Digital Commons Network^™

Supporting Latinx Preservice Teachers For Implementing Phenomenon-Based Science To Promote Their Understanding Of The Three Dimensions Of Science Learning With An Emphasis On The Nature Of Science (Nos), Leslie Y. Garrido

Theses and Dissertations

As the adoption rate of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) continues to rise in the United States, there is an increasing need for the development of high-quality instructional materials that reflect NGSS and effectively prepare teachers for its implementation. The NGSS aim to foster an understanding of three interconnected dimensions in students: science and engineering practices (SEP), crosscutting concepts (CCC), and disciplinary core ideas (DCI), along with an understanding of the nature of science (NOS). These standards envision students continuously revising their knowledge through the investigation of real-world phenomena using these dimensions. The State of Texas recently adopted and …

Military Veteran Students’ Perceptions Of Support In College Writing Classrooms: A Qualitative Case Study, Jacqueline M. Beamen

Theses and Dissertations

Current literature indicates a disconnect between military veteran students’ experiences in college and what colleges claim they are doing to support these students. How support is manifested in writing classes at a medium-sized community college, as perceived by veteran students themselves, was unknown. This qualitative case study aimed to establish a deeper understanding of the unique needs of these students and how and whether they experienced support in their community college writing classrooms. The findings of this study showed that the participants’ military experiences impacted their perceptions of the college and of their writing classes. While they valued structure, rigor, …

Flexible And Rigid Endoscopic Evaluation Of In Vivo Rabbit Larynges: A Pilot Study, Shauntel Mei Li Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the comparability of flexible endoscopy to rigid endoscopy in the examination of rabbit vocal folds in vivo. This work was conducted within a larger parent project that has investigated the adverse effects of combination inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) on voice function in animal models and humans. In this study, both flexible and rigid vocal fold imaging was performed on eight rabbits; four having received ICs and four that were from control conditions. Original recordings were examined frame-by-frame to identify similar views, zoomed in and zoomed out, for flexible and rigid samples. Images were …

Stress And Coping Mechanisms Of Non-Traditional International Doctoral Students, Ndidi Patience Iwuagwu

Theses and Dissertations

Higher education institutions are battling with the shrinking enrollment rate of students and the various college alternatives (Drozdowski, 2022); however, it has been evidenced in the literature that these issues can be augmented with international student enrollments and adult learners (Donaldson, 2022). Pursuing a doctoral degree is a tedious move (Devonport & Lane, 2014), and leaving one’s comfort zone to study in a different land for non-traditional international students can be exhausting due to the responsibilities at hand. Thus, this qualitative study examines the stressors experienced by non-traditional international doctoral students, the coping mechanisms utilized in the cause of these …

Knowledge Of Breast Cancer Risk Factors And Willingness To Undergo Screening Among Female Faculty, Staff, And Graduate Students Of Illinois State University, Esther Oshaji

Theses and Dissertations

Breast Cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. Early detection is key to combating the disease. Despite the U.S. having one of the highest BC rates globally, there is limited research on awareness of BC risk factors and willingness to undergo screening among university students, faculty, and staff. Drawing on the constructs of the Health Belief Model, this study assesses the knowledge and predictors of BC screening behaviors among female graduate students, faculty, and staff at a U.S. Midwestern University. This group is particularly important as BC risks increase with age. Understanding their perceptions of …

Effect Of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (Cftr) Loss In Lung Adenocarcinoma (Luad), Marilyn G. Vallejo Alvarez

Theses and Dissertations

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is the most common form of non-small cell lung cancer in the United States and is a major cause of cancer-related mortality. Patients with LUAD experience severe pulmonary symptoms and often progress to metastatic disease. Our previous work has shown that LUAD cells downregulate lung cell identity programs across cancer progression such as genes involved in the maintenance of epithelial barrier integrity. For example, CFTR (Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator), a water and bicarbonate channel, is expressed in normal alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells and is downregulated in cells that give rise to LUAD. Although the loss …

