Digital Commons Network^™

Audience Parasocial Involvement With The Thai Radio Drama: Never Too Late, Christine Lynn Henrich

Masters Theses

The purpose of this thesis was to explore audience involvement with the entertainment-education radio soap opera Never Too Late in Thailand. The main sources of data were a mail survey administered to the listeners who sent letters and text messages to the program, providing 128 completed questionnaires, and the letters and text messages from the listeners. The thesis addressed responses to the program at three levels of parasocial interaction: cognitive, affective and behavioral, as well as self-efficacy, which is the belief that a change can be made.

Key findings included: the more listeners talked about the program the more they …

Millennial Media: A Fantasy Theme Analysis Of The Short Film "Narrow Roads", Auri - Christopher Colin Jones

Masters Theses

As we move into the future of , society has become more involved with the media they consume. Younger generations in the past generations have been effected and have affected media development in various ways. The Millennial generation of today is no exception. This thesis discusses the effects of media on the millennial generation through fantasy theme chains of an original video narrative. Millennial students will watch the narrative and discuss with other Millennials the themes presented and perceived from the video. The results from this study will give a look into how millennial interaction about visual media makes a …

Relational Maintenance Behaviors Between College Freshmen And Their Parents Via Instant Messaging, Jason Earl Leverett

Masters Theses

The present project provides insight concerning possible relational maintenance behaviors (RMB) college freshmen may initiate when communicating with a parent via Instant Messaging (IM). In addressing this topic, the researcher divided the present project into three studies. Study 1 addressed possible RMB within the college freshmen-parent relationship. Study 2 investigated if college freshmen correspond with at least one parent via IM. And Study 3 investigated which RMB from Study 1 were most common in college freshmen-parent interactions via IM. The researcher observed seven RMB in Study 1: openness, assurance, social networks, positivity, shared tasks, advice seeking and worry avoidance. In …

Contradiction And The Carnival: A Study Of Mcgregor’S Theory X And Theory Y Framework Applied To Communication Within A Carnival Setting, Ashley Dawn Johnston

Masters Theses

The following study addresses Douglas McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y management paradigm as applied toward carnival executives' (CEs) communication to employees. Fifteen CEs were interviewed and elicited narratives that held either Theory X or Theory Y paradigm. From the narratives it was discovered that most CEs held a Theory Y paradigm toward employees. However, it was also discovered that the Theory Y paradigm may be a result of increased use of foreign labor or a swing in the carnival industry itself.

Experimental Measurements And Mathematical Modeling Of The Rigid Capillary Dewatering, Vrajesh N. Chokshi

Masters Theses

Rigid Capillary Dewatering (RCD) technology is a process in which water is removed from a wet paper web by capillary dewatering action without excessive mechanical compaction of the fiber furnish. Operating conditions on the Rigid Capillary Pressing (RCP) roll, and properties of paper and pulp determines the dewatering behavior of the RCD technology.

The dewatering behavior of the RCD technology is studied in four sets of experiments performed using different operating conditions, on a paper pilot machine at a Western Michigan University (WMU) facility. The solids content of the paper web before and after the RCP roll in the press …

Banish Belly Bulge And Chisel Your Bis: A Semiotic Analysis Of Gender Representations In Fitness Magazine Advertising, Lauren A. Teal

Masters Theses

This study examined gender ideologies in the advertising of two popular fitness magazines, Shape and Men's Fitness, using Kress and van Leeuwen's visual semiotic theory (1996). The aim of this study was to determine how fitness magazine advertising participates in the construction of gender identities, and to identify what rhetorical and visual strategies are commonly employed.

Through an examination of the way gender identities are constructed by fitness magazines my research has concluded that advertising within both magazines promotes idealized body types and stereotypical gender identities for men and women. In Shape's advertisements, women are wives and homemakers; they …

An Upper Extremity Biomechanical Model: Application To The Bicep Curl, Adam Miller

Masters Theses

An upper extremity biomechanical model was developed based on recommendations provided by the International Society of Biomechanics. The model was used to investigate biomechanical differences between two variations of the bicep curl exercise: the standing and incline dumbbell curls. An 8-camera Vicon motion capture system was used to collect data on five subjects that executed 10 repetitions of each type of curl.

