Digital Commons Network^™

A Case Study Of Technology Integration At A Community College During A Disruption Of Learning Due To A Global Pandemic, Cara Suzanne Barth-Fagan

Dissertations

This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the financial stress, digital divide, and inequalities in educational opportunities that arose during this period. However, it also acknowledges the advantages of remote learning, such as flexible scheduling, individualized learning, and global collaboration. The study design used was qualitative, aiming to identify the perceived levels of student engagement and support between faculty and students, and the perceived levels of success of completing a blended learning course in an online, hybrid, or hyflex format during a global pandemic. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance …

Assembly And Analysis Of Space Biofilm-Forming Bacterial Model Organisms Towards The Treatment Of Water System Biofilms, Yo-Ann VéLez Justiniano

Dissertations

Space exploration imposes unique challenges on the human body and engineered systems alike. One such challenge is the control of microbial life, specifically biofilms, within the water processor assembly of the International Space Station (ISS). This investigation aimed to determine the feasibility of using an innovative bioremediation approach to mitigate biofilm growth in the water processor assembly. This approach entails the dissemination of a desired anti-biofilm gene across the microbial population of the water processor assembly through horizontal gene transfer via conjugation. To ascertain the viability of this method, the research was divided into two primary focuses. The first part …

Experimental Investigation Of Steady And Unsteady Effects Of A Circulation Control Wing With Spanwise Segmented Blowing, Tulasi Ram Vechalapu

Dissertations

Active Flow Control (AFC) techniques are a class of methods that improve aerodynamic efficiency by affecting the flow field through actuation or interaction to produce a desired change in flow behavior. Circulation control (CC), which is considered one of the most effective AFC methods, holds significant potential to enhance aircraft efficiency and has been researched for lift enhancement and boundary layer control, among other applications. However, its practical application has been constrained by high mass flow requirements and several unanswered questions in current research. A critical area of investigation is the interaction between trailing-edge blowing and 3D unsteady effects under …

Shocks And Cold Fronts In Merging Galaxy Clusters, Purva Diwanji

Dissertations

Galaxy clusters, found at the nodes of the large-scale structures in the universe, are the most massive gravitationally bound and virialized structures in the Universe. They are formed via accretion, gravitational infall, and hierarchical mergers of smaller sub-clusters and galaxy groups. Mergers of galaxy clusters are the most energetic events in the Universe after the Big Bang, wherein the sub-clusters collide at velocities of ~1000km/s, releasing energy of the order of 10^(64) ergs. During such a merger, the galaxies and dark matter of both clusters interact only gravitationally and move unhindered through the region of the collision. This dissertation presents …

The Structural Basis Of Inflammation : Computational Characterization Of Molecular Mechanisms, Sara W. Jackson

Dissertations

Computational tools are useful in the interpretation and analysis of experimental data. In the world of structural biophysics, computational tools go a bit further: they can simulate atomic motions and molecular interactions based on experimentally-determined biomolecule structures, therein describing natural phenomena, and inspiring the formulation of new hypotheses. In this work, computational structural biology tools are used to answer questions about molecules of inflammatory importance. Quantum chemistry computational tools are used to determine the electronic structure of sesamin, a component of many diets which may be a modulator of an enzyme involved in the metabolism of inflammation mediators. Virtual docking …

How The Extraction Of Free Ligands From Nanoparticle Dispersions Affects Their Langmuir Films, Jimmie Mitchell

Dissertations

When nanoparticles are used as coatings on displays, solar cells, or devices, a thin, closely packed, uniform film is desired to enhance performance. Organic ligands are commonly used during the synthesis of metal or semiconductor nanoparticles. The ligands bind to the surface of the nanoparticle to control size, stability, or functionality. Commercially available nanoparticles have excess (free), ligands in their dispersions. Removal of the free ligands can potentially improve the performance of the system, especially when the dispersion is subsequently coated on a surface. Current methods to remove free ligands from nanoparticle dispersions result in mass loss, reduced performance, or …

