Digital Commons Network^™

Queering Fertility: Experiences Of Queer/Lesbian People Undergoing Fertility Treatment In A Heteronormative Society, Caitlin Ortis

Master's Theses

Due to the increase in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other (+) (LGBTQ+) people seeking fertility treatments or the “Lesbian Baby Boom” (Amato & Jacob, 2004; Batza, 2016; Dunne, 2000; Simon et al., 1993; Mamo, 2013), in which 30% to 50% of women who identify as lesbians hope to become parents (Amato & Jacob, 2004), it is necessary to examine the relationship between a person’s sexual orientation and her experiences receiving fertility treatments. While fertility treatment from a heterosexual perspective has been studied at length, few studies have examined how LGBTQ+ people are treated in fertility clinic settings. In …

Teacher Evaluation Systems And Their Impact Upon Academic Dance Educators And Their Evaluators, Elizabeth C. Brennan

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore gaps and biases within public school teacher evaluation systems and their effects on traditional public school dance educators and their evaluators. At the heart of this is the attempt to answer a series of questions involving the voice of six dance educators and five instructional evaluators concerning their experiences with teaching evaluation systems and their direct correlation to educational dance in the areas of fairness, equitability and bias. The research instruments used in this study included electronic surveys and face-to-face interviews, both of which were created specifically for each participant population. The …

Characterizing The Role Of Tumor Suppressors Merlin And Expanded In The Stem Cell Niche Of Drosophila Testes, Bryan Johnson

Master's Theses

The ability of adult organisms to maintain tissue homeostasis and repair tissue in response to injury is mediated by small groups of partially differentiated cells called adult stem cells that support the tissue they reside in. Adult stem cell maintenance is highly regulated by signals from the surrounding microenvironment referred to as the stem cell niche. A better understanding of this process will have important implications for the fields of both regenerative medicine and cancer biology. Due to the complexity of most niche environments in mammals, we turned to the less complex model organism Drosophila and the well-characterized niche in …

Supporting Black Mothers At The Transition: A Collaborative Design Prenatal Coparenting Program, Jordan Ebanaya

Masters Theses

Despite having the highest infant mortality rate of similarly developed nations, infant mortality rates have trended downward in the United States, however, the infant mortality disparity between Black and White infants persists. The causes of the disparity have been traced to social considerations of the mother especially while pregnant. These social situations include racism and discrimination, marital status of the mother, social support and pregnancy intentions, pointing to one commonality: stress. Using Boss and colleagues 2017 Conceptual Model of Family Stress, this study proposes a solution to address some of the social support, or resources, available to the expectant mother; …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Ion-Implanted Gold Nanoparticles, Nurlathifah Fnu

Masters Theses

Gold negative ions of 70 keV energy were implanted within the quartz substrates at room temperature at seven different fluences starting from 2 x 10¹⁶ particles/cm² to 8 x 10¹⁶ particles/cm² with the increment of 1 x 10¹⁶. Prior to the implantation, Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) calculations were carried to obtain the Bragg peak below the surface of quartz. Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry (RBS) was carried out using 2.0 MeV He⁺⁺ ions to measure depth and implanted fluence of gold, and learn how they varied with fluence. Backscattered He particles …

The Quiet Classroom Game With An Indiscriminable Contingency In A High School, Stefanie Schrieber

Master's Theses

The Quiet Classroom Game (QCG) is an interdependent group contingency utilized to decrease classroom noise levels, increase student engagement, and decrease disruptive behaviors in the classroom setting. The purpose of the current study was to investigate the effects of the QCG in three high school classrooms in the Southeastern United States. Classrooms were recruited based on teacher reports of excessive noise and high rates of disruptive behavior. A multiple baseline design with two intervention phases was utilized to examine the effects of the intervention. The first phase was the QCG alone, and the second phase was the QCG with an …

Multi-Point Flux Approximations Via The O-Method, Christen Leggett

Master's Theses

When an oil refining company is drilling for oil, much of the oil gets left behind after the first drilling. Enhanced oil recovery techniques can be used to recover more of that oil, but these methods are quite expensive. When a company is deciding if it is worth their time and money to use enhanced oil recovery methods, simulations can be used to model oil flow, showing the behavior and location of the oil. While methods do exist to model this flow, these methods are often very slow and inaccurate due to a large domain and wide variance in coefficients. …

The Thiol Specific Antioxidant (Tsa1) Gene Is Required For Survival In Macrophages And Oxidative Stress Resistance In Histoplasma Capsulatum, Lauren Kennedy

Master's Theses

Histoplasma capsulatum(Hc) is a pathogenic fungus that causes one of the most common invasive fungal respiratory diseases, Histoplasmosis. Histoplasmaundergoes a dimorphic shift from mold to yeast which is crucial to pathogenesis of the organism.

