Digital Commons Network^™

Multi-Factor Models To Resolve Growth Responses In Vitro And During Subsequent Greenhouse Growth For Turmeric (Curcuma Longa L.), Rabia El-Hawaz

All Dissertations

Plant media has been developed over the last six decades, yet, there has not been medium optimized for microplant greenhouse growth, which may be important for producing chemical compounds and preparing transplants for success in the field. A series of multi-factor optimization experiments were conducted on turmeric (Curcuma longa L., genotype L 35-1) to identify the effects of mineral nutrition and plant density in vitro on laboratory and greenhouse production. The first experiment optimized PO43-, Ca2+, Mg2+, and KNO3 for five-months growth in bioreactors with periodic supplementation of sucrose solution +/- nutrients. Phosphorus (6.25 mM) increased sucrose supplement and rhizome …

Influences Of Venture Philanthropy On Nonprofits’ Funding: The Current State Of Practices, Challenges, And Lessons, Tamaki Onishi

The Foundation Review

This article looks at the current state of venture philanthropy practices in the nonprofit sector, based on data from a survey of 124 nonprofits that engage in venture philanthropy.

The survey probes to what degree nonprofit funders are implementing core activities of venture philanthropy – use of market-based funding instruments, providing strategic assistance, board participation, and use of social and financial performance criteria.

Seven venture philanthropy organizations were also interviewed for this article. Various tactics they have used to mitigate internal and external tensions are examined, including complying with diverse interests to balance conflicting views if internal tension is moderate …

Creating Arguments Using A Multiliteracies Approach: A Formative Experiment, Emily Howell

All Dissertations

This dissertation study addresses the New London Group’s (1996) concern that technology and globalization require an expanded concept of literacy that focuses upon the multimodal nature of communication. This study combined a formative experiment with multiple-case-study methods to understand the pedagogical implications of implementing an intervention based upon the multiliteracies perspective (New London Group, 1996), a perspective that remains theoretical in application. This study sought to implement this perspective in a ninth- and a tenth-grade English class in a rural school district and develop assertions that further the localized, pedagogical understanding and application of the present study’s intervention (Gravemeijer & …

Nutrition Education For Children Attending Preschool (Necap), Ibtehal Alsallaiy

All Dissertations

There is a need to educate children as young as 3-5 years old about nutrition. It is at this age when children start to develop their preferences for certain foods. The purpose of this research study was to; explore the perceptions, preferences, and dietary intake of the main food groups in preschool children, explore the availability, choices, and preparation of the main food groups by the care providers, design and present a nutrition education program to the children and their care providers. The average consumption of fruits during breakfast and lunch prior to the program was 51.6 %, 59.3 % …

Estimating The Effect Of Extended And Emergency Unemployment Benefits On The Long-Term Unemployed, James Jones

All Dissertations

Unemployment insurance is designed to help workers smooth consumption in the event of a negative employment shock. These benefits are traditionally funded and administrated by the individual states and territories of the United States. The depth and severity of the “Great Recession” that started in December of 2007 and ended in June of 2009 was such that, Congress was compelled on multiple occasions to extend those benefits. Legislation during this period extended the duration of unemployment benefits to the longest period in history, as unemployed individuals in many states could receive up to 99 weeks of unemployment compensation. The policy …

Constancy And Change In The Women’S Funding Network: International Horizons And Core Values, Eleanor Brilliant

The Foundation Review

This article is a case study of women’s advocacy funders and their network organization, the Women’s Funding Network (WFN). WFN developed in the context of alternative (targeted) private funding sources emerging in the 70s and 80s to support newly formed social action and identity groups, some of whom had been encouraged by federal programs before the Reagan era, but that in those years were also not receiving support from more traditional funders like the United Way and many foundations.

The author analyzes the evolution of the network and its member funds from 1985 to 2012 as they struggled for survival …

Montana’S Campaign Contribution Limits Put To The Test In Lair V. Bullock, Connor Walker

Montana Law Review Online

Montana’s campaign contribution limits directly address the anti-corruption state interest. While the minimum standard for corruption applied in Eddleman was much broader, the facts of that case also meet the definition of quid pro quo corruption or its appearance. Even if the contribution limits were originally conceived to prohibit a broader range of activity, they are still sufficiently tailored to pass muster under the narrower Citizens United standard. Montana’s long history of combatting corruption demonstrates that there is a compelling state interest.

