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<title>All Graduate Plan B and other Reports</title>
<copyright>Copyright (c) 2013 Utah State University All rights reserved.</copyright>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports</link>
<description>Recent documents in All Graduate Plan B and other Reports</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<lastBuildDate>Fri, 17 May 2013 01:49:19 PDT</lastBuildDate>
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<title>The Relationship Between Confidence and Performance  Throughout a Competitive Season</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/285</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/285</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 10:53:35 PDT</pubDate>
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	<p>The importance of understanding how confidence varies across time has been encouraged by sport confidence researchers (Vealey & Chase, 2008). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between confidence and performance throughout an entire competitive season. Two levels of confidence consistent to team sports were analyzed. Team and coach confidence were collected through the Collective Efficacy Questionnaire for Sport (CEQS) and Coaching Efficacy Scale (CES) respectively. Two teams, women’s soccer and volleyball (n=48) from a college in the western United States, completed their specific questionnaires five times throughout the season. The CEQS measured collective efficacy (team confidence) and the CES measured coaching efficacy (coach confidence) for each team. Simple linear regressions were used to determine the relationship team confidence and coaching confidence had on the success of each team. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were taken to determine if team and coach confidence were connected throughout the season. Volleyball was statistically significant for both team and coach confidence at p = 0.033 and p = 0.040 respectively, with a .68 correlation coefficient. Conversely, the soccer team was not statistically significant for both team and coach confidence at p = 0.53 and p = 0.93 for each. There was, however, a strong correlation coefficient at .89 for the two levels. The findings suggest that team and coach confidence may be related and associated with the success of the team. The results also hint, through the correlation coefficients, that team and coach confidence may be connected.</p>

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<author>Benjiman R. Skinner</author>


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<title>Lactate Threshold: Land versus Water Treadmill Running</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/284</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/284</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 May 2013 10:53:31 PDT</pubDate>
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	<p>Aquatic treadmill running has become increasingly popular for rehabilitation and training purposes due to decreased joint impact on the lower extremities, which is beneficial for special populations such as the injured, elderly, arthritic, and obese (Greene et al., 2009; Hall, Grant, Blake, Taylor, & Garbutt, 2004). Accordingly, researchers have compared key differences such as heart rate (HR), oxygen consumption (VO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), stride frequency, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) between land and water running at maximal and submaximal efforts (Brubaker, Ozemek, Gonzalez, Wiley, & Collins, 2011; Rife, Myrer, Feland, Hunter, & Fellingham, 2010; Rutledge, Silvers, Browder, & Dolny, 2007; Silvers, Rutledge, & Dolny, 2007). As the benefits of aquatic treadmill running continue to be unveiled, there is an interest for healthy individuals to use the system to supplement training while limiting joint stress.</p>
<p>Rutledge et al. (2007) revealed VO2 values at 6.5, 7.5 and 8.5 mph on an aquatic treadmill with no jet resistance to be 33.97 ± 4.0, 37.96 ± 4.0, and 43.6 ± 4.0 mL•kg-1•min-1, respectively. Watson et al. (2012) also revealed VO2 values on an aquatic treadmill at 4.5, 6.0, and 7.5 mph with no jet resistance to be 20.58 ± 3.36, 29.27 ± 3.89, and 35.77 ± 4.02 mL•kg-1•min-1, respectively. These articles demonstrate the linear relationship that exists with increasing workloads with concomitant increases in VO2 with aquatic treadmill running. As metabolic demands increase, a reliance on anaerobic metabolism ensues and the work rate at which lactate begins to accumulate in the blood is called the lactate threshold (LT) (Stainsby & Brooks, 1990). The importance of determining LT is supported by a large body of evidence to predict aerobic endurance capacity (Faude, Kindermann, & Meyer, 2009). As such, researchers have employed great efforts to predict LT via field tests to determine the correct training intensity for endurance athletes (McGehee, Tanner, & Houmard, 2005).</p>
<p>An early study of LT revealed a strong relationship (r ≥ .91) between treadmill velocity at the onset of plasma lactate accumulation and running performance at distances ranging from 3.2 km to 42 km (Farrell, Wilmore, Coyle, Billing, and Costill, 1979). In other words, a faster sustainable work rate prior to a lactate accumulation or threshold will increase performance.</p>
<p>Comparisons for lactate concentrations during deep water and land treadmill running have been examined previously. Frangolias and Rhodes (1996) reviewed that during submaximal intensities of deep water versus land running, at the same relative VO2 water exercise resulted in a lower HR with higher blood lactate, RER, and RPE. These same authors previously reported that at maximal efforts on land versus deep water running, there was no statistical difference between lactate concentrations 30 s and 5 min post-exercise (Frangolias & Rhodes, 1995). However, not all water immersion running studies support similar peak lactate values (Frangolias & Rhodes, 1996; Svedenhag & Seger, 1992).</p>
<p>In a shallow water pool, a study by Town and Bradley (1991) revealed no statistical differences between land and water running for peak lactate values. However, lactate concentration in the water was 80% of that from land exercise. The authors stated that the “push-off” phase, which enabled ground contact, elicited similar running technique to land treadmills and could be partially responsible for similar physiological responses to land.</p>
<p>In recent years the availability of aquatic treadmills allows for a more favorable comparison of land and water running due to the implication of the “push-off” phase as discussed by Town and Bradley. Silvers et al. (2007) revealed no statistical difference between peak lactate concentrations in VO2peak tests run on land versus aquatic treadmills. Zobell (2009) examined a comparison of LT between land and aquatic treadmill running which showed higher lactate levels in the water compared to land. However, no clear answers have developed as to a comparison of the LT on land vs. aquatic treadmill running. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the LT while running on a land and an aquatic treadmill and compare to see if the intensities are equivalent.</p>

