Digital Commons Network^™

Africa-China Bilateral Investment Treaties: A Critique, Uche Ewelukwa Ofodile

Michigan Journal of International Law

The purpose of this Article is to draw attention to, raise questions about, and generate discussions regarding the emerging norms, legal context, and long-term development-implications of South-South foreign direct investment (“FDI”) and South-South bilateral investment treaties (“BIT”). This Article seeks to refocus the discourse about FDI and BITs on developing countries in their role as exporters of capital and in the context of the much-touted new geography of investment. Can South-South BITs play a positive role in promoting development in sub-Saharan Africa any more than the Africa-North BITs? Is China concluding development-focused BITs with countries in Africa? The Article identifies …

A Teacher’S Terminal Illness In The Secondary Classroom: The Effects Of Disclosure, Sarah Hochstetler

The Journal of the Assembly for Expanded Perspectives on Learning

How does it affect learning when cancer becomes the prevailing metaphor through which students see their teacher?

As Seen On Tv: Your Compromising Cameo On National Reality Programming, 12 J. Marshall Rev. Intell. Prop. L. 403 (2013), Ryan Westerman

UIC Review of Intellectual Property Law

The pop-culture phenomenon of reality television has taken over national programming. With the click of a remote, viewers can gain an inside look into the daily lives of celebrity families, toddler pageant queens, wealthy housewives, even pregnant teenagers. Reality television also profiles different professions: repo-men, pawn shop owners, and real estate agents all have television time slots. While it seems everyone is desperate for their fifteen minutes of fame, there are still those who wish to avoid the public spotlight. However, a recent Illinois ruling may make avoiding prime-time attention impossible for certain individuals caught on tape in compromising, and …

Narratives Of Southern Contact Zones: Mobility And The Literary Imagination Of Zora Neale Hurston And Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Kyoko Shoji Hearn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the literary works of the two Southern women writers, Zora Neale Hurston and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, based on the cultural contexts of the 1930s and the 1940s. It discusses how the two writers' works are in dialogue with each other, and with the particular historical period in which the South had gone through many social, economical, and cultural changes. Hurston and Rawlings, who became friends with each other beyond their racial background in the segregated South, shared physical and social mobility and the interest in the Southern folk cultures. They wrote fiction about the region and its …

Prairie, Property, And Promise: Black Migrants And Farmers In Kansas, 1860-1885, Keith Dennis Mccall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Black migrants transformed Kansas in the 1860s and 1870s. This thesis focuses on Franklin County, Kansas, as an unit of analysis that is demographically and geographically representative of the black migrant experience in the state between 1860 and 1885. This work demonstrates that black migrants gained a secure economic footing in the county by helping to develop prairie into productive farms. Their agricultural labors turned grassland into fertile fields, and their crop yields aided in attracting agriculturally-related industries to the region. As successful farmers who accumulated wealth and property, black migrants created a social space for themselves in Kansas. They …

Gene Expression Signature As A Diagnostic Test For Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms: A Validation Study, Adam Sang

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are clinically-silent diseases that predispose individuals to life-threatening aortic dissection or rupture. If detected early, TAAs can be safely treated with elective surgery. Therefore, there is a great clinical need in screening for TAAs. However, no reliable screening programs exist, and radiographic imaging is too costly and harmful for screening entire at-risk populations. We hypothesize that a novel diagnostic blood test based on the gene-expression profiles of a previously-identified panel of 41 genes (a RNA signature) is greater than 70% sensitive in detecting TAAs. Using RNA extracted from peripheral blood cells of 40 individuals (24 TAA …

The Impact Of Young Unlicensed Driving On Passenger Restraint Use: Concern For Risk Spillover Effect?, Jonathan Fu

