Digital Commons Network^™

Histone Deacetylase Inhibition-Mediated Cytotoxicity Of Oligodendrocytes., Toros Ali Dincman 1982-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies indicate post-translational deacetylation by members of the superfamily of histone deacetylase complexes (HDACs) is necessary for oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes (OLs). However, it remains unknown if transient HDAC inhibition may promote OPC survival as has been shown in other cell types and neurological disease models. Chapter 2 demonstrates the development of a novel primary culture of OPCs from mouse pup cortices enriching the O4+ OPC population using Magnetic Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) technology. Once plated, OPCs were glial fibrillary acidic protein- (GFAP-), A2B5+, NG2+, and O4+. When induced to differentiate, mouse OPCs became either …

The Induction Of Positive Affect In A Community Setting Using Electronic Communications., Philip Andrew Smeltzer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To evaluate the influence of positive affect inductions on daily and weekly Positive and Negative Affect Scales (PANAS) in a community setting. Methods: Humor messages were distributed to participants four times per day during a treatment week with general health messages distributed in the crossover week. Subjects completed a series of self-report psychosocial and behavioral survey instruments on a weekly basis and daily PANAS responses. Messages were delivered through either email or SMS/text messages. Results: The daily and weekly PANAS scores were higher during treatment periods compared to the neutral periods. The observed trends were suggestive of successful positive …

Use Of Statistical Analysis, Data Mining, Decision Analysis And Cost Effectiveness Analysis To Analyze Medical Data : Application To Comparative Effectiveness Of Lumpectomy And Mastectomy For Breast Cancer., Beatrice Ugiliweneza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Statistical models have been the first choice for comparative effectiveness in clinical research. Though effective, these models are limited when the data to be analyzed do not fit the assumed distributions; which is mostly the case when the study is not a clinical trial. In this project, data mining, decision analysis and cost effectiveness analysis methods were used to supplement statistical models in comparing lumpectomy to mastectomy for surgical treatment of breast cancer. Mastectomy has been the gold standard for breast cancer treatment for since the 1800s. In the 20th century, an equivalence of mastectomy and lumpectomy was established in …

Entry-Level Student Affairs Administrators' Attitudes Toward Mental Illness In College Students., Jennifer A. Schum

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Calls for universities to better serve college students with mental illness have been growing. While a considerable literature base supports Corrigan's (2004) Social Cognitive Model of Mental Illness Stigma and the complex relationship among stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination, limited research has been conducted examining university administrators on attitudes toward and knowledge of mental illness in college students. Participants of the current study were 206 entry-level student affairs professionals who completed an online, modified version of Becker, Martin, Wajeeh, Ward, and Shern's (2002) Mental Illness Awareness Survey. Simultaneous regression was used to determine the significance of seven demographic variables (gender, age, …

Evaluation Of The Usu Retirement And Savings Seminar, Diana Burk

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Consumers need to acquire financial knowledge and confidence in order to take effectual actions to accumulate adequate retirement wealth and improve their overall financial well-being. Thus, quality financial education programs are needed to empower consumers to achieve these goals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Utah State University (USU) Retirement and Savings Seminar as measured by participant satisfaction and participants‘ financial knowledge, financial confidence, and financial behavior change compared to a similar group of non-participants. The program evaluation was guided by a logic model developed for the seminar.

Data for this study were collected …

Class-Wide Respect And Social Support Skill Training To Increase Peer Interactions Of Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders, Melanie Orton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The demand for effective social skills interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders is a pertinent issue for school-based professionals. One approach to increase appropriate social skills is to involve peer support by training a few socially competent children to positively interact with a student with an ASD. Potentially, training larger groups of children could result in increasing the number of different peers who would actively support positive interactions with their classmates with ASD. Thus, the present study investigated the effect of a class-wide peer-training strategy on the percentage of positive social interaction and number of peer contacts for three …

Newlywed To Established Marriage: A Longitudinal Study Of Early Risk And Protective Factors That Influence Marital Satisfaction, Daniel Alfred Moen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This current study took questionnaire information from couples as newlyweds through five years of marriage in an attempt to discover the most significant predictors of marital satisfaction.

