Digital Commons Network^™

A ‘Whole-School/Community Development’ Approach To Preventing And Countering Bullying: The Erris Anti-Bullying Initiative (2009–2011), Stephen James Minton, Mahoney M O', Rose Conway-Walsh

School of Psychology

No abstract provided.

Plasticity Of Visual Attention In Isha Yoga Meditation Practitioners Before And After A 3-Month Retreat, C Braboszcz, Br Cahn, B Balakrishnan, Et Al

School of Psychology

Meditation has lately received considerable interest from cognitive neuroscience. Studies suggest that daily meditation leads to long lasting attentional and neuronal plasticity. We present changes related to the attentional systems before and after a 3 month intensive meditation retreat. We used three behavioral psychophysical tests - a Stroop task, an attentional blink task, and a global-local letter task-to assess the effect of Isha yoga meditation on attentional resource allocation. 82 Isha yoga practitioners were tested at the beginning and at the end of the retreat. Our results showed an increase in correct responses specific to incongruent stimuli in the Stroop …

Self-Sensing Surface Plasmon Resonance For The Detection Of Metallic Nanoparticles, Nh Salah, D Jenkins, L Panina, R Handy, G Pan, Sa Awan

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is an established technique for label free sensing of bio-molecular species, including time-dependent reaction analysis. Unlike previous research by other workers, who have used gold or silver nanoparticles to enhance sensitivity by inducing LSPR, this study involves the theoretical development of a Localised SPR (LSPR) system where a glass prism is considered with multilayer films to enable the detection of metallic nanoparticles. Silver nanoparticles with a volume concentration 0.25 % can be clearly detected from both amplitude and phase, according to the results of these simulations. The model presented is rigorous in that it accounts for …

Signature Verification Based On Moments Technique, Shaymaa Al-Juboori

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

In this research we will present the signature as a key to the biometric authentication technique. I shall use moment invariants as a tool to make a decision about any signature which is belonging to the certain person or not. Eighteen voluntaries give 108 signatures as a sample to test the proposed system, six samples belong to each person were taken. Moment invariants are used to build a feature vector stored in this system. Euclidean distance measure used to compute the distance between the specific signatures of persons saved in this system and with new sample acquired to same persons …

Coping Strategies For Members Of The Zion Seventh-Day Adventist Church Who Experienced Multiple Losses And Complex Grief After A Major Crisis, Jean-Renaud Joseph

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

This dissertation explored the prevalence of trauma exposure, complicated grief, and related symptoms among survivors and members of Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church who had lost family members in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Method

The sample included participants who were members of Zion Seventh-day Adventist Church (n =39) who had either personally witnessed the 2010 Haiti earthquake and/or had lost family members in this traumatic event. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to explore the relations between the scale items of the IES (Impact of Event Scale) as well as between the subscales and other variables of interest. …

Promises And Challenges Of Teaching Statistical Reasoning To Journalism Undergraduates: Twin Surveys Of Department Heads, 1997 And 2008, Robert J. Griffin, Sharon Dunwoody

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

This research is dedicated to the memory of Victor Cohn, former science reporter for the Washington Post and often considered the dean of science writers, who collaborated on the first wave of the survey. The 1997 survey was supported by a grant from the American Statistical Association and the 2008 survey by a grant from the Communication graduate program at Marquette University. Special thanks to research assistants Kathryn Zabriskie and Gongke Li for their valuable help in the survey. The analyses and conclusions are solely those of the authors.

Aspiring To Become A Therapist: Personal Strengths And Challenges, Influences, Motivations, And Expectations Of Future Psychotherapists, Clara E. Hill, Andrea Lystrup, Kathryn Kline, Nioud M. Gebru, Jennifer Birchler, Geoffrey Palmer, Jennifer Robinson, Miji Um, Shauna Griffin, Elisabeth Lipsky, Sarah Knox, Kristen Pinto-Coelho

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Ten female students who were considering therapy as a career path wrote self-reflection papers and were interviewed regarding their career choice. Consensual qualitative research was used to analyze the data. These participants all indicated a passion for helping others, believed in the importance of giving back, and had prior experiences in helping activities. They considered themselves to have personal helping-related strengths (e.g. empathy) as well as challenges (e.g. avoidance of interpersonal conflict), and worried about potential problems they would encounter as therapists (e.g. being too emotionally invested). Participants expressed both other-oriented (e.g. to help others who had similar painful experiences) …

Public Understanding Of Local Lead Contamination, Jill Mcnew-Birren

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

Residents of Herculaneum, Missouri have been influential in shaping the management of contamination challenges resulting from the community’s proximity to the last primary lead processing plant in the United States. This paper provides a nuanced examination of two perspectives of resident activist groups involved in lead-related controversy in Herculaneum. Ethnographic data collection and storyline analysis were used to trace the evolution in local views from resembling an industrialist–environmentalist dichotomy to more compromising positions associated with ecological modernization. Implications for characterizing public environmental perspectives in the US as beginning to entertain certain aspects of the ecological modernist paradigm are discussed.

