Digital Commons Network^™

Global Capital Flows, Time Varying Fundamentals And Transitional Exchange Rate Dynamics: An Ms-Var Approach, Süleyman Hilmi Kal, Ilhami Gunduz

Publications and Research

This paper studies whether dynamic relationship between exchange rate and economic and financial fundamentals vary depending on exchange rate is overvalued and undervalued with respect to its fundamental value. To achieve this, we implement two-state Markov Switching Vector Auto Regression (MSVAR) model with time varying transition probabilities to investigate whether the relationship among exchange rate, interest rate and inflation dynamics depend on overvaluation and undervaluation of exchange rates for the pre-crises period between years 1972-2009. We govern the transition between the undervalued and overvalued states by using Sharpe Ratios of debt and equity investments of the currency to assess whether …

Listener Perception As A Measure Of Treatment Effectiveness In Voice Modification For A Transwoman, April M. Gutierrez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess treatment effectiveness using listener perception as a measure of vocal femininity in a 22-year old transwoman.

Participant: The participant for this study was a monolingual, English-speaking, 22-year old transwoman. Inclusion criteria included self-identification as a transwoman. Exclusion criteria included surgical procedures to the vocal folds.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey study focused on using listener perception as a measure of treatment effectiveness in voice feminization. This study used surveys to investigate how naïve listeners would perceive the participants voice after she received voice modification treatment at the University of Texas at El …

Novel Maximum Entrophy Method For The Average Survival Time Differences Between Two Groups, Joscelyne Guzman - Gonzalez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

We suggest a Maximum Likelihood estimator for the Average Survival Time Difference between two groups, based on the extra time in which should be added to one group to produce the maximum entropy of the result. The estimator is calculated only from time to event data, does not assume hazard proportionality and provides directly the magnitude of the clinical differences between the groups. Our Monte Carlo simulations show that, even at low sample numbers the estimator is a reliable predictor for the clinical differences between the groups, and therefore can be used to estimate from preliminary data whether or not …

Interactions Of Bacterial Communities With Hydrous Sulfate Minerals In Water-Restricted Gypsic Environments: A Case Study Based In The White Sands National Monument, Brandon Nicholas Lajoie

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Microbial communities have been commonly found to survive and thrive in arid to hyper-arid gypsic environments that are considered hostile to most other forms of life. The mechanisms through which microbes have conquered these harsh environments remain poorly understood. Here I hypothesize that the microbial communities in water-restricted gypsic settings could benefit in terms of energy and water sources via their interactions with the abundant hydrous sulfate minerals [i.e., gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O)] that build up these niches. Gypsum is of high bio-relevance because its sulfate component may be used as electron acceptor by sulfate-reducing bacteria and the crystallization water may be …

Predicting Recessions In Major Texas Metropolitan Economies Using Yield Spreads And Other Economic Indicators, Aaron Dodson Nazarian

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The yield spread has been found to serve as a valuable economic forecasting tool. This research employs dynamic autoregressive probit downturn models using the United States yield spread and other regional and macroeconomic variables. This study then inspects the predictive power of the United States yield spread on the five largest urban economies in Texas, the four largest metropolitan areas along the Texas-Mexico border, as well as the Texas state economy. The other regional and macroeconomic variables are included in model specifications based on characteristics of the economies being analyzed. Results indicate that a narrowing of the United States Yield …

On The Performance Of Variable Selection And Classification Via Rank-Based Classifier, Md Showaib Rahman None Sarker

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In high-dimensional gene expression data analysis, the accuracy and reliability of cancer classification and selection of important genes play a very crucial role. To identify these important genes and predict future outcomes (tumor vs. non-tumor), various methods have been proposed in the literature. But only few of them take into account correlation patterns and grouping effects among the genes. In this article, we propose a rank-based modification of the popular penalized logistic regression procedure based on a combination of l1 and l2 penalties capable of handling possible correlation among genes in different groups. While the l1 penalty maintains sparsity, the …

Recent Changes In The Zooplankton Communities Of Arctic Tundra Ponds In Response To Warmer Temperatures And Nutrient Enrichment, Mariana Vargas Medrano

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Warming is altering Arctic freshwater ecosystems, enriching the water column, increasing primary productivity and shifting the composition, dominance and the timing of emergence and reproduction of zooplankton communities. Historic data from arctic tundra ponds near UtqiaÄ¡vik, AK have given us valuable insight into changes that have occurred in recent times. A change of dominance from cyclopoid copepods to Daphnia middendorffiana has occurred over a 40 year period. Daphnia are more common, abundant and larger, which may be explained by increased primary productivity stimulated by nutrient release from permafrost thaw. Copepods and fairy shrimp emerged earlier from the overwintering states, which …

