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Capturing Maximum Photovoltaic Power With Machine Learning: Maximum Current Prediction, Mppt Methodology, And Adjustable Ml-Based Controller, Zahi Mohamed Mohamed

Dissertations

The primary aim of this doctoral thesis is to examine the potential application of machine learning (ML) in optimizing Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) and devising a flexible ML-based controller for photovoltaic (PV) systems. The lack of MPPT mechanisms leads to fixed voltage and current points for PV modules, resulting in substantial power loss when environmental conditions vary. The limitations of conventional and enhanced MPPT methods, as well as finding an alternative controller to classical Proportional-Integral (PI) controllers, have spurred the search for substitute approaches to maximize PV power. To address these limitations, this thesis proposes using ensemble ML techniques, …

Impact Of Teaching Mathematics With Four Teaching Strategies On Fifth Grade Students’ Learning Of Fractions Addition And Subtraction, Nabil Riziq Al Farra

Dissertations

There are different tools, resources, and materials that mathematics teachers may use to enhance the teaching and learning processes under many types of teaching strategies such as technology (e.g., videos and virtual manipulatives), real objects (e.g., concrete manipulatives), and other teaching strategies are traditional (e.g., lectures). Some of the most important things that a teacher has to consider is the students’ learning needs and how to reach to their minds by different teaching strategies with a variety of resources and assess which are more effective in students’ learning anddevelopment in mathematics.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the …

Community College Students’ Awareness Of Their Reading And Writing Proficiency, Martha Paulina Campusano Rojas

Dissertations

Student’s low reading and writing proficiency in higher education has been the subject of a large body of research (e.g., Bahr, 2011; Bailey, 2010; Carlino, 2005, 2010, 2012; Flink, 2017; Jaggars, 2014 Pacello, 2014; Perin, 2011; Perin et al., 2013).The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how students in a first-year developmental Spanish course at the Dominican community college think of the connection between their reading and writing abilities and their performance in both their current and future undergraduate courses. The study also explored how these students view the importance of the developmental course and how they understand …

Experiences Of Counselors Who Assist Women In Midlife Who Display Depressive Symptoms: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Carla Tovar

Dissertations

In this dissertation, I present a transcendental phenomenological study conducted with 12 counselors who worked with women in midlife who displayed depressive symptoms. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences, clinical and personal, of licensed professional counselors (LPCs) who worked with women in midlife who displayed depressive symptoms. Through the study, I sought to recognize the essence and themes that emerged from these LPCs who worked with this population. Moreover, this study was designed to obtain a better understanding of how these LPCs managed their feelings and thoughts, how they helped when working with these women, …

The Association Between College Instructors’ Trait Emotional Intelligence And Instructorstudent Relationship In A Uae Higher Education Institution, Salwa Habib Husain

Dissertations

The relationship between instructors and students in higher education institutions (HEIs) is a contributing factor to the students’ motivation to learn, emotional development and stability, and academic performance. The instructor’s trait Emotional Intelligence (EI) has been a focus in developing such positive relationships inside and outside the classroom setting. The extent to which instructors’ trait EI can contribute to a supportive and developmental relationship with students has not received due attention in research in the UAE. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the association between instructors’ trait EI and the Instructor-Student Relationship at one HEI in the …

Pathogen Risk Assessment On Arabian Felines In The United Arab Emirates, Laia Montserrat Stefano

Dissertations

The Arabian Peninsula has been known to harbour five species of felines, namely leopards (Panthera pardus), cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus), caracals (Caracal caracal), sand cats (Felis margarita), and wildcats (Felis silvestris). Currently, their situation in the wild is critical in the region and ex situ breeding efforts are the greatest hope to restore their populations. However, these efforts need to go hand-in-hand with focus on their health, since pathogens are known to be a serious threat to animals under managed care. Globally, the potential pathogens of these five species include viruses, …

