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The Development Of A One Pot, Two Reaction Synthetic Preparation Of 1,2,4-Oxadiazole, And Synthesis Of Ataluren, A Novel Drug In The Fight Against Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Efforts Towards The Synthesis Of A Potential Protease Inhibitor Against The Main Protease (3clpro) Of Covid-19, Austin J. Carter

Theses and Dissertations

1,2,4-Oxadiazoles are five-membered heterocyclic structures first synthesized by Tiemann and Krüger in 1884. Recent discoveries suggest an array of useful biological properties.In preparation of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, the most prevalent precursors are amidoximes, which can be created via the reaction of nitriles with hydroxylamine hydrochloride and a base. The amidoximes are reacted with an activated carboxylic acid to yield an acylated intermediate. This intermediate can be exposed to a base to cyclize into the 1,2,4-oxadiazole. This thesis describes the efforts in combining these three steps into a unified one-pot synthesis.

Currently, there are a significant number of commercially available FDA approved and …

Navigating Acculturation: Opportunities, Challenges, And Community Support For African Immigrants In The U.S., Sharitah Nalule

Theses and Dissertations

African immigrants in the United States encounter complex acculturation challenges that are often shaped by systemic barriers such as language exclusion, financial insecurity, limited employment access, and time-restricted support services. This qualitative study explores how African immigrants experience the acculturation process and how community-based programs support or fall short in supporting their acculturation. Semi-structured individual interviews with Somali immigrants and community practitioners in the Midwest. While most African immigrant narratives reflect the experiences of Somali immigrants, practitioners provide insight into the broader African immigrant population based on their work with diverse African immigrant clients. Findings revealed three central themes: (1) …

The Path From Acceptance To Adoption For Linguistic Innovations Dealing With Gender In The Language Classroom, Juan Carlos Acevedo Fontecha

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the factors influencing the acceptance, rejection, or adoption of gender inclusive and gender-non-identifying forms among language users. The study draws on responses from 25 students in a linguistic class to evaluate innovations in English and from 23 instructors of Spanish to evaluate innovations in Spanish. Participants took part in a survey designed to evaluate existing forms endorsed by the United Nations, and gender-non-identifying forms, such as the -e morpheme in Spanish or singular they in English, promoted by community-generated guides. Quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed side by side to better understand the participants’ reasoning regarding these …

Site-Specific Modification Of Antibodies Utilizing Microbial Transglutaminase For Improved Immunoassay Performance, Emily Beitello

Theses and Dissertations

Immobilization strategies used for fixing antibodies to solid phase surfaces significantly contribute to the antigen capture capacity and influences the performance and sensitivity of immunoassays. Traditional methodologies result in the random orientation and/or the weak attachment of immobilized antibodies. Different formats of immunoassays scope in applicability to many fields of research and everyday use. Improving the efficiency of immobilizing antibodies in immunoassays is a beneficial endeavor to increase assay sensitivity. Here, we investigated the use of enzyme-mediated conjugation of antibodies to facilitate a highly oriented immobilization. Microbial transglutaminase (mTG) catalyzes the covalent bond formation between a plethora of primary amine …

Exploring The Interplay Of Health-Related Psychological Constructs, Health Promotion Programs, And Work Outcomes: A Two-Study Approach, Peyton Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Health and wellness initiatives have become central components within modern workplaces. A growing emphasis on maintaining and improving personal health and wellness has clear effects in professional environments as health promotion programs are increasingly implemented. This project aims to uncover the psychological constructs that are targeted and influenced by such programs. Specifically, these studies examine the influence of health messaging on individual levels of health anxiety and health consciousness and investigate how those constructs interact with attendance and health-related outcomes. Additionally, information regarding an employees’ organizational commitment was gathered to examine its’ potential impact. The thesis further elaborates on the …

Experienscape And The Interior Environment: A Case Study At A Bar With Entertainment, Paige J. Hendrickson

