Digital Commons Network^™

Influence Of Thermophilic Biofilms On Proliferation Of Opportunistic Pathogens In Domestic Water Systems, Olajumoke Akinbami

Masters Theses

Domestic hot-water systems quietly grow biofilms under elevated temperatures that can serve as shelter to Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens. Although focus has been placed on microbes in domestic systems, there has been no clear conclusion on the mechanism of survival and persistence of opportunistic pathogens despite various disinfection strategies. In this study, we determined the distinction between showerhead and drip-flow biofilms at the whole-community level and analyzed the coexistence of thermotolerant organisms with opportunistic genera, such as Legionella. We sampled eight showerheads and simulated four biofilm samples in the laboratory using the drip-flow biofilm reactor.

We observed a strong …

Improving The Operator-Swarm Dynamic Under Mental Fatigue Constraints In Search And Rescue Operations, Jordan Morrow

Masters Theses

"Human-robot applications that allow for work to be done remotely are largely dependent on the lassitude of the operators. The exhaustion of these operators is a result of work completion and duration. Previous research attempts to evaluate the impact on reaction by quantiying human weariness. This paper examines how human weariness affects the human-robot dynamic in UAV-assisted search and rescue missions. An explanation of the connection between mental exhaustion and operator responsiveness over prolonged durations is provided by the search and rescue operations using UAV swarms (SAROUS) model. Through the use of artificial intelligence, SAROUS is modernized. This allows the …

Son Of A Preacher Man: There Is Something Beautiful Waiting To Be Born Within You, Georgia Peddie

Masters Theses

In moments where we feel that there is nowhere to go, to turn…in the aftermath of a personal storm, there is One who is always there. Open your heart to discover, dare to surrender…

Are second chances meant for everyone?

A woman who has lost her only son, lost her marriage…

A man who lost a best friend and then his father…

A God of second chances introduces the two

A story of grief and love…

A story of letting God in to move forward…

Son of a Preacher Man is a love story exploring loss, love, and surrender.

Set …

George Butterworth’S Musical Contribution To A.E. Housman’S A Shropshire Lad And Bredon Hill And Other Songs, Brenden M. Smith

Masters Theses

​George Butterworth and A.E. Housman were highly influential scholars at the turn of the 20th century. Both men were well known for contributing to folk genres in their corresponding fields. Many famous composers implemented Housman's works, the most conspicuous of which was Butterworth. The composer was tragically killed in World War I in 1916, and today, two song cycles of his remain, both are the poetry of A.E. Housman.

​Butterworth's Shropshire Lad cycles are some of the less-performed works in our classical repertory today because Butterworth abandoned most of his works during World War I. The following paper will give …

Mundane And Magical: How Studio Ghibli Adapts Female Protagonists Toward Gendered Narrative Reconstruction, Lauren F. Frymire

Masters Theses

This paper explores the literary significance of film adaptations, specifically focusing on Studio Ghibli's adaptations of children's novels. Through examining the themes of self-discovery, transformation, and cultural representation in films like *Kiki's Delivery Service*, *Tales from Earthsea*, and *Howl's Moving Castle*, it discusses how Ghibli’s choice of young female protagonists connects with both their original audiences and broader cultural narratives. Drawing on Carl Jung’s theory of the unconscious, Linda Hutcheon's theory of adaptation, and Mariah Chiara Oltolini’s insights on mass media adaptations, the study argues that these films successfully preserve the "magic" of their source material while offering unique, culturally-infused …

Music Sight-Reading Systems In Secondary Choral Education, Savanna N. Hagerty

Masters Theses

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to demonstrate the effects of various music reading systems in the context of secondary choral education by exploring the incorporation of the chosen system, determining the benefits of student’s musical understanding and performance because of that system, and defining how various music reading systems compare to one another. The data will be drawn from the survey of middle and high school chorus educators in the 14th District of the Georgia Music Educators Association. The importance of this study is that it will present the impact associated with specific sight-reading methods as they …

Sixth Grade Music Composition Unit: A Second Semester Curriculum For Georgia’S Middle School Choral Students, Michaelyn Cortez Findley

Masters Theses

This research presents a music composition curriculum unit designed for middle-school choral students in Georgia, aligned with the state's Standards of Excellence in Music. The unit emphasizes composing, revising, and integrating technology, with a focus on a spiral curriculum that builds upon students' prior knowledge. Key elements include solfege, Takadimi rhythms, call-and-response melodies, and folk songs, providing a comprehensive framework for learning. MuseScore, a music notation software, is used as the primary tool for students to develop and notate their compositions progressively.

