Digital Commons Network^™

The Role Of Self-Efficacy In Increasing Food Security Among Participants Of A New Food Pantry Model In Hartford, Ct, Angela G. Colantonio

Master's Theses

Background: Food insecurity is defined as not having the resources to obtain enough safe, nutritionally adequate food in socially acceptable ways to support an active, healthy life. A new approach to emergency food assistance is needed, and researchers have encouraged the exploration of empowerment, self-efficacy, and goal setting as a means of better understanding and preventing food insecurity. Objective: The study aim is to examine the association between food insecurity and self-efficacy, and evaluate the ability of a new food pantry model (Freshplace) to increase the food security and self-efficacy of members. Methods: A randomized control trial comparing Freshplace to …

The Efficacy Of Freshplace Project Manager’S Use Of A Stages Of Change Assessment Form And Motivational Interviewing, Matthew E. Brennan

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Resistance Training Prioritization In Ncaa Division I Track And Field Athletes, Dylan Dombrowski

Master's Theses

Resistance training (RT) is a powerful systemic stimulus known to improve a multitude of physiological variables. These include but are not limited to musculoskeletal strength, power, muscle mass, bone mass, and connective tissue. The sport of track and field is composed of many different events that focus on strength, power, and muscular endurance. Thus, resistance training is typically a vital part of athletic preparation for track and field athletes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate specific manipulations of the acute program variables within the context of an off-season resistance training program. METHODS: 34 male NCAA Division I …

Undefined & Indefinable: Androgynous Imagery In The Work Of Hannah Höch, Michelle D. Sizemore

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Nmr Assignments And Structure Of The I-Domain From The Bacteriophage P22 Coat Protein, Alessandro A. Rizzo

Master's Theses

The P22 coat protein has the HK97 fold at its core, but also has an additional domain on the surface of the capsid. Two recent cryo-EM structures at ~8 Å and ~4 Å resolution show different folds for this domain. The structure and function of this domain has been debated in the literature.

NMR spectroscopy was used to determine a high-resolution structure of this domain. Here, the domain is called the ‘insertion’ domain (I-domain). The structure is a six-stranded β-barrel with a small helix and belongs to a reductase/isomerase/elongation factor folding family.

Compared to the previous cryo-EM reconstructions, the NMR …

The Effects Of Time Of Day On Resistance Exercise Workout Responses, Heather N. Husmer

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Dynamics Of The P22 Bacteriophage I-Domain By 15n Nmr Relaxation And Native-State Hydrogen Exchange, Latasha Cr Fraser

Master's Theses

The bacteriophage P22 I-domain structure contains a 6-stranded b-barrel folding motif, a 3-stranded b-sheet, and a small a-helical region. This study describes the dynamics of the I-domain determined by ¹⁵N NMR relaxation and native-state hydrogen exchange experiments. Relaxation data suggests that the I-domain is experiencing the majority of its motion on the ps-ns timescale. S² order parameters show two loop regions, which are poorly defined in the NMR structure, are the most flexible regions. The thermodynamic stability of the I-domain to unfolding, as a function of denaturant, has been studied with circular dichroism (CD) and native-state hydrogen exchange …

Teacher-Efficacy For Using Hots Pedagogy In The Classroom, Lindsey K. Le

Master's Theses

When considering the educational context and expectations of our teachers today, an evaluation of teacher-efficacy in promoting higher-order thinking skills (HOTS) in the classroom is more important than ever. Promoting these skills as illustrated in Anderson and Krathwohl’s (2001) taxonomy of educational objectives, through pedagogical techniques, provides an opportunity for students to develop metacognitive skills for learning. The literature (Thomas & Walker, 1997) stresses that the confidence that teachers have in actually promoting these skills (also known as teacher-efficacy (Bandura, 1986)), is important to bridging the gap between pedagogy and development of student thinking skills. The aim of the study …

Incentives To Improve Economic Conditions: A Field Experiment In Medellin, Colombia, Lauren Skora

Master's Theses

The motivation for this research is to replicate the Oakland based Family Independence Initiative (FII) and to test the components of this model. The FII program claims its success stems from a bottom-up approach structured around setting life-improving goals, mutual support groups, and small monetary incentives to achieve results. As the popularity of this program continues to gain momentum in the United States, we designed a field experiment to measure the impact of incentives on goal achievement and economic conditions as well as the overall impact of the FII model. We enrolled close to 200 small business owners in four …

Does Child Sponsorship Have A Positive Impact On The Quality Of Life And Social Behavior Of Sponsored Children? Evidence From Indonesia, Mario Carrillo