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background: Despite recent prevention gains, motor vehicle crashes continue to be the leading cause of death for US adolescents and young adults. Many of these deaths involve young unlicensed drivers that are more likely to be in fatal crashes and to engage in high-risk driving behaviors like impaired driving, speeding, and driving unrestrained. In a crash context, the influence of these high-risk behaviors may spillover to adversely affect passenger safety restraint use. Objective: To examine the effect of young unlicensed drivers on safety restraint use and mortality of their passengers. Methods. A cross-sectional analysis of the National Highway Traffic Safety …

The Meaning Of Music-Making For Computer Scientists With A Serious Musing-Making Avocation: A Phenomenological Case Study, Varda Shaked

Educational Studies Dissertations

This study explores the meaning of music-making in the lives of computer scientists who play classical music as their serious avocation. In particular, it investigates their tendencies and capacities to concurrently engage in two such distinct disciplines on a regular basis, by exploring the cognitive, social, and cultural aspects of their concurrent engagement. While current research literature approaches the affinities between mathematicians/scientists and musicians through the presence of mathematical properties of music and through anecdotal evidence involving known persona and their innovations, this study provides a deeper look at the individuals who combine such worlds, in order to better understand …

A Message-Centered Approach To Understanding Young Women’S Decision-Making About Hpv Vaccination, Katharine J. Head

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

The HPV vaccine represents an important step in the primary prevention of cervical cancer, yet uptake rates for the vaccine remain below what is needed to establish "herd immunity" from the virus. While many studies have examined both psychosocial and communication factors affecting HPV vaccination decisions, this study adopts a unique approach to understand the communication environment within which this health decision happens, such as the many and sometimes conflicting messages about vaccine efficacy and safety guiding young women's decisions. Using the message convergence framework, this project identifies how further study of converging and diverging messages in the communication environment …

Community Loss: A New Social Indicator, Jochen Albrecht, Mimi Abramovitz

Publications and Research

The Community Loss Index ðCLIÞ, a new social indicator, focuses on the understudied role of place as a source of stress and an aggregator of individual experiences. Building on the relationship between loss and stress, the index attempts to capture collective loss, defined as the chronic exposure by neighborhood residents to multiple resource losses at the same time. Using maps, the article analyzes the spatial distribution of six types of loss in New York City and the characteristics of people who live in high- and low-loss neighborhoods. Regionalization reveals a neighborhood-based concentration of loss, patterns of loss that are both …

Assessing The Relationship Between Caregivers Burden And Availability Of Support For Family Caregivers’ Of Hiv/Aids Patients In Calabar, South East Nigeria, Ekaete Asuquo, Josephine B. Etowa, Prisca Adejumo

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

Purpose: This study examined the level of burden and the extent of support on family caregivers of people living with AIDS (PLWHA) in Calabar, South East Nigeria.

Methods: A mixed method with cross sectional approach was used. Purposive sampling technique guided the recruitment process and data collection methods included, semi-structured questionnaires and focusing group discussion. 260 respondents participated in the study. The quantitative data were mined with the aid of SPSS and the qualitative data were analysed with the aid of NVivo8 using thematic analysis.

Results: Results indicated high level of burden with limited support to caregivers. A Chi-square value …

Solar Energy: A Media Analysis Of Las Vegas, Nv And Phoenix, Az, Jennifer Liese

Brookings Mountain West Publications

In recent years, large government-funded solar energy projects across the nation have received increasing media attention—especially with government funded solar projects going bankrupt. This study examines the evolution of media coverage on solar energy issues, including an analysis of political differences and the role they play within two western cities that sit at the epicenter of solar energy resources in the United States, Las Vegas and Phoenix. These cities are poised to compete for and collaborate on projects for millions of dollars in federal research funds and economic development incentives dedicated to the development of solar energy.