Optimal Component Sizing And Control Of A Multi-Source Elecctric Vehicle Based On An Improved Optimization Algorithm And A Novel Energy Management System, Prasanthi Achikkulath

Dissertations

Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered the ultimate solution for a sustainable transportation alternative to reduce the global warming and energy crisis. The public's perception of EVs is still adverse despite advancements in EV technology because of issues with driving range, high initial costs, the added weight of the energy source, and an unpredictably short lifespan of the EV system. To administer the same performance as compared to modern fossil fuel-based vehicles, hybridization of multiple energy sources is significant for EVs. The most pressing issues with multi-source EVs are optimum source sizing and regulating power flow from hybridization sources with the …

Approximate Computing Based Processing Of Mea Signals On Fpga, Mohammad Emad Hassan

Dissertations

The Microelectrode Array (MEA) is a collection of parallel electrodes that may measure the extracellular potential of nearby neurons. It is a crucial tool in neuroscience for researching the structure, operation, and behavior of neural networks. Using sophisticated signal processing techniques and architectural templates, the task of processing and evaluating the data streams obtained from MEAs is a computationally demanding one that needs time and parallel processing.
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/="/">This thesis proposes enhancing the capability of MEA signal processing systems by using approximate computing-based algorithms. These algorithms can be implemented in systems that process parallel MEA channels using the Field …

Characterization And Genomic Analysis Of Two Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Bacteriophages Isolated From Pigeons, Mohamad I. Alolama

Dissertations

Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli, also known as EHEC, is a subset of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and it has recently been identified as one of the principal foodborne pathogens. E. coli O157:H7 is the most important serotype of STEC for its role in causing foodborne illnesses. E. coli O157:H7 could cause various gastroenteritis symptoms such as diarrhea, hemolytic uremic syndrome, hemorrhagic colitis, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and may cause death. Elimination of E. coli O157:H7 during food processing and storage is a possible solution. Bacteriophages have a significant impact on bacterial populations in nature due to their ability to …

Coordinated Location And Capacity Planning Of Fast Charging Stations For Electric Vehicles Using Multi Objective Approach, Asna Madathodika

Dissertations

With the growing concerns on the energy depletion and CO₂ emissions, electric vehicles (EVs) have marked a new paradigm in the transport sector. Installation of publicly accessible charging stations (CS), namely fast CSs are crucial for the large-scale deployment of EVs. However, randomly placing CSs without prior research affect EV owners, CS operators and grid operators. For instance, the location and size of charging stations affect the accessibility and convenience of EV users since users prefer charging stations that are easier to access without much traffic congestion in road networks. At the same time station should offer good service …

Prevalence Of Metabolic Syndrome And It’S Associated Factors In Emirati Adults: The Uae Healthy Future Cohort Study, Shamma Jauaan Almuhairi

Dissertations

In the last few years United Arab Emirates showed a rapid growth in economic field which was associated with growth of other types of related diseases, specially in non-communicable disease; mainly type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) & cardiovascular related diseases (CVDs). The presence of multiple risk factors simultaneously in Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) has been shown to increase the risk for atherosclerosis development in young and middle-aged adults. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is clustering of cardiometabolic risk factors and has many different definitions according to different international organizations. Aims and objectives:This study has three main objectives; it aimed to estimate the prevalence …

An Autoethnographic Journey To Critical Consciousness: How A White Faculty Member At A Hispanic Serving Institution Moves From Ally To Accomplice By Learning Student Struggles, Benjamin Mercer Drury

Dissertations

This study serves to document my transition into critical consciousness – or conscientização – through interactions with my students. I utilize narrative autoethnographic methods, content analysis, qualitative interviewing, and personal reflection to document my transformation from objectively interested faculty member to accomplice by learning about how the life of my students outside of school affected their performance inside of school. Significant findings fall into two categories: personal and professional. Personally, this study was cathartic. By using a scholarly lens to analyze and reflect on my experience, I was able to process my experience in the context of existing research and …

