Digital Commons Network^™

Angelic Wasting: The Impacts Of The Enlightenment, Evangelicalism, And The Industrial Revolution On Romanticization Of Tuberculosis In England, 1800-1850, Sara M. Sudano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis aims to elucidate the intersections between the portrayal of tuberculosis in the Romantic era and the Enlightenment, evangelism, and the Industrial Revolution. This study aims to do so by locating and analyzing depictions in the primary source representations of the disease, then considering the effects of the three factors mentioned above on its representation. The Enlightenment, evangelism, and the Industrial Revolution interacted in a variety of ways, and the influence of all three factors was found within the representations of tuberculosis, albeit in often indirect ways. In the novels of Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell and Charlotte Brontë, tuberculosis was …

Initial Impacts Of Different Fertilizers On Improved East Texas Equine Pastures, Carolina De Leon, Brian Oswald, Leland Thompson, Candis Scallan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

In Texas, approximately 1.6 million acres support an equine population exceeding 748,000 horses. This study assessed the effects of organic and inorganic fertilizer treatments on improved Bermudagrass (BG) and other vegetation (OTH) in overgrazed equine pastures at the Stephen F. Austin State University Equine Center. Treatments included equine manure (H), broiler poultry litter (P), and a commercial 13-13-13 fertilizer (C), with application rates based on pasture requirements.

Initial vegetation cover was evaluated using the Daubenmire cover class method in September 2024, followed by a 60-day undisturbed growing period. Final biomass (g/2ft² converted to lbs/ac) and percent cover measurements were …

Lidar-Based Delineation Of Karst Features In The Gypsum Plain, Eddy County, New Mexico And Culberson County, Texas, Kaitlyn Rae Levassar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Gypsum Plain of the Delaware Basin encompasses approximately 1,800 km² of massive to laminated gypsum (anhydrite in the subsurface) outcrop of early Ochoan Castile and Salado strata. These extensive Permian-age evaporites host significant karst phenomena as a result of the region's complex hydrogeologic system which has continuously evolved since the early Paleogene. Karst features that manifest surficially as sinkholes when breached range from extensive hypogene cave systems to epigene features and suffosion caves. In contrast, paleo-collapse structures forming breccia pipes attesting to more ancient karst within these strata often manifest as topographic highs across the Gypsum Plain.

Until …

Identifying Salt Suture Zones And Lithological Changes Of The Louann Salt In The Gulf Of Mexico Basin, La. U.S.A., Jamie Dale Singer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Louann Salt, a key evaporite unit in the Gulf of Mexico Basin, influences salt tectonics, hydrocarbon migration, and basin evolution. This study examines Louann Salt deposition and deformation within the Puma Diapir, focusing on mineralogical, geochemical, and structural features of suture zones in three offshore wells (Puma 2(w), Puma 3, and Panther). Using drill cuttings, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), well-log data, and 3D seismic interpretation, the study analyzed salt composition and suture formation. Results show the salt primarily consists of halite, with minor anhydrite, gypsum, and sylvite, indicating continuous precipitation. Geochemical …

The Effects Of Loving-Kindness Meditation (Lkm) On Relationship Satisfaction In Couple Therapy, Ruimeng Gao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the integration of loving-kindness meditation (LKM) into couple therapy sessions and its impact on relationship satisfaction. Meditation, historically rooted in religious practices, has increasingly been adopted in Western therapeutic contexts due to its demonstrated benefits for mental health and interpersonal well-being. Although mindfulness-based interventions have gained popularity in psychotherapy, research specifically examining the use of LKM in couple therapy remains limited. This study investigates whether incorporating LKM into therapy sessions enhances relationship satisfaction compared to standard therapy alone. Couples were randomly assigned to either a control group, which received standard therapy, or an experimental group, which practiced …

