Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating The Effect Of Contextual Variables On Discounting Of Health Related Behaviors, Jessica Hubrich

Theses

The present study used a discounting task with differing contextual variables to examine how variables effect discounting between studies and future health related behaviors. Thirty nine participants completed two discounting questionnaires, each included hypothetical food choices paired with a weight loss or stable weight. Participants were instructed to complete each survey based on either their current weight or a gain of 75 pounds, and each survey included two identical hypothetical menu options. One menu incorporated low calorie foods, while the other incorporated moderately healthy foods, and participants were instructed to select the menu they preferred based on weight loss/no weight …

Potential Predictors That Influence Women To Undergo Cosmetic Surgery, Eun Jin Han

Senior Honors Theses

There may be relationships among collectivism, self-esteem, and religiousness in relation to individual acceptance of cosmetic surgery. This present study hypothesized that both self-esteem and religiousness would be negatively correlated with individual acceptance of cosmetic surgery. It was also hypothesized that an individual with higher levels of collectivism would be more likely to show higher levels of acceptance of cosmetic surgery. A multiple regression analysis expected self-esteem, collectivism, and religiousness to be the significant predictors of the acceptance of cosmetic surgery. Questionnaire data were collected from 565 female college students from a Christian university in the southeastern United States. Based …

Raising Sex Trafficking Awareness Among School Nurses, Johanna Mccollum

Senior Honors Theses

Sex trafficking, a type of human trafficking, has become a public health concern. Sex trafficking is taking place on a large scale in the United States. Children in the United States are at greatest risk. Raising the awareness of healthcare providers about sex trafficking is imperative. An unsung hero that may hold the keys to this awareness in the healthcare profession is the school nurse. The school nurse is trained in many areas, and upholds practice standards, but sex trafficking is not currently included in their repertoire. As nurses, they already hold a trusted position. With education, proper resources, and …

Prevalence Of Psychiatric Morbidity In A Community Sample In Western Kenya, Edith Kwobah, Steve Epstein, Ann Mwangi, Debra Litzelman, Lukoye Atwoli

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background:About 25% of the worldwide population suffers from mental, neurological and substance use disorders but unfortunately, up to 75% of affected persons do not have access to the treatment they need. Data on the magnitude of the mental health problem in Kenya is scarce.

The objectives of this study were to establish the prevalence and the socio-demographic factors associated with mental and substance use disorders in Kosirai division, Nandi County, Western Kenya.

Methods:This was a cross sectional descriptive study in which participants were selected by simple random sampling. The sampling frame was obtained from a data base of …

The Pernicious Prophecy Of Diminished Academic Expectations, Stephen C. Foggatt

Dissertations

An ABSTRACT of the DISSERTATION of: Stephen C. Foggatt, for the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum and Instruction, presented on November 3, 2017, at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois. TITLE: The Pernicious Prophecy of Diminished Academic Expectations MAJOR PROFESSOR: Dr. D. John McIntyre This study examines the relationship between academic expectations and achievement, particularly as it concerns minority students. I have often been troubled by the narrative surrounding the academic potential of minority students in America, and my research is intended to broaden the discussion of this issue by presenting a chronicle of thoughts collected from individuals who have …

Sexting: Current Research Gaps And Legislative Issues, Fawn T. Ngo, J. Jaishankar, Jose R. Agustina

Criminology Sarasota Manatee Campus Faculty Publications

'Sexting, the portmanteau of Sex and Texting, has become a hot topic of debate between the legislators, researchers, educators, parents and teens' (Jaishankar, 2009, para 1). In spite of the considerable and growing body of literature on sexting, there are significant gaps in the current research. A review of research to date also reveals a dearth of cross-national and cross-cultural research on the topic of sexting. Notably, legal and ethical issues abound with the current method for punishing and deterring adolescents who engage in sexting as some countries view sexting as a form of child pornography. Hence, the imperative need …

Und Today: December 2017, University Of North Dakota

UND Today Archive

No abstract provided.