Four key biomechanical indicator variables were investigated: range of motion, maximum elbow flexion moment, mean elbow flexion moment, and the flexion angle at which the maximum flexion moment occurs. On average, the range of motion at the elbow …

Cheating Death: The Demedicalization Of Cpr, Michelle Nicole Erwin

Masters Theses

My research explores cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as a case study of demedicalization. I will use an instrumental case study method to examine the history and setting of CPR. In order to gain a stronger understanding of CPR in particular, I will look in depth at the actors and organizations involved in the development, medicalization, and demedicalization of CPR. The purpose of this study is to better grasp how demedicalization occurs in a more general context by looking through the lens of CPR. I will adapt a framework that is used for examining medicalization authored by Peter Conrad (1980), to allow …

The Independent Press In The Emerging Democracies: The Case Studies Of Poland, Ukraine And Russia, Lyudmyla Pustelnyk

Masters Theses

My research will entail the election coverage in the mainstream papers of Poland, Ukraine and Russia, these are the Gazeta Wyborcha, the Den, and the Izvestiya respectively. The diverse levels of media-freedom in the observed countries explain the difference between all three outlets in featuring political issues. The purpose of this Master's Thesis is to contrast and compare the state of the free press in Poland, Ukraine and Russia as well as the factors that determine the media-independence. In particular, these are the media-legislation, civil society and the economic performance.

This study revises the empirical claims made by …

Transcriptional Regulation Of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6pdh) By Glucose, Pramod U. Thekkat

Masters Theses

In liver, insulin and glucose regulate the expression of important genes for lipid and carbohydrate homeostasis. Studies on the effects of glucose and insulin, including effects on cell signaling, are vital since deficiencies in glucose utilization in cells and/or insulin secretion contribute to conditions like obesity and diabetes. In liver, the pentose phosphate pathway is one of the primary pathways that can utilize the excess carbohydrate. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) is an important rate limiting enzyme in this pathway. Our laboratory has shown that both insulin and glucose induce the expression of G6PDH, although the mechanism by which this transcriptional regulation …

Biochemical Characterization Of Disease-Causing Mutation In N-Terminal Wilson Protein Domain Six, Patrick Ochieng

Masters Theses

Wilson protein (ATP7B) is a copper-transporting P-type ATPase that regulates copper homeostasis and secretion of copper-containing enzymes in the liver. In hepatocytes, ATP7B delivers copper to apoceruloplasmin and mediates the excretion of excess copper into bile. Mutation in the gene coding for Wilson protein leads to Wilson disease. Several mutations in Wilson protein have been identified and of particular interest, mutations affecting the N-metal binding region significantly interfere with the ability of Wilson protein to transport copper to its target in the copper-trafficking pathway. In an attempt to characterize the disease-causing mutation (G591D) in Wilson protein domain 6 (WLN6), we …

The Effects Of A Still-Photo Computer Module Without Feedback On Ergonomic Behaviors, Rhiannon M. Fante

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of a still-photo computer training module without feedback on safe positioning of individuals performing an assembly task and a lifting task using a multiple baseline design across behaviors and tasks. The study took place in an analogue office setting and participants were 6 college students. The dependent variable was the percentage of observations scored as safe and each session was recorded via a hidden camera. During each session, participants completed a 5 minute assembly task followed by 2 lifts and this task sequence was repeated a minimum of four …

Occupations, Habits And Routines: A Case Study Of An African-American Woman, Michelle Leigh Velting

Masters Theses

Obesity is a growing problem in the United States. African-American women make up a large portion of the obese population in the United States, however, the treatment techniques available have had limited success with this group. Although many health professionals are involved with the treatment of obesity, literature involving the value of occupational therapy with this population is limited. This mixed-methods case study identified the daily occupations, habits, and routines of a middle-class obese African-American woman. The participant was selected via a health care professional in the area of Grand Rapids, MI. The Occupational Questionnaire (OQ), Model of Human Occupation …

Development Of A Needs Assessment For Youth Violence Prevention Programs In A Large Midwestern City, Laura Lynn Savel

Masters Theses

This research project was designed to examine the relationship between the needs for violence prevention programs and the qualities of occupational therapists. A needs assessment relevant to violence prevention program could not be located. One was therefore created based on the literature available as well as professional input. A pilot study was conducted, revisions were made and the needs assessment was distributed when approval was granted. The assessment was distributed to elementary, middle and high school principals, assistant principals, occupational therapists, guidance counselors/psychologists, and support staff from two western Michigan school systems. A model program was created based on the …

Physicochemical Properties Of Individual And Mixed Oxides Of Sio2, Al203, Tio2‚ And Photocatalytic Behaviour Of Organosilane Modified St Samples, Kalyani Gude

Masters Theses

A variety of oxides such as silica, alumina, titania and mixed oxides such as silica/alumina (SA), silica/titania (ST) and alumina/silica/titania (AST) are investigated by TGA and FTIR. These mixed oxides are analyzed because of their applications as catalysts. Thermogravimetric analysis is done on all the samples to determine the temperature at which the weakly adsorbed water is lost and the surface is left with only surface hydroxyls. TGA data showed the loss of most of the adsorbed water at around 100°C.

