Digital Commons Network^™

Exclusive Phi Production Beam Spin Asymmetry Measurements With Clas12, Brandon Clary

Doctoral Dissertations

Measurements of the beam spin asymmetry (BSA) of the exclusive electroproduction of the vector phi(1020) meson through its decay into charged Kaons have been performed. The data set used was based on the RG-A run period from the recently upgraded CEBAF Large Acceptance Spectrometer (CLAS12) in Hall B at Jefferson National Lab (JLab). The run period used a 10.6 GeV longitudinally polarized electron beam and an unpolarized hydrogen target. The available statistics collected allow for detailed studies of the W, -t, xB, and Q2 dependencies of the BSA amplitudes from phi production. The BSA measurements will shed light on the …

Virtual Reality Self-Modeling As An Intervention For Stuttering, Johanna M. Deleyer-Tiarks

Doctoral Dissertations

Virtual Reality Self-Modeling (VRSM) is a new self-modeling intervention. It is the coming together of two well established interventions, Video Self-Modeling (VSM) and virtual reality (VR) and can be described as using 360 degree VR videos, viewed through a VR system headset or smartphone, to depict individuals self-modeling a desired behavior. By using 360-degree video, individuals who watch VRSM interventions will be able to view themselves eliciting a desired behavior while feeling as if they immersed within the environment being watched. The distinction between traditional VR treatments and traditional Video Self-Modeling (VSM) treatments is that VRSM delivers both self-modeling and …

Self-Efficacy In The Transition To Parenthood, Nicole Marsden

Doctoral Dissertations

The transition to parenthood is considered both an exciting and inherently stressful time. The related changes and challenges may be associated with increased levels of anxiety and depression. Parental self-efficacy (PSE), or parents’ perceived ability to succeed at parenting-related tasks and challenges, may be both a product and predictor of mental health during this time. There is little research on the relationship between general self-efficacy (GSE) and PSE, although theory suggests that GSE may influence PSE. This quantitative study utilizes a longitudinal and dyadic design to examine the relationship between GSE, PSE, and mental health across the transition to parenthood …

A Qualitative Evaluation Of The Phoenix Project: A Strengths-Based, Trauma-Informed Care Intervention For African American, Transitional Age, Young Adults Living In San Francisco’S Public Housing Community, Lena Miller

Doctoral Dissertations

A QUALITATIVE EVALUATION OF THE PHOENIX PROJECT: A STRENGTHS-BASED, TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE INTERVENTION FOR AFRICAN AMERICAN, TRANSITIONAL AGE, YOUNG ADULTS LIVING IN SAN FRANCISCO’S PUBLIC HOUSING COMMUNITY

Abstract

Persistent community violence has had a profound and destructive impact on many urban communities throughout the country. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resulting from community violence is becoming an increasingly frequent diagnosis of African American youth and young adults residing in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point (BVHP) community (San Francisco Department of Public Health, 2012). The Phoenix Project was designed to specifically address and heal symptoms of trauma and facilitate resilience among youth and young …

Experiences Of Latinx's Adult Transition To The U.S. And The Clinical Implications That Arise In Acclimating Into The Dominant Culture: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Gabriela Olavarrieta

Doctoral Dissertations

There has been a significant gap in the literature regarding the lived experience of the Latinx adult transition to the United States and the clinical implications that arise in acclimating to the dominant culture, particularly under the Trump Administration. The approach for the current research examined Latinxs’ adulthood transitions to the United States, experiences of acculturative stress, including instances of discrimination as well as their experiences acclimating or assimilating into the dominant culture. This study also examined what seeking, or being unable to seek, mental health services looked like in the current sociopolitical climate. Interpretive phenomenological analysis was utilized to …

In-Situ Cryogenic Mechanical Characterization Of Materials At Micrometer Scales, Gyuho Song

