Digital Commons Network^™

Dreaming Of Masculinity: The Middle English "Pearl" And The Masculine Space Of New Jerusalem, Kirby Lund

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the gendering of spaces, particularly the city of New Jerusalem in the fourteenth-century Middle English dream vision Pearl. Earlier scholars have gendered this space as feminine based on the appearance of the city landscape. Instead, I examine the city in terms of both form and function to argue that New Jerusalem is a masculine space. In doing so, I hope to recognize the patriarchal control in the poem to demonstrate the masculine construction of the space, not to reinscribe patriarchy as a construct. This analysis combines the spatial theories of Henri Lefebvre and Doreen Massey with performative …

Preparing Administrators For Leadership In The Rural Context, Michael David Mcneff

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify advantages and disadvantages, such as scarcity of resources, of the rural principalship in North Dakota. The study and review of literature explored availability and lack of resources that impact North Dakota rural principals' leadership. The unique challenges of a rural principalship had an impact and influenced instructional leadership of rural principals. An era of accountability has forced a shift in the principal's role, duties, and expectations (Rice, 2010). This shift has been difficult on both rural and urban principals. This study included a sampling of six rural principals in North Dakota. The …

Part I: An Approach To The Synthesis Of Plakortethers A-E Part Ii: Rhodium-Catalyzed Intramolecular C-H Insertion On Diazosulfonates And Its Synthetic Applications, Duminda Shiromalee Liyanage

Theses and Dissertations

This research work consists of two independent studies. The first study is the development of a synthetic route to plakortethers A-E along with possible derivatives. The second study focuses on the synthetic applications of rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular C-H insertion on diazosulfonates.

Plakortethers (A-G) represent a set of marine natural products, which contain of a characteristic tetrasubstituted tetrahydrofuran fragment. This group of compounds was isolated from the Caribbean sponge Plakortis simplex. Their selective cytotoxic activity against the RAW 264-7 cell lines (murine macrophage) makes them promising candidates for biological studies and, along with their unusual structure, warrants the synthesis of these natural …

Do Men Matter? A Current Population Survey Study Of Characteristics Affecting Delayed Fertility, Patrick Mobley

Theses and Dissertations

Fertility research has traditionally assumed male fertility behavior was constant, overlooking the role of male economic factors, due largely to data restrictions. I use three models to analyze separate perspectives of data from the 2011 - 2013 Annual Social and Economic Supplement (ASEC) of the Current Population Survey (CPS) to determine whether male circumstances have a statistically significant effect on fertility behavior. This paper shows that the assumption that male fertility behavior is constant is invalid. Just like women, men prefer childbearing at certain life stages and will delay to maximize their own utility. Student enrollment has a particularly strong …

Standing In The Doorway: Role Complexity In The Position Of Senior Student Affairs Officer, Jasi L. O'Connor

Theses and Dissertations

Student affairs practice at small schools is becoming increasingly complex, and staff at all levels, including the senior student affairs officer (SSAO) are required to manage multiple roles. The purpose of this study was to use a grounded theory methodology to investigate if the need for the SSAO to hold multiple roles requires them to be able to effectively utilize both leadership and management skills. A second research question of this study was to investigate if the culture of a religiously-affiliated college impacts the way the SSAOs conduct their role. To investigate these questions, SSAOs at small, private, liberal arts …

Potential Juror Credibility Evaluations Of Gay And Lesbian Witnesses, Lisa Mae Olson

Theses and Dissertations

This study looked at whether the sexual orientation of a witness has an effect on a potential juror's determination of the witness's credibility, and examined traits such as respondent gender and college major, that may predict high levels of sexual prejudice. The sample consisted of 379 undergraduate students at a medium sized, upper Midwestern university. Results did not reveal an overall link between witness credibility ratings and sexual orientation, with the gay male witness receiving the highest credibility rankings followed by the heterosexual male witness, heterosexual female witness, and lastly, the lesbian female witness. It does not appear that the …

Relational Aggression Among Caucasian And Northern Plains American Indian School Children, Stephanie Parisien

Theses and Dissertations

Relational aggression is a form of aggression that has received increasing attention within the psychological literature. Among the American Indian population, however, research on relational aggression is currently non-existent. To date, research is continuing to grow with regard to the base rates of relational aggression. The current study has examined both peer-nominated and self-report relational aggression among Caucasian and Northern Plains American Indian school children in order to explore cultural, gender, grade level, and age differences. Other forms of aggression and social status were also explored in order to understand how these constructs may play a role in peer relations. …

