Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Scalability In Genetic Programming With Adaptable Constraints, Type Constraints And Automatically Defined Functions, George Gerules

Dissertations

Genetic Programming is a type of biological inspired machine learning. It is composed of a population of stochastic individuals. Those individuals can exchange portions of themselves with others in the population through the crossover operation that draws its inspiration from biology. Other biologically inspired operations include mutation and reproduction. The form an individual takes can be many things. It, however, is represented most of the time as a computer program. Constructing correct efficient programs can be notoriously difficult. Various grammar, typing, function constraint, or counting mechanisms can guide creation and evolution of those individuals. These mechanisms can reduce search space …

Decoding The History Of The Early Solar System Using Comet Volatile Compositions, Nathan Roth

Dissertations

Understanding the evolution of the solar system, as well as its current volatile content, requires knowledge of the initial conditions present in the solar nebula. As some of the first objects to accrete in the solar nebula, cometary nuclei are among the most primitive remnants of solar system formation, and their present-day volatile composition likely reflects the composition and conditions where (and when) they formed. As such, the volatile compositions of cometary nuclei may serve as "fossils" of solar system formation. High-resolution near-infrared spectroscopy offers a valuable tool for sampling the primary volatile (i.e., ices subliming directly from the nucleus) …

Reducing Cautis In A Neurological Icu, Claire Mckee

Dissertations

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the primary source of infection in patients with urinary catheters and are the fourth leading cause of healthcare-associated infection. Because indwelling urinary catheters are not completely avoidable in hospitalized patients, it is crucial to utilize evidence-based research to prevent CAUTIs. A urinary catheter maintenance bundle is one way to reduce CAUTI rates in hospitalized patients. This quality improvement project utilizes a catheter maintenance bundle with seven elements with the aim of reducing CAUTI rates. The project takes place in a 20-bed neurological intensive care unit (ICU) in a larger tertiary care medical center. Prior …

Gas-Phase Fragmentation Chemistry Of Small Ions, Maha Abutokaikah

Dissertations

The fragmentation chemistries of small ions are characterized in the gas-phase using mass spectrometry. I utilized experimental data and computational methods to rationalize the mechanisms of fragmentation. Density functional calculations of minima, transition states, product ions, and neutrals were performed for most of the studied systems. These systems are varied widely: Protonated peptides systems (Chapters 2 and 3), lithiated monosaccharides (Chapters 4), and protonated imine, anthracene derivatives (Chapter 5). From the experimental and theoretical data of protonated histidine-containing peptides (Chapters 2), we found that altering the position of the histidine residue had a noticeable effect on the identity of b …

The Effect Of Providing Partial Presentation Notes On Student Success Factors, Sarah Elizabeth Mannon Cravero

Dissertations

Psychologists and educators have examined the use of a wide variety of technological advancements in the classroom, and have studied the effects of these new tools on many factors that affect classroom performance. However, little research exists to demonstrate how specific teaching techniques, specifically the provision of partial or skeletal presentation notes (such as might accompany a Power Point presentation), affect factors that we already know to affect academic success, such as locus of control and academic self-efficacy. This study sought to discover the impact that providing partial presentation notes for use during lecture would have on students’ performance, as …

Teaching English Learners: A Study Of Procedures And Perceptions Of Missouri Program Directors And Mainstream Classroom Teachers, Merica Schoen Clinkenbeard

Dissertations

Professional development for mainstream classroom teachers to meet the influx of diverse learners is not adequately met by most school districts (Quintero & Hanson, 2017). The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to gain information from English learner program directors about English learner program practices and professional development specific to the needs of English learners in Missouri school districts. Mainstream classroom teachers from different-sized schools with high- and lowincidence of English learner students were interviewed to gather the perceived level of understanding of best practices for the implementation of research-based strategies. The Missouri Professional Learning Guidelines for Student Success guided …

An Examination Of The Attitudinal And Structural Barriers To Successful Implementation Of Personalized Learning, Jeremy Sullivan

Dissertations

Personalized learning has become a common term in the education lexicon; however, there is not an industry-accepted and universally adopted definition or model. While personalized learning is mentioned in 39 states’ Every Student Succeeds Act plan, the models vary greatly because personalized learning requires a full paradigm shift from teacher-centered to student-centered instruction. The purpose of this study was to examine the current barriers K-12 classroom teachers experience when implementing personalized learning. The four core strategies of flexible learning environments, personal learning paths, learner profiles, and competency-based progression identified by Pane et al. (2017a) were utilized to frame personalized learning. …

