Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

2014

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication
Publication Type
File Type

Articles 127981 - 128010 of 135744

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Extending Self-Discrepancy Theory To The Social Role Of Mother, Nicole J. Holmberg Jan 2014

Extending Self-Discrepancy Theory To The Social Role Of Mother, Nicole J. Holmberg

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Three studies were conducted in order to extend self-discrepancy theory to an online sample of mothers, both in terms of global self-discrepancies (i.e., self-as-person) and as they relate to the specific social role context of mother (i.e., self-as-mother). Study 1 yielded minimal support for the application of self-discrepancy theory to a sample of mothers. Study 2 yielded partial support for the specificity of the relationships between self-discrepancies from the social role perspective of mother and negative emotions, with ideal discrepancies predicting dejection. Results indicated that self-discrepancy accessibility did not moderate the relationship between self-discrepancies and negative emotion. Study 3 replicated …

Go to article

Characterization Of Table Algebras By Their Multiplicities, Angela Antonou Jan 2014

Characterization Of Table Algebras By Their Multiplicities, Angela Antonou

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The structure of a standard integral table algebra can sometimes be determined by the multiplicities of the irreducible characters for that table algebra. In particular, it has been shown that a standard table algebra whose multiplicities are all equal (except for the trivial one) must be commutative. This dissertation seeks to extend the technique of using multiplicities to determine the structure of standard table algebras. For a commutative standard table algebra, we show that there exists exactly one character with nontrivial multiplicity if and only if the table basis is the wreath product of a two-dimensional subalgebra and an abelian …

Go to article

Characterization Of The Native Microbial Communities In The Karst Aquifer Of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Anni Moore Jan 2014

Characterization Of The Native Microbial Communities In The Karst Aquifer Of Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Anni Moore

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The karst aquifer in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, serves the population as their only drinking water source, and is extremely vulnerable to pollution from sewage and agricultural practices. Because the native microbes are expected to handle this organic pollution load, this study was conducted in order to characterize the phylogenetic and metagenomic composition of these communities as well as microbe-mineral interaction in this virtually metal-free water. Three karst sinkholes and an abandoned drinking water well at a hotel territory were sampled at fresh, saline, and fresh-saline water interface during dry and rainy seasons. The phylogenetic analysis showed an overall high microbial …

Go to article

Controlling Ac Motor Using Arduino Microcontroller, Nithesh Reddy Nannuri Jan 2014

Controlling Ac Motor Using Arduino Microcontroller, Nithesh Reddy Nannuri

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Space vector Modulation (SVM) is a technique used for generating alternating current waveforms to control pulse width modulation signals (PWM). It provides better results of PWM signals compared to other techniques. CORDIC algorithm calculates hyperbolic and trigonometric functions of sine, cosine, magnitude and phase using bit shift, addition and multiplication operations.||This thesis implements SVM with Arduino Microcontroller using CORDIC algorithm. This algorithm is used to calculate the PWM timing signals which are used to control the motor. Comparison of the time taken to calculate sinusoidal signal using Arduino and CORDIC algorithm was also done.

Go to article

Co-Option Versus Compliance : How Electoral Systems Affect Countries' Immigration Policies, Michael Griswold Jan 2014

Co-Option Versus Compliance : How Electoral Systems Affect Countries' Immigration Policies, Michael Griswold

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This thesis investigates whether different types of electoral institutions produce substantively different immigration policies. The difference between majoritarian and proportional electoral systems is the type of influence that anti-immigrant parties can have. In majoritarian systems, their influence is indirect through mainstream parties who co-opt anti-immigrant rhetoric to appeal to supporters of anti-immigrant parties because their support could provide the winning margin in the close elections typically seen in majoritarian systems.||The situation is vastly different in proportional representation systems. The need for a coalition for government functionality gives large anti-immigrant parties the opportunity to have direct influence over immigration policy by …

Go to article

An Examination Of Impact Fees In Growing School Systems, Ronald V. Pacheco Jan 2014