Embedded Star Formation In S4g Galaxy Dust Lanes., Debra M. Elmegreen, Bruce G. Elmegreen, Santiago Erroz-Ferrer, Johan H. Knapen, Yaron Teich, Mark Popinchalk, E. Athanassoula, Albert Bosma, Sebastien Comeron, Yuri N. Efremov, Dimitri A. Gadotti, Armando Gil De Paz, Joannah L. Hinz, Luis C. Ho, Benne W. Holwerda, Taehyun Kim, Jarkko Laine, Eija Laurikainen, Karin Menendez-Delmestre, Trisha Mizusawa, Juan Carlos Munoz-Mateos, Michael W. Regan, Heikki Salo, Mark Seibert, Kartik Sheth

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Star-forming regions that are visible at 3.6 μm and Hα but not in the u, g, r, i, z bands of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey are measured in five nearby spiral galaxies to find extinctions averaging ∼3.8 mag and stellar masses averaging ∼5 × 104 M. These regions are apparently young star complexes embedded in dark filamentary shock fronts connected with spiral arms. The associated cloud masses are ∼107 M. The conditions required to make such complexes are explored, including gravitational instabilities in spiral-shocked gas and compression of incident clouds. We find that instabilities are too slow for a …

Constraining The Age Of The Ngc 4565 Hi Disk Warp : Determining The Origin Of Gas Warps., David J. Radburn-Smith, Roelof S. De Jong, David Streich, Eric F. Bell, Julianne J. Dalcanton, Andrew E. Dolphin, Adrienne M. Stilp, Antonela Monachesi, Benne W. Holwerda, Jeremy Bailin

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

We have mapped the distribution of young and old stars in the gaseous H i warp of NGC 4565. We find a clear correlation of young stars (< 600 Myr) with the warp but no coincident old stars (> 1 Gyr), which places an upper limit on the age of the structure. The formation rate of the young stars, which increased ∼ 300 Myr ago relative to the surrounding regions, is (6.3+2.5 −1.5) × 10−5 M yr−1 kpc−2. This implies a ∼ 60 ± 20 Gyr depletion time of the H i warp, similar to the timescales calculated for the outer H i disks of nearby spiral galaxies. While some stars …

Ghosts I : A New Faint Very Isolated Dwarf Galaxy At D = 12 ± 2 Mpc., Antonela Monachesi, Eric F. Bell, David J. Radburn-Smith, Roelof S. De Jong, Jeremy Bailin, Julianne J. Dalcanton, Benne W. Holwerda, H. Alyson Ford, David Streich, Marija Vlajic, Daniel B. Zucker

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

We report the discovery of a new faint dwarf galaxy, GHOSTS I, using HST/ACS data from one of our GHOSTS (Galaxy Halos, Outer disks, Substructure, Thick disk, and Star clusters) fields. Its detected individual stars populate an approximately 1 mag range of its luminosity function (LF). Using synthetic color–magnitude diagrams (CMDs) to compare with the galaxy’s CMD, we find that the colors and magnitudes of GHOSTS I’s individual stars are most consistent with being young helium-burning and asymptotic giant branch stars at a distance of ∼12±2 Mpc. Morphologically, GHOSTS I appears to be actively forming stars, so we tentatively classify …

Morphological Parameters Of A Spitzer Survey Of Stellar Structure In Galaxies., Benne W. Holwerda, J. C. Munoz-Mateos, S. Comeron, S. Meidt, K. Sheth, S. Laine, J. L. Hinz, M. W. Regan, A. Gil De Paz, K. Menendez-Delmestre, M. Seibert, T. Kim, T. Mizusawa, E. Laurikainen, H. Salo, J. Laine, D. A. Gadotti, D. Zaritsky, S. Erroz-Ferrer, L. C. Ho, J. H. Knapen, E. Athanassoula, A. Bosma, N. Pirzkal

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

The morphology of galaxies can be quantified to some degree using a set of scale-invariant parameters. Concentration (C), asymmetry (A), smoothness (S), the Gini index (G), the relative contribution of the brightest pixels to the secondorder moment of the flux (M20), ellipticity (E), and the Gini index of the second-order moment (GM) have all been applied to morphologically classify galaxies at various wavelengths. Here, we present a catalog of these parameters for the Spitzer Survey of stellar structure in Galaxies, a volume-limited, near-infrared (NIR) imaging survey of nearby galaxies using the 3.6 and 4.5μm channels of the Infrared Array Camera …

Estimating The Effect Of Poverty On Violent Crime, Jose Gabriel Ramos

Theses and Dissertations

I examine the effect of poverty on violent crime in the United States during the years between 2000 and 2012. My analysis contributes to the literature by utilizing state-level poverty rates as the main variable of interest, and directly studying its effect on violent crime rates. I use panel data and a group (state) and time fixed effects estimation method in the study. The results confirm prior research that concludes that poverty does not have a significant effect on violent crime.