Evaluation Of A Brief Online Alcohol Intervention For College Students: The Role Of Race-Specific Normative Feedback, Racial/Ethnic Identity, And Readiness To Change, Jacob Scharer

Dissertations

Brief online interventions are effective for reducing alcohol use among college students. However, some research has suggested that these interventions may be less effective for African American students. This study evaluated the acceptability and efficacy of a widely available brief online alcohol intervention in a sample of African American and Caucasian college students through a randomized controlled trial. The aims of this study were to determine if providing race-specific normative feedback impacted treatment efficacy for African American students, and if this effect was moderated by racial/ethnic identity and readiness to change. Participants were 310 heavy drinking African American and Caucasian …

An Examination Of Death Anxiety, Psychological Depression, And Adult Attachment Patterns Among Saudi Students In The Usa, Siham Ahmed Alswayel

Dissertations

This study was designed to investigate the relationships between death anxiety, psochological depression, and adult attachment patterns within Saudi students in U.S. universities. The sample of 684 participants was obtained via the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission (SACM) in the United States. Death anxiety was measured by the ASDA survey, psychological depression was measured by the CESD-R survey, and adult attachment patterns were measured by the RQ survey. All data were self-reported via an online form. There was a significant relationship between death anxiety and adult attachment patterns. Death anxiety and psychological depression were positively correlated. Among the entire sample, adult …

The Importance Of Leadership Motivational Activities In Encouraging International Students To Return To Their Tier 1 Universities, Eric Hall

Dissertations

Abstract

The problem is international students are not returning to their undergraduate Tier 1 institutions during a period when quality student enrollment is essential, and there is scant research on academic advising strategies that can be used to combat international student attrition at these universities (O’Keefe, 2013). Studies have often lumped all international students together and made efforts to attract more international students, but the reasons why international students chose research universities, and returned, were not being investigated in this manner (Hegarty, 2014).

The purpose of this proposed study was to gain an understanding of the decision-making and reasoning processes …

The Impact Of Campus Facilities On The Recruitment Of Students In Higher Education, Lucinnda Sue Mcdonald

Dissertations

The statement often has been made over the years that university recruitment efforts are strongly impacted by campus facilities. The subject has been a topic of research over the past several decades. This study indicates that as generations change and times change, the significance of various aspects of the university to the prospective student change as well.

This research effort is a mixed-methods study to provide insight on the facilities current students deem most important when determining which college or university they will attend. The research for this study was conducted through an online survey asking students to:

• Choose …

Innovative Teaching Practices To Accelerate Student Learning In The Areas Of Literacy And Science, Michelle Simmons, Paris Bouchard

Dissertations

The researchers of this joint dissertation aspired to create and implement innovative instructional practices that would accelerate student learning. Both researchers believed in the importance of experimenting with structures and processes that lead to instructional impact. They were both passionate about developing an instructional model that would accelerate student learning by focusing on student transfer of skills. They sought to answer the question, Can learning be accelerated when teachers are supported and encouraged to create and implement instructional practices grounded in research? One researcher studied a practice that would potentially increase students’ ability to think critically and problem solve using …

Student Perceptions Of Dual Enrollment Participation, Susan Hochstrat

Dissertations

Purpose: It was the purpose of this study to explore students’ perceptions of the impact of dual enrollment participation on academic preparation and college knowledge prior to their first year of college.

Methodology: This was a qualitative research study that utilized a phenomenological approach to explore the impact of dual enrollment participation. Twelve previous dual enrollment students participated in semi-structure interviews.

Findings: The findings from this research study illustrate the impact of dual enrollment participation. Based on the findings students’ state that dual enrollment participation exposes them to rigorous coursework. Students expressed that they were prepared for college because dual …

Knowledge Of Stroke Warning Symptoms And Risk Factors: Variations By Rural And Urban Categories, Kathleen Ann Ennen

Dissertations

Stroke continues to have a devastating disabling effect on Americans while remaining the third leading cause of death in the United States. Most Americans do not recognize the symptoms of stroke causing delay in receiving emergency treatment. The purpose of this research was to assess the knowledge of stroke symptoms and risk factors in a general public Midwest sample. Secondarily, similarities and differences in stroke knowledge between rural and urban groups were identified. The self administered Stroke Recognition Questionnaire (SRQ) directed at stroke knowledge assessment was developed. This descriptive, correlational study used a non-experimental quantitative design.

