Digital Commons Network^™

Multi Agent System Approach To Solve Distributed Energy Resource Allocation Problem To Increase The Stability And Reliability Of The Distribution System, Uditha Sudheera Navaratne

Open Access Dissertations

The modern power distribution system differs drastically from the conventional power distribution system. Smart grid and micro-grid technologies make the modern distribution system more complicated. In modern power distribution network two way power flow is possible due to the installation of distributed energy resources compared to the one way power flow from generation to consumer in conventional power distribution system. Utility companies had full control over the conventional power distribution system. With the more and more DERs in placed by privet sectors and some times by individual home owners managing the power distribution system becomes more and more complex. Maintaining …

Effects Of Online Brand Community On Value Creation Practices And Brand Loyalty: Mediating Effects Of Community Loyalty, Yongsoo Ha

Open Access Dissertations

Online brand community refers to a specialized, non-geographically bound, online group of consumers, based on social communications and relationships among brand’s consumers. This study has four objectives; (a) testing the effects of online brand community by a sum of community markers, (b) testing the effects of online brand community on value creation practices and brand loyalty, (c) testing the mediating effects of community loyalty in a relationship between value creation practices and brand loyalty, and (d) testing the effects of consumers’ motivation for participation on online brand community. A survey-based empirical study was conducted. Data were collected, using Amazon Mechanical …

The Thermomechanical Response Of Composite Energetic Materials Under High- And Low-Frequency Mechanical Excitations, Jacob Kress Miller

Open Access Dissertations

The preferential generation of heat within hidden explosive materials would be highly valuable to currently-existing explosives detection technologies, due to the associated increase in vapor pressure and thus concentration of detectable vapors. In this work, the thermomechanics of plastic-bonded explosives, propellants, and surrogates thereof are investigated due to their widespread adoption in improvised explosive devices. These classes of material consist of energetic crystals held within an inert plastic binding material. Understanding the composite nature of the material, two methods of heat generation are investigated: low-frequency excitation with wavelengths on the structural-scale and ultrasonic excitation with wavelengths on the crystal-scale.

Interactional Risks Associated With Parties To A Ppp Project, Rana Khallaf

Open Access Dissertations

Public private partnership (PPP) projects involve a variety of project governance structures. Common among all these varied structures is the long-term contractual period between multiple public and private entities. These entities include government, concessionaire and financier. The increased uncertainty of a long-term contract duration coupled with the involvement of multiple actors proves to be a challenge to developing risk mitigation strategies in PPP. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically collect, assess and frame the risks associated with these projects and explore associated dynamics.

Motivational Orientations Of American And Russian Learners Of French As A Foreign Language, Zoia Vinogradova

Open Access Dissertations

This study seeks to examine and compare motivational orientations of French learners across different dimensions: cultural background (USA vs. Russia), educational modality and age (college students vs. private courses learners), gender, and time of studying foreign language. 613 American and Russian learners of French completed the questionnaire addressing 10 motivational factors to study French language. Despite differences in nationality, age, educational background and learning experience, all groups of participants produced nearly identical motivational rankings. The rankings are topped by the Travelling orientation, which seems to be universally appealing, followed by the orientations within the Idealistic motivational cluster (Aesthetic Factors, Culture, …

Victim, Perpetrator And Bystander Perspectives: Vatiations In Language Usage, Empathy And Violence Sensitivity, Grisel M. García-Ramírez

Open Access Dissertations

The aim of the current research is to understand how different perspectives in a violent event can affect empathy, violence sensitivity, and word usage. Participants (N=289 University of Rhode Island undergraduate students) were randomly assigned to the perspective (victim, bystander, and perpetrator) and media by which they learned about a violent event (watching a video or reading a news article), and were asked to answer a few open-ended questions about the event, followed by a short survey. Results showed that for the words in the categories of negative emotion, anger, first person pronoun, and affective process, participants assigned to the …

The Impact Of A Student Success Course On Developmental Students' Retention, Brenda Renee Mcgill

