Digital Commons Network^™

Decreasing Stress Through An Emotion Regulation And Non-Judging Based Intervention With Trauma-Exposed College Students, Megan Cherry

Doctoral Dissertations

Among college students, trauma and PTSD symptomatology are associated with negative consequences (e.g., poor academic performance, stress sensitivity, and negative coping). College is often a stressful time, and those who have experienced trauma, particularly those experiencing PTSD symptoms, are vulnerable to heightened stress sensitivity and negative outcomes. It is imperative to identify interventions that decrease stress for trauma-exposed college students to reduce the deleterious effects of related outcomes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether emotion regulation and non-judgment could be enhanced in trauma-exposed college students through a short, mindfulnessbased intervention, and whether the intervention would lead to …

Simulation And Balloon-Borne Observation Of Energetic Radiation And Electromagnetic Fields From Thunderstorms And Lightning, Mahdi Bagheri

Doctoral Dissertations

With more than 250 years after Benjamin Franklin’s experiments, we still do not know how lightning works at the most fundamental levels. Recently, observations of high energy radiations produced during lightning activities, such as TGFs, X-rays and Gamma-ray Glows, have opened a new path for the study of lightning-related phenomena known as High-Energy Atmospheric Physics. TGFs are short and bright bursts of gamma rays associated with the early stages of positive intra-cloud lightning, while gamma-ray glows are long lasting emissions of gamma rays which would be terminated by the occurrence of lightning flash. It has been suggested that these radiations …

Study Of Post-Necking Hardening Identification And Deformation-Induced Surface Roughening Of Metals, Pavlo Knysh

Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis covers topics at two fundamental scales at which plastic deformation is occurring – macroscopic and microscopic.

The first topic is related to the localization of deformation and subsequent necking that happens in metals during deformation, e.g., sheet metal during forming. The open fundamental question is – what happens to the material properties inside of the localized region. The localization process is very challenging to analyze, even using a conventional tension test since several effects such as material hardening as well as effects of strain-rate and temperature are strongly coupled. In this thesis we propose a novel approach that …

Synthesis And Mechanical Properties Of Metallic Multilayers, Tyler Paul Bennett

Doctoral Dissertations

Compositionally modulated alloys and artificial superlattices are thin-layered structures where the layer thickness is on the order of a few 10s of lattice constants. These alloys have been shown to be unusually strong. Their overall thickness can be very large, in this study we have grown these to a thickness of 45 µm by 2.5 cm, in diameter, much greater than the average. We posit the reasons for this strength are that, during deformation, glissile dislocations are pinned at layer boundaries, the presence of image forces, and the formation of Lomer-Cottrell and Hirth dislocation locks. In this thesis we examine …

Assessing The Agronomic And Ecological Relevance Of Mineral-Associated Organic Matter, Andrea Jilling

Doctoral Dissertations

As the largest terrestrial sink for carbon (C) and a critical source of nitrogen (N) for plants, soil organic matter (SOM) is a major driver of ecosystem function. It is critical to understand the mechanistic controls on SOM in order to improve models of global C cycling and to develop accurate measures of soil fertility. SOM consists of a wide spectrum of compounds, varying in chemical characteristics and function. The chemical and physical fractionation of SOM is a valuable tool for distilling this complexity into meaningful and distinct pools: detrital or particulate organic matter (POM), which contains mostly recent litter …

Seismic Response Of Soil-Foundation Systems On Unsaturated Ground, Seyed Amin Borghei

Doctoral Dissertations

While soils below the groundwater table are fully saturated with water, soils above the groundwater table are partially saturated, as water can rise above the groundwater table through different mechanisms such as capillary rise. In the literature, these soils are commonly referred to as unsaturated soils. The groundwater table fluctuates seasonally; thus, soil moisture profiles may continuously change during a year. Foundations of a considerable portion of structures are placed on the surface or shallowly embedded in soils, which are unsaturated. Properties of soils below the foundations can significantly alter the seismic response of the structures. Since the soil moisture …

Long-Term Forest Growth And Decadal Soil Chemistry Change Across The White Mountain National Forest, Olivia L. Fraser

Doctoral Dissertations

Forest ecosystems are subject to a variety of stressors including human land use, air pollution and climate change. A challenge for detecting temporal change, however, is disentangling heterogeneity at multiple spatial scales. Therefore, we need a better understanding of the mechanisms influencing forest growth and soil formation, how to improve existing long-term sample designs, and quantify variability at multiple spatial scales. Identifying the areal extent of bedrock outcrops and shallow soils has important implications in understanding the spatial dynamics of surrounding vegetation, stream chemistry gradients, and soil properties. Manual methods of delineating bedrock outcrops and associated shallow soil are still …

