abstract: The goal of the present study was to test for links between experiences of red flags in initial interactions with romantic partners and later styles of relational conflict. Red flags are negative qualities or traits displayed by a potential romantic partner that trigger warnings in singles of possible future negative experiences if a romantic relationship develops. I focused on five red flags (displayed a lack of interest, evidenced narcissistic-like behavior, was too sexual, too possessive, or drank too much) and three conflict styles (mutual constructive style, demand/withdraw style, mutual avoidance style) in the current study. The 155 unmarried male undergraduates and the 504 unmarried female undergraduates were asked to refer back to their most recent dating partner when completing these relationship measures. The red flag measures, therefore, were measured using a retrospective approach. After controlling for whether the singles were still in their relationships and the sex of the participants, regression analyses revealed that recalling that one's partner showed a lack of interest in initial interactions were significantly and positively associated with a demand/withdraw and mutual avoidant conflict style. Results also showed that recalling that one's partner was too possessive in initial interactions was significantly and negatively associated with a mutual constructive conflict style, and positively related to partner demand/I withdraw and mutual avoidant conflict styles. Finally, recalling that their partner drank too much in a first interaction was negatively linked to later reports of engaging in a mutually constructive conflict style. This study provides insight into an area of research that has not been previously studied. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S. Family and Human Development 2014

<p> The goal of this research was to completely describe Network Coding and Random Linear Network Coding functionality and operation; in addition, an added prospect of including prefix bits upon base RLNC protocol was proposed. The purpose of the added prefix bits was to obtain more control over an otherwise blind broadcast scheme in base RLNC. The addition of the prefix bits builds a decision-making algorithm check based upon the induction of knowledge of the entire system with each packet broadcasted from any respective node. These decision-making algorithms were able to produce efficiency constraints on the Source and respective Forwarding Nodes to increase throughput and QoS (Quality of Service). </p><p> The means by which the data to substantiate this theory was collected was through simulation models created in C++. Two models were created. One such model described base RLNC, while the second depicted RLNC behavior with added prefix bits. The final data showed some improvement with the second model with prefix bits as compared to the first model depicting base RLNC. </p><p>

<p> The unexpected comparison of a Supreme Court Justice with a popular culture icon demonstrates how politics and popular culture become entwined in the contemporary context; moreover, network culture provides a conduit for vernacular discourse about politics, which circulates in the style of popular culture. Through analysis of images of Ruth Bader Ginsburg as created, shared, and circulated in network culture, this project explores the alternative levels of discourse generated in network culture, examines the ways the public represents politics, and explains the ability of political subjects to affect meaning. The aim of this project is to document a conjunctural moment; as such, analysis of the images in aggregate provides a foundation to raise questions about how American political culture is manifested, attended to, and maintained through network culture and the parlance of popular culture.</p><p>

<p> Millennials are less affiliated with Christianity compared to older generations (Pew Research Center, 2015). However, historically Black Protestant denominations have experienced an overall stable attendance during recent years, especially in comparison to mainline Protestantism which has experienced the greatest decline in membership among Christian groups (Pew Research Center, 2015). This study explores why Black Millennials in the United States choose to attend predominantly Black congregations. The study&rsquo;s research design employs a concurrent qualitative-dominant mixed methods design in which quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis occur simultaneously (Creswell &amp; Plano Clark, 2007). The qualitative research applied Hecht's (1993) communication theory of identity and a phenomenological analysis of twenty-four in-depth interviews that were conducted between October 2016 and February 2017 with congregants of predominantly Black churches in Alabama. The quantitative research consisted of a survey based on the Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM) and the Multi-Religion Identity Measure (MRIM) to understand differences in levels of religious and racial/ethnic identity relevant to respondents' church attendance. The survey was conducted between January and March 2017 and open to Black Millennials in southern states, distinct from the sample drawn from the qualitative study and regardless of religious preference or church attendance.</p><p> Survey results revealed that those who attend church (whether predominantly Black or non-Black) are higher in religious identity than those who do not attend. No differences exist for levels of ethnic identity based on church racial/ethnic composition or attendance. This finding coincides with interview results that revealed that participants do not see themselves as a part of the collective body of Black churches and do not attend predominantly Black churches based on race/ethnicity. Rather than abandon organized religion for individualistic spirituality, participants attempt to reshape their spirituality in terms of an &ldquo;authentic&rdquo; experience of community in the Body of Christ (without a focus on dogma, dress, status, race, etc.). Sound doctrine, relevant sermons, a &ldquo;Christ first&rdquo; approach, and genuine relationships with older generations help Millennials to enact their religious identities in a way that Giddens (1991) views as "being true to oneself" (p. 78).</p><p>

