A frame analysis of the leadership styles of dental and medical school deans

The purpose of this study was to determine how dental and medical school deans perceived their own leadership styles and how many management/leadership perspectives they used when approaching a problem. A descriptive and correlational study was conducted which examined the leadership orientations or "frames" utilized by these deans. Four frames--the structural, the human resource, the political, and the symbolic--emerged from leadership studies which described the behavior of leaders in organizational actions and problem solving.^ Employing the repeated measures ANCOVA, it was found that there were no significant interactions between type of dean and perceptions or perspectives. However, the main effects of both leadership style perceptions and the use of perspectives were significant. This indicated that over the total sample of deans, both perceptions and perspectives were used differently; the deans perceived themselves and used perspectives the highest for the human resource frame and the lowest for the political frame. Also, dental deans' mean use overall of the four perspective frames was higher than the medical deans. In addition to the ANCOVA, t-tests performed on perceptions revealed that the deans perceived the frames differently in three human resource items. Pearson's correlations indicated that for the combined sample of deans, significant negative correlations existed when the human resource or symbolic frame was compared to the structural frame. All of the deans used multiple frames, allowing them to re-frame or combine frames according to the situation. ^

Sequence analysis of complementary DNAs encoding C3 in the nurse shark ({\it Ginglymostoma cirratum\/})

Mammalian C3 is a pivotal complement protein, encoded for by a single gene. In some vertebrate species multiple C3 isoforms are products of different C3 genes. The goal of this study was to determine whether multiple genes encode for shark C3. A protocol was developed for the isolation of mRNA from shark blood for the isolation of C3 cDNA clones. RT-PCR amplification of mRNA, using sense (GCGEQNM) and antisense (TWLTAYV) primers encoding conserved regions of human C3, yielded 21 clones. The C3-like clones isolated shared 97% similarity with each other and 40% similarity to human C3. RACE-PCR amplification of shark liver RNA, using gene specific primers, yielded products ranging from 1800bp to 3000bp. Deduced amino acid sequence, corresponding to 408bp of the 1800bp fragment, was obtained which showed 51% similarity to human C3. These results suggest that nurse shark C3 might be encoded for by more than one gene. ^

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis: Analysis of gene expression, nuclear DNA and cytoplasmic DNA

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) following in vitro fertilization (IVF) offers couples at risk for transmitting genetic disorders the opportunity to identify affected embryos prior to replacement. In particular, embryo gender determination permits screening for X-linked diseases of unknown etiology. Analysis of embryos can be performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of material obtained by micromanipulation. This approach provides an alternative to the termination of an established pregnancy following chorionic villi sampling or amniocentesis. ^ Lately, the focus of preimplantation diagnosis and intervention has been shifting toward an attempt to correct cytoplasmic deficiencies. Accordingly, it is the aim of this investigation to develop methods to permit the examination of single cells or components thereof for clinical evaluation. In an attempt to lay the groundwork for precise therapeutic intervention for age related aneuploidy, transcripts encoding proteins believed to be involved in the proper segregation of chromosomes during human oocyte maturation were examined and quantified. Following fluorescent rapid cycle RT-PCR analysis it was determined that the concentration of cell cycle checkpoint gene transcripts decreases significantly as maternal age increases. Given the well established link between increasing maternal age and the incidence of aneuploidy, these results suggest that the degradation of these messages in aging oocytes may be involved with inappropriate chromosome separation during meiosis. ^ In order to investigate the cause of embryonic rescue observed following clinical cytoplasmic transfer procedures and with the objective of developing a diagnostic tool, mtDNA concentrations in polar bodies and subcellular components were evaluated. First, the typical concentration of mtDNA in human and mouse oocytes was determined by fluorescent rapid cycle PCR. Some disparity was noted between the copy numbers of individual cytoplasmic samples which may limit the use of the current methodology for the clinical assessment of the corresponding oocyte. ^

Towards the formation of a sustainable South Florida: An analysis of conflict resolution and consensus building in the South Florida Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Initiative

