Digital Commons Network^™

Multi-Task Learning For Deployable, Boundary-Refined Semantic Segmentation, Alessandro Dos Santos

Theses and Dissertations

Semantic segmentation is a task in computer vision that frequently employs convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to learn dense, pixel-wise object classification. Low-level feature preservation and robust, real-time network deployment are regarded as two of the biggest challenges in this task. The former challenge loses low-level features during downsampling operations, which are integral to learning object semantics, posing a seemingly paradoxical challenge. There have been many approaches for resolving this problem such as skip connections and multi-scale feature extraction, but none quite as explicit as modeling edge prior information. The latter challenge is often resolved by exploiting lightweight CNN architectures, where …

Life In Sitcoms: Episodes In Love And Loss, Amy Kielmeyer

Theses and Dissertations

Sitcoms have been an enduring part of television history, but for as much as they have been an important part of the ways we’ve interacted with television, they have also been criticized over the years for being too the same, too unrealistic, for avoiding complexity, and minimizing the lived experiences of many people. These critiques are necessary, but they can also overlook some of the ways that these very critiques are part of what makes the sitcom a valuable vehicle for telling familiar stories. Using sitcoms, obituaries, and poetry, this collection of creative nonfiction offers ways of looking at sitcoms …

Psychology Graduate Student Experiences, Social Support, And Mental Health, Kathryn Lang

Theses and Dissertations

Graduate school is a highly stressful experience for many psychology students. Accordingly, graduate psychology programs need to identify and minimize unnecessary sources of stress on their students. Despite the importance of this topic, there is little research on factors that increase psychology graduate students’ stress. The present study determined how a student’s financial difficulties, quality of their social support, quality of their faculty support, number of adverse experiences they had in their program, the impact of a student’s negative experience in their program; and the population size of the location of their program affect a student’s mental health, perceived progress …

Targeting World Language Learning In The Target Language: A Qualitative Inquiry Of The K–12 Foreign Language Teacher Experience, Igor Ljevaja

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explores the current practices of K–12 foreign language teachers (FLTs) in using the target language (TL) within an urban school district in the Midwest United States. Focusing on how FLTs engage in professional development (PD) to optimize their TL use in the classroom, the study investigates the strategies and knowledge FLTs employ to foster TL proficiency among students. Purposeful sampling was employed to recruit participants (n = 5) who represented full-time FLTs, taught between sixth and 12th grade, and had at least four years of teaching experience and valid state licenses. Semi-structured interviews with current FLTs provide …

Cyclical Musicians: Collegiate Music Students’ Experiences Of Instrumental Musicking Processes Across The Menstrual Cycle, Anne Marques Catarin

Theses and Dissertations

Instrumental music researchers tend to focus on non-sex-specific health topics, such as posture (e.g., Garnett et al., 2022; Rousseau et al., 2023), musculoskeletal health (e.g., Mizrahi, 2020; Pratt et al., 2020), or neurological movement disorders (e.g., Altenmüller & Jabusch, 2010; Frucht, 2009). Despite the considerable extent of topics covered in musician health, the role of menstrual health in instrumentalists is currently underdeveloped. Using a case study design (Stake, 1995; Yin, 2014), I explored the unspoken experiences of collegiate instrumental music majors who menstruate, in an investigation to better understand the role of menstrual cycles in their musicking. For four months, …

Developing Inclusive Practices Through Peer Coaching In College Science Teaching, Briana Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Historically underrepresented students pursuing STEM majors encounter systemic barriers. Students are more likely to experience success when faculty implement inclusive practices. Faculty often lack the pedagogical training necessary to adopt inclusive practices, further perpetuating inequities. To eliminate barriers and offer equitable opportunities for success in STEM majors, this case study explores the implementation of peer coaching and Culturally Relevant Science Teaching (CRST) in college level science teaching, focusing on the experiences of three participating faculty. Through a year-long professional development (PD) cycle, three science faculty members from a small liberal arts college engaged in reflective practices aimed at improving their …

Directivity Improvement Of A Broad-Beam Patch Antenna By Means Of A Flat Metamaterial Lens, Tyler Midas

