Digital Commons Network^™

A Face Recognition Method Using Deep Learning To Identify Mask And Unmask Objects, Saroj Mishra

Theses and Dissertations

At the present, the use of face masks is growing day by day and it is mandated in most places across the world. People are encouraged to cover their faces when in public areas to avoid the spread of infection which can minimize the transmission of Covid-19 by 65 percent (according to the public health officials). So, it is important to detect people not wearing face masks. Additionally, face recognition has been applied to a wide area for security verification purposes since its performance, accuracy, and reliability [15] are better than any other traditional techniques like fingerprints, passwords, PINs, and …

Exploring [2+2] Photoreaction To Synthesize Cyclobutane Di- And Tetracarboxylic Acid Building Blocks From Biomass-Derived Precursors, Dominic Nkafu Nkemngong

Theses and Dissertations

Materials are a vital part of human life, as such, it is important that the precursors to these materials are sustainable. Currently, these precursors are synthesized by the oxidation of petroleum-derived hydrocarbons. Petroleum is not sustainable and is feared to deplete soon. Derivatizing the currently available biomass-based building blocks will diversify and increase the number of precursors for materials and gradually reduce our reliance on petrochemicals.The carboxylic dianhydride, CBDAN-1, a potential biomass-derived precursor for material synthesis, was synthesized from the photodimerization of maleic anhydride or the dehydration of CBTA-1. CBTA-1 was synthesized from the photodimerization of maleic and fumaric acids …

A Survey Of Research Administrators To Identify Areas Of Administrative Burden In Federal Research Grant Management, Jessica Lynn Schiller

Theses and Dissertations

Many processes in higher education are complicated by administrative burden and proceduralinefficiencies. The federal government and research universities partner to advance science and technology, but the federal research grant process is criticized for its lack of efficient and streamlined procedures. Staff and faculty alike lament losing valuable time to bureaucratic regulations, cumbersome processes, and burgeoning reporting standards. As the cost of higher education is increasingly scrutinized, current procedures must be analyzed to identify areas of excessive administrative burden and redesigned to maximize efficiency. To address this issue, a Qualtrics survey was deployed to research administrators to identify areas of administrative …

Investigating Gender Diversity, Equity, And Inclusivity And Students’ Experiences Within Collegiate Team-Based Learning Environments, Marissa Elizabeth Saad

Theses and Dissertations

As the United States works towards strengthening and diversifying the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce, many national charges aim to increase the quantity of female participants, while overlooking how systematic barriers affect the quality of female students’ education. Many STEM workforce development programs, such as the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, are committed to improving the nation’s diversity, equity, and inclusivity (DEI) efforts, enabling technical education through hands-on team-based learning (TBL) environments.

The purpose of this study was to take a holistic approach to assess how gender DEI in STEM team environments influence the quality of …

Impact Of Expert And Victim Gender In A Case Involving Intimate Partner Violence, Mckenzie Schueller

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact expert witness and victim gender had on mock jurors’ perceptions in a court case involving intimate partner violence (IPV). Participants were asked to read a mock trial transcript that included testimony of a victim and an expert and respond to questions. Results indicated that gender of the victim was oftentimes more influential on mock jurors’ perceptions than gender of the expert. For instance, the female victim was perceived as less blameworthy than the male victim regardless of expert gender. Furthermore, both the male and female expert were viewed as more …

Increasing Implementation Fidelity Of Behavior Intervention Plans In Public Schools Following Delivery Of Remote Behavior Skills Training For Staff, Shayna Kia Shriver

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a remote training to educate teachers in effectively implementing interventions within a behavior intervention plan (BIP) following remote behavior skills training (BST). This study addressed the following research question: What are the effects of a remote behavior skills training program on the teacher percentage of correctly implemented steps of a behavior intervention program. The study was conducted with elementary school teachers who work with students who continue to exhibit problematic behaviors. Teachers were trained to effectively implement students’ current BIPs, which consisted of teachers reporting on the effectiveness of …

