Digital Commons Network^™

Review: A Novel Multiple Sclerosis Model Utilizing Cuprizone And Rapamycin, Mara Bahri

University Honors Theses

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system leading to debilitating long-term neurologic damage, primarily due to the limited ability of remyelination in the adult human brain. This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the combined administration of Cuprizone (CPZ) and rapamycin as a novel animal model for MS. Utilization of CPZ induces non-immune mediated demyelination, therefore bypassing complexities of the immune system and allowing analysis of de-/remyelination. Furthermore, remyelination occurs simultaneous with demyelination due to ongoing oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) differentiation into mature oligodendrocytes (OLGs).

The immunosuppressive agent, rapamycin inhibits the regulatory pathway Akt/mTOR, …

Following The Flat Hat: What Leads People To National Park Service Interpretive Careers?, Avarie Fitzgerald

University Honors Theses

National Park Service interpreters around the United States are dedicated to connecting people to their parks and historical sites. While these interpretive rangers have an important mission of preserving the landscape and stories of our nation’s most treasured places, a gap in the research of significant life experiences and environmental education professions exists in understanding the motivations behind following a career in the park service. Through semi-structured phenomenological interviews, the significant life experiences of interpretive park rangers were investigated as to their degree of influence on their choice of career. The findings indicate that quality time spent outdoors, family involvement, …

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (Mbsr) As An Alternative Therapy For Chronic Pain, Kayla Ohlgren

University Honors Theses

This thesis discusses the possibility of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) as an alternative therapy for chronic pain in contrast to traditional medical care. It examines 18 peer-reviewed scholarly articles and identifies benefits for chronic pain patients in terms of pain severity, quality of life, psychological distress, and duration of benefits. This thesis also identifies practical benefits of MBSR such as cost, implementation, no negative side effects, and the creation of life-long skills to be used after treatment has ended. In conclusion, there is a significant gap in the current academic literature pertaining to chronic pain patients who are minorities, men, …

The Politics Of Water In Mexico City, Richelle Van Dusen

University Honors Theses

The privatization of water in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area is a long and complex process that continues today. The city’s greatest privatization effort, the National Water Law of 1992, was imposed by the federal government with assurances of improvement in accessibility, quality and sustainability. The resulting system that exists today has been largely ineffective in achieving these initial goals. Despite some progress in infrastructure, the partially-private system has aggravated the very social inequalities it aimed to alleviate, further marginalizing the poorest citizens through their water’s high costs, far-reaching inaccessibility, and poor quality. In the decentralized water system, contradictions become …

Perceived Addiction To Pornography, Level Of Distress And Their Correlates, Paul Grimes

University Honors Theses

Negative psychological states such as distress, shame and depression have been linked to problematic porn use. This is a proposal for a study that seeks to identify if perceived addiction to pornography and stress are correlated. In addition to this perceived addiction to porn, other perceived addictions (food, sex, alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes) will be tested to determine the level of comorbidity of addictions in people. The hypothesis of this study is: People that perceive themselves as having pornography addiction will have higher rates of other perceived addictions than those who do perceive themselves to be addicted to pornography; in …

Victims With Responsibilities: Requiring Male Victims Of Statutory Rape To Pay Child Support With No Escape, Jessica Persaud

Child and Family Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Diabetes And Physical Activity, Jameela Banu

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Diabetes has been on the rise globally. Although many factors contribute to the increasing risk and manifestation of this disease lack and decreased physical activity/ exercise stands out as one of the major factors. Treatment interventions for prediabetic and diabetic patients include diet and lifestyle changes with enhanced physical activity/ exercise. Several types of physical activity are available for these patients but, recommendations have to be made on an individual basis after giving due consideration to the comorbidities and other risks and barriers. Implementation of progressive resistance therapy may be successful in maintaining glucose homeostasis in diabetic patients.

