Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Autistic Youth Mental Health, Chase Keyler

Theses and Dissertations

This systematic literature review explores the experiences of autistic youth during the COVID-19 pandemic and their ongoing adjustment in a post-pandemic world. It focuses on three primary concerns: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ASD youth’s mental health, the factors influencing their adjustment during and after lockdown, and post-pandemic recommendations for clinicians and stakeholders. A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted across six databases within the EBSCOhost platform. Study selection consisted of three phases: an initial screening (title and keywords), a partial review (title, keywords, and abstract), and a full- text analysis. The results of this systematic review indicate …

Virulence Of Emerging Tick-Borne Pathogens, Borrelia Miyamotoi And Borrelia Mayonii, Dawn Cleveland

Theses and Dissertations

As climate change leads to global expansion of tick habitats, tick borne diseases are becoming more prevalent and widespread, and emerging tickborne pathogens Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia mayonii warrant increased study. Both B. miyamotoi and B. mayonii are vectored by the same tick species as B. burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, with B. miyamotoi causing a relapsing fever-like disease known as Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD), and B. mayonii causing a Lyme disease-like illness with atypical clinical presentations. This dissertation has two aims. The first aim encompasses B. miyamotoi infection and growth, isolation of clonal populations, and characterization of …

Autonomous Corrosion Detection In Steel Structures Using Different Non-Contact Techniques, Amrita Das

Theses and Dissertations

Metallic corrosion is an electrochemical process that can occur due to the formation of aqueous adlayers on the metal surface. It is often described as reverse metallurgy, as corrosion drives refined metals back to their lowest energy state, namely an oxidized, ore-like form. Environmental factors that promote corrosion include precipitation, high humidity, and chemical condensation, which can result from the hygroscopic nature of pollutants deposited on the surface. There is a significant impact of metallic corrosion on the U. S. economy including infrastructure, transportation, utilities, production, and manufacturing. The total direct cost of corrosion in the United States has been …

Get In The Zone: Utilizing A Food Skills Survey To Assess The Education Needs Of A Blue Zones Project Community, Sophia Kathryn Dunlap

Theses and Dissertations

Under-resourced communities often demonstrate little to basic knowledge and skills regarding food and nutrition-related practices, such as cooking and meal planning, nutrition label reading, and gardening. This can be attributed to various factors such as education level, socioeconomic status, available education programs, and overall interest in these topics. Limited research is available discussing the current knowledge, skills, and interests of nutrition topics and healthy eating patterns within Blue Zones Project (BZP) communities. To explore this gap in the literature, a cross-sectional design was implemented via a food skills survey completed by the residents of a modest-sized college town and site …

Learning To Teach Digital Literacy: Faculty As Learners, Nicole Marie Maier Derenne

Theses and Dissertations

Rapid developments in artificial intelligence technologies and widening digital divide inequities have made digital literacy instruction an urgent priority in higher education. This qualitative, interpretive case study examined how faculty learned to teach Digital Information Literacy at an instructional development workshop facilitated by academic librarians, following a mandate to integrate digital literacy into the institution’s general education program. Using transformative learning theory as a framework, data were collected from a purposive sample of faculty, librarians, and administrators involvedin the workshop through field notes, interviews, a focus group, document reviews, and journaling, and then hermeneutically analyzed. Findings revealed that although demonstrations …

Analysis Of Job Satisfaction Factors Influencing Pilot Retention In The United States Coast Guard, Margaret Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

United States Coast Guard (USCG) aviation is facing increasing challenges in pilot retention. A survey was designed to explore job satisfaction constructs and pilots’ intention to separate from the USCG to determine how gender, airframe, and retirement plan influence retention. The survey was distributed to Active Duty USCG pilots with 183 valid responses. Statistical analysis for job satisfaction found that female pilots are less satisfied with work-life balance. Differences between gender were not significant for the other job satisfaction constructs or intention to separate from the USCG. The analysis found that fixed wing pilots have a higher intention to separate …

Teacher Skills Needed For Effective Participation In Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support (Mtss): A State Framework Analysis, Melissa Osborne

