Digital Commons Network^™

An Evaluation Of A Brief, Theatre-Based Intervention For The Prevention Of Adolescent Cyberbulllying And Suicide., Kathryn Laurel Hopkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Quality program evaluation investigates both the process and the outcomes of an intervention in order to accurately determine its effectiveness and impact. In the present study, the effectiveness of CHOICES, a brief, applied-theatre intervention that addresses cyberbullying and suicide was evaluated. The fidelity of implementation of the intervention was assessed to determine whether the delivery of CHOICES was consistent with the original goals of the program, as well as consistent across multiple deliveries. Investigation of the fidelity of implementation revealed that CHOICES was not implemented with high levels of fidelity. The study also determined whether exposure to CHOICES led to …

Evaluating The Effectiveness And Hydrological Performance Of Green Infrastructure Stormwater Control Measures., Hamidreza Kazemi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) has developed a Long-Term Control Plan (LTCP) to address the combined sewer overflow (CSO) issue through a combination of gray and green infrastructure (GI) stormwater management practices in the city of Louisville. In support of this effort, the MSD installed a series of GI stormwater control measures (SCMs) to abate the CSO volumes in an urban sewershed basin. This research is focused on monitoring and evaluating the individual hydrological performance, which included infiltration and exfiltration processes, of two permeable pavement systems over a two year study period. It also assess the …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Sense Of Coherence, Engagement In Health Behaviors, And Individual Coping Style., Dean Todd Misener 1973-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stress is a pervasive issue among traditional college students; affecting their choice in health behaviors, and overall academic performance. What is not clear is why some students, despite the pervasiveness of stressors are able to do well in school and maintain/improve their health, while other students struggle to maintain their health and do poorly in school. Aaron Antonovsky theorized that when confronted with a stressor a person with a high sense of coherence (SOC) will be motivated to cope, believe the challenge is understood and that the necessary resources to cope with the stressor are available. Overall, Antonovsky theorized that …

Aminooxy Reagents In Nanomedicine And Bioanalysis., Stephanie Mattingly

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The development of nanomaterials as medical diagnostic and therapeutic agents is a rapidly expanding field. A brief search of the literature revealed that roughly half of all articles related to nanoparticle-based drug delivery were published after the onset of this thesis research, over the past 4 years. A few nano-based formulations have entered into clinical use, including liposomal drug formulations, protein-linked drugs, and nanoparticle-based MRI contrast agents. The chemistry that enables conjugation of a functional cargo, whether a drug, a targeting element, or a radionucleotide, to a nanocarrier is thus a critical component for development. Oximation is one of the …

Early-Age Hydration Studies Of Portland Cement, Fengjuan Liu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Our current knowledge on cement hydration during setting is based on the discrete observation of hydrated paste. An advanced micro/nano-level technique which can perform the in-situ observation on the continuous hydration of cement paste is demanded. In this study, Raman spectroscopy (RS) was chosen as such a method to continuously investigate wet pastes. The objective of this research is to explore the hydration process and microstructural development of fresh pastes with this technique. This research was conducted in three phases. First, the RS analysis was used to continuously observe the cement hydration from 20 minutes after mixing to 9 hours. …

A Magical Country : Stories From Appalachia., James Eric Leary 1977-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fairy tales and other forms of fantastic literature have fascinated children and adults for generations. The scholarship on these types of works indicate that many find their folkloric origins in oral storytelling, and those roots may be quite ancient. However, some of the earliest examples of recorded literature capture stories of magic and fantasy. The interplay between the oral and literary form remains a significant area of study and development for folk literature, and new artistic productions, termed variants in the scholarship, continue to appear frequently in contemporary American culture. The criticism and creative work presented here add to the …

Earthworm, Microbial Biomass, And Leaf Litter Decay Responses After Invasive Honeysuckle Shrub Removal From Urban Woodlands., Robert Preston Pipal

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Invasive species are one of the leading causes of biodiversity loss and their presence can significantly impact the structure and function of native ecosystems. In this dissertation, the impacts of the invasive honeysuckle shrub, Lonicera maackii, on exotic earthworm populations, leaf litter decay responses, and inorganic and organic nutrient pools in an urban woodland park are assessed. Chapter 1 provides a brief review of honeysuckle's effects on forest ecosystems. Chapter 2 describes honeysuckle’s effects on exotic earthworm populations and the seasonal importance of macroinvertebrates to leaf litter decomposition in urban woodlands. This study revealed that L. maackii promoted higher exotic …

