Digital Commons Network^™

For Her Horror: Sociopsychological Gratifications Obtained By Fem Fans Of The Slasher, Brooke Eaglesong Wilson

Masters Theses

Those who side with the unjustified killer in slasher films are doing so to fulfill sociopsychological needs that are not being met in social reality. There were three main findings found in this study. First, participants sided with the unjustified killer in slasher films to gratify needs that were not being fulfilled in their careers such as the need to perform without having to consult mentors, not unlike how the unjustified killer murders victims without discussing with others. Second, participants sided with the unjustified killer in slasher films to gratify needs in their romantic relationships such as the need to …

Evaluation Of Blue Catfish Populations In Four Midwestern Power Cooling Reservoirs, Tyler Joseph Murray

Masters Theses

Blue Catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) are the largest catfish in North America and as such angler desire for trophy fisheries have grown in addition to harvest fisheries. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) has stocked Blue Catfish into several reservoirs in the state including four that have powerplants that utilize the water for cooling and discharge it back into the reservoir at increased temperatures. This study explored the potential impacts of these warm water effluents on Blue Catfish population demographics, as well as whether management changes need to be implemented in these systems. I sampled Powerton, LaSalle, Springfield, …

A Multitude In The In-Between: The Impact Of Perceived Social Support On Resilience For Neurodivergent And Gsd Identities, Along With Barriers To Receiving Support, Theo Edwards

Masters Theses

This study used intersectionality theory to examine how overlapping minority identities impact receiving social support and the cultivation of resiliency. Individuals who identify as in the Gender and Sexually Diverse (GSD) community or the neurodivergent (ND) community may experience unique stressors due to various barriers to support. Overlap of GSD and ND identities can present added struggles. Information from 46 GSD and/or ND college students was collected through self-report scales and recorded interviews to examine the effects of perceived social support on resiliency. Also assessed were common values in social support like having someone to talk to and being understood, …

Soils From Different Solidago Altissima Clones Mediate Intraspecific Interactions In Schizachyrium Scoparium, Sarah Alharbi

Masters Theses

While previous studies have examined plant intraspecific competition and soil microbial effects separately, fewer studies have investigated how these factors interact, particularly in the context of genotype-specific soil conditioning effects. Plant-soil feedbacks can significantly alter interspecific competitive outcomes, yet few studies have examined how local variation in soil conditioning influences plant responses to density-dependent competition. I investigated how soil inocula derived from four Solidago altissima clones that were previously shown to differ in their soil conditioning effects (Foster et al., 2022) affected the growth and root traits of Schizachyrium scoparium across a gradient of intraspecific competition (1, 2, or 4 …

Optimization Of Transformation And Regeneration In The Sunflower (Helianthus Annuus), Sara M. Kilar

Masters Theses

In addition to their value as prized ornamentals, sunflowers are important crop species due to the nutritional value and high oil content of the seeds. Sunflower oil is a significant contributor to global seed oil production, which can be used as a food additive and cooking agent as well as a raw material for biodiesel production. While traditional breeding efforts have led to the development of many unique cultivars, genetically modified variations have proven more difficult due to the recalcitrance of sunflower plants to genetic transformation. As a result, facile and efficient transformation methods for sunflowers have the potential to …

Influence Of Thermophilic Biofilms On Proliferation Of Opportunistic Pathogens In Domestic Water Systems, Olajumoke Akinbami

Masters Theses

Domestic hot-water systems quietly grow biofilms under elevated temperatures that can serve as shelter to Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens. Although focus has been placed on microbes in domestic systems, there has been no clear conclusion on the mechanism of survival and persistence of opportunistic pathogens despite various disinfection strategies. In this study, we determined the distinction between showerhead and drip-flow biofilms at the whole-community level and analyzed the coexistence of thermotolerant organisms with opportunistic genera, such as Legionella. We sampled eight showerheads and simulated four biofilm samples in the laboratory using the drip-flow biofilm reactor.