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis demonstrates the development of a flat metamaterial lens intended to enhance antenna directivity in RF applications. Development and evaluation was performed with ANSYS HFSS, where a theoretical convex lens model was developed and used as a basis for unit cell refractive indices of the metamaterial lens. The unit cell demonstrated in this study leverages the properties of a nested split-ring resonator merged with a center column. Adjusting the rings allow for refractive index optimization and effective beam focusing. The work presented also provides a 2x2 antenna array with a feed network, which enables the future work of bench …

Experimental Investigation Of Freezing Microdroplets For Understanding Chain Crystal Aggregates Observed In Atmospheric Clouds, Imteaz Osmani

Theses and Dissertations

Ice crystal aggregates are observed in upper stratospheric clouds. The crystal aggregates can form in different orientations, geometry, and shapes which are not well studied. These crystal aggregations are found in the clouds as crystal chains of various lengths and cause damage to hypersonic vehicles which include missiles, re-entry vehicles, and jet aircraft. The reasons behind such damage by atmospheric crystal chains to hypersonic bodies are unknown. That is why studying these ice crystals and their behavior in the hypersonic environment is necessary. Ice crystals form in the atmosphere in two different ways which are homogenous and heterogenous. Heterogenous freezing …

Outage Prediction And Detecting Influential Factors Under Extreme Weather Events Using Shap Analysis, Farishta Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

As electricity demands continue to grow and extreme weather events become more frequent, the need for resilient energy infrastructure is increasingly urgent. This thesis addresses three critical areas of power system resilience and monitoring. The first section of the thesis reviews the Texas power blackout in February 2021, which highlighted severe vulnerabilities in energy systems under extreme weather conditions. This analysis investigates the blackout event's causes, including generation capacity limitations and over-reliance on specific energy sources. The second section presents another weather event (ice storms) in North Dakota causing a multi-day blackout. Multiple machine learning approaches are deployed to predict …

Risk Factor Patterns For Elder Abuse Among United States Indigenous Peoples: Native Elder Maltreatment Survey Secondary Data Analysis, Maylynn Riding In

Theses and Dissertations

Elder abuse is a significant public health issue, with findings indicating that 9% to 10% of older adults in the United States experience abuse. This figure is likely mirrored among Indigenous Peoples residing within tribal boundaries, although specific data is scarce. This study aims to fill the gap in understanding the prevalence and risk factors associated with elder abuse among United States Indigenous Peoples (USIP) through a secondary data analysis of the Native Elder Maltreatment Survey (NEMS). The NEMS employs two key instruments: the Hwalek-Sengstock Elder Abuse Screening Test (HS EAST), which is validated for community use, and the Native …

The Fcc 5-Year Deorbit Rule’S Impact On The Space Industry Including Non-Traditional Scientific And Environmental Stakeholders, Kristin Shahady

Theses and Dissertations

In pursuit of a safer and more sustainable space environment, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) introduced the 5-year deorbit rule, a regulatory mandate aimed at mitigating space debris by requiring satellite operators to remove their spacecraft from LEO within 5 years after their mission is complete. While the intent behind this rule is admirable in the desire to remediate and limit the generation of orbital debris, it raises questions whether it was crafted with consideration of all stakeholders, whether it will truly mitigate the creation of orbital debris, and whether it exhibits characteristics of arbitrariness and capriciousness. Agencies’ actions be …

Elementary Teacher Instructional Self-Efficacy In Leader In Me Lighthouse Schools, Lara Storm

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a secondary data comparative analysis using the Leader in Me Measurable Results Assessment (MRA) to examine whether teachers at Leader in Me Lighthouse certified schools have a greater degree of instructional self-efficacy than teachers at non-Lighthouse certified Leader in Me schools. Literature shows that students in classes with teachers that have a higher degree of instructional self-efficacy experience higher student achievement and a more supportive classroom climate. In addition, those teachers with higher efficacy experience lower levels of stress and burnout and are more engaged in professional development. The guiding notion of this investigation is that implementing …

