Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Impact Of Virtual Simulation Experience On Teacher Candidates In Communication With Real-Life English Learners (Els): A Case Study, Laila Noor

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

As the number of English Learners (ELs) in US schools continues to rise, the need for effective instructional strategies to bridge the achievement gap between these learners and their English-proficient peers become more crucial to reduce the inequality among language minority groups. This study investigates the impact of virtual simulation experiences in developing communication strategies among teacher candidates for teaching ELs. Focused on the real and simulated teaching encounters of teacher candidates via the TeachLivE platform, this case study seeks to understand how these virtual experiences contribute to the practical application and transformation of teaching skills for effective EL communication. …

Design And Perception Of Diverse Virtual Avatars In Immersive Environments, Tiffany D. Do

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Virtual humans and avatars have become integral components of immersive technologies, shaping various aspects of virtual worlds. This dissertation investigates the nuanced interactions between user demographics and virtual avatars, exploring their impact on perception, embodiment, and persuasive communication. The first study investigates the effectiveness of different speech fidelity levels in virtual humans, revealing gender-dependent perceptions of trustworthiness. Building on this, this dissertation introduces the \textit{Virtual Avatar Library for Inclusion and Diversity} (\textit{VALID}), offering a comprehensive resource for advancing racial diversity and inclusion in virtual environments. Through rigorous validation studies, we shed light on the perception of avatar characteristics worldwide, emphasizing …

The Effect Of Input Enhancement And L1 Glosses On The Acquisition Of English Phrasal Verbs, Abdulmajeed Alotaibi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of input enhancement (IE) and native language (L1) glossing on second language (L2) learners’ receptive knowledge of English phrasal verbs (PVs) and explore whether learners’ L1 facilitates the effect of input enhancement on learning English PVs.

A within-subject design was employed to examine the effect of IE with the aid of L1 glossing on learning PVs. Three short restaurant reviews were tested: one with the target items written in red (IE treatment), one with the target items written in red and glossed in the margin (IE + L1 glossing treatment), and a control …

Embracing Innovation In Education: Investigating The Use And Impact Of Ai Assistants Among Preservice Teachers, Tiffanie J. Zaugg

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This study investigates the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistants in reducing administrative burdens on public school teachers in the United States, where approximately $1.04 billion annually is allocated for teachers to perform non-teaching tasks. As AI technologies advance, their integration into educational settings presents an opportunity to automate 20-40% of administrative activities, reallocating up to 13 hours per week toward more impactful educational engagements. This shift could significantly mitigate teacher burnout, a significant factor in the profession’s high turnover rates. The introduction of the AI chatbot, “EL” (Education and Learning in Inclusive Environments), is posited as a transformative tool …

Design Automation For Next-Generation In-Memory Computing Systems, Sven Thijssen

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Since the dawn of computing, all practical computing systems, from small laptops and cellphones to large mainframes and supercomputers, have been based on the Von Neumann architecture. In this architectural model, computing units and storage units are physically separated, requiring the computing system to spend most of its time and energy on moving data around. As many recently developed applications are driven by large volumes of digital data, the Von Neumann architecture does not scale well with today’s computational demands. In-memory computing using emerging non-volatile device technologies is a promising orthogonal approach as it mitigates the adverse effects of the …

An Analysis Of Factor Affecting Graduation Rates In A Large Suburban Florida School District During The Pandemic, Brittany Campbell

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The purpose of this study was to analyze factors affecting graduation rates during the pandemic for a large suburban Florida school district. The study analyzed if there were statistically significant effects of certain factors, such as Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS), Multi-Tiered Support Systems (MTSS) in mathematics, out-of-school suspensions, and attendance in the summer transition program on graduation during the pandemic for the school years of 2019-2021. The results of the study showed different means across all analyses, resulting in impacts for some factors, including MTSS Tiering, PBIS Tiering, Summer Transition Program for on-time graduation, and Out-of-School Suspensions (OSS) for …

The Impact School Discipline Policies Have On Disabled, Minoritized Students’ Drop Out Rates, Christopher B. Langley

