Digital Commons Network^™

Gotta Have Somebody: Renal Health And Caregiving Experiences In Rural Florida, Danae Ayra-Barboza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the dynamics of care in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) using the care circle model to highlight common experiences and themes during chronic kidney disease (CKD) management. Combining the theoretical frameworks of structural violence, social suffering, and care allowed the analysis of caregiving dynamics in the EAA, a community distressed by a history of structural violence that manifests today as poverty, environmental pollution, inadequate education, and poor health outcomes. Thematic analysis synthesizing the experiences of the care circles identified four themes: Geographical, logical, and economic constraints to healthcare; Cultural, linguistic, and educational barriers; Informal and formal support …

Humeral Head Retroversion On A Contemporary Skeletal Population With Known Physical Activity To Investigate The Differential Expressions Of Biological Sex, Elizabeth Hightower

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Retroversion is an angled measurement of the humerus that is indicative of habitual overhand activity. Elevated retroversion measurements (in degrees) indicate overhand activity. Overhand activity indicates subsistence gathering from spear or atlatl throwing. Most retroversion research is conducted in populations where men perform more physically demanding labor. Therefore, bioarchaeologists are producing the same data over and over. Additionally, contemporary retroversion data is used as comparative figures. These subjects range from youth to professional baseball players, but the data on women is nearly obsolete. Bioarchaeology needs contemporary female retroversion data. Research was conducted at the University of Tennessee Knoxville where humeral …

A Qualitative Study Of Therapist Discomfort In The Treatment Of Problematic Pornography Use, Yehudah Alcabes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent that discomfort occurs within therapists’ while treating Problematic Pornography Use (PPU). The study, predicated on the qualitative research design of thematic analysis, utilized semi-structured interviews with a sample of n=15 therapists to explore the following questions: (1) How do therapists describe discomfort in the treatment of PPU? (2) How do therapists experience discomfort in the treatment of PPU? And (3) How do therapists manage discomfort in the treatment of PPU? The findings of this study demonstrate the need to understand the unique nature of therapist discomfort in PPU. This study’s …

The “I’M Too Much, Yet Never Enough” Paradox: A Critical Approach To Discourses Of Afro-Latinidad Among Second-Generation-Immigrant Women In South Florida, Eleni Victoria Webster

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study critically examines discourse and the ways it shapes identities and community belonging for self-identifying Afro-Latina, second-generation-immigrant women in South Florida. This qualitative research uses an intercultural communication framework to analyze interviews and collected poems. Informed by grounded theory and a Black feminist critical approach rooted in the intersectionality theory, the data is analyzed through comparative thematic and metaphorical rhetorical analyses. When discussing the discourses related to the development of ethno-racial identities for Afro-Latinas, certain communicative patterns of self-discovering, self-defining, and self-envisioning emerged. With regard to community belonging, three metaphorical discourses arose: not-enoughness, in-betweenness, and un-humanness. The internalization of …

Conflicting Bases For Judging Action And Actors: The Role Of Individual Differences, Brittney Louramore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined how political orientation, locus of control, and action identification predict moral reasoning across six dilemmas contrasting consistency and compensation. Participants (N ≈ 245) completed measures of ideological beliefs, perceived control, and action construal. Reliability analyses indicated modest internal consistency for Action Identification (α = .53) and low reliability for Locus of Control (α = .32). The six moral scenarios showed very low reliability (α = .11), indicating they captured diverse judgment domains. Binary logistic regressions revealed that political orientation, particularly its social dimension—was the strongest and most context-dependent predictor of moral choice. Economic …

Accounting For The Flash Region In Breast Radiotherapy: Hu Optimization Of Virtual Bolus And Impact Of Brass Mesh On Skin, Julianna Pontoriero

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

For free-breathing volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT), a major challenge in dose delivery is accounting for planning target volume (PTV) motion from respiration. To minimize PTV underdosing, this study implemented a 1.5 cm virtual bolus (VB) to create skin flash. A brass mesh bolus was also modeled in the treatment planning system to simulate its clinical impact. Different Hounsfield Units (HU) were assigned to the VB to determine the most effective value.

