Digital Commons Network^™

Inentives And Education: Experimental Evidence From Medellin, Colombia, Theodore D. Wisinski, Alessandra Cassar

Master's Theses

This research uses an experimental design to investigate how incentive structure influences goal achievement among disadvantaged high school students in Medellin, Colombia. Of particular interest is how treatment effects influence school performance as well as how this may vary with differing key characteristics of the participants. Medellin, Colombia, like much of South America suffers from high levels of inequality in the city proper. Improving educational outcomes in impoverished neighborhoods is essential for the growth of these neighborhoods and the greater community in which they are located. The model used in this experiment is inspired by the Family Independence Initiative (FII). …

Political Intrusion On Firms: Effects Of Elections On Bank Lending In India, Shivprasad Prabhakar Gunjal

Master's Theses

This paper examines the intrusion of political system on performance of Indian firms, employing state and constituency level financial borrowing panel data by firms from domestic banks from 2010 to 2015. Using conditional logistic and fixed effects regression models, the results suggests that firms located in regions aligned politically with the ruling party enjoy possible preferential access to financing from banks. We find average productivity efficiency loss of 2.77% in the short term as a result of politically motivated redistribution of scarce capital. These political effects are statistically robust to the inclusion of region fixed effects, time fixed effects and …

La Madre Competitiva: An Experimental Study Of Women's Competitiveness In Medellin, Colombia, Miranda I. Lambert

Master's Theses

Abstract: This project is a follow up to Cassar, Wordofa, and Zhang (2015), which aimed at testing whether extending incentives beyond cash would alter the estimated competitive tendencies of men and women. Here we extend this work to an urban Colombian setting. In the previous study conducted in China, men have proven more competitive than women; however, once the incentive changes to a child-benefitting voucher, women increased their likeliness to compete. This research uses statistical and regression analysis to test whether or not women become more competitive when competing for a voucher, which directly benefits their child as opposed to …

Income Shocks And The Acceptance Of Intimate Partner Violence In Indonesia, Matthew N. Krupoff

Master's Theses

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue affecting 1 in 3 women worldwide. Despite the negative welfare impacts, it is still seen as acceptable in some parts of the world, even amongst women. This paper examines how elastic these accepting attitudes towards IPV are to changing economic conditions. Specifically, this paper focuses on changes in intra-household resources from negative shocks to male-sourced income. The setting and context takes place in coastal communities in Indonesia, where fishing is a main source ofincome generated primarily by men. This paper uses satellite-derived fishing conditions to measure how women's attitudes towards IPV change …

Agricultural Technology Adoption And Adaptation Under Climate Change: Microevidence From Niger, Berenger Djoumessi Tiague

Master's Theses

Many regions of Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are experiencing fast increases in human population pressure and urbanization. By 2050, feeding a planet of 9 billion people will require an estimated 50 percent increase in agricultural production. Farmers in in the Sahel are exposed to a highly variable weather over time, and to their limited adaptive capacity, therefore often use livestock as income generator, export earnings, and as insurance against weather risk. There is an increasing demand for livestock products, which increase pressure on crop residues use on the land. In this study, I use panel socio-economic data combined with village rainfall …

Aspirations As A Component Of Life Satisfaction: A Look At Female Microfinance Borrowers In Oaxaca, Mexico, Joseph E. Kemler

Master's Theses

This research is an extension to the Oaxaca Hope Project by B. Wydick and T.J. Lybbert. How does an individual gauge her own satisfaction with life? Previous research has noted that many domains make up overall life satisfaction, i.e. career satisfaction, family life satisfaction & social life satisfaction. A burgeoning topic in this regard is the role that aspirations play in life satisfaction. Using survey data from female microfinance borrowers in Oaxaca, Mexico this project attempts to analyze the affect previous aspirations have on life satisfaction. By creating an “aspirational window” we objectively attempt to gauge the relationship between “high” …

