following emergence from general anesthesia and is characterized by agitation, confusion, and violent physical and/or verbal behavior. Clinical evidence suggests that emergence delirium is occurring with greater frequency among military personnel returning from conflict in the Middle East. This body of work is a culmination of three distinctive phases and is presented in three individual manuscripts. The first manuscript, "Risk Factors for Emergence Delirium in U.S. Military Members," was published in the Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing with …

Understanding Cliff Use At The New River Gorge National River: Combining Visitor Observations And Resource Impact Assessments, D. Kyle Olcott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The New River Gorge National River (NERI) is managed by the National Park Service (NPS). In addition to being an extremely popular destination for whitewater rafting, it is also home to world class rock climbing and an extensive array of cliffs offering over 2400 routes. This thesis is part of a larger study of the cliffs at NERI, funded by the NPS and encompassing botanic and geologic components in addition to the recreation management component. By combining unobtrusive visitor observation methods with GPS mapping and rapid assessment of nearly 450 areas of impact, a few key management recommendations are made …

David Link – Machine Heart, G Cox

School of Art, Design and Architecture

In his work David Link generates (apparently) interactive projects, at the interface between art, science, and technology. For LoveLetters_1.0, Link reconstructed a functional replica of one of the earliest programmable computers, the Ferranti Mark I, and an equally early program, invented in 1952 by Christopher Strachey at the University of Manchester. To produce computer-generated love letters, written using a built-in random generator. Anonymously addressed to “Darling Love” or “Jewel Duck,” the letters talk to the reader in a surprisingly human and tender way. In his introduction, Geoff Cox highlights the question, already suggested by the apparently contradictory title of this …

Potassium Ion Fluxes In Corneal Epithelial Cells Exposed To Uvb, John L. Ubels, Rachel E. Van Dyken, Julienne R. Louters, Mark P. Schotanus

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The goal of this study was to investigate the efflux of K+ from human corneal limbal epithelial cells (HCLE) exposed to ambient levels of UVB, which is known to cause apoptosis, and to examine the effect of K+ channel blockers on loss of potassium induced by UVB. HCLE cells were exposed to 100-200 mJ/cm2 UVB, followed by incubation in culture media with 5.5-100 mM K+, BDS-1, Ba2+ or ouabain. To measure intracellular cations, cells were washed in 280 mM sucrose and lysed in DI water. K+ and Na+ levels in lysates were measured by ion chromatography. HCLE cells showed maximal …

Evaluation Of Retention Using Different Numbers And Position Of Attachments With Mini Dental Implant Overdentures, Amanda Mcpherson Canizales

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Objectives. To collect data for the retentive capabilities of mini dental implants in several numbers and positions when used with the mandibular overdenture; and compare that information to previous studies on the dislodging forces of locator attachments.;Methods. Acrylic blocks representing the mandibular arch and a mandibular denture were laboratory fabricated in high impact denture acrylic resin (Lucitone 199). Five mini implants were placed in the mandibular block and associated housings were picked up into the mandibular denture block using fast set acrylic (Super T). The denture block was then attached, via the same fast set acrylic, to an aluminium plate …

Is A Poor Quality Nutrition Environment A Contributor To Obesity Prevalence In School-Age-Children In West Virginia?, Anna M. Chetrick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In recent years there has been considerable interest in describing and explaining increases in the prevalence of overweight and obesity. The quality of the nutrition environment, including the availability and price of healthy foods options, has been suggested as a likely contributor. This project was developed to investigate the relationship between weight status and the nutrition environment in school children in two West Virginia counties. The Nutrition Environment Measures Survey (NEMS) was conducted in Monongalia and Marshall Counties, WV. From NEMS survey data nutrition environment quality scores were calculated for 79 retail food outlets, including grocery, convenience, general, and department …

Development Of A Real-Time High-Resolution 3d Ultrasound Imaging System, Cesar Augusto Sandoval Leon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this work a real-time high-resolution 3D ultrasound imaging system is developed, allowing the 3D acquisition and imaging of high-resolution ultrasound data for biomedical applications. The system uses ultrasound transducers in the ranges of 30 to 100 MHz, and allows full access of the radiofrequency (RF) ultrasound data for the 3D image reconstruction. This work includes the development of two graphical user interfaces in C++ to interact with a high-resolution ultrasound system and to image the high-resolution ultrasound data. In addition, a methodology is described and implemented in the system for 3D ultrasound reconstruction and visualization. The development of these …