Sdsf : Social-Networking Trust Based Distributed Data Storage And Co-Operative Information Fusion., Phani Chakravarthy Polina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As of 2014, about 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created each day, and 90% of the data in the world was created in the last two years alone. The storage of this data can be on external hard drives, on unused space in peer-to-peer (P2P) networks or using the more currently popular approach of storing in the Cloud. When the users store their data in the Cloud, the entire data is exposed to the administrators of the services who can view and possibly misuse the data. With the growing popularity and usage of Cloud storage services like Google Drive, …

The Effect Of A Controlled Frequency Breath Holding Training Program On Running Economy Among Elite College Swimmers., Patrick Sims 1988-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Running economy (RE) is the amount of oxygen consumed while running at a submaximal intensity. Along with aerobic capacity (VO2max), RE is an important predictor of running performance. Little research has investigated changes in RE with restricted breathing training [i.e. controlled breath-holding (CFB)] during exercise. RE may improve ~6% amongst a novice swimming cohort through CFB training, but this has not been established in elite swimmers. The purpose was to further establish that CFB training (16 sessions of 12 x 50-m with ~15 seconds rest between each 50-m, using only ~2 breaths per 50-m) can improve RE in 25 elite …

The Role Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis In The Regulation Of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers In Migration., Akintunde Ojo 1981-

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A relationship between periodontal disease and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has been demonstrated in recent studies. Porphyromonas gingivalis’ antigen have been found in oral cancer cells. The embryonic program “epithelial-mesenchymal transition” (EMT) is thought to trigger cancer invasion by allowing tumor cell propagation. The objective of this study was to examine the role of P. gingivalis in the expression of ZEB1, vimentin, and repression of miRNA-200 family as EMT prognostic markers in cancer cell metastasis. Human telomerase immortalized gingival keratinocytes (TIGK) cells were challenged with P. gingivalis strain ATCC 33277 in vitro for 24h at MOI 50 and 100. …

A Case Study On The Apple Hill Grower's Association: An Agritourism Area In Camino, Ca, Christine J. Delfino

Master's Theses

The current research is a case study on the Apple Hill Grower’s Association (AHGA). The purpose of this case study was to gain a full understanding of the AHGA with a focus on the economic and social motivations of the original farmers to bring tourism to the farm. A majority of the past research on agritourism involves quantitative studies that are survey based; this study gives qualitative research perspective based on focus groups and personal interviews. In addition, past research is focused on other states (i.e. Michigan, Missouri, Montana) and countries (i.e Italy and Australia). This case study adds research …

Evolutionary Search For Models Of Planarian Regeneration Using Experimental Data, Marianna Viktorovna Budnikova

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The ability of science to produce experimental data greatly surpasses our current ability to effectively visualize, conceptualize, and integrate the vast volumes of available data into a unified understanding of how complex biological systems work. This inability is a hindrance to scientific progress, and is particularly daunting when one considers multidimensional and shape-based observations as in the field of regenerative biology. For example, for at least the last 200 years, scientists have been interested in the exceptional ability of Planaria to regenerate lost tissues from damage, and there is a large amount of experimental data available on this organism. However, …

Wirelessly Controlled Smart Outlet, Andrew Godsil, Ariel Dubinsky

Electrical Engineering

Popularity of home automation devices has increased greatly in recent years due to higher affordability and simplicity through smartphone and tablet connectivity. For the purpose of this experiment, we have developed the Smart Outlet: a stand-alone communication unit, used to connect home outlets to the internet. The Smart Outlet controls lighting and simple appliances throughout the home, remotely, using wireless commands from the web. A Google Calendar interface directly controls the outlets’ function by scheduling them with dedicated calendar events. The calendar’s interface can even be accessed from multiple different platforms (i.e. phones, computers, tablets) for the convenience of all …

Transimpedance Amplifier For Polymer Photodiodes, Sheridan Knighton

Electrical Engineering

Dr. Braun’s students in the Polymer Electronics Lab currently have a way to measure the light intensity from their light emitting devices however it consumes an unnecessary amount of space and power. I offer to improve upon the existing transimpedance circuit that Dr. Braun currently uses, reducing the total space occupied by the circuit and the power consumption of the current setup. The transimpedance circuit measures the incidence light intensity from the polymer-based photo detector and outputs an accurate, discrete, and measurable voltage. The current setup however utilizes two 20V wall warts for the positive and negative rails of the …

Microprocessor Management Of Energy Harvesting Buck Boost Converters, Timothy O'Sullivan

Electrical Engineering

No abstract provided.