Five post-mastectomy breast cancer patients treated with VMAT were retrospectively analyzed. Plan normalization values, conformity indexes, and dosimetric criteria were compared to find the optimal HU for the …

Microplastic Variability In Wetland Sediments And Vegetation: A Case Study Of Spruce Bluff Preserve, Fl, Juana Maria Baudrix

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plastic pollution has become an imminent threat to the environment and human health. This study explores the occurrence, distribution, and retention mechanisms of microplastics (MPs) in Spruce Bluff Preserve, a 97-acre freshwater wetland ecosystem located along the eastern bank of the St. Lucie River in Port St. Lucie, FL. Understanding MP dynamics in transitional freshwater ecosystem is crucial for environmental management efforts given Florida’s heavily fragmented and managed landscape. This research specifically examined the relationship between wetland vegetation and MP retention in sediments across different ecological zones within the preserve. Surface sediment samples were collected along 8 transects of varying …

Fetal Microchimerism Of The Eye Lens, Jamie Moubarak

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fetal microchimerism (FMc) is the presence of a small fetal cell population in the mother, sometimes exhibiting stem cell–like properties. FMc has been observed within many placental mammal organs, except the eye. We used Yspecific PCR on genomic mouse DNA to test the hypothesis that fetal microchimerism can also be found in the lens. Of the parous females tested, we detected an Ssty2-specific amplicon in 83% (5/6) of samples and an Sry-specific amplicon in 2/4 samples. 100% (5/5) of non-age-matched parous females were positive for both primers. These results provide evidence that cells of fetal or placental origin …

Food Sovereignty And Advocacy Coalitions In The United States, Julia Soondar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines how food sovereignty advocacy coalitions in the United States shape beliefs, conduct advocacy work, influence discourse, and perceive their policy influence. The original definitions of food sovereignty emphasize producers and control of the food system, but in the U.S., it has been adapted to incorporate equality, Indigenous sovereignty, and local food movements. However, little research has considered the role advocacy coalitions play in the food sovereignty policy process.

Using the Advocacy Coalition Framework, this study examines how food sovereignty advocacy groups define the food sovereignty problem, coordinate actions, and attempt to influence the policy process. A qualitative …

Promoting Tutees’ Self-Efficacy, Tutor-Tutee Relationship, And Mathematical Knowledge/Performance, Kimberly D. Theophile

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This action research study investigates how I, as a tutor, implemented affective instructional practices to support early adolescent tutees’ self-efficacy, tutor-tutee relationship, and mathematical knowledge/performance. Data were collected from multiple sources, including journal entries, video recordings, semi-structured interviews, report card evaluations, and Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (FAST) scores. These sources were used to gain comprehensive insight into how my affective instructional strategies were embedded within mathematics tutoring sessions with five early adolescent tutees between the ages of 10 and 12. A constant comparative analysis was employed to examine the data, with careful attention given to the four dimensions of …

The Weapon Focus Effect: Examining Attention And Memory For Weapons And Their Actions, Lindsey Pugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Decades of eye-tracking and memory research support the weapon focus effect, that weapons attract visual attention during criminal events which leaves less attention to focus on other event features. Relevant memory tests, however, typically only evaluate recognition of the perpetrator committing a crime. Rarely, if at all, do researchers use direct tests of memory for the weapons. Therefore, it is less understood if viewers are simply attending to objects or if they are encoding their details. In the present studies, we successfully replicated the attentional weapon focus effect with newly filmed stimuli of criminal and neutral events. The second …

The Resonance Of Desire: A Sonic Exploration And Guide To Recreating Disney’S Signature ‘I Want’ Songs, Aiyanna E. Riley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the sonic architecture of Disney’s Renaissance-era “I Want” songs and develops a framework for recreating their signature production style. This study analyzes how vocal timbre, microphone choices, layering, stereo placement, and mixing strategies contribute to the immersive qualities that define the Disney sound. Drawing from historical accounts, interviews with industry professionals, and technical literature, the thesis documents production practices unexamined in scholarly work. Inspired by David Gibson’s The Art of Mixing, my analyses prioritize spatial and textural qualities in Disney mixes, highlighting how sound design shapes narrative impact. The study culminates in two original compositions modeled …