Open Access Dissertations

This study uses longitudinal data from community college students enrolled in developmental reading classes to explore the impact of a success course on key momentum points and milestones. Working from an institutional database, a cohort of first semester students (N = 1,427) from a public community college in New England was tracked from fall 2007 through spring 2013. Developmental reading students enrolled in a newly-instituted success course (N = 359) were compared to peers who did not enroll in the course. Chi square analyses addressed the relationship between reading level and success course enrollment and between success course enrollment and …

Residential Mobility And Delinquent Behaviors In Adolescence, Brandi Parker Cotton

Open Access Dissertations

Residential mobility has been associated with a host of negative outcomes for children. For low-income families, the context of the move is often unrelated to significant gains; instead, mobility is driven by negative external forces. The term “residential instability” has been used to describe this type of mobility pattern, yet the concept is vague and poorly defined in extant literature. Three separate studies were conducted. Study 1 was a systematic review using The Guidelines for Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews of Observational Studies. Study 2 used the Wilsonian method to develop a definition of residential instability. Study 3 was an empirical …

Examining The Nature Of The Association Between Phonological Memory And Early Reading Development, Lily Elizabeth Hall Stella

Open Access Dissertations

Considerable research has been conducted examining the contribution of early phonological memory (PM) skills on later reading ability, whereas little has investigated whether early reading performance influences later PM, or whether there is a bi-directional relationship between these variables. A secondary dataset was used, containing a sample of 54 children tested across three time points during the fall of first grade (Time 1), spring of first grade (Time 2), and spring of second grade (Time 3), to assess the nature of the relationship between reading performance and PM. (Two simple PM measures were used in this study: pseudoword repetition and …

The Color Of Grammar And The Surface Of Language: 20th Century Avant-Garde Poetics In Gertrude Stein, Mina Loy, And Blaise Cendrars, Sarah E. Kruse

Open Access Dissertations

The study here arises from a long held interest in the philosophical works of Ludwig Wittgenstein and a preoccupation with the role and function of ordinary language. Examining the late work of Wittgenstein, and focusing on his last work, Remarks on Color, I connect the place of color within language and its fundamental role in our visual perception with an earlier idea of Wittgensteinian grammar. Grammar for Wittgenstein is not sets of rules or even descriptive rules as in linguistics, but a certain use and function of language that is as varied and multiple as humans are themselves. For Wittgenstein, …

Prescription Stimulant Misuse: The Relationship Between Executive Functioning And Academic Outcomes, Bailey Munro

Open Access Dissertations

Prescription stimulant misuse is a growing problem among college students. Students found to be at greatest risk for misusing prescription stimulants are those who are male, Caucasian, members of a fraternity or sorority, and who have a lower grade point average (GPA). The primary reason reported for stimulant misuse among college students is academic enhancement. Preliminary findings investigating executive functioning (EF) in college students has revealed that individuals with deficits in EF are more likely to have educational difficulties and take part in risky behavior, and that executive functions are substantially improved in students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and EF deficits …

Applying The Transtheoretical Model To Problematic Digital Game Use, Kyle Aaron Faust

Open Access Dissertations

The Transtheoretical Model (TTM) of Behavior Change has been applied to aplethora of different behaviors in an effort to allow individuals to reduce problem behaviors or increase healthy behaviors. One behavior that has not yet been applied to the TTM is problematic use of digital gaming. Although digital gaming is not necessarily a problem behavior, it can lead to problematic effects in a certain percentage of users. The purpose of this dissertation is to begin developing TTM measures to examine problematic digital game use and the impacts it can have on an individual’s life. A Decisional Balance and a Self-Efficacy …

The Antecedents And Consequences Of Consumption-Related Posting Behavior On Social Media, Jingyi Duan

