Digital Commons Network^™

Aryl Halides As Potential Components For O-Aryl-N-(9'-Acridinyl)-Hydroxylamines Antitumor Agents, Erin Munder

Master's Theses

Acridine derivatives such as m-amsacrine (m-AMSA) are known to intercalate deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Their action targets the growth, function, and replication of cancer cells. Because of this, they are primarily used as anticancer and antimalaria drugs. Unfortunately, due to the low half-life m-AMSA possesses because of the ease of hydrolysis of the carbon 9-nitrogen bond (C9-N bond), large concentrations of the drug are needed to be pharmaceutically effective. This results in a large concentration of toxic aniline byproducts. To reduce the rate of hydrolysis but still maintain the binding to DNA, a modification to the m-AMSA structure was made. A …

Exploring Health And Fitness In Cannabis And Cannabidiol Users, Blake Butler

Master's Theses

Cannabis has been reported to decrease fatigue symptoms and aide in sleep quality, among other use cases. It is unclear whether cannabis is linked to alterations in physical activity and fitness. Cannabidiol, an active compound in cannabis, has also been reported to decrease fatigue symptoms and aide in sleep. Cannabidiol has been reported to aide in recovery from physical activity, but there is no clear connection between cannabidiol use and the likelihood of engaging in physical activity. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to explore fatigue, sleep, physical activity, fitness markers, and fitness outcomes in cannabis and cannabidiol users. …

Composing A Comprehensive Music Education: Teacher And Student Experiences With The Role Of Songwriting In Elementary General Music, Tara Neeley

Master's Theses

Music education has for many years focused on the musical role of performance and teaching from the traditional canon of Western classical music. In recent years, it has been noted that just a small portion of students participate in music offerings in secondary schools. Yet, the mission of the music education profession is for all students to experience and make music. To reach more students, music education must be relevant to students’ real world, pragmatic for a lifetime of musical involvement, and must help students build their identities. Providing a comprehensive music education in which students experience all musical roles, …

Best Practices To Build Relationships Between Students With Exceptionalities And General Education Students In A Unified Dance Class, Charlotte Cook

Master's Theses

The goal of this study was to analyze various studies or curriculums, which included both general education students and students with exceptionalities to find best practices to build relationships in a unified dance class. For this study the researcher analyzed ten pieces of literature which focused on inclusive movement classes. These sources included five studies and five curriculums. More specifically, the researcher created the following essential questions to examine sources which included students with and without exceptionalities. Q1: What strategies and activities best foster growing relationships in a unified dance class? Q2: What creative dance content best fosters building of …

Reflection, Creation, Transformation: Fostering A Positive Body Image In Female High School Dancers Through A Creative Choreography Curriculum, Kelly Culver

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore whether a choreography curriculum based on body image for high school female dancers would help students increase their positive body image and find a new appreciation for their bodies. This study also focused on the impact that reflection and creation have in this transformative curriculum design, along with instructional strategies that could foster a more positive body image culture in the dance classroom. Both quantitative and qualitative methods were used to answer the four essential questions of this study. Q1 How can choreography be used as a transformative process to help female …

Community Perspective: How Participating In The Nutcracker Enhances Student Motivation And Growth In Socioeconomically Depressed Public Schools, Angelina Burleigh

Master's Theses

This research study exclusively focused on performing arts dance programs in socioeconomically depressed public schools. It is the belief of this researcher that providing dance within a framework of the dance standards affords students with the opportunity to truly experience the art of dance, since they not only received the chance to learn good technique from a highly qualified educator, but they are also provided with choreographic and performance opportunities which allow them to communicate a story, express feelings, or emotions through movement to discover their imaginative abilities. The goal of this study was to examine how dance education impacts …

A New Curriculum: Supporting Social Emotional Learning Using Mindfulness Motivated Choreography In High School, Whitney Haslam Warner

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the ways in which a mindfulness-based curriculum would inform and effect creative, choreographic, and performance processes, as well as the effectiveness of serving as a social-emotional learning teaching tool in a high school dance classroom. Based on the results of this study, findings showed that implementing a mindfulness‑based curriculum, alongside connecting movement explorations, created an increase in the depth and breadth of student-created movement. Through this study, 37 student participants practiced mindfulness alongside correlating movement explorations to create movement for a culminating dance concert. Participants reported an increased sense of calm, focus, …

Dancing The Pilates Way: The Possible Effects Of Pilates On The Alignment Of A Dancers' Body, Darla Jentzsch

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research was to investigate any mental and physical benefits that Pilates Exercises might have on dancers’ alignment. The researcher collected quantitative and qualitative data to answer these four research questions: Q1: How can a dancer’s alignment be measured to see change after ten Pilates Classes? Q2: Can Pilates bring a dancers’ body closer to ideal alignment in ten Pilates classes? Q3: What do dancers notice differently in their dancing after having been taught Pilates? Q4: What are the benefits of having proper alignment as a dancer? The researcher examined the effects of the Pilates exercises on …