This dissertation examines the sociological process of conflict resolution and consensus building in South Florida Everglades Ecosystem Restoration through what I define as a Network Management Coordinative Interstitial Group (NetMIG). The process of conflict resolution can be summarized as the participation of interested and affected parties (stakeholders) in a forum of negotiation. I study the case of the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida (GCSSF) that was established to reduce social conflict. Such conflict originated from environmental disputes about the Everglades and was manifested in the form of gridlock among regulatory (government) agencies, Indian tribes, as well as agricultural, environmental conservationist and urban development interests. The purpose of the participatory forum is to reduce conflicts of interest and to achieve consensus, with the ultimate goal of restoration of the original Everglades ecosystem, while cultivating the economic and cultural bases of the communities in the area. Further, the forum aim to formulate consensus through envisioning a common sustainable community by providing means to achieve a balance between human and natural systems. ^ Data were gathered using participant observation and document analysis techniques to conduct a theoretically based analysis of the role of the Network Management Coordinative Interstitial Group (NetMIG). I use conflict resolution theory, environmental conflict theory, stakeholder analysis, systems theory, differentiation and social change theory, and strategic management and planning theory. ^ The purpose of this study is to substantiate the role of the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida (GCSSF) as a consortium of organizations in an effort to resolve conflict rather than an ethnographic study of this organization. Environmental restoration of the Everglades is a vehicle for recognizing the significance of a Network Management Coordinative Interstitial Group (NetMIG), namely the Governor's Commission for a Sustainable South Florida (GCSSF), as a structural mechanism for stakeholder participation in the process of social conflict resolution through the creation of new cultural paradigms for a sustainable community. ^

Nonlinear dynamics and chaos simulation system analysis for improved design

Small errors proved catastrophic. Our purpose to remark that a very small cause which escapes our notice determined a considerable effect that we cannot fail to see, and then we say that the effect is due to chance. Small differences in the initial conditions produce very great ones in the final phenomena. A small error in the former will produce an enormous error in the latter. When dealing with any kind of electrical device specification, it is important to note that there exists a pair of test conditions that define a test: the forcing function and the limit. Forcing functions define the external operating constraints placed upon the device tested. The actual test defines how well the device responds to these constraints. Forcing inputs to threshold for example, represents the most difficult testing because this put those inputs as close as possible to the actual switching critical points and guarantees that the device will meet the Input-Output specifications. ^ Prediction becomes impossible by classical analytical analysis bounded by Newton and Euclides. We have found that non linear dynamics characteristics is the natural state of being in all circuits and devices. Opportunities exist for effective error detection in a nonlinear dynamics and chaos environment. ^ Nowadays there are a set of linear limits established around every aspect of a digital or analog circuits out of which devices are consider bad after failing the test. Deterministic chaos circuit is a fact not a possibility as it has been revived by our Ph.D. research. In practice for linear standard informational methodologies, this chaotic data product is usually undesirable and we are educated to be interested in obtaining a more regular stream of output data. ^ This Ph.D. research explored the possibilities of taking the foundation of a very well known simulation and modeling methodology, introducing nonlinear dynamics and chaos precepts, to produce a new error detector instrument able to put together streams of data scattered in space and time. Therefore, mastering deterministic chaos and changing the bad reputation of chaotic data as a potential risk for practical system status determination. ^

Comparative analysis of a moderating and mediating model of stress, appraisal, and coping in Hispanic and non-Hispanic Alzheimer's disease caregivers

This dissertation utilizes a cross-sectional study to examine the phenomenon of caregiving within a theoretically grounded stress, appraisal, and coping model. Hispanic and non-Hispanic caregivers were studied to examine the factors associated with variance in caregiver appraisal, coping, and outcomes of caregiving strain (depression and somatic complaints) and caregiving gain (life satisfaction, mastery, and personal gain). A purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit 204 Alzheimer's disease caregivers in South Florida. A self-report questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, and to measure stress, appraisal, coping, and psychological well-being of caregivers. Regression equations were developed to compare moderating and mediating models of appraisal and coping. Emotion-focused coping skills were found to significantly moderate the effects of stress (F [1,195] = 4.62, p < .05), explaining approximately 21% of the variance in satisfaction was found to moderate the effects of stress (F [1,195] = 7.09; p < .05), explaining approximately 27% of the variance in personal gain and approximately 8% of the variance in life satisfaction (F [1,195] = 4.14; p < .05). Appraisal of Burden was found to significantly mediate the effects of stress, explaining approximately 30% of the variance in somatic complaints (F [1,196] = 31.60; p < .001) and 32% of the variance in depression (F [1,196] = 38.18; p < .001). The results of the analyses indicate that appraisal and coping skills are important variables in the stress process. The results of this study underscore the importance of accounting for positive and negative outcomes in providing a fuller understanding of the stress, appraisal and coping process of Alzheimer's Disease caregivers. ^

A content analysis of selected recreational therapy journals from 1990 to 1998: The extent to which children and youth are included