Bridging The Digital Skills Gap: Positive Leadership In The Aerospace Industry 4.0, James Richard Robinson Ii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explores how employees and leaders in a major aerospace manufacturing organization experience digital transformation in the context of Industry 4.0. As emerging technologies reshape manufacturing processes, organizations face a growing digital skills gap, particularly across a multigenerational workforce. This research focuses on how generational differences influence digital adaptation and how leadership approaches either support or hinder that process. Guided by the diffusion of innovations theory, the study involved semistructured interviews with 15 participants from four generational cohorts, representing IT, engineering, manufacturing, and operations roles. Findings reveal that trust, leadership style, and tailored training significantly shape how individuals …

Teacher Perspectives On A Teacher Mentorship Program And Its Influence On A Sense Of Belonging And Professional Growth., Hyun Kang Wilson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Teacher retention is crisis in the U.S. and globally. Literature suggests the first five years of teaching is a crucial time range to determine if teachers stay in the profession or quit. Teachers will leave the profession due to lack of support, poor school culture, feeling isolated, high work-related stress, poor compensation, and challenging student behaviors. Research suggests that new teacher mentorship programs are effective in addressing teacher support, ultimately improving teacher retention. Literature also suggests that employees are more likely to stay with a company if they feel belonged. To explore the further into a new teacher mentorship program …

Contesting The City Through Sustainability Discourse: A Joint Archival And Interview Analysis Of City Planning In Louisville, Kentucky., Calvin Grant

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Sustainability is a part of a global discourse cast as a universal, technocratic solution to the climate crisis in need of a receptive public and active local adaptation. In many cases, language espousing sustainable development ideals and policy implementation promotes a perspective of scientific neutrality that overlooks socio-politically grounded discourses. This joint archival and interview-centered discourse analysis demonstrates that official sustainability discourse in Louisville’s Comprehensive Plan 2040 was produced through a carefully moderated consensus among planners and select stakeholders. Such consensus prioritizes the perspectives and agency of policy experts, business leaders, and others who have “recognized speech” of authority, while …

Perceptions Of Unstructured Recess And Classroom Behaviors In Elementary School Settings., Allison Shockley

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The priority on core curriculum areas such as math and reading has resulted in limited physical activity and regular recess routines. With the increased time spent on core curriculum, teachers and administrators have shifted their focus towards standardized student testing achievement. This focus has resulted in limiting or doing away with unstructured recess with the hopes that students will gain more core curriculum knowledge. This dissertation will focus on educators' perceptions of elementary school student behavior with varying recess time structures. This study began by examining the history of recess while analyzing the trickled- down historical inequities elementary students experience …

Preparing For Inevitable Uncertainty : Collaborative Sensemaking Of Assets And Barriers To Becoming A Jewish Supplementary School Educator., Mindy M. Gold

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While teacher shortages are a shared national challenge, responses are shaped by local nuances (McHenry-Sorber et al., 2019). This research explored how community-identified assets might address teacher recruitment challenges in supplementary Jewish education programs, a microcosm of public education. Many Jewish supplementary schools are investigating curricular and programmatic approaches to attract students and families without commensurate inquiry into attracting teachers to the field. The disproportionate focus has occurred amidst a shrinking pool of candidates (Rosov Consulting, 2021b). In this study, I asked: What do supplementary Jewish education school community members see as assets/barriers to recruiting educators in their school community? …

Advancing Speech Intelligibility Assessment: Comparing School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists, Laypersons, And Speech Recognition Software., Hannah Stewart

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental study utilized a convenience sample (N = 86) to investigate the comparability of school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs), laypersons, and speech recognition software in the assessment of speech intelligibility for children with phonological disorders. Eighty-nine percent of participants were female, and 92% were white. All participants completed a survey comprised of 25 audio recordings of single-word utterances from an AI-generated voice of a four-year-old male with a phonological disorder and were asked to select what word they believed was heard from a pool of 12 options. The survey also included a passage read by the same AI-generated voice, and …

Racial Disparity And Environmental Influences On Perinatal Health In Jefferson County, Kentucky., Felicia A Pugh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Background: Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) risk has tripled over the past 30 years. Adverse infant birth outcomes in the U.S. have also increased with substantial Black-White disparities. Objectives: This work compares the frequency of adverse maternal and infant birth outcomes by maternal race (Black vs White) and examines associations between maternal ambient heavy metal exposures and birth outcomes in Jefferson County, Kentucky, 2017-2022. Methods: Jefferson County inpatient hospital delivery and birth certificate records of self-identified Black or White birthing parents were used. Incidence of SMM, stillbirth, preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) …