Impact Of The Biological Control Agent Tetramesa Romana (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae) On Arundo Donax (Poaceae: Arundinoideae) Along The Rio Grande River In Texas, John A. Goolsby, Patrick J. Moran, Alexis Racelis, Kenneth R. Summy, Maricela Martinez Jimenez, Ronald D. Lacewell

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Five years post-release of the arundo gall wasp, Tetramesa romana, into the riparian habitats of the lower Rio Grande River, changes in the health of the invasive weed, Arundo donax, or giant reed, have been documented. These changes in plant attributes are fairly consistent along the study area of 558 river miles between Del Rio and Brownsville, TX, and support the hypothesis that the arundo wasp has had a significant impact as a biological control agent. Plant attributes were measured prior to release in 10 quadrats at each of 10 field sites in 2007, and measured again …

Publications Trends In Nuclear Physics: A Global Perspective, Ramiah Santha Kumar Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper attempts to highlight the publication status and growth of nuclear physics research across the world by way of analyzing various features of research output based on Web of Science database. A total of 32286 publications were published on nuclear physics during the period 2004-2013. It was found that the number of published articles was higher in USA, Germany, Japan, Italy, France, China and Russia, etc. The highest number of publications 5,407 (16.75%) was published in 2012. The average number of publications published per year was 3228.6. The highest growth rate (64.90%) was observed in 2012. Out of the …

Research Trends In Medical Physics: A Global Perspective, Ramiah Santha Kumar Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The paper presents an analysis of 11181 global publications in medical physics, indexed in Web of science database during 2000-2013; the average number of publications published per year was 798.64. Out of 11181 publications, maximum of 5014 (44.84%) publications have been contributed by mega authors, followed by multi authors with 3588 (32.09%) publications. The value of co authorship index for mega authored publications is the highest. The highest value of collaboration coefficient is 0.67 in 2013. The Degree of collaboration of publications of the medical physics is 0.96. Hendee, W R, Medical college Wisconsin, USA is the most productive author …

Assessing The Information Needs And Information Sources Of Urban And Peri-Urban Livestock Keepers In Kinondoni And Morogoro Urban Districts, Tanzania., Consolata Angello 1, Jangawe Msuya 2, Doris Matovelo 3

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper discusses the information needs of urban and peri-urban livestock keepers and the various information sources used and their effectiveness in disseminating livestock information. Mixed method approach was the methodology used in the study whereby quantitative data was gathered using questionnaires while qualitative data was gathered using in-depth interviews and participant observations. Findings from this study revealed that livestock keepers had various information needs such as disease control (95.3%), nutrition and feeds (62.2%), markets (56.3%), housing techniques (29.1%) and loans (20.1%). Urban livestock keepers also used different sources of information to access information including veterinary shops (77.2%), extension services …

Make The Children Read: Participatory Rural Approach In School Libraries In Umueri, Nigeria., Ngozi P. Osuchukwu Mrs, Nelson Edewor Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

School library is desirable because it provides a wide range of reading and multimedia resources. The essence is to support teaching and learning, fostering reading culture and lifelong learning. The rural schools and the children are part of this proposition. It also behooves on the rural dwellers to participate and contribute in community development to ensure learning and literacy sustainability. This study examines the rural school libraries with regards to participatory rural appraisal for community driven development. It is a qualitative study that involved physical assessment of rural schools with community based monitors. Techniques for data collection were focus …

Research Priorities Setting For The National Library And Archives Of The Islamic Republic Of Iran, Farzaneh Shadanpoor, Amir Moghadami, Reza Khanipour

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Research priorities setting process for the National Library and Archives of the Islamic Republic of Iran is reported in this paper. Mixed methods of research have been used to collect and process the data. Producing of research topics and prioritizing them have been done by a Delphi panel of 46 experts that was formed via a targeted sampling. Using a content analysis method and ABC prioritization system, a two part list including 74 "important and urgent" and "important without urgency" research topics have been resulted. Analysis of the "Important and urgent" research priorities indicate the need-orientedness of topics that are …

Library Information Resources And Services Utilization As Correlates Of Creativity Of Senior Administrative Staff Of Polytechnics In South West, Nigeria, Ganiyu Idowu Buhari

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Preliminary investigation into our institutions of higher learning revealed an ugly situation characterized by regular students’ unrest and even unnecessary labour agitations resulting in occasional closure of the institutions, polytechnics inclusive.

