Digital Commons Network^™

Bridging The Gap - Sustainability Through Technê, Holly Burley

Architecture Theses

This thesis explores the relationship between experiential and scientific approaches to sustainability and the architectural approaches to the hot-button issue. It will provide an example of how an environment can encourage participation in sustainable futures and how architecture may invite these sustainable decisions. Through the typology of student housing, this 70,000 square foot project will utilize some of the first independent years of a young adults life to lead to a better-understood relationship between students and their place in the world. The design will be catered towards Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut with hopes of further influence in the field …

Gastronomic Innovation : A New Methodology For Nutrition Education, Joshua Muckenhirn

Architecture Theses

The title of the thesis is gAstronomic Innovation: A New Methodology for Nutrition Education. The question being investigated is, how can architecture be used as a tool to ultimately improve society’s overall health and well-being? The typology for this thesis investigation is a culinary education center for young people. The facility will be nearly 90,000 square feet. The Theoretical Premise/Unifying Idea guiding the thesis is “a youth oriented culinary education center can contribute to improving the health of future generations by empowering youth before they become trapped in the cycle of “fast” and processed foods that has been branded into …

Courage Campus - A Place Of Healing And Re-Discovery, Matthew Avard

Architecture Theses

This thesis will help develop a place where armed force members can begin to reconnect back to society. Architecture will be used to create a safe haven for service members andfamilies who have been affected by horrifying and gruesome warfare. The perception is that architecture can foster a sense of place, while healing along side fellow comrades who have endured that same fight. The outreach/rehabilitation center is located in the Medina River Greenway, south of San Antonio, TX. Total Square Footage: 241,800 sq. ft.

Architecture As Desire : Exploring The Origins Of Our Desire To Hear Music, Blake Hagen

Architecture Theses

Our mind is subconsciously entertained and potentially enslaved by classification into categories. A typology is a system used for putting things into groups according to how they are similar and architecture has equally adopted this practice. Typically buildings are classified according to principal activity, which is the primary function carried on within each building. This separation into pre designed types has formulated a way of thinking and restricted our ability to creatively exercise and challenge our understanding of the purpose of our actions and potentially envision new ways of living, or new building types. We need to think more critically …

Environments For Aging, Stephen Lagrange

Architecture Theses

This thesis examines alternative living environments for the fast growing population of baby boomers heading into retirement. The main idea is to use sustainable design within a natural environment to stimulate the well being of this new generation of aging adults. This project will be explored through the typology of an assisted living facility. The size of the project is 22,250 square feet and the site is located in Eden Prairie, MN.

The Hierarchy Of Innovation, Taylor Dahl

Architecture Theses

Currently we have the opportunity to use architecture as a vehicle for innovation. The thesis title “The Hierarchy of Innovation” is an analogy and in this case relates to “a hierarchy of needs” for the current society. This pertains to the perception of senses, self actualization, motivation, neuro science and education. The research will analyze the history of innovation, social interactive and collaborative learning, and past educational concepts that inspire spontaneity. This will eventually lead to a series of diagrams and ultimately the creation of a series of spaces that encourage self organized learning enviornments.The project typology is a hybrid …

Impactful Phenomenologies : Minnesota Marching Arts, Matthew Weiss

Architecture Theses

An emerging field of research in Architectural discourse, Architectural Phenomenology can be represented as the perception of space through the five senses. For some of the world’s most established practitioners and researchers in the stated field, their strife to understand the connection between experience and experiential qualities is a major milestone in understanding architecture itself. This thesis aims at perpetuating the discussion, not solving a theoretical question, behind Phenomenological processes, with special interest in the brash nature of Impactful buildings. ‘Impactful Phenomenologies: Minnesota Marching Arts’ aims at promoting further discussion on both impactful architecture and experiential datum through the typology …

Architecture In Motion : An Exploration Of Kinetic Space, Jacob Reimers

Architecture Theses

Architecture in motion: More than just an idea, it is a concept quickly becoming a reality. The real question is how will this concept shape architecture of the future. Exploration of kinetic architecture and tectonics will open a gateway to forms that can actively adapt to the programmatic needs of the user. Advances of material technology and construction processes have led us to the brink of a breakthrough. It is the job of the future designer to push beyond what we know as the boundaries of static form. I hope to explore the relationship between transformative space and meaningful architectural …

