17504 research outputs found
Sort by
Are Immigrants Depressing Native Born Workers’ Wages? Exploring the Wage Differences Caused by Immigration to The United States
No full textImmigration in the United States is sometimes associated with negative returns for Native-born workers. Whether it be political rhetoric, fearmongering, or even television satire- higher rates of immigration are every so often associated with higher competition and lower wages for those who already inhabit the workforce. This paper sets out to determine whether there is any validity to this idea. While an increased supply of labor in theory should decrease wages, looking at this complicated and nuanced question using only basic labor theory might hide some of the true effects immigration has on native-born workers. This paper surveys the effect immigration has on wages- as well as which segments of the nation are most likely to be affected
Perceptions and Prejudice: Investigating the Link Between Anti-Muslim Sentiment and Support for Torture Among White Americans
No full textSince the attacks on September 11th, 2001, Islamophobia and Anti-Muslim sentiment have been persistent issues in the social construct of America. Whether it is media framing and stereotyping, or politicians creating angst among the public, Anti-Muslim sentiment is present. This issue has spread heavily into the heads of White Americans. The cultural difference, difference in religion or simply looking different has left much of our country feeling different towards Muslims since that September morning in 2001. This independent research study aims to investigate the link between Anti-Muslim sentiment and support for torture methods among White Americans.
I suggest that because of cultural differences and perceived threat that Muslims have on American national security, White Americans would support pain and suffering on Muslim individuals. Specifically, I hypothesize that by simply priming White Americans to think about Muslim’s, White Americans would support torture methods due to the perceived threat Muslim’s bring to national security because of 9/11. To test this, I created an original survey and used a Two Sample T-Test with Equal Variances to analyze my data. Ultimately, I found insignificant evidence to show that by simply priming respondents to think about Muslims, they would support torture methods
The Thinking Machine: An Exploration of Consciousness and its Application to Artificial Intelligence
No full textA Surge of Personality or A Bureaucratic Struggle? How Presidential Personality Affected the Influence of Bureaucratic Politics in Troop Surge Decisions
No full textThis study aims to connect presidential personality to bureaucratic politics in United States foreign policy decision-making. Using Margaret Hermann’s Leadership Trait Analysis (LTA), this study focuses on President George W. Bush’s and President Barack Obama’s personalities during the policy process. Two case studies were employed to test the relationship between personality and bureaucratic politics: the Iraq troop surge decision in 2007 and the Afghanistan troop surge decision in 2009. These case studies showcased the relationship between the presidents’ personality and bureaucratic politics during the foreign policy process. Using works from Graham Allison and Morton Halperin, this study attempts to understand how the influences of bureaucratic politics could be affected by different personalities during foreign policy decision-making
Buried History: Exploring Sacred the Bonds Between African Americans and Their Cemeteries
No full textThis Independent Study delves into the multifaceted relationship between African American communities and their cemeteries, employing a theoretical framework rooted in double consciousness, social and cultural capital, and structural violence. The research investigates the pervasive sense of loss and inequality experienced within African American cemeteries, shedding light on the historical, social, and cultural factors that shape this complex dynamic.
Drawing upon a comprehensive literature review, the study examines existing scholarship on African American cemeteries, highlighting the ways in which these sacred spaces serve as repositories of cultural heritage, memory, and identity. Central to the analysis is the exploration of the historical legacies of marginalized African American cemeteries, leading to neglect, desecration, and erasure of their significance within broader historical narratives.
Theories of Pierre Bourdieu’s social and cultural capital provide a lens through which to understand the mechanisms of exclusion and marginalization that contribute to the sense of loss and inequalities within African American communities and cemeteries. By examining the distribution of resources, power dynamics, and social networks within these communities, this Independent Study illuminates the ways in which systemic inequalities perpetuate disparities in access, maintenance, and representation of African American cemeteries.
The application of double consciousness offers insights into the structural violence embedded within the social, political, and economic systems that govern African American cemetery spaces. Through an analysis of power struggles, resistance movements, and symbolic struggles over space and memory, the study unveils the ways in which racialize ideologies and hegemonic forces perpetuate violence and oppression within African American cemetery communities. Furthermore, on exploring the dynamics between African Americans and their burial grounds, Paul Farmer’s concept of structural violence offers a lens into how systemic injustices and inequalities, sheds light on the nuanced complexities embedded within the African American narrative.