The research identifies a gap in resources for teaching composition to choral students with existing musical knowledge and …

The Choir Effect: A Case Study On Adolescent Boys’ Academic Self-Confidence, Dedrick L. Guyton

Masters Theses

Realizing the cognitive and social benefits of choral participation in early adolescent boys may be critical in understanding their academic self-confidence. This qualitative research study examines large public school choral ensemble participation and the academic self-confidence of boys between the ages of twelve and fourteen. Previous studies on formal music education in children suggest that active music participation has academic and social benefits. However, research has not addressed the effects of early music exposure on adolescent boys who sing in a large public school choral ensemble. The research illustrates the experiences of approximately 20 twelve-to-fourteen-year-old male choral ensemble members within …

Beyond The Uncanny Valley: A Tradigital Strategy For Emotional Connection In 3d Animation, Alan Gregory Wyatt

Masters Theses

This thesis investigates Tradigital art - combining the aesthetics of traditional animation with the optimization of digital 3D animation. This cross-disciplinary study investigates how traditional artistry can still be preserved and enhanced in modern digital workflows without causing the emotional disconnect often found in the "Uncanny Valley" of contemporary 3D animation. This research, based on a literature review, case studies, and visual analyses, identifies elements of traditional 2D animation that can still enrich digital 3D animation without compromising the flow and optimization of the pipeline in many studios. Research shows that the utilization of both methods has the potential to …

The Other War: The Evolution Of United States Psychological Warfare In The Vietnam War From 14 May 1965 To 11 September 1966, Brandon J. Libro

Masters Theses

The creation of the Joint United States Public Affairs Office (JUSPAO) on 14 May 1965 revitalized the psychological warfare (PSYWAR) campaign in Vietnam after decades of post-World War II drawdown and initiated a more targeted and efficient employment of psychological operations (PSYOP) throughout the American war effort. To understand the evolution of Vietnam-era PSYOP, it is imperative to explore the United States military’s implementation of PSYWAR and analyze how it changed throughout the conflict. The challenges the United States faced conducting the “other war” in Vietnam were evident from the start of its involvement in Vietnam, and the PSYWAR effort, …

The Impact Of The Virginia Department Of Education On Music Education During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Erica S. Denham

Masters Theses

This research was to identify how the Virginia Department of Education handled Music Education during the COVID-19 pandemic. When proper support from the Department of Education is given, music educators can run their programs efficiently without doing much research on their own. By examining the COVID-19 policies and procedures created by the Virginia Department of Education, this qualitative study investigated how much emphasis was put on the unique needs of an education in music. Therefore, this investigation examined these policies and procedures to note in what ways music education was taken into special consideration. This study explored three distinct phases …

Jesus's Use Of "Woman" In The Fourth Gospel, Cori Mcgrew

Masters Theses

In John's Gospel, Jesus uses the word "woman" in surprising ways: to address his mother at the wedding in Cana and at the Cross, to address a woman in Samaria, in a parable about a woman giving birth in his Final Discourse, and finally, to address Mary Magdalene at the garden tomb. This thesis uses the unusual way Jesus addresses his mother in the Fourth Gospel as a catalyst to find a connection between all five uses of "woman" by Jesus in John's Gospel, concluding that these instances evoke creation imagery, in particular of Genesis 3:15. The allusion to Genesis …

Update The Console: Educating The Next Generation About The Benefits/Problems Of Video Games, Nicholas A. Del Rio

Masters Theses

Video games have changed since the late 90s and early 2000s. Technology has advanced, graphics have gotten more detailed, stories and narratives have become more intricate, and gameplay has become more involved. Gaming nowadays is much more accessible, popular, well-known, and widespread compared to back then. It is important to not only know about the roots of video games, but also how it has changed over the years. With many new advancements comes many new benefits and problems. This research covers how video games affect the new generation of gamers, especially children, compared to the older generation of gamers, along …

When Books Come Alive: Crafting A Clean Book-To-Screen Adaptation Worth Watching, Larah C. Cox

Masters Theses

The Things We Leave Unfinished is a screenplay adaptation of the novel of the same name by Rebecca Yarros. In this story, audience members will watch as the characters fall in love during both World War II and the present time, and experience how these themes become unbreakable family ties and strong women. This thesis, due to the importance of availability of clean entertainment for Christians to enjoy, explores what is necessary for a filmmaker to provide that kind of film, and seeks to find the answers in what makes a book-to-screen adaptation successful and worthy of an audience (both …

Musical Flow: An Analysis On Optimizing Yoga Sequences For Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms In Choral Teachers, Vanessa Adams

