Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Childhood Obesity In Florida: A Narrative Review On Current Trends And Interventions, Corey Parliament, E Mckenzie Driscoll, Kristin Samuels, Laura Ward, Tammy M. Baranowski, Tara Kessinger, Alireza Jahan-Mihan

Florida Public Health Review

We examine current research on childhood obesity (CO) trends and intervention strategies in Florida. The fiscal, emotional, and health-related costs related to general obesity are staggering. Unfortunately, CO-related publicity, research, policy, and interventions have not been entirely successful in addressing the problem. Florida ranks 35thnationally in prevalence of CO. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2013 report a statistically significant decrease in Florida's rate of CO among 2-4 year-olds participating in Florida’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) from 2008-2011. Whereas Florida still has significant room for improvement on the issue of …

Getting Active With Passive Crossings: Investigating The Efficacy Of In-Vehicle Auditory Alerts For Rail Road Crossings, Steven Landry

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Train-vehicle collisions at highway-rail grade crossings continue to be a major issue in the US and across the world. Installing additional hardware at individual crossings is expensive, time consuming, and potentially ineffective. To prevent recent trends in safety improvement from plateauing, experts are turning towards novel warning devices that can be applied to all crossings with minimal cost. In-vehicle auditory alerts (IVAAs) could potentially remedy many of the human factor issues related to crossing safety in a cost effective manner.

This thesis presents a series of experiments designing and testing an IVAA system for grade level railroad (RR) crossings. Study …

An Analysis Of Stakeholders Communication In Collaborative Software Development Projects, Wei Zhang

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Software development is a multidisciplinary collaboration involving many stakeholders. However, existing software development processes exhibit many issues related to that collaboration. Because prior research on stakeholder analysis and teamwork revealed the importance of communication, this study analyzed stakeholder communication with reference to team activities as a social and cognitive process. The study’s goal was to understand the collaboration process during software development and to delineate factors that influence this process. We focused on communication between the software developers and their clients during the requirements gathering phase, the team process, and the inter-team and interdisciplinary collaboration, in particular between software engineers …

A Sustainability-Based Project Selection Algorithm: Socio-Technical-Economic Project Selection (Steps) Algorithm, Bharathi Bhattu

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Multi-dimensional aspects play a vital role in the task of project-decision making. Environmental effects are to be considered in addition to other technical and non-technical aspects in order to avoid undue environmental damage. This current work introduces a new decision-making algorithm (Socio-Technical-Economic Project Selection or STEPS) that is demonstrated with the use of RCA (recycled concrete aggregate) as riprap for slope stabilization and erosion control which leaches chemical arsenic when in contact with water. Arsenic has long been recognized for its lethal properties. The main intention of introducing this new algorithm is to use sustainability concepts of social, technical, and …

Barriers To And Efficacy Of Point-Of-Use Chemical Drinking Water Treatment In Kolda, Senegal, West Africa, Barbara L. Michel

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Hundreds of thousands throughout the Kolda region in southern Senegal rely on potentially contaminated well water as their drinking source. Chemical treatment of the water using a small amount of chlorine bleach has been shown to increase its safety for human consumption; however, the vast majority of people in the region do not disinfect water before they drink it. In this study, 97 individuals (47 water Treaters and 51 Non-Treaters) were surveyed on motivations and barriers towards bleaching or not bleaching their water, and microbiological field testing was undertaken to examine the effectiveness of treatment in the field. The microbial …

Laughing Or Learning With The Chief Executive? The Impact Of Exposure To Presidents’ Jokes On Message Elaboration, Amy B. Becker, Don Waisanen

Publications and Research

Using the White House Correspondents Dinner (WHCD) and the State of the Union (SOTU) as stimuli, our experiment (N = 403) examines the differential effect of exposure to humorous vs. serious presidential speech on the likelihood of engaging in post-exposure message elaboration. The results suggest that viewers are more likely to engage in message elaboration when viewing serious presidential speech like the SOTU rather than the more humorous WHCD. Additionally, disposition toward the president fails to moderate the impact of varied speech exposure on message elaboration. Our results ultimately show that, while WHCD humor may be quickly discounted, it can …

Report Of The Cmc Bibframe Task Force To The Board Of The Music Library Association, Kimmy Szeto, Anne D. Adams, Kirk-Evan Billet, Catherine Busselen, Kevin S. Kishimoto, Anna A. Loprete, Lisa Mcfall, Sophie Rondeau, Tracey L. Snyder, James L. Soe Nyun, William R. Vanden Dries, Hermine Vermeij

