Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Health Analytics: Secure And Private Federated Learning Solutions, Nisha Thorakkattu Madathil

Dissertations

Federated Learning (FL) is a collaborative method allowing individuals to train a model jointly without sharing their local datasets. It utilizes decentralized data sources to protect privacy, making it particularly promising in medical contexts where data confidentiality is paramount. FL facilitates the use of diverse datasets from various healthcare organizations while upholding patient confidentiality. It also plays a crucial role in advancing medical research and healthcare services while adhering to data distribution and compliance requirements. The primary challenges within federated healthcare encompass privacy preservation among sensitive distributed data, ensuring efficient communication, addressing data heterogeneity, and ultimately guaranteeing model accuracy. To …

Graphene 2d Heterostructures For Thz Applications, Omnia Samy Shaaban

Dissertations

THz technology is a promising field that has various applications in communication, medical imaging and diseases’ detection, scanning, and the food industry. Since THz technology is still in its early stages, there is a lot of work to be done to obtain devices that work efficiently in the THz range. One of these devices is THz absorbers that are the basic building blocks for the next generation THz systems whether in communication systems, imaging or shielding. THz absorbers are structures that can absorb electromagnetic waves in the THz range (0.1-10 THz). THz absorbers can be wideband (absorb a wide range …

Valorization Of The Polymeric Constituents In Plastic Wastes Through Thermo-Chemical Processes By Using Viable Metal Oxides Additives, Labeeb Hamad Ali

Dissertations

The rapid accumulation of different types of plastic waste necessitates the development of effective and economically viable waste management operations. Such a process should ideally not only mitigate associated environmental burdens but also recycle and recover value-added products. Through incineration or pyrolysis, thermal processing has emerged as a mainstream approach to waste management of the ever-increasing loads of different categorized plastic wastes. Throughout the work of the thesis, we have utilized a multitude of complementary techniques spanning material characterizations, catalysis, kinetic modelling, and density functional theory (DFT) to comprehend the complex chemistry that underpins catalytic chemical recycling of plastic wastes. …

Increasing Folic Acid Self-Efficacy In College-Age Women Of Childbearing Age, Kristie Buchanan

Dissertations

Preventative measures taken by women of childbearing age before and during conception limit the risk of fetal defects or complications. One specific measure that is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is that all women of childbearing age take folic acid 400 mcg daily. Evidence-based research suggests that taking 400 mcg daily limits the risk of fetal neural tube defects if taken daily and started at least two months before conception. Fetal neural tube defects are classified as defects that damage the baby's spine and brain. The researcher conducted an evidence-based practice project that sought to determine …

Multi-Modality Transformer For E-Commerce: Inferring User Purchase Intention To Bridge The Query-Product Gap, Srivatsa Mallapragada

Dissertations

The rapid growth of e-commerce has necessitated the development of sophisticated product retrieval systems that can effectively match user queries with relevant products. However, the semantic gap between queries and products remains a significant challenge, as traditional retrieval methods often fail to capture the nuances of user purchase intentions. E-commerce click-stream data and product catalogs offer critical user behavior insights and product knowledge that are untapped in the current product search algorithms. This dissertation presents learning strategies that leverage the query-product transaction logs to enrich the pipeline of our proposed multi-modal transformer model, which transforms initial user queries into pseudo …

For Black Women - When The Rainbow Was Not Enough (Shange, 1976, New York City): An Autoethnographic Collection About Spirit Assassination, Teresa Quarles, Tamika Galvin, Sherrie Mcclellan

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

We live in an America where the higher you elevate in your career as a Black woman, the greater your chances of being subjected to racism, discrimination, isolation, and bullying. We are underrepresented in various elevated roles, but we will not let that stop us. As Black women, we can attest to the experiences that we are subjected to with no question about our mental health. The Black community in America has been subjected to a considerable presence of systemic racism, oppression, and violence - with the objectives of exercising authority and oppressing the Black community, as well as …

