Digital Commons Network^™

The Significance Of Silence: The Muted Voices Of Count Fosco And Laura Fairlie In The Woman In White, Melanie Page

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the intricacies of voice using narrative theory and reader-response theory with Wilkie Collins' The Woman in White. Since Collins first wrote this epistolary novel serially, he wrote aware of his audience as he printed segments with different narrators. This novel allowed Collins the opportunity to reveal an internal set of narrators' responses to other characters' voices--responses that sometimes conflict with and modify one another. At the same time, Collins' contemporary audience's responses to the novel reveal the role of characters' voices in shaping reactions of members of the novel's reading public. Two opposing figures--Laura Fairlie and Count …

And Then, He Folds His Patterned Rug: Repressive Reality And The Eternal Soul In Vladimir Nabokov, Elizabeth Cook

Masters Theses

While Vladimir Nabokov has deservedly earned fame as a stylist of the strange, most critics who study his novels approach his absurd and beautiful characters as little more than fractured victims of a wholly subjective reality. Compounding the misunderstanding is the tired debate over whether or not Lolita is literary, pornographic, or some cruel game of cat-and-mouse in which Nabokov seizes control of his readers' sense of morality. However, critics who read Nabokov as nothing more than a manipulative stylist neglect to realize that his characters suffer such absurd distortions of spirit and mind because their environment--the "average" reality of …

The Acute Responses Of Different-Sized Coronary Arteries To Testosterone, Sampath Madanu

Masters Theses

Coronary arteries supply blood to the myocardium. The blood flow within the coronary arteries is altered by various compounds produced within the body. Sex hormones such as testosterone are known to cause the relaxation of large coronary arteries. But the response to testosterone is greater in in vivo conditions compared to in vitro conditions. We hypothesize that the responses of LADs (left anterior descending arteries) and its side branches to testosterone are heterogeneous and testosterone-induced vasodilation is greater in its side branches. Therefore, our study was designed to determine the effect of testosterone in different-sized coronary arteries. LADs and one …

Dominant Upper Extremity Kinematics And Muscular Activity In Sonographers During Kidney Scanning, Jennifer Elizabeth Edwards

Masters Theses

Due to the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in sonographers, this study evaluated upper extremity kinematics and determined if co-contraction was present during kidney scans. The results provided a greater understanding of joint range of motion and muscular activity, which could be helpful in assessing risk of injury. Four sonographers had reflective markers and surface electromyography electrodes placed on their dominant upper extremity. A Vicon MX motion capture system was used to record the marker positions and electromyography data while the sonographers were scanning a volunteer’s kidneys. The shoulder joint center was determined using the instantaneous helical axis method. The …

Automatic Atlas Based Analysis Of Radiotracer Uptake In Bones From Fused Nuclear Imaging/Ct Data Sets Of Mice, Jeffrey Lee Vanoss

Masters Theses

Preclinical in vivo imaging is a powerful tool used for a wide variety of biomedical research applications including oncology, cardiac disease, and neurological disease. Disease physiology can be imaged in vivo with molecular imaging such as PET and SPECT. Quality analysis of molecular in vivo images currently requires an expert technician. The feasibility of large preclinical molecular imaging studies is limited by the man hours required to process the overwhelming amount of data created from preclinical scans. Our proposed solution to the bottle neck of manual image analysis is to implement automation of preclinical molecular image analysis. The method described …

Development Of A Computer-Aided Detection (Cad) Tool For Contrast Micro Computed Tomography Imaging In Diagnosing Liver Metastases, Anderson Steadham Peck

Masters Theses

High morbidity of metastatic tumors in the liver has been observed in several different types of cancers. Liver failure from metastases is one of the primary causes of death in these patients. Effective treatments for liver metastases do not currently exist. However, new pharmaceutical treatments are being explored in a preclinical setting where the cancer and its treatments are designed in vitro and then studied in vivo in mice. Therefore, effective and accurate techniques for non-invasive imaging and analysis of liver metastases in mice are critical to the development of new treatments.