This study also used additional information from these couples to help understand how problem issues change from newlywed to established marriage (five or more years of marriage). This study found that experiencing a difficult transition to marriage as newlyweds was the only significant predictor of marriage satisfaction five years later. Meaning, couples who experienced a difficult transition to marriage as newlyweds tended to report lower levels of marital satisfaction five years later in …

Attitudinal And Experiential Factors Of Interethnic Romantic Relationships Among Native American Emerging Adults, Merrill L. Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Doctoral student in psychology at Utah State University, Merrill Jones, and his major advisor, professor and licensed clinical psychologist, Renee V. Galliher, surveyed a sample of Native American individuals in the 18- to 25-year-old range about their romantic relationship attitudes and experiences with ethnically-different dating partners. The survey measured the participants’ past dating experiences, with an emphasis on which social influences and individual characteristics might impact their current attitudes about choosing dating partners who are not Native American. The responses of the participants will also be analyzed to identify how these factors relate with the other factors, and which factors …

Effect Of Voluntary Exercise And Diet On The Unfolded Protein Response In The Brain Of Mice, Yu Ho Kim

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The medical costs for many chronic diseases are increasing dramatically and placing a major financial burden on nations and individuals in both developed and developing countries. A number of chronic diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and some neurodegenerative diseases are all attenuated by a history of physical activity suggesting that they may be interconnected in some way. It has been suggested that cellular stress is a major factor promoting these chronic diseases.

Cellular stress occurs in a specific compartment within the cell, the endoplasmic reticulum, whose normal function is in the synthesis and folding of proteins into the …

Algebra Knowledge In Early Elementary School Supporting Later Mathematics Ability., Scott A. Strother 1979-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The current study explored the impact that algebra knowledge in 1st and 2nd grade can have in growth and achievement in mathematics through 5th grade. Previous studies have shown the positive impact of teaching algebra in middle school (e.g. Smith, 1996). Other studies have shown that students can learn and apply fundamental algebra concepts even earlier, including early elementary grades (e.g. Schifter et al., 2008; Brizuela and Earnest, 2008). The current study aimed to expand upon this research by showing students' knowledge of early algebra concepts can predict positive longitudinal outcomes. This would support cognitive and education theories that students …

Journal Of Sociology & Social Welfare Vol. 38, No. 4 (December 2011)

The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• IMPACT OF SOCIAL CAPITAL ON EMPLOYMENT AND MARRIAGE AMONG LOW INCOME SINGLE MOTHERS - Jennifer A. Johnson, Julie A. Honnold, and Perry Threlfall
• EMERGENCY ROOM USE BY UNDOCUMENTED MEXICAN IMMIGRANTS – Ayse Akincigil, Raymond Sanchez Mayers, and Fontaine H. Fulghum
• IF NOT WELFARE, THEN WHAT? HOW SINGLE MOTHERS FINANCE COLLEGE POST WELFARE REFORM - Kristin Wilson
• HEALTH SERVICE ACCESS FOR RURAL PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN CHINA: A CRITICAL EVALUATION - Xiying Wang, Xiulan Zhang, Yuebin Xu, and Yurong Zhang
• FOOD STAMPS AND DEPENDENCY: DISENTANGLING THE SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF FOOD STAMP RECEIPT AND LOW …

Aghoreshwar Bhagawan Ram And The Aghor Tradition, Jishnu Shankar

Anthropology - Dissertations

Aghoreshwar Mahaprabhu Baba Bhagawan Ram Ji, a well-established saint of the holy city of Varanasi in north India, initiated many changes into the erstwhile Aghor tradition of ascetics in India. This tradition is regarded as an ancient system of spiritual or mystical knowledge by its practitioners and at least some of the practices followed in this tradition can certainly be traced back at least to the time of the Buddha. Over the course of the centuries practitioners of this tradition have interacted with groups of other mystical traditions, exchanging ideas and practices so that both parties in the exchange appear …