Unraveling Biases And Customer Heterogeneity In E-Commerce Recommendation Systems, Sachin Sharma

Dissertations

This research explores the biases present in AI algorithms within e-commerce recommendation systems, focusing on how these biases prioritize popular, sponsored, and private-label products over actual customer preferences. We extend the responsible AI discourse by critically examining these biases and their implications for fairness in e-commerce. To strengthen the current understanding of AI fairness in the fields of information systems and computer science, we aim to challenge the assumption that AI fairness is objective and the same for everyone. We examine how individual differences, such as equity sensitivity and exchange ideology, contribute to users' varied perceptions of AI fairness. Through …

Nursing Student Attitudes Toward Mental Illness: A Quantitative Quasi-Experimental Study, Todd B. Hastings

Dissertations

Nursing students often harbor negative stereotypes and feel unknowledgeable and unprepared to work with mentally ill people. In addition, nursing students rarely choose the psychiatric specialty as a career option. A quantitative quasi-experimental study was conducted to examine nursing student feelings about engaging those with behavioral health problems. Over 300 nursing students in eight Bachelor of Science in Nursing professional nursing programs were surveyed on the first and last day of their program's psychiatric mental health nursing course (the independent variable). A valid and reliable survey instrument was used to collect nursing student responses characterizing attitudes, impressions of knowledge and …

The Postsecondary Success Of Historically Marginalized Black And Latino Male Students: Examining Factors That Impact College Readiness Preparation And Persistence, Molly Croghan, Ebonie Davis, Janci Finkley, Zehra Khan, Yvette Levy, Evans Mudanya, Lizbeth Roman

Dissertations

This qualitative research study investigates the multifaceted factors influencing the postsecondary success of historically marginalized Black and Latino male students, with a particular emphasis on understanding the impact of college readiness preparation and persistence. Employing a comprehensive research design, the study integrates semi-structured interviews with high school teachers and counselors, and Black and Latino male freshmen and sophomores to provide a holistic exploration of the challenges and opportunities within the educational journey. Situated within an interpretive phenomenological paradigm, this study elucidates the experiential realities and viewpoints of the subjects, thereby illuminating the socio-cultural, institutional, and individual factors shaping their trajectories …

Nonprofit Leader Experiences In Sector-Bending After Lean Six Sigma Training: Tension, Concepts, And Changed Behaviors, Beverly Codallos

Dissertations

Government, business, and nonprofit represent three distinct types of organizations governed by different legal frameworks designed to facilitate collective action (DiMaggio & Anheier, 1990). The emergence of hybrid forms and increasing isomorphic pressures in the nonprofit sector (Bromley & Meyer, 2017; McCambridge, 2014) have challenged the traditional separation of organizational forms. This study explored the phenomenon popularized as sector-bending, “a wide variety of approaches, activities, and relationships that are blurring the distinctions between nonprofit and for-profit organizations, either because they are behaving more similarly, operating in the same realms, or both” (Dees & Anderson, 2003, pg. 16). This qualitative study …

The Role Transition Characteristics Of New Registered Nurses: A Study Of Work Environment Influences And Individual Traits, Martin S. Manno

Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative research study was to explore how the environmental influences and individual traits of new registered nurses within the first year of clinical practice create positive and negative performance outcomes in the areas of clinical competence, confidence, retention and job satisfaction.

The Complexities Of Using Digital Game-Based Learning For Writing Instruction: An Exploratory Multiple-Case Study Of Two Teachers, Sean D. Bowden

Dissertations

Digital game-based learning (DGBL) is an innovative learning approach for engaging and teaching students across various content areas. There is a shortfall in the extant literature on DGBL for writing instruction specifically. The purpose of this exploratory multiple-case study was to gain a greater understanding of (a) how teachers plan and deliver writing instruction using a DGBL approach, (b) how they evaluate the impact DGBL has on students’ writing, and (c) the shared experiences two teachers have with using DGBL for writing in two different contexts. Flow theory, activity theory, and TPACK comprised this study's theoretical foundation.

