Digital Commons Network^™

The Reciprocal Interaction Of Musical Performance And Analysis, Gregory Hartmann

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Musicians can generally be divided into one of two kinds: practitioners who compose or perform music, and thinkers who analyze or write about music (theorists, musicologists, and critics). These roles might seem to be of approximately equal importance, so the perspectives of each should be given proportionate consideration. Yet the existing music-theoretical literature consistently relegates the performer to an inferior position. When performance is discussed, it is usually done in objective terms; an analysis is presented as a rationale to judge a performance as right or wrong. My dissertation challenges this perspective and provides an alternative. By marrying rigorous, theory-based …

The Startup Spotlight: Chronicles Of Innovation (2016-2023), Dawn Hightree

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The Institute for Innovation and Economic Development (iiED) is a nonprofit organization that has been pivotal in supporting entrepreneurial success in the Monterey Bay Region. The iiED’s programs and services are effective at helping to solve the problem that Too many entrepreneurs lack resources, support, and innovation to effectively start a business in Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties. Nonprofit organizations need to provide adequate proof to all stakeholders of mission fulfillment. Limited staffing, funding dependencies, and entrepreneurs needing substantial business services to meet the companies are contributing factors that can lead to missed opportunities, failed program deliveries, and …

How Nintendo Sets Itself Apart In The Gaming Industry, Natalie E. Murrah

Chancellor’s Honors Program Projects

No abstract provided.

Structural Characterization Of A Tritruss Module, Lauren M. Simmons

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The TriTruss is a novel structural module developed by researchers at NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) that can be used in space to assemble large support structures for a variety of applications. One such application is the metering truss or primary mirror backbone support structure of an In-Space Assembled Telescope (iSAT). For the iSAT application, the TriTruss will be supporting mirror segments, payloads, and instruments, all of which require the TriTruss to have a high stiffness. Structural characterization from testing and analysis is needed to ensure the integrity of the struts that make up a TriTruss module is maintained when …

Visual Thinking Strategies (Vts) In The Clinic: How The Humanities Affect The Way We Make Visual Diagnoses Within Medicine, Mitchell Smith

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a system of humanistic critical analysis that was developed in the 1990’s by Abigail Housen and Philip Yenawine, affords viewers of art the opportunity to have an increased level of interaction with artwork through the use of questions posed by an instructor. For viewers, such a process of critical analysis affords greater visual literacy. The same is arguably true of medical personnel who have trained to use said process in the making of medical observations and diagnoses. The purpose of this study is to understand if VTS has direct application within the realm of medicine, and …

Examining The Health Risks Of Particulate Matter 2.5 In New York City: How It Affects Marginalized Groups And The Steps Needed To Reduce Air Pollution, Freddy Castro

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The following examines the impact of particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) on public health, focusing on its sources and effects on vulnerable populations in New York City. PM2.5 is a particle that is 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter and, because of its size, can enter the bloodstream affecting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems and further complicating the health of the immunocompromised. Recent studies have shown that PM2.5 can come from various sources, including transportation and industrial emissions, as well as indoor sources like cigarettes and gas-operated stoves. Despite reduced levels of PM2.5 due to recent policy changes and initiatives taken …

Boeing: A Human Resources Analysis For Issues And Solutions, Lene Anette Oest-Larsen

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

The study presented has analyzed Boeing, an aircraft manufacturing company, and its issues as a company through a human resources based standpoint, and thus providing human resources based solutions. Issues that have been identified include a toxic workplace, union difficulties, lack of quality, and more that have caused additional sub-issues as well. These various problems have been identified to stem from human resources practices, and it is suggested that Boeing address these issues through human resources. They may reevaluate their hiring and onboarding process to focus on strong ethics and valuing safety in their operations. It is crucial for Boeing …

Uncovering The Emotional Line: An Analysis Of Three David Maslanka Wind Ensemble Works Using Formal Emotive Intensity Analysis, Michael John Kahle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

David Maslanka (1943–2017) was a prolific American composer who wrote most frequently for the medium of concert band/wind ensemble. His music is frequently performed by ensembles around the world. Due to his more intuitive and idiosyncratic compositional style, Maslanka would center what he described as the “emotional line” of the work, certain aspects of his music are undetected by traditional analytical models. Formal Emotive Intensity Analysis bridges that gap to focus on the supposed emotional line within Maslanka’s work. Through a case study of three of Maslanka’s works for wind band, The Seeker, Concerto No. 3 for Piano and Wind …

Uniform Regularity Estimates For The Stokes System In Perforated Domains, Jamison R. Wallace

Theses and Dissertations--Mathematics

We consider the Stokes equations in an unbounded domain $\omega_{\epsilon,\eta}$ perforated by small obstacles, where $\epsilon$ represents the minimal distance between obstacles and $\eta$ is the ratio between the obstacle size and $\epsilon$. We are able to obtain uniform $W^{1,q}$ estimates for solutions to the Stokes equations in such domains with bounding constants depending explicitly on $\epsilon$ and $\eta$.