A Black Sherlock Holmes: An Exploration Of Nonconforming Characterization., Faith Janaye Artis

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the wake of diversity initiatives in the greater American theatre landscape, we are now including more Black actors than ever. Whether that be through the inclusion of diverse playwrights or implementing new casting protocols, we now have Black people in the room. However, when portraying the Black “version” of a character (i.e. Black Annie, Black Ariel, Black Juliet) a question still plagues the Black Actor’s mind: how am I meant to fit here? I evaluate my process of portraying Sherlock Holmes as my thesis role. By challenging the implied white perspective in this “universal” story (despite its feminist retelling), …

Black Childhood In Focus: Counter-Histories Of Black Urban Childhood In Preserve The Baltimore Uprising, A 21st Century Digital Participatory Archive., Ameena Basheera X Ruffin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the (mis)representation of Black urban childhood in the United States and proposes a framework for Black children’s inclusion in historical narratives. Black children have been excluded from constructs of childhood innocence, justifying violence against Black children and perpetuating anti-Black social hierarchies. This study builds on the work of Saidiya Hartman, advocating for a critical approach to studying, archiving, and understanding Black childhood through the lenses of region, race, age, and gender. Using the participatory digital archive Preserve the Baltimore Uprising as a case study, the research explores Black children’s presence and contributions during the 2015 Baltimore Uprising. …

Finer Resolution Paleoclimatological Network Analysis Of Hydrological Extremes And Tree-Growth Response For Kentucky, U.S.A., Jordan Sharp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

As climate change accelerates, southeastern states like Kentucky face increasing environmental and economic challenges. To improve future climate predictions, this study enhances paleoclimate reconstructions with a high-resolution tree-ring network for Kentucky, combining data from both living trees and dendroarchaeological sources. I evaluated the climate sensitivity of tree growth using superposed epoch analysis, static correlations, and spatial field correlations in KNMI Climate Explorer, along with moving correlations against seasonal temperature and moisture variables. Findings reveal that white oak and tulip poplar exhibit significant drought sensitivity across both live and archeological sites. However, I observed a weakening relationship between tree-ring growth and …

The Effects Of Gibberellic Acid, Smoke Water, And Cold Stratification On The Germination Of Asclepias And Liatris Seeds, Jemima Essien

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Seed dormancy presents a significant challenge in the propagation of many native perennial species, including members of the Asclepias and Liatris genera. This study evaluated the effects of cold stratification and chemical treatments on the germination performance of six Liatris species and five Asclepias species using water (control), gibberellic acid (GA), smoke water (SW), or a combination of both (GA+SW) as chemical treatments. The primary objective was to determine whether smoke water could significantly enhance germination and serve as a viable pre-treatment method for horticultural use. Results indicated that stratification significantly enhanced germination, with stratified seeds achieving an average germination …

Adolescent Externalizing Symptoms And Parent Emotion Socialization: An Examination Of Longitudinal Effects And Differences By Adolescent Sex, Cheston West

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is an important developmental context with several changes in social and emotional functioning. Though adolescents are gaining independence from their caregivers, they still engage in dynamic interactions with their caregivers who remain key figures in their lives. When adolescents express emotions, caregivers engage in various behaviors in response to these expressions, a process known as emotion socialization. This process has mostly been examined as a parent-driven construct in which parent emotion socialization impacts child-level outcomes, namely internalizing symptoms, with limited research on externalizing symptoms. However, available literature demonstrates that child-level characteristics (e.g., externalizing symptoms) are linked to differences in …

Can Exploring Before Instruction Improve Underrepresented Stem Students’ Learning Compared To Traditional Methods? Investigating Psychosocial Factors., Katherine G. Golway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Increasing evidence suggests that active learning benefits students’ learning outcomes, while also helping to reduce or eliminate grade differences between historically underrepresented (UR) and non-underrepresented (non-UR) students in STEM courses. This dissertation investigates if, and when, a specific active learning strategy – exploratory learning before instruction – can have these learning benefits and impact students’ fundamental needs (i.e., security, belonging, competence, and self-efficacy) and curiosity/interest. In five experimentally-controlled studies conducted within undergraduate STEM courses (physics, engineering, and chemistry), students were randomly assigned to exploratory learning conditions (explore-first) or traditional instruct-then-practice conditions (instruct-first). After completing both the learning activity and lecture-based …