Using Rapid Protein Degradation To Determine The Effect Of Runx1 Loss-Of- Function On Dna Damage Accumulation And Repair., Jackriel Pina Morales

Theses and Dissertations

Germline mutations in RUNX1 are associated with familial platelet disorder with a predisposition to myeloid malignancy (RUNX1-FPDMM), in which patients present with low platelet counts,excessive bleeding and bruising, and an increased risk of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)/Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS) development throughout their lifetime. To understand how these loss-of-function mutations in RUNX1 drive predispose to malignancy, it is important to develop a detailed understanding of the molecular basis of RUNX1 function. While RUNX1 is a transcription factor, preliminary data from our group and work from others suggests that RUNX1 also interacts with proteins that are critical for DNA damage …

A Rabbit Model Of Voice Function Changes Caused By The Administration And Subsequent Withdrawal Of Asthma Inhalers, Savannah Forbes Bullock

Theses and Dissertations

Combination inhaled corticosteroids (ICs) are the primary treatment prescribed for patients with asthma; however, voice problems are also associated with ICs. In this study, 32 rabbits were assigned randomly to one of five experimental groups: baseline, induction, induction control, reversibility, and reversibility control. The baseline group received no treatment and larynges were obtained following quarantine. Rabbits belonging to experimental groups received IC treatment twice a day until trained raters noted visible vocal fold changes during endoscopy, which was performed every 2 weeks. When changes were observed, animals were euthanized, and the larynges were harvested from the experimental induction group and …

Exploring Caregiver Support For Advanced Practice Nurses Following An Error, Sunnie Lee Nield

Theses and Dissertations

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) are a growing population of employed individuals within the healthcare system, working in outpatient and inpatient settings. Like other healthcare professionals, nurse practitioners can and do make errors while practicing. Nevertheless, little to no research has focused on them. This research aimed to better understand nurse practitioners' attitudes towards error approach, perception, and cause using the Medical Error Attitude Scale (MEAS). Additional purposes included the further exploration of APRNs' experiences following an error and support they may or may not receive. A convenience sample of ARPNs licensed in Utah was sent an electronic survey via …

The Impact Of Divided Attention Tasks On Stress: Insights From Heart Rate Variability And Galvanic Skin Response, Kira Stefanie Uluave

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the impact of divided attention tasks on stress using physiologic measures. The divided attention conditions included speech tasks (conversation or procedural discourse) and non-speech computer-based tasks (visuospatial, mathematical, language, data entry, or text editing). Participants included 60 adults divided into two groups of 30 by age. The young adult group ranged in age from 18-30 years and the older adults ranged from 55-82 years. Participants were required to perform the speech task and the non-speech task in isolation as well as a speech task performed concurrently with each of the non-speech tasks. The order of the tasks …

Impact Of Legal Systems On Women's Representation In Parliament: Egypt And Tunisia, Omar Rabie

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the disparities in women's representation in the parliaments of Egypt and Tunisia, underscoring the impact of legal systems on political participation. Through a comparative analysis, it identifies key differences and similarities in the legal frameworks of both countries, highlighting how this influences the level of women's parliamentary representation. Egypt, with its relatively low representation of women in Parliament, contrasts with Tunisia's significantly higher levels attributed to progressive legal reforms and quota systems. The research employs a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative data to explore the institutional, legal, and cultural factors affecting women's political empowerment. By examining …

Psychological Safety Of Pre-Licensure Nursing Students: A Longitudinal, Qualitative Study, Laura Butler

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Previous studies have explored the concept of psychological safety among pre-licensure nursing students; however, the literature is notably sparse on personal descriptions of pre-licensure nursing students' experiences of psychological safety in clinical settings. Individual descriptions of psychological safety will provide added insight and understanding about the elements that shape psychological safety in pre-licensure nursing students. Objectives: This research aimed to longitudinally explore pre-licensure nursing students' experiences of psychological safety during clinical rotations and how their experiences of psychological safety change over time. Methods: This study used a longitudinal, qualitative, descriptive approach. Participants were recruited from a nursing program in …

Mobile Robot Path Planning Optimization Problem Using Multi- Objective Genetic Algorithm, Suresh Ks

Theses and Dissertations

Mobile Robot Path Planning problem (MRPPP) is the most prominent research area employed in different real-time environments. The research domain of robotics offers abundant opportunities for researchers in various engineering fields with different dimensions. The automation of physical movements of the robots with intelligence to make dynamic decisions for interacting with the environment opens up a lot of challenges to the research community.

