Digital Commons Network^™

Sacred Blood And Burning Coal: The Garnet Carbuncle In Early Medieval Europe, Sinead L. Murphy

Theses and Dissertations

The social and religious symbolism of garnets are examined in the context of the Merovingian period. Garnet jewelry was worn by early medieval Christians as symbols of their faith, and after death garnets took on additional religious significance.

Presence And Degree Of Contrafreeloading In African Grey Parrots (Psittacus Erithacus), Gabriella E. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined contrafreeloading—choosing a physical task to access food over free food—in two Grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus). Both birds contrafreeloaded for food of equal or higher value, but differed in which contrafreeloading task they preferred. Differences between the parrots are considered as individual preferences for self-reinforcing tasks.

Agronomic And Physiological Responses Of Resistant And Susceptible Cotton Genotypes To Reniform Nematode Severity And Soil Nitrogen, Bhupinder Singh

Theses and Dissertations

Rotylenchulus reniformis (RN) nematode infection has been identified as a major biotic factor limiting cotton yield (~8%) in Mississippi. Cotton researchers are striving to develop resistance to RN and develop management practices to mitigate the problem. Reniform nematode and soil nitrogen (N) directly affect cotton growth and physiology, however, responses to RN and N may vary across a wide genetic background. The overall objective of this research was to determine the role that host plant resistance to reniform nematode and soil nitrogen plays in cotton growth, physiology, and yield and controlling RN populations. In experiment 1, the effect of RN …

A Study Of /Sk/-Metathesis In Old English, Catharina Clara Ybarra

Theses and Dissertations

Language change is the primary focus of historical linguistics. Some changes, phonological, morphological, or semantic, alter forms and lead to new regularities in a language’s lexicon. Linguistic analyses and terminology to describe them have been established to aid in linguistic investigations, though, there remain changes that defy typical explanations.

Metathesis is one change that still intrigues scholars intensely because, since the advent of modern linguistic study with Saussure, we have presumed that languages operate systematically; yet, metathetic change is often seemingly random. Even when it does operate over a period of a generation or two, it may do so erratically, …

Career Paths, Responsibilities, Barriers, And Affirmations Of Exemplary Female Elementary School Principals, Stacie Collins

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to explore the lived experiences of exemplary female elementary principals. The qualitative phenomenological study investigated the career paths, job responsibilities, barriers/challenges, and affirmations of exemplary female principals practicing in elementary schools in the United States. The participants were required to have at least 5 years of experience in education and at least 3 years as an elementary school principal. Interviews were conducted by the researcher to acquire explanations about the participants’ perceptions, perspectives, and feelings based on their experiences as exemplary elementary principals. The investigation focused on the females’ career paths, job responsibilities, barriers/challenges, …

Anxiety In Presentational And Interpersonal Oral Tasks Face-To-Face And Online, Angus Leydic

Theses and Dissertations

Within computer mediated communication, there has been a large focus on synchronous and asynchronous text-based methods and how it can be used to help oral proficiency and lower anxiety but very few studies have looked at how audio computer mediated communicative tasks affect anxiety. This study sets out to seek whether using audio computer mediated communication helps lower anxiety for beginner Spanish language students. In order to do so, three research questions are suggested: (1) How do participants’ levels of FLA differ between presentational oral tasks completed in the classroom and presentational tasks completed in an online interface? (2) How …

A Return To Turtle Island: Eco-Cosmopolitics In American Indian Literature, 1880-1920, Kristen Brown

Theses and Dissertations

During opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL), the Lakota words mni wičoni, “water is life,” came to define the ongoing movement at Standing Rock and serve as a reminder of not only humans’ dependence on interconnected ecological communities, but also of the vitality and sentience in more-than-human beings. Looking to Indigenous author-activists producing texts in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries— when colonial ideologies of land exploitation and Indigenous dispossession were codified by federal policy—provides valuable insight into the tensions between these land-ascommodity and land-as-community worldviews. While scholars like literary and cultural theorist Joni Adamson and anthropologist Marisol …

Romanticism In Nineteenth-Century Russian Nationalistic Music: Case Studies Of Glinka’S Ruslan And Lyudmila And Cui’S Mystic Chorus, Jeffrey Crayton Yelverton Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is comprised of two case studies of the works Ruslan and Lyudmila and the Mystic Chorus, which were composed by two nineteenth century Russian composers Mikhail Glinka (1804–1857) and César Cui (1835–1918). The Chapter on Glinka’s Ruslan and Lyudmila trances the influence of German romantic thought on the opera as a reinterpretation. The theories of Novalis” (1772–1801); Friedrich Schlegel (1772–1829); and E.T.A. Hoffman (1776–1822) contribute to the reinterpretation of the opera as a dream that privileges German romantic ideas over Russia nationalistic ones. The Chapter on Cui’s Mystic Chorus, on the other hand, focuses on mysticism …