Safe And Sound: A Polyvagal Intervention For Trauma And Therapeutic Engagement, Rebecca Nelson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) affects approximately 5 to 8 percent of the U.S. population annually, contributing to significant healthcare costs and high psychotherapy dropout rates (Kessler et al., 2005; Kilpatrick et al., 2013; National Center for PTSD, 2023a). Understanding the factors that contribute to treatment attrition and identifying effective interventions that promote safety, engagement, and sustained participation in therapy are critical priorities in trauma counseling.

This study examined the impact of a polyvagal theory-informed intervention, the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), on trauma symptoms, autonomic reactivity, and the quality of the therapeutic relationship in adult clients diagnosed with trauma- and …

The Transformational Moments Of Online Students In Doctoral Programs: A Lived Experience, Nicole Reid

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the transformational learning experiences of students enrolled in online doctoral programs. Guided by Mezirow’s transformative learning theory, this study addressed the research questions: How do students in online doctoral programs experience transformative moments at public institutions in the United States? How is the curriculum connected to the students’ transformational experiences in online doctoral programs at public institutions in the United States? Semi-structured interviews were conducted with online doctoral students to capture their lived experiences across programs.

Analysis revealed three key findings. First, participants described how program structures, including curriculum design, …

Regional Determinants Of Bankruptcy Rates In The U.S., Jean Felix Lacroix

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the associations of state-level regional economic indicators about the labor market and bankruptcy rates in United States. This research aims to fill a gap in the bankruptcy literature by analyzing how these factors are related to corporate and individual bankruptcy filings. The unemployment rate is the primary labor-market predictor of financial distress; I argue that a comprehensive analysis incorporating broader labor market statistics provides a more complete picture of bankruptcy trends.

Employing state-level panel data, the study extends prior research that mainly utilized cross-sectional or time-series data. This approach provides a detailed examination of how labor market …

Novel Unsupervised Frameworks For Automated Class Distribution Estimation And Binary Label Generation For Tabular Data, Mary Anne Walauskis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In today’s landscape, copious amounts of unlabeled data continue to be generated. This data has the potential to accelerate machine learning research; however, supervised methods require labels and unsupervised methods often require expert fine-tuning to be reliable, both of which can impose significant cost. In addition to not requiring labels, another benefit of unsupervised learning is the protection of privacy since it does not require human annotation. In addition, class imbalance, where one class has significantly more instances, can complicate model training and reduce performance. Because of these challenges, automated unsupervised methods can offer a path forward to further machine …

From Specialized To Generalized Frameworks: Broadening Machine Learning Approaches To Detect Natural Selection, Sandipan Paul Arnab

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Natural selection leaves characteristic footprints in genomic variation, and detecting these patterns is fundamental to understanding evolutionary history and adaptation in humans. In this thesis, I present a progression of machine learning frameworks, beginning with highly specialized feature engineering and complex modeling, advancing to approaches that require minimal training, and culminating in methods that remain robust to model misspecification. First, I developed SISSSCO, a spectral feature extraction framework that applies wavelet transforms, multitaper analysis, and S-transform to genomic summary statistics, converting one-dimensional signals into two-dimensional spectral images analyzed by convolutional neural networks. SISSSCO achieved high accuracy across varied evolutionary scenarios, …

A Genealogy Of Somaesthetics: Sources And Directions, Tyler James Bonnet

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation traces the origins of somaesthetics—an interdisciplinary field of study dedicated to the improvement and enrichment of the body’s aesthetic perception—through a genealogical method. The purpose of this method is to provide an account of the development of somaesthetics while simultaneously marshalling critical resources for its development and application. This dissertation fills a gap in somaesthetics by explicating its core philosophical commitments and its interdisciplinary composition. By means of reconstruction, the first part of this dissertation recounts the pragmatist background of somaesthetics, including fundamental commitments to experience, pluralism, and meliorism. The dissertation argues the reconstruction of pragmatism for somaesthetics …

