Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Correlation Between Tooth Root Translucency, Crystallinity, And Dna Preservation In Teeth For Unidentified Human Remains (Uhr) Investigations, Paul Yount

Master's Theses

Endogenous genetic material protected by the rigid, mineralized hard tissues of bones and teeth is often targeted for forensic DNA testing in missing persons and unidentified human remains (UHR) investigations. Although standard approaches have narrowed sample selection to a few optimal skeletal elements (i.e., weight-bearing long bones, teeth), subsampling and decisions beyond this can be challenging due to the non-uniform, heterogeneous pattern of postmortem diagenesis. One particular component of skeletal microstructure — the inorganic mineral matrix [hydroxyapatite (HAp), Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2] — is purported to play a major role in DNA preservation. The potential correlation between molecular changes to skeletal microstructure and …

Migrant Smuggling Across The Mediterranean Sea, Lorin Utsch

Ballard Brief

Many migrants are making the dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean Sea through the use of migrant smugglers. Though illegal, migrants choose to make this journey due to a combination of push and pull factors. including instability in their homeland and a lack of legal options of emmigration. The smugglers are highly motivated by profit and take advantage of the migrants· needs, leading to instances of monetary exploitation. sexual abuse. and human trafficking. As a result of the smugglers· motivation for profit. the lives of the migrants are often placed in hazardous situations, often resulting in death. Because of the illicit …

Disenfranchisement And Suppression Of Black Voters In The United States, Derek Hill, Madison Coleman, Erica Bassett

Ballard Brief

The disenfranchisement of Black Americans has long outlasted the end of the Civil War, with modern instances of voter suppression in the form of limitations on absentee and early voting, stricter voter ID requirements. restrictions on voter registration. and other systemic barriers that decrease the voting engagement of minority populations. Today. Black voter disenfranchisement primarily takes the form of voting restrictions for incarcerated individuals. Systemic barriers such as gerrymandering, voting regulations for imprisoned persons. voter ID laws, lack of access to polling locations, and other examples contribute to the disenfranchisement of racial and ethnic minorities in the United States. This …

What Makes A Country Environmentally Friendly?, Sophie Plantamura

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

No abstract provided.

Diverging Identities: The Juxtaposition Of Palestinians In Israel And The Occupied Territories, Micah Russell

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

No abstract provided.

Sigma: Journal Of Political And International Studies

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

No abstract provided.

Populism And Evangelicalism: A Cross-Country Analysis Of Chile And The United States, Adam Roberts

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Covid 19 On The Selected Turkish Financial Indicators: Empirical Evidence From Toda Yamamoto Causality Test, Sabri Burak Arzova, Bertaç Şakir Şahin

Topics in Middle Eastern and North African Economies

Humanity has suffered from COVID 19 since December 2019. A global pandemic was declared by World Health Organization on 11 March 2021 (WHO, 2019). Pandemics such as bleeding fever, cholera, SARS, MERS, and swine flu have affected humanity throughout history. During pandemic periods, the measures, panic, decline in labor power, and consumption cause economic crises. Like other pandemics, COVID 19 has negative effects on countries, businesses, and households economically (Eichenbaum, Rebelo, and Trabandt, 2020: 1). Many studies have found a statistically significant relationship between public health variables (life expectancy, maternal mortality, etc.) and the economy (Bloom and Sachs, 1998; Robalino …

Divorce And Suicide: A Subnational Analysis In Turkey, Tolga Aksoy, Burak Yerlikaya

Topics in Middle Eastern and North African Economies

This paper investigates the relationship between divorce and suicide in Turkey. To this end, we employ province-level data between 2008-2017 and estimate two-way fixed-effect models. We find that divorce is positively correlated with suicide, with greater effects for males than females. However, the coefficient estimate of divorce on suicide is smaller for the prime working-age group. Divorce also has an indirect impact on suicide through income and unemployment. Accordingly, low income and high unemployment exacerbate the effect of divorce on suicide. Finally, results indicate that divorce increases the skilled male suicide rate and unskilled female suicide rate. These results are …

We Can Move Mountains: Engaging In State-Level Policy Work, Lisa M. Growette Bostaph, Melissa Wintrow

Criminal Justice Faculty Publications and Presentations

An increasing number of academic researchers are becoming involved in state-level policy work as a result of existing local partnerships or direct requests by agency directors or elected officials. Most faculty and policymakers do not receive any training in doing such collaborative work and, for each party in the partnership, it can often seem like landing on another planet or, at the very least, visiting a foreign country, with different jargon, players, and stakes. This essay provides a brief guide to navigating the world of state-level partnerships in policymaking.

