Digital Commons Network^™

Intraindividual Personality Change: Situational Influences, Patterns Of Change, And Frequency-Based Measurement, Carol Tweten

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

A large amount of research supports the idea that little change in personality occurs over time (e.g., Caspi & Roberts, 2001). However, changes in an individual’s personality across different situations, known as intraindividual, or within-person, variability, has not received nearly as much empirical attention, in part due to the difficulties inherent in measuring personality across situations. The present study evaluated a measure of within-person variability called frequency-based measurement by comparing it with situational personality expression. The study involved two phases: a one-time measure of trait personality using frequency-based measurement and a five day experience sampling (ESM) study involving repeated measures …

Gender Differences In Self-Concept Consistency And Career Choices Under Stereotype Threat, Asha Ganesan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Associating careers with a specific gender can lead to women and men turning away from jobs atypical of their gender (e.g., math-related for women and care-related for men). The effects of stereotype threat, defined as the negative impact associated with the fear of confirming negative stereotypes about one’s social group (Steele & Aronson, 1995) on women and men’s working self-concept (a dynamic view of oneself) may provide some insight as to whether genderization of careers can affect women and men at the individual level. The current research examined the role played by gender-related stereotype threat cues in self-concept consistency (SCC). …

Effects Of A Short Term Mental Skills Training Program On Mental Toughness, Mitchell Edward Mleziva

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Context: Mental toughness is considered to be one of the most important psychosocial skills an athlete can attain to be successful in sports competition. Mental toughness has also been acknowledged as one of the most popular terms used in sport psychology and is the least understood. The majority of mental toughness research focuses on how mental toughness should be defined, is developed, and the key aspects of mental toughness. Minimal research has examined whether an athlete’s mental toughness can change or improve due to the use of a mental skills training program. Objective: To determine if mental toughness can change …

Effectiveness Of Preschool Lessons For Active Youngsters (Play) Curriculum On The Gross Motor Development And Physical Activity Level Of Preschool Children, Karyn K. Finn

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Presumably, energy balance can help to stabilize and ultimately reverse the rising rates of childhood obesity. Research findings generally point to a positive association between preschool children’s motor skill competence and their level of physical activity. This study was conducted as part of Project PLAY (Preschool Lessons for Active Youngsters) to objectively evaluate Project PLAY curriculum in order to provide childcare centers with an outcome-based curriculum that can improve motor skill development and positively affect physical activity level. This study used a quasi-experimental, cross over design with pre-mid-post assessment of motor skills and physical activity. The study was conducted with …

Education At Its Corp, Steven Michael Pals

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The Great Depression brought about a trial the likes of which the United States had never seen. People from all walks of life found themselves out of work, money, and hope. The depression effected all peoples but each group differently. The working class underwent deeper hardships then most. The New Deal was the brainchild of President Franklin Roosevelt designed to assist the country in getting out of the Great Depression. The New Deal programs included a number of public works programs, which created jobs for the unemployed, including the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was designed to employ unemployed …

Do Offenders' Life Goals Reflect Locus Of Control And Personality Traits?, Luci L. Dumas

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

According to the Good Lives Model (Ward, 2002) it is imperative that offenders in rehabilitation recognize which life goals are important to them and how they can achieve a ‘good life.’ Including the evaluation of life goals in treatment can be beneficial not only for the individuals being treated but for the community into which they are transitioning. Seventy-six male, residential offenders were assessed on type and perception of life goals during semi-structured interviews. They also completed a personality inventory, locus of control scale, and self-esteem scale. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses for types of goals and perception of goals were …

Homocysteine Intensifies Embryonic Lim3 Expression In Migratory Neural Crest Cells: A Quantitative Confocal Microscope Study, Jordan Naumann

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Elevated levels of homocysteine in maternal blood and amniotic fluid are associated with cardiovascular, renal, skeletal, and endocrine diseases and also with embryonic malformations related to neural crest cells. Neural crest cells are necessary for the formation of tissues and organs throughout the body of vertebrate animals. The migration of neural crest cells is essential for proper development of the target tissues. When migration is disrupted, abnormalities may occur. Migration is affected by transcriptional factor LIM3 protein, which regulates the dynamic components of the neural crest cell cytoskeleton. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that exogenous …

Examining The Effectiveness Of Using An Ipad-Based Video Modeling Plus Video Prompting Package To Teach Conversation Skills To Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Mohammed M. Alzayer