This paper presents an analysis of articles involving children and youth in the last 9 years (1990–1998) of professional literature in recreational therapy. A total of 539 articles were analyzed to examine the authors, subjects, methods, and outcomes of therapeutic recreation studies published in three selected journals: Therapeutic Recreation Journal, Leisure Studies , and Leisure Sciences. A central finding was that the literature involving children and youth was very under-represented in the journals. Only 6.5% of the articles targeted children and youth; of this group, approximately two thirds were research-based; the remaining articles were conceptual papers. The findings are discussed in terms of the need for future scholarships in recreational therapy to target children and youth, including those with disabilities. ^

Analysis of flexural isostasy of the northern Andes

The mode in which a lithosphere plate supports overlying topography is greatly driven by the strength of the plate. By analyzing the geophysical signature of lithosphere flexure, in the space and spectral domains, the strength of the plates that support the north Andean mountains and adjacent basins, and the topography of Kenya was investigated. In addition, the effect of windowing on elastic thickness estimates obtained via the coherence method was evaluated. ^ The coherence between the topography and Bouguer gravity spectra of northern South America suggests that the average elastic thickness of the lithosphere is 30 km. Although lateral variations were not resolved by the coherence implementation, these became apparent by modeling the foreland stratigraphy of the Llanos, Barinas and Maracaibo sub-Andean basins. Flexural models reveal a zone of lithosphere weakness beneath the eastern flank of the Eastern Cordillera and western flank of the Venezuelan Andes. The gravity anomaly calculated from these models is consistent with the observed Bouguer gravity anomaly. This zone of weakness appears to separate the strong, old Guyana shield lithosphere from the weaker and probably younger Andean lithosphere. The zone of weakness may correspond to a Paleozoic feature at the western margin of cratonic South America, or a Mesozoic rift arm that weakened the proto-Andean lithosphere. ^ Using synthetic data as well as the northern South America topography and gravity, this study demonstrates that lithosphere strength calculated from the coherence of mirrored data may overestimate the true lithosphere strength. As a result, many lithosphere plates may be weaker than currently thought. In light of this observation, gravity and topography data from Kenya were reevaluated using multitaper spectral techniques. The elastic thickness of this plate, currently undergoing rifting, was estimated at 7 to 8 km, a factor of 2 less than previously estimated. These estimates suggest that despite intense fracturing and sustained tensile stresses, continental lithosphere plates undergoing rifting are able to retain some strength. ^

Political corruption in the Caribbean Basin: A comparative analysis of Jamaica and Costa Rica

Political corruption in the Caribbean Basin retards state economic growth and development, undermines government legitimacy, and threatens state security. In spite of recent anti-corruption efforts of intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations (IGO/NGOs), Caribbean political corruption problems appear to be worsening in the post-Cold War period. This dissertation discovers why IGO/NGO efforts to arrest corruption are failing by investigating the domestic and international causes of political corruption in the Caribbean. The dissertation's theoretical framework centers on an interdisciplinary model of the causes of political corruption built within the rule-oriented constructivist approach to social science. The model first employs a rational choice analysis that broadly explains the varying levels of political corruption found across the region. The constructivist theory of social rules is then used to develop the structural mechanisms that further explain the region's levels of political corruption. The dissertation advances its theory of the causes of political corruption through qualitative disciplined-configurative case studies of political corruption in Jamaica and Costa Rica. The dissertation finds that IGO/NGO sponsored anti-corruption programs are failing because they employ only technical measures (issuing anti-corruption laws and regulations, providing transparency in accounting procedures, improving freedom of the press, establishing electoral reforms, etc.). While these IGO/NGO technical measures are necessary, they are not sufficient to arrest the Caribbean's political corruption problems. This dissertation concludes that to be successful, IGO/NGO anti-corruption programs must also include social measures, e.g., building civil societies and modernizing political cultures, for there to be any hope of lowering political corruption levels and improving Caribbean social conditions. The dissertation also highlights the key role of Caribbean governing elite in constructing the political and economic structures that cause their states' political corruption problems. ^

Identification and characterization of interfering products in fire debris analysis

The purpose of this research was to study interfering products in fire debris analysis, including their identification and characterization. Different substrates were classified, burned, extracted and analyzed in order to identify all the interfering products that they may release. It has been shown that these products come from three different sources: substrate background products, pyrolysis products and possibly combustion products. Different parameters in the creation of these products were evaluated such as the extinguishment process as well as the weathering of the sample prior to the analysis. It has been shown that the presence of these products is not always constant and thus, makes it difficult to extrapolate data to similar cases. Furthermore, some of these products are similar to the ones found in ignitable liquids. Finally, it shows one more time how important it is to collect and analyze control samples in fire debris analysis. ^

