Digital Commons Network^™

Microphysical Examination Of Electrified Snowfall Events Using Goes Abi/Glm And Nu-Wrf, Sebastian S. Harkema

Dissertations

Much of the research using lightning, satellite, and numerical weather prediction model dataset involves the observation and prediction of warm season convection, whereas studies with regards to winter weather and heavy snowfall are sparse and nearly non-existent for electrified snowfall events. Single channel and multispectral composite satellite imagery were analyzed prior to lightning initiation in snowfall (i.e., thundersnow). Objectively tracked cloud features exhibited similar cloud-top brightness temperature and reflectance value changes – prior to thundersnow initiation – compared to cloud features associated with summertime lightning. Multispectral composite imagery – particularly the day cloud phase distinction – demonstrated consistent color changes …

Community-Based Early Dementia Advance Care Planning In The United States, Christine Noelle Flaherty

Dissertations

Dementia Advance Care Planning (ACP) promotes quality of life through discussions and decisions about goals of care and end-of-life wishes. However, ACP is rarely introduced in the community setting, and ACP is commonly deferred until advanced dementia when the patient can no longer communicate. The purpose of this three-manuscript dissertation was to advance the understanding of community-based early dementia ACP through an examination of the literature (manuscript one), the development of the dementia public health exposome conceptual framework (manuscript two), and the exploration of perceptions of ACP amongst dementia clinicians, dementia caregivers, and individuals with preclinical dementia in a dementia …

Improving Undergraduate Student Engagement In Stem Through Bioinformatics Research, Michele C. Morris

Dissertations

A novel intervention to introduce undergraduate students to bioinformatics, provide authentic research opportunities, and support student retention in science majors and careers is presented in the Characterizing Our DNA Exceptions (CODE) project. The need to increase the number of qualified STEM graduates, particularly in the fields of bioinformatics and computational research, was the impetus for this project that leads students down the path of scientific discovery as they characterize genomic variants of uncertain significance (VUS). This study sought to examine if student participation in a CODE research project would increase their bioinformatics awareness, interest, comfort, and knowledge, as well as …

Novel Approaches To The Analysis Of Gene Regulation Data, Brian S. Roberts

Dissertations

The study of gene regulation is crucial to understanding differentiation, cell specialization, and response to external stimuli observed in multicellular organisms. Genome-scale technologies enabled by high-throughput sequencing have allowed insight into many aspects of gene regulation. However, these techniques produce large, complex data that require the development of computation-based analytical techniques. I present here two analytical techniques that I have created for gene regulation data. First, I describe an approach for the analysis of sequencing-based reporter data that reveals new features of human genetic sequence that generate biased strand transcription even out of genomic context. Next, I present a package …

Modeling Freely Flying Insects Using A Strongly Coupled High Fidelity Numerical Framework, Jeremy A. Pohly

Dissertations

Flying insects, with their remarkable abilities, serve as fascinating sources of inspiration. Deciphering the complex mechanisms that enable monarch butterflies to migrate nearly 80 million times their body length, requires advanced modeling tools. These tools must capture the interplay between non-linear wing aerodynamics, dynamic body responses, and flexible wings, characteristics of the monarch. A novel framework is introduced that tightly integrates these physical phenomena through a dynamic relaxation scheme. The model’s application extends to examining the longitudinal flight of monarch butterflies and the hovering flight of fruit flies, bumblebees, and hawkmoths. A bio-inspired feedback controller ensures stable flight across all …

Model-Free Control Methods For Gait And Standing Push Recovery In Bipedal Humanoid Robots, Jerry Sweafford Jr.

Dissertations

This dissertation examines the use of model-free control methods in various aspects of effective balance and gait control for two-legged humanoid robots. It explores what it should mean to improve balance and gait control for robots and proposes gait fragility as an alternative framework to the prevailing yet undefined dynamic stability objective. Next, it presents techniques for trajectory tracking control without deriving dynamic models, using modifications of the conventional reinforcement learning approach. Finally, it explores the use of deep online reinforcement learning with disturbance and assistance curricula for learning standing push recovery in bipeds.

