Digital Commons Network^™

Greeting Message, Voice Intonation, And Reward Offered In Telemarketing Calls, Eilin Aimee Diaz Fondeur

Theses

This study determined what types of appeals were more likely to gain compliance in telemarketing calls using two samples of adults and seniors. Eight different conditions were tested with combinations of greeting messages, tones of voice, and rewards offered. Significant differences were found in favor of using an eager greeting message and aggressive tone of voice. A vigilant greeting message and an aggressive tone of voice produced the greatest number of hang ups. A significant difference was found between offering a reward or not in the pitch for seniors but not for adults. Results provide support for using the peripheral …

Veteran Identity And Gender Representation: A Critical Visual Analysis, Ruth Harvie

Theses

This study reveals struggles over gender and identity in the military and shows how representations embody cultural, political, and ideological tensions over the role of women in the military and society. A chronological series of Veterans Affairs (VA) posters communicate this over a thirty year period. Visual communication and the area of representation and identity have long been studied across multiple disciplines, but no studies exist that examine the VA images. A critical visual analysis with the application of semiotics and gender theory revealed that veteran identity is significantly different between representation of men and representation of women.

What Factors Influence Wind Perceptions, Tatiana Stein

Theses

Over the last decade, wind power has emerged as a possible source of energy and has attracted the attention of homeowners and policy makers worldwide. Many technological hurdles have been overcome in the last few years that make this technology feasible and economical. The United States has added more wind power than any other type of electric generation in 2012. Depending on the location, wind resources have shown to have the potential to offer 20% of the nation's electricity; a single, large wind turbine has the capacity to produce enough electricity to power 350 homes. Throughout the development of wind …

An Examination Of Delay Discounting In Sex Offenders With Dual Diagnoses, Chad A. Poncinie

Theses

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF CHAD A. PONCINIE. For the Master of Science degree in Behavior Analysis and Therapy, presented on 21 June 2013. TITLE: AN EXAMINATION OF DELAY DISCOUNTING IN SEX OFFENDERS WITH DUAL DIAGNOSES MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. Mark R. Dixon Discounting of delayed rewards by sex offenders with dual diagnoses was compared to discounting of delayed rewards by matched control non-offenders with dual diagnoses. All participants completed a hypothetical choice task in which they made repeated choices between 10 dollars/servings after a delay and an equal or lesser amount available immediately. The delay to the large reward …

Contesting The Mainstream? Citizen News Platforms, The Alternative Paradigm, And The Bp Oil Spill, Benjamin A. Lyons

Theses

With emerging content forums blurring the distinctions between journalistic paradigms, this study helps illuminate those which best promote alternative practice. A content analysis of Deepwater Horizon oil spill coverage compared three platforms for online citizen journalism: corporate (CNN iReport), alternative (Indymedia), and independent blogs. News stories were coded for sources, links, author-reader interaction, mobilizing information, tone for the liable parties' ability and intent in handling the disaster, and contestation of official information. Results show that Indymedia was the most alternative in inclusion of mobilizing information, critical tone, contestation of mainstream versions, ratio of alternative links to mainstream, and total usage …

Designing The Tangible Experience Of Interactive Memories, Miguel Angel Cardona Jr

Theses

The process for memory keeping in the digital age has become easier, immediate, and more efficient thanks to the advent of sophisticated pocket-sized toolsets that can capture everyday experiences.

Consumer-level photo and video recording products are introduced regularly and boast more fidelity, faster speeds, and greater control than their predecessors. More often than not, these expanding feature sets do not properly serve all of their users' needs.

While the technology exists to allow for a near-complete record of one's life to be made through the use of sensors and storage media, problems involve how best to meaningfully learn from and …

Why Run: A Website For New Runners, Irene C. Meyer

Theses

Running is one of the simplest forms of physical activity that a person can take part in, but can still seem daunting to someone who has never done it before. whyRun is a website that guides interested beginners, through a simple and easy user interface design, in the basics of the sport: Why they should get started, how to take those first steps, the different types of running, equipment needed, and how to stay safe and motivated.

