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2013

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A Study Of First Grade Class Size Reduction Classes And Common Core State Standards Implementation In A Rural Mississippi School District, Toya Vatrina Harrell Dec 2013

A Study Of First Grade Class Size Reduction Classes And Common Core State Standards Implementation In A Rural Mississippi School District, Toya Vatrina Harrell

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of class size reduction (CSR) on student performance while implementing Common Core State Standards (CCSS). The researcher sought to examine test scores specifically in 1st grade classrooms during the 1st year implementation of CCSS. Additionally, the researcher wanted to assist school leaders in identifying ways to motivate teachers to perform at the highest level and focus on student outcomes. The results indicated that students in the CSR classes had higher scores than the students in the non-CSR classes in some subjects. The findings from this study were consistent with the …

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Racial Desegregation Of Higher Education In Virginia: Black And White, And Gray?, Alexandra Jaclyn Kolleda Dec 2013

Racial Desegregation Of Higher Education In Virginia: Black And White, And Gray?, Alexandra Jaclyn Kolleda

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

No abstract provided.

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Environmental Risk Perceptions, Attitudes, And Behaviors: A Study Of College Students Living In A Risk Society, Julia Spring Pei Dec 2013

Environmental Risk Perceptions, Attitudes, And Behaviors: A Study Of College Students Living In A Risk Society, Julia Spring Pei

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

This present study examines the relationships between environmental risk perceptions and pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors within the theory of the risk society. This quantitative study was conducted online, with a sample size of 218 undergraduate college students from James Madison University. Environmental risks were measured at the societal and individual levels, as well as within five separate risk categories. As expected, I found positive relationships between these risks and pro-environmental attitudes and behaviors, however the relationships between individual and societal risk perceptions were different than I anticipated. Where I expected individual risk perceptions to drive both pro-environmental behaviors and attitudes, …

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Public Perception On The State Of Air Quality In Malta, Nikolas Cassar Dec 2013

Public Perception On The State Of Air Quality In Malta, Nikolas Cassar

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Public perception on the state of air quality is an unclear and hazy concept whereby every individual has different opinions and views. In fact, the state of air quality is a major concern in many countries, including in Malta. This problem arises from the emissions of a number of pollutants to the atmosphere from a host of processes such as the combustion of fuel to generate electricity and the internal combustion engines to manoeuvre cars. Amongst these pollutants, there are benzene and nitrogen dioxide, which are very hazardous since they cause problems related to human health and contribute in the …

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Assessment Of Seawater Quality: Do Public Perceptions Of Seawater Quality Match Indications Given By Macroalgae?, Angela Bartolo Dec 2013

Assessment Of Seawater Quality: Do Public Perceptions Of Seawater Quality Match Indications Given By Macroalgae?, Angela Bartolo

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Determination of seawater quality is an essential activity in coastal areas especially in ones that attract bathers. This study aims to investigate whether the Ecological Quality Status (EQS) of seawater in bathing areas in the Maltese Islands differs across sites. The study also aims to investigate the correlation between public perceptions and objective measures of seawater quality as well as factors affecting perception of seawater quality. Another objective of this study is to investigate the public’s knowledge about macroalgae and opinion on macroalgae. The EQS of seawater in six coastal sites in the Maltese Islands is investigated using the EEI-c …

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Improving The Energy Efficiency Of Dehumidification Technology At A Large Facility In Florida, Brandon Willson Hoilett Dec 2013

Improving The Energy Efficiency Of Dehumidification Technology At A Large Facility In Florida, Brandon Willson Hoilett

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This thesis examines energy use and management of twenty heat pipes used in dehumidification systems at a large (10,000+ acre) facility in Florida. Eleven of the twenty heat pipes use electric strip heaters that, when activated, consume 693.8 kW of electrical power from the grid. Solar photovoltaics, specifically a silicon monocrystalline cell with 22.5% efficiency, were considered as a means to provide an alternative energy source and opportunity for cost savings for 11 of the heat pipes (Sunpower, 2011). The remaining nine heat pipes use hot water heaters for which alternative energy sources were not considered. Data gathered and analyzed …