Publications and Research

The BIBFRAME Task Force was established by the MLA Board of Directors in October 2014 for a two­-year period with the following charge:

● Provide a voice for the music library community in the formation and testing of the Bibliographic Framework Initiative (BIBFRAME)
● Test the BIBFRAME schema and the LC MARC­to­BIBFRAME converter with regards to how they handle music materials, including scores and sound recordings
● Provide feedback to LC and Zepheira on particular areas of interest for music, such as medium of performance, genre, preferred titles and name­title authorities
● Identify a means for continually monitoring, evaluating and …

Prices, Trading Activity, And Market Quality In The Modern Otc Marketplace, Ryan Davis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In Part 1, I study over 10,000 OTC securities that are organized into one of three tiered marketplaces (OTCQX, OTCQB, and OTC Pink) based on the quality and quantity of information a firm makes available. My analysis adds to the literature by providing a more complete picture of trading in this market. I examine determinants of trading within the tiers and compare trading metrics of the biggest return winners and losers during the sample period. I also examine if day-of-the week effects previously documented for listed securities exist in the OTC market. A large portion of these securities are penny …

Faculty Newsletter (Vol. 4, Iss. 1), Office Of Service-Learning, Lingnan University

Faculty Newsletters 教職員通訊

No abstract provided.

服務研習對社區的影響 = Service-Learning Impacts On Community, Office Of Service-Learning, Lingnan University

OSL Research Report 研究報告

嶺南大學服務研習處自2006年成立以來，一直致力推動將服務研習的理念融入課程，除了為學生提供多元化的學習經歷外，更推動社區與院校的合作，使老師與學生走進社區，學以致用，亦為社區作知識轉移及為不同需要的人士作出貢獻。

十年的社區協作，不單使服務研習處與地區建立良好的關係，更透過學生的努力，為社區帶來不同程度的影響。但是，究竟是什麼影響？我們將透過兩個個案分享，帶領讀者具體了解到服務研習怎樣影響社會。

The Office of Service-Learning at Lingnan University is committed to encourage integration between Service-Learning and curriculum since its establishment in 2006. Service-Learning provides diverse learning experiences to students, and facilitates partnership between university and community. Service-Learning brings instructors and students to the community and encourages them to apply, transfer and contribute their knowledge to people in needs in the community.

Ten years of partnership between Lingnan University and Community not only built up good university-community relationship, but also created different impacts through students' effort. However, what are the impacts? We would like to share with readers how Service-Learning …

2014-2015 Annual Report 年度報告, Office Of Service-Learning, Lingnan University

OSL Annual report 年度報告

Step by Step

The theme of this annual report, “Step by Step”, captures how we have collaborated with many stakeholders to develop the “Service-Learning Pathway” for students to put their social awareness into actions and create a sustainable city gradually.

一步一腳印

「一步一腳印」是本年年報的主題，透過記錄過往一年的點滴，說明服務研習處如何與不同持份者合作，為嶺大學生提供多元化的「服務研習歷程」，讓他們將關注社會的心轉化成實際行動，一步步地以知識建構可持續發展的社會。

Anger And Pedagogy, Cris Mayo

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Campus Prism: A Report On Promoting Restorative Initiatives For Sexual Misconduct On College Campuses, David R. Karp Phd, Julie Shackford-Bradley, Robin Wilson, Kaaren Williamsen

School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Faculty Scholarship

The Campus PRISM Project (Promoting Restorative Initiatives for Sexual Misconduct) includes an international team of researchers and practitioners who are deeply invested in reducing sexual and gender-based violence by exploring how a restorative approach may provide more healing and better accountability.

Mexico Consensus Economic Forecast, Volume 19, Number 1, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr., Adam G. Walke

Border Region Modeling Project

No abstract provided.

Impacts Of Environmental Changes To The Middle Rio Grande Landscape On Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo's Cultural And Cermonial Sustainability, Andrea L. Everett

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Given future climate scenarios, this Thesis investigates how plausible climate changes will further impact the Native American community of Ysleta del Sur Pueblo's (Tiguas) cultural continuity and access to riparian ecosystem services along the Rio Grande River (specific to Tigua tradition; riparian vegetation used in ceremony, i.e. Gooding's and Coyote willow). The project aims to (1) describe and understand the relationship between regional climatic changes, anthropogenic changes, and major events in Tigua history, (2) identify rates and patterns of riparian vegetation changes, (3) evaluate impacts on cultural and provisioning ecosystem services relevant to Tigua culture, and relate these to climate …

