Digital Commons Network^™

Unboxing The Black Box: Graph-Based Interpretability In Transformer Models, Ramak Nassiri

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces a novel interpretability framework for transformer encoder models by hypothesizing that their internal embedding updates define a state transition system. We propose that transformers implicitly learn token-to-token influence dynamics, which can be analyzed using graph-theoretic methods. To validate this, we construct transition graphs from embedding changes and rank token importance using the PageRank algorithm. We develop two transformer models from scratch: a self-supervised model that incorporates serotype tokens to learn contextualized embeddings, and a supervised model initialized with these embeddings. Cosine similarity analysis of their token influence patterns reveals strong structural alignment, with values exceeding 93%. This …

Augmenting Healthcare Communication: Context-Aware Ai Frameworks For Clinical Decision Support And Automated Summarization, Subash Neupane

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare communication is plagued by fragmented medical knowledge, patient misunderstanding of care plans, and clinician burnout from documentation burdens. These inefficiencies cost the U.S. healthcare system over $300 billion annually due to preventable nonadherence and administrative waste [47, 19]. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology like Large Language Models (LLMs) offer potential solutions, existing systems fail to deliver personalized, context-aware guidance or automate documentation without sacrificing accuracy. This dissertation addresses these gaps through three novel context-aware AI frameworks such as MedInsight, ClinicSum, and ClinicDuo. MedInsight leverages a multi-source context augmentation approach to synthesize patient centric medical responses by integrating Electronic Health …

Decision-Making And Execution Skill Estimation In Continuous Action Space Domains, Delma I. Nieves-Rivera

Theses and Dissertations

In many real-world domains with continuous action spaces, an agent’s performance is driven by two key factors: its decision-making skill, or ability to select high-quality actions, and its execution skill, or precision in carrying out these actions. However, accurately evaluating these skills, particularly when direct information about the agent’s intentions is unavailable, remains a challenging problem. This research addresses this need by developing a theoretical framework and proposing novel estimation methods to assess both decision-making and execution skills based solely on observable data: executed actions and their associated rewards. The work consists of six core studies focused on developing and …

In Good Times & Bad: Measuring Ambivalence In Custodial Grandparents, Marin Gail Olson

Theses and Dissertations

Like other forms of caregivers, custodial grandparents experience both the joys and trials of raising their grandchildren. This culmination of positive and negative feelings is called “caregiver ambivalence." It has only recently been studied in relation to caregiver burden and wellness in the form of caregiver ambivalence theory (CAT). By collecting data from approximately 395 custodial grandparents via an online survey, the current study aimed to test if custodial grandparents’ feelings of burden influence their perceived well-being and if feelings of ambivalence mediate this relation. Implications of this research include identifying areas of strength and growth within custodial grandparents and …

Motivating Factors Leading To Job Satisfaction Of Teacher Assistants And Their Perceptions Of Such, Jon Oswalt

Theses and Dissertations

This research study investigated the role perceptions, motivating factors, and perceptions of job satisfaction from the perspective of elementary teacher assistants. While key in the field of education, research focused on the position of teacher assistant is lacking, suggesting the need for a critical view of the role. A qualitative study was designed to examine the key components of the perceptions of job satisfaction, the motivating factors leading to it, and the perceptions of the position through the lens of the teacher assistant. Five elementary teacher assistants from a single school in a southern state participated in semi-structured interviews. Key …

The Effectiveness Of Positive Behavioral Interventions And Supports (Pbis) In Title I Secondary Schools, Robyn Rush-Grace

Theses and Dissertations

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is grounded in behaviorist theories, particularly Skinner's operant conditioning, which suggests that positive reinforcement can shape behavior over time. PBIS uses a tiered system to address student behavior, providing universal support for all students (Tier 1), targeted interventions for students who need more support (Tier 2), and intensive, individualized interventions for the few students who exhibit the most significant behavioral challenges (Tier 3). The literature on PBIS generally supports its effectiveness in reducing office discipline referrals, suspensions, and expulsions, as well as improving student behavior and overall school climate. Research specific to Title 1 …