The thiol specific antioxidant gene, Tsa1,is strongly upregulated in the yeast (pathogenic) morphotype. This data led to the hypothesis that this gene plays a role in protecting Hcfrom host mediated oxidative attack. To characterize Tsa1 function, a knockdown strain (tsa1-RNAi) was created by RNAi gene silencing. Expression of Tsa1in the tsa1-RNAistrain was reduced to 10% that …

Using Information Practices Of Nurses To Reform Information Literacy Instruction In Baccalaureate Nursing Programs, Anne R. Diekema, Betsy S. Hopkins, Brandon Patterson, Nena Schvaneveldt

Faculty Publications

Objective - Seeking information is a key element of evidence based practice and successful healthcare delivery. Significant literature exists on both the information seeking behaviour of professional nurses and information literacy teaching methods, but scarce evidence connects nurses’ information behaviour and environments with their education. This study sought to use data from nursing alumni to answer the following research questions: What are the current information practices of professional bachelor’s-prepared nurses? How do recently-graduated nurses suggest that their education could have better prepared them to find and evaluate information in the workplace?

Methods - The researchers conducted a descriptive study using …

Involuntary Signal-Based Grounding Of Civilian Unmanned Aerial Systems (Uas) In Civilian Airspace, Keith Conley

Master's Theses

This thesis investigates the involuntary signal-based grounding of civilian unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in unauthorized air spaces. The technique proposed here will forcibly land unauthorized UAS in a given area in such a way that the UAS will not be harmed, and the pilot cannot stop the landing. The technique will not involuntarily ground authorized drones which will be determined prior to the landing. Unauthorized airspaces include military bases, university campuses, areas affected by a natural disaster, and stadiums for public events. This thesis proposes an early prototype of a hardware-based signal based involuntary grounding technique to handle the problem …

Terrorism And Organized Crime: An Analytical Study From An International Law Perspective, Leila Mejdoubi

Master's Theses

With the spread of terrorism and its growing risks since the start of the 21^st century, a wide range of reports and studies have emerged. This funding comes from a special relationship between terrorist organizations, organized crime syndicates, and their cooperation with each other, which has enabled terrorist organizations in particular to carry out recruitment efforts and operations alike. It has also fueled an international black market for smuggling and trade in drugs and arms. Under what conditions do violent terrorist groups driven by extreme Islamist ideology collaborate with organized criminal enterprises to generate the requisite resources to pursue …

Exploring The Effects Of Policies On Military Readiness, Renard Dominique

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify factors of military policies that are counterproductive to III Marine Expeditionary Force’s (MEF) organizational readiness. The III MEF/Marine Corps Installation Pacific (MCIPAC) Liberty Regulations of Japan and Battalion Order (BnO) 11000.1C Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) Regulation are two governing policies to which Marines and Sailors attached to III MEF and MCIPAC commands are subjected. The following research questions were formulated utilizing the Zero-Defect Theory and the Theory of Humanism as a conceptual foundation: How does perception toward the III MEF/MCIPAC liberty and BEQ regulation influence personal acceptance and adherence to these policies; …

Und Today: December 2019, University Of North Dakota

UND Today Archive

No abstract provided.

An Analysis Of The Effects Between Prison Documentaries And Popularity Among Viewers, Dominique Malone

Honors Theses

This research examines the themes between a variety of prison documentaries and the subsequent viewership. In recent years, documentaries depicting prison life have risen in popularity due to a number of factors such as violence, drama, hysteria, and an overall sense of fascination (Cecil, 2009). This popularity may have impacted views on the current criminal justice system considering most people never have contact with the criminal justice system in their lifetimes (Cecil, 2009). Therefore, these documentaries may serve as one of the only bases for information that they may have about the system (Cecil, 2009). Because prison documentaries are fulfilling …

December 2019: Christmas Greetings, Gardner-Webb University

President William Downs' Blog

Christmas Greetings to our Gardner-Webb Family and Friends!

For Christians, Advent is a time of great expectation and preparation. We look forward to trumpeting the nativity of Jesus, and in doing so we are filled with renewed hope, peace, joy, and love.