Financial Sector Development And Agricultural Productivity, John J. Onoja

Master's Theses

Global concern is rising about the performance of the agricultural sector in view of its integral role in poverty alleviation, economic development and meeting an ever-increasing nutritional demand. At the epicenter of the concern is declining productivity due to poor financial inclusion of the sector leading to low investment and returns to agriculture. A cursory examination of the existing literature on the subject reveals quite varied dimensions to the analysis of agriculture productivity-financial development nexus. Focusing on the role of financial sector development as a catalyst to agricultural productivity, we employ panel data and advances fixed-effects econometrics approach to empirically …

Better Alternatives For Youth: Peace, Education And Human Rights, Abraham Jones

Master's Theses

Many urban youth in the United States live in what are identified as high stress neighborhoods, where trauma is a normative reality within which common life themes permeate. Colloquially, the communities in these high stress areas reclaim space by naming them as hoods, barrios and ghettos. However, depending on one’s perception, these words can have a negative connotation. Even when these communities hold various forms of community cultural wealth and capital, urban narratives are often dominated by false common perceptions that associate these spaces with the violence that occurs within them. There is a need for spaces that produce counter …

Embodying The Oppressed And The Oppressor: Critical Mixed Race Studies For Liberation And Social Justice Education, Gwendlyn C. Snider

Master's Theses

This study will focus on the educational and social experiences of mixed race Filipinx PEP (Pin@y Educational Partnerships) instructors in the San Francisco/Bay Area and the connection of these various, lived experiences to their teaching pedagogy and praxis in Ethnic Studies curriculum. The main purpose of this research is to create additional evidence for the need of critical mixed race studies and acknowledgement of mixed race students’ unique experiences to be valued and included in Ethnic Studies curriculum. In addition, the research will also serve as reaffirmation of not only the efficacy of Ethnic Studies curriculum but also the need …

C(Sp2)–H Functionalizations Employing 2-Aminophenyl-1h-Pyrazole As A New Removable Directing Group, Wan-Chen Lee

Master's Theses

2-Aminophenyl-1H-pyrazole (2-APP) was discovered as a novel removable bidentate directing group for copper-mediated aerobic oxidative C(sp2)–H bond amidation and sulfonamidation bearing a wide range of sulfonamides, When Cu(OAc)2 was employed as the copper source, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine (TMG) as an organic base, the reaction, optimally carried out overnight in DMSO at 80 °C in open air, produced a variety of products in moderate to excellent yields. In addition, C(sp2)–H bond chlorination has been developed by using this auxiliary, employing trichloroacetamide as a new chlorine source. Furthermore, this unprecedented directing group also can assist copper-mediated regio-selective hydroxylation, and ortho-alkynylation/annulation by using Cu(OAc)2 as …

With Language Brings Light: Narratives By Deaf Ethiopians And Their Right To Sign Language, Jackie M. Eugster

Master's Theses

The goal of this case study is to share the narratives of Deaf individuals in Ethiopia and how the Deaf community uses Deaf Community Cultural Wealth in order to explore and flourish in audist and colonized spaces. This study engaged photovoice, in a participatory action research technique that can empower and enhance the community’s sense of identity (Wang & Burris, 1997). This study considers the influence of American missionaries and how colonization of African nations has also influenced the trajectory of Deaf education in Ethiopia. Moving away from deficient thinking, DCCW attempts to reframe the Deaf experience as one that …

Ambiguity Aversion: Adoption, Uptake, And Trends, Adam Franklin

Master's Theses

What is ambiguity aversion and what is its role as a determinant of technology adoption? This study develops and implements a novel ambiguity preference instrument in the context of an ongoing RCT pilot program in southwest Uganda promoting adoption of an improved variety of sweet potato. No correlation between ambiguity aversion and crop adoption is observed, although it is suspected that RCT treatment arms including supply- and demand-side information reduced the ambiguity of the new variety, probably overcoming any ambiguity-preference-related constraints and clouding the picture. Methodological lessons learned regarding the development and implementation of an apporopriate ambiguity preference measure point …

Development And Application Of A 30-Year Vegetation Dataset To Assess The Impacts Of Fence Removal Within The Kruger To Canyons Biosphere Reserve, South Africa, Helaine M. Linden

