Digital Commons Network^™

Drug Use And Harm Reduction: Community Readiness As Pathway To Well-Being And Reintegration, Lauretta Ekanem Omale

Dissertations

Drug abuse negatively impacts the life and well-being of those who use drugs; this harm often extends to their loved ones, communities, and society. One presumptive set of psychological explanations for drug abuse is an addictive personality, a psychological susceptibility resulting from challenging family relationships, inadequate reinforcement, the absence of healthy role models, conflicting parental expectations, and a lack of love and respect. Harm reduction is a public health approach that focuses on minimizing the harmful effects of drugs and reducing judgment. It aims to meet people where they are in life and provide judgment-free, empathetic, supportive, and needed medical …

Persistence Of Female Faculty In Stem, Andrea Constantinou

Dissertations

The lack of women entering certain STEM fields impacts female representation in research faculty, teacher faculty, and leadership positions in higher education. Through a narrative inquiry methodology utilizing the theoretical paradigms of self-determination theory and relational autonomy, this study extended understanding of the factors that motivate persistence for women in certain STEM fields. While prior research focused on understanding the barriers to retention, this study sought to identify the factors motivating retention for women in certain STEM fields. The results of this study contribute to understanding the motivating factors that influence a woman’s persistence in STEM. The data gathered from …

Undergraduate Student Sense Of Belonging And Edtech Tool Engagement: A Mixed Methods Exploration Of The Virtual Campus Experience, Veronica Wilson

Dissertations

The contemporary postsecondary learning experience is heavily mediated by educational technology (EdTech) tools and yet little is known about the ways in which these tools impact student engagement and sense of belonging, two indicators which are important to student persistence and graduation. Using Strayhorn’s (2023) critical socioecological sense of belonging framework, this convergent mixed methods study offers insights into these relationships by examining student engagement with EdTech and student sense of belonging and the impact of student traits on the relationship between EdTech and sense of belonging. This study was conducted at a private, broad access Hispanic-Serving Institution in the …

The Impact Of Grade-Level Switching In The Elementary School Setting, Christine Priester

Dissertations

Teaching a new grade level in elementary school requires developing extensive grade- level-specific knowledge. In many school districts, the support for teachers who move grade levels within a district is glaringly absent. In this study, the frequency and impact of teacher grade switching in a school district were examined through a mixed-methods study that included surveys with teachers, interviews with teachers, and student data. The research question was: What is the impact of grade-level teacher movement on instruction? The findings of this study show how students are affected by teachers switching grade levels in elementary school. Results shed light on …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Instructional Modality And Pedagogy Licensure Exam Scores In Post-Baccalaureate Educator Preparation Programs In Indiana, Kelly Eckel

Dissertations

The efficacy of the modality of instruction employed in higher education institutions has been a point of contention among students, faculty, administration, and other stakeholders in the educational realm. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, online and hybrid instruction has become a valued and desirable option for Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) to offer for recruitment and retention purposes. The effectiveness of varying modalities in relation to teacher licensure exams has been limited in research and can serve as a critical quantitative measure for EPPs to assess. This longitudinal study examined the relationship between instructional modality and pedagogy teacher licensure exam scores in …

Understanding Latino Students' Perspectives On Their High School Experiences And Post-Graduation Options, Rubi Ortiz

Dissertations

Projections from the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics indicate Latinos will constitute 30% of the school-aged population in the United States by the year 2030. Enhancing the quality of education for this demographic becomes increasingly crucial. Such improvements not only benefit Latino communities but also hold significant implications for the progress and future prosperity of our nation. The focus in this study was to understand Latino students’ perspectives on their high school experiences and post-graduation options, as well as to explore the influence of high school programming on their experiences. This qualitative study was conducted with …

Shake Ya Ass, But Watch Yourself: An Intersectional And Decolonial Approach To Exploring The Sexualization Of Female Recording Artists And The Empowerment Of Women In The United States, H.B. Rebeka

Dissertations

This dissertation, titled Shake Ya Ass, But Watch Yourself: An Intersectional and Decolonial Approach to Exploring the Sexualization of Female Recording Artists and the Empowerment of Women in the United States, critically examines the phenomenon of sexualization of women in the music industry and its impact on female empowerment. Through an intersectional and decolonial feminist lens, the study delves into the historical and socio-cultural contexts that shape the portrayal and perception of female recording artists in the United States.