Advancing Rangeland Vegetation Mapping Through Integrated Uav And Satellite Imagery: A Comparative Machine Learning Framework For Fractional Cover Classification, Nishat Shermin

Theses and Dissertations

This study presents a multi-scale remote sensing framework to classify fractional vegetation cover (FVC) across rangelands by integrating UAV multispectral imagery, LiDAR structural data, and multisource satellite inputs. Four machine learning models, ranging from UAV-only to fused UAV-LiDAR-Sentinel models, were developed and evaluated using Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithms. The research was conducted at Martin Ranch, Texas, using Uncrewed Ariel Vehicle (UAV)-collected multispectral imagery, LiDAR-derived canopy height, and Sentinel-1/2 indices. Model 2 (UAV + LiDAR) emerged as the optimal model for balancing accuracy, processing time, and compatibility with ecological simulation tools. This model captures both spectral …

Detection, Occupancy, And Abundance Of Vultures In Mississippi, Jonathan Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine influences of tree cover, light pollution, average ambient air temperature, and roadkill abundance on Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) and Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) detection, occupancy, and abundance within Mississippi. Data was collected via road surveys. Highways were selected as transects of 290 m in length to survey for vultures and roadkill. The locations of detected vultures were GPS marked. To evaluate relationships of vulture detection, occupancy, and abundance with the covariates, I used dynamic occupancy models and open binomial N-mixture models. Average ambient air temperature had a positive relationship with Black Vulture …

Mastering Skills Together: Effects Of Video Modeling On Parent-Implemented Academic Intervention, Chelsea S. Thorpe

Theses and Dissertations

Reading proficiency is a fundamental skill for academic success and long-term developmental outcomes. Yet, despite ongoing efforts to strengthen literacy education, a significant number of students continue to face reading difficulties that hinder comprehension, critical thinking, and overall academic achievement. National data demonstrate the urgency of this issue. The 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) reported that 40% of fourth-grade students and 33% of eighth-grade students scored below the Basic level in reading, marking the highest rate on record for eighth graders. Early reading challenges can often lead to other academic and psychosocial challenges such as low achievement, low …

Estimating Reliability Of Electric Vehicle Charging Ecosystem Using Principle Of Maximum Entropy, Himanshu Tripathi

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis addresses the challenge of estimating electric vehicle (EV) charging system reliability against unpredictable threats like cyberattacks and extreme weather, where traditional methods fail. We utilize the Principle of Maximum Entropy (PME), a statistical tool that provides unbiased risk estimates using limited information. Applied to the EV charging ecosystem, our case study shows how PME models stress factors to predict failures and optimize maintenance. This approach extends beyond EVs to other complex systems with scarce data, such as smart grids or healthcare devices. By linking uncertainty directly to reliability, PME offers a universal method to improve decision-making under unpredictable …

Academics Vs Athletics: Prioritizing The Students In Student-Athletes And The Importance Of Their Return To The Classroom, Stephen Walker

Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) aims to enhance student- athletes' educational experiences but Law 6.5.1 inadvertently causes students to miss 300 hours of academic instruction annually. This dilemma forces school districts to choose between robust sports programs and rigorous academic schedules, ultimately creating a disadvantage for students. While participation in sports has been linked to improved academic performance, the current structure disproportionately allocates resources to athletics over academics, with only 51% of schools offering after-school academic programs compared to 77% for sports. This paper discusses the benefits of sports, including higher attendance and graduation rates, but also highlights …

An Examination Of Potential Occupational Horizons And Site Integrity Through Site Formation Processes At Aklis, St. Croix, Jesse Weaver

Theses and Dissertations

The Aklis Site, located in the Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge on St. Croix, contains both an artifact-dense shell midden and numerous human burials actively eroding into the Caribbean Sea. Here I examine the records and collections from the site through the lens of site formation theory to ask: (1) Are there detectable occupational horizons within the midden?; (2) To what extent have cultural and non-cultural transforms affected the integrity of the midden? and; (3) If detected, are these occupational horizons of sound enough integrity to allow for future radiocarbon dating that might clarify culture chronology for the greater West …