In-vivo micro CT imaging is not only one …

Flutes, Festivities, And Fragmented Tradition: A Study Of The Meaning Of Music In Otavalo, Brenna C. Halpin

Masters Theses

This thesis consists of an intimate study of the value and meaning of flute music of indigenous musicians in the contemporary world. This is accomplished by interviewing and observing indigenous panpipe and flute musicians in and near the Plaza de Ponchos Market in Otavalo, Ecuador. Collected personal stories, historical accounts, and recordings and analysis of the music all provide insight into the purpose and traditions the music holds. While the musicians attempt to maintain a sense of cultural authenticity, modernization has altered the importance of customs and music as Otavalo moves toward a more commoditized and urbanized community, reflecting ethnic …

Sweetness And Strength: Codes Of Femininity And Body Image In Branded Social-Networking Messages And Consumer Responses, Anne M. Holcomb

Masters Theses

This study critically analyzes visual and text updates posted by two clothing brands to the social-networking site Facebook.com, including consumers' interaction with these marketing messages. A semiological textual analysis was conducted using Facebook updates by the Victoria's Secret PINK and Nike Women apparel brands, and the responses of fans who subscribed to these updates. Advertising aimed at women in print media has previously been analyzed in this way, revealing patterns of sexualization and objectification that can be harmful to women and men alike. My analysis builds on this tradition. Social-networking sites such as Facebook allow individual users unprecedented access to …

Rape Myth Acceptance And Rape Attitudes In Campus Hook-Up Culture, Karolina Staros

Masters Theses

This study examines the norms of hooking-up and compares these norms to rape culture in order to measure rape myth acceptance or supportive attitudes towards rape as they manifest in hook-up culture on campus. By consulting what is already published in scholarship about rape culture and rape myths, this study builds on the very limited literature on hook-up culture.

This study uses mixed methods to inquire about norms of hook-up culture and measures the rape myth acceptance and rape attitudes by gender of respondents in a Midwest campus environment. By addressing the issues that students face with gender inequality and …

Attitudes And Perceptions Of Local Residents And Tourists Toward The Protected Area Of Retezat National Park, Romania, Andrea Blanka Szell

Masters Theses

Despite the fact that there has been a significant increase in interest in the sustainable management of protected areas (PAs), many of them still fail to meet conservation goals. Considering that the availability of financial resources and the general public's interest toward environmental conservation play such an important role in the successful performance of PAs, it is of great importance to investigate local residents' and visitors' attitudes and perceptions regarding PAs. This will help gain knowledge of the level of financial and social support they would be willing to give to environmental conservation in PAs. To elicit attitudes and perceptions, …

Using Visual Phonics To Supplement Articulation Intervention, Mara A. Hampton

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an augmentation of traditional articulation intervention on the acquisition of speech sounds. The study examined the effect of Van Riper's traditional articulation intervention (Van Riper & Erickson, 1996) integrated with See the Sound/Visual Phonics (visual phonics) hand cues, in contrast to Van Riper's traditional articulation intervention alone. One child identified with a phonological disorder participated in a single subject multiple baseline across behaviors study. The subject was a bright, hard working two year-ten month old child who enjoyed all therapy sessions. During the first baseline/treatment phase, the child received …

Executive Functions In Preschool Children With Typical And Disordered Language, Kathleen Trainor

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in executive functions of typically developing, at-risk, and language impaired preschoolers. It also evaluated the relationship between preschool children's language skills and daily functional use of executive function skills as rated by parents.

Subjects included 45 children who attended central Illinois preschool programs. Executive functions were measured with the Behavioral Rating Inventory of Executive Functions -Preschool edition (BRIEF-P), oral language skills were measured with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) and the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals -Preschool Edition (CELF-P), and oral narrative skills were measured using the Renfrew Bus Story. …

Hegemonic Peter?: A Critical Analysis Of Hegemonic Masculinity In Family Guy, Justin Danowski

Masters Theses

Hegemonic masculinity is a constantly evolving and highly nuanced theory. The original definition was designed to study the oppression males exert over females. Later definitions expanded on the original to include young, effeminate or gay men. In the realm of television, hegemonic masculine forces are perpetuated by not only male characters but marginalized groups as well. This creates gender stereotypes to be accepted and embraced as the norm in a culture. This project takes a critical look at the animated television comedy Family Guy and explains how hegemonic masculinity is portrayed throughout the episode "Family Gay". To accomplish this, the …

A Plaguing Militainment: Ideology, Metaphor, And Interpellation In Thq's "Homefront", Brendan G.A. Hughes

Masters Theses

Roger Stahl's book Militainment, Inc. has set the standard for studying the convergence of military culture and popular entertainment-otherwise known as militainment. This concept is easily discernible for rhetorical critics studying discursive texts in the late twentieth century, particularly after the start of the war on terror. This project examines a militainment text, the first-person shooter videogame Homefront. Produced by design company THQ and developed by Kaos studios, this game foreshadows the future of the United States should Kim Jong-Il's son succeed in unifying the divided peninsula and the American superpower crumble. After reviewing relevant literature and outlining three important …

