Digital Commons Network^™

“They’Re Just Kinda Fun”: Action Research Evaluating The Impact Of Gamification Tools On Secondary Social Studies Students’ Academic Self-Efficacy, Motivation, And Perceptions Of Learning, Anthony Wayne Blair Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study evaluated the implementation of a gamification strategy to improve academic self-efficacy and motivation in social studies students at Azul Mountain High School (a pseudonym). Keeping students engaged in school is a top priority for educators at all levels. However, students’ lack of engagement at the high-school level has become more detrimental. Improving self-efficacy has been linked to increased motivation, academic achievement, and improved learning outcomes. By making the learning experience more engaging for students, gamification may be a viable approach to the challenge of keeping students in high school. This study addressed three research questions: (a) …

Incorporating Digital Tools In A Social Studies Course: An Action Research To Support High School Students’ Critical Thinking And Collaboration Skills, Tara Grant

Theses and Dissertations

Digital tools have the potential and ability to develop and support critical thinking skills in high school students, as they provide interactive and engaging platforms for learning. The purpose of this action research was to implement digital tools for student collaboration in two high school Social Studies classrooms, to evaluate the tools’ potential impact on students' critical thinking skills, and to assess the participant’s perceptions of the impact and use of digital tools for collaboration in the classroom. This study focused on two overarching questions: (1) How, and to what extent, does the use of digital tools for student collaboration …

Increasing Engagement And Self-Efficacy Levels In Underachieving 5Th Grade Students: A Qualitative Study, Raney Altman

Theses and Dissertations

Student achievement and mastery of content taught in reading is measured each year in the state of South Carolina. A pattern of low achievement was identified, but more specifically, there were patterns of low engagement and self-efficacy levels in 5th grade students in this study. Because reading is a critical tool needed to participate in all life necessities such as finding work and experiencing interviews, paying bills, and following simple everyday directions, it was evident in student behavior in the classroom that adjustments needed to be made instructionally to ensure success for all students in school and in future endeavors. …

Keep Your Friends Close And Your Enemies Closer A Theory Of Welfare Provision In Authoritarian Regimes, Sanghoon Park

Theses and Dissertations

The dissertation examines the determinants and dynamics of welfare provision in authoritarian regimes and the influence of welfare provision on autocrat’s survival. It argues that the social and class-based explanations for welfare in democracies can also apply to autocracies, though the specific challenges faced by autocrats can lead to different outcomes.

The Impact Of Pbis Programs On Discipline Referrals In A Secondary School, Tameika Shantrelle Valentine

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the impact of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) on discipline within a secondary school setting. PBIS is a proactive approach to establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success. The research focuses on a comprehensive analysis of disciplinary records before and after the implementation of PBIS, comparing metrics including the number of disciplinary referrals, suspensions, and expulsions. Additionally, qualitative data from teacher surveys provided insights into changes in school climate and perceptions of behavior management. Preliminary findings suggest that the adoption of PBIS impacted a significant …

Why He Sings: An Action Research Study Using Counternarratives To Affect The Deficit Narratives Attributed To Students Of Color, Tiffany Jones Early

Theses and Dissertations

There is ample research that shows that students of color are less likely to graduate from college than their White peers. Meanwhile, the demographics of students who enroll in college continue to be more diverse than previous generations. As universities struggle to understand retention disparities, the voices of the students are often eliminated from the discussion. Many university staff members, instead, opt for a deficit narrative to blame what they believe students of color lack that inhibits them from persisting in college until graduation. The purpose of this study is to use narrative inquiry to better understand the educational experiences …

Design Of An Above Pavement Wireless Sensor Node (Apwsn) For Real-Time Roadway Monitoring Using Piezoelectric Energy-Harvesting, Jochy Jonathan Perez

