Digital Commons Network^™

Complete Issue 49(1)

Speaker & Gavel

Complete digitized issue (volume 49, issue 1) of Speaker & Gavel.

A Functional Analysis Of 2008 Presidential Primary Tv Spots, William L. Benoit, Leslie Rill

Speaker & Gavel

The 2008 presidential campaign was unusual for a number of reasons. For the first time since 1952, neither the President nor the Vice President contended for the Oval Office. This meant highly contested primaries in both major political parties. As the Democratic primary ground toward the end, the leading candidates were an African-American–Barack Obama–and a woman–Hillary Clinton. More money was raised and spent on the primary campaign than ever before. This means that the campaign messages in this election deserve scholarly attention. This study applies Benoit’s Functional Theory and Petrocik’s Issue Ownership Theory to primary campaign ads from both major …

How Attorneys Judge Collegiate Mock Trials, Ruth R. Wagoner, R. Adam Molnar

Speaker & Gavel

In collegiate mock trial competition, practicing attorneys who don’t coach or know the participating schools judge the students' persuasive skill. Fifty-six attorneys were interviewed after they judged collegiate mock trials. They were asked which student behaviors they rewarded, which behaviors they punished, and overall which team presented more effectively. The attorneys' responses were grouped into thematic categories and arranged by priorities. Attorneys were consistent in what they said they valued in student performances. Interviewees' answers to the question about overall team performance were compared with the numeric ballots. If global assessment were included, it would change the outcome of a …

A Functional Analysis Of 2008 General Election Presidential Tv Spots, William L. Benoit, Mark Glantz

Speaker & Gavel

This study performed content analysis on the general election TV spots from Democratic nominee Barack Obama and Republican nominee John McCain in the 2008 presidential campaign. There was no significant difference in function by incumbency, which is not surprising given that neither major party candidates was the sitting president or vice president. Unlike ads from previous years, these ads contained more attacks (65%) than acclaims (34%; and like earlier campaigns few defenses: 1%). These ads stressed policy (58%) more than character (42%). The Democratic candidate, as in previous elections, discussed policy more, and character less, than the Republican candidate. Both …

Experiential Learning And The Basic Communication Course: A New Path To Assessing Forensic Learning Outcomes, Ben Walker

Speaker & Gavel

Scholars have often touted the educational benefits of forensics (e.g.: Bartanen, 1998; Beasley, 1979; Brownlee, 1979; Ehninger, 1952; Gartell, 1973; Jensen, 2008; McBath, 1975; Millsap, 1998; Schroeder & Schroeder, 1995; Stenger, 1999; Yaremchuk, 1979). Critics, most notably Burnett, Brand, and Meister (2003), have argued forensics is only a competitive game with the idea of education used as a crutch to uphold the activity in the eyes of schools. While attempting to counter critics, many forensic educators have scrambled to find proof of student learning. Besides theoretical approaches to potential learning methods (e.g., Dreibelbis & Gullifor, 1992; Friedley, 1992; Sellnow, Littlefield, …

Development And Application Of Cavity Ringdown Spectroscopy For The Monitoring Of Δ13co2 At Carbon Capture Utilization And Storage Sites, Benjamin Tyler Galfond

Open Access Dissertations

Economic growth since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution has been unprecedented and improved the lives of billions, though not without a cost. Anthropogenic CO2 emissions have perturbed the global carbon cycle, driving rapid climate change that is forecasted to be economically devastating to many regions while exterminating delicate ecosystems and countless species. Despite the unappealing political and economic impacts of halting fossil fuel consumption, an immediate answer is truly needed. To stave off these disastrous outcomes requires a rapid response to greenhouse gas emissions that future technologies, no matter how promising, are not yet ready to engage. Carbon capture, …

2015 December 16 -- Agenda And Attachments

Agendas and Minutes

No abstract provided.

