Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Linear Operators With Two Invariant Subspaces, David Snyder

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Let k be a field and n ∈ N. We consider the quadruples (V, U’, U”, T) where V is a finite-dimensional k-vector space, U’ and U” are subspaces of V , and T : V → V is a linear operator with Tn = 0, satisfying T(U’) ⊆ U’ and T(U”) ⊆ U”. We say U’ and U” are invariant under T and T acts nilpotently on V with nilpotent index n. These systems of quadruples form a category with the Krull-Remak-Schmidt property. Thus, classification is reduced to the classification of indecomposable systems.

By translating a seemingly intractable linear …

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 …

Spanish Teaching Materials: An Investigative Study Into The Adherence To Best Practices In Second Language Pedagogy, José Rafael Quiñones

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the design of five popular Spanish language textbooks used in university-level Spanish language courses in the U.S.; Portales 2.0, ¡Arriba!, Contraseña, Dicho y Hecho, and Trayectorias. It replicates Fernández (2011), DeMil & Aubrey (2013), and White & Farinelli (2015) by applying similar assessment criteria to leading beginning Spanish language textbooks, but with revised criteria for contemporary pedagogical and technological advancements. This study focused on print textbooks or eBook versions of textbooks provided by online learning platforms. Online activities were not analyzed.

Research suggests language textbooks should follow best practices in language acquisition …

Developing A High-Throughput Machine Learning Screening Platform For Genetic And Pharmacological Modulators On Caenorhabditis Elegans Seizure Behavior, Paul A. Scarpinato

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures that affect over 50 million people worldwide, including more than 3.5 million in the United States. Seizures arise from a disrupted balance between excitation and inhibition. Although antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) remain the primary treatment to restore the excitation and inhibition balance, approximately 30% of patients experience drug-resistant epilepsy, highlighting the need for additional antiseizure medications. The Caenorhabditis elegans electroshock assay was developed in relative alignment with the rodent maximal electroshock seizure (MES) test, the gold standard for preclinical AED screening, provides a cost-effective platform for prescreening candidate AEDs.

This work …

Neural Dynamics In The Cortico-Basal Ganglia-Thalamic-Cortical Loop Underlying Flexible Motor Timing, Zidan Yang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The ability to flexibly time actions is a fundamental aspect of voluntary motor control. The frontal cortex and striatum exhibit ramping neural activity that predicts movement initiation, suggesting they function as a core timing circuit. However, the distinct computational roles of these highly interconnected regions and the specific cell types involved have remained elusive. This thesis investigates the neural mechanisms of motor timing by combining cell-type-specific perturbations, multi-regional electrophysiology, and computational modeling in mice. First, we demonstrate that the frontal cortex and striatum play complementary roles in an adjustable timing mechanism. Transiently silencing the frontal cortex effectively “pauses” the ramping …

Lobizona And Cemetery Boys: Broadening Representation Of The Latinx/Chicanx Community, Genesis Pabon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on two young adult speculative fiction novels, Lobizona and Cemetery Boys, that showcase the need for accurate representation of the Latinx/Chicanx and LGBTQ+ communities. Themes of sexuality, race, identity, and the gender binary within Latinx/Chicanx cultures will be explored. The narratives of the protagonists in both novels disrupt the gender binary in the United States and the Latinx/Chicanx community. There is a lack of literature that focuses on Latinx/Chicanx young adult speculative fiction, particularly in the United States, highlighting the need for more scholarly research in this area. It is essential for literary scholars and readers to …

Analyzing Lithic Tool Usage In Rio Chico, Manabí, Through Obsidian Flake Assemblages, Jake Lasky

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A collection of obsidian flake tools was recovered from two sites featuring multiple cultural occupations in Rio Chico (N4C3-170), southern Manabí province, Ecuador. This thesis analyses this collection through macroscopic techniques to indicate differences in how obsidian was utilized throughout cultural occupation in quantity and typology. Diagnostic features of the flake tools have been recorded to draw these distinctions, and depositional context is checked to determine cultural usage at the site.

