Digital Commons Network^™

"In Our Sleep We Ran After Them": Daughters Defining Families And The Act Of Storytelling In Sandra Cisneros, Cortney Thomas

Masters Theses

U.S. Latino writers have steadily increased their critical and mass appeal since the 1980s when the "mini-boom" of U.S. Latino-literature first began. One of the leading writers of this literary boom is Chicana author Sandra Cisneros. Despite her distinct portrayals of intriguing families and familial relationships, critical articles and books which discuss her works rarely consider the family as a whole functioning unit. Cisneros's two novels, The House on Mango Street and Caramelo, contain similar narrators: adolescent daughters of the families upon which the novels are centered. The two narrators, Esperanza and Celaya, observe and report on the individual members …

Our Lamb Has Conquered, Let Us Follow Him!: A Rhetorical Analysis Of The Seal Of The Moravian Church Using Sonja Foss' Visual Rhetoric Schema And Cara Finnegan's Image Vernacular, Bethany L. Conrad

Masters Theses

This study rhetorically and visually analyzed the seal of the Moravian Church using Sonja Foss' theory of visual rhetoric and Cara Finnegan's image vernacular. Two versions of the seal were analyzed to provide a more thorough assessment of the function of the seal. Foss' theory and Finnegan's framework provide a method for analysis that explores the history, obvious elements and themes, implied concepts and themes, and the functions of the artifact. Using these frameworks, this study found that four themes emerged. The seal acts as a representation of the Moravian church, a calling, a promise, and a reminder for those …

Development Of Hybrid Composite Bipolar Plates For Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells, Nathaniel James Richie

Masters Theses

"Bipolar plates are one of the most expensive components of a PEM fuel cell and by far the heaviest. Bipolar plates are responsible for providing flow fields for reaction gases, acting as current collectors for electrons liberated during the chemical reaction inside the cell, and providing structural support for the fuel cell stack. Current PEM fuel cell bipolar plate technology is built on the use of sintered graphite which is costly and requires time-consuming machining. Furthermore, due to the brittle nature of graphite, plates must be made relatively thick which adds significant weight and volume to larger stacks, such as …

The Obstacles To The Integration Of Muslims In Germany And France: How Muslims And The States Impair The Smooth Transition From Immigrant To Citizen, Yael R. Cohen

Masters Theses

The place of Islam has been an ongoing debate for decades and still remains unresolved. Since the inception of the guest worker program initiated by European countries following the devastation of WWII, particularly France and Germany, Europe’s largest economies, the unanticipated occurred; what was conceived to be a temporary imported labor force which would eventually return home, turned into permanent settlement. For France, the labor pool emanated from colonial holdings predominantly from Maghreb, North Africa. Germany had no such labor source, but had a long ongoing relationship with Turkey which dated back to the Ottoman Empire. The entrance of this …

Nomadic Amdo Tibetan Glu Folk Songs, Wendolyn Craun

Masters Theses

Tibetan glu folk songs are a literary and musical expression historically passed down from generation to generation. This regional study purposes to define the origins, influences, categories, qualities, and significance of nomadic Amdo Tibetan glu folk songs. These topics are explored within the settings of Tibetan culture, history, theory, and current usage. Recordings of twenty-seven glu folk songs accompanied by transcribed text and music offer contemporary examples of this song genre that is quickly disappearing. The ultimate goal of this study is to answer the question: What are the defining characteristics of nomadic Amdo Tibetan glu folk songs?

Communication In Intercultural Marriages: Managing Cultural Differences And Conflict For Marital Satisfaction, Tiffany G. Renalds

Masters Theses

This qualitative study investigated the phenomenon of intercultural marriages, particularly the unique internal and external elements that impact communication and conflict within intercultural marriages of varying lengths and the intercultural communication competencies utilized by spouses in intercultural marriages. The research focused on three questions: (1) Which internal and external factors impact the effectiveness of communication between spouses in intercultural marriages the most? (2) Which communication competencies do spouses in intercultural marriages develop in order to address cross-cultural differences? (3) How do spouses in intercultural marriages experience and deal with conflict within their intercultural marriages? Data was obtained employing semi-structured interviews. …

