Digital Commons Network^™

Autonomous Corrosion Detection In Steel Structures Using Different Non-Contact Techniques, Amrita Das

Theses and Dissertations

Metallic corrosion is an electrochemical process that can occur due to the formation of aqueous adlayers on the metal surface. It is often described as reverse metallurgy, as corrosion drives refined metals back to their lowest energy state, namely an oxidized, ore-like form. Environmental factors that promote corrosion include precipitation, high humidity, and chemical condensation, which can result from the hygroscopic nature of pollutants deposited on the surface. There is a significant impact of metallic corrosion on the U. S. economy including infrastructure, transportation, utilities, production, and manufacturing. The total direct cost of corrosion in the United States has been …

Targeted Coaching In The Detroit Promise Path: A Thematic Network Analysis Of Current Challenges And Opportunities For Student Success, Maryse Danielle Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The Detroit Promise Program is one of the many college promise programs operating within the United States that offers full college tuition coverage to students within the city who meet certain residential criteria. Detroit’s population has one of the highest proportions of Black and first-generation students and the lowest average socioeconomic class in the country. From the time of the Promise Program’s launch until now it has seen minor improvements in college degree competition rates, but this rate is still low compared to the national average. The Detroit Promise Path, which is an off branch of the Detroit Promise Program, …

Next-Gen Device For Uniform Cellular Migration Assay Execution, Nicholas M. Bittner

Theses and Dissertations

Cellular migration assays, particularly scratch assays, are pivotal in biomedical research for cell motility, wound healing, and metastasis. However, conventional scratch assays suffer from variability due to operator dependence, non-uniform scratch geometry, and a modified microenvironment that impacts reproducibility. This thesis presents the development and validation of a low-cost, 3D-printed device designed to standardize cellular migration assays. The device utilizes a spring mechanism and a biocompatible elastomer to create a uniform cellular exclusion zone without harming the surrounding cells. Through iterative prototyping and testing with MCF10A cell lines, the device demonstrated a significantly lower average standard deviation of length compared …

Seismic Design And Ductility Evaluation Of Concrete-Filled Thin-Walled Steel Tubular Columns Modeling As Bridge Piers, Njiru Mwaura

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate numerical modeling is essential for evaluating the seismic performance and load-bearing behavior of partially concrete-filled thin-walled steel tubular columns, particularly those used as bridge piers under complex seismic conditions. This study investigates the performance of such columns enhanced with embedded energy-dissipating shell plates and/or partial concrete infill, subjected to unidirectional and bidirectional seismic loading. A validated finite element model (FEM), developed in ABAQUS and incorporating geometric and material nonlinearities—including the modified Two-Surface Model (2SM)—was employed to simulate cyclic behavior and predict structural response.The model was benchmarked against experimental results and used to analyze a broad range of parameters, including …

Exploring Refugee Students’ Experiences In Midwest Higher Education Environments: Culturally Responsive Practices For Educators, Rohana De Silva

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the teaching and learning strategies used by highereducation faculty to support refugee students at a Midwestern university. Recognizing that refugee students bring diverse cultural, linguistic, and experiential backgrounds to academic environments, this research examined how instructional practices can either promote or hinder their educational success. Traditional teaching methods often fall short in addressing the complex needs of this student population. Using Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth Framework, Bourdieu’s Theory of Cultural Capital, and Resilience Theory, this study analyzed the narratives of refugee students to uncover how their lived experiences influenced their educational journeys. Findings revealed that refugee …

Precipitation Forecast And Verification For Suas Applications, Patrick Britt

Theses and Dissertations

Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) have become a fast-growing part of air traffic in the United States. This significant growth is due to the numerous uses these systems can provide, both recreationally and professionally. Due to the small nature of the sUAS, any weather, regardless of intensity, plays a vital role in flight operations and planning. In a survey of sUAS pilots, it was found that precipitation was the most significant hazard of concern, and the most time-sensitive hazard, as precipitation conditions are most often checked by operators in the immediate moments before flight. This project aimed to create, analyze, …

When Fomo Meets The Keg: A Descriptive Case Study Of Binge Drinking In First-Year College Students At The University Of North Dakota, Angie Novak