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<author>Ron T. Garner</author>


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<title>Nutritional Habits &amp; Knowledge in the Division I Collegiate Football Player</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/283</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/283</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 11:10:36 PDT</pubDate>
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	<p>Objectives: Athlete’s nutritional habits and knowledge can directly affect their performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the nutritional habits and knowledge of the Division I collegiate football player.</p>
<p>Methods: The participants of this study are male Division I college football players at Utah State University. The athletes included 45 players ranging from 18-26 and include freshman through seniors.</p>
<p>Results: Over eighty six percent of the athletes were unaware that a nutritionist was readily available to them. Sixty percent of the athletes were interested in meeting with the nutritionist. Forty percent of the athletes ate at a fast-food restaurant daily while 31.5% ate at these restaurants three to five days a week. Fifty one percent of the athletes answered “yes” to trying to “gain weight” while 40% answered “no”. Over forty six percent of the athletes rely on “strength coaches” for guidance and 25.5% for teammates &/or friends & family.</p>
<p>Conclusion: Continued research on dietary interventions would be helpful to determine the ideal way to improve nutrition knowledge on an individual and team basis. Given the proper guidance, the team would be able to see the benefits of proper nutrition and dietary habits both on and off the field.</p>

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<author>Mallory Hale</author>


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<title>Systems Engineering of the Double-Probe Insrumentation for Measuring Electric-Fields Cubesatellite</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/282</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/282</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 11:10:33 PDT</pubDate>
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	<p>This report presents the general mission overview of the Double-probe Instrumentation for Measuring Electric-fields (E-fields) (DIME) program. The Lessons learned from a previous program are summarized, and the subsequent changes to the main science instrument and overall satellite bus design are presented. The trade-studies, design, and systems engineering of the Double-probe Electric Field (E-field) science instrument is described. This report also outlines the overall mechanical design of a 1.5U CubeSatellite and its deployable mechanisms for use on the DIME program.</p>

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<author>Seven M. Grover</author>


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<title>Enhancing Solidarity and Cooperation Social Identity Theory and China&apos;s Involvement in Africa</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/281</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/281</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 11:10:30 PDT</pubDate>
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	<p>China has increasingly intensified engagement with Africa since 2000. In 2001, trade between Africa and China was at $10.6 billion. In 2011, trade had exploded to over $160 billion.1 Chinese investment in Africa has grown from tens of millions of dollars to over $10 billion.2 This surge of trade and investment in Africa has not yet been matched by any other global power. Recently, Hu Jintao doubled China’s loan commitment to Africa to over $20 billion. This increase of trade and investment reflects a growing Chinese influence in Africa.3 What caused this increased Chinese interest in a continent that has been overlooked by the rest of the world?</p>
<p>As China increases its influence among the world’s major powers, many argue that it will soon confront the United States. Whether or not this happens will be determined by how successful China is at creating new “friends” in the international system. As the United States’ primacy maintains a high level of cultural and economic influence throughout the world, China may have to create new economic, political, and social norms in order to attract new partners. These partners will help offset the United States’ dominating influence over the global political order. This paper argues that an increased level of trade and investment in Africa is one of China’s strategies to create a new identity by engaging in Social Creativity, as Social Identity Theory (SIT) specifies.</p>
<p>First, current theories of why China is engaging in Africa will be evaluated. This evaluation includes theories of Liberalism, Colonialism/Neo-colonialism, and Neo-realism. The most effective at answering the question of why China invests so heavily in Africa is neo-realism, arguing that China engages Africa to ascertain resources and gain a geopolitical advantage in the region,. However, this does not fully explain Chinese behavior in the region. The paper will then explain the origins and applications of Social Identity Theory in explaining China’s Africa policy. After laying out the theoretical discussion, the paper will analyze two case studies. The first is a comprehensive look at China’s behavior and policy towards Africa as a group of states. The second is an investigation of how SIT applies on a micro level, using statements and news sources to analyze the case of Zimbabwe.</p>

