566 matches in the database.
These are records: 1 - 30.
[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] … [19]
1.
JABBARI, BEHZAD J.
EXPERIMENTS IN PUBLIC OPINION RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET.
Degree: PhD, Arts and Sciences : Political Science, 2005, University of Cincinnati
► In the past decade, access to the Internet has substantially increased, and…
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▼ In the past decade, access to the Internet has substantially increased, and now various commercial software packages provide the means for researchers to readily design and create online surveys in a short period of time. The purpose of this dissertation is to demonstrate the utility and cost-effectiveness of conducting methodological experiments on survey question effects such as effects of not sure, don’t know, and no opinion, tone of wording: forbid vs. allow, effects of middle response alternative, and response order effects. Since political scientists rarely collect their own data, due to related cost issues, investigators are unable to easily test hypotheses due to their dependency on secondary data or small voluntary student samples. In this research, several classic experiments on question form, wording, and context were replicated using the Internet as a public opinion laboratory. This study was conducted in two phases prior to 2000 presidential election using Internet technology at the University of Cincinnati. Respondents were randomly assigned to one of the two question forms, and the topics of survey questions in this study were focused on issues in the 2000 presidential election campaign adapted for self-administration on the Internet. Six experiments were conducted examining the effects of no opinion, don’t know, and not sure response alternatives. Except in one case, in which a large number of respondents with a higher level of education expressed opinions about a fictitious issue, the results replicated earlier findings by Schuman and Presser (1981). Two experiments examined the selection of "forbid" vs. "not allow" showing the preference of respondents to choose "not allow" over "forbid." However, we found a lower margin of difference in our experiments in comparison with those of Schuman and Presser (1981). Three experiments examining the effects of a middle response alternative clearly suggested that offering a "middle alternative" results in a significant increase in its selection. Examining the univariate distribution, a statistically significant difference based on response form was found in only one of three cases. The results suggest that middle response alternative effects may not be generalizable to all issues. The bivariate results were similar to findings of Schuman and Presser (1981) and Kalton, Roberts, and Holts (1980) showing that the inferences about the relationship between background variables and attitude items are not affected by the presence or absence of a middle alternative. Finally, three experiments were conducted to examine the response order effects. Only one of the experiments showed a strong primacy effect, with the other two producing less robust results. Overall, this research confirms that this new mode of data collection utilizing the Internet technology can be effectively utilized to create and/or replicate various methodological experiments in an efficient and cost-effective manner as well as stimulate the development of new hypotheses on survey question effects.
Advisors/Committee Members: Bishop, Dr. George F.
Subjects: Political Science, General
Keywords: survey research; online survey; web survey; Internet poll; online poll; response order; middle response alternative; tone of wording; not sure; don't know; no opinion; methodological experiments; methodology
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2.
Jack, Eric P.
MEASURING AND COMPARING VOLUME FLEXIBILITY OF SMALL AND LARGE FIRMS.
Degree: PhD, Business Administration : Quantitative Analysis, 2000, University of Cincinnati
► This study defines Volume Flexibility as: the ability to profitably increase or…
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▼ This study defines Volume Flexibility as: the ability to profitably increase or decrease aggregate production (output) in response to changes in customer demand. We use a triangulated approach to measure and relate volume flexibility to firm performance. Part 1 uses secondary data to measure volume flexibility. Other researchers use variability in sales to measure volume flexibility and conclude that small firms are more volume flexible than large firms are. But, variability in sales essentially measures diversity in the environment, and therefore, it may not be a valid measure of volume flexibility. Our measures consider the combined impact of the firms technology and environmental diversity by incorporating process properties such as inventory levels and costs incurred in meeting sales variation. Using 20 years (1979-1998) of Compustat data on 550 firms in the capital goods industries (SICs 3510-3590), we identify key sources of volume flexibility that give competitive advantages to small firms. But, when we simultaneously account for environmental uncertainty, production technology, and performance, we find that large firms are more volume flexible than small firms are. We also revalidate these findings with a second data set representing 20 years (1979-1998) of data on 2,100 firms in 93 industries. In part 2, we conduct case studies of three small firms in the capital goods industries. We document and assess the drivers and sources of volume flexibility. Our key findings identify drivers of volume flexibility in two categories: external market forces and internal strategic choices. We also identify key sources of volume flexibility and categorize them into a taxonomy of short-term and long-term sources as well as internal and external sources of volume flexibility. Finally, in Part 3, we conduct a field survey of 750 APICS managers to understand the leverage that volume flexibility provides across small and large firms. Our results validate that the short-term and long-term sour ces have a positive impact on a firms volume flexibility. In addition, the results show that volume flexibility has a positive impact on delivery performance and financial performance.
Advisors/Committee Members: Raturi, Amitabh S.
Subjects: Business Administration, Management
Keywords: operations strategy; manufacturing flexibility; volume flexibility; empirical research
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3.
Jackson, Adam C.
Glycemic Response to Fast and Slow Digestible Carbohydrate in High and Low Aerobic Fitness Men.
Degree: Master of Science (MS), Physiology of Exercise (Health and Human Services), 2007, Ohio University
► The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in the…
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▼ The purpose of this study was to determine the difference in the glycemic response of high and low aerobic fitness men to glucose, and one novel slow and fast digestible carbohydrate (CHO). The glycemic index (GI) value of both novel CHO was determined for the high (n = 6) and low (n = 6) aerobic fitness men. Overall, GI values were 76.44±16.02 for the fast CHO and 48.96 ±17.30 for the slow CHO. Between the high and low fitness men the GI differed significantly, the fast CHO was found to be 86.71±16.15 and 66.17±7.12 and the slow CHO was found to be 59.13±8.50 and 38.79±18.38, for the low and high fitness men respectively. The glycemic response was significantly different among the trials (glucose, fast and slow CHO, p = .0001). The GI of the novel CHO (fast and slow CHO)depended upon the aerobic fitness level of healthy young men.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kushnick, Michael R.