Disharmony And Matchless: Interpersonal Deception Theory In Online Dating, Lyndsey Wagner

Masters Theses

In recent years, computer-media dated communication has not only become extremely popular but has also begun to hold an important function in daily social interactions. This qualitative study investigates the communication phenomena of deception as it occurs in the online dating environment. The research study focused on four questions: (1) About what characteristics are online daters deceptive? (2) What motivation do online daters have for their deception of others in the online dating environment? (3) What perceptions do online daters have about other daters' deceit towards them in the online dating environment? (4) How does deception affect the romantic relationships …

Identifying Struggling Readers In Middle School With Orf, Maze And Prior Year Assessment Data, Jennifer R. Allison, Evelyn S. Johnson

Early and Special Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

Response to Intervention (RTI) is a framework with the primary purpose of early identification and prevention of learning problems. Screening procedures identify students in need of targeted intervention, but current screening research is limited to the elementary grades. This study explored the use of screening measures: prior year assessment data, oral reading fluency (ORF), and maze, to predict performance on Georgia’s Criterion-Referenced Competency Test (CRCT-8) for 236 eighth grade students from one district in Georgia. Logistic regression analyses compared the accuracy of the predictor variables. Overall classification accuracy was 96.6% for ORF and maze and 97.1% for CRCT-7; however, this …

Kanye West Is Heading South, Clifton A. Sammet

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

Teachers’ And Parents’ Perspective As How The Social Environment Of Immediate Vicinity Can Affect The Academic Learning Of A Child 4-6 Years Age Group, Salma Amin Rattani, Deedar Shah

School of Nursing & Midwifery

In the process of human development environment plays a pivotal role. At the age of 4 -6 years, children's immediate vicinity expands from home to school and in his social environment parents and teachers play a vital role. Therefore, in this study which was conducted in Phander district Ghizer, Northern areas; of Pakistan, employing descriptive research design five parents and five school teachers were enrolled. Participants shared their definition and understanding about social environment and immediate vicinity and its effects on academic learning. This research is part of Advanced Diploma in Human Development: Early Child Development Programme, Aga Khan University. …

When Is A Difference Really Different? Learners' Discrimination Of Linguistic Contrasts In American Sign Language, Joseph Bochner, Karen Christie, Peter Hauser

Articles

Learners’ ability to recognize linguistic contrasts in American Sign Language (ASL)was investigated using a paired-comparison discrimination task. Minimal pairs containing contrasts in five linguistic categories (i.e., the formational parameters of movement, handshape, orientation, and location in ASL phonology, and a category comprised of contrasts in complex morphology) were presented in sentence contexts to a sample of 127 hearing learners at beginning and intermediate levels of proficiency and 10 Deaf native signers. Participants’ responses were analyzed to determine the relative difficulty of the linguistic categories and the effect of proficiency level on performance. The results indicated that movement contrasts were the …

The Consumption Of Concepts: The Hedonic And Utilitarian Effects Of Perceived Interactivity On The Consumption Of Digital Information, Colleen P. Kirk, Jennifer Thomas, Larry Chiagouris

Cornerstone 3 Reports : Interdisciplinary Informatics

No abstract provided.

The Life That Chose Us: Educators With Tourette Syndrome, Jennifer Kristen Stenger

Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how having Tourette syndrome has shaped educators’ relationships in their personal and professional experiences. I completed a series of three in-depth interviews with seven educators in K-12 public schools who self-identify as an educator with Tourette syndrome. I began with a background of the participants’ experiences related to having Tourette syndrome. From there, I discussed participants’ experiences in regard to attaining and retaining employment. My guiding research questions were how having Tourette syndrome shapes relationships with administrators, colleagues, and students and their parents. Also, I asked how Tourette syndrome has shaped …

The Effects Of Positive Behavior Interventions And Supports (Pbis) On Middle Level Students, Michael Raymond Havener

