Digital Commons Network^™

An Analysis Of Equity-Linked Insurance Pricing, Clara C. Ortgies

Honors Program Theses

This comprehensive study of equity-linked insurance options will explore the pricing of certificates of deposit and life insurance options using a present value method. With this study, I will be able to construct and price various equity-linked insurance products, with a focus on life insurance, that insurance companies could then sell to prospective customers. I will use concepts and formulas based in actuarial math, probability theory, and financial engineering in order to construct, price, and analyze new equity-linked insurance products. The fundamental methodology I will use involves applying pricing theory based on the expected value of the insurance payoff present …

La Discriminación Contra Los Latin@S, Lauren Swan

Honors Program Theses

Abstracto

Este estudio examina los diferentes tipos de discriminación con que se enfrentan los estudiantes universitarios latin@s en Iowa en sus vidas diarias. El estudio se enfoca en ambas la discriminación encubierta y la discriminación directa. Basado en el análisis de entrevistas etnográficas con ocho estudiantes que asisten a la Universidad del Norte de Iowa, los latin@s enfrentan la discriminación de tres maneras principales. La primera manera es debido a las suposiciones o los estereotipos. La segunda manera es por la otredad, o sea, concebir a los latin@s como extranjeros o no ser verdaderamente ‘americanos.’ Por último, a menudo, los …

Does Folic Acid Compete With Glutamic Acid At The Postsynaptic Membrane Nmda Receptor?, Amanda Nicole Koenig

Honors Program Theses

During the first month of a human pregnancy folic acid (FA) is vital to the closing of the neural tube. However, overconsumption of FA has been linked to the rise of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), although this linkage is still under debate and testing. It has been hypothesized that the glutamate (GA) portion of FA may compete for binding to the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) with the neurotransmitter glutamate, causing inhibited growth cone activity. In order to test this hypothesis, we cultured eight-day chick dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and assessed parameters of neural development in the presence of FA, GA, or …

A Study In Positive Psychology: An Analysis Of Pictured Victims And Empathetic Reaction, Alyssa Hanken

Honors Program Theses

Previous research suggests that people are more empathetic when they are introduced to a victim with a face, or an identifiable victim, rather than a victim with no picture associated with him or her. This study will test the validity of these claims through the application of the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire in one control group and one experimental group to determine if putting a face to a name actually does increase empathetic reactions. In the field of English as a Second Language (ESL) teaching, such empathy is extremely important as mainstream teachers are frequently unaware of the plight of immigrants …

Floral Resource Dynamics For Pollinators In A Central Iowa Tallgrass Prairie Restoration, Lily Conrad, Ben Hoksch, Mark C. Myers

Undergraduate Student Work

Recently, native and managed colonies of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other insects, have experienced a largescale declines. In an effort to restore habitat for pollinators, the United States Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) created the CP-42 Pollinator Habitat conservation practice under the Conservation Reserve Program. This program pays private landowners to restore habitat for pollinator species with ecological and economic importance. To qualify for the program, CP-42 seed mixes must include:

• A minimum of 9 pollinator-friendly flowering plants,

• A minimum of three species in bloom during each of three seasonal periods (April-June 15, June 15-July, …

New Insights Into The "Manna From Heaven" Hypothesis, Clare Laubenthal

Honors Program Theses

Titan’s atmosphere is unique in that its atmospheric chemistry is thought to be similar to that of the Earth’s atmosphere during the Archean Era, when bacterial life dominated the Earth¹. Tholins form as a result of the radiation of organic gases by ultraviolet light. These molecules are considered alike to the prebiotic hazes that formed in the atmosphere of Earth during the Archean Era and which allowed for the eventual development of microbial life² . This study investigated whether Earth soil bacteria can grow, using laboratory created tholin analogs, or aerosols, as a nutrient source. This study …

Money Matters: An Analysis Of Campaign Finance In United States House Of Representatives Elections, 2010-2016, Destiny Leitz

Honors Program Theses

Money in politics is the single largest threat to the democratic system in the United States. It influences everything in politics, from the candidates to the issues debated. Every American knows that running for office requires large amounts of funding, and being elected requires even more. People worry that only the wealthiest voices are being heard; of course, candidates who depend on money from wealthy donors for campaign strength would never support unfavorable policies for their donors. Clearly, money in politics threatens the core democratic principles upon which America was founded. However, few people discuss whether the money really makes …

Thermopile Sensor Imaging System, Sumit Joshi

Graduate Research Papers

With vastly growing technologies various sensing devices have emerged, which can be used with a microcontroller to provide mobility and ease for various sensing applications. This paper is focused to interface a thermopile sensor (HTPA8x8dL2. l/0.8) with a Raspberry Pi 3.