Keywords: glycemic response; glycemic index; carbohydrate
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4.
Jackson, Cryshanna A.
MEASURING THE IMPACT OF TITLE IX FOR WOMEN OF COLOR: THE CASE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Urban Studies and Public Affairs, 2006, University of Akron
► Eighteen years after the passing of Title IX, gender equity continues to…
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▼ Eighteen years after the passing of Title IX, gender equity continues to emerge as a serious issue for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Colleges and universities comply with Title IX by using the three-prong test, including 1) proportionality, 2) continuing history and expansion, and 3) interests and abilities. Using the University of Akron as a case study, the purpose of this research was to examine university compliance in relation to the three-prong test, to explore compliance in terms of the interests and abilities of students, and to measure the impact of Title IX for women of color. We argue that, in an attempt to comply with Title IX, colleges and universities traditionally add sport programs that are historically dominated by white women and systematically limit access and opportunities for women of color interested in sports. An exploratory study was conducted at the University of Akron during the fall 2006 semester. The research population consisted of Akron students, ages 18 thru 25. Using the Assessment of Students Interests and Abilities developed by the National Center for Education Statistics to assess Title IX compliance, this study relied on a web-based survey to assess interests and abilities of the 3,219 students who responded. In addition to demographics, variables of interest included high school sports experience, current intercollegiate participation, interest in future participation, and sport ability. Using chi-square to identify the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, the results show that there is a statistically significant relationship between race and lack of participation among women. The data suggests that when compared to white female students, women of color do not participate in sports at the college level because they lack the time, have to work, and they view sports as being too competitive. Using logistic regression, we examined whether participation in college sports was dependent on high school sport participation at the varsity level, controlling for gender and race. We found that students who participate in high school sports are 10 times more likely to participate in sports at the college level. These results suggested that to ensure that women of color have an equal opportunity to participate in sports, grooming for a wide array of sports must occur early in the educational process. Colleges and universities can improve access and opportunities for students of color and women, specifically, if they create partnerships with elementary and secondary institutions to develop sport abilities for students. In addition we show that there is a significant relationship between high school sport participation and men of color and there is a significant relationship between interest in high school sport participation, current participation, future participation, interests and abilities, and race and gender. A significant relationship was found in five sports when comparing women of color to white women. It was found that women of color were more likely to want to participate in outdoor track and field and basketball. White women were more likely to want to participate in softball, soccer, and swimming and diving.
Advisors/Committee Members: Berry-James, RaJade M.
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5.
Jackson, Daney G.
The relationship between perceived effectiveness of the collaborative relationships of the USDA youth at risk coalitions and selected situational factors and structural dimensions.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Food, Agricultural, and Biological Engineering, 1994, Ohio State University
► The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the situational…
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▼ The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the situational factors and structural dimensions of the 58 Youth At Risk program sites studied. It also sought to explore the coalition member's perceived effectiveness of the collaborative relationship. Additionally, this study sought to describe the relationships that existed between the situational factors and the structural dimensions with the coalition member's perceived effectiveness. Three Youth At Risk program site types were studied. They included: Building Coalitions; School Aged Child Care; and Science, Technology and Literacy. The findings of this study indicated that the active collaborators perceived the collaborative relationships of the Youth At Risk coalitions to be effective. The respondents who had a greater dependence on resources were more likely to experience effective collaborative relationships. As resource flows from the respondent to the coalition and resource flows to the respondent from the coalition increased, so did the perception of effective collaborative relationships. Coalition members who had prior knowledge of, or working relationships with other members were more likely to experience effective collaborative relationships. Consensus among members was associated positively with the effectiveness of the collaborative relationships. Coalition members who had similar organizational domains were more likely to experience effective collaborative relationships. Formal agreements between members led to more effective collaborative relationships. Both quality and frequency of communications were important to effective collaboration. The best predictors of perceived effectiveness of the collaborative relationships were level of consensus, formalization of agreements and resource flows from the respondent to the coalition. Recommendations from this study are for coalition builders to seek a consensus among members on goals and methods. Once a consensus is reached formal agreements should be used assigning responsibilities, and formal meetings should be held with minutes and agendas. Finally, the coalition builders should encourage the flow of resources between members and the coalition.
Advisors/Committee Members: Clark, Richard W.
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6.
JACKSON, DEBBIE KINNE.
EFFECTIVE SCIENCE TEACHERS: THEIR CONTENT KNOWLEDGE.
Degree: EdD, Education : Curriculum and Instruction, 2004, University of Cincinnati
► Subject matter and pedagogy have been components of teacher education since its…
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▼ Subject matter and pedagogy have been components of teacher education since its origin, and research shows that they will continue to be debated in research and policy circles (Sosniak, 1999). Both components of teacher education are necessary, and research exists in both areas; however, explicit research about the content knowledge involved in effective teaching is lacking. This study focuses on the content knowledge of effective secondary science teachers and the role their content knowledge plays in planning and instruction. Case studies were developed for National Board Certified chemistry teachers. Data collected included classroom observations, interviews, concept maps, and classroom materials. The data were analyzed using the theoretical frameworks of Wertsch (1998), Shulman (1987), and Applebee (1996), and five themes were revealed. First, the teachers had various depths of content knowledge. Second, all of the teachers had experience working in a scientific laboratory; they had experience “doing” science. Third, each of the teachers planned with the goals of their students in mind. Fourth, all of the teachers were able to relate chemistry to the lives of their students. And finally, each of the teachers cited the context of his or her situation as being integral in decision making regarding planning and instruction. These findings were compared with literature in science teacher education to extend the possible implications. The themes have implications for teacher education programs, including the importance of 1) student knowledge, 2) discussing content in relationship to teaching, 3) scientific laboratory research, and 4) determining good and bad instructional representations.
Advisors/Committee Members: Burroughs, Dr. Robert.
Keywords: Science Teachers; Teachers Content Knowledge
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7.
JACKSON, JENNIFER ANN.