Optical Trapping For The Study Of The Chemical And Physical Dynamics Of Single Particles, Yukai Ai

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the combined technique of optical trapping and Raman spectroscopy (OT-RS) to study the physical and chemical properties, as well as the dynamic surface changes, of single aerosol particles in air. The study covers a wide range of aerosol types, including bioaerosols (such as pollen, bacteria, and fungi), dust particles (such as black carbon, terrestrial, and extraterrestrial materials), and liquid droplets (such as sea-spray aerosols). The optical trapping system used in this work is based on the universal optical trap (UOT), which is capable of trapping and manipulating a wide variety of particle types. These include both transparent …

When Quitting Isn't An Option: Learner Perceptions Of Persistence Factors In A Faith-Based Online Global English As An International Language Course, Heather Porter Ugege

Theses and Dissertations

This paper explores the perceptions of learners in an online, global, faith-based, English as an international language (EIL) course. The course is designed to help students with limited access to educational opportunities develop English skills and prepare for enrollment in an online university. Since its launch, course enrollment, retention, engagement, and completion metrics have shown significant gains year over year. However, the number of learners in the course who have met all course completion criteria is still limited. This inquiry aims to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing learner persistence from the perspectives of both course completers and …

Perceptions Of Trauma-Informed Care Training For Teachers In Early Childhood Education Settings, Molly Michelle Michaels

Theses and Dissertations

The maltreatment of children is currently a global health priority (Chamberlain et al., 2019). By the age of 16, over two-thirds of children report having experienced at least one traumatic event (Toof et al., 2020). Exposure to childhood trauma can negatively impact brain development, leading to problems functioning across community, home, and school settings (Burke Harris, 2018). In response, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration developed a framework for trauma-informed care to address the significant impact of trauma on individuals (Loomis, 2018). However, few studies exist that explore the use of trauma-informed care practices in early childhood education …

Consequences Of The Double Empathy Problem Within The Clinical Environment: A New Model For Neuroinclusive Care, Sofia Jimenez

Theses and Dissertations

As diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rise, the neurodiversity and autistic self-advocacy movements have challenged traditional deficit-based clinical models and called for more inclusive, affirming approaches to care. Recent research disputes the long-held belief that autistic individuals have deficits in perspective-taking, revealing that miscommunication between autistic and neurotypical individuals results from mutual misunderstanding, a concept known as the double empathy problem (DEP; Milton, 2012), with the triple empathy problem (TEP) extending this framework to healthcare settings. Our study investigates the consequences of the DEP and TEP within clinical environments, focusing on interactions between neurotypical speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and adult …

Coding For Nonstandard Channels: A Capacity-Oriented Approach, J Daniel Harman

Theses and Dissertations

This work addresses the issue of coding for non-standard channel models with an emphasis on capacity-oriented channel analysis and system design. The first channel studied is the Wyner wiretap channel. Channel sounding results were obtained to calculate the capacity for the multi-antenna case of the Wyner wiretap channel to ascertain the potential for secure communication via secrecy coding. The second channel studied is an asymmetric binary crossover erasure channel (ABCEC) with a short-blocklength constraint. The capacity for this channel was derived, and linear codes were chosen and tested. Another study was conducted on the ABCEC within a degraded wiretap channel …

Feasibility Of A Novel Combined Treatment For Apraxia Of Speech, Claire Evans Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

Apraxia of speech (AOS) is a disorder of articulation and prosody interrupting the spatial and temporal planning and/or programming of speech movements and commonly co-occurs with aphasia. Most AOS treatment research has used single case experimental designs (SCEDS) to document the effects of treatment. The strength of SCEDs is that they can demonstrate clear causal relations between intervention and behavior change. The most studied AOS treatment is an articulatory-kinematic treatment called Sound Production Treatment (SPT). This study was designed to examine the effects of a novel treatment, Sound Production Treatment in a Metrical- Paced Frame (SPTMF), on the speech production …

