Digital Commons Network^™

A Case Study Of A University Induction Program: Coaching Early Career Teachers, William Roy Blakeney Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This is collective case study focuses on coaches working in a university-based induction program that supports early career teachers during their first three years of teaching. Interviews were conducted over a fall semester to document coaches’ perspectives on the critical incidents encountered by their coachees and the strategies they used to support resolution. New teacher attrition rates have contributed to a shortage of qualified teachers in the targeted schools and districts. This study was designed to explore a program that has yielded three-year teacher retention rates of over 90 percent for the past seven years. Six university induction program …

Too Much Of A Good Thing? Can Students Be Too Behaviorally Engaged, Rosemary Louise Odem

Theses and Dissertations

Student engagement in school is a key determinant of students’ academic success. Student engagement is commonly conceptualized as a meta construct comprised of three dimensions: emotional, cognitive, and behavioral engagement (Fredricks, 2015). Behavioral engagement, the focus of this study, is defined by positive conduct, involvement in learning and academic tasks, and participation in school-related activities (Fredricks et al., 2004). Some researchers have suggested that psychological strengths, like engagement, can be overused and result in maladaptive consequences (Niemiec, 2019; Oishi et al., 2007). This study addressed this notion using archival data from a sample of 422 students from one Southeastern US …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Teachers’ Beliefs And Practices Supporting African American Male Readers, Rhonda Douglas Sumter

Theses and Dissertations

Despite decades of educational reform, African American male students continue to experience persistent disparities in reading achievement. This qualitative case study explores the beliefs and pedagogical practices of three elementary educators identified as effective in supporting the reading development of African American males. Drawing on the frameworks of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (Ladson-Billings, 1995) and Critical Race Theory (Delgado & Stefancic, 2012), the study seeks to illuminate how educators affirm students’ identities, maintain rigorous expectations, and create responsive learning environments that foster academic success.

Data sources included in-depth teacher interviews and classroom observations. Thematic analysis revealed three interconnected practices across cases: …

Strategies For Developing Mathematical Identities In Middle School Students, Margaret M. Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

This concurrent mixed-methods action research study investigated the impact of mathematical discourse intervention on seventh-grade students’ mathematical identities and understanding. Twenty students participated in a four-week intervention implementing Smith and Stein’s (2018) five practices plus one framework.

Quantitative results showed curriculum-based assessments improved significantly (p < .001, d = 1.64). State mathematics assessment revealed minimal change in mean scores. The Mathematical Identity Questionnaire revealed positive shifts across all five constructs, with largest gains in Mathematical Initiative (+0.40) and Problem-Solving Persistence (+0.30). Qualitative analysis using Bingham’s (2023) five-phase process revealed three themes: Mathematical Voice Development, Identity Transformation Through Competence Building, and Communal Validation. Social Cognitive Theory and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy integration showed how discourse interventions addressed both individual self-efficacy and systemic inequities. Findings suggest intensive discourse intervention can initiate positive changes in mathematical identity and understanding for struggling students. Implications include restructuring mathematics instruction to prioritize student discourse and voice, creating more equitable learning environments.

Erosion Of Bermuda Grass Covered Soils, Oru-Ntui Johnwatters Nkiri

Theses and Dissertations

Earthen embankments are the most common type of embankment due to the relatively low cost, simplicity, and material availability. However, they are also the most prone to erosion related failure, typically due to overtopping and piping. Research has been conducted to identify ways to control soil erosion and protect earthen embankments with different approaches such as addition of chemicals and biopolymer to the soil, installation of protective layering (geotextiles, concrete), increased soil compaction, and use of vegetation. This thesis considers the use of Bermuda Grass to increase resistance to erosion and protect embankments from failure during overtopping. Grass coverage and …

Gut Microbiome Dynamics In Heart Failure And The Therapeutic Potential Of Nmeg-Cgrp, Kamryn Michael Gleason