Dissertations

Many theories regarding school discipline have been developed and implemented. In this study, various discipline models are discussed and analyzed. One particular model that claims to significantly reduce discipline referrals is Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The primary purpose of this study was to determine if PBIS is effective in reducing discipline referrals in a particular Midwest suburban 6-8 middle school. In addition, the referrals were analyzed to determine if there was a significant change in the academic achievement in the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) math and communication arts test scores after implementation of PBIS in 2008-2009. The population …

All A Twitter: Social Networking, College Athletes, And The First Amendment, Davis Walsh

William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal

No abstract provided.

Friends Of The Library Mcnair Scholarship Awards, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Does Patient Attitude Or Therapist Skill Predict The Success Of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Cbt) For Depression, Alyssa Allen

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Outgroup Contact And Social Identity On Negative Outgroup Attitudes, Asha Jassani

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Acknowledgements, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

A Method For Representing Contextualized Information (Merci) To Improve Situational Awareness Among Electronic Message Brokering System Dashboard Users, Arunkumar Srinivasan

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Electronic health information brokering systems are of interest to public health informatics because they emphasize how data can be effectively shared and utilized across healthcare institutions and among providers so as to improve the quality of care, increase efficiency, and reduce costs (Lumpkin, 2002). In the domain of public health (PH) specifically, where complete and timely reporting of data is critical for all epidemiological and disease surveillance activities (Langmuir, 1976), it is imperative to ensure proper functioning of the electronic information exchange infrastructure. Receiving multiple types of data, in various formats from numerous sources, and triaging them to the appropriate …

Evaluation Of Fastt Math, Krystal Clawson, Valerie Grier, Amanda Iocoangeli

Graduate Capstone Projects

FASTT Math is an online, computer-based program that helps students develop fluency with basic math facts. FASTT Math can be used by students in second grade and up. Monroe Public Schools implemented this program in 2008 as a way to help improve fact fluency in the elementary grades. An evaluation of the effectiveness of the program was conducted and recommendations for future use are provided.

Inventing Norms, William Hubbard

All Faculty Scholarship

Patent law strives to promote the progress of technology by encouraging invention. Traditionally, scholars contend that patent law achieves this goal by creating financial incentives to invent in the form of exclusive rights to new technology. This traditional view of invention, however, fails to recognize that inventors are motivated by more than money. Like most people, inventors are also motivated by social norms, that is, shared normative beliefs favoring certain actions while disfavoring others. This Article argues that many Americans embrace social norms that favor and encourage successful invention. Because of these "inventing norms" inventors enjoy enhanced personal satisfaction and …

Save A Horse, Ride A New Train Of Thought: Using Threshold Concepts To Teach Information Literacy, Lori Townsend, Korey Brunetti, Amy R. Hofer

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2009

The sun beat down on a high, lonesome hilltop in Hayward... where three librarians at Cal State East Bay were redesigning a credit-bearing first-year Information Literacy course in order to move the content online. They reckoned that creating this online hootenanny would require rustling up some fresh lessons and activities and distilling the class down to a few essential learning objectives, based on ACRL standards. One librarian thundered into town with talk of "threshold concepts," a pedagogical strategy developed by Jan Meyer and Ray Land. Could threshold concepts serve as a lasso for students to snare a deeper understanding of …

The Map Is Useless Unless You Know Where You Are: Information Literacy Pre-Assessment As A Tool For Understanding And Collaboration, Jason Ertz

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2009

The objective of this presentation is to provide librarians with a potential outline for beginning an information literacy assessment strategy, starting with pre-assessment. Librarians unsure about where to start when it comes to assessment will find that developing a pre-test can be a great way to start such a strategy collaborating with classroom faculty. Pre-assessment also is nonjudgmental pertaining to faculty’s teaching abilities and students’ learning making it an easier sell for collaboration or even initiating collaboration where none existed. If we can’t know where students end up after a class, at least we can get a sense of where …