Digital Commons Network^™

“How I Dress Is No One’S Business!”: Fashion As A Subversive Language Of Resistance Among Female Christian Celebrities In Ghana, Amanda E. Gyesi

Communication ETDs

Influenced by burgeoning literature on feminism and feminist theories, specifically within the African context, I analyze the intersection of religion and celebrity culture among a select group of women in Ghana. Using the African feminist critical discourse analysis, guided by Stuart Hall’s encoding and decoding model, this research examines how female Christian celebrities in Ghana enact resistance, project their agency, and shape their identities through their fashion statements and sartorial choices, hence contributing to the broader discourse on fashion communication among religious women.

Through a critical analysis of Instagram comments and YouTube interview transcripts, I argue that fashion communication among …

Distributed Energy Trading Models Utilizing Reinforcement Learning And Game-Theoretic Based Approaches In Smart Grids, Nicholas Kemp

Electrical and Computer Engineering ETDs

Community-driven energy initiatives have become crucial for effective energy management, particularly in trading and management. The rise of Distributed Energy Resources in smart grids demands a redesign of traditional Demand Response Management (DRM) models to account for prosumers' dynamic behavior in energy markets. Decentralization, including peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading, is vital for resilience and sustainability. This thesis introduces two coalitional DRM models: one based on hedonic community formation games, and the other combining matching theory with coalition games. These models empower prosumers to autonomously select energy trading communities using partially available data. To optimize energy consumption, two additional models are …

Dental Hygiene Program Admission Criteria Key Indicators To National Board Success, Kacy Goetz

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The study evaluates the admission criteria of entry-level dental hygiene programs in the United States and their relationship to National Dental Hygiene Board Examination (NDHBE) success rates. An online survey was distributed to 327 programs, gathering data on admission criteria and NDHBE outcomes through a 16-question Microsoft Forms survey. With a response rate of 16% (53 respondents), the survey found that GPA was the most common admission criterion used by 92% of programs. The results indicated a strong negative correlation between high school GPA and NDHBE success. The study also evaluated NDHBE pass rates with board review courses taken. The …

A Comparison Of Cognitive Impairment In Health Anxiety, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, And Posttraumatic Stress Disorder And The Moderating Role Of Social Connectedness, Kaitlyn B. Schodt

Psychology ETDs

Mood symptomatology often negatively impacts cognitive functioning; however, little is known about how some disorders, like health anxiety, might be unique contributing factors. Social connectedness has been found to protect against cognitive decline, and thus might mitigate some of the mental health-related negative effects on cognitive functioning. The current study aimed to: 1) examine the associations between PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and health anxiety symptomatology and cognitive functioning, and between 2) social connectedness and cognitive functioning, as well as the moderating roles of 3) social connectedness and 4) biological sex and race/ethnicity in the association between mental health symptomatology …

Trauma, Memory, Imagination, And Survivance: Uncovering Haunting Stories Within The Southwest Borderlands, Tania Paloma García

American Studies ETDs

This dissertation project explores hidden histories of the García/Espinosa/Sargent/Burns family in northern New Mexico/southern Colorado during the middle-to-late eighteenth/early nineteenth centuries, and continuing into the present. The project, in part, focuses on prominent rancher, lawyer, landowner, and territorial representative of New Mexico and Colorado, José Victór García. García’s life and legacy is examined regarding the lesser-known story of his “ownership” of several enslaved Indigenous youths on his property in Conejos County, Colorado. The methodology of haunting is employed to expose complex histories of Indigenous peoples in the Southwest borderlands, and within a broader context of colonialism. Indigenous enslavement is considered …

A Cultural Responsiveness Model To Support Parent's Practices In Families With Autistic Children: A Culturally Relevant Self- Compassion Program For Nigerian Mothers, Ekene Anastesia Odumegwu

Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

The goal of this intervention of self-compassion, mindfulness, and self-kindness focuses on training Nigerian mothers raising autistic children to enhance their psychological well-being. The intervention will assist Nigeran mothers living in Nigeria with developing their self- compassion. Building resilience for Nigerian mothers' self-compassion will help them to improve their physical and psychological health by becoming more mindful of their own pains and suffering when raising their child with Autism. Also, the proposed intervention will help Nigerian mothers to focus their attention and energy on how ways that might reduce the trauma and challenges experienced in parenting children with autism.