From the diffuse reflectance FTIR spectra taken at 200 and 300°C the silanol content is estimated from the 3740 …

Gender, Race, And Membership Status: Perceptions Of Hazing On A University Campus, Robyn Bethany Paige

Masters Theses

This thesis addressed the issue of hazing and specifically the potential relationship of three demographic factors, race, gender, and membership status, on student attitudes about hazing. This research to improve the understanding about what motivates individuals to engage in such behavior is designed to provide help to practitioners in creating better prevention and education about hazing.

An on-line survey was used to collect data from students at a large, public, Research I institution in the Mid-west. The survey was based on Sedlacek and Brook's (1970) Situational Attitudes Scale. The original instrument was modified to fit the topic of hazing. It …

Evaluation Of Year Round Education: Does It Increase Isat Reading Scores In Third And Eighth Grade Students?, Kristy Marlett

Masters Theses

Little is known about how a modified school calendar influences student achievement in reading. The present study investigated how students performed on the ISAT reading test after the district switched to a year-round calendar when compared to scores when the district was using a traditional school calendar. In other words, this longitudinal study attempted to answer if performance on the ISAT is related to the type of calendar, gender, grade level, and receiving special education services. Participants were 900 students in the third and eighth grades of one Illinois school district that transitioned from traditional school calendar to Year Round …

The Interdialect Approach To Second Dialect Acquisition: Theory, Process, And Results, Shauna K. Cromwell

Masters Theses

This project outlines the theory, process, and results behind an original approach to second dialect acquisition termed the "Interdialect Approach." To begin, the historical origins and development of the non-standard dialect African-American English (AAE) are outlined, focusing particularly on the evolution of the dialect and the importance of its historical examination in relation to current studies, research, and emerging nontraditional teaching methods for second dialect acquisition. This multi-faceted approach is clearly defined and offered as an effective method for teaching non-standard English speakers, particularly AAE speakers as is noted in the discussion of two dialect studies in which the "Interdialect …

Perceptions Of Sororities Among Sorority Women, Deborah Denise Appleby

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine sorority women's perception ons on certain aspects of sororities and how they believe sororities are perceived by non-sorority women and faculty. The benefits of the study include awareness of the perceptions that sorority women hold of sororities, improvements can be made in areas that haveе negative perceptions, and the positive aspects of sororities can be promoted more.

A survey was used to collect data and SPSS statistical software wavas used to analyze data. Eight of the nine Panhellenic sororities at Eastern Illinois Universi versity were surveyed, providing 395 respondents. Their ages ranged …

Media's Portrayal Of Women: Impact On Aggressive Attitudes And Beliefs, Danielle Trezek

Masters Theses

The purpose of this quasi-experimental quantitative study was to examine images in magazine advertisements and the impact of these images on aggressive attitudes and beliefs towards women. The three research objectives were: 1) to explore the appeal of the portrayals of women in magazine advertisements to males and females, 2) to examind the attitudes and acceptances of violence, gender-roles, and gender stereotypes of the participants after viewing the different portrayals, and 3) to compare the results of males and females to explore the differences in aggression between genders. The participants consisted of 71 college males and females from a Midwestern …

An Assessment Of The Crawl Program: A Brief Alcohol Intervention For First Time Alcohol Offenders At Eastern Illinois University, Catherine T. Passananti

Masters Theses

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effectiveness of an alcohol intervention program instituted at Eastern Illinois University. More specifically, the purpose was to assess how much knowledge student participants gained about their personal drinking behavior and how it affected other individuals. Results from the study include that the program had a positive educational effect on some, while other participants were in need of more individual and intensive alcohol education and counseling.

Assessing Effectiveness Of The Differential Assessment Of Autism And Other Developmental Disorders (Daadd) As A Diagnostic Screening Instrument, Caroline Dahlstrom

Masters Theses

Children with developmental disorders were thought to be more similar than different in the past (Greenspan & Wieder, 1998). Many developmental disorders are a result of neurological differences and/or delays in a child's acquisition of general skills and can present similarly at a young age (Richard & Calvert, 2003). Therefore, there has recently been an emphasis on the need for developmental disorders to be differentiated because of the differences being noted. Many assessment tools, including specialized checklists, interview formats, and standardized tests used to assist in the diagnosis of developmental disorders are available. The Differential Assessment of Autism and other …

Design And Implementation Of A Hardened Distributed Network Endpoint Security System For Improving The Security Of Internet Protocol-Based Networks, William Dee Atkins

Masters Theses

"This thesis proposes a distributed approach to securing computer networks by delegating the role of a conventional firewall to a collection of nodes and controllers placed throughout the networks they are intended toprotect from attack. This distributed firewall system is a specific application of a generalized distriubted system framework that is also proposed in this thesis. The design and implementation of both the generalized framework and the application of the framework in creating a distributed firewall system for use on Ethernet-based networks that rely on the Internet Protocol are discussed. Conclusions based upon the preliminary implementation of the proposed systems …

The Search For Authentic Identity In Three Novels By West Indian Author Earl Lovelace, Todd A. Cornwell

Masters Theses

In this thesis, I examine the evolving concept of authentic identity, individual, cultural, and national in the post-colonial Caribbean context embodied in West Indian author Earl Lovelace's The Schoolmaster, The Dragon Can't Dance, and Salt. These three novels when analyzed together demonstrate Lovelace's emerging vision of a future for the Caribbean rooted in indigenous values, self-possession, historical reclamation, and, ultimately, true independence.

