Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Race And Offender Status On Small Business Hiring Decisions, Elle Gray Teshima

Masters Theses

This research explores the impact of race and offender status on the hiring decisions of small business hiring managers. Cover letters, resumes, and surveys were distributed by mail to small business hiring managers in the Grand Rapids area to assess their reactions to and opinions of prospective applicants with varying racial and criminal backgrounds. The null hypothesis was supported. Respondents did not demonstrate a strong overall preference for candidates of a particular race group or offender status. The largest concern with this study is a limited sample size despite a fairly strong response rate. Social desirability bias may also limit …

Comparison Of Oak And Sugar Maple Distribution And Regeneration In Central Illinois Upland Oak Forests, Peter J. Frey

Masters Theses

Although white oak (Quercus alba) dominated much of the mid-west and eastern US hardwood forests prior to European settlement, changes in disturbance frequencies and habitat fragmentation, coupled with other biotic pressures, are allowing sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) to displace oak in the upland forest understory. Since our understanding of how disturbance mechanisms influence oak regeneration is not fully clear, there is lack of consensus on how to employ management practices. We collected seedling microhabitat data from 5 upland oak forest sites in central Illinois, each differing in age class and/or silvicultural treatment to determine: 1) Whether …

Relationship Between Residence Hall Floor Plan And Social Interaction, Community, Retention, And Overall Satisfaction, Cassandra James

Masters Theses

This quantitative study focused on the relationship between residence hall floor plan types and quality of social interaction, social interaction among students, sense of community, retention, and overall level of perceived satisfaction of students at a midsized, Midwest institution. The 31 item survey was administered to on-campus students living in the residence halls to better understand the relationship between floor plan types and social interaction. The results provided a significant difference with two floor plan types for interaction among students. The findings of the present study suggest that university administrators focus on designing and renovating residence hall floor plan types …

Analysis Of Academically At-Risk Second Year Students' Perceptions Of How Campus Support Services Engage Them Via Social Media, Brad Sandefer

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

And By The Grace Of God, We'll Travel West, Aaron White

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

A Study Of Student Leaders' Facebook Use, Valerie Penn

Masters Theses

Facebook and other social media have changed the way that our society communicates. As student affairs professionals, it is important to understand how this shift in communication affects our students and their development. This study aimed to learn more about how students leaders use Facebook, how they perceive Facebook, and how their leadership position has impacted their use and perception. The researcher used an electronic questionnaire, a Facebook tracking log, and a personal interview to examine the Facebook use and perceptions of eight participants. These participants represented the following groups: Greek leadership councils, orientation leaders, resident assistants, and student government. …

"They Want All Of Your Kids To Be Gay And Oppose God": Incivility And Othering In Yahoo! News Comments, Emily Vajjala

Masters Theses

In 2004, many newspapers in the U.S. allowed public commenting on news articles posted to their websites, however since then, many U.S. news websites have removed public comment boards, ceased archiving public comments, or turned to moderators to edit or delete hateful or overly aggressive comments (Hughey and Daniels, 2013). Yahoo!, however, continues to utilize comment boards on Yahoo! News reports, in which incivility continues to run rampant. Utilizing critical discourse analysis, this study addresses incivility and "othering" in Yahoo! News article comment sections from news reporting on LGBTQ-related stories. From a sample of 1000 Yahoo! News comments using open …

Role Of Feedstock And Process Conditions On Biomass Gasification For Synthesis Gas Production, Mayoorey Murugathasan

Masters Theses

In this study gasification of three different biomasses were performed to study the impact of process conditions and different feed stocks on final syngas composition. Final composition of the syngas determines the energy value of the resulting syngas and the suitability of syngas in chemical synthesis applications. Three kinds of feedstocks studied include switch grass pellets:wood chips 50:50 mixture, wood pellets:wood chips 50:50 mixture and wood pellets.