An Examination Of Impact Fees In Growing School Systems, Ronald V. Pacheco

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the effects of impact fees on school systems in growing communities. Many communities surrounding the Chicago area experienced growth, commonly referred to as sprawling growth. The additional population required enhancements and improvements to existing infrastructure (including schools) in the community. Local tax efforts to fund additional infrastructure arrived as late as two years after building new homes, creating a funding challenge. Communities used impact fees more frequently to provide immediate revenue before new construction began to help offset tax shortfall. However, the planning and structure of impact fees differed among municipalities. I selected two growing communities for …

Go to article

The Games Men Play : How Community College Men Use Video Games To Construct Masculinity, Eric J. Niemi Jan 2014

The Games Men Play : How Community College Men Use Video Games To Construct Masculinity, Eric J. Niemi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Employing a critical discourse analysis as a methodology, the study provides information into the intersection of male student development, video games, and two-year higher education institutions. Using a sample of 13 participants, this research study examines how male students at two year higher education instructions use video games to construct their masculinity. This study provides evidence that college men construct multiple definitions of masculinity by playing video games. Further, the benefits explored include academic and workplace strategies for success. Finally, opportunities for two year institutions to further engage this student population is included.

Go to article

The Effect Of A Mentoring Intervention On The Teaching Self-Efficacy Of Pre-Service Special Education Teacher Candidates, Mary M. Lombardo-Graves Jan 2014

The Effect Of A Mentoring Intervention On The Teaching Self-Efficacy Of Pre-Service Special Education Teacher Candidates, Mary M. Lombardo-Graves

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a specific mentoring intervention on the teaching self-efficacy of pre-service special education teacher candidates. A Special Educators Efficacy Scale (SEES) was developed to measure self-efficacy for the initial skill set required for novice special educators. A two-group, pre-test/post-test design was used to compare the special education teaching self-efficacy scores between the intervention and comparison group.||The self-efficacy scores reported by 245 pre-service special education candidates from two universities were analyzed (intervention group, N = 43; comparison group, N = 202) before and after a 10-week mentoring intervention. ANCOVA findings indicated …

Go to article

Integrating Spirituality And Religion With Counselors-In-Training In Practicum : A Look At Competence And Comfort Level, Nikki Renee Ruffin Jan 2014

Integrating Spirituality And Religion With Counselors-In-Training In Practicum : A Look At Competence And Comfort Level, Nikki Renee Ruffin

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

In the past 20 years, the counseling profession has increased the amount of research and focus on integrating spirituality and religion into applied practice, curriculum, and supervision. In the last few years, some have argued that spirituality is the fifth force in the counseling field. The purpose of this study was to (a) explore counseling students' exposure to religious and spiritual issues in counseling (SRIC) practica and their comfort with addressing SRIC with clients, (b) explore counseling students' exposure to an intervention of SRIC practica and their perceived competence with addressing SRIC with clients, and (c) assess the impact of …

Go to article

Investigation Of Silicon Lewis Acidity And Design Of A Novel Silicon Lewis Acid Catalyst Scaffold, Matthew Edward Zielinski Jan 2014

Investigation Of Silicon Lewis Acidity And Design Of A Novel Silicon Lewis Acid Catalyst Scaffold, Matthew Edward Zielinski

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Lewis acids have been a cornerstone in modern organic synthesis, but the use of silicon Lewis acids has not received as much attention. Silicon Lewis acids have unique features that differ from some typical metal catalysts. Some of these properties include good solubility in organic solvents, decreased likelihood for ligand exchange, and decreased toxicity. These differences make the use of silicon Lewis acids a versatile tool for organic synthesis. There is a great deal yet to explore about silicon Lewis acidity and silicon Lewis acids and from that two main projects arose in order to further study these concepts.||Preparation of …

Go to article

Investigation Of The Many Oxidation States Of Vanadium For The Purpose Of Making A Rechargeable Battery, Kathryn L. Pilson Jan 2014

