Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Ebbinghaus Illusion In Touch As Evidence For The Two Stream Perception-Action Hypothesis, Erin R. Smith

All NMU Master's Theses

The Ebbinghaus Illusion (also known as Titchener's circles) is a classic visual illusion. The illusion consists of two inner circles of the same size, with one circle surrounded by a group of larger circles, and the other circle surrounded by a group of smaller circles. Due to the context of the surrounding circles, individuals perceive the inner circle surrounded by the smaller outer circles to be larger, when in fact, both inner circles are the same size. This thesis presents the first evidence of the existence of the Ebbinghaus illusion in the tactile modality. Participants underwent various tactile-tactile and tactile-visual …

Human Centered Design Applied To Perceptual Paradigms, Jonathan T. Fancher

All NMU Master's Theses

This thesis gives three examples of projects that apply knowledge from areas such as human centered design, computer science, and psychology to study sensation and perception. All three of these projects were created to gather information on how humans interact with their surrounding environment and the world. For instance the first area of discovery included the way humans interact within their perceptual and personal space through an interactive table. The second project looks at exploring the neural mechanisms that affect Haptic Hallucinations by creating a device that can give the feeling of bugs crawling on or below the surface of …

International Reserves Before And After The Global Crisis: Is There No End To Hoarding?, Joshua Aizenman, Yin-Wong Cheung, Hiro Ito

Economics Faculty Publications and Presentations

We evaluate the global financial crisis (GFC) and the structural changes of recent years that have been associated with new patterns of hoarding international reserves. We confirm that the determining factors of international reserves are evolving with developments in the global economy. From 1999–2006, the pre-GFC period, gross saving is associated with higher international reserves in developing and emerging markets. An outward direct-investment effect is consistent with the view of diverting international assets from the international reserve account, the “Joneses’ effect” lends support to the rivalry hoarding motivation, and commodity price volatility induces hoarding against uncertainty. During the 2007–2009 GFC, …

The Influence Of Religion On Attitudes Toward Alcohol Use In Jewish Adolescents, Toby R. Levin

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, the Jewish faith has used alcohol in rituals and religious holidays in which adolescents are permitted to fully participate and this exposure to alcohol may influence attitudes and beliefs about underage drinking among Jewish adolescents. The purpose of this study was to determine if there was a relationship between the Jewish religion and attitudes toward alcohol among Jewish adolescents. The theoretical frameworks, on which this study was based, were the social bond theory and the social development theory. Each of these theories indicates that community is important to the individual. Using a cross sectional study design, 160 adolescents participated …

Uncovering The Origins Of The Gender Gap In Political Ambition, Richard L. Fox, Jennifer L. Lawless

Political Science and International Relations Faculty Works

Based on survey responses from a national random sample of nearly 4,000 high school and college students, we uncover a dramatic gender gap in political ambition. This finding serves as striking evidence that the gap is present well before women and men enter the professions from which most candidates emerge. We then use political socialization—which we gauge through a myriad of socializing agents and early life experiences—as a lens through which to explain the individual-level differences we uncover. Our analysis reveals that parental encouragement, politicized educational and peer experiences, participation in competitive activities, and a sense of self-confidence propel young …

Multi-Sensory Emotion Recognition With Speech And Facial Expression, Qingmei Yao

Dissertations

Emotion plays an important role in human beings’ daily lives. Understanding emotions and recognizing how to react to others’ feelings are fundamental to engaging in successful social interactions. Currently, emotion recognition is not only significant in human beings’ daily lives, but also a hot topic in academic research, as new techniques such as emotion recognition from speech context inspires us as to how emotions are related to the content we are uttering.

The demand and importance of emotion recognition have highly increased in many applications in recent years, such as video games, human computer interaction, cognitive computing, and affective computing. …

Yap (Youth Advocate Programs) Assists Youth In Finding And Securing Employment, Douglas N. Evans, Sheyla A. Delgado

Publications and Research

This report, conducted by the Research and Evaluation Center at John Jay College, examines the impact of the Youth Advocate Programs (YAP) on youth employment outcomes. A study of 1,523 youth aged 15-17 showed that YAP participation significantly increased the likelihood of employment, with nearly a 300% rise in employed clients between entry and discharge. Employment rates rose from 6% to 15%, while unemployment decreased from 68% to 55%. The findings highlight the effectiveness of YAP in improving job prospects for justice-involved youth, particularly those with prior legal issues or out-of-home placements.