The effect of process conditions including temperature and feed stock composition on syngas composition were studied. Gas chromatography was used to analyze the final gas composition of syngas samples collected at five different …

An Examination Of Areas Of Involvement That Foster Student Retention, Abigail L. Ford

Masters Theses

Campus involvement has been proven to improve the persistence of students through college. This qualitative study was designed to learn if there are certain areas of involvement that are more influential to creating a perceived sense of belonging for students and in turn influencing their persistence. Using a qualitative approach the researcher gathered narratives from four undergraduate students who were involved in varying out-of-class activities and analyzed the resulting data for important themes. Three major themes emerged which were importance of involvement, connectedness to the university, and employment. The results indicated that being involved in extracurricular activities is influential in …

The Effects Of Theophylline And 8-Cyclopentyltheophylline On The Respiratory Response To Carbon Dioxide In Neonatal Rats, Christine E. Albers

Masters Theses

Premature infants are often plagued with respiration problems ranging from periodic breathing to apnea. These respiratory complications can be a result of underdeveloped respiratory organs, immaturity of the brainstem respiratory control center, genetic irregularities, or a combination of all three. This study sought to increase respiration with the administration of methylxanthines, which are respiratory stimulants, coupled with carbon dioxide (CO₂), also a respiratory stimulant. Neonatal rats aged 4 to 7 days old were used to mimic premature infants' response to the interaction of methylxanthines and CO₂. Before beginning the respiratory studies, sections of a 4- and …

The Effects Of A Pro-Eating Disorder Website Across Different Races, Lucrecia Ann Lawer

Masters Theses

This study sought to examine the effects of viewing a Pro-Eating disorder website and how the effects of this website vary across women of different races, what impact the website's racial content has, and what impact the ethnic identity of the participant has on the negative effects of viewing the website. In order to examine the effect of website content, two different Pro-Eating disorder websites were used - one containing images of Black women and one with images of Caucasian women. 93 Black and Caucasian female undergraduate students were recruited to participate in the research study, and the women viewed …

Low Resolution Examination Of Cool-Water Carbonate Foraminifera Around Tasmania During The Pleistocene, Sara Jane Hughes

Masters Theses

Benthic foraminifera from nine sediment samples recovered during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 189: The Tasman Gateway were examined to determine how changing Southern Ocean conditions affect benthic foraminiferal populations. All samples come from Site 1168 situated 70km from the coast of Tasmania on the western continental slope (2463 m below the surface) and are spaced at roughly 150,000 years apart. Identifications of benthic foraminifera were done with a dissecting microscope and several reference books. Foraminifera were correlated with environmental proxy data obtained from Brughmans (2003) (total organic carbon, carbonate, siliciclastics, coarse fractions, chlorin, barium, aluminum, iron, and titanium) and …

Functions Of Mitoneet: What The Protein-Protein Interactions Reveal, Fran Hirschfelder

Masters Theses

MitoNEET is a [2Fe-2S] cluster protein found on the outer mitochondrial membrane. First discovered as a binding site for pioglitazone, an anti-diabetic drug, it was the first protein described containing a CDGSH iron-sulfur domain (CISD). However, the function(s) of mitoNEET in both normal cellular physiology and the physiology in type-2 diabetes remains unclear. The proposed functions of mitoNEET, include cluster transfer, electron transport and oxidative respiration. This thesis describes the use of proteomic pull-down techniques to identify possible protein binding partners of mitoNEET from both mouse and human liver cell lysates. In order to accomplish this, the expression and purification …

Satisfaction And Importance Analysis Of Features And Services To Nontraditional Students: A Mixed Methods Approach, Denise E. Corray

Masters Theses

The study examined the importance and satisfaction to nontraditional students (NTS) with features and services offered at Eastern Illinois University (EIU). Participants included students over age 25 who were currently or recently enrolled at the university at the time of data collection. A triangulation mixed-methods approach was utilized; a 40-item instrument was created to measure NTSs' EIU experience. Findings indicated that Instructors' knowledge of course content, Overall quality of instruction, Relevancy of subject matter taught in classes I attend, Cost of tuition to attend EIU, and Clarity of degree requirements were the most important to NTS at EIU. Participants were …

Female Identity And Experience In Abc's Lost, Jennifer L. Reichart

Masters Theses

This thesis is an analysis of the female characters and their roles as mothers, daughters, and lovers in the television series LOST (ABC, 2004-2010). During its original runtime, the series presented intriguing yet complex women whose personal experiences were revealed in flashbacks. With the move from these flashbacks to flashforwards and flashsideways, the series further complicated both its form and its content by demonstrating how individual identity and experience informed each female character's decisions, motivations, and agendas. In this way, the series deconstructs various stereotypical roles women are placed in such as single mothers, pampered princesses, and imprisoned women. Oftentimes, …