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this study was to understand what aspects of the interior environment at a bar with bowling affect customers’ willingness to return and word-of-mouth sharing. The dimensions of the experiencescape model were used to guide the research, focusing on sensory, functional, social, and hospitality culture. A mixed qualitative methods approach was used, combining observations, focus group interviews, and moment maps to investigate customer comfort, satisfaction, excitement, memorability, and the difference in one’s perception of their experience based on ethnicity. It was found that the unique atmosphere, price, staff, and diversity were the main reasons customers returned or shared …

Perceptions And Treatment Decisions For A Drug Offender Based On Social Class, Cocaine Type, Personal Characteristics, And Compassionate Love: A Vignette Study, Yasmin A. Odeh

Theses and Dissertations

Problem: The shift from a focus on rehabilitation to the more punitive, “tough on crime” approach to illegal behavior in the U.S. has been enacted in no small way by policies connected to the use and abuse of drugs. The disparities between crack and powder cocaine—two chemically similar substances—have headlined this shift (Vagins and McCurdy 2006). However, research is scarce on laypeople’s approval of deterrence approaches for drug offenses, including as a function of types (e.g., powder vs. cocaine possession). This study examined people’s perceptions of prosecutorial decisions for drug offenders—whether they are punished, rehabilitated, or both—and whether people perceived …

From Columbia To Usc, Palestine Will Be Free: Capturing The Palestinian Student Narrative, Deena Ata

Theses and Dissertations

In 2024, student groups across colleges organized encampments demanding their institutions cut financial and academic ties with Israel and the Israeli military, a call rooted in resistance to the ongoing occupation and violence against Palestinians. These student-led actions were met with harsh retaliation from university administrations and state authorities, including graduation deferments, suspensions, censorship, and arrests. Clear attempts to silence dissent and suppress Palestinian solidarity. This study centers the voices of Palestinian college students by examining their lived experiences and counter-narratives in the face of backlash, anti-Palestinian rhetoric, and institutionalized acts of disenfranchisement. Their stories reveal how repression of pro-Palestine …

Preschool Developmental Play And Autism, Michelle Brooks Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

This school improvement project applies the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED) model to explore strategies to increase peer engagement among preschool students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in a developmental playroom setting. Play is a cornerstone of early childhood development, fostering cognitive, social, and emotional growth. However, children with ASD often encounter challenges in engaging with play environments due to social communication difficulties and sensory processing differences. Grounded in Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, this project adopts a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) framework to facilitate peer interactions and enhance engagement in inclusive play settings.

The intervention focuses on guiding …

Savior To Ally: Exploring White Students' Decisions To Major In Social Work Through The Lens Of White Saviorism, Amy S. Dennison

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored how white students chose social work as a major and how white savior ideology reinforced or challenged students’ choices. The study contributes to a gap in the literature regarding white saviorism and social work education. Using a phenomenological approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews from five undergraduate social work students at one Midwestern state university. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using Moustakas’ data analysis for phenomenology framework. The findings revealed that participants chose social work because of an intent to help others, as well as a desire for their work to have a meaningful impact. White …

The Impact Of Coaching On Teachers' Implementation Fidelity Of Goal Setting Strategy, Brandi M. Greene

Theses and Dissertations

Educational settings are filled with educators who have varying experiences in working with students who have disabilities and students who are considered at-risk. Typically, students who have disabilities or are considered at-risk struggle with self-regulation skills and require interventions to improve. However, literature has shown that there is very little training for teachers that will help them implement evidence-based strategies with fidelity. One of the strategies that can be used to improve self-regulation is goal setting, however, within the literature for the goal setting strategy, teachers are not well equipped to implement the strategy. Coaching has been deemed an effective …

Cultural Identity In Mental Health Services And Helpseeking Behaviours Among African International Students, Mark Ofosu Asirifi

Theses and Dissertations

Acculturation stress impacts international students’ psychological well-being and academic success, yet research on African students remains limited. For African international students, this stress is intensified by cultural stigma surrounding mental health services, deterring help-seeking due to fears of judgment and ostracization. This identity negotiation complicates their willingness to access support, reinforcing cultural barriers to mental health care. This study explores how cultural identity shapes the mental health perceptions and help-seeking behaviors of African international students in the United States. Grounded in the Communication Theory of Identity (CTI) and the Health Belief Model (HBM), the research examines how acculturative stress, stigma, …

Barriers To Mental Health Among International Students: Identifying Challenges And Developing Support Strategies For Depressive Symptoms, Esi Tb Afful

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine barriers to mental health service utilization among international students, with a specific focus on challenges related to depressive symptoms and their coping mechanisms. The study also sought to identify factors that influence international students’ engagement with mental health resources.