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Temperature Effects Of Dielectric Properties And Their Impact On Medical Device Development, Erin Elizabeth Colebeck Dec 2013

Temperature Effects Of Dielectric Properties And Their Impact On Medical Device Development, Erin Elizabeth Colebeck

Theses and Dissertations

Dielectric properties play an influential role in the development of medical devices. Understanding the behavior of these properties and how they respond to external stimuli, such as heat, over an extended frequency has yet to be researched. The focus of this study is to examine the impact of temperature on dielectric properties from 500 MHz to 10 GHz in order to better match the antenna properties of medical applications to the dielectric properties of biological tissue in question; more specifically, microwave ablation, microwave hyperthermia, and thermal modeling of brown adipose tissue’s metabolic processes. The dielectric properties of biological tissue samples …

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Strategies For Optimization Of Diesel-Ignited Propane Dual Fuel Combustion In A Heavy Duty Compression Ignition Engine, Chad Duane Carpenter Dec 2013

Strategies For Optimization Of Diesel-Ignited Propane Dual Fuel Combustion In A Heavy Duty Compression Ignition Engine, Chad Duane Carpenter

Theses and Dissertations

A 12.9 L heavy duty compression ignition engine was tested with strategies for dual fuel optimization. The effects of varied intake manifold pressure as well as split-injection strategies at a load of 5 bar BMEP and 85 PES were observed. These results were used to allow testing of split-injection strategies at a higher load of 10 bar BMEP at 70 PES that were void of MPRR above 2000 kPa/CAD. The split-injection strategies at 5 bar BMEP showed that lower BSNOx can be achieved with minimal drop in FCE. Varying intake manifold pressure revealed that combustion occurs earlier in a cycle …

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Illinois State University, One Hundred And Fifty-Fourth Annual Commencement, December 14, 2013, Illinois State University Dec 2013

Illinois State University, One Hundred And Fifty-Fourth Annual Commencement, December 14, 2013, Illinois State University

Commencement Programs

Illinois State University
One Hundred and Fifty-Fourth Annual Commencement
December 14, 2013

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Characterization And Monitoring Of On-Farm Water Storage Systems In Porter Bayou Watershed, Mississippi, Richard Ludwig Kirmeyer Dec 2013

Characterization And Monitoring Of On-Farm Water Storage Systems In Porter Bayou Watershed, Mississippi, Richard Ludwig Kirmeyer

Theses and Dissertations

The onarm water storage (OFWS) systems at Metcalf and Pitts farm in Porter Bayou Watershed were monitored for changes in nutrient levels and water withdrawal for irrigation from March 2012 to April 2013. Nitrogen and phosphorus levels were generally higher during the early part of the growing season. The OFWS systems can reduce nitrate and phosphorus in runoff up to 81% and 85%, respectively. However, the systems did not consistently reduce sediment and nutrients especially after significant rainfall and runoff events. The systems provided a total of 130 and 233 acreeet of recycled water for irrigating crops at Metcalf and …

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Surveys Of Women With Hpv And Their Healthcare Experiences., Danielle Defayette Dec 2013

Surveys Of Women With Hpv And Their Healthcare Experiences., Danielle Defayette

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Genital human papillomavirus infection is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States, with almost 20 million Americans currently infected and an additional 6.2 million becoming newly infected each year. Women rely strongly on their health care providers to educate and comfort them regarding this distressing diagnosis. This study will use an online, self-completion questionnaire to obtain women’s opinions regarding their health care providers’ performances concerning the initial consultation after learning of their HPV diagnosis. Findings from this study provided insight as to how women prefer receiving information from their health care providers concerning their diagnosis of HPV. …

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Feelings Of Connectedness To Nature: A Comparison Of Park & Recreation Management Students And Sport Management Students., N. E. Scarborough Dec 2013

Feelings Of Connectedness To Nature: A Comparison Of Park & Recreation Management Students And Sport Management Students., N. E. Scarborough

