Digital Commons Network^™

Sitting Cane Design: For Older People, Qi Liu

Theses

The proportion of elderly people in the developed world is rapidly increasing. The book When I'm 64: how boomers will change health care mentioned that Older adults are among the fastest growing age groups, and the first “baby boomers” (adults born between 1946 and 1964) will turn 65 in 2011. More than 37 million people in this group (60 percent) will manage more than 1 chronic condition by 2030. The number of elderly and the retired population is on the rise and they represent a more selective consumer group that is more highly educated and financially secure than past generations …

Cultural Detente: John Le Carré From The Cold To The Thaw, Leah Nicole Huesing

Theses

British spy fiction author John le Carré inspired Cultural Détente, a movement in American popular culture which banished the simplicities of the 1950’s and replaced it with a relaxation of tensions from 1960-1965. Cultural Détente manifested from within Western liberal, democratic society after the strict conformities of the 1950s. After the dissipation of McCarthyism and the anti-Communist crusaders, the public was ready to embrace a ‘thaw’ in tensions. Even with all of the evidence already in place, there has yet to be any historical evaluation of a 1960s Cultural Détente that anticipated and made possible the détente of Richard Nixon. …

It’S All In Your Head: A Solution To The Problem Of Object Coincidence, Graham Louis Renz

Theses

It’s uncontroversial that artifacts like statues and tables are mind-dependent. What’s controversial is what this dependence entails about the ontic status of artifacts. I argue this mind-dependence entails that the extra-mental world contains no artifacts or artifact joints. In support of this claim I respond to recent arguments proffered by defenders of the mind-independent existence of artifacts, viz. those of Lynne Rudder Baker, Crawford Elder, and Amie Thomasson. I argue the most plausible story about artifacts is that they’re in our minds, not the world; they are merely projections onto a world of “indifferent materials”. With this established, I show …

Horrendous Evils And The Problem Of Representation, William Bell

Theses

Marilyn McCord Adams’s work on the problem of evil offers one of the most creative and sophisticated religious theodicies. Adams relies upon specifically Christian resources to explain how God is able to defeat horrendous evils within the context of an individual’s life by integrating the participant’s experience of suffering into their relationship with God. This strategy rests upon the claim that God has participated in a representative sample of human horrors. I argue that traditional interpretations of the relevant Christian beliefs do not support the idea that Christ experienced the disintegration of his meaning-making capacities characteristic of horrendous evils. I …

Music Uses And Gratifications Among Youth, Karen De La Rosa Herrera

Theses

This study identified the uses and gratifications of music genres and communication needs among young adults. An online survey of young adults in the College of Liberal Arts at Rochester Institute of Technology was conducted. Seven communication factors were found to correlate with listening to 21 different music genres. A sense of identity was significantly related to alternative, indie, jazz, and new age music. Behavior was related to dance, easy listening, hip hop/rap, new age, pop, and world music. Interaction with others was related to easy listening and pop music. Knowledge was related to alternative, dance, easy listening, hip hop/rap, …

Effects Of Aspirin On Metabolic Alterations In Type 2 Diabetic Rats, Layla Ishaq Hussain Rahmatalla Amiri

Theses

Background: Increased oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated in diabetes, obesity (diabesity) and cardiovascular diseases. Type 2 diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder, characterized by insulin resistance and pancreatic islet β-cell failure. The most common complications associated with type 2 diabetes are hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia/dyslipidemia, increased inflammatory and reduced insulin response. Aspirin (ASA) and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been associated with the prevention of diabetes, obesity and related cardiovascular disorders. Aspirin has been used in many clinical and experimental trials for the prevention of diabetes and associated complications.

Aims and hypothesis: Since inflammation, …

The Impact Of Dubai’S Architectural Wonders On The Daily Indigenous Performance In Light Of Cultural Modernity: A Comparative Case Study Between Burj Khalifa And Burj Al-Arab, Zulfat S. Al Kassim

Theses

In order to decrease the reliance on oil and create more economic opportunities, the UAE has witnessed a development boom over the last few decades in an effort to promote tourism. Dubai specifically has purposefully undergone dramatic architectural evolutions with the aim of transforming the city into a tourist hub and a global attraction. Over the last few years, iconic buildings including Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa have been built at different times to become prominent landmarks that promote the city’s global image and combine traditional/local elements in such a way as to form completely new unrecognizable forms i.e. …

Spirituality & Young Adults Work Performance, Kirstijan Hrdzic

Theses

Young adults are facing though time adapting to their workplace environment. This results with reduced work performance. In order to find intrinsic motivation for their work, practicing spirituality is one of the possible solutions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spirituality and young adults’ work performance. A survey was administered online asking young working adults in the Zagreb area to complete a 37 items questionnaire. The first part of questionnaire contained items that tested perceived daily spirituality experience, while the second part of questionnaire contained items pertaining to task work performance, contextual work performance and …

