Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Adoption On Identity Formation A Qualitative Analysis, Lisa Heath

HIM 1990-2015

While evidence suggests that adoptees do not differ from non-adoptees in their ability to achieve a stable sense of identity, much is still unknown about how specifically the fact of being adopted affects one's identity. The purpose of this research is to take a deeper look at the significance and meaning of being adopted to one's sense of identity through qualitative analyses of in depth interviews with adoptees. Participants were recruited from Psychology classes via the SONA system. The participants (N = 16) took part in an in-depth structured interview and completed a survey battery which included a demographic questionnaire, …

The Constitutionality Of The Occupy Movement, Yoe Lopez

HIM 1990-2015

The Occupy movement has spread over hundreds of cities nationwide and over 1,500 cities around the world. The movement is formed around a common goal, which is to protest the way government actions or inactions have rooted widespread discontent. The Occupy movement has encountered opposition from the cities and counties where it is located. Arrests have been made for a number of violations of city and county codes including resistance to police orders and disorderly conduct charges. In our country, freedom of speech and the right to protest have been regarded as inalienable rights. The question becomes how to balance …

Art As A Questioning Process, Elizabeth Perez

HIM 1990-2015

The topic of this thesis is, broadly, the crisis of postmodernity and the solution that French rhetorician, Michel Meyer, presents in his theory “problematology.” Meyer looks to relocate the focus of philosophical attention on the question as opposed to the answer. Meyer calls preoccupation with answers “propositionalism.” Propositionalism can be likened to the looming scientism that threatens philosophy in general. Meyer shows, through an examination of questioning, how philosophy can be rescued from obsolescence without being detracted to scientism. Although Meyer’s philosophy is promising, it could not be considered thorough if it did not address art. Using Gilles Deleuze and …

Depictions Of Women In Stalinist Sovet Film, 1934-1953, Andrew Weeks

HIM 1990-2015

Popular films in the Soviet Union were the products of the implementation of propagandistic messages into storylines that were both ideologically and aesthetically consistent with of the interests of the State and Party apparatuses. Beginning in the 1930s, following declaration of the doctrine on socialist realism as the official form of cultural production, Soviet authorities and filmmakers tailored films to the circumstances in the USSR at that given moment in order to influence and shape popular opinion; however, this often resulted in inconsistent and outright contradictory messages. Given the transformation that gender relations were undergoing in the early stages of …

The Importance Of Education From A Global Perspective Teaching Don Quixote In The 21st Century, Natalia Sepulveda

HIM 1990-2015

The objective of this study is to concentrate on the topic of education in the Cervantine works, by examining the importance and significance from a global perspective using a 17th century text, Don Quixote of La Mancha, as part of the teachings in the 21st century classroom. In order to fulfill this objective, the following exegesis will consider specific episodes of Don Quixote and it will delve into the following questions: How do specific episodes reflect how education influences those surrounding Don Quixote? How do Don Quixote and his squire Sancho have a continuous learning process of what is considered …

Understanding And Achieving Brain-Based Instruction In The Elementary Classroom A Qualitative Study Of Strategies Used By Teachers, Amy Siercks

HIM 1990-2015

There are many approaches taken by teachers in order to effectively teach students the information they will need to be successful. One of these approaches is that of brain-based instruction. No one single definition is the same as another when it comes to brain-based teaching and learning. Definitions may include incorporating music and movement into lessons, using techniques to reach both hemispheres of the brain, and differentiating instruction to teach to the needs of the individual students. This study takes a closer look at the perspective of teachers when it comes to what brain-based instruction strategies are. Teachers were given …

The Effect Of Gender And Leadership Styles On Employee Satisfaction, Brittany Williams

HIM 1990-2015

To ensure the success of a company, it is essential for supervisors to interact effectively with the employees they oversee. Effective interactions between supervisor and employee go hand-in-hand with employee satisfaction, which can impact firm performance. The purpose of this thesis is to examine key drivers of employee satisfaction. Specifically, this thesis tests whether or not employees with supervisors of the same sex as themselves are more satisfied than employees with supervisors of the opposite sex. It also compares and contrasts the level of satisfaction an employee has in correspondence with transformational and transactional leadership styles and whether this relationship …