Beyond The Brick And Mortar: Examining Internal Selection Of Principals, Brittany Upton

Theses and Dissertations

Consistent growth, expansion, and construction in high enrollment North Dakota school districts and across the country lead to the addition of principal positions. This study closely examined the internal recruitment and selection of the building principal. Experienced principals who have led both a new and existing North Dakota public school with high enrollment served as field expert participants in a Delphi Study and qualitative document review. Ten Professional Standards for Educational Leaders (PSEL) were used by participants as competencies to first identify which have been more important when considering leading both a newly built school and an existing school. After …

Investigation Of Stoichiometric And Catalytic Palladium Mediated Reactions, Purna Chandra Rao Vasireddy

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation describes the investigation of stoichiometric and catalytic transformations involving Pd(II) compounds. The first two parts of the dissertation are focused on the preparation, characterization and application of the well-known group of Pd(II) derivatives called cyclopalladated complexes (CPCs). Specifically, N,N-dimethylhydrazone of D-camphor (I.1) was obtained as the single E isomer in 80% yield by treating the enantiopure ketone with N,N-dimethylhydrazine in the presence of an equimolar amount of p-TSA.H2O in ethanol. Direct cyclopalladation of hydrazone I.1 was accomplished at the C(3)H2 group using Pd(MeCN)2Cl2 and NaOAc in MeCN at the reflux temperature. The product of the reaction, dinuclear cyclopalladated …

Non-Binary Gender Identity Development: A Qualitative Study, Trevor Waagen

Theses and Dissertations

Gender identity development models in psychology for transgender individuals have typically combined the experiences of binary transgender and non-binary transgender people into the same group. However, differences may exist between the two communities. Therefore, the present study sought to explore the lived experiences of non-binary adults and their gender identity development process. Through the lens of grounded theory (Charmaz, 2014), semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 10 non-binary participants to collect rich data on their gender identity development process. Transcriptions were coded and reviewed to develop themes and categories. The themes included: Connection and relationships, intersectionality and culture, gender in …

Development Of Silicon-Based Anodes With Coal-Derived Materials For High-Performance Lithium-Ion Batteries, Shuai Xu

Theses and Dissertations

The increasing demands on high energy density and long cycling life in electronics and energy storage systems require lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with higher capacity anodes to replace the present commercial anode, graphite, which has a limited capacity of only 372 mAh g-1. Silicon-based materials (silicon and silicon suboxides) are among the most attractive alternative because of their high theoretical capacity but can hardly reach commercialization due to numerous technical and engineering barriers. The effort in this dissertation focuses on improving the electrochemical performance of SiO and Si anode materials, trying to pave a way to a greener and cleaner energy …

Translocation Of Yops By Yersinia Pestis Into Canine Cell Lines, Betsy Louise Young

Theses and Dissertations

Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of plague, secretes a set of virulence proteins called Yops when in contact with eukaryotic cells. A subset of these Yops is translocated directly into the cytosol of the host eukaryotic cells by the type III secretion system. Using a protein tag-based reporter system, this study is focused on the translocation of these Yops into the cytosol of canine derived cell lines: MDCK and DH82. The MDCK cell line is a canine derived epithelial cell line, and the DH82 cell line is a canine derived monocyte cell line. The reporter system uses a phosphorylatable peptide …

The Z Factor: Generation Z And The Perspectives Of Recruitment Professionals On Sustaining Small Private Liberal Arts Institutions During A Decade Of Expected Decline In Higher Education Enrollment, Shawn Adkins

Theses and Dissertations

The increased competitive nature of higher education institutions has caused many small private liberal arts colleges/universities to struggle economically. The cost of keeping such institutions viable is high. Many institutions have had to raise tuitions rates, which resulted in decreased enrollment numbers. As a result, many institutions have been struggling; some even closing. The influences and interferences of college choice among current college-aged students (known as Generation Z) were reviewed with recruitment professionals from a handful of such institutions for this qualitative, constructivist grounded theory study. Data was collected by reviewing relevant research literature and conducting interviews with participants from …