This unhealthy situation provides an important background for undertaking a research on the effect of library information resources and services utilization on the creativity of the people in charge of the institutions’ affairs. This study therefore looked into the library information resources and services utilization as correlates of creativity of senior administrative staff of polytechnics in South-west, Nigeria. A single stage random sampling technique was adopted to draw a …

The Intellectual Patterns Of Management Information System Research: A Bibliometric Study On International Journal Of Management Reviews, Basudev Mohanty, Jyotshna Sahoo

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The present study is modeled with the purpose to explore the quantitative and qualitative assessment of global Management Information System (MIS) research by using various bibliometric indicators on International Journal of Management Reviews (IJMR) journal literature. It examines and presents an analysis of 180 research communications published during the period 1999-2009 in the area of MIS. The present study significantly examines the various bibliometric dimensions of the journal literature such as growth of literature, authorship pattern, degree of collaboration, authors’ productivity, geographical distribution, citation pattern, length of articles, institution-wise distribution of articles, journal matrix, discipline-wise distributions of articles, productive institutions …

Leveraging On Organizational Culture For Innovative Services: A Case Study Of Prof. Kenneth Dike State Central Elibrary, Awka, Nkem Ekene Osuigwe Dr.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The accepted way duties are performed, processes are patterned and problems are solved make up the organizational culture of a workplace. A healthy organizational culture provides opportunities for realization of full potentials of staff, moves leaders in the workplace to develop strong strength of purpose and direction in performing their duties, also encourages enthusiasm about new ideas and adaptation to change. The 21^st century public library needs to embrace changes in order to remain relevant in its community by leveraging on its organizational culture which could be adapted to promote innovative services. Non-traditional SMS information services to People Living …

The Transformation Of The U.S. Government Publishing Office: A Strategic Analysis From An Intergovernmental Perspective, Glenn Mcguigan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

An intergovernmental relations perspective is important to understand challenges facing the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO). National library related programs exist as intergovernmental networks tasked with gathering, preserving, and disseminating government information produced at the national level. This paper begins with an overview of the work of the GPO and a discussion of what is meant by an intergovernmental perspective. In reviewing the scholarly literature that has been produced within the last twenty years regarding the work of the GPO, focusing upon organizational dimensions of the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP), the author addresses intergovernmental trends that are impacting these …

Promoting Sexuality Education In Tertiary Institutions: Expected Roles Of Women Librarians In Nigeria, Nkechi N. Amaechi Dr. (Mrs.), Linda I. Anyalebechi, Ifeyinwa Aidah Ariole

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper aimed at x-raying the expected roles of women librarians in promoting sexuality education on within the Nigerian context. The study adopted the desk-research approach where extensive literature review was used in generating data for the study. The findings reveals that women can organize talks for women and young people in the rural areas, organize sex education seminars in collaboration with students Affairs Division in tertiary institutions, use social media platform to disseminate information relating to sexuality education among others. Challenges relating to cultural, religious factors, low literacy level among rural women were identified in the paper. The paper …

Applying Utaut In Clinical Informatics Research, Kehinde Abayomi Owolabi Mr, Evans Neil Dr, Patrick Thokozani Mhlongo Prof

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The paper discussed unified theory of acceptance and use of technology UTAUT as theoretical foundation for clinical informatics research. Highlighting the efforts to promote the use of clinical informatics in sub-Sahara Africa cannot be over-emphasized. UTAUT theory has evolved to become a key model in understanding factors that influence human behaviors toward acceptance and rejection of technology.

