Digital Commons Network^™

The East Wing Beat: The Changing Role Of First Lady, Jacqueline M. Scheible

Theses

First Ladies take on highly visible public roles within the American political system. They serve as role models for American women, symbolically representing the upper-middle-class-white American woman. The mass media cover extensively the women who become first ladies and symbolism associated with the firstladyship. The purpose of the present study is to provide a systematic examination of New York Times coverage of first ladies to understand and interpret change that has occurred in coverage. The findings suggest that first ladies have the opportunity to take advantage of the first lady podium and use it to meet public expectations and fulfill …

Running Header: Video Game Product Placements, Christopher Cameron

Theses

Since the early 1980's there has been an increase in the use of product placement in the fields of motion pictures and broadcast television. Recently, companies have begun to use product placements in video games to increase exposure to their products. Being an interactive media, video games allow the user to interact with the advertisement, unlike motion pictures and broadcast television. The present study investigates game players' recall of product placements in video games. Two focus groups of high school students and church members were monitored playing the FIFA World Cup 2002 video game. A pre-test/post-test was administered regarding the …

A Hybrid Mosaic And Vice Versa, Jinhwan Choi

Theses

None provided.

Cultural Differences And Organizational Leadership: Cultural Difference As Barriers To The Trans-Cultural Application Of The Concept Of Organizational Leadership, Jennifer Matic

Theses

This study examined the impact of cultural differences on the trans-cultural application of the concept of organizational leadership. The significance of four cultural dimensions (power distance, uncertainty avoidance, individualism, and masculinity) (Hofstede, G., 1980) towards the concept of organizational leadership (Rost, J.C, 1991) was discussed and a survey as created to test for cultural differences from a leadership perspective. American and Croatian college students then completed the survey. Results showed cultural similarities for all cultural dimensions with the exception of uncertainty avoidance, which was found to be higher for the American sample than the Croatian. Consequently, it can be said …

Cultural Sensitivity In Visual Communication, Yih-Chi Wang

Theses

Not Included

Narrative, Meaning Making And Personal Development: Teachers' Storied Experience In Montessori, Steiner And Other Primary Classrooms, Gayle C. Ward

Theses

This study explored how narrative was being used to foster meaning-making in Montessori, Steiner, Government and Catholic schools. In-depth interviews of twelve teachers from the four educational settings were used to collect the teachers' stories that comprised the data on narrative use. NUD*IST software was employed to organise data and to focus on emerging concepts through data analysis. A wide spectrum of narrative uses related to meaning making was revealed. These varied understandings support using narrative to foster insight on three levels relating to several theoretical views of narrative and its importance.

The Potential For Public Opinion To Generate Change In Policy Formation, Peter M. Roguszka

Theses

Towards the end of the Twentieth Century there were a number of examples of change to public policy that were not the product of political debate and public consideration. Rather, they appear to have originated in another less visible, and therefore less open to critique manner. It is argued that it is changes to the general thrust of public opinion that have given validity to these policy changes. The ways in which changes to public opinion are caused to change and by whom are investigated and a theory of 'Australian Public Opinion Change' is developed. This theory is applied to …

Interpretation For Our Times: East And West: Past Influences, Future Vision, Seong Kim

Theses

None provided.

The Differences In Family And Non-Family Perceived Social Support Among White, African-American, Hispanic, And Asian Subjects, Elizabeth A. Houston

Theses

Perceived social support can be defined as the perception of an individ1tal to feel emotional support and involvement from other people. Research indicates that social support is an important factor in physical as well as mental health. Because of today's pluralistic society, it is necessary for counselors to have an understanding of the differences between cultures, or races. There are many differences in the values of individuals from varying cultures. This study focuses on determining the differences in familial and non-familial perceived social support between subjects who are White, African-American, Asian, and Hispanic. Volunteers from St. Louis Community College and …

A Cross Culture Comparison Of Learning Styles, Yamit Massachi

Theses

This study examined differences in learning styles between African-American and Caucasian students while also taking into consideration students' gender. Students in grade 9th through 12th grade completed the Silver-Hanson Learning Preference Inventory (Hanson, Silver & Gulkus, 1984). This inventory is a 125-item questionnaire, which assesses students' preferences for different learning conditions, modes, and areas of interest. The sample included the results of the Learning Style inventory obtained from 95 African-American students and 95 Caucasian-Students. This study found that there is substantial evidence that gender has an affect on learning style. However, this study found marginal evidence that ethnicity affects learning …

Exploring The Attitudes Of Parents And Students Toward Homework, Pearl A. Jackson

Theses

The purpose of this study was to identify the attitudes of parents and students toward homework. Since homework can be an effective learning experience for students and can involve parents in their children's education, the researcher sought to gain an insight into the area of homework as seen from the perspective of these individuals. The study examined the attitudes of 30 parents and 30 students in a Sixth Grade Center in St. Louis County. Data for the study was collected by having each of the study's participants complete an attitude survey related to the subject of homework. The results were …