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Despite progress in recent years, the K–12 education system still grapples with pervasive discriminatory and inequitable practices that hinder students’ learning experiences and future success. Such practices can have far-reaching consequences, threatening students’ long-term outcomes and putting their well-being at risk. This study delved into the effects of exclusionary practices on academic performance and student withdrawal, with a particular focus on minority students with disabilities. By examining archived data, this research analyzed various exclusionary practices, including in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, Baker Acts, and law enforcement referrals. To uncover correlations and determine hypothesis acceptance, the study employedsophisticated statistical techniques such as …

What's In A Frame? Exploring State Policymakers' Conceptualization Of Human Trafficking., Alexis P. Tsoukalas

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Human trafficking within and across nations is a pervasive, insidious global criminal enterprise that endangers human rights and impedes social justice. Sex and labor are two fundamental types of human trafficking, but media and policies prioritize the former. Social work calls for empowering marginalized groups, and labor trafficking survivors—who are more likely women and immigrants of color—certainly fall into this category. Since 2003, every U.S. state has criminalized human trafficking, yet the issue persists. Most human trafficking analyses focus on federal or international, not state, policies.

Thus, this critical analysis aimed to explore how human trafficking is conceptualized at the …

The Perceived Impact Of Restorative Practice Implementation On Exclusionary Discipline Practicce And The Role Of School Administrators On The Effectiveness Of Implementation, Courtney E. Tomasi

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Restorative Practices is a behavior management system that focuses on root cause analysis and repairing harms caused by those infractions. This study focused on the correlation between the knowledge that stakeholders possessed regarding Restorative Practices and their perceived impact on the school disciplinary program. In addition, the study sought to determine which aspects of Restorative Practices were most effective as well as examine the viewpoints of disciplinary stakeholders regarding Restorative Practices as a large, urban school district in central Florida.

Recent literature shows that punitive and exclusionary discipline practices have an adverse impact on minoritized populations as the students are …

Using Advocacy Coaches To Examine Trauma-Informed Classroom Practices Used To Support Students With Disabilities: A Qualitative Study, Fanica Young

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Childhood trauma, often referred to as America’s hidden crisis, significantly impacts the learning and behavior of students with disabilities (SWD), in particular. SWD who experience or witness trauma face challenges related to discipline, academic achievement, absenteeism, and social and emotional well-being. According to the National Survey on Children’s Health (2021), 16.3% of children served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act have encountered two or more adverse childhood experiences by age 18, with over half of the states surpassing the national average. Addressing this urgent concern is difficult due to a shortage of qualified service providers, such as nurses, psychologists, …

Resilient Cooperative Control Of Cyber-Physical Systems: Enhancing Robustness Against Significant Time Delays And Denial-Of-Service Attacks, Deepalakshmi Babu Venkateswaran

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

A cyber-physical control system (CPS) typically consists of a set of physical subsystems, their remote terminal units, a central control center (if applicable), and local communication networks that interconnect all the components to achieve a common goal. Applications include energy systems, autonomous vehicles, and collaborative robots. Ensuring stability, performance, and resilience in CPS requires thorough analysis and control design, utilizing robust algorithms to handle delays, communication failures, and potential cyber-attacks.

Time delays are a challenge in CPS, particularly in teleoperation systems, where human operators remotely control robotic systems. These delays cause chattering, oscillations, and instability, making it difficult to achieve …

Advanced Algorithms For Cancer Cell Detection And Tracking, Qibing Jiang

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Microscopy image processing is critical for precision oncology and immunotherapy, two approaches in cancer treatment often combined to enhance patient outcomes. Numerous scientists have studied the effects of drugs on the immune system and tumors. To quantify the impact of various drugs on different immune and cancer cell types, medical researchers conduct ex vivo assays. In these assays, patient-derived live cells are placed in an artificial microenvironment where drug responses are monitored over time. Brightfield microscopy captures one image every half hour of numerous patient-derived cells in an ex vivo reconstruction of the tumor microenvironment treated with 31 drugs for …

A Causal-Comparative Study Of The Relationship Between School Shooter Typologies, Warning Signs, And Targeted School Violence, German R. Taveras