Cytokine analysis in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins: Molecular characterization of IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10

The health status of wild and captive Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins ( Tersiops truncatis) is difficult to ascertain. Mass strandings of these animals have been attributed to pollutants, as well as bacterial infections. Using human Enzyme Linked Immuno-Assays (ELISA) for immunological cytokines, I measured soluble cytokine levels with respect to their health status. In a retrospective analysis of dolphin sera, there was a trend of higher cytokine levels in “sick” animals. I cultured dolphin lymphocytes in the presence of a mitogen (PHA), a super antigen (Staph-A), Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and a calcium flux inducer (PMA). Levels of messenger RNA, from these cultured cells, were assayed with Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using primers for the human cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, Tumor Necrosis Factor, and Interferon gamma. Only IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 messages were obtained, inferring similar nucleotide homology to the human primer sequences. The PCR products were sequenced. Sixteen IL-4 sequences, twelve IL-6 sequences and seven IL-10 sequences were obtained and analyzed. Each cytokine exhibited the same nucleotide sequence in all dolphins examined. There was no difference in the cytokine profile in response to the various stimuli. The derived amino acid composition for each of the dolphin cytokines was used for molecular modeling, which showed that dolphin IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10 were structurally similar to the corresponding proteins of Perissodactyla. ^

Analysis and comparison of the moral development of students required to graduate with an ethics course

Accounting students become practitioners facing ethical decision-making challenges that can be subject to various interpretations; hence, the profession is concerned with the appropriateness of their decisions. Moral development of these students has implications for a profession under legal challenges, negative publicity, and government scrutiny. Accounting students' moral development has been studied by examining their responses to moral questions in Rest's Defining Issues Test (DIT), their professional attitudes on Hall's Professionalism Scale Dimensions, and their ethical orientation-based professional commitment and ethical sensitivity. This study extended research in accounting ethics and moral development by examining students in a college where an ethics course is a requirement for graduation. ^ Knowledge of differences in the moral development of accounting students may alert practitioners and educators to potential problems resulting from a lack of ethical understanding as measured by moral development levels. If student moral development levels differ by major, and accounting majors have lower levels than other students, the conclusion may be that this difference is a causative factor for the alleged acts of malfeasance in the profession that may result in malpractice suits. ^ The current study compared 205 accounting, business, and nonbusiness students from a private university. In addition to academic major and completion of an ethics course, the other independent variable was academic level. Gender and age were tested as control variables and Rest's DIT score was the dependent variable. The primary analysis was a 2 x 3 x 3 ANOVA with post hoc tests for results with significant p-value of less than 0.05. ^ The results of this study reveal that students who take an ethics course appear to have a higher level of moral development (p = 0.013), as measured by the (DIT), than students at the same academic level who have not taken an ethics course. In addition, a statistically significant difference (p = 0.034) exists between freshmen who took an ethics class and juniors who did not take an ethics class. For every analysis except one, the lower class year with an ethics class had a higher level of moral development than the higher class year without an ethics class. These results appear to show that ethics education in particular has a greater effect on the level of moral development than education in general. Findings based on the gender specific analyses appear to show that males and females respond differently to the effects of taking an ethics class. The male students do not appear to increase their moral development level after taking an ethics course (p = 0.693) but male levels of moral development differ significantly (p = 0.003) by major. Female levels of moral development appear to increase after taking an ethics course (p = 0.002). However, they do not differ according to major (p = 0.097). ^ These findings indicate that accounting students should be required to have a class in ethics as part of their college curriculum. Students with an ethics class have a significantly higher level of moral development. The challenges facing the profession at the current time indicate that public confidence in the reports of client corporations has eroded and one way to restore this confidence could be to require ethics training of future accountants. ^

Fiscal and organizational determinants of transportation outcomes: A quantitative and qualitative analysis of sustainability factors

