Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Gap Between Self-Assessed And Actual Language Proficiency: A Comparative Analysis Of Japanese And Romance Language Learners, Megan Scarlet Keys

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores self-assessment accuracy among Japanese second language (L2) learners compared to learners of Romance languages. This research aims to investigate the extent of accuracy in self-assessment among Japanese learners and compare it with their counterparts studying Romance languages. Additionally, the study explores the variables influencing the accuracy of self-assessment in this context. The participants in this study comprised 144 undergraduate students enrolled in Japanese, French, Spanish, or Portuguese courses at Brigham Young University. Most participants possessed practical experience using their L2 in the target cultural context, complementing their academic coursework. The Language Ability Self-Evaluation Resource (LASER) was utilized …

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 …

Foam Fraction Flow: Using Mls-Mpm With Volume Fractions To Simulate Low-Density Dry Foam, Alexander Neville

Theses and Dissertations

Foaming bubbles are a common element seen throughout both nature and man-made civilization. All types of bubbles behave variably. For example, foams float in water, splash out from buckets, and are squeezed out of hand soap dispensers. Due to their complexity and variance in behavior, they can be expensive to simulate and difficult to portray realistically. When simulating dense concentrations of bubbles with little free-flowing water, such as soap films, three variables need to be accounted for: how the fluid will move, how the bubbles will be sized, and how the bubbles will behave when they come into contact with …

Attitudes, Opinions, And Beliefs Of Teachers Toward Dual Immersion Programs In Utah Schools, Amy Lynn Hawks

Theses and Dissertations

Dual language immersion programs have been on the rise in the United States as a proven effective form of bilingual education. As of the 2018–2019 academic year, Utah had 224 dual language immersion (DLI) programs; 113 Spanish, 65 Chinese, 30 French, 13 Portuguese, 2 German and 1 Russian. Roughly 34,000 students were enrolled in one of these programs. The DLI programs in Utah use a 50:50 model, which means half of the students' day is in the partner language model and half is in English. The purpose of my study was to research teachers’ attitudes, opinions, and beliefs within a …

Egypt’S Legal Modernism: Challenging The National Discourse, Mohamed A. El-Deeb

Theses and Dissertations

Egypt’s legal modernity is the story of the modern Egyptian state itself. Reforming the country’s judiciary in the late nineteenth century was meant to achieve ambitious aims beyond the functionality of a justice system. The utmost goal was the country’s independence from the suzerainty of the Ottoman Empire. The judicial reforms modernized the Egyptian state and built a judiciary and legal community like no other place. Egypt achieved its independent judiciary before gaining its political independence. That was a remarkable achievement of the judicial reform. That rich part of Egypt’s modern history is negated and disregarded from public awareness. Not …

Minimal Specialization: The Coevolution Of Network Structure And Dynamics, Annika King

Theses and Dissertations

The changing topology of a network is driven by the need to maintain or optimize network function. As this function is often related to moving quantities such as traffic, information, etc., efficiently through the network, the structure of the network and the dynamics on the network directly depend on the other. To model this interplay of network structure and dynamics we use the dynamics on the network, or the dynamical processes the network models, to influence the dynamics of the network structure, i.e., to determine where and when to modify the network structure. We model the dynamics on the network …

Digital Technology Usage Behaviour Among Unorganised Retailers In Tamil Nadu, Karthik Ram M

Theses and Dissertations

Unorganised retail, consisting of small local shops offering various products, holds a significant market share of 81.50 %, according to the India Retailer Report (2023). Despite the burgeoning e-commerce and organised retail sectors, unorganised retail remains a preferred shopping choice for many consumers.

In response to the sector's potential, several startups have emerged, aiming to support kirana stores. While these startups have primarily focused on horizontal solutions to enhance efficiency, there is a growing need for tailored solutions addressing the specific requirements of unorganised retailers.

Introducing the Dukantech (Dukan in hindi meaning ‘Shop’) model as a solution, this approach enables …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Digitally Beamformed 2d Scanning Phased Array Radar For Networked Unmanned Air Vehicle Detection And Tracking, Carson Reed Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Radar systems vary significantly in size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) characteristics with many high SWaP-C models being inaccessible to consumers. Recognizing this, we have engineered an effective but low SWaP-C networked radar system tailored for detecting and tracking unmanned air vehicle (UAV) traffic. Using field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and custom-designed printed circuit boards (PCBs), our system achieves remarkable efficiency without compromising performance. We use patch antennas for our transmitter and in our 4x4 receiver array. With our low SWaP-C system we have successfully concluded outdoor range testing, detecting corner reflector targets at a remarkable 10dB above our noise floor …

Communicating Politics Without Talking Politics: The Role Of The European Union In The Game Of Egyptian Culture., Mona Massoud

Theses and Dissertations

The European Union has provided various democracy aid programs to Egypt since 2013, yet the country’s democracy index has gone down since then[1]. Despite the stagnation in the trajectory of democratization, the EU expanded its democracy promotion aid programs in 2016 to encompass the independent cultural scene in Egypt. This thesis critically examines the reasons for the stagnation of democratization processes in Egypt, a MENA country that continues to be a recipient of the EU’s democracy promotion programs. It argues that there is a discrepancy between the EU’s stated democracy promotion rhetoric and its actions, a factor that …

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 …

Dna-Templated Nanofabrication Of Metal-Semiconductor Heterojunctions And Their Electrical Characterization, Chao Pang