Master's Theses

Relaxing an internal constraint of an individual at early stages of life is an approach that complements traditional policy interventions aimed to alleviate poverty. The Compassion International child sponsorship program focuses their work on the emotional, social, and spiritual development of sponsored children. This study investigates the impacts of child sponsorship on the quality of life and social behavior of sponsored children using age-eligibility as an instrument for sponsorship, a time preference experiment and a trust game. The study looks specifically at self-esteem, optimism, social trust, educational outcomes, patience and reciprocity of 286 sponsored children and 234 non-sponsored children between …

Do Self-Help Groups Work On Achieving Economic Goals? New Evidence From A Field Experiment In Medellin, Colombia, Paulina Aguinaga Lezcano

Master's Theses

Abstract: This research is the first study to introduce an experimental setting to test the implication of a poverty alleviation model inspired by the Family Independence Initiative (FII) in a developing country. The FII is a poverty alleviation approach that has shown remarkable results in improving the living conditions of low-income individuals in three cities of the United States. It promotes self-improvement through setting goals, incentive schemes, and self-help groups (SHGs). The results suggest that the FII model can be successfully implemented as a poverty alleviation policy in a developing country. The model does have a positive and significant effect …

Analysis Of Bimetallic Adhesion And Interfacial Toughness Of Kinetic Metallization Coatings, Alec D. Guraydin

Master's Theses

Due to their ability to confer enhanced surface properties without compromising the properties of the substrate, coatings have become ubiquitous in heavy industrial applications for corrosion, wear, and thermal protection, among others. Kinetic Metallization (KM), a solid-state impact consolidation and coating process, is well-suited for depositing industrial coatings due to its versatility, low substrate heat input, and low cost. The ability of KM coatings to adhere to the substrate is determined by the quality of the interface. The purpose of this study is to develop a model to predict the interfacial quality of KM coatings using known coating and substrate …

The Effect Of Skeletal Muscle Mass On Basal Metabolic Rate In College-Age Males 2013, Chase Vaughn

Master's Theses

There are many misconceptions within the fitness community. One such misconception is that an increase in muscle mass will have a large increase in basal metabolic rate, yet this may not be the best way for successful weight loss. The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of the correlation between skeletal muscle mass and basal metabolic rate. The hypothesis tested was that basal metabolic rate is strongly correlated with skeletal muscle mass. The participants were college-aged males (n =17). Skeletal muscle mass (SMM) was estimated using the skin-fold circumference model (SFCM): SMM (kg) = Ht (0.00744 CAG2 …

The Presence Of Coups D'État Within Revolutions: Effects On Population Health, Rose E. Facchini

Master's Theses

The present study is a comparative approach to revolutions and their effect on population health during the post-conflict period. Specifically, it attempts to determine whether revolutions that are accompanied by a coup d'état have a significant negative impact on post-revolution population health. Degree of revolutionary violence, governmental structures, and pre-revolution health systems is of particular interest as relevant variables. The study focuses on the Latin American countries of Nicaragua and Chile due to their similar region and timeframe. The revolutions and accompanying coup d'état in both of these countries do not demonstrate different patterns on public health in the post-conflict …

The Influence Of Respiratory Muscle Training On Exercise Endurance 2013, Justin Vanderbeck

Master's Theses

Exercise endurance in multiple populations has been shown to increase after bouts of respiratory muscle training (RMT) (Bailey, Romer, Kelly, Wilkerson, Dimenna & Jones, 2010; Brown, Sharpe, Graham & Johnson, 2008; Griffiths & McConnell, 2007; Kilding, Brown & McConnell, 2007; Laoutaris et al., 2012; Markov, Spengler, Stuessi, Boutellier & Knöpfli-Lenzin, 2001; Spengler & Boutellier, 2000; Stuessi, Spengler, Knöpfli-Lenzin, Markov & Boutellier, 2001; Volianitis et al., 2000). The use of resistance via respiratory muscle strength training (RMST) has been shown to produce greater increases in endurance than with no resistance, but the method of RMST that produces the greatest increases in …

Organized Camp And Character Development 2013, Veronica Ripp

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between organized camp and character development. In particular, it looked to determine to what extent organized camp affected campers' character, including how much change in character campers' experienced in a week at camp, what aspects of character were most influenced, and what factors about camp had the most impact on campers' character. The study was multimodal in design, using the Values in Action Inventory for Youth (VIA-Youth) as a pre and posttest for quantitative analysis and camper interviews, staff interviews, and researcher observations for qualitative analysis. Seven completed VIA-Youth pre …