A Comparison Of The Effects Of Static Stretching With And Without Whole Body Vibration On Hip Flexion Range Of Motion In College Age Males, Jessica Lynn Wilson

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a single bout of static stretching with and without whole body vibration on hip flexion range of motion in college age males. A second purpose was to determine whether any acute effects would persist after one hour of rest. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant increase from baseline to posttest hip range of motion with both static stretching only and static stretching with whole body vibration. Further, the improvement would be significantly greater with the addition of whole body vibration. It was also hypothesized that any …

A Monetary Analysis Of Ghana: Examining The Relationship Between Monetary Policy, Price Stabilization, And The Real Exchange Rate, Nana Quaicoe

Masters Theses

The primary objective of this study involves evaluating the link between monetary policy, price levels, and the bilateral real exchange rate in Ghana. To make up for the sparse and inadequate monetary economics literature in Ghana, the study makes a substantial contribution by delineating between different monetary policy instruments. Using monthly data from 1992-2013, a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM) is developed for exploring and measuring the relationship between monetary policy, inflation rate, and the bilateral real exchange rate in Ghana. The growth of broad money supply (M2) and the Monetary Policy Rate are used as the principal monetary policy …

The Prevalence, Reasons, And Effects Of Hazing On Female Student Athletes, Danielle Steffa

Masters Theses

The present study was designed to understand the prevalence, reasons, and effects of hazing on female student athletes at a midsized, Midwest institution. Hazing is defined as any activity expected of someone joining a group that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotions and/or physical harm, regardless of that person's willingness to participate (Gersehel, Katz-Sidlow, Small, & Zandieh (2003). By using a modified survey done by Hoover (1999) and Allan and Madden (2008), the frequency, reasons why female athletes believe hazing happens, and any effects felt by these athletes was measured. Results showed there are many types of hazing behaviors that are …

Computational And Experimental Studies Of Non-Covalent Interactions: Characterization Of Ch...Π Interactions And Structure Of 1,1-Difluoroethylene...Carbon Dioxide, Ashley M. Anderton

Masters Theses

Weakly bound CH/π interactions, due to the abundance of C-H bonds and π systems that exist in larger organic molecules, are an important driving force in the construction of biomacromolecules, supramolecular assemblies and crystal packing of organic compounds. To assist in the characterization of CH/π interactions, a density functional theory (DFT) study has been conducted to determine a quick and cheap method for accurate determination of the binding energy and rotational constants for CH/π interactions. Seven complexes were used in this study: five benzene-HY complexes (where Y= C≡CH, Cl, F, Br and C≡N) and two fluorobenzene-HY complexes (where Y= C≡CH …

Investigations Towards Synthesis Of Cinnamaldehyde Semicarbazone Derivatives And Their Photochromicity By Modifying The Ring, The Linker, And The Semicarbazone, Xiao Xiao

Masters Theses

Cinnamaldehyde semicarbazone was varied in three ways, by altering the ring, the conjugated linker, and the semicarbazone, to investigate how changing the structure affects the photochomicity. The synthesis of 7 hetero- and 2 polycyclic- aromatic semicarbazone variants involved three steps, (a Wittig reaction, hydrolysis, and condensation to the semicarbazone) with cumulative yields of 15% to 52%. Generally, the pyridine series gave lower yields than other synthesized semicarbazones. The Wittig reaction gave cis/trans mixtures in ratios of 2 : 1 to 1 : 7 for the 6 acetals, except for the 3 that went directly to the aldehyde, due to the …

Conditional Goal-Setting As A Mediator In The Relationship Between Mindfulness And Well-Being, Adam De Fina

Masters Theses

Mindfulness is defined as the awareness that emerges through paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally to the unfolding of experience moment by moment (Kabat-Zinn, 2003). Current research on mindfulness has begun to focus on how mindfulness works by identifying the various mechanisms through which it facilitates well-being (e.g., Carmody, Baer, Lykins, & Olendzki, 2009; Coffey & Hartman, 2008; Hölzel et al., 2011). The present study examined if engaging less in conditional goal-getting (CGS) is one of the mechanisms of action of mindfulness. Conditional goal-setting (GCS) occurs when individuals have become highly committed to accomplishing certain concrete …