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the face of the present consumer-based environmental movement, leaders in many industries and disciplines are striving to understand why people are “going green” in order to market to them. Researchers have been studying ways in which people connect to the environmental movement, and researchers in the field of sport and recreation are also conducting such studies. Several surveys have been developed to measure these connections; one such survey instrument is the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS). In the present study, the CNS was re-created online, and a link to the survey was sent via email to students studying Park …

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Comparison Between Two Methodological Paradigms Of Conditioned Place Preference With Methlyphenidate., Bryce D. Watson Dec 2013

Comparison Between Two Methodological Paradigms Of Conditioned Place Preference With Methlyphenidate., Bryce D. Watson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The aim of this thesis is to examine the mechanisms of Methylphenidate (MPH) on Conditioned Place Preference (CPP), a behavioral test of reward. The psychostimulant MPH is therapeutically used in the treatment of ADHD, but has been implicated in many pharmacological actions related to drug addiction and is considered to have abuse potential. Past work in our lab and others have shown substantial sex-differences in the neuropharmacological profile of MPH. Here a discussion of the relevant mechanisms of action of MPH and its relationship to neurotrophins and CPP are reviewed. Furthermore, previous work is reviewed and a rationale for two …

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The Role Of Population Growth In An Emerging Multipolar Economic World., Casey C. Horner Dec 2013

The Role Of Population Growth In An Emerging Multipolar Economic World., Casey C. Horner

Undergraduate Honors Theses

An empirical study presenting the social and economic proof of a global shift from a bipolar economic world to a multipolar economic world. The time period for data and projections is 2010 to 2050. The measurements used are population pyramids, total population, GDP per capita, and total GDP.

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Hand Hygiene Perceptions Of Student Nurses., Brittany Berger Dec 2013

Hand Hygiene Perceptions Of Student Nurses., Brittany Berger

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Compliance with hand hygiene is widely recognized as the most important factor in preventing transmission of infection to patients in healthcare settings (Haas and Larson, 2007). Hand hygiene dramatically decreases the potential pathogens on hands and is considered the first measure for decreasing the risk of transmitting organisms to patients, healthcare professionals, and family members. Noncompliance with hand hygiene practices has been shown to increase healthcare-associated infections, costing hospitals $35.7-$45 billion each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2012). Education about hand hygiene starts in school and should transfer into the real world of nursing. The purpose of …

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Impact Of Oxidative Stress On Female Fertility., Tasha Harris Dec 2013

Impact Of Oxidative Stress On Female Fertility., Tasha Harris

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study examined nutritional status and fecundity of women and was approved for patient enrollment by the ETSU Institutional Review Board (IRB). Once enrolled, participants filled out two food frequency questionnaires (FFQ, fruit/vegetable intake, fat intake), self-reported anthropometric data, and had one 5 mL vacutainer of whole blood (EDTA) collected for measures of oxidative stress (OS), coenzyme Q10 level, and fatty acid profile of the red blood cell (RBC) membrane. Participants were either designated to the case group (13 women experiencing fertility problems and an anti-mullerian hormone level of 1 ng/ml or less (AMH, <1 ng/mL)) or the control group (13 women experiencing normal ovulation cycles and no evidence of polycystic disease). This study hypothesized that the case group would have poorer plasma antioxidant status, consume more dietary saturated fat and have lower levels of omega-3 and higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids in the RBC membrane. Results showed that case participants had significantly higher body mass index (BMI) when graduating from high school, BMI upon enrollment in the study, and trended to gain more weight since high school. Antioxidant status of the plasma tended to be higher for the case group. This result was surprising as case participants consumed significantly fewer servings of fruits and vegetables (sources of antioxidants) than control subjects. FFQ results indicated that case participants consumed significantly higher amounts of total fat (g), saturated fat (g), unsaturated fat (g), and their diets had a higher dietary fat percent. No significant differences were noted in the individual fatty acids isolated from the RBC membrane or in calculated ratios of fatty acid between case and control groups. The fatty acid profile from RBC membranes are in agreement with self-reported fat intake from FFQ data and may provide a rationale for no differences observed between the two groups.

