Digital Commons Network^™

Putting Your Best Face Forward: A Critical Visual Analysis Of Gay Advertising Images And Self-Branding On Grindr, Gigina A. Giorgi

Theses

Advertising is used to sell a brand by depicting a lifestyle or persona that one aspires to attain. We brand ourselves, or self-brand, in accordance to how we want to be perceived by others and to convey a particular message. This study addresses the following research questions: 1) How are men presented in advertisements in gay orientated magazines? 2) How do gay men portray themselves in online dating profiles? 3) Is there a relationship between the portrayal of the male body in advertisements in Out and self-portrayal on online dating profiles? 4) What messages are gay men portraying on online …

Implementation Of An Object-Oriented Life Cycle Assessment Framework Using Functional Analysis And Systems Engineering Principles, Shantanu Avinash Gadre

Theses

There has been a growing awareness about the environmental impacts of producing and consuming goods and services. Among the various tools that have been developed to better understand these impacts, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the most commonly used tools to estimate the environmental effects of products and services. Given that a significant percentage of a product’s impacts are defined during the design and development, it is necessary to effectively integrate LCA into these early phases of the product lifecycle. However, the lack of standardized practices, complex modelling approaches, data and time requirements, special training requirements for designers, …

A Methodology To Quantify Cumulative Damage Function (Cdf) For Integration Into An Object-Oriented Life Cycle Assessment (Lca), Devdatta Deo

Theses

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is one of the most widely used tools to determine the environmental impact of products and processes. One of the main concerns with LCA is the limited comparability of the results due to limitations in defining the functional unit. This affects goal and scope definition of the LCA studies. A result, an object-oriented framework for LCA that integrates functional analysis and systems engineering principles was developed. In this research a cumulative damage function (CDF) to quantify the life of components, subsystems and components was defined. However, the development of the methodology and underlying principles to develop …

Investigating Visual Differences Between Japanese And American Animation, Boyao Dai

Theses

This study looked at animation produced in the US and Japan, in order to discover the visual differences between the two. After sampling from four distinct animations of the US and Japan, over 300 screenshots were captured. A visual content analysis of the 300 screenshots was conducted, focusing on differences in character psychological status and environment rendering. Results revealed that Japanese animation contained at least three times more psychological depictions and used more subdued coloring than American animation. Lastly, using semiotic analysis, the findings from the content analysis were interpreted and potential reasons for the differences between the two animations …

Survival Of Various Pathogenic Microorganisms In Surface Waters And Sediments In Western New York, Lorne Farovitch

Theses

In 2005-2006, 87% of all reported cases of disease outbreak in the United States related to recreational water use was caused by bacterial infections of the gastrointestinal tract. Several locations featuring recreational bodies of water in Western New York include: Durand Eastman Beach, Charlotte Beach, the Genesee River, Black Creek, Irondequoit Bay and Oatka Creek. Adequate monitoring of water quality is necessary due to contamination with pathogenic strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and enteric pathogens such as Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, and Shigella sonnei that can threaten the safety of swimming in these recreational waters. Except for P. aeruginosa, which …

The Effect(S) Of Media On The National Football League, Christian J. Bunce

Theses

Exemplification theory states that the sample is applied to the whole. This paper specifically look into how the media’s coverage of certain high-profile National Football League (NFL) cases may have created a negative perception about the NFL. Specifically, this paper will compare exemplars and the effects they have. The media play a large role in how players, leagues, and teams are perceived. However, our results do not support this idea. Both groups were asked the same questions, the questions were designed to gauge subject’s opinions of the NFL. After analysis, there was not a significant statistical difference in the responses …

Interracial Advertising: A Comparative Analysis On Youtube Comments On A Controversial Interracial Commercial, Jeannine Alsous

Theses

This paper examines online comments to an interracial family portrayed in two online commercials for Cheerios. The study focused on an in-depth review of literature of history, symbolic interaction theory, critical race theory and co-creation of value, followed by comparative content analysis of online comments and intercoder reliability test. Four-hundred total comments were analyzed; 100 positive from each commercial and 100 negative from each. The comments were chosen by a filtering method the social media site YouTube has to select and analyze the top and most popular comments from each. After collection, a comparative content analysis of the comments was …