Competitive Dance: The Physiological And Psychological Effects From The Perspectives Of Current Versus Retired Dancers, Kristen Demaria

Master's Theses

The intent of this research study was to inform students, teachers, and parents of the advantages and disadvantages associated with participation in competitive dance. Through the use of an electronic survey and questionnaire, the researcher evaluated the responses of forty participants through quantitative and qualitative analysis. The participants provided detailed information regarding their personal experiences, both past and present, in regard to the physical, mental, and emotional impact competitive dance had on their life. The research questions addressed in this study were: Q1 What are the effects of competitive dance on a dancer’s physical body? Q2 What are the effects …

Kaleidoscopic Katas: An Intercultural Somatic Curriculum For Holistic Health, Emily Seymour

Master's Theses

The intent of this research study was to combine three African and Eastern somatic movement practices into a modern dance curriculum. Few studies have investigated the therapeutic value of subtle body awareness in a dance class context. This integrative study combined psychological, physiological, and contemplative pedagogical approaches, which led to the development of a comprehensive five-part workshop with five adult participants. This ten-hour online class series involved learning a traditional Afro-Haitian serpent dance called the Yanvalou, the Tantric practice of Chakra Yoga, and the Five Animals qigong. The original curricular goal was to combine these three modalities into five sequential …

Barriers To Dance Education: An Exploration Into The Beliefs Of Dance Educators And Non-Dance Familiars On Dance And Its Place In The Public-School System, Brianna Michelle Miller

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate differing views on the value of dance and its place within the public-education system. The researcher crafted three research questions to guide her research:

Q1 What barriers or objections exist when it comes to incorporating dance within the public-school setting? Q2 What discrepancies exist between the viewpoints of dance educators and non-dance familiars when it comes to dance and its value within the public education system? Q3 What specific steps can be taken to highlight the importance of dance education in the public-school setting?

Nine dance educators and twelve non-dance familiars completed …

Reflective Practices In The Dance Studio: Implementing Deliberate Observation And Examination Methods Into The Dance Technique Class For Youth To Encourage The Development Of Self-Awareness, Meredith Orrell

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a reflective pedagogy on younger students in the dance studio setting. Three research questions were designed to be answered by this study. Q1 In what ways are reflective practices effective in a dance studio setting? Q2 Are reflective practices effective for younger students? Q3 How can reflective practices be applied effectively in future dance classes? Five students participated in the study by completing weekly self-evaluation progress forms and reflective journal entries. The researcher at the same time completed an observation form of the participants’ progresses. These research instruments composed …

Balancing Increased Physical Demands: An Analysis Of Cross-Training Practices In Young Adult Ballet Dancers, Brooke Yuspeh

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to see what young adult ballet dancers knew about cross-training and if they found cross-training methods they practiced effective in supporting their dance technique and helping to prevent injuries. To uncover this information, the researcher used the following essential questions to guide this project: Q1: How do young adult ballet dancers practice cross-training? Q2: Which of these cross-training modalities are considered most effective? The research instruments used in this study included a survey consisting of multiple-choice, multiple-selection, and open-ended questions and an optional journal reflection consisting of open-ended questions. There were a total of …

Heartbeat In The Sole: A Study Of How Appalachian Dance Preserves, Shapes, And Enriches The Culture In Which It Is Performed, Rachel Marlowe

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research was to both provide space for and aid in the preservation of stories of southern Appalachian dancers. Southern Appalachian dance, also referred to as flat-footing, buck dancing or clogging depending on the region and the individual, is a tradition often passed from family member to family member and in social environments or communal gatherings. In collecting and grouping these stories, the researcher hoped to identify and categorize the impact that southern Appalachian dance in southern Appalachia had on what the dancers perceive as their personal values and successes. The researcher used a short demographic survey …

Causes Of Burnout Among K-12 Public School Dance Teachers: Preventative Strategies To Improve Teacher Retention In 21st Century Education, Roland Latson

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and analyze what contributing factors influence stress and burnout in K-12 public school dance teachers and collect information to analyze the ways in which teachers can minimize stress to prevent burnout. The research was conducted by current and former dance educators with a minimum of 3 years teaching experience in rural and urban school districts. Thirty-two dance teachers participated in the survey study. The purpose of this study was to examine the causes of burnout among K-12 public school dance teachers and preventative strategies to improve teacher retention in 21st century education. …

To Vote Or Not To Vote: An Assessment Of How Felony Convictions And Incarceration Affects Voting Practices, Tammy Ortiz

