Digital Commons Network^™

Essays In Financial Economics, William Bazley

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation contains three essays in financial economics. The first essay shows that technology-driven innovations in credit markets have real and social implications. Using data from the largest online, peer-to-peer credit market in the United States, I find that borrowing increases when access to traditional credit is restricted, such as after bank mergers and natural disasters. Consequently, online borrowing moderates the diminished growth in business establishments and the heightened crime growth associated with credit scarcity. A percent increase in online lending offsets about 0.25% (0.22%) of the diminished establishment growth and 0.11% (0.18%) of the rise in crime associated with …

Refugee Women And Employment: A Grounded Theory Study, Miryam Haarlammert

Open Access Dissertations

This grounded theory project focused on developing an initial understanding about the experiences of refugee women who are currently or who have in the past received employment services when making employment decisions once resettled in the United States. Interviews with 11 refugee women from Latin American countries living in Miami, Florida and one refugee resettlement service provider revealed that before women engaged in formal job-seeking activities that they were already “doing the work” of learning how to live life in a new country while taking care of themselves and of their families. The women focused on finding housing, dealing with …

Comparison Of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Quadriceps Autograft Versus Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft On Neuromuscular Activity Of The Quadriceps And Gait Biomechanics, Michael Isaac Letter

Open Access Dissertations

Quadriceps tendon autografts (QT) are increasingly popular as a primary graft choice for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR); yet no study has compared QT and bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft (BTB) superficial quadriceps neuromuscular activity levels during gait and isometric strength testing. The objective of this study was to determine if harvesting the central portion of the QT will alter gait biomechanics and RF firing patterns during gait and an isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Thirty-four subjects (18-40 y), who underwent ACLR using BTB (n=17) or QT (n=17) at a single institution, and seventeen healthy age-matched controls (C) participated. Subjects had no …

Teaching College-Level Jazz Skills Using Interactive Digital Technologies And The Flipped Classroom Model, Josiah Boornazian

Open Access Dissertations

After introducing arguments in favor of teaching with technology, this essay provides a review of several current interactive digital technologies and describes the author’s experiences teaching jazz skills at the college level using the flipped classroom model. The flipped classroom model, in which lecture material is studied outside of the classroom and class time is spent on practical application, was facilitated by the use of MusicFirst’s suite of online music education software. MusicFirst incorporates online playing assessments, instruction, and ear training modules. The paper concludes that there is great potential to improve teaching and learning efficiency by using interactive digital …

A Population Neuroscience Approach For Analyzing Regional Structural Brain Mri Data In Cognitive Aging, Michelle R. Caunca

Open Access Dissertations

As the number of older adults increases in the US over the next few decades, the racial and ethnic diversity of the older adult population is also expected to increase. As such, the burden of age-related cognitive impairment in racial and ethnic minorities is an urgent public health priority. Though the most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, cerebral small vessel disease resulting from cumulative vascular risk factor burden often co-exists with neurodegenerative pathology and brain atrophy. Both brain atrophy and cerebrovascular damage can be imaged in vivo with structural brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Global MRI-derived markers of …

Can Studies Of Trait Altruism Be Trusted?, William H.B. Mcauliffe

Open Access Dissertations

Studies using the self-report altruism scale (SRA) to measure trait altruism have found that altruism is uncorrelated with antisocial motives and positively correlated with being female and number of sex partners. However, it is unknown whether the SRA scale meets basic psychometric standards, such as unidimensionality. The act-frequency format of the SRA likely undermines its ability to isolate any one motive for behaving prosocially. In a pilot study (N =276), factor analysis indicated that the SRA contains dimensions related to the performance of favors (Factor 1), charitable giving (Factor 2), and politeness among strangers (Factor 3). Factor 2 predicted laboratory …

The Impact Of Total Caloric And Macronutrient Consumption On Strength And Power During An Off-Season Training Program In Collegiate Volleyball Players., Yvette Figueroa

