Digital Commons Network^™

Brain Drain Or Brain Gain? Cognitive Skill Training With Novice Video Game Players With Casual Video Games, Sean Hollis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Video game playing (vgp) has become a popular and widespread form of entertainment over the past two decades. This form of media is now popular with children, adolescents, and adults alike. While most early research on the effects of vgp focused on the relation of violence in video games and expressions of aggression, more recent research has begun to explore possible beneficial effects of vgp. Study results have been inconsistent, with some suggesting that vgp may improve various cognitive skills such as spatial skills, attentional skills, executive control, and problem solving. Other studies refute or qualify these findings. Additionally, different …

Language At Rest: A Longitudinal Study Of Intrinsic Functional Connectivity In Preterm Children, Megan Alysse Rowlands

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Preterm (PT) children show early cognitive and language deficits and display altered cortical connectivity for language compared to term (T) children. Developmentally, functional connectivity networks become more segregated and integrated through the weakening of short-range and strengthening of long-range connections. The specific aims of this study are: (1) To use residual fMRI data to investigate intrinsic connectivity development from ages 8 to 16 years in PT vs. T controls; and (2) To correlate intrinsic connectivity to cognitive and language scores. Longitudinal intrinsic connectivity distribution (ICD) values were assessed in PT (n = 13) compared to T children (n = 12) …

Adolescent Visual Voices: Discovering Emerging Identities Through Photovoice, Perspective And Narrative, Ann Mechem Ziergiebel

Educational Studies Dissertations

This qualitative multicase study seeks to create dynamic pedagogical space - meaning making capacities encouraging multiple types of participation - where adolescent voices are privileged. Opening pedagogical space sits at the intersection of feminist standpoint theory, critical consciousness and social constructivism. Disturbingly, space supporting the inner lives and voices of students is shrinking in current educational environments, partially due to prescriptive curricula and rigid standards. The rationale for this study emanates from the researcher’s (as co-participant) educational journey and professional experience at the middle school and higher education levels. This study’s purpose explores, “what happens when space is created for …

The Missions And Camino Real Of Baja California: A Binational View, Julia Bendímez Patterson, Antonio Porcayo Michelini, Lee M. Panich

Faculty Publications

From the end of the seventeenth century through the early nineteenth century, missionaries from the Jesuit, Franciscan, and Dominican orders founded numerous missions in Baja California. In this article we introduce readers in Alta California to these missions, which along with El Camino Real de las Californias, were the most important institutions used by the Spanish Crown to colonize the Pacific coast of North America.

Enough Smoke: Implementation Of An Evidence-Based Smoking Cessation Program In Owsley County, Kentucky, Meghan Fay Johnson

Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.)

In 1964, the first United States (U.S.) Surgeon General’s Report explicitly stating the dangers of smoking, including an increased risk of lung cancer, was released. Fifty years later, the U.S. continues to carry the significant health and economic burdens for failing to heed this public health warning. Owsley County, Kentucky, located in the heart of the Appalachian is one of the most impoverished and medically underserved counties in the U.S., ranking last in almost every category of overall health outcomes in the state. The county is also entirely rural, with no major cities within an 80-mile radius. In every health …

Assessing Urban Greenhouse Gas Emissions In European Medium And Large Cities: Methodological Considerations, Peter Marcotullio, Andrea Sarzynski, Jochen Albrecht, Niels Schulz, Jake Garcia

Publications and Research

Policymakers need clear, consistent, and reliable information about the location of greenhouse gases and drivers of emitting activity in order to design appropriate mitigating strategies. At the urban scale, there have been challenges in developing consistent and reliable emissions inventories. This chapter examines selected methods to determine greenhouse gas emissions at the urban scale. We describe the various criteria considered when constructing an urban greenhouse gas protocol including the definition of urban, the gasses that are measured, the source they come from, the scope of analysis and how the measurements are undertaken. We then present results for European medium and …

Writing Without Boundaries : Examining A Professional Writer's Environment Using Activity Theory, Lindsey Crane

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This research used activity theory as a framework to explore the physical and figurative locations of writing in a professional setting. The researcher conducted a six-week case study of a technical writer in an IT department for an educational services company to examine how she navigates her environment during the writing process. After identifying one of her activity systems, the researcher interviewed and observed the writer as she collaborated with three subject matter experts on a writing project. The findings reinforced how writing is a social process and revealed how the company's "no boundaries" philosophy impacts the writer's work and …