HELL HATH NO FURY: CINDY SHEEHAN AND THE RHETORIC OF GRIEF.
Degree: MA, Arts and Sciences : Communication, 2007, University of Cincinnati
► This is an analysis of a sample of writings by Cindy Sheehan…
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▼ This is an analysis of a sample of writings by Cindy Sheehan to identify her rhetorical strategies in her anti-war rhetoric. A selection of artifacts has been made covering the time of her activation after the death of her son through the time of her hunger strike in the summer of 2006. This analysis deems Sheehan as a feminist who arches from second to third wave feminist in voice. It also examines how Sheehan reframes the United States from a country with many small family units to a single national family unit. And finally, this paper will observe how Sheehan violates the expectation of civility with her cynical approach. Combining together, it is found that Sheehan holds many contextual factors that create a unique rhetoric of grief that may not be duplicated if all contextual factors are not identical for another rhetorician.
Advisors/Committee Members: Jennings, William P.
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8.
Jackson, Jodi Michelle.
Investigation of Factors Affecting Fertility: Chromosome Segregation Errors and Environmental Toxins.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Genetics, 2007, Case Western Reserve University
► If a species cannot propagate, it cannot survive. Human fertility is thought…
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▼ If a species cannot propagate, it cannot survive. Human fertility is thought to be declining, with a myriad of possible causes. The objective of this dissertation was to investigate two factors that affect fertility: chromosome segregation errors and environmental toxins. Aneuploidy affects 10-30% of human conceptions and is the leading genetic cause of pregnancy loss and mental retardation. Accordingly, the etiology of chromosome segregation errors has long been studied. Conversely, while examples of environmental toxins impacting fertility can be found throughout the literature, this field is only recently becoming a major focus of research. The studies done for this dissertation were done independently from one another and are presented here separately. The observation of hermaphroditic mice on the inbred strain A/HeJ prompted the investigation of the YA/HeJ chromosome. The YA/HeJ chromosome was transferred to the C57BL/6J background and the hermaphroditism trait segregated with it, indicating the two are linked. We found the YA/HeJ chromosome to be prone to missegregation, however, we did not find evidence that segregation errors cause the disturbances in sexual differentiation. Interestingly, we frequently observed a gap between YA/HeJ sister chromatids, indicating inappropriate centromere function. The mouse Y centromere is near the sex-determining genes and we hypothesize that a mutation(s) in this region affects both the YA/HeJ centromere (causing the gaps) and gene expression (causing the hermaphrodites). The YA/HeJ chromosome serves as a model to study centromere structure and function and, ultimately, what makes a chromosome prone to segregation error. After our laboratory relocated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, to Washington State University in Pullman, Washington, we experienced a significant decline in the reproductive fitness of our mouse colony. Pregnancy rates, egg and embryo quality, fetal development and pup survival were all negatively impacted. After investigating numerous environmental variables, we determined it was the facility-wide use of a quaternary ammonium disinfectant that was negatively affecting our mouse breeding colony. By eliminating the disinfectant from the facility and increasing the stringency of the automated cage washer, we were able to greatly improve the breeding performance of the mouse colony.
Advisors/Committee Members: Hunt, Patricia A.
Subjects: Biology, Genetics
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10.
Jackson, Julie A.
AN EXAMINATION OF MASTER’S LEVEL GRADUATE STUDENT EXPERIENCES AND ATTITUDES.
Degree: Master of Education (MEd), Career and Technology Education/Technology, 2007, Bowling Green State University
► Campus climate and student satisfaction are important topics for any graduate program.…
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▼ Campus climate and student satisfaction are important topics for any graduate program. Having information about what works and what does not, will benefit students and retention rates. The problem of this study was to investigate students’ attitudes toward their academic program, professional development opportunities, and support for graduate students at the master’s level at Bowling Green State University. To help assess student attitudes and satisfaction, a survey was sent to all master’s level students attending Bowling Green State University. The survey was web based and could be accessed through a link within an email invitation. The survey was designed to determine how students perceived their academic program, how they felt about professional development opportunities, and if they were receiving support they required. The survey was sent to 1572 students. A response rate of 22.3% was obtained. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS. Results are provided using frequencies and significance tests. Data from the survey revealed that the majority of master’s students attending BGSU are in fact, satisfied with their program, professional development, and support. Student-faculty relations scored very well across the board. Some programs scored lower than others. Qualitative data suggests students are less satisfied with course availability, training for teaching and research, and awareness of support services. Administrators can use this data to make informed decisions where master’s students are concerned.
Advisors/Committee Members: Hoff, Kathryn S.
Keywords: climate; student satisfaction; attitude; survey; master's; graduate student
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11.
Jackson, Julie Ann.
Three-Dimensional Feature Models for Synthetic Aperture Radar and Experiments in Feature Extraction.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Electrical and Computer Engineering, 2009, Ohio State University
► This dissertation presents a new set of three-dimensional scattering feature models for…
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▼ This dissertation presents a new set of three-dimensional scattering feature models for synthetic aperture radar (SAR). We develop a set of parametric models of canonical shapes that capture aspect-dependent, high-frequency scattering for bistatic (and monostatic) 3D SAR phase history responses. The models are parameterized by the shape location, orientation, and size as well as the radar transmitter and receiver antenna aspects and frequency. We develop the models by combining physical optics (PO) and uniform theory of diffraction (UTD) planar scattering solutions to approximate 3D scattering responses of canonical shapes. We validate the models using scattering prediction software and show that the proposed models capture well the mainlobe responses of each shape. Thus, the proposed models may be used to accurately predict first-order scattering of scenes comprised of such shapes. The second part of this dissertation focuses on the inverse problem of discerning the types of canonical shapes in a scene and estimating their corresponding model parameters from observed SAR phase history data. We present discrimination methods for classifying observed scattering into the geometric shape types. We compute the Cramer-Rao bounds for the models and characterize model parameter estimation accuracy for two estimation schemes. Finally, we present a feature extraction algorithm that classifies and estimates the canonical features from polarimetric phase history data. We use non-quadratic regularization to form sparsity-constrained 3D SAR images that are used to initialize the scatterer location, orientation, and size estimates. We test the feature extraction algorithm on simulated phase histories for densely-sampled and sparsely-sampled, monostatic and bistatic 3D SAR apertures. We show that even for sparsely-sampled apertures, the feature extraction algorithm is able to estimate geometric scattering features in the scene. Feature extraction for the proposed canonical shape models may be extended in future work for use in automatic target recognition.
