Digital Commons Network^™

December 14, 2013 (Pages 7213-7416), Pennsylvania Legislative Reference Bureau

Volume 43 (2013)

No abstract provided.

A Practicum In Financial Planning, Erika L. Klosterman

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

A Practicum in Financial Planning explains the six stage process of creating a comprehensive financial plan, and in doing so provides an example of a financial plan for the Jackson family to clarify the process. The six stage process consists of: establishing and defining the client-planner relationship, gathering client data, analyzing and evaluating the client’s current financial status, developing and presenting recommendations and/or alternatives, implementing the recommendations, and monitoring the recommendations. The importance of a financial plan for all individuals is also discussed.

Comparing Public And Private Schools, Emily Scheper

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

School is an experience shared by most Americans, but each individual’s experience with school is very different. Many people assume that the biggest determinant of an individual’s success in life stems from choosing the right school. Many parents take this choice very seriously, trying to determine the best environment for their child. In most cases, the choice is between a public/city school and a private/religious school that charges tuition. The question is, though, why do parents decide to spend extra money to send their children to a private school when the same education is offered for free at any local …

Commencement Convocation Program, Usf, Baccalaureates, December 14, 2013, University Of South Florida

USF Graduation and Convocation Programs

President's Global Leadership Award - Marlene M. Johnson; Outstanding Graduate - Lianet Vazquez; King O'Neal Scholars - Jillianne Deal, Alyssa Dupere, Jessica Haggod, Ahad Khan, Rachel Powell, Emilio Ruiz-Linares, Mariam Saifee, Christopher Thomas Story, and Brandon Sweeting

The Murray Ledger And Times, December 14, 2013, The Murray Ledger And Times

The Murray Ledger & Times

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Initial Position And Stimulus Location Of The Paw On The Nociceptive Withdrawal Reflex In Intact Rats, Christopher Anthony Chrzan Ii

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Animals have the ability react to noxious stimuli from the environment via a reflex pathway known as the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR). The NWR is a spinal reflex that protects the body from stimuli that may be tissue damaging. In addition, the NWR is known to be supraspinally modulated, which alters the strength of response. Previous studies on the NWR have shown an influence of both stimulus location and initial posture on the NWR. The studies regarding the influence of initial position on the NWR, however, are more limited. Most of the research has been conducted on humans, and in …

Pre-Service Music Teachers' Perspectives Of Experiences In An Informal Music Learning Group, Veronica Jane Sharpe

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

Pre-service music teachers’ undergraduate preparation is often geared towards formal music making (i.e., large conductor-led ensembles). However, recent research suggests that many school-aged students are making music in informal settings (e.g. garage bands) outside of school. Despite a recent influx of research in informal music learning, there is little information on pre-service music teacher’s opinions towards and preparedness in incorporating informal music making into the classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine how pre-service music teachers’ informal music learning experiences shaped their perspectives on the importance of informal music learning and its role in the classroom. For this …

Euphonium Performance Of Cello Literature, Nathan Seraf Gredler

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

No abstract provided.

Two Genetic Effects At The Irf5/ Tnpo3 Locus Are Independently Associated With The Development Of Specific Lupus Symptoms, Samantha Hawtrey

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder that can affect every tissue in the body. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IRF5 and TNPO3 genes are statistically associated with the development of SLE. My research identified correlations between IRF5/TNPO3 SNPs and specific lupus symptoms. Logistic regression analyses were conducted using 101 genetic variants in the IRF5/TNPO3 region that were genotyped in over 6,000 lupus patients of different ethnicities, with admixture covariates applied. Three clinical phenotypes displayed significant correlation (p < 1.6x10-5) in subjects of European ancestry. For each of these phenotypes, a step-wise conditional analysis was conducted using two lupus associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at this genetic loci. In Europeans, lupus disease onset (p-valueEU=2.44x10-16, OR=0.67*) and the presence of anti-Ro (p-valueEU=2.09x10-7, OR=0.67) and anti-dsDNA (p-valueEU=4.15x10-7, OR=0.75) antibodies were associated with SNPs in the IRF5/TNPO3 genes. SNPs in the IRF5 promoter and those spanning IRF5 and TNPO3 were both associated with disease onset. The presence of anti-Ro and anti-dsDNA antibodies is only associated with SNPs in the IRF5 promoter. Genetic variants at the IRF5/TNPO3 locus are associated with lupus disease onset and production of anti-dsDNA and anti-Ro antibodies in lupus patients. SNPs in the promoter region of iii IRF5 (associated with rs4728142) and SNPs spanning the IRF5 and TNPO3 genes (associated with rs12534421) contribute independently to these symptoms.