Effects Of Ethanol On Pigeons' Near-Win Responding In A Slot-Machine Analog, Alexander A. Ward

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In slot machine play, near wins are losses that are visually similarity to wins and increase gambling persistence, but provide no reinforcer. To measure effects of ethanol on near-win responding, pigeons pecked for food in a slot-machine analog following ethanol administration. In any given trial, one of four outcomes was signaled by consecutive presentations of red or green key lights, followed by a white "collect key." Three red lights signaled a win and three green lights signaled a loss. Two red lights followed by a green light signaled a near win. On winning trials, food was delivered 5 s after …

Reinforcing Effects Of Near Wins In Extinction And Concurrent-Chains Procedures, Nathaniel Rice

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Factors That Are Associated With Readiness To Transition From Pediatric To Adult Health Care In Cystic Fibrosis, Lindsay A. Corman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Life expectancy of patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) has been increasing, with most children with CF expected to live at least into middle age adult years. Consequently, the majority of patients with CF will have to transition from a pediatric to an adult clinic. Unfortunately, few transition programs exist that attend to the physical, developmental, and psychological factors of adolescents with CF who need to transfer to adult clinics. Moreover, to date, there is a dearth of quantitative research that has been conducted to assess factors that may influence readiness to transition. The purpose of this study is to examine …

Effects Of D-Amphetamine On Temporal Control In A Peak-Interval Procedure In Lewis And Fischer 344 Rats, Meagan E. Follett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The present study assessed temporal control in LEW and F344 rats using a peak-interval procedure, in which fixed-interval (FI) trials were randomly presented with peak-interval (PI) trials, during which the interval was extended and no reinforcement was delivered. The peak time, or the average time at which response rates were the highest, was compared to the FI value as a measure of temporal control across three FI/PI conditions (10/30, 30/90, 60/180 seconds). There were no significant differences in temporal control as assessed by the PI procedure between LEW and F344 rats across three different conditions as well as following acute …

Gender And Financial Risk Tolerance Across The Life Span, Philip Lemaster

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Past research indicates that men tend to be more financially risk tolerant than women, and declines in self-reported risk tolerance are common with age. A life-span sample of adult men and women were recruited to investigate these gender- and age-related patterns using an ecologically valid measure of financial risk tolerance. As previously found, men reported greater risk tolerance than women, and risk tolerance declined with age. Biological mechanisms, such as testosterone, are often implicated in men's tendency to be more financially risk tolerant than women. In the present study, psychological gender mechanisms (i.e., masculine traits and roles, feminine traits, gender …

Desired Leadership Styles In Classroom And Court: Comparing Ideal Coaching And Teaching Styles Of Collegiate Student-Athletes, Elzbieta Klein

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to compare student-athletes' ideal coaching leadership styles and teaching leadership styles. Further, this study examined the relationship between student-athletes' level of argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness and their ideal leadership styles. Student-athletes (N=67) were surveyed about their ideal coaching and teaching leadership styles and their communication traits. The averages of each leadership styles were compared to rank them from most ideal to least ideal. Student-athletes prefer the leadership styles of Paternalistic, Democratic, and Transformational for coaches and the leadership styles of Laissez-Faire and Transactional for teachers. Student-athletes' argumentativeness and verbal aggressiveness were related to some …

The Effect Of A Six Week Functional Training Program On Performance Outcomes In Softball, Zachary M. Mohondro

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Context: Functional training for overhead throwing in softball is an area that has yet to be explored in research. Despite inclusion of functional training in current rehabilitation and strength and conditioning programs, few studies have examined the implementation of progressions, and the benefits therein. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a functional training program on performance outcomes. Design: This study was a 2 x 2 factorial design with group (experimental and control) and time (pre and post). This was a case control repeated measures design. The dependent variables are the functional training performance index, …

The Denaturalization Of Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra's El Igenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote De La Mancha In Children's Entertainment In The United States, Danielle Vincenza South

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Versions of Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's El ingenioso hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha for United States children have been adapted to fit the North American target market. This research aims to identify what changes have occurred and the impact the United States' cultural touch could have on the comprehension of the original text. In the analysis to follow, the four chosen works, two books and two cartoons, demonstrate American beliefs that appeal to the intended audience. One book, entitled Adventures of Don Quixote written by Argentina Palacios, conveys the concept of the American Dream to her readers. UB IWERKS's …