Differences In Attitude Between Black And White Women Towards Domestic Violence, Paula Ellis

Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the similarities and/or differences between African American and White women in their level of acceptance and personal experience regarding domestic violence. This study compared 62 women, 31 African American and 31 White women, ages ranging from 18 to over 58, employed at an area hospital in St. Louis. The study addressed their experiences and attitudes toward domestic violence. The data was analyzed through descriptive statistical comparisons between the two groups, using the Chi-Square procedure. The results of the study indicate no significant difference in the level of acceptance of violence between the …

A Comparison Of Body-Esteem In Adolescent Girls Between The Hutterite And Mainstream Western Cultures, Amanda Ann Walgren

Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the cultural basis of body-esteem and negative body image in adolescent females. This study focused on the differences between the culture of the Hutterites, an Anabaptist communal society, and the mainstream Western culture in the same geographic area. The Body-Esteem Scale (Mendelson & White, 1982) was administered to 35 Hutterite and 31 mainstream girls between the ages of 12 and 17. The Hutterite girls were found to have significantly higher body-esteem scores than the mainstream girls. These findings add to the vast amount of research linking body-esteem to cultural factors. Several possible …

Women Experiencing Depression [Within] The Three Denominations Of Judaism: Orthodox, Conservative And Reform, Amy Kopman

Theses

The purpose of this study was to investigate women experiencing depression in the three denominations of Judaism : Orthodox, Conservative and Reform . Participants were divided into thee groups consisting of Orthodox (n=20) , Conservative (n=32) , and Reform (n=28). The volunteer participants completed a demographic sheet and the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-I I) , answering 21 different questions measuring the severity of depression. A chi-square determined there is no significant relationship between the different scores of the various denominations of the Jewish women. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Customer Service Goes To College, Donald Hudspeth

Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a feedback model that can be used to gather data from students that have shared a common educational experience at a college in Croatia. Historical data was researched on surveys, interviews, and focus groups in order to discover the characteristics of each. The characteristics were classified as either a strength or a weakness of each of the models. The operating constraints of the college were identified as the effect that cultural differences can play in the collection of data and the financial budget. After these constraints had been applied …

Significance In Transcendence, Gerald E. Turk

Theses

None provided

In Vitro Cytotoxicity Study Of Glutaraldehyde And No-React Treated Bioprosthetic Heart Valves And The Aortic Wall, Roger Ongosi

Theses

Valvular failure due to calcification and leaflet disruption of artificial bioprostheses is still a major concern in valve replacement surgery. Previous studies have shown that Glutaraldehyde, a chemical used in the treatment of artificial valves promotes calcification. In this investigation glutaraldehyde and No-React® treated tissue samples of pericardium, cusp and the aortic wall were tested for cytocompatibility using live mouse fibroblast cultures. The samples were cut into 3 X 3 mm2 washed in phosphate buffered saline solution, transferred into cell culture flask containing cells that had been cultured for 24 hours and incubated at 37 "C in 5 % CO2. …

Managing Diversity In The Global Economy, Kathia G. Arjona

Theses

This thesis will focus on the study of the diversity management in businesses today, since the 2Ist century is around the comer. It seeks to study and highlight the importance and benefits of having a diverse workforce in today's organizations. Each day more and more companies are doing business globally, and that is why this thesis attempts to find a balance among the similarities and differences employees might encounter in any organization.

The advantages of a diverse workforce for successfully penetrating global, ethnic minority, and other group markets are many. Yet, making diversity work while simultaneously ensuring a stable and …

Cultural Transformation: Desire To Change?, Arthur L. Seaman

Theses

Gaining knowledge about what motivates people working in an environment afflicted with laws, statutes, policies, regulations, procedures, standards and jobs threatened by political movements is considered valuable information. This thesis is a focused study of human motivation theory, with the intent of learning why past attempts to change the culture of the United States Army Aviation and Troop Command (ATCOM) and the co-located Aviation Program Executive Office (PEO) organizations have failed to produce lasting results.

It is theorized that past attempts to bring about lasting change to the culture of ATCOM and the PEO organizations have failed in part because …

Perception, Aysegul Ozmen, Su Yonca Akyuz

Theses

Not provided.

Semiotics And Cross-Cultural Communication, Lingya Dubinsky

Theses

None provided.

Mixed Culture Biodegradation Of Pentachlorophenol, Hexachlorobenzene, And Tetrachloromethane Under Anaerobic Conditions, Jesse Zahn

Theses

Three chlorinated compounds, namely, Pentachlorophenol(PCP), Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and Carbon tetrachloride were biodegraded under anaerobic conditions using a (CCl₄)mixed culture obtained from an anaerobic sewage sludge digestor in Linden, NJ.