They May Not Believe You Remembered That Nose: Juror Perceptions Of Eyewitness' Featural Justifications, Mary Cops

Theses and Dissertations

The featural justification effect occurs when an eyewitness provides a confidence statement at the time of lineup identification that includes reference to a facial feature or component that aided them in their identification (Dodson & Dobolyi, 2015, 2017, 2018; Slane & Dodson, 2019). The result of the effect, found across several manipulations, is that jurors tend to discredit the confidence of an eyewitness that references a facial feature (such as eyes, nose, chin) in the identification statement. The current studies examined featural justification, along with eyewitness viewing conditions and legal safeguards. Participants were presented with either expert testimony (study 1) …

Relationships Between Handgrip Strength Asymmetry And Multimorbidity In Canadian Adults Aged 40 Years And Older: Results From The Canadian Health Measures Survey, Morgan Ann Flann

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Hand-grip strength (HGS) is a convenient, valid, and reliable measure of overall muscle strength that is significantly related to current and future health. HGS asymmetry is an additional aspect of muscle function that can also be measured using handheld dynamometry. The aim of this study was to examine associations between HGS asymmetry and multimorbidity in a nationally representative sample of Canadian adults aged 40 years or older. Methods: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data was performed on adults aged 40-79 years from six cycles (2007- 2017) of the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS). HGS was assessed using handheld dynamometry, …

Pre-Service Teachers' Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy: From Theory To Practice, Yvonne H. Cannon

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the relationship of pre-service teachers’ perceptions of self-efficacy and functioning to their confidence in their teaching abilities before the student teaching experience. This phenomenological study with a sequential mixed-methods approach seeks to answer the following research question from a sample of pre-service teachers completing the final semester of coursework before student teaching: How do pre-service teachers describe their lived experiences of their relationships between self-perceptions of teaching efficacy and functioning to their confidence in their teaching abilities? Additionally, the study attempts to identify emerging gaps in the transition from coursework to fieldwork to assist Educator Preparation Programs …

Sluggish Cognitive Tempo In A Pediatric Population, Anna Elizabeth Croghan

Theses and Dissertations

Sluggish cognitive tempo (SCT), a constellation of symptoms distinguished by daydreaming and lethargy, was previously thought to be characteristic of ADHD. However, it was found that this set of symptoms consistently loaded onto a separate factor. Increased interest in determining the diagnostic validity of SCT has led researchers to study SCT symptoms in relation to other psychological conditions, as well as various functional outcomes. The present study examined the extent to which SCT predicted poorer functioning across measures of cognition, academic achievement, and social problems above and beyond other factors that have been found to co-occur with SCT and independently …

Fracture Initiation And Propagation In Shale Formations With Anisotropic Toughness, Nourelhouda Benouadah

Theses and Dissertations

Hydraulic Fracturing (HF) is the prime technology for enhanced production from shale plays. Due to their laminations at different scales, shales exhibit transverse isotropic (TI) properties. In most cases the lamination planes are nearly horizontal in shales setting with the symmetric axes being vertical, therefore, shales are referred to as TI vertical (TIV) rocks. This influences significantly the initiation and propagation of the induced fracture during fracturing operation. For instance, accurate estimation of the fracture initiation pressure (FIP) and fracture morphology is essential to ensure optimum hydraulic fracturing design in unconventional reservoirs. However, majority of studies of HF modelling in …

Incorporating Worker Protections In Collective Bargaining Agreements As A Facilitator For Self-Reporting, Todd Heyne