The thermopile array acquires thermal image data and communicates with a Raspberry Pi 3 via an 12C (Inter Integrated Circuit) interface. On the Raspberry Pi 3 side the data stream is logged and then transferred to a personal computer (PC). Finally, the thermal image data are visualized in the PC with MATLAB, a scientific computing software. In summary, the …

Capital Equipment Procurement Process And Integration Into Production, Mike A. Borwig

Graduate Research Papers

This paper defines roles and responsibilities for personnel while purchasing capital machine equipment to integrate into production to make machined components to be used in assembly operations. This paper, along with internal support documents the necessary tasks to be completed to ensure the project's success while maintaining delivery, cost, and the quality of product is preserved. Once a project charter is accepted, roles and responsibilities to support groups are assigned. Roles & responsibilities are established to ensure proper knowledge of machine purchase prior to the purchase order being release. This allows all organizations to input their requirements to ensure delivery …

Improving Machine Utilization With Rfid Technology During The Acquisition Of A Large Capital Equipment Purchase, Richard Price

Graduate Research Papers

This is the executive summary which includes large capital equipment justification, research and implementation of material flow, container design/management, process quality verification, and an asset tracking system for perishable tooling. This project requires working with cross-functional teams as well has heavy upfront planning to be successful. This is a moderately risky project with a high reward if successfully completed. The risk could severely damage the reputation of the company on a part quality basis.

This project is to research machine tools to understand the potential to improve the process for indirect cutter grinding tools as well as increase machine utilization …

The Wright Message, 2018-2019, University Of Northern Iowa. Department Of Mathematics.

The Wright Message

Inside This Issue:
--New Faculty Faculty Spotlight Around Wright Hall
--Alumni Spotlight In Memoriam: Jack Wilkinson
--News from the CTLM
--Student Spotlights
--Donor Spotlight
--Alumni Updates
--Contributions to an Account – Recognition
--Department Funds
--Contribution Form

Selecting A Software Development Methodology Based On Project Characteristics, Semir Music

Graduate Research Papers

Methodologies used for developing software include procedures, techniques, tools, and documentation, to help every stage of the development process. A number of software development methodologies exist, all with their own characteristics, features, advantages, and disadvantages. This paper presents information on some of the more popular methodologies, and the ones most frequently used in today's software development world. The reviewed methodologies in this paper include waterfall, spiral, agile and its subsets, and hybrid. Research and information gathering phase in this study was conducted by performing a thorough literature review of a variety of different sources. Following the introduction of each methodology, …

Tom And Jerry: Performative Queerness In Action, Cade M. Olmstead

Undergraduate Student Work

This presentation’s theoretical focus is a return to the performative dimension of identities and social life. Its vehicle for doing such is Tom and Jerry, a series of animation shorts. This American “cat chases mouse” series produced hundreds of shorts and has become a classic in American media memory. Drawing upon Judith Butler’s queer theoretical work and a justification from Eve Sedgwick, a selection of episodes has been subject to analysis. This analysis lays out basic descriptions of performative gender identity in the series while making a normative assessment of their effects. Ultimately, I claim that through ironic detachment, the …

It Starts With "F": A Collection Of Short Stories, Arielle Irvine

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

It Starts with “F”: A Collection of Short Fiction consists of five short stories that share a family-centered theme while tackling tough topics such as death, separation, adoption, and personal fulfillment.

They That Go Down To The Sea In Ships: Richard Henry Dana, Jr.'S Two Years Before The Mast And The Sublime, Laurie Anne Lee

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In this thesis I incorporated the use of a two-fold lens to investigate the character development of the author Richard Henry Dana, Jr., who I met in his autobiography and his book Two Years Before the Mast, the written record of his 1834-1836 voyage aboard the Pilgrim and the Alert. In an effort to understand Dana the sailor and Dana the lawyer, I viewed his life and work, in part, through the lens of Edmund Burke’s Philosophical Enquiry into the Sublime and Beautiful, paying special attention to Burke’s definition of the sublime as encompassing pain and suffering. Through Burke’s Enquiry …

Exploring The Experiences Of Adolescent Students Attending A Virtual School, Allan G. Nelson

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

In the past 20 years distance education has evolved rapidly. The accessibility to online learning or virtual schools has become a viable option for many students. Virtual schools offer students instructional flexibility regarding time, place, and pace.