Effects Of The Solar Cycles And Longer-Term Solar Variations: Modulation Of Galactic Cosmic Radiation And Filtration Of Neutral Atoms From The Local Interstellar Medium, Fatemeh Rahmanifard

Doctoral Dissertations

Recent solar conditions include a prolonged solar minimum (2005-2009) and a weak solar maximum. The Heliospheric Magnetic Field (HMF) strength was consistently weaker in solar cycle 24 compared to the previous maxima during the space age. These anomalies may indicate that we are entering an era of persistent decline in solar activity. In my first study, I investigated past solar secular (grand) minima, especially the Maunder period (1645-1715) to gain further insight into grand minima. I found the timescale parameters associated with the magnetic flux balance in the heliosphere. I also investigated the existence of a floor in the heliospheric …

Essays On Behavioral And Cognitive Anomalies: Implications For Stated Preference Valuation And Economic Pedagogy, Scott Lemos

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation examines a set of behavioral and cognitive issues in the stated preference non-market valuation framework and economic pedagogy. Drawing from the fields of behavioral and environmental economics, this research examines two empirical deviations between theory and behavior, namely, anchoring effects and attribute non-attendance. This work contributes to the non-market valuation literature by attempting to correct for and explain these behavioral anomalies, both ex-ante and ex-post. In the presence of these anomalies, corrections are necessary if the tenets of welfare economics are to remain a viable analytical foundation for valuing environmental goods.

In the first chapter, I examine the …

Advancing The Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory Within The White Mountain National Forest Using Lidar, Robert Andrew Colter

Doctoral Dissertations

Forest land managers need ecological classification to assess and describe resource conditions, vegetation conditions, outcomes resulting from various management prescription scenarios, and communicate environmental effects of land management planning alternatives. However, there is a need to incorporate more ecological classification into the land management plans. The U.S. Forest Service’s approach, the Terrestrial Ecological Unit Inventory (TEUI), relies heavily on field data collection and verification of map unit delineations that is time-consuming and costly. Traditional mapping methods far exceed the current financial capacity of the U.S. Forest Service. In order to justify new ecological classification mapping approaches, there needs to be …

Physics And Modeling Of Turbulent Advective Transport In Turbulent Boundary Layers, Juan Carlos Cuevas Bautista

Doctoral Dissertations

\setlength{\baselineskip}{1.5\baselineskip} {Recent studies reveal that at large friction Reynolds number $\delta^+ = u_{\tau}\delta/\nu$ the inertially dominated region of the turbulent boundary layer is composed of large-scale zones of nearly uniform momentum segregated by narrow fissures of concentrated vorticity. Here $u_{\tau} = \sqrt{\tau_{\omega}/\rho}$, where $\tau_{\omega}$ is the shear stress at the wall and $\rho$ the fluid density, $\delta$ is the boundary layer thickness and $\nu$ is the kinematic viscosity of the fluid. The aim of this thesis is better understand the role of this binary structure with respect to the wall-normal transport of momentum and heat in turbulent boundary layers at …

Dish It Up! The Influence Of Kind Diningtm& Green House Model Food And Food Service Innovations On The Resident Experience In Residential Care Facilities., Mary E. Jensen

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to understand how innovative practices affect the satisfaction elder-care facility residents have with their food-related life. The study looks through the lenses of food and food service activities, related medical care activities, and facility design.

The Older Americans Act of 1965 defined the basic rights of elders in American society. The statement and objectives codified in that Act have provided the outline for eldercare in the community and in residential care facilities ever since. Legislative updates in 2017 more clearly identified “person-centered” care as the ideal in elderly care homes. Research using the diffusion …

A Thematic Approach To Understanding Compassion Fatigue, Burnout, And Barriers To Self-Care In Pediatric Healthcare Providers Of Medically-Ill Children, Courtney Hurd

Doctoral Dissertations

Due to the nature of their work, healthcare providers working in pediatric settings may be especially vulnerable to experiencing negative consequences of compassion fatigue and burnout. Pediatric healthcare providers often work long hours in the hospital to manage children with acute and chronic medical concerns. Within this setting, unpredictable outcomes and potential for death when caring for this fragile population may contribute to short-and long-term effects on not only caregivers but also healthcare providers. Healthcare providers typically work on an interdisciplinary team within the pediatric hospital setting which can include medical doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, and child life …

Multifunctional Protein-Lipid Nanoparticles And Hydrogels For Biological And Environmental Applications, Jingwen Ding

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted

Density Matrix Renormalization Group Studies Of Interacting Dipoles In A Zigzag Chain, Niraj Ghimire

Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation, we study the many-body effects of dipoles in a quasi-one-dimensional zigzag optical lattice, which we call the zigzag chain. We study this system using the Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG) method, which has established itself as the most powerful numerical method to simulate one-dimensional lattices. For the implementation of DMRG, we have used the open-source package Intelligent Tensor, or simply ITensor. The first part of this research focuses on dipoles polarized in the plane of the zigzag chain by an external electric field with the condition that the dipoles can hop around and interact with their first …

My Mind On My Body And My Body On My Mind: Examining The Effect Of Self-Objectification On Exercise Flow And Enjoyment For Young Women, Kimberly Embacher Martin

Doctoral Dissertations

The overwhelming prevalence of sexually objectifying media in our culture causes many women to objectify themselves (self-objectification), resulting in heightened body surveillance. This constant body surveillance involves recurrent, self-conscious cognitions that lower a woman’s ability to enter a state of flow— the feeling of complete absorption in an activity that is strongly connected to enjoyment. One context wherein the relationships between self-objectification, body surveillance, flow, and enjoyment may prove particularly important is that of exercise. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to integrate objectification theory and flow theory in order to examine a variety of potential objectification-related inhibitors …

A Novel Approach To Generating Lipid Membranes Of Arbitrary Shape And Composition, Kevin Boyd

Doctoral Dissertations

Biomembranes are essential to cell structure and function. The function of these membranes is dependent not just on their composition of lipids and proteins, but also the distinct morphologies and shapes they present. In recent years, both experiments and simulations have begun to explore the relationship between membrane function and shape, but in this field, there is much to still be explored. The bulk of this work is dedicated to the development and application of techniques to build and study curved membranes in molecular dynamics simulations, using mitochondrial membranes as the primary biological system of study.

A Mixed Methods Evaluation Of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice For Older Adults, Anna-Rae Montano

Doctoral Dissertations

As the population ages, healthcare systems will need to adapt to better care for older adults. New models of care will need to be created to meet the unique needs of older people. Although there is research supporting the use of interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP), further investigation is necessary to elucidate the barriers and facilitators affecting systemic implementation of this model of care and its long term outcomes. This dissertation aimed to fill gaps in the literature base regarding IPCP and its utilization as a model of care for older adults. First, an integrative review of the barriers and facilitators …

Biocompatible Polymeric Nanoparticles With Innovative Structural Design For Oral Delivery Of Lipophilic Bioactives, Qiaobin Hu

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted

The Legacy Of Hosting Mega-Sports Events: A Twitter Analysis Of Leisure-Time Physical Activity Communication, Gabriela Baranowski Pinto

Doctoral Dissertations

Routine engagement in Leisure-Time Physical Activity (LTPA) is associated with long-term health, lower mortality, and higher quality of life. Inspiring participation in LTPA is one desired benefit of public investment in mega-events such as the Olympic Games. Whether such inspiration materializes—and, if so, for how long—was examined in three studies that investigated a perception-action process at the level of the interaction between real and virtual environments. The influence of the real environment of the Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 was assessed via the virtual environment instantiated in the Twitter social network. Emerging dynamic communication about LTPA in three …

Exploring Avenues In Synthetic Methodology: Novel Approaches To Organoselenium And Organofluorine Chemistry, And Greener Methods For Oxidation And Amidation, Shelli Miller

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted

Characterization Of Conduction Properties Of Dc Cable Dielectric Materials, Mattewos Tefferi

Doctoral Dissertations

Modern power systems are undergoing a grand transformation towards a wide area transmission network, publicly known as “Smart Grid” and “Super Grid”, for technical and economic advantages. Regional systems have been built-up towards national grids and later interconnected with neighboring countries. High voltage direct current (HVDC) is emerging rapidly as an effective and efficient solution for grid interconnection, island electrification, urban grid decongestion, renewable off-shore wind energy integration.

Despite the emerging opportunities, significant technical challenges persist for HVDC/MVDC technology, namely in DC cabling and accessories, DC breakers and DC diagnosis and monitoring. The major challenge for DC cabling resides in …

The Effects Of Deepwater Horizon Oil, Dispersants, And Environmental Stressors On The Health Of Two Important Gulf Of Mexico Species, Eastern Oysters And Sheepshead Minnows, Lindsay Jasperse

Doctoral Dissertations

The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil platform on April 20, 2010 initiated the release of 640 million liters of oil into the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). In efforts to prevent the oiling of coastlines, response officials applied nearly 7.5 million liters of the oil dispersant Corexit. Despite these efforts, oil reached over 2100 km of coastline along the northern GOM, including estuaries that serve as important habitats and nurseries. These estuaries are dynamic ecosystems, with constant fluctuations in salinity and dissolved oxygen. While it is well-established that oil is toxic to marine species, gaps remain in the understanding of …