I believe that running can genuinely change not only how a person

appears physically by getting a sedentary body into motion, but also …

Investigating Denial Of The Harmful Effects Of Corporal Punishment In A Religious Context, Stephanie Grace Cox

Theses

Corporal punishment continues to be a controversial topic. Many people who experienced spanking as children feel that they were not harmed by the corporal punishment and go on to believe that using corporal punishment on their children will not harm them, especially if it is administered calmly. This study looked at the attitudes of 203 parents in the context of religion using Holden's "Attitudes Toward Spanking a Child" questionnaire. The results of this study showed that parents that said religion guided their parenting were more likely to view corporal punishment positively and were more likely to believe that corporal punishment …

Sustainability Curriculum Inventory And Literacy Assessment: The Influence Of Values On Knowledge Of And Perceived Importance Of Sustainability Components, David James Drogos

Theses

The incorporation of sustainability education and sustainable practices in higher education serves several purposes. It prepares students for work in sustainability-focused professions, fosters environmentally responsible behavior in individuals, and helps to reduce the ecological impacts of the operational aspects of educational institutions. However, contemporary definitions of sustainability, which consider social, political, ecological, and economic influences on the environment, complicate educational initiatives. Distinct educational departments often consider sustainability through their specialized lens. Trans-disciplinary initiative must be enacted in order for sustainability education to reach its full potential. This paper outlines the results of an electronically administered faculty sustainability curriculum inventory as …

Window Thermal Performance Optimization In The Government Built Emirati Family House-Abu Dhabi Emirate., Tareq I.A Abuimara

Theses

Presently, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has one of the world’s largest energy consumption per capita, with the building sector accounting for 70% of the consumed energy, primarily used for cooling. In the last three decades, the UAE government launched several housing programs that fit the needs of Emirati beneficiaries while recently targeting also energy efficiency.

This study aims at optimizing the window thermal performance in relation to orientation in a typical house within a representative governmental housing program. Often enough, housing orientation is governed by urban planning layout, where windows rarely show any adapted heat control treatment in relation …

Customizable Workstation, Kimberly Luly

Theses

Through research, product development, and user feedback this thesis project focuses on the development of a customizable, supplemental workstation that allows users to customize and adjust their approach to work within the ever-changing work environment of today and tomorrow. My project's purpose is to provide versatility and adaptability in the work environment to various users and work scenarios. Its design aims to improve workplace health, comfort, and productivity by allowing the user to select with ease, a standing or sitting position, as well as incorporate ease of mobility by allowing the user to easily transport the workstation wherever it may …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Design For The Environment Tools To Help Meet Sustainability And Design Goals, Ana Maria Leal-Yepes

Theses

Environmental impacts of electronics are a growing concern because the amount and type of materials used in production of the devices, the impacts to the environment from discarded

electronics and the early retirement of products due to rapidly evolving devices, changing design trends, and perceived technological obsolescence. Design for the Environment is a sustainability strategy that aims to reduce the environmental impacts through techniques that enable sustainability solutions during the design decision-making process. In order to suit the diverse

needs of sustainable design practitioners, there has been a large number of tools for Design for the Environment (DfE) developed, confusing …

Sustainability And Our Current Food Production System, Jennifer Nott

Theses

Food is necessary to human survival and having a sustainable food supply is one way to help guarantee this necessity. Sustainability comes in two forms. Weak sustainability, or substitutability, defines sustainability as the ability to substitute a diminishing resource with another more plentiful resource without irrevocably damaging the environment. Strong sustainability shifts its focus away from substitution and focuses only on renewable resources while maintaining the environmental caveat found in weak sustainability. Our current industrial food production system fails to meet the definition for strong sustainability because of its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, chemical fertilizers and pesticides as well …

Persuasion In Antiquity: A Content Analysis Of Ptahhotep’S Maxims And Lao Tzŭ’S Tao Te Ching, Joel Skelton

Theses

This study investigated persuasive strategies used in ancient Egypt and ancient China. In an effort to attain a better understanding of the utilization of persuasive tools from these two ancient societies, this study was completed by examining Ptahhotep's Maxims from Egypt and Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching from China. A thematic analysis revealed the most common themes found in Ptahhotep's Maxims (e.g., humility) and Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching (e.g., comparison). A content analysis examined persuasive tactics within passages of both texts. It was found that Ptahhotep principally utilized negative expertise and loss-framed messages while Lao Tzu utilized positive expertise …

User Preferences For Accessing Online Content Through Desktop, Laptop, And Handheld Devices, Abel B. Rondon Lopez

Theses

This study determined which devices, hand held or desktop and laptop computers, users preferred to access specific types of Internet content and why they chose mobile apps or mobile websites. Significant differences were found in favor of using handheld devices for social networking, looking up directions, programing reminders, global positioning systems, playing games, and listening to music. Activities showed a significant difference in favor of using desktop and laptop computers to investigate topics of interest, watch videos, and manage finances. Users preferred the way mobile apps are presented over mobile websites, but no significant differences between devices were found for …

Flap Stool Storage Furniture For Urban Nomads, Liu Yang

Theses

The purpose of this project was to make moving from one location to another an easier process by developing a creative furniture piece that can be used for storage.