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a secondary data analysis that uses a validated rubric to score the degree of alignment between the teacher skills (TS) necessary for the effective implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and the preservice teacher training standards (PTS) across five states located in the North Central United States. This investigation also assessed whether states employing an MTSS process to establish special education eligibility for specific learning disabilities (SLD) exhibit higher alignment between TS and PTS compared to states that do not follow that process. Literature outlines the TS needed in an MTSS framework, but there is limited …

High-Fidelity Surface And Environment Simulation Using Immersive Virtual Reality For Lunar Analog Training, Shriya Pedaparthi

Theses and Dissertations

The study explores the integration of high-fidelity Virtual Reality (VR) into astronaut training for lunar analog missions. A realistic VR simulation was developed to represent lunar terrain, allowing participants to perform critical tasks under simulated lunar conditions. Specifically, participants navigated from a compromised lunar habitat (ILMAH) facing a pressure breach, to a secure facility, testing their ability to respond effectively to emergency scenarios. Participants underwent three sequential trials to assess how VR and physical constraints influence gait and performance: (1) a baseline trial measuring natural gait without equipment; (2) a trial incorporating a real spacesuit and lunar gravity simulated through …

Nutrition Implications In Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Heds)/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (Hsd), Lauren Steiner

Theses and Dissertations

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are a poorly recognized and under researched group of genetic connective tissue disorders that have widespread impacts on the human body, including gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The role of dietary and supplemental interventions in GI symptom control in this patient population has not been researched. This study used an exploratory survey to collect data on diets and supplements that the patient population has used to combat GI symptoms. The low histamine, gluten free, dairy free, anti-inflammatory, and intermittent fasting diets, as well as magnesium, probiotic, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and …

Negotiating Gender: A Qualitative Analysis Of Trans-Parasocial Relationships With Gen Z Social Media Users, Hannah Grace Scheffer-Wentz

Theses and Dissertations

The growth of social media and its functions as an online, international forum has been a growing topic of interest for researchers and the public alike. With the rise of native influencing and the incorporation of “organic” advertising, Social Media Influencers have grown in not just following and publicity with affiliate marketing and brand partnerships, but they have grown in social interest, as well. With the rise in technology and the introduction of Gen Z, who are digital natives, this has challenged previous understanding of online relationships, specifically with the expansion of Parasocial Relationship Theory to the online application of …

The Relationship Between Social Determinants Of Health And Maternal Risk Factors With Severe Maternal Morbidity, Rebecca Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) remains a significant public health concern in the United States, with rates rising despite advancements in obstetric care. While extensive research has examined the role of clinical risk factors in SMM, less attention has been given to the influence of social determinants of health (SDOH). Factors such as financial insecurity, food access, housing stability, intimate partner violence, social connectedness, and transportation barriers may contribute to maternal health disparities. This study aims to assess the relationship between SDOH and SMM, evaluating how these non-clinical factors shape maternal health outcomes. Additionally, this research explores the impact of maternal …

Public Perceptions Of Fracking And Anti-Fracking Activism: A Theory Of Planned Behavior Approach And Its Implications For Environmental Policy, Okhumode Hector Yakubu

Theses and Dissertations

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has become one of the most contentious energy technologies of the 21st century, drawing support for its economic and energy security benefits and opposition due to its perceived environmental and health risks. This study applies the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to examine the psychological, social, and informational factors that shape public perceptions of fracking and motivate anti-fracking activism. Using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults (N = 522), this research investigates how attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and domain-specific knowledge predict support or opposition to fracking, as well as intentions to engage in …

High School Counselor Perceptions Of Trauma-Informed Professional Development And Implementation Of Trauma-Informed Practices In Schools, Kimberly Faulkner-Camacho

Theses and Dissertations

This non-experimental phenomenological study aimed to delve into school counselors’ perspectives on what motivates them to participate in trauma-informed professional development, the necessary supports for implementing trauma-informed practices in schools (TIPS), and the barriers that impede implementation. Drawing on situated learning theory and adult learning theory, this study sought to enhance the understanding of school counselors’ views on trauma-informed professional development and implementation. These frameworks offered valuable insights into how to support counselors and shed light on existing barriers. The study involved 10 traditional public high school counselors from non-charter schools in Los Angeles County, selected through snowball and purposive …