Open Access Dissertations

Posting consumption items on social media has become a common consumer behavior. It represents a new type of word-of-mouth activity. This dissertation investigates the factors that contribute to consumption-related posting behavior (CPB) on social media and the influences of such behavior on how consumers enjoy their purchases. It offers evidence from six studies in support of a framework incorporating the antecedents and consequences of CPB on social media. Antecedents – intrinsic enjoyment of using social media, the motivation to express oneself through word-of-mouth and purchase type – positively predict the posting behavior. Experiential purchases are more likely to be posted …

“Missing A Crucial Asset”: Minoritized Students’ Experiences Of Race And Racism During The Internship, Diana M. Marshall

Open Access Dissertations

The call for engaging undergraduate students in internships is getting louder, not fading away. Undergraduate students are increasingly faced with experiential learning requirements that complement their studies and provide real world experience to increase marketability when looking for a job. This qualitative research study explores the experience of interns from racially minoritized populations to gain understanding of how racial microaggressions are experienced at this unique time. Research has shown that racial microaggressions are experienced in school environments (Beasley as reported in Jones, 2013; Burns, 2014; Davila, 2014; Solorzano, Ceja, & Yosso, 2000) and workplace environments (Flores, 2013; Gardner & Tyson, …

Piloting An Intervention To Provide Tailored Feedback On Health Behaviors To Adolescents In Pediatric Primary Care, Amy Adolfo Signore

Open Access Dissertations

Background:

The pediatrician’s office frequently provides the first opportunity for behavioral health intervention. However, pediatricians are limited in time, tools, and training to assess and treat behavioral health problems. Even a brief intervention Motivational Interviewing intervention more than doubles the length of a physical exam appointment. Studies investigating the usefulness of technology to assist with behavioral health interventions in pediatric primary care are limited, but one study found that technology was a feasible approach for use in pediatric primary care (Harris et. al., 2012). That study assessed for alcohol with computer technology and provided the findings to the attending physicians …

Kindergarten Story Retell: Considering The Influence Of Vocabulary On Quality Of Production, Sarah Hardy

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of the present study was to examine kindergarten student performance on a story retell task across at-risk and typically achieving groups (Intervention, Control, Reference) and language status (English-only, English-language learners). Additionally, the current study examined the relationship between vocabulary knowledge and the quality of production on a Story Retell task. Kindergarten students (n = 540) from twenty-two schools across Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Oregon completed a vocabulary program approximately 20 weeks in duration, including an additional vocabulary intervention for students in the Intervention group. Each student was assessed on vocabulary knowledge measures before and after completion of the …

Development And Validation Of The Assessment Of Racial Microaggressions In Academic Settings (Armas) Scale, Yarimar Ortiz-Frontera

Open Access Dissertations

Racial Microaggressions (RM) in academic settings can have pervasive effects on students of color, specifically in graduate programs. A national sample (N = 289) was collected from programs approved by APA in order to validate a newly developed Scale called Assessment of Racial Microaggressions in Academic Settings (ARMAS). An exploratory factor analyses was conducted which yielded eight factors: (1) Ascription of Intelligence, (2) Assumptions of being a foreigner, (3) Multicultural issues seen as not a priority and being treated differently (4) Invisibility/Felt ignored, (5) Assumptions about me and my work with clients/representing entire race, (6) Colorblindness, (7) Assumptions of professional …

Simultaneous Dynamic Optical Refraction And Biometry Of The Human Accommodative Response, Victor M. Hernandez

Open Access Dissertations

The ability of the crystalline lens to change shape and bring near objects into focus is known as accommodation. Over time, the deformability of the lens decreases, deteriorating near visual function. This condition is known as presbyopia. There are many ways in which presbyopia correction is addressed, but currently there does not exist a method capable of restoring a dynamic visual range. In order to better understand the accommodative process and evaluate future corrective approaches, we require a system capable of dynamically acquiring refraction and biometric information. The goal of this work was to design, develop, and test a system …

Coercive Diplomacy In The 21st Century: A New Framework For The "Carrot And Stick", Aida M. Perez