Resistance Training Behaviors In College-Aged Women 2013, Melanie Kornblatt

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of women’s training behavior in the weight room. A secondary purpose was to determine what their beliefs and perceptions were in regards to lifting weights. Participants were college-aged females ranging in age from 17-29 years. Observations of weight lifting activities were conducted during peak hours of operation (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3- 6pm) in the fitness facility. A total of 60 hours of observations were conducted over a period of four weeks. In addition to observations, two focus groups were conducted. Participants were divided into two specific groups: I …

An Investigation Of Preferred Versus Imposed Exercise, Personality Traits, And Motivation On An Exercise Dependent College Aged Sample 2013, Chelsea M. Norton

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to: (a) investigate personality traits and motivation among an exercise dependent sample by using and examining theoretically based assessment tools and (b) measure feeling states under different types of physical activity among those who were considered to be exercise dependent. Four hundred twenty-three college students (54.4% male, 45.6% female) who met the inclusion criteria completed the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised (EDS-R; Symons Downs, Hausenblas, & Nigg, 2004), Exercise Addiction Inventory (EAI; Terry, Szabó, & Griffiths, 2004), Exercise Identity Scale (EIS; Anderson & Cychosz, 1994), Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire-2 (BREQ-2; Markland & Tobin, 2004), and …

The Role Of Appearance In Perceptions Of Personal Trainers 2013., Patrick R. Boerner

Master's Theses

The field of personal training in the United States is believed to have begun in the late 1970‟s and the early 1980‟s (Brooks, 2004). Today, personal training is a healthy profession that, according to the United States Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012), is expected to grow 24% (60,400 jobs) between 2010 and 2020. In comparison, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012) predicts the average growth rate for all occupations within the U.S. to be only 14% during the same ten-year span. Rapid growth within the field of personal training has brought an increased scrutiny on …

Effect Of Ph And Temperature On The Binding Interactions Of Caffeine And Chlorogenic Acid With Sodium Caseinate, Emily S. Kong

Master's Theses

Coffee is a popular and well-loved beverage consumed worldwide by millions of people every day. While most patrons of coffee do so because of its unique and satisfying taste, consumers may be unaware of the potential beneficial health effects it also imparts. The antioxidants found in green coffee beans collectively known as chlorogenic acids (CGA) and caffeine are two of the most abundant bioactive compounds present in coffee. Both these bioactive compounds have been implicated in many studies to impart a wide range of health benefits, from reducing the risk of Type 2 diabetes, to their use as aides in …

Analysis And Mitigation Of The Cubesat Dynamic Environment, Steve M. Furger

Master's Theses

A vibration model was developed for CubeSats inside the Poly-Picosatellite Orbital Deployer (P-POD). CubeSats are fixed in the Z axis of deployers, and therefore resonate with deployer peaks. CubeSats generally start fixed in the X and Y axes, and then settle into an isolated position. CubeSats do not resonate with deployers after settling into an isolated position. Experimental data shows that the P-POD amplifies vibration loads when CubeSats are fixed in the deployer, and vibration loads are reduced when the CubeSats settle into an isolated position. A concept for a future deployer was proposed that isolates CubeSats from the deployer …

The Relationship Between Vitamin D Status Of Adult Women And Diet, Sun Exposure, Skin Reflectance, Body Composition, And Insulin Sensitivity, Marisa M. Mcadler

Master's Theses

As the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency continues to grow, mounting evidence supporting its link with chronic disease strengthens suggesting vitamin D’s candidacy in the prevention and treatment of multiple disease states and their complications. Dietary guidelines, however, do not take sun exposure into account. The present study sought to explore the impact of sun exposure on vitamin D status (serum 25(OH)D), and identify other significant determinants of serum levels which may have the greatest effects on overall health. Participants (n = 34) were pre-menopausal women aged 18 to 50 years (mean age 39 ± 6 years), who had their …

The Influence Of Guided Drawing Curriculum On Drawing Development In Children, Alison Paige Myers

Master's Theses

This paper presents a case study of three first grade visual art classes over the course of one school year. In order to gauge the effectiveness and degree to which a visual art curriculum that embeds guided drawing experiences will accelerate the natural developmental stages of drawing, all classes engaged in various guided drawing experiences as well as three independent self-portrait drawing experiences. The study also examined the opinions of art educators regarding the effectiveness of such instruction. The study showed that although guided drawing can be an influential factor in children’s artistic development, there is not a causal relationship …