Single-Case Pilot Study For Longitudinal Analysis Of Referential Failures And Sentiment In Schizophrenic Speech From Client-Centered Psychotherapy Recordings, Travis A. Musich

Dissertations

Though computational linguistic analyses have revealed the presence of distinctly characteristic language features in schizophrenic disordered speech, the relative stability of these language features in longitudinal samples is still unknown. This longitudinal pilot study analyzed schizophrenic disordered speech data from the archival therapy audio recordings of one patient spanning 23 years. End-to-end Neural Coreference Resolution software was used to analyze transcribed speech data from three therapy sessions to identify ambiguous pronouns, referred to as referential failures, which were reviewed and confirmed by multiple raters. Speech samples were analyzed using Google Cloud Natural Language API software for sentiment variables (i.e., score, …

Effect Of Fandom On Sports Gambling, Drake Deitch

Dissertations

The goal in this study was to investigate the relationship between fandom and betting. The hypothesis was that sports fans who gambled on their favorite teams would be more likely to make irrational decisions based more closely on emotional attachment than logical thinking. A total of 191 fans of the Chicago Bears (n = 80), Green Bay Packers (n = 57), and Minnesota Vikings (n = 54) were recruited for the study. Participants completed a survey that assessed their knowledge of and love for the three teams. Results indicated fans were far more likely to bet on their team regardless …

An Examination Of Well-Being Across Theories Of Career Development Using Latent Profile Analysis, Jessica Schultz

Dissertations

Multiple theories have been designed to better understand how elements of working can affect personal well-being (Dawis, 2005; Duffy et al., 2016a; Duffy et al., 2018). The Theory of Work Adjustment (Dawis, 2005), a classic trait-and-factor theory, proposes that job satisfaction is the result of how well the needs and values of the worker fit within the needs and expectations of the workplace. The Psychology of Working Theory (Duffy et al., 2016a) posits that acquiring decent work (i.e., jobs that provide safety, access to healthcare, adequate compensation, hours for rest, and congruent values) will lead to well-being. Additionally, this theory …

The Dark Side Of Leadership: Mid-Level Managers And Their Experience With Hubristic Behaviors Of Executives, Leili Sadaghiani

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to identify the emotional reactions of mid-level managers to executives’ hubris behaviors in a corporate setting.

Methodology: This leadership study uses qualitative phenomenological methodology was executed to explore the lived experiences of mid-level managers with past executives who practiced hubristic behavior.

Findings: The findings of this research on the lived experiences of mid-level managers with hubristic behaviors of executives suggest that the lack of support lessens the mid-level manager’s confidence; with little support; the mid-level manager was either afraid to fight the executive or gave up trying; the mid-level manager faced stress even …

Effectiveness Of A Nurse Leader Mentorship And Support In The Acute Care Setting: A Program Evaluation, Kymberlee Shutts

Dissertations

A solution to rising nurse leader attrition may include focused mentorship into the role. A health system in Northeast Florida developed a nurse leader mentorship program for nurses who were new to the leader role or new to the organization during the coronavirus disease of 2019 pandemic. This nurse leader mentor program was designed to help new nurse leaders feel more comfortable in the role and create a relationship with a mentor. In the program, a full-time Nurse Mentor was assigned to meet with new nurse leaders periodically over the first year in their role. The nurse mentor program aimed …

Improving Outcomes Through Patient Empowerment At Transition Of Care: A Fall Prevention Program For Stroke Survivors, Tiffany M. Hoke

Dissertations

Stroke survivors fall 7 times more annually than same-aged healthy adults; and most fall within the first 2 to 6 months post stroke after transition of care home from the acute setting. These falls cause hip fractures and other bodily injury, further compounding post-stroke mobility, fear of falling, social isolation, and social dependence while collectively yielding poorer outcomes at greater financial burden.

