Digital Commons Network^™

Triggered Emasculation In Southern Literature: Applying The Masculine Overcompensation Thesis, Delaney Holt

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Coined by Stanford University sociologists Dr. Rob Willer and Dr. Christabel L. Rogalin in 2005, the masculine overcompensation thesis asserts that a man will reciprocate challenges to his masculinity with his own intense display(s) of masculinity. This new thesis combined the preliminary research completed by Adler and Freud, offering a new perspective on masculinity. Alongside societal and psychological applications, the masculine overcompensation thesis can also be applied to fictional literary relationships, especially within the pages of three southern novels: Lewis Nordan’s Wolf Whistle, Ron Rash’s One Foot in Eden, and Lewis Nordan’s The Sharpshooter Blues. A common thread of overcompensatory …

Metacognition, Working Memory Capacity, And Recall Performance, Brandi Michelle Glass

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Metacognition is beneficial for helping individuals understand their own learning and retrieval processes. Self-explanation is a metacognitive strategy that uses metacognitive skills to guide students through learning activities. Therefore, I predicted that participants who were more metacognitive during self-explanation would be able to recall more information than those who were less metacognitive. As expected, those who scored high in metacognition also scored higher on a recall test. I also expected those with higher working memory capacity to produce more metacognitive statements. This hypothesis was not supported. There was no difference between those with high or low working memory and the …

Valuating The Evidence Base Of Physician Reported Assessment Measures Used In Childhood Adhd Diagnosis, Sarah Ewen

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

An accurate Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis is essential as there are substantial social and functional costs associated with misdiagnosis. Data collected from a 2014 National Survey suggested that one-half of the children diagnosed with ADHD were diagnosed by a pediatrician or family health provider through unstructured behavioral observations or using a checklist that may not adhere to diagnostic guidelines. Additionally, clinicians providing ADHD diagnoses have admitted to possessing limited knowledge on the disorder itself and denied attending continuing education courses on ADHD. The current study sought to answer two research questions: 1) are measures reported for diagnosis by pediatricians evidence-based …

Investigating If Changes In Cannabis Expectancies Mediate Driving After Cannabis Use Intervention Outcomes, Sarah Nicole Elder

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Driving after cannabis use (DACU) has become an increasing public health concern specifically for the states that have legalized cannabis use. In a 2018 survey, 4.7% of U.S. residents reported driving while impaired by cannabis (Azofeifa et al., 2019). Previous research suggests that several skills are impaired following cannabis use, such as increased lane weaving, slowed reaction time, and distorted perceptions about external stimuli. This effect was seen to extend to frequent cannabis users who also demonstrated driving impairments despite heightened cannabis tolerance (Hartman & Huestis, 2013). With the increase in DACU it is crucial to understand the factors that …

Synthetic, Photophysical, And Catalytic Studies Of Light-Harvesting Macrocyclic Complexes, Fox Bratcher

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Chromophores are an important class of compounds in Nature and industry, with several hundred thousand tons produced annually as dyes and pigments. Alone, these compounds absorb light unto themselves; however, several of these compounds can be combined to produce a beneficial cascading transfer of energy to a core chromophore.

In this study, photophysical properties of several covalent and axially borondipyrromethene (BODIPY)-conjugated complexes of porphyrin and salphen scaffolds have been evaluated in a series of emission and catalytic studies. In the porphyrin systems, a beneficial excited energy transfer (EET) from the BODIPY moieties to the porphyrin core was observed; however, only …

The Validity & Reliability Of The Repetitions In Reserve Based Rating Of Perceived Exertion Scale In Single Joint Exercise, Grant Malone

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Introduction: Intentional regulation and individualization of resistance training schemes are imperative when structuring a resistance training program. Optimal adaptation cannot be expected without proper manipulation of training variables such as load and volume. Load is traditionally prescribed by testing a given exercise’s repetition maximum and basing intensity from that load. This method of intensity regulation may be limited, considering it fails to recognize the day-to-day undulation of individual performance which can be impacted by several variables. A flexible method of regulating load and volume would be of use for those undergoing a resistance training program. The repetitions in reserve-based rating …

Extracellular Matrix In Cancer Progression And Therapy, Xiuxiu He, Byoungkoo Lee, Yi Jiang

Faculty Research 2022

The tumor ecosystem with heterogeneous cellular compositions and the tumor microenvironment has increasingly become the focus of cancer research in recent years. The extracellular matrix (ECM), the major component of the tumor microenvironment, and its interactions with the tumor cells and stromal cells have also enjoyed tremendously increased attention. Like the other components of the tumor microenvironment, the ECM in solid tumors differs significantly from that in normal organs and tissues. We review recent studies of the complex roles the tumor ECM plays in cancer progression, from tumor initiation, growth to angiogenesis and invasion. We highlight that the biomolecular, biophysical, …

Personality & Covid Attitudes, Riley Herman, Camille Witt, Devanee Pappas, Talaia Goodman, Adriana Calzavara, Kaylee Franzen

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

No abstract provided.