Theses and Dissertations

Binge drinking among first-year college students is a persistent public health and academic issue, particularly during the transition to higher education. As students gain independence and navigate peer influence and campus norms, many perceive alcohol use as a central part of the college experience. This descriptive case study investigates the personal, environmental, and behavioral factors contributing to binge drinking among first-year students at the University of North Dakota (UND).The study, guided by Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), explored how students adopt and reinforce drinking behaviors through peer modeling, social expectations, and institutional culture. Qualitative data was collected through individual interviews with …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Best Practices And Applications Of Green, Eco, And Environmental Social Work In Canadian Social Work Practice, Ryley Kristanne Kowalski

Theses and Dissertations

Humanity and society are deeply connected to nature and the environment at their core. Through processes of colonization, the Industrial Revolution, urbanization, consumerism, and capitalism, people and societies have become increasingly disconnected from the natural environment. Introduced as a helping profession through the Industrial Revolution, social work began rooted in environment but quickly changed to understand human and societal wellbeing through the narrow scope of the social environment through the person-in-environment approach. Modern day issues of climate change, environmental degradation, environmental racism, and environmental justice movements have necessitated social work’s increased understanding of the natural environment. The purpose of this …

Stem Professors’ Motivation To Engage In A College Teaching Certificate, Justin Craig Alexander

Theses and Dissertations

Despite an expanded focus on educating students in STEM disciplines, nearly half of U.S. college students who enroll in these degree programs fail to graduate (Hamm et al., 2020, p. 623). Critics sometimes blame pedagogically untrained faculty (e.g., Kahn, 2022). This Dissertation in Practice (DiP) focused on STEM university faculty's motivation for teaching and whether professors are motivated to enroll in pedagogy courses. Via the lens of self-determination theory (SDT), this DiP examined to what extent STEM faculty at a major research university in the upper Midwest could devote additional time to pedagogy by enrolling in a college teaching graduate …

Zaasijiwan: An Indigenized Health Communication Framework For American Indian And Alaska Native Communities, Jennifer Wolf

Theses and Dissertations

The Zaasijiwan Framework represents an Indigenized health communication model developed to enhance the cultural relevance, trust, and effectiveness of public health messaging for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. This qualitative study integrated Indigenous and Western public health knowledge to inform the development of the framework. A comprehensive literature review and two rounds of key informant interviews with health communication professionals informed the design of the framework. Findings emphasized the importance of community co-creation and strengths-based narratives, along with other framework elements, in overcoming medical mistrust and improving health outcomes. The final framework offers public health professionals, Tribal, and …

Energy Systems Optimization Techniques In The Oil And Gas Industry With Special Attention On Oil Field Reciprocating Compressors, Sean Jainarine

Theses and Dissertations

The oil and natural gas exploration and production industry is undergoing rapid growth, resulting in an increased number of operational wells and heightened potential for air emissions from oil and natural gas sources. Within production sites, compressors play a pivotal role and are often regarded as the "heart of a manufacturing plant" in the oil and gas sector. These crucial devices are designed to compress air or other gases to pressures higher than atmospheric pressure. Gas compression is typically achieved using devices with rotating blades or cylinders featuring reciprocating compressors while are essential for operations demanding high-pressures in small packages. …

Negotiating Gender: A Qualitative Analysis Of Trans-Parasocial Relationships With Gen Z Social Media Users, Hannah Grace Scheffer-Wentz

Theses and Dissertations

The growth of social media and its functions as an online, international forum has been a growing topic of interest for researchers and the public alike. With the rise of native influencing and the incorporation of “organic” advertising, Social Media Influencers have grown in not just following and publicity with affiliate marketing and brand partnerships, but they have grown in social interest, as well. With the rise in technology and the introduction of Gen Z, who are digital natives, this has challenged previous understanding of online relationships, specifically with the expansion of Parasocial Relationship Theory to the online application of …

Religion-Justified Childhood Maltreatment, Maladjustment, And Child Abuse Potential, Hannah Doctor