This …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Language Shift Of Ikalanga In Botswana: Implications For Language Revitalization, Annah Sephene Macha

Language, Literacy, and Sociocultural Studies ETDs

This study explores the phenomenon of language shift among the Bakalanga community in Botswana, focusing on the gradual displacement of the iKalanga language by dominant languages such as Setswana and English that hold official status for education and broader communication. iKalanga faces significant challenges, as minority languages face extinction globally, the Bakalanga’s experience reflects broader trends where dominant languages supplant indigenous ones in education and wider communication. This research employed a phenomenological approach to investigate how the Bakalanga transmit knowledge amidst this language shift. Data was collected through focus groups, life history narratives, documents, and individual interviews, and analyzed using …

Building A Trusted Relationship Among Project Participants In Construction Projects On Tribal Land, Dominica J. Bennett

Civil Engineering ETDs

There are 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, and these tribal communities differ by culture, language, history, and self-governance. Performing a tribal construction project is different than a non-tribal project due to tribal sovereignty, tribes are both legally and regulatory independent. The United States has recognized its trust with Indigenous tribes through treaties, statutes, and historical relations, however treaties and statutes have been broken over time. This paper aims to qualitatively and quantitatively identify relationships and trust built between contractors, designers, and owners on construction projects while identifying challenges. The methodology involves survey distribution to rank the level …

White Corn Boy Yellow Corn Girl Find Success On Their Educational Journeys, Sarah Curley

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

This study aimed to provide a narrative analysis of the storied Diné beliefs and values of three Yellow Corn Girls and one White Corn Boy. My research questions were: How do Diné language and culture influence high school students’ success in high school? What cultural beliefs and values contribute to the success of high school students transitioning into their first year of community college? Utilizing the theoretical framework of The Beauty Way of Life (BWOL) model and its philosophies, I gathered narrative data using individual interviews. I examined the impact of the Diné language, cultural beliefs, and values on their …

Embracing Social-Emotional Learning And Nurturing Character: A Systematic Review Of Intersectional-Eq Strategies For Educational Leaders, Leticia G. Candelaria-Archuleta

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

The COVID-19 pandemic expanded education beyond traditional academics, highlighting the importance of social-emotional learning (SEL) and character education (CE) for positive youth outcomes. This study examined the role of educational leadership in implementing SEL and CE in schools through a term coined Intersectional-EQ. This study centered on a cutting-edge approach using grey literature, specifically doctoral dissertations, to capture current trends in unprecedented times. A systematic review through Covidence, guided by PRISMA and PICO frameworks, was conducted. Findings highlight the impact of leadership on SEL and CE through an intersectional lens. Future work is aimed to support holistic student growth by …

Dental Hygiene Burnout In Clinical Practice From Covid-19; A Pilot Study Using Self-Reported Questionaire, Yvette Valladares

Dental Hygiene ETDs

The purpose of this study was to determine if the Covid-19 pandemic had increased feelings of burnout in registered dental hygienists who were employed in clinical practice before and during 2020. A survey of registered dental hygienists in California was employed. Participants completed a modified Maslach Burnout Inventory, to evaluate emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). One open-ended question explored specific aspects of Covid-19 contributing to burnout. 162 surveys were completed and 139 met the inclusion criteria. Data analysis revealed that 40.29% reported high Emotional Exhaustion, 43.17% experienced low Depersonalization, and 85.61% reported high Personal Achievement. Lastly, …

Critical Geospatial Data Science: Principles For Curating, Analyzing, And Sharing Geospatial Data, Daniel Beene

Geography ETDs

Critical geospatial data science (CGDS) offers principles for engaging with geospatial data, methods, and translation by pulling from critical epistemologies in geography. CGDS interrogates objective “truths” in science by actively engaging in critique of geospatial data and methodologies. Specifically, CGDS contends with the political context and motivations behind geospatial data science (GDS) while using GDS methods to understand how social-spatial arrangements manifest and are reinforced through data. CGDS explicitly aims to inform practices for criticality from within GDS and provides opportunities for multidisciplinary research that incorporates social theories, contextualizes geospatial data, and critically evaluates the effects and ethics of (under)representation …

Compassionate Care In Elementary General Music Teaching And Learning As A Way To Respond To The World: A Narrative Inquiry, Julia K. Church Hoffman

Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy ETDs

In this narrative inquiry, where stories were the data, three experienced music teachers from one public school district in the southwestern United States shared stories about their experiences as elementary general music teachers. The stories were told through the lens of compassionate care, a perspective that implies a shared experience between teacher and learners (Hendricks, 2018, 2023). The stories, and my interpretation of them, revealed an understanding of elementary general music, a multimodal, fun, school subject, as a vehicle for teaching children how to be kind and respectful humans. Threads that emerged from the stories linked connections between compassionate care, …

The Iep Team: Team Members’ Perspectives Of The Decision-Making Process, Peggy A. Duffie

Special Education ETDs

The Individualized Education Program (IEP) remains a pivotal document for ensuring educational equity for students with disabilities in public education (Bateman, 2017). This qualitative interview study investigated how an IEP team supporting a student with extensive support needs navigated the decision-making process during annual IEP development. Through in-depth interviews with six out of eight team members, I explored IEP team members’ perceptions of their and others’ responsibilities and contributions to the development of an annual IEP. Qualitative coding revealed four key decision-making themes: Unspoken norms, privileging professional knowledge, avoiding conflict and responding to disagreements, and identifying your place at the …

Breaking The Silence: Autoethnographic Account Of Communication In The Aftermath Of Parental Suicide, Marissa L. Lucero

Communication ETDs

The silence that surrounds the suicide of a parent often masks unresolved feelings of guilt, shame, and powerlessness in families grieving their loss. For children, the long-lasting impact of suppressing communication about parental suicide can endure throughout adulthood. In this autoethnography, I un-salience my voice to reflect on my father’s suicide in the context of my Nuevo Mexicana identity. I assert my Chicana feminist voice through an extraction of gendered and culturally grounded memories, personal journal entries from my childhood, and a review of academic sources on suicide. This thesis is a personal and intellectual engagement with Chicana/o critical theory, …

Cell And Molecular Mechanisms Of Plasticity And Injury Associated With Spreading Depolarization, Jordan E. Weisend

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Spreading depolarization (SD) is now established as a critical event contributing to the expansion of acute brain injuries. In areas with insufficient access to metabolites, SD results in episodic glutamate accumulation and NMDA receptor over-activation. Intriguingly, in areas with sufficient access to metabolites SD can result in synaptic strengthening, together suggesting SD consequences may vary widely based on metabolic context. Utilizing acute murine brain slices, this dissertation sought to interrogate the cell and molecular mechanisms of SD induced detriment and revitalization. We describe evidence that the primary NMDAR subtype involved in SD is GluN2A-containing NMDARs, and when targeted during SD …

Rectal Cancer Treatment: Sexual Function Is Not The Sole Determinant Of Quality Of Life, Sarah M. Popek

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer. Rectal cancer patients face genitourinary dysfunction, impacting physical, psychological, and social well-being. This study examined the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in rectal cancer patients to assess the impact of sexual dysfunction on quality of life (QoL).

This mixed method study included 19 completing the survey portion and 10 completing an interview, evenly split between men and women, and those with and

without a stoma. Most experienced significant sexual dysfunction, and discussion of sexual function was rare. Quality of life scores were high. Themes from the interviews included (1) the relationship between the …

“We’Ve Been Doing Mindfulness Since Time Immemorial”: Provider Experiences Using Mindfulness-Based Interventions In American Indian And Alaska Native Communities, Jalene L. Herron

Psychology ETDs

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) individuals are underrepresented in mindfulness research. Mindfulness may be relevant to some AI/AN traditions and aid in providing culturally responsive mental healthcare. This study examined the experiences of providers who use mindfulness-based interventions with AI/AN clients. Twenty-five providers completed interviews about their experiences. Three primary themes were identified using thematic analysis: 1) using a cultural lens in providing therapy, where providers integrate cultural practices and utilize a client centered approach; 2) framing mindfulness in AI/AN contexts through cultural adaptations to demonstrate the applicability of mindfulness to cultural settings; and 3) processes in implementing culturally …

Factors Affecting Educational Quality: A Study Using Neutrosophic Likert Scales And Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis, Carlos Jacinto La Rosa Longobardi, Livia Cristina Piñas Rivera, Lida Violeta Asencios Trujillo, Djamila Gallegos Espinoza, Juan Víctor Soras Valdivia, Felipe Aguirre Chávez, Elizabeth Gladys Garro Palomino

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study investigates the educational quality of graduate programs at public universities by employing neutrosophic set theory and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The analysis centers on three crucial factors: Teacher Training and Education (TTE), Educational and Technological Resources (ETR), and School Environment and Academic Climate (SEA). The results demonstrate that the combination of ETR (Educational Technology Readiness) and SEA (Student Engagement and Achievement) is the most reliable indicator of educational quality, with the highest overall metric of 0.826292. Although the ETR alone demonstrates substantial coverage, highlighting its wide-ranging significance, the study emphasizes the importance of considering both individual factors …