The Responses Of The Roman Imperial Government To Natural Disasters 29 Bce-180 Ce, Michael Timothy Mccoy

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the practice of imperial disaster relief between 29 BCE and 180 CE. It focuses upon both the process of disaster aid delineating how Roman emperors were petitioned for assistance, the forms disaster relief took, and the political motives individual emperors had for dispensing disaster aid. Chapter 1 provides a brief introduction to the topic. Chapter 2 outlines the scope of the study as well as the examples used to establish disaster relief in context. Chapter 3 gives an overview of euergetism and also discusses two cases of disaster assistance that pre-date the reign of Augustus. Chapter 4 …

An Investigation Of The Sled Push Exercise: Quantification Of Work, Kinematics, And Related Physical Characteristics, James Hoffmann Jr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to describe the basic characteristics of performing resisted sprint training using a push sled for the enhancement of sport performance. Specifically, this dissertation served to: 1.) quantify the frictional forces involved between a push sled and an AstroTurf® surface at 6 loads, 2.) derive an estimation of mechanical work performed during sled push training, 3.) outline the velocity characteristics of 3 sled pushing loads scaled to the athletes body mass for comparison against their sprinting ability and 4.) determine the interrelations of fitness characteristics to the ability to sprint under heavy resistance.

The following …

`Roaming In The Garden Of Freedom:' Constructions Of U.S. Ideology, Identity, And The Past In Television News's Anniversary Coverage About The Berlin Wall, Rachel Eve Somerstein

Dissertations - ALL

This study employs a multimodal close reading to examine and compare how NBC's Nightly News and various primetime CNN news shows construct the story of the Berlin Wall's opening from 1990 through 2009. It does so first by examining the networks' 1989 coverage and assessing the themes and ideologies circulated when the Berlin Wall's opening was breaking news. These themes and ideologies are used as a baseline to assess anniversary coverage that aired from 1990 through 2009. In the process of this close reading, special attention is paid to silences and omissions amid itin images and spoken discourses; the circulation …

Prostate Cancer And Psa Testing: Implications Of Provider-Patient Communication And Shared- Decision Making On National Screening Recommendations, Michelle C. Reece

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The national recommendations for use of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test for prostate cancer screening have been modified over the years as scientific evidence emerged. Current screening recommendations discourage widespread PSA screening for men at low to average risk, but provide specific guidelines for shared-decision making between men and their health providers about the benefits and risks of PSA testing. This study was an examination of relationships between men’s assessment of the quality of their care and communication with their health providers, the extent to which providers engage men in recommended discussions about PSA testing, and factors associated with …

The Effect Of Romantic Jealousy On Self-Control: An Examination Of Trait Constructs And Sex Differences Based On Survey And Experimental Data, Lyndsay A. Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A large body of research has demonstrated that the experience of romantic jealousy is often associated with a variety of negative outcomes. However, evolutionary psychologists have provided evidence that jealousy is an adaptive emotion that can aid with mate retention. Together these lines of research suggest that jealousy may at times work to protect and enhance one’s relationship, whereas in other cases it could lead to harmful consequences. Considering the varying outcomes of jealousy, it is critical that research explore more specifically how this complex state operates and how it affects individuals’ functioning. In the present research I conducted 2 …

Mental Health Referral In Primary Care: Influence Of A Screening Instrument And A Brief Educational Intervention, Michael T. Miesner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Although less than half of all patients with mental disorders seek mental health treatment per se, approximately 80% of all people will visit their primary care physician (PCPs) within a year (Strosahl, 1998). However, it is not well understood how to best handle patients presenting with mental health issues in primary care practices. The purpose of this project was to implement an intervention involving a screening measure for anxiety and mood disorders in a primary care setting to increase the volume of anxiety and mood disorder screening, to increase the accuracy of disorder detection, and to also enhance PCPs patterns …

The Mediating And Moderating Effects Of Coping Mechanisms Following High School Victimization, Kevin D. Hyatt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Victimization from bullying has become a more serious issue as available avenues for bullying have increased and as the media has been alerted to the devastating effects of the phenomenon. Victimization has been linked to increased externalizing and internalizing disorders including depression, anxiety, stress, and at its worst suicide. Research has been focused on the negative outcomes following victimization, with some authors only recently examining the buffering or exacerbating effects of coping mechanisms. Participants (n=642) from a moderately sized southeastern university completed a survey to examine problem-focused and emotion-focused coping as potential moderators and maladaptive coping as a potential mediator …