Montana’s contribution limits are also closely drawn to that anticorruption interest. There is a freedom to affiliate that …

The Interaction Of Community Size And Perceived Local Political Efficacy Among Low-Income Individuals, Dylan Allen Brugman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As the world’s population continues to urbanize, urban studies are increasingly important. Studying the social science behind the rise of the city and its effect on various social phenomena should be a priority for scholars in the field of politics, sociology, and communication, because of the reasonable assumption that the environment of the city alters the way that a person engages people and systems within the city. This is especially true for peripheral and marginalized populations that often lack access to the social institutions necessary to improve their livelihoods. Using Diffusion of Innovation and urban studies theories of Anomie, Gemeinschaft …

Implementing Marriage Equality In America, Carl Tobias

Duke Law Journal Online

No abstract provided.

Digital Vision And The Noir Hero In Claire Denis’ Bastards, Spencer Everhart

Cinesthesia

As with most directors whose careers began with (and consisted of) the process of filmmaking with actual celluloid, it was only a matter of time before French auteur Claire Denis made the transition to digital – and it was in 2013 that she did just that, abandoning physical film in favor of digital cinema for her neo-noir feature Bastards. The decision to switch wasn’t reluctant, though, as Denis had expressed an interest in experimenting with the format on her previous film White Material (2009). This aesthetic receptiveness is evident in Bastards, as it illustrates Denis’ effort to go beyond mere …

Paul Leduc: The Politics Of Mexican Cinema In The 1970s, Joe Hogan

Cinesthesia

It thus makes sense that critics tend to present strong arguments about the political agendas of Mexican filmmakers from the 1970s. Among the most popular in the subject is Paul Leduc, whose work has been cast as exemplary of the political ethos of the day. However, it is my position that, upon close examination, Leduc’s films seem not always to present a straightforward political message, much less one that would clearly bolster the aims of the Echeverria administration. For that reason, I will examine two of Leduc’s films, Reed: México Insurgente and Frida: naturaleza viva (1983), to reveal how they …

Chile: Cinema In Exile, Hannah Lynch

Cinesthesia

Executions, disappearances, and exile are not the first words that come to mind when picturing the long, versatile landscape of Chile. Nonetheless, Chile was under the harsh control of Augusto Pinochet from 1974 until 1990 and experienced a high level of political oppression during that time. Though Chile had only a short film history before the rule of Pinochet, cinema remained relevant despite the exile and hardships experienced by several prominent Chilean filmmakers. Ironically, under the hostile dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, Chile developed a stronger national cinema, producing politically and historically motivated films made by the exiled filmmakers, who persevered …

The Lens That Sees Itself: Fruitful Interactions Of Film And Philosophy, Travis Wheeler

Cinesthesia

Much of film theory holds that film is primarily an act of communication, whose message the audience understands. While this allows us great insights into the ideological and subconscious functions of a great many films, it falls short of this success with more enigmatic films. In instances such as these, where films are not easily understood, a different paradigm is necessary. Using philosophical texts as comparative tools in film analysis provides the answer to this "blindspot" in film criticism.

Circulating Angiogenic Stem Cells In Diabetes., Nagma Zafar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Circulating angiogenic stem cells (CACs) are rare cells found in peripheral blood that have been shown to contribute to endothelial repair and new blood vessel formation. These cells could be biomarkers and/or therapeutic targets for the assessment and prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is the leading cause of mortality globally and in the United States. Diabetes is an independent risk factor for CVD, and there are inconsistent reports on the role of CACs in diabetic vasculopathy. To study this further we tested the hypothesis that diabetes depletes circulating levels of CACs, due to hyperglycemia or insulin resistance and that …

Places In The Polity Of Rhetoric : Topoi, Evolution, And The Fragmentation Of Discourse., Benjamin James Bickel Wetherbee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation integrates classical rhetoric with postmodern understandings of textual fragmentation. “Places in the Polity of Rhetoric” follows two mutually constitutive avenues of inquiry, one of which stresses the importance of understanding textual fragments as rhetorical topoi—that is, as generative “places” that allow writers and speakers to economically evoke larger fields of cultural meaning in the space of a single word, phrase, or image. The other stresses the evolution of rhetorical culture that emerges through the interaction between human agents, who use these topoi for rhetorical ends, and discursive agents (topoi themselves) who use human rhetors to propagate …

Genomic And Transcriptomic Analyses Of Microbotryum Lychnidis-Dioicae Provide Insights Into The Biology Of A Fascinating Fungal Phytopathogen., Su San Toh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study made use of the Silene latifolia/Microbotryum lychnidis-dioicae phytopathogen system as the focal system to establish the first reference genome for Microbotryum violaceum sensu lato. In silico analysis was performed on the genome assembly to identify various characteristics of the genome. Using RNA-Sequencing technologies on the Illumina platform, we collected transcriptomic data for both in vitro and in planta life stages of the fungus, providing the most comprehensive look at the gene expression and regulation of this fungus. Due to a lack of identifiable domains on the predicted genes, gene set enrichment analysis was done in …