Using Lidar To Measure The Urban Forest In Dekalb, Il, Dustin Bergman

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Urban and metropolitan areas have grown significantly during the 21st century. With more than 50% of the global population living in cities, they are uniquely susceptible to high temperatures, poor air quality, and increases in peak storm water runoff during inclement weather; however, urban and metropolitan areas often have significant forest resources that can greatly ameliorate these factors. To maintain urban forests and maximize their benefits, tree surveys are often performed requiring extensive fieldwork. However, automatable techniques using LiDAR data and aerial orthoimagery have the potential to provide similar metrics over larger areas, more rapidly, and at lower cost. This …

Hybrid Arrangements As A Form Of Ecological Modernization: The Case Of The Us Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grants, Dana R. Fisher, Anya Galli Robertson

Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work Faculty Publications

How are environmental policy goals implemented and sustained in the context of political stagnation surrounding national climate policies in the United States? In this paper, we discuss Ecological Modernization Theory as a tool for understanding the complexity of climate governance at the sub-national level. In particular, we explore the emergence of hybrid governance arrangements during the local implementation of federal energy efficiency programs in US cities. We analyze the formation and advancement of programs associated with one effort to establish a sub-national low carbon energy policy: the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program administered by the US Department …

Representation And Governance In International Organizations, David P. Rapkin, Jonathan R. Strand, Michael W. Trevathan

Political Science Faculty Research

What does representation mean when applied to international organizations? While many scholars working on normative questions related to global governance often make use of the concept of representation, few have addressed specifics of applying the concept to the rules and practices by which IOs operate. This article examines representation as a fundamental, albeit often neglected, norm of governance which, if perceived to be deficient or unfair, can interfere with other components of governance, as well as with performance of an organization’s core tasks by undermining legitimacy. We argue that the concept of representation has been neglected in the ongoing debates …

Global Metagenomic Survey Reveals A New Bacterial Candidate Phylum In Geothermal Springs, E A. Eloe-Fadrosh, D Paez-Espino, J Jarett, P F. Dunfield, Brian Hedlund, A E. Dekas, S E. Grasby, A L. Brady, H Dong, B R. Briggs, W J. Li, D Goudeau, R Malmstrom, A Pati, J Pett-Ridge, E M. Rubin, T Woyke, N C. Kyrpides, N N. Ivanova

Life Sciences Faculty Research

Analysis of the increasing wealth of metagenomic data collected from diverse environments can lead to the discovery of novel branches on the tree of life. Here we analyse 5.2 Tb of metagenomic data collected globally to discover a novel bacterial phylum ('Candidatus Kryptonia') found exclusively in higherature pH-neutral geothermal springs. This lineage had remained hidden as a taxonomic 'blind spot' because of mismatches in the primers commonly used for ribosomal gene surveys. Genome reconstruction from metagenomic data combined with single-cell genomics results in several high-quality genomes representing four genera from the new phylum. Metabolic reconstruction indicates a heterotrophic lifestyle with …

Growth In The Midst Of Perpetual Dependency, Hannah A. Lackey

Senior Honors Theses

International aid is a powerful, beneficial tool that has been known to improve many situations in a variety of targeted communities. While aid does provide basic necessities and resources to beneficiaries, it has the potential to simultaneously hinder or slow the development and independence of the assisted people groups if not correctly implemented. Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) based in Boone, North Carolina, provides a variety of domestic and international relief services that break the trend of dependency through their encouragement of local self-sufficiency and growth. Specifically, Samaritan’s Purse’s Karamoja Integrated Maternal Child Health (KIMCH) project, based in …

Comparison Of The Multifractal Characteristics Of Heavy Metals In Soils Within Two Areas Of Contrasting Economic Activities In China, X Li, X Li, F Yuan, Simon Jowitt, T Zhou, K Yang, J Zhou, X Hu, Y Li

Geoscience Faculty Research

Industrial and agricultural activities can generate heavy metal pollution that can cause a number of negative environmental and health impacts. This means that evaluating heavy metal pollution and identifying the sources of these pollutants, especially in urban or developed areas, is an important first step in mitigating the effects of these contaminating but necessary economic activities. Here, we present the results of a heavy metal (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, and Hg) soil geochemical survey in Hefei city. We used a multifractal spectral technique to identify and compare the multifractality of heavy metal concentrations of soils within the industrial Daxing …

Development Of A School District: The Role And Contributions Of Clark County, Nevada School District Superintendents, 1956 – 2000, Patrick W. Carlton

Public Policy and Leadership Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Property, Sovereignty, And Governable Spaces, Jacquelyn Amour Jampolsky

Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality

No abstract provided.