Federal transportation legislation in effect since 1991 was examined to determine outcomes in two areas: (1) The effect of organizational and fiscal structures on the implementation of multimodal transportation infrastructure, and (2) The effect of multimodal transportation infrastructure on sustainability. Triangulation of methods was employed through qualitative analysis (including key informant interviews, focus groups and case studies), as well as quantitative analysis (including one-sample t-tests, regression analysis and factor analysis). ^ Four hypotheses were directly tested: (1) Regions with consolidated government structures will build more multimodal transportation miles: The results of the qualitative analysis do not lend support while the results of the quantitative findings support this hypothesis, possibly due to differences in the definitions of agencies/jurisdictions between the two methods. (2) Regions in which more locally dedicated or flexed funding is applied to the transportation system will build a greater number of multimodal transportation miles: Both quantitative and qualitative research clearly support this hypothesis. (3) Cooperation and coordination, or, conversely, competition will determine the number of multimodal transportation miles: Participants tended to agree that cooperation, coordination and leadership are imperative to achieving transportation goals and objectives, including targeted multimodal miles, but also stressed the importance of political and financial elements in determining what ultimately will be funded and implemented. (4) The modal outcomes of transportation systems will affect the overall health of a region in terms of sustainability/quality of life indicators: Both the qualitative and the quantitative analyses provide evidence that they do. ^ This study finds that federal legislation has had an effect on the modal outcomes of transportation infrastructure and that there are links between these modal outcomes and the sustainability of a region. It is recommended that agencies further consider consolidation and strengthen cooperation efforts and that fiscal regulations are modified to reflect the problems cited in qualitative analysis. Limitations of this legislation especially include the inability to measure sustainability; several measures are recommended. ^

Trace elemental analysis of glass by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS)

This work evaluated the capabilities of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for elemental analysis of trace evidence. A method was developed and validated for the analysis of glass by ICP-MS. A database of ∼700 glass samples was analyzed for elemental composition by external calibration with internal standardization (EC) ICP-MS and refractive index (RI). Additional methods were developed during the course of this work using two well-known techniques, isotope dilution (ID) and laser ablation (LA). These methods were then applied to analyze subsets of this database. ICP-MS data from 161 containers, 45 headlamps, and 458 float glasses (among them at least 143 vehicle windows) are presented and summarized. Data from the analysis of ∼190 glass samples collected from a single glass manufacturing facility over a period of 53 months at different intervals, including 97 samples collected in a 24 hour period are presented. Data from the analysis of 125 glass samples representing 36 manufacturing plants in the U.S. are also presented. ^ The three methods used, ICP-MS, ID-ICP-MS and LA-ICP-MS, were shown to be excellent methods for distinguishing between different glass samples. The database provided information about the variability of refractive index and elemental composition in glasses from diverse population types. Using the proposed methods, the database supports the hypothesis that different glass samples have different elemental profiles and a comparison between fragments from the same source results in indistinguishable profiles. ^

An analysis of teachers' perceptions of informal science professional development

Science professional development, which is fundamental to science education improvement, has been described as being weak and fragmentary. The purpose of this study was to investigate teachers' perceptions of informal science professional development to gain an in-depth understanding of the essence of the phenomenon and related science-teaching dispositions. Based on the frameworks of phenomenology, constructivism, and adult learning theory, the focus was on understanding how the phenomenon was experienced within the context of teachers' everyday world. ^ Data were collected from eight middle-school teachers purposefully selected because they had participated in informal programs during Project TRIPS (Teaching Revitalized Through Informal Programs in Science), a collaboration between the Miami-Dade school district, government agencies (including NASA), and non-profit organizations (including Audubon of Florida). In addition, the teachers experienced hands-on labs offered through universities (including the University of Arizona), field sites, and other agencies. ^ The study employed Seidman's (1991) three-interview series to collect the data. Several methods were used to enhance the credibility of the research, including using triangulation of the data. The interviews were transcribed, color-coded and organized into six themes that emerged from the data. The themes included: (a) internalized content knowledge, (b) correlated hands-on activities, (c) enhanced science-teaching disposition, (d) networking/camaraderie, (e) change of context, and (f) acknowledgment as professionals. The teachers identified supportive elements and constraints related to each theme. ^ The results indicated that informal programs offering experiential learning opportunities strengthened understanding of content knowledge. Teachers implemented hands-on activities that were explicitly correlated to their curriculum. Programs that were conducted in a relaxed context enhanced teachers' science-teaching dispositions. However, a lack of financial and administrative support, perceived safety risks, insufficient reflection time, and unclear itineraries impeded program implementation. The results illustrated how informal educators can use this cohesive model as they develop programs that address the supports and constraints to teachers' science instruction needs. This, in turn, can aid teachers as they strive to provide effective science instruction to students; notions embedded in reforms. Ultimately, this can affect how learners develop the ability to make informed science decisions that impact the quality of life on a global scale. ^