Do Childhood Attachment And Adverse Childhood Experiences Predict Adulthood Attachment?, Jamie Glass

USC Aiken Psychology Theses

Objective: It is well established that childhood attachment style generally predicts adulthood attachment style. However, less is known about how adverse childhood experiences – including abuse, neglect, and trauma – predict adulthood attachment security. The purpose of this study was to better understand how childhood attachment security and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) predict adulthood attachment security with measures that have not yet been used. Methods: Eighty-four participants aged 18 years and older completed the Retrospective Attachment Questionnaire (RAQ), the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire (ACE Questionnaire), and Experiences in Close Relationships – Revised Questionnaire (ECR-R). Participants were recruited through Amazon Mechanical …

Beauty And Lifestyle Subscription Services: A Modern Retailing Format For The Vigilante Collaborative Consumption Consumer, Melisa Spilinek

Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Advancements in technology and ease of use of online shopping via phone applications (apps) and subscription services have fundamentally changed how consumers shop. Now more than ever, consumers are turning to time-saving technological tools that are subscription services. Subscription services provide a multitude of benefits to consumers and contribute to collaborative consumption in nearly every product and service category from coffee to apparel. To investigate beauty and lifestyle subscription services and collaborative consumption this study will utilize a mixed methods convergent design to analyze user experience including price sensitivity, subscription service apps and ease of use. Anticipated contributions to the …

Delivering Bad News: Crisis Communication Methods In Academic Libraries, Brittany O'Neill, Rebecca Kelley

Faculty Publications

This exploratory study analyzed the specific crisis communication methods of academic libraries. A survey was sent to library staff at Association of Research Libraries-member colleges and universities to describe if, who, when, and how they communicated bad news to their stakeholders for major, minor, and emerging crises. The findings show that respondents used multiple communication strategies, which varied based on the crisis. The data show that libraries communicated journal and database cancellations and health and safety emergencies more slowly than access issues and were more likely not to communicate those crises at all. Respondents also more frequently chose to communicate …

Sibling Relationship Quality And Its Link To Flourishing Among Emerging Adults, Shannon P. Lummer-Aikey

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Sibling relationships are one of the longest lasting, close relationships individuals have over the life span. Common in emerging adulthood (ages 18-25 years), life transitions (such as college, marriage, and parenthood) can greatly impact the dynamics within the sibling relationship, and may cause a shift in the relationship trajectory. Individuals who have a sibling living with a chronic illness or developmental disability may experience greater difficulty in adjusting to new life transitions because they often worry about their sibling’s needs and future accomplishments. The current study explored the relationship between flourishing and sibling relationship quality among emerging adults who have …

The Effect Of Companion Animals On The Mental Health Of College Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Sarah E. Cooper

Global Public Health | Senior Theses

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the burden of mental illness in the United States, especially among young adults (Czeisler et. al., 2020).

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine whether pet ownership has an effect on the mental health, specifically depression and anxiety, of students at Dominican University of California during COVID-19.

Methods: This study was a cross-sectional quantitative survey that included demographic questions as well as questions developed from modified questions from validated survey items. Data was collected on whether participants owned or lived with any pets. Participants who answered “yes” were asked whether the companion …

Accessibility And Clarity Of Campaign Finance Databases In U.S. Cities, Ethan Bridgforth

Political Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this research project is to examine the varying states of disclosure at the municipal level depending on location and understand how the quality of campaign finance databases varies depending on what city one lives in. A literature review was conducted that focused on understanding the state of disclosure and transparency, as well as the relationship between technology and disclosure. An analysis of the campaign finance databases for six cities across the United States of America was also completed. Five individuals of differing demographics were asked to help rank the databases on a variety of aspects. I found …

Assessing Market Readiness And Uptake Of Vod Among University Students In Nairobi, Joan Wetumi Njaro