This study conducted …

Estimation Of Performance Indices For The Planning Of Sustainable Transportation Systems, Alexander Paz, Pankaj Maheshwari, Pushkin Kachroo, Sajjad Ahmad

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

In the context of sustainable transportation systems, previous studies have either focused only on the transportation system or have not used a methodology that enables the treatment of incomplete, vague, and qualitative information associated with the available data. This study proposes a system of systems (SOS) and a fuzzy logic modeling approach. The SOS includes the Transportation, Activity, and Environment systems. The fuzzy logic modeling approach enables the treatment of the vagueness associated with some of the relevant data. Performance Indices (PIs) are computed for each system using a number of performance measures. The PIs illustrate the aggregated performance of …

Professional Women And Cognitive Dissonance, Amber T. Lewis

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Women and their work is a topic ofinterest in various fields ofacademia. Numerous research articles discuss a range oftopics as it relates to the unique experiences women endure to earn wage. However, the primary focus ofmost articles is grounded in the analysis ofhow women compare to men. This qualitative study utilizes the work experiences of women to help identify and define any sense ofcognitive dissonance of working women and whether or not the likelihood ofdissonance changes depending on their chosen career tracks. In this study the interview responses of working women are considered in conjunction with research articles to determine …

Intercultural Training: A Thesis Project, Laura Snyder

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study examines the scholarly journals and literature of intercultural competency, intercultural communication, and the communication theories examining culture shock, cross-cultural adaptation, immersion techniques, and training methods used in multicultural competence. It then presents intercultural training modules with the ambition to be adopted and incorporated into all intercultural expatriation trainings utilized both by private individuals, as well as international businesses and government programs with employees relocating internationally. The training modules are specifically directed at learners who need to know about the cultural climate, rules, and communication expectations of Singapore.

The Effects Of Hierarchal Structures And Complex Policies On Organizational Communication, Linda Youssouf

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study analyzed the hierarchal structures and complex policies within a for-profit organization that contributed to creating a work environment with poor communication, specifically the effects on employees. Adaptive Structuration Theory provides a theoretical foundation for this study and discusses the creation of social systems through using rules and resources in interactions. The study did not intend to devise a clear solution to these pre-existing issues but rather shed light on the effects this type of problem has on communication between employees within an organization. A Likert Scale survey with 20 questions was distributed to 30 out of 50 employees …

The Faculty/Staff Communication Divide: An Ethnographic Look Inside A Community College, Jodi Lynn Weber

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study examines the communication divides that exist between faculty and staff at a rural community college in Texas. Through the use of survey data, personal interviews and ethnographic observation, the researcher gained significant insight into the communication culture of one institution. The theoretical framework for this study is built largely upon the group communication concepts of Bormann (1983) and Taylor and Altman (1975). Specifically, the study looks for evidence of Bormann’s (1983) symbolic convergence theory and Taylor and Altman’s (1975) social penetration theory. The philosophical framework for this thesis is grounded in Benhabib’s (1993) idea of the generalized versus …

Population Pressure And Family Planning In The Case Of Sub Saharan Africa's Demographic Transition, Jessica T. Ysunza

Social Sciences

No abstract provided.

"You Might Be A Redneck If" You Consider Yourself One?, Danielle Bartholomew

Faculty Curated Undergraduate Works

No abstract provided.

Central Georgia Regional Analysis: Demographics, Economy, Entrepreneurship And Innovation, Merissa Piazza, Joe Andre, Elorm M. Tsegah, Eunkyu Lee, Ziona Austrian

All Maxine Goodman Levin School of Urban Affairs Publications

No abstract provided.

Evaluating Journal Quality And The Association For Information Systems (Ais) Senior Scholars’ Journal Basket Via Bibliometric Measures: Do Expert Journal Assessments Add Value?, Paul Benjamin Lowry, Gregory D. Moody, James Gaskin, Dennis F. Galletta, Sean L. Humpherys, Jordan B. Barlow, David W. Wilson

Faculty Publications

Information systems (IS) journal rankings and ratings help scholars focus their publishing efforts and are widely used surrogates for judging the quality of research. Over the years, numerous approaches have been used to rank IS journals, approaches such as citation metrics, school lists, acceptance rates, and expert assessments. However, the results of these approaches often conflict due to a host of validity concerns. In the current scientometric study, we make significant strides toward correcting for these limitations in the ranking of mainstream IS journals. We compare expert rankings to bibliometric measures such as the ISI Impact Factor™, the h-index, and …

2013 - Margins: Following Jesus At The Edge In Luke's Gospel, Abilene Christian University

Lectureship and Summit Programs

Enjoy these outstanding speakers with special thanks to the College of Biblical Studies, the Honors College, the Adams Center for Teaching and Learning, the Alumni Association, the Halbert Institute for Missions, the Students’ Association, and the Center for Youth and Family Ministry.