Advancing Road Safety Through Data Integration, Location Accuracy, And Risk-Based Route Optimization, Lars Skaug

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation advances transportation safety through three interconnected contributions that address fundamental challenges in crash data analysis and application. First, we present a comprehensive survey of road crash analysis methodologies, tracing the evolution from traditional statistical approaches to modern machine learning techniques while identifying critical gaps between research sophistication and practical implementation. This survey reveals that while methodological advances have been substantial, ongoing data quality issues, particularly in location accuracy and completeness, limit the effectiveness of even the most sophisticated analytical approaches.

Building on these findings, we develop a novel system to validate and correct crash location data using multi-modal …

Understanding The Impacts Of Career Services Within Graduate Programs: Sport Management And Master Of Business Administration, Daniel James Cornely

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study evaluated career-related outcomes of career coach interventions among proactive graduate students in a college of business. It investigated how career services interventions influence key areas like employment, job growth, resume and cover letter development, job search skills, LinkedIn strategies, networking, salary negotiation, and job placement. The study was guided by three research questions: (a) do graduate students' perceptions of satisfaction regarding career-related outcomes change after meeting with a career service professional, (b) what type of career-related outcomes do graduate students seek from career services within a college of business, and (c) do perceived career-related outcomes vary depending …

Posttraumatic Growth Following Pregnancy Loss: Understanding The Influence Of Positive Religious Coping And The Moderating Effect Of Perceived Social Support, Maria Alayza

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine positive religious coping, perceived social support, and posttraumatic growth (PTG) among bereaved mothers who had experienced pregnancy loss. I aimed to inform counselors about the nuances of the aftermath of pregnancy loss, as well as the protective and risk factors of PTG. The final sample consisted of 154 bereaved mothers who thoroughly completed a demographic questionnaire, the Positive Religious Coping subscale of the Brief Religious Coping Scale (Brief R-COPE), the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory–Expanded (PTGI-X), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). I utilized the IBM Statistical Package for the …

The Effectiveness Of A First-Year Experience Course: A Case Study From A Public Regional University In The Central United States, Taler J. Alexander

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Student retention has become an increasingly popular topic for colleges and universities as they look for ways to keep students amid ever-changing budget climates. Research shows that high quality first-year experience (FYE) courses can provide crucial support to new students as they enter the college or university. Additionally, many researchers have found that supporting students through their transition to a new college environment, developing their sense of belonging, and helping them get involved on campus lead to increased student retention. The purpose of this study was to explore the curriculum, format, and delivery of the FYE course at Blue University …

The Heart Of Policing: Exploring The Essence Of The Phenomenon Between Organizational Culture And Police Officer Job Satisfaction, Charles C. Palmer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative study was to explore the essence of the phenomenon between organizational culture and police officer job satisfaction among rural law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma. Retaining police officers has become an increasingly challenging task for law enforcement organizations across the United States, as high turnover, costly recruitment, and voluntary resignations continue to strain departments. While previous research has primarily examined demographic and occupational variables influencing satisfaction, limited attention has been given to how organizational culture affects the lived experiences of U.S. police officers. Guided by Edgar Schein’s organizational culture theory, this study examined how …

Leading Beyond The Lecture: A Case Study Exploring How Community College Students Experience Their Instructors’ Positive Leadership Strategies, Mandy Morrison

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Positive leadership, an approach to leading individuals to the point of flourishing, has been studied in corporate contexts. While the student-to-instructor relationships only distantly compare to the employee-to-supervisor dynamics, the relationships and power differential have similarities, making the pillars of positive leadership relevant in the context of higher education. Given the critical nature of student success to stakeholders in higher education and the students themselves, discovering instructor strategies that enhance student success can demonstrate an upward spiral of positivity that extends from the student, to the instructor, to the college, and ultimately to the community. Framed by leader-member exchange (LMX) …

