Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College, 2006. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 31-33).

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 58-62).

The purpose of this research was to examine the characteristics of interaction in romantic relationships that enable partners to effectively deal with significant stressors to their relationship. These characteristics were identified through the development of a measure of interpersonal resilience in romantic relationships. The dissertation consisted of three phases: Phase one solicited from communication experts their perceptions of the communication characteristics that encourage resilient patterns of stress management in romantic relationships. This feedback was evaluated and organized into categories. Phase two sought to identify underlying dimensions of the categories, and to statistically validate the most important characteristics of communication contributing to resilient outcomes. Communication experts were asked to rate forty items addressing the various categories of communication characteristics generated in part one. Their data were factor analyzed, and reduced to a list of twenty-eight items that made up the initial Interpersonal Resilience in Romantic Relationships (IR3) measure. The final part of the this research, phase three, validated the role that IR3 dimensions play mediating the effects of a significant stressor, in this case job loss, on relationship outcomes of quality, satisfaction, and commitment. / text

The following thesis is an exploration of the themes of love and loss, and an examination of the concept of distance as a form of intimacy in my plays, Yours and Too much, too much, too many. / text

In this report some possible consequences of introducing demand response in the electric power grid are studied. Demand response is a part of the Smart Grid, which is a technology being developed to use our electric power grids more efficiently. Demand response programs aim to move people’s power usage over different times of the day, for example to distribute the power usage more evenly throughout the day or to permit a larger share of renewable, intermittent power sources in the system without making the delivery of electric power less stable.  A distribution system operator (DSO) can encourage customers to shift their power usage between different hours by various tariffs, for example by using time-differentiated or power dependent tariffs.   In this thesis, the change in power losses and possible environmental impact of introducing due to a power shift is studied. Power input curves from a DSO, Sala-Heby Energi AB, are studied and modified to simulate a power shift with an evened out electric power usage. The studies made show that in the best-case scenario, that is a electric power usage evened out to 100% each day, the power losses in the whole grid can be reduced with 2.6%. The environmental study shows that the result varies greatly with what method is chosen to do the calculations. The results are presented in kg CO2-equivalents (CO2e), and depending on method used they can either decrease or increase. The environmental study show that the environmental impact from the power usage is more dependent on the shift in power usage between hours than the decrease in electric power losses.

No description available.

Bone loss is an important skeletal indicator of environmental stress. Cortical and trabecular bone, however, are differentially affected by various stressors. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) potentially addresses this issue by separately calculating cortical and trabecular bone mineral density (BMD). This project had two major goals: evaluate the effectiveness of pQCT in measuring BMD in archaeological specimens, and test the hypothesis that females suffered greater bone loss than males in a socially stressed population. Cortical and trabecular BMD was measured in the radius and femur of skeletons from Point of Pines Pueblo, Arizona. pQCT effectively measured BMD in the sample, but the hypothesis that females suffered greater BMD loss than males was not supported. Females showed no significant BMD loss in the radius, while males experienced no significant changes in cortical density. Sex-specific activities may explain bone maintenance in the female radius, while hormonal differences likely maintained male cortical density.

No description available.

The aim of this study was to determine in an empirical manner whether the phenomenon of hearing loss due to the exposure to volatile organic solvents was present in the gasification plants of a petrochemical factory. The experimental groups included unexposed (N=20) workers, workers (N=20) exposed to noise and workers (N=19) exposed to noise and volatile organic solvents. The following assessments were made: diagnostic audiometry for the assessment of hearing thresholds; biological monitoring of ortho-cresol and hippuric acid for the biological markers of toluene; passive air sampling and noise measurements. Questionnaires were completed by the three groups to collect information about age, ethnicity, smoking habits, alcohol consumption and work history regarding the exposure to ototoxic substances as well as the period of employment. There were no statistically significant differences between the average ages of the three groups, but more of the workers in the noise group were from a higher age group. This age composition and the work history of the noise group were considered as possible influences on the results of this hearing study. The results of the passive air sampling show that the levels of volatile organic solvents were lower than the occupational exposure limits on the day of sampling. The biological monitoring shows that the markers, namely hippuric acid and o-cresol, were lower than the biological exposure indices. The noise group was exposed to sound pressure levels of 79-90 dB(A) and the noise + hydrocarbon group to levels of 85-88 dB(A). The average hearing thresholds of the noise group were at most of the frequencies (0.5-8 kHz) significantly higher (p≤0,05) than that of the noise + hydrocarbon group. The average hearing thresholds of the control group were overall lower than the noise group's hearing thresholds, but on average a little higher than the noise + hydrocarbon group's hearing thresholds. No relationship was found in this study between the exposure to volatile organic solvents (for example toluene that was used as marker in this study) and the elevation of hearing thresholds of workers at the gasification plants of the petrochemical factory. / Thesis (M.Sc.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

There is a taboo surrounding death in our North American culture. We're not sure how to talk about it, or how to connect through it. The HBO series Six Feet Under breaks this taboo with its honest, humorous and moving look at death and dying. There are important lessons to be drawn from this series. Teachers could revolutionize their classrooms as this show has revolutionized television: by dealing with issues that most tend to avoid. Parker Palmer and Mary Rose O'Reilley's views on education provide a foundation for this thesis. First, teachers need to recognize the fragility of their students as well as their own. Second, they need to appreciate that loss comes in many forms, and that mourning is often necessary. Third, teaching needs to create a space for both students and teachers to express themselves. Fourth, this space also needs to exist in order for both teachers and students to truly listen to one another. Fifth, teachers need to change their own perception of death and dying if they expect students to do the same. Last, teachers need to promote the idea of connection with the world outside the classroom. This thesis's intention is to bring awareness and acceptance around death and dying to individuals, particularly teachers, by exploring Six Feet Under through the characters' journeys, and extracting its many valuable lessons.