Examining Burnout In Direct Care Personnel In An Intermediate Care Facility For The Mentally Retarded, Amanda Alisa Teal Townsend

Dissertations

The purpose of this descriptive, cross-sectional study was to examine burnout in direct care personnel in an Intermediate Care Facility for the Mentally Retarded (ICF/MR). Burnout exacts high personal costs from direct care personnel working in Intellectual Disabilities (ID) Services (Hastings, Horne & Mitchell, 2004). There are also organizational costs from employee turnover, decreases in productivity, and potential harm to clients. The conceptual framework guiding this descriptive correlational study was a middle range theory of caregiver stress based on Roy's adaptation model (Tsai, 2003).

Transforming Professional Development For Today's Educational Environment, Amy L. Geurkink-Coats, Richard A. Regina

Dissertations

Professional development is vital to education. It provides an opportunity for continued growth and learning for educators throughout their career. While teachers earn credentials and certification through a university, professional development is intended to hone skills and help teachers evolve in an ever-changing landscape. The changing landscape may involve technology, generational needs, or broader societal interests. This research is an analysis of the implementation of transformational professional development in one large suburban Midwestern school district and one large Midwestern high school in another district. It analyzes data regarding professional development and examines literature that studies teacher participation, attitudes, and transfer …

Environmental Science And Culture: Exploring The Factors Contributing To The Pro-Environmental Behavior Of Rural Youth, Michelle Donlan, Elizabeth Flotte, Patricia Silovsky

Dissertations

This mixed methods study contributes to the pro-environmental behavior literature by introducing the concept of environmental science capital to explore the factors influencing pro-environmental behavior in rural youth. This study’s proposed theory of change attempts to build upon the Kollmus and Agyeman model of pro-environmental behavior by theorizing that environmental science capital is the “missing middle” needed to overcome the barriers to pro-environmental behavior. We hypothesized that meaningful nature experiences, role models, connectedness to nature, STEM interest and environmental identity would help rural youth increase their environmental science capital in order to “bridge the gap” and overcome barriers to pro-environmental …

A Comparison Of Two Gastric Feeding Approaches In Mechanically Ventilated Pediatric Patients, Ann-Marie Brown

Dissertations

More than 30% of children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) are malnourished and are at risk to develop new or worsened malnutrition during their hospitalization. Delivery of enteral nutrition (EN) during hospitalization is associated with lower mortality and morbidity rates. Barriers to adequate delivery of EN include hemodynamic instability, feeding interruptions, feeding intolerance and lack of standardized feeding protocols. Gastrointestinal (GI) dysmotility during critical illness increases the risk of feeding intolerance due to increased influence of the Sympathetic Nervous System. Critically ill children have traditionally been fed via continuous gastric infusion under the assumption that slow, continuous …

Application Of The Transtheoretical Model Of Change To The Smoking Behavior Of Men During Their Partner's Pregnancy, Mary Ellen Tanner

Dissertations

This study describes the smoking behavior and selected characteristics of men during their partner's pregnancy. Constructs of the transtheoretical model of behavior change were used to describe socio-demographic characteristics of these men, to compare their smoking behavior in various stages of change, and to explore the relationship of the smoking behavior of the male partner to that of the pregnant partner. The study used a non-experimental, descriptive correlational design with a self-administered survey tool.

The Relationship Between Faculty Research Productivity And Organizational Structure In Schools Of Nursing, Eileen M. Kohlenberg

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between faculty research productivity and the organizational structure in schools of nursing. The need for nursing research has been widely recognized by members of the nursing profession. However, only 25% of faculty in schools of nursing have indicated current involvement in conducting research (Nieswiadomy, 1984). While contextual variables have been investigated which facilitate and inhibit nursing research, the relationship between organizational structure and nursing research productivity has not been examined. The research question which was investigated in this study was: What is the relationship between nursing faculty research productivity and …

Influence Of Stress, Cognitive Appraisal, Resilience, And Social Support On Coping Of Older Women Whose Spouses Have Undergone Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Suzanne K. Marnocha

Dissertations

To describe the influence of stress, cognitive appraisal, resilience and social support on coping of older women in relation to the coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) of their spouse. Many older men are having coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and as the population ages these numbers are anticipated to increase. Surgery is a stressful experience and how the spouse of the patient appraises the surgical event may enhance her coping. Additionally, it is anticipated that resilience and social support will impact spousal coping.