A Method For Calibration Of Speed-Flow Curves In Hcm 2010 And Determination Of Highway Capacity, Seyed Hadii Khazraee Khoshroozi

Masters Theses

"This study proposes a method for calibration of speed-flow curves in a format suggested by the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2010 and applies it to two sites in Missouri: a work zone on I-44 around Pacific, and a basic freeway segment on I-270 in St. Louis. The three-regime model proposed is based on the two-regime (free-flow and transition) uncongested relationship suggested by the HCM 2010, complemented with a third regime representing congested conditions. Further, this study proposes a systematic approach based on regression analysis to determine capacity i.e., the break-point (intersection) between the transition and congested regimes. The proposed method …

Laboratory Studies Of Compatibility Of Tamper Detection Materials With Improvised Explosive Device Crater Repairs, Levi Anthony Smith

Masters Theses

"Past methods for road repairs of craters caused by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on main supply routes (MSRs) and alternative supply routes (ASRs) in Iraq and Afghanistan have been problematic. Traditional temporary and permanent solutions have proven deficient by being easily penetrable or by exposing troops for long periods of time. The use of a pre-blended rapid hardening cementitious material for lED crater repair has solved issues such as quick placement of the repair and high strength of the repair within an hour of placement. However, there are still issues with IEDs being hidden in repairs tampered by or replicated …

For Wanting Of A Meal: An Exploratory Study Of Meal Provisions At Medium To Large College And University Food Services In Illinois, Evan J. Mcwhirter

Masters Theses

This cross-sectional analysis of vegetarian provisions in medium to large college and university food services was developed to facilitate more inclusive institutional food services in higher education. The primary investigator interviewed eight college and university food service directors for the purposes of the study. The overarching theme emerging from the study was that food services are amenable to change current food provisions as long as the students voice their opinions and eat the food thus prepared.

Millennial Music Students: Perceptions Of General Stress, Performance Stress, Physical Health, And Mental Health, Elizabeth Plapp

Masters Theses

The participants in the current study were examined utilizing qualitative research. Focus groups were conducted to examine the experience of music majors in relation to general stress, performance stress, physical health, mental health, and well-being strategies.

Results found participants perceived stress as ambient due to excessive non-credit course, studio and private practice loads, expectations for participation outside of coursework, practicing toward an ill-defined concept of 'success', and poor time management skills. Participants discussed a continuum of stress from performance before private instructor and peers (more stressful) to a general audience (less stressful). Participants expressed a moderate amount of physical health …

An Examination Of The Intersection Between Alcohol Use And Unanticipated Consequences For College Females, Jessica A. Wright

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the intersection between alcohol use and unanticipated consequences for college females. The second purpose of this study was to examine how the participants perceived their risk of sexual assault. Prior quantitative research in this field indicated that binge drinking is a predictor of risky behaviors. Research also showed that many negative consequences, including sexual assault, can occur as a result of binge drinking. A qualitative study was conducted to gain a better understanding of the drinking behaviors of college females in their own voices, as well as their perceived risk of negative …

The Mis-Education Of Fraternity-Sorority Life Professionals: Moving Towards Effective Support And Development Of Nphc Advisors At Predominantly White Institutions, Sunni Lee Solomon Ii

Masters Theses

National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations have existed at Predominantly White Institutions since the early 20tl' century, and the actual council was formed during the 1930s. Since their inception these organizations have struggled to obtain equal facilities, campus advisorship, and support on PWI campuses. On many fronts the needs of NPHC organizations have been ignored or poorly addressed on many campuses. Through the usage of the qualitative inquiry method of phenomenology, the present study highlights the more successful experiences of student affairs professionals who have succeeded in developing strong NPHC communities on their campuses, the difficulties they encountered, and the valuable lessons …

Direct Inference Instruction: The Effects On Fourth Grade Students' Reading Comprehension And Motivation, Kalee Bengtson

Masters Theses

This research investigated student motivation and comprehension when an inference strategy was explicitly taught to fourth-grade students. Students in the experimental group (n=18) received instruction in an inference strategy developed for the purpose of this study that was based upon the five-step inference strategy created by Fritschmann, Deshler, and Schumaker (2007). Scaffolding instruction, the teacher modeled questioning the text and answering questions using a graphic organizer. After the teacher modeled the process, students worked in groups to read the text, question the text, make inferences, and answer questions at the end of the text. Finally, students completed the process independently …