Identifying Users On Social Networking Using Pattern Recognition In Messages, Justin Joshuva

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Online social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, have become a huge part of many people's lives, often as their main means of communication with other people. Because of frequency of use and the apparent security measures of these sites, users often falsely believe the proffered identity of the person they are talking to. This blind belief sometimes results in security threats due to the passing of private or confidential information to the wrong user. This may lead to malicious readers getting a user's private information and using it illegally. This work proposes a mathematical model for identifying security threats …

Evacuation And Return: Increasing Safety And Reducing Risk, The University Of New Orleans Center For Hazards Assessment, Response & Technology

CHART Publications

The City of New Orleans enlisted UNO-CHART to improve the evacuation of the vulnerable populations in the city, defined broadly to include those who are not able to access or use the standard resources offered in disaster preparedness and planning, response, and recovery. To do this, UNO-CHART analyzed the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), the City Assisted Evacuation Plan (CAEP) and Special Needs Registry databases, conducted a literature review of risk communication best practices, reviewed ready.nola.gov for content and readability, conducted a social vulnerability analysis of the Evacuspots, conducted interviews and focus groups with vulnerable populations in the City of New …

Perceived Self-To-Other Similarity As A Mediator Of The Effects Of Gender And Racial Composition On Identification In Small Groups, Randi L. Garcia

Psychology: Faculty Publications

Two group studies tested the mediating role of perceived diversity in the link between actual demographic composition and an individual’s identification with a small group. In these studies, a new type of dyadic perceived diversity—self-to-other perceived similarity—is introduced and measured. Further, a group actor partner interdependence model (GAPIM) approach was used to test mediation of the link between actual demographic composition and identification by perceived self-to-other similarity. In Study 1, 4- and 5-person small groups varying in gender composition interacted face-to-face. Results showed mediation of the effect of similarity in gender on group identification by self-to-other similarity. In Study 2, …

Today - December 2017/January 2018, Loma Linda University Health

TODAY

Inside this issue:

-- LLU Children’s Hospital receives national award for top quality
-- Robert Handysides, DDS, appointed sixth LLU School of Dentistry dean
-- Cranes positioned; steel delivered; construction on new hospital underway
-- Loma Linda University Health to host 7th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition in February 2018
-- Broadcast spotlights LLU Children’s Hospital’s outreach to children in need
-- Students from Westlake High School Visit, donate gifts to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital
-- Santas take over Children’s Hospital during dedicated holiday week
-- ‘Give to a Giver’ project brings holiday cheer to 55 missionary families serving …

Leadership In Building Communities: University Row Neighborhood, Fitz Center For Leadership In Community, University Of Dayton

Dayton Neighborhood Studies

No abstract provided.

The Regression Smoother Lowess: A Confidence Band That Allows Heteroscedasticity And Has Some Specified Simultaneous Probability Coverage, Rand Wilcox

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Many nonparametric regression estimators (smoothers) have been proposed that provide a more flexible method for estimating the true regression line compared to using some of the more obvious parametric models. A basic goal when using any smoother is computing a confidence band for the true regression line. Let M(Y|X) be some conditional measure of location associated with the random variable Y, given X and let x be some specific value of the covariate. When using the LOWESS estimator, an extant method that assumes homoscedasticity can be used to compute a confidence interval for M(Y|X = x). A trivial way of …

Robust Measures Of Variable Importance For Multivariate Group Designs, Tolulope T. Sajobi, Lisa M. Lix

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Variable importance measures based on discriminant analysis and multivariate analysis of variance are useful for identifying variables that discriminate between two groups in multivariate group designs. Variable importance measures are developed based on trimmed and Winsorized estimators for describing group differences in multivariate non-normal populations.

Missing Data In Longitudinal Surveys: A Comparison Of Performance Of Modern Techniques, Paola Zaninotto, Amanda Sacker

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Using a simulation study, the performance of complete case analysis, full information maximum likelihood, multivariate normal imputation, multiple imputation by chained equations and two-fold fully conditional specification to handle missing data were compared in longitudinal surveys with continuous and binary outcomes, missing covariates, and an interaction term.

The Impact Of Inappropriate Modeling Of Cross-Classified Data Structures On Random-Slope Models, Feifei Ye, Laura Daniel

Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods

Previous studies that explored the impact of misspecification of cross-classified data structure as strictly hierarchical are limited to random intercept models. This study examined the effects of misspecification of a two-level, cross-classified, random effect model (CCREM) where both the level-1 intercept and slope were allowed to vary randomly. Results suggest that ignoring one of the crossed factors produced considerably underestimated standard errors for: 1) the regression coefficients of the level-1 predictor; 2) the inappropriately modeled predictor associated with the misspecified crossed factor; and 3) and their interaction. This misspecification also resulted in a significant inflation of the level-1 residual variances …