Spaces Of Marginalization [Equal] Margins Of Resistance: Congolese Women's Testimonies Facilitate Rhetorical Agency, Saunnie Elizabeth Knotts

Masters Theses

US and Western European discourses tend to articulate women in the developing world within a Western context, perpetuating the image of women of the developing world as "third world" silent victims. Testimonies are a powerful medium for indigenous peoples to advocate for change and define experiences for themselves as well as for their communities (Smith, 2008). In this thesis, I draw on postcolonial feminist theories, theories on testimonio, vernacular rhetoric, and rhetorical agency to frame an analysis of multiple artifacts wherein Congolese women are shown speaking glimpses of their testimonies about the rape they endured. Other artifacts show women holding …

The Grass Isn't Always Greener: A Qualitative Study Of Indian International Students Attending A Comprehensive University, Alison R. Adams

Masters Theses

The purpose of this present study was to explore the problems that Indian subcontinent students who participated in international study programs encountered in their travel abroad. Using a qualitative research methodology, four graduate-level Indian students were interviewed via a semi-structured interview protocol. Participants were asked to share problems they were currently facing or had faced while studying at a midsized, comprehensive institution in the Midwest.

Using cross-comparative analysis, verbal interview data were analyzed for common codes and categories and were then grouped into themes. Five themes were apparent: Homesickness, Culture Shock, Discrimination, Language Barriers and Educational Differences, and Other Issues. …

Transitions From High School To College: A Study Of Pre-College And College Influences On Retention, Britteny Lynn Alspach

Masters Theses

The transition from high school to college was examined through the voices of twelve participants' perspectives. The male and female focus group participants were divided into two groups; freshmen and sophomores, respectively. A series of 13 questions were posed inquiring about what Eastern Illinois University (EIU) has done to facilitate their transition into the collegiate atmosphere. The findings consist of a comparison section along with a section dedicated to pointing out any areas of differences with regards to their responses. Participants expressed that frequent interactions with folks that either were enrolled at EIU or were a current member of the …

The Value Of Student Services And Activities At A Large, Rural, Two-Year College In The Midwest, Andrea E. Bright

Masters Theses

In order to assist in the development and growth of students to reach their maximum potential research into what services and activities students perceive as valuable was conducted. The purpose was to explore student's relations between the perceived value of student services/activities and the knowledge, use, and value of student services and activities. The literature expresses that many factors affect a student's experience at college. Student involvement occurs through many facets, academics, socialization, and environment. Student satisfaction with these factors impact student success or failure. The research demonstrates that students need interactions with the college community in order to facilitate …

Technology Mediated Recruitment: An Exploration Of How Students Used Social Media To Choose College, Ashley Nicole Cooper

Masters Theses

This qualitative study explored the use of social media as a tool to recruit prospective college students. Social media was defined as any electronic media that serves as a networking tool with the ability to educate prospective and current college students about an institution of higher education (i.e. Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, etc.). The researcher met with two focus groups comprised of current college students to discuss their use of social media during their college search process.

Recommendations were developed for student affairs professionals and for future research. General themes and categories from participant responses were evaluated. The findings suggest that …

Upper Level Administrators: Communication With Students Via Social Media, David Adam Arnold

Masters Theses

The present qualitative study was executed by interviewing five upper level administrators at a four-year public institution in the Midwest in order to explain their current understanding of social media technologies, and in what ways they were currently using social media to connect with millennial students. Previous research has been done on millennials' use of technology and social media in the university setting; however, little research has focused on way non-millennial upper level administrators are using social media in order to purposefully engage students in a meaningful way. Themes from categories identified during one-on-one interviews indicate that upper level administrators …

Bridging The Gap: How Students And Academic Advising Professionals View Academic Advising, Levi Kosta-Mikel

Masters Theses

The purpose of the current study was to examine disparities between students and academic advising professionals with the importance placed on and the satisfaction with 12 research based functions of academic advising in order to promote the formation of higher quality mentoring relationships between students and advisors. The current study was a modified replication of research conducted by Smith and Allen (2006) and Allen and Smith (2008). Past research has shown that high quality relationships between students and their advisors promote higher retention and graduation rates among students (Campbell & Nutt, 2008; McArthur, 2005; Pizzolato, 2008; Sayles & Shelton, 2005; …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Perceptions Of Prospective Students On A Campus Tour, Tiffany C. Leschke

Masters Theses

Enrollment in universities has increased in importance as cost continues to rise and the potential student population who might attend college is shrinking. As researchers examine marketing techniques that might increase enrollment yield, the campus tour has been identified as a critical piece of the overall selection process. The goal of the study was to examine phenomenon that occurs during the campus tour experience. Understanding what factors of the campus tour members experience, notice and appreciate will provide information that may lead to tours that increase enrollment. A phenomenological approach was utilized to explore tour members' perceptions of their guided …