A Framework For Identifying Transit Deserts In Rural Areas With Demand-Response Transit Services, Agnes L. Barnwell

Dissertations

The primary objective of this research is to develop a comprehensive framework for identifying transit deserts in rural areas with Demand Response Transit (DRT) services. This framework will focus on marginalized rural areas in Alabama, providing a foundation for better understanding their transportation needs. The research gap regarding transit deserts in rural areas is significant. While the concept of transit deserts has been explored in urban settings, rural areas with DRT services remain largely under-researched. Addressing this gap is vital for establishing equitable access to transit services across rural areas. This research contributes to the existing body of literature in …

Enhancing Organisational Performance Through Patient-Focused Learning Excellence In The Biopharmaceutical Industry, Lori Richter

Dissertations

Drug shortages, quality defects and challenges regarding innovation within the biopharmaceutical industry pose significant risks to patient safety and organisational performance. These problems persist despite the many scientific, technological and economic advances over the past several years in a well-funded, high-revenue industry operated by highly qualified personnel. Evidence suggests that the industry has yet to fully realise the potential for building organisational capabilities to enable learning from mistakes to enhance performance outcomes. This research study explored how biopharmaceutical companies can learn from their mistakes and embrace a culture of learning in order to reduce quality defects and drug shortages by …

An Examination Of The Predictors Of Vocational Calling In First-Generation College Students, Rodney Palmer

Dissertations

Problem

Several studies have examined the prediction of calling in college students, but no known study has focused primarily on the development of vocational calling among the vulnerable population of first-generation college students who have a higher drop-out rate than their peers. Examining the composition of vocational calling in first-generation college students, will assist faculty and student development personnel in better understanding the factors that predict a sense of calling for these students, which will improve their overall performance. This study will examine to what extent a sense of vocational calling is predicted by student mentoring, social support, faith/spirituality, civic …

Exploring Manifestations Of Pluriform Love In The Leadership Of Christian Early Childhood Communities: A Phenomenological Study 2019-2024 In New Zealand, Sharon Kaye Judge

Dissertations

Problem

This study responds to the need to explore and/or propose models of leadership for Christian early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings in New Zealand (NZ). While previous studies identify love and care as a priority there is a need to define and prioritize Biblical understandings of love that may align with the principles of the national ECE framework. The study represents an alternative narrative to the neo-liberal influences which dominate areas of ECEC leadership through the marketization and standardization of children’s services nationally and globally.

Purpose of Study

Many factors contribute to the purpose of this study which …

Navigating Global Landscapes: Exploring The Dynamics Of Cultural Intelligence In Business Organizations, Rong Min

Dissertations

This dissertation delves into the multifaceted factors influencing Cultural Intelligence (CQ) among U.S. managers, with a specific focus on openness to experience, emotional intelligence, international experience, and the role of age. Employing a quantitative research methodology, this study engages a diverse sample of managers across various industries in the United States to ascertain how these variables collectively contribute to or hinder the development of CQ within a global business context. Both openness to experience and emotional intelligence were significant predictors of higher CQ, underscoring their importance in facilitating effective leadership in multicultural settings. Although international experience also enhances CQ, its …

The Impact Of Hybrid Working On Employee Way Of Life And The Need To Reshape The Employee Value Proposition, Kanishka Chandanamali Athalage

Dissertations

This dissertation details a post-pandemic qualitative investigation conducted to understand the impact of hybrid working solutions on reshaping the employee value proposition (EVP) in the health insurance industry of the UAE. The research aims to evaluate how the introduction of modern hybrid working solutions impacts employees in a post-pandemic environment and, in turn, whether this creates a demand for human resources to refocus drivers of the EVP. Traditionally, EVP is referred to as the overall give-and-get in an employment deal; however, the pandemic was an eye-opener for organizations to redefine what it entails. Since hybrid working has become the new …

Cbct Perceptions Of Radiology Leaders In The Midwest Dental Schools: A Qualitative Study, Tenzin Dadul

Dissertations

Problem

The integration of Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) in dental education is hindered by a lack of formal training among radiology leaders, insufficient institutional support, and financial constraints. Despite the proven efficacy of CBCT in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning, its adoption in pre-doctoral curricula remains limited. This gap in education poses significant challenges for dental graduates, who are increasingly expected to utilize advanced imaging technologies in clinical practice.