Method: A total of 30 international students enrolled at a midwestern university participated in this mixed-methods study. Data were collected through an online survey, which included both closed- and open-ended questions. The quantitative portion of the survey assessed demographics, cultural and immigration challenges, mental health service utilization, and social support. Hierarchical multiple …

Differential Effects Of Health Insurance Coverage On Health For Sexual Minorities, Ruby W. Morr

Theses and Dissertations

Much existing research has found a substantial gap in health between sexual minorities and non-minorities. This is usually attributed to discrimination or access to care. I seek to find the role that insurance plays, including minorities' choices of insurance coverage. If a gap does exist, insurance may have a stronger impact on sexual minorities. Also, if minorities are less likely to have insurance coverage, they may be susceptible to worse health. I confirm results from the literature that sexual minorities do have worse health. While health insurance accounts for some of the gap, it is only a small portion, though …

Voices From Within: Employees' Sensemaking Of Corporate Volunteerism, Janet Laadi Anani

Theses and Dissertations

Corporate volunteerism is a key component of the philanthropic pillar of CSR, shaping employee engagement and organizational identity. This study employed the social exchange and sensemaking theories to explore how employees make meaning of their experiences in corporate volunteer initiatives and how their experiences influence their perceptions of their organizations. Data was gathered from in-depth interviews with employees with varied corporate volunteer experiences across multiple organizations. The findings show that despite employees’ strong motivations to engage in corporate volunteerism, they face challenges such as time and workload constraints and limited variety of volunteer opportunities. The study also found that employees’ …

Hydronic Parking Lots: A Solution For Urban Heat Island Mitigation, Sumeet Jinnappa Paramaj

Theses and Dissertations

The Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect has emerged as a critical challenge in modern cities. It contributes to elevated local temperatures, placing significant stress on urban ecosystems and public health. One of the primary drivers of this phenomenon is the widespread use of impervious surfaces, such as dark-colored parking lots, which absorb heat during the day and gradually release it at night. This ongoing cycle results in persistently warmer urban environments. As cities continue to expand and densify, the need for effective, sustainable strategies to reduce urban heat becomes increasingly urgent.

This project aims to explore innovative interventions, particularly in …

Listening To The Body: Attunement And Advocacy In Women's Experiences Of Endometriosis, Rebekah E. Greenslaugh

Theses and Dissertations

Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the endometrial lining grows outside the uterus, leading to severe pain, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms. Despite its significant impact on daily life, many women with endometriosis report that their symptoms are dismissed in medical encounters, as their pain is minimized or normalized as an inherent aspect of womanhood. This medical dismissal, combined with a lack of definitive diagnostic tools and effective treatments, leads many to turn to online support communities to make sense of their symptoms, share experiences, and develop ways to cope with the condition. Drawing on …

Creating Equitable Employment Practices For Adjunct Faculty: Perceptions Of Academic Administrators At Public Institutions In A Great Plains State, Constance Mciver

Theses and Dissertations

Adjunct faculty are a substantial feature of the higher education classroom. Their increased prevalence has contributed to elevated concerns regarding the employment practices of these part-time faculty. While numerous published accounts of adjunct faculty experiences are available, recorded perceptions of academic administrators are less prevalent. Eighty-six academic administrators from six public universities in a Great Plains state participated in a researcher-developed survey to determine the expectations placed upon and compensation practices for adjunct faculty, as well as perceptions of the strengths and weaknesses of the adjunct system and the feasibility of providing more equitable compensation. Survey findings suggest there is …

Eco-Friendly Synthesis Of Anemonin From 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural, A Biomass-Derived Starting Material, Diane Zefack Tangmi