Volatile Organic Compounds And Their Relation To Sympathetic Activation And Autonomic Balance In Humans., Cameron Kyle Stopforth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a multifaceted pathology that affects almost half of Americans ≥20 years old. One modifiable risk factor associated with CVD is air pollution exposure. The intricacy of air pollution exposure and CVD can make it difficult to elucidate on the multitude of mechanisms underpinning these associations. In this dissertation, we selected a relevant exposure (i.e., volatile organic compounds (VOC)) and an intermediate outcome (i.e., autonomic balance) that may represent one of these pertinent mechanisms. We tested the central hypothesis that higher VOC exposures would lead to increased sympathetic activation and autonomic imbalance. Aim 1 (Chapter III …

I'M Still Eating Crayons., Eisey Eisenhardt

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

im still eating crayons serves as a reflection on past events experienced in trying conditions after many years of rumination. The title itself is derived from my childhood inclination towards physically experiencing color and texture via chewing on crayons. An inclination that I still experience today; a wish to chew on what captivates me and break it down over time within, so that I may discover a deeper connection with those objects, ideas, and concepts. Not all made discoveries were victories, nor do they place my conscious in a better position than it was at the height of my past …

Coalitional Belonging As Praxis: First-Year Writing And Student Community Creation In The Post-Dei University., Kendyl C. Harmeling

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation began as a study into how students interpret and engage language and actions from their institutions of higher education which allege to be supporting and supportive of universally diverse, equitable, and inclusive campus community belonging. Occurring within a locally and globally turbid context of exponential and variable challenges to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by institutions of power – like those of higher and public education – this dissertation seeks to understand how, within and without institutional support for DEI, students self-sponsor and community-sponsor their ways of knowing and being to claim space for their belonging on campus. …

A Causal Model Of Performance Shaping Factors For Human Reliability Analysis In Manufacturing., Prameet Ranjan Jha

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Human reliability analysis is a critical component of probabilistic risk assessment, aimed at predicting and mitigating human errors in complex systems. This dissertation develops a novel approach to human reliability analysis in manufacturing by integrating structural equation modeling and Bayesian networks to improve the estimation of human error probabilities. Traditional human reliability assessment methods, such as the Standardized Plant Analysis Risk-Human Reliability Analysis (SPAR-H) and the Technique for Human Error Rate Prediction (THERP), provide structured techniques for estimating human error probabilities. However, these methods often fail to capture the complex interdependencies among performance shaping factors (PSFs), limiting their applicability in …

Everyday Justice And Neighborhood Associations., Rebecca Wells-Gonzalez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the lived experiences of residents in marginalized neighborhoods, focusing on the impact of neighborhood associations on perceived justice and resilience. Utilizing a feminist qualitative approach, the Everyday Justice and Neighborhood Associations (EJANA) framework integrates Human Capabilities, Everyday Life Experiences, and Resilience Justice frameworks. Semi-structured interviews across three distinct neighborhoods (Bashford Manor, Oakdale, and Shelby Park in Louisville, Kentucky) revealed that neighborhood associations were often perceived as inaccessible and ineffective, failing to address prevalent inequities. Participants reported feelings of alienation and marginalization, highlighting a disconnect between association activities and community needs. This study emphasizes the need for inclusive, …

Online Optimization With Lookahead For Dynamic Assignment And Energy-Smart Scheduling In Manufacturing., Mahmud Parvez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Scheduling in online and dynamic manufacturing systems presents significant challenges due to the continuous arrival of customer orders with certainty only over a short time window and the dynamic availability of resources after completing ongoing operations. Similar challenges exist at our industry partner’s site when scheduling orders (computer servers) to machines (testing cells) during the final testing process before customer delivery. The primary challenge lies in dynamically assigning incoming orders to available machines in order to minimize the number of unfinished orders. Additionally, the energy-intensive nature of the production process introduces another challenge; efforts to reduce energy consumption often lead …

