13251 research outputs found
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Relational Density Theory and Intercultural Interaction: Identifying and Shifting Perceptions of At-Risk Groups
No full textIntercultural interaction is an important aspect for fostering global engagement and competence, yet we find that despite the numerous opportunities, many don’t engage cross-culturally. The current paper utilizes Relational Density Theory (RDT; Belisle & Dixon, 2020a) to examine and modify perceptions of approachability through two experiments. In experiment 1, a Multidimensional Scaling Procedure (MDS) was utilized to identify at-risk groups for non interaction among college students as well as willingness to engage. In experiment 2, a Stimulus Pairing Observation Procedure (SPOP) was utilized to determine whether exposure to positively valanced stimuli could shift the perceptions of the at-risk groups to move positive approachability characteristics. Results indicated that trained stimuli relationally shift toward positive relational networks, with greater shifts occurring for initially negatively associated groups. Findings contribute to the growing literature on RDT, relational learning, and prejudice reduction, offering both practical and theoretical implications for increasing intercultural interaction. Limitations and future research are explored
The Effects of Corporal Punishment in Childhood on Early Adulthood Cortisol and Aggression
No full textThe current study aimed to see if experiencing corporal punishment led to more aggressive behaviors as well as higher cortisol levels than in those who did not experience corporal punishment. The study also examined whether self-regulation moderated the relationship between corporal punishment and levels of aggression. Morning cortisol levels were collected from participants, and they completed a demographics survey, an aggression index, a corporal punishment index, and a self-regulatory inventory index. A T-test found that there was not a significant difference in morning cortisol levels between those that experienced corporal punishment and those that had not experienced corporal punishment. A second T-test found that those who experienced corporal punishment showed higher levels of aggression than those that did not experience corporal punishment. A moderation analysis using multiple linear regression found that self-regulation moderated the relationship between corporal punishment and aggression. The study provides a better understanding of the effects of corporal punishment in the long term and self-regulation as a factor that could deter acts of aggression. The study has implications for therapies that promote self-regulation and the importance of self-regulation awareness to the general population
Pay for Performance to Increase Reported Billable Hours in a Human Services Agency: An Analysis of Archival Data
No full textPay for Time systems are a popular approach for compensating employees for their time and effort. There has been research on the implementation of different types of systems to increase motivation in employees. One such system is Pay for Performance, which posits that employees earn wages based on individual performance and may also have the opportunity for increased wages or bonuses for exceeding expectations. The present study was designed to analyze previously collected data gathered over several years\u27 time by a clinic Director implementing a Pay for Performance, or PfP, package with employees. Performance feedback, goal setting, and incentives were used to increase the number of billable hours of fifteen clinical staff at a human service agency in the Midwest. Results indicate that the intervention package was successful, and billable hours were increased at each phase of the intervention
Editorial Ethics and Institutional Stability: Technical Editing Practices in Higher Education Crisis Communication
No full textThis thesis investigates the rhetorical construction of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) crisis communication at public universities. Using qualitative document analysis, the study applies a custom-built rubric—grounded in best practices from crisis communication and social justice technical communication scholarship—to evaluate public-facing DEI statements from eight universities across states. The analysis focuses on language choice, message content, delivery structure, and audience segmentation to assess how institutions communicate under political pressure. Findings demonstrate that technical and professional communication (TPC) principles—particularly those emphasizing audience-centeredness, structural clarity, and linguistic justice—offer institutions a replicable framework for crafting more inclusive and effective crisis messages. This research contributes a model for evaluating institutional communication strategies and underscores the value of social justice frameworks in professional writing contexts, particularly during periods of political constraint and public scrutiny
Investigating Social Attenuation of the Stress Response in Juvenile Northern Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon Piscivorus)
No full textWhen social organisms encounter a stress-inducing event, the presence of a conspecific can dampen the physiological and/or behavioral response elicited by the stressor. This concept, termed ‘social buffering’, has been well documented in mammals, but there are few studies investigating this phenomenon in organisms traditionally perceived as asocial, including reptiles. However, the paradigm is shifting, and social behavior is now more widely recognized in reptiles, including snakes. In this study I tested whether juvenile Northern Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorous) experience social buffering by measuring changes in heart rate in snakes following an acute stressor with and without the presence of a conspecific buffering partner. Additionally, I tested whether both the relationship between the snakes and the stress status of the partner influence the partner’s buffering capacity. My results did not provide evidence that Northern Cottonmouths are capable of social buffering, nor that the degree of familiarity between buffering partners plays a role in attenuating the stress response. Likewise, I found no evidence that the stress status of the partner influenced the focal snake’s response. However, furthering our understanding of social behavior in snakes and other reptiles may help fill in the evolutionary gaps in the development of more complex social behavior. Because evidence of social buffering has been documented in mammals, birds, and fishes, and because reptiles exhibit multiple forms of sociality, continued investigation into social behavior in this taxon is warranted