Master's Theses

Maintaining habitat heterogeneity is favorable when conserving protected areas due to its positive relationship with biodiversity. Fence removal across protected areas improves connectivity and allows herbivory to occur over a larger landscape extent. In the mid-1990’s, reserves within the Kruger to Canyons Biosphere Reserve (K2C) removed their fences, becoming connected to Kruger National Park (KNP). The fundamental research objective was to determine how fence removal influenced the vegetation dynamics within the reserves residing in the K2C. We had three goals: 1) determine if multiple satellite sensors could be used within the TIMESAT program to provide robust vegetation metrics that measure …

Mapping The Embryological Development Of The Temporomandibular Joint With Cone-Beam Computed Tomography, Sonya Kalim

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Using Ml-Pda And Ml-Pmht To Track Two Unresolved Moving Objects, Katherine Domrese

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Invoquer La Mer : Vers Une Écopoétique Du Poème Chez Saint-John Perse, Victoria Farrell

Master's Theses

Saint-John Perse's poetry is known for featuring elments of nature. This study of his body of poetry, which includes an in-depth ecocritical reading of the poem Amers, considers his work from an ecocritical viewpoint.

Toward The Characterization Of Mammalian Sterile20-Like Kinase 3 (Mst3) And The Conserved Herpesviridae Protein Kinases (Chpks) Through Phosphorylation Motifs, Amanda S. Wildstein

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Predictors Of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Children And Adults: Findings From The Continuous National Health And Nutrition Examination Survey Nhanes 2001-2006, Lina Jaradat

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Battery Impedance Measurement Using Sinusoidal Ripple Current Emulator, Md. Kamal Hossain

Master's Theses

Battery impedance measurements are directly correlated with the internal thermal rise and lifetime of rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The ac impedance measurement is not only reflects the battery state of health, but also a crucial parameter for a charging control strategy to reduce the internal thermal rise. The battery ac impedance is achieved with a battery charger by injecting ac ripple current and measuring the ac voltage response with the sinusoidal ripple current (SRC) charging technique. The digital signal processor is used to extract the battery ac ripple content and calculate the impedance magnitude and phase angle. However, it has computational …

Effects Of Language And Reading Ability On Input-Driven Plasticity Of Phonetic Category Structure, Stephen Edward Graham

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Schuell’S Stimulation Approach Administered Intensively For An Individual With Chronic, Severe Non-Fluent Aphasia, Shannon K. Hughes

Master's Theses

Background: Schuell’s Stimulation Approach is frequently implemented within conventional speech language therapy (SLT) for aphasia. Recent research supports the use of intensive treatment, as well as the potential for continued gains in the chronic stage of aphasia. Given the limited evidence-based treatment options for individuals with chronic, severe non-fluent aphasia, investigation was warranted.

Aims: The current study used a single subject design with multiple probes across behaviors to investigate how an individual with chronic, severe non-fluent aphasia, who had ceased to make gains in conventional SLT, would respond to administration of Schuell’s Stimulation Approach at the standard intensive dosage of …

Calibration Of Cr-39 Nuclear Track Detectors With Alpha-Particles And Protons For A Measurement Of Neutron Interactions With 7be And The Primordial 7li Problem, Emily E. Kading

Master's Theses

The Primordial Lithium problem of Big Bang Nucleosynthesis (BBN), a prediction of ⁷Li abundance which is considerably larger than observed, has important implications for the standard model of cosmology. Since ⁷Li is produced by the later decay of ⁷Be it is important to study the destruction of ⁷Be during the epoch of BBN, in order to examine possible reduction of the predicted abundance of ⁷Li, in particular the destruction of ⁷Be with neutrons. The high flux of 50 keV epithermal neutrons (10¹⁰ n/sec/cm²) produced by a Liquid Lithium (LiLiT) target at …

Coverage In Connecticut Newsapapers Of The Opioid Epidemic A Content Analysis, Peter Lam

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Utilization Of Phylogenetic Analysis Methods To Understand Deep Phylogeny, Jeffrey M. O'Brien