Theses and Dissertations

The evolution of Smart Highway and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies offers new opportunities to improve the safety and efficiency of vehicular traffic on roads. This research effort describes the development of a wireless pavement sensor that provides a novel method to detect key pavement parameters while incorporating low-power energy harvesting that leverages the kinetic energy generated by vehicular traffic. The Above Pavement Wireless Sensor Node (APWSN) is the embodiment of the approach. APWSN can facilitate the strategic deployment of sensors on a wide variety of roads to enable real-time data collection to support decision-making processes for road infrastructure maintenance …

A Novel Approach To Evaluate Seatbelt Non-Compliance Of Drivers In New Jersey, Md Arifuzzaman Nayeem

Theses and Dissertations

This study intends to investigate the non-compliant behavior of drivers with seatbelt use in New Jersey. By examining various factors such as temporal and roadway characteristics, this study seeks to identify the underlying causes of this seatbelt non-compliance behavior. To overcome the limitations of traditional methods like cross-sectional data collection, a novel approach known as moving vehicle method was employed. To gain further insights, hypothesis tests were performed across the entire dataset to pinpoint significant temporal, roadway, and geometric factors contributing to non-compliant behaviors. In the subsequent step, the association of other risky behaviors like speeding and distracted driving with …

Early Intervention System Contextual Factors Contributing To Treatment Attendance And Clinical Outcomes, Anthony Eldridge

Theses and Dissertations

Early Intervention Programs (EI) are an established method of addressing and treating earlier childhood developmental problems that involves a system of complex processes which families must navigate to secure and maintain care. Extensive wait times and multiple service providers burdensome caregivers which may impact treatment engagement. Telehealth offers some clinical utility for improving EI service provision. However, little is known how system contextual factors predict a child’s Part B Eligibility and level of engagement with treatment. The primary aim of this study is to describe the effect that wait time, number of service providers, number of treatment services, and treatment …

Integrating Data-Driven And Mechanism-Driven Modeling In Drug Discovery And Hepatotoxicity Evaluation, Xuelian Jia

Theses and Dissertations

The pharmacological activities and hepatotoxicity significantly influence the success or failure of new drugs during drug discovery and development. Traditional experimental methods, such as animal models, are costly and time-consuming for chemical testing. There is a great need to develop in vitro and computational modeling to help identify the pharmacological activities and hepatotoxicity potential in the early stage of drug discovery and safety evaluation. In this dissertation, new computational models and associated modeling frameworks were described for predicting the biological profile and hepatotoxicity of chemicals. Firstly, a novel data mining and Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) workflow was developed to construct …

"Remember Me": A Narrative Analysis On Latino Representation In Disney's Coco And Encanto, Angie Nicole Vega

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the authenticity of Latino representation in Disney animated films by reviewing the visuals, symbols, and themes incorporated into the animations. Using a narrative analysis method, the study examines themes present in the films, including characters, setting, music, and language, to uncover deeper meanings and cultural references. Through this analysis, the study aims to identify commonalities in how Latino culture is represented in mainstream media and to uncover any underlying messages or biases that may be present. The findings of the study suggest that both films showcase Latino culture in a positive and celebratory manner, highlighting the importance …

Navigating The Maze: Women Experiences Transitioning From Faculty To High-Level Administration In Four-Year Postsecondary Institutions In The United States, Jonathan Miles Hubbell

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the experiences of women transitioning from faculty roles to high-level administrative positions within four-year postsecondary institutions in the United States. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, this study investigates the strategies, challenges, and successes of nine women who have navigated this career progression, highlighting the systemic barriers they faced and the resilience they developed along the way. Through the lens of resiliency theory and intersectionality, the research examines how women balance personal and professional obligations, overcome institutional barriers, and utilize mentorship networks to support their advancement. From the in-depth interviews, four themes emerged: (a) adaptability, (b) resilience, (c) mentoring, …

Development Of A Haptic System For Robot-Assisted Femur Fracture Surgery, Fayez H. Alruwaili

