Digital Commons Network^™

Assessment Of Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus Catenatus) In Berrien County Historical Sites, Roshelle M. Hall

Master's Theses

The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus; EMR) is a small robust pit viper currently found in nine states and the province of Ontario, Canada. Wetland habitats have experienced significant destruction and fragmentation by humans; as a result, the current distribution of the EMR is a fraction of its historic distribution. For this reason, the EMR has been federally listed as threatened. In general, little is known about the current distribution of this rattlesnake (in the southwest corner of Michigan, the size of local populations or their stability and genetic diversity. Much of this knowledge is based upon historical data. My …

Towards A Biblical Spirituality: Dwelling With God Through The Exodus Sanctuary-Covenant Structure, Silvia Canale Bacchiocchi

Master's Theses

Problem

Biblical spirituality was challenged from the very start of the Christian church by competing spiritual ideologies of philosophical origins. Because the interpretation of spirituality has focused on exegetical and doctrinal approaches (micro and mesohermeneutical levels), the grounding biblical macro-hermeneutical level of its basic presuppositions has been ignored. Yet this is the level that gives ultimate meaning to the meso and micro levels. This oversight constitutes a giant roadblock to understanding and experiencing true biblical spirituality, the consequences of which are devastating both for the individual believer (Matt 7:23), as well as for the mission, unity, and growth of the …

Interpreting Philippians 2:12, 13 Using The Great Controversy Metanarrative, Sikhululekile Daco

Master's Theses

Problem

Philippians 2:12, 13 present two paradoxical statements in direct juxtaposition. Verse twelve is an appeal to work out one’s own salvation, whereas verse thirteen acknowledges that it is God who does the work. How could Paul comfortably hold both views and present them in such close juxtaposition? How can this apparent contradiction of concepts be reconciled?

Method

While specialization in any given discipline affords the opportunity for greater depth of understanding, each theological discipline may augment one’s interpretation of a text. Philippians 2:12, 13 poses some interpretive challenges that can be mitigated by broadening one’s exegetical methodology to incorporate …

The Mission And Role Of Women In Graeco-Roman And Judeo-Christian Contexts, Fabienne Liana Maslet

Master's Theses

The place of women in the world has changed and progressed in the past decades. When I was a young girl, women were not really valued in the Church and in the service for God. There were always excuses not to allow them to serve God and they were rejected in a lot of areas in the Church service. However, the worse thing is that frequently women are the ones who are belittling themselves, who denigrate themselves, who undermine themselves or the capacities that God gave them to be used in Church. This occurs because they had been educated this …

From The Technology Gap To The Graduation Gap: Implications Of Technology Access And Postsecondary Success, Abigail Evans

Master's Theses

The gap in technology access in the United States is indicative of the larger inequalities that continue to plague our modern society. This research project focuses on the relationship between technology access and postsecondary success. Previous studies have established there is a connection between technology access and academic success, but many questions about how and when students access technology remain unanswered. in this thesis, I gather information from disparate sources to try and draw conclusions about the current state of technology in postsecondary education. This included research on technology use patterns among numerous demographic groups, information of the social behaviors …

Using Software-Defined Networking And Openflow Switching To Reroute Network Traffic Dynamically Based On Traffic Volume Measurements, Ihab Al Shaikhli

Master's Theses

Traditional switching and routing have been very effective for network packet delivery but does create some constraints. for example, all packets from a given source to a given destination must always take the same path. Within a traditional Ethernet network, a tree topology must be used. Software-Defined Networking (SDN) has the potential to bypass this tree-topology limitation by placing the control of the switches and their forwarding tables under a central device called a controller. SDN also allows for sets of controllers. the controller can identify individual network flows and issue commands to the switches to, in effect, assign individual …

The Mere Presence Effect: Attentional Bias Promoted By Smartphone Presence, Maria Del Pilar Bianchi Bosch

Master's Theses

Smartphones have become an essential part of modern life, offering access to entertainment, information, and social connections from anywhere, at any time. However, research has associated interactions with these devices with maladaptive behaviors and cognitive impairments. Furthermore, recent research has suggested that the mere presence of a smartphone can deplete cognitive resources. We sought to test the hypothesis that the perceptual salience of smartphones would negatively impact perceptual processes. Using a sample of college-aged students (N = 71), we tested whether the mere presence of a smartphone might affect reaction time and accuracy in a lateralized spatial configuration visual search …

Social Recommendation Systems, Avni Gulati

Master's Theses

In recent years, with the rise of online social networks, personalized recommendations that leverage the aspect of social connections have become a very intriguing domain for researchers. In this work, we explore how influence propagation and the decay in the cascading effect of influence from influential users can be leveraged to generate social graph-based recommendations. Understanding how influence propagates within a social network is itself a challenging problem. In this research, we model the decay in influence propagation in directed graphs, utilizing the structural properties of the social graph to measure the propagated influence beyond one-hop. This social network information …