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<author>David Thomas Aston</author>


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<title>Communication-Based Teaching for Chinese Language Learners</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/280</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/280</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 11:10:27 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
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	<p>This portfolio is founded on the author’s principles of communicative teaching for Chinese language learners, which were cultivated and developed in the Master of Second Language Teaching program. The initial part of the portfolio is the teaching philosophy, which contains the author’s beliefs of teacher and student roles and effective teaching approaches in the Chinese as a foreign language classroom. The teaching philosophy is supported by three artifacts, which further clarify how to associate culture, literacy, and linguistics with language learning. The literacy artifact explains the process of Chinese and English biliteracy acquisition. The culture artifact is a comparison of apologetic expressions in Chinese and English to emphasize the importance of embedding culture into language learning. The language artifact focuses on learners’ need for academic and social language when learning a foreign a language. Additionally, there is a self-reflection of teaching, which is based on a video recording of a beginning Chinese class. The final section consists of an annotated bibliography containing the most important books and articles that support the author’s teaching philosophy.</p>

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<author>Hsiao-Mei Tsai</author>


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<title>Speech Production Tool for Children with Hearing Loss</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/279</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/279</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 11:10:21 PDT</pubDate>
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	<p>Acoustics are particularly important to consider when assessing the speech production of young children with hearing loss who use listening and spoken language as their main communication modality. Even though standardized assessments, such as the Goldman-Fristoe test of Articulation-2nd Edition (GFTA-2: Goldman & Fristoe, 2000), are appropriate speech production measures for children with hearing loss, they are not designed to facilitate interpretation related to a child’s access to acoustic information (e.g., Flipsen & Connor, 2004; Ertmer, 2010; Flipsen 2011). The Acoustic Monitoring Protocol (AMP; Blaiser & Lamb, 2012) was created to be used with the GFTA-2 Sounds in Words subsection to provide supplemental acoustic information. The GFTA-2 in conjunction with the AMP was administered to 18 children with hearing loss who attended Sound Beginnings Preschool. Three patterns were defined: frequency-based errors, phonological and articulatory errors and developmental errors.</p>

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<author>Brittney Lamb</author>


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<title>Development of Ecologically-Based Invasive Plant Management Curriculum for University Audiences</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/278</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/278</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 11:10:19 PDT</pubDate>
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	<p>The Great Basin is considered one of the most endangered ecoregions in the United States. One threat facing Great Basin rangelands is the invasion of harmful, non-native plants. These invasive weeds outcompete native plants, degrade wildlife habitat, decrease valuable forage for livestock, and cost millions every year in weed control efforts. In order to restore degraded ecosystems of the Great Basin, it is essential that effective weed management programs are integrated in rangeland management strategies. Traditional management approaches have focused on killing invasive weeds with limited regard to the underlying processes that contributed to the invasion.</p>
<p>Ecologically-based invasive plant management, or EBIPM, is an alternative holistic management approach that aims to understand and manipulate the ecological processes influencing weed invasions, and works to prevent further invasions as well as to treat areas that are already dominated by invasive weeds. EBIPM combines rangeland health assessment, successional theory, ecological principles, tools and strategies, and adaptive management in a 5-step, decision-making framework for a proactive approach to treating and preventing the spread of invasive weeds. The EBIPM method is arranged in a five step framework.</p>
<p>Outreach and education is an important part of a weed management program like EBIPM, as it helps to create awareness and acceptance among managers, policy makers, and the public. EBIPM outreach and education efforts include: a field school that has been held the past 4 years, field tours to demonstrate new techniques and research, manager guidebooks to teach professionals about the EBIPM process, a high school curriculum, and a website.</p>
<p>In order to inform future land managers about EBIPM, a university curriculum has been created to fit into a wide variety of undergraduate courses. This curriculum is compromised of six modules. The first module provides an overview of the EBIPM decision-making framework. The subsequent five modules are aligned with the five steps in the framework. Each module contains a synoptic reading describing the linkages between ecological concepts and management practices, case studies, in-class and field activities, review questions, additional resources, and a Power Point presentation. Each of the modules was reviewed and assessed by a weed ecologist, outreach education specialist, and a media specialist. The curriculum is posted online for access by university students and educators.</p>