Advisors/Committee Members: Moses, Randolph.
Subjects: Electrical engineering
Keywords: synthetic aperture radar, bistatic, 3D SAR, parametric scattering models, feature extraction, canonical shapes
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12.
Jackson, Marianne.
Flying Fat.
Degree: MFA, College of Arts and Sciences / Department of English, 2009, Kent State University
► JACKSON, MARIANNE, BA., 2006; M.F.A., 2009 ENGLISH FLYING FAT Director of…
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▼ JACKSON, MARIANNE, BA., 2006; M.F.A., 2009 ENGLISH FLYING FAT Director of Thesis: Varley O’Connor This is a series of essays that explore one black woman’s journey that she embarks on to alter her body size to save her life and allow her to pursue her dream of a college career. As with any venture into unfamiliar territory, this woman encounters unexpected repercussions from her decision to undergo a major surgical procedure to facilitate her weight loss. As a child and young woman growing up in a community that does not disparage overweight women, the protagonist experiences intense feelings of guilt when she makes the choice to lose weight. Culturally, overweight women in her community hold places of respect and honor. The Roux-n-Y, the weight loss surgery she chooses, is commonly known as a gastric bypass. This is an invasive procedure which entails the cutting and rerouting of the intestines, as well as the reduction in the size of the stomach. This woman experiences the loss of several friends, especially a friend she’d had since childhood, who project their displeasure regarding the reduction of the size of her body. In addition, there is also reluctance on her friend’s part to encourage her pursuit of higher learning. They view the combined desire for weight loss and education as a double threat to their friendship and to the culture they have been immersed in since an early age. Throughout the essays this black woman demonstrates a stoic resolve and dedication to the betterment of her life and circumstances through efforts that will provide her with optimal health and academic success.
Advisors/Committee Members: O'Connor, Varley.
Subjects: Womens studies
Keywords: weight loss surgery; black women; black women and relationships; cultural stigmas; black church.
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13.
Jackson, Nicole Maelyn.
Remembering Soweto: American Students and International Social Justice, 1976-1988.
Degree: Master of Arts, History, 2009, Ohio State University
► Historical discussion of American student activism has largely centered on the 1960s…
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▼ Historical discussion of American student activism has largely centered on the 1960s and its many triumphs. New Left social movements such as the Free Speech, Civil Rights and women’s movements all featured student involvement, if not downright leadership. But with the downfall of this decade of social activism, many scholars have hastily decried the end of student social movements. However, if one considers anti-apartheid activism in the late 1970s and 1980s, one sees that campuses had not gone quiet and the affects of the 1960s had drastically changed the ways in which students approached social justice campaigns. This thesis considers student anti-apartheid work in three paradigms to at once counter the historiographical trend which presumes student inactivity and understand the complexities of student activism in late century. By considering student anti-apartheid work at Howard University, Mills College, Spelman College and the University of California, Berkeley these chapters begin to discern the diverse group of student who organized around ending apartheid in South Africa and curtailing American complicity of white dominance. These chapters also consider the legacy of the 1960s to connect this period with student unrest in the late 1970s and 1980s. In this thesis, one finds that student activists understood their activism as continuations of New Left social movements and, whenever possible, framed their protests within the realm of Civil Rights, free speech and Black Powere to prove their points and legitimize their work.
Advisors/Committee Members: Hall, Stephen.
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14.
Jackson, Prabhu Jacob.
A senson array for engine exhaust after-treatment systems.
Degree: Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering, 2004, Ohio State University
► In the US majority of the trucks, buses and off-road vehicles are…
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▼ In the US majority of the trucks, buses and off-road vehicles are diesel powered. The advancement in technology and better designs have narrowed the differences between the diesel and gasoline engines making it a leading candidate for passenger cars. Due to this emergence the Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have enforced strict emission regulations for diesel emissions. To attain a reduction in emissions, sensor development is needed for use in emission control systems for control and diagnostic purposes. The various ceramic-based gas sensors developed at the Center for Industrial Measurements and Sensors have the capability for measuring exhaust gas concentrations. But unfortunately these sensors are subjected to interferences from other gas species.A methodology for predicting the gas concentrations from the sensor responses when there is interference from other gas species is proposed in this thesis. The sensor array for gas concentration prediction is developed using Artificial Neural Networks (Back Propagation). Different sensor arrays are developed separately for data acquired from testing the sensors in the laboratory and for data from tests performed on the diesel engine exhaust. The developed sensor array had the ability to predict gas concentration.In addition to the sensor array, a Fault Diagnosis Scheme is also devised for detecting sensor faults in the sensor array. The scheme was developed based on methodology used for non-linear systems Fault Diagnosis. The scheme had the ability to detect sensor faults reasonably well.These methodologies are presented and discussed in detail, as well as the future work about the extension of the sensor array and application of the sensor array is also mentioned.
Advisors/Committee Members: Rizzoni, Giorgio.
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17.
Jackson, Thomas.
POLLEN-MEDIATED GENE FLOW AND GENETIC VARIATION WITHIN MANFREDA VIRGINICA POPULATIONS OCCURRING IN ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO.