A Critical Analysis Of The Rhetoric Of Education Reform In The United States, Melanie R. Salome

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This Dissertation is grounded in research that examines the current education reform policy in the United States through a lens of rhetorical analysis, specifically Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA). The implication in this study underscores the significance of language and power and how these social constructs synergistically shape changes in policy within society. Specifically, this critical analysis deconstructs the use of language through speech acts and uncovers the reproduction of hegemony by exposing how segments of student populations are marginalized. Exploration conducted within this context explicates the historical significance of reform policy rhetoric, along with a scrutiny of rhetoric from current …

"We Are Not The Same"-An Examination Of The Relationships Between Mexican Americans And Mexican National On The Us-Mexico Border, Angela Jacqueline Silva

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

According to the Pew Hispanic Center, as of 2013, there are an estimated 33.7 million persons of Mexican-origin (native and foreign-bon) currently residing in the United States. Mexican-origin persons currently occupy 17% of the total population of the country (Stepler and Brown 2015). While Mexican-origin persons occupy the largest ethnic group within the Latino/a pan-ethnic group research on intra-ethnic group relations (Mexicans and Mexican-Americans) is limited (for exceptions see Gutierrez 2000; Ochoa 2004; Knoll 2012; Morales, Murga, and Sanchez 2013; Dowling 2014; Alba et al. 2014). This research has examined the relationships and perceptions that Mexican-Americans have towards Mexican immigrants …

"It's (Not) Your Fault": The Influence Of Blame Mitigation Versus Guilt Induction On True And False Confessions, Skye Woestehoff

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

False confessions remain an important problem facing the criminal justice system. Practitioners assert that blame mitigation techniques can minimize suspects' perceptions of responsibility independently from legal consequences. However, blame mitigation techniques increase false confessions in part by minimizing suspects' expectations of punishment. Blame mitigation techniques are also designed to reduce suspects' feelings of guilt, which may inhibit confessions from guilty suspects given that true confessions are related to feelings of guilt and remorse. Thus, it may be more beneficial to induce guilt rather than mitigate blame in the interrogation room. This Dissertation (1) tested practitioners' assumption that blame mitigation can …

Committing To The Non-Traditional: The Path To The Incorporation Of 3d Models In An Online Journal, Dillon Mark Wackerman, Robert Z. Selden Jr.

Central University Libraries Research

In 2013 Dr. Robert Selden approached the Center for Digital Scholarship (CDS) at Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA) inquiring about the possibility of including interactive 3D models in a digital collection. Working with Dr. Selden, the CDS found a platform to which these models could be deposited and displayed. Concurrently, the CDS was actively promoting SFA’s institutional repository, SFA ScholarWorks. One guiding idea behind these IR-focused activities was the emphasis of the legitimacy of non-traditional works in respect to SFA ScholarWorks and the academic community as a whole. This idea and acceptance of the non-traditional was maintained as the …

Creating An Institutional Repository: Elements For Success, Dillon Wackerman, Corrie Marsh

Central University Libraries Research

Pre-conference workshop that focused on how to develop an institutional repository at any level.

Elements Of The Successful Ir, Dillon Wackerman, Corrie Marsh

Central University Libraries Research

A pre-conference workshop on how to develop and maintain a successful institutional repository.

Fair Use And Transformation, 1990-2016: What Now For Libraries And Archives?, Dillon Wackerman

Central University Libraries Research

A brief overview of fair use in an informal and formal treatment, leading to a focus on Pierre Leval, the 1994 Campbell v. Acuff-Rose case and the development of "transformation" as means of interpretation.

The Effect Of State Capacity On Civil Conflict In India, Rimen Brar Singh

Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to study the relationship between state capacity and civil conflict in India. This thesis provides insight on concepts such as state capacity, intrastate rebellious conflict, and greed and grievance, but the main focus of this thesis is on sub-national differences. The thesis attempts to demonstrate how sub-national differences may affect state capacity and influence intrastate conflict. Two aspects of sub-national differences are investigated: topography and roads. Specifically, data for topography and roads are confined within India. India is chosen to be a case study due to its diverseness in people and geography. The methods used to record …

A More Perfect Union? An Analysis Of Schuette V. The Coalition To Defend Affirmative Action And Minority Group Rights In Multicultural Democracies, Robert Barber