Ubu-Unique But United: A Movement-Based Curriculum For An Inclusive Pre-School Classroom Focusing On Social-Emotional Learning, Julie Schadeck

Creative Arts Therapies Theses

The purpose of this program development is to address the problem of true inclusion by focusing on the role of the body and movement in social-emotional learning (SEL) among pre-school children. Every year, millions of 3 to 4 year old children leave the safe cradle of their home and embark on a life-long journey of discovery where they soon find out that not everyone is like them. To teach them that different does not mean necessarily separate, I used the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension logic model to develop a movement-based curriculum for an inclusive pre-school classroom focusing on SEL. …

Comparison Of Coincident Rayleigh-Scatter And Sodium Resonance Lidar Temperature Measurements From The Mesosphere-Lower-Thermosphere Region, Leda Sox, Vincent B. Wickwar, Neal R. Criddle, Tao Yuan

All Physics Faculty Presentations

There are relatively few instruments that have the capabilities to make near continuous measurements of the mesosphere-lower-thermosphere (MLT) region. Rayleigh scatter and resonance lidars, particularly sodium resonance lidar, have been the two dominant ground-based techniques for acquiring mesosphere and MLT vertical temperature profiles, respectively, for more than two decades. With these measurements, the dynamics (gravity waves, tides) and long-term temperature trends (upper atmosphere cooling) of the MLT region can be studied. The Utah State University (USU; 41.7º N, 111.8º W) campus hosts a unique upper atmospheric observatory which houses both a high-power, large-aperture Rayleigh lidar and a sodium resonance Doppler …

Microsolvation Of Anions By Molecules Forming Ch∙∙X- Hydrogen Bonds, Steve Scheiner, Binod Nepal

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Various anions were surrounded by n molecules of CF₃H, which was used as a prototype CH donor solvent, and the structures and energies studied by M06-2X calculations with a 6-31+G∗∗ basis set. Anions considered included the halides F^-, Cl^-, Br^- and I^-, as well as those with multiple proton acceptor sites: CN^-, NO₃ ^-, HCOO^-, CH₃COO^-, HSO₄ ^-, H₂PO₄ ^-, and anions with higher charges SO₄ ^2-, HPO₄ ^2- and PO_{4 …}

On Calculating The Current-Voltage Characteristic Of Multi-Diode Models For Organic Solar Cells, Ken Roberts, Sree Ram Valluri

Physics and Astronomy Publications

We provide an alternative formulation of the exact calculation of the current-voltage characteristic of solar cells which have been modeled with a lumped parameters equivalent circuit with one or two diodes. Such models, for instance, are suitable for describing organic solar cells whose current-voltage characteristic curve has an inflection point, also known as an S-shaped anomaly. Our formulation avoids the risk of numerical overflow in the calculation. It is suitable for implementation in Fortran, C or on micro-controllers.

Comparison Of Coincident Rayleigh-Scatter And Sodium Resonance Lidar Temperature Measurements From The Mesosphere-Lower-Thermosphere Region, Leda Sox, Vincent B. Wickwar, Neal R. Criddle, Tao Yuan

All Physics Faculty Publications

There are relatively few instruments that have the capabilities to make near continuous measurements of the mesosphere-lower-thermosphere (MLT) region. Rayleigh scatter and resonance lidars, particularly sodium resonance lidar, have been the two dominant ground-based techniques for acquiring mesosphere and MLT vertical temperature profiles, respectively, for more than two decades. With these measurements, the dynamics (gravity waves, tides) and long-term temperature trends (upper atmosphere cooling) of the MLT region can be studied. The Utah State University (USU; 41.7º N, 111.8º W) campus hosts a unique upper atmospheric observatory which houses both a high-power, large-aperture Rayleigh lidar and a sodium resonance Doppler …

A General-Purpose Multiphase/Multispecies Model To Predict The Spread, Percutaneous Hazard, And Contact Dynamics For Nonporous And Porous Substrates And Membranes, Homayun K. Navaz, Ali R. Zand, Amir Gat, Theresa S. Atkinson

Mechanical Engineering Publications

A computational model to solve the coupled transport equations with chemical reaction and phase change for a liquid sessile droplet or the contact and spread of a sessile droplet between two approaching porous or non-porous surfaces, is developed. The model is general therefore it can be applied to toxic chemicals (contact hazard), drug delivery through porous organs and membranes, combustion processes within porous material, and liquid movements in the ground. The equation of motion and the spread of the incompressible liquid available on the primary surface for transfer into the contacting surface while reacting with other chemicals (or water) and/or …

Volume 53, Number 18: December 16, 2015, University Of North Dakota

University Letter Archive

No abstract provided.