Qualitative content analysis through conceptual and literature analysis was used to explore previous studies in the research domain. Research has been conducted on application of UTAUT in various fields such as internet use, mobile banking and e-learning. But not much has been done …

Gras-Fed Americans: Sick Of Lax Regulation Of Food Additives, Martha Dragich

Faculty Publications

Americans are “GRAS-fed” because of a “loophole” in the strict regime Congress provided for the regulation of food additives. Additives - and food products containing them - are exempt from this strict regime if they are accorded GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. The guidelines Congress provided for achieving that status by scientific evidence of safety are no longer observed. Most additives are determined by the producer alone to be GRAS. At the same time, Americans’ consumption of highly processed foods continues to rise, giving rise to long-term health problems that are increasingly tied to diet. The average American’s diet …

Planned Parenthood In Crisis: Social Media Strategies And Frames, Lauren Hudel Goodman

LSU Master's Theses

Planned Parenthood entered crisis mode in the summer of 2015 with the release of videos alleging sales of fetal tissue by the Center for Medical Progress. Its crisis communication strategy was implemented to manage its reputation and influence public opinion regarding the organization and potential defunding by Congress. Through the use of women’s health and abortion framing, Planned Parenthood was able to prime its public’s attitudes towards the organization and potential negative outcomes of removing federal funding from the organization. As discovered through a content analysis, Planned Parenthood specifically addressed the crisis in its press releases, allowing the organization to …

Ethj Vol-54 No-1

East Texas Historical Journal

No abstract provided.

From Corpus Christi's First Lady To Mother Margaret Mary Healy Murphy: Teaching At The Margins, A Transnational Story And Legacy, Cecilia Gutierrez Venable

East Texas Historical Journal

No abstract provided.

Bound For Beaumont: Eleanor Roosevelt's 1939 Train Trip Through East Texas And Beyond, Mary L. Scheer

East Texas Historical Journal

No abstract provided.

Ethj Vol-54 No-2

East Texas Historical Journal

No abstract provided.

Book Reviews

East Texas Historical Journal

No abstract provided.

Anthropogenic Influence On Blackfin Sucker (Thoburnia Atripinnis) Distribution, In The Upper Barren River System, Kentucky And Tennessee, Christa Rose Hurak

Online Theses and Dissertations

We evaluated the effects of land use and cover on endemic blackfin sucker (Thoburnia atripinnis) catch per unit effort and abundance within the Upper Barren River (UBR) system, a priority conservation area, in south-central Kentucky. Anthropogenic impacts have rendered T. atripinnis a “species of greatest conservation need” by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. This study focused on determining if land use surrounding blackfin sucker sampling sites and certain physicochemical parameters could be impacting their inhabitance at these sites. Data collection and ground truthing occurred between September 2015 and June 2016. ArcGIS was used to extract land use …

A Qualitative Pilot Study Of Aging Women’S Physical Activity Experiences In One University Fitness And Wellness Center, Alexis Hobbs

Online Theses and Dissertations

Physical inactivity is one of the driving risk factors for developing health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases (World Health Organization, 2003). The prevalence of these diseases increases with the aging process, which renders participation in physical activity crucial among the aging population. There is strong evidence that physical activity reduces the risk of these health disparities and disabilities (Young & Dinan, 2005), however despite these well-documented benefits, aging women still remain sedentary. This study examined the phenomenon of women 55 years of age or older and their lived experiences of participating in physical activity within a university …

The Impact Of Compliance With A Certified Accreditation Standard For Municipal Fire Departments, David Ryan Hickel

Online Theses and Dissertations

This report was conducted to assist public administrators serving in municipal fire departments in making the complex decision to pursue agency accreditation. The research finds that very little information is available to administrators that details the impacts accreditation has on a municipal fire department. The research conducted in this report aims to fill that gap.

Literature was reviewed that focused on the emergence of accreditation within the fire service. Then, an exploratory qualitative research method was utilized for the framework of this research, and interviews were arranged with members of various fire departments possessing unique relationships and experience with the …

A Comparison Of School Suspension Rates And Number Of Days Suspended Between African-American And Caucasian Males, Jeffrey D. Herron-Rodgers

Online Theses and Dissertations

Racial discrimination plays a major role in out-of-school suspensions. Research shows that when students are suspended, they are removed from their learning environment, which can lead to poor academic achievement, lower graduation rates, and higher delinquency. The distribution of racial and ethnic minorities that are being suspended or expelled reveal disparities between the groups. Within the United States public school system, racial disparities have been documented over time to show African-American students are suspended from school at higher rates than any other race (Arcia, 2007; Bulter et al, 2012; Rocque, 2010; Skiba et al, 2002; Townsend, 2000).

School systems should …