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<author>Halley Kartchner</author>


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<title>Criteria for Transition for Self-Contained Classrooms</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/277</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/277</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:43 PDT</pubDate>
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	<p>This project was an effort to ascertain what skills regular and/or resource teachers require of self-contained students with learning disabilities in order to transition successfully in their classrooms. A twenty-one-question survey was given to regular and resource teachers in four junior high schools. This survey questioned teachers with regards to what the minimal academic, behavioral and procedural criteria should be mastered before students transition into regular classrooms. Once this information is received, self-contained teachers may analyze their curriculum, behavioral and classroom procedures to better mirror the requirements and the realities of the regular and/or resource classrooms.</p>

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<author>Christopher S. Marden</author>


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<title>Of Form and Fire</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/276</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/276</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:40 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Louis R. Reilly</author>


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<title>Addressing Endogeneity of Casino, Crime and Regional Economy: A Case of Las Vegas, Nevada</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/275</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/275</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:35 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
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	<p>This paper presents an approach to investigate the statistical relationship among casino activities, crime rates and number of visitors in Las Vegas, NV. Numerous studies have attempted to answer the question whether casino gaming increases crime rates. Casino gaming is statistically correlated with more crimes when researchers use the reported crime rate, i.e., ratio of the number of crimes to local population. However, there is no statistical relationship between the two when researchers use the visitor adjusted crime rate (henceforth adjusted crime rate), i.e., ratio of the number of crimes to local population and visitors, in their analyses. Somewhat surprisingly, previous studies have failed to consider the endogeneity issue, i.e., coincidental impacts of casino activities and crimes. This paper addresses endogeneity among variables by estimating the impact of casino activities on crimes and also impact of crimes on casino activities. To deal with endogeneity, a system of three equations representing casino activities, the number of visitors, and visitor adjusted crime rates is estimated using three stage least squares.</p>
<p>Elasticity of the casino revenue with respect to the adjusted crime rate is estimated to be +-0.22+-0.1 and elasticity of the adjusted crime rate with respect to casino revenue to be 0.29+-0.27. In addition, using the regression of the personal income on the casino revenue in Las Vegas, the impact of the adjusted crime rate on the regional economy is estimated. Results show that one percent increase in crime leads to cumulative decreases in the personal income by $105+-$44 per household per year.</p>
<p>Policy implications based on findings in this research are i) efforts to reduce crime can be effective tool to boost the regional economy (in Las Vegas), ii) cutting the link between casino gambling and crime is important; to cut the link, pay more attention on education or regulation to reduce pathological gamblers, usurious loans and the fraud related to casino gambling, and iii) improving the image of casino gambling that are related to crimes and thus attracting more visitors.</p>

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<author>Wei Bao</author>


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<title>Vitalogy: The Study of Life</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/274</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/274</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:29 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Zachary D. Proctor</author>


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<title>Transient Effects on Dynamic Torque for Butterfly Valves</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/273</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/273</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:22 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
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	<p>Butterfly valves are versatile components widely used in hydraulic systems as shutoff and throttling valves. Butterfly valve components must be able to withstand the forces and torques that are generated with use. Dynamic torque data are usually obtained in a test lab for a variety of steady state flow conditions; however the dynamic torque under transient (unsteady flow) conditions may be significantly different than that found in the laboratory. If a valve is closed too fast, especially in long systems, large transient pressures are generated and travel as waves through the pipeline. These transient waves increase the pressure difference across the valve, which in turn increases the dynamic torque that is applied to the valve. The effects of the increased dynamic torque are more significant in larger butterfly valves since dynamic torque is a function of the diameter raised to the third power. If the increased dynamic torque is larger than the torque that the valve was built to withstand, valve or actuator failure could result. The objective of this research was to examine the effect of transients on dynamic torque in a 48-inch diameter butterfly valve operation as a function of pipe length and valve closure time (starting at full open) and compare the results to traditional steady state dynamic torque data. It was found that longer pipeline lengths along with smaller valve closure times created the largest percent difference in transient dynamic torque from the steady state dynamic torque. This difference was as high as 711% in a 20,000-foot long pipeline when the valve was closed in 36 seconds. Transient effects should be considered in the design and manufacturing of butterfly valves as well as during the operation of the valve once it is installed.</p>