Transcriptional Profiling Of Non-Injured Nociceptors After Spinal Cord Injury Reveals Diverse Molecular Changes, Jessica Yasko

Doctoral Dissertations

The work presented here begins to provide insight into the underlying mechanisms that contribute to the transition from acute to chronic pain. Our work employed spinal cord injury (SCI) as a unique model to study chronic pain, and to enhance our knowledge of the transcriptional changes that occur following injury. The studies herein support the idea that SCI alters genetic, cellular, and molecular pathways at distal sites (below the site of injury) such as skin, muscle, and the sensory neurons that project to these regions. We provide evidence that a specific population of sensory neurons located in distal dorsal root …

Investigating The Relationship Between Hydrological Variation, Land Use/Cover Change And Climate Change At Regional And Local Scales Under Future Scenarios, Hui Wang

Doctoral Dissertations

The connections between environmental change and human activities are complex. Scientists have been working on understanding the interactions between hydrological processes, land use/cover change (LUCC) and climate change in both qualitative and quantitative ways for several decades. Although previous studies show that interactions between these three aspects are typically multidimensional and occur in multiple spatial and temporal scales, a systematic investigation of their historical and future relationships is still lacking at a local scale, especially when considering the non-stationarity of LUCC. This doctoral dissertation applies quantitative research methods, such as hydrological and LUCC modeling methods, to cover two general study …

Testing Risk And Protective Pathways Between Weight Bias And Psycho-Behavioral Health In Bariatric Surgery Patients: Internalized Weight Bias, Shame, And Self-Compassion, Tosca Braun

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted

Synthesis And Characterization Of Transition Metal Oxide/Hydroxide-Based Functional Materials For Environmental And Energy Applications, Junkai He

Doctoral Dissertations

In this thesis, transition metal oxide/hydroxide-based functional nanomaterials with specific structures and properties are developed and characterized for targeting applications in environmental pollution abatement and energy conversion and storage. In the first part, graphene supported Co₃O₄ composite is synthesized in one-step using a facile microwave-assisted method. Graphene serves as the substrate, providing high surface area, good conductivity, and good mechanical and chemical durability. The wide pore size distribution, synergistic effect, and high surface area of the composite are found to contribute to the high performance of lithium-ion batteries. In the second part, we focused on the synthesis …

Development Of Solid Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles As Potential Oral Delivery Systems For Lipophilic Bioactive Compounds, Taoran Wang

Doctoral Dissertations

Solid lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles (SLPN) are nanocarriers made from a combination of polymers and lipids. By integrating the advantages of biocompatible lipid-based nanoparticles and gastrointestinal (GI)-stable polymeric nanoparticles, SLPN are the ideal delivery system for delivering lipophilic compounds orally. In this project, two novel preparation strategies were proposed to fabricate GI-stable SLPN: 1) Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and dextran were first conjugated through Maillard reaction and the conjugates were exploited as macromolecular emulsifier and surface coating layer to prepare SLPN by a solvent diffusion and sonication method. In this approach, the multilayer structure was formed by self-assembly of BSA-dextran micelles …

The Battle For Paradise: Tourism Development, Race, And Popular Politics During The Remaking Of Cartagena (Colombia),1942-1984, Orlando Deavila Pertuz

Doctoral Dissertations

Beginning in the mid-twentieth century, the Colombian state and private agents joined efforts to turn Cartagena into an international tourist destination. To do so, they refashioned the city center to recreate the colonial landscape and promote Cartagena’s image as an untainted paradise frozen in time. This dissertation demonstrates that the city’s remaking was largely rooted in the systematic segregation of locals whose presence was deemed to be inconvenient for tourism development. As the city center became a historical district, certain uses and socio-economic practices –such as low-income housing, street vending, wholesale trade, etc.- were prohibited or discouraged by zoning regulations …

Dynamic Retirement Financial Planning Model, Qintian Sun

Doctoral Dissertations

We developed a retirement financial planning strategy based on Markov chain modeling of retirement health conditions and Geometric Brownian Motion modeling of asset values. The annual living expenses of a retiree are modeled as basic expenses plus discretionary expenses. Our goal is to solve for the maximum discretionary expenses while healthy, which was obtained using a closed-form solution and quantile optimization technique. The highlight of this model is the use of Kalman Filter for annual recalibration. It allows the model to automatically adjust the suggested amount of discretionary expenses by looking at daily fund values from previous year. After running …