Mitigation Of Bovine Respiratory Disease Complex: Interactions Of Physiology, Immunology, Nutrition And Management, John Thomas Richeson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

A series of experiments were conducted to determine the effects of on-arrival vs. delayed respiratory vaccination and exposure to persistently infected bovine viral diarrhea virus challenge on health, gain performance, and physiological and immunological measurements in newly received stocker cattle. Two experiments evaluated timing (d 0 vs. 14) of respiratory, clostridial, or both vaccinations in newly received stocker calves during stress-induced immunosuppression. In Exp. 1, calves receiving 14-d delayed vaccination of a pentavalent modified-live respiratory virus (MLV) vaccine had greater ADG during the 42-d receiving period and antibody titers against infectious bovine rhinotracheitis on d 42; however, morbidity rate did …

Middle School Students' Perceptions Of The Gender And Ethnic Gap In Achievement, Marian Elizabeth Hendrickson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study used a mix-method approach to determine achievement gap in gender and ethnicity. Quantitative data was collected from the 2008-2009 Arkansas state Benchmark exam to investigate the extent of the gap in the school. Qualitative data was gathered through semi-structured interviews with 13 students. The students were asked to explain their perceptions of the gender and ethnicity gap in the school. The use of two methods for this study enabled the researcher to better understand the actual achievement gap that appeared at the school and compare this information to the information provided by the participants. The Quantitative data gathered …

Emotion Work On The Home-Front: The Special Case Of Military Wives, Kimberly Michelle Murray

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research includes interviews with twelve military wives to examine emotion-work techniques used to negotiate the everyday life of wives during their husbands' deployment. In this study, I seek to better understand the ways in which military wives negotiate their feelings within a context of military masculinity and how they manage role strain, feelings of loneliness, isolation, and marginalization. In addition, I examine the cultural constructs available to wives, such as traditional gender roles and subordination. Interviews confirm the complexity of the life of the military wife, revealing challenges of contradictory emotions in relationship to the military, her husband, her …

The Effects Of A Lumbopelvic Hip Complex Conditioning Program On Dynamic Knee Valgus In Female Tennis Players, Katelyn Marie Roling

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Female athletes have a four-to-six times greater risk of sustaining a lower extremity injury than their male counterparts (Hewett, 2000). One explanation for the discrepancy in injury rates is increased dynamic knee valgus angles caused by neuromuscular imbalances of the lumbopelvic hip complex (LPHC). The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing a LPHC conditioning program improved neuromuscular deficiencies. Seven female collegiate tennis players competitive at the NCAA Division I level volunteered for the study (19.7 + .95 years, 167.3 + 7.4 cm, and 60.72 kg + 6.71 kg). The subjects participated in a 16 week LPHC conditioning …

Chemical Ecology, Population Dynamics And Insecticide Susceptibility Of Lesser Mealworm Alphitobius Diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), Narinderpal Singh

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The lesser mealworm, Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), is a serious, cosmopolitan pest present in poultry production facilities, where it slows down weight gain in chicks, carries disease–causing organisms, and causes damage to poultry insulation. The first study estimated that the lesser mealworm densities in poultry litter applied to pastures were 3.5, 2.2 and 0.4 million larvae, adults and pupae, respectively, per hectare in Savoy, Arkansas. The repercussions of these adult beetles are that they often disperse to and reinfest poultry houses with the potential to vector disease to poultry, and disperse to invade human dwellings resulting in litigation. The …

2011 May, Office Of Communications & Marketing, Morehead State University.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for May 2011.