Co-Treatment With Conjugated Linoleic Acid And Nitrite Modulates Mitochondrial Respiration And Electron Transport Chain Activity In Vivo And Attenuates Mitochondrial Dysfunction During Cardiac Injury., Patrick Van Hoose

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease and subsequent complications, such as myocardial infarction (MI), is the leading cause of death within the United States. Clinical intervention to reduce cardiac damage following myocardial ischemia is limited. Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been linked to an overall beneficial effect on cardiovascular health and function. Conjugated linoleic acid (cLA) is an 18:2 unsaturated fatty acid found within the diet in ruminant meat and dairy products. The cis-9 trans-11 isomer of cLA is the most prominent isomer within the diet and cLA has been linked to favorable outcomes in numerous disease states. The mechanism mediating the effects of cLA …

Synthesis And Functional Evaluation Of Peptide Modified Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Nanoparticles To Inhibit Porphyromonas Gingivalis Biofilm Formation., Paridhi Kalia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is an oral inflammatory disorder that afflicts roughly 46% of the adults in the U.S. Currently, treatment of periodontal disease involves the removal of plaque from the gingival pocket (with possible antibiotic treatment) and if necessary, gingival surgery. To our knowledge, no therapeutic approach exists that promotes host-biofilm homeostasis by limiting pathogen recolonization of the oral cavity after prophylaxis or treatment. The interaction of the pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis with commensal streptococci is critical for initiation of periodontitis and represents a target for limiting P. gingivalis colonization of the oral cavity. Previous studies showed that a synthetic peptide …

Economic Feasibility Of Aquaponics In Arkansas, Leah Ashley English

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Concerns regarding population growth and resource scarcity have led to a recent renaissance of food production research. Over the past few decades, scientists have discovered new and innovative methods for growing food that, cumulatively, may hold the key to efficiently and sustainably feeding an ever-increasing world population. One method, known as aquaponics, has shown promise as being a sustainable solution for producing food locally in all parts of the world. Although many studies have shown aquaponic food production to be technically feasible, there are relatively few studies concerning the economic feasibility of aquaponics in various regions. To determine whether aquaponics …

School Counselors Lived Experience Of A Rampage School Shooting, Carleton H. Brown

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Minimal research has been conducted to examine school counselors’ lived experiences of rampage school shootings. The purpose of this research is to increase school counselors’ knowledge and skills in responding effectively to such a crisis. A single-case qualitative dissertation study was completed at a rampage school shooting site, a middle school, and the immediate surrounding area in Bono, AR, located in the northeast part of Arkansas. School counselors’ decisions, perceived expertness, and lessons learned were investigated. Data collected included relevant research literature (including comparison research), archival records, direct observation, media reports, and interviews. Participants interviewed were individuals who lived through …

The Relationship Between Pre-Service Teachers’ Basic Technology Competence, Technology Self-Efficacy And Perceptions Of Adopting Educational Applications On Ipads For Classroom Use, Rebecca Ann Martindale

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

iPads and tablets are the latest technological tools that schools are adopting for classroom use. Yet, according to the Teacher’s Use of Educational Technology in U.S. Public Schools: 2009 Report, 25-50% of the teacher population surveyed report rarely or never using basic classroom technologies (LCD projectors, whiteboards, document cameras and computers) for teaching (Gray, Thomas, & Lewis, 2010). A modified Perceived Characteristics of Innovating (PCI) instrument originally developed by Moore & Benbasat (1991) was used to determine intention to integrate educational applications on iPads for classroom use. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine whether technology competence or technology self-efficacy …

Does A Positive Male Role Model Affect The Achievement Of Adolescent African-American Males? A Case Study, Elphin Maxwell Smith Jr.