Adaptive Pi Control To Realize Sinusoidal Ripple Current Charging In Battery Charger Systems, Jen-Guey Chen

Master's Theses

This thesis proposes the adaptive PI gain control to regulate sinusoidal ripple current (SRC) in battery charger systems. The SRC charge method is suited for fast and efficient charging. Y.D Lee (2015) propose that SRC charge method can reduce the charging time, decrease the charging temperature and improve the charging efficiency by applying optimal frequency to charge the battery. In order to determine optimal frequency for charging, the swept frequency is required in SRC charge method. Therefore, in order to perform SRC charge approach, the battery charger systems have to be capable of handling swept frequency input and regulating high …

Glenside Fire Company Website Modernization, Jennifer Clark, Irene Patterson, David J. Cox Jr.

Senior Capstone Theses

Glenside Fire Company #1, known as GFC, is one of five volunteer fire companies operating in Cheltenham Township, providing services not limited to fire suppression, search and rescue, emergency medical services assistance, and fire safety education. GFC was looking to create a new website in order to promote volunteer firefighting, recruit new members, and fundraise, as well as provide a place where current members can keep records of events and trainings, using a public and member-only view. The website was created using a Bootstrap framework, in order to maximize usability across many platforms. The website will be easily updated with …

Genetic Analysis Of The Henry Mountains Bison Herd, Dustin H. Ranglack, Lauren K. Dobson, Johan T. Du Toit, James Derr

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Wild American plains bison (Bison bison) populations virtually disappeared in the late 1800s, with some remnant animals retained in what would become Yellowstone National Park and on private ranches. Some of these private bison were intentionally crossbred with cattle for commercial purposes. This forced hybridization resulted in both mitochondrial and nuclear introgression of cattle genes into some of the extant bison genome. As the private populations grew, excess animals, along with their history of cattle genetics, provided founders for newly established public bison populations. Of the US public bison herds, only those in Yellowstone and Wind Cave National Parks (YNP …

Lagrangian Approach To Modeling The Biodynamics Of The Upper Extremity: Applications To Collegiate Baseball Pitching, Matthew J. Solomito

Doctoral Dissertations

Biomechanical modeling can provide information regarding movement patterns and allow for an improved understanding of injury mechanisms. Biomechanical models typically rely on Newtonian mechanics leading to computationally intensive models; however, an often overlooked means of solving these same modeling needs is to apply the Lagrangian approach. This approach allows for a more direct means of solving the equations of motion; leading to more accurate models of human motion. The purpose of this project was to create a Lagrangian based model of the upper extremity to describe joint kinematics and kinetics as well as muscle kinetics during complex motion tasks.

The …

Motion And Noise Artifact Detection And Vital Signal Reconstruction In Ecg/Ppg Based Wearable Devices, Seyed Mohamad Amin Salehizadeh

Doctoral Dissertations

The design and development of wearable biosensor systems for health and wellness monitoring has garnered lots of attention in the scientific community and the industry during the past decade. When it comes to health and wellness monitoring, accurate measurements, analysis and estimations would be vital. One major challenge in achieving a high performance wearable health monitoring system is motion and noise artifacts. This consideration was the basis for this dissertation. This study presents different algorithms and signal processing techniques to address motion and noise artifact detection and vital signal reconstruction from electrocardiogram/photoplethysmogram recordings. Five vital signals including ECG, PPG, Heart …

Dynamics Of Density Cavities Generated By Frictional Heating: Formation, Distortion, And Instability, M. D. Zettergren, J. L. Semeter, H. Dahlgren

Publications

A simulation study of the generation and evolution of mesoscale density cavities in the polar ionosphere is conducted using a time-dependent, nonlinear, quasi-electrostatic model. The model demonstrates that density cavities, generated by frictional heating, can form in as little as 90 s due to strong electric fields of ∼120 mV/m, which are sometimes observed near auroral zone and polar cap arcs. Asymmetric density cavity features and strong plasma density gradients perpendicular to the geomagnetic field are naturally generated as a consequence of the strong convection and finite extent of the auroral feature. The walls of the auroral density cavities are …

Numerical Investigation Of Parameters Impacting The Wall Thickness Of Carbon Nanotubes Manufactured By Template-Based Chemical Vapor Deposition, Yashar Seyed Vahedein