In conclusion, this study offers a rich understanding of the sense of loss and inequality experienced within African American communities, highlighting the intersectionality of race, class, and gender in shaping the cultural landscape of these sacred spaces. By interrogating the historical legacies, theoretical frameworks, and empirical evidence surrounding African American cemeteries, the study contributes to broader discussions on cultural heritage preservation, social justice, and racial equity in contemporary society. It also enlightens how this disenfranchisement reinforces other systemic debilitation and structural racism, deepening our comprehension of the challenged faced by many African American communities and underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address inequities and uphold the dignity and rights of all individuals
Bickering and Banter: Im/Politeness Theory in Aristophanic and Terentian Comedies
No full textThis study employs politeness theory as a lens to analyze the intricate dynamics of interpersonal interactions depicted in Aristophanes’ Lysistrata and Terence’s Adelphoe. It offers fresh insights into the communicative strategies employed by characters within these narratives.
I based my analyses of politeness on the models of Watts, on the one hand, and Brown and Levinson, on the other in Chapter 1. I used this combination of models during a close reading of both plays. The analysis of Lysistrata revealed how impoliteness between close Ancient Greek female friends is harmless banter, and also showed that impoliteness and politeness are necessary to maintain strong bonds in friendship in Chapter 2 and 3. The analysis of Adelphoe conceptualized impoliteness in a relationship between Roman brothers. A familial Roman male relationship proved to provide fewer softeners in its banter than the Greek female friendships. The analysis of Adelphoe also explored examples of politeness used as a tool for manipulation between Roman brothers through Chapter 3 and 4. Conclusions made from these analyses contribute to a better understanding of how politeness functioned in the ancient world and allow translators, scholars, and play directors for modern adaptations to have more insight to humorous forms of politeness in these plays
Determining the Role of FMO in the Bacillus niacini Nicotinic Acid Degradation Pathway
No full textN-Heterocyclic aromatic compounds (NHACs) are a group of organic molecules commonly produced in manufacturing and prevalent in many commercial products. Environmental contamination by NHACs is concerning given the widely reported presence of these compounds in air, water, and soil, and their toxicity and carcinogenic properties. Several common soil bacteria, including Pseudomonas putida, Eubacterium barkeri, and Bacillus niacini, have been shown to degrade NHACs to useful metabolites making mechanistic understanding of NHAC catabolism in these bacteria of interest for bioremediation efforts. The pathway of nicotinic acid (NA), a model NHAC, degradation in P. putida and E. barkeri is well understood, but the analogous pathway in B. niacini remains largely uncharacterized. The roles of three genes—FMO, HP, and DUF—in the fifteen-gene nic cluster of the B. niacini genome upregulated in the presence of NA remain undetermined. The activity of FMO, DUF, and HP are examined through endpoint kinetic assays of all three enzymes alone and together with 2,6-dihydropyridine (DHP) and 2,3,6-trihydroxypyridine (THP) as potential substrates analyzed by LC-QTOF-MS analysis. Examination of extracted substrate and product chromatograms suggest that FMO and HP together catalyze the simultaneous hydroxylation/reduction of DHP to a reduced form of THP
Burning Up: An Investigation into Perceptions of Messages on Social Media about Urban Heat Islands
No full textThe purpose of this study is to examine perceptions of messages on social media of the Urban Heat Island effect through the lens of Social Judgement Theory. Previous knowledge of UHI and the environment along with how and why someone uses social media are also factors investigated in this study. As there are few studies intersecting UHI and social media, this study hopes to fill a research gap, as well as see how scientists can share their findings on social media in an easy to understand and believable fashion. Data was collected through the use of a survey that included six experimental messages where participants saw one of the six and reacted to it. The findings indicate that there was not a difference between the three message types on organization, effectiveness, and appeal, but there was a difference on believability. The results also reveal that some people do actually use social media for scientific knowledge, and previous knowledge of the environment and how someone uses social media affects their perception of the message which supports Social Judgement Theory
Effects of Co-cultured Bacteria and Fungi on Pseudomonas protegens or Pseudomonas chlororaphis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
No full textAchieving Athletic Excellence: Examining Mental Strategies Collegiate Athletes Use to Reach Peak Performance During Competitions
No full textIn a sporting context, training focuses on physical skills and often overlooks the development mental skills of being of collegiate student-athletes, impacting their performance in competitive settings. While previous research has shown the benefits of psychological sports training on athletes\u27 mental health and performance, there remains a gap in understanding the specific mental strategies athletes use to help them compete at a high level. To address this gap, I developed a research study that used interview methodology to explore the utilization and development of mental strategies among student-athletes. Through semi-structured one-on-one interviews, participants shared knowledge of their use of mental strategies and their sources of learning. Thematic analysis revealed prevalent themes, highlighting visualization, positive self-talk, and breathing techniques as primary strategies employed to enhance performance. Additionally, coaches and parents emerged as influential sources for developing mental skills. These findings show the significance of integrating mental strategies into athletic performance and training and emphasize the need for further research in this area