Conductivity Modulation In Strained 2d Transition- Metal- Dichalcogenides Via Micro- Electro- Mechanical Actuation, Aldo Ivan Vidaña

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In this thesis, strain-induced conductivity modulation in bi-layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) flakes is experimentally investigated and modeled. Uniaxial tensile strain in the MoS2 flakes is achieved using a micro-electro-mechanical (MEM) actuator. Conductivity ratios up to 400 are demonstrated. Theoretical predictions of conductivity versus applied voltage in the MEMS-MoS2 device match experimental data reasonably well using only the effective width of the TMDC flakes as the sole fitting parameter. The amount of strain induced in the MoS2 flakes was determined to be as high as 2.7% for one flake using the model fitted to the experiment data. The switching energy required …

Wetland Dynamics In A Terminal Lake Basin: Implications To Recent Hydroclimatic Evolution, Alexis Lucy Archambault

Theses and Dissertations

Spatiotemporal surface water extent dynamics are important factors to understand the evolution of land surface and hydrologic processes in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). Surface water bodies such as lakes and wetlands are highly responsive to the variability in air temperature and precipitation, making them effective indicators of long-term hydrological conditions. Increased levels of precipitation influencing subsequent fill and spill processes have facilitated the wetland behavior in the Devils Lake Basin (DLB) as well as the rising lake levels that has caused $1 billon in flood damages. To date, the impacts of recent wetting (1993-present) on surface water area dynamics …

Photography Methods To Understand Rural Resilience And Environmental Literacy: The Example Of Fracking In The Bakken, Bruce Evan Farnsworth

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the social and environmental impacts of fracking through deep ethnographic interviews and observations with farmers and ranchers living and leasing on the Bakken and Three Forks shale oil formations of western North Dakota, currently the second largest oil-producing region in the United States. This study investigates how photographic methods such as photo elicitation, repeat photography, and aerial photographs/maps elicit local knowledge and testify to the resilience of ranchers and farmers challenged by oil development and the alteration of their environment. Motivated by heritage, political marginalization and the pervasive loss of ruralness, the participants express several roles, among …

Empathetic Student-Centric Decisional Mindset: A Grounded Theory Study Of Teachers' Judgment Experiences, Joshua Sean Grover

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers must have the ability to make meaningful instructional decisions within the classroom. This ability to make decisions can be identified as a potential capacity within an organization within the broad theory of professional capital (Fullan & Hargreaves, 2013). Professional capital involves three mini-frameworks: social, human, and decisional capital. Literature supports the concepts of social and human capital investment within organizations (Gilead, 2009).

The conceptual framework for this study was based on the emergent theory of decisional capital. Hargreaves (2015) stated that it is within decisional capital that the capacities of experience, challenging and stretching, reflective practice, and teacher judgment …

Integrating Best Practice Into Fieldwork: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Level Ii Experiences Of Occupational Therapy Students, Cherie Graves

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore occupational therapy student’s experiences with integrating best practice professional ideals during Level II fieldwork. Occupational therapy students in the United States complete 24 weeks of Level II fieldwork prior to graduation. Students transition from the classroom setting where they are prepared with knowledge about the professions best practice ideals, to the fieldwork setting where many factors impact the learning experience. Using qualitative research, a narrative inquiry was undertaken to explore the experiences of four occupational therapy students during their Level II fieldwork experiences. I interviewed each student on five occasions throughout the …

Method Development And Optimization For The Recovery Of Carbohydrates From A Microalga Species Of Chlorella Vulgaris By Combined Physical And Chemical Pre-Treatments, William Richard Hammann

Theses and Dissertations

A key focus of microalgae-based fuels/chemicals research and development has been on the lipids that many strains generate, but recent studies show that solely recovering these lipids may not be cost competitive with fossil-derived processes. However, if the carbohydrates can also be recovered and ultimately converted into useful chemical intermediates, this may improve the economics for microalgae-based sustainable product technologies.

In the present work, physical and chemical pre-treatments were performed on the Chlorella vulgaris microalgae strain to recover the carbohydrates from the biomass. A central composite design approach was used to optimize hydrolysis conditions including temperature, acid concentration, microalgae solid-to-liquid …

Fine Scale Characterization Of Organic Matter Using Analytical Methods: Raman And Nmr Spectroscopies, Seyedalireza Khatibi

Theses and Dissertations

In order to assess a source rock for economical exploitation purposes, many parameters should be considered. Regarding the geochemical aspects, the most important ones are amount of organic matter (OM) and its quality. Quality refers to thermal maturity level and the nature of the OM from which it was formed that affect the ability of oil and gas generation. Vitrinite reflectance and programed pyrolysis such as Rock-Eval (RE) are common methods for such analysis.

