Digital Commons Network^™

"Oh, Must We Dream Our Dreams And Have Them Too?": Transformation Through Reading In Elizabeth Bishop's "Questions Of Travel," Carol Shields' Swann, And Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck's The Lives Of Others, Carissa Anne Green

Theses and Dissertations

Literary scholars study how readers interpret texts. Louise Rosenblatt, Wolfgang Iser, and Wayne Booth analyze how readers interact with texts transactionally, as a phenomenology, and as an ethical exchange. This grounding gives a foundation on which to analyze and define the interpretive acts demonstrated by readers. Poststructuralist critics Roland Barthes and Jacques Derrida open up the idea of "text," allowing us to apply our phenomenology of reading beyond words on paper. I apply the work of these and other critics not to the readers of texts but to characters depicted within texts who are readers. These characters confront unfamiliar texts, …

A Framework For The Integration Of Technology Into Curricula Development And Student Assessment, Washington Helps

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this work is to amalgamate technology and education in a manner which will prove to be beneficial to all stakeholders involved and which will allow for an improvement in the ubiquitous process of curriculum development in the teaching and learning sphere. The primary motivation surrounds the issue of limited human resources in terms of teachers and expert knowledge as well as available physical resources such as computer equipment or other classroom artifacts. It should be duly noted that it is in many developing countries where the student-teacher ratio is very high and where such a framework will …

Modeling Arsenic, Antimony, And Selenium Partitioning During Coal Combustion, David W. James

Theses and Dissertations

Even though greenhouse gas emissions have gained widespread recent attention, they are not the only form of pollution associated with coal. Several trace elements liberated from the coal matrix during combustion represent additional pollutants that must be understood and controlled. These elements have a variety of ways in which they are associated within coal, which impacts how they may be released into the environment. Namely, trace elements are classified as "included," "excluded," or "organically bound." Specific elements-arsenic, antimony, and selenium-are of particular interest due to their semi-volatile nature.

Modeling the partitioning of semi-volatile elements-arsenic, antimony, and selenium-is the focus of …

The Ecology Of Host-Seeking Mosquitoes Within The Red River Valley Of Central North Dakota, Joseph Orlo Mehus

Theses and Dissertations

Host-seeking mosquitoes are taxing for people and wildlife alike in the Red River Valley (RRV). During the summer massive numbers of mosquitoes swarm the RRV, yet little is known about the ecology and biology of the mosquito species that inhabit this area. This research will help to fill some of those knowledge gaps by studying the ecology of host seeking mosquitoes in the RRV.

Host-seeking mosquitoes were collected using CO₂-baited MMX^TM traps. Trapping was conducted in two very different rural settings within the RRV. One site, a 40-acre hardwood forest with closed canopy, the other a farmstead …

A Model Of Nontraditional College Student Motivation And Success, Masela Anyango Obade

Theses and Dissertations

Despite the increase in their college enrollment, nontraditional students in U.S. postsecondary institutions are less likely to stay in college until they earn their degree. What could explain nontraditional student high attrition rates and overall success beyond what their demographic characteristics reveal? The purpose of this study was to examine the role of achievement motivation in predicting nontraditional student college success using the expectancy-value theory (Eccles et al., 1983) and achievement goals theory (Dweck, 1986; Maehr, 1989; Nicholls, 1984). A Model of Nontraditional College Student Motivation and Success was tested using a sample of undergraduate students enrolled in various majors …

Spirituality And Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Kara Ann Richardson-Cline

Theses and Dissertations

Problem: The positive relationship between spirituality and physical, psychological, and social well-being has been well established. However, beyond quality of life measures, this construct has yet to be more deeply studied in a sample of individuals diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Furthermore, relational spirituality has yet to be studied in a chronically ill population. Meeting these gaps in the literature, this study compared the explicit domains and latent constructs measured by a relational spirituality instrument and examined their associations with a measure of biopsychosocial-spiritual well-being and quality of life measure.

Results: Utilizing nonrandom online surveys, this study included 305 …

Wendell Berry's Philosophy Of Education: Lessons From Port William, Jane Margaret Schreck

Theses and Dissertations

In the midst of a proclaimed crisis in higher education, in the clamor and clamber to leverage technology for such innovations as mass open online courses and differentiated learning modules, in the speculative frenzy of preparing students for the careers of a fantasy future, and in the swirl of angst about funding accountability and economic relevance, Wendell Berry's philosophy of education declares that the essential element missing from most current discussions and considerations of education is love. As explained in his essays and revealed in his fiction and poetry, Berry's philosophy centers on love as the best animator of learning: …

Effects Of Parental Support On Physical Activity Levels In Children, Julie Ann Caspers

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: The literature is mixed regarding behavioral methods that may effectively motivate children to increase physical activity levels. Because some research has shown parental influence can affect children's behavior, it is hypothesized that trained parental support may increase children's physical activity.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of parental support on children's physical activity. Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM) served as a guide. The theoretical underpinnings of this model are based on the assumption that individuals are influenced by interpersonal factors such as parental support.