We observed a strong …

Variation In Maternal Alkaloid Provisioning And Its Effects On Antimicrobial Defense In Tadpoles Of The Poison Frog Oophaga Pumilio, Erica Berent

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Native Freshwater Mussel Communities In The Lower Grand River, Michigan: Assessing Tributary Confluence Effects And Updating Survey Information, Grayson L. Kosak

Masters Theses

Freshwater mussels (Unionidae) are ecosystem engineers and keystone species vital to stream ecosystems yet represent the most imperiled group of freshwater fauna. Conservation of unionids necessitates further understanding how assemblages interact with watershed features. This study investigates mussel occupancy, distribution, and assemblage structure upstream and downstream of tributary confluences in the lower Grand River, Michigan, alongside updated surveys of the unionid community with comparisons to previous assessments conducted by Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) in 2002–2003. Unionid density, richness, and diversity were greater upstream of confluences. No significant distance-gradient effects were observed. Assemblage structure differed between upstream and downstream reaches …

The Choir Effect: A Case Study On Adolescent Boys’ Academic Self-Confidence, Dedrick L. Guyton

Masters Theses

Realizing the cognitive and social benefits of choral participation in early adolescent boys may be critical in understanding their academic self-confidence. This qualitative research study examines large public school choral ensemble participation and the academic self-confidence of boys between the ages of twelve and fourteen. Previous studies on formal music education in children suggest that active music participation has academic and social benefits. However, research has not addressed the effects of early music exposure on adolescent boys who sing in a large public school choral ensemble. The research illustrates the experiences of approximately 20 twelve-to-fourteen-year-old male choral ensemble members within …

Mixed Race Futurity Through Contemporary Archetypes: Mutants, Cyborgs And Dhampirs, Kobe Jackson

Masters Theses

Analysis of Enlightenment philosphes reveals how the contemporary archetypes, mutants, cyborgs and dhampirs may be situated as sources for understanding mixed race positionality. Arranged on a trajectory of hybrid mythology reaching from ancient times into the present day, their contemporary relevance is put into context. Through modern speculative fiction, historical mythology and the theoretical frameworks of sociology, and philosophy, two tropes are revealed to be imposed roles for mixed race people. The first one, the tragic hybrid is a term which references a character specific to the context of American colonial slavery, the tragic mulatto. By reframing the term, tragic …

A Study On Private Piano Curriculum Using Edwin Gordon’S Music Learning Theory, Cody Chandler

Masters Theses

This quantitative descriptive research study addresses the deficiencies in modern piano educational literature pertaining to aural development at the earliest stages of piano education. Contemporary piano methodologies often prioritize music notation over aural skill development during the initial stages of instruction. This study addresses this imbalance, offering insights into curriculum selection based on its influence on competition performance scores, music theory exam results, and student retention. The participants in this study are 329 piano students who began lessons between kindergarten and twelfth grade selected from five qualified piano teachers from 2010-2024. Data was collected by recording competition and festival scores, …

Mindful Design For Adolescent Minds: Moving Away From Digital Hook Models To Mindful Innovation Models, Donald R. Hendriksen

Masters Theses

In the domain of digital technology, an ethical issue surfaces from the design of user interfaces and applications tailored for adolescent users. Techniques frequently incorporated into these targeted systems, such as continuous scrolling, rewards for uninterrupted use, and game-like features, are increasingly linked to addictive inclinations in adolescents. Central to this issue is the stimulation these apps provide for the dopamine system. Adolescents, being in a vital phase of psychological growth, are especially vulnerable to the dangerous consequences of such designs. These effects are extensive and include a perceptible drop in academic achievement, a weakening of relational skills, and an …

Machine Learning And Evaluation Of Diabetes Risk Using 2022 Brfss Data, Addie Weaver

Masters Theses

This research analyzes Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 2022 with three machine learning models, Neural Network, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine, to determine and compare the models’ accuracy rate of diabetes prediction. Principal Component Analysis was employed to determine principal factors of diabetes risk. Results show that the Neural Network is most accurate at 90.09 percent at predicting diabetes. Factors increasing diabetes risk include alcohol consumption, smoking, and self-perceived mental and physical health.

Fundamentalism And Religious Art At Bob Jones University: Is There A Problem?, Cheryl Sanders Mims

Masters Theses

Bob Jones Sr. founded Bob Jones College in 1927 in Florida with educational, spiritual, and cultural goals for its students in the belief that Christians should be well-rounded - making them better equipped to both witness for Christ and succeed in their chosen professions. Programs were offered in drama and music. The campus moved to Greenville, South Carolina in 1947 where the institution became Bob Jones University and Bob Jones Jr., son of the founder, became its second president. In 1951 he founded an art museum – a natural extension of the Fine Arts programs – and assembled a large …

Effects Of Microplastic Biofilms On An Anthropogenically Impacted Suburban Lake, Paris M. Velasquez

Masters Theses

Plastics have been observed in every location on the planet, and their prevalence in the environment is due in part to their strong resistance to degradation. Inland lakes are susceptible to plastic pollution by highway runoff, which contains plastic fragments of brake pads, car tires, litter, and road paint. These plastics eventually enter freshwater environments and degrade into microplastics (

Gop's Future: Adapting Professional Writing To Engage And Attract Gen Z Voters, Kerry Mckim

Masters Theses

In an evolving political landscape dominated by digital media, the Republican Party faces significant challenges in connecting with Generation Z (Gen Z) voters. This thesis explores the critical role of professional writing in bridging this communication gap between generations. With the rise of social media platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, traditional communication strategies are becoming increasingly obsolete. Gen Z's unique consumption habits, values, and communication preferences necessitate reevaluating how political messages are crafted and disseminated.