<p> This study compared the 1964 UC Berkeley Free Speech Movement and the 2017 UC Berkeley Anti-Free Speech Riot to determine the evolution of free speech in America and its current state. Analyzing each event revealed several key communicators who became rhetorical stakeholders based on their roles and responses within and to each event. Examining their roles and responses using Burke&rsquo;s (1969) dramatistic pentad and pendatic ratios not only reveals the stakeholders motive, but also a much larger rhetorical situation within each event. I posed five research questions asking who the rhetorical stakeholders were within each event, how they responded, the similarities and differences between each response, if the 2017 riot indicates a change in attitudes towards free speech, and if the analysis helps us understand social movement theory. The study concludes that social movement theory may be taking a turn away from the narratives developed by scholars in the last 50 years, in addition to the ways that the power holders and the dissenters will continue to delay conciliation should neither choose to compromise.</p><p>

<p> This study uses an auto-ethnography and 10 in-depth interviews (five non-user of social media and five heavy users) to provide a detailed look into the various possible implication social media has on people lives. Through my experiences own experiences leaving and using social media (for one month each) I have found that social could benefit family and romantic relationships while also potentially inciting romantic jealousy. Social media could also negatively impact self-esteem as increased passive use could lead to social comparison. Uses and gratifications, the hyperpersonal model, self-discrepancy theory, and cultivation theory provided various explanations for the implications of false self-presentation strategies on social media, online social comparison, how satisfied both heavy users and non-users are with their usage, and the overall difference in attitudes and opinions that heavy and non-users have in regards to social media.</p><p>

<p>Binge-watching has become increasingly popular with the rise of video-on-demand services and online streaming sites, but little has been done to evaluate the effects of this new viewing behavior on audiences. This study explores binge-watching as a possible mechanism in the formation of parasocial relationships with media personae as well as a motivator for the negative affects experienced when a persona is no longer included in new content, the phenomenon known as parasocial breakup. Other variables, such as the extent to which the media is watched alone or with others, were also explored. To test these relationships, two online surveys were completed by fans of the television show Gilmore Girls, one before the release of a new Gilmore Girls mini-series on Netflix and one after the release. A total of 387 fans participated in the surveys, which assessed their viewing behaviors of the mini-series and already-released episodes in the time leading up to the mini-series? premiere. In the post-watching sample, it was found that binge-watching the mini-series was negatively related to parasocial relationship intensity. Furthermore, parasocial relationship intensity was positively related to parasocial breakup distress. Other predictors of parasocial relationship intensity include show affinity and age of viewer, while mini-series enjoyment was found to have a strong, negative correlation to parasocial breakup distress. Findings suggest further research regarding the relationship between binge-watching and parasocial relationships, as well as the influence that discussing the show with others has on breakup distress.