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Examining The Influence Of Nutritional Behaviors, Knowledge And Attitudes On Body Mass Index Of Adults In North Mississippi, Gloria Therese Broughan Dec 2013

Examining The Influence Of Nutritional Behaviors, Knowledge And Attitudes On Body Mass Index Of Adults In North Mississippi, Gloria Therese Broughan

Theses and Dissertations

Individuals with weight statuses approaching obesity may be at risk for chronic health problems. Diet, weight, health behaviors, level of knowledge, and attitudes or perceptions have been identified as key factors influencing body weight. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors were related to BMI in adults in north Mississippi and to determine if there were relationships between those factors. A telephone survey was conducted with 500 participants (mean age 46.3 ± 18.5). The average BMI was 27.5 ± 6.2 kg/m2. Knowledge and attitude/perception-based data were associated with a higher BMI in the population more than dietary …

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Characterization Of A Test Stand For Evaluating Performance And Qualifying Metal Media Filters Under Asme Ag-1, John Andrew Wilson Dec 2013

Characterization Of A Test Stand For Evaluating Performance And Qualifying Metal Media Filters Under Asme Ag-1, John Andrew Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The Institute of Clean Energy Technology (ICET) at Mississippi State University was awarded a contract by the DOE to design, fabricate, assemble, and characterize a research grade test stand to assist in the development of ASME AG-1 Section FI Metal Media Filters. The major barriers to completing the code section is development of a test stand for collecting data necessary to specify performance requirements for use and for filter qualification. Currently there is not a test stand capable of performing this testing. Performance criteria for the FI test stand were developed by the Section FI project team and ICET. These …

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Effects Of Nurr1 Genotype And Aging On Dopamine Neurotransmission And Behavior, Evangel Kummari Dec 2013

Effects Of Nurr1 Genotype And Aging On Dopamine Neurotransmission And Behavior, Evangel Kummari

Theses and Dissertations

Nurr1 is a transcription factor essential for the establishment, development, terminal differentiation and maintenance of mesencephalic dopamine neurons. Nurr1 is thought to coordinate the expression of dopamine neurotransmission genes. Nurr1-null heterozygous (+/-) mice have reduced Nurr1 function, which impacts dopamine neuron function in a region specific manner. Since aging can affect Nurr1 expression, we hypothesize that aging and +/- genotype will have significant effects on dopamine regulation and dopamine related behaviors. To test this hypothesis, regional neurochemistry and behavioral tests of wild type (+/+) and +/- mice at 3 months of age (young) and 12-16 months of age (aged)was performed. …

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Analysis Of Humeral And Femoral Cross-Sectional Properties At Morton Shell Mound (16ib3), Sarah Marie Zaleski Dec 2013

Analysis Of Humeral And Femoral Cross-Sectional Properties At Morton Shell Mound (16ib3), Sarah Marie Zaleski

Theses and Dissertations

Using the concept of bone functional adaptation, this study analyzes femoral and humeral cross-sectional properties of human skeletal materials from Morton Shell Mound on the Louisiana coast. This work helps fill a gap in such analyses in the southern U.S. and contributes to an understanding of the functional adaptation of the human skeleton. Properties were compared to those of other prehistoric Southeastern fisher-hunter-gatherers from Gold Mine, Plash Island, and several Georgia coast sites to assess mobility and activity patterns among inland and coastal groups. Less sexual dimorphism of femoral midshaft shape among coastal Morton and Plash, compared to inland Gold …

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Evaluating User Satisfaction And Perceived Quality Of Electronic Health Records In Mississippi, Dakota Chamblee Dec 2013

Evaluating User Satisfaction And Perceived Quality Of Electronic Health Records In Mississippi, Dakota Chamblee