Geologic Time, John J. Renton, Thomas Repine

Readings and Notes

It is not surprising that humans have wondered how long Earth has existed. At one extreme, there were the Brahmans of India who believe that Earth never had a beginning and will never have an end. Others were of the opinion that Earth was old, but perhaps not eternally old. In 450 BC, for example, a Greek historian named Herodotus (484 - 425 BC) expressed the opinion that Earth was very old, basing his estimate on the results of his studies of the Nile Delta. He observed that the delta was growing layer by layer as a result of the …

Earthquakes And Seismology, John J. Renton, Thomas Repine

Readings and Notes

The great majority of earthquakes are caused by the movement of faults. Two terms are used to determine the location of an earthquake, focus and epicenter. The focus of an earthquake is the point along a fault where the rocks slipped and released the energy previously stored during the elastic phase of deformation. Because faults represent brittle deformation, the highest frequency of earthquakes occurs at Earth's surface and decreases with depth as rocks become less brittle and more plastic. The deepest earthquake foci occur at depths of about 640 km. ( 400 mi.) which is the deepest penetration of subducting …

Earthquakes, John J. Renton, Thomas Repine

Readings and Notes

For centuries, earth scientists have known where the major earthquakes occurred. They also knew they occurred in the same locales as the most violent volcanoes, a fact that led to centuries of arguments as to which was the cause of the other. Now we know that they are not cause and effect; they are both associated with the convergent plate margins. During the mid-1900s, another major zone of both volcanic and earthquake activity was discovered, namely the divergent margins, the most important site being the oceanic ridges. Since then, we have also come to understand the occurrence of volcanic activity …

The Triassic Period And The Beginning Of The Mesozoic Era, John J. Renton, Thomas Repine

Readings and Notes

The Triassic Period is the first period of the Mesozoic Era, a span of time from 245 million years ago to 66 million years ago. Although the Mesozoic era commonly known as the "Age of the Dinosaurs,', it should be pointed out that there were other important evolutionary developments taking place such as the appearance of the first mammal birds and flowering plans. The onset of the Mesozoic Era, the Triassic Period, was also a time of profound tectonic activity affecting the entire North American craton. In the east, the primary event was the breakup of Pangea and the formation …

Coal Genesis, John J. Renton, Thomas Repine

Readings and Notes

Most textbooks classify coal as a sedimentary rock even though it does not fit the definition of a sedimentary rock. While a sedimentary rock is a "rock formed from the products of weathering and erosion", coal forms from the remains of land plants. In fact, coal doesn't even fit the definition of a rock. A rock is defined as "mixture of minerals" and minerals are defined as "natural occurring, solid, inorganic substances ..• " Coal is composed largely (􀀴90+%) of organic substances (macerals) which, by definition, are not minerals. If coal must be classified as a rock, because it forms …

A Physiological Assessment Of Wetland Habitats For Spring-Migrating Ducks In The Agricultural Landscapes Of The Southern Prairie Pothole Region, Adam K. Janke

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The conversion of grassland and wetland ecosystems in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) has been a pervasive challenge for conservationists dating back to the early 1900s. The legacy of ever-increasing agricultural intensity in the southern portions of the PPR, including eastern South Dakota, has left many wetland ecosystems in a matrix of intensive agricultural production. With little surrounding nesting cover, these wetlands are thought to have limited potential for waterfowl reproduction but may still play an important role facilitating migration of waterfowl en route to northern breeding areas during spring. My research sought to understand the contributions of wetlands in …

A Glimpse At Media-Framing Effects On Place Attachment In Rural Northwest Montana, Gregory D. Bruns

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

This study examined how outdated media framing can disturb rural place attachment. Evaluating this concept against the backdrop of south Lincoln County, Montana, which is nearing the end of a years-long EPA Superfund cleanup, over 100 regional visitors were surveyed to learn if media framing affected place-attachment sentiments. The investigation revealed that existing news stories, some up to 15 years old, may be playing a lingering and consequential role in attracting first-time destination seekers to the region, in support of framing theory. Furthermore, these findings also lend credence to the significance of sound Internet search-engine optimization practices, and provide an …

Call-Out Culture: How Online Shaming Affects Social Media Participation In Young Adults, Ethan M. Huffman