The Assessment Of Implicit Bias Among Police Personnel: A Systematic Review, Emily Deutsch

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the essential and powerful role police officers play within the communities they serve, systematic racism in law enforcement has become a key topic of public discourse, including increased demand for evidence-based changes in police selection. This includes recommendations or requirements to assess implicit bias in police candidates (e.g., California Assembly Bill 846). Implicit bias refers to the spontaneous/automatic associations or evaluations made of members of a particular group (Kim & Roberson, 2021). The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training’s (POST’s) Bias Assessment Framework provides recommendations to police psychologists on the assessment of implicit bias, but curiously …

Implications For Clinical Practice When Working With Latino Families Affected By Pediatric Cancer: An Integrative Systematic Review, Karla Rodas

Theses and Dissertations

The high mortality rates within the Latino population due to childhood cancer and the psychosocial challenges that come with the disease warrants attention from mental health professionals to provide support and address the distress experienced by affected families. The purpose of this integrative systematic review was to identify the psychosocial challenges faced by Latino families navigating childhood cancer, explore the role of cultural resiliency as a coping mechanism, and examine culturally adapted clinical interventions that integrate cultural resilience, promote psychosocial well-being, and improve treatment engagement. A PRISMA flow diagram was used to illustrate the systematic review process, which included 11 …

When Purpose Isn’T Enough: Adapting For-Profit Retention Practices To Support Early-Career Professionals In Youth- Serving Nonprofits, Brittany Erway Soto

Theses and Dissertations

This comparative qualitative study explored how nonprofit and for-profit organizations approach the retention and development of early-career professionals aged 18 to 25. Drawing on Jay Galbraith’s (1995) STAR model of organizational design—encompassing strategy, structure, process, people, and rewards—the study investigated what practices are currently in place and which strategies nonprofits might adopt from for-profit organizations to improve employee engagement and retention. Data were collected through 10 semi-structured interviews with senior leaders from five large, youth-serving nonprofit organizations and five for-profit companies with strong employee retention reputations. The findings revealed six core differences between sectors, with for-profit organizations demonstrating more consistent …

Resilience And Stress: Trauma, Grit, Resilience And Perceived Organizational Support In First Responders, Paige Gallas Parker

Theses and Dissertations

First responders comprise an underserved and under-researched population, despite consensus that their work involves exposure to potentially traumatic events. Inconsistent definitions of “first responder” and unclear prevalence rates of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) limit efforts to assess and promote resilience. This study examined the relationships between grit, resilience, perceived organizational support, and trauma symptoms in a sample of 234 first responders (69% firefighters, 29% lifeguards) employed by a large West Coast fire department. Measures included a demographics questionnaire, the Professional Exposure to Traumatic Events (PETE), the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist (PCL-5), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), the Short Grit Scale …

The Role Of Generative Ai In Supply Chain Management: A Comprehensive Study Of Adoption, Usage, Impact And Ethical Implications, Julia Anzano

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores global perspectives of supply chain leaders on the adoption, usage, and impact of generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) in supply chain management (SCM) based on a quantitative analysis of survey responses from 104 industry professionals. It is utilizing the Diffusion of Innovation (DOI) Theory (E. M. Rogers, 2003), Technology-Organization-Environment-Ethics (TOEE) framework—an extension of the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) Framework (L. G. Tornatzky & Fleischer, 1990), incorporating ethics—and the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) Framework (Kaplan & Norton, 1996). Findings highlight the key technological, organizational, environmental, and ethical factors influencing adoption and reveal how ethical considerations—such as transparency, accountability, and fairness—shape implementation …

Congolese Refugee Narratives Of Belonging, Grief, And Cultural Continuity In Appalachia, Kayla Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the communicative challenges that Congolese refugees face after resettlement, particularly as they strive to reconstruct a sense of belonging in the United States that reflects their experiences in either their home country or secondary countries where they endured protracted displacement in refugee camps. Narrative qualitative research methods were used to conduct interviews with five Congolese refugees in Appalachia. Through qualitative thematic and lexical analysis derived from the interviews, the study reveals patterns of linguistic isolation, community continuity, and emotional displacement. A key finding is that participants often conceptualize community not as a geographic entity, but as an …