Open Access Dissertations

Adequate caloric and carbohydrate intakes are necessary for positive adaptations to exercise training, yet there is limited research examining dietary intake in relation to strength and power in female athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine 1) whether there were significant changes in weekly total caloric and macronutrient consumption, strength, and power, and 2) whether total caloric and macronutrient consumption significantly and positively contributed to changes in strength and power across a controlled eight-week, off-season resistance training program. Eleven collegiate-level female volleyball players were examined on macronutrient consumption, strength, and power at two-week intervals using three-day food logs, …

Novel Measures Of Inspiratory Muscle Function In Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Assessment And Training Implications, Magno F. Formiga

Open Access Dissertations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The vast COPD symptomatology and features are usually accompanied by weakness and deconditioning of the respiratory muscles, with particular impairment described in strength and endurance of the musculature involved with inspiration. Several local and systemic mechanisms contribute to an imbalance between the load placed on the inspiratory muscle pump and its capacity in COPD. Inspiratory muscle dysfunction is independently associated with dyspnea, poorer functional capacity and decreased health-related quality of life in this population. This dissertation aimed at evaluating a novel inspiratory muscle assessment and training …

Optimal Approach To Load Progressions During Strength Training In Older Adults: An Intent-To Treat Study, Andrew Buskard

Open Access Dissertations

Progressive resistance training (RT) is one of the most effective interventions for reducing age-related deficits in muscle mass and functional capacity. Researchers agree on the need for older adults' RT to progress at an appropriate speed, however, no consensus currently exists as to the best way to achieve this. PURPOSE To compare three common (and one novel-but-promising) progression models under an intent-to treat approach to determine if an optimal progression method exists for use in RT for older adults. METHODS: 82 healthy community-dwelling older adults (71.8 + 6.2 y) performed 11 weeks of structured RT (2.5 days/week) including a common …

A Brief Period Of Exercise Improves Cognitive Function After Cardiac Arrest, Holly Stradecki Cohan

Open Access Dissertations

Cardiac arrest effects over half a million people in the United States annually. A lack of brain perfusion results in a global brain ischemia resulting in cell death in several regions including the hippocampus, an area important for learning and memory. Nearly half the survivors of cardiac arrest suffer from cognitive deficits. While there remains no well accepted therapy for these patients, it has been shown that exercise after focal brain ischemia (i.e. stroke) enhances both motor and cognitive function. But this has never been explored in the setting of cardiac arrest. In this study, we determined that a brief …

Nutritional Beliefs And Practices Of Arabic Speaking Middle Eastern Mothers, Maissa Al-Bkerat

Open Access Dissertations

Childhood obesity is recognized as an important health problem in the United States. Researchers have identified culture and acculturation as major factors influencing obesity across several ethnic groups, although little is known about the historically invisible and vulnerable population of those identifying as Arabic speaking individuals from Middle Eastern countries. In Arabic culture, mothers are responsible for creating and maintaining a home environment that fosters healthy eating behaviors among family members including the children. It is assumed, therefore, that mothers in Arabic culture play an essential role in preventing childhood obesity.

The aim of this study was to explore perceptions …

Three Experimental Examinations Of Aspects Of Institutions Governing Natural Resource Use, Christopher Brozyna

Open Access Dissertations

Theory alone cannot accurately describe the characteristics of successful natural resource governance institutions. Laboratory economic experiments are needed to analyze the characteristics and validate theories in a controlled environment. Three such experiments on important, but frequently overlooked, aspects of institutions are reported: time allowed for decision-making, the strength of property rights, and how resource user groups impact each other. Chapter 1 analyzes how psychology can impact outcomes in institutions by forcing subjects to make decisions under time pressure, something not before analyzed in a dynamic Common Pool Resource management context. We find users under time pressure make decisions which reduce …

Team Medical Decision Making: Available Research And Future Directions, Brian E. Tapscott