Effects Of Stress Ratios On Polymer Composite Fatigue, Mohammad Rasheduzzaman

Theses and Dissertations

In this work, fatigue behavior of glass fiber composite has been being investigated at different stress ratios and compared them with some previous model from literature. Ten layers of unidirectional glass fibers are used. Glass fibers and resin were supplied by LM Wind Power, a leading manufacturer of wind turbine blades. The plates were made by the VARTM (Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding) process to control fiber volume fraction and void content. Specimens were then post cured. Volume fraction was determined by burn off test and material strength by 4 point bending static testing. Four point bending fatigue tests were …

Perceptions Of Child Abuse And Neglect In Cases Of Intimate Partner Violence, Katlin Rhyner

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined perceptions of child abuse and neglect within the context of heterosexual intimate partner violence. Participants were asked to read a vignette describing a situation where a child either saw, heard, or was physically injured in an intimate partner violence altercation that took place between his parents. Within abuse exposure condition, the gender of the victim was also varied. Participants were asked to decide the extent to which the situation constitutes child abuse and neglect, as well as how much blame and responsibility should be assigned to each parent involved in the incident. Overall, it was found …

Educational Experiences Of Rural Minnesota High-Ability Mathematics Learners, Jodi Lynn Sandmeyer

Theses and Dissertations

Meeting the educational needs of rural Minnesota high school high-ability learners in mathematics can be challenging for educators. This qualitative study involved interviewing high school graduates who scored between 30 and 36 on the mathematics subtest of the ACT and high school mathematics teachers who observed high-ability mathematics students. The graduates were from four different one-section or two-section schools from three counties in rural Minnesota. The purpose of this study was to use phenomenological qualitative research methods to identify educational experiences of high-ability mathematics learners from rural one-section and two-section high schools. There were two research questions guiding this study. …

Gravin Regulates Crosstalk Between Calcium And Pka Dependent Signaling Pathways In Cultured Cells, Micah Schott

Theses and Dissertations

A-Kinase Anchoring Proteins (AKAPs) comprise a family of roughly 70 scaffolds that anchor PKA and other enzymes to a variety of subcellular compartments. Although characterized as "anchoring proteins", some AKAPs are not spatially and temporally static but can undergo dynamic subcellular trafficking, thus repositioning anchored enzyme complexes within the cell. Gravin (also called SSeCKS or AKAP12) anchors PKA and other enzymes to the plasma membrane but redistributes to the cytosol upon intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) elevation. However, the impact of gravin redistribution on PKA-dependent signaling pathways is poorly understood. We hypothesize that through Ca2+-mediated redistribution, gravin facilitates cross-talk between Ca2+-dependent and …

Investigation Of Marine Stratocumulus Under Coupled And Decoupled Conditions Over The Arm Azores Site, Adam Christopher Schwantes

Theses and Dissertations

Stratocumuli are a type of low clouds composed of individual convective elements that together form a continuous layer of clouds. Stratocumuli cover large regions of the Earth's surface, which make them important components in the Earth's radiation budget. Stratocumuli strongly reflect solar shortwave radiation, while weakly affecting outgoing longwave radiation. This leads to a strong radiative cooling effect that affects the Earth's radiation budget. Therefore it is important to investigate the mechanisms that affect the longevity of stratocumuli, so that their impact on the Earth's radiation budget can be fully understood. One mechanism that is currently being studied as influencing …

Identifying Landscape-Level Trends In Prairie Songbirds With Fragmented Habitats, Jessica Shahan

Theses and Dissertations

Grassland songbirds are experiencing significant population declines due to habitat loss and degradation. This study investigated the relationship between landscape-level patterns and prairie-level patterns in presence/absence, richness, and diversity for seven individual species, the total grassland songbird community, and three community subgroups. Overall, grassland songbirds did respond to landscape-level variables, although the strength of the relationship and the variables involved differed by species and functional group.

Intellectual Property Ownership, Technology Transfer, And Entrepreneurship Education: University Student And Administrator Perspectives, Craig Alan Silvernagel

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods study was designed to investigate student knowledge and attitudes concerning university intellectual property (IP) ownership, and the reaction of campus IP experts to the student perspective. Study participants included 226 students from a Midwestern research university and three employees with IP commercialization experience from that same university. A paper questionnaire was completed by students and the survey results were used to construct questions for semi-structured interviews with the campus IP professionals.