The Personal, Political, And The Virtual? Redefining Female Success And Empowerment In A Post-Feminist Landscape, Linda Elizabeth Chardon

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

A Community In Turmoil: The Iranians Of The Caucasus And The Russian Revolutions (1900-1920), Solmaz Rustamova Tohidi

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The History/ Archaeology of the formation of the Iranian Community in Azerbaijan traces back to the South Caucasian region’s inclusion as part of the Russian Empire in the beginning of the XIX century under the Gulistan (1813) and Turkmenchay (1828) treaties after the IranRussia Wars. The Iranian community in the Caucasus region was shaped by a long History/ Archaeology of political influences and resulting migrations to the Caucasus, twenty years of which are analyzed in this article. The 1880-1920 migrations promoted the development of IranianRussian relations, economies, trade, etc. On the other hand, an impetuous socio-political life in the Caucasus …

Valuers’ Liability In Mortgage Valuation, Gabriel K. Babawale

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Valuation is a profession; valuers’ clients are therefore justified in expecting valuations that meet the standards prescribed by relevant professional body(s).Failure to meet these standards constitute a source of breach of the duty that valuers owe their clients. The courts too have always looked up to the published standards of professional bodies for judgment guidelines in liability cases of contract, fraud and negligence. Drawing inferences from standards prescribed by valuers’ professional bodies and ensuing mortgage valuation case laws, this study sought to establish, among others, the nature and extent of the duty of care that valuers owe their clients; the …

Literature, Global Terrorism, Politics And Media Literacy In Africa, Azeez Akinwumi Sesan

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Three factors, specifically, slavery, Proselytization and Colonialism have influenced the History/ Archaeology and politics of Africa. The tripartite relationship established among the three factors influences the historical development of African politics. Difference in worldview between the West and third world countries has increased the phenomenon of global terrorism. The paper examines how literary texts in Africa and by Africans have recorded and responded to the political History/ Archaeology of the continent in relation with global democratic governance. African writers are therefore expected to project post colonial realities of global terrorism within the gamut of literature. On global terrorism, the paper …

Contextual Factors, Bilingualism And English Language Learning Among A Group Of Primary School Pupils In Nigeria, Nkechi M.Christopher

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Contextual factors impinge directly and indirectly on second language learning through its influence on attitudes towards, and motivation to learn, a language among learners of a target language. This paper describes language learning situation, bilingual behaviour and academic performance of some primary school pupils. It suggests that learners’ independent use of digital and literacy activities could be harnessed for multimodal teaching where digital learning facilities have not been provided by the school. The researcher believes that such inclusion would encourage autonomous and collaborative learning among students; empowering learners to take responsibility for their own language learning – an attitude toward …

Survival Of The Artist In Margaret Atwood’S Cat’S Eye, Ehsan Hafezikermani, Roshanak Fazli

Khazar Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

The present paper is to explicate different sorts of responses to the normalizing rubrics of society specifically in a microcosm of Margaret Atwood’s Cat’s Eye as an epitome. Three different groups of characters are taken under observation to illuminate the processes of enacting domination on human being and their various reactions; moreover, their struggle for survival. Applying different critics’ theories- particularly Foucault- the authors try to demonstrate and attest the need of having an artistic character to be able to fight back the subjugating rules and invent a new life line and a new character.

How Has Social Media Impacted The Relationship Between Public Relations And Marketing Functions In Small Businesses., Lorraine Sheehan

Theses

This study is concerned with investigating the impact of social media on the relationship between public relations and marketing functions in small businesses in Ireland. The relationship between public relations and marketing has been debated in the literature and in organisations for many decades. Social media has an influence on the channels of communication which in turn influences public relations and marketing functions.

Both primary and secondary research methods on gathering findings of social media, public relations and marketing functions were carried out. Areas of conflict and tension between public relations and marketing were highlighted. The impact of social media …

Mothering Values : An Exploration Of Generational Differences In Values, Beliefs And Attitudes, Marguerita Walsh

Theses

Maternal employment has led to an increase in the need for childcare (Horgan, 2001). In 2005, the most valuable source of childcare for children of primary school age was unpaid relatives (Share & Kerrins, 2009). 33% of grandparents are involved in childcare on a weekly basis (Jones, 2011). Therefore, childrearing tasks are shared, and children may be exposed to a variety of childrearing values.