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<author>Trevor N. Price</author>


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<title>Western Legacy</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/272</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:19 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Jeremiah M. Watt</author>


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<title>Explaining Conflicts in Japanese-South Korean Relations</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/271</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/271</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:16 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
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	<p>South Korea and Japan usually cooperate but occasionally experience periods of conflict that disrupt their relationship. This paper seeks to explain those sporadic periods of conflict using a dynamic theory. This theory posits that South Korean leadership power status coupled with Japanese action on sensitive issues will lead to a period of conflict. President Kim Dae Jung’s administration serves as the case study for this paper.</p>

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<author>Jonathan James Ence</author>


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<title>Modeling the Liquid, Nasal, AND Vowel Transitions OF North American English Using Linear Predictive Filters and Line Spectral Frequency Interpolations for Use in a Speech Synthesis System</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/270</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/270</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:08 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
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	<p>A speech synthesis system with an original user interface is being developed. In contrast to most modern synthesizers, this system is not text to speech (TTS). This system allows the user to control vowels, vowel transitions, and consonant sounds through a simple 2-d vowel pad and consonant buttons. In this system, a synthesized glottal waveform is passed through vowel filters to create vowel sounds. Several filters were calculated from recordings of vowels using linear predictive coding (LPC). The rest of the vowels in the North American English vowel space were found using interpolation techniques with line spectral frequencies (LSF). The effectiveness and naturalness of the speech created from transitions between these filters was tested.</p>
<p>In addition to the vowel filters, filters for nasal and liquid consonants were found using LPC analysis. Transition filters between these consonants and vowels were determined using LSFs. These transitions were tested as well.</p>

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<author>Jacob G. Nieveen</author>


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<title>Raising Teacher Awareness in Language Acquisition: From Instruction to Facilitator</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/269</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/269</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:06 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
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	<p>This portfolio is comprised of a collection of the author's beliefs and ideas about teaching second and foreign languages. This portfolio contains a teaching philosophy, which illustrates the author's beliefs about teacher and student roles in the communicative classroom. There are four artifacts in this portfolio which provide further details on the author’s beliefs of teacher-talk in the classroom, meaningful classroom communication, teaching pragmatics in closing conversations, and Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development. These artifacts offer ideas for potential research as well as practical application of these topics in second and foreign language teaching.</p>

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<author>Marie C. Lund</author>


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<title>Breaking Tradition: My Journey of Becoming a Teacher of Chinese as a Foreign Language</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/268</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/268</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:03 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
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	<p>This portfolio is a completion of the author’s work through the Master of Second Language Teaching program. The portfolio contains the author’s teaching philosophy, reflection on the author’s teaching and that of others, three artifacts, and an annotated bibliography. The teaching philosophy discusses what the author believes constitutes effective language teaching, such as a learned-centered classroom, communicative language teaching, and effective assessment. The artifacts are papers wrote for the MSLT courses to support the author’s teaching philosophy. The literacy artifact emphasizes the importance of reading and writing in teaching Chinese as a foreign language. The culture artifact explores lesson plans that raise learners’ culture awareness. The language artifact investigates the impact of living in the country where people speak the target language. At the end, the annotated bibliography includes books and articles that influenced the author’s teaching beliefs and practices.</p>

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<author>Wenrui Chen</author>


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<title>Safari</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/267</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:20:00 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Rhaelene R. Lowther</author>


