Digital Commons Network^™

Human Trafficking Among Utah Girls And Women, Lindsay B. Gezinski, Mckayla Caress, Marin Christensen, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Human trafficking is a global problem that involves the exploitation of people for profit through the means of force, fraud, or coercion.¹ It takes a variety of forms, including forced labor, debt bondage, domestic servitude, and sexual exploitation.² Systemic inequalities, such as mass displacement, extreme poverty, and lack of access to education and job opportunities are examples of contributing factors that can fuel trafficking of vulnerable populations.³ While the scale of trafficking in persons is difficult to determine, estimates suggest that there were over 40 million victims worldwide in 2016.⁴ In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, …

Frequency Of Genetic Variants At The Mc1r Locus In A Student Population, Emmalea K. Dowdy, Grace C. Stubblefield, David K. Peyton

2022 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

The Melanocortin-1 Receptor gene (MC1R) encodes a protein that is associated with pigmentation in vertebrate animals. An extraordinary number of variations in this gene have arisen over time due to the importance of pigmentation in camouflage, photosensitivity, vitamin D production, and other evolutionary factors. Variations in the MC1R gene sequence became important to survival as humans migrated out of Africa and into cooler climates with less sun exposure, where lighter skin pigmentation (and therefore more vitamin D production) was key to survival. These genetic variations (alleles) continue to exist in modern humans. Recent research into the MC1R gene variations shows …

A Preliminary Survey On The Biodiversity Of Wasps In Eastern Kentucky, Lorien Molstad, Zoe Baker, Julia Fitzpatrick, Bethany Lucio, Sean O'Keefe

2022 Celebration of Student Scholarship - Poster Presentations

Biodiversity is the measure of variability of interactions between living organisms within an area. Biodiversity contributes significantly to the production of different life sustaining resources and supports a diversity of ecological life. A greater biodiverse area can help maintain environmental balance and maintain ecological diversity and health. There are multiple economic, cultural, and scientific reasons as to why biodiversity is important. When assessing biodiversity, mammals and birds are commonly used as surrogates. The problem with mammals and birds is that there are relatively few species and relatively few individuals in an area, so quantitative assessment can be difficult. However, insects …

Unlovable Labour: Rejecting The "Do What You Love" Ideology, Trey Dykeman

Richard T. Schellhase Essay Prize in Ethics

Miya Tokumitsu’s article ‘In the Name of Love’ is polemic against what she refers to as the DWYL (Do What You Love) movement that has been most recognisably popularised and transformed by Steve Jobs. She denounces this movement as an insidious ideology cleverly disguised as an uplifting lifestyle which has as its tenets labour, profit, and individualism; through her analysis of these tenets, she unveils them as alienation, erasure, and precarity, respectively. Her insights aid her in her aim to demonstrate that these ideological pillars do not support the wellbeing of the proletariat but rather reinforce the rugged structure of …

The Ursinus College Investment Management Company Newsletter, Spring 2022, Scott Deacle, Olivia Defusco, Peyton Vostenak, Stephen Schoenborn, Stevie Benson, Jake Rowland, Jeremy Calabro

Investment Management Company Newsletter

Inside this issue:

Letter from Olivia DeFusco '24

Letter from Peyton Vostenak '22

At a Glance

Investment Team Strategies and Updates

UCIMCO Research

UCIMCO Investment Performance and Analysis

Endowment Outlook

Stock Selection Picks

Women's Fund Picks

Our Teams

Thank You!

How to Contribute

The Future Of Family-Operated Resort-Destinations, Colton L. Casselman

Political Science Theses and Capstones

The tourism industry, one of the largest in the world, is arguably one of the most volatile industries we look at. Through the varying sub-sectors of tourism, we narrow in on the family resort industry, predominately in the upper Midwest. You may hear me refer to them as Family-Operated-Resort-Destinations, but they serve unique clientele in a unique way. This industry faces immense pressure from mild tax code changes, politicians, DNR regulations, fishing quality, climate change, gas prices, foreign affairs and more. During this paper, I will examine the future of Family-Operated-Resort-Destinations.