Theses and Dissertations

Electronic Health Records (EHRs) is a health information technology that has already begun to change the way healthcare providers care for patients. EHRs can potentially enhance the quality and efficiency of patient care (Simon et al., 2010); however, some research shows that EHRs do not always do so. The lack of improved efficiency and quality of care can lead to frustrated and dissatisfied users. The effects of different aspects of EHR implementation could affect user satisfaction and perceived quality of EHRs. This study investigates the how time since implementation, training, and leadership affect user satisfaction and perceived quality of the …

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Evaluation Of Catalytic And Non-Catalytic Production Of Biodiesel From Wet Microbial Media And Reaction Schemes, Adebola Titilope Coker Dec 2013

Evaluation Of Catalytic And Non-Catalytic Production Of Biodiesel From Wet Microbial Media And Reaction Schemes, Adebola Titilope Coker

Theses and Dissertations

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that can supplement petroleum fuel supply. A major deterrent to commercial biodiesel production from traditional feedstock like soybean, canola or rapeseed oils is the high cost of feedstock: 70 - 95% of total biodiesel production cost. Therefore, a relatively cheaper feedstock is needed to make the price of biodiesel cost-competitive with petroleum diesel. Activated sludge from wastewater treatment plants is a relatively cheaper feedstock and relatively easy to obtain. However, drying of this sludge prior to oil extraction is a major operating cost of this process, as high as 50% of biodiesel production cost. The …

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Evaluation Of Quantitative Polymerase Reaction And Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds To Determine Resistance To Aspergillus Flavus In Maize, Alicia Kay Wood-Jones Dec 2013

Evaluation Of Quantitative Polymerase Reaction And Microbial Volatile Organic Compounds To Determine Resistance To Aspergillus Flavus In Maize, Alicia Kay Wood-Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Screening for resistance to Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination in maize is an ongoing effort by universities, state and federal agencies. We evaluated two techniques to screen for resistance; quantitative polymerase reaction (QPCR) and solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Methods were adapted to accurately detect and quantify the fungus in culture and in the vegetative stage of plant tissues. These assays can eliminate microbiological techniques. The primary objectives of the study were to utilize 1) QPCR to detect and quantify fungal biomass in maize stem tissues to evaluate resistance in maize genotypes to A. flavus colonization in situ and in vivo and …

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Evaluation Of Producing Sand-Based Sod On A Fine-Textured Native Soil Using Transported Sand, John David Vanderford Dec 2013

Evaluation Of Producing Sand-Based Sod On A Fine-Textured Native Soil Using Transported Sand, John David Vanderford

Theses and Dissertations

Turfgrass establishment on sand-based rootzones is routinely accomplished by using sod produced on a fine-textured native soil. As a result, soil layering occurs, potentially causing initial reduction in water infiltration, rooting, aeration, and overall turfgrass quality. This research was aimed at determining the feasibility of applying sand over existing native soil to produce hybrid bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers. x C. transvaalensis Burtt-Davy) sand-based sod. Factors evaluated were visual quality and scalping. Treatments were harvested and transplanted to a sand-based research green where handle-ability, tensile strength, and infiltration were also evaluated. Results indicate aerify and topdress treatments showed higher quality …

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Perceptions Of Students At A Rural Mississippi Community College Regarding Employability, Cortney R. Harris Dec 2013

Perceptions Of Students At A Rural Mississippi Community College Regarding Employability, Cortney R. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Research studies show that there is a skills gap in American society today. This research study examined employability perceptions of community college students at a rural community college in Mississippi. Students were asked to complete an online survey that questioned the degree of importance placed on several employability skills, as well as their self-perceived competence levels at performing those skills. Likert-scale response set type questions were used to provide responses on importance and competence levels. After sending the survey invitation, 100 usable surveys were returned and analyzed for this research study. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney procedures, …

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Inflated Expectations: An Investigation Into College Students' Academic Entitlement Beliefs, Shane Tyler Warren Dec 2013

Inflated Expectations: An Investigation Into College Students' Academic Entitlement Beliefs, Shane Tyler Warren