Investigation Of The Many Oxidation States Of Vanadium For The Purpose Of Making A Rechargeable Battery, Kathryn L. Pilson

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The demand of large energy storage systems continues to increase with the development and improvement of renewable energy sources such as wind turbines and photovoltaic arrays. Electrochemical storage, or battery storage, such as lead-acid, lithium-ion, sodium based, and redox flow batteries (RFB), can be implemented for large scale energy storage. One of the most popular RFB is the all-vanadium redox flow cell (VRFB), which has a longer longevity, greater stability, and lower cost compared to other battery systems. The single metal system employs V2+/V3+ and VO 2+/VO2+ as half cells for the flow battery. But, there are still various phenomena …

Go to article

Sensing And Analysis Of Angular Vibrations Of Tremor, Divya Uppuluri Jan 2014

Sensing And Analysis Of Angular Vibrations Of Tremor, Divya Uppuluri

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Tremor is defined as the unintentional involuntary muscle movements involving rhythmic oscillations of any part of body like legs, hands, arms and limbs. This thesis deals with the most common tremor that occurs in hands. Tremor is not life threatening but greatly affects quality of life. The main purpose of this research is to identify a feedback control technique for the suppression of Essential Tremor. Tremor can be defined as the nonlinear and non stationary phenomenon which is the most common movement disorder affecting more than 4% of elderly people. In this research, a tremor is simulated using a stepper …

Go to article

Examining Teacher Self-Efficacy About Best Practices In Science During A Professional Development Series, Jessica L. Menez Jan 2014

Examining Teacher Self-Efficacy About Best Practices In Science During A Professional Development Series, Jessica L. Menez

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Using extant data that were collected as part of a larger project, the current study examined teacher self-efficacy and the teachers' intentions to implement workshop content throughout the course of a six-week professional development workshop focused on enhancing science motivation for students through the adoption of specific instructional strategies. There were a total of 20 middle and high school teacher participants. Results indicated teacher self-efficacy changed significantly from pre to post. Teachers showed higher teacher self-efficacy after the professional development, in particular for influencing student engagement. In addition, we found a moderate correlation between the level of confidence after the …

Go to article

Using Sample Validation In Auditing, A. Ochigbo Jan 2014

Using Sample Validation In Auditing, A. Ochigbo

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

A state government agency wants to determine if a sample verification procedure, used in auditing accounts to detect fraudulent charges, reduces the error of estimating the unknown mean amount of fraud per transaction. The procedure consists of checking whether the covariates of an audit variable, whose mean is known, is within a 100(1-alpha) % confidence interval computed on the observed sample. In this study we use computer based simulations to explore the effect that the procedure has on the error in estimating the mean. We concentrate on the bivariate normal distribution and on a normal bivariate normal mixture. Numerical results …

Go to article

The Importance Of Pre- And Postnatal Thermal Conditions In Determining Growth Trajectories In Three Viviparous Grassland Snakes, Tanya K. O'Brien Jan 2014

The Importance Of Pre- And Postnatal Thermal Conditions In Determining Growth Trajectories In Three Viviparous Grassland Snakes, Tanya K. O'Brien

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

In many reptile species, the onset of reproductive maturity is determined by size rather than age. Rapid growth during the first year may therefore promote population growth by shortening generation time and increasing the probability of survival to reproduction. Patterns of neonatal growth were observed over five years in three sympatric grassland snakes at Potawatomi Woods in Northern Illinois. Growth of Dekay's Brownsnakes (Storeria dekayi), Red-bellied Snakes (S. occipitomaculata) and Common Gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) varied in parallel among years such that neonates achieved 20-44% greater snout-vent length (SVL) in warmer years (mean April 1 thru September 30 temperature) than in …

Go to article

The Implementation Of A Hybrid Learning Environment At A Community College In The Mechanical Trades, Christopher Carlson Jan 2014

The Implementation Of A Hybrid Learning Environment At A Community College In The Mechanical Trades, Christopher Carlson