Theses and Dissertations

The US airline industry relies on the willing participation of frontline employees to self-report safety hazards as part of an effective reporting culture. Current literature suggests fear of punitive actions as a barrier to self-reporting. Using a quantitative method, this study evaluated how employee protections from punitive actions incorporated into collective bargaining agreements (CBA) of Part 121 airline employees facilitates self-reporting. An Exploratory Factor Analysis suggests that Enhanced Reporting, Employee Protections, Roles and Responsibility, and Employee Engagement undergird self-reporting culture. All the factors had acceptable reliabilities and were significantly related to each other. Regression analysis suggested that Employee Protection was …

Origin Of Red Sequence Barred Spiral Galaxies, Jenica Lesser

Theses and Dissertations

Spiral galaxies contain spiral arms that are sites of ongoing star formation, typically making these galaxies appear blue in color. Several studies, however, have recently found that a small fraction of cluster spiral galaxies (~10%) appear red in color. These studies have proposed several mechanisms to explain the red color of spiral galaxies, including bar instabilities. The research goal of this thesis is to contrast and compare imaging data for a sample of face-on red-sequence (RS) and non-red-sequence (NRS) barred spiral galaxies selected from 67 low-redshift galaxy clusters. These data were collected from observations obtained using the 3.6-meter Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope, …

The History Of Queer Resistance And Student Activism At The University Of North Dakota, Jeff Maliskey

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the queer history of the University of North Dakota from 1980 to present day and demonstrates how LGBTQ+ student activism lead to the development of LGBTQ+ programs and services at the University. Situated in a socially and politically conservative state, the University of North Dakota provides an understanding of how LGBTQ+ students organized in the 1980s out of necessity to combat social opposition and discriminatory state legislation. LGBTQ+ students were burdened with the responsibility to create their own support services and resources as there is no historical evidence of the university administration taking steps to improve the …

Examining Cultural Identification And Substance Use Among American Indian And Caucasian Adults, Lynn Ruth Martell

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research suggests American Indians (AIs) demonstrate higher levels of substance use and related consequences. AIs have experienced historical trauma through colonization which has created shifts in the way AIs conceptualize their identity. However, the literature on cultural identification as an influencing factor of substance use among AIs is inconsistent. The current study examined alcohol and drug use/related consequences, collective self-esteem, and cultural identification among 213 AI (n = 44) and Caucasian (CA; n = 169) adults via online surveys. Results indicated higher scores on the American Indian Cultural Identification (AICI) scale was a predictor for increased alcohol and drug …

Small Mammal Community Ecology In A Northern Grassland, Lynda Lafond

Theses and Dissertations

I studied grassland small mammal community ecology at UND’s Oakville Prairie, in Grand Forks County, North Dakota summers 2018-2021. Specifically, I was interested in small mammal richness and abundance, investigating their habitat associations, investigating their phenotypic variation, and understanding their diets. I trapped small mammals for five consecutive nights at the end of June to early July 2018 – 2021. I also measured plant community composition and structure metrics. Over the four years, I captured 985 individuals from 11 species. Species richness and abundance varied spatially and temporally across the site. I most frequently captured meadow voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus), mice …

The Lived Experience Of Chinese International Students Seeking Internships During Optional Practical Training (Opt) Program, Yue Lyu

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Chinese international students currently in search of internship positions during their Optional Practical Training (OPT) program after completing their degrees in the United States. Specifically, this study employed an interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) for exploring participants’ experiences during the internship-seeking process—encompassing aspects such as their perceived employment barriers, the impacts of this experience on their mental and physical well-being, as well as their resources, and coping strategies. A total of four (4) superordinate themes emerged from the results. Participants described their perceived external and internal barriers that led to adverse impacts on …

The Impact Of Betrayal Trauma On Sexual Assertiveness In Women And The Examination Of Trust And Self-Esteem As Mediating Factors, Alexandra Rehovsky

Theses and Dissertations

There is a significant body of research that links sexual assault to a decrease in sexual assertiveness; however, there is a gap in research exploring how other forms of trauma that involve a violation of trust and security within close relationships (i.e., other forms of betrayal trauma) may also negatively impact sexual assertiveness. In the current study, 310 female participants were assessed for a history of betrayal trauma, as well as self-reported sexual assertiveness. In addition, three potential mediators were included in the study (relational trust, sexual self-esteem, and global self-esteem) to further explore the relationship between betrayal trauma and …