Theses and Dissertations

Robot-assisted surgery has emerged within the field of surgical technology, driven by the need for greater accuracy and speed in the ongoing evolution of healthcare. This advancement has influenced numerous areas requiring enhancements to achieve optimal surgical results. However, surgical robotics tends to lack the surgeon’s connection to the operation, creating a gap in the intuitive skill set required for successful operations. The gap is seen through the lack of sense of touch, which may result in tissue damage and additional injury when the robot interacts with the patient. Furthermore, challenges faced during femur fracture surgery have positioned robot-assisted surgery …

Injectable Hydrogels That Can Measure Radiation At Body Temperature, Daniel Joseph Ball

Theses and Dissertations

Hydrogel-based radiation dosimeters are used to calibrate and validate radiation delivered by linear accelerators used in radiotherapy. Specifically, Fricke hydrogel-based dosimeters containing ferrous ion complexes oxidize upon exposure to radiation, leading to a change in optical density that can be measured via a color change in a photometric reagent. While gelatin-based Fricke hydrogels are routinely used to measure radiation, these hydrogels are unstable at body temperature, and it is currently not possible to noninvasively measure radiation dose inside a patient. This study reports the synthesis and characterization of self-forming hydrogels containing Fricke components that are stable at body temperature. The …

Use Of Pulsed Electric Fields And Hydrogen Peroxide For Pre And Postharvest Strategies To Reduce Microbial Loads On Fresh Produce, Zachary Rosenzweig

Theses and Dissertations

Several issues exist within the agricultural industry surrounding failure to prevent pathogen transfer to plants preharvest and failure to decontaminate foods postharvest. Fresh produce, like leafy greens, pose a large threat to public safety if contaminated because they are minimally processed and often eaten raw. Numerous outbreaks have been linked to fresh produce in recent decades, with irrigation water emerging as a potential source. These outbreaks have severe economic repercussions and can contribute to millions of hospitalizations and deaths each year, worldwide. This thesis focuses on the usage of pulsed electric fields (PEF) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a means …

Identifying School-Wide Inequities: Action Research Conducted Using An Equity Audit To Inform Annual School Planning For A Pre-K–8 School, Janine Casella

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study aims to identify and address equity gaps within a PK-8 New Jersey school by leading a professional learning community (PLC). The study will use action research methods to conduct an educational equity audit, which will inform the annual school plan and create a leadership action plan to stimulate organizational change. Traditionally, teachers at the research site have used Data-Driven Decision Making (DDDM) cycles, but this study will integrate Critical Data-Driven Decision Making (CDDDM) cycles, including an equity audit analyzed in PLCs. The audit will identify patterns of inequity and identify strategies to address them. The study …

Nanofiber-Hydrogel Composite Scaffold Fabrication Methods For Peripheral Nerve Regeneration, Jacob Lee Carter

Theses and Dissertations

Nerve graft conduits (NGCs) are a rapidly advancing field for treating peripheral nerve injuries that aim to guide the growth of regenerating axons across damaged gaps. A more effective NGC can be manufactured by combining the use of nanofibers to act as guidewires within a 3-D hydrogel that imitates the extracellular matrix of nerve tissue. Several methods have been developed to embed aligned nanofibers in an ordered architecture within a hydrogel matrix. The first method involves layer-by-layer additive manufacturing to create NGCs with rows of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers surrounded by a gelatin methacrylate (GelMe) hydrogel in a 3-D structure. A …

School Administrators Making Sense Of Wellness Issues And Technology Policy: A Qualitative Instrumental Case Study, Allyson Michelle Rose

Theses and Dissertations

Technology use has been identified as a key contributor to the decrease in youth mental health (Children’s Bureau, 2019; Lebrun-Harris et al., 2022; Dwyer, 2022; Mojtabai et al., 2016; Yasakci, 2019; Odgers & Jensen, 2020). The purpose of this qualitative instrumental case study was to investigate how school district administrators are addressing wellness issues that are developing in elementary aged students due to technology use. The intent of this study was to use the theory of sensemaking (Weick, 1995) to investigate how administrators create policies that respond to the current wellness crisis arising from technology usage in public elementary school …