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This research explores the relationship between school shooter typologies, warning signs, and targeted school violence. The study's independent variables are school shooter typologies and warning signs, while the dependent variable is targeted school violence. The research wants to investigate whether a relationship exists between these variables. The null hypothesis states no relationship exists, while the alternative hypothesis suggests that a relationship exists. The research framework is based on Bronfenbrenner's Ecological System Theory, which helps understand how the environment and social interaction influence a child's development. The theory was influenced by Vygotsky's sociocultural theory—which focuses on the roles of human interactions …

Connecting In Crisis: Exploring Online Informal Communications In Florida’S Unemployment Struggle, Anna V. Eskamani

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread unemployment, significantly impacting Floridians who faced delays and systemic issues with the state's unemployment system. This study examines crisis communication within a Reddit community, focusing on how individuals used informal communications to navigate the unemployment benefits crisis. Guided by Rhetorical Arena Theory (RAT) and Uses and Gratification Theory (U&G), the research addresses: (1) How did individuals in the active audience discuss challenges faced when trying to access Florida’s unemployment system? (2) What lessons can be drawn from the analysis of informal communications on social media for improving crisis communication strategies during future crises? A …

Investigating The Effect Of Technological Innovation On Countries' Green Production Capabilities Evolution And Spillover, Hanin Alhaddad

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This dissertation presents a novel methodology to examine the evolution of green production capabilities for 226 countries between 2003 and 2017 based on spillovers between the sectors. It identifies the growth potential of sectors and the key sectors driving the spillovers of production capabilities. Moreover, it delves into the patterns observed in the evolution of these capabilities, considering the diverse economic classifications. Lastly, it focuses on 72 developing countries that face unique challenges in pursuing green economic growth, exploring the effect of technological innovations on the spillovers of production capabilities within their green sectors. Three key hypotheses are investigated: the …

High-Performance Integrated Photonic On Thin-Film Lithium Niobate, Farzaneh Arab Juneghani

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Integrated photonics is in high demand for various applications, such as optical communication, microwave photonics, optical sensing, and quantum information processing. Different material platforms have been explored for implementing photonic integrated circuits (PICs), such as silicon, indium phosphide, lithium niobate (LN), and more recently thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN). Choosing a platform depends on the specific requirements of the application. TFLN offers numerous advantages, including very strong electro-optical and nonlinear optical effects, and a broad spectral range without significant material loss. Particularly, TFLN is suitable for high-speed and low-power electro-optical modulation. LN is a widely used electro-optic material in telecommunication and …

Examining How Pejorative Stereotypes About Black Women Shape Their Experiences In Physics Ph.D. Programs, Camille A. Coffie

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This research study is part of a larger study that examines the experiences of Black women in physics graduate programs to identify priorities for departmental change initiatives to remove structures that keep out and/or push out Black women. This research also reinforces the ongoing necessity to raise awareness about the impact of stereotypes on how Black women are perceived and how stereotypes affect the matriculation of Black women in physics graduate programs. Black women represent the lowest percentage of students in physics graduate programs and often contend with stressors like microaggressions, bias, and stereotype threats that impede their success and …

Spectral Approaches For Characterizing Heterogeneity In Infectious Disease Models, Seoyun Choe

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Heterogeneity, influenced by diverse factors such as age, gender, immunity, behavior, and spatial distribution, plays a critical role in the dynamics of infectious disease transmission. Discrete mathematical structures, including matrices and graphs, can offer effective tools for modeling the interactions among these diverse factors, resulting heterogeneous epidemiological models. This dissertation explores analytical approaches, specifically utilizing eigenvalues and eigenvectors of discrete structures, to characterize heterogeneity within mathematical models of infectious diseases. Theoretical results, along with numerical simulations, enhance our understanding of heterogeneous epidemiological processes and their significant implications for disease control strategies.