Master of Arts in Digital Journalism

Digital media has opened up on new opportunities for content creation, distribution and monetization. Dwindling revenues in traditional mainstream media been brought by digital influx of content producers and competitors to media for the advertising cake where media houses now have to compete with content consumers who have become content creators and distributors for digital spaces. Increased penetration of mobile phones and the internet across most parts of the country has created opportunities in media content production and consumption as modes of content consumption have also evolved and innovated with time. It is against that backdrop that innovations such as …

Student Well-Being Matters: Academic Library Support For The Whole Student, Marta Bladek

Publications and Research

In response to a marked increase in the prevalence and severity of mental health problems among college students over the last decade, colleges and universities have been expanding their well-being initiatives and programs. No longer limited to health services departments, the support of student well-being has been taken up by multiple campus units, including academic libraries. As well-being has been shown to impact academic outcomes, the well-being initiatives libraries develop fit in with their commitment to enhance learning and student educational experience overall. A comprehensive review of wellness interventions in academic libraries, this article presents findings on student well-being and …

As Different As Black And White: A Comparison Between Interracial Divorce And Endogamous Divorce, Abigail Constance Lewandowski

Masters Theses

Black and White race relations have been a point of interest in the United States for hundreds of years, and one way to look at these is to examine the similarities and differences between the two groups. Many studies have looked at Black and White interracial marriages to study how members of the two racial groups form and maintain marriages in comparison to endogamous marriages, but only a few studies have looked specifically at Black and White interracial divorce to see what similarities and differences present themselves to aid in understanding the complexity of interracial relations. At the time of …

Laugh Until It’S No Longer A Scandal: The Use Of Humorous Apologia To Reframe Crisis Narratives On Saturday Night Live, Vanessa S. Hills

Masters Theses

This thesis examines the role of humor-based apologia as a crisis communication strategy for celebrities. Using a rhetorical method, it explicates the role that humor plays in shaping crisis narratives in response to kategoria within the context of Saturday Night Live. Four case study analyses determine whether the generic parameters of apologia include the use of a humor-based apologia or whether humorous apologiae should be classified as a unique subgenre. These findings further the body of research on apologia and highlight the need for additional research on the effectiveness of humor as a crisis communication strategy.

Determinants Of Subjective Memory In First-Degree Relatives And Care Providers Of Individuals With Dementia, Cassidy Marie Tiberi

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Subjective memory may help practitioners understand who pursues assessment and treatment for memory concerns. Two factors that are related to subjective memory are depressive affect and fear of dementia, and two groups of older adults who may be susceptible to these factors are first-degree relatives and care providers of patients with dementia. This study seeks to determine how depressive affect and fear of dementia influence the subjective memory of these two groups. Fifty-five adults ages 55 and older who were a care provider and/or first-degree relative of patients with dementia reported their perceptions of their own memory, feelings of depression, …

Implementing A Food Pantry At Butler University, Brooke Blevins

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Hundreds of universities across the United States have taken steps to combat food insecurity among their students by opening an on campus food pantry. As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic brought on many new and unexpected challenges, Butler University made the decision that it was time to open a food pantry on campus to support students who may be struggling to find consistent and affordable food. Through analysis of other university pantries and determining the need of Butler students, the pantry opened in March of 2021 offering free, non-perishable food to any and all Butler students. This thesis outlines …

Perpetuating The Stereotype: Dramatization And The Portrayal Of Cults In Fictional Media, Hannah Lynn Willmore

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This research examines major themes presented in fictional portrayals of cults in popular American television from 2010-2019. Prior research suggests that the manner in which cults are portrayed in fictional media, specifically those relying on sensationalized stereotypes, could influence public perception. This study utilizes qualitative content analysis of one episode from each of the 11 television shows that include cult storylines and examines the portrayal of cults in fictional media. This study draws upon sociological literature such as Weber’s idea of charismatic authority to develop a deeper understanding of how cult portrayal in media influences public perception of cults.