Current Feedback-Based High Load Current Low Drop-Out Voltage Regulator In 65-Nm Cmos Technology, Melody Teoh

Master's Theses

The motivation for this paper was to design a current feedback-based high load current, low drop-out (LDO) voltage regulator. A bandgap voltage reference (BGR) was also designed in conjunction with the LDO to simulate realistic environments. The schematic was designed with Cadence Virtuoso Schematic XL, using the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) 65-nm CMOS library, used for Internet of Things (IoT) System on Chip (SoC) applications. The proposed capacitor-less LDO with BGR provided an average temperature coefficient (TC) of 13.34 ppm/℃ within the range of -40 to 125 ℃. This was in accordance with military standards to gain a higher …

The Whiteness Of The Elephant In The Room: How White Guilt, White Fragility, And Colorblind Racial Ideology Shape Environmental And Social Justice Activism In Santa Cruz County, Robert Michael Foran

Master's Theses

Using frameworks from critical race theory, social movement theory, and community-based activism, this thesis explores the phenomena of white fragility, white guilt, and colorblind racial ideology and how they impact the ways predominantly white-identified social and environmental justice organizations approach, build, and maintain solidarity with communities of color in Santa Cruz County, California. A qualitative approach was employed to investigate the experiences of white-identified activists and how they attempt to engage in this constantly challenging process. Using twenty-two semi-structured interviews and eight group observations, I explored how white-identified individuals negotiate the transformation from ‘moral passivity’ to meaningful, personal relationships with …

Hes1 Notch Response Elements And Their Roles In Rbpj-K Binding, Michael Majid Khayat

Master's Theses

The Notch signaling pathway is a one of few fundamentally conserved signal transduction pathways critical for metazoan cellular development. Upon ligand activation, the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) translocates to the nucleus and forms a transcription complex with C-binding promoter factor-1 (RBPJ-k/CBF-1/Suppressor of Hairless) and Mastermind-like protein (MAM). The DNA-binding factor, RBPJ-k, binds to a response element containing a consensus sequence of RTGRGAR (where R is G or A). When RBPJ-k interacts with the NICD and MAM, Notch target genes are activated. The most well-characterized gene for Notch is Hes1. Hes1 contains four Notch response elements (NREs), labeled NRE 1-4. Of …

Diversity Training Outcomes: Assessing Impact Of Diversity Training On Attitudes Towards Societal Diversity And Cognitive Empathy, Iris Lenette Smith

Master's Theses

Understanding the perspectives of others and appreciating their differences are important due to diversity increasing in society. However, research on diversity has seldom examined the ineffectiveness of diversity training on attitudes towards societal diversity and cognitive empathy. The present study was conducted to examine how diversity training affects one’s attitudes toward societal diversity and cognitive empathy. It was hypothesized that attitudes towards societal diversity and cognitive empathy would improve as a result of diversity training. Gender and ethnicity were also hypothesized to interact with diversity training such that women and ethnic minorities would show more positive attitudes towards societal diversity …

Predicting Spatial Distributions Of Demersal Fishes Off Central California, Anne Catherine Tagini

Master's Theses

Seafloor maps are often used in species distribution modeling (SDM), where maps are paired with fish observations to create models predicting habitat suitability, species density, or species biomass. Problems with the current use of SDM include limited understanding of species relationships with benthic morphology, lack of practical model testing, and deficiency of information on the effects of map resolution on population estimates. A drop camera was used to gather observations of fishes along Central California and paired with remotely sensed bathymetry to create predictive models and maps of species density and biomass. I found that relationships with remotely sensed habitat …

Assessment Of Peregrine Falcon (Falco Peregrinus Anatum) Nesting Habitat In The San Francisco Bay Area, Prabha Venu

Master's Theses

Human encroachment into natural environments fragments and degrades the habitat for many species and raptors such as the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) have adapted to the urban environment, co-existing with humans and other wildlife. The habitat preference of the American peregrine falcon subpopulation, F. p. anatum was investigated in the densely urbanized San Francisco Bay Area. In this research, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications to evaluate ten environmental attributes and their influence on 47 nesting sites were used. Distances from peregrine falcon nesting sites to two federally listed prey species the California least tern (Sterna antillarum browni) and the western …

Interkulturelle Kompetenz Im Fremdsprachenunterricht In Österreich: Ein Adaptierungsversuch Einer Schulbucheinheit Anhand Des Rfcdc Des Council Of Europe, Caroline Jäger

Master's Theses

Die Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit den Fragen, welches Modell von interkultureller Kompetenz für den Fremdsprachenunterricht in Österreich geeignet ist und wie eine praktische Implementierung des selbigen in Form eines Adaptierungsversuches einer Schulbucheinheit aussehen könnte.