This research highlights the importance of professional writing in political communication, focusing on its impact within the GOP. By examining Gen Z's demographics and …

Settling Dust, Unsettling Ground, Olivia Newroz

Masters Theses

Understanding dust as a material system that blurs the line between ground and atmosphere, I developed a dust machine as a tool for making dust legible at the human scale. While the blurriness of ground is visualized at both particle and planetary scales, at the human scale, it becomes less evident. Drawing from Lisa’s Moffitt’s discussion of “environmental models”–that is, models that don’t merely simulate phenomena, in this case dust, but rather produce the underlying force itself––I produced visualizations of how dust, as both a grounded and atmospheric element, intertwines ground and weather across scales, through a cyclical process of …

Millennials And Fasting: A Healthy Alternative, Christopher M. Hunt

Masters Theses

Millennials are facing more chronic health problems than any previous generation. They are experiencing a higher rate of disease for all the top conditions that affected their predecessors at the same age range. Most of these issues stem from an overconsumption culture that drastically increased during the millennial generation and is only projected to worsen. These habits start from a young age when the youth are taught to finish eating everything on their plate, even if they are not hungry, and consume at least three meals a day, which is seen as a mandatory requirement for a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, …

Wellness Awakening: Gen Z As The Catalyst For A Well-Being Revolution, Juliet Milillo

Masters Theses

This research project delves into the realm of holistic wellness management with a specific focus on engaging Generation Z (Gen Z). Holistic wellness encompasses a comprehensive approach to health and well-being considering physical, emotional, spiritual, social, occupational, and intellectual aspects. Members of Gen Z who are currently in college or recently graduated are the ideal candidates for holistic wellness management education as they are at the prime age to begin establishing long-term habits and lifestyles. Individuals in this age group are settling into their occupations, housing conditions, relationships, exercise patterns, nutritional habits, etc. The study employed a mixed-methods approach. It …

Character Development And The Inspiring Novelist, Halley Nicole Villegas

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the pivotal role of character growth and development in narrative writing, examining how it can significantly influence the overall success and reception of a story. Through a detailed analysis of various literary works and theoretical frameworks, this study identifies key elements that contribute to compelling character arcs and their impact on reader engagement. By contrasting well-developed characters with those that are poorly constructed or static, the research highlights how nuanced character development enhances plot progression, emotional resonance, and thematic depth. Additionally, the paper examines the importance of authenticity and relatability in character portrayal. The findings suggest that …

Broken Picket Fences, Lori Ann Feeley

Masters Theses

Broken Picket Fences is a women's fiction novel that explores the bittersweet reunion of two young sweethearts who see each other again after twenty years. Love is reignited, old memories die hard, and dark secrets struggle to find the light of day in a maze of choices. Raeanne finds that what she thought she wanted may not be what she truly needs. She embarks on a journey through her past to rediscover the essence of who she really is. It has been so long since she viewed her own life through a clear lens. She desperately searches for who she …

How Music Genres Affect Test Anxiety Among Third-Grade Elementary Students, Amy Summersett Ardovino

Masters Theses

This descriptive case study investigates the effects of classical, rap, electronic, and jazz genres of music played during a test administered to third-grade elementary students. Many studies focus on three main genres, such as classical, rock, and popular music, and not new, emerging popular music genres. With learning performance being a primary concern in education, it is beneficial to ascertain if different music genres affect anxiety in third-grade elementary students. Third-grade students serve as the population for this study; the sample involves 123 third-grade students from Chelsea Park Elementary School. This study implemented the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAI-CH) …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Lethality Assessment Program In Managing Domestic Violence Rates, Madison P. Jordan

Masters Theses

The Lethality Assessment Program was implemented into law enforcement procedures to help manage domestic violence. This eleven-item questionnaire evaluates the risk of lethality of the victim by asking questions about the relationship. Therefore, depending on risk law enforcement can connect the victim with resources. Domestic violence has had rising recognition across the world creating laws to protect victims. However, there is a need for research on domestic violences and the procedures put into place. The Lethality Assessment Program is one of the many diverse ways used to protect victims. The State of Virginia’s law enforcement is required to use it …