Currently, the cultural occupations that used obsidian the most at Rio Chico seem to have been the Guangala (100 BCE- 800 CE) and Manteño (800-1500 CE), who fall into …

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, …

Sharks In The East Okeechobee Area, Austin M. Sanders

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The East Okeechobee Region in Southeast Florida lacks a comprehensive regional study of sharks and shark remains found in archaeological contexts. Previous studies in the region have compared materials to those of other large regional centers outside the East Okeechobee Area. This study examined materials collected from previous excavations at four sites from coastal Palm Beach County to add to the understanding of the ways sharks were utilized in the past. Shark species found at all four sites indicate that the people of the region targeted sharks as a resource for tool or decoration production. Examination of Shark teeth and …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Navigating Institutional Logics: How University Leaders Align Mission And Market In Tuition-Driven Academic Programs, Iselgis Garcia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Universities face mounting fiscal pressures from declining state appropriations, enrollment volatility, and growing competition. In response, many have turned to tuition-driven revenue programs to sustain operations, revealing enduring tensions between academic and market logics - the competing value systems that shape legitimacy, financial sustainability, and mission fulfillment. While institutional theory has examined these dynamics at macro levels, less is known about how leaders interpret and reconcile them in practice.

This qualitative study, grounded in the institutional logics perspective, explores how higher education administrators navigate academic and market logics when developing and managing tuition-driven academic programs. Using a grounded theory design, …

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 …

In Flux, Gavin G. Gilmore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores my practice of non-representational, mixed media painting as a way to consider the passage of time and the shifting nature of memory. Working in layers of paper, pigment, paint, and other materials, I build and disrupt surfaces that mirror the instability of short-term memory and the gradual erosion experienced during my father’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease. Each painting becomes a palimpsest where gestures accumulate, fade, or reemerge, reflecting how memories surface, distort, or disappear.

Through this layered process, the work intertwines personal narrative with broader questions of how time is felt rather than measured. The paintings act …

Effects Of Aromatherapy On Promoting Sleep In Patients With Neurological Deficits, Cherylle 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 …

Understanding The Retention Of Alternatively Certified Teachers: Key Factors And Insights, Donna M. Hardy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problem addressed in this study was the high attrition rate of alternatively certified teachers

who often exit the classroom at greater rates than traditionally trained teachers, particularly

within their first 5 years of teaching. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived

experience of alternatively certified teachers to identify the support, conditions, and leadership

practices that contributed to their persistence. A qualitative phenomenological study was used,

with data collected from 14 alternatively certified teachers who work in a Central Texas school

district, utilizing semistructured interviews. Data collection methods included interviews,

member checking, and researcher field notes. Research …

Effectiveness Of Ai-Powered Language Learning Tools In The Workplace, Iswariya Baskar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored the experiences of multilingual employees with AI-powered language learning tools in financial and technology firms across the United States. As multilingual communication becomes increasingly vital in the workplace, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) offers promising support in language acquisition and cross-cultural collaboration. The purpose of this basic qualitative study was to explore how AI-powered language learning tools influence the acquisition and retention of foreign languages of employees within financial and technology firms, how these tools strengthen professional identity and interpersonal communication, and how code-switching facilitated by AI impacts user experience and workplace engagement. Drawing from the …

How School Mentors Build Self-Efficacy In Novice Teachers: A Single Case Study, Christina Olga Sanchez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative single case study with embedded units explored how school mentors build selfefficacy in novice teachers across elementary, middle, and high school settings within a single public school district in Texas. Grounded in Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, which identifies four sources of self-efficacy: mastery experiences, vicarious experiences, verbal persuasion, and emotional and physiological states, this study examined the specific strategies mentors use to build self-efficacy and foster confidence and instructional competence in novice teachers. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with eight experienced educators formally designated as mentors. Thematic analysis was employed to identify patterns in mentoring practices and their …

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 …

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 …