Economic & Political Factors For Renewable Energy In The United States, Jeremiah Daniel Yokley

Masters Theses

The results of this study provide some insight to how qualitative regime variables affect the production of renewable energy in the United States. Specifically this paper found that while working with other variables the political affiliation of the President of the United States and the party holding the majority of seats in the United States House of Representatives and Senate can aid in forecasting renewable energy production growth. With this insight it is possible to better prepare for future energy investments by either governments or the private sector. This paper specifically examines total renewable energy production, hydroelectric energy production, solar …

Familial Factors And Attachment Styles Of Male And Female Adult Children Of Alcoholics, Kristina M. Decker

Masters Theses

In the United States, alcohol use disorders represent some of the most prevalent mental health disorders. Research has begun to explore parental alcoholism and its impact on children and families. The present study sought to examine the relationship between parental alcoholism and adult attachment styles in adult children of alcoholics (A CO As), as well as the relationship with several familial factors such as gender of the alcoholabusing parent, family cohesion, family satisfaction, parent-child attachment, physical abuse, and verbal abuse. A sample of 223 college students completed a series of measures on parental alcoholism, family cohesion, family satisfaction, parent-child attachment, …

Knowing Whose [Sic] Calling: Telephone Telepathy, Clint Harvey

Masters Theses

This study focuses on the possible role of mental telepathy in perceiving the identity of telephone callers before the caller is known through the normal senses. Many people report that this phenomenon occurs frequently in their day-to-day lives prompting controlled laboratory experimentation. The data was collected during the summer of 2010. One of the most important goals in determining the existence of mental telepathy involves the replication of different modes of research in different laboratory settings. This research attempts to replicate data Rupert Sheldrake collected during the beginning part of this century, in which he reported significant findings from studies …

H(A)Unt, Daniel Paquin

Masters Theses

I awake and find myself still sleeping.

Chelmsford, Daniel Davis

Masters Theses

Literary Studies with Creative Writing Emphasis

Traditionally, the term deux ex machina refers to the intrusion of a God-like being into the events of a play: in order to bring about a desired conclusion, the playwright introduces a supernatural deity who restores order. Witness the statue of Hermione at the end of A Winter's Tale.

More modem texts call for a broader interpretation. The symbolic rain of frogs at the end of Paul Thomas Anderson's film Magnolia, or the disappearance of Charles Lindbergh in Philip Roth's The Plot Against America, qualify as dei ex machina. These are events created not …

Dear Generals And Used Up Men: War Discourse And Dissent In Antebellum America, Kimberly Hunter-Perkins

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Distorted Domesticities: Hawthorne And The Democratic Domestic Sphere, John Stromski

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Diet, Physical Activity, And Lifestyle Factors That Influence Weight Change The First Year Of College, Sarah R. Gaines

Masters Theses

First year college students are at an increased risk for weight gain, which could have an effect on the future obesity status in America. Several studies indicate that weight gain does occur the first year of college; however, little research actually studies the population's behaviors prior to college. A literature review was conducted on several factors that relate to the diet, physical activity, and lifestyle changes that students may undergo as they transition from high school to college. It was hypothesized that a change in these factors would be associated with student weight gain and an increased BMI the first …

Examining Two Types Of Bullying In High School: Relational Aggression And Cyber Bullying, Sharon L. Lewis

Masters Theses

Bullying has taken on a new realm as cyber bullying and relational aggression have escalated. Cyber bullying has increased due, in part, to technological advancements around the world. Cyber bullying has the ability to reach many individuals in a short time. Victims of cyber bullying may be unable to deter the magnitude of the harassment. Relational aggression is often hard to detect, as it is a subtle act such as glaring, staring, and rolling eyes at the victim. Relational aggression is more common among females than males. The current research study focuses on the prevalence and frequency of cyber bullying …

The Effect Of Different Squat Depths And Loads On Acute Vertical Jump Performance In Recreationally Trained College Age Men, Alex Hoffman

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the full range of motion squat, the supramaximal loaded partial range of motion squat, or countermovement jumps alone elicited a subsequent acute increase in vertical jump height in recreationally trained college age men. The sample consisted of 14 college age men (ages 21.7 ± 1.5) that had engaged in lower body resistance training at least once per week during the previous year. Each subject was classified as recreationally trained based on a relative strength ratio of 1.75 ± 0.31.