Purpose of Study

This qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of radiology leaders in Midwest dental schools regarding the integration of CBCT education into pre-doctoral curricula. The objectives …

Perceptions Of High Stakes Testing And Burnout As Predictors Of Quality Of Life Among Primary School Teachers In Trinidad And Tobago, Victoria Patricia Elder

Dissertations

Problem

This study explored how high-stakes testing (HST) and burnout affected the quality of primary school teachers in Trinidad and Tobago. HST refers to school exams often required by government agencies that are used to make key decisions pertaining to students, teachers, and schools (Embse & Hanson, 2012). Burnout is defined operationally as a psychological syndrome of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and impaired personal accomplishment induced by repeated workplace stressors (Maslach & Schaufeli, 2017). Quality of life (QoL) is the measure of an individual’s ability to function physically, emotionally, and socially within his/her environment at a level consistent with his/her own …

Employees' Perception Of The Management Of The Covid-19 Crisis At Najran University, Saudi Arabia, Noora Nasser Alsuhaibani

Dissertations

Problem

During the COVID-19 crisis, particularly in the context of Saudi education, the ability to physically attend schools and colleges was greatly hindered due to the widespread transmission of the virus and the resulting obstacles. The issues necessitated the use of crisis management strategies. Some Saudi universities are capable of implementing an organized plan both before to and during crisis management, whereas others lack this competence. This is a substantial problem. Several universities in Saudi Arabia effectively managed the COVID-19 epidemic, whereas others did not. Furthermore, prior studies on crisis management indicate that administrators exhibit diverse responses. By participating in …

["At That Time"] In The Hebrew Bible And Its Role In Daniel 12:1: A Diachronic And Synchronic Study On Semantics Of Narrative And Prophetic Temporality, Roger David Ruiz Araica

Dissertations

Problem

The expression ["at that time"] in Dan 12:1 is the last temporal expression of the predictive discourse of Dan 11:2–12:3. There is no consensus about the temporality of this expression. Thus, this dissertation seeks to answer the following question: What is the temporal frame of the phrase ["at that time"] is in Dan 12:1 according to the temporal indicators provided in the context of the predictive discourse of Dan 11:40–12:3?

Methodology

The methodology of this dissertation combines diachronic and synchronic approaches. First, as a diachronic procedure, it analyzes ["at that time"] in the Hebrew Bible to determine its temporality …

The Andrews University Mba Program In Vietnam: Assessing The Experience And The Career Advancement Of Its Students, Masazumi Mark Sugi

Dissertations

Problem

The demand to recruit highly skilled managers and laborers in Vietnam has encouraged educational institutions to upgrade the quality of their higher education programs and to evaluate their effectiveness. Andrew University’s MBA program did not have an assessment developed to evaluate the program’s effectiveness in Vietnam. It required an assessment of students’ experiences as a major predictor of evaluating how the Andrews University MBA program in Vietnam has impacted their career path and the extent to which it has benefited students.

Method

This study investigated the motivations, expectations, actual experiences, and career advancement opportunities of graduated students and current …

The Relationship Between Participation In A Student Success Course And The Retention Rate And Academic Success Of First-Year Freshmen At A Historically Black University, Madeline Martinez

Dissertations

Problem

Amongst the highest at-risk student populations are minority students (students of color), first-generation college students, students from low-socioeconomic status, students experiencing financial challenges, and those who enter college academically underprepared. Furthermore, studies have found a significant gap in the educational achievement of African Americans in comparison to other peer groups. Closing this achievement gap requires educators to take a closer look at the complex concept of student retention and understand the variables and factors associated with students’ successful outcomes from both an individual and institutional perspective. An in-depth examination of the effectiveness of strategies specifically designed for the retention …