The research traces the roots of feminism and the commodification of racial stereotypes through music, exploring how female empowerment has been …

A Program Evaluation Of The Necessary Attributes, Accommodations, And Resources Neurodivergent Students Require For Success In Higher Education, Barbara Muñoz

Dissertations

Without academic resources and accommodations, neurodivergent students with mild to moderate Learning Disabilities (LD) may be unable to navigate the academic challenges and rigor associated with college success. I used a mixed-methods research design to collect data from various stakeholders to determine the supports neurodivergent students with LD need to be successful in college. My findings indicated students need accommodations for their learning differences, access to assistive technology, access to counseling or mental health services, and access to specialized support personnel to be successful. I recommended a policy to ensure neurodivergent students and their caregivers are aware of post-secondary institutions …

A Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Examination Of The Impact Of Graduate Student Loan Balances On Overall Quality Of Life Among Clinical Psychologists With Psyd Degrees, Lekai James

Dissertations

Graduate student loan debt in psychology, particularly for those with Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) degrees in clinical psychology, is highly problematic. Previous research has shown that student loan debt negatively impacts quality of life (QOL) by affecting subjective well-being (SWB) and life satisfaction (LS). This study used a convergent parallel mixed method approach, guided by bottom-up spillover theory and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, to explore the relationship between QOL and total graduate student loan balances, as well as the effects of income and monthly student loan payments on QOL among PsyD graduates. Participants (N = 16) completed a survey with …

Determining Factors For Improved Uptake Of Harm Reduction Services In The United States: A Study Of Inclusive, Culturally Sensitive Messaging, Lauretta Ekanem Omale

Dissertations

Harm reduction refers to public health policies and programs aimed at decreasing the adverse consequences associated with drug use. While harm reduction services (e.g., syringe exchange programs) can mitigate health risks, marginalized groups face barriers to service access and utilization, partially due to ineffective messaging approaches that fail to align with cultural values and experiences. A one-size-fits-all approach to messaging can negatively impact service utilization, health outcomes, and health disparities. Ineffective communication can lead to poor adherence to treatment, poorer health outcomes, and increased adverse events.

Culturally insensitive communication contributes to stigma, mistrust, and lack of perceived relevance, discouraging service …

Teaching Writing With The Digital Feedback Protocol: A Peer-To-Peer Intervention To Increase Elementary Student Writing Motivation, Karyn Keenan

Dissertations

Writing is a complex task, especially for elementary school writers; motivation in writing leads to greater writing performance and writing quality. Teachers enter their careers underprepared to teach writing and have to seek out professional development on writing for themselves. Technology can be leveraged in the elementary writing classroom, but it is an under researched area. The Digital Feedback Protocol is a case study dissertation study with an embedded professional development opportunity that supports teachers to implement a protocol for students to provide digital feedback to each other’s writing. The study was conducted with four third grade teachers and their …

Why Not Community College As A Pathway To A Degree, Gretchen Jorndt Reyes

Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to understand if Gen X parents are motivating their Gen Z students' college choice not to attend community college. The few studies that focused on parent involvement in choosing a community college did not focus on the generational differences between parents and their children when it came to college choice, they also did not focus on whether parents influenced their children to attend community college or not (Bers, 2005; Bers & Galowich, 2002).

The study explored Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior and how his theory and the college choice process are intertwined during the college …

A Program Evaluation Of 3de Schools By Junior Achievement, Audra Lewis-Hoesch

Dissertations

3DE Schools by Junior Achievement is a framework for instruction designed to reshape the instructional ecosystem through a high school model that uses project-based learning and case-study methodology to help students acquire core competencies. The context of this inquiry includes various states in America where 3DE Schools are implemented. I utilized a mixed methods approach to collect data and gauge the influence of the 3DE instructional framework on students' readiness for college and career pursuits. Key outcomes showed that students in 3DE cohorts scored higher in math and English than the national average, contributing to an overall higher graduation rate …

An Exploration Of Contributors To Intergenerational Trauma Transmission In American Families: Parental Life Experiences And Parenting Styles., Shantrell P. Sutton-Mckenzie

Dissertations

Preexisting research on intergenerational trauma transmission primarily addresses biological and behavioral routes of transmission, leaving little room for systemic influences. This research reviews preexisting biological and behavioral contributors and explores systemic contributors to intergenerational trauma transmission in American families as it relates to post-traumatic growth, parental centrality distress, and parenting styles. It was that post-traumatic growth and parental centrality of distress (comprised of ACES, centrality of events, and access to community resources) and PTG predict parenting styles. The research hypothesis was partially supported. It was found (1) Post-traumatic growth, ACEs, and perceived access to community resources while parenting added significantly …

The Role Of Work-Based Learning In Developing Future Skills And Competencies For The Workforce In The Fourth Industrial Revolution, Dorith Johnson

Dissertations

The study investigated the impact of work-based learning on developing skills and competencies required for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Educators must adapt to what students need to succeed in this era. In this study, seven participants who oversee or have overseen a portion of various work-based learning initiatives engaged in a semi-structured interview process. The interview questions inquired about teacher preparation, practical strategies, programs or models of work-based learning, challenges and limitations, sustainability, and the impacts of different work-based models on employability skill development. The results provide hope that work-based learning can play a crucial role in today’s more technologically …