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an iPad-based video modeling plus video prompting package to teach conversational skills to students with autism. A single subject multiple baseline across four children with autism design was used. Two typically developing children were involved to fulfill the video modeling and video prompting roles. Videos were created of peer models answering questions and responding to comments in complete sentences. On the videos, the questions and comments were asked by actual teachers and the peer models answered and provided comments in complete sentences in order for the target children to …

The Phylogenetics And Systematics Of Physaria Kingii (Brassicaceae), Jamie Minnaert-Grote

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The subspecies of Physaria kingii (S. Watson) O’Kane and Al-Shehbaz (Brassicaceae) have historically been a difficult group to delimit taxonomically based on morphology, geography, and ecology. The taxa have been moved between genera as well among varieties, subspecies, and full species many times over. This study addressed the systematics relationships of the subspecies of P. kingii using a combination of molecular (both nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences), morphological, geographical, and ecological data. Three non-coding DNA regions were chosen: the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA and the chloroplast rps intron and the chloroplast ndhC-trnV intergenic spacer. Eighty-seven …

The Economic Impacts Of Annual Community Festivals: A Case Of The Sturgis Falls Celebration, 2013, Chelsea Mae Tolle

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study examines spending patterns and economic impact of visitors to the community of Cedar Falls, Iowa for the annual Sturgis Falls Celebration. The following aspects of festival tourism development were addressed: (1) visitors’ travel motivations and satisfaction; (2) visitors’ spending patterns and (3) the economic impacts of Sturgis Falls Celebration visitors in Black Hawk and contiguous counties.

The data for the study was collected using a questionnaire based intercept survey that was distributed to the attendees at the Sturgis Falls Celebration during the festival in 2013. Of the residents and visitors in attendance at the festival, 539 people participated …

A Master's Recital In Flute, Tara Lynn Meade

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Tara Lynn Meade performed a graduate flute recital at eight o’clock in the evening on Friday, March 7, 2014 in Davis Hall at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Collaborating with Ms. Meade on selected works were pianists Polina Khatsko and Brittany Lensing and flutists Mara Miller and Natalie Neshyba. The recital was presented in partial fulfillment of a Master of Music in flute performance. The program opened with a set of contrasting fantasies — Telemann’s Fantasia No. 3 in B Minor, a baroque work for solo flute, followed by François Borne’s virtuosic Fantasie brillante on themes from Bizet’s Carmen. …

Graduate Recital In Choral Conducting, Alice Reid Pruisner

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Alice Reid Pruisner presented her graduate recital in choral conducting in four parts. The first section, presented on September 20, 2013, was J.S. Bach’s sacred cantata BWV 84, Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, performed by UNI’s Cantorei and members of the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra. The featured soprano soloists were Michelle Joy Monroe and Lara Wasserman. The second section, presented on October 24, 2013, included selections from Giovanni Battista Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater, performed by UNI’s Women’s Chorus and members of the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra. The Varsity Men’s Glee Club, accompanied by Jessica Schick, also performed a set of …

A Graduate Recital In Voice, Brent M. Smith

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Brent Smith presented his graduate recital on March 3, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. in Davis Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Perfroming Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus. The program consisted of four sets of music, in collaboration with pianist Jessica Schick, by the composers Theron Kirk, Robert Schumann, Francis Poulenc and Tom Lehrer. This abstract discusses musical and historical features of the recital pieces in the order of the program.

Development Of Leaf Shape And Vein Homologies In Five Species Of The Genus Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae), Austin William Jones

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Angiosperm leaves are extremely variable in form while predominantly maintaining the function of the primary photosynthetic organ of the plant. Changes in leaf form can result from myriad physiological processes which may be influenced by ecology, physical stimuli, phylogeny, or other factors. In studying the development of divergent leaf forms among closely related species, conserved morphological elements may be identified that are not apparent in the mature form. The genus Ipomoea (Convolvulaceae) contains over 600 species and a wide range in leaf shapes. Five species, I. purpurea, I. coccinea, I. sloteri, I. quamoclit, and I. cairica show a range in …

Instructors' Perceptions Of Their Own Effectiveness, Abdullah S. Al-Asmari

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study is to explore the effectiveness of college instructors regarding the role of credibility and nonverbal immediacy in teacher’s effective behavior in the classroom. It seeks to understand instructors’ perceptions of the importance of nonverbal immediacy and its impact on their credibility. A qualitative method was used to examine the perceptions of instructors. A sample table and two graphs provide numeric indicators to illustrate the study’s results. Participants were selected based on a convenience sampling of twelve instructors from a communication department at a mid-sized Midwestern university. Although the sample is one of convenience, efforts were …