Two teachers with …

Student–Faculty Engagement Solutions For Retention Of Racially Minoritized Students, Rayza Rolon Nieves, Kevin M. Wathen, Jordan M. Watson, Shanee E. Haynes

Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the importance of student–faculty interactions for racially minoritized students. Persistent challenges in low retention rates for racially minoritized students have been a focal point of scholarly investigation for decades (Carey, 2004; Kinzie et al., 2008). Despite research indicating that engagement between students and faculty is crucial for improving student retention, these interactions are constrained (Cox et al., 2010). The presence of effective student–faculty engagement can foster students’ persistence, while the absence of engagement can create a negative academic experience, especially for racially minoritized students.

Tinto’s theory of student departure (1975, 1987, 1993) is one of the …

The Effects Of A Same Gender And Same Race Coaching Intervention On The Resilience Of Black Baccalaureate Nursing Students, Sagine Bien-Aimé

Dissertations

Reports from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and National Academy of Medicine (NAM) state that it is important to increase the number of underrepresented racial minorities in the health professions. Although the Black population is increasing in the United States, Black students continue to be underrepresented in nursing. Researchers indicate that when Black students are supported in positive environments and with accessible coaching, academic success may be fostered. It is important to understand the extent to which students are resilient. An evidence-based virtual coaching intervention may lead to increased resilience and academic success. Accordingly, the influence of …

Help Or Hindrance: Latinx College Graduates’ From Stem Majors Perceptions Of University Culture Following Vincent Tinto’S Theoretical Framework Of Student Persistence, Carmen Gonzalez, Carmen Lucia Gonzalez

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore how Latinx college graduates who have achieved STEM degrees perceive the culture of their university and the STEM program they were enrolled in as supporting or not supporting a Latinx college student’s persistence to graduation.

Methodology: A qualitative phenomenological approach was the methodology selected for this study. This phenomenological research captured and described the lived experiences of study participants through interviews and artifacts.

Findings: The findings of this research illustrate (a) Research participants all perceived that creating relationships with STEM program faculty was important in supporting them toward degree completion, …

Clinical Supervisors Competency And Readiness To Supervise Telehealth Practices, Myriam Buitrago

Dissertations

The growing effectiveness of telehealth as an alternative practice is gaining acceptance not only by professionals in the healthcare field but also by people who have benefited from this approach. New training and supervision practices are required to meet the new telehealth approach. Clinical supervision is a new profession identifying the competencies that define their best practices. However, telehealth is forcing us to evaluate and redefine them to meet the new telehealth requirements. This study used two assessments, the Supervisor competence self assessment and the supervisor evaluation and the Supervisor Competence Scale, to measure supervisors' self-evaluation of their performance as …

A Novel Data Fusion Fr Amework To Enhance Contextual Awareness Of The Autonomous Vehicles For Accurate Decision Making, Henry Alexander Ignatious

Dissertations

Autonomous driving has the potential to bring significant changes and benefits to various aspects of transportation. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) use a combination of advanced sensors, cameras, radar, lidar, GPS, maps, and AI algorithms to perceive their environment, make decisions, and control their movements. Though there is a significant increase in the AVs utility, there are several challenges associated with the AVs among which ensuring safety and security for a reliable drive is still an existing challenge. The majority of accidents involving the AVs result from faulty decision-making resulting in fatal incidents. Multiple elements contribute to the flawed decision-making in autonomous …

Integrating Computer Vision In Construction Progress Monitoring: A Comprehensive Analysis And Future Perspectives, Muhammad Sami Rehman

Dissertations

This dissertation presents an in-depth exploration of the integration of Computer Vision (CV) in Construction Progress Monitoring (CPM), a field that has traditionally relied on manual and document-centric approaches. Such traditional CPM techniques lead to poor tracking of project progress, resulting in delays, cost overruns, bitter stakeholder relationships, schedule changes, and legislative proceedings to settle construction claims. The primary objective of this research is to investigate the potential of CV technology to transform CPM into a more efficient, accurate, and automated process. This is achieved through a series of comprehensive studies encompassing a systematic review, critical appraisal, barrier analysis, feature …

Students' Attitudes Toward Computers At The College Of Nursing At King Saud University (Ksu), Osama A. Samarkandi

Dissertations

Computer knowledge and skills are becoming essential components technology in nursing education. Saudi nurses must be prepared to utilize these technologies for the advancement of science and nursing practice in local and global communities.