Identity Configuration Of Physician Clinician Educators: A Mixed Methods Study, Lindsey D. White

Organization, Information and Learning Sciences ETDs

This study explores identities of physician clinician educators (CEs) and finds that their identities are multiple and that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted CE identity configuration. Following a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design (quan -> QUAL), participants (n = 115) completed the Physician Clinician Educator Identity Survey (PCEIS) and semi-structured interviews (n = 12). Exploratory factor analysis resulted in a three-factor model; the PCEIS is an acceptable measure of singular CE identity, collective identity, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on CE identity. Qualitative results confirmed the quantitative results and revealed that CEs experience identity enhancement and conflict among multiple identities …

Essays On The Societal Impacts Of Housing Programs And Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Rex W. Sitti

Economics ETDs

I present three essays that contribute to understanding the secondary costs and benefits associated with programs that address homelessness and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. The first essay investigates whether homeless shelters impact property values. Despite anecdotal claims of property devaluation, endogeneity challenges limit empirical research on homelessness programs. Using data from the Department of Housing (HUD) and Seattle’s King County Department of Assessment, I address these challenges using spatial difference-in-differences methodology, revealing nuanced effects favoring permanent supportive housing. The second essay leverages the Built for Zero program to examine the link between homelessness and crime. Analyzing HUD and crime …

Evaluative Analysis Of The Incorporation Of Ict In The Solving Of Mathematical Problems In Primary Education Students With The Help Of Neutrosophic Statistics On Fuzzy Data, Gladys Martha Flores-Choque, Beker Maraza-Vilcanqui, Nain Maraza-Vilcanqui, Queke Maraza-Vilcanqui, Jesús Ttito-Quispe, Elizabeth Norma Calixto-Arias, Liliana Huaranga-Rivera, Aniceto Elías Aguilar-Polo

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This paper aims to determine the influence of incorporating Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in solving mathematical problems in students of the Primary Educational Institution N° 70656 Ricardo Palma Puno, Peru. To collect the information, a pre-test and a post-test were applied in the variable "resolution of mathematical problems" to an experimental group that received classes with the help of the use of ICT. The test was applied to a control group of the same age that followed the traditional method of learning mathematics. Teachers were asked to evaluate children using a linguistic scale because it is simpler and more …

Plithogenic Analysis Of The Psychosocial Perceptions Of Call Center Operators In Quito, Martha P. Silva-Guzmán, Bryan M. Barragán-Pazmiño, María J. Hernández-Mesa

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study focused on evaluating the perceptions of a group of call center operators in Quito regarding their work envi-ronment using Plithogenic statistics to address the complexity and ambiguity of the responses. The sample included 114 workers from three companies, assessed using the Battery of the Ministry of Social Protection of Colombia and a work stress questionnaire. The results revealed high job demands, perceived as stressful by employees, although satisfaction with the rewards received was shown. However, significant uncertainty was identified regarding control over work, lead-ership, and social relationships, suggesting critical areas for improvement. The use of Plithogenic logic allowed …

Model Of Tax Culture Impact On The Financial Sustainability Of Small And Medium Enterprises In Ecuador Based On Neutrosophic Hypersoft Sets, Gloria Angelica Valderrama Barragán, Edwin Favio Valderrama Barragán, Víctor Manuel Viteri Miranda, Dessire Amandiz Castro Valderrama, Italo Del Carmen Palacios Anzules

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The tax culture of a country consists of several factors to take into account. Tax evasion is a widespread problem in the world today. Ecuadorian Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as a whole have a great impact on the country's economy and have a weight to consider. This is why it is important to measure the tax behavior of Ecuadorian SMEs. This paper aims to propose a neutrosophic model to measure the tax culture of SMEs in Ecuador. To do this, we base on a model de-signed from the Neutrosophic theory and HyperSoft Sets. Hypersoft Sets extend Soft Sets from …

The Rheological Analysis Of Ancestral Beverages, Neutrosophic C-Means (Ncm) Clustering Algorithm Of Data, Ana M. Trávez-Castellano, Gabriela B. Arias-Palma, Renato A. Romero-Corral

