Digital Commons Network^™

Developing The Ability To Arrange For Jazz Ensembles, Cameron Jordan

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone consists of six jazz arrangement projects of increasing complexity that were done in the spring semester of 2024 by myself. The six arrangements have been attached via pdf in the sequential order they were created throughout the semester. Each attached arrangement includes a word schematic detailing what each section of the song is specifically doing from an arranging perspective, a score that lines up each instrumental part acting as a roadmap for the songs, and individual parts for each instrument so that the songs can be played by ensembles equipped with the proper instrumentation. The first two projects …

"Integrative" Vs "Integration": Stem Skills And Concept Development In 6th Grade Students, Kathryn Chain

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

As a whole, interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools is on the rise at a national level, and it is widely recognized that the development of skills and concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math are not only beneficial to students, but are in fact necessities for future citizens of an increasingly global world (Kelley & Knowles, 2016.) Despite this increasing acceptance and awareness of the need for STEM literacy, there is a critical lack of guidelines on what STEM education actually entails and how to effectively integrate these concepts and skills into the educational …

Phoneme Recognition For Pronunciation Improvement, Matthew Heywood

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This project aims to improve English pronunciation by investigating speech errors and developing a tool to provide precise feedback. The study focuses on creating a new pronunciation tool that offers localized feedback, identifies specific errors, and suggests corrective measures. By addressing the shortcomings of current methods, this research seeks to enhance pronunciation refinement.

Utilizing cutting-edge technology, the tool leverages speech-to-phoneme AI models and modified lazy string matching algorithms to compare the user's spoken input with the intended pronunciation. This allows for a detailed analysis of discrepancies, providing users actionable insights into their phonetic errors. The speech-to-phoneme AI models mark a …

Investigation Of Study Strategies In Undergraduate Preparation For The Mcat And Optimizing Preparation According To Current Medical Students, Makayla Gordon

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a pivotal assessment for aspiring medical students, serving as a measure of undergraduate readiness in preparation for this huge advancement in their academic careers. Success on the MCAT requires content mastery, but to do that, strategic study approaches that are tailored to the individual, and comprehension of the test’s unique format and demands are essential. It is a common misconception that there are limited ways to study for the MCAT, while also sacrificing a legitimate understanding of the content. This project investigates further into identifying effective study methods for MCAT preparation with promise …

Assessing Feeling States And Enjoyment Of Various Exercise Activities, Kaitlyn Wusk

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

To maintain physical health, the American College of Sports Medicine (2022) recommends general exercise guidelines for healthy adults. A lack of adherence to these recommendations may be attributable in part to feeling states and enjoyment while exercising. The study utilized surveys to evaluate feeling states and enjoyment of various exercise activities to determine which type of group exercise most successfully induces changes in feeling states and if a positive correlation exists between feeling state changes and enjoyment. Students enrolled in the Fitness for Living course at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) were surveyed before and after eleven distinct …

‘If You're Gonna Do It, Use A Condom. Otherwise, Just Don't Do It’: Exploring Contraceptive Messaging Effects In Young Adult Beliefs And Attitudes, Cecily Jones

Communications Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The overturn of the US Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in June of 2022 led to 41 states with partial or total abortion bans (Guttmacher Institute, 2024). Additionally, in 2023 SCOTUS agreed to hear a case on the access to Mifepristone, a prescription drug commonly referred to as the “abortion pill” (NPR, 2023). Threatened and waning access to various forms of reproductive healthcare led to the question of how these topics, such as contraception, are being framed and whether these messages affect audiences. The added layer of inequitable access to …

Dao Gives Birth To Lots Of Killing: Violence In The Daoist Tradition, Micah Dunwoody

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Violence in Daoism takes on political and/or cosmological significance. The earliest texts, including Daodejing, argue for defensive war that must be conducted appropriately by rulers. Myths and rituals that developed later in the tradition portray gods and spirits subduing demons. The latter are either killed or enlisted into the armies of the gods. Rituals include the role of humans, particularly Daoist priests/ritual specialists who call upon the gods to fight demons who inflict maladies upon people. This paper also examines the role of martial arts and physical violence. Martial arts are often imbued with religious hues in Daoism, as …

Characterizing The Role Of Pa5189 Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa In Deletion And Overexpression Mutants, Seh Na Mellick