Little attention has been directed to students' attitudes about computer usage in academic communities in Saudi Arabia. Their attitudes about the use of computers for the enhancement of learning are relatively unknown. Few research studies have been identified that explicate Saudi Arabian nursing students' attitudes toward computer usage for the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Males and females matriculate at King Saud University (KSU), but attend …

Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention Of Women In Stem, Kira Carter, Jane Kelley, Jason Vasser-Elong, Rc Patterson

Dissertations

Our co-authored research ‘Steminism: Analyzing Factors That Improve Retention for Women as STEM Majors’ analyzed factors that contributed to the retention of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs at Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T). Women make up half of the US population, and while careers in (STEM) are an integral part of the US economy, women are underrepresented in these career fields. The purpose of our dissertation is to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM majors. Our methodology included homogeneous sampling to collect qualitative data. More specifically, we consulted with academic advisors and …

Evidence Based Practice Among Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, Stephen Van Roper

Dissertations

This study describes primary care nurse practitioner (PCNP) beliefs in, knowledge, implementation and utilization of evidence based practice (EBP). Research questions answered are:

1. What are the levels of belief, implementation, knowledge and utilization of EBP among PCNPs?

2. Is there a relationship with PCNP demographics (personal, professional, and practice), belief, knowledge, implementation and utilization of EBP?

3. Do PCNP demographics (personal, professional, and practice) and scores on belief, knowledge and implementation influence EBP utilization?

Adaptive Inter-Vehicular Collaboration For Level 5 Autonomous Driving, Sumbal Malik

Dissertations

The evolution of sensor technologies, mobile networks, and artificial intelligence has significantly expanded the horizons of various sectors, notably in autonomous driving. According to the World Health Organization, over 1.3 million people succumb to traffic accidents annually, predominantly due to human negligence. Complex urban environments, characterized by mixed traffic flow involving Human Driven Vehicles and Connected and Autonomous Vehicles, intricate traffic patterns, frequent lane changes, and slow speeds, face escalating challenges related to traffic accidents and congestion. These challenges lead to wasted time, increased fuel consumption, and heightened pollution emission levels. Hence, the development of a safe and robust version …

Developing An Instrument To Measure Group Dynamics Awareness: A Mixed Methods Study, John Weng

Dissertations

In a world that is increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, adaptive leaders are needed more than ever. Based on group relations programs developed by the Tavistock Institute, a pedagogy known as case-in-point has recently been brought to prominence and incorporated into leadership development programs. These methods claim to develop systems thinking and individuals’ leadership capacity with little prior empirical research.

This mixed methods exploratory study explored individual awareness of group dynamics, a key outcome in case-in-point programs, and adaptive leadership theory. The goal was to create an instrument to measure awareness of group dynamics: the Group Dynamics Awareness Questionnaire …

Towards A Servingness Advising Approach: From The Advisors’ Perspective At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Salvador Gomez-Pantoja

Dissertations

Research on student success is replete with studies showing that academic advisors play a vital role in shaping students' achievement, tenacity, and persistence (Hatch & Garcia, 2017; Hunter & White, 2004; Kuh et al., 2005; Kuhn, 2008; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005; Strayhorn, 2015). Using the multidimensional conceptual framework of servingness in HSIs (Garcia et al., 2019) as a lens, I conducted a collaborative action research study that examined an academic advising model that was recently launched at a large, public, four-year Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of advisors who are part …