Masters Theses

This qualitative study identified work-related musculoskeletal symptoms that middle and high school choral teachers experienced and identified yoga asanas that may mitigate the physical imbalances that lead to those musculoskeletal symptoms. Previous studies have focused on musculoskeletal symptoms in instrumentalists, conductors, and vocalists. However, a choral teacher’s work includes all those jobs and requires unique tools curated for their work demands. Self-care can be more easily facilitated when tools that fit the specific needs of choral teachers are available. Proper self-care may lead to reduced musculoskeletal symptoms and improved holistic health. Yoga asanas, which target the most reported areas of …

You're With Me While I Wait, Emily Williams

Masters Theses

The provided thesis is a compilation of an artistic statement, critical paper, and chapters of a novel which I have crafted during my MFA program. In essence, this thesis reflects all I have learned in my academic endeavors to this point and how those endeavors have encouraged my creativity.

For the artist statement, I share the creative process behind my manuscript, including the “why” of glorifying God with my writing that has fed the chapters for my novel. My critical paper highlights the craft element of medical theme weaved throughout the story. I examine the inclusion of medicine in literary …

Mixed Race Futurity Through Contemporary Archetypes: Mutants, Cyborgs And Dhampirs, Kobe Jackson

Masters Theses

Analysis of Enlightenment philosphes reveals how the contemporary archetypes, mutants, cyborgs and dhampirs may be situated as sources for understanding mixed race positionality. Arranged on a trajectory of hybrid mythology reaching from ancient times into the present day, their contemporary relevance is put into context. Through modern speculative fiction, historical mythology and the theoretical frameworks of sociology, and philosophy, two tropes are revealed to be imposed roles for mixed race people. The first one, the tragic hybrid is a term which references a character specific to the context of American colonial slavery, the tragic mulatto. By reframing the term, tragic …

The Apostle Paul's Teaching On Life After Death: A Model Of Christ's Life, Death, And Resurrection, Keri A. Thompson

Masters Theses

There are many questions and differing views surrounding what happens to the soul after death. Through his letters collected in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul offers insight into the existence of the believer's soul in an intermediate state following death and prior to the resurrection of the body. Through a brief overview of Old Testament teachings on the subject, Jewish views on life after death during the intertestamental period, and common Greek thought on the body and soul, the possible presuppositions and influences on the Apostle Paul's view of life after death and the intermediate state are uncovered. Detailed …

A Study On Private Piano Curriculum Using Edwin Gordon’S Music Learning Theory, Cody Chandler

Masters Theses

This quantitative descriptive research study addresses the deficiencies in modern piano educational literature pertaining to aural development at the earliest stages of piano education. Contemporary piano methodologies often prioritize music notation over aural skill development during the initial stages of instruction. This study addresses this imbalance, offering insights into curriculum selection based on its influence on competition performance scores, music theory exam results, and student retention. The participants in this study are 329 piano students who began lessons between kindergarten and twelfth grade selected from five qualified piano teachers from 2010-2024. Data was collected by recording competition and festival scores, …

Graphic Design And Automation, Ellen Fixsen

Masters Theses

This research examines the use of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and DIY-centric template tools in the area of graphic design and how they affect businesses using them for branding and visuals, and how that impacts the graphic design industry. Although the use of AI in graphic design is a fairly new trend, the technology has been developing over the last several decades, if not longer. With AI definitely here to stay, it has become vital to explore how businesses and designers will move forward and utilize the tools it offers. Incorporating historical and statistical evidence, professional insights, case studies, …

Mindful Design For Adolescent Minds: Moving Away From Digital Hook Models To Mindful Innovation Models, Donald R. Hendriksen

Masters Theses

In the domain of digital technology, an ethical issue surfaces from the design of user interfaces and applications tailored for adolescent users. Techniques frequently incorporated into these targeted systems, such as continuous scrolling, rewards for uninterrupted use, and game-like features, are increasingly linked to addictive inclinations in adolescents. Central to this issue is the stimulation these apps provide for the dopamine system. Adolescents, being in a vital phase of psychological growth, are especially vulnerable to the dangerous consequences of such designs. These effects are extensive and include a perceptible drop in academic achievement, a weakening of relational skills, and an …

Co2 Capture Utilizing Novel Deep Eutectic Solvents: Modeling, Process Simulation, And Cost Analysis, Nazneen Aspi Kolah

Masters Theses

One of the most pressing global issues that humans face is climate change caused by anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, especially carbon dioxide (CO2). Conventional solvents utilized for CO₂ capture, such as amines, are widely used in industrial applications due to their high CO2 absorption capacity. However, deep eutectic solvents (DES) have attracted a lot of academic attention recently due to their biodegradability and low energy for regeneration.