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

In the context of rising multidrug resistance in biofilm-forming pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa, this study investigates the role of the understudied transcription factor PA5189 in antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation. PA5189 deletion and overexpression mutants were created in a parent P. aeruginosa strain using pEX18Tc-based recombinant suicide vectors, with genotypic verification of putative triparental conjugants achieved through restriction digestion and PCR. The study revealed that PA5189 overexpression significantly increases resistance to commonly used broad spectrum antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin and imipenem. Additionally, differential expression of PA5189 was found to notably affect biofilm formation, with variations contingent on the nutrient …

Biomechanics Of Wheelchair Basketball, Martins Amaechi

Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between spatiotemporal dynamics and wrist kinematics during wheelchair basketball turns, with a focus on potential links to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Additionally, we aimed to compare upper limb joint kinematics obtained from Theia3D, a markerless motion capture system, against those from a traditional marker-based system. The study comprised two phases. In the first phase, 14 participants—12 able-bodied individuals and two wheelchair basketball athletes—performed propulsion exercises on an 8-meter pathway using a sports wheelchair. Data on upper limb joint kinematics were collected for both the markerless and marker-based systems to evaluate …

Exploring Asynchronous Pronunciation Training Through Context-Aware Pronunciation Applications, Claire L. Schweikert

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This paper provides a survey of various research articles on context-aware asynchronous pronunciation training applications. First, a set of seven articles is reviewed and summarized. Next, they are synthesized over the three main topics of 1) automated speech recognition, 2) non-native speaker considerations in language learning, and 3) future directions for research and development within computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT). Research in the areas of acoustic and pronunciation modeling (both implicit and explicit), pedagogical considerations for CAPT application design, Goodness of Pronunciation algorithm scoring, accent recognition and neutralization, and more are discussed.

Assessing The Theoretical Correlates Of Sexual And Physical Victimization In Adulthood, Morgan Goslar

Criminology and Criminal Justice Theses and Dissertations

As research on victimization continues to adapt, scholars have begun to examine how certain variables in childhood affect the likelihood of being victimized in adulthood—much of which is focused on adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Studying the impact of early experiences on later victimization outcomes is important for the field so practitioners can intervene early in an individual’s life before they experience further trauma. However, past research has neglected to use a comprehensive approach (e.g., using multiple theoretical frameworks, assessing the frequency of ACE occurrences). The current study addresses these gaps in the literature by assessing the impact of variables related …

Restorative Circles Training Through Video Modules: A Case Design With A Teacher From The Midwest, Diedra A. Reeves

Psychology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Schools have been employing zero-tolerance policies for decades without knowing the true consequences these disciplinary procedures have on students, especially culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) students. Restorative Practices are a useful tool that can be implemented as an alternative disciplinary method. The current study focuses on restorative circles, which has shown evidence for improving school climate and teacher-student relationships, as well as reducing inappropriate disciplinary practices. Restorative circles mend relationships and bring the school community closer together. The purpose of the current study was to provide restorative circles training via online video modules to one elementary school teacher in the …

The Beast With Many Heads: Situational And Dispositional Differences In Physiological, Subjective, And Behavioral Responses To Social Rejection, Ellyn C. Maese

Psychology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Threats to humans’ deep-rooted social needs are associated with strong physiological, emotional, and behavioral responses that are linked to systems for physical pain responses. Yet, prior research has also revealed inconsistencies in responses to social threats, which may be related to differences in situational or dispositional factors. In exploration of these potential explanations, the proposed research aims to investigate physiological, subjective, and behavioral responses to two distinct types of social threat experiences. This study will involve analyzing data collected from a sample of 127 students at a midwestern state university who participated in a laboratory experiment in which they faced …

Uterine Fibroids: A Silent Crisis, Diana Mwikisa

Communications Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Black women in the United States are three times more likely to have uterine fibroids compared to any other ethnicity. Existing studies estimate that about 80 to 90 percent of Black women will develop fibroids by age 50. Uterine fibroids are “non-cancerous tumors found in the uterus” (Orellana et al., 2022, p.1184). The exact cause of uterine fibroids is not fully understood, and more research is needed to gain insight into the causes of this debilitating disease (Yu et al., 2018). The purpose of the study is to gain an in-depth understanding of the lived experiences of Black women with …

The Double-Pivot Network Simplex Method, Jordan Mae Sahs

Mathematics Theses, Dissertations, Research and Student Creative Activity

The network simplex method, a minimum-cost network flow algorithm, was first created in 1956 by George Dantzig to solve transportation problems. This thesis improves upon Dantzig’s method by pivoting two arcs instead of one at each iteration. The proposed algorithm is called the double-pivot network simplex method. Both leaving arcs are determined by solving a two-variable linear program. Due to the structure of these two-variable problems, this thesis also presents an approach to quickly solve them. The network and double-pivot network simplex methods make use of a modified eXtended Threading Index technique to efficiently create cycles and maintain the spanning …