Luke Timothy Johnson is the Robert W. Woodruff Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins at Emory University's Candler School of Theology.

Peter Williams is the warden of Tyndale House, an honorary senior lecturer in biblical studies at the University of Aberdeen, and a lecturer at University of Cambridge.

Scot McKnight is a popular speaker, author, professor, and …

Climate And Demographic Change In Arctic Alaska, Lawrence C. Hamilton

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Connecting Classrooms: Russian Language Teaching Project At Ucf, Alla Kourova

Russian Language Journal

Change happens all the time and in all places. It is a characteristic of our modern world. A current trend in the world is globalization, which occurred by rapid developments in transportation and information technology. Today, people from diverse backgrounds come into more and more contact with each other with a regularity that is unique to this period of human history. As a result, intercultural communication has become increasingly important.

Komera! A Cultural History Of Ethnicity, Agriculture And Poverty In Rwanda, Audra Locicero

Theses & ETDs

This thesis is an exploration of Rwandan culture and society, past and present. Through this work I aim to emphasize the role both land and agriculture have played in shaping the history of Rwanda and its people over time and through many distinct phases. I do so within the context of Rwandan political and agricultural history, choosing to focus on agriculture and pastoralism, as well as colonialism, and their impact on race relations and ultimately the Genocide of 1994. I use the history of ethnicity and agriculture as a tool for examining issues of post-genocide Rwandan society, specifically the cycle …

2013-2014 Southern Illinois University Bulletin Carbondale Campus (Undergraduate Bulletin), Southern Illinois University Carbondale

SIU Bulletins and Course Catalogs Archives

No abstract provided.

2013-2014 Southern Illinois University Bulletin Carbondale Campus (Graduate Catalog), Southern Illinois University Carbondale

SIU Bulletins and Course Catalogs Archives

No abstract provided.

A Genotyping Analysis Of The Major Histocompatibility Complex In Two Polar Species: Genetic Diversity In The Arctic Fox And Southern Elephant Seal, Krystaal Mcclain

Theses & ETDs

The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is part of the immune system in all vertebrates, potentially providing protection from a wide range of pathogens, and thus increasing individual fitness. The insight into species ability for long-term survival is key for conservation as populations with high diversity in the immune system may have increased survival to novel pathogens and changing environments. Conversely, when diversity is lost, the ability of a species to cope with new diseases and parasites could be reduced resulting in lower survival rates and increased infection. Historically, extreme cold temperatures in polar environments have prevented an influx of pathogens, …

"By The Waters Of The Susquehanna, I Laid Down And Wept": The Trauma Of Removal In Mary Rowlandson’S The Sovereignty And Goodness Of God, Aaron Graham

Criterion: A Journal of Literary Criticism

No abstract provided.

Peer Evaluation As An Effective Tool To Improve Twelfth-Grade Students' Writing, Jenna R. Ebersviller

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

This study investigated the effects of peer evaluation on twenty-four twelfth-grade students' writing performance, attitudes, and information learned. Previous research revealed that peer evaluation improved students' writing; their experiences with peer evaluation were positive; and that through evaluating peers' writing, students were able to learn from one another. Both research groups made significant improvements from their first writing assignment, where no peer evaluation was used, to their second writing assignment, where thorough peer evaluation was used. The author concludes that the improvement in writing can be attributed to peer evaluation. Students' attitudes about peer evaluation throughout the process also improved.