This research serves as a foundational proof-of-concept for using DESs in industrial gas separation processes. Five DES are evaluated for CO2 removal from flue gases. Aspen Plus is utilized to simulate the performance …

Computational Modeling In A Calculus-Based Physics Lab: Students’ Problems And Successes In Physics 2060, Abigail Sophia Flowers

Masters Theses

In the past few decades, computational modeling skills have become essential for students who want to pursue careers in physics or engineering. This issue of how to incorporate these skills into students' learning has become an important one because students in these degrees are already required to take several cognates outside of their chosen major. In 2018, Western Michigan University’s physics department decided to take on this issue by reformatting their introductory calculus-based physics labs to include computational modeling within the labs. The labs were first run in the Fall of 2018 and then were improved in spring 2019. When …

Assessment Of Pedestrian Safety At Roundabout Slip Lanes: A Study On Design Configurations And Surrogate Safety Measures, Norran Kakama Novat

Masters Theses

The implementation of slip lanes at roundabouts has been widely adopted to improve traffic flow and reduce vehicle conflicts. However, the presence of slip lanes introduces significant risks for pedestrians, influencing vehicle speeds, merging behaviors, and increasing the potential for pedestrian-vehicle conflicts. This study investigates pedestrian safety at roundabouts with various slip lane designs, focusing on their impact on vehicle speeds, pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, and yielding behavior. Also, the study evaluates commonly used surrogate safety measures by employing extreme value models to assess their efficiency.

The study addresses two primary objectives: (1) analyzing the effects of different slip lane configurations on …

Machine Learning And Evaluation Of Diabetes Risk Using 2022 Brfss Data, Addie Weaver

Masters Theses

This research analyzes Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data from 2022 with three machine learning models, Neural Network, Random Forest, and Support Vector Machine, to determine and compare the models’ accuracy rate of diabetes prediction. Principal Component Analysis was employed to determine principal factors of diabetes risk. Results show that the Neural Network is most accurate at 90.09 percent at predicting diabetes. Factors increasing diabetes risk include alcohol consumption, smoking, and self-perceived mental and physical health.

Understanding The Performance And Perception Of Odawa Warfare, 1615–1700, Eric P. Morningstar

Masters Theses

This research employs the ethnohistorical method to explore how the Odawa people perceived and carried out warfare from 1615 to 1700. While historians have examined the Odawa, these Native peoples have frequently not been the central focus in the secondary literature. Many primary sources also offer a vague answer as to how the Odawa conceived and carried out warfare. This study aims to clarify historiographical inconsistencies by quantitatively analyzing a database, constructed by the author, of specific primary references to known hostilities between the Odawa, other Native groups, and Europeans. The analysis includes specific variables germane to hostilities such as …

The Case Mountain Cases: Escapism Through Alternate Worlds, Monsters, And Environment In Fiction, Jerry J. Hewitt

Masters Theses

This thesis began with the idea of horror and science fiction novel’s ability to provide readers with a sense of escape in exploring alternative worlds through descriptions of scary monsters and brooding environments. The location of my manuscript takes place in real-life hiking area in Connecticut called Case Mountain, which I have been hiking in since I was a child. Throughout my life, I have always had a fascination with the folklore and ghost stories surrounding Connecticut, and much of my writing has always had a focus on sharing these tales and providing readers with the ability to escape their …

The Need For Accurate [And Respectful] Depictions Of Mental Illness In Fiction, Jacequlyn L. Mills

Masters Theses

This thesis seeks to address the ongoing misrepresentation of mental illness in popular media, specifically within film, television, and literature. The power of the media is instrumental in public perception, and the ongoing negative misinformation and inaccuracy of mental illness those who are affected by it in media is instrumental in spreading harmful stereotypes and stigma. This affects not only the way that the general public views mental illness but also the way those with mental illness view themselves as well as their desire to seek help. I use these forms of media to showcase both the negative and positive …

Moral Injury In Military Corrections, Jeremy Ryder Meyers

Masters Theses

Over the past thirty years moral injury has been a topic of concern regarding the behavioral and spiritual health of military members. Part of that work has given a voice to Vietnam veterans and the events they faced while in combat. Some of these events were acts of betrayal at the hands of another military member or their own. This act led to an injury to their moral code. Military chaplains may have morally injured soldiers in need of pastoral care as they serve. This includes soldiers working the military prisons like the United States Disciplinary Barracks in Fort Leavenworth. …

Stories Of The Re-Awakening, Joseph Cecil Broadbent

Masters Theses

The Present piece takes a look at the realms of the fantastical and vital elements that help to create a best seller. The creative piece is a brief look into a hopefully soon to be published Fantasy/Science Fiction Young Adult Teenage series. Brief insights are followed by a prologue and four book beginnings to welcome the reader into its world.