Doctoral Dissertations

The mechanical properties of materials have been considered as one of the most important material properties for the development of mechanically reliable engineering products. Although some materials exhibit excellent material properties, such as electronic, magnetic, thermal, and optical properties, the materials cannot be usable in engineering applications if they are mechanically unstable in devices. Nowadays, nanotechnology allows us to make useful small-scale engineering devices, for instance, actuators of Micro-Electro-Mechanical-Systems and silicon-based electronic devices. These developments have continuously required the creation of mechanically reliable small materials that can survive during the long-term service. For the last two decades, micromechanical studies have …

Cell Phone Presence, Phubbing, And Rejection: Antecedents And Effects Of Cell Phone Usage During Face-To-Face Communication, Ryan Allred

Doctoral Dissertations

The introduction of cell phone technology continues to influence relational communication. Pilot testing sought to understand if the mere presence of a phone causes individuals to feel snubbed by their conversation partners, but failed to find a direct effect of cell phone presence on any key communication outcome. Therefore, the present two-part study explored the impact of cell phone usage (i.e., phubbing), rather than presence alone, during face-to-face communication. Utilizing interpersonal acceptance-rejection theory, study one examined the impact of phubbing on perceptions of acceptance and rejection within parent-child relationships. Then, drawing upon developmental interactionist theory, study two examined the influence …

Identifying Attentional Shifting Weaknesses And Attentional Tendencies In Children With Developmental Language Disorder: A Potential First Step To Promoting Word Learning, Yara Aljahlan

Doctoral Dissertations

Archival abstract submitted

Examining Dissolved Gases In A Changing Climate, Allison Staniec

Doctoral Dissertations

Changing climate scenarios predict a variety of effects across land, ocean, and atmosphere. In this dissertation the effect of several climate change related phenomena on dissolved gases in the coastal ocean and across the ocean-atmosphere interface is examined. Warming temperature, as predicted by the IPCC (2014), has direct impacts on the capacity of water to act as a reservoir for dissolved gases through its effect on their solubility (Chang, 2010). The first portion of this dissertation addresses dissolved gases in a coastal estuary, where warming is expected to be accelerated relative to the open ocean. A representative gas, oxygen, is …

Adaptive Trust Negotiation For Time-Critical Access To Sensitive Data, Eugene Sanzi

Doctoral Dissertations

The security of an application’s data is an important consideration when creating modern applications. Users requiring secure data access undergo an explicit pre-registration process where an electronic identity (username, X.509 certificate, etc.) and a method of laying claim to the identity (password, public/private key pair, etc.) are created. The user’s authorization data is associated with the electronic identity. However, there are emergent situations where a user needs to access data where previous pre-registration is not possible because the future need for such data is unpredictable, such as an emergency room physician accessing the electronic health records (EHRs) of admitted patients. …

Dynamic Network Configurations For Functionality And Security, Devon Callahan

Doctoral Dissertations

Networks are designed with functionality, security, performance, and cost in mind. Flows should be served while controlling risk due to attackers. Configuration is time intensive and largely static until a major new vulnerability or service requirement forces change. We address this problem with an autonomous framework consisting of Observe, Orient, Decide and Act phases and look to optimization techniques for solutions to the Orient and Decide phases.

Our first solution explores opportunities to improve network Quality of Service by combining a single flow routing solutions with a global multi-flow solution in a hybrid manner. In order to evaluate the quality …

Intimate Partner Violence Screening Among Barbadian Primary Care Professionals: An Exploratory Study Of Practitioner Attitudes, Beliefs, Knowledge And Screening Intention, Janelle Bryan

Doctoral Dissertations

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), the most prevalent type of violence against women, has been recognized as a human rights violation by intergovernmental organizations and international law. Due to its physical and psychological sequelae, the World Health Organization has considered IPV a major global public health issue since 1997. Primary care health care professionals (HCPs) are considered especially well-positioned to identify women experiencing IPV, yet screening rates are low. Utilizing the Integrated Behavioral Model (IBM) and Intersectional Feminism as guiding theoretical frames, this mixed method study (qualitative, N = 35; quantitative, N = 176) explored Barbadian HCPs’ attitudes, beliefs and knowledge …