In this dissertation, we introduce a unified approach to …

Scalable Transactions In Decentralized Networks, Zachary M. Painter

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The study of shared memory concurrency is extensive. There exist many state-of-the-art strategies for dealing with fundamental concurrency problems, such as race conditions or deadlocks, to leverage massive performance boosts out of modern multiprocessors. With the introduction of blockchain technology as a popular financial tool, we observe many decades-old concurrency problems re-emerge within the context of decentralized networks. These challenges introduce additional constraints, such as the lack of hardware atomic instructions like Compare-And-Swap, or the potential for malicious clients to join the network. In this dissertation, we propose key algorithms which adapt knowledge from the domain of shared memory concurrency …

Dexterous Manual Actions: Motor Learning, Visuomotor Control, And Effect Of Aging, Kimia Kiani

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The human hand is critically important for the performance of many activities of daily living (ADL). This dissertation used three human subject studies to investigate how different types of motor repetition interact with the process of sensorimotor adaptation and learning in complex dexterous manipulation tasks that depend on finger force control or bimanual coordination. Moreover, these investigations were conducted in both young adults (YA) and older adults (OA) to reveal the extent to which the process of aging may alter such interactions. In the first study, it was found that the repetition of simple ballistic force exertion allowed YA to …

The Role Of Adiponectin In Gustatory Perception Of Fat, Fangjun Lin

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Taste is a major driving force that influences food choice and dietary intake. Animals' taste abilities vary due to genetics, sex, age, and hormonal status. There is evidence that several appetite-regulating hormones can modulate gustatory detection of fat, and this hormonal modulation of fat taste likely influences food palatability and selection, thereby altering fat intake. Adiponectin is a key metabolic hormone predominantly released from adipose tissue, which enhances insulin sensitivity and stimulates glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Adiponectin receptors are highly expressed in the taste system, indicating that adiponectin signaling may play an important role in the modulation of gustatory …

Sexual Assault Victimization In Virtual Worlds, Narim Lee

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The current dissertation investigated sexual assault victimization in virtual worlds – environments, where individuals engage through avatars, offering a deep level of immersion and interactivity. As the usage of these virtual spaces grows, so does the concern for negative experiences that mirror the sexual assault encountered in the physical world. Despite this, there is a notable gap in the quantitative analysis of virtual sexual assault (VSA) victimization. This research aimed to fill this void by exploring the prevalence of VSA victimization over the previous year and identifying potential predictors of VSA victimization through the lens of cyberlifestyle-routine activity theory. To …

Globalizing Tele-Support Coaching: Exploring The Impact Of Online Adaptations Of Practice-Based Coaching For Special Education Teachers And Related Personnel, Danica Tania Moise

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The global prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) presents significant challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) where there is a lack of trained professionals, limited access to evidence-based practices, and insufficient government support. This dissertation explores the potential of technology-based interventions to bridge the knowledge gap and improve the quality of services for children with ASD in LMIC.

The first chapter provides an overview of the current landscape of educator preparatory programs and highlights the limitations of traditional clinical experiences in preparing special education teachers and related personnel. It introduces the Tele-Support Coaching Framework (TCF) as a promising …

Mitigation Of Reliability Risks Associated With Accelerated Thermal Cycling And High Current Density Electromigration In Ball Grid Array Solder Joints, Vishnu R. Shukla

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Ball Grid Array (BGA) solder joints are an array of solder alloy spheres sandwiched between package substrate and printed circuit board (PCB). These solder joints provide electrical connections and mechanical integrity to the assembly of package and PCB. Upcoming advanced packaging applications will involve heavier components, higher service temperatures and higher current densities, which will result in additional stresses on BGA joints accelerating their failure. Additionally, mismatch in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) between the substrate, solder balls and PCB results in fracture near the solder-substrate interface posing a reliability risk. Moreover, higher current densities at elevated temperatures, also …

Evidence Of Positive Associations Between Intertidal Shoreline And Subtidal Seagrass Communities In A Subtropical Ecotone, Gabriel Benson