Design and Sample: For this pre-test/post-test interventional study, 30 children …

Mennonite Music Education In Southern Manitoba: A Descriptive Study Of Mennonite Collegiate Institute And Steinbach Christian High School, Troy Landon Toavs

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe and compare the music programs at Mennonite Collegiate Institute (MCI) founded in 1889 and Steinbach Christian High School (SCHS) which has its origins in Steinbach Bible College founded in 1936. The Kanadier, Mennonites who came to Manitoba in 1874 (e.g., Kleine Gemeinde and Bergthaler), had previously rejected part-singing in Russia. However, they became more open to part-singing after they came to Manitoba. The Bergthaler in Gretna helped establish MCI. The Mennonite Brethren (MB) and Evangelical Mennonite Brethren (EMB) were influential in promoting choral music among the Kleine Gemeinde in Steinbach. Steinbach Bible …

Hydraulic Fracturing Design For Horizontal Wells In The Bakken Formation, Williston Basin, Hadi Jabbari

Theses and Dissertations

Unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs have proved to be challenging in terms of reservoir characterization, predicting production potential, estimating ultimate recovery, and optimizing hydraulic fracture stimulations. The methods by which these resources are extracted use progressive, or unconventional, technologies. Today, through the use of hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, extraordinary amounts of oil and natural gas from deep shale formations across the United States and around the world are being safely produced.

Performing a hydraulic fracture design requires modeling of fracture propagation and tracking the fluid front in the created fracture. In this dissertation, the roles of all effective parameters and properties …

Effect Of Oocyte Quality And Activation Protocols On Bovine Embryo Development Following Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, Ömer Korkmaz, Şükrü Küplülü, Yüksel Ağca, İbrahi̇m Mert Polat

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of oocyte quality and activation protocols on the in vitro developmental competence of bovine embryos after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Bovine oocytes were grouped as being of excellent, good, and poor quality. All of the oocytes were activated using a calcium ionophore only, ethanol only, and 6-dimethylaminopurine (6-DMAP) following calcium ionophore. For the excellent quality oocytes, cleavage rates after ICSI were 70% in the Ca ionophore + 6-DMAP activation group, 47% in the ethanol activation group, 41.82% in the Ca ionophore group, and 30% in the nontreated control group. Cleavage …

Financial Losses From Foot Diseases In Cattle Farms In Kars Province, Pinar Demi̇r, Sadik Yayla, Özgür Aksoy, İsa Özaydin

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

This study was performed via a survey conducted of a total of 112 cattle operations in Kars and the vicinity and included a total of 2317 head, of which 280 were determined to have foot problems. The financial loss incurred per operation was calculated in accordance with the data obtained. As a result, the prevalence of foot disease encountered in cattle in the region in 2010 was determined to be 12.08%, and although it varied depending on the severity of the foot diseases, the animals were healed in an average of 46.5 days. Live weights declined by an average of …

Animal Skeletal Remains Of The Theodosius Harbor: General Overview, Vedat Onar, Gülsün Pazvant, Hasan Alpak, Nazan Gezer İnce, Altan Armutak, Zeynep Sevi̇m Kiziltan

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Archaeological excavations at the site of Yenikapı, the most important main station for Metro and Marmaray projects on the European side of İstanbul, were started in 2004 with the discovery of numerous shipwrecks, amphorae, and skeletal remains belonging to animals. The findings from the excavations conducted by the İstanbul Archaeological Museums of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage and Museums proved that this site, known in the Ottoman period as 'Langa Bostanları', was actually the ancient harbor of Theodosius. The archeological material and animal skeletal residues, mostly of horse origin, were found side by side in excavations initiated in 2004 …

A Retrospective Study Of Tetralogy Of Fallot In Dogs, Urszula Paslawska, Agnieszka Noszczyk-Nowak, Alicja Cepiel, Maciej Staszczyk, Adrian Janiszewski

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

Tetralogy of Fallot is a rare congenital heart defect; however, it is the most common cyanotic heart malformation in humans and animals. It consists of a ventricular septal defect, pulmonic stenosis, displacement of the aortic root, and hypertrophy of the right ventricle. At the Department of Internal Medicine Clinic of Diseases of Horses, Dogs, and Cats at the Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, patients with Fallot syndrome constituted 4.44% of all patients with congenital heart diseases. There was no breed predisposition found. The most common clinical signs were exercise intolerance, dyspnea, and cyanosis of the mucous membranes, but …

Fattening Performance And Carcass Traits Of Lambs Obtained By Crossing The Hasmer And Hasak Sheep Types With The Akkaraman Breed, Mehmet Çolak, Mehmet Emi̇n Teki̇n, Ahmet Hamdi̇ Aktaş, Necdet Akay, Tülay Canatan Yilmaz

Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences

The present study investigated the fattening performance and carcass traits of lambs obtained by the crossing of the Hasak and Hasmer sheep types, developed at the Bahri Dağdaş International Agricultural Research Institute, with publicly owned Akkaraman sheep. Of each of these groups, 7 male and 7 female lambs of approximately 75 days of age were raised under an intensive feedlot system. The fattening period lasted 70 days, and, at the end of this period, 5 lambs were slaughtered from each group with the aim of determining carcass traits. In conclusion, the percentage of tail fat was reduced with the decreasing …

Common Host-Derived Chemicals Increase Catches Of Disease-Transmitting Mosquitoes And Can Improve Early Warning Systems For Rift Valley Fever Virus, David P. Tchouassi, Rosemary Sang, Catherine L. Sole, Armanda D.S. Bastos, Peter E.A. Teal, Christian Borgemeister, Baldwyn Torto

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Rift Valley fever (RVF), a mosquito-borne zoonosis, is a major public health and veterinary problem in sub-Saharan Africa. Surveillance to monitor mosquito populations during the inter-epidemic period (IEP) and viral activity in these vectors is critical to informing public health decisions for early warning and control of the disease. Using a combination of field bioassays, electrophysiological and chemical analyses we demonstrated that skin-derived aldehydes (heptanal, octanal, nonanal, decanal) common to RVF virus (RVFV) hosts including sheep, cow, donkey, goat and human serve as potent attractants for RVFV mosquito vectors. Furthermore, a blend formulated from the four aldehydes and combined with …