Theses and Dissertations

Childhood abuse is a widely studied construct that has been shown to be related to higher levels of maladjustment and physical discipline and abuse perpetration in adulthood. Religion has been studied in relation to traumatic experiences and shown to be a factor that may help mitigate subsequent maladjustment. The idea religion may have been used to justify abusive acts has not been as widely studied but may complicate the picture of religion being a protective or resiliency factor. The present study sought to explore the relationships between religion, childhood abuse, maladjustment, and parenting behaviors. It was hypothesized that religion being …

Inorganic Arsenite [I-As (Iii)] Represses Human Renal Progenitor Cell Characteristics And Induces Neoplastic-Like Transformation, Md Ehsanul Haque

Theses and Dissertations

Studies on populations exposed to inorganic arsenic (iAs) have shown an association between this particular exposure and the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, there are few studies addressing how acute exposure of the human kidney to iAs might lead to long-term alterations that might lead to CKD or RCC. This study’s hypothesis is that renal exposure to iAs might alter the renal cells responsible for the repair and regeneration of nephrons damaged by iAs exposure or other renal toxicants. The kidney possesses a minority epithelial cell population that co-express PROM1 and CD24 that …

Measuring The Clinical Effectiveness Of Telenutrition Medical Nutrition Therapy Among American Indian And Alaska Native Adults Newly Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes, Charisse Lindsey Holiday

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 global pandemic was the impetus of the transition from in-person medical nutrition therapy (MNT) visits to telephone MNT. This occurred without evaluation of its clinical effectiveness, especially for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). It is known that in-person MNT is clinically effective at lowering hemoglobin A1c (A1c) and that people with diabetes who experience food insecurity have poorer health. However, research characterizing food insecurity among AI/ANs is limited. This retrospective observational analytical study was conducted at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC) in Phoenix, Arizona to assess the clinical effectiveness of telephone delivered MNT services by a …

Evaluating The Engineering Properties Of Waste-Modified Asphalt Binders And Mixtures As Inputs For The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design, Duncan Rioba Oteki

Theses and Dissertations

Pavements are essential for economic development and mobility, with asphalt dominating the US road network due to its cost-effectiveness, ease of maintenance, and recyclability. However, the environmental impacts of asphalt production and the depletion of virgin materials have driven the integration of waste products into asphalt mixtures to improve sustainability. This study evaluated the engineering properties of waste-modified asphalt binders and mixtures as performance-based inputs for the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG). The rutting performance of ten asphalt mixtures commonly used in North Dakota was assessed using mechanistic and empirical tests. Mechanistic tests included the dynamic modulus (|E*|), Flow Number …

Predictive Modeling For Multiphase Flow Boiling Heat Transfer By Integrating Computational Fluid Dynamics And Machine Learning Approaches, Mohamed Elfaham

Theses and Dissertations

The heat transfer process in multiphase flow systems becomes essential forindustrial applications and when phase change occurs. The heat transfer coefficients become more efficient during boiling and condensation processes when compared to single-phase fluid flow. The design of thermal systems requires knowledge about these coefficients together with their essential parameters. This study evaluates flow boiling heat transfer coefficients for low-global warming potential refrigerants which include pure ethanol and propane (R-290) and R- 600 and R-600A. The experimental database included more than 25 independent studies that covered various operating conditions and channel sizes and fluid properties. Existing empirical correlations were evaluated, …

The Wicked Problem Of Moral Distress: Exploring The Experiences Of Rural Clinic Nurses, Sydney Rae Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Moral distress is an occupational hazard for nurses that can negatively impact nurses, patients, and the healthcare system. Moral distress has been well documented in high-risk care environments. Each nursing care environment has its own unique triggers for moral distress, but these triggers are unknown in rural clinic nurses. Design and Purpose: This convergent mixed methods study sought to gain a broader understanding of moral distress in nurses working in rural clinic settings.