Open Access Dissertations

As part of the shift toward team-based care, many clinical decisions are now made by intra- and interprofessional teams. Team medical decision making is a recommended practice that is believed to reduce error and improve clinical judgment. However, surprisingly few studies have examined the accuracy of team decisions and little is known about the efficacy of various team strategies. Consequently, practice guidelines are lacking. To address the paucity of research, this dissertation addresses possible starting points for future studies based on research to date and current practices. Accordingly, Manuscript I will discuss team research from various fields with an emphasis …

Navigating Internal And External Borderlands: The Experience Of Emergent Bilingual Cape Verdean Middle School Students, Abigale E. Jansen

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of this grounded theory research study was to better understand the experiences of emergent bilingual Cape Verdean Middle School students as they navigate internal and external borderlands. This study was conducted in an urban middle school in New England. Nine female, emergent bilingual Cape Verdean middle school students, participated in this study. This study was also completed with the assistance of the school district’s middle school language acquisition coach. The participants contributed to student surveys, focus group discussions, participant observations and member checking. All data was analyzed using coding and grounded theory, which lead to the development of …

Could Stated Political Affiliation Influence A Candidate's Perceived Appropriateness To Attend Graduate School? An Audit Study, Nicholas Zambrotta

Open Access Dissertations

Bias and stereotypes, even in the professional realms are ubiquitous and are unfortunately an inescapable fact of life in society. Psychologists study bias and discrimination in order to more fully understand when it arises, as well as what can be done to confront it. Bias and discrimination researchers have demonstrated that women, racial/ethic minorities, members of the LBGTQ community, as well as other marginalized groups continue to suffer from the effects of discrimination. However, recent investigations have indicated that discrimination based on an individual’s stated political affiliation may also exist. Other researchers point out that political affiliation bias and discrimination …

Polypharmacy In Cancer Patients: Health-Related Quality Of Life, Expenditures, And Adverse Events, Zachary R. Babcock

Open Access Dissertations

Polypharmacy (PP), often defined as the use of five or more medications, is highly prevalent in patients with cancer. As the quantity of medications for treating cancer and comorbid conditions in patients with cancer become more numerous and diverse, it is important to understand the various ways in which patient health and economic outcomes may be adversely affected by prescribed medications. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate three distinct associations between PP and the lives of patients living with cancer by estimating how PP (1) affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL), (2) is associated with healthcare expenditures, and …

To Be Continued: Seriality In New Media, Ryan Engley

Open Access Dissertations

Seriality has maintained a pervasive presence across media for over a century. Despite widespread critical and popular interest into seriality and serial texts, very few book-length theories of seriality have been attempted. Though uncommented upon critically, Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan have both offered insights into seriality that this dissertation puts in dialogue with serial media texts. My dissertation begins in the Victorian era with Freud’s encounter with serial fiction through Charles Dickens. I then turn to looking at new media texts such as the “Twitterature” of Jennifer Egan and Joshua Clover, the first season of Sarah Koenig’s and WEBZ-Chicago’s …

Alexa Or Alex? Gendered Technology’S Influence On Consumer Judgments, Jiyoon An

Open Access Dissertations

This research attempts to examine when technological products are seen as a gendered agent rather than an object. Based on a review of the literature on consumer- technology relationship and social cognition theory, this research addresses the conditions for gendering of technology, its process and outcomes by using multi-method empirical studies. The stereotype model tests the mediating and moderating hypotheses regarding gendering and its effects on consumer judgments. The disruption model attempts to disrupt the stereotyped gender effects by using a counter-stereotypical gendered cue. The research provides theoretical, managerial, and public policy insights.