Understanding Administrator Approaches To Trauma-Informed Care: Findings From A Mixed Methods Study, Megan Coalwell

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic events during childhood have been termed adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Experiencing traumatic events or ACEs is common for school-aged children. Research reports indicate that as many as two out of three children will experience at least one traumatic event by the time they are eighteen. The negative effects of experiencing trauma are well documented. Trauma can lead to long-term outcomes in adults such as chronic health problems, mental health problems, substance misuse, and even early death. During childhood, it can lead to internalizing and externalizing problems, as well as difficulties in school. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an approach to …

An Active Quasi-Circulator Ic And Technique For 1-255 Mhz Resonance-Based Spectroscopic Impedance Plethysmography, Sharisse Poff

Theses and Dissertations

Impedance measurement is a promising avenue for noninvasive glucosemonitoring. Specifically,resonance-basedimpedancemeasurements exhibit good correlation with glucose levels at excitations from tens of MHztoover 100 MHz. Additionally, plethysmographic impedance measurements are needed to separate arterial blood signals, which contain strongerglucose information, frominterstitialfluidsignals. Weanticipate that plethysmographic measurements across a range of frequencies— spectroscopic plethysmography—at excitations from tens to over 100 MHz could enable resonance-based monitoring with higher selectivity for arterial glucose than previous work. Afour-point impedance measurement circuit is designed, and its ability to measure constant and periodically time-varying impedance is demonstrated. This circuit presents high impedance to the device-undertest (DUT), which fails …

The Automation Of Aesthetics: Artificial Intelligence And Commercial Artists In North Brooklyn, Devin Sudweeks

Theses and Dissertations

Corporate elites expect generative AI to replace commercial artists but overlook their social and aesthetic expertise. This ethnographic study explores how Brooklyn-based commercial artists narrate their value amid automation, emphasizing embodied presence in cultural scenes, visual language, style, and authenticity, skills not easily mechanized but vital to aesthetic economies.

Learning From Adolescents’ Lived Experience: Recommendations For Suicide Prevention For Youth And Their Caregivers, Genesis Minaya

Theses and Dissertations

This study explored adolescents’ views on which supports are most helpful during suicidal thoughts or behaviors. Interviews revealed six themes: Communication & Disclosure, Empathic Non-Judgmental Support, Consistent Presence, Parent/Family Education, Coping Tools, Hope and Future Orientation. These findings highlight the critical role of family dynamics in adolescent suicide prevention.

Reverse-Chinoiserie: Qing Imperial Porcelain And The Reappropriation Of European Rococo, Yifan (Mia) Ye

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis introduces “reverse-chinoiserie” to describe the Qing court’s reappropriation of European Rococo aesthetics in imperial porcelain. Through case studies of 18th-century ceramic diplomacy and design, it reveals how cultural imitation was reengineered into visual sovereignty. It examines how China responded to, absorbed, and redirected European fantasies of empire.

The Effect Of An Invasive Species (Lantana Camara) And A Fast-Growing Herb (Acanthus Pubescens) On The Plant And Animal Communities In Kibale National Park, Uganda, Kathleen Bufka

Theses and Dissertations

Fast-growing plant species, like Lantana camara and Acanthus pubescens, could threaten biodiversity in Kibale National Park, Uganda. I surveyed plants and wildlife in areas where these plants were frequently encountered compared to those areas where they are infrequent. I found mixed results based on plant traits and the animals considered. My findings support management efforts on these two species to prevent forest degradation.

Loyal By Nature: How Uncertainty Avoidance Shapes Dispositional Brand Loyalty, Khondoker Sayeed Hossain

Theses and Dissertations

Loyal consumers are prized assets for brands, as even minor improvements in customer retention can lead to significant increases in company profits. Most research has examined brand loyalty as a brand-specific concept and explored what brands can do to develop loyal consumers, overlooking the role of individual-level psychological and cultural factors.

