2005 MU dissertations - Freely available online
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Pressure dependence of the luminescence and Raman modes in polyfluorene
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)I present a study of the optical properties of poly-para-phenylene and three different side-chain substituted polyfluorene polymers. I present an analysis of the Raman spectra under hydrostatic pressures for three ... -
Teacher perceived impact of technology on elementary classrooms and teaching
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)Issues surrounding technology integration are varied. Over the last decade, the presence of technology in elementary classrooms has increased; however, research indicates that many teachers are not utilizing these resources ... -
Mechanical properties of complex biological systems using AFM-based force spectroscopy
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)An atomic force microscope (AFM) was designed and built to study the mechanical properties of small collagen fibrils and the plasma membrane of living cells. Collagen is a major component of bone, skin and connective ... -
Transport, network, and data link layer protocol designs to improve geo-stationary Earth orbit satellite data set transmission performance
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)Geo-stationary earth orbit (CEO) satellites are wireless transmission media that provide near-earth Internet and Intranet data communication, but are limited to low Megabits per second transmission rates and small messages. ... -
P2Y[subscript 2] nucleotide receptor up-regulation and function in submandibular gland epithelium
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that specifically targets exocrine glands, including salivary glands, and results in an impairment of secretory function. P2Y₂ nucleotide receptors for extracellular ATP ... -
Bioinformatics of protein bound water
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)Protein-bound water molecules are important components of protein structure, and therefore, protein function and energetics. Here we present a semi-automated computational approach for identifying conserved (i.e. structurally ... -
Anion and solvent influences on the self-assembly of copper(I) coordination solids
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)The investigation of solvent and anion influences on the self-assembly of copper(I) coordination solids are presented. As these extended solids vary in structural design as reactions conditions are varied, both those ... -
Exploratory development of VARIM process for manufacturing high temperature polymer matrix composites
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)This research focuses on an exploratory development of vacuum assisted resin infusion molding (VARIM) process for manufacturing high temperature polymer composite materials. High temperature matrix composites are needed ... -
Impact of social competence as protective factor for violence resiliency
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)This investigation focused on the elements of social competence as potential protective factors for violence resiliency. Using both quantitative and qualitative methods, this study utilized a case design to identify ... -
A defense of Alvin Plantinga's evolutionary argument against naturalism
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)Alvin Plantinga argues that naturalism it is irrational for a reflective person to hold to the doctrine of naturalism. If naturalism is true, some evolutionary doctrine must also be true and our evolutionary history must ... -
Influences of anxiety on golf performance: a field test of catastrophe theory
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)The purpose of this study was to test the basic tenets of Fazey and Hardy's (1988) catastrophe model. Specifically, the purpose was to examine the interaction effects of cognitive anxiety (worry) and physiological arousal ... -
Channel modeling, estimation and equalization in wireless communication
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)Channel modeling, estimation and equalization are discussed throughout this dissertation. Relevant research topics are first studied at the beginning of each chapter and the new methods are proposed to improve the system ... -
The emotional and cognitive processing of negative news photographs
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)The purpose of this study was to determine if the structural features and emotional content of negative news images affected viewers' responses. A pair of within-subjects experiments manipulated the color and size of the ... -
Effect of problem-based learning on critical thinking ability and content knowledge of secondary agriculture students
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of problem-based learning (PBL) on critical thinking ability and content knowledge. Furthermore, this study sought to examine the relationship between critical thinking ... -
Teacher collaboration and school reform: distributing leadership through the use of professional learning teams
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)This dissertation reports a study of two professional learning teams of teachers at one Midwestern secondary school implementing a hybrid school improvement process incorporating elements of several reform models. A ... -
The innate immune response and toll-like receptors in the human endometrium
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)There are two major divisions of the human immune system: the adaptive and the innate immune systems. The adaptive immune responses are directed against specific pathogens and are essential for control and elimination of ... -
Optimum receiver design and performance analysis for wireless communication
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)This dissertation is devoted to the optimum receiver design and theoretical performance analysis of wireless communication systems operated over fading channels, and this objective is incarnated by means of design, analysis ... -
The assimilation of in-laws: the impact of newcomers on the structuration of families
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)In this study, 42 participants (including newlyweds, parents of newlyweds, and siblings of newlyweds) were interviewed about their relationships with their in-laws. Most of the participants reported that they liked their ... -
The beautiful woman in medieval Iberia: rhetoric, cosmetics, and evolution
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)Literary portraits of the beautiful woman in medieval Iberia tend to emphasize several physical features, such as long, blond hair, or light-colored and hairless skin. This study examines the specific features of the ... -
Spatially explicit and stochastic forest landscape model of fire disturbance and succession
(University of Missouri--Columbia, 2005)Fire disturbance plays an important role in shaping ecosystem dynamics and vegetation patterns in many forested landscapes. This dissertation is dedicated to the modeling of fire disturbance in spatially explicit and ...