High Voltage Pulse-Width Generator For The Algae Biofuel Project, Philip Yu, Stephen Leung

Electrical Engineering

This purpose of this project, sponsored by Boeing and advised by Dr. Arakaki and Dr. Taufik, is to build a high voltage pulse width generator that lyses algae cells to harvest the biofuel within. This project uses Emmanuel Loza's thesis on a cascaded high voltage converter with variable control to build a portable pulse width generator with independent control on the peak voltage, pulse width, and frequency. The project focuses on creating a pulse width generator capable of finding the most optimal pulsed electric field to lyse algae. The pulse width module ranges from 10V-80V peak voltage, 60Hz-100 kHz frequency, …

Trade Secret Fair Use, Deepa Varadarajan

Fordham Law Review

Trade secret law arose to help companies protect confidential information (e.g., the Coca-Cola formula) from competitors seeking to copy their innovative efforts. But companies increasingly use trade secret law to block a wide swath of information from the scrutinizing eyes of consumers, public watchdog groups, and potential improvers. Companies can do this, in part, because trade secret law lacks clear limiting doctrines that consider the social benefits of unauthorized use. For example, trade secret law makes no allowance for the departing employee that uses proprietary information to create a substantially improved product or disclose public health risks.

This Article argues …

Effects Of Stocking Rate On Forage Nutrient Composition Of Nebraska Sandhills Upland Range When Grazed In Early Summer And The Effects Of Grazing On Nebraska Sandhills Meadow Forage Nutrient Composition, Jared Vern Judy

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objectives of this research were to 1) evaluate the effects of stocking rate on forage nutrient quality 2) quantify the relative proportions of current vs. previous year growth being consumed in early summer upland range pastures and 3) determine how grazing effects forage nutrient quality in subirrigated meadows in the Nebraska Sandhills. Experiment 1 was a two year study conducted on the experimental upland range paddocks at Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory. Twelve 2-hectare paddocks were assigned one of three treatments stocked at 0 (control), 0.57 (light), and 0.85 (heavy) AUM/ha. Ten 0.25 m² quadrats were clipped per paddock during …

Genetic Parameter Estimates And Breed Effects For Calving Difficulty And Birth Weight In A Multi-Breed Population, Cashley Ahlberg

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

There are multiple breeds of beef cattle available to utilize in breeding systems to maximize production and economics. Calving difficulty (dystocia) is a significant cost to beef production and is more prevalent in first-calf heifers. The objectives of this study were to estimate genetic parameters and breed differences for calving difficulty and birth weight as a first step towards the development of across-breed adjustment factors for calving difficulty.

Two models were employed to analyze birth weight (BWT) and calving difficulty (CD) recorded on 4,579 first parity females from the Germplasm Evaluation program at the United States Meat Animal Research Center …

Feedlot Manure Management Considerations Including Anaerobic Digestion Potential And Mineral Retention, Andrea K. Watson

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Three anaerobic digestion trials were conducted to evaluate methane production from feedlot manure. As organic matter content of manure decreased, degradation of manure and methane production also linearly decreased (P ≤ 0.02). Quality, or organic matter content of manure, had a greater impact on anaerobic digestion than diet (with and without distillers grains) fed to cattle. Minerals are concentrated in effluent removed from anaerobic digesters.

Knowing mineral retention within cattle allows for more accurate calculation of mineral excretion in manure. Three serial slaughter trials measured mineral retention in growing and finishing cattle. During a growing phase, beef cattle gaining …

The Miscommunication Of Standardized Education, Eliott James Walker

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

Entering A Musical Haze: How Music Festivals Have Created Their Own Culture, Kaitlyn Weaver

Communication Studies

No abstract provided.