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<title>Marketing Strategies for Small Scale Producers</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/266</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/266</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:54 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
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	<p>This study examines fresh produce marketing for small producers in the U.S. Rocky Mountain region by comparing risk and return attributes for farmers’ markets and wholesale outlets. Prices were collected from farmers’ markets in Utah and Colorado and San Francisco terminal market prices from USDA NASS were used to represent wholesale prices received by producers. Production and harvesting costs, as well as marketing costs for both outlets are also included in the analysis.</p>
<p>Simulation was used to compare the results of eleven marketing options based on the level of marketing activities in wholesale and farmers’ markets. The simulation results were then analyzed using stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF). The results find that risk averse producers will prefer to market to both outlets (portfolio), while risk neutral producers will prefer to market exclusively to farmers’ markets.</p>

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<author>Irvin Yeager</author>


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<title>My Foot is a Desert</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/265</link>
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<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:50 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Abraham J. McCowan</author>


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<title>No Child Left Inside Week: Pilot Program</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/264</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/264</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:47 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Jamie C. Clark</author>


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<title>Teaching Languages Communicatively: The Journey of Becoming an Effective Teacher</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/263</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/263</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:44 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Indira Garrido</author>


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<title>Effect of Stroboscopic Vision Training on Dynamic Visual Acuity Scores:  Nike Vapor Strobe® Eyewear</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/262</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/262</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:38 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
	<![CDATA[
	<p>The field of sports vision is continuing to grow, with athletes seeing the benefit of incorporating vision drills as part of their training regimen. Dynamic visual acuity (DVA) is a very important aspect of the visual system and is necessary for sport, providing the ability to track a moving object while our head is moving. A recently released product called the Nike Vapor Strobe® Eyewear introduces a stroboscopic effect to vision training. The effect of stroboscopic training on DVA is unexplored territory. Purpose: The main aims of this study were to test the immediate effect of stroboscopic training after one training session, after a two week training program, and two weeks post training. Additionally, we tested the effect of stroboscopic vision training on catching performance. Methods: Sixteen participants were divided evenly into two groups according to baseline DVA scores, recorded using the NeuroCom inVision system. Participants then completed 9 days of vision training with three DVA assessments: immediately after day one of ball training, the day after final ball training, and two weeks after the completion of ball training. Results: The experimental group had statistically significant improvement in test session two from test session one for left DVA, total vertical DVA, downward DVA, and upward DVA, with no change on test sessions three and four. The control group worsened in performance for total DVA, downward DVA, and upward DVA in test two, three, and four. Both groups had statistically significant improvement in ball catching performance. Conclusion: Stroboscopic training increased dynamic visual acuity (after one training session) and ball catching performance (over the course of the training) compared to training without a stroboscopic effect. The Nike Vapor Strobe eyewear is a practical tool for improving catching performance and dynamic visual acuity immediately following training.</p>

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</description>

<author>Joshua Holliday</author>


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<item>
<title>Projects in Lighting Design and Technical Direction</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/261</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/261</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:36 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Joshua K. Wilson</author>


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<title>Teaching Spanish to Second-Language and Heritage-Language Learners</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/260</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/260</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:32 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Kathryn R. Wall</author>


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<item>
<title>Miniature Wire Boom System for Cubsat Application</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/259</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/259</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:28 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Keith R. Bradford</author>


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<item>
<title>Understanding the Relationship Between Livestock Disturbance, The Protocols Used to Measure that Disturbance and Stream Conditions</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/258</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/258</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:25 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Lindsey M. Goss</author>


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<item>
<title>Increasing Stringiness of Low Fat Mozzarella  Cheese Using Polysaccharides</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/257</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/257</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:20 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
	<![CDATA[
	<p>We examined the ability of polysaccharides to function as fat mimetics in low-fat (LF) mozzarella string cheese to improve functionality by acting like fat globules to separate protein fibers during cheese extrusion. Low-fat mozzarella cheese curd made from 273 kg of 0.7% fat milk was salted at a rate of 10 g/kg then divided into 3.6-kg batches that were hand-stretched in 5% brine at 80° C and formed into a homogeneous mass. The hot cheese was hand mixed with a hot 80° polysaccharide slurry, placed into a small piston-driven extruder and then forced through a 16-mm die to form the string cheese. Extruded string cheese was cut manually into approximately 15-cm lengths.</p>
<p>From preliminary trials using starches (waxy corn, waxy rice, and instant tapioca starch), xanthan and guar gums, and polydextrose, we determined that LF string cheese made using xanthan gum most closely resembled commercial string cheese. LF cheese was then made using a 10% xanthan gum slurry added at 0.25%, 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0% (wt/wt) levels. Cheeses were analyzed for fat, salt, pH, and moisture. After 2 wk of 4° C storage, the cheese was analyzed for extent of stringiness by pulling apart the cheese longitudinally, visually observing and photographing the size, length and appearance of individual strings of cheese. Hardness was determined using a Warner-Bratzler shear test. A consumer liking test was conducted after 2 and 8 wk storage time at 6° C.</p>
<p>At 2-wk storage, using a hedonic scale (1 to 9) for overall liking, the LF string cheese with 1% added xanthan slurry (score = 6.8) was liked more (PWhen considered on a JAR scale, most of the panelists scored the LF cheese with added xanthan gum (1%) as having the right texture, while only some did so for the retail cheese. The LF control cheese with no added gum was considered too firm. Using a visual comparison, adding the xanthan gum slurry produced greater fiber formation with the longest and most complete string separation. After 8 wk storage, the LF cheeses had softened extensively with fracture stress for LF cheese decreasing from 12 to 20 kg at 2 wk to 1.5 to 3 kg at 8 wk. Extent of stringiness also decreased during storage.</p>