Neben einer Vorstellung des Reference Framework for Democratic Culture (RFCDC) des Council of Europe werden seine Parallelen mit dem Lehrplan der Neuen Mittelschule in Österereich herausgearbeitet. Im Zuge einer Analyse der vorhandenen Kompetenzen des RFCDC an einem Kapitel des Schulbuchs More! 4 wird dessen Konzept praktisch greifbar. Die Ergebnisse werden anschließend kritisch reflektiert; in weiterer Folge werden Ideen und Anregungen zu einer potentiellen, vertieften Anwendung der …

Tall Tales Of Danger And Security: How A Critical Human Security Approach Can Address Major Contradictions Revealed Through A Critical Narrative Analysis Of Dominant U.S. Security Strategies, Stephen Schneider

Master's Theses

Over many generations, humans have developed many perspectives and practices regarding the best ways to recognize and address what they perceive to be dangerous. Stories are used to help shape and narrate perceptions about the world, and they serve to pass on vital information that impacts how a society responds to threats and vulnerabilities. These narratives of danger and security are subjective to the experiences and political intentions of society, and therefore in many ways are partial and biased in their assessments and policies. This results in flawed security practices that may actually exacerbate threats or create new insecurities. What …

Looming Large: An Analysis And Evaluation On The Growth Of The Urban Informal Economy In Nigeria., Tamunotonye A. Sekibo Iii

Master's Theses

The Informal Economy looms large! The importance, magnitude and significance of the vast range of socio-economic activities taking place within and across diverse spaces of informality, particularly in nations situated in the Global South; can neither be overstated or underestimated. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO, 2018 p.v), approximately 60% of the world’s employed population - 2 billion people - obtain their source of income through their engagement in informal spaces.

Triple Bottom Line As A Method To Increase Business Value And Foster Positive Social And Environmental Change, Jayleene West

Master's Theses

The Triple Bottom Line (TBL) business model has transformed the business world by changing the way businesses operate. By focusing on the people and the environment, businesses have grown to see substantial profit and avoid risks along the way. Companies are using the TBL to build their brand and customer loyalty by enhancing the environment and society. This paper analyzes four companies that are leaders in their industry and are founded on the TBL; Seventh Generation, New Belgium Brewing, Patagonia, and Ben & Jerry’s. Recommendations have been made by performing a literature review on the advantages and disadvantages of the …

Impacts Of Globalization: Educational Reforms Shifts The Public Into A Recurrent Devalued Socioeconomic Era For Minorities, Jacqulyn Washington

Master's Theses

This article delves into the breakdown of the impact globalization have on the success of minorities in urban centers. While expanding on the many factors that contribute to the success of minorities, it informs the reader how education, being a huge indicator of success, has been underserved to the poor and minorities. Lacking many resources, this blockage has been further strained through the local government, multinational corporations, educational reforms, and Translocal politics.

On Education And Family: Testimonios Of Latina Immigrant Daughters, Monica Chavez

Master's Theses

Latina college students must balance the needs of family while navigating pursuit of a college degree. Using testimonio, I explore how family and self-identity influenced the educational journeys of four Latinas who attended and graduated college in the 1990’s and early 2000’s. Utilizing the frameworks of mestiza consciousness and subject formation, I uncover the ways their status as first-generation college student, second-generation immigrant daughter, and Latina manifested expectations (from family and self) and feelings of apprehension and loneliness that came to define their college experience. Through the process of testimonio and critical selfreflection, solidarity can be established and the process …

A Discourse Analysis Of Diversity And Inclusion Terminology In The High-Tech Industry, Michelle Nader

Master's Theses

The field of Diversity and Inclusion is a growing interest within the High-Tech industry, particularly within the San Francisco Bay Area of California. To combat misconceptions of Diversity and Inclusion, this thesis aims to define and analyze the language used at 20 companies in the High-Tech sector. The trends, nuances, and practices of how companies use language in their programming and data dictates the direction of the company. This thesis investigates the underlying complexities of where Diversity and Inclusion is within the industry today and goals for the future. Findings from this research suggest that companies can strengthen their Diversity …

The Integration Of Syrian Refugees In Turkey Via Education, Aysenur Hacioglu

Master's Theses

The Syrian conflict, which was initiated as a pro-democratic movement against Bashar Assad’s government, has displaced millions of people both internally and externally. Since the beginning of the conflict, 6.6 million people are internally displaced, while 5.6 million people seek refuge in other countries. Many Syrians scattered to neighboring countries, principally Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt. Turkey, who shares the longest borderline with Syria, hosts 63 percent of the total number of Syrian refugees, currently at more than 3.5 million (UNHCR, 2018b). However, Turkey as the country with the highest number of refugees in the world does not legally …

Inside The Virtual Ambazonia: Separatism, Hate Speech , Disinformation And Diaspora In The Cameroonian Anglophone Crisis, Sombaye Eyango Jules Roger

Master's Theses

This study examines the dynamics of the anglophone separatist claims in Cameroon, the so-called “Anglophone Crisis”. I focus on explaining why the separatist claims reemerged in 2016 after being shut down for about 20 years. It explains how the Anglophone separatist revendications have sustained over time despite the extremely centralized power of the Paul Biya government.This paper first argues that the Anglophone Crisis is more than an identity struggle between Anglophone/Francophone Cameroonians, but rather a conflict about historical and institutional grievances, political competition, and regional politics involving the neighboring state of Nigeria.