Theses and Dissertations

Heart failure (HF) is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disease often linked to gut dysbiosis; however, its specific effects on gut microbial composition remain poorly understood. This study examined long-term changes in the gut microbiome in a murine HF model induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and evaluated the effects of NMEG-CGRP. TAC mimics pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction, replicating key features of HF. CGRP, a neuropeptide with vasodilatory and cardioprotective effects, shows potential as a therapy for HF but is limited by rapid degradation. A stabilized analog, NMEG-CGRP, was used to assess its impact on cardiac and gastrointestinal health. Mice …

Parental Attitudes And Expectations Regarding Piano Study For Their Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lin Zhong

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates parental attitudes and expectations regarding piano study for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Although music has been recognized for its therapeutic and educational benefits among individuals with ASD, research examining these outcomes from the perspective of parents has been limited. This study focuses on in-depth interviews with nine parents of children with ASD enrolled in the Carolina LifeSong Initiative, a specialized piano program serving students with diverse developmental disorders.

The interviews explored parents’ motivations for initiating piano study, expectations for both musical and non-musical outcomes, and observations of their children’s growth and challenges through music. Parents reported …

Cold Spray On Fiber Reinforced Polymer Substrates For Composite Repair And Tooling Applications, Patrick Allen Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

Cold Spray technology was first developed in the 1980’s and is an additive manufacturing and repair technique. It works by heating a pressurized carrier gas upwards of 600 °C and inserting metal particles downstream such that when they impact a substrate, the energy transformation causes plastic deformation of the particles. This thesis presents a use case for metal and polymer CS powder on fiber reinforced and fused filament fabrication polymer substrates. The state of the art for CS discusses the most up-to-date research within the field, and where new investigations are required. This research investigates the required process parameters to …

Evaluating The Performance And Feasibility Of A Device-Agnostic Approach To Compare Raw Accelerometry And Hr Data From Consumer Wearables To Research Grade Devices In Young Adults, Candy Bryan Mrudula Yalla

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Wearable technologies are increasingly used to monitor physical activity and heart rate in both research and everyday settings. This study aimed to compare accelerometery and heart rate (HR) data from two consumer wearables Apple Watch Series 7 and Google Pixel Watch Series 2, with research-grade devices: the ActiGraph GT9X Link and ActiHeart 5.

METHODS: Twenty-four young adults aged 18–24 years (mean age = 22.4; 54.2% female) participated in a 90-minute activity protocol while wearing the devices. The protocol included structured tasks ranging from rest to vigorous intensity. Consumer wearables and ActiGraph were worn on the non-dominant wrist, and the …

The Role Of Fibroblast Activation Protein On Left Ventricular Growth And Extracellular Matrix Remodeling As A Function Of Age And Pressure Overload, Amelia Marie Churillo

Theses and Dissertations

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is abundantly expressed in cancer associated fibroblasts and contributes to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Recent studies using imaging techniques have identified increased levels of FAP in the left ventricle (LV) of patients identified as at risk for developing heart failure. However, the role of FAP in regulated LV myocardial structure and function remains unclear. This project tested two hypotheses: First, genetic ablation of FAP would modify LV structure and function and be more pronounced with aging. Second, genetic ablation of FAP would modify LV structure and function with LV pressure overload (LVPO) accompanied by ECM remodeling.

Computational Analogies In The Era Of Large Language Models, Amarakoon Mudiyanselage Thilini Wijesiriwardene

Theses and Dissertations

Analogical reasoning is an important part of human cognition requiring the integration of abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, and background knowledge. Despite significant advances in language modeling, the capacity of current methods to accurately identify, model, and evaluate analogies remains fundamentally underexplored.

Analogies enable individuals to perceive deep similarities between superficially different situations. Effective analogy-making requires integrating knowledge about the external world with abstract reasoning and pattern recognition capabilities. While current language models (LMs), trained on massive textual corpora using autoregressive or masked objectives, achieve impressive performance across Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks such as text generation, summarization, and classification, their …

Fue Evocations: A Culturally-Informed Performance Guide To Approaching Works For The Western Concert Flute Inspired By Traditional Japanese Flutes, Chase Michael Ketron

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this document is to create a culturally-informed and aesthetically accurate performance preparation guide for Western concert flute players seeking to perform works inspired by traditional Japanese flutes, or fue, such as the shakuhachi and nohkan.¹ While many pieces like these exist, there are limited resources detailing how to emulate the traditional Japanese flutes and their performance practices. The composers of these works often do well to provide notation for producing the specific sounds or effects they are trying to replicate, but these are non-standardized and thus vary from composer to composer. In addition, the traditional …