Theses and Dissertations

Anemonin, a valuable cyclobutane containing dilactone is a bioactive natural product from Ranunculaceae plants. It holds great potential for applications in pharmaceuticals and materials science. However, traditional synthesis methods are hampered by low yields, toxic reagents, and environmental concerns, limiting its practical use. This study highlights the development of green and scalable synthetic strategies designed to achieve high yields while minimizing environmental impact. Our approach focuses on sustainable methodologies, including optimized steam and fractional distillation performed under mild conditions to reduce waste and energy demands. Protoanemonin’s natural ability to dimerize under mild heating offers a green approach to anemonin synthesis, …

Genetic Epidemiology Of Chronic Wasting Disease And Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease In North Dakota Deer, Ethan S. Baker

Theses and Dissertations

Wildlife diseases have become a critical factor in the management of animal populations across the globe. Such diseases can compromise individual health, reduce population sizes, and disrupt ecosystem biodiversity. As a result, there can be a loss in recreational opportunities which, in turn, can cause economic losses for communities relying on these populations. Effective wildlife disease management not only requires the ability to respond to outbreaks but also the capacity to predict how diseases interact with populations and ecosystems. Due to the complexity of disease dynamics, a multidisciplinary approach is essential for gaining a comprehensive understanding of these systems. In …

Exploring The Experiences Of First-Year Pre-Nursing Students’ Sense Of Belonging In A Living-Learning Community And First-Year Seminar, Robyn Bancroft

Theses and Dissertations

Many factors may influence how a student experiences their first year adjusting to college life. The University of North Dakota, a public research institution located in Grand Forks, ND, recently implemented a nursing living-learning community (LLC) comprised of first-year, pre-nursing students, which also required the students to take a one-credit first-year seminar (FYS) together, known as UNIV 101 – Introduction to University Life. A total of 10 participants who resided within this living-learning community for a minimum of one academic year and were enrolled in the same section of UNIV 101 during their first semester submitted reflection papers. Additionally, eight …

Exploring Refugee Students’ Experiences In Midwest Higher Education Environments: Culturally Responsive Practices For Educators, Rohana De Silva

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the teaching and learning strategies used by highereducation faculty to support refugee students at a Midwestern university. Recognizing that refugee students bring diverse cultural, linguistic, and experiential backgrounds to academic environments, this research examined how instructional practices can either promote or hinder their educational success. Traditional teaching methods often fall short in addressing the complex needs of this student population. Using Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth Framework, Bourdieu’s Theory of Cultural Capital, and Resilience Theory, this study analyzed the narratives of refugee students to uncover how their lived experiences influenced their educational journeys. Findings revealed that refugee …

Impact Of Resin Grinding On Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Adsorption In Rapid Small-Scale Column Tests, Tihitna Gezahegn Mulugeta

Theses and Dissertations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants with significant health risks. Among the different technologies for PFAS removal, adsorption is preferable due to low-cost, operational simplicity, and use of regenerable adsorbents. While pilot-scale fixed-bed columns are ideal for evaluating adsorption media, they are time- and resource-intensive. Rapid Small-Scale Column Tests (RSSCTs) offer a practical alternative, yet most studies have focused on granular activated carbon, with limited insight into ion exchange (IX) resins. Due to limited literature on the effect resin preparation on the performance of RSSCTs and their prediction accuracies are unexplored. This study investigates the effect of …

Strengthening Traffic Safety Laws On The Crow Indian Reservation, Darcy Merchant

Theses and Dissertations

The Crow Indian reservation is located in south-central Montana. The reservation is one of the largest land-based tribes in Montana, encompassing an area of over three thousand square miles. The reservation borders the state of Wyoming to the south and the Northern Cheyenne Indian reservation to the east. The reservation features a comprehensive transportation system that encompasses tribal, county, state, and federal roadways. Drivers and passengers who travel on these roadways are at higher risk for fatal and severe injury-related motor vehicle crashes than those in other reservations. This situation largely stems from the critical absence of targeted traffic safety …