There’S An App For That? Assessing The Efficacy Of Sexual Violence Mobile Apps On Reducing Victimization, Increasing Feelings Of Safety And Support, And Improving Mental Health Of College Students, Maria Delgreco

Doctoral Dissertations

Sexual violence, including street harassment, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape, is a ubiquitous problem, particularly for college-aged women, with wide-reaching effects, such as increased anxiety, depression, stress, self-blame, guilt, and poorer sleep quality and lower self- esteem. Although there are federally-mandated sexual violence prevention efforts on college campuses, they are generally ineffective, thus, a new approach is needed to address this issue. One such approach is through the use of mobile applications. Studies have shown that there are over 200 sexual violence-related mobile apps currently on the market, but that the majority of them fall short when it comes …

Fighting Obesity Through Communication: A Longitudinal Study Examining The Association Between Communication, Relationships, Stress, And Weight-Loss, Ambyre Lp Ponivas

Doctoral Dissertations

Obesity is one of the greatest health challenges in the world today. As such, there is a large focus on weight-loss in order to improve health outcomes for those who are overweight or obese. One area that has an impact on obesity and weight-loss is communication. Communication behaviors are directly tied to health outcomes. Positive, constructive communication can help to improve health directly by improving physiological outcomes, including stress, which is in itself a factor co-morbid with obesity. Communication also helps to build and strengthen relationships, which in turn often lead to better health outcomes. Conversely, negative and destructive communication …

Minority Stress, Social Support, And Mental Health Among Lgbqp+ Religious Disaffiliates, Kate Jablonski

Doctoral Dissertations

The present study investigated the association between four minority stress processes (victimization, internalized heterosexism, rejection sensitivity, and disclosure of sexual orientation identity) and symptoms of depression and anxiety among lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, pansexual, or otherwise non-heterosexual (LGBQP+) disaffiliates from non-affirming religions, and whether social support mediated these relationships. A nonexperimental, cross-sectional, correlational design was used. Participants were recruited through Reddit, a popular social-networking site, and completed an online survey that assessed experiences of minority stress, perceptions of social support, and symptoms of depression and anxiety. Participants were 161 non-religious, US-born, cisgender, LGBQP+ Reddit-users who identified as having disaffiliated from …

Living In The Impasse: British Writers And Non-Normative Identities, 1880-1940, Nicole Lawrence

Doctoral Dissertations

“Living in the Impasse: British Writers and Non-Normative Identities, 1880-1940” engages queer theory, affect theory, and literary analysis to demonstrate literature’s affective capacity to provide writers with imaginative spaces in which to express non-normative gender and sexuality and queer modes of relating. Exploring key gender or sexually non-normative writers from the late Victorian through early modernist period, the project explicates how Oscar Wilde, E.M. Forster, Radclyffe Hall, and Virginia Woolf strategically used their writing to articulate the non-normative self not yet possible to be expressed without legal jeopardy and censorship in other social contexts. This dissertation develops the concept of …

Characterization Of The Biogeography And Temporal Dynamics Of The Trachymyrmex Septentrionalis Fungus Garden Microbiome, Kevin Lee

Doctoral Dissertations

Like all fungus-growing ants, Trachymyrmex septentrionalis engages in an obligate mutualism with a Basidiomycete fungus that it raises as its primary nutrition source. Therefore, the success of the symbiosis is dependent upon the health of the fungus garden containing this fungus, which may be affected by the composition of its microbiome. Most of what is known about fungus garden microbiomes comes from studies of the Neotropical fungus growing ants, especially the most evolutionarily derived and economically impactful “leaf-cutting” species. Although fungus-farming ants inhabit a vast range, little is known about how dispersal of microbes from their biogeographically and temporally distinct …