Factors That Affect Attachment Between The Employed Mother And The Child, Infancy To Two Years, Naureen Kassamali, Salma Amin Rattani

School of Nursing & Midwifery

To explore a mother's feeling of attachment and the affects her working status on the attachment relationship with her child, upon ethical clearance from the institutional ethics committee, in-depth interviews of nine participants were conducted. Mothers enrolled were those who resumed the employment within the first year of post-delivery and were having a child up to two years of age. Results revealed that maternal employment itself does not enhance or deteriorate attachment with the child. It is combinations of factors that revolve around it impact on their bond. Overall, maternal integration or the balance of the dual roles of employment …

Genealib Archive 2014-12, Genealib

GENEALIB Archive

No abstract provided.

Listening To Shells And Discovering A Lost World; Epiphanic Experiences At The Museum, Catherine M.C. Closet-Crane

Proceedings from the Document Academy

This paper aims to entertain the possibilities for analysis, interpretation, and learning offered by evocative autoethnographic texts for LAM and LIS user studies. The focus in this paper is on storytelling as autoethnographic writing. To illustrate facets of a particular cultural experience and start a conversation about the transformative power of museum objects as documents, the story told in this paper recounts a series of events and experiences from the life of two visitors after their museum encounter with an engraved shell artifact from the archeological site of Spiro Mounds in Oklahoma.

Contribution Of Multidomain Titanomagnetite To The Intensity And Stability Of Mars Crustal Magnetic Anomalies, Stefanie A. Brachfeld, David Cuomo, Lisa Tatsumi-Petrochilos, Julie A. Bowles, Deepa Shah, Julia Hammer

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Two basalts with compositions relevant to the crusts of Mars and Earth were synthesized at igneous temperatures and held at 650°C for 21 to 257 days under quartz‐fayalite‐magnetite fO2 buffer conditions. The run products are germane to slowly cooled igneous intrusions, which might be a significant volumetric fraction of the Martian crust and carriers of magnetic anomalies in the Southern Highlands. Both basalts acquired intense thermoremanent magnetizations and intense but easily demagnetized anhysteretic remanent magnetizations carried by homogeneous multidomain titanomagnetite. Hypothetical intrusions on Mars composed of these materials would be capable of acquiring intense remanences sufficient to generate the …

The Compliance Case For Social Enterprise, Joseph W. Yockey

Michigan Business & Entrepreneurial Law Review

Social enterprises generate revenue to solve social, humanitarian, and ecological problems. Their products are not a means to the end of profits, but rather profits are a means to the end of their production. This dynamic presents many of the same corporate governance issues facing other forprofit firms, including legal compliance. The author contends, however, that traditional strategies for corporate compliance are incongruent to the social enterprise’s unique normative framework. Specifically, traditional compliance theory, with its prioritization of shareholder interests, stands at odds with the social enterprise’s mission-driven purpose. Attention to this distinction is essential for developing effective compliance and …

Ospreys (Pandion Haliaetus) In The 21st Century: Populations, Migration, Management, And Research Priorities, Richard O. Bierregaard, Alan F. Poole, Brian E. Washburn

United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services: Staff Publications

Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) are remarkable raptors. Their choice of conspicuous nest sites and surprising tolerance for nesting in nearly intimate association with humans render them an iconic piece of aquatic ecosystems in both marine and freshwater habitats across the northern hemisphere and much of Australasia (Australia to Indonesia). Wintering in Central and South America and Africa as well, they are among the few truly cosmopolitan birds of prey. Ecologically, they might be termed generalized specialists. They are, with exceptions so rare that they can safely be ignored, obligate fish eaters. From their talons to the tip of their …

The Effect Of Smartmusic On Student Practice, Brian Duane Nichols

Doctor of Education in Teacher Leadership Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to document the use of SmartMusic Interactive Practice Software and its effect on practice habits and motivation. The 12-week study measured participant practice time using paper practice charts and the online grade book/practice chart in SmartMusic Interactive Practice software. In addition, an 11-question Likert survey was administered pre and poststudy to measure students’ reactions and motivations to practice. Participants (N=38) were randomly assigned to either the SmartMusic group (SM, n=19) or the Contact Control group (CC, n =19). Data from an Independent Samples t test measuring group practice time indicate a significant difference between …

Changes In R, The R Core Team

The R Journal

CHANGES IN 3.1.2