Theses

Template-based chemical vapor deposition (TB-CVD) is a versatile technique for manufacturing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or CNT-based devices for various applications. In this process, carbon is deposited by thermal decomposition of a carbon-based precursor gas inside the nanoscopic cylindrical pores of anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates to form CNTs. Experimental results show CNT formation in templates is controlled by TB-CVD process parameters, such as time, temperature and flow rate. Optimization of this process is done empirically, requiring tremendous time and effort. Moreover, there is a need for a more comprehensive and low cost way to characterize the flow in the furnace …

Method Of Lines Transpose: An Efficient A-Stable Solver For Wave Propagation, Matthew Causley, Andrew Christlieb, Eric Wolf

Mathematics Publications

Building upon recent results obtained in [7,8,9], we describe an efficient second order, A-stable scheme for solving the wave equation, based on the method of lines transpose (MOLT), and the resulting semi-discrete (i.e. continuous in space) boundary value problem. In [7], A-stable schemes of high order were derived, and in [9] a high order, fast O(N) spatial solver was derived, which is matrix-free and is based on dimensional-splitting. In this work, are interested in building a wave solver, and our main concern is the development of boundary conditions. We demonstrate all desired boundary conditions for a wave solver, including outflow …

Designing Synthetic Pathways For Several 2-Thio-Substituted-3h-Phenothiazin-3-Ones In Preparation For Testing In Treatment Of Central Nervous System Disorders, Preston H. Palm, Herman H. Odens

Capstone Research Projects

This paper investigates possible synthetic pathways for two 2-thio-substituted-3H-phenothiazin-3-ones (7). A two step reaction in which 1,4-benzoquinone (1) is first reacted with an alkylthiol (2) in the presence of sodium periodate (NaIO₄) and then treated with 2-aminothiophenol (5) followed by a second oxidation with sodium periodate was demonstrated to be effective in synthesizing 2-(phenylthio)-3H-phenothiazin-3-one (12). The same synthetic approach was shown to be ineffective in the synthesis of 2-(cyclopentylthio)-3H-phenothiazin-3-one (16) due to the fact that the first step was incapable of synthesizing 2-(cyclopentylthio)-1,4-benzoquinone (14). Several other synthetic routes were also proven to be ineffective. This …

The Young Solar Analogs Project. I. Spectroscopic And Photometric Methods And Multi-Year Timescale Spectroscopic Results, R. O. Gray, Jon M. Saken, C. J. Corbally, M. M. Briley, R. A. Lambert, I. M. Newsome, M. F. Seeds, Y. Kahvaz

Physics Faculty Research

This is the first in a series of papers presenting methods and results from the Young Solar Analogs Project, which began in 2007. This project monitors both spectroscopically and photometrically a set of 31 young (300–1500 Myr) solar-type stars with the goal of gaining insight into the space environment of the Earth during the period when life first appeared. From our spectroscopic observations we derive the Mount Wilson S chromospheric activity index (SMW), and describe the method we use to transform our instrumental indices to SMW without the need for a color term. We introduce three photospheric …

General Education Subcommittee Agenda, December 15, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Course Approvals/Removals/Syllabi Approvals

Business

• USU Prefixes
• Designation Subcommittee Approval Processes
• Update/Questions on R470

Odu, William & Mary Seek Funds For Joint Center On Sea-Level Rise, Dave Mayfield

News Items

No abstract provided.

The Murray Ledger And Times, December 15, 2015, The Murray Ledger And Times

The Murray Ledger & Times

No abstract provided.

U.S. Drought Monitor, December 15, 2015, Richard Tinker

United States Agricultural Commodities in Drought Archive

Drought map of U.S. for December 15, 2015 (12/15/15) plus: U.S. crop areas experiencing drought (map), Approximate percentage of crop located in drought, by state (bar graph), Percent of crop area located in drought, past 52 weeks (line graph) for: Corn, Soybeans, Hay, Cattle, Winter wheat.

Unh Scientists Launch Nasa Rocket Into Speed Bumps Above Norway, David Sims

Media Relations

No abstract provided.

General Education Subcommittee Minutes, December 15, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Course Approvals/Removals/Syllabi Approvals

Business

• USU Prefixes
• Designation Subcommittee Approval Processes
• Update/Questions on R470
• Enrollment Updates