Community Development Through Electronic Sociograms, Aubrie L. Piper

Masters Theses

As the expectations of assessing student development for student affairs professionals throughout higher education increases, the efforts of residence halls initiatives have been in the spotlight. To reflect upon the intentional means of developing each student, Eastern Illinois University's Housing & Dining Services department created the Panther Success Initiative. The Panther Success Initiative was designed with the expectation that RA staff interact with residents as frequent as possible to gain an understanding and of the residents' personal and academic needs for a successful collegiate experience. Through these interactions, the RA can then provide resources and advocate for the individual students …

African American Students' Perceptions Of Undergraduate Experiences: Matriculation, Retention, Attrition, And Graduation, Christina L. Rainer

Masters Theses

This study was designed to examine the recruitment, matriculation, attrition, and retention behaviors of African American students attending the university. Data collected for this study were obtained from surveys completed by African American undergraduate students enrolled at the university either part-time or full-time at the time of the survey. Frequencies, percentages, and summaries were utilized in data analysis. There were also opportunities for participants to explain their responses.

The participants in this study completed a 25-item survey. This survey requested that participants rate (1) their level of involvement in co-curricular activities on campus; (2) their relationships with faculty and staff; …

Interactions Between Class Attendance And Students' Alcohol Consumption, Brittany Meding

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is an interaction between class attendance and students' alcohol consumption. Several issues are associated with the relationship between alcohol consumption and class attendance. From the results, there was no statistical significance between a students' self reported alcohol consumption and a students' self reported class attendance.

Non-Completion In Thesis Required Master's Degree Programs, Emily Ritter

Masters Theses

This study examined phenomena associated with non-completers enrolled in a master's level graduate program with a thesis requirement at medium-sized mid-western comprehensive university. Both program coordinators and program-identified noncompleters were interviewed based on five research questions in order to discover themes emerging from thesis non-completion. Ten themes emerged, including peer and academic support, assistantship factors, influencing factors, choice, and perceived thesis value. Although previous research of master's degree thesis non-completion is not extensive, a review of literature is included. The researcher found that while there were similarities in many themes among the program coordinators and students, areas in which there …

The Motivation Of African-American Females To Cross Historical Racial Boundaries In The Greek Community At A Predominantly White Institution, Thomas J. Sargent

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate what motivates African-American female students at a predominantly White four year comprehensive university in the Midwest to join a historically White social Greek organization. Participants were four women between the ages of 18 and 33. Using a semi-structured interview format and thematic analysis, the study intended to produce information relevant to the three guiding research questions: a) Why do African-American collegiate females choose to join social Greek organizations which are historically compromised of primarily White females?, b) What do African-American females who choose to join historically White social Greek organizations feel are …

School Readiness: An Exploration Of Early Childhood Professionals' Perceptions And Practices, Lindsey Jenkins

Masters Theses

Early childhood experiences set a foundation for school and for life. Because so many children attend some type of early childhood program, it is important to understand the perceptions of those teach and care for young children before they enter kindergarten. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between perceptions and practices of early childhood professionals regarding school readiness based of five areas of child development. Sixty-one early childhood professionals completed the Kindergarten Readiness Survey, and descriptive statistics, constant comparison, and microanalysis were used to analyze the data.

Results of this study indicate that social-emotional development is …

"Have You Forgotten Us?": An Analysis Of Resources For Non-Traditional Students, Theresa Lindsay

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine how supported the non-traditional student population at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) felt and to assess what campus resources and services they use and need. An online survey was developed by the researcher and administered to 285 current non-traditional college students. The findings indicated that overall, non-traditional students at EIU felt supported by the university and their instructors. However the participants also reported that they were not using all of the services and resources the university offered. In addition, several respondents noted that there are some services that are not currently offered at …

Barack Obama: The Inevitable Nominee, Bradley M. Forsythe

Masters Theses

The 2008 Democratic primary is often regarded as a once-in-a-lifetime political event. Democratic frontrunner and former first lady Hillary Clinton faced off against Illinois junior Senator Barack Obama. Despite a commanding position in national polling that led many pundits to declare the race Clinton's to lose, her campaign faltered during the primary, allowing Obama to find himself in a commanding position to be the Democratic Party's nominee for president. An exploration of the two campaigns, however, reveals stark differences in strategy, messaging, fundraising, and the use of technology.

In terms of strategy, Hillary Clinton's campaign was unprepared to contest the …