Master's Theses

Felon disenfranchisement has a long history in the United States, beginning with Jim Crow Laws, continuing with mass incarceration, and increasing with voter suppression policies and laws being created on a daily basis. This paper will include a brief history of voting suppression and how felony convictions and incarceration create further obstacles for individuals choosing to share their voices and elect officials who represent them within the government. Theories involved in this research include labeling, anomie, citizenship, and both social control and social conflict and combined will demonstrate how the criminal justice works to control individuals under supervision, so much …

Long Term Recovery From Cattle Grazing Disturbance And Climate Impacts At Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, Erin Tessens

Master's Theses

Cattle grazing has influenced the environment in the western United States since European settlement in the 1800’s. Continuous and heavy grazing on arid and semi-arid rangelands has resulted in decreased biodiversity, changes in vegetation structure, and vulnerability to exotic plant invasion. Heavy grazing has also been linked to decreased cryptobiotic soil due to trampling and susceptibility to erosion. With a lack of effective means of successful habitat restoration, there is a rising concern among land managers to maintain these intricate systems, notably under the threat of climate change. Consequently, there is a critical need to understand these system’s response to …

The Inclusion Of Vocal Health In The School Curriculum: A National Survey Of School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists And Speech-Language Pathology Assistants, Kate Mathews

Master's Theses

The human voice is an important tool of expression and a defining quality of self. Additionally, many occupations require, at least in part, a functioning voice for job completion (Titze et al., 1997). It is not surprising, then, that a dysfunctional voice may be disruptive and have a negative impact on a person’s quality of life. Unfortunately, disorders of voice are common, and perhaps even more so than many may realize (Bhattacharyya, 2014; Hartley et al., 2016; Roy, 2003; Roy et al., 2005). Several voice disorders, however, are preventable through the very same vocal health education means used in voice …

Speech-Language Pathologists’ Knowledge, Confidence Levels, And Practice Patterns With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury In The Schools, Jessica Munson

Master's Theses

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a key role in serving children with cognitive-communication disorders in both medical and school settings. However, there remains little evidence regarding school-based SLPs’ service delivery for children following concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and how they rate their confidence, knowledge, and skills providing these services. The purpose of this study was to examine knowledge, confidence levels, and practice patterns for providing services to pediatric students with mTBI among school-based SLPs. A 43- item survey was developed to assess current concussion knowledge, and to allow for comparison to previous and future surveys on knowledge, confidence, …

Exploring Communication Strategies Used By Speech-Language Pathologists And Nursing Professionals Prior To And During The Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic, Madeline Baretta

Master's Theses

In 2019, a novel virus was discovered and spread resulting in a global pandemic. Individuals with severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) experienced critical illnesses such as pneumonia, hypoxemic respiratory failure/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and complications from prolonged hospitalization (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2020e). Some individuals with severe cases required mechanical ventilation in the acute care setting (Bernstein, 2020). Due to the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic, this study was developed to better understand the practices of speech-language pathologists (SLPs), nursing professionals, and healthcare organizations prior to and during the COVID-19 pandemic with particular …

Investigating The Utility Of Ultrasound Visual Biofeedback In Voice Instruction For Two Different Singing Styles, Kristen Smith

Master's Theses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential utility of incorporating real-time visual biofeedback using ultrasonography to teach important concepts of vocal pedagogy to voice students. Exploration of innovative teaching tools, such as ultrasound visual biofeedback (U-VBF) in singing instruction, may contribute to bridging the gap between voice science and pedagogy by providing alternative ways to improve students’ kinesthetic awareness, clarify complex topics in voice physiology and acoustics, and create a common dialogue between different professionals specializing in voice. The primary research questions addressed in this study were: (a) To determine the current knowledge and attitude among …

The Well-Being Of Business Professionals Through The Participation Of Golf With Coworkers And Clients, Marisa Hisaki

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore and understand how participation of golf influences the well-being of business professionals and how organizations could incorporate activities such as golf to their management practices. Open-ended, semi-structured interviews (Kvale, 1996) were utilized in this study to explore and understand how golf influences the well-being by expressing their experience of the phenomenon of the effects of golf. Seven participants were interviewed, where three were insiders and four were outsiders. The age of the participants ranged from 23-68 years, with the average being 49.7 years. Of the seven participants, six were male and only …

Demographic Predictors Of Math Anxiety In Elementary School Children, Melissa Flowerdew

Master's Theses

Due to the increasing interest of math anxiety in elementary level children, the present study explored math anxiety contextual factors through Bandura’s (1999) Social Cognitive perspective. Using the Children’s Anxiety in Math Scale, researchers gathered data from 40 primary-level children to explore four demographic predictors--grade-level, special needs identification, gender identity, and socioeconomic status-- of mathematics anxiety through a hierarchical regression model. Findings indicated demographic variables accounted for over one-third of the variance in math anxiety scores at 38.2% (grade level: 12.3%, SNI: 8.4%, gender identity: 13.2%, SES: 4.1%). With the exception of socioeconomic status, all predictors were significant. These findings …