Adapting To Inflationary Pressures: Household Coping Strategies In Urban Egypt (2016– 2025), Mohamed Mohamed Ashraf Kamal

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, Egypt has faced persistent economic challenges including repeated currency devaluations, high inflation rates, subsidy reforms such as the gradual reduction of food and energy subsidies, and the ripple effects of global crises that have significantly impacted household well-being, especially in urban areas. These pressures have eroded purchasing power and heightened food insecurity, especially among low- and middle-income families. Although substantial attention has been paid to macroeconomic indicators, there remains a critical gap in understanding how households adapt on a daily basis to manage financial stress and sustain their livelihoods. This inquiry is especially timely, as household …

Deep Learning-Based Change Detection In High-Resolution Remote Sensing Imagery, Hazem Badawy

Theses and Dissertations

Remote sensing has become a key tool for monitoring Earth’s surface over time, offering valuable insights into both natural and human-driven changes. Among its many applications, change detection focuses on analyzing multi-temporal imagery to reveal how specific areas evolve across different time periods. It plays a pivotal role in Earth observation applications, including urban development monitoring, environmental degradation assessment, and disaster response. However, existing approaches often struggle with limited contextual awareness, high sensitivity to noise, and imprecise localization of change boundaries, especially with high-resolution imagery. This thesis investigates the complex problem of change detection in remote sensing imagery by proposing …

Addressing Climate Vulnerability And Policy Gaps Of Heat Waves In Upper Egypt: The Case Study Of Al-A’Qaab Village In Aswan, Eman Abdullah

Theses and Dissertations

Heatwaves are currently one of the most dangerous climate hazards globally. Egypt is experiencing an increase in the intensity and frequency of heatwaves, which affects health, economy, infrastructure, and the ecological system. Upper Egypt is one of the most vulnerable regions in Egypt to rising temperatures, particularly in Aswan Governorate. The risks of heat waves are increasing vulnerability among vulnerable groups, such as women and low-income individuals. However, there is a clear gap in protection policies against heat waves, along with a lack of studies examining the effects of heat waves on individuals in Aswan. Accordingly, this thesis aims to …

Multilateral Organizations And Health Emergency Management During Crisis: The Case Study Of The World Health Organization During Covid-19 Pandemic, Aya Helmy Hamada

Theses and Dissertations

Multilateral organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), play a key role in managing health emergencies during crises. During the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO achieved significant progress by supporting countries with technical assistance, guidelines, and essential resources. As well as providing technical guidance, sharing information, and coordinating among member states. This experience highlighted the importance of WHO in tackling global public health problems and showed how multilateral collaboration can help address complex challenges. Moreover, risk and crisis communication proved to be a critical part of WHO’s response, ensuring that clear and timely information reached the public and stakeholders. Despite these …

Predictors Of Outpatient Follow-Up Attendance And Subsequent Psychiatric Readmission, Sandra J. Beltran

Theses and Dissertations

Psychiatric readmissions remain a persistent challenge in mental health care, often reflecting gaps in continuity of treatment following discharge. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2019) indicated that a key component in preventing inpatient readmission is adequate outpatient care following discharge. Moreover, early attendance in outpatient follow-up visits is associated with improved patient outcomes (Boston Medical Center, 2022). Various predictors are associated with engagement in outpatient services, such as age, medication compliance, and socioeconomic variables (Carson et al., 2014; Li et al., 2005; Marino et al., 2016; Stubbs et al., 2024).