Predictors Of Trust Between The Southern Baptist Pastor And Congregation, Jared Thompson

Dissertations

Trust is at a low point in American life regarding institutions in general but particularly the church. This study examined the relationship between a Southern Baptist pastor and the congregants that he serves. Specifically, a model was proposed in which perceived consistency between words and actions, perceived warmth, and perceived competence predict trust in the pastor from the congregation. To test this model, a quantitative study with a survey design was performed. A survey was created using a combination of instruments for authentic leadership, behavioral integrity, competence, warmth, and trust. The survey was distributed through digital mediums to Southern Baptist …

Professional Counseling/Psychotherapy And Its Influence On Emotional Intelligence And Authentic Leadership Development: A Qualitative Participatory Inquiry Research Study, Jenny Lee Broaddus

Dissertations

The authentic leadership theory acknowledges that leaders must advance their introspection to gain self-awareness, balanced processing, internal moral perspective, and relational transparency. Leaders may desire to lead effectively, yet modern leaders lack emotional intelligence, authenticity, and a vehicle to acquire (Northouse, 2019). Like authentic leadership, emotional intelligence is favored in leaders to include self awareness, emotional management, empathy, and relationship management (Goleman, 1995). Much research surrounds emotionally intelligent competencies in leadership, but limited research targets behaviors for development. A look at psychology and counseling revealed that self-awareness, a standard competency in authentic leadership and emotional intelligence, is also the primary …

Covid Implications For Southeastern States: A Thematic Analysis Of Influences From Leaders And Health Agencies Social Media Platforms, Jennifer Suber

Dissertations

The problem investigated in this study was the conflicting social media messages between the Office of the President and the two preeminent national health organizations (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the U.S. National Institutes of Health) regarding the COVID-19 crisis. The purpose of this study was to explore alignment and disconnect in the social media messaging between the Office of the President and the top two health organizations and subsequent state government decisions around the COVID 19 pandemic in the southeast region of the United States. …

Impact Of The Regionalization Of Universidad De Antioquia In The Development Of Human Capital And Improvement Of The Equity In The Region Of Urabá, Monica Castaño Mejía

Dissertations

Problem

In Colombia, higher education plays a relevant role in developing human capital and equity, giving everyone the opportunity to access higher education. In particular, the government has been supporting public and private universities to open campuses in rural areas where guerrillas, the mafia, and paramilitary groups were fighting the government to dominate the territories. In 1995, the government of the State of Antioquia officially established the regionalization of higher education as a strategy to promote higher education in disadvantaged regions. The Universidad de Antioquia (Universidad de Antioquia) adopted that strategy as part of its development plans during the last …

A Qualitative Study Of The Time Of Completion For African Graduate Students At Andrews University, George Opoku

Dissertations

Problem

International students are an important part of higher education institutions because they bring in funds, they enhance the diversity, and increase the knowledge being shared (Srivastava et al., 2010; Luo & Jamieson-Drake, 2013; Ongo, 2019; Knight, 2007; Pandit, K., 2007; Baklashova & Kazakov, 2016). Therefore, if retention is not monitored and maintained, the United States could soon lose this important group to other countries with more competitive retention plans (Srivastava, 2010, p. 1561). Andrews University is one school in the U.S. that already shows signs of retention issues among international students, including African international students. There are several challenges …

Evaluation Of Communication Sciences And Disorders Graduate Student Attitudes Related To Trauma-Informed Client Interactions, Jenica Joseph

Dissertations

Problem

Communication sciences and disorders (CSD) graduate students may have trauma histories and may be ill-equipped to identify and manage trauma responses in clients. This mixed-methods study examined graduate student attitudes towards implementing trauma-informed educational practice (TIEP) methods and trauma-informed patient care.

Method

The Attitudes Related to Trauma-Informed Care (ARTIC) Scale (Baker et al., 2016) quantitatively measured pretest/posttest changes in CSD graduate student attitudes towards use of trauma-informed care with clients. Participants (n=43) were assigned to non-equivalent experimental and control groups. Groups received the pre/posttest and either an immediate (experimental) or delayed (control) trauma-informed educational session. Twenty-one participants completed focus …

Predictors Of Bullying Behaviors Among Adolescents In Saudi Arabia: The Role Of Self-Esteem, Emotional Intelligence And Moral Disengagement, Ayat Hamzah