Nanoparticles: Applications For Energy Innovation, Wen Sun

Theses and Dissertations

The work described in this dissertation will have three primary goals that are all essential for improving the energy demand using nanotechnology. The first goal is to comprehensively understand the application of SiO2-based nanoparticles (SiO2-based-NPs) in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and the challenges associated with their use. The second goal is to investigate the application of ruthenium-based nanoparticles using reduced graphene oxide as the matrix (Runano-based/rGO) for the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia under ambient conditions. The third goal is to develop binder-free 3D nanomaterials and assess their electrochemical properties for supercapacitor applications. To fulfill this goal, two different nanomaterials have …

Indigenous Innovation: Exploring Substance Use And Drone Applications In Indigenous Contexts Across Canada, Jacob Nelson Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

This is a dissertation in practice which addresses Indigenous health, substance use, dronetechnology, and ethical considerations of drone use. A dissertation in practice results in three products with practical application in community. Through development of a grant application, journal manuscript, and community toolkit for ethical drone use, this dissertation addresses a broader narrative about the empowerment of Indigenous communities in Canada.

In Chapter 2, a grant application has been designed for submission to Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addiction Program. The grant explores substance use among Indigenous Peoples working in the forest sector. The grant application addresses the need for …

Barriers To Faculty Adoption Of Assessment: A Case Study In Engineering, Melodie A. R. Williams

Theses and Dissertations

This case study at an undergraduate teaching-focused engineering program in a small faith-based liberal arts university is designed to evaluate tools for assessing the engineering accreditor ABET’s Student Outcome Five – teamwork skills of engineering students. This evaluation would set the foundation for developing an assessment program that meets the needs of faculty, administrators, and accreditors. Activity theory is used as the theoretical framework for the study. A literature review lays the foundation for a novel conceptual framework asserting “faculty resistance” is actually “systemic friction.” The methodology is described, including data collection procedures, data analysis methods, and the approaches to …

Soil Biogeography And Community Assembly In Polar Regions, Jesse Jorna

Theses and Dissertations

The polar regions provide community ecologists with natural microcosms, that include reduced species diversity, steep environmental gradients and limited human perturbance. Soil biodiversity in the polar regions is poorly understood, and the driving forces behind community compositions can range in scale from glacial forces 20,000 years ago to the impact of a researcher's footstep. Here, we present the results of an investigation of the driving factors behind biodiversity in Arctic and Antarctic soils, with specific attention to the role of community assembly processes. We suggest a framework for investigating the effects of inter-bacterial community processes like facilitation and argue for …

Capturing Creativity: An Exploration Of The Positive Impact Of Art Integration In Elementary Education, Christina Zander

Theses and Dissertations

My thesis focuses on the necessity of including art in education and the positive impact integrating art has on students mentally and academically. Over the past 2 years, I have seen the major impact integrating art has on students and how essential it is to keep creativity in the classroom. My research explains how incorporating art helps increase both student engagement and retention of concepts. I have also studied how integrating art with mindfulness can help students develop essential SEL skills including emotion management. My research expands on how utilizing art allows individuals and students to better cope with challenges …

Enhancing Muscle Health And Modulating Immune Response With Galectin-1 In Lgmd2b/R2 Models, Stefannia Esparza Pulido

Theses and Dissertations

Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2B/R2 (LGMD2B/R2) is a type of dysferlinopathy, a progressive muscle-wasting disorder caused by mutations in the dysferlin gene. Hallmarks of the disease include chronic inflammation, impaired muscle regeneration, and eventual muscle degeneration. Currently, no FDA-approved therapies are available for dysferlinopathies. Recombinant human Galectin-1 (rHsGal-1) has shown multiple roles in maintaining skeletal muscle homeostasis, promoting muscle repair, enhancing myogenesis, and modulating inflammation by downregulating the NF-κB pathway. The ability of rHsGal-1 to modulate the immune response is particularly promising for therapeutic applications in patients with LGMD2B/R2. In this study, we evaluated the effects of rHsGal-1 in a …