Comparison Of Static And Countermovement Jump Variables In Relation To Estimated Training Load And Subjective Measures Of Fatigue, Matthew L. Sams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare changes in static and countermovement jump variables across a competitive season of collegiate soccer to estimated training load and subjective measures of fatigue. Monitoring data from 21 male collegiate soccer players were retrospectively examined. Nine vertical jump sessions occurred across the season in addition to daily training load assessment and daily mood-state assessment. Group average changes from the first testing session were calculated and compared to the group average training load for the 7 days preceding each vertical jump testing session for static and countermovement jump height and allometrically scaled peak power. …

Use Of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Uav) For Urban Tree Inventories, Brian Ritter

All Theses

In contrast to standard aerial imagery, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) utilize recent technological advances to provide an affordable alternative for imagery acquisition. Increased value can be realized through clarity and detail providing higher resolution (2-5 cm) over traditional products. Many natural resource disciplines such as urban forestry will benefit from UAS. Tree inventories for risk assessment, biodiversity, planning, and design can be efficiently achieved with the UAS. Recent advances in photogrammetric processing have proved automated methods for three dimensional rendering of aerial imagery. Point clouds can be generated from images providing additional benefits. Association of spatial locational information within the …

Extension Assessments Of Farmer Interest In And Uses Of Climate Forecasts In Florida, North Carolina, And South Carolina, Alan Hooper

All Theses

Farmers can reduce the risks associated with climate variability by using climate forecasts. Extension personnel, as knowledgeable informants about farmers, can assess farmer interest in and uses of climate forecasts in agricultural decision making. Three surveys of extension personnel were conducted in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina to assess, among other things, farmer interest in and uses of climate forecasts. Models of conditional probabilities are estimated with data from the surveys to show how extension assessments depend on characteristics of the extensionist and her clientele. An extensionist with more than six years of experience is more likely to think …

Foxes Propose New Guidelines For Henhouse Design: Comments On Niso’S Proposed Open Access Metadata Standards, Paul Royster

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Faculty Publications

This commentary is in response to: NISO RP-22-201x, Open Access Metadata and Indicators (draft for comment), which is available at: http://www.niso.org/apps/group_public/document.php?document_id=12047

NISO is the National Information Standards Organization, a non-profit industry organization whose mission statement reads: “NISO fosters the development and maintenance of standards that facilitate the creation, persistent management, and effective interchange of information so that it can be trusted for use in research and learning.” Their recently-issued proposed guidelines for new metadata fields to be attached to scholarly works purport to address and clarify issues of access and re-licensing surrounding the electronic distribution of journal articles. Briefly, they …

Data Management Quick Guides, Jennifer L. Thoegersen

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Presentations

These guides provide basic information on various topics related to the management of research data, including:
Data Lifecycle
File Naming Conventions
File Organization
File Formats
Metadata Standards
Controlled Vocabulary
Data Dictionary
README.txt
Storage
Backup
Security
Intellectual Property
Retention
Ethics

Kashmiri Marsiya (Elegy) Manuscripts: The Valuable Sources For The Dissemination, Reconstruction And Safeguarding The History And Culture-Ii, Tawfeeq Nazir

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Manuscripts are the links to the historical facts that will otherwise remain unknown to the world. They contain authentic information and facts about the social, political and cultural aspects of a nation. Therefore their intellectual value cannot be over emphasized. Many countries and nations are joining hands towards preserving such cultural assets by way of taking conservation and preservation measures including digitization and documentation.

Marsiya or Elegy has gained more importance after the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain (a.s) and his companions and household in Karbala. Marsiya has been since written and recited in order to mourning the tragic events of …

The Use Of Law Library Collection And Services By The Teaching Faculty: Challenges And Opportunities For Legal Institutions In Pakistan, Ghalib Khan, Rubina Bhatti, Amjid Khan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This study aims to examine the determinants of academic law library use, collection, and services among the law faculty members in Pakistan. A survey was designed and data was collected through a structured questionnaire from the target population in order to achieve objectives of the study. The findings reveal that the majority of faculty members used circulation service in their respective institutional libraries and most of them consulted textbooks, general books and reference collection in their various academic and research related activities. The findings of this would be helpful for the policy makers and administration of the legal academic institutes …

Damage To Libraries Due To Water Related Disasters, Parul Zaveri

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Flooding, leakage, heavy rains, hurricanes, activation of fire sprinklers due to fire are some of the reasons due to which water can enter library premises. It can damage library resources and infrastructure as well as disrupt services for a long time. The paper describes the ways libraries can be prepared for such disasters as well as how to treat resources damaged due to such disasters.