Open Access Dissertations

Coercive diplomacy has been utilized throughout history as a tool of foreign policy to present a peaceful alternative and means to curtail military intervention or escalation to warfare. It is a diplomatic method used by a country in which the application of economic sanctions or embargoes, as well as the use of force or military action, is threatened or hinted at in order to force another country to give in to a certain demand or not engage in a particular course of action. What has perplexed international theorists and policy makers is under what political circumstances or crisis conditions can …

Sparse Representation And Dictionary Learning For Biometrics And Object Tracking, Rahman Khorsandi

Open Access Dissertations

Biometrics attracted the attention of researchers in computer vision and machine learning for its use in many applications. We propose systems for face and ear recognition, gender classification and object tracking. First, we present a fully automated system for recognition from ear images based upon sparse representation. In sparse representation, extracted features from the training data is used to develop a dictionary. Classification is achieved by representing the extracted features of the test data as a linear combination of entries in the dictionary. In fact, there are many solutions for this problem and the goal is to find the sparsest …

Gender And General Strain Theory: An Examination Of The Role Of Gendered Strains And Negative Emotions On Crime, Aaron Michael Puhrmann

Open Access Dissertations

One of the predominant issues in the criminological study of gender and crime is the gender gap in crime. Women are much less involved in crime than men and are involved with different types of crimes. By integrating gender-specific theory with General Strain Theory (GST), this dissertation provides an explanation of female crime and the gender gap in crime. Gendered General Strain Theory (gendered-GST) argues that gender differences in negative life events (strains) and differences in negative emotions lead to distinct pathways to criminal offending. This dissertation empirically examines the different propositions of gendered-GST and whether they adequately explain female …

Educational Experiences Of Foster Care Youth With Disabilities, Vanessa A. Thorrington

Open Access Dissertations

Youth with disabilities who live in foster care face unique obstacles as compared with their peers who are non-disabled and not involved in the dependency system. Transition services delivered through their special education program during high school and at the culminating Individualized Education Plan meeting are designed to assist these youth in their transition. Few studies have focused on youth involved in both systems (special education and dependency) and on their transition from the education system. Even fewer studies have focused on the perspectives of the youth during this transition. This qualitative study, using case study design, focuses on two …

The Interactive Effects Of Beta-Alanine And Resistance Training On Muscular Endurance In Older Adults, Christopher Hayes Bailey

Open Access Dissertations

Muscular endurance is a major neuromuscular factor affecting independence and fall probability in older persons. PURPOSE: To determine the effects of sustained-release beta-alanine supplementation alone or in combination with a resistance training program on muscular and daily activity-based performances in older adults. METHODS: Twenty-seven subjects, 60-82 years of age, were randomly assigned to one of four groups for a 12-week intervention: 3.2g/day placebo without resistance training, 3.2g/day beta-alanine without resistance training, 3.2g/day placebo with resistance training, or 3.2g/day beta-alanine with resistance training. Before and after the intervention, subjects’ anthropometric, Physical Functional Performance 10, Senior Fitness and upper and lower body …

Exploring Black/White Biracial Female Therapists’ Perceptions And Meaning-Making In The Context Of Providing Therapy, Anna Wheatley Scarbriel

Open Access Dissertations

Individuals born to parents from two or more different racial groups are one of the fastest growing population groups in the United States, with Black/White biracials making up the largest proportion therein. This diversification has permeated the field of psychology and counseling, and people of mixed race will increasingly be clients, colleagues, supervisors, and supervisees. It is imperative that the field of counseling and psychology turn attention not only to serving/treating mixed race clients, but also to providing training and supervision to mixed race professionals. In particular, much work remains to better understand the significance and impact of a mixed …

Are Socioeconomic Status, School Environment, Body Mass Index, And Blood Pressure Related In An Ethnically Diverse Sample Of Adolescents? A Multilevel Approach, Erin N. Etzel

