Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication Year
File Type

Articles 631 - 660 of 4956

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Multiomic Explorations Of Fruit Texture And Postharvest Quality In Blackberry And Muscadine Grape, Thomas Mason Chizk May 2023

Multiomic Explorations Of Fruit Texture And Postharvest Quality In Blackberry And Muscadine Grape, Thomas Mason Chizk

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

For most fresh-market fruit crops, texture is an important trait that strongly affects both shipping potential and consumer opinion. Efficient, scalable phenotyping methods are required by breeding programs to effectively select for improvements to fruit texture quality. In muscadine, we have developed a recommendation for characterizing complex muscadine grape texture profiles by comparing the results of breeders’ ratings, descriptive sensory panel results, and an array of instrumental protocols. Regression models were constructed to predict awareness of skins, crispness, hardness, and visual separation explaining 85%, 91%, 82%, and 83% of variance respectively. Genotypes that scored most highly in breeders’ ratings of …

Go to article

Differential Electrostatic Interaction Patterns In Sars-Cov-1 And Sars-Cov-2 Variants: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study, Ugochi Hope Isu May 2023

Differential Electrostatic Interaction Patterns In Sars-Cov-1 And Sars-Cov-2 Variants: A Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study, Ugochi Hope Isu

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The SARS-related coronavirus (SARS-rCoV) is a highly contagious virus that has raised significant worldwide health concerns. It caused outbreaks in 2002-2003 and more recently in 2019-2020 with SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in a significant global impact on health and the economy. The spike protein of the virus plays a critical role in its infectivity and transmission, and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) within the spike protein is of particular interest, as it is responsible for binding to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. In this study, we used Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to …

Go to article

Memento Mori: Philosophy For The Actor, Edwin C. Green May 2023

Memento Mori: Philosophy For The Actor, Edwin C. Green

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores a philosophy whose goal is to fuel and protect the spirit of the working professional actor. This philosophy greatly inspired my one person show performance and will serve me in my future. Included in this paper will be my artistic philosophy, my resume, headshot, website, photos, and my one person show script, developed in the spring of 2022, titled“Memento Mori”.

Go to article

How Authentic Professional Development And Instructional Coaching Support The Successful Implementation Of Trauma-Informed Practices, Meleah Dannelle Hoskins May 2023

How Authentic Professional Development And Instructional Coaching Support The Successful Implementation Of Trauma-Informed Practices, Meleah Dannelle Hoskins

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study was to examine how authentic professional development and instructional coaching can support the successful implementation of trauma-informed practices at two elementary schools, School A and School B, in Ridgedale School District (pseudonym) (RSD). RSD is a small urban school district in Oklahoma. This study sought to identify the support teachers need to implement trauma-informed practices and the barriers that may affect the implementation. This mixed methods action research study encompassed evidence from multiple qualitative and quantitative data sources within the four phases of the action research spiral (Herr & Anderson, 2014). While utilizing …

Go to article

Investigating Effect Of Seed Source And Developing Germination Protocols To Improve Success In Restoration Of Arkansas Tallgrass Prairies, Rhiannon Spencerosa May 2023

Investigating Effect Of Seed Source And Developing Germination Protocols To Improve Success In Restoration Of Arkansas Tallgrass Prairies, Rhiannon Spencerosa

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

American tallgrass prairie has faced losses estimated at 87-98% of original land area since European settlement. Native seeds are often used to supplement struggling or extinct plant populations in tallgrass prairie restoration and establishment sites. Two main considerations in restoration and establishment are from where to source seed and how to obtain high germination rates. In order to determine the effect of seed source, a common garden experiment was performed in Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2022 with five prairie species: Andropogon gerardii (big bluestem), Bouteloua curtipendula (sideoats grama), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Schizachyrium scoparium (little bluestem), and Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass). Seed was …

Go to article

Health-Oriented Nonprofit Organizations: The Influence Of Framing And Altruism On Intention To Donate, Abbey Dilatush May 2023

Health-Oriented Nonprofit Organizations: The Influence Of Framing And Altruism On Intention To Donate, Abbey Dilatush

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the influence of framing and altruism on individuals' intentions to donate to a health-oriented nonprofit organization. One hundred ninety-three participants were recruited from social media to complete an experiment online. Participants reviewed fundraising messages using either a statistical frame or a narrative frame. Following the presentation of a fundraising message participants completed close-ended self-report scales to evaluate their perceptions of the ad, their intentions to donate, and their personal altruism. Results demonstrated there was a correlation between intention to donate and ad evaluation. Next, there was no relationship between altruism and intention to donate and neither frame …