Development Of Biomass-Derived Nanoparticles For Biological And Medical Applications, Sarah Elizabeth Reagen

Theses and Dissertations

Quantum dots (QDs) are a subset of nanoparticles (NPs) that have several unique optical and electrical properties that make them viable for fluorescent cell labeling applications. However, these QDs in the past were composed of toxic heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, and therefore, graphene-based QDs (GQDs) have been examined as an alternative material for these cell labeling applications for their increased biocompatibility. Furthermore, GQDs can produced singlet oxygen (1O2) for photodynamic therapy (PDT), making them capable of being used as a PS agent for cancer treatment. Additionally, hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (hMSNs) are capable of being an alternative …

Internet Training Modules Targeting Home-Based Parent Involvement With Students In Early Childhood Special Education, Nicole Marie Reybok

Theses and Dissertations

Parental engagement is an essential element in the social-emotional and academic achievement of students. However, barriers to this involvement continue to exist. Barriers may take many forms including time, school and staff perceptions and bias, power dynamic, communication with teachers, curriculum, and differences in language and culture. Barriers to parent engagement are typically increased for parents of children with special education needs. Therefore, it is the responsibility of school staff to identify barriers that may exist for families and help them to develop solutions to overcome those barriers. This quantitative study investigated possible barriers to home-based parent involvement in Early …

Telehealth Satisfaction Amidst The Covid-19 Pandemic, Hillary Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic caused substantial disruptions and changes in mental health service delivery as community mental health clinics had to scramble to implement telehealth services to provide continuity of care under quarantine. For the current study, I conducted in-depth video interviews with ten clients from a community mental health training clinic who transitioned from in-person services to telehealth services. Twenty-one factors related to clients’ satisfaction with telehealth services and their perceived barriers to the treatment modality using a grounded theory framework. The majority of participants reported they were satisfied with telehealth but preferred to return to in-person therapy sessions with …

Data Driven Approach To Saltwater Disposal (Swd) Well Location Optimization In North Dakota, Kalyanaraman Venugopal

Theses and Dissertations

The sharp increase in oil and gas production in the Williston Basin of North Dakota since 2006 has resulted in a significant increase in produced water volumes. Primary mechanism for disposal of produced water is by injection into underground Inyan Kara formation through Class-II Saltwater Disposal (SWD) wells. With number of SWD wells anticipated to increase from 900 to over 1400 by 2035, localized pressurization and other potential issues that could affect performance of future oil and SWD wells, there was a need for a reliable model to select locations of future SWD wells for optimum performance. Since it is …

Restorative Justice Practices In Middle School Settings In North Dakota, Carly Theis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to provide an understanding of the nature of restorative practices within the framework of restorative justice, successful strategies utilized in middle school settings, and the impact restorative justice can have on a school’s climate and culture. This study focused on three North Dakota middle schools that implement restorative practices. Interviews were conducted with three teachers and three principals. The participants identified the successful strategies used in their schools and the impact of effective restorative practices on their climate and culture. In addition, the research gathered was used to create professional development workshops for teachers, …

Modeling And Simulations Of Stress Shadow Effect On Multistage Hydraulic Fractures, Agustinus Zandy

Theses and Dissertations

Multistage hydraulic fracturing (MsHF) is a technique often combined with horizontal drilling for the extraction of oil or gas from unconventional plays. MsHF alters the magnitude and orientation of the principal stresses along the length of an induced fracture. This stress alteration in the vicinity of the hydraulic fracture is commonly called the stress shadow, and the shadow impacts the propagation of the subsequent fracture. This study utilized numerical simulations and theory-based analytical models to establish a relationship between hydraulic fracture and stress shadow development.

This study developed a methodology for optimizing hydraulic fracture spacing by considering the stress shadow …