Degree: Master of Science (MS), Environmental Studies (Arts and Sciences), 2003, Ohio University
► The purpose of this thesis was to investigate pollen-mediated gene flow and…
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▼ The purpose of this thesis was to investigate pollen-mediated gene flow and genetic variation within populations of Manfreda virginica that occur in prairie openings in Adams County, Ohio. M. virginica was chosen because of its historic co-dominance in the xeric prairies and its role as a dominant plant in globally rare limestone seep habitats. A pollen surrogate was used to estimate pollen dispersal and inferred pollen movement is frequent within populations, but not among populations. A single species of Halictid bee appears to be the primary and perhaps sole pollinator. Genetic analysis was performed using Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) markers. No significant relationship was found between geographic distance and genetic distance and substantial genetic variation is found between all populations regardless of size or geographic position. Heterozygosity and polymorphism was low within all populations. Analysis indicates substantial fixation of alleles within populations, perhaps driven by drift due to genetic isolation.
Advisors/Committee Members: Ballard, Harvey.
Subjects: Biology, Botany
Keywords: Conservation Genetics; Population Genetics; Manfreda virginca; Agave virginica; ISSR
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18.
Jackson, Vivian H.
An Exploratory Study of the Meaning of Culture in Family Preservation and Kinship Care Services: An Africentric Translation.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Social Welfare, 2008, Case Western Reserve University
► The disproportionality of African American children in stranger foster care is of…
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▼ The disproportionality of African American children in stranger foster care is of ongoing concern. Systemic factors contribute to this disproportionality, but the lack of cultural fit for some service interventions may explain some of the problems. Even though, program initiatives such as family preservation and kinship care are designed to preclude the need for stranger foster care, there is still an overrepresentation of African American children in this type of placement. Perhaps an Africentric approach to service delivery would improve the likelihood of achieving the child welfare goals of safety, permanence and well-being within the child’s own family system. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to expand the understanding of Africentric practice. It offers a portrait of Africentric practice and describes an implementation process for this values and principles-based service approach. The second purpose of this study is to discern the meaning that is attached to receipt of these services by those who receive the service. The research study used a qualitative case study approach using methods in institutional ethnography and an analytic framework based on symbolic interaction theory. The family preservation and kinship care programs of an agency that presents itself as an Africentric agency were studied in depth. Participant observation, document review and semi-structured interviews of organizational leaders, direct service providers, and family members were the sources of data. The findings identified strategies designed to create an Africentric organizational culture from which Africentric practice was launched and nurtured. This approach acknowledged the need to help the workforce address the influence of oppression and the role of Eurocentric values and principles in their own lives and in their approach to service provision. The success of these strategies was tempered by the external challenges imposed on the agency by the larger Eurocentric society. The study raised questions about the difference between evidence-based practice and values-based practice and the role of personal values and beliefs in implementation. Of the many Africentric values and principles, the family members consistently expressed the importance of authentic relationship. Implications for further research on culture and practice, Africentric practice, and implementation research are discussed.
Advisors/Committee Members: Milligan, Sharon E.
Subjects: Social Work
Keywords: Africentrism; Child Welfare; Kinship Care; Family Preservation; Implementation Research; Institutional Ethnography; African Americans
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19.
Jackson, Wesley Todd Jr.
Verwesung und Werden: Images of Violence and Conversion in Alfred Döblin's Wallenstein.
Degree: MA, Arts and Sciences : Germanic Languages and Literature, 2008, University of Cincinnati
► This thesis treats the themes of decay and change as represented in…
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▼ This thesis treats the themes of decay and change as represented in Alfred Döblin's historical novel, Wallenstein. The argument is drawn from the comparison of the verbal images in the text and Döblin's larger philosophical oeuvre in answer to the question as to why the novel is primarily defined by portrayals of violence, death, and decay. Taking Döblin's historical, cultural, political, aesthetic, and religious context into account, I demonstrate that Döblin's use of disturbing images in the novel, complemented by his structurally challenging writing style, functions to challenge traditional views of history and morality, reflect an alternative framework for history and morality based on Döblin's philosophical observations concerning humankind and its relationship to the natural world, raise awareness of social injustice among readers and, finally, provoke readers to greater social activism and engagement in their surrounding culture.
Advisors/Committee Members: Gerstenberger, Katharina.
Subjects: German literature
Keywords: Alfred Doeblin; Wallenstein; Violence; Verwesung; Werden; Thirty Years' War; World War I; Decay; Conversion; Change; Weimar; Novel
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20.
Jacob, Annie Philip.
Ecological effects of chemicals used in pond culture of catfish and percid fishes.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, 2008, Ohio State University
► We performed a series of experiments to evaluate the efficacy and effects…
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▼ We performed a series of experiments to evaluate the efficacy and effects of fertilizers, herbicides and algaecides used in percid and catfish ponds of the State Fish Hatcheries of Ohio. First, we conducted fertilization experiments comparing the original phosphorus fertilization rate of 30 μg P/L with lowered fertilization rates of 20 μg P/L and 10 μg P/L and a constant inorganic nitrogen fertilization rate of 600 μg N/L. Our results showed that lowering of phosphorus fertilization rate from 30 to 10 µg P/L neither affected the larval saugeye production nor the maintenance of adequate zooplankton forage base throughout the culture duration. Lowering the phosphorus fertilization rate in percid ponds may reduce the potential risks of deteriorated water quality conditions and the discharge of nutrient-rich effluent into surrounding waters. Second, we evaluated the efficacy and ecological effects of the herbicide fluridone and the algaecide copper sulfate, in catfish ponds. The combined application of fluridone and copper sulfate resulted in substantially less macrophyte biomass than did the fluridone-only treatment. The phytoplankton community composition shifted towards species tolerant to copper which in turn affected zooplankton community composition along with direct toxic effects of copper on sensitive zooplankton species. Fluridone treatments reduced total phytoplankton and Cyanophyta biomass, which suggests its algaecidal potential. Catfish survival and yield were not significantly different among treatments. Third, we evaluated the extent and effects of carry-over copper on percid culture in double-cropped aquaculture ponds. We found relatively higher copper concentration in the pond sediments at Senecaville State Fish Hatchery. Pond waters during percid culture had higher total and dissolved copper concentrations than did the source water, which suggests the remobilization of copper from the sediment into the water column. The laboratory experiment conducted to assess the chronic toxic effect of copper on a native cladoceran species showed that the low dissolved copper concentrations (6-9 μg/L) and low free copper ion activities (10-10M-10-11M) encountered in Senecaville waters can negatively affect the reproductive output of cladocerans. Further manipulative experiments need to be conducted to establish the direct and indirect effects of low concentrations of copper on plankton biomass and percid production.