The Role Of Self-Efficacy In Predicting Treatment Adherence In Youth With Cystic Fibrosis, Margo M. Szabo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) demonstrate relatively poor treatment adherence in comparison to other age groups, which can lead to adverse health outcomes. Though previous research has examined various factors associated with treatment adherence in pediatric CF samples, no studies to date have explored the interrelations among self-efficacy, parental style, level of responsibility for CF care, and treatment adherence in this population. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the role of self-efficacy, parental style, and level of responsibility for CF care in predicting treatment adherence in adolescents with CF. A sample of 59 adolescents with CF (M …

Examining Childbirth-Related Trauma And Its Effect On Maternal Self-Efficacy And Appraisal Of Infant Temperament, Teresa B. Stire

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

It is estimated that 3--9% of women will meet full diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth, with another 20 to 40% being partially symptomatic for the disorder. While precedents and associated factors leading to childbirth related PTSD have been fairly well researched, the postpartum outcomes such as the mother's perception of herself in the parenting role, and her appraisal of her infant's temperament have been far less studied. Other psychiatric disorders have been linked to lower estimations of parental self efficacy and more negative views of infant temperament. This study examined childbirth related trauma and its effect …

The Role Of The Error Correction Journal On The Written Performance Of Foreign Language Students, Budimka Uskokovic Tenney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study focuses on the effects of error recording and analysis in the form of an Error Correction Journal (ECJ) on the linguistic accuracy of students of German and on their motivation to learn the language. It focuses on three groups of students, one that completed the ECJ, one that received coded feedback, and one that was given direct correction. The goal of the study was to check for improved accuracy and increased motivation based on the use of a journal to analyze and to raise awareness about errors. Through the use of the ECJ, students became more aware of …

The Effects Of A Happiness Intervention On Measures Of Psychological Well-Being And Motivation To Quit Smoking Among Smokers With Depressive Symptoms, Kelly A. Bailey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Depressed smokers are a group of individuals whose health and overall functioning can benefit from interventions aimed to enhance well-being. Researchers have recently found significant relations between positive affect and smoking cessation success, and between low affect and smoking relapse, and unsuccessful abstinence (Cook et al., 2010; Leventhal et al., 2008, 2009; Niemiec, 2010). The examination of the effects of happiness interventions for a population considered to be “underserved” has only just begun (Borrelli, 2010, p. 2; Kahler et al., 2013). In this study, the independent variable was a happiness intervention and the outcome variables were psychological well-being and motivation …

The Experiences Of Occupational Therapy Clinicians Transitioning To The Role Of Faculty Member: Implications For Faculty Development, Julie Lynn Grabanski

Education

This qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted for the purpose of examining the experiences of occupational therapists transitioning from an occupational therapist to a full-time faculty member within a university setting. Using a phenomenological approach based on the work of Giorgi and Giorgi (2008), the study addressed the broad research question: What is the experience of occupational therapists transitioning from the clinic to academia? A purposive sample was used to select 11 occupational therapists for personal interviews. Six elements of the general structure of the overall experience were revealed. The six elements found were (1) Opportunity and support to make a …

Professional Development Programs: Making The Case For Investing In Support-Staff At A Private, Undergraduate Institution, Rebecca Lee Amundsen

Education

The purpose of this study was to determine whether support-staff at Concordia College feel valued by the institution and whether they perceive that workplace satisfaction will improve with the creation and implementation of a professional development program. A survey was conducted and responses were analyzed based on comparisons of the mean, frequency, and correlation, as well as an evaluation of written responses. There were no significant differences found between support-staff in academic departments and academic administrative offices in terms of level of satisfaction, feeling valued, or the perceived impact of a professional development program. Overall, support-staff perceived that a professional …

Using Learning Modules For Instructor Neutrality In Ethical Quagmires: A Cross-Curricular Study In Academic Debate, Robert Lester Walsh

Education

The purpose of this disquisition is to add to the body of educational research through practitioner, quantitative, and qualitative inquiry on the topic of academic debate. In a three-tiered study, the author conducted research for this dissertation with the intent to examine argumentation and debate in higher education. The settings for this research were a comprehensive regional university and a research-intensive university. Debate was implemented to introduce topics of controversy with the intent to spur discourse on such topics. The author examined the use of academic debate in undergraduate and graduate education. The results are reported in three articles. The …