Effect Of Roadway Lighting On Safety In Utah, Samuel Lewis Runyan

Theses and Dissertations

A significant portion of severe crashes and severe crashes involving vulnerable road users, 29 percent and 39 percent respectively, occur at night in Utah, despite roughly only 25 percent of traffic occurring at night. Nighttime crash causes are less understood than daytime crashes as there are fewer nighttime crashes, but it is generally assumed that increasing street lighting can help mitigate these crashes. To test this assumption, the Utah Department of Transportation was interested in developing Crash Modification Factors (CMFs) specific to the state of Utah which correlate the quantity and quality of light to crash outcomes, to observe how …

Identifying Redundant Audio Content Over Cloud Environment Using Deduplication Techniques, Venkatesh K

Theses and Dissertations

Cloud computing has become an integral part of modern internet-based services, with users relying heavily on cloud environments as primary storage solutions. However, the exponential growth in data volume presents a challenge (i.e) the proliferation of duplicated content within cloud repositories. Deduplication techniques provide a promising approach to mitigate this issue. This research focuses on detecting redundant audio content within a cloud environment, specifically targeting the sharing of extensive audio files, such as those in Waveform Audio File Format (WAV). The study proposes the Refined Super Subset Identification Algorithm (RSSIA) to efficiently identify redundant content and segments within existing audio …

Lost, Or Found? Seeking And Preserving The Education Of Artisanal Arts, Jennie Doezie

Theses and Dissertations

Crafts and the artisanal arts have a complex relationship with art and art education. Nevertheless, hands-on crafts have an important and often overlooked contribution to visual art education. In addition to their value as cultural icons, the artisanal arts can contribute to cognitive development, emotional well-being, and mental health. The practice of a craft can balance some of the negative effects of 21st century screen culture. This thesis explores the following regarding crafts education: its value, its relationship to traditional art education, and its future potential. In addition to the traditional elements of literature review and research methodology, this thesis …

Barbie, Taylor Michelle Gale

Theses and Dissertations

The stereotypes placed over men and women throughout various forms of media, including film and TV, song, printed media, and even through objects like toys, have a large impact on society as a whole. Kumari and Joshi (2015) explain that media plays an important role in sharing information concerning what deems to be the fabric of contemporary culture, which can aid in changing, or perpetuating long standing societal norms. This study identifies how Greta Gerwig's Barbie (2023) approaches the themes of the portrayal of women in the media through the Barbie film, examining themes such as objectification, self-objectification, and the …

"We Are All About Equality": D/Deaf Inclusivity In Little Wimmin, Ruth Ann Leber

Theses and Dissertations

Figs in Wigs integration of a British Sign Language interpreter in their performance of Little Wimmin is a compelling example of inclusive theatre for D/deaf audiences. By examining the works of foundational D/deaf studies scholars Neil Glickman and Paddy Ladd alongside the works of contemporary D/deaf scholars such as Tom Humphries, Carol Padden, and Michael Richardson we can gain valuable insight into the evolution of the D/deaf culture and identity. This paper will refer to diversity scholar Susanne Ricee when defining the difference between accommodation, access, accessibility, and inclusivity. It will explore the current advantages and limitations of D/deaf accommodations …

Engaging Families Of Minoritized Bilingual Preschoolers In Designing A Family Literacy Program, Melany Hooker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to include culturally and linguistically diverse minoritized parents in the design of a family literacy program. Parents of traditionally marginalized emergent bilingual Spanish-speaking preschoolers provided feedback on family literacy resources generally and specific resources from the Systematic and Engaging Early Literacy (SEEL) family literacy program, including the website, a lesson plan, and a training video. Culturally relevant pedagogy and user experience (UX) design were applied to determine what these families found accessible, instructive, and important. Feedback was collected through individual interviews and focus groups using UX design. Thematic analyses revealed five main …

Advancements Of A Vibration-Based Sound Power Method For Direct And Indirect Applications, Ian Charles Bacon

