Digital Commons Network^™

Phylogenetic Analysis Shows That Neolithic Slate Plaques From The Southwestern Iberian Peninsula Are Not Genealogical Recording Systems, R. D. García, Michael J. O'Brien

History Faculty Publications (Archived)

Prehistoric material culture proposed to be symbolic in nature has been the object of considerable archaeological work from diverse theoretical perspectives, yet rarely are methodological tools used to test the interpretations. The lack of testing is often justified by invoking the opinion that the slippery nature of past human symbolism cannot easily be tackled by the scientific method. One such case, from the southwestern Iberian Peninsula, involves engraved stone plaques from megalithic funerary monuments dating ca. 3,500-2,750 B.C. (calibrated age). One widely accepted proposal is that the plaques are ancient mnemonic devices that record genealogies. The analysis reported here demonstrates …

Measuring Capability For Healthy Diet And Physical Activity, Robert L. Ferrer, Inez Cruz, Sandra Burge, Bryan Bayles, Martha Castilla

Public Health (Archived)

PURPOSE Patterns of diet and physical activity, major drivers of morbidity and mortality, are contingent on people’s feasible opportunities to pursue healthy behaviors. Our objective for this mixed methods study was to develop measures of feasible opportunities for diet and activity.

METHODS The Capability Approach framework for evaluating people’s real freedoms to pursue their values guided the research. A community-based participatory model was applied to conduct focus groups of adults with obesity or diabetes mellitus from an economically disadvantaged Latino community. Focus group themes were developed into survey items that assess how individual circumstances and neighborhood contexts influence opportunities for …

Poverty, Domestic Violence, And Intimiate Partner Homicide In The United States, Deanna L. Nicholas

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Toward An Understanding Of Preference For Agile Software Development Methods From A Personality Theory Perspective, Dave Bishop, Amit Deokar

Research & Publications

This paper presents the results of an exploratory research study that investigates factors contributing to preference for the agile software development approaches. The initial exploration revolves around the Five Factor Model of personality and the premise that these personality factors provide a partial explanation of preference for an agile approach. A survey instrument for measuring the preference for agile methods was developed and validated. The results from the quantitative data collected from the survey study indicate that three out of the five personality factors from the Five Factor Model show a correlation with above average preference for agile methods. These …

Do We Have Zero Privacy In Transportation? An Exploratory Study Of Video Surveillance Systems, Michael Latta

AMTP Proceedings 2014

The extent of and ethics of video surveillance has moved the conversation about privacy and surveillance from the internet to the camera, from home to transportation systems, and from static to real time marketing analytics. The issue of privacy and surveillance is international in scope for transportation surveillance, since, like the internet, transportation knows no borders and there are no limits on transportation types where surveillance of the public can be done routinely. The extent of surveillance systems worldwide is not well documented. This exploratory study seeks to document the extent of surveillance video camera systems around the world used …

Investigating Consumer Perceptions Of Purchase Shares For Private-Label Brands And Demographics: A Study Of The Great Value Brand, Musa Pinar, Paul Trapp, Tulay Girard

AMTP Proceedings 2014

Over the past several decades, private-label brands have emerged to have a strong presence on retailer shelves around the world, being especially prevalent in Europe (Queck 2009) and also becoming increasingly common in the United States (Gerlock 2013). For both retailers and consumers, the reasons behind the success of private-label brands are quite compelling. For retailers, private-label brands offer better margins than national manufacturer brands, greater negotiating power with manufacturer brands, and higher customer loyalty for the retailer (Ailawadi, Pauwels, & Steenkamp 2008). For consumers, these brands offer high quality at very competitive pricing relative to national manufacturer brands. The …

The Transformation Of The Supply Chain Manager, Dave Mcmahon, Stephen A. Lemay, Jeffery A. Periatt

AMTP Proceedings 2014

This research examines the transformation of the job of supply chain manager. This involves an analysis of the activities of this position, the competencies needed, what the job requires, and the training that is needed. Suggestions on how to develop and provide training are discussed. This research was funded by CSCMP.