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Fringing seagrass beds are important components of coastal ecotones. Their association with shoreline morphology and shoreline restoration, however, is poorly understood. We combined GIS analyses with field-based monitoring to better understand intra-ecotone associations between shorelines and fringing seagrass beds. Using GIS analyses of aerial imagery, shoreline characterization models, and seagrass coverage models, the relationship between shoreline morphology, erosion, and fringing seagrass persistence was examined in Mosquito Lagoon, FL between 2011 and 2021. For the field-based portion of the study, fringing seagrass beds growing adjacent to restored, living shoreline segments were monitored throughout the 2023 growing season (March – November). All …

Mesmerizing Moon Mysteries: Unraveling The Compositions Of Irregular Mare Patches (Imps) Using Remote Observations, Nicholas G. Piskurich

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Compositional characterization of lunar surface features informs our understanding of the Moon's thermal and magmatic evolution. We investigated the compositions of hypothesized volcanic features known as irregular mare patches (IMPs) and their surroundings to constrain formation mechanisms. We used six datasets to assess the composition of 12 IMPs: 1) Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M³) derived spectral parameters (e.g., band center positions, shapes), 2) Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Diviner Radiometer Experiment (Diviner) measured Christiansen feature (CF) position, 3) SELENE (Kaguya) Multiband Imager (MI) FeO abundance, 4) Clementine 5-band (Ultraviolet/Visible)-derived FeO abundance, 5) LRO Wide Angle Camera (WAC) TiO₂ abundance, …

Spatial Variability Of Hydrodynamics Within Crassostrea Virginica (Eastern Oyster) Reefs: Investigating The Effect Of Canopy Density On Flow And Turbulence., Manisha Thenuwara

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Oysters are ecosystem engineers that shape coastal aquatic environments through hydrodynamic influence, which is governed by the reef structure. Hydrodynamic studies have investigated effects of oyster reefs as whole systems, overlooking the spatial variability inherent in canopy structures. In this research, a field investigation was undertaken to characterize spatial variability of flow dynamics within a single eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reef and query how the local canopy density influences the hydrodynamic environment. High-resolution flow measurements were taken within and above the oyster canopy over a range of flow conditions. Hydrodynamics were compared across reef locations as the oyster …

Climate Change And Coastal Development Impacts On Oyster Abundances In Mosquito Lagoon, Fl, Emily Suchonic

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Live eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) reefs have declined by 62.6% in Mosquito Lagoon (ML) along the eastern Florida coast since 1943. While this species creates reefs by successive generations of oysters recruiting to conspecific shells, C. virginica can also attach to non-reef substrates including mangrove roots and armoring (e.g., seawalls), which may help counteract reef habitat loss. In recent decades, warmer winters have enabled red (Rhizophora mangle) and black (Avicennia germinans) mangrove expansion in subtropical salt marshes and temperate estuaries where oyster reefs occur. Additionally, 11.8% of ML's shorelines have been armored as of …

What Fishing Tackle Should I Bring Today?: Safety Harbor Resource Collection Tools As Adaptations To Aquatic Environments, Richard J. Davis Iii

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This thesis reports on the results of research conducted to determine whether technological adaptations to local environmental conditions can be observed through geospatial and artifact analysis of Safety Harbor collections from the Tampa Bay region of Florida. Past artifact and spatial analysis did not take advantage of modern technological advancements when studying how human-environmental interactions can influence certain adaptations to local conditions. In this project, GIS was used to reconstruct local aquatic environmental conditions of waterways adjacent to Safety Harbor sites. New statistical software programs have also proven themselves useful to archaeologists seeking to conduct hypothesis testing of artifact data. …

Sectarianism And Elite Strategies In Fueling Conflict: Evidence From Iraq Under Saddam Hussein And Nouri Al Maliki, Mohammed Al Awwad

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

What contributes to sectarian conflict? Some existing literature essentializes sectarian identities and blames ancient hatred between different groups as the cause of conflict, this thesis argues that sectarian conflict occurs when sectarianism is politically employed by elite actors facing state weakness. The proposed theory suggests that a drop in state capacity regardless of the cause, can motivate political elite actors to instrumentalize the salience of sectarian identities as a form of either repression or cooptation targeting the sectarian outgroup for the purposes of regime survival. The theoretical claims in this study are examined using a qualitative comparative case study analysis …