Go to article

The Role Of Multiracial Identity On Chronic Health Conditions In The U. S.: Evidence From The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, Anna Ruth Jinlong Wahls May 2023

The Role Of Multiracial Identity On Chronic Health Conditions In The U. S.: Evidence From The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, Anna Ruth Jinlong Wahls

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Racial identity as it informs health disparities has largely been examined using monoracial groups and a binary framework. This study, informed by critical race theory and stress process theory, investigates the relationship between multiracial identity and health. Data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, a national telephone survey that collects health data on adult aged respondents, will be analyzed using a set of regression techniques. Specifically, the number of chronic health conditions reported by those identifying with more than one race will be compared to the number of conditions reported by monoracial individuals.

Go to article

Lgbtqia+ People And Religious Trauma, Cira Abiseid May 2023

Lgbtqia+ People And Religious Trauma, Cira Abiseid

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), intersex, and asexual people (LGBTQIA+) experience religious trauma caused by the harmful messaging often aimed at sexual and gender minorities. Identity dissonance can be created when LGBTQIA+ people find their religious and sexual or gender minority identities at odds with each other. A review of existing literature revealed themes of identity erasure, internalized homophobia, and resilience, but there was limited research involving this population. This qualitative study centers the voices of those who have experienced religious trauma based on their identities and works to understand their healing journeys. Fifteen LGBTQIA+ individuals participated …

Go to article

The Mental Health Experiences Of Daca Recipients And Non-Daca Recipients, Lizeth Ariana Guadalupe May 2023

The Mental Health Experiences Of Daca Recipients And Non-Daca Recipients, Lizeth Ariana Guadalupe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Millions of immigrant children without legal status grow up in the U.S. and aspire to live and thrive in American society. However, without legal status, they face challenges in integrating into society. Implemented in 2012, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was created to help immigrant youth integrate into society by providing them with work permits, facilitating educational opportunities, and protection from deportation. However, not all immigrant children qualify for DACA, and the recent legal challenges to DACA prohibit new applicants and put roughly 600,000 recipients in legal limbo. The research questions this study poses are 1.) How …

Go to article

Tangential Flow Treatment Of Poultry Processing Wastewater Using Stainless Steel Ultrafiltration Membrane, Saubana Olorunsola Dada May 2023

Tangential Flow Treatment Of Poultry Processing Wastewater Using Stainless Steel Ultrafiltration Membrane, Saubana Olorunsola Dada

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The current treatment of poultry processing wastewater (PPW) requires a large expanse of land, takes time, and requires chemical usage. The wastewater is typically treated prior to discharge. Apart from aiming to reuse the treated water for non-potable activities, this project aimed to reduce the footprint and time required for PPW treatment. To intensify the PPW treatment units, we studied the possibility of replacing dissolved air floatation (DAF) with a stainless steel ultrafiltration membrane (SSUF). Combined PPW from all processing units taken before the first DAF and the second DAF were used for this study with no pretreatment. The SSUF …

Go to article

Children’S Disclosure Of School Bullying: The Relation Between Peer Victimization, Internalizing Symptoms, Negative Affect, And Gender, Julia L. Kiefer May 2023

Children’S Disclosure Of School Bullying: The Relation Between Peer Victimization, Internalizing Symptoms, Negative Affect, And Gender, Julia L. Kiefer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Children who are bullied by their peers are at risk for several negative developmental outcomes and are therefore advised to tell an adult when they are. However, victims of school bullying are often reluctant to disclose to adults that they are being bullied. Some bullied children also experience symptoms of anxiety or depression, which could further reduce their likelihood of telling an adult. In this study, I tested the degree to which children’s internalizing symptoms predicted their likelihood of telling adults about being bullied at school, and if this relation was exacerbated by children’s negative feelings associated with telling an …

Go to article

Racialized Identity And Teacher Preparation: A Case Study Of Teacher Candidates Of Color, Karmen V. Bell May 2023

Racialized Identity And Teacher Preparation: A Case Study Of Teacher Candidates Of Color, Karmen V. Bell

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses the problem concerning the lack of Teacher Candidates of Color (TCOCs) in teacher education. It examines recruitment, support, and retention by identifying promises and pitfalls of diversifying the teacher pipeline through the voices of Students of Color (SOCs) who are already enrolled in teacher education. How race and racialization processes influence TCOCs was salient to the study. Through qualitative case study, the researcher explored the lived experiences of teacher candidates with racialized identities being prepared to teach within one Predominately White Institution (PWI). Using a Critical Race Theory framework, four research questions guided this study: (1) What …