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Communication via social media is important to many young adults. While participation affords benefits, it can lead to acts of online shaming. This study hypothesized that young social media users are concerned that the information they post online could cascade out of control leading to a verbal attack by an anonymous crowd. As a result, users reduce the frequency of posting content to social media after witnessing or experiencing acts of online shaming. Academic attention has not focused on social media participation, or the lack thereof, as a behavioral trait akin to organizational silence. Drawing on Morrison and Milliken’s (2000) …

Extroversion And Media Richness: An Analysis Of Media Preferences Of High Extroverts Within Sales Organizations, Donna M. Dudek

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

Personality traits and vocational acumen have been the source of research in recent years. Using personality measures such as the Five Factor model, researchers have sought to find common traits which may predict success in critical organizational roles. Communication needs and desires, including media richness choices, have also been the subject of past research. The purpose of this thesis is to tie these two themes together. Using a survey instrument containing both a personality inventory and a questionnaire examining media preferences in different scenarios, the author gathered data from sales professionals, client service professionals, and managers to evaluate similarities and …

Upward Communication In Organizations: The Connection To Company Culture And Employee Engagement, Janet K. Clancy-Feliciano

Communication & Leadership Dissertations and Theses

In today’s American society, effective upward and downward communication between supervisors and subordinates is lacking now more than ever before. The importance of effective downward communication from organizational leaders receives ongoing attention, but more attention needs to be given to the importance of open reception to upward communication. It is critical that leaders in organizations build trust and encourage upward communication from employees in order to maintain organizational wellbeing and to avoid employee dissatisfaction. To help close the gap in this area of communication, this study focused on and collected data utilizing on-line surveys and employee interviews in order to …

The Introduction Of Montessori Teaching And Learning Practices In An Early Childhood Classroom In A Remote Indigenous School, Catherine Holmes

Theses

The purpose of this research was to observe and describe the effect of Montessori pedagogy in a remote Aboriginal Early Childhood program to ascertain whether this alternative approach to education provides a more culturally appropriate practice than past methods. The significance of the study lies in the need to "close the gap" (Department of Premier & Cabinet [DPMC], 2016, p.1) between the achievement of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students. The study endeavours to describe the effect of Montessori pedagogy through the response of those most closely associated with Aboriginal education: students, parents, caregivers, community members and educational professionals.

Three dimensions of …

Size-Selective Predation By Ringed Crayfish (Orconectes Neglectus) On Native And Invasive Snails, Whitney Marie Kelley

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

As invasive species are introduced into new habitats, predator-prey interactions can be altered. Cipangopaludina chinensis is a large snail that has been introduced into numerous waterbodies throughout the United States, where it coexists with native snails and their crayfish consumers. This study examined the relative susceptibility of C. chinensis and two native snails (Elimia potosiensis and Physella gyrina) to predation by the ringed crayfish (Orconectes neglectus). I conducted field surveys of snails and crayfish in three Ozark streams, plus a series of four lab experiments to determine feeding rates and prey preference by O. neglectus on these three snail species. …

Truthiness And The Marble Palace, Chad M. Oldfather, Todd C. Peppers

Emory Law Journal Online

Tucked inside the title page of David Lat's Supreme Ambitions, just after a note giving credit for the cover design and before the copyright notice, sits a standard disclaimer of the sort that appears in all novels: 'This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and events either are the products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.' These may be the most truly fictional words in the entire book. Supreme Ambitions' observations about judging, clerking, prestige and the culture of elite law schools …

Taking Advantage Of Moocs In K-12 Education: A Blended Approach, Samantha Briggs, Helen Crompton

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Technological opportunities are opening new ways for educators to enhance K-12 instruction. While many educators are incorporating digital technologies into their teaching, there is evidence to show that K-12 educators have a lack of training, time, and resources to implement learner-centered digital instruction. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS) have gained a reputation for providing online learning in higher education and are now extending to K-12. The unique digital advantages as well as the rising number of students enrolled in schools has led to discussions about the potential of MOOCS for students in K-12 (ages 4-19 years) education. This chapter provides …

Establishing A Communal Network For Professional Advancement Among Librarians Of Color, Tarida Anantachai, Latrice Booker, Althea Lazzaro, Martha Parker

Librarian Publications

This chapter examines the ways in which collaborative partnerships among librarians of color, within and even across institutions, can greatly assist in job satisfaction, retention of professionals, and bolstering librarians’ sense of support throughout their careers. It also provides specific examples and models in which these collaborations have occurred, including those that the authors have experienced and, in many cases, initiated