Shadow Detection And Classification In High-Resolution Aerial Imagery, Qian Lei

Doctoral Dissertations

High-resolution imagery is becoming increasingly available for use in land-cover mapping; however, previous studies have found that urban shadows cast by elevated features in urban environments can cause substantial errors in land-cover classifications. Detecting and restoring land-cover information within urban shadows can help improve accuracy in land-cover mapping. Although a considerable number of studies have been conducted on both shadow detection and shadow restoration, few studies have focused on a complete urban shadow correction workflow that combines shadow detection and restoration for the purpose of land-cover mapping using high-resolution aerial imagery across large geographic extents s. Thus, the goal of …

Rectifiability Of Pointwise Doubling Measures In Hilbert Space, Lisa Naples

Doctoral Dissertations

In geometric measure theory, there is interest in understanding the interactions of measures with rectifiable sets. Here, we study such interactions in three settings. First, we extend a theorem of Badger and Schul in Euclidean space to characterize rectifiable pointwise doubling measures in Hilbert space. Given a measure, we construct a multiresolution family of windows, and then we use a weighted Jones’ function to record how well lines approximate the distribution of mass in each window. We show that when the measure is rectifiable, the mass is sufficiently concentrated around a line at each scale and that the converse also …

Wombling For Spatial And Spatiotemporal Processes: Applications To Insurance Data, Aritra Halder

Doctoral Dissertations

In this dissertation we focus on developing a framework for detecting zones of rapid change within a surface that is spatially or spatiotemporally indexed, which is termed as wombling. This is considered under two different approaches featuring a semi-parametric model and a model based parametric setup. The second approach starts with a Gaussian process specification on the spatial or spatiotemporal component. We focus on applying the developed framework to build models for analyzing spatiotemporally referenced insurance data arising from losses due to automobile collision in the state of Connecticut, in the year 2008. For the semi-parametric models we adopt a …

Temporal Modeling Frameworks For Coastal Wave Heights, Ellis Shaffer

Doctoral Dissertations

Current marine science methods for modeling wave data typically assume that wave height distributions belong to limited class within the exponential family. Alternatively, models emphasize physics principles over statistical methods. In this dissertation, we investigate the predictive power of wave height histories as well as exogenous predictors. We develop binary time series models for wave height over a threshold in both frequentist and Bayesian frameworks. Within the Bayesian framework, we fit Dynamic Generalized Linear Models (DGLM) using Integrated Nested Laplace Approximations and demonstrate advantages over classical methods. We further investigate the quantiles and expectiles of the continuous- valued wave height …

Flux Partitioning And Reconstruction Methods For Atmosphere-Ocean Interaction, Robert D. Dolan

Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis investigates methods of coupling fluids across an interface, motivated by air-sea interaction in application codes. The algorithms investigated here have two primary classifications: sequential and concurrent, in reference to different code configurations for the air and sea modules on parallel computing systems. In the sequential mode, the modules run on the same set of processors. The air module is run first since atmospheric dynamics are thought of as driving ocean surface conditions. In the concurrent mode, the modules run simultaneously, in parallel, on different sets of processors. Different step sizes are allowed for the two fluid codes.

The …

Nanostructured Flame Retardant Coatings, Brandon Williams

Doctoral Dissertations

Fires account for approximately 3100 deaths and $10 billion in property damage annually in the US. Growing consumption of polymeric materials increases the potential damage a fire could cause. Halogenated chemicals have dominated as the primary means of flame retarding (FR) polymeric materials since the 1960s. However, regulation has required they be phased out of use, directing research towards halogen-free FR solutions. One emerging technology is nanocoatings. Nanocoatings are currently processed using direct mixing, in situ polymerization, and layer-by-layer deposition in attempts to achieve well-organized and highly dispersed nanosheets. These processing methods are limited by efficiency and scalability. Recently a …

Predicting Materials Behavior With Atomistic Simulations And Machine Learning, Ayana Ghosh

Doctoral Dissertations

Data driven approaches based on machine learning (ML) algorithms are very popular in the domain of physical sciences for the determination of yet unknown structure- properties-performance relationships for a wide range of different material families. This dissertation focuses on studying a number of such cases where various ML algorithms and statistical techniques, coupled with appropriate materials data obtained from experiments and atomistic simulations, are employed to build comprehensive ML-based frameworks capable of predicting complex materials behavior. The materials spaces investigated encompass isolated organic molecules, polymer crystals, inorganic multiferroics and actinides, while the target system characteristics or functionalities include molecular crystallization …