The Effect Of Text Messaging Alerts Upon Testicular Self-Examination (Tse) Adherence, Lisa Soler

HIM 1990-2015

Based on Kim Witte's proven Extended Parallel Process Model, a mobile communication system was developed in which men were sent reminders about their health. This study focused on reminding men about testicular self-examination (TSE), a proactive behavior used to detect testicular cancer, through the use of text messaging. A cohort of 75 men were recruited for this study and placed into one of four groups. All participants were provided with information concerning TSE and told to perform the exam monthly; two of the four groups were sent reminders via text message while the other two groups were told once about …

Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy As An Effective Therapy In Comparison To Or In Conjunction With Traditional Therapies, Kristen Wilson

HIM 1990-2015

Mental disorders are a prevalent health issue that has an extensive amount of variability in the quantity of disorders, affected populations, and treatment. There are a multitude of approaches or therapeutic methods used by the mental health community. Although each therapy is valuable in unique ways, each therapy may not be suitable to treat every disorder or client. Traditional approaches, such as talk therapy, are effective for certain individuals, whereas some clients may not respond well to any of the traditional talk therapies. When traditional therapies are not working, a referral can be made for a therapy that might suit …

Navigating Authenticity In The Age Of The Internet A Phenomenological Exploration Of The Existential Effects Of Social Media, Douglas Zimmerman

HIM 1990-2015

Our world is a world of technology, and technology is part of what has made human beings so adept at survival. Yet, the 21st century has seen a new type of technology that is unlike anything ever seen before. This new information technology is known as social media (including such things as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.), and it has the power to influence our very being. However, we are seemingly uncritical and unconcerned about social media in relation to society. This project attempts to analyze social media and its relationship to human beings from an ontological standpoint. I do so …

The Analytic Classroom, Todd E. Pettys

Buffalo Law Review

No abstract provided.

Social Media And Political Changes In Al-Alam Al-Arabi, Jabbar Al-Obaidi

Bridgewater Review

The Arab countries are typically described as lacking democratic traditions, freedom of the press, human rights and civil liberties. The utilization of social media for political purposes became crucial to the widespread expression of pent-up social discontent that precipitated the Arab Spring. Uploaded videos, photos, and Twitter feeds served to outrage people in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain, and Syria. This volatile combination of a young population, authoritarian rule, corruption and poverty is prompting youth to spearhead political demonstrations and the demand for regime change.

Review Essay: Foodwinked, Arthur Lizie

Bridgewater Review

Review of:

• Pierre Desrochers and Hiroko Simizu, The Locovore’s Dilemma: In Praise of the 10,000-mile Diet (Public Affairs, 2012).

“Abandoned… Without A Word Of Warning”: Perspectives On Maples V. Thomas, Deborah A. Demott

Duke Journal of Constitutional Law & Public Policy

No abstract provided.

Behind The Seams: An Ethnographic Study Of The Performative Nature Of Theatrical Costumes, Emily M. Lindholm

Student Publications

Actors are said to bring a play to life, but what about the garments that they wear? Like set production, light design, and direction, the role of the costume plays an important part in informing and enchanting the audience. However, this is not all that they do. This paper acts as an in-depth examination of the culture of costume creation and destruction at Gettysburg College, researching their roles as garments, as well as how the garments themselves "act" around others. Imbued with their own set of responsibilities, the costumes are expected to behave certain ways, perform specific functions, and put …

Educational Concerns Of Implementing Biosand Water Filters In Rural Uganda, Matthew Engman Spowart

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The world is facing a shortage of clean drinking water. Current predictions, due to growing population, urbanization, and climate change estimate access to clean water to be further challenged in the coming years. Research has indicated that point of use (POU) technologies are likely to be the most efficient at delivering clean water (water cleaned of diarrhea causing microbes and bacteria) to rural populations. POU technologies, and specifically the biosand filter (BSF) are shown to be affordable, effective, and sustainable in rural areas. Many studies point to the need of proper education and follow-up with BSF users. BSF technology has …