Advisors/Committee Members: Culver, David.
Subjects: Biology; Ecology; Environmental science; Fish production
Keywords: percid, catfish, plankton, fluridone, copper
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21.
Jacob, Cara Janel.
cdca8: A Target of p53/Rb Dependent Repression.
Degree: Master of Science, Biology (Cell-Molecular Biology), 2005, University of Toledo
► One of the hallmarks of cancer is uncontrolled cell division. Our goal…
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▼ One of the hallmarks of cancer is uncontrolled cell division. Our goal is to find and characterize novel genes that are important for cellular division. Characterizing novel cell cycle genes is an important step in gaining insight into mechanisms that regulate the cell cycle. Rb/E2F is a complex that controls the expression of genes that regulate the cell cycle. Previous research that utilized Affymetrix microarrays identified a potential novel E2F target. The sequence that was detected was an EST that corresponded to the mouse predicted protein D4Ertd421e. This sequence is 76% identical to a human protein, Cdca8. Cdca8, or cell division cycle associated 8, was given this name because its expression, based on EST frequencies, correlated with other cell cycle genes. cdca8 is regulated in a cell cycle-dependent manner, characteristic of Rb/E2F targets. cdca8 is also repressed in a p53-dependent manner, but basal levels of cdca8 are not solely controlled by p53. This suggests there are multiple pathways that control the expression of cdca8. The expression of cdca8 is also over represented in cancerous tissues. Two splice variants of cdca8 were identified, but they appear to have the same protein product and function the same in cells. Localization studies show a dynamiclocalization pattern for Cdca8, implicating it as a possible component of cellular division. These studies have provided further insight into the mechanisms of cellular division. The understanding of the molecular basis of the cell cycle is required for greater knowledge of cancer formation, prevention, and treatment.
Advisors/Committee Members: Taylor, William R.
Subjects: Biology, Molecular
Keywords: cell cycle; chromosomal passenger complex; p53; Rb
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22.
Jacobs, Barry Alan.
The psychosocial interior of a professional service firm: Coping strategies, phantasy, and enduring organizational functionality.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Organizational Behavior, 1992, Case Western Reserve University
► This inquiry explores the role of individual unconscious coping strategies and phantasy,…
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▼ This inquiry explores the role of individual unconscious coping strategies and phantasy, manifested as personality and defense mechanisms, in the management of organizational culture. It was found that individual methodologies are useful for the discovery of collective reality, and that individual psychological processes have functional outcomes in organizational culture. It was conceptualized that coping strategies could be found that limit the ability of organizational members to understand the organizational culture at conscious and rational levels. Intensity of imagination was found to significantly influence one's perception of the importance that a particular ideology plays in an organization's culture. Those persons who believed that the organization was relatively high in power-orientation were more likely to favorably distort their self-presentation on a personality test. A broad range of personality factors were found to significantly influence the firm members' preference for structure in the firm's culture. It was also conceptualized that cultural norms would be discovered that provide operating space and impose limitations on discussion in order to support individual coping strategies. It was discovered that the firm provided sufficient operating space for certain widespread individual coping strategies that might be neurotic, and that limitations were imposed on the discussion of these coping strategies. Additionally it was conceptualized that unconscious and confused perceptions of authority would be uncovered that distort interpersonal relations and are sustained by coping strategies embedded in the culture. It was ascertained that the founding partner of the firm provided important cues and boundaries for the structure of the organization's culture, and that a distorted view of this leader is maintained through denial of aggression. It was also conceptualized that distorted object relations would be inhibiting of group development. Adequate data about group development were not derived as an outcome of this study. Finally it was conceptualized that if organizational neurosis is identified it would manifest itself as excessive attribution of power or the converse. Organizational neurosis was not identified at the firm. Although clinically descriptive in approach, triangulation research techniques within a case study were also employed. Coping strategies and personality style for members of this firm were obtained by using Cattell's 16PF (n = 51) and the Thematic Apperception Test (n = 38). Characteristics of the organizational culture were obtained using Harrison's Organizational Ideology Questionnaire (n = 51) and a structured open-ended interview protocol (n = 38). The firm's culture was found to support personal issues in coping with aggression and autonomy, in important facets of organizing and resistance to change.
Advisors/Committee Members: Srivastva, Suresh.
Keywords: psychosocial interior; professional service firm; Coping strategies; phantasy; organizational functionality
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25.
Jacobs, James Owen.
A COMPARISON OF RESISTANCE TO FRACTURE AND DEFORMATION BETWEEN ONE AND TWO-PIECE SMALL DIAMETER DENTAL IMPLANTS.
Degree: Master of Science, Dentistry, 2009, Ohio State University
► Small diameter dental implants have been developed to overcome clinical settings of…
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▼ Small diameter dental implants have been developed to overcome clinical settings of limited bone and dental spacing. These small diameter implants are available as a two-piece implant and prosthetic abutment or a one-piece implant. A concern with small diameter implants is an increased predisposition to implant and abutment fracture. The purpose of this research is to explore the strength characteristics of one and two-piece small diameter implants. 10 Astra Tech OsseoSpeed Ø3.0 x 13mm implants with Ø4.0 2mm TiDesign abutments (two-piece) where compared with 10 BioHorizons one-piece Ø3.0 x 15mm implants (one-piece). The implants were secured in a rigid clamp and subjected to static loading. The mean peak load was recorded for the specimens as well as load/displacement data. The mean peak load values for the one and two-piece implants were 414 N and 187 N respectively. The one-piece implants were significantly stronger than the two-piece implants. The practitioner should utilize careful patient selection when using two-piece small diameter implants.