A variety of approaches are employed to solve the Mobile Robot Path Planning Problem (MRPP), which is to derive a feasible collision-free path to reach the destination from the given starting point by avoiding obstacles. The solution …

Teacher Beliefs And Experiences Addressing Healthy Racial And Ethnic Identity Instructionally Through Social Emotional Learning, Juliana Gutierrez

Theses and Dissertations

Children and youth develop within an ecological context that includes family, peers, and broader social environments including school. Children’s understanding of their ethnic or racial group and the meaning they attribute to belonging in that group is also shaped by interactions in their school environment. Most research on school-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programs has focused on student behavioral and academic outcomes. However, as SEL spreads across U.S. K-12 schools, questions have emerged surrounding how children from diverse racial and cultural groups and unequal opportunity can benefit from universal SEL programs. Using a mixed-methods design, this study explores teachers’ understanding and …

Development Of Quantum True Random Number Generators And Implementation On Ibm Cloud Lab, Vaishnavi K

Theses and Dissertations

Random numbers are the lifeline of any cryptographic operation in modern computing. Quantum mechanics has the intrinsic ability to generate truly random numbers, making it an ideal alternative for scientific applications that require high-quality randomness. Quantum True Random Number Generators (QTRNGs) can yield real random data to replace random-looking periodic sequences. To construct such a random number generator, this work uses the IBM Q Experience platform called Qiskit.

This research focuses on the development and analysis of quantum-based TRNGs along with their prime characteristics. Qubits and quantum gates are the predominant sources of true randomness on quantum platforms. These inherent …

A Study On The Impact Of Psychological Factors On Investment Decisions Of Gen Y - It Employees, Tamil Nadu, Karthikeyan S

Theses and Dissertations

Investments are indeed vital to the economic development of a country. Individual savings and investment patterns play an important role in any economy since they are major components of financial markets. The investment pattern and type of investment products preferred by investors decide the future of the economy. As the Investment decision-making became crucial for individual investors since it can result in significant gains or losses and also has effect on the economy. As a result, each individual investor needs to be so cautious of how they make decisions and what influences them. The people were categorised by the generations …

Community Assistant Role And Its Impact On Academic Performance And Mental Health, Abigail R. Lamanna

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to analyze the multifaceted challenges faced by Community Assistants (CAs) within residential life at Rowan University. Through an examination of existing literature, data, and qualitative insights, this study sheds light on how CAs prioritize their academics and mental health within their role. Three research questions guided the study: (1) To what extent does the demanding role of a Community Assistant impact their ability to prioritize their academic responsibilities? (2) To what extent does the demanding role of a Community Assistant impact their ability to prioritize their Mental Health? (3) How can Residential Life Offices …

The Use Of Music Therapy To Improve Relationships And Increase Bonding And Connectedness Between Adopted Children And Their Adoptive Parents, Hannah Appleyard

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Children who are adopted may face greater difficulty in developing secure attachment with their adoptive parents. Music therapy is one treatment method that could be used to improve relationships between adopted children and their adoptive parents.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the use of music therapy to improve relationships and increase bonding and connectedness between adopted children and their adoptive parents. Four research questions were addressed in this study: (1) How can music therapy improve the relationship between adopted children and their adoptive parents? (2) What is the frequency of behavioral indicators of bonding and connectedness …

Combinatorial Studies Of Noble Metal Catalysts For Carbon Utilization, Natalie Leong Page