Kim and I feel so happy to be spending our first holiday season with you at GWU. We thank you for the warm welcome that you have extended to us and to our family, and we are grateful for all that each of you does to support this special University and our beloved college town. We have all …

Improving Professional Development With The Torrance Incubation Model, Susan M. Czyrny

Creativity and Change Leadership Graduate Student Master's Projects

Abstract

The purpose of this project is to introduce and integrate creativity and creative problem solving concepts and methods that are supported by the application of technology and digital media into the professional learning and career development process. The current training framework consisting primarily of instructor-led lectures supported by PowerPoint presentations is not sufficient to provide students with depth and breadth of information needed to achieve competence. Creativity and innovation are critical skills needed to succeed in a globally competitive and changing marketplace and are now required competencies that need to be demonstrated. Interweaving creativity skills training and facilitation with …

Utilization Of Free Trade Agreement In Indonesia: Firm-Level Data Analysis Of The Yogyakarta Special Region, Nadira Asrifa Nasution

Economics and Finance in Indonesia

This study aims to observe the utilization of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. The findings are obtained by processing primary data collected from in-depth interviews and a survey of firms by applying descriptive analysis. The findings show that FTA is utilized by merely 44% of the total population of 64 firms in Yogyakarta. The benefits of FTA obtained by firms include market access, ease of processing custom documents, and lower preferential tariffs. However, the disadvantages include onerous document requirements, limited information, and difficulties in understanding regulations. Another issue related to the utilization of FTA concerns …

Laser Spectroscopy Investigations On Molecular And Free Radicals Dynamics., Hamzeh Telfah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studying molecular dynamics and chemical kinetics is important to understand the chemical behavior of renewable energy sources. Laser spectroscopy techniques are powerful tools for the identification and diagnosis of such processes. In this dissertation, using our laser spectroscopy techniques, biofuels and solar energy were targeted as renewable energy sources study. We have studied the ultrafast exciton dynamics for a series of methylammonium lead bromide (CH3NH3PbBr3) nanostructures, nanocrystals (NCs, 0D), nanowires (NWs, 1D), and nanoplatelets (NPs, 2D) as a promising solar energy materials.1-2 Aided by analysis of UV−visible absorption and photoluminescence spectra, features in the transient absorption (TA) spectra are assigned …

Ywha (14-3-3) Protein Isoforms And Their Interactions With Cdc25b Phosphatase In Mouse Oogenesis And Oocyte Maturation, Alaa A. Eisa, Santanu De, Ariana Detwiler, Eva Gilker, Alexander C. Ignatious, Srinivasan Vijayaraghavan, Douglas Kline

Biology Faculty Articles

Background

Immature mammalian oocytes are held arrested at prophase I of meiosis by an inhibitory phosphorylation of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1). Release from this meiotic arrest and germinal vesicle breakdown is dependent on dephosphorylation of CDK1 by the protein, cell cycle division 25B (CDC25B). Evidence suggests that phosphorylated CDC25B is bound to YWHA (14-3-3) proteins in the cytoplasm of immature oocytes and is thus maintained in an inactive form. The importance of YWHA in meiosis demands additional studies.

Results

Messenger RNA for multiple isoforms of the YWHA protein family was detected in mouse oocytes and eggs. All seven mammalian YWHA …

The Role Of Gamma Oscillations And Cortical Inhibition In The Development Of Working Memory In Adolescence, Christopher P. Walker

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Adolescence is a dynamic period of social, cognitive, and biological changes. In particular, working memory, the ability to actively encode and maintain information over a short period of time, develops early in childhood and gradually increases in capacity and stability during adolescence. The precise neurophysiological mechanism by which working memory capacity increases during adolescence is unclear. The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the role of cortical gamma-band (> 30 Hz) oscillations—which are associated with working memory in adults—for the development of working memory capacity in adolescents, and to identify the extent to which the temporal profile of gamma-aminobutyric …

Human Diseases Related To Different Body Systems [Biology], Richa Gupta

Open Educational Resources

This assignment, aligned to LaGuardia Community College’s Global Learning Core Competency and Digital Communication Ability, was designed for the laboratory part of Human Anatomy and Physiology I (SCB203) course. The assignment, “Human Diseases Related to Different Body Systems,” aims to promote students’ learning and preparation towards their future major in STEM and in the Allied Health Programs. SCB203, taught by faculty in the Natural Sciences department, is a program-core course for Liberal Arts-Mathematics and Science majors and a key Pre-Clinical course (prerequisite) for future enrollment of students into several Allied Health majors such as Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Radiologic …