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

African-American males are at risk. A continuous cycle of low academic achievement, low academic attainment, and high incarceration rates threaten to end the lives of many of these young men one way or another. There are many challenges faced by African-American men that have caused economic opportunities to evade these young men. The concern is whether families, educators, and communities can help every African-American male achieve at a higher level in order to participate in better economic opportunities. This qualitative case study is designed to help families, educators, and community leaders understand and help African-American males achieve academically, close the …

A Comparison Of Athletic Identity And Career Maturity Of Female Student-Athletes At Different Levels Of Competition, Simeon Hinsey

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study explored the relationship between the athletic identity and career maturity of women’s basketball student-athletes. Differences in athletic identity and career maturity were also investigated based on a women’s basketball student-athlete’s level of competition, race, year in school, socioeconomic status, and professional athletic career aspirations. In order to examine the relationship between these variables, a convenience sample of 209 women’s basketball student-athletes from NCAA Division I (n = 62), NCAA Division II (n = 40), NCAA Division III (n = 50), and NAIA (n = 57) institutions located in the southeastern region of the United States participated in the …

Disentangling Embodied Cognition: An Examination Of The State, Problems, And Possibilities Of Embodied Cognition, Cody Cash

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Embodied cognition has received a fair amount of attention in philosophical, neuroscientific, and robotic research during the past several decades, yet the precise nature of its goals, methods, and claims are unclear. This dissertation will ascertain and examine the primary themes in the field of embodied cognition as well as why, and if, they offer significant challenges to traditional cognitive science models. Though many theories believe they are providing accounts that should replace traditional models, to do so they will have to overcome the very difficult challenge of arguing that mental content and capabilities derived from sensorimotor activity can continue …

Production Of Ethanol From Cereal Food Fines Using Dilute-Acid Hydrolysis, Andrew Edward Arnett

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cereal food fines are a leftover by-product from breakfast cereal processing that is typically sold as animal feed or used as a pet food ingredient; however this product could be of greater value as a feedstock for the production of fuel ethanol via fermentation. In order for this material to be fermented it has to be broken down in to simple sugars using hydrolysis. One method of hydrolysis is called dilute-acid hydrolysis, whereby low concentrations of acid are added to the feedstock to facilitate the breaking of chemical bonds. This study investigates the effect of different concentrations of acid to …

Predicted Stresses In A Ball-Grid-Array (Bga)/Column-Grid-Array (Cga) Assembly With A Low Modulus Solder At Its Ends, Ephraim Suhir, Reza Ghaffarian

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

A simple, easy-to-use and physically meaningful predictive model is suggested for the assessment of thermal stresses in a ball-grid-array or a column-grid-array with a low modulus solder material at the peripheral portions of the assembly. It is shown that the application of such a design can lead to a considerable relief in the interfacial stresses, even to an extent that inelastic strains in the solder joints could be avoided. If this happens, the fatigue strength of the bond and of the assembly as a whole will be improved dramatically: low-cycle fatigue conditions will be replaced by the elastic fatigue condition, …

Genome Rearrangements Can Make And Break Small Rna Genes, Rahul Raghavan, Fenil R. Kacharia, Jess A. Millar, Christine Demko Sislak, Howard Ochman

Biology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are short, transcribed regulatory elements that are typically encoded in the intergenic regions (IGRs) of bacterial genomes. Several sRNAs, first recognized in Escherichia coli, are conserved among enteric bacteria, but because of the regulatory roles of sRNAs, differences in sRNA repertoires might be responsible for features that differentiate closely related species. We scanned the E. coli MG1655 and Salmonella enterica Typhimurium genomes for nonsyntenic IGRs as a potential source of uncharacterized, species-specific sRNAs and found that genome rearrangements have reconfigured several IGRs causing the disruption and formation of sRNAs. Within an IGR that is present in …

Prophetic Conflict And Yahwistic Tradition : A Synthetic Study Of True And False Prophecy (Jeremiah 26-29), M. Sashi Jamir

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Expanding The Dialogue: The Need For Fat Studies In Critical Intercultural Communication, Hannah R. Long

Research Papers

In this paper, I argue that critical intercultural communication, as a discipline, can benefit from an inclusion of fat studies within its literature and analysis. Reciprocally, fat studies can also benefit from this relationship and the questions that would be raised for both fat studies and critical intercultural communication by such a juxtaposition of the areas of study. In particular, I employ my experiences as a fat, U.S. American woman to situate my own embodied knowledge as a way of understanding, in concert with literature reviews of fat studies and identity research within critical intercultural communication. I also utilize muted …

Career Success Of Underrepresented Minority Groups, Lavonne D. Slaton

Student Scholarship

This study examines how individual experiences influence career success. In contrast with previous researchers' definitions of career success, this research is intended to focus on a broader range of subjective career success criteria by focusing on individual experiences and the fact that career success means whatever the individual under consideration defines it as. A rigorous qualitative study based on surveys and interviews with 38 individuals including underrepresented minorities was used to explore their definition of career success, their education, transition into the workforce, diversity, workforce experience, and what fostered or hindered their career success. The research revealed five characteristics common …