A Modified Grounded Theory Analysis Of Luke’S Understanding Of His Thought Disorder, Daniel Dresher

Dissertations

This current Clinical Research Project examines patterns of therapeutic processing in “Luke”, a male diagnosed with schizophrenia, and how his understanding of his psychotic breaks and mental illness evolved over the course of person-centered psychotherapy. A modified grounded theory approach was used by multiple coders to analyze transcribed text samples from selected archival therapy sessions selected between 1996 and 2019 to develop further hypotheses as to how "Luke" uses schizophrenic language to process experience in ways that are clinically effective as well as ways that hinder his understanding of his experience. Results of this study demonstrated that while Luke’s use …

Development Of Highly Efficient Hybridfunctionalized Membranes For Sustainable Water Harvesting, Ahmed Z. Abuibaid

Dissertations

Water scarcity has emerged as a critical global challenge. This problem catches the world's interest through events such as the severe drought in Europe during the summer of 2022. While desalination plants offer a solution, their high energy consumption necessitates the exploration of alternative, sustainable water resources. Addressing the urgent need for alternative water resources in the face of increasing water scarcity. A viable option was presented by fog harvesting, which is a method to collect water from atmospheric fog. This method was initially developed to meet the demands of a variety of sectors such as agricultural purposes, and household …

Black Students Matter: A Phenomenological Approach To Exploring Sense Of Belonging Among Black Students Attending A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Alison K. Chandler

Dissertations

As the number of Black college students who have enrolled in federally designated Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) has risen, it has become necessary to examine how their sense of belonging has been fostered, particularly given the educational disparities and equity gaps in retention, persistence, and graduation rates. Furthermore, the focus on initiatives geared towards Latinx students may contribute to feelings of inadequacy among Black students, which is compounded by racialized experiences that have occurred in educational settings both prior to and during college. This phenomenological study explored the experiences of nine Black undergraduate students at a private four-year HSI in the …

Connections Through Stories In A Small Town In Rural Virginia, Andrea Plamondon

Dissertations

Stories are powerful tools used for centuries to entertain, teach, empower, and build community. Neuroscience research shows that stories impact the brain in ways that allow us to increase empathy and connect with people (What Happens in the Brain When We Hear Stories?, n.d.; Yang, 2014; Zak, 2015). Community Psychologists have used stories to collect qualitative data and life experiences to create or change a community narrative and address community trauma (Hyman, 2002; Rappaport, 2000). While existing research describes the power of stories and provides storytelling techniques, this research study identified a new method – The Community Story …

Produced Water Management From Production Sites In The State Of Kuwait, Feras Adel Alsalem

Dissertations

Extraction of crude oil also produces large volumes of water, termed produced water (PW). PW is by far the most significant by-product in the process of extracting hydrocarbons from the subsurface. Consequently, managing PW has become a great concern to oil and gas producers. The increasing amounts of PW and more stringent environmental and safety regulations in regard to PW make more efficient treatment methods necessary, where sustainable long-term solutions for PW management need to be provided. The focus of this study is on PW from onshore operations as the majority of the oil and gas extraction operations (upstream processes) …

Evaluation Of Native Plant Integration, Subsoil Amendment, And ‘Foodscaping’ As Means Of Increasing The Environmental Feasibility Of Public Urban Greenery In The Gulf Region, Ayesha Rashed Alam

Dissertations

Public parks and gardens greatly contribute to the residential and touristic value of cities of the Gulf Region, but their maintenance is associated with high environmental and economic costs. The high potential evapotranspiration and summer temperatures greatly limit the choice of suitable landscaping plants, and light sandy soils with a high weed potential challenge the water management. The United Arab Emirates is characterized by a rapid urban development and population growth, resulting in increasing competition between green amenities and crop farming for irrigation water, cultivable land, and workforce. Various strategies and technologies have been proposed to increase the resource use …

Effects Of A Taekwondo-Inspired Intervention Program On Children With Adhd, Zubaida Fares Shraim

Dissertations

Exercise and physical activity are beneficial for individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The main aim of this study is to investigate the effect of a Taekwondo-inspired intervention program on children with ADHD in the UAE context. The research utilized a mixed methods/quasi-experimental design approach, consisting of two phases. Within the first phase, a promising intensive intervention for children with ADHD has been implemented for five weeks, four sessions weekly. The sample of the first phase consisted of four children aged 8-10 years diagnosed with ADHD. Three assessment instruments were used to collect data in phase one and explore …

Empirical Exploration Of Software Testing, Samia Alblwi

Dissertations

Despite several advances in software engineering research and development, the quality of software products remains a considerable challenge. For all its theoretical limitations, software testing remains the main method used in practice to control, enhance, and certify software quality. This doctoral work comprises several empirical studies aimed at analyzing and assessing common software testing approaches, methods, and assumptions. In particular, the concept of mutant subsumption is generalized by taking into account the possibility for a base program and its mutants to diverge for some inputs, demonstrating the impact of this generalization on how subsumption is defined. The problem of mutant …