Cette recherche-création porte à la fois sur la répétition comme méthode artistique permettant d'amener un glissement de sens; sur la science comme possible métaphore artistique et sur le livre comme objet transmetteur. Le point de départ de cette recherche concerne une insatisfaction profonde face au concept de définition. C'est l'absence dans la définition du sujet sensible, du sujet en rapport avec son environnement qui a motivé l'envie de le réintégrer, de lui redonner le pouvoir de définir, à sa manière. Six installations livresques, présentées à la galerie Espace Virtuel, sont le résultat de ces diverses expérimentations et explorations. Elles sont issues à la fois du champ de la science et du sensible cherchant à amener une réflexion philosophique. Le contenu de ce mémoire synthétise les diverses expérimentations réalisées à travers ce projet de recherche et est divisé en trois chapitres. Le premier chapitre de cet essai se consacre à introduire au lecteur la forme livresque en regard des différentes qualités formelles de son objet. Il y est également question du malaise qui m'occupe face au concept de définition et du glissement de sens comme possible stratégie de déplacement vers le sensible. Le second chapitre, quant à lui, aborde la notion de répétition comme méthodologie de travail. Y sont exposés le processus de répétition mécanique et de répétition inter-champs ainsi que la relation interne les unissant. Dans le troisième et dernier chapitre, il est question de la méthode scientifique et de son influence sur le concept final d'exposition. Sont également analysées les différentes oeuvres présentées dans cette dernière partie et la manière dont l'approche scientifique me permet d'effectuer un renvoi entre les différents champs de la connaissance. Je propose ainsi une recherche-création qui tente d'inclure le sensible à la définition de concepts en passant par la répétition mécanique et inter-champs, cette dernière permettant de glisser d'un champ de la connaissance à l'autre.

A single channel pulse code modulation (PCM) speech communication system is described using a binary code with seven digits per code group and a sampling rate of 8000 per second. A unique feature of the system is the pulse group synchronization or framing scheme that is employed to co-ordinate the operations of the coder and the decoder. A method is outlined wherein the system is able to establish correct framing without the use of auxiliary framing digits. The framing information is inherent in the coded signals. The coder operates on the circulating pulse principle and is a modified version of a coder previously described by Hafer. The decoder is basically one of the pulse count type. The received code pulses produce binary amounts of charge which are stored as voltages on a capacitor. The voltage on the capacitor after one cycle of decoder operation is proportional to the amplitude of the original sample taken at the coder. Test results indicate that the performance is adequate for good quality reproduction of speech. The group synchronization scheme performed perfectly and correct framing was achieved in times so short that misframing noise was inaudible. The proposed framing scheme is adaptable to small PCM speech systems where simplicity in the instrumentation and economy in the use of the digits are important. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of / Graduate

The research investigates reports of inexpressible experience as a cultural phenomenon, employing a complementary set of theoretical and methodological frameworks (Ethnography of Communication, Cultural Discourse Analysis, Speech Code Theory). Each is designed to conceptualize and analyze the relationship between culture and communication. In early chapters, I identify and analyze a routine act sequence within which inexpressible claims occur, and further analyze the meanings and functions of each act. I conclude that inexpressible claims and the sequence in which they routinely occur, are a deeply cultural accomplishment, as knowledge of shared premises about communication itself are required for their successful performance. Interlocutors must share premises about the variety of communicative channels that exist for human expression, and the capabilities and boundaries of each of those expressive forms in order to interpret and produce these claims in conversation. I further conclude that inexpressible claims are a routine practice that can be put to strategic ends by culturally competent interlocutors, while also implicating a deeply felt cultural truth that our expressive desires cannot always be accomplished in the verbal channel. The research affirms that communication is practiced in distinctive ways across cultures as evidenced in the comparative analysis of Zen Buddhist discourse. In that analysis I conclude that not only do the forms, meanings and norms of communication vary across cultures, but that the boundaries we believe exist for what can and cannot be spoken are shaped, maintained, and sometimes strategically invoked, in cultural discourse. This research also affirms the existence of multiple codes of communication that employ distinctive premises and rules for the interpretation and production of speech, while also upholding that the boundaries of these codes are not fixed and rigid, but flexible, and overlapping.