Professional Educators Of Iowa Member Perspectives About Iowa State Education Association And National Education Association Membership And Political Activities, Melissa Kay Reade

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

As Moe (2011) contended, “The teachers unions have tremendous influence over the nation’s schools, yet they have been poorly studied” (p. 18). The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the attitudes, beliefs, and values of current Professional Educators of Iowa (PEI) members who either opted to join, discontinue, or bypass membership with Iowa State Education Association/National Education Association (ISEA/NEA). Specifically, this study aimed to understand the factors that influenced their membership decisions. Lastly, this study further explored the degree to which former ISEA/NEA members were aware, involved, and aligned with NEA political activities and how the political activities …

Graduate Recital In Composition, Joseph Carey

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This graduate composition recital was a compilation recital of two separate events. The first was a public recital which took place on 29 March 2013. This recital included three main pieces: in the day, cloak + dagger, and Fib. The second event was a reading session of Corpus Loci by UNI Concert Chorale, which took place on 14 November 2013. This abstract will summarize the structural, rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic components of each of these pieces, and will recognize and acknowledge the many musicians who donated their time to make this recital possible.

Development Of A Multi-Mode Self-Adaptive Algorithm To Create An Efficient Wireless Network On A University Campus, Melanie L. Abbas

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The expanding use of ubiquitous computing has created a significant demand on existing network infrastructures. The demands of voice, video, and data on the same medium require a quality of service (QoS) at a level acceptable to users. Many network providers simply scale their networks to increase bandwidth and hardware to deal with the increasing demands. However, a network may still reach its design limits with peak traffic or malicious overuse of resources. In addition, with technology changing at a rapid pace, it is difficult to provide sufficient staffing to monitor and adjust the network settings to avoid issues during …

Secondary Teachers As Early Childhood Principals: A Qualitative Case Study, Brian Dale Kingrey

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Research has demonstrated a correlation between effective education leaders, principals in particular, and student achievement. The correlation included characteristics, or responsibilities, that effective principals exhibit in order to raise student achievement. These responsibilities, along with developmentally appropriate practices, serve as conceptual frameworks for this case study. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of preschool through third grade teachers who have served under principals with early childhood/elementary backgrounds and those with backgrounds in middle/secondary education. This qualitative case study focused on 10 Iowa early childhood classroom teachers in grades preschool through third. Further, all participants currently …

Geometric Morphometric Analysis Of Skeletal Shape Variation Across The Pleuronectiformes, Corinthia R. Black

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Pleuronectiformes, commonly called flatfishes, is a large order of highly specialized fishes that display two eyes on one side of the head. Comprised of approximately 716 species, flatfishes share many similar characteristics. However, the complex history of the classification of the group reveals the diversity of shape across the order. This study focused on the diversity of shape across the order by examining skeletal elements. Landmark-based geometric morphometrics was used to visualize shape variation across the order of Pleuronectiformes. A total of 457 specimens were radiographed from collections at the University of Kansas Natural History Museum and the Smithsonian National …

Solitary, Anita Ellen Schuck

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This novella explores the themes of isolation and captivity. Millie Canfield feels isolated and held captive by her family. She dreams of freedom and beauty, only to see her attempts to achieve it repeatedly undone. She flees from family to marriage, only to experience isolation and captivity in a different form. She wants to be rescued, but she is oblivious to outside attempts to help. Millie also holds herself captive, torn between her perceived wants and obligations. She feels isolated, but she has isolated herself. When she at last achieves a measure of freedom, it is more a case of …

3d Variability In Ball Toss And Impact Location For Tennis Serves In Collegiate Female Players, Javier Ignacio Hervas

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Recent research has been focusing in the tennis serve to get deeper knowledge about its phases and the factors involved for better performance. This study analyses one aspect of the tennis serve that it was not being considered before, and not too much information was available to the public: The tennis ball toss. A player who can develop consistency and a high efficiency of serve percentage during a tennis match will increase their chances of success. The objective of the tennis serve is to place the ball in the opposite court within the opposite serve quadrant to where the opponent …

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) And Borderline Personality Disorder (Bpd): Examining The Overlapping Features, Co-Occurrence, And Sex Differences, Brittany Lewno