Dissertations

Problem

Bullying issues are increasing among school-age children worldwide. Children and adolescents involved in bullying as victims, perpetrators, or both are likely to experience negative consequences on their emotional, social, and academic levels (Espelage & Holt, 2001). In spite of the increasing research on bullying in Saudi Arabia, there exists gaps in the literature, especially in the role of individual traits (self-esteem, emotional intelligence) and cognitive processes (moral disengagement) on bullying behavior. Additionally, using modeling analysis to understand the predictive factors affecting bullying involvement processes also filled in some of the gaps in the literature. The current study investigated the …

The Correlation Between Childhood Sexual Abuse, Intimate Partner Violence, And Sexual Revictimization On North America Emerging Adult Females' Romantic Relationship Satisfaction With Spiritual Well-Being And Post-Traumatic Growth As Mediators, Sara C. Ward

Dissertations

Problem

Emerging adulthood is a time of great adjustment, in both personal and relational terms. One of emerging adulthood's most important developmental tasks includes the excitement of intimate romantic relationships (Shulman & Connolly, 2013). These intimate romantic relationships can involve sexual as well as emotional intimacy (Fisher, 2006). When there has been sexual abuse in childhood, the perception of self and others is maladaptive and damaging, increasing one's chance of experiencing sexual revictimization and intimate partner violence (Williams et al., 2010). This can greatly influence romantic relationship satisfaction. There are very few references to strength- based trauma mediators in the …

Toward A Biblical And Missiological Framework For Transformational Advocacy In The Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Michelet William

Dissertations

Problem

Adventists have been inconsistent in dealing with inequality and injustice in society, swaying between silence, accommodation, positional statements, and direct advocacy approaches. Although advocacy has become more prominent among Adventist thinkers since the end of the twentieth century, there is a lack of empirical data which answer questions related to contemporary Adventists' beliefs and practices in relation to advocacy in the context of mission. Concomitantly, there does not yet exist a documented or articulated Adventist missiological perspective on advocacy.

Research Questions

(1) What part, if any, has biblically-based social advocacy played in Adventist mission history? and (2) What do …

Mammalian Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase: Employing Transient State Kinetic Methods To Determine Catalytic And Inhibitory Mechanisms, Dariush Forouzesh

Dissertations

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) catalyzes the two-electron reduction of pyrimidine bases uracil and thymine as the first step in pyrimidine catabolism. The enzyme achieves this simple chemistry using a complex cofactor set including two flavins and four Fe4S4 centers. The flavins, FAD and FMN, interact with respective NADPH and pyrimidine substrates and the iron-sulfur centers form an electron transfer wire that links the two active sites that are separated by 56 Å. DPD accepts the common antineoplastic agent 5-fluorouracil (5FU) as a substrate and so undermines the establishment of efficacious toxicity. Though studied for multiple decades, a precise description of the …

Applying Organizational Learning Theories To Continuous Improvement Practices Through Self-Study Methodology To Better Reflect Upon And Understand Factors That Influence School Improvement Efforts, Morgan Daniel Gallagher

Dissertations

The purpose of this self-study is to better understand and address the factors that influence continuous improvement efforts led by the researcher/practitioner. To this end, this study applies Bolman and Deal’s 4-frame model of organizational learning lenses to school improvement indicators on the Illinois 5Essentials Survey. Through taking Bolman and Deal’s Online 4-frame Self-assessment, I am able to identify the organizational learning lens least integrated into my own leadership worldview. The organizational learning lenses that comprise Bolman and Deal’s 4-frame model are the structural, symbolic, human resource, and political lenses. I then apply core tenets of my least integrated lens …

Method Development For The Quantification Of Heavy Metals In Biological Matrices And Its Application To Clinical And Environmental Samples, Michelle Catherine Gende

Dissertations

A three-fold approach was taken to develop a method for the detection of heavy metals in different matrices and had to be performed sequentially. The first was to develop a method capable of quantifying lead in complex matrices by graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAA). The developed method needed to meet specific analytical requirements, namely, to be robust, sensitive, and accurate. Initially, four different sample preparation methods were explored for the quantification of lead using Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a sample matrix. The sample preparation procedures attempted were acidic dilution, matrix modification, conventional heating digestion, and microwave assisted acid digestion …

Role Of Micrornas In Intestinal Inflammation And Barrier Homeostasis After Alcohol And Burn Injury, Caroline J. Herrnreiter