Theses and Dissertations

Academic entitlement is defined as the belief that academic benefits, positive outcomes, or preferential treatment should be given regardless of individual effort (Chowning & Campbell, 2009; Greenberger, et al., 2008; Kopp et al., 2011). The current study investigated antecedent and outcome relationships of endorsing academic entitlement beliefs (AEBs) among undergraduate college students using structural equation modeling (SEM). Specific variables evaluated in the model as predictors of AEBs included students’ beliefs regarding achievement goals (i.e., mastery-approach, mastery-avoidance, performance-approach, and performance-avoidance), control beliefs (i.e., internal, chance, and powerful others), consumerism, narcissism, and parental involvement; as well as the background characteristics of students’ …

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An Assessment Of Human Vulnerability To Prolonged Cold In The Zeravshan Valley Of Tajikistan, R Bryson Touchstone Dec 2013

An Assessment Of Human Vulnerability To Prolonged Cold In The Zeravshan Valley Of Tajikistan, R Bryson Touchstone

Theses and Dissertations

The Central Asian country of Tajikistan is the poorest of the former Soviet republics; it is also prone to a plethora of natural hazards including mass wasting, flood, and extreme temperature. This thesis seeks to characterize how vulnerable rural Tajik mountain communities are to prolonged cold. The primary focus was in Navobod, in the Zeravshan Valley of Tajikistan, where semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 households, the village leader and doctor, and school staff. The results from the interviews were compared with GIS analysis of the region. Interviews indicated that the area is highly vulnerable to the impacts of prolonged …

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System Dynamics Simulation Model Of Salmonella Contamination Of Broiler Carcasses In The Chill Tank Of A Poultry Processing Plant, Karen Dazo Galarneau Dec 2013

System Dynamics Simulation Model Of Salmonella Contamination Of Broiler Carcasses In The Chill Tank Of A Poultry Processing Plant, Karen Dazo Galarneau

Theses and Dissertations

Salmonella has been studied and researched for more than a hundred years and yet it remains a problem for human and animal health. The goal of this dissertation was to apply the systems thinking approach to Salmonella contamination and develop a System Dynamics (SD) simulation model for Salmonella contamination in the chill tank of a poultry processing plant. But first the appropriate carcass rinse sampling method that would not impact on the resulting Salmonella contamination status of the broiler carcass was studied. Kappa agreement analysis was used to evaluate three sampling methods. The adjacent rinse method was found to be …

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The Community College Baccalaureate: Assessing Student Perceptions At One Rural Mississippi Community College, Edana Leigh Nail Dec 2013

The Community College Baccalaureate: Assessing Student Perceptions At One Rural Mississippi Community College, Edana Leigh Nail

Theses and Dissertations

The demand for Community College Baccalaureate (CCB) degrees is rising due to increasing costs of educational obtainment resulting in decreased access. Also, universities are not always accessible geographically or academically to many students. Many students are limited in time and financial resources, and have family and job responsibilities, limiting their ability to relocate to a university. The focus of this study was to explore the perceptions of students regarding the need for the CCB, the effectiveness of the CCB, reasons why students would choose the CCB, and the fields of CCB degrees students would choose. Specifically, this study compared the …

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The Effect Of Low Sodium Diet Education In The Prevention Of Hospital Readmission For Heart Failure Patients, Lindsey Tira Doxtater Dec 2013

The Effect Of Low Sodium Diet Education In The Prevention Of Hospital Readmission For Heart Failure Patients, Lindsey Tira Doxtater

Theses and Dissertations

Rate of readmission among hospitalized heart failure (HF) patients is used as an indicator of quality and efficiency of healthcare. A low sodium diet is a component of the accepted treatment for HF. Instruction by dietitians may help reduce dietary sodium without negatively affecting quality of life. The effect of low sodium diet education on hospital readmission within 30 and 45 days of discharge for HF patients (N=52) was conducted. Chi-square analysis determined education did not significantly affect remittance within 30 (P=.143) or 45 days (P=.474). Patients readmitted within 30 days were older (P=.005). Men were more likely to be …

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