Improvements in distance education fostered rapid growth of online learning. The number of online learners grew nearly ten-fold from 2001 to 2015 (Clark, 2001; Watson et al., 2015). However, Watson (2016) estimated only 10% of online learners represented full-time virtual school students. Although face-to-face instruction is preferred by most K-12 learners, some learners argued their needs were best met by virtual schools (Green, …

Study Of Low Dose Nitrite Stress On Human Mononuclear Cells: An In-Vitro Case-Control Study On Osteoarthritis, Junu Shrestha

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Nitrate, (NOR 3RP - P) is an oxidized form of nitrogen and it is an integral part of the nitrogen cycle in the natural environment. Nitrates are extensively used in agricultural practices as fertilizers, applied as either animal manures or derived slurries or as chemical fertilizers in the form of ammonium nitrate. Most of the toxicologically relevant nitrate enters the human body through consumption of vegetables, fruits, processed food products, and drinking water. In the ground water system, nitrates are a problematic and widespread contaminant, especially in agricultural areas such as the Midwest, South, and Northeastern U.S. Low-levels of nitrate …

Blood Coagulation Properties In Hibernating And Non-Hibernating American Bullfrogs (Lithobates Catesbeianus), Stephen Cain

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Activated partial thromboplastin times (APTT) and factor deficiency assays were performed on the plasma of twenty American bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus) to test for potential changes and regulation of the intrinsic coagulation pathway during and after hibernation. Bullfrogs (pre-hibernating n=4, hibernating n=6, post-hibernating n=10) were housed in 10 gallon aquariums filled with RO water and placed in a temperaturecontrolled room. Hibernation was gradually induced by decreasing the temperature of the room from 24 C to 3 C in increments of 3 C per week. Blood (6-8 ml) was collected from individual non-hibernating frogs, hibernating frogs and post-hibernating frogs in 0.105M sodium …

Instructors' Attitudes And Perceptions Toward Critical Thinking: A Case Study Of Interior Design Instructors In Saudi Arabia, Afnan Al Ramis

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to investigate how critical thinking is defined by interior design female instructors in Saudi Arabia. Also, it aimed to examine instructors’ perceptions and attitudes toward critical thinking. In addition, it served to illuminate potential obstacles and biases that prevent female instructors from teaching critical thinking skills at the schools and universities in Saudi Arabia. The research targeted female Interior Design instructors in particular, to examine their perceptions toward critical thinking. There were three research questions:

1- What are female Interior Design instructors’ perceptions toward critical thinking? Do they teach critical thinking skills in the …

Master's Recital: Chase Pebworth, Tuba, Chase Pebworth

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This recital is divided into two parts; two pieces prior to intermission and three afterwards. The first two pieces From Jewish Life and Concerto for Bass Tuba have more traditional connotations. From Jewish Life is originally a cello piece and has been adapted for tuba. The Concerto for Bass Tuba is one of the most standard pieces in the tuba repertoire. For the purposes of this recital, both are accompanied by piano. The last three pieces are more contemporary and personal. Polka.com is a short, high-energy work for unaccompanied tuba. Cuba and That’s a Plenty feature solo tuba with CD …

Master's Recital In Jazz Pedagogy: A Performance-Demonstration Of Rhythm Section Instruments, Compositions And Arrangements By Nicholas Leo, Nicholas Leo

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The recital is presented to demonstrate skills and facility on the rhythm section instruments as well as to provide opportunity for the recitalist to present original compositions and arrangements. Proficiency on rhythm section instruments is necessary in that it offers, among other things, an understanding of the technical components and how they relate to the application of musical concepts of performance and education.

The curation of the recital program also functions as a representation of the recitalist’s artistic aesthetic, specifically in how it relates to pedagogy. The influential jazz educator and pianist Ran Blake asserts that an artist’s primary arsenal …

Faculty To Faculty Incivility In Iowa Nursing Education Programs, Candace Chihak

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Uncivil work relationships are common in several professions, including nursing. Experiences of incivility within nursing education have been well described in the relationships between students, students to faculty, and faculty to students, however, there is less empirical evidence on the presence of incivility between nursing faculty. Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to identify the perception of incivility in faculty-to-faculty relationships in nursing education. Additionally, this paper will look for relationships between nurse educators and their intentions to stay within higher education. Methods: Nursing faculty from one Midwest state were surveyed utilizing the Workplace Incivility Civility Survey (WICS). Additionally, …

Rod Library: Notes For The Stalled, V10n6, January 2018, University Of Northern Iowa. Rod Library.