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The study was a case-based exploratory study providing data for the implementation of hybrid learning in the trade classes at a community college. The research focused on understanding the ability of students to perform in a hybrid environment, specifically measuring the students' abilities to monitor, predict and reflect on their own learning self-regulated learning behaviors. The study utilized a mixed methods approach to determine if the students in the newly implemented hybrid environment were academically capable of performing and if they would be receptive to the change which is required for success. The quantitative research provided results that indicated students …

Go to article

The Power Of Place In The Fiction Of E.M. Forster, Ashley Diedrich Jan 2014

The Power Of Place In The Fiction Of E.M. Forster, Ashley Diedrich

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

By taking a close look at each of E.M. Forster's novels, readers can learn that he, like other authors, appears to be telling the same story over and over again. It is the story of the human desire to connect, even if it means having to adjust that desire to social reality. In each of his novels, he creates characters who struggle through a series of events and complications to reconcile their unique identities with the norms of society, the purpose being to attain significant relationship. But in addition to exploring this theme of authentic connection in the face of …

Go to article

The Power Of Words : A Study Of The Intentional Use Of Language To Frame Interactions In The Elementary Classroom, Julia Cloat Jan 2014

The Power Of Words : A Study Of The Intentional Use Of Language To Frame Interactions In The Elementary Classroom, Julia Cloat

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This study explored how the epistemologies of elementary teachers guided their intentional use of language during literacy instruction. Using a qualitative approach, data were gathered through a survey, teacher interviews, observational data, and stimulated recall. The four primary participants were chosen due to their alignment with the stance that students are either constructors of knowledge or receivers of knowledge. Sociocultural discourse analysis provided a way to examine how instructional language is used to frame interactions in the classroom and how the language that is used related to the teacher's epistemology.||The findings show that the distinctions among the epistemological stances of …

Go to article

Reforming Consumer-Insurer Dispute Resolution In The Auto Insurance Industry, Cassandra Roeder Jan 2014

Reforming Consumer-Insurer Dispute Resolution In The Auto Insurance Industry, Cassandra Roeder

Student Award Winning Papers

No abstract provided.

Go to article

Individual Phenotypic Variation Reduces Interaction Strengths In A Consumer–Resource System, Jean P. Gibert, Chad Brassil Jan 2014

Individual Phenotypic Variation Reduces Interaction Strengths In A Consumer–Resource System, Jean P. Gibert, Chad Brassil

School of Biological Sciences: Faculty Publications

Natural populations often show variation in traits that can affect the strength of interspecific interactions. Interaction strengths in turn influence the fate of pairwise interacting populations and the stability of food webs. Understanding the mechanisms relating individual phenotypic variation to interaction strengths is thus central to assess how trait variation affects population and community dynamics. We incorporated nonheritable variation in attack rates and handling times into a classical consumer–resource model to investigate how variation may alter interaction strengths, population dynamics, species persistence, and invasiveness. We found that individual variation influences species persistence through its effect on interaction strengths. In many …

Go to article

Functional Limb Morphology Of Extinct Carnivores Smilodon Fatalis, Panthera Atrox, And Canis Dirus Based On Comparisons With Four Extant Felids And One Extant Canid, Burcu Carlon Jan 2014

Functional Limb Morphology Of Extinct Carnivores Smilodon Fatalis, Panthera Atrox, And Canis Dirus Based On Comparisons With Four Extant Felids And One Extant Canid, Burcu Carlon

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Adaptations for hunting and locomotor functions of animals are related to the limb functional characteristics of limb muscles, muscle attachment sites on bones, and joint articular surface shapes. This dissertation includes study of extant Felis catus, Neofelis nebulosa, Panthera leo, and Acinonyx jubatus and extinct Smilodon fatalis, Panthera atrox, and Canis dirus. The extant species exhibit different locomotor modes. The functional characteristics of extinct species are predicted based on limb bone morphology.||N. nebulosa, F. catus, and V. vulpes forelimb musculature was described, muscle maps were generated, and muscle fiber analysis was completed. Muscle attachment sizes were also compared in these …