Go to article

A Geospatial Assessment Of Turkey’S Military Campaigns Against The Autonomous Administration Of North And East Syria, Steven Lucas Escalante May 2023

A Geospatial Assessment Of Turkey’S Military Campaigns Against The Autonomous Administration Of North And East Syria, Steven Lucas Escalante

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In addition to hosting more Syrian refugees than any other nation, Turkey has played a significant role in the dynamics of the Syrian civil war since 2011 under President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. As the dynamics in the war shifted, so did Ankara’s focus towards the preferred ground forces of the Global Coalition for the fight against the Islamic State, who Ankara views as an extension of the PKK. In turn, this PYD-led de-facto Autonomous Administration has faced multiple Turkish ground invasions since 2016 and a continuing series of aerial attacks. A geospatial assessment of the Turkish-Syrian Democratic Forces border conflict …

Go to article

Design Approaches To Enhance Power Density In Power Converters For Traction Applications, Shamar Christian May 2023

Design Approaches To Enhance Power Density In Power Converters For Traction Applications, Shamar Christian

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a design strategy to increase the power density for automotive Power Conversion Units (PCUs) consisting of DC-DC and DC-AC stages. The strategy significantly improves the volumetric power density, as evident by a proposed PCU constructed and tested having 55.6 kW/L, representing an 11.2 % improvement on the Department of Energy’s 2025 goal of 50 kW/L for the same power electronics architecture. The dissertation begins with a custom magnetic design procedure, based on optimization of a predetermined C-core geometrical relationship and custom Litz wire. It accounts for electrical and thermal tradeoffs to produce a magnetic structure to best …

Go to article

Embracing The Ugliness A Director's Journey Into Yasmina Réza’S "God Of Carnage", Huan Thien Bui May 2023

Embracing The Ugliness A Director's Journey Into Yasmina Réza’S "God Of Carnage", Huan Thien Bui

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, I detail my involvement directing Yasmina Réza's God of Carnage as my thesis show. This paper comprehensively covers every stage of the production process, beginning with pre-production tasks such as selecting a title, holding auditions, conducting research, and analyzing the script. It also encompasses the production procedures, including design meetings, rehearsals, tech week, and performances, before concluding with post-production activities such as self-reflection and analyzing audience feedback. Furthermore, I discuss the various insights I've gained about theatre practice over my four-year program in terms of acting, directing, and producing. This paper also serves as an intropective journey, …

Go to article

The Cost Of Organizational Change For Rural Community Colleges, Randy Clayton Scaggs May 2023

The Cost Of Organizational Change For Rural Community Colleges, Randy Clayton Scaggs

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study will investigate the unintended consequences of implementing structural change in a rural community college in the mid-South region of the United States. Specifically, this study will examine the unanticipated outcomes of merging student affairs and academic affairs into one division. Scant empirical evidence exists about the benefits of this structural change or literature reviewing assessments of the unanticipated financial and nonfinancial costs to the institution. This critical case study is situated in a rural community college that recently changed its organizational structure by combining the academic and student affairs divisions. A purposeful sample, from different levels of …

Go to article

The Effects Of A Science Of Reading Professional Development Plan On Teachers’ Perceptions Of Content Knowledge And Self-Efficacy In Instruction: A Mixed-Methods Study, Mary K. Schaefer May 2023

The Effects Of A Science Of Reading Professional Development Plan On Teachers’ Perceptions Of Content Knowledge And Self-Efficacy In Instruction: A Mixed-Methods Study, Mary K. Schaefer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to measure the impact of a year-long professional development plan designed to support K-3 teachers in two elementary schools in making shifts to align instructional practices with the science of reading. This mixed methods approach incorporated an action research design to answer the following research questions: What was the relationship between teachers’ understanding of the foundational skills of reading and teachers’ confidence in teaching the foundational skills of reading? What impact does strategic and ongoing PD in the science of reading have on teachers’ practice? What are teachers’ perceptions of year-long professional development in …

Go to article

The Theatrical Lighting Design For The Production Of The Moors., Austin James Bomkamp May 2023

The Theatrical Lighting Design For The Production Of The Moors., Austin James Bomkamp

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis paper, The Theatrical Lighting Design for the Production of The Moors documents the process of the lighting design for the production of The Moors written by Jen Silverman and produced at the Fine Arts Center University Theatre by the University of Arkansas Department of Theater. This document includes the research, process, implementation, and evaluation of the theatrical lighting design for this play.