Rod Library newsletter: Notes for the Stalled

Contents:

--Student Technology Fee
--Textbook Initiative
--Diversity Exhibits
--Upcoming Events

Blended Learning In Credit Recovery, Robin Kuhn

Graduate Research Papers

This project is to create a blended learning module for students who need to recover course credit in order to stay on track to graduate on time from a small rural district with limited teachers and face-to-face time. This project will eliminate the need for the district to pay for online credit recovery services and help avoid scheduling issues that may prevent completion of the high school curriculum by students who fail a class. The project will be tested with students within the district and, if successful, will be implemented for all students who need to recover course credit.

Blended Learning And Second Language Acquisition In The Classroom, Victoria R. Hamilton

Graduate Research Papers

This review investigates using a blended learning environment within a second language setting. The literature review presented three main themes to be considered as these two contexts were united: learner engagement in differing environments and with different activities, learner perceptions, and the outcomes found from such combinations. Twenty-eight peer-reviewed journal articles were analyzed. It is found that blended environments seem to add novelty and increase motivation and engagement of students in these settings. However, the pedagogical implementation of active learning such as collaboration, providing feedback, and using activities that have a communicative purpose seems to yield the best results. Learner …

A Song To Remember : The Effects Of Music Therapy On Individuals With Alzheimer's Disease, Gabrielle Woods

Honors Program Theses

The purpose of this creative thesis is to communicate the effects MT and music being used therapeutically can have on three residents in the midstage of dementia caused by AD. Residents from Thalman Square Memory Care Unit at Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls, Iowa and Parker Place Retirement Community in Parkersburg, Iowa participated in the exploration of this project. Three participants’ personal responses to music were recorded and made into a video documentary. This unique video contribution encapsulated each resident’s raw emotion and experience to impart the benefits of music interventions for caregivers and the general public’s understanding.

An Examination Of The Moderating Role Of Hormones On The Relationship Between Sleep Patterns And Mood Regulation, Claire A. Guderjahn

Honors Program Theses

A large body of research focuses on the relationship between sleep and mental health. Poor emotional regulation is costly to the individual’s physical and mental health as well as the wellbeing of the community and economy. To further understand emotional regulation, the current study examines the potential interaction of sleep patterns and hormones. The goal of the current study was to isolate the potentially moderating role of hormones, specifically epinephrine and norepinephrine, as moderators in the relationship of sleep patterns and emotional regulation. The hypotheses were that (1) there would be a strong positive relationship between sleep patterns and emotional …

Corruption In Public Education, Cade M. Olmstead

Undergraduate Student Work

Public education is a key civil institution, and its functions have important implications for the well-being and development any modern society. But as a public institution, it is not free from crime and corrupt influence, especially in areas dealing with monetary exchange. Much research has been conducted looking at corruption, but investigations and analyses specifically concerned with corruption in education are sparse. Inquiries into the state of corruption in the former Soviet bloc and China are present but research into the United States’ situation has hitherto been neglected. Reliable data must first be identified before such analyses can take place. …

Learning To Write, Writing To Learn: Cedar Valley High School Teachers' Use Of Formative Assessment, Kenna Marie Koster

Honors Program Theses

My goal for this thesis, as well as for my time at UNI, was to examine pedagogies that will inform my future practice as an English teacher, enabling me to provide a better learning environment for my future students through various means of assessment. In this study high school English teachers in three towns in the Midwest were interviewed to find out: (1) What is really going on in the writing classroom in terms of writing assessment? (2) How is formative assessment specifically being used in the writing classroom? And (3) Does the teacher find these methods effective? Speaking to …

Structured Dance Routines As An Effective Form Of Supplementary Treatment For The Symptoms Of Parkinson's Disease, Kate Bergin

Honors Program Theses

I chose to examine the effects of different styles of dance on individuals with Parkinson’s disease for of two reasons. The first being that I have a passion for dance. It has been a part of my life since I was five years old, and over the years it has brought me a lot of joy and allowed me to express my creativity. The second reason is that in the past I had heard that dance could be used as a form of therapy for various motor disorders, and I found that fascinating. I wanted to know which styles of …