Theses and Dissertations

Bottom-up nanofabrication, although still in its early stages with formidable challenges, is considered a potential alternative method to address the limitations of traditional top-down techniques by offering benefits including process simplification, cost reduction, and environmental friendliness. DNA-templated nanofabrication, one of the most powerful bottom-up methods, presents an innovative way to create advanced nanoelectronics. In this approach, nanomaterials with specific electronic, photonic, or other functions are precisely and programmably positioned on DNA nanostructures from a disordered collection of smaller parts. These self-assembled structures offer significant potential for improving many fields such as biosensing, drug delivery and electronic device manufacturing. This dissertation …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Existence And Uniqueness Results For Deformable Fractional Differential Equations, Sreedharan R

Theses and Dissertations

Fractional calculus and fractional differential equations are considered to be the valuable tools in modeling many phenomena in various fields of science and engineering. In the literature, many definitions for fractional order derivatives, such as Riemann-Liouville, Caputo, Jumarie, Hadamard, Weyl, and more, were developed to study the fractional differential equations that govern various phenomena in science and engineering. But these definitions have their own limitations, such as derivatives of constants, product of two functions, quotient of two functions, assertion laws, and limiting values of the derivatives at zero and negative numbers.

To overcome the deficiencies, researchers have recently introduced some …

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 …

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 …

Creating Virtual 3d Artifacts For The Clinton Presidential Library And Museum, Jackelyn Raquel Cordova Romano

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis project is to create virtual 3D artifacts for the Clinton Presidential Library and Museum for use in their e-museum website to aid museum accessibility of objects. These 3D artifacts will be used by the Clinton Museum for their webpage and the artifacts were modeled carefully to appear as close as possible to the objects chosen by the museum team. As an institution part of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), the limited access of objects due to the sheer size of the collection creates a problem with the institution’s mission of providing access to …

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 …

Effects Of Print Process Parameters On Droplet-Powder Interaction In Binder Jet Additive Manufacturing, Jacob Lawrence

Theses and Dissertations

Binder jet additive manufacturing (BJ) offers unique advantages, including the ability to produce complex geometries and utilize a wide range of materials, but faces challenges related to part quality and defect formation. This thesis investigates the effects of process parameters on droplet-powder interaction, powder relocation, and line formation in BJ printing. A custom BJ test platform was developed to enable precise control over key process parameters and in-situ monitoring. High-speed synchrotron X-ray imaging revealed modes of powder relocation above and below the powder bed surface. Testing revealed that parameters that increase moisture in the powder bed, such as lower droplet …

The Effects Of Work-Life Balance, Teleworking, And Deia On The U.S. Federal Employee Job Satisfaction: Towards Developing A Contemporary Needs Theory, Latara Marie Arterberry

Theses and Dissertations

The study of work-life balance, teleworking, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are increasingly studied among scholars using different theoretical frameworks. However, no study examines work-life balance, teleworking, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility as needs in these contemporary times that, when met, lead to higher employee job satisfaction. Existing scholarship suggests that employee job satisfaction is a function of needs. However, with globalization, human needs have changed to include social justice concerns and the desire to have a more fulfilling family life. When organizations respond to these needs, it leads to employee job satisfaction, which ultimately improves organizational performance. …

Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, And Cardiovascular Health Of Adults With And Without Down Syndrome, Brantley Kyle Ballenger

Theses and Dissertations

Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic condition caused by an extra copy of chromosome 21. Adults with DS have cardiovascular and metabolic alteration, which may lead to an increased number of cardiovascular disease risk factors in this population. Such impairments may affect their ability to exercise and perform moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Moreover, MVPA may affect arterial health differently in adults with DS due to endothelial dysfunction and sympathetic impairment. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate differences in cardiovascular health and physical activity (PA) profiles between adults with and without DS. Specific aims of this dissertation …

Software Defined Radio (Sdr) Based Sensing, Ajaya Dahal

Theses and Dissertations

The history of Software-Defined Radios (SDRs) epitomizes innovation in wireless communication. Initially serving military needs, SDRs swiftly transitioned to civilian applications, revolutionizing communication. This thesis explores SDR applications such as Spectrum Scanning Systems, Contraband Cellphone Detection, and Human Activity Recognition via Wi-Fi signals. SDRs empower Spectrum Scanning Systems to monitor and analyze radio frequencies, optimizing spectrum allocation for seamless wireless communication. In Contraband Cellphone Detection, SDRs identify unauthorized signals in restricted areas, bolstering security efforts by thwarting illicit cellphone usage. Human Activity Recognition utilizes Raspberry Pi 3B+ to track movement patterns via Wi-Fi signals, offering insights across various sectors. Additionally, …

Effect Of Metaphylaxis In High-Risk Stocker Heifers On The Nasopharyngeal Microbiome, Resistome, And Antimicrobial Resistance Of Mannheimia Haemolytica, William Byrn Crosby

Theses and Dissertations

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the leading cause of morbidity in feeder and stocker cattle, resulting in large impacts on economics of stocker and feedlot operations. One of the most effective means of controlling BRD is the mass administration of antimicrobials (AM) at arrival or “metaphylaxis”, potentially leading to increased antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Mannheimia haemolytica (MH), the most commonly isolated bacterial pathogen in BRD cases in feedlot cattle, has been shown to have integrative-conjugative elements (ICE), which are mobile genetic elements that have the ability to integrate themselves in the host genome. Notably, these ICE have been shown to contain …