Social Media Engagement And Mobilization To Extremist Violence, Lauren Moss

Political Science Theses, Dissertations and Student Creative Activity

This thesis investigates how engagement with extremist communities on social media correlates with increased violent mobilization among radicalized individuals. It argues that as individuals strengthen their ties to extremist groups online, they increasingly identify with these communities and adopt behaviors endorsed by them. This paper explores various levels of online engagement, from passive interactions to more active involvement, as well as factors to mobilization exhibited as observable behaviors both in person and online. Comparative analysis of two violent and two nonviolent adherents of the Boogaloo ideology reveals ten unique mobilizing indicators in violent cases. When compared against the social media …

Math Minds, Lauren Gearhart

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

During this capstone project, three instructional and three formative assessment strategies were integrated into a fourth-grade math unit involving multiplication of fractions. This math unit consisted of seven instructional days including a pre-test and post-test. The strategies focused on student engagement and progression throughout the unit. Following analysis of the data collected on the instructional strategies and the formative assessments, the student's performance increased. I collected data from the pre- and post-tests that evidenced the turn and talks, think aloud, small groups, exit tickets, student whiteboards, and observation were effective instructional and assessment strategies to enhance student achievement. This capstone …

Utilizing Collaborative Learning To Analyze And Represent Data During A Graphing Unit, Emily Mangano

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports the effects of various differentiated instructional and assessment strategies that were integrated into a third-grade math unit on data collection and representation. The unit was conducted over 12 days. It consisted of nine lessons, a review lesson, a pre-test, and a post test. I will explain the data I collected, the instructional strategies I implemented, and the assessment strategy used to track student progress. The instructional strategies included collaborative learning, cues and questions, feedback. A pre- and post-test were administered, and the data analyzed. Based on the data I collected, the students improved in their knowledge …

Teaching Fraction Concepts To Third Grade Students With The Support Of Instructional And Assessment Strategies, Kaitlyn Brandl

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports and analyzes the effects of utilizing differentiated instructional and assessment strategies in a third-grade classroom. The capstone will discuss the benefits and results of implementing two instructional strategies and two assessment methods during the instruction of a math unit in fraction concepts. The math unit was delivered over a period of 10 instructional days and included pre-assessment and post-assessments. Based on the data collected, student understanding and performance increased after integrating supports through differentiated instructional strategies. In this capstone, I will discuss the methods utilized to deliver instruction and assess student learning. Conclusions of the capstone …

Teaching Addition And Subtraction Story Problems To Second Grade Students Utilizing A Differentiated Instructional Strategies, Rene Gold

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports the effectiveness of four instructional strategies and two assessment methods that were integrated into a second-grade mathematics unit. The unit focused on addition and subtraction within 1,000 with missing numbers and story problems. The unit was taught over five days. The unit included both a pre-and post-assessment to assist in documenting student growth from the first to the last lesson. In my capstone, I will discuss the most effective instructional and assessment strategies and their impact on students' learning. After the completion of this unit, I analyzed the pre- and post-assessment data. I discovered that using …

Addressing Athletes Coexisting Conditions Of Autism And Depression: Participants Self-Report Decreased Feelings Of Depression Post Exercise, Joshua Sutton, Saundra Shillingstad, Jessica Baldwin

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The goal of this study was to evaluate if exercise would decrease depressive symptoms of participants who reported having coexisting conditions of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and depression. Research has reported that autistic people have increased rates of depression, in comparison to general populations (Unruh et al., 2020). The purpose of this research was to evaluate if exercise would decrease depressive symptoms of the Unified Fitness athlete participants who self-identified as having depressive symptoms and ASD. This research was conducted during the Fall 2023 semester as an extension of the class Kinesiology Practicum, using the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) …

Monero: Powering Anonymous Digital Currency Transactions, Jake Braddy

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Cryptocurrencies rely on a distributed public ledger (record of transactions) in order to perform their intended functions. However, the public’s ability to audit the network is both its greatest strength and greatest weakness: Anyone can see what address sent currency, and to whom the currency was sent. If cryptocurrency is ever going to take some of the responsibility of fiat currency, then there needs to be a certain level of confidentiality. Thus far, Monero has come out on top as the preferred currency for embodying the ideas of privacy and confidentiality. Through numerous cryptographic procedures, Monero is able to obfuscate …

Effects Various Distilled Water Brands Have On Chlorophytum Comosum., Brooke Bluhm