The Cultural Relevance Of Music Education As It Relates To African American Students In South Carolina, Felicia Denise Denise Myers Bulgozdy

Theses and Dissertations

In this study, Critical Race Theory is used to examine the current curriculum that preservice music teachers are taught, and are consequently teaching K-12 students, in an effort to illustrate the need for Culturally Relevant Pedagogy. Documents such as the S.C. All-State Choral rubric, as well as a list of required courses for future music educators at a local university, are studied to show the overwhelming European influence on the curriculum that is being taught in music classes daily across the state, and demonstrate the lack of cultural relevance to the African American students in those classes. Culturally Relevant Pedagogy …

Organizational Factors That Contribute To The Persistence Of Two-Year Transfer Athletes At Division I Four-Year Institutions: A Multiple Case Study, Mensah Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

This multiple case study identifies the organizational factors that contribute to the persistence of two-year transfer athletes at two Division I four-year institutions in the Northeast Region Conference. This study utilized both quantitative and qualitative approaches as well as Berger and Milem's (2001) theoretical framework of organizational behavior and student outcomes to 1) identify the most prevalent two-year transfer athlete experiences; 2) find out how the most prevalent experiences, at each institution, contribute to their persistence and 3) identify the organizational dimensions two-year transfer athletes perceived as contributing to their most prevalent experiences. The findings showed that athletic experiences were …

A Walk Through A Lost Treasure: The House Of Shaykh Al-Sadat Al-Wafaâ'Iyya, Norhan Ahmed

Theses and Dissertations

Cairo “having turned into a provincial town under the Ottoman rule - lost the glorious status it had enjoyed during the Mamluk period. That affected the functions of the city resulting in changes of its architecture. In particular, stripped of its role of the capital and military center, Cairo metamorphosed into a hub of commercial activities attracting mainly merchants and travelers. Such a transformation affected the domestic architecture of the Ottoman period. According to Andre Raymond, the wealthier Ottoman houses were arranged near the center, and the poor were located further away. The socio-economic levels of inhabitants of Cairo under …

An Evaluation Of The Advance Directives-Live Action Simulation Training (Ad-Last) Program, Alexandra Rosa Spinelli

Theses and Dissertations

Advance Care Planning (ACP) is a process that captures a patient’s wishes in the case of future circumstances in which they are unable to express them. Studies show that less than one third of the general population has completed some type of formal Advance Directive (AD). There are barriers to completing ADs, and these barriers operate on multiple levels, including, patient, provider and institutional. To improve providers’ capacity to help patients complete ACP, and overcome these barriers, a provider-focused intervention was conducted. The current study is an analysis of archival data collected from the Advance Directives-Live Action Simulation Training (AD-LAST) …

Lothar-Günther Buchheim’S Das Boot: Memory And The Nazi Past, Dean Jon Guarnaschelli

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the relationship between German author Lothar-Günther Buchheim (1918-2007), his bestselling 1973 novel Das Boot (The Boat), and the Federal Republic of Germany’s endeavor to come to terms with the spiritual damage left behind by National Socialism as well as with the responsibility of Germans for that past, known as the Vergangenheitsbewältigung. Buchheim was a reporter for the German Navy during the Battle of the Atlantic who benefitted from distinct privileges, yet he was never in a position of power during the conflict. He fulfilled his duties for the propaganda division with accolades, but thirty years later Buchheim …

Against The Eyes Of God And Man: The Suicide And Alcohol Intoxication Deaths Of Enslaved People In Alexandria And Henrico County, Virginia, 1805-1829, Peighton L. Young

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to provide a compressive examination of suicide and self-destructive behaviors within specific enslaved populations in early republic Virginia localities. I use coroners’ inquests as the primary means for identifying notable causes of death and potential behavioral patterns amongst the enslaved people presented in this study. I focused my investigation on two causes of death, demographics, and localities respectively: the drowning suicides committed by enslaved women along the Potomac River waterfront in Alexandria between 1807 and 1824 and the alcohol intoxication-related deaths of enslaved men in Henrico County between 1805 and 1829. Stepping away from …

Understanding Well-Being Among Black Female Student Activists Attending Predominantly White Institutions: A Narrative Inquiry Approach, Stephen Grey