Academic Performance Among Student Library Employees: How Library Employment Impacts Grade Point Average And Perception Of Success, Erin H. Mccoy

The Christian Librarian

The study of college student employment and its effects on retention, academics, and student satisfaction is not new and yet has come to varying conclusions; also, very little has been reviewed on what impact a student’s place of employment may have on their academics. This research examines student employees at a college library and how that specific type of employment has impacted the academic success of those employees. The study used a combination of data, comparing their cumulative grade point average with survey results asking about their perception of the effect library employment had on their academics. The overwhelming majority …

Feasibility Of Integration Of Peanut Based Bio-Diesel Into A Mainstream Market, Dustin Hogan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

There has been increased emphasis on alternate energy sources in recent years. This interest stems from diminishing supplies of fossil fuels combined with an ever-increasing global demand for energy. Biodiesel constitutes one such source of alternate energy. It is a renewable diesel fuel substitute that can be manufactured from a variety of naturally occurring oils and fats. Several methods of production have been tried and successfully implemented to develop biodiesel as a viable energy source. However, this research has been confined primarily within the auspices of a research laboratory. The mass appeal of biodiesel and its viability as a dominant …

Efficient Control Of Dc Servomotor Systems Using Backpropagation Neural Networks, Yahia Makableh

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

DC motor systems have played an important role in the improvement and development of the industrial revolution, making them the heart of different applications beside AC motor systems. Therefore, the development of a more efficient control strategy that can be used for the control of a DC servomotor system, and a well defined mathematical model that can be used for off line simulation are essential for this type of systems Servomotor systems are known to have nonlinear parameters and dynamic factors, such as backlash, dead zone and Coulomb friction that make the systems hard to control using conventional control methods …

Characteristics Of Effective Teachers: A Comparison Of The Perceptions Of Upper Level Secondary School Students And Secondary School Administrators, Dawn Howell Hadley

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The following cross-sectional quantitative study examined the characteristics of effective teachers based on the perceptions of upper level secondary school students and secondary school administrators. The researcher created a 25 statement Likert like survey developed as a result of the literature and modified using Charlotte Danielsons' Framework for Teaching as a basis. Five domains were established and five statements covered each of the five domains. The surveys were completed by 461 upper level secondary school students and 54 secondary school administrators, and descriptive statistics provided the top five characteristics of effective teachers as perceived by upper level secondary school students, …

An Examination Of The Association Between The Graduation Coach Program And Georgia's Graduation Rate, Wardell C. Hunter

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As result of the dropout problem in the United States and in Georgia, many school systems around the nation have placed much emphasis on reducing the incidents of students dropping out of high school. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the graduation coach program and Georgia's graduation rate of over a 7 year period of time, 2004-2010. The research sought to determine if differences existed between graduation rates pre the induction of the graduation coach programs and post the induction of the graduation coach program when controlling for variables such as, school locale, free and …

Extraction Of Bioactive Compounds From Whole Red Cabbage And Beetroot Using Pulsed Electric Fields And Evaluation Of Their Functionality, Valli Kannan

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Application of high voltage pulsed electric fields (PEF) to plant tissues increases porosity of the plant cells, enhancing juice extraction from fruits and vegetables. Red cabbage and beetroot are rich sources of bioactive compounds anthocyanins and betalains, respectively. Pulsed electric field (red cabbage: 1 kV/cm electric field strength, 0.66 µF and 20 pulses; red beets: 1.5 kV/cm electric field strength, 0.66 µF and 20 pulses) was applied to whole red cabbage and beetroot to enhance juice extraction. Total polyphenols, anthocyanins (red cabbage), betalains (beetroot) and total antioxidant activity (ABTS and DPPH) of the extracted juice was determined. The bioactivity of …

Adaptation And Validation Of Existing Analytical Methods For Monitoring Prebiotics Present In Different Types Of Processed Food Matrices, Pei Tze Ang

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Interest in resistant starch (RS) as a prebiotic is increasing due to its putative impacts on the gastrointestinal microbiome and thus colon health. Application of RS as a food ingredient is also increasing because of its unique functionality. However, a major obstacle when correlating RS containing food systems to the potential health benefits is the discrepancy in the analytical tests applied and  the limitations of those methods used throughout the literature. Therefore, the Megazyme resistant starch assay was adapted and developed to monitor RS present in different types of products commonly consumed in the United States, including an extruded ready-to-eat …

Comparisons Of Distributions And Isotopic Geochemistry Of Benthic Foraminifera From Seep And Non-Seep Environments, Offshore Of Costa Rica, Ashley M. Burkett