Exploring Islamic School Teacher Adaptations To Reduce Cultural Mismatch For Muslim Middle Eastern American Students: A Grounded Theory Study, Zenab Eldreny

Theses and Dissertations

Culturally responsive practices are imperative in American classrooms due to the increasing diversity of the student population. These practices prioritize contextualizing materials, building relationships with students, and leveraging students’ cultural experiences and capital to improve their overall experience in the educational process. However, there is little understanding of the intersection between culturally responsive practices and social-emotional learning frameworks, particularly in contexts beyond the traditional public school environment. This qualitative study employs grounded theory to explore how Islamic school teachers adapt the social-emotional learning curricula to accommodate better Middle Eastern American (MMEA) students' cultural values. Focus groups were conducted to augment …

Role Of Customized Visual And Multifactorial Interventions In Preventing Falls Among Individuals With Visual Impairment In South India, Ramya S

Theses and Dissertations

Falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injuries and extensively studied among the elderly. Hence, intervention studies for falls prevention are restricted to the elderly with or without visual impairment (VI). Even among studies with VI, strategies for treatable VI are widely explored. Hence this study aimed to understand falls and interventions that may reduce falls in all the age groups especially among those with untreatable VI.

This mixed methods study included identification of subjects aged ≥ 18 years with VI from clinical records of Medical Research Foundation, Chennai and details of previous history of falls were enquired over …

Discovery Of Small Molecules To Alleviate Heart Disease-Induced Proteinopathy And Proteotoxicity Characteristic Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Nirjal Mainali

Theses and Dissertations

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the world and in the United States. Reduced cardiac output due to CVD has been previously associated with decreases in systemic and cerebral perfusion. Cerebral hypoperfusion increases the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), accompanied by accumulation of aggregates that feature Aβ amyloid and hyperphosphorylated tau. Protein aggregation is a shared hallmark of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. We previously reported elevated aggregation in hearts of hypertensive and aged mice and now find that aggregation is induced in hearts and brains of male C57BL/6 mice after transient ligation of the left coronary …

Low-Power Sensor Design And Fusion To Edge Devices For High-Speed Object Detection And Enhanced Soldier Situational Awareness, Scott Patrick Wood

Theses and Dissertations

Threat detection and physiological monitoring of soldiers from fused sensor data collected in real time is currently limited to running deep neural networks with substantial computing needs. The lack of data acquisition from sensor readings and efficient detection of novel enemy signatures motivates the need for a low-power, low-cost, wireless multisensor fusion computing system. We propose the current trends in Internet of Things to deploy a chargeable, wireless multi-channel acquisition system that can be interfaced to a high speed, Single Board Computer (SBC) such as the NVIDIA Jetson Orin capable of running object detection models, such as YOLOv7-tiny to enable …

Identifying The Challenges That Hinder Research Productivity In Academia: Evidence From Somaliland And The Way Forward., Khalid Jama

Theses and Dissertations

In any nation, research is the primary force behind innovation and progress. It contributes to the Economic growth, global competence, and social progress. Research productivity is highly valued in the scientific community. Scientific community research is regarded as the key factor determining academic recognition, financial support, and academic recognition. Nonetheless, the output of research faces difficulties in many sub-Saharan African nations. This study aims to understand what limits the research publication in Somaliland. The study adopt a mixed methods approach to understand and analyze the main reason behind the research and publication limitations in Somaliland’s higher education. Individuals from various …

Improving Ligand Pharmacokinetics Via Bioisosteric Substitution Of Amides With 1, 2, 3-Triazoles While Maintaining Dopamine D4 Receptor Selectivity And Potency, Mohammad Alkhatib

Theses and Dissertations

Several neurophysiological functions, such as attention, cognition, and emotional regulation, are regulated by the binding of dopamine on G-Protein coupled receptors. D4Rs are mainly located in the prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus and are known to have a key role in decision-making, memory formation, cognition, and attention. Administration of D4Rs- selective ligands during the preclinical studies enhance the outcomes and the results in animal models suffering from neuropsychiatric disorders, including ADHD, substance use disorders (SUD), and Alzheimer's disease. Recently, we reported a group of D4R-selective ligands with different efficacies depending on their phenylpiperazine ring scaffold to illustrate D4R function during …