This dissertation aims to address this gap by examining brand loyalty as a personality disposition and investigating its relationship with cultural values. Drawing on the extensive body of research linking culture to consumer judgments and decisions, the central hypothesis proposes that cultural values, particularly uncertainty avoidance, systematically influence individuals' …

Reflections Of Linguistic Experiences In A Borderland: Influences On Cultural Identity And Teacher Praxis, Iliana Cantu

Theses and Dissertations

This Autoethnographic dissertation uses autohistoria-teoria to critically analyze my lived curriculum as a Mexican-born raised in the borderland of the Rio Grande Valley. This research aims to understand the influence of my linguistic experiences on my cultural identity and teaching praxis within the same context. Drawing from Anzaldua’s (1987) concept of Borderlands as a contextual lens and Raciolinguistics as a theoretical framework, I examine and reflect on key linguistic experiences that have perpetuated colonizing linguistic practices rather than fostered linguistic diversity. Additionally, Culturally Linguistic Sustaining Pedagogy serves as a framework to critically analyze my teaching praxis in relation to my …

Barriers To Hispanic Post-Secondary Education In Science Fields, Luis Slayton

Theses and Dissertations

The study aimed to examine whether external barriers could be identified and are present throughout a Hispanic individual's educational life. The beliefs of the Hispanic community regarding education and the nature of acquiring an education could be relevant to the factors that impede the completion of high school. A survey approach was chosen as the methodology for the study due to the confidential nature of a questionnaire. Human nature tends to be more honest when not asked personal questions face-to-face. Additionally, there is potential to generalize attributes from a small sample to a larger population, allowing inferences about the identified …

Examining The Relationship Between Teaching Presence In The Community Of Inquiry Framework And Student Satisfaction In Online Graduate Educational Technology Courses, Vianna Madrid

Theses and Dissertations

The Community of Inquiry (CoI) Framework, comprising three key elements, social presence, cognitive presence, and teaching presence, provides a theoretical foundation for understanding how students engage with and perceive their online learning environments. Among these elements, teaching presence, encompassing course design and organization, facilitation of discourse, and direct instruction, plays a fundamental role in shaping students’ perceptions of instructional clarity, support, and overall satisfaction. This quantitative study, grounded in the CoI model, examines the relationship between the categories of teaching presence and student satisfaction among graduate students enrolled in online Educational Technology courses. Accordingly, a survey instrument incorporating the CoI …

Job Satisfaction And Vocational Services In Persons With Acquired Brain Injury, Claudia Eliza Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

The incidence of acquired brain injuries continues to rise world-wide resulting in increased disability status and national costs related to these injuries (Ahonle et al., 2020; BIAA, 2024; CDC, 2003; CDC, 2015; CDC, 2023; Grigorovich, et al., 2017; Tyerman et al., 2017). Long-term health effects associated with acquired brain injuries have social and environmental impacts that influence the individual with the injury beyond acute treatment and rehabilitation (Ahonle et al., 2020; CDC, 2023; Frieden et al., 2015; Grigorovich, et al., 2017; Tyerman et al., 2017). This, in turn, affects employment as many individuals with brain injuries are unable to return …

Exploring Intra- And Interpersonal Connection Through Mindful Moments At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Yvette Angeline

Theses and Dissertations

The demands of contemporary education have contributed to high levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout among educators (Barton, 2019; Hidajat et al., 2023; Walker, 2022), uncovering a need for pedagogical approaches that prioritize holistic well-being and humanize the learning experience (Palmer, 2009; Salazar, 2013; Wong & Mishra, 2020). This qualitative case study investigates how moments of mindfulness, integrated as curricular practice within a teacher education program at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), nurtures pre-service teachers’ awareness of the self and world. This study explores aspects of mindfulness from its Eastern origins (Thich Nhat Hanh, 1975) and its Western secular applications (Jon …