Go to article

Understanding The Support Local Movement From The Perception Of Generation Z In The Nwa Region, Daniela Medina May 2023

Understanding The Support Local Movement From The Perception Of Generation Z In The Nwa Region, Daniela Medina

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The support local movement is a growing trend within Generation Z, with that comes the need to understand marketing strategies Generation Z responds to best. As Generation Z is entering the workforce and purchasing their groceries there is a need to understand how this generation perceives the term local beef. There is currently little research in regard to Generation Z and their perceptions of local beef. This study aimed to fill a gap within research by conducting a qualitative study to gather rich data to understand Generation Z’s perception of the term local beef and what marketing strategies impacted them …

Go to article

Crafting The Brand: Characterizing Consumer Perspective Of Brand Equity Among Microbreweries In Northwest Arkansas, Alyssa Johnson May 2023

Crafting The Brand: Characterizing Consumer Perspective Of Brand Equity Among Microbreweries In Northwest Arkansas, Alyssa Johnson

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Craft beer and craft breweries are on the rise across the United States and more importantly, in Arkansas. Throughout the past two decades, craft beer has gained popularity in the state of Arkansas as the number of craft breweries have risen across the state. However, there is currently little literature on how branding in craft breweries in Northwest Arkansas is used to gain and retain loyal consumers. This study aimed to add to the academic literature and provide practical recommendations to practitioners on how brand equity is built among craft breweries in Northwest Arkansas, using qualitative interviews. Marketing strategies of …

Go to article

Using The Permah Model To Inform School Leadership Decisions To Promote Teacher Well-Being, Darlene M. Listro May 2023

Using The Permah Model To Inform School Leadership Decisions To Promote Teacher Well-Being, Darlene M. Listro

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the status of teacher well-being and offer suggestions for supporting a culture that cultivates the qualities of well-being. The PERMAH Workplace Survey was administered to measure teacher well-being in the workplace. The survey results provided data for addressing research question 1: What is the status of teacher well-being at Pleasant Valley Public Schools? Using research on well-being intervention strategies, suggestions were offered to answer research question 2: What can administrators do to support a culture that cultivates the qualities of well-being? This quantitative study analyzed survey results from 104 PreK-12 teachers in …

Go to article

Polymeric Biomaterials Approaches For Engineering The In Vitro Cellular Microenvironment For Mscs, Mahsa Letter-Mahsa Haseli May 2023

Polymeric Biomaterials Approaches For Engineering The In Vitro Cellular Microenvironment For Mscs, Mahsa Letter-Mahsa Haseli

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Cell therapy is a technology that relies on replacing diseased or dysfunctional cells with healthy functioning ones. One of the cells used for such advanced therapies are stem cells, owing to their ability to differentiate into specific cells required for repairing damaged or defective tissues or cells. The majority of cell-based products are intended to transiently persist in the patient, secreting factors which then allow the patient’s body to heal; in these products, the cells are subsequently eliminated from the body. Furthermore, unique manufacturing platforms, in addition to novel commercialization strategies, will be required to create a successful, sustainable cell …

Go to article

Political Speech: The Influence Of Speaker Sex And Verbal Aggression On Message Perception, Amanda Magusiak May 2023

Political Speech: The Influence Of Speaker Sex And Verbal Aggression On Message Perception, Amanda Magusiak

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study examined political messaging. More specifically, I considered the influence of the sex of the speaker and the use of verbal aggression on overall message perception. One hundred and six college-aged students read eight excerpts of political speech where sex of the speaker (male; female) and level of aggression (aggressive; nonaggressive) were manipulated. Participants then completed measures assessing their agreement with the political message, the speaker’s credibility, the speaker’s communicative appropriateness, and the speaker’s level of verbal aggressiveness. Results indicated that male and female political speakers were evaluated similarly on measures of agreeableness, credibility, and appropriateness. In addition, aggressive …

Go to article

Doctoral Students' Experiences Of Community Of Practice In A Hybrid Cohort-Based Program: A Case Study, Celeste Avery May 2023

Doctoral Students' Experiences Of Community Of Practice In A Hybrid Cohort-Based Program: A Case Study, Celeste Avery

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Graduate enrollment in the United States is increasing. With the advent of the cohort learning model and online delivery methods, adult learners now have greater access to higher education. The cohort learning model, which is based on elements of Community of Practice, has been shown to provide learners with a sense of community while also having a positive impact on retention. In a hybrid cohort-based learning model, many institutions provide the convenience of both online and face-to-face classes. Doctoral student attrition remains high, ranging from 40-50% across all programs, with rates as high as 70% in Education programs. The purpose …

Go to article

One-Person Show: Field Notes On Writing, Producing, And Performing My Own Work, Riley Newsome May 2023

One-Person Show: Field Notes On Writing, Producing, And Performing My Own Work, Riley Newsome

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an examination and journal for my process of writing my full-length one-person show Isolation, the organization and steps of producing it from scratch, and the preparation and performance of the show. It will also include the version of the Isolation used in the performance, a statement of artistry, some of my current acting materials such as a link to my website, a headshot, and a resume.