Go to article

Gas-Phase Chemistry Of Tryptophan-Based Radicals, Andrii Piatkivskyi Jan 2014

Gas-Phase Chemistry Of Tryptophan-Based Radicals, Andrii Piatkivskyi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This work is devoted to the fundamental study of gas-phase tryptophan-based radical cations. It covers: mechanisms of the radical ion formation in the gas-phase; the description and contrast of the two types of tryptophan side chain radicals (pi and N-indolyl) based on their reactivities, infrared spectra, structural energetics and fragmentation patterns; investigation of the N-indolyl tryptophan radical cation fragmentation pathways; formation of the two types of tryptophan radicals (pi and N-indolyl) within short peptides; their characterization and comparison based on the fragmentation patterns and reactivity; and gas-phase study of intramolecular radical migration from tryptophan to cysteine and from tryptophan to …

Go to article

A Gut Gone To Pot: A Case Of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Due To K2, A Synthetic Cannabinoid., Anene Ukaigwe, Paras Karmacharya, Anthony A. Donato Jan 2014

A Gut Gone To Pot: A Case Of Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome Due To K2, A Synthetic Cannabinoid., Anene Ukaigwe, Paras Karmacharya, Anthony A. Donato

Reading Hospital Internal Medicine Residency

Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS) was first described in 2004. Due to its novelty, CHS is often unrecognized by clinicians leading to expensive workup of these patients with cyclical symptoms. It may take up to 9 years to diagnose CHS. CHS is characterized by cyclical nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, and an unusual compulsion to take hot showers in the presence of chronic use of cannabinoids. Cannabicyclohexanol is a synthetic cannabinoid, popularly known as K2 spice. It is a popular marijuana alternative among teenagers and young adults since it is readily available as herbal incense. Unlike marijuana, many users know that …

Go to article

Impact Of Post-Mortem Alternation On Oxygen Isotope Values Of Diatom Silica, Wilson Wiedenheft Jan 2014

Impact Of Post-Mortem Alternation On Oxygen Isotope Values Of Diatom Silica, Wilson Wiedenheft

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Oxygen isotope values of biogenic silica are increasingly used as proxies of paleoenvironmental conditions. A number of studies have demonstrated a strong relationship between the diatom silica and the temperature/oxygen isotope value of the formation water; however, some studies have indicated that early diagenesis of biogenic silica may alter the oxygen isotope values by several permil. Quantification of the maturation process has proven difficult since the mechanisms that drive post-mortem changes in the silica oxygen isotope values have not been well characterized. New silica maturation data from marine diatom, Stephanopyxis turris, cultured in a controlled laboratory experiment, demonstrate a rapid …

Go to article

Impact Of Social Influences On Men And Women's Risk Recognition Of Sexual Assault, Mary Catherine Mercer Jan 2014

Impact Of Social Influences On Men And Women's Risk Recognition Of Sexual Assault, Mary Catherine Mercer

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This thesis examines the impact of social influences on men and women's risk recognition of sexual assault. Participants completed the Marx and Gross audiotaped date-rape vignette and indicated if, and when, the man in the vignette should refrain from making further sexual advances. In order to examine the impact of social influences, participants completed the task alone or with an opposite sex confederate. Individuals that completed the task with an opposite sex confederate took much longer to make the risk recognition identification. Additional variables, including gender, sexual victimization and perpetration history, rape myth acceptance, social desirability, and physiological arousal, were …

Go to article

Inhibition Of The Mep Pathway : Design, Synthesis And Evaluation Of Ispf Enzyme Inhibitors; Synthesis Of Pde4d Partial Inhibitors And Exploration Of Atropisomeric Analogs, Zheng Zhang Jan 2014

Inhibition Of The Mep Pathway : Design, Synthesis And Evaluation Of Ispf Enzyme Inhibitors; Synthesis Of Pde4d Partial Inhibitors And Exploration Of Atropisomeric Analogs, Zheng Zhang