Dissertations

MicroRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate gene expression. Within the intestinal epithelium, miRNAs play a critical role in gut homeostasis and aberrant miRNA expression has been implicated in various disorders associated with intestinal inflammation and barrier disruption. In this study, we sought to profile changes in intestinal epithelial cell miRNA expression after alcohol and burn injury and elucidate their impact on inflammation and barrier integrity. In a more targeted approach, we began by focusing on anti-inflammatory miRNAs that, when downregulated, could exacerbate inflammation and result in intestinal barrier disruption. Using a mouse model of acute ethanol intoxication …

Reconstructing The Kantian Ends Of Reason: Holiness Analytically Entailing Beatitude In An Eternal Highest Good, Anthony Gudwien

Dissertations

This dissertation argues that an eternal highest good is the final end of sensible, rational agents. This final end occurs in a noumenal world – what I have labelled World Four – that has holiness analytically entailing beatitude. However, before meritorious moral agents are incorporated into this final noumenal world, they will exist in three prior worlds. World One is our current phenomenal world where sensible, rational agents can adopt a maxim to resolutely pursue holiness. World Two, which is made possible by the immortal soul postulate, is where sensible, rational agents continue their resolute pursuit in order to become …

Airborne Passive Microwave Geophysical Retrievals And Applications In Assessing Environmental And Aerosol Impacts On Maritime Convection, Corey G. Amiot

Dissertations

Improvements to NASA’s Advanced Microwave Precipitation Radiometer (AMPR) have yielded physically realistic brightness temperatures (T_b) from the Olympic Mountains Experiment / Radar Definition Experiment (OLYMPEX/RADEX) and Cloud, Aerosol and Monsoon Processes Philippines Experiment (CAMP²Ex). Multi-linear regression equations, developed to retrieve integrated cloud liquid water (CLW), water vapor (WV), and 10-m wind speed (WS), were tested using simulations, deconvolved AMPR T_b from OLYMPEX/RADEX, independent retrievals, and in situ data. Simulated retrievals yielded average CLW, WV, and WS root-mean-square deviations (RMSD) of 0.11 kg m^-2, 1.28 kg m^-2, and 1.11 m s^{-1 …}

Ultrafast Photoelectron Transportation In Gaas And Gaas-Based Devices, Rui Zhou

Dissertations

Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) is one of the most important semiconductors in the field of photonics and has been the focus of extensive studies since the 1960s. In particular, GaAs photonic devices such as GaAs diode lasers and GaAs photocathodes have attracted tremendous interest owing to their superb features and wide ranges of applications. Despite the success of past research, the advancement of new theoretical models and experimental techniques continues to offer new insights into the properties of GaAs and the potentials of GaAs photonic devices. The work presented in this dissertation represents our most recent effort towards understanding the ultrafast …

Reliable And Energy-Efficient 3d Nand Flash Storage System Design Using Run-Time Device And System Interaction, Md Raquibuzzaman

Dissertations

NAND Flash memory is a non-volatile solid-state data storage technology widely used in electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, digital cameras, USB drives, solid-state drives (SSDs), autonomous vehicles, space applications, and data centers. NAND Flash memory-based SSDs are increasingly replacing the hard-disk drives (HDD) due to their high-density memory storage, low latency, low power consumption, and light weight. The NAND Flash memory has evolved from its planer 2D architecture to its contemporary 3D vertical layer architecture to meet the exponential storage demand. However, the 3D NAND architecture poses new reliability challenges, such as big block management, poly-Si-related read instability, …

Application Of Machine Learning Techniques For Traffic State Estimation, Pattern Recognition, And Crash Detection, Muhammad Usama

Dissertations

In the quest to optimize traffic management through machine learning (ML), this dissertation delves into three foundational areas: Traffic state estimation (TSE), traffic pattern classification, and traffic crash detection. The first facet of this dissertation focuses on TSE. Traditionally, TSE methods are categorized into two approaches: model and data-driven methodologies, each with its limitations. Data-driven ML models can falter with limited training data or misleading samples. Moreover, their “black-box” nature makes them hard to interpret. This research introduces a physics-based neural network (PINN) framework that combines the strengths of both TSE methods. The presented approach uses limited observational speed data …