No More Loosies: A Mixed-Methods Study On The Implementation And Enforcement Of The Loose Cigarette And Bidi Sale Ban In India, Mayank Sakhuja

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Sale of loose cigarettes and bidis (loosies) is widely accepted as a key factor in promoting the tobacco epidemic in India. This mixed-methods study aimed to broaden understanding around the sale and purchase of loosies addressed three aims: 1) To determine the prevalence and correlates of loosies purchase in India; 2) To examine the association between purchase behavior and health warning labels (HWLs) exposure and responses, and 3) To conduct a stakeholder analysis regarding the ban on the sale of loosies in India. Methods: Data from the 2018-19 Tobacco Control Policy (TCP) India survey (643 current cigarette users and …

Reactive Molecular Dynamics Of Large Systems: Quantum Dynamics With Adaptable Gaussian Bases; Hydroxide Diffusion In A Polymeric Environment, Mohottige Sachith Prasanga Wickramasinghe

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes our research in theory and applications of reactive molecular dynamics. Quantum dynamics provides the foundation for understanding chemical processes. However, the computational cost of describing a general quantum system scales exponentially with the system size. Thus, an efficient basis representation of wavefunctions is essential. Time-dependent Gaussian bases are often employed to describe the large-amplitude motion of high-dimensional systems. The time dependence of such bases is typically determined by (i) the variational principle or by (ii) classical dynamics. But those approaches have shortcomings due to intrinsic singularity of the variational equations in the full basis limit or due …

The Tectonic Evaluation And Design Implementation Of 3d Printing Technology In Architecture, Robert Buttrick

Masters Theses

This design thesis is an assessment of the tectonic capabilities and applications of large format 3D printing, given the current available and practiced technologies. This review consists of an analysis of the technical specifications and limitations of the various forms and methods of 3D printing at all scales, followed by an in-depth analysis of technologies that have been adopted and employed at an architectural scale. A number of case studies are assessed to create a typology of tectonic types created by employing 3D printing technologies. These tectonic types: Holistic/Homogenous, Complementary/Integrative, Structural, and Sculptural are then tested to see how they …

Stability Of Cauchy's Equation On Δ+., Holden Wells

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The most famous functional equation f(x+y)=f(x)+f(y) known as Cauchy's equation due to its appearance in the seminal analysis text Cours d'Analyse (Cauchy 1821), was used to understand fundamental aspects of the real numbers and the importance of regularity assumptions in mathematical analysis. Since then, the equation has been abstracted and examined in many contexts. One such examination, introduced by Stanislaw Ulam and furthered by Donald Hyers, was that of stability. Hyers demonstrated that Cauchy's equation exhibited stability over Banach Spaces in the following sense: functions that approximately satisfy Cauchy's equation are approximated with the same level of error by functions …

Clean Energy At The Crossroads Of America: An Integrated Resource Plan For Northern Indiana Public Service Company, Llc (Nipsco), Saad Z. Khan, Shend Boshnjaku

Master's Projects and Capstones

This paper outlines an Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) for the Indiana electric utility company, NIPSCO, looking forward to the year 2050 and evaluating different pathways to net zero emissions from the power generation sector. It is a plan for the future, identifying the most cost-effective and reliable mix of resources to meet the energy needs of NIPSCO's customers and reaching decarbonization goals by mid-century.