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation contains two major projects. The first project focused on the design and synthesis of small molecule inhibitors of the methyl erythritol phosphate (MEP) pathway. Known as a non-mevalonate isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway, plants and apicomplexan protozoa such as malaria parasites use this to produce isoprenoids (terpenoids). Additionally, most bacteria, including pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, synthesize IPP and DMAPP via the non-mevalonate pathway.1 Among the seven enzymes involved in this pathway, a highly conserved enzyme is 2C-methyl-D-erythritol 2,4-cyclodiphosphate synthase (IspF). Fragment screening hits on Burkholderia pseudomallei IspF (BpIspF) afforded the basis for our chemistry leads, allowing the design of …

Go to article

Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Nanocomposite Coating Applications : Formulation, Characterization, And Evaluation, Tsehaye Eyassu Jan 2014

Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Nanocomposite Coating Applications : Formulation, Characterization, And Evaluation, Tsehaye Eyassu

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Nanotechnology applications in coatings have shown significant growth in recent years. Systematic incorporation of nano-sized inorganic materials into polymer coating enhances optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties significantly. The present dissertation will focus on formulation, characterization and evaluation of inorganic/organic hybrid nanocomposite coatings for heat dissipation, corrosion inhibition and ultraviolet (UV) and near infrared (NIR) cut applications. In addition, the dissertation will cover synthesis, characterization and dispersion of functional inorganic fillers.||In the first project, we investigated factors that can affect the "Molecular Fan" cooling performance and efficiency. The investigated factors and conditions include types of nanomaterials, size, loading amount, coating …

Go to article

Examination Of Middle School Students' Perceptions Of Including Democratic Practices In An Environmental Service-Learning Project, Eileen Anne Stocco Jan 2014

Examination Of Middle School Students' Perceptions Of Including Democratic Practices In An Environmental Service-Learning Project, Eileen Anne Stocco

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to gather data on middle school students' perceptions of including democratic practices in an environmental service-learning project. The study explored students' perceptions of their inclusion in helping plan curriculum and student participation in civic engagement. Seventh grade students' perceptions of the personal benefits gained due to their participation in the environmental service-learning project were explored. Additionally, the study investigated students' perceptions of benefits to the local community due to students' participation in the project.||Utilizing democratic practices in the classroom plays a critical role in supporting a democratic education; therefore, students were provided with …

Go to article

Lagrangian Approach To Minimize Makespan Of Non-Identical Parallel Batch Processing Machines, Nurul Mubinah Binti Suhaimi Jan 2014

Lagrangian Approach To Minimize Makespan Of Non-Identical Parallel Batch Processing Machines, Nurul Mubinah Binti Suhaimi

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Batch Processing Machines (BPMs) are commonly used in electronics manufacturing, semi-conductor manufacturing, and metal-working - to name a few. Scheduling these machines are not an easy task; practical considerations and the exponential number of decision variables involved impede schedulers (or decision makers) from making good decisions. This research focuses on minimizing the makespan of a set of non-identical parallel batch processing machines. In order to schedule jobs on these machines, two decisions are to be made. The first decision is to group jobs to form batches such that the machine capacity is not exceeded. The second decision is to sequence …

Go to article

Magnetic Circuit Utilizing Soft Switching For Led Driving, Mounika Maligireddy Jan 2014

Magnetic Circuit Utilizing Soft Switching For Led Driving, Mounika Maligireddy

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

LEDs are the most efficient way to turn an electric current into illumination. Connecting LEDs in either series or parallel is considered to be an option for better lighting and various other applications. Generally, when a large number of LEDs are considered, a parallel connection is opted. Connecting LEDs in parallel leads to current sharing problems as a result different currents flow in different branches. There are many ways in which current sharing problem in parallel connected LEDs can be solved. One such method is magnetic circuit wherein magnetically coupled inductors help resolve the current sharing problem. This thesis proposes …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last