Do Education, Spending Habits And Planning Habits Affect Investing Habits?, Miran Simunic

Theses

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the influence of formal education, spending habit, and planning habit on investing habit, while controlling for age, gender, income, and self-perception of financial knowledge. The previous studies tested the influence of education on certain money management skills or investing habits, but none of them explored the influence of formal education, spending habit and planning habit on investing habits. This thesis explores this influence of those three independent variables with control variables on a sample that represents the entire population of the United States. The testing is performed on the data from 2012 …

Coercion Negates Responsibility: A Case For Indirect Compelled Doxastic Coercion And Adaptive Preferences As Effects Of Practical Coercion, Rc Patterson

Theses

In part 1 of this project, I

1. define different forms of coercion;
2. outline adaptive preferences;
3. argue that indirect doxastic coercion is the unconscious element in adaptive preferences; and
4. contextualize these concepts in the black experience.

In part 2, I

1. demonstrate how certain segregation policies are a mix of direct practical coercion and indirect doxastic compelled coercion, or indoctrination;
2. In the final section I argue that, under desert theory, coercion negates responsibility.

Personalities Of The Chinese Zodiac, Tang-Hsuan Liu

Theses

3D animation has been trending for many years now. Many stories and the characters in those stories are being re-designed and represented by 3D.

Stories I grew up with in Taiwan are so different from those popular in Western culture. While I enjoyed Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Mickey Mouse, I also loved many classic Chinese stories, one of them being that of the Chinese Zodiac.

This story is about animals having a race to decide who will be the only 12 animals that represent each year. They are rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, chicken, dog …

Skin-To-Skin Contact After Birth To Promote Newborns' Vital Stabilization: An Evidence-Based Project, Stephanie Bricker, Rachel Johnson, Caitlin Stom

Theses

The hours immediately following birth are a crucial time for an infant to sustain life. Skin-to-skin contact (SSC) during this time provides the infant with natural thermoregulation and promotes oxygenation. The purpose of this evidence-based project is to examine the physiological effects SSC has on full-term newborns. The research was centered around the PICOT question: In full term newborns, how does direct skin-to-skin contact, compared to no skin-to-skin contact, affect the stabilization of the infant as measured by the infant's vital signs, when practiced within the first few hours after birth?

Provisions Of Maternity Leave In The Republic Of Kosovo: Impact On Private Sector And Employment, Nida Krasniqi

Theses

The maternity leave provisions have been instilled in international labor legislation as a result of advocacy initiatives of the International Labor Organization (ILO), with the purpose to improve the position of women in the labor market and ensure necessary protection of mothers. Depending on the country, such provisions differ on different aspects such as the length of leave offered, the level of pay, and the structure of payment.

Immediately after the 1999 war and while being under the interim administration of UNMIK, Kosovo had enacted the first Law on Labor which regulated maternity leave, only to follow with a new …

Alleviating Traffic Congestion In Prishtina, Begatim Berisha

Theses

This Honor Project paper analyzes the problem of traffic congestion in Prishtina. Firstly, factors that cause traffic congestion are identified. Understanding these factors provides some clues on potential contra measures. Secondly, economic and social effects are discussed to evaluate the importance of alleviating traffic congestion. Lastly, based on the existing city models, different strategies to resolving this problem are presented. In doing so, various designing and simulation tools are used to visualize and compare different scenarios. The research methodology for this project includes literature review, site visits, an in-depth interview, and surveys.

Relationship Marketing In Fast Moving Consumer Goods Markets: The Consumers' Perspective, Rose Leahy

Theses

Relationship marketing has been dominant in marketing literature since the 1990s. Despite this, however, the relationship marketing concept has not yet acquired uncontested meaning and application, and consequently its core philosophy remains ambiguous. In particular, there is a lack of relationship theory building and testing in mass consumer markets. It is within this context that this thesis is positioned. Adopting the relationship marketing and social psychology literatures as a framework, this study explores relationship marketing in Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) markets from the consumers' perspective. Taking an interpretivist inductive approach, the study focuses on the applicability of relationship marketing …