Second, it verifies the hypothesis that the sustainability …

The Media Representation And Misrepresentation Of Refugees: A Comparison Between Us And French Media, Ali Al-Thani

Master's Theses

This project is the study of the differences and similarities between news reporting, using specific media frames, in the US and France in regard to the representation of refugees in newspapers. I gathered a total of 213 articles written during the period of January 1, 2017 until September 30, 2018. Those articles were taken from two major newspapers in the US, The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal and two major newspapers in France, Le Monde and Le Figaro. For this research, I used content analysis in order to analyze the news articles reporting on the subject of …

An Exploratory Study Of Acculturation Experiences Of Graduate Student Immigrants At The University Of San Francisco, Courtney Lamar

Master's Theses

This study explores the shared challenges during the acculturation process of graduate student immigrants pursuing higher education in the United States. 13 graduate student immigrants at the University of San Francisco discuss their experiences of cultural adjustment into U.S. culture. Through qualitative interviews and thematic analysis, this study seeks to understand the acculturation experiences of graduate student immigrants in the San Francisco Bay Area of the United States. This analysis is based on the individual-level experience examining attitudes and acculturation strategies in the dominant society. Analysis, possibly policy implication for institutions of higher education, and possible directions for future research …

Understanding Women´S Empowerment Through Indigenous Epistemologies: An Alternative Approach To Development?, Melissa Klara Vonimary Søvik

Master's Theses

Development projects that aim at empowering women have gained popularity among many actors and institutions in the field of development for their capacity to contribute in development and economic growth. Nevertheless, the concept of empowerment has also gained critics from various stands claiming it to be too technical, and not taking into account social relations in contexts where other epistemologies exist. It is necessary to adapt these kind of terms taking into account local world-views. This thesis explores the dynamics of women's empowerment in Tzeltal Mayan communities in Chiapas, Mexico. It aims at understanding the way empowerment is manifested in …

It Could Never Last: Why British Sovereignty And Its Influence Since 1945 Resulted In Brexit, Jeffrey Brandt

Master's Theses

The EU Referendum of June 2016 marked a watershed moment for the United Kingdom, as it sought to once again reassert its sovereignty and retake its place in the world as an independent state, free from European Union infringement. The British are usually seen as the cussid ones in Europe, stubbornly holding on to their principles and traditions of sovereignty. But why is that? Carefully tracing UK history, particularly from the end of the Second World War to the present day, it becomes understandable why the result of the 2016 referendum should not be quite a surprise. Studying events in …

Social Capital And Resilience In Times Of Disaster: A Case Of Leyte Province In The Philippines, Karmela Beatriz Galura

Master's Theses

Social capital and its elements such as trust, reciprocity, and collective action have always been linked to a community’s resilience during and after natural disasters. Using a qualitative approach, I explore the role social capital played in the recovery of communities in the province of Leyte in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in 2013. I also examine whether trust was a key element in the role social capital played. Through surveys and interviews, I explore the ways in which trust and perceptions of it could be the materialization of certain values and practices in local Filipino culture which contributed to …

Afterschool Educators' Teaching Practices Through Tinkering: Nurturing Student Collaboration, Engagement, And Development Of Self-Confidence, Lianna Kali

Master's Theses

Since the early 2000s constructionist pedagogy has become an increasingly popular trend in both formal and informal science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) learning environments to support transformative educational outcomes through the making of personally meaningful objects and artifacts. But with this rise in popularity comes a challenge for educators: understanding what are the teaching practices that are most effective in a maker-centered learning environment to support student learning. Through an ethnographic case study of the teaching practices in a tinkering afterschool program, this study examines the core pedagogical facilitation moves of tinkering educators and investigates how those moves …

Finding And Making Home: Poems And Reflections Of Undergraduate Children Of Immigrants, Gladys Perez

Master's Theses

The number of children of immigrants within the United States has grown over the past few decades and more so we are seeing a greater number of these children pursuing a higher education. With a growing number of undergraduate children of immigrants growing, there is a need to understand how they see themselves as a part of the United States. Previous studies take into consideration how these students navigate higher education, however, there is a lack of research on these students’ larger understanding of belonging within the overall nation. Poetry as data and a process was the grounding methodology that …