Theses and Dissertations

Electrocatalysts demonstrate significant promise for sustainable processes like carbon capture and generating recycled carbon fuels which are needed to achieve net zero carbon emissions. However, the commercialization of these processes is limited by several factors, one of which is the high cost of catalysts. The discovery and development of cheaper alternatives has been difficult due to constraints in experimental methodologies, scalability limitations, and a lack of understanding of reaction mechanisms. Within this dissertation is the development of a novel scanning electrochemical system and its implementation for high-throughput data generation from combinatorially sputtered material libraries. Combinatorial Pd-Au alloys were investigated for …

Design And Development Of Contactless Capacitive Coupled Electrodes For Cardiovascular Signal Acquisition, Ramya Lakshmi Vs

Theses and Dissertations

In biosignal acquisition and physiological monitoring, developing advanced electrode technologies is crucial in enhancing signal quality, minimizing interference, and improving overall reliability. One such innovative approach is the utilization of capacitive-coupled electrodes, a cutting-edge solution that addresses some of the challenges associated with traditional electrodes in biosignal recording.

Capacitive-based sensors have become prominent in physiological signal measurement over the past decade. The electric field from the external affects both the human body and the electrode. The primary aim while designing the capacitive electrode is to maximize the signal-to-noise ratio. Hence, we introduce shielding and guarding techniques to improve the signal-to-noise …

An Exploration Of Power Relations In Select Plays Of Girish Karnad A Foucauldian Perspective, Srinivasa Yogananda Rao Netrakanti

Theses and Dissertations

The present study, ‘An Exploration of Power Relations in Select Plays of Girish Karnad: A Foucauldian Perspective‘ aims to study power relations among the different characters in the three plays of Girish Karnad viz., Tughlaq, Naga-Mandala and Tale- Danda through Foucault's three modalities of power viz., bio-power, disciplinary power and sovereign power.

Chapter 1, Introduction gives a bird-eye view of Foucauldian concepts of power followed by the three modes of objectification and dividing practices, subjects and power relations, inter-connectedness between power and knowledge, panopticism, bio-power and discourses, the application of Foucauldian theories of the three major powers. Next, a Girish …

Design Of An Integrated System For The Protection Of Patient Health Information In Medical Images, Manikandan V

Theses and Dissertations

Electronic clinical data such as Patient Health Information (PHI) is stored by adapting the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard to build an integrated healthcare system where medical images from various sources can be interlinked. The healthcare industry poses a threat from hackers, and the information fetched by hackers provides more money than the other information stolen. This thesis deals with designing and analysing encryption algorithms, key generation mechanisms, and information-hiding schemes for protecting PHI.

Sensitive multimedia information of all forms is encrypted, with a key, before storage and transmission to protect it from illegal use and manipulation …

Intervening For A Better Social Life? A Comparative Analysis Of Psychological Egoism And Aristotle As Alternate Foundations For Applied Social Psychology's Aims, Samuel D. Major

Theses and Dissertations

The scientific aim which distinguishes applied social psychological research from basic social psychological research is that of using social psychological theory to develop interventions meant to rectify social and practical problems in hopes of fostering a flourishing or thriving social sphere. In developing their interventions, however, many applied social psychologists have failed to consider their pre-investigatory philosophical commitments, commitments which imply the kind of flourishing social life that may come as a result of interventions rooted in them. The aim of this dissertation is to invite applied social psychologists to consider if their frequently noted, yet often unexamined, commitment to …

Design And Implementation Of A Machine Learning Predictive Model For Crop Yield In Indoor Vertical Hydroponics Farming, Emna Bouzid

Theses and Dissertations

To optimize agricultural practices and address water scarcity, this work introduces Vertical Hydroponics and Machine Learning (ML) to smart agriculture, using data from Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to enhance crop production in low and medium-income countries, particularly Tunisia's, hydroponic farms. This research is an innovative approach to enhancing crop production within indoor vertical hydroponic systems by utilizing different ML predictive models and assessing their performance. This part was done at UALR while the data collection was done at MedTech, with 21 basil plants. This study compares Linear Regression, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), and Deep Neural Networks (DNN) for precision …