Network Slicing And Noma Enabled Mobile Edge Computing For Next-Generation Networks, Mohammad Arif Hossain

Dissertations

The advent of next-generation wireless networks ushers in a new era of potential, harnessing cutting-edge technologies like mobile edge computing (MEC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and network slicing as pivotal drivers of transformation. Within this landscape, an innovative approach is proposed by introducing a NOMA-enabled network slicing technique within MEC networks. This approach aims to achieve multiple objectives: meeting stringent quality of service requirements, minimizing service latency, and enhancing spectral efficiency. By seamlessly integrating NOMA with network slicing in edge computing environments, significant reductions in overall latency are achieved, alongside ensuring optimal resource allocation for NOMA users. To address these …

On The Ubiquity, Properties And Evolution Of Small-Scale Magnetic Flux Ropes In The Heliosphere, Hameedullah Farooki

Dissertations

The solar wind is a plasma constantly blowing out from the Sun with a large-scale magnetic field having significant local complexity at small scales. Small-scale magnetic flux ropes (SMFRs), plasma structures with twisted field lines, are an important element of this complexity. This dissertation contributes several studies that further our understanding of SMFRs. The first study applies machine learning to measurements from Wind labeled by the presence of SMFRs and magnetic clouds (MCs). MCs were distinguished from non-MFRs with an AUC of 94% and SMFRs with an AUC of 89% and had distinctive plasma properties, whereas SMFRs appeared to be …

Computational Microscopy For Biomedical Imaging With Deep Learning Assisted Image Analysis, Yuwei Liu

Dissertations

Microscopy plays a crucial role across various scientific fields by enabling structural and functional imaging with microscopic resolution. In biomedicine, microscopy contributes to basic research and clinical diagnosis. Conventionally, optical microscopy derives its contrast from the amplitude of the optical wave and provides visualization of the physical structure of the sample qualitatively. To understand the function at the cellular or tissue level, there is a need to characterize the sample quantitatively and explore contrast mechanisms other than light intensity. Image enhancement or reconstruction from microscopic imaging systems is known as computational microscopy, and it involves the application of computational techniques …

Interaction Of Particles With Plasma And Shock Produced By Pulsed Spark Discharge, Shomik Mukhopadhyay

Dissertations

Interactions of powders with high-temperature plasma and shockwaves occur in diverse scenarios, such as nuclear blasts, accidental industrial dust explosions, solid propellant combustion in explosive charges and when removing contaminants from surfaces. Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), known for generating shock and plasma, is a promising lab-scale technique for simulating these interactions. Studies with ESD involved placing powders near a spark-producing gap between electrodes and observing mechanical and chemical processes like particle motion and ignition. A limited range of spark conditions and material properties have been tested, which facilitated the development and validation of preliminary computational models describing this system. Significant gaps …

Machine Learning-Based Design Of Doppler Tolerant Radar, Kyle Peter Wensell

Dissertations

In this work, machine learning theory is applied to the design of a radar detector in order to train a machine learning-based detector that is robust against Doppler shifts. The radar system is designed to work with data that would be otherwise intractable to conventional optimal detector design, such as transmitted noise waveforms and the effects of one-bit quantization at the receiver. The detection performance of the one-bit receiver is shown to match the performance of the derived square-law sign correlator detector. The resulting learning-based detector also introduces Doppler tolerance to the system, which allows for the successful detection of …

Information Theoretic Bounds For Capacity And Bayesian Risk, Ian Zieder

Dissertations

In this dissertation, the problem of finding lower error bounds on the minimum mean-squared error (MMSE) and the maximum capacity achieving distribution for a specific channel is addressed. Presented are two parts, a new lower bound on the MMSE and upper and lower bounds on the capacity achieving distribution for a Binomial noise channel. The new lower bound on the MMSE is achieved via use of the Poincare inequality. It is compared to the performance of the well known Ziv-Zakai error bound. The second part considers a binomial noise channel and is concerned with the properties of the capacity-achieving distribution. …

Financial Time Series Fusion, Completion, And Prediction With Deep Neural Networks, Dan Zhou

Dissertations

Time-series analysis is essential for a wide range of financial applications, including but not limited to bond valuation, firm earnings forecasts, firm fundamentals predictions, and firm characteristics imputations. Given its considerable value, the financial community has shown a strong interest in refining and advancing time-series analysis techniques. The study in this dissertation contributes to this field by employing advanced machine learning approaches, specifically graph neural networks, deep neural networks, and matrix/tensor methods. The primary objectives are twofold: first, to reveal complex correlations within financial time series to improve prediction accuracy, and second, to enhance the process of integrating and imputing …