Research on the actual moving process and existing moving solutions was done to gather information to begin this project. At the beginning of ideation, light-weight materials and folding structures were studied, and several new furniture solutions were explored. Concepts such as a storage stool, a transformable shelf, and bamboo roll furniture were created and tested.

A storage stool was selected for further development, because it provided the best fit for the …

I Am Pakistan, Shehzil Malik

Theses

I Am Pakistan is a project that aims to address the question of whether interaction design can be used to create human connections and foster the intrinsic motivation needed for becoming an agent of social change.

Pakistan is a country riddled with crippling problems such as poverty, illiteracy, terrorism and injustice. There is a need to make young people aware of proactive measures they can take to help change this dire situation.

Figures show that around 55% of Pakistani nationals are under the age of 25 with over 30 million Internet users in the population. This indicates that there is …

Oh My Plant: A Creative Design For Building Emotional Relationships Between People And Plants, Boran Song

Theses

While speaking with plant owners, I realized that one of the main reasons why people's plants were dying was that people lacked emotional relationships with their plants. In creating Oh My Plant, I wanted to help busy people to easily improve their gardening skills and to create an emotional relationship between people and their houseplants.

When our lives become busy and stressful, it is easy to forget to take care of our own bodies, let alone our houseplants. Yet houseplants offer numerous benefits to people, beautifying the environment and purifying the air.

I believe that the design for Oh My …

The Role Of Municipalities In Developing Kosovo Mountain Villages, Blerina Halili

Theses

The mountainous villages of Kosovo are on a verge of development due to a substantial number of challenges hindering their progress. The role that municipalities have in developing these villages is crucial in terms of overcoming these challenges, and through it, ensuring future development. This study has investigated the role this role while placing particular focus upon the municipalities of Shtërpce and Dragash. The study which included 150 research participants has been carried out in eleven mountain villages surrounding these municipalities. Through it several areas have been investigated, such as the quality of the public services offered, current economic standing …

Establishing A Women's And Gender Studies Program At Auk, Teuta Avdimetaj

Theses

The aim of this research project is to serve as a guiding document towards the establishment of a taught Women’s and Gender Studies minor program at AUK which would offer students the opportunity to critically expand their views in the field of gender and actively promote the political, social and economic empowerment of women in Kosovo and the wider region through proactive gender equality initiatives and projects. The Gender Studies program will tackle the main theories that revolve around issues of gender, status of men and women in several spheres, analyze the discrepancies that can be found based on gender, …

Rescue Breathing In Noisy Environments, Brianna Slutsky

Theses

This study considered rhythmic performance of rescue breathing by trained emergency responders and lay persons. Participants were asked to complete rescue breathing in 10 different scenarios. Such scenarios were intended to evaluate the effects of target rhythms and distractors on the responder's ability to administer rescue breathing ventilations at the appropriate rate and rhythm, in accordance with the standards established by the American Red Cross (2011). Current research concerning rhythmic performance with target and distractor rhythms suggests that auditory rhythms, whether target or distractor, have a greater influence on the motor behaviors of the human than visual rhythms. This research …

Optimization Of Inpatient Hemodialysis Scheduling Considering Efficiency And Treatment Delays To Minimize Length Of Stay, Manuel Tolentino Peña

Theses

Inpatient dialysis units face an uncertain daily demand of hemodialysis procedures for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients hospitalized for health conditions that may or may not be directly related to their renal disease. While hospitalized, these patients must receive hemodialysis in addition to any medical services needed for their primary diagnosis. As a result, when demand for inpatient dialysis is high, treatments and procedures required by these inpatients may be delayed increasing their length of stays (LOS). This research presents an optimization approach for daily scheduling of inpatient hemodialysis to maximize the efficiency of the dialysis unit while minimizing delays …

An Optimization-Based Approach For Vaccine Prioritization, Timothy Schmoke

Theses

An effective vaccine prioritization process is essential to prevent the many issues that currently weaken global vaccination efforts. Identifying challenges associated with vaccine development is important when considering which initiatives will provide immunization that is effective, affordable, and easy to administer. The process of establishing priorities for vaccine development is complicated, though, by the conflicting interests of multiple stakeholders involved in the vaccine market. Additionally, uncertainties exist regarding: (1) the resources and time required for vaccine development, (2) the expected benefits of development, and (3) the anticipated demand for vaccination, further complicating the prioritization process. This study proposes a decision-support …

