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Twin-Sun River: An American POW in China
No full text"Twin-Sun River" tells the story of Pfc Simon Mackenzie who chooses to disappear in the heartland of China to chase his "Walden" or "Peach Orchard Outside the World" dream soon after the armistice was effected. There, in a small mountain village, Simon's decision is tested over and again as he struggles to survive a big flood, the Great Leap Forward, the Famine, and finally, the Cultural Revolution and as he becomes enmeshed in the life of a Chinese family and their beautiful "widowed" daughter-in-law.Parallel to Simon's journey is that of Jie Ding, a humanities professor who traverses the changing landscape of China during the summer of 2001 to accomplish an impossible mission while trying to exorcise his own demons: his marital problems and the haunting memories of the Cultural Revolution.The two journeys "crisscross" and finally converge on the Twin-Sun River glimmering under the early fall sky
Cloning and Expression of a Haloacid Dehalogenase Enzyme
No full textSenior Research Advisor: Dr. Anne RobertsThe purpose of this research project is to clone the gene JHP1130 from Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). JHP1130 is a member of the Haloacid Dehalogenase (HAD) superfamily, which is characterized by a varied group including but not limited to phosphatases, epimerases, and dehalogenases (Allen). JHP1130 has been identified as a phosphatase, but not much is known about its physiological role. In order to learn more about this role, the gene was cloned into a pet21b vector for subsequent expression. Once a clone was created, the plasmid was transformed into BL21 E. coli cells for protein expression. After induction, confirmation of protein expression was verified by checking the protein against a molecular weight ladder. The expected molecular weight of the desired protein was roughly 25 kDa and a band at this molecular weight confirmed the presence of the correct protein. The next phase of testing will involve purifying the protein as well as testing various substrates capable of binding to the enzyme. The importance of this research project lies with the fact that JHP1130 has little homology to the phosphatases of other types of bacteria. If the reason behind this difference is that H. pylori possesses a different metabolic pathway from most bacteria, then this research project could reveal a treatment for H. pylori infection that won't have adverse effects on the normal bacterial flora existing within the human body
Before The Snap
No full textA motivational and powerful football story of a young quarterback and his neighborhood teammates going through a tough high school senior season with the ultimate goal of winning their first state championship.Before The Snap is an emotional football story of a young quarterback name Quincy Best that talks about going into his biggest game of his life; a state championship. He is also companied by his teammates Ricky Bivens, Chris Carter, Todd Enfield, Larry and Ryan Gibbs (brothers), Leon and Ronald Taylor (also brothers) that grew up together and changed the whole Los Angeles High School football program. Quincy is given a book from Coach Carl Perry, also known as Coach C.P., and forced to read it throughout the rest of the season. As the practices and days go by, Coach C.P. is growing ill and has Quincy Best lead the team as a quarterback and head coach into the post-season playoffs with a shot at the state title game. The relationships, emotional battles, coaching, college scouts and all leading to the death of Coach C.P. puts a lot of pressure on Quincy as he prepares for a championship run
A Chain Of Events
No full textThis is a collection of four personal essays that outline my adult years. The essays reference back to when I was younger to reflect how I was raised, my morals and our family style. Each essay was a turning point in my life when I had to make a choice or a decision about an event. Determination, courage, faith, love, and respect flow through each story as it does through me
AN EXAMINATION OF ATTITUDES TOWARD MATHEMATICS IN STUDENT AND PARENT SELF-PERCEPTIONS
No full textThe purpose of this study is to examine the attitudes toward mathematics of students in upper elementary school and middle school. Their perceptions were analyzed by grade level, gender, and in comparison to the attitudes of their parents (or primary care givers). What teachers, administrators, and support staff do in the classroom is a vital element in the development of attitudes and achievement in the area of mathematics for all students. When the child leaves the school environs, he or she is exposed to a myriad of behaviors, attitudes, and opportunities with respect to mathematics, both positive and negative. Since the earliest and most influential model of attitudes comes from a child’s parents, that will be one focus of this study. As children grow older, other factors influence attitudes, leading to the focal points of age and gender.