The present study sought to determine whether psychiatric …

Security And Terrorism Vs Free Expression: Analytical Study On The European Court Of Human Rights, Mariam Adel Massoud

Theses and Dissertations

The 11 of September attacks provide a paradigm shift when it comes to protection of national security. It results in a trending vision that prioritized security over national security, which makes it essential to think about balancing national security with free expression as a pillar of democratization. This study focusses on how the balance between freedom of expression and national security interests is achieved. It studies the legal approached of the European court of human rights and its legal assessment to strike this balance. The findings of this analytical study asserts that in order for the ECtHR to achieve this …

Addressing Graduation Disparities: Double-Dose Algebra As A Catalyst For Success Among Economically Disadvantaged Learners, Tracy Matozzo

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the impact of a double-dose algebra intervention (DDAI) on the academic achievement of economically disadvantaged learners (EDLs) in a suburban New Jersey high school. Algebra, recognized as a gatekeeper course for graduation and postsecondary opportunities, was the focal point for targeted instructional reform. Using a quasi-experimental design, outcomes for EDLs enrolled in the DDAI were compared with peers in traditional algebra classes across three cohorts. Findings showed that EDLs in the treatment group achieved higher passing rates in Algebra I and demonstrated stronger attendance patterns than the control groups, though standardized test score improvements were modest. Survey …

Multiscale Modelling Of Eg5: Structural Insights Into Microtubule Interactions, Atp Hydrolysis, And Allosteric Inhibition Mechanisms, Soundarya Priya Alexandar Ms

Theses and Dissertations

The mitotic kinesin EG5 is essential for spindle bipolarity and accurate chromosome segregation during cell division, making it a validated anti-cancer target. Unlike conventional microtubule-targeting agents, EG5 inhibitors offer mitosis-specific action, reducing neurotoxicity. Although inhibitors targeting EG5’s allosteric site-I have been extensively studied, mechanistic insights into inhibition at site-II, and their combined effects, remain underexplored. This thesis systematically investigates the structural and dynamic mechanisms underlying EG5 function and its inhibition using an integrative computational approach.

Conformational analysis, coarse-grained dynamics, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations, and protein network analysis were performed on EG5 motor domain structures and EG5-microtubule complexes. Results show that …

Assessing Inclusion Within Naaee Affiliate Ee Associations And Where To Go From Here, Connor Chilton

Theses and Dissertations

Environmental Education (EE) has a history that has been typically defined by traditionally dominant identities (White, male, able-bodied, etc.). The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) offers a unique position as frontrunners for the field of EE and have the duty to provide an inclusive-minded education for and about the environments throughout the world. Through NAAEE’s affiliate network within the United States, this paper details a glimpse into the work towards inclusion by surveying its leadership position holders about the broad subject and several interconnections of inclusion. Upon completion of the survey, participants who opted to participate in a …

Depression-Related Impairment During The Transition To College: Informing Prevention Efforts Using A Prospective Cohort Study, Nicole A. Kelso

Theses and Dissertations

Depression is a major public health concern in higher education. With college mental health counseling centers struggling to meet the high demand for services, there is a critical need to refine and expand prevention efforts. The first semester as a new postsecondary institution may be an important window for prevention efforts as students are adjusting to new academic and social challenges. This dissertation has three primary aims. Study 1 aims to improve identification of students in greatest need of preventive care and allocation of limited prevention resources. Study 2 seeks to refine understanding of etiological processes contributing to depression during …

Molecular Architecture And Mechanical Response In Polymeric Materials: Thin Films, Linear-Ring Elastomers, And Lignin, Siteng Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the mechanical behavior of polymeric materials is critical to advancing modern technologies, from flexible electronics to sustainable adhesives. This dissertation investigates the micromechanics of polymer thin films, dual-network elastomers, and bio-based lignin materials, with an emphasis on deformation mechanisms, network topology, and mechanical properties. The work combines principles of polymer physics with materials science to uncover structure–property relationships that inform polymer design. This dissertation primarily uses coarse-grained and atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate molecular-scale behavior beyond experimental reach. Through these methods, critical insights are gained into how entanglement, topology, and chain architecture govern bulk material performance. The first …

Punitiveness In The Modern Era: Gender Roles & Anti-Transgender Attitudes, Haley Brooke Trantham

Theses and Dissertations

Public opinion on punitiveness is an important topic of study because it can influence political elites’ decision making when developing legislation. This study focused on the role gender ideology and anti-transgender attitudes on punitiveness while controlling for religious and political conservatism. The 2020 American National Election Study (ANES) was used to examine the association between conservatism, traditional gender roles, and anti-transgender attitudes on their influence of punitiveness. Three ordinal logistic regressions were run for each type of punitiveness (i.e., death penalty support, crime spending, and felon disenfranchisement). Results indicated that religious conservatives had lesser odds for supporting the death penalty …