Personal Thoughts, Reflections, And Accounting, Caleb Colley

Honors Theses

This work consists of two portions. The first portion concerns the research, findings, and conclusions regarding various accounting-related topics. These topics include a reflection on the September 11 attacks and their impact on accounting and the United States in general, research on potential places to settle for my future career, an analysis of Pfizer Inc.'s financial performance in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and an interview with my mother regarding her previous experiences as a business professional. The second portion of this work pertains to several analyses of the Target Corporation from five perspectives. These topics consist …

Microclimate Enhancement In Arid Climate, Paras Bharat Nandu

Theses

In summary, the four primary variables for human comfort - air temperature, wind speed, humidity, and mean radiant temperature - can be analyzed using solar analysis and computational fluid dynamics on computer-aided software. This allows for quick calculations and the ability to measure the effects of sun and wind on building design. Historically, designers relied on judgment for passive design decisions, but now with the help of software, sustainable architectural design solutions can be achieved. This includes utilizing proven passive techniques that have existed since ancient times but are often overlooked in favor of energy-consuming mechanical systems. This thesis challenges …

A Programmatic Geographic Information Systems Analysis Of Plant Hardiness Zones, Andrew Bowen

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Plant Hardiness Zone Map consists of thirteen geographical zones that describe whether a plant can survive based on average annual minimal temperatures. As climate change progresses, minimum temperatures in all regions are expected to change. This work programmatically evaluates predicted future climate projection data and converts it to United States Department of Agriculture-defined hardiness zones. Through the next 80 years, hardiness zones are projected to move poleward; in effect, colder zones will lose area and warmer zones will gain area globally. Some implications include changes in crop growing degree days, which could alter crop productivity, migration and settlement of …

Contextualizing Feminism Within Igbo History And An Analysis Of The Works Of Ngozi Anyanwu, Chisom Awachie

Theatre Thesis - Written Thesis

Throughout Nigeria’s history, Igbo women have contended with violence from colonial and imperialist forces and misogyny from the Igbo men in their communities. In solidarity with one another, Igbo women have continued to fight back to ensure their voices are heard in politics and access to professional careers. The Nigerian- and Igbo-American playwright Ngozi Anyanwu writes about Igbo women who assert themselves and maintain their agency throughout cultural and interpersonal conflicts, similar to these historical strategies. Anyanwu’s plays The Homecoming Queen, Good Grief, and My Name…is Beatrice feature women dealing with grief, sexual trauma, and access to reproductive healthcare between …

Internship Experience At Accenture, Drew Keatts

Finance Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper discusses my internship experience at Accenture and all of the things I learned from it. I worked out of Dallas, Texas, and it was a 10-week internship. Some of the things I discuss include financial management, financial analysis, profit margins, and professionalism. I cannot express how amazing this experience was and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work for Accenture. I hope you enjoy my experience and the key takeaways I had from it.

A Cost-Effective Analysis Of Modern Football Helmets At The High School Level, Gregory W. Shaffer

Senior Theses

Although football helmets can help to significantly reduce the risk of concussion for athletes, not all helmets provide an equal level of protection.¹ The purpose of this research was to determine the most cost-effective football helmet that high school programs can provide their student athletes, and to explore potential purchasing strategies for high schools to utilize. Through a cost-effectiveness budget analysis, we first derived an equation to calculate helmet cost-effectiveness, using data collected from the Virginia Tech Helmet Laboratory² as well as the National Football League Players Association.³ We then created ideal budgets for high schools to …

Evaluating Law Enforcement De-Escalation Tactics Used With Individuals Exhibiting Psychotic Symptomology, Jasmine Morgan

Senior Theses and Projects

This study evaluated the use of de-escalation measures utilized by police officers in the state of Connecticut. In particular, it focused on the use of training measures used in conjunction with individuals displaying symptoms of severe mental illness, more specifically psychotic disorders. Data was collected via an online software, allowing participants to undergo a series of survey and hypothetical scenario-based questions. The study examined demographic information, trainings regarding weapon exposure and mental illness, and de-escalation tactics used when interacting with individuals showing symptoms of psychosis. Regarding sample demographics, it was found that the 22 participants were mostly Caucasian (77%), male …

Social Impacts Of Robotics On The Labor And Employment Market, Kelvin Espinal

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Robotics have been introduced into the workplace to perform tasks that human beings have traditionally fulfilled. Complementing or substituting human labor with robotics eliminates human involvement in functions attributable to hazardous environments, heavy lifting, toxic substances, and repetitive low-level tasks. On the other hand, they are meant to be more efficient and cost-effective, saving money, time, and labor. However, since the introduction of robotics in the workforce, societal opposition has been towards this branch of technology in fear of losing employment, wages, and purpose.