Jointly Operating A Merged Junior Academy: A Case Study Of Interracial Cooperation In Seventh-Day Adventist Education In North America, Fabian S. Reid

Dissertations

Problem

Despite the landmark 1954 US Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education that rules segregated schools unconstitutional, the Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America continues to operate segregated schools in close proximity, a practice rooted in a 1944 General Conference vote that allowed the establishment of separate regional (predominantly Black) and state (predominantly White) conferences within the same geographical regions (a conference is a group of churches, schools, and other institutions within a specified geographic region with one central administrative body). This dual system persists even as declining enrollments and frequent school closures prompt consideration of school …

Understanding Emerging Adult Mental Health And Attachment: The Roles Of Parental Factors In Childhood, Trauma, And Gender, Christiana A. Howell

Dissertations

Problem

The experience of the parental environment growing up, parental psychopathology in childhood, exposure to trauma throughout the lifespan, insecure adult attachment, and social support have been established as factors that influence mental health in adulthood. These factors have not yet been studied together as a complex model of emerging adult mental health and attachment. The purpose of this study was to develop a theoretically and empirically supported model of these factors to understand how these factors interact to influence mental health in emerging adulthood. Additionally, the purpose was to understand if these factors interact differently based on gender.

Method …

The Impact Of Generational Intelligence And Its Relationship With Team Cohesion And Team Performance In A Jamaican Multi-Generational Workforce, Omar Z. D. Oliphant

Dissertations

Problem

The Jamaica Union Conference (JAMU) currently faces a phenomenon of having a multi-generational workforce that includes four generations working alongside each other across its five fields for the first time in its history. This intersection of generations brings challenges concerning the adequacy of leaders’ generational intelligence and its relationship to team outcomes and perceptions of performance. The potential concerns for leaders center around employee recruitment, retention and engagement, conflict resolution, workplace culture, and productivity, among others (Tapscott, 2009). Any potential misunderstanding resulting from inadequate cross-generational intelligence among members of the generations currently represented may result in these Jamaican generationally …

The Impact Of Transformational Leadership On Writing Across The Curriculum, Amie M. Wright

Dissertations

This research study examined the relationship between school leadership style and the use of writing across the curriculum (WAC) in secondary classrooms. Writing practices and the use of writing as a form of assessment in subject areas other than ELA is thought to be a way to better prepare students to meet the literacy expectations of the 21st century. For writing practices to be integrated across the curriculum in secondary environments, school leadership support is essential. This study aimed to answer the following questions: How can school leaders in secondary educational settings support writing across the curriculum? What are the …

Teachers' Perceptions Of Play-Based Learning In Early Childhood Classrooms, Laura B. Rushatz

Dissertations

Play-based learning is an important part of developing the whole child emotionally, socially, physically, cognitively, and communicatively. Through play, children are allowed to explore, investigate, discover, think, solve problems, and communicate. The purpose of this study was to determine what early childhood teachers in public schools know and believe about the use of play-based learning in their classrooms and how these teachers perceive their administrator’s role in the use of play-based learning. This study used a mixed method approach to gather the perceptions of early childhood educators in seven different school districts through four counties. The sample included responses from …

Strong Partnerships Require Collaboration: The Investigation Of Interagency Collaboration Efforts Between Schools And Community-Based Organizations In Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness, Iantheya K. Brown

Dissertations

This study provides valuable insights into effective interagency collaboration strategies for supporting students experiencing homelessness. Through qualitative analysis, three overarching themes and seven sub-themes emerged, highlighting the importance of partnership building, support system enhancement, and addressing the complex needs of students experiencing homelessness. The findings underscore the crucial role of early relationship establishment, McKinney-Vento education, transparent communication, and shared information in maintaining and expanding partnerships. However, challenges persist, including discrepancies in definitions and misconceptions about homelessness, necessitating a more empathetic approach. Leadership engagement and culturally responsive practices are essential for navigating these challenges and fostering effective collaboration. By adopting a …