Discovery Of Novel Compound From Cytotoxic Active Plants, Suraj Kumar Pokharel

Theses

The phytochemical study of extracts of cytotoxic active plant species Drypetes lasiogyna and Tabebuia bahamensis species from Paluma rainforest, Northern Queensland, Australia and Abaco Island, Bahamas, respectively, has been carried out where separation, identification and characterization of chemical components were done by applying chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques. The pharmacologically active components isolated from Drypetes lasiogyna include novel compound 5α-dammar-20-ene-24,25-diol-3-yl caffeate along with 5α-dammar-20-ene-3β,24,25-triol and friedelin whereas taraxeryl acetate was extracted from Tabebuia bahamensis. 5α-Dammar-20-ene-3β,24,25-triol was shown to have good cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines 5637, MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 with % kill of 100%, 89.65% and 69.98%, respectively. On the …

Lateralization Of Tempo Processing And Sensorimotor Synchronization, Robert P. Noneman

Theses

Previous neurological literature has proposed a potential specialization of the right hemisphere for tempo processes; however, this hypothesis had yet to be tested via behavioral measures within the cognitive literature. The present study was designed to investigate a potential specialization of the right hemisphere in tempo perception and production using a dichotic listening task paradigm by employing a 2 (Target Ear: left, right) x 2 (Responding Hand: left, right) x 3 (Target Stimulus: same, decreasing, increasing) in a within subjects design presenting isochronous tones. Although an ear advantage for tempo perception ability was not detected, we confirmed the left ear …

The Paul Warnke Nomination : The Construction Of A Controversy And The Reformation Of U.S. Strategic Doctrine In The Public Sphere, Jennifer L. Mellard

Theses

In January, 1977, President Jimmy Carter's nomination of the "assured destruction" advocate Paul C. Warnke to the dual posts of chief negotiator for the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT II) and director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) led to a national controversy. The Senate confirmed Warnke by only a slim voting margin of 58-40 for negotiator and 70-29 for director. Commentators have attributed the nomination's controversial status and results of the vote against him solely to his reputation as an arms controller and for the purpose of controlling SALT II Treaty negotiations. Warnke's private papers, chronological attention …

Early Life Events And Motor Development: A Longitudinal Study, Tegan Grace

Theses

Longitudinal studies are important to fully understand the processes of neurological development during gestation and how risk factors present during this time impact motor development outcomes, yet few to date have focused on this critical time period.

The purpose of this study was to identify modifiable risk factors influencing motor development during the prenatal period. Of particular interest was finding out whether these risk factors differed between the sexes.

Participants (N=2900) were from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. The Raine Study began in May 1989 and women were recruited between 16-20 weeks gestation (m = 18 weeks) from …

Towards The Identification Of Metabolite Markers Of Nipple Pain And Inflammation In Human Milk, Erin Fee

Theses

Background: Human milk is considered the best source of nutrition for all newborns as it contains important growth, developmental and immunological factors. The WHO (2003) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of age, with complementary breastfeeding up to two years and beyond. However, some women experience complications of the breast that lead to early cessation of breastfeeding, which can adversely affect the well being of the developing infant and her own health.

Nipple pain is the most commonly cited reason for weaning in the first week postpartum. Nipple pain is also linked to mastitis from milk stasis and …

Re-Conceptualising Hirschman's Exit, Voice & Loyalty Model For Contemporary Organisational Contexts, Eileen Gleeson

Theses

This conceptual thesis seeks to re-visit the relevance of Albert Hirschman’s (1970) highly enduring Exit, Voice and Loyalty (EVL) model for understanding contemporary workplace dynamics and organisational member responses to instances of organisational decline or slack. In particular, the thesis focuses on the inclusion of organisational silence and its connection to voice and loyalty. Organisational theorists have begun to enquire into the nature of organizational silence, why it forms and what its consequences may be. What the current literature suggests is that although management desires an engaged, productive and loyal workforce, it does not want members to raise their voice …

The Introduction Of Montessori Teaching And Learning Practices In An Early Childhood Classroom In A Remote Indigenous School, Catherine Holmes

Theses

The purpose of this research was to observe and describe the effect of Montessori pedagogy in a remote Aboriginal Early Childhood program to ascertain whether this alternative approach to education provides a more culturally appropriate practice than past methods. The significance of the study lies in the need to "close the gap" (Department of Premier & Cabinet [DPMC], 2016, p.1) between the achievement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. The study endeavours to describe the effect of Montessori pedagogy through the response of those most closely associated with Aboriginal education: students, parents, caregivers, community members and educational professionals.

Three dimensions of …

Exercising Independently And Exercising Independence: A Phenomenological Study Of Physical Activity And Choice Among Adults With An Intellectual Disability, Sheila O'Sullivan

Theses

Aim/Background: This study examines how adults with intellectual disabilities choose the physical activities they engage in, inside and outside of the day service they attend. Of particular relevance are the benefits derived from physical activity which promotes wellbeing, inclusivity, new opportunities and social acceptance for people with intellectual disability. This is timely in light of current policy with regard to New Directions 2012-2016 which is directed towards moving people with ID from congregated to community settings and the enactment of the recent Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act (2015) which supports decision-making for all citizens.