Influence Of Relationship Marketing Underpinnings On Egyptian Hotel Customer's Satisfaction And Loyalty, Ahmed I. Ghoneim, Amira S. Ahmed

AMTP Proceedings 2014

This study seeks to examine relationship marketing as influenced by service provider's attributes and resulting in customer's satisfaction and loyalty within the Egyptian hotel industry. A conceptual model linking service provider's attributes to relationship marketing underpinnings and the latter to relational outcomes defined as customer's satisfaction and loyalty, was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) on a sample of 279 hotel customers in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. The results showed that service provider's competency significantly influences relationship marketing underpinnings. On the other hand, the influence of service provider's appearance on customer's perception of commitment and conflict is not supported. Further, relationship …

The Impact Of Soccer Regulations On European Soccer Organizations’ Marketing Tactics, Halee Harrison, Marko Grünhagen

AMTP Proceedings 2014

This paper highlights important changes in soccer regulations that have shaped the sport into what it is today, and marketing approaches that are used within soccer organizations and how they are impacted by these regulations. Important regulations, such as the seminal Bosman Ruling and the Financial Fair Play regulation, are examined, the growth and importance of sponsorships within European soccer organizations is discussed. The growth of Internet marketing and the impact of future advances in technological regulations on the game of soccer are outlined.

Approaches For Testing And Evaluation Of Xacml Policies, Izzat M. Alsmadi

Computer Science Faculty Publications (Archived)

Security services are provided through: The applications, operating systems, databases, and the network. There are many proposals to use policies to define, implement and evaluate security services. We discussed a full test automation framework to test XACML based policies. Using policies as input the developed tool can generate test cases based on the policy and the general XACML model. We evaluated a large dataset of policy implementations. The collection includes more than 200 test cases that represent instances of policies. Policies are executed and verified, using requests and responses generated for each instance of policies. WSO2 platform is used to …

Issues Related To The Detection Of Source Code Plagiarism In Students Assignments, Izzat M. Alsmadi, I. Alhami, S. Kazakzeh

Computer Science Faculty Publications (Archived)

Detecting similarity or plagiarism in the academic research publications, source code, etc. has been a long time complex and time consuming task. Several algorithms, tools and websites exist that try to find plagiarism or possible plagiarism in those human creative products. In this paper we used source code plagiarism detection tools to assess the level of plagiarism in source codes. We also investigated issues related to accuracy and challenges in detecting possible plagiarism in students' assignments. In a second study, we evaluated some tools against detecting possible plagiarism in research papers. Results showed that such process or decision is not …

Evaluation Of Active Optical Ground-Based Sensors To Detect Early Nitrogen Deficiencies In Corn, Lakesh Kumar Sharma

Soil Science

Corn (Zea mays, L) is an important world crop used as livestock feed, human consumption and ethanol production. Early in-season loss of nitrogen (N) continues to be a problem in corn. Ground-based active optical sensors (GBAO) have shown very promising results in predicting crop yield. In these experiments, two GBAO sensors GS and CC were used within forty-six established corn N-rate trials in North Dakota at the six (V6) and twelve (V12) leaf growth stages in 2011, 2012, and 2013. Corn height at V6 and V12 was recorded manually at each site in all three years. At V6, the GS …

Theoretical Study On Thin Film Dye Sensitized Photovoltaic Solar Cells, Jiawei Gong

Mechanical Engineering and Applied Mechanics

This thesis presents two models of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC): diffusion model and electrical model. The main purpose is to investigate interfacial charge transfer and charge transport within the semiconductor/electrolyte layer under illuminated conditions. These two interrelated models confirm that diffusion is the major driving force for electron and ion transport, while the drift of electrons is negligible. The diffusion model was utilized to simulate the temperature influence on the overall efficiency of DSC with a consideration of the voltage loss at titanium dioxide (TiO2)/ transparent conductive oxide (TCO) interface. It reveals that low temperature conditions have serious detrimental …