Cultural Diversity In Healthcare [Radiologic Technology], Lorena Maldonado, Theresa Licari

Open Educational Resources

The Cultural Diversity in Healthcare assignment is designed for the SCX 101 Patient care course. This assignment was first implemented in 2011 and has undergone significant revisions in the past few years from individual presentation to collaborative group presentation in 2013 and the connection to the Health Science First Year Seminar (HSF) assignment in 2018. The most recent revisions made were through the Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) workshop on Global Learning in Fall 2018. Feedback from the CTL seminar led to the inclusion of the Learning Objectives of the assignment and prompts that direct students to relate their …

Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2018/2019, Tennessee. Department Of Safety & Homeland Security.

Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Your Personal Health Information May Have Been Compromised: Using Encryption To Prevent Data Breaches On End-User Devices, Nina Patel

Hofstra Law Review

No abstract provided.

Political Polarization And Long-Term Change In Public Support For Environmental Spending, Eric W. Johnson, Philip Schwadel

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Public support for environmental protection has evinced declines in recent years that are widely attributed to growing antipathy among self-identified Republicans. Fractures in what was long considered broad and enduring support for the environment in the United States have called attention to the broader sociopolitical context in which individual opinion on the environment is formed, and especially the role of political parties and their leaders in shaping opinion. Empirical analyses of environmental support, however, remain strongly focused on individual-level correlates of support. We apply recent methodological advances in age-period-cohort models to scrutinize changes in Americans’ willingness to pay more for …

Oblivion, Angela V. Scardigno

Theses and Dissertations

I believe I am drawn to work with wood because of genetic reasons. My grandfather was a carpenter. I remember him as a hardworking and busy man. As something inseparable and equally inspiring, I remember his studio which was a small house that was full of creativity and great memories. My grandparents’ house is one of my first memories where I learned to create art and collage. I have started to notice, as I get older, that I am constantly trying to bring back an atmosphere that resembles that warm and safe place of childhood. I have also noticed that …

A Venue To Grow: Researching Professional Growth In The Collaborative Courts Of The Northern District Of California, Wyatt Lim-Tepper

Master's Projects and Capstones

This study examines the professional growth of collaborative court staff in the Northern District of California (NDCA). First, it sets forth a background that reviews the history of collaborative courts and details the development, purpose and structure, and current processes at the federal level. Second, the researcher describes the framework of the NDCA as an institution and further identifies the stakeholders who participate in the NDCA’s two collaborative courts: the Reentry Court and the Conviction Alternatives Program (CAP). Third, the study reviews the literature on professional growth in the legal field, education and academia, and public-health fields. Fourth, this paper …

Effectiveness Of Campusclarity By Everfi’S Sexual Harassment Prevention Program On Victimization Rates, Harold Leon Seifers Iii

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a correlation between the number of reported incidences of rape and stalking on college campuses and campuses that utilize CampusClarity by EVERFI as an educational tool to “reduce risky student behavior and prevent sexual assault on your campus.” The study investigated the relationship between the dependent variables, incidences of rape and stalking, versus the independent variables: partnership, men’s population, women’s population, on-campus drug crime, on-campus alcohol crime, on-campus domestic violence, and on-campus dating violence. The 11,181 campuses that report crime data required by the Clery Act were included as …

Brief History Of Spinal Neurosurgical Societies In The United States: Part 1., Sasha Vaziri, Daniel K. Resnick, Christopher P. Ames, James S. Harrop, Christopher I. Shaffrey, Kern Singh, Justin S. Smith, Daniel J. Hoh

Department of Neurosurgery Faculty Papers

No abstract provided.

Deep Fakes: A Looming Challenge For Privacy, Democracy, And National Security, Robert Chesney, Danielle K. Citron

Faculty Scholarship

Harmful lies are nothing new. But the ability to distort reality has taken an exponential leap forward with “deep fake” technology. This capability makes it possible to create audio and video of real people saying and doing things they never said or did. Machine learning techniques are escalating the technology’s sophistication, making deep fakes ever more realistic and increasingly resistant to detection. Deep-fake technology has characteristics that enable rapid and widespread diffusion, putting it into the hands of both sophisticated and unsophisticated actors. While deep-fake technology will bring with it certain benefits, it also will introduce many harms. The marketplace …