Framing Of Skill Problems, Kirk M. Winans

Theses

More frequently since the Great Recession, various concerns about a “skills gap” have been raised by industry leaders and organizations, politicians, and some economists. The most basic definition of a “skills gap” is that the workforce does not possess the skills required by employers. The most prominent concerns have been with STEM education and “middle skills” occupations, those that require more than a high school diploma but less than a 4-year degree. However, the various causes and solutions to these issues are widespread. Much of the alarm has been stimulated by reports published by industry and trade organizations asserting specific …

Beyond The Surface: An Analysis On The Journalistic Reporting Of Native American Issues, Nicole Dorothy Irene Scott

Theses

This study analyzes the reporting of four issues that have impacted the Native American community. The research begins by addressing historical events that transformed Native American identity and have shaped the media’s representation of Native identity. Framing theory, muted group theory, and tribal critical race theory support this study, with framing theory focusing on examining the news discourse. This study seeks to identify how Native American issues are framed differently in Indian Country Today Media Network and the New York Times, and seeks to identify if the Native voice can be heard in articles written by Native journalists. The results …

Clinical Instructors Perceptions Of The Pta-Cpi Assessment Of Critical Thinking, Trudy L. Hansen

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze how critical thinking skills are assessed for Physical Therapist Assistant students within the state of Kansas. Eight face to face interviews were conducted with clinical instructors who use the Physical Therapist Assistant Clinical Performance Instrument (PTA-CPI) as the instrument to assess critical thinking. Physical Therapy educational facilities supplied the names of clinical instructors who met the study’s criteria. Clinical instructor’s gave their definition of critical thinking, stated the advantages and disadvantages of the PTA-CPI, described their perceptions of a PTA student’s critical thinking skills in the clinical educational setting, and discussed what …

Uap 2300: Inspection Of Public Records, University Of New Mexico

Section 2000: Administrative Management

No abstract provided.

Scientometric Portrait Of Mike Thelwall, Vellaichamy A, Amsan E

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Mike Thelwall was honoured with the Derek John de Solla Price Award (2015) at his 50 years age and at 20 years of research publishing career. The first contribution of the author was in 2000 at the age of 35. His publications were analysed by year, growth of publication pattern, collaboration pattern, authorship pattern, channels of communications used and keywords etc. He had 297 publications during 2000-2015 in domains: Computer Science (237), Social Sciences (183), Decision Sciences (50), Mathematics (45), Engineering (11), Medicine(7), Agricultural and Biological Sciences (6), Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (6), Economics, Econometrics and Finance (3), Physics …

The Relationship Between Emotional Support And Health Related Self-Efficacy In Older Inmates, Deborah N. Steciak-Noujaim

Master's Theses

Inmates age 50 and older are the fastest growing segment of the prison population. Because the majority of inmates return to the community, adequate self-care is essential for managing their overall health. Studies among older community-living persons indicate that emotional support is associated with improved efficacy for managing one’s health (e.g., health related self-efficacy). Data collected from the “Physical Functioning and Mental Health of Older Prisoners” study were analyzed to determine if emotional support is associated with health-related self-efficacy among older inmates in Connecticut. Even after controlling for demographic, incarceration and clinical/behavioral factors, older inmates reporting lower levels of emotional …

The Association Of Ethnic-Racial Socialization With Ethnic-Racial Identity In Black Youth: A Meta-Analysis, Khris-Ann K. Small

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Algorithm For Premature Ventricular Contraction Detection From A Subcutaneous Electrocardiogram Signal, Iris Lynn Shelly

Dissertations and Theses

Cardiac arrhythmias occur when the normal pattern of electrical signals in the heart breaks down. A premature ventricular contraction (PVC) is a common type of arrhythmia that occurs when a heartbeat originates from an ectopic focus within the ventricles rather than from the sinus node in the right atrium. This and other arrhythmias are often diagnosed with the help of an electrocardiogram, or ECG, which records the electrical activity of the heart using electrodes placed on the skin. In an ECG signal, a PVC is characterized by both timing and morphological differences from a normal sinus beat.

An implantable cardiac …

A Preventable Death? A Family’S Perspective On An Adult Safeguarding Review Regarding An Adult With Traumatic Brain Injury, Alyson Norman

School of Psychology

No abstract provided.

An Unmanned Marine Vehicle Thruster Fault Diagnosis Scheme Based On Ofnda, W. Abed, S. K. Sharma, R. Sutton, A. Khan

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

No abstract provided.