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation advances the Vibration-Based Sound Power (VBSP) method for measuring the sound power of vibrating structures, expanding its applicability to a wider range of geometries and acoustic environments. The research addresses limitations of traditional sound power measurement techniques by developing an alternative method that achieves near Precision (Grade 1) accuracy while maintaining feasibility for in situ testing under uncontrolled acoustic conditions. After reviewing the current VBSP method in Unit 1, Unit 2 introduces stitching techniques for Scanning Laser Doppler Vibrometer (SLDV) measurements, enabling accurate 3D scans and extending the method to complex geometries. Experimental validation is provided for baffled …

Nature Inspired Optimization For Spectrum Sensing And Allocation In Cognitive Radio Networks, Saravanan R

Theses and Dissertations

Cognitive radio (CR) refers to intelligent radio technology that scans its environment to optimize spectrum use and adjusts its parameters accordingly. It employs a communication system that is aware of its surroundings, including spectrum usage and availability. A key aspect of CR is identifying idle channels by analyzing traffic patterns using effective learning strategies.

However, CRNs face challenges such as cross-layer design issues, spectrum sensing errors, hidden node problems, and complex spectrum management. Spectrum sensing is critical for accessing unused radio spectrum while minimizing interference. Efficient sensing techniques must be cost-effective, fast, and capable of detecting weak primary signals. Although …

Biofabrication Of Tissue Constructs Using Protein-In-Polysaccharide Bioinks For Muscle Regeneration, Harshavardhan B

Theses and Dissertations

Myocardial infarction (MI) and volumetric muscle loss (VML) are debilitating conditions that severely affect patient quality of life and challenge healthcare systems, particularly in diagnosis and treatment. Conventional therapies often result in long recovery periods with limited functional restoration. Advances in regenerative medicine, especially extrusion-based 3D bioprinting, offer promising potential to improve the regeneration of complex tissues by precisely depositing cells and biomaterials layer-by-layer to create tailored tissue constructs.

A critical challenge in muscle tissue regeneration is developing protein-polysaccharide bioinks that closely mimic the native muscle tissue microenvironment. In this study, two protein-inpolysaccharide bioinks (alginate-fibrinogen and methylcellulose-gelatin-alginate) were developed to …

Impaired Speech Recognition Of Neurological Disorder Persons Using Machine Learning And Deep Learning Techniques, Vishnika Veni S

Theses and Dissertations

Speech Assistive Tools have emerged in recent years to support individuals with cognitive and neurological disorders in the field of assistive technology. People affected by neurological disorders such as autism, stroke, cerebral palsy, dysarthria, Parkinson’s disease, and brain injury often find it difficult to articulate desired sounds, resulting in impaired speech. As the population of impaired speakers continues to increase every year, there is a strong need to develop intelligent speech recognition systems for affected individuals. The primary objective of this research is to develop an Impaired Speech Recognition (ISR) system for the Tamil language. Word Recognition Accuracy (WRA) is …

An Empirical Analysis Of The Mmpi-3 Suicidal/Death Ideation Scale, Brittany Barnes Rhodes

Theses and Dissertations

Suicide is a significant concern in society and is one of the leading causes of death in the United States and around the world. Suicidality is particularly prevalent in outpatient psychological treatment centers, with some studies estimating a tenfold increase in prevalence in this setting compared to the population at large. Several measures have been developed to assess suicide risk potential based on symptom frequency and combinations of risk factors, and broadband personality measures have also incorporated suicidality scales into their tests. The current study was focused on assessing the effectiveness of the Suicidal/Death Ideation (SUI) scale on the third …

Utilizing Cultural Responsive Literacy Practices In Order To Increase Reading Engagement In Primary Aged Readers, Molly E. Young

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this conceptual research was to explore how culturally responsive literacy practices and various theoretical frameworks can be integrated to enhance reading engagement among primary-aged readers. This study examines the connections among several relevant theoretical frameworks and identifies common themes related to reading engagement. The theories that guided this research include Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy (CSP), Funds of Knowledge (FoK), Self-Efficacy, and Self-Determination Theory (SDT). The conceptual framework highlights common themes across these frameworks, such as the importance of professional development and pre-service teacher programs, the significance of recognizing student strengths and backgrounds, and the …