Exploring The Influence Of Self-Efficacy And Cultural Identity On Black Teacher Retention, Cicely Kelly Ward

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study addressed the persistent challenge of retaining Black educators in racially diverse U.S. secondary schools. The specific problem was a knowledge gap regarding how the lived experiences of Black teachers connect their self-efficacy and cultural identity to retention. The purpose of this study was to explore these dynamics to inform the development of more effective support strategies. This qualitative phenomenological study involved semistructured interviews with 10 Black secondary school teachers who had 3 or more years of experience in the Southeastern region of Texas. The researcher analyzed the interview data using a thematic analysis framework to identify patterns of …

Effects Of Aromatherapy On Promoting Sleep In Patients With Neurological Deficits, Cherylle R. Reed

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Reliance on sleep aids in neurological patient population can lead to negative side effects and compromise patient safety. The purpose of this doctoral nursing project was to determine if the implementation of McDonnell and Newcomb’s aromatherapy process will reduce the incidence of sleep-promoting medication administration as compared to the current practice in neurological deficit patients over 4 weeks. A quantitative, quasi-experimental design evaluated effects on sleep quality and pharmacological sleep aids by using McDonnell and Newcomb’s aromatherapy combination of lavender, bergamot, and ylang ylang essential oils placed on a cotton ball at the patient’s bedside each night. The sample included …

The Effect Of Perceived Principal Leadership Styles And School Type On Elementary Teacher Self-Efficacy, Karen M. Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of perceived principal leadership styles and school type on elementary teachers’ self-efficacy. The study examined two research questions. The first examined differences between teachers’ self-efficacy in Title 1 and non-Title 1 schools, and the second examined differences in teacher self-efficacy and perceived principal leadership styles (authoritarian, democratic, and laissez-faire). The convenience sample included 129 elementary teachers from social media teacher groups that taught in various Title 1 and non-Title 1 school districts. I used a quantitative, causal-comparative method to collect data and survey questionnaires that identified trends in leadership styles …

Synergetics In Complex Adaptive Systems, Joseph C. Mckinley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Synergetics is an emerging paradigm which quantitatively describes and predicts the dynamics of complex living and nonliving systems. It has illuminated how complex systems can spontaneously self-organize by coordinating the activity of their constituent components toward some coherent, collective behavior. This coordinated activity can produce complex macroscopic spatiotemporal patterns without the need for central planning. In this dissertation, we develop and explore generalizations of the Haken-Kelso-Bunz (HKB) model of coordination dynamics. These generalizations include modeling higher-dimensional systems of coupled multistable oscillators with arbitrary diversity and coupling parameters, where the system components have the capacity to “learn” or adapt their intrinsic …

A Quality Improvement Project To Standardize Sexual Dysfunction Screening In Primary Care, Ashley M. D’Anna

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sexual health is an essential aspect of overall well-being but is often overlooked in primary care due to provider discomfort, time constraints, and lack of standardized screening protocols. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to implement a consistent approach to screening for sexual dysfunction using the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), a validated five-item tool assessing sex drive, arousal, orgasm, and satisfaction. Guided by Swanson’s Theory of Caring and Pender’s Health Promotion Model, the project emphasized compassionate, patient-centered care and the promotion of health-enhancing behaviors.

Using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) framework, the ASEX tool was incorporated into annual wellness visits following …

Decision-Making During A Crisis: A Case Study Of How A University Responded To The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ryan Joseph Iocco

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Scant research is available on how university leaders make decisions and communicate those decisions to their stakeholders during times of crisis. The purpose of this case study was to better understand the decision-making process used by administrative leaders at a higher education institution during a time of organizational crisis. This study examined decision-making by higher education leaders within and across different functional areas at a single higher education institution between February 2020 and September 2020, following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data was collected through interviews and document analysis. Although research exists on decision-making during crises, there is limited …