Could This Be A Concrete Solution To Biodiversity Loss?, Lb Firth, A Evans, Am Knights, R Nash, Et Al

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Exploring Dyadic Relationships In Value Chains Using Phenomenological Case Study Approach, D Kasturiratne

Plymouth Business School

Introduction The research for this paper was conducted over three years from 2003-2006. This paper describes the research methodology used to validate the research question using a case study approach. The first part discusses the various research paradigms around the methodology of phenomenology and the choice for the use of case studies based on interview data. It discusses the design of the data collection instrument leading to how the data were collected and the interviews conducted. The paper concludes with a discussion of the strategies for analysis of the interview data. Research Question and Background The focus of the research …

Hookup Culture On College Campuses: Centering College Women, Communication Barriers, And Negative Outcomes, Laura Klinger

College Student Affairs Leadership

The majority of college students feel that their lives are dominated by the hookup culture, or a sexual culture of non-committed sexual encounters. However, college students are actually participating in this culture in much smaller numbers than they believe their peers to be, pointing to a culture that is driven by perception rather than clear communication or healthy desire. This article provides a comprehensive review of the literature on this subject, with particular emphasis on the challenges to communication that exist within hookup relationships with the understanding that this may contribute to the negative outcomes experienced by students. As women …

The Kabod Volume 2, Issue 1, Brenda Ayres

The Kabod

The complete issue of The Kabod, Volume 2, Issue 1.

Fall 2016 Commencement Program, University Of Alabama In Huntsville

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Advent 3 One Year Series 2016, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

No abstract provided.

James Herod's Wwii Naval Experience, Milan A. Pino

World War II

James Herod is possibly the youngest World War two veteran to have seen combat. He served in the Navy in the Pacific ocean and was present for the bombing of Hiroshima. Mr. Herod talked about a near death experience and growing up during the Great Depression.

Development Of An Hplc-Based Oligosaccharide Synthesizer, Salvatore Pistorio

Dissertations

Carbohydrates are the most abundant molecules on Earth. They are involved in a wide range of fundamental biological processes: anti-inflammation, immune response, joint lubrication, cell growth, antigenic determination. Carbohydrates are also held responsible for many damaging cellular processes, such as bacterial and viral infections, development of tumors, etc.. Therefore, the development of effective methods for the synthesis of complex carbohydrates has become a critical area of glycosciences. One challenge that stands out is the stereocontrol in the synthesis of glycosidic bonds, the linkage that serves as the only means to connect simple monosaccharides into complex oligomeric networks. Beyond this, the …

Commencement Convocation Program, Sarasota - Manatee Campus, December 11, 2016, University Of South Florida

USF Graduation and Convocation Programs

Outstanding Graduate Award and Golden Bull Service and Leadership Award - Jennifer Caba; Outstanding Professor - Jean Kabongo

Advent 3 Series A 2016, Phillip L. Brandt

Sunday's Sermon

No abstract provided.

Video Modeling For Social Communication In Adults With Asd, Haley Ann Altman

Honors Projects

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can experience significant difficulty and psychosocial toll as a result of their impairments in social communication. Specifically for adults, this can have a negative effect on relationships and vocational stability. However, there is a lack of effective intervention for adults with ASD to assist in learning these social conventions. Video modeling is an intervention that has potential to help these individuals learn to be successful in social problem-solving situations. A pilot feasibility study (Hewitt & Kelliher, n.d.) was conducted to investigate the intervention of video modeling for adults with ASD. Coding was then necessary …

The Connection Between Movement And Student Engagement In A Kindergarten Classroom, Catherine B. Lay

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The research question addressed in this project was: How will regular movement opportunities impact student engagement in a kindergarten classroom? This capstone begins with the personal experiences and influences of the author that led her to this question. Research on the connection between the brain, movement, and development is explained. Programs and countries that integrate frequent movement opportunities into their school schedules are examined in chapter two. This action research project uses a mixed-methods approach to observe off-task behavior during an independent writing period in a kindergarten class. Two weeks of observation are followed by two weeks of movement intervention …

The Impacts Of An Experiential-Based Learning Opportunity, Allison Ronglien

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations

The question addressed by this research study was, “What are the impacts of an experiential-based learning opportunity?” Participants of the study were high school students enrolled in an elective summer field-experience course. Students completed a survey prior to the nine-day canoe trip in Lake of the Woods, Minnesota. This survey provided background information on the participants’ general interest in the environment, self-confidence, and ability to communicate effectively. Following the field-experience, students completed a similar survey. The data collected was analyzed using methods for a qualitative research study. The results indicated that after participating in a field-experience course students reported a …