The Phenomenology Of Success: Women Who Made It To The C-Suite Despite Barriers, Bettye H. Smith

Dissertations

Multiple researchers have explored avenues to achieve gender diversity in leadership, primarily by studying the barriers to success for aspiring women leaders. Despite barriers, a small group of women have risen to the top positions of US corporations, demonstrating that there is a path to success and highlighting an opportunity to address leadership diversity differently. Whereas most research on gender diversity in leadership focuses on the barriers women encounter, this qualitative phenomenological study focused on how women can succeed. By leveraging Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to explore systems that enabled a phenomenal group of women to advance to the C-suite, …

How Can A Cloud Computing It Framework Be Created And Applied Effectively In The Online Printing Industry?, Stefan Meissner

Dissertations

This research aims to design a cloud computing IT framework for the online printing industry based on a detailed literature review, the development of proof of concepts (PoC), and the conduction of a focus group. The framework can be adopted by the online printing industry or by vendors of print-specific applications to optimize their products for the online printing industry. The author has been working in the online printing process optimization and automation since 2007. During this time, he got deep insight into many industry-specific applications, their architectural design, and their challenges being used in the context of online printing. …

The Special Education Placement Of An African American Male Identified As Emotionally Disturbed: A Qualitative Single-Case Study, Wernsetta Session

Dissertations

This case study examined the school-based interventions used to determine a self contained special education placement for a fourth-grade African American male student with an emotional disturbance disability. The study aimed to answer four research questions, which included the academic and behavioral school-based interventions provided to the student before a referral to special education evaluation, the perception of the student by the special education teacher and diagnostician, the role of the campus administrator in determining placement, and the parent's perception of the referral process.

The study used a single case study research methodology and included four active participants. Data collection …

The Relationship Between Secondary Ela Teacher Pedagogical Practices, Student Self-Regulated Learning And Digital Self-Efficacy In A Blended Learning Environment, Melissa K. Miller

Dissertations

In the era of emerging technologies in the 21st Century classroom, secondary English Language Arts (ELA) students may exhibit complications in navigating literacy in blended learning environments. The purpose of this research study focused on addressing a gap in the current literature in these specific areas to investigate the relationship between ELA teachers’ pedagogical practices and elements of secondary students’ learning motivation for ELA. Specifically, this study explored secondary ELA students’ perception of teachers’ classroom practices, self-regulated learning, and digital self-efficacy. The overarching research question in this study examined: What relationship exists between (a) the pedagogical practices of secondary ELA …

Quantitative Characterization Of Non-Bonded Interactions In Proteins Affecting Human Health And Disease, Maher Mansur

Dissertations

Non-bonded interactions are fundamental forces that govern molecular relationships between two or more molecules. These interactions contribute to the stability of complex biological structures like DNA, RNA, and proteins, and control various biological processes. Almost all of these processes are significantly influenced by protein-protein and protein-ligand intermolecular interactions. Here, the interactions of various proteins with other proteins, peptides, and/or ligands were quantified computationally to tackle human health-related problems. For estimating the intermolecular interactions, a number of computational approaches including protein structure modeling, molecular dynamics simulations, molecular docking, ensemble docking, semi-empirical methods, etc., were used. The basics of Molecular Mechanics and …

Benefits Of Quadratically Tapered Flexures For Mems Resonators And Gyroscopes, Brian Grantham

Dissertations

An investigation into the benefits of quadratically tapered flexures for MEMS resonators and gyroscopes is performed and compared to the traditional non-tapered flexure design. Quadratically tapered flexures exhibit constant strain along the outer edge of the flexure whereas non-tapered flexures have significant stress concentration near the base of the flexure. The investigation considers peak stress, thermoelastic damping (TED), nonlinearity, and sensitivity to manufacturing variations. The impact of inside corner fillets on peak stress, TED, and resonant frequency is also investigated. Five new anti-phase lever mechanism (APLM) configurations for resonators and gyroscopes are designed and analyzed using CoventorWare 10. Fabrication experiment …