Given the key-role grandparents, and in particular grandmothers play in childcare, this research focuses on exploring the parenting values, beliefs and roles of maternal grandmothers and mothers of children under the age of ten and how …

The Potential For The Elimination Of Expansion Joints And Bridge Bearings From Existing Road Bridges In Ireland, Conor Keena

Theses

This research was focused on determining the feasibility of eliminating expansion joints and bridge bearings from existing short to medium span road bridges in Ireland. It is possible that this could provide a significant long-term economic benefit to bridge owners. A literature review was carried out as part of the research. This included investigations into research conducted in the areas of thermal movements of bridges, concrete creep and shrinkage, soil-structure interaction, lifetime costing, design standards and finite element analysis, and the elimination of bridge expansion joints in other countries.

Finite element analyses were carried out on two existing road bridges. …

How The Use Of Social Media As A Public Relations Tactic Has Aided Animal Rescue Organisations In Raising Awareness Of Their Cause, Carole Hennessy

Theses

This study aims to contribute to the understanding of the non-profit sector, in particular animal welfare organisations and how social media can be used as a Public Relations tactic which in turn enables them to raise awareness of their cause.

A qualitative research design was deemed the most suitable by the researcher. Semi-structured interviews and a content analysis in the form of a netnographic analysis of the chosen non-profit organisations Facebook pages were used to collect the primary data. Interviewees were chosen on the basis they had knowledge, experience and exposure in their area.

Research findings indicate that social media …

How Social Media Networking Is Supporting Customer Engagement And Brand Awareness: A Pr Perspective In An Irish Context., Miriam O'Regan

Theses

The primary purpose of this thesis is to investigate the phenomenon of social media networking in the Irish organisational context. The study examines how Irish organisations are utilising social media networking as a communication platform. The research assesses the aspects of phenomenon that provide organisational advantages in Public Relations. Therefore, aim of the study is to identify how social media networking is influencing customer engagement and brand awareness.

The first research phase comprises of an extensive literature review of key academic sources of secondary research including reports, articles and publications. This review cultivates a range of sources with insight into …

The Use Of Online And Offline Communication In Public Information Campaigns: A Case Study Of The Health Service Executive “Quit” Campaign, Rachel O'Sullivan

Theses

To understand the role of offline and online communication in public information campaigns, research of the Health Service Executive (HSE) “Quit” Campaign was conducted. Through document analysis of campaign materials and interviews, an in-depth examination of the campaign communication platform is presented. Discussion of these elements reveals the strengths of both communication tools in current public messaging. The research concludes with a set of recommendations for future public information campaigns and describes how this modem day campaign is an excellent model that other organisations can emulate.

Business School Evolution: Media Insights And The Future Outlook, Gillian Goh, Michelle P. Lee, Howard Thomas

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Over the last two decades business schools and management education have received much attention in the media – witnessed by the boom in media rankings and the myriad topics discussed. Global events, such as the global financial crisis, have often been the precipitator of intense scrutiny of management education and calls for its reform.

Molecular Docking And Nmr Binding Studies To Identify Novel Inhibitors Of Human Phosphomevalonate Kinase, Pornthip Boonsri, Terrence S. Neumann, Andrew Lawrence Olson, Sheng Cai, Timothy J. Herdendorf, Henry M. Miziorko, Supa Hannongbua, Daniel S. Sem

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

Phosphomevalonate kinase (PMK) phosphorylates mevalonate-5-phosphate (M5P) in the mevalonate pathway, which is the sole source of isoprenoids and steroids in humans. We have identified new PMK inhibitors with virtual screening, using autodock. Promising hits were verified and their affinity measured using NMR-based ¹H–¹⁵N heteronuclear single quantum coherence (HSQC) chemical shift perturbation and fluorescence titrations. Chemical shift changes were monitored, plotted, and fitted to obtain dissociation constants (K_d). Tight binding compounds with K_d’s ranging from 6–60 μM were identified. These compounds tended to have significant polarity and negative charge, similar to the natural …

Communicating Resilience: A Discursive Leadership Perspective, David H. Torres, Jeremy P. Fyke

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

In this essay we challenge whether current conceptions of optimism, hope, and resilience are complete enough to account for the complexity and nuance of developing and maintaining these in practice. For example, a quick perusal of popular outlets (e.g., Forbes, Harvard Business Review) reveals advice to managers urging them to “be optimistic,” or “be happy” so that these types of emotions or feelings can spread to the workplace. One even finds simple advice and steps to follow on how to foster these types of things in the workplace (McKee; Tjan). We argue that this common perspective focuses narrowly …

“The Other Hangover”: Implementing And Evaluating An Original, Student-Designed Campaign To Curb Binge Drinking, Nathan Gilkerson, Michelle Gross, Andrea M. Ahneman