Master's Theses

This thesis describes two analyses conducted to learn more about the early evolution of life and characteristics of the last universal common ancestor (LUCA). In chapter one, tree metric analysis methods were employed to determine if protein families identified in a previous analysis should be attributed to LUCA. It was found that many of the protein families identified by the previous analysis were likely the result of methodological errors, and either should not be attributed to LUCA or do not represent the full scope of diversity within the given protein family. Chapter two presents data from an ATP synthase catalytic …

Exploring The Medical Model Organizational Structure On The Collegiate Athletic Trainer's Quality Of Life: A Case Study, Steven T. Gerhart

Master's Theses

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to gain the perspective of athletic trainers employed at a university using the medical model as its organizational infrastructure as it relates to job satisfaction, professional commitment, work-life conflict. Methods. Data from our participants were collected through semi-structured interviews as well as a demographic questionnaire. We utilized data source triangulation and peer-review to establish credibility. A general inductive process was used for analysis. Results. Three common themes emerged that affected quality of life. Role congruity addressed the participants’ awareness of their role and how they contributed within the department. Worktime control was defined …

Contextual Influences On A Coping Skills Intervention For Adolescents In Substance Use Recovery, Morica Hutchison

Master's Theses

Co-occurring disorders of substance use and mental health conditions occur in about 75% of adolescents, with depression ranked as the second most common co-occurring disorder, in 20-30% of adolescents (Hersh et al., 2014; Shrier et al., 2003). Contextual factors (i.e. parental substance use and DCF involvement) put adolescents at increased risk of substance use initiation and co-morbid depression (Clark et al., 2005; Walden et al., 2007). Results from the current literature are undetermined on how to best address co-occurring substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health diagnoses in adolescents. Researchers sought to do this in the current study through a …

Proportional Suppression Of Nmda And Ampa Mediated Synaptic Responses In Layer 2/3 Pyramids From Rat Visual Cortex By Adenosine, Justin T. Ellenberg

Master's Theses

Adenosine (ADO) is an abundant endogenous neuromodulator, with a generally suppressive effect on excitatory synaptic transmission. Previous research has shown that in different brain structures adenosine may have heterogeneous effects on the balance of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated and non-NMDA receptor-mediated currents. In hippocampal pyramids, adenosine proportionally reduced the NMDA and non-NMDA mediated excitatory currents, whereas dopaminergic neurons in rat midbrain, adenosine preferentially reduced NMDA currents. It is known that in layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons of rat visual cortex, adenosine suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission. However, it remains unknown whether adenosine has the same effect on NMDA and AMPA-mediated currents. Here we …

Shared Space In Today’S World: Quantifying And Classifying The Range In Design, Parker Sorenson

Master's Theses

Shared space, a street design philosophy which aims to improve the mobility of nonmotorized users by deemphasizing the priority given to automobiles, has received much international attention within the last decade. Today, shared spaces can be found across the world as planners and decision-makers look to different street design schemes as a way of providing much-needed public space to urbanized populations. Despite their growing popularity, rigorous evaluations of how shared spaces operate are rather limited. Advocates of shared space argue that this design approach reduces vehicle speeds, reduces vehicle delay, reduces the potential severity of pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, and improves the …

Rapping Back: Counter-Narratives From Auckland, New Zealand, Mariel Lopez Rogers

Master's Theses

Across the Pacific in Auckland, New Zealand two rap groups, Homebrew and @Peace, are contributing to a theoretically rich and socially conscious Hip Hop scene. Their music critically questions commercialism and conformity in a culture shaped by a history of colonialism. This makes their message starkly opposed to the normative values of New Zealand. The musicians of Homebrew and @Peace, a mix of Polynesian and Pakeha (people of European descent), employ methods of decolonization theory through the use of storytelling and focus on indigenous values. In a country that has adopted the neoliberal beliefs that competition drives human relations, and …

Wetland Ecosystem Functions In A Changing Coastal Landscape: Effects Of Urban Runoff, Saltwater Intrusion, And Restoration, April A. Doroski

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.