The Role Of Extrinsic Motivators On Job Satisfaction And Turnover In Higher Education Within R2 Research Universities In The United States, Zachary James Harris

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to evaluate extrinsic motivators and the relationship they have with job satisfaction and turnover intent. Literature suggests that higher education faculty have differing needs and satisfiers than other public sector employees (Lee & Wilkins, 2011; Maidani, 1991). As a result, the Delphi method was utilized to identify extrinsic motivators that were tailored to higher education. Once these motivators were identified through a panel of experts, they were combined to create a survey with previously established scales measuring job satisfaction and turnover intent.

This survey was designed to answer the following research questions: 1) what …

Examining The Predictors Of The White Racial Justice Advocate, Danielle N. Franks

Doctoral Dissertations

In recent years, race and racial justice issues have been at the forefront of political and academic discourse. Despite claim ha he Unied Sae ha moed ino a pot-acial era with the election of Barack Obama in 2008, empirical evidence unequivocally demonstrates that racial disparities still exist. While the system of racial oppression clearly has deleterious effects on people of color, some argue that White individuals are also negatively affected, albeit indirectly, by this system. Because the system of racial oppression affects White individuals, it is important that they too make efforts to dismantle the system of racial oppression. As …

A Normative Classification Of Consumer Big Data, Anuashine Chefor Ellis

Doctoral Dissertations

The big data phenomenon has transformed every area of life and business. Businesses today rely on the volume, velocity, and variety (3Vs) of data available today in product design, advertisement, sales, and post-sale follow up activities. Communication between the firm and the consumer is personalized using data collected on the consumer to match the consumer’s location, time, and needs. Some marketers argue that this has birth a new era of marketing; transformative marketing, in which the firm’s ability to deliver value and to acquire and maintain long-run competitive advantage determined by the firm’s data resources. In other words, data are …

An Examination Of Reported Flirtation Behaviors, Michael Garza

Doctoral Dissertations

A great deal of sexual interest and communication occurs at the nonverbal level in the form of gestures and signs. Nonverbal behaviors like smiles, winks, body postures, physical space, eye contact, clothing, among other cues and gestures, add subtle communiqués of romantic attention because the verbal expression of sexual interest can lead to embarrassment, confusion, and ambiguity. These nonverbal courtship behaviors are important and have been used to examine the dynamics of sexual initiation and interaction both in and outside of marriage (Gecas & Libby, 1976). A primary aim of the present study is to create a flirtation questionnaire that …

The Influence Of Sleep And Physical Performance On Food Choice And Body Mass Index Of College Students, Nathalie Cahill

Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role dietary choice plays between two relationships for college students: sleep and body mass index and sleep and physical performance. Previous research has continuously indicated that college students are receiving poor sleep, both in terms of length and quality (Buboltz et al., 2009; Lund et al., 2010). Poor sleep length and sleep quality has been found to impact diet (Grandner et al., 2010; Hicks et al., 1986; Wells & Cruess, 2006), weight and body mass index (Kathrotia et al., 2010; Roane et al., 2015; Vargas et al., 2014), mental health …

Privacy Relinquishing And Safeguarding: When Are Consumers Willing To Disclose Or Protect Their Information?, Sabinah Ngamau Wanjugu

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores consumer privacy, an issue that has received substantial attention recently. The first aim of this dissertation is to redefine consumer privacy. Research in marketing has focused primarily on consumer privacy concern but has not explicitly defined consumer privacy itself. Further, research on consumer privacy has resulted in fragmented definitions, which are siloed across disciplines, organizations, ethical and legal realms. This fragmented approach to consumer privacy research has left more gaps than the answers it seeks to provide. A more fitting definition of privacy, conceptualized along a continuum of total exposure to total anonymity, is offered. Actual privacy …