Honors Theses

In 2006, the State of Michigan passed Proposal 2, an amendment to the Michigan Constitution which effectively banned affirmative action and race-conscious admissions policies at Michigan's public universities. Despite arguments that this policy placed an undue burden on certain ethnic and racial minorities by suppressing their participation in the American political process, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Proposal 2 as constitutional in the 2014 case Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action. This thesis seeks to argue for the necessity of restoring the access to political participation removed with the passage of Proposal 2, as well as present a convincing …

Fourth Amendment Search Incident To Arrest In The Home: Why Gant's New Vehicular Rules Should Supersede Chimel, Sidney Lampton

Honors Theses

The purpose of this article is to reveal and propose a solution for the current misguided search incident to arrest doctrine in homes and vehicles. As a result from modern Supreme Court cases, the rules controlling searches incident to arrest are inverted for homes and vehicles. Homes possess a higher expectation of privacy, but currently have less protection from invasive police searches than vehicles. This constitutionally incorrect doctrine is a consequence of Arizona v Gant's decision to return vehicular searches to the original intent of Chimel v California. However, interpretations of Gant failed to make the same adjustment in home …

Insights For Prevention Campaigns: The Power Of Drinking Rituals In The College Student Experience From Freshman To Senior Year, Joyce M. Wolburg

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

Using a ritual behavior model and in-depth interviews, this qualitative study examined the role of alcohol in the lives of college students as they transitioned from freshmen to senior year. Key differences in the drinking ritual emerged across the four years, and insights were noted in students' use of alcohol to form a community of friends, to find order in their lives, and to transition from ill-at-ease adolescents to confident adults. A key campaign strategy emerged based on students' desire to avoid being the one who drinks the most or the one who drinks the least.

An Alternative Approach To The Singer's Breath: Method And Workshop, Bradley S. Williard

Theses and Dissertations--Music

This research endeavors to stretch the boundaries of vocal training, a field defined by its century-old techniques and teachings, to include the cultivation of a relationship with the breath, body, and Self. The paper reviews the contributions of Ilse Middendorf and Carl Stough’s work with the breath and body and outlines a new method, Unlock Your Breath (UYB) – Performance Breathwork, which integrates the greatest strengths of those methods. UYB Performance Breathwork teaches the singer’s breath as a way towards deeper embodiment of Self (mind-body-voice relationship), while creating a stronger breath-body-voice connection with minimum effort and maximum efficiency. This …

The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective: An Ongoing Experiment In Musical Self-Governance, Julian D. Bryson

Theses and Dissertations--Music

C4: The Choral Composer/Conductor Collective and Triad: Boston’s Choral Collective are the first choirs to explore collectivity as a method of ensemble organization. While more traditional ensembles have a single artistic director, C4 and Triad share and rotate leadership responsibilities among the full membership. Artistic and logistical decisions develop through conversation, consensus, and/or voting.

This monograph draws primarily on interviews with thirteen current and former members of the two ensembles as well as the author’s personal experiences with Triad’s inaugural concert cycle to present a narrative description of member characteristics, governance, and operational processes. Interview responses are compared to relevant …

Biochemical And Behavioral Effects Of Environmental Enrichment On Strain-Dependent Vulnerability To Anxiety And Depression In The Chick Separation Stress Paradigm, Sydney M. Anchor

Honors Theses

Increased attention has been directed towards determining how environment interacts with genetics on the manifestation of stress-related disorders. This study investigates the differential effects of an enriched versus impoverished environment on behavioral and biochemical endpoints of depression between stress-vulnerable and stress-resilient strains in the chick anxiety-depression model. Black Australorp and Production Red strains were housed in either enriched or impoverished conditions for 4 days and then socially isolated for 90 min. Rate of distress vocalizations (DVocs) were recorded throughout the isolation period and latency to behavioral despair was calculated. Immediately following testing, bilateral hippocampal tissue was harvested and brain-derived neurotrophic …

Cultural Implications Of Starbucks Consumption In China: Why Do Chinese Have A Latte On Their Mind?, Garrett Hersh

Honors Theses

The aim of this thesis was gain a more comprehensive understanding concerning the Chinese consumers understanding of coffee and Starbucks in China as a luxury good. Considering China's recent history, as well as the introduction of a capitalist, consumer economy, examining the Chinese consumers' consumption pattern of this foreign, arguably luxury, good, is reflective of Chinese consumer ideals. A literature review analyzing the relationship between Chinese consumer ideals and the introduction of global consumerism, in addition to a set of interviews and surveys were conducted in attempts to understand the current Chinese consumption patterns of Starbucks coffee. After conducting the …