Topology-Guided Adaptive Social Navigation for a Robot in Environments With Dynamic Obstacles
No full textRobotic navigation in dynamic environments presents significant challenges, particularly in managing interactions with moving obstacles while ensuring efficient path planning. Incorporating social navigation principles is crucial as robots share the same workspaces with humans frequently in daily life. This becomes essential for safe, efficient, and socially acceptable movements. In this thesis, I introduce a novel integration of social navigation strategies with topological path planning that leverages Discrete Morse Theory, a homotopical framework to enhance adaptability. My method dynamically assesses path feasibility and optimizes trajectory selection through three key strategies: waiting, deflection, and diverse path selection. Based on how close the robot is towards the goal, adaptive weighting is adopted to further balance between the strategies based on resource constraints and urgency, mimicking human-like decision-making. Experimental evaluations demonstrate an efficient solution with less than 100s in pre-processing computation overhead and improved path adaptability, resulting in a 30-60% increase in traversal time in environments containing 3-9 degrees of freedom robots and 15-60 dynamic obstacles. Further experimental evaluation shows that prioritizing waiting near the goal outperforms most of the environments in terms of traversal time and computation cost as the number of dynamic obstacles increases. This work is a step towards human-robot interactions with future applications in multi-robot planning and scheduling
Towards the Expression of Omniligase-1 Using E. COLI and Cell-Free Protein Synthesis
No full textPeptides are a class of molecules that are gaining interest of the pharmaceutical industry and academia. This would be due to the variety of applications that peptides can offer in terms of healthcare and fundamental research. Naturally this lends itself to an increased demand for an efficient method of peptide synthesis. Solid-phase peptide synthesis is the most common method for synthesizing peptides; however, the longer the peptide is, the less efficient the process becomes. The utilization of omniligase-1 helps alleviate the decreasing purity of solid-phase peptide synthesis product, but the utilization of omniligase-1 is not a panacea. Omniligase-1 is expensive to purchase from commercial sources. The previous reports used Bacillus sp., which is not a commonly used host for protein expression. Along those lines, I investigated the possibility for expressing omniligase-1 in E. coli, which is the most commonly used host for recombinant protein expression. Additionally, I explored the utility of cell-free protein synthesis as it allows for recombinant expression of proteins that could exhibit toxicity toward host cells
Threshold: Stories & Graphic Memoir
No full textThreshold: Stories & Graphic Memoir, a collection of fiction and graphic memoir, explores the in-between stages of loss and grief. Both the fiction and graphic memoir pieces utilize the technique of the “narrative echo,” coined by John Gardner, to stylistically explore and interrogate these stages of in-betweenness. The final piece in this collection, “I Hope You Find Me On Mars,” is a queer expansion of Octavia Butler’s trilogy Lilith’s Brood. Each piece uses unique voice and styling to contribute to the larger literary community by interrogating manifestations of identity, queerness, and grief
Death of a Doctrine: The End of Classical Deterrence in a Complex Multipolar World
No full textToday\u27s deterrence is dramatically different from that during the Cold War. This thesis examines how changes in global geopolitics altered deterrent frameworks and how those changes threaten strategic stability. Traditional nuclear deterrence is built on clear adversaries, established escalation protocols, and predictable outcomes that are increasingly obsolete when facing modern realities. Adversaries employ hybrid strategies below the traditional thresholds of nuclear deterrence while integrating nuclear capabilities into these hybrid tactics, driving a distinct disadvantage for traditional deterrence frameworks. Russia uses nuclear signaling with gray zone operations, China combines multidomain operations with nuclear deterrence to employ a full spectrum of capabilities, North Korea continues nuclear brinksmanship, while Iran uses proxy networks and an expanding missile arsenal. These nations increasingly coordinate for strategic advantage against the U.S. and allies while offering an alternative geopolitical framework. The role of emerging technologies is destabilizing the deterrence landscape. Hypersonic weapons compress decision and detection windows while threatening second strike capabilities. Cyber operations blur the lines of attribution and response. Artificial intelligence offers opportunities, perils, and vulnerabilities for nuclear deterrence, while space is increasingly a contested domain that all competitors rely on. As these challenges undermine U.S. extended deterrent commitments, allies question U.S. reliability, potentially creating alliance fractures and adversary exploitation. Effective deterrence in the 21st century requires integrating multiple approaches across domains and understanding strategic culture while strengthening deterrence through careful upgrades to maintain stability in a contested global landscape
Exploring Power Dynamics in Ghana Through Ceramic Sculpture
No full textThe works in this thesis explore the implications of power dynamics such as inequality, power struggle, and oppression within Ghana’s society. I abstract specific elements such as coins, and especially cowry shells which honors Ghana’s past through their use as a source of currency in the colonial era and further serves as a metaphor that represents power. Platters and bowls from different cultures serve as a container for these dynamic symbols of power. By incorporating these elements in my sculptures, I bring attention to the struggle and challenges Ghanaians have experienced over the years. In other ways, I find it an appropriate expression for the struggle and challenges of belonging to a family that has members supporting different political ideologies. Ultimately, I use my work to convey all these experiences and help others with these issues through the lens of my work