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Vertical distribution patterns and stable isotopic geochemistry of benthic foraminifera labeled with CellTracker Green and stained with Rose Bengal were compared at sites of active methane seepage and adjacent non-seep habitats off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Sediment cores of bacterial mats from Costa Rica revealed vertical distribution patterns more similar to those seen previously in clam beds, suggesting increased levels of bioturbation compared to non-seep sites. Similar taxa were found at both seep and non-seep sites including: Chilostomella oolina, Uvigerina peregrina and hispida, Cibicides mckannai, and Cassidulina braziliensis. Within active methane seep habitats, elevated substrate such as carbonate …

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 …

Examining The Association Between Attachment And Relationship Satisfaction Through The Use Of The Couples Drawing And The Bird’S Nest Drawing, Jessica Furiness

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to determine if there is a positive statistical correlation between relationship satisfaction and attachment and whether or not these two factors can be accurately assessed through a single drawing. The proposed study will use a quantitative approach to examine the association between attachment and relationship satisfaction, as determined by scores on the Adult Attachment Scale and the Relationship Assessment Scale. A qualitative approach will be used to examine graphic elements within the Bird’s Nest Drawing, and the Couples Drawing to determine which elements are associated with relationship satisfaction, attachment, or both. A sample size …

The Efficacy Of Art Therapy In Increasing Coping Skills And Decreasing Loneliness In Children Of Individuals Who Are Substance Addicted, Stefanie Scannell

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this case study was to utilize art therapy as a means of increasing coping skills and decreasing feelings of loneliness in children whose parents are substance addicted. The subjects consisted of two African American males, ages five and six, both of whom have parents with a history of substance abuse. The Person-in-the-Rain Drawing technique was utilized to measure coping skills before and after the art therapy intervention took place. The Children’s Loneliness Questionnaire was utilized to measure the children’s feelings of loneliness both before and after the intervention as well. It was hypothesized that after six sessions …

A Cross-Cultural Study Of Korean And American Children’S Human Figure Drawings, Suhyun Tess Lee

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Children’s human figure drawings (HFDs), known as one of the most widely used drawing assessment techniques, reflect various aspects of understanding children and some studies indicate that children’s HFDs are affected by cultural and environmental factors. Yet, the data collected are out of date or the studies predominantly included children from Western cultures. The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural impact on children’s HFDs from a non-western culture to promote a cross-cultural perspective in the field of art therapy.

In this quantitative study, 23 HFDs were collected in an elementary school setting in South Korea. Drawings were …

Case Studies In Working With Loving-Kindness Meditation And Art Therapy For Those Suffering From Chronic Pain, Jessica N. Ropars

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This study combined the use of Loving-Kindness meditation with art therapy for three women suffering from different types of chronic pain. These women ranged in age from 26 to 62 years and were from a variety of backgrounds; two of the women were Caucasian and one woman was originally from Barbados. The participants were recruited from the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Eastern Virginia Medical School. Four sessions were scheduled. During each session there was time for Loving-Kindness meditation followed by an art therapy intervention. The West Haven-Yale Multidimensional Pain Inventory was used to measure pain. In order …

A Study Of Life Experiences Influencing Art Therapy As A Career Choice, Raleigh Ann Spires King

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Many factors contribute to one’s decision when choosing a career. Literature has stated that personal traits and demographics, chance encounters with influential people, and significant life events play important roles in the choice to enter a career in the helping professions. This study creates a descriptive summary of the life experiences that motivate an individual to choose art therapy as a career.

Using face-to-face interviews, the researcher gathered information regarding career choice from six art therapists each of whom had five or more years of experience. Although the art therapists disclosed personal experiences, unique to their lives, similar topics emerged …

A Self-Organizing Group Within A Hierarchical Organization, Sheila Yuter

Doctoral Dissertations

This study was conducted to discover and describe the characteristics of a community of practice (CoP) and the health care system within which it formed. The study explored the relationship between a CoP of primary care physicians and a health care system that was both a hierarchical organization and a complex adaptive entity. It further examined the impact that relationship may have had on the organization’s sustainability within its environment.

A qualitative approach was used for the collection and analysis of data. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four members of the CoP and three members of their administrative hierarchy. There …