Development Of Prenatal Educational Library In The Somali Language For Family Healthcare, Karon Joyce Garrett

Nursing

The purpose of the project was to develop a library of culturally sensitive, and language specific prenatal educational materials for Somali women at Family HealthCare (FHC). The educational materials were provided in both written and DVD form. The assumption being that culturally sensitive, prenatal education is necessary to promote knowledge and understanding in patients and increase engagement of healthcare providers. Prior to language specific resources, Somali women typically refused written informational resources. Somali women when offered culturally sensitive education materials readily accepted the information. The resources used were acquired from various governments and non-profit organization websites. In the course of …

Development And Characterization Of Multifunctional Nanoparticles For Drug Delivery To Cancer Cells, Rahul Nahire

Pharmacy

Lipid and polymeric nanoparticles, although proven to be effective drug delivery systems compared to free drugs, have shown considerable limitations pertaining to their uptake and release at tumor sites. Spatial and temporal control over the delivery of anticancer drugs has always been challenge to drug delivery scientists. Here, we have developed and characterized multifunctional nanoparticles (liposomes and polymersomes) which are targeted specifically to cancer cells, and release their contents with tumor specific internal triggers. To enable these nanoparticles to be tracked in blood circulation, we have imparted them with echogenic characteristic. Echogenicity of nanoparticles is evaluated using ultrasound scattering and …

Challenges Facing Hispanic Entrepreneurs, Stephanie L. Black, Julio Canedo, Kimberly M. Lukaszewski, Dianna L. Stone

Management Faculty Publications (Archived)

No abstract provided.

By The Numbers: Russia’S Terrorists Increasingly Target Transportation, Brian M. Jenkins, Bruce R. Butterworth

Mineta Transportation Institute

If body count is the terrorists’ goal, then surface transportation provides an attractive target— crowds of strangers in confined environments. While Umarov’s Chechen predecessors carried out spectacular hostage seizures at hospitals, a primary school, and even at a theater in the heart of Moscow, trains, subways, and buses have featured heavily among their targets.

2014 Aasu Men's Basketball Guide, Armstrong State University

Armstrong Athletics: Men's Basketball Records (Archived)

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Gendered Efficacy Of Photovoice Methodology, Daniel John Bartholomay

Sociology and Anthropology

This study set out to measure the gendered efficacy of the participatory action research method of photovoice. This study utilized secondary analysis, imagery analysis, and qualitative research methods to analyze both photographs and interview transcripts from a previous photovoice study that examined the lives of individuals who have been prescribed medication for a mental illness. This study sought to: 1) evaluate the independent relationship between the researcher and the participants’ photographs; 2) unveil how effective photovoice is as a research method in terms of extracting rich data from mentally ill persons; and 3) assess photovoice’s efficacy in regard to the …

Ethical Landscapes Of The Human Terrain System, Jenna Lark Clawson

Sociology and Anthropology

This thesis addresses current controversy over ethical practices in the Human Terrain System. In the past decade the Department of Defense has adopted a cultural approach in the science of military control consequently creating the controversial HTS program. The HTS employs anthropologists to create ethnographic data sets on target populations, which has created ethical concerns for the anthropology discipline. This phenomenon is situated in the context of anthropologists’ roles in colonial population control, prior military engagements, and the discipline’s reactions to late 20th century ethics issues. This ethical dilemma is analyzed using discourse of the military, academics, and the public. …

Rockets And Rhetoric: The U.S. Space And Rocket Center And The Principles Of Rhetorical Study, Kyle Thede

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Improving Care For Depression As Provided In The Family Practice Setting, Robbie Joe Carroll

Nursing

This Dissertation is a synthesis of current literature and guidelines to develop the Simplified Prescribing Tool. The Simplified Prescribing Tool provides a guide to treating depression within the Family Practice discipline. The tool contains information that focuses on correctly diagnosing depression and the severity of the depression. The tool provides general guidelines for pharmacological treatment and an algorithm created by the author. The algorithm guides the provider through the process of prescribing. Finally, the tool also includes information on the management of depression throughout treatment until remission of the depression or referral onto a psychiatric care specialist. The main focus …