Cultural Identity, Vocational Development, And The Meaning Of Work Among Appalachian Coal Miners: A Qualitative Study, Susan Chamberlain

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this study I explore what coal mining means to underground miners in Appalachia, and how these meanings interact with participants' cultural and vocational identities. Using narrative data from eight underground coal miners, the study investigates the connections between cultural values, career, and personality. These connections are singularly intertwined in Appalachia, where economic and social landscapes have been heavily influenced by coal mining for over a century. The resulting relationships have blurred the lines of identity among career, family, and community. This qualitative study is based on data from semi-structured interviews; participant language was analyzed using grounded theory to create …

Motivations And Learning Strategies Of West Virginia College Students In Four Four-Year Institutions: A Correlation Study Of Academic, Social, And Demographic Variables, Kimberly G. Colebank

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Certain assumptions have been made about the relationship between acceptance criteria and student success. However, the assumption that a more successful college student can be determined based on acceptance criteria data was in doubt. The current study administered the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) created by Pintrich, Smith, Garcia and McKeachie (1991) to analyze the motivations and learning strategies utilized by West Virginia students in an Introduction to Psychology course at four public, four-year institutions. Learning strategies were correlated to academic, social, and demographic variables.;The purpose of the study was to determine if West Virginia college students preferred specific …

Visual Merchandising Strategies For Small Businesses, Karen Henry

Apparel Design and Hospitality Management

The sole purpose of this research was to focus specifically on visual merchandising strategies for small apparel stores since little research had been done on these types of stores. Visual merchandising literature to-date left small apparel retailers with little guidelines in deciding which visual merchandising strategies are more appropriate for their operations. This study addressed how participants responded favorably to six visual merchandising strategies (store layout/design, color, lighting, music, fixtures, and window displays) and how applying these strategies may benefit small apparel stores. The results suggest that these six visual merchandising strategies were instrumental with increased purchase intentions, traffic, loyalty, …

Barriers, Facilitators, And Frequency Of Evidence Based Practice Use In Athletic Training, Michael J. Boehke

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many professions, including medicine, engineering, and design, have embraced the notion of using research to making informed decisions, thus increasing client satisfaction. Called evidence based practice (EBP) in Athletic Training; the concept is viewed as a means to promote the profession, not only through improved patient care, but also through increasing the reputation of athletic trainers as cost-effective health care providers. Over the past two decades, EBP has become a common term and subject of study. However, the extent of research regarding barriers and facilitators to the use of EBP within athletic training lags behind that of other health care …

Beyond Buildings, Progressive Planning: Improving Collaboration Among Design And Community Development Professionals, Tia Marie Braseth

Sociology and Anthropology

This research presents a basic understanding of the relationships among design and community development professionals. If their collaboration progresses, there might be a rise in vibrant and sustainable communities. Research participants included 22 professionals comprised of architects, engineers, planners, housing specialists, community/economic developers, and educators. Research questions focused on methods of community building, roles and levels of involvement, and ways to build and strengthen relationships critical to community development. The prevalent themes found in the interviews were related to roles and responsibilities, first impressions, trust, challenges, and moving forward. Conclusions are that all participants think collaboration among each other is …

Treating Objects Like Women: The Impact Of Terror Management And Objectification On The Perception Of Women's Faces, Christina Roylance

Psychology

According to terror management theory, humans are threatened by the awareness of death and counter this threat by investing in cultural systems that make them feel like they are more than mortal animals. Based on this proposition, it has been argued that women's bodies pose a unique existential threat, as they remind humans of their similarity to other biological organisms. However, no research thus far has examined how death awareness impacts perceptual assessments of women. The current study examined the effect of heightened death-awareness on perceptions of women's faces, utilizing face-morphing techniques that create a range of artificial-to-real faces. Results …

A Biblical And Theological Strategy For Dealing With Spiritualism In The Zambian Context, Peter Chulu

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Rusangu Secondary School has experienced many incidents in recent years where dorm students were harassed by evil spiritual forces, causing fear and uncertainty among the students.

Method

A systematic study of the Bible, commentaries, books, journals, and articles concerning spiritualism was undertaken. Once theological and historical data on spiritualism was identified, it was utilized for training, equipping, and empowering prayer band members on how to deal with demonic harassment at the school.

Results

The school and church experienced revitalization. Members learned how to utilize a prayer band ministry to pray for the students who were being harassed by evil …