Interaction Between Autonomous Vehicles And Other Road Users : A Simulation Study, Irtiza Rafid Khan

Dissertations

This dissertation evaluates the dynamics and conflicts between Autonomous Vehicles (AVs) and other road users, particularly focusing on the interactions at unsignalized crossings in urban settings and the implications of varying AV penetration rates on traffic performance. Utilizing a co-simulation approach which incorporates the autonomous vehicle simulator CARLA and the microscopic traffic simulation platform SUMO, this research comprehensively studied conflict scenarios at conflicting zones. Specifically, the influence of AV gap acceptance and waiting time thresholds on conflicts, such as collisions and lost time, was examined. Results showed that these thresholds significantly affect conflict performance indicators, highlighting a necessary tradeoff: designs …

Design Of Secure, Low-Power Internet Of Medical Things With Precise Time Synchronization, Steven C. Puckett

Dissertations

With the emerging worldwide aging crisis, low power, secure health monitoring becomes increasingly important. Internet of Things (IoT) technology is revolutionizing many application fields, creating a new opportunity: Internet of Medical Things (IoMT). The main IoMT issues include security, energy efficiency, and time synchronization. This study evaluates the IoMT design space, security weaknesses of IoMT systems, and methods of synchronization of distributed IoT sensors. The researcher presents an analysis of the design space of IoMT controllers in Espressif ESP-32 family of microcontrollers and the development, implementation, and evaluation of the ecoSync: a time-synchronization algorithm for IoMT devices on standard Wi-Fi …

Joint Sonar And Communication (Soncomm) System Using Solvable Chaos, Tamseel Mahmood Syed

Dissertations

An ever increasing number of actively interconnected wireless devices tend to exert congestion on the naturally limited resources provided by the electromagnetic spectrum. This fact imposes a significant engineering challenge on efficient utilization of communication channels. One method to lessen the stringency of the spectrum access is to combine functionality of wireless applications via jointly operational (multi-purpose) waveforms. Solvable chaos was previously shown to have inherent detection benefits when used independently in practical demonstrations of either acoustic ranging or communication. This dissertation focuses on the design of a joint sonar-communication (SonComm) system via solvable chaotic waveforms. First, individual hardware demonstrations …

Bioimpedance-Based Real-Time Wearable Physiological Monitoring, Robert Joseph Mathews

Dissertations

Cardiovascular and respiratory diseases account for nearly forty percent of worldwide deaths. A critical factor in preventing these deaths is early detection, treatment, and monitoring of the diseases. Remote patient monitoring coincides with significant advances in integrated circuit technology resulting in greater performance and lower power consumption. In this work, novel monitoring configurations and frequency excitations are assessed across ten subjects to evaluate their suitability for monitoring cardiac and respiratory activity. A custom bioimpedance controller board was fabricated and integrated into the existing UAH euHy board. In the pilot experiment, the average inter-beat interval (IBI) derived from bioimpedance compared with …

Spectral And Radiometric Calibration And Atmospheric Modeling For Sounding Rockets, Nicolas Gene Donders

Dissertations

Sounding rocket telescopes are demonstration test beds for novel science capabilities. These programs explore cutting-edge solar physics around the globe, leading to missions aboard satellites and orbital labs. My research with the sounding rocket team at Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) involved various experimental efforts in the lab alongside computer modeling of spectroscopic signals. This dissertation focuses on the Full-Sun Ultraviolet Rocket SpecTrograph (FURST), which is led by a team at Montana State University (MSU) and will deliver spectroscopic observations over a range of 120-181 nm. FURST aims to provide full-disk data at a similar spectral resolution to Hubble (R …

Self-Powered Sensor Systems For Space Applications, Saininad Chandrakant Naik

Dissertations

Harvesting energy from ambient sources allows sensors and systems to become self-reliable and not depend on small batteries or energy sources, which is of paramount importance in space applications. In recent decades, multi-band or wideband energy harvesters have attracted much attention. The main challenge to design such energy harvesters is that they need to efficiently scavenge the electromagnetic waves at multiple bands and deliver the received multi-frequency signals to the rectifier that has a frequency dependent impedance. In this dissertation, a compact dual-band harvesting sensor is developed for space applications at the RF (900 MHz) and the ISM (2400 MHz) …