However, vitrinite is not always present in sediments and RE is providing bulk properties. Moreover, the increase in exploration and production of unconventional reservoirs and their …

Innovation Of Petrophysical And Geomechanical Experiment Methodologies: The Application Of 3d Printing Technology, Lingyun Kong

Theses and Dissertations

The petrophysical and geomechanical properties of rocks link the geology origin with engineering practice, which serves as the fundamental of various disciplinaries associated with subsurface porous media, including civil engineering, underground water, geological exploration, and petroleum engineering. The research methodologies can be mainly divided into three aspects: theoretical modelling, numerical simulation, and experiments, in which the last approach plays a critical role that can support, validate, calibrate, or even refute a hypothesis. Only replying on repeatable trials and consolidate analysis of precise results can the experiments be successful and convincing, though uncertainties, due to multiple factors, need to be scrutinized …

Relationships Between Sibling Physical Abuse And Lifetime Aggression Using Statistical Controls For Poly-Victimization, Ani Celine Mangold

Theses and Dissertations

Sibling abuse, as a potential contributor to lifetime aggression, is under-represented in the childhood maltreatment literature and minimized in American society. A contemporary survey study conducted using a large college sample (King et al., 2017) established significant relationships between sibling abuse (i.e., acts of physical abuse, threats of violence, and heated verbal conflict) and a range of lifetime aggression indicators after controlling for variance attributable to physical, sexual, intimate partner, and peer abuse. The present study examined sibling physical abuse and established these same relationships using a national sample after controlling for variance due to childhood physical abuse, observed violence …

Temporal Trends In The Standing Broad Jump Test Performance Of United States Children And Adolescents, Bridget Kate Pinoniemi

Theses and Dissertations

Muscular fitness is a very important indicator of health. Using a systematic review strategy, the aim of this study was to estimate the temporal trends in broad jump performance of United States youth. Broad jump data on apparently healthy United States youth (aged 10–17 years) were located through a systematic electronic database search and by pearling reference lists, topical systematic reviews and personal libraries. Sample-weighted temporal trends (expressed as percent and standardized trends) were estimated for separate age-sex groups using best-fitting regression models relating the year of testing to mean jump performance. Mean trends standardized to the year 1985 were …

Visible/Invisible: Female Astronauts And Technology In Star Trek: Discovery And National Geographic’S Mars, Amanda R. Keeler

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

This article examines the newest television programme in the Star Trek franchise, Star Trek: Discovery (2017–) and National Geographic’s part-documentary, part-fictional series Mars (2016–). I argue that Discovery and Mars make visible the depiction of developing technology and a breadth and depth of female astronaut characters, two elements that have been historically marginalised in sf narratives such as Star Trek: The Original Series (1966–9). Discovery and Mars both emphasise the purposeful centrality of female characters and their positions of authority as female astronauts and ship leaders. Each programme also foregrounds the representation and framing of technology, emphasising the not-yet-perfect science …

“Dear Editor: Can You Tell Me What Happened To My Favorite Nbc Program, Dimension X?”, Amanda R. Keeler

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

Over the course of its seventeen-month run in 1950 and 1951, the science fiction anthology radio program Dimension X served as a showcase for many new and established science fiction writers. Dimension X was among several adult science fiction and fantasy shows that debuted on radio in the late 1940s and early 1950s, alongside CBS’s Escape and Mutual’s 2000 Plus. While many listeners celebrated these programs, NBC received letters detailing concerns over the subject matter of three episodes. In addition to providing insight into the reception of Dimension X, the responses from NBC personnel are equally informative. This …

Women Creatives And Machismo In Mexican Advertising: Challenging Barriers To Success, Marta Mensa Torra, Jean M. Grow

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

This study explores the experiences of women working as creatives in Mexican advertising creative departments. It is based on 22 in-depth interviews and suggests that these women face significant challenges within the machismo culture, which permeates Mexican advertising creative departments. Mexico plays an important role in global advertising, particularly in Latin America, but in this country female workers only represent five per cent of those working in creative departments. This is the first study focused on Mexican women creatives in advertising, highlighting the confluence of advertising women creatives and Mexican culture. Analysis reveals ten subcategories which articulate the horizontal and …

Swains Lake, Cooperative Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Mapping The Road To Maturity: Characteristics Of Leading Research, Evaluation & Measurement Programs, Rebecca Swenson, Michael Ziviani, Nathan Gilkerson

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Globalization Tropes In Films: A Focus On Crazy Rich Asians, Nikhilesh Dholakia, Deniz Atik

Marketing Faculty Publications

Learning from and encouraged by the impacts of film film-based windows into globalization phenomena, in this issue of MGDR, we have focused on the film Crazy Rich Asians. In the popular press, the movie has been hailed as a major cultural point of departure for Hollywood as well as panned as just an Asian Asian-themed romantic comedy that celebrates the super-rich of Asia. The buzz around this movie does, however, indicate a slight bend in the curve of the geopolitics of the globalization discourse – and hence our decision to feature a number of academically insightful reviews of this movie …

From The Editors, Herbert J. Mattord, Michael E. Whitman

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

A message from the editors.