Staying Alive: Negotiating Life With The Contamination Of Kitchener Drain., Zein Hassib

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how rural communities in Kafr El Sheikh governorate, Egypt, negotiate everyday life with the contamination of Kitchener Drain, the largest agricultural drain in the central Nile Delta. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in three villages at the tail-end end of the drain, the study explores how water contamination shapes social and ecological, social life for farmers living in the catchment of the drain. The thesis situates the farmer’s present experience within the broader history of colonial and modernist national irrigation reforms and developments highlighting how systemic neglect and uneven governance reproduce conditions of vulnerability. At the same time, …

Measuring Return And Volatility Interactions Across Gcc Equity Indices And Cryptocurrencies, Yasmin Sudan

Theses and Dissertations

This research is examining how volatility travels between major cryptocurrencies and Gulf stock markets. Using daily data for six GCC equity indices (ADX, BAX, DFMGI, KSE, QE, TASI) and five leading cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dash, Monero) from 2017–2022. Our methodology contains a three-step framework consists of a univariate Garch (1,1) to assess the volatility of each asset. A bivariant BEKK Garch to measure shocks transmission and volatility transmission from cryptocurrencies to Gulf stock market. The last step is using the DCC Garch model to model the time varying correlation. We also split the sample before and after January 2020 …

Bartók’S Romanian Folk Dances: A Consideration Of Sound And Movement, Bailey Frame

Theses and Dissertations

Béla Bartók (1881-1945) cared deeply about authenticity in his work. He continually passed by derivative versions, and instead sought the oldest, earliest, most inaugural version of each folk tune to use as that launching point for his compositions. As he collected the Transylvanian folk tunes that would become his Romanian Folk Dances, he disregarded inconveniences like bad weather and exhausting travel, and he doggedly lugged with him a newly invented Edison phonograph. Though it was unwieldy and fickle, the device allowed him to capture folk music in the moment it was created. Not one for sterile auditoriums or music studios, …

Validation And Proposed Expansion Of The Data-Driven D Region Model, Kevin M. Watson

Theses and Dissertations

Predicting ionosphere effects on radio wave propagation is critical for communications and over-the-horizon radar systems. The D region is challenging to model for several reasons, one of which is chemical complexity. Ion density changes during sunrise/sunset introduce substantial uncertainty in electron density profiles (EDPs). The Data Driven D Region (D3R) model solves electron densities through an ion chemistry model and assimilates relevant space weather inputs. This study evaluates D3R against the Faraday International Reference Ionosphere (FIRI) and measurements using Very Low Frequency (VLF) propagation paths. Space weather event impacts on D3R EDPs are evaluated during the disturbed period from 8-12 …

Nuclear Structure Of Neutron-Deficient Cesium-126 And Cesium-127, Connor M. Gautam

Theses and Dissertations

Lifetimes of seven excited states of ¹²⁷Cs, including the states populating the isomer, were measured through a combination of spectroscopic methods. The spin and parity of the states leading up to the 171-μs isomeric level of ¹²⁶Cs were assigned for the first time, new values were measured for the lifetimes of the two isomeric states, and new evidence was presented for the assignment of a detached sequence of gamma rays to the ¹²⁶Cs nucleus.

Designing The Protocol For An Experimental Flight Simulation Study Encouraging Fuel Efficient Behavior, Thomas S. Reardon

Theses and Dissertations

This study designed and tested an experimental instrument to examine how pilots respond to fuel efficiency feedback in a flight simulator. A standardized flight plan, script, and hardware setup were created using X-Plane 12 software and physical flight simulator hardware. The chosen sortie guided participants from Monterey Regional Airport to Moffett Federal Airfield using instrument flight rules (IFR). The flight script provided step-by-step guidance to ensure consistent behavior across participants. The simulator was mapped to match real cockpit controls and allowed for precise data collection including flight time, altitude, heading, and fuel use. The goal was to support a larger …