The current study was five weeks long. The acute enhancement of vertical …

Of Music, Mathematics, And Magic: Why Math Is All Made Up And Why It Works So Well, Gregory A. Leach

Masters Theses

The purpose of my study was to answer the philosophical question of whether mathematics is invented or discovered. This question is an age-old and important one with many implications regarding the understanding of mathematics, logic, science, and truth. Answering this question correctly can inform us not only about the nature of what is known, but even what is possible to know. In the field of mathematics itself, the answer to this question could change the way that mathematics is taught, learned, and implemented in the future. The problem was addressed through research, comparison, and analysis of books and articles where …

Jazz Language In Bernstein Song: Recital Analysis, Pamela Teicher Machala

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Japanese Percussion Composers Through Performance And Analysis, Patrick James Rheingruber

Masters Theses

Concentration in Percussion Performance

The analyses presented looks into contemporary Japanese percussion repertoire and selected composers. Through discussion and research, the following pieces were selected due to their relevance to Japanese Percussion repertoire:

• Concertina For Xylophone and Orchestra - Tashiro Mayuzumi
• Thirteen Drums, Op. 66 - Maki Ishii
• Time for Marimba - Minoru Miki
• Rhapsody for marimba, flute, clarinet, contrabass and drums - Takayoshi Yoshioka
• Perspectives II - Toshi Ichiyanagi
• Marimba Spiritual - Minoru Miki
• Universe - Shiryu, Arranged by Nanae Mimura & Patrick Rheingruber

These works are representative of standard Japanese Percussion Repertoire, and have influenced the way contemporary …

Student-Athletes And Their Willingness To Contribute Financially In The Future To Eastern Illinois University Athletics, Joseph Richard Ethington

Masters Theses

The present study examines the perceptions of student-athletes at a mid-sized Midwest public university. The study relates the athletic, academic, and social experiences of student-athletes to their willingness to make financial contributions to the department of Athletics in the future. By knowing the degree of association to an athletic-department and/or sport team, predictors can be established to determine potential donors and their preferred recipient of support. In order to study these predictors, student-athletes were administered a survey and asked to participate in oneon- one interviews. Survey protocols were administered via a web-based survey instrument which received a response rate of …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Esl Chinese Student Experiences At A North American Institution Of Higher Education, Kelly Anne Kawa

Masters Theses

The present qualitative study explored the educational and cultural experiences of English as a Second Language Chinese international students while studying abroad at a North American institution of higher education. The research focused on the experiences of three Chinese students who were currently in their first semester at a Midwestern mid-sized comprehensive university comprised of nearly 12,000 students. A review ofliterature revealed that there has been a steady rise in international education abroad since the implementation of China's open door policy in 1978. The United States is the leading country to admit international students into their colleges and universities. The …

Student Athletes' Perceptions Of Academic Support, Career Support And Personal Support, Chandra R. Golden

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to explore the perceptions of student athletes concerning self identity, academic support, career support, and personal support. Qualitative methodology was used to gather information through in-depth focus groups. Participants were male and female student athletes from a mid-size Midwestern Public University.

Findings indicated there is an inherent struggle to balance multiple roles with one usually elevated over the other. Second, participants appreciated the academic support of the university, but indicated its influence ranged from extremely helpful and appreciated (Athletic Academic Support Staff) to moderately helpful (Major Specific Academic Advisors) to least helpful (Regular Academic …

Financial Well-Being Among Selected Students At Eastern Illinois University, Eric John Mazoch

Masters Theses

This study examined the financial well-being of Eastern Illinois University undergraduate students. Specifically the areas of financial debt, stress, and specific buying habits were addressed in determining the financial status of EIU students. The study was completed during spring 2011 by means of an online survey.

Significant correlations were found between the level of debt students had and their overall level of self-reported stress using a local five item semantic differential measure. There were no significant differences between student academic class standing and collective outstanding debt. Major on-campus versus off-campus spending differences were the cost of utilities and in the …