An Aviation Curriculum For An Urban Diverse School District: The Need And Possibility, Stephanie Kiley

Dissertations

The aviation industry expects over two million new personnel in the next twenty years to ensure safe commercial travel and support long-term growth. However, the industry needs more diversity. This study gathered information from administrators and educators in a large, diverse urban school district to address this issue through questionnaires and focus groups. The study aimed to highlight the need for more aviation-related opportunities. The research questions focused on identifying factors that could support or hinder high school aviation programs, perceptions of educators and administrators on introducing an aviation curriculum, and influences that lead students to choose aviation as a …

No Coward Soul Is Mine’: A Critical Edition Of Select Works By Ina Boyle (1889 - 1967) - Volume I, Emma C. O'Keeffe

Dissertations

The primary aim of this project is to produce an authoritative critical edition of five works by Ina Boyle composed between 1913 and 1958, through the medium of digitally typeset scores, these include: Elegy (1913) for cello solo and orchestra, Psalm (1927) for cello solo and orchestra, the Virgilian Suite (1930–31), a ballet suite for dancers and orchestra, Lament for Bion (1944–45) for tenor solo and string quartet, and Three Ancient Irish Poems (1958) for soprano solo, viola and harp.

Effective Risk-Based Decision Making In Quality Risk Management, Valerie Mulholland

Dissertations

Patients expect safe, effective, high-quality medicines that are available when needed. Meeting these expectations is increasingly challenging in a global pharmaceutical supply chain, as evidenced by persistent product quality and supply issues. A key contributory factor to these issues is disruptions in manufacturing operations, which in turn are often caused by a hesitancy to change and to continuously improve approved processes. Regulatory agencies repeatedly indicate that they will consider increased autonomy for post-approval changes, if pharmaceutical manufacturing operations can demonstrate the effectiveness of Quality Risk Management (QRM) within the Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS). Thus, the question was posed by Dr …

Evaluating The Susceptibility Of The Lew.1wr1 Rat To Glucose Intolerance, Insulin Resistance, And Masld : Is Fat10 The Key?, Quiana Claudette Wilkerson Vidal

Dissertations

Obesity is an epidemic that affects over 40% of adults in America. Obesity can be divided into metabolically healthy and metabolically unhealthy obesity, with the latter being characterized by symptoms closely associated with metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). What causes the transition from metabolically healthy to metabolically unhealthy obesity is not fully known. Further, it is unclear how this transition correlates with the onset of co-morbid conditions. We propose that Ubiquitin D (FAT10) may play a role in transitioning into a metabolically unhealthy state in response to obesity. This dissertation evaluated two main …

Development Of Methods To Quantify The Affective Response To Food Product Consumption Based On Kansei Engineering And Their Application In New Product Development, Dietmar Weiss

Dissertations

Consumer research, crucial to the success of new products, relies traditionally on rational judgements and opinions, which may not reflect the real reasons for consumer choice. The goal of this research was to apply and further develop the concepts of Kansei engineering to quantify an emotional response to product use. In addition to the application of the traditional Kansei engineering methods, three innovations were introduced. Firstly, the use of images instead of words to define the emotional space and further limit the interference of cognitive processes in the outcome. Secondly, the application of orthogonal arrays in product designs. Thirdly, the …

Enabling Outer Planet Exploration : Performance And Feasibility Of Nuclear Thermal Propulsion For Rendezvous Missions, Saroj Kumar

Dissertations

Nuclear Thermal Propulsion (NTP) provides the compelling alternative between the chemical and electric propulsion systems for outer planet robotic missions. High-thrust and high-specific impulse (over twice the best chemical propulsion engine) NTP systems can enable outer planet missions that have been limited due to the large ΔV requirements. This dissertation identifies an enabling mission architecture and NTP engine thrust class for rendezvous missions to the Gas giant and Ice giant systems. The work presented in the dissertation demonstrates the performance impact of the NTP system and its feasibility for robotic missions using a systems engineering model driven by the model …