Open Access Dissertations

This study investigated how individual-level health behaviors as well as school-level socioeconomic status (SES) and school climate impact adolescent health outcomes. Most of the research supporting an association between adolescent health and social contextual factors has been conducted at the neighborhood-level. However, schools are also influential contexts in adolescents’ lives and their consideration in studies of adolescent health outcomes is warranted. The present research expands upon the existing literature in the area of school contextual effects on health, as it addresses these issues in an ethnically diverse sample of 84,165 adolescents using multilevel techniques to properly account for the nested …

Barriers To Treatment Adherence In Adolescents With Cystic Fibrosis: A Mixed-Methods Analysis, Katherine Ann Mclean

Open Access Dissertations

Poor treatment adherence is a significant challenge for patients, parents, and healthcare providers. Treatment adherence is a serious concern for adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF), a life-limiting genetic disorder affecting multiple organ systems. Although some barriers to adherence have been documented in CF, little is known about how these barriers interact at an individual level. The purpose of this study was to conduct a mixed-methods analysis of barriers to adherence reported by adolescents and young adults with CF and their parents. This study utilized qualitative interviews and quantitative measures of adherence and psychosocial functioning to identify key barriers in relation …

The Aspiration-Attainment Gap Of Black Students In The Health Professions, Michael Stout

Open Access Dissertations

This study investigated the under-representation of Black health care professionals through factors correlated with career attainment. The longitudinal design captured a 10-year period from the 10th grade until approximately age 26. This study represented the first correlational study of early adulthood predictors on health professions attainment. In a recent report by the AAMC (2014a), Black providers remained under-represented within the U.S. health care system. Under-representation of Black physicians correlated with lower cultural competency of care givers, inhospitable racial climate in the field, and an unequal quality of care for Black patients (Kaplan & Greenfield, 1996; Saha, Arbelaez, & Cooper, 2003; …

The Cultural Adaptation Of The Clinician-Administered Ptsd Scale For Spanish-Speaking Latinos With Limited English Proficiency In The United States, Maria Jose Rendon

Open Access Dissertations

In this study, I conducted an empirically-based adaptation of the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-5; Weathers, Blake, Schnurr, Marx, & Keane, 2013b) for Spanish-speaking Latinos with limited English proficiency (LEP). The sample utilized cross-cultural equivalence guidelines posited by the Cultural Equivalence Model (Canino & Bravo, 1994; Flaherty et al., 1988) to achieve content, semantic, and technical equivalence between the Spanish adaptation of the CAPS-5 and its original English version. This process entailed seven steps: (a) the forward translation by a native Spanish speaker, (b) revision by a panel of bilingual Latino mental health professionals (n = 3), (c) revision …

Exploring The Role Of Feedback And Its Impact Within A Digital Badge System From Multiple Perspectives: A Case Study Of Preservice Teachers, Erin D. Besser

Open Access Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to examine the role feedback plays within the instructional process, and how students are using feedback to inform their course work within Digital Badge contexts. Educators are looking toward Digital Badges as a way to increase student engagement (Abramovich et al., 2013; Glover & Latif, 2013), develop mastery with critical concepts (Mehta et al., 2013), and reduce gaps in student knowledge (Bowen & Thomas, 2014; Guskey, 2007). Feedback is emphasized as a critical component (Bloom, 1968, 1976; Guskey, 2007; Kluger & DeNisi, 1996; Slavin & Karweit, 1984). Instructors need to be able …

Domestic Violence Practitioners' Use Of Research Evidence: Attitudes And Organizational Social Context, Krithika Malhotra

Open Access Dissertations

Social services providers in the field of domestic violence (DV) are under increased pressure to have their clinical practices and programs be informed by research evidence. To date, however, it is unclear if DV practitioners are using research evidence in their work and little is known about the various attitudinal and organizational factors that may be associated with their use and ignoring of research. This study was conducted to help fill-in some of these knowledge gaps. A national sample of 206 DV practitioners (92% women, 64% white, mean age 42) completed the Practitioners Use of Research Survey, an online survey …