Perceptions Of The Infertile Patient Educated And Cared For Via Telemedicine, Sharri Lacher

Nursing

Approximately 20- 25% of women require infertility treatment using Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART). These specialized services require highly educated personnel. The availability of these services is compounded by the limited access of specialty care available in the rural areas. An advance in communicative technology called “Telehealth” has increased the accessibility of how education is delivered to patients in rural areas. Nurse and patient, located miles apart, are able to communicate through visual and audio means with the nurse providing education and support to the rural infertile patient. The focus of this Practice Improvement Project was to determine the patient perspective …

Creation Of Continuing Education Modules Addressing Leadership Development Components Applicable To Nurse Practitioners In The State Of North Dakota, Amanda Rochelle Johnson

Nursing

Effective leadership skills are a necessary element of successful Nurse Practitioner practice. Lack of leadership ability among Nurse Practitioners may lead to gaps in patient care, poorer outcomes, decreased patient satisfaction, increased healthcare spending, and inadequate communication between patients, providers, and peers (O’Grady, 2008). Both the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) identify components of leadership that are crucial to the role that the Nurse Practitioner plays while caring for patients (NONPF, 2012 & AACN, 2006). The landmark report on the Future of Nursing from the Institution of Medicine of …

Evaluating An Evidence-Based Prevention Program Delivered By Primary-Care Providers And In-Home Nurse Visits: The Period Of Purple Crying, An Abusive Head-Trauma Prevention Program, Jenna Rae Stout

Nursing

Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is an abusive head injury where an infant is submitted to severe, repetitive acceleration-deceleration forces with or without blunt impact to the head (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012). Thirteen to thirty percent of infants diagnosed with abusive head trauma die as a result of their injuries (Dart, 2009). Fifty to ninety percent of survivors are left with varying degrees of disabilities (Reece, 2008). The purpose of the dissertation was to increase knowledge about SBS and to help prevent future occurrences. A family medicine clinic in rural North Dakota and the Nurse Family Partnership of …

Test Cases Selection Based On Source Code Features Extraction, I. Alazzam, Izzat M. Alsmadi, M. Akour

Computer Science Faculty Publications (Archived)

Extracting valuable information from source code automatically was the subject of many research papers. Such information can be used for document traceability, concept or feature extraction, etc. In this paper, we used an Information Retrieval (IR) technique: Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI) for the automatic extraction of source code concepts for the purpose of test cases' reduction. We used and updated the open source FLAT Eclipse add on to try several code stemming approaches. The goal is to check the best approach to extract code concepts that can improve the process of test cases' selection or reduction.

Meaningful Use Of Electronic Health Records For Physician Collaboration: A Patient Centered Health Care Perspective, Cherie Noteboom, Sergey Motorny, Sajda Qureshi, Surendra Sarnikar

CAHIT

No abstract provided.

Armstrong Institutional Review Board Video Consent Form, Armstrong State University

Armstrong Institutional Review Board: Policies & Forms (Archived)

Armstrong Institutional Review Board Video Consent Form

Resistance To Septoria Musiva In Hybrid Poplar, Ruqian Qin

Plant Pathology

Septoria leaf spot and stem canker, caused by the fungal pathogen Mycosphaerella populorum Thompson (Anamomorph = Septoria musiva Peck). An efficient greenhouse disease resistance screening is essential for the development of resistant clones. Fourteen clones of hybrid poplar were inoculated with spore suspension. A regression model with parameters (lesion number and proportion necrotic area) is consistently and accurately predicted field resistance categories of the most resistant and susceptible clones. In second experiments, the infection biology of S. musiva was examined at several time points by scanning electron microscopy (6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 72 h, 1-week and 3-week) and …

Armstrong State University 2014 Fact Book, Armstrong State University

Armstrong Office of Institutional Research: Armstrong Fact Books (Archived)

No abstract provided.