Go to article

But We’Re Heroes: The Use Of Tabletop Roleplaying Games As An Intervention For Social Anxiety In University Students, Allen F. Burnett May 2023

But We’Re Heroes: The Use Of Tabletop Roleplaying Games As An Intervention For Social Anxiety In University Students, Allen F. Burnett

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs) are an increasingly popular hobby. These games have been used to improve social skills and mental well-being. Social anxiety and isolation have become increasingly problematic on college campuses. Current methods for treating social anxiety, such as CBT and exposure therapy, have proven effective in treating social anxiety but have a high non-completion rate. The gamification of therapeutic interventions has proven to be a method to increase enrollment and retention in such interventions. Moreover, adding social skills reinforcement to exposure therapy has proven to be an effective treatment for social anxiety. A specifically designed Dungeons & Dragons …

Go to article

Starch Granule And Crystalline Structures With Relation To Enzyme Digestibility, Ana Isabel Gonzalez Conde May 2023

Starch Granule And Crystalline Structures With Relation To Enzyme Digestibility, Ana Isabel Gonzalez Conde

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Porous starch produced by enzyme hydrolysis has attracted much attention for its adsorption and delivery properties. Porous starch has been successfully prepared from A-type starch, but not from B-type and C-type starches, which is partly attributed to the surface and crystalline structure. The present study aimed to characterize the role of the crystalline structure and the structure-function relationship impacting the susceptibility of starch with different crystalline polymorphs to amylase digestion. The starches were subjected to chemical modification (acid hydrolysis or surface gelatinization), physical modification (heat-moisture treatment, HMT, or high-pressure processing, HPP) or their combinations prior to amylase digestion, and the …

Go to article

First-Principal Investigations Of The Electronic, Magnetic, And Thermoelectric Properties Of Crtirhal Quaternary Heusler Alloy, Shuruq Alsayegh May 2023

First-Principal Investigations Of The Electronic, Magnetic, And Thermoelectric Properties Of Crtirhal Quaternary Heusler Alloy, Shuruq Alsayegh

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Density functional theory calculations are performed to investigate the electrical electronic, magnetic, and thermoelectric properties of CrTiRhAl quaternary Heusler alloy (QHA). The type-I atomic configuration is found to be the most stable structure of this alloy. The CrTiRhAl QHA exhibits a half-metallic ferromagnetic structure with a narrow band gap at one spin channel (semiconductor), and a metallic behavior at the other spin channel. This corresponds to a 100% spin-polarization, making it ideal for potential spintronic applications. Applying the semi-classical Boltzmann theory, the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and electronic thermal conductivity of CrTiRhAl alloy were calculated. The predicted figure of merit …

Go to article

Dicamba Translocation And Metabolism In Susceptible Soybean And Evaluation Of Factors Contributing To Volatilization, Maria Leticia Zaccaro May 2023

Dicamba Translocation And Metabolism In Susceptible Soybean And Evaluation Of Factors Contributing To Volatilization, Maria Leticia Zaccaro

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The expansion of dicamba-resistant technology increased the use of dicamba in season and relocated the off-target movement towards the growing season, negatively affecting susceptible vegetation, such as soybean. This research aimed to understand different aspects of the off-target movement of dicamba and impact on susceptible soybean. A study determined the accumulation of dicamba in soybean seed (grain) when parental plants at the pod-filling stage were treated with 1/200 of a labeled rate of dicamba at 560 g ae ha-1 and radiolabeled herbicide used as a tracer. This research found that 44% of the total herbicide absorbed by the parent plants …

Go to article

The Silence In America’S Classrooms: The Portrayal Of Women And Gender In United States High School History Textbooks, Allie Elizabeth Morris May 2023

The Silence In America’S Classrooms: The Portrayal Of Women And Gender In United States High School History Textbooks, Allie Elizabeth Morris

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In the twenty-first century, the process of adopting statewide history textbooks has become a political battleground surrounding concepts of race, gender, and identity in American history. By contextualizing the current discussion surrounding content in American history textbooks, I examine the portrayal of women in secondary United States social studies textbooks from the 1960s to the 2010s. In doing so, I show how portrayals of women's history evolve in the most widely adopted high school post-Civil War American history textbooks in each decade from the 1960s through to the 2000s. By comparing the evolution of the women’s and gender historiography to …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last