The Risks And Rewards Of Personal Writing In The High School Classroom, Dannette L. Williamson

Masters Theses

In light of the Common Core State Standards, more research is needed on the importance and transfer value of personal writing high school classrooms. These standards have brought a more rigorous focus to student learning. With a stronger emphasis on argument and source-based writing, high school educators need to reexamine if or how personal writing should fit into curricula. For this study, approximately thirty students from each grade at Effingham High School were surveyed. The entire English department, as well as staff members from other disciplines at Effingham High School, were also surveyed. Prominent findings of the data show that …

A Retrospective Study Of The Link Between Maternal Social Anxiety And College-Student Social Anxiety: Mediating The Role Of Maternal Cognitions & Behaviors, Kyung Won Kim

Masters Theses

Parental social anxiety is a well-established risk factor for child social anxiety. In addition to being passed along genetically, parental anxiety seems to be transmitted partially via environmental factors, such as parental cognitions and behaviors that convey negative expectations toward the child. This paper reviews the current literature linking maternal social anxiety, maternal cognitions, and offspring social anxiety. Using a retrospective design, a mediated model, examining the association between maternal social anxiety and later offspring social anxiety, with maternal cognitions and behaviors during childhood as a mediator was tested. Consistent with the hypothesis, maternal fear of negative evaluation served as …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Molecular Components For The Preparation Of Poly-Rotaxanes, Austin P. Welti

Masters Theses

The self-sorting ability of certain crown ethers make them important players in the field of supramolecular chemistry, especially those studying mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs). Of these MIMs, rotaxanes and catenanes are the most common. Our approach in the synthesis of poly-rotaxane systems involves the preparation of axles containing multiple recognition motifs to determine the self-sorting principles that each motif shows. These principles include narcissistic self-sorting, and also type I and type II social self-sorting principles. Using these techniques, poly-rotaxane formation can be made readily available.

A hetero-poly-rotaxane equipped with a naphthalene diimide (NDI) site and two ammonium salt sites has …

Public Wars, Private Warriors: An Analysis Of Private Military Contractors In American Foreign And Domestic Policy, Phillip Andrew Roughton

Masters Theses

At the end of the Cold War, the global political arena was forever altered. One of the major changes was the introduction of private military contractors as legitimate actors of foreign policy. Despite this assertion made by scholars, private military contractors are an under studied political actor. This paper traces the historical, economic, and legal legacy of private military contractors in American history.

The Effects Of Music Instruction On Phonological Awareness In Children With Hearing Impairment, Chelsea Fitch

Masters Theses

Phonological awareness skills are essential for reading development. Children with hearing loss lack access to essential auditory information that allows development of phonological awareness (Dillon, John, & Pisoni, 2011). Music instruction is becoming a popular approach to teach reading for typically developing children, and studies have supported beneficial effects from this treatment methodology. However, there is limited research regarding the use of music to teach phonological awareness and reading skills to children with hearing impairment (Gromko, 2005).

The effectiveness of a music program on increasing phonological awareness skills in children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing was evaluated in this study. …

Assessment Of Range, Habitat Use, And Diel Movement Of Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis Olivaris) In The Wabash River Using Ultrasonic Telemetry, Sarah Mary Huck

Masters Theses

Flathead Catfish (Pylodictis olivaris) are one of the most targeted species for recreational and commercial fishing within the Mississippi River Basin. With heavy harvest pressure placed on many populations, proper management is crucial; however, the species range, habitat requirements, and diel movement patterns have rarely been investigated in free flowing rivers. Therefore, I used ultrasonic telemetry with active tracking to monitor movement and habitat use of 44 Flathead Catfish from August 2012 to December 2013 in the lower 280 km of the Wabash River. This system is ideal to evaluate broad and fine scale movement of Flathead Catfish …

Impact Of Masculinity On Undergraduate Men's Perceptions Of Bullying And Help-Seeking, Michael King

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Renewable Portfolio Standards In The United States, Luke J. L. Eastin

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Student Writing And Its Effects On Motivation, Scott May

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.