Monopolies, Monopsonies, And Everything In-Between: The Gradual Unwinding Of Nearly A Century Of Antitrust Activity, Chase Faulkner

Senior Theses

Changes in the interpretation of antitrust law since the Reagan administration have created a simultaneous increase in mergers/acquisitions and a decrease in antitrust action. This trend started with Ronald Reagan in an effort to bolster a stagnant United States economy, yet in spite of the revolution the global economy has undergone in the last few decades, this trend is still perpetuated today. While this has helped the United States economy abroad, it has come at a cost domestically. A number of industries have become dominated by a single firm (or a group) through a variety of anticompetitive practices, and their …

Nation Branding: The Case For Marketing Strategy In International Relations, Brooke Boan

Senior Theses

This thesis seeks to address the concept of nation branding and how states can use marketing strategies for international relations gains. Using a literature review of relevant concepts and trends in international relations, including soft power, public diplomacy, and cultural diffusion, the connection between marketing strategies and foreign policy trends become clear. An analysis of nation branding, its origins, applications, and challenges, provides insight into an up-and-coming area of international relations. Specific country case studies were chosen to examine the real-world results of nation branding including the shortcomings and future opportunities. The case of Japan shows how a country can …

Drivers And Barriers Of The Transition To Regenerative Agriculture Within The Eu’S Common Agricultural Policy Reform: Comparative Analysis With The Us Farm Bill, Samantha Gish

Independent Study Project (ISP) Collection

In the wake of multiple crises, such as climate change and international conflict, there is increased urgency to ensure a stable food system. Additionally, changing priorities of citizens have fostered the desire for sustainable production of food. One innovative method of food production is regenerative agriculture and in this practice the main goals are to increase system resilience, improve soil and sequester carbon. This is done through practices such as no tilling, cover and intercropping, and incorporation of livestock into crop fields. Although great in theory, these practices go against traditional agricultural practices and therefore the policy currently in place …

Disney's Strategic Marketing Tactics For Children Ages 2-10, Sydney Geist

Senior Honors Theses

One of the many ways Disney is a successful organization is because of the effective use of marketing. For Disney to be able to have effective marketing tactics within the entire target audience, market segmentation must take place. A prevalent segment within Disney’s target market is children ages 2-10. There are differences in emotional maturity and interests throughout this age range which requires Disney to start the process of segmentation. Many factors that encompass the process of segmentation are attitudes, interests, and opinions that define this segment. These factors also need to be taken into consideration when marketing to parents …

Supply Chain Sustainability In The Fashion Industry, Quinn Hanley

Honors Projects

Sustainability in the fashion industry has become an important topic recently for both retailers and consumers. Through my research I will be laying out what supply chain sustainability is, how it relates to the fashion industry, as well as how companies are doing it well or poorly. I will be using both scholarly pieces and other articles online to perform my research on the topic, to find a more in-depth understanding of how companies are affecting the world around us as well as the people around us. My goal with this research is to educate consumers about how supply chain …

Xbox In Japan? Understanding The Distinctions Of The Japanese Video Game Market To Increase Microsoft's Competitive Advantage, Sekani Adebimpe

Senior Theses

Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony remain the biggest players in the video game console space. While all three companies have achieved worldwide success, Microsoft’s performance with the Xbox brand in Japan is an outlier for its historically poor sales numbers dating back to its 2001 debut. The purpose of this thesis is to unearth the various cultural distinctions inherent to the Japanese gaming industry that Microsoft must consider to gain a stronger foothold in the country, as well as diagnose the biggest issues facing Xbox with Japanese consumers. To accomplish this, several cultural frameworks were used to assess the differences between …

Detoxing From Clean Claims: Bridging The Gap Between "Clean" And "Dirty" Beauty, Alecsandra Dragus

William & Mary Business Law Review

The clean beauty industry has gained increasing popularity in the last couple of years. This has spurred the development of many brands and impacted what consumers look for in their products. This Note engages in the existing conversation in the beauty industry pertaining to "clean" products by showing that the lack of interference from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to set definitional criteria for what constitute ''clean" products has resulted in an increase in the commercialization of health-conscious consumer beliefs based on ambiguous and misleading information. These consumers are stuck in a loop …

2022 Research Day Program, Lincoln Memorial University

Research Day

This program contains abstracts and presentation summaries from LMU's 2022 Annual Research Day conference.