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study focuses on the rheological analysis of cassava and chonta chichas (Manihot esculenta Crantz and Bactris gasipaes) produced in the Province of Pastaza, aiming to preserve and disseminate the cultural and nutritional heritage of these traditional beverages. The research emphasizes the integration of ancestral knowledge into modern production prac-tices, exploring sensory characteristics that could influence consumer preferences and production standardization. In Pas-taza, it has been observed that traditional production methods, such as chewing cassava and chonta to initiate fermentation, expose the product to microbial risks, making it potentially unpalatable and unsafe for consumption. To address these is-sues, this work …

Complex Analysis Of Family And Social Problems In The Context Of Parenting Competencies: Implementation Of Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps (Ncm) For The Evaluation And Resolution Of Conflicts, Yoya B. Flores-Pérez, José M. Vázquez Antonio, Rigoberto Navarrete Flores, Luz H. Cruzado Saucedo

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

At the intersection of family and social problems, complex challenges arise that demand an innovative and profound ap-proach - This article explores how parental competencies, essential for family dynamics, can be better understood and strengthened through the implementation of Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps (NCM) ̣Using a multidimensional approach, real cases are analyzed where family conflicts and tensions are intertwined with broader social problems, revealing the need for advanced analytical tools that allow a detailed and accurate evaluation ̣NCM emerges as a robust methodology, capable of capturing the ambiguity and uncertainty inherent in human interactions, offering a new perspective for intervention and …

Use Of Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps For The Analysis Of Five Didactic Options For Instruction In The Numerical And Research Skills Of Accounting Students, José A. Orb Dávila, Rilke Chong Vela, Tomás F. Rosales León, Gina M. Castillo Huamán, Víctor R. Reátegui-Paredes

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This article explores the innovative use of Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps to evaluate and compare five teaching approaches aimed at improving numerical and research skills among accounting students. This methodology, which integrates elements of neutrosophic theory, allows us to capture the inherent uncertainty and ambiguities in the perception and evaluation of educational options. Through a detailed and systematic analysis, the strengths and limitations of each approach are examined, highlighting how Neutrosophic Cognitive Maps offer a robust conceptual structure for discerning between the subtle complex-ities that affect effective learning. The results reveal profound elements about how different teaching strategies can influence the …

Utilizing Svnl Owa Distance Measure And Neutrosophic Topsis In The Assessment Of Management Leadership Styles, Jairo Mauricio Puetate Paucar, Diego Fernando Coka Flores, René Estalin Portilla Paguay

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

In the complex field of evaluating leadership styles, the integration and aggregation of data has become crucial. This article delves into the use of OWA-TOPSIS, a hybrid methodology that combines the Ordered Weighted Averages (OWA) Operator and the Method for Ordering Preferences by Similarity with the Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), to achieve an accurate and holistic assessment of leadership executive. By unifying diverse data and aggregating information from multiple sources, you achieve a more complete and nuanced view of management capabilities and styles. This approach not only improves the objectivity of the analysis, but also provides a powerful tool for decision-making …

Plithogenic Hypothesis In Social Innovation: An Analysis Of Its Evolution And Its Relationship With The Social Economy, Mercedes Anabel Monar Verdezoto, Hernán Arturo Rojas Sánchez, Javier Arturo Rojas Urbano, Jorge Briceño

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

The paper examines the connection between social innovation, social enterprises, and the social economy using the plithogenic hypothesis as a framework. The text highlights a significant deficiency in the existing body of research, specifically pointing out the lack of a unified approach that combines many views to thoroughly evaluate the influence of social innovation on economic growth. The study utilizes sophisticated analytical tools to investigate the interplay between these variables and their impact on the wider social economy. The results demonstrate that although there is a growing acknowledgment of the significance of social innovation and companies, the absence of precise …

Assessing Higher Education's Role In Personality Formation Using Neutroalgebra, Jean Pierre Ramos-Carpio, Oscar José Alejo Machado, Jesús Estupiñán Ricardo, Angel Braulio Martinez Vasquez

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This study examines the role of higher education in personality formation, highlighting its influence on the development of critical thinking, autonomy in decision-making, social skills, and creativity. While there is a favorable influence in these areas, the data also highlight limitations in developing problem-solving skills and cementing ethical and moral ideals. Emotional management has a neutral influence, whereas social awareness and citizenship reveal modest improvement, suggesting a need for increased attention on building civic involvement. The study proposes the use of neutroalgebra and neutrosophic theory to more accurately assess these abstract dimensions. Future work could explore the use of other …