The Role Of Telecentres In Tanzania’S Rural Development. A Case Study Of Sengerema District Council, Mwanza Region., Boniface Mbangala, Athumani Samzugi

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Sengerema district council has had a telecentre since 2001. However, the socio-economic indicators do not show that the district is better than districts without telecentres. This study intended to assess how the telecentre has benefited the users in respect of social and economic aspects. The study was conducted in Sengerema district, Mwanza region. The survey design was employed using structured and unstructured questionnaires, interviews, observation and documentary review methods of data collection. The sample size of 62 respondents included 42 males and 20 females. In general, the users believed that the centre has helped improve their community’s wellbeing, however, with …

Birth Cohort Changes In The Association Between College Education And Religious Non-Affiliation, Philip Schwadel

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

This article examines the changing association between higher education and reporting no religious affiliation in the United States. I argue that increases in higher education have led to a decline in the individual-level effect of college education on religious non-affiliation. Results from hierarchical age-period-cohort models using more than three and a half decades of repeated cross-sectional survey data demonstrate that the strong, positive effect of college education on reporti ti ng no religious affiliation declines precipitously across birth cohorts. Specifically, a bachelor’s degree has no effect on non-affiliation by the 1965–69 cohort, and a negative effect for the 1970s cohorts. …

Assessing Within-Household Selection Methods In Household Mail Surveys, Kristen Olson, Mathew Stange, Jolene D. Smyth

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Household surveys are increasingly moving toward self-administered modes of data collection. To maintain a probability sample of the population, researchers must use probability methods to select adults within households. However, very little experimental methodological work has been conducted on within-household selection in mail surveys. In this study, we experimentally examine four methods—the next-birthday method, the last-birthday method, selection of the youngest adult in the household, and selection of the oldest adult in the household—in two mail surveys of Nebraska residents (n = 2,498, AAPOR RR1 36.3 percent, and n = 947, AAPOR RR1 31.6 percent). To evaluate how accurately respondents …

Facial Features And The Effectiveness Of Apology, Michal Franc

Dissertations and Theses Collection (Open Access)

Apology is an important tool for the maintenance of positive and cooperative relationships in the workplace. This paper reviews the existing research in the field of apology, and identifies four main components of apology. It uses impression management theory and signaling theory to explain the effect of apology. In addition, it proposes moderating effect of the offender's facial dominance on the effectiveness of apology. Specifically, previous research (e.g., Perrett et al., 1998) found that people with high facial dominance are less trustworthy, which suggests that apology may act as an equalizer between people with high and low facial dominance. Through …

Evaluating The Effects Of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (Pals) In Mathematics Plus An Anxiety Treatment On Achievement And Anxiety Of Third Grade Students, Kelly Ann Hugger Psyd

All Student Scholarship

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an adaptation of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) in mathematics on achievement and anxiety of third grade students. Four intact classrooms were randomly assigned to experimental or control condition groups. Experimental teachers implemented one of three interventions: PALS, a relaxation technique (RT), or PALS+RT twice weekly for 12 weeks. Outcome measures included AIMSweb’s curriculum based measure for math computation (MCOMP) and the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale, Second Edition (RCMAS-2). Within the classrooms, baseline, pre-test, and post-test data were collected on 79 students. The study did not reveal statistically significant …

Effects Of Peer Tutoring On The Reading Fluency And Comprehension Of Seventh Grade Students, Meaghan Opuda Swan Psyd

All Student Scholarship

This study examined the efficacy of peer tutoring, specifically Peer Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS), as supplemental instruction for middle school students with reading difficulties. A multiple baseline across individuals design was used to demonstrate changes in oral reading fluency and reading comprehension. The results of this study suggest that students who participated in PALS did not substantially increase reading fluency or comprehension when analyzed on the basis of non-overlapping data points. Nonetheless, two of the three underperforming students improved their reading skills such that they were no longer in the at-risk range by the end of the study. The third …

Revisiting The Feminine Mystique, Cynthia Fuchs Epstein

Publications and Research

No abstract provided.

Modeling And Analyzing The Impact Of Advanced Technologies On Transit Performance Measures In Arterial Corridors, Miguel A. Figliozzi, Wei Feng

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Transportation and transit agencies have implemented advanced technologies like transit signal priority (TSP) and Sydney Coordinated Adaptive Traffic System (SCATS) to reduce travel times and improve reliability. However, due to the lack of detailed empirical data, the joint impact of these factors and improvement strategies on bus travel time has not been studied at the stop-to-stop segment level. With the aim of assessing the performance of an existing TSP/SCATS system, this study had access to a unique set of high-resolution bus and traffic signal data. Novel algorithms and performance measures to measure TSP performance are proposed. Results indicate that a …