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

Binge drinking is a serious health and safety issue that has continued to plague college campuses, despite decades of education campaigns promoting moderation towards alcohol. As part of a student advertising competition, undergraduates were asked to develop an integrated marketing campaign focused on reducing binge drinking among college students which would successfully capture attention and resonate with their peers. The campaign the students created, called “The Other Hangover,” takes a unique approach to the binge-drinking issue—focusing attention on the social consequences of overconsumption, such as damage to one’s reputation and the loss of friendships. This case study examines …

How It Came To Be…Integrating Ignatian Philosophy And Pedagogical Paradigm Into Marquette University’S Pre-Licensure Nursing Curriculum, Kerry Kosmoski-Goepfert, Margaret Callahan, Stephanie Russell

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

This article describes the process that Marquette University’s College of Nursing used to revise its prelicensure nursing curriculum. More specifically, it explains how faculty discussions, with the Vice President of Mission & Ministry and a faculty member from the Department of Theology, which is centered on the philosophy of St. Ignatius of Loyola, and faculty participation in the Marquette Colleagues Program helped ameliorate the curricular change. The article also addresses how faculty selected the Ignatian Pedagogical Model as the framework for the revised curriculum; and the development of faculty and students for an enhanced understanding and application of Ignatian philosophy, …

Postpartum Weight Self-Management: A Concept Analysis, Jennifer M. Ohlendorf

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Aim: The aim of this concept analysis is to create a clear definition and framework to guide weight self-management research and promotion of healthy weight self-management during the postpartum period. Background: A woman’s ability to manage her weight through the postpartum transition has lifelong implications for her weight status. Methods: This concept analysis was guided by Walker and Avant (2005). A broad search of sources was performed, yielding 56 articles in which postpartum weight self-management was the main focus. Results: From consideration of the attributes of postpartum weight self-management, a descriptive, situation-specific theory emerged: Postpartum weight self-management is a process …

Authoritative Feeding Behaviors To Reduce Child Bmi Through Online Interventions, Marilyn Frenn, Jessica E. Pruszynski, Holly Felzer, Jiannan Zhang

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose.

The purpose of the study was to examine the feasibility and initial efficacies of parent- and/or child-focused online interventions and variables correlated with child body mass index percentile change.

Design and Methods.

A feasibility and cluster randomized controlled pilot study was used.

Results.

Recruitment was more effective at parent–teacher conferences compared with when materials were sent home with fifth- to eighth-grade culturally diverse students. Retention was 90% for students and 62–74% for parents. Authoritative parent feeding behaviors were associated with lower child body mass index. A larger study is warranted.

Practice Implications.

Online approaches may provide a feasible option …

The Supremacy Clause As Structural Safeguard Of Federalism: State Judges And International Law In The Post-Erie Era, Sam Halabi

Articles, Chapters in Books and Other Contributions to Scholarly Works

No abstract provided.

Ro-Vibrational Quenching Of Co (V = 1) By He Impact In A Broad Range Of Temperatures: A Benchmark Study Using Mixed Quantum/Classical Inelastic Scattering Theory, Alexander Semenov, Mikhail V. Ivanov, Dmitri Babikov

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The mixed quantum/classical approach is applied to the problem of ro-vibrational energy transfer in the inelastic collisions of CO(v = 1) with He atom, in order to predict the quenching rate coefficient in a broad range of temperatures 5 < T < 2500 K. Scattering calculations are done in two different ways: direct calculations of quenching cross sections and, alternatively, calculations of the excitation cross sections plus microscopic reversibility. In addition, a symmetrized average-velocity method of Billing is tried. Combination of these methods allows reproducing experiment in a broad range of temperatures. Excellent agreement with experiment is obtained at 400 < T < 2500 K (within 10%), good agreement in the range 100 < T < 400 K (within 25%), and semi-quantitative agreement at 40 < T < 100 K(within a factor of 2). This study provides a stringent test of the mixed quantum/classical theory, because the vibrational quantum in CO molecule is rather large and the quencher is very light (He atom). For heavier quenchers and closer to dissociation limit of the molecule, the mixed quantum/classical theory is expected to work even better.

Mixed Quantum/Classical Theory Of Rotationally And Vibrationally Inelastic Scattering In Space-Fixed And Body-Fixed Reference Frames, Alexander Semenov, Dmitri Babikov

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

We formulated the mixed quantum/classical theory for rotationally and vibrationally inelastic scattering process in the diatomic molecule + atom system. Two versions of theory are presented, first in the space-fixed and second in the body-fixed reference frame. First version is easy to derive and the resultant equations of motion are transparent, but the state-to-state transition matrix is complex-valued and dense. Such calculations may be computationally demanding for heavier molecules and/or higher temperatures, when the number of accessible channels becomes large. In contrast, the second version of theory requires some tedious derivations and the final equations of motion are rather complicated …