Early College Credit Programs As Predictors Of Postsecondary Student Success., Emily K. Spoden

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Early college credit programs (ECCPs), such as AP, dual enrollment, and IB programs, were created to provide more challenging college-level coursework to academically advanced high school students. Educators and policymakers have encouraged high school students to participate in these programs with the goals of being prepared academically for college, saving money on tuition by earning college credits early, and speeding up time to postsecondary graduation. The purpose of this study was to examine likelihood of postsecondary first-year retention and graduation timeframe as a result of participating in — and earning credits from — these programs. Participants of this study included …

Necessitating Autonomy: Performing Black Womanhood., Krystal Chavonne Waller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the ways in which Black womanhood should autonomously be represented on the stage and/or the screen. By defining the theories of Black Feminist Thought, Black Performance, Trap Feminism and Sankofa, I create a praxis that provides Black femme performers with tools for authentic characterization. By acknowledging and respecting that Black women are not monolithic, this thesis also explores the evolution of theatrical representations of Black Womanhood—particularly U.S. Black womanhood from the late 19^th century to modern day. Using historical narrative, analysis, acting techniques learned during my MFA program, and personal reflection, I advocate for Black women …

An Automatic Colorectal Polyps Detection Approach For Ct Colonography., Mohamed Yousuf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is a significant health concern, with increasing incidence rates, particularly among individuals under 50. This rise has led experts to recommend the introduction of regular screenings at 45 years of age for adults at average risk. Early detection through such screenings can identify precancerous polyps, allowing their removal before they develop into cancer. This proactive approach has the potential to reduce colorectal cancer deaths by up to 60%. In addition, research indicates that people diagnosed before age 50 have better survival rates, which emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis. Therefore, adhering to recommended …

Translation Of The Carcinogenic Dna Breakage-Repair Inhibition Mechanism For Hexavalent Chromium To Its Key Targets: Lung Epithelial Cells, Lung Tissue And Impacts On The Genome., Idoia Meaza Isusi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] is a human lung carcinogen with widespread occupational and environmental exposure. Despite the known health risks, how Cr(VI) causes lung cancer remains unclear. This dissertation investigates the mechanisms of Cr(VI)-induced carcinogenesis. Cr(VI) causes DNA damage, specifically DNA double strand breaks, and inhibits homologous recombination repair, a high-fidelity repair pathway. Unrepaired DNA double strand breaks or those repaired through error-prone pathways, progress to chromosomal damage, and chromosome instability. The latter is a common characteristic of Cr(VI)-exposed cells, and a hallmark of lung cancer. Although the mechanism of Cr(VI)-induced …

Emotion Regulation, Reasoning, And Procedural Safeguards In Politically-Polarized Moral Dilemmas., Alanea Graci

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Societal disputes often stem from polarized moral dilemmas. Procedural justice and self-determination (PJSD) afforded by societal decision-making processes may influence cooperation and acceptance in these dilemmas. However, moral conviction can sometimes overshadow PJSD, causing morally-opposed individuals to avoid deliberation, become uncooperative, or reject decision outcomes. I conducted two experiments to explore the role emotions (emotion regulation) and procedural safeguards for democratic deliberation (e.g., equal discussion time, rules for civility) play in these situations. I examined the topic of abortion in the U.S. after the Supreme Court’s June 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade. Undergraduates at a large, urban Midwestern university …

Demon In The Dark: A Collection Of Short Stories., Giovanna Claudia Burkett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This creative thesis is a collection of short stories revolving around themes of grief, isolation, and survivor’s guilt. Each story is standalone even though they share overlapping motifs, as well as having a few references within the same universe. These protagonists often appear to be unreliable narrators, though the amount of reliability they depict should be determined by the reader. The protagonists encounter situations that cause them to question their own sanity and make them relive their greatest fears and confront traumatic memories, which may serve as a connection to the supernatural elements within the stories. Settings within each story …