How Does Classroom And Behavior Management Preparation Impact Performance And Confidence Among Elementary School Teachers?, Katyellen Lindroos

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Being an effective classroom manager is a key component to successful teaching. Research has indicated that teachers are not satisfied with their credential program preparation in the areas of classroom and behavior management. The purpose of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between the amount of management preparation teachers receive in their credential programs and their perceived confidence and preparedness in the classroom. Also, this study sought to discover if supplemental training was beneficial for beginning and experienced teachers. The review of literature presented some common themes within this area of research: the importance of classroom …

Redundancy, Discrimination And Corruption In The Multibillion-Dollar Business Of College Admissions Testing, Monica Ellen Rizzo

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

Most American colleges and universities require standardized entrance exams when making admissions decisions. Scores on these exams help determine if, when and where students will be allowed to pursue higher education. These scores are also used to determine eligibility for merit based financial aid. This testing persists even though half of the institutions that require the test scores from applicants have no idea if the scores offer any valuable information about prospective students. The purpose of this study is to examine the biases inherent in standardized college entrance exams, their validity as predictors of college completion, the actual value of …

Advanced Spanish Language High School Students: Perceptions Of Spanish Instruction, Understanding, And Cultural Appreciation, Susan Malanche Smith

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

The addition of foreign language study to high school core curriculum benefits learners, society and overlap into the success of other areas of study and critical thinking. The problem in contemporary high school curriculum is that foreign language is disappearing. High school students and educators are failing to see the benefit of foreign language and its benefit to all subjects. The purpose of this study is to identify student perceptions of the importance of foreign language study in high school. The literature review documents the disappearance of foreign language study as part of a high school curriculum. Methodology includes conversations …

The Effectiveness Of Hospital School Re-Entry Programs For Children With Life-Altering Illness Or Injury, Karen Lynne Mixon-Martin

Dissertations, Masters Theses, Capstones, and Culminating Projects

When otherwise healthy students suffer from a life-altering injury such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), many of them will return to their schools and classrooms, but with dramatically different abilities and needs. Within UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals resides an interdisciplinary team of specialists who collaborate to determine what these children will need in order to prepare not only the student, but also those who will play a part in the success of their return to school. The goal of the team is to create a pre-entry framework that will provide the tools necessary to put into place those services; and …

Gender-Responsive Lessons Learned And Policy Implications For Women In Prison: A Review, Emily M. Wright, Patricia Van Voorhis, Emily J. Salisbury, Ashley Bauman

Criminology and Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

The authors review evidence of gender-responsive factors for women in prisons. Some gender-responsive needs function as risk factors in prison settings and contribute to women’s maladjustment to prison; guided by these findings, the authors outline ways in which prison management, staff members, and programming can better serve female prisoners by being more gender informed. The authors suggest that prisons provide treatment and programming services aimed at reducing women’s criminogenic need factors, use gendered assessments to place women into appropriate interventions and to appropriately plan for women’s successful reentry into the community, and train staff members to be gender responsive.

Web Based Project Controller System, Sonell Raman

Masters Theses & Doctoral Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Pediatrician Decision Support System And Task Automation Model, Shashidhar Reddy Boyapally

Masters Theses & Doctoral Dissertations

The health of children is very important, which is highly influenced by the environment and relations around them. Pediatrician and the children's family play a very important role in safe guarding their health. A pediatrician has to exhibit very keen interest in each and every child he treats, observing the growth levels of the child periodically. This project mainly focuses on automating the day to day tasks of a Pediatrician, thus simplifying their job and to help them treat children more efficiently. The tasks performed by the pediatricians like vaccination schedules, which include the type of vaccinations, when the vaccinations …