Methods: Convergent mixed methodology was used to gain a broader understanding of moral distress in nurses working in rural clinic settings. Following ethical approvals, informed by …

Belongingness And Science Identity Of Underrepresented Students In Aerospace Sciences, Bella Hettich

Theses and Dissertations

Despite efforts to support underrepresented individuals—specifically those from racial, ethnic, and gender minority groups—they continue to face unique challenges that affect their belongingness in aerospace sciences, leading to issues with retention in educational programs and subsequent professional pathways. Such hindrances to personal achievement can also impede broader organizational goals. Addressing these challenges is critical, as supporting the success of underrepresented individuals fosters diverse perspectives, which are essential for driving innovation and maximizing organizational productivity. Just as importantly, ensuring that every individual, regardless of background, has access to opportunities and the support needed to succeed fulfills an ethical obligation. Upholding the …

Evaluation Of Schlafen Family Proteins In Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Savannah Brown

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the role of Schlafen (SLFN) family proteins in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), a subtype known for its aggressive behavior and poor response to treatment. Through a series of studies, this dissertation examines the interplay between multiple SLFN proteins, chemotherapy resistance, and immune modulation, revealing the potential of SLFN12 as both a biomarker and therapeutic target for improving treatment outcomes, particularly in overcoming chemoresistance in TNBC.

Breast cancer, the most common cancer worldwide, includes various subtypes like TNBC, which lacks estrogen, progesterone, and HER2 receptors, making it resistant to conventional therapies. SLFN proteins, first discovered in mice, regulate …

Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning Models To Increase Colorectal Cancer Detection For American Samoa Adults, Va'atausili Tofaeono

Theses and Dissertations

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Indigenous and Pacific Islander populations, particularly in American Samoa, where screening rates are critically low due to cultural barriers, limited healthcare infrastructure, and geographical isolation. This dissertation explores the potential of an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) predictive model to enhance CRC screening and early detection among American Samoan adults. By leveraging widely available clinical data, such as complete blood count (CBC) results, age, and gender, the AI/ML model aims to identify high-risk individuals for targeted interventions, thereby improving early detection and treatment outcomes.The dissertation comprises three …

Gender-Based Perceptions Of Confronting Prejudice In The Classroom, Mary Hamilton

Theses and Dissertations

Disparities exist between men and women in academia at the faculty and student level. Academically, women are judged as being weaker and inferior, and many describe experiences of sexism, often within the classroom setting. Few studies have investigated the impact of an instructor confronting sexism in the classroom. The current study examined the effects of an instructor’s gender, student’s gender, and instructor’s confrontation decision on students’ perceptions of the instructor, classroom environment, and the moderating effect of self-reported sexism. Participants read one of four vignettes describing an act of sexism in the classroom where a male (or female) instructor confronts …

Congolese Refugee Narratives Of Belonging, Grief, And Cultural Continuity In Appalachia, Kayla Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the communicative challenges that Congolese refugees face after resettlement, particularly as they strive to reconstruct a sense of belonging in the United States that reflects their experiences in either their home country or secondary countries where they endured protracted displacement in refugee camps. Narrative qualitative research methods were used to conduct interviews with five Congolese refugees in Appalachia. Through qualitative thematic and lexical analysis derived from the interviews, the study reveals patterns of linguistic isolation, community continuity, and emotional displacement. A key finding is that participants often conceptualize community not as a geographic entity, but as an …

The Weapon Focus Effect On Memory For Male And Female Perpetrators, Faith Christel Aasen

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research on the weapon focus effect suggests that weapon presence causes reduced memory accuracy for perpetrator details due to weapons being surprising and unexpected. The unusualness hypothesis suggests that a stronger weapon focus effect should occur when the perpetrator defies typical gender stereotypes, such as a woman holding a gun. The current study sought to examine how the weapon focus effect impacts eyewitness memory for male and female perpetrators, specifically exploring the magnitude of the effect on female perpetrators. The current study further investigated whether the own gender bias attenuates the weapon focus effect on memory for female perpetrators. …

Beyond The Game: Designing An Nil First-Year Seminar Through Thematic Analysis Of Division 1 Student-Athletes Perspectives, Laura Dimattia

Theses and Dissertations

The 2021 relaxation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) regulations by the NCAA has transformed collegiate athletics, granting student-athletes the opportunity to profit from their personal brands. These changes deliver financial and personal advancement opportunities but introduce new challenges. Student-athletes encounter challenges in managing responsibilities related to athletics, academics, and commercial activities amid evolving NIL compliance requirements. Universities struggle to manage multiple pressures including compliance requirements and recruitment strategies along with challenges from the Transfer Portal.