Sit Back, Relax, And Tell Me All Your Secrets, Sarah Kirk, Daniel Foreman, Cody Lee, Shannon W. Beasley

Journal of Cybersecurity Education, Research and Practice

The goal of this research is to describe an active learning opportunity that was conducted as a community service offering through our Center for Cybersecurity Education and Applied Research (CCEAR). As a secondary goal, the participants sought to gain real world experience by applying techniques and concepts studied in security classes. A local insurance company tasked the CCEAR with assembling a team of students to conduct penetration testing (including social engineering exploits) against company personnel. The endeavor allowed the insurance company to obtain information that would assess the effectiveness of employee training with regard to preventing the divulgence of sensitive …

Virtual Proximity To Promote Expatriate Cultural Adjustment, Innovation, And The Reduction Of Stress Levels, Tom Coughlan, David J. Fogarty, Sara R. Fogarty

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Given the dramatic increase in the number of expatriates living and working abroad, there is a need to advance the research into how to make sure these employees achieve success on their assignments. Often, these expatriates assume managerial roles and are intended to be the gatekeepers of information. Typically, this information is necessary for the success of their colleagues, in both their home country and their host country. The expatriate’s role is to facilitate the integration of organizational knowledge from both their home and host countries, as well as key sources in their host country’s local environment. However, historically, there …

A Structural Equation Model Of Leader–Member Exchange, Employee–Supervisor Relationship, Performance Appraisal, And Career Development, William Joseph Henkel, Al C. Endres

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Some employees perceive that supervisors do not accurately reflect employees’ performance or effectively differentiate among employees’ performances during performance appraisals (PAs). Other employees believe the performance feedback they receive is not valuable for supporting their career development (CD). Leader–member exchange (LMX) and the distributive and interactional justice dimensions of organizational justice theories comprised the theoretical frameworks in this study for examining the significance of the relationships among LMX and employee–supervisor relationships (ESRs) and those relationships’ potential influence on employees’ CD through the PA process. Participants consisted of 44 defense contractor employees in the United States. Results from partial least squares …

A Qualitative Case Study Exploring Hand-Hygiene Standards In An Intensive Care Unit, Lyndon Augustine, Walter Mccollum, Richard Brown, Phoenix Mourning-Star

International Journal of Applied Management and Technology

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that occur in patients during their time of care in a hospital. Considerable emphasis is currently placed on reducing HAIs through improving hand-hygiene (HH) compliance among healthcare professionals because HAIs are a critical challenge to public health in the United States. By focusing on meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention HH standards, the purpose of this qualitative research was to explore how noncompliance with these standards and lack of technology usage affect HAIs in the intensive care unit. Additionally, the goal of this research was to explore behavioral factors and best practices that influence …

The Lived Experiences Of Single Black Mothers In Higher Education Leadership, Iyhia Mcmichael

All Theses And Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to provide a better understanding of the experiences of single Black mothers in higher educational leadership roles. Utilizing the Strong Black Woman framework, the mothers exposed the three major themes: unyielding strength, assumption of multiple roles, and self-sacrifice and five additional sub-themes emerged flexibility, mentorship, support systems, emotional stability, and barriers. This study provides insight into the lived experiences of single Black mothers in higher educational leadership. One-on-one interviews were held with participants to examine their lived experiences to answer the primary question: What is the lived experience of single Black mothers …

Column Flotation Performance Prediction: Pca, Ann And Image Analysis-Based Approaches, Fardis Nakhaei, Mehdi Irannajad, Sima Mohammadnejad

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The flotation froth surface appearance includes remarkable information, which can be employed as a helpful index for the qualitative evaluation of the process efficiency. Image analysis is a practical technology for the sake of achieving process related information that can be employed in expert controllers in order to amend flotation performance. In this paper, the intelligent modelling of relationship between froth characteristics and the metallurgical performance in a pilot column flotation of iron ore was established. Column flotation tests were carried out at a wide range of operating conditions and the froth features along with the metallurgical performances were specified …