Warm Or Chilly? An Assessment Of The Relationships Between Campus Climate And Gender Identity Among Transgender And Nonbinary College Students, Emma Allen-Morgan

Master's Theses

This research is a mixed-methods analysis of the relationship between campus climate and gender identity for transgender and nonbinary college students. Snowball and convenience sampling were used to obtain a sample of trans and nonbinary college students. Thirty surveys and six interviews were completed. I applied Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory and Risman’s gender structure theory to analyze how macrosystems, microsystems, and the chronosystem (time) affected trans students’ gender identity, whether positively or negatively. Participants were ambivalent about the effects of college on their gender identity; on one hand, college gives trans students freedom from their previous environments. However, participants described a …

Exploring The Neurochemical Basis For Toluene-Induced Alterations In Accumbal Dopamine Neurotransmission, Kristofer Reiser

Master's Theses

Inhalants as environmental contaminants or recreational drugs pose a considerable health concern, but little is known about their mode of action. In 2011, a study from the National Institute for Drug Addiction revealed that an estimate of 21.7 million people aged 12 or older have used inhalants that contain high concentrations of volatile organic compounds, primarily toluene. These compounds can have debilitating impact on brain chemistry. While the impact of toluene on the central dopamine reward pathway has been already reported, the exact mechanism underlining the effect of toluene is still obscure. Towards this goal, the present work seeks to …

Resistance To Rattlesnake Venoms In An Eastern Colorado Rodent Community, Neil Balchan

Master's Theses

The grasslands of eastern Colorado are inhabited by two species of rattlesnakes, the Prairie Rattlesnake (Crotalus viridis) and the Desert Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus tergeminus edwardsii). An array of rodent species, both native and introduced, also occupy these grasslands, and serve as a varied prey base for the previously listed rattlesnakes. Predator-prey interactions in this system gain an additional level of complexity due to the presence of venoms, a chemical arsenal possessed by both rattlesnakes to incapacitate their prey. Rodents in other systems have demonstrated resistance to snake venoms, and there is potential for a similar dynamic to be present in …

Investigating The Role Of Atp-Binding Cassette Transporters In Drosophila Melanogaster Testis Stem Cells, Israel J. Wipf

Master's Theses

Multidrug resistance is among the most pressing obstacles in cancer treatment today. Resistance is thought to arise from the ability of cancer stem cells to efflux therapeutic molecules using a collection of membrane proteins called ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters. There is strong interest in targeting ABC transporters to preserve and improve drug efficacy and reduce cancer recurrence. Many studies have been performed in vitro using cultured cell lines, but currently there is a lack of simple models in which to study ABC transporters in vivo. As a solution, I propose to use the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster for the study …

Indirect Impact Of Soil Microbial Communities On Plant-Aphid Interactions, Zachary Tiemann

Master's Theses

The community dynamics of soil micro-environments are influenced by root, fungal, and bacterial exudates that can preferentially select for functional classes of microbes. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM) fungi and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are members of this community form symbiotic relationships with plants and play an important role in triggering induced systemic resistance (ISR), resulting in defensive “priming.’ Consequently, ‘primed’ plants can activate stronger and faster defense responses to future attacks by pathogens and insects. The biological system in this study involved four genotypes of barrel medic plants (Medicago truncatula), pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), and microbial communities present in …

Synthesis Of Functionalized Ionic Liquids For Coal Dissolution And Pretreatment, Michael Franklin

Master's Theses

Brown coal (lignite) is a bulk organic mixture of conjugated hydrocarbons that are complexed together via hydrogen bonds. Coal [partial] dissolution is essential to the better utilization of low-rank coal for power sources because the direct combustion of brown coal is not energy efficient. To break hydrogen bonds of low-rank coal and make it partially soluble, this project evaluates a series of ionic liquids (ILs) with specific properties as non-volatile alternatives to conventional organic solvents. A series of nitrogen- and phosphorus-based cations have been synthesized via a nucleophilic substitution reaction, the resultant bromide-based IL being converted to an acetate-based IL …

Projecting Ecuadorian Cultures In Andean Dream: A Compositional Exploration Of Psycho-Ethnomusicology For Electronics And Chamber Ensemble, Daniela Paez

Master's Theses

The musical culture of Ecuador, despite being quite unknown to the world and to a great part of the Ecuadorian people, holds an unimaginable richness and diversity rooted in thousands of years of musical traditions. Mestizaje, the process of racial mixture that followed the European conquest, has encouraged homogeneity and uniformity. I am a part of this mestizo culture, that, in reality, does not hold the same worldviews as the diverse Indigenous Ecuadorian communities. The Kichwa community of Cotacachi, presented through musical materials in this thesis, experiences an undeniable connection between the rituals relevant to agricultural life, dance and music …