Beyond Urban Development: The Political Economy Of The Decision To Build A New Administrative Capital [Nac], Arsany Medhat

Theses and Dissertations

Following major societal upheavals, regimes often embark on grandiose infrastructure projects, particularly new capital cities. This thesis delves into the political-economic motivations behind such seemingly monumental undertaking, taking the case of Egypt's New Administrative Capital (NAC) as its prime example. Through meticulous analysis, it argues that three key drivers—legitimization, legibility, and clientelism—underpin this decision, ultimately fostering a process of power consolidation. Legitimization: The NAC serves as a potent symbol of a "new era," offering the post-upheaval regime a platform to showcase its modernity, efficiency, and commitment to progress, thereby bolstering its legitimacy in the eyes of both domestic and international …

Alma Mater: Implications Of Student Mothers Not Receiving "Nourishment" From Their University, Haylie M. June

Theses and Dissertations

Student mothers, comprising over one-fifth of college students, face unique challenges balancing academic pursuits with parental responsibilities. They seek higher education to improve financial prospects and set examples for their children. However, financial burdens, including childcare costs and debt, hinder their progress. Moreover, they face role conflict and societal judgment, feeling undervalued and alienated within the university community. Despite their resourcefulness, challenges persist, emphasizing the need for institutional support. Research explores how student mothers utilize social, cultural, and financial capital to manage their roles. Interviews with thirty-nine student mothers reveal heavy reliance on individual resources but underscore the need for …

Intergenerational Transmissions Of Body Image And Eating Issues: An Analysis Of Maternal And Interpersonal Socialization From College-Age Women, Elena Kae Cotter

Theses and Dissertations

Negative body image affects countless young American women and can lead to serious eating concerns if overlooked. A young girl may develop negative body image if she is pressured to fit into dominant social appearance standards perpetuated by the media and social groups such as her friends, peers, and family, especially her mother. One relationship that remains underexplored is that between mothers and daughters, specifically regarding young adult women and their retrospective thoughts on their mothers’ influence on their self-presentation at a young age. This study uses qualitative interviews and content analysis of transcribed interview texts, focusing on maternal influence …

Social Support Of First-Generation College Applicants During The Transition To College Onboarding Phase: A Mixed Methods Sequential Explanatory Case Study, Amanda Dawn Coltri

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed methods case study sought to explain first-generation college applicant melt with respect to support provided through a digital onboarding platform at State University. Data were analyzed to understand use of the platform for social support purposes, resulting in a predictive model that demonstrated social support was a greater predictor of melt among first-generation college applicants than both distance from home and adjusted gross income. Additionally, staff were interviewed regarding support practices and platform usage. Three key findings emerged: the onboarding platform did not provide adequate support to applicants; enrollment management staff scrambled to compensate for this support gap; …

Evaluating On-Screen Edit Checks For Improving The Quality Of Healthcare Data, Emel Seker

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the impact of on-screen edit checks (OSECs) on reducing data entry errors in Electronic Data Capture (EDC) systems, addressing a gap in existing literature on the efficacy of OSECs. Employing a crossover experimental design, the research utilizes deidentified neonatal opioid withdrawal data from the ACT NOW CE study. Twenty participants were divided into two arms to enter data into an electronic case report form (eCRF): one arm began with OSECs enabled and the other without and transitioned to the opposite halfway through. Each participant processed 20 cases, yielding a total of 130,815 data points across 285 questions …

From Crisis To Aftermath: The Role Of Nursing Professional Development Educators During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Realist Case Study, Kimberly Kanner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, realistic inquiry case study was to examine and understand the experiences of NPD educators as they assisted new graduate nurses transitioning into clinical nursing practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in acute care hospitals in the state of New York. Moreover, this research study sought to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic brought about changes to the NPD educator's role and their ability to assist new graduate nurses transitioning into clinical practice post-pandemic. The sample included NPD educators from acute care hospitals in the state of New York. Data collection included semi-structured interviews and document collection. The …