Doctoral Student Mentoring: A Quantitative Analysis Of Faculty And Student Perceptions And Expectations, Laura Margaret Look

Theses and Dissertations

Doctoral student success is heavily influenced by the quality of mentoring and advising relationships with graduate faculty, yet doctoral student completion rates remain at a low rate of around 50%. The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the mentoring relationships of doctoral students by surveying doctoral students and graduate faculty who mentor graduate students to identify their expectations for the mentor and mentee in the mentoring relationship. Data were collected from 155 students and 68 faculty in the spring 2024 semester at the University of North Dakota, a Midwest R2 institution. Nonparametric statistical analysis revealed several misalignments between …

Mindfulness And Modification Therapy (Mmt) Group Feasibility And Acceptability Among Prison Residents With Dysregulated Behaviors, Leslie Unger

Theses and Dissertations

Mindfulness and Modification Therapy (MMT; Wupperman, 2019) is a transdiagnostic therapy that systematically integrates aspects of six empirically supported treatments for impulsive and dysregulated behavior. As such, MMT may offer an efficient approach to addressing a variety of dysregulated behaviors, thereby supporting increased safety within carceral settings and enhancing goals of rehabilitation. To date, MMT has demonstrated positive results in community settings when treating substance misuse and anger/aggression, but it has not yet been examined in a prison setting. The present research examines the feasibility and acceptability of using a 14-session version of group MMT as a voluntary treatment option …

Military Recruitment And Retention: A Policy And Practice Analysis, Orly Naum

Theses and Dissertations

The ongoing decline in United States military recruitment and retention presents a growing challenge to sustaining an effective All-Volunteer Force (AVF), particularly within the United States Coast Guard, a branch that has historically been underrepresented in academic research, and across the Department of Defense (DoD). This convergent mixed methods study examined how generational cohorts and individual motivations influence recruitment and retention, integrating quantitative data from the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC) and qualitative survey responses from a veteran-rich collegiate population. The quantitative analysis revealed statistically significant differences in Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) scores between Generation Z (GenZ) and Generation …

Which University Faculty Are Successful Researchers? Developing And Testing Measures Of Research Competence To Predict Faculty Research Motivation And Success, Muhammad Salahuddin

Theses and Dissertations

University faculty play a pivotal role in producing research that leads to positive social change through the creation of new knowledge, enhancement of higher education quality, and improved university rankings. Faculty produce more when they feel competent, autonomously motivated, and acknowledged. Past studies have measured faculty research competencies using self-report scales that may contain biases, potentially leading to significant discrepancies in research outcomes. My program of research – a three-article dissertation – aimed to develop and validate the test-based measures of faculty research competence that can more reliably predict faculty research success. The three studies provide an enhanced understanding of …

Visible, Invisible: (Levantine) Arab American Men On Mental Health, Nesreen Jaber

Theses and Dissertations

To address the dearth in psychological research and practice in regards to Arab American men, this study examined the lived experiences of seven Levantine (Belad Al Sham) Arab American men with origins in Palestine, Lebanon, and Iraq. Semi-structured interviews, Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), and a Liberation Psychology framework were utilized to explore their definitions of mental health, their experiences of stigma, their experiences with mental health therapy, and their attitudes towards psychology and therapy. A total of seven superordinate themes emerged that highlighted the roles of gendered stigma, cultural incongruence in therapeutic praxis, Eurocentric norms in psychology, and conceptualizations of …

Mental Health Stigma Among Latiné Adolescents: Help-Seeking Intentions And Recommendations, Brenda D. Barragan

Theses and Dissertations

Latiné adolescents in the United States face increasing mental health challenges, including elevated rates of depression, suicidal ideation, and emotional distress, particularly in underserved regions such as the Midwest. Despite these needs, Latiné adolescents remain underrepresented in mental health research, particularly with respect to how cultural values and intersecting identities—such as gender, immigrant status, and perceived socioeconomic status—influence stigma and help-seeking behaviors. Grounded in the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), this study explored how mental health stigma and cultural factors shape help-seeking intentions and recommendations among 95 self-identified Latiné adolescents in North Dakota and Minnesota. The study examined two primary …