Trust In Government And The Ideological Center Of The American Public, Madison Crenshaw

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

In the age of extreme political polarization, the American public stands more divided and more distrustful of government than ever before. Although polarization continues to persist, the average ideological center of the American public has continued to move to the left as distrust has continued to fall. This paper looks to establish a significant relationship between the American public's trust levels and the average ideological center of the American public from 1994-2017. By analyzing survey data means from Pew Research Center, this paper hopes to determine the influence of the ideological center on levels of trust in the American Public.

Social Physique Anxiety And Exercise Motivation, Elise Crause, Sade Alalade, Maeve Carei, Audrey Lyle, Beth Virostek, Patrick Morse Phd

[Archive] Belmont University Research Symposium (BURS)

The benefits of exercise are clear; they include better overall health, better mood, and less stress (Schultchen et. al., 2019). However, exercise motivations vary (Pate, 1995). Some of these motivations include: health and fitness benefits, social/emotional benefits, weight management, stress management, enjoyment, and appearance (Dacey, 2008). When exercising, many are exposed to an environment of comparison, which has been shown to foster social physique anxiety (Chen, Ku, & Wang, 2012), defined as the “feeling of distress associated with the perceived evaluation of one's physical self” (Frederick & Morrison, 1996). Exercise behavior has been found to change in people with higher …

Preventing And Responding To Juvenile Crime: Importance Of Intervention And Rehabilitation, Michaela Noviello

Criminology Student Work

With about 2.1 million juveniles arrested per year, it is important for researchers and juvenile justice employees to consider, protect and maximize the full potential of juveniles from their early adolescence up until release from detention centers or foster care. This paper highlights early traits and behaviors consistent in juveniles who commit crime as well as factors that may contribute to crime. While focusing on early indicators that may lead to juvenile crime, the paper also discusses rehabilitation and intervention after juvenile crime has been committed. After discussing the research on preventing and responding to juvenile crime, the paper outlines …

What Makes My Client Guilty? Discussing The Processes, Effects, And Costs Of Wrongful Convictions, Shawn Page

Criminology Student Work

The basis of this paper will be to discuss my chosen career path following graduation. The career path that I will be exploring is that of an attorney. After I finish my athletic career, my next goal will be to enroll in law school and graduate in three years with my Juris Doctorate. My father is a partner at a law firm that handles many different cases, from malpractice allegations to criminal charges. My sister is also a public defender in Pittsburgh and represents individuals who can not afford to hire a private attorney. As a public defender you may …

Community Policing: The Foundation Of Trust Between Police And Society, Thomas Crowley

Criminology Student Work

Police officers wear many hats such as protecting people, preventing crimes, and responding to other calls for help. Policing is under a microscope in the current climate of the country with debates about police brutality, body-worn cameras, and the overall trust between police and the public. The most universally accepted way to improve trust between the police and public is through community policing. Studies show the community policing policies have improved community-police relations in the United States. I plan to use this knowledge in my career as a police officer by making sure that every interaction I have with the …

Ua3/10 President's Messages - Spring Semester, Wku President's Office - Caboni

WKU Administration Documents

President's Message emails sent by Timothy Caboni to faculty & staff during spring semester, 2022.

• Budget
• Commencement
• Commons at Helm Library
• Compensation Analysis
• COVID-19
• COVID-19 – Masks
• End of Semester
• Enrollment / Recruitment
• Scholarship Celebration
• Semester Kickoff
• Student Retention

Mammalian Facial Muscles: Their Evolution, Function, Diversity, & Study Through Comparative Methods, Juri Ann Miyamae

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Within the great diversity of living vertebrates, mammals alone are distinguished by the presence of facial muscles. These delicate sheets of muscle are distributed in superficial layers of the face and neck and are responsible for critical everyday functions such as communication, feeding, and active gathering of sensory information. Despite the importance of this anatomical system in the lives of mammals, they have seldom been the focus of investigation, especially within an evolutionary context. The goal of this PhD dissertation is to explore facial muscles as a whole and integrated anatomical system with a dynamic evolutionary history and functional relevance …

Adaptive Identification And Control Of Time-Varying Systems Using Multiple Models, Kasra Esfandiari