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Research connecting Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) is growing. The disorders share several overlapping characteristics, neurological deficits, and similar comorbid disorders. Although these disorders are typically sex-specific, the presence of externalizing and internalizing characteristics may link these disorders. These commonalities have resulted in a developing theory suggesting that a childhood ADHD diagnosis may predict adult BPD symptoms. The current study aimed to test this developing theory. The sample included 175 emerging adults (64.6% female). A demographics measure, the Barkley Adult-ADHD Rating Scale—IV (BAARS-IV), and the Personality Assessment Inventory Borderline Personality Features Subscale (PAI-BOR) were administered in …

An Enhanced Pulse Position Modulation (Ppm) In Ultra-Wideband (Uwb) Systems, Lingxiu Chen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Simplicity, transmission rate, and bit error rate (BER) performance are three major concerns for ultra-wideband (UWB) systems. The main advantage of existing pulse-position modulation (PPM) schemes is simplicity, but their BER performance is poorer than that of an on-off-keying (OOK) modulation scheme, and their transmission rate is lower than that of an OOK scheme. In this research project, I will explore a novel PPM scheme, which can maintain the simplicity of the PPM schemes as well as achieve a BER performance and a transmission rate similar to the OOK scheme. During the research, I will thoroughly investigate the relationship between …

Understanding The Impact Of Vegetation On Surface Roughness Length For Enhancing Wind Resource Characterization In Iowa, Andrei Vladimirovich Kushkin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Wind energy development shows a rapid growth in the United States. This renewable energy source not only mitigates environmental concerns by reducing greenhouse gas emission, but also provides energy independence. Wind is clean and abundant, and is one of the most promising sources of alternative energy. Iowa is among the top wind energy producers in the nation, it is third by installed capacity and first in per capita production. In order to utilize wind resource potential most efficiently, accurate wind resource assessments are required. Changes in the aerodynamic characteristics of a site can have a major influence on the wind …

The Effects Of Living In A Springboard House During One's First Year At The University Of Northern Iowa, Laura Trettin

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This study examines the effects and benefits of college students residing in a Springboard house community at UNI during one’s entire freshmen year. Springboard house communities are unique to the University of Northern Iowa as they provide a living environment in which first-year students can self-select to participate. However, there is no common class that complements the community. In addition, the RAs do not go through any separate training to learn how to work with the springboard house students, but they do offer programming that is geared towards first-year students. This study investigated the freshmen experience by gathering data regarding …

Reducing Child Neglect In Linn County Iowa Utilizing The Public Health Model, Jennifer April Barnett

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The issues that arise from child neglect cause a myriad of negative health outcomes. The objective of this thesis is to examine the use of the public health model as a preventive method in decreasing the incidence of child neglect. This study was conducted utilizing a survey that obtained information from 333 parents in Linn County, Iowa. The survey was created to gather social norms related to parenting. The survey gathered data on personal parenting practices and opinions of parenting practices of others within the community. Univariate and bivariate analysis were conducted to report demographics, frequencies in responses and the …

A Clustering Based Matrix For Selecting Optimal Tools And Techniques In Quality Management, Hassan A. Alsultan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this research was to explore a systematic pattern for selecting quality tools and techniques in the manufacturing and service industries. This study asked, “What are the best DMAIC tools and techniques concerning circumstances of quality dimensions of products and services?” To answer this question, this research developed innovative, diagnostic matrices by mimicking the contradiction matrix of the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ). These innovative matrices are intended to help non-expert users to select the best sets of quality tools and techniques for solving different quality problems. By conducting a cluster analysis, the researcher uncovered homogeneous patterns …

A Study Of College Student Attitudes And Behaviors Related To Recycling, Mark Allen Wilcox

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

There is an abundance of research on environmental attitudes and recycling; specifically however college students are very under represented. This population is one that is very important as these individuals will be the ones making decisions, privately and politically, with regards to recycling programs in their communities. By understanding their attitudes and behaviors in college, those designing recycling programs can develop and modify programs to suit their needs, and education programs can be prepared to better inform these individuals. The purpose of this study was to study the attitudes and behaviors of college students related to recycling. To accomplish this, …

Doorways And Walls: Peer Coaching As A Means To Change Instructional Practice, Chad Garber

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Joyce and Showers (1980) described the impact that a peer coaching relationship can have on teachers as they work to transfer learning that occurs during professional learning opportunities to the classroom. Theory, demonstration, practice, and feedback are critical elements of professional development, yet, according to some research, only when the support of a peer coaching practice is provided, will significant numbers of teachers (as many as 90%) implement new strategies into the classroom. The purpose of this study was to determine if the presence of a peer coaching relationship impacts the instructional practice of high school English teachers. This qualitative …