For this research, children in grades 5 and 8, along with their parents, participated in a study to acquire information about their attitudes toward mathematics. The results of these surveys were compared to determine the proportional similarities of the number of responses made by parents and their children regarding their attitudes toward mathematics. A comparison of proportional relationships in responses was also examined comparing elementary and middle school children, and male and female students.Doctor of Education (EdD)Education & Educational Psycholog
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMPLETION OF ELIGIBILITY IN DIVISION III WOMEN’S INTERCOLLEGIATE SPORTS
No full textThe major topic considered for this qualitative research study was the identification of the factors that encourage women, according to the female athletes themselves, to make the four- season commitment as players on an intercollegiate sports team at the Division III level (D-III). More specifically, this study focused on the reasons that caused female athletes to choose their universities, the factors that positively influenced them to remain members of a team, and the obstacles they overcame while completing four seasons of eligibility. The student-athletes’ perceptions of their athletic ability, their relationships with their team and coach, and the support provided by the university and family also were integrated into the study.
The importance of this topic stemmed from the observed number of women who chose to continue their high school athletic careers at D-III colleges and universities yet did not complete four seasons of collegiate eligibility. Of the 1,223 women listed on the 2008-2009 varsity intercollegiate sports rosters of the eight universities that comprise the Conference, only 162 (13%) of them were seniors (Little East Conference Web Site, n.d.). Despite coaches engaging in countless hours recruiting, practicing, and playing, coupled with the financial commitment of colleges and universities for women’s intercollegiate sports, women at the D-III level do not complete their athletic eligibility. Coaches may not be aware of the specific factors that retain female student-athletes on teams for four seasons because little or no research has been conducted in this area.
The researcher-designed survey, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group were utilized to gather information from senior athletes who had completed four seasons of eligibility in one sport. The information gathered from these data-collection methods was analyzed to determine what factors positively influenced the women to complete four seasons of eligibility, the criteria they used to choose their universities, and how the student-athletes’ perceptions of their athletic experience impacted their decision to play for four seasons. The obstacles that they faced which made it difficult for them to complete four seasons of eligibility also were identified and appropriate support services were determined that encouraged completion of the college athletic career. The intent of this study was to discover the reasons women remain on D-III teams despite encountering obstacles, by surveying, interviewing, and discussing the issue with female athletes from University A and University B who reached this goal, and by conferring with athletic personnel from both universities regarding the plausibility of the theories generated from the study.
The results of the study suggest several factors that positively influenced female student- athletes at the D-III level to persevere and complete four seasons of athletic eligibility. The factors that encouraged the women to complete their college athletic careers included the support of teammates, coaches, and family; the acknowledgement of their athletic ability, the presence of team cohesiveness, and a sense of collective efficacy. Each of the female student-athletes expressed a feeling of passion about the sport that, despite obstacles, drove her to play for four seasons.Doctor of Education (EdD)Education & Educational Psycholog
Losing Enchanton
No full textLosing Enchanton is a coming of age story about an eleven-year-old girl named Ally. On the same day that Ally starts middle school she happens upon a magical world named Enchanton. Ally not only learns that Enchanton is her creation but that it is in trouble. She attempts to help the magical creatures who live there while trying to be a regular middle school student. Ally faces tough decisions when she must choose to either help her friends in Enchanton, or spend time with her friends in the real world
Bad Superheroes
No full textA crazy comedy that involves superheroes that don't have any superpowers to speak off. It's one adventure after another, as the superheroes try to save the day from the evil Dr. Voom, who by the way is also trying to save the day. But he's doing it to impress his girlfriend, not that will get him very far.This project is the first three chapters from the novel titled Bad Superheroes. Dr. Voom under the influence of his girlfriend V decides to set out to fix the Golden Gate Bridge, which, according to the rumors, is unstable and moving ever so slightly, putting millions of drivers at risk. Dr. Voom gathers a group of acquaintances at his home, to get their opinion on how to fix the bridge. After the unsuccessful meeting concludes, Dr. Voom and his butler Jeeves set out to the Smilies store to collect supplies for fixing the bridge