Artie Shaw's Concerto For Clarinet: A Lecture Recital, Allyson Sanders

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The ultimate goal of my project will be a performance of Artie Shaw’s Concerto for Clarinet, accompanied by a brief lecture centered around attitudes toward jazz, Shaw himself, and the Concerto. I aim to draw conclusions about how Shaw’s experiences and reactions to the perception of jazz may have influenced his composition. Also, I will provide a musical analysis of the Concerto for Clarinet and will compare its form with that of a traditional concerto from the Classical period. During the performance and presentation, I will play excerpts and explain different techniques found throughout the piece, focusing on the rhythmic …

Rebranding And Repositioning: The Kentucky State Parks Restaurants, Jacqueline Byrne

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

The restaurants located at the Resort Parks under the Kentucky State Parks group have noticed a distinct lack of revenue over the course of the past five years. Elaine Walker, Commissioner of the Arts and Heritage Committee, approached myself and fellow student Lavella Hall, with intentions of a complete rebrand and redesign of their main distributive information outlets: logos for each of the 17 restaurants, a menu redux, additional print mandatories (table toppers, etc.), and ultimately, the brand image. With the implementation of this project, we intend to see a 20% increase in guest traffic, guest loyalty and revenue for …

Using Art To Promote Peace In The Lives Of Elementary Aged Students, Megan Mcdonald

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Guernica was Pablo Picasso’s most controversial piece, created as a political statement to show the devastation of war in Guernica during the Spanish Civil War. It is the inspiration for the Kid’s Guernica Peace Mural Project, developed as a way for adolescents to visually express their ideas of peace as a global goal. With the completion of a peace workshop and a 3.5m × 7.8m moveable mural, Kentucky is now a participant in the project. The mural illustrates the creative collaboration of sixty fifth grade students, a local artist and myself. It will travel throughout the state of Kentucky during …

Pre-Program Assessment For Fall-Related Hip Fracture Prevention In A Rural Community, Katryn Inga Steenbergen

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

In the elderly, hip fractures from falls often result in decreased quality of life, independence, or functional mobility. Such injuries may lead to hospitalizations, skilled nursing facility admissions, and healthcare costs, yet can be minimized by addressing risk factors of falls. Health education models indicate that assessment of the target population is important prior to the development of an effective program. PURPOSE: To determine among rural adults self-identified learning needs, interest and preferences for fall injury prevention. METHODS: A survey was administered to senior citizens in a rural community. RESULTS: One hundred thirty (n= 130) older adults completed this survey. …

The Sentencing Structure Of White-Collar Crime, Catherine Reeves

Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Corporate fraud is an all-too-common element in our society today. Unfortunately, many of those convicted of fraud end up with a seemingly light jail sentence. A possible explanation for this is that the judges could have many subconscious reasons to give lighter sentences in these cases than they do with other more violent cases. Since there are no strict guidelines for the sentencing of these “white-collar criminals,” the judge’s personal views can play a significant role. Many of the laws and guidelines for determining the sentence in fraud cases have stemmed from the corporate scandals of the early 2000’s, but …

An Analysis Of The Application Of Best Management Practices In Collaborative Watershed Management To Community-Based Sustainable Development, Rebecca Holthaus Sappenfield

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

This research seeks to determine if BMPs from CWM can inform the broader concept of CBSD. In order to answer this question, I conduct a desk study, which involves an extensive review of the CWM literature in two areas: stakeholder participation and building trust among stakeholders. I then analyze my research to deduce BMPs for these areas of CWM. As part of this analysis, I also explore how effective environmental communication plays a fundamental role in achieving these BMPs. The culmination of this work is the production of guidelines of best practice for stakeholder participation and building trust among stakeholders …

Feasibility Study Of Installing Artificial Bathing Platforms At The Northeast Coast Of Malta, Darren Bianco