Methodology: The study used phenomenological analysis …

An Assessment Of Campus Climate In Sexual Minority College Students: Recommendations For Creating An Inclusive Campus, Jennifer Murray

Theses

While several studies have clearly identified a link between sexual minority status and discrimination, harassment, and victimization on college campuses, less in known about sexual minority students and other indicators of campus climate. The goal of the current study was to examine the association between sexual minority status and students’ perceptions of their connection to the university, trust in the university to keep them safe, and confidence in sexual assault reporting system at their university. Contrary to the predictions, there was no significant difference between LGBTQ students and non-LGBTQ students in their connection to the university and trust in the …

The Effects Of Bullying On Special Needs Individuals And Their Families: A Needs Assessment Of A Southern Community To Promote Growth, Awareness, And Community Response, Emma Y. Hazlewood

Theses

Research on bullying has increased in the last decade; however, this research rarely focuses on bullying of special needs children and the effect it has on families. This study adds to the existing literature by addressing how bullying affects the special needs population in a southern community. In considering the unique caregiving challenges that special needs families experience, this research examines whether bullying brings added stress to families and caregivers and whether they believe the community can bring awareness, growth, and a sense of belonging to their children and families. Parents or caregivers attending a local rehabilitation center completed a …

Attitudes Of Mental Health Care Professionals Toward The Provision Of Tobacco Dependence Treatment In The Transition To A Smoke-Free Mental Health Unit: An Exploratory Mixed Method Study., Jane Chambers

Theses

Smoking rates among people with a mental illness have not declined and remain a significant and preventable risk factor contributing to increased morbidity and reduced life expectancy. This study aimed to measure commitment, thus underlying attitude of mental health professionals towards provision of tobacco dependence treatment and enablers and barriers to implementing routine tobacco dependence treatment and smoke-free policy in an acute inpatient mental health setting.

A convenience sample of health professionals from an acute inpatient mental health unit were surveyed. This exploratory mixed method study included the Tobacco Treatment Commitment Scale (TTCS), smoking status, the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine …

Play - Lost In Transition? Teacher Beliefs About Pedagogic Continuity Across The Transition To Formal Schooling, Linda Bellen

Theses

In the current educational climate of teacher accountability, high-stakes assessment and outcomes-based learning, play as a valued pedagogy is being questioned more than ever. In Australia, the recent push-down effect of an academic curriculum has resulted in the ‘schoolification’ of prior-to-school settings, with less emphasis on play-based pedagogy. Traditionally, in early childhood education, the dominant pedagogy is play-based and is used to support and facilitate children’s learning, while in schools learning is more formalised, directed and structured with the presence of a mandated curriculum. This ideological divide in pedagogical approaches between the two contexts is first evident as children begin …

The Impact Of Peer-Led Falls Prevention Education On Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Evaluation, Linda Khong

Theses

Older adults are not optimally engaged in falls prevention strategies. Peer education may be an approach to improving engagement and uptake of falls prevention strategies by community-dwelling older adults. However, empirical research regarding this approach has been inconclusive. Accordingly, the primary aim of this research was to design a peer-led falls prevention education program and evaluate its impact on community-dwelling older adults’ beliefs, knowledge, motivation, and intention to engage in falls prevention strategies. This research was a mixed methods study conducted in two phases. Phase 1 comprised three concurrent studies. These aimed to elucidate the issues regarding falls prevention education …

Understanding The Factors Affecting Engagement And Retention Of 20-30 Year Old Telephone Crisis Supporters At Lifeline In Sydney, Jennifer Walter

Theses

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give” (Winston Churchill).

Every year, millions of people volunteer their time to help others in various ways. This study focuses on 20 to 30 year old telephone crisis supporters (TCS) at Lifeline in Sydney. This cohort represents a large proportion of Lifeline TCS trainees, but has also been shown to be the group least likely to commit to extended periods of volunteering. The aim of this study was to provide 20 to 30 year old TCS volunteers a voice within Lifeline to gain an …

Love Sip, Tianshu Liu

Theses

Love Sip is an animated graduate thesis film. The entire film, including the credits, is 4 minutes 58 seconds long. The premier of the film occurred in December 2015 in the School of Film and Animation’s end of semester screenings at Rochester Institute of Technology.

The story takes place in a vending machine. The main characters are a bottle of Soda and a bottle of Juice. They fall in love and try to escape from the vending machine. Their journey is challenging, action packed, and with the promise that their love for each will survive.

Love Sip is a 3D …