Digital Commons Network^™

An Inquiry Into The Accessibility Of Campus Recreation For College Students With Disabilities, Kayla B. Abrahamson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

University recreation centers are identified as the main sources of physical activity for college students. However, an estimated 68% of college students with disabilities (SWD) use their campus recreational facilities less than five times per year (Yoh et al., 2008). Structural and programmatic accessibility barriers may account for low facility use and corresponding low physical activity levels among college SWD. An accessibility assessment of facilities and programming is warranted to identify priority areas for barrier removal. This collective case study evaluates the accessibility of three campus recreation facilities at 4-year public universities in the southeast U.S. Adopting a mixed-method approach, …

Developing The 21st Century Piano Studio, Brianna Mae Eddy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study explores the needs of the contemporary piano studio, including business policies, the use of technologies, mental health and neurodivergence in students, and the influence and use of social media. Focused on the needs of both the private-studio piano teacher and traveling piano teacher, the paper offers insight into studio ownership and management with an emphasis on providing experiences that meet the needs of contemporary students. The paper includes a brief history of private piano instruction as well as information for developing studio policies, business issues related to current tax requirements and forms, and resources for financial and general …

Selected Piano Etudes From The Mid-20th To 21st Centuries: A Catalogue, Min Ji Baek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Etudes, which initially appeared in the seventeenth century as small collections of exercises, have evolved into significant concert pieces, showcasing the development of virtuosity over time. This study compiles a selected catalog of piano etudes from the mid-20th century to the 21st century, accompanied by brief biographies of each composer. Beginning with a historical overview of piano etudes, this paper catalogs etudes by 50 composers, divided into two chapters that respectively present etudes from the 1940s–1980s and the 1980s–2020s, listed alphabetically by the composer's last name. The final chapter provides a concise summary of the catalogue’s contents, highlighting its potential …

Effect Of Haemonchus Contortus Excretory/Secretory Protein On Differences In Host Neutrophil Migration, Hannah Grace Teddleton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An excretory/secretory (E/S) product, common to many helminths, is neutrophil inhibitory factor (NIF) which negatively affects neutrophil migration and activity. Due to differences in neutrophil accumulation between parasite resistant St. Croix STC and parasite susceptible Suffolk (SUF) sheep, we hypothesized that Hc-NIF may inhibit migration of SUF and not STC neutrophils. Previous studies have demonstrated that Hc produces NIF but is not commercially available. To test our hypothesis, neutrophils were cultured from STC and SUF sheep in the presence of Ancylostoma caninum-derived NIF (Ac-NIF) and measure chemotaxis to Interleukin-8 (IL-8), HcLA or H. contortus third-stage excretory/secretory (E/S) products. Neutrophils were …

Estimating Home Range Size And Density Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) In West Virginia, Sarah M. Pesi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Big game hunting is an important source of revenue and recreation in the United States. Of big game species, white-tailed deer (Odocileus virginianus) are the most heavily pursued. White-tailed deer are a widespread generalist species, capable of existing at high densities. Hunting is often used as the primary method of managing deer populations, particularly in the eastern United States, where there is a lack of large predators. When populations reach high densities, there can be negative effects on the environment and conflicts with humans. Managers must consider both creating adequate hunting opportunities and reducing negative impacts when managing …

Investigating The Effect Of Using Humorous Threats In Recreation Area Rules Signage To Influence Behavioral Intentions, Jacob Timothy Vargas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Communicating the importance of rules and warnings to visitors of recreational parks through signage can be difficult. However, it is one of the most important things to keep visitors safe. Oftentimes, these signs use fear of punishment or injury to discourage certain behaviors. According to studies following the Extended Parallel Processing Model (EPPM), using threats can backfire and cause visitors to use maladaptive fear responses to counteract a threat message if the content is too extreme or too psychologically close. Humor is a versatile tool that can be used to grab attention, temper perceptions, and influence decision-making. Comedians like Jon …

Laser Deposition Additive Manufacturing Of Multi-Material And Metal-Ceramic Composite Structures, Manikanta Grandhi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The increasing performance requirements of modern industrial systems, coupled with the imperative for decarbonization, necessitate a fundamental rethinking of metallic component design and manufacturing. Traditional materials, with their inherent limitations in property optimization, susceptibility to degradation, and weight constraints, are proving insufficient. Multi-material joining offers a potential solution, enabling designers to strategically integrate diverse materials with specific, tailored properties into single component. Functionally graded materials (FGMs) and oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) materials are prime examples of this approach, delivering substantial improvements in wear resistance, thermal regulation, high-temperature resilience, and overall weight efficiency. However, conventional manufacturing approaches further exacerbate the limitations …

Triggered Online System Re-Identification Applied To Model Predictive Control Using Gaussian Processes, Daniel Augusto Kestering