Buspirone Maintenance Does Not Alter The Reinforcing, Subjective, And Cardiovascular Effects Of Intranasal Methamphetamine, Anna R. Reynolds, Justin Charles Strickland, William W. Stoops, Joshua A. Lile, Craig R. Rush

Pharmaceutical Sciences Faculty Publications

Background—Medications development efforts for methamphetamine-use disorder have targeted central monoamines because these systems are directly involved in the effects of methamphetamine. Buspirone is a dopamine autoreceptor and D3 receptor antagonist and partial agonist at serotonin 1A receptors, making it a logical candidate medication for methamphetamine-use disorder. Buspirone effects on abuse-related behaviors of methamphetamine have been mixed in clinical and preclinical studies. Experimental research using maintenance dosing, which models therapeutic use, is limited. This study evaluated the influence of buspirone maintenance on the reinforcing effects of methamphetamine using a self-administration procedure, which has predictive validity for clinical efficacy. The impact …

Perpetua, Volume 2, Issue 1, Fall 2017

Perpetua: The Journal of Undergraduate Research at UAH

No abstract provided.

Relative Importance Of Different Body Channels To The Believability Of A Stylized 3d Character Animation In A Full Body Shot, Saikiran Anasingaraju

Open Access Theses

Character animation involves movement in different channels of the character’s body. There is a norm in the animation industry that each of these different body channels has varying contributions to the believability of an acting performance: body movement being the highest contributor and lip sync the lowest. This thesis investigated this norm using statistical analysis. While the reduction of body motion caused the biggest drop in believability, similar reductions in facial animation and lip sync have not made a significant effect on the believability. The only exception to the above statement is the animation depicting the emotion sadness, where no …

Development Of A Five-Factor Model Measure Of Machiavellianism., Katherine L. Collison

Open Access Theses

Machiavellianism is characterized by planfulness, the ability to delay gratification, interpersonal antagonism, and callousness. Although its theoretically positive relation with facets of conscientiousness should make Machiavellianism distinct from psychopathy, current measurements of Machiavellianism are indistinguishable from those of psychopathy. The goal of the present study was to create a theoretically grounded measure of Machiavellianism using an expert-derived trait profile based on the thirty facets of the Five Factor Model (FFM) and then test the validity of that measure by comparing it to relevant constructs. Expert ratings of the prototypical Machiavellian on FFM facets yielded a profile of 13 facets spanning …

Facilitating Willingness To Communicate (Wtc): Communication For Academic And Social Life (Casl), Sarah Elizabeth Fehrman

Open Access Theses

Much has been written about learner Willingness to Communicate (WTC) in a second language. Multiple factors, including anxiety, motivation, personality, and context, have been identified as contributing to language learners’ willingness (or lack thereof) to attempt to communicate in a second language. Current research has identified these factors, yet there has been very little work done on how to facilitate WTC in learners or provide instructors with specific strategies and tools to utilize in the classroom. This thesis will undertake a historical overview of the development of WTC theory, examine the main antecedents to WTC, and finally examine current research …

A Systematic Literature Review To Identify Best Practices For Communication In Virtual Teams, Arielle Mabon

Open Access Theses

Virtual teams are necessary for organizations to remain competitive in today’s global society, but the complexities of virtual team environments impart strain on virtual teams to perform key team activities. Although virtual teams are expected to deliver complex projects, training for communicating in virtual teams is often overlooked. This thesis was conducted using a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed articles from 2012-2017 to identify elements of communication that contributed to virtual team effectiveness and communication best practices that may be perceived as prescriptive content for virtual team communication training. The results of this study suggest that virtual team communication training …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Fitts' Law And Schmidt's Law, Jonathan Mckeeman

Open Access Theses

There are two prominent speed accuracy tradeoff relationships; Fitts’ Law and Schmidt’s Law. The Fitts tasks are considered to be spatially constrained, whereas the Schmidt tasks are temporally constrained. In this experiment the relationship between these two speed accuracy tradeoffs was examined. Previous studies have allowed for the hypothesis that these two laws may be related or share similar control processes. Through analysis of the previous literature on the subject I hypothesized that the two speed accuracy tradeoffs are unrelated and do not share a common control process. To test this hypothesis, participants performed both speed accuracy tradeoff tasks under …

Effect Of A Brand Story Structure On Perceived Brand Image: The Mediating Role Of Immersion In A Brand Story Of A Luxury Hotel, Kyungin Ryu