2022-April-01-Etsu Professor Speaking At 'Women On Wednesdays', University Marketing And Communication, East Tennessee State University

ETSU News

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (April 1, 2022) – In “Rosa Bonheur the Amazon? Equestrianism, Female Masculinity and the Horse Fair (1852–1855)”, Dr. Michael Fowler will explore the sartorial and equestrian significance of Bonheur’s self-portrait nested within the painting at noon on Wednesday, April 6 via Zoom. The live stream can be viewed here: etsu.zoom.us/j/98988963213.  

This free virtual talk is part of the “WGS on Wednesdays” series sponsored by the East Tennessee State University Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program.  

In 1853, Bonheur first exhibited what would become her most widely celebrated work: Horse Fair, a monumental, horizontally oriented painting …

Effects Of Esg Investing On Returns, Hank De Roover

Senior Honors Theses

Countless researchers have sought to find out if there is a positive correlation between Environmental, Societal, and Governance (ESG) investing and returns that beat the market over the past few decades. To analyze what ESG investing is, the history of the practice, and if there can be any conclusion drawn between ESG investing and returns. A deeper understanding of what goes into returns, including modern portfolio theory, will uncover that ESG securities cannot be efficiently placed on the efficient frontier. Risk associated with ESG stocks cannot only be tied directly to beta, but also to external qualitative forces that make …

The Theme Park Throwdown: The Successes And Failures Of Ip-Related Attractions And Expansions In Disney Theme Parks And Strategies For The Future, Aubree Zern

Senior Honors Theses

The Disney brand invokes strong feelings of loyalty from supporters and dissatisfaction from its opponents, and it many facets play an important part in society (Havard et al., 2021). It is certainly true that “the Magical World of Disney remains unsurpassed in terms of brand name recognition, planning complexity, and detailed execution. It is the paradigmatic ideal of how architecture can establish a universe around its landscape” (Dalov, 2019, p.10). For nearly 70 years, the Imagineers cultivated an idea from the mind of one man into a global phenomenon of twelve theme parks and counting (Tang & Iwerks, 2019). The …

The Importance Of Public Space During The Covid-19 Pandemic With A Case Study Of The City Of Kalamazoo’S Kik Pool, Natalie Baker

Honors Theses

No abstract provided.

Three Essays On Banking And Other Financial Institutions, Xiaonan Ma

Theses and Dissertations

This paper shows that access to payday lending affects societal health outcomes such as opioid-related mortality. I find that states allowing payday lending experience 1.5 lives lost per 100,000 population every year, which amounts to one-third of its mean value. I interpret this result in line with the increased consumption of opioid pills after accessing to payday lending. Accordingly, the effects are more pronounced in areas with low socioeconomic status. Confounding events, time trends, or systematic differences between states allowing and prohibiting payday lending are unlikely to explain the association between payday lending access and opioid mortality. Overall, my findings …

How The Level Of Firm Support For Employee Volunteering Affects Employee Work Productivity And Altruistic Behavior Inside The Firm, Xiaomei Xiong

Theses and Dissertations

Employee volunteering refers to employees giving time to volunteer for charitable causes with explicit support from their employer. Offering support for employee volunteering is one of the fastest-growing areas of employee benefits. Using a laboratory experiment, I examine the effectiveness of individual employee volunteering programs in motivating employees’ altruistic behavior outside the firm, as well as their work productivity and altruistic behavior inside the firm. I predict and find that the level of firm support for employee volunteering not only affects employees’ volunteering engagement outside the firm, but also affects employees’ work productivity inside the firm. Moreover, I predict and …

10-Minute Ebd: Preferred Analgesia For Orthodontic Tooth Movement: Acetaminophen Or Nsaids?, Ryan N. Mcgovern

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This 10-Minute EBD column explores the choice between acetaminophen and NSAIDs for managing pain during orthodontic tooth movement. The author presents a scenario involving a patient's discomfort after archwire adjustment and delves into the impact of tooth movement on the periodontium. The PICO question focuses on the effectiveness of NSAIDs and acetaminophen in controlling discomfort without impeding tooth movement. The literature search reveals varying recommendations on analgesics, with some studies favoring acetaminophen. The evidence suggests that acetaminophen and short-term celecoxib are suitable choices for orthodontic analgesia. However, caution is advised in extrapolating findings from animal studies to human conditions.