Compassion And Well-Being: The Effects Of An Online Filmmediated Compassion Education On Undergraduate Students, Thupten Tendhar

Open Access Dissertations

An increasing number of college students in the US are reportedly experiencing significant levels of emotional distress and mental health challenges. College students who practice compassion have been found to have significantly lower negative emotions when compared to students who do not practice compassionate thinking. This underscores the need for compassion education programs. However, only a limited number of college students benefit from existing compassion programs because many are too busy to commit to eight or more weeks of such face to face training along with their regular course load and work schedule. This study used a quantitative method with …

An Exploratory Investigation Into The Structure Of Eating Disorder Diagnosis, Juliana Steffes

Open Access Dissertations

This dissertation first provides the current conceptualization of the most common Eating Disorders (EDs) as well as other disordered eating conditions currently recognized within the research community. The current literature regarding the epidemiology, risk factors, existing evidence of indicators of overlap, and commonalities in treatment and prevention efforts among these disorders is identified. Researchers have mentioned the concept of a continuum of eating disordered behaviors or a spectrum of eating pathology, either using it in a paper title or within a research paper, yet few have conducted statistical analyses to illustrate that these concepts have more than face validity. This …

Self-Monitoring Heart Rate Biofeedback: A Secondary Prevention Strategy For Managing Anxiety In College Students, Louis William Turchetta

Open Access Dissertations

Intro: Anxiety is often a chronic condition that will affect approximately 29% of individuals during their lifetimes (Dennis & O’Toole, 2014). Unfortunately, numerous barriers to treatment exist, especially when treating children (Dennis & O’Toole, 2014). Wearable technology, particularly utilizing heart rate monitoring, can potentially aid in the treatment of anxiety, allowing for greater recognition of symptoms and interventions in any setting.

Hypothesis: Hypothesis one: College students with "mild to moderate" levels of anxiety will be able to utilize self-monitoring heart rate biofeedback (SMHRB) consistently (e.g., respond to at least 70% of Maximum HR alerts utilizing relaxation breathing). Hypothesis …

Assessing Interaction Of Black Racial Identity And Perceived Neighborhood Factors On Educational Utility, Clifton A. Berwise

Open Access Dissertations

Previous research findings have indicated that there continues to be an increased need to assess the impact of neighborhood and community factors on educational outcomes for Black Americans. When investigating neighborhood factors for this population, two understudied variables are perceptions of trust in neighborhood police and collective socialization, particularly in examining their impact on academic outcomes. Furthermore, it is unclear how Black racial identity interacts with the effects of these perceived neighborhood factors on educational outcomes. The present study attempted to add to the literature by exploring how the interaction of racial identity and perceived neighborhood factors impact how Black …

Can Asl-Gloss Be Used As An Instructional Tool To Teach Written English To The Deaf?, Emma S. Rathkey

Open Access Dissertations

This study addressed the use of ASL-gloss as a potential method for improving reading ability and comprehension for those with profound deafness through the use of the Gray Silent Reading Test (GRST). ASL-gloss can be described as a written form of American Sign Language. Research suggests that on average, individuals who are deaf are reading at about a third- to fifth-grade level. Presently, there is limited research on the effects of using ASL-gloss with students who are deaf. Participants (n = 31) self-reported as having a profound hearing loss, used ASL as their primary or preferred language, and were over …

Law Enforcement Officers' Perceptions Of Their Skill Development And Transfer Of Learning Post-Training, Jane Northup

Open Access Dissertations

This research examined how law enforcement officers who took a course in criminal investigative techniques developed their skill and transferred what was learned post-training. The data was collected using document reviews and interviews. The participants were ten law enforcement officers who expected to use their newly acquired skill after leaving a course in criminal investigations. As a result of the qualitative multiple case study data analysis, four constructs were revealed as aids to the participants in transferring what was learned in the course and further improving their skills. The constructs were supports, experience, reflection, and motivation. The constructs can serve …

Measure Development And Validation Of A Self-Efficacy Scale For Advance Care Planning, Alexandra N. Murray