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The need to create additional bathing areas at rugged karst rocky shores of the northeast coast of Malta could be met by installing temporary wooden decking platforms, since current sandy beaches are very crowded in the peak summer season. Wooden decking platforms are also an acceptable alternative to beach nourishment projects, where the latter can have permanent negative environmental impacts. The old and eroded concrete platforms which cover large areas of the northeast coast of Malta represent an eyesore to the public. The option of overlaying these concrete platforms with a permanent rock amalgam composed of fiber-reinforced concrete which mimics …

The Integration Of 18th And 19th Century Subsistence Farming Practices Into The Planning And X-Zoning Laws Of The City And County Of Baltimore, Clayton A. Hayes

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The Industrial Revolution divorced the majority of urban dwellers from the land in the United States. Today, people rely upon industrial food products from global food systems. These systems cause environmental pollution, land degradation, and loss of biodiversity. Additionally, there is unequal food distribution in these systems with poor farmers growing for production and not consumption. The rigid distribution system through grocery stores often leaves poor economic areas without access to fresh, healthy food. The solution to these problems is a return to local food systems, where people can grow or have access to fresh, local food. However, local food …

A Resilience Assessment Of The Ramla Valley System, Gozo, Mykel Fenech

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

The investigation delves into the application of the resilience concept to the ecological and anthropogenic systems of Ramla Valley, Gozo. The Resilience Assessment, the first of its kind attempted in the Islands, takes a holistic approach to study a system by considering the various system components and related pressures. Components considered include agricultural, ecological, sediment (beaches and dunes) and landscape. Current governance impacting the system was also considered. Methods used in this study were based on guidelines provided by the Resilience Alliance and supported by data derived from previous studies, interviews with interested parties, on-site observations, and comparative studies of …

Sustainable Management Of The Main Two Maltese Indigenous Grape Varieties For Winemaking, Jonathan Falzon

Masters Theses, 2010-2019

Ġellewża and Girgentina, the main two Maltese indigenous grape varieties that are used for winemaking, are grown in small parcels of land with an average size just over 0.1 ha. Policies and regulations that influence the sector have been set up and this increased the need for studies to understand the current management practices and how can they be more sustainable. Through interviews with 30 growers of the indigenous grape varieties it was found that most vines are trained as bush vines and cane pruned with 2 or 3 canes with about 5 to 10 buds in each. Nutrition is …

Western Michigan University Commencement Exercises-9am, John M. Dunn

WMU President John Dunn

No abstract provided.

Mental Illness, Narrative, And Rhetorics Of Recovery, Anders Rains Bruce

Senior Honors Projects, 2010-2019

No abstract provided.

Commencement Convocation Program, Usf, Graduate, December 14, 2013, University Of South Florida

USF Graduation and Convocation Programs

Honorary Doctorate of Science - Richard N. Zare

Fantasy Versus Fairy Tale: How Modern Fairy Tale Variants Measure Up To One Of The Greatest Literary Traditions Of All Time., Cheryl Lee

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis will examine both the history of the fairy tale and the modern adaptations of these popular stories in order to illustrate how fairy tales have evolved into their modern counterparts. The implications and circumstances of several recent variants are questioned and compared to a concise definition of the fairy tale. It is determined that, although the modern versions resemble classic fairy tales, they are not a detriment to the tradition of the tales, and may, in fact, begin their own literary tradition.

Effects Of Wii Fit™ Plus Cardiovascular Exercises On Cognitive Function In Older Adults: Feasibility Study., Ifeanyichukwu Chinedozi

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Cognitive decline increasingly plague older adults. Although various studies have correlated aerobic exercises with decreased incidence of the development and progression of cognitive deterioration in older adults, there is no evidence as to whether or not the Wii Fit Plus Rhythm Kung-Fu, Hula-Hoop and the Wii Just Dance can improve the cognitive function of older adults as measured by the Standardized Mini Mental State Examination (SMMSE) instrument. A descriptive study design was used to explore the feasibility of implementing an aerobic exercise program for older adults in an assisted living facility using these Wii games, and evaluating whether or not …

Journal Of Mormon History, Volume 40, Issue 1 (2014)

Journal of Mormon History

LETTER

--Stakes in Canada, Francine Russell Bennion, vi

ARTICLES

--The People Are “Hogaffed or Humbugged”: The 1851–52 National Reaction to Utah’s “Runaway” Officers, Part 2, Ronald W. Walker and Matthew J. Grow, 1