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<author>Erik N. Oberg</author>


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<item>
<title>Strategies to Enhance Conversion of Lignocellulosic Biomass to Fermentable Sugars and to Enhance Anaerobic Digestion of Algal Biomass for Biogas Production</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/256</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/256</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:17 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
	<![CDATA[
	<p>For economical conversion of cellulosic biomass to biofuel sources, such as ethanol and biogas, high concentrations of biomass must be processed to minimize downstream costs associated with dilute solutions. Further, the fundamental processes that drive biomass transformation must be understood in order to optimize conversion processes and to efficiently overcome the technological and economic barriers of biofuel production. One such barrier includes the recalcitrance of biomass to degradation. In order to overcome the recalcitrance of biomass, this study focuses on pretreatment strategies to break down the cell wall components and to make the biomass more susceptible to enzymatic action.</p>
<p>Specifically, this study focuses on the use of alkaline peroxide pretreatment under varying conditions for processing lignocellulosic biomass. Optimal conditions for alkaline peroxide pretreatment were identified for increasing subsequent enzymatic saccharification to fermentable sugars.</p>
<p>This study also evaluated the use of alkaline pretreatment for algal biomass that is present in the Logan Lagoon Wastewater System in order to enhance the anaerobic digestibility of the algae. Different bacterial seed sludges were also evaluated for increasing gas production from anaerobic digestion of algal biomass.</p>

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<author>Kristen M. Sims</author>


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<item>
<title>Intramuscular Temperature of Rectus Femoris During Cold Water Immersion</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/255</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/255</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:13 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
	<![CDATA[
	<p><em>Purpose: </em>To establish a protocol for cold water immersion (CWI) temperature and duration based on adipose tissue thickness and desired cooling at 2 cm sub-adipose tissue of rectus femoris (RF) after exercise.</p>
<p><em>Methods: </em>Sixteen participants received a CWI treatment (10 °C) until either intramuscular thigh temperature (2 cm sub-adipose) decreased 7 °C below pre-exercise level or 30 minutes was reached. Temperature was recorded every 30 seconds using skin and implantable fine-wire thermocouples. Temperature reductions and cooling rates were analyzed.</p>
<p><em>Results:</em> Five out of the 16 participants cooled 7 °C below baseline within 30 min. Adipose thickness and percent body fat are significantly correlated with CWI cooling rate (M=0.27 °C/min) (p<.01). Intramuscular tissue continues to significantly cool post-CWI (p<.005) an average of 1.7°C for an average of 23 min. Minimal intramuscular tissue cooling is achieved after 10 and 15 min (M=2.5°C, M=4.0°C respectively).</p>
<p><em>Discussion:</em> CWI treatment protocols need to be based on adipose thickness and target tissue depth. Recommended cooling of acute injuries to reduce secondary hypoxia is likely greater than cooling needed for post-workout recovery to reduce EIMD.</p>

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<author>Nicholas Rech</author>


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<item>
<title>A Medical Data Cleaner</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/254</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/254</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:10 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
	<![CDATA[
	<p>This report describes medical-data cleaning tool, called <em>MedDataCleaner</em> that can detect outliers in medical data and assistant Database Administrators in resolving data-related problem. Specifically, <em>MedDataCleaner</em>, enables the users to define cleaning rules and offers the ability to choose classification methods that help determine if the data is good or bad. <em>MedDataClearer</em> uses Vitruvian DB objects for object-relation mapping (ORM) support and Vitruvian alignment links for designing the GUI.</p>
<p>My contribution towards this work includes designing the user interfaces using Vitruvian Alignment links, design and implement mean, standard deviation and neural classification methods using Vitruvian DB objects.</p>

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<author>Jahnavi Yetukuri</author>


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<item>
<title>Powder Mountain Bike Resort Master Plan</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/253</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/253</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:07 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
	<![CDATA[
	<p>In the last decade ski resorts worldwide have developed mountain bike specific recreational facilities in an effort to increase summer revenues. Their success has been mixed, with some becoming quite profitable, but others closing summer operations after only a few low revenue</p>
<p>years. With minimal information regarding bike park design currently available, the planning and design of these facilities remains largely a grassroots effort. This thesis project develops a methodology that approaches the creation of mountain bike resorts on ski mountain terrain based on landscape architectural best practices, sustainable trail</p>
<p>construction techniques, and site-specific requirements. For this project, the terrain of Powder Mountain, a privately owned ski resort above Eden, UT, was selected due to the management’s interest in the study’s relevance to expanding recreational summer offerings, and the proximity to Utah State University.</p>
<p>This research analyzes the Powder Mountain landscape and infrastructure to develop a Master plan, outlining trail corridors, feature placement, and terrain suitability for future trail</p>
<p>development. The basis for these design decisions were analyses from site visits, case studies, and GIS analyses. In addition, a worldwide survey of mountain bike park user experiences was conducted to further understanding of the elements of an ideal mountain bike resort. Throughout the process, these findings were augmented by consultation with professional mountain bike park designers and refined through an iterative design process to create a Master plan based on landscape architectural best practices that will guide the development of summer mountain bike recreation facilities on Powder Mountain.</p>

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<author>J. Dayton Crites</author>


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<item>
<title>The Use of Acupuncture in Sports Medicine</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/252</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/252</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:02 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
	<![CDATA[
	<p><em>Background</em>: Acupuncture is one of the most popular forms of alternative medicine. It has been used to treat both chronic and acute injuries and illnesses for many centuries. Recently, it is being evaluated for an influence on human performance.</p>
<p><em>Objective</em>: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture on both musculoskeletal injuries and athletic performance.</p>
<p><em>Methods</em>: Published literature was reviewed based on certain inclusion criteria. Thirty total articles were included in this study.</p>
<p><em>Results</em>: Acupuncture seems to be effective in pain reduction. However, this may not be long term. Increases in exercise capacity and decreased heart rates were also seen with acupuncture treatment.</p>

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</description>

<author>Melanie Sfara</author>


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<item>
<title>The Cost of Primacy: The Potential Impacts on American Domestic Health</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/251</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/251</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:19:00 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
	<![CDATA[
	<p>While scholars, soldiers and politicians have argued about the international consequences of American grand strategy, relatively little attention has been paid to the potential domestic consequences of American hegemony versus isolationism. This paper is an effort to start the process of understanding the relationship between American primacy (the current strategy) and its domestic impact. It looks at general areas of measurement, economic and social indicators, to determine if primacy has a positive or negative impact on the American people. Though additional research is necessary, this paper suggests primacy has not had the negative consequences suggested by proponents of isolationism.</p>

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<author>Peter James Crosby</author>


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<item>
<title>Information Share in Options Markets: The Role of Volume, Volatility, and Earnings Announcements</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/250</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/250</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:18:57 PDT</pubDate>
<description>
	<![CDATA[
	<p>I find no significant difference in the level of information share attributed to the option market when using put data as opposed to call data. In a 12-day sample of 14 S&P 500 stocks, trading volume in the options market increased significantly on the day of an earnings announcement, but, although some securities showed dramatic increases in option information share, no sample-wide consistently signed difference was found around earnings announcements. Companies with higher stock trading volume tend to exhibit higher information share in the options market. Implied price volatility is somewhat correlated with higher information share in options, but its significance shrinks when jointly evaluated with volume.</p>

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</description>

<author>Lenaye Harris</author>


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<item>
<title>A Review of Self Management Interventions for Children with ADHD and Implications for Education Professionals</title>
<link>http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/249</link>
<guid isPermaLink="true">http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/249</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 May 2013 09:18:54 PDT</pubDate>
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<author>Brett Eggett</author>


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