Open Access Theses

Creating a more positive brand image in the competitive luxury hotel industry is an important goal for managers of such hotel brands. However, there are some skeptics as to the effectiveness of branding strategies of luxury hotels in developing a positive brand image for consumers. It has been suggested that consumers can be easily confused by the plethora of brand choices in the luxury hotel, making it difficult to remember a specific brand value differentiated from other choices. Based on psychographic research of luxury hotel consumers, these consumers have a tendency to prefer hedonic benefits stimulating emotional and symbolic benefits …

Atmospheric Rural Community And Tourists' Experience -- China's Rural Tourism And Seniors' Quality Of Life, Jieyu Shi

Open Access Theses

The increasing percentage of aged populations in many parts of the world is an issue of global attention and significance. China is no exception and faced with a pressing challenge to find solutions for improving seniors’ quality of life. Extending the extant knowledge on the relationship between tourism and health, the current study posits that rural tourism, as a growing and popular form of leisure in China, can enhance the quality of life for both senior tourists and senior locals and proposes the concept of atmospheric community for rural tourism. This study develops the concept by investigating the elements of …

Aging In Place In America: User Needs And Related Perceptions Concerning Showering Spaces, Denise Mcallister Wilder

Open Access Theses

The issue this study addresses is the apparent lack of curbless showers with grab bars and shower seats being displayed in builder’s model homes. Claims are they are excluded because consumers do not like to envision themselves as getting older or infirm. The purpose of the study is to query consumers of all age groups on their perception of photographed showers with and without curbs, grab bars and shower seats regarding safety, comfort and visual appeal. Data was collected using a survey instrument which featured several photographs of four different showers. Respondents were asked to rate their perceptions using a …

Turning A Multivalent Lens Toward Depictions Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Film, Ashley Ann Albrecht

Open Access Dissertations

With innovations in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) advancing at an exponential rate, it is ever the more pertinent to interrogate the ramifications and potentialities of these developments. Luciano Floridi, known as “the Google philosopher,” considers this phenomenon an integral part of the digital information age or the “Fourth Revolution.” We are now forced to confront the following problems: What is the relationship between humans and AI? What does it mean to be “human”? What futures are possible given our current coevolution with AI? Such questions motivate close philosophical consideration. Here, the theoretical polarization of the doomsday neo-Luddite versus …

Elucidating The Biosynthetic Routes And Biological Mechanisms Involved In The Release Of Phenylpropanoid/Benzenoid Volatiles From Plant Cells, Funmilayo Adebesin

Open Access Dissertations

Sessile organisms, such as plants, have developed intricate means of responding and interacting with their environment in order to grow, reproduce, and survive environmental stresses such as attacks by other organisms and competition for resources with neighboring organisms. Plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) play vital roles in resolving these evolutionary constraints associated with the sedentary nature of plants by attracting pollinators and seed dispersers necessary for reproduction. VOCs also mediate plant-plant interactions and provide defense against biotic stresses (pathogens, predators, and herbivores) and abiotic stresses (oxidative stress, high temperature stress, drought). Beyond the importance of VOCs to plants, humans have …

Game On: Massively Multiplayer Online Games (Mmog) As Tools To Augment Teaching And Learning, Papia Bawa

Open Access Dissertations

The study investigated the use of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG) in English and Business classrooms in Higher Education from the context of learners’ performance outcomes, as well as stakeholders’ (learners, administrators, and faculty) perceptions pertaining to their experiences when using an MMOG based curriculum. The findings strongly suggest that MMOGs helped enhance learner performances in statistically significant ways, and provided valuable insights into elements of interest and concerns of stakeholders about MMOG usage in classrooms. Based on these insights, I designed a practitioners’ guide to assist future scholars interested in this curricular approach. This guide provides innovative tips on …

Improving The Policy Specification For Practical Access Control Systems, Haining Chen

Open Access Dissertations

Access control systems play a crucial role in protecting the security of information systems by ensuring that only authorized users are granted access to sensitive resources, and the protection is only as good as the access control policies. For enabling a security administrator to express her desired policy conveniently, it is paramount that a policy specification is expressive, comprehensible, and free of inconsistencies. In this dissertation, we study the policy specifications for three practical access control systems (i.e., obligation systems, firewalls, and Security-Enhanced Linux in Android) and improve their expressiveness, comprehensibility, and consistency. First, we improve the expressiveness of obligation …