--“Smoot Smites Smut:” Apostle-Senator Reed Smoot’s 1930 Campaign against Obscene Books, Michael Harold Paulos, 53

--“Colegias Chilenes de los Santos de los Últimos Días”: The History of Latter-day Saint Schools in Chile, Casey Paul Griffiths, Scott C. Esplin, Barbara Morgan, and E. Vance Randall, 97

--“Redeemed from the Curse Placed upon Her”: Dialogic Discourse on Eve in the Woman's Exponent, Boyd Jay Petersen, …

Determining A Developmental Window For The Effect Of Polychlorinated Biphenyl (Pcb) On Ultrasonic Vo, Hannah Duffy

Honors Projects

Commercial manufacturing and widespread use of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) in the United States has left lasting negative effects today. These persistent contaminants continue to bioaccumulate in the food web because of their stable structure, long half-life, and high lipophilicity. Adding PCB to the diet of Sprague-Dawley rats during pregnancy and lactation alters the thyroid status of offspring, and the behavior of the dams and pups. To determine a critical period or “window” of development with the greatest impact of PCB exposure of females on offspring fitness, female Sprague-Dawley rats were mated and fed PCB diet (25 ppm PCB 47 and …

Diffusion Tensor Imaging In Hiv And Hepatitis C Coinfection, Jodi Michelle Heaps

Dissertations

Previous studies have demonstrated that infection with both human immune deficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C (HCV) is associated with impaired cognitive function. It is unclear whether co-infection is associated with neuroimaging markers of brain dysfunction. The purpose of the present study was to compare HIV+ individuals, HIV/HCV+ individuals, and seronegative controls using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to assess the microstructural integrity of white matter tissue. Methods: Twenty-five HIV+ patients, 25 HIV/HCV+ patients, and 25 seronegative controls matched for age were included in the study. All participants completed an MRI session, neuropsychological testing, and an evaluation of clinical variables including …

Glycosyl Thiocarbamates As New Building Blocks For Chemical Glycosylation, Sneha Chandrashekhar Ranade

Dissertations

Having multiple functions in biological systems e.g. fertilization, blood group determination, cell growth; carbohydrates have remained attractive subjects for the study. They are also involved in various life threatening biological processes, such as viral and bacterial infections, tumor development, etc. Understanding of these involvements/interactions of carbohydrates in such critical processes is essential for the development of carbohydrate based vaccines and therapeutics. Although carbohydrates are present abundantly in nature, their isolation is cumbersome and low yielding, which is why, the synthesis of carbohydrate units has been of interest to many scientists. Efforts have been made to make these synthetic methods more …

The Role Of Oxygen In The Uptake Of Deuterium In Lithiated Graphite, C. N. Taylor, J. Dadras, Kara E. Luitjohan, Jean P. Allain, P. S. Kristic, C. H. Skinner

Birck and NCN Publications

We investigate the mechanism of deuterium retention by lithiated graphite and its relationship to the oxygen concentration through surface sensitive experiments and atomistic simulations. Deposition of lithium on graphite yielded 5%-8% oxygen surface concentration and when subsequently irradiated with D ions at energies between 500 and 1000 eV/amu and fluences over 10(16) cm(-2) the oxygen concentration rose to between 25% and 40%. These enhanced oxygen levels were reached in a few seconds compared to about 300 h when the lithiated graphite was allowed to adsorb oxygen from the ambient environment under equilibrium conditions. Irradiating graphite without lithium deposition, however, resulted …

Delamination Detection In Concrete Using Disposable Impactors For Excitation, Anjali Narendra Patil

Theses and Dissertations

Delaminations in concrete bridge decks result primarily from corrosion of the reinforcing bars (or rebar). This corrosion leads to volumetric expansion of the rebar. When the rebar expands, concrete cracks, and there is a localized separation of the concrete cover from the underlying concrete. Impact-echo testing is an effective technique to map delaminations on concrete bridge decks. However, mapping speed is limited by necessary retrieval of the impactor for traditional tests. To achieve higher scanning speeds, it is advantageous to use both a non-contact measurement (air-coupled impact-echo) and disposable-impactor excitation. Disposable impactors have the potential advantage of achieving greater deck …