Theses and Dissertations

As engagement in activism continues to increase on campus and nationally, a paucity of research exists on the experiences of Black student activists attending PWI and their well-being. Narrative inquiry was utilized in this study to better understand the lived experiences of two Black student activists. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with both participants to gain in-depth narratives of their experiences engaging in activism on PWIs. A narrative thematic approach was used to analyze the results. The findings suggested that the Black student participants experienced benefits (increased sense of belonging and racial cohesion) and consequences (activist burnout and decreased academic performance) …

9/11 Teaching Guide, Andrew Destefano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this teaching guide is to help prepare teachers and students in maximizing their visit and experience at the National September 11th Memorial and Museum, located in lower Manhattan, at the site of the former World Trade Center complex. The aim is to deepen student’s understanding of what the World Trade Center actually was, the symbolic role it played in America and in the world, and why the World Trade Center complex was built in the first place. This guide’s aim is to advance knowledge and understanding of all the various artifacts, exhibits, classes, and presentations, and to …

The Effects Of Impure Water Sources On The Early-Age Properties Of Calcium Sulfoaluminate Cements, Wendy Long

Theses and Dissertations

One of the benefits of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cements is that these materials gain strength rapidly, where strength development is often measured in hours instead of days. This property makes these materials desirable for use in temporary, non-reinforced repairs of roadways, airfields, and navigable locks. The rapid repair of these infrastructure elements is critical to transporting supplies into regions devastated by disaster. In these austere environments, potable water may not be available in sufficient quantities to make vital repairs, and the use of impure water in the production of CSA cement-based concrete would be advantageous. However, the hydration products formed …

From The Civil War To Central High School The Legacy Of Richard Toombs, Rhonda Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

The United States of America experienced many changes between April 1861 and April 1961. The study of historical events during this time period is elevated when an individual family can be placed within the context of these events. The Civil War and the Central High Crisis are two events documented through the eyes of the Toombs family of Little Rock, Arkansas. Providing a personal glimpse of one family’s journey through this time period of American life adds to the collective knowledge of these historical events. It offers an alternate viewpoint of interpretation of the impact of these events on the …

Impact Of Intercultural Competence On Communicative Success In L2 Environments(With Reference To Missionaries Of The Church Ofjesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints), David Milford Lucero

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the impact of cultural competence on success in completing key missionary tasks. Qualitative survey results are supported by data from an intercultural effectiveness assessment and a Mandarin Chinese listening proficiency test to describe themes related to missionary communicative success and to explore correlations between intercultural effectiveness and listening proficiency. Missionary communicative tasks are clarified into themes:"obtaining referrals,"obtaining teaching opportunities," and"helping people make and keep commitments." Factors perceived as associating with communicative success include"feeling and communicating love" and receiving"spiritual guidance." The effect of training on intercultural competence is also described. The intercultural effectiveness subcategory of positive regard is …

Gulf Trade Networks And Family Ties: French Migration Via New Orleans To The Lower Rio Grande Valley, 1848-1881, Kristen D. Kline

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis considers economic and social aspects of French immigration to the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas during the mid-nineteenth century, with special emphasis on a small group of merchants who left France during the 1850s. It synthesizes the work of several scholars who have focused on French presence in the LRGV with others who have analyzed various economic facets of the LRGV during different periods between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries. This study attempts to situate five families into the context of nineteenth-century European migration to the Americas, as well as into the Gulf maritime economy on …

Returning To Nature: Environmental History's Posthuman Direction, William H. Smith Iii

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this thesis were to (A) determine a new historiographical direction for environmental history through analyzing posthuman environmental change, (B) to present a new historical analysis of posthumanity, reinforced by scholarly accomplishes with the anthropocene, that allows the historian to discuss environmental history with humanity as a secondary character, and (C) to show how both the historiography of environmental history, as well as specific case studies of climate, infestations, and natural disasters, are able to present this new direction for environmental history. What has been the end result is that humanity will always improve their condition of sustainability, …

An Examination Of Video Self-Modeling As A Reading Fluency Intervention, Shengtian Wu

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to examine the efficacy of video self-modeling as a reading fluency intervention for elementary school students. The participants were 10-year-old male students, and they were enrolled in 4th or 5th grade. All of the participants carry disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. 2 participants participated in the study in a clinic setting, and one participant participated in the study in a school setting. Before attending the intervention sessions, the participants attended pre-participation assessment sessions to evaluate if their current reading skills and behavioral repertoire met the purposes of the current study. …

Longitudinal Evaluation Of Habitat Use And Foraging Ecology Of Piscivorous Avian Species Wintering In The Mississippi Delta, Paul Burr

Theses and Dissertations

Piscivorous avian species are of particular importance in Mississippi due to their depredation of cultured catfish throughout the states aquaculture industry. The three most common of these species include the double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), great blue heron (Ardea herodias), and great egret (Ardea alba). Information on these species aquaculture use can aid in effective and ethical management while also providing insight into their foraging ecology and habitat use, which is particularly important given these species augment their nutritional requirements using man-made food sources. The objectives of this research were to explore numerous aspects of avian foraging ecology in relation to …