2022 April, Morehead State University. Office Of Communications & Marketing.

Morehead State Press Release Archive, 1961 to the Present

Press releases for April of 2022.

Bistability And Switching Behavior In Moving Animal Groups, Daniel Strömbom, Stephanie Nickerson, Catherine Futterman, Alyssa Difazio, Cameron Costello, Kolbjørn Tunstrøm

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Moving animal groups such as schools of fish and flocks of birds frequently switch between different group structures. Standard models of collective motion have been used successfully to explain how stable groups form via local interactions between individuals, but they are typically unable to produce groups that exhibit spontaneous switching. We are only aware of one model, constructed for barred flagtail fish that are known to rely on alignment and attraction to organize their collective motion, that has been shown to generate this type of behavior in 2D (or 3D). Interestingly, another species of fish, golden shiners, do exhibit switching …

An Entheogenic Endeavor: Exploring Indigenous Healing In Modern Times, Samantha J. Deboer

Honors Projects

There are thousands of years of practice and tradition surrounding the use of entheogens as medicine in indigenous cultures around the world. While our modern western culture methodically dives into this research whilst exploring these medicines for pharmaceutical usage, this work delves into indigenous and shamanic cultures uses of these plants.

2022-03-31 Faculty Senate Meeting Minutes, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate meeting minutes from March 31, 2022.

2022-03-31 Faculty Senate Newsletter, Morehead State University. Faculty Senate.

Faculty Senate Records

Faculty Senate newsletter from March 31, 2022.

Introduction To Financial Analysis, Kenneth S. Bigel

Open Touro Created

2022

This Open Textbook is a dynamic guide incorporating the essential skills needed to build a foundation in Financial Analysis. Students and readers will learn how to insightfully read a Financial Statement, utilize key financial ratios in order to derive forward-looking investment-related inferences from the accounting data, engage in elementary forecasting and modeling, master the theory of the Time Value of Money, and learn to price stocks and bonds in an environment in which interest rates constantly change. Ample problems and solutions, and review questions are provided to the student so that s/he can gauge his/her progress. This text will …

Influence Of Social Media Posts On Service Performance, Carol L. Esmark Jones, Stacie F. Waites, Jennifer Stevens

Marketing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

Much research regarding social media posts and relevancy has resulted in mixed findings. Furthermore, the mediating role of relevancy has not previously been examined. This paper aims to examine the correlating relationship between types of posts made by hotels and the resulting occupancy rates. Then, the mediating role of relevancy is examined and ways that posts can increase/decrease relevancy of the post to potential hotel users.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the context of the hotel industry, three studies were conducted – one including hotel occupancy data from a corporate chain – to examine the impact of social media posts on relevancy …

Research On Characteristics, Development Trend And Funding Countermeasures Of Biology, Jie Chen, Jing Qu, Zhiyong Lou, Bing Zhu, Le Kang

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Strengthening the research in biology aimed at national strategic needs and major scientific frontier issues is conducive to giving full play to the strategic supporting role of biological research for national economic development and the promotion of international competitiveness. This article combs the basic characteristics and development trend of biology, summarizes the practical experience of international biological research funding, and analyzes the outstanding problems in biological research in China, such as incomplete layout, lack of sustainable and stable support, and insufficient funding for top talents and teams. By referring to the international practical experience, it puts forward policy suggestions to …

Social Production And Consumption Of Space: A Lefebvrian Analysis Of The Kumbh Mela, Christine Buzinde, David Manuel-Navarrete, Jyotsna (Josi) M. Kalavar, Neena Kohli

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Kumbh Mela is the world’s largest pilgrimage gathering on the shores of the River Ganges. Drawing on Lefebvre’s (1991) trialectics of space framework, this paper interrogates the spatial dynamics of the Kumbh Mela through the spatial meanings espoused by local and international pilgrims. Accounting for dominant discourses that frame the event as occurring in and around a sacred waterscape, five focus groups with pilgrims were conducted at the Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, India. The findings indicate that local pilgrims were aware of river pollution, but they used discursive strategies to decouple this material fact from their lived spiritual experiences; from …