Three sets of cultures capable of degrading each of the target compounds were established. Primary Enrichment Cultures (PECs) from the anaerobic sludge were exposed to each one of the target compounds. The cultures were able to degrade each target compound as follows: HCB, 0 to 1.2 ppm; PCP from 0 to 3-4 PPM; CCl₄, 0.5 to 15.5 PPM

One culture from each PEC group (CCl₄, …

The Suitability Of Polyethylene Terephthalate Copolyester For Radiation Sterilized Dry Small Volume Parenterals, Steven M. Drucker

Theses

Small volume parenterals (SVP) are typically terminally sterilized through autoclaving. This technique works when the containers are filled with a liquid. However, in the case of sterile powders, autoclaving is not a viable method nor is dry heat since most products can not withstand 2 50C for a half hour. Thus gamma irradiation may be an acceptable method to terminally sterilize this class of product. One of the drawbacks of gamma irradiation is that it will discolor glass which is currently the package material of choice due to superior barrier properties and relative inertness. This paper explores the possibility of …

The Circular Causality And Possible Alleviation Of Pms Symptomology, Linda Whitchurch

Theses

This research was an attempt to investigate the appropriateness of including Premenstrual Syndrome into the revised third edition of the Diagnostic Statistics Manual. The researcher asked 10 women, who felt they were suffering from Premenstrual Syndrome, to compare their normal food intake with a balanced diet and minimal use of stimulants and the ambiguities of the syndrome became apparent. The women who took part in this study of Premenstrual Syndrome and the management of its symptomotology enlightened the author, not only to the multidimensional etiology of the syndrome, but more importantly, to the lack of validation they experienced as women …

Mathematical Modeling And Computer Simulations Of Biodenitrification In Batch And Sequencing Batch Reactors, Sugata Sanyal

Theses

Mathematical models have been derived for describing biodegradation of ni¬trate and nitrite in an anaerobic environment. Monod model for nitrate and Andrews model for nitrite were used as kinetic models. Experimental data from literature suggest that nitrate is not an inhibitory substance, while nitrite is not only inhibitory but it may also have a toxic effect on the biomass. The models were brought in dimensionless form in order to reduce the number of parame¬ters. Biodegradation was mathematically described for a batch, and a sequencing batch mode of operation. Computer programs were developed for numerically simulating the process. Some of the …

A Study Of Values And Managerial Practices, Po-Wen Chuang

Theses

The multinational corporations (MNCs) have been a major contributing factor to the rapid growth of the world economy since World War II. In recent years, multinational corporations are said to facilitate transfer of management techniques, thereby accelerating industrial growth, consumption, and a higher standard of living.

Research on multinational corporations has raised many issues, one of the most interesting issues being the transfer of technology within multinational corporations. Technology includes both the so called "hardware" technology such as capital labor ratio, product design and manufacturing methods, and "software" or managerial technology. Differences in managerial technology used by multinational corporations are …

Postpartum Depression, Mary Maguire

Theses

This review describes the three common postpartum psychiatric syndromes, including postpartum blues, postpartum neurotic depression, and postpartum psychosis. It discusses both early and recent studies which have explored emotional and physical symptoms and differing views of 1 etiology. Etiological factors discussed include genetics, physiological abnormalities, predisposing psychological characteristics, maternal expectations, demographics, child temperament, neonatal risk, marital relationship, the new mother's relationship with her own mother, social support, and precipitating stressful life events.

Emotional lability in the first few days following delivery is often hormonally based, but a significant degree of research suggests that a more severe postpartum depression is linked …

The Comparison Of Different Quality Of Working Life Among Countries From A Cross-Cultural Perspective, Jih-Ping Ouyang

Theses

The objective of this study is to focus on the factors underlying the prosperity of Taiwan from a cross-cultural perspective by utilizing Hofstede's (1980) theory and England's (1983) theory. It presents the scores on Hofstede's four indices (Power Distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism and Masculinity), using it to compare with countries, and touches upon England's eleven work goals.

Through research and analysis comparisons of the differences and similarities between Taiwan (Republic of China) and the other countries are found and based on these, the modifications can be made to improve the current managerial pattern. For the past few years, there has …

Uguru: A Natural Language Unix Consultant, John Hanson

Theses

UGURU is a natural language conversation program, implemented in Prolog, which can manage a wide knowledge base of facts about Unix. The range and wording of questions that it understands are based on surveys taken of students, mostly Unix beginners. UGURU is also designed to accept statements in English that can be added as facts to the knowledge base. Each fact is represented as a "binding set:" a verb-oriented semantic net with the characteristics of directed acyclic graphs. The main actions taken by UGURU are divided between two primary modules, a parser and a retriever. To produce a binding set …

Tradition And Transformation In Arab Education: The Challenge For Saudi Arabia, Maha Muhammad Lufti Adeeb Al-Najami

Theses

This thesis focuses on the developments in education in the Arab world .. It begins with a broad historical survey of traditional education in the Middle East. Traditional educational institutions are viewed in the context of the Islamic religious heritage and the various Islamic dynasties which developed throughout the Middle East. Then, the consequences of the Western influence on Arab education are explored. A brief history of Western colonial interests in the Middle East is given focusing on the effects of these colonial interests on the traditional educational programs. The Western impact began the process of modernization in the Arab …