Scientific Authorial Voice: Incorporating Explicit Instruction In Undergraduate Chemistry Courses, Emma L. Becker

Masters Theses

The effective development of undergraduate chemistry students for success in professional and academic careers involves emphases on content knowledge and on writing and authorial voice. Unfortunately, most undergraduate chemistry instruction wholly neglects writing and authorial voice instruction in favor of content knowledge instruction. This results in the development of chemistry students who know the content of their field but not how to communicate that knowledge or how to enter the chemistry discourse with their own research. This integrative review identified 71 pieces of scholarly literature and synthesized these sources to reconceptualize writing instruction in undergraduate chemistry and propose explicit instruction …

Funding Allocations Concerning Composition Creation Standards, Garrett L.H. Robertson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study is to provide applied research data showing either a correlation or no correlation between the amount of school funding allocation for music education programs in various elementary, middle, and high schools and pedagogical approaches associated with elementary, middle, and high school student’s ability to carry out composition creation relating to the Nation Coalition for Core Art Standards. Additionally, it provides applied research data on how music educators should perceive their effectiveness regarding the quality of school funding. By examining historical evidence through multiple studies, the research data will be able to help conclude if a …

Using Phylogenomics And Herbarium Specimens To Evaluate Relationships In The Plant Genus Aneilema, Family Commelinaceae., Allan Sampao Loinyio

Masters Theses

The genus Aneilema, with approximately 65 species in seven sections, is one of the largest genera in the Commelinaceae. It is mostly distributed across Australia, Madagascar, and Africa, but one species occurs in South America. Early molecular phylogenetic analyses based on a few chloroplast genes and a small number of species have supported the monophyly of the genus with the inclusion of Rhopalephora, which was nested within Aneilema. This study used the Angiosperms353 gene set to investigate the evolutionary and taxonomic relationships within the genus and its close relatives. Through molecular phylogenetic analyses of 35 Aneilema species …

Impact Of Climate Change And Restoration On Phosphorus Loading In An Impaired Wetland, Katherine M. Lucas

Masters Theses

Restoring wetlands can increase biodiversity and water quality in both the wetland and connecting ecosystems; however, failing to consider past land uses can result in negative water quality effects. Prior agricultural practices at a coastal wetland restoration site in West Michigan have caused high legacy phosphorus (P) concentrations in sediments, as well as high P levels in the water column. Sediment dredging is being considered as a restoration tool to control internal phosphorus loading (IPL). In addition, climate warming is resulting in increases in both mean temperature and temperature extremes, which may affect IPL. I examined the effects of both …

Female Criminal Agency In Early Fourteenth-Century Norfolk, Anna K. Davis

Masters Theses

Medieval women who were on the wrong side of the law expressed agency in a specific and unusual manner. Criminal agency, as it were, was a way for them to express their wants and desires in a way that is no less valid a subject of study than actions that were legally permissible. However, this agency was constrained by medieval notions of women’s capability. This thesis examines women and their crimes found in an early fourteenth-century Norfolk gaol delivery roll to further understand how the men who ran gaol delivery “allowed” women to be criminal. As gaol delivery rolls were …

The Early Proclamation Of The Resurrection As A Compelling Evidence For The Historicity Of The Resurrection: A Historical Inquiry Of The Resurrection Miracle, Marina Gordo Lyle

Masters Theses

The resurrection's historicity has been mainly defended through Jesus's empty tomb and postmortem appearances, which testify more to the resurrection belief of the first Christians than to the resurrection as a historical fact. The early proclamation of the resurrection is a minimal fact often overlooked when defending the resurrection's historicity. Nevertheless, it forms a compelling case for the resurrection as a historical fact through a type of proclamation that emerged at Pentecost, with immediate effects best explained by Jesus's resurrection. Indeed, Pentecost's effects in time include the church's birth and rapid expansion through miracles that only took place once the …

Half Dawn, Catherine Ashley

Masters Theses

By presenting these words on paper, I have given entry into a microcosm of recent research, questions, and creative explorations. There is potential for disconnection when trying to turn your head inside out and present it in a way that feels beautiful for other people. I’m trusting the moments of authenticity I’ve found in my wandering. Segue. Relationship. Gesture. Illusion. My musings all stem from notions of temporality. Time dances on the farthest ends of both immensity and desolation. I’ve spent stretches of time asking the people, texts, and experiments around me to define time in a way that I …