Handitrike - Recumbent Tricycle, Sean Higginson, Kevin Howie, Vinay Patel

Mechanical Engineering

This report covers the design and construction of the recumbent racing tricycle for Mr. Robert T. Kelly, a disabled veteran. Unfortunately Rob’s right leg is five inches shorter than his left one and therefore is unable to properly operate standard cranks. Our team HandiTrike is composed of Sean Higginson, Kevin Howie, and Vinay Patel and our project requires us to come up with a design that is feasible to complete within the given three quarters, as well as allow Rob to gain full use of his tricycle. Currently Rob ‘s trike uses the standard crank set up found on most …

Analysis Of Microsatellites From Sclerocactus Glaucus And Sclerocactus Parviflorus To Assess Hybridization Levels And Genetic Diversity, Anna Louise Schwabe

Master's Theses

Sclerocactus glaucus is an endemic Colorado species that is federally threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Sclerocactus glaucus is losing habitat due to disturbance by oil and gas exploration, urbanization, open range cattle grazing and recreational land use. Due to the low number of wild populations, conservationists question the genetic integrity of the species. Field biologists have observed S. glaucus populations with individuals possessing morphological characteristics of the closely related and widely distributed Sclerocactus parviflorus. Individuals from 28 populations of S. glaucus, 9 populations of S. parviflorus, and 1 population of S. cloveriae were sampled. Microsatellite analysis using 13 variable …

The Ugliness Of Gorgeousness: An Exploration Of The Obsession Of Beauty In Neil Labute's "Reasons To Be Pretty", Asedo Wilson

Master's Theses

This thesis is the culmination of the two-year process of researching, conceptualizing, organizing, rehearsing, directing and producing Neil LaBute’s reasons to be pretty with theatre students from the University of Northern Colorado. The show was performed in March of 2012. The guiding questions for this project included: Why is it important to analyze a character’s internal and external qualities? How can one develop a strong ensemble? What is the role of the media in society’s perception of beauty? How can a successful production with rehearsal limitations be produced? What is it about this material that will keep the actors and …

Geographical Mapping In Texas Of Medea: A Selfish Parasitic Genetic Element Of Tribolium Castaneum, Darrelle Colinot

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

The Struggle And Fight To Save Black Radio: Will Black Radio Survive, Fatia M. Edwards

Theses (Pre-2016)

THE STRUGGLE AND FIGHT TO SAVE BLACK RADIO: WILL BLACK RADIO SURVIVE? By Fatia Michelle Edwards, M.A. Texas Southern University, 2012 Professor E. Bun Lee, Advisor Media research is valuable because of the way it affects our society, in the industry of radio broadcast it is helpful in determining the needs of the audience. Moreover, it is a must in knowing where our African-American audience is and why Black radio is struggling to survive. An in-depth interview was held with a music director at a local radio station as well as a convenience sample conducted on 136 African-American audiences. In …

Blogging As A Strategy To Support Reading Comprehension Skills, Casey Vanepps

Education Masters

For the purpose of this study, four students were given access to a blog during guided reading instruction in hopes to answer the question: can blogging be used to support reading comprehension? Through questionnaires, observation, and student work samples, I saw a clear increase in the participants‟ ability to respond to literature, as well as an increase in their motivation to work through a fiction novel. These findings call for teachers to evolve their instructional practices and make sure they are utilizing the rapidly changing technologies that are available to their students on a daily basis. By incorporating these technologies, …

Differentiating Lymphovascular Invasion From Retraction Artifact On Histological Specimen Of Breast Carcinoma And Their Implications On Prognosis., Nicholas George Zaorsky, Ninad Patil, Gary Mitchel Freedman, Madalina Tuluc

Department of Radiation Oncology Faculty Papers

On a pathological specimen of breast cancer cells, retraction artifact during histological processing mimics true lymphovascular invasion (LVI). The accurate determination of the presence or absence of LVI is a factor in determining risk of having a positive sentinel node, or having additional positive axillary nodes after a positive sentinel node biopsy in women with early-stage breast cancer. The determination of nodal risk influences the decision of the treating physicians as to whether a sentinel node biopsy or completion axillary dissection is necessary. On slide preparation, ideal factors favoring true LVI include: a definite endothelial lining, with endothelial nuclei that …