Advisors/Committee Members: Larsen, Peter.
Subjects: Dental care
Keywords: Small-diameter dental implant fatigue strength
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26.
JACOBS, JOHN DAVID.
HYPERSPECTRAL PLANNER INSTRUMENTATION FOR PRODUCT GOAL SYNTHESIS IN MATERIAL PROCESS CONTROL.
Degree: MS, Engineering : Electrical Engineering, 2001, University of Cincinnati
► Motivated by a tri-level hierarchical process control scheme developed at the Wright…
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▼ Motivated by a tri-level hierarchical process control scheme developed at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base materials research laboratory, this thesis explores contemporary instrumentation methods to accommodate each level of the process control structure. The three hierarchical process levels include an environmental subprocess level, an in situ subprocess level, and an ex situ subprocess level which are linked by physical influences defining the transport of energy, mass, and momentum. A signal model hierarchy is introduced to delineate appropriate signal attributes useful for developing economical instrumentation at the corresponding control level. This model clearly demonstrates an increase in signal complexity and computational requirement with ascension from environmental to ex situ processing levels, which translates into an equivalent computational capacity required at each level of instrumentation implementation. An instrumentation taxonomy is characterized based on the requirements observed from the signal model. This structured instrumentation taxonomy defines contemporary instrumentation by application, method, and performance requirement to serve as a guide for making prudent and economical design decisions. This classification is validated by detailed design contribution examples each illustrating a level in the overall taxonomy. The resulting description lays a foundation for the design of high-performance instrumentation. This thesis concludes with a description of high-performance instrumentation for ex situ planners as applied to material process control applications. Such devices, termed analytical instruments, represent the upper-echelon of high-performance, computationally capable instrumentation as described herein. This level of instrumentation is able to realize the appropriate algorithms for product microstructural interpretation and goal-product comparisons, at the necessary bandwidth. With the use of this advanced instrumentation, it is possible for ex situ planners to be designed for optimal real-time product evaluation thus enabling automatic redirection of drifting process parameters. The term hyperspectral imaging is used to describe the versatile collateral method for integrating both spatially and spectrally continuous sensor data simultaneously to assist product characterization. The ex situ planner instrumentation utilizes this multisensor data to compute a product facsimile and update controller references based on product goal comparisons.
Advisors/Committee Members: Garrett, Dr. Patrick H.
Keywords: process control; instrumentation; hyperspectral imaging; multi-sensor integration; ex situ planners
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27.
Jacobs, John David.
Online Impedance Spectroscopy of Thermoset Nanocomposites for Materials In Situ Process Control.
Degree: PhD, Engineering : Electrical Engineering, 2009, University of Cincinnati
► The goal of this work is to appeal to both the scientific…
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▼ The goal of this work is to appeal to both the scientific and engineering communities through the purposeful integration of sensors, models, and controls technology to develop a comprehensive thermoset nanocomposite materials processing system with in situ dielectric characterization and electric-field directed morphology capabilities. This may, in turn, provide a systematic path towards a better scientific understanding of nanocomposite dielectric materials, as well as novel methods relevant to feedback process control strategies for next generation nanocomposite materials. A nanocomposite material process control system incorporating online impedance spectroscopy, automated environmental control (temperature and pressure), and electric-field actuation into a modular and extensible control platform is designed and used to investigate thermoset nanocomposite dielectric materials. Specifically, this work emphasizes the development of online sensing based on impedance spectroscopy (1Hz to 1MHz) to detect in situ material properties and features related to charge transport, morphology, and molecular dynamics (across a wide range of length-scales) that evolve during nanocomposite processing. This system also features the unique ability to actuate nanocomposite materials using applied AC electric fields. This control affects the statistical alignment of nano-particles through electrophoretic forces induced on the particle interfacial surfaces, thereby directing material morphology (i.e., rotational alignment of nanofiller along the applied electric-field direction) which can subsequently be “locked in” upon thermoset crosslinking. Although the techniques developed here are applicable to a wide range of nanocomposite and dielectric materials, the subclass of organically-modified layered-silicate thermosets is used as the model system for development. Demonstration of the thermoset process control system is established through key experiments performed to investigate effects of nanoclay loading, impact of excess nanoclay surface modifier (i.e., excess surfactant); ionic conductivity cure monitoring; and thermoset morphologies. Directed morphology using electric-field actuation is exercised and a simple dielectric analysis is provided. This effort may have significant impact on existing impedance-related sensing techniques, such as dielectric cure monitoring, by enabling access to material states and properties that were previously unobservable. Equally important is the foundation this technology may provide for the development and discovery of more sophisticated nanocomposite material process control methods. Novel control architectures based on morphology sensing may facilitate the ability to harness the processing techniques required for future advancement of materials and devices with all of the performance-enhancing properties afforded by nanocomposites.
Advisors/Committee Members: Garrett, Patrick.
Subjects: Electrical engineering; Engineering; Materials science
Keywords: Impedance Spectroscopy; Process Control; Nanocomposites; Layered Silicates; Thermosets; Dielectric; In Situ Sensors
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28.
Jacobs, Laura Elizabeth.