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Safety, product quality, enhanced performance, and increased profit all depend on the control of chemical and energy processes. However, operational issues can lead to control challenges, especially when processes are subject to disturbances during their operation. Process control methods work best when processes operate close to their designed operat- ing conditions, but lack of performance or other issues may occur when the process is far from such conditions. To overcome these challenges, in this dissertation, online model re- identification is proposed for Model Predictive Control (MPC). This involves reassessing the predictive model of an advanced controller, namely MPC, when re-identification …

Return To Soil, Lindsay Jo Mccarty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This document outlines my artistic research on building a symbiotic relationship with land throughout life and death, eco-philosophy, and the significance of natural decomposition. It explores green burial practices in Western society, delves into the history of basketry, and draws inspiration from the mutualistic effort of returning our organic energy to the Earth. The recontextualization of what “death” is and reciprocal outlooks are central to this work. My aim is to honor this cycle through creations that incorporate plant matter in hopes that, one day, I can create artwork with completely compostable materials.

My art embodies these themes and is …

The Sociology Of Bail Reform: Crime, Social Interaction, And Offender Experiences In Rurality., Scott Kevin Turner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study sought to explore the impact of the New York State “Bail Reform Act of 2019,” in rurality. It examined some of the legislative goals of the law, the claim that it caused crime, and offender experiences in rurality. Secondary data was used to map the rural crime landscape and primary data was collected from offenders during face to face interviews. The study was framed using deterrence and opportunity approaches and situated within the broader field environments; legislative, courtroom, and community. The research failed to find support for the claim that bail reform caused crime. Instead, it revealed that …

The Search, The Localization, And The Characterization: Fast Radio Transients, Reshma Anna Thomas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fast radio transients are energetic bursts in centimeter or meter wave-lengths, lasting only milliseconds, and originating from both Galactic and extra-Galactic sources. In our Galaxy, these transients primarily originate from pulsars, which are rotating neutron stars. The more energetic extra-galactic transients, known as fast radio bursts (FRBs), have unknown origins. This thesis explores various techniques, including single dish and interferometric observations, to detect and accurately localize fast radio transients. It also investigates how the propagation effects of radio waves can reveal characteristics of the local environment and potential FRB sources. Furthermore, it demonstrates how FRBs can be used to study …

A Grounded Theory Investigation Of Basic Psychological Needs Theory As A Framework For Effective Mental Health Referrals In Collegiate Sport, Luna Ugrenović

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Using a grounded theory approach, this study explored collegiate athletes’ mental health referral experiences and identified mechanisms explaining those experiences based upon perceptions of psychological need fulfillment and thwarting according to Basic Psychological Needs Theory (BPNT). Interviews were conducted with a purposive, maximum variation sample of 14 current and former collegiate athletes who were referred to mental health services by support personnel or other athletes. Analyses yielded three overarching theoretical categories/properties: pre-referral factors, proactive and reactive referral conversations, and referral outcomes. Referral is often understood as an isolated conversation in which athletes are provided mental health resources in response to …

It's Written All Over Your Face: A Cultural And Gender History Of The Face In The Middle Ages, 1170-1500, Lacey N. Bonar Hull

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

At a time of vast social and cultural shifts, people living in western Europe from the late twelfth to the late fifteenth centuries developed and employed methods to “read” the faces of others. This practice promoted the interpretation of inner qualities from external appearances, often used to communicate adherence to or deviation from boundaries of gendered behaviors. My project explores medieval understandings concerning this particular feature of the human body, analyzing discourses concerning the face as a site of symbolism for inner character. While scholars have studied understandings of the self and the “Other” during this period, the role of …

Implementation Of A Targeted “Micro-Learning” Inpatient Diabetes Education Program In A Rural Hospital Setting, Melissa Lynn Fannon-Wisner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction/Background: Diabetes affects a large portion of Americans and West Virginians annually. Inpatient hospitalization provides an opportunity to provide evidence-based diabetes education to patients. A lack of access to diabetes education at rural hospitals across the United States exists, creating a need for patients who require education while hospitalized. An intervention needs to be explored to bridge the gap for patients that need education when the diabetes educator is not available.

Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project is to create and implement a video micro-learning diabetic education series that can be utilized for diabetes self-management …

Utilizing Arcgis Storymap To Raise Awareness: Double Dispossession Of The Gullah Geechee On Sapelo Island, Noah A. Moulton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Gullah Geechee people, descendants of enslaved Africans brought to the Sea Islands of the Atlantic Coast, represent a resilient community whose heritage and practices have endured despite centuries of systemic oppression. This research examines the intersection of history, land dispossession, and environmental threats to the Gullah Geechee community, particularly on Sapelo Island. By exploring the enduring agricultural knowledge, language, and practices, this work underscores the significance of the Gullah Geechee's connection to their ancestral lands, which have been essential for the preservation of their identity. The dual forces of gentrification and climate change present pressing challenges, manifesting as both …

Brexit Backslide: How The United Kingdom’S Break From The European Union Could Erode Female Labor Rights, Katherine Ryan