Additionally, this thesis explores Lovelace's paradox of the mask, in its many different physical and psychological forms, that simultaneously liberates and imprisons, and the consequences of masking on West Indian identity. In Lovelace's own words, these three novels …

Color-Blind Or Seeing White: A Pedagogical Approach To Critical Whiteness Studies, Rebekah K. Volk

Masters Theses

Critical whiteness studies is a primary component of multicultural education that is frequently absent from curricula at all educational levels. This deficiency in the core philosophy of education produces white and non-white students who lack an analytical understanding of the true impact of whiteness on American society, culture, and media. Through lessons infused and influenced by a whiteness perspective, educators may begin the process of creating anti-racist white allies who will continue to change society with a positive impact. Additionally, teachers should help students view their world through the lens of critical whiteness studies in order to promote a more …

Iron Consumption Knowledge For The Prevention Of Iron Deficiency And Iron Deficiency Anemia Among College-Aged Women, Jennifer N. Vissers

Masters Theses

Iron deficiency is a serious problem affecting more than three million people nally and almost two billion worldwide. This study was performed to determine the knowledge of iron, iron deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia among college-aged women. A questionnaire consisting of 21 knowledge questions in addition to seven demographic questions was answered by 420 college-aged females at a Midwestern university. Overall, 85% of the women (n=357) in this group lacked sufficient knowledge about the subject as determined by a total knowledge score of less than fifteen. Greater iron knowledge was found in older, white students, those who consumed supplements, and …

An Examination Of Factors And Perceptions Related To Steroids/Human Growth Hormone In College Baseball, Benjamin D. Riegle

Masters Theses

This study examined the role modeling effect from professional baseball through an anonymous survey aimed at the prevalence, potential precursors, and deterrents of steroid use among 173 intercollegiate baseball players. Results indicated that 2.3% of participants admitted to using steroids, but this low incidence was not due to low access as 58.4% said they knew how to obtain steroids and 37.8% had previously been offered steroids. Just over one-third (34.1%) agreed that performance enhancement was a precursor to steroid/HGH use and a mean score of 2.53 (SD = 1.46) indicated that it was a greater precursor than improving appearance (19.7%, …

Individualism-Collectivism, Values, And Help Seeking Attitudes Among Indian And American College Students, Ateka Contractor

Masters Theses

The present study examined cross-cultural differences in individualistic and collectivistic values and behaviors, the cultural value dimensions of conservatism, openness to change, self-enhancement, self-transcendence, and attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help among American and Indian college students. Data were collected from 111 students at Eastern Illinois University in the U.S. and from 78 students of Mumbai University in India. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Individualism-Collectivism Interpersonal Assessment Inventory, the Schwartz Value Survey and the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale. Statistical analyses were computed using I tests for independent means, 2 Way ANOVAs, multiple regression analyses and descriptive …

Language-Based Spelling Instruction For Children Who Are Hard-Of-Hearing, Brittney L. Yakey

Masters Theses

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of SPELL-Links to Reading and Writing, a language-based instructional spelling program, with two hard-of-hearing children. Spelling skills were evaluated using the Spelling Performance Evaluation for Language (SPELL), Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT), and Featured Inventories. The participants included two hard-of-hearing children with mild hearing loss. Spelling intervention targeted four spelling patterns (short u, ck, ch/tch, and ng). The results showed that one child benefited from the SPELL-Links to Reading and Writing by the improvement across all four patterns, while the other child showed improvement in only two of the patterns.

Cell Signaling Pathways In Lps-Mediated Apoptosis Of Dedifferentiated Hepatoma Cells, Michael Ryan Reidy

Masters Theses

Using liver tumor cells and their dedifferentiated cell lines, mechanisms underlying tissue specific gene expression can be studied. We have derived cell lines, from liver tumor cells, which fail to express liver genes. These cells are termed "dedifferentiated cells". One significant observation made was that cells which fail to express liver genes also rapidly undergo programmed cell death (known as apoptosis) under the influence of the bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Understanding the mechanism of how liver function relates to cell apoptosis is the goal of this study.

Apoptosis is known to play a critical role in development and homeostasis, yet …