Effect Of Conversation On Nursing Student Outcomes In A Web-Based Course On Cardiac Rhythm Interpretation, Karen Harris Frith

Dissertations

The demand for professional nursing care is expected to rise dramatically during the next 20 years. Decreased enrollments in nursing programs and an aging RN workforce will exacerbate the shortage of nurses. One clear method for increasing the supply of nurses is to increase the number of graduates from nursing programs. Distance education is an important option to investigate because it can offer a convenient way for students to attend school while working, having a family, or living far from educational institutions. However, teaching in web-based courses requires thoughtful consideration of instructional design, including ways to fully engage students in …

Guided Imagery For Enhancing Health And Health Seeking Behaviors Of Employees In The Worksetting, Susan Wanda Vines

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an intervention program in the work-setting using guided imagery to enhance the health and health-seeking behaviors of employees. The health indicators for this study were multidimensional and included the following (a) blood pressure and pulse, (b) personal lifestyle practices, (c) self perception of health, and (d) psychological health status. The relationship and fluctuation of these dependent measures were tracked over a nine month time period. Observations were taken every two weeks from month 1 through the middle of month 5. Two additional data collection time periods were in months …

The Personal Experience Of Developing Sexuality In Middle Childhood, Marie Winn

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the personal experience of developing sexuality in middle childhood.

The Nurse's Role In Gender Identification, Melissa Kay Haworth

Dissertations

Individuals identifying as gender non-conforming are members of a minority culture underserved by the current lack of guidelines for nursing care. This project developed due to a practice gap at the public health clinic with the nurse's ability to provide care to gender non-conforming patients. The purpose of this project was to work with nurses at a rural health clinic to provide culturally competent, holistic care to individuals who identify as gender non-conforming. The PICOT question that guided this project was: For public health nurses in a rural health clinic (P), will a quality improvement project aimed at providing education …

The Impact Of Discontinuing Contact Precautions For Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms, Darlene Carey

Dissertations

The utility of contact precautions (CPs) for multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs), such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization and infection remains a debatable component of infection prevention for many reasons. Applying CPs for MDRO colonization and infection includes financial costs associated with nursing workloads, patient supplies, patient throughput delays, and social isolation concerns for patients. Recent literature indicates the discontinuance of CPs and the application of standard precautions (SPs) for MDRO colonization and infection is an effective infection prevention strategy, as it decreases associated costs without increasing infection risks or adverse events. The objective of this …

Diffusion Of Inclusion: Measuring Willingness To Adopt Inclusive Teaching Strategies In Nursing Educational Environments, Janet A. Levey

Dissertations

The purpose of the study was to: (1) examine psychometric properties of the Willingness to Adopt Inclusive Teaching Strategies (ITSinNE) instrument and (2) measure factors influencing a nurse educator's willingness to adopt inclusive teaching strategies based in universal design for instruction (UDI). Universal design for instruction (UDI) is one approach to facilitate multiple ways of learning and evaluation in various learning environments for all learners; however, it is not well known or researched in nursing education. Diffusion of innovation theory (Rogers, 2003) and universal design for instruction (McGuire & Scott, 2006) provided the theoretical framework for the study. A cross-sectional …

Sensitivity Of The Theoretical Electron Capture Shape And Comparisons To Experiment, Katrina E. Koehler

Dissertations

The direct neutrino mass is a fundamental physics quantity with far-reaching implications for the physics community. Current experimental limits put the direct neutrino mass at less than 2 eV. The neutrino mass can be explored through an end-point measurement of tritium beta decay, which is currently underway in the KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino experiment (KATRIN). KATRIN has a lower limit of 0.2 eV, at which point there will be either a mass measurement or another upper bound. In either case, an alternative experiment with different systematics is needed to verify the results and/or push the upper bound lower. The end point …

Essays In The Application Of Machine Learning In Development Economics, Dweepobotee Brahma

Dissertations

This dissertation comprises four essays which apply Machine Learning (ML) techniques to examine India’s progress towards meeting several child-health targets under United Nation’s “Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2030”. The application of novel ML techniques unmasks certain detailed empirical aspects of the road to meeting specific indicators of SDG - child mortality, malnutrition, immunization coverage and health-expenses.

The first essay employs multiple parametric and non-parametric Machine Learning (ML) techniques (LASSO, Classification Random Forest, Boosted Logistic Regression, Boosted Classification Trees) to build predictive models for the incidences of neonatal and infant mortality. A large national level household survey dataset is used. All …

Exploring The Dynamics Of Scientific Research, Shilpa Lakhanpal

Dissertations

Scientific research papers present the research endeavors of numerous scientists around the world, and are documented across multitudes of technical conference proceedings, and other such publications. Given the plethora of such research data, if we could automate the extraction of key interesting areas of research, and provide access to this new information, it would make literature searches incredibly easier for researchers. This in turn could be very useful for them in furthering their research agenda. With this goal in mind, we have endeavored to provide such solutions through our research. Specifically, the focus of our research is to design, analyze …