Thinking Through The Box: The Art Teacher's Role In Setting Ideationally Generative Assignment Parameters, And Expanding Students' Problem-Finding Strategies, Brad James Conklin

Master's Theses

This thesis explores the nature of generative parameters, and their present – as well as their much greater potential – function in visual art assignments. An effort of thoughtful self-study, it examines important questions that were revealed during the teaching of a fifth grade art unit. Collaboration and chance were used in that unit as productive constraints. Bringing together insights gathered from a number of sources and my own classroom action research, a theory of teaching for creative behavior is offered with suggestions for good practices in the art room. Promoting creative thinking in the art classroom does not require …

Automated Filtering And Attribution Of Archive Bathymetry Based On A Priori Knowledge, Rodney Wade Ladner

Master's Theses

Hydrographic offices hold large volumes of historical bathymetric data. Many of these valuable datasets were collected using older generation survey systems and contain little or no metadata. Current efforts to utilize these data require human intervention to remove outliers and assess quality. This thesis develops automated algorithms based on a priori knowledge of existing bathymetric topography to remove errant soundings and concurrently provide an estimate of uncertainty.

Mississippi's First Annual Farm To School Week: Evaluation Of School Participation, Kelsey Jean Lingsch

Master's Theses

Mississippi has recently established the first week of October as statewide Farm to School (F2S) Week, providing Mississippi the opportunity to improve the health status of children while improving the local economy. The study aimed to measure Mississippi school districts' participation during F2S Week 2012 and identify perceived barriers and future interest of participation among child nutrition directors (CND). An electronic survey was sent to the 156 CNDs in the state of Mississippi participating in the National School Lunch Program. Data were analyzed in SPSS v.20 using descriptive and correlational statistics. Among the 75 CNDs who responded to the survey, …

From Corporal To Corporate: Defining The Body Politic In The Twenty-First Century, Ashley Estelle Lord

Master's Theses

The following research project illustrates a transition of the body politic metaphor from the second century AD. to present day. From this historical perspective it can be shown that a new body politic exists within Western, capitalist systems with the corporation serving as the head of the body and its buyers, the appendages. This paper claims that as with the previously accepted analogies of the body politic ("The Lord's Two Bodies," "The King's Two Bodies," and the body politic composed by consent of the governed) this corporate driven body possesses four key features that define all three previous manifestations: a …

Comparison Of Liquid-Liquid Extraction And Solid Phase Extraction Of Mephedrone, Brittany Simone Love

Master's Theses

Legal high drugs are modified scheduled drugs. As with any new drug, researchers have to conduct studies to gather information about the drug. The problem with obtaining accurate information on new drugs is that by the time information is gathered, drug abusers and street chemists have developed new ones. Comparing designer drugs to their illegal counterparts is often helpful in that it can provide a starting point. Mephedrone is a new designer drug that has become a problem over the past few years. Often marketed as bath salts and plant food, mephedrone has become the knockoff replacement for amphetamines. This …

Cretaceous And Paelogene Stratigraphy Of Forrest County, Mississippi, Joel Kenneth Loeffler

Master's Theses

Extensive investigation has been done on the subsurface geology and structure of Maxie and Pistol Ridge fields of Forrest and Pearl River Counties, Mississippi. However, a comprehensive study has not been done on the whole of Forrest County as, aside from two minor fields, oil and gas plays do not exist elsewhere in the county. This thesis expands on the work done Vellora Foster (1941) to describe the subsurface geology of the county. Electrical logs from 289 wells drilled in Covington, Forrest, Jones, Lamar, Pearl River, Perry, and Stone counties were used to correlate stratigraphic horizons. Detailed Stratigraphic descriptions of …

Primary Productivity Distributions Along The River-Dominated Shoreline Of The Bay Of St. Louis, Ms Estuary, Adam Douglas Boyette

Master's Theses

Potential primary production was measured for six consecutive months (July 2010 to December 201 0) at selected stations along the shoreline of the Bay of Saint Louis (BSL) estuary. Monthly surface and a series of subsurface (0.5 m) samples were taken to observe the temporal (monthly and short-term) and spatial variability in production relative to environmental variables that potentially could influence phytoplankton photosynthesis. Daily areal primary production, PP was modeled using photosynthesis-irradiance (P-E) parameters in conjunction with in situ irradiance measurements and biomass data collected during sampling. Although spatial variability was not observed, PP varied seasonally and ranged from 1.90 …