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

The study of adaptive systems concerns the identification and control of dynamicalsystems in the presence of uncertainties. In the past seven decades, research on adaptive systems has primarily centered around the identification and control of linear dynamical systems with constant parameters. The use of multiple models to judiciously combine information from various sources has proven to be a powerful technique for improving adaptive behavior (in terms of speed, accuracy, and robustness) in these systems. However, the main interest of adaptive structures has always been in the identification and control of systems with unknown time-varying parameters. Situations which call for adaptation …

Development Of Assays For Single Molecule Spectroscopy Of Conjugated Polymers Using Optical Tweezers, Qixuan Yu

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

This thesis focuses on the development of a single-molecule spectroscopy technique to study the mechanical and photophysical properties of conjugated polymers in a dual-trap optical tweezers system. It involves the design, synthesis, and implementation of a novel optical tweezers platform and the preparation of tailor-made conjugated polymers. Novel SiO2-coated zinc oxide microspheres (ZnO@SiO2) with tunable size were developed as materials for dual-trap optical tweezers in organic solvents. The microspheres can be used as stable traps in both aqueous and various organic solvents ranging in polarity and refractive index. Specifically, we demonstrated the use of the microspheres to study the single-molecule …

Three Essays On Political Institutions & Foreign Policy Crisis Behaviour, Fahd Humayun

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

When and how do domestic political institutions shape the behaviour of foreign policy crisis actors? Existing research on interstate crisis behaviour in democracies has largely been agnostic about the extent to which intermediate levels of democratic institutionalisation can impact the expectations and behaviour of electorally competitive foreign policy crisis actors. The three empirical papers in this doctoral dissertation explore and shed light on the complex relationship between democracy, political institutions and political actors in Pakistan, a weakly-institutionalised democratic polity with a legacy of frequent foreign policy crises. Paper I, titled "The Punisher's Dilemma: Domestic Opposition and Foreign Policy Crises", advances …

Kinetic And Thermodynamic Studies Of Triphenylmethyl Radicals, Abigail Marie Heuer

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

This thesis aims to advance our understanding of H-atom transfer processes at carbon-centered radicals. First, we develop a robust synthetic route towards accessing triphenylmethyl (trityl) radicals as tools for studying radical reactions at carbon, among other things. Then, we utilize trityl radicals to assess the intrinsic reactivity at C–H bonds. The final chapter of this thesis provides details into the design and synthesis of a series of (+)–pleuromutilin analogs. Several iterations of hydrindane-core-modified and peripherally-functionalized pleuromutilins are addressed.

Synthesizing Epidemiological Evidence Of Respiratory Syncytial Virus To Predict The Potential Effectiveness Of Three Rsv Prevention Strategies, Zhe Zheng

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of respiratory infection and hospitalization for infants, children, and the elderly [1]. In this dissertation, I present five quantitative studies aimed at improving our understanding of the disease burden, epidemic timing, geographic spread, and prevention of RSV. Specifically, I applied statistical and mathematical models to (1) estimate respiratory hospitalizations attributable to RSV across age and socioeconomic groups; (2) identify drivers that impact RSV epidemic spatiotemporal patterns in a typical winter season; (3) estimate the timing and intensity of RSV reemergence following the COVID-19 pandemic; (4) compare the geographic spread of RSV epidemics …

Recruiting In Law Enforcement, Kyle R. Scott

IPS/BAS 495 Undergraduate Capstone Projects

Recruiting in 2022 is difficult to say the least, for many professions. I have worked or volunteered in public service for almost two decades. The last five years I have worked for my two of the largest law enforcement agencies in the state of Oregon and have personally seen the struggles to hire and retain employees. There are variety of reasons law enforcement is struggling to recruit, finances, politics, liability and wages are just a few things that hinder recruiting efforts for many law enforcement organizations. My goal is to shed light on what my organization offer and how we …

From Reality To Fiction: How Women’S Mental Health Was Portrayed In 19th Century Literature, Sara Mason

Honors Theses

This thesis is an examination of the history of mental health treatment for women in the 19^th century. Fictional literature written during this time by American and English female authors is used to explore the underlying attitudes towards women who were perceived to have a mental illness. This thesis explores the three works Jane Eyre, “The Yellow Wallpaper,” and The Awakening, as well as the biography of the female authors. This information is used to explore the patriarchal society represented in these works and how that is shown through the authors’ writing. The medical profession is also …

A Quantitative Analysis Of High Impact Practices And Civic Learning Outcomes Among Community College Students, Victoria D. Vogelgesang

Experiential Learning & Teaching in Higher Education

This study aims to answer the following research question: How is participation in selected high impact practices (HIPs) that promote social capital associated with community college students’ positive civic learning outcomes (CLOs) such as communication and listening, diversity, and consensus-building? This study analyzed responses to the 2019 Community College Survey of Student Engagement using Minitab to conduct chi-square analysis to test the hypothesis that HIPs that build social capital are related to greater frequency of CLOs. The most notable finding is that four of the HIPs—internships, in-class group projects, service-learning, and learning communities—were consistently positively associated with each of the …