Open Access Dissertations

A disparity exists between the medical intervention people say they want to receive at end-of-life and the care that is typically delivered. Advance care planning (ACP) involves discussing end-of-life care wishes, including relevant values and cultural beliefs, and documenting these preferences for medical providers and loved ones to minimize unwanted suffering and maximize quality of life. Numerous healthcare institutions have emphasized the importance of doing ACP prior to an imminent medical need, prompting researchers to implement awareness campaigns and interventions in earlier stages of healthcare interactions (e.g., primary care). However, motivation to follow through with ACP varies depending on numerous …

Exploring The Incredible 5-Point Scale: Impact On Target Behaviors In Preschool, Beth A. Mcbride Pinheiro

Open Access Dissertations

In the following experimental study, a multiple-probe, single subject design (SSD) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Incredible 5-Point Scale (Buron & Curtis, 2012) as an intervention tool for a preschool aged child with developmental delays (DD). The scale, originally designed for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but found through noted experiences to have positive effects for individuals with other disabilities as well, is a teaching tool that aids teachers, therapists, and families in encouraging positive social and behavioral development in individuals (Buron & Curtis, 2012). While not an identified evidence-based practice (EBP) itself, the Incredible 5- …

Welcome To The Club: An Archival Inquiry Into The Dewey Laboratory School As Rhetorical Education, Krysten Manke

Open Access Dissertations

This project contributes to scholarship extending the traditional scope of rhetorical education. Specifically, this dissertation recovers educational practices and ideas from records documenting the early years of the University of Chicago’s Laboratory School, an experimental elementary school founded and directed by the American pragmatist John Dewey. Researchers have employed John Dewey’s pragmatic philosophy to gain insights into progressive, student-centered composition and rhetoric instruction. However, the field has neglected Dewey’s actual pedagogy as a source for insights into rhetorical education. Using archival analysis methods, this dissertation recovers educational practices from the Laboratory School that were not recognized as rhetorical during their …

Charmed Modernisms: Fantasies Of Sociality And Difference In Twentieth-Century British And American Literature, Kara Watts

Open Access Dissertations

In this dissertation, I examine what mobilized the simultaneous discourses of charm and anti-charm rhetoric in late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century British and American modernist literature. Charm moves through texts as a trojan horse of sorts, ostensibly supporting normative ideologies of the social order while its use actually imagines sociopolitical transformation. I look to Oscar Wilde’s works to assess how charm possesses an aesthetic magic that bonds persons across normative time and social stratification. Charm becomes an experimental force of social form in the early decades of the twentieth-century. In the works of Gertrude Stein and Sylvia Townsend Warner, charm’s …

Attitudes Towards Commercial Sexual Exploitation: An Ecological Systems Approach, Rachel Small

Open Access Dissertations

Sex trafficking is one of the largest and fastest-growing criminal enterprises in the world (Cecchet & Thoburn, 2014), and represents a systematic form of violence against women (Curva, 2012; Ekberg, 2004). Despite growing social awareness and scholarly interest in commercial sexual exploitation (CSE), it remains an underdeveloped research area, and little research has been conducted from a social-psychological standpoint. A comprehensive review of qualitative research was conducted utilizing ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1992) as a framework for identifying major themes in the described experiences of survivors of CSE. In Study 1, emergent themes served as the basis for the development …

“There Is No Racism In Cuba”: A Field Study Of The “Post-Race” Rhetoric Of Modern Cuba, Clarissa J. Walker

Open Access Dissertations

Claims of racelessness in present-day Cuba conflate identities and generate public discourse that misalign with the social realities of black Cubans on the island. Decolonial and critical race theorists argue the necessity of racial-identity language: Unconfronted race-based injustice and unproblematized whiteness are among the unaddressed issues concretized by racial democracy rhetoric. The aim of this qualitative study is to investigate the collective narrative of modern-day Cuban interviewees to determine their epistemological knowledge and current uses for the rhetorics of racelessness; further, the study tracks the island’s century-old rhetorical practices designed to sustain erasure of race rhetoric in Cuba. This work …