Chicago Journal of International Law

Britain’s retreat from the E.U. has demonstrated the deep connection between its domestic law and E.U. law and the dangers that can arise when a country attempts to disentangle the two. With the recent passage of the Retained E.U. Law (Revocation and Reform) Act, the resulting absence of E.U. law in British domestic law may create legal holes that leave women in the workforce without protection from discrimination. International organizations and treaties, such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the International Labor Organization, may be used to patch these holes. Moreover, Britain …

Justice As Fairness Or As Inclusion: Putting Rawls In Conversation With The Bans On Transgender Athletes, Nicole Player

Pomona Senior Theses

The last decade has seen a flurry of anti-transgender bills introduced and passed in the United States, and the topic that has likely been the most hotly debated regards the dozens of state bans on transgender athletes. While most discussions of these bans go straight to a debate about physiology, this thesis centers instead on a question of justice. In the debate of whether to allow a transgender girl to compete in girls’ sports, is it more “just” to prioritize fairness in women’s sport, as these bans do, or is it more just to prioritize inclusion? This thesis, in finding …

A Literature Review On Implementing Tobacco-Free Hiring Policies At Major Health Systems; And Md Anderson’S Experience., Mackenzie Toliver Bs, Brian Carter, Mehwish Javaid Ms, Jennifer Cofer Drph, Mph, Ches

Supporting Tobacco-Related Ongoing Education and Research (STRONGER)

This literature review seeks to provide a comprehensive analysis of the ethical considerations, health outcomes, and organizational impacts associated with tobacco-free hiring policies in healthcare settings.

59th International Congress On Medieval Studies, Medieval Institute, Western Michigan University

International Congress on Medieval Studies Archive

The printed program of the 59th International Congress on Medieval Studies (May 9–11, 2024), together with the Corrigenda.

Lis Journals' Lack Of Participation In Wikidata Item Creation, Eric Willey, Susan Radovsky

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

There are many items in Wikidata representing scholarly articles. However, these items have been created mostly by volunteer Wikidata editors and not systematically by journal publishers or editors, which can lead to gaps and inconsistencies in the datasets. This article presents findings from a survey investigating practices of library and information studies (LIS) journals in Wikidata item creation. Believing that a significant number of LIS journal editors would be aware of Wikidata and some would be creating Wikidata items for their publications, the authors sent a survey asking 138 English-language LIS journal editors if they created Wikidata items for materials …

Orchid Micropropagation And The Potential For Conservation, Rebecca Bendzick, Heidi Rutschow, Valori Mraz

IdeaFest 2024

No abstract provided.

Media Coverage Of The Klamath Dam Removal, Jessie Cretser-Hartenstein, Oden Taylor, Jillian Wells, Emma Wilson, Gabriel Zucker

IdeaFest 2024

No abstract provided.

Seabirds And Their Effects On Plant Growth, Hunter Green

IdeaFest 2024

No abstract provided.

Senior Speed Mixer, Charlie Gittings, Grace Daverso

IdeaFest 2024

No abstract provided.

Climate Action In Humboldt County : College Corps, Indigo Thorson

IdeaFest 2024

No abstract provided.

Increasing Motivation And Fitness Levels In Pre-Adolescents With Disabilities: A Study In Self-Determination Theory, Adam Thomas

IdeaFest 2024

No abstract provided.

The Uniform Law Commission And The Restrictive Employment Agreement Act, Richard T. Cassidy, Kari Bearman

University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy

This article discusses the Uniform Law Commission and its draft process and procedures. Along with the Uniform Restrictive Employment Agreement Act and its features.

Worker Debt And Worker Exit, Rachel Dempsey, David H. Seligman

University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy

One of the primary ways in which workers exercise power in the employment relationship is by leveraging competition among employers through the threat that they may go work for an employer that would pay them more or treat them better. Increasingly, employers have tried to undermine this core component of worker bargaining power through stay-or-pay contracts that charge workers penalties or threaten them with damages actions for leaving jobs before they have completed a prescribed term of employment. These contracts are intended and function to constrain worker mobility, suppress wages, and enable worker mistreatment. Through case studies of contemporary litigation …

Embracing Tax Avoidance, David Elkins

University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy

Avoidance is a major theme in tax law jurisprudence. Congress, the Treasury, and the courts have developed numerous doctrines to deny beneficial treatment when the taxpayer’s principal purpose or presumed principal purpose was the avoidance of taxation. Each attempt to shut down tax avoidance then becomes the opening salvo in the next round of engagement as tax planners devise means of circumventing the restrictions and new rules are developed to counter the latest avoidance maneuvers. The thesis of this Article is that the incessant war on tax avoidance has prevented both academics and policymakers from appreciating the gifts that tax …

The Florida Digital Bill Of Rights: Providing Expanded Consumer Protection In The Digital World, Veronika Balbuzanova

University of Florida Journal of Law & Public Policy

The Florida Digital Bill of Rights comprises a statutory framework designed to regulate the use and collection of Florida consumers’ personal data in the digital world. This Article breaks down the components of the new statute and explores its preliminary successes and shortcomings, particularly from an enforcement perspective.