Essays On The Effects Of Labor Market Policies, Julian Aramburu

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

In this dissertation, I study the effects of two types of policies that aim to improve the labor market outcomes of workers from underrepresented groups. “Coding Bootcamps for Female Digital Employment: Evidence from a Randomized Controlled Trial in Argentina and Colombia” Women are underrepresented in the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) sector, at both the educational and occupational level. In particular, the gender gap in computer science careers is the most salient of all STEM fields. In the first chapter of this dissertation, my coauthors and I design a high-quality computer coding training — a bootcamp — that aims …

Multidisciplinary Studies On The Social And Health Implications Of Stormwater Management And Flash Flooding, Alisha Yee Chan

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Research on stormwater management and flash flooding is of the upmost importance given the increase in severity of storm events from climate change and the rising installation of impervious surfaces from urbanization. This dissertation presents three studies that reveal social and health implications of stormwater management and flash flooding. Stormwater control measures (SCMs) (i.e., green infrastructure) are advantageous methods of stormwater management. However, studies suggest that urban greening may be associated with gentrification, displacing racially/ethnically minoritized groups due to increased housing costs and loss of feelings of belonging. For the first study presented in this dissertation, I analyzed whether there …

Essays In Family Economics, Paula Andrea Calvo

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

In this dissertation I investigate how family formation decisions interact with otherindividual's choices---including labor supply, savings or separation,---and how these decision shape gender gaps, inequality and child development. "The effects of institutional gaps between cohabitation and marriage". In the first chapter of my dissertation, I examine how institutional differences between marriage and cohabitation in the U.S.---in dimensions such as child custody or property division laws---shape family formation decisions, and how this choice affects family well-being and child outcomes. As cohabitation and non-marital fertility are prevalent in the U.S., mainly among the less educated, policies that change the differences between cohabitation …

Soliton Microcomb Generation Dynamics In Pockels Microring Resonator, Zheng Gong

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Optical frequency comb, an array of equidistant coherent laser lines, has revolutionized time/frequency metrology. Recent progress in microresonator-based Kerr soliton generation promises chip-scale comb sources for fieldable applications beyond lab research. To date, several nanophotonic platforms have been developed to support Kerr soliton generation, among which $\mathrm{Si_{3}N_{4}}$ photonics is the most mature one and has proved viable for producing broadband self-referenceable combs. However, it lacks second-order ($\chi^{(2)}$) nonlinearity and relies on off-chip optical components for comb self-referencing, which hinders the chip integration of comb. On the other hand, the emerging aluminum nitride (AlN) and lithium niobate (LN) thin-film platforms bring …

Facets Of Vulnerability And Risk At The Nexus Of Groundwater And Unconventional Energy Resources, Mario Soriano

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Unconventional oil and gas (UOG) development is the extraction of fossil fuels from shale and other low permeability formations, made possible by technological advances in horizontal drilling and high volume hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) refers to the stage in UOG development where millions of gallons of water mixed with sand and chemicals are injected at high pressures to create openings in the target formation, enabling the flow of trapped hydrocarbons. UOG development has been hailed for its socioeconomic benefits, allowing the United States to become a net energy exporter in recent years and facilitating the transition away from coal …

Visual Modernity And The Industrial Subterranean, 1826 - 1941, Shirlynn Sham

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

AbstractVisual Modernity and the Industrial Subterranean, 1826 – 1941 Shirlynn Sham 2022 This dissertation argues that the technological mastery of the subterranean realm in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries is crucial to the evolution of visual modernity. Throughout this period of rapid infrastructural modernization, major underground public works projects radically transformed the urban fabric of cities in the trans-Atlantic world, initially through widespread excavations that visibly tore up the metropolitan landscape, and later through the sleek new velocities of the railway era. A dominant issue that attended this period of urban renovation was visual legibility: how did engineers, inventors and …

Essays On Zoning Regulations And Housing Markets, Jaehee Song

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Zoning regulations restrict the type and quantity of housing constructed. Such regulations have recently come under scrutiny, with policymakers and advocates pushing for relaxed zoning. They argue relaxing zoning laws will lower housing costs and increase access to high-opportunity neighborhoods. In this dissertation, I evaluate the impacts of minimum lot area regulations, the most common type of zoning controls, in U.S. housing markets. I first construct a unique data set of neighborhood-level minimum lot area regulations covering 134 million single--family homes in 29,262 municipalities. Using this data, I evaluate the effects of minimum lot area regulations on housing density, prices, …