This study explores the motivational factors behind student-athletes' engagement with NIL and their learning preferences through a qualitative approach. The researcher conducted in-depth interviews …

An Exploratory Investigation Of The Impact Of Psychological Intimate Partner Violence On College Women: A Qualitative Study, Dana Juel Conzemius-Schindler

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have found psychological intimate partner violence (P-IPV; defined as emotional and verbal abuse utilized to degrade, demean, create fear, control, or isolate; Tolman, 1989; Sullivan et al., 2012) is detrimental to mental health functioning, including increased sexual risk behaviors, depressive and anxious symptomology, and relationship dissatisfaction (Hellemans et al., 2015; Overstreet et al., 2015). Despite this, little is known regarding the academic and psychological lived experiences of survivors of P-IPV. Therefore, the current study sought to qualitatively explore the lived experiences of female-identified students exposed to psychological intimate partner violence while in college. Through a Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR; …

Spatial And Temporal Assessment Of Meteorological Drought Using The Standardized Precipitation Index (Spi) And Its Effect On Crop Yield Over The Corn Belt Region Of The United States From 2000 To 2023, Victor Araya

Theses and Dissertations

Climate change and global warming have contributed to extreme weather events and patterns, including severe flooding, earthquakes, wildfires, and drought. Drought happens to be the deadliest catastrophic event around the world. Drought's impact on ecosystems and local communities has been increasing in many parts of the world, including the United States and, most importantly, the corn Belt, which also happens to be the country's food basket. Understanding drought prediction and mitigation can be investigated through drought indices. The Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) is considered the most reliable in this study. It is used in this study to present the critical …

Examining A Year One Sor Implementation: A Mixed-Method Study Of Teacher Experiences And Student Literacy Scores, Christine Litzinger

Theses and Dissertations

With increasing national and legislative mandates prioritizing SoR practices, many schools are shifting their literacy practices to align classroom instruction, interventions, and screening to follow reading research, which can require a shift in pedagogy for individual educators and schools. This exploratory sequential mixed-methods study explored a year one implementation of the Science of Reading (SoR) in a mid-size midwestern school district during their first year of across-district literacy reform. Qualitative case study interviews were conducted of K-3 Classroom teachers (4) and literacy coaches (4). Emergent themes from the findings included value in high fidelity professional development, challenges related to resource …

Exploring Geothermal Energy Development In The Deep Reservoirs Of The Williston Basin: An Integrated Analysis Using Empirical, Probabilistic, Numerical Simulation And Machine Learning Techniques, Emmanuel Gyimah

Theses and Dissertations

Geothermal energy, a renewable, clean, and abundant energy source, is gaining global attention as a key contributor to the transition towards a low-carbon economy. However, uncertainties in reservoir characterization and development risks hinder its widespread adoption, particularly in the Williston Basin. This study focuses on the Williston Basin, particularly the Red River and Deadwood formations, to explore the potential of deep geothermal reservoirs in North Dakota. The study integrates a multi-disciplinary technique in empirical, probabilistic, numerical simulation, and machine learning to reduce uncertainties and risks associated with geothermal energy exploration and development. Probabilistic methods (Parametric and Monte Carlo), incorporating geo-statistics, …

Predicting Social Media Addiction: The Influence Of Paralinguistic Digital Affordances And Cognitive Processes On Social Media Use, Dakota Krebs

Theses and Dissertations

Social media has become an increasing staple in everyday life for numerous people. Yet, excessive and repetitive social media usage may become problematic, to the extent that the behavior takes the form of a psychological addiction. The primary objective of this study was to explore prospective factors that could predict the psychological dependency on social media applications, characterized as social media addiction (SMA). Paralinguistic Digital Affordances (PDAs) are “likes” one receives on social media and may predict SMA via the expected gratification attained when a PDA is received. Cognitive processes, assessed with a general executive functioning index and the n-back …