Lis1 Depletion In Adult Mouse Projection Neurons Causes Neurodegeneration And Severe Neurological Phenotypes, Anne Ventrone

Theses and Dissertations

Proper LIS1 function is crucial for human brain development, as mutations in LIS1 lead to lissencephaly, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder caused by defective proliferation, differentiation and migration of neural precursors. Our understanding of LIS1's functions after brain development is limited. LIS1 regulates cytoplasmic dynein 1 (dynein), an essential microtubule motor protein in cell division and migration, but also a cellular transport motor. We previously showed that tamoxifen (TX)-induced global knockout of LIS1 using a Cre/Lox system (Act-Lis1iKO) in young adult mice results in severe neurological defects and rapid lethality. This strongly supports LIS1's critical post- developmental role, but the underlying …

Strengthening The Health And Well-Being Of American Indian And Alaska Native Elders, Andria Begay

Theses and Dissertations

Health is a holistic concept within Indigenous communities, emphasizing the balance and interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. This dissertation explores the health and wellbeing of American Indian and Alaska Native Elders, with each of the products for this three-part portfolio, targeting different health matters that are often overlooked among Elders, aged 55 years and older. Using secondary data from National Resource Center on Native American Aging’s 2020-2023 cycle of the Identifying our Needs: A Survey of Elders, I conducted three quantitative research analyses with chi-square tests and binary logistic regressions to assess the association and differences in variables. Manuscript …

Measuring The Clinical Effectiveness Of Telenutrition Medical Nutrition Therapy Among American Indian And Alaska Native Adults Newly Diagnosed With Type 2 Diabetes, Charisse Lindsey Holiday

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 global pandemic was the impetus of the transition from in-person medical nutrition therapy (MNT) visits to telephone MNT. This occurred without evaluation of its clinical effectiveness, especially for American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). It is known that in-person MNT is clinically effective at lowering hemoglobin A1c (A1c) and that people with diabetes who experience food insecurity have poorer health. However, research characterizing food insecurity among AI/ANs is limited. This retrospective observational analytical study was conducted at the Phoenix Indian Medical Center (PIMC) in Phoenix, Arizona to assess the clinical effectiveness of telephone delivered MNT services by a …

Teacher Retention In The Wake Of The Inclusion Movement: A Mixed Methods Study On Teachers’ Perceptions Of Self-Efficacy, Tessa Vasquez

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation studied the problem of the national teacher shortage by considering the impact of the inclusion movement on general education teachers’ self efficacy. This mixed-methods study sought to contribute to the body of literature examining factors responsible for poor teacher retention and factors responsible for low teacher self-efficacy. Nine participants were interviewed and administered the Teacher Effective Inclusion Self-Efficacy, Knowledge, and Attitudes Measure. The researcher conducted coding and thematic analysis of the interview transcripts and six themes emerged. The researcher scored the questionnaires and compared the scores to the responses provided in the interviews.

Themes revealed that the …

Nutrient Transport And Transformation In Anaerobic Co-Digestion Of Crop Residues And Swine Manure, Shelby Stoner

Theses and Dissertations

Cover crops may improve soil quality, water quality, soil health, reduce soil fertilizer use, and increase nutrient availability to cash crops. The benefits of cover crops are discussed due to the below ground presence of cover crops, but the aboveground biomass can serve as a source of sustainable energy through anerobic digestion. The nutrients in the above ground biomass can also be recycled and reused through land application of digestion effluent. We have tested anaerobic co-digestion of different biomass feedstocks: cover crops, soybean stalk, and corn stover with swine manure using both small and pilot scale digesters. Nutrients, specifically NPK, …

A New Theater For Age-Old Social Patterns: An Exploratory Study Of Interpersonal Dynamics And The Overlay Of Gender Within Ai Companionship, Miriam Wolff