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

When first attempting home gardening, one of the challenges many home-renters are starting to face is being able to supply enough clean water to one’s plants. In order to overcome this challenge, many plant enthusiasts are utilizing prepackaged distilled water from price friendly brands available at most regional Walmart locations. With the number of choices available on the shelves of today’s grocery stores, and vague ingredient lists on packaging it can be challenging to determine which brand is actually best suited for one’s specific needs. In order to determine the best distilled water suited to grow Chlorophytum comosum, various gallons …

Beyond Rehabilitation: Exploring The Field Of Occupational Therapy And The Transformative Impact Of Care, Sierra C. Fox

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

As a profession that implements unique approaches to empower people of all ages and abilities to actively participate in activities that are meaningful to them, occupational therapy is an essential service for providing holistic healthcare (Darawsheh, 2018). As an undergraduate approaching graduation, the process for applying to graduate school programs has finally begun, and it has become obvious the lack of public knowledge there is regarding the profession. Even among other healthcare professionals, there is often an inadequate understanding of the field, which can be problematic and result in patients not being referred to receive the services that may benefit …

Preparing 3rd Graders For Addition & Subtraction Using Differentiated Instructional & Assessment Methods, Emily Brasfield

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This capstone project reports the effectiveness of four instructional strategies and two assessment methods that were integrated into a second-grade mathematics unit. The unit focused on addition and subtraction within 1,000 with missing numbers and story problems. The unit was taught over five days. The unit included both a pre- and post-assessment to assist in documenting student growth from the first to the last lesson. In my capstone, I will discuss the most effective instructional and assessment strategies and their impact students learning. After the completion of this unit, I analyzed the pre- and post-assessment data. I discovered that using …

Finance And Artificial Intelligence, Luke Schawang

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into finance represents a significant evolution in the industry, one that has been ongoing for years but is now accelerating rapidly. This paper explores the various forms and functions of AI, from reactive machines to the potential for superintelligence, and examines its impact on banking, business finance, and investing.

In banking, AI has bolstered cybersecurity and fraud detection, leveraging machine learning algorithms to continuously improve accuracy and efficiency. Similarly, in business finance, AI tools like chatbots and algorithms streamline processes, enhance productivity, and reduce costs. In investing, AI-driven solutions such as robo advisors offer …

Minor Exploitation And Regulatory Shortfalls: Safeguarding Children’S Data In The Age Of Modern Technology, Kaylee Lahti

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

This paper looks into the issue of minors in the era of social media and seeks to answer the question: how can regulations help to protect children’s privacy in the age of social networks? To do this, this paper will start by exploring the privacy issues that have arisen amongst minors in the modern age and the lack of accountability for social networking companies. It will then look at the current regulations related to this issue and see where these regulations have fallen short. Next, possible regulatory solutions to this issue will be explored, including looking at current laws that …

What Makes Us "Good" Leaders?, Dante Rossini

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

What makes us good leaders? It’s a question that philosophers, politicians and business strategists alike have been asking for centuries. Generations of scholars have sought to pinpoint the various attributes and characteristics that define leadership beyond a formal organizational role. Going a step beyond, extensive research has also been devoted to deciphering what abilities make certain individuals successful as leaders in comparison to their peers, along with how aspiring leaders can practice these abilities to hone their own leadership performance. All of this research culminates in an intimidating amount of literature, riddled with a broad array of theories and conclusions …

Decoding Democracy: Ideographic Analyses Of 2024 Republican Presidential Nominees' Rhetoric, Allyson Havenridge

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

The following rhetorical analysis identifies the rhetoric that was used by 2024 Republican presidential candidates Nikki Haley and Donald Trump. Rhetoric can be thought of as the means and ways that we, as social beings, use language to create meaning and exchange symbols to better understand the world around us. This rhetorical analysis aims to identify the ways in which certain words are being used and the reasoning behind why they were used by the rhetor, or the speaker in a rhetorical situation. The ultimate focus of the following rhetorical criticism is to examine how ideographs, or words that encase …

Analysis Of Water Pollutants Across Greater Omaha, Desmond Marshall

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Water is a finite resource, and most water has the potential to become contaminated in sitting bodies. Health complications have an increased chance of occurring when these water sources have pollutants. Preventative and treatment methods are components of the legislation put in place to prevent concentrations from reaching levels capable of causing these ailments. However, sites sometimes fail to keep them under tolerated levels. This study is intended to examine if several locations across Omaha are keeping pollutants under legal concentrations and analyze any trends in the data. Locations (n=10) are sampled twice, with exactly two-weeks between collections. The water …