To date, no fall prevention program has targeted stroke survivors as they prepare for transition of care home from the acute setting.

The purpose of this practice inquiry is to develop an evidence-based fall prevention program aimed at …

Educational Intervention To Mitigate The Effects Of Bullying In The Student Nurse Population, Dawna E. Rutherford

Dissertations

Bullying behaviors are an unfortunate part of the nursing profession. Prominent organizations condemn behavior such as bullying, because of potential harm it could have upon nurses and healthcare. Researchers established the potential detriment of bullying to nurses and have investigated prevention interventions yet limited information regarding interventions for the student nurse population exists. Though complete eradication of bullying from the nursing profession is unlikely, nursing students need to have the appropriate skills to mitigate bullying behaviors.

The goals of the study were to: (1) analyze the state of the science regarding bullying interventions in the nursing profession, (2) evaluate the …

See Me From Behind The Screen: Workplace Ostracism In A Remote Environment, Quiméka Nicole Saunders

Dissertations

Workplace Ostracism is a common social phenomenon that impacts individuals of diverse backgrounds, across various industries, and cultural experiences. Literature to date highlights direct and indirect relationships of workplace ostracism, concerning the psychological and behavioral outcomes an individual may experience and the impact to organizational goals. Of existing literature, studies have focused on acts of ostracism conducted in face-to-face (F2F) environments or in F2F workplace situations. With the COVID-19 Pandemic, many companies were forced into teleworking situations, where work continues to be conducted outside of the central work office or facility (remote). With the shift in working environments, the prevalence …

Nurse Educators' Lived Experiences With Student Incivility, Myrna M. Williamson

Dissertations

Incivility is currently a topic of concern in nursing and higher education. There is a serious and growing concern on college campuses across the United States as many forms of incivility are occurring, ranging from offensive language and rude behavior to hostility and violent behavior.

The problem this study addresses is the need for specific information from nurse educators about their experiences with student incivility, and the subsequent impact of those experiences on teaching practices, job perception, and interactions with students. This study also addresses the problem by asking nurse educators their thoughts on contributing factors, warning signs, prevention and …

A Descriptive Study Examining The Correlation Of Emotional Intelligence And Leadership Styles To Conflict Management Styles Of Nursing School Administrators, Vicki A. Welch

Dissertations

The study aimed to identify whether a correlation existed among academic nurse administrators emotional intelligence, leadership styles, and conflict management styles. There has been extensive research on emotional intelligence and leadership style in business. However, little research has been conducted about academic nurse leaders. This quantitative, nonexperimental, correlational design utilized convenience sampling.

Workplace Violence Prevention Training: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Home Healthcare Workers, Tamara F. Small

Dissertations

HHCWs are at increased risk for WPV due to working alone in unsupervised, unpredictable, and potentially dangerous work environments. Similar to healthcare workers employed in institutionalized settings, HHCWs primarily experience Type II, verbal abuse from patients. Little is known about how HHCWs promote personal safety while at work. Guided by Haddon's Matrix, the purpose of this manuscript option dissertation was to estimate WPV exposures and identify interventions and resources used by HHCWs to promote personal safety and mitigate and prevent WPV. For this manuscript option dissertation, there are three distinct projects, all related to HHCWs and exposure to WPV.

It's More Than Nursing: The Experience Of Psychological Safety Of Pre-Licensure Nursing Students Who Identify As Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color, Melissa M. Anozie

Dissertations

The healthcare environment mandates its staff are able to communicate freely and openly to provide high quality patient care leading to positive patient outcomes. As the largest healthcare profession and those who are at the bedside most often with patients, registered nurses play a vital role in ensuring these outcomes. As advocates for the most vulnerable, nurses must communicate often but before doing so, they must feel psychologically safe. Psychological safety is how one perceives the benefits, risks, and consequences of asking a question, sharing an opinion, reporting an error, or revealing one's true self to others. It is a …