Previous studies have reported an overarching societal fear that adopting robotics in the workplace and industry …

Voice Leading In Fugue, Yuval Shapira

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation examines voice leading in the fugues of J. S. Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier from a Schenkerian perspective. In Bach’s fugues, thematic material usually permeates all the parts, making the surface diminutions unusually complex. Given the predominance of the subject, there is a tendency in the Schenkerian tradition to base the voice-leading analysis of a fugue on an a priori analysis of the subject by itself. Based on the subject’s outline, one might expect to find the fugal thematic layout reflected in the underlying voice leading, conceiving the fugal surface as an elaboration of a simpler quasi-fugal substructure. I argue …

"Since I Laid My Burden Down": A Comparative Analysis Of An African American Spiritual, Damein Dameco Wash

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This master's thesis presents a comparative analysis of the African American spiritual "Since I Laid My Burden Down." Through the use of various sources, including scholarly articles, books, and recordings, the origins, themes, and musical structures of the spiritual are explored. The study examines the historical context of African American spirituals and the importance of the call-and-response style, as well as the influence of gospel and blues music. The thesis also analyzes the performances of the song by Triumph The Church & Kingdom of God in Christ (2022), Mrs. Ulanda Crivens (2023), Shardé Thomas (2017), Othar Tuner (1982), Mississippi John …

Na Our Cinema Be This: The Evolution Of Themes In Nigerian Cinema, Carol C. Merengwa

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This paper examines the themes in Nigerian cinema, popularly referred to as Nollywood, and their evolution over time. This analysis will give indigenous and colonial context to the origins of filmmaking in Nigeria and illustrate how the societal events impacting the country influenced the subject matter being explored. Through research from scholarly journals, review of specific films, and input from filmmakers in the industry, we will gain an understanding of Nollywood cinema and the stories which Nigerian filmmakers decide to share.

Correlation Of And Development Of Procedure To Use A Resonant Plate With Mechanical Excitation For Shock Testing Small-To-Medium Size Spacecraft And Provide Aerospace Shock Analysis And Testing Guidelines, Monty Kennedy

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

In the aerospace industry it is known that performing shock analysis and testing on spacecraft is difficult to do mostly because shock loads create a very short duration shock wave transient that can have high acceleration peak levels (1,000-5,000 g) and wide frequency content (100-10,000 Hz). FE (finite-element) shock analysis is difficult because implicit linear FE software commonly used for most vibration analysis in aerospace does not account for shock wave propagation, reflection, and attenuation that occurs based upon the distance from the shock source at the base of the spacecraft and the attenuations that occurs through mechanical joints. Spacecraft …

Structural Analysis And Interpretation Of Deformation Along The Keweenaw Fault System From Lake Linden To Mohawk, Michigan, Nolan G. Gamet

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

The Keweenaw fault is likely the most significant and most studied fault associated with the Midcontinent Rift System. The fault roughly bisects the Keweenaw Peninsula and places Portage Lake Volcanics (~1.1 Ga) over much younger Jacobsville Sandstone (~1.0 Ga). Published bedrock geology maps with cross sections from the 1950s show the fault as a single continuous trace that is locally associated with smaller cross faults and splays. The accompanying cross-sections show hanging-wall volcanic strata having a well-defined, listric geometry with dip decreasing away from the fault to the northwest.

This M.S. thesis presents a structural analysis and interpretation of the …

Adapting Grief And Bereavement-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Chinese-Identifying Individuals In America: A Cultural Analysis, Ian Tsang

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Anti-Asian hate as well as shifting circumstances brought on by current events all around the world highlight the increased need for mental health support and services in an ever-growing Chinese population in the United States, particularly in regard to grief work. Additionally, Chinese Americans demonstrate a disproportionate and lower utilization of mental health services, especially in comparison to the general population in the country. This paper discusses the various factors contributing to this phenomenon before presenting recommendations for culturally adapting evidence-based approaches to grieving individuals in the target population. More specifically, a cultural analysis consisting of topics such as Chinese …

Analyzing Effective Website Design Literature To Develop A Standard Scorecard, Karlyn Sanchez

Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts

No abstract provided.

David Gillingham’S Stained Glass For Wind Ensemble: A Transcription From The Standard Percussion Repertoire, Ashley Shoupe

Theses and Dissertations--Music

Stained Glass (1994), by David Gillingham, is a work that is considered one of the standard pieces of percussion repertoire. To date, there are no known arrangements or transcriptions which exist for wind band that originated from the percussion ensemble repertoire. Stained Glass is a work which utilizes many musical characteristics and compositional techniques that could translate successfully to the wind ensemble, such as sweeping ostinato, sustained chordal structures, and a variety of colors and textures. It is because of this observation of musical characteristics that makes this work a good candidate for a successful first transcription from percussion ensemble …