Theses and Dissertations

The emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) companions fundamentally shifts the landscape of interpersonal communication, introducing artificial entities as relational partners rather than mere facilitators of human-to-human interaction. This exploratory study examines the interplay of machine gendering, self-disclosure, perceived partner responsiveness (PPR), and interpersonal satisfaction within human-AI interactions. Participants engaged in conversations with gendered AI companions through the program Replika, completed structured surveys, and participated in qualitative interviews. Findings indicate that users' willingness to self-disclose was influenced by their perceptions of AI responsiveness, while gendered characteristics of AI significantly shaped user expectations and communication patterns. Specifically, users often attributed distinct personality …

Enhancing Climate Change Awareness In Children Through Augmented Reality: A Study On Educational Engagement., Jubair Islam

Theses and Dissertations

As the need to address climate change becomes more urgent, introducing children to environmental conservation has become increasingly important. This thesis explores how augmented reality (AR) technology can turn traditional storytelling into an exciting and educational experience to help children learn about climate change. Sam and Mia’s Earth-Saving Adventure, a 10-page graphic storybook enhanced with AR, allows children aged 3-10 to interact with the story through animations and sound effects that respond to their choices. Developed using Adobe Aero, the book creates an immersive and fun way for children to engage with environmental topics.

The study uses a combination of …

High Throughput, Solid Sample Analysis With Cone-Based Mass Spectrometric Ionization Sources, Emily J. Wiggins

Theses and Dissertations

The widespread presence of environmental and consumer-product contaminants (e.g. trace metals, opium alkaloids) has underscored the need for rapid, reliable, and high-throughput analytical techniques that are capable of handling complex solid samples. While traditional mass spectrometric (MS) methods tend to have high sensitivity and accuracy, they often require labor-intensive and time-consuming sample preparation steps that limit throughput and field applicability. This thesis investigates the use of 3D-Printed Cone Spray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry (3D-PCSI-MS) as an ambient ionization technique for the direct screening of contaminants from solid matrices, eliminating the need for traditional sample preparation and allowing for real-time analysis.

In …

More Than Players, More Than Coaches: Institutional Agents And Youth Development In Urban And Suburban Minority-Majority Neighborhoods, Rainah N. Folk

Theses and Dissertations

Institutional agents play a crucial role in shaping youth development. While the institutional agent framework is well established in postsecondary research, less is known about its role during mid-adolescence. Using relational ethnography and responsive interviewing, this study compares an urban and a suburban high school in minority-majority neighborhoods in Cook County, Illinois, to explore how development is influenced through relationships between sport coaches and high school athletes. Athletes in both contexts face significant challenges tied to neighborhood conditions and socioeconomic status. In response, coaches form deeply caring and supportive relationships, though their roles diverge in ways shaped by their urban …

Rebranding Ink: Language, Identity, And The Rise Of Tatū In Contemporary Japan, Elise M. Ulrich

Theses and Dissertations

In modern Japan, the shift from the traditional term irezumi (入れ墨) to the English loanword tatū (タトゥー) reflects more than just language change—it reveals deeper cultural and social transformations. Loanwords, or borrowed words from other languages, often enter a language through cultural contact, adapting to fit local linguistic and social norms. As the Linguistic Society of America notes, “Most languages have been influenced at one time or another by contact” (Winford, n.d., p. 1). Since World War II, English has become a major source of loanwords in Japanese, shaping everything from everyday conversation to aesthetic trends.

This thesis explores why …

Asymmetric Synthesis Of The Hiv Protease Inhibitor Tmc-126 And An Anti-Malarial Agent Via A Titanium Tetrachloride Mediated Asymmetric Glycolate Aldol Addition Reaction. Redefining The Curtius Rearrangement Reaction Via Dehomologation Of Carboxylic Acids Bearing Alpha-Leaving Groups, Kweku Amaning Affram

Theses and Dissertations

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and malaria are two devastating infectious diseases caused by HIV and Plasmodium parasites. AIDS is caused by HIV-1 and HIV-2, transmitted through sexual contact, blood transfusions, needle sharing, and perinatal routes. Malaria, caused by plasmodium parasites through mosquito bites. Today, millions of people around the world have been infected with HIV and malaria and much research has been done to treat it. However, despite advancements in therapeutic options, these diseases remain a significant global health threat, particularly in developing countries due to the emergence of drug-resistant strains for both HIV and malaria complicating eradication efforts. …