Love In The Time Of Cinema: A Queer Feminist Analysis Of Reviews Of Four Mainstream Queer Films, Corinne Ebner

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

From a queer-feminist media studies perspective, this paper performs a qualitative discourse analysis on a large selection of film reviews about the recent queer films Atomic Blonde (2017), Call Me by Your Name (2017), Carol (2015), and Rocketman (2019). Given the historically taboo nature of queer relationships on screen, these films stand out as productions that were widely distributed and critically acclaimed while containing explicit depictions of queer romance and sexuality. This analysis compares reviews of the two films centered around gay (male-male) couples—Call Me by Your Name and Rocketman—to those of films centered around lesbian (female-female) couples—Carol and Atomic …

Bulldogs In Crisis: How Butler University Strategically Leverages Its Live Mascot Program During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Emilene Jean Smith

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This study examines the utilization of higher education live mascot programs from a crisis communication perspective during the Fall 2020 semester amidst the dynamic contextual backdrop of COVID-19. Pulling from theories of relationship marketing and risk management, this research uncovers several best practices for mascot crisis communication including serving as a voice of empathy and as an ambassador for best practices. By looking specifically at Butler University’s live mascot program, this case study analyzed university social media, interviews and artifacts in order to understand how Butler utilized its live mascot program as part of its Fall 2020 semester COVID-19 communication …

A Changing Landscape: Teachers' Perceptions Of The Urban Public High School Student Experience, Colleen Wellford Morrison

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Through qualitative interviews, this study examines the perceived role of teachers on the educational experiences and outcomes of students at majority-minority urban public high schools This research is situated in the historical context of unequal resources in education, applies the theories of Bourdieu’s social and cultural capital, and examines teachers’ positionality. Using the life stories narrative approach, teachers discuss how their life experiences and teaching practices are central in developing positive relationships with students. These teacher’s narratives affirm the importance of cultivating positive relationships with students and creating educational environments that foster academic growth and cultural awareness. Furthermore, the narratives …

Painting A Pretty Picture: The Role Of Social Desirability In The Memory Self-Efficacy Of Young And Older Adults, Keegan Grace Sawin

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

The current study examined the relationships between social desirability, depression, memory self-efficacy, and objective memory in both young and older adult populations. I designed the study to replicate the previous findings of Lineweaver and Brolsma (2014) and to determine whether these findings would generalize to individuals in later adulthood. 45 young adults and 47 older adults (young adults: 88% female, 80% White; older adults: 42% female, 100% White) completed measures of depression, objective memory, memory self-efficacy, and social desirability. As predicted, older adults were higher in levels of social desirability than young adults, but the memory self-efficacy of young adults …

The Effects Of Consensus Information On Perceptions Of Children With Autism, Kaitlyn C. Thornton

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

Children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) are often the target of prejudice and discrimination. The current study was conducted to better understand why individuals react to children with ASD in a negative manner by focusing on the role of consensus information (i.e., what an individual perceives most others to believe). To investigate the potential impact of consensus information, we asked a sample of Butler University students (n = 111) to read classroom scenarios describing undesirable behaviors enacted by a student (e.g., interrupting the teacher). The target student was described as either a student from the general population or a student …

Using Improvisational Theater To Evaluate Reciprocal Communication In Neurodivergent Adolescents, Mariesa Christina Larosa

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

This study aimed to determine the impact of improvisational theater on pragmatic language skills of verbal adolescents on the autism spectrum. Six participants from a five-day virtual improv theater program were evaluated for their abilities to engage in appropriate reciprocal communication. Caregivers of participants completed the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 prior to and after attending intervention to assess pragmatic language skills. During the improv games, participants were evaluated for appropriate reciprocal communication skills through video documentation. Participants did not demonstrate significant improvement in pragmatic language, but the study provides a novel scale to evaluate the quality of reciprocal communication in quantitative …

Equal Access To Higher Education Institutions: An Analysis Of Big East Universities' Web Accessibility, Libbie Adele Rammage

Undergraduate Honors Thesis Collection

More than 26% of the United States nation's population lives with a disability that inhibits the way they navigate and interact with the world. Some impairments may limit the accessibility of information, especially when it comes to viewing websites, applications, and online documents, but modern web accessibility standards aim to eliminate those barriers. The accessibility of information for those with disabilities is especially pertinent when it comes to colleges and universities. While a few researchers have delved into the realm of accessibility for higher education institutions, the current study questions whether small to mid-sized, private, liberal arts university websites are …