A Comparison Of Perceptions Of Incivility Among Nursing Students And Faculty In Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs, Karen Aul

Dissertations

This study used a mixed method approach to examine the frequency and types of perceived and experienced uncivil behaviors among nursing students and faculty. The Incivility in Nursing (INE) Survey that was developed by Clark in 2004 was administered to a convenience sample of nursing students and faculty from four nursing programs. The sample included 159 senior pre-licensure nursing students and 14 faculty members within diploma, associate, and baccalaureate nursing education programs. Stress was mentioned in all program types as a contributing factor to student and faculty incivility. The analysis of the quantitative data found variability between nursing program types …

The Mediating Influence Of Organizational Trust On The Relationship Between Transformational Leadership And Job Satisfaction In The Virtual Workplace, Angela Daniels

Dissertations

Research has shown how leadership influences job satisfaction and organizational trust in the virtual workplace. With an increasing number of organizations shifting to these work environments, it is essential to study the effect of leadership on virtual workers. Prior studies suggest that leadership behaviors significantly impact job satisfaction (Hacker et al., 2019), and leadership plays a crucial role in inspiring employees to achieve the goals and objectives of the organization in a virtual workplace (Miller, 2020). Specifically, transformational leadership behaviors that shape the mindset and actions of employees are significant (Abelha et al., 2018). This study proposed a mediation model …

The Impact Of Covid-19 Pandemic On What Teachers Want From A Principal To Be Successful: A Study On Teacher Perception, Erika Niles, Kristen Pelster

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine if COVID-19 has shifted what teachers perceive they want from a principal. In addition, the researchers sought to find what post-COVID-19 teachers want from a principal for them to succeed. Success is defined as feeling supported emotionally, having the proper resources, and maintaining a desire to stay in the profession.

Researchers used a concurrent mixed-methods design to collect data. Because data were not collected before the pandemic, researchers used a retrospective design to gather pre-COVID-19 data. The survey instrument had nineteen pairs of Likert-based questions, aligned with 19 qualities that are historically …

The K-5 Teacher Experience Of Distance Instruction During School Closures Due To Covid-19, Rose Jenkins

Dissertations

The worldwide health emergency agency due to COVID-19 caused confinement of people and, with it, the closure of schools and the transfer of face-to-face instruction to distance instruction. With a lack of guidance from school crisis management plans, teachers had to adapt to new methodological approaches in confinement at a rapid pace. This study aims to gain knowledge of the experiences of K-5 teachers adopting online instruction during COVID-19 to assist in crisis planning.

A quantitative research design was used to collect and analyze data anonymously through an online survey of K-5 teachers. After statistical data analysis, there was a …

Undergraduate Nursing Student Experiences With Faculty Bullying, Jason D. Mott

Dissertations

Incivility and bullying in nursing education has become an area of increased interest. Incivility literature has focused primarily on student-to-faculty incivility. Less focus has been placed on faculty-to-student bullying. This study examined the lived experiences of undergraduate nursing students with faculty bullying. Using descriptive phenomenology, this study discovered what these lived experiences are. The lived experiences of participants led to the development of themes including: bullying is an emotional experience, in order to gain respect, respect must be given, resilience and persistence are key in overcoming, the environment is everything, and that perception is reality.

Establishing A Student-Centered Culture: A Case Study Identifying Leadership Skills Of Exemplary School Principals, Katie Booth

Dissertations

Purpose: The phenomenological study identifies and describes how elementary school principals who have been recipients of the Terrel H. Bell Award develop a student-centered school culture.

Methodology: This qualitative study identifies and describes an elementary school principals’ ability to build guided coalitions and form strategic visions to ensure a student-centered culture. Participants were purposefully chosen based on specific criteria. The researcher collected data through semi-structured interviews, observations, and artifacts. Data was coded and themes were identified allowing the researcher to analyze findings and draw conclusions.

Findings: Analysis of data from 13 participants led to 10 major findings on how …