South Texas Media Representations Of Rio Grande Valley Mexican Deportation Drives & Repatriation, 1928–1930, Evren John Turan

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines South Texas media coverage of Mexican deportation and repatriation at its genesis in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas. Summer, 1928, the RGV became the epicenter for federally ordered mass deportation raids of Mexican agricultural workers. The U.S. Border Patrol first implemented its methods of mass deportation raids and intimidation on the South Texas Mexican national population prior to Los Angeles, Post-Depression. Primary source analysis of Spanish language newspaper, La Prensa, is utilized extensively through translation. Translation of La Prensa articles was conducted by Mrs. Abby Lopez-Turan. Mrs. Lopez-Turan has a B.A. in Spanish from …

The Terror Pandemic: The International Diffusion Of Terrorism, Stephen Michael Chicoine

Theses and Dissertations

The online recruitment efforts of ISIS have raised questions about the new role of the internet in the spread of terrorism. However, the use of the mass media by terrorist groups to recruit and spread is not unique to ISIS or the digital age and has been an aspect of terrorism since its modern conception. To explain the spread of terrorism historically and understand the unique dimensions of terrorism and the internet, a cultural explanation is proposed to explain the process through terrorism spreads as well as the content that inspires violence. This study includes two major parts: a virtual …

Decisions Based On Perception: Perceptions Of Stem Teacher Leader Job Satisfaction In Rural, High Poverty Schools, Jodi G. Zeis

Theses and Dissertations

High poverty rural schools face teacher turnover at a rate higher than average schools. Perceptions drive decisions. Workplace circumstance affect what drives the leadership of STEM teacher leaders in high poverty rural schools. Therefore, when STEM teacher leaders leave, they take their unique skill sets with them. Research shows that engagement and self-efficacy, along with professional appreciation lead to a higher retention rate of teachers. Often that is achieved through distributed leadership. This study aimed to determine how leadership experiences shape the professional perceptions of STEM teacher leaders in high poverty, rural schools. Building on previous research this study asked: …

Seen And Unseen: Visualizing Contradictions In Postwar Japan, 1950s–1960s, Christina Lai

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis offers a comparative study on how photography visualizes the political dynamics, ideological and psychological contradictions in postwar Japan. The discussion includes the exhibition The Family of Man in Tokyo (1956), Werner Bischof and Robert Capa’s photographs of Japan, and local photographers Ken Domon and Shomei Tomatsu.

Nutrient Limitation Of Phytoplankton In Lake Wateree, South Carolina: Implications For Future Water Quality Management, Kara M. Clyburn

Theses and Dissertations

Cultural eutrophication is a primary contributor to phytoplankton production in freshwater lakes from excess anthropogenic nutrient inputs, and resulting impacts on water quality, aquatic ecosystems, human and animal health are increasing worldwide. Understanding the factors that limit phytoplankton growth is an important strategy for identifying and managing nutrient sources and successfully controlling the over- enrichment of nitrogen (N) and/or phosphorus (P) in freshwater lakes. The Redfield molecular ratio of carbon (C), N and P maintains that the C:N:P molar ratio is 106:16:1 when nutrients are not limiting, and the ecosystem is balanced. A N:P molar ratio > 20:1 tends to be …

Kwame Nkrumah, His Afro-American Network And The Pursuit Of An African Personality, Emmanuella Amoh

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the pursuit of a new African personality in post-colonial Ghana by President Nkrumah and his African American network. I argue that Nkrumah’s engagement with African Americans in the pursuit of an African Personality transformed diaspora relations with Africa. It also seeks to explore Black women in this transnational history. Women are not perceived to be as mobile as men in transnationalism thereby underscoring their inputs in the construction of certain historical events. But through examining the lived experiences of Shirley Graham Du Bois and to an extent Maya Angelou and Pauli Murray in Ghana, the African American …

The Impact Of Social Determinants Of Health On The Efficacy Of School-Based Interventions For Adolescents With Adhd, Cathrin D. Green

Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience impairment in academic functioning in the school and home environment. Because of this, many school- and clinic-based interventions have been developed to target these problems. Initially, clinic-based interventions were mainly used; however, these interventions were associated with many barriers to care, such as lack of transportation, financial resources, and time. Therefore, school-based interventions were developed to address these barriers. However, there has been minimal research evaluating the role of social determinants of health on the efficacy of school-based interventions. In a sample of 222 adolescents with ADHD randomly assigned to receive either a …