Structural And Functional Correlates Of The Sleep-Suicidal Ideation Association, Jolynn Jones

Theses and Dissertations

Each year, about 800,000 individuals die by suicide globally, affecting millions more. Mitigating suicide risks by targeting modifiable factors such as the sleep disturbances of insomnia and nightmares, which are prevalent and linked to suicidality is important. This study investigated the structural and functional brain differences related to sleep disturbances and suicidality, with the anterior cingulate (caudal and rostral), insula, middle frontal gyrus, posterior cingulate, thalamus, amygdala, and orbitofrontal cortex as seed regions. Participants had no history of suicidal ideation (NSI; n=43) or suicidal ideation within the past two weeks (SI; n=25). Measures for analyses included the Insomnia Severity Index …

A Study To Explore How People Evaluate The Quality Of Their Medical Information From The Social Media For Celiac Disease, Phillip Arnold

Theses and Dissertations

Every day, millions of people visit various social media platforms to post updates on their daily lives, to search for information, and to repost and/or potentially like posts on social media. This has led to scores of pieces of misinformation appearing on these social media posts. While some misinformation can be harmless and disregarded by the general public, there are various subject matters, including medical treatments and diseases, where misinformation on the treatment and other various subjects involving the disease can lead to dire consequences. This research proposes to investigate how social media users vet their data on two different …

Developing Coexpression Systems To Introduce Hydroxyproline Into Protein Engineered Collagen Peptides Utilizing Hydroxylase From Acanthamoeba Polyphaga Mimivirus, Jennifer Soldatich

Theses and Dissertations

A major challenge of developing collagen mimetic peptides (CMPs) by bacterial expression is to include hydroxyproline for biomedical applications. Coexpression of Prolyl-4-hydroxylase from A.mimivirus with CMPs was investigated. Additionally, four expression designs were created for potential applications in mammalian cells to utilize their natural ability of proline-hydroxylation by post-translational modification.

To Belong Or Not To Belong: Bipoc First-Generation Community College Students’ Experiences, Christine Orbeta

Theses and Dissertations

Using narrative interviews, this study explored the experiences of belonging among eight first-generation college students (FGCS) who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). By applying Strayhorn's Belonging and Crenshaw's Intersectionality Framework, this study sheds light on the challenges and benefits BIPOC FGCS encounter as they strive for academic success at two-year institutions within the City University of New York (CUNY) where approximately 44% of CUNY's student body comprises FGCS (CUNY, 2019). According to participants, families and institutions played significant roles in shaping students' sense of belonging. It also highlights the intricate negotiations BIPOC FGCS undergo as they …

Engaging The Acquisition Work Force: A Study Of Antecedents In A Program Office Context, Derek W. Zima

Theses and Dissertations

In an era marked by international conflict and heightened geo-political tensions, the Air Force has necessarily begun preparing for a near-peer fight. Air Force senior leaders have defined improving acquisitions career field performance as a necessary objective to keep pace with adversaries. The linkage between employee engagement and enhanced performance outcomes, as widely supported throughout the literature, suggests that fostering a more engaged acquisition work force may be the key to delivering technology to the field quickly and affordably. As such, this research effort surveyed an acquisitions program office to characterize the key drivers of engagement. Stepwise regression showed that …

Improving Military Medical Evacuation System Performance Via Stochastic Optimization, Virbon B. Frial

Theses and Dissertations

This research highlights the importance of improving the performance of military medical evacuation systems to reduce the risk of permanent disability or death among service members in deployed environments. We employ a range of stochastic optimization techniques relating to integer programming, Markov decision process, approximate dynamic programming, and machine learning, as appropriate, to gain insights into factors that contribute to improving system performance.