An Assessment Of Worldview-2 Imagery For The Classification Of A Mixed Deciduous Forest, Nahid Carter

Theses

Remote sensing provides a variety of methods for classifying forest communities and can be a valuable tool for the impact assessment of invasive species. The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) infestation of ash trees (Fraxinus) in the United States has resulted in the mortality of large stands of ash throughout the Northeast. This study assessed the suitability of multi-temporal Worldview-2 multispectral satellite imagery for classifying a mixed deciduous forest in Upstate New York. Training sites were collected using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, with each training site consisting of a single tree of a corresponding class. Six classes were …

Current State Of Chinese Direct Mail Industry, Jinkai Qian

Theses

Indicated by the Direct Marketing Association (DMA), direct mail marketing expenditures in the USA were nearly $61.3 billion USD in 2008, which was much higher than that of China's $1.57 billion USD in the same time period (Chinese Graphic Arts Net). Direct mail products---as defined by DMA---include catalogs, letters, brochures, pamphlets, circulars and preprinted inserts, video and audiotapes, diskettes, promotional items and communications sent through the mail or other delivery services. In order to better understand the state of direct mail in China, the researcher conducted six detailed interviews with five Chinese printers and one advertising agency. The result showed …

Volunteer Communication And Media Richness: Recruiting, Communicating With, And Retaining Volunteers, Elizabeth Roach

Theses

With the advancement of online and Internet-based communication, including email and social networking sites, the way in which organizations recruit, communicate with, and retain volunteers is ever evolving. The not-for-profit sector relies heavily on volunteers to help with daily functions, supplementing the need for additional paid staff with volunteers. With the continued growth of Internet use across all generations, leaner media have become the preferred means of communication among volunteers and Volunteer Coordinators. An email survey of more than 100 current volunteers at the Seneca Park Zoo Society was conducted to determine which media channels are used and preferred. Although …

Assessment And Viability For An It Concentration Expansion At Auk, Lumbardh Sokoli

Theses

The research on the topic “Assessment and Viability of IT Concentration Extension at AUK” has been conducted in order to produce a full report on IT concentration by analyzing it from different perspectives. The report assesses the strength and weaknesses of the current IT concentration at AUK and analyzes the enrollment trend over the past years since the concentration initiation. The end purpose of the report is to provide recommendations and guidelines for effective and successful extension of the current IT concentration at AUK but also provide valuable insights in this concentration. AUK is the only higher institution in Kosovo …

Effects Of Reputation And Aesthetics On The Credibility Of Search Engine Results, Bryan Christiansen

Theses

Search engines are the primary gatekeepers of online information, but are judged differently than traditional gatekeepers due to the interactive and impersonal nature of the online search process. The researcher distributed an online survey with 141 respondents and conducted 22 observational interviews. Information credibility was tested through measures of expertise, goodwill, and trustworthiness, which were each correlated with perceived reputation and perceived aesthetics. Search engine reputation was found to have moderate correlations with expertise and trustworthiness, and a lesser, but still moderate correlation with goodwill. Aesthetics was related to the credibility measures in similar but lesser proportions. Interviews indicated search …

Monitoring The Natural Processing Of Organic Carbon And Phenols In Selective Wetlands Within Monroe County, Ny, Muhammad Rubaiyat

Theses

Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC) is one of the largest active organic carbon reservoirs formed from processes that break down terrestrial/aquatic matter and released from plant roots as exudates. In watersheds, DOC is continuously transported and processed through rivers, streams and lakes. DOC is present in wetlands around Monroe County, New York; in areas that function as groundwater recharge, stormwater retention, nutrient retention and habitats for wildlife. The conducted research was an initial step towards a more thorough understanding of DOC's processing, especially in regard to its phenolic content, in small urban/sub-urban wetlands in Monroe County, NY. DOC and phenol concentrations …

Evaluating The Impact Of Acceptance And Commitment Therapy On Children With Emotional And Behavioral Disorders, Keely Deanna Sabaini

Theses

The present study examined the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as a core behavior modification method on students with severe behavior disorders. A pre/posttest design was implemented and both control and treatment groups were exposed to testing measures. Students in the treatment group were exposed to ACT as well as contingency based classroom management, and a token economy in an attempt to increase grade point average (GPA), days in attendance, and psychological flexibility. Results are discussed regarding the increase in GPA and attendance, and levels of psychological flexibility are also elaborated upon. Limitations, implications, and future research are …