Photochemical Transformation of Three Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Ibuprofen, and Caffeine in Natural Waters.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Environmental Science, 2008, Ohio State University
► The photolysis of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pyrene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene…
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▼ The photolysis of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pyrene, phenanthrene, and naphthalene were studied in waters taken from Gary, Indiana (GIN) and Wilmington, North Carolina (WNC). Direct photolysis of PAHs was observed with pyrene degrading at a faster rate than either phenanthrene or naphthalene. When compared to direct photolysis, phenanthrene degradation increased in GIN water, but decreased in the WNC water due to higher levels of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) for WNC (9.29 mg/L vs 6.73 mg/L for GIN) and less nitrate (0.046 mM vs 0.205 mM) for GIN. The slightly lower rate of phenanthrene degradation in WNC water, corrected for light attenuation effects, is statistically the same as the direct photolysis experiments. We attribute the lower rate of degradation in the presence of WNC water to light screening by DOC, while we believe that the faster reaction rate observed for GIN is the result of nitrate generated hydroxyl radical chemistry. Overall photo-reaction rates decrease for the lower molecular weight PAHs as the fastest naphthalene photolytic rate was roughly two orders of magnitude slower than the photolysis of pyrene. The photolysis of ibuprofen and caffeine was studied in solutions of fulvic acid isolated from Pony Lake, Antarctica (PLFA); Suwannee River, GA (SRFA); and Old Woman Creek Natural Estuarine Research Reserve, OH (OWCFA). At 10µM initial concentration ibuprofen and caffeine degrade slowly by direct photolysis, but we observed enhanced photodegradation in solutions of each fulvic acid. Quenching studies suggest hydroxyl radical plays a prominent role in both caffeine and ibuprofen photolysis. Spectroscopic techniques reveal the formation of multiple hydrophobic photo-products upon photolysis of ibuprofen, the dominant byproduct identified as 1-(4-isobutylphenyl)ethanol and a minor derivative isobutylacetophenone. Caffeine and ibuprofen photolysis reactions proceed even more quickly in fulvic acid solutions (6 mg/L DOC) at lower, more environmentally relevant concentrations (0.1 μM) where presumably reaction kinetics are controlled by both short and long lived reactive species. When probing the responsible reactive transients under suboxic conditions, fulvic acid mediated photolysis of caffeine and ibuprofen slows suggesting the influence of an oxygen dependent long lived radical (peroxyl or phenoxyl radicals) playing a role at 0.1µM.
Advisors/Committee Members: Chin, Yu-Ping.
Subjects: Environmental science
Keywords: Photochemistry; Dissolved organic matter; pyrene; phenanthrene; naphthalene; ibuprofen; caffeine
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29.
Jacobs, Leila Susan.
Role of sphingolipids in regulation of vascular smooth muscle-derived A7r5 cell proliferation.
Degree: Doctor of Philosophy, Physiology and Biophysics, 1993, Case Western Reserve University
► The role of sphingolipids in mediating the action of platelet-derived growth factor…
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▼ The role of sphingolipids in mediating the action of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) has been investigated in the vascular smooth muscle-derived A7r5 cell line. L-cycloserine (2 mM), an inhibitor of sphingolipid synthesis, caused time-dependent inhibition of (3H) serine incorporation into (3H) sphingomyelin in A7r5 cells. PDGF-AB (10 ng/ml), PDGF-BB (10 ng/ml) or sphingosine (10 uM) independently stimulated (3H) thymidine incorporation into DNA of A7r5 cells. L-cycloserine (2 mM) inhibited stimulation of DNA synthesis by both PDGF-AB and PDGF-BB. L-cycloserine (2 mM, 16 h) did not affect the ability of PDGF or sphingosine to increase intracellular free calcium ( (Ca2+) i) in A7r5 cells loaded with the fluorescent indicator fura-2. Measurement of adenine nucleotide levels in A7r5 cell extracts by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography indicated that treatment with L-cycloserine did not adversely affect cellular metabolism. To determine directly whether PDGF activates sphingolipid metabolism, A7r5 cells were labeled with (3H) serine for 48 h and then treated with PDGF-AB (10 ng/ml) for 1 h. Sphingolipids were separated by thin-layer chromatography and quantified by liquid scintillation counting. PDGF-AB stimulated an increase in (3H) sphingosine from 25.5 ± 3.0 to 37.5 ± 4.1 cpm/ug protein and a concomitant decrease in (3H) ceramide from 24.3 ± 3.2 to 18.5 ± 2.9 cpm/ug protein. Exogenous sphingosine (10 uM, 6 min) stimulated an increase in (32P) lysophosphatidic acid but had no effect on (32P) lysophosphatidylcholine, suggesting specificity of sphingosine action. In A7r5 cells labeled with 1-O- (3H) alkyl-2-lyso-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, exogenous sphingosine stimulated a dose-dependent increase in (3H) phosphatidic acid. Exogenous sphingosine produced a dose-dependent increase in (32P) sphingosine-1-phosphate, indicating that A7r5 cells have an active sphingosine kinase. These data suggest that the PDGF-stimulated increase in (Ca2+) i is not sufficient for induction of DNA synthesis and that mitogenic effects of PDGF in vascular smooth muscle cells are mediated in part by sphingolipid metabolism.
Advisors/Committee Members: Kester, Mark.
Subjects: Biology, Cell
Keywords: sphingolipids regulation vascular smooth muscle-derived A7r5 cell proliferation
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30.
Jacobs, Margo.
Assembling the Everyday: The Three-Dimensional Work of John Chamberlain from 1958 to 1963.
Degree: MA, Design, Architecture, Art and Planning : Art History, 2006, University of Cincinnati
► The work of John Chamberlain (b. 1927) was a unique manifestation of…
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▼ The work of John Chamberlain (b. 1927) was a unique manifestation of sculpture that occurred during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Seen in a continuum beginning with Abstract Expressionist Painting, building to Chamberlain’s assemblages, and ending with Happenings, the artists of this period were striving to make an art of the everyday, and Chamberlain’s work was representative as such. The idea of the everyday is that it is in constant change and that objects we encounter on a daily basis deliver signs of their placement in the social hierarchy, according to sociologist Henri Lefebvre. Chamberlain’s assemblages are constructed from automobile detritus, and therefore have associations with the automobile and everything that automobiles represent. Along with an in-depth discussion of the social, political, and economic conditions of possibility surrounding the creation of Chamberlain’s work, this thesis will also offer the first comprehensive assessment of critical response to Chamberlain’s early work.
Advisors/Committee Members: Paice, Kimberly.
Keywords: Assemblage; Abstract Expressionism; Automobiles; General Motors; Everyday
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