The student survey included demographic questions, Likert-type questions, and open-ended questions. The Likert-type questions were organized into three constructs: Student Knowledge, Student Fears, and Student Attitudes. …

Forecast Bias Analysis Using Object-Based Verification Of Regional Wrf Summertime Convective Forecasts, Mariusz Starzec

Theses and Dissertations

Forecast verification remains a crucial component of improving model forecasts, but still remains a challenge to perform. An objective method is developed to verify simulated reflectivity against radar reflectivity at a 1 km altitude utilizing the Method for Object-based Diagnostic Evaluation (MODE) Tool. Comparing the reflectivity field allows for an instantaneous view of what is occurring in simulations without any averaging that may occur when analyzing fields such as accumulated precipitation. The objective method is applied to high resolution 3 km and 1 km local convective WRF summertime forecasts in the Northern Plains region. The bulk verification statistics reveal that …

Preparation And Analysis Of Evaporatively Bonded Superalloys For Use In Hydrogen Burning Gas Turbines, Serges Eric Tatsinkou Nguelo

Theses and Dissertations

Superalloys for use in hydrogen-burning gas turbines must demonstrate long-term durability in environments that may be more corrosive than typical turbines due to the presence of impurities in the combusted syngas. This long-term durability implies high oxidation and spallation resistance to different types of corrosion attacks as well as a high strength to be able to withstand the residual stresses induced by the temperature gradients. The performance of these superalloys in these environments can only be realistically assessed if their design involves a good understanding of the types of microcontaminants present in the syngas as well as resulting stresses induced …

Determining The Origin And Possible Mechanisms Of Qpos In X-Ray Emissions Of Neutron Stars And Black Holes, Brent Thomson

Theses and Dissertations

QPOs (Quasi-Periodic Oscillations) are time oscillations that appear in the light curve of observational data in x-ray bands. They are of mysterious origin although they are believed to be a result of the intense gravity around neutron stars and black holes and emit x-rays from accretion disks. I investigate a derived ratio between two periods has been found in the QPO data. The two periods, which appear as peaks in the power density spectrum have been found to be in a 3:2 ratio and can possibly distinguish theoretical models. In the work presented here, two physical approaches are developed that …

The Effect Of Non-Weight And Shape-Related Appearance Dissatisfaction On Eating Disordered Behaviors, Terra Towne

Theses and Dissertations

Studies have found that greater dissatisfaction with non-weight-related body parts is associated with drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction, suggesting that eating disorder behaviors may be compensatory mechanisms for less malleable aspects of appearance. The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between non-weight and shape-related appearance dissatisfaction (NWSAD), perceived malleability, and eating disorder and appearance-related behaviors. Participants were students enrolled in undergraduate psychology courses at a mid-size midwestern university. All participants completed the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire, Drive for Muscularity Scale, Body Shape Questionnaire, visual analogue scales assessing NWSAD, appearance-related behaviors checklist, and a measure assessing …

Songbird Response To Mixed Ungulate Herd Reduction Through Changes In Vegetation At Sullys Hill National Game Preserve, Bethany J. Walters

Theses and Dissertations

Big game management traditionally focused on single species management with less emphasis, until recently, on community interactions. Sullys Hill National Game Preserve (SHNGP) is a 678 hectare preserve where extirpated Plains bison (Bison bison) were reintroduced along with Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). These large ecosystem engineers have been managed at varying densities within a fenced area of deciduous woods, wetlands, and native prairie since 1918. Grazing, browsing, and rubbing by ungulates, along with additional refuge management prescriptions (e.g. prescribed fire), shape the understory and midstory and in turn …

Ill-Posedness Of The Two-Dimensional Keller-Segel Model In Triebel-Lizorkin Spaces, Chao Deng, John Villavert

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

This article proves the ill-posedness of the Cauchy problem for the two-dimensional Keller–Segel model in Triebel–Lizorkin spaces, for . In particular, it is shown that solutions can develop norm inflation under certain settings in that the solution can become arbitrarily large after an arbitrarily short time even for small initial data.

State Of Metropolitan Housing Report: 2014: A Look Back, A Look Forward., C. Norton, Lauren Heberle, A. Smith, R. Fenwick, D. Weinstein, K. Pugh, A. Sizemore

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

The Art Of Translation From Chinese To English, Kristen Fabin

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.

Finding Inspiration : Exploring Media And Their Sources, Julie Gallus

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.

Correlating Behavior Of Und Undergraduates With Polymorphisms In Dopaminergic Genes, Marlee Helmeke

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.

Quality Of Life Of People With Type 1 Diabetes On Insulin Pump Therapy And Its Relation To Hba1c In Patients Ages 18-25, Amber Logie

Undergraduate Theses and Senior Projects

No abstract provided.