Honors Research Fellows and Undergraduate Research Scholars Theses
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Ivanov, Plamen (May 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: dsda
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/149037 Files in this item: 1
IVANOV-THESIS-2013.pdf (53.85Kb) -
Jackson, Amy Lynn (May 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: Laminitis is a painful and irreversible disease in horses in which the soft tissue structures of the foot, called the laminae (connecting the coffin bone to the hoof wall), lose blood flow and deteriorate. Without the support of these laminae the coffin bone rotates downward, applying pressure to the sole of the foot and crushing the underlying structures, resulting in severe pain. Laminitis typically progresses through three stages: the early developmental stage is treatable yet undetectable, while the later acute and chronic stages are symptomatic but irreversible. Therefore, the identification of a diagnostic marker capable of detecting the developmental stage would allow earlier and more effective treatment. Laminitis is often triggered by unrelated events occurring elsewhere in the body such as gastrointestinal (GI) upset episodes, typically called “colic”, which involve intestinal epithelial cell death. Human studies have concluded that intestinal epithelium health can be measured using plasma citrulline concentrations. Citrulline is an α-amino acid circulated in the plasma that is produced mainly by intestinal epithelial cells. We hypothesized that horses in the developmental stage of laminitis would have reduced plasma citrulline concentrations resulting from intestinal epithelial cell death occurring from a GI upset episode. In this study, blood samples were collected from control horses (n=23) and horses at risk for developing laminitis (n=20). Plasma citrulline concentration was measured using chromatography based amino acid analysis. The normal range was then calculated from the control group and compared to the concentrations from horses that did or did not develop laminitis. Five of the 20 cases developed laminitis symptoms and also had reduced plasma citrulline concentrations. If decreased citrulline levels correlate with laminitis onset across a large set of samples, a simple and affordable blood test could be developed in the future to predict the likelihood of the disease progression to the acute and chronic (irreversible) stages. This would allow veterinarians to begin treatments that could significantly reduce the chance of the horse developing the condition, greatly improving their prognosis.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/148899 Files in this item: 1
JACKSON-THESIS-2013.pdf (608.9Kb) -
Garcia, Julia (May 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to measure the effect of education on economic development. Economists use education to explain growth unexplained by capital, and argue that it is a fundamental determinant of technological change. Sociologists have tended to endorse this view arguing by either invoking human capital theory, technological growth, or arguing from a modernization perspective, that education increases entrepreneurialism and Western pro-capitalist values. Using an ordinary least squares regression we analyze the comparative differences in growth in GDP/capita as measured by Angus Maddison’s historical GDP dataset among the nations of the world between 1870 and 1950. Education data comes from the recently published educational attainment dataset by Christian Morrison and Fabrice Murtin. The results show that education effects are weak – nearly zero. Education in 1870 predicts growth for the 1870-1950 period. However, shorter lags show almost no effect. Primary education has substantially greater effects than university education. Education/modernization produced very slow effects that cumulated over the long term. However, most of the significant fluctuations can be attributed to other more conflict-oriented variables.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/148898 Files in this item: 2
GARCIA-THESIS-2013.pdf (290.0Kb)(more files) -
Stone, Jonathan Taylor (May 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: ABSTRACT The Effects Of Port Security Compliance On The Competitiveness Of European Union Maritime Industry Firms. (May 2013) Jonathan Stone Department of Maritime Administration Texas A&M University Research Advisor: Dr. Joan Mileski Department of Maritime Administration Prior research has addressed European Union (EU) water transportation policy and its impact on firm strategy. We extend this research by attempting to measure the effect of port security regulation compliance implementation on the perceived competitiveness of maritime firms located in European Union ports. We ask the question: Can firm specific implementation of required port security compliance enhance or hinder a firm’s competitive advantage? We use Resource-Based Strategic Theory as a framework for evaluating competitiveness. Resource based theory purports that assets and systems can give a firm a competitive advantage if they follow the “VRIN” criteria of Valuable, Rare, Inimitable, and Not easily substitutable. We ask via email and snail mail survey instrument whether certain security assets, resources and systems are “VRIN” and whether these assets, resources and systems give competitive advantage to the firm. The type of resources/assets/systems include physical assets such as fencing; ongoing management assets such as communication systems, planning and structuring management assets such as security planning systems; human assets such as employee knowledge; technological assets such as software protection; intangible assets such as a safety culture and financial assets such as cost savings from security compliance. We administer the instrument to all firms operating in EU ports in 2011-2012. A list of firms is obtained from IHSfairplay Ports and Terminals Guide. The results of the survey shows that most managers do not perceive a competitive advantage was gained in the way security assets/resources/management systems were implemented. However, a strong minority 34.12% of managers did perceive competitive advantage was gained from port security compliance where systems/assets/resources were not easily imitated or the “I.” Furthermore, managers perceive where they were located within the port as an important advantage to security and competitiveness.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/148897 Files in this item: 2
STONE-THESIS-2013.pdf (746.1Kb)(more files) -
Streetman, Amanda Leigh (May 2013)[more][less]
Abstract: When it comes to punishing opponents of the present-day regime, Soviet traditions remain alive and well. So that Russia’s attempt at democracy can be better understood, I will discuss aspects of the Soviet government dating back to WWII. Russia can only be understood in the context of the past. I study the government branches to emphasize the power of the president. Russia’s electoral and party systems are mentioned to understand Russia’s lack of plurality and ongoing efforts to stifle dissident voices. Those who publically endorse ideas against the regime risk death. The journalist, Anna Politkovskaya, publically opposed Putin and his involvement in Chechnya was shot at her apartment. Paul Klebnikov dedicated his life to reporting and researching Russian business affairs. His vast knowledge stood as a threat to Putin, and he too was murdered. These two individuals stood for truth and transparency in Russian society. Those who threaten the legitimacy of Putin’s government are silenced. This paper examines how political dissidents reflect how Putin’s role as Russia’s executive authority singularly threatens to co-opt Russia’s